Chapter Text
Year 3
Donghyuck may only be three years old, but he has seen enough Disney movies to understand what love is. And he knows he feels it for the very first time the second he sets his eyes on his brother’s best friend Jaehyun.
Jaehyun, like his brother, is six years old, and he has light up sneakers, dents in his cheeks, and a spiderman backpack. He is so cool, and Donghyuck is mesmerized immediately.
Johnny and Donghyuck initially went to the playground to play together, but unfortunately for Donghyuck, he got ditched the moment Johnny saw his friend from school. Donghyuck wanted to feel mad about the situation, but his little brain figured he would ditch him for this boy too. He’s just that pretty.
Johnny and Jaehyun run off to the swing set, leaving Donghyuck to trail behind curiously. He makes his way under one of the slides and peaks through to secretly watch the watch the boy who has enamored him so much.
From his secret hideaway, Donghyuck watches as the boy swings high, then jumps off when he reaches his peak. He is fearless in a way that Donghyuck has only seen from superheroes in cartoons, and he feels lucky to be there to witness it.
However, concentrating so much on one thing is quite tiring for a 3 year old, and Donghyuck finds himself falling asleep after just an hour of spying from under the slide.
When he comes to moments later, he is in unfamiliar arms as a voice calls out, “Johnny I found him! He was asleep under the slide.” Donghyuck looks up and finds himself staring directly into the eyes of the object of his newfound love.
“Hey buddy,” the boy smiles at him gently. “I’m Jaehyun, a friend of your brother’s. He couldn’t find you and got worried. I’m bringing you to him now, okay? Don’t be scared,” Jaehyun reassures.
Johnny runs up to them before Donghyuck can respond, taking him from Jaehyun’s arms. “Don’t scare me like that,” he scolds. “I thought someone kidnapped you are something,” he mutters, hugging Donghyuck tightly to his body.
“Sorry, hyung,” Haechan responds guiltily. “I got sleepy,” he explains. His brother just shushes him and turns back to his friend.
“I’m going to take the little guy home before he falls asleep on me again. Want to play again tomorrow?” Johnny asks hopefully.
“Of course,” Jaehyun smiles, showing off the dents in his cheeks once more. Donghyuck stares at him through half-lidded eyes, and is shocked when the pretty boy turns to him.
“You can come too, if you want. But only if you promise not to fall asleep again and scare your brother,” he grins. Donghyuck has no choice but to smile back, enamored by the boy who he has determined is the love of his life. He nods his head quickly up and down, hoping that Jaehyun understands how committed Donghyuck is to staying awake and playing with him in the future.
The brothers eventually say their goodbyes to Jaehyun and head home, Johnny still carrying Donghyuck. The 3 year old rests his head on his brother’s shoulder and begins to drift off again. For the first time (but certainly not the last), Donghyuck dreams about Jaehyun, his very own prince charming.
Year 5
By the age of 5, Donghyuck is quite used to Jaehyun being a permanent fixture in his life. Johnny and Jaehyun are truly the best of friends, and Donghyuck has spent the last couple of years trailing behind them diligently.
What Donghyuck isn’t quite used to is the nightmares that wake him in the middle of the night, leaving him terrified and helpless and so so scared. He dreams of monsters he cannot outrun, and shadows that cannot be identified.
He wakes up crying, unable to breathe from how fast his heart is racing as he stares out into the darkness. Donghyuck is scared to leave his bed, afraid that something might reach out from under him and grab his foot. However, even more terrifying is the idea of being alone. So Donghyuck closes his eyes and risks it, sprinting down the hall to reach his brother’s room.
To Donghyuck’s surprise, Johnny is not alone. He had forgotten that his brother had invited Jaehyun to stay the night, the reminder coming only when Donghyuck enters the room and stares him straight in the eye.
Jaehyun takes one look at Donghyuck, rubbing his eyes after just being woken up. “Did you have a nightmare?” he asks softly, careful not to wake up his dozing friend.
