Work Text:
“Hyung! Car’s leaving in five.”
Soobin finally decides his hair looks good enough, even if it’s not perfect. It’s mostly pushed back away from his forehead so that it won’t be in his eyes all night. Taehyun will probably decide it needs to be fiddled with anyway, and fix it for him in the back of the car. Taehyun’s reliable like that.
Kai’s already standing in the foyer. He’s Taehyun’s “date” for the night, and even though they’d both insisted it was just as friends, Soobin’s a little suspicious. He doesn’t say anything about the way that Taehyun opens the passenger door for Kai before piling in the back with Soobin.
“Aw, cheer up, hyung,” Kai says, twisting around from the front seat to look at Soobin. “It’s Christmas!”
“It’s December 19th.”
“Okay, well we’re kind of close, at least,” Kai replies, unbothered by Soobin’s flat tone. He really didn’t want to be here, but his mother always insisted that they attend these charity events with the other wealthy families of Seoul this time of year. Apparently skipping out is a bad look.
“What were you even planning to do with your night, anyway? Play League until your ass becomes one with the desk chair?” Taehyun asks. Soobin knows it’s supposed to be a joke, but Taehyun’s huge eyes and the lack of inflection in his voice make him sound very serious.
“Of course not,” Soobin answers, because he’s not above lying to his friends. He’d wanted to be an actor when he was younger, so he likes to think he’s pretty good at it.
“Yep, he was definitely planning on playing League until his ass fused to the chair,” Kai says, right away. He reaches his absurdly long arm back to high-five Taehyun. “Good job getting him out of the house, Tyunnie. No amount of Diptyque candle can clear out the air in that stale-ass apartment. Who knows, he might actually meet someone new tonight!” Kai sounds a lot more enthused by the idea than Soobin feels.
“Right,” he snorts. “You might be able to stuff me into a suit and force me to stand around with a champagne flute, but I’ll be dead before you make me an extrovert.”
Taehyun wrinkles his nose. “Don’t be such a Grinch. What if you meet someone cute, and they’re completely dissuaded by your foul attitude?”
“Then they wouldn’t like me much anyways,” Soobin says primly.
That gets a laugh out of Kai, at least, and there’s a few moments of quiet in the car. “Not like either of you two are seeing someone. Didn’t your parents threaten to take you to a matchmaker if you don’t get married soon?” The question is directed at Taehyun, but it’s Kai who speaks.
“Taehyunnie has me tonight.”
Right. Well, at least Soobin will be able to get his hands on the food and something decent to drink before he has to socialize. Taehyun had promised that he wouldn’t leave Soobin by himself, but he gets the bad feeling that someone’s going to walk in on Taehyun and Kai making out in the bathroom before the night is over. That would be quite the scandal for the tabloids. Idly, Soobin wonders if the proceeds would be donated to the charity event for next year.
“What’s the cause this year? For the auction, I mean. I think Mom told me, but now I can’t remember.”
“Children’s cancer research and treatment,” Kai chirps, with way too much cheer in his voice for someone saying children and cancer in the same sentence. “The family hosting are the ones that founded Seoul National University Hospital.”
“Oh, that’s uh, nice,” Soobin says distractedly. He’s trying to remember if he’s ever met this family before, but he’s met so many people with so much money they could wallpaper their mansions with it that it’s all blending together.
“The Chois,” Taehyun says, because he’s a mind-reader. “Yeonjun and Beomgyu.”
Soobin snaps his fingers in recognition. “Right, right. We went to school with Beomgyu.”
Taehyun nods. “His older brother went to boarding school in the US, and now he’s studying medicine at Seoul National. That’s why we’ve never met him.”
“Right,” Soobin says again. “Choi Beomgyu with the super loud voice. And… what did you say his name was?”
“Yeonjun.” Soobin is so bad at remembering names; his mother scolds him for it all the time. He remembers what Beomgyu looks like, so he’ll definitely recognize him even if it’s been a couple years since they graduated high school. He wonders if he’ll be able to recognize Yeonjun.
“Gosh, Taehyunnie, you’re so smart,” Kai gushes.
“My father says that it’s good to know who you’re going to be in the room with so that you know who you want to be associated with and who you don’t.”
Kai’s eyes go wide. “Did you research everyone before coming?”
“I got ahold of the invite list,” Taehyun says evasively. Soobin chortles.
“I’m coming to you when I forget someone’s name. Did you get ID photos, and everything?”
“Not all of them,” Taehyun replies. “Some of them were graduation photos, or news articles, or pictures from company websites.”
Soobin cackles. Kai laughs, too, his piercing giggles threatening to break glass as it bounces off the car windows. Something about Taehyun’s flat monotone as he says borderline psychopathic things is hilarious. “Ever the business-minded one, Taehyunnie.”
“Would you rather I leave you to guess the name of every person you’ve known since you were three?”
“No, no,” Soobin acquiesces quickly. “Kai’s right. You’re very smart and forward-thinking, your dad must be glad that you’re going to inherit the company someday.”
“I’m so glad Lea noona agreed to take over,” Kai says, relief palpable in his voice. “I could never do all that. I can’t negotiate, I don’t know how to fight!”
“You don’t fight,” Taehyun says, although he waves his hand back and forth a little. “It’s… constructive arguing.”
Kai looks Taehyun up and down, tilting his head. “What do you have all those muscles for, then? I thought it was so you can fight people who try to screw you over.”
“Of course not, we’re not gangsters,” Taehyun sniffs. Soobin severely doubts that one. There’s a little too much fear of the Kang name among the other wealthy families for it to be 100% squeaky-clean.
“If you say so,” Kai replies, turning around in his chair after one more long glance at Taehyun’s biceps. He doesn’t have his suit jacket on yet, so his shoulders are bulging through his white shirt.
