[073] The Milkshake Coterie

theme: o73. Milkshakes.
pair: Eeteuk/Eunhyuk
rate: PG
words: 4055
#: 83/100

Dedicated to Hokum who oft allows me to attack her with fish-shaped pillows.


“And we’ll end it here with our latest single, ‘Sorry Sorry’.”

Eeteuk’s voice rang out through radios everywhere in South Korea as he and Eunhyuk closed their radio show for what seemed like the millionth time. As the ‘on air’ sign died of its red light, Eeteuk pulled off his headphones, placed them on the laptop before him then laid his head down on the desk. He closed his eyes and allowed himself some peace.

Beside him, Eunhyuk lowered the headphones to his neck and raised his arms to the air, feeling the muscles in his shoulders pull and twist, relieving the stiffness they had acquired over the time they had sat there for their show.

Kangin, who had come as a visitor on the show, turned in his chair to face Eeteuk, “Want to catch a movie or something before heading back to the dorm?”

“Have plans,” Eeteuk muttered sleepily.

Kangin blinked at him, startled. All thirteen of Super Junior had been busy with promotions for their third album, what other plans could Eeteuk possibly have when it was obvious that the leader was completely wiped out?

Kangin suddenly narrowed his eyes and glared at Eeteuk’s head, “With who?”

Eeteuk heard the jealous note in his dongsaeng’s voice even before he registered what Kangin had practically growled at him. He tried to fight the smirk as he replied lightly, “A guy.”

Kangin clenched his fists atop the desk, unknowingly crumpling the papers he had been given for that day’s radio show, “Who? Is it Jaejoong? You two have been corresponding A LOT lately.”

“And if it is?” Eeteuk feigned innocence as he raised his head enough to see Kangin,

“I’ll tell the Cassiopeia,” Kangin bit out.

Before Eeteuk could wittily reply, the door to the broadcasting room opened and Donghae appeared with a bright smile, “Eunhyuk! You won’t believe it, Shindong and I just came up with the greatest dance moves for our next music video!”

“Oh, you guys did it without me?” Eunhyuk asked quietly,

Donghae’s eyes widened as he rushed over to his friend’s side, “Well, yeah, but of course we’ll all work together! C’mon, you know we wouldn’t leave you out of this! Shindong’s just in the hallway talking to one of our managers, but we can all head to the dance studio after and work on it!”

Eunhyuk waved him off, “No, no, I don’t want your pity.”

Donghae rolled his eyes, “I’m not! Eunhyuk-”

Eunhyuk stood up and twisted his torso one way then the other, his back releasing a series of cracks as he let out a sigh of contentment, “Really Donghae, it’s fine-”

“But-”

“I have plans anyway,” Eunhyuk replied, finally looking at him with a smile.

Donghae gaped, suddenly losing his ability to speak. It took him a few moments to form words when finally he asked, “W-w-what plans?”

“Going out for milkshakes,” Eunhyuk said casually as he took his headphones off his neck and placed them on the desk,

“Milkshakes? Like… Like a date!?” Donghae questioned, his voice suddenly tight,

Eunhyuk looked at him suspiciously, “No. Like going out for milkshakes.”

“Is it with a guy?” Donghae practically demanded, his palms slamming down on the desk,

Eunhyuk blinked, startled at Donghae’s outburst, “Yes.”

Kangin, who had grown silent when Donghae had entered, was now watching Eeteuk suspiciously. The leader stood up from his seat and, after a few stretches to loosen out his limbs, Eeteuk pulled on his sweater that he had discarded to the back of his chair.

Eeteuk headed for the door then glanced back over his shoulder, “Coming Eunhyuk? We should get there before it closes.”

Eunhyuk nodded as he pulled a hat onto his head then dashed out the door after Eeteuk.

Abandoned, Kangin and Donghae went from staring at the open door to each other; dumbfounded.

