Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Park Jongseong does not like his hands.They’re big.They dont fit in with others.Its filled with scars from his guitar strings and his cat.He also doesn’t like his skin,it’s darker than an average Koreans.But Jongseong likes yang jungwon.Yang Jungwon whose skin is pale,milky and soft.Yang Jungwon whose hand are small and cute.Yang Jungwon whose hands are dainty and slender.
Yang Jungwon who doesn’t know that Park jongseong likes him.

Let’s start from the beginning,Jungwon and jongseong have been the best of friends since young.Since they were in diapers.So they knew pretty much everything about each other.Each others nicknames,whether official or made for fun.Jungwon knows that his Jay-Hyung loves corn,so he buys him a stock whenever he comes back from vacation to his hometown.Jay knows Jungwon loves cat but is allergic to them so he spends a shit ton of money buying countless,cat plushies and soft toys for him.

When u hear the sentence,”Oh yea these two guys,they’re best friends,” you would think oh two guys,playful,silly,goofy,mischievous and wacky.But when you see Jay and Jungwon,they’re not quite like a typical boy best friend duo.

They’re gentle with each other.They notice everything the other does.

Onto Jungwons side,Jungwon likes him too.But how is he to make it more obvious than he has already made it to be?Jungwons not like other guys,he’s shy,soft,gentle and a sweetheart.He likes cuddling and hugging people.Most of all he loves holding hands.Especially with his Jay-Hyung.

He likes the way his hand is a little smaller compared to Jay.The colour contrast between his own pale skin,and jays honey-toned skin.How jays muscular and thick hands carve around his own somewhat protectively.

He likes Jay.He has a crush on him.But poor boy,he doesn’t know that Jay likes him too.

Everyone except these two seem to know.

Victim #1:Kim Sunoo
Kim Sunoo and best friends with both Jay and Jungwon.The boy with both a sense of playfulness and seriousness fits well with both parties.And he also and to withstand the continues babbles from both sides about the other.

“He’s so pretty Sunoo,his eyes,his round cheeks,his hair,just everything,I wish I could tell him sooner.”Jay said one day with his hand on one of his palm and he sat on one of the cafeteria tables with Sunoo,who was trying to do his homework.

Sunoo rolled his eyes.Hmph if only he knew Jungwons saying the same things when he’s not around

“Hyung,his so…himself!And I just..just really really want to tell him but I’m scared!”Jungwon was complaining just a few hours after the previous incident had happened to Sunoo.

Sunoo wasn’t tired,don’t get it wrong,he wants to help his friends but he doesn’t known how either.Je can’t just go up to them and say the other likes them,wouldn’t that be rude?

Sunoo wasn’t bad himself either,there was a bunch of guys and girls who wanted to be with him.But he only had eyes for one certain boy.

Victim #2:Sim Jake or Jaeyun
Jaeyun was jays best bud in all of his classes.They were of the same age and in all classes together.They were roommates and always sacked each other for advice on anything they needed help on.

“Bro,it’s time you tell him already,i heard that a volleyball guy has a crush on him.”Jake said as he was sitting in his desk,his glasses on and with the light only from a singular lamp.

“WHAT.” Jay who was laying with his head hanging from the bed quickly stood up upon hearing that.

“Arghhhh,i don’t know what to do bro,how am i supposed to confess??”he said rubbing his face in distress.

Jake sighed,he was also in a similar situation.

Chapter Text

It was an ordinary Wednesday. The sky was cloudy, and the halls of school buzzed with the usual noise of backpacks slamming into chairs and students half-asleep before first period.

But for Park Jongseong, it felt anything but ordinary.

He hadn't slept properly. His thoughts had been loud. Jungwon’s laugh, Jungwon’s hands, Jungwon’s sleepy texts,everything played on a loop in his brain.

And maybe it was today.

Maybe it had to be today.

Jungwon was already in the classroom when Jay arrived. He was seated at his desk, scribbling in his notebook, lips puffed slightly in concentration. He looked soft. So soft it made Jay’s chest ache.

He walked over and gently nudged him. “Can we talk?”

Jungwon looked up, a bit startled. “Now?”

Jay nodded. “Yeah. Somewhere quiet.”

