#👀 we get to see a Stumbling Patrick rather than Smooth Patrick 👀 TAKIN' NOTES ABOUT THIS---

[jeoseungsaja]

“Good morning Hyu-“ He’s not looking at Hyuk initially when he hears the footsteps of his friend. It’s only when he’s taking a sip of tea ( that he made from a teabag in Hyuk’s cabinet ) that he notices his dear friend has walked into the kitchen, well…shirtless. Which is more than understandable considering that this is his kitchen. But Patrick can’t help but notice how built Hyuk is, even with the bandage wrapped around his ribs courtesy of Patrick’s handiwork from that other night.

Has he always looked like this?

Only the tea scalding his tongue snaps him back to reality. Face ablaze, Patrick swallows, but even that can’t go right because the tea goes down the wrong pipe and now he’s coughing. “I’m…I’m okay.” He says rather timidly in between, setting his cup on the table. He can hear Hyuk approaching him and he has to squeeze his eyes shut, lest he wants to get caught staring dumbfounded.

No. No- this is not a thought he should be having about his best friend.

( But they've been long past that point by now, haven't they? )

A hand covers the bottom half of his face as he leans on the table for stability. Call it moral support too. His head spins. “Really…I’m fine.” His voice cracks, just a little. He stands up, unable to look Hyuk in the eye. His heart races as do the thoughts, one thousand forming and breaking per second. “I just- do you want tea? Or coffee, or breakfast, I’ll make us some right now-”

Dear god, how is he going to last the rest of this week? ( two words: gay panic. basically patrick realizes hyuk is hot and is now dying JFKLSDJF but also?? if this makes you uncomfortable, feel free to skip alex!! )

@ofgentleresolve ♚ click here to see what I think is the current representation of hyurick’s brain

♔ ———–

   Oddly enough, he managed to fall asleep last night. Just for a few hours, but it’s still something that doesn’t happen quite often. Regardless of wounds latched to his ribs and a few other scrapes here and there, ache wasn’t too overwhelming as to steal slumber away. He could blame this on fatigue finally catching up with his last traces of energy but, truth is, he felt more comfortable knowing Patrick was nearby, just a few meters away instead of continents afar. A semblance of peace, despite the embarrassment he had to go through. God, does he hate to make his best friend feel concerned; does he detest the fact that he saw him like this, weak and with the need of prompt assistance. 

    But Patrick, Patrick’s kindness glows with such intensity that instead of judging him or reprimanding him, he was there to take care of his wounds and overall welfare. Careful hands, soothing voice; gentle eyes that asked to be looked at. And he also...he also placed warmth that made Hyuk dizzy with secret delight. That forehead kiss the detective kept thinking about, even after having the tea Patrick bashfully prepared for him; even after they both hesitatingly said goodnight to each other before going to sleep.     The thought of it still makes him feel warm all over. 

    The detective sits up, rising and stretching with a bit of a groan due to injuries covered by bandages. A hand goes to his forehead as he breathes out, wanting to shake off all the thoughts he had last night; notions that still chase him the day after. There was a part of him that wanted...well, wanted to be nearer. There was a moment where he even impulsively stood up and almost reached the doorknob as to go to Patrick. He already had a silly excuse around his tongue; ready to be aimed at his best friend’s direction if he asked what was he doing there, standing at the guest room’s door-frame so late at night.

    I can’t sleep. Can we talk? 

    But that’d be silly, wouldn’t it? Besides, interrupting Patrick’s sleep would be awful, considering the jet-lag and all that. It’s not easy, to suddenly get accustomed to a different timezone, no matter how many times the same place’s been visited. 

    He takes another deep breath; stands up from his bed and goes to wash his face and brush his teeth. He considers it’s pesky to put on a shirt when he goes out toward the kitchen, thinking unnecessary movements might make injuries worse, or move the bandages about in uncomfortable ways. And so, he strides in his usual sleepwear, which is a pair of loose joggers and no shirt to cover his exposed, toned chest; a hand running through his long hair as he listens his best friend’s greeting.

    Ah. It’s nice to hear it. Nice to know he’s there.      It’s better than waking up to the usual emptiness of his apartment.

    “Good morning.” 

    Voice still sounds groggy; softer than usual. He stands nearby; heart suddenly skipping a beat. If Patrick’s visited him before, why is he suddenly so fond of finding him in his kitchen, serving himself some tea? 

   “How did you sl---” 

    Eyes widen when coughs begin to erupt from Patrick’s lips, Hyuk hurriedly going to him; a palm landing on his best friend’s back, giving it three pats before his palm carefully draws several circles around spine and shoulder blades. 

    “Patrick, you don’t look fine. You almost choked there.” 

    His best friend doesn’t sound fine, either; the detective can pinpoint vocal chords trembling just a little in the end of his statement. He can see how Patrick’s eyes squeeze shut, too. Is something wrong? Did a piece of something (besides the tea) get lodged in his throat? What’s going on? 

   “Yah, slow down.” 

   His voice is firmer; hand landing on Patrick’s shoulder when dear friend stands up. He takes note of the lack of eye contact. Hyuk leans in just a little; concern-filled gaze present. Why won’t he look at him? He’s befuddled and worried, to say the least. Is Patrick embarrassed because of accidental constriction? He shouldn’t be...but Hyuk understands if that’s the case. Let us remember that the detective also felt shamefaced over his wounds.

   Hyuk presses the back of his hand against Patrick’s forehead, slowly letting it slide toward his cheek. 

    “You’re really warm. Are you getting sick?” 

    The poor fool. He doesn’t realize that all he needs to do is to put on a darn shirt; hide all of the lean, defined muscle gathered in abdomen and arms. Hyuk isn’t aware this is part of the problem, because Patrick’s seen him like this before. 

   Everything’s suddenly different this time, isn’t it? 

   His thumb can’t help but fondly caress the skin on Patrick’s cheek. This is different, too. The last time he did something like this, it was when his dear friend was drunk and he was slightly tipsy, when they both sat on the floor after a night of drinking Soju. 

    Now, they’re both sober. 

   “Look at me, Dae-yah. What’s wrong? Breakfast can wait.”

   He blinks, noticing the closeness when concern starts to slowly wash off. It allows his sight to get a better view of Patrick’s face, of every feature; every line. He’s seen it so many times before, he knows, but lately, everything about his best friend has been making him feel something he can’t quite put into words. 

   “You’re---”      Really handsome. So handsome. So beautiful.      God, what is he---

    “Uh...just...take it easy, okay? You’re the guest here. We can...we can go out and have breakfast after you finish your tea. I’ll grab an iced americano from the fridge later.” 

    He blinks again, heart prominent in his throat. Should he? Should he---perhaps, as a response to last night. He shouldn’t think about this one too much, because if he does, he’ll end up not doing anything at all. 

   And so, before his hand slips away from Patrick’s skin, he quickly leans in and kisses his best friend’s cheek. 

  “I didn’t have the chance to tell you, but thank you for helping me last night. I’ll go get changed.” 

   Hyuk says this rather quickly, as if in a race against time; turning about and rapidly heading back to his room with quite a hurried stride. 

   The door closes behind him.    He hisses; pressing the back of his head upon wood.    What the hell did he just do?! 

———– ♔