originally posted as a oneshot with different characters, figured it'd fit here too

 

 

Sweet Wine

 

“Come on, Hanbin, it will be fun!” Junhoe pleaded over the phone, rolling over on his bed as he tried to convince his best friend to do something impossible for him. Go to the skate park. Junhoe would love that, he'd appreciate it, he'd be forever thankful if Hanbin went with him more often. It was just something very special for him, it was a way of relaxing, coping with stress, whatever really. And if he could incorporate Hanbin into that, he'd never step off that damned board. That he built himself, of course. Hanbin knew, everyone knew that he did that, he mentioned it in every third sentence he said. 

“Oh, sure, it will be fun,” Junhoe could feel his friend rolling his eyes. Telepathy? No, he just had a habit of doing it so often, if he gave it some practice, his eyes could do a full 360-degree turn.  

“It's going to be as fun as when you tried to explain genetics to me in your campus lab.”

“Was that not fun?”

“You made talk about my family and then do the math.”

“My question stands.”

“Hanbin, that's my own personal hell.” He paused for a while. He remembered how excited he and his geeky colleagues were when they had the chance to teach him about all that sciency mumbo-jumbo. “But it was kinda cool, you know.”

“Okay, Jesus, I'll go with you, dude. Hope you'll do some sick trick.”

“Oh no-” Before Junhoe could stop his friend, he continued with his absolute favorite way of pissing him off. 

“Some radical flips?”

...

“Some ill turns, son. Fly rides. Wicked ollies.” The only reason Junhoe was putting up with this was that he heard Hanbin's giggles between the terrible references, he couldn't take that simple pleasure from him. 

“Totally dude. Gonna try some banging tricks,” Junhoe finally gave in into the play, knowing it would end like this. It always does and he always tries to sound like he doesn't enjoy it. 

“Word?”

“Word, bro.”

“Cowabunga, dude. Pick me up in twenty.”

 

Hanbin was already standing outside when his friend pulled up in a car. It took him a good hour. Thankfully, Hanbin was already used to this. He said see you in 20, which means that he'll take like 40 minutes. Hanbin was right, even though he arrived 20 minutes late, he waited for another 10.

“Good time management,” he greeted his friend while getting into the car but he probably couldn't hear him, music in the car roaring too loudly. 

“Sorry, traffic.”

“We live in a suburban area 10 minutes away from each other.” Hanbin watched his friend struggle with coming up with an excuse. It was funny to him, he could almost see the wheels in his brain turning. An absolute pleasure. “Just say you were doing your hair.” He wasn't blind. He knows how incredibly long it takes Junhoe to put every little hair in place. A part of him hated it as he always came late. A part of him applauded the effort. 

“I also didn't know what to wear, if it helps the case.”

“At least you're honest. Who are you so dressed up for?” Hanbin , knowing it's only and just for himself. Would Junhoe even leave the house without looking like the epitome of an art student? He wouldn't and he takes great pride in that. It was sweet. 
Junhoe wiggled in his seat with a cheeky smile. “What if there's someone cute?”

 
“I can’t believe you talked me into this.“ Hanbin swayed left and right, getting used to the feeling of standing on a board. It wiggled under his feet, leaving him looking for support, arms flying around. 

Junhoe couldn’t help but laugh, sitting on a railing nearby. Maybe he should go help his friend, who stood on his board like a marble statue, too afraid to move or do anything. “You’re just standing there.”

“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Move!”

“But I’m afraid I’ll fall!“ 

“You won’t.”

“But what if I will.”

“You’ll scrape your knee.”

“They’ll laugh at me!” Hanbin silently yelled at his friend, pointing discreetly at a group of kids nearby. “I should’ve waited until it was past their bedtime.”

“I’m not too sure if you two have a different bedtime.” Junhoe smiled tiredly, grabbing Hanbin’s hands to give him more stability. “Come on.” He dragged his friend with him slowly, wheels started to turn. A little unnoticed smile crept up on Hanbin’s face. He was doing it, he was finally doing it! 

“Teach me a trick!” His eyes were as big as those of a kid asking for ice cream. Junhoe couldn't even believe the glee he saw in Hanbin’s face. 

“Okay buddy, let's teach you how to stand properly first.” He grabbed Hanbin’s shoulders before giving him a strong push, sending him riding a few feet forward. His arms flayed around as he tried to keep his balance but Junhoe could hear his laugher all the way back. 

 

*

 

“I can't believe it started raining the moment our classes were over.“ Hanbin wiped his wet hands on his soaked jeans, achieving nothing at all. He realized Junhoe wasn't totally wrong when he told him it was ‘blowing rain’. ‘Blowing wind?’ Hanbin asked him a few times before looking outside to see what was going on. The fact that they were both in this situation now was because Junhoe refused to leave the campus before finishing his project. ‘I’ll just sketch it. I’ll just color. I’ll just outline.’ After an hour and a half of waiting, sitting on a hard wooden bench outside the class, it took Hanbin one nasty look and one glass of water held over Junhoe’s laptop to get him going. “If it weren't for me being a sweetheart and waiting for you, I would've already been home, blowing bullets into a digital men’s skulls.”

