Chapter Text
Hoseok finishes his 12-hour-shift at the hospital around midnight on Saturday. Despite not being particularly fond of long shifts, the exhaustion he feels at the end of one is, in a way, welcome. He knows he’ll fall asleep as soon as his body hits the bed and end up waking long past noon the next day. The prospect of the upcoming long hours of quality, blissful sleep is enough to make him hurry to get changed, even if his leg muscles are strained as hell.
At the nurses’ changing room, Hoseok strips off his working clothes, changing into a loose pair of jeans - not his favorite, but he’s run out of clean clothes, not having any spare time to do laundry -, and a fitted black shirt he’s probably worn too many times for it to be considered clean. Quickly, Hoseok combs his fingers through his black hair, and lets the bangs fall messily over his forehead. He also desperately needs a haircut. Maybe he’ll get one if he can take some time off next week.
Hoseok stretches his arms, rolling his shoulders and causing a bone or two to pop, then grabs his bag and car keys from the locker. As he makes his way out of the hospital he waves goodbye to a few of his colleagues who are clocking in or also preparing to leave for the day.
Once he’s made past the automatic glass doors, Hoseok stops to check the time on his phone. Thankfully, it’s not so late that there wouldn’t be any stores open on his usual route home. There are also a few burger places that are always open, but he’s trying to watch what he eats.
Being one to get sick too easily, his mom had made Hoseok promise to eat as healthy as he could when he’d moved out. He doesn’t smoke either, and in general, leads a healthy life, not counting his messy sleeping schedule and the occasional night out with his co-workers when he often gets considerably wasted.
As Hoseok looks up to stare at the parking lot, the smell of cigarette catches his attention. Curious, he turns his head in search of its source, since this is not the assigned smoking area.
The lighting outside isn’t the best but it still allows him to spot a tall man in dark jeans and a black leather jacket with a cigarette held between his point and middle fingers, as he leans against the hospital wall. He can’t quite make up the man’s features but he looks distracted, gaze lost somewhere beyond the expanse of the parking lot.
As Hoseok starts to head his way, the proximity makes it easier to see. The other man seems to be around Hoseok’s age, with a handsome side profile and definitely a few centimeters taller than himself.
Hoseok makes sure he doesn’t sneak up on the other, forcing out a cough as to announce his presence so the man doesn’t get startled. Although he doesn’t seem like the type who gets startled easy. He just has an aura about him that Hoseok can’t quite explain.
The man also doesn’t seem the type to care about signs that say ‘no smoking’ in big red letters, even though there’s one affixed to the wall right beside him.
“Cigarettes are bad for your health”, Hoseok says, once he is only a couple of steps away from the man.
If the other is startled by Hoseok’s sudden appearance he doesn’t show. He turns his head to look at Hoseok, an eyebrow arched, and Hoseok almost has to take a step back because he’s suddenly face-to-face with one of the most attractive man he’s ever laid his eyes on.
They stay silent for a moment, staring at each other; Hoseok taking in the man’s attractive features, while the latter seems to ponder if answering Hoseok’s remark is worth it or not.
“I’m aware,” the man finally says, after a few seconds, then turns back to stare ahead, as if he’s dismissed Hoseok with those few, quick words.
Hoseok doesn’t even know why he’s approached the man, except that it simply felt right to do it in that moment, but now he’s not so sure he should have.
He watches as the man takes a last drag of the cigarette, then presses the stub against the wall, stuffing it in his back pocket afterwards.
“Can I help you?” The man asks, pushing his body off the wall and turning to Hoseok. He doesn’t sound either annoyed or angry and simply stares at Hoseok, waiting for an answer.
Hoseok taps a finger against the sign on the wall, causing the man’s gaze to follow the sound. “There’s an area for smokers right over there,” Hoseok informs him, pointing with his head to the other side of the hospital doors where he came from.
“Thanks,” the man nods briefly, then he shrugs, adding, “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s not like there are oxygen tanks around here or anything, but there are safety measures in place for a reason.” Hoseok’s well aware of how lame he sounds right now. He expects the other man to roll his eyes at him or something equally rude, but instead he just nods again to show he understands.
“Do you work here?” Stranger asks, as he rocks back and forth on his heels. Hoseok wonders if he’s nervous or anxious.
“Yes, I do. I’m a nurse,” Hoseok replies, with a small smile. “Are you visiting someone?”
“I am. A friend.”
“I see. Is he okay? Is it anything serious?” Hoseok asks, not to pry or anything, but if someone close to the man is injured badly, that would explain why the man seems a bit fidgety. Besides, it kinda comes with being a nurse: he’s also asking after people’s health. It’s like second nature to him.
“Nothing serious, no. He fell out of his bike and broke his leg.” Hoseok notices the man looks past his shoulder and he realizes he’s probably intruding in someone’s personal business and he decides it’s time to leave.
“I hope he recovers well. The doctors here are very good at what they do so I wouldn’t worry too much,” Hoseok gives the man a reassuring smile and gets another nod in return. “I have to head home now. My shift just ended and I’m pretty beaten. It was nice meeting you.”
Hoseok quickly turns to his leave, but just as quickly, the taller man is at his side.
“Can I walk with you?” He asks, and his shoulder bumps slightly against Hoseok’s. Hoseok complies even if he thinks this is weirdly intimate, since they don’t even know each other’s names yet
“My name is Shin Hoseok.” Introducing himself seems like the right thing to do, given they’re already walking side by side like long lost friends reuniting after years.
“Hyunwoo,” the man says, informally, as they continue walking through the empty parking lot.
There are only a few cars parked on the visitors’ section, and they walk past them to the spots reserved for employees. It’s a chilly night, but Hoseok likes the tingly feel of the cool night breeze against his bare arms.
There are no stars visible in the night sky, even though it’s not cloudy, but Hoseok thinks it’s still nice. He remembers the feel of longing for his bed just a few minutes ago, and although his body is still exhausted, he doesn’t want to say goodbye to Hyunwoo just yet.
Hoseok can’t explain why, but he feels comfortable around the other man, even though they’ve just met.
“So are you sticking around to wait for your friend?” Hoseok asks as they approach his car.
“Yeah, I think so. Gotta give him a ride home,” Hyunwoo answers, conjuring up another cigarette from his pocket along with a lighter. He’s about to light the cigarette, but stops midway, taking the cigarette out of his mouth. “Am I allowed to smoke here?”
Hoseok snickers, replying with a ‘yes’. Hyunwoo chuckles and resumes lighting up the cigarette, taking a slow drag, and turning his head to the side to blow up the smoke.
“Do you always play by the rules?”
The question takes Hoseok off guard. He scratches the back of his head, while thinking of an answer and Hyunwoo keeps his eyes on him, assessing. Trying to gauge his reaction maybe? Making assumptions about who he is?
Hoseok decides to be as frank as possible.
“It depends. I think rules exist for a reason, and if other people’s safety and my own is involved, I tend to,” Hoseok makes quotation marks in the air with his fingers, “play by the rules, yes.”
Hyunwoo hums, bringing the cigarette to his lips again, but suddenly seems to think better of it. Instead, he takes a few steps towards Hoseok. They’re very close right now. Close enough for Hyunwoo’s scent to fill his nostrils. The taller man smells of cigarette smoke and cinnamon, probably from his cologne.
Hoseok decides he likes it, leaning in until he’s very much into Hyunwoo’s personal space, able to feel the other man’s body heat radiating off him. And since Hyunwoo doesn’t move away, not seeming to mind the closeness at all, Hoseok doesn’t either.
“I take it you don’t smoke.”
Hoseok shakes his head, finding pretty hard to translate thoughts into words right at the moment, with Hyunwoo so near him. Due to the height difference, they're not quite at eye-level, so it’s only natural that Hoseok’s gaze travels down to Hyunwoo’s pillowy, oh-so-soft looking lips and that’s also a big percentage of the reason he’s not focusing on speaking.
