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Chapter Text

Jake and Heeseung are best friends, common knowledge for everyone who has met any of both before.

Inseparable duo, legend says nobody has seen them not being with each other (which was actually an exaggeration but might had surfaced because they're childhood best friends).

They just had that dynamic, both of them were quite popular and had a fair amount of friends each, but they always prefer to spend their time together. They shared most of their classes, because Jake was the key to Heeseung getting acceptable grades, they both had extracurricular activities the same days at the same time so they got to walk home together, and even most weekends one of them, mostly Heeseung, was found at the other's house.

It was so serious that rumors spread about them secretly being boyfriends, which was fair since they had a weird way of complimeting each other and playfully flirting (ordinary bros activity). Which were abruptly extinguished when Jake started his first relationship with a girl (that didn't last much because Jake was really awkward with her and she ended breaking up with him), so everyone assumed that Jake was straight after that (which was true according to Jake, ignoring everytime Heeseung insisted he saw a spark of gay in him).

So that's it, Sim Jake and Lee Heeseung are weird but life long best friends. Everybody knows it, nobody doubts it.

And it seemed normal as ever when they were both excited for the first day of their highschool senior year.

"Bro, we're old."

"You say the same shit every year, dude. Shut up." Jake responded, rather aggressively, to Heeseung's yearly reminder that they were, indeed, growing up (which was obvious but Heeseung loved to exaggerate by saying they're one breath away from retirement).

"Ok, but how is it possible that we are literally at our last year AND I STILL CAN'T BAG A BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND?!" Heeseung exclaimed while desperately trying to find some decent pants in the pile of clothes he used as a closet in Jake's house.

Because clearly they had to get ready together for their first day, it was one of their bro traditions. Also including the movie marathon they hosted the night before which explained the noticeable eye bags they carried.

Jake tried to fix his rebellious hair "Maybe because you refuse to actually talk to guys you like? Scared of pretty people much?"

"Fuck off, you talk too much for someone who was dumped for not knowing how to act around pretty girls too." Heeseung finally found some clothes to wear and started undressing right there.

"Ok, but I actually try to talk to girls tho, it's not my fault they don't like me or don't want a serious relationship." Jake grimaced.

"Exactly the reason why I don't even try. But, I'm now determined to go outside that box." Heeseung declared while looking at himself in the same mirror Jake was using to brush his hair, which caused them to fight for space in the reflection.

"Please, you couldn't even get out of the closet." Jake joked.

Which was true. While everyone knew that Heeseung was bisexual, Heeseung himself did not announced it to everybody. He was outed by accident, by himself, when he posted a story on his ig that was meant to go in close friends. When he realized that it was posted public, thanks to Jake spamming his dm, it was already too late and lots of people from school had seen the photo of a man and woman models dressed provocatively and the caption being "I can handle both".

After that Heeseung tried to stay calm (cried for two hours in Jake's chest), and fortunately everyone took it well and Heeseung remained with the reputation as the first bisexual guy who came out and inspired others to do the same (or that was what he told to himself to feel better and get over it). He was unbothered and just had to endure the jokes from Riki who laughed at him for not being wanted from both men and women.

"Shut up, dude. I was brave enough to not deny everything and instead act like I don't even know what gay people are." Heeseung narrated his initial plan after being exposed to that awful situation.

"Whatever, bro." Jake ended the conversation and started hurrying since they were already late.

Arriving at school they had to endure the painfully long introduction given by the principal about the school year planning and rules.

They were walking towards their first class, dreading for it to be just introductions and not actually a whole planned lecture since they WERE NOT mentally prepared for that, especially since they didn't receive more than 2 hours of sleep.

"Dude, I'm LEGITIMATELY about to pass out and it's only morning." Jake rubbed his face to try and get rid of the extreme tiredness he had "And this is your fault, I told you we should've go to bed at midnight."

"You're ridiculous if you think I'm going to go to bed at the exact time the devil is expecting for us to do exactly that." Yeah, Heeseung was extremely superstitious (and also a scaredy cat)

"Dude, what the fuck. That's 3:33 a.m." Jake sometimes couldn't believe Heeseung's stupidness.

Heeseung's, most probably idiotic, response was interrupted by the arrival of a constant and precious presence for both boys.

"Hi, guys" Jungwon greeted with a smile.

Jungwon was a friend of both that they, especially Jake, adored. He was a year behind them but they got along pretty well. They met when Jungwon had accidentally bumped into Jake at the cafeteria, Jake could not resist his cuteness and had to adopt him. Later he presented him to Heeseung, who also loved him, and now they spend their lunch time together.

Jake smiled "Well, how's the newly turned junior doing?" he said while ruffling Jungwon's hair, which earned him a frown from said boy who proceeded to try and fix his hair again.

"Come on, it's not that big of a deal." Jungwon rolled his eyes. "But don't ask Ni-ki tho, he thinks is the coolest thing and that he's getting one step closer to becoming the coolest senior. And his still a sophomore." Yeah, it sounded a totally Ni-ki thing (they couldn't even imagine how much he will be bragging this year that he's friends of two known seniors)

"Yeah didn't plan to." Heeseung responded "Anyways, gotta go, see you at lunch time, Jungwonie." Heeseung waved goodbye and grabbed Jake's wrist to get going. Jungwon also waved goodbye.

Once they reach the class Heeseung quickly started looking for the best seats, the ones at the back.

"Bro, why are you rushing? And why are we sitting here, you know I won't be able to see shit." Jake complained while still following Heeseung and sitting at the last row.

"Because, I'm definitely not standing another class without some sleep, so I will be napping right here, Jakey." Heeseung placed his backpack, which carried nothing, on top of his desk and then rested his crossed arms and head. "If you like, you can follow me along, or move to the front like a goody two shoes." Heeseung smirked.

"Fuck you." Jake said and started talking with other classmates around.

Heeseung closed his eyes (yes he really was about to nap, he couldn't care less about the class), and tried to suppress any external voices or conversations to clear his mind and rest. He really tried, yet the loud asses of the group talking next to him were EXTREMELY distracting.

He was about to shut them up, but he heard something that caught his attention.

They were talking about some new student joining their class. Which to Heeseung seemed ridiculous and was probably a fake rumor, because if it was true then where was this said guy and why would he join right at the last year of school? Nonsense.

However, he couldn't stand the ridiculousness of that gossip alone and immediately got up and touched Jake's shoulder.

Which caused Jake to frighten and have a little spasm (dramatic to Heeseung's eyes) "What the fuck, dude? You scared me! I thought you were sleeping." Jake lightly slapped Heeseung's shoulder.

Heeseung in return gave him an eye roll and moved his chair (without getting up which caused an obnoxious noise from the dragged chair, but he couldn't care less) to be closer to Jake and speak lowly.

"Bro, I just heard those girls talking" Heeseung pointed discreetly with his head to the forementioned "about some guy allegedly joining our class this year"

Jake turned to look at the group of girls and then back to Heeseung's eyes "And why would I care?"

Heeseung punched the other's chest which caused Jake to groan "Fuck you, dude. I was sharing the gossip with you and you treat me like this. Although, I think is just shit because I see the same stupid faces I see every year here right now."

Jake laughed at that "Dude, even if it was true I still don't understand your concern. It's probably going to be another smartass who got transferred here." he stated the most repeated outcome.

"Just to clear it up, I'M NOT CONCERNED!" Heeseung screamed at Jake's face to which Jake flipped him off "I was just sharing, and also if it turns out true it'll probably be an ugly guy."

Jake giggled but rolled his eyes "So superficial as always, Hee."

Heeseung rested lower on his seat and crossed his arms "I wouldn't say superficial, just keeping it real. Plus, I don't befriend the ugly so they will contribute nothing to me." that caused Jake to burst out a laugh.

Everyone, already used to Heeseung and Jake's antics, didn't even react.

"BRO, you can't just say you're not superficial and then let THAT out."

Heeseung sat properly again to make a point about this conversation. "Look, I'm telling facts, okay?" he started raising one finger at a time to list out "Riki? fine. Jungwon? Stunning. You? fuck me, please." in addition, he bit his bottom lip. Jake let out another cackle.

"Shut up, you're making me blush." Jake hit Heeseung's chest while embarrassed. Yes, this was one of their usual dynamics, no wonder the dating rumors.

Unfortunately, their exchange of no-homo compliments was interrupted by the homeroom teacher arriving. They had to separate their seats, which caused Jake to change to his common role-model student aspect and Heeseung to finally get his so desired nap.

After hours of pointless classes (since they were all for introductions), eventually lunch time arrived.

"Dude, I want to go home already." Heeseung held onto Jake's shoulder, he was desperately in need of his bed (or Jake's since it was more comfortable).

Jake shook off Heeseung's hand, seriously annoyed. "Shut the fuck up, you literally slept through most of the classes. Meanwhile, I had to endure all that endless introductory ramble and was fighting to not fall asleep against the wall." he couldn't believe Heeseung was really whining about it when it was HIS FAULT at first.

"You're not making me feel any better."

"I definitely wasn't trying to." Jake responded "Whatever, I'm gonna go look for Jungwon. If you REALLY feel that terrible go splash your face with some water." he had some mercy on his friend since he actually looked like shit.

"Well, what else is there to do?" an ultimate signal of Heeseung being in a miserable state is him not showing disagreement or resistance to Jake's suggestions. So, he did as told.

The men's bathroom was nothing that could lift Heeseung's spirit or even catch his attention, so he mindlessly walked in; subconsciously noticing no one was there. He looked at his reflection and felt even more miserable.

He didn't miss school EVEN A BIT.

He finally got the strength to stop staring at himself in the mirror, and open the faucet to wash his face. While refreshing his features; surprisingly, the sound of footsteps approaching reached his ears. He didn't mind it even when he felt a presence right beside him. When he finally felt awoken enough, he raised his face and stared at his reflection back again expecting to face his appearance less zombie-like.

However, not in a hundred years (and even centuries after), Heeseung would have imagined that in the mirror he will not only encounter with his face looking not even a bit better, but also with the most breathtaking, unbelievably gorgeous of a guy he could ever dare to dream of, standing right next to him and using the same goddamn mirror he was using to show the put-to-shame face he bear.

Heeseung could not even move; it was a dream, really. Because there was no way the most beautiful person on earth was in an ugly, unrepaired men's bathroom and not ruling the world. But he had to confirm it, so he did. Heeseung separated his stare from the mirror which showed that gorgeous boy fixing his hair (which was truly ironic, because why would he have to even fix something of his perfect appearance?), and looked directly at that guy.

And oh was he real.

He was right there. In front of his eyes, with a beautiful symmetrical pale face that carried the most beautiful pair of brown eyes and thick eyebrows. Not mentioning those pink, plump lips that had Heeseung already dreaming. But what caught his attention the most was that mole decorating the side of his perfectly sculpted nose. And that was just his face! Because his dark hair, that was placed so perfectly at any way he tried to fix it, really complimented everything.

Heeseung could have gone further in his admiring-the-most-unreal-man session, but he was being so obvious and indiscreet that the unreal guy stared back at him with a confused expression.

And that didn't help Heeseung, because when having eye contact this man seemed even more gorgeous, he desperately wanted to sigh and probably start letting hearts float around his head like in cartoons.

But the same, holy, subconscious that was banning him from doing exactly that was the same that brought him back to earth to face the fact that he seemed like a real weirdo looking straight at this boy for a long time and not giving a proper explanation for it.

Fuck

Heeseung, as someone who never even dreamed of approaching pretty people, didn't have an idea of what to do in this case. His thing was to avoid risky situations, and now that he was in one he could only think of one thing.

Panic, run, and look for Jake.

And that's exactly what he did. Leaving a confused and flustered boy at the bathroom who was just trying to endure his first day at his new school.

Meanwhile, Heeseung ran off as fast as he could immediately heading towards the cafeteria where he knew his safe place, Jake, would be.

And he indeed was there, calmly talking with Jungwon until Heeseung crashed on the table with them. Heavily breathing, looking disorientated and in panic. Jake and Jungwon paying all their attention right away to the boy.

Heeseung started grabbing Jake's arm despairingly and started talking so rapidly none of both boys understood him and showed confused, and extremely worried, looks. "Dude, we're not understanding shit of what you're saying! And why do you look like you were attacked by a lion pack I JUST SEND YOU TO THE BATHROOM?!" Jake expressed concerned.

Jungwon started patting the older's back in an attempt to relieve him. In response, Heeseung calmed his breathing and prepared himself to express the out-of-this-world experienced he just had. "If you could refer as a lion pack to the most stunning person on earth, then that's exactly what happened."

"WHAT? Dude, what's that even suppose to mean? I swear if you're pranking us again-"

"I'M NOT, I swear that I just had the most dreamlike encounter with the most perfect boy I've ever seen." Heeseung finally spatted out while shaking Jake's shoulder.

Jungwon was extremely confused. "Dreamlike as in... meeting in the men's bathroom?"

"EXACTLY" Heeseung lively responded.

"Bro, that doesn't even make ANY sense!" Jake removed Heeseung's grip from his shoulder and tried to understand what his friend was trying to explain that really sounded like some hallucination he got from sleeplessness.

"Look, I went to the bathroom, as you told me. I was splashing my face with water when suddenly I look in the mirror and BOOM- I HAVE THE MOST HANDSOME FACE RIGHT BESIDE ME, STARING AT THAT SAME REFLECTION" Heeseung narrated. Jungwon then started to understand once he saw the look of pure adoration in the other's eyes.

Jake was having some difficulty trying to process it. "Wait, like. You're serious?"

Heeseung started frustating. "YES, BITCH. How many times do I have to repeat it?!" Couldn't blame Jake tho, it was uncommon for his friend to come unexpectedly looking strange and lost just for it to be caused by some boy he met at the men's bathroom.

"Aww, that sounds really cute, hyung. And what did you do then?" Jungwon was probably not a romantic himself, but most times would cheer for his friends to gain confidence and try to talk to their crushes.

Heeseung stopped gripping Jake's wrist from annoyance. "Well, I didn't believe it at first so I looked at him directly," Jake and Jungwon showed interest in his telling "and when he looked back at me I ran here."

"Fucking pussy." Jake stated. Heeseung didn't wait a second to punch his guts.

"Jake hyung!"

Jake caressed his abdomen in pain "It's the truth! You're saying you met the guy of your dreams or, something" he rolled his eyes in disbelief "and instead of making a move you ran?"

"Look, dude. You don't know how hard it is, okay?" Heeseung looked downhearted "This guy is WAY out my reach. Plus, you don't understand how difficult it is for us gays out there. What if I tried something and he called me a fucking faggot and threatens to tell my dad-"

Jungwon grabbed Heeseung's arm getting his attention. "Hyung, please calm down. You're overthinking. Way too much."

"Exactly, how would that guy even think first about telling your dad?" Jake retorted. Although, it was knowledge for both Jake and Jungwon Heeseung's fear of his dad's reaction to him coming out, and that was the main reason he hasn't told his family yet. Simply, Heeseung's dad was very traditional and conservative, aside from him being really strict and serious. "But okay, sorry for being so inconsiderate of your gay condition." Jake said genuinely (obviously the condition part being a joke). "However, I'm not saying you should straight ask the guy if he likes dicks. Just saying you should have introduced yourself or given a slight compliment. What happened to getting outside the box this year?"

Heeseung, understanding Jake's point of view (but still hating him for not understanding the arduous work it was for his much insecure and timid self), looked directly at him. "Bro, you know I say shit I don't mean most times. And, this guy is not even outside the box, he's beyond that. It's like a freaking matryoshka. He is the biggest and most beautifully decorated fucking doll and I'm the tiny one that's design so poorly no one pays attention to and is fucking ugly"

Jungwon looked absolutely flabbergasted. "That's a really... specific and incredibly-thought depiction."

"Yeah, dude, that was an insane take. How can you compare yourself to some russian nesting doll." Jake REALLY couldn't believe Heeseung's stupidness "And you're not poorly designed or ugly. You're a fucking Brad Pitt."

"Dude, no one likes Brad Pitt." Heeseung disgustedly said to which Jungwon agreed.

Jake immediately regretted that "Ok then, you're even better than him." he tried to make up his words "Look," Jake grabbed his bro's face and looked at his eyes directly "I've never met someone as hot as you. If I had one last day on earth, I would spent it making love to you-"

"OK, PLEASE STOP. WE GET IT." Jungwon pleaded causing Heeseung and Jake to separate. He loved his friends, but he really hated being stuck in the middle of their weird and not-so-heterosexual interactions. "I agree with Jake, to a really specific extent. You're really handsome, hyung. Even if you don't see it, I think if you had a little bit more confidence you could get any girl or guy you like."

Heeseung hugged Jungwon, as much as he could for being at opposite sides of the table. "Oh, Jungwonie, you're so cute. Thank you so much" he drifted apart to look at Jake "and you, bro. I need you to know that I too would-"

"Ok, ok. Let's have some mercy on Jungwon." Jake said while giggling to which Jungwon replied with a soft thank you.

Heeseung sat properly again. "Anyways, eventhough I appreciate your compliments, I barely know who he is. Like, surely if I could I would marry that guy instantly, but what's the chance of us meeting again?"

"We're in school, not a foreign country. You'll probably see him for the rest of the year." Jungwon comforted.

Heeseung didn't appeciate the slander to his flair for the dramatic. "Yes, but I've never seen him before, and surely I won't have ever missed a face like THAT."

"You're now making me more curious of how attractive this guy really is. You describe him like he is a fucking celebrity." Jake started eating his sandwich which encouraged Jungwon to follow him. Lunch time was coming to an end.

Heeseung now returned to his previous state of love fool, resting his cheek in his palm and releasing a sigh "He's the perfect combination of handsome and pretty. He is just so breathtaking and out of reach." Jungwon cooed. Jake looked unsatisfied.

"Dude, that's not an actual description. Give me physical features not that bullshit." Jake complained and earned a light push from Jungwon. He had no filter nor understanding of love.

Heeseung left his loveblindness behind to comply to Jake's objective request. "Pale, dark hair and eyes, thick eyebrows, which are really outstanding; delicious-looking pink lips and a mole by his nose." Heeseung listed out having a mental image, which he never wanted to forget, from the small amount of time he got to see the boy. "Unfortunately, didn't caught more of his body, but he seemed skinny and tall."

"Sounds like a normal, forgettable guy to me. But, to each their own." Jake shrugged his shoulders. This oh so unreal guy Heeseung described really didn't sound so outstanding to Jake. He could list at least five other people he knew with those same features.

Heeseung, tired of Jake's prejudice, rolled his eyes. "I swear when you see him you will understand what I'm saying" he was sure Jake would swallow his words "or probably not since you're straight and stuff."

Jake crossed his arms on his chest "If he really is that stunning, then I will have no problem admitting it even though I'm straight. I'm not blind. Like I can admit that Jungwon is the cutest and prettiest boy on earth." he teased, but actually he really meant it, and pinched Jungwon's cheek causing the latter to blush. Jake and Heeseung both cooed.

And the rest few minutes they had for lunch were spent by Heeseung rambling more about this mysterious dude and being fed by Jake (since Heeseung wouldn't even stop talking to enjoy his lunch). They returned to class right after, Heeseung's drowsiness having been eliminated completely after that (what he described as) magical meeting.

Unfortunately, even when looking devotedly for that guy after the bell rang signaling school ended for that day, they didn't find him. Having Heeseung promise Jake that next day they won't rest until they find that gorgeous man wherever he was hiding during free time. In return, Jake sighed frustratedly.

Not knowing that probably that same boy will appear when least expected to the one person less interested in finding him.

Also not imagining the way that same uninterested boy will have his world rocked completely.

Chapter Text

Heeseung woke up with great joy, thing that didn't happen often. Regardless of it being a Tuesday, it was just the second day of the school year which meant he had to endure through that hell for more months, and he was already pretty late for his first class. But all of that didn't matter, because he had gone to sleep thinking about that gorgeous man he met earlier that day (reason why he had slept late).

He started getting ready rapidly, not losing the smile he carried even when heading downstairs and meeting his dad who looked disappointed of his son going to school past 8 a.m. Heeseung tried to ignore him everytime, this time being no exception. Especially since he didn't want to lose his spirits.

Going to school meant having the opportunity of encountering the boy (Heeseung hypothesized last night if he could be the new student he heard those girls talking about) that now ruled his dreams. He even had spammed Jake with messages during midnight, expressing his hope of dreaming with that pretty face to have another chance of reliving that first meeting. Yes, Heeseung was romantic as that. Fortunately, Jake didn't had to deal with that sappiness since he went to sleep pretty early and Heeseung knew that (reason why he decided to sent those messages at that hour, didn't want Jake ruining his bubble of love).

Unfortunately, Jake did had to read those messages when waking up the next day. Just rolling his eyes knowing damn well that Heeseung was probably arriving late at school.

As predicted, Heeseung didn't arrive 'til the second class which they, unfortunately, didn't share. Jake being notified that Heeseung did came to school even though he didn't saw him when switching classes, as Heeseung posted a story of him being detained at the front gate until the second hour. Jake laughed at that.

It was his first biology class of the year, Jake liked to give a good first impression on his classes, with the purpose of being remember by that and in the hypothetical case Heeseung and him got in trouble they can be forgiven easily (an specific strategy they had put to play and had shown to be useful). He sat at the front row, taking advantage of the fact that Heeseung wasn't there to make fun of him being a nerd. He hated him so much for that.

Taking a seat, he didn't pay attention to anything else other than the fact that the teacher was still not there. He took his phone out to text Heeseung.

While typing a stupid response to Heeseung asking him if he already missed him, Jake heard the recognizable sound of a pencil dropped on the floor. He noticed the pencil fell right next to his foot and guessed the owner of it was seated to his right since he heard a soft dammit coming from them.

As the kind gentleman he was, Jake reached out for the pencil and turn to his right to meet the responsible for that tiny mistake.

But when facing the owner, who Jake found out was a boy, he almost dropped the pencil again due to the sudden weakness he felt althroughout his body when confronting the most dashing face he'd ever seen.

Holy shit

Jake was perplexed, suddenly the world seemed to be in slow-motion and all the background blurred to only focus on the prettiest face of all time. It was not even a joke when Jake mouthed a whole-hearted Wow. Too distracted to care if the boy in front of him had noticed that.

He was in presence of the most beautiful species on the universe. He looked like the most romantic of artists had dreamed of a face like his and had proceeded to sculpt him in purpose of creating the most perfect human ever created or imagined. Jake wanted to appreciate every feature he carried, and he actually didn't understand how everyone else in that damn classroom didn't want to do the same.

Well, scratch that, he actually didn't want that. Jake was geniunely enjoying admiring this devastatingly precious man all by himself.

Which now that he thought about it, perhaps seemed really creepy.

And he definitely did look somewhat creepy while still gripping the other boy's pencil and not handing it back to the owner who was right in from him. So, he finally came back from his frozen and delirious state.

Jake cleared his throat. "Sorry, is this yours?" he asked (stupidly because who else's would it be?).

The other boy looked at him in the eyes, bad idea because now Jake felt like melting right there on the spot. "Yes, it is. Thanks." the boy grabbed the pencil back and proceeded to give Jake a grateful smile.

That was it, the moment where Jake felt for the first time butterflies flutter intensely inside his stomach.

His smile is... beautiful

The pretty boy then turned around, focusing on the teacher that had now arrived, which Jake probably should also be paying attention to. But he couldn't, everything about the boy whom he had just exchanged words with seemed so unreal. The first thing that caught his attention were those mesmerizing, brown, deep eyes. Making eye contact with him will probably remain as the biggest blessing he has received for the rest of his life. Adding to those precious eyes, was a pair of perfectly-shaped, thick eyebrows that complimented his remarkable face completely. Those exquisite-looking lips drove Jake crazy already. His soft-appearing hair, his fair skin, his perfectly sculpted nose, his voice, his, his, his.

And Jake could enlist more from every feature he noticed about this guy who was sitting next to him and didn't seem to perceive (mayhaps he did but just didn't care) the intense stare Jake had positioned on him. Seriously, it was impossible for someone to be so perfect, and still be at a normal class with normal people who ceased to be, even a bit, close to his stunningness.

Jake sure was having a fun time admiring profusely the unknown boy. But it was not enough, he was in great necessity of knowing everything he could about the other. He was not the type to stay in doubt or not satisfy his curiousity, hence why he was so good at physics and math, and this was no different.

