Archive of Our Own

If anyone asked Kun about his bad habits, Qian would confidently answer: coffee. Don't laugh, coffee has really had a bad effect on the boy lately, although literally a year ago, Kun hated everything related to caffeine, even the smell of it made him sick.

Everything changed in the last summer vacation, which Kun spent in his hometown in China, where he had to help his aunt in her newly opened coffee shop. His aunt didn’t accept any excuses, saying that Kun didn’t know all the charm of this drink yet. So, the woman devoted all her free time to ‘enlightenment of Kun’”.

Well, his practice ended with the boy knowing the history of coffee, began to understand the degrees of roasting of coffee beans, could guess from one sip what kind of coffee his aunt brewed, and of course he became addicted to the drink itself. The bitter addiction that now Kun's body demanded every morning.

Of course, his body only took in good quality coffee, which you can find in coffee shops; instant cheap coffee was not an option. In this Kun blamed his beloved aunt and her training to him.

Qian was an ordinary poor student, whose scholarship couldn’t cover the cost of daily coffee from Starbucks, the only logical option for the boy was to get a job there. Kun was looking for a half-time job anyway, and that would give him access to an unlimited supply of coffee. Luckily, his good friend from university - Doyoung was working at Starbucks, so he happily helped Kun get a job at his coffee shop.

Yes, the salary was small, but the atmosphere in the coffee house was cozy, the customers were mostly nice and friendly, and Kun could drink as much coffee as he wanted. Also working with Doyoung was fun. In the past, when they first met, the boys were a little awkward with each other, because Qian barely knew Korean and Kim hardly knew Chinese, so they somehow tried to speak formal Korean, although they were the same age. Soon they became partners in economic projects, after which they gradually became closer. So, Qian really liked Kim's company on his shifts.

Taeyong - Doyoung's boyfriend also often came to their coffee shop. Despite their frequent bickering, it was clear that they really love each other. Maybe because of this, Kun periodically became a little sad and lonely. Just a little bit. Studying took all his strength, so he hadn't gone on dates for a long time. Actually, no one asked him out, unfortunately. Still Kun was genuinely happy that Doyoung and Taeyong had found each other. It's funny, because they met in this coffee shop. Perhaps Kun will meet his destiny here in the future too.

Not surprisingly, Doyoung fell in love with Taeyong. The boy was very cute and sweet, was an interesting conversationalist and was very friendly with everyone around him, including Kun. What could not be said about Doyoung's best friend -Chittaphon, or as everyone called him just Lee Ten, who also constantly spent time in their coffee shop and annoyed Kun with his mere presence.

“Is he always so annoying?” Kun asked Doyoung almost immediately after meeting his best friend. Ten genuinely enjoyed the bewildered expression on Kun's face when the first thing he said to the boy was:

“Cute hair color. Of course, if you prefer your grandfather's style.”

Kun liked his gray hair, but after Ten's stupid comment, Kun immediately began to feel insecure, even though usually he ignored stupid comments from stupid people.

“You’ll get used to it,” Doyoung chuckled, “Soon you will simply stop paying attention to this dork and his bad temper.”

How could Kun not pay attention to him, if this boy endlessly demanded that attention from everyone?

“Doyoung-ah, make me coffee, I'm dying,” Ten whined once again, begging his best friend for free coffee.

“Sorry, but tonight Kun works at the bar. Ask him,” Doyoung chuckled, ignoring the other barista's angry looks.

“Kuuun, I'm dying, make me an ice Americano with an extra shot of espresso and faster,” Ten looked at the Chinese man in pain, but Qian just rolled his eyes.

“Sure. Pay me five thousand won and I'll start preparing your drink right away.” Kun forced a professional smile. The smile that didn't show his dimples. Ten didn't deserve his cute dimples.

“Kun-ge, pleeeeease.” Although the younger said that he didn’t know how to behave cute at all, the pouting lips and the puppy look said quite the opposite. It's good that Kun was immune to Ten's aegyo.

“Stop acting cute, I won't make you free coffee,” Kun grunted, enjoying the offended face of the other boy.

“I’m not acting cute, I was born cute,” the Thai man said cheekily, winking at Kun. God, this boy literally flirted with everyone and always at the most inopportune moments for this.

“When will you stop pretending to be a good worker and share a cup of cold Americano with your beloved friend? I know you can get around rules and make me a coffee.”

“I don’t know,” Qian said honestly. “When will you stop being an idiot?”

“I don’t know,” Ten mirrored in the same tone. “When will you retire, ge?”

“Your jokes about age are not funny,” Kun rolled his eyes. “We were literally born in the same year!”

“I doubt it. Your gray hair doesn't inspire confidence,” Chittaphon chuckled. Fortunately, his best friend saved him from heavy Kun’s hand. More precisely, it was Doyoung’s boyfriend, who happily burst into the coffee shop, greeting everyone with his trademark bright smile.

“How is the most handsome boy in the world doing?” Taeyong asked as he walked over to his boyfriend.

“I'm fine, thanks for asking,” Ten said shamelessly.

“Glad you know your worth, Ten, but I was actually talking to my beloved boyfriend,” Taeyong giggled, wrapping Doyoung in a tight hug.

“You obviously have low beauty standards,” the Thai chuckled in response.

“And I clearly have the worst best friend in the world,” Doyoung muttered.

“Speaking of the worst friends,” Ten grinned, “I have to meet Yangyang and Xiaojun. Kun-ge, I leave you alone with this cheesy couple. I hope they behave as sweetly as they always do to make you awkwardly embarrassed by their public expressions of love.”

“You're just jealous that, unlike some people here, they have a love life,” Kun rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, unlike you, dear KunKun. I'm sure a couple of dates won't hurt you. You need to relax a little, maybe after that you will stop being such a grumpy old man,” Ten winked at him again and left the coffee shop with a confident gait. Unfortunately, the rag thrown after him, with which Kun was wiping dirty tables, never reached its intended goal.