They arrive at the venue with only a little further bickering. It’s being hosted at a fancy hotel that Soobin can remember coming to a couple of times as a child, but he’s managed to duck out of the majority of his mother’s “mandatory events” despite her need to keep up appearances. Soobin has an older brother, too, so it’s not like it matters whether or not the other rich families think he’s a hermit. His brother is good-looking enough, and a hell of a lot more inclined to stand around at stupid parties.
“C’mon, out of the car, you big lump,” Kai says, completely ignoring the fact that Soobin is in fact older than him, and therefore should be worthy of more respect. Kai is a middle child. Taehyun’s just got the audacity, and the muscles to back it up.
“God, I’m already sweating at the idea of seeing my parents,” Soobin groans. “My mom’s going to complain. She always complains when she sees me, and then she complains when she doesn’t see me.”
“Don’t worry, hyung,” Kai says reassuringly. “You’ve got us tonight!”
Soobin is not reassured.
His reservations turn out to be right. Once they sit down at their assigned seats, Kai and Taehyun are immediately lost in conversation with each other. There’s a girl’s name assigned to the chair next to Soobin that he thinks he vaguely recognizes, but she’s not here yet. The other three girls across the circular tables are on their phones and tittering away. The light from their screens is reflecting off all the satin and diamonds.
Soobin sighs. He’s about to move his plate aside and put his head down on the table for a nap, manners be damned. Then, there’s movement beside him. Someone reaches down to pluck the name card away and replace it with a different one. Choi Beomgyu.
Soobin looks up in surprise. The host’s second son is here, sitting with Soobin of all people? He’s not exactly the best business connection in the room, nor does he give off the air of someone particularly interested in socialization. On second glance, maybe that’s why Beomgyu’s chosen him to sit next to. His handsome face is folded into an expression of annoyance. Soobin would be more struck, but everyone here is beautiful. It’s a side effect of having the means and the access to the best plastic surgeons in Seoul, although Beomgyu doesn’t look particularly plastic. Just dressed up in a suit that he’d rather not be wearing and attending an event he’d rather not be at.
“Yo,” Beomgyu says lowly. It’s a lot more reserved than the Beomgyu that Soobin remembers from school.
“Long time no see,” Soobin replies. “You bored already?”
Beomgyu wrinkles his nose. “My brother and his friends are being annoying, and both of my best friends are conveniently out of the country right now. I practically begged Heeseung to put me in his suitcase to New York.”
“Bummer.” Soobin jerks his thumb in the direction of Taehyun and Kai, still deeply involved in each other. “Those are mine, not that you’d really be able to tell right now.”
Beomgyu peeks over Soobin’s shoulder. “Oof. The sexual tension there is blistering.”
“I kind of wish they’d just get it over with, honestly,” Soobin says. “But then they’d be even worse.”
“Mmm.” Beomgyu crosses his arms, long legs spreading out under the table until they’re knocking into Soobin’s. It’s not particularly well-mannered, but much more like the Beomgyu that Soobin remembers.
Appetizers come out, the kind of meticulously crafted, minuscule foods that obscenely rich people consider fine dining. Soobin looks at some sort of tart sitting pitifully in the middle of his plate before spearing the whole thing with his fork and shoving it into his mouth whole. It does nothing to appease his growling stomach.
“You look like you’re hiding from someone,” Beomgyu comments, cutting his tart neatly in half.
“My parents,” Soobin grumbles. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yep.”
“Great.”
“Well, you planning on bidding on anything for the auction tonight?” Beomgyu asks, once main courses are coming out and there’s something more substantial than a lightly-drizzled Caprese frittata bite on his plate. Beomgyu dines like a bird, while Soobin’s much more about efficiency in eating.
“Auction?” He asks, mouth still mostly full.
“Yeah. It’s a charity event, there’s always an auction. Haven’t you been to one of these since you graduated?”
“Uh, maybe one or two,” Soobin answers, dabbing at his mouth with a cloth napkin.
“There’s some pretty decent stuff this year,” Beomgyu muses. “Although I don’t really think I’ll have much use for an original Park Seobo painting or a trip to Bali. I’m scheduled to start grad school in England in a couple weeks.”
Soobin makes some sort of grunt to show that he’s still listening, but Beomgyu isn’t talking. He’s leaning around Soobin again to eavesdrop on Taehyun and Kai. Suddenly, he stands up.
“Actually, you know what? Yujin, you don’t mind trading seats with me, do you? Soobin here is a lovely conversationalist, the life of the party.” Beomgyu is holding his plate, nudging the bewildered-looking girl from her spot. She’s now separated from her friends, and Beomgyu has barged his way into the serious-looking talk that Taehyun and Kai are having.
Soobin gives the girl a weak smile. “Hi. I’m Choi Soobin.”
“An Yujin,” she replies, though she doesn’t seem very interested. “Chaewon unnie, scoot over here! We’re not done talking about Kkura. I can’t believe she just ditched you in Tokyo to hang out with her girlfriend!”
Dessert comes and goes. Soobin thinks that this event couldn’t possibly end fast enough. If he had the money, he’d bid on everything at the auction just to get it done. Unfortunately for him, there are a lot deeper pockets than even his family’s here. He’s thinking about leaving Taehyun and Kai with Beomgyu and sneaking out the back once the bidding begins.
The lights start to dim, and the room goes quiet enough that Soobin can hear light Christmas music being played over the speakers. There’s a stage erected at the front of the massive dining room, and a well-dressed man walks to the podium. He’s definitely a famous actor, but Soobin can’t remember his name right now. There are whispers from the crowd as he adjusts the microphone.
“‘Scuse me, Yujin!” Beomgyu says quietly, once again booting An Yujin from her chair. She seems grateful to get back to her own seat and her friends instead of being stuck next to sullen Soobin. He isn’t sure why Beomgyu’s making such a fuss over the seating, but Beomgyu’s always been a little unpredictable.
