When You Come Around, It’s Like The Sun Is Out

 Doyoung was satisfied with his life. He had his nice, cozy apartment, a stable job and of course his sweet angel, Jeno. His friends were probably a good add to his life but he would never admit that.

However his life wasn’t always that simple, as cliché as it might sound. He worked hard and sacrificed a lot to make it to where he’s now. But he wouldn’t change a thing if you asked him. He wasn’t ashamed of neither what he went through nor wanted pity. Besides, things may have turned out different if anything was to change.

 

Things took a bad turn mostly when Doyoung’s father left them. His older sister started hanging out with the wrong people and slowly dropped out of school. A few years later their mother was diagnosed with cancer and her body became more and more weak with each passing day. On top of everything his sister got pregnant and as expected her “boyfriend” refused to take any responsibility. After many fights with their mother his sister run away to China leaving behind her son.

Yes, Jeno was actually Doyoung’s nephew. But he raised him as his own son. And he sometimes called him like that. He was still a teenager when he found himself taking care of his ill mother, raising a child, working and trying to do well in school.

He got used to that routine and he was happy since he did everything to help people that he loved. He would go to school, home, at work and home again. The next day he would do it all over again. He spent many hours of the day at home and that made him even more a homebody than he already was. Of course he had his friends who were always by his side and gave him courage when things got tough. Even though some of his friends went to study at different cities they never lost contact and they still supported each other.

Raising Jeno wasn’t as hard for the young boy as he had thought it would be at the beginning. At first, his mother would take care of him as she was still fine, making it easier for the teen to get used to the idea of a baby. Even so Doyoung always had motherly feels and was the “mother” of his group of friends. Thus he got very attached to the young boy.

Thankfully, Jeno wasn’t a bratty kid at all and he never gave Doyoung a tough time. He listened well at all times and even his sick mother could look after him. Jeno knew that Doyoung was his uncle and knew about his biological mother but he didn’t care. He considered only Doyoung and his grandmother his real and only family.

Unfortunately, when Doyoung was in university his mother passed away as her condition had worsened. Doyoung got very depressed after that but he realized that he had to be strong. At least for Jeno who was still at a tender age and was also very close with his grandmother.

Nevertheless he got through everything and now he felt complete. (At least that’s what he felt like).

He was a strategy manager for a company, allowing him to work from home and visit the headquarters only a few times each month. He liked the job, it was what he had studied and it provided him a decent salary to support himself and Jeno.

Speaking of Jeno, he had just started university leaving Doyoung alone for the first time in his life as he moved to a different town. It was hard at the begging but now after four months he got used to it. Of course he would call Jeno at least two times a day to make sure he’s alright until Ten, one of his closest friend scolded him for it,

(“Jeez Doyoung, let the kid breathe for a second!”

“Shut up Chittaphon! What do you know” Doyoung had told his friend irritated.

“I know because if my mother called me for like a hundred times a day I would get pretty angry”

“I want to make sure he’s fine. Is that so bad?”

“No, but you must let him be independent. He can take care of himself. Just let Jeno call you whenever he wants… He’ll call you don’t give me that face! You know he’s a good kid.”)

And indeed Jeno called him frequently and they would tell each other how their day had been, their news and of course Doyoung had to report to Jeno about his cats’ doings. Yes Doyoung had to raise Jeno’s three cats since he left. The young boy wanted to take them with him but Doyoung wouldn’t allow that. He was allergic to cats for God’s sake, what if something happened and he was alone?

~

“-ung! Hyung?”

“Yah wake up!”

Doyoung groggily opened his eyes due to all the shouts and banging on his door. Wait, what? There was someone at his door? And was that his Jeno’s angelic voice? (He totally ignored Ten’s irritating insults).

Doyoung quickly got out of bed, jumped a sleeping Bongsik and ran to unlock the door.

“Jenoooo!!!!! My baby~~!!” he engulfed the boy in a (very) tight hug rocking him back and forth.

“Uh hyung, I can’t breathe” Jeno managed to get out from where his face was squashed in Doyoung’s neck.

“Let the boy breathe” Doyoung heard Ten saying as he let Jeno and turned to see the Thai boy already seated at his living room. He gently pushed Jeno inside and closed the door behind him.

