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Junmyeon had to move to his own apartment for college. His province is way too far from the university he’ll be attending and the cost for his commute is more expensive than actually renting his own place in the city. Plus, the hassle of the commute back and forth will be too tiring for him, assuming his acads will take most of his energy.
His parents agreed and thought that this will also teach Junmyeon to be independent. Being an only child and grandchild in the family, he’s getting too babied already although his parents made sure he’ll not grow up as a spoiled brat.
Luckily, Junmyeon found a very quiet and peaceful neighborhood or so he thought. One week before classes start, he moved in already to get used to living alone and so he can adjust in the new environment. He’ll deny if someone asks but he cried on his first few nights alone.
As he walked back to his apartment after getting some missing ingredients for the dinner he’s going to cook from the convenience store nearby, he heard a commotion in a narrow dark alley.
“Just give it already, kid. Don’t waste our time” a man said.
“Y-you guys already took it from me y-yesterday. I-I don’t have any left!” the kid replied, trying to sound brave but failed to do so.
“Oh! You’re talking back now.” the man said scoffing.
“Getting brave, are we?” another voice taunted.
“P-please don’t hurt me. I really don’t have any money left.” the kid pleaded.
And then Junmyeon heard a loud slap. Without thinking it through, he burst into the alley.
“Hey! What are you doing? Did you just slap a kid?!” Junmyeon bravely shouted.
“So? Who the hell are you, midget?” the scary man asked, eyes traveling Junmyeon’s body.
“Midget?! Did you just call me a midget?!” Junmyeon exclaimed, highly insulted. He hates being called out for being small. He’s average height!
“Well, you are a midget.” the other man said and they laughed, only fuming Junmyeon even more.
“I’ll show you, midget.” was the last thing the two men heard before they blacked out.
~~
“Thank you, mister.” the kid said once again after he calmed down and his wounds got cleaned up by Junmyeon.
“Just call me Junmyeon-hyung, okay? What’s your name again?” he asked the kid
“Kyungsoo.” the boy answered, still teary-eyed.
“Don’t cry, okay? Do you want me to take you home? Do you live nearby?” Junmyeon offered.
“Just there.” Kyungsoo pointed at the apartment complex which coincidentally is the same apartment building Junmyeon is renting at.
“Oh! That’s good then! We’re neighbors! I just moved in last week.” Junmyeon happily informed the kid.
“Really, hyung? I get to see you again?” the boy asked with hopeful doe eyes which touched Junmyeon’s heart dearly. He wished he had a younger brother as cute as this.
“Of course. And let me know if those bullies are nearby again, okay? I’ll get them for you.” he assured, earning a sweet smile from the boy.
“Okay, hyung. Thank you, Junmyeon-hyung” Kyungsoo thanked him once again and hugged him.
As they walk back home, Junmyeon suddenly gets curious about Kyungsoo's situation, on why he’s being bullied, if his parents know.
“Kyungsoo, do your parents know about those bullies?” Junmyeon asked carefully.
“I don’t have parents anymore” Kyungsoo stated with lack of emotion.
“Oh. I’m sorry but do you live with a relative? Do they know about that back there earlier?” Junmyeon asked, now even more worried about the kid.
“It’s just me and my older brother and he doesn’t know. I don’t want to burden him anymore than I already am. Hyung already works day and night just so we can have a roof on our head and food to eat. I don’t want to add to his worries. ” Kyungsoo sadly said, head down.
Just before they entered the gate of the apartment complex, Junmyeon stopped and crouched down to face Kyungsoo.
“I know it must be hard for both of you but I think your hyung deserves to know, right? I’m sure he’ll worry more if he sees your wounds and you don’t tell him how you got them or even go as far as to lie about it.” Junmyeon started, trying to be careful with his words.
Kyungsoo began to tear up again and Junmyeon immediately wiped them. “Since I already took care of those uglies, just tell your hyung the truth, okay? He’ll appreciate it more if you tell him.”
“Okay.” Kyungsoo nodded.
“Good boy. Let’s go in?” Junmyeon smiled at him brightly and just like that, Kyungsoo felt better.
~~
Junmyeon just finished another terrible failed attempt at cooking when his doorbell rang. He turned off the stove and ran to answer the door.
He was surprised to see Kyungsoo and a tall gorgeous man behind him, holding a plate of something smelling absolutely delicious.
“Junmyeon-hyung!” Kyungsoo beamed at him.
“Hi Kyungsoo! Are you okay? What brings you here?” Junmyeon asked, a bit worried.
“I would just like to thank you again for saving me and hyung wanted to meet you.” Kyungsoo replied then looked at the man behind him. Junmyeon followed and looked at the handsome man, immediately regretting not putting on more decent clothes than a shirt and boxers.
He felt the man’s gaze at him, looking at him from head to toe then back to his We Bare Bears boxers that he’s trying his best to hide.
“I’m Sehun, Kyungsoo’s older brother.” Sehun lifted his hand for a handshake that Junmyeon hesitantly took.
