Chapter Text
Three days later, Wooseok found himself being roped into helping the camp counselors round up the kids and get them ready to go home. He wasn’t needed anywhere else, because more lifeguards than usual had come—including Hwanhee and Dongyeol, the two soon-to-be high school seniors who came usually only twice a week. (That didn’t stop them from being the kids’ favorites though. It was very probably because they were all on the same level, both mentally and emotionally.) It worked out in Wooseok’s favor, though, because he had his plan.
Okay, granted, his “plan” to get Seungyoun and Hangyul together was not exactly the most complex, or very well thought-out, but it was better than nothing, which was what was happening currently. At this rate, they would barely speak more than ten sentences to each other before the summer ended. And Wooseok had never considered himself a patient person.
The plan was this: Yohan was supposed to get to know Seungyoun well enough to find out what his favorite things were; Wooseok was going to do the same with Hangyul, but through a slightly less… traditional route. Once they both had a general list, Yohan was going to casually bring up one of the topics while Hangyul was signing Dohyon out of camp (where Seungyoun, obviously, would be). So the two of them would realize they had something in common, and finally some progress would be made. Theoretically.
Alright, so maybe the plan wasn’t exactly foolproof. But Wooseok figured that if they actually started talking, Hangyul would be able to notice how into him Seungyoun was, and Seungyoun might actually be able to make a move.
It was unlikely. But Wooseok would rather deal with his friends’ relationship problems than his own, so…
Unconsciously, Wooseok glanced over at Jinhyuk. As much as he hated to admit it, he had really started growing close to the other boy. He watched with an emotion too close to fondness for comfort as Jinhyuk was almost bowled over by a group of kids clinging onto him and refusing to leave.
He shook his head, walking over to try and make an effort the detach a few of them and get them dried off and changed. “Hyeongjun!” He called out to the first boy he recognized. “Come on, let’s give counselor Jinhyuk a little break, hm?” He held out his hand, and the boy smiled brightly up at him.
“Okay!” He said, easily breaking off from the pack. Wooseok liked Hyeongjun. Hyeongjun was nice.
As the kid grabbed his hand, Wooseok looked up to meet Jinhyuk’s eyes. He was surprised at the warmth in them, something soft and almost fond, although it was probably directed more at Hyeongjun than at him. Wooseok offered a smile smile back, and said, “I’ll take half and you take the other half?”
“I have a better idea,” Jinhyuk smirked at him, then looked down with a serious expression at all the kids. “Alright, I have a secret mission for you guys,” he whispered loudly. “You need to follow Wooseok to the locker rooms, and the first one who catches him wins!”
Before Wooseok could even blink, the five other children attached to Jinhyuk were already rushing towards him. He threw one last betrayed look over his shoulder before he took off, but Jinhyuk was only laughing at him, not seeming sorry at all.
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After herding all the kids into the locker rooms to get changed, Wooseok dropped into a seat next to Jinhyuk, who smiled at him brightly. “Have fun?” He teased.
Wooseok narrowed his eyes and glared, which Jinhyuk didn’t seem to see as very threatening at all, judging by the way he laughed at him. Now that he had admitted to himself that he at least had some feelings for the other, he had none of his previous denial to prevent him from admiring Jinhyuk as he threw his head back and laughed, eyes catching on his exposed bare neck and wondering if-
“Do you know what we’re seeing for movie night?”
Wooseok startled from his thoughts, hoping his cheeks weren’t turning red as he shook his head.
Jinhyuk pouted, leaning back in his chair. “Ugh. Seungwoo refuses to tell me, because he says that I always complain and try to change it to something like Frozen if I know ahead of time, which I guess is technically true, but completely unfair, because-” Jinhyuk cut himself off, glancing at Wooseok seeming almost embarrassed. “Ah, yeah… anyway…”
Wooseok rescued him. “How long have you been a counselor here?”
Jinhyuk brightened immediately. “This is my third year! I started the summer before I started university, so I’d be able to pay for stuff, and, I don’t know, I just loved it. Working with kids is probably a thousand times better than working in something like customer service, so I have no reason to stop. Besides, the feeling you get when a kid remembers you from the year before… that’s honestly one of the best parts of this job.”
Why does he have to be so perfect?
“What about you? How long do you think you’ll be working here?” Jinhyuk’s eyes were wide and friendly, but something in his tone told Wooseok that it was more than just a random question.
