Title: i know i'm not the only one
Pairing(s)/focus: Bobby/Jinhwan, Hanbin/Jinhwan
Rating: NC-17
Word count: ~3,200
Warnings: Cheating
A/N: Fill for a prompt!!
Summary: Sometimes, Bobby really wishes he wasn't in love with his best friend's boyfriend.
Bobby can't seem to control the incessant tapping of his dirty black converse against the wooden floor of the examination hall as their final papers get collected. They've been studying for their finals for a good two months now, either cooped up at home or in the library with little or no contact with their friends and other schoolmates. In front of him, Bobby's classmate Yunhyeong glances over his shoulder a little to shoot Bobby an excited smile, which causes Bobby to grin back wolfishly. To his right, Bobby's childhood best friend Hanbin is watching the two of them with the smallest hints of amusement in his eyes, but even he can't help the upward quirk of his lips as the chief examiner makes his way over to the microphone to dismiss their cohort.
"Fucking finally!" Bobby shouts, hooking one arm around Yunhyeong's shoulders and the other around Hanbin's neck, grinning widely when Yunhyeong lets out a loud whoop and Hanbin laughs against his side. The three of them stumble out of the hall in high spirits, and Bobby only releases his grip on them when they bend to pick up their bags.
"Hot date tonight?" Bobby asks Yunhyeong with a wink, slinging his backpack carelessly over one shoulder. Yunhyeong isn't a playboy per se, but he's extremely popular among the girls in their school due to his naturally friendly and flirtatious personality, coupled with his good looks. Yunhyeong doesn't say anything in return, but the tiny smirk that stretches across his face is more than enough for Bobby to let out a low whistle and for Hanbin to shake his head a little, chuckling. They wave Yunhyeong off with promises to meet up over the weekend, and then the two best friends head off for the school gates. They barely take a few steps out of campus before Hanbin suddenly stops walking, squinting at something in the distance before a bright smile breaks out across his face: not the usual small smile that he offers at all his friends, but the wide, genuine one that Bobby has come to realise the younger only reserves for -
"Jinhwan-hyung!"
At the sound of Hanbin's voice, Jinhwan looks up from where he's perched on a low brick wall, kicking his sneakers idly against the gravel at his feet. His eyes narrow a little at first, but once he sees Hanbin and Bobby walking over to him, a warm smile spreads across his face and his eyes curve into gentle crescents as he gets to feet, and Bobby tries but fails to ignore the sudden erratic beating of his heart.
Sometimes, Bobby really wishes he wasn't in love with his best friend's boyfriend.
"Congratulations!" Jinhwan greets, eyes sparkling and smile glittering in the way that only Jinhwan's can, and Bobby feels a sudden overwhelming rush of affection when Jinhwan has to stretch up on his tiptoes to loop both arms around his neck and pull him into a warm hug. Bobby slips both arms around Jinhwan's waist to hug him back, heart swelling at the feeling of Jinhwan wrapped in his embrace.
But then Jinhwan is stepping away all too soon, fondly ruffling Bobby's mop of shaggy black hair as Hanbin slips his left arm around Jinhwan's waist, the action natural and familiar in a way that makes Bobby's heart constrict in envy. Jinhwan lets out a tinkling, happy laugh when Hanbin ducks his head to peck him on the cheek, leaning into Hanbin's side with a contented smile on his face.
"Oh! I almost forgot," Jinhwan says suddenly, Hanbin's arm falling from where it had been curled around his waist as Jinhwan shrugs his backpack off his shoulders, reaching inside to pull out two brown paper bags and hand one each to Hanbin and Bobby. "Bungeoppang," Jinhwan finishes, zipping up his backpack again.
And if anyone were to ask Bobby why he likes Jinhwan, he would tell them that Jinhwan is perhaps the only person he knows who would take time off studying for his upcoming university entrance examinations to wait for his boyfriend and said boyfriend's best friend to finish their last day of finals; the only person who would step out of the library and head straight for the nearest bungeoppang stall to buy him and Hanbin one of their favourite foods in case they were hungry after completing their last paper.