They found a spot behind the school building,where no one really hung out except the occasional couple sneaking in snacks or whispered gossip.

Jungwon stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Is everything okay?”

Jay stared at him.

And then: “I like you.”

Jungwon blinked.

Jay’s heart was racing. “I like you, Jungwon. I’ve liked you for a while. I kept thinking I’d ruin what we have if I told you. But it’s been killing me. And if someone else gets to hold your hand before I do, I think I’ll actually go insane.”

Jungwon didn’t say anything. Just looked at him, stunned.

“…You don’t have to say anything,” Jay added quickly, his voice shaky. “I just needed to—”

He couldn’t finish because Jungwon freaking kissed him.

It was short,and made Jay stop breathing for a second.

When Jungwon pulled back, his cheeks were flushed pink. “You talk too much, hyung.”

Jay blinked, wide-eyed. “You…like me too?”

Jungwon gave him the softest, shyest smile. “I’ve been dropping hints for months, idiot.”

Jay exhaled a breathless laugh. “You’re terrible at hinting.”

They both started laughing, heads bowed, shoulders brushing.

“Can I hold your hand now?” Jay asked gently.

Jungwon didn’t answer. He just slipped his hand into Jay’s.

Meanwhile,in the library…

Sunoo was curled up in the corner, pretending to read but actually very much not reading. He’d seen Jay and Jungwon sneak off
together, and he had a guess about what happened.

He looked up when someone awkwardly approached.

“…Hey,” Jake said, standing stiffly beside the table.

“Hi,” Sunoo replied, closing his book slowly.

Jake looked like he wanted to say something, but he was fidgeting so much he nearly knocked over a pencil cup. “Sorry,uh, sorry.”

Sunoo chuckled quietly. “It’s okay.”

Jake scratched his neck. “So, uh…Jay and Jungwon,they probably talked?”

“Finally,” Sunoo said, lips twitching.

They both smiled.

There was a pause.

Jake shifted again. “Look, I know we don’t really talk that much. But, um…I think you’re really pretty. And nice. And funny. And I’ve kind of wanted to get to know you for a while but didn’t know how.Like I’ve heard you from Jungwon and yeah..”

Sunoo blinked.

And then… he smiled.

“…Well,” he said, voice soft, “you’re talking to me now.”

Jake’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Yeah. I guess I am.”

They didn’t hold hands. Not yet.
But when Jake sat beside him instead of across, and Sunoo didn’t move away.


Chapter Text

A few months had passed since Jay and Jungwon started dating.

And let’s just say…it had been torture sitting at the same table as them.

“This curry isn’t even that good,” Jay announced dramatically, poking at his lunch tray. “I’ll make one that’ll be in your top ten curries, just watch.”

“Hyung, stop talking nonsense and eat,” Jungwon said, but his tone was soft, his eyes practically heart-shaped.

They were sitting way too close. Their knees were touching. Jay had this dumb grin on his face. Jungwon kept giggling.

Across the table, Sunoo let out a long, suffering sigh.

“I’m dying,” Jake whispered to him, leaning in like they were in a spy movie.

“Same,” Sunoo deadpanned. “Wanna get out of here with me?”

Jake blinked. Then smirked. “Let’s go.”

They both stood up without a word. Jay and Jungwon didn’t even notice.

After Jake had made that awkward little confession back in the library months ago, he and Sunoo had been practically stuck together.

Not in a dramatic, couple-y way.

But in a we’re the only two sane people left in this cursed friend group kind of way.

When Jay and Jungwon ditched them for random dates at the mall or late-night picnics in Jay’s living room (because of course Jay had a picnic blanket for his hardwood floors), Jake and Sunoo stuck to each other. When Jay and Jungwon yapped at each other on FaceTime like they were on a honeymoon, Jake and Sunoo were texting at 1 a.m.

They had their own thing now.

Not dating. Not not dating.

Something close to that.

School had already ended for the day. The four of them had originally planned to stay back and finish a group project,something about literature and symbolism,but that had died the second Jungwon fed Jay a spoonful of rice and giggled.

Sunoo had stood up instantly.

Jake followed, wordless.

Now, they sat side by side under the big old tree at the lake. The sun sparkled on the water like glitter, the breeze light against their skin.

