Chapter Text
Jihoon stared at the red scarf loosely wrapped around Seungcheol's neck. The SC President has a huge grin on his face, Jihoon's scared his cheeks are going to tear.
It didn’t surprise Jihoon as much as he expected. He caught a glimpse of Seungcheol at the gate earlier, talking to someone before Soonyoung dragged him away. Maybe his mind already registered that since Seungcheol is really popular, he’ll be receiving a lot of gifts. Maybe his mind already accepted that he’ll never have a chance to give Seungcheol his handmade scarf anyways. Did his mind save him from a heartbreak? But Jihoon’s heart didn’t even react at all?
This is too confusing for Jihoon’s sleep deprived state.
The pink haired boy blinked and looked down at the open box on his table, he took his blue scarf out of the box and looked at the president's red, probably expensive, scarf. He wonders how warm that scarf is. Jihoon caressed his blue scarf. Soft. Jihoon looked back up at Seungcheol and noticed that the scarf doesn’t really have a design. It’s just a plain scarf, but still beautiful.
He looked back down again to the scarf in his hands. Jihoon initially planned to make a plain scarf, just like Seungcheol’s red scarf, but something urged him to add some cables into it.
It was probably during summer camp, he vaguely remembers someone wearing a white knitted sweater with cable designs on it handing Jihoon a cup of hot chocolate. It’s weird, Jihoon remembers it was piping hot that day and this person is wearing a sweater and is giving people hot chocolates. Maybe because of how weird it was that it stayed in Jihoon’s memories?
Jihoon's eyes widened when he saw a pair of shoes stop in front of him. He looked up nervously and his eyes met with Seungcheol’s
"Hi, Jihoonie! Who's that for?" Seungcheol asked, getting a chair nearby and sitting next to Jihoon. Jihoon's eyes went down to the red scarf and he panicked.
He tried to put the blue scarf back into its box but Seungcheol snatched it away from his hands and inspected it closer. Jihoon stood up and tried snatching it back from the president but Seungcheol swatted his hands away.
“Whoa, this is some cool design. Where did you buy this?” Seungcheol asked, he rolled the scarf into a ball and squished it in his hands. “And it’s soft, too! How much did it cost you?”
Jihoon bit his lip and fiddled the hem of his uniform. “I—I made it.” He whispered, he hanged his head low and focused his sight on his table filled with Soonyoung’s doodles.
Wow. That’s some cute laughing stars.
“Holy crap, dude. You’re amazing!” Jihoon sputtered, he was about to deny the compliment when Seungcheol cut him off with a very heart stopping question.
“Is it for me?” Seungcheol asked expectantly. He looked up at a standing Jihoon with a goofy smile on his face.
"Uhm, it's-- uh, it's for--" Jihoon’s eyes frantically searched the room. His eyes caught the doodles on his table and remembered Soonyoung.
“Soonyoung! It’s for Soonyoung! I made it for Soonyoung! Haha, because, you know, it’s getting colder these days—“ Jihoon cut himself off when he noticed Seungcheol just looking at him, confused.
Oh, they don’t know Soonyoung as Soonyoung, right, okay. Jihoon cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair.
“It’s for Soon—Hoshi.” Jihoon corrected himself, he slowly felt his ears burn from embarrassment.
Seungcheol nodded, the goofy smile back on his face. He carefully folded the scarf and put it back in the box. The president stood up and handed the box back to Jihoon which the pink haired boy immediately took with shaky hands, mumbling a small ‘thanks’.
“You should give to him now,” Seungcheol said, walked around Jihoon and pushed the boy forward slightly. Jihoon stumbled but found his footing right away.
“He’s there, go get your man!” Seungcheol whispered to Jihoon before stepping back a few steps.
Jihoon let out a shaky breath and looked up. His eyes met with his Soonyoung’s who is standing frozen at the door. Jihoon smiled awkwardly before walking slowly towards the blond.
Time seemed to stop. Jihoon felt as if he’s walking in the clouds, nothing mattered and the only thing he can see right now is Soonyoung.
Soonyoung’s confused eyes, Soonyoung trying to smile back, Soonyoung running a hand through his hair, switching weights from foot to foot. Jihoon finds it all amusing. But there’s something unfamiliar in the bottom of Jihoon’s stomach. He could feel it, it’s running around and wreaking havoc in his insides.
