Title: Familiar Face

Pairing: Hyuken

Word Count: 822

Jaehwan frowned slightly as he walked down the street. It amazed him how much the town had changed while he was away. Sure, he’d been away for five years, but so much had changed in that time……..

He didn’t think that he was going to come home to this. This……this didn’t feel like home anymore.

“I wonder,” Jaehwan asked, “if the flower shop is still around.”

The flower shop had been a constant in Jaehwan’s life. He remembered stopping by the shop every day after school so he could hang out with the owner’s son. Their families had been friends for ages, so it was only natural that they would hang out as well regardless of the between them. Even though Sanghyuk had been a few years older than him, he’d always treated Jaehwan as an equal and never made him feel like a dumb little kid or an unwanted tag along.

It was only natural that Jaehwan would develop feelings for the older boy. But he’d never told Sanghyuk, never told anyone. He’d wanted to once, but then Sanghyuk had introduced him to his boyfriend Wonsik and Jaehwan…….he just couldn’t tell him after that. Wonsik was the same age as Sanghyuk and they shared similar interests. Wonsik was cool and mature and so nice that Jaehwan couldn’t help but like him even though seeing Wonsik kiss Sanghyuk broke his heart.

“Hello,” a voice pulled Jaehwan from his thoughts and he found that he had made it to the flower shop.

“Um,” Jaehwan turned to face the owner of the voice, “hi. I…….Sanghyuk?” his eyes widened as he stared at Sanghyuk.

“Jaehwan?” the older man laughed, “oh my god, it’s really you! Your mother said you’d come back. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Y-yeah,” Jaehwan nodded, “I just arrived home yesterday. I…….I almost didn’t recognize you either. You’ve gotten older.”

“Hush,” Sanghyuk rolled his eyes, “I’ve gotten older? What about you, brat? You’ve changed even more than me. You used to be a cute eighteen year old. Now…..now you’re twenty three.” Sanghyuk paused, “wow. Twenty three. Crap, that makes me feel old.”

“You aren’t old,” Jaehwan told him, “you only just turned thirty, right? That isn’t old at all.”

“It’s thirty,” Sanghyuk deadpanned.

“W-well,” Jaehwan tried to think of something to say.

“Why don’t you come inside,” Sanghyuk said, quickly finishing watering the flowers sitting out front, “we can catch up. You’ve missed a lot.”

“Ok,” Jaehwan nodded, following the elder inside.

They talked for hours about all kinds of things. Jaehwan’s college life. Sanghyuk taking over the flower shop. Local gossip. Eventually though, Jaehwan just had to ask about Sanghyuk’s love life. He knew that the answer would probably hurt him, but he had to know.

“How are you and Wonsik?” Jaehwan asked.

“Broke up a couple years ago,” Sanghyuk shrugged, “we decided that we made better friends then boyfriends.”

“I’m sorry,” Jaehwan said, “you two seemed to really like each other.”

“It’s all good,” Sanghyuk assured him, “it was ages ago and we really do make better friends. Besides, Wonsik is perfect with Hongbin.”

Jaehwan nodded, recalling Sanghyuk’s old friend Hongbin. Hongbin was really handsome and kind, but he could also be a bit of a devil’s spawn. Sanghyuk’s mother had often said that Hongbin and Sanghyuk were an unholy match as friends because they could both be such demons.

“So you’re single?” Jaehwan asked.

“Yep,” Sanghyuk nodded, “you?” Jaehwan nodded, “wait, really? You’re single? No way, you’re way too handsome to be single.”

“I am though,” Jaehwan insisted.

“No,” Sanghyuk shook his head, “I don’t buy it. Girls and guys have to be, like, falling over each other trying to get a date with you.”

“I have been asked out,” Jaehwan admitted, “but……I don’t really like anyone who’s asked.”

“Picky,” Sanghyuk teased.

“I already have someone I like,” Jaehwan said, covering his mouth in horror when he realized what he’d let slip.

“You do?” Sanghyuk questioned, looking Jaehwan over carefully, “huh. Is it someone I know?”

“Nope,” Jaehwan said, realizing too late that he’d answered far too quickly.

“So I do know them,” Sanghyuk grinned brightly, “I wonder……..is it…….someone in my grade? Hakyeon maybe? You always did like spending time with him.”

Hakyeon was another of Sanghyuk’s friends. He was a bit of an annoying mother hen, but his had a big heart and a warm smile that you couldn’t help but love. He and Jaehwan had similar personalities, both were loud and excitable, so they got along great.

“Not Hakyeon,” Jaehwan frowned.

“Then maybe Wonsik?” Sanghyuk tried again.

“No,” Jaehwan’s frown grew.

“Me then?”

“W-what?” Jaehwan gasped, “no. Nope. Not you. Defiantly not you.”

“So it is me,” Sanghyuk’s smirked.

“I-I,” Jaehwan struggled for words before finally giving up, “yes.”

“Then,” Sanghyuk said, “you won’t mind if I ask you out on a date, would you?”

Jaehwan’s blushing face was a good enough answer for Sanghyuk.

A/N: this is pretty cute if I do say so myself~~ it feels like it’s been a while since I wrote anything longer than a couple hundred words or less, so a word count over 800…….it feels nice!