Cheer up, you - EunHae
100 THEMES CHALLENGE
Theme: 9 - Coffee [Eunhyuk/Donghae]
Title: Cheer Up, You (Sub-story of WHY and BECAUSE - read those first)
Subpairings: Sungmin/Hyukjae, Sungmin/Siwon, Kyuhyun/Leeteuk, Friends Donghae/Kibum
Words: 4,765
Completed: November 24th, 2011
Genre: AU, romance, comfort, fluff
Rating: PG
Summary: Broken-hearted, Hyukjae begins to frequent a café that happens to employ the happy-go-lucky Lee Donghae
Note: Offshoot of Why and Because
Donghae liked the rain. He found the drumming of a zillion tiny droplets soothing. He found it exhilarating to go out and dance in it, or to smile, snug under the tiny canopy of an umbrella. He liked working at the café on such days, swimming in the smell of coffee while he watched the rain through the full-wall windows.
The rain made him smile.
But he knew that the rain could be, for some people, the marker of an utterly miserable day.
And it was on a grey, dripping Saturday when the saddest man Donghae had ever seen walked into his café.
He walked up to the counter as if in a trance, red-rimmed eyes proving that not all the moisture on his face was rain. He ordered quietly and without glancing at the menu, knowing what he wanted, what he came here for. Donghae smiled as he took the order and the man's money; but though his eyes were fixed on the barista his gaze was somewhere far, far away. Donghae had to gently tap his shoulder to get him to move so he could talk to the next customer.
Donghae made his coffee and watched him, and as he did, he didn't move a single muscle except to blink and swallow. He didn't respond when Donghae tried to hand him his drink.
"Excuse me," he said. The man raised a hand to absently scratch his nose.
"Excuse me? Hello?"
A blink, and the man seemed to jerk as he turned around to face him.
"Um… hey."
"Sorry, what?"
Donghae smiled. "Your coffee is ready."
"Oh… thanks." The man reached out with cold fingers and took the paper cup from him.
"Are you alright?" Donghae asked, waving a hand at Kibum as he pasted the next order on the coffee machine with a pointed cough.
"E-excuse me?"
"You look sad."
The man shrugged. "I'm fine, thanks for asking."
Donghae considered him for a moment, then gave him a friendly smile. He went back to his coffee-making and the man shuffled out into the drying day.
"Donghae-ah, you're so nosy."
"Huh?" Donghae turned to Kibum, calling out the name on the next order.
"'You look sad'," Kibum quoted, "Seriously… what were you gonna do if he started pouring out his life story?"
"Listen?"
"You're a barista, Donghae, not a bartender. Were you just going to leave all these customers to me?"
"Yes," Donghae replied immediately with a broad grin.
Kibum flicked his forehead. "You're not fifteen, Donghae!" he sighed. "You shouldn't crush on random strangers on the street!"
"I wasn't crushing!" Donghae cried, blushing when Kibum hushed him and glanced around the café to see if they were heard.
"Whatever you say," Kibum rolled his eyes and went to take an order to one of the tables.
"And besides, he was in the café, not on the street!" Donghae yelled after him.
* * *
"Oh, look, Donghae, your boyfriend's back," Kibum drawled as the café door opened.
"He's not-" Donghae started to protest, then narrowed his eyes and flicked Kibum with a tea towel. "You're not fifteen, Kibum!" he quoted back petulantly. "You shouldn't tease me like that."
Kibum stuck out his tongue, yelping then smirking when Donghae bumped him away from the register with his hip so he could take the man's order.
He ordered the same thing as the previous day, with the same blank expression. Donghae's smile didn't slip.
"Don't you like the rain?" he asked as he made the drink.
"Huh?" the man said vaguely.
"The rain. Don't you like it?"
The customer shrugged. "It's sad, don't you think? Like the sky is crying."
"No, no," Donghae disagreed. "It's like the sky is taking care of things! Filling up dams! Watering trees! Making things grow!" he grinned. "I love the rain. Haven't you ever listened to it while you fall asleep? It's so rhythmic and soothing."
The man just stared at him through red-brown bangs, which were curling from the damp. Donghae kept smiling but fell quiet, giving the man his coffee. "Here you go."
"Thank you." He took the cup and walked straight out.
"Look," Kibum sighed. "You just scared him away."
"He ordered take-away! He was going to leave anyway," Donghae retorted, pouting. Kibum just snickered.
* * *
"Do you like dogs?"
"Dogs?"
"Yeah, dogs," Donghae nodded. "As in, hairy quadrupedal canines? Descended from wolves? 'A-wooo'?"
The customer raised his eyebrows at Donghae's quiet howl. "Dogs, sure. I love dogs. I used to have one, Choco. He lives with my parents."
Donghae's face lit up. "Mine too! Because my brother doesn't like him…" his smile fell for a second, then came back full-force as he continued. "His name is Bada and he's a little Maltese! And he is the most cutest thing there ever was!" he gushed. "He's like a little white fluffy ball of love!"
The redhead stared at him, just blinking as he let Donghae gush over his beloved puppy. Kibum took the orders, letting Donghae blabber at the customer as he made them. The poor man stood there, unsmiling but not looking bored, and let Donghae talk at him until his drink was gone and he excused himself.
Donghae watched after him as he walked out, only returning to his work when Kibum snapped his fingers in front of his face.
"Yah!"
"Stop spacing out!" Kibum groaned. "For crying out loud, Donghae-hyung…"
"What?" Donghae whined.
Kibum grabbed Donghae's cheeks and stretched them, then squished them between his palms, shaking his hyung's head gently. "There is something wrong with you. Something, in there," he tapped his head, "is broken."
Donghae pouted and frowned. Kibum gave him a shove. "Go wipe tables or something."
Donghae's frown deepened as he grabbed a wet cloth, slapped Kibum in the face with it and went to do as he was told.
* * *
Ten days after the red-haired customer had come in and caught Donghae's attention for the first time, Donghae was humming distractedly to himself as his hands moved automatically over the coffee machine. He cut off abruptly and confusedly when Kibum's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, preventing him from taking the milk. "What?" he yelped in surprise.
Kibum gave him a strange look. "The order was a long black, Donghae-ah," he deadpanned, "You don't need the milk."
"Oh." Donghae glanced at the cup, half-full of coffee, and started again. "Oops."
"Donghae-ah."
"Yeah?" Donghae frowned as he concentrated so as to not make the mistake again.
"Why were you making the redhead's regular order?"
Donghae fumbled with the mug, almost dropping it. "Was I?"
"Ugh," Kibum groaned. "Just… pay attention, Donghae-hyung."
Donghae just dropped his head and returned to work; but was distracted with the door's jingle, snapping his head back up and beaming when he saw the - his - redhead come in, hands in his pockets, footsteps lighter than Donghae had seen them as he approached the counter.
