Dejun x Joohyuk

@☭ Nam Joohyuk It wasn't just part of Dejun's imagination. He felt the way Joohyuk had leaned into his kiss, showing that he wanted Dejun just the way Dejun wanted him. The feeling of reciprocation lasted only for a brief moment though, and Dejun's lips were left feeling cold and tingly when Joohyuk suddenly pulled away. He stepped forward to chase after the alpha, but felt his heart stutter painfully when he saw how Joohyuk backed away from him. "Hyung-" he called out, listlessly as he shook his head, "No...it can't be wrong..." Dejun touched his lips, where he had kissed Joohyuk just now, "I've never felt this way about anyone before. When I saw you, I knew it had to be you hyung-" he tried to explain, though by now, it was clear Joohyuk didn't want to hear him out. Completely devastated, Dejun hung his head low, letting his bangs cover his eyes so the tears that were brimming wouldn't show. "Eo...home," he finally said, turning around and walking in front of Joohyuk so the older wouldn't be able to see him cry after what was supposed to be the best day of their lives.

@☭ Xiao Dejun Dejun's lips were so warm. They tasted sweet as sugar and were soft as pillows, and for a moment, Joohyuk completely indulged in it, even pressing forward to chase after that feeling. His heart stirred, and instinct told him to wrap Dejun up in his arms and take him home to continue this, but he just /couldn't/. He broke away first, taking a heavy step back to create some distance. Immediately, shame and guilt washed over him. How could he take advantage of a desperate child like this? "This is wrong," he said quietly, his throat closing up at the difficult words. "We can't- we can't do this. I won't bring it up again, so let's pretend none of this happened. I'll take you home."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Dejun didn't understand how Joohyuk didn't feel the connection that he did. Or rather, he refused to believe that Joohyuk didn't reciprocate his feelings. After all they had been through together, from the walks home after his closing shifts to sharing a bed in a hotel room...did all of that mean nothing to Joohyuk? "It is you. I know it has to be you," he insisted, though he realized that reasoning with a resolute Joohyuk was going to get him nowhere. It was better to prove it through actions, and not words alone. Adamant in his feelings for the older, Dejun closed the distance between them and tiptoed to reach Joohyuk's level, leaning in without any warning to press his lips against the other's. Joohyuk's lips were warm and soft, everything Dejun had dreamed of when he imagined what their first kiss would feel like. He squeezed his eyes shut and angled his head to a side, parting his lips just slightly as he poured all of his conviction into a kiss that would truly prove to Joohyuk how he felt.

@☭ Xiao Dejun Of course Dejun would fight it. Joohyuk needed to keep calm while Dejun was getting worked up, but it was hard when Dejun’s heavy pheromones suddenly flooded the vicinity. “We’re not soulmates,” Joohyuk said gently. He fully intended to explain why in that moment, but the words got stuck in his throat on the way out. Ever since Sungkyung’s burial, Joohyuk had never verbally said aloud to anyone that she wasn’t here anymore. All his friends and family had been notified and paid their condolences, and then Joohyuk just… never spoke of it again, as if speaking less of it made it less real. After fumbling for a moment, Joohyuk said, while barely being able to look Dejun in the eye, “If we were, I would’ve felt it, trust me. And… your soulmate is out there. But it’s not me, Jun-ah.”

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Time stood still as Dejun awaited Joohyuk's answer. He could see that there was some processing going on in the older's mind, so he waited expectantly, giving Joohyuk all the time that he would need to understand what Dejun was asking of him.

"You're... You're great. And you would make the perfect omega-"

That was all Dejun needed to hear to start grinning from ear to ear, nodding his along eagerly in agreement. That's right, he was ready to be Joohyuk's perfect omega.

"for someone else. Just... not me."

Dejun felt like he was an animated character that had been stopped midair as he was jumping in joy. He landed back on the ground, and reality blurred with his imagination, sending him into a confused frenzy as he tried to find the words to refute what Joohyuk was saying. "No...no hyung!" he gasped, "Not for someone else, for you! I just know it in my heart that you're my soulmate!" His brows furrowed when he sensed that Joohyuk didn't believe him, "It's true! I've never felt this way about anyone before! Hyung...you'll see! Just give us a chance! Just one chance, okay?" he asked, though it sounded more like a plea when the words actually left his mouth.

