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Byun Baekhyun is a menace.
That’s what Junmyeon keeps chanting in his head as he drives through downtown Seoul’s rush hour to meet Baekhyun for dinner. An impromptu dinner that Junmyeon is unwilling to go to at first until his friend starts pulling out the “ we haven’t seen each other in so long, don’t you miss your best friend” and “ I don’t know when I will be free again for dinner like this” . Even though he still whines and curses the said friend in his head, he still changes his clothes and goes on his way.
It’s a hassle for him, really, but he also doesn’t know when Baekhyun will have time to casually meet him for dinner like this. His free schedule probably won’t come for the next few months, and as a good friend, Junmyeon chooses to take the chance now.
“What took you so long?” The brat doesn’t even greet him properly when Junmyeon arrives.
“Did you not know the time? You literally called and wanted to meet at dinner on a Friday night. Go figure,” Junmyeon retorts as he closes the door of the private room behind him. Plopping down on the seat across from his friend, his eyes scan the food laid on the table. “Have you not eaten all day?”
Baekhyun, who’s busy munching his food, takes his time to answer the question. “I had ramen and kimbap for breakfast.” Junmyeon just nods, already used to his friend’s weird eating schedule. There were times when he used to scold the younger man, but he has done it way too often, so he just let him be.
For a while, silence envelops the room. The two men are content with eating in silence, the sounds of their chopsticks and munching food are the only sounds that fill the room. Despite the loud, happy-go-lucky image that’s portrayed in the media, Baekhyun is a man of few words. Sure, he has his talkative moments too, but Junmyeon knows that his friend prefers quietness, especially since he lives such a loud, fast life. And Junmyeon offers just the right place for him.
Birds of the same feather flock together are the correct term that describes their friendship. They might not have started their friendship since they were in diapers, but the one afternoon they spent at a company gathering is what brought them closer together.
A ringtone coming from Junmyeon’s phone resonates through the room just as the best friends are about to finish their dinner. One look at his phone, Junmyeon slides his finger on the phone screen to reject the incoming call and puts his phone in a do not disturb mode.
“Is that your mother?” Junmyeon just nods.
“She probably just wants to know how the date went last night,” he elaborates, not missing the furrowed eyebrows on his friend’s face.
“Oh? She still arranges those blind dates for you?” Baekhyun has been the person that Junmyeon talks to about this issue. Knowing each other for so long, he knows he can trust Baekhyun with this, mainly because his love life isn’t very interesting and the other person can come up with damn good advice at times.
“Apparently she has way too much fun arranging those dates.” Picking his food, he thinks that he really can’t put himself through another blind date. It has come to the point where it drains his energy. “No one caught my eyes, though.”
“What about that Jisoo guy from work? I recall you told me he’s cute once.” Sweet Jisoo who is way too sweet for Junmyeon, who is also nice to everyone, and already dating someone else. He’s glad he wasn’t in too deep yet with that one.
“He’s already dating someone else. Besides, he’s way too loud for my liking, I guess. I could use a little quietness in my life.” He watches his friend hum and gets lost in his own head. Junmyeon lets that happen, deciding to continue devouring his food while he waits for his friend finishes with whatever churning inside his brain.
“By the way, hyung, can I ask you a question?” Junmyeon just shrugs, not really paying any attention anymore. “So, I have this one friend… I think you two will match just fine– Okay, I know what you think about it, but will you just let me explain?”
“I met him a few years ago at that songwriting camp manager-hyung told me to attend, and he’s a genius . He’s very kind, very sweet too, and I’m sure he can be even sweeter with you. He’s not a very busy guy like me, but he’s very strict with his schedule. Even always makes sure that he has at least 1 day off every two weeks. That’s not an easy thing to pull off but well, he’s strict like that. Guess that he’ll make time to go on dates with you.”
“That still doesn’t say much about him, though. Literally anyone can fit the description of the guy you just described," Junmyeon comments. “Also, he has at least one day off every two weeks? Pardon me, but are you really trying to make me go on a blind date with a celebrity?”
