Chapter Text
PRESENT
November, 2029
On a scale from one to five, five being of high importance to attend, a high school reunion event on a Friday night is something that Shin Junghwan would rate as a one point five at the maximum. It hasn’t even been ten years yet since they graduated, maybe eight, if he counts correctly. He thought high school reunions usually happen every ten years or something.
If he gets the invitation five years ago, Junghwan would not even consider it. But, he has changed.
He’s spent the last (almost) a decade doing exactly what he promised himself when he was younger. Be successful, earn a lot of money, run a company. The past four years did him really well as his start up business that he built from scratch now operates on a national scale, with over 150 employees.
The old Shin Junghwan that was bullied in high school because he was such a nerd is gone. The boy with messy hair, face-swallowing thick glasses, braces and lanky posture no longer exists. With the money and position that he has now, Junghwan has the means to transform his wardrobe and style, also not forgetting hiring a personal trainer at the gym.
Now, Junghwan makes people turn their head when he walks by. Women and men are vying for his attention, some even mistaken him as a model or an actor. He’s like, the most handsome and youngest eligible bachelor in South Korea, especially with the stark nakedness of his wedding ring finger.
Junghwan clicks his tongue, fingers drumming on his car’s steering wheel, eyes checking the time on his watch—currently 8pm—before looking over his reflection on the rearview mirror.
He looks fucking good, alright.
Maybe Junghwan puts more effort into dressing up and styling his hair than usual for tonight. The thought of meeting him after eight years gives his stomach a twist, the drumming from his fingers becoming even faster because he could see he is reaching the location for the reunion.
Choi Youngjae.
Even recalling his name makes Junghwan bite his lip. Back when they were still in high school, for some reason, they ended up in the school photography club. Youngjae was the sweetest, kindest person Junghwan ever met. They paired up for a photography project and Junghwan was ready to turn up to him to say, “I’ll do all the work, you don’t need to bother.” like he always would whenever there are team projects but Youngjae, sweet sweet Youngjae, told him that he already did his own research in the library so they could make a good result together.
Junghwan’s heart throbbed so hard when he heard that.
Days turned to months when they would meet up constantly, even outside of school. Youngjae never made remarks like the other kids about Junghwan’s braces, or messy hair, or how he was such a nerd, always on his thick laptop to do some coding.
He supported Junghwan’s dream to make an internet company when he is older, saying “You’ll be able to do it, Shin Junghwan. You are the smartest person I know!” with a sweet smile that reached his eyes.
Junghwan was madly in love, safe to say. He had the biggest crush, ears tinked pink whenever Youngjae did something remotely funny or sweet. But back then, Junghwan knew Youngjae was out of his league. Youngjae was everyone’s favorite. He could do many things, even singing and dancing, and eventually became the school choir team’s leader.
On Junghwan’s high school graduation day, the school choir team performed, and Junghwan remembered thinking how beautiful Youngjae was that he suddenly got the push to confess his crush. But the universe loved to play with him, because why would Choi Youngjae like him back, when there were better choices out there?
“Choi Youngjae… Before I go to uni, can I tell you something? Promise me you won't laugh.”
Youngjae frowns, looking serious. “Of course, hyung, you can tell me anything.”
“I… I like you. More than a friend. Do you feel the same?”
Youngjae’s eyes widen, before he casts his eyes downward. Junghwan saw this in movies a lot of times to know what is going to happen. “Ah, hyung,” Youngjae bites his lip, and continues. “Sungho hyung just confessed to me a week ago and we have been… dating since then.”
Junghwan’s heart breaks into a million pieces.
After that, they didn’t really manage to be in contact. They follow each other on Instagram but Junghwan barely posts anything.
He did have a big crush on Choi Youngjae, but they are both adults now.
Tonight, Junghwan has only one mission. And that is:
Make sure Choi Youngjae is single and if he is up for it, they’ll go to a hotel room tonight and have a steamy, hot reunion make out and sex to make up for the years of unspoken distance.