Donghyuck’s bottom lip wobbles and the waterworks reappear. “Y-yes,” he stutters as the tears cascade down his cheeks. “It was s-so scary.”
Jaehyun gets up lethargically, walking towards Donghyuck. “C’mon, he says, gesturing for Donghyuck to follow him. Donghyuck is worried that Jaehyun is going to send him back to his room alone and scared, punishment for disturbing his peaceful slumber.
Jaehyun walks Donghyuck back to his room and tucks him into bed. Instead of leaving, like Donghyuck expects him to, he kneels down on the side of the bed and begins to pet his hair. The action is so soothing that Donghyuck stops crying and finally catches his breath.
They stay in this position for a view moments before Jaehyun opens his mouth, presumably to tell Donghyuck he is leaving and going back to bed. Jaehyun, however, has other plans.
“Here comes the sun doo-doo-doo-doo,” he whisper-sings gently. “Here comes the sun and I say, It’s all right.” Jaehyun continues singing to Donghyuck in a low voice until his eyes begin to droop, and he feels himself on the brink of passing out again.
There is one thing holding Donghyuck back from slipping into unconsciousness, and that is the fear that initially drew him awake. However, as he takes another look at Jaehyun, the fear dissipates into something peaceful. He can’t feel afraid, not when Jaehyun is there to protect him.
Year 7
As Donghyuck grows older, his affection for Jaehyun refuses to waver. In fact, in some ways, it roars even more intensely. The main way his love manifests is through following him and his brother around literally everywhere when the two older boys are together. Jaehyun, to his credit, doesn’t seem to mind. Johnny, however, is a completely different story.
“We don’t want a little kid following us around everywhere!” Johnny exclaims, as Donghyuck follows him into his room for the nth time. “Go away and leave us alone,” he yells, closing his bedroom door and locking him out. Donghyuck pouts, heading to the living room to play legos all by himself.
He stares at his brother’s bedroom door longingly, sighing loudly when he hears laughter coming from the other room. He so desperately wants to be in there too, to be with his two favorite people. He is lonely on his own, with no one to play with and no one to talk to.
When Johnny’s bedroom door finally opens, Donghyuck jumps up immediately. “Can I play with you guys now?” he asks excitedly, hoping his brother will be gracious and allow him to finally join them.
“Sorry, bud, but it’s time for me to go home. My parents are waiting for me,” Jaehyun responds apologetically, patting his head and heading towards the front door. Johnny sees him out before turning back towards his brother with a scowl on his face
“Jaehyun is my friend, not yours. He probably doesn’t even like you, so stop bothering us. Neither of us want to play with you. You are annoying and cuddly, and like baby games. Give it a rest,” Johnny mutters harshly.
Donghyuck runs past his brother and into his room, slamming the door behind him. He tries not to tear up at the ruthless words uttered by his brother but he fails miserably. He loves Jaehyun and Johnny, but at the end of the day, to them he is just an annoying little kid.
When Jaehyun comes over a couple days later, Donghyuck says hi quickly, before running into his room again. He doesn’t want to face the imminent rejection, so he forgoes any more interaction altogether. He misses the concerned look that Jaehyun and Johnny share.
20 minutes later, there is a knock on his door. Donghyuck expects it to be Jaehyun, because even if the boy finds him annoying, he is emphatically nice. However, to his surprise, it’s his own brother on the other side of the door.
Johnny sits down gently on the edge of his bed, looking at his little brother with a conciliatory expression. “Duckie, I want to apologize. I don’t think you are annoying, and I know that Jaehyun doesn’t think so either. It was wrong of me to say that to you, and I’m sorry if I made you upset.”
Donghyuck looks at his brother skeptically, unable to accept his words as fact when he has spent the last few days believing the exact opposite. “Really?” he asks, voice small.
“Really. Now stop moping, and come out to the park with us. I will even buy you ice cream afterwards if you promise to try not kiss us,” Johnny says, smiling down at him.
