Chapter Text
Wonwoo knocked furiously on Mingyu's dorm door. Usually he would have some respect for Mingyu's roommate, Minghao, but the matter had urgency to it. He heard bickering from the other side of the door as he knocked before Minghao threw open the door to greet him. His eyes were narrowed and Wonwoo was sure he was going to kill him. "Really?"
"Sorry, but I really need to talk to Mingyu," Wonwoo said, looking over his shoulder at Mingyu. The boy was scrambling around the room, tossing clothes into a hamper.
"Fine," Minghao sighed, moving aside for Wonwoo.
"Gyu! Stop cleaning and listen."
Mingyu halted mid pick up of some clothes, staring wide eyed at Wonwoo. The older hesitated for a second, examining what Mingyu was wearing.
"Hmm. Grab a jacket and let's go," Wonwoo ordered.
"Huh?"
"Jacket. Hurry," Wonwoo hissed.
Mingyu looked to Minghao who seemed just as confused as him and back to Wonwoo. His boyfriend's face said it all. For some reason, Mingyu needed to move quickly. He let the clothes in his hands drop back on the floor, slipped on his shoes quickly, and grabbed a jacket. Wonwoo practically dragged Mingyu out the door.
"What's with the rush?"
"Can't lose Jihoon."
"What?"
"I will explain when I feel less rushed!"
Jihoon played with his hair, fixing the part and patting his hair so it lay nicely. He gave himself a once over in the mirror. He wore an oversized gray pullover with some writing on the sleeves, black pants, and sneakers. He decided to throw on some wire frames to make it look a bit better. The usual outfit but nicer? Jihoon wondered.
He would've liked it if Wonwoo stayed to help him instead of running off. Actually, Jihoon had no idea where Wonwoo went. Seemed urgent enough though so he didn't question it.
Jihoon checked his phone again, reassuring him of the meetup place. The ramen shop on campus at 7, Soonyoung had said. Jihoon stuffed the phone back in his pocket, wiping his clammy hands on his pants before grabbing his wallet and leaving. The fall air outside nipped at his face a little, making him wish he had brought a mask to wear. Hopefully, he would remember it next time he hoped as he made his way to the shop, music playing in his ears. He didn't even notice two familiar figures following behind him.
Jihoon entered the small ramen place, noticing Soonyoung playing with his phone at a table in the back corner. Jihoon walked up, spooking Soonyoung as he sat down.
"Sorry," Jihoon said.
"No, it's fine. I didn't notice you walking up. I was watching some dance videos," Soonyoung explained, turning his phone so Jihoon could see his phone screen.
"That's the one in LA, right?"
Soonyoung's eyes lit up, a smile appearing on his face. "You know about this studio?"
"Yeah. They are world famous, and uhm-" Jihoon paused for a second. "Guess I didn't tell you yet, but dancing was something I enjoyed before I got into composing."
Soonyoung let his phone drop to the table, reaching to grab Jihoon's shoulders, and shake him around while yelling, "How could you not tell me?! I'm a dancer! We would be such a power co-"
"Hey!" Jihoon yelled out, getting out of Soonyoung's grip. The other covered his mouth, realizing what he was about to yell out, eyes flashing to the rest of the place. Jihoon turned in his chair, noticing all the eyes on them. He could feel himself start to break out in a sweat.
"S-sorry. Very sorry for the disturbance," Jihoon said to the others in the shop. The younger people nodded, but the scattered people older than him mumbled and frowned. Jihoon slowly turned back to Soonyoung and sank down into his seat. He didn't want to be in here anymore.
"Sorry, Jihoon. I didn't mean to get so excited."
Jihoon rubbed his hands over his face. "It's fine. Just don't yell again, or we will definitely get kicked out."
The two ordered their food and sat in silence until it came out. Once they began to eat, the two loosened up enough to start chatting.
"So, you dance?"
"Use to. Not really anymore."
"What style?"
"No real style. I just liked to dance to songs I listened to, but I guess hip hop."
Soonyoung choked on his noddles. "Wh-what? Hip hop?"
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. What about it?"
"You struck me as a ballad only type."
"Well, I do like to sing those types, but I listen and dance to whatever. Truthfully, my favorite songs to write are funky pop songs."
"Funky pop songs?" Soonyoung questioned with a giggle.
"What's so funny?" Jihoon pouted.
"Nothing. Just sounds funny when you say it."
Jihoon rolled his eyes. Across the shop, almost out of view from the two, Wonwoo and Mingyu spied on them. "What do you think they are talking about?" Mingyu asked.
"No idea. At least they are talking. Things seemed tense when we first walked in."
"Do you think they confessed?"
"Psh. Don't think either of them would do something like that in such a public place."
Mingyu cocked his head to the side. "Really? The one you're roommates with looks like he would do things all out."
