A smile painted his face as the familiar sound beeped from his cell phone. He turned to the small device form his laptop and smiled. He was busy working on a new paper assigned to him. As much as he hated it, the real world had to return fast.

Thank goodness for good distractions.

‘Hey’

‘Hey!!!’

‘What's up?’

‘Uhm... Researching?’

‘For school?’

‘Yup! Kinda harsh. You?’

‘Work. Papers. Stuff like that.’

‘Back to reality, huh?’

.........

He saved the document he was writing, closed his laptop and sighed. Kyuhyun probably hates that type of conversation and didn't know what to reply. He bit his lip, wanting the conversation to continue.

‘Sorry.’

No response. He was growing apprehensive. He was careful about Kyuhyun he did not know why but he was always mindful of his words. He knew what they’ve been through and it was not easy, only time could tell where on okay they are both now.

‘Wait! What?’

‘Uhm, I was kinda, insensitive?’

‘There's nothing wrong with what you said... Texted. I went to the rest room!!!’

He giggled at the response, sighing in relief as he replied back, his face contorted to a beautiful smile as he punched in the keys of his phone.

It had been a while and they both found themselves conversing for a while through texts.  Sometimes, Kyuhyun would call him and ask him if he's okay for lunch.

The meetings did not last longer than an hour.  They would just eat and converse a little before saying goodbye. He had brought Kyuhyun on a cheap diner once and the younger just enjoyed it.

They went out, and found each other’s company surprisingly comfortable. The situations in the island had forced them to dislike one another at the start but they grew comfortable with one another afterwards. Real world brought them closer and it was nice. He didn’t expect them to be close to friends.

Despite all these, he knew he had his limitations but looking from afar wasn't at all bad. He would find himself smiling from time to time. He would think of him before he retires for the night and he would too as soon as he opens his eyes every morning. Getting some bit of inspiration isn't at all bad.

"I'm having a weird craving for burger." Kyuhyun's voice echoed from the receiver the next evening. He had just removed his shoes and dumped his bag on the floor when the younger called him.

"I just arrived at my place." He reasoned out a little but totally knowing what the other was implying. It was a Friday night after all. He smiled inwardly.

The apartment was empty. He had decided to return a week ago when he had somehow sorted his mind. He had made things clear to Jongwoon and the other agreed. It wasn't easy and the older had avoided him ever since.

He listened to the breathing over the line as he sat comfortably on the small couch. "I'm sitting on the sofa. It's so soft, I'm almost drifting to sleep." he teased and Kyuhyun grunted.

"Shut up. C'mon. Meet me. I need some greasy cheese burgers and fries." He whined.

Since when did they become this close? Since when were they acting as if they knew each other since birth. Kyuhyun knew some things about him, and he what he knew of the other was just as much. But how they talk and tease each other, it seems like they've been together for years.

He felt himself blushing.

"I'm on front of the apartment building where you live." Kyuuhyun spoke once again and he found himself scampering for a new shirt and jacket. He had worn the green polo shirt since that morning and of course, he would want to impress Kyuhyun.

The young CEO was indeed in front of his apartment building when he reached the front doors. He paused as little as Kyuhyun stood there, leaning on his expensive car, in his expensive white polo and loose necktie.

His hair was ruffled; he has a lighted cigarette in between his fingers.  Damn, he was handsome like that.

"I didn't know you smoke." Was what he greeted Kyuhyun. Younger smirked at him and opened the car door.

"Occasionally, when I'm stressed."

"So the greasy burgers part of the escape too?"

Kyuhyun closed the door and ran towards the driver seat. When they were locked inside the vehicle and the engine was revving, he smiled at him. "Nah, I just wanna see you."

And he blushed... big time. He knew, he could feel the thumping of his ears and the heat in his face. His heart was in sync with the car's speedometer. He wanted it and he liked it. He knew he was falling and he was not denying it.

Their plates were a mess as they finished the meal. Kyuhyun had ordered triple patties and large fries and soda. He was such a pig but he couldn't complain. He ordered double patties too.

It was fun just how their usual meals were. Kyuhyun would tell stories of work and he would share his own about school.

"Well, I need to make a full course meal on our next presentation."

Kyuhyun leaned closer. One thing he learned about the younger, he's too enthused with food. He eats anything edible and would devour them. He nodded.

"I still need to make the preparations and it has to be approved by my advisers." Kyuhyun was nodding as he finished his fries. He watched him in admiration. The young CEO can be cute sometimes. He could be handsome and intimidating the next. Well, he likes Kyuhyun in any way he was.

