Everytime I See You (1/3)

Sep 17, 2016 15:39

Title: Everytime I See You
Pairing: XiuChen
Word Count: 22,477w
Rating: NC-17?
Warning: alcohol but no drunk sex, lots of messaging?
Summary: Jongdae becomes a regular at a cafe and keeps seeing the same sad guy.
A/N:This is my first complete semi-decent length EXO fic.If anyone is surprised that my first full fic is XiuChen, well you're not alone. This is completely unbeta'd (I need a beta rippp) and written on my phone, so all mistakes are completely my fault, please don't hesitate to point them out. Also I think the inspiration for the title is pretty obvious and unoriginal. (LJ is an ass so I had to break it up into parts) (Note: Jongdae's last club outfit is totally his Lotto outfit, I couldn't help myself.)



“Soo, write my essays for me, please~”

Jongdae puts on his best pout to an indifferent Kyungsoo, hoping against all hope that his friend will do him a solid. It’s two weeks into the new semester and Jongdae has barely come to terms with how many essays he has. Who knew a Music major would have to write so goddamn much.

“That’s called cheating, Jongdae.” Kyungsoo rolls his eyes, pushing Jongdae away from where he had scooted closer to make his pout more effective.

Jongdae throws himself across the cafe table in defeat, his whining slightly muffled by the cold surface. “I guess I’m just going to fail my classes, get kicked out of school, and have to sing in the streets to survive.”

Kyungsoo doesn’t even seem worried, too used to Jongdae’s dramatics to think he’s serious. That's what happens when you've been friends with someone since elementary school, they never take you seriously. Kyungsoo distracts Jongdae from whining by poking his head and saying, “Anyway, that Sad Cafe Dude is here.”

Jongdae perks up, peering at the cafe door as a guy around their age walks in. About the same height as Jongdae, today Sad Cafe Dude is sporting a white button up with the sleeves rolled up and some black slacks. The nickname is something Jongdae came up with when, after two weeks of coming here after class, he still has yet to catch the guy’s name. Somehow the universe always distracts him when the baristas call it out. They don’t even ask the guy’s name when he orders. The only thing Jongdae knows about him is that he always orders a cappuccino, sits in the back corner, and never looks happy. Jongdae, honestly, wants to know more about him, maybe even befriend the guy.

Today doesn’t look like the right time to finally do that, though. Sad Cafe Dude looks like someone just told him that his favorite show got cancelled and there’s no hope for a conclusion. Jongdae watches as he orders his cappuccino and walks to his usual table. The tight slacks giving Jongdae a nice outline of Sad Cafe Dude’s ass.

“You’re going to get caught staring.”

Kyungsoo’s voice pulls him out of his trance. Jongdae looks away, because being a creep is definitely not on his to-do list today. Not if he ever wants to eventually talk to the guy.

“Soo~” Jongdae pouts as he watches Kyungsoo slide out of his chair. He's obviously given up on Jongdae. It’s not like his friend can help with his cafe dilemma, Kyungsoo has told him before to grow a pair.

“As much as I would love to listen to you whine,” Kyungsoo deadpans, “I want to go home and do something productive.”

Jongdae gasps, putting his hand over his heart in mock pain, “You wound me, Soo. Are you implying that spending time with me is unproductive?”

Kyungsoo flashes his rare heart-shaped smile as he begins to walk away, “Yes. See you later, Jongdae.”

Jongdae watches his friend exit the cafe before going back to his secret observation of Sad Cafe Dude. He looks especially nice today, even if he looks sadder than usual. His black hair, that's normally styled up, is down today looking extra soft and fluffy. Jongdae thinks it makes his eyes seem even sharper. Either way, Jongdae can’t deny that Sad Cafe Dude is attractive as hell. Just another factor as to why Jongdae hasn’t grown a pair yet, swears that eventually he’ll talk to him.

For right now, Jongdae just watches him slowly drink his cappuccino and wonders why the guy always looks so sad when he comes here. Jongdae won’t lie, he’s come up with a million and one different possible reasons to explain the other guy’s mood. Some of them might definitely be completely outrageous, but Jongdae has a huge imagination and he doesn’t think anything is outside the realm of possibilities.