“Are you straight?” Hyunwoo asks, eyebrows raised.
Hoseok can’t help but scoff at the question, looking up to stare Hyunwoo in the eye.
“Not at all.”
“Can I kiss you?” At those words, Hyunwoo’s gaze drops back down to Hoseok’s lips.
Hoseok would be lying he if he said he doesn’t want to reply with a big, bold yes, and he would definitely be lying if he said the thought of kissing Hyunwoo hasn’t crossed his mind at least a couple of times already.
The attraction is there, and it’s clearly mutual, but Hoseok’s been taught better than to go around kissing strangers on hospital parking lots. Even if the stranger in question is really hot, makes Hoseok’s insides feel all warm and mushy, and his legs weak.
It takes all of Hoseok’s willpower not to give in, but he finally gathers the strength to refuse.
“Sorry, maybe next time.”
Hyunwoo looks a bit disappointed - if Hoseok’s reading him right -, but backs away almost instantly, stepping out of Hoseok’s personal space.
“I have to go now.” Hoseok’s voice sounds too loud for his own ears, as he says that, fumbling with his car keys and walking to the other side. He didn’t mean to run away like that, but Hyunwoo’s like a magnet pulling him towards him and Hoseok feels like he needs to be at a safe distance from him to act rationally.
“See you around, nurse Shin.”
The words make Hoseok look up, but Hyunwoo is already walking away. That’s when Hoseok finally notices the big, indigo-blue ‘X’ on the back of his leather jacket. He stares for a moment longer as Hyunwoo’s form gets smaller, until he can barely see the man due to the poor lighting.
Once inside the car, Hoseok tries to make sense of what’s just happened because it feels very much like a distant memory, or even a dream. Maybe it’s the late hour, maybe it’s how tired he is. Whatever the reason, Hoseok tells himself to forget about the man and focus on getting something to eat then head home.
He’ll probably never see Hyunwoo again, Hoseok thinks, quickly dismissing the unexpected sensation of loss that overcomes him, telling himself it’s just his empty stomach and lack of sleep, as he turns the car engine on and drives away.
_______________
“Lee Jooheon, right? Mr. Lee, you were due to take your cast off five days go. May I ask you why you couldn’t make it?” Hoseok looks up from the patient’s chart to the man standing in front of him supported by crutches.
“Because he is a dumbass.” A blonde man, who’s accompanying the patient, Jooheon, says, after poking the latter’s ribs.
“Sorry, sir, but I can’t write that down.” Hoseok smiles politely at them.
“Write this down then,” blonde guy starts, “he didn’t come because he enjoys making Minhyuk into his own personal maid.”
Jooheon rolls his eyes and tells his friend - whose name Hoseok assumes is Minhyuk - to shut the hell up.
“I’m afraid I can’t write that down, either.” Watching the two friends banter cutely threatens to draw a smile on Hoseok’s face but he fights it, not wanting to seem unprofessional.
“I didn’t come because I felt like I needed one more week of rest,” Jooheon answers, while trying to keep Minhyuk’s hand off of his crutches, as the blonde tries to pull them, all the while arguing that Jooheon is completely fine to walk and is just being ‘a little whiny bitch’ - his words - about it.
Hoseok writes down the patient’s answer and asks for Jooheon to be taken to one of the beds so he can have his cast taken off.
“Aren’t you gonna do it?” Jooheon asks Hoseok, after sitting down on the wheelchair.
“I’m on front desk duty today, I’m sorry,” Hoseok makes sure he looks apologetic enough, as Jooheon pouts.
“Aw, dang, I never get the hot nurses,” Jooheon whines before he’s carted off, his friend following on foot, leaving a dumbfounded but amused Hoseok behind.
As he watches them leave, he notices the blue ‘X’ printed on the back of the blond man’s jacket, and he can’t shake the feeling that he’s seen the symbol before, but can’t really remember where or when.
Later in the cafeteria, during his break, Hoseok is eating a blueberry muffin and messing around on his phone when Hyungwon sits down next to him.
“What’s up?” Hyungwon sets a tray full of food down on the table, even though it’s four in the afternoon and they had lunch only three hours ago.
Hoseok stares blankly at his friend and co-worker for a moment before turning his attention back to his Facebook timeline. “Nothing. Just enjoying my break, watching cute puppy videos and eating this dry, tasteless muffin.”
“Cool,” Hyungwon replies, before stuffing his face full of mashed potatoes.
Hoseok scoffs at his friend’s automatic reply, and takes a tiny bite out of his muffin.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Hyungwon exclaims loudly enough for half of the cafeteria to hear.
Luckily the place is almost empty except for them and, like, five residents who look barely alive, some of them taking a nap on their open textbooks.
Fishing a piece of paper out of his pocket, Hyungwon says, “Some guy named Jooheon left this for you.”
Hyungwon hands the piece of paper to Hoseok who takes and checks it. It has a phone number and a name on it. But it’s not Jooheon’s name written down, as one would expect.
“Hyunwoo,” Hoseok reads out loud, the name rolling off his tongue easily, familiarly.
“Who’s Hyunwoo?” Hyungwon asks, looking over Hoseok’s shoulder.
Hoseok doesn’t answer immediately. First because he’s not sure of the answer and second, because he’s a little bit in shock.
Was it a coincidence that he had been the one to be on desk duty earlier this morning and that he’d actually met a guy named Jooheon? And could said guy also happen to be the one to give Hyungwon a piece of paper with some man’s number on it? Someone he’d met weeks ago and talked with for fifteen minutes? Someone who Hoseok never thought he’d see again, but that still made his heart jump in his chest at the mere sight of his name?
Hyunwoo did say he was there for a friend that night. A friend who broke a leg, just like Jooheon from earlier this morning.
It had to be the same Jooheon.
Fate isn’t exactly something Hoseok’s ever believed in, but now he’s starting to consider the possible notion of it.
“When did he give you this?” Hoseok asks Hyungwon.
“About a three weeks ago? I completely forgot, sorry.”
Hoseok’s jaw drops, as he stares in disbelief at Hyungwon. “Three fucking weeks?”
“I left the scrubs at my mom’s house!” Hyungwon tries to defend himself, but Hoseok’s already up, ready to leave.
“Thanks for nothing, man,” Hoseok says in lieu of goodbye, heading out of the cafeteria with quick strides.
He has no idea where he’s going exactly. His first instinct had been to find Jooheon and Minhyuk and ask them if Hyunwoo hadn’t completely forgot about him and if it’d be ok for him to call now, after almost a month has passed. But then he feels like a huge dummy because, of course, they wouldn’t be around anymore. It’s been hours since Hoseok had seen them, they’d have probably gone home by now, unless…
“Lab wing!” Hoseok exclaims, snapping his fingers and stops in his tracks to turn around and head the opposite way as fast as he can without running. He has about five minutes until his break is over, so he needs to be quick.
The laboratory section of the hospital is a bit far away from the emergency wing, but Hoseok makes it there fast enough.
He waves and nods to a few acquaintances as he makes his way to the waiting room. When he’s finally there, Hoseok’s eyes scan the place for two familiar faces; sighing in relief as soon as he sees both Jooheon and Minhyuk sitting side by side on a cushioned bench, having a heated conversation.
Hoseok thanks his own quick wit for guessing the two were still around, probably waiting for Jooheon’s x-ray results so he can be officially discharged.
Figuring he can’t wait around for courage to entirely catch up with him, Hoseok walks up to them feigning casualty, but they stop talking as soon as they notice him approaching.
“Nurse Shin, hello,” Jooheon says probably in a tone he thinks is flirtatious and the nickname makes Hoseok feel nostalgic somehow, but he quickly dismisses the feeling.
“Please, call me Hoseok.”
“Oh, so that’s your first name. I was wondering,” Minhyuk smiles at him, and motions for Jooheon to scoot over to the side so Hoseok can squeeze in between them. As he does so, he mumbles a thanks.
