Unexpected Invitations

Unknown Number: Yo, hyung~

He blinked at the message, then at the number. Of course. He'd exchanged numbers with Wonho the day before.

Yunho: Who is this?

Unknown Number: Wow. Already forgotten me? I'm hurt.

Unknown Number: It's Wonho, obviously.

Yunho shook his head, sighing. Of course not.

Yunho: What do you want?

Wonho: Damn, to the point. Can't a guy just call up his hyung?

Yunho rolled his eyes. He started to type out a response when another message came through.

Wonho: Anyway, I'm outside.

Yunho frowned. Outside?

He got up and peered out his window. Sure enough, there was Wonho, leaning against his motorcycle, gazing up at his building as if he had been waiting forever.

Before he go down to Wonho, Yunho stared at his phone, fingers over the contact name. He wasn't going to let this man stay under just "Wonho."

Smirking to himself, he promptly revised it to: "Noisy Neighbor 😡"

As soon as he saved it, another message came through.

Noisy Neighbor 😡: Come on, slowpoke.

Yunho groaned and pushed his phone into his pocket.

Yeah. This guy was definitely trouble.

Yunho sighed deeply, grabbed his hoodie, and headed downstairs.

The second he stepped outside, Wonho grinned. "Took you long enough."

"I didn't invite you," Yunho replied.

"Nope, but you didn't tell me not to come, either." Wonho arched an eyebrow, eyes glinting with trouble. "So what's the deal, hyung? Got nothing better to do?"

Yunho crossed his arms. "Why?"

Wonho snarled, stepping in—too close. "Because I wanna hang out with you."

Yunho stiffened. Wonho had no sense of personal space. He was looking at him like he was waiting for something, like he knew exactly how much he was throwing him off.

"Why me?" Yunho asked, trying to sound indifferent.

Wonho shrugged, still way too close. "Dunno. You're fun to mess with."

Yunho scoffed. "Oh, so I'm entertainment now?"

"Not just that." Wonho's voice dropped slightly. "You're kinda cute when you're annoyed."

Yunho's brain short-circuited for a second.

He swallowed hard, looking away. "I don't have time for this."

Wonho crept forward just a bit. "Sure you do."

Yunho swallowed again. This guy was trouble.

". . .What are we doing?" he growled.

Wonho grinned. "You'll see."

Before long, Yunho was standing beside Wonho's motorcycle. He was already starting to get a bit nervous. He wasn't really the type to ride on motorcycles, and the wind was starting to blow, which made the whole experience more sensational than he had anticipated.

Wonho, meanwhile, seemed quite at ease with the whole thing. He was already putting on his own helmet, completely unaware of the whole experience.

"Get on," Wonho said, nodding at the back of the bike.

Yunho hesitated for a moment. "Uh, I've never really—"

Before he could finish, Wonho grabbed the spare helmet from the side and handed it to him with a grin.

"Don't worry, hyung. I've got you," he said, his voice teasing.

Yunho hesitantly took the helmet. He was about to put it on when Wonho reached out and grabbed it from him.

"Let me," Wonho said softly, his tone a little softer than usual.

Yunho blinked, unsure of what to expect. But before he could say anything, Wonho carefully adjusted the helmet and placed it on Yunho's head. His fingers brushed against Yunho's hair in the process, sending an unexpected jolt of warmth through him.

"There," Wonho said, his hands lingering for a moment longer than necessary as he adjusted the straps. "Now you're ready."

Yunho stood surprised by the closeness and cleared his throat, avoiding Wonho's eyes. "I can put it on myself, you know."

Wonho merely smiled at him. "Nah, it's more fun this way."

Yunho's heart was racing now, half with fear of getting onto the bike and half with how careless Wonho appeared to brush against him. He tried to focus on the ride in front of them. "Alright. Let's just get this over with."

Wonho, with the same goofy smile, climbed onto the bike. "Hold on tight, hyung."

Yunho let out a sigh and climbed onto the bike behind him. He awkwardly grasped the sides, not wanting to fall off. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass himself in front of Wonho.

As they flew into the air, the cold wind hit Yunho's face, and he couldn't help but experience the thrill. But all along, his heart was pounding—more because of Wonho's closeness than anything else.

