Chapter Text
*VROOOM*
It's late at night, later than when anyone in their right mind should be awake. Nevertheless, a man on a motorcycle is seen pulling into a gas station. Sterile lights shine upon the bike as he makes the turn. He goes to one of the refill stations, and grabs the nozzle to refill his bike’s gas tank.
It's quiet out, and he lets himself space out as he waits for the tank to fill. As he waits, the biker pulls up his sleeve, taking a glance at the watch beneath.
Taehyun: Meet me at xx at 1:30am, cya there Kai :)
Kai lets out a sigh. He was supposed to meet someone here.
The silence continues. The harsh light of the gas station is cold and unwelcoming. Kai is too tuned out to hear someone approaching him.
Another motorcyclist decidedly parks beside him, and makes their presence his problem now.
“Hey~.” There's a suggestive tone laced within the voice of the other biker. It was unfamiliar, and definitely not welcome to Kai’s ears.
As a result, Kai snaps out of whatever trance he was in, and locks eyes with the stranger.
‘Oh god…’ Was the only thought going through Kai's head. Nothing but dread filled his head at the sound of the stranger's voice. That wasn’t Taehyun’s voice. He knew the guy well enough to know.
"You look pretty cute pumping that gas, you tryna pump me next?" The stranger continues.
‘What.’
What was he even supposed to say to that?? No, seriously. What was he even supposed to say to that?
And with impeccable timing, the gas meter decides to let Kai know that his tank is filled. Snapping out of his stunlocked trance, Kai stumbles to grab the nozzle and attempts to put it away. Failing miserably in the process, similarly to how one would fail to plug in their charger in a pitch black room.
‘Where’s Taehyun… we were supposed to meet by now…” Kai thinks to himself.
He maintains eye contact with the stranger as he attempts to put the nozzle away, they both have their helmets on. Silence is all that lingers between them. Kai was too stunned to speak. He quickly flicks his head away towards the gas pump and successfully reinserts the nozzle into the machine.
Embarrassing.
“So… you wanna?” The stranger asks again, still sitting on his own motorcycle. He decidedly places a hand on his hip and arches his back a little, as if he was a french girl being painted.
‘Nope. Nope. I am NOT entertaining this. I am NOT built for this. I need an adult.’ Kai, a grown adult, thought to himself. He could feel an embarrassing flush starting to creep up his neck. Getting harassed by a guy attempting to seduce him was not on his bucket list for the night.
After moments of silence pass between the two, he decidedly starts his vehicle and drives off. Not wanting to deal with whatever that guy was on. He didn’t even know what he looked like!
Kai hears a distant, “You don’t wanna pump me next!?” from the stranger as he drives off. He really didn’t have the mental fortitude to be dealing with this right now. He was supposed to meet up with Taehyun and be introduced into his biker gang and instead he got a stranger flirting with him completely unprompted!
A short moment passes and Kai has a horrible realization.
He forgot to pay for gas.
Thankfully, he hasn’t driven that far from the station.
And so with a sigh, he makes a sharp turn back to the station, dreading the possibility of encountering the stranger again and desperately hoping that Taehyun is actually there.
It was way too late at night for any of this.
-
Soobin thought he was slick with it. He really did. He thought he was onto something when he snuck up on the broad shouldered biker.
Call him pathetic, but he had to shoot his shot towards the stranger.
He hyped himself up mentally, and slowly drove into the gas station, internally fawning over the biker he just met. Like okay, he knew nothing about him but he was hot! Soobin could tell that the stranger’s body was well built underneath the leather jacket, and that’s all he really needed. Let future him take care of the cleanup work if anything goes wrong.
“Hey~” he starts. If he was any other person he’d be dying of embarrassment from how he was acting. He’s not any other person though, he’s Choi Soobin, and if there’s one thing that his friends knew him for, it’s for being utterly… utterly, shameless.
The unknown biker snaps to his attention, startled from Soobin's advances. He doesn't say a word. Instead, he just stares at Soobin dumbfoundedly.
Soobin uses this as an opportunity to eye the stranger’s body further. His eyes might have lingered a little too long on the stranger’s chest, it being framed by a tight black tank top underneath the aforementioned leather jacket.