“Fist no one invited you in Chittaphon and second, Jeno what are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”  He looked confused at the black haired boy, his tone definitely different from when he was talking to his friend.

“I wanted to surprise you for this weekend but I forgot my keys.” Jeno smiled as he scratched the back of his head.

“Yeah and this idiot was worried that something might have happened to you since you wouldn’t pick up your phone and open the door despite my reassurance that you were probably sleeping like a log. By the way nice pajamas uncle Doyoung.”

Doyoung looked down to see that he was wearing his bunny printed pajamas that Taeyong had gifted him last Christmas. But then it hit him.

“Hey! Don’t ever call me uncle again!” yes Doyoung felt old if Jeno called him uncle for some reason and Ten, like the he is, took advantage of it.

“Don’t call me by my first name!” Ten screeched

“That your real name, Chittap-”

“Nalie!!!” Jeno’s voice interrupted their argument and they saw the boy kneeling down and petting his kitten.

“Jeno wash your hands well after and you know where your allergies medicine are.” Doyoung sighed making his way to the bedroom to change his clothes. He tried for years to make Jeno stop touching cats but realized his defeat when a young Jeno had come home with a small kitten in his hands, his nose runny and eyes red, asking if they could keep it.

 

After they had the breakfast that Doyoung had made and Ten left as he had work at his dance studio, Doyoung and Jeno were resting on the sofa.

“Hyung, I’m going meet up with Renjunie. Do you have any plans for today?”

“Uhm, I have some last emails to send but other than that I was going to stay in. Why are you asking?” Doyoung furrowed his eyes at Jeno. It wasn’t normal of him to ask something like that.

“C’mon, it’s Saturday! Don’t you have any plans? Like a date maybe~?”

“Lee Jeno! What are you talking about?” Doyoung got up to hide his flashed face. (Jeno had his grandmother’s surname but he had kept his father’s, Kim).

“What! You always stay at home. You never go out to meet new people! And aren’t you tired of this? Hyung, when was the last time you were in a relationship? Don’t you think it’s time to look after yourself? You’re still young…”

“Please Jeno I’m not having this conversation again.” Doyoung groaned. He was so fed up with this topic. His friends always tried to set him up on dates and make him go out more. And the last couple of years he had to listen to Jeno’s lecturing too.

“But why! What’s your excuse now? You don’t have to look after me since I’m young and all that stuff you used to say.” Okay that hurt.

“They weren’t excuses Jeno and you know it!” Doyoung pouted at the young boy.

“At first but now you don’t have to worry about me anymore-” Jeno looked at his buzzing phone and then back at his hyung. “Look, Renjun is waiting but I don’t want to leave you alone…”

“Jeno just go, I have stuff to do” Doyoung grabbed Jeno’s coat and ushered the boy to the door.

“Okay, see you later!”

“Bye!!! And by the way you left me alone the day you left for university.” Doyoung acted hurt to Jeno who was waiting for the elevator.

“Hyung!”

“Have fun!” Doyoung laughed and closed the door.

He smiled to himself as he went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Jeno cared so much about him. What a sweet dongsaeng.

After he was done with the dishes he tied up a bit the living room and picked up some papers and reports from the window sill where he usually sat to work.

That part of the house was probably his favorite. The wide ledge was low and allowed him to sit there for hours and just observe the passing people of the small alley.  He would usually take his laptop and work from there founding himself losing truck of time.

He grabbed his laptop and placed himself on the soft pillows. It had started raining a while ago and the small droplets were running down the window catching the black haired boy’s attention.

He was lost in his thoughts when he saw him.

Yes, the past months there was another reason why Doyoung liked to sit on the window sill so much.

He hadn’t seen him for a while. Perhaps he was away. He watched him through the rain-stained glass as he moved around-probably picking stuff up and then disappearing again.

Doyoung sighed as he looked away. This had to stop. It was getting ridiculous. Did he really have a crush on his neighbor?

Of course he had never seen him up close. But from his neighbor’s small window he could tell that he was young-around his age possibly. He had dark hair and lean body. Most of the residents of his neighborhood were elder people. That’s why Doyoung noticed the unknown man at first. But then he started to observe him more and more. It was like he became obsessed with him. For long periods of time he shut the blinds indicating that he wasn’t there. When Doyoung would see the blinds open again he would be suddenly in a good mood, making his friends question his sanity.

