He groaned and covered his face with his hands. ‘Why am I like this?’

This wasn’t him. He wasn’t the type to get flustered over a message, over someone. He had always been focused, disciplined. His father had made sure of that. School, studies, his future, that was all that mattered.  

Yet, ever since Hyunsuk had walked into his life, Jisung had felt something shift inside him. A strange warmth, an unfamiliar giddiness that made his heart race in ways he wasn’t used to.  

His gaze flickered toward the bouquet of flowers on his nightstand, petals slightly open from being in water all day. His fingers twitched at the memory, and before he could stop himself, he let his mind wander back to the first time Hyunsuk had given them to him.  

.

.

.

Jisung had been nervous. No… terrified.

He had spent the entire day overthinking what 'clear your evening’ meant. Was it a casual meetup? A friendly outing? A date?

The uncertainty had made him fidgety, his brain running in circles. He had changed outfits at least five times, tried on different colognes, even Googled first date etiquette before slamming his laptop shut in horror. That wasn't what he was looking for.

By the time he reached the restaurant where Hyunsuk had asked to meet, he was sure he looked calm on the outside, but inside, he was a mess.

And then…

Hyunsuk had shown up, standing there, looking effortlessly handsome in a dark coat, a faint smile playing on his lips. And in his hands…A bouquet.

Jisung froze.

“You brought… flowers?” he had blurted out, blinking at them like they were a foreign object.

Hyunsuk smirked, holding them out. “For jisung.”

Jisung had just stood there, his brain short-circuiting. “Me?”

“Unless there’s another Jisung I don’t know about.”

Jisung took them hesitantly, fingers brushing against Hyunsuk’s. The warmth of his skin had sent an unfamiliar jolt up his arm. His heart pounded. The scent of fresh petals mixed with Hyunsuk’s cologne, and for a second, Jisung felt lightheaded.

No one had ever given him flowers before. Ever.

“I—uh—thank you?” he said awkwardly, gripping the bouquet too tightly. “I—these are—um—nice?”

Hyunsuk chuckled, tilting his head. “You don’t get flowers often, do you?”

Jisung swallowed. “no one gave me flowers before.”

Hyunsuk’s expression softened at that. Something genuine flickered in his eyes a quiet understanding, a tenderness Jisung hadn’t seen before. He was touched by the admission, glimpsing a loneliness in Jisung he hadn’t expected.

Jisung started telling himself that today would go well, no accident, no clumsiness… His sweater had caught on the bouquet’s ribbon.

Before he could react, the flowers slipped from his grasp. He fumbled to catch them, his hands flailing, and the bouquet tumbled between them, scattering petals onto the pavement.

“Oh nooo—” Jisung gasped, dropping to a clumsy crouch to gather them, his cheeks flaming.

Hyunsuk knelt smoothly beside him, his movements graceful where Jisung’s were frantic. “Here,” he said softly, rescuing a rose that had rolled toward the curb. “They’re still beautiful. A little adventurous, but beautiful.”

Jisung squeezed his eyes shut as he clutched the messy bundle to his chest. ‘Please let the earth open up and swallow me whole.’

Hyunsuk laughed, warm and rich in the cool evening air. “Are you okay?”

Jisung groaned, hiding behind the flowers. “Sorry! I didn't mean to do that.”

“Of course you didn't,” Hyunsuk grinned, clearly amused. 

Jisung hurried inside before he could make a bigger fool of himself.

But the embarrassment didn’t stop there.

Inside the restaurant, Jisung reached for the menu at the same time as Hyunsuk, their fingers brushing. Instantly, heat flared up Jisung’s neck, his eyes darting away.

“You okay?” Hyunsuk asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“I'm fine,” Jisung muttered, pretending to study the menu like his life depended on it.

Minutes later, when their drinks arrived, Jisung knocked over his cup while reaching for a napkin. Coffee spilled across the table, and his face turned an unnatural shade of red.

Hyunsuk laughed, sliding over more napkins. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem kinda… flustered.”

“I am not flustered,” Jisung huffed, grabbing the napkins too quickly only for his fingers to brush against Hyunsuk’s again.

This time, Hyunsuk didn’t move away.

Neither did Jisung.

His skin tingled where they touched, warmth pooling in his stomach. He forced himself to look up, only to find Hyunsuk already watching him, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Jisung immediately looked away, heart pounding.

Then, as they were leaving, Jisung tried to step through the doorway at the same time as Hyunsuk. They bumped shoulders, and Jisung stumbled sideways, catching himself on the doorframe.

“Whoa, easy there,” Hyunsuk said, his hand coming up to steady Jisung’s elbow. “You’re a danger to yourself today.”

Jisung wanted to disappear. ‘Enough! I've made a fool of myself.’

The entire walk to the parking lot was just as disastrous.

Jisung, lost in thought -and possibly in Hyunsuk’s smile- nearly walked into a pole. He stumbled over nothing at least twice, and at one point, Hyunsuk casually grabbed his wrist to steady him.

Jisung froze.

“You’re really something,” Hyunsuk mused, his fingers warm against Jisung’s skin before letting go.

Jisung couldn’t look at him anymore, ‘I don't want to go on a date anymore.’

.

.

.

Lying on his couch now, Jisung groaned into a pillow. “Why is this happening to me?” He kicked his feet in embarrassment, rolling onto his stomach. “I looked so dumb in front of Hyunsuk. What must he think of me? Too clumsy? Too awkward?”  

And yet… Hyunsuk had never looked annoyed. If anything, he had enjoyed Jisung’s nervousness, his little mishaps.  

Sometimes, Jisung couldn’t hold himself back from staring at Hyunsuk whenever he talked or even just smiled.  

‘Oh god, his smile...’ His phone buzzed, and Jisung shot up, grabbing it.  

**Hyunsuk:** *Sorry, just saw this. I got home safe. You?*  

A small smile tugged at Jisung’s lips. He quickly typed back.  

**Jisung:** *Yeah, all good. Just didn’t want you to get kidnapped or anything.*  

A reply came almost instantly.  

**Hyunsuk:** *What can I say? I live on the edge. Working at a flower shop is a dangerous business.*  

Jisung chuckled, shaking his head.  

His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he typed:  

**Jisung:** *Are you…*  

A pause. Then—  

**Hyunsuk:** *You're in my mind a lot. I can't wait to see you next time.*  

Jisung’s heart did that weird little flip again.  

He stared at the message, rereading it more times than necessary.  

He didn’t know if it was too soon to feel this way. Didn’t know if two weeks was enough time to let someone become important.  

But he didn’t care.  

He was happy.  

And for now, that was enough.  

**Hyunsuk:** *Good night. I’ll dream of you.**

Jisung buried his burning face into his pillow.  

He was so doomed.

(⁠◍⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠◍⁠)

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