Chapter Text
2010. On a Friday night.
It was already nighttime when Hyesung pulled over his car in the parking lot of his building complex. He switched off the engine and after a few seconds of staring into space, he leaned his head back on the headrest, closing his eyes for a few minutes as he recalled uneasily everything that had happened that evening.
As expected, this blind date had been a complete disaster.
He sighed, defeated. At barely thirty, he was such a lost cause.
Opening his eyes again, his gaze wandered and locked on a familiar, expensive car. Eric's car. Hyesung's pulse quickened at the mere thought of his friend, and the singer's throat tightened with guilt as he remembered Eric's face when he had politely declined his invitation to play video games that night.
I'm sorry, but I have a blind date tonight.
Eric had seemed disappointed but also resigned. Maybe a little betrayed somehow. Of course, it wasn't because of the same reasons Hyesung's heart was beating faster in his neighbor's presence. Eric just wanted a friend to hang out with. It wasn't that big of a deal, but Hyesung still hated himself for causing such disappointment. He really wasn't a good best friend.
He was the worst actually. What kind of best friend harboured amorous feelings...
Hyesung shook his head, feeling even more guilty. He shouldn't think about that. It was wrong, so wrong.
Ignoring his traitorous heart, Hyesung got out of his car, determined to go home and forget about the disaster his life was.
***
A quarter-hour later though, Hyesung was in front of Eric's building. Not caring as the heavy spring rain soaked his hair and clothes, he looked at his friend's illuminated windows. After a few minutes of hesitation, he decided to enter the building and was soon standing in front of Eric's front door, ringing the doorbell.
When the door opened, he averted his eyes, not daring to look at his friend's face.
“Pilkyo?” A soft, disbelieving voice greeted him.
“Hi, do you have instant noodles? I ran out of stock.”
When no answer came, he looked up. Eric was staring at him with wide eyes as if he was crazy.
“What in the world... “ He finally said. “You're soaking wet. Come on in.”
Without waiting for him, he came back in, disappearing at the end of the corridor. Hyesung entered, removing his sopping coat and hanging it on the hook rack at the entrance, and after taking off his leather shoes too, he went into the kitchen.
Eric was back in a heartbeat with a towel, and before Hyesung could react and take it, the rapper was drying his head with it, gently ruffling his hair and wiping his face. Hyesung's cool cheeks were quickly getting warmer. He tried to grab the towel, uneffectively.
“I can do it myself,” he stammered.
Eric ignored him. “What were you doing outside without an umbrella? It's pouring down.”
Hyesung only shrugged and Eric finally let go of the towel. He took a step back, half sitting on the kitchen table as he watched the singer finishing to dry himself.
“I didn't think you'd come. Didn't you have a date tonight?”
A blind date, Hyesung's brain automatically corrected. He combed his fingers through his hair.
“I just came back.”
“It's late. You didn't have dinner with her?”
Avoiding his eyes, Hyesung just shook his head, embarrassed. Eric didn't say anything for a while, and went to rummage in his cupboard, looking for the requested instant noodles and a bowl.
“How did it go?” He ventured conversationally.
Hyesung raised his eyes, but Eric wasn't looking at him. He watched as Eric boiled some water. The singer cleared up his throat.
“It went... fine,” he answered awkwardly.
Eric smiled a little. “That bad, huh?”
Hyesung just sighed, rubbing his neck. His friend knew him too well.
Eric looked at him this time, still smiling.
“Beer?”
Hyesung nodded. They both sat at the table, the singer eating his noodles while Eric was nursing his own beer.
“Did it go wrong because you were prettier than her?”
Hyesung could feel himself blush at being called 'pretty' by Eric, but he couldn't help being annoyed too. He was a man, not a freaking girl.
“I'm not...” He started, frowning.
“Pretty?” Eric cut in. “I beg to differ,” he teased him, grinning.
Pouting, Hyesung kicked him under the table. Despite his annoyance, he felt strangely giddy and happy inside and he admonished himself for it.
“She was very pretty all right!” He said, defiantly.
Eric' smile faded imperceptibly as he listened to his words. Embarrassed, Hyesung squirmed in his chair under the attention, looking stubbornly at his bowl of noodles, and he calmed down. He shivered, suddenly cold.
“She was also nice, intelligent and well-spoken, but I...”