Donghyuck agrees, still slightly apprehensive. The three of them head out of the house and towards the park, ready for an afternoon of playing. Donghyuck reaches out to grab Jaehyun’s hand before stopping himself and retracting. He loves Jaehyun a lot and doesn’t want his clinginess and touchiness to annoy the older boy.
Jaehyun, however, doesn’t seem to mind. As soon as Donghyuck pulls his hand away, Jaehyun reaches for it again, intertwining their fingers. When Donghyuck looks over, Jaehyun is smiling down at him affectionately, causing all of Donghyuck’s remaining insecurities to dissipate. Jaehyun may not know it, but Donghyuck is very grateful for that smile.
Year 9
Jaehyun doesn’t smile all the time, though. In fact, Donghyuck has seen him sniffle on multiple occasions, mostly when he loses a game and has his competitive spirit crushed. But Donghyuck has never seen him really cry. The kind of ugly cry that takes over his entire face, that is so forceful he chokes on it. That is, until Donghyuck turned 9.
Donghyuck is with Jaehyun, Johnny, and his new best friend Jeno playing truth or dare in their backyard. The game is marked by their childish innocence, dares including tasks like “like my foot” and truths including questions like “do you have a crush?”
Donghyuck, more often than not, chooses dare. If he is being honest, the addition of Jeno into their little group is making Donghyuck want to show off a little. They are new friends, and Donghyuck is really trying to impress him, hoping he may become the Jaehyun to his Johnny. The plan backfires.
Jaehyun dares Donghyuck to climb a tree. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if Donghyuck wasn’t massively afraid of heights, a fact Jaehyun has known for years. But Donghyuck, in an effort to impress the little gang of troublemakers in his backyard, climbs anyways, higher than he ever has. Too high.
The first snap rings in his ears as the branch breaks, causing Donghyuck to fall out from under it. The second snap comes when Donghyuck hits the ground, his arm bearing his fall. Donghyuck screams. Jaehyun screams louder.
Jaehyun and Johnny run to Donghyuck immediately while Jeno runs inside to get his parents. Before he knows it, the entire gang is being whisked off to the emergency room, Donghyuck clutching his injured arm tightly to his chest.
Donghyuck is dropped off at the hospital with his mother and brother, while his dad leaves to take Jaehyun and Jeno home. Jaehyun has tears in his eyes as he gently hugs Donghyuck goodbye, careful not to jostle his injured arm. Jeno gives him a small hug too, whispering in his ear how cool Donghyuck was for being brave enough to climb so high in the first place.
Their encouragement is enough for Donghyuck to put on a brave face and brace the doctor. To no one’s surprise, Donghyuck broke his arm when he fell from the tree. In another unsurprising twist, Donghyuck chooses to have his arm wrapped in a bright red cast, and gets a cherry sucker to match.
His mom is signing paperwork to discharge him when a knock on the door interrupts them. Donghyuck turns around and is face to face with a tearful Jaehyun.
“Hi Sweetie,” Donghyuck’s mom greets, not at all surprised to see him. “I’m going to hand these papers over to a nurse, and you two can have a chat in the meantime,” she says, leaving them alone in the beige-toned room.
“Donghyuck, I am so sorry,” Jaehyun cries, face contorting into something ugly and miserable. “I should have never dared you climb that tree,” he cries. “I didn’t think you would get hurt, I thought you would climb up one branch, get scared, and come down,” Jaehyun explains.
Donghyuck doesn’t know if he should feel endeared that Jaehyun is so worried over him, or offended that the boy had so little faith in Donghyuck’s bravery.
“It’s okay,” Donghyuck responds, because despite everything, he doesn’t like to see the older boy be sad. “I know you wouldn’t have dared me to climb the tree if you thought I would get hurt. Besides, I was the one that ultimately made the decision to climb it, so don’t even worry,” Donghyuck comforts.
Jaehyun shakes his head slowly, tears slowing down but not completely stopping. “Of course, I am going to worry. I don’t like seeing you hurt, Duckie. I like you best all in one piece.”