“Well…” Baekhyun trails off, and that’s enough answer for Junmyeon. He quickly shakes his head in disagreement, not wanting to get himself roped into a celebrity drama if the thing ever happens in the future. “I promise you that he’s good. If you worry about gossip and everything, this guy is clean as fuck. I can guarantee you that much.”
He mulls it over. Taking a sip of his drink, Junmyeon leans back in his seat. This offer doesn’t come often from Baekhyun. He usually stays away from the older’s love life–only there to provide comfort and curse at the other’s exes if something doesn’t work out–but this time is different. Junmyeon can’t think of any reason why his friend suddenly wants to be involved, other than his friend is slowly losing his mind too over these blind dates that Junmyeon’s mom arranged.
Accepting this one offer won’t hurt, right?
“Promise me if it doesn’t work out, you won’t set up a blind date for me ever again.” The blooming smile across his friend almost makes Junmyeon want to take back his words, but Baekhyun can be too eager sometimes.
“There won’t be another blind date for you because this time, it will work out.”
Oh, how he wishes he can be as hopeful and optimistic as Baekhyun is.
🌃🌃🌃
Junmyeon can’t believe that he let Baekhyun set up a blind date for him.
As he prepares for the so-called date, he keeps rethinking his decision. Why did he say yes right away? Why did he not ask for a day or two to think about it? Why did he even get so overworked up over deciding the outfit for the date?
Sighing, Junmyeon takes a seat on the edge of his bed and looks at the sight of a few clothes strewn all over his bed. Think, Junmyeon , he tells himself as his eyes dart around the many options of clothes that can pull tonight. He roughly has around an hour before he’s supposed to meet a man named Zhang Yixing at the restaurant he frequently visits with Baekhyun. The name sounds vaguely familiar in his ears, but he can’t remember anything.
“I’ll set the place here so you can be super comfortable, okay? You also know where the exit door is if anything happens, which I’m sure won’t happen at all.” Baekhyun explained when the singer called the night before. His words put Junmyeon’s mind at ease, but only for a while.
Now, as he stares at his reflection in the mirror, he once again asks himself if he’s made a good decision to meet Zhang Yixing. Shutting his eyes, he takes some deep breaths to calm his mind.
This will be the last blind date he ever goes on. After tonight, no more blind dates from his mother and Baekhyun. If the date tonight goes bad, then he can settle for meeting someone the organic way. He’ll find more activities out of his day-to-day job, and expand his network. He can find more friends through his friends too. It won’t be such a big deal. He’ll be fine. Just because he doesn’t have a partner in his thirties, it doesn’t mean the world is going to end.
You’ll be fine , that’s what he’s been telling himself. The reassurance that only he himself can provide as he sits, waiting inside the private room for his date to arrive. Usually, he would think that it’s over the top–using the private room when there only will be him and the other person–but this time he’s thankful. He really can spare himself the stares from other people as he waits. Now he can scroll through his phone all he likes without having the need to glance at the door every few seconds. He can hear the sound of the door opening just fine since he’s still alone.
Not even fifteen minutes later, Junmyeon hears the sound of the door opening. Looking up, he freezes in his seat, not believing his own eyes. It feels like time has slowed down because there’s no way his eyes are seeing right. This is why the name sounds familiar in his ears. What kind of sick prank is Baekhyun planning?
“Sorry, but I think you’re in the wrong room,” is the first thing that Junmyeon says as soon as the patron closes the door. The man–who still stands near the door–furrows his eyebrows in confusion and glances down at his phone for a moment before looking up at Junmyeon again.
“You’re Kim Junmyeon, right?” The accent that slips into his voice tells Junmyeon that he’s not dreaming. That he’s not sitting in the living room and staring at his TV. “Baekhyun told me to meet you here. He sent me your picture and everything.” Junmyeon wishes he isn’t friends with Baekhyun now.