Kyuhyun burped....loud. To his shock, he smiled, and then laughed, and then they were laughing so hard. The fast food was noisy and no one paid attention to them. It was a good Friday.

He liked it so much.

"I hope your presentation goes well." Kyuhyun spoke. They were at the back of the apartment building and Kyuhyun had insisted they should loiter around for a while.

"Thanks. I'm really nervous about it. I'm planning on doing a Kaiseki." He spoke. He like Japanese dishes and he was quite confident it would be different from his classmates.

"Ah! I love Kaiseki!"

"You love anything's that eatable."

"But I love Japanese food! Wookie would make sushi and rolls from time to time and..."

Kyuhyun’s voice faded, realizing what he just said. He turned to the wheel awkwardly before sighing.

"I'll make one for you." He spoke, not wanting anything close to awkward to start. He had promised himself that he and Kyuhyun would become friends. The events they had in the island were pretty memories and he was to cherish them forever. But life isn't just about the island and he was sure he wanted to create more on the reality they were in.

He wanted to be close to Kyuhyun, he likes him and he would keep the friendship that's blooming fresh until he can.

"If I get a score higher that 95, I’ll make a Kaiseki for you."

Kyuhyun snickered and it was enough to tell him that they were okay. As much as they're acting closer, he knew that he should weigh Kyuhyun and his mood. They're adjusting well to each other.

"I bet you'll get a hundred."

He couldn't help but smile. Kyuhyun had been mean to him at the island, even at the cruise. They didn't click well at first but now they're acting like best friends. He smiled back at him.

The moment their eyes met in their silent smiles, time stopped. He couldn't quite figure how it happened but it did. Kyuhyun was leaning closer and closer to him and despite the restrains of the seatbelt, the younger had moved.

Kyuhyun's eyes were in a deep shade of brown. They were not very huge but they were meaningful. Kyuhyun had told him before that he had not had a very good childhood as what everyone thinks he did. He wanted to know more but pursed the issue.

He must have been thinking too much, because when the thoughts stopped in his head. He was seeing nothing but Kyuhyun's closed eyes next to his.

It was still the same; Kyuhyun's lips were the same as he remembered them minus the saltiness brought out by the ocean.

He tried to pull back, but the younger had freed himself of the safety belt and was completely on him. It wasn't right, but when his heart thumped louder one second, he let out the disturbing thoughts in his head.

He opened his mouth. He accepted Kyuhyun's tongue inside him. He wanted more of him and so he did. He wrapped his arms around the other's nape and pulled him closer. Maybe he'll never get enough of Kyuhyun and he'll never get Kyuhyun.

Maybe these moments are simple opportunities.

"Kyu...hyun." He spoke when they pulled apart. Their faces were just inches away and Kyuhyun seemed to have no plans of pulling away.

"You're pretty." Younger said as if he was high and then smiled. "You're so pretty." He peck his lips one more time and caressed his face.

"Kyuhyun....we can't."

"I don't care." Another kiss.

"Please."

"No." and another. What was funny was that, he was telling Kyuhyun to stop but he made no effort to stop him. He just continued.

When Kyuhyun finally pulled back, he was smiling. His smile reminded him of simple moments of bliss, like peaceful pastures and children playing.

Younger stared at him, a tinge of fear reflected in his eyes.

"I'm not mad." He admitted. "It's just.... it's wrong. You have... someone." He flinched as he thought of Kyuhyun's partner. He bit his lip, truth dawning to him like an incoming truck.

"I'm not sorry about it.” Younger admitted and smiled at him "Because I know that we're okay."

He couldn't help but smile back. He knew it was dangerous, he knew it was wrong but Kyuhyun's smile made it seem that all's well. He nodded and leaned to kiss the younger on the cheek.

"Thanks for the night, Kyuhyun." He murmured before he walked back to his apartment.

He must've been grinning too widely until he pushed his apartment door open only to find Jongwoon sitting on the sofa. He was eating instant noodles once again.

He tried to enter unnoticed but the older turned to him and stared at him sadly.

He nodded slightly before heading to his room.

"He's with someone."

He stopped on his tracks and turned to the man staring at the television set.

"What?"

"He has a boyfriend, they're out publicly. Cho Kyuhyun and Kim Ryeowook. Their names aren't that hard to notice." Jongwoon's voice was bland and he did not like it.

"We just had dinner."

"Like a date."

He did not answer.

“You’re really into dating him?

