Archive of Our Own

If someone were to say Ten was going to fall in love with the school’s swim team captain a year ago, Ten would’ve been high off his mind and double over laughing. Then proceed to call whomever made up that stupid prediction a ‘fucking weirdo’ and flip them off.

Well, now these days he has to walk around with a blush on his face, holding said swim team captain’s hand in the hallways.

Of course, people were shocked at such a comedic sight. Ten, tiny, with a red faced scowl wearing his typical black leather jacket and ripped jeans, and his slicked back raven hair. Johnny, tall, soft, angelic smile on his face wearing an oversized black hoodie (Tens) and loose blue jeans, and long, wavy brown hair in a bun.

The complete opposites were holding hands. One boy radiated ‘I’m literally Satan in disguise, I’m going to kill you’ energy and the other radiated ‘I’m an angel, do you need a hand?’ energy.

Of course, some girls went ballistic with either the fact that Johnny was taken or Ten was taken by Johnny. 

“You guys are disgustingly cute,” Kunhang said, already waiting by Ten’s locker with a small grin on his face. Johnny had already parted ways with the elder, saying he had to go meet with the coach but not before kissing Ten square on the forehead in front of everyone. Ten almost whined in annoyance, before puffing his cheeks out and stomping towards his beat friend.

Kunhang pat Ten’s head, “The beast is finally being tamed. You haven’t even touched your pipe in three months.” 

“Oh fuck off.” Ten sneered, shoving Kunhang’s hand off his head. He opened up his locker and grabbed his history notebook, Kunhang grinning eerily behind the locker at his friend.

“So? You’re not gonna tell your best friend how this happened?”

“I was planning to but I knocked out straight after coming home and changing out of my wet clothes.”

“Wet clothes?” Kunhang gasped, clearly scandalized by Ten’s choice of words, “You guys barely started dating and you’re already on third base? You’re even crazier than I thought.” 

“Shut up! I said I’ll explain everything and I will, we just went late night swimming so calm down, I’ll tell you everything after class.”

“Wow I can’t wait to hear the details of your eloping-“

“Fuck you.”

“So.. Your new boyfriend.” Johnny’s father cleared his throat at the dinner table, slowly chewing on a piece of meat as he stared at his son. Johnny’s aura was bright and bubbly, he was texting Ten with his phone (un)subtly under the dinner table, his hand resting on his cheek like a lovestruck teenage girl. Johnny wasn’t listening to his father and continued to hum to himself, laughing at what Ten texted him.

“Johnny!”

“Huh?” Johnny looked up with a smile at his father, his eyes lidded and hazy. His father could barely hold back his throw up. Mr. Seo wasn’t judgmental, don’t get him wrong, he was happy his son was happier and more content these days.  He didn’t care if his son liked boys or girls, he just wanted him happy. 

Even with his busy schedule he could tell how Johnny has gotten more content because of his new boyfriend. But Johnny gave off that new couple vibe and Mr. Seo hadn’t seen that vibe since Johnny’s brother moved out.

“Your new boyfriend.”

“Oh yeah! Ten!” Johnny sighed dreamily. Mr. Seo’s eye twitched, he felt his wife gently pat his thigh from the side to calm him down.  He thought he would be okay with whoever Johnny ended up dating for a split second. But nothing would calm down his raging distaste for Ten. So he hoped to God that it wasn’t the same Ten.

“Do you .. Mean, Ten, as in Chittaphon Lee?” Mr. Seo said behind his gritted teeth, he felt an oncoming migraine appearing as he waited for his son’s answer. Oblivious to his dad’s reaction, Johnny grinned and said,

“Yup!”

Ten’s father was about to have a heart attack. He could hear the distant voices and complaints of Ten causing trouble again in the town haunting him. The Ten who would leave small bits of cannabis in his coffee when he wasn’t looking in the station, his co-workers thinking it’d be funny to see his reaction so they let Ten get away with it. The Ten who sprayed crude graffiti behind school buildings, cars, shops. The Ten who made the poor granny down Main Street have a slight stroke when Ten showed up with her granddaughter at her door right after he had trained her dog to pee in her tulip garden. 