“Why is he so grumpy today?” Taeyong asked cheerfully as he sipped his favorite hot chocolate, which Doyoung had somehow managed to make while Kun was arguing with Ten.

“Kun didn't give him free coffee,” Doyoung chuckled, “Also the exam time is approaching, so we’re all a little on edge. Even Kun. Today I have never seen his dimples when he smiled at our guests. This is a bad sign, my dear.”

“Do you also think that gray doesn’t suit me?” Kun hesitantly asked his friends, looking at his hair in the reflection of the coffee machine.

"Oh Kun, please, don't listen to Ten. You know he loves to mess with people, especially with cute boys like you,” Doyoung sighed. “You look great! I’ll definitely scold him when I get home. I’ll tell him to stop with his inappropriate remarks.”

“It's okay, you shouldn't do this,” Kun shook his head, “But thanks for the compliment.”

“Doyoung is right. Kun, you are very beautiful and the gray color really suits you,” Taeyong smiled softly, “But if suddenly you want to change the image, I have a package of blue hair dye at home.”

“Lee Taeyong, were you going to dye your hair blue without my knowledge? Due to the constant hair dyeing, you are going to go bald soon,” Doyoung sighed.

“You are exaggerating, my hair is in pretty good condition,” the elder said. “But now it seems to me that this color would suit Kun better.”

“Kun, you shouldn't settle for my boyfriend's crazy ideas.” Doyoung looked at his friend with concern.

“Actually, that sounds fun,” Qian shrugged, “I'll think about your offer, hyung.”

“Why am I even friends with you two?” Doyoung muttered, looking at Taeyong's victorious smile, “I swear to god, I'll cut all ties with you if you go bald.”

“Qian, I see you are not busy, so you can simply make me a cup of delicious ice Americano.”

It was Tuesday, and there were almost no people in the coffee shop. Kun was clearly bored at the counter, rearranging chocolates from one box to another for the hundredth time.

“Good afternoon to you too, Leechaiyapornkul,” Kun looked at the boy who had just entered the coffee shop with his usual mocking smile. The same smile that Kun used to quickly lose his composure from, but today the boy was in a good mood, so he decided to be more tolerant of Ten.

“Wow, I see you learned my Thai name, I'm very flattered,” Ten's gaze slipped a surprise mixed with respect.

“And I don’t see Doyoung here,” Qian chuckled. “So if you’re looking for him, then I must grieve you.”

“I know that he doesn’t work today,” the younger rolled his eyes. “We literally live with him in the same apartment, I know his schedule.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Kun asked.

“This is a coffee shop, I came here for coffee,” Ten explained to him in a mocking tone.

“Five thousand won and I'll make your coffee.” Qian was clearly getting annoyed. How had Ten managed to influence his mood so easily?

“I thought we came to an agreement that the best friends have coffee at the expense of the house,” Ten smiled innocently.

“Yes, but I don’t see your best friend here,” Kun also answered him innocently. “You said yourself that you are well aware that he is not working today.”

“You are such a bore, worse than Doyoung,” Lee grumbled. “Now it's clear why you quickly became friends with him.”

“So, are you going to make an order? If not, could you step aside and not disturb real visitors.”

“Wow, there are so many people here,” Ten said sarcastically, looking at a completely empty area in front of the cashier, “Excuse me, am I bothering you? Ah, are you a ghost that I can't see? Then you went in the wrong place, the ghostly Starbucks is located opposite.”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” without noticing, Qian pouted his lips offended and didn’t understand Ten's sudden giggle. “Should I call the mental hospital? I think it's not okay to see ghosts and giggle for no reason.”

“If they make me the long-awaited coffee there, then I agree,” Ten smiled, still giggling happily at the offended expression on Kun's face.

“Listen, Ten. Did you come here on purpose to bother me?”

“No, I came here for coffee, how many more times can I repeat this? Doyoung said you are a smart boy, but I'm starting to think I was tricked.” Lee chuckled.

“Five thousand won,” Kun demanded from Ten again.

“At least give me a discount, ge. Your didi doesn't have much money,” the boy pouted.

“I'm not your ge, we are the same age,” Kun rolled his eyes. “If I sell you a drink at an employee discount, will you leave me alone?”

“If a delicious peanut cookie is added with the drink, then I agree,” Ten smiled cheekily, and Qian decided to give up and give the boy what he wanted. It was easier that way, right?

“God, you're so annoying,” Kun muttered in Chinese.

“I know I’m gorgeous,” Ten replied in Chinese as well, smiling brightly at the bewildered Kun.

“I have been attending Chinese courses at the university for two years now,” Lee explained cheerfully, taking his coffee and cookies. “Actually, I hardly speak it, but I understand enough. So, the next time you decide to speak about me in your own language, I hope it will be only compliments and admiration. By the way, compliments in English and Thai are also welcome. Though it seems that the only thing you know in Thai is my full name. Which, by the way, is very flattering to me. Even Doyoung says it wrongly, your pronunciation is much better.”

“How can you be so incredibly smart and incredibly annoying at the same time?” Kun muttered in amazement.

“Thanks for the compliment, you are also cute, despite your old hairstyle,” Ten chuckled.

“You promised that you would leave me alone if you get your coffee and cookies,” Kun looked at the boy with displeasure.

“I get it, today you can no longer resist my charm,” Lee smiled, again professionally dodging a rag flying into him. “Thanks for the coffee and cookies, by the way. I will definitely come back tomorrow.”

“Thank god I’m not working tomorrow,” Kun muttered.

“I will ask Doyoung about your schedule and will definitely come when you are on your shift then.”

“Why?”

“You are funny.”

Kun: Taeyong hyung, do you still have blue hair dye?

Taeyong: I knew I could count on you, Kun! You won't regret ^^

“You know that I don’t support your love of hair dyeing, but I have to admit, Kun, blue color very suits you,” Doyoung said, admiringly looking at Kun’s blue hair. His boyfriend really did his best.

“Thank you,” Kun smiled embarrassedly, “Taeyong hyung is a professional.”