Donghyuck thinks the boy’s words over in his head, before smirking as if he is up to something (he is.) “Well if you are so distraught over the accident, I’m sure you could make it up to me.”
Donghyuck leaves the hospital shortly after, one hand intertwined with Jaehyun’s the other one wrapped in a bright red cast, with it’s very first signature on it.
Unlimited affection until the cast comes off=deal <3 Jaehyun
Year 11
Donghyuck’s life has been pretty uneventful since then. He has solidified a really reliable group of friends in his school, plays soccer after class, and even joined the school’s choir. Overall, things are going very good in 11-year-old Donghyuck’s life. That is, until it isn’t anymore.
Donghyuck is being bullied. It started with a couple small remarks, and shoves. However, over time, the words have gotten increasingly vicious, and the violence has increased substantially. Though he hides it well, his body is littered with bruises from the upperclassman who has decided to make Donghyuck the victim of his wrath.
Realistically, Donghyuck knows he should tell someone. An adult, his friends, or maybe his parents. But to be honest, the thought of admitting the pain he has endured is painful. He feels weak, like he can’t defend himself. A part of him, though it’s small, starts to believe that maybe he deserves the torture.
It always happens after choir practice. Donghyuck has to wait for his mother to pick him up as the after school activity goes so late that he is unable to take the bus. Almost everyone else leaves the school rather quickly, everyone except him.
Donghyuck doesn’t know what he did for his senior to become so hostile towards him, in a way that makes him lash out so violently. Donghyuck, though a bit of a class clown, has been nothing but friendly to his classmates.
He wants to believe that his bully has his own problems, and that is why he lashes out at Donghyuck. It doesn’t erase the shame Donghyuck feels for being such an easy target.
“Hey you little fairy, just because you are waiting here for me doesn’t mean I am going to kiss you and be your little boyfriend. Some of us aren’t actually disgusting like you,” his bully sneers at him one evening after choir practice.
Donghyuck looks desperately down the hallway willing for a student or a teacher or someone to appear and put a stop to the taunting that is surely going to escalate. When he sees no one, his eyes drift to the ground, avoiding eye contact.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” the bully roars, forcing Donghyuck’s face to look at him, grip firm enough that it will surely leave a bruise. He then spits in Donghyuck’s face, causing him to flinch and try to break away.
The attempt is futile, however, and instead he pushes the boy harshly to the ground. Donghyuck watches as the bully draws his leg back, undoubtedly ready to place a harsh kick right to Donghyuck’s ribs. He closes his eyes, bracing for impact, for a kick that never comes.
When he finally looks up, he sees his bully in a chokehold, struggling to breathe at the hands of one Jung Jaehyun. He looks angrier than Donghyuck has ever seen him, face turning red as he spits harsh words into his bully’s face.
“If I ever see you as much as look at him ever again I will make you wish you were never born, do you understand?” Jaehyun grits firmly. His bully offers a weak squeak in response, and Jaehyun’s arms tighten even harder.
“I said do you understand?” he roars again, causing the other boy to whine pathetically.
“Yes, I understand. I won’t ever touch him or say anything to him again,” he promises, voice getting more and more desperate as time goes on.
Jaehyun lets go immediately, and Donghyuck watches as his bully collapses to the ground. Jaehyun pays him no mind and walks over towards Donghyuck, helping him up. He puts a protective arm around Donghyuck’s shoulder, pays the bully one last glance, and guides him out of the building.
“You let me know if anyone ever tries to mess you with you, Donghyuck,” Jaehyun lectures him. “Because I swear to god, I will fucking kill them,” he threatens. Donghyuck nods dumbfoundedly, because to be honest, this is the first time he has ever heard the older boy swear.
Donghyuck has two realizations that day: 1. He needs to learn to stand up for himself so he doesn’t burden others. 2. Things haven’t changed since he was three and first laid eyes on Jaehyun; he is still painfully crushing on the older boy.
