It was only the next day and they were back together again. Actually, they were together almost every day for the next two weeks.

Sunggyu visited Woohyun at the record shop with the excuse that he was bored because his roommate was nowhere to be found. That was a good enough reason for Woohyun to believe. Sunggyu spent the day browsing the records while Woohyun helped customers and kept busy around the store. During Woohyun’s break, Sunggyu walked to the local convenient store to buy them ramen. Woohyun was getting used to the instant noodles and even started to crave them.

During his late nights after being cooped up in his room for hours, he would sneak down into the kitchen and binge on the ramen packets Sunggyu had bought for him in bulk. He would sit and eat them feeling the heat from the steam come in waves over his face as he slurped them right out of the pot. He smiled thinking of Sunggyu and almost wished he was there, but school and work came first. Finishing his papers and his duties as the TA were always at the top of his list.

Sunggyu had considered at one point in time possibly getting a job at the record shop. It was easy work and he loved music. He would also get to see Woohyun, but that was just a perk because he was such a cool guy. They sat in the back room of the record shop slurping up their lunch. The owner didn’t care that Sunggyu was back there because Woohyun was his ‘best employee’. Woohyun smiled and dragged Sunggyu along. He sat back in the old metal chair leaning so that the front legs of the chair lifted off the ground. Sunggyu watched with a content smile on his face as Woohyun happily ate bite after bite.

“You would not know that you never had ramen before a few weeks ago.” Sunggyu snickered putting his plastic fork down. He had finished eating but Woohyun had asked for a second cup.

Woohyun just smiled and nodded with a mouth full of noodles. He had accepted this fact and didn’t understand why he hadn’t figured this out sooner. Ramen was fast, easy and delicious. He continued to shovel ramen into his mouth as Sunggyu spoke. He was making a mess. There was broth and a piece of a noodle clinging to his chin, but he kept on eating unaware.

Now Sunggyu was torn because telling Woohyun could result in two things. One, he gets mad at him for not saying so sooner and two, he gets embarrassed and never eats ramen again. After thinking over the difficult decision of telling Woohyun for a very long five seconds, Sunggyu went for another option. He reached across the table and wiped it off with his own thumb. As soon as he did it he was grossed out, and almost regretted it immediately.

He wiped his hand on a napkin and looked up to see that Woohyun was stuck in the same position. He was looking down at the table, cheeks dusted pink with his lips apart as he breathed in and out slowly. Sunggyu really didn’t want to believe that Woohyun had leaned into his hand when he wiped at his chin but he knew he felt it.

Woohyun needed to find something to hold onto. His heart was racing. He was also having a hard time remembering what he was doing five seconds ago, so he just continued to stare at the table trying to process what had just happened. Letting his balance go, the chair rocked forward slamming the two front legs back down on solid ground, causing them to both jump.

Sunggyu had just wiped his mouth off like a mother would for a child. Woohyun was offended.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch me like that.” He yanked the napkin from Sunggyu’s hand roughly wiping off his face. He still couldn’t look at him though.

“Okay, fine.” Sunggyu laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Next time I won’t do anything.”

Woohyun was obviously blushing and Sunggyu could see it. This was another moment where Woohyun wanted to run and hide, but his pride got the best of him. He stiffened up and continued to finish off his cup of ramen not leaving a drop behind. Sunggyu wanted to laugh at Woohyun’s defiant actions even the way he sat after he had wiped off his chin, he sat up completely straight and stopped slurping. Even this fluffy haired, plaid wearing version of Woohyun was still straight laced underneath it all.

“Maybe you should leave.” Woohyun finally looked up from the table. Sunggyu wasn’t looking in his direction, but when their gaze did meet there was hurt behind those amber eyes.

“If you want me too.” Sunggyu stood up from the table without hesitation. He picked up his empty cup and moved to take Woohyun’s, clearing off the table before he left. But before he could go he felt a tug at the back of his shirt.

“Wait.” Woohyun loosened his grasp as soon as Sunggyu turned around to see what had caught him. “I was just joking.” Woohyun let out an obviously fake laugh to cover up his momentary lapse of judgement. He hadn’t even realized he grabbed onto Sunggyu until it was already happening.