Hoseok feels his palms sweating a bit, but instantly reprimands himself for acting like a teenage boy with a crush. He’s just here to ask about someone. They probably don’t even know when or how Hyunwoo and him met. The man had probably just asked them to give Hoseok his number and that’s it.
Thinking about where to start, Hoseok wonders if it’d be rude to ask about the blue X printed in Minhyuk’s jacket now that he remembers where he’s seen it. Hyunwoo’s jacket also had the same pattern on its back. Although Hyunwoo’s was a leather jacket, and Minhyuk's is a denim one, he’s pretty sure it’s the same pattern.
“Look, I wasn’t gonna ask but the suspense is killing me,” Jooheon starts, his words earning Hoseok’s full attention. “Why didn’t you call him?”
Hoseok’s eyebrows shoot up in sudden surprised. He feels a little awkward but also relieved that he’s been given an opening to talk about what he came here all the way for.
“My friend, the one you gave the number to, he forgot to hand it to me. He literally did it five minutes ago,” Hoseok explains, shaking his own head, because he’s still can’t believe Hyungwon messed up like that. He’s always been a bit of an airhead but that’s remarkable even for him.
“That’s why?” Minhyuk practically yells next to his year, on his other side.
“Yes, that’s why and I came all the way here to ask you if you think it’s still ok for me to call Hyunwoo,” Hoseok says hurriedly because he’s pretty sure he’s already late for his shift.
“Of course it’s okay! Call him! I’ve known Hyunwoo for years and he’s never talked about anyone before, like he talks about you,” Jooheon reassures him.
Hoseok feels the little balloon of hope in his chest inflate again at Jooheon’s words. He wants to ask Jooheon to elaborate on what exactly Hyunwoo has said about him and with what frequency but he’s gonna be screwed if he’s more late than he already is.
“Thanks, Jooheon! I really need to run now, but I’ll call him, I promise,” Hoseok says, already standing up and making his way across the room. Then, before walking out, he spins around and adds, “Don’t tell him I’m gonna do it, alright?”
Jooheon and Minhyuk both give him a thumbs up, and he smiles at them, before hurrying back to the front desk for his shift.
_______________
A whole week has passed since he’s last seen Jooheon and Minhyuk and promised to call Hyunwoo when Hoseok finally strikes up the courage to do so. And even then, it’s only because he is sitting at a bar with Hyungwon and somer other friends from work, having done one too many shots of tequila.
He’s asked his friends multiple times to, please, confiscate his phone when he’s drinking, but they don’t seem to listen to him, so here he is again, dialing Hyunwoo’s phone which’s been saved since the day he got the piece of paper.
As soon as he hits the call button, he gets up from his booth, stumbling towards the bathroom. He almost trips over someone’s feet, but manages to hold onto a table before he ends up falling face first to the ground. The whole world is spinning, and he wishes he’d stayed seated but now he is halfway there, and someone’s has just picked up the call.
“Fuck,” Hoseok says, as he practically throws himself against the bathroom door to prevent another man from coming in before him. “Sorry!” he shouts from inside the bathroom and locks the door, leaning back against it.
”Hello?” A low, masculine voice calls from the other end of the line, and Hoseok has to take a deep breath, because even drunk, he’s still nervous about this.
“Hyunwoo? “It’s me.”
There’s a silence at the other end of the line.
“Hoseok, me. Nurse Shin,” Hoseok laughs, amused by his own words. He’d never call himself that if he wasn’t really fucking drunk.
There’s a low chuckle, and then Hyunwoo asks, “Are you drunk?”
“Maybe a little,” Hoseok giggles, black sliding down the bathroom door to sit on the floor, knees drawn up to his chest.
”Aren’t you full of surprises?” Hyunwoo mocks.
“Don’t make fun of me, you meanie.” Hoseok pouts, even though Hyunwoo can’t see him.
“I’m the meanie? You took a whole month to call me,” Hyunwoo replies, though his tone doesn’t betray any hurt or disappointment allowing for some of the guilt Hoseok’s been feeling to dissipate.
“Long story. I’ll tell you later.” Hoseok hiccups, then takes a deep breath before asking, “When can we meet? I wanna see you so bad. I haven’t stopped thinking about you and… at some point, I thought us meeting that night had been a dream until I saw Min-”, another hiccup, “hyukie and Jooheonnie at the hospital.”
Silence again. Hoseok is getting impatient. Even though he is considerably drunk right now, he’s still aware that he’s just poured his heart out to a man he’s talked to for fifteen minutes at a parking lot weeks ago.
Hoseok’s about to say that out loud, when he hears the sound of Hyunwoo clearing his throat.
”I also haven’t been able to get you out of my head,” the other man confesses, and Hoseok’s suddenly jealous of how he’s able to sound so eloquent and clear-headed and not like a drunk, whiny mess. Alcohol is the devil.
As the words register with him, Hoseok can’t believe Hyunwoo hasn’t completely given up on him after weeks of thinking he’d been given the cold shoulder. He really might not be real, after all.
”I wanna take you out on a date, is that cool?” Hyunwoo asks, once Hoseok stays silent for too long.
“Yes!” Hoseok replies as quickly as he can, this time. “Yes, please! I wanna go on a date like, right now!”
Hyunwoo laughs heartily at that making Hoseok blush, because that’s a really nice laugh. Ugh, why is everything about this man attractive? Hoseok is starting to think the world is a bit more unfair than he thought it was, give some people can even laugh sexily.
”Not right now. You should go home, nurse Shin. Sleep it off. I’ll text you, later.”
“I’ll wait patiently for you like you did for me,” Hoseok says, past the point of caring about how cheesy he sounds.
”I hope you’re this cute not only when you’re drunk,” Hyunwoo says, before saying goodbye and hanging up.
Hoseok lowers the phone and clutches it to his chest, biting back a squeal, as he replays the conversation over and over in his head, barely being able to rein in the excitement. He would get up and do a little victory dance, but he’s too drunk for that.
Head resting on his knees, he’s actually on the verge of falling asleep to visions of him and Hyunwoo doing all kinds of corny couple things when there’s a loud rapping on the door and Hyungwon’s concerned voice calls him from outside.
“I’m getting up, give me a minute,” Hoseok yells back, using the walls for leverage as he hauls himself up, careful not to drop his phone on the filthy floor.
When he unlocks the door, Hyungwon - followed by Kihyun - the chief nurse and also one of his close friends - and Changkyun - Kihyun’s boyfriend who always hangs out with them -, enters the small bathroom hurriedly asking Hoseok if he’s ok, if he’s been robbed or something.
“No, dude, calm down,” Hoseok answers, clinging to Hyungwon. “I was just calling someone special.”
“Someone special?” Hyungwon asks, wrapping his arms around Hoseok and rubbing his back.
“Yes. Very very special. We are going on a date and it’s gonna be the best date ever, then we’re gonna get married and adopt six kitties.”
Hoseok closes his eyes, feeling his eyelids getting heavier and heavier. Hyungwon’s hands on his back feels really good and comforting and warm. He tries to imagine how Hyunwoo’s hands would feel, rubbing his back like that; how it would feel to rest his head on his chest and cling to him like he’s doing right now with Hyungwon.
Hoseok is sure it feels like heaven.
_______________
It’s half past noon, the next day, when Hoseok wakes up with an awful headache. He’s never been more thankful for a day off in his life. Hyungwon has left him an aspirin along with a bottle of water on his bedside table before he left for work and Hoseok’s also never been more thankful for having such considerate friends in his life. Although Hyungwon is partially to blame for his hangover, at least he made sure Hoseok got home safe and sound.
Once he’s taken a couple of aspirins and chugged down half a bottle of water, he sits up, reaching for his phone which was tucked under his pillow.
There’s a text from Hyungwon saying there’s leftover chinese in the fridge if he’s hungry and that he can take Hyungwon’s spare key if he wants to go home. Hoseok replies with a ‘thanks’ and a kissy face emoji that he knows Hyungwon hates.