“Well excuse me for taking my assignments seriously.” He followed Hanbin into his room, watching him dig through his closet and grabbing the clothes Hanbin threw at him. 

“Sorry, my room’s a mess.” Hanbin always said his room was a mess. What he meant was that he had two shirts thrown over his chair. Maybe a textbook or two placed on the table. By his standards, that was a mess. By Junhoe’s standards, that’s cleaner than his room will ever be. “How in the hell is your hair still in place?” Hanbin asked with a mix of awe of disbelief. They ran back into his place, no umbrellas, just them and all the rain two people can take. And still, the worst that happened to his hair was that one greaser curl that liked to sit on his forehead. 

“Been saying my grace.” He handed Hanbin his wet clothes, following him around the house like a lost dog even though he has been there countless times. Waiting in his room just seemed awkward but so did walking with Hanbin to watch him hang their damp clothes. “Hey, are these sweatpants supposed to be ankle length?” Junhoe could stop teasing Hanbin about being a tiny bit shorter than him, but you'd have to pray that privilege from his cold dead hands. 

“No, you’re just a big . They’re made for people who fit through door frames without difficulties.” 

“Well excuse me for being a idol,” Junhoe seethed playfully, raising his leg up to a cabinet and running his hand from his ankle to his thigh. All he received was a slap across his arm with a wet shirt and an eye roll.

Junhoe ran back up into Hanbin’s room, grabbing a speaker. “Let’s get this started,” he sang, putting the speaker on the kitchen table and looked for a song to play. He was sure to skip to another one in half a minute but he always made sure to play Hanbin’s favorites when skipping around in his kitchen. Hanbin heard the first few notes and immediately he jumped into the song, along with his friend. He couldn’t believe Junhoe made boiling water for tea fun. Well, he could believe it, he’s always been this way. He turned around with hot mugs in his hands, seeing Junhoe living out every word of the song. 

Junhoe took the mugs upstairs, waiting for Hanbin. He sat on his bed, looking around the room he saw so many times. Not a lot changed, except there was a new plant almost every time he came over. They spread themselves across the walls, fell from the ceiling, stood on his table. Hanbin took better care of them than he did of himself sometimes. He almost didn't notice that his dog wasn't home, otherwise, he’d be jumping on him the moment he walked in. “Damn, what took you so long?” Junhoe laughed when Hanbin walked in with two bowls of fruit and a defeated look. 

“I had to search up how to cut up peaches, okay?”

“Peaches?”

“Yeah man, they get all mushy and juicy and you can't cut them properly and they won’t get loose from the pit and just- You know what, just say thanks and don't ask.” Hanbin spun on his chair, looking at Junhoe who had already stuffed his cheeks with fruit like a hamster. He was handing him his phone, screen bright with son photos. “Is this your final assignment?” Junhoe nodded, his eyes sparkled with pride. He was so proud of his work and it turned out so much better than he expected. He would say how many nights he spent awake, drinking coffee and energy drinks, the only things keeping him alive at that point, but he wants particularly proud of his terrible time management. 

“Wow, that incredible!” Hanbin studied every line and every color. He didn't even know what the assignment was sure that he would ace it. He always admired Junhoe’s way of working the pencil. And the pen and the brush. He could spend hours watching him work and sometimes he did, hanging out in his room while he did his assignments. 

Junhoe muttered a quiet ‘thank you’ before Hanbin searched through his drawers, pulling out a handful of papers, some scraps, some ripped, some in a good state. “Was cleaning my room, found this, look.” Junhoe took the papers, running over them quickly with his eye. He immediately recognized his doodles and sketches. He skimmed through doodles on old biology notes he didn't understand and chemistry exercises that made no sense. Every time he got the chance, he left Hanbin a little surprise, be it a tiny sketch or a doodle by his notes. He didn't know what a globulin was, but that didn't stop him from drawing it into the top left corner. A little round friend sitting in the top left corner, wishing Hanbin good luck. And so little globulin friend turned into Hanbin’s good luck charm. 

 

*

 

“I hate allergies.”

“Then why are we laying in a flower field?”

“Because it's pretty here,” Junhoe sighed, wiping his teary eyes with a tissue. It wasn't that it was such a beautiful sight, though it was pretty, his seasonal allergies were just acting out. He pulled out another tissue, he lost count at that point. No matter how hard Hanbin tried to convince him to go, Junhoe was too stubborn to move from the field. “Go yourself, flowers,” he yelled after the field, shaking his fist. 

“Actually, flowers hate to self pollinate.

“What?”

“They do it as like a last resort if they have to. Cross pollination is absolutely better for them. See-”

Junhoe ran his hands over his face, groaning Hanbin’s name. He couldn't believe he was getting a lecture on self-pollination on a Friday afternoon. If he were closer, he would kick him as a warning. “I don't know if I'll learn anything from this, mister professor.”