…

Eunhyuk covered his mouth as he yawned loudly when the elevator doors slid open to his floor. He had an enjoyable time with Eeteuk, but from the moment Eeteuk dropped him off and sped away, Eunhyuk wanted nothing more than to sleep. He stepped out and immediately collapsed against the wall,

“DONGHAE!?” Eunhyuk breathed heavily, “You scared me!”

Donghae, who had been waiting outside the dorm’s front door, pushed off the wall and walked over to Eunhyuk, “How was milkshakes with hyung?” Donghae asked, his words holding a bitter edge;

Eunhyuk tilted his head as he regarded him, “Good. It’s always good.”

“Always!?”

“Yes… we always go out for milkshakes after Sukira,” Eunhyuk replied as he walked towards the dorm’s front door, “We tried the mango milkshake today. I wasn’t fond of it, but Eeteuk-hyung seemed to like it-”

“DID YOU SHARE A GLASS!?” Donghae questioned suddenly, his cheeks pinking,

“No,” Eunhyuk said slowly, “Why would we if we have enough to buy two?”

Donghae breathed easier as Eunhyuk put his key into the door’s lock,

“But we did share a straw,” Eunhyuk added casually,

“What!?” Donghae gasped,

“Well… we wanted to see if the other’s milkshake tasted differently, so I had some of Eeteuk’s and he had some of mine,” Eunhyuk explained as he looked at Donghae confusedly,

“Did you clean your straw before and after he used it?” Donghae questioned,

“What? Why?” Eunhyuk asked,

“Because then it means you shared an indirect kiss!” Donghae exclaimed,

Eunhyuk blinked, “I… I guess-”

“You had an indirect kiss with Eeteuk-hyung and not with-” Suddenly Donghae clamped both hands over his mouth before more words could spill forth.

Eunhyuk regarded him a moment before asking slowly, “Did… you want a milkshake too? I can bring you back one next time.”

“There’s a next time?” Donghae practically squeaked his words,

“Of course there is,” Eunhyuk said as he pushed the door open, “I like having quality time with hyung.”

Donghae, not one to swoon, nearly did at that moment.

…

The moment Eeteuk came through the front door of his dorm, he was suddenly pushed back against the door, a pair of lips crashing down on his own. He fought against the assailant a moment before realizing who it was - then he started fighting against them harder.

“Youngwoon!” Eeteuk exclaimed, “What was that!?”

Kangin, who had been shoved, regained his balance quickly, “Just reminding you.”

“Reminding me of what?” Eeteuk questioned as he slipped off his shoes and walked over to the living room and collapsed on the couch,

“Me.”

Eeteuk leaned his head against the back of the couch and draped an arm over his closed eyes, “And why would I need reminding of you? I’d hardly forget you over the span of two hours.”

“Who knows what will happen when you’re gone for two hours with another guy,” Kangin replied darkly,

“That other guy is Eunhyuk - our band mate and friend,” Eeteuk reminded lightly,

“He’s no friend of mine,” Kangin grumbled as he crossed his arms,

“So if I had hung out with Jaejoong instead of Eunhyuk, then you wouldn’t be friends with Jaejoong?” Eeteuk asked, removing his arm from his eyes and staring up at Kangin,

“Yes,” Kangin muttered,

Eeteuk laughed, “You have no idea how adorable you look when you’re petulant.”

Kangin scowled at him as he plopped down on the couch beside him.

“You’re insanely jealous for the most inane reasons, Youngwoon,” Eeteuk stated with a small shake of his head,

“How am I supposed to feel when you go have clandestine rendezvous with other guys?” Kangin questioned,

“It was hardly secret,” Eeteuk scoffed,

“You went out with him instead of me,” he defended,

“Eunhyuk and I always go out for milkshakes after Sukira,” Eeteuk replied easily,

“He’s still another guy,” Kangin grumbled,

“He’s not my guy though,” Eeteuk said with a roll of his eyes, now crossing his arms lightly about his torso,

“Did anything happen?” Kangin questioned anyway,

“A kiss,” Eeteuk said with a light shrug,

“I’ll kill him!” Kangin jumped from the couch,

Eeteuk laughed as he got to his feet and went to block the door as Kangin pulled on his shoes, “I was kidding!”