"If he was really like that, then he wouldn't be with someone like Jihoon. That guy knows when to perform and when to be chill."
Mingyu let his chin rest in his hands, staring lovingly at Wonwoo. The older registered eyes on him after a minute and looked at Mingyu, taking his eyes away from Jihoon. "What?"
"You're cute."
"Shut up."
"Handsome?"
"Stop."
"Your face is getting red. Now, you look cuter."
"How do I make you shut up?"
"Kiss me."
"We are in public."
"Guess I won't shut up," Mingyu said with a smile. "So handsome."
Wonwoo rolled his eyes, looking back towards Jihoon. He hoped he could hide the fact that he enjoyed Mingyu's compliments, but Mingyu noticed the way the corners of Wonwoo's mouth slightly turned up.
"So cute," Mingyu whispered.
Jihoon and Soonyoung sat at a bench not far from the ramen shop. It was dark so lights around campus were the only illumination. Then again, the light pollution made the sky not seem so dark. Jihoon missed the clearer skies of back home on nights like this. Soonyoung rubbed his hands together and blew warm air on them. He was dressed a bit more warmly than Jihoon was. Soonyoung had a sweatshirt over his shirt which stuck out at the bottom and a beanie on his head.
"So," Jihoon said, breaking the silence between them, "why did you ask me to dinner?"
Soonyoung didn't look at Jihoon, still blowing hot air onto his hands, but Jihoon could see how he flinched at the question. There was something he wanted to say. Jihoon could only assume what it was, but he wouldn't believe those thoughts or even get his hopes up. They sat in silence for a couple more minutes until Soonyoung was ready to answer.
Soonyoung shifted on the bench, turning more towards Jihoon and coming closer. Jihoon resisted the urge to scoot away or closer. For some reason, he felt the want to move closer. Guess I am really cold, he thought to himself even though he knew it was a lie.
"Well, Chan encouraged me to," Soonyoung admitted, not looking Jihoon in the eyes. "I snapped at him a little the other day. We had a talk afterwards, and he helped me realize there is something I need to get off my chest." Soonyoung began to wring his hands together and breathe a little heavier.
"You don't need to be nervous with me," Jihoon confessed. Soonyoung looked at Jihoon in surprise, causing Jihoon to become nervous. He choked back the anxiety and said, "Just tell me. You can tell me anything."
Soonyoung couldn't help the smile taking over his face. He giggled a little to himself before continuing, "Chan was right. I have been meaning to tell you something. I'm even more sure about what I am going to say now."
Soonyoung reached over to grab one of Jihoon's hands. He didn't flinch away at the touch.
"Jihoon...I... I like you. A lot. I've liked you since we talked at the talent show auditions. You're so passionate about what you do, and even though you have a harsh side to you, a soft and nervous side too."
"That side isn't that great," Jihoon muttered.
Soonyoung squeezed Jihoon's hand and pouted. "Everything about you is great. Even your flaws or fears because I want to be there to help you with them. I want to be with you, Jihoon."
Soonyoung pulled on Jihoon's hand, making his body shift forward. Soonyoung made their lips connect and rested his free hand behind Jihoon's neck. He used his hand to push Jihoon deeper into the kiss, trying to not hesitate in this moment. Soonyoung believed this was all he had. He wouldn't try again if he had hesitated.
Wonwoo and Mingyu had been watching from a distance. They took this time to make their leave. "Everything will work out from here," Wonwoo told Mingyu.
"Can I kiss you like that?"
"When we get back to the dorms," Wonwoo answered.
"Not now?" Mingyu pouted.
Wonwoo side eyed him until Mingyu looked away dejectedly. The older smirked at his pouty boyfriend before grabbing his hand to stop him. He pulled in Mingyu quickly, pressing their lips together deeply before separating and walking again like nothing happened. Mingyu stood in a daze for a minute before a smile came across his face. He skipped over to Wonwoo and let their hands brush as they walked back together.
Jihoon's mind was racing while being blank at the same time. He felt like he could scream but also that he could just pass out right then and there. He felt how soft Soonyoung's lips were against his own yet his whole body was numb. Not even the cold air phased him anymore.
Soonyoung slowly let his hand fall from Jihoon's neck and moved back to gauge Jihoon's reaction. The other had wide eyes yet no expression at all. Soonyoung was ready to start sweating buckets. I shouldn't have done that, he thought.
"I-uh-Sorry. That was too much. S-sorry," Soonyoung stammered, losing any confidence he had before. "I just...I didn't know how else to show you how much I like you, Jihoon. I guess I could've just given you a gift or anything else!" Soonyoung's hands gripped and pulled on his hair in frustration. "I always do such stupid things! Im sorry. I should-" Soonyoung was cut off by the feeling of hands resting on his own, slowly moving and releasing them from the grip on his hair. He looked back at Jihoon, noticing he had taken on a soft expression. It made Soonyoung want to kiss him again.