“Oh no, I studied this for a test. You're going to hear about flower from this sleep-deprived biology major even if it's the last thing I do.”

“Flower . Wow, that should be the name of my next project.” Junhoe observed Hanbin as he dug through the flowers, looking for a specific one. He combed through them, laying on his stomach until he found what he was looking for, picking if from the ground. He rolled around closer to Junhoe, landing by his legs.

“Look. See?” he showed him the little purple flower, pointing at the yellow stringy parts in the middle. At least that's what Junhoe saw. “Nature has this all figured out, it's crazy, right? The pistil is so much higher than the stamen so the pollen would have a hard time reaching it. Or they can mature at different times so like it would be impossible to self pollinate. Crazy, right?”

“Hanbin, you're such a geek.” Junhoe laid way back, taking the flower from Hanbin’s hands, stripping him of his specimen. He studied the insides, trying to look as if he knows what Hanbin talked about. But there still isn't a person who Junhoe would rather listen to ramble on about flower . 

 

*

 

Junhoe tried to stuff the blankets into the trunk before Hanbin arrived with the snacks. He already knew that in between the blankets and their bags and his guitar, there would be no space for food. Thankfully, the back seats were empty. Better buckle up those snacks.

As soon as Hanbin arrived, they set off. After two weeks of planning, Hanbin still didn't know where exactly they were going. But he wasn't the one driving, he had good and drinks on hand, so he considered it none of his issues. “Who’s in charge of the music?”

“Of course I am.”

“Why?”

“Because it's my car and I’m driving and I do not want to listen to glam rock for 5 hours.”

“5 hours?”

“Yeah, I took the keys to my parents’ cabin. Get ready for a ride,” Junhoe said while slapping Hanbin’s hand away from the radio as he tried to fiddle with it when Junhoe wasn’t looking. What’s wrong with glam rock anyways? 

Hanbin watched the road pass by, they just left the city and the sun was up high. Neither of them felt the need to talk, music filling the silence in the car. He tapped his fingers on the headboard in the rhythm of the song, Junhoe doing the same on the steering wheel. In the end, he was glad he wasn't in charge of the tunes. He was just as content with the world’s greatest boyband as he would be with Elton John. 

It took Hanbin very little time to go digging through snacks in the back. 

“Dude, what are you doing?”

“I’m hungry.”

“It’s been like an hour.”

“I want snacks.”

“Well get me something too.”

Hanbin dug through the bags and packets, fishing out something specific. It took him a few minutes to finally sit down, rustling the snack. “You don't mean to tell me you chose baby carrots, do you?”

“They’re healthy!”

“Hanbin, I didn't leave the city for the weekend to eat like a rabbit.”

“And so crispy and colorful! Look at that color, man.”

“I’ll be doomed if all you brought is like this.”

“No of course not,” Hanbin chimed, biting his carrot. Junhoe couldn't tell him that this wasn't the ultimate road trip snack. “There’s also celery sticks if you're interested.”

“You know, I'm fighting the urge to kick you out.“

After a few hours of driving, Junhoe decided to stop by the road and give Hanbin his daily minutes of sunlight. The drive was so calm it was almost boring. All they passed were fields and a few hills, a forest here and there. 

Both boys sat in the trunk, squeezing by the stuff they loaded in. Junhoe finally gave into Hanbin’s baby carrots, not letting the packet out of his hands. Once he started chomping down on those carrot babies, there was no stopping him. 

While daydreaming, he was woken up by Hanbin’s yells and jumps which almost made him fall into the road. “No, you , that's my blood! Mine!” Hanbin yelled, slapping his thigh and then clapping all around him.

“Dude, what's the matter?”

“There’s a mosquito,” Hanbin hissed, looking around frantically to search for it. Oh no, it's not getting away now. Junhoe just shook his head at him, he wouldn't move a finger for a mosquito. “I can't catch it.” Moments later, Hanbin stood still, too still. 

“Everything okay?”

“He’s me off, ” he whispered, eyes glued to the creature on his thigh. Junhoe chuckled to himself, that's what he said, he mumbled quietly, hoping Hanbin wouldn't squish him instead of the bug. Hanbin raised his hand, preparing to end it all. His hand met his thigh with a loud slap, but the faint buzz continued around their heads. But it wasn't complete without Hanbin spilling out a river of curses. 

“Did you get it?”

“No, I slapped myself too hard, ” he whined, rubbing the red mark on his leg. It stung like hell but what stung more was the fact that he couldn't get the bug. But before he could come up with a new war strategy, Junhoe slammed the trunk shut, sending Hanbin to go sit into his seat. With unsatisfied moans he did, leaving the bug to live its own buggy life. 

But the moment Junhoe started the car, their new company sat on the window. “Dude, it's here again.”

“Just use your shoe,” Junhoe suggested, already annoyed by the bug. He just hoped Hanbin could kill the big without them crashing the whole car. And Hanbin took his advice, positioning himself to finish off the intruder. He slapped the shoe on the driver’s seat, right where the mosquito went. “The wrath of Birkenstocks.” Hanbin then made sure to kick out every bug he found.

