Sunggyu was in the corner of the ballroom, downing what was probably his sixth glass of champagne, watching Woohyun and the princess he supposedly slept with conversing at one of the tables across the room. The rest of the guests went back to partying, and seemed to not be concerned at all.

Sunggyu had no idea what Woohyun and the princess were talking about and frankly he was annoyed. Not at Woohyun…well yes at Woohyun, but also with himself and everything in his life.

“I’ll quit.” He decided. “All the drama and royalty …its not for me. I should just go back home and teach toddlers how to milk cows…” He hadn’t been back home to his small farming town in years, but right now that was starting to look like a better place to be. But he didn’t want to go back…

He clutched onto his glass, sipping the last few drips, before reaching over and grabbing another from a waiter’s silver tray.

“Maybe I can teach chickens and goats how to curtsey?” He snorted, his mind feeling very hazy. He hiccupped, a little as he mindlessly wandered across the room. He obviously wasn’t in his right mind, as the alcohol had already infected his mostly sensible brain. Before he knew it, he was a few tables away from Woohyun and the princess. He could barely hear them talking.

“Does this mean I’ll have to marry you?!” Woohyun gasped. “Because I deflowered you—!”

“Who said I was a ?” The princess sighed.

“B-But you’re a princess—!”

“So? These days, princesses don’t have to be all pure and holy. We’re real people too. And besides there were many guys before you.”

“Oh.” Woohyun blinked, not really knowing how he should feel about that. “Well…as long as we can just forget about the whole thing then…”

“Of course. Ah but that guy from before…” The princess grinned. “Isn’t he that royal handler, Kim Sunggyu?”

“Uh…yeah, but—?”

“He’s hot. Older guys are really—.”

“No!” Woohyun panicked. “Y-You can’t!”

“Huh?” The princess frowned. “Why not?”

“B-Because he’s…” Woohyun averted his eyes. It wasn’t like he could say Sunggyu was his. Because he wasn’t. Well not yet… “He’s going to be mine!”

“Ah, I remember you calling out his name during ….so it was him.” The princess nodded. “But you said ‘going to?’ So that means right now…he’s available?”

“Well yeah, but I’m—.”

“So he’s fair game.” The princess smirked. Woohyun was shocked and horrified. This seemingly innocent looking princess wanted to seduce Sunggyu. His Sunggyu.

“But I just said that he—.”

“Well I guess we’re rivals now?” The princess flipped her hair, before patting Woohyun on the shoulder. “Well Good luck. Ah…but you should know, I always get what I want.”

At that she was gone, leaving Woohyun standing there with his mouth hanging open.

Sunggyu tilted his head. He couldn’t really hear anything they were saying, as he leaned against the wall. He slid to the floor, just as Woohyun turned in his direction.

“Hyung?” Woohyun walked up to him, kneeling down beside him. “Are you ok?”

“Go away.” Sunggyu swatted at the air in front of him.

“Are you drunk?” Woohyun frowned, placing a hand on Sunggyu’s head.

“I’m quitting…” Sunggyu mumbled, closing his eyes, resting his head against the wall.

“Huh? Quitting what?”

“Stupid royalty crap…I don’t wanna do this anymore…”

“Hyung, what’re you—?”

“I’m sick and tired of this!” Sunggyu suddenly raised his voice, but not loud enough to garner the attention of the other party guests.

“Of what—?”

“I’m sick of you! I’m sick of me! Why can’t you just leave me alone, damn it…I was fine before.” He mumbled. “I was fine…”

Woohyun didn’t say anything and removed his hand from Sunggyu’s hair. He looked away.

“I just…keep annoying you, don’t I?” He sighed sadly.

“Yesh!” Sunggyu whined, slurring his words. “You’re so ing annoying! Why do you have to be so attractive?”

“Huh?” Woohyun looked up.

“Adorable, y, and nice smelling…I’m trying so hard not to want you, but you’re making it too damn hard!” Sunggyu growled, leaning on his back, while running his fingers through his own hair.

“I…” Woohyun blinked. “Hyung, you—.”

“I’m just gonna quit and move back home. Then I won’t have to deal with this . I won’t have to try to read your stupid mind, so I don’t say something mean again—.”

“I never asked you to read my mind.” Woohyun frowned.

“But then you just keep everything to yourself!” Sunggyu pouted.

“No I don’t! That’s what you do!” Woohyun argued. “You know, that was the main reason I was so upset! You don’t…you never trusted me!”

“Trust?” Sunggyu narrowed his eyes. “You stupid , I trusted you more than anyone else!”

“Then why did you leave?!” Woohyun swallowed. “If you really trusted me…why didn’t you stay? You didn’t believe in me enough….in us enough to stay, and work things out. With Boohyun hyung, I could have talked to him. But then you just ran away! Pretended that everything was a lie!”