Soobin, once again not understanding the concept of shame, continues his advance, and says, in full confidence, “You look pretty cute pumping that gas, you tryna pump me next?”
The stranger couldn't see it because of the helmet Soobin was wearing but he was proud of that pickup line, grinning with pride. Purely undeserved pride.
Really, there wasn't much to be proud of. There really wasn’t.
The two maintain eye contact to an uncomfortable degree. The stranger grabs the gas nozzle and attempts to put it away while maintaining eye contact. He was failing miserably, and Soobin couldn’t help but find it cute. Endearing even.
The regret of potentially fumbling starts to seep into Soobin, but he recovers with a gesture that’s somehow even more shameless. Still sitting atop his bike, he arches his back, assuming a pose as if he was trying to say “paint me like one of your french girls”, placing one of his hands on his hip for added effect.
“So… you wanna?” He tilts his head and winks, even though his head was still obscured by his helmet.
The stunned biker, still trying to put away the gasoline nozzle, turns away towards the gas pump. Only then was he able to successfully put away the nozzle.
‘Cute.’ Soobin thought.
Awkward silence fills the space between them. Moments pass, and the stranger eyes him up and down. Soobin maintains his smug demeanor, back still arched and everything.
...
The stranger silently drives off.
‘Fuck.’ Soobin thought.
Maybe he wasn’t slick with it.
He couldn’t even get a good look at the man behind the helmet! The shameless motorcyclist lowers his head and pouts in disappointment.
He ends up taking off his helmet and calls out to the stranger driving off, refusing to believe that he’s fumbled the bag and ruined everything.
“You don’t wanna pump me next!?” He shouts, voice projecting properly.
The driver didn't even look back.
He sighs, now forced to accept that maybe making flirtatious advances onto strangers and making a fool of himself isn't the wisest idea.
Before Soobin could allow himself to be even more of a drama queen, he feels an arm rest on his shoulder. He recognized the weight immediately, and turns over to see the helmed figure of none other than his friend and fellow bikemate, Kang Taehyun.
“I could pump you up.” Taehyun says matter of factly. He takes a sip of some drink he got from who knows where.
First of all, what.
Second of all, no way did the Kang Taehyun just say that in his ear.
Third of all! Just how much of the interaction did Taehyun see? Just the end, or the entire thing? Is Soobin finally going to acknowledge the consequences of his own actions and dig himself an early grave in embarrassment?
As Soobin experiences all five stages of grief at once, Taehyun simply takes another sip of his drink through a slight opening of his helmet’s visor.
“Way to go for an initiation hyung, I’m surprised you didn’t do that for anyone else in our gang.” Initiation? Initiation for what?
Soobin stared at Taehyun, confused as to what he meant by that.
“Initiation?”
“Wait… Don’t tell me you didn’t know.” Taehyun sounded like he was trying not to laugh.
‘If Beomgyu or Yeonjun were here right now, they’d be cackling and falling off their bikes.’ Taehyun thought to himself. He had to tell them all about it once they got back.
“Hyung… That was our newest member you just scared off. That was Kai.”
Soobin felt like he just had ice cold water poured on top of him.
“That… You’re telling me the person who I was trying to bag was Kai? Your friend who we were going to invite!?” Soobin asked, not wanting to believe a word that came out of Taehyun’s mouth.
Taehyun simply nods.
Soobin was finally beginning to understand the concept of shame.
Taehyun was desperately trying to keep his composure, not for his sake, but for Soobin’s dignity. Or whatever was left of it. Did he even have any? Scientists have yet to come to a conclusion on that topic.
It proved to be really difficult. He ends up taking off his helmet, allowing himself to get a breath of fresh air. His face said everything it needed to say though, the amusement was obvious.
“I was here the whole time, but decided to stay back just because I saw you pull in behind him hyung. Can’t believe that’s his first impression of you now.” Taehyun’s eyes were crinkling from the sheer effort it took not to just collapse on the ground laughing. Especially now as he watched the older fall to his hands and knees in mortification.
