(Welcome to my world lets d o t h i s. This has been sitting in my drafts for what feels like much longer than it was. I'm too distracted writing smut for this and not the actual plot. Enjoy probably the gayest chapter I'll write)

Jeonghan huffed as he stepped over Bitts. The cat mewed obnoxiously, attempting to rub into his owner’s legs. He trailed after him as the man tumbled down the stairs. Jeonghan eventually just gave in and picked up the pick mound of fur tripping him. The cat was content, nuzzling into him. Jeonghan distracted him as he filled up the dish behind the desk. He should have known better than to leave thinking he wouldn’t find hair on him. He could buy fresh clothes and haven’t even taken them out and they’d be covered in fur. He sighed as he just rubbed his hands down his shirt to remove what he could.

“You’re really a try hard aren't you?” Jeonghan glared as Jisoo stepped into the shop. He adjusted his watch as he corrected him,

“I’m not a try hard. It’s respectful to dress well for a date. Not that you would know…” Jisoo huffed and stepped closer. They both smiled softly as he fixed Jeonghan up. He stared at the collarbones that Jeonghan’s shirt reveled in thought.

“You look good. He’ll like it.” Jeonghan faltered. He slackened as he looked at Jisoo. They had an aggressive friendship, and yet there were still times like this. Times where he said something and Jeonghan was left reeling. But there was never any evidence outside of jeonghan’s recollection that would prove they happened. Jisoo denied to care about him as much as he did. But in times like these Jeonghan could see it well. He wrapped him up in a hug.

“I’ll call you if anything goes wrong?” Jisoo scoffed,

“You better. I better not find you dead in a ditch.” Jeonghan laughed and smacked at his neighbor. The warm sentiment was gone now.

/////

“Is that him there?” Jisoo pointed to the distant blob of white in the park. Jeonghan leaned against the window in an attempt to see a little farther. When the man sat back up straight to fluff his hair and look around, Jeonghan was sure. He told Jisoo to park as he anxiously bit at his lip. Jisoo parked, but Jeonghan didn’t automatically get out. He stared at his feet as he thought over this all anxiously. Was this really, really a good idea? He sighed as he slowly undid his seatbelt. Somewhere beyond the fog of his thoughts he heard Jisoo say he could back out now. He was fine with taking him right back home. For some reason, Jeonghan wanted to decline. He was going to push forward, maybe for no reason other than he felt it was necessary. Jisoo said his name but it still didn't reach him in the haze.

Jeonghan nearly jumped out of his skin. He whipped around to the passenger window and stared in shock at the man who raised his hands in apology. Jisoo rolled down the window for Jeonghan. The man who was bent over sidewise to be able to look in softly spoke up,

“I’m sorry I scared you. You said you were here so I assumed this was your car.” Jeonghan apparently had forgotten to breath some point between his mental break and now. He awkwardly took in a deep breath. He didn’t know what he was supposed to say. It had been two minutes and he was already ruining it.

He didn’t remember getting up, but somehow he ended up standing up on the gravel as the car door was opened for him. He looked at Seungcheol without thinking. He smiled at the fact he wore such soft colors. It was surprisingly something he expected at the seemingly dominant man. His shoes were the only dark things on him. The rest of him was covered in soft baby blues and a pastel green that reminded Jeonghan of Easter. He nearly choked on his own air supply as Jisoo’s voice cut straight through Seungcheol.

“Be warned, Hell hath no fury like that of a best friend scorn.” He didn’t even let Seungcheol respond. He just rolled up the window and drove away from them.

“Your friend is...interesting. I’m glad he’s so protective.” Jeonghan scoffed and turned with the elder in the direction of the park

“Don’t listen to a word he says. He cries at kids movies. The only one you really need to worry about is Jihoon.” Seungcheol laughed loudly, grabbing onto Jeonghan’s arm as he giggled. Jeonghan looked at his hand on his shoulder as though it had committed a personal offense to him. He was glad when it stayed there after Seungcheol’s little giggle fit.

“Is it bad to say I do too then?” Jeonghan looked at him for a moment. Just took in that nervous expression and shy smile. Then he burst into laughter himself. Seungcheol rubbed at his forearm shyly.

“Don’t worry. You’re much manlier than he is.” Jeonghan grinned with pride as Seungcheol began to more and more resemble a happy, blushy baby boy. He wrapped his arms the elder’s. Seungcheol happily kept it there.

/////

“You can rap?” Jeonghan looked up to Seungcheol with wide eyes as he raised his cup up to his mouth. Seungcheol shrugged and babbled,

“It's- it’s not really anything much. I just do it for fun. I’m not like a secret professional or anything.” Jeonghan nodded as he sipped his coffee. He liked the bitter tang that hit him.

“That sounds really cool. I’d love to hear you sometime.” Seungcheol smiled at him as he smacked his arm.

“Oh hush, you don’t want to hear something like that. I should have you meet Hansol he’s a great rapper. The kid has a lot of skill, I’m proud of him.” Jeonghan watched him as he sipped from his own cup. He had gotten hot chocolate. Jeonghan liked the little touch of whip cream that rested on his lip as he spoke. He spoke about Hansol like he was his son. Was he old enough to have a son? Or did Seungcheol just hang around younger people? What does it say about him if he does?

