Archive of Our Own ^beta

     Donghyuk and Taeyong obviously had separate goals. Donghyuk was trying to charm the ever infamous teen that was as blind as he was pretty. Meanwhile, Taeyong was only trying to learn his place. He was sure he was just an acquaintance to his crush, an acquaintance that somehow was really funny. But Donghyuk and Jaehyun both saw differently . Both of them saw that Taeyong was just being shy. That's why the trio ended up planning this little display.

     Every year there was a school party, a celebration for Valentine's Day. Most kids showed up either because they were lonely or to show off with their Valentine. But there was one event that would give the awkward trio a shot. The love letter ceremony. It was typically done after all singles had left. But it was assured well known names like Mark Lee, Seo Youngho, and Dong Sicheng were sure to stay all night with their friends . That was the trio's chance. They'd slip up to the stage without raising suspicion and then announce their notes. The reason they did it as a team was for any shame that was sure to arise. Once a brother came into the plan, the other brothers had to keep him to it. These crushes had to he put to an end and soon.

     Each of them had their own reasonings. Donghyuk was wooed by pretty Canadian hotshot Mark, also known as Minhyung, from the moment they first talked . Lab partners. Ever since that day, Donghyuk had secretly praised the professor for that brief slice of heaven . Mark wasn't known as a shitty popular kid, in fact, that's what made him popular. He was attractive, foreign, and he was gentle to whoever he met. The perfect package in its truest form. He was full of smiles and jokes as he tried to help Donghyuk in a subject that he himself was genuinely horrible at. Donghyuk wasn't sure what it was. Whether it was the giggly smiles or the brush of fingers over his own hands. Whatever it was, one morning with Mark had Donghyuk crushing hard. And Donghyuk made sure his friend group knew that nearly every day. Really it was a surprise that Mark hadn't noticed yet. With Donghyuk always looking at him and whispering about him to Jaehyun, Mark had to be blind and deaf to miss Donghyuk . Taeyong wouldn't bash anyone for their crushes, but he couldn't deny Mark must have been really stupid .

     Jaehyun first noticed Youngho purely from aesthetic view. He hasn't talked to Youngho before that point. Only noticed how tall and handsome he was. It wasn't a crush, more of just the feeling you have looking at fine art. A love for the beauty of it and the feelings it made you feel. That aesthetic appreciation turned into the painful crush the second he actually talked to the giant baby .

     “They're starting to fall behind…” Taeyong was biting into his nails as he watched the team run and slip on the wet grass . Jaehyun hummed, not really caring about who won or lost. He only agreed to watching this soccer match with Taeyong because he knew Youngho was part of the team. The man wore his jersey enough to make it clear he was on and proud of the team. And with Jaehyun helping the nurse every other day, he knew Youngho certainly had the injuries to prove he was a player . Jaehyun watched as Youngho stole the ball once again. He was fast, Jaehyun would give him that. And the way his hair fell when it was all sweaty and wet from the light sprinkle earlier was certainly incentive for Jaehyun to continue watching . Taeyong chattered on as Jaehyun stared at the elder player.

     “Jae, the nurse is on the sidelines. I think he wants you,” Taeyong nudged his distracted friend as he looked to the elder man looking directly at the pair. Jaehyun jumped and excused himself to quickly dart over to his boss.

     He ended up begrudgingly standing on the side lines. With how dangerous it was to play on a slick field, Nurse Lee thought it was best to have extra help on hand, just in case. Jaehyun stared at the field as he rested his head on his chin in boredom. Somehow, he missed Taeyong's endless chattering. It made a nice background noise to something he otherwise didn't care about. All Jaehyun had now was to clap for his school's team and small talk with Nurse Lee.

     It happened quickly , and as embarrassing as it was to admit, it took Jaehyun a moment to process what was going on. One moment, he was watching a focused Youngho run after another player, the next everyone stopped moving and crowded a collapsed seventeen year old. Without hesitation, Jaehyun ran into the field with his med kit. He had to shout to get the players to separate but eventually he was face to face with the Seo Youngho.