“Well, with so many hair dyes he's had, I'm sure he can open his own beauty parlor,” Kim grumbled, rolling his eyes at his boyfriend's bright laugh.

“I'm still not bald, stop grumbling, Doi,” Taeyong chuckled. By the way, he also dyed his hair, but in pink color, which looked very cute on him. Although Doyoung constantly grumbled about the harmfulness of hair dye, he secretly admired his sweet pink-haired boyfriend. Or not entirely in secret, because it is quite difficult to hide the look of adoration directed at the older boy.

“I'm sure Taeyong hyung will be handsome even bald,” Kun giggled, imagining him without hair, “though you love him too much, Doyoung-ah. I don't think that you will leave him just because of the lack of hair on his head.”

“Then you don't know me well, Qian,” Kim shook his head, but a slight blush betrayed him.

“Don’t worry, Kun, I’m sure that you too will find someone who will love you even bald,” Taeyeon smiled brightly. Qian's objections were interrupted by the epic appearance of Ten, who nearly destroy the front door of the coffee shop due to his oversupply of energy.

“I won't give you coffee, you are already too agitated," Doyoung immediately warned him.

“It's still a secret for me how you could snatch such a handsome man with such a bad temper, bunny,” Ten looked at his best friend resentfully.

“You have to thank me! Thanks to my bad temper, I still tolerate your even worse temper,” Doyoung rolled his eyes.

“Don't be such an asshole! Your friend has just passed the most difficult exam and has come to share his joy with his beloved friends, but you, as usual, ruin everything with your gloomy face.”

“You're too dramatic,” Kim chuckled.

“I don’t. I just want to be loved and adored the way I deserve!” Lee pouted.

“Then find yourself a boyfriend,” Doyoung was still grinning.

“I'd rather find myself a new best friend! The vacancy is open. Kim Doyoung who?” Ten exclaimed dramatically. The boy sharply turned to another barista, who with amusement watched the bickering between the boys. “KunKun, now you are my best friend, congratulations.”

“Thank you for the honor, but I pass. I don’t think I can handle this position,” Qian chuckled.

“Taeyong, bro, you are my only hope,” Ten looked at the older boy with a puppy look, but he just laughed kindly.

“Sorry, Ten. I already have two best friends and they are too jealous. In addition, you and Doi cannot live a day without each other, I know you. I sincerely congratulate you on passing the exam, by the way. We must celebrate this event in my club. Drinks are at the expense of the house.”

“Doyoung, dear, I'm so glad that you are dating with the bartender,” Ten exclaimed happily, immediately forgetting their quarrel.

“Oh no. I'm not going to look after your drunken ass again, Ten. Is it too late to give up your best friend title?” Doyoung asked.

“Sorry, you missed your chance,” Ten giggled. “Kun, you're coming with us, aren't you?”

At first, Kun didn't even realize that Ten was referring to him.

“Ugh, actually, I'm not a big fan of night clubs,” the Chinese admitted.

“Taeyong doesn't like coffee, but he still hangs out in your cafe every day,” Lee chuckled, “as I told you, you should relax a little, Qian, and the night club is a great place for that! I'm sure some pretty boy will fall for your cute dimples. For example, someone who loves older boys.”

“And after that you think I will agree to go somewhere with you?” Kun raised an eyebrow skeptically. He removed his work cap to straighten his hair and suddenly heard a muffled sigh from Lee. Qian turned to the sound and realized Ten was looking at his hair with interest.

“Wow, your hair is no longer gray,” he muttered, coming out of a slight trance.

“Yeah, Taeyong hyung did his best,” Kun was slightly embarrassed.

“Blue suits him very well,” Taeyong said proudly and Tai boy nodded his head in agreement. “Kun, come with us tonight, it'll be fun. Ten is right, sometimes you need to rest and relax.”

“Agree, it will be more fun with you,” Doyoung smiled.

“Okay,” Kun finally agreed, “but I have a late lecture today, so I might be a little late.”

“It doesn't matter, I'll give you the address of the club and warn the guard that you are my friend, you will be admitted for free.” Taeyong smiled.

Kun's lecture ended much later than he expected. Yes, he had time to go home and change his clothes before going to the club, but to be honest, Kun was not ready to spend two hours on the road home and exhausting fees, so he decided go to the club right after university. It didn't matter that he was dressed like a typical nerd: a white shirt with a knitted vest over it. His eyes ached from frequent lens wear, so the boy put on his favorite round huge glasses. Kun doubted that he would even be allowed to enter the night club, but the mention of Lee Taeyong did a miracle. The guard gave him a sneering look and calmly let him inside. It was about midnight, so people were just starting to come. However, Qian was uncomfortable with all these dressed-up people. Perhaps he should have stopped by home and changed his clothes after all.

“Hey handsome, it seems you are lost,” suddenly someone called out to him. Kun immediately recognized this voice. Ten Lee. A shiny translucent shirt perfectly fits his slender body, black slightly ripped skinny jeans, slicked back hair, smoky makeup, and, of course, his trademark cheeky smile and foxy eyes that scoffed at Kun. Well, Qian admitted that Ten was a very handsome man, especially when he put the effort into it. Kun also knew that Lee was well aware of the impact he had on people around him.

“Sorry?” Qian tried to figure out what his friend meant, but to be honest, the boy in front of him was too distracting

“I said you are in the wrong place. The library is in the building opposite,” Ten chuckled, clearly hinting at the elder's attire, “though I don't think it's open at this hour.”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” Kun rolled his eyes, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“I know you said you’re not a fan of night clubs, but I didn’t think it was that bad,” Ten shook his head demonstratively and received a light slap from Kun for it. Hearing the boy's faint excuses about why he showed up at the club like this, Ten laughed and dragged him by the hand somewhere.

“Please, calm down, I just want to help you,” Lee said, leading the indignant boy into the nearest restroom. “Now take off your vest.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Kun stared at Ten in shock, but the boy just shook his head and smirked.

“God, stop thinking about obscenities. I'm just trying to make your image more acceptable for the night club, and for this you have to get rid of your old man's vest.”

