Chapter Text
The first time Yugyeom saw him was at a party.
Jinyoung had invited Yugyeom and Youngjae to a party at his and Mark’s flat, to welcome the new semester. The younger boys had met Jinyoung on move-in day when the older had offered to help them carry the boxes they were clearly struggling with. They hit it off after that, the three boys and Mark, Jinyoung’s boyfriend, occasionally meeting up to grab a bite to eat when they were all free. They became friends.
They’d been at the party for an hour when Youngjae abandoned Yugyeom for some girl he recognized from class. Youngjae was the only person there that he knew, aside from the hosts themselves, who were busy making sure everyone had a solo cup in their hand, so Yugyeom was alone. He was halfway tipsy, leaning against the wall of the hallway, watching the crowd in the living room in front of him grind together to the latest Drake hit. He secretly hoped one of his friends would show up, just so he could chug the last of his drink and drag them to the dancefloor. Instead, he stood watching and sipping his almost warm mix of barely-there Sprite and too-much vodka.
Yugyeom was scrolling through his phone, checking to see how many people had looked at his snapchat story, when he heard some girls whispering (see: person A speaking loudly over the music into person B’s ear) next to him.
“Oh my god I’ve seen that guy on campus, how do Markjin know him?”
“I don’t know his name! I’ve just seen him around. He’s so hot, ugh.”
Yugyeom looked up, curious as to who they were talking about. He scanned the entrance of the apartment to see Jinyoung speaking to someone near the front door. All Yugyeom could see was this boy’s back. He was wearing the tightest black jeans Yugyeom had ever seen, hugging his thin legs that seemed to go on for years. The boy wore a denim jacket over a black turtleneck, paired with heeled boots that looked like way more than Yugyeom could afford with his minimum wage job at the university’s bookstore. Without even seeing the boy’s face, Yugyeom could tell he was attractive. As if he needed reassurance, the boy turned around, and Yugyeom never felt so cliché. Suddenly he was grateful for the wall he was leaning on as he felt the breath taken out of his body. Don’t get him wrong, Yugyeom’s seen some attractive people, he did work with Im Jaebum after all, but this boy looked straight out of a magazine. Yugyeom thanked whoever was up there for not letting his jaw hit the floor like it wanted to when he realized the boy’s turtleneck was made of a slightly sheer material. His dark hair was messy, parted in the middle, framing his perfectly round face. His lips stood out the most to Yugyeom, pouty and red, Yugyeom was sure he was wearing lipstick. His skin was the color of caramel, as if he’d just been on vacation. He was tall but not taller than Yugyeom, perfect kissing height if you asked him.
Holy shit. He was beautiful.
Yugyeom didn’t realize he was staring for so long until he saw Jinyoung lean back into the guy, speaking into his ear then nodding in Yugyeom’s general direction. The guy seemed to scan the crowd before finally locking eyes with Yugyeom, who must have looked in complete and honest awe, if the smirk that creeped onto the guy’s face was any indication. Yugyeom felt his head spin when the young man started to strut his way towards him.
Yugyeom had never finished a drink so fast in his life, somehow managing to not choke when his throat began to burn like hell. The beautiful guy (he really needed to find out his name) was a few people away when a girl Yugyeom recognized from one of Youngjae’s classes, stepped in front of the guy. Yugyeom rolled his eyes when she flipped her hair and tilted her head, obviously turning her charm on. He was surprised though, when he looked back to see the guy already looking at him, a small smile on those beautiful lips. He politely excused himself from the girl, which left her glaring at Yugyeom as the model-like guy kept walking towards him.
Now Yugyeom was really freaking out inside. What had Jinyoung said? What was Yugyeom supposed to do? Talk to him? He’d need another drink first, but he couldn’t just go get one now, not when the guy’s literally right-
“Hey. Nice shirt. Name 5 albums.”
Holy fuck, an accent.
Yugyeom looked down at his band tee, startled, “Um…”
“I’m just teasing. Does the party suck that much that you’re standing here all alone?”
Yugyeom cleared his throat before shrugging, “My best friend abandoned me when we got here, so. Here I am.”
Real smooth. Now he’s gonna think you’re some loner-
“That’s cool. I came here alone. What’s your name?”
