Secrets

He hated being the first person to arrive

Hongjoong tapped his fingers on his glass anxiously. He hated being the first person to arrive.

He was still a bit annoyed that Hwaseong insisted on bringing other people. He didn't really know anyone else so he'd invited San and Wooyoung. He didn't want anyone to know he didn't really have many friends.

He hoped San and Wooyoung wouldn't bring up how random it was for him to invite them. He could see it happening.

He mostly just wanted to hang out with Hwaseong because he seemed cool and he was trying to make friends.

And talking to Hwaseong was—easy.

He sighed taking a large gulp of his beer as the door opened and a loud argument filled the bar room.

"—I told you we were behind at work and Yeosang and I stayed late to finish it. I don't know why you're so mad about it."

"You stayed for three hours!!"

"We had a lot to do!"

"You could have asked me to come help!"

"We had it covered. And I know you'd do anything I ask at the drop of a hat and I just wanted to let you get some time to relax."

"You knew I'd come help if you told me how much it was so you kept it secret so I wouldn't overwork myself?"

"Yeah. It sounds embarrassing when you say it out loud."

"Awww, Woo!"

Hongjoong turned back to the bar as the two shared a passionate kiss. Normally being a third wheel made him feel pretty shitty but not with those two.

Finally they joined him at the bar, holding hands as they sat.

"Where's Hwaseong?" San asked.

"Fashionably late I guess."

"Why exactly did you invite us?" Wooyoung asked and Hongjoong cringed.

"I don't know, I guess I figured we could all hang out and get to know each other better?" he felt his face heating up.

"Woo be nice. We are honored to be here. And we could use a night out anyways," San smiled and Hongjoong felt a little better.

He still hoped Hwaseong would get here soon.

Just as the thought passed his mind, the door opened again and he turned to look, almost a little too quickly.

"I'm so sorry we got caught up in traffic I meant to be here early," Hwaseong apologized, walking up to the bar and taking the seat next to Hongjoong.

He knew it was the only logical place for him to sit, but Hongjoong felt honored.

"You're fine! We haven't been here long."

"Really? Okay good," Hwaseong smiled and Hongjoong smiled back.

"Aish—you could have waited for me!"

They all turned as a man with red hair entered, scowling at Hwaseong.

"Where did you go? I thought you were right behind me?"

"There was a guy eyeing you suspiciously so I beat him up."

Hongjoong's draw dropped and he turned back to Hwaseong who looked equally as shocked as him. Hongjoong looked back and forth between the man in the doorway and Hwaseong.

What kind of friendship did they have that the other would beat people up for looking at him funny? Were they siblings? Or maybe—more than friends? Something...romantic?

He shook his head and decided to take charge of the awkward situation.

"Hi, sorry, who are you?"

The man looked at him, and seemed to have just noticed how close the two were sitting. He walked over and instructed Hwaseong to move over a chair and inserted himself in between. Hwaseong held his head in his hands in embarrassment.

So he was definitely a bit overprotective.

"Jongho."

"What?"

"You asked who I am. I'm Jongho."

"Oh, right, sorry. Do you work at the company too?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

The conversation was just getting increasingly more awkward. This was not how Hongjoong had wanted this to go. He just wanted a nice night out.

"I'm so sorry he's just a bit—protective. We go back a ways," Hwaseong said embarrassed and Hongjoong nodded.

"Hi San, Wooyoung," Hwaseong waved leaning forward on the bar.

Hongjoong had almost forgotten they were there. He turned towards them and found that they were quiet for a reason. They were making out.

He turned back and laughed awkwardly.

"They resolved a fight when they got here. I guess it was a big deal."

He took a large swig of his beer, wanting to finish it and leave as soon as possible.

"Woah slow down! If you drink so fast you'll cut our time short!"

Hongjoong turned to the voice to see Hwaseong smiling shyly. He exhaled deeply as he set the glass back down and returned his attention to the one person he'd actually wanted to talk to.

"Sorry, I just—needed a bit more alcohol."

"Understandable. This is a bit chaotic."

"Yeah. To say the least."

Hwaseong ordered and he and Hongjoong talked for a while, only interrupted every few minutes as Jongho subtly leaned forward, blocking their view of each other.

Hongjoong was definitely getting the vibe that Jongho didn't like him very much.

As much as he wanted Hwaseong's friends to like him, he wasn't sure he could ever gain Jongho's acceptance so he stopped trying.

When Jongho would lean forward, Hongjoong would lean backwards. When Jongho coughed loudly during their conversation, he paused to ask if he needed a glass of water, knowing that Jongho clearly did not.

He found it especially annoying that Jongho wasn't drinking so he maintained the upper hand as Hongjoong started to feel the alcohol kicking in.