     Suddenly , Johnny became a lot more than just a pretty face to Jaehyun.

   Taeyong shyly followed the rest of his power trio. He knew people were looking. If they weren't he would have clung to Donghyuk out of fear in an instant. The anxiety was gnawing him raw inside and he couldn't help but stop moving out of nerves. Jaehyun had been sympathetic, resting an encouraging hand on Taeyong's back. The other two both held their own flowers close to them as well. They were all anxious, just very different in showing it. Taeyong was quiet and shifty; Donghyuk wouldn't shut up; and Jaehyun looked everywhere as though he was worried about someone hearing him.

     Donghyuk wrapped his arms around both their shoulders. He couldn't exactly comfortably do it because of Taeyong's height but it was the gesture that counted.

     “It'll be great guys. They'll be head over heels, I just know it. And if you really can't read them, we'll have each other's backs. We'll all be up there and read them out no matter what. You're both my hyungs. I'll support you through thick and thin.”

     “Donghyuk, you're being really cheesy again,” the trio laughed as Donghyuk nearly strangled his “hyung” .

      Taeyong wished he was like the other two. He wished he fell in love someone he barely knew. He wish he just loved a pretty face and then fell for a pretty soul. But, all that wishing wouldn't make it so.

     Taeyong had Honors Reading. It was the only class he was truly good at. He loved stories and poetry. He loved characters and learning from years of people trying to teach through words. To try and teach years after they're gone. He loved reading. And when he was in charge of an exchange student, that love only increased. Taeyong had done plenty of language studies so it was natural that he was part of the team that helped foreign students get comfortable . That's how he knew of Youngho and Mark before their popularity. The first thing they both did was join the team, to help any lost English speaking students that may come. And that left Taeyong with Chinese foreigners.

     As usual, he was called down and formally introduced. He made it down to the principal's office, and then was met with the cause of his own demise. The principal spoke slowly but respectfully . Taeyong was introduced to his newest shadow Sicheng as he would be introduced to any other Chinese student . The only thing out if ordinary was Taeyong's first impression. He took one look at those black eyes and squishy cheeks and instantly said “cutie” to himself. Looking at his newest prodigy, all he thought was how adorably soft he looked. The soft black locks that just peeped over his eyes. The perfect shape to his teeth. He was like a small angel that was blessing Taeyong by simply standing in front of him.

     Taeyong pushed off his cute impressions to focus on his real work with Sicheng. His Korean was very choppy in the start. For a good month, Taeyong was speaking more Chinese than Korean. Sicheng started to pick up quick however. Granted, he often asked what the word equivalent was for certain things, but he was still making progress. Now Taeyong had to start getting told off for speaking and whispering to the younger when not necessary. Sicheng never seemed bothered however. He was almost always giggling at something about Taeyong. Most days it was his cheesy jokes. Taeyong loved poetic power and rhymes, but he also loved stupid jokes like “If Yifan is hot does he yi-fan himself?” That one was particularly successful, making Sicheng go into a laughing fit for a good three minutes.

     But really, even outside of his jokes Sicheng was still smiling at him. Unlike Donghyuk who had a near permanent grin, Sicheng’s smile affected Taeyong. Something about even seeing the slightest upturn of Sicheng’s lips sent him into a frenzy. And his laugh, oh his laugh nearly made Taeyong cry. And to make matters even worse Sicheng was very touchy. He often rested his hands on Taeyong thighs or his head on the elder's shoulder. His brain was starting to get jumbled. Somehow, Taeyong ended up loving the soft boy.

     The trio moved in together as a unit. Taeyong kept an eyes for his shadow, as he was the one with the most chance to accidentally speak to his crush. The plan wouldn't work out if the three knew the awkward trio was there. Even so, that didn't stop the trio for trying to catch a glimpse of their boys.

     Mark and Johnny were together to no one's surprise. Taeyong hid behind his fawning friends as they talked about how handsome they both looked. Taeyong was trying to look calm and collected, but he was probably appearing the opposite way. His eyes darted about, looking for his small little angel. The school wasn't very student heavy, so surely Taeyong could spot him. He turned his back to the other two to get a full scoop, only to be elbowed in the back.

