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Chapter Text

Yunho typically considered himself someone who could keep his feelings well under control. Steady and sure, slow to react to provocation, able to distract himself if necessary. Sure, maybe he wasn't the best at actually processing his emotions, but he also didn't let them get to him, always finding a way to divert his energy to something else before things took a turn. 

He only had two real weaknesses: anger and jealousy, the latter of which typically led to the former. 

Right now, his noise canceling headphones not doing their job well enough to completely drown out the sounds coming from his shared wall with his roommate's bedroom, he had to begrudgingly admit to himself he was feeling both. 

“There’s my good girl.” Yeosang’s deep voice punctured through Yunho's carefully built sound defense. 

“Please, daddy, let me come.” A feminine voice cut through as well. 

Yunho didn't know what was irking him more, the disturbance, his lack of action since his breakup with Mingi nearly six months ago, the fact that the annual trip to the Park estate - Park Week -  was coming up and he didn't have a plus one, or that he was becoming aroused at the commotion next door. 

He sighed in frustration, discarding his headphones and giving in, guilt and shame sending a cool shiver down his spine at his actions, ripping down his sweatpants to take care of his now impossible to ignore erection. 

He gripped his length in his hand, forgoing lube as a form of deprivation to himself, ensuring it wouldn't be the most comfortable release he'd ever experienced. 

He closed his eyes and let a mental image form of the goings on next door, stroking himself slowly as he listened to his roommate speak with authority to the girl he'd been hooking up with recently. Actually, he wasn't sure he could really call what his roommate did “hooking up”, as he had heard him discuss limits, safe words, and specific kinks with more of his sexual partners than he could count. He had a suspicion his roommate had a different app than Tinder or Hinge he used to find these partners. And he had more than a little reason to think the man had a drawer full of toys and restraints in his room. 

In short, Yeosang was kinky. And he was certainly not a novice.

Sure, Yunho had played with similar dynamics before - Mingi specifically liked it rough and loved dirty talk - but something about the formality of what Yeosang did, the ritual, the surrender, it all appealed to Yunho more than he'd like to admit. 

Yunho's head tipped back and his pace picked up at the sound of Yeosang giving stern but gentle commands next door. No, surely it wasn't his roommate's voice that was doing it for him. It was the sound of his partner's pleasure. 

“Mmh, too much? I think you can give me one more, sweetheart.” Yeosang’s soft baritone went straight to Yunho's core. 

Fuck. Who was he kidding? He was definitely picturing himself in his partner's position. 

“Oh, you're too fucked out to speak, hm? That's okay, daddy's got you.” Yeosang teased. 

“Please, fuck, please, sir.” The woman pleaded. 

“That's right. Beg me for it.”

“Not gonna last-” 

Neither was Yunho. He released all over his hand and stomach, moaning, “Yeosang!” as he came, louder than he intended, too caught up in the moment to stop himself. But surely they were so caught up in their activities to-

“Everything okay?” Yeosang barged in unannounced, wearing nothing but a silk robe, “Oh, Jesus-” 

“What the hell!” Yunho yelled, his face flushed red in horrendous embarrassment. 

“So sorry, I thought I heard you call my name and figured it was serious!” Yeosang was obviously trying very hard to maintain eye contact, but his eyes kept flicking down to Yunho's exposed dick and messy state of being as the man scrambled to cover himself. 

“Get out!” Yunho barked, feeling a little bad, considering his roommate had really just been being very sweet and caring to think he was in trouble.

Yunho might have missed it, had he blinked, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt, he had seen Yeosang smirk, raising his eyebrow at the last second as he closed the door behind him.

Goddammit.

Yunho managed to avoid any confrontation with Yeosang for around a week, but as the days went on, the tension from the moment and the fact that they hadn’t talked about it, or even talked at all since, plus the fact that his group chat with his friends San, Mingi, and Seonghwa just confirmed that the three of them would indeed be bringing plus ones to Seonghwa’s family estate next week for their annual trip, was forcing the whole situation to come to an uncomfortable and inevitable head. San was finally dating Wooyoung, who he had been pining for since junior year of college, and they were pretty serious. Seonghwa and Hongjoong had been together for almost as long as Yunho had known the former, so that was no surprise. And Mingi was bringing some musician named Jongho. 

No, Yunho should not have still been upset over his breakup with Mingi. Really, he wasn’t. Their friendship had taken a turn after a drunken makeout one night last spring at a music festival, both of them high on ecstasy. It had been pretty much taken a downhill turn after that weekend, the two of them realizing quickly that they weren’t compatible as a couple, so much as they were good at fucking one another, but they had both been too stubborn to admit it so fast, and therefore ended up dating for three months afterwards until they were spending more time fighting than fucking and could no longer justify it. After some time away, Yunho had been ready to try to mend their friendship, but when he was about to reach out, Mingi informed the group chat he had started seeing someone via selfie of the two of them kissing. 

It was rude, Yunho thought. 

Really though, he just missed his friend. He hadn’t been able to get over his own pride enough to approach Mingi since then. And now, armed with the knowledge that Mingi would be bringing his new boyfriend as his plus one, he was feeling hurt all over again. 

Hurt, and petty. 

He needed a plus one. 

He couldn’t stop getting off to the thought of the person he planned to ask to be his plus one. 

If Yeosang were willing to accompany him, he figured it might just kill two birds with one stone. If he were so lucky. And Yunho did seem to have a proclivity for luck.

He caught Yeosang in the kitchen as the man came home from work that day. 

“Hey.” He waved bashfully as he unpacked the takeout he had ordered, “They gave me an extra order of katsu curry, if you’re hungry.”

“Oh! Really?” Yeosang’s eyes went wide. Okay, maybe Yunho knew that he could lure his roommate in with fried chicken. He was playing chess, not checkers, after all. 

“Yeah, man, of course.” Yunho gestured towards the living room, “Want a beer?”

“Yes, please!” Yeosang called as he situated himself on the couch, waiting for Yunho to bring their libations over. 

They turned the TV on to an anime both of them had seen and tucked into their food, falling into silence as they ate and laughed at the show. Yunho had forgotten how easy it was to just exist peacefully around Yeosang. They had only lived together for around half a year - Yunho had moved in after his breakup with Mingi - and hadn’t spent too much time together in that stint. But in the time they had lived together, he never felt like he had to be on around Yeosang, and it was a feeling he didn’t appreciate as much as he probably should. 

“Yeosang?” Yunho finally felt brave enough, two beers in, to breach the subject. 

“Hm?” Yeosag turned to him, seeming to have been lost in thought.

“I have kind of an odd favor to ask you.” He let the words rush out before he could stop them. 

“What’s up?” Yeosang cocked his head to the side, seeming intrigued by the prospect. 

“So my friend, Seonghwa, his family has this old estate out in the country and our friend group goes every year during early fall. There’s a pond, a pool, horses, skeet shooting, a tennis court, hell, there’s an indoor movie theater. The house is huge, they have staff and a chef and everything, and anyway, it’s always a good time. But um. Everyone has a plus one except me. And it normally wouldn’t be an issue, but you remember my ex, Mingi?”

Yeosang nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“Yeah, well, before we dated, we were best friends. And he’s bringing his new boyfriend.” 

Yeosand smiled, “Ah, I see. Are you asking me to go with you?”

Yunho met his eyes, “Um. Yeah. I’m trying to, at least.”

“I’d be happy to!” Yeosang clapped his hands together, unable to hide his excitement.. 

“Okay, before you agree, I need you to understand, you wouldn’t be going as just like my plus one. There’s not really a rule about how serious the relationship has to be. Hell, San brought some woman he’d met on Hinge one year before he finally admitted his feelings to Wooyoung, but for my sake, since Mingi is bringing his new boyfriend…”

“Ah,” Yeosang smiled, understanding, “You want us to pretend we’re dating.”

“Is that too much to ask? Sorry, this is probably so weird.” Yunho knew he was probably blushing. He hated feeling vulnerable like this. It was humiliating. 

“Hey, I didn’t say no.” Yeosang reached over, placing a hand on Yunho’s thigh, “You’re not being weird. I’d be happy to go, Yunho.” 

“Really?” Yunho had half expected the man to up and move out on the spot at the proposition. Though, he should have assumed someone so open-minded in the bedroom might be down for a little role play. Even if it were role play that would involve method acting. 

“Yeah, sure. Sounds fun!” Yeosang beamed at him, “Free vacation and quality time with my roommate. I’m in.”

“We’ll have to like… share a bedroom.” Yunho studied him, making sure he understood. 

“Most couples do.” Yeosang nodded. 

“Okay, well.” Yunho swallowed, the realization that this was really happening dawning on him fully, “Um. We leave a week from today. And um. Thank you. I really appreciate you helping me out.”

“Anytime, Yunho.” Yeosang winked at him before standing to clear away their takeout trash, leaving Yunho alone on the couch to process everything that had just happened. 

The Park estate was honestly ridiculous, but Yunho couldn’t help but adore it. You couldn’t tell that Seonghwa came from exorbitant wealth just by meeting him or knowing him. It had come to a surprise to all of them when he invited them out the first year of college, when the four of them had met. The only year that Park Week had been just the four of them. 

A car had arrived at their apartment mid-morning and thankfully, graciously, the partition was raised so the two of them could speak candidly. Yunho had long thought Seonghwa’s staff were gossipy and happy to spill any tea they happened upon to Seonghwa, completely unprovoked.

Yeosang was staying quite composed, though Yunho could tell he was a little taken aback by the display of wealth. 

“Seonghwa really isn’t, um, like this. I promise. He’s surprisingly down to earth.” Yunho tried to explain.

“I didn’t say anything.” Yeosang grinned innocently. 

“Yeah, well, you didn’t need to.” Yunho elbowed him playfully, “You’re easier to read than you think you are, Yeosang.”

“Maybe you just study me more than you think.” Yeosang shot back. 

Yunho looked away, clearing his throat, “Um. So. Should we discuss how we’re going to act? In front of my friends?”

“Sure.” Yeosang smiled, “Anything that comes to mind?”

“I mean…” Yunho took a deep breath, “Historically, I’m pretty. Um. I don’t know, not possessive, but. I guess I like people to know who my partner belongs to.”

“You’re physically affectionate.” Yeosang offered. 

“Yes, you could put it like that.” Yunho glanced at him, “Is that… okay?”

Yeosang chuckled, “I think you’ve heard enough through our shared wall to know I’m no stranger to physical affection, sweetheart.”

Yunho hoped the shiver that coursed over him at the pet name wasn’t obvious, “Right. Right. Okay, good. Thanks.”

“You’re okay if I’m possessive in return?” Yeosang asked, cocking an eyebrow at him. 

“Oh.” Yunho swallowed, “Yeah. I don’t see why not.” He begged the blood that had just rushed south to reverse its journey, crossing his legs to conceal how aroused he was getting at the thought of it. 

“Good, because I don’t see myself being able to keep my hands off of you if we’re ‘dating.’” Yeosang eyed him like he was a delicacy offered at a Michelan star restaurant. 