Embarrassed, Kun did as Ten told him to. Then the younger unbuttoned a pair of top buttons on his shirt and took out his make-up bag. How did Lee manage to fit so many cosmetics into such a small bag?

“As much as I love your cute image with glasses, you have to take them off. I have spare lenses, but they are blue color. It's good though, they fit well with your blue hair.”

“Is it really necessary?” Qian asked discontentedly and Ten slightly chuckled in agreement. Without glasses Kun could only see the silhouette of Lee, who was already shaking all kinds of makeup brushes in front of him, and the elder, disoriented and slightly apprehensive, tried to understand what Ten was doing to his face. Kun had never worn makeup before (BB cream doesn’t count). So it's no surprise that he constantly tried to dodge the sharp tassels, and Ten hissed at him in annoyance.

“Please, stop twitching, otherwise I will definitely hit you with a brush right in your cute eye. Do you wanna stay blind? Go ahead. But, to be honest, I would like your eyes to preserve the ability to see the beautiful me every day.

“As always, modesty itself,” Kun would roll his eyes, but the idea of losing his eyesight was not very tempting, so the boy had to come to terms with his difficult fate. It’s probably even good that Qian saw almost nothing, because the proximity of the Thai worried him a little. Sometimes Ten's fingers gently touched the elder's face to fix shadows on his eyelids or when the boy applied a glitter highlighter to Kun's cheekbones. Qian explained that goose bumps appeared on the absence of his favorite knitted vest. It certainly had nothing to do with one mischievous Thai boy, not at all.

Then the boys managed to put colored lenses on Kun's eyes, after which Qian could finally see Ten's work for the last half hour. At first, Kun didn't even recognize himself, staring at his reflection in the mirror with surprise. Ten really did a good job.

“Wow,” the only thing that Kun could squeeze out of himself at the moment.

“I know,” his friend replied smugly, glad that the Chinese appreciated his efforts, and then added embarrassedly, “you're pretty. Actually, I should have said this before, but blue hair really suits you very well.”

“Thank you,” Kun muttered a little blushing, not expecting a compliment from the other boy at all.

“Now it's fun time,” Ten exclaimed, trying to destroy the sudden awkward atmosphere between them, “Let’s go, Doyoung and Taeyon are probably tired of waiting for us.”

“I'm sure they'll be fine even without us,” Kun grinned, following Ten heading for the bar, where he had already seen their friends, as usual, flirting with each other.

“You are disgusting, rent a room,” Ten issued in the usual manner. “Look, I brought you a company.”

“Kun,” Doyoung and Taeyong greeted him happily, “You look great.”

“Thank you,” Ten replied instead of Kun and explained to his incomprehensible friends that it was his merit that the cute nerd Kun had turned into a gorgeous party-goer Kun.

“Ten has good taste and an innate sense of style,” Doyoung confirmed reluctantly, “I always wonder how he can make something worthwhile out of any horrible clothes.

“Are you saying that I dress badly?!” Kun indignantly looked at his friend.

“I didn't mean that,” Doyoung tried to defend himself, but Ten interrupted him, stating that they both usually dress so-so, after which the Thai caught the angry glances of his outraged friends.

“Taeyong hyung, please pour me something stronger, otherwise I won't be able to stand the company of these nerds throughout the evening.”

“Guys, you are so funny,” Taeyong laughed, holding out his signature drinks to each of them, “I'm glad to be friends with you.”

After a few cocktails and a couple of shots, Kun finally got to the point where loud music and a bunch of strangers rubbing against each other stopped annoying him, heavy thoughts left his head. Doyoung and Taeyong continued to enjoy each other's company, Ten went somewhere on the dance floor and Kun almost immediately lost him in the crowd. Kun himself didn't really like dancing, so he enjoyed being alone near the bar, watching the beautiful strangers who surrounded him, and enjoying the atmosphere and delicious drink.

“Hi, are you bored alone?” suddenly a nice guy about his age with expressive green eyes and a sweet smile sat down on a nearby chair.

“Hi, not really, but I would like to see you trying to entertain me,” Kun smiled back at him. Heck, he seemed a lot drunker than he thought. Usually he was shy about shamelessly flirting with cute guys. The stranger's smile turned into a wide grin, after which they began discussing each other's hobbies and somehow ended up arguing about whether mint chocolate chip ice cream was like toothpaste or not. Kun didn’t think that he could connect his life with a person who didn’t like this taste of ice cream. Although most likely he didn’t give a damn whether someone liked mint chocolate chip ice cream or not if he was sober.

“Will you dance with me if I agree that mint chocolate chip ice cream has a right to exist?” his companion asked cheerfully.

“Oh, I’m not dancing,” Kun began to resist, but the guy didn’t notice Qian’s discomfort at all and continued to pull him towards the dance floor. Kun started looking for a way out when suddenly someone yanked his hand out of the other guy's. Kun's new panic was stopped by a familiar voice.

“Can't you see that he is uncomfortable in your company?” Qian immediately found himself in Ten's arms, who was already throwing murderous looks at the guy.

“Who are you?” Kun's new acquaintance asked irritably.

“I’m his boyfriend, who doesn’t like that some ignorant impudent person causes my cute KunKun inconvenience.”

“Oh, you didn't say that you have a boyfriend,” the other guy looked offendedly at Qian. He was ready to object that he actually didn't have a boyfriend, because he didn't like to deceive people, but Ten quickly poked him in side to shut up.

“We had a fight with him recently,” Ten sighed sadly, and Kun was surprised at his good acting skills, “as soon as I walked away for a couple of hours, this idiot managed to get drunk and mislead the stranger. I'm sorry, but this cutie is already in a relationship. So find yourself another victim for tonight.”

Without waiting for the guy's answer, Ten took Kun's hand and immediately led him to the other side of the club.

“Didn't you tell me to relax and find a cute boy tonight?” Kun asked when they finally stopped at one of the bars.

“It seemed to me that you were uncomfortable next to him,” Ten shrugged his shoulders, but a certain nervousness slipped in his voice.

