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The ring of the school bell signaled Seungcheol’s freedom. The end of today’s eight hours of torture.
“God, finally.” Jihoon exclaimed from beside him, falling back on his chair with a groan. Seungcheol can relate, right now, all he wanted to do was melt into a puddle and let the world move around him while he stays unbothered.
“They really have to replace Ms. Shin. I respect her and all, but that lady can not teach properly even if her life depended on it.” Jihoon said after a few seconds of silence that consisted of Seungcheol fixing his things and packing up while Jihoon stays unmoving on his chair.
Seungcheol laughed at the statement. It was true, Ms. Shin tends to do more reading than teaching and maybe for some other subjects, that would be okay, but this is physics for god’s sake.
“Give her a break, she’s trying her best.” He said, nudging Jihoon a little to get the boy moving, he was itching to go home.
“Best my ass. You could literally do better and that’s saying a lot considering how bad you’re doing at physics.” Jihoon continued to complain, but moved to pack up his things as well.
Seungcheol scrunched his nose and flicked his head to the side. “I don’t think I should take that as a compliment.” He mumbled, unsure because of Jihoon’s tendency to blur the line between compliment and insult.
Jihoon smiled, amused. “Take it as friendly advice.” He tapped Seungcheol’s back before flinging his bag over his shoulder, Seungcheol did the same.
“Are you coming with us? Mingyu was talking about this bowling place that opened yesterday near his house.” Jihoon asked.
“Nope.” Seungcheol answered without a beat. Jihoon let out a surprise laugh at how quick he responded.
“Are we that easy to refuse?” He teased, laughing a more genuine laugh when Seungcheol opened his mouth only to close it again.
“It’s not that…” He started, feeling worse when Jihoon laughed harder.
“Relax, hyung. It’s okay.” Jihoon patted his shoulder, “Not the first time you won’t come with us, anyway.” He added, laughing again when Seungcheol groaned.
“You’re making me feel bad,” Seungcheol half-whined, lightly stomping his feet like a child.
“As you should, Choi Seungcheol.” Came in Seungkwan’s booming voice. Both Seungcheol and Jihoon turned their heads and saw Seungkwan walking in their, now empty, classroom with Seokmin by his side.
“This is the third consecutive time you won’t come with us.” Seungkwan scolded, stopping in front of their desk and narrowing his eyes at Seungcheol. “What’s your excuse? Gonna hang out with your ‘boyfriends’ again?” He mocked, making sure the quotation marks on the word ‘boyfriends’ were heard.
At his tone, Seungcheol got defensive. “Hey! Stop acting like my boyfriends aren’t real!” He whined, having enough of explaining himself to his friends.
“We haven’t even seen a glimpse of them or any indications that they’re real for the past three years we’ve known each other.” Jihoon added, pulling out his phone, probably to text Soonyoung.
Seungkwan gave him a smug look, glad to have someone on his side. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Seokmin spoke up.
“You’re happy with them, right hyung?” He mumbled, voice barely audible. Looking at Seungcheol with an unsure face as he fiddled with his fingers.
Seungcheol’s mouth hung open slightly as he struggled to come up with an answer, the question taking him by surprise.
“They’re not… hurting you, right?” Seokmin continued, this time a little bit more confidently as he waited for his friend’s answer.
The other two in the room also looked at Seungcheol, hints of worry on their faces.
“What?” Seungcheol laughed breathlessly. “Of course I’m happy,” he smiled at them. “They’re very loving, and they take care of me just as much as I take care of them. Nothing to worry about.” He said as genuinely as he can, smiling wider at the thought of his boyfriends who were very much real.
His friends seemed to be satisfied with his answer (and the fond look on his face) so they proceeded to talk about something else, much to Seungcheol’s delight.
“So,” Seungkwan grinned as they all started walking out of the classroom. “How long do you think it will be before Jun and Minghao hyung start dating?”
Jihoon scoffed, “I’ve lost faith in those two.”
Seokmin laughed at Jihoon’s blunt statement, before he started defending his friend. “Mingyu and I talked with Minghao, let’s give them until before we graduate.”
“And what if they don’t happen before we graduate?” Seungcheol raised an eyebrow at Seokmin, but the latter only grinned.
“Trust me, they will.” Seokmin faced them with an unusually cheeky look.
