Chapter 10 – A Date

            Noises from the historical drama playing on the television echoed throughout the living room.  A tall man cuddled with a small girl underneath a blanket, their eyes staring intently at the television.  The girl enjoyed cuddling against the older since he had just taken a shower and he smelled like strawberries.

            The rest of the members were still out on their individual activities.  The tall man had just finished his solo concerts, so he stayed home with the girl most of the days, waiting until their group activities restarted again.  “Kyuhyun,” the girl demanded, placing popcorn in front of the older’s mouth. 

            “Thank you Sa-hyun,” he said, taking the popcorn into his mouth.  He gently tapped the tip of her nose before focusing back onto the television.

            The two continued watching the drama until the door slammed open, revealing a tired, but persistent, looking Heechul and Eunhyuk.  “Oh my god,” Heechul squealed, looking at Kyuhyun with wide eyes. “You were right.”  Eunhyuk shook his head as the older ran towards the maknae to pull him up in a standing position.  “What in shisus’ name are you wearing?”

            The maknae frowned before looking at his own clothes.  He was wearing a plain white shirt and blue jeans with a black jacket.  Casual.  Simple.  Nice.  “What’s wrong with it,” he asked, pouting at his hyung.  “It’s really comfortable.”

            Heechul raised his eyebrows.  “What’s wrong is all of that,” he said before glancing up at his hair.  “And your hair!  Your mop of a hair!”

            Kyuhyun pouted even more as Heechul pulled him towards his bedroom.  He thought his hair was cute and fluffy.  Eunhyuk patted the young girl on the head, who was watching on in amusement, before following them.  He pulled different kinds of sweaters out of his closet while Heechul worked to gel up the maknae’s hair.  Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, but let his hyungs do what they wanted to.  After all, who didn’t love getting pampered?

            “Sit still,” Heechul exclaimed, working his hands through Kyuhyun’s hair.  “I’m almost done.”

            “But hyung, it’s not a date,” he grumbled, though secretly loved the attention.

            “Sure it isn’t,” the two older said simultaneously.

            Kyuhyun couldn’t help but roll his eyes even more.

            By the end of their little fashion breakdown, Kyuhyun was dressed in a blue sweater over a white button up and jeans.  His hair was styled similar to what he had it in the ‘Swing’ video, which showed off his handsome, pale face.  “Well,” Heechul asked, raising his eyebrow, waiting for praises.

            “Wow, you never disappoint,” Eunhyuk said, clapping in amazement.

            “Thank you, thank you,” he said, bowing to the one person audience.

            Kyuhyun stood up from his spot and turned towards his two hyungs.  “Are you done then,” he asked, desperately wanting to go back to finish his drama before going out to dinner with Nathan.

            The two winked before sending him back out to the living room.  The rest of the members had slowly come back from their schedule.  Kyuhyun ignored the crowd and sat back down to cuddle with Sa-hyun, who didn’t care to acknowledge the sudden change.  That, however, didn’t stop Kyuhyun from earning a whistle from Siwon.  “And you said it wasn’t a date,” he said as he settle beside the two.

            “It isn’t,” he muttered, trying to catch up to the drama.  “Now shh!”

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            Sungmin sighed as he got out of his car.  It had been too long of a day and he felt as if filming would never end.  He grabbed his jacket and shoulder bag before heading to the elevator.  Right before it closed—

            “Wait,” someone yelled out.

            He stopped the elevator and waited for the man to step in, carrying a bouquet of blue roses in his hand.   “Thank you so much,” the man said.

            Sungmin’s eyes widened, immediately recognizing the man.  “Ahh, Nathan,” he greeted, pressing the button for the door to close again.

            “Oh, hyung,” Nathan exclaimed, bowing.  “Are you on your way back home?”

            “Yeah,” he responded, staring at the roses in the other’s hands.  It’s a date.  “I assume you’re coming to pick Kyuhyun up then?”