That Ten. His name wasn’t unforgettable to the town’s head police chief that had let the kid go countless times after countless misdemeanors. The kid had a number as a name for Christ’s sake! He was so going to get his hands on Ten’s neck next time he sees him for doing yet, another thing to ruin Mr. Seo’s peaceful life. Date his son. 

“I forbid you to continue seeing Ten!”

“What do you mean your father is that lame old ass chief?” Ten exclaimed, sitting up from his bed in horror. No way was he dating the seed of the man ruining his fun. How would such a dickhead like the police chief have such an angelic child like Johnny? He could hear Johnny sigh from the other line, probably hugging his pillow as he talked to Ten,

“Yeah,” He drawled out, Ten could practically hear his pout, “He said I couldn’t hang around you anymore. He was all like, ‘I forbid you to see him anymore,’ then he suggested breaking up with you but no way in hell would I do that!”

“Good or else I’d sock your d-“

“Ten! No violence! I’ve already tried explaining to my dad you’ve grown from those things. At least I hope you did.. But I’d still choose to see you anyways, not like he can stop us at school.” Johnny explained as Ten fell back onto his bed, glaring at his blank ceiling. 

“Yeah, of course.”

Ten said quietly. It became awkward all of a sudden and Johnny went silent. The phone call continued with both of them just listening to the sounds of each other’s breathing until Johnny had fallen asleep. Prior to their slight argument, Johnny had been studying hard for his Chemistry quiz, probably something Ten should’ve been doing as well but decided to hear Johnny reciting to himself instead. His snores caused Ten smile to himself as he hung up. 

To say Ten was feeling insecure was a confusing thought. Ten had never felt insecure before, he had a tough shell protecting him and nothing would ever break through it. That’s what he thought before he ended up dating Johnny.

Johnny didn’t do anything wrong, he never does, but all of a sudden a wave of insecurity had hit Ten like a typhoon. He suddenly felt like he wasn’t enough for Johnny. After their phone call, discussing Johnny being banned from seeing Ten, the younger had started to realize how much he didn’t deserve Johnny.

He had slowly started skipping school again, his hideout was behind a red slide at the local park. Ten would usually be wearing one of Johnny’s hoodies when he was out and about, thinking long and hard to himself.

He had picked up smoking again but never dared to get Johnny’s hoodies smelling like that crap. He only smoked when he was stressed or overthinking. Kunhang had already given him shit about it, calling him an idiot but telling him to be safe because Johnny was asking about him and he hadn’t returned his calls in 3 days. He avoided him like the plague, too weak to properly speak to his boyfriend about it.

Boyfriend.. They hadn’t even officially discussed their relationship’s label either.. 

“So this is where you’ve been.” Johnny’s soft voice said from beside Ten, who was casually eating a cheeseburger behind his hideout. The latter jumped in his spot, accidentally hitting his head against the slide causing Johnny to chuckle. Ten rubbed his head with a pout, swallowing the last of his burger. Johnny sighed, shaking his head as he reached over to kiss Ten’s head. The younger, of course, sputtered with the same stupidly red face he sported around his boyfriend, still not used to Johnny’s affection.

“Are you not going to explain to me why you’ve been avoiding me for a few days and skipping again?” Johnny said calmly, his eyebrows furrowed in concern as he looked down at his boyfriend, bringing his knees close to his chest to listen intently to Ten. Ten just sighed, 

“Why do you have to be such a good boy— person?”

“Huh?” Johnny tilted his head, confused, almost like a puppy and Ten wanted to scratch his own eyes out.

“Like,” Ten was about to hit his head again to lean back but Johnny stopped him by placing his hand behind his head, “Look at what you’re doing right now.. You’re listening to me closely, you’re watching out for me like this, being such a perfect boyfriend and I’m just.. Goddamn Ten. Not being able to face his problems.” 

“Is this about my dad?” The elder boy asked carefully. He brought his hand down from Ten’s head, finding his way to lace his fingers through Ten’s hand instead, “You know I don’t care what he says about you. All that matters is I think you’re a good person.”