Doyoung shook his head and tried to focus on his work. Jeno would be back soon and he had to cook lunch.

~

There were always moments in life when one regrets his life choices. Now was one of them for Doyoung. Why did he agree to go out with his friends again? And before anyone judges him and says that he’s being inconsiderate, you should know that he’s being a third-no, a fifth wheel at two couples.

It was fine at the beginning. They had dinner at a nice restaurant, everyone was happy with the food and they had a common topic to talk about. But why did they have to continue their night out at a club. Doyoung not only hated the loud music, sweaty bodies and smoke, but he also really despised being with couples.

And now on his left (at least they were seated in a booth) there was Ten, heavily making out with his fiancé, Johnny. On his right Taeyong  looked pitifully at Doyoung and the situation he was in but wasn’t doing anything to push away his own boyfriend who was whispering god knows what in his ear and leaving hickeys on his neck.

He spared them another look before he angrily grabbed his drink and chugged it down in one go, placing it roughly back on the table.

“Whoa, what’s gotten into you Dons?” Ten finally pulled away from Johnny and had the audacity to ask.  

“What? WHAT you ask?! I’m still waiting for the “fun” that you said it’ll be!” the black haired man screamed (thanks to the loud music he was barely heard but whatever), not putting up with the whole situation anymore. “The only thing that’s been happening for the past hour is you” he pointed at Ten “and them being all gross and couple-ly!”

“It’s not our fault you’re single-”

“Johnny hyung, Jaehyunie, why don’t you go grab us some more drinks?” Taeyong batted his eyes lashes at his boyfriend cutting Ten off-Jaehyun obeying immediately getting the hint.

Now that they were the three of them, Taeyong turned his full attention on the younger and Ten was looking confusingly at him.

“Hyung, your drink is still full…”

“Yes Ten I know. But I thought that Doyoungie would be embarrassed if the others were here”

“Embarrassed of what?” Doyoung raised his eyebrows at Taeyong. He didn’t have a good feeling about where this was going. He’s friend had this particular glint in his big black eyes.

“Well, you know how we’ve always been saying that it’s about time to find someone-” “YOU say that! I never agre-” “AND I couldn’t help but notice that one man sitting at the bar-he keeps looking at your direction.” Taeyong smirked as his gaze turned to the bar where he was referring to prove his point.

Indeed there was a man-probably in his thirties-looking at them. In fact, Doyoung had also noticed him but he hoped that he was a ert who was looking at the couples making out on his sides. He felt quite uncomfortable and shifted in his seat while gazing at his lap to avoid the man’s eyes.

“Oh hyung you’re right!” He felt Ten excitedly jumping next to him “Go talk to him!”

“No way!” Doyoung’s eyes widened.

“Why? What do you have to lose? He’s not that bad looking too” Ten commented as he bit his straw. “Okay, probably you’re worried cause your nonexistent flirting skills are rusty as ever-”

“Shut up Chittaphon.”

“Guys please stop” Taeyong interfered before they started bickering again. “Doyoung, Ten’s right. Why don’t you go talk to him?”

“No hyung. I don’t want to” He whined like a small child.

“Is there anyone else that catches your eye?” The older tried again.

“Why? He’s not your type?” Ten as he nudged his side. Yes, he’s not like him… Wait, why am I thinking about him in a situation like this

“No he’s not. Do you have a problem?” he snapped at him.

“Yes I have. And what’s your type Mr. “I’m too good for anyone”?” 

“I never said that! He’s just not my type! Not someone I’d go out with…”

“Dons?” Taeyong’s soft voice was heard through the loud bass. “Do you… Do you perhaps…like someone?”

“Hm? Hy-hyung, where did you get that i-idea?” He smiled awkwardly at Taeyong. Please don’t notice my flashed face. Please… he kept chanting in his mind.

“Why are you stuttering Doyoung? Is perhaps Taeyongie hyung right?” The Thai wore a shocked expression on his face now.

“You can tell us you know…” Taeyong grabbed his hand to stop it from nervously tapping on his thigh. I’m screwed.