 

“Junhoe, stop the car!” Hanbin yelled, startling Junhoe with the way he grabbed his arm, looking out of the window. 

“What is it?”

“A field!” Hanbin excitedly pointed out of the window again. “A sunflower field!” 

Without complaints, he stopped the car by the road again. If it were something else, he might have the power to argue. But sunflowers weren't something Hanbin was willing to discuss. Ever since they met, he has had a thing for those flowers. He put them in his room whenever he could, his chemistry notebook had sunflowers shakily drawn on them, Junhoe drew sunflowers on his arms whenever he had the chance. They were sunny, happy, warm, much like Hanbin. They bring you joy just by looking at them. Everything will be fine, they whisper, looking over you. And you know it will. Junhoe loved how they reminded him of his friend. Sweet, kind and gentle. 

They stepped out, Hanbin practically running up to the field, looking back at Junhoe with the happiest expression. Junhoe already knew to pull out his phone, trying to capture this moment as best as he could.

 

With a long sigh, Junhoe practically threw himself on the couch. The wine was now in full effect, hitting his head like a truck. “Pull yourself up, spider boy.” Hanbin lightly kneeled his , walking around and sitting on the couch too, setting down his own glass. Junhoe hated wine with all his might. It was sour and disgusting and messed with his head. But once Hanbin pulled out black currant wine, he was on board. He downed the first cup thinking it was juice, but when the world started to sway a bit, Hanbin brought the rest of the bottle from the kitchen. “I thought it was obvious.”

With a damning glare, Junhoe poured himself another glass. Maybe it was a little bit too much but tipsy Junhoe wasn't a quitter. He poured Hanbin some too but it would take so much more to get Hanbin drunk. That man had tolerance like a hog. “I hate wine.”

“But you're still drinking it.”

“Well my glass is full, what am I going to do, leave it? That's a move.” Junhoe laid down on Hanbin, unwillingly turning on the TV in the process.

“You’re like... such a cool friend, man,” he sang, patting Hanbin’s face. 

“Thanks, babe.”

“You’re so smart like- Wow, you know? Wow, man. Hand me the bottle though,” he groaned, reaching for it but it was too far on the table and Junhoe had no intentions of standing up even though their glasses were empty again. 

“Dude, it's empty.”

“It’s empty?”

“Yeah, we drank the whole thing.” 

“We drank the whole thing?” Hanbin giggled at Junhoe’s big eyes. A little fear flashes through him, wondering whether he'll get drunker or if this is his prime. “That’s a lot of- Oh , that’s Carrie... Carrie Breakhowl,” Junhoe giggled, pointing at the woman on TV, running around a shop.

“It’s Breadshawl, you ,” Hanbin slurred, rolling his eyes at his uneducated friend.

“You know a lot about the y City show.”

“It’s common knowledge.”

“Oh, I forgot you were like... A genius,” Junhoe shut up for a while, too swallowed into the show running in front of them. Thankfully, it was easy enough to understand even after a bottle of wine. “I’d kill for that wardrobe.”

“Well, you're gonna have to find your Mr. Big.”

“I would a to have a closet like that.”

“You even without the premise of a closet,” Hanbin teased, scooting over to the other side of the couch so Junhoe couldn't get his hands on him.

“Shut up!” Junhoe yelled in between laughs, throwing a pillow into his face.

 

“Could you go get the blankets from upstairs?” Junhoe pleaded with big eyes, feeling that he’s about to fall asleep. The sun was about to come out, their night coming to an end. But he didn’t have the energy to go up into a bed, deciding to crash on the couch. Meaning, Hanbin’s staying there with him.

Hanbin groaned, running his hands over his face. “Why can't you get them?”

“Because I’ll fall down the stairs and break my neck and then you'll have no one to drive you home and you'll have to take care of big bugs yourself and you don't want to live without me making your every day a little brighter.” Hanbin rolled his eyes but knew what Junhoe was saying was true. He really would have to take care of spiders and other hell-sent creatures himself. He wondered how long it’d take him to find someone who would come over at two AM to let out a spider from his room. And also he was a pretty good friend kinda. 

“But it's dark there, you know how I feel about the dark.”

“Hanbin, the demons won't- Won’t get you.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Hanbin stood up, ready to go up into the darkness. Sure, he could turn on the light but they take forever to light up and he wasn't risking attracting more bugs and bats and bears and whatnot into the cottage. “Listen to the ground, there is movement all around-” Hanbin sang before getting cut off by Junhoe.

“Hanbin, what the .”

“I’m singing Bee Gees.”

“Why?”

“The demons can't get me if I'm singing Bee Gees, God.” Hanbin acted like it was the most usual thing, shaking his head. Junhoe followed the string of singing, it slowly getting quieter and quieter. He couldn't believe this was the person he once called his soulmate. Such an idiot, a lovable idiot. 

“Night fever, night fe- ! Fever, we know how to do it-”

“You okay?”

