Crush [HAOBIN]

31

The day felt different, lighter somehow, as if the whole city had decided to turn down the volume just for them.

Ricky was halfway through tying his sneakers when Gyuvin leaned against the doorframe, grinning from ear to ear.
"Let's go out" he said.

Ricky raised a brow. "Go out? We just woke up"

"Exactly! Perfect time for a date"

"A date?" Ricky repeated, half amused, half exasperated. "You're acting like a high school kid"

"Correction" Gyuvin said proudly, pointing at himself, "a boyfriend on his first official date"

Ricky couldn't help but laugh. "You're unbelievable"

"Unbelievably charming" Gyuvin countered, already grabbing Ricky's hand before he could argue.
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They ended up at a small cafe tucked between rows of flower stalls. The air smelled faintly of roses and fresh bread. Gyuvin insisted on ordering for both of them, though Ricky had to snatch the menu halfway through to prevent him from picking the entire dessert list.

"Stop smiling like that" Ricky muttered as they waited for their food.

"Can't help it" Gyuvin said, chin propped on his hand. "You're way too easy to stare at"

Ricky's ears turned pink. "You're ridiculous"

""And yet, you're still here" Gyuvin teased.

When their coffee arrived, Gyuvin made a show of stirring his, only to "accidentally" clink his spoon into Ricky's cup.

"That's yours!" Ricky scolded.

"Sharing is caring" Gyuvin said with mock innocence. "Besides, it tastes better when it's yours"

Ricky rolled his eyes, but a small smile betrayed him.
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They wandered through the streets after, hand in hand, or rather, Gyuvin kept trying to hold hands while Ricky pretended to be indifferent.

At one point, Gyuvin darted ahead and spun around, walking backward as he faced Ricky. "So, what do we call this? Our first date?"

"Depends" Ricky said coolly. "Are you planning to behave?"

"No promises" Gyuvin grinned. "But I can offer loyalty, affection, and a lifetime supply of annoying puns"

"Terrifying" Ricky replied, but the corners of his lips curved up.

When Gyuvin slipped his fingers through Ricky's again, ricky didn't pull away this time. He just looked at him and said quietly, "You really are different from last night"

Gyuvin tilted his head, eyes soft now. "Maybe. Or maybe I just finally get to be myself, with you"

Ricky's expression softened. "You're such an idiot"

"Your idiot" Gyuvin replied, and that earned him a gentle flick to the forehead.

They both laughed, the kind that echoed down the street, a sound light enough to make the world feel easy again.
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The evening sky had already turned gold by the time they reached home, walking side by side with matching paper cups of bubble tea in hand.

Gyuvin was still talking animatedly about how Ricky had "totally blushed when the barista called us cute"
Ricky pretended not to hear, though the faint color on his cheeks gave him away.

When they stepped into the house, the familiar noise hit them immediately. Laughter, music, and the sound of too many people trying to talk at once.

Matthew was the first to spot them.
"Hey! Look who finally decided to show up!" he shouted, practically leaping off the couch.