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10. Nurturing Connection Through Shared Interest
Build a bridge to his heart through shared interests.
The foundation of a strong connection often lies in mutual hobbies or passions. Consider joining clubs or groups that align with your interests. Emma, a photography enthusiast, joined a local photography club where she not only honed her skills but also met someone who shared her love for capturing moments.
This step not only enhances your chances of meeting a like-minded individual but also provides a natural conversation starter, laying the groundwork for meaningful connections.
Dive into Social Activities
Participating in activities you genuinely enjoy not only enhances your social life but also provides a platform to meet individuals who share similar interests. The key is to immerse yourself in environments where shared passions naturally spark conversations and connections.
"Wait, so you're still going to continue using these even though you have a boyfriend now?" sunghoon asks, bewildered. "Are you serious? What if they find out?" Sunghoon looks him up and down before rolling his eyes. "You know what? That's not really my concern. Just keep it on the down low, okay?"
Jake rolls his eyes, setting his phone aside and sticking his tongue out at the younger boy. "Shove it. and for the record, I have two boyfriends, not 'a' boyfriend. And so what if they find out? It's not like I'm hiding anything. Besides, you're the one who recommended it to me." He crosses his arms, challenging Sunghoon to argue further.
Sunghoon sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. But you're just asking for drama, Jake. What if they get jealous?"
"Jealous? Jealous of what?" Jake chuckles, his voice filled with a hint of disbelief. "Heeseung hyung and Jay are going to be fine. They know I'm not going anywhere. And like you said, it't not really your concern."
Sunghoon's eyes narrow as he looks at Jake. He throws his hands up. "Right, I did say that. Anyways, are you and Jay going to Heeseung's game? I heard it's going to be a big deal."
Jake nods, a smile playing on his lips. "Of course I am. Wouldn't miss it for the world. And maybe, I'll bring a little something extra to cheer him on." He winks mischievously, and Sunghoon shakes his head, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth despite his earlier reservations.
Sunghoon knows Jake well enough to realize that arguing with him is a futile endeavor. Plus, he's always been the more adventurous one in their group, and if Jake felt it was important to be open about his relationships, then so be it.
"Anywho," Jake mumbles, grabbing his phone and sticking it into his pocket. "I'm going to go find my boyfriends and make out with them. Go like, find Sunoo and cuddle with him or something," Jake says, giving Sunghoon a playful shove before turning to leave.
He hears Sunghoon curse at him as he skips down the hallway, giggling to himself. Jake can't help but feel a rush of excitement as he thinks about seeing his boyfriends. He finds them on the field, surrounded by their team, Heeseung in the middle with Jay tucked into his side.
As he approaches, Jay glances over, his eyes lighting up as he turns back to Heeseung and whisper something into his ear. Heeseung looks over, grinning. He says something to the team and they all disperse, giving the three of them some space. Jake's heart flutters at the sight of them.
"Hey, Jakey," Jay says, holding out his hand. Jake takes it, feeling the warmth and strength in Jay's grasp as he's pulled into a tight hug. Heeseung wraps his arms around them both from behind, pressing a soft kiss to the back of Jake's neck.
"Hey, baby. What you doin out here?" Heeseung asks, his voice a low rumble that Jake feels through his back.
"Just came to give you both some good luck before the game," Jake says, leaning back into Heeseung's embrace. He turns to Jay, tilting his head up for a kiss that's sweet and lingering, despite the chilly air.
Jay blushes, looking around to see if anyone's watching, but the other players are busy with their own preparations. He leans down, pecking Jake on the corner of his mouth. Heeseung chuckles, his arms tightening around them. "Alright, lovebirds, I've got to warm up. You two behave," he says, giving Jake a playful nudge before letting go and jogging back to the team.
Jake watches him go, admiring the way Heeseung's muscles flex under his jersey. "You know, I never get tired of watching him play," he says wistfully.
Jay nods. "Me neither."
The two of them stand there for a moment, watching Heeseung throw a few practice balls to one of the other players. Jake's heart swells with love and pride for his boyfriend, and he knows that Jay feels the same way. They've all come a long way since they first admitted their feelings to each other.
"Oh, right!" Jake claps his hands together. "I made something for the game tonight!"
Really?" Jay asks, nudging Jake's side with his elbow. "Let me see it."
Jake pulls out a small banner from his bag, grinning as he unrolls it for Jay to see. "Ta-da!" The banner reads 'Heeseung + Jay's #1 fan: Sim Jaeyun' in glittery letters, with two hearts intertwined.
Jay laughs as he looks it over, shaking his head. "You're going to cause a scene."
"That's the point," Jake says, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He rolls the banner back up and sticks it back into his bag, winking at Jay. "But it'll be worth it, trust me."