“Just a table,” Hanbin yelled back, hurrying down the stairs with all the blankets and pillows he could fit in his hands. He was pretty sure them demons were few steps behind.

 

*

 

“Junhoe?”

“Yes?”

“What did you do?”

“Started painting on a whole wall in my room?”

“Why?”

“Because... I'm impulsive and have really bad control of myself? Dude, I don't know. It seemed like a good at the time,” he got out of himself with a little bit of guilt in his voice. He spun on his chair, observing the mess he started. Between school work, after school activities, his private life and Hanbin’s constant need of attention, he really couldn’t see himself finishing it soon. Hanbin tried to find a place to sit in his room between all the cups with paint and dirty brushes and the scattered furniture he had to move. “I think I just got overwhelmed with school and all.”

“It looks great though,” Hanbin commented, running his fingers over the dry paint. He couldn't even imagine how to paint what he did. He jumped, started as something poked him in his side. 

“Here.” Junhoe was handing him a tiny paintbrush. Hanbin stared at it, unable to process what Junhoe wanted him to do with it. “Paint something.”

“Dude, I can't paint.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“I literally can not paint, you get that, right?” Junhoe nodded with an encouraging smile. Hanbin didn't want to argue, knowing Junhoe won't back down and took the brush. Junhoe left with the excuse that he going to get them drinks but wanted to give Hanbin alone-time so he could do his magic.

Hanbin sat down, he decided to paint the bottom corner, that won't do too much damage. And he can paint over it if he doesn't like it. But the moment he dipped the brush in diluted black paint, his mind was like a blank paper. What should he paint? Nothing seemed good enough or just seemed too hard. But in the end, the end results are Junhoe’s fault.

 

When he came back, it looked like Hanbin was doing the finishing touches. Junhoe sat beside his friend, handing him a cold bottle of sweet soda.

“Oh, what’s that? I love abstract art.”

“That’s... That was Jim Morrison.”

“Wow, he's cute. And this?” Junhoe pointed at a bunch of lines and letters seemingly in a pattern. 

“That’s the structure of vitamin C.” For some reason, that was more abstract for Junhoe than the smudge that claimed to be Jim. He wasn't sure whether to scream or pat Hanbin on the shoulder. Out of all the things, he drew vitamin C. His brain couldn’t think of anything better, nothing, not a single thing. He drew Junhoe’s biggest fear, Chemistry. 

“I really would've been less shocked by a pen-”

“Oh, I drew a too if that's what you're wondering. Just a little one.”

“Little one?”

“Very tiny. Good luck finding it, though.”

 

*

 

Junhoe couldn't stand seeing his friend like this. He hated when the glow left his eyes and he wasn't smiling anymore. He couldn’t take looking at him, walking like an empty shell. He deserved none of the hurt he received. 

It all started when he received a text, Hanbin asking if he can come over. Usually, he didn't text, he just showed up. Minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Junhoe opened them and when he saw Hanbin, he knew nothing was okay. 

Now they were sitting alone in Junhoe’s living room, his parents were gone for the week. His dog was the only one in a good mood, jumping from one boy to another, depending on who gave him attention. They sat on the ground, backs leaning against the couch. “Hanbin, you can't keep doing this to yourself.”

With a sarcastic laugh, Hanbin continued to spin his keys on his finger. He knew. He knew he shouldn't and that it always ended like this. “I can't stop, apparently.”

“Stop it. You just- God, you always find the wrong people.” Or do they find him? Junhoe didn't know. He was just sure that he always ended up in the wrong hands. Buy saying things like this won't help anyone’s situation. “You know D-”

“Don’t. Say that person’s name,” Hanbin stopped him promptly. He felt like hearing the name would make him feel worse than he already is. 

“Right.” Junhoe sighed. He was so sick of this. He was sick of people taking advantage of Hanbin and then throwing him away like he was nothing. Like he wasn’t worth a minute more of their time. In some ways, Hanbin started to believe it to be true. Junhoe always knew they weren't worth Hanbin’s time but Hanbin never listened. Never.

“I mean, why do people me over so much, man. I feel like I'm always an open book and I- I gave that person my whole heart and it gets torn up like that. Is there something wrong with me? Is there a reason they play with me for 15 minutes and then drop me and move on just like that? Dude, at this point I'm not even sad, I'm just... Sick. A mess. I'm ing... Damaged goods.”

“Shut up, Hanbin, you aren't!” Junhoe opposed, sitting upon his knees, knowing he’s about to give Hanbin some aggressive advice. “You aren't and you know that. You're a beautiful, gentle, thoughtful human being and they don’t deserve a second you wasted on them. None of the people that ed you over. I ing swear I’m not letting anyone look at you unless I'm hundred percent sure of them, okay? They don't deserve a single tear from you. You’re too good for that, you're too good for them.” He stood up and came over to Hanbin, wrapping his arms around his friend. It didn't take much for Hanbin to do the same. Junhoe rubbed his back, telling him it's okay. And that he’s too precious to be feeling like this because of people like them. And Hanbin nodded into his chest, starting to believe what he was saying but even that didn't stop the tears from coming.