Year 13
“Johnny isn’t home,” Donghyuck says as soon as he answers the door. Jaehyun, unsurprised by the lack of greeting, lets himself in regardless.
“I know that,” Jaehyun replies easily. “But I’m bored out of my mind and don’t want to sit around at home doing nothing. I figured you could keep me entertained until he comes back.”
Donghyuck wills himself not to blush at the fact that Jaehyun wants to hang out with him of all people and replies easily, “I hate to break it to you, but you will probably be sitting around doing nothing here too. I was planning on playing Overwatch all day,” he explains.
Jaehyun just laughs, heading towards Donghyuck’s room, leaving the younger boy no choice but to follow. “Grab Johnny’s computer. I will meet you in your room and we can play,” Jaehyun orders. Donghyuck follows his instructions obediently, and before he knows it, the two of them are gaming together.
It’s not the first time Jaehyun and Donghyuck have been alone together, in fact, far from it. However, this is the first time that Jaehyun has specifically sought Donghyuck out to hang out, and he can’t help but feel special at the revelation.
They game around for a couple of hours, until Jaehyun loses unexpectedly. His competitive spirit doesn’t take well to the sudden defeat and he lays back on Donghyuck’s bed in protest. Donghyuck, to his credit, closes his brother’s computer and lays down beside him in solidarity.
“Don’t look so annoyed. Admit that you had fun with me, and that you learned a lot from me this afternoon, your superior gaming mentor,” Donghyuck jokes, and that’s all it takes for Jaehyun to smile again.
“Fine, I had fun,” Jaehyun admits reluctantly, though the smile on his face refuses to leave. “I always have fun with you, Duckie. It’s why I came over.”
Donghyuck looks over at Jaehyun, their faces just a couple of inches apart, and catches the older boy staring softly at him. Donghyuck’s heart is beating so firmly outside of his chest that he can hardly breath. Jaehyun is so beautiful.
Donghyuck doesn’t end up responding, and Jaehyun doesn’t say anything else either. They just lay there, breathing in the same air and enjoying a quiet moment together.
It isn’t long until Johnny gets home from his lame part-time job, and Jaehyun gets up to greet his friend. The two head out a little while later to go meet up with some friends, leaving Donghyuck alone to process his feelings.
He may be young, but he understands his feelings very well. He is in love.
Year 15
When Donghyuck is 15, Jaehyun and Johnny graduate high school. Both of them have plans to attend a prestigious University in the city, and are even planning on rooming together. Donghyuck is ecstatic for them, but it doesn’t replace the disappointment he feels over being left behind.
He feels like they are just starting to see him as an equal and not a little kid. And now that he feels solidified in his friendship with them, they have to leave. It’s just not fair.
However, they do provide him with one last gift. Donghyuck and his friends get an invite to the biggest party of the year in honor of the senior class graduating. Johnny and Jaehyun may be leaving him, but he plans to help them go out with a bang.
Donghyuck shows up with Jeno and Jaemin by his side, standing out as the only freshmen invited to the party. Johnny spots them right away and leads them to the alcohol table. Jeno and Donghyuck each accept a mixed drink while Jaemin declines. He doesn’t like the taste of alcohol, and no one is going to pressure him.
Once Donghyuck is definitively tipsy, he heads towards the dance floor with his friends. It starts off friendly enough, until an upperclassman comes up behind him and pulls him close. Donghyuck presses himself against the man with equal force and the two begin to dance, connected at the hips.
Before Donghyuck knows it, things escalate. One minute they are grinding on the dance floor, and the next moment Donghyuck is up against the wall while a handsome older boy kisses his neck. He thinks he may have a type, handsome older boys.
His dance partner pulls away from his neck, shifting to capture Donghyuck’s lips, however, he doesn’t quite make it. Because a fist is colliding with the boy’s cheek seconds before they are about to kiss. Jaehyun's fist.
Donghyuck is furious. He charges past the both of them, too angry and too drunk to ask the boy if he is okay. He throws the front door open and is about to storm down the driveway when a bruised fist circles around his arm.
