Gay(?)mers

Chapter 6

My white trench coat has always been something of a good luck charm. My mother had left it behind when she left, as though it was cursed and she couldn't bear to wear it- so it had become a bit of a habit to wear the thing on good days, as if to spite her memory.

Of course, that was when I was younger and small enough to need the sleeves rolled up and the back safety-pinned so it wouldn't drag across the floor. By now I mostly just wear it because it looks good.

I look into the mirror, now silently judging my outfit for the day. Skinny jeans and a button-up, all in black, along with some combat boots and my signature coat. It's not bad, exactly, but after deciding that it was missing something I also add a red scarf- for good measure.

I'm out the door a few seconds later, deciding to simply deny myself the choice of second-guessing the outfit. I will wear this and I'll be damn well pleased about it.

. . . .

The spot I'd picked was within walking distance, so it didn't take long for me to get there. I'd also left rather early, figuring I could have some extra time to myself beforehand. Upon arrival, however, I couldn't help but notice a familiar figure sitting on a bench nearby. "I swear to god..." sneaking a little closer, I confirm that yes... , it's Yoo Joongyuk. An hour early.

I smile, now sneaking towards him. I can feel a bundle of nerves rising from under my skin, a few butterflies regrettably hatching in my stomach. To be fair, this was our first time meeting. I muster up the courage, nevertheless, and bend over a little to gently poke his cheek. He jolts in place, and his head snaps up so quickly that I wouldn't be surprised if it broke, and I give him a reassuring close-eyed grin. "A little early, now aren't we?"

His eyes widen in recognition, and are rather quick to look me up and down, a subtle blush soon cursing the tips of his ears. He manages to retain a monotone expression, however- which I silently applaud- and keeps even his voice surprisingly steady. "Salvation?"

"Yessirr," I joke, "at your service~!"

He stands up, formally jutting his hand out as he properly introduces himself. "Yoo Joongyuk. Nice to meet you." Refusing the hand, I simply lean forward, shamelessly patting his head. Breaking his expression is going to be so fun,   "Aaaw, no need to be so stiff! We're friends, aren't we?"

He manages a rather impressive impersonation of a cardboard cutout in response, and I barely manage to smother a giggle. "My real name is Kim Dokja, by the way."

He nods; the action simple and curt- but I can almost see the mini party firing through his brain. I waste no time in linking our arms, "and since we're early, we have some extra time before our movie now. Is there anything you want to do in the meantime?"

"Nothing in particular," he mumbles.

'Hmm..'I lean into his side, as though thinking. I don't miss the faint blush creeping into his cheeks; the tiniest crack in his otherwise flawless poker face. "Wanna go get some coffee, then?"

"Sure."

. . . . .

One black coffee and a caramel mocha later, we're now sitting across from each other outside of a cafe, discussing our favourite games' latest update. Han Sooyoung had been rather busy, after all.

I sigh, taking another sip of my drink. "At this rate, I'm gonna run out of things to teach you in no time~"

"I'm sure there will always be something else.."

Oho?  I raise an eyebrow, curious- but he refuses to elaborate.  "The movie should be starting soon," Joonghyuk instead urges on, abruptly standing up, coffee in hand. I nod in agreement, springing up as well. Although curious to the extent of his thought process, I leave it for now as I simply link our arms once again, flashing him a smile when he turns to question it.

He doesn't shake me off, and we end up walking the whole way there with only the occasional line of chatter. The swells of silence in between don't feel uncomfortable, however- and I simply take my time to enjoy the moment.

This isn't so bad.

Sneaking a little peek at his calm expression, and considering the facadé which was beginning to crumble away and erode, I can't help but smile knowing that he's probably thinking the same thing too. Either that, or something along the lines of " literally just make me into your dog, yes please and thank you."

At the moment, I'm fine with either, really.

. . . .

By the time we'd gotten into our seats, the pre-movie advertisements had already begun. Unnecessarily loud and a little long, I'd planned to instead spend the extra time admiring Yoo Joonghyuk's handsome face, but from what I could see through the corner of my eye, he'd had a similar thought and was already tearing open the extra hole Han Sooyoung had burned into me that day in the Mc'Donalds.  So I just keep looking forward; I'll let him have this.

Once the movie starts, however- a half-decent action movie we'd shared a mild interest in- I started to relax, and it took me a while to realise his gaze had never moved to the screen.

I tilt my head, offering a little smile- and he looks away almost immediately, the light of the screen denying his attempt to hide the embarrassment from being caught. To be fair, a stranger would've missed it- but I'd spent over a week watching this man by now, so I'd begun picking up on the littler signs. He fidgets a little, and I turn back to the movie- silently enjoying the way he squirms in place like the damm sadist I probably am.

I'll take this as a sign that my face has at least made the passing grade. It wasn't too far off from my skins', afterall.

. . . . .

Soon after the movie, when Yoo Joonghyuk had wandered off for a 'bathroom break', I received a notification on twitter.

The "EVERYONE WISH ME LUCK, WE'RE MEETING TODAY!" from earlier in the morning had now been replaced with a quick, somewhat urgent, " HE'S LITERALLY PERFECT . AAAA . I NOW KNOW HOW THE PROTAGONISTS FROM THOSE SHITTY DATING SIMS FEEL.!?  IT'S WORSE THAN I THOUGHT..!"

I smother my third(?) grin of the day, casually putting my phone on silent as I wait. He returns a few minutes later, face as stoic and cold as ever.

"All done?" I tease, receiving a simple nod in return.

We turn around, ready to leave, and I can't help but lean into his side with a fond feeling flickering somewhere in my heart, along with something akin to relief. This is way too fun.