Jongdae’s thoughts are interrupted when Sad Cafe Dude gets foam on his top lip and licks it off. It’s too fast to be anything but innocent, yet Jongdae’s cheeks are radiating heat and he’s pretty sure it’s time for him to stop watching. He turns back to his own drink, a Chai latte, which is his usual. He likes the spices in the tea and it relaxes him more than anything. He has enough energy for two people, he doesn’t need a caffeinated drink to add on to it.

Some days he wonders what’s so good about the cappuccino that Sad Cafe Dude orders. He can’t say much about Sad Cafe Dude not changing his drink occasionally, because Jongdae never changes his either. The baristas start making Jongdae’s before he even orders and knows whether to do hot or cold depending on the weather outside. It’s the same for Sad Cafe Dude. Jongdae doesn’t even know if there are any other regulars like them, because once he saw Sad Cafe Dude, everyone else is practically invisible.

Jongdae finishes his drink with a heavy sigh. It’s Friday and he has plans to go out later, so hanging around any longer is not an option. Without a backwards glance, he throws away his trash and makes his way out to head towards his apartment.

A few minutes later and Jongdae is walking into a natural disaster in his living room. Baekhyun is pacing back and forth, letting out frustrated noises, and clothes are thrown around everywhere.

“Uh,” Jongdae slowly closes the front door behind him, “Did a bomb go off in your closet or something?”

Baekhyun turns to him and surges forward, grabbing Jongdae’s biceps in a firm grip. “Dae, I need help!”

Jongdae nods, making his best concerned face.“Obviously.”

It’s hard not to laugh when Baekhyun groans in defeat and walks away. “It’s not funny, Dae. I need to look hot with a capital ‘h’ tonight and none of my clothes are doing it.”

Jongdae slides off his jacket and hangs it up as Baekhyun collapses dramatically onto their couch. “Why not wear those leather jeans, a black tee, and your leather jacket?”

Jongdae watches Baekhyun jump up in realization, “Do you think that would work?”

Pushing clothes to the side, Jongdae takes over the couch and stretches out a little. “If we were still fucking, totally platonically speaking, I would fuck you in that.”

Baekhyun beams, grabbing Jongdae’s face and planting a big wet kiss on his cheek. “Thanks, Dae!”

“Platonic!” Jongdae says to Baekhyun’s retreating back and smiles when he hears laughter from down the hallway.

Jongdae doesn’t know how he deals with Baekhyun’s energy on a daily basis. Baekhyun easily has twice the amount of energy Jongdae has, he’s like a ball of sunshine bouncing around in a human body. Jongdae is grateful, though, that Baekhyun agreed to be roommates with him. Jongdae had been worried that Baekhyun would think it would be too awkward, but it isn’t and they’re even closer friends, without the sex of course. Despite the sometimes chaoticness of their apartment, splitting rent has really helped him out. It’s the biggest reason why Jongdae can afford to go the cafe on the daily.

Jongdae lets out a groan as he peels himself off the couch. He needs to get ready, as well, because he did promise to go out with Baekhyun tonight.

He doesn’t really feel like going all out, so he settles for a baby blue button up and white jeans. He’s not too interested in getting laid, unlike Baekhyun, and he’s not trying to impress anyone.

He’s ready way before Baekhyun is and he waits for his roommate in the living room. Absentmindedly picking up some of the clothes that Baekhyun left out, he wonders what Sad Cafe Dude is doing at the moment. Jongdae knows the guy has already left the cafe, he only stays there for an hour.

Baekhyun clears his throat and Jongdae turns around to see Baekhyun decked out in the suggested outfit and his black eyeliner thick around his eyes.

Jongdae lets out a low whistle, “Wow, Baek, who are you trying to kill?”

Baekhyun preens under the compliment and flutters his eyelashes. “Hopefully whoever I decide to pick tonight.”

“That poor guy,” Jongdae shakes his head in fake sympathy for Baekhyun’s future victim.

“Anyway, are you ready? I wanna go ahead and go so that we aren’t waiting forever in line.” Baekhyun slides on his black boots and grabs the keys to his car.

Jongdae follows him out the door, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The drive to the club is eventful. To put it simply, Baekhyun sang, danced, and drove all at the same time. While Jongdae appreciates having fun and is always enthusiastic about singing, he would really prefer to not be risking his life in the process. That being said, they somehow made it to the club in one piece and Jongdae’s fingers weren’t totally cramping from the death grip he had on the door. Jongdae is just glad that he’ll be the one driving back once the night is over.