"Well, you're becoming quite the regular," Donghae noted, elbowing Kibum out of the way and pushing him to the other register. The redhead's eyes crinkled but his lips only twitched as he stopped in front of him.
"I make the coffee that well, do I?" Donghae teased.
"Yes, you do," The customer let out a slight chuckle and Donghae felt like vaulting over the counter and hugging him.
"The usual?" he said instead, fighting his voice under control.
"Yes, please. Oh, and one of those." He spoke easily, a light tone to his voice that didn't convey anywhere near as much sadness as it had on previous days. Donghae told him the price and happily slid to the coffee machine to make the coffee he had accidentally started almost half an hour ago.
The customer went to a table instead of standing by the counter that day, but Donghae wasn't too put out. He was delighted that he was cheering up and not using the café as a moping ground.
"Kibum-ah?" Donghae called between customers. Kibum looked up, walking over when Donghae beckoned.
"What?"
Donghae dropped his gaze. "I… I get off in seven minutes."
"And?"
"And I… I thought I might… go talk to him."
"You talk to him all the time. So?"
"So… I wondered what you thought."
"What am I, your owner? If you want to talk to him, go talk to him."
"But…" Donghae frowned slightly. "I thought you didn't like him."
"When did I ever say I didn't like him?" Kibum looked taken aback. "I don't know him, Donghae, how could I dislike him?"
"But you're always complaining about how I… you know."
"Because it's annoying and distracting from your work; not because of him personally."
Donghae absently polished a milk stain from the coffee machine. "Are you saying I should?"
Kibum paused, then nodded. "Sure."
Donghae finished a couple more orders, then checked his watch, removed his apron with relish and grabbed himself a cake from under the counter. He looked up and saw the redhead quickly avert his eyes, and his mind was made up.
"Just got off, mind if I join you?" he said brightly, heading over to his table.
The man jumped. "Um, no, sure."
"You seem less sad," Donghae commented after a moment.
"Sorry?"
"You were really sad the first time you came in here. Everything okay?"
There was a moment of silence while the customer regarded him. "Yeah. Everything's fine." He said finally.
Donghae tilted his head and took a munch out of his snack. "Okay." Then he realized he probably should introduce himself. "I'm Donghae. Lee Donghae."
"I'm Lee Eun- Hyukjae."
Donghae raised an eyebrow. "Eunhyukjae?"
"Just Hyukjae." The redhead responded firmly. "That's my name."
Donghae laughed. "You know, I'm not going to like… stalk you or anything…"
"It's my name!" Hyukjae protested, eyes widening slightly.
"Okay, okay!" Donghae grinned to himself. He had such cute, big eyes.
"It's just… I used to be called Eunhyuk."
"Why?" Donghae blinked.
"Just… never mind."
"Okay."
They sat in silence for a moment while Donghae finished eating, then looked up at the other man. "Do you want to tell me why you were sad? Or is it one of those things you've had to keep repeating for like, everybody?"
Hyukjae shrugged. "It's not important."
"Everything's important to somebody." Donghae's eyebrows tightened.
"It wouldn't be important to you," Hyukjae muttered awkwardly.
"Why not?"
"Well… because."
Donghae stuck out his tongue. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But if you need someone to listen…" he shrugged and gave a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Hm, good." Donghae grinned broadly, encouraged by the lack of 'mind-your-own-business'. "Are you going anywhere now?"
"No… just home. I guess," Hyukjae mumbled.
"Do you walk? I've never seen you drive here."
"Yeah, it's not far. About forty minutes."
Donghae raised his eyebrows. "You don't have an umbrella."
"Not today…" Hyukjae replied cautiously.
"What if it rains and catches you out?"
"Then, I suppose, I'll get wet."
Donghae chuckled and felt his face heat up. "I have an umbrella…"
"Where are you headed with this?" Hyukjae raised an eyebrow.
"I… could walk you home?" Donghae offered hopefully.
Hyukjae smiled faintly. "No, that's okay, it-" he broke off and pulled a face as right on cue the rain started bucketing down outside.
Donghae grinned. "Can't let you go home by yourself now, can I?"
Hyukjae sighed and looked unenthusiastically out at the rain. "Well…"
"Yah! Don't be such a citizen!" Donghae wasn't quite sure why he said that. It was just the first adequate word that popped to mind. He ran to get his things, grinning at Kibum and receiving an encouraging smile in return. "Let's go, Eunhyukjae!" he cried, pressing the button on his umbrella and gaining far too much satisfaction at it popping itself open.
"It's just Hyukjae…" the redhead protested, letting Donghae grab his wrist and pull him outside.
Donghae was no stranger to walking, and it didn't put off his incessant chatter one bit. He talked the entire way, only encouraged by Hyukjae's comments every now and then. It was in a brief silence that Hyukjae raised his arm and pointed.
"Just up here."
"Okay." Donghae turned where he pointed and was led to the front door of a small unit block. Hyukjae fumbled with his keys, firstly pushing in the wrong one, then getting the correct one stuck, then finally managing to push the door open. He hurried inside, before turning to the barista with a hesitant expression.
"Um… do you want to…?"
"Nah, that's alright!" Donghae shook his head smilingly. "You know… don't accept candy from strangers and that sort of thing."
Hyukjae raised an eyebrow. "You're expecting me to give you candy?"
Donghae widened his eyes, cheeks puffing out slightly. "Of course! That's what you do to lure unsuspecting boys into your lair, right?"
Hyukjae let out a laugh and grinned; Donghae's eyes widened as he saw his smile for the first time. Half of it was all gums and his single-lidded eyes scrunched up, almost closing. He quickly raised his hand to his mouth, but Donghae had seen enough and his face split into his happiest grin. It seemed to startle Hyukjae and he blinked.
"That's it! I knew you could!" Donghae cried delightedly, jumping up and down a bit.
"Huh? I could what?" Hyukjae looked confused, but his smile didn't disappear.
Donghae laughed and backed away; since he'd refused the invitation in, he may as well head home. "Smile!" he answered the question, and turned, splashing down the path.
Suddenly the rain seemed even more beautiful than usual.
* * *
Donghae and Hyukjae talked a lot more from then on. Well, Hyukjae talked more. Donghae just blabbered on as much as usual. Hyukjae also smiled back at him whenever he came into the café, making Donghae want to dance and Kibum want to sedate him. Hyukjae learned Donghae's work hours and turned up accordingly. Sometimes they went for walks when Donghae was finished; the first time, Donghae learned that Hyukjae had just gone through a bad break-up, the cause of his original misery. And with a man, no less. Donghae could have sung. Except not, because Hyukjae had been crying.
"I want to ask him out, Kibummie…"
Kibum said nothing, knowing that Donghae would continue no matter what his response was.