“I just don't like dancing,” Qian said. In truth, he was glad Ten took him away from a guy who didn't respect his interests.

“Why?” Lee looked at him curiously.

“Look, not everyone can be as great dancers as you and Taeyong,” Kun said defensively.

“It doesn't matter if you have a good partner,” suddenly a sly grin appeared on Ten's face. The one after which Lee always began to mess with Kun every time they met in a coffee shop. “Let’s go, I'll show you that dancing is super fun, even if you are not a professional dancer.”

“I can't believe you saved me from shame in front of a cute boy so that you could personally disgrace me later,” Kun muttered, panicking again as Ten started dragging him onto the dance floor.

“So you admit that I am your knight, right?” Ten turned to face him and smiled brightly, but his smile immediately disappeared when he saw the panicked expression on the face of the older boy. Lee immediately stopped and gently took Kun’s face in his hands, forcing the boy to look at him. “Kun, no one will hurt you, I promise.”

“You always offend me,” Qian pouted, trying to ignore Ten's proximity. Only a couple of hours have passed in this club and the Thai has already violated his personal boundaries twice. To Kun's own surprise, he wasn’t against it. Excited? Yes. Was against it? Not really.

“Kunkun, just trust me this time, okay?” The sudden tenderness in Ten's gaze and that stupid nickname that Lee sometimes used to tease Kun didn’t calm him at all. On the contrary, all this greatly made him excited, especially under the influence of alcohol in his blood. Though despite his mixed and incomprehensible feelings, he trusted Ten. Kun knew that despite their constant bickering, the Thai would never offend him on purpose. So Qian nodded uncertainly, showing that he trusted Lee. Ten smiled, and his eyes immediately lit up with something more cheerful and dangerous.

“Just follow my movements,” Ten whispered in his ear, putting his hands on Kun's hips, which made the older boy shudder a little, but he let Lee lead him in the dance. They swayed smoothly from side to side, following the rhythm of the music. Qian was a little uncomfortable at first, but Ten quickly helped him relax. For a moment Kun forgot that he was in a stuffy night club full of strangers. In front of him was only Ten, who looked at him with some trepidation and desire. Kun didn't even mind the insolent grin adorning the stupid face of the Thai which Qian had already become so used to in the months they had known each other. He got used to Ten's stupid mouth that never seems to shut up because he always had something to talk about. That stupid mouth that Kun wanted to kiss so badly right now... Wait, what??

“What are you thinking about?” Ten asked, and Kun prayed that Lee wouldn’t notice that for some time he shamelessly staring at his red, slightly plump and such inviting lips.

“He doesn't like mint chocolate chip ice cream,” Kun muttered, trying to distract himself from the strange thoughts in his head.

“Who?” Ten was surprised by this answer.

“The guy you ‘saved’ me from,” explained Kun, “You know, I can't date someone who doesn't like mint chocolate chip ice cream.”

“That's pretty specific,” Lee chuckled, enjoying Kun's pouty face.

“Forget it,” Kun shook his head, freeing himself from Ten's embrace. “I'm tired. Doyoung and I have a morning shift tomorrow. And, ahead of you, I don't care that you think we are boring.”

“You are really bores,” Ten smiled, but there was absolutely no hidden subtext or grins, which was usual for him. Again Kun's heart made a strange somersault, small, but so perceptible for the Chinese boy.

Before leaving his friends and heading home, Kun muttered a quiet thanks to Ten for everything he had done for him this evening.

“Just make me an ice Americano tomorrow,” Ten grinned.

“Of course, if you can get up tomorrow after all you had drunk today,” Kun chuckled in response.

“Awww, you don't know me so well, Qian,” Lee shook his head, “but it's fixable. Bye, see you tomorrow.”

Kun didn't know what Ten meant by that, but he was already thinking too much tonight and needed a good sleep before starting to analyze Ten's strange behavior and the apparent tension between the two.

Kun woke up with a wild headache, a dry throat and a slight loss of memory of some of the events of yesterday evening. However, knowing himself, he is unlikely to have done something beyond the bounds of decency.

“Why did people even invent alcohol?” Qian complained as he swept the coffee shop before opening.

“Really, why?” Doyoung agreed with him, wiping the tables, “I felt like I was run over by a truck yesterday.”

“I suppose the name of this truck is Lee Taeyong?” Kun chuckled.

“God, it's time for you to stop communicating with Ten, he has a bad influence on you,” Kim groaned, throwing a rag at him.

“Doyoung, you're the worst influence in my life,” Kun giggled, deftly catching a rag.

“By the way, tell me about that cute boy you had such a nice conversation with at the bar yesterday.” Doyoung slightly arched an eyebrow.

“Unfortunately, he turned out to be a jerk,” Qian admitted disappointedly.

“Did he hurt you?” his friend asked anxiously.

“He didn't have time. Ten saved me, you can say,” the Chinese chuckled, recalling the events of yesterday evening, “besides, he doesn't like mint chocolate chip ice cream. I don't trust people who don't like it.”

“I agree, mint chocolate chip ice cream is good,” Doyoung confirmed and then looked at Kun suspiciously.

“Wait, what do you mean? How did Ten save you?”

“Oh, I just didn't want to dance with that guy, but he was too persistent, and then suddenly Ten appeared and stood up for me, only to drag me latter to the dance floor himself, can you imagine?” Kun rolled his eyes, grinning. “Your best friend is also a jerk. How can I find a good guy after that?”

“Yes, Ten is an asshole, but he's a good asshole,” Doyoung suddenly interceded for him. Kun didn’t argue, because he knew that Kim was right, but the boy didn’t want to admit it out loud. As well as admitting that he was seriously thinking about kissing Ten last night. Hell, all of a sudden Qian's memory began to return to him. He was seriously thinking about kissing Ten last night.

It was time to open the coffee shop. The first visitors appeared and Kun began to forget about stupid thoughts about the alluring lips of Chittaphon, but suddenly the owner of the lips that haunted Kun all morning walked into the cafe himself.