            A slight blush colored the younger’s cheeks as he glanced down at the floor, the action causing pain in Sungmin’s chest.  “Yeah, I’m really nervous though,” he mumbled.  “I hope he likes where I’m taking him.”

            “I’m sure he will,” Sungmin whispered.  He looked away, willing the doors to open so he could run away.  He should be in his place.  He should be the one bringing roses home.  He should be—

He took a deep breath.  The elevator doors finally opened and he made his way to his dorm room, the other following closely behind.

            “Yah, it’s not a date,” he heard Kyuhyun yell as he walked in.

            Nathan’s eyes widened at the comment before he announced his presence.  “Nathan’s here,” Sungmin managed to choke out, earning a couple of looks his way.  Everyone could feel the air around the other get tense, but they couldn’t do much about it.

            Leeteuk decided to break the slight tension.  “Nathan, it’s nice to see you again,” he greeted, sticking out his hand.

            Nathan shook back.  “It’s nice to see you again too hyung,” he said, flashing him a smile.   

            “Are those for Kyuhyun,” the leader asked, gesturing to the roses.

            Kyuhyun stood up from his chair and gently patted Sa-hyun’s head.  She smiled from the touch and quickly turned her attention back to the television.  The maknae then made his way to the crowd forming at the door.  “Hey Nathan,” he muttered, a light blush coloring his cheeks.

            “Yes, these are for him,” Nathan responded, handing the roses over.

            Heechul squealed in the background while Kyuhyun smelled the roses with a sigh.  “They’re really nice,” he muttered.  “Thank you.”

            Sungmin couldn’t bear it anymore and stalked his way towards the couch to greet his daughter.  “Daddy,” she yelled out, hugging him around his neck.  Her father gently kissed her on top of her head before setting himself down.

            “I’ll take those for you and place them in a vase,” Ryeowook interrupted and Kyuhyun willingly handed them over.  “Now go on!”

            Yesung ran over with Kyuhyun’s things and turned over to Nathan.  “He’s our maknae,” he said sternly.  “Don’t do anything to hurt him and make sure he’s home by midnight.  If anything happens, I’ll send my turtles after you.”

            The comment earned him a burst of laughter.  “Oh stop it Yeye,” Ryeowook said, pulling his boyfriend’s arm.

            “Yes hyung,” Nathan diligently responded, giving him a smile.

            Yesung wanted to hate the man, but he couldn’t.  Not when he flashed that innocent smile.  He sighed before handing Kyuhyun’s things over.  “You be careful,” he said to the younger.  “And don’t drink so much, okay?”

            “Yes hyung,” Kyuhyun responded before turning to his .  “Are you ready?”

            “Of course,” he said, gesturing for him to step out first.

            “Such a gentleman,” Ryeowook muttered in glee.

            The two disappeared, the door closing behind them.  Everyone resumed their activities and Sungmin couldn’t help the bitter look that slowly made its way onto his way.

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            Silver clashed against porcelain plates, but was drowned out by different conversations.  The members had surrounded the dinner table, feasting on Ryeowook’s food.  “It feels like how it did when Kyuhyun wasn’t here,” Donghae sighed sadly as he fed the girl beside him.

            “But at least we know he’s coming back to us,” Leteeuk said, flashing everyone a smile.

            The conversations continued, but Sungmin stayed silent, simply picking at his food.  “You’re so obvious,” Yesung said under his breath as he took a drink of tea. 

            Sungmin put his utensils down and rubbed the back of his neck.  “Honestly, I can’t help it,” he whispered back.  “I didn’t think it would hit me this hard.”

            “You should just tell him the truth.”  Yesung continued to eat.  “Do both of yourselves a favor and stop hurting each other.”

            The other sighed as he continued to pick his food.  “Hyung, eat more,” Ryeowook said, placing even more food on his place.  “Is everything okay?”

            He forced a bitter smile.  “I’m fine,” he muttered.  “Just feeling tired.”

            The rest of the members turned to him with knowing looks, but no one dared to say anything.