"But I can't afford it…"
"Can't afford it? Donghae-hyung, dates aren't that expensive…"
Donghae's eyes widened. "Kibummie! Think about it. Fourteen, fifteen dollars a movie ticket, right? Plus popcorn, a drink each… do you know how many bus rides that is? That's like almost a month's worth of fares gone in a few hours!"
"Well, when you put it like that," Kibum said mildly, still not looking up.
"So what do I do!?" Donghae cried.
Kibum turned to him, finally. "Get him to pay for his own ticket and drink," he said blandly, and turned back to his cleaning.
Donghae groaned in frustration. "You're no help at all!"
Kibum smiled at him.
Donghae stepped towards him and sighed, dropping his head against the back of his friend's shoulder. "I really like him, Kibummie…" he moaned. "I really want to date him…"
"So, date him."
"But I can't ask him out on a date!"
Kibum removed Donghae's head and turned to face him. "I'm sure you'll think of something," he smirked unhelpfully, and pushed Donghae towards the customer waiting at the register. He had just finished taking her order when Hyukjae arrived, as expected; Donghae got off in a few minutes, after all.
"Hyukjae!" Donghae cried happily. "How are you?"
Hyukjae smiled. "You called my Hyukjae," he noted with mild surprise.
Donghae's own smile faded slightly, realizing this was the first time he'd addressed Hyukjae by anything other than 'Eunhyukjae' or 'hyung'. "I… I thought… you might not like the 'Eun' a-anymore…" he mumbled.
"You… can call me whatever you want," Hyukjae replied, and Donghae told himself he hadn't imagined the emphasis on the 'you'.
He smiled nervously, not wanting Hyukjae to start crying again over the thought of his ex-boyfriend. "Well… Ilike Hyukjae…"
"Thanks." Hyukjae averted his eyes, a blush tinting his cheeks.
Donghae glanced at Kibum, who was watching him intently. The younger jerked his eyebrows as their eyes came into contact, silently challenging him to grow a pair.
"Hey, um…" Donghae began, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly and flapping a hand at Kibum to make him go away.
"Yeah?" Hyukjae looked back up at him.
Donghae hesitated. Kibum kept staring at him. But there were already a few people lining up behind Hyukjae, so he sighed and caught himself a few more minutes. "I'll tell you later," he mumbled.
Kibum didn't actually say anything as Hyukjae wandered away to browse through a newspaper as he waited, but Donghae could feel his eyes and his judgement.
"Quit it," he muttered, kicking the younger man's shin.
"Don't kick me!" Kibum pouted.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Donghae glared at him.
Kibum grinned.
Donghae groaned.
"So, have you decided what to do?" Kibum drawled.
Donghae bit his lip and nodded slowly. Kibum stared at him questioningly, finally asking "Well?" when Donghae showed no sign of elaborating.
Donghae raised an eyebrow. "You hate it when I go on about him."
Kibum narrowed his eyes. "Fine, don't tell me," he taunted, trying to get Donghae to blurt it out anyway. But Donghae glanced at the clock, whipping off his apron instead of answering. He gave the younger man a quick, random hug in his nervous excitement, then caught Hyukjae's eye and beckoned him over with his head.
"So, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Hyukjae asked as they walked out together, and Kibum gave his friend's retreating back an encouraging smile.
* * *
Donghae bit his lip as he started his brother's car, looking at the rear-view mirror and watching Hyukjae watch him drive away. He raised a hand when he'd rounded the corner, tracing his fingers over his lips which still tingled from their contact with Hyukjae's cheek.
"Not my brother. Not my friend."
Was he setting himself up as a rebound? Donghae sighed to himself and returned his hand to the wheel. He liked Hyukjae. Really, really liked him. The man who let him cling to him so intimately on his couch; the man who'd tried to comfort him instead of awkwardly freaking out when he bawled like a child over his father; the man who'd smiled in the rain for him and him alone.
"I'll see you around," he repeated to himself vaguely, not even registering that he'd spoken aloud.
* * *
Sungmin.
Donghae wished he could stop thinking the name as his fingers trailed down the side of Hyukjae's face and he carefully tasted his lips. He wished he could enjoy this wonderful moment properly without having to fight down the anger inside him.
Sungmin. That bastard had better have a fucking good reason to leave. No-one should have the nerve, Donghae decided, to make this gorgeous man cry. No-one should have the nerve to take away that sunshine-and-gums smile. No-one had the right.
He parted his lips as Hyukjae's hands tentatively rose to his hips, knocking his shirt, the tip of one thumb brushing the skin of Donghae's waist. Hyukjae let out a small noise, grip tightening slightly as he let Donghae explore his mouth.
Donghae took a tiny step closer, so his legs had captured Hyukjae's between them, and felt a shiver run down the redhead's body. His hands crept slowly up his body until they were tangled in Donghae's wavy brown hair, pulling him closer.
He was a good kisser. Donghae found himself grudgingly thankful to Sungmin for that, at least. He tasted of coffee and milk and salt, and Donghae didn't ever want this to stop.
* * *
"HOW DID IT GO?"
Donghae flinched away from the crackle in his phone. "Siwon-ah…" he mumbled, rolling into his pillow.
There was a pause. "You're still in bed?" Siwon asked, mind racing to places it probably shouldn't go.
"Not all of us get up at the crack of dawn to go to church on Sundays," Donghae slurred, propping himself up on his elbows and stretching his back.
"Are you alone?" Siwon asked, brushing the comment aside.
"Of course I'm alone, I'm in b- oh… god, SIWON!" Donghae cried. "What are you thinking, you pervert?"
"Hey! You said you had a date yesterday, and I wondered… well… how it went," Siwon protested. "And then you were still in bed, and…"
"It was just a date, Siwon, he's not my boyfriend!" Donghae groaned. "And… no, it wasn't even a date! Sure, we kissed, but I was helping him to clean out his house, that's all. Besides!" he rolled over and sat up, "How did you go getting your 'Mr. Short-Legs' up to church today?"
Siwon went bright red. "I told you, he was kidding!" he whined. "He didn't spend the night. You're smirking, aren't you."
"Yes. Yes I am," Donghae chuckled. "Hey, shall we meet up tonight? I'll bring Hyukjae, and you bring your Mr. Short-Legs, and we'll grill Kyuhyun about that Leeteuk guy. Did you hear he moved in with him?"
"He has a name," Siwon grumbled, "And yes, I did hear about Kyuhyun and Leeteuk. That sounds good, shall we meet at eight?"
"How about quarter past?" Donghae suggested. "And fine, Wonnie, you bring Minnie and I'll see you tonight."
* * *
"Hyukkie! Come out with me tonight?"
Hyukjae blinked. "Um…?"
Donghae pulled his puppy-dog pout. "Please? I'm meeting some friends at the pub tonight, and they want to meet you! Come with, plea~se?"
"You ever been here before?" Donghae asked as he tugged Hyukjae towards the entrance by the hand.