So he talked to him.

Tapping the other's shoulder, and dying inside when the boy turned to look at him in confusion but with such gentleness, Jake asked. "Sorry, but I've never seen you before. Are your perhaps the new student?" he talked in a low voice and discreetly to not get caught by the teacher.

The other nodded and, softly, replied. "Yes, I am." he gifted him another one of his, to-die-for, closed-lip smiles.

Jake didn't lose time to continue the conversation, he was dreading to keep looking and hearing this beautiful boy. "Oh, that explains it." he returned the smile "but, if I recall, I don't remember seeing you at any other of my classes yesterday." that was something Jake had been pondering in the last few minutes he had met the boy. He surely wouldn't have missed THAT face at any of his classes.

The boy replied with a soft oh (seriously, Jake could live a whole lifetime just listening to the other's voice and die happily as ever) and started to explain himself. "Yesterday, I did came to school, but didn't stay for any of the classes. They just gave me a tour around. I left after lunch time. So, this is basically my first day." the boy gifted a short smile right after (that habit was going to end up leaving Jake dead).

"But you're going to stay until the end of school today, right?" he needed to know if he will have another chance to meet the boy again, since he didn't know if they shared more classes.

The other nodded to which Jake replied with a grin and "Great."

He wanted to observe the boy's reaction and continue talking when he was scolded by the teacher. "Jake Sim, although is commendable your desire to salute the new student I request you to not distract him during class, and also pay attention yourself." Jake fixed his gaze to her and immediately apologized in regard of both.

Great, now probably the pretty boy hated Jake for getting him scolded.

He wanted to confirm the boy's reaction seeing that the other was already looking at him; fortunately, with no shown hatred. Jake mouthed a genuine "sorry" to the boy who responded with an, also mouthed, "it's okay" and a smile (lord save Jake).

Jake intended to actually focus on the, damned introductory, lecture but suddenly came to his head an important and inconclusive trait about the boy.

His name.

He needed that boy's name, desperately. Not wanting to get in trouble again, he decided to open his notebook and rip a piece of paper. He wrote on it and started trying to get the other's attention.

"Psst, you" he said looking towards the boy.

The boy cautiously glanced at him, probably not wanting to get caught again, but Jake took it as a chance to slip the folded paper onto the other's desk.

He looked back at Jake as if asking him "what is it?'" Jake mouthed back. "Just read it"

The boy did as told and while reading the paper a slight smile started to form on his lips (and a light blush that he tried to cover with his hair).

>>hey, so I forgot to ask but, what's your name? :)

The boy wrote at the back of the paper and quickly placed it on Jake's desk when the teacher was distracted.

Jake didn't waste a second to read the reply that cause a whole other bunch of butterflies to bloom and flutter inside his stomach which caused him to smile.

>>Park Sunghoon.

Oh, and how Jake now saw that name everywhere he went.

After leaving that class Jake made his way to the next, but he didn't feel normal. He just felt.. different, not like himself. And when he sat down at the back of the class, after spotting Heeseung there and waving him to join, Jake felt, to put a word to it, distant.

He didn't even hear what Heeseung was telling him so enthusiastically about. He was in automatic, not actually paying attention to anything else.

Except those deeply-colored eyes his mind kept rewinding.

Heeseung, noticing his friend was not even listening to his narration about getting scolded for arriving late, started complaining to him. "Did you just heard what I just said?" Heeseung pushed Jake's side which earned him no reaction at all. So, he screamed right in Jake's ear.

That, did cause a reaction, very annoyed, from Jake. "HEESEUNG, WHAT THE FUCK? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" he didn't even bother to scold Heeseung quietly.

"BECAUSE, you weren't paying attention to me. And I won't let you treat me like shit, so can you explain to me why are you acting like you just witnessed a murder?" Heeseung started invading Jake's personal space.

Normally, Jake would just flipped him off for disturbing him. But Jake wasn't acting normally today, apparently, and he looked really irritated by Heeseung's interrogation.

"No, could YOU stop acting like some fucking child? I'm trying to concentrate on the lecture. Just for the rest of the class, please leave me alone." Jake speaked with much irritation in his voice.

Heeseung was left speechless. Now, who traded his fantastic, just as childish as him, really cool bestfriend for this annoying, whiny bitch? Seriously, HIS Jake would never dare to speak LIKE THAT to him even when he was feeling down. This Jake seemed really suspicious.

But, Heeseung was as nicely to not make a scene right there to this fake-ass Jake, therefore gifting him his so desired space. And, oh how Heeseung really was withholding himself from jumping at Jake, because HE WASN'T EVEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE CLASS, at all. He was just zoning-out while holding his chin in his palm and looking like a fucking idiot. Seriously, what the fuck was his problem?

Jake's, apparently fucking, problem being an internal conflict about the boy he just met. Because, now that he thought about it, why was he so fascinated about a boy? He was straight, or he thought-so. Everything was suddenly confusing to him.

He was no homophobic, really. All those jokes Heeseung made about them fucking or making love, whatever, never bothered him. Heeseung and Jungwon themselves being gay, he never gave a fuck. But him? He was not about to have some internalized homophobia discourse, right? If he liked boys, then so be it, because surely that handsome face from biology class made him want to risk it all. And liking him didn't automatically mean that he stopped liking girls, maybe he was bi.

But that didn't convince him. He wanted to confirm if he really was.

And what better way to confirm it if not asking his best friend who was, definitely, bi?

And also what other time better than mid lunch time?

"Heeseung"

"OH, SO NOW YOU WANT TO TALK, LITTLE BITCH." Yes, Heeseung had been waiting, really impatiently, for Jake to break their silent treatment to dump out all his frustration towards him (who was actually the one that cause it in the first place).

Jake looked astonished. "Ok, now what's your problem?" he asked that not knowing the consequences it will have.

Heeseung didn't stop himself to go all out, not even caring that Jungwon was right there (dumbfounded and scared) "WHAT'S MY PROBLEM? You're asking ME what's my problem when YOU were the one that called ME immature and annoying when YOU were acting strange and I, as a good bro would, asked what's wrong?! NOW WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?"

"First of all, why are you highlighting every pronoun? Secondly, I'm sorry for giving you an attitude, I was thinking really hard and needed some peac-"

"You just didn't give me and attitude, you gave me the worst of them, A BITCHY ATTITUDE. So, now how are you gonna explain this mistreatment towards your best br-"

"I think I'm gay" Jake said.

Jungwon choked on his lunch. And Heeseung, on the other side, believed what Jake was saying was pure bullshit. "Come on, you can't fix this with a fake coming out."

Jake was done, but he probably deserved it for (and he admitted it) treating Heeseung like shit when he was just worrying. "I'm not joking. I seriously think I just fell in love with a guy."

Heeseung immediately threw away all his drama and moved to Jake's side of the table to grab his face and join their foreheads together, looking at his eyes directly. "Who is the guy? How did he look? Was he handsome or pretty? When did you meet him? How did you meet him? Why are YOU gay?" he needed every detail, RIGHT NOW.

"Jake Hyung, tell us everything!" Jungwon, who seconds before couldn't understand a thing, now wanted all the juicy details too.

Jake forced Heeseung to leave his forehead and face alone, he inhaled. "Ok, I was probably just exaggerating to get your attention." he saw how Heeseung was about to beat him up, but explained himself quickly. "I was not lying, tho! I really met a guy at my biology class and he was.." Jake sighed remembering THE Park Sunghoon. "Words can't even describe his beauty. He's both handsome AND pretty. His face is breathtaking, and his voice pure honey; also, his body proportions are insane!" Yeah, Jake couldn't resist himself from checking Sunghoon out when they were leaving the class. Which was the catalyst to Jake's internal conflict, because something was definitely sus if when he looked at Sunghoon's, definitely manly, body that didn't stop his mind from going...places. "Nevertheless, I don't think I'm gay. Probably, bi. I don't know. That's why I was about to ask for your help, but you INSTANTLY attacked me." Jake rolled his eyes.

Jungwon and Heeseung were silent for a moment.

Until they both screamed in joy. For different reasons.

"Hyung, that's so cute! I can't believe you have a crush and you're so brave for-" Jungwon was cut off.

"BRO, I'm so fucking happy! You're finally gay!" Heeseung started dancing in joy.

Ok, now Jake was done for. "I just told you I'm not gay."

"I thought we all already knew that lie." Someone inserted himself into the conversation. And it was Ni-ki. "Please, someone hand context. Wouldn't want to feel left out." Riki invited himself in, taking a seat beside Jungwon, really closely.

One thing about Ni-ki, he will break into Jungwon's personal space. No matter how many times Jungwon expressed his discomfort, Ni-ki insisted on Jungwon and him having a type of weird relationship like Jake and Heeseung's. Jungwon constantly putting up with Riki's teases and flirting, never failing to express his disgust towards it.

(And probably to other's, Jungwon was oblivious to Riki's attempts to actually flirt with him. But since the start of the constant displays of affection, Jungwon immediately, and nicely, asked Ni-ki if he did have a crush on him. In the possible scenario he did, Jungwon wanting to reject him privately. Ni-ki didn't fail to act like he had a heart attack from cuteness, and also feeling bad for concerning Jungwon when he just loved teasing him. But definitely didn't waste time to playfully add a "but if you change your mind" while biting his lip, which earned him an eye roll from the other)

"Riki, I don't think is the right time to interven-" Jungwon, again, was cut off.

And by none other than Heeseung. "Jake just came out as bi, or something. I don't care because we can finally fuck!"

"Heeseung hyung!" Jungwon was in shock of how Heeseung, shamelessly, told Jake's business (and also by the conclusion he came to so rapidly. He was now really scared of what could happen between those two; meanwhile, Ni-ki laughed. He loved his hyungs' gay friendship)

"It's fine, Jungwon." Jake didn't care actually. Mostly because he adored Ni-ki, and if Heeseung hadn't said it so suddenly, he would've also told the younger. "What I do want to clarify tho, is that we are NOT fucking."

"Whatever, bro. It's not like I would've handed my ass so easily." Heeseung said while looking, in fact, disappointed. "Plus, my body already has an owner, and it's not you."

Riki, shocked, wanted explanations. "Wait, what the fuck? How much did I missed? Your body is not Jake's anymore?" Jake clarified that Heeseung's body was actually never his and viceversa. Heeseung wanted to disagree about that. Ni-ki placed his arm around Jungwon's shoulder. "Sweetcheeks, and you didn't tell me?" Jungwon was, instantly, disgusted.

Jungwon took Ni-ki's arm off his shoulder. "Please, don't call me THAT again." he calmly asked. He couldn't believe Ni-ki just called him that cringy nickname, he was surely embarassed by now hearing Jake and Heeseung's laughs.

"Ok, but seriously. Who's supposedly the owner of your body? It's just the second day of school." Riki watched as Jungwon slide farther from him, so he did the same but to be closer. He really loved teasing Jungwon.

Heeseung went back to his forgotten, since being mad at Jake, love bubble. "Yesterday was surely the best first day. I met a gorgeous boy at the bathroom." he placed his head on Jake's shoulder, both dreamily recalling the boy they met and were charmed with.

"The bathroom? Sounds truly magical" Ni-ki teased. "But who is it? Like, what's his name?"

Jake laughed, making fun of Heeseung, "This coward didn't ask, he just ran away." Heeseung punched, definitely not softly, his shoulder. Jake groaned, but continued. "Unlike me, I did talk to my pretty boy." Jake proudly stated.

Riki was now even more lost. "Seriously, what the fuck? Jake likes a man? You actually don't tell me anything, swe-"

"I swear if you finish saying that stupid nickname I will pull a taekwondo on you, Nishimura Riki." Jungwon didn't have to look at Ni-ki's eyes to be clear. Riki even held both of his hands in peace. Jungwon was truly scary when serious.

Heeseung and Jake looked at each other in fear of Riki's flesh.

"But to fill you in, Jake was talking about how he met a boy during his biology class. That's why he came out to us." Jungwon gladly explained, coming back to normal as if nothing happened, but surely his threat remained.

"Thanks, I guess." Riki was now cautious. "Ok, but then who is this pretty boy of yours, Jake hyung?"

Jake eagerly responded, his eyes showing the admiration for the said boy. "Park Sunghoon" Everyone looked confused.

"Never heard that name." Ni-ki stated for everyone.

Jake clarified, not knowing the chaos it will ensue. "Because he is a new student, the one you heard about Heeseung." Heeseung's world immediately stopped.

It couldn't be...

He didn't waste a second to interrupt Jake, talking in a serious tone. "Jake, how was this 'pretty boy' you're talking about?" Disconcerting the rest. Why was he suddenly so interested?

Jake frowned. "Dude, I already told you. He was beautiful and-"

"I NEED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, JAKE" Now everyone was surely concerned.

"What the fuck, bro? Why are you so mad?" Seeing Heeseung's desperate and concerned look, he pleased him. "He was tall and skinny. He had brown hair and eyes. He was pale. What else do you want?"

Heeseung exhaled deeply, then inhaled profusely. "Did this boy, had a mole next to his nose?" his thighs were shaking anxiously.

Jake started to think about it. Now that he recalled, he didn't focus if the boy had any moles, but he can faintly picture a little dot besides his nose. "I think so, how did you kno-"

Heeseung caged Jake to the wall behind their table. "You fucking shit. That's MY pretty boy." Heeseung looked mad.

And Jake was too, after leaving his shock and bewilderment. "What the fuck do you mean by YOUR pretty boy?" he pushed Heeseung to get away from his grip. "First of all, why are you jumping to conclusions so quickly? What are the chances Sunghoon and your boy are the same person?" Jake defended himself. Heeseung was overreacting, and really aggresively.

Heeseung didn't look less mad. He laughed sarcastically. "Oh, how much it shows that you don't pay attention to a thing I say!" Jake's lack of acknowledgement about what Heeseung was referring to showed, immensely. "Yesterday, when you asked me the appearance of the boy I was talking about. Try to remember exactly what I answered, but surely you won't, because what I say means shit to you, apparently." Ni-ki and Jungwon were, much, frightened with the tone Heeseung used to reproach the other.

Jake, effortlessly (because contrary to what Heeseung may think, he does listen to his friend), recalled what description Heeseung had given about the boy he met.

Pale, dark hair and eyes, thick eyebrows, which are really outstanding; delicious-looking lips and a mole by his nose.

Worst of all, that description did, in fact, suit Sunghoon undeniably well.

Oh, and he had dared to call him normal and forgettable. Surely, karma was acting upon him.

Fuck, now Jake was done for.

"Now that I think about it, both of your descriptions resemble, a lot." Jungwon stated, not helping Jake, at all, who prayed the universe to be playing a, really unfunny, prank on both. "Maybe you two did fall in love with the same guy. What a coincidence!"

"NO, JUNGWON. Don't even dare to be excited about this. This is not a coincidence, it's a complete disaster!" Heeseung's rage was at its peak.

Riki wouldn't tolerate that, tho. "Hey! Don't talk to my honeybear like that!"

"NI-KI, SHUT UP. You're NOT helping!" Eventhough he also didn't appreciate Heeseung's attitude; he could, kinda, understand it. But Riki's nicknames? Insufferable.

Jake was analyzing every possibility. Heeseung met Sunghoon, or so it seems, during lunch time, but they didn't find him after the bell rang. Sunghoon did point out that he come to school yesterday, but had left after lunch.

Shit, it couldn't be a coincidence.

They both liked Sunghoon.

"Well, are you not going to say anything at all?" Heeseung was extremely defensive.

Jake actually didn't know what to do, less say. "Ok, maybe they are the same pers-"

"PLEASE, it's obvious." Heeseung was NOT having it.

But Jake wouldn't put up with it. "Then what do you want me to say?!"

Heeseung faked being thoughtful. "I don't know, MAYBE 'Sorry for stealing the boy you, very in detail, said you fell in love with, bro.'" Jungwon was now fearing the possible outcome of this dilemma. Riki was really entertained and hoped they both started fighting (he would place all his bets on Jake).

"Don't you think the word love is a bit extreme?" Jake knew Heeseung was trying to frame him as the bad guy in this situation.

"Don't you think it's really disrespectful developing a crush on the same boy your best friend liked first?!"

Jake groaned in despair. "LISTEN, when I met him it didn't even cross my mind the thought of him being the boy you liked, ok?! It was not on purpose!" Heeseung seemed to calm down. Until Jake opened his mouth again. "But if I did knew that, it wouldn't have stopped me from liking him."

Riki added an ooohh, he did not just said that!. Jungwon punched him for adding fuel to the flames.

Heeseung was now twice as mad. "You, little shit. How dare you say that?!"

Jake sighed, maybe he didn't word it well (he definitely didn't). "Look, I'm just saying I can't control my feelings, ok?" he tried to explain it patiently. Heeseung was fuming. "Plus, Sunghoon is not yours." Heeseung added a yet. Jake rolled his eyes, he was not understanding the point. "If he was your boyfriend, I wouldn't even look at him in the first place! But, he was in that classroom, looking fully available and attractive as hell. You can't blame me for DO trying to shoot my shot! You get me?"

In fact, Heeseung did NOT get him. Mainly, because he didn't took well the way Jake implied that he had the balls to talk to Sunghoon and Heeseung didn't.

"No, I don't get you AT ALL." Jungwon promised that if things escalated further, he will intervene. He didn't enjoy witnessing his hyungs fight. "Let me tell you what I'm thinking." Jake lifted his eyebrows, indicating that he was paying attention. Tho, Heeseung disliked the way Jake appeared to feel himself superior to him. "You're bullshit! All these years you declare yourself straight and when I FINALLY meet the guy I've always dreamed of, YOU suddenly turn bi and like him too!" Jake was bewildered. "YOU'VE ALWAYS KNOWN HOW DEVOTED I AM TOWARDS CUTE BOYS, AND YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU, OUT OF NOWHERE, ARE TOO?! You're obviously against me."

Jake couldn't believe it. He was beyond perplexed. Heeseung knew how stupid he sounded? Because if he didn't, Jake was about to put him in his place. "So, you're saying that you think I'm lying about coming out and liking a boy; because I, casually, liked the same boy you liked first, and this is all some sort of evil plan I came up with because you're actually my sworn enemy and all this years of friendship were part of my plan since the beginning?"

Now, that left everyone speechless. But the silence broke by Riki's burst of laughter, following Jungwon's giggles.

Heeseung failed to find everything Jake said as anything but ridiculous. And he desisted from not expressing it.

Jake laughed sarcastically. "Sounds ridiculous, right?" Jungwon and Ni-ki responded lowly absolutely. Heeseung just looked at Jake straight in the eyes and nodded. Jake turned serious. "Because that's exactly how YOU SOUND AFTER EVERYTHING YOU SAID! Seriously, dude! Do you really think of me as some wicked bitch? And what even means being 'devoted to cute boys'? You are the one talking bullshit, and I need you to realize that." Jake ended him right there.

Everyone suddenly became silent, expecting Heeseung's response, who was having an internal battle. He couldn't defend himself, so he admitted defeat. "Ok, maybe I DID overreact with the accusations." Jake nodded in understanding. Heeseung continued, because he was not finished yet. "But, how do you expect me to react when I find out my best bro likes the guy I even dreamt about last night?"

Ok, now it was Jake's turn to reflect. It was indeed an issue they had. "I don't know... Look, I'm sorry for not coming to the conclusion before that Sunghoon was the guy you talked about yesterday, ok? But, I really can't get rid of how I feel about him. But, so do you."

They stayed silent, probably debating internally a solution.

"Oh, I NEED to come sit with you guys more often. Shit gets real here." Ni-ki said to break the ice. Also because he needed to point out how extremely entertaining that whole exchange was.

Jungwon gave him a light punch. He then cleared his throat, ready to gift his point of view. "Hyungs, this whole stir is pointless!" Jake and Heeeung glanced at Jungwon. "You're both fighting about this Sunghoon as if he's a prize. But, what guarantees you that if, hypothetically, one of you declares he 'deserves him more' " Jungwon expressed quotation marks with his hands. "Sunghoon is going to like him back? It's useless to fight."

Jake and Heeseung looked at each other. Knowing what Jungwon said really meant. "So, you think both of us are so ugly Sunghoon won't like neither of us?" Heeseung dramatically cried.

Riki burst out another laugh. Jungwon was done. "You know that was not my point, hyung." Oh, he was serious now.

Jake and Heeseung stopped playing and regain composure. Jake sighed. "Perhaps what Jungwon says is true. Sunghoon is..."

"Unreachable" Heeseung completed his sentence.

Jake let out another sigh. "Exactly, obviously he wouldn't like mediocre-looking guys as us."

Riki shaked his head. "Jungwon, how rude of you! Calling these poor, hideous-looking guys not enough for Sunghoon. Didn't expect it from you, swee-. Jungwon." Riki felt Jungwon's deadly glare on him while ending that last sentence.

Jungwon groaned in complaint. "You know that's also not what I meant! You both are amazing guys, but it's not proper of you to fight for Sunghoon not knowing if he even likes you guys back." And that's why Jungwon was considered the voice of reason.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Jake, discouraged, said. "Then, are we suppose to just forget him or...?" he changed his tone when pronouncing that last word.

Heeseung knew what that tone in Jake's voice meant. He had an idea. "What do you propose?" He will take any chance to solve this issue.

Jake chose his words well to explain thoroughly his plan. "Well, since we can't fight for a chance to shoot our shot, then we will let Sunghoon shoot his first." Heeseung was lost, as well as the younger ones there. "He has met both of us, so we will get a chance to flirt with him only when he comes to us first. It's fair, we won't get to talk to him until Sunghoon wants to. We are respecting him and also refraining jealousy and anger towards the other not respecting our friendship."

Jungwon seemed pleased. "I think it might work. It's perfec-"

"No, it is not." Again, Heeseung interrupting Jungwon, the latter already wearing a frown from it. "It is in fact NOT fair. You got to talk to him, he knows you better than me! He probably thinks of me as the dead-and-rotten-looking weirdo in the men's bathroom. So, I don't think it's fair." Heeseung was totally not satisfied.

Jake was about to protest but Riki beat him in gifting Heeseung an explanation, although more rudely. "Well, you should've thought about that before running away like a pussy."

Heeseung felt offended and placed a hand on his chest from shock. "You talk too much about being a fucking pussy when you also ran away like a pussy from Kim-"

"Don't you dare finish saying that name!" Ni-ki was serious, which was unusual. No one was allowed to pronounce that name, knowing the past that entailed from it. Riki withheld anyone from bringing that up.

Jake beat up Heeseung for that. He then cleared his throat. "I'm with Ni-ki on this, it's not my fault you didn't take advantage when given the time." Jake shrugged his shoulders. Heeseung opened his mouth in offense.

"NO, I desist from accepting this unfair shit." Heeseung stood up while the bell rang finally announcing the end of lunch time.

Jungwon sighed in defeat of finally coming up to an agreement between those two. "We can discuss this later, hyung. Meanwhile, I think is fair that both of you try avoiding Sunghoon until we come up with an agreement."

Jake and Heeseung both replied with an absolutely not and not possible, sorry, respectively.

Great, so they agreed on that, confirming it with a nod. Jungwon just rolled his eyes, even more frustrated when Ni-ki told him to not miss him too much during classes. Why did he hang out with these people?

And, not-so-fortunately, for both boys, they shared all the rest of their classes together which they, conveniently, didn't share with Sunghoon. And when the bell rang signaling school was over for the day, they both sprinted towards the exit, hoping they could at least catch a glimpse of the boy they were both head over heels with. Sadly, they didn't find him. Out of curiousity, did Park Sunghoon had a hobby for introducing himself into random boys' life, rocking them over, and then disappear as if he never existed?

Jake and Heeseung, with no great joy, had to walk together towards their respective home. Not failing to banter all the way about the fair or unfairness from the introduced agreement. And when they parted ways they still continued to debate through chat all evening.

Jake ending the conversation at 10 p.m with a:

>>Whatever, dude. More time wasted discussing this, means less talking to Sunghoon. Tomorrow morning we will solve this, I'm sleepy.

But Heeseung was tired of Jake always having the upper-hand, even when deciding when they will end their conversations.

Tomorrow, Jake will surely witness Heeseung's way of solving this whole dilemma. He didn't have a clue how much Heeseung was determined to make Sunghoon his.

Chapter Text

Heeseung was at school early the next day.