“I-I’m Junmyeon. Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Sehun replied with a hint of something in his eyes that Junmyeon can’t seem to name.
“Would you like to come in?” Junmyeon offered, opening his door wide open.
“No, it’s okay. Maybe next time. We just brought you this as a thank you for helping Kyungsoo. He told me everything and I apologize for the inconvenience on your end.” Sehun sincerely thanked him.
“It’s not an inconvenience, really! I’m glad I could help and thank you for this. Perfect timing, actually. I just burnt my supposed dinner again.” Junmyeon admitted with a shy laugh.
“It’s not that much but I hope you like it.” Sehun said, rubbing the back of his neck. Junmyeon thought it was cute how Sehun suddenly gets shy like that.
“I’m sure this will taste great. I can tell by just the smell of it.” Junmyeon complimented the dish.
“Hyung can cook well but I’m better. I’ll cook for you tomorrow, Junmyeon-hyung.” Kyungsoo butted in and Junmyeon turned his attention to the younger.
“Really? Are you sure? You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s okay, Junmyeon-hyung. I owe you a lot!”
“If you’re sure.”
“Do you want to join us for dinner tomorrow?” Sehun then asked, surprising Junmyeon.
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“No, we insist.”
“Okay. See you guys tomorrow then.”
~~
After their first dinner, it somehow turned into a routine. They invited Junmyeon over for dinner daily. Kyungsoo, albeit the youngest among the three, cooks the best so he became their unofficial cook.
After work, Sehun would come home to Kyungsoo cooking with Junmyeon hovering and helping out as much as he could, at the same time, learning from the youngest. It really warms Sehun’s heart seeing both of them at home. His tiredness from work seems to lift away just by seeing them smiling.
Months passed and Junmyeon became a constant in the Oh’s household. He seems to just really sleep at his apartment and spend most of his time in the university or at the Oh’s. He even does his homeworks and projects there with Kyungsoo while waiting for Sehun to get back home.
He grew more fond of Kyungsoo and treated him like his own brother, taking care of him and protecting him from harm. It’s different for Sehun though. As more days passed and as he gets to know more of the man, he develops romantic feelings for him.
He didn’t mean to, really. Yes, he thought Sehun’s really handsome from the beginning, then he admired his hardwork and dedication to support his younger brother. He saw how Sehun takes care of Kyungsoo, how much he loves his younger brother. At one point, Junmyeon even wished to have an older brother like Sehun as well but then he realized it’s more than that. It’s definitely more than that.
He suddenly can’t take his eyes off him. He misses him even if they see each other everyday. He longs to hear his deep voice and his contagious laugh.
He can’t stop thinking about him; about the way his eyes turn into crescent when he smiles or laughs, about the way his gaze turns soft when talking with him, about the warmth he feels whenever he's near, even his addicting scent.
He can’t help but wonder how Sehun’s lips would feel against his, how his arms would feel around his waist, his body against his.
Realizing his feelings for Sehun made it difficult for him to act normal around the man though. He suddenly can’t look the man straight in the eyes. He suddenly started to stutter and his head seemed to blank out whenever they talked like today.
As usual, Junmyeon is eating with the brothers for dinner. Sehun noticed that he’s been quiet and fidgety.
“Are you okay, Myeon?” Sehun asked, a bit worried.
“Y-yeah. I’m okay, hyung.” Junmyeon stuttered for the nth time.
“You don’t seem so. You’ve been quiet since I got home. Are you feeling sick?” Sehun asked and leaned in to feel Junmyeon’s temperature on his forehead then down to his neck which made Junmyeon rigid at the contact of their skin.
“Do you need medicine, hyung? I can buy them for you.” Kyungsoo asked, also worried but confused since Junmyeon seemed fine earlier.
“I guess I’m just tired from my classes. I-I think I’ll just head home and rest. Thank you for the food.” Junmyeon hurriedly said and ran back to his apartment leaving the two worried brothers behind.
Junmyeon immediately jumped to his bed, covering himself with his comforter. He’s too embarrassed of how he acted just earlier. He can’t think of a way to go back to normal. Maybe he just needs to stay away for a while and focus on something else.
After barely getting a wink of sleep that night, Junmyeon decided to lay low for a while and just focus on his studies and maybe his infatuation with Sehun would subside and he’ll go back to normal.
And so, he did that for a few days, avoiding spending time with Sehun. He would still spend some time with Kyungsoo but he makes sure that he’ll be back at his apartment by the time Sehun gets home.
It may have worked a little but he can’t deny that he really misses Sehun, a lot. It’s been long since he saw the man and heard his voice. He’s sure that Sehun noticed already that he’s been avoiding him especially after that one time when he ran away when he bumped into Sehun accidentally.
Sehun has also been trying to reach out to him but he’d always make an excuse, mostly saying he’s busy with his classes and that seemed to work. He’s been working so hard just to get Sehun out of his mind that he ends up getting sick.
One morning, his body and head aches all over and gets dizzy whenever he tries to move. He can’t even get up to get water or medicine. He decided to just sleep it out, missing the messages and calls from Kyungsoo.