"N-no, I haven't… I don't drink, remember I told you?" Hyukjae stuttered back.
"Oh, yeah." Donghae did remember now. "Well, you don't have to. But I want you to meet some of my friends… Siwon, and his boyfriend… oh, and Kyuhyun works at the bar, too!" he also remembered seeing Kyuhyun in Hyukjae's photo album.
"O-okay?" Hyukjae bit his lip, something Donghae didn't fail to notice. He paused and turned. "Are you okay?"
"I… yeah." Hyukjae nodded quickly.
"What's the matter?" Donghae raised both hands to Hyukjae's face, stroking his cheeks.
"Nothing." Hyukjae swallowed.
Donghae leant forward and kissed him, playing with Hyukjae's hair. "What are you worried about?" he whispered against his lips.
Hyukjae took a breath. "Nothing. Really." He smiled reassuringly and raised his own hand to touch Donghae's. "Let's go."
Donghae smiled back, pecked his lips once more then dropped his hands and kept pulling Hyukjae towards the familiar bar.
Kyuhyun waved as he looked up and saw them, and Donghae beamed as he waved back. He saw Siwon at the bar too, arm slung over his boyfriend's shoulders; he was about to call out a greeting to him, too, but Siwon turned around - following Kyuhyun's wave - and opened up a line of sight to his companion.
Donghae froze and Hyukjae squeaked, hand clenching painfully tightly around Donghae's fingers.
Siwon looked between his friends, eyebrows dropping first in confusion then in incredulity and slight irritation.
"Are all my friends your exes?" he sighed exasperatedly at the blond beside him, and Donghae felt another surge of anger towards the man.
"No!" the blond, Sungmin, pouted, then smiled sheepishly at Hyukjae, eyes flicking over Donghae on the way. "Um… hi, Eunhyuk…" he said shyly.
Eunhyuk?
Donghae frowned. How could Hyukjae have loved this man who wouldn't even accept his name? He turned to the redhead to see him staring at his ex-boyfriend with a blank expression. Donghae opened his mouth to ask if they should leave, but was interrupted by Hyukjae squeezing his hand gently and chuckling.
Donghae blinked in surprise, Hyukjae flicking his hair to the side and leaning against him. "Sorry, no, Sungmin," he said, quietly but firmly, "It's Hyukjae."
Donghae blinked again, then beamed at him and pulled him over to Siwon and Sungmin. "Siwonnie, this is Hyukjae," he said. "Kyuhyunnie! This is Hyukjae!"
Hyukjae nodded and smiled to both of them. Kyuhyun tapped the arm of the blond he was talking to. "Donghae, Hyukjae, Park Leeteuk."
"Ah! You're Leeteuk!" Donghae exclaimed brightly, but the older man's eyes were locked on Hyukjae.
"You!"
"You!"
"Huh?" Donghae, Siwon and Kyuhyun said in unison. "You two know each other?"
"No," Hyukjae and Leeteuk responded.
There was a brief silence while everyone waited for someone to elaborate. No-one did, but Leeteuk and Hyukjae shared a small smile; Leeteuk ducking his head embarrassedly and Hyukjae rubbing the back of Donghae's hand with his thumb.
Everything relaxed from there. Hyukjae introduced himself more formally to Leeteuk, and they spoke with each other quietly while Siwon, Donghae and Kyuhyun chatted loudly and Sungmin listened to them, laughing at appropriate moments. Donghae didn't speak directly to Sungmin, still a bit peeved, and Sungmin didn't try to talk to him either. He just kept an arm around Siwon's waist and Donghae kept a hold of Hyukjae's hand, almost possessively.
But eventually Sungmin tried to break the icy shield between them. "So… you're a barista?"
Donghae blushed, not entirely proud of his job, but Hyukjae leant over him, drawing his and Leeteuk's attention to their conversation. "Donghae-ah makes the best coffee ever," he announced, not quite looking at Sungmin.
Siwon laughed. "I'll second that."
"Donghae-ssi."
Donghae turned to face Leeteuk. "Yes?"
Leeteuk glanced over his shoulder. "Hyukjae's been in the bathroom for a long time, don't you think?"
"Omo!" Donghae leapt to his feet. "I'll be right back!" he announced to the others in general, dashing off to go check on his friend.
Hyukjae was inspecting his puffy eyes in the mirror when the door opened. He jumped when he saw who it was and quickly tried to hide his face.
"Hyukkie?" Donghae's eyes widened and he hurried forward. "Hyukkie, are you okay?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm fine," Hyukjae blurted quickly, "Absolutely fine. I-it's… dirty in here, let's go back-"
Donghae lifted a hand and silently brushed a finger over Hyukjae's cheek, smoothing away a tear. Hyukjae froze.
"I'm sorry," Donghae murmured, wrapping his arms around Hyukjae's waist and hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Hyukkie. Should we go?"
"I'm fine," Hyukjae tried to declare.
Donghae nuzzled into his shoulder. "Let's go," he whispered.
"No… I… I can do this…"
Donghae pulled his head back and kissed him, just a gentle kiss, but a long one. "You go out to the car," he said, pressing light pecks down his jawline, "I'll say goodbye."
Hyukjae bit his lip, but then nodded and pulled himself free of Donghae's embrace. They left together, Hyukjae heading straight for the exit while Donghae wandered back to the bar.
"We're… gonna head off," he said, refusing to look directly at Sungmin. "I'll see you guys later. It was nice meeting you," he said, bowing slightly to Leeteuk and glancing at Sungmin.
"Is Hyukjae-ssi alright?" Leeteuk asked.
"He's tired," Donghae said smoothly, convincingly but not fooling anyone.
"Well, have a nice night," Siwon smiled, and an echo of farewells followed Donghae as he waved and followed Hyukjae outside. They silently climbed into Donghwa's car and drove off, not speaking until they arrived at Donghae's house. Donghae parked the car in the driveway, rounding the bonnet and holding out his hand to Hyukjae as they went inside. He locked the door before pressing Hyukjae against the hall wall and locking their lips together.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Don't be," Hyukjae whispered back, wrapping his arms around his waist. "It's okay."
Donghae's hand was planted on the wall beside Hyukjae's head. He glanced at it when they finished kissing. It was already past eleven.
Hyukjae turned his head and also checked the time. "I guess… I should be getting home," he sighed.
Donghae gazed at him for a long moment. "I guess so," he reluctantly agreed, kissing him again. "Don't cry," he murmured between touches of their lips, "Your smile is too gorgeous."
"That's… so cheesy," Hyukjae mumbled back, grip on Donghae's waist tightening.
"You like it, though," Donghae said, smiling at the blush on the redhead's face.
Hyukjae groaned, burying his flaming face in Donghae's shoulder. "Okay, I do." He breathed in Donghae's scent and closed his eyes, feeling the younger's lips in his hair. "Keep talking cheesy to me."