The man onstage gives a speech, something about Christmas spirit and the giving season and a bunch of stuff that Soobin quickly tunes out. There’s a round of applause, and then an image appears behind him. It’s not projected on anything, and it’s not a screen either. The image pops up like a hologram. It’s a fancy-looking watch, and the woman holding it in a velvet box is showing it off with a stiff plastic smile.
“Bidding starts at five hundred million won!”
It goes like that for an absolutely mind-numbing amount of time. The man onstage lists off astonishing numbers, and people sitting at the tables politely raise their hands as the numbers climb higher. The art piece Beomgyu mentioned earlier goes for an eye-watering price, and the videos of the resort in Bali do admittedly look nice.
“Last but not least, we have a very special treat!” The man onstage announces genially. “This is the sweetest treat of all, the best present of the Christmas season! In the spirit of gifts, this one is a surprise. Bidding starts at one hundred million won!”
Soobin looks around. One hundred million won for a dessert? That seems a bit much, but maybe he’s just confused. A girl near the front raises her hand. It seems that he’s the only one in the dark about what the “surprise” is, because there are a lot of giggling girls and guys pretending that they’re not interested. Is it not some sort of luxury pastry? Soobin can’t think of what else a sweet treat would entail.
“Do I hear two hundred million won?”
Soobin’s hand goes up, but it’s not him. Beomgyu has his forearm and is raising his hand in the air. “Two hundred million from the gentleman in the back! How about three?”
Heads swing around to stare at Soobin. He’s aghast, looking at Beomgyu. “Why would you do that!?”
“Trust me. This’ll be good for you.”
Soobin does not trust him. He keeps his arm stiffly pinned to his side as the number goes up. There are two girls locked in a bidding war, the number jumping until it hits one billion won. The girl who’d made the very first bid raises her hand.
“Any final bids? One billion won, going, going…”
“Two!” A voice shouts, and then Soobin’s other arm is lifted into the air. It’s Taehyun, and Soobin’s too strong to fight him. There’s a collective gasp from the room, and then the man onstage hits the podium with his gavel. “Two billion won, sold to the gentleman in the back! Congratulations, you’ve won a date with this generation’s most eligible bachelor– Choi Yeonjun!”
“What?” Soobin hisses, rounding on Taehyun. There’s a smug look on Kai’s face, too. “You guys cornered me into buying a date?”
“Oh, you won’t be mad later,” Kai says lightly. He tips his head towards the stage. There’s someone making their way up there from a table in the corner. Beomgyu suddenly seizes Soobin’s arm and hauls him out of his chair. He’s practically dragging Soobin between the tables with a lot more force than someone his size should have. Soobin stumbles over his feet and nearly face-plants into the very ample bosom of an older woman, saved only by Beomgyu’s vice-grip on his arm.
He pushes Soobin onstage. He’s blinded by the lights for a second, his eyes taking a bit to adjust to the brightness. When he looks, there’s an extremely good-looking man his age standing there. He’s got a shock of orange hair, which isn’t considered very proper, but Soobin supposes it doesn’t matter if this is supposedly the most eligible bachelor of the generation. Soobin gives him a once-over. He looks cool, even in a tailored suit that tapers in at the waist. His shirt is unbuttoned just enough to show a sliver of his chest.
Yeonjun smiles, and Soobin feels blinded by the lights all over again when he holds his hand out for Soobin to take. He makes sure to wipe off his sweat on his pants before he takes Yeonjun’s offered hand.
Yeonjun holds Soobin’s hand up over their heads, and there’s a round of polite applause. The whispering is practically thunderous now. Soobin can see several girls wearing expressions ranging from anger to envy, and most of the older people just look shocked. Soobin swallows.
“Congratulations!” The man at the podium says exuberantly. “I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time hanging out together. Don’t they look like a handsome couple?”
There are murmurs from the crowd. Soobin feels like he might pass out. He’s spotted his parents’ faces, but they’re too far away for him to read their expressions. Sensing his discomfort, Yeonjun squeezes his hand. The pressure keeps Soobin upright long enough for the announcer to finally usher them offstage.
Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Kai, the three traitors, are waiting at the bottom of the little ramp. Yeonjun’s still holding Soobin’s hand, but he pulls away and points directly at Beomgyu’s face. “You.”
“What about me?” Beomgyu whispers, as the man at the podium is wrapping up the charity event.
“You did this. Look at him, he can’t even stand up straight he’s in so much shock. Oh God, Gyu, get him a bucket, I think he’s going to–“
“I’m good,” Soobin wheezes. “But my parents– they’re going to kill me.”
“Oh, shit. Are they homophobic?” Beomgyu turns to Taehyun and Kai. “You should’ve told me.”
“No,” Soobin whispers. “I just spent two billion won on a date. I didn’t even know it was a date, I thought they were bidding on some stupidly expensive dessert! This is the worst PR disaster in history. My mom’s always on my case about how I can never find a girlfriend without being set up, she’s going to lose her mind when this hits the tabloids–“
“Soobinnie!”
The lights have come up. The event is over, and people are milling around chatting now that the assigned seating isn’t relevant. Soobin’s parents are making a beeline for them. Soobin whimpers and tries to hide behind Taehyun.
“Hi, Ms. Choi,” Taehyun says pleasantly. “I must say, green is a lovely color on you.”
“Why, Kang Taehyun, what a wonderful young man. It’s nice to know that my son has some good influences in his life. And… Kai, yes? The Huening family?”
“That’s me,” Kai says, waving. He sends his most beaming smile, which of course wins over Soobin’s parents instantly.
“And the gracious hosts.” Beomgyu shakes Soobin’s father’s hand and gives his mother a polite bow. Then, it’s Yeonjun’s turn.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’ll be very good to your son, don’t worry. Two billion is a very generous donation!” Yeonjun says, smiling. He has his hand on the small of Soobin’s back, for some reason. This does not escape the notice of his friends.