Sunggyu bent down closing the gap between them, his face was close enough to feel Woohyun’s breath on his lips.

“Why are you so weird?” He laughed and Woohyun could see the smirk playing across the red heads lips. “I wasn’t going to leave. You could never make me.” The words were smug and deliberate.

If Woohyun was in his right mind he would have had something to say back but, he didn’t even know what he was doing or how Kim Sunggyu managed to always get under his skin. He was trying to concentrate on remaining composed rather then forming a witty comeback.

When Sunggyu finally turned away Woohyun was able to breathe again. He gripped at the edge of the table positive he was going to pass out. He couldn’t help but assume that there was something very wrong. His face was flushed, heart rate increased and dizzy. Maybe he had contracted a rare case of random low blood pressure.

They spent the rest of the warm sunny day stealing glances and shy smiles across the record shop. When the sun started to dip below the horizon it was time to go. The sunlight faded into the hum of florescent store lights. Woohyun had to close up shop.

Sunggyu headed out first needing to feed his nicotine habit, lighting a cigarette for the first time that day. When he looked into the pack he held in his hands he realized that it was mostly full. Before he had met Woohyun the pack would have been half empty by this time of day. He smiled down at the ground shoving the pack back into his coat pocket and lit up, taking a long drag. Maybe if he kept Woohyun around more often he could replace one habit with another.

As the thought crossed his mind, Woohyun walked out of the building. Sunggyu watched as he struggled to lock the door with his hands full. His giant fluffy scarf blocking his vision, books and back pack in tow. He was having a hard time trying to pull his key out of his pocket and they were now tangled in the end of his scarf.

Sunggyu stubbed out his cigarette not able to bear watching the idiot struggle and make so much noise. He took the key’s from Woohyun yanking them out of his scarf almost choking Woohyun in the process. He laughed unapologetically, before locking up the doors himself tugging on the handles to make sure they wouldn’t open.

He turned back to Woohyun to hand him the keys, but he was just standing there with his scarf all screwed up.

“What are you doing?” Sunggyu raised an eyebrow observing his weird friend.

“I give up.” Woohyun’s voice was flat as he stayed still unable to move.

He was twisted in his scarf, his backpack had slipped into an awkward position and because he walked out with his jacket half on his body that was tangled now too. Sunggyu laughed aloud clutching at his sides, coughing a bit because his lungs were ty from smoking. He really should stop. He reached a hand out to offer help and Woohyun just slouched apparently done with life.

“Here, let me help.” Sunggyu took his bag, pulling his jacket off and fixed his scarf.

He pulled the soft material down and away from Woohyun’s lips tucking it under his chin. Their eyes met for a split second but Sunggyu had to turn away because they were too close and he didn’t normally do stuff like this for people. He set the backpack on the ground and helped Woohyun into his coat. The kid was smiling the whole time like a five year old wiggling and making stupid noises. Sunggyu wanted to tell him forget it and throw his books at his face, but he didn’t. Instead he packed the books away into the bag and placed the straps over Woohyun’s shoulders.

“Why are you so dumb?” Sunggyu shoved his hands into his pockets looking at the ground, kicking the cigarette but he had stubbed out earlier.

“Well, at least I’m smarter then you.” Woohyun shrugged with a smile tugging at his lips.

Woohyun was beaming. Ever since he was young, he has had to do everything on his own, even when he had lived with Dongwoo’s family. Dongwoo’s parents treated him like their son and there was definitely no special treatment. So, to have a person take the time to help him out like that was a new experience in itself. Sunggyu didn’t seem to want anything from him and he certainly could have let him deal with it on his own, he was an adult after all.

“Come home with me.” The words just slipped from Sunggyu’s mouth before his mind could catch up.

Woohyun was taken aback. He looked around suspiciously. He hooked his thumbs into the straps of his back pack and leaned towards Sunggyu turning a ear in his direction, pretending like he didn’t hear.

“Are you serious?” He scoffed. “Did you not see the amount of work I have to do?” He hiked his backpack up higher, to prove a point. He was already straining. “I mean I know you have small eyes, but you are not blind.”

“It was just an offer.” Suddenly Sunggyu was doubting himself.

