Chapter Text
"This is why you're still single," Jay snickers.
Don't get him wrong; Sunoo loves his older brother, of course. But there are times he just wants to jump him and maybe pull his hair with his two hands because he can be a jerk and annoying.
Those times are like now.
He turns back to the stove with a frown, choosing to ignore his brother because bickering with him is not a good idea while he's cooking.
"Are you sure this is edible?" Jay continues behind him, probably talking about the fried fish he placed on the countertop. "It's burnt."
No shit Sherlock, of course it's burnt.
First of all, Sunoo doesn't know how to cook. But his parents are out and he's left with his older brother who knows how to cook but won't do it.
Second of all, he's trying his best with tears in his eyes. It's 2pm and he's hungry.
"Don't eat this or you're going to poison yourself."
Sunoo closes his eyes, counting in his head to calm himself down, one hand tight around the spatula. If his brother doesn't shut up in the next minute, he's going to smack him with the kitchen utensil upside the head.
"How can someone burn food like this?"
That's it.
Sunoo huffs, turning off the stove with unnecessary force and raises his spatula before facing his older brother, ready to pounce and attack Jay with his little weapon.
But someone rings the doorbell and both of them freeze on their spot.
Sunoo's hope in the world has been restored, praying that it's their parents outside the door to save him from starvation and from committing his first crime against his own brother.
He maneuvers himself out of the kitchen, running full speed to their front door with his fluffy house slippers.
As quick as his hopes were raised, though, it was also quickly shattered right in front of his eyes once he opened the door and he didn't come face to face with his parents.
"Sunghoon!" Jay greets from behind Sunoo before he's being pushed aside. He stumbles a little on his feet, but Sunghoon catches him instinctively around his elbow and pulls him steady back on his feet.
He glares dagger to the side of his older brother's face, boring hole onto his skull before shoving him aside in return with his both hands just to get even.
He can hear Jay's chortle behind him as he angrily marches back to their living room. Why can't his older brother be as nice and chill like his best friend?
Jay and Sunghoon were such a stark contrast.
Where his brother is loud and annoying, Sunghoon is quiet and chill. He's a very nice and cool guy unlike Jay who has a penchant on pissing the hell out of Sunoo. As if his day isn't complete until one of them is red on the face, ready to burst, and crying angry tears.
"What did you do to Sunoo this time?" He hears Sunghoon ask his brother from their front door.
"He's being a little chef but he burnt his lunch," Jay provided with a chuckle, tone teasing. Sunoo can feel the rush of blood to his cheeks. Why is his brother embarrassing him again ?
"Is that so?" Sunghoon hums. Sunoo crosses his arms over his chest, still glaring at his brother. "I think that's really cute."
Jay playfully nudges his friend, opposite to the way his tone suddenly turns serious. "Are you for real? Also, that's my brother."
Sunghoon plays it cool by ignoring his best friend's words, handing him the paper bag of take outs he's brought with him instead. "You said your parents are out and I know you won't cook lunch for Sunoo."
"Stop spoiling him, dude. He's not a baby anymore, he can survive on his own," Jay murmurs with a roll of his eyes, peeking inside the bag.
Sunghoon chuckles lowly at this, shaking his head before sitting beside the youngest in the household who is currently angrily changing tv channels, probably having completely tuned them out since minutes ago.
"This is why people think I'm more of his brother than you."
Jay rolls his eyes, again, good naturedly, before heading to the kitchen. "You two go to the dining room, I'll just prepare this," he says, lifting the paper bag in hand before completely disappearing in the kitchen.
Sunghoon turns to Sunoo who is still silent beside him, a frown seemingly taking permanent space in between his eyebrows. He watches the younger pout before groaning and throwing the remote control to the other side of the couch in annoyance, making him laugh.
"You know, it's just your brother's way of showing affection, right?" He reaches and affectionately pats Sunoo's head as though taming a hungry, little kitten, who only glares back at him in response. He looks rather cute than intimidating and it makes Sunghoon's lips curl into a smile.