Jihoon’s now a few steps away from Soonyoung, who finally stopped fidgeting and just stood there. Waiting.
"Spoon—Hoshi," Jihoon held up the box to Soonyoung, his hands trembling a bit. It just registered to him that all his classmates are looking at them, watching and curious asto what is currently happening.
"I-i'ts for you..." Jihoon's face was flushed red up to the tips of his ears. Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing. He slowly closed his eyes and held his head down when Soonyoung only stared at him, mouth slightly open and eyes wide.
"Wha—What? For me?" Soonyoung asked, pointing at himself and still confused. He looked at the boy in front of him holding out the box he believes contains the blue scarf meant for Seungcheol. Where is Seungcheol anyways?!
Soonyoung caught a glimpse of red and he turned his eyes to that direction. Seungcheol waved at him and mouthed ‘take it!”
"T-take it..." Jihoon whispered. Soonyoung brought his attention back to the pink haired boy in front of him. He’s so cute.
Soonyoung smiled, he took the box from Jihoon and opened it. He was asleep the whole time Jihoon was making the scarf so he didn’t know what it looks like. The beautiful cable pattern amazed Soonyoung, it reminded him of his favourite sweater that has a similar design. Did Jihoon really make this?
Soonyoung, his heart filled with all kinds of emotion, took out the scarf out of the box. He wrapped the half around his neck and the half around Jihoon’s. The blond pulled Jihoon close to him and placed his hands on Jihoon’s waist.
Jihoon’s breath hitched at the sudden movement. He’s not sure what is happening right now and he’s getting confused but he likes the tingly feeling in his stomach. He felt his cheeks burn hotter, his eyes caught Soonyoung’s and he looked away.
“Hey,” Soonyoung whispered. Jihoon kept looking elsewhere. Soonyoung smiled and let out a low chuckle. “You’re so cute, Pumpkin,” His right hand travelled up to the back of Jihoon’s head and caressed the pink hair. He gently pulled the younger closer, their foreheads touching and their faces inches away from each other.
Soonyoung looked Jihoon with so much adoration and love. His eyes travelled from Jihoon’s eyes, to his nose, and lastly to those pink lips. Jihoon saw this and he nervously licked his lips, Soonyoung’s eyes followed the movement.
“Just kiss already!” Jihoon startled and he immediately leaned back, however, Soonyoung’s hands held him in place. Soonyoung grinned at the younger.
"Thank you, Jihoon!" Soonyoung felt the scarf around his neck with his hands, he took a glance at the hanging scarf between them and touched it, feeling the stitches with his fingers.
"Wow... did you make this?" Jihoon nodded a bit, still embarrassed. Soonyoung knows he made it, so why did he ask? Oh, right. He fell asleep last night and left me all cold and alone crocheting at the fucking table. ALONE. Jihoon scoffed.
"Wow. Wow, Jihoon! You're amazing!" Soonyoung pulled Jihoon back towards him and hugged the boy tightly. Jihoon felt his heart skip a bit. Surprised? But Soonyoung hugs him all the time!
Jihoon doesn't know what to do with his hands. Sure, they've hugged and even kissed before (it was an accident!) but this was different somehow, Jihoon feels something weird stirring in his gut and he doesn't know what to do. Should he hug Soonyoung back? Pat his back? Kiss--
"Thank you." Soonyoung said sincerely and pulled back a bit. He held Jihoon’s cheeks and leaned closer. He planted a small kiss on Jihoon’s forehead, making the younger's face even more red and his heart pounding in his chest. Weird, Jihoon thought.
He can feel Soonyoung's lips moving against his forehead.
"--rry, pumpkin..." Jihoon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why is Spoonyoung sorry?
"...I tried to keep Seungcheol busy so you won't see him with that stupid red scarf. I'm sorry, pumpkin. You can punch me whenever and how many times you want. Let all the hurt out." Jihoon was reeled back to reality. Right, Seungcheol has a red scarf, and-- Jihoon glanced at the doorway and saw Jeonghan wearing the a similar red scarf, he looked away and back at Soonyoung whose lips is still against his forehead.
