ZB1/ZeroBaseOne Oneshots

Second chance Pt.2 | Matthew x Gunwook

It was crazy being next to Matthew again. Not many people get a second chance with their high school crush, let alone getting that chance five years after they last saw them. He had always wondered what it would be like to see Matthew again, and it was slightly embarassing to admit how often he had that thought, but he could have never prepared himself for what it would actually be like. Matthew was just as perfect as the day they met: pretty, kind and easy to talk to. He felt at ease being around him, as if Matthew could part a cloudy sky and bring out the sun just from smiling. He wanted to protect him, care for him, give him the whole world. It made him realize that his feelings from five years ago had never really gone away.

Their date couldn't have gone better, but dinner wasn't enough for Gunwook. He wanted to spend more time with Matthew, and so, he suggested they go for a nighttime stroll. They headed down to the river, since it was only a short walk from the restaurant.

"I'm really shocked you're single." He says, and Matthew shoots him an unsurprisingly confused glance. He lets out a small chuckle before continuing. "You're smart, handsome, fun to be around, really everything someone could want in a boyfriend. So why are you single?"

It was nice to see Matthew blush, clearly flattered by his compliments, however, his expression seemed to darken at his question. "My last relationship really fucked me up." He tries to muster up a smile after to lighten the mood.

"Is it okay if I asked what happened?" 

"I mean I haven't talked about it in so long-"

"Don't do anything you don't want to do. I'm not the kind of guy to demand anything from you." Gunwook states firmly, he didn't want Matthew getting the wrong idea about him. It was obviously a story deeply personal to Matthew, so it should only be told when he was ready.

"I know you're not and I appreciate that, but I think it's fine to tell you." Gunwook nods, making sure he was fully present for Matthew, he wanted him to know that he was listening and that he cared. "He was my first ever boyfriend. I didn't know what relationships were supposed to be like; I just went along with whatever he wanted, and he manipulated that. He didn't want anyone to know he liked men, so he never introduced me to his friend or family, and he never took me out on dates. He thought someone might see us together and find out about him. It made me so ashamed of myself, like I was this dirty little secret."

It was infuriating to hear about how Matthew was treated, because he really didn't deserve that. Dating someone as great as Matthew would be a privilege, and now Gunwook had the chance, he sure as hell wasn't going to hurt Matthew the way his ex did. 

"Everyone always asks why I stuck around for as long as I did, but they talk about it like it's so easy. I'm not the best at standing up for myself, and I tend to get pushed around a lot. I thought it would be easier to stick it out and hope that he'd change, instead of ending it."

"How did it end then?"

"My friends managed to convince me to do it. They even sat at the table next to mine, to make sure I actually broke up with him." Matthew's face brightens at that memory. "After that I stopped dating, and I haven't dated anyone for two years."

"Does that mean I'm your first date in two years?"

"Yeah, you are."

"Well I'm grateful that you trusted me with that." He smiles at Matthew, watching him smile back before nudging him playfully. 

"Okay enough about me, how's your dating history? Please don't tell me you're some player." 

"Me a player? You can't actually believe that." He chuckles, pointing to himself in disbelief. "I know I don't look so dorky anymore, but I'm still that loser on the inside."