Hoseok’s about to get up to wash his face, when his phone vibrates next to him. Sighing, he reaches for it, certain that it’s just Hyungwon replying with a disgusted emoji of his own, but much to his surprise, it’s a text from Hyunwoo.
Seeing Hyunwoo’s name on his phone screen is, apparently, all it takes for the memories from last night to come rushing back, making Hoseok groan out of shame. He still doesn’t quite remember everything, but the bits and pieces are enough for him to get the whole picture. Besides, it’s not that hard to fill in the gaps, considering Hoseok knows how he gets when he is drunk: clingy, needy and cheesy as hell.
Instead of reading the message right away, he goes to wash his face like he meant to before he was interrupted. The cold splash of water against his warm skin feels refreshing and helps him rearrange his thoughts a little, put things in perspective. Hoseok feels that, yes, he is right to feel embarrassed about drunk calling someone he only ever met once in his life. But he also feels that, maybe, that hadn’t been such a bad decision, all things considered.
Hoseok had finally talked to Hyunwoo, after all. It took him a few shots of tequila and locking himself up in a filthy bar restroom, but he’d done it. That fact, Hoseok convinces himself, as he stares at his reflection in the mirror, is definitely worth his current state of shame - and how horrible he looks.
A shower would be a good idea right now, but Hoseok is dying to know what Hyunwoo texted him, so before he gets in the shower he goes back for his phone.
The text is short and to the point, but it makes Hoseok smile dumbly as he stares at his phone screen:
[12:45] Hyunwoo: Hope the hangover is not too bad. Drink lots of water! When are you free this week?
It takes him only seconds to start typing an answer, because Hoseok doesn’t want to leave Hyunwoo waiting more than he absolutely has to. The guilt from taking so long to reach out to the other man, even if it hadn’t been entirely his fault, still eating at him.
[12:46] don’t worry
I’m a nurse, remember? ;) i have a day off next saturday, why?
As soon as he hits send, Hoseok throws his phone on the bed next to him, refusing to keep staring at the screen waiting for a reply. Instead he goes to the bathroom to take a shower and after he’s done washing up, he wanders into the kitchen to get some food in him.
Once he’s staring at Hyungwon’s surprisingly well-stocked fridge, his stomach grumbles, reminding him he hasn’t eaten in at least twelve hours. Ignoring the leftover chinese Hyungwon mentioned he decides to make spicy noodles.
Hoseok isn’t that good of a cook but he enjoys noodles too much, so that’s one thing that he’s made himself learn how to make and he’s pretty good at it. He rarely cooks since he eats at the hospital at least six days a week, so it’s nice to actually cook something for himself for a change. Even if that something is just noodles.
He’s just finished putting the water to boil, when he hears the distant sound alert that says he’s gotten a new text.
Inwardly congratulating himself for not being overly antsy and anxious about Hyunwoo’s reply, Hoseok quickly runs to the bedroom and gets his phone from the bed where he’d tossed it earlier.
As he draws the pattern on the lock screen, biting on hiw lower lip in anticipation, he secretly wishes it’s Hyunwoo’s reply and not Hyungwon checking up on him. Hoseok can’t help but smile when he sees Hyunwoo’s name on the notification pop-up.
[13:10] Hyunwoo: Being a nurse qualifies you to take care of others, not exactly of yourself.
[13:10] Hyunwoo: Why? Did you forget about our conversation last night? I’m hurt.
Hoseok can’t hold back a giggle at the last text. Of course he hasn’t forgotten. He can’t remember the entire conversation, but the part where Hyunwoo had asked him out on a date is very vivid in his mind. He wouldn’t be able to forget it, even if he wanted to.
[13:15] i can take care of myself just fine! I’m even cooking right now, i’ll have you know.
[13:16] and of course i didn’t forget! >_<
About to settle his phone on the kitchen counter, so he can go check the pan on the stove, Hoseok is surprised by the three little dots that signify Hyunwoo is typing a message and he decides to wait.
[13:17] Hyunwoo: Good. What are you making?
[13:17] instant noodles!
[13:18] Hyunwoo: I thought you were cooking! Instant noodles don’t count as cooking.
[13:18] says who? u_u
Hoseok pouts as Hyunwoo doesn’t reply to him immediately so he busies himself with preparing the food - because no matter what Hyunwoo says, noodles are food. He adds some hot sauce to the already spicy noodles, nodding in approval as he tastes some of it to make sure it’s to his liking.
After pouring half of it into a large bowl, Hoseok finds a can of diet coke in the fridge and settles on the table to eat. He’s about to start, when he decides to take a picture and send it to Hyunwoo.
Balancing the bowl in one hand and holding the phone with another, Hoseok stretches his arm and angles the phone just the right way so he can catch his best angle while also showcasing his yummy, freshly prepared bowl of noodles.
Then he sends it to Hyunwoo with the caption: ‘want some? :3
It’s only meant to come off as partially flirty but Hoseok is pretty sure the caption is suggestive enough that his friends would call him all kinds of inappropriate things and tease him for months if they found out. But he’s past the point of caring, after what had transpired last night.
The noodles are delicious and are, apparently, everything Hoseok needed to cure the rest of his hangover. He even manages to wash the dishes and tidy up the bed so Hyungwon wouldn’t complain too much, even though the latter barely does any house chores at all and relies heavily on his mother dropping by twice a week to do them for him.
Hoseok is on his way home, about to cross the street, - having decided to walk considering his place is not that far away from Hyungwon’s - when Hyunwoo finally texts him back.
[15:00] Hyunwoo: Yes, but not of the noodles.
As soon as he reads the text, Hoseok stops walking, suddenly feeling like he’s just downed a shot of vodka with the way heat quickly spreads through his cheeks and he feels a little bit in a daze. Ok, flirting is not for the weak-hearted. Maybe it’s because he hasn’t done is in a while - Hoseok hasn’t dated anyone since college, except for the casual fling -, but holy shit, it feels good and exciting.
But he also admits that it feels a little ridiculous that Hyunwoo gets this kind of reaction out of him through a damn text. And it’s a pity that the man isn’t even there to see the effect he has on Hoseok. Because he wants Hyunwoo to know.
Perhaps he should be more ashamed of it, considering he’s not a teenager anymore. Being in his late twenties, it’s not like Hoseok hasn’t had his fair share of relationships and crushes, but Hyunwoo feels different somehow. Yes, it’s irrational and Hoseok probably wouldn’t declare his undying love for Hyunwoo at this point to anyone, not even to himself, but he can’t deny or ignore the way Hyunwoo makes him feel.
Staring at his phone, Hoseok keeps trying to come up with something witty to say, but his flirting game is a little rusty. Besides, he’s standing in the middle of the street right now, and it’s a little cold and people keep looking at him weirdly since the light has turned green twice for pedestrians and he’s still standing there instead of crossing the street.
Frustrated, he decides to cut to the chase:
[15:10] saturday, then?
It’s short and to the point, but Hoseok feels strangely nervous, so he stuffs the phone back in his pocket and resumes his walk home, ignoring the rapid thumping of his heart once the phone comes alive with yet another notification. He also decides to ignore that until he gets home.
But then his phone starts to ring.
Hoseok has his phone always on vibrate mode because he hates when his phone rings in public places, but he had changed the sound configuration earlier so he could know when Hyunwoo messages him while at Hyungwon’s place.
Sighing, he takes his phone out again, already bracing himself because he’s sure it’s Hyunwoo, but when he sees the name on the screen, he rolls his eyes and picks up the call.
“Yes, I’m alive,” Hoseok drawls out.
“Good. Can I sleep at your place tonight? I’m getting out at ass o’clock and your apartment is closer to the hospital.” Hyungwon says, sounding dead tired. Hoseok would have argued that his friend’s place isn’t that far away, but he takes pity on the poor man.
“Sure, no problem,” is what Hoseok says, as the great friend he is.