Sunoo exhales sharply. "Well, tell him to change his way of showing affection because he's definitely, obviously, flunking at that. Why can't he be nice to me for once?"
"Jay is nice."
"Yeah, to everyone but me, I guess."
Sunghoon full on laughs this time, not having been able to control himself anymore. He almost doubles over, shoulders shaking, the bright sound filling the air of the living room. He ruffles Sunoo's hair under his hand who pushes his arm away with an affronted huff.
"He's just protective,"he continues through the remnants of his laugh, eyes crinkling at the ends.
"I don't like it!" Sunoo stands up and stomps to the dining area; his cute, fluffy slippers making him nowhere near intimidating. "Boys are so annoying!" he shouts.
Sunghoon and Jay chuckles.
Sunoo rings the last customer of the afternoon. Since it's Saturday, the shop is mostly empty except for the few students cramming, nose buried deep on their laptops with a cup of coffee turning lukewarm beside them.
He leans his side on the counter, pretty spent at the rush of customers earlier. He had to cover for a co-worker's shift this early morning when they suddenly called in sick. Sunoo is almost sure that girl lied and went to a date instead. He should've been enjoying the comfort of his room and warm bed until later this evening. So much for a day off.
"Jake hyung said you can take a break."
Sunoo looks to his left where Jungwon' voice came from. He still has some flour on his cheeks.
"Where's Ni-ki?" he asks, peeking behind the baker. "I can't leave the front unattended."
"I'm here!" Ni-ki rushes to the counter, the store chime ringing as he emerges from the glass front door of the shop, heaving a breath.
"Did you just do a marathon?" Sunoo asks absentmindedly, unsurprised at the younger's seemingly bad habit of coming to work at the last second, taking tissue paper from the counter's drawer and dabbing Ni-ki's forehead. "Change to your uniform and I'll take a quick break."
Ni-ki nods, shiny eyes up at Sunoo, cheeks flushed from the afternoon heat and all the running he did.
He smiles at the younger boy before motioning for him to move on his feet. "Go now, Ni-ki. And don't forget to clock-in!"
Ni-ki quickly obeys, like a little puppy eager to pleased, rushing to the back of the shop without another word.
When Sunoo turns around, he was met by Jungwon's narrowed gaze.
"What?" he asks, untying and taking his pastel pink apron off.
"What was that?" the baker deadpans. "Stop playing with Ni-ki's heart. You know he has a crush on you."
Sunoo chuckles at that. "You're overreacting."
"It's not overreaction. I'm stating facts here." Sunoo sighs. He's a little more than tired right now to deal with his friend's sentiment, if he's being honest. "And don't even try to defend yourself."
I won't even do that, was what he wanted to respond but keeps it to himself instead. He knows playful answer will only get him so far with how serious the baker is being.
"Wonie, I think you're watching too many dramas."
"That's notㅡ" Jungwon trails off when he heard footsteps approaching, expression softening as if he's tired too before turning around back to the kitchen. "Just be careful with your actions, okay? We don't want you accidentally leading someone on," he said before finally leaving.
He wonders what has gotten to his friend. Jungwon's been acting differently for a couple of weeks now, always on his tail whenever he and Ni-ki interacts and being unnecessarily sensitive about it. Should he be concern?
Sunoo faces Ni-ki when the boy comes back. "I'll be back in 15 minutes," he says, leaving his folded apron under the counter. The boy hums in response. And he taps his shoulder before heading to the backdoor.
Because of the weird exchange with his friend yesterday, Sunoo has decided to invite Jungwon to their house to hangout. Fortunately, they both have Sundays off of their part-time jobs and are free the whole day.
"Do you want to watch a movie?" Sunoo asks as soon as he enters his room with a tray of snacks.