“Yugyeom.”
“Well, Yugyeom. That’s my bag between your feet, if you don’t mind.”
Yugyeom felt his ears turn red as he looked down, noticing the black crossover bag on the ground. So that’s why Jinyoung nodded over here. Yugyeom swiftly bent to pick the bag up for the stranger, handing it over before tipping his now empty cup back into his mouth.
“Ugh I’m gonna kill Jinyoung, I told him to not leave it on the floor. But thank you,” he pulled it over one shoulder, smiling up at Yugyeom, “Can I get you another drink?” the stranger questioned.
“Uh, actually. That’s like, against party-safety and shit. No offense but y’know. Trust issues.”
“Of course. Sorry, I didn’t mean to… yeah. Come with me then?”
Before Yugyeom could say no, the guy (reminder: ask his name) had tugged him off the wall, leading him with a hand holding his elbow. Yugyeom hadn’t realized how much that drink had affected him, now grateful for the hand steadying him.
They entered the kitchen, nameless guy already making himself a drink.
“Gotta catch up to you, don’t I?” he said with a wink, before literally chugging the contents of his solo cup. Yugyeom was impressed, he wasn’t going to lie. Nameless Guy finished his drink by licking his lips, and dammit, those lips. Before Yugyeom could get too deep in thought, he was handed a drink. He sipped it, nodding in approval because okay, this wasn’t going to have him heaving in the toilet bowl later.
Nameless Guy finished making himself his second drink, settling a hip against the island in the middle of the kitchen. He looked up at Yugyeom like he was contemplating something. It was then that Yugyeom realized they were alone in the kitchen.
“So,” Nameless Guy tilted his head, encouraging Yugyeom to continue, “how do you know Jinyoung?”
“We grew up together, actually. Until I moved back home for a few years. We reconnected when I came back,” Nameless Guy shrugged, taking a long drink. Yugyeom noticed the alcohol finally affecting him, he seemed more relaxed, but maybe it was because they were away from the crowd.
“Where are you from?”
“I was born in Thailand but we moved here when I was young. Then we moved back because—”
Nameless guy was cut off by a loud crash followed by a handful of people rushing into the kitchen, trying to keep steady while loudly, and drunkenly, looking for a broom.
“Actually, do you wanna get out of here? My place isn’t far,” Nameless Guy suggested cooly, like he’d known Yugyeom for more than 30 minutes.
Yugyeom contemplated agreeing. He barely knew this guy. He was usually very careful and yes, paranoid about something horrible happening to him, or Youngjae, at parties. But tonight he just wanted to go with the flow. So why not?
“Yeah, let’s go.”
As they exited the kitchen, Yugyeom now guiding Nameless Guy with a hand on the small of his back, Yugyeom noticed the girls from earlier (and another few) waiting for Nameless Guy to make another appearance. Yugyeom spotted Youngjae on a couch in the living room, completely drunk off his ass, guitar on his lap, a girl’s arm around his shoulder. Youngjae must have sensed his best friend’s stare, looking over at Yugyeom before grinning after glancing at who he was with. Yugyeom rolled his eyes, pulling out his phone and shaking it in the air for Youngjae to know that I’ll text you. You better reply. Youngjae smiled, his eyes squinting, before waving Yugyeom off.
They made it to the front door when Mark stepped in their way. He looked too smug for Yugyeom’s liking.
“So, I see you’ve met.”
The younger boys looked at each other before nodding.
“We were just leaving, actually,” Yugyeom spoke up, putting his arm around Nameless Guy’s waist as if to push him outside. “Thanks for inviting us. Tell Jinyoung thanks too. See you later, Mark!”
Yugyeom practically carried Nameless Guy outside, leaving a surprised Mark behind.
“Eager?”
“Uh-”
“I’m teasing you again,” Nameless Guy sung, before pulling Yugyeom by the hand. He led him to the elevator at the end of the hall.
“Yeah, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that you just love teasing,” the words came flying out of Yugyeom’s mouth before he realized it. And when he did, there was no denying the blush that rose on his already pink face. He gulped another mouthful the cup he thought he’d left at the party.
“Yeah, I guess I do,” Nameless Guy winked, punching the elevator’s button for the fourth floor.