But because Jinhwan is Hanbin's boyfriend and not his, all Bobby can do is make exaggerated cooing noises and kissy faces at Jinhwan, slinging a casual arm around Jinhwan's shoulders as he stuffs the bungeoppang into his mouth. Bobby relishes in Jinhwan's amused yet fond expression and the way the elder fits so snugly under his arm.
They arrive at Jinhwan's apartment complex far too soon. They had invited Jinhwan out for dinner, but Jinhwan had just told them to go ahead without him because his mother was expecting him home to continue his studying. Bobby may be over-energetic and excited at times but he does know his place, so he hangs back even as he watches Hanbin and Jinhwan converse quietly with each other, Hanbin's expression soft and gaze affectionate in a way he reserves solely for Jinhwan, fingers absentmindedly playing with the elder's as he listens to whatever Jinhwan is saying. Bobby thinks he must be a martyr, because he can't look away even when Jinhwan reaches up with his free hand to gently card his fingers through Hanbin's hair, standing on his tiptoes to press his lips against Hanbin's. Bobby continues watching even as Hanbin's eyelids flutter close, wrapping both arms loosely around Jinhwan's lower back to hold the elder close to him and kiss him back.
Eventually, though, Bobby does look away, because no matter how many times he's seen Hanbin and Jinhwan kiss, it still feels as though his heart is breaking all over again.
Jinhwan has never really been one for clubs or loud parties wherein he only really knows five people out of a hundred, so they throw him a small party at Bobby's apartment instead. The whole gang is present, which means not only Yunhyeong turns up, but also first year student Chanwoo who had Jinhwan as his buddy, Junhwe who Jinhwan tutored for a few months in the beginning of the year and Donghyuk, who's Jinhwan's junior in their school's dance club.
Everyone is there, except for Hanbin.
Bobby knows Hanbin's absence has taken its toll on Jinhwan: Hanbin had left the country a couple of weeks ago on a school exchange programme, right in the middle of Jinhwan's examination period. Hanbin had been reluctant to go at first, wanting to accompany Jinhwan on the days when he set off for the library at the crack of dawn, or when he pulled all-nighters studying at 24-hour cafes. Bobby knows that Jinhwan is the kind of person who lets all his stress and anxiety build up inside of him until he can't possibly contain it anymore, which is why Hanbin had wanted to be there for Jinhwan in case the elder ever had a breakdown. But true to Jinhwan's selfless nature, he had simply told Hanbin not to be ridiculous and to just go on the exchange, knowing that it was not only something that Hanbin had been looking forward to, but that Hanbin's parents had really wanted their son to participate in as well, since it would look good on Hanbin's record.
And so, in Hanbin's stead, Bobby has been spending almost every day of the past few weeks by Jinhwan's side, foregoing invitations to hang out with his friends so that he can accompany Jinhwan instead. Bobby had tried lying to Jinhwan at the start, claiming that he'd rather get a head start on next year's work instead of doing nothing at home, but Jinhwan had just given him that all-knowing, exasperated look and had told him to enjoy his freedom and meet up with his friends. So Bobby decided to just drop the facade, and had reached across the small table of the quaint little cafe they had been frequenting to curl his fingers lightly over Jinhwan's writing hand and tell the elder that for him, there was never a choice: it'll always be you, hyung, Bobby had said. You over my friends, any day.
Jinhwan's entire expression had softened as he regarded Bobby then, and Bobby's heart had burst with want.
The six of them stay at Bobby's apartment eating pizza and chicken and cake till it almost hits midnight and the younger boys have to leave before they miss the last trains home. Donghyuk gives both Bobby and Jinhwan warm hugs and bright smiles whereas Junhwe can't seem to decide whether he wants to ruffle Jinhwan's hair or curl his fingers around the base of Jinhwan's nape to say goodbye, which results in Jinhwan letting out a fond laugh and reaching up to pull Junhwe into a grateful hug. Yunhyeong decides to leave with Chanwoo since they stay in the same area, and they duck out Bobby's front door with cheerful waves and loud goodbyes.
Jinhwan is in the midst of helping Bobby clean up his living room floor when Bobby re-emerges from the kitchen with a few bottles of soju and a twinkle in his eyes. Jinhwan takes one look at him and laughs, shaking his head even as he ties up the black garbage bag and accepts one bottle from Bobby.
