(Sorry I didn't publish in like w e e k s. School started and I got distracted [and kept writing smut for it and not the actual plot]. This chapter is short but I promise I'll be better next time TT)

"He gave you his number?" Seokmin looked up at Jeonghan in surprise; he momentarily forgot about the mountain of food before him. Jeonghan may have huffed a little too dramatically. Seokmin jumped back at the sound before leaning in to stuff his mouth with noodles. Jeonghan paced as he spoke to the content man. Seokmin would nod and hum in between every slurp.
"He did. And I haven't even known him long! I was so flustered. I felt like I was just going to combust. Like I was stuck in the nightmare where you're late and you rush so bad you walk out without pants." At this Seokmin laughed and nearly choked on his food. Jeonghan flopped down in the chair beside him. He stared up into the ceiling as he continued on, "How am I supposed to react to that? What if he's a murder that only goes after weak pretty boys?" Seokmin shrugged and turned up his lips slightly.
"How would he have not gotten to you before then?" Jeonghan glared at the compliment. It was simply a tease but this wasn't the moment. Seokmin only offered a smug smile in response. "You shouldn't worry so much Hannie. I'm sure he just thought you were great and wanted to hang out. You shouldn't think so deep into it."

Jeonghan sighed and picked up one of the bowls. He poked at it dejectedly as he agreed. He shouldn't worry so much. He was just being a pansy. Even so, he still didn't understand getting his number. They had met twice and Seungcheol already had a way of contacting him. Jeonghan decided to just drop the subject for now and eat. It had been awhile since he had spent time with Seokmin. It was better to just relax than worry the rest of the night.

/////

"I could text him for you," Seokmin casually offered the next morning. Jeonghan nearly choked on his cereal hearing him. He stared at Seokmin in absolute shock. Seokmin shyly smiled at him, knowing the older was about to explode on him. Jeonghan's posture only grew more straight as he flushed at the idea.
"Why would you want to do that?!" Seokmin chuckled as he flipped through the tv channels. Jeonghan was honestly precious. Always high strung and emotional to every little thing.
"Because I want you to meet people. Plus you seem kinda lonely. I've never seen you ever with anyone. It can't be great to live without anybody loving you. That has to be painful to think about. I don't want you to be lonely Jeonghan." Jeonghan softened. His shoulders slackened and the heat in his face left him. Seokmin was no stranger to sweet statments. The man was practically human sunshine on Earth. If he didn't kid around to lift spirits, he hit you hard with gushy affection. At such a sweet statement, Jeonghan stumbled on how to respond. He was caught off guard entirely.
"You and Jisoo and the others love me. I don't see why I'd need more than that." Seokmin gave him a dead stare. He knew Jeonghan was bullshitting himself. He knew that his words had an effect on him. Jeonghan looked back down into his bowl. He didn't like the weight of Seokmin's judgment. It was always rare so when it didn't come up it stung. Seokmin placed a hand on Jeonghan's knee and rubbed into it.
"You know exactly what I mean Jeonghan."

In the end, he did let the younger message Seungcheol. Granted he spied over his shoulder the entire time but hey, no one's perfect. Really, he was glad it was Seokmin. Any of his other friends may have been a little too dominating on the subject. Seokmin talked to him, discussed the best plan of action. It was as though they were making a war strategy. The counter strike to Seungcheol's attack on Jeonhan's heart. First, Seokmin let him begin. He advised to approach the subject calmly. Don't rush in guns ablaze from the beginning. Jeonghan nodded. Simple. He could do simple.

"Why the fuck did you give me your number after two days?"

"Eh...Good, but... try to be a little bit more suave. You come off really disturbed like that." Jeonghan nodded and deleted the message. Simple, suave. He should be able to pull it off.

"Hey, I was wondering why you gave me your number."

Jeonghan looked up to Seokmin for approval. He nodded excitably and gave a thumbs up. Jeonghan returned the gesture and proudly hit send. Now it was time to play the waiting game. Jeonghan set down his phone and sat in eager anticipation. Now that his mind was filled with nervous energy, it became hard for him to sit still watching a movie with Seokmin. He bounced his leg in the seat; fidgeted and rubbed his hands together every other minute. Seokmin often pat the elder's knee or rubbed his shoulder. It wasn't comfortable to sit next to sit next to someone so fidgety and uneasy. He prayed that Seungcheol would text back soon

It was two hours before Jeonghan got a response.

/////

Jeonghan hadn't been on a date in about six years. He wasn't really sure if he could do it anymore. He was only a teenager last time he went on a date. He was immature and needy so it probably wasn't hard to get on his good side. Now... now Jeonghan isn't sure what he's like. He wanted to believe he was better than the child from before. He wanted to say that he had matured as time passed, but he really couldn't be sure. If this afternoon was any indication, then he hadn't. He was still anxious and on edge thinking about a date. He still needlessly imagined every moment of a date before it had happened. He couldn't even begin to guess however. He could never be able to guess what a date with Seungcheol would be like. He had met the man twice. What about his little ticks? What if he was cold to everyone he didn't know personally? What if he was a criminal?