Truly, a miracle must have taken place for that to happen. According to Heeseung it did, a miracle did happen because there was no better way to describe the arrival of Park Sunghoon into his life (eventhough that arrival just lasted that first meeting they had).

Now, why Heeseung had autonomously chosen to wake up at 5 in the morning knowing fully, and painfully, well he will endure all school day with just three hours of sleep? Funny enough, he just had one and enough of a reason to do that.

He was going to wait until Park Sunghoon walks through that damn school gate and not waste a single second to go talk to him.

Yeah, he was THAT determined. And since he had no idea of Sunghoon's usual ETA to school, then he had no choice but to come to school at 6 a.m, which is the time the school opens its gate, and wait patiently until Sunghoon appears. Honestly, he didn't know if he was so into this exhausting plan due to his strong desire to finally exchange words with Sunghoon, or just because he was so done with Jake's superiority complex. Probably both (mostly the latter).

Sure, he was eager to know more about the beautiful boy he fell in love with, even better if it was by his own means, but he was still dreading it. Mostly because Heeseung knew himself well, he was really quiet and awkward with strangers (worse if they carry a pretty face). So, the idea of having a conversation with Sunghoon, alone, was extremely horrifying to him.

What if he didn't know what to say for a split second and that small mistake consequently starts an awkward silence that makes Sunghoon uncomfortable? What if Heeseung's first impression to Sunghoon was so terrible that he doesn't want to talk and after Heeseung's shameful attempt to start a conversation with him Sunghoon develops a strong hate towards him and proceeds to find his dad and tell him his gay?! He couldn't let his dad know he likes dicks- Oh my God, WHERE IS JAKE WHEN NEEDED?!!

He inhaled profusely. No, he needed to stop overthinking and calm down (that was probably what Jungwon would tell him). Jake is not here, and it is better that way (actually not because Heeseung had already been waiting for an hour for Sunghoon to arrive and he was starting to get bored and delirious), because there was no way he was going to back down from his plan.

He recalled Jake's words from the day before, how he said it was HIS fault not talking to Sunghoon when given the chance and how he ended their conversation leaving Heeseung with no other option but to take matters into his own hands. If he backs out then there was no chance of Sunghoon talking to him later, therefore giving chance to Jake to enamour him first and Heeseung was not going to let that happen.

Heeseung left behind his infinite train of thought to focus on the entrance of multiple students, if he lost focus for even a second there might be a chance he wouldn't catch the oh so awesome walk of Park Sunghoon entering school with his model face and body and- OH IT WAS HAPPENING.

There he was, in all his splendor looking so wonderful as the first time they encountered. He was so striking that even in a crowd of students wearing the same uniform as him he was outstanding and remarkable. Heeseung couldn't drift his gaze away from him, and how could he? This was the moment that sealed it all. Sunghoon was indeed real and didn't just appear to shift his, and unfortunately also Jake's, world completely.

So lost by the other's beauty and sole existence, Heeseung almost left Sunghoon escape from him. With just 40 minutes left for class to start, Heeseung took a deep inhale and walked towards that boy whom he was so sure about risking it all.

Jake arrived to school with just spare time to rush and get to class five minutes before the teacher did. Now, five minutes was enough to carry that out, but aside that Jake actually hoped to maybe catch a glimpse of Sunghoon while getting to his class.

That boy really had him falling head over heels in love already.

He really felt like a fool wearing an irrevocable smile while looking all across the hallway if Sunghoon could bless his day with just catching a glimpse of his presence. He couldn't even believe he himself was having those thoughts, it was unnatural of him. Jake never thought meeting someone for just a matter of time could leave him yearning for more, hence why he was so sure Heeseung was exaggerating when talking about his said unreal boy on the first day. But now, having experience it himself was truly different, he never let himself be led by first impressions.

But Sunghoon had surely won his heart just by looking at him with those brown-colored eyes.

He laughed at himself, maybe he was rushing having those thoughts of Sunghoon owning his heart after just one meeting, but he didn't care. He will make sure they spend more time together and get to know each other better, it doesn't matter if he has to compete against Heeseung.

The same Heeseung who apparently didn't care about what they had discussed, talking to Sunghoon mid hallway without a pinch of shame.

Jake's world stopped, simultaneously his blood boiled causing his fists to clench, his eyes immediately started sending daggers towards his so called best friend.

Heeseung, you fucking piece of shit.

Heeseung wasn't stupid, or oblivious to Jake's deathly glare. He witnessed how Jake had suddenly stopped on his walk and stood there in shock, such a shame since he carried a much gleeful smile before. But nothing was going to stop him from completing his so desired interaction with that beautiful boy in front of him. Also, Jake appearing just in time just made it hundred times better, now he had talked to Sunghoon and also hurted Jake's ego (in addition, it seems he also earned Jake's wrath, which actually really frightened him).

"Heeseung are you listening?" Sunghoon asked him, it seemed so unreal still that the gorgeous boy he was so fascinated with was talking directly to him. If the almost heart attack he had experienced when approaching the other didn't confirm it was real, then maybe Jake trying to kill him later will do it.

Heeseung realized he had the love of his life waiting for a reply. "Yes, sorry." Heeseung had not actually listened to the other. "What was it?" he gave an apologetic smile.

The other just giggled softly at Heeseung's clumsiness. "I was saying that it's late, I should go to class. So, see you later." Sunghoon gifted Heeseung a closed-lip smile and left. Heeseung took that chance to finally let out a sigh he had been holding since getting to appreciate the other's heavenly voice.

Sadly, his time to take in all of what had happened with the handsome boy and the whole conversation they had was suddenly interrupted by Jake grabbing his arm, using much unnecessary force, and started guiding Heeseung to, seemingly, the men's bathroom.

And every action sure has its consequence, because Heeseung was highly doubting he will make it out of that bathroom alive.

Jake couldn't care less if the bell signaling the start of their first class rang, because firmly all that he was keeping from screaming at Heeseung's face right there was far more important. He finally let Heeseung, who had been whining all the way there about Jake being too aggressive with him, free from his grip. Heeseung started fake sobbing and rubbed his arm in pain. "Dude, what the fuck?! That hurts!"

Jake's gaze darkened. Heeseung had the audacity to complain when he had committed such heinous act against their rules and friendship. "You know what hurts more? Coming to school expecting to catch a glance of your beloved crush, without a single intention to talk to him actually, because THAT'S WHAT WE HAD AGREED ON, you piece of shit!" Jake spitted the words out of his mouth. "Less would I have thought that my BEST FRIEND would have given shit to that and I would have to witness that betrayal RIGHT ON MY FACE." His words were said with the same sharpness as of a freshly polished knife. "So, dear best friend, what do you have to say on your behalf?!"

Now, Heeseung, during a normal ocurrence (meaning if Jake didn't seem to be on the verge of commiting second degree murder against him), would have probably replied about how Jake's angry stare and overall appearance was extremely hot, but he knew better than to play with fire right now. Jake looked extremely intimidating and probably Heeseung's joke (which had a bit of truth attached to it) wouldn't lighten the mood; on the contrary, it would've lead to his death.

On the other hand, if not given the chance to throw in a joke, then might as well vent to Jake about his unfair shit and so damn irritating ego.

Heeseung's gaze darkened as well. "Well, dear Jake, you were lucky enough to get to witness how I finally took matters into my own hands." Jake's gaze started to show confusion. Heeseung didn't falter, he was standing his ground right there. "Since nobody cared about my opinion of how UNFAIR this whole agreement was then I did what I had to do." Honestly, he was mentally congratulating himself for not stuttering at the end of his sentence when Jake's gaze shifted back to mad.

"You mean doing what YOU WANTED." Jake pointed at Heeseung. "We had agreed to keep distance from Sunghoon until matters were solved. Nowhere that stated the right for you to go do the fuck you wanted just because you keep up with your shit of not having talked to Sunghoon. You broke our promise!" Jake raised his voice.

Heeseung wanted to laugh at Jake's face, he was getting so worked up about something so little. "I can't believe you're straight up lying, motherfucker." Oh, and Jake didn't like what Heeseung just said. "When Jungwon told us to keep distance from Sunghoon we BOTH agreed that it wouldn't be possible, so stop making shit up, dude."

Jake wanted so bad to punch Heeseung's face. "Well, I didn't know you were so DENSE to not get that as an agreement to do exactly what Jungwon had said."

Heeseung immediately showed his disbelief towards Jake's words. "Dude, WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GET THAT? If we both disagree then it's obvious we agreed to do exactly the opposite of what Jungwon said!"

That escalated into a definitely-not-quiet discussion about the meaning of their disagreement. Probably, they should been worried about not being so loud so no one in the hallway would catch them skipping class in the men's bathroom to fight about Heeseung breaking, or not, their promise.

Heeseung was growing tired of Jake's screaming, so he stopped screaming back first . Jake noticed it and frowned. Was Heeseung about to come up with some stupid being the bigger person act? Because if he did, he will not be able to restrain himself from punching him in the face.

The older of both sighed. Taking the chance of silence being present and Jake's attention he talked. "Look, I'm tired of you constantly turning a blind eye to my socializing difficultness. It's so easy for you to just say it's my fault not talking to Sunghoon when first meeting him, when if you were in my place you would also not stop complaining about it." Jake was now much more calm. He drifted his gaze, mostly because he knew what Heeseung was saying is true. "You have this big ego and superiority complex of thinking you're constantly right and if something is easy for you then it should also be easy for me, otherwise I simply don't care in trying, when that is not true." Jake now looked directly at Heeseung's eyes. He knew the other was talking sincerely.

Heeseung inhaled, he needed to gain strength. "You might think that I was so selfish for talking to Sunghoon casually. But you don't know how difficult it was for me to even gain the confidence to walk towards him." Jake's gaze completely softened. He had not thought about how tough it must had been for Heeseung to actually talk to his crush, it was a first. "Just as you do, I also want to get to terms and shoot my shot when given the chance, but there was no other choice for me but to make the agreement fair even if it meant earning your hot angriness." Jake let out a laugh at last.

Heeseung couldn't contain himself from letting out a laugh as well. "I'm sorry for betraying your trust, but I hope you get my point of view now."

Both boys were then strucked by an unusual silence, those were not common between them.

Heeseung was starting to get worried about Jake's lack of a reaction. The other boy was just standing in front of him without uttering a word. Maybe he was waiting for the right chance for Heeseung to get distracted and throw a punch at his face. Or maybe he wasn't a bit interested in understanding him and would then go tell his dad he's gay.

But his thoughts, which seemed to have a pattern at drawing conclusions, were interrupted by the sudden embrace of Jake's arms around his body.

Jake was hugging him.

Was now the time to crack a joke about making up with sex?

"I swear if you ruin this with some shit about us fucking I will tell your dad you like dicks." Apparently no.

Heeseung just laughed. "You know me so well." Jake laughed too. "Ok, now what's with the sudden display of affection?"

Jake pushed away Heeseung, breaking the hug. He still kept eye contact with the other. "I should also apologize." Heeseung responded with an expected No shit. Jake rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry for being so tough with you. And also being such a hypocrite. You're right, if I were you I would burn your house down until you admitted it was an injustice."

Heeseung grinned. "I know you well."

They got tired and decided to sit on the floor (ignoring the fact it was the men's bathroom and probably not so clean), both facing each other.

Jake sighed. "We should not be fighting like this over a guy." He stared at Heeseung who nodded in agreement. They almost never had arguments that ended in them screaming at each other or with the desire of punching the other's face not jokingly. "But I seriously have no other idea of how to deal with this. Like, I really appreciate you, dude. But also, I'm willing to dig to the Earth's core just to get a chance with Sunghoon. You get me?"

Heeseung contained a laugh. Jake and his nerdy metaphors. "Totally. I just talked to my dream boy, I physically can not restrain myself from drifting apart from him." Jake nodded in understanding. They both agreed (but they just learned agreements and disagreements between them might end up getting tricky). "You know, I actually don't think your initial plan was bad." Heeseung was honest, gaining Jake's attention.

"Really? Because it seemed you thought of it as the greatest abomination."

Heeseung frowned. "It was not the deal itself, it was the unfairness of the situation." Jake was probably going to end with PTSD towards the word 'unfair'. Heeseung stucked his stare on the floor. "But now that we're fair and in terms... Maybe it could work."

Jake glanced at Heeseung. "Are you sure?"

Heeseung looked at the other's eyes and stretched his hand to seal the deal. "It's fine for me. You?"

Jake shook Heeseung's hand. He agreed.

They had a deal.

But coming to terms didn't erase the fact they skipped first class, so now they had to wait until the second one started. They remained on the floor with a silence enveloping both.

Until Jake couldn't stand it no more and expressed a concern that had been consuming him since all the stir came up.

What exactly did Heeseung and Sunghoon talked about? How Heeseung got the courage to talk to the other boy? How did Sunghoon felt about Heeseung? Did he find Heeseung more handsome than him?

After begging his friend to please tell everything they talked about, paying no mind to Heeseung's constant assurance of it not being a big deal, Heeseung got tired and told the annoying other his whole exchange of words with Sunghoon.

Heeseung would like to say he confidently went up to Sunghoon and started a conversation immediately after spotting him.

But it would be a lie, because for the last twenty minutes he had been following Sunghoon around the hallways, really creepily, waiting 'til somehow the courage he had been so sure about having before Sunghoon arrived to muster up by itself.

Of course that didn't happen.

What did occur was Heeseung's anxiety reminding him that if it wasn't now then it was never. That he just had less than twenty minutes for him to do something or all his efforts, specially waking up painfully early, will go to waste.

Although all those thoughts were enough for Heeseung to start finally walking towards the other, what conclude in Heeseung touching Sunghoon's shoulder to gain his attention and stunning eyes upon him was the thought of Jake holding Sunghoon in his arms and showing it off right on his face.

"Hi?" the pretty boy in front of him spoke.

Shit, he was real and using his beautiful tender voice to communicate with him.

He needed to talk, but he physically felt like he couldn't. Specially since Sunghoon seemed to take his whole breath away.

Heeseung inhaled. "Hi!"

Fuck, did his voice cracked or was it his imagination? Had he sounded too excited? Had he come up too creepy?

Was he overthinking and probably will end up terrified of the other telling his dad he's gay?

All that came up to whatever because Sunghoon frowned from concentration. He spoke about it. "Hey, haven't we met before? Weren't you the one in the bathroom during first day that ended up leaving really fast?"

Heeseung didn't kill himself right there mostly since the other didn't show a disgusted expression, he just seemed curious. Jungwon always tells him to have a more positive mindset.

He smiled and waved awkwardly. "Yeah, that's me."

He totally didn't want to kill himself after that.

"Sorry, I just had something very important to do at the moment." Worst, pretty general, excuse ever.

Sunghoon didn't seem to mind.

Heeseung neeeded to say anything to save this. "Anyway, I saw you standing here and also recalled you." Yeah, he totally didn't woke up when even the sun had not risen yet to wait for the other to arrive at school anytime. "And I thought that we didn't have a proper introduction and since you're new here you'll probably like to meet new people. Not like I'm claiming myself to be the most interesting or important person to meet but-" Fuck, he was rambling and Sunghoon looked at him weird. "So, I'm Heeseung."

Was it time to finally jump off a cliff?

Apparently not, since his poor attempt at socializing provoked a laugh out of Sunghoon.

"Thanks for your consideration, Heeseung. I'm Sunghoon." In addition to blessing him with a smile, Sunghoon actually took mercy on him and continued their conversation.

Like explaining he just moved to town and that's why he joined 'til this year. That he didn't share most classes with most seniors because his previous school was behind in several topics and he received special classes.

And probably he would've go on about several other topics if not being short of time.

"And that was it, basically." Heeseung concluded.

"I want to break the deal."

Heeseung was bewildered. "Bro, what for? We literally just sealed it."

Jake pouted and frowned. "Because now the odds are on your favor! You two talked too much!"

"Dude, now you're acting ridiculous! That was literally the most basic, and if it wasn't for Sunghoon, it would've been the most lame conversation ever! I embarrassed myself for it, so we are not breaking the deal." Heeseung started getting up after hearing the bell finally ring to announce next class starting.

Jake followed him, and during the remaining classes they shared he was still whining.

Heeseung always thought of math class as some sort of torture. It was complicated, boring, and it didn't have Jake in it.

But given the new circumstances, Heeseung now thought of it as a gift.

Because he got to see Sunghoon.

Yeah, maybe he accidentally forgot to tell Jake that Sunghoon had shared his schedule with him. Revealing they both shared math and physics class. Heeseung wouldn't risk Jake getting even more dramatic when knowing he just shares that optative science class with Sunghoon.

That's why, extraordinarily, Heeseung arrived to his class with great enthusiasm. Walking fast-paced to find the one responsible of his mood.

Sunghoon was seated at the middle row. And although Heeseung was more fond of seating at the last, far away seats from the board (mainly to not get caught doing anything but paying attention) he didn't hesitate to go seat next to the charming boy.

After setting his stuff, Heeseung looked towards Sunghoon expecting the other to have noticed his entrance.

Apparently he didn't, because he seemed to be lost in his own world. Maybe zoning out.

Funny enough, Heeseung would normally side eye any other person looking as spaced out as Sunghoon. But since he was biased towards this splendid boy, he just found it odd.

Also, in any other situation Heeseung would try to grab the other's attention, but he was binded by a deal to exactly not do that.

Great, so he had to wait until Sunghoon came out of his weird spaced out state, finally acknowledge his presence, and talk to him first.

Anyways, he was never known for having great patience.

Heeseung fake coughed, sneezed, he could probably have faked a heart attack and Sunghoon would also not give a shit. Guided by the same short amount of patience, Heeseung threw his notebook, with remarkable force, to the floor.

That obviously earned him a scolding from the teacher (to which he apologized and claimed as an accident) and the pair of eyes of all his classmates on him.

But the only one that mattered was Sunghoon's.

The boy appeared to have been slightly frightened by the sudden noise (understable due to the state he was in before), but he quickly recognized Heeseung and a smile automatically formed on his beautiful face.

Heeseung would slam every notebook on Earth to get that reaction from Sunghoon again.

"Hi, Heeseung. Sorry I didn't noticed you earlier." he greeted quietly.

It was enough to make Heeseung fall for him all over again.

"Oh, Sunghoon. It's okay, I also didn't notice you were here." Lying to Sunghoon about their unexpected encounters was slowly becoming Heeseung's habit.

Sunghoon constantly watched if the teacher was distracted to say something. It was so adorable how he seemed frightened of getting caught, so different to Heeseung not giving a shit.

Heeseung also noticed how Sunghoon wrote everything the teacher did on the board, he had to expect that his perfect boy would also be a perfect student.

Wanting to keep the conversation going, Heeseung decided to ask. "Damn, you're really diligent in taking notes. I barely even brought a pen." Sunghoon laughed at his joke. "You must be a really good student, Sunghoon."

Sunghoon snorted. Heeseung didn't know what was so funny about his compliment. Was his poor attempt at flirting actually laugh-worthy?

Before he started overthinking, Sunghoon responded. "It's quite the opposite actually. I'm terrible at anything that has to do with numbers." Heeseung was surprised. He would have bet that Sunghoon was a math genius. Maybe it was stereotypical to think, but Sunghoon just had that proper look and behavior that screamed nerd. Also the way his notes were written so organized and clean. He had all the characteristics of a role model student.

"I mean, I'm not actually a terrible student. I have pretty good grades on all other subjects. It's just math and physics that mess it all up for me." Sunghoon had a cute frown adorning his face when talking about his relationship with number related subjects. Heeseung was one second away from passing out. "That's why I write everything the teacher says. However, not even these insane amount of notes can help me understand a thing. I'm probably just stupid-"

"NO, you're not-" Heeseung wanted to reassure the other he wasn't that. Nonetheless, he had not measured his tone and spoke to loudly. Sunghoon cut him off with a shush.

Again, Heeseung earned another scolding, but it didn't matter. Park Sunghoon had just shushed him, it was truly a privilege. Bet Jake hasn't experience that.

"Heeseung, I was just joking. I know I'm not stupid, no need to upset about it." Sunghoon giggled.

Heeseung felt a blush creep into his cheeks. Good thing Jake wasn't there, he would instantly start bullying him about it.

He tried to hide his face with his palm discreetly. "Sorry. Just wanted to reassure you about it." He cleared his throat. "I was going to say I think you're admirable for trying to learn. I don't understand most things from every class, and when exams come around I can't even get myself to care and carry the books home." And he was stating the truth.

Sunghoon laughed.

And just that.

Heeseung was not about to give up their conversation so early (completely ignoring they were mid class). "You know, my best friend is like the complete opposite of me. He is such a nerd in math." He had not thought before speaking.

Now why the fuck would he want to bring up Jake to Sunghoon? To make him more interested in awesomely smart Jake? Oh, he hated himself so much. The nervousness had creeped into him making him blurt whatever.

To Heeseung's dismay, Sunghoon's eyes did light up in curiousity. Getting to see that up close was indeed a blessing. And yeah, Sunghoon probably didn't know Heeseung's best friend was Jake whom he had met the day before. But Heeseung's jealousy still bubbled up knowing that, indirectly, Jake had rised curiousity in Sunghoon.

Maybe Jake was right and he had been consumed by ridiculousness and delirium.

"Oh, and is your best friend also here?" Sunghoon asked.

Heeseung was guilty of his own suffering, knowing he raised a conversation around the guy he competed against with. "No," he gulped the thankfully that was threating to escape from his throat. "Like I said, he's a total nerd. He is taking an advanced class of both math and physics." Too much Jake talk, he needed to shift this. "That's why I'm so thankful we share these classes, since I don't have lots of other friends to spend them with."

Sunghoon just hummed in understanding. "I'm also thankful, since I got no friends." he joked.

Heeseung laughed, maybe a little bit too much. But it was Sunghoon so he needed to. "Yeah, that must suck."

He froze after that.

FUCK, he had let his inner, true, hater self out.

He usually directed those rude comments towards Jake and Ni-ki. But he couldn't say such things to his beautiful Sunghoon!

He panicked immediately, not even watching Sunghoon's reaction. "I MEAN! Like in a that's so sad way, BUT NOT that you are miserable or something. Like is understandable because you are new here. Not saying that because you're new you will never make any friends, but-. Like if we're talking about miserable selves I'm more sort of it. Not like it is a competition-. But like I've been here for several years and have like three friends only, so-"

Fortunately, or not, Sunghoon cut off his rambling with a restrained laugh.

He seemed genuinely entertained by Heeseung's stupidness. That was good, right?

Sunghoon tried to stop his laugh. "Oh my God, Heeseung. It's okay, I can take a joke. No need to clarify, mainly because you're TERRIBLE at it!" Sunghoon continued laughing.

Heeseung thought it was a good idea to also follow his laughs.

Then he found out that it wasn't, because a sudden silence was heard throughtout the classroom.

Indeed, Heeseung was scolded for a third time. Not only that, but he had been changed from his seat next to Sunghoon to the front row. Great, as if he would understand better there.

After a painful amount of time without having Sunghoon by his side, Heeseung was finally free from that calculus torture. He didn't waste long before standing up to look for Sunghoon.

Due to the frustrating amount of people wanting to leave for lunch time, Heeseung couldn't spot him. He then moved to the door where he knew Sunghoon would have to exit (pretty obvious).

However, how much of a surprise he took when spotting a furious Jake with his arms crossed over his chest already standing there at the door frame.

Oh, yeah. He had forgotten about the deal. He was now grateful he didn't spot Sunghoon earlier or probably Jake would have ripped his head off right there.

So lost in his world, Heeseung totally missed Sunghoon approaching the one standing at the door.

Fuck

He ran fast towards the pair.

Meanwhile, Jake had rushed to Heeseung's math classroom, sensing something was off after witnessing the strange sight of Heeseung rushing towards his so said torture an hour ago.

He knew Heeseung too well to know something was definitely up.

And seeing the beautiful presence approaching him, he understood immediately.

He was going to kill that motherfucking roach after this.

"Jake?" Sunghoon had greeted him first. He was immediately blessed with the opportunity.

Jake grinned. "Hi, Sunghoon." Jake saw Heeseung rushing towards them. "Didn't know I would encounter you here."

Sunghoon gifted him that beautiful closed-lip smile that had Jake giggling and rolling on his bed the night before.

