Work Text:
“You’re my boyfriend. Just a heads up.” Jeonghan was on the floor of the living room in front of the couch, his stationery and books scattered across the coffee table. He didn’t bother to raise his head from the assignment he was immersed in when he heard Seungcheol's (his roommate) voice. He sighed when the other man slammed the front door close. He raised his head for a brief moment just in time to see Seungcheol taking off his shoes at the front door.
Jeonghan and Seungcheol had been friends since elementary school when Jeonghan's family moved to their neighborhood. They've been living together since the beginning of their junior year of college which extended to when they began university since they were both doing the same courses. The small two bedroom apartment initially was paid by Seungcheol’s parents, until the boys turned legal age. They both decided to get part time jobs to help earn their keep. Jeonghan doing tutoring when he can and Seungcheol working at the school’s Library on the afternoons.
Even though Seungcheol’s parents declined the boys’ hard earned money as they were comfortably wealthy, Jeonghan and Seungcheol were insistent. They were eerily similarly stubborn that way. So the Choi parents begrudgingly took the money to appease the boys and secretly opened two bank accounts in the boys’ name and deposited the money for them until they were in need of it. It was quite steadily becoming a substantial amount.
“Again?” He rubbed with forehead with his free left hand as he continued writing.
“Yea.” He heard Seungcheol rummaging through their shared fridge then the gentle close of the door.
“I thought it was Jisoo’s turn. I was the boyfriend last time.” He complained halfheartedly. His major focus was finishing his train of thought towards the paper in front of him.
“It was.” Seungcheol sat next to Jeonghan on the floor, their shoulders brushing slightly at the close proximity. “But he and Dokyeom are officially together and I didn’t want to put him in that kind of position, you know.”
“Oh yea.” Jeonghan had forgotten about that. Dokyeom and Jisoo had been in love with each other for years, so the fact that they only recently confessed slipped his mind. The hiss of a can of soda filled the comfortable silence that followed.
Jisoo was Seungcheol’s best friend since they were in pampers, long before they met Jeonghan. They were neighbours since birth and grew up together like siblings. If anyone knew Seungcheol better than Jeonghan did, it was Jisoo. Jisoo was also Jeonghan's other best friend as well. Jisoo being the only extrovert, adopted two introverted best friends who only let loose amongst each other. Jisoo, however, was on a different career path from the other two, opting for the science route while Jeonghan and Seungcheol studied business. Instead of living with them, he decided to take a single apartment on the other side of campus for himself. It was more convenient for him that way to facilitate the regular late night study sessions.
They met Dokyeom at the start of college when he was paired with Jisoo for a project. Dokyeom being the complete opposite in personality from them, extremely social, however irrevocably introverted. They were all surprised when they got along seamlessly. Dokyeom opening an entire new world for them they never thought to explore. Jeonghan and Seungcheol watched with amusement at the developing relationship between Jisoo and Dokyeom. They were night and day, yin and yang but you would never see the one without the other.
The silence continued on as Jeonghan and Seungcheol sat side by side. This was their norm, two quiet roommates who didn’t need to waste their time on unnecessary filler conversations. They spoke when they wanted to about their daily update chats on each other’s day. But they could sit next to each other for hours in relative comfortable silence, pushing out all the noises from the outside world.
Being roommates for almost five years, Jeonghan and Seungcheol developed what Jisoo jokingly labelled a telepathic connection. They could have entire conversations with their eyes only and know exactly what the other was thinking or saying. It was extraordinary to a third party but just a regular normal day for them. Their friends weren’t even sure if the boys themselves noticed their deep connection.
“You need to start telling them off.” Jeonghan sighed nulling the silence. He stretched his legs under the table, adjusting them until he felt comfortable. Seungcheol dropped his head back on the couch cushion behind him, banging his head a few time before settling.
“I know but some of them are so persistent. No matter how many times I say I’m not interested. And I really don’t want to come across too harsh on them.” Seungcheol place his soda can on the table to rub his face with both hands tiredly. “Do you know one of them even thought it would be a challenge to get me to like her even after I said I’m not interested to her.” He groaned, crossing his arms over his face.
That got Jeonghan’s full attention. He dropped his pen and turned to face his best friend. “What the fuck Cheollie?!” He exclaimed, eyes widened in surprise then narrowed in annoyance. “Why didn’t you tell me it has gotten so far?” He smacked Seungcheol’s chest with the back of his hand, ignoring how firm it felt under his touch.
“Hey!” Seungcheol jumped at the sudden slap on his chest. Jeonghan tired to hide his amusement. “I can see your smile from here.” He grin widened when Seungcheol spoke without opening his eyes or moving his arms from his face.