Carefully, he said, “I don’t know. I mean, I wasn’t ever actually planning on working here at all. Sooil kind of… forced me.”
Jinhyuk’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, right. But you like it now, right? It’s not all that bad. Okay, well there are guys like that one from a few days ago. But that doesn’t really happen that often. Plus I’m here to help, if it does. A- and Seungwoo, and Sooil, and, you know,” he stuttered. “Everyone. Plus, we’re all going to be broke pretty soon. Might as well put that off as long as possible, right?”
Wooseok stared at Jinhyuk. His ears were red.
“Plus, everyone here likes you. And- uh, Minsoo would be devastated if you never came back.” Jinhyuk rubbed the back of his neck, ducking his head away from Wooseok.
Slowly, Wooseok smiled, covering his mouth with his hand so Jinhyuk wouldn’t see. “Well, I could never do that to… Minsoo.”
Jinhyuk snapped his head up to look at him, happiness evident, and opened his mouth to say something before he was interrupted.
“Counselor Jinhyuk!” Jinhyuk was cut off as one of the campers approached him. “I think I lost my flip flops. Can you help me find them?”
Jinhyuk shook his head fondly, a grin stretching across his face. “Of course, Dongpyo,” he said, standing up and reaching out his hand to the kid.
“I can walk on my own,” Dongpyo declared, pouting, slapping at Jinhyuk’s hand, then leading the way towards the locker rooms. Wooseok suppressed a laugh as Jinhyuk turned to him, raising an eyebrow, and then following the boy.
Wooseok looked over to the rest of the kids packing up before suddenly realizing he still had a job to do.
He spotted the kid that Hangyul always came to pick up, and started making his way to him. This could either go very, very badly, or generally okay. Wooseok hoped it was the latter.
“Dohyon?” He called out. “Is it alright if I talk to you for a little bit?”
The boy eyed him warily. He was ten years old, one of the older campers, and he seemed fairly mature for his age, and Wooseok suddenly felt like he was making a terrible mistake. Dohyon agreed, though, and followed Wooseok to the edge of the tents.
“I wanted to ask you about… uh, your brother?”
Dohyon raised his eyebrows. “What about my brother?”
Wooseok cringed, realizing he had not planned this out well enough. “Like, what does he… like?”
Dohyon looked unimpressed. “Sorry, I don’t think you’re really his type.”
Wooseok’s eyes widened, alarmed. “No! No that’s not- this isn’t- I’m not interested in-”
“Oh!” Dohyon said, looking more agreeable. “Well then, I don’t know what you wanna know, but he really likes music. And dancing. And he has tattoos, and he likes showing them to people. He likes the Avengers. But he hates bugs.”
Wooseok almost couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How had Hangyul and Seungyoun not started dating yet??
“Thank you,” Wooseok said. “I owe you… uh, something.”
“It’s okay,” Dohyon said solemnly. “Hopefully your success will be enough payment.” With that, he turned and walked back to the camp.
Wooseok was left to stare after him in amazement. (And a small amount of fear.)
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With a feeling of satisfaction (and slight confusion), Wooseok turned back to the guard hallway. Although he still hated being in that damp hellhole, it took on a new meaning whenever it was time to clock out and leave.
“Hey, Wooseok,” He heard Yohan call out to him, and his head snapped up to see Yohan heading towards the exit with Yuvin. “I’m meeting up with my sister in town for dinner, and Yuvin’s gonna give me a ride because he’s driving downtown already. Enjoy your single evening of peace!”
Wooseok shook his head, a small smile rising to his face as he shot an “OK” sign with his fingers in Yohan’s direction although he was almost disappointed. As much as he had complained (only mostly jokingly) at first, he had actually come to enjoy Yohan’s company on the way home. Even if he spent most of the time criticizing Wooseok’s various life choices.
He ran into Kookheon in the guard hallway just as the other boy was clocking out. He didn’t have many opportunities to talk to him outside of the Friday dinners, since the other boy only came to coach for a few hours every day, but he enjoyed being in his company whenever he did have the chance. Kookheon was energetic but funny, dramatic and extra but not to the point where Wooseok became annoyed. He was usually found with Yuvin, also, and the two of them together weren’t a force to be reckoned with.