After less than one hour while he had remained mostly silent, he had excused himself, turning down the opportunity for a second meeting, without any explanation. The girl had seemed crushed by his cold, clear rejection, but what could he tell her? That they couldn't date because he was smitten by his neighbor? His male neighbor and co-worker?
“You scared her away on purpose, didn't you?” Eric guessed.
Hyesung didn't deny it, secretly amazed at how well Eric could read him. He sipped his beer. Eric was still curious.
“Why? What was wrong with her?”
She wasn't you, Hyesung thought, drinking more.
“Nothing. I just wasn't feeling it.”
Eric just stared at him pensively as he finished his meal, and Hyesung's heartbeat quickened under his scrutiny. When the silence got too awkward, Hyesung spoke timidly, putting his chopsticks down on the table.
“Does your invitation still stand? It has been a while since we last played.”
He really didn't want to go home and be alone. Even if they were only playing video games and despite all the awkwardness between them, the singer felt safe and happy just to be around Eric.
Eric seemed surprised at first, but he soon recovered.
“Yeah, but under one condition.”
Hyesung blinked cutely.
“Which one?”
“Change out of these clothes.”
Hyesung looked at his clothes. He was dressed formally, wearing an expensive, classy suit. He looked up, genuinely confused.
“What? Why? What's wrong with them?”
“No wonder how you scared her away,” Eric muttered, annoyed. “Yah! Pilkyo-ya! How dare you look so handsome, making me feel so underdressed in my own home?” He scolded him loudly.
Hyesung's cheeks turned crimson at Eric's words. Did the rapper really think he was handsome? Between the two of them, Eric was definitely the handsome one.
His hair slightly ruffled and a subtle shadowy stubble on his face, Eric was wearing some simple but nice sweatshirt and pants, and Hyesung thought he looked good, manly. In fact, he looked soft and warm enough to cuddle, and Hyesung wouldn't mind if Eric just held him right now to comfort him after such a horrible blind date.
Hyesung's cheeks turned more redder at the thought.
Not that Eric would do such a thing, Hyesung knew that too. Because Eric knew his friend would automatically reject him, even if he didn't know the real reason behind his behavior.
“But I don't have any change of clothes,” Hyesung hesitated.
“Take whatever you need here and take a shower,” Eric said more quielty, avoiding his eyes. “Your clothes are damp anyway. You look like you're freezing.”
Hyesung mumbled a terribly awkward “thanks” and immediately fled from the kitchen, missing the way Eric rubbed his own embarrassed face.
***
When Hyesung got out of the shower, he already felt way better. After putting on Eric's comfy sweatshirt and pants – quietly basking in Eric's familiar smell, he took a look at himself in the mirror, inspecting minutely the skin of his face. Noticing a couple of little flaws and pimples, he sighed. He didn't even have his BB cream with him to cover them. Well, it didn't matter much. Eric knew very well how he looked like without any make-up on. Still, Hyesung wanted to look good for him.
Frustrated by his own thoughts, Hyesung tried to focus on combing his hair neatly, but while he was doing so, his mind betrayed him once again as he realized that it was the first time that he was taking a shower in Eric's flat.
Instant noodles, a shower and video games. It felt so domestic. If he slept over, it would be like the perfect slumber party. He blushed, once again ashamed by his thoughts. Only the two of them? That'd definitely be awkward. Why would he sleep over when he only had to cross the street to be home anyway? He was so pathetic.
When he was satisfied with the way he looked, he got out of the bathroom and headed to the living room. Eric was sitting on the sofa, readying the video game. He had brought more beer on the small table in front of him. Hyesung looked through the window. It was still raining heavily, bolts of lightning illuminating the sky occasionally.
Hyesung sat down comfortably at the opposite side of the sofa, leaving a safe, gaping space between them. He tried not to flush as Eric's eyes scrutinized him.
“My clothes suit you,” the rapper remarked nonchalantly, smiling a little.
Hyesung cleared his throat, hoping he wasn't blushing too much. He took his joystick and opened a beer.
“How was work?”
Eric shrugged, turning his head towards the tv set and starting the game.
“Boring, as usual.”
He still had months of civil service to do to complete his national duties. Hyesung was secretly glad he had been exempted from military duty, or they wouldn't have been able to see each other much. As a public servant, Eric had regular, office hours, so they could meet on the evenings. Well, when Hyesung didn't have any professional obligations. Or when he wasn't too shy to turn up at Eric's door to hang out, worried his friend might tire of seeing him. Worried about the silly things he might say or do to his friend.