“I don’t believe you,” Kangin growled.

Eeteuk tugged at his arm, “C’mon Youngwoon,” he grinned at him,

Kangin pulled his arm away from him and crossed his arms, “It’s not funny.”

“It is, but not when you’re being a stubborn and jealous child,” Eeteuk stated, suddenly exasperated with Kangin’s attitude.

Kangin opened his mouth to reply when the door opened. Donghae was halfway with taking off his sneakers before he realized his two hyungs before him. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed on Eeteuk,

“YOU!”

Eeteuk sighed, “Yes?”

“YOU KISSED EUNHYUK!” Donghae exclaimed suddenly flying at Eeteuk and grasping his collar with both hands,

“YOU SAID YOU WERE KIDDING!” Kangin gasped angrily,

“I was!” Eeteuk threw up his arms into the air, “Donghae-”

“You’re not sleeping in our room tonight!” Donghae declared as he stormed off to their room, the door slamming behind him.

Eeteuk blinked at the door when he turned to Kangin and smiled sweetly, “Youngwoon… you’ll let me sleep over right?”

Kangin glared at him, “Why don’t you just go and sleep over with Eunhyuk?”

Kangin had slipped through the front door just before a show flew through the air, hitting the door instead.

…

The following day was quiet at the main S.M. Entertainment building, but all of DBSK was present for a meeting with their managers and publicity representatives. Slipping out of the meeting for a moment, Junsu slipped on some earphones and practically danced on his way to the bathroom. On his way back, he had somehow acquired a soccer ball and was now balancing it on his head as he dance back towards the boardroom where the meeting was being held.

He was just a few meters away from the room when suddenly, something tight was pulled across his mouth. He was properly muted as darkness suddenly surrounded him in the form of a burlap sack.

…

When Junsu finally saw light again, he realized he was in a familiar bedroom. Furnished with two beds and two desks, when his vision cleared, Junsu was shocked to see his assailants,

“Youngwoon! Donghae!” Junsu exclaimed as they pilled the duct tape from his mouth, eliciting a yelp from the younger man. “What… what’s going on!?”

“We whisked you away,” Kangin said simply from his chair by a desk,

“You kidnapped me!” Junsu argued,

“You fell asleep,” Donghae reminded as he sat cross-legged on one of the beds,

“I did n… I was tired!” Junsu defended, “Aren’t… aren’t we at your dorm?”

Donghae nodded, “In mine and Eeteuk-hyung’s room, to be exact,”

“What’s going on?” Junsu repeated,

“Eeteuk and Eunhyuk have been going out for milkshakes after their radio show and we want to know what happens when they do,” Kangin stated simply,

“So you kidnapped me!?” Junsu questioned,

“There was no other way! You’re Eunhyuk’s closest friend and we knew if someone knew what was going on - you would,” Donghae explained,

Junsu blinked, “Why didn’t you just ask instead of kidnapping me?”

“I told you, we should’ve just done that,” Donghae turned accusing eyes to his hyung,

Kangin grinned, “But isn’t it more exciting this way!?”

Donghae nodded while replying conceding, “Yes” as Junsu argued a fierce, “No”.

“At least untie me!” Junsu whined as he fidgeted against the chair he was tied to, “There’s no need to tie me up!”

“But Yoochun suggested it,” Kangin said,

“Eh?” Junsu blinked,

“Yeah, just as we were kidnap- whisking away with you, Yoochun stepped out of a boardroom and saw us,” Kangin explained,

“And he didn’t stop you?” Junsu gasped,

“No. Actually, once we told him what was going on, he helped us carry you down to the van inconspicuously,” Donghae added with a smile, remembering their journey down to the basement parking lot.