Donghae laughed. "I can do that."
Theme: 9 - Coffee [Eunhyuk/Donghae]
Title: Cheer Up, You (Sub-story of WHY and BECAUSE - read those first)
Subpairings: Sungmin/Hyukjae, Sungmin/Siwon, Kyuhyun/Leeteuk, Friends Donghae/Kibum
Words: 4,765
Completed: November 24th, 2011
Genre: AU, romance, comfort, fluff
Rating: PG
Summary: Broken-hearted, Hyukjae begins to frequent a café that happens to employ the happy-go-lucky Lee Donghae
Note: Offshoot of Why and Because
Donghae liked the rain. He found the drumming of a zillion tiny droplets soothing. He found it exhilarating to go out and dance in it, or to smile, snug under the tiny canopy of an umbrella. He liked working at the café on such days, swimming in the smell of coffee while he watched the rain through the full-wall windows.
The rain made him smile.
But he knew that the rain could be, for some people, the marker of an utterly miserable day.
And it was on a grey, dripping Saturday when the saddest man Donghae had ever seen walked into his café.
He walked up to the counter as if in a trance, red-rimmed eyes proving that not all the moisture on his face was rain. He ordered quietly and without glancing at the menu, knowing what he wanted, what he came here for. Donghae smiled as he took the order and the man's money; but though his eyes were fixed on the barista his gaze was somewhere far, far away. Donghae had to gently tap his shoulder to get him to move so he could talk to the next customer.
Donghae made his coffee and watched him, and as he did, he didn't move a single muscle except to blink and swallow. He didn't respond when Donghae tried to hand him his drink.
"Excuse me," he said. The man raised a hand to absently scratch his nose.
"Excuse me? Hello?"
A blink, and the man seemed to jerk as he turned around to face him.
"Um… hey."
"Sorry, what?"
Donghae smiled. "Your coffee is ready."
"Oh… thanks." The man reached out with cold fingers and took the paper cup from him.
"Are you alright?" Donghae asked, waving a hand at Kibum as he pasted the next order on the coffee machine with a pointed cough.
"E-excuse me?"
"You look sad."
The man shrugged. "I'm fine, thanks for asking."
Donghae considered him for a moment, then gave him a friendly smile. He went back to his coffee-making and the man shuffled out into the drying day.
"Donghae-ah, you're so nosy."
"Huh?" Donghae turned to Kibum, calling out the name on the next order.
"'You look sad'," Kibum quoted, "Seriously… what were you gonna do if he started pouring out his life story?"
"Listen?"
"You're a barista, Donghae, not a bartender. Were you just going to leave all these customers to me?"
"Yes," Donghae replied immediately with a broad grin.
Kibum flicked his forehead. "You're not fifteen, Donghae!" he sighed. "You shouldn't crush on random strangers on the street!"
"I wasn't crushing!" Donghae cried, blushing when Kibum hushed him and glanced around the café to see if they were heard.
"Whatever you say," Kibum rolled his eyes and went to take an order to one of the tables.
"And besides, he was in the café, not on the street!" Donghae yelled after him.
* * *
"Oh, look, Donghae, your boyfriend's back," Kibum drawled as the café door opened.
"He's not-" Donghae started to protest, then narrowed his eyes and flicked Kibum with a tea towel. "You're not fifteen, Kibum!" he quoted back petulantly. "You shouldn't tease me like that."
Kibum stuck out his tongue, yelping then smirking when Donghae bumped him away from the register with his hip so he could take the man's order.
He ordered the same thing as the previous day, with the same blank expression. Donghae's smile didn't slip.
"Don't you like the rain?" he asked as he made the drink.
"Huh?" the man said vaguely.
"The rain. Don't you like it?"
The customer shrugged. "It's sad, don't you think? Like the sky is crying."
"No, no," Donghae disagreed. "It's like the sky is taking care of things! Filling up dams! Watering trees! Making things grow!" he grinned. "I love the rain. Haven't you ever listened to it while you fall asleep? It's so rhythmic and soothing."
The man just stared at him through red-brown bangs, which were curling from the damp. Donghae kept smiling but fell quiet, giving the man his coffee. "Here you go."
"Thank you." He took the cup and walked straight out.
"Look," Kibum sighed. "You just scared him away."
"He ordered take-away! He was going to leave anyway," Donghae retorted, pouting. Kibum just snickered.
* * *
"Do you like dogs?"
"Dogs?"
"Yeah, dogs," Donghae nodded. "As in, hairy quadrupedal canines? Descended from wolves? 'A-wooo'?"
The customer raised his eyebrows at Donghae's quiet howl. "Dogs, sure. I love dogs. I used to have one, Choco. He lives with my parents."
Donghae's face lit up. "Mine too! Because my brother doesn't like him…" his smile fell for a second, then came back full-force as he continued. "His name is Bada and he's a little Maltese! And he is the most cutest thing there ever was!" he gushed. "He's like a little white fluffy ball of love!"
The redhead stared at him, just blinking as he let Donghae gush over his beloved puppy. Kibum took the orders, letting Donghae blabber at the customer as he made them. The poor man stood there, unsmiling but not looking bored, and let Donghae talk at him until his drink was gone and he excused himself.
Donghae watched after him as he walked out, only returning to his work when Kibum snapped his fingers in front of his face.
"Yah!"
"Stop spacing out!" Kibum groaned. "For crying out loud, Donghae-hyung…"
"What?" Donghae whined.
Kibum grabbed Donghae's cheeks and stretched them, then squished them between his palms, shaking his hyung's head gently. "There is something wrong with you. Something, in there," he tapped his head, "is broken."
Donghae pouted and frowned. Kibum gave him a shove. "Go wipe tables or something."
Donghae's frown deepened as he grabbed a wet cloth, slapped Kibum in the face with it and went to do as he was told.
* * *
Ten days after the red-haired customer had come in and caught Donghae's attention for the first time, Donghae was humming distractedly to himself as his hands moved automatically over the coffee machine. He cut off abruptly and confusedly when Kibum's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, preventing him from taking the milk. "What?" he yelped in surprise.
Kibum gave him a strange look. "The order was a long black, Donghae-ah," he deadpanned, "You don't need the milk."
"Oh." Donghae glanced at the cup, half-full of coffee, and started again. "Oops."
"Donghae-ah."
"Yeah?" Donghae frowned as he concentrated so as to not make the mistake again.
"Why were you making the redhead's regular order?"
Donghae fumbled with the mug, almost dropping it. "Was I?"
"Ugh," Kibum groaned. "Just… pay attention, Donghae-hyung."
Donghae just dropped his head and returned to work; but was distracted with the door's jingle, snapping his head back up and beaming when he saw the - his - redhead come in, hands in his pockets, footsteps lighter than Donghae had seen them as he approached the counter.