Fortunately, Eric didn't have this kind of dilemma, and didn't hesitate to invite himself over to the singer's flat, very frequently, to Hyesung's secret pleasure.
Hyesung ignored his thoughts, trying to focus on the game.
They played for a while, only exchanging words about the game or random things. The mood started to feel lighter than it previously had been as they drank more and more beer, but it didn't last long. It was Hyesung's fault again, but he couldn't help it, his alcohol-clouded mind wandering despite himself in dangerous zones. He was curious.
“Eric?”
“Mh?”
“I was wondering... Why did you stop going to blind dates?”
Indeed, it had been more than eight months since his last one. Hyesung had counted. Eric was silent for a few seconds, then he shrugged.
“It was useless.”
“Why?”
“How could I be interested in someone new when I'm not over that special someone?” He said, somewhat melancholic.
Hyesung's heart nearly stopped at the sudden, unexpected revelation. He couldn't be possibly talking about his ex-girlfriend, could he? They had parted nearly two years ago and their relationship hadn't been good ages before that. Since then, Hyesung hadn't heard of any special girl, but maybe Eric hadn't told him. His heart felt like it was cruelly clamped.
“Your ex-girlfriend?” He asked slowly, cautiously hiding his burning jealousy.
Eric only shook his head, and Hyesung was left hanging, forced to hide his agitation inside.
“Who is it? Do I know her?”
“Does it matter? It's probably unrequited anyway.”
Hyesung thought about it for some time.
“Probably?” He finally said, rather petulantly. “Are you not going to ask her? How can you know if it's unrequited then?” He added, reluctantly.
Eric turned his head towards him, watching him for a while. Staring at the television set, Hyesung ignored him, sulking as he continued to play. Inside, his heart was breaking and he nearly regretted his decision to come here after his blind date. As if he wasn't depressed enough, he was now encouraging the man he was in love with to declare his love to someone else?
“You're right,” Eric agreed. “But I don't want to mess up the precious relationship I already have with this person. What if they don't understand?”
“What is there to understand if you really like them?” Hyesung asked, now clearly annoyed.
Precious relationship? Just who the fuck was it? Hyesung felt like crying, his mind in turmoil. Eric had every right to seek his own happiness and here he was, deeply jealous of the lucky girl who had obviously captured Eric's heart. Hyesung was ashamed but he just couldn't help it.
Eric seemed to think about it some more, hesitating.
“Maybe I should confess. But I don't know how. What about you?”
“What about me?” Hyesung asked, startled at the sudden change of subject.
Eric shrugged. He rubbed his nape nervously.
“Why are you still going to all those blind dates? You're clearly not putting a lot of effort in any of them. Are you... I mean.... Is there someone...”
Both knew he hadn't had a girlfriend for the past four years. Hyesung became still, his hands moisty. He gripped the joystick a bit harder.
“What if there is?” He said tentatively.
“So there is someone?” Eric said, looking shocked.
“Yeah,” Hyesung admitted to his own surprise.
“Who?”
You.
“You don't know them,” he babbled.
Hyesung touched his hair nervously, fidgeting, and judging by the way Eric was staring at him, there was no doubt his friend knew he was lying to him. Hyesung avoided his eyes, feeling the wheels in Eric's brain turning dangerously fast at his words, trying to put two and two together. He was probably listing in his head all the females in Hyesung's close friend circle and crossing off as easily their names one by one.
“Since when?” Eric insisted, his eyes focused on his face.
“Some time,” Hyesung answered with hesitation after a while, in a timid murmur.
Well, just a decade or so.
Hyesung squirmed a little under Eric's scrutinizing stare, avoiding carefully the dark eyes that could read his thoughts so well.
“And... have you told them?” Eric inquired again, falsely nonchalant.
Letting go of the joystick, Hyesung drank down his beer and leaned back, his head resting on the sofa. He sighed, eyes downcast.
“No. Because I, unlike you, know for sure it's unrequited.”
“How? Do they have a significant other?”
“No. Well, not yet, I guess,” Hyesung hesitated, remembering Eric's confession with a pang.
It was just a matter of time before Eric would confess to his love or find someone else. A girl, in any case, Hyesung thought bitterly again.
Eric's eyes narrowed. His laugh was mirthless, incredulous when he sent his question right back at him.
“Then how can you know if you haven't told them?”
Hyesung turned his head towards him. Their gazes met. Hyesung's eyes stung. His heart ached.