Yunho laughed weakly, “Ha, yeah. That’s fair.”

“Should we practice?” Yeosang asked, “Because if you act like this in front of them, like we’ve never touched before and it's forbidden or something, they’ll know immediately.”

So much for keeping his cool, “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

“It’s okay.” Yeosang reassured him, “You’re safe with me, Yunho. If you ever need to stop and we’re not in a position to say something about it in front of your friends, just tap me three times, okay? I never want you to feel like you have no choice or no out.” 

“Okay, yeah. That sounds good, thank you.” Yunho sighed a breath of relief. 

“So.” Yeosang turned to him, “Do you want to practice?”

Yunho’s eyes traveled over his roommates stunning features, his bright, expressive eyes, high, round cheekbones, delicate but sharp jawline, pretty, soft-looking lips, “Yeah. You’re probably right. Let’s practice.”

Yeosang’s hand traveled in slow motion through the air towards his face, “Can I touch you?”

“Yes.” Yunho breathed, eyelids fluttering as Yeosang’s refined fingers found their landing on his cheek. 

“Mmh, there we are.” Yeosang’s deep voice rumbled pleasantly against Yunho’s eardrums as he caressed his face gently, thumb tracing lightly over his bottom lip. “Doing so well, honey. May I kiss you?”

Yunho wished he could explain how his roommate’s words made him feel. The soft encouragement, the steady reassurance. Yunho had never considered himself to be someone who needed this sort of treatment. He was always the one to take charge. He had always liked being in the position of authority. But experiencing this, he realized he might have been doing it wrong the whole time. 

“Please.” Yunho managed to squeak out. 

Holy hell. He was glad they decided to practice. Yeosang’s lips were sure and adept, guiding Yunho’s but not in any sort of forceful way, sucking on his bottom lip and teasing his tongue into his mouth just enough to have him leaning in for more before the younger man pulled away, looking far too pleased and leaving Yunho panting embarrassingly hard. 

“Oh, you’re too fun.” Yeosang teased, carding his hand through Yunho’s hair before leaning back into his own space. 

“Shut up.” Yunho pouted, “But thank you. Good call on practicing.” 

“It was mostly selfish.” Yeosang admitted, “You just looked really kissable.” 

“Well, regardless, you’re right that my friends would have seen right through me if we had kissed for the first time in front of them.” Yunho admitted. 

“You’re very right about that.” Yeosang ribbed him. “But in your defense, it’s not an uncommon reaction to my kissing skills.”

“You’re full of it.” Yunho rolled his eyes, deflecting. 

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, babe.” Yeosang smiled, smug as ever. 

Though they knew some about each other from living together, it wasn't on an intimate level like they would if they were actually dating. So the rest of the two or so hours long drive was spent learning about one another. Yunho learned that Yeosang had an older sister, he had gone to a super smart person high school and was top in his class in college, he finally figured out that he was a researcher for work (Yunho felt bad he had somehow managed to never inquire or learn this information), with his Masters degree in History, his thesis had been on global revolutions, which is what he continued to research now. In particular, he was a wealth of knowledge on the French Revolution and claimed he could talk for hours on end about it. Just seeing his face light up at the mention of it made Yunho want to test that claim. He thought he might be able to listen to the man talk about anything, with his animated voice and the way his head tilted back and forth as he spoke, the way he would catch himself smiling and try to hide it. The drive went by faster than it ever had before and soon they were pulling up the long, winding, tree-lined, paved driveway up to the towering stonework estate. 

“Wow. You were not joking.” Yeosang tried not to gape at the ostentatious display of wealth in front of them. 

“I was not. Not about Park Week. Just wait until you see their alcohol collection.” Yunho winked as he unloaded their suitcases from the back of the car, refusing to let Yeosang carry his own. 

They seemed to be the first to arrive, behind Seonghwa and Hongjoong, who greeted them warmly, hugging Yeosang though they had just met. 

“You're so pretty!” Seonghwa gushed at him, “I can't believe Yuyu hid you from us for three months!” 

“Ah, well, we just wanted to keep this to ourselves for a little while.” Yeosang smiled up at Yunho with hearts in his eyes, wrapping an arm around his waist and leaning his head on the taller man's shoulder. Yunho had to force himself to stay composed at the contact, not being used to it from his roommate, reminding himself of his situation.

“Understandable, really, especially if Yunho has told you anything about our friend group.” Hongjoong laughed. 

“Oh, he's well aware.” Yunho chuckled. 

“Yuyu definitely warned me.” Yeosang beamed up at him, clearly enjoying the nickname he had just learned from Seonghwa.

“Sangie is so excited to meet everyone.” Yunho shot right back with a nickname of his own. 

As if on cue, a raspy boyish voice boomed from behind them, “Kang fucking Yeosang?!” Wooyoung gasped from the doorway. 

“Wooyoung?” Yeosang spun around, clearly taken aback. 

“I talk to you weekly and you didn't manage to tell me you're dating someone?!” Wooyoung was pouting petulantly, always one to hate being out of the loop. 

“I, um.” Yeosang was nearly shaking, looking like he'd seen a ghost. 

“They were keeping it private for a while, Woo.” Seonghwa rolled his eyes, filling in for Yeosang, “This is why I wait to tell you shit sometimes, too. You're a horrible gossip!” 

“Park Seonghwa! How dare you!” Wooyoung gasped dramatically, “If Park Week wasn't my favorite thing all year, I'd consider being mad at you.”

“It’s only your second time coming!” Seonghwa laughed at San’s boyfriend, who had come last year as San’s friend-who-he-was-totally-not-in-love-with. He and Seonghwa had bonded quickly and now acted like siblings even worse than he and San did. 

“Yeah, and I stand by what I said!” Wooyoung crossed his arms, stubborn as ever. 

“Hi, I'm San, nice to finally meet you.” San broke the tension and waltzed over to shake Yeosang's hand. “I've heard so much about you.”

Yeosang smiled, “It's so good to meet you, Wooyoung has been crushing on you for years, you know. I'm glad you finally made a move, we all know Youngie is too stubborn.” He turned to Yunho, “And who knew my childhood best friend Wooyoung was the same as your best friend's boyfriend Wooyoung!” 

Yunho choked out a laugh, “Ha! What a small world!” 

Hongjoong mused, mostly to himself, “You know, it's kind of a common name for our generation. My cousin just married a Wooyoung.” 

Wooyoung was there in two quick strides, pulling Yunho in for a bone crushing hug, “I know we're not super close yet but I'm so happy Sangie is finally settling down and I'm glad it's with you! You come with a character reference of my favorite person!” 

San, ever observant, gave one of his most bone chilling looks to Yunho. 

He knew. 

Yunho gave him his best pleading look, begging with his eyes to be cool. San gave him a tiny nod in return, but Yunho knew they would be talking about this later. 

Seonghwa, completely oblivious, was almost teary eyed with joy, “This is so cute! Oh, we're going to have the best time.” 

“We always have the best time, jagi.” Hongjoong kissed his boyfriend on his temple.

Yunho adored Hongjoong. Sure, he had met him through Seonghwa, but the two of them had become friends on their own since the two had started dating. He was a nervous little guy, but so genuine and wicked smart. Most importantly, he was a perfect match for Seonghwa and treated him extremely well. 

“Mingi and his new boyfriend will be here anytime, before dinner.” Seonghwa announced, leading everyone further inside the house, “Yunho, you guys are on the second floor, I moved you from your regular room because I figured you might want an en suite.” Seonghwa wiggled his eyebrows playfully at him. 

“Thanks, Hwa.” Yunho rolled his eyes, his arm finding Yeosang’s waist like second nature as he guided them upstairs. 

“Get settled in. Dinner is at eight!” Seonghwa called after them. 

“Well. I guess we should have figured out that we have a mutual friend.” Yunho sat on the edge of the king sized bed in their shared room as Yeosang began unpacking his suitcase. 

“Aw, come on. Being fake boyfriends wasn't exciting or dramatic enough. Now we have the world's most bratty, gossipy, needling, petulant man on our case.” Yunho held back a laugh at the man's words, catching his eye as he glanced back, “Sorry, I can say that because I've known him for so long. I'm closer with him than anyone on the whole planet.” 

“San knows.” Yunho sighed, “I could tell by his facial expression.”

Yeosang zipped his now empty suitcase shut and crossed the room to sit by Yunho on the bed, “Hey, look at me,” Yunho turned his head, meeting the man's eyes, trying to keep his breathing normal, “It's going to be okay, Yunho. Let's just have a good week and if it gets messy, well, then I'll be here to help you clean it up. And you know,” Yeosang’s delicate hand found Yunho’s thigh, stroking it gently, “If you need to relieve some stress…” Yunho felt his eyelids flutter at the contact, “I hear they have guns and a tennis court!” Yeosang’s mouth curled into a mischievous grin. 

“You're a tease, Kang Yeosang.” Yunho gasped at him. 

Yeosang leaned in, lips nearly grazing Yunho’s as he whispered, voice rumbling low, “I'm much worse than a tease, Jeong Yunho.”

“Here we- oh!” Mingi’s deep voice boomed as he barged into their room, “Shit, my bad.”

Yunho and Yeosang broke apart.

“I think your friend said second door to the right, not the left.” A shorter, stout but handsome man whom Yunho assumed was Jongho said timidly from behind Mingi. 

“You're so smart, baby.” Mingi beamed at him. “This is Jongho, by the way. Jongho, this is my, um, friend, Yunho. And I'm guessing you're…?” 

“I'm Yeosang!” Yeosang chirped, leaning into Yunho’s shoulder. 

“Yeosang.” Mingi repeated, but he was looking at Yunho, “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Yeosang smiled at him, “And you, too, Jongho.”

“Good to meet you both.” Jongho gave a tiny bow, clearly nervous.

“We'll let you guys, uh. Yeah. Later.” Mingi mumbled as he retreated, closing the door behind them, looking like he had seen a ghost. 

Yunho flopped back on the bed, groaning, “Well! That's Mingi.” He blinked his eyes, flopping his forearm over his face, feeling tears pool behind his eyes but not wanting to cry. 

“Yunho,” Yeosang laid down beside him slowly, not even shaking the bed as he moved, prying the man's arm off of his face, “Honey, it's going to be okay. Wanna tell me what's going through your mind right now?”

“I don't know.” Yunho bore a hole through the ceiling with his gaze, “I haven't seen him since we ended things. I'm not jealous of Jongho, I mean, I think we were right to break up but…”

“You miss your friend.” Yeosang offered, clasping Yunho’s hand in his own, rubbing the back of it with his thumb in comforting circles. 

“I do.” Yunho admitted, voice barely above a whisper, “And I guess I'm upset about how I found out he was dating someone new.” He turned his head to Yeosang, “We used to tell each other everything. Normally, I would have heard every detail leading up to him dating someone new. But with Jongho I got a selfie in our group chat.” 

“That had to sting.” Yeosang nodded sympathetically. 