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            “So, how’s work been,” Kyuhyun asked as he handed the waiter the menu.

            Nathan did the same before settling himself in to answer.  “I’m preparing for my comeback so it’s been a mess really,” he said with a sigh.  “But if I ever want to get where you are, I have to work harder.”

            Kyuhyun chuckled at the response.  “How old are you anyways,” he asked, genuinely curious.  “I’m pretty sure you have all the time in the world.”

            He rubbed the back of his neck.  “I actually started pretty late.  I’m 25,” he responded.

            “Ahh, four years younger than me then.”  The older took sip of tea.  “You have time and I’m sure you’ll get far too.  Your voice is pretty amazing and your looks aren’t too bad.”

            A slight blush crept up the other’s face.  “Aren’t too bad,” he dared to tease.

            Kyuhyun’s eyes widened after realizing what he just said.  “Oh my gosh,” he said, his blush matching the younger’s.  “I-I mean, you look amazing.  You’re quite handsome and I’m sure all the girls swoon at your feet.”  He slapped his cheeks in embarrassment.  “I should really stop talking.”

            At this point, their cheeks were completely red and they couldn’t look each other in the eye.  The waiter coughed, feeling the sudden awkwardness.  “I have your appetizers,” he said, setting down a plate of wontons.

            “Thank you,” Nathan muttered, immediately reaching for one and popping it into his mouth due to his nervousness.

            “Wait, Nathan—”

            Nathan’s eye widened at the sudden heat in his mouth.  It’s not because of hot sauce, but the fact that it just came fresh out of the oven.  Kyuhyun quickly handed him a glass of water and he reached and downed it in one go.  The waiter watched on in amusement, not entirely sure what he should be doing.

            The glass slammed down and Nathan covered his mouth, completely embarrassed.  Suddenly, Kyuhyun burst out in laughter, clearing off the awkward air.  Nathan couldn’t help but join in and the two laughed to their heart’s desires.  “I’ll bring the main course out soon,” the waiter said with a smile before walking away.

            “You must be really hungry,” Kyuhyun choked out.

            Nathan reached over to brush a tear that had escaped from Kyuhyun’s face.  The other stiffened, silencing the both of them.  “I’m starving,” he whispered, flashing the older a smile.

            Kyuhyun smiled back and couldn’t help but get lost in the other’s warm eyes.

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            “Thank you again,” Kyuhyun whispered, looking up into Nathan’s eyes.  “I had fun.”

            “Me too,” he responded.  “I hope you’ll let me take you out again.”

            “As long as it’s not a date,” he pouted, sticking his tongue out.

            Nathan reached over to brush away a piece of hair.  The gel had slowly started to disappear as the night progressed.  “Of course not,” he whispered back.

            Kyuhyun couldn’t help but blush as Nathan gently patted his head before disappearing into the night.  He sighed before opening the door.  The dorm was silent, except for the silent tick of the clock.  It was a little after midnight and everyone had already gone to bed, too tired from their individual schedules.  He shook off his shoes and jacket before making his way to the kitchen to grab a drink of water.

            He gasped when he spotted Sungmin drinking another bottle of soju.  He was surrounded by who knows how many others.  The older looked at him, tears in his eyes.  “You’re back,” he croaked out.  “I missed you.”

            Kyuhyun opened and closed his mouth, not knowing how to respond.  Should I take him to bed?  Should I get him some medicine? His knees shook and threatened to fall under him. 

            “Don’t go with him again Kyuhyun,” Sungmin choked out before collapsing onto the kitchen table.

            All Kyuhyun could do was collapse onto the floor, staring at the man he loved who was drunk and lost.  What was he going to do?

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A/N:  I’m so sorry!  I just finished two of my three applications so I finally had a bit of time!

Happy holidays everybody!  I hope you can all do me a favor and leave a little comment!  I want to know what everybody thinks about Nathan.  I might be asking for too much, but please do your best to leave a comment.  Comments really do help me write.