“Thanks. You’re an angel. Make sure you also have food. I love you. Bye,” Hyungwon rushes the words out and ends the call before Hoseok can even open his mouth to answer.
Hoseok shakes his head, tucking his phone away again, without a second glance.
Self-control is one of his better traits, he would say, but as soon as he sets foot in his small one-bedroom apartment, he has his phone out to check Hyunwoo’s reply.
[15:25] Hyunwoo: Is seven ok? Text me your address. I’ll pick you up.
Hoseok promptly texts Hyunwoo back with a ‘seven is perfect’ along with his address.
That had gone smoothly enough, he thinks as he throws himself on his small, worn out couch. By now, there’s barely any trace left of the hangover, and even if there were, Hoseok is quite sure he wouldn’t care because he is too excited about going out on a date with Hyunwoo.
Later that night, when Hyungwon gets home, Hoseok tries really hard to keep the happy, dopey smile off his face whenever he thinks about Hyunwoo, their interactions and their upcoming date. But Hyungwon is too smart not to notice how Hoseok sometimes seems to smile to himself. Even as they eat the fried chicken Hoseok ordered for them, sitting on the carpeted floor of Hoseok’s apartment; the low, stained coffee table Hoseok’s grandmother had given him years ago stacked with takeout containers.
“I know you love chicken, but this is weird. Why do you look so happy?” Hyungwon finally asks, apparently unable to ignore how oddly satisfied Hoseok looks while biting on a chicken drum, smearing sauce all over his cheeks in the process.
“Hum, what? Sorry,” Hoseok mumbles, before reaching for a napkin to wipe his mouth and directing his attention to Hyungwon.
“I asked why do you look so happy. I’ve seen you cry over ramen before, but fried chicken won’t get this kind of reaction out of you. Something is up and you’re gonna tell me.” Hyungwon rests both hands on his lap and leans back against the couch, giving Hoseok his best ‘I’m listening’ look.
Hoseok lets out a surprised ‘oh’, feeling like he’s been caught red-handed, and he can’t explain why. It’s not like the whole thing with Hyunwoo is a secret. He guesses he just wanted to keep it to himself for a while and revel in it a little. But it would be nice to share something that makes him happy with a close friend, so he explains to Hyungwon everything that happened since the night he approached Hyunwoo at the hospital’s entrance.
Hoseok omits the specifics of what they talked about, because some things he wants to keep to himself. Like when Hyunwoo closed the distance between them in the dimly lit parking lot and asked Hoseok if he could kiss him. That had been an incredibly intimate moment that never fails to make Hoseok’s whole body tingle and his breath hitch when he thinks about it.
Hyunwoo had left such a lasting impression on Hoseok’s mind and body that he has no idea how to translate that into words.
He keeps his tone casual and playful, even rolling his eyes and laughing sarcastically at the right moments, not wanting to come off as super whipped. Hoseok doesn’t want to reveal his feelings towards Hyunwoo yet. Specially because he still doesn’t know what kind of man Hyunwoo really is. They could click, but they could also be completely incompatible and the date tomorrow could turn out to be a disaster.
None of those things Hoseok says out loud, but he believes Hyungwon can, at least partially, sense how invested Hoseok is in all this as the other keeps smiling and nodding and laughs along when Hoseok tells him about the call the night before and all the ridiculous things he had told Hyunwoo.
When he’s done, he expects Hyungwon to tease him or drop some snarky remark but he simply nods, and takes a sip of his soda.
“He seems like a nice guy.”
“He really does!” Hoseok replies enthusiastically, but adds quickly after, “I mean I don’t wanna jump into conclusions because we’ve barely talked but…”
“But you’re already head over heels over him, I know. I’ve noticed.” Hyungwon grins, and reaches forward to pat Hoseok’s shoulder. “You look so cute when you have a crush.”
“I’m not head over heels!” Hoseok protests, even as he feels his face heating up. It really had taken all of thirty seconds for Hyungwon to start teasing him but it’s not like Hoseok hadn’t seen it coming.
“Sure, man,” Hyungwon says in a condescending tone, still grinning widely.
“I might have a crush though. But you would understand if you saw him. He looks like a god or something.”
“So do you,” Hyungwon shrugs, reaching for a chicken wing, without looking at Hoseok.
“Me?” Hoseok gasps, then lets out a laugh. “I’m average at best.”
“That’s what you think. If it were true, I wouldn’t be given pieces of papers with hot guys’ numbers written on it and asked to pass them on to you,” Hyungwon says matter-of-factly, eyebrows raised.
“It happened once, don’t exaggerate. You’re the tall one who looks like a drama lead, not me.”
“You’re so oblivious to how attractive you are, it’s annoying,” Hyungwon gives Hoseok a bored glance, before getting up. “I’m going to bed. I’m exhausted. Thanks for the food.”
Hoseok wishes Hyungwon a good night before the other walks away in the direction of Hoseok’s bedroom leaving Hoseok to his jumbled up thoughts.
A while later, after he finishes eating, he cleans up then takes a quick, hot shower. Having an early shift the next morning, Hoseok decides not to stay up until late. He’d better get a goodnight’s sleep, or at least try to, so he wouldn’t look and feel like shit the next day.
But sleeping in the same bed with Hyungwon is always some sort of surprise box, where you don’t know if what you’re gonna get is good or not. Sometimes the other barely moves in sleep, and it’s as eerie as it’s mesmerizing. When they first got acquainted at nursing school, Hoseok used to check to see if Hyungwon was breathing, but now he’s used to it.
However, tonight, unfortunately for Hoseok, it’s one of those nights where Hyungwon can’t stop moving in bed. The younger man keeps stealing Hoseok’s blanket, throwing his limbs everywhere, sprawled on the bed like a starfish, and waking Hoseok up whenever he is on the brink of sleep.
By the time Hoseok finally manages to fall asleep, it’s way past midnight. He’s trapped under Hyungwon’s leg, his pillow lost somewhere on the floor where an asleep Hyungwon had thrown it earlier.
_______________
“You look like death,” Kihyun greets him, as Hoseok throws himself at the chair next to the older man.
He and Hyungwon have just entered the cafeteria to get some food in them before their shifts starts. The latter looking well-rested and practically glowing next to Hoseok. That belated hangover thing is actually real, and Hoseok is suffering from it right at the moment. He has horrible dark circles under his eyes and his entire body feels like it’s been crushed under the weight of fifty cargo trucks. Not to mention the pounding headache and the sore limbs.
“I have sleeping beauty here to thank for that.” Hoseok sends Hyungwon, who’s sitting across from him, a death glare.
“I’m not in control of my body while I’m asleep. Sorry about that,” Hyungwon says, looking not in the least sorry.
Kihyun snorts, placing his own cup of coffee in front of Hoseok. “You can have this. I’m trying to quit.”
Hoseok instantly perks up because Kihyun only gets coffee from this really fancy place near his house, where they serve the best coffee in town. He honestly could kiss his friend right now.
“I could kiss you right now, ”Hoseok echoes his thoughts, grabbing the warm cup of coffee with both hands like it’s a treasure; eyes practically sparkling.
“Just thanks is enough.” Kihyun smiles, and ruffles Hoseok’s already messy hair.
Hoseok thanks Kihyun for being an actual angel sent from above, before he takes a sip of the delicious, hot coffee. Suddenly his entire body is enveloped in pleasant warmth, and he relaxes a bit against the chair, instantly forgetting about the next eight hours he’s gonna have to spend checking on patients, cleaning wounds and filling up charts.
The coffee really seems to have given Hoseok a burst of energy, because he feels a lot better as they’re leaving the cafeteria fifteen minutes later. Kihyun says goodbye to both of them, since he is working in emergency today, and both Hoseok and Hyungwon head for the traumatology department.