“Uhm… well… maybe?” he said in a small voice but due to his friends eyes being glued on him of course they understood what he said.

All he remembers after that was his friends screaming and shouting at the same time and him trying to explain to them that he even wasn’t sure about what he felt. Did he have a crush? Or was he just confused? Admiration maybe? It felt weird to talk about his neighbor out loud but after that he felt kind of relieved. And surprisingly Ten wasn’t making fun of him like he thought he would.

 

In fact, the next morning Ten came knocking at his door.

“So, he’s away…” Ten noted as he looked out of Doyoung’s window. “You said that most of the times he has the blinds closed, right?”

“Yeah” Doyoung sipped his tea as he watched his fiend fearfully. He was really interested in his neighbor after all.

“Maybe he’s a CEO and takes many business trips or something like that. Ooooh hot. Are you sure you’ve never seen anyone else in there? Do you think he’s single?”

“Oh my god, Ten! I don’t know. Please, can we talk about something else?” He looks at him pleadingly.

“Yes” Thank god            

“When will you go meet him?” God, why?!

“Never! Are you crazy!” why am I even asking.

“C’mon Dons. Don’t be so uptight all the time. Be more spontaneous.”

“And what will I tell him? Hello, I’m a creep who’s stalking you through your window?” Doyoung huffed and got up to place his mug in the sink, Ten trailing behind him.

“Hmm, what if you go and ask for something? You know like they do in the movies?”

“You seriously want me to go there and say “Oh, hey I ran out of sugar, you got some? By the way, I’m your next door-no, your next apartment block neighbor?” It’s happening only in the movies for a reason Ten”.

“Of course not! God, use your imagination Dodo! You want me to tell you everything! I already had the main idea. Do something by yourself”

Doyoung decided that conversing with Ten will get him nowhere so he just focused on washing the dishes and ignore his best friend.

He had so much stuff to do today. His work was a mess, he had to go by the office and get told of by his boss because somehow it was his fault that some employees didn’t check their emails. And above all he had to take Jeno’s cat to the vet.

“Doyoung! Are you listening to me?” Ten’s voice disturbed his thoughts and he saw the Thai man hoping off the counter-when did he sit there?!-“Whatever, you’re so distracted lately. I gotta go. Got a date with Johnny and let’s just say that someone might get lucky tonight~” He winked at him as he wore his coat.

“You’re literally engaged and live together! You get lucky more than enough-Ugh what am I even talking about. Have fun and tell Johnny I say hi” Doyoung pushed Ten out of the door. He had a lot to do and if it were up to Ten he could be standing there forever.

“Of course. And don’t forget to tell me if anything happens with your hot neighbor-”

“Bye!!!!” Doyoung shut the door.

~

Stupid Ten and his stupid ideas.

Doyoung was driving back from work and even though he got scolded pretty bad form his superior for no reason something else couldn’t leave his mind.

As he was ready to leave from his home earlier, he noticed that he was back again. His blinds were open and he saw him moving around again.

And now he couldn’t stop thinking about meeting him. Dozens of different scenarios run though his mind about meeting him. Sadly, his face was a blank to Doyoung since he hadn’t seen him up close yet. Yet?! Where did that come from? It was Ten’s fault! If he hadn’t mentioned about meeting him he would have never even imagined about it.

He took a deep breath as he parked his car and got out. This wasn’t like him at all. He should pull himself together.

He was meeting with Taeyong for lunch at Jaehyun’s restaurant and he had decided to talk to his friend about his little problem.

 

“I think it’s a good idea. I mean, maybe you like the idea of him. And you don’t have to do anything extreme. Just go there, knock his door and ask something generic. What do neighbors talk about usually? That way you can at least see how he looks like, his face… Maybe he has really bad teeth” Taeyong made a face at that. Maybe his hyung was right.

“I don’t know hyung. I’m so confused…” He sighed and picked at the leftovers on the dish.

“What are you guys talking about?” Jaehyun suddenly appeared sitting next to his boyfriend and putting his arm around Taeyong’s shoulders.

“Just how delicious was your food. Again.” Doyoung smiled at him.

“I’m glad hyung. It was a new recipe I was trying and I was kinda worried if it would turn out good. Taeyongie actually helped me.” Jaehyun smiled at his boyfriend who glared at him.