“Well, I’m just surprised he finally got the motivation to find himself a date,” Soobin’s mother says, hands on her hips. She tuts, and her eyes convey disappointment as she glances Soobin over. “But I suppose if this is what it takes, I’m happy to support a good cause in the process.”
That… was not nearly as bad as Soobin thought it was going to be. There was no steely gaze from his father, no you’re in big trouble when we get back to the car whispered under his mother’s breath. Instead, they’re both acting surprisingly pleasant. Maybe it’s just to keep up appearances while Yeonjun has his hand on Soobin’s back.
Eventually, they both turn to leave. Soobin practically collapses on Taehyun, who makes a valiant effort at setting him upright again. Yeonjun puts a hand on his shoulder, which makes his knees feel wobbly again for some reason. He’s mad at his friends, but he’s also mad at Yeonjun for not being annoyed with the arrangement. If he is, he’s not showing it.
“It should’ve gone to the girl in the front,” Soobin says stubbornly.
“Ah, it’s just one date, it won’t kill you,” Yeonjun replies, waving his hand with a limp wrist. “A lot of people would die for this opportunity, you know.” His voice sounds teasing now, and there’s a sparkle in his eye.
“Yeah, I think I’m on about four dozen hit lists right now. Right, well, now that that’s over and we’re going to be front-page news tomorrow, I’m going home. Tyun, Kai, you getting rides?” Soobin turns his back to Yeonjun entirely, focusing his friends with concentrated glares. They both seem unbothered.
“We’ll be fine. Good night, hyung!” Kai says, hand on Taehyun’s bicep. “Merry Christmas!”
“Ha-ha,” Soobin replies sarcastically. When he’s sure no one super important is watching, he flips them both the bird. “Bye, Beomgyu. Good to see you, I guess. Would’ve been better if you hadn’t set up my downfall.”
“Consider it an early Christmas present.” Beomgyu winks, and it’s awful. They’re not that close, but Soobin flips him the bird too before turning around to leave.
“Soobin!”
He’s in the hotel lobby, mere feet from the door. Groaning internally, Soobin turns around at the sound of Yeonjun’s voice. He’s sort of running, suit jacket unbuttoned and fluttering behind him. Soobin can hear his shoes on the marble tapping in time with his racing heartbeat.
“You forgot to give me your number,” Yeonjun says. “For our date.”
“Uh. Right.” Soobin takes the phone that Yeonjun’s holding in his direction and enters his number before more or less tossing it back at him. “Do you want me to, like, pick a spot or something?” If it was Soobin’s choice, they’d probably go to café for about ten minutes and then leave. Just enough time for the tabloids to get their pictures and be done with it.
“Don’t be silly,” Yeonjun answers. “I’ll arrange. After all, you paid.”
That, Soobin did. For the small price of two billion won and his remaining dignity, he’s got a date with the generation’s most eligible bachelor. Even the phrase makes him cringe to himself as he’s walking out to the waiting car.
Yeonjun texts him the next day. He says good morning, even though it’s already past noon, which probably means that he was up late. Soobin was also up late, but not because he was still at the hotel partying. He’d played a couple games of League that he’d lost and then went to bed.
Instead of sleeping, he’d tossed and turned for hours. It was such a stupid situation to be in, ending up on a date with Yeonjun via charity auction. His mother’s attitude had made her stance clear– it was a bit pathetic, having to buy his way into a date. Soobin couldn’t find that he disagreed. It was Yeonjun’s attitude, though, that really bothered him.
Yeonjun seemed happy to see him. Yeonjun smiled when he saw Soobin walking up onstage, instead of being confused or disappointed. He’d stood there and supported Soobin when his parents came over, and didn’t seem to mind that he would be on the front page with the second son of a family that really didn’t have much to offer compared to his own. In fact, judging by his messages, he seemed excited about the prospect.
That was how Soobin found himself pacing around his bedroom on the morning of Christmas Eve with Taehyun and Kai cuddling on his bed. There was clothing strewn around the room as Soobin had tried on different pieces and had them all rejected by his dongsaengs. He didn’t have time to go shopping– he’d agreed to meet Yeonjun downtown in a little over an hour. If there is any traffic, he’s screwed.
“Look, guys, this isn’t even a real date,” Soobin says, frustrated. “It’s just for a charity appearance. We show up, they take photos, and then we leave. It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing when I’m going to be forgotten in a week.”
“Yeah, but Yeonjun won’t be,” Taehyun replies. He’s right. Soobin hates when Taehyun is right.
“Besides, this is your one chance to make Yeonjun fall in love with you!” Kai says exuberantly. His excitement is making Taehyun’s head bounce on his chest.
“He’s not going to fall in love with me,” Soobin says. “Be honest with yourself. He’s so far out of my league it’s ridiculous. The most eligible bachelor of the generation? I don’t even think I’m on the list.”
“Exactly. Which is why you bought a date and helped kids fight off cancer at the same time. Win-win,” Taehyun says smoothly.
Soobin makes a loud noise between a yell and a groan and shoves on yet another sweater over his collared shirt. He doesn’t have any pants on yet, because Taehyun and Kai had summarily rejected every option thus far. Pants are going to be a problem for the Soobin that exists ten minutes from now.
Taehyun holds his hand out. “Wait, wait. This one could work. Get that grey wool coat and scarf from the front room.”
Soobin gives him a look like seriously? Taehyun doesn’t budge. He’s got his head on Kai’s left boob and doesn’t seem very inclined to move. Resigned, Soobin traipses pantsless to the coat closet near the front door and digs around to find the items Taehyun is talking about.
“Ooh, this is good,” Taehyun says, when Soobin returns. Soobin doesn’t get it. It’s another dark blue cable-knit sweater, similar to about four others he’d tried on twenty minutes earlier. “Button up the coat and put the scarf on properly.”