"Jay-yah! Time to come warm up," Heeseung yells, waving him over. Jay pouts, and Jake giggles, taking his face and pulling him in to kiss him softly.
"Kiss hyung for me, kay? I'll see you at the game tonight," Jake whispers, giving Jay one last peck on the cheek before releasing him.
Jay grins, smacking Jake on the ass. "See you tonight, baby."
✎ᝰ.
The stands are mostly full when Jake and Sunghoon arrive. Thankfully, Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki had scored good seats and managed to save two for them. Jake is bouncing on his toes as he waves the banner proudly, his excitement for the game palpable.
The cold evening air is pierced with the sound of the crowd's cheers and the occasional whistle from the coaches. Sunghoon watches him, a mix of amusement and concern etched on his features. He knows that Jake's love for drama is only rivaled by his love for his boyfriends, and he can't help but worry about the potential fallout of Jake's very public declaration of love.
"Hyung, your sign is really cool," Sunoo squeals, clapping his hands together as they take their seats. Jake grins proudly, sitting down and leaning against Sunghoon.
"It's the coolest, right?" He gloats, and Sunoo nods, making him giggle.
Heeseung looks over at just the right moment, catching sight of the banner from the field. He winks at Jake, causing his heart to flutter even more. The game begins, and the tension in the air is electric. Each play is met with roars from the crowd, and Jake finds himself on the edge of his seat, the banner clutched tightly in his hand.
Jay is a force to be reckoned with on the field, his swift movements and sharp passes leaving the opposing team baffled. Heeseung, as the team captain, is a rock-solid presence, directing the game with confidence. Jake can't help but feel a swell of pride as they both shine under the stadium lights.
The game is intense, and the score is tight. The crowd's energy is infectious, and even Sunghoon can't help but get drawn into the excitement. They're all on their feet, cheering and chanting as Heeseung's team pushes forward for a goal. Jake waves his banner high, catching the eyes of the players and the spectators alike.
"You got this!" Jake yells, bouncing up and down as Heeseung's team gets closer to scoring. His heart races with each passing second, his eyes never leaving the two figures he loves so much. Jay glances over again, a cheeky grin on his face as he nods in acknowledgment of Jake's support.
The score remains tight until the final minutes of the game. With the clock ticking down, Heeseung receives a perfect pass from Jay, and the crowd holds their breath as he takes a shot. His sails through the air, and as he makes the touchdown, the stands erupt in a cacophony of cheers. Heeseung throws his fists in the air, and Jay runs to hug him, their joy unbridled.
Jake's heart feels like it's going to burst as he jumps up and down, screaming their names. The banner flutters in the wind of his excitement, glittering under the stadium lights. His love for them, for their sport, and for the bond they share, is a warm glow in his chest that spreads out to his fingertips. He's never felt so alive. Much less from watching two sweaty boys jump around and hug each other.
As the buzzer sounds and the game ends, Jake and the others make their way down to the field, pushing through the sea of congratulatory fans to get to the players' exit. The cold air is a shock after the warmth of the stands, but it does nothing to dampen Jake's spirits. He's practically vibrating with excitement.
Finally, they reach the fence and spot Heeseung and Jay, sweaty and flushed from victory. Heeseung's eyes catch Jake's and his smile widens, making Jake's heart flutter like a trapped bird. "Hyung," Jake says, breathless and beaming, "you did it."
"Couldn't have done it without your lucky charm," Heeseung replies, leaning over the fence to kiss him firmly on the mouth. The crowd's cheers muffle their laughter as they pull away. Jay rolls his eyes, but his own smile is wide, as he too leans in to kiss Jake against the mouth firmly.
"You guys did great," Sunghoon says, his voice slightly muffled by his hands over his mouth as he tries to hide his smile.
Heeseung and Jay exchange a look, their own smiles growing. "Thanks," Jay says, his voice still a bit out of breath. "Couldn't have done it without Jake's... extra motivation."
"I'm like, a hundred percent sure Sooha was giving him dirty looks the entire game," Jungwon points out, nudging Ni-ki. The two of them had been watching the crowd's reaction to Jake's banner with as much interest as the game itself.
Jake sighs, his eyes flicking over to where their classmates are gathered. Sooha is one of Heeseung's... fan girls, if that's what you could call them and had been giving him the stink eye for the duration of the match. "Well, she'll just have to deal with it," he says, his voice filled with a newfound resolve.
Heeseung laughs, ruffling Jake's hair. "Don't worry about it. She's harmless. Besides, I think she's starting to get the picture."
Jake nods, though his eyes still linger on Sooha for a moment before he turns back to his boyfriends. "Come on, let's go celebrate," he says, tugging on their jerseys.
And so the group of friends spend the rest of their night at the diner down the street from the school, celebrating the win.