“I just know, that's all.”
Because you don't like men.
They looked at each other for a long, tense moment, and Hyesung turned his head, hoping that the rapper hadn't noticed his glistening eyes. Not able to bear it anymore, he stood up.
“Sorry, I spoiled the mood,” he apologized in a calm, sad voice. “I should go anyway. It's getting late. Thanks for the meal, and the clothes. I'll bring them back to you tomorrow.”
He was already starting to leave when Eric stood up and grabbed his wrist, stopping him. At the same time, a loud clap of thunder erupted right above them, as if it happened in the room. Hyesung trembled.
“Stay,” Eric nearly murmured. “I didn't mean to upset you. Sleep here okay? You drank and it's still pouring down out there.”
Despite himself, Hyesung chuckled at that. He turned around and arched his eyebrows. “Eric, you do know I live in the building next to yours, right?”
Eric smiled before pouting a little. “I don't know. For a neighbor, you don't visit me that much.”
Hyesung smiled back, rolling his eyes at his answer. Eric was soon serious again.
“Stay, please.”
***
Hyesung didn't know why he was always finding himself in this kind of awkward situation. Well, maybe he knew. He swore. Those big, pretty dark eyes would be the end of him one day.
Hyesung sighed and pouted, feeling hopeless and a little dizzy as he snuggled further under the quilt of Eric's bed. Eric's distinctive, addictive smell was all around him. He was even wearing his pyjamas after all.
Eric had insisted for him to stay and share his bedroom, saying it would be just like old times when they were still sharing rooms at the SM dorms.
My guestroom is a mess right now anyway. You don't mind sharing a bed with me, right?
No, of course not, Hyesung had stuttered with embarrassment in front of these intense, attentive eyes.
Of course he didn't mind. He was just dead nervous.
Back then, even when Shinhwa was promoting and all the boys often had to share rooms, the two of them had shared a bed alone on a mere couple of occasions, and every fucking time, things had happened. Mostly, Hyesung had ended cuddled up to Eric the following morning, even sporting an unyielding erection once. Hyesung had been mortified, but Eric had not made any comment about it, shrugging it off.
Hyesung scrunched up his face at the memory and hid his head under the pillow. So fucking embarrassing.
At that time, he had been very conscious of his attraction to the other male. He had been aware of it for quite a while, to be honest. Well, Hyesung had always thought Eric was handsome, from the very beginning. At first, he had managed to convince himself that he was only envious of Eric's good looks though, but slowly, insidious feelings had made their way to his heart, and he couldn't deny anymore that he was in love with the man.
The singer could still remember every detail of the night when he had realized his feelings, how moody Eric had been at the bar, how the rapper had poured out his deepest insecurities to his best friend, letting him sit on his lap all night because there was no seat left. Hyesung closed his eyes, remembering how drunk and flirty they had been, and how sweetly and innocently he had kissed Eric on the lips when his depressed friend had told him that no one would ever love him in order to reassure him. Remembering how he had thought at that moment that he loved the young man.
He also remembered how terrified he had felt the following day, after realizing all the consequences of being gay, of being in love with his colleague. His best friend.
After that, things had started to become awkward between them. Hyesung had blamed the ricsyung fans and Eric had said nothing, making Hyesung feel even more guilty.
His face reappearing from under the pillow, Hyesung sighed. Why him? Why couldn't he have fallen in love with a nice, sweet girl?
Coming back from the bathroom, Eric entered the bedroom, interrupting his thoughts. He slipped into the bed, behind Hyesung who had his back turned to him, feigning sleep. Eric's nightstand lamp was the only light illuminating the room. When Eric didn't switch it off, Hyesung hesitated. He opened his eyes.
“Can you turn off the light?”
He waited, but no answer came. Still nervous, he closed his eyes again, not daring to turn around.
“So, who is it?”
Hyesung's heart immediately started to beat faster at those words. Eric hadn't given up, obviously.
“Hyesung-ah!” Eric insisted.
“Eric-ah, shut off the light,” Hyesung said, ignoring him.
“Okay, so you'll tell me who it is if I shut it off?”
He quickly turned it off, and Hyesung sighed. He extended his hand, switching the nightstand lamp on his side on, and he rolled over, facing Eric. They stared at each other.
“I'm sorry Eric, but I can't.”
“Why can't you tell me? Am I not your best friend?” He argued, pouting cutely.