Their greetings were interrupted by Heeseung who clung onto Jake's shoulder. "Bro, what are you doing here? We always meet at the lunch table." Heeseung had a big fake smile plastered on his face.

Yes, he was questioning Jake right there.

Jake frowned lightly. "Well, am I not allowed to come look for you, best bro?" He grab Heeseung's shoulder too.

Sunghoon seemed to have connected the dots and was lightly shocked (both boys found it so adorable they gripped the other's shoulder from cuteness). "Wait, Heeseung. Is perhaps Jake the friend you were talking about?"

Jake's gaze landed on Heeseung. Had Heeseung really talk about him to Sunghoon? Had he said bad things and planned to cheat? He will seriously kill him.

"Really, Heeseung talked about me? What did he say?"

Sunghoon landed his beautiful, obsidian eyes on Jake. Oh, how much he loved having him close. Although, it was Jake's first time talking to Sunghoon standing up. He had guessed correctly about Sunghoon being taller than him. It didn't bother him in the slightest.

He probably should keep his eyes focused on Sunghoon's, yet it represented a difficultness for Jake to not check the other out. His height complimented so well his model-like proportions.

"He said you were a math genius and a nerd, is it true?" Sunghoon teasingly questioned.

Jake giggled from shyness. He was curious of why exactly Heeseung would mention that. Still, he didn't know if Sunghoon saw that as a good attribute or not.

He scratched the back of his neck trying to hide his blush. "Yeah, kind of."

Sunghoon was about to say something else when Heeseung couldn't contain his jealousy anymore and interrupted.

"Wait, you two know each other? What a coincidence, don't you think?" He was tired of watching Jake and Sunghoon timidly joke.

Sunghoon just nodded. "Anyways, I have to go. It was nice seeing you." Sunghoon quickly walked off leaving both guys flabbergasted.

"Wait! WHAT?"

Both turned to look at Sunghoon running off.

That was weird.

"You fucking creep, you scared him away!" Jake blamed Heeseung. He wasn't done with him. He would never forgive him from interrupting his magical exchange of words with Sunghoon.

Heeseung frowned as well. "Excuse me? We were absolutely fine together during class. You were the one who ruined it!"

"So, you were not planning to tell me about you sharing classes with Sunghoon, little bitch?" Jake would definitely not let that slide.

Heeseung rolled his eyes. "It was not important. It's not like you don't share classes with him as well."

Jake's gaze turned mad, as it seemed to habitually do this particular day. "So you admit you knew before and didn't tell me? And it's absolutely important! I just share with him three hours a week. You get eight!"

Heeseung grunted. "Stop complaining about everything! It's not my fault you decided to be in that stupid advanced class. There's nothing to do!"

Jake was about to push Heeseung, when another person intervened.

"Jake Hyung, please don't!" Obviously, it had to be their guardian angel, Jungwon. "You both promised not to fight!"

Jake calmed down. He probably was getting too upset. But he couldn't keep his composure knowing Heeseung was beginning to act like an asshole.

And Heeseung could say the same thing about Jake.

Jungwon could clearly see how things were abruptly starting to tear apart.

Chapter Text

A week later, Jake and Heeseung were having a hard time, both having to secretly beg for Sunghoon's attention everytime they were blessed to be near his presence.

Yet the one suffering the most was, surely, Jungwon.

Jungwon was no social pal. He had few acquaintances in his class, but none of them close enough to be considered his friends.

Because his true friends were those whom he spend every lunch time with. The ones that never failed to make him laugh and peak his interest with any random topic they brought up.

Jake and Heeseung (and unfortunately Ni-ki too) could never not make him feel happy.

Until they both came across Park Sunghoon, who apparently made them forget a whole universe was existing around them.

In that universe, Jungwon was included.

Maybe he was exaggerating; but, actually, he knew he wasn't.

There was no other way to describe how every damn lunch time he had to witness Jake and Heeseung throw passive aggressive comments towards each other.

Obviously, every single one of those comments, having to do with Sunghoon.

Apparently that guy was the only topic they knew.

"Sunghoon asked me something during math class. Bet he doesn't need your help in bio."

"Bet you couldn't even answer what he asked you."

"That has nothing to do with the trust he has on me. You're just jealous"

"Of the inability you portray in solving integrals? You wish."

"Sunghoon complimented my handwriting today. Something you will never get to experience since you don't even carry a pen to class."

"Please, I've seen your notes. There's more chance he was impressed you wrote in hieroglyphics than he actually meant to compliment those scribbles you do."

EVERY. DAMN. TIME.

Jungwon didn't know how they both behaved during their shared classes. But if it consisted of the same dynamic they had during break, he might actually have to resort to the idea of making new friends.

He was so exhausted of having to listen about the same thing over and over again. At this point he knew ever detail about Sunghoon too! Because if not challeging the other about their interactions with the so called divine guy, Jake and Heeseung wouldn't stop talking enthusiastically about their loved one and his every action or feature.

At least during those moments they acted like the usual best friends they were and not seemed to want to snap the other's neck out of jealousy.

Like they were doing at that exact time.

"I swear his smile can cure diseases." Heeseung pointed out while resting his jaw on top of his palm. Jake sitting on the opposite side of the bench resembled him a lot.

Jake's eyes lit up; he placed his hands on top of Heeseung's. "Have you seen when his fangs poke out while smiling. It's so fucking cute!"

Then they both screeched.

And Jungwon knew they would. Because that same scenario has repeated several times already.

He was getting tired of it. "Can we please talk about something else other than Sunghoon?" He asked having slightly anticipated the reactions it would cause.

Jake and Heeseung turned to look at him as if he had murdered their nonexistent dog.

"You did not just utter those words." Heeseung said, looking very much offended.

Jake followed him placing a hand on his chest and shaking his head in disapproval.

Jungwon wouldn't tolerate their drama anymore. "Can you guys seriously not talk about him for at least one lunch time?" Both boys immediately responded with Absolutely not. Jungwon could just groan in complaint. "Just because you guys are foolishly, and somewhat obsessively, in love with him doesn't mean I have to listen about it every damn time we're together! Even Ni-ki grew so tired of you both that he doesn't eat lunch with us anymore."

Jake frowned. "That's not true. He ate lunch with us yesterday, I remember he was eating some japanese meal his mom made." Heeseung stated he also remembered that. Both wanting to refute Jungwon's argument.

Which only caused Jungwon's anger to increase. "That was four days ago! You guys don't even care about us anymore, it seems." He was clearly mad and was waiting for the other boys to apologize, think about their mistake, and solve things right there.

Instead, Heeseung snapped his fingers in enlightenment. "It's true! That was the day Sunghoon forgot to do his homework and I helped him finish it before class started."

Jungwon gripped his fork, madness was bubbling intensely inside him.

And it officially imploded when Jake talked back. "You can't say you 'helped him' when all you did was ask for the answers to another dude. Bet you didn't even did the homewor-."

He was interrupted by the one who had his remaining patience already squeezed dried out of him. "And you are doing it AGAIN! I swear if you don't cease your pointless fights I will go look for other friends to have lunch with right now!"

"Calm down, Jungwon. Later we can discuss how you clearly miss Ni-ki." Jake had said, obviously not taking Jungwon's threat seriously.

But Yang Jungwon was ALWAYS serious when it came to his threats.

Not tolerating the disrespect towards him anymore, Jungwon without saying a word started packing his lunch and walked away from the bench.

Heeseung and Jake exchanged worried glances. An angry Jungwon was not a common presence, and it definitely wasn't a pleasant one either.

They both hurried to stop Jungwon from fleeing. "Jungwon, I was joking! Please don't leave us." Jake tried to clear his wrongdoing. He should've known Jungwon would definitely not like being teased with Riki (much more for having completely ignored Jungwon's complaint made earlier).

Heeseung, who was holding Jungwon's arm regardless of the boy trying to shake his grip off, begged him to stay.

But nothing was working. Jungwon was definitely not staying if both boys continued to completely ignore his presence.

Jake groaned, everyone was staring at them for the commotion they were causing. "We're sorry, okay? You win, we will not even mention Sunghoon just please don't leave us!"

That seemed to do the work, because Jungwon then went back to sit on their bench and take out his lunch in silence, probably waiting for them to start a conversation that didn't revolve around their loved one.

Jake threw a glance at Heeseung, begging him to say anything through his eyes. However, Heeseung was as blank-minded as Jake and just stared at him wide-eyed.

Jungwon watched their whole wordless ordeal. Sensing none of both was going to do something he sighed and started packing his things again.

Heeseung didn't let him finish as he grabbed Jungwon's shoulders and pushed him to sit back. "So, which club are you guys joining this year? Regristrations are open." Due to the sudden desperation that took over him to prevent Jungwon from leaving, Heeseung finally came up with something.

Jake took the chance to ask Jungwon. "Yeah, which club are you joining?"

Jungwon smiled. "I think I'm joining the student council."

"Oh my God! Congratulations." Heeseung said as Jake cheered for him.

But Jungwon knew they were lying. "You guys don't actually think it's exciting, right?"

Jake and Heeseung looked at each other, regretting being too obvious.

"Yeah, that actually sounds boring as shit." Heeseung admitted.

Jungwon gasped offended. "It's not boring! I've been wanting to join for so long but they only accept juniors and seniors. I actually aspire to be president by next year."

"Clubs are supposed to be fun and distract us from school. Why would you consciously join the one that is only focused on school stuff?" Heeseung expressed his thoughts. "You have a beautiful voice maybe you can join the singing club with me. I assure you will not want to rip your hair out of stress in there."

Jungwon gave him a dirty look. "You know, if it wasn't for the student council you wouldn't even be able to join the singing club in the first place."

"Oh my God, Jungwon!" Heeseung excitedly said. "I couldn't care less." He nonchalantly finished.

"Hey, don't be mean to Jungwon!" Jake advocated. "Yes, he wants to be part of the school's most nightmarish and boring team," Jungwon frowned after hearing that. "but I bet he will do great as long as he's passionate about it." Jake ruffled Jungwon's hair. He absolutely adored him (despite his terrible taste in club selection).

"Thanks, Jake hyung. By the way, which club are you joining?" Jungwon took a bite out of his lunch, he was glad his two friends were putting aside their rivalry and having a normal conversation after a week filled with a lack of those.

"Don't even bother to ask, he's probably joining soccer, again."

"I asked Jake." Jungwon called him out, he was tired of Heeseung interrupting him.

Heeseung just rolled his eyes in response. Jungwon apparently was in a mood that day.

"I'm actually do joining the soccer team, tho." Jake pouted, he was slightly embarrassed of being too predictable.

Heeseung childishly smirked to Jungwon. Then, he turned to Jake and looked done. "Doesn't surprise me."

Jake sighed. "Why do you always get mad about it tho? I don't say anything about you joining singing."

"Because my club is not full of assholes, unlike yours."

Jake and Jungwon were well aware of Heeseung's dislike towards the soccer boys. He often had to meet them when looking for Jake everytime singing club finished first.

Jake's teammates were not bullying him, but they definitely were not so nice. Specially when they saw him coming a third time looking for Jake and started laughing to then shout Jake, your girlfriend is here!.

Heeseung couldn't resist picking a fight right there with them, he was the only one allowed to call himself Jake's bitch.

Unfortunately, that only occured in his imagination; because, in reality, Jake was the one who told them to stop calling him that.

So-naive Jake had thought his little speech defending him had worked. It indeed vanished the verbal comments, but Heeseung could just clench his fists, annoyed, after hearing the distant laughs and pointing fingers coming from the dick-headed boys when arriving to the soccer field.

"Please, I don't even talk to them besides soccer. It's not like they're my friends." Jake said in his defense. For some reason, Heeseung liked to assume the worst out of everything and use it to frame him as the bad guy.

"Polluting yourself with their dreadful presence is bad enough for your health. I'm just taking care of you."

Jake payed no mind to Heeseung's advice and ended the conversation there.

Later, when lunch was close to it's end, Jungwon stood up, excusing himself to the bathroom.

It was just Jake and Heeseung. Without Jungwon.

They didn't waste a second.

"So..."

"What club do you think Sunghoon's gonna join?" Heeseung interrupted.

"I was about to ask the same thing."

"Now we lowkey gotta kiss."

"What the fuck? No!" Jake drifted away from Heeseung in his seat. Even when in love with the same person, Heeseung had to continue his stupid 'we gotta make out' jokes.

Heeseung didn't look a bit offended. Used to Jake's constant rejection. "The only way to know is to ask him." Jake agreed. "But.."

"But what?"

"Nothing." Heeseung replied. Jake knew he was indeed going to say something, Heeseung was just a fan of adding drama to his statements. "I just bet that Sunghoon has a beautiful voice. It wouldn't be a surprise he joins singing."

"Well, I bet-."

"You guys didn't even resist a minute." Jungwon had his arms crossed, carrying a frown and a disappointed gaze.

Heeseung and Jake turned to look at him like recently scolded children. Because that was exactly how they felt.

Jungwon could just sigh, he took a seat. "Lunch's ending in two minutes. Why are you guys even arguing about this time?." If he had to hear their pointless arguments and rambles, then he prefered to not be ignored at least.

"Well, Jungwon." Heeseung intertwined his fingers and placed his hands on the table. "Do you think there's more chance for Sunghoon to join singing club than soccer? Or are you wrong?"

Jungwon shrugged his shoulders. "How could I know? I've never talk to him." He had seen Sunghoon from a distance before. He could immediately tell that he was attractive, but he wasn't sure if his whole personality and physique were stunning enough to deserve the infinite flood of compliments and fightings his friends had for him.

Heeseung held Jungwon's hands and looked straight into his eyes. "I swear his voice is magical, Jungwon. I can perfectly picture him singing to my ear and it being the most beautiful sound ever created."

Jungwon shook Heeseung's hands away, slightly frightened by the way Heeseung had a detailed depiction of the boy's never-heard singing.

Jake cleared his throat. "Although, I share your opinion in Sunghoon's beautiful, deep voice. I think you're forgetting that Sunghoon has a toned body, clearly athletic. I don't think it's a crazy take him joining the soccer team."

"Jake hyung, why have you been inspecting Sunghoon's body?" Jungwon's eyes were wide open. He was getting more than slightly scared now. Heeseung lifted his eyebrow towards Jake.

Jake blushed, wanting to disappear right at that moment. He didn't know his comment could be taken wrong (which was actually not wrong, he was indeed guilty of accusations).

"Oh my God, Jake, you're disgusting-! I'm lying I do that too." Heeseung admitted. If Jake was accused of same acts that he had committed, then let them both be judged.

Luckily for Jungwon, lunch came to an end. He was no fan of hearing his older friends' perversions.

...

The bell rang, which immediately resulted in Jake widely smiling while packing his stuff. Heeseung, sitting next to him, could just roll his eyes in disdain.

It was obvious by each of their reactions which class they had next.

Heeseung saw how Jake took out a small mirror from his bag and started checking his reflection while fixing his hair. "Is it really necessary?"

Jake knew Heeseung was going to make fun of him for it, but he didn't care. "Shut up, I just can't decide which way to wear my hair." Jake struggled placing strands from his bangs to look good.

Heeseung sighed and took the mirror out of his friend's hands. It earned him a What the fuck? from Jake (who was not up for any type of teasing at that moment).

Before Jake could complain further, Heeseung started fixing his hair himself. Jake lifted his eyebrow in suspicion. "Eh, what the fuck are you doing?" He anticipated Heeseung's answer, it was obvious what he was doing. "Let me rephrase, WHY the fuck are you helping me?"

Heeseung took his dear time before finishing his work and handing Jake the mirror to admire his creation. "Can't I just help my bro out of pure solidarity, without any malicious intention behind?" His answer didn't feel sincere to Jake.

What was undeniable was his great job in doing Jake's hair. "Thanks, bro." He patted the other's shoulder. "But this doesn't mean I believe you. I know you're hiding something."

Heeseung raised his hands innocently. "I'm not hiding anything!" It was his turn in patting Jake's shoulder. "But you maybe should be hurrying to class. Heard the teacher denies entrance to anyone more than five minutes late."

Worry was written all over Jake's expression, as well as acknowledgment. "You fucking rat."

He flipped Heeseung off and grabbed his things to start running towards his class. Wasting his breath in nonstop cursing Heeseung.

Fortunately, he arrived just a moment before the door was about to get closed. He was breathing heavily and had to apologize for his tardiness. Jake felt anger immediately bubble up within him now that he wasn't in a hurry.

He hated Heeseung so much for this.

Eventhough he did one thing for him, it didn't matter anyways. His fast pace in the hallway lead to his hair looking like a bird's nest again.

He felt like crying from stress and anger right there.

But the appearance of an angel-looking individual in his field of vision, waving to him and pointing out the empty chair he seemed to have been keeping for him, made Jake reconsider that maybe life was worth the living.

Sunghoon was truly a blessing for him.

He went to sit next to him, exchanging soft Hi's and gentle smiles.

He always anticipated to meet Sunghoon in class, but when he actually had him by his side, taking notes and looking so damn perfect just sitting there; nervousness immediately crept in him making him act shyer and clumsier.

Sunghoon just caused that effect on him.

His right leg was rocking anxiously, waiting (and praying) for the other boy to talk to him. When establishing the deal, he never imagined how desperate it will have him for Sunghoon's eyes to lay on him.

Luckily, his wish was granted. "Why were you so late?" Sunghoon asked him.

He felt his heartbeat speed up after hearing Sunghoon's voice. It was like a default feature. "I got distracted by Heeseung's ramble. Lost track of time." He decided to just sugarcoat what had really happened. He was unable of fully lying to that marvelous face, worse if he was making eye contact like at that moment.

Sunghoon nodded, going back to focusing on the lecture.

However, Jake remembered the conversation held at lunch. He needed to know what extracurricular activity Sunghoon was choosing. Begging for it to possibly be soccer.

He lightly tapped the stunning boy's shoulder, gaining his attention. Jake cleared his throat, he was a little nervous. "You know, Sunghoon. Registrations for clubs are open, and I was a little bit indecisive, but I finally settle in joining soccer. What do you think?" He didn't want to straightforwardly ask him what club he was planning to join, his interest would be obvious.

He wasn't sure exactly what reaction he was expecting from Sunghoon, but he was a bit underwhelmed with Sunghoon's Yeah, seems cool.

Ok, that didn't go so well. Maybe he was indeed expecting Sunghoon to show some kind of interest towards him joining soccer team. But that wasn't the case.

Straightforward it was then. "Don't you like sports?"

He saw how Sunghoon immediately covered his mouth to stop a bursting laughter. Jake could just stare at him in confusion. Was he wrong?

Sunghoon shook his head, denying. "God, no. Why would you think that?" He seemed genuinely curious of how he got to the conclusion Jake had thought was pretty obvious.

"It's just.. You seem the type to play some kind of sport. You look pretty athletic." Was he too honest? Suddenly he recalled Jungwon's comment about him checking out Sunghoon too often. He didn't want Sunghoon having that perception of him.

Sunghoon's expression then shifted to a shyer one. "I did practice a sport before. But it's not like soccer or of that kind. I suck at any sport that has a ball involved." He laughed, like making fun of himself for not being good at it.

Jake couldn't believe he had been so wrong. "What sport did you practiced, then?" Don't blame Jake for assuming soccer is the only sport in the world, he still was a less-than-two-weeks retired straight guy.

Sunghoon appeared to be a bit shy and private about it, tho. It wasn't Jake's intention to make him uncomfortable. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. No problem."

Those beautiful brown eyes were suddenly wide open in worry. "No, no. It's just, it's not something I tell everyone, so I'm not used to it. I'm rambling, but the point is-" Jake didn't even care if Sunghoon was tripping over his words, he could just focus how marvelous he looked while flustered. "I did ice skating."

That caught Jake off guard.

"You seriously did ice skating, that's awesome!" He didn't measure his volume from excitement. Sunghoon, scared of gettting scolded (as usual), shushed Jake.

Jake covered his mouth, embarassed from almost telling everyone around them what Sunghoon had trusted him. "I'm sorry. But that's like really cool."

Sunghoon smiled in return. "Thanks, but I don't do it so often anymore. I have found other hobbies."

Jake wanted to know every little detail about Sunghoon now. He did before too, but everything new he learned about him picked his interest even more. "What do you do now? It could probably help you pick a club to join!" He would be more than honored to help Sunghoon join any club he liked.

Sunghoon got closer to Jake, as if telling him a secret only they would share (Jake felt like fainting due to their closeness). He then pronounced the words.

"I think I'll join singing."

Today wasn't his day, AT ALL.

...

His class finally ended. Sunghoon had so nicely waved goodbye to him.

Jake waved back, but he couldn't push himself to at least match Sunghoon's radiant smile while parting ways in the hallway.

Hell, the usual sadness that drenched over him after his bio class finishes and his shared time with Sunghoon was over didn't even hit the same that day. Or maybe it did, but Jake couldn't fully concentrate on it .

Because it was as if a grey, humorless cloud had positioned over his entire self, was home to all the issues and sorrow he carried, and followed him everywhere. Was he exaggerating? Probably. But he had every right to feel that the world was totally against him.

Why did all coincidences pointed to Heeseung's side? He was the one who shared most classes with Sunghoon, he was the one that Sunghoon oftenly asked for help, and now they were turning clubmates. It wasn't even wrong to assume that they were closer.

At this point he felt like he didn't even had a chance anymore.

Yes, he was having a crisis mid history class, and one of its causes was sitting right next to him eating a bag of cookies not giving shit of the assignment they were supposed to complete.

Heeseung felt Jake's gaze on him. He didn't imagine that it would be filled with hatred when turning to look at him.

"Jesus, why did you suddenly turned emo?"

"Shut up." Jake said coldly. "Don't think I forgot about what you did before my bio class."

Heeseung shrugged his shoulders. "Come on, it's not my fault you didn't realize time was running. And you still made it to class, so stop whining." He carried on with eating his snack.

Jake clenched his fists. He was tired of fighting with Heeseung, but he couldn't overlook his asshole attitudes lately.

Class eventually came to an end. Jake couldn't be more grateful about it. He was yearning to get home and lay on his bed to rethink all his life decisions.

Quickly packing his things, Jake almost reached the portal to exit that classroom that was overfilled with his negative thoughts.

When all of a sudden, a hand grabbed his arm. "Dude, why are you in a rush? You didn't even wait for me."

Great, the last person he wanted to talk to right now. "I want to go home."

Heeseung's expression perfectly portrayed his confusion. What had depressed Jake all of a sudden? "Whatever, bro. I just wanted to ask you if you asked Sunghoon about the club thing. Obviously, you did. I know you. But what did he say?"

Anything but that, please.

Jake pulled his arm away from Heeseung's grip. "Ask him yourself." He wasn't in a mood to reminisce the catalyst for his mental breakdown.

Heeseung's mouth was wide open, purely offended. What the fuck was wrong with him? He had asked so nicely, not even out of jealousy but pure curiousity. And this bitchy, emo persona Jake had adopted now ruined his mood completely.

Whatever, if Jake doesn't give a shit about what he does, then better take advantage out of it.

Meanwhile, Jake was making his way home. Almost reaching the school's gate, he heard a voice calling his name next to him. It was Jungwon. He carried a worried expression with him.

"What happened?" If it were any other person interrupting his dramatically discouraged walk home, probably Jake would have dropped to his knees and cry for not being able to continue his path in peace. But it was Jungwon, and Jake was physically unable to get mad at him.

Jungwon effortlessly noticed Jake's unusual bad mood. He decided to not make a comment about it tho. "Nothing. Just wondered why you're leaving without your better half."

Jake scoffed. Was it illegal wanting to spend some time alone? "I'm tired. Wanted to go home as soon as possible."

Jungwon wasn't convinced, still opting to not mention it. "Sorry for holding you back then." Jake wanted to point out Jungwon was never a nuisance. "I was worried you two guys had fought again. I really hope your friendship doesn't get ruined with this whole crush problem."

Jake felt his heart clenching after witnessing Jungwon's, adorable, worried demeanor.

Seriously, Jungwon could ask him to stop breathing and Jake would comply.

He pinched the boy's cheek, earning himself a cute frown from the other. "I promise, we're okay."

Jungwon smiled and waved goodbye.

Leaving Jake behind, thinking over what had happened with Heeseung. He couldn't suppress the slight guilt that washed over him after recalling how childish he had been.

He hated Heeseung's idiotic attitudes, yet he was behaving the exact same way.