Baekhyun drags him along in the direction of the club and doesn’t let go even when they get to the line. Jongdae can feel the stares from some of the other men and tries to pull his arm out of Baekhyun’s hold. However, Baekhyun has a vice grip and leans in to whisper, “Let them think we’re a couple or whatever. They get more turned on when they think someone is taken. Like forbidden fruit or something, they eat that shit up.”

Jongdae stares at Baekhyun in disbelief, “You are evil, Baek.”

Baek only grins with a small shrug, “Whatever gets me laid, my friend. Whatever gets me laid.”

Jongdae goes along with it, even taking it a step further by glaring at some of the guys when Baekhyun makes a face at their obvious stares. Let it be known that Jongdae can never be called a bad wingman.

When they get through the doors, it takes Baekhyun about 10 minutes to abandon Jongdae. Just enough time to get drinks and solidify the couple act before Jongdae is watching Baekhyun saunter to the dance floor.

Jongdae can't help the smile on his lips as he takes a sip of the weird fruity concoction Baekhyun had handed him. Jongdae knows how persuasive and determined Baekhyun can get when he sees something he wants. Jongdae had been on the end of it in high school. It lasted for about a year and a half before they mutually decided to end it. They liked each other well enough, but not in the way that entails commitment and monogamy. Now they're just really good friends who have slept together several dozen times in the past.

Jongdae enjoys watching Baekhyun prowl, the few times Jongdae has actually agreed to go out with him. Baekhyun gets a certain glint in his eye and the side of his mouth pulls up in a smirk whenever he sees someone he wants. He's like a cross between a puppy and a cat pouncing on it's prey. It's cute and Jongdae has told Baekhyun as much, despite the offended look Baekhyun gives him every time. “I am not cute when I got out, I'm sexy as fuck!” The little stomp Baekhyun gives when he says that never helps his case.

Jongdae loses sight of Baekhyun in the crowd, but he's not too worried. It's too early in the night to be worried, anyway.

He stays by the bar for the majority of the night, turning down people asking him to dance with them occasionally. It's not until Baekhyun comes back to the bar, sweaty and a little disheveled, and whisks him away that he finally steps foot on the dance floor.

Baekhyun pulls him to a specific spot and it only takes Jongdae a second to understand why. A tall stranger with plush lips is eyeing him suspiciously, looking from their joined hands, to Baekhyun, and then to Jongdae. Jongdae just gives the guy his signature cat smile when Baekhyun gets up close and presses his mouth against Jongdae’s ear.

“I'm taking this one home with us. Is that cool?”

Jongdae’s grin widens and he almost laughs at the confusion on the stranger’s face, but that would ruin the moment. Instead, for show, he leans in as well, mouth to ear and hand to Baekhyun’s ass, making sure the guy can see. “I'll just take a taxi home. Have fun~”

Baekhyun kisses his cheek and Jongdae almost loses it, but he has pity for the poor guy. Baekhyun already has him ensnared and Jongdae is just a tool in this little game.

Jongdae smoothly makes his exit, kind of relieved he doesn't have to stay any longer. Baekhyun isn't going to drink much after this, because getting laid is definitely higher on his list.

He grabs one more drink before he really leaves, seeing as he's taking a taxi there's no reason for him to stay sober now. Especially if he's going to be subjected to Baekhyun’s loud sex.

Jongdae finishes his beer and turns around to leave when he spots a familiar face on the edge of the dance floor. His hair is styled up like he usually wears it. The biggest difference is his face. Jongdae’s Sad Cafe Dude doesn't look so sad, at the moment. No, he actually looks the opposite of sad with his gummy smile as he talks to, who Jongdae secretly hopes is, his friend.

It takes every ounce of willpower for Jongdae not to go over there and ask him out. It's not the right place, not the right time. Not to mention, Jongdae is slightly tipsy and he would rather not make a fool of himself. So instead, he makes his way outside of the club with a mixture of emotions rising up. Elated, frustrated, surprised, determined. At this point, he's not sure if the alcohol or his brain is the reason for the churning in his gut.

He hails a taxi and hopes that he'll be passed out by the time Baekhyun comes home.

☆☆☆

Jongdae rolls over onto his stomach to muffle his groan. It takes one glance at the clock to see that it is too damn early for Baekhyun to be up and singing. Yet here Jongdae is cursing his roommate as loudly as he can through a layer of pillow.