Remembering Eric's own secrets, Hyesung chuckled darkly.
“I could ask you the same things.”
"I want to tell you but..."
"Save it, I don't want to know anymore anyway."
Tears threatened to form in his red, stinging eyes. Not waiting for his reply, Hyesung switched off the light for good and turned his back to his friend again, hiding his bitter face in the dark. He was probably acting like a jerk, but Eric didn't even know how cruel he was being.
“Good night,” he said, ending their conversation.
His friend didn't answer. They were silent for a moment, in the complete darkness, listening to the raging storm, when Eric softly murmured a few words that made Hyesung tremble.
“What are you so afraid of?”
Hyesung bit the inside of his cheek, feeling more tears well up in his eyes.
“Hyesung-ah, please tell me.”
He waited again, but Hyesung didn't answer, his fingers curling tightly around the pillow. His eyelashes were wet with unshed tears.
“Don't ignore me,” Eric whined, poking him lightly. “I know you're not sleeping.”
Hyesung sniffled once and Eric's fingertips lingered on his back at the sound before tracing soothing patterns on his tee-shirt.
“Pilkyo? Hey, are you alright?” Eric asked in a worried tone.
“I'm fine. Just, drop it ok?” Hyesung murmured in a pleading voice.
He didn't say anything more, and Eric scooted closer, his arm sneaking around Hyesung's waist and his fingers brushing the singer's wrist tentatively.
“Ok,” Eric yielded, his breath tickling Hyesung's nape.
The singer sighed quietly in relief, and allowed himself to gradually relax in Eric's arms, indulging in Eric's surprisingly tender touch. He felt a little guilty to take advantage of his friend's concern though. Eric's fingers brushed his, and Hyesung couldn't resist to nudge them back softly. If he knew...
“Come here.”
Hyesung barely had the time to dry his tears before Eric suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled at it gently but firmly so that the singer had to turn towards him. Theirs noses bumped against each other and their minty breaths hitched at their closeness. They both became as still as stones.
Hyesung flushed in the darkness, feeling suddenly very awake and alert. He could feel his heartbeat accelerating faster and faster with each passing second.
“Sorry for your nose. Can't see you,” he stammered.
Why was he apologizing anyway? It was Eric's damn fault! He was too nervous. He should move, they were way too close, but it felt so good. As he debated with himself, panicking inwardly, Eric's arm went back to hold his waist, brushing the small of his back. Hyesung flushed at the intimate gesture but he didn't say anything nor did he push him away. Obviously taking his lack of reaction for tacit permission, Eric didn't stop caressing him.
“No biggie,” he reassured him, murmuring.
They stayed like this for a while, and too stunned, Hyesung forgot why they were in this position in the first place. It felt like a dream, and he had to struggle not to do anything silly.
Not seeming disturbed by it, Eric murmured again, thoughtfully.
“Pilkyo...”
“What?” Hyesung said softly when he didn't continue, wondering about Eric's strange behaviour.
Eric didn't answer but his nose brushed against his, barely, as if by mistake, even though it was definitely suspicious.
“Sorry, can't see you either,” he apologized.
“It's okay,” Hyesung babbled timidly.
It wasn't okay though. Hyesung was close to having a heartattack.
Despite his apology, Eric's nose kept caressing his with more confidence after his words, finding no resistance, and his breath tickled Hyesung's face.
Lost in his confused thoughts, Hyesung's eyelids fluttered when soft lips brushed agaist his skin, slowly making their way to his mouth. They stopped a few millimeters away from it, waiting, and dizzy, Hyesung found himself expecting... He wasn't going to... was he? When Eric finally gave him a feather light kiss though, Hyesung couldn't even react, his eyes widening in the dark and heart beating crazily.
Did he just...?
Eric's hand left his back to cup his cheek delicately, his thumb stroking the soft, warm skin. He kissed him, again and again, each time more firmly, and Hyesung stopped thinking – he just couldn't anymore – as he started to respond to the sweet kisses with hesitation but equal tenderness, his hand barely daring to touch Eric's clothed side.
After a while though, doubts were forgotten and they were sharing hungry, open mouthed kisses, hands caressing each other's back, arms and waist as if their lives depended on it.
But when Eric grabbed his hip, trying to bring them closer together, Hyesung became suddenly very aware of his growing desire. Breaking their kiss, he tried to push Eric away, too late, as his pelvis was suddenly flushed against the man's hip.
“I...”