If he’s lucky, he’ll get to take Youngjae on a date after, woo him and maybe they’ll date for real this time. Junghwan feels the heat in his stomach because if he plays the card right, he’ll be able to do the mission.
From the pictures that Junghwan saw on Youngjae’s instagram, the man looks even better than in high school, something like straight out of Junghwan’s teenage wet dreams’ hot. He’s gotten taller, his hair slightly longer than back then (Junghwan wants to have a chance to run his fingers through his hair and maybe press his mouth to the line of Youngjae’s pretty neck), and his smile is even sweeter.
So here he is, at the big table, stirring a glass of whiskey while sending polite smiles here and there to his ex school mates that are trying to make amends with him. Like hell Junghwan would. Most of them did him dirty back then but once Junghwan is successful, they want to be friends? Tsk.
The only person Junghwan likes is Myung Jaehyun, who is currently sitting beside him carrying out the conversation. Jaehyun was nice to him back then and he was the one who texted him to come to the big reunion, insisting it will be legendary because for once it’s a reunion for three graduating class years. But more importantly, it’s a big reunion because Choi Youngjae, the school’s most popular person and his old crush, accepted the invitation.
It doesn’t require much thinking for Junghwan to accept the invitation too.
Junghwan checks his watch again for the fourth time that night. The number 9:13 blinks back, making him uneasy because what if Choi Youngjae ends up ditching the reunion? He’s only here for Youngjae, he doesn’t care about what the others talked about because it’s fucking funny how everyone brought up high school memories but no one mentioned how they made fun of him.
“Dude, can you like, talk a bit? They’ve been wanting to talk to you, you know, because you always reject the reunion invite before.” Jaehyun hisses in his ear, before going back to the conversation with a fake smile on his face.
Alright, if they want this to make an unforgettable reunion, might as well make a scene out of it. Junghwan smirks before opening his mouth. “Yah, you guys remember how you made fun of me back then? It still hurts, you know.” He leans back, puts his chin on his fist and watches how everyone tenses at the remark.
This is fun, Junghwan thinks, as Jaehyun shoots him an exasperated look.
“Y-yah, Shin Junghwan, that’s like, years ago you know!” One of the people sitting opposite of Junghwan mutters. Junghwan barely remembers his name, not that it’s important to remember anyway. “What matters is you are very successful now, even running your own company, not like us corporate slaves!”
Junghwan fake laughs, tips his head back and drinks the whiskey in one shot. He’s about to say something when a woman interrupts him.
“Junghwan-ah… Are you really single like what the internet says? We are 26 years old now, are you looking for a serious relationship?”
Everyone’s ears perk up in interest. Most of the conversation on the table dies down, like it’s a topic that they all have been wanting to ask.
“Mm,” Junghwan signals the waiter for a glass of water. “I am. Not looking for a serious one right now.”
“Oh, why?”
“Oooh are you a playboy, Shin Junghwan?!”
“Yah, he’s very hot and rich, he probably has a lot of people wanting to marry him,” Jaehyun nudges his shoulder, smirking. “Right, Junghwan?”
It’s not exactly wrong, so Junghwan only rolls his eyes. The waiter comes then, putting on a glass of iced water on his table when someone shouts WOAH CHOI YOUNGJAE! YOU REALLY CAME! in the distance.
All heads snap to the door entrance, seeing none other than Choi Youngjae walking in, ducking his head in embarrassment while waving, saying hi, hello, how are you. Junghwan’s heart rate picks up, his mouth slightly agape because wow, Choi Youngjae really is the most beautiful man he’s ever seen, even until now.
“Jaehyun, I’m going to greet Youngjae.”
“Wha—” Jaeyun takes one look at Junghwan’s face and chuckles. “Oh, shit, the crush is still there, huh? Just be careful—”
Junghwan barely hears the rest as he stands up quickly, orders a glass of sweet cocktail at the bar, and makes his way to where Youngjae is standing right now.