 

“I can... Go now if you've got work.”

“No, I'm not letting you go until I’m sure you're okay and won't do something stupid. I don't care, you'll sleep over of you have to.” Hanbin smiled sadly, giving a small thank you to Junhoe. “Come on,” he said, grabbing Hanbin’s hand and walking him out of the room. They ran upstairs, came to the piano that Junhoe played from time to time. “What’s your plan?” Hanbin asked with a curious look as his friend sat behind the instrument, stretching his fingers. Hanbin heard the first few notes and couldn't hide his smile. Junhoe took it upon himself and learned Hanbin’s favorite song a long time ago. He looked up at Hanbin and his red, swollen eyes, wondering if he’ll sing too.

“Blue jean baby,” he sang alone, giving Hanbin time to jump in. He didn't. “L.A lady.”

He continued alone, maybe Hanbin needed some encouragement. But he didn’t want to sing. He just wanted to listen to Junhoe play, that was enough for him. The tones warmed his heart. 

It continued, until Junhoe stopped playing, waiting for Hanbin to start. He got the signal and even though he wasn’t in the mood to sing, he added with a sad voice. “Ballerina, you must've seen her.”

“Dancing in the sand, ” they sang together, Hanbin holding back a laugh at how stupid they must’ve looked. But it was one of the nicest things someone has done for him. By the time they got to the chorus, it was a concert of the duo, living for the song.

 

*

 

“I don't mean to be rude.”

“But?”

“But I'm really not in the mood for Yunhyeong's party right now,” Hanbin whined as he was dragged up to his friend's house by Junhoe. Sure, whatever, it was Friday night and summer and all but Hanbin felt like this wasn't the place for him. 

“Come on, he's your high school friend,” Junhoe tried to cheer up Hanbin, get him into the mood to have fun. He had to physically drag him along the way, he was worried that otherwise, Hanbin would turn around and just run. 

“I guess, but I feel like the only reason he invited me is that you're like in the same classes now.”

“Bull.”

“Oh, sure,” Hanbin rolled his eyes, ringing the gate bell. They could already hear people talking from outside, they were all most likely in the garden. It was hot outside and there was a pool. 

Their friend came out with a joyous face, greeting them both with a hug and inviting them in. Hanbin was surprised to see only around 10 people around, much less than he expected, especially considering that this is Yunhyeong. He felt a little strange, he barely knew these people. Some of them he knew. But Junhoe seemed to it right in with them. Out of nowhere, Hanbin found himself standing alone in the kitchen, all people dispersing around. Junhoe must’ve went to hit some people up and basically everyone left. 

Well, this is awkward, he thought, looking around to see any lost soul. He took his chances, going into the garden. Seems like he came just in time, someone pushed a shot into his hands. He saw Junhoe across the garden with a happy smile, raising his own glass to cheer with him. 

 

“I'll get aggressive if someone tries to push me into the pool,” Hanbin said to Junhoe quietly, spinning his drink in his cup. It was the first time that night they got to talk, both were pulled into conversations and games with different groups. 

“Get ready, I think someone already got wet.”

“I'll kick. How come you're still standing though?” Hanbin asked, pointing at Junhoe's cup. 

“I said I'm only drinking vodka tonight. Been pouring myself water the whole evening,” he cheekily laughed, taking a sip. “I don't want to be the first one gone, I'm not a .”

“I'm giving it an hour before someone gets sick. Bathroom?” Hanbin asked, already turning to go into the house but Junhoe grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

“Wouldn't do that, buddy.”

“I need to piss.”

“Couples are missing and I did not plan on seeing any today. We can go around the back I guess,” he said, looking around to see how sneaky they have to be. But before they could leave their pool spot, a boy stopped them. He seemed to know Junhoe. 

“You two are so sober, that's no fun,” the boy laughed, engaging in some more small talk with Junhoe. Hanbin was debating leaving him there alone when the convo turned to him. “And you must be Hanbin, right? I've heard so much about you, I'm Chanwoo!” he introduced himself, shaking hands with Hanbin who was a little shook. Heard a lot about him? Has Junhoe been running his mouth, do they only know him as the geeky guy? 

“Button up your shirt, big boy. I wanted to be the only playboy here tonight,” the boy laughed, patting Junhoe's chest before leaving to attend to other people. 

Hanbin eyed Junhoe, dragging him away. “Come on, big boy. We're looking for an unoccupied bathroom.”

 

“God, you couldn't tell me my hair looked like that?” Junhoe whined, fixing his hair for the fifth minute straight. The sun already went down and Hanbin was impatient to get back in between people. He had two shots and his social boundaries were getting lower and lower. He tried to convince Junhoe that his hair was fine before taking the matter into his own hands, ruffling his hair completely and turning off the lights. On their way down, the house stayed silent. The party seemed to die down a bit, people either left or found their rooms or waited to sober up a bit. They passed the living room, almost missing Yunhyeong sitting on the couch. 

“Hey, what's with you?” Hanbin asked, ready to pull him off of the couch.

