Idiots - to - lovers ? (Gyubrick)

Chapter 5

"So," says Gyuvin, lounging back in his seat and making a big show of scrolling through his phone. "You guys had fun yesterday."

He turns his phone around to display the screen, Ricky's Instagram page open at the ready. There's a selfie positioned front and center: Ricky is holding the camera up to his face in front of a shark tank, and Hao is busy peering through the glass. The caption reads Of all the fish in the sea, I'm glad you swam to me, with twelve red heart emojis following directly after.

(The quote was the result of a quick ten minute Pinterest deep-dive, but no one has to know that.)

"Oh!" says Ricky, looking over from where he's sat next to Hao at the booth. It's largely unsettling, considering how usually it's Ricky and Gyuvin who share a side with Hao alone across from them. "Yes," Ricky continues, "um, Hao and I went on a..."

He looks to Hao for help, and honestly? Fuck him. Fuck him to the moon and back.

"On a date," Hao finishes for him, not an ounce of emotion in his voice.

"To the aquarium!" Ricky continues quickly. "Qubing, you know how much Hao loves fish."

This conversation could definitely do without the unnecessary clarification, Hao thinks, but Gyuvin is going to look murderous either way, so whatever.

"I see," says Gyuvin, turning his phone off with a sharp click. That should be enough of a cue for Ricky to change the subject, but instead he picks the shovel back up and continues digging Hao's grave.

"We actually alternate choosing the places, the aquarium was Hao's pick. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding where we should go next," Ricky ponders, holding his chin. Then his face lights up and he taps his fist into his palm. "Oh! Qubing, do you have any suggestions for our next date?"

Gyuvin looks like he wants to suggest taking Hao to the highest building and pushing him off, but of course his beloved ricky asked for his help, so his answer must at least appear innocent. "Why not a cat café?"

Ricky furrows his brow. "I thought Hao is allergic to cats?"

"No he's not."

Ricky turns to look at him, head tilted inquisitively. From behind him, Gyuvin holds up his thumb and slowly drags it across his neck.

"I'm not," says Hao, even though he very much is . But somehow his face puffing up and throat swelling so much he can't breathe seems a lot more appealing than whatever Gyuvin has in mind if he were to disagree.

"A cat café it is, then!" Ricky smiles, clapping his hands together. "Thank you, Qubing!"

"No problem, lovelicky," he hums, his lips twitching up at the corners when he continues, "I hope the two of you have a wonderful time together."

Hao sighs, resigned to his fate, and makes a mental note to bring his epipen.