"You don't need to apologize."
"I don't?"
"Well, maybe. You caught me off guard with that," Jihoon admitted.
"Argh!" Soonyoung yelled out, letting his head drop back and hands fall onto his legs. Jihoon's hands remained resting on Soonyoung's. "Sorry. Should've just left it at the I like you part."
"Like I said, you don't need to apologize. It threw me off but-"
Soonyoung snapped his head back to lock eyes with Jihoon. "But?"
"-I did like it."
Soonyoung couldn't help his happiness as he reached out to pull Jihoon into a hug. Jihoon groaned at the action, retreating back from Soonyoung's arms.
"Oh...right," Soonyoung giggled, giving Jihoon his space. "So, if you enjoyed it, then does that mean you like me too?"
Jihoon frowned at Soonyoung. "Didn't say that," he said looking away, a blush forming on his cheeks, "but, yes."
"Cute," Soonyoung said, finding Jihoon's tsundere attitude funny.
"I'm not cute!" Jihoon protested.
"Very cute," Soonyoung cooed, scrunching up his face a little like when he would mess with Chan.
"Ya!" Jihoon said with a raise of his hand.
Soonyoung popped off the bench, giggling wildly.
"Alright alright. I won't say you are cute. Even though you are."
Jihoon pouted at Soonyoung.
"Let's go back now. It's getting cold," Soonyoung said, gesturing for Jihoon to get up. He didn't offer a hand out of fear of making Jihoon feel uncomfortable again.
Wonwoo was happy to be done with his final exams, the first semester was a hard one. He was going to drop off his stuff and get some food with Mingyu to celebrate being done with finals. "Maybe I should invite Jihoon. I think he is all done with finals," Wonwoo said to himself as he took out his key to unlock his door. He threw open the door just as Soonyoung was separating his lips from Jihoon's. Wonwoo couldn't help the way his jaw dropped.
One, the two were never in his room. Two, they stayed separated when they were together on double dates with Wonwoo and Mingyu. Three, Wonwoo was still not use to the idea of Jihoon with someone and actually giving them affection.
"Close your mouth," Jihoon hissed even though he was obviously embarrassed.
Wonwoo audibly shut his mouth as he moved into the room. As he set his stuff down he noticed how close Soonyoung stayed to Jihoon without being overt. He was close, but he wasn't holding his hand, wrapping his arms around him, or resting his head on Jihoon's. Even though it was very different from how Wonwoo acted with Mingyu, the two seemed very content and happy. Even with their lack of obvious affection, Wonwoo could still tell how much they meant to each other.
"Mingyu and I are going to go eat soon. You two wanna join?"
"Thanks for the offer, but we have plans to eat somewhere special later," Soonyoung said while Jihoon nodded in agreement.
"Ah okay. I'll see you later then Jihoon," Wonwoo said as he departed for Mingyu's dorm.
Once the door clicked shut, Jihoon let out a sigh and flopped down on his side, letting the side of his face squish into his bed sheets. Soonyoung smiled at Jihoon, moving to lay next to him, face to face. He liked the way one of Jihoon's eyes was almost squished shut. Soonyoung resisted the urge to squish his cheeks.
"Think we could continue?" Soonyoung asked, hand running along Jihoon's arm until he could grip his hand.
"Hmph. Feel weird now," Jihoon muttered.
"Because Wonwoo saw?"
Jihoon just stared back at Soonyoung, answering with his eyes and red cheeks. Soonyoung chuckled and shifted closer to Jihoon. He let go of his hand, throwing his arm around Jihoon's back. "It's okay, Jihoonie. Can we cuddle though? We still have some time before we should head out to eat."
Jihoon nodded, and Soonyoung pulled Jihoon closer, resting his head in the other's hair. Jihoon smelled nice to Soonyoung, like fresh air. The type of fresh air that calms you down after a rough day. The type that is cool and refreshing when it fills your lungs. The type Soonyoung couldn't get enough of.
"I'm sorry, Soonyoung," Jihoon mumbled into Soonyoung's chest.
"For what?" Soonyoung asked, kissing the top of Jihoon's head.
"For how I act. I'm not much of a boyfriend."
"We are cuddling right now and going on a date later so I don't understand what you are saying."
"When Wonwoo came in you acted like it was nothing, but I was so embarrassed and freaking out. I'm the same way when we are outside the dorm," Jihoon sighed.
"That part is understandable though," Soonyoung noted.
"Mingyu's friend, Seokmin, said it doesn't really even seem like we are dating. Even that Chinese couple still holds hands around and none of them even know how they ended up together."
"Well that just means-"
"And whenever people hear our story," Jihoon continued, voice getting quicker, "they say it sounds like some movie. Meeting on bad circumstances yet making up over a meal and that night at the talent show! Why did we have to have such a movie like beginning and end up like this? With me being a horrible boyfriend who doesn't even act like one!"