"Well, you're becoming quite the regular," Donghae noted, elbowing Kibum out of the way and pushing him to the other register. The redhead's eyes crinkled but his lips only twitched as he stopped in front of him.
"I make the coffee that well, do I?" Donghae teased.
"Yes, you do," The customer let out a slight chuckle and Donghae felt like vaulting over the counter and hugging him.
"The usual?" he said instead, fighting his voice under control.
"Yes, please. Oh, and one of those." He spoke easily, a light tone to his voice that didn't convey anywhere near as much sadness as it had on previous days. Donghae told him the price and happily slid to the coffee machine to make the coffee he had accidentally started almost half an hour ago.
The customer went to a table instead of standing by the counter that day, but Donghae wasn't too put out. He was delighted that he was cheering up and not using the café as a moping ground.
"Kibum-ah?" Donghae called between customers. Kibum looked up, walking over when Donghae beckoned.
"What?"
Donghae dropped his gaze. "I… I get off in seven minutes."
"And?"
"And I… I thought I might… go talk to him."
"You talk to him all the time. So?"
"So… I wondered what you thought."
"What am I, your owner? If you want to talk to him, go talk to him."
"But…" Donghae frowned slightly. "I thought you didn't like him."
"When did I ever say I didn't like him?" Kibum looked taken aback. "I don't know him, Donghae, how could I dislike him?"
"But you're always complaining about how I… you know."
"Because it's annoying and distracting from your work; not because of him personally."
Donghae absently polished a milk stain from the coffee machine. "Are you saying I should?"
Kibum paused, then nodded. "Sure."
Donghae finished a couple more orders, then checked his watch, removed his apron with relish and grabbed himself a cake from under the counter. He looked up and saw the redhead quickly avert his eyes, and his mind was made up.
"Just got off, mind if I join you?" he said brightly, heading over to his table.
The man jumped. "Um, no, sure."
"You seem less sad," Donghae commented after a moment.
"Sorry?"
"You were really sad the first time you came in here. Everything okay?"
There was a moment of silence while the customer regarded him. "Yeah. Everything's fine." He said finally.
Donghae tilted his head and took a munch out of his snack. "Okay." Then he realized he probably should introduce himself. "I'm Donghae. Lee Donghae."
"I'm Lee Eun- Hyukjae."
Donghae raised an eyebrow. "Eunhyukjae?"
"Just Hyukjae." The redhead responded firmly. "That's my name."
Donghae laughed. "You know, I'm not going to like… stalk you or anything…"
"It's my name!" Hyukjae protested, eyes widening slightly.
"Okay, okay!" Donghae grinned to himself. He had such cute, big eyes.
"It's just… I used to be called Eunhyuk."
"Why?" Donghae blinked.
"Just… never mind."
"Okay."
They sat in silence for a moment while Donghae finished eating, then looked up at the other man. "Do you want to tell me why you were sad? Or is it one of those things you've had to keep repeating for like, everybody?"
Hyukjae shrugged. "It's not important."
"Everything's important to somebody." Donghae's eyebrows tightened.
"It wouldn't be important to you," Hyukjae muttered awkwardly.
"Why not?"
"Well… because."
Donghae stuck out his tongue. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But if you need someone to listen…" he shrugged and gave a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Hm, good." Donghae grinned broadly, encouraged by the lack of 'mind-your-own-business'. "Are you going anywhere now?"
"No… just home. I guess," Hyukjae mumbled.
"Do you walk? I've never seen you drive here."
"Yeah, it's not far. About forty minutes."
Donghae raised his eyebrows. "You don't have an umbrella."
"Not today…" Hyukjae replied cautiously.
"What if it rains and catches you out?"
"Then, I suppose, I'll get wet."
Donghae chuckled and felt his face heat up. "I have an umbrella…"
"Where are you headed with this?" Hyukjae raised an eyebrow.
"I… could walk you home?" Donghae offered hopefully.
Hyukjae smiled faintly. "No, that's okay, it-" he broke off and pulled a face as right on cue the rain started bucketing down outside.
Donghae grinned. "Can't let you go home by yourself now, can I?"
Hyukjae sighed and looked unenthusiastically out at the rain. "Well…"
"Yah! Don't be such a citizen!" Donghae wasn't quite sure why he said that. It was just the first adequate word that popped to mind. He ran to get his things, grinning at Kibum and receiving an encouraging smile in return. "Let's go, Eunhyukjae!" he cried, pressing the button on his umbrella and gaining far too much satisfaction at it popping itself open.
"It's just Hyukjae…" the redhead protested, letting Donghae grab his wrist and pull him outside.
Donghae was no stranger to walking, and it didn't put off his incessant chatter one bit. He talked the entire way, only encouraged by Hyukjae's comments every now and then. It was in a brief silence that Hyukjae raised his arm and pointed.
"Just up here."
"Okay." Donghae turned where he pointed and was led to the front door of a small unit block. Hyukjae fumbled with his keys, firstly pushing in the wrong one, then getting the correct one stuck, then finally managing to push the door open. He hurried inside, before turning to the barista with a hesitant expression.
"Um… do you want to…?"
"Nah, that's alright!" Donghae shook his head smilingly. "You know… don't accept candy from strangers and that sort of thing."
Hyukjae raised an eyebrow. "You're expecting me to give you candy?"
Donghae widened his eyes, cheeks puffing out slightly. "Of course! That's what you do to lure unsuspecting boys into your lair, right?"
Hyukjae let out a laugh and grinned; Donghae's eyes widened as he saw his smile for the first time. Half of it was all gums and his single-lidded eyes scrunched up, almost closing. He quickly raised his hand to his mouth, but Donghae had seen enough and his face split into his happiest grin. It seemed to startle Hyukjae and he blinked.
"That's it! I knew you could!" Donghae cried delightedly, jumping up and down a bit.
"Huh? I could what?" Hyukjae looked confused, but his smile didn't disappear.
Donghae laughed and backed away; since he'd refused the invitation in, he may as well head home. "Smile!" he answered the question, and turned, splashing down the path.
Suddenly the rain seemed even more beautiful than usual.
* * *
Donghae and Hyukjae talked a lot more from then on. Well, Hyukjae talked more. Donghae just blabbered on as much as usual. Hyukjae also smiled back at him whenever he came into the café, making Donghae want to dance and Kibum want to sedate him. Hyukjae learned Donghae's work hours and turned up accordingly. Sometimes they went for walks when Donghae was finished; the first time, Donghae learned that Hyukjae had just gone through a bad break-up, the cause of his original misery. And with a man, no less. Donghae could have sung. Except not, because Hyukjae had been crying.
"I want to ask him out, Kibummie…"
Kibum said nothing, knowing that Donghae would continue no matter what his response was.