“I’m your hyung you brat”

“Hm, whatever you say babe” Jaehyun leaned down and placed a kiss on his boyfriends lips making him screech and pull away quickly.

“Jaehyun! Not here, we’re on your workplace!”

“C’mon hyung I’m on a break. I missed you” Jaehyun whispered to Taeyong but Doyoung heard it and took it as his queue to live and give them some time alone.

“Well, I should get going. Thank you for the meal Jaehyunie. It was delicious”

“Doyoung don’t leave so soon.”

 “No hyung, spend some time with your boyfriend. You two need it.” He said and after he bid them goodbye he left.

~

“Oh god Jeno’s going to kill me! . What do I do now?” he cried at Ten who was still laughing over the phone. “Stop laughing this is serious! ”

“Okay okay, I’m sorry. But you really lost your cat? While you were trying to get it to the vet?”

“Yes… will you stop ing laughing prick! Just get your here to help me find it before it’s too late.”

“Fine, I’m coming. But you realize you owe me a lot for doing this”.

“Yeah whatever you want. Just please come here quickly.”

Yes, Doyoung lost one of their cats while he was opening the car’s door. He hadn’t realized that he hadn’t locked the cat’s carrier well until he turned around and found it empty. He searched the whole block with no luck before calling Ten.

 

“Relax Doyoung. It can’t have gone that far. It’s probably scared, hiding somewhere.”

“I don’t know. He lived most of his life in the streets before Jeno took him in. I guess he’s used to the outside world.” Doyoung felt miserable. Even with Ten they couldn’t find the cat anywhere. “If anything happens to him or if we never find him… Jeno will hate me”

“Doyoung stop thinking like that. Jeno could never hate you and we will find him. Look, I have to go and it’s late so you should rest too. I’ll come tomorrow and we’ll search for him again. Okay?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks for everything.”  Doyoung hugged Ten (he wasn’t feeling well but he was sure he’ll regret being so nice later) and after he left he decided to take a shower and call it a night.

 

The next day when Ten came after work and they searched for the poor cat at the parks nearby they found nothing yet again. Doyoung was better than yesterday, his mind clearer and calmer. But he begun losing his hope and Ten’s ideas weren’t helping at all. Of course he was thankful for his friend’s aid but he was starting to annoy him.

“I told you Ten, if we make posters Jeno might see them when he comes.”

“But what about asking around the neighborhood? ...You know, maybe… you can also get something out of it” Ten gave him a look and continued walking ignoring Doyoung who came to a halt.

“What are you implying?” He finally asked as they reached Ten’s car.

“Oh don’t act like you don’t understand…” Ten turned and saw the perplexed expression on his face so he continued “Alright alright, let’s say that maybe you can ask a certain someone if he saw your kitty somewhere”.  He then unlocked the door and got in his car.

“Think about it Doyoungie” and he was gone.

“what?” Okay Doyoung started to get what Ten was implying. And he didn’t like it at all.

 

But why I can’t stop thinking about it. Ugh.

Doyoung closed his laptop and looked again towards his window. He was working for the past hours sitting at his usual place next to the window but he couldn’t concentrate. Ten’s words (and Taeyong’s from the previous day) were stuck in his head. It really was a good opportunity to go talk to him and finally meet him in person. But he also kind of felt like a huge selfish for thinking about his love life in a situation like this. But… what if he can help me? You never know… Besides, he had already asked some passers-by if they had seen the feline.

Okay, this was it. He will do it. He’ll talk to some other neighbors too. It’s not like he’ll do it for his own benefit. Right? ...

~

In, out

Breathe

Relax

This wasn’t working. He had already backed out a couple of times and returned back in front of the door that was blocking him from his crush. Or at least that’s what he hoped for if his estimation was right. He assumed that his apartment block and the neighboring one were similar so this should be the right apartment.

But could he really do it? He had already knocked on some of the (his) neighbors’ doors and they were unexpectedly pretty friendly. In fact they assured him that they’re sure his kitten would be fine and not to be sad, they would inform him if they saw it somewhere. (Okay maybe he did already know the neighbors that he talked to but that’s not the point).

He took a deep breath and stood in front of the door. Let’s do this

After some minutes seconds he finally raised his hand and knocked.

