In the following silence, Changbin giggled. "If you say it like that, of course they'll think something sketchy was going on."

And so Hyunjin launched into the story a second time today, this time making sure to tell everyone that yes, he had indeed planned how the Asking Out would go, and yes, Changbin would get half the money, and it was only for one month and he would finally be able to live his kdrama dreams, minus the kidnapping. Hopefully. Maybe.

"Trevor? Who's that," Jisung wondered when Hyunjin was done.

"I'm making an Instagram," Minho said, "just so you know. You should post pictures about your date on your social media too."

"I'll help," Jeongin said, a glint in his eyes as he grinned.

Hyunjin sighed. "We're not giving you any of the money, don't even try. I want extra dance classes next semester."

"Aren't you already in dance classes? Even on the weekend?" Jisung asked.

"Not really?"

"But you're always gone on Saturdays," Changbin said. "I thought you danced at this youth center?"

Hyunjin finally understood. "Oh, no. We just cover kpop dances and teach them to others there, mostly middle schoolers. Like, whoever learned a choreo can teach them to others, or we learn a choreo as a group. I tried to get Felix and Minho to join me."

"I'd like to sleep sometimes," Felix said, leaning into Chan. "Besides, you always teach me Twice choreos anyway."

"Anyone can go?" Jeongin's face lit up, "I was lowkey hoping to ask one of you to teach me some kpop choreos, actually."

"Really?" Hyunjin could feel how his entire face lit up. "That's great! We can go tomorrow and you can just see how it feels."

"I'd like that," Jeongin agreed.

"But about that date," Seungmin said, "shouldn't you do something this weekend, too?"

Changbin coughed. "Well, we thought that if we just spend lunch with each other next week and act all cute in public, people will think that I, well." Changbin coughed again. "You know, decided that it'll be more than one date after all."

"Don't say it like it's awkward," Hyunjin reached over the table to squeeze Changbin's hand, "it's supposed to be romantic."

"But what will we say when someone asks what we did?"

"I don't know," Hyunjin thought about it, "maybe a movie date? At home?"

"As the first date?" Changbin squeezed Hyunjin's hand back. "I mean, if you want to? You just seem more like a person who would much rather go for coffee to an overpriced hipster cafe, no offense. Or maybe an art gallery."

"I know for a fact that you like home cooked meals," Hyunjin shook his head, "and we both like tv shows. A movie date would be the next thing to do."

"Well," Chan interrupted, "that sounds lovely, and I agree with both of you. You can do a movie date in week two or three, but if you didn't know each other you wouldn't invite each other home, would you? Especially not with your show in the cafeteria. That would be weird."

Hyunjin and Changbin stared at Chan. "I –" they started at the same time.

"You go first," Changbin said.

Hyunjin smiled. "I mean I did confess my love? Publicly?"

"Yeah," Changbin agreed. "He complimented my rap, too. Why wouldn't I invite him into my house for a movie?"

Chan looked like he would much rather be somewhere else. Felix blushed.

"Changbin-hyung," Jisung started when the silence dragged on. "You do understand what people would think about this? Not even taking Hyunjin on a date, just home?"

Changbin blinked twice and then blushed furiously. "I mean, I wouldn't post about on social media or tell everyone I know, obviously."

"Exactly," Hyunjin agreed, gripping Changbin's hand righter and hoping his own blush wasn't as obvious as Changbin's.

"But that's what you're doing," Minho shrugged. "You need to tell this Trevor guy that yes, you're dating and yes, it's mostly real, so he'll give you the money."

"... Oh," Hyunjin said. "That's correct, of course."

"So we'll just... what." Changbin deadpanned.

"Just get lunch together, tomorrow," Seungmin rolled his eyes, "Changbin can meet Hyunjin after the dance thing, Jeongin can take a picture of them, then everyone gets what they want."

Hyunjin nodded. "Sounds good to me. Binnie-hyung?"

Changbin nodded. "Yeah. I'm in."

"You're still holding hands," Felix pointed out.

Hyunjin laughed and let go, leaning back into his chair.

Subject of conversation changed after that, with Seungmin and Jeongin complaining about art department professors and Felix recounting his week to Chan, who had stars in his eyes the entire time. Hyunjin couldn't relate, but he spent a lot of time with Felix so maybe that effect just lessened over time? Or Chan was just whipped.

Minho and Jisung were the first to go, so they all helped with putting the dishes away and cleaning up.

"I'll text you tomorrow morning!" Hyunjin yelled after Jeongin. "Find comfortable shoes for dancing!"

"Will do!" Jeongin smiled. "You can think of cute cafes for your date tomorrow."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes. "I know you'll tell me where to go anyway, so why bother?"

He stayed behind, hugging everyone goodbye until it was only him and Changbin left. Since they lived together, they'd walk home together.

"You okay?" Changbin asked, pushing the chairs to the table as if there hadn't been eight people right there. "You were quiet tonight."

"Just tired," Hyunjin leaned against the door. "This week was too long. I just want to lie in the dirt and decompose."

Changbin looked up sharply. "Dude. Do you often feel like that? Have you heard of student counselling?"

"I'm okay," Hyunjin replied and smiled at his roommate. "I talk to Chan-hyung sometimes, he always reminds me of that. But thank you."

Changbin nodded. "Good. Let's go, then."

Walking home in silence should, by all means, be awkward – but Hyunjin was A) too tired to think of conversation and B) Changbin was a calming presence next to him.

Honestly, Hyunjin thought he'd never figure Changbin out. Changbin was a great rapper, probably the best Hyunjin knew – although this opinion was heavily influenced by his own preferences – and at home he drank shitty coffee with minimal complaint while wearing pastel pink sweaters. One smile and pleading look was enough for Hyunjin to drop whatever he was doing and help with laundry or cleaning even when they usually split those tasks to accommodate their schedules.

And despite Hyunjin's two best friends dating and living with Changbin's two best friends, Hyunjin and Changbin had only ever been roommates in the one year they knew each other. Sure, there was kdrama day, but every other time they spent time with each other at least one of their other friends was there – the stray kids, as Chan sometimes called them, when he was feeling sentimental and acting as their group therapist slash mom friend.

It was good, though.

In a way, Hyunjin knew that he was desperately trying not to let Changbin become his old roommate, which he did by both avoiding him in the name of lectures and then dragging him to a fake date scheme in the name of a new couch. No, it didn't make sense, but feelings rarely did.

"Do you want to shower first?" Changbin asked after he locked the door behind them. "You did come directly from dancing, earlier."

"Yes, thank you," Hyunjin smiled and walked past Changbin, and really – why did Hyunjin want to keep a conversation alive? He was almost sleeping on his feet, and in the past two days had talked more with Changbin than he had in the past two weeks.

Not knowing what to say, Hyunjin shrugged the feeling off and showered, going directly to bed after and falling asleep in a matter of seconds.