Hyesung was out of breath, his mind numb, and he didn't know what to say, how to explain. Eric held him a little tighter. His breath was short too when he spoke into his ear, his cheek against Hyesung's.
“I want you too, idiot.”
Hyesung's punch on his chest a couple of seconds later was kind of expected. It was feeble though, almost a caress.
“Ouch!” Eric mock complained, laughing.
“Who's an idiot?” Hyesung mumbled, affronted.
“You. And by the way, I like you too,” Eric said simply, sincerely.
Hyesung didn't answer with words, but after a few seconds of obvious shock at his confession, his arms were around Eric's shoulders, hugging him forcefully, and Eric just grinned against his skin, hugging him back delicately and proceeding to kiss thoroughly his jaw and neck, feeling the insanely quick pulse against his own skin.
Eyes closed, Hyesung let him do as he pleased, caressing his hair and scalp as an encouragement. While doing so, he couldn't help but wonder if he wasn't hallucinating. It felt too good to be true. Maybe he hadn't come to Eric's flat after his blind date. Maybe he was in his bed, dreaming.
But when Eric's teeth grazed his neck gently, nibbling at it and making him moan, Hyesung didn't care anymore if it was only a dream, and cupping the man's jaws between his hands, he kissed him again.
***
About an hour later, they were still embraced, talking, kissing and caressing each other's skin every now and then. They had removed their shirts but not their night pants, even though their pants were the ones actually ruined by their activities.
Hyesung felt himself blush. He timidly hid his head under Eric's chin despite the protective darkness around them. He was glad the lights weren't on or he would have died of embarrassment. They hadn't gone all the way – they hadn't even talked about it, and to be honest, Hyesung wasn't sure he was ready for that yet – but a little bit of rubbing and fondling through his clothes had been enough to make him come in a matter of minutes, making him feel like a horny teenager.
Eric had more stamina it seemed, but not much more than him.
Smiling at the thought as Eric kissed his forehead and stroked his hair, Hyesung let his fingers touch his shoulder lightly, trying to map its contour. The quiet atmosphere of the dark room was only disturbed by the gentle patter of the rain against the window.
“Eric?”
“Yeah?”
“How did you know?” He murmured shyly.
They had confessed to each other - just before fooling around, Hyesung remembered coyly once again - that they were indeed each other's 'special person', the one they were both talking about earlier in their coded conversation. Or rather, Eric had admitted it first then bugged Hyesung until he had to shut him up.
Yes, of course I was talking about you, dummy!
But he knew very well that they both had been too afraid to say anything and risk to lose their best friend for an unrequited love.
Hyesung felt him shrug. Fingertips touched his ear, softly.
“I wasn't totally sure. But you did make me extremely suspicious tonight, so I had to take my chances. And..."
"And?"
Eric didn't answer immediately. Hugging him tightly, his lips searched his in the dark to give him a passionate, heated kiss that made them moan, then caressing his back, he sighed of contentment, murmuring teasingly against his lips.
"Well, I'm glad I did. So far, I'm rather enjoying this blind date.”
Blushing, Hyesung giggled against his mouth. They shared another kiss, more tender, then hugging Eric's waist, the singer leaned in to kiss his neck and shoulder. He was rather enjoying this date night too.
After a while, Hyesung broke the comfortable silence, hesitating again.
"You know, I... I would never have guessed you..."
He didn't end his sentence, but the meaning was clear for both of them. He was so surprised by this turn of events. He would never have thought that Eric could like a man. Even less that he could ever like him. Not even in his wildest dreams.
"And I, you," Eric murmured. "I'm thankful though. How did I get so lucky?"
He kissed his temple, then nuzzled his cheek as he embraced his shoulders. Hyesung could felt Eric's smile against his skin, and as they slowly fell asleep, the singer held him a little tighter, a matching smile on his lips.
***
The morning after.
When Hyesung woke up, the sun was shining brightly, submerging the bedroom of its warm light. His mind fuzzy, he stretched out and rolled over until he was on his back, smiling at the ceiling, eyes still closed. He felt good and well rested in the comfortable bed.
But why was he feeling so happy?
He opened his eyes slightly. It took him a few seconds to remember everything that had happened the previous night, everything from Eric's confession to the hot make-out sessions that had followed through the night between sleepy cuddles and snuggles.