It was their spot. No Jay. No Jungwon. No third-wheeling.

Just them.

Sunoo leaned back against the rough bark, stretching out his legs.

“Couldn’t wait to get out of there. They’re disgusting,” he groaned.

Jake sighed, slumping next to him. “I think I lost ten years of my life watching them feed each other.”

“Jay’s like, ‘try this, baby,’ and Jungwon’s like, ‘ew, you try it first,’ and I’m just sitting there wondering how many different ways I can die before graduation.”

Jake laughed. “You ever think we’re just bitter?”

Sunoo looked at him with a perfectly unimpressed face.

“I’m not bitter. I just have eyes.”

Jake nudged his shoulder. “You are bitter.”

Sunoo nudged back. “You’re literally the one who said you were dying fifteen minutes ago.”

“That was emotional death. You were dying physically.”

Sunoo laughed at that.

“I mean, they’re cute, just,” he sighed. “Jungwon always thought I’d be in a relationship before him, and thinking about that…I’m wondering,what am I even doing?”

Jake turned to his side, facing Sunoo completely as Sunoo went on.

“Ever since I was young, love was the one thing I was excited about. And as much as it might make me sound like a bad friend, I’m envious that Jungwon got to it before I did.” Sunoo started fiddling with his fingers.

Jake furrowed his eyebrows in worry. He slowly took hold of Sunoo’s hand and intertwined their fingers.

“I...I need to tell you something,” he stammered.

He took a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.

“Sunoo, I think you know why I wanted to talk to you and be friends with you all those months ago. I like you.”

Sunoo didn’t look surprised, though his eyes widened just slightly.

“You’re just…you. And somehow, even before we started talking, I kept looking over at you. And now, I love being with you,going to new restaurants, texting at midnight,just everything involving you. I want to take care of you and hold your hand.”

Jake maintained eye contact throughout his confession, watching as Sunoo’s eyes grew glossy.

“I thought you’d say something like that.” Sunoo looked out over the lake. “I’ve been trying not to hope too much. Didn’t want to assume, or rush it and confess but…”

“I like you too, Jake.”

“You’re just…” He swallowed, like the words were stuck in his throat.

Jake smiled. “Come here,” he said, stretching an arm out and leaning back against the tree.

Sunoo blinked, then moved closer, nestling into Jake’s neck.

“You’re just really comfortable to be with,” he murmured.

“Whenever Jay and Jungwon were together, I’d feel happy I had you. And you’re so kind. And dumb.” He laughed weakly. “I like you so much. I’ve always wanted to hold your hand, but I could never bring myself to do it,because I thought maybe you didn’t want the same thing I was yearning for…”

His voice cracked near the end, and Jake pulled him closer, arms firm around his waist.

“It’s okay. We’re together now. That’s all that matters,” he whispered.

He felt dampness against his neck but didn’t react much,he just leaned back slightly to check on Sunoo. Sure enough, his eyes were red and his cheeks were a little puffy.

Jake leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

“You’re too sweet,” Sunoo said between wet breaths.

“You deserve it,” Jake whispered.

Their noses brushed together, fringe slightly tangled.

They leaned in at the same time,a soft, slow kiss.

Not a peck. They moved in sync.

Then it turned needy. They’d been waiting for this.
Sunoo’s hands traveled up into Jake’s fluffy, long hair, while Jake’s stayed firm around his waist.

Sunoo let out a hum when Jake gently bit his lower lip.

They broke apart for air, both of their cheeks flushed red.

Jake reached up and wiped the tears off Sunoo’s cheeks with his fingers, smiling.

“Now Jay and Jungwon won’t be the only ones cheesing around.”

“Oh god, you’re cheesy too,” Sunoo groaned.

They laughed out loud.

“I don’t mind it, though,” Sunoo beamed, snuggling into Jake’s chest.

They stayed by the lake, holding each other close.The sun dipped lower behind the trees,casting golden light over the lake.

Sunoo wondered how Jay and Jungwon would react. They’d probably be happy, right? But a flicker of nervousness stirred in his stomach.

For now, though, he let the worry fade. He was in Jake’s arms.

It’ll be fine.