Junsu went limp in the chair, closing his eyes, “I’ll kill him.”

“Not until you help us,” Kangin argued,

“Then untie me!” Junsu cried, his raspy words holding a whine.

Just as Kangin and Donghae got up to untie him, Junsu fell over onto the floor from all of his fidgeting.

…

“There they are,” Junsu pointed.

Immediately, Kangin and Donghae both yanked him down to his knees between them as they peered through the window of an ice cream shop just down the street from the building where Sukira had its radio shows. The trio stared through the leaves of potted plants in the store’s window at the two Super Junior members who made their order and brought their drinks to one of the booths in the store and began talking over milkshakes.

“You have to be discreet,” Kangin whispered,

Junsu rolled his eyes, “They can’t hear you from here. Besides, why do I have to come? I told you, Eunhyuk only told me where they go.”

“If we’re caught and Eunhyuk gets mad, we can throw you at him and run away,” Donghae explained solemnly,

“It’s not that hard to get caught when there’s a man outside the ice cream shop wearing a potted plant on his head,” Junsu murmured, glancing at the small bonsai tree whose pot was precariously tied to the top of Kangin’s head.

“We are hidden behind plants,” Kangin pointed out,

“Or someone dressed up as a giant fish,” He glanced towards Donghae who, on his other side, was decked out in a fish costume.

“I thought it’d be inconspicuous in its festive nature,” Donghae defended,

“We’re outside an ice cream store, not out by the docks,” Junsu said exasperatedly, “This is how fan wars are made… when netizens see I’ve been kidnapped by Super Junior…”

“Then just explain to them that you were whisked away,” Kangin suggested easily,

“What if I don’t want to?” Junsu retorted petulantly as he turned and sat down on the pavement, his back against the store front’s wall,

“Yoochunnie helped us too,” Donghae reminded hastily,

“Oh - he’ll get his,” Junsu muttered bitterly, a dark expression replacing the youth’s usually light-hearted visage.

“Don’t be too mad,” Donghae insisted, patting Junsu with a fin,

“I was kidnapped and am now being petted by a giant fish,” Junsu said dryly, “How can I not be mad?”

“If I buy you ice cream after, will that make you happy?” Kangin suggested, turning his head carefully to look at him, while being careful to not unbalance the bonsai tree on his head. When the younger man’s face instantly brightened as Junsu nodded vigorously. Kangin turned back to look into the ice cream shop with a smile; “Just like Kyuhyun,” he chuckled softly.

…

“And he hasn’t spoken to you since?” Eunhyuk asked as he sipped his milkshake while sitting across the booth from Eeteuk.

Eeteuk shook his head. He crossed his arms, “I always knew he was a jealous person but… geez.”

“And you, like me, know that they’re outside watching us right?” Eunhyuk asked, glancing from the corner of his eye at the ice cream store’s front window.

Eeteuk nodded as he took a deep sip of his milkshake, “Of course. When Yunho called and said that Junsu was missing and Yoochun refused to say what happened, I had a feeling Kangin and Donghae had something to do with this.”

“I don’t understand what the big deal is, especially since all it is, is you and me going out for milkshakes after the radio show,” Eunhyuk shook his head with a sigh,

“Well, I was teasing Kangin before, but I told him I was joking about everything I had said,” Eeteuk insisted.

“I understand why Kangin’s getting jealous, but why is Donghae acting this way?” Eunhyuk asked seriously as he stirred his thick drink with the straw,

Eeteuk blinked, “You seriously have no idea?”

Eunhyuk shook his head as he looked up at Eeteuk, “No. It’s not like Donghae and I are dating or anything.”

“Maybe he’s acting like Kangin because he feels what Kangin feels for me, but feels it for you instead,” Eeteuk commented lightly, watching the younger man’s expression.

Slowly, Eeteuk saw the light of realization enter his dongsaeng’s eyes, “Oh.”