He immediately sat up, eyes wide open, looking at his surroundings. Eric wasn't in bed with him anymore, but the door was ajar, and faraway sounds and faint smells were telling him that he was probably in the kitchen, making breakfast.
Feeling suddenly nervous and very naked in the daylight that kissed his chest, he got up, heading to the bathroom to take a very quick shower. After that, he shaved, using a disposable razor, styled his hair the best he could and put on his borrowed clothes, not without sniffing Eric's smell on them before with a stupid grin on his face.
Mere minutes later, he was clean and ready, stalling in the corridor as he hesitated to enter the kitchen, fidgeting.
What should he say or do? Act casually? He wasn't sure. Afterall, his dating experience was poor and deficient. Not to mention, he had never dated a guy. Were they officially dating anyway? He held back a sigh. It had been so much easier to kiss and cuddle in the dark.
Now that his mind was clearer, even though he was happy that his feelings were reciprocated, he couldn't help but be worried, suddenly scared about the numerous troubles that could lie ahead if they were going to be in a relationship. Could it even work?
Still, this love was worth the risk. He was certain of that.
Summoning up all his courage, he peeked into the kitchen, watching Eric as he prepared their breakfast, focused on his task. Then, after clearing his throat, Hyesung tapped lightly on the door to signal his entry.
Eric turned around. They looked at each other, and Hyesung wondered if he had been blind all this time, the love and tenderness in Eric's warm eyes seeming now quite evident. He also wondered if his own eyes showed his feelings so obviously.
“Hi,” Hyesung said, shyly.
“Hi.”
Hands in the pockets of his hoodie, he shuffled a little awkwardly towards Eric who hadn't moved yet, and he stopped at a short distance, looking in his eyes.
“My clothes really suit you,” Eric said, smiling.
Hyesung smiled back, feeling warm all over. He touched his neck and looked down, nervous.
“I didn't know what you'd like for breakfast, so I prepared a little bit of everything,” Eric started to say.
Hyesung let him babble cutely about what he had cooked – or at least tried to cook – for a while, then taking a step forward – he really couldn't wait anymore – the singer cupped his cheek with one hand and kissed him amorously.
Once he got over his initial surprise at Hyesung's blunt but sweet attack, the rapper responded eagerly to his kiss, taking him in his arms.
“I could get used to this,” he murmured after a while, between kisses, his voice serious.
Embracing his shoulders, Hyesung smiled against his lips.
“Me too.”
***
One hour later, Hyesung was pressed against the front door. They were kissing again, hands all over each other. The rapper didn't want to let go of him, and it was sweet really, but...
“Eric,” Hyesung chuckled, breaking their kiss to breathe some much needed air. “I really have to go.”
“Do you?” Eric asked, with pleading eyes.
“Yeah,” Hyesung answered with an apologetic smile.
Eric wasn't working today, but Hyesung had an appointment in less than one hour, which let him barely the time to go back to his flat to drop his wet clothes in the laundry basket and change for something more professionally suitable.
“Okay,” Eric agreed, reluctantly. “I'll call you later?”
Hyesung nodded and kissed him one last time, his arms around Eric's neck. The kiss lingered, Eric taking the opportunity to taste his mouth thoroughly once again, then he took a step back, finally releasing him.
Hyesung put on his coat, took his bag of wet clothes and opened the door, purposefully not looking at Eric's puppy eyes as he went out, heading towards the lift.
It was only when he was already in the lift that he took the risk to look at the man who was still standing at the entrance of his flat, failing to suppress an amused smile when he saw Eric's pouty lips, the rapper's head leaning pitifully on the wall as he watched him leave.
And it was only when the lift doors closed that a huge grin appeared on Hyesung's face. He rubbed his red cheeks to cool them down, trying to calm down.
They hadn't talked about the previous night or what they were exactly during breakfast but Eric had been very sweet and attentive to him, kissing his cheek and touching him tenderly from time to time as they sat next to each other, eating their breakfast and talking about their respective schedules.
He hit his head on the wall. Gosh, he was already missing him. Wasn't he pathetic?
When the doors opened on the first floor, his phone buzzed, signalling a message had just arrived and Hyesung took his phone to read it. It was Eric.
I had a wonderful blind date yesterday. Miss you already :( What about a second date tonight?
Hyesung did not waste time stepping out of the lift, afraid to be too tempted to push the familiar button and go back to Eric's flat on the spot. He was irremediably crazy in love with the man.
Smiling, he left the building, writing his answer under the blinding sun.
~The End~