Jungwon was laying sideways on his bed, making himself pretty much comfortable and at home, his yellow body pillow tucked in between the younger's legs, hugging it tightly to his chest.
"Not really," he hums, eyes closed.
"Are you just gonna sleep then?" He sits on the bed, scooting up until his back is against the headboard, watching his friend.
"Your bed is nice, hyung. It's warm and comfy." He yawns before nuzzling further into the soft pillow. Sunoo reaches a hand to play on Jungwon's hair, the strands dark and shiny in between his fingers. "That also feels nice."
"Is there a problem, wonie?" he asks carefully, not wanting to startle, or offend or, sound like he's probing. "You look so tired these past few days." It has been weeks, and he has observed the change in his friend's behavior for that long.
There are times he's too snappy, ruffling at the smallest inconveniences, teeth grinding at things that don't go his way. And honestly, it's a little bit concerning if it continues. He might hurt himself in the end, guilt clawing under his skin whenever he cools down and realizes what he's done and said in the heat of the moment. And Sunoo wouldn't want that.
"Do I?" Sunoo hums an affirmative, nails lightly scratching at Jungwon's scalp and earning himself a pleased sound of exhale. "Just the stress of school and a part-time job, I guess. You know, it can be really tiring sometimes."
"I guess, you're right."
"Enough of me." Jungwon peels an eye open to peer at Sunoo. "How are you and your brother?"
The answer to that was immediate and with an eye roll, "He's still annoying."
Jungwon chuckles softly, cheek pressing further onto Sunoo's pillow. "I think he's just protective, hyung."
Sunoo grunts, ready for a new bout of debate to shut the argument down. Hearing those same words from a different person feels like a déjà vu.
"Sunghoon hyung said the same thing."
"Oh." Jungwon moves to support his side with an elbow, interest piqued. Sunoo's fingers slide down the side of his head. "The handsome hyung?"
Sunoo narrows his eyes at his friend, one eyebrow raising. "Handsome hyung? Do you, perhaps, have a crush on him?"
Jungwon stills for a long moment, mouth slightly parting open as he stares at him like he grew another head or lost his existing one, before he blinks ㅡ once, twice and then actually guffaws it almost offended Sunoo, shoulders shaking at the intensity, the sound of his laughter filling the four corners of the room.
Sunoo feels the tip of his ears warming a little at his friend's reaction.
"Me? C-Crush?" Jungwon laughs some more, face scrunching at the force. He looks like he's enjoying this so much and it's annoying. "No, Sunoo hyung. He's not my type," he continues, chuckling breathlessly before lying back down on the bed with a sigh in an attempt to calm himself down, a small smile still playing on his lips. He's noticeably happier now compared to his gloomy aura earlier.
With an exhale of resignation, Sunoo slides on his back so he's also completely lying on the bed beside his friend, both staring at the white ceiling full of old glow in the dark star stickers.
Sunoo has it for as long as he can remember; he has it so he can still see constellations even in the safety of his room, even if the dark clouds decided to be selfish and hide them from his eyes, and even if it's raining thunderstorms out there. It's nice to look at it before he goes to sleep.
"Sunoo hyung?" Jungwon suddenly whispers into the silence between them, voice soft and small that Sunoo almost misses it. He hums though, letting the younger know he's listening. "Have you ever considered being in a relationship?"
He blinks at his ceiling, a little startled at the topic, tongue poking out to wet his lips. "Not really."
"Oh."
"Why?" He turns his head to look at his friend, watching his side profile for a reaction. "Are you considering it? Do you like someone?" He probes, straightforward. When the younger only blushes instead of answering, Sunoo brings his eyes back on the faux stars. "Tell me your concerns, wonie. You know I won't judge."
"I know," was Jungwon's quick answer. Sunoo is only mildly satisfied with that because he can almost hear the word but after that .
"But?" he prods instead, his fingers splaying flat on his stomach as he waits for his friend.
" But it's complicated."