“Yes. ‘Oh’.”

“Kangin and Donghae have been pretty irrational with us, haven’t they, hyung?” Eunhyuk glanced towards the window casually, just in time to see a giant fish hide from view behind potted plants in the store front’s window. He glanced around the empty shop before looking back at Eeteuk, “We could give them a run for their money…”

Eeteuk raised an eyebrow curiously, “Oh?”

…

“WHY IS EUNHYUK SITTING BESIDE EETEUK!?” Kangin growled, his face practically pressed against the glass of the store’s window as the bonsai tree now teetered haphazardly on his head.

“WHY IS EETEUK HOLDING HIS HAND!?” Donghae exclaimed, hitting Junsu with his tail as he moved closer towards the window.

“WHY CAN’T I HAVE ICE CREAM NOW!?” Junsu cried as he pushed away Donghae’s costume’s tail.

“THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT!” Kangin and Donghae argued in unison, a hand and a fin, respectively, clasping down over Junsu’s mouth.

Hands and fins silencing Junsu, Kangin and Donghae turned their attention back towards a specific booth within the ice cream shop. They watched as Eeteuk raised a hand to Eunhyuk’s face, holding it as the younger man leaned into the older one.

“I’LL KILL THAT MONKEY!” Kangin growled as he jumped to his feet and bolted to the ice cream shop’s door,

“NOT BEFORE I KILL THAT DUCK!” Donghae’s voice resonated from within the fish costume as he dashed after Kangin.

…

Eunhyuk stood, came to the other side of the booth and sat beside Eeteuk, both fully aware of the audience watching them.

“You know they’ll kill us,” Eeteuk mused as he moved over to give Eunhyuk room.

“They kidnapped my best friend, I have to have revenge somehow,” Eunhyuk grinned conspiratorially at his hyung.

“Fine, but don’t mind if I don’t speak to you for a few days after this,” Eeteuk laughed softly as he took one of Eunhyuk’s hands into his own,

“I may never be able to look at you the same after being like this,” Eunhyuk agreed with a lop-sided grin.

Eeteuk raised a hand to Eunhyuk’s face, cradling it gently as he dimpled on the left corner of his mouth, “If they don’t stop us on time, we’ll have to fake it like during the Coffee Prince parody.”

“Then I hope they stop us-”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” Kangin demanded, tearing Eunhyuk out of the booth.

“No mercy hyung!” Donghae threatened as he lunged into the booth at Eeteuk, his fins flailing.

“Hi hyung, Hyukjae,” Junsu greeted cheerfully as he locked the door behind him and pulled down the shades for the store’s window to protect the fighting Super Junior members. Then, he made a beeline towards the counter to make an order with the cashier.

“Kangin - calm down!” Eunhyuk stated as he scrambled to his feet, “Y-y-your plant is going to fall off your head.”

Suddenly distracted, Kangin stood completely still as his hands reached up to the bonsai tree tied to his head.

“Donghae - stop it,” Eeteuk grounded out as he tried to push the giant fish off of him, “I never thought I’d be attacked by a fish.” With what strength he could muster, Eeteuk shoved Donghae off of him.

Donghae stumbled back, tripped over the tail of his costume and backed up into Kangin. Kangin stumbled, feeling the pot slipping from his head. He reached out, but the bonsai tree fell inches from his reach and crashed on the floor. Donghae had bounced off against Kangin and fell to the ground. Sitting in the middle of the ice cream store in a fish costume, Donghae tried to push the head of the costume off to no avail.

“We may have gone a bit too far,” Eunhyuk chuckled as he went over to Donghae and helped pull the head from Donghae’s head,

“It was your idea,” Eeteuk reminded as he slid out of the booth and straightened his clothes, “Besides, I just got attacked by a giant fish - there is no ‘too far’.” Hesitantly, Eeteuk came to Kangin’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder, “See how your jealous ways ruined the life of an innocent bonsai tree?”