When he gets close, Junghwan takes Youngjae in. The younger man is wearing a white crisp button up with black tie and black pants, looking like he just got off work. His hair is darker than it looks in the pictures, more of a dark brown rather than black. Oh, Junghwan’s heart clenches, I miss him.
Junghwan clears his throat, before tapping Youngjae’s shoulder. “One sweet cocktail for Choi Youngjae.”
Youngjae literally spins, as if hearing a ghost talking. His eyes are wide like saucers, checking Junghwan from his shoes all the way to the tip of his hair. After seconds, he mutters, as if unsure, “J-Junghwan hyung?”
“It’s me.” Junghwan smiles big. Youngjae straightens himself and a smile starts to overtake his face, while nodding slowly.
“Long time no see, hyung,” Youngjae starts. His voice is still like honey, syrupy, slow and sweet. “You look great.”
“Yeah?” Junghwan tries not to smirk. “You still look beautiful.”
“What—yah! Don’t tease me, you are more than 25 years old now!” Youngjae diverts his eyes to the right, his face not showing any hint of feelings whatsoever. “Do you want to sit at the bar there? We have a lot to catch up on.”
So they walk to the bar, and in one smooth motion, Junghwan pulls out a chair for Youngjae to sit on. The younger man looks surprised, and then thanks him while arranging his bag on the counter.
First thing first, Junghwan quickly scans Youngjae’s fingers. No rings in sight, not even on the wedding ring finger. Fuck yeah, he thinks. Now he just needs to make sure Youngjae is not in a relationship.
“I ordered a cocktail for you. It’s sweet.” Junghwan pushes the cocktail glass to Youngjae, feeling proud because he remembers Youngjae loves sweet things. But instead of being happy and taking it, Youngjae smiles politely, before saying: “Sorry hyung, I don’t drink alcohol. You can have it.”
“Oh.” Junghwan takes the glass back, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “What do you want to drink, then?”
“Hmm.” Youngjae ponders for a second. “I… I actually can’t stay for long. So I’ll skip the drink.”
“Oh.” Junghwan frowns, before masking his disappointment quickly. “Do you have other meet ups after this, or something?”
“No, but it’s fine, we still have some time.” Youngjae quickly answers. He hums, straightens his posture and tucks his hair behind his ear. “How are you, Junghwan hyung? You look well.”
“I’m good. How are you?” Junghwan takes a sip from the cocktail. It’s too sweet for his taste, though. “Did you come from work directly? Where do you work now?”
Youngjae nods, huffs out a breath. “Yes, I had to stay longer because I’m covering for a team mate. I thought maybe I was too late, but everyone is still here. And I work as an accountant in this small company that you probably don't know about, hyung.”
Junghwan wonders what happened to Youngjae’s dream of becoming a singer. He never recalls Youngjae enjoying much of school work, but Junghwan also knows that people change.
“Do you enjoy the work?”
“Ah.” It’s like Youngjae was not prepared to be asked that question. He thinks silently for a moment before deciding an answer. “Most of the time. I don’t hate it, that’s for sure, because by the end of the day it’s paying the bills.”
Junghwan nods, as if he understands. Enough chitchat, he thinks. Junghwan shifts his body closer towards Youngjae, finding it impossible not to stare at the younger’s pretty face. “Any plans for marriage, or anything?”
Youngjae looks at him in surprise then, before he laughs, bright and sunny, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “Who the hell has time to date these days, hyung?” Youngjae points out. He absentmindedly traces the table’s surface with this finger, somehow looking distant all of a sudden. “I don’t have time for dating, let alone have someone to marry. Must be different for you, though?”
Junghwan has propped his head up on one hand, looking at Youngjae carefully. Youngjae is single, and fuck, Junghwan loves that fact very much. He arches a brow, grinning. “Who said that? I’m very much single too, Youngjae-ah.”
Youngjae tilts his head at that, surprised, his lips making an ‘o’ shape. “Really?”
