But You're Like That With Everyone- A Brochen Fanfiction

Part One: Boba and a Kiss

He had known who Yochen was for a while. It was hard not to. Yochen was the kind of person to talk loudly and flirt insistently, to swoop in and charm the pants off countless of his friends, to 'date' like forty people all at once because that was just who he was. He knew it was all jokes, and he was happy to stay out of it, even when he could feel his cheeks warm every time this beautiful eight grader walked in the room. Because Yochen was beautiful, but he knew nothing could ever come of it. He knew him through Ryan, and that was all.

Which is why he was so taken aback when Yochen approached him that night.

It was 8:56 pm on a Saturday night, and Bronson was extremely uncomfortable. Steven had texted him that morning insisting they go to yet another party. Bronson was skeptical- why would this be any different than the other three times?- but Steven begged and eventually turned to bribery. At eight, Steven showed up at Bronson's house, sharetea's signature cup of boba in hand, and Bronson reluctantly agreed. They left for the party together. When they arrived, the two of them had walked around for a bit, before Steven had left in search of Ryan and Angela, and Bronson was alone yet again.

He wandered for a bit before coming to awkwardly lean against a wall, airpods in, listening to exo's latest album and sipping from his boba as his mind and eyes wandered. Everybody seemed so chill, so relaxed in their own little bubbles throughout the party. And he knew he was like them sometimes too- but only around certain groups of people. Unlike his friends, the people on the dance floor in front of him were popular, people he only really ever interacted with through Steven or Ryan. People like Yochen.

He startled, realizing a second too late that he was staring and Yochen was waving at him. He blushed and waved halfheartedly before looking down, but Yochen was already walking towards him.

"Hey, Bronson! What's up? How's your boba?" He stumbled over his words punch-drunkenly, and Bronson couldn't help but laugh, relieved he didn't mention the staring.

"Oh, just being really social over here."

Yochen grinned. "Yeah, I could tell," he said with a stupidly adorable giggle. "Come onnn, let's dance!" He grabbed the sleeve of Bronson's sweatshirt and pulled him out onto the dance floor. Not entirely sure why he was going along with it, Bronson stumbled after him.

Yochen led him throughout the floor, greeting everyone as they passed. In a bit of a daze, Bronson greeted them as well. Finally, the two of them came to a stop in the middle of the floor. Yochen started dancing, jumping and weaving and rolling in time to the music. Realizing how much of a bad idea this was, Bronson bobbed awkwardly in place.

Yochen made his way around the floor, before coming back to watch Bronson, amused. "Okay, save your moves for later. Come on, let's say hi to your friends. And I'll want some of that boba." Relieved, Bronson followed him off the floor to a corner where Steven and a few of his friends were hanging out. Ryan was talking animatedly, two eight grade girls listening intently. Steven was cradling a small white box in his arms, and Bronson eyed it, confused.

"-and then, guess what?! Ben dropped it!" Ryan finished his story, and the three of them burst out laughing. The two girls lapsed into their own conversation as Ryan turned to survey the new arrivals. "Bronson! And wife! What's up, you two?"

Yochen smirked. "Hey, babe. I was just complementing Bronson on his sweet milk over here." He gestured to the now empty boba in Bronson's pocket. "Oh, looks like he sucked it dry."

Ryan sniggered. "Nice."

Bronson laughed, relaxing a bit now that he was around a friend. "Maybe you'll get some later..." he shifted his voice lower "...if you go to sharetea with me." Yochen giggled.

Steven walked over to them, clearing his throat loudly. "As much as I'm loving this threesome action you've got going, I have to make an announcement. I think I fell in love."

Ryan grinned. "Wait, not Charlotte? I thought she was the one, dude."

Steven rolled his eyes. "Bruhh, no." He pulled the white box from earlier out of his hoodie pocket. "Meet jj, or Mustang Mystery Box." He hugged it to his chest.

Bronson cocked his head at him. "...are you high?"

"Dude, he's in love! Why you gotta downplay his emotions, is it cuz he's asian?" Ryan said, mock woundedly.

Bronson laughed. "No, it's because he's short," he said, completely deadpan.

The night went on, Bronson noticeably more relaxed around his friends. At 11:45, everybody high on adrenaline and caffeine, Yochen was finally able to drag Bronson back to the dance floor.

Bronson allowed Yochen to take the lead as the two jumped and weaved around each other to the beat. They danced like that for the next few songs, and Bronson was finally starting to get the hang of things.

The music shifted to something deeper, more sensual, and the mood on the floor quickly changed. Around them, couples formed, dancing closely and borderline grinding. Bronson turned to leave, but stopped when he realized Yochen had made no move to leave.

"Don't think you're going anywhere," he said with a smirk, wrapping an arm around Bronson's waist and pulling him into an intimate slow dance. 

They lapsed into silence, moving to the beat of the song. With each step, they seemed to get even closer. Yochen spoke up. "Hey, I know I was joking, but that boba really did look good," he whispered, his voice sending shivers up Bronson's spine.

Bronson swallowed, his heart pounding. "Yeah, I love boba..." he said nervously.

"Me too." Yochen looked up at him, and his eyes glinted mischeviously in the deep lighting. "Mind if I had a taste?" Bronson bit his lip. Without even telling it to, he could feel himself nod.

Yochen grinned, the same grin Bronson was seeing so much of this night. And so, as the clock neared midnight, Yochen leaned forward so their mouths could meet. And Bronson kissed him right back.