Soobin is so used to being bossed around by his friends that he doesn’t even argue. He then stands there blankly in front of the bed and waits for an evaluation.
“I like it,” Taehyun says.
“He looks like a flasher,” Kai states.
“Yes, that’s because he doesn’t have pants on yet,” Taehyun replies impatiently. “Just imagine him with pants.”
“I can’t just imagine him with pants when I know for a fact that his boxers have bunnies on them.”
Taehyun snaps his fingers. “Aha. Get the light-wash jeans from earlier– not the skinny jeans. The wide-legged ones.”
“You said you hated those earlier!”
“Yeah, well I don’t hate them now. Put them on so Kai stops thinking about you pantsless.”
“I’m not thinking about him pantsless, it’s just that I can’t picture him with pants when he’s standing there in socks and bunny boxers. Oh, you’re right! That looks way better.”
“Finally,” Soobin huffs under his breath. “Alright, I’m going to attempt to fix my hair and then I have to leave. I don’t have time for any more fussing or I’ll be late, and that’s definitely a bad look.”
“Round and fluffy hair,” Taehyun calls, as Soobin’s making his way into the bathroom. “Think K-drama first love!”
“He’s not going to fall in love with me!” Soobin shouts back, but Taehyun probably can’t hear him over the sound of the hairdryer. Or, at least, he pretends not to.
Soobin arrives right on time, thankfully. They’d agreed to meet in front of the Christmas tree in the Lotte World mall– not the most discreet of meeting places, but a good spot for photos “sneakily” taken to be published in the shitty newspapers or on social media. Soobin had finally looked him up the night before– Yeonjun had quite the following on Instagram. He’s so recognizable with his orange hair that Soobin doesn’t have trouble finding him even in the busy mall.
He’s wearing black again, but the coat is one of those wrap-style ones that tie at the waist. It makes his shoulders look broader, his lines more delicate. Soobin swallows. Yeonjun still hasn’t spotted him yet, but he’s looking up at the tree with the lights reflected in his eyes.
“Oh! Soobin.” His face immediately relaxes into a smile, and without hesitation he reaches out to hug Soobin. Soobin is so momentarily stunned that he forgets to move. He manages to put his arms around Yeonjun’s waist for a second before the older man pulls away. “It’s good to finally see you again.”
“G-good to see you too,” Soobin says, cursing the way that his voice shakes at the scent of Yeonjun’s cologne on his skin. He’s not weak. He’s seen plenty of incredibly beautiful men in his life. Still, there’s something about Yeonjun that throws him off balance. “You, um, you got here early.”
“Just wanted to make sure everything was ready,” Yeonjun replies lightly. “Aren’t the decorations nice?”
Soobin looks around the mall. It is lushly decorated, thick garlands of lights and ribbon strung across the escalators. Soobin catches sight of someone with a camera above them, and swallows. He tries to focus his attention on the tree. It’s ridiculously tall, dwarfed still by the height of the building itself. Yeonjun’s right– the decorations are pretty, but Soobin can’t focus when he knows people are watching them.
“Come on,” Yeonjun says. “I made us reservations at the French restaurant upstairs for lunch.” He tugs on Soobin’s arm, but Soobin doesn’t pull his hands out of his coat pocket.
“What are you doing?” He asks quietly.
“This is for charity, and there are pictures being taken,” Yeonjun replies quietly, as if Soobin doesn’t know that. “Give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re fighting against children with cancer.”
“What, are you on the side of the children, or the cancer?”
“Can you just give me your hand!?”
Soobin does– reluctantly. It’s sweaty from having it shoved in his pocket, but Yeonjun doesn’t comment on it. They pass a girl who has her phone up and is clearly filming them. Soobin tries not to shudder. They walk in the direction of the signs pointing towards the hotel, with people gesturing and whispering about Yeonjun the entire time. It makes something ugly curl up in Soobin’s stomach. Are they making fun of him?
He tugs Yeonjun closer. Yeonjun looks up, surprised. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing– just, you know. Crowded.” The attention doesn’t seem to bother Yeonjun at all. Considering he’s basically a celebrity, Soobin figures he’s used to it. Soobin, on the other hand, is decidedly not. He tries to block Yeonjun from the cameras as much as he can. He doesn’t want to know what the mean Twitter comments will be like when people see them holding hands.
“Soobin, relax,” Yeonjun says softly. “It’s just people. They don’t know you, their opinions don’t matter to you.”
“I don’t want them to trash you for going out with me,” Soobin admits. “I’m, like, a nobody compared to you.”
“Then here.” Yeonjun releases Soobin’s hand, and hooks his arm around Soobin’s instead. It’s much more intimate. They’re a lot closer now, shoulders brushing with every step. Soobin can smell Yeonjun’s cologne again.
“I– I don’t really see how this helps.”
“People can’t really hate on a cute, happy couple, right? That’s just bitter and mean.”
Yeonjun is kind of right. Soobin takes a deep breath and lets himself relax against Yeonjun, and the older man smiles at him for it. If this is a publicity stunt, they might as well go all-out.
“What a fun narrative this could be,” Yeonjun muses, on the thirty-five floor elevator ride to the restaurant. “You were my secret boyfriend all along, and the auction was just an excuse to finally go public with it.”
“No one will believe that,” Soobin snorts.
“We’ll make them believe it,” Yeonjun replies, clutching onto Soobin even tighter. “We’re here. Let’s go.”
The restaurant is fancy, as is expected from someone like Yeonjun. It’s also surprisingly small, giving it a cozy feel for a place that Soobin suspects is Michelin-starred. Soobin lets Yeonjun do all the talking, and they get seated at a table right near the windows. The view of the city below is admittedly spectacular. It’s a good date spot, and Soobin can begrudgingly give Yeonjun that one.
