The next few weeks went over quite well for Woohyun. He got to see Sunggyu every other day at least. They hung out. They went to the movies, and sometimes ate out. Woohyun would invite him to his loft to hang out and sometimes he would cook something for the both of them. When they went to Sunggyu’s house they usually just lazed around, and sometimes played video games. Occasionally they hung out with Sunggyu’s housemate, Hoya, who was also teaching at the same school as Sunggyu.

Everything was going great. It looked like they were at the beginning of forming a lasting…friendship. But that was a problem for Woohyun. Sure he wanted to be friends with Sunggyu, but he also wanted something more. However, it didn’t seem like Sunggyu felt the same way. Woohyun really had no idea what Sunggyu thought of their relationship. Neither of them had mentioned the kiss.

Woohyun wanted to talk about it. He wanted to confess. But he was scared that Sunggyu didn’t feel the same way. He didn’t want to end up getting rejected, so he wanted to be sure of Sunggyu’s feelings first.

“Hyung…”

“Hm?” Sunggyu was busy flipping through the TV channels with a bored expression. It was an ordinary evening and the two were at Sunggyu’s house, on the couch.

“Are you ashamed of me?”

Sunggyu put the remote down and sighed. “Why are you even asking that?”

“It’s just...it still bothers me.” Woohyun murmured. “What you think of my job.”

“You don’t know what I think.”

“I do know!” Woohyun frowned. “At the bachelorette party…you talked to us as if…we shouldn’t be doing what we’re doing. Like it’s some shameful thing…that we should just quit and get respectable jobs.”

“I never said that.” Sunggyu sighed. “You’re the one who keeps talking about shame…are you sure its not you who thinks that?”

Woohyun pursed his lips and looked down. He didn’t say anything.

Sunggyu noticed the somber mood, and turned off the TV before turning to Woohyun.

“I’m sorry…if I made you think that way. I just…” He bit his lip, pausing for a moment. “I was really talking more to myself when I made that speech.”

“Huh?” Woohyun looked up.

Sunggyu leaned back on the couch, running a hand through his hair. “I just meant that I…when I saw you guys, or when I see my students…I just want to tell them that they shouldn’t waste their life doing something they don’t really want to be doing. I like teaching, but…it wasn’t my dream.”

Woohyun studied the older man’s face for a moment. “What was your dream?”

“I…wanted to do music.” Sunggyu smiled bitterly. Then he looked up and laughed uncomfortably. “But stuff happened, and I ended up being a teacher instead. I guess you could say teaching was my back up plan. But that’s what I mean…I…” Sunggyu sighed. “I settled…and I don’t want others to follow my example. They shouldn’t settle. No one should settle. Sometimes it feels like it’s a waste to even live, if you aren’t doing the thing you want to do most...”

Woohyun nodded, as his eyes fell on a guitar case across the room in the dusty corner. He turned to Sunggyu and smiled. “Well it’s not too late.”

“Huh?” Sunggyu watched as the younger walked across the room. Woohyun placed a hand over the black case that was coated in a thick layer of dust. He slowly opened it up to see a beautifully kept guitar. He gently pulled the guitar out and returned to the couch.

“Here.” He handed it to Sunggyu before plopping down on the couch beside him, crossing his legs. “Play something.”

“What?” Sunggyu blinked, looking from Woohyun to his guitar with an uneasiness. “I…” He bit his lip. “I can’t…it’s been so long and—.’

“It doesn’t matter. Just play anything.” Woohyun smiled encouragingly.

“No.” Sunggyu shook his head.

“Why are you living then?” Woohyun’s expression suddenly darkened.

Sunggyu looked up at him in shock. “W-What—?”

“You just said it’s pointless to live if you can’t do the thing you want to do most…”

Sunggyu leaned the guitar against the wall behind him and sighed, before turning to Woohyun. “You…are you happy being a stripper? Was that your dream?”

“Of course not.” Woohyun snorted. “What child’s dream is to be a stripper?”

“But, are you happy?” Sunggyu reiterated.

“No.” Woohyun answered calmly. “And honestly…I don’t think I ever will be.”

Sunggyu frowned. “Then why are you still living?”

Woohyun had that familiar twinkle in his eye. “Because I get to see hyung every day.”

“I’m serious.” Sunggyu ignored the attempted grease. “You keep talking about shame and accusing me of putting your job down. But aren’t you the one who thinks even less of it?”

“So? It’s my job. I’m allowed to think whatever I want about it.” Woohyun retorted. “No one else is, since they don’t know anything.”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.” Sunggyu nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine…” Woohyun shrugged. “I know it’s a crappy job. But hey it pays the bills.”