Weird. It's all weird. He should be crying and his heart should squeeze with hurt. But why is it the exact opposite? His heart is pounding against his chest and he feels warm all over. He... he feels loved.
Before Jihoon could return the hug, Soonyoung already pulled away and smiled at him. Jihoon smiled back at him with the same intensity, his eyes forming half crescents and his cute dimples showing.
"Holy shiiiiit! Jihoonie, your dimples are so cute!" Soonyoung pinched his cheeks while laughing. Jihoon slowly felt his heart calming down and the warm feeling slowly fade away, he continued smiling at Soonyoung. Jihoon’s hands went up to Soonyoung’s cheeks, he caressed the fluffy cheeks before pinching it. Hard.
"Spoonyouuung. Wait 'till we get out of this place and I will whoop your ass." He whispered, threateningly. Soonyoung only laughed and just continued pinching the younger’s cheeks even though his felt like they would tear any minute now.
The two didn't stop pinching each other's cheeks and threatening each other even when the whole room was making kissing noises and cooing at them. Their homeroom teacher has to unwrap the scarf from the two and shout at them to go sit the fuck down before they finally stopped.
-x-
Jihoon was quiet for the rest of the day. Soonyoung glances at him from time to time to make sure he doesn't break down in the middle of campus. Soonyoung sighed and turned his desk around, connecting his desk with Jihoon's. He snapped his fingers in front of the boy's face, startling the younger. Soonyoung chuckled at Jihoon’s startled face. Cute.
"W-what?" Jihoon's face started feeling warm. He's blushing, again! And Jihoon doesn't know why. And he would like to know why, it’s been on his mind for the whole day. At lunch, he didn’t even touch his food, too busy trying to understand why he reacted that way when Soonyoung k-k-kissed him--
"Are you sick, pumpkin?" Soonyoung asked him in a low voice, the blond leaned his face closer to Jihoon's, his eyes staring directly at the younger's and Jihoon felt his cheeks become more hot and red. Soonyoung rest his forehead against the younger and Jihoon thought he could die there and then. Jihoon can feel Soonyoung’s hot breath fanning his face and no, this does not help in any way. Not at all!
Too close! Jihoon snapped his eyes shut.
"You don't have a fever," Soonyoung announced and held Jihoon's cheeks with his hands gently. He observed the younger's red face. Eyes scanning his features, Soonyoung admits he’s just admiring Jihoon at this point.
"Are you dizzy? Is it a headache?" Jihoon slowly opened his eyes and he jerked back when he saw Soonyoung's face centimetres away from his. A small push and they would ki—
Oh my god, Jihoon! Stop thinking about kissing! He’s your best friend!
Soonyoung looked up when someone tapped his shoulder, he didn’t let go of Jihoon.
It was Seungcheol and his stupid red scarf.
"Hey, it's been ten minutes since the bell rang. You can go home now, lovebirds." He smirked and slung his bag on his shoulder, leaving the two alone in the classroom.
“Use protection, kids!” Seungcheol yelled from the hallway, his boisterous laugh too loud for Jihoon.
"L-let's g-go, Spoonyoung." Jihoon stood up and carried his bag but Soonyoung took it from him.
"I'll carry it for you." Soonyoung took his own bag from his chair and slung it on his shoulder together with Jihoon's bag, he held Jihoon's hand and dragged him out of the room.
Jihoon intertwined their hands together on the way home.
-x-
Jihoon stared at the ceiling. Soonyoung walked him home, as usual. His mind wandered back to what happened at school. The way Soonyoung hugged him, kissed his forehead, and held his cheeks. It's all very familiar to him since Soonyoung does that all the time anyways, but this time it's different and Jihoon needs to know why.
It’s been bugging him since it happened and it’s slowly frustrating Jihoon. He just wants to know why! This never happened with Seungcheol. There aren’t any tingly feelings, no heart pounding, no wanting to kiss Seungcheol. Not even wanting to hug! So why are all these happening to Jihoon whenever Soonyoung does something with him?
His heart beat faster when he remembered how he and Soonyoung almost kissed. Jihoon groaned at the memory and flipped himself to his stomach, burying his face on his pillow. He raised his head back up when he felt his lungs burn from the lack of oxygen.
What's happening to me?!