Tae’s point of view

"So...me and Do, we're together. Like, together together. Just for your info," Minjae stated from across the table after downing a shot of soju.

Finally. There you go.

A small smile tugged the corners of my lips. It wasn't like this turn of events was a surprise for me. Though, it was nice to know beforehand, since surprises really weren't my thing. As a leader of this chaotic group of delicate, unpredictable artists, unpredictable events just didn't sit well with me. Also, it was kind of my job to know these things. Knowing Do and Min, it wasn't even a possibility in the first place that they could keep something like this to themselves. Their nature was way too haphazard for that. They were the exact opposite of me.

I glanced around the table. Chris and Joonie didn't seem surprised in the slightest. But Jiwoo clearly did as she had completely frozen beside me. The silence dragged on... Thankfully soon enough, Chris was the one to break it. "Ugh, we know. No need to make a statement."

That, still, didn't wake Jiwoo from her frozen state. So, after another silence, it was Do's turn to get fed up.

"So yeah, that happened," he said with a somewhat strained tone. Well, who could blame him for that...?

But that statement, finally, broke through to Jiwoo. It was almost like she was waiting for Do to confirm it himself. We established soon she didn't really mind. To everyone's relief, everything went back to normal after that. Personally, I was just glad it was now over and done with. For once I didn't have to be the one to break the “bad” news to Jiwoo by myself.

I wasn't much of a drinker unlike the rest of them. Apart from the shot I downed earlier, I had been on my first beer for ages. Dragging it on so I wouldn't be harassed with endless questions of why I wasn't wasted. The others though, did drink like there was no tomorrow with the inevitable sorrow of hungover. It amused me in some weird way, knowing that I'd have fun tomorrow morning when all of them would be wallowing in misery.

After Do and Minjae disappeared to Do's room together to do things I'd rather not think about, the night turned into a night of confessions faster than one could say “the gayest boy band in history.” Jiwoo was whining about being jealous of the relationship of Do and Minjae, whereas she had been single for ages. She stated that men just couldn't handle strong women—though in my opinion, she just had way too high standards.

Chris told us that he hated the cutie image he had and wished to change it, but didn't know what else he could do instead. I guess he couldn't see all the possibilities and all his talents. Joonie admitted he was gay which we pretty much knew already. In other words—no surprises at all. Good.

After they all had dropped everything they had weighing their shoulders down, they turned their alcohol influenced, glassed up gazes towards me. Clearly expecting me to contribute on the subject. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Yes, even though I knew from experience that the gesture would give away my sober state. As they just continued staring me down, like I couldn't be here if I didn't confess something, I finally broke the silence.

"I like pineapple on pizza."

Jiwoo glanced at Joonie meaningfully while pouring a shot of soju. Joonie just nodded, took the shot glass, and swayed his way towards me. Nearly tripping to his own feet on the way I might add.

"Tae, you are way too sober," he whined when he reached me. He plopped to sit down on my lap and showed the shot glass in front of my face. Spilling half of its contents all over my chest. "Just live a little," he continued, slurring and barely even able to balance his drunk ass to stay on my lap and not fall to the floor.

Reluctantly, I downed the shot. It burned my throat a little, as I wasn't really used to strong alcohol. After tossing the glass to the table, I wrapped my hands around Joonie. It was only to prevent the very possible accident that was just inches away from happening when he staggered on my lap. But of course, Chris got some humor out of even that little gesture.

"Aw, that's so sweet! When exactly are you two coming out of the closet?" Chris cheered, grinning hugely and raising his glass to us. Jiwoo beside him was now laughing loudly. Joonie was practically purring, noticeably satisfied with the reaction that one question had on everyone. Naturally, I couldn't resist taking it a bit further.

"We never were in the closet in the first place," I joked and gave Joonie a light peck on the cheek.

That much was usual for Joonie and I. We were close, had always been. After years of fanservice, that much came straight from my spine. In real life though, I wasn't even sure I'd be capable of romantic feelings at all. Love was never really my thing. I had always been insanely focused on my career; I was way too busy to even think about those kinds of things.

Besides, love was messy and complicated; business was easy to handle and straightforward. Love was unpredictable, whereas surprises didn't exist in the business world. GRiD was business to me, first and foremost. A family too, but that came only after the business.

My thing was to be on top of things and adding another person to that equation was hazardous. Though I did think I was pretty much straight. After all, I wasn't completely made of stone, and women were just more attractive in general. Especially Jiwoo with her long, fiery red hair, the body of a goddess with a brain of a true intellectual. But she was just a friend and a co-worker. I had never had any romantic feelings towards her.

Joonie probably didn't think anything of the little kiss on the cheek too, since we had always acted this way around each other. Like right now, he just giggled for a bit and continued drinking as if nothing had happened. He did stay on my lap though. As he was as light as a feather, it didn't bother me much and I let him stay.

When his eyes started to droop, I decided he had enough alcohol in his bloodstream. "Alright, it's time for you to go to bed," I stated. Chris and Jiwoo nodded, so I lifted Joonie up, surprisingly without hearing even one complaint from him. In a bridal style, I carried him straight to his room. He clung to my neck, hiccupping adorably for a couple of times on the way.

Joonie's door was open, so I was able to lay him right on top of his bed. He was well on his way to passing out when I covered him up with his blanket. His hair had spread all over his face, which he kept trying to blow away. Obviously, it didn't work very well. Chuckling under my breath, I helped him a bit and brushed the hair aside. For a brief moment, I got mesmerized by his face that could only be described as unnaturally pretty for a guy.

Now if he was a woman...

Joonie grabbed my wrist, interrupting the thought before I could even finish forming it.

"I love you, Tae," he mumbled, half asleep.

"I love you too. Now go to sleep," I replied with a smile lingering on my face.

Again, this was something common for us. But what took me off guard was something Joonie said after that. Tightening his grip on my wrist, he forced his sleep weighted eyes to open and looked me dead in the eyes.

"No, I'm in love with you, Tae. Why can't you just see it already?" he slurred, at the same time giving up on trying to stay awake.

Then, he downright passed out on me.

It took me a while to digest what Joonie had just said. But when I did, the first thing that came to mind was that maybe he was joking or something. Then I realized, Joonie wasn't like that. He would never say something like that as a joke.

I was so sorry for him. It wasn't fair. No one should fall in love with me. Especially not Joonie. He was my rock, the only other sane person in this household. I had always counted on him to be there, and now I was going to break his heart.

It was hard to breathe for a second. Almost like someone had knocked the air out of my lungs and turned my world upside down. My head felt light, and for some reason, I kept staring at his sleeping face like a creep for a small eternity. A random, very out of place thought crossed my mind: If I were to be gay, he'd most definitely be just my type.