“He called me a e! The guy wasn’t in his right mind!”

“Exactly! So why did you care about what he said?”

Sunggyu pursed his lips, and looked away in silence.

“I felt like such an idiot…” Woohyun’s voice cracked. “I kept searching for you…I kept calling you…i-is it true then? That I was the one who cared more? That you didn’t—.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Sunggyu muttered, meeting Woohyun’s gaze. His eyes were watering. “T-That’s how I am…I can’t—I’m not good with expressing feelings and stuff—.”

“I know that.” Woohyun rested a hand on his thigh. “I already know that. I don’t want you to change. But you…you were always there. That’s how I knew you cared. But then you just left and I…I didn’t know what to believe anymore. The whole time, was it just my delusions or—?”

“No stupid!” Sunggyu gripped onto Woohyun’s shoulders. “You already know it wasn’t! E-Every day since I left that day…I-I missed you. It hurts seeing your face now, because I don’t know how to make things better. I can’t change anything that already happened. And I can’t make things like they were before. I want to be nice to you, but I can’t because then you’ll get the wrong idea.”

“What wrong idea?” Woohyun pouted. “Y-You don’t want to be with me?”

“N-No I don’t!” Sunggyu huffed. “I really don’t—I really don’t want to want that. But I want it.”

“Huh?” Woohyun blinked. “So you…?”

“Aish forget it. I’m going home!” Sunggyu announced, and stumbled, as he struggled to stand.

Woohyun stood up as well. He watched Sunggyu hobble forward, clumsily. He quickly grabbed Sunggyu’s arm, when it looked like he was going to trip on his own feet.

“Just leave me alone!” Sunggyu hissed, as Woohyun helped him out of the ballroom, down the steps of the palace. “I can do it myself!” He huffed, aggressively pushing Woohyun away, but ended almost losing his balance in the process.

“That’s your problem!” Woohyun suddenly exploded. Sunggyu paused, slowly turning, with a hazy look in his eyes.

“…What?”

“Why can’t you just ask for help?” Woohyun frowned. “Its obvious you can’t even stand properly! Why can’t you just depend on me for once?”

Sunggyu merely stood there, blinking, his mind seeping in and out of consciousness. “You’re not going to die if you let someone help you! If you trust someone…” Woohyun paused, when Sunggyu suddenly collapsed into his chest. “Hyung…? What—?” A soft sigh escaped Sunggyu’s lips, indicating sleep.

*

Sunggyu buried his face into a fluffy white pillow, breathing in the scent of strawberry soap, and cologne. It smelled like…

He immediately shot up, but then winced at the throbbing pain in his head.

“Where…?” He squinted, his tired eyes struggling to adjust to the morning light.

“You’re awake?”

He turned to the door, as Woohyun walked in, wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt.

“What…happened?” Sunggyu began to panic, and looked down to see he was still in his sweat pants and chocolate stained t-shirt from the night before.

“You were drunk.” Woohyun chuckled as he handed Sunggyu a glass of water.

“A-And then…?”

“We had .”

Sunggyu narrowed his eyes, in annoyance, and Woohyun laughed.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

“Shut up.” Sunggyu sighed, massaging his temples.

“Are you feeling better?” Woohyun’s joking manner seemed to fade, and he looked more concerned. He sat down on the edge of the bed across from Sunggyu.

“I guess…” Sunggyu mumbled, folding the comforter over his lap. “I’m so…doing something so stupid…” He looked up at Woohyun. “It’s your fault you know? I was living my life as a mature responsible person, but then you show up again…” He snorted. “And I’m acting like an idiot kid again…”

Woohyun frowned, eyes downcast. “I…didn’t mean to screw up everything. I just missed you…but if you want,” He looked up at Sunggyu with a look of determination. “I’ll quit. I’ll leave you alone. I…I don’t want to make everything worse for you...”

Sunggyu’s heart ached seeing Woohyun’s saddened expression. He couldn’t really think of anything else, and just wanted Woohyun to smile again.

He placed the glass of water on the nightstand and turned to Woohyun.

“Come here.” He said, patting the spot in front of him.

“Huh?”

“Here.” Sunggyu repeated the action, averting his eyes. Woohyun tilted his head, but obeyed and crawled across the bed. Suddenly Sunggyu grabbed the collar of Woohyun’s t-shirt and pulled him closer. Woohyun’s eyes went wide, when he felt Sunggyu’s lips on his cheeks.

“W-What…?” He turned to the elder, clutching onto his cheek, completely flustered.

Sunggyu coughed, looking away. “I-I’m hungry. Make me some breakfast.”