@☭ Xiao Dejun For a moment, all Joohyuk could hear was the ringing in his ears despite the rabble around them. He saw Dejun's hopeful face in front of him, and he knew all of this had cumulated and happened today because he wasn't responsible and had neglected to set a proper boundary between him and Dejun. He couldn't even say he was shocked—he had definitely seen this coming. And yet, he was still wholly unprepared for it. It would be wrong to accept, even if Dejun was cute, well-mannered, and caring. They could /never/ be together, and Joohyuk was not 'the one' for Dejun, because Joohyuk had his soulmate, once. Even if he craved love and comfort like he used to have, it was unfair to Dejun, and Joohyuk refused to spend even a moment blocking Dejun from finding his true soulmate. "Dejun..." Joohyuk began, fumbling for his words. "You're... You're great. And you would make the perfect omega for someone else. Just... not me."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk had just given Dejun permission to speak his mind, so that was exactly what the younger had to do. He had to say it naturally and let Joohyuk know his full sincerity. Dejun stepped closer until his feet were almost touching Joohyuk's, and he made sure Joohyuk was also staring into his eyes before proceeding. "Hyung...it's been a while since I've been feeling this way. Maybe since the day I first met you in Common Grounds. My baba always told me that I'd know when 'the one' finally came into my life. And...well...I think I feel that way about you hyung. No...no, not think. I know. I know you're the one for me hyung." Dejun caught himself rambling at this point, and he quickly course corrected, "What I'm saying is...I like you hyung. Will you be my boyfriend?"

@☭ Xiao Dejun Joohyuk was more than happy to hear Dejun was satisfied with how his wish had been executed, but once he heard that 'one more thing', his heart dropped along with his smile. "What is it?" A million things that Dejun could say ran through his mind, from how Joohyuk had acted today to what could have gone better and whatnot, or that he was going to charge Joohyuk one more lengthy wish as interest since his original one in Gangneung was interrupted by Hoseok. Or worse, Dejun was going to reveal that he had some kind of personal trouble. As the older one, Joohyuk would be obligated to help him at that point. "I... Yeah, tell me. You can tell me anything."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk One Saturday had never simultaneously felt so long, yet so short at the same time. Dejun would have so many happy moments to relive through in his memories when he went home that night, but he also wished that the night wasn't here yet so he could continue making more happy memories with Joohyuk. Once it was just the two of them again, they stood in front of the carousel, looking right into each other's eyes with the light of the attraction illuminating each other's faces. "So much fun hyung!" he giggled ever so excitedly. His heart started to pound faster and faster as he realized that the moment he had planned out in his head was finally here. "My wish is fulfilled-" he said, nodding his head slowly, but dragging out his words, "There's just one more thing though..." he said, biting on his lower lip as he stared at Joohyuk longingly, "I need to tell you something..."

@☭ Xiao Dejun For some reason, the woman accepted without shame, so it was really up to Joohyuk to take a photo for them, even if Dejun was the one offering. Once she got her picture with her two children, they were on their way. Joohyuk stayed with Dejun at the carousel, waiting for the crowd to thin out further before they could start making their way out. There was only one thing missing for the two of them, Joohyuk realized when he looked at Dejun, and it was probably a stuffed animal that Joohyuk was supposed to win for Dejun. Maybe next time, he reasoned with himself. They had done a lot today already. "Did you have fun today? Can we consider your wish fulfilled?"

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@☭ Nam Joohyuk Dejun made sure to keep himself looking as big as possible so no one would invade their picture space. The woman who he chose was more than happy to take the picture for them, which Dejun felt obligated to offer her the same treatment for her family after they took their pictures. When Joohyuk approached his side again, Dejun naturally reached a hand out, wanting to hold onto the older, but then he caught himself when he realized that Joohyuk would probably feel uncomfortable doing that in front of a stranger. He lowered his hands, keeping them straight by his side. It was a surprise to even feel Joohyuk's shoulder pressing against him, but the hand around his shoulder made Dejun so tense that he almost forgot to smile. Looking up at the camera and tilting his head slightly towards the alpha, Dejun posed for the picture while the young mother snapped multiple pictures, raising and lowering the phone to capture different angles. "Thank you!" Dejun called out when she indicated that she was done, "Would you like us to take pictures for you too?" he offered.