What if when Jeonghan would go out with him he'd love it? What if every moment Jeonghan spent with him the more he fell in love? What if Jeonghan was going to fall so hard that Seungcheol would never be able to leave him again? What if by the hundredth date Jeonghan never wanted to see anyone else and just wanted to get married to the practical stranger? What if they did get married? Would Jeonghan love it? Would he be excited to fall asleep just to wake up to the same sleeping face? Would he caress Seungcheol's cheek softly cooing to him to get him to wake up? What kind of person would Seungcheol be freshly woken up? Would he slowly rub open his eyes before giving Jeonghan chaste kisses all over his face? Or is he more of the kind of person to grumble about it being too early in the morning and rolling over to try and fall back asleep? Would Jeonghan have to climb all over him and whine like a kid on Christmas to get him out of bed? Would Jeonghan be against that idea? He wouldn't. He'd like teasing the larger. Pinching him to make him jump, fluffing up his soft black hair jokingly, saying inappropriate things just to see him squirm when they were in public. Jeonghan liked the idea of playfully teasing the stranger. He thought it would be great to see that bashful smile as often as possible. Or to see him pout so that he could kiss those full lips. Or even acting up so the other would get concerned and pull him close to his broad chest. Jeonghan would like to see him embarrassed. He'd love to see Seungcheol protective of him when they're near other men and women with wondering eyes. He'd like to see Seungcheol laugh so hard that his face would go red and he'd tear up. He'd like to see Seungcheol spill out happy tears after not seeing Jeonghan for ages. Jeonghan liked the idea of boyfriend. Jeonghan liked the idea of someone so caring and loving. Jeonghan liked the idea of Someone like Seungcheol.

Jeonghan liked Seungcheol.

/////

Seungcheol
Sorry i didn't get back right away. A l o t of people came in the shop today
Seungcheol
I gave you my number to i guess ask you out? I'm sorry if it made you mad or uncomfortable...
Seungcheol
I mean i totally get if you don't want to but you know if you do...

/////

3: 53

AngelJH-Antiques
How do you young people do the dating thing?

Feeling_Woooozi
"Young people"

CallmeSOON
Aw Jeonghan you have a date?

Lord_Savior_Jisoos
Soonyoung don't encourage him

IDK&IDC
H e f i n a l l y a s k e d y o u o u t??????

AngelJH-Antiques
Yeah..

AngelJH-Antiques
I didn't know how to respond tho

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
A GUY ASKS YOU OUT AND YOU LEAVE HIM ON READ

Feeling-Woooozi
You're a Cold blooded bitch Jeonghan

AngelJH-Antiques
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OKAY I HAVENT GOTTEN ASKED OUT SINCE HIGH SCHOOL

IDK&IDC
Woah...

CallmeSOON
Hannie...why didn't you tell us sooner?

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
The mother becomes the mothered

Feeling-Woooozi
If you don't shut up I'll s-mother you with a pillow you dumpster six piece chicken nugget

TheOnlyKwan
WoAh tHeRe fRieNd yOu mIghT nEed tO sLow DoWn

IDK&IDC
First and foremost you need to tell him you're interested instead of ignoring him

AngelJH-Antiques
How do you know im intrested? Maybe i just wanted him as a friend

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
I jUst wAntEd hIm aS a FrIeNd

Feeling-Woooozi
Okay he deserved it that time

IDK&IDC
Can you guys please take these seriously
TheOnlyKwan
Can you please stop living through your friends?
CallmeSOON

Feeling-Woooozi
Can both of you stop being annoying shit heads?

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
Can you stop being a bitter little bottom?

IDK&IDC

TheOnlyKwan
Get out of here with your stale ass memes Seokmin

IDK&IDC

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING

CallmeSOON
Why did this turn into a roasting session?

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
Why did you turn into a little bitch?

Feeling-Woooozi

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
WHO SAID I WAS TALKING TO YOU TINKERBELL

TheOnlyKwan

Feeling-woooozi

AngelJH-Antiques
I texted him back

IDK&IDC
FUCK YEA

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
YOU GO BOI

CallmeSOON
Were all proud of you honey

TheOnlyKwan
What did you say to him?

AngelJH-Antiques

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
Well damn you don't hesitate

CallmeSOON
Ooooo, I wonder what you're going to do

AngelJH-Antiques
I just hope i don't fuck it up

CallmeSOON
Cri

CallmeSOON
It'll be fine Hannie.

Feeling-woooozi
And if it doesn't work out and he's a dick we'll kill him for you

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
^^^^

IDK&IDC
I'll help too

CallmeSOON
I AM NOT LETTING ANY OF YOU GO TO PRISON FOR HANNIE

AngelJH-Antiques
Why not

CallmeSOON

Feeling-woooozi
Damn babe

CallmeSOON
Be quiet the adults are talking

Feeling-woooozi
....

TheonlyKwan
....

IDK&IDC
....

Feeling-woooozi

IDK&IDC removed Feeling-woooozi from the group chat.

IDK&IDC
We'll be having none of that

BANGBANGCLICK_KACHING
THERE WILL BE NO SOONHOON IN MY LOBY

TheonlyKwan
MY NAME IS ESTEBAN JULIO RICARDO

AngelJH-Antiques
I hate you both so much