remember

haneul laughed, surprised that joel actually might come along with him. “i’ll tell you if you give me your phone number.” he decided, the smoothness of the comment on slightly undermined by the fact that his eyes immediately dropped afterwards. he wasn’t very good at being forward even if he wasn’t exactly an introverted person. he looked back up when joel spoke again not expecting the response he gave. “you can’t go back to that?” he asked unable to tamp down his curiosity. it was sort of an invasive question but the change in joel’s entire demeanour practically screamed that he hadn’t left whatever it was that he was doing voluntarily. “that must be awful. i’m sorry.”

haneul wasn’t sure what to make of the momentary frown that had crossed joel’s face. but he chose to pretend not to notice it, not wanting to be too nosy. haneul laughed slightly at the other male. “that’s what i’ve been telling myself since i started.” he said. well that and eventually he’d be able to sleep. eventually. “can i just take you to my next advisor appointment?” he asked, half-seriously. he’d had this fight with his advisor pretty often, although fight wasn’t totally accurate. disagreement maybe. haneul looked down suddenly self-conscious when joel answered his question. “that’s okay. i’m sure you’ll be great at whatever you decide to do in the future.”

“ DON’T ‘ OH ’ ME, pretty boy –– ” kihyun grumbles whilst reaching over to attempt to shove at the younger’s shoulder but essentially finds his hand resting upon the familiar heat whilst fingers brush against the fabric that’s meant there. “ you’re allowed to touch, grab, bite my ass if you fucking want and you know i would bend over for a pretty face like you. ” kihyun drawls out the last sentence, smirk etching onto his pinked lips before knocking the rest of his drink back in one fatal sweep as the burn slowly coiled it’s way all the way down into his stomach. “ i think everyone here is lucky that i didn’t punch them in the face or there would be no more nights like these or until some unlucky chump has to bail me out, and i might be a hot fuckin’ dude but i feel a little bad, ” kihyun replies offhandedly before barking a laugh whilst putting his glass back onto the counter behind them, returning his attention back to the boy as even he was starting to get a little hazy –– drinking too fast on an empty stomach ? kihyun should’ve known better. ( kihyun didn’t really care. ) “ well, are you complaining ? ” kihyun grins around his words as his gaze starts to lower, chewing at his bottom lip at certain memories before glancing back up with a raised brow. “ you did. ” but suddenly kihyun’s leaning back against the bar top and joel’s kneeling in front of them with those fuckin’ eyes that makes kihyun groan outwardly, letting his head fall back before clenching his eyes shut. “ –– and what does a winner feel like, joel ? ” he murmurs before entangling his fingers through his companion’s hair.

haneul shook his head slightly in response. “there’s – there’s no need.” maybe he should say something but the only thing coming to mind was that if he really wanted to cool down joel should probably not be sitting with him. and even though he was out of practice he knew that was a tad too much cheese. “yeah i like helping people.” haneul said simply. even if his gift hadn’t been healing he really couldn’t see himself going into any other profession. “i certainly hope it won’t, i’d like to eventually make money once i’m out of medical school hell.” haneul said with a little laugh. “she’s just thinking i can do more as a doctor probably. but i don’t really plan on changing career paths now.” he took another bite of his cupcake. “what about you? do you go to school? or do you just work here and look pretty?” not totally the smoothest of transitions but haneul truly hadn’t bothered flirting with anyone since around high school.

of course he would notice. it was hard not to when haneul’s face was currently about three shades brighter than his hair. “i’m fine.” he said, only after clearing his throat. “it’s just hot in here.” it wasn’t really but he wasn’t sure if joel was going to call him on that or not.  (if whatever god was out there was feeling kind haneul wouldn’t suffer any further embarrassments today). he shook his head wordlessly when joel took a bit of his cupcake. haneul wondered if joel was purposely flirting or if it was just his imagination – either way he was really out of practice. he picked off a bit of the cupcake with his fork using the food in his mouth as an excuse to not say anything for a moment. “yeah. i’m studying nursing. although my advisor seems to think i should be studying to be a doctor since my gift lends itself well to the medical setting.”

“you know there is more to that saying, yah?” the nickname causes a slight grin to tick onto the corner of his lips, somewhat amused by it before he continues, “curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. i tend to like that version more, to be honest. “ whatever the other says, the last thing daehyun was taking it as was a threat. he had been threatened before – he knew what it felt like. the other was teasing but his words held no actual heat towards them. he can’t help but feel as though the other’s features are familiar though, and it’s odd that daehyun can’t quite comprehend or put a finger on why they are, but he also can’t find the want to try and bother with it for long. brow raising at the others words, he can’t help but snort a bit, “why would that SHOCK you? just because i’m supposedly ‘cute’ doesn’t mean i got people lining up the block to tell it to my face.”

at the mention of a date haneul could feel himself turning bright red (for a second time that day). “that’s o-okay.” he almost squeaked. he didn’t know why just mentioning a date had him so flustered, haneul had been on a few in his life time although he wasn’t sure if he should count the girls he’d taken on dates in high school when he was still confused about his sexuality. he took a sip of his coffee hoping the cool drink would help at least a little bit.and also because he’d rather not say anything else to embarrass himself now.

