Chapter Text
The trail that led up to N Tower was breathtaking that time of the year. The cherry blossoms in full bloom made for a gorgeous view worth the 2 hour walk up the park trails. Donghyuk had never thought of it as a dating spot, but now, standing at the foot of it while he waited for Wonik to show up, he realized it was the perfect place to fall in love.
The senior wasn't late, it had been Donghyuk who got there way too early, unable to stay put with just how excited he was. He hadn't been asked out in ages, being a gay man in a still conservative country already made dating difficult, but he knew a big part of the reason he didn't attract much attention was the shadow he was under.
Hiding might be the wrong word, he mused, as it had never been intentional. Were it up to him, he'd be the center of attention, but it was hard to stand under the spotlight when the beam just followed your best friend around.
They had met five years ago after getting paired for one of their classes, but the BFF label had come easy. Their personalities, they just clicked. Jaemin was crazy and over the top, and funny and smart and caring—and gay—in all the ways Donghyuk also was. Except the pink haired man—for now, he’d dye it back to blond in summer—came with an added charm of just being insanely handsome.
Insanely. Really. It just wasn't fair.
The body, the face, the voice, the scent. Everything about Jaemin was a magnet that mere mortals simply had no hope to resist. Women would fall at his feet only to get gently rejected, and the men would get a date, a night with him if they played their cards right, but never more. Donghyuk had known him for the entirety of his college run and had never seen him go on more than two dates with the same guy, which was quite the feat in the context of a conservative country like Korea. There just weren't that many openly gay men in their vicinity, Donghyuk would tell him, he was bound to run out of options at that rate.
But that was never the case. Men would crawl out from under the rocks for a chance to take him out. There was never any shortage of suitors and Donghyuk was happy for him, even if it meant he was left with the short end of the stick.
So yes, he hadn't been to a single date ever since he befriended the pinkette—although he wasn't exactly popular before that either—and while he probably could have gotten some hook ups in the meantime, he just wasn't interested in one night stands.
Wonik was handsome. Not as handsome as Jaemin—nobody was—but certainly more than what Donghyuk considered to be “his league”. He was six years older than him and had been his private tutor while preparing for the entrance exam.
He was a full adult, with a degree—a real one, not Donghyuk’s performing arts diploma—a job, and a nice body. And Donghyuk wasn't a highschool kid anymore, but even then, the interest had come out of nowhere.
They had lost contact after his graduation, but two months ago, after running into each other casually while Donghyuk was out with Jaemin, Wonik had begun texting him. It started with the usual catching up conversations of two people who hadn't talked in years, but eventually it escalated into the three going out for coffee, for drinks, and to the gym.
It was always those friendly, uncompromising hangouts that made sense for three people to go to, it was never a dinner at a restaurant. Even today, it wasn't. It was a hike, and Donghyuk would have brought his bestie with him, if Mr. Popular hadn't had a date, so today, it was just them.
9:00 am, on the dot. There he was.
Donghyuk couldn't help the smile as he watched him approach. He stood there—practically vibrating with excitement—in a light blue oversized windbreaker, long enough to cover his ass so the yoga pants didn't look as scandalous while still showing off his legs. He came with freshly cleaned sneakers and a light layer of make up. He came with his favorite cologne sprayed all over and stylish sunglasses.
He came ready to impress his date.
He came alone.
And that was the first thing Wonik noticed.
"When's Jaemin getting here?" Wonik asked, his tone brisk and expectant.
Donghyuk blinked, the nervous, fluttering smile he’d been holding onto faltering just a fraction. He shifted his weight, suddenly hyper-aware of the blush he had applied for today. "Oh, he's not coming," he said slowly. "Did I tell you he was?"
Wonik finally looked at him, his brow furrowing slightly. "Ah, no, it's just that you never go anywhere without him."
"True," Donghyuk chuckled, trying to ease the sudden, weird tension in the air. He leaned casually against the stone railing. "But he had a date today."
Wonik stiffened. The casual aloofness dropped from his posture instantly. "A date?"
"Yeah, some guy took him on a picnic," Donghyuk replied, oblivious to the storm gathering in the older man's eyes.
"Hyuk, why didn't you tell me?" Wonik’s voice was sharp—too sharp. It cracked like a whip in the quiet space between them.
Donghyuk’s hands froze. He looked up, startled by the intensity aimed at him. "Was I… supposed to?"
Wonik let out an exasperated breath, running a hand roughly through his hair. "Yeah? What's the point of befriending you if you don't tell me these things?"
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Donghyuk felt the blood drain from his face. "E-excuse me?"
Wonik didn't seem to notice the way Donghyuk had shrunk back. He stepped closer, his focus laser-sharp but entirely misplaced. "Is he serious about this guy?"
"He… he's never serious," Donghyuk stammered, his mind racing to catch up with the sudden, agonizing reality crashing down on him. His voice began to tremble. "But what, what do you mean? Befriending me? I thought we were… weren't you?"
Wonik’s face twisted in genuine, unfiltered revulsion. He took a physical step back. "What? Me and you? Hell no."
It was an instinctual reaction, entirely devoid of malice, which somehow made it hurt infinitely more. Donghyuk wrapped his arms around himself, defensive and hollowed out. "You, you don't have to say it like that, Hyung."
Wonik winced, catching the break in the younger boy's voice. A flicker of guilt crossed his features. "Oh, right, sorry, that came out rude. But you know what I mean, right?"
"No," Donghyuk whispered, staring hard at the concrete beneath their feet to keep the tears from falling. "I don't think I do."
Wonik sighed, a heavy, impatient sound. "I tutored you in high school. You're a kid. I don't see you like that."
Donghyuk finally looked up. His eyes were bright, his jaw set in a rigid line of humiliation and anger. "Then why even talk to me?"
For a second, Wonik looked like he might actually answer, but the cowardice won out. He checked his watch, the gesture a clear dismissal. "I’m sorry, this was stupid. See you around."
He turned on his heel, already charting a path back through the crowd.
"Wh— Hyung! You can't just leave!" Donghyuk called out, taking a desperate half-step forward.
Wonik paused, glancing back over his shoulder. He didn't look angry anymore, just incredibly detached. "Sorry for asking you out with ulterior motives. That was scummy, but let's not make it a big deal." He offered a tight, polite nod. "Goodbye, Hyuk."
And with that, he walked away, leaving Donghyuk standing entirely alone in the park.