“Good morning, my dear friends,” Ten said as he sat down at the bar, smiling brightly, and Kun’s face immediately turned red. Because of the heat in the coffee shop, of course, definitely not because of Lee's lovely smile.

“How do you manage to look so fresh and cheerful, although you drank the most yesterday?” Kun grumbled in displeasure, trying not to openly stare at the boy sitting in front of him.

“I ask this question after every drunk we have. Life is so unfair.” Doyoung sighed.

“Kun, just admit that you think I'm cute,” Ten cheeky winked at him and then turned to his best friend.

“It is not my fault that I have been awarded unearthly beauty by nature.”

“Sorry, but you're not as handsome as my boyfriend,” Doyoung chuckled back.

“It's not true, I'm prettier,” Ten pouted.

“Doyoung is right, Taeyong hyung is prettier,” Kun said, rolling his eyes at Ten's pouting lips. Ten's damn lips, which he wanted to kiss last night, and it seems that desire still has not left poor Kun's thoughts. Someone, turn on the air conditioner, please, Qian will burn out soon.

“I thought I would steal your heart with my chivalrous act, but you turned out to be so ungrateful” the Thai boy sighed dramatically.

“But then you yourself didn’t act like a chivalrous, dragging me to the dance floor,” objected Kun.

“But you didn't mind.”

“I did!”

“At the beginning. Then you liked it, admit it,” Ten didn’t concede.

“That's not true,” Kun lied, and both boys knew it.

“Guys, am I bothering you?” Doyoung's voice distracted them from the intense glances at each other.

“Yesterday you promised me ice Americano, remember?” Ten asked, a little embarrassed. This time Kun didn't even argue with him. He quickly prepared a drink and handed it to the suddenly quiet Ten.

“What happened between you and Ten yesterday?” Doyoung asked, looking suspiciously at Kun after his best friend left.

“Nothing special,” Kun replied, diligently avoiding his gaze.

“You're useless,” Doyoung sighed, shaking his head. “Okay, I'll have to interrogate Ten. I'm sure something is going on between you and I will figure out what it is.

“Do what you want,” Qian shrugged. What could he answer him if he himself didn’t know what was happening. Yesterday, Kun clearly felt a strange tension between them and happily blamed everything on alcohol, but why did his pulse speed up in the presence of Ten today as well? And his thoughts constantly returned to kiss him? Kun had to figure it out, and he hoped he could sort it all out before Doyoung.

“You are suspiciously silent today,” Kun sat down opposite Ten, placing a plate with his favorite peanut cookies in front of the boy. Usually, the younger always sat at the bar, annoying Kun or Doyoung with his loud stories, but today Ten was unusually quiet. He sat at a distant table for a while, absentmindedly looking out the window, lost in his thoughts.

“I didn't order cookies,” Lee looked at the plate in surprise.

“I accidentally broke it when I was putting it on the showcase, didn’t want to throw it away,” Qian shrugged his shoulders. Usually Kun didn’t make such stupid mistakes and Ten knew it very well, but fortunately, the boy didn’t ask anything. He quietly thanked the barista and took the cookie in his mouth, still lost in his thoughts. No jokes or teasing. Kun really began to worry about him. Then Ten decided to surprise him with a sudden offer.

“Listen, KunKun. I know one very nice guy with whom at first glance you don’t have much in common, but you and he ideally converge on an energetic level. He also think that you very cute, despite your boringness. Do you want me to arrange a date for you with him tonight?”

Kun certainly didn’t expect such an offer, so he just silently looked at Ten, trying to understand whether he was joking or was serious. After a long silence, Lee assured him that he was really serious about all this.

“KunKun, I promise you will like this guy.”

“Don't call me that,” Kun muttered, trying to pacify his stupid heart, which reacted strangely to the nickname.

“But you like when I call you that, KunKun.” Ten's face finally got the same smile he used to tease Qian with. Kun suspected that Lee realized the effect his smile had on Kun’s poor heart, and now he was shamelessly using it.

The answer, “I won't go on a date with some stranger,” escaped Kun’s mouth. Of course, Qian didn't want to go on a date with some unknown guy when he was just starting to realize his true feelings for Ten. God, did he really like Ten Lee? The same Ten Lee who teased and annoyed him at every opportunity? The same Ten Lee, who sat in front of him and smiled brightly, completely unaware of the chaos that was happening inside Kun thoughts right now.

“Sorry, but I already told him that you agree. Just go on one date and I'll leave you alone, okay? I swear if you don’t like him, I will no longer interfere with your privacy.”

Kun knew well that Ten had never kept his promises about interfering in other people's lives, but Lee's strange insistence haunted Qian. Why did the younger insist on this date so much?

“Fine, I’m going on this one date,” Kun agreed wearily, “I hope you’re right, and we ideally converge on an energetic level or whatever. Does this guy even have a name? Will you show me a picture of him so I can recognize him?”

“Oh, you will definitely recognize him,” the Thai boy smiled with a sly look in his eyes, “his name is Li Yongqin, and he will wait for you after the end of your shift at the ice cream parlor, which you have long wanted to go to, remember?”

“Wait, is he Chinese? Why after my shift? I won't have time to prepare for a date than. I came here in an old sweatshirt, Ten!” Kun began to worry. “I knew that you just want me to embarrass myself in front of a cute boy.”

“It's not like that”, Ten shook his head, “I told you that he thinks you are very cute, no matter what you wear.”

“How does he even know me?” Qian eyed Lee suspiciously.

“Kun, just come there in the evening, and you will get answers to all your questions, I promise,” Ten muttered and quickly said goodbye, immediately ran out of the coffee shop, left Kun very lost and not understanding anything. How will he even find this Yongqin?

After Ten left the coffee shop, the day dragged on too slowly. There were not many guests, and Kun's thoughts kept returning to Ten's strange behavior and the mystical Yongqin, with whom he had a date tonight. Was Ten worried about the elder failing with that guy at the club, which was why he decided to play Cupid? Kun had absolutely no idea how Ten's brain worked, and it scared him a little. Qian loved when life was stable and everything was simple and straightforward, while Ten was the complete opposite of the typical routine. How Kun managed to catch feelings for such a boy who was completely the opposite of himself?