Still not in the best mood, Hoseok barely talks as they walk, but he isn’t really mad at Hyungwon, letting the other man know by discreetly holding and pulling onto his pinky. Hyungwon’s gaze shifts to Hoseok and the latter gives him a small smile to which Hyungwon responds with one of his own, as they exchange knowing looks. It’s impossible for Hoseok to stay mad at Hyungwon and the other man knows it.
As they finally reach their destination, they pull away and part ways, with Hyungwon having to assist on an early surgery and Hoseok being scheduled for rounds a little later.
He still has about half an hour to spare, so he decides to go outside and breathe some fresh air. The hospital has an open garden area where rehabilitation patients can walk around safely supervised by nurses or with relatives and it’s Hoseok’s favorite spot in the entire place. He makes his way there, walking down the concrete path to sit at one of the benches overlooking a small pond.
Since it’s quite early, there’s no one besides him there, and Hoseok relaxes, watching the ornamental fishes swimming lazily in the water. Spacing out, Hoseok lounges on the bench, not paying any attention to his surroundings.
Suddenly, he feels a light touch on his shoulder. Startled, he straightens his back, turning around to see who’s sneaking up on him, ready to give them an earful.
“Hello,” Hyunwoo says, smiling at him in a way that turns his eyes into crescents. Hoseok has never seen Hyunwoo smile like that and finds it breathtaking.
“Hello yourself.” Hoseok says, blinking in surprise as he stands up. Well aware of the big, goofy smile he has on his face right now, he avoids Hyunwoo’s eyes for a moment, desperately hoping he won’t start blushing.
“Are you surprised to see me?” Hyunwoo asks. His voice is exactly as Hoseok remembers; deep and velvety.
“Yeah! I didn’t expect to see you before Saturday. What are you doing here?” Hoseok walks around the bench to stand across from Hyunwoo.
This is the first time since that first night that they’re seeing each other face to face, and Hoseok’s been caught off guard, so he doesn’t really know how to act. He decides to guide his actions according to Hyunwoo’s just to be on the safe side. The last thing he wants to do is screw this up.
“To be honest -- and this is a little embarrassing to admit --, I didn’t think i could wait a whole week to see you again. I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me when you didn’t call me after Jooheon gave my number to your friend. But then, after you called me it was like.... I don’t know. I almost took you on that date you begged me for right that very night.”
When Hyunwoo is done talking, it takes Hoseok a moment for the words to dawn on him. Did Hyunwoo just confess to him? And what is he supposed to do now besides speak of his own feelings and insecurities as well? But Hoseok has never been very good at that. He’s better at expressing through actions than words. But if he just pulled Hyunwoo into a hug right now, would it be too sudden? Or too overbearing?
Hoseok is clearly overthinking this, and he tells himself to snap out of it. It’s not that complicated. Hyunwoo isn’t that complicated. He’s not hard to read like some of the people Hoseok’s dated, who expected him to guess whatever they wanted as though Hoseok had magical powers.
Hyunwoo is in front of him telling him how he feels without pretense. His straightforwardness is refreshing and, suddenly, Hoseok realizes how much of a positive thing this is. Is it foreign to him? Yes, he can’t say that it isn’t. And that’s why he is a bit at a loss at how to deal with it. However, it’s also one of the reasons he’s felt so drawn to Hyunwoo from the start.
When Hoseok seems to finally find the words to reply, Hyunwoo has walked a few steps towards him. The other man doesn’t seem impatient at all, even if Hoseok’s been silent for a couple of minutes.
“You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met,” Hoseok starts, laughing nervously. Hyunwoo smirks, more amused than smug. Encouraged, Hoseok continues, “I was really starting to think I was being foolish for not being able to get you out of mind. We barely talked and yet, here I am with sweaty palms and shaky legs, trying to form coherent sentences in front of you.”
‘I know. This is new for me too.” Hyunwoo nods in understanding, and reaches to touch Hoseok’s arm but hesitates before making contact.
“You can… If you want to,” Hoseok says quietly.
At the words, there’s no further hesitation. Hoseok expects Hyunwoo’s touch to spark some kind of electric current through his body, but instead, what he feels is a strange warmth and a sense of comfort. He feels strangely safe, even if what they’re doing isn’t exactly appropriate, since this is Hoseok’s workplace. It’s an innocent touch, though, as if Hyunwoo wants to let Hoseok know they’re in this together, whatever this is.
“I wanna hug you, but I have to get back to work,” Hoseok confesses, biting his lower lip, as he lowers his gaze, a bit embarrassed at his own words.
“Can I text you later?” Hyunwoo’s fingers press gently against Hoseok’s skin.
“You don’t have to ask me that!” Hoseok looks up again, only to see Hyunwoo watching him closely. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just thinking that, the other night, if I had been able to see how handsome you are, I probably would’ve had a harder time holding back.”
“Shut up, oh my god!” Hoseok almost shoults, embarrassed, slapping Hyunwoo’s arm without even thinking about it. He feels kind of mortified after he realizes what he just did, but Hyunwoo is laughing, so that eases his anxiety a little.
“I should probably go now,” Hyunwoo announces, at the same time as he retreats his hand.
Hoseok nods and replies shyly,,“Thank you for stopping by.
“No problem. Have a good day at work, nurse Shin,” Hyunwoo teases, before waving to Hoseok as he turns his back to walk back inside. Hoseok snorts at the stupid nickname, and makes a mental note to scold Hyunwoo next time.
Then something catches his attention: the big blue X on the back of Hyunwoo’s jacket.
Curiosity sparking again, Hoseok raises his voice just enough for Hyunwoo to listen to him, “Are you in a band or something?”
Hyunwoo doesn’t turn, but Hoseok can make up the slight shake of his shoulders which means the other man is probably laughing at the question.
“Or something,” is Hyunwoo’s short answer, before he disappears inside the building.
_______________
Turns out, Hyunwoo isn’t in a band or something .
When he shows up outside Hoseok’s apartment on Saturday, to pick him up, it’s on a shiny, black motorcycle. Hoseok feels instantly intimidated, seeing Hyunwoo dressed in all black, riding that monstrous bike as he approaches Hoseok’s building, face obscured by a helmet.
As soon as Hyunwoo pulls up and takes the helmet off though, Hoseok feels himself melt instantly at the sight of the other man’s bright smile.
“So are you in a motorcycle gang?” Hoseok jests, with a chuckle as he takes the helmet Hyunwoo hands him.
“We don’t call it a gang. It’s more like a club. We don’t get into knife fights at bars or anything like that. We certainly don’t do anything illegal so don’t worry, Mr. Preen and Proper.”
“Are you for real?” Hoseok asks, blinking in surprise, ignoring Hyunwoo’s latest pet name for him.
“Yeah. Jooheon, Minhyuk and I are part of the same club and we run a motorcycle repair shop together. Did the jacket give me away?” Hyunwoo says with a smirk and Hoseok rolls his eyes at the other.
Then he gets back on the bike and motions for Hoseok to do the same.
Hesitating, Hoseok puts the helmet on first, making sure it’s well secured, then proceeds to stare down at the motorcycle, wondering if he should suggest they take his car instead. He isn’t entirely sure he’s ready for this kind of commitment: riding on a bike for the first time to heaven knows where, with a dude who’s in some kind of bike gang - or club. Whatever.
“Come on, there’s nothing to be scared of. I’ve been riding a bike since I was thirteen. I won’t go too fast, I promise,” Hyunwoo gives Hoseok a reassuring smile to which the latter nods.
Taking a deep breath, Hoseok gives in, mounting on the bike with Hyunwoo’s help.
“Put your arms around me, ok?” Hyunwoo says, before putting his helmet on. He turns his head just enough to look at Hoseok, who simply nods before encircling Hyunwoo’s waist with both arms.
They’ve never been this close before. Hoseok’s chest is pressed against Hyunwoo’s broad back and that’s enough to make Hoseok forget all about his fears. It really feels nice. He might get used to it faster than he thought, after all.
After making sure that Hoseok was securely holding onto him, Hyunwoo starts the engine and takes off slower than Hoseok expected, which he’s gotta admit, is a relief.