Seungcheol peaked at Jeonghan from under his hand, he relaxed when he saw the other man smiling. He dropped his hands to his side. He sighed, his head turning to the side to watch Jeonghan properly. “I knew you and Jisoo would be disappointed in me. I just don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. You know how harsh I can be. Didn’t want to make the work environment uncomfortable for anyone.”
Jeonghan frowned. He shifted to lean closer to Seungcheol, bracing his hand on the floor next to Seungcheol’s hip, his arm brushing against the other man’s side. “But you are considering everyone’s feelings but your own. And that’s not fair. This is not on you and it’s not your fault.” He jutted his lower lip instinctively.
Seungcheol groaned, hiding behind his hands again. “Stop pouting. You know I can’t resist when you do that.” The corner of his lips curved slightly when he heard the soft chuckle.
He felt a gentle hand on his cheek, a silent request. He dropped his arms to the side once more so that Jeonghan could see his face. “Cheollie. I need you to listen to me.” He said so softly, sweetly that all Seungcheol could do was nod. “I am not disappointed in you and I can, with one hundred percent certainty, that neither is Joshuji. What we are going to do now, is figure out how to end this situation you found yourself in, once and for all. This pretending things isn’t getting you anywhere.” His eyes wide with determination.
“Okay.” He agreed like he had a choice, they both knew Seungcheol had a serious soft spot for his pretty doe eyes best friend. He also knew that once Jeonghan set his mind to something, he needed to see it through. They were similar in their quietness but unlike Seungcheol, Jeonghan had no trouble with confrontation, especially with something he disagreed with. “What are we going to do?”
“For one, we are not going to fake date anymore.” He silence Seungcheol with a finger to his hips before he could protest. Seungcheol retaliated by flicking out his tongue, licking Jeonghan’s finger. “Ew.” He pulled back, giggling as he wiped his finger on his t-shirt sleeve.
“But it has saved me exponentially thus far.” Seungcheol whined.
Jeonghan rolled his eyes. “You should have signed up for literature or music production instead with the lyrics you have.” Seungcheol was not amused. He stuck his tongue out to Jeonghan in a very adult-like rebuttal.
Jeonghan laughed, swatting him on his chest lightly. “Stop being a baby Cheollie.”
Seungcheol sighed. “Okay. Metaphorically, hit me with your plan.”
“Okay so by my imaginary calculations, we’ve been pretend dating for at least a year.” Seungcheol nodded.
“So what are you suggesting?” Seungcheol raised an eyebrow.
“My suggestion is..” Jeonghan moved slowly, climbing over Seungcheol and settling on his lap, his knees bend on either side of Seungcheol’s legs, straddling him. He crossed his hands over Seungcheol’s chest, resting his chin atop his hands. “How about we tried dating for real, so if we were ever found out, we wouldn’t have to lie?” His beautiful hazel doe eyes blinking innocently.
The cogs in Seungcheol’s head was turning slowly. His mind was incapable of processing Jeonghan’s words and actions at the same time. He had to take things one at a time.
First he dealt with the fact that his best friend was now comfortably situated on his lap, like he belonged there. Intimacy was something they grew accustomed to being in close proximity to each other for prolonged periods of time. But it usually came this close when they were either stressed or tipsy.
Once he got over that fact, and seemed unsurprisingly okay with having Jeonghan in his lap, he then moved to the words.
“You want us to date for real.” He repeated slowly so the words would click together. “Like be boyfriends.” He added unnecessarily to help his brain take in the words and meaning.
“You’re catching on.” Jeonghan hummed, his eyes twinkled with amusement.
“You think that’s a good idea? I thought we were suppose to fake date then realize we love each other then one of us has to have an angsty moment where we lock off contact before the other comes to his senses and proclaim his love for the other one to say I love you too. Then kiss in the rain. Wasn’t it suppose to happen like that” Seungcheol asked, eyes wide as he rambled.
“Oh my God!” Jeonghan threw his head back and laughed so hard, he almost fell off Seungcheol’s lap. Seungcheol gripped Jeonghan’s waist firmly so he wouldn’t slip. “How many books have you been reading?” Jeonghan wiped the tears from his eyes.
“Listen. That’s the natural order of the fake dating trope okay, Hannie.” Seungcheol teased.
“We are not a fake dating trope, Choi. Those stories are too frustrating because of the Mutual Pining and the miscommunication.” He made air quotes.
“But mutual pining is the best part.” Seungcheol grumbled.
“No. We are not doing that. We are going to do this the adult route and have an established relationship where communication is prevalent.” Jeonghan shot back.
Seungcheol already knew his answer but he like arguing with Jeonghan this way, where it was teasingly and not taken seriously. He felt so completely at ease. Off course he knew he was going to agree with Jeonghan. But the other man didn’t need to know that just yet.
“You know, for someone who claims to not read, you sure seem to know a lot of the terms used.” Seungcheol smirked.