But what he hated the most was the fact that he knew that it wasn't Heeseung's fault that the world favorited him. Nor that Sunghoon preferred him.

Jake turned back in his steps, walking towards the classroom he had last seen his friend who deserved an apology.

It was not an easy task, walking through the bunch of students that were trying to escape from their eight-hour hell when he was doing the exact opposite. He was looking for Heeseung amidst the crowd.

Heeseung's height was truly an advantage, making it easy to spot him at the end of the hall. Jake ran towards him.

But he definitely had not expected that at the moment he turned around the hallway he was going to face a scene that made every bit of guilt he felt beforehand to shatter in an instant.

Heeseung approaching Sunghoon. Then tapping his shoulder. Starting a conversation with him. Breaking their deal.

What had just happened?

Heeseung broke their deal. The one they had specifically established out of respect towards their friendship. But since when had he first broken it? It surely wasn't until now that he had done that. Maybe he never gave a fuck. Maybe that was the reason why he had been so luckily close to Sunghoon. Because he never gave a fuck while Jake was overthinking in guilt for blaming his friend about something he indeed had cheated in.

Alternatively, Heeseung was internally partying in joy. He had told Sunghoon he was planning to join the singing club, to which Sunghoon excitedly added that he liked singing too. In perfect addition to his euphoria, he had offered Sunghoon a spot in the club (as if he had an important role in the club to actually do that, but adding Sunghoon's name to the registration list would suffice) and he said he will ponder it.

He was so happy he could kiss Jake!

Speak of the devil, Heeseung's excitement immediately left his body. He felt frozen after Sunghoon had pointed to his back and said: "Hey, there's Jake, we should go near him."

The shiverish boy turned to inspect and, as he had imagined, Jake was carrying an unhappy (extremely raging) look with him, specifically directed towards him.

The last great idea he would've ever had was to involve Sunghoon in this. So, without gifting a proper explanation, Heeseung said goodbye alongside a cheapish 'Jake and I have to go.'

After turning his back to his precious-looking boy, Heeseung planned to approach Jake. But it seemed the other boy was dreading that idea, running away from him.

Great, now he had to run. He hated running.

Following the semi-race they underwent through the school's hallways, reaching the street two minutes away from their former location Heeseung realized he was not able to keep up with Jake's pace.

"Jake, for fuck's sake, stop running!" the latter completely muted his words. He was tired, but not only from running, but also from the mental willpower he must take not to leave right then and there when faced with the fact that he was practically begging Jake. "You know what? Whatever, I'm not willing to keep following you around like your little bitch just because you're unable to have a proper discussion." Jake clenched his fists, yet continued his pace. "It's a classic, really. You not being open for any other point of view outside of yours. Fully guided by your big ego."

Jake couldn't hold himself further.

"And you know what? You're such a damn asshole that you can't even offer a proper apology but instead you start blaming me for everything, as always." Jake got closer to Heeseung, pointing him accusingly. "You can say all you want about me having a big ego, but at least I didn't betray your trust! Because that's what you did, you broke our deal, the one we had agreed on to respect our friendship. But yeah, you totally deserve my forgiveness."

Jake's gaze shifted from anger to disappointment. "It was obvious that the deal wasn't gonna work since the first day we sealed it. So, you win. The deal's broken, let's do what we want whatsoever."

They were both looking straight into the other's eyes. The tension unbearable, in expectation for Heeseung's response. "I didn't ask for your forgiveness."

Jake felt madness condensing in him again. "I'm sorry?"

Heeseung cleared his throat. "You jumped to conclusions again. I was not going to ask for your forgiveness, because I don't deserve it." Jake's gaze didn't falter. What the fuck was Heeseung even attempting? "Nonetheless, that's not the point. As you said, the deal was getting us nowhere, but that was not the whole reason to why I broke it. I just-" He stopped to take a breath. "I feel exactly how you feel about me towards you too. You have sudden mood changes, you talked to me like shit during the last class and now I can see why. You didn't want to tell me about what Sunghoon said to you because you were jealous he was joining singing. Although I didn't knew that then-."

Jake had to interrupt him. "Sorry, are you seriously redirecting the topic with something that has nothing to do with it just to minimize what you did?!"

Heeseung frowned and rolled his eyes, Jake wanted to punch his face cause of it. "See, you're not even letting me finish again!"

"Because I don't need to let you finish! In fact, I don't even know why am listening to you when there's no way to justify your actions."

"You know, this is exactly the topic which I was about to bring up! You're accusing me like I'm so fucked up criminal." He was now the one who pointed Jake out. "You either get along with me as best friends or treat me like a fucking rival you have to get out of the way, no in between. Exactly like you were behaving last class, and it's due to your over-the-top jealousy towards me and Sunghoon." If he could, Heeseung would tape Jake's mouth to stop him from interrupting.

Jake could whole-heartedly laugh at Heeseung's argument. "I can say the exact same thing about you too! And either way, I still wasn't the one who broke the deal."

Heeseung groaned, then he practically begged with his hands. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm so fucking sorry for betraying your trust and letting my remorse towards you overcome me." He tried to word his most sincere apologies. If that was what Jake wanted, then he had the duty to fulfill it.

"I don't want your shitty, shallow apology." Jake screamed. "And to think that I was going back to sincerely apologize to you about giving you an attitude and you can't even apologize well for doing something far worse."

Heeseung wanted to just fall to his knees in despair. "You're wording it as if I killed someone! We both did wrong."

"No, that's not true. But you don't want to understand it." Jake said, giving an end to their discussion. "To seal it up, the deal's gone. We can talk to Sunghoon whenever we want. Let's see who he prefers then." He then continued his way towards his home.

Heeseung wasn't pleased with the inconclusive ending Jake was establishing. "What about us?"

Jake didn't have to ponder. "I don't know, but I'm not in the mood to continue with this today."

Heeseung agreed.

...

Jake spent the whole night thinking. He didn't know what to do.

He was no fan of getting in a fight with Heeseung, his best friend, but he was not sure of being able to keep up with Heeseung's shitty self.

Jake disliked to point it out, but maybe Heeseung was right on something.

They were better off without the deal.

Probably not in terms of their friendship, but indeed in individual terms. It meant that now he could peacefully and freely talk to Sunghoon. Maybe this was an opportunity to shift Sunghoon's attention from Heeseung to himself, and get him to like him back.

His relationship with Heeseung was sure now a mess. But he could not waste the great opportunity he had incoming with Sunghoon.

He eventually fell asleep, with a plan in mind.

...

Jake normally arrived to school ten minutes early, never a fan of waking up at a time the sun hasn't even risen yet.

However, there he was, at seven in the morning standing near the school's gates waiting for a specific someone to show up. Initially, he had planned to arrive an hour earlier, but it had shown to be a difficult task to get up from his bed when it felt like his mattress was lullying him to sleep some more; and, as a people pleaser, he had complied.

Reason behind his need to undertake such a hellish activity being his impatient self who had the great idea of inviting Sunghoon to spend lunchtime together. Certainly, he could've asked him at any time during class switch-up, but he preferred being cautious over a certain someone ruining his entire plan. Better safe than sorry.

In a situation so boring as leaning on a tree waiting for over thirty minutes already, it was predictable his mind would instinctively get him lost in his thoughts sometimes. His thoughts revolving around, as predicted, Lee Heeseung. If he worded it that way, it lowkey seemed as if he was fantasizing over him. Heeseung would surely make a 'we gotta fuck' joke out of it.

He couldn't hold himself back from chuckling, until he felt self-conscious after laughing over his thoughts.

It didn't sit right with him the way their discussion ended the day before, though he had been the one who cut it. But the situation was turning bigger everytime and he didn't know how to handle it just yet. Jake wasn't sure how he would even be able to face Heeseung.

Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, for him, he didn't have to worry about that anymore; because, for some unaccountable reason, Heeseung was approaching him.

He could just sigh in defeat, it wasn't as if he could move or run away, he had to wait for Sunghoon.

Before he could tell Heeseung to piss off, he was interrupted. "You're waiting for Sunghoon, right?"

Jake frowned, was he going to act as if nothing happened? "None of your business."

"Please, it's obvious." He rolled his eyes. Jake suppressed the need to ask him 'If it's so obvious then why the fuck are you asking, dumbass?'

Jake thought that Heeseung maybe was planning to continue their discussion which was left unfinished. Yet it seemed like his hypothesis had been wrong since Heeseung hadn't uttered a word after a minute, just standing right by his side.

"Why the fuck are you still here?" Maybe he had been a bit too rude.

Either way, Heeseung didn't falter, he just answered. "Just like you, waiting for Sunghoon." Jake had to stand straight from what he just heard. Heeseung interrupted him before speaking, again. "By the way, Sunghoon usually arrives twenty minutes before the bell rings. No need to come so early to school."

Did Heeseung not realized he sounded creepy as fuck saying that as if nothing? It was a lot to process for Jake. "Wait, how do you know that? Or better, what are you planning with Sunghoon?"

Heeseung shrugged his shoulders. "I just assumed you did the same thing I did when I first talked to Sunghoon. Since then I have noticed he arrives at school pretty on schedule." He then turned to look at his friend. "And I'm not going to tell you, since I suppose you would not tell either."

Jake rolled his eyes. Great, they probably had thought the same plan, turning it into a competition. He just hoped he would win.

He could not get lost in his thoughts again, so he eagerly inspected every single person who walked through that damn gate.

Until five minutes later his vision caught a glimpse of that fluffy, dreamy black hair worn by a tall individual with characteristic porcelain, white skin.

Jake felt like running towards him, to get his attention first rather than Heeseung. However, that might come off as creepy since Sunghoon had not even stepped near him, he pondered it for a while.

On the contrary, Heeseung didn't give a fuck and soon raced to Sunghoon's side. Jake did as well, cursing himself for not considering Heeseung's lack of shame when it came to Sunghoon.

Poor Sunghoon, simply making his way to class for him to suddenly get obnoxiously approached by two boys in desperate need of his attention.

To Jake's dismay, Heeseung reached Sunghoon first. "Good morning, Sunghoon!" They said in unison.

Sunghoon, predictably shocked by their sudden appearance, said hi back. "Why are you guys running?"

Jake spoke faster, he was grateful for it. He knew Heeseung wouldn't dare to seem badly-mannered in front of Sunghoon to interrumpt him. Right? "Nothing, I just wanted to ask if you would like to sit with-"

"Us. During lunchtime." Heeseung had placed his arm over his shoulder, possibly to make it seem as if it was a shared idea.

Jake felt like twisting his arm. As well as he felt his own eye twitching.

He, unlike Heeseung, cared about his impression. It would seem rude to correct Heeseung's words, and maybe his more-than-friendly intentions would be too obvious if he uninvited his friend along.

So he could just nod, encouraging Sunghoon to respond.

Sunghoon offered them a smile, Jake and Heeseung were anxious to hear the 'yes'.

"Thanks, but I'd have to say no. I'm already busy during lunchtime." Sunghoon embarrassingly apologized.

Their smiles faded.

Jake had not expected a 'no' for an answer. "W-well if you're busy with an assignment, then there's no problem. You can do it while sitting with us."

Heeseung supported him. "Yes, maybe we can help too."

Sunghoon giggling was not on their expected-reaction list. Nor his excuse. "Thanks again. But what I meant was that I already have someone to eat lunch with. You guys really thought I've been at lunch alone for a whole week?"

He smiled again. As if his answer didn't spark a ginormous bomb of jealousy in both guys.

Jake was speechless. His boiling blood demanding him to ask who was this person and why were they so special that Sunghoon couldn't cancel ONE lunchtime with them. His partly sane mind telling him exactly not to do that. He was not going to get jealous about Sunghoon making friends.

On the other hand, Heeseung didn't have a sane side to him. "Who is it?"

Jake kicked Heeseung's calf, on full purpose. Sunghoon seemed to not have a problem answering. "His name is Park Jongseong, but he told me I could call him Jay. I don't know if you guys know him?"

Both of their jaws dropped to the floor. Jake wanted to rip his hair out. Heeseung mentally fell to his knees in defeat.

Out of everyone in that damn school looking to make new friends, the one that had to approach Sunghoon and offer him his company seriously had to be Park Jay?!

Might as well give up now, because there was no opportunity whatsoever in winning a guy against Jay Park, undeniably the school's hottest man.

Sunghoon tilted his head. Confused as to why Jake and Heeseung had suddenly froze and just smiled, somewhat creepily. "Doesn't ring a bell?"

Jake could have laughed at Sunghoon's comment. Not because it was necessarily funny, but due to the irony of it. They knew Park Jongseong FORTUNATELY well.

"Don't worry. We DO know each other." Heeseung managed to say through gritted teeth. Jake nodded along.

Completely omitting the fact that they knew Park Jongseong as the extremely hot guy who seemed to have a great dislike towards both of them.

They came to that conclusion after they were assigned as a trio for a social studies (class which they both hated) presentation during their freshman year. At first they were cool, but everything slowly went downfall everytime Heeseung and Jake kept delaying their progress with the excuse of there being enough time to worry about it later, despite Jay's constant reminders about the dead line.

Spoiler: Jay was the only one who completed his part, earning them a low score.

Jake and Heeseung apologized sincerely, and even offered to put all the blame on themselves to save Jay's score. However, the other boy had already developed resentment towards them. Never accepting to work with them again, and constantly rolling his eyes to show his annoyance everytime they were too loud in class.

But it's not like he hates them (Jake and Heeseung liked to think), and they did not hate him either.

Until that moment.

Sunghoon gave them a close-lipped smile. "That's great! We could probably all have lunch together one day." Yeah, that probably was not a great idea. Sunghoon looked at his watch. "Well, but maybe another day. Right now, I need to go to class." He waved with a low Bye, walking to later disappear amidst the crowd of people doing the exact same as him.

Heeseung and Jake didn't even try to hold him back, maybe convince him that Jay would be fine alone for just one lunch time.

Because they both were in a state of total despair. Just as Sunghoon was out of sight, Heeseung suddenly shouted into the air FUCK. Jake totally understood him.

They were, indeed, fucked.

Heeseung shook Jake's shoulders, evidently desperate. "Why?! Out of everyone, why couldn't it have been someone ugly?!" Heeseung rested his head on Jake's chest, his eyes threatening to tear up.

That's how defeated he felt.

Jake went out of his shocked state, groaning after realizing how close Heeseung was. He didn't waste time in pushing him. "Fuck off."

Heeseung rolled his eyes. "Please, don't tell me you're gonna continue with your lonely wolf shit. Are you not seeing that we have a bigger problem here?" Jake crossed his arms, and stepped back from Heeseung's possessed-self, he didn't seem to be handling so well this Park Jay the intruder situation. "That man who's hotter than the sun is gonna have no problem stealing our beautiful man, and you are going to let it happen all due to your mad emo mood. And I bet you want to curl up and cry just as much as me right now."

Jake avoided his friend's gaze. He was right, not only did he had to compete with Heeseung before, but now he was against the world's most handsome man who was even closer to Sunghoon than them, allegedly. He felt like a wooden spoon between expensive silverware.

"It's just... Why did it exactly have to be the one guy who probably hates us with his whole soul over a fucking overpopulation presentation?"

Heeseung didn't waste time to go hug his bro, they both needed it.

Jake accepted the hug, albeit relunctantly (he was actually holding back his smile).

"Bro, I swear if you didn't forgive me right there I would have kill myself. I can't handle all of this alone, it's better if we suffer together." Heeseung rested his chin on Jake's shoulder.

Jake pushed Heeseung away gently, people were staring at them and it was weird (although he needed the hug too). "Who said I forgive you?"

Heeseung placed his hand in Jake's shoulder. "Please, I know if we were not in school you would have already thrown yourself in my arms and pleaded to cuddle."

Jake wanted to cry from how well Heeseung knew him.

"I've never regretted procrastinating as much as with that stupid social studies presentation, now."

Heeseung groaned in frustration. "Dude, I swear he does this as revenge. He knows we cannot beat his damn godlike and hot as fuck face."

Jake laughed. He missed Heeseung's gay as hell comments (although it had only been less than a day since their fight).

"Well, Jay always joins the basketball team and you share singing with Sunghoon. So at least you beat him in that." Jake remarked.

"That's not true."

Both boys jumped in surprise by the sudden inclusion of another voice.

It was Ni-ki.

"Fuck, kid. You almost made me shit myself. Didn't you learn to not intervene in other's conversations." Heeseung pointed to Jake and himself. "And also, you know shit about Sunghoon, so shut up."

Ni-ki smirked, happy to ruin his hyung's joy. "You're right, I don't know shit about him. Don't even know how he looks." Heeseung nodded, taking pride for putting Ni-ki in his place. Not knowing it was the other way around.

Riki took his phone out. "However, the registration list that the dance club's president sent me yesterday says otherwise." He proceeded to show the two boys his phone screen.

Jake and Heeseung got closer, not believing in their younger's words. Slightly scared, taking into account that Ni-ki was the vice-president of the dance club and it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to posses that list.

But he wasn't lying, unfortunately. The photo clearly showed the paper tacked next to the other registration lists, and in the row below the title 'Dance Club Registrations Open' Sunghoon's name was prettily written.

Heeseung stood there. Expressionless, speechless as well.

Jake knew it would take him some time to get over it. "You really just came here to tell us that so Heeseung can suffer?"

Ni-ki shrugged his shoulders. "I initially planned to ask why the fuck are you two hugging at the school's entrance? That's gay." Jake lifted an eyebrow. As if Ni-ki was any better with Jungwon.

The bell rang. Riki put away his phone. "Anyways, but seeing your disappointed faces is better. See ya'."

Jake sighed. "Dude, we gotta go."

Heeseung just defeatedly added. "Be ready."

Jake frowned, confused. "For what?"

"None of both have a slight chance now. Motherfucking, wetting-hot Park Jay will win Sunghoon over. We will end up heartbroken and lonely, probably resulting in us marrying each other, which actually doesn't seem so bad. Adopting three dogs and living in a far away village to avoid telling my dad I'm gay."

"Surprised you didn't mention us fucking or something."

"I'm still refuting to hand you my ass."

Definitely not a normal conversation between best friends, but it was their way of coming to terms with the fact they had no chance in beating Jay Park for Sunghoon's love.

Not knowing that the hottest man in school actually only had eyes for a specific someone, who was definitely not Sunghoon.

Chapter Text

And just like that, when Heeseung and Jake thought they were having a tough time competing for Sunghoon’s love, the universe moved its strings to show them that it could be a hundred times worse.

Indeed, Park Jongseong being Sunghoon’s friend was a hundred times worse.

After that devastating and gut-wrenching announcement Sunghoon gifted (cursed) them with, the pair of best friends constantly shifted from two moods:

Grieve and whine for their inevitable defeat or become possessed by their inevitable jealousy.

Sometimes, they combined both.

Like what they did the rest of the day after Sunghoon confidently rejected them to spend lunchtime with stupidly sexy Park Jay.

"Did you hear when Sunghoon said 'He told me I could call him Jay.' Please, EVERYBODY calls him that. He probably said that to convince Sunghoon he's special. My poor, naive Hoon doesn't know he's being used."

"Ugh, and I bet he talks shit about us to Sunghoon."

"We have no chance, with a face like his I would believe everything he says too."

The grieve and whine part mostly came out everytime Sunghoon mentioned them anything having to do with the stupid social studies presentation guy.

"Jay told me the same thing!"

"This juice? Jay bought it for me during lunch."

"Sorry, I was texting Jay. What did you say?"

The one thing that stop them from sobbing right in front of Sunghoon was knowing that they would later, after school, cuddle and share their misfortune with the other at Jake's house to suffer together.

On the other hand, the burning jealousy came out pretty often.

Like every single time they had to cruelly witness Sunghoon and Park Jay hanging out in the cafeteria every lunchtime.

Or whenever Park Jay went to pick up Sunghoon when the bell rings for lunch after math class. Leaving Heeseung with the desire to commit murder everytime Park fucking Jay dared to appear as if Sunghoon didn't own two completely fine working legs to walk by HIMSELF.

But surely, the thing they both couldn't withstand any longer was knowing that every day once they said goodbye to Sunghoon after school, their precious loved one will later walk to his house with, none other than, Park motherfucking Jay by his side.

Sunghoon is not a baby, so why the fuck did Park Jongseong had to accompany him towards his way home?

Sure, Jake and Heeseung also walked home together. But that was different, really.

And they didn't have proof about it. Jungwon fully believed they were beyond insanity the moment Jake and Heeseung dedicated a whole lunchtime to explain in detail why horribly-wicked Park Jay was planning to steal Sunghoon from them (Jungwon wanting to correct that Sunghoon was not theirs), in revenge for their failed overpopulation presentation. The whole dispute entailing after Jungwon expressed that them being friends didn't necessarily mean that Jay liked Sunghoon.

But the moment they were impatiently waiting for finally arrived. Proof that Park Jongseong was a miserable prick that had an unreasonable (slightly reasonable) hatred towards them, and he was close to Sunghoon just to ensure their misfortune.

That moment ocurring one of those, painful, times they self-harmfully witnessed how Sunghoon ran to Jay's side for them to walk home together.

Jake and Heeseung were about to complain and sigh just like every other time. Until they both noticed how Park Jongseong turned his head to catch a glimpse of them, pathetically, observing them leave whilst still walking with Sunghoon closely by his side.

To then smirk.

He fucking smirked. At them. To then continue his way with Sunghoon as if nothing.

That scene replayed a hundred times in both boy's head. Surely adding evil music and slow motion as if it were a movie.

Leaving aside the fact that they went home to sob about how they were, definitely, defeated by now, they finally had proof for Jungwon to believe them.

"Jake Hyung, that did not happen."

Jake gasped offended. "Jungwon, how dare you accuse me of lying?! Heeseung was there, he can confirm it."

Heeseung automatically nodded. He can, indeed, confirm it.

Jungwon rolled his eyes, apparently not convinced. "Please, Heeseung hyung supporting you is useless. Both of you are so delusional that I would bet that you just hallucinated him doing that, if not the case that you have agreed to completely lie to my face."

"And to mine." Ni-ki added. It was one of those uncommon times were he was sitting with them.

Or rather, sitting with Jungwon. Because he was almost sitting on the other's legs from how close he had decided them to be (Jungwon at the edge of his sit, unfortunately not having any more space left to drift away from Ni-ki's body).

Heeseung groaned. "Jungwon, please. We're not as insane as to hallucinate things! Plus, it's obvious to plain sight that he likes Sunghoon, and he obviously sees us a threat."

"See, that's when I have to partly agree with Jungwon." Riki placed his arm around Jungwon's shoulder. Jungwon grimaced. "Because you guys are not in your right mind if you seriously believe that a guy like HIM" He pointed with his chin towards where Jay and Sunghoon were enjoying their lunch. " feels threatened by...you." He took a look at both, disapprovingly.

Jake pouted. "Ok, you didn't have to be so mean."

"Yeah, you didn't." Jungwon gave Ni-ki a dirty look. "And it's not 'obvious', it just shows that you guys only interpret what you want to see. That guy doesn't see any of you as a threat because: Surprise! People can be friends with Sunghoon without any other intentions behind." Jungwon advocated.

"Perhaps you're the one who doesn't want to admit that we are right." Heeseung refuted. He wouldn't let them get clocked by Jungwon giving a well-founded argument.

Jake and Heeseung caught, for a slight moment, nervousness creeping in Jungwon's face after hearing Heeseung's words. The younger immediately denied the claims, tho. "What?! Obviously not."

Before they could question further regarding his extreme devotion in defending Park Jay, Ni-ki intervened. "Hey, freaks. I'm not trying to indulge your maniatic theory, but Park Jay is looking at us." He pointed with his chin again, his arm still occupying its place around Jungwon's shoulder.

Heeseung was about to turn around without a bit of shame, until Jake stopped him. "Dude, don't. We're gonna look weird."

The other frowned, in disagreement. "He's the weirdo staring at us."

Jake shook his head, still thinking it was not a great idea. Heeseung payed no mind to him and turned his head to check if Ni-ki's words were true. Jungwon removed the younger one's arm from his shoulder.

Heeseung caught a glimpse of Jay turning his head back quickly. The undeniably-hot-as-fuck guy proceeded to then get closer to Sunghoon's face, as if telling him a secret.

"See, Jungwon! That motherfucker did it on purpose." Heeseung shrieked after turning back to face Jungwon whose gaze was fixed where he had previously turned to inspect.