     “You good, hyung?” Taeyong held a hand over his heart. It raced with a sudden fondness.

     “I… he…” Taeyong buried his head in his hands, “Oh god, he's so attractive and talented good lord I'm gonna have to back out. It's too much.”

     “Hey, hey Johnny. Idiot look at the stage.” Mark smacked his friends arm as nervous souls stepped up to the platform. Johnny huffed and whipped around to see the small group. He was about to question Mark before he saw a familiar face. A flushed and shifting nurse stood up in line. He held a lily in one hand and some note with him. Who was he trying to woo? Johnny was under the assumption that he was just a shy single. It wasn't for his friend either. The brunet was up there already. He stood right beside him with a hand on the nurse’s shoulder.

     Donghyuk stepped up to the mic. His hands were so shaky. So many eyes focused in on him. He looked back to his biggest supporters. The duo silently cheered him on. Jaehyun motioning for him to begin. Softly, Taeyong whispered to him,

     Donghyuk only looked at the paper and shy face staring at him as he read. His voice shook almost as much as his hands but eventually Donghyuk had finally managed out his words . He looked to Mark in a panic. The look he got instantly soothed his soul. His panic was met with the warmest smile the world had seen. His rushed and piss poor confession was met with the greatest response. A true smile and moment of undivided attention from the Mark Lee. The audience clapped, but it was clear who was leading the applause. Donghyuk pocketed his poem and before he turned back, he swore he could see Mark mouth something to him. Donghyuk was greeted by a group hug. They all clung to him and excitedly shook him up. He laughed at his friends excitement. It felt good to have people as proud as he was.

     Taeyong returned to Jaehyun. He was falling back into his relaxed stance in line before Jaehyun tugged at his shirt. Taeyong looked at him in concern. It was clear Jaehyun was embarrassed and afraid. He looked to the crowd to avoid Taeyong's almond eyes but also shuffled closer to him. Taeyong pat the shorter’s back before leading him up to the mic. He promised he was gonna be there. If Jaehyun was nervous, then Taeyong was going to stay right beside him.

     “Hi, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just reading for him. Everything I say, hear it as though Jaehyun said it himself.” Taeyong addressed the crowd in a calm manner, looking to all the grossly focused faces. No wonder Donghyuk looked so scared. “Months of staring and fantasizing didn't prepare me. Looking to you everyday didn't teach me how soft you are. Making up scenes between us didn't hint how much larger than life. You're a giant to me, and yet your heart still manages to be even larger than everything else. …”

     Sicheng instantly realized who stood up at the mic when he heard that soft satin voice. He never had whipped around so fast. He nearly spilt his drink on Taeil doing so. There was his favorite peer. His favorite person, standing up on stage with a familiar face. Sicheng could clearly tell the words weren't meant for the man wrapped around his arm. Even if his brain tried to convince him so, their body language read different. Taeyong's friend was pulled away from him, obviously uncomfortable. Taeyong wasn't complaining either. He focused only on leaning into the mic and reading from the sheet of paper. Despite Taeyong's serious expression and stiff posture, his words and tone read romantic. It was like reading class. Sicheng had always loved Taeyong reading. Especially when Taeyong was reading poetry. You could tell he adored it by the way he would read so dramatically . Granted it wasn't any masterpiece of literature, but Taeyong read it as such. Sicheng was instantly carried away yet entranced by Taeyong's reading.

      “When will I see you again, at the end of a long journey. Want to be together. Oh, we are in the same time, in different places. Our fates are twisted.”

     Both boys were nervous as Taeyong leaned back from the microphone slowly. Everyone was hushed, which could only turn one of two directions. Taeyong crossed his fingers as he panicked along with Jaehyun.

