Work Text:
They’re rushing down the stairs in a mess of jackets, bags and “Did you lock the door?” Sehun’s trying to tie his shoelaces without falling and barely manages to stop when they reach the front door of their apartment building.
“Door is closed. Do you have the key?” Junmyeon knows better than to let Sehun out of the building without checking. Sehun pats his back pocket and nods. Junmyeon nods back but holds the door an extra moment.
“Will you have time for lunch today?”
He can tell Sehun’s doing the math, going over his meetings and whatever that has to be done today. It’s not like he’s expecting it. He can’t deny it could be nice to sit down to talk and … what is he even thinking? It’s not like they’re a couple.
“Never mind, see you tonight then. Pizza and games? It’s Friday after all.”
Sehun looks at him in that way that makes Junmyeon’s train of thoughts stop.
“You know what? Today is a great day for lunch, and if I land that big contract, lunch is on me!”
Junmyeon’s heart skip a beat, he can’t help it, it just does.
“That’s awesome. The usual place?”
Sehun gives a short nod in response and sticks out his cheek. “How about a kiss for good luck?”
Junmyeon curls the arm that isn’t holding the door around Sehun’s slim waist and tip toes to place a kiss on the younger’s cheek.
He inhales the smell of familiar cologne and musk while pushing open the door behind his back.
“Thank you!”
Sehun’s out the door and out of sight and even if Junmyeon was late himself, he needs a moment.
It’s lunch to celebrate or analyze a disaster, nothing more. He mentally slaps his heart in place and runs off to grab a coffee to go, an iced one today.
—-
Streets and cafes are crowded at this time. Junmyeon came prepared and called for a reservation earlier. He want’s more than to grab a sandwich and a cold drink at a convenient store if Sehun has landed a great deal today. He knows he did the right thing when he sees a bouncy smile rounding the corner. He has to smile himself too. Of course he’s happy for Sehun but he’s not saying no to free lunch.
Sehun is greeting him like french girls do, three kisses in total. It sends a warm, fussy feeling down Junmyeon’s spine and his cheeks tingle.
“The french company signed! We’re expanding to Europe. Isn’t that great?” Sehun’s a ball of energy and sunshine and Junmyeon has to blink from how bright he is.
“Congratulations!”
He grabs Sehun’s hand and greets him like European’s do, a firm shake and a respectful nod, businessmen men meeting for lunch.
It’s never awkward between them. It’s Junmyeon’s safe place and he never laughs as much as he does when he hangs out with Sehun. Food fills your tummy, and laughter fills your heart, Junmyeon believes. Sehun’s laughter fills his heart, makes him feel content and ready for the rest of the day. Food was great as usual.
As they both have more work to do today, they didn’t celebrate with wine. Sehun promises to but wine for tonight, or soju or beer. Junmyeon votes for wine and knows Sehun will listen. “I’ll send you a suggestion later.”
“Uhm…” Sehun is clearly thinking something through, the earlier adrenalin rush being slowed down by delicious food. Junmyeon reaches out to grab his hand on instinct. “What?”
“I have to go to Paris next week. You think you could get a few days off?”
Junmyeon’s brain has a hard time processing more than the way Sehun’s thumb is drawing circles on his palm. He’s trying his best to get a hold over next weeks plans. It could work. It has to work.
“I will need to call a few people.. It could be… if I bring some work along. I’m sure I can proofread in Paris too!”
“I’m sure it’s even better to do in Paris.” Sehun’s got that gaze again. It makes Junmyeon’s legs wobbly and he feels like he has to hold on to something (someone) to keep standing up right.
Junmyeon knows it might be the worst idea ever, or best. Kisses on cheeks on the streets of Paris he can do, they’re just kisses. He shrugs his shoulders to have something to focus on. Maybe he could find some great wine to bring home. It’s something he can and will do for his very best friend, besides, he’s always wanted to see Paris.
They part after lunch as good friends do, with a hug and a brief kiss. Sehun leaves a warm, tingling print of his lips on Junmyeon’s neck, right under his ear and it takes a lot of willpower to not lean into it to chase more.
Sehun waves his hand and runs off.
…
It’s already dark when Junmyeon finishes work. He has worked harder than ever, making sure he can organize a few days off. He locks himself into the building, walks the stairs with ease, knowing there is wine and pizza waiting. Their chat has been busy with incoming pictures and random questions for an hour, and he loves it when Sehun goes all in to try make their night the best. Sehun in a good mood is the best company.
As he opens the door to their shared apartment, his heart suddenly beats so hard it seems like he has ran up ten floors, when they really just live on the second.
“Hyung!”
Sehun greets him immediately, one bottle of wine in each hand. “Which one do you want to start with?”
Junmyeon blinks and tries focus on the labels on the bottles right in front of his nose, they’re both expensive wines.
“Whoa! And you bought both of them.”
He toes off his shoes, drops his bag and takes one of the bottles held out for him. “Let me open it. This one needs proper decanting.”
Sehun just smiles. “I did well, didn’t I?” He’s looking like a happy puppy waiting for his praises. Junmyeon’s surprised he’s not wagging his invisible tail too.
“You did well. These will be great with pizza. How long until it’s here?”
“15 minutes, tops”
Sehun sticks to him like glue, attached by the hip. Junmyeon doesn’t complain, not really. Not tonight, not when Sehun is so happy. Junmyeon can give him this tonight. Usually he would try maintain some space between them, for his own heart’s good.