@☭ Xiao Dejun "Hold our spot," Joohyuk said to Dejun before heading to the woman he pointed out. She agreed with a smile, and maybe her smile was a little too wide when she saw Dejun, but Joohyuk brushed it off as a girl who had indulged in a few drinks in the evening. Joohyuk stood awkwardly—he hadn't thought of how he could pose innocently at first, but in the end, under the pressure of the girl adjusting the camera settings and pointing the phone at them, Joohyuk rested a light hand over Dejun's shoulder, pulling him just close enough that their sides touched, but nothing closer.

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Their day at the amusement park had been chock full of entertainment and sweet moments. Dejun checked his head to make sure his puppy headband was still secured behind his ears, then followed Joohyuk towards the entrance to the carousel that they had skipped by earlier. He stood in front of the empty carousel railings, admiring the luminescent structure and smiling at Joohyuk's suggestion. Joohyuk was such good boyfriend material. One might almost say /perfect/ boyfriend material. "Okay hyung!" Dejun agreed, looking around to see who would be good at taking photos. He didn't want to ask anyone too old or young, so he gestured at a young-looking mother who was passing by with her two boys, "How about her?" he suggested, standing back and waiting for Joohyuk to make the first move.

@☭ Xiao Dejun Once their fireworks concluded, Joohyuk held Dejun in place rather than let them be swept away by the crowd. There was still a little fountain show happening, so they could enjoy that while they waited for the crowd to thin. And besides, they hadn't taken that photo by the carousel Joohyuk had been thinking of all day. "Let me show you something," Joohyuk said, guiding Dejun by his arm to the carousel. Now that the rides were closed, the lit-up carousel offered a perfect backdrop for a commemorative photo—it was /not/ a couple photo, they were just having a bit of fun while they were at the park. "Let's take a picture here. I'll ask someone."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk With Joohyuk behind him, firm as a stone wall, Dejun didn't have to worry about getting knocked over by other passer-byers, leaving him free to film and take pictures to his heart's content. In that moment, he had the idea to turn the camera around so that it was facing him. Raising it up to eye level, he waited until Joohyuk noticed the camera lens directed at him, then puckered his lips and put up a 'V' sign with his free hand, snapping selcas from a few different angles. Once he finished taking the selcas, Dejun ducked his head to check the images, grinning widely to himself as he quietly noted what a couple they looked to be in the pictures only. If it were the real thing, then this would be his phone's lockscreen wallpaper in record time. As the parade moved along the streets and disappeared from where they were standing, the people around them started to disperse. Dejun whipped around, facing Joohyuk head on, "Hyung, you said fireworks? Where do we see fireworks? We have to get a good view!" he exclaimed.

@☭ Xiao Dejun So as not to shout, Joohyuk leaned so his lips were level with Dejun's ear before he spoke. "You like it?" he asked. "I think you'll like the fireworks even more." Once the parade mostly cleared the road, the firework show began close to the castle as well, colourful fire soaring high above their heads and lighting the sky. When Dejun's head tilted back, Joohyuk was careful to stand directly behind him so he wouldn't fall backward on someone else. His hands held Dejun steadily by his waist, and in that moment, Joohyuk never felt more like scum. He wasn't holding Dejun because he was afraid Dejun would fall over. Joohyuk was secretly enjoying Dejun's warmth and his scent wafting up to Joohyuk's nose, welcoming him into just sinking his teeth over Dejun's neck possessively.

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Well if Joohyuk thought that Dejun looked good either way, then it only served to humor the imaginations the younger was having about one day living with Joohyuk and seeing each other throughout the day. Inevitably, that would mean showing his bare face to Joohyuk when they woke up in the morning and before they went to bed at night, perhaps even on some days when Dejun was feeling lazy too. "Hehe, thank you hyung," he giggled, though he was startled by the rush of noise coming in from the streets. He jumped, only to look around and realize that it was now evening and the nightly festivities were beginning. Joohyuk already read his mind without needing another word, and Dejun found himself secured in a decently forward spot in the crowd, getting a clear view of the sights before him. "Wahhh," he gasped, pulling his phone out to take pictures, "This so so pretty!"