“Shut up.” Jeonghan grumbled having been caught. “Okay fine. I will admit that I may have read some of your novels.” He crossed his arms, pouting.
Seungcheol’s face was going to hurt from smiling. His best friend was too adorable for his heart. “So explain to me this boyfriend plan of yours.” He steered the conversation back to ease Jeonghan’s pout.
“I’ve seen you naked too many times to count. I walked in on you having sex more than once. I’ve given you a hand job when we were teenagers. We’ve shared showers. We slept in the same bed countless of times. I’m sitting on your lap right now and neither of us flinched. And none of those things have ever made our relationship awkward. We have been together since ever and I know our bond is strong enough to survive anything. If we catch feelings, we talk about it like we usually do. If we don’t, then we return to how we were before. Things will only change if we want it to change and there is no one I trust more than you to be honest with me.” Jeonghan tilted his head to get a better look at his best friend’s thoughtful expression.
“That’s true. I just don’t want to lose you if anything goes badly. I can’t bare the thought of not having you in my life.” Seungcheol brought his arms up and hugged Jeonghan, pulling him closer until Jeonghan was pressed chest to chest. Jeonghan head shifted to lie on Seungcheol’s shoulder to be more comfortable.
“You would never lose me. We would never let that happen.” He murmured. “Do you think you could see yourself falling in love with me?” he asked, fingers playing with the collar of Seungcheol’s shirt absentmindedly.
“Yoon, I already love you more than I love myself. Falling in love with you will be easy.” Jeonghan felt his face heated at the sincerity of Seungcheol’s words. “So what are the perks of being Yoon Jeonghan's boyfriend?” He asked.
Jeonghan thought about it for a bit. He was too comfortable to move in that moment. But that’s when it dawned on him. “Do you realized that.” He lifted his head to look at Seungcheol. “nothing will really change with us. Only the additional bonus of getting to explore the physical aspect.” He stressed in the word.
Seungcheol thought about it then smirked. “we should probably test that out first. Just to make sure we're compatible.”
“You’re right.” Jeonghan agreed. “let’s make out.” He suggested.
They stared at each other for a moment. Noting the comfortable and intimate environment they were in. Seungcheol was marveled that he was at complete ease. No nervousness, no bad anxiety. Just the fluttering in his stomach of something new. This was brand new territory for them, and he found that he was excited to see where this could lead.
His eyes flicker to Jeonghan's lips and instinctively licked his own. “Can I kiss you Hannie?” He whispered.
Jeonghan didn’t respond, but Seungcheol felt two warm hands cup his face delicately and Jeonghan’s beautiful pink lips seemed to be moving closer until it was a breath away.
Seungcheol’s eyes flicker up in time to see Jeonghan’s flutter shut and the soft sweet lips were pressed against his. He shuttered at the contact, goosebumps mattering his skin. He wondered how he never knew Jeonghan’s eyelashes were so long right before he close his eyes and lost himself in the new sensation.
He ran his hand up Jeonghan’s back to cup the back of his neck, the other still wrap around Jeonghan’s waist. Holding the other man still, Seungcheol tilted his head to deepen the kiss. His mouth opening, tongue flickering against Jeonghan’s lips in silent permission, licking the soft plump flesh slowly until Jeonghan opened his mouth and sucked Seungcheol’s tongue inside. It was wet and hot. Seungcheol’s mind was going into overdrive.
Jeonghan tongue dancing with his in a delicious messy routine they seemed to be adjusting to quickly. Jeonghan tasted like the soda he was drinking and the cherry lip balm he frequently stole from Seungcheol but it was now becoming Seungcheol’s favourite combination.
They stayed locked together until their lungs burned for air and they had to reluctantly part.
Not wanting to separate to far, Jeonghan returned to his position on Seungcheol’s chest, his head back on Seungcheol’s shoulder and they both tried to catch their breaths.
“Wow.” Seungcheol said shakenly, Jeonghan hummed in agreement. His chest movement finally staring to slow down with the influx of oxygen to his lungs. He felt the same with Jeonghan on top of him, his breath was normalizing.
“I can’t believe it took us this long to do that.” Jeonghan whispered, placing his hand over Seungcheol’s heart, the steady pulse under his hand was comforting and secure.
“I know. We’re idiots.” Seungcheol’s voice rumble against Jeonghan’s ear. “So what’s the verdict? Are we compatible?” He chuckled, rubbing Jeonghan’s back gently.
“Seeing that I’m ready to do it again, I’d say most definitely.” Jeonghan grinned, his eyes twinkling in delight when he lifted his head a little to look at Seungcheol’s mirroring expression.
“So boyfriends?” Jeonghan asked.
“Boyfriends.” Seungcheol confirmed, right before their lips met again. They had a lot of catching up to do.