“I can see from the doorway that something is bothering you,” Doyoung chuckled as he entered the coffee shop. His shift will start 15 minutes later, but the guy liked to come early to chat with Kun before they switched shifts.

“Nothing special, just trying to figure out how your best friend’s brain works, but I’m not good at it,” sighed Kun as he poured Doyoung a mug of hot chocolate. Surprisingly, Kim, like his beloved boyfriend Taeyong, didn’t like coffee at all.

“Oh, don't even try. For all the years of friendship with Ten, I have already come to terms that I will never fully understand him,” Doyoung chuckled and gratefully took the hot chocolate. “What did he do again?”

“He's just acting a little weird today,” Qian shook his head. “By the way, do you know someone named Yongqin?”

“The only Yongqin I know is Ten,” Doyoung said.

“Ten?” Kun looked at his friend questioningly, completely bewildered.

“Yongqin is Ten's Chinese name,” Kim explained.

“Oh,” Kun froze upon hearing this unexpected answer. Wait, did that mean that Ten himself asked him out on a date? Then why did he tell Kun his Chinese name? Or was it another Li Yongqin that Ten knew?

“Are you okay?” Doyoung's voice interrupted Kun's brainstorming session.

“Yes, I just had a little headache,” Qian sighed, looking at his watch. His shift came to an end, so if he wanted to know the answers to the many questions swirling in his head, the boy should quickly change into his regular clothes.

Fortunately, Doyoung didn’t torture Kun with another questions, just advised him to take a headache pill and go home to rest as soon as possible. Oh, if only he knew how Kun wanted to do it. Instead he immediately went to meet the mystical Yongqin.

Entering the cafe, Kun didn’t see anyone he knew, including Ten himself, so he began to doubt his early guesses about Ten/Yongqin, but there were no other boys around his age either. Qian sighed and sat down at the nearest table. To calm down a little he opened his phone and started watching cute videos with cats. The boy didn’t even notice that soon someone sat down opposite him.

“Didn't know that you love cats,” Kun flinched at the unexpected voice and looking up from the phone, met his eyes with a smiling, but a little nervous Ten.

“I love animals. Actually, I have a cat named Leon, so you can say that I'm a cat person,” Kun admitted, blocking his phone. Ten had time to change. Nothing extravagant this time: an ordinary black shirt, a pair of top buttons unbuttoned, navy blue skinny jeans; his bangs were pulled down, and the hair itself was slightly disheveled. ‘Cute’ was the first thing that came to Kun's mind at that moment. Ten also had a small bouquet of daisies in his hands, which Qian liked very much.

“God, I didn't think you could be any more perfect,” Ten muttered so quietly that Kun even though he imagined it.

“Where is Yongqin?” Kun asked cautiously and saw Ten immediately tense up over this question.

“Oh yes, about that,” Lee hesitated, “you know, in fact, Yongqin is –

“Your Chinese name,” Kun finished for him, and Ten looked at him in surprise.

“How do you know?”

“Doyoung told me,” Kun confessed, embarrassed. “So why did you ask me out on a date using your Chinese name? And why haven't you given me these beautiful flowers yet?”

“Oops, this is for you,” Ten handed him a bouquet and his cheeks turned pink. Cute. God, when did Kun start to think every little thing about Ten was cute?

“Wait, so you knew that it was me who called you on a date and came anyway?” Lee exclaimed in surprise.

“Um, well, you were so persistent,” Kun grunted in response, “and I wasn't completely sure, to be honest. It could have been another Yongqin, you know.”

“Oh, so you wanted it to be another Yongqin,” Ten's smile immediately drooped.

“I didn't want to go out with any Yongqin at all,” Kun rolled his eyes, “I just wanted Ten Lee to ask me out on a date. Do you know him? A handsome brunette, slightly shorter than me, with a beautiful smile and a bad temper. He constantly teases me and calls me a boring old man, but in some incredible way I still managed to fall in love with him. When you see him, tell him, next time ask me out on a date under his normal name.”

“You mean Chittaphon?” a bright smile lit up Ten's face again.

“God, you're so annoying, Leechaiyapornkul!” Kun muttered, but smiled back anyway. Suddenly, Ten got up from the table and went to the ice cream counter. Confused, Kun could only guess what this unpredictable boy was up to again. And only now Kun realized that in a fit of irritation he had managed to confess his romantic feelings for Ten, and the boy left him unanswered. What if it was all a big misunderstanding, and now Lee will come back to him and say that he was joking about the date and that he doesn’t share Kun's feelings? What if…

Fortunately, Ten quickly returned to the elder, stopping his growing panic. Kun stared blankly at the ice cream that Lee had placed in front of him.

“Try it, you should like it,” Ten smiled, handing Kun a small spoon. Honestly, ice cream was the last thing Qian was interested in at the moment, but the boy was strangely persistent and was looking forward to the Chinese man trying the first bite. Sighing nervously, Kun scooped up a small spoonful of ice cream and popped it into his mouth.

“Mint chocolate chip ice cream?” Kun looked surprised at Ten, who smiled knowingly at him.

“At the club you said that you would only date someone who loves mint chocolate ship ice cream. I really like it. I also really like you, Qian Kun. Do you agree to be my boyfriend? I promise to be a little less annoying if you say yes."

“I know that I will greatly regret it in the future, because you are my personal devil,” Kun chuckled, looking at Ten with tenderness, “but of course I say yes to you! Ten, Chittaphon or Yongqin, I want you to be my boyfriend.”

“Then you have to share the ice cream with me,” Ten exclaimed happily. Having received consent from the elder, Lee immediately pushed aside the ice cream mentioned earlier and approached Kun's lips. Finally, Qian got what he wanted for so long: he finally felt Ten's lips on his. And god, kisses with Ten were so much better and sweeter than any mint chocolate сhip ice cream he had tasted in his life.