Realizing after a few minutes that he forgot to ask where they’re going, Hoseok starts paying a little more attention to their route, instead of focusing on the feel of Hyunwoo’s body against his and the other man’s intoxicating scent.
Within minutes they gain the expressway out of town and Hoseok starts getting even more intrigued about their destination. They’re riding a lot faster right now, but Hoseok doesn’t mind it at all. In fact, he rather likes it. He’s never done this before and has always been too scared to try riding a bike himself, but with Hyunwoo it seems like the easiest, most natural thing. It’s like Hyunwoo and the bike are one and Hoseok is mesmerized by it.
They ride for about fifteen minutes like this, until they get to a sort of clearing by the road where there seems to be a party going on. There are rows and rows of motorcycles where they park, and a few cars too.
The party looks like a hybrid between a bonfire and a rave but the music is better. The place is well illuminated, with torches spread around the large, open area. There are a few rustically made bonfires scattered here and there with people gathered in small groups around it. There also seems to be a makeshift dance floor, which is packed with people moving to the rhythm of some mainstream pop song.
Hoseok hasn’t been to a party in years. He is often too busy with work and whenever he gets time off he just sleeps all day.
Once he’s helped Hoseok off the bike, Hyunwoo takes both their helmets and puts them away as Hoseok continues to inspect the place.
“I don’t know if this is your idea of a first date, but I wanted to bring you here,” Hyunwoo says, coming to stand next to Hoseok and putting an arm around his waist.
“It’s amazing. I had no idea there was this kind of thing going on around here,” Hoseok replies, instinctively leaning into Hyunwoo’s embrace.
“I’m glad you like it. Let’s go then.”
As they’ approach the core of the party, Hyunwoo greets some people on the way without ever taking his arm around Hoseok. Meanwhile, he continues to look around, taking in his surroundings, watching the people dance and chat and mingle.
“There you are! I thought you two would never get here!” Hoseok turns to the source of the voice and sees Jooheon approaching them, dressed very much like Hyunwoo but instead of all black, he’s wearing a bright orange hoodie and a Metallica t-shirt. His hair is dyed platinum blonde now similarly to Minhyuk’s from the last time they saw each other. A few steps behind, he spots Minhyuk also coming in their direction, but he has raven-black hair now.
“Hi, Jooheon. How’s your leg?” Hoseok asks Jooheon, who unexpectedly, pulls him down for a hug.
“It’s as good as new, thanks for asking, hyung,” Jooheon lets go of him, and Hoseok doesn’t fail to notice how Hyunwoo’s arm tighten around him just slightly.
“Hello! Looking good there, daddy,” Minhyuk gives Hoseok an onceover, then nods in approval. “You look much better without the scrubs. Now I understand what Hyunwoo has been raging about this whole time.”
Hoseok feels himself blush at both the nickname and the praise, but it’s not like anyone can notice. It’s still embarrassing hearing praise like this, but he smiles, nonetheless. Even though he doesn’t know Minhyuk very well, he’s pretty sure this is the way he is with everyone, so Hoseok doesn't take the words to heart.
“It’s not like I’ve babbling about him nonstop for weeks,” Hyunwoo protests, half-heartedly. His fingers start playing with the hem of Hoseok’s shirt, fingertips grazing Hoseok’s hips now and then, and it’s hard for the latter to concentrate on anything else.
“That’s what you think but see, we are the ones who had to endure it, so we know best.”
“Shut up,” Hyunwoo says, and then he is grabbing Hoseok by the hand and pulling him towards what appears to be a food truck but instead of food, it serves all kinds of drinks.
“What’s your poison?” the bartender, some man with a mohawk and face full of piercings asks Hoseok.
“Water,” Hoseok answers, then turns to Hyunwoo who’s giving him a puzzled look. “I have a 10-hour shift tomorrow.”
Hyunwoo nods in understanding and orders a diet coke, since he is riding them both home later.
For a while, they just stand side by side in silence. Hoseok sips on his water absentmindedly watching Minhyuk and Jooheon dancing from a distance. A while passes before he realizes Hyunwoo’s arm isn’t around him anymore, and deciding he misses it, Hoseok comes close enough to Hyunwoo so their shoulders bump.
Hoseok didn’t fully expect for the taller to realize what he meant with the gesture, but to his surprise, Hyunwoo’s arm is around his waist again, without the latter having to say a word.
“Do you feel like dancing?” Hyunwoo asks, leaning closer to make himself heard over the loud music.
‘D-dancing?!” Hoseok turns to stare at Hyunwoo with wide eyes. “I haven’t danced in ages and I probably suck at it. Yeah, if I remember correctly, I was terrible at dancing so I guess…”
“I’m not asking if you’re good at it. I’m asking if you feel like it,” as he says that, Hyunwoo shoots Hoseok one of his most disarming smiles. Hoseok would resent him for not playing fair, but he’s too busy falling for the other man.
“Let me think about it, ok?”
Hyunwoo nods and Hoseok feels relief wash over him, noticing Hyunwoo doesn’t look offended or annoyed in the slightest. Hoseok’s relief doesn’t last long though, because a minute or so later, Jooheon shows up and attempts to drag him towards the dance floor by the arm.
Helping Hoseok, by anchoring him with the arm around his waist, Hyunwoo tries to pry his friend’s hands away from Hoseok, but with no success. Jooheon is relentless.
“Come on, It’ll be fun! Just one song, alright?” Jooheon pleads, bottom lip sticking out in an exaggerated pout as he tries to pull Hoseok out of Hyunwoo’s stronghold.
“Just let him go. Jooheon will collapse soon, anyways. He drank one bottle of soju and you know that’s his limit,” Minhyuk tells Hyunwoo, who looks at the former then at Jooheon with a patient expression.
“Yeah, man, learn how to share!” Jooheon chimes in.
“Ok, fine, but only if Hoseok wants to.” Hyunwoo finally gives in, relaxing the grip he has on Hoseok, but not entirely retreating his arm.
It’s up to him now. Great. That’s just what he wanted: dance with Hyunwoo’s drunk friend.
Hoseok would much rather dance with Hyunwoo himself if he’d the option, but he isn’t about to reject Jooheon, especially when the latter is giving him the most pitiful look Hoseok’s ever seen.
“One song!” Hoseok announces, after making up his mind and deciding it wouldn’t do any harm to try to whip out some ancient moves from his (not so) wild college days.
Jooheon practically jumps from happiness at Hoseok’s words and wastes no time in pulling Hoseok along as soon as Hyunwoo lets go of him. Hoseok turns to look at Hyunwoo as Jooheon guides them both through the crowd, unable to hold back a smile as Hyunwoo mouths a good luck to him. When he looks ahead again, he finds himself staring at Jooheon and surrounded by a crowd of people.
“I suck at this, I’m sorry,” Hoseok yells over the loud bass sounds.
“So do I,” Jooheon yells back, and then his hands are on Hoseok’s hips. As he pulls Hoseok close, the blonde starts to move like they’re slow dancing, even though there’s an EDM song playing.
“Er… Wrong genre, Jooheonie,” Hoseok says, laughing, but places his hands on Jooheon’s shoulders anyway, following the other’s steps.
“I like slow dancing better.” The blonde’s eyes are closed, head swaying from side to side. He looks very, very drunk. Hoseok just hopes Jooheon won’t trip and fall and drag Hoseok with him.
They dance like that for a whole song and by the time another one begins, Jooheon is drooling on Hoseok’s sweater, head resting on the latter’s shoulder. Hoseok’s pretty sure the other has fallen asleep because they aren’t moving anymore, so he tries to somehow get them both out of there and back to where Hyunwoo and Minhyuk are.
But suddenly Hoseok feels a hand on his lower back, and Hyunwoo appears in front of him with Minhyuk following close behind.
“I got him,” Minhyuk says, disentangling Jooheon from Hoseok with ease and throwing an arm around the drunk man’s shoulder. “Let’s get you home, honey.”