“Really?” Sunggyu frowned. “Like how much?”

“Well it depends…” Woohyun tilted his head thoughtfully. “There’s birthdays, and bachelorette parties, but for some reason, men seem to pay the most.”

Sunggyu choked on air. “W-What? Men?!”

“Yeah.” Woohyun shrugged. “You know, like a man’s birthday party or—.”

“Why would they invite you?” Sunggyu blinked. “What about girl strippers?”

Woohyun grinned. “They’re not interested in girl strippers.”

Sunggyu froze for a moment, attempting to register what had just been said. “Oh…” He never really thought about Woohyun’s job much. He figured Woohyun entertained a lot of women, but…the idea that men were also…he bit his lip. He didn’t know why he was feeling so uncomfortable with the fact that men were…

“W-What do they do?” He suddenly asked.

“Huh?”

“D-Do they…I mean what do you do for them?” Sunggyu felt extremely embarrassed and regretted even asking such a question.

“Why? Do you want to know?” Woohyun joked.

“N-No!” Sunggyu blurted out. “I-I just wanted to know why men would even like you!”

Woohyun frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean I can understand that other kid, Myungsoo. Even from a man’s point of view he’s good looking, but why you?”

Woohyun stared at him and then looked down, unable to say anything. “You…” He shook his head. “You’re really mean sometimes…” He muttered.

 “I-I didn’t mean it like that…I just…” Sunggyu winced. He was never really good with expressing himself with words. “I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s getting late.” Woohyun refused to meet his eyes. He was obviously still pissed and Sunggyu knew he had to do something. He hastily made a grab for Woohyun’s wrist stopping him from getting up.

“W-Wait…” Sunggyu murmured.

Woohyun frowned. “Why should I?”

“I…” Sunggyu turned and grabbed the guitar from behind. Woohyun watched quietly, as Sunggyu’s shaky fingers brushed the strings. His lips parted slightly. Woohyun could hardly hear him as he was almost whispering out lyrics to a song.

But it didn’t even matter what he was singing, because he had the most blissful look. Woohyun had never seen him so…so passionate. Sunggyu’s forehead was creased, and his eyes were closed, as he strummed slowly.

Woohyun didn’t even realize how captivated he was, until Sunggyu stopped, hesitantly opening his eyes, gaze cast downwards. Then he looked up and laughed awkwardly.

“Yah, what’s wrong?” He blinked, when he realized Woohyun was silently staring at him, almost in a daze.

“B-Beautiful…” Woohyun murmured.

“Hm?” Sunggyu leaned forward. “What?”

Woohyun unconsciously cowered back, head down. He didn’t say anything and merely shook his head.

“Was it that bad?” Sunggyu joked.

“No!” Woohyun looked up. “It wasn’t! I just…it was…”

Sunggyu smiled slightly. “Thanks.”

“For what?” Woohyun blinked.

Sunggyu returned the guitar to leaning against the wall before turning to face Woohyun. He leaned closer and wrapped his arms around the younger man’s neck.

“W-What are you doing?” Woohyun mumbled quietly into the seam of Sunggyu’s t-shirt.

“Because of you…I picked up a guitar for the first time in a whole year.” Sunggyu spoke softly, his voice flickering like a little light in Woohyun’s ear. “Thank you.”

$$

After that, Woohyun would come over every afternoon after Sunggyu’s work and before his own started. Sunggyu would play a few chords, or sing a few verses, and eventually it turned into entire songs. Without knowing it, that was the part of the day they both looked forward to the most.

$$

Sunggyu yawned sleepily as he strolled into the kitchen one morning. Hoya was already up and was pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“Morning.” Sunggyu mumbled.

“Oh you’re up hyung.” Hoya greeted. “Weren’t you up late last night?”

“Ah, yeah…” Sunggyu sighed. “Woohyun couldn’t come over yesterday, so he kept demanding I sing songs to him through the phone before he went to work last night.”

Hoya snorted. “Should I be expecting my wedding invitation in the mail, or…?”

Sunggyu rolled his eyes as he grabbed the milk carton from the fridge.

“I can see it now…Dating a stripper: The Kim Sunggyu story.” Hoya waved a hand in front of him.

“Shut up.” Sunggyu sighed as he placed the milk carton beside his mug, and reached for the coffee. “We’re not dating.”

“You sure about that?” Hoya leaned against the counter, taking a sip from his purple mug. “Because Woohyun seems to think so.”

“What?” Sunggyu turned to him, furrowing his brows. “No he doesn’t.”

Hoya shrugged.