"What happened?" Jake grabbed his best friend's arm , curious.

Ni-ki was the one who answered instead. "He leaned towards Sunghoon's face and told him something after Heeseung turned around." Jake mouthed a low 'That bitch' and shared an annoyed expression with Heeseung. "However, I still think you're both crazy. He probably does it to annoy you both, rather than from feeling threatened."

"Okay, but that adds to our theory that he's just close to Sunghoon to make our life's miserable, because he's not over that stupid D in social studies." Jake and Heeseung nodded, at least a bit happy that there was evidence to their (insane) take.

Ni-ki scowled. "I still think the part of the low score in a project from 3 years ago is a bit of an overstretch." He noticed how Jungwon had been too quiet, so he elbowed the other's arm. "What do you think, honeybear?"

Jungwon came out of his frozen state, apparently not in the mood for joking. "Can we talk about something else?"

The three other boys grew concerned about Jungwon's sudden seriousness. But the most concerning thing was how Jungwon didn't scold Ni-ki for calling him one of his 'exasperating and ridiculous' pet names.

None of them knew what to say, not sure if Jungwon would appreciate being questioned about his mood shift.

Jungwon felt the stares upon him, he tried to not seem overly suspicious. "I mean, it's like the 'only talking about Sunghoon' situation all over again." Jake and Heeseung narrowed their eyes inspectingly. Jungwon avoided their gaze. "Exams are close, I don't want you guys to only be focused on your jealousy. If you continue like this, you'll probably end up writing Sunghoon or Jongseong's name as an answer."

The bell rang, saving Jungwon from further interrogation, as he quickly left with a rushed 'Bye, guys'.

The remaining three boys looked at each other, all knowing that something was up since that didn't sound like Jungwon's usual concerned voice.

He was definitely hiding something from them.

...

It was a Friday, the bell rang signaling the so-awaited weekend.

Or not really, since exam week started on Monday. Meaning that everyone was arriving home to a study-filled weekend.

Except for Jake and Heeseung, who never bothered to even a carry a book home.

It was funny how two equal actions led to two completely different outcomes.

Because Jake didn't bother to study, knowing that at the end of the day he always gets good grades. Specially, performing outstandingly in his math and physics test.

On the contrary, Heeseung didn't bother to open a book knowing he will end up scoring so badly that his only way to not fail the class was to ask for assignments that earned him extra points, which he would end up submitting with Jake's handwritting and effort.

Jake had offered him, countless times, his help in studying. Heeseung had turned him down every time, claiming that academic scores are just a government invention that makes people underestimate their abilities and suppresses each person's true talent.

"Bro, just admit you're lazy and cut this shit off." Jake had begged after the fifth time Heeseung had given him that excuse. "But let's say I believe in your shit, then what the fuck is your repressed true talent?"

"You see, I would know if I actually cared to believe what I just said, and not just claimed it as an excuse to not study because I'm lazy." Jake immediately punched Heeseung.

So, as Jake made his way towards the school's gate to meet with Heeseung, he didn't expect anyone else other than maybe Jungwon (with a great amount of books in his hands wanting to say goodbye per usual before exams) to tap his shoulder.

Definitely, he didn't expect it to be Sunghoon.

But it was. He turned around to encounter with the most stunning view of Sunghoon carrying a full backpack and a few other books in his hands whilst gifting him one of his famous, to-die-for smiles.

Jake was enchanted, so Sunghoon had to be the one who initiated the conversation. "Hi, Jake."

Jake tried to calm his nerves down, which were already excited because it was unusual of Sunghoon to look for him after school. "Hi, Sunghoon." He replied with an embarrassingly big smile.

Sunghoon's smile increased, Jake could do somersaults out of joy.

He was so focused in his drowning joy regarding Sunghoon's appearance that he completely forgot his curiousity of why Sunghoon had approached him in the first place.

Normally, Jake and Heeseung were the ones who looked for Sunghoon after school first, so pardon Jake and his extremely enthusiastic reaction about it being the other way around.

Best of all, neither Heeseung nor unfortunately-handsome Park Jay were near.

It was just them both.

Sunghoon's eyes wandered Jake's body. "You don't seem to carry too much books. Are you not worried about the tests next week?"

Jake felt a bit ashamed of his given reply. His cheeks reddened. "I actually don't tend to study if not really necessary." Did he come off as lazy or maybe too arrogant? "I make it up by paying attention in class often, tho."

One thing about Jake is that he's a terrible (really atrocious) liar. Even if he was uncertain about his answer to Sunghoon, he would still tell him the truth because that's who he was. So he had been sincere.

It probably made him a hypocrite how he always scolded Heeseung for not studying when he didn't either. But, unlike Heeseung, he made sure to always understand every topic learned in class and participate as much as possible. Heeseung hated him for it, but at the end of the day he wasn't the one who failed his classes (as if he wasn't the first one to worry about Heeseung's grades and solve every one of his homeworks to prevent him from failing a year).

Jake observed as Sunghoon nodded, but he seemed to not be really focused in Jake's words. More as if he was focused about something in his mind instead.

"Are you? I mean, worried about the tests?" Jake decided to ask.

Sunghoon bit his lip. Jake couldn't stop the impulse to fix his gaze on that motion. "Well, I'm not worried about most classes. Is just.." Jake eagerly waited to hear what seemed to trouble his loved one. Sunghoon's eyes avoided Jake's gaze. "Is just physics that worries me. Actually, I'm more than worried. I don't understand a single thing, and I already feel like I will fail."

Jake had never seen Sunghoon so vulnerable, his rushed words and slightly-trembling voice revealed how truly worried (and probably scared) he was.

It was morally debatable his inner joy while hearing Sunghoon's ramble about his inability to easily understand physics and math topics. Sunghoon was sharing one of his deepest insecurities with him.

But Jake's mind was only able to thank his stupidly-nerdy brain for finally being useful for something other than tests.

Jake had a clue of where the conversation was heading to now.

Sunghoon's eyes were now looking straight at his. Jake could have died after noticing the pleading gleam in those wonderful, obsidian eyes. "Jake, I don't want to bother you.." If Jake wasn't good enough at holding back his impulses he would have yelled a loud 'YES' as if Sunghoon was proposing to him right there. "And I wouldn't even ask you this if I didn't really need your help, but I do."

Sunghoon lightly giggled while looking away, his cheeks flushed in red. "Would you please tutor me? Just for this test, and if you're busy you can say no."

"I would love to." Jake immediately responded.

Sunghoon then gifted Jake the world's brightest smile ever. "Really?"

Jake was a loss for words, blinded by the other's powerful charm. "Y-yeah."

Sunghoon was still smiling hugely. "Thank you so much! I really appreciate it."

"I haven't even done anything yet." Jake joked, he tried to not make his over-the-top excitement too noticeable.

"True, but I'm still really grateful." Sunghoon took two steps closer to Jake, who was about to combust.

Their closeness didn't feel real.

Jake's heart was racing like crazy, his mind anticipating anything that Sunghoon was willing to give him.

And it definitely became unreal when Sunghoon stepped back.

Because before anything else happened, Sunghoon turned to look around, fixing his gaze on a specific something (or rather someone).

Jake wanted to kill himself after spotting Park Jay at a considerable distance from them, obviously waiting for Sunghoon.

He always thought of the word 'hate' as too strong and not to be taken lightly. However, if Jake was asked how he felt at that moment he would have, without a doubt, answered he hated Park Jongseong with his whole soul.

Sunghoon cleared his throat, looking awkward. "Uhm, we could meet up tomorrow at the study cafe near here. What do you think?”

“S-sure, sounds good.” He couldn’t word anything else, his gaze fixed on the guy that ruined everything.

“Well, again, thank you so much for this. So.. I’ll see you there tomorrow?” Sunghoon ended with a smile, starting to turn around and go back to the owner of Jake’s whole hatred.

Jake nodded, leaving Sunghoon to wave goodbye and do exactly as Jake had predicted he would do.

Seeing them walk away together always felt like a pang of pain, but he decided to not concentrate in that.

Completely missing the moment where Sunghoon seemed to be scolding the other for something while hitting the back of Jay’s head.

Jake preferred to take pride in the fact that Sunghoon had asked HIM (not Park Jongseong) for help in studying. Even better, he was given the chance to be alone with Sunghoon for at least one hour and be sitting close together.

Moreover, he is an excellent tutor, so he will make sure to impress Sunghoon with his vast knowledge and charm.

So lost in his fantasies, Jake was caught by surprise when Heeseung suddenly shook his shoulders desperately. “Bro, I saw you and Sunghoon. You need to tell me what happened.”

Heeseung, unexpectedly, didn’t look jealous after witnessing his exchange of words with Sunghoon. Nevertheless, his tight grip on Jake’s shoulders demonstrated that he would not let Jake go without first hearing an answer.

Jake couldn’t resist expressing his joy, smiling widely. “Sunghoon asked me to help him study for his physics test!”

The news seemed to have shocked Heeseung; regardless, a smile was forming on his face as well. “Wait, really?”

“Yes! Isn’t that great?” Jake jumped in joy, Heeseung followed him. A sight that probably would have Riki yelling at them GAY.

Still jumping, Jake stated his happiness. “I’ve never been more grateful for being able to make numbers my bitch! I get to be alone with Sunghoon for a whole noon, it’s basically a date!”

“You mean alone with Sunghoon and me, right?” Heeseung asked, not breaking their happiness hopping.

But Jake did stop, his joyous smile turning into a confused one. “What do YOU mean by being alone with you and Sunghoon?”

Heeseung frowned. “Like, we’re both going on a study date with Sunghoon. Right?” He worded it as if the answer was intuitive.

On the contrary, Jake thought what he just said was insane. “Dude, absolutely not.” Heeseung’s whole expression shifted. “Sunghoon asked ME for help, why would you be there?”

“What do you mean by that?” Heeseung was looking pretty offended.

Which was pretty ironic for Jake. “Bro, you can hardly get half a physics test’s grade. And don’t even dare to act offended because you have admitted it yourself.”

Okay, Heeseung couldn’t refute that. “Still, I can go to maybe learn a bit myself.”

Jake ceased to falter. “Please, we both know that’s not going to happen.” Heeseung shrugged.

He didn’t want to be harsh on his friend. Jake could only sigh. “Heeseung, Sunghoon looked pretty frightened for his test. Although I’m also excited for this, I actually plan on helping him study. The last thing I want is for you to distract him.” Jake talked in all seriousness.

Heeseung was displeased, getting defensive. “So you think I’m a nuisance only?”

If Jake listened to his intrusive thoughts he would have answered ‘YES’, already growing tired of Heeseung completely dismissing Sunghoon’s actual need of understanding physics for his test.

“Look, you’re not a nuisance. Simply, Sunghoon asked ME to help him study. It would be improper to bring someone else unannounced, right?” Jake tried to restore some sense into Heeseung.

He should have predicted there was no sense whatsoever in Heeseung in the first place.“Sunghoon won’t mind. Just tell me where and I’ll act as if we met by coincidence and ask if I can join you guys.”

Jake groaned, he was done already. “You know what? You’re impossible. Since you can’t be dealt with, I’ll just not tell you anything else.”

Jake adjusted his backpack strap and started walking, his way home full of Heeseung begging him to follow his plan and tell him they’re meeting spot.

But Jake desisted from opening his mouth until he took refuge in his dear home.

...

Jake grunted, exasperated for his constant battle with fixing his hair the right way. At this point, he was close to calling Heeseung and ask him to please help him. Somehow, Heeseung always knew what made him look best.

But Heeseung was not an option that day. Eventhough they had not technically fought (because he had opted to completely ignore Heeseung), Jake could bet that Heeseung would be mad at him for not going along with his plan.

However, he was not particulary worried about that, his anticipation overpowering every other emotion or thought he carried.

In less than an hour, he would get Sunghoon all alone for himself (for studying purposes only).

It was nearly impossible for him to get some sleep the night before, his mind filled with possible scenarios of how their date would go.

What will Sunghoon wear? How stunning will he look wearing casual clothes? Would they do anything else after studying? Maybe they could go for some ice cream.

Jake checked his reflection once more. His outfit was nothing out of the ordinary, but he chose it because Heeseung once told him he looked exceptionally handsome (meaning Heeseung told him to fuck him) wearing it.

He added some extra splashes of perfume, took a deep breath, and finally gained courage to make his way out.

Carrying his backpack with notebooks and a book, his wallet kept in his pants pocket, and a blinding smile; Jake arrived with fifteen minutes to spare.

He immediately took a table with two comfortable chairs and nice lighting.

Now he should only wait for Sunghoon to appear.

He probably shouldn't be as desperate as to not falter his gaze from the door waiting for the other.

But even his diligence in doing so didn't prepare him to encounter Heeseung walking through that damn door.

What the fuck was he doing there? Jake didn't know, but he was about to get him the fuck out.

Heeseung spotted him from the door, enthusiastically walking towards him as if he had not just ruined Jake's whole mood. Heeseung knew he did that, but he was more than glad of doing so.

"Get the fuck out of here." Jake demanded while Heeseung took a seat, same seat he had picked for Sunghoon only.

Heeseung rolled his eyes. "So inconsiderate, Jakey. I come here to make you company and you treat me like this." He placed his hand on his chest as if offended.

Jake inhaled profusely. "I, specifically, told you I did NOT want you to come here. It's not inconsiderate, is logical."

Heeseung was about to roll his eyes again and complain on Jake taking everything literally. However, his friend looked very much upset.

The look Jake was giving him seemed deadly. "I'm not fucking playing, Heeseung. I told you Sunghoon really needs to study, and instead of showing a bit of understanding towards it you totally ignored what I told you." If they were not in public, Jake would have definitely yelled at Heeseung what he just said. "How the fuck did you even know we were gonna meet here?"

Heeseung, after Jake's whole scolding speech, didn't even look a bit ashamed or self-reflective. He was totally chill about it. "You said Sunghoon wouldn't like me coming along unannounced." Heeseung then showed Jake his phone screen, which Jake realized it showed a conversation through chat. "So, I, personally, texted Sunghoon if it was okay for me to show up."

Jake read their whole conversation.

Heeseung
hey, Sunghoon
i'm heeseung
jake told me you would be studying together tomorrow
can I join in?
i also need some help with physics lol

Hoon
oh, hi heeseung
sure, the more the merrier
i totally understand the struggle too hehe

Heeseung
oh, great
i forgot where and when tho
i can't ask jake because he's prolly asleep
do you know?

Hoon
1pm, study cafe near school
you know where, right?

Heeseung
yeah, of course
i'll be there then
see you tomorrow
9:19 p.m

Hoon
srry, i fell asleep lol
see you later, then
10:14 a.m

Jake didn't know where to even start.

Maybe by yelling at Heeseung for being so stubborn that he, unexplainably, got Sunghoon's number just to intervene in their study date. Or maybe also yell at him for completely lying to Sunghoon about him being worried about his studies, about Jake being asleep when he was not and about him supposedly having told their meeting spot and time. Or maybe just brutally beat him up for everything.

Was Heeseung out of his mind?

"You're insane."

"I know it's unusual to see me text without any spelling mistakes, but it's not that big of a deal, dude." Heeseung took his phone back, concerned at Jake's creeped out expression.

Jake was utterly shocked at Heeseung's blindness. "How the fuck did you even get Sunghoon's number? How can't you realize you're acting like a total creep?"

Heeseung frowned. "I'm not a creep, I just asked Ni-ki for it. Apparently the dance club has a group chat and Ni-ki owed me a favor." Heeseung stated as if obvious.

"I can't believe Sunghoon didn't even question you for it." If Jake was in Sunghoon's place he would have immediately blocked Heeseung.

Heeseung shrugged.

But Jake's anger was not ceased. "Yeah, maybe Sunghoon is okay with you being here, but I'm not."

"Do I look like I care?" Heeseung answered nonchalantly. Jake wanted to punch his face.

Jake groaned loudly, holding his head in his hands, exasperated. "You fucking ruin everything! You're jealous of me finally having a chance with Sunghoon and you want to ruin it."

Heeseung fakely pondered it. "Yeah, actually." He nodded. Jake was shocked by his lack of shame. "I wouldn't use the word ruin, more of like inserting myself to have a chance too, even if that means I'm ruining your chances."

Just when Jake stood up, about to beat the fuck out of Heeseung right there, he noticed the door opening to welcome a familiar silhouette that always left Jake without a breath.

But what left Jake without a breath this time was not Sunghoon himself, but the person that came right by his side wearing a cap backwards and carrying a backpack just like his company.

That person being none other than Park Jongseong.

Heeseung noticed Jake's gaze fixed on the door, he turned around expecting to meet with the view of Sunghoon looking around beautifully for them.

He didn't expect...that.

Heeseung grabbed the hem of Jake's shirt and pulled him down to his seat. "What the fuck is HE doing here?"

Jake wanted to answer that he didn't know either, but he saw how Sunghoon smiled upon noticing them. He returned the smile which made way for Sunghoon and company to approach them.

Jake pushed Heeseung's hands away and pointed with his eyes towards the pair (of friends).

Heeseung and Jake agonizingly turned their heads to meet with Sunghoon and Park Jay's presence standing next to their table.

Normally they would rapidly greet Sunghoon when meeting him. However, this time, they felt so awkward Sunghoon had to be the one who greeted first.

"Hi, guys."

They both replied with a low "Hi" back.

Sunghoon cleared his throat. "You already know Jay, right?" He pushed Jay's shoulder, expecting him to say hi too.

He did, and it was weird for Heeseung and Jake.

Obviously, in the course of three years Jay would not have the same prepubscent voice they heard the last time they talked to him. And in the sense that they were literally classmates, they probably should be used to hearing his voice.

But they didn't. Because Jake and Heeseung's heads were so up in their ass that they didn't care about anyone else other than themselves in that damn class. So hearing Jay's voice for the first time plus his intimidating, serious aura was about to make them shit their own pants.

Heeseung and Jake shared a frightened look.

Sunghoon, sensing an uncomfortable mood, felt like shit. "I'm sorry I didn't let you guys know I was bringing Jay along earlier. It's just that he needs help studying for physics too. I hope you don't mind." He felt so ashamed, even Heeseung had asked to joined them while he brought someone else along as if nothing.

Both boys eyes were wide open. Specially, Jake was shocked.

He had to tutor Park Jay too?! Park Jay needed HIS help?!

On the other hand, they couldn't let Sunghoon think they were mad at him.

"Of course not, we're glad he's here."

"Yeah, it's totally fine with us."

Liars. They were liars.

But it was fine as long as Sunghoon gifted them one of his precious close-lipped smile. "So, should we start?"

Jake and Heeseung looked at each other.

They were not ready to confront this.

"Uhm, how about we order a drink first? Don't worry, it's on Jake." Heeseung said while standing from his seat and dragging Jake along with him.

Jake nodded. He had initially planned to buy Sunghoon a drink while studying.

However, he had not imagined he also would be buying two more, and one being for Park fucking Jay.

Sunghoon said it was alright, Heeseung rushed to ask him. "Which drink would you like?"

"Oh, an ice americano is fine."

Heeseung then pushed Jake's shoulder.

He had asked Sunghoon, then Jake should ask Jay.

Jake could murder Heeseung, but instead he asked. "And you, Jay?"

The mentioned didn't show a single expression the whole time he had been standing there, other than maybe nonchalant. "I'm fine."

Predictable.

Heeseung rushed with Jake towards the counter. They needed to vent about this whole mess.

“I didn’t know he was coming either.” Jake said, answering Heeseung’s questioning before the whole awkwardness occurred. Waiting for their drinks instead of heading back to their table.

“Yeah, I know. I assume you didn’t put on that shit ton of perfume to captivate Park Jay.”

Jake blushed, embarrassed. “Did I really overdo it?” He felt self-conscious all of a sudden.

“A bit, but it’s a nice fragrance, sexy even.” Heeseung checked Jake out, shamelessly. “I also assume that’s what you were going for since you’re wearing the fuckable outfit.”

“Can we focus on the Jay Park situation we have here?” Jake redirected the topic. His ears burning red after getting caught.

Heeseung sighed. “What’s there to do? You have to tutor Sunghoon and Jay, while I pretend like I’m actually interested in learning something. Our chances are ruined with him being there.”

Jake, frustratedly, cursed his luck. “And I thought that the worse thing that could happen was you coming along.” He looked at Heeseung, finding it funny how they switched from hate to love so suddenly. “Certainly, it could always be worse, and this is the worst.”

“You should be thankful that I invited myself in. Imagine how awkward it would be just you three.”

Jake felt chills run through his spine just from imagining the awkwardness of that hypothetical situation.

They were given their drinks finally. Unfortunately that meant they needed to head back to Sunghoon and their personal nightmare.

Jake and Heeseung noticed how Sunghoon had picked another table (probably because the previous one was chosen by Jake who had thought it was a date of two). They also noticed how Jay took a seat next to Sunghoon.

For the first time, they both thanked their closeness, because neither Jake nor Heeseung wished to sit next to Park Jay.

They were huge hypocrites. Talking shit behind Jay’s back, about him trying to steal Sunghoon from them intentionally. But when they had him right in front of them, they turned into total shy and coward pussys.

They took a seat next to each other, facing the other pair.

Which resulted a bit awkward for Jake, who, for the remaining hour, had to explain the topics and solve exercises while showing his whole procedure to both sitting in front of him. Occasionally answering questions, all of them coming from Sunghoon.

Even if Jay had a doubt, he would whisper it to Sunghoon, who would then ask Jake.

Inspite of this, Jake and Heeseung would have totally believed that Jay was feeling as awkward as both of them with this meeting if it were not for Jongseong’s unwavering serious, nonchalant demeanor he carried the whole time.

At some point, Jake had to test if his explanation of the lesson was well understood, meaning he made Sunghoon and Jay some solve exercises.

While they were at it, Heeseung and Jake were texting each other (their hands holding their phones under the table to avoid looking suspicious) about their cosmic hatred towards Jay ruining their chances of talking comfortably with Sunghoon.

“How did you already solve it?” Sunghoon asked Heeseung, assuming he finished because he was, obviously, using his phone.

“Oh no, I totally get the lesson now. I don’t need to practice anymore.” Heeseung confidently said. If Jake wasn’t so nice he would have totally laughed at his face and make him solve an exercise right in front of Sunghoon to show the huge liar he was.

Afterwards, Jake corrected Sunghoon’s procedure, congratulating him (even though most of his answers were wrong).

What will remain as, probably, Jake’s life most awkward moment was having to tell Park fucking-intimidating Jay that his whole procedure from the very beginning was incorrect.

Worst of all, Jay didn’t even look bothered while Jake wanted to dig a hole into the ground and stick his head in there forever.

Jake wouldn’t have ever imagined that both friends would be so awfully lost at physics, but he had promised Sunghoon to help him; and if that meant they needed to be seated at that damn cafe for twelve hours, then he would.

Obviously, twelve hours were not necessary. When they were close to hitting a tiring three hours, Sunghoon and company had made an impressive progress.

“Yeah, 15.78. That’s correct.” Jake said after checking Sunghoon’s answer and procedure.

“Really?!” Sunghoon excitedly asked.

Jake nodded while stretching. His whole body was already aching from remaining seated for three painful hours.

But Sunghoon’s progress and excitement were totally worth it.

At some point in their study session, Jake had basically forced Heeseung to also pay attention and solve some exercises himself.

If he had thought that Jay and Sunghoon were a hopeless case, Heeseung was three light years worse.

Jay handed Jake his notebook. Jake had also grown less uncomfortable with correcting Jongseong with time.

He took some seconds going all over his, rather messy, procedure; finally checking his answer.

“It’s correct.”

Sunghoon cheered, patting Jay’s shoulder. Jay himself looking proud too.

“What about mine?” Heeseung asked while showing Jake his exercise.

Jake gave it a look. “It’s correct too.”

It was not, Heeseung’s answer was far from correct. Jake could never comprehend what Heeseung was even thinking when solving that thing.

But he would never humiliate Heeseung like that in front of their crush and their nemesis. Jake wasn’t evil.

Heeseung had a feeling he was lying. Actually, he knew it, because he himself couldn’t even explain the random numbers he threw in there as an answer.

He was forever grateful for Jake’s kindness.

“I think we should take a break, right?” Sunghoon proposed, talking directly to Jake.