“Ehh! Tell us what you know!” Seungkwan pushed him lightly, receiving a giggle in response.
Seokmin shook his head ‘no’ as Seungkwan kept on urging him on all the way to the parking lot.
“Soonyoung said he’s with Wonwoo and Hansol in his parents’ blue van.” Jihoon said, looking up from his phone to search the parking lot for said blue van.
As Seungcheol searched with his them, he caught a glimpse of a familiar black car and smiled, turning to his friends.
“That’s my ride, I’ll see you guys tomorrow?” He offered his goodbye.
Seungkwan hummed, raising an eyebrow. “Enjoy,” he said simply, watching as Seungcheol blushed lightly.
Seokmin chuckled, waving him goodbye as he retreated towards the black car.
“Make sure we meet them soon!” Jihoon shouted, also waving his hand goodbye.
Seungcheol smiled at him and gave a thumbs up before turning to the car, now in front of him. He opened the door to the back side, expecting to see Mr. Lee, a man around his fifty, their family driver. Instead, he was greeted by an unfamiliar face.
“Uh.” He let out awkwardly. The young boy in the driver’s seat smiled.
“You must be Seungcheol-ssi.” He greeted him with a nod of his head as a bow. “I’m Lee Chan, Lee Kimjoon’s son. We had to take him to the hospital yesterday and the doctor advised him to take a rest so I’m here as his substitute.”
Lee Kimjoon, Mr. Lee’s full name. Seungcheol nodded to himself as he returned the kind smile Lee Chan gave. He told him yes when he asked whether they could get going or not and he settled in his seat when the car started moving.
He gave occasional glances to Lee Chan on the driver’s seat, curiosity bubbling in him. The boy seemed younger than him, he smiled a lot too, but there was a hint of tiredness in the way he moved. His heart clenched, suddenly wanting to take the boy in his care but shook his head, he shouldn’t meddle with others’ business.
“Thank you for the safe ride.” Seungcheol bowed to Lee Chan once they’ve reached their destination, the boy looked surprised but bowed back and bid him goodbye.
He walked towards the front door of the mansion slowly, bag in hand. He had deemed himself too old for school, but his boyfriends insisted he continue and take up a course of his liking, told him to take it as a reward for finishing the four year course his parents told him to take. It didn’t really seem like a reward right now, but Seungcheol knew his efforts would bloom. One day, he’ll proudly hold his diploma in hand, considering he was a graduating student, he knew that day was near.
And when that day comes, he’ll have nothing but his boyfriends to love and thank.
You heard that Wonwoo? Yes, my boyfriends are real and not just a product of my imagination. He thought to himself, thinking about the time his friends thought he was just going crazy. He would very much love to see the look on their faces once they finally meet his boyfriends, what a day that would be.
His boyfriends who volunteered to manage the Choi’s family business, even though they were both younger than Seungcheol, just so his parents would let him enroll in college again with a course of his choice. His boyfriends who he loves and has been loving for almost ten years. His boyfriends who never fail to show how much they love, not only him, but also each other.
His boyfriends who were currently chasing each other around their living room?
“Yoon Jeonghan, I swear, when I get my hands on you-“ Joshua gritted his teeth, grabbing a pillow from the couch before running the fastest Seungcheol’s ever seen him run towards Jeonghan who was opposite him on the other side of the couch.
Jeonghan oohed teasingly, “Getting feisty,” he drawled. “Bring it on, baby.” Then he was running even faster. Seungcheol’s eyes went wide in surprise, fighting back his laughter.
They both continued running in circles around the couch, occasionally pausing to glare at each other before continuing in the opposite direction. Seungcheol laughed to himself quietly as he watched them from the hallway connecting the entryway to the living room, it felt like watching a cartoon.
When Joshua hopped over the couch and landed straight into Jeonghan who yelped at the sudden weight on top of him, Seungcheol felt it was the time to interrupt.
“Should I be worried?” He asked, unable to hide the smile on his face as they both turned to him, furrowed eyebrows softening as they mirrored an expression that was a mix of shock and excitement.
“Cheollie!” They chorused and within seconds, they were in Seungcheol’s arms, clinging tightly; you'd think he was gone for decades.
Seungcheol let himself relax, carefree now that he was with his boyfriends. He placed a kiss on Joshua’s jaw before laying his forehead on Jeonghan’s shoulder.