@☭ Xiao Dejun "Of course, I do," Joohyuk said, and he didn't mean it in that... 'romantic' way—he just wanted to give Dejun a little boost of confidence. "But if you're doing it for personal enjoyment, then by all means. I think you look good either way." Before he could get another word out, music blared from the speakers all over the amusement park, and the parade emerged from within the castle walls. The parade was much more extravagant and over-the-top than Joohyuk remembered, from choreographed dancers to costumed actors and even hideously large parade floats. If he was a child seeing this, he might have passed out from the stimulation already, but the energy of the crowd only seemed to heightened despite how late it was in the evening. As the crowd surged, trying to get a better view, Joohyuk pulled Dejun to stand in front of him, resting his hands over Dejun's shoulders before he could be swept away.

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@☭ Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk was always so gentle, and Dejun could easily say that not every alpha he'd seen could pull off this task with such ease as the older did. Many of them would probably rub at his skin harshly, leaving behind red marks or uneven splotches of foundation because they didn't know how make-up worked. As always, Joohyuk was the exception, in a good way. The older's question had Dejun thinking back to when he first started using make up: it was just to cover up any blemishes on his face while he was still growing up. Joohyuk's compliment had him smiling, so Dejun just shrugged and answered, "It's fun to do and I think it makes me look better. More even skin tone." He pressed his lips together, patting a cheek with a (now-dried) palm, "Hyung hasn't seen me without makeup except for when we were in the hotel room together. You really think I look good without it?"

@☭ Xiao Dejun Joohyuk bit back a laugh. No matter what, Dejun always managed to think of some kind of excuse to not do things on his own. Joohyuk dabbed the tissue to Dejun's forehead, paying special attention over his forehead and his nose. When he drew the paper away, it was tinged beige from Dejun's foundation. It wasn't an unusual sight for Joohyuk, whose shirts were often stained by his mate's makeup, but he didn't often see men wear makeup, even omegas. "Why do you wear makeup?" he asked, just out of pure curiosity. It looked pretty on Dejun, but he didn't think it was doing anything more than what Dejun's face was already doing on its own. "I think you look... good. Even without it."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Lotte World was the dream date that Dejun always knew he wanted, but didn't get to have until now. Having Joohyuk with him through each line made time feel like it was zooming by too quickly, as opposed to the horror stories he was used to hearing about when others tried to wait for their turn at an attraction. They had eventually stopped to get some mint chocolate ice cream, despite Joohyuk's strong urges to find something else, and they had even gone on a high-intensity roller-coaster that had Dejun's heart pounding and his breaths short after it all. When it was time for another break in the afternoon, they found a spot to sit down and drink some water, and it was then that Dejun almost caved and confessed to Joohyuk right there. The alpha was being so tender that it melted Dejun's heart. "Eo...my hands are wet," he mumbled, holding up the water bottle that Joohyuk had bought for him, the sweat from the cold bottle all over his palms, "Hyung can you wipe it for me?" he asked, pushing his face out towards Joohyuk, "But don't rub! Just dab...or else my makeup might come off."

@☭ Xiao Dejun Joohyuk had to agree it was nice to have a cold, fizzy drink even if the weather was not that great yet. While Joohyuk started on his pizza, Dejun mumbled something that was covered by the noise in the room, and Joohyuk paused. He thought he had heard something... strange, but it was so ridiculous he didn't want to clarify, in case it really /was/ what he heard. Instead, he dropped his gaze, powered through his pizza, and took Dejun out to enjoy the rest of the day, running through the park to try and get on every ride at least once before the park closed. They even managed to find a nice spot by the castle for fireworks, sitting patiently by the curb while they waited for the parade and light show to start. In the afternoon, the weather had warmed, and Dejun's bangs clung to the sweat over his forehead. Seeing this messy sight, Joohyuk could not help but reach out and untangle Dejun's hair. "You're playing harder than all those kids here. Here." Joohyuk held out a tissue. "Wipe your face."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk's method of breaking the pizza into smaller pieces did make it easier to eat, which added another plus to Dejun's long list of praises for the alpha. He was mid-chew through his bite of pepperoni pizza when the loud clack of the coke can caught his attention. He swallowed eagerly, reaching for the can with oily fingers and accepting it from Joohyuk, "Wahhh thank you hyung," he grinned, batting the straw around with his tongue until he was able to get it past his lips and taking a long sip. The cold, fizzy liquid slid down his throat smoothly, as if opening up the way for more pizza to come in. "Ahhhh that hits the spot!" he declared, nodding his head in pleasure, "Pizza and cola are one of those combos that can never be replaced. They're perfect for each other!" Then, as an after though, he mumbled in a barely audible voice, "Like...us."

