In the morning, Felix greeted him by smothering him in a hug and mumbling about wanting to sleep longer.

"How's the dating going," Felix said into Hyunjin's hair. And then: "How do you keep your hair so soft? Is it the conditioner you had in your hair for twenty whole minutes on the weekend?"

The practice room was already open, so Hyunjin dragged Felix inside. A few of the students were already warming up, but they still had time before the instructor would arrive. Sleepy Felix was clingy. Hyunjin led them to a corner of the room where they could sit on the floor and talk in relative privacy. Felix immediately draped his legs over Hyunjin's.

"Tell me your secrets."

Hyunjin laughed quietly. "I had the conditioner for over thirty minutes in my hair. And the dating is good, as I said on Sunday. We're friends."

"Sure," Felix yawned. "I saw Jisung yesterday."

"On a scale of one to Jisung, how annoying was he?" Hyunjin asked. Too tired to answer his own rhetorical question, he continued, "I saw him too. When I had lunch at Binnie-hyung's cafe."

Felix didn't seem to register that Hyunjin had said anything. "I'll steal your conditioner next time I'm at your place."

"You can try, but consider this: I will defend it with my life."

"It can't be healthy to be as obsessed with hair conditioner as you are," Minho dropped to the floor next to them. "Maybe you should get that checked."

"The bottle actually says it's only supposed to stay in for five minutes," Hyunjin told him, because he knew it would unsettle Minho – "but I thought, live life on the limit! And then pretended I can't read."

Minho bristled. "Leave bleach in for over an hour next time then."

"Nope," Hyunjin grinned, "it's my ultimate goal to always have prettier hair than you."

Minho glared.

Felix asked if he could braid Hyunjin's hair, so he did, while Minho started talking about his cats. Hyunjin pretended he didn't care, but knowing that Doongi peed in Jisung's shoes was indeed wonderful information he would be able to hold above Jisung's head when Jisung least expected it. Ah, friendship.

Hyunjin had annoying Jisung down to an art form.

One day Minho and Jisung would realise that Huynjin loved cats just as much as he loved dogs, but until then he could enjoy feeling like a disney villain. Now he only needed to pray to whatever gods were listening that Minho never found out about his attempt at covering a Taemin choreography and accidentally tying himself up.

The ninety minutes of class passed quickly after that. Slowly, Minho became less grumpy and Felix more awake, and by the time they were finished showering and telling the other dancers goodbye, Felix asked to braid Hyunjin's hair again and talked about conditioner as if he couldn't remember the conversation from earlier. Which he may just not. Sleepy Felix was cute, not smart.

"I'll go to Changbin-hyung's cafe to study," Hyunjin said when they left the building. "You guys can study without me."

"Like we ever get any studying done," Minho chuckled. "We have absolutely nothing to do until lunch, so having brunch is the logical thing to do. Let's go."

"What?"

Felix smiled, rivaling the morning sun, "we'll come with you to the cafe! I've never visited during Changbin-hyung's work hours, so I'm not missing this chance."

Hyunjin opened his mouth to argue – they usually went to Felix's apartment or the library on Wednesday, pretending to study or just to spend some quality time with each other. But, well. When Minho wanted to do something, he did it. And Felix looked like an innocent ball of sunshine but he could be evil when you least expected it. Hyunjin closed his mouth.

"I'll text the group chat!" Felix, phone already in his hands, proceeded to almost run into a streetlight. Minho narrowly managed to pull Felix to the side.

Hyunjin sighed and looked up in the sky.

The cafe was quiet. Everyone was in class at this time of day, or still asleep. Changbin was behind the counter, dark rings under his eyes, holding a cup of coffee in his hands as if that single coffee would be able to save the entire planet. He cradled the cup close to his chest, breathing in the fumes. He looked at peace. And cute, Hyunjin had to add in his mind.

"Hi, hyung," Hyunjin called, and returned the smile Changbin gave them as they entered. Changbin smiling was even cuter than just Changbin in his apron. "I am, unfortunately, followed by two nuisances. I hope you don't mind."

"I'm a cute nuisance," Felix disagreed, stepping around Hyunjin to give Changbin a hug over the counter.

"What did you call me," Minho glared at Hyunjin.

"I said I am, fortunately, followed by the nicest people on earth!" Hyunjin stepped around Felix to use him as a human shield, "I think one of them is genuinely the best dancer I've ever met and he would never think about harming another person."

Minho narrowed his eyes. "Is that so."

"Stop it," Felix chided, "we're here to drink coffee, right, Changbin?"