Kangin scoffed, “It wasn’t my jealousy - it was your cheat-”

Eeteuk silenced him with a kiss, pulling back only after a long moment; “I wasn’t cheating on you. Eunhyuk and I are just friends. We did what we did just now only because we knew you were there?”

“You did?” Donghae asked in a daze, exhausted from wearing the hot costume for so long,

“Yes,” Eunhyuk said as he put the fish head on the ground and glanced over his shoulder at Junsu who was distracting the cashier from the scene, “Junsu- Yunho called, you should call him before he gets too worried.”

Junsu nodded as he turned back to the cashier and began asking about the various ice cream flavours.

“If you weren’t cheating, then what do you two do here after every radio show?” Donghae asked as Eunhyuk helped him to his feet,

“We order milkshakes,” Eeteuk shrugged,

“And we talk,” Eunhyuk added, “Sometimes it’s nice to just talk to a friend without 11 other friends around.”

“Why didn’t you just tell us that, then?” Kangin demanded angrily,

“Why didn’t you just ASK!?” Eeteuk countered. He watched as Kangin was taken aback by his forceful reply. Sighing, Eeteuk took his hand into his own, “Such a hothead - always jumping to conclusions.”

Kangin grunted his reply, instead, pulling Eeteuk to him and brushing his lips against Eeteuk’s forehead.

“Where did you get a fish costume?” Eunhyuk asked with a shake of his head,

“Heechul-hyung gave me the number to a store. It was strange store though, had all these other costumes made out of leather and it sold whips and collars,” Donghae explained simply as he wiped his forehead with the back of a fin.

“Oh, I know that store-” Kangin’s hand came over Eeteuk’s mouth to silence him. When Eeteuk turned to glare at him, Kangin shook his head in silent argument.

“C’mon Donghae, let’s go home so you can get out of that,” Eunhyuk said, handing the fish head to his friend. “Junsu, I’ll call you later.”

Donghae nodded as he pulled the fish head back on and the two exited. People watched as a giant fish exited the ice cream store behind Eunhyuk.

“Donghae,”

“Hmm?”

“I understand Kangin’s feelings for what was going on… but what about yours?” Eunhyuk asked tentatively in a seemingly casual voice,

“Oh.. That’s… well…” Donghae grew quiet within the fish costume as they began to walk.

Eunhyuk stopped his progress, instinctively grabbing one of his fins, “I’d be the same.”

“What?” Donghae asked confusedly,

“Had… Had it been you inside the ice cream shop and I was the one watching through the window,” Eunhyuk explained quietly, his cheeks pinking, “Then… Then I would’ve acted the same… felt the same.”

In silent response, Eunhyuk felt Donghae’s hand within the costume’s fin grip his own hand.

Before they began to walk, Eunhyuk stopped them again, “Oh, I forgot to thank hyung, it was his turn to pay this time.”

…

Meanwhile, within the ice cream shop, Kangin forlornly stepped over his beloved bonsai plant and joined Junsu at the counter; “Did you pick what you want Junsu-sshi?”

“Yes!” Junsu said happily just as the cashier handed him a cone topped with two scoops of ice cream.

“No more being insanely jealous, okay?” Eeteuk suggested softly as Kangin reached for his wallet to pay the cashier.

“I’ll try,” Kangin replied honestly as he looked through his wallet for an appropriate bill.

Just then, Eunhyuk came dashing through the door again and wrapped his arms around Eeteuk, hugging him tightly, “Thanks for the milkshake, hyung!”

Eeteuk hugged him back, “No problem, it’s your turn next time.” He watched Eunhyuk rejoin Donghae outside after releasing him from a tight hug. When he turned back to face Kangin and Junsu, the former was staring at him with a particular darkness, “Youngwoon?”

“I said I’ll try,” Kangin stated in a low growl, “But I’m not promising anything.”

Eeteuk could only reply with a laugh and another order of a chocolate milkshake.