Midnight bleeds into one, two, almost three in the morning, and one bottle of soju in Jinhwan's hand blurs into three, then five. Bobby had stopped drinking somewhere into his third bottle, high alcohol tolerance meaning he was slightly buzzed but still sober, and since then he's been watching Jinhwan with increasing worry in his eyes as he drinks, and drinks, and keeps drinking. It's when Jinhwan lets out a little sniff as he tries to take the first swig from his fifth bottle that Bobby decides enough is enough.
"Okay, tiny one. I think that's enough for - "
Bobby feels his words die in his throat when he tries to pry the bottle from Jinhwan's grasp, because when Jinhwan turns to face him, his cheeks are flushed, his lips are a little wet and his eyes are glazed over and glassy. Jinhwan is so very attractive, pretty and almost ethereal in the dim moonlight that's shining through Bobby's living room windows, and he's right here. Bobby has to close his eyes for a few seconds in order to get in control of his sudden desire, reminding himself that Jinhwan has a boyfriend, who also happens to be your best friend.
But then Bobby feels tentative fingers carding through his messy hair, pushing his bangs out of his eyes, and Bobby's eyes snap open when he feels those fingers move from his hair to his face, lightly trailing down his cheek until they're brushing feather-light over his lips. Bobby's heartbeat is roaring in his ears and he doesn't even dare breathe, but then Jinhwan leans in and the moment shatters.
"Hyung," Bobby says softly, voice kind yet firm, stopping Jinhwan with both hands on his shoulders. "No."
Bobby expects Jinhwan to come to his senses, to snap out of the haze of alcohol and apologise profusely, but what he does not expect is for Jinhwan's eyes to cloud over with confusion and rejection, almost as if Bobby had hurt him. Bobby's expression turns concerned immediately, cupping Jinhwan's cheeks with both hands as he shifts a little closer to search the elder's eyes.
"Hyung?" Bobby questions gently, worry clear even in that one word when a tear suddenly drips down the side of Jinhwan's face. Bobby catches it quickly with his thumb. "What's wrong?"
Jinhwan's body trembles a little at Bobby's new proximity, and Bobby hates the traitorous feeling of warmth that spreads throughout his body when Jinhwan leans into his touch, almost like a kitten. Bobby knows he's lost when he allows Jinhwan to brush his thumb over his bottom lip and lean in closer once again.
"Please," Jinhwan whispers, voice shaking. "I just - I need - "
When Jinhwan closes the remaining distance between them and presses his lips against Bobby's, Bobby feels as though his heart is about to burst out of his chest: how many times has he wished for this, yearned so desperately for the feeling of Jinhwan's lips against his and the gentle touch of his fingers on his face? Bobby feels his body begin to shake ever so slightly when Jinhwan tilts his head just so to deepen the kiss, and Bobby has to dig his fingers into Jinhwan's hip when he feels the elder's tongue licking at the seam of his lips.
"Hyung, I can't - " Bobby's breath hitches when he feels Jinhwan's fingers skitter down his chest and slip under his shirt. "Please, hyung - " Bobby almost feels like crying when Jinhwan's lips trail across his jaw and down his neck to suck at the space between his neck and shoulderblade. "You can't do this to me - we can't - I like - "
"Jiwon-ah," Jinhwan breathes against Bobby's lips, moving his head back up to face the younger. "Please, I want you - "
And Bobby should be ashamed of himself because that's all it takes for him to snap, years of pent-up desire and affection for the male in front of him finally bursting at the seams as he slips two strong arms around Jinhwan's waist and all but hefts the elder onto his lap and it feels so right like this, with Jinhwan's soft lips moving against his and tiny fingers tugging at his hair. Kissing Jinhwan is something entirely different, completely unlike anyone else Bobby has ever kissed before, because this is the only time Bobby feels so hopelessly and desperately in love, like he wants to claim Jinhwan and let everyone know that the elder is his.
(He's not, though. Jinhwan is Hanbin's, always has been and perhaps always will be, but in this moment, Bobby lets himself believe.)