“Donghyuck, wait!” Jaehyun pleads, tugging on the boy’s arm to get him to look at him. Donghyuck tries to pull away, but Jaehyun is much stronger than him and his attempts are futile.
“How dare you!” Donghyuck growls. “You don’t get to waltz in and tear me away from someone when I’m having a good time. We might be close, but that is not your place at all,” he seethes.
Jaehyun stares at him, glassy eyes expressing a dumbfounded expression. It’s the first indication to Donghyuck that Jaehyun might not be entirely sober either.
“I was just trying to protect you! Do you even know that guy? And I saw you drinking earlier. I don’t want you to get yourself into a tough situation and do something you will regret,” Jaehyun argues, trying to defend himself.
“I don’t need your help anymore, Jaehyun. I’m not the same little kid you grew up with. I know you think you are helping me by being so protective, but you’re not. You’re actually making this so much harder,” Donghyuck raises his voice.
Jaehyun somehow manages to look even more confused. “Making what harder?” he questions, cocking his head to side, as if he is trying to stare into Donghyuck’s brain and read his mind.
“You make it so difficult, damn near impossible, not to fall for you. Do you know how it feels? To fall for someone who will never want you back? To have that person dote on you like they actually give a shit only for the actions to mean nothing. To have that person pull you away when you finally, for once in your sorry life, feel desirable and wanted by someone,” Donghyuck rants, anger and alcohol mixing together to create a loose tongue and lack of fear.
Jaehyun stares at Donghyuck intensely as the younger boy waits for him to say something, anything. When he finally opens his mouth to speak, it breaks Donghyuck’s heart.
“Donghyuck, I am so sorry-” he begins, before Donghyuck cuts him off. “I don’t want to hear it, Jaehyun. If I did, I would have confessed when I was 11.”
Jaehyun moves to respond, but their attention is taken away by the front door opening. To Donghyuck’s relief, it’s Jaemin, holding up a very intoxicated Jeno to his side.
“There you are!” Jaemin sighs in relief. “Jeno is fucking smashed man, I need you to help me walk him home,” he explains, and Donghyuck thanks every god in the sky for his best friend’s stupidity.
He leaves without sparing as much as a glance at Jaehyun, feigning concern for his best friend.
When Jaehyun leaves for University a couple weeks later, Donghyuck doesn’t bother saying goodbye. He doesn’t regret it.
Year 17
17-year old Donghyuck is concerned about one thing and one thing only: college. He applies to multiple places, but one in particular has always been on his mind.
NCT University has the program he loves, and is willing to give him a hefty scholarship. Not only that, but there are some familiar faces there as well.
The thought of going to Uni with his brother excites Donghyuck to no end. Although he sees his brother frequently, he can’t help but miss him while he is away. However, the thought of running into Jaehyun terrifies him.
Donghyuck hasn’t talked to Jaehyun since the night of the party two years ago.
Without having his brother and his brother’s best friend around to protect him, Donghyuck has become fiercely independent and self-sufficient. Not only that, he has become so much more confident in himself and his value as a person. Overall, Donghyuck has gotten over the hurdles of boyhood in order to become a strong, autonomous man. And Donghyuck isn’t going to let the fear of boy drama stop him from attending his dream University.
He plans a college visit, just to be sure.
When he gets to NCT U’s campus, he immediately feels right at home. The grounds are beautiful, the students are friendly, and there are even a couple handsome boys that catch his eye.
He has lunch with his brother, gushing over how wonderful everything is, how at home Donghyuck feels at the University. Johnny smiles brightly, happy that his little brother loves it here as much as he does.
“So do you think you’re ready to commit? Are you officially coming here?” Johnny asks expectantly, staring at Donghyuck with hope in his eyes. Donghyuck doesn’t even need to think it over, he knows in his heart that this is where he belongs. He nods immediately.
Johnny reaches over and pulls him into a hug. “Duckie, that’s amazing!” the childhood nickname slipping out easily.