 

Maybe he’s not in? weird, his blinds were open-

The sound of the door unlocking cut his thoughts (and his heartbeat probably).

Go

Leave!

Maybe I should just forget it! He turned around to leave quickly before the door opened but-

“Hello” Oh, maybe that was the nicest, warmest sound he had ever heard. He slowly raised his head only to meet… “So perfect…”

“Excuse me?” The perfect man asked, a beautiful smile adorning his stunning face.

“Uhm…” “N-nothing. He-hello to you t-too” God it must be him. He’s so beautiful…

The guy giggled-how can he be so cute AND y at the same time?-and flashed his white teeth to Doyoung “Can I help you with something?” Yes with many things actually.

Doyoung lost in his thoughts saw his lips forming a smirk “Really now?” 

Huh? Oh… don’t tell me I said that out loud?

“Uh… I mean” Doyoung cleared his throat and tried to pull himself together “I’m Kim Doyoung. I live in the next apartment block.”

“Nakamoto Yuta” Yuta shook Doyoung’s offered hand. Is he from Japan? That means he can speak Japanese! That’s so hot…

“Yeah, um… I-I actually lost my cat?”

“Are you asking me?” Yuta as he leaned on the door and crossed his arms, an amused look on his face. Well that’s annoying! But his accent is adorable…

“NO! I know I lost my cat and I wanted to ask you if you saw him! I-I asked some other neighbors too. Don’t think I’m a weirdo or anything!” Doyoung frantically said realizing how ridiculous the whole situation must look to the other man.

“Relax. It’s fine. I actually feed some of the strays in the neighborhood so maybe I can help you.”

That’s how Doyoung found himself sitting on his crush sofa, explaining the whole situation and telling Yuta how to contact him if he found the cat.

And Yuta… He was so so perfect. He not only had godly angel like looks but a great personality too.

 

“Oh Ten, he’s just amazing. I felt like I’ve known him for my whole life. He was so easy to talk to and approachable. And even though he teased me a little, I didn’t actually mind it. Unlike you who annoys the out of me”

“Thank you Dons, you’re such a nice frie-”

“And Ten, did I tell you about his smile? He was so smiley and kind. My cheeks still hurt from beaming so much. And his hair looked so soft and they were this dark chocolate color that looks so good with his pale skin.” Doyoung sighed dreamily still thinking about Yuta. “Ten are you listening? You’re really quite”

“Hmm? Yeah, yeah” He heard Ten replying distracted from the other line. “Just thinking. Love really does wonders, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing just… I’ve never heard you talk so passionately about someone before. Anyway” Ten continued before Doyoung could start with his whining and deny everything “Tell me what he told you about himself. You won’t shut up about his perfect teeth and hair and whatever. I believe even I can describe him by now. You said he invited you in right?”

Doyoung sulked to himself by Ten’s words. Oaky maybe he talked a little too much about Yuta but who cares. He was in love…

“Right, well he said that he really likes animals but it’s not allowed to have one in his apartment. He often feeds the strays of the neighborhood so he might find Bongsik. Oh and” Ten heard a squeal “He said that every morning he goes for a run so he might find him then”

“And I guess you’re not this excited about finding the ca-”

“He goes for a run! He must have a great body. No, I’m sure. I mean he looked very lean through his baggy clothes but I always thought, even before I met him, that he was well sculptured. I thought he’d be taller but who cares. I find it endearing that he’s shorter than me.”

“Okay Doyoung, I’m really happy that you’re so excited and all that stuff but please, please don’t start again with Yuta’s godly looks” Doyoung also heard Johnny’s voice asking Ten if he’s ready so he goodbyed his friend and continued his day while daydreaming about the angel who lived across the street.

~

The next day Doyoung found himself in a situation he would have never imagined.

Jeno came. Without notice. On a weekday.

Doyoung had just got out from the car (he was forced out of his warm house due to his empty fridge) when he saw the local bus stop and Jeno coming out along with Renjun. He furrowed his eyebrows at the two boys approaching but then he panicked. Bongsik

“Hyung!”

Calm down Doyoung just act angry and sent him back. Yes that would do. Or just say that Ten got him or that he’s at the vet-

“Hello Mr. Kim” when did they get here already.