“Well, Baekhyun certainly didn’t tell me that I’d be meeting Lay Zhang.” For a second, Junmyeon wishes that he thought about it before uttering those words out loud because now he feels stupid. Especially when the beautiful man smiles so wide that Junmyeon can perfectly see the infamous dimples that he could only see on the TV. He’s totally doomed.
“Yeah, I told him to use my birth name instead. So, tonight you’re actually meeting Zhang Yixing,” he explains easily as he takes off his coat, slinging it casually on one of the chairs opposite Junmyeon. “You can just call me Yixing. More comfortable that way.”
Junmyeon has so many questions. Questions that bother him so much, that he has trouble keeping them inside. But as to not scare the man on the first meeting, he supposes he can wait until they have food settled nicely in their tummy. Besides, he’s more clear-headed once he’s full. His stupid questions can surely wait.
Instead, Junmyeon smiles and watches as Zhang Yixing finally takes a seat across the table. Every move he makes–as simple as taking off his cap–he does it so gracefully as if it’s done to entice the other person in the room. “By the way, have you ordered anything? Baekhyun told me that you’re a regular here.” His question pulls Junmyeon out of his reverie.
“Um, no. I was actually waiting for you,” he responds sheepishly. Junmyeon then kindly explains to the other man what food is good and worth trying for a first-timer, and all the while, Yixing listens intently–can’t keep his eyes off Junmyeon’s bright, shining eyes.
Both of them have questions they want to ask, but they hold back until they finish ordering and the patron leaves the room once again.
“I’m sure you have questions. You can go ahead and ask me if you want.” It’s almost unfair how cool he is, Junmyeon thinks. All that nonchalance as he pours the drink–it’s non-alcohol because Junmyeon doesn’t want to look stupid in front of his date–for the both of them. So far, all the mannerism the other man shows is completely different from what the street says. Junmyeon knows that he can’t trust everything he watches on TV and sees on the internet, but still, it baffles him.
“Pardon if I’m being too blunt, but how do you know Baekhyun?” That’s a safe question to ask. A good opener, Junmyeon assumes… and he assumes right. The other man takes a sip of his water and flashes a smile at Junmyeon–that damned dimpled smile again.
“We met at a songwriting camp a few years ago, and we’ve been close since then.” So it’s confirmed. It also matches with how Baekhyun mentioned it to him last week. “You see, when you’re friends with him it’s kinda hard to shake him off.”
Junmyeon smiles, nodding his head repeatedly. “Ah, yeah, he mentioned the songwriting camp to me too. I still didn’t expect that you two are good friends, since… you know what the public thinks of you two, right? Being rivals and all that.”
“Ah, yes… That’s just a thing that our fans did, actually. People see us as some kind of rivals, but we’re all friends behind all that.” Junmyeon doesn’t expect that Yixing will elaborate more about his friendship with Baekhyun. Not only that, the musician tells him about how Baekhyun also helped him settle in Seoul when he first moved to the country. At this point, he’s surprised that Baekhyun hasn’t even mentioned Yixing–not even once–to Junmyeon.
“Baekhyun mentioned you a couple of times, actually. I remembered it just now.” He can’t help widening his eyes at the statement. “They’re all nice things, I promise,” Yixing quickly reassures the other man before continuing to ask, “So, do you work in the industry too, or…”
“Ah, I work behind the scenes, actually. I’m a graphic designer, so I mostly work on the other artistic side of the spectrum.” Junmyeon tries to elaborate on what he does in a concise way, not wanting to bore the man with his explanation about his job.
One thing that Junmyeon notices from Yixing is that the man asks a lot of questions. Even when the food arrives and they start eating, he still fills in the silence from time to time with something–be it a memory of him having similar food in the past, or asking a follow-up question to Junmyeon's answer. It feels nice , Junmyeon keeps telling himself. The one where he also wonders why he never feels as comfortable as he is now when he had blind dates in the past. Was it the other person? Was it himself?
Not only that, but Junmyeon also notices how Yixing can’t keep his eyes off him every time he talks. That action doesn’t miss to make Junmyeon’s cheeks flush red.