“ FUCK OFF, YOU know what i mean –– you’re too pretty to be like the rest of the creepy regulars we get, ” he murmurs while grinning around his words, fingers reaching over to shove at the damp material of the other’s shoulder before shaking his head. “ hey, i’m just saying that you’re always welcome to do more than grab my ass but those other creepy fucks ? they’re lucky i didn’t punch them in the face, tonight. ” kihyun downs probably half his drink before he takes the younger’s out of their grasp, not even mildly SURPRISED that they had finished it in one go before reaching over the bar to grab another cup, sliding it their way. “ you’re fucking young, jailbait –– god, it should be illegal to even look at you, ” he teases with a lick of his lips as he settles upon the younger’s side, supporting himself on his right arm while leaning next to joel with a quirk of his brows. “ and hey, i gave you a choice and you decided to work here to suck dick and dance. it’s not my fault i’m still a little worried but trust me, i feel like a winner. ” kihyun let’s out an amused laugh, shrugging in indifference between joel’s words before bumping shoes with him. “ then yeah, aren’t i the GENIUS ? ”

haneul looked up when joel returned with his order. “no, this is fine, thank you.” he waited for a second. “actually? do you mind just sitting here with me? unless you have something pressing to do at home of course.” haneul’s anxiety had shot through the roof thanks to the text to his advisor. and he knew it was probably a weird thing to ask of an employee who he only knew in passing. but haneul didn’t want to focus on his text and company would sufficiently distract him from dealing with the text until he had to the next day.

“ EXACTLY THE REASON i don’t need some creepy fucks touching it, you know ? unless they’re, you know, you and your magic fingers because i definitely don’t mind a few squeezes here and there from you –– ” kihyun clucks his tongue and chuckles, shaking his head before taking a long sip from his drink before settling it upon the bar top; kihyun taking a seat at a bar stool near the other boy whilst s t r e t c h i n g his limbs with a loud groan. “ you’re like … eighteen, fuck off. it’s the PRETTY face, i swear, ” kihyun grumbles, shooting the younger a pointed look before shrugging leisurely. “ yeah but that’s split between the bar, you, and me so don’t be jumping for joy just yet, pretty boy. i mean i’m pretty sure most people would let me FUCK them but you suck my dick, too so i guess you’re a winner. ” kihyun clucks his tongue once again, trying to muffle his laughter behind the rim of his glass before raising a brow in interest. “ fuck you –– i’ll take your damn compliment. i mean … whatever, drunk people are paying customers so i’ll TAKE it. and well, that ass is fucking tight so can you really blame if i like to see a little wiggle or two from you ? ”

“ best not make a habit of then huh ? definitely not an asshole, though. ” gyu counters back with a shrug. “ usually, anyway. ” he supposes he has a point but doesn’t choose to dwell on the fact. “ well no, there’s no one stopping you, but you’re just going to annoy the security guy. it doesn’t matter to me what you do or don’t do. ”

haneul nodded as joel walked away. while he was waiting for his food and coffee he pulled out his phone, deciding to text his advisor. ‘professor! i’m really sorry! i fell asleep is there any way we can meet tomorrow?’ he hit send before he could second guess himself and then almost immediately threw his phone back in his backpack like it was on fire. haneul really hated the whole apologizing and trying to reschedule conversation. so he told himself that he’d deal with it later.

“ best not make a habit of then huh ? definitely not an asshole, though. ” gyu counters back with a shrug. “ usually, anyway. ” he supposes he has a point but doesn’t choose to dwell on the fact. “ well no, there’s no one stopping you, but you’re just going to annoy the security guy. it doesn’t matter to me what you do or don’t do. ”

haneul knew that he should probably work on his reluctance to let others help him. it was just that he got too distracted trying not to make them feel bad. “nope just regular coffee is fine.” he responded. at the mention of sweets he perked up slightly. he had a little bit of a problem when it came to sweets – in that if someone offered him one he was more than likely going to take it. “a red velvet cupcake sounds delicious.” he said. he took hold of joel’s hand and gave it a firm shake.

KIHYUN SIMPLY SMIRKS and hums in reply, fingers making quick work to clean at the bar so that the younger can take a seat on the long platform –– and god, does kihyun love nights like these and with joel ? it’s considered ‘ friendly bonding ’ to say the least. “ yah –– ! my ass is precious goods three days a week and besides, they didn’t have magic fingers like you do, ” kihyun practically whines as he complains while handing the younger a drink, taking a long sip that’s practically well deserved after a night like tonight before settling it back onto the bar underneath joel. “ don’t PRETEND that you’re not a kid anymore but you just happen to be a good kid who makes us a little money. ” kihyun settles upon leaning against the bar top while his arm supports his frame, chuckling with a lopsided smile –– not particularly worried about the mess that’s spewed all over the building at this point. ( maybe even after a couple of drinks he could call gunner in to help clean. ) “ but i can’t even carry a TUNE, fucker. but when you put it that way … i guess i can just stand back and look pretty as long as you’re the one who’s wiggling that tight ass for everyone, you know ? ”