“Wooseok! Thank god.” Kookheon sounded relieved after he looked up to see him walking in. “Would you be able to take me home? Yuvin’s my usual ride, but since he’s, ah, he’s got a date downtown, I decided I could probably just fend for myself.”
Wooseok nodded, with a small murmur in acceptance, but then widened his eyes as he realized: “Wait, a date?” He repeated. Although he had never really asked, he had just assumed the other boy was single. Kookheon had never said anything about it, either.
Kookheon’s mouth quirked into a small smile. He squeezed past Wooseok towards the lockers and started packing his bag. “Yeah, with his, uh, girlfriend. I think they’ve been dating for a few months, actually.” He avoided Wooseok’s eyes as he gathered up his stuff. “So… are you sure you’d be able to drive me? It wouldn’t be a bother?”
Wooseok blinked at the sudden change in subject. “Oh- no, of course not. I usually drive Yohan every day, anyway.” Kookheon shot him a grateful smile.
Wooseok gathered up his own things, heading towards the office to let Sooil know he was heading out. But he stopped short once he registered the scene in front of him: Sooil was standing with his back to the door, holding Jinwook in his arms and swaying slightly. Wooseok couldn’t hear what Sooil was saying, but it was the way he was whispering into Jinwook’s hair, softly, and with so much love, that got to him.
He blinked a few times, realizing he’d been staring. Neither of the two had noticed him, too caught up in each other, so he decided to quietly walk away and leave without disturbing them.
As he waited for Kookheon, he tried not to think about it too much. But it was never any use: seeing a love like that always reminded him of his own sad, unfortunate love life. But the image in his head that usually appeared when he thought about it was replaced by soft brown hair, dark eyes, and-
“Sorry to keep you waiting! I’m ready to go.”
Wooseok startled as Kookheon appeared in front of him, smiling slightly in acknowledgement and pushing the gate open to leave.
Kookheon followed Wooseok to his car, and although Wooseok was burning to ask him questions, he didn’t want to be insensitive. He couldn’t hold himself back, though, when Kookheon nearly collapsed into the passenger seat, leaning back against the headrest and closing his eyes. “Are you… okay?” Wooseok asked hesitantly.
Kookheon pasted on a clearly forced smile. “Yeah. I’m just tired. I have a few other jobs besides coaching because… anyways, I just have a lot of work to do. It’s fine, though.”
Wooseok frowned. He had actually been asking about Yuvin, but he hadn’t known that Kookheon had jobs outside of the swim club. No wonder he always looks so tired, he thought. Wooseok could barely handle his one job; he couldn’t imagine trying to juggle any more.
Wooseok started the car, instructing Kookheon to type his address into the GPS. Kookheon settled into his seat, closing his eyes as Wooseok pulled out of the parking lot. Wooseok had never been one to enjoy meaningless small talk, but for some reason this silence felt uncomfortable. He wanted to say something, maybe offer his help, but he knew there was little to nothing he’d be able to do. Giving advice was never one of his strong suits; he distinctly recalls doing everything physically possible to avoid it, including very nearly actually running away in one of his worst moments. But this was almost unbearable, to the point where he was considering actually attempting to help.
They sat in silence for a few minutes until he couldn’t take it anymore. “Kookheon, I don’t mean to pry, but… I thought that maybe- I don’t know, maybe you could use someone to talk to about- well-”
“I’m in love with Yuvin.”
There was another long silence in the car as Wooseok recovered from the shock, not expecting the sudden confession and not entirely sure how to react to it. He was just about to open his mouth when he heard a small, “Fuck,” and a choked sob come from the passenger side.
Wooseok frantically searched for something to say, or to do; he had literally no idea how to comfort someone. “Do you want me to pull over?” He asked. “I can-”
“No, no, it’s okay,” Kookheon said, wiping furiously at his eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to- it’s just I’ve- I’ve never told anyone before, and I’m… sorry.”
Wooseok let out a long breath. “How long have you-”
“Three years.”
Wooseok was silent, then: “Well, shit.”
At first, after Kookheon didn’t say anything in reply, he wondered if he’d said the wrong thing. He desperately tried to think of something to say that wasn’t that—until he heard laughter. He glanced over at Kookheon quickly in surprise; although tears were still rolling down his cheeks, they stood in direct contrast to the way he was grabbing his stomach and shaking with laughter.