“Well now that that’s settled, I have a proposal for you,” Johnny suggests, and Donghyuck feels his heart sink. Johnny’s proposals always include Donghyuck doing something for him.
“I’m listening,” Donghyuck replies, taking a sip of the stew in front of him, and eyeing his brother skeptically.
“First of all, I have news. I am studying abroad next fall,” Johnny announces, an enthusiastic smile exploding on his face.
Donghyuck returns the grin easily, knowing how much Johnny loves traveling and experiencing new things. “That’s amazing, hyung. I’m so happy for you. But what does that have to do with me?” he asks in confusion.
“Well…” Johnny begins. “I already resigned the lease to my apartment, and I can’t get out of it without having to pay a really big fee. I was wondering if you would take over my lease for me while I’m in Iceland,” he finishes.
Donghyuck thinks over the proposal, and comes to a realization immediately. “You want me to live in your apartment with Jaehyun?” he asks incredulously. If Johnny knows about Donghyuck’s silent treatment towards his best friend, he hasn’t shown it. It’s easy to avoid the boy who he fawned over for most of his life when they no longer live in the same city.
“Yeah. I already talked to Jaehyun and he said he thinks it’s a great idea. He would much rather live with you than a stranger or something. What do you say?” Johnny pushes, hoping for the answer he is desperately fishing for.
Noticing his brother’s hesitance, Johnny speaks up again, “After lunch I will give you a tour of the apartment. You haven’t been in awhile, and you can look it over more before you make your decision.”
Donghyuck nods quickly, turning back towards his stew. He is grateful his brother is letting him think over the decision. On one hand, living in a spacious campus apartment would be a lot nicer than being stuck in a cramped dorm room. However, he doesn’t know how he could live harmoniously with Jaehyun when they haven’t spoken in two years.
After lunch, the brothers head to the apartment in question and Donghyuck gets a full tour of the apartment, and it’s really nice. While he had been there before, it was only for a couple of minutes when his family was dropping Johnny off or picking him up. Seeing it up close and personal has Donghyuck falling in love with the charming little flat.
Halfway through the tour, the front door opens, revealing a face Donghyuck hasn’t seen in years. Jaehyun and Donghyuck stare at each other for a good 30 seconds before Jaehyun breaks out of the fog, walking over and giving Donghyuck an awkward hug.
“It’s nice to see you, Donghyuck,” Jaehyun says politely. “It’s been awhile.” Donghyuck nods stiffly, unable to make words form in his mouth.
Donghyuck takes a deep breath, gathers himself, and takes control of the situation. “Johnny can I please speak to Jaehyun privately?” he asks. Johnny agrees immediately, and leaves to go check the mail.
Jaehyun sits on the couch, gesturing for Donghyuck to follow. He puts a sizable distance between the two of them before finally speaking.
“I really like this apartment, and to be honest, I would love to live here. But only if you are comfortable with it, and we agree to keep the past in the past,” Donghyuck says bluntly, unable to make eye contact with the boy sitting in front of him.
“Donghyuck, look at me please,” Jaehyun asks gently. When Donghyuck raises his head, he sees a kind expression on Jaehyun’s face that is too familiar to not be comforting.
“I’ve missed you over the last couple of years. And I want to be in each other’s lives again. We practically grew up together, and I don’t want some small conflict to ruin our relationship,” Jaehyun speaks honestly. “I think living together for a year would be a great year to repair our friendship.”
Donghyuck looks at Jaehyun with a shy, hopeful look. “I’d like that. And just for the record I’ve long since gotten over what happened between us. I’ve gotten over you and I promise it won’t be an issue if we live together.”
Jaehyun smiles so wide, his dimples pop out and Donghyuck is putty in his hands. The thing that initially drew Donghyuck in to Jaehyun is also the thing that brings him back to him. “Then let’s do it! Roommates?”
Donghyuck doesn’t hesitate before responding.
“Roommates.”