Jongdae doesn't even bother slipping on sweats over his briefs. Baekhyun has seen it all anyway. He follows the sound of Baekhyun’s voice and walks into the kitchen to an unfamiliar sight. Baekhyun is cooking breakfast while his hookup from last night sits at the table, looking scared as hell now that Jongdae walked in.

The guy starts to stand up and mutter, “Uh, maybe I-”

Jongdae snorts, waving at him to sit down. “Sit. Me and him-” gesturing between him and Baekhyun “-aren't a thing. Haven't been in years. He was just pulling your strings.”

“See? I told you he wouldn't care!” Baekhyun decides to pipe in.

He watches the stranger sigh in relief only to furrow his eyebrows in irritation. Jongdae tries not to laugh, turning to Baekhyun with a loud whine, “Why are you such an asshole? You were being loud on purpose, dick. Also telling him I wouldn't care and telling him we're not a thing are two totally different things.”

Jongdae slides into the chair across from Baekhyun’s hookup, collapsing half his body across the table in protest.

“I don't know what you're talking about. Stop being so grumpy just because I got laid and you didn't,” Baekhyun says with a hum.

Jongdae glances over to see the stranger blush and Jongdae can't help but roll his eyes. Instead of a retort, he just lifts his arm and flicks off Baekhyun’s back. That gets Jongdae a quiet chuckle from across the table and he can't help but already like the dude Baekhyun brought home.

Sitting up, Jongdae figures he should introduce himself properly to their house guest. “Hey, I'm Jongdae, by the way. Me and Baekhyun have been friends since high school.”

The guy smiles and nods his head, “Hi, I'm Jongin.”

Jongin is pretty cute. Sleepy eyes, plump lips, messy hair, tan skin. Jongdae can't blame Baekhyun for picking Jongin out of the crowd. Though he seems quite shy, which is the exact opposite of Baekhyun. Jongdae can't help but wonder how Baekhyun managed to snag this one.
Jongdae decides to dig some. “How old are you, Jongin?”

“Twenty-one.”

Jongdae grins and leans back in his chair, “So young.”

Jongin tentatively asks, “How old are you two?”

“Well, don't let Baekhyun’s face fool you. He's actually-” Jongdae is cut off by a smack to the back of his head. Baekhyun walks around to set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Jongin.

“Twenty-three,” Baekhyun says, “Jongdae will be the same age as me in September. Don't mind him, he's just being an ass.”

Grumbling, Jongdae rubs at the sore spot on his head. “Where's my food?”

Baekhyun smiles serenely as he walks back to the stove, “I didn't make anything for you.”

Jongdae slumps down onto the table once again, “I hate you.”

Jongin leaves shortly after breakfast, which Jongdae got to enjoy as well because Baekhyun is a big fat liar. Jongdae tells Jongin he hopes to see him again before heading back to his room to give the two some privacy. He's sure Jongin is blushing right now and he's also sure that Baekhyun finds it absolutely endearing and worth asking for Jongin’s number.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Jongdae pads back out to the living room to find Baekhyun sprawled out on the couch watching TV. He does what any good friend would do and promptly throws his whole body on top of Baekhyun’s, wiggling for extra measure.

“Ugh, get off me, you ass!” Baekhyun’s protest is barely heard and Jongdae just shifts some more to get comfortable. “How are you smaller than me but so damn heavy?!”

Jongdae relents after another minute of Baekhyun calling him every curse word under the sun. He moves just enough so Baekhyun can breathe and make himself somewhat comfortable. Jongdae wasn't going to give up his Baekhyun pillow until Baekhyun spilled the beans.

“So?” Jongdae prompts, he knows that Baekhyun knows what he's talking about.

“So, nothing.” Baekhyun responds, pretending to ignore him by watching the TV. It doesn't fool Jongdae though, an infomercial is on right now and he knows Baekhyun doesn't have feet fungus.
Jongdae leans into Baekhyun, clasping his hands together and throwing on his best pout, “Won't you tell your bestest buddy ever?”

Baekhyun lets out a long sigh, giving up the pretense of watching TV. “Honestly...I asked him for his number and we're gonna go get dinner someday soon.”

Jongdae jumps up off the couch, pumping his fist before pointing at Baekhyun, “I knew it! I so knew it! I knew it when I woke up to see you cooking him breakfast. You never do that for hookups! Not even for me usually, you dick!”