“Sorry, you must be so bored. I talk way too much.” Junmyeon smiles sheepishly, lifting his glass to take a sip of water.
“No, no, I like listening to you talk. Your voice is kind of soothing.” The other man is so quick to refute. If that doesn’t make Junmyeon’s cheeks blush…
“But I’ve been talking since the beginning. I want to hear more about you too.” Junmyeon unconsciously juts his lower lip out as he speaks, the sight is way too endearing for Yixing’s heart.
“You can ask me lots of questions when we meet again next week,” the singer bargains, his words catching Junmyeon off-guard.
“Next week?”
“Oh, right, I should’ve asked you first.” Yixing smiles sheepishly. “Do you uh- want to meet me again next week? We can have another dinner, or lunch if you want. I can text you about details later.”
“Then it’s best if you give me your number first.”
Hook, line, sinker.
Junmyeon really catches the bait this time, and with whole his heart, he just hopes he won’t regret this decision in the future. With a fluttering heart, he passes his phone to Yixing and lets the other man type in his number–even calling the number so he also has Junmyeon’s number saved. He’s almost sure that the smile and the dimples that grace Yixing’s face will be forever embedded in his brain.
When he leaves the restaurant that night, Junmyeon doesn’t expect the warmth settling nicely in his chest, a new phone number saved under “ Yixing ” on his phone, and also a promise to have another date next week.
It’s funny how life seems to be going the way you want to when you least expect it, he thinks to himself.
📢📢📢
K-Forum: Singer Lay Zhang is seen on a date?
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Someone saw Lay Zhang having dinner with a man at this BBQ restaurant in Cheongdam-dong last Sunday night. Can’t see who the other man was, but they look good.
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They even went to have dessert together! Look how smiley Lay is!
[post response]
[+8,983; -413]
[+5,454; -579] OHHHH who is it??? They really look good together!
[+5,068; -937] Will they be the next January 1st couple outed by Dispatch? ‘Cos that doesn’t look like a friendly dinner between friends at all.
[+2,436; -523] Can they just hold hands and kiss?
[+1,762; -688] Oh no :((
[+1,534; -413] If only they move a little bit, we can probably see their smile…
📢📢📢
One date turns into two, three, four, and it keeps going until Junmyeon loses count. Now every time Yixing asks him out for dinner or for a night walk in the park, Junmyeon doesn’t even think too much and tries to label it– is it a date? or is this not a date? –anymore. He has learned to let go and just go with it. Trusting Yixing is one of the decisions he will never regret.
When another Friday comes, Junmyeon doesn’t expect that he’ll be greeted by a big breakfast sent by Yixing. They went on another date the night before–a longer date with dinner, some dessert, and also a late-night movie at the cinema. The singer also went on a length by driving him home too.
With a smile on his face, he unboxes the various selection of pastries and places them on a plate. He takes his time rearranging everything to look pretty so he can take a picture and send it to Yixing.
“You’re smiling like that again.” Looking up from his phone, Junmyeon almost forgets that Baekhyun is there too with him. The smug smile across his friend’s face is enough to make him reconsider inviting the man for breakfast.
“Like what?” He sulks playfully but continues to type his message to Yixing.
I got the pastries! Thank you very much. Can’t wait to see you later~ <3
Junmyeon sends the message before he can overthink the heart emoji at the end. Surely it’s not too soon, right? They’ve gone on countless dates already, and if his brain isn’t trying to prank him, his heart tells him that Yixing may have had some feelings for him. Otherwise, the man won’t let this thing last too long, right?
“Like you’re in love.” Now, that makes Junmyeon stop smiling at his phone and look up to stare at his friend. He can only blink his eyes rapidly, not knowing what to respond to that observation. “Which is a good look on you, because you’re like, super glowing, hyung.”
“It’s not like that yet with him,” he states finally, after mulling over the suitable words to say properly.
“But you like him, yes?” Baekhyun pushes, leaning forward to stare at Junmyeon like he’s getting way too invested with the whole thing–which is true, Junmyeon is sure of that.