"Stop it!" Soonyoung yelled sitting up. Jihoon's eyes widened. Soonyoung didn't yell at Jihoon.
Jihoon slowly rose into a sitting position, his eyes locked with Soonyoung's. The other had an angry look on his face yet his eyes were watery and sad.
"Stop saying you are a bad boyfriend. Stop acting like I am not happy to be with you like this," Soonyoung said, voice shaky.
"Are you happy though? Don't you want me to act different?"
Soonyoung shook his head and moved to sit in front of Jihoon, moving to hold his hands. "I love you, Jihoon. Why would I want you any different than you are? I know you don't like others to see you be affectionate. I know you get embarrassed, and it's okay."
Jihoon went to open his mouth but Soonyoung shushed him before continuing.
"I'm not in this relationship to show off to everyone we are dating by shoving my tongue down your throat around others. I'm okay with doing that when we are alone," Soonyoung said with a smirk.
Jihoon just rolled his eyes.
"You show me affection Jihoonie. Just not around others. They don't need to see it anyway. Don't want them to."
"Don't want them to?"
"No. You look even cuter when we are alone together. I don't want anyone else to see the cute side you show only to me."
"I'm going to smack you!" Jihoon said, punching Soonyoung's leg.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"Told you not to call me cute!" Jihoon yelled, trying to push Soonyoung off the bed with his feet.
Soonyoung just laughed. He scrunched up his face and cutely said, "But Jihoonie is always so cute."
Soonyoung brushed aside Jihoon's kicking feet to wrap one his arms around his waist while the other poked at his cheeks. "So so cute."
Jihoon groaned at the act, fingers curling as he tried not to kill his boyfriend. "I hate you."
"No you don't. Jihoonie loves me," Soonyoung continued in a cute voice, rubbing his face against Jihoon's.
"Uhhh," Jihoon groaned, letting his body go limp and his soul left it.
"So cute when you are annoyed."
"Gonna kill you in your sleep," Jihoon muttered.
"Oh really," Soonyoung said, moving so his mouth was next to Jihoon's ear. He whispered, "Does that mean I get to spend the night in the same bed as you?"
Jihoon's soul really left his body this time. No doubt his whole face became a bright shade of red at the thought of what Soonyoung might be suggesting.
"I-uh-I..."
Soonyoung shifted so Jihoon was looking at him. "Joking. I'm not suggesting anything like that," Soonyoung assured Jihoon, pressing a quick kiss on his cheek.
"R-right. Of course."
Soonyoung moved Jihoon to sit in his lap, arms resting over his shoulder and the side of his face pressing against Jihoon's. Jihoon didn't protest the action, bringing his knees to his chest, fiddling with Soonyoung's hands.
"Where are we going to eat?" Jihoon asked.
"The bbq place."
"There are a lot of those."
"The one we went to on our first date," Soonyoung said, peppering kisses on Jihoon's cheek.
"It wasn't a date," Jihoon stated, moving his head back onto Soonyoung's shoulder.
"Not to you, but I asked as if it was one. It was a nice date," Soonyoung replied, quickly kissing Jihoon's exposed neck. Jihoon pushed his face away as Soonyoung giggled.
"Feels weird when you do that."
"That's because you are tickilish. Now, let's relax," Soonyoung said, leaning back against the wall, holding Jihoon close to his chest.
They sat in silence for a while until Jihoon said, "You love me."
"Hm?"
"Earlier you said you love me. It's the first time you said it. We haven't been together long Soonyoung."
"I know that."
"So, did you mean it? Or just said it because of the situation."
"I meant it. I have felt that way for a while now, but I didn't think it was right to say it yet."
Jihoon relaxed against Soonyoung's chest, feeling the way he rose and sank slightly along with the other's breathing. He let his head shift to the side and listened to Soonyoung's steady heartbeat. Surprisingly, it wasn't fast like Jihoon felt his was. Soonyoung always seemed to make his heart race.
"I am glad I ran into you that day."
"Hm?"
"When I ran into you and broke your phone. I am glad-not about your phone. I am just happy I met you."
"Wasn't much of a meeting," Jihoon pointed out. "Also, we would've met at the talent show."
"True. But that run in gave me an excuse to go talk to you. I think I would've been too scared otherwise." Jihoon felt Soonyoung's arms wrap tighter as he finished his thought. The beats from Soonyoung's chest seemed to speed up. "I love you, Jihoon."
Jihoon felt his face heat up. He couldn't say it back. Not yet, but he knew Soonyoung wasn't expecting or pressuring him to.
"Ya know," Jihoon began, "even if I could go back, I would still want you to meet you how I did."
"Even though I broke your phone?"
"Even though you broke my phone. I'm glad it happened if it means I can be with you like this."