“W-What…?” Woohyun’s mouth was hanging open, as he stared at Sunggyu in amazement. Sunggyu couldn’t help but smile.

“Breakfast, dummy.” He chuckled, nudging Woohyun. “I want breakfast.”

“Oh…” Woohyun nodded, with a dumbstruck look. “What’s…breakfast?”

“Woohyun, how could you do this?!” Jinwoon and Key barged into the room.

“Huh?” Woohyun turned to them. “Do what?”

“Yah, why are you treating Kim Sunggyu like he’s the freaking king of the world?!” Key complained.

“Yeah!” Jinwoon added. “What about me?! I want breakfast too!”

“Ok, ok. “Woohyun sighed, getting off the bed. “I’ll make breakfast for everyone.”

“Wait…” Sunggyu pouted, gripping onto Woohyun’s wrist.

“Hm?” Woohyun turned to him. Sunggyu could see Key and Jinwoon sending him aggravated looks. He didn’t like them. Well obviously not. They kidnapped him for crying out loud. He also didn’t want to let go of Woohyun. He had this unnecessary fear that if he did, he would never get him back. That he would lose him to those two.

“Hyung, you said you were hungry right? That’s why I’m going to make something—.”

He tugged on Woohyun’s arm, looking up at him with intent, glassy eyes. Woohyun merely blinked, staring down at the elder.

“What—?”

“I’ll miss you.”

Woohyun blushed, completely taken off guard by Sunggyu’s apparent clinginess, and straight forward words.

“W-What?” Woohyun stammered. “I-I’m just going to make breakfast—.”

“I can help.” Sunggyu offered, attacking Woohyun with an unintentionally adorable smile.

“Uh…w-what? You…you—.”

Sunggyu crawled off the bed, and dragged the still confused and flustered Woohyun out of the room. He stopped by the door, to send Jinwoon and Key a smirk.

“Evil!” Jinwoon gasped, as they watched Sunggyu pull Woohyun down the hall. “See! I told you he was evil!”

Key merely sighed, shaking his head.

“He’s not evil. He’s just really stupid.”

*

“Did you…did you hit your head or something?!” Woohyun stared in bewilderment, as Sunggyu pulled him into the kitchen, clutching onto his hand.

“No, why do you think that?” Sunggyu frowned.

“Y-You’re being weird!” Woohyun exclaimed. “Why are you being nice to me? And you actually offered to help cook? Who are you and what did you do with Kim Sunggyu?”

“Yah, can’t I be nice to you? Isn’t that what you wanted?” Sunggyu frowned.

“What?” Woohyun looked up at him. “I never said that. I don’t care about what you act like.”

“Well good.” Sunggyu huffed, “Because I’m going to be nice to you from now on—.” He was cut off when Woohyun started laughing hilariously. “What’s so funny?”

“Let’s see how long that’ll last.” Woohyun grinned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sunggyu pouted. “You’re saying I can’t be nice?”

“Not to me.” Woohyun shrugged. “You’re always calling me names and shoving me around.”

Sunggyu felt a stab of guilt. He didn’t realize he treated Woohyun in such a manner. From now on, he decided, he would definitely treat Woohyun much better. He would try being more honest with his feelings.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled.

“Huh?” Woohyun blinked, once again taken off guard. “No, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I mean that’s just how you are, and…” He bashfully rubbed the back of his neck. “I-I like you like that…” He yelped when Sunggyu suddenly pulled him into a hug. “W-What are you—?”

“W-Why are you so cute?” He hummed in Woohyun’s ear. “What am I supposed to do with you?”

Woohyun gulped, not really being able to form proper sentences. He was not used to this straightforward Sunggyu at all.

“B-Breakfast…” He stuttered.

“Ah right…” Sunggyu released him, glancing around the kitchen. “What should I do to help?”

“Uh…” Woohyun reached for his apron, and pulled it on. “Well first you should—w-what are you doing?” He turned when he felt Sunggyu’s fingers brush his back. Sunggyu for some reason, decided to tie the straps of Woohyun’s apron for him. “I-I can do it myself.”

“I know~” Sunggyu wondered why he didn’t act this way sooner if he could see Woohyun acting this way—all embarrassed and adorable.

“I can make breakfast myself hyung…” Woohyun murmured, placing a pan on the stove. “You can go sit down in the living room.”

“Can’t I stay here and watch you?” Sunggyu slipped his arms around Woohyun’s waist, burying his nose into the younger man’s neck.

“S-Stop…” Woohyun blushed, desperately clutching onto a spatula, his other hand on the pan’s handle.

“You smell so good.” Sunggyu breathed. “I missed you so much Woohyunnie.”

“….Y-You did?” Woohyun asked quietly. “You really missed me?”