Ah.
So his friend is really having a problem ㅡ a love problem at that.
"How so? Is this the reason why you've been pissy for the past weeks?" he teases, trying to lighten the mood from the stifling one, earning a shove on his shoulder that made him laugh.
"I'm not pissy," Jungwon defends with a pout, crease forming in between his eyebrows.
This is what he wants. This is how they should be. It's easy like this. It's comfortable. Something familiar, something that doesn't make any of them thread and second-guess, something normal, nothing out of ordinary.
Sunoo scrunches his nose, relenting.
"I don't know how complicated it is but love shouldn't be, right?" he starts, whispering his own thoughts. Jungwon keeps silent beside him. He traces the big dipper with his eyes. "Things only get complicated if only one of the two is working for it to be easier."
"Then what should I do?"
Sunoo sits up, forcing his friend to do the same and holding him at arm's length. He squeezes the shoulders beneath his hands, if only to make sure he has Jungwon's undivided attention. They look at each other, with him sending his friend an encouraging smile.
"Talk, Jungwonie. Use your words. I know you have a lot on your mind, and as cheesy as it is, probably in your heart, too.'' He has to bite his tongue to not grimace at that. "You know what they say, communication solves a lot of misunderstandings. Though, I can't be so sure. If one sucks at wording things out, it'll probably play the other way around." He shrugs, just to play it cool. He said a whole lot there, about love and feelings, no less. Something he doesn't usually thread and care about.
Jungwon was about to say something when a knock interrupted them, the door creaking open. Sunoo looks over his shoulder to scowl at whoever outside his room.
"Sunoo, I'm going to orㅡ" Jay freezes on the threshold, gaping at them like he's seen a ghost. Sunoo misses the hurt that crosses Jungwon's eyes.
"What?" Sunoo groans, shifting his position to face his older brother properly.
At this, Jay snaps back, peeling his eyes away from his younger brother's friend before clearing his throat, looking more awkward and unsure than how he usually acts. "I-I'm going to order food. Do you two want anything? Any particular request?"
Sunoo looks at his friend in silent question who quickly shakes his head, entertaining himself with the loose thread of a pillowcase.
"We're fine with anything," he says, looking back at Jay who still looks hesitant and awkward right there at his door. It's a new side he's only seen now since his older brother's usually annoying, especially when no one's around.
"Okay," Jay finally croaks after a couple seconds, shifting his weight on his feet before nodding stiffly. He can't help when one of his brows raises at the out of character display. "I'll send Sunghoon later to call you two when the food arrives," he rushes in one breath before slamming the door shut.
Sunoo huffs, rolling his eyes.
"Why don't you try to get yourself a boyfriend or girlfriend to get back to your brother?"
Sunoo whips his head at his friend so fast he feels a little lightheaded, neck a little in pain at the awkward position as his eyes widen at the suggestion.
"What?" he squawks, cheeks reddening at the implication of the words. "I don't… I don't want a relationship, Jungwon. You know I don't do relationship."
"Well…" Jungwon drawls, gauging his reaction. "That will definitely get in your brother's nerves. And he wouldn't be able to tease you again about being single all your life."
"It's my choice to stay single."
"I know. But your brother doesn't."
"But still..." Sunoo chews on his lower lip, considering the pros and cons of the idea for a moment. However, he really can't see himself commit to someone else; to someone that isn't himself. Relationships require a lot ㅡ like time and effort and feelings and are always so complicated and messy.
He really doesn't think he's cut out for that.
"Oh! Hear me out." Jungwon supplies, cutting in Sunoo's inner turmoil with a smile; the kind of smile that gives Sunoo shivers down his spine and sets his alarming bells ringing in his head, telling him that this is a bad idea.
He unconsciously moves away from his friend, physically putting distance between them to metaphorically runs away from him. But then, Jungwon scoots closer, defying the purpose of his plan, knees touching.
"Fake it."