"But I can't afford it…"
"Can't afford it? Donghae-hyung, dates aren't that expensive…"
Donghae's eyes widened. "Kibummie! Think about it. Fourteen, fifteen dollars a movie ticket, right? Plus popcorn, a drink each… do you know how many bus rides that is? That's like almost a month's worth of fares gone in a few hours!"
"Well, when you put it like that," Kibum said mildly, still not looking up.
"So what do I do!?" Donghae cried.
Kibum turned to him, finally. "Get him to pay for his own ticket and drink," he said blandly, and turned back to his cleaning.
Donghae groaned in frustration. "You're no help at all!"
Kibum smiled at him.
Donghae stepped towards him and sighed, dropping his head against the back of his friend's shoulder. "I really like him, Kibummie…" he moaned. "I really want to date him…"
"So, date him."
"But I can't ask him out on a date!"
Kibum removed Donghae's head and turned to face him. "I'm sure you'll think of something," he smirked unhelpfully, and pushed Donghae towards the customer waiting at the register. He had just finished taking her order when Hyukjae arrived, as expected; Donghae got off in a few minutes, after all.
"Hyukjae!" Donghae cried happily. "How are you?"
Hyukjae smiled. "You called my Hyukjae," he noted with mild surprise.
Donghae's own smile faded slightly, realizing this was the first time he'd addressed Hyukjae by anything other than 'Eunhyukjae' or 'hyung'. "I… I thought… you might not like the 'Eun' a-anymore…" he mumbled.
"You… can call me whatever you want," Hyukjae replied, and Donghae told himself he hadn't imagined the emphasis on the 'you'.
He smiled nervously, not wanting Hyukjae to start crying again over the thought of his ex-boyfriend. "Well… Ilike Hyukjae…"
"Thanks." Hyukjae averted his eyes, a blush tinting his cheeks.
Donghae glanced at Kibum, who was watching him intently. The younger jerked his eyebrows as their eyes came into contact, silently challenging him to grow a pair.
"Hey, um…" Donghae began, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly and flapping a hand at Kibum to make him go away.
"Yeah?" Hyukjae looked back up at him.
Donghae hesitated. Kibum kept staring at him. But there were already a few people lining up behind Hyukjae, so he sighed and caught himself a few more minutes. "I'll tell you later," he mumbled.
Kibum didn't actually say anything as Hyukjae wandered away to browse through a newspaper as he waited, but Donghae could feel his eyes and his judgement.
"Quit it," he muttered, kicking the younger man's shin.
"Don't kick me!" Kibum pouted.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
Donghae glared at him.
Kibum grinned.
Donghae groaned.
"So, have you decided what to do?" Kibum drawled.
Donghae bit his lip and nodded slowly. Kibum stared at him questioningly, finally asking "Well?" when Donghae showed no sign of elaborating.
Donghae raised an eyebrow. "You hate it when I go on about him."
Kibum narrowed his eyes. "Fine, don't tell me," he taunted, trying to get Donghae to blurt it out anyway. But Donghae glanced at the clock, whipping off his apron instead of answering. He gave the younger man a quick, random hug in his nervous excitement, then caught Hyukjae's eye and beckoned him over with his head.
"So, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Hyukjae asked as they walked out together, and Kibum gave his friend's retreating back an encouraging smile.
* * *
Donghae bit his lip as he started his brother's car, looking at the rear-view mirror and watching Hyukjae watch him drive away. He raised a hand when he'd rounded the corner, tracing his fingers over his lips which still tingled from their contact with Hyukjae's cheek.
"Not my brother. Not my friend."
Was he setting himself up as a rebound? Donghae sighed to himself and returned his hand to the wheel. He liked Hyukjae. Really, really liked him. The man who let him cling to him so intimately on his couch; the man who'd tried to comfort him instead of awkwardly freaking out when he bawled like a child over his father; the man who'd smiled in the rain for him and him alone.
"I'll see you around," he repeated to himself vaguely, not even registering that he'd spoken aloud.
* * *
Sungmin.
Donghae wished he could stop thinking the name as his fingers trailed down the side of Hyukjae's face and he carefully tasted his lips. He wished he could enjoy this wonderful moment properly without having to fight down the anger inside him.
Sungmin. That bastard had better have a fucking good reason to leave. No-one should have the nerve, Donghae decided, to make this gorgeous man cry. No-one should have the nerve to take away that sunshine-and-gums smile. No-one had the right.
He parted his lips as Hyukjae's hands tentatively rose to his hips, knocking his shirt, the tip of one thumb brushing the skin of Donghae's waist. Hyukjae let out a small noise, grip tightening slightly as he let Donghae explore his mouth.
Donghae took a tiny step closer, so his legs had captured Hyukjae's between them, and felt a shiver run down the redhead's body. His hands crept slowly up his body until they were tangled in Donghae's wavy brown hair, pulling him closer.
He was a good kisser. Donghae found himself grudgingly thankful to Sungmin for that, at least. He tasted of coffee and milk and salt, and Donghae didn't ever want this to stop.
* * *
"HOW DID IT GO?"
Donghae flinched away from the crackle in his phone. "Siwon-ah…" he mumbled, rolling into his pillow.
There was a pause. "You're still in bed?" Siwon asked, mind racing to places it probably shouldn't go.
"Not all of us get up at the crack of dawn to go to church on Sundays," Donghae slurred, propping himself up on his elbows and stretching his back.
"Are you alone?" Siwon asked, brushing the comment aside.
"Of course I'm alone, I'm in b- oh… god, SIWON!" Donghae cried. "What are you thinking, you pervert?"
"Hey! You said you had a date yesterday, and I wondered… well… how it went," Siwon protested. "And then you were still in bed, and…"
"It was just a date, Siwon, he's not my boyfriend!" Donghae groaned. "And… no, it wasn't even a date! Sure, we kissed, but I was helping him to clean out his house, that's all. Besides!" he rolled over and sat up, "How did you go getting your 'Mr. Short-Legs' up to church today?"
Siwon went bright red. "I told you, he was kidding!" he whined. "He didn't spend the night. You're smirking, aren't you."
"Yes. Yes I am," Donghae chuckled. "Hey, shall we meet up tonight? I'll bring Hyukjae, and you bring your Mr. Short-Legs, and we'll grill Kyuhyun about that Leeteuk guy. Did you hear he moved in with him?"
"He has a name," Siwon grumbled, "And yes, I did hear about Kyuhyun and Leeteuk. That sounds good, shall we meet at eight?"
"How about quarter past?" Donghae suggested. "And fine, Wonnie, you bring Minnie and I'll see you tonight."
* * *
"Hyukkie! Come out with me tonight?"
Hyukjae blinked. "Um…?"
Donghae pulled his puppy-dog pout. "Please? I'm meeting some friends at the pub tonight, and they want to meet you! Come with, plea~se?"
"You ever been here before?" Donghae asked as he tugged Hyukjae towards the entrance by the hand.
"N-no, I haven't… I don't drink, remember I told you?" Hyukjae stuttered back.