It was getting colder as they stood there. He didn’t want to go home alone. His apartment was so empty these days, minus the cat. Suddenly the street lights flickered on catching Sunggyu’s gaze.

“Sure.” And almost like the flip of a switch Woohyun had changed his mind.

Sunggyu wasn’t bad company and if anything had always put him at ease. He could kill two birds with one stone, get his homework done and eat all of Sunggyu’s ramen. Whenever they hung out it was always long talks and good food but for some reason they never went out. They would stay in and Woohyun would finish up any leftover work he had while Sunggyu played with his guitar, bothering Woohyun for some poetic lyrics.

“What?” Sunggyu almost didn’t believe what he heard.

“Yes, okay. Let’s go.” Woohyun started to cross the street heading towards the bus stop.

Sunggyu was at a loss. It was never this easy to get him to come over. Woohyun always had excuses, or just never showed up. Sunggyu would make all the plans and work or school would get in the way. Though there was something different about today. Woohyun was looking right at him, not through him. There wasn’t another thought behind his words today. Woohyun wasn’t distracted, he was giving one hundred percent to Sunggyu and it was definitely appreciated.

When Woohyun started towards the bus stop Sunggyu couldn’t believe it. He realized that this kid knew the way to his apartment with out directions. Had he been there that much? Sunggyu looked up at the lilac painted sky as the sun slowly began to disappear; the clouds were brushed across the sky in light gray wisps. It was a good night, but it was certainly getting cold. Sunggyu shivered and came back to reality following behind Woohyun.

Woohyun really liked bus rides, especially when traveling to Sunggyu’s apartment, there were so many things to look at. First they had to leave the suburbs and enter the city. In the city there were so many lights and tall buildings. Woohyun wanted to ask Sunggyu if one day they could take the long way, or maybe just stay in the city, because he always saw the glow of the Space Needle from his bus seat window. That was the closest he ever got.

After leaving the city they would enter the warehouse district full of beautiful architectural structures, lining the waters edge. To get there they had to cross a bridge. It wasn’t big or special, but bridges always seemed to fascinate Woohyun, with their intricate shapes and the fact that they were suspended over water. The warehouse district seemed as if it was lost in time. Structures remaining from the 1800’s and still standing in perfect condition. A place where masonry met nature.

The buildings were old and beautiful, well kempt. Most had ivy growing along the sides much like Sunggyu’s Apartment. Woohyun admired Sunggyu for living in a place that was so aesthetically pleasing, the red brick front and black rod iron, even the interior with deep chocolate stained hardwood floors and the delicate mother of pearl inlay.

The bus ride itself was much longer then it would have taken Woohyun if he were to head straight back to the frat, but the ride was always pleasing.

They boarded the bus and took their seats in the back, it seemed that they already had a ritual, doing the same things knowing what the other liked. This was a fast friendship. Sunggyu knew that Woohyun liked to sit next to the window and Woohyun knew that Sunggyu always wore his headphones as soon as they sat down. The bus rides were silent.

On this day, it seemed that everything was different. Sunggyu still dug into his pockets to search for his headphones but this time he only put one side in.

“Here.” Sunggyu nudged Woohyun with his elbow handing the other side to him.

Woohyun took it without question unsure of what to do next. Did Sunggyu just want him to hold it?

“Listen,” Sunggyu nodded in a reassuring manner towards Woohyun’s direction, pressing his lips together. “It’s a new album I just downloaded. We can listen together.” Sunggyu swallowed once shaking his head before turning his attention back to the front of the bus. He would have rested his arm behind Woohyun like he usually did but then again, today was definitely different.

Woohyun kept quiet, doing as he was told, placing the earbud in his ear. As he listened he turned view to watch out the window, catching his own reflection from time to time. His mouth permanently curved up into a smile.

Looking up as the bus came to a stop, a girl got on. She was very pretty but probably young from the way that she was dressed. She walked towards the back of the bus to take a seat. Woohyun noticed her giving them weird looks, constantly glancing back over her shoulder. He looked over to Sunggyu who had his eyes closed.

“Hey, do you know her?” He poked Sunggyu who seemed to be nodding off.

“What? Who?” Sunggyu blinked a few times at Woohyun who discretely pointed at the girl.