As if Jake could deny him anything. “Yeah, totally.”

They all stretched in their seats, seemingly tired.

However, Heeseung and Jake’s tiredness completely vanished and was replaced with worry when Sunghoon announced.

“I’ll go to the restroom. Excuse me.” He said while getting up and walking away.

Leaving Jake and Heeseung alone with Park Jongseong.

They looked at each other in fear.

Heeseung tried to communicate with his eyes, suggesting that they also escaped to the bathroom.

Jake misunderstood Heeseung’s poorly transmitted message and thought he was suggesting him to talk to Jay first.

He wasn’t going to do that, absolutely not.

They already knew that Jay hated them due to past events, and it was even more uncomfortable now that the only reason that connected them being there was gone for a while.

Leaving aside the fact that Jake and Heeseung still fully believed that Jay was in love with Sunghoon.

It was so awkward faking to be focused at anything other than the obvious presence in front of them, completely avoiding eye contact with Jay.

Why was Sunghoon taking so long?

“You guys know I won’t beat you up if you talk to me, right?”

Jake immediately looked for Heeseung’s hand under the table, holding it for support. Heeseung tighten his grip.

They had not expected Jay to talk to them first, let alone confront them like that.

“What?” Jake managed to ask.

Jay scanned them with a look. “Why do you guys look so scared?”

“We’re not scared, we’re awkward.” Heeseung replied.

Jake gave him a dirty look for exposing them like that.

Jay frowned, seemingly confused. “Why?”

Jake and Heeseung exchanged a look. It was better to be honest than not putting an end to the awkward silence that enveloped them. “Because you hate us.”

“I don’t hate you, I just think you’re both annoying.”

“How comforting.” Heeseung said sarcastically.

A silence fell over them again; this time, thankfully, it wasn’t so awkward.

Both pair of eyes watched attentively as Jay played with his cap, which he had previously (at some point in their study session) removed. “Either way, you two should be more discreet about your feelings for Sunghoon.”

Jake and Heeseung held hands more tightly. Their eyes wide in shock and mouths unable to utter anything at all.

This was it. All peace will be undone because Park Jay will threaten them into leaving Sunghoon alone. They would both have to say goodbye to any left hope in dating Sunghoon, concluding with them marrying each other and living far away from Heeseung’s dad.

“How…?” Jake asked lowly.

Jay lightly laughed. “Please, it’s obvious.” He took some time before continuing, unsure to say it or not. “Although, at first I didn’t believe it because I thought you guys were boyfriends.” He pointed at the pair of (just) friends.

Jake and Heeseung were stunned.

Jake let go from Heeseung’s hand. “Why does everyone think that?!” He complained, frustrated.

On the other hand, that was far from Heeseung’s main concern.

He aggressively placed his palms on the table, gaining the others’ attention. “Does Sunghoon know too?”

Jake’s eyes widened in equal concern. If Jay knew then he probably told Sunghoon, or maybe they were so obvious that Sunghoon found out by himself.

Jay kept his usual chill expression. “No, he doesn’t.”

“How do you know that he doesn’t know?”

“I just know it. Don’t ask anymore.”

Heeseung and Jake decided to comply since Jay shifted from being chill to serious and pretty intimidating, just like when he arrived.

A silence enveloped them again. It was more awkward than the last time, but not unbearable.

Mostly because Jake and Heeseung were respectively rearranging all the assumptions they had previously made of Jay.

First, Jay was obviously not slightly threaten by them (unfortunately meaning Ni-ki was right). In fact, they were the ones intimidated.

Second, Jay didn’t seem to hold any resentment towards them ruining his social studies score three years ago.

Which by default meant that Jay wasn’t close to Sunghoon to ensure their misery.

However, that didn’t necessarily mean that Jay liking Sunghoon was not a possibility.

“Are you mad at us for it?” Jake asked, expecting answers to his increasing doubts.

Jay frowned, confused. “For what?”

“Liking Sunghoon.”

Heeseung desperately wished to tape Jake’s mouth, because what the fuck was he doing?

Jay’s frown remained. “Why would I be?” Heeseung understood by then. “As long as you don’t end up hurting him.”

Jake and Heeseung felt their chains withering away, their hope restoring, their sorrow finally leaving.

All of their assumptions were wrong. Meaning that world’s-most-handsome-man Park Jay didn’t have a crush on their crush. Meaning that their chances were not zero. Meaning that maybe they were too fucking insane and they needed to go see a therapist immediately.

“But seriously, why would I be mad?” Jay didn’t let go off his doubts.

“Because we didn’t do our part in that overpopulation presentation from social studies during freshman year.” Heeseung answered, unable to build any other excuse to avoid, embarrassingly, admitting Jay they were jealous of him.

He scowled, very much lost. “What the fuck? What does that even have to do with this?”

Jake prevented Heeseung from admitting anything else that would embarrass them. “Nothing.” He offered Jay a smile. “Just remembering the good old times, right?”

Heeseung nodded in agreement.

Except Jay didn’t agree. “Well, definitely it wasn’t a good time for me. I got grounded for that D.”

They should be awarded for being able to turn every moment even more awkward with Jay.

“We..we’re sorry about that.” Heeseung apologized in their regard.

Before Jay could point out how weird both of them were, Sunghoon (after what felt like an eternity) came back.

“Sorry, there were no bathroom’s near here. I had to walk a lot to find one.” He took a seat, noticing the mood was outstandingly lighter than before he left. “Should we continue where we left off?”

Jay gave them a scanning look, before starting to pick his things up. “Actually, I’m leaving first. You can resume if you want.” He then winked towards Jake and Heeseung.

Who were incredibly shocked.

Was Jay gifting them some alone time with Sunghoon?

Oh, they really felt like shit now. They would never forgive themselves for having cursed Jay in multiple occasions beforehand.

Their shock was left behind when witnessing Sunghoon grab his friend’s arm, not wanting him to leave. “Jay, my parents..” Sunghoon said lowly, as if he only expected Jay to hear.

What the fuck was happening?

Jay didn’t take long to clear their doubts. “Oh, I’m sure Jake and Heeseung can walk you home. Right, guys?”

Actually, they were even more confused.

Either way, they both answered with a “Yes”.

“See, it’s fine.” He ruffled Sunghoon’s hair. “Bye, Hoon.”

Jake was taken by surprise when Jay offered him a fist bump. “Thanks for your help, Jake. If it weren’t for you, I would totally had flunked worse than in social studies during freshman year.”

Oh, so they had an inside joke now.

Jake gleefully returned the fist bump.

Jay repeated the same with Heeseung before eventually leaving the cafe.

That was a total unexpected experience for Jake and Heeseung.

Sunghoon turned to look at them, sighing. “I don’t want to bother you guys with walking me home. It’s just..” He seemed unsure, making them even more curious. “My parents are really overprotective, even worse now that we moved to a completely different place.” Sunghoon’s usual habit of over explaining himself was coming out. “They didn’t like me walking home after school alone since they don’t know anyone here, so I asked Jay to make me company. So, yeah… They now expect Jay to accompany me everywhere.” He finished rolling his eyes.

So that explained everything.

Jay was just a really good friend, meanwhile they were assholes.

“Don’t worry, we don’t have a problem with walking you home.” Heeseung said, to which Sunghoon thanked them.

Following that sequence of eye-opening revelations, Jake gave a review of all the studied lessons. Sunghoon closely paying attention while Heeseung just begged for his torture to end.

It eventually did come to an end, which signaled their exit from that soul-sucking cafe.

Which also meant they were walking Sunghoon home together.

The fresh air made their way more comfortable alongside the light conversation they exchanged.

Jake and Heeseung assumed Sunghoon felt as tired as both of them, so they didn’t try to overwhelm him with their usual attention seeking ramble.

After a short time walking, they finally made it to Sunghoon’s home, which appeared quite nice.

But their concern was not Sunghoon’s house or anything else other than their nervousness to meet their friend’s parents.

Sunghoon was really nice, so their parents would naturally resemble him, right?

Taking his keys out of his pocket, Sunghoon took a long sigh before trying to unlock the door.

Emphasis in the word ‘try’ because Sunghoon couldn’t even insert the key fully before both of his parents quickly opened the door for him first.

Quite a jumpscare for Jake and Heeseung.

But their attention was fully focused on Sunghoon’s parents and their, predictable, but still incredible resemblance with their son’s appearance.

However, that was just regarding their facial features, because regarding first impression aura it was completely different.

Sure, Sunghoon, at a distance, seemed calm and serious (maybe even a bit cold), but he definitely didn’t look as intimidating as his parents.

Parents which were scrutinizingly inspecting Jake and Heeseung as if they were lice.

“Who are they, Sunghoon?”

Not even a greeting to his son and friends, okay. Heeseung was definitely judging them, even when he felt like shitting his own pants.

Sunghoon nervously licked his lips. “Mom, Dad. This are Jake and Heeseung. Friends from school.” He respectively pointed to them while introducing their names. “Jake, Heeseung. This are my parents.”

How did Jay handled this crushing pressure all by himself?

Both of them greeted with a low “Hi”.

A silence enveloped them for quite a couple of seconds, until Sunghoon’s mom talked first.

“Thanks for bringing Sunghoon home.”

Jake and Heeseung didn’t waste a second to nod and answer.

“No problem at all, miss.”

“You don’t have to thank us.”

Their gazes were still placed upon them, not speaking another word.

Sunghoon cleared his throat, trying to cover up his blazing cheeks. He felt so embarrassed. “Okay, thank you, guys.” He waved while walking through the door and slightly pushing his parents to enter too. “See you on Monday.”

Sunghoon then shut the door, leaving two dumbfounded friends.

Maybe they were shocked, but they still quickly walked off.

“Dude, I genuinely almost piss myself.”

“Shit, bro. Not even my dad scares me so fucking much.”

They made their way towards Jake’s house where they would discuss all the crazy events that took them off in the course of just a few hours.

…

After a rough week of endless stress and, lack of, studying, they finally made it to Friday.

Day in which not only their torture came to an end, but also day for which Jake had arduously tutor Sunghoon (and the rest).

The bell had recently rang, Jake having finished his last test that left him drained.

Even when Jake deeply wished to run off to his home and comfortably rest in his bed, he couldn’t.

He had promised Sunghoon he would wait for him and hear how well he had done in his test.

Also because he couldn’t leave without Heeseung (who had stolen his keys to prevent him from leaving early), who was also taking the test.

He was patiently waiting for both of them to appear, when a presence showed up.

“Hyung, it finally ended.” Jungwon excitedly remarked while taking a seat next to him.

Jake couldn’t resist from pinching the other’s cheek, earning a groan from Jungwon.

But it was inevitable, Jungwon had left them aside all week’s lunch, replacing them with a seat in the library and endless studying. Excusing himself with What am I if not an academic weapon?

Jungwon released himself from Jake’s grip. “Why are you here instead of running home to a well-deserved weekend, Jake hyung?”

“I’m waiting for Sunghoon.”

His company raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Are you two going anywhere?”

Jake sighed. “I wished, but it’s because I helped him study for this specific test and I want to hear him say he did well. I want to feel like I was of help for him.” He revealed.

Jungwon cooed. “So romantic.” He took out a bag of cookies and offered one to his friend, who gladly accepted it. “So you two had a study date or some sort?”

“Sort of, it doesn’t count as a date if Heeseung and Jay were there too.”

Jungwon choked on his cookie. Jake patted his back.

“What?!” He coughed and faced Jake. “Didn’t you guys hate him? How did he end up there?”

Jake rolled his eyes. “If you had eaten lunch with us this week you would have heard all the crazy stuff that happened on Saturday.”

Before Jungwon could ask what exactly had happened, someone excitedly called Jake’s name.

Jake didn’t expect to turn around and face his three physics lesson students to be smiling gleefully towards him.

Specially, Sunghoon, whose smile was so wide that completely distracted Jake from anything else.

Until Heeseung did, by sitting on his legs unannounced.

“Dude, I swear you’re like magical! I’ve never been less lost on a test than on this one!” He said while shaking Jake’s shoulders.

That really caught Jake off guard. “Really?”

If he had been able to teach Heeseung something, then maybe he was truly magical.

However, Heeseung was making a scene, not only in front of Sunghoon but also Jay and Ni-ki, who had suddenly showed up too and mouthed an obvious GAY

He pushed Heeseung from his legs and stood up to face Sunghoon.

“How did it go?”

Sunghoon smiled. “Really well.”

Those were the words that Jake had so desperately wished to hear. “That’s great.”

So caught up in their world, they were surprised by Jay clearing his throat. “I also did well. Thanks, Jake.”

Jungwon choked again.

So Jake not only went out with Jongseong but also tutored him?!

Sunghoon tapped Jake’s shoulder. “I was thinking, we should maybe go get some ice cream. To celebrate.”

Jake was frozen, his whole body unable to come in terms with the fact that Sunghoon was asking him out.

His bubble had to obviously be bursted by Heeseung, of course. “Yeah, we should ALL go get ice cream.” He speaked loudly for everyone to hear.

“Jungwon and I are in.” Ni-ki shouted, the former wanting to refute.

Jay shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s go then.”

He was such a fool, thinking that Sunghoon meant of it as a date instead of what it really was: a friend hangout.

Nonetheless, their hang out went out pretty well. Sunghoon and Ni-ki already knew each other from dance club so it wasn’t awkward, while Jungwon got to meet Sunghoon for the first time.

However, the most remarkable event of all was how well Jay and Jungwon got along.

Meanwhile the rest of them were talking loudly about anything, Jay and Jungwon would be lowly having their own conversation.

Jake, Heeseung and Ni-ki would have payed no mind to it if it wasn’t for Jungwon’s obvious blush the whole time Jay leaned closer while talking to him.

“Oh, Jungwon. So that’s why you were such a hardcore Jay defender.” Heeseung teased him with a mischievous smile.

Jungwon’s cheeks immediately burned red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

They had recently parted ways with Sunghoon and Jay.

Heeseung and Jake didn’t even bother getting jealous over it, because they would prefer anything else over meeting Sunghoon’s parents again.

And even then, there was no point at getting jealous of Jay anymore, they already knew that he wasn’t in love with Sunghoon.

He rather seemed to have his interest upon someone else.

“Honeybear, I don’t like to admit that other man was making you nervous, blush and stuff, but that’s definitely what happened. So, stop lying.” Ni-ki said while placing his arm on Jungwon’s shoulder.

“Don’t call me that!” Jungwon yelled while brushing Ni-ki’s arm off.

“Yeah, Riki. Don’t you know that only Jay can call him pet names?”

The rest of their way consisted of them teasing Jungwon while the latter ran off and cursed them for it.

Jake and Heeseung arrived at the former’s house, both glad with the outcome of a fully friendly meeting.

But how long would that last for them?

Chapter Text

After an exhausting week filled with tests, normally extracurricular activities became the main focus. Meaning many club-related events and preparations were the ones draining their energy this time.

Heeseung being a great example of it.

The same Monday that signaled his freedom from tests, the singing club started overworking him. Which for Heeseung, who was the personification of laziness, felt like torture.

"Heeseung, please take these papers to the student council."

"Heeseung, just to let you know we will be meeting more regularly after school."

"Heeseung, we need your help at the elementary singing practice."

"Heeseung, can you please paste these posters-"

He was worn out.

It was crazy how much responsibilities he was given when he was far from being one of the club's president or any sort of; somehow it was his fault for being unable to say 'no' to anyone else outside his friend group.

However, not everything seemed bad, since all the work he was given was divided between him and another club member. Club member who had so nicely initiated a conversation with him the first time they were assigned together.

Overtime they had grown closer and, for the first time, Heeseung could gladly say that he had a friend within his same club.

Friend who was not of Ni-ki's liking.

"Heeseung, tell me why the fuck were you and you-know-who talking yesterday at the gate after school." Ni-ki quickly, and somewhat aggressively, demanded. Sitting next to Jungwon at their usual spot during lunchtime.

Exactly the reason why Heeseung didn't tell Ni-ki, specifically, about his newly made friend: Kim Sunoo.

Jake and Jungwon's gaze wandered around, not wanting to get caught in their complicity with keeping Heeseung's secret.

Heeseung, however, didn't overly mind it. "Chill, maybe because we're clubmates." Ni-ki seemed to calm down with his reply. "Also because he's really nice and we're friends."

That's when Ni-ki lost his mind.

Jake wished to disappear while Jungwon tried to shush Ni-ki and his erratic, not-so-quiet complaining towards Heeseung which earned them several stares upon them in the cafeteria.

Meanwhile, Heeseung mindlessly accepted being the target of Riki's claims, calling him a traitor and a selfish being alongside many other insults.

He interrupted Ni-ki's rant about his wicked heart and stuff. "Can you stop screaming? I swear is not that deep." Heeseung carefreely said, taking a bite out of his lunch.

Jake and Jungwon shared the desire of sewing Heeseung's mouth shut forever, with a nice addition of reconstructing his brain to take away his rude thoughtlessness.

Before Ni-ki could act, predictably upset, upon their older friend, Heeseung added. "Kim Sunoo is no evil being, and you know it. You try to convince yourself you're mad at him whereas he is fine and unbothered. In fact, he even asked about you."

Immediately after his words were uttered, Jungwon placed an arm in front of Riki's chest, trying to prevent an outbursting fight. That, surprisingly, didn't occur.

The tension whilst Riki expressionlessly stared at Heeseung, seemingly examinating his words, was nerve-wracking. While, Jake, mad at Heeseung for his inconsiderate and uncalled comment towards his younger friend, kicked the other's calf, really hard. Heeseung instantly reacted with a loud FUCK while rubbing his leg in pain. His pained complaining, which was completely ignored by the rest, interrupted by a so-awaited voice.

"Did he really mention me?" Riki questioned, avoiding the three pair of eyes laid upon him.

Jungwon and Jake confusingly glanced at each other, both raising an eyebrow in suspicion of Ni-ki's intrigue.

Heeseung answered indifferently, still rubbing his calf where Jake's kick had landed. "He just asks how you're doing sometimes, so no need to keep screaming at me, jealous bitch."

"I'm not jealous!" Riki quickly corrected, a bit frantically. His gaze holding Heeseung's stare to prove his point. Jungwon, however, noticed a faint tint of red creeping in the boy's ears, a distinctive reaction to those rare times where Ni-ki felt embarrassed or shy.

Ni-ki tried to fight this characteristic instinct after catching Jungwon's scrutinizing stare on his peculiar blushing organ. Hoping to cut off their conversation revolving around something (rather someone) he was not ready to face yet, Ni-ki's expression shifted while resting his arm on Jungwon's shoulder, leaving the latter confused. "The only thing I'm jealous of is Jungwon giving Jay all his attention. You have been leaving me aside, honey."

Jungwon's gaze towards Ni-ki felt deadly, forcefully removing the other's arm from his shoulder, once again. But this time, he hated him more for, evidently, shifting the spotlight to him, earning him more teasing and leaving their previous conversation in the ashes.

Jake and Heeseung, devoted fans of teasing Jungwon, annoyingly cooed, like moths to a flame hooked by Ni-ki's improvised distraction. Jungwon could only resort to rolling his eyes.

Moments later, after the joke died down, Jake cleared his throat, restoring a topic of interest. "Speaking of clubs," his smile was wide, successfully gaining the attention of those present. "This saturday it's the team's first soccer game of the season! You're all coming right?" He ended with an expecting expression and a glad smile, which was sadly not returned.

The only responses he got being Ni-ki and Heeseung's groans in complaint. Jake furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Hey! What are those grunts supposed to mean?"

Heeseung straightened his posture after laying back while groaning beforehand, however Riki beat him in his reply. "We fucking hate coming to your games." Simply said.

"What?!" Jake yelled in pure disbelief. "B-but you like soccer! And Heeseung loves screaming compliments and obscenities at me while I play!"

Heeseung placed his hand on Jake's shoulder, about to uncover a huge revelation. "Yeah, I actually do that because you shutting me up and looking red as a tomato is the only slightly interesting thing during the whole game."

"B-but-"

"Yeah, like I enjoy playing soccer, but having to watch you and your sweaty, ugly-ass teammates running around for ninety minutes is like super boring." Ni-ki added, further breaking his heart.

"Ugh, don't get me started on your teammates. Like, yeah, you won the game but also those ugly, dickhead boys did and now you and them are running around celebrating in the most heterosexual, gross way possible. It's annoying."

Okay, he could handle Heeseung and Ni-ki's overly rude remarks, but what shocked and hurted him the most was not hearing Jungwon hopping in his defense, instead avoiding his gaze silently. "You think so too, Jungwon?!"

Jungwon's eyes finally looked straight at his, but his expression morphed from neutral to deeply bashful and pity.

"All right, so everyone fucking hates me. I see."

"Oh my God, please stop whining." Heeseung rolled his eyes, immune to his friend's drama. "Although we rather watch paint dry on a wall, we WILL go to your game."

Jungwon gave him a dirty look after seeing Jake pouting due to his remark. "Even though Heeseung hyung's wording was not the best, he's right. We will attend your game, hyung. We're your friends after all!" He tried to cheer Jake up.

Jake's pout didn't falter. "That just sounds like I'm forcing you to go because you're my only friends."

"Well that's exactly the case-" Jungwon elbowed Ni-ki, cutting his sentence.

Jake's face then showed his indignation. "Actually, you're all wrong! Because this time I'm not only inviting you three, so feel free to completely miss my game if you want!" He slammed his hands' palms on the table, fully offended.

Heeseung giggled, further furrowing Jake's eyebrows. "Please, don't tell me you're inviting Sunghoon."

"Yeah, have a problem with that?" Jake crossed his arms turning to look at Heeseung who did the same.

"Not at all, you're the one with the problem if you think Sunghoon would accept coming to your boring, long-ass game."

"Sure."

Jake's eyes widened. "S-sure?"

Sunghoon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Yeah, I've actually never been to a game before. It'll be fun, right?"

Jake recalled his conversation a few hours prior with his friends, telling him how they rather read a book for once than watch his game. "Yeah, totally." He giggled nervously. "E-even if it does get boring, Heeseung, Jungwon and Ni-ki will be there so you can sit together if you want."

Sunghoon nodded while replacing a book from his locker from the one he was previously holding.

Jake's mind then reminded him of someone else. "You can invite Jay along if you want!" He cheerily proposed. After all, Jay was somehow (leaving their first awkward encounters behind) his friend now, and Sunghoon might feel more comfortable with his best friend by his side.

He felt so nervous that eventhough Sunghoon had already confirm he would go Jake was still trying everything to get him to attend.

However, Sunghoon grimaced. "I will ask him, but I don't think Jay likes soccer that much so I can't confirm him coming along."

"Oh, that's okay." How he had not seen it coming? Park Jongseong who never participated every time they played any sport other than basketball during P.E would obviously fit into his category of friends that would rather lick a wall than show to his game.

Such a great group of friends he had.

"So, I'll see you on Saturday then?" Jake needed every reassurance he could get as of the moment.

Sunghoon gifted him a blinding smile. "Of course."

It was Saturday. Jake felt his palms covered in sweat while inspecting throughout the bleachers for his friends' presence. He quickly rubbed them on the shorts decorated with the school logo he was wearing after hearing his coach yelling for everyone in the team to gather around.

Completely ommiting the supposedly cheering speech his coach was giving them, Jake's eyes light up after noticing Jungwon and Ni-ki looking for a spot at the bleachers. However, his excitement didn't last long after spotting a missing individual with them: Heeseung.

His nerves immediately started eating him up, starting to bite the skin around his fingernails. Was Heeseung really going to miss his game? Probably not even miss it, but simply skip it. When he had told his friends he didn't mind them not attending, he was definitely lying; Jake deeply appreciated their presence as a support, even if they were just obligued and not actually happy to be there. Heeseung had come to every single one of his games before. Even though he would never admit it, his yells and screeches were like a good luck charm for Jake.

He tried to calm his mind. Everything was fine, they were a few minutes left for the game to start. Probably Heeseung was just a little shit and decided to pick up Sunghoon from his house and they were arriving together. After all, Heeseung did seem jealous when he had showed off in his face that Sunghoon had accepted to come to his game.

But that theory was quickly discarded after hearing a loud yell calling his name from the bleachers. Turning around he found out it was Sunghoon, looking handsome as always and with someone by his side. Sadly yet surprisingly, it was not Heeseung but Jay. He would have totally bet he will not show up.