“I need to talk to him.” Yunho sighed, closing his eyes and letting his forehead rest against Yeosang’s. “Sorry. I didn't mean to unload on you and you don't have to comfort-”

“Hey,” Yeosang reached up with his other hand to place it softly on Yunho’s cheek, “I asked. And I want to. I knew this would be an emotional week, and I didn't go into this blind. Believe it or not, Yunho, but I do care about you.” His thumb traced Yunho’s cheekbone, “And I really like touching you.”

“Yeah?” Yunho breathed, still not daring to open his eyes, but feeling himself lean into the other man's touch regardless.

“Yes.” Yeosang’ hand found the back of Yunho’s neck, fingers playing with the hair at his nape. “You're very beautiful. I've thought so since you moved in.” He gave the tiniest tug, humming as Yunho's breath hitched, “And so reactive.” 

“I like you touching me.” Yunho confessed. “Even if it's just for appearances.”

“We're the only ones in the room.” 

“Yeah, well, you're the one who said we needed to practice.” Yunho reasoned, blinking his eyes open to gauge Yeosang’s reaction. 

The man's eyebrows knit together, his bottom lip poking out slightly, “Does it feel like I'm just practicing?”

Yunho opened his mouth to stumble through an answer, but was once again interrupted, this time by Hongjoong’s light, melodic voice carrying up from downstairs, “Hey! Come eat!” 

Yeosang kissed the tip of Yunho’s nose, reveling in seeing the man's face turn pink as he stood up, offering his hand to help the taller man off the bed. 

Dinner passed without a hitch, the food was amazing as always, and after they ate, Seonghwa pulled his favorite Oaxacan mezcal out of the liquor collection. 

Yunho watched Yeosang in amusement as the man’s eyes widened, his lips puckering in a tight smile, a mix between entertained and overwhelmed as the group, excluding Jongho, cheersed in the way Seonghwa had taught them years ago - and Wooyoung last year -  which he had learned from his travels to Mexico in his gap year between high school and university. 

“Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro!” The group exclaimed, tossing back their shots of mezcal after clinking their glasses together. Seonghwa always reminded them afterwards that mezcal was intended to be sipped on, which they did, but only after the first shot. 

“Now Park Week can truly begin!” San slurred, louder than necessary. The man might be built like a quarterback, but he turned into an anemic Victorian woman the second liquor hit his palate. 

Wooyoung ate it up, kissing San’s cheek and staring at him adoringly. Yunho hadn’t been sure about him last year. From his perspective, he thought Wooyoung could clearly see San had feelings for him and was taking advantage of it with no intent to follow through. But now he could see he had it all wrong. What he had perceived as indifference had been nerves. The two men had both been in love with one another and too scared to do something about it. Usually, Yunho hated being wrong. But this time, he was okay with it. He saw how happy San was and he could see now how head over heels Wooyoung was for him in return. 

They were cute.

Begrudgingly, looking over at Mingi and Jongho, he had to admit to himself that they were cute, too. Jongho treating Mingi sweetly but in a stoic way that went unnoticed except to a trained eye. His boyfriend had appeared serious and shy earlier, but there was a glint in his eye that Yunho could read from a mile away, and it told him that the man was observant, smart, funny, and secretly very, very goofy. Yunho knew because his own eyes held a similar spark.

It hit him like a truck. The realization that all of his friends, more likely than not, had found their perfect matches. And here he was, having to bribe his roommate with a free vacation. But there was no way Yeosang had any real feelings towards him. Did Yunho even have a crush on him? He couldn’t tell. His brain felt like a tangled mess of barbed wire. He certainly wanted something from Yeosang, but he didn’t know what, exactly. And now he was scared if he did start to feel something for him, that it would be just from the scarcity mindset he was adapting simply because his friends were all happy and in love and he was now miles behind. Yeosang was already fitting in so well with his friends though, even just from this limited amount of time spent with them. And holy shit, he was lying to all of his friends.

Yunho’s head swam. He tried not to be sick. He hoped he was staying composed externally as he fought his wars internally. No one seemed to notice. 

No one, except for Yeosang, who grabbed his hand under the table, letting Yunho squeeze it probably too tightly, letting its presence ground him. 

Yeosang leaned in, pretending to whisper something naughty in Yunho’s ear, but in reality he simply said, “Just breathe, sweetheart. You’re okay.” 

Yunho listened, taking a deep, shaky breath, followed by another, slowly loosening his grip on Yeosang’s hand, the voices at the table coming back into focus as he calmed down. 

It was embarrassing, or it would have been, had Yunho allowed himself to feel that way, how easily and willingly he listened to Yeosang. How he opened up to him earlier. He didn’t know what it was about the man, but his presence and demeanor seemed to put him at ease, made him feel safe to be vulnerable. The sensation was completely foreign to Yunho. A thought flitted swiftly through his mind regarding what all the man could get him to do, should they go there. 

His breath came in shaky for a totally different reason at the mere thought of it. He didn’t even have to look at his roommate to know that that hadn’t gone unnoticed either. 

The party moved to the living room where they played drinking games for a while before the couples started getting handsy and everyone realized it was time to head their separate ways for the night. Yunho was grateful with the knowledge that the walls in the estate were thick and he had never been subjected to having to listen to any of his friends go at it in the past. 

“Yeosang?” Yunho addressed the man as he brushed his teeth in the en suite.

“Hm?” Yeosang turned towards him, mouth messy with toothpaste foam. 

Yunho stifled a laugh, “I’m not going to lie to you. Anything or anyone who has the misfortune of ending up in bed with me tends to get glommed onto by me at some point in the night.”

Yeosang choked on his toothbrush as he laughed, spitting in the sink and rinsing his mouth before turning off the lights and entering the bedroom, climbing into bed beside Yunho, “Thank you for the warning. I don’t mind. I like being held.” 

Yunho smiled, seeing that there was still toothpaste foam on Yeosang’s bottom lip, “You have some, um-”

“Get it.” Yeosang poked his face towards Yunho.

Yunho wiped his bottom lip with his thumb, “There you go.” 

“Sorry, I’m kind of notoriously messy when it comes to things in my mouth.” 

Yunho opened his mouth, shocked at the innuendo.

“Oh, god!” Yeosang laughed at himself, “For once I didn’t mean it like that. Jesus.” He shook his head. 

Yunho couldn’t stop smiling at him, “Why haven’t we hung out more? You’re fun.” Maybe it was the residual alcohol in his veins, but he was feeling truthy.

“Honestly? I kinda thought you hated me until literally a few days ago.” Yeosang confessed. 

“Really? I’m sorry, Sang. I shouldn’t have made you feel like that.” Yunho turned on his side to face him as his pretty roommate tucked into bed beside him, “I’ve been… I don’t know. I never should have dated Mingi. I’m all fucked up now. But I guess on the bright side, it’s made me realize some things. Or maybe not quite realize yet but like, realize that there are things I need to realize? Am I making any sense or am I drunk babbling?”

“You make perfect sense to me.” Yeosang smiled at him. 

“Okay good I’m glad you’re following because I’m not even sure I’m following myself anymore.” Yunho hiccuped, giggling at himself. 

“Yuyu, baby. You should drink some water.” Yeosang instructed. His words implied a suggestion but his tone, as always, held an edge of authority that had Yunho ready to obey without second thought. 

Yunho pouted, sitting up and reaching for the glass of water on his bedside table, “Y’know. You can’t just tell me to do things and expect me to do them.”

“Yet look at you, minding so well for me.” Yeosang’s praise went straight to Yunho’s dick. 

He placed the glass of water back down and sunk back down into bed, turning the other way this time. “Don’t make fun of me.” He whined, feeling embarrassed all the sudden. 

“Aw, Yunho, no, honey.” Yeosang wrapped an arm around his waist, spooning him, his breath tickling the back of Yunho’s neck pleasantly, “I wasn’t teasing. I’m sorry, giving directions and praise like that is very second nature to me. I’ll stop if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Yunho considered it, his voice barely squeaking out when he did finally speak, “‘m not uncomfortable. I’m embarrassed.” His eyes were heavy, sleep pulling him under quicker than he expected. 

“Why are you embarrassed?” Yeosang asked softly. 

A confession, right as sleep claimed him. Surely neither of them would remember this conversation, come morning, “I like it, Sangie.”

“Mmh, Yunho.” Yeosang sighed, sounding pleasantly nonplussed, “You’re just full of surprises.”

Chapter Text

Yunho was absolutely dominating at tennis. He had swiftly kicked Seonghwa’s ass, then San's, struggling a bit more with Wooyoung, only to get his mojo back with Hongjoong. Mingi, always his perfect opponent, was putting up an annoyingly good fight, currently beating him by a point. But as he glanced over to see Yeosang giggling and cheering for him on the sidelines, he re-centered and tied the game back up. 

Whatever malleable and compliant persona had overtaken him last night was out the window. Or, at the very least, buried deep down for now. Cold water on his face early that morning, followed by a brisk jog around the pond and a hearty breakfast had him feeling back to normal. Yeosang hadn't mentioned how he had left him alone in bed to fend for himself. He had evidently found breakfast in Yunho’s absence and had been reading in bed with a cup of coffee beside him when Yunho had returned. 

Yunho ignored how pretty he looked with sleep-mussed hair, wearing his reading glasses. 

He had decided that whatever he had felt yesterday was a fluke. It boiled down to nerves about the trip, he was sure of it. 

He knew now, tennis racket acting as a powerful weapon in his hand, he wouldn't have to worry about Yeosang getting to him like that again for the rest of the trip. He was Jeong fucking Yunho. Brazen and proud. Tennis God. He was 6’2” for a reason, goddammit, he wasn't about to just roll over and show his belly to someone just because he was pretty. 

But holy hell was the man so pretty. Sunlight dancing across the delicate planes of his face, making his dyed blonde hair shine and putting the pink birthmark by his eye on full display. 

Thwack

A tennis ball hit him square in the stomach. 

“What the hell?” Yunho whipped his head around to fix Mingi with an indignant look. 

Wooyoung let out a shrill peel of laughter at the exchange. 

“Bro! I called your name like twelve times and you were just staring at your boyfriend like you wanted to eat him.” Mingi defended himself.

Yunho’s mouth hung open, looking around the group to see none of them were coming to his rescue. And they were never afraid to jump on Mingi for being wrong. Which meant he was telling the truth. Yeosang covered his mouth and stared down at the ground, not wanting to make matters worse. 

“So your solution is to hit me?” Yunho shot back, “You can just say you're jealous.” 

“You really want to go there?” Mingi frowned and puffed out his chest, obviously hurt but still trying to keep up appearances in front of everyone. 

“Why don't we take a break!” San finally interjected, “I’m starving anyways. Yunho, help me pick up.”

“I-” 

“You'd love to? Thanks!” San cut him off, eyes boring a hole through his skull. 

Yeosang came by and gave Yunho a quick peck on the cheek as the others filed out, sending him a look that Yunho interpreted as wishing him good luck over his shoulder as he followed the rest back up to the estate. Yunho noticed Jongho looked a little lost, but kept his head down and trailed behind Mingi as he trudged away, trying to cool off. 