“Please don’t remind me…” Soobin whispered, regret now getting the better of him.
“Don’t get all mopey on me now hyung- Oh! Look, speak of the devil!” Taehyun exclaims. He reaches down and pulls the distraught motorcyclist back onto his two feet. He gestures over, pointing at a motorcyclist driving into the station.
It was Kai.
-
Kai pulls back into the gas station, intent on paying for the gas that he was supposed to pay for and just heading home for the night. The sterile lights irritate his eyes. What he didn’t expect was to see what looked to be the same stranger that harassed him being all buddy-buddy with his best friend.
They turn their heads, making eye contact with Kai. Soobin quickly averts his eyes, suddenly feeling shy all over.
“Oh Kai! You’re back!” Taehyun exclaims. He has a smug expression on his face. Kai takes off his helmet and simply nods. He eyes the stranger, who looks like an embarrassed wreck, now that they’ve taken their helmet off.
He noted that the stranger wasn’t half bad looking. Pretty, even.
“Yeah… I realized I forgot to pay for my gas so I came back.” He scratches the back of his head in embarrassment.
“I’ll pay for it!" The stranger exclaims, stirred out of what seemed to be an internal crisis. The stranger locks eyes with Kai, blush adorning his cheeks, cascading against his pale skin. Taehyun leans against him, trying to keep in a laugh.
A small one sneaks its way out of his mouth regardless.
Kai stares at the stranger dumbfoundedly.
Was it enough to make up for the ludicrous stunt he pulled? Well that was up to Kai to decide.
It was a cute gesture, all things considered. And the idea of being able to save money on gas was appealing.
Considering his options and the idea of saving money being way too appealing, Kai opens his mouth.
“Sure… But on one condition.”
The stranger looks at him with puppy eyes and a pout.
‘God… what am I getting myself into…’ Kai thought to himself.
He then makes the belated realization that he didn't even know the stranger’s name, nor did he know his relationship to Taehyun. Seriously, how did he even know the guy?
“You tried getting into my pants and I don't even know your name. And now I find out you're friends with one of my best friends from university? The least you could do is explain and introduce yourself.” Kai added.
"He's got a point there hyung.” Taehyun quipped.
‘So he's older...’ Kai notes to himself.
“Don't gang up on me! How was I supposed to know he's one of your best friends!?" The apparently eldest whined. He pouts at the younger, giving him an expression reminiscent of a kicked puppy instead of just a regular puppy.
“My name's Soobin, I'm the leader of the biker gang Taehyun is part of.” The stranger quietly whispers. His shoulders are hunched, as if he was trying to make himself smaller. He comes off shy, completely the opposite of his initial appearance.
“W-we’re not actually a gang! No organized crime or anything! Just a group of friends who like biking together.." He haphazardly adds, stumbling over his words in the process. His cheeks were still flushed in embarrassment.
Kai couldn't deny that he found Soobin's behavior cute.
“Wait." Kai’s train of thought comes to a screeching halt, making yet another belated realization. He's been really good at that as of recently.
“You're the leader. Of the biker gang Taehyun-hyung is part of." Kai says matter of factly.
“Yes." Soobin responds, it comes off clipped, anxious.
Kai notices the older fiddling around with his fingers.
“The biker gang that Taehyun was going to have me join." Kai adds.
Soobin's eyes flick around, avoiding eye contact. Finding more interest in the asphalt beneath them.
“Yes… Where are you going with this?” Soobin quietly inquires, his anxiety becoming more apparent.
Kai lets out a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
“So you're telling me… You’re the leader of the gang Taehyun was going to introduce me to-”
Soobin nods.
"-and your first thought was the thought of trying to get into my pants.” Kai finishes.
Soobin crumpled, bowing an apology.
“I didn't know!!" He cried. His face was somehow even more flushed. His ears burning from shame.
“I just thought you were hot… with the leather jacket…” Soobin murmurs so quietly it's a miracle that Kai even heard.
Kai lets out another laugh at that.
It was heaven to Soobin's ears.
-
At this point, it's a miracle that Taehyun isn't on the ground laughing at his hyung’s current display.