He sighed, a little furious that he was being provoked. "So what if it's a date?” He retorted. “We both enjoyed it.”

************************************ ***********************************

He tossed his keys on his bed, stripped off his clothes down to his boxers before going straight on to the shower. Cold water was always his drug. He loved the flowing softness around him, like cold silk soothing his senses. The relaxation always helps, and for tonight, it added up the light feeling.

His bed was heaven; the mattress massaged the muscles that sore up in the day’s work. His eyes closed and till his consciousness flew out of him, the beautiful smile was mirrored in his mind.

“Sungmin...” he murmured finally.

Stupid light. Stupid blinds.  He grunted. It was a Saturday! How the is the sun too early to rise? He didn’t plan on sitting up early because damn, it was a Saturday.

“Rise and shine, Kyuhyunnie.” The squeak made him shoot his eyes open. He sat up, headache banging his head as he scratched his lids, trying to hide the irritation. It was supposed to be his free day anyway. And he had a good time the previous night. He frowned a little as he felt the side of his bed dipping lightly.

“Morning, baby.” Ryeowook greeted, massaging his arm. He forced out a smile before climbing down his bed, a grunt escaping his lips.

“Monrning, Wookie. It’s too early for a Saturday.”

“I know. I was just gonna ask you to have breakfast because we haven’t had breakfast outside since...” He trailed off, voice low and cautious as he eyed towards the rest room.

He paid no heed to the comment. He had been too immune to people being careful towards him, he knew they were just pretending, he knew they really didn’t care about the solitary, the frustration he had been through when he got stuck up in the island. Hell, they just wanted Cho Kyuhyun to be alive to continue his business and nothing else. He shrugged his shoulder as he came face to face with himself on the mirror.

He saw the crow’s feet at the edge of his eyes. He smiled. He remembered how he smiled a lot the previous night. He remembered Sungmin.

He smiled wider, forgetting that he was pissed for being so up early.

“Kyu?” He snapped out and shook his head.

“Ugh, yeah. I’ll be out in a minute.”

He ended up smiling for breakfast. He ended up thinking about continental and American breakfast. He noticed the table presentation, the food, everything about hospitality management and then he would smile.

“You seem happy.” Ryeowook commented when they were lazing on the cafe’s lounge. His coffee was boiling still as he relaxed his muscles over the soft cushion. “Not like when I pulled out the blinds this morning,”

“Yeah. I just... liked breakfast.” He answered, eyes closed. “It’s nice to have a very good meal at the start of the day.”

“Well, we should do this more often then.”

“Yeah.” He answered noncommittally.

There was silence. And he knew Ryeowook was watching him. He really didn’t care that the smaller man was having a wrong impression about him. He didn’t even feel guilty that Ryeowook was given a notion entirely wrong for what he was hoping. He was just thinking of Sungmin, and everything falls into its right place.

“Hey,” he straightened and eyed the other, a grin on his face. “Do you think Japanese breakfast is good?”

“I bet.”

“I think I want to try something different next time. Sungmin had told me that there are other meals that are served.” He spoke comically. “I just kept eating them; I didn’t know there are names for meals!”

Ryeowook smiled at him, his hand on his. “There are... but we’re not gourmets, especially not gourmands, Kyu. And... Sungmin?” Ryeowook’s eyebrows turned skeptical as he mentioned the name. His heart jumped. His emotions got the better of him and he slip up. Nevertheless, his composure was retained.

“Sungmin. He was the guy who was trapped in the island with me.” He answered. “We kept in touch, thought that it’ll be better since we know how the adjustment feels.”

“You never mentioned him before.”

“I didn’t. Because we only shared small talks and we met a couple of times.”

“A couple of times?”

He knew that look. Ryeowook was being ridiculous and he knew the other has the right to, but he didn’t care. Ryeowook was being his usual OCD self and paranoia’s eating him up. He never liked the Ryeowook who always take hold on him. He wondered how he was always like this from before.

“Yeah. I called him for lunch and stuff like that. Why? Something wrong?” He raised his voice a little, hiding the defensiveness in it. Ryeowook bit his lip.

“You didn’t tell me, that’s what’s wrong.”

He sighed. He didn’t want to have a fight, a conversation like this. He shrugged his shoulder and stood up. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I don’t want to have a fight, Wookie. It’s you and your weird imagination once again.”

Ryeowook did not answer and he took his cue to leave.

They have been fighting a lot lately. Maybe, this isn’t working out anymore. He pulled out his phone and dialed in a number. He found himself smiling as he stepped in his car.

Not anymore.

To be continued