      “That was beautiful!” Jaehyun whipped his head up as one person alone clapped and cheered him on. Looking up, he almost instantly spotted him. Johnny clapped and cupped his hands around his mouth to cheer. Jaehyun went slack as he was suddenly rushed with a hot crushing feeling. It hurt, yet he oddly enjoyed it? Johnny grinned as everyone cheered with him. Jaehyun slowly turned his head to his best friend. Taeyong met him with a smile and a nod.

     “Go get him. I'll be with you boys soon enough.” Taeyong stumbled back and laughed as he was roughly hugged. Without another word, Jaehyun darted off stage.

     “Ah, I promise this is the last time you'll all be seeing me.” Taeyong apologized right away as soon as attention was focused just on him. He balled his fist into his hand. The sudden disappearance of Sicheng was definitely not a good sign. It was pointless if he didn't hear it himself. Taeyong took a breath. Just relax, do as you practiced. “Figure it, figure and figure, figure it out. Only looking at you is clearly a crime. Every, every day we make secrets of our own. I want to know you.  Just seconds apart. Touch and figure it out. Leave the same screen. Be right before you, Before your eyes only.”

      Taeyong cleared his throat shyly . He tried not to grin as he looked at that face again. How was he supposed to confess if Sicheng was looking at him like that?

     “Did it work?” Taeyong stood in front of Sicheng now. They were surrounded by giggles and groans at Taeyong's lame poem. But none of the other laughs were as important as Sicheng’s. His whole face was lit up as he looked at Taeyong. Taeyong crinkled his face as his cheeks were softly pinched. He wouldn't take back the gesture no matter what though. As after he pinched him, Sicheng brought his face closer to him.

     “Come outside with me.”

     The duo ended up in the minivan that belonged to Taeyong's family but he was allowed to use just this one time. They both sat in the bucket seats. Taeyong didn't think of himself in the car however. He felt more like he was on cloud nine. He felt like he had died and was brought to paradise. Sicheng held his hand, which only made it even better.

     “I liked your poem.” Taeyong chuckled and dropped his chin down. It was a normal sentence but it filled Taeyong with eager energy. His clutch on Sicheng’s hand tightened.

     “Thank you, Winnie..” He didn't need to look to him to know he was smiling at him. He didn't need anything but the atmosphere to tell that Sicheng was looking right at him and smiling. That the warmth of an entire heart and soul was aimed right at him.

     “Can I kiss you?” Taeyong whipped his head nearly completely around. He stared at Sicheng in absolute shook as he snorted at the reaction. Sicheng smacked his seat as he laughed. He nearly started laughing again he looked back to the same face. He bit back any further giggles. “Is that a no then?” Taeyong stammered. This is not where he expected this to go. Something made him feel even more flustered by simply hearing Sicheng ask permission. It shouldn't have been weird, yet all Taeyong could feel was weird. He shrugged shyly ,

     “I mean..I.. don't mind?” He hesitantly looked back to the source of embarrassment. Sicheng just turned his body to him.

     Taeyong froze as a hand was rested on his cheek. It was soft. Warm. Taeyong leaned into it. For someone with baby hands, Taeyong quite liked the motion when it was from Sicheng. When the taller moved in closer, Taeyong instantly shut his eyes. For such an icy boy, he sure was shy tonight.

     It was entirely worth it. The speech, his fawning, hell, even learning Chinese. Feeling his chapped lips on his own was the greatest reward he had ever gotten. He had to touch more. Taeyong cupped those cute cheeks he admired for months. In return, a hand was gently placed on his thigh. It was a chaste motion, used as leverage for Sicheng to move in even closer. Sicheng was standing now in the car, but in a way where he towered over Taeyong. For such a soft delicate looking boy, Sicheng was really beautiful at taking charge.

     “You better be decent in here or we're telling your mother!” Johnny whipped open Sicheng’s door. Him in Jaehyun both stood in the snow, looking at the couple. Donghyuk whistled as he stepped up and saw their compromising position. Sicheng slowly sat back as Taeyong covered his face. He would never hear the end of this now.

     At least Sicheng kept his hand on Taeyong's thigh the whole way home. He at least that going for him.