They could see him smile even in the dark. “Nothing, nothing. I just wanted a moment of silence. It's a nice night, isn't it?”

“Yeah, the stars are out. Dude, where... Where's your shirt?”

“I'm not sure, that's the thing. Probably... in my room? It has been a while since it's been gone.”

“Right. Let's drink,” Junhoe chimed, dragging both boys into the kitchen. He the light, blinding all of them for a minute. It was pretty late and he had a newfound spirit. He hoped the boys weren't ready to let the night die down, he was just getting started. It wasn't even eleven, he was just getting started. “Got any shot glasses?”

“They're all used,” Yunhyeong sighed, sitting up on the countertop. No worries, said Junhoe, scanning the cabinets before pulling put one big glass, filling it up with liquor. Hanbin ended up talking to Yunhyeong, gossiping about their old classmates. Junhoe would ask what he’s gasping about but he doesn’t know the people anyway. And where’s the joy in listening to all the dirty news when you don’t even know the people? At least they seemed to enjoy themselves, practically screaming ‘no, you’re kidding,’ at each other. Must’ve been juicy.

“Dude, that's a lot,” Yunhyeong giggled, looking at Junhoe’s glass.

“We'll just pass it around, chill,” he laughed, being the first one to drink down a third of the glass. It went around and back to him, he filled it up again. No one protested so why not. Keep the party going, they cheered. And then two more times. 

“Wow, you can handle that well,” Yunhyeong breathed, pouring himself a cup of water to wash down the burning. He excused himself, making his way into the garden, attending to the girl he had his eye on the whole evening. Hanbin’s eyes ran to Junhoe from time to time, checking if he’s okay. He wasn’t sure, looking at how he’s leaning on the counter and spacing out.

“Bathroom,” Junhoe whispered to Hanbin, quickly making his way upstairs.

 

“I forgot, okay?”

“Forgot what?”

“That it takes a minute to hit your head,” Junhoe laughed, drinking a full cup of water as he leaned on the bathroom counter. Hanbin sat in the bathtub, waiting for his friend's world to stop spinning so much. He could tell by the ya he hit his head on the way to the bathroom. The bathtub was wet, he realized as soon as he sat down. Junhoe couldn’t keep his laughs in, giggling at the whole situation.

“Go throw up, if you need to.”

“No, that’s for .”

“You're such an idiot,” he laughed at his friend, his social boundaries gone. He could go down and be the star of the party. It was just funny, watching Junhoe go through his drunk stages. Hanbin knew them all. He's okay after two shots, then he thinks he can take seven, regrets the whole night, moves between the toilet and outside and then the little devil comes out. They didn’t even know how much time they spent in there. 

“Need some air?”

“Yeah,” he said, pulling his friend out of the bathtub. They made their way out, passing a took with the door wide open. The light emitting from there drew them in like moths. A TV and two controllers by it. 

“It's a sign.”

“God wants us to go check it out.” They made their way in, it looked like Yunhyeong's bedroom, judging by his shirt they found. Junhoe took the while to go hang his upper half out of a window, taking in the fresh air. 

Hanbin sat on his knees, taking the controller and gaming system into his hands. “This just came out!” he excitedly said, waiting for Junhoe to catch a breath and stumble to him. He grabbed the second controller and signed in. 

 

With a satisfied feeling and glee in their faces, they made their way out of the room, the house suspiciously quiet. Up until they heard strange noises coming from a nearby bedroom, they exchanged looks and quietly but as fast as possible, tried to sneak out without interrupting. “We're such nerds,” Junhoe whispered, tiptoeing down the stairs. “I could be getting action here and you talk me into playing video games.” 

“You said it was a sign. Not my fault you're not tonguing anyone right now.”

“We're like a pair of ing s,” Junhoe said but found it too funny, kneeling by the stairs to contain his laughs. He tried to keep as quiet as possible but in his state, he was still being loud. Thankfully, no one was around. Where was everyone? 

“We should go find ourselves some tongues to leech on.” They exited the house but the doorbell rang, making them jump. No one seemed to go get it, it was up to them. Someone ordered pizza. With four boxes stacked on top of each other, Junhoe turned around to go put them in the house.  

“Uh oh, we have a problem.”

“What's it?”

“Someone is leaning on the doors. O-oh, they've got hands on their .”

“W-We shouldn't... disturb,” Junhoe mumbled, turning around to go put them in the garden. “Oh , road closed,” he said, spinning on his heel. He stumbled over his own legs, glad the pizza didn’t end up in the pol. Same reason as before. Sure, they could knock or just pass by, whatever. But that wasn't an idea that came into their intoxicated minds. They looked at the gate and front door. That's their territory now. 

“Okay, whatever,” Hanbin sighed, opening the top box. “You okay with olives?” Junhoe nodded, or at least Hanbin thought he did. He couldn't see behind the boxes. He took the top box, telling his friend to put the other ones by the door, making his way to the gate. “You coming?”

Before they left, Hanbin managed to kick off his shoes.

“Going barefoot?”