“You're incredible,” Kun muttered, between kisses.

“I know,” Ten chuckled smugly, lightly biting the elder’s lower lip. Probably due to his personal mischief. And due to the fact that he likes to annoy Kun in any way. And Kun's indignant whine was an incredible delight to his ears.

“You're incredibly annoying,” Kun hissed, licking his lips slightly swollen from intense kisses.

“I know that too,” smiled Ten, shamelessly winking at his cute boyfriend, “but I also know that you like it. Admit that your life has become much more fun after I appeared in your life.”

“Is it too late to give up your boyfriend's status?” Kun asked innocently. In response Ten just shook his head and kissed the boy again, but this time slowly, softly and tenderly.

They were so different, but at the same time, they were so perfect for each other, and, as it turned out later, with rather similar interests and life positions.

“I won't make you free coffee,” Kun shook his head, cheerfully watching Ten's pouting face.

“What's the point of my boyfriend working at Starbucks if I can't get free drinks?”

“Ask your best friend, he also works at Starbucks,” Kun replied, laughing at Ten and Doyoung's disgruntled faces.

“You're cruel, Kunkun,” Ten muttered resentfully, and then his eyes lit up with something dangerous. Kun knew that look very well and was a little wary.

“I'll pay,” Ten smiled innocently.

“Okay, five thousand won, I'm waiting,” Kun smiled back, holding out his open palm to the guy, but Lee just grinned and, taking the guy by the hand, pulled him to himself, shamelessly drawing him into a deep kiss.

“Ugh, rent a room,” Doyoung grumbled next to them, “Kun is actually at work. This is a violation of sanitary standards in public catering.”

“You talk like you and Taeyong don't do this every day, desecrating our poor eyes,” Ten chuckled, turning to his best friend, still holding Kun in his arms.

“You're much worse,” Doyoung said accusingly.

“No, you are definitely worse,” Ten didn’t back down. Thank god Taeyong entered the coffee shop, saving everyone from another argument.

“Hyung, you finally came,” Kun exclaimed happily, “please distract your boyfriend so he can get distracted from my boyfriend.”

“So what about coffee? I deserve my ice Americano with an extra shot of espresso, what do you think?” Ten turned back to Kun and put on his cutest face. Well, it's good that Kun was immune to Ten's aegye.

“Five thousand won,” Kun smiled, looking at his boyfriend with the same cute face.

“This is disgusting,” Doyoung's voice was heard somewhere from the side, but none of the guys were paying attention to him.

“Kuhnkun, I care about our family budget,” Ten objected, flapping his eyelashes innocently.

“I don’t see the ring on my finger to talk about the family budget,” Kun chuckled, waving his hand defiantly in front of Lee's face.

“I didn't know that you were such a materialist. Do my feelings mean nothing to you, KunKun?” Ten feigned upset. “Think about our child. Leon will thank you when I buy him his favorite fish for the five thousand won.”

“Oh no, I can't listen to this anymore,” Doyoung cut in, “I'll make your Americano. Just stop putting your sweet family life on display.”

“I'm honestly trying to find at least one reason to leave your status as my best man at our future wedding with Kun, but it turns out very badly,” Ten looked at his best friend with displeasure.

“Okay, then I should pour out this ice Americano, it seems you don't really want it,” Doyoung said, defiantly raising a glass of coffee over the sink.

“Wait! You remain my best man at my wedding with Kun, but only on the condition that I will be your best man at your wedding with Taeyong hyung,” Ten compromised, “and give me my coffee already.”

“Deal,” Doyoung chuckled, handing the drink to his best friend.

“Taeyong hyung, why are we dating these idiots?” Kun shook his head, looking at Ten and Doyoung's grinning faces, “Why are they planning our weddings without asking our consent.”

“Well, at least I have a way to escape,” Taeyeon shrugged. “If I don't want to marry Doyoung, I’ll just go bald and he’ll leave me. But with Ten it will be much more complicated.”

“Do you think if I confess that I love dogs more than cats, he will give up the idea of our wedding?” Kun asked Taeyong.

“Hey, I know this is not true,” Ten indignantly intervened in the conversation, “you will have to come up with something more believable than this if you do not want to marry me.”

“You’re lucky that I’m too lazy to come up with something believable,” Kun smiled, quickly kissing his boyfriend on the cheek.

“You just want to marry me,” Ten replied smugly, but a little embarrassedly, hugging him back.

Of course, it was too early to think about the wedding, Kun didn't even know what would happen tomorrow. With Ten every day turned into a series of surprises, fortunately, most of them were pleasant.

Kun couldn’t even imagine that his only bad habit - addiction to coffee, in the end, would help him find good friends and an incredibly cute, but such an irritating boyfriend, whom he loved with all his heart, even though Ten shamelessly lied that he liked mint chocolate chip ice cream.

“I was afraid that you would refuse me,” Ten admitted.

“Because of such nonsense as ice cream?” Kun was surprised.

“You were quite categorical on this issue,” Lee shrugged.

“I was drunk,” Qian laughed, remembering that night at the club when he finally began to realize his true feelings for Ten.

“Well, I didn't want to risk it. I didn't really want some stupid taste of ice cream to kill all my chances of a relationship with you,” the younger grinned, demanding hugs from his boyfriend, which he happily provided.

“You understand how stupid it sounds,” Kun smiled, “you should have been more worried about your bad temper.”

“Auch, you hurt my heart, KunKun,” Teng vengefully poked the elder in the side, and then slyly looked at his indignant face.

“It's good that I know how you can heal it.”

“How?” Innocently asked Kun. He already knew what his boyfriend meant, but he wasn't going to give it to him so easily.

“Why does everyone call me the devil in our pair, if it is very clear that you are the main devil who loves to torture me,” Ten muttered irritably, pouting his lips. Kun smiled affectionately as he looked at the slightly offended guy in his arms. At such moments Ten looked like a cute little kitten, in which it was impossible not to fall in love.

“I love you, Ten,” Kun muttered through kisses.

“I love you too, Kunkun.”