“…Does he?”

$$

Sunggyu sighed, resting his head on his desk with a mopey look. He kept thinking about what Hoya had told him that morning.

Because Woohyun seems to think so.

Sunggyu wondered if that was really true. He hadn’t really seen any signs that would show they were dating. It’s not like they ever held hands or went on dates. But then he remembered when Woohyun kissed him. He also said something about not wanting friendship…

Sunggyu suddenly shot up in his chair. It was so obvious. He felt like a total idiot for not realizing it earlier. Woohyun totally wanted him.

“Oh this is not good…” He shook his head. He cursed himself for being so damn irresistible and unintentionally giving people the wrong signals. “He probably thinks we’re dating…” He decided he would put a stop to it that night. It would be easy. He would sit Woohyun down and calmly explain to him that he only saw him as a friend. A friend with a really hot body. A really cute friend with a really hot—ok, maybe this wasn’t going to be so easy.

Suddenly a book went flying and hit Sunggyu in the side of the head, snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned to the book thrower, across the room, a male student, and shot him a glare.

“Yah…you—.”

“Ssaem, are you ok?” A female student in the front row asked with a concerned look.

“I’m fine! And even if I wasn’t, there was absolutely no need to throw a damn book at my head!” Sunggyu growled. “What would that have accomplished? Do you kids want to kill your teacher?!”

“If that’ll allow us to leave class sooner,” The book thrower shrugged. “Then sure.”

$$

 “Ah Woohyun…” Hoya opened the door, allowing the older male to step in the house.

“Hey. Where’s Gyu hyung?” Woohyun asked as he made himself comfortable on the couch.

“He’s still at work because some kids in his class misbehaved and he made them stay after school as punishment.”

“Oh.” Woohyun nodded, and then smirked as he thought of Sunggyu in his teacher glasses, and his tie, with that strict look on his face, disciplining. There may or may not have been a wooden stick in his fantasy. “I wish I could have been there.” He muttered.

“What?” Hoya made a face.

“Nothing.” Woohyun shrugged, averting his gaze and folding his hands in his lap.

Hoya could only sigh. “Sunggyu hyung is so stupid…” He thought. “This guy is obviously in deep…oh well I guess I’ll throw him a bone and give him some great advice.”

He plopped down on the sofa, beside Woohyun. “You like Sunggyu hyung, right?”

“W-What?” Woohyun looked up in a flustered manner, face red. “T-That’s…”

“Quit it with the dumb act.” Hoya sighed. “I don’t have time for it. I already know you’re hot for teacher.” He smirked at his own joke, however Woohyun didn’t seem to share his amusement. He cleared his throat, trying not to be bitter about that.

“How…how do I get him to like me?” Woohyun asked, somewhat nervously. “Like to…want me?”

“Ok, well…” Hoya sighed. “Sunggyu hyung is…well he’s really erted.”

Woohyun frowned. “Really? He doesn’t seem like it.”

“Yeah, that’s his thing. He seems all cute and stuff. But in reality, he’s hoarding the mother load when it comes to . Everything you can think of. He’s seen it. Stuff you wouldn’t even imagine.”

“Mm…I don’t know.” Woohyun still seemed skeptical.

“The guy’s dream was to own the playboy mansion!” Hoya exclaimed. Sure, he may have been exaggerating about that, but he was trying to make a point. “So, this is all you need to do.”

$$

The next day…it was a casual evening for Sunggyu, who was lounging around at home, watching television in the living room. When there was a knock at the front door. Sunggyu waited to see if Hoya would answer it, but he was out of luck. He got up and headed to the door. When he opened it…there was a huge fluffy pink bunny standing there with its arms held out.

“Gyu hyung—!”

Immediately Sunggyu tried to shut the door, when Hoya came out from his room.

“Hyung?” Hoya approached him. “What’s going on?”

“T-There’s a monster outside!” Sunggyu shrieked and hid behind Hoya.

“A monster?” Hoya reached over and opened the door slightly. When he saw the bunny, he couldn’t help but sigh in annoyance. “Woohyun, you idiot.”

Woohyun took off the head part of the bunny costume to reveal a sweaty headed, pouting face.

“What? I did what you said. You said dress like a bunny!”

“I didn’t mean that kind of bunny!” Hoya groaned. “Didn’t you hear me say playboy? What kind of stripper are you?”

“I’m a stripper not a ert!”

Sunggyu had managed to tune out both of them. He was far too busy being concerned with how to tell Woohyun he just wanted to be friends. He didn’t expect to see him so soon, and didn’t have what he was going to say prepared.