Hoseok’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the sweet nickname, and he gives Hyunwoo a questioning glance.
“They’re not a thing, yet, but getting there. ‘Honey’ is just a nickname. We all call him that,” Hyunwoo explains.
The taller man is very close to Hoseok now, the hand on Hoseok’s back having moved to the latter’s hip. It’s the same spot Jooheon’s hand had been earlier, but unlike Jooheon’s touch this one causes a pleasant heat to radiate through the rest of his body.
In a bold move, - for his standards, at least - Hoseok takes Hyunwoo’s other hand and places it on his other hip. Then, he circles Hyunwoo’s neck with both arms, stepping closer until their chests are almost touching.
As if on cue, a slow R&B song starts to play. Hyunwoo has a firm grip on Hoseok’s hip, as he leads the dance. Hoseok doesn’t even think about looking down at their feet to make sure he doesn’t mess up, because he knows Hyunwoo’s got it; instead closing his eyes. He starts to enjoy the music as their steps fall perfectly in sync like they’ve done this a thousand times.
Hoseok’s so into it, he barely registers that he’s nuzzling into Hyunwoo’s neck. Later he would blame it on the atmosphere, the song, the glass of water he drank - maybe it was spiked, who knows, that bartender looked suspicious -, or the fact that the other man smells really fucking great, and Hoseok needs to do something, or he won’t be able to hold back from kissing Hyunwoo any longer.
The song finally comes to an end when Hoseok feels like he is at his limit, a hand buried in Hyunwoo’s hair. Slowly, Hoseok straightens up his back again, pulling away so he’s not clinging to the taller anymore. The loss of contact is almost painful, like being awaken from the most wonderful dream and realizing even if you fall asleep again you can’t go back.
They need to call it a night after that, because of Hoseok’s early shift at the hospital, but he couldn’t be more happy with how well their first day had gone. On top of that, he feels so comfortable riding back home with Hyunwoo he doesn’t even remember his nervousness from earlier. Hyunwoo had warned him not to get too comfortable and fall asleep before they rode off, and Hoseok had dismissed him with a snort.
When they finally pull up in front of Hoseok’s building, he reluctantly dismounts, taking off the helmet and handing it to Hyunwoo.
“Thank you for tonight,” Hoseok says, tucking his hands in his pockets. The cool, night breeze makes him thankful he’s dressed warmly tonight, unlike the night they first met. Nights have gotten chiller as winter approaches.
Hyunwoo has taken his helmet off too, placing it on top of the bike along with the one Hoseok had worn.
“Did you have fun?” Hyunwoo asks, standing in front of Hoseok as he musses up his hair..
“Yes, I had a lot of fun. I wish we could’ve stayed longer though.”
“I’ll take you again another day. Is your fear of bikes gone?”
“Completely. As long as I’m riding with you. I don’t know if I’d trust Jooheon with my life like that.”
Hyunwoo laughs at the comment, then takes out a cigarette pack and a lighter from his jacket’s pocket. He asks Hoseok for permission with a look, and Hoseok just motions him to go ahead. He’d rather Hyunwoo not smoke for the sake of the other man’s own health but he is not Hyunwoo’s father to tell him what to do.
“You’re not such a bad boy, after all.” Hoseok’s brain to mouth filter is apparently on pause, because the words seem to leave him without he even realizing what he’s seeing.
“You thought I was a bad boy? What made you think that?” Hyunwoo shoots him an amused look, then takes a drag out of his cigarette.
“The way you dress and carry yourself like you don’t give a shit what anybody thinks, for starters,” Hoseok answers, truthfully. He figures there’s no point in keeping things to himself, since Hyunwoo is right there and they seem to be way past the strangers stage.
Apparently, slow dancing and riding a bike together are great ways to build intimacy.
“The fact that I don’t give a shit what anybody thinks doesn’t make me bad, I think.” Hyunwoo stares at the cigarette between his fingers as if reflecting about something, then furrows his brows, before continuing, “I guess my choice of clothes can be misleading, if you’re into stereotyping so I’d call that a fair assumption though.”
“I… I didn’t mean what I said in a bad way, I was just… argh, nevermind. I’m sorry, I was just thinking out loud.” Embarrassed, Hoseok shuts up, looking down at the pavement. His apology sucks just as much as the comment, so he decides it’s okay to just stare at his feet all night until Hyunwoo decides to leave.
“Hoseok, you need to relax.” Hyunwoo says, taking a step further in his direction. Hoseok doesn’t look up, still too mortified to face Hyunwoo after offending him.
“I’m such a dumbass,” he says quietly, more to himself than to Hyunwoo.
“You’re far from being a dumbass. We were just having a conversation, so don’t worry about telling me what you think or thought about me when we first met. I want you to be honest with me, alright?”
Hyunwoo’s words sound so sincere that it prompts Hoseok to finally look up.
Hyunwoo’s face is too close again. Like when they danced at the party, except there’s no music now, and they’re not distracted by the dance moves or worried about not bumping into other people.
And, just like that, Hoseok can’t hold back anymore.
He needs to feel Hyunwoo’s lips against his, needs to know how they taste and how they fit with his own.
“Do you want me to be honest?” Their eyes are fixed on each other’s now, none of them blinking.
“Yes, please,” Hyunwoo answers, voice dropping a few octaves. His breath smells like smoke, and Hoseok would normally find that off-putting if it were anyone else but in Hyunwoo’s case, it only makes Hoseok want to kiss him more.
“If you don’t kiss me right now, I’m pretty sure I’ll go mad,” it rolls off Hoseok’s tongue easier than he expected it to. Then he holds his breath. And waits.
There’s time to see only the first spark of lust in Hyunwoo’s eyes, before he leans in to kiss Hoseok. He brings his hand to Hoseok’s face, thumb brushing lightly across Hoseok’s cheek.
Hyunwoo kisses like he dances. Taking control, not in a commanding way, but subtly, coaxing Hoseok to open his mouth, and tracing Hoseok’s teeth with the tip of his tongue, causing Hoseok to give in, open his mouth wider, as the kiss deepens and Hoseok finds himself clutching to Hyunwoo’s jacket with both hands.
Hoseok does his best not to moan as Hyunwoo’s tongue explores his mouth, and their lips meet again and again, sometimes softly, sometimes harder, more urgently, as they both seem to grow eager.
When they finally pull apart, catching their breaths, Hoseok still clings to Hyunwoo, and the latter still holds Hoseok’s face with one hand as he stares at Hoseok’s lips.
“Fuck, you look amazing right now,” Hyunwoo whispers, still close enough that he only needs to lean further a couple of centimeters to lick Hoseok’s lips, eyes full of lust as he raises them to stare Hoseok in the eye.
“I feel amazing, right now,” is Hoseok’s reply, and he can’t help but smile when Hyunwoo does the same.
Then Hoseok’s being pulled into a tight hug. Having Hyunwoo’s muscular arms around him is always a good feeling, but the way Hyunwoo starts leaving little kisses on his neck causes Hoseok’s breath to stutter and shivers in the other man’s arms.
“H-Hyunwoo,” Hoseok breathes out, practically mewling, bottom lip trapped between teeth, to keep himself from letting out any more embarrassing noises.
Hyunwoo lets him go after a while with another kiss, this time more chaste, but that still leaves Hoseok panting and wishing for more. It’s late though, and they’ve already spent too long outside in the cold.
“I’ll text you, okay?” Hyunwoo says, as he gets back on his bike, starting the engine.
“Okay. Get home safe,” Hoseok replies, drawing out a smile, even though he can’t help to feel a little sad that Hyunwoo is leaving.
“I will. Goodnight, nurse Shin!”
“Stop calling me that!” Hoseok yells back, but his heart isn’t in it anymore.
As he watches Hyunwoo ride off, he surprises himself, by thinking that the nickname is kind of cute. There really must’ve been something weird in that water, after all.