“Renjunie how many times will I tell you to just call me hyung. And you mister, what are you doing here!” he pointed an accusing finger at the black haired boy. Time to put his panic aside and become the so called “nagger” that everyone likes to call him.

“Jeno I’ll be over there.” Renjun bowed quickly and went farther to give them privacy.

“Hyung how are you? Did you do something? You look so handsome” Jeno smiled sweetly at him making his eyes turn into half-moons. 

In another situation Doyoung would be affected by the sweet boy but not today. “Cut the crap kid. Don’t you have classes? What are you doing here?”

“Okay, the thing is… look I’m a grown up already and it’s not my fault that all of my friends study in different cities-”

“Get to the point Jeno”

“There’s a party tonight, here… and I want to go.”

“So that means you’ll lose tomorrows classes as well!” Doyoung widened his eyes.

“Please hyung, it’s no big deal, I’ll take the notes from my classmates. And… Jaemin will be there” Now Doyoung wasn’t that strict. Of course he wouldn’t mind Jeno attending the party and there was no harm done by skipping two days in school. But Bongsik… And Jaemin would be there? Na Jaemin? Doyoung knew that Jeno would kill to see his best friend (and crush but Jeno didn’t know that Doyoung knew about his feelings for the cute boy).

“Appa please” Oh yes Jeno really wanted to go. He only called him like that when he wanted something.

“Doyoung-ssi?”

…

Am I going crazy?

“Sorry for interrupting your conversation.”

That voice…

Doyoung saw Jeno looking confusingly at someone behind him and he slowly turned seeing the man whom that melodic voice could only belong to.

“Oh, Yu-Yuta-ssi. Its fine” God he hoped that Yuta and Jeno wouldn’t notice his flashed cheeks.

“I just wanted to ask if you found your cat? Was it Bongs-”

“BONGSIK!” Jeno shouted quickly grasping what Yuta was talking about. “Hyung is Bongsikie missing?” He asked frantically.

“uhh, you see…”

“He is! Hyung! For how long? Why didn’t you tell me!”

“I’m sorry! I wanted to try and find him first. I didn’t wanna tell you. And for about three days…”

“I have to find him… I’ll go search with Renjun” Jeno run to his friend and then they left together. Doyoung let him be since he knew that now Jeno was like a father who lost his child and wouldn’t listen to him until he found the cat.

“I’m so sorry” Yuta said from behind him. he had forgotten about him for a second.

“No please, it’s not your fault. Actually I think you helped me with telling him about it. If it was up to me I’d be postponing it until he’d found out about it by himself.” He looked down sadly. He couldn’t help but feel bad for not telling Jeno.

He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Yuta giving him a brief smile.

“I still feel bad. Maybe I can help you search for him? I mean if you don’t have anything else to do…” Doyoung may have talked to Yuta for half an hour or even less but he could still feel that his behavior was odd. He was so confident and certain about himself yesterday. He must really feel guilty.

“Yeah sure, I’m free so…”

“Great!”

 

They were strolling through the alleys, a peaceful but not awkward silence between them. They exchanged a few words but mostly stayed quite. Until…

“So I guess your son really loves your cat”

Doyoung was surprised at first by hearing Yuta’s words. He must have heard Jeno call me appa “You mean Jeno?” 

“If that’s his name then yeah” Yuta laughed a little putting his hands further in his jacket’s pockets. Doyoung smiled at him, his cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. Let’s just blame the cold.

“You must’ve had him in a very young age… Or you’re much older than what I’ve assumed” Yuta smiled at him again but then immediately his grin fell and apologized “I’m sorry. I’m prying too much. You don’t have to answer-”

“It’s okay. Actually Jeno isn’t my biological son… it would be weird if he was for my age” he laughed a bit making Yuta’s gorgeous smile reappear on his face.

They continued talking and Doyoung found himself opening up more and more to the other boy. He talked to him about Jeno, his mother and his sister. It was strange for him to speak about his personal life to a stranger. But he felt that Yuta wasn’t one. He was also very open to Doyoung and they both got to know each other better.

Doyoung learned that Yuta was indeed from Japan and had come to South Korea to study and ending up staying permanently. He was working for a company that published manga and t