"Oh, yeah." Donghae did remember now. "Well, you don't have to. But I want you to meet some of my friends… Siwon, and his boyfriend… oh, and Kyuhyun works at the bar, too!" he also remembered seeing Kyuhyun in Hyukjae's photo album.
"O-okay?" Hyukjae bit his lip, something Donghae didn't fail to notice. He paused and turned. "Are you okay?"
"I… yeah." Hyukjae nodded quickly.
"What's the matter?" Donghae raised both hands to Hyukjae's face, stroking his cheeks.
"Nothing." Hyukjae swallowed.
Donghae leant forward and kissed him, playing with Hyukjae's hair. "What are you worried about?" he whispered against his lips.
Hyukjae took a breath. "Nothing. Really." He smiled reassuringly and raised his own hand to touch Donghae's. "Let's go."
Donghae smiled back, pecked his lips once more then dropped his hands and kept pulling Hyukjae towards the familiar bar.
Kyuhyun waved as he looked up and saw them, and Donghae beamed as he waved back. He saw Siwon at the bar too, arm slung over his boyfriend's shoulders; he was about to call out a greeting to him, too, but Siwon turned around - following Kyuhyun's wave - and opened up a line of sight to his companion.
Donghae froze and Hyukjae squeaked, hand clenching painfully tightly around Donghae's fingers.
Siwon looked between his friends, eyebrows dropping first in confusion then in incredulity and slight irritation.
"Are all my friends your exes?" he sighed exasperatedly at the blond beside him, and Donghae felt another surge of anger towards the man.
"No!" the blond, Sungmin, pouted, then smiled sheepishly at Hyukjae, eyes flicking over Donghae on the way. "Um… hi, Eunhyuk…" he said shyly.
Eunhyuk?
Donghae frowned. How could Hyukjae have loved this man who wouldn't even accept his name? He turned to the redhead to see him staring at his ex-boyfriend with a blank expression. Donghae opened his mouth to ask if they should leave, but was interrupted by Hyukjae squeezing his hand gently and chuckling.
Donghae blinked in surprise, Hyukjae flicking his hair to the side and leaning against him. "Sorry, no, Sungmin," he said, quietly but firmly, "It's Hyukjae."
Donghae blinked again, then beamed at him and pulled him over to Siwon and Sungmin. "Siwonnie, this is Hyukjae," he said. "Kyuhyunnie! This is Hyukjae!"
Hyukjae nodded and smiled to both of them. Kyuhyun tapped the arm of the blond he was talking to. "Donghae, Hyukjae, Park Leeteuk."
"Ah! You're Leeteuk!" Donghae exclaimed brightly, but the older man's eyes were locked on Hyukjae.
"You!"
"You!"
"Huh?" Donghae, Siwon and Kyuhyun said in unison. "You two know each other?"
"No," Hyukjae and Leeteuk responded.
There was a brief silence while everyone waited for someone to elaborate. No-one did, but Leeteuk and Hyukjae shared a small smile; Leeteuk ducking his head embarrassedly and Hyukjae rubbing the back of Donghae's hand with his thumb.
Everything relaxed from there. Hyukjae introduced himself more formally to Leeteuk, and they spoke with each other quietly while Siwon, Donghae and Kyuhyun chatted loudly and Sungmin listened to them, laughing at appropriate moments. Donghae didn't speak directly to Sungmin, still a bit peeved, and Sungmin didn't try to talk to him either. He just kept an arm around Siwon's waist and Donghae kept a hold of Hyukjae's hand, almost possessively.
But eventually Sungmin tried to break the icy shield between them. "So… you're a barista?"
Donghae blushed, not entirely proud of his job, but Hyukjae leant over him, drawing his and Leeteuk's attention to their conversation. "Donghae-ah makes the best coffee ever," he announced, not quite looking at Sungmin.
Siwon laughed. "I'll second that."
"Donghae-ssi."
Donghae turned to face Leeteuk. "Yes?"
Leeteuk glanced over his shoulder. "Hyukjae's been in the bathroom for a long time, don't you think?"
"Omo!" Donghae leapt to his feet. "I'll be right back!" he announced to the others in general, dashing off to go check on his friend.
Hyukjae was inspecting his puffy eyes in the mirror when the door opened. He jumped when he saw who it was and quickly tried to hide his face.
"Hyukkie?" Donghae's eyes widened and he hurried forward. "Hyukkie, are you okay?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm fine," Hyukjae blurted quickly, "Absolutely fine. I-it's… dirty in here, let's go back-"
Donghae lifted a hand and silently brushed a finger over Hyukjae's cheek, smoothing away a tear. Hyukjae froze.
"I'm sorry," Donghae murmured, wrapping his arms around Hyukjae's waist and hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Hyukkie. Should we go?"
"I'm fine," Hyukjae tried to declare.
Donghae nuzzled into his shoulder. "Let's go," he whispered.
"No… I… I can do this…"
Donghae pulled his head back and kissed him, just a gentle kiss, but a long one. "You go out to the car," he said, pressing light pecks down his jawline, "I'll say goodbye."
Hyukjae bit his lip, but then nodded and pulled himself free of Donghae's embrace. They left together, Hyukjae heading straight for the exit while Donghae wandered back to the bar.
"We're… gonna head off," he said, refusing to look directly at Sungmin. "I'll see you guys later. It was nice meeting you," he said, bowing slightly to Leeteuk and glancing at Sungmin.
"Is Hyukjae-ssi alright?" Leeteuk asked.
"He's tired," Donghae said smoothly, convincingly but not fooling anyone.
"Well, have a nice night," Siwon smiled, and an echo of farewells followed Donghae as he waved and followed Hyukjae outside. They silently climbed into Donghwa's car and drove off, not speaking until they arrived at Donghae's house. Donghae parked the car in the driveway, rounding the bonnet and holding out his hand to Hyukjae as they went inside. He locked the door before pressing Hyukjae against the hall wall and locking their lips together.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Don't be," Hyukjae whispered back, wrapping his arms around his waist. "It's okay."
Donghae's hand was planted on the wall beside Hyukjae's head. He glanced at it when they finished kissing. It was already past eleven.
Hyukjae turned his head and also checked the time. "I guess… I should be getting home," he sighed.
Donghae gazed at him for a long moment. "I guess so," he reluctantly agreed, kissing him again. "Don't cry," he murmured between touches of their lips, "Your smile is too gorgeous."
"That's… so cheesy," Hyukjae mumbled back, grip on Donghae's waist tightening.
"You like it, though," Donghae said, smiling at the blush on the redhead's face.
Hyukjae groaned, burying his flaming face in Donghae's shoulder. "Okay, I do." He breathed in Donghae's scent and closed his eyes, feeling the younger's lips in his hair. "Keep talking cheesy to me."
Donghae laughed. "I can do that."