He stares blankly at the menu. He has no idea what to order. It’s French food, which he has limited experience with. It seems like Yeonjun has been to this place several times, though, because he starts talking about which dishes are his favorite and why. He even pulls out his phone to show Soobin pictures.
A man and a woman are seated a few tables away as the waiter takes their orders. Soobin has gone with whatever Yeonjun recommended to him, and he absolutely butchers the pronunciation to the point where he has to repeat it several times to get the message across. It makes Yeonjun giggle.
The man has his back to Soobin, but it feels familiar, for some reason. Then, Yeonjun nudges his leg under the table. Soobin waits for him to speak, but he doesn’t. There’s a playful expression on his face. Hesitantly, Soobin nudges him back with his shoe.
Yeonjun nudges him again. Are they seriously playing footsie under the table? Yeonjun is very clearly trying not to laugh, and no one says anything until Soobin manages to pin Yeonjun’s foot down with his own.
Yeonjun lifts the tablecloth to look under. “Holy shit, Soobin. What are you keeping in there!?”
“Keeping in where?” Soobin asks, baffled.
“You know what I’m talking about. Goddamn, it looks like there’s a baguette in there. I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“Hyung,” Soobin hisses. “You really need to clarify, or this couple is going to think we’re freaks.”
“What– oh. Oh, shit. I meant your shoe. That is the biggest Oxford I have ever seen in my life.”
Soobin puts his head in his hands. Yeonjun is shameless. The waiter arrives with appetizers, and Soobin eyes the tiny piece of bread with some sort of fancy topping on it disappointedly. It’s exactly the kind of serving size he would expect from a restaurant like this. He wolfs the entire thing down in one bite.
He then watches as Yeonjun cuts his tiny piece of bread into agonizingly small bites, eating with dainty little mouthfuls. If he keeps going like this, it’ll be the longest meal of Soobin’s life. Yeonjun delicately taps the napkin around his mouth, even though he’s spotless. Soobin’s mother was harsh about manners, but this is another level. If it wasn’t for the game of footsie earlier, Soobin would assume he was dining with royalty.
The entrée is similarly… tiny. Soobin finishes in less than ten minutes, even though he was taking his time to try to savor what was probably a very expensive dish. The food is delicious– Yeonjun’s recommendation was some sort of steak filet, perfectly cooked with a green sauce Soobin couldn’t possibly name. Once it’s gone, Soobin has nothing to do but watch Yeonjun eat.
Twenty minutes later, Soobin is about to ask if this is some sort of joke. He’s never seen anyone take so long to eat a dish smaller than Soobin’s phone. Yeonjun looks poised the entire time, even when he takes sips of white wine from the glass in front of him.
Soobin wants to talk, to at least ask Yeonjun some questions, but he doesn’t want to slow this process down any more than it’s already going. He occupies himself by staring out the window, and then looking around the restaurant.
He squints at the couple sitting not far from them. He’d seen them come in earlier, but the woman– when she stands up to go to the bathroom, she’s incredibly tall for a woman. Her dress is clearly intended to be floor-length, but it only goes down to her shins. Her shiny bob bounces as she walks away, some sort of gaudy hair clip fixing it in place.
Soobin stares at the man now. He can’t see much more than his back, but Soobin feels like he recognizes him from somewhere. The restaurant is fairly exclusive, so maybe this is someone he’s seen at other galas or events from his childhood. He’s well-dressed, but the tweed jacket feels too familiar. Soobin’s seen it somewhere.
Yeonjun notices Soobin staring over his shoulder and turns around right as the woman returns from the bathroom. They both have the same realization at the same time.
“Choi Beomgyu,” Yeonjun snarls. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?”
“Who– are you talking to me?” Beomgyu is clearly trying to feign some sort of high-pitched voice, but it’s not working all that well. Now that Soobin knows it’s him, he can’t believe he didn’t recognize him earlier.
“Yes, you, dumbass. Why are you here!?”
“Baby, I think it’s time to leave,” Beomgyu says to the man at the table, voice still high-pitched. “Tell the waiter to put it our tab. I’m going to be late to my nail appointment! Chop chop!”
The man stands. It’s Kai. Soobin’s head makes an audible thunk against the nearby window.
“Was that Huening Kai?” Yeonjun asks curiously.
“Yes,” Soobin answers, mortification coursing through his veins. “I don’t know how he got bribed into doing this, or–“
“Beomgyu. Full stop. Trust me, the answer is Beomgyu. He couldn’t be less nosy even if he had it surgically removed from his face.”
That surprises a laugh out of Soobin, and Yeonjun seems to relax a little. “Sorry about that,” he says. “I swear he has good intentions.”
“That’s okay, he dragged my best friend into it too. Equally as guilty.” Soobin shrugs. “I’m just surprised Beomgyu looks that good in a dress.”
Yeonjun laughs, too. Now there’s chatter interspersed through the meal, and Soobin can’t find it in himself to be annoyed that it’s taking Yeonjun even longer to eat. He’s an incredibly interesting and witty person, far from his polished social media persona. He swears, and cracks jokes with double entendres that make Soobin’s face red. He’s also clumsy, despite the appearance of elegance. His fork drops to the ground during a particularly animated telling of a story from his and Beomgyu’s childhood, and his face falls.
“Ah. I’ll have to ask for another one.”
“I’ll get you one,” Soobin says.
“No, no, I can do it.”
“It’s not a problem, I’m already done eating.”
Yeonjun tilts his head, and then reaches over and grabs Soobin’s fork. As in the fork that he finished eating off of half an hour ago. The one that was most definitely in his mouth. Yeonjun shrugs and then continues to eat his meal with Soobin’s fork.
Soobin feels like his face is pinker than the steak he’d eaten earlier. Yeonjun is so brazen, so bold, doesn’t care what people think about him outside of a few close friends and family. It seems like he has no idea the effect he has on Soobin, either.