It's Baekhyun’s turn to whine, burying his face in his hands, “Daaaee, he's so cute. He's really sweet, I don't know if I deserve him.”

Jongdae stops celebrating his little victory over being right and sits down next to his friend, rubbing his back. “Hey, Baek, don't beat yourself up like that. You're a real catch too, okay? Who knows, he may be super weird. Like have a collection of his toenail clippings or something.”

Baekhyun snorts at that and shakes his head, “That's so gross, Dae.”

“Hey, people do that stuff. You never know. Did he have nicely trimmed toenails? I might be right.” Jongdae grins.

Baekhyun rolls his eyes, though Jongdae notices he can't help but smile. Jongdae counts it as his second win of the day and promptly flops back onto Baekhyun. He only gets a small groan from his makeshift pillow before they're back to watching TV.

A show or two later is when Jongdae remembers a little tidbit from last night. Excitedly, he turns to Baekhyun, “Hey, Baek, so you know when you ditched me at the club last night?”

“Hey, technically you ditched me!” Baekhyun pouts.

“Yeah, okay, like you cared. Anyway, I got a drink before I left and when I finished it and was about to leave, I saw Sad Cafe Dude there!”

Baekhyun looks at him incredulously. “Was he sad there too?”

Jongdae shook his head, gesturing wildly with his hands,  “That's the thing! He wasn't sad. He was the opposite of sad!”

“Sooo, he's Happy Club Dude now?” Baekhyun smirks.

“Yah,” Jongdae whines, “I've seen him sad more than happy, so he's still Sad Cafe Dude. Anyway, he was so beautiful, Baek. His smile is so cute and he looks like so much fun when he's not sad.”

“Did you talk to him?” Baekhyun prompts.

Jongdae whines again, “No, I didn't want to talk to him at a club.”

Jongdae watches Baekhyun throw his head back and groan, representing exactly how Jongdae feels. “You're so hopeless, Dae. Are you gonna talk to him at the cafe now?”

Jongdae frowns, because he doesn't know if he can build up the courage, especially after seeing the guy smile. “I don't know, Baek. What exactly do I say? Like ‘Hey, I saw you smiling at the club yesterday and I've been wanting to talk to you since the first time I noticed you’?”

He looks up at the sound of a smack to see Baekhyun’s hands covering his own face. “I think a ‘Hi’ would suffice. You're so hopeless.”

Jongdae lightly punches Baekhyun in the stomach before rolling off him, relishing in the grunt and indignant squawk of “What did I do?”.

Lunch sounds like a great way to get Jongdae’s mind off things. He can fret later when he's at the cafe and secretly admiring from afar per usual.

“Hey, what do you want to eat for lunch?”

Baekhyun walks into the kitchen grumbling, “Nothing now, my stomach has been wounded.”

Jongdae opens the fridge so Baekhyun can't see his smug face. “What do you want to eat, you big baby?”

“What do we have?”

“Well, seeing as you used the last of our eggs and bacon. There's either ramen, cereal, or ramen.” Jongdae closes the fridge in disappointment.

Baekhyun is already sitting at the table, resting his head on his folded arms. “I guess either option one or three.”

“Pick.”

“Really?”

“One or three?”

“...One.”

Jongdae smiles triumphantly. “You know, if you spent less money on clubs and booze, we could eat more than this.”

He can practically hear the eye roll in Baekhyun’s voice, “But would we really be college students then, Dae? Would we?”

Waiting for the water to boil, Jongdae turns around to face Baekhyun, “Yes, Baek. We would be less hungry college students.”

Jongdae can barely hear the muttered “no fun” before he's turning back to put in the noodles.

It doesn't take long before they're both slurping down their ramen. It's unusually quiet between them, both of them lost in their own world. Jongdae is replaying the scene from the club, trying not to smile down at his ramen when he remembers the smile he witnessed. He doesn't need to give Baekhyun more fuel to tease him. He's just glad that Baekhyun never decided to walk up to Sad Cafe Dude at the cafe and tell him about Jongdae. Baekhyun has done something like that before and Jongdae has never truly forgiven him for the mortification he caused.

After lunch, they both resume their spots on the couch. Baekhyun complains more than usual when Jongdae rests against him, claiming his full stomach can't take the additional weight. Jongdae scoots off of him just enough, but he's not letting his makeshift pillow escape with such a poor excuse.