He is starting to think he’d let Youngjae do anything he wants if he keeps being adorable like that. It’s really not easy, because Youngjae is charming and so, so beautiful and Shin Junghwan wants him.
Junghwan wants him real bad, like he hasn’t wanted anyone ever. He’s about to open his mouth and probably ruin the night by saying those to Youngjae directly when the younger one suddenly straightens up on his seat.
Youngjae bites his lip, looking at Junghwan over his fringe, his eyes glued towards Junghwan’s face. They look at each other before Youngjae breaks the silence. “I actually came here in hopes of meeting you, hyung.”
Junghwan almost pinches his arm to make sure he isn’t dreaming. Because, God, why is he making this so fucking easy for Junghwan? He imagines this scenario for many nights leading up to the reunion day. Junghwan’s heart suddenly spikes, his palms growing uncomfortably tacky with sweat, and a heat starts to pool low on his stomach.
“Yeah?” Junghwan’s voice drops an octave. “Why is that?”
This is it, Junghwan thinks, this is when he asks if I still have feelings for him, and we’ll go to a hotel while making out, years of pent up tension released in one night.
Youngjae gulps, turns to him fully, before looking at him with sincere eyes. The look throws Junghwan off guard, even more so the words that come out of Yongjae’s mouth. “I was hoping to catch you because it’s been, what, 8 years since we met? And seeing you become successful, reaching your dream, makes me so, so proud, hyung. I know and believe you could do it from the start. You were even on a magazine cover, hyung, can you believe that?”
Junghwan blinks, blowing out a shaky breath. “I—”
“No, let me finish.” Youngjae forces out. “I’m really, really proud of you, hyung. You’ll be even bigger in the future, I know it. I’ll keep supporting you from where I am, okay?”
What. Junghwan shakes his head, he can’t listen to this anymore, not when what Youngjae’s saying makes him feel so out of control of the situation. Youngjae looks at his phone then.
“It’s almost 10 pm,” Youngjae swallows, and then looks away. “I have to go now, hyung. It’s really nice to meet up with you, after all these years.”
Youngjae pushes to his feet, grabs his bag, and makes for the door.
“Youngjae.” Junghwan’s tone is pleading, like he’s begging for Youngjae to stay.
Unfortunately for Junghwan, the door already slips shut, and Youngjae is nowhere to be seen.
***
“So, how was it, meeting Choi Youngjae again?”
Junghwan looks up from the fourth whiskey glass he has been inhaling to see Jaehyun. “What?”
“Youngjae. You met him, right?”
“Yes.” Junghwan snaps.
Jaeyun frowns. “Dude, who the hell pissed on your whiskey?”
It could be anyone’s piss for all Junghwan cares. “It was fine. Meeting with Youngjae.” He retorts. “Whatever, man.”
“Fine?” Jaeyun leans in, intrigued. “What, did he reject you or something?”
“Shut the fuck up.” Junghwan shoots back.
“I warned you, didn’t I?”
“Warned what?”
“I told you, be careful because he’d likely reject you.” Unfazed, Jaehyun blows out a smoke from his cigarette. “Maybe you didn’t hear me or something.”
Junghwan is still not over Youngjae bolting out of the bar like he physically offended him. Again and again he replays their conversation, and Jungwan is pretty sure he did not cross any line. “And why would he reject me?”
“Dude.” Jaehyun deadpans. “Why else? He probably has different priorities now that he has his kid.”
Junghwan hears the sound of something dropping from his hand. His whiskey glass, maybe, or his whole fucking heart that seemed to stop beating. “His what?”
Jaehyun blinks. “His kid? Youngjae has a son, named Kyungmin or something, but he’s very private about it, only a few people know. And judging from your reaction, I guess you didn’t know?”
Junghwan doesn’t think he’s breathing properly. With a weak nod, he announces. “I’ll take a cab home.” He stops, before throwing his car keys to Jaeyun. “Help me bring my car to my place, would you? I’ll text you the address.”
Junghwan slowly slides off the bar stool, makes his way to the door and ponders how his life has come to this.