“Can I try your wine?” He asks. “I thought about getting the merlot, but in the end the pinot just sounded better with the entrée.”
“Of course,” Soobin says, without thinking. He offers his wine glass to Yeonjun, who brings it to his lips and takes a sip. He makes a face like he’s evaluating the flavor for a second.
“Hmm. That’s good, but I still think the pinot is better. Here, try.”
Soobin’s hands are shaking, and he hopes that Yeonjun doesn’t notice as he takes the glass. He takes a sip, but he can’t concentrate on anything other than the fact that his mouth is right where Yeonjun’s had been. It’s juvenile, a stupid thing to be thinking about, but he can hardly even remember the last time he’d been on a date with someone that he’d actually liked.
“Good, right?”
“Yeah, it’s nice,” Soobin lies. He has no idea what it even tasted like. He’s too busy watching Yeonjun’s little pout as he chews. His lips are so plump and pink. Soobin thinks that maybe the second glass of wine is getting to him.
Finally, finally, Yeonjun finishes eating. The waiter immediately whisks their plates away, and brings out the specialty seasonal dessert. It’s some sort of pudding cake. There’s only one cake, and two spoons.
“Ooh, I’ve never tried this before,” Yeonjun says excitedly. “I love date cakes.”
Date as in the fruit, or the fact that they’re together sharing a cake? Soobin is confused, but decides that the question is just going to make him sound stupid. He puts his spoon into the cake, digging out a bite, and then eats it.
It doesn’t taste like fruit, but it is good. Yeonjun’s entire face lights up when he takes his bite. “Yum! Oh, that is delicious.”
Soobin decides that he could be happy sitting here and watching Yeonjun eat this cake for the rest of the afternoon. He’s so expressive, so animated, so full of energy. It’s a total contrast to Soobin. He feels like he’s meandering, a passenger in his own life story. He went to that charity event because his mother made him. He got this date because his friends made him. He wore this outfit because his friends chose it.
“What’s the matter?” Yeonjun asks. “Do you not like it?”
“No, no, it’s good,” Soobin answers quickly. “Not too sweet.”
“Right? And I love the raspberry drizzle, yum…”
Yeonjun goes back to talking and eating, and Soobin is content. He takes a few more small pieces, and leaves the rest for Yeonjun. It’s delicious, but Yeonjun loves it more. Soobin lets him have it.
Finally, they get ready to leave. It seems that the Choi family really does have a running tab here, because they exit without speaking to the waiter. Yeonjun waves to the woman who’d seated them on the way out, and she bows deeply. Yeonjun is popular here, it seems.
Now, they’re back in the hotel. The elevator ride feels short with Yeonjun holding onto his arm, warm and softened by the wine. His grip is slack, but he’s leaning comfortably against Soobin’s shoulder.
They’re about to walk out of the elevator when Soobin’s stomach growls.
Yeonjun’s head shoots up, his eyes wide. Then, he starts laughing. Soobin can feel his face flushing, not just from the alcohol. “Sorry,” he says.
“No, no, I should’ve known. Beomgyu told me you ate all of your food at the Christmas party and half of his. Hey, you know, there’s a street market not far from here.”
Soobin pauses. “You just took me to a French restaurant, and now you want to go to a street market?”
“You’re still hungry,” Yeonjun replies. “What kind of date would I be if I let you go home hungry?”
This is technically Yeonjun’s date. Yeonjun is in charge, so they walk to the street market. He’s messaging someone, thumbs flying over the screen, all the while trusting Soobin to guide him over the pavement. He doesn’t unlink their arms, not even to get his phone back inside his inner coat pocket.
“Beomgyu,” he explains. “I’m reaming him out when I get home.”
“I heard teachers scold him in school. I’m not sure there’s a single thing you could say to him to get that man to feel an ounce of shame.” Soobin grimaces at the memories.
“It’s the thought that counts,” Yeonjun says lightly. “What are you going to eat?”
“Tteokbokki, probably,” Soobin answers. They’re on the outskirts of the market, and he can already smell the food. His stomach growls more insistently this time. Yeonjun giggles and pats the front of his coat.
Soobin is ready to pull his wallet out and eat from the first tteokbokki stall he sees, but Yeonjun is much more choosy. He practically herds Soobin around the entire market before settling on a stall. The old woman running it smiles at the sight of them. “What can I get for you two?”
“Just one tteokbokki,” Soobin says. “With fish cakes. Thank you.”
She nods, spooning out a hearty serving into a little cardboard serving dish and handing Soobin a pair of disposable chopsticks. He’s about to reach for his wallet when Yeonjun beats him to it. He hands the woman a crisp 50,000 won note and doesn’t even ask for change.
There’s a little park, too, so they walk around there while Soobin eats. They could sit on one of the concrete benches, but Yeonjun seems restless. Soobin is content to follow while Yeonjun leads him around by his scarf.
“You look really handsome, by the way,” he says suddenly. “I wanted to tell you earlier, but you seemed like you wanted to get out of public view.”
Soobin nearly chokes on a fish cake. “Me? Hyung, you’re like, the most beautiful man of our generation, or whatever.”
Yeonjun waves his hand. He’s not wearing gloves, and it gets dark so early now that it’s getting cold fast. Soobin can see that his knuckles are red from the chill. “That’s all made-up bullshit.”
“Right.” Soobin busies himself with his tteokbokki before he can say something un-dignifying like I think you’re the prettiest man in the world or you could walk me around like this forever and I’d still follow you.
“I’m really glad it ended up being you,” Yeonjun says. He’s not looking Soobin in the eye, but he sounds earnest. “I– you know. A girl is nice, or whatever, but I’m not– they’re not for me. This was a lot more fun.”