Bobby's shirt comes off less than a few minutes later, and he lets out a groan when Jinhwan ducks his head to kiss a wet trail down his chest, tongue coming out to lick at a hardened nipple. Bobby feels his member twitch at the feeling and he jerks his hips upwards in search of friction, revelling in the breathy little pants that escape Jinhwan's lips as he simultaneously tries to grind down on Bobby's crotch and mouth at Bobby's chest.
"Bedroom," Bobby murmurs, getting to his feet and hoisting Jinhwan into his arms as though the elder weighs nothing. Jinhwan sucks at Bobby's neck the entire walk to the bedroom, and Bobby carefully deposits Jinhwan onto his bed before moving to undo his belt and remove his jeans. Jinhwan whines and reaches for him and Bobby goes without question, crawling over Jinhwan on the bed and helping the elder out of his shirt. Bobby's breath catches in his throat because Jinhwan is every bit as beautiful as he imagined he'd be, all soft edges and creamy white skin except for the hints of abs on his stomach. Bobby lowers his head to lick and suck and nip at every inch of skin he can reach, growing harder by the minute as Jinhwan writhes beneath him and makes these soft little sounds at Bobby's ministrations.
(Bobby briefly thinks about how lucky Hanbin is to be able to have Jinhwan like this whenever he wants, but pushes the thought out of his head as quickly as it had come.)
Sometime in between, Jinhwan reaches up to palm Bobby through his briefs before slipping his fingers into the material, and Bobby hisses as Jinhwan's small fingers wrap around his member. Bobby manages to make quick work of undoing Jinhwan's black jeans, which causes Jinhwan to tug at Bobby's underwear and in a blur of movement, they're finally both fully naked.
Jinhwan reaches up to cup the back of Bobby's neck and pull him down for a kiss, lips slick and tongues tangling together. The movement causes their bare members to brush against each other, which pulls a choked moan from Bobby and a harsh exhale from Jinhwan. Jinhwan bucks his hips upwards and Bobby grinds down, both relishing in the friction as Jinhwan moves his head down to suck a mark onto Bobby's collarbone. Bobby reaches a hand out blindly to pull open his bedside drawer in search for the lube and a condom, but Jinhwan biting down on his skin and snapping his hips up just right cause Bobby to curse and almost drop the bottle of lube.
"Sorry," Bobby murmurs apologetically, brushing Jinhwan's sweaty bangs out of his eyes and pressing a gentle kiss against his lips when the elder lets out a painful hiss as Bobby pushes one finger in. The preparation takes a little while since Bobby stops all movement everytime Jinhwan's expression contorts in pain or he makes a noise of discomfort, his desire and lust taking an easy backseat to Jinhwan ever being hurt at his hands. By the time Bobby shifts away to lube himself up and roll on the condom, Jinhwan already looks completely wrecked beneath him, eyes glazed over, lips swollen, cheeks flushed and skin littered with Bobby's teeth marks.
"Mine," Bobby whispers, and Jinhwan lets out this desperate, broken whimper.
Bobby starts off slow and careful, watching Jinhwan's expression closely and rubbing soothing circles against his hipbone with his thumb or pressing sweet kisses against his lips everytime a soft cry of pain escapes Jinhwan's lips, and Bobby has to close his eyes and bury his head into Jinhwan's neck because if it's one thing he can't stand, it's Jinhwan in pain. But then Jinhwan cards his fingers through Bobby's hair and presses a kiss to the corner of his mouth just as he rolls his hips upwards to meet his, and the mewl that leaves Jinhwan's mouth causes Bobby to groan and finally thrust forward.
"Hyung, Jinhwan-hyung," Bobby chants, creeping closer and closer to the edge with every minute, every thrust. Jinhwan seems to be close, too, and Bobby comes first with a guttural moan when he brushes his thumb across Jinhwan's bottom lip, only for Jinhwan to suck his thumb into his mouth. Bobby shudders as he spills inside Jinhwan, digging his head into the side of Jinhwan's neck as he reaches down to wrap his fingers around Jinhwan's leaking member and snap his wrist a few times, pushing Jinhwan over the edge.
If Jinhwan wonders later why the left side of his neck feels so wet, he'll most likely just attribute it to sweat. Only Bobby will know that it's not sweat at all but rather his tears, because while Bobby came with Jinhwan's name on his lips, Jinhwan hit his high and breathed -
Hanbin.