“How do you know him?” Seungcheol hummed as though he didn't hear the question. The way he perked up and looked with wide eyes reminded Jeonghan of a rabbit. It was cute.

“Oh, he works right across the street from me. I helped him when him and his boyfriend first set up shop. They’re both hilarious drama queens but I still really like them. Did it sound weird? Me calling him a kid?” Jeonghan gulped. He had to stay calm on the outside as he mentally threw a fit. It may have been done to early but he didn't care. How the hell could Hansol and Seungkwan both not tell him they were working across the street from someone like him. He felt betrayed and if they lived to see head or tail of Seungcheol again they’d be lucky. Jeonghan shook his head as he took another sip. His grip on the coffee cup was much firmer than before.

“No no. I was just wondering. The way you said it made him sound like your son or something.” Seungcheol choked on his hot chocolate. He was smiling at Jeonghan but it was a smile full of shock and maybe a little terror.

“Oh god no. I think I’d jump off a bridge if he was my kid.” Jeonghan burst into laughter. They both stopped in the middle of the sidewalk as happy tears bubbled up in his eyes from laughter. “I care about him yeah but in an obnoxious little brother way. I’m not old enough or responsible enough to be trusted with a kid.”

“How old are you then?” Jeonghan after he had come down. He was still breathy from laughing.

“I’m twenty five. Do I really look that old?” He mocked offense at being questioned. Jeonghan considered saying yes just to tease him. It would have been funny, but he didn’t want to risk Seungcheol possibly being fragile. He shook his head.

“You don’t look it no. You’re face makes you look five years old.” Seungcheol giggled, “You just carry this air of maturity. Like you had like eleven kids in a past life.” Seungcheol scoffed. They both started walking again.

“Eleven kids hm? What does that make you? The grouchy mom?” Jeonghan scoffed. He flipped his non-existent long hair,

“Excuse you, but I’m the smoky mistress. I’m not tied to any children. I’m mystique, beauty.” Seungcheol didn’t even hear half of Jeonghan’s monologue over his own laughter. Jeonghan worried he’d tumble over how he was bowed over gripping to “the mistress”. For someone who looks so serious he certainly was giggly. Jeonghan, out of the kindness of his heart, pulled them both down to sit at the bench. At least here Seungcheol couldn’t hurt himself laughing. Jeonghan held back a squeal when Seungcheol’s hand landed on his knee effortlessly.

“That’s a good one, but I don’t really think I’d have a mistress. I don’t think it would really be fair to whoever the mom is.” Even with as simple as it was, jeonghan still felt his heart thump at his words. Why the hell did nobody tell him about Seungcheol? He was soft, he was sweet, certainly a ball of laughter, and if that didn’t complete him enough, he was so, so attractive. Jeonghan’s ideal type was hidden from him by his own friends. And you think you can trust a man.

“Yeah I understand. I don’t really think I can love more than one person even though I’m really flirty to everyone. I don’t know. It’s just a weird thing of mine. I don’t think about I kinda just,” he shrugged, “do it. I guess.” Seungcheol rubbed into the younger’s knee to comfort him. Something about it made Jeonghan flush.

“If it makes you feel any better, it worked on me. I think it’s really nice you’re so lovey and confident. I admire it.” Jeonghan looked at him curiously. He was probably getting creeped out by how much staring Jeonghan had been doing all day but he continued. Seungcheol’s genuine goodness somehow just read all in his face. How soft he was inside radiated in the way he looked. Not just the colors but his face. His lips stuck in a near constant pout, his eyes round and his eyelashes soft as they batted. He wasn’t pale, not by a long mile, but he still had a soft purity to him. As though he showered so often that dirt just couldn't taint him anymore. He couldn’t remember ever feeling Seungcheol’s hands, but he naturally assumed they were soft, maybe a little dry with the winter air coming in, but soft. He was precious, a baby.

“You say that like you’re not confident in yourself.” Seungcheol waved him off. He stared down as he shuffled the cup in his hands. He was hesitant with his words,

“I’m really not… I’m really shy most days.” Jeonghan rested his head on the taller’s shoulder. He looked to the younger in surprise.

“Well I think you’ve been wonderful this day. And having lots of confidence isn’t always good. You should be happy you can be shy.” Seungcheol smiled lovingly at him. Jeonghan didn’t note how close he was to him. It didn’t bother him. He barely noticed the lack of distance till Seungcheol turned away. He looked like he thought of something but then changed his mind as he turned. Jeonghan snuggled closer into his side.

“You know this whole thing I haven’t even asked you normal “date” questions.” Jeonghan scowled.

“Ew, who would want to hear those?” Seungcheol chuckled, barely even more than a second of laughter.

“Well, I’d like to know. Like… how long have you had your cat?” Jeonghan looked off into the bushes as he thought. He clapped as he remembered the day Bitts came to him.

“Four years ago. My parents found him and gave him to me with the shop.” Jeonghan felt weird about talking about them after it had been so long. He pushed any negative memories out of his head at this point. Seungcheol perked up curiously.