"Yeah," Changbin's eyes shift from Hyunjin to Minho, but then he shrugs and turns to grab mugs from a cupboard. "What kinda coffee?"

"Black for me," Minho finally turned away from Hyunjin, "like my soul."

Okay, maybe Hyunjin wasn't in the clear yet.

"I want one of those frappés, with a lot of sugar," Felix said. "And syrups. Multiple."

"Cold? You sure?" Changbin briefly stopped what he was doing.

"Can I also get them hot?"

"Well, I can just add syrups and sugar and cocoa to a coffee, yes."

"Then hot, thank you."

"Got it," Changbin replied. "Hyunjin?"

"Just whatever you gave me yesterday," Hyunjin shrugged. "I like all coffee."

"I know you do," Changbin smiled. "Do you wanna find a table? I'll bring you the drinks."

"Yeah, go away," Hyunjin lightly shoved Felix towards Minho, who had no choice but to catch Felix. "After all, I'm here to see my boyfriend in peace!"

"What about bros before hoes?" Felix dramatically called out, "I can't believe you're doing this to your best friends. Your platonic soulmates. The DanceRacha squad is forever in pieces! How will we live?"

Minho laughed at Felix, but because it was Felix, his laughter was filled with adoration and love. "It's always been hoes before bros for us, and we all know it, Lixie. Come on, Innie just texted me and I think you will like what I'm about to show you."

Minho and Felix retreated to a table in a corner. A relieved sigh escaped Hyunjin.

"How was your class?" Changbin initiated conversation, diplomatically avoiding whatever discussion Felix and Minho had started. He wore just a simple black shirt and yet Hyunjin somehow couldn't look away from Changbin's broad shoulders. He poured espresso over ice for Minho's americano, humming something about it being 'as cold and black as Minho's soul.' He handled the coffee machines with steady hands. Two of his short fingernails were painted black, but he wore no rings, probably because of work. The only jewelry he wore were his ear piercings.

Hyunjin leaned across the counter and rested his chin in his hand.

"Hmm?" Changbin asked after a while.

"What?" Hyunjin blinked. Changbin would look good with an eyebrow piercing.

Changbin chuckled. "How was your class?"

"Like always," Hyunjin sighed. Changbin lifted an eyebrow at him over steaming milk. "I feel like I learn something new every day and my brain can't keep up, so I feel like I'm always just half a step away from the beat. Felix feels the same, but Minho just laughs at us and tells us it'll get better in time."

"He's probably right there," Changbin said softly, "you often don't realise the progress you're making."

"Thanks, hyung," Hyunjin beamed up at Changbin, who promptly looked away. "And Felix threatened to break into our apartment and steal my hair conditioner, so if you see him at our place, please defend my conditioner. It's not the most expensive or sustainable and it definitely contains microplastics, but it's the only thing that saves my hair from certain death."

"Hair is already dead though?"

"... Good point," Hyunjin admitted. "Then you just need to save the conditioner for my emotional wellbeing."

"In that case," Changbin turned to Hyunjin, putting down a giant mug topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles, "I'll defend your conditioner. Felix doesn't have a chance."

"You're the best, hyung," Hyunjin said, and couldn't resist the sudden urge that overcame him. Really – there was no way for him to not kiss Changbin on the cheek after that declaration, and besides that, Hyunjin liked receiving little kisses, as long as they weren't from Jisung. Surely, everybody liked getting a kiss on the cheek, right? Friends did that all the time. And Changbin was Hyunjin's boyfriend. Fake or not: he deserved cheek kisses.

"Uh," Changbin said, blinking at Hyunjin. "Um."

Oh. "Is that okay?" A sinking feeling made itself a home in Hyunjin's gut. What if Changbin didn't like cheek kisses? They hadn't yet discussed anything regarding physical affection – this week they'd agreed to spend time with each other and call each other boyfriends when someone asked, yes, but –

"Yeah –" Changbin cleared his throat. "Yes. It's fine. Good. I... we can do that more often."

Hyunjin could breathe again and he couldn't stop himself from smilight brightly. Changbin was okay with this? Did that mean... Could that possibly mean that Changbin liked cheek kisses? Hyunjin was going to give him so many. Jisung would make fun of him when he found out but maybe it was time to just accept the fact that Jisung was both his arch nemesis and his platonic soulmate. And Changbin looked so cute in his apron with his hair in a fluffy wave and wow he was really pretty. "Really? I'd like that, Changbinnie-hyung. But we'll talk about this later, okay? I didn't mean to surprise you like that... wait, are you blushing?" Changbin blushed. "Hyung, you're so cute."