Suddenly Sunggyu’s phone, which was on the counter, started ringing.

“Oh? My phone’s over there?” Sunggyu turned and walked over to it, leaving Woohyun some space to compose himself.

He watched as Sunggyu answered the phone. Apparently it was the Rose Queen from the annoyed look on Sunggyu’s face. Woohyun couldn’t help but smile. Even annoyed Sunggyu was adorable to him.

But then he remembered what Sunggyu had said last night. About wanting to quit…about not wanting to deal with anymore drama. Woohyun knew it was partially his fault. He ended up putting unnecessary stress on an already stressed out Sunggyu.

And for himself as well. The way he had been acting since Sunggyu had left…He was obsessed. He knew it wasn’t healthy to be like that. He had to focus more on his own life and stop being so hung up on the past.

It was something they both needed.

He bit his lip, staring longingly at Sunggyu, before turning to flip a pancake on the griddle.

It had to be done, he told himself. Because the past is like the rear view mirror of a car. One can’t drive a car, only looking into the rear view mirror. And he couldn’t live his life, stuck in the past anymore.

*

“Hyung…” Woohyun kept his gaze on the plate of pancakes in front of him, as Sunggyu sat beside him, stuffing his cheeks full, happily chewing.

“Waah these are really good.” He hummed.

Woohyun sighed, poking his pancake.

“When’d you become such a good chef, hm?” Sunggyu smiled, cheerfully at him, as he reached out to pet Woohyun’s head.

“S-Stop it…” Woohyun murmured, clenching his fists under the table.

“Why?” Sunggyu cupped his cheek. “Woohyunnie, I missed you—.” Woohyun gripped onto his wrist and pulled his hand away.

“Hyung…” He smiled sadly at Sunggyu. “I missed you too. But…what you said yesterday was right.”

“Huh?” Sunggyu blinked.

“A friend…that’s what we both need right now.”

Sunggyu paused, hand still in midair, before returning it back to his side. He ran his tongue over his teeth nervously.

“W-What…are you saying right now?”

“I…” Woohyun looked up at him. “I think we should just be friends—.”

“Why?!” Sunggyu suddenly exploded, standing up immediately. “You…you’re the one who was…a-all this time! You kept trying to get me to…and the moment I finally put my heart out there, you want to throw me away?!”

“No!” Woohyun stood up as well, expression cautionary. “I’m not throwing you away! I just…” He looked away. “Since you left that time…every night since then, I thought about you. Every hour of every day, I spent it on you. Don’t you think that’s wrong? Don’t you think that’s totally messed up? I’m a person too. I want to think about myself sometimes too!”

Sunggyu couldn’t say anything, and just looked down.

“I...I’m sorry. I didn’t know you—.”

“Don’t apologize.” Woohyun murmured. “That was…it was my own fault I got so out of hand…but now I’m trying to take control of my life. And to do that, I can’t be so attached to you…do you get what I’m trying to say?”

Sunggyu sighed, pushing his chair forward. “I…I should go—.”

“Wait.” Woohyun stopped him. “I still—.”

“Are you going to quit?” Sunggyu suddenly asked, and then chuckled darkly. “Then you really won’t have to see me ever again…”

“Hyung…” Woohyun pouted. “Its not that I never want to see you again…but for now, if we could just stay as friends, then—.”

“Fine.” Sunggyu cut him off, back facing Woohyun. “We can be friends. Actually that’s what I wanted anyways...Well it’s getting late and I got to do so—.”

“Hyung, wait.” Woohyun gripped onto his arm. “You’re mad…”

“I’m not…” Sunggyu turned suddenly, eyes intense with emotion. “Actually I am. I’m pissed as hell. And I lied before. I don’t want to be just friends. I want to be with you. I want to kiss you, and hug you, and I want you to be mine…a-and I want to be yours.”

Woohyun merely blinked, taken aback by the sudden confession.

“…Hyung—.”

“And now I understand…that’s what you’ve been feeling this whole time, while I was busy being an idiot.” Sunggyu sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He bit his lip, before nodding decidedly and facing Woohyun. “So that’s why…I’ll wait for you.”

Woohyun’s eyes widened. “…W-What?”

“I won’t give up this time. I’ll wait for you.” Sunggyu smiled softly. “When you’re ready, if you want to…come back, ok?”

“You…” Woohyun breathed. “You…r-really?”

Sunggyu leaned in and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek.

“I trust you Woohyun.” He murmured. “So I’ll wait.”

*

Myungsoo woke up that morning, feeling very relaxed, and he didn’t even know why. But he did feel like something troublesome happened last night…He his side, and blinked for a few seconds. He sat up, scratching his head, and then realized what it was.

“Ah…I forgot Namu at school.”