“Well yeah, I do like him a lot, actually.” This one Junmyeon can confidently state to the forum.
At first, Junmyeon tried his best to restrain himself from getting too lost in the moment–something that he noticed Yixing is very good at. Going on these dates with Yixing and holding his hand are a dangerous combo to his heart. There are certain times when Junmyeon let himself too loose and his brain ended up wandering too far into the uncertainty of the future–thinking about going on a vacation with Yixing, taking Yixing to the places he wants to go, and even as far as thinking about taking Yixing to meet his parents. Noting that he thought way too far, Junmyeon always reeled himself back in, which usually ended up with him dreaming about the boy.
“Then it’s good. Don’t overthink, and just go with the flow.” Smiling and chuckling at his friend’s words, Junmyeon can only hope for the best.
On a sunny Sunday, Yixing swings by Junmyeon’s place pretty early in the morning–early enough that Junmyeon is cooking his breakfast still in his pajamas. It’s uncommon since he knows that the other man has a thing in his schedule that will only allow them to see each other at night–as usual. They have plans to go out at night too, so it confuses him a little bit why Yixing shows up so early.
“Don’t you have a thing today?” Junmyeon questions as soon as Yixing makes himself comfortable on the couch. This isn’t the first time Yixing has been in his apartment, but he still feels pretty self-conscious, afraid that something is out of place.
“Recording is pushed back to tomorrow, so I’m free today.” Junmyeon hums at his answer. “Did you just wake up?”
“No,” he laughs as he scoops up some of the egg-fried rice into a bowl. “Woke up a while ago, actually. Have you had breakfast? I think I make enough fried rice for two.”
“It’s okay, babe. I had some sandwiches already.” Junmyeon pretends like his heart doesn’t skip a beat at the ‘ babe’ . “By the way, I know it’s kind of late, and I should’ve called you earlier but is it okay if I stay here until we go out tonight? It’s just, your apartment is closer so I had my manager drop me here.”
“It’s okay, Xing,” he responds easily, walking to the couch to join Yixing with a bowl of fried rice and a bottle of water in his hands. “Just make yourself comfortable here. I don’t mind.” Placing his breakfast on the coffee table, he sits on the carpeted floor right where Yixing is sitting on the couch behind him. He can feel it when the other man leans forward and places his hands on his shoulders, giving them a light squeeze.
“Thank you, Myeon-ah.”
The room is wrapped in a comfortable silence–Yixing scrolls through something on his phone, while Junmyeon is quietly having his breakfast with his eyes glancing at the muted TV every now and then. It feels like a normal morning like Yixing has been some kind of permanent figure in his apartment–and mostly in his life.
When Junmyeon is finally done with his breakfast and washing the dirty dishes, he joins Yixing on the couch–sitting close to him that their shoulders pressed to each other. Seizing the moment, Yixing places his arm around the other’s shoulder and brings him closer, letting Junmyeon lean his head on the shoulders. The peaceful silence along with occasional hums Yixing let out while he’s on his phone almost lulls Junmyeon to sleep.
“You shouldn’t sleep right after you eat. It’s not healthy,” Yixing reminds, turning his head to plant a kiss on the top of Junmyeon’s head. Junmyeon hums.
“But you’re so comfy. I can’t help it.” That earns him a chuckle from Yixing. Also taking the other man’s words into consideration, Junmyeon gets up from his comfortable spot but not before leaving a kiss on Yixing’s cheek. “Oh, do you want to change into some comfy clothes? You can borrow mine.”
“Sure, sure.” Junmyeon uses that chance to head towards his bedroom, glad that he has a distraction from his thought. He was getting a little too close to Yixing and that made him dizzy. He can use the chance to breathe a little.
Taking a deep breath, Junmyeon goes through his closet to find a spare t-shirt and pajama pants for Yixing to wear. He’s aware that the both of them have plans for the night, but it might be uncomfortable for Yixing to wear his clothes for hours–especially since he’s going to be relaxing at his place. Junmyeon can’t imagine having to lounge around in those tight jeans.