“You wanna tell me what’s going on?” San asked as they gathered the highlighter green balls and hung up their rackets. 

“Not really.” Yunho answered truthfully.

“Hm.” San’s mouth formed a thin line as he studied his friend, “Okay, well, as much as I respect that, Wooyoung is already suspicious and he’s speculating wildly. He had half convinced himself you’d joined a cult last night, Yun. I don’t think that’s true but I also can’t tell him with one-hundred percent certainty that it’s not true.”

“I didn’t join a cult.” Yunho rolled his eyes, “Look. I don’t know what’s going on with Yeosang and I, okay? I just didn’t want to be the only one without a plus one.”

“You could have just invited him as a friend then. Why the fake dating?” San raised an eyebrow at him. 

“Ugh.” Yunho buried his face in his hands, “I don’t know, man. The reason I gave him is because Mingi was bringing his new boyfriend.”

“And that’s not the full reason.”

“No.” Yunho looked around like someone might be lingering to eavesdrop, “Look, San. I need you to not share this part with Wooyoung, okay?”

San nodded, crossing his heart with his finger, “Scout’s honor.” 

Yunho stared at the sky as he spoke, too ashamed to look San in the eye, “Our bedrooms share a wall. I can hear him with his, uh, sexual partners.”

San blinked at him, “Gross.”

“I wish it was gross.” Yunho groaned at his own admission.

It took San a moment to understand, “Ohhh, you want him!”

“You have no clue, dude. I thought I wanted to be in his shoes but I was kidding myself. The way he talks… Fuck. I want that.” Yunho knew his ears had to be burning red with the reality of his confession. 

“You probably could have just told him that.” San shook his head, amazed at his friend’s profound idiocy. 

“I know, man, I probably could have, but I figured maybe I could kill two birds with one stone, I don’t know. And I thought it was just the sex thing but now… I’m so confused.”

San nodded and began to walk towards the estate, knowing Yunho would follow, “The way you look at one another is very convincing, that’s all I’ll say. Very believable that you have feelings for one another. And I know you’re not a bad actor, but I get the feeling Yeosang has issues being anything except completely genuine. Hell, that was the one thing Youngie was certain about when he was speculating what was going on.” 

“What are you saying?” Yunho thought he knew but was too nervous to believe it without confirmation. 

“I’m saying I think this is way less about the Mingi of it all than you’re making it out to be and if you have feelings for Yeosang then I think you should allow yourself to explore them, because I think there’s a non-zero chance he would return them. You deserve to be happy, Yunho. You and Mingi both do. Don’t torture yourself for no reason. You can fake date him and also try to real date him.” San shrugged, “Stuff can be two things.”

Yunho chuckled at his wording, “Thanks, San. I think I’m just worried I’m horny and lonely and inventing feelings because of it.”

San scoffed at him, “Bro, you can’t invent feelings. It doesn’t work like that. Go easy on the mental gymnastics.” His hand hesitated on the door knob at the back of the house, “And talk to Mingi.”

They walked through the door that led into the kitchen, leaving Yunho no time to respond, but his friend had left him with plenty to consider. 

San’s words bounced around in Yunho’s head the rest of the day. After lunch, the group split up and Yunho was about to go on yet another jog around the large pond when Yeosang walked into their bedroom. 

“Oh, there you are. What are you up to?” Yeosang asked sweetly, his voice quieting Yunho’s racing mind easier than he’d like to admit.

“I was about to go for another run.” Yunho admitted, peering up at Yeosang to see how he would react, half hoping he would stop him. 

“Hm. Another one?” Yeosang studied him, “Why don’t we go on a walk instead. I don’t like running, but you look like you have a lot on your mind.”

Yunho chuckled, “You’re inviting yourself?”

Yeosang nodded, “I am, because your face is practically pleading with me to intervene.” 

“That bad?” Yunho ran a hand through his hair. 

“You’re a horrible actor, Yun.” 

“Hey! San just told me I’m not a bad actor!” Yunho gasped in fake indignation. 

“Well he’s not paying close enough attention then.” Yeosang folded his arms. “Let me grab my shoes.”

The tree-lined levee had a plank swing tied to the sturdy branch of one of the largest trees in the bunch, situated so you could sit on it and stare out over the pond. It was just big enough for two grown men to sit side-by-side, which they did. 

“It’s nice out here.” Yeosang said after a while, breaking the silence.

“Mmh. Yeah. I’ve always enjoyed coming out here. They keep it stocked, too, but I didn’t feel like asking Hwa to unlock the shed for me to get the fishing gear out.” 

“Sometimes I wish I were a fish.” Yeosang mused as he watched the water ripple idly. 

Yunho couldn’t stop a smile from forming, “Yeah? Why’s that?”

“They don’t really have to think. Their existence is automatic. Plus, they breathe water which is dope.” Yeosang looked away, smiling to himself.

“Not thinking sounds pretty nice right now, I’ll give you that.” Yunho admitted. 

“Plus the water thing.” Yeosang insisted. 

Yunho laughed, “Yes. Plus the water thing.”

Yeosang grabbed his hand, something that was seeming to become a habit of his - not that Yunho minded, “You don’t have to talk about it. But I’m here if you want to.”

“Thank you,” Yunho squeezed his hand, “I know I need to talk to Mingi, but I’m still pissed and this morning only made things worse. I just… I don’t even know what to say to him, where to start. And I don’t want to say anything until I do know, because I’m scared I’ll say the wrong thing.” 

As if he had been summoned by his name being spoken, footsteps and Mingi’s deep voice preceded him, “Yunho?” 

“Fuck, help.” Yunho panicked, squeezing Yeosang’s hand. 

“C’mere.” Yeosang’s other hand found his face, pulling it towards his own, lips crashing down into a deep kiss. 

Yunho moaned despite himself, immediately getting turned on at the intensity of the kiss.

“Yunho?” Mingi asked again, voice closer this time, “Oh! Shit, my bad.” 

Yunho and Yeosang broke apart enough for Yunho to turn to look at Mingi, “What’s up?”

“Nothing, nevermind. We can talk later. Sorry. Didn’t know you were… later.” He turned on his heel, raking his hands through his hair as he walked away, head hung low in defeat.

Yunho turned back to Yeosang, who immediately began resuming their kiss, his tongue gliding across the seam of Yunho’s lips. He sighed into it, parting his lips and allowing him entrance, relishing in how his skilled tongue mapped out the inside of his mouth. His breathing came in harder and Yeosang slowed down, sensing that it was becoming too much, languidly sucking on his bottom lip one last time before pulling apart. 

Yunho felt more invigorated than he had after his run early that morning, “Thanks.” He rasped, his voice scratchy after a kiss of that caliber, “I think he’s definitely gone by now.”

“Any time” Yeosang winked. 

Yunho’s head was still spinning but for a completely different reason now. And this time, he couldn’t even be upset about it. In fact, if anything, he wanted more.

Dinner was uncomfortably subdued that night and Yunho couldn’t help but feel like it was partially his fault.

“Sardines!” Seonghwa exclaimed after a stretch of silence so long that Yunho feared he might have forgotten what everyone’s voices sounded like. 

“Uh… anchovies?” Yeosang was confused, thinking they were playing a game of word association. It was a game, just not that game.

Yunho couldn’t help but laugh, feeling his eyes crinkle with an adoring smile, “No, babe.” The pet name slipped out on its own and he didn’t even falter before continuing, “It’s a game.” He looked over at Seonghwa, “We haven’t played in years.” 

“How do you play?” Wooyoung’s attention was captured. 

“It’s the opposite of hide and seek.” San explained.

“One person hides and everyone has to go find them.” Mingi filled in.

“Everyone hides with the sardine, last person to find them is ‘it’ next.” Hongjoong concluded. 

“I’m in, who’s going to be ‘it’ first?” Yeosang looked at Yunho for the answer. 

“Youngest, I’d say.” He looked over to Wooyoung, “That’s you, right? November of ‘99?” 

“Oh, that would actually be me.” Jongho piped up. “October of 2000.”

“New maknae just dropped! Skrrrt!” Wooyoung exclaimed, looking all too happy at this information.

“Is that really fair? It’s his first year, he doesn’t know the house like the rest of us.” Mingi reasoned. 

“I’ll be okay, jagi.” Jongho smiled at him, “How long do I get to hide?”

“We usually give a minute.” Seonghwa pulled out his phone to start the timer, “And you have to stay in the house itself.”

Jongho nodded, standing up to prepare his venture into unfamiliar territory. 

Hongjoong connected his phone to the speakers in the living room, playing music to drown out the noise of Jongho hiding, making it a little more fair. 

“Everyone close your eyes. Jongho,” Seonghwa hit start on the timer, “Go hide.” 

The minute passed quickly and soon, Yunho was standing up, his competitive spirit taking over, heading up to the third floor to his personal favorite old hiding spot, up in the attic. He was about to give up when he opened an old wardrobe covered with a large white sheet, spotting Jongho’s feet at the bottom where he was hidden behind some old coats.

“Ha!” He exclaimed, “Gotcha.”

“Get in, get in.” Jongho whispered urgently. 

“Don’t worry, there was no one on my heels.” Yunho attempted to get somewhat comfortable and stay out of Jongho’s personal space as much as was allowed given the tight confines of the furniture. 

A minute passed with them in silence until Jongho finally broke it, “Yunho, can I ask you something?”

“Uh, yeah sure, what’s up?”

“You and Mingi. Did you used to date?” Jongho’s voice was small, seeming to dread the answer he knew was coming. 

“Oh. Yeah, we did.” Yunho felt like he had just swallowed a bucket of cement, “Wait, did he not tell you?”

Jongho took a sharp breath in, “No.” He fiddled absentmindedly with a button on the sleeve of one of the coats, “No, he didn’t. He technically still hasn’t, but it’s becoming painfully obvious with how the two of you are acting.” 

“Jongho, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he hadn’t told you about our history. We were best friends and made a mistake. Really we never should have dated and I think we both knew it. I was ready to try to start fixing our friendship, but the next thing I heard from him was a picture of the two of you together. Sent in the group chat.”

“Jesus Christ.” Jongho sighed, seeming to be quite frustrated, “I can’t believe him.”

Yunho’s heart sank. Yes, he was mad at Mingi, but he didn’t want him to be heartbroken. “Jongho, look, I don’t know you very well, but I do know Mingi. And I know he loves you, I can tell. Just like I know he and I will be friends again at some point. I’m sure he has his reasons, even if they’re hard to see right now. Don’t write him off just for this. He’s one of the most loving people I’ve ever met in my life, once you’re in with him, he’s your ride or die.”

Jongho’s head thudded lightly against the back of the wardrobe, “I’m really frustrated with him right now.” 

“I know the feeling.” Yunho chortled, “At least talk to him.”

The door to the wardrobe swung open, revealing the man in question, “Hell yeah, found you!” 

“Yeah, sure did.” Jogho pushed past him, “Find me again when you feel like telling the truth.” 