They stay like this for the rest of the night, ordering take out for dinner, until Baekhyun’s phone goes off in his room from a KakaoTalk notification. Baekhyun scrambles to get it, almost dumping Jongdae in the floor. It wakes Jongdae up enough from his food coma to realize that it’s time to actually sleep. He shouts out a “goodnight” to Baekhyun before padding his way to his bed and letting himself escape to dreamland.

Sunday passes by uneventfully and before Jongdae knows it Monday is almost over. Jongdae survived both of his classes for the day, Music Theory and Western Music History, and he’s ready to sip on his favorite drink and see his favorite cafe person.

It only takes a few more minutes to get to the cafe and Jongdae sighs in relief when he sees Sad Cafe Dude through the window. Jongdae goes in and stands in line, paying for his Chai latte when it's his turn.

Sad Cafe Dude doesn't look as sad as he does tired today. His hair is down again, making him look even more worn out. Jongdae wonders if he stayed out late again or has a hangover. It's not in Jongdae’s place to ask though, so he just continues to observe in silence.

Sitting at a table he can see Sad Cafe Dude without seeming too obvious, Jongdae sips at his drink and occasionally looks at his phone. Baekhyun had messaged him earlier, saying he was going out for dinner and to not wait up. Jongdae was almost jealous, but he figures it'll be a good excuse to convince Kyungsoo to treat him. He texts his best friend, hoping that he can eat a real meal tonight.

Putting his phone down, Jongdae chances a glance at Sad Cafe Dude, who is just sitting there and looking down at his drink. Jongdae isn't even sure if he's drank some of it. A few minutes later, he’s taking the cappuccino back to the counter and apologizing to the barista, reassuring her that it tastes fine. Another minute and a shocked Jongdae is staring at the closing door that Sad Cafe Dude just left through.

Jongdae almost wants to chase after him, almost stands up to do so, but he settles back down in his chair with a frustrated sigh. He doesn't know the guy at all and who knows, maybe he got an important message and had to leave quickly. It seems entirely plausible, but Jongdae can't help but feel uneasy.

Kyungsoo comes a few minutes later to pick Jongdae up. No words exchanged as Jongdae finishes his drink and follows Kyungsoo out to his car.

It's not until they're both buckled in and Kyungsoo is pulling out of the parking lot that Kyungsoo speaks up. “So, wanna tell me why you look so gloomy?”

Putting his head against the cold window, Jongdae just shrugs and says, “I don't know. Today was just weird at the cafe.”

Kyungsoo turns down the volume on the radio, a silent indication that he's listening.

“Sad Cafe Dude didn't even drink his cappuccino and he left really suddenly,” Jongdae explains.

Jongdae sees Kyungsoo nod in his peripheral, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “That does sound weird. Maybe he had something come up?”

Jongdae nods. “You're probably right. It just startled me, I guess. It's never happened before.”

The subject is dropped as they pull up to Kyungsoo’s apartment, Jongdae excited to eat something besides ramen. He follows Kyungsoo up two flights of stairs, whining the whole way about how inconvenient it is that Kyungsoo doesn't like elevators.

When they finally get inside Kyungsoo’s apartment, Jongdae gladly plops down on the couch. “Where's Junmyeon?”

Kyungsoo is already in the kitchen, preparing to cook dinner for them. “He'll be home in a few minutes. Work kept him a little late.”

Jongdae almost feels bad for Kyungsoo, his boyfriend just started his acting career and, more often than not, has to stay late for filming. Though, Jongdae can't help but feel jealous that Kyungsoo has an actor boyfriend, who might even end up famous. Jongdae has seen plenty of plays with Kyungsoo to know that Junmyeon is good at what he does.

He idly flips through the channels on TV, eventually leaving it on a random channel and closing his eyes. “What are we having for dinner, Soo?”

“We-” Kyungsoo’s voice is a lot closer than he expected and he opens his eyes in time to see the dish towel coming at his face. Kyungsoo is giving him his signature deadpan face. “-are having spaghetti, I hope you don't mind more noodles. Junmyeon says he's been craving it ever since he saw a coworker eating it during a scene the other day.”

Albeit spaghetti wouldn't have been Jongdae’s first choice, but it's definitely a step up from ramen. Who is he to complain when he's the one getting a meal for free. “Sounds good to me.”