After letting Yixing change his clothes, Junmyeon decides to retire to his bedroom and lounge around with Yixing there. It’s dangerous territory–he notices–to be lying in the same bed with Yixing. He really can’t help the way his heart keeps pounding loudly when he notices Yixing already sitting there on his bed, leaning on the propped-up pillows with his eyes still glued to his phone. His intrusive brain tells him that Yixing looks way too natural there as if he’s some kind of missing puzzle piece in his life. As if Yixing is always meant to be here–on his bed and in his life. It’s frightening because his brain is suddenly overloaded with every thought related to the Chinese man on his bed.
Shaking his head to push those thoughts away, Junmyeon braves himself to make a move and sit beside Yixing. His side is pressed close to the other man, and he can feel how warm it is. He can’t help but blush again at the way Yixing naturally places his arm behind his shoulders and pulls him closer to his chest, letting his head lay on his chest.
“Myeon-ah, can I ask a silly question?” Junmyeon frowns but nods anyway. “Forgive me if I’m being way too blunt, but can I kiss you?” Not believing his ears, Junmyeon pulls back from his comfy spot and stares at Yixing in disbelief–only to be met with Yixing’s steady gaze on him.
He can’t help but take a moment. This man, the man he’s been crushing for a few months now is asking his permission to kiss. And people say that chivalry is dead. With no hesitation at all and a sudden burst of confidence, Junmyeon leans in and the other man meets him halfway.
Kissing Yixing is like just what his voice and presence seem like–sweet, soft, and intoxicating Junmyeon in the best way. The way Yixing tilts his head and deepens the kiss, it’s causing Junmyeon’s brain to turn into a mush. Every sense of thinking clear and rational is tossed out of the window. All he can think about is Yixing, Yixing, and Yixing.
Head dizzy from the lack of oxygen, Junmyeon pulls away to gasp for air. The first thing that caught his eyes is how swollen Yixing’s lips look. Darting his gaze up to meet Yixing’s eyes, he’s met with the eyes that look at him with the softest and fondest look he’s ever seen in his life.
“Can’t believe we’ve gone on so many dates but I’ve never kissed you before.” Yixing breaks the silence first, lips tugging to the side in a smile. As always, his words always have Junmyeon feeling funny; it makes him shy because how does a man can be this smooth?
“Well, I told myself that if you aren’t gonna kiss me this week, then I’ll make the first move,” Junmyeon teases, eliciting Yixing to chuckle softly.
“You know, I like what we’re doing now. Dates, kisses, spending time in your place. Do you mind if we keep doing these things and I start calling you my boyfriend?” Junmyeon’s heart skips a beat at the words spoken to him.
He’d be lying if he wasn’t surprised. He has a hunch that sooner or later the question will come up, but definitely not this soon–maybe a week or so later. But he guesses, that is a part of Yixing’s charms. How the beautiful man always finds a way to surprise him, keeping him on his toes (but in a positive way).
“I’d like that very much. I’ve been wanting to call you mine, too.” Not an ounce of hesitation laces his words. Junmyeon has never been sure of anything before in his life. The wide smile that graces Yixing’s face is enough to trigger his own smile, watching his now boyfriend smile like that has always made him want to smile as well.
That day, as Junmyeon basks in the warmth emitting from the man hugging him, he realizes something. He realizes how he never put any faith in whatever his mother arranged for him. He was too wrapped up in the absurdity of meeting someone in such an unusual way, too wrapped up in his blind faith that things wouldn’t work out for him, that he should just stick to the old, organic way. Also, maybe he didn’t trust his mother enough.
It’s funny how he immediately thought differently the second it was coming from Baekhyun. How it didn’t take him too long to make up his mind, despite how absurd he thought of the situation at the beginning. Maybe what Junmyeon needed really is a little faith, and he is beyond thankful that for the one night he put his whole faith into the arrangement that Baekhyun made, and into Yixing–the man that makes his boring life more colorful and his heart so full he feels like it could burst sometimes.