Mingi’s jaw hung open as he watched his boyfriend storm off, “What the hell did you say to him?”

“He figured out that you and I used to date.” Yunho pushed past him out into the open air of the room. “Because you managed to not tell him somehow.” Yunho folded his arms, feeling hurt as he said the words. 

“Why would you tell him that?” Mingi asked indignantly.

“Why wouldn’t you tell him?”

“I didn’t know how! How am I supposed to convince him to come with me on this trip if he knows my ex will be there?” Mingi wailed. 

“I don’t know. I used to be more than just your ex to you!” Yunho felt all his pent up frustration surfacing all over again.

“You are! It’s not my fault you got distracted by your roommate and dropped me like I meant nothing to you after we broke up.” Mingi crossed his arms. 

“You could have reached out, too.” Yunho took a step towards him, “You have to know that no one means as much to me as you do, Mingi.”

“No one? Really?” Mingi’s eyes cut to the doorway but Yunho didn’t think to follow his line of sight. 

“Not in the same way as you, no. I doubt anyone ever will.” Yunho rubbed his eyes in frustration, “I can’t have this conversation right now, I don’t even know what I’m saying. Go talk to your boyfriend, Mingi.”

“I think you might need to talk to yours.” Mingi looked to the doorway again and this time Yunho followed, seeing Yeosang standing there, looking dejected, like a puppy who had just been kicked, meeting Yuho’s eyes briefly before turning to walk away. 

“Yeosang, wait!” Yunho called after him, leaving Mingi alone in the attic. Yeosang didn’t stop and Yunho all but chased him down to the second floor into their room, passing some of the others on his way, ignoring their questions about whether the game was over or not.  

He was relieved beyond words that the door to their room was unlocked. 

“Yeosang-” Yunho started, laying eyes on the man as he stood just inside the doorway, arms crossed and face stony, completely unreadable. 

“Why did you invite me here, Yunho?” Yeosang asked, voice quiet, which was even more terrifying than if he had raised it. 

“I- I don’t know, Yeosang.” Tears of frustration were welling up behind his eyes. “I didn’t want to third wheel all week.” 

Yeosang tilted his chin down ever so slightly, walking closer to Yunho, “Mmh. So everything between us is just purely for show to you.”

“I don’t know.” He felt his cheeks become wet, feeling defeated and unsettled, completely out of sorts. 

“Okay then, you don’t have to know right now.” He sighed sharply through his nose, “I can give you time to figure that out for yourself. But be honest about this one thing for me, because I feel like I’m going to lose it here and I need to hear you admit it.” He took another step closer, nearly toe to toe with him at that point, “You invited me partially because you haven’t been able to quell your curiosity for what goes on in my bedroom ever since that one night.” 

Yunho blinked through his tears, feeling too raw to not answer completely honestly, “Fine. I’m sorry, yes. I invited you here a little selfishly.” His eyes flitted across Yeosang’s sculpted face, finding him somehow even more attractive while he was mad than ever before, “I always thought I liked being in charge, but…” he took a deep breath, “I want to know what it’s like, Yeosang.”

Yeosang wiped his cheek with his thumb, “Like what is like, exactly, Yunho?”

“You.” Yunho whispered, “I want to give you control.” His heart felt like it might pound straight through his shirt. 

“There we go, now was that so hard?” Yeosang purred, “Nothing to cry over, darling.” He dried his other cheek softly, “But you do look so lovely when you cry.” He took his hand and walked him over to sit by him on the edge of the bed, “This isn’t something that was ever going to happen spontaneously, baby. It doesn’t work like that. I need to know some more about you, what you’re comfortable and uncomfortable with, a safe word, all that, okay?”

Yunho felt his cheeks flush red, “Okay, sorry.” He cast his eyes down, suddenly very interested in the comforter. 

“Uh-uh, no.” Yeosang grabbed his chin, making him maintain eye contact, “No apologizing. Not for that. I don’t expect you to be the expert here. That’s my job. And I’m very good at my job. All I need is for you to feel safe and to enjoy what we do together, okay?”

“Okay.” Yunho nodded, feeling more at ease immediately. “Should I, um, address you in any certain way?”

Yeosang chuckled, “You heard her calling me ‘daddy’ the other night, huh?” Yunho nodded and Yeosang giggled again, “I like that sometimes. Depends on the person. How do you feel about ‘sir’ instead?”

Half of Yunho’s brain told him to laugh at the formality, but the way his cock roused from its slumber at the mere mention of it, he knew they were onto something, “Yes, sir.” He tested it out, “I like that.”

“Mmh and I love how it sounds coming from you.” Yeosang praised him. 

Yunho’s eyelids fluttered at his approval, “Thank you, sir.”

“I knew it,” Yeosang gloated, “Someone likes being praised, don’t you?”

Up to that moment, Yunho hadn’t had the words to express how it made him feel, but hearing it like that, everything seemed to click, “Yes, definitely so.”

“Aw, I know, darling. I told you, you’re very easy to read.” Yeosang goaded him, “And how do we feel about some teasing?”

Yunho swallowed, “I don’t want to like… be called names or anything. But I don’t mind you making fun of me a little.”

They discussed a few more of the finer details until Yeosang felt he had enough to work with, at least for the night 

“Thank you for sharing that, I know how vulnerable it feels to share this side of yourself with someone for the first time. I feel very honored that you trust me like this, Yunho.” Yeosang smiled sweetly at him. “Let’s start small tonight, hm? Just be a good boy for me, follow my instructions, and let me make you feel good. And remember, I won’t stop if you say ‘stop’, based on what we discussed, only if you use your safe word. Does that sound okay?”

“Yes, sir. It sounds perfect.” Yunho admitted, feeling his heart rate pick up again at the idea that this was really happening. 

“Good,” Yeosang’s hand cupped his cheek, “Come here.” 

Their faces met in the middle, the kiss quickly becoming their most electrifying yet, Yunho’s head swimming with desire. 

Yeosang pulled off, “Why don’t you take that shirt off, sweetheart? Let me see you.”

Yunho obeyed, peeling the shirt off as quickly as his hands would allow him. 

“Very good, now the pants. I want to see all of you.”

Yunho stood to shirk his pants, stepping out of them and kicking them to the side, gasping as Yeosang hands began to trace lightly over his form, “I didn’t think you could possibly get more attractive.” He guided him to stand in front of him, between his parted legs, “Kneel.” 

Yunho did as he was told, dropping down to his knees, staring up at the beautiful blonde man in front of him. 

“Such a pretty mouth,” Yeosang traced his thumb over the elder’s bottom lip, “Feels so good on mine, I’ve been dying to know what it would feel like on my cock.”

Yunho’s mouth watered at the suggestion, and he knew his boxers were becoming obviously tented with his arousal, “Please, sir. Can I taste you?”

“Oh, what a sweet thing you are, asking me for it. Yes, baby. I think you should.” Yeosang smirked. Yunho was amazed at the air of power the man carried. He could be so downright cute and innocent one minute, yet composed and authoritative the next, it was like a completely different person.

His fingers made quick word of the man’s pants, pulling them down with his underwear to reveal his mostly hard, beautifully proportioned and considerable, but not completely intimidating length. He wrapped his fingers around it tentatively, pumping it slowly, encouraged by the moan that left Yeosang’s mouth at his touch, feeling confident enough to lean down and begin sucking the head of his cock into his mouth, swirling the tip with his tongue, savoring the salty tang of the precum that had accumulated, before taking him deeper, inch by inch. 

“Mmh, that’s it, baby, taking me so well.” Yeosang moaned, trying to stay composed, “Someone knows what they’re doing. I bet you can take the whole thing, can’t you?”

“Mmpff.” Yunho tried to answer in the affirmative as he sucked the rest of him down. 

Yeosang sucked a breath through his teeth, “Ahh, there we go, I knew you could. I’m going to count to ten and then you can start moving, alright? I just want to see if you can be a good little cockwarmer for a second.” 

Yunho gave a tiny nod to show he understood. Yeosang reached down, running his fingers over Yunho’s very occupied throat briefly, then moved them to his hair, “One.” He started counting, taking his time to get to ten as his hands roamed and explored the parts of Yunho he could reach. Drool had started leaking profusely out of the corners of Yunho’s mouth by the time Yeosang finally reached ten and Yunho knew he had never been so excited to start bobbing his head and gagging himself on a cock in his entire life. 

He picked up his pace and felt Yeosang’s fingers grasp his hair, his own dick now painfully hard, resisting the urge to touch himself at the sounds that were coming from above him, little whimpers and moans of pleasure. “Ah, sweetheart, you’re so good at that.” Yeosang breathed as he got closer to his release, “Take it like a good boy.” He instructed right before his hips stuttered and stilled, hot liquid spurting down Yunho’s throat. He swallowed greedily after Yeosang pulled out, opening his mouth when the man put pressure at the spot where his jaw hinged, “Was that tasty, darling? You sure had no issue swallowing everything I gave you, did you?”

“No, sir. You taste good.” Yunho admitted, eager to please after being recognized for his good work. 

“Aren’t you just the sweetest?” Yeosang cooed, leaning down to kiss his swollen lips, “Good boys deserve to be rewarded, don’t you think?”

Yunho’s eyes went wide with renewed excitement, “Yes, please, sir.” He had no clue, going into this, just how easy it would be for him to get absorbed into this role. His brain buzzed happily with being given only one simple task: do as Yeosang said. 

Yeosang helped him to his feet then tapped the middle of the bed, “Come here. Lay down for me.” 

Yunho laid down, still catching his breath as Yeosang went into the en suite to grab lube, condoms, and a hand towel, laying them within reach on the bed before stripping his clothes off. 

Yunho had never actually seen the man fully naked, only occasionally shirtless, and it was better than he had dared to imagine. The man was a sculpture come to life, he was certain. He crawled into bed between Yunho’s legs, reaching for his boxers, “I’m tired of not seeing what you have hidden under here.” He gasped as he saw just exactly what Yunho was packing, which was nothing to scoff at, “Dear god. Remind me later to let you top me at some point. Christ, I fear I’d choke on it from the inside.”

Yunho laughed, only a little embarrassed at the assessment, “Any time, sir.” 

Yeosang shook his head, “Sorry, you’re just. Wow.” He dove down, seemingly unable to resist having his mouth on him any longer. Yunho gasped as he sucked and teased the first few inches of his cock, knowing that would be all he could take without more practice. It didn’t matter who he had been fucking prior, Yunho knew there was more than a good chance he was better endowed than any of them. Yunho was so turned on that he was careening quickly towards the edge, hips bucking on their own accord as Yeosang worked him with his mouth and hands, knowing he was being pathetically noisy as he edged closer to full body pleasure.

Yeosang’s mouth pulled off with a slick pop right before Yunho thought he might cum, whining at the loss of his orgasm. 

“Aw, poor thing.” Yeosang pouted, mocking him, “You didn’t think you could cum that easily, did you?”

“No, sir.” Yunho mumbled, “‘m sorry.”