“But why?” Ten was frustrated now with his own feelings, “You know about all the dumb shit I’ve done, even to your own dad. I don’t get it. All I do is cause trouble and I’m causing you trouble by you choosing to date me like what’s up with that? You ignored me all year and like, suddenly you like me because I helped you once. I’ve liked you ever since I laid eyes on you at the convenience store and yeah it feels great to finally have you as a boyfriend but you’re so perfect I just don’t deserve yo-“

Ten’s rant was cut off by Johnny grabbing the sides of his face, the elder promptly kissing him. Ten had fallen on his back in surprise, Johnny had him pinned onto the ground as they kissed. His hands were still squishing Ten’s cheeks as he pulled away with a huff, pecking him one more time to be sure, 

“God you’re so fucking dumb but so hot. You taste like cheeseburgers.”

“That’s the fiwst time I evew heawd you cuwse,” Ten said, his lips were puckered like a duck’s as Johnny was still squishing his cheeks between his fingers. Johnny let go of Ten’s face, the elder licked his red lips, “That was pretty hot. And you actually called me your boyfriend.”

“Oh shut up,” Johnny said, lightly slapping Ten’s cheek, still not allowing Ten to sit back up so he had him pinned against the red polyurethane ground of the park, “You’re so full of crap you know? Like, you’re so wrong about me being perfect and how you don’t deserve me.”

“Excuse me for feeling insecure and like total shit thinking I’m a shitty boyfriend,” Ten retorted, crossing his arms and glaring up at his boyfriend. Johnny clicked his tongue, he was stuck with a stubborn boyfriend but he wasn’t complaining. He’d just have to reassure him,

“Well you’re wrong. You aren’t as bad as you think.” Johnny held his ground, making sure to look at the latter with assertiveness to make him know he was being completely serious, “I’ve liked you ever since I saw you slam the door open at the convenience store too you know. No, actually, way before that. When I first saw you in English class while you were drooling your ass off sleeping for God’s sake!”

“You look cute when you’re serious— ow, what was that for?”

“For not shutting up when I’m telling you what I like about you,” Johnny hissed, “I’ve always known about what a little troublemaker you were anyways. I thought you were too cool to even know about my existence or pay attention to the likes of me. Since you seemed to hate anything related to school I thought you despised me. That is, until you helped me when I was about to get socked in the face for not letting Chris borrow my math notes. 

I’m honestly surprised with myself with the fact that I managed to get you to like me. I try to be perfect for you so you understand I really, really fucking like you Ten. I always thought you were cool, supportive, soft and kind deep down even though you retaliated to everything around you. I never had the courage to talk to you until I flirted with you after the tournament. I like your ‘no fucks given’ attitude. The way you influence me to slack a little more. I like the way you blush every time I give you affection. Oh and that sound you make when I-“

“Okay, holy shit I get it,” Ten wheezed, he felt like his heart was about to burst from Johnny’s words, he felt himself heat up and he covered his face with his arm, “I don’t know what the fuck I did in my past life to deserve you. I’m super bad with words but fuck you for being the cutest and most supportive person in existence. Thank you, John.”

“Hey! You gave me a nickname. I take all that as a compliment and a thank you,” Johnny laughed, letting Ten sit up again so the scowling little guy could side hug him. Johnny barely fit around Ten’s arms from the side, let alone under the small slide but they chose to ignore it. They switched positions and soon Ten was engulfed into Johnny’s arms and the elder was just peppering kisses around Ten’s face. Just to make him feel a little more appreciated.

“You look cute in my sweater by the way.” Johnny muttered against Ten’s temple, Ten just groaned. He dug himself deeper into Johnny’s chest and Johnny could feel his glare, “Can we run away together?”

“Jesus christ Johnny what the hell.”

“Just a suggestion.” 

“Your dad probably has a chip on you, he’d hunt us down and gut me while you watch. You can’t date a dead person,” Ten said, flicking Johnny’s forehead, “But..”

“But..?” Johnny pressed on, raising his eyebrows, Ten just smirked up at him with that typical glint he had in his eye when he was brewing up trouble,

“We can run away on a short little roadtrip for summer break.”

“Have I ever told you you’re the best boyfriend I’ve ever had?”

“Johnny we’re each other’s first boyfriends.”

“Right.”

“... So you were already flirting with me when we talked for the first time, how scandalous John-“

“Fuck off.”