Soobin swallows the last bite of tteokbokki, but still finds himself speechless. He’d never considered himself very good company to anyone except Taehyun and Kai, but Yeonjun liked spending time with him regardless. The thought doesn’t really register in his brain properly, like trying to jam a bill into a coin slot. Soobin’s brain isn’t built to comprehend people like Yeonjun.
They’re not that different, in actuality, both children of wealthy families born into a world of privilege that most can’t even dream of, but there’s still hierarchy there. Soobin’s name doesn’t appear on lists of eligible bachelors anywhere. He doesn’t have a rabid following on social media, or orange hair that should be ugly on anyone else but just makes Yeonjun more striking. Soobin doesn’t know what Yeonjun is trying to say, or how to respond.
“You’re just– easy to be around. I don’t feel like I have to keep up appearances,” Yeonjun continues. He’s looking at the ground now instead of where he’s walking, and Soobin has to grab his arm to stop him so that he can toss his empty tteokbokki container in a trash can without Yeonjun leaving him in the dust. Yeonjun seems startled by the sudden contact, and looks up.
“Hyung,” Soobin says slowly. “I…”
“You have something,” Yeonjun interrupts. “Here.” He points to his own mouth, near the corner. Soobin licks his lips, but apparently he fails because Yeonjun points more insistently. Soobin tries again.
Yeonjun pulls him until they’re standing chest to chest, and suddenly Soobin forgets what he was doing. Yeonjun looks up at him through his lashes, and Soobin feels like he’s been Tasered. He can’t move. He’s helpless to resist Yeonjun, who leans up shyly and places a quick peck on his lips.
“There. Gone now. Oh– wow, that’s spicy.”
The tension is gone, dissipating like the clouds of their breath on the winter air. Soobin laughs at Yeonjun’s crinkled-up face, putting his hands on Yeonjun’s waist. Yeonjun is shivering, the cold setting in properly now, and Soobin can feel him trembling through his coat. He carefully unwraps the scarf from around his neck. When he tucks it around Yeonjun, the older man just stares up at him with wide eyes. Soobin’s hands drop back to his sides.
“Ah,” Yeonjun says softly. “You’re so nice, Soobin. You’re going to make me start thinking stupid things.”
“Like what?”
“Like… you’re here because you want to be, and not because my terrible brother made you put your hand up at that Christmas party.” Yeonjun is looking down again, and Soobin can’t read his expression. It seems like he’s hiding something behind his eyes, which isn’t natural for him. Soobin likes how expressive he is.
“I am,” Soobin says. “I do want to be here. Well, not here, really, but I just– I want to be with you. I didn’t go into this expecting anything, but you’re… you. I don’t know. I’m bad at explaining how I feel.”
Yeonjun still isn’t looking at him, and Soobin takes a breath. For once, he’s going to make his own choice. Yeonjun has already made his feelings clear, and now it’s Soobin’s turn.
He tilts Yeonjun’s chin up with his hand, gentle, and when their lips meet again it’s soft. There’s not much to the kiss, but that’s all it needs to be. Yeonjun’s lips are cold. Soobin pulls him in by the waist, kissing him until they’re warm. Yeonjun slides his frigid hands into Soobin’s coat, and Soobin can’t even complain. Yeonjun is still kissing him. Soobin couldn’t imagine complaining while Yeonjun is kissing him.
It seems Yeonjun has no such reservations, because when he pulls away his face is crinkled up again. “Spicy!”
Soobin muffles his giggles into Yeonjun’s hair. Yeonjun snuggles into his neck, enjoying the warmth. They stand like that until Soobin spots someone walking past at a leisurely pace. He taps Yeonjun’s shoulder.
“Hey, hyung. No chance that looks like Kang Taehyun to you, right?”
Yeonjun pulls his face away from Soobin’s neck to squint. “Yep. Definitely Kang Taehyun.”
“Well, I’d yell at him, but actually I kind of feel like I should send him a thank-you card,” Soobin says. “Beomgyu, too. And Kai, for making sure I showed up to this date wearing pants.”
Yeonjun looks interested by that. “You’re telling me no pants was an option?”
“Well– no, but–“
“Because I’d be down for seeing you with no pants. Just saying.”
Soobin thinks about his bunny boxers and shudders. “Um, how about tomorrow?”
“Oh, not putting out on the first date, I see,” Yeonjun says, wiggling his eyebrows. “Well, I could do tomorrow. It’s Christmas, but you know– ho ho ho, and all that.”
Soobin laughs until there’s nothing but squeaks coming out. Yeonjun looks endeared by it, standing in front of him with a smile tilting his mouth. Soobin finally manages to get a breath in, and Yeonjun takes his hands. “So… I will see you again, right?”
“Yeah, of course,” Soobin says. “Is it gonna cost me two billion won again next time? ‘Cause I can do that, I just might have to–“
“Nah.” Yeonjun waves his hand. “Children’s cancer research is very important, but I can think of something else I’d much rather be studying tomorrow.”
“Hyung,” Soobin whines.
“Hmm?” Yeonjun says innocently. “What, I was just going to say that studying neuroscience is also very important. The brain is an incredibly complex organ, and– no. I’m lying. I wanna study you with no pants.”
Soobin hides his embarrassment behind his hands, but Yeonjun pulls at them again until he can see Soobin’s face. “I know you don’t put out on the first date, but can I get one more good-night kiss before you go?”
Soobin nods. Instead of French food and tteokbokki, Soobin feels like he’s spent the whole evening swallowing live butterflies.
“Better than the dessert you thought you were bidding on?” Yeonjun asks, smirking.
“The best,” Soobin admits. “I hope they write a K-drama about this someday. You’re the perfect lead.”
“I think you’re much more main-character material,” Yeonjun replies. “Merry Christmas, Soobin.”
Soobin smiles. “Merry Christmas.”
“See you tomorrow, no pants?”
“Yeah. Ho ho ho, and all that.”