Yeosang leaned forward to whisper against his lips, “It’s okay, pretty. I’m just not quite done playing yet. And you’re so fun to mess with.” 

He didn’t give Yunho a chance to reply before he was licking into his mouth, this kiss sloppy and heated, his lips moving quickly to his jawline, working his way down, kissing and biting until he finally landed on a nipple, teasing it delicately between his front teeth, smiling as Yunho gasped in shock before pulling it into his mouth, giving it a sharp suck, flicking it with his tongue. Moving on to the other shortly after. Yunho was nearly on the edge again just from that alone. But right on cue, Yeosang moved further south, deft fingers finding purchase around his cock once more, kissing all around the base before guiding his legs back so he could reach where he was aiming.

“Ah, fuck!” Yunho exclaimed in sheer pleasure and surprise as Yeosang’s tongue began circling and probing his rim. 

His muscles clenched and shook, but he had a feeling Yeosang wouldn't let him cum like that, either. Once again, right on the precipice of release, Yeosang pulled back, smug as ever in the quivering, sweaty state he had caused Yunho to end up in. 

“Please, sir.” Yunho pleaded. 

“Aw, I know, honey.” Yeosang planted a kiss on his inner thigh as he reached for the lube, squirting  some on his fingers, “You’re just so much fun to tease. But I’ll take care of you, don’t you worry. You do still want me to help you finish, don’t you?”

“God, yes, please, sir. I’ll do anything.” Yunho whimpered as Yeosang pushed his first digit inside. 

“I know you will, darling.” Yeosang smiled as he worked his finger in and out slowly, letting Yunho adjust before adding the next, “You will because I gave you one instruction. And you’ve been so good at following it so far.” 

Yunho honestly did not know if he would last as Yeosang took his time working him open, his hands desperately seeking something substantial to help tether himself to the earth as his prostate was nailed repeatedly, only finding bedsheets, which he prayed would do the trick in the moment. 

“Can’t take it, gonna cum if you don’t stop.” Yunho confessed, sweat stinging his eyes as he clenched helplessly around Yeosang’s fingers. 

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Yeosang pulled his fingers out slowly, stroking his own cock again, which had recovered fully from earlier, “I want you to come with me, do you think you can do that, pretty?” He rolled the condom on with practiced ease. 

Yunho whined impatiently, “Mmh. I don’t know. Wanna cum so bad.” 

“Oh, but, sweetheart.” Yeosang pressed his tip to Yunho’s rim, “You promised.” He began to push in slowly, and Yunho saw stars at the sensation. “Ah, jagi, you’re so tight. Taking me so well, god, you’re sucking me right in.” 

Yunho was sure it was true, he had missed the feeling of being filled like that after rarely experiencing it when he was with Mingi and definitely not since then. 

“Feel s’ good, sir.” Yunho panted, feeling breathless, weightless, the sensation nearly overwhelming but in the best way. 

Yeosang finally buried himself to the hilt, staying still for a second to let Yunho adjust to him fully, “Gonna move now, okay?”

“Yes, god, please move.” Yuho whimpered, now far beyond caring if he sounded desperate, because in all honesty, he was. 

Yeosang’s hips were absolutely sinful as he stroked him punishingly slowly for what felt like an eternity before finally picking up the pace. He reached down and pulled Yunho’s hips down slightly, changing the angle so he could hit him exactly where he knew he needed it. 

Yunho knew there was a chance that the noises they were making between their whines and grunts and gasps, combined with the slick sound of skin on skin, might possibly ruin his theory that the walls were too thick for others to hear. He knew yet he couldn’t bring himself to care one bit. 

“Please, sir. Can’t take it any longer.” He cried, tears of a whole different kind mixing with the sweat on his face. 

“I told you to wait.” Yeosang growled sternly. “But since you’re crying so pretty for me, go ahead.” He picked up his speed even more, “Show me what you look like when you call out my name. I’ve been waiting for weeks to match it with the sound.”

Yunho probably should have felt more ashamed, but as Yeosang’s hand stroked him in time with his thrusts, he couldn’t find it in himself to do anything other than cry out, “Yeosang!” As he finally released. The feeling was so much more intense after being brought to the edge three times before then. He never thought his body would stop convulsing in pleasure.

“More beautiful than I thought, baby.” Yeosang’s voice came out strained, his hips finally stilling as he spilled into the condom at last. Before he pulled out, he wiped some of Yunho’s release up with his fingers and brought it to the man’s mouth, eyes rolling back as his fingers were licked clean. “You were excellent for me, sweetheart.” Yeosang sighed as he collapsed beside him. 

Yunho expected to feel raw and exposed afterwards, but as Yeosang pulled him to his chest and rubbed his back, all he felt was warm, safe, and cared for. 

“Thank you, Sangie.” He whispered softly. 

“You enjoyed it?” Yeosang asked timidly. 

Yunho sat up slightly to look him in the eye, “I liked it so much, Yeosang. Really. You’re incredible.” 

Yeosang’s face lit up, “Thank you, I’m so glad. I was worried you’d do this once and never speak to me again.”

Yunho frowned, “What? No. Even if I didn’t enjoy it, there’s no way I would be able to never speak to you again. I’m just getting started. But not to worry anyway, because I truly did like that. A lot. I feel very safe with you.” 

“You have no clue how good that is to hear.” Yeosang breathed a sigh of relief, “You seriously blew me away, Yun. You’re amazing. So, so perfect for me.” 

Yunho felt a swell of pride at his words, “Thank you.” 

“Let’s get cleaned up, yeah?”

Yeosang was beyond gentle with him in the shower, kissing across the planes of his chest any chance he got, helping him wash, muttering words of reassurance the whole time. 

He asked Yunho if he knew where they kept linens and he directed him to the closet. Yeosang wouldn’t let him help as he changed their soiled bedding, humming quietly to himself as he worked. Yunho watched him, trying not to fall asleep in the armchair, soaking in all of the man’s little idiosyncrasies as he worked. He felt himself grow more affectionate by the minute. Yeosang really was something else, and Yunho felt as if he would never stop learning new, fascinating things about the man. 

Once tucked into crisp, clean sheets together, Yunho allowed himself to be the little spoon, feeling beyond content as Yeosang kissed the back of his neck, his warm breath tickling the hair there, pleasant shivers across his skin as the man’s heartbeat and steady presence lulled him to sleep.

Chapter Text

“Ummm. Yeah. No. I'll pass.” Yeosang's eyes were comically large, his blonde hair poking out of the bottom of the black helmet as Yunho led the horse over to the mounting block for him.  

“Sangie, it's okay! Owen is the most seasoned veteran here.” He patted the large grey draft cross on the neck, “He's taken care of me for four years now.”

“He's huge.” Yeosang swallowed. “If I fall off…”

“You won't, I promise.” Yunho encouraged him, “I've never known him to spook or bolt or anything and Hwa's mom has been foxhunting with him for nearly two decades now.”

“Ew, I'm not killing a fox.” Yeosang grimaced. 

“No, silly.” Yunho chuckled at him, “For one, that's illegal in the states, they use a dummy fox and just chase a scent trail. For two, we're just going for a ride. Not an official hunt. No hounds or anything like that. It's tradition.” He tried to fix the man with his best puppy eyes. 

“Ugh. Isn't there anything smaller?!” Yeosang whined. 

Yunho had to laugh at the pouty mess the man was now in comparison to how he was last night. 

“I mean, yeah, but I can't vouch so much for his demeanor.” Yunho inhaled hesitantly, “From what very little I know about horses, which is literally just from my time here, the saying goes ‘the shorter the legs, the closer to hell.’” 

Yeosang considered it for a minute, “Yeah, but if I fall off, it's way closer to the ground.” 

Owen, the good sport he was, waited patiently in his stall while Yunho wrangled the pony from his pasture and half an hour later, they were once again at the mounting block, though Yeosang wouldn't necessarily need it this time given that Merlin's shaggy black mane barely hit the man’s chest. 

“This is much better,” Yeosang smiled, “Hi, baby!” He cooed at the pony. 

“Hey, don't give the pony my nickname.” Yunho pouted as he looped the reins over the pony's neck, checking that the girth was tight enough then holding the stirrup on the opposite side to keep the saddle in place while Yeosang mounted, “Okay, so left foot in the stirrup, then you'll grab the back of the saddle and his mane, not the front of the saddle, to help with leverage to get on. Bounce on your right leg and lean forward on the count of three, then just swing your right leg over the back of the saddle. Ready?” 

“You’re holding him still?” Yeosang asked nervously.

“Yes, honey. I've got him. Just breathe deep, they're very good at sensing your feelings.” Yunho instructed calmly. 

“No pet names then, if I'm supposed to be calm.” Yeosang mumbled as he situated the stirrup on the ball of his foot, placing his hands where Yunho had told him to. 

Yunho swallowed the chuckle he wanted to let out, completely enamored with the man and not wanting to poke fun at him in that moment, “Ready?” He waited for Yeosang to nod, “One, two, three.” 

Yeosang swung his leg over as instructed, Yunho helped his other foot into the stirrup, “I did it!” Yeosang beamed, patting the pony on his neck, “Thank you, friend!” He glanced up at Yunho, eyes still wide with delight, “Thank you, too.”

“Any time, Sangie.” Yunho kept finding it harder and harder to not call his roommate by some sort of affectionate name. 

He demonstrated how to hold the reins, how to steer with his legs, and how to stop, Yeosang nodding in concentration as he followed instructions, “Very good, Yeosang, you’re a natural.” He praised, walking over to where Owen was tied on the fence. 

“Yo!” Mingi’s voice boomed across the arena, “Change of plans.” 

Yunho looked up to see Mingi leading a tall chestnut mare with white stockings and a pretty white star on her forehead, and wide, attentive eyes into the arena. It was a horse Seonghwa’s mom had bought more recently, he vaguely remembered from her Instagram post - a retired racehorse she was re-training for her sport. 

“What’s up?” Yunho asked as Mingi entered through the gate.

“Hwa pulled Woody out for Jongho to ride, but he has an abscess. He thought you or I could take Allie here since we’re pretty confident riders, so Jongho could have Owen. I’d take her but you know Jax and I are locked in.” Mingi explained, smiling at the thought of the pretty solid black gelding that he had bonded with his first year, extending the mare’s reins towards Yunho.

“Is she… trained?” Yunho appraised the mare, who seemed rather flighty.

“Sure she is, she’s definitely trained to go left.” Mingi clapped him on the back, taking Owen’s reins and leading him away before Yunho could protest. 

The mare wouldn’t stand still at the mounting block, so Yunho hopped beside her with one foot in the stirrup, grateful for his long legs and upper body strength as he clambered on from the ground. “There we go, good girl.” He patted her neck soothingly as he let his body relax into the saddle, breathing slowly and letting his legs gently wrap around her sides. He felt her heart rate slow as they approached Yeosang and Merlin. He remembered something about race horses being ponied by another horse and rider on the track to their start gate and thought it might be a good idea to keep her close to another horse on their ride.