They landed before a huge skyscraper, neon lights blinking vivid colors on the street. Yunho's belly churned. He read the sign, and then he looked at Wonho. "Wait. What is this?"

Wonho grinned at him, his face beaming with excitement. "It's a club. You'll love it."

Yunho hesitated, his anxiety getting the better of him. "A club? I. I don't know, man. I have school tomorrow."

Wonho raised an eyebrow, a scathing smile breaking out on his lips. "So? Live a little, hyung. One night won't hurt you."

Yunho opened his mouth to protest but saw the glint in Wonho's eyes. It was not possible to deny him when he looked like that. But then again, the thought of going into a club, surrounded by strangers, and sleeping barely at all was starting to make him nervous.

"I don't know," Yunho complained, shuffling on his feet. "I really should go home, you know?"

Wonho grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the door, not giving him a chance to back out. "Come on. Just for a little while. You're not gonna bail on me now, are you?"

"Okay," Yunho finally said, giving in. "Just for a little while. But no crazy stuff, okay?"

Wonho's grin returned, this time with more triumph in it. "No promises, hyung."

Inside the Club

Yunho followed Wonho into the club, the beat of the music thudding in his chest as they cut through the sea of people. Blasts of light strobed with the beat, the tension and excitement buzzing in the air. Yunho was a stranger to this place, his usual quiet composure lost in the frantic buzz of music, laughter, and chatter all around him.

Wonho, on the other hand, was at ease. He walked with confidence, pushing through the crowds like he owned the place. His charisma was powerful, and it was hard not to follow him as he moved Yunho from the rowdy dance floor to a more secluded part of the club.

"Here we are," Wonho said, sliding into a booth and waving for Yunho to come in. The dim lighting created a laid-back atmosphere, and it was quieter here, though the music was still pounding in the background.

Yunho sat down, trying to get settled. He still didn't feel like he fit, like he didn't belong here. But then Wonho slid into the seat next to him, close enough that their knees were almost touching, and Yunho couldn't help but feel the heat creeping up his neck.

"See?" Wonho whispered, his voice quieter now, "Not so bad, right?"

Yunho glared at him, a little unsure. "I guess it's not. . . terrible."

Wonho laughed, his eyes glinting. "That's the spirit, hyung."

Yunho fought to keep himself calm as the drinks arrived. The flashing lights of the club and the music were starting to get to him, his body relaxing a little as he took a couple of sips of his drink. It wasn't much, but Yunho didn't drink frequently, and he knew he'd get it fast on him in relation to most.

Wonho, however, was already on his second round, looking as calm as ever. He grinned at Yunho's uncertainty, the sly glint in his eyes only growing stronger.

"You know," Wonho started, leaning on the table, "you're too serious. You need something more. It'll relax you."

Yunho shook his head, a nervous laugh escaping him. "I'm fine with this, really."

"Come on, one more," Wonho insisted, his smile turning mischievous. "It's just one drink, hyung. You're here to have fun, right?"

Yunho hesitated, glancing at the glass in his hand. It wasn't that he couldn't handle it—he just didn't like the feeling of losing control. But there was something about Wonho's urging, his easy confidence, that made Yunho want to trust him, just this once.

"Fine," Yunho finally relented. "One more."

Wonho's smile shone broadly as he asked the waiter to come over and ordered another couple of rounds. "That's the spirit."

The night wore on with additional drinks, and soon enough Yunho was feeling the impact of the booze. His head felt light, his brain dull, and the world a bit hazy from the way it had been just moments before. Giddy, he was, but there was still a section of him that held back.

Wonho, however, wasn't done. He crept in a little closer, his voice lowering. "You're too tense, hyung. Another one won't hurt you. You're still standing, right?"

Yunho stumbled, his vision blurry as he looked up at Wonho. "I. . . I don't think so."

"Come on," Wonho coaxed, his voice smooth and persuasive. "You can take it. Let me make it worth your while."

Yunho was struggling to remain awake. He swallowed again, and again, until he could barely keep his eyes open. The club whirled around him, the lights going in and out of focus. He had the sensation of the world revolving round without him.

Before he knew it, the glass was empty, and Yunho was barely able to sit up straight. His head was a heavy blur, and he struggled to focus on Wonho, whose face was now swimming in front of him.