He glanced at Woohyun at the exact moment, the younger was attempting to take off the fluffy bunny suit. He was reaching behind him for the zipper, but his arm wouldn’t reach it. Sunggyu couldn’t help but think it was adorable how Woohyun was struggling with his short bunny arms.

“You need some help?” He turned Woohyun around and gripped onto the zipper.

“Ah, thanks.” Woohyun replied.

As soon as he pulled the zipper down, he got a full view of Woohyun’s .

“Yah, are you under here?!” Sunggyu gasped. Hoya took that as his queue to leave and stealthily snuck past Woohyun out the front door.

“I had no choice!” Woohyun exclaimed. “It’s so hot in here. I’d die if I wore clothes…besides its not like I’m wearing nothing. I’m still wearing underwear.”

“Oh well thank god for that.” Sunggyu rolled his eyes. He froze when he noticed Woohyun peeling off the suit. “Wait, why are you taking it off right here?”

“It’s hot.” Woohyun complained. “I don’t want to wear it anymore.”

“So, what? You’re just going to walk home in your underwear?!” Sunggyu stared at him, flabbergasted, while secretly imagining what that would look like.

Woohyun grinned. “Actually I thought that maybe you’d let me borrow some clothes?”

“Oh…right.” Sunggyu cleared his throat.

$$

“I have some shirts and—.” Sunggyu paused in the doorway of his closet because of the view before him: Woohyun in nothing but his black boxer briefs sprawled out on his bed.

“Why does he have to look so damn good?” Sunggyu bit his lip in frustration. “Damn stripper.”

“Hm?” Woohyun sat up. “Oh, thanks.” He tilted his head, when he noticed Sunggyu seemingly frozen in place. “Are you ok?”

“W-Why are you lying on my bed, when you’re all sweaty?” Sunggyu shoved the clothes toward him, and averted his eyes.

“Ah sorry.” Woohyun quickly hopped off the bed and rubbed his neck. “Man I really should go home and shower.”

“You’re leaving already?” Sunggyu pouted.

“Yeah, I have to work a party tonight.” Woohyun grinned. “And I’m being paid well for this one~”

“Paid well?” Sunggyu remembered Woohyun saying something about men paying more money for his services. He gasped and before he could stop himself, he grabbed onto Woohyun’s arm. “W-Wait!”

“Hm? “Woohyun turned. “What’s wrong?”

“I-Is it a…will there be men there?” He asked quietly, a serious look on his face.

Suddenly Woohyun burst out laughing. “Why? You want to come?”

Sunggyu frowned. If Woohyun really thought they were dating…if he really liked Sunggyu, then why was he perfectly ok dancing and stripping for other men?

“D-Don’t you even care about my feelings?!” Sunggyu accidentally blurted out.

“Mm, but…” Woohyun absently rubbed the back of his head, looking away. “I don’t… really know what those are.” He looked up at Sunggyu. “You—.”

“My feelings are…” Sunggyu hesitantly moved forward, cupping Woohyun’s cheek. “I-I don’t even know anymore…” He muttered. “Aish, screw it.” He gave in and kissed Woohyun softly on the lips. “There!” He announced, hastily pulling away. “Those are my feelings ok?!”

Woohyun stared at him for a moment, before his lips curved into a smile.

“Hyung…” Woohyun’s eyes were sparkling. “Does this mean you like me?”

“No, I kissed you because I hate you.” Sunggyu snorted.

Woohyun pouted. “You should learn to be nicer to your boyfriend and future husband.”

Sunggyu turned to him with an are-you-kidding-me look. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t think that just because I’m a stripper I’ll let you treat me badly.” Woohyun claimed. “I’m very high maintenance, you know?”

That made Sunggyu chuckle. He frowned however, when he noticed Woohyun pulling on the sweat pants that Sunggyu had lent him.

“What’re you doing?”

“I already told you.” Woohyun shrugged on Sunggyu’s baggy t-shirt. “I have a job to—.”

“B-But I just told you that I liked you!” Sunggyu pouted.

“I know.” Woohyun grinned. “And it was great.”

“Yah! You’re seriously going to go strip for other men, while I just sit here and—?”

“I gotta make money hyung.” Woohyun chuckled, obviously amused.

“I don’t like it.” Sunggyu frowned.

“Don’t worry~” Woohyun cooed, wrapping his arms around Sunggyu’s waist. He looked up at Sunggyu with an aegyo filled smile. “Gyu is the only one in my heart—”

“Get out!”

-----

I've already finished writing this, and sorry no lol. But thanks for your suggestions. I'm sure Gyu appreciated them the most^^

The story about the stripper is the one with no . Who would have thought? One more chapter to go~