@☭ Xiao Dejun "Let me cut a bite," Joohyuk said, not willing take a bite from the /entire/ pizza with from Dejun's hands and go to town with it like a caveman. He helped Dejun separate the rest of his pizza into more manageable pieces too while he was at it, then his own, before he traded a quarter each of their respective pizzas. The pizza, as expected from theme park food, was nothing spectacular, but Joohyuk went along with Dejun's appreciation for it. It was hot, melty, cheesy food on a cold day—what could go wrong with that? Joohyuk popped the tab on the coke can, stuck a straw in it, and passed it to Dejun. "Here. Can't have pizza without something fizzy."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Dejun posed for the picture, the first with his serious model face and the second with a big, goofy grin. He had never taken a selca with Joohyuk before, and wanted to admire them in detail right there and then, but Joohyuk prioritized eating first. "Okay hyung!" Dejun agreed sweetly, pocketing his phone and picking up the oddly shaped pizza with his finger tips. He brought it up to his lips and took a big bite, feeling his teeth sink into the excessive melting cheese and the doughy crust. "Mm..." he moaned and nodded his head at the same time, his lips to catch the sauce, "The pineapple hits the spot!" He smacked his lips again as the tangy pineapple juices mixed with the tart tomato sauce, "Hyung, want to try a bite of mine?" he asked, holding it out to Joohyuk, "Ahhh!"

@☭ Xiao Dejun "Like... this?" Joohyuk bent, and a waft of pizza-scented steam hit him in the face. He took Dejun's phone, finding it almost natural when Dejun suddenly fitted himself over his shoulder. He had been apprehensive earlier, but the more often Dejun initiated this touch, the stronger a certain pull in Joohyuk's gut became. It was the same pull he felt with Sungkyung, and as much as he wanted to deny it, it was much too obvious, too blatant, how much he suddenly wanted Dejun. Well, maybe it wasn't sudden—maybe he just denied it for so long it seemed sudden, when Dejun had been right there the entire time. Joohyuk smiled for the picture, taking two before handing the phone back to Dejun, trying hard not to breathe too hard with Dejun around him. "Here. Now eat before it gets cold."

@☭ Nam Joohyuk Dejun didn't have to man the table by himself for long, since Joohyuk was back in record time. The pizza clearly had been freshly pulled out of the oven, given its melty cheese that was still piping hot to the touch. "Wah, this is cute!" Dejun gasped, pulling out his phone to take a picture. "Hyung, bend down closer to you pizza!" he gestured at Joohyuk, boldly requesting to take a picture for the first time. Turning the camera on selca mode and holding it up to his own face, he snapped a picture of himself before scurrying around to Joohyuk's side, holding out his phone, "Hyung, can you take a selca for us? Just hold it up and press the button!" Dejun said, leaning in and resting his chin over the older's shoulder, posing cutely with a peace sign and a big tight-lipped smile.

@☭ Xiao Dejun Since there was only one other option, the answer was obvious, but Joohyuk made a big show out of perusing the simple menu anyway. "Hm... I think I'll have to go with the pepperoni." And since pizza could not be eaten alone without a cola, Joohyuk made sure to include it when he walked up to the counter to place their orders. Since the sole two types of pizzas were being pumped out of the kitchen like it was a line factory, they were placed on a tray for Joohyuk before he even finished paying. Back at their table, he presented the whimsically shaped pizzas to Dejun with a flourish. "The pizza is in the shape of Lenny and Lara's head."