“Tired?” He heard Joshua asked so he hummed, feeling Joshua’s lips on his temple a second after.
“What were you two even doing?” Seungcheol laughed lightly, feeling Jeonghan laugh with him as he referred to the scene he came home to.
Joshua huffed as he watched the two of them, “Jeonghan ate my ice cream,” he glared at his Jeonghan which only added to the other’s amusement.
“All that for ice cream?” Seungcheol asked, turning his head to face Joshua, so instead of his forehead, his temple was against Jeonghan’s shoulder.
Joshua made the face he always makes when either Seungcheol or Jeonghan tease him. There was a ghost of a pout on his lips, nose scrunched slightly, eyebrows drawn together.
“But it was my favorite brand..” He mumbled and Seungcheol felt his chest ache at his sad tone. He was ready to scold Jeonghan for his doings but the other beat him to it.
Jeonghan cooed, pulling Joshua closer by his arm. “I’m sorry, baby.” He rubbed Joshua’s arm. “I should’ve asked you first, I’m sorry.” He tilted, taking Seungcheol with him, to press a kiss on Joshua’s forehead. “It won’t happen again, I promise.” He whispered, not pulling away.
Joshua chuckled, he shook his head and leaned away. “S’okay. I’m not mad, just slightly upset. It’s just an act.” He smiled when Jeonghan rolled his eyes, tiptoeing a little to peck his nose. “Love you,” He giggled against Jeonghan’s skin, making the other smile against his will.
“Little minx,” Seungcheol mumbled, pinching Joshua’s waist which earned him a yelp followed by laughter.
They basked in a comforting silence for a bit after. Seungcheol has one hand circled around Jeonghan’s waist, leaning his weight against him but the other didn’t seem to mind, only pulling him closer. His other hand reached for Joshua’s, pulling him even closer to the both of them and intertwining their fingers.
“You’re okay right? Both of you?” Seungcheol pulled away from Jeonghan to look at both of them with a serious look.
Joshua laughed, tugging him by the arm then circling his arms around his neck. “Not until Hannie buys me more ice cream.” He whispered, breath fanning over Seungcheol’s ear which made him shiver a little.
He heard a hum from Jeonghan as he rested his hands on Joshua’s waist. “I’ll buy you ice cream for a week.” Jeonghan moved towards them and placed his hands above Seungcheol’s on Joshua’s waist, squeezing a little.
Joshua tilted his head in thought, winking at Seungcheol before leaning back, Jeonghan’s chest against his back. “A month. Buy me ice cream for a month.”
A sweet tooth. Seungcheol thought fondly. Joshua would munch on any kind of sweets any time of the day, it’s almost a miracle that his teeth are still intact from the amount of sugar he consumes a day, but he’s glad both him and Jeonghan are there to fuss over him, make him drink lots of water and replace chocolates with kisses.
“Alright, I’ll spoil you with all the ice cream in the world.” Jeonghan meant to tease, but his voice came out soft. His eyes shined when he looked at Joshua who leaned his head back on Jeonghan’s shoulder so they could lock eyes.
Jeonghan’s hand tightened their hold on Seungcheol’s when he received a giggle from Joshua after nudging their noses together.
This was one of Seungcheol’s favorite sights. When his boyfriends look at each other with sparkling eyes. Nothing but love around them. They both looked so ethereal. He could hardly believe this was real. At some point, Seungcheol swore there was a glow around them, and when they both turned to him, those sparkling eyes now directed to him, the glow only brightened. It overwhelmed him in just the slightest.
“What’s on your mind, Cheollie?” Joshua asked, voice as soft as when they were eighteen.
“You,” He whispered, his voice felt far from his ears, he almost didn’t recognize it, too focused on the two beautiful men in front of him. “Us.”
Jeonghan beamed, blushing softly. “I love you two.” He said, voice softer as he leaned in to press his lips against Seungcheol’s. All emotions left unsaid being shared in that one kiss.
“Love you both.” Joshua whispered as he got close to them, kissing them both on their cheeks, content on watching.
And when Jeonghan bit his bottom lip, he heard himself yelp but forced himself not to move away, instead, as revenge, he pushed his tongue pass the other’s lips, smirking at the quiet moan he received in return.
Yeah, they were definitely real.
He blindly reached out for Joshua and squeezed his waist for extra assurance.
Definitely.