“You got the shop from your parents?”

“Ah yeah… My dad gave it to me after graduation, said he trusted me more than anyone else with it. I helped a lot around the shop as a kid cause he would watch me while mom was at work, so I kinda just always saw it as my own house. I live in the upstairs now.” Seungcheol nodded. He was obviously intrigued with the story. Jeonghan didn’t think it would be fun to go on for an hour about it however. Seungcheol hummed as he considered more question.

“Alright.. well, do you have any friends outside of your buddy who threatened me?” Jeonghan chuckled. He naturally nuzzled up to Seungcheol with the breeze that chilled them both.

“I do. They’re mostly his friends but I do hang out with them. Mostly Jihoon and Seokmin. I see Seungkwan sometimes but not as much as the others. Do you have friends outside of Hansol?” Jeonghan intentionally spoke quickly as to keep attention away from the fact they had the same friends. He wanted to threaten the group's lives first before saying anything. Seungcheol nodded,

“Oh yeah. There's Wonwoo and Mingyu. They're another couple I tend to just constantly third wheel. Wonwoo is kind of an emo but he’s still fun to be around. I see Minghao and JunhuI a lot too. I exercise with Minghao every other day since we’re both into martial arts. He has a place where he trains all the little kids just around that music shop on 9th Street.” Seungcheol pointed vaguely to an area past the trees. Jeonghan knew that music store. Jihoon and Soonyoung both ran it and lived there together. Once again he questioned how two people could be as close as Seungcheol and him and yet not know of each other’s existence. They only really had a block separating them and yet they hadn’t ever even talked before five days ago.

“I have a question for you this time.” Seungcheol tilted his head. He must of doing it subconsciously because he didn’t stop his light anxious bouncing. It was as though he were buzzing. “Are you always so.. gentle? It sounds weird but I don’t know how else to put it. You just, you’re whole look is very pale and you’re really smiley. You just radiate a kind of.. squishiness.” Seungcheol pouted his lips. He looked down as he considered the question. The cogs could be seen turning inside his head.

“I guess so? I never really thought about it before. My clothes I can say are usually really “pale”. I just really like pale pastel colors. They’re just really babyish and looking at them makes me happy. I may be a little dark for them but if I like wearing it why should anyone else care? Squishiness..” he giggled lightly, “makes me sound like a baby.”

“I mean you’re just as cute.” Seungcheol turned to him quickly with wide eyes. Jeonghan stared at him plainly till his own words reached his ears. Fuck.

“Oh my god.” Seungcheol watched as he doubled over, covering his face. Jeonghan rubbed into his eyes as though that would erase the memory of him flat out saying his thoughts. Why couldn't he have a filter like a normal person? Why did he actually say that out loud. Seungcheol rubbed his hand up his back gently. He pat it as he comforted,

“Well thank you.. That was really sweet and gay.” Jeonghan groaned through his hands. If he could, he’d turn completely red. If it was possible, he’d probably also make himself fall off the face of the Earth.Why must he always embarrass himself.

/////

“You really like holding my arm, don’t you?” Seungcheol looked down at the younger as once again he brought him close by wrapping around his arm. Jeonghan thoughtlessly rested his head against the elder’s bicep. Even when he wasn’t flexing Jeonghan could feel it. He bashfully ducked his head at the image of being scooped up in those strong arms infiltrating his mind. His internal screaming grew every second as the arm was pulled away from him and wrapped around his waist. Why was he destroying Jeonghan now when they were on more populated streets and everyone could see him slowly becoming a flustered puddle? They walked in silence, Jeonghan never realizing he didn't answer the question. He just followed along with whatever Seungcheol was doing. Since his eyes were always at his feet, he didn’t even realize they had gotten right to his shop until Seungcheol stopped. Jeonghan looked up to see his own doorway, elegant writing stating the name across the glass. The closed sign hung solemnly directly below that. Jeonghan quickly turned to Seungcheol as he felt his arm leave him.

They both just stood there. Seungcheol staring at Jeonghan and jeonghan looking up at him. Neither knew exactly what to say. Uneasily, Jeonghan took a breath.

“I really liked this. This was… this was really nice. I haven’t gone on a date in a long time and I'm glad it was you I went with.” Before he could lose any confidence, he quickly tiptoed up to peck his cheek. He quickly pulled away, they didn’t have to look at each other to know both were embarrassed and shocked beyond belief. Jeonghan pulled his sweater close as he continued, “I’d really love to do this again. If you’re okay with it you know.” He took the risk of looking up at Seungcheol. He stood ramrod straight, holding his cheek as he stared down at the younger. Jeonghan smiled a little bit at the sight. He was always so obvious with his feelings. He turned to his door but as he turned the key, he got an idea. It was despicable but he had to. He looked at his date over his shoulder, a smirk playing across his lips. “You’re free to come inside if you like.”

“What?” Jeonghan laughed as Seungcheol’s jaw dropped. If the boy could, he probably would have turned cherry red. Jeonghan laughed as he opened the door. He spoke through the crack again before finally closing the door between them and unknowingly silent screaming in unison with Seungcheol.

“I will be seeing you again, Choi Seungcheol.”