"You okay, hyung?" Wonho's voice sounded distant, but there was a teasing edge to it. "You're looking a little. . . out of it."

Yunho tried to speak, but his words were slurred. "I think. . . I think I need to go home."

Wonho's smile didn't falter. "You will, don't worry. But not yet. Let's just hang out a bit longer."

Yunho tried to protest again, but it was futile. The alcohol had completely dulled his sense, and his body was too heavy to budge. He barely registered when Wonho stood him up, guiding him through the crowd of people.

They stumbled out into the open, the cool air slapping on Yunho's reddened face, but that did nothing to clear the clouds from his mind. He was staggering now, holding on to Wonho as they walked to the motorcycle. 

"Shh, hyung, don't worry," Wonho spoke softly, touching a hand on Yunho's back. "I've got you. You're okay."

But Yunho was not okay. He could barely keep his eyes open, and his head was a mess. It seemed like everything around him was in slow motion.

A few moments later, they arrived at the apartment. Yunho was reeling, his legs unsteady as he leaned on Wonho for support. The world around him was whirling and all was too bright, too rapid. But beneath the haze, he sensed Wonho standing before him—warm, solid, a reassuring heartbeat that prevented him from completely unraveling.

Wonho's hand gently guided him toward the door, his voice soft but firm. "Hey, hey, we're almost there, hyung. Just a little bit longer."

Yunho tried to focus, tried to make sense of the words, but everything felt like it was slipping away. He barely noticed when Wonho opened the door to the apartment and helped him inside.

The moment he was inside, Yunho collapsed onto the couch, his body burdened by leaden weights. His head hit the pillows, eyes half-closed. He blinked incessantly, trying to clear the fog in his head, but all he could see was Wonho's smirked face over him.

"Yunho, hyung," Wonho smiled warmly, kneeling beside him. His eyes were gentle, something Yunho couldn't even recall in his drunk state. "You look so drunk now. Adorable, even. I never knew you could get like that."

Yunho attempted to respond, but his words came out slurred, barely making sense. "I'm not. a lightweight," he mumbled, a small pout forming on his lips. His face was flushed, his hair a bit messy from the ride, and Wonho couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked, completely unaware of the effect he was having on him.

Wonho's thumb stroked the edge of Yunho's cheek, brushing a strand of hair away from his face that had fallen. "You're kinda cute when you're drunk, you know that?"

Yunho's eyelids fluttered closed, too tired to complain. "Stop. . . saying I'm cute," he muttered, but there was really no heat behind it. He was really kind of. at ease with Wonho, like nothing else in the world mattered in this moment.

Wonho laughed, his voice low and soft, as he leaned in closer. "I can't help it. You're adorable, hyung. Just look at you."

Yunho let out a small, contented sigh, his body melting further into the couch. He had no idea why this felt so. . . comforting. Usually, he hated feeling this vulnerable, but with Wonho, there was no judgment. Just warmth.

Wonho stayed beside him, looking at him with a loving expression that Yunho didn't quite understand through his blurry haze. "Alright, I'm going to bring you a blanket, alright? Just remain where you are."

As Wonho entered the kitchen, Yunho's head was cloudy, but a slight smile was dancing at the corner of his lips. He had no clue how he had ended up like that, yet somehow, he didn't mind. Not when Wonho was there.

When Wonho returned with a blanket, he draped it over Yunho's form and pulled it up to his liking, keeping him warm. Yunho merely barely acknowledged, already half-asleep, his breathing slowing as he relaxed on the soft cushions.

"Goodnight, hyung," Wonho whispered softly, brushing a lock of hair from Yunho's forehead with a tenderness almost too great for Yunho to process in his sleepy mind.

Wonho lingered for a moment, his gaze soft as he looked at Yunho's peaceful face. He didn't know what the future held, but something about this moment—about Yunho, vulnerable and trusting—made him feel closer to him than he ever expected.

He couldn't help but smile, brushing his thumb lightly over Yunho's cheek before pulling away. "Sleep well, hyung. I'll take care of you."

With one last lingering glance, Wonho finally stood up, letting Yunho rest peacefully while he settled in nearby, keeping an eye on him.

END OF CHAPTER 5