When she had seen Sunggyu looking in her direction, she ducked below the seat to avoid him. Woohyun laughed.

“Are you sure you don’t know who she is?”

“Positive.”

Sunggyu and Woohyun continued to look over in her direction finding it amusing that the girl was having such a strange reaction. They would look away and look back causing her to gasp and cover her face. This went on for a good ten minutes. At another stop along the way the girl grabbed her belongings supposedly to get off the bus. Instead she walked towards the back and stared at Sunggyu.

Woohyun didn’t know what to do in this kind of situation. Why was she there?

“Are-are you Kim Sunggyu?” The girl stuttered tugging at the ends of her coat nervously.

“Yes… Why?” Sunggyu hesitated and hoped she was asking because of his band and nothing else. His past was a little more then dark.

“I love Queen Mab!” She blurted the words out all at once. “I have been to two of your shows and then the time at the frat party-”

“Wait,” Sunggyu cut her off. “You were at the frat party? Aren’t you a little young?”

“Well I managed to sneak in with a few of my friends when I heard that other band was going to be there, but they didn’t show up and it was you instead!” She was almost jumping up and down as she spoke, unable to contain her excitement.

Sunggyu looked at Woohyun apologetically but Woohyun was only smiling. It was nice to see Sunggyu appreciated for the music he makes, to know that he has fans. Also, Woohyun didn’t feel crazy anymore for having the reaction he did when they first met, this totally proves that Kim Sunggyu does that to people… it’s totally normal.

“I saw you there too.” The girl pointed at Woohyun.

“Me?” Woohyun’s eyes went wide as he pointed to himself. That was not one of his best nights.

“Yeah, bunny ears.” The girl blushed and looked at the ground.

Sunggyu couldn’t contain his laughter and Woohyun was smacking his head into the window. Of course he would be remembered half with bunny ears. After a short embarrassing conversation the girl asked for Sunggyu’s signature and got off at the next stop.

They made it to Sunggyu’s apartment and up the old metal stairs as usual. The temperature had dropped dramatically and Woohyun was shivering, rubbing down his arms to warm up before dropping his backpack on the table with a loud thud and removing his jacket and shoes.

The cat came from around the corner with a small meow arching and stretching its limbs before sitting cutely blinking up at Woohyun.

“Hello,” Woohyun picked the cat up tucking it into his sweater. “Did you just wake up?” The cat purred in his arms.

Sunggyu took notice of the way Woohyun was cuddling the cat and couldn’t help but gush at his baby snuggling up to a stranger, although Woohyun was hardly a stranger at this point. His cat didn’t ever take a liking to anyone but himself and not even his roommate Myungsoo who was half cat himself. He watched as Woohyun gingerly held that cat in one arm while trying to go about starting his homework, pulling heavy books, paperwork and of course his beloved notebook from his bag.

Sunggyu was smiling and starting a pot of ramen for dinner. Woohyun was getting lucky, Sunggyu was feeding him twice today. Woohyun took a seat and just as he was reaching for a pencil the cat decided to jump out of his arms knocking his notebook off the table, he groaned but wasn’t mad at the cat.

Woohyun bent to grab his notebook but there was already a hand on it. Sunggyu had gotten to it first. They were face to face for the second time that day. Neither attempted to move. They stayed like that for what seemed to be an eternity before both blushing bright red and Sunggyu giving up on the notebook, letting it fall open on the floor. Woohyun slowly leaned off his chair to pick it up. The page that it had fallen open to was the one he was writing from the first night that they had met. The feeling was definitely present.

“Haha. Well ramen again…” Sunggyu trailed off rolling his eyes at his own words. He set the pot on the stove.

“Yep, ramen.” They were both at a loss.

Woohyun slammed the notebook closed as if that would contain the emotions that were suddenly spreading through him. His heart was racing again. He took a deep breath filling his lungs before blowing out long and hard , bringing a hand up to his flushed cheeks.

Sunggyu was keeping his back to Woohyun not wanting to expose himself or how he was feeling. The only reason he was feeling like this was because he hadn’t gotten laid in forever, that was the only explanation. To avoid the situation he decided to roll up his sleeves and do the dishes. The sink was over flowing and they needed to be done. Where was Myungsoo? Sunggyu was kicking himself for thinking that but being alone with Woohyun right now was not the best possible situation.

