Kyuhyun fidgeted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable at the dining table of the restaurant. Across from him, his mother and father sat alongside another couple whose daughter just so happened to be his designated fiancée.

It wasn’t new news per se. Kyuhyun always knew his parents were searching for someone suitable for him. The problem was that he didn’t care much for anyone but Ryeowook. How was he supposed to marry someone that was too shy to even meet his eyes? No, more than that, how was he supposed to marry someone he didn’t love?

“You’re not even going to give her a chance?” Kyuhyun’s father questioned warningly.

“It’s not because I dislike her, err, you,” he glanced at the blushing girl, “I’m just not interested in marriage at this point in my life.”

“Well don’t be preposterous,” his father stated stiffly, “it isn’t like you’re being married right this second. We’re simply giving you a prospect for marriage.”

A prospect is more like an arrangement, isn’t it father? Kyuhyun didn’t say that though, instead, he picked up his glass of wine and downed it. “She, ah, you,” he looked at the girl but she only managed to look up at him through her lashes, “are very cute. I understand that. The problem is that I don’t have any wish to be in a relationship at this time.”

“You’ve been saying that for years,” his mother remarked sharply.

“And for years I haven’t been ready for commitment,” Kyuhyun lied through his teeth. “I’m not meant to marry,” anyone by Ryeowook, “and that would become clear if you had time to know me,” because clearly I’m gay for a man.

The girl’s mother spoke up then. “Well then why don’t you have Victoria live with you for a week and see if you two can handle one another?”

“We skipped marriage and now we’re at co-residence?” Kyuhyun stared at the woman, confused.

“Well, this is the easiest and fastest test. If you two can stand one another, then perhaps you’re underestimating your commitment abilities.”

“What if I refuse?”

“He won’t refuse,” Kyuhyun’s father interjected. He gave his son a stern look, so many words flowing between them without one being uttered.

Kyuhyun rolled his eyes in the end. “Then you should know that I have a roommate.”

“A roommate? Since when?” his father frowned.

“Kim Ryeowook lives with me,” Kyuhyun shrugged nonchalantly, easily masking his true feelings, “I’m not going to kick him out for a week.”

Victoria finally spoke up then. “That’s okay,” he met Kyuhyun’s eyes, “I…well, I don’t mind. I should be able to get along with the people in your life if we’re considering marriage.” Her face reddened slightly as she added, “I mean, that is, if anything happens.”

Kyuhyun stifled a sigh, not wanting to give in. Both of his parents shot him equally irritated glares and he looked away. “…fine. It’s fine.”

“Wonderful. We’ll be around tomorrow to drop her off,” Victoria’s mother smiled.

Great…

Ryeowook was sitting on the couch, reading a self-help book about the five stages of grief. It was his new adventure for the day. Normally, those sorts of books angered him, but it seemed to help people out there, so why not give it a shot?

The door clicked open and he looked up. Kyuhyun crossed the threshold, face drawn and exhausted. When their eyes locked though, a smile curled his lips, “Hey, Ryeowook.” He ed his jacket, shrugging it off and hanging it up.

“How was the dinner?” Ryeowook prompted, standing up and coming over to Kyuhyun. He brushed his hands over the male’s cold shirt, leaning up to kiss him.

Kyuhyun melted into the touch, wrapping his arms around the slender figure. Was it so wrong that he wanted to hold Ryeowook and not some woman he barely knew? It felt right when Ryeowook was with him.

“Uhm…we have to talk,” Kyuhyun forced out, pulling back slightly.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“What?” his eyes widened in alarm.

Ryeowook paused, rethinking what he had said. “Sorry,” he shook his head, flustered, “I’ve been reading a self-help book so I’m a bit off.”

“Self-help book…?” Kyuhyun waved his hand dismissively, “Never mind. Anyway, my parents are setting me up with another fiancée.”

“That’s nothing new,” Ryeowook tilted his head in confusion.

“Well, it’s a little different this time,” he said uneasily, “they want her to move in with me for a week to see how compatible we are.”

“Does that mean I get time off?” Ryeowook questioned hopefully. When Kyuhyun’s face darkened, Ryeowook giggled and hugged him. “I’m kidding…sort of. I won’t take care of you for a week, and you can let her have the full experience of trying to handle you.”

Kyuhyun’s expression shuffled through a dozen different things before he settled on more confusion. “I really can’t tell if you’re insulting me. Am I that hard to handle?”

“I’m not insulting. I’m expressing how hard I work,” Ryeowook grinned, “but I’m not sure, maybe I don’t work that hard. I’ll find out this coming week though.” He looked around the apartment and then back at Kyuhyun. “Should we make use of the empty apartment for the last time?”

Kyuhyun leaned in, sniffing. “You’ve been drinking, haven’t you?” he accused lightly, smirking.

“…a little,” Ryeowook admitted.

“I thought so. You’re never this forward.”

“The alcohol makes me loopy.”

Kyuhyun chuckled, pulling him towards the bedroom, “I think loopy is an understatement.”