“Oh, who is this?” Yeosang asked as he plodded along slowly atop the lazy pony, looking much more confident than he had earlier. 

“We ended up needing Owen for Jongho, this is Allie.”

“Hi, Allie! Yeosang waved two fingers at her, hand still grasping the reins, “You’re very pretty!”

Yunho scoffed, “Enough with the making me jealous of horses thing, Kang Yeosang!”

Yeosang smirked, looking proud of himself, “It’s just so easy though, Yuyu.”

They bickered back and forth as they made their way around the arena, the others joining them in pairs, Seonghwa bringing up the rear on his now-retired old show horse, a lithe grey mare, almost white at this point, named Vida. 

“Everyone ready?” He surveyed the group. 

They all nodded in consent. 

“Tally ho!” Seonghwa half-joked, using the traditional fox hunting call. 

The acres of land lent plenty of room to ride. The trail they were on that day was Yunho’s favorite, tree-lined paths winding around soft hills, opening up to an open field with a pond. It took around an hour to ride out to the meadow, and it passed quickly as the men joked and retold old stories. He and Mingi always used to race around the pond in the field and back to the entrance to the clearing where everyone tied up to set up their picnic. Though Owen was less built for speed than was Jax, he still kept up. In fact, he and Mingi were currently tied, he remembered as he thought of the last ride they had taken the previous year.

Surely Mingi wouldn’t try to pull anything this year, though, considering Yunho was on a completely different horse and they would be abandoning their boyfriends - well, whatever, Mingi’s boyfriend, and the man everyone thought was Yunho’s boyfriend - in the process. 

But, as they neared the clearing, Mingi a bit ahead of him, in front of Wooyoung and San on their nearly identical bay geldings, Yunho noticed Mingi walk into the clearing and begin circling, clearly waiting for Yunho to get there. Yunho’s heart picked up and he felt Allie tense at his nerves. She had been doing fine, surprisingly, a little squirrely at first, but relaxing once she was in line with the rest of them on the trail, and surely she had gotten enough energy out on the ride there, right?

Seonghwa had already dismounted and was tying Vida to a tether before grabbing Owen’s reins and helping Jongho dismount. Wooyoung, San, and Hongjoong followed suit, but Mingi was still on Jax, gathering his reins like he was ready to take off. As they were about to pass through the gap of trees into the meadow, Yunho trotted up beside Yeosang, “Hey, um, so Mingi and I always race. Stay back with Seonghwa, he’ll help you.”

Yeosang’s face was half shocked, half confused as he watched Yunho leg his mare on, coming up beside Mingi, who was clearly trying to get a head start as he nudged Jax forward, turning to the right to make a large left-handed loop around the clearing and the pond. Yunho sunk his heels down, standing in his stirrups to get off Allie’s back, nudging her on with his heels. 

She hesitated, almost seeming to be in shock that he was now about to let her do what she did best. But as she locked on to Jax, who also happened to be a retired racehorse, though his retirement had been closer to a decade ago, and felt Yunho nudge her forward once more, her training took over. She bore down on the bit, speeding up into a canter, quickly catching Mingi. Yunho held her back as they started to round the pond, keeping neck and neck.

“No chance this year, Jeong!” Mingi taunted, already out of breath as he hovered over Jax’s back, the gelding’s ears pointed backwards, waiting on Mingi’s instruction to leg on.

Yunho shook his head, “Oh, but Mingi. We haven’t even shifted gears yet.”

Mingi didn’t respond, or maybe Yunho didn’t hear him as he squeezed his legs around Allie once more. She didn’t hesitate this time, breaking into a hand gallop, still not at her full speed. 

Jax took her cue and was right on their heels. Yunho could hear Mingi encouraging him from behind. 

“Got a little more in ya?” He asked Allie, seeing Mingi and Jax pull up to their side once more, as they rounded the side of the pond, now in the home stretch. She seemed to read his mind, now fully galloping. The wind stung his face, but he couldn’t help but laugh in excitement. He loved this feeling. He glanced back for a second, seeing that Mingi was several strides behind, Jax breathing hard as his hooves dug up clumps of soil and grass, flinging them behind him, but clearly at his limit for speed. Yuho started to pull Allie back as he neared the group once more, victory easily clutched. He flew by them, fist pumping in the air as he hollered in his excitement. 

He heard a snap behind him and turned Allie, slowing her down as he circled back to his friends, only to see that his victory ride had evidently spooked Merlin, who was high tailing it back down the path from where they had come. 

He hadn’t seen it when he flew by the first time, but Yeosang looked rather unhappy, now more so as his ride took off without him. 

Luckily, Seonghwa hadn’t started unpacking the picnic yet, “Jesus Christ, you two.” He scolded them. “If you lost my mom’s pony, she will roast you both over an open fire and serve you to her foxhunting group.”

“Sorry, Hwa.” Mingi mumbled, still out of breath. 

“Yeosang, I’m so sorry, you can ride back with me.” Yunho apologized to him. 

“No.” Seonghwa cut him off, “You two need to take the other trail back. Sometimes Merlin tries to go live with the neighbor’s cows, so I’m not totally sure he would run back to the barn. And this is your fault, so you’re taking the long way home.” He turned to Yeosang, “Why don’t you hop on with Hongjoong? Breeze won’t mind two people.” 

Yeosang wouldn’t look at Yunho as he accepted a leg up from Seonghwa onto Breeze’s back behind Hongjoong’s saddle, wrapping his arms gingerly around the man’s waist. 

Everyone else followed suit, Seonghwa once again leading the group back towards the barn. 

“Damn, man. You just can’t catch a break, huh?” Mingi shook his head somewhat sympathetically at Yunho, but still clearly a little entertained by the whole situation. 

“Mingi, no offense, but shut the fuck up.” Yunho glared at him as the two of them took the other trail where it diverged from the original one in the woods. 

“Aw, come on, Yunho.” Mingi trotted up beside him, “Look, I’m sorry, okay, dude?” 

“For what?” Yunho snipped. He knew for what, but he was still feeling a little petty.

“For… you know. Everything. Sorry our stupid tradition ended like this, sorry I’m the reason Yeosang is mad at you twice now.” He sighed, the leaves under the horses’ hooves being the only sound as he waited a beat before continuing, “And I’m sorry for how things ended. Between us. We should have made like different decisions every time we were presented with one during that whole time.”

“What, do you regret dating?” Yunho felt his face go red. 

“No, man, of course not.” Mingi shook his head, “I think for a while that’s what I assumed the feeling was. But I never regret any of the time we spent together. I just regret how weird it made things between us. And I regret not doing something about it sooner. Yunho, I miss you, bro. I miss my friend. And I never should have told you about Jongho like that. That wasn’t cool.” Mingi confessed. 

“Yeah, that really sucked, dude.” Yunho admitted, “I hated the weird distance we put between us. And I felt like you were sending me a message that our friendship couldn’t be repaired in how you told us about Jongho.”

“No, I’m sorry, man.” Mingi let out a long breath, “I just didn’t know how to breach the subject.”

“Hm, sounds familiar.” Yunho teased.

“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” He groaned, “I guess I’m nothing if not consistent.”

“Did you guys talk?”

“Yeah, we talked last night. It opened up a bunch of stuff that we had both been avoiding talking about. We’re okay, but I feel like the rest of the week is going to be us talking through some things.” Mingi lamented. 

“I can tell you love each other.” Yunho observed. 

“Yeah?” Mingi glanced at him, scratching Jax’s neck absentmindedly.

Yunho nodded, “Yeah, man. It’s subtle, but at the same time, since I know where to look, it’s painfully obvious. I’m really happy for you. I hope it works out, buddy. You deserve to be happy.”

Mingi’s pretty smile overtook his face, “You have no clue how nice it is to hear that, thank you.”

They were silent again for a moment, listening to the horses walk, the rhythmic sound soothing to their preoccupied minds. 

“I can tell you and Yeosang love each other, too.” Mingi said after a while. 

Yunho swallowed, “Mingi. If we’re making up, I have to confess.” 

“Oh?”

“Yeosang and I aren’t together.”

“No fucking way!” Mingi cried out sarcastically, “I know, dude. I know you way too well, dummy.” 

“San didn’t tell you?” Yunho was a little shocked, but felt very warm towards his friend who had kept his secret.

“You told San before me? Rude!” 

Yunho laughed, despite the subject matter, “We weren’t talking! And you’re half the reason I brought him as my plus one!”

“Fair enough,” Mingi conceded, “Wait, ‘half’? What’s the other half?”

“Um.” Yunho felt his ears go red, Allie’s pace picking up slightly at his obvious nerves, “I maybe was perversely curious about his… prowess. In the bedroom.”

“Jeong Yunho, a sub?!” Mingi all but shouted as he guessed correctly immediately what Yunho was implying.

“Okay, nevermind, we’re in a fight again.” Yunho joked, hand going up to block his face from Mingi’s gaze.

Mingi chuckled, “Fine, fine. My bad. Have you guys…?”

“God. Yes.” Yunho sighed at the memory of last night. 

“Niiiice.” Mingi extended a fist, leaning over so Yunho could reach as their horses walked side by side. “I’m guessing there’s more, though?”

Yunho groaned, “Ugh, yeah. I think I have feelings for him.”

Mingi snickered, “Yeah, that’s obvious.”

“Wait, yeah, you knew we were faking it and you still told me you can tell Yeosang and I love one another?” Yunho turned his head quickly to appraise his friend.

“And I stand by it.” Mingi nodded, “I’d say you need to figure your shit out and tell him. I don’t get the feeling he’s one to play around when it comes to things like that.”

Yunho hung his head defeatedly, “Goddammit. I know. You’re right.”

“Yeah.” Mingi smiled, smug as ever, “I know.” 

Jax and Allie’s heads perked up, their ears going forward as they exited the woods and were one again out in the open, this time in a different field. Their heads turned to the right, over towards the neighbor’s cow pastures, and sure enough, Merlin had his head through the fence, munching on a pile of hay, fully content with his situation. 

“Little bastard.” Mingi chortled as he hopped down off of Jax, handing Yunho the reins so he could collect the pony. 

The rest of the ride back was quick, Yunho and Mingi falling right back into their old comfortable dynamics, stopping occasionally when Merlin planted his feet, trying to convince the men to let him go back to his cattle friends. 

Once back at the farm, Seonghwa thanked them for returning the pony safely. 

“Yeosang went inside already after he helped me turn Breeze out to his pasture.” Hongjoong explained as he approached, fitting himself under Seonghwa’s arm like second nature. 

“Thanks, man.” Yunho smiled at his friend. 

He took his time untacking and grooming Allie before feeding her and turning her out for the night, taking the respite to mull over everything in his mind. He almost had himself convinced that his feelings for Yeosang were purely circumstantial. As he reached the conclusion, visions flooded his mind of the moments they had shared together: Yeosang’s habit of brushing his hair back with his hand, his pretty birthmark, his soft lisp, the way his eyes lit up, the sound of his laughter. The thoughts were followed by images of the man in some faceless stranger’s arms. Someone else making him laugh. Some stranger reaping the benefits of seeing his eyes brighten in the morning when realizing they had made tea for him. It made his stomach flip. 