He looked over his shoulder at the kid concentrating on his homework. He had his shoulders hunched and his head down, his hair looked really soft. It looked like it would be nice to touch, to run his fingers through. Sunggyu sighed. How could this kid be so cute and not know it. Suddenly there was the sound of water pouring onto the floor and Sunggyu was snapped back to reality. He was so enthralled with staring at Woohyun he hadn’t noticed the bowl he was washing started to overflow.

“.” He turned off the water and grabbed some paper towels.

Woohyun didn’t seem to notice what had just happened and Sunggyu thanked god for that. Sunggyu cleaned up his mess and continued what he was doing.

Woohyun was suddenly distracted by the sounds of chopping. He lifted his head from his paper, opening and closing his hand a few times to keep it from cramping up. He looked over to Sunggyu who was busy chopping up vegetables for their ramen. He could already smell the garlic and green onions. He never got to eat it like that at home. Woohyun eyed Sunggyu from head to toe, it had been a long time since he had really looked at him.

Sunggyu’s feet were bare, even on the cold tiles of the floor. Woohyun shivered just thinking about it and was grateful that the cat was currently curled up against his legs under the table. His skin was pale just looking at his toes, Woohyun wanted to know what was further up, shifting his gaze to Sunggyu’s ankle. That night they shared on Halloween was a blur and Woohyun had totally blocked it out of his mind, until right now. He was remembering everything. He felt his face flush again as his eyes traveled upwards to Sunggyu’s waist. Now, if he could pick a favorite part of a person, it would be Sunggyu’s waist. There were just so many things happening in that area.

Woohyun rested his chin on his hand to think about it. Nosing along Sunggyu’s happy trail. He choked on his own spit. He should be doing homework, not imagining fondling his friend.

“You okay?” Sunggyu turned around with a jar of kimchee for Woohyun to pick at while he was waiting.

“Hmm,” Woohyun cleared his throat. “Yeah fine.” He stabbed some kimchee with a chopstick shoving the whole thing in his mouth all at once. He coughed again. “Spicy.”

They ate their ramen without any distractions and Woohyun had the cat back in his arms again.

A while later they were on the couch coffee and snacks in hand. They always stayed up late anyway. Maybe Sunggyu was more of a distraction then Woohyun thought. His books and homework were left on the kitchen table still unfinished.

Sunggyu didn’t have a TV, so what do you do without a TV? You watch stupid videos on your laptop. The radio was in the background and the only light in the room was a few scented candles. Sunggyu liked things that smelled good. Woohyun was surprised when he found out about his addiction, candles. They switched from watching videos to talking about Sunggyu’s first love, which was music. He went on to describe how it made him feel and what inspired his lyrics, like the city and everything in and around it.

“I have written a lot more since we met. More then I ever have.” Sunggyu got up and walked over to a bookshelf pulling out a tattered old folder.

He returned to the couch folder in hand and sat facing Woohyun, taking a sip of coffee to calm himself before continuing. Inside the folder was loose paper written on with pen, pencil, marker. Woohyun swore he saw a napkin with lyrics written on with smudged red lipstick. Nothing was in order and it looked like a complete mess, opposite of Woohyun’s notebook. Woohyun used only pencil to write and kept everything very neatly organized, not even one bent corner.

“I think it might be because I see you working so hard, you know? It makes me want to beat you.” He laughed and ran a hand through his fading red hair.

Woohyun just listened stunned, sipping on his coffee, gripping it tight to keep his hands warm.

 “I guess you’re an inspiration too.” Sunggyu put his hand back down in his lap and tipped the folder spilling its contents onto the floor. “Great, now they will be out of order.” He whined.

“Those were in order?” Woohyun snorted. “That is hilarious.” He put his coffee down to help Sunggyu pick up his things.

They bent forward at the same time inconveniently smacking heads. Both of them sat up at the same time and said ‘ow’, which they seemed to think was quite funny. After their laughing fit Woohyun looked at the paper that was folded up in his hands. It was the flyer for the pub. He unfolded it carefully and read the lyrics written on the back. They were good. Sunggyu was still picking papers up off the floor.