He was supposed to help the younger with his homework and since he’s not answering any of the messages and calls, Kyungsoo went to his apartment, luckily knowing the passcode since Junmyeon gave it to him before.
When Kyungsoo saw him sick and not responding well to him, he panicked immediately and called Sehun, not knowing what to do.
With just less than an hour, Sehun arrived and asked Kyungsoo to cook some porridge first while he got the medicine and took care of Junmyeon. After handing over the porridge to Sehun, Kyungsoo was asked to go back to the apartment to avoid getting sick as well.
Sehun stayed with Junmyeon, fed him, made him take medicine and changed his clothes. Even after all that, the latter still has a fever although not as high as when Sehun got there. Sehun decided to stay for the night after quickly changing his clothes and checking up on Kyungsoo.
He sat beside Junmyeon’s bed and watched the younger one sleep. He checked Junmyeon’s temperature again when Junmyeon suddenly spoke.
“Sehun-hyung…”
“Hmm? I’m here Junmyeon. Do you need anything?” Sehun asked with a soft voice.
“Sehun…” Junmyeon repeated and Sehun got closer, trying to hear him better.
“I love you” Junmyeon whispered.
“W-what?” Sehun asked in surprise although he’s not sure if Junmyeon is really awake.
“Hyung, I love you” Junmyeon repeated and slightly opened his eyes, smiled weakly and went back to slumber as soon as he closed his eyes again.
Sehun couldn’t believe what he heard. All this time he thought, Junmyeon somehow didn’t like him since the latter was avoiding him. He thought he’d done something wrong and was trying to give him the space he needed, waiting for Junmyeon to reach out again to him.
He never once thought that his feelings would be reciprocated. He has liked Junmyeon ever since he heard Kyungsoo’s story of how he was saved. He even liked him more when he saw him the first time with those We Bare Bear boxer shorts. And he eventually fell for him as they got to know each other.
He’s been finding the right time to confess but Junmyeon started to avoid him which broke his heart, of course. But still, his feeling didn’t fade, it even grew stronger and now, he heard those words coming from Junmyeon, his heart is beating erratically but this has to wait.
Junmyeon needs to get better first. He stared at the sleeping beauty before him and without another thought, he laid down beside him and pulled Junmyeon, letting him rest on his chest, enveloping him in a tight embrace until he also fell asleep.
~~
Junmyeon woke up, feeling a lot better, comfortable and warm. He hugged his pillow even tighter, loving its scent and warmth. His eyes flew open immediately when the said pillow hugged him back and tighter.
He looked up and saw Sehun smiling at him.
“Good morning” Sehun said with his sexy bedroom voice that sent tingles all over Junmyeon’s body. He immediately tried to move away but Sehun held him tighter.
“No. Just stay here for a while. 5 more minutes and we’ll talk. Hmm?” Sehun requested lovingly, making Junmyeon’s heart beat like he just runned a marathon. He stayed still, silently enjoying their position.
“Sehun-hyung?” Junmyeon whispered, not able to stay silent any longer.
“Hmm?” Sehun hummed like he’s not making Junmyeon’s heart burst out of his chest right now.
“What are we doing?” Junmyeon asked.
“Cuddling”
“Why?”
“Because you said you love me.”
“I did what?!” Junmyeon suddenly sat up.
“You said you love me and now, I’m saying, I love you, too” Sehun says as he gently caresses Junmyeon’s face with his one hand while still laying on his side.
“You what?!” Junmyeon can’t believe what he just heard.
“A-am I dreaming? Am I hallucinating because of high fever?” Junmyeon asked himself, turning his back at Sehun, panicking. But then, Sehun sat up as well and hugged him from the back, placing his chin on Junmyeon’s shoulder.
“Nope.” he confirmed and kissed Junmyeon on the cheek, unable to resist the cuteness of the younger.
Junmyeon turned his head and came face to face with Sehun. “You love me?” he asked with his doe eyes, still not believing. Sehun chuckled, finding Junmyeon really adorable, right now.
“Yes. I love you, Junmyeon. Even before I met you.” Sehun said, smiling sweetly at him.
They stare at each other's eyes for a while until Sehun leaned in and placed a quick and soft peck on Junmyeon’s lips, testing the waters.
“I’m not dreaming?” Junmyeon asked again and Sehun shook his head then kissed him again.
“Really?” Junmyeon asked again, making Sehun chuckle but kissed Junmyeon again, longer this time.
“Yes, now would you kiss me back?” Sehun whined cutely. Junmyeon giggled and gave what Sehun asked for. Junmyeon leaned in and kissed him.
Sehun smiled in the kiss but immediately kissed back. As their kiss gets deeper, Junmyeon found himself on top of Sehun, straddling him by the waist. Tongues soon get into the mix and hands roam under their shirts.
Sehun was about to remove Junmyeon’s shirt when they suddenly heard the beep of the door’s passcode. Due to shock, Junmyeon wasn’t able to get off Sehun immediately and that’s how Kyungsoo found the two of them.
“H-hyung? W-what’s going on?”