Junmyeon is slowly opening the bottle, step by step. He likes this, the art of decanting, like he’s seen them doing in fine restaurants. He’s carefully pouring dark burgundy from the bottle and listens to to the rhythm made from wine and air pushing their way into and out of the carafe. He’s filling two glasses to just the right level, not to much.
They swirl and sniff, and swirl. Then they sip and hold before it’s time to swallow.
“It’s a bold wine.”
Sehun nods and has another sip. Junmyeon let’s his tongue trace drops on his lower lip. “Do you smell the scents of flowers?”
Sehun nods and Junmyeon rolls his eyes. “I could’ve told you it tasted toothpaste and you’d believe me.”
They have another sip. Junmyeon looses himself in the sight of slender muscles on Sehun’s neck as he swallows, how his Adam’a apple is visible under thin, smooth, oh-so-pale skin. A buzz from the door announces the pizza has arrived and Junmyeon’s brain calls it saved by the bell.
…
There was this song playing in the film they just saw, Junmyeon can’t let go of it. He feels attacked and understood at the same time.
“Try to ignore it
The way that my heart's beating for it
The way I think of you in the morning
Before I open my eyes
Am I falling for you?
God knows I don't want to”
He’s humming the melancholic lines as he slowly twists the next bottle open. They’re not drunk, they’re adult men who shared one bottle of wine and pizza. Two friends who share pizza and rent because it’s convenient. Two friends that might kiss if they get a little bit drunk, or say goodbye or goodnight or… Junmyeon’s lost count.
“What’s taking so long? Ooo… you’re singing.”
Junmyeon feels the warmth from Sehun’s body pushed against his back, two strong arms curling around his waist, hugging him tight, a familiar chin resting on his shoulder.
“Do it again, please?”
Junmyeon fights the urge to lean back into Sehun’s hold. “Do what?”
“Sing, it’s so sweet.” It’s a breathy whisper by his ear and Junmyeon don’t know how much longer he can do this, but he sings a few lines more of what he can remember from the song.
“When you touch me like that, hold me like this
I'm wishing we were something more than friends that kiss
When you say it like that, hold me like this
I'm wishing we were something more than friends that kiss”
Junmyeon wiggles his body to make Sehun lose his grip and turns with two perfectly filled glasses of wine. “Here, taste this. This one’s more elegant, a bit more dry on the tongue.” He’s channeling all his senses towards the wine. It’s a great one.
“You should sing more.” Sehun has downed a couple of mouthfuls and heads for the living room. Karaoke?”
He’s still so happy and Junmyeon is happy when Sehun is happy, always. “On one condition!”
Sehun’s already busy setting everything up and nods eagerly.
“Whatever you want.”
“You go first!”
There’s a pout forming, but it disappears just as quick. “Deal!”
…
“We act like it's nothing
We both just get a little bit drunken
This is how it goes when you're young and
Done and having fun but
We both know it's something”
A bottle of elegant wine doesn’t last longer than others, but they’re responsible adults and doesn’t open a third one. Getting the movements right is hard enough already. Sehun wraps a firm arm around his waist as he tries to lead Junmyeon into the silly dance and it goes like it has to go, like it always goes.
Junmyeon messes up, Sehun pouts and Junmyeon kisses said pout. Then Sehun kisses back, and Junmyeon can’t stop himself either. The way Sehun cups his cheek and tilts his head and leans down. Friends that kiss, the words echoes through Junmyeon’s body.
It’s innocent enough, nothing they can’t laugh at tomorrow or never talk about at all. Junmyeon sucks his lower lip in and dumps down on the couch. “Enough dancing for tonight, please. I’m done.”
Sehun looks like he’s lost in thoughts, slowly follows Junmyeon over to the couch and plops down next to him. They’ve done this so many times before.
“I’m not carrying you anywhere!”
“Shh!”
Sehun puts his whole hand over Junmyeon’s mouth. “You know that song from the movie? Are we friends that kiss?”
Junmyeon nods. Sehun hasn’t moved his hand so it’s hard to try talk. Junmyeon doesn’t know where this conversation is going either, so it’s better to just let Sehun take the lead.
“I mean, I guess we are, but it said “I wish that we were more… “
Sehun’s backing up a little, letting go of Junmyeon completely. Junmyeon wants nothing more than to reach out and hold him.
Sehun looks up on him, cheeks faintly pink from something more than wine.
“I - uhm – like being friends, you’re the best friend, I love you so much, but I also really like the kissing.”
He’s so adorable that Junmyeon’s heart is about to explode and he can’t really feel his toes anymore.
“Could we be more? Could we kiss and not as a friends?”
Junmyeon slides closer, doesn’t trust his legs to stand up. “Sleep in my bed tonight and kiss me like those French guys do tomorrow morning too.”
He’s trying his best to take care of his soft heart, but there’s nothing he wants more, even if it’s just for one night and it becomes awkward for two months.
“Will you do that?”
“Then what will we be?”
Sehun’s hand is already gripping Junmyeon’s hair tightly, their face so close their breath is mixing. Junmyeon’s closing his eyes.
“That we can decide tomorrow, but I know boyfriends is an option.”
Maybe that was the correct code word or maybe it was just lust, but Sehun’s lap is a wonderful place to be and Junmyeon kisses his best friend willingly, knowing they might be much more than friends that kiss tomorrow, they probably already are. And that bulge inside Sehun’s pants, when did that happen? All Junmyeon know is that he likes it, a lot.
“When you want me like that, I can’t resist”