“Good, because you're going to help clean up afterwards.” Kyungsoo walks back to the kitchen, snatching the dish towel up on the way back.

Jongdae dozes off until Junmyeon comes home. Muted greetings and murmured words of affection between kisses is what wakes him. He gives them privacy, knowing that moments like those are getting rare. It's not until he's sure they've broken apart that he gets up to greet Junmyeon. “Hey, Junmyeon! I hope work went well.”

Kyungsoo has already went back to the kitchen leaving Junmyeon to take off his coat and shoes. He gives Jongdae a warm smile. “It went as well as it could have. We had some hiccups, but it's fine.”

Jongdae can't lie, he used to have a massive hero crush on Junmyeon back in high school, before Kyungsoo dated him. It was pretty bad. Junmyeon was the typical model student, class president and friends with everyone. Half the school was probably in love with him. However, Jongdae got over it pretty quickly and he's a hundred percent sure that Kyungsoo and Junmyeon are made for each other. It took forever and a day to convince Kyungsoo that Junmyeon liked him back and Jongdae almost ended their childhood friendship because of his friend's stubbornness. It all worked out in the end, obviously.

Jongdae and Junmyeon make their way to the living room, settling down on the couch. “So, I heard from Kyungsoo that you have a crush on a regular at that cafe you like?”

Jongdae whines in embarrassment, putting his face in his hands. No doubt his ears are slowly becoming red, making covering his face futile. He still keeps his hands in place. Junmyeon chuckles next to him and pats his back in an attempt to comfort.

“It's okay. We talk about everything, he’s even told me you used to have a crush on me in high school.”

“Soo, you traitor!” Jongdae moves his face away enough to make sure Kyungsoo can hear him. The sound of cackling comes from the kitchen and Jongdae silently demotes Kyungsoo to just friend.

Junmyeon is grinning and Jongdae, kind of, almost, regrets coming over. Almost, because he is getting a free meal.

Jongdae doesn't have to stew long in his embarrassment thankfully. Kyungsoo calls them into the dining area and Jongdae happily sits down to get ready to stuff his face. Junmyeon looks just as gleeful as Kyungsoo sets their plates in front of them, offering to grab them drinks.

They eat, conversation dispersed throughout mouthfuls of pasta, laughter a constant sound as they joke. Jongdae basks in this atmosphere, thoughts of the cafe and university pushed to the back of his mind.

Jongdae fulfils his part of the deal, helping Kyungsoo clean up and washing the dishes once they're done. It's during the washing and the drying that Kyungsoo corners him. “When are you going to talk to Sad Cafe Dude?”

Jongdae pauses his washing, trying to think of a good enough of excuse besides being too nervous. “I don't know, Soo. It just never feels like a good time.”

“Don't lie to me, Jongdae.” Kyungsoo doesn't even pause his task of drying to give Jongdae his normal face of disapproval. Jongdae can hear it in his voice, cringes because he should've known Kyungsoo would know.

He gives up all pretense of actually washing dishes and just looks down at his hands covered in soap. “I'm just scared. What if he thinks I'm a creep or something. I don't even know if he's gay.”

“So, you are finally admitting that you have a crush on the dude?”

Jongdae whines, knowing he's well and fully caught. “Maybe. I don't know. Probably.”

“Well, I would suggest trying to make friends with him first. Who knows, he might have a terrible personality. Plus, wasn't he at the club you went to with Baekhyun?”

Jongdae knows that Kyungsoo has a point, knows that his fear is unreasonable, that he's jumping to conclusions. “The club doesn't mean much. He could've just been there because of his friends or something.”

Kyungsoo hums in acknowledgement, dropping the subject, and Jongdae goes back to washing the rest of the dishes.

He convinces Kyungsoo that he can just take a taxi home, that Kyungsoo should stay and spend time with Junmyeon before it gets too late. He hugs them both goodbye, smiles when he hears teasing coming through the closed apartment door, before he takes the elevator down.

Baekhyun still isn't home when he gets back and Jongdae takes that as a good sign on Baekhyun’s part. Jongdae decides to call it a night, showering quickly, and collapsing into bed with the determination to finally learn Sad Cafe Dude’s name.

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exo, nc-17, fic: xiuchen, long fic, fic: exo, chen, xiumin

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