Jake responded by waving his hands towards them, yet Sunghoon didn't seem satisfied with his greeting as he signaled him with his hand to come near them. Jake could do nothing but obligue to Sunghoon, as always.

"Hi." Sunghoon greeted gladly whilst Jake approached.

Jake's previous thoughts and worries immediately were swept away while staring at Sunghoon's smile. "Hi." He greeted with a big smile impossible to prevent from forming. He couldn't resist himself from admiring Sunghoon. His style was rather formal than normally someone their age would wear casually, but it fit him just right. His perfectly ironed black trousers and button-up white shirt paired with his coat and silver accessories just screamed Park Sunghoon.

"I know you were not talking to me, but hi, too. I guess." Jay interrupted waving a hand to Jake's face.

Jake cleared his throat, cheeks flushed. "Uhm, hi, Jay. I didn't think you were coming." He admitted honestly.

"What, you didn't want me here?" Jay smugly asked, adjusting his characteristic cap backwards.

"What!? No! That's not what I meant, ugh." Jake panicked, despite deeply knowing that Jay was just messing with him like he often did to get a reaction out of him. "I was the one who told Sunghoon to invite you! I just didn't think you would come because you seem to hate soccer."

Jay shrugged. "Didn't have anything else to do." He then turned towards the bleachers, seeming to have spotted someone. "The game's about to start so we will get going. Good luck." He took Sunghoon's wrist with one hand and the other offered Jake a fist bump which he returned.

Jake was already waving goodbye to Sunghoon, but before Jay could fully drag him into the overly-crowded bleachers Sunghoon leaned towards Jake, whispering to his ear. "Jay didn't admit it, but Jungwon's name was the one thing that convinced him to come." He then chuckled while stepping away.

Jake awkwardly chuckled too, trying to cover his intense blush caused by Sunghoon's closeness from being perceived.

"Try to win." Sunghoon playfully told him, letting Jay drag him between the crowd. Jake didn't even had the chance to say something back due to his racing heart and clouded mind filled with Sunghoon's breath near his cheek.

Although his mind was blinded by his exchange with Sunghoon, his eyes wandering around and not locating a certain someone was the thing that broke his enchanted state. Starting to sweat nervously once again, his fingers fiddling with the hem of his shirt and his mind experiencing an internal battle between worrying for Heeseung's absence and trying to calm down. Heeseung didn't come with Jungwon nor with Sunghoon. He was definitely skipping his game. It was probably his own fault for tremedously lying about the importance of him being there. Jake and Heeseung were always together for each other, he didn't expect the recent events to alter that.

Jake didn't know what to feel, his mind racing anxiously, the only logic response his instinct supplied in pair with his legs was walking back to the field, the game about to start. Nonetheless, his way was interrupted by an arm looping around his shoulders and a voice talking softly against his ear. "Are you waiting for a good luck kiss otherwise why aren't you kicking the other team's ass?"

Jake didn't waste a second in turning to face the so-well known owner of that teasing voice and embracing him in a hug. "Dumbass, I thought you were not coming." His voice expressed all his previous outbursting anxiety.

Heeseung froze in shock, not expecting to had caused in Jake such worry. He returned the hug while his heart warmed up and his body relaxed in Jake's comfortable embrace. He then whispered sweetly. "You know, I've been thinking and I feel bad after being so rude to you." Jake pulled away from the hug and stared at Heeseung's seemingly honest demeanor. "I exaggerated a bit, your games are not thaaaat insufferable. I didn't mean to make you feel like we don't support you, I'm sorry." His face showed full regret.

But Jake knew him better. "Jungwon scolded you, didn't he?"

"He's very good at making you feel like shit."

Jake and Heeseung chuckled at the same time while they took some space, their wholesome moment already over but it remained in Jake's heart with great comfort. "Well, were you edging me or why the fuck did you appear right when it's about to start?" Jake joked. Suddenly, he was intrigued as to why Heeseung didn't return the teasing but rather chuckled bashfully.

He was caught off guard with Heeseung's response, as well as making him resemble his friend's embarrassment. "I would return the sexual joke, but, sorry for not telling you earlier, we got company. Reason why I was late." Heeseung then took a few steps to the side, revealing a few meters behind him stood someone wearing a baby blue sweater (that was a tad bit too big on him) paired with some light jeans and wearing little, but very enhancing, makeup who Jake recognized as Kim Sunoo.

"Hi!" Sunoo excitedly greeted with a smile and a wave. Jake returned it as well, his smile plastered between his blazing cheeks.

Heeseung cleared his throat while pointing with his hand to Sunoo and then to Jake. "Well, not the best first impression, but Jake this is Sunoo. Sunoo this is Jake."

"Uhm, thanks for coming to my game." Jake gifted an awkward smile, not sure how to greet the one person that was well-known among their friend group without feeling Ni-ki's hands already wrapped around his throat.

Sunoo, unlike Jake, didn't seem a bit awkward and just giggled softly. "I'm just glad you're okay with it, Heeseung told me just minutes ago that he invited me without telling any of his friends beforehand!" His eyes widened in a playful concern mixed with shock. He was quite expressive, but his cheerfulness was contagious and soon Jake was reassuring him that it was totally okay.

Their conversation abruptly interrupted by the coach's yells asking, rather demanding, Jake to move his ass towards the field gave way for Sunoo and Heeseung to start walking towards the bleachers not before Jake's recently met friend cheered him with a "Good luck!" and Jake grabbing his best friend's arm to stop and warn him: "You know Ni-ki's gonna kill you for this, right?"

Heeseung didn't seem worried at all somehow, even owning the confidence to draw a smirk. "Maybe later, but be granted that for the whole game he's gonna be in his whole best behavior." They both proceeded to climb the bleachers in search of their remaining acquaintances whilst Jake finally ran back to his teammates.

Meanwhile, Riki boredly glanced around in search of Jake on the field or Heeseung finally arriving, Jungwon long having forgotten their task since Jay arrived. His gaze then spotted the tall silhoutte with messy black hair approaching. About to tell Jungwon that, unlike him, he had successfully completed the search for their friends Riki's eyes widened and fear instantly installed in his chest when noticing who was following right behind Heeseung's lead towards them. "Fuck, I'm leaving."

Ni-ki's words caught Sunghoon's attention, turning around since he was sitting one row below the younger, Jungwon and Jay. Who would have thought a high school soccer game was possible of gathering this much people? "What?" Ni-ki didn't answer, instead looking to his sides trying to spot which one had less people so it will be easier to accomplish his escape. However, to his misfortune, his inner planning was dismissed when hearing Heeseung’s voice announcing his relief of finally getting through the crowd to his friends.

He took too long, Sunoo was already smiling towards Sunghoon, greeting him. He was screwed. With no time to think his useless, idiotic mind instictively tried to put him out of danger, hiding. So, ridiculously, he shrank his too tall body behind Sunghoon's back, avoiding the others' confused expressions.

Ni-ki should have known his stupidly improvised hiding spot would not work, thus giving cue for Heeseung to laugh at his failed attempt and for Sunoo to say: "Hi, Ni-ki."

Oh, he was so so screwed and he confirmed it right when he raised his head, slightly covered by Sunghoon's hair, to look at Sunoo. With a smile so huge that left his eyes half-closed, his ex-best friend was standing right there. He was definitely screwed when he felt his heart pumping at such a fast pace that took his memory back to two years prior, when a presence he felt impossible to live without suddenly took a step forward that would leave them a whole mile apart.

Those memories pained him, installing in his whole being a resentment that he still carried to this day. A resentment that made him promise to himself to never exchange a word with Kim Sunoo, even if it was so short and common as a hi.

"H-hi."

But there he was, feeling his ears burn as hot lava, trying to fix his hair to cover them so it wouldn't be noticeable. Keeping his head low to not face Heeseung probably holding a laugh due to his unusual, but mostly involuntary, shy demeanor. Fighting with all his willpower to not raise his head and stare at Kim Sunoo's reaction (rather his whole face adorned with his spectacular makeup).

Well, he had left his guard down. He was just too well mannered (his mother raised him too well, obviously), it was totally rude not responding to a hi. But that wouldn't happen again. Sunoo will take a seat and he will not waste a second in running out of here. Sure.

He watched as Heeseung, to no one's surprise, took a seat next to Sunghoon, both excited for the game to start. Predictably, Sunoo, as Heeseung's friend, would sit next to him. Right?

"Can I sit here?" Sunoo asked, pointing to the minimum space left between Ni-ki and a total stranger.

No! "Y-yes."

Fuck! What was wrong with him?!

Sunoo, glad with his compliance, sat next to Ni-ki. The incredibly crowded bleachers forcing their thighs to touch each other, therefore causing Ni-ki’s ears to flush a bright red.

He saw the back of the responsible-of-his-torment’s head and immediately started sending daggers towards him, completely ignored. Not pleased with the other’s lack of awareness of his whole hatred, he grabbed the back of Heeseung’s hair, yanking him back while he leaned to his ear.

Heeseung bursted in screams and growls, Riki didn’t give a fuck. “I’m gonna fucking kill you later, asshole. Take it for sure.” He threatened.

His ‘friend’ jerked away from his hold, turning to look at him above his shoulder, a slight smirk adorning his punchable face. “I can’t hear you, too much people here! You should probably talk with your friend seated left.” He then turned back to the game, leaving Ni-ki with clenched fists, an inextinguishable anger, and an hour and a half left of awkwardness with the person cheering loudly to his left.

Meanwhile, Heeseung felt excitement run though his veins. He was sitting next to his beloved crush while watching his best friend’s game whom he loved to tease with his not-so-prudent yells, and even better, Ni-ki probably would be so awkward with Sunoo he wouldn’t get to make fun or come between Sunghoon and him.

Everything was going perfect. Half hour into the game, nothing really exciting had happened yet. That was the thing with soccer, nothing was entirely exciting for Heeseung, except when Jake scored a goal, and that unfortunately had not occurred.

However, his small talk with Sunghoon was replacing the usual boredom that started to invade him by this point every game he attended. Both of them fully focused on Jake running and sometimes kicking the ball around the field, not caring a bit about understanding or showing interest in anyone nor anything else.

The game was turning intense, not much time left for halftime to get announced and still not a single goal from both teams. It was obvious by their accumulated sweat and improved speed that every single player in the field was feeling the tension and pressure weighting on them.

Heeseung was intensely watching Jake trying to steal the ball from the opposing team’s player, when Sunghoon’s voice caught his attention. “I didn’t know Jake was so goddamn good at this.” His face was lighted up by the lamppost turned on around them, the sun started setting not long ago. Sunghoon’s expression could only be described as one of admiration and pride.

Heeseung furrowed his eyebrows, not glad with Sunghoon’s sudden astonishment towards Jake’s undeniable extraordinary skills in a lame sport. “Yeah, but soccer is not that difficult nor speci-“ He was cut off by Sunghoon grabbing his arm in a tight hold.

“Oh my God! He’s gonna score!” Sunghoon yelled in excitement, struggling to keep seated from anticipation.

No better than him, Heeseung instantly whipped his head around, looking back towards the field, catching sight of Jake running like a gazelle dribbling the ball between his feet, dodging his adversaries and heading near the goal.

Unlike Sunghoon, he was incapable of holding his anticipation and excitement. Standing up from his seat, startling everyone around him. “KICK THAT SHIT IN, FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”

Not long after his words, Jake did as told. His kick directing the ball at an incredible speed into the other team’s goal. He scored.

The bleacher labeled as ‘Home’ suddenly erupted in cheers and screams. Many people even getting to the point of jumping from their seats like Sunghoon and Heeseung, as well as the rest of their friends sitting behind them who loudly celebrated their friend’s accomplishment.

Not even waiting for the crowd to appease their cheers, Heeseung placed his hands around his mouth, yelling loudly. “THAT’S MY MAN!” “THAT GOAL WAS FOR ME, MOTHERFUCKERS!” “TAKE MY UNDERWEAR, JAKE SIM!”

Jake, surrounded by his teammates congratulations and hugs, knew to look forward to those usual, kinda horny, screams from his best friend, immediately entering his ears even when lightly muffled by the rest of the crowd. Heeseung really had a loud voice, most probably forced himself to get it to that high volume so he could purposefully embarrass Jake.

When finally freed by his teammates obnoxious presence and the rest’s noice died down, Jake could look directly towards his objective. He had something planned, reason why he had put so much hard-work and perseverance into scoring a goal.

Sunghoon, in between Heeseung’s everlasting screams, excitedly pointed towards Jake on the field, who was conveniently looking at them too.

Heeseung was ready to yell another obscenity at him, about to put his whole diaphragm and vocal cords to use just to get a reaction out of Jake (and everyone else around them who were judging him hard) when Jake’s deep, confident eyes placed on the person next to him as well as his hands moving between pointing to his chest and then to the one his eyes didn’t falter from completely distracted him.

Heeseung was left shocked and cringing in unimaginable ways.

“I think Jake is trying to tell us something.” Sunghoon, confused, pointed out.

But Heeseung knew that those weird signs were definitely not directed at him. Although he would’ve totally preferred they were for him, so he could take it a as a slight joke and not as a sincere, terribly embarrassing thing Jake just put up.

He couldn't believe that Jake had just tried to express his love to Sunghoon in the most heterosexual way possible: dedicating a goal to him.

Heeseung resorted to slightly grimacing. There was no way he would be explaining Sunghoon the cringy act Jake just displayed for him. "He's probably just telling me to shut up." Sunghoon seemed convinced.

The game went on for its remaining fifty minutes, ending with a satisfactory win from their school after scoring three goals, two of them coming from Jake. Right before scoring the second goal Jake having been gifted a threat from Heeseung or rather getting yelled: "IF YOU SCORE THIS ONE I'M ALL YOURS TONIGHT, SIM!". Needless to say, Jake DID NOT score the goal for that purpose. The crowd wore smiles and clear satisfaction on their faces while leaving the bleachers that resembled the ones from the players exiting the field after cheerily celebrating with their team members.

Heeseung was part of the crowd happily going down the bleachers while discussing and joking about the game along with his friends, all of them approaching Jake to congratulate him.

Once everyone had directed their congratulations to his best friend, Heeseung pushed everyone aside and made way with his arms to stand face to face with Jake. He placed his palm on Jake's shoulder. "Nice job, bro. You could never had done it without me, I know, but you still did well anyway."

Jake raised an eyebrow in astonishment. "Says who? I would've done incredibly fine even without you here." He joked back, brushing off Heeseung's hand from his shoulder with faux-disgust. "In fact, I'd probably done even better without those distracting yells of yours."

Heeseung resorted to shrugging his shoulders. "And you got lucky I didn't go all out today." Jake and him laughed, both agreeing that those were one of the lightest things Heeseung had said to him during a game.

Sunghoon took a step closer to them, joining their conversation while wearing a smile on his face. "I never expected to hear those things coming from Heeseung's mouth, and they're not even the worst he's ever said? Wow." He teased, laughing right after.

Heeseung felt his whole face turning a bright red, feeding into Sunghoon's laughter and igniting Jake's teasing as well. If he wasn't so down bad for Sunghoon he would at least punch his arm for teasing him. Fortunately, Jake was right there and served well as a punching bag so he was the one who received a punch in the arm and a kick in the calf. Sunghoon laughed even harder and Jake was whining in pain, so it was a great alternative.

Heeseung was listening attentively to Jake comment about the game, how the other team's strategy had been more on the defensive side, how he could have done better, and other things Heeseung absolutely did not give a fuck about when he was suddenly shoved by Ni-ki.

"What the fuck? What was that about?" He frowned while looking back at his attacker.

Ni-ki harshly grabbed Heeseung's arm and pulled him to whisper to his ear. "You fucking know why, don't try to play dumb." He looked straight to Heeseung's eyes with threat. Heeseung thought it was kinda scary, but he wouldn't start trembling in fear because of someone who just minutes ago had ears red as tomatoes for sitting next to a pretty boy. Ni-ki then turned towards the other three boys who had watched the game with them. "Also, please tell Jungwon that he is not allowed to leave all alone. He doesn't wanna walk home with me!" He pointed, offended, to the one being scolded.

It was a usual for all of them to walk home together after Jake's games, since they tend to end after the sun sets and they sometimes would go for slushies on the way, so Heeseung tilted his head confused by Jungwon's sudden wish to change plans. "Is that true, Won?"

The four pairs of eyes were all upon Jungwon, causing the boy's eyes to widen in shock from the sudden attention. Heeseung also noticed a tint of shyness spread through his cheeks. "Ah.. it's just, like.. you see-" He was talking incomprehensibly, then he was interrupted.

"Uh, sorry. I was the one who asked Jungwon if I could walk him home. I didn't know you were all going together." Jay explained, turning then to Jungwon whose gaze was stuck on the floor to avoid the expected teasing. "It's fine, Jungwon, you can go with them. We'll leave it for another day." He offered Jungwon a smile that was not perceived by the other.

Immediately, Heeseung turned towards Ni-ki who was already looking back at him, both with their eyebrows raised and a bursting laugh locked in their throats. Then he remembered Sunoo's presence and turned to him to realize he was also holding back his teasing remarks (probably because he was not that close to the others).

Ni-ki walked towards both boys, placing an arm on Jay and Jungwon's shoulders, Jungwon's sigh and attempt to cover his face with one hand was caught by Heeseung. "Noooo, please don't worry about us, we wouldn't want to interrupt YOUR original plans. You two can go aaaaall alone and have a great time together." He smiled mischievously.

Jay looked back at him. "Are you sure it's okay? You guys can join us if you want."

Heeseung went along. "No, no, no. We're totally fine, you guys can go, but please make sure Jungwonnie arrives well at home. Wouldn't want to worry Jungwon's mom, she's really strict about his precious son's curfew." Jungwon had no curfew, his mother trusts him very much and is far from strict, but they wouldn't let Jay have it so easy.

Jay looked taken aback by Heeseung's sudden remark, slightly worried all of a sudden. Heeseung had to swallow his chuckle to keep his serious facade. "We should get going, then. Thanks, guys." Jay waved goodbye, waiting for Jungwon to do the same. Instead, Jungwon gave them a closed-lipped, menacing smile whilst Jay was turned, which was answered with raised eyebrows and mouthed teasing from Heeseung and Sunoo while Ni-ki mimicked kissing with his two hands. So childish, but Jungwon should have seen it coming, so he just left ignoring the whistles coming from behind him.

They wasted no time after those lovebirds left, immediately bursting in laughter. Probably Jungwon would kick their asses on Monday, but it was totally worth it. Chances to tease Jungwon so much didn't happen so often.

Once their laughter died down, Sunoo cleared his throat gaining Ni-ki and Heeseung's attention. Heeseung had perceived the way Ni-ki tensed immediately after his ears caught that sound, as if he had been blinded by the fun of the previous moment but his consciousness had finally been regained about whom exactly had been so casually standing by his side all this time. "I'm really glad you invited me along, Heeseung. I had a great time! I have to get going now," Sunoo waved enthusiastically towards him. Heeseung reciprocated, telling him goodbye and thanking his company. "See you next time during singing!" He waved one last time towards Heeseung, then he turned around and faced the younger one there.

Ni-ki's gaze was glued to the floor, trying to ignore the presence standing right in front of him. He could hear Sunoo's giggle, clenching his fists to stop himself from looking up to that marvelous sight. However, to his faltering self-control's dismay, Sunoo called his name and, again, Ni-ki was just too well-raised.

Sunoo's wide smile was the focus of Ni-ki's sight when he talked. "I just wanted to say goodbye, you know how far I live and it will take a while for me to get ther-"

"You're gonna walk all by yourself?" Riki couldn't help but ask. Perhaps it have seem like he cared too much, but maybe he did.

A light giggle involuntarily left Sunoo's mouth, lowering his head as if embarrassed, Heeseung noticed. "No, no, obviously not. I'm taking the bus. Don't worry." Ni-ki nodded, diverting his gaze to anywhere but Sunoo. "Anyways, I was hoping maybe we could talk better some other day."

Ni-ki's eyes widened, his muscles tensing and clearly his burning ears couldn't be missing. Sunoo seemed like he was waiting on an answer. To not leave him hanging, but also struggling to get past his inner turmoil, Riki merely nodded. Although his mind was calling him out on it, his ears were a scarlet red and his fear was still deeply installed inside of him; he decided to follow his heart.

Sunoo's grin was as wide as it will ever get. "Great! See you then." He finally left after waving for a last time.

He was left standing there, watching as that bittersweet presence left, unable to lose sight of him. Also he was dreading turning back to face Heeseung with his cheeks still colored a light red.

Seemed like Heeseung had been wishing to dig his own grave for a long time, and he was also impatient to open his shit-filled mouth. The older one whistled flirtatiously. "Should've taken advice from Jay, champ. It was your chance to walk him home, and pick up where you left off two years ago-" He had seen the punch coming, fortunately dodging it before it hit his gut. "Hey! You even accepted to talk to him later. You should be thanking me!" The next one did hit him. Nonetheless, he was surprised at the little force exerted in a blow that he could have bet would be bruise-including.

Riki finally turned to look at him, signs of anger barely noticeable (maybe barely existent) on his face, however he did seem kinda exhausted. He had his hunch confirmed quickly. "Instead of teasing me until we're only us two here left, go tell those two lovey-doveys that we should be moving our asses home." He took a seat on the bleacher and started scrolling on his phone, leaving a confused Heeseung to turn his head and catch sight of a heartbreaking scene.

To no one's suprise, Ni-ki had exaggerated, it's not like Jake and Sunghoon were all over each other like a well-named lovey-dovey couple.

But that unmistakable shine, filled with infatuation on both pairs of eyes while they closely stood face-to-face, talking so lowly as if sharing an intimate secret, which was unlikely the case because Jake was mimicking soccer players using his fingers and doing movements as if explaining Sunghoon endearingly a passion he shared with the world. Even though their conversation was not a secret itself, they naturally made it seem like their exchange was not of anyone's business, because everyone else was also not their business as of that moment. Just the two of them.

It was ironic, really. Heeseung, in the span of ten minutes, had single-handedly witnessed three pairs interacting in a way that made him feel so lonely and single, like he was surrounded by couples. Even though none of them were exactly that.

Being an outlier had never bothered him, not at all. Getting picked last by team captains when playing soccer during P.E, being the only one who doesn't take part on the work's planning (and not being expected to do so) when assigned random groups in class, and obviously the time he was the only one in his grade who failed a year couldn't miss.

And maybe all that clashed with the fact that, indeed, he was quite popular and people knew his name. Many people tried getting close to him. But the thing is, that at the end of the day it all came back pointing to one person: Jake. He was the one with many friends, Jake immediately assuming that his friends were consequently Heeseung's friends. Not knowing that when he was not there, Heeseung was not even able to keep eye contact with those supposedly friends of his. He was shy and introverted like that, and he knew it was his fault. But it was fine, the amount of friends he had was enough. It's not like he really cared about that popularity, respect and reputation thing.

But he did care about Sunghoon. Very much. His love was the first thing Heeseung didn't want Jake to win him on.

So forgive him. He desperately pleaded Jake's forgiveness. But there was no way he would be giving up so easily.

"Heyyy, we should get going, or Ni-ki might fall asleep on that bench any minute now." Heeseung made his way between them, pointing towards the boy fighting his eyelids' desire to cover his eyes. Jake and Sunghoon answered with "Sure" as if their moment beforehand had not taken place, or as if they didn't want him to know it had happened in the first place. Before they started going, Heeseung raised a palm in front of their faces. "But first, I was thinking maybe we could hang out us three tomorrow. You know, to celebrate your victory." He playfully messed his best friend's hair. He received a plead to stop in return. "I was thinking maybe pizza at 3?"

Sunghoon didn't hesitate. "Sure! It will be great. I just need to ask my parents tonight." He responded excitedly.

Jake immediately answered as well. "Yeah, sounds nice." Heeseung nodded, sealing their plans.

They didn't waste time, making their way towards Sunghoon's home (not before aggressively waking up Riki from his 30 second nap) and dropping their youngest friend on the way.

Jake was also weirded out by Heeseung's persistance to sleep in his own house. Normally he would make his way into Jake's house as of second nature, but he decided to not overly mind it.

Maybe he should have, because Sunghoon's phone in the middle of the night was lighted up by a notification from Heeseung informing him about a change in plans to a new restaurant for lunch.

While Jake's chat with Heeseung had no new messages at all.