Cautiously, and more than slightly confused, Wooseok started, “Kookheon? Are... you okay? I’m sorry, that was-”
“No,” Kookheon interrupted. “I think that sums it up pretty perfectly.” And then he was laughing again, so hard that Wooseok found himself tempted enough to join in. As unhealthy as it probably was to make fun of something that was so important to Kookheon, Wooseok was a little glad he wasn’t letting it break him.
After they both calmed down, Wooseok asked reluctantly, “Do you want to, uh, talk about it?”
Kookheon turned to him. “You’ve never done this before, have you?”
“No,” Wooseok confessed, slightly embarrassed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only a little,” Kookheon snorted, “But it’s nice. That someone noticed. I’ve spent all this time terrified that someone would, but also… I guess a little desperate for someone else to know.” Wooseok waited for him to say more. “We, ah, we’ve actually known each other since we were kids. We used to be next-door neighbors, before my family moved, but we stayed friends in high school. He’s a year younger, so we spent this year apart when I went to university. It was nice having time away, but at the same time… I don’t know. I still feel the same as I did a year ago. I was kind of wishing my… feelings would go away.” He said the word “feelings” the same way one might say “maggoty garbage”.
Kookheon paused, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “Except… when I came back, he’d gotten a girlfriend.”
“Ah.” That explained why he didn’t really feel like getting his usual ride with Yuvin today.
“And she’s really nice, and pretty, and honestly I could probably never compete with someone like her anyway if Yuvin even liked guys, and-”
Wooseok reached out to slap Kookheon’s shoulder, and not very lightly, either.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“No one’s worth putting yourself down like that.”
Kookheon peered curiously at Wooseok, trying to see where his sudden force came from, but Wooseok refused to elaborate any further.
“Sorry. It’s… I’ll get over it. I mean, this isn’t going to last forever.”
Wooseok didn’t know if Kookheon himself believed that (and judging from the tone of his voice, he definitely didn’t), but he wasn’t about to call him out on it.
Before he got out of Wooseok’s car once they stopped in front of Kookheon’s house, Kookheon turned to him and told him, “Thank you for… just, thank you. I think I really needed someone to talk to. I- thanks.”
Wooseok offered him a sad half-smile. “Of course. It must be hard with no one else knowing. I know I’m probably not the best option, but… you can talk to me if you ever need to.”
Thanking him one last time, Kookheon grabbed his bag and started off towards what Wooseok assumed was his apartment building.
But as Wooseok was driving away, stuck at a stoplight, he watched in confusion as Kookheon glanced around and turned the corner. Where is he going? Wooseok thought. Why would he have me drop him off there if he doesn’t live there?
He almost wanted to follow the other boy, but he decided not to; he didn’t want to invade his privacy any more than he already had. That didn’t stop him from thinking about it, though, wishing he knew what was really going on with the other boy.
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Barely two minutes after returning home, Wooseok’s phone chimed with the familiar ringtone he set specifically for Jinhyuk. Glad for the distraction from his worrying about Kookheon, he grabbed his phone from his bag and opened up the most recent message.
lee jinhyuk: okay quick question
lee jinhyuk: why were you interrogating one of the children today??
Wooseok snorted.
You: research
lee jinhyuk: okay but
lee jinhyuk: that was dohyon, right? that you were talking to today?
lee jinhyuk: hangyul’s little brother?
you: yes…
lee jinhyuk: oh my god
lee jinhyuk: okay correct me if i’m wrong but
lee jinhyuk: please tell me this has something to do with hangyul and seungyoun
you: actually… yeah
you: you know about that too?
lee jinhyuk: HOW COULD I NOT
lee jinhyuk: literally everyone knows
lee jinhyuk: they’re so dense
lee jinhyuk: they almost remind me of someone……..
you: well i couldn’t take it anymore
you: so i made a plan
lee jinhyuk: oh my god please let me in on this
you: maybe…
lee jinhyuk: PLEASE
lee jinhyuk: you do not understand how LONG I HAVE SUFFERED
you: good point
you: i’ll fill you in tomorrow
you: actually, i’m going to need your help with something
lee jinhyuk: anything for you ;)
you: nevermind see you tomorrow, jinhyuk
lee jinhyuk: wait no please i want to know now
lee jinhyuk: wooseok
lee jinhyuk: wooseok??
lee jinhyuk: damn
Wooseok caught himself smiling at his phone, and threw it across his living room before he could do something stupid like text back, Fuck, please go out with me.