He fed Allie one last treat as he slipped off her halter and watched her trot off to roll in the mud, undoing all his hard work. He couldn’t even be mad. He had feelings to confess to a beautiful man. 

Yunho got a bad feeling as soon as he bounded up the stairs and burst into the bedroom. Yeosang was nowhere to be seen. The bathroom was empty, too.

He flew down to the first floor, asking Jongho, Seonghwa, and Hongjoong, who were in the kitchen if they’d seen Yeosang. They all shook their heads. 

Yunho’s mind was racing. He left. He knew it. He could feel it in his bones. He raked his hands through his hair, trudging back upstairs. On the second floor landing, San called out to him from his doorway, “Hey! What’s going on? I heard you clomping down the stairs, it sounded like a stampede.”

“Have you seen Yeosang?” His chest constricted, already knowing the answer. 

“I’m in here!” Yeosang’s deep voice called from inside San and Wooyoung’s room. 

Yunho nearly fell to his knees in relief, but thankfully his feet simply carried him to the bedroom on their own. 

“Oh my god, baby.” Yunho couldn’t stop the tears as they fell, relief sweeping over him as he approached hesitantly.

“What’s wrong?” Yeosang’s voice was still a little tense, but carried an edge of concern. 

Yunho wrapped his arms around the man, breath shuddering as he cried, “I thought you left.” He sobbed. Maybe he was being a little dramatic. He didn't really care.

Yeosang hesitated before rubbing his back, “Honey, all my luggage was still in the room.”

Yunho sobbed a laugh, “I didn’t even pay attention, I was so worried.”

“I wouldn’t do that, Yun.” Yeosang mumbled into his neck, “I’m upset, but I wouldn’t leave like that. I’m sorry I scared you. I just really needed to talk through some things with someone.”

“Yeah, I know everything now.” Wooyoung looked a little too proud of himself.

Yunho pulled back from Yeosang, drying his eyes, “I guess that was bound to happen. So everyone is pissed at me then?”

San sucked a breath of air through his teeth, “Well… I’m pleading the fifth.”

Wooyoung ignored the question as he stood from his position on the bed, crossing over to kiss Yeosang on the cheek, “Go talk to him. I’m here for you, yeah?” 

Yeosang allowed himself to be embraced by his friend, a rare treat for the other, before grabbing Yunho’s hand and leading them out the door, “Thanks, guys.” He called over his shoulder to Wooyoung and San. 

Once inside their room with the door locked behind them, Yeosang sat on the armchair, crossing his legs and arms, staring up at Yunho expectantly, “Well?”

Yunho wrung his hands, standing in front of the man, not wanting to sit on the bed, considering he still had horse and barn all over his clothes, “Yeosang.” He looked up to meet the man’s eye, “First of all, I’m sorry for today. I never should have just taken off like that, especially not to fulfill some silly tradition with my ex. It’s no excuse but I’m very competitive, and it got the best of me.”

Yeosang studied him for a minute that could have just as easily been an hour, “It’s okay, Yunho. I forgive you. It’s not like you owe me special treatment or anything. We’re just roommates.”

“Oh-”

“Unless there’s something else you want to say.” Yeosang offered, raising his eyebrow.

“There is.”

Yunho took a deep breath, his feelings completely resolved on the matter, “Yeosang, I like you.” He took a step towards him, kneeling in front of the arm chair, “I have feelings for you. I’m sorry I couldn’t muster up the courage to say it sooner. I had so much running through my mind and I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. I was half convinced I was making my feelings up because of the situation.”

“What changed?” Yeosang reached down, brushing a strand of hair out of Yunho’s face.

Yunho laughed, leaning into Yeosang’s touch, “I had a really good conversation with Allie.”

“The horse?”

“Yeah, we talked it out.” He joked, “I kept picturing you with someone else and it made me feel… very un-normal. Like. I was going to jump out of my skin if I couldn’t beg you to give me a chance. I want you, Yeosang. All to myself. I want to try this. I was scared because I felt like I couldn’t trust my gut given how things went with Mingi, but after we made up today, I realized that it wasn’t so scary. Life is nothing if not trial and error, right? Please, baby, let me show you how much I adore you.” 

“Yunho…” Yeosang breathed.

“Yeosang.” Yunho answered, whispering his name as if he was calling out to a deity via prayer. 

Yeosang leaned down, pulling Yunho up to a raised position on his knees in between his now-parted legs, meeting him in the middle for a bruising kiss, hands exploring one another’s bodies feverishly, like it might be the last time. Or maybe, like it was the first. Yeosang tugged Yunho into his lap to straddle him. Yunho moved his hips experimentally, earning a gasp of pleasure at the pressure from Yeosang. His hands found Yunho’s waist, guiding him to continue to grind on his lap, both of them moaning at the feeling of their dicks rolling together through the fabric of their pants. 

Without warning, Yeosang stood up, guiding Yunho to his feet, their hands stripping one another of their clothes without a word passed between the two, simply reading one another’s minds and body language, pressing their naked bodies together again as they resumed their kisses. 

“I’m probably filthy from the ride-” Yunho warned him.

“Yunho, baby. I couldn’t care less.” Yesoang mumbled into his mouth as he backed him up to the bed. He fell backwards as the mattress hit the backs of his knees, Yeosang falling on top, his turn to straddle. 

“Jagi-” Yunho gasped as Yeosang stroked his long, thick cock in his hands. 

“Let me ride you.” Yeosang demanded.

“God, fuck yes, please, Yeo.” Yunho begged as he reached around, fingers finding their way between Yeosang’s cheeks, “Oh. You’re all ready for me, hm?”

“Had to let of some steam in the shower.” Yeosang admitted, reaching for the lube in the bedside table, “Plus, maybe I was kinda hoping this is where we’d end up.”

“You’re so fucking hot, honey.” Yunho managed as Yeosang slicked up his leaking cock. 

“Do something about it then.” Yeosang challenged, “Are you clean?”

“Yes, I-”

“Good.” Yeosang didn’t wait for more of an answer. Instead, he lined himself up and started working himself slowly down onto Yunho’s dick, “Oh my god, Yuyu. Even better than I imagined. So big, sweetheart. Such a good boy.” 

Yunho’s hands flew to his hips, helping support his weight as he buried himself inside the man, “Fuck, Yeosang! Thank you, thank you-” He honestly didn’t know what he was thanking him for, but the wet heat of Yeosang taking him so deep was blinding his better sensibilities, making him babble incoherently at the sensation. 

“Already cockdrunk and you’re not even fully inside me yet?” Yeosang teased playfully from his position. “Come on Yuyu, I know you can toss me around a little bit. Surely that’s not all vanity muscle, hm? Why don’t you fuck my pretty ass like I know you’ve been dying to since you first heard me in my bedroom.”

Yunho’s head was swimming in pleasure at his words, and he didn’t need to be told twice, thrusting upwards and pulling Yeosang down by his tiny, slutty waist, burying himself to the hilt in one go. He didn’t stop either, bouncing Yeosang on his dick with ease. The man was considerably lighter than Mingi, a breeze in comparison. 

Yeosang’s head tipped back in pleasure, pornographic moans escaping his mouth as he braced his hands on Yunho’s chest, fisting his own cock as Yunho nailed his sweet spot over and over, “Yes, baby, just like that.” He praised, breath coming in ragged as he neared his release, “Feel so good.”

“‘M close, Sangie.” Yunho whimpered, his hips pistoning as fast and hard as he could manage, but beginning to falter as he felt Yeosang clench around him. 

“Go ahead then, Yuyu.” He panted, “Fill me up. You’ve done so well, jagiya. Wanna feel it leak out-”

His words sent Yunho’s hips stuttering to a halt, his cock quivering inside of Yeosang’s heat as he came, “Sang-” He gasped as he released inside the man.

He felt hot liquid drip onto his stomach moments later, opening his eyes to see Yeosang’s gorgeous face arrested in ecstasy as he, too, finished.

Yeosang collapsed to his chest, giving Yunho no ability to remove his oversensitive dick from where it was housed. “You’re perfect.” He breathed, sitting up to pepper Yunho’s face with kisses. 

“No, you.” Yunho giggled as he endured the attack of affection. 

Later that night, after a shower and the best dinner they’d had yet, the two men found themselves lazily making out in bed, completely unaware of how much time was passing, only stopping when they couldn’t continue due to yawning. 

“Yeosang?”

“Hm?”

“Be my boyfriend?” Yunho asked him, seconds from drifting off. 

“You mean like in a non-fake dating way?” Yeosang ribbed him, voice thick with sleep.

“Yes, baby. In a very real, I-want-to-wake-up-and-burn-your-breakfast-every-day-until-I-eventually-learn-how-to-actually-cook sort of way. In a I-want-to-be-responsible-for-at-least-ninety-percent-of-your-smiles sort of way. In an introduce-each-other-to-our-parents sort of way. At some point, probably not-”

Yeosang cut his rambling off with another kiss, “Yes. I’d love to, Yunho.”

“Okay, but on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You have to be my plus-one to this annual trip with my friends-”

Yeosang attacked him with tickles that turned into more kisses, “Already done, silly.” 

“Thank you.” Yunho smiled as he tucked his boyfriend, his real live actual boyfriend, under his chin, pinning him to his chest. 

“Anything for you, Yunho.” Yeosang sighed, completely at peace. 

"I love you, Yeosang." Yunho confessed before sleep could fully claim him, "Sorry it it's too early, you don't have to say it back-"

"Shh, jagi. I love you, too." Yeosang nuzzled closer to his chest as they both drifted off to sleep. 

The rest of Park Week was significantly less dramatic, except for when Yunho taught Yeosang how to use a rifle when they were shooting skeet, after the man had swung the fully loaded gun around, accidentally pointing it at all of them. Mingi and Jongho made up. Yunho confessed to the whole group about his lie, then told them that he and Yeosang were now dating genuinely. They forgave him, some (Wooyoung) more begrudgingly than others (everyone else). Before they knew it, the week was over, and they were once again riding in the back of the car on their way to their apartment. 

Once inside and unpacked, Yunho hurried to knock on Yeosang’s door. 

“Hi, baby.” Yeosang greeted him with a kiss, pulling him inside the room, shutting the door behind him. 

“Hey.” Yunho replied, already out of breath, doubting if he would ever get used to how Yeosang’s kisses made him feel. 

“So.” Yeosang was practically bouncing in excitement, “Wanna see my secret chest?”

“Ooh, yes, please!” Yunho couldn’t deny his curiosity. Thankfully, he no longer had to.

Yeosang opened the medium sized wooden box beside his bed, “How do you feel about blindfolds?”

Yunho had made the right call, giving in to his attraction to his roommate. 

Oh, and for the record, he felt really, really good about blindfolds. He doubted there was a whole lot out there he wouldn’t like, so long as Yeosang was the one with whom he was exploring it all.