Woohyun leaned forward to be closer to Sunggyu who was doubled over collecting his lyrics.

“These are good you know.” His voice was quiet, suddenly he had a lump in his throat.

Sunggyu didn’t sit up fully but came to eyelevel with Woohyun.

“Do you really think so?”

Ever so slowly they were inching towards to each other. Woohyun could only nod his head in response because his voice was stuck in his throat.

“This is from the night we met.” Sunggyu continued and Woohyun felt a hand on his leg. “I couldn’t sleep.”

The hand was traveling higher on Woohyun’s thigh.

“I slept great.” Woohyun managed to get out with a smirk.

Sunggyu wanted to grab him right there, just throw him on the floor. The smirk almost sent him over the edge. Moving his hands to Woohyun’s hips Sunggyu pulled him into his lap. Woohyun went right along, straddling Sunggyu with his legs on either side.

This was really happening.

His eyes traveled to Sunggyu’s pink pout and he couldn’t help but slide his tongue over his own lips to moisten them, biting at the corners. Breathing was becoming harder to do and there was something happening much lower then that, but it didn’t matter. Woohyun didn’t know what to do with his hands. Carefully he placed his palms flat against Sunggyu’s chest.

Sunggyu hooked his fingers into Woohyun’s belt loops pulling him flush against his body. His whole being ached forward and the moment was taking forever. All Sunggyu wanted, was to have his lips pressed to that skin and hear Woohyun groaning underneath him. It was all too much.

Woohyun moved his arms hands higher, up over Sunggyu’s shoulders to snake his arms around that pale smooth neck. He let his fingers drag against the soft hairs at his nape before one of his hands trailed into that red hair. They were so close but not close enough.

Sunggyu slipped his fingers under the bottom of Woohyun’s shirt, cautiously pressing his fingertips against his hipbone. Still moving closer, their breath started to mingle and everything was hot, so hot. Sunggyu was sure that at any moment his heart would burst out of his chest.

Woohyun couldn’t wait any longer now that there were fingers on his skin. He fisted his hand in Sunggyu’s hair to bring him closer, his mind set on one thing, those lips.

“Im home!” It was Myungsoo shouting from the kitchen.

In a flash Sunggyu had pushed Woohyun to the other side of the couch and was pretending to be preoccupied in something else, completely ignoring the raging hard on in his pants. Woohyun quietly took a pillow and placed it over his lap, cursing under his breath.

“Hey,” Myungsoo looked around the room, noticing the candles and music. “…What were you guys doing?”

“None of your business.” Sunggyu didn’t even look up at his roommate, livid, shoving his scattered papers back into his folder no longer caring about the order.

In the middle of all of this the cat decided to join them jumping into Woohyun’s lap making itself comfortable on the pillow he was currently using to shield himself. Woohyun groaned holding his face in his hands.

“Hey, Woohyun.” Myungsoo smiled and walked back into the kitchen.

“Kim Myungsoo!” Sunggyu yelled. If he could have gotten up he would have pummeled Myungsoo into the floor and his cat would have had enough dinner to last the rest of its life. Myungsoo was lucky. “Didn’t I tell you to call or text me when you come here?”

The two roommates bickered back and forth between the two rooms while Woohyun sat and listened, embarrassed. He wanted to go home but didn’t know when would be the right time to say. So he stayed quiet.

Sunggyu and Woohyun sat awkwardly, not talking for the rest of the night avoiding each other entirely.

_______________________________________________________________________

an: Okay so you are now free to tell me HOW MUCH YOU HATE ME LOL. Will they ever actually get together???? Knowing Kim Sunggyu... he has a tendancy  to friend zone people soooooooo..... who knows. Also a big fat  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GLORIOUS LEADER YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY. Ohhhhh and... I have seen some of you talking about this story on twitter... you dont know how that made me feel.  I screamed first... THEN STARTED CRYING because I never in my life thought anyone would ever read what I wrote none the less ACTUALLY LIKE IT. So when I say I love you guys I really mean it. Thank You /BOWS DOWN FOR ALL OF ETERNITY/

once again feel free to call me out on my typos and tell me to hurry up because im lazy.... thank you thank you thank youuuuu