"Shut up," Changbin muttered and put the two other drinks on a tablet. "Here, take this to Lixie and Minho-hyung."

Hyunjin grinned. "Will do. Thank you, hyung! This is seriously really nice of you."

"Don't mention it," Changbin waved him off, "my sister doesn't pay me for my overtime so giving my friends free drinks is the least I can do. Speaking of, do you want some food? We have breakfast options, even though nobody ever orders them."

He couldn't resist. He really couldn't. Hyunjin kissed Changbin's other cheek. He pulled back and smiled. "I love your food, hyung. And we have nowhere to be until after noon, so we're just gonna sit here and pretend to study. Feel free to join us when you have a moment."

And Hyunjin grabbed the drinks and left a flustered Changbin at the counter. He felt his eyes on him until he reached Felix and Minho, but when he turned around, Changbin was busy wiping down a perfectly shiny coffee machine.

"You're really cute together, if you haven't noticed," Felix greeted Hyunjin by quickly taking his drink and then sticking his face back to his phone.

"Thanks, I guess?" Hyunjin pushed the americano towards Minho and sat down next to Felix. "Changbin-hyung is cute, so of course we're looking cute together. Duh."

"Not what I meant," Felix sighed, rolling his eyes.

Minho cackled. He lifted his phone and showed a picture, Hyunjin leaning in and pressing a kiss on Changbin's cheek, Changbin standing there frozen and blushing, hands hovering awkwardly in the air. "You two are adorable," Minho cackled more, "is it okay if I post this on my new Instagram?"

"Ask Changbin-hyung first," Hyunjin shrugged. "It's fine with me. He is very sweet, isn't he?"

Minho ignored him in favour of his phone.

"Okay then," Hyunjin turned to address his coffee. "My friends have abandoned me, my bittersweet beverage, and the only love I can show you is a swift death because you look delicious. I am sorry, this is the only friendship I know." He made a loud slurping noise as he took a sip.

"Ew," Minho said, on cue.

"Jinnie, we would never abandon you," Felix said, immediately putting his phone away with an apologetic smile. "Bros before hoes, remember?"

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but threw an arm around Felix. "We could just... nap here."

"What," Minho grumbled. "I don't want to nap."

"Your children would disagree."

"Are you my children? Nope," Minho smirked. "That means I don't care."

"Your cats, of course," Hyunjin smirked at the realisation slowly creeping onto Minho's face. "Don't they like to sleep all the time?"

Minho hissed at him.

Before Hyunjin could be brutally murdered, someone sat down next to Minho. "What's happening? Why are we hissing at Hyunjin-hyung?" Jeongin giggled at Minho's surprised expression. "I'm currently ditching class, so if you see one of the art professors, you need to hide me! They know who I am and where I should be right now."

Hyunjin gladly let himself be dragged into a loud conversation about the pros and cons of ditching class, siding with Minho because he knew what was good for him, and laughing easily with his friends.

Changbin brought out scrambled eggs, cheese, toast and nutella with a bottle or orange juice and joined them, letting his coworker keep an eye on the counter instead of taking care of things in the kitchen. Minho showed Changbin the picture he took of Hyunjin kissing his cheek, and a blushing Changbin consented to having it posted on social media.

Minho and Jeongin high fived.

"This will definitely get us more followers," Minho said, disappearing behind his phone.

"We already have two!" Jeongin did a little victory dance.

Minho sighed. "That's you and me."

"Oh."

"Is this the account you made for Hyunjin and Changbin-hyung?" Felix asked, pulling up Instagram on his phone. "I'll follow too."

Hyunjin and Changbin sighed as one. Startled, Hyunjin turned to him, just to find Changbin looking back at him in amusement. His eyes sparkled.

"We should get couple shirts or something," Changbin casually stretched his arms over his head and very unsubtly put an arm over Hyunjin's shoulders. Hyunjin casually leaned against Changbin, which was comfortably and warm and wow, Changbin smelled really good. They often sat like this when watching kdrama, so Hyunjin just closed his eyes and didn't see three pairs of surprised eyes turn on him. Neither did he see Changbin blush, nor did he notice Minho snapping a picture and Felix smiling like a winter sunrise.

It was a normal Wednesday after that. Hyunjin went to work and watched the art students struggle at drawing real people. That was always fun, but the knowledge that he should really be doing his homework soon started to settle uneasily in his gut, so when he got home he turned off his phone and opened his textbooks until he was tempted to light them on fire. He fell asleep before Changbin got home.