If Beomgyu or Yeonjun were in his shoes right now they'd probably be collapsed on top of each other and cackling like hyenas. Or at least Beomgyu would be.
Taehyun leaned against Soobin's motorcycle, entertained by the sight before him. He takes another sip from his drink, grimacing slightly at the now diluted flavor.
‘He’s such a loser…’ He thought to himself. A smile makes its way back onto his face at the thought. His eyes graze over Soobin's mannerisms, at the blush cascading his face and ears. His heart thumps against his chest.
‘Our leader has no right to be this cute.’ Taehyun takes another sip of his drink, attempting to be nonchalant as everything transpired. It wasn't easy, especially with the sight of Kai finding entertainment in his situation and Soobin's advances coming back to bite him. He couldn't get enough of Kai's laughter either. If rays of sunshine could be translated into sound, that's what it would sound like to him.
Maybe it was a good thing that the others weren't here. They'd probably be gagging at Taehyun’s lovestruck gaze towards the two. That, or relentlessly teasing him instead.
They probably would have been making fun of him for that so-called stunt he pulled on Soobin before Kai returned. It would have been funny…
If Taehyun wasn't dead serious about it.
Having had his fill of entertainment for the night, Taehyun clears his throat, startling the other two.
“So are you going to pay for his gas or what hyung? It's getting cold out here.” He asks, expression smug as ever. He wasn't lying, it was cold. A gust of wind passes and bites against his skin. He'd prefer to not spend more time than necessary.
Soobin jolts, fumbling over himself.
“O-oh yeah let me do that for you…” He mumbles.
With great difficulty, he manages to pull out his wallet from his pants pocket. He pulls out his card with similar finesse, which is none at all, tapping it against the card reader attached to the gas pump. He puts the card back in his wallet, this time with a little more grace compared to his previous actions.
Taehyun is so fixated on his hyung's antics that he didn't notice Kai walking up towards him.
“So… Is he always like this?” The younger quietly asks, not wanting to drag Soobin's attention.
"Define ‘this’, to me Kai.” Taehyun quips back. He's going to have to be more specific.
Kai lets out a sigh and rolls his eyes. In contrast to the gesture, there's a grin present on his face.
“Oh you know… Is he always this much of a loser?” Kai inquires, still maintaining a low volume. “I remember you telling me stories about your gang of bikers and their antics, can't really remember if any of them included awful flirting though.”
Taehyun lets out a snort, trying to keep himself from laughing. “No, most of my stories didn't include that." He retorts. “Soobin-hyung is often like this though. He's very dependable despite his… outward appearances though.” He adds.
"He's got a good heart.” Taehyun finishes, taking a sip only to be met with ice in an empty cup. He quickly goes to throw away his now finished drink.
Kai looks at him fondly. His expression shifts to that of intrigue. He takes a look at Taehyun, and then steals a glance towards Soobin, who's now twiddling his thumbs and acting all shy, and then back at Taehyun who's been staring at Soobin the whole time. He then asks a million dollar question.
“So… You like him?”
The audacity of this man.
“Was I that obvious?" Taehyun quips. ‘Like’ was too light of a word for whatever Taehyun felt towards the taller man. What he also felt for his best friend. He didn't just like Soobin, he loved him. Just as much as he loves Kai, the man who is now asking him about his crushes.
“Your eyes speak for themselves hyung." Kai remarks, giving the older a teasing smirk.
‘Do they now…’ Taehyun muses to himself.
Soobin makes his way over to Taehyun and Kai, averting his gaze from the latter. His posture still making him appear smaller than the 185 centimeter man that he is. Taehyun's eyes still linger on him, enamoured by his behavior.
“So are we ready to go?” Taehyun asks. “Kai, we'll be taking you to meet the others, so make sure to follow us." He adds.
Soobin gives a small nod, and walks towards his bike. Kai nods in turn, grabbing his helmet and dons it on. Taehyun gives them one last glance before sauntering over to his own motorcycle before putting his own helmet on.
The three of them rev up their engines, their bikes roaring to life. They exchange glances at each other, and with a turn of their handles, they ride off into the night.