“I'm tipsy, this is acceptable behavior.”

They set off, handing the pizza box from one's hands to the others. “Hot rocks, that's the stuff, man,” Hanbin sighed, feeling a deep connection with the nature. Or the asphalt road, whatever.

“You a lizard?”

“Are you the police? Mind your business,” Hanbin hissed, grabbing Junhoe's last piece. 

 

*

 

The phone rang at the most inconvenient time, just as Junhoe was finishing up a painting. With dirty hands and no tissues in sight, he navigated through his phone with his knuckles. “What's up.”

“Just checking. You know, after yesterday.” Junhoe heard Hanbin giggle through the phone. Of course, he wouldn't miss an opportunity to call about his date. “So?”

“So what?”

“How did it go?”

“Pretty good, was a fun night,” Junhoe kept his answer as vague as possible, knowing it'll drive Hanbin crazy. He held his phone between his ear and shoulder, trying to scrub the paint off of his hands. 

“Where did you two go?”

“Gallery, movie and then snacks.”

“Went to show your works?”

“Perks of being an art major.”

“And then?”

“The usual.”

“I will come over and beat your if you keep answering like that.”

“I'm just answering your questions,” Junhoe laughed, popping open a sweet soda. He could hear Hanbin playing video games in the background again. 

But those answers didn't discourage Hanbin from digging deeper. “A walk home?”

“Mhm.”

“A goodbye kiss?”

Hanbin could hear Junhoe go silent and then give him a long “mmm-hmm’, laughing. Hanbin squealed silently, obviously excited by Junhoe's date.  “First base? Second base? Did you hit the home run, you sly fox?”

Junhoe rolled his eyes, he really wanted to know everything. “I'll leave some things or the imagination,“ he teasingly answered. Hanbin must be so tense now. He kept asking what they talked about, if there was a second date, all that juicy info. It seemed like he was more excited than Junhoe.  

“Oh, you cheeky bastard. It's- Okay, wait. Unrelated, Junhoe, did you paint sunflowers on my wall?”

“What?”

“Did you paint sunflowers on my wall?”

“Wha- What are sunflowers?”

“Junhoe, stop. I'm just asking. It was you, wasn't it? Dude, I love them.” Junhoe's heart fluttered. He could finally hear the excitement in Hanbin's voice and it was so sweet. It's been some time since he did them and now just waited until he noticed. Nothing big, just a few little sunflowers scattered around the room on non-visible places like behind his bed. 

“Yeah, I... I did.”

“When?”

“Remember when you left with your parents and I had to babysit your plants?” Hanbin remembered. Mostly because his plants either needed intensive care or just died. 

“Dude, you must've been so bored,” he laughed, eyeing the painting. It was so pretty, he couldn't believe he didn't ask Junhoe to do it sooner. They were so small and delicate. But still looked so bright and full of life, they reminded him of Junhoe. He wanted a whole wall of them, he wanted them to be everywhere. “I love them,” he said quietly through the phone. 

 

*

“Look, I’m doing it, how cool is that?” Hanbin laughed, bouncing himself off the ground and standing on Junhoe’s skateboard all alone. “I’m riding your thing!”

“God, Hanbin, don’t- don't say that so loud!” Junhoe yelled after him. He’s either absolutely not aware of how he sounds or knows exactly what it sounds like. Junhoe chased him down the park like a mother chases a kid after it starts running away. He got to Hanbin just in time, catching him as he was almost about to fall. 

“You were right,” Hanbin picked himself up, standing firmly on the ground. Cold wind washed over them, the sun was beginning to set. 

“With?”

“That it’s going to be fun.”

Ever since Junhoe dragged him here the first time, he became a regular. No, he wasn’t the one riding around all the time but he sure was the first one to cheer on his friend for every little thing, sharing sweet sodas as they sat by the park most nights.

“Come,” Junhoe grabbed Hanbin’s hand, dragging him up the hill, ignoring his protests. Everything that requires a little more than no effort was off Hanbin’s limits. After a short walk, they arrived by the river, sitting up on a steep hill by it. The whole city was tiny under their feet, they had it on their palms. “It’s pretty, no?” Junhoe broke the silence after minutes. 

“Sure is.” 

“You know, I’m going to miss this,” Junhoe sighed, propping himself up on his elbows.

“What do you mean?”

“When we’re like not always together, hand in hand in all the bull.” Hanbin was startled by this idea. He never thought about them not being side by side. It wasn't a reality he wanted to explore. What he loved was how they were now, right at that moment. What will be in years, that's future Hanbin’s worry. 

He looked over at his friend who watched the city with a worried look on his face. “It never crossed my mind.” Junhoe took the liberty of lying in Hanbin’s lap. “What’s important is that we're together right now, here.” Hanbin looked at the city again, this time lights were lighting up. It was magical.

“You’re right. I’m just... Glad you're here, Hanbin.” Junhoe patted his friend’s thigh, giving him a genuine, warm smile which Hanbin gave right back.

“Me too. I love you, dude.”

“Love you too man.”