Chapter Text
At the age of nine years old, Lee Taeyong did not know everything but he was certain of a few things. Almost a decade on Earth, he knew a thing or two and felt like he had good judgment. His list of things he did not know was rather long. He did not know why vegetables tasted so bad if they were good for you. He did not know why adults lie sometimes. He did not know why sweet potato tasted good to him when his little brother Jeno called it an old person snack. He did not know a lot of things and was still learning. But the few things he did know, he was certain.
The first was that his mother’s hugs after a long day was exactly what he needed. Nine year old Taeyong was interested in many things that kept his schedule rather busy. Now, this may have seemed ridiculous since he was a mere child but with overachieving parents and his own personal drive, he couldn’t help but want to be in every extra curricular activity and club organization. But, the truth was, he was a mere child. After a long day at school, two hours at dance, and a one hour homework session, nothing was more satisfying than plopping his tiny head on his mother’s lap while she ran her fingers through his hair, the television a quiet background noise.
Another thing that he was certain of was that he wanted to be an architect. Since the beginning of primary school, Taeyong and his classmates had been constantly asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Throughout the years, his peers would switch their future occupations from teacher to doctor to movie star to pop idol to spaceman. But Taeyong never wavered. His mind was set on being an architect the minute his six year old eyes saw the Louvre Museum in Paris, France while his family was on vacation. His father leaned down to his eye level to explain that architects were people who created buildings like the one they were seeing. Taeyong, determined eyes and tiny fists balled up, knew he was going to create impressive buildings one day.
The third thing was that he despised Jeong Jaehyun with every fiber of his little child being.
Jeong Jaehyun had been in Taeyong’s life since the day Mrs. Lee brought toddler Taeyong to a hospital to see Mrs. Jeong’s newborn baby. Mrs. Lee hoisted almost two year old Taeyong onto her hip to see the pink skin baby swaddled in a soft blue blanket. The baby was cooing softly, holding onto his mother’s index finger with his whole right hand.
When the baby noticed another presence around him, he began to wail loudly. The sound piercing through the quiet of the hospital room. This shocked both the mothers as Mrs. Lee set Taeyong down to help her friend. Taeyong pouted. What a dramatic baby. He decided he did not like the sound of the crying baby. Everyone seemed to think otherwise, constantly smothering Jaehyun with affection and praise for doing simple everyday tasks. Jaehyun giggled? He got a bunch of claps. Jaehyun rolled over? Everyone was in awe. It was so annoying and young Taeyong wasn’t sure why.
Since Jaehyun was a potato the first months of his life, Taeyong figured he could stay out of his way and he would do the same.
By the time Jaehyun was old enough to play with Taeyong, Taeyong had already declared that he hated Jaehyun. Jaehyun, with his chubby face, was out to get him. Jaehyun, who acted coy and shy, was actually a menace who tried to outdo Taeyong in everything. Jaehyun always destroyed the block tower he was meticulously building. Jaehyun always got the attention of the adults at whatever dinner party they were in attendance for. Jaehyun this and Jaehyun that.
Since Taeyong was technically two years older than Jaehyun, that made him bigger and smarter. Taeyong got to go to daycare first and then preschool. He got to start primary school first and then make friends. He could forget all about the boy who lived three houses down from him and never have to see him ever again.
Taeyong could not have been more wrong.
After the birth of his younger brother, Lee Jeno, Taeyong and Jaehyun seemed to be seeing each other more than ever. Since Taeyong’s dad and Jaehyun’s dad were corporate lawyers who shared a firm, they were often busy with a case almost every month. Some of these cases, the big ones that involved tax evasion and company policy breaching, could last for several months even. This caused Taeyong to be left at the Jeong's home with Mrs. Jeong and Jaehyun whenever Mrs. Lee had errands to run for little Jeno.
This went on for several years.
Little three year old Jaehyun would say to him, “Taeyongie hyung, let’s play something.”
Five year old Taeyong looked up from the book he was reading on the world’s tallest skyscrapers, “no thank you.”
“Why not?” Jaehyun tilted his head, confused as he held up the blocks Mr. and Mrs. Jeong bought for Taeyong to play with when he came over.
“I don’t want to play with you,” Taeyong scowled, boba eyes showing malice.
Jaehyun pouted and turned away. He always tried to play with his hyung but Taeyong never seemed to budge. This only confused and irritated the three year old Jeong. Since Taeyong was always so hostile towards him, Jaehyun decided to give it right back to him.
When Taeyong was nine years old, both Jaehyun and Jeno had been attending his primary school for the past couple of years. The three of them would sometimes ride to and from school together since they lived in the same neighborhood. He didn’t mind this much since they only saw each other in the car during travel time. He hardly had to see Jaehyun since he was two years behind him. That all changed when Jaehyun got moved up a level based on the achievement test his teacher made him take.
Jaehyun being Jaehyun, of course passed. This unfortunately put Jaehyun in the same break and lunch times as Taeyong’s grade level. Not only did Taeyong have to see Jaehyun regularly around his neighborhood, but he also had to see him at school.
That night they celebrated Jaehyun’s success in the Jeong house. All the parents were praising how brilliant Jaehyun was. Jeno congratulated him like he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Since Jeno was only a year younger than Jaehyun and the more agreeable Lee brother, the two got along well. Taeyong remained silent as he pushed around the vegetables on his plate. When he looked up, his eyes met Jaehyun’s.
Jaehyun smirked at him.
Things only got worse when Johnny came into the picture. Johnny was a new transfer student from Chicago who moved to Taeyong’s class. Taeyong immediately took a liking to him since they both enjoyed eating the same snacks and Johnny always had interesting snacks to share. Taeyong thought he finally found a friend that was just his.
That all went downhill when Jaehyun met Johnny for the first time and the two instantly clicked. Taeyong wasn’t sure what it was but Johnny and Jaehyun grew exceptionally close in such a short time span. It was obvious there was no room for Taeyong in their little duo. Not that Taeyong would even want to be in the same circle of friends as Jeong Jaehyun.
In short, Taeyong lost his first friend and all Jaehyun could do was shrug at Taeyong who would sometimes see them playing in the Jeong’s front yard. Taeyong did not bother wasting energy being upset, instead he put all his effort into his studies and extra curriculars.
Taeyong only knew peace when Jaehyun and his mother relocated to America when he was in middle school. It had been the happiest day of his life when he came home from dance practice, his parents talking to each other seriously in the living room. Jeno was sitting on the arm chair opposite of them, eyes full of unshed tears.
Taeyong could not believe that he would finally get to live his life without Jeong Jaehyun breathing down his neck. For years, Taeyong had to share the same street, school, life events, and celebrations with the boy he hated the most.
When the Lee family dropped off the Jeong family at Incheon airport, Taeyong was the only one who did not cry. Even his father, who was constantly surrounded by corrupt businessmen, police officers, and other cunning lawyers, was getting teary eyed. Taeyong thought that was a bit dramatic since Jaehyun’s dad was only dropping his wife and son off. Mr. Jeong technically had to work in their Seoul office throughout most of the year but would regularly fly out to visit his family.
The Jeong family checked in and got their bags ready to go on the shuttle train that would take them to their gate. Their mothers shared tearful goodbyes while his dad and Jeno took turns hugging Jaehyun. Taeyong stayed back, not wanting to ruin the emotional moment. As the Jeong family got into the train, the Lee family excluding Taeyong waved sadly. The doors were opened to Jaehyun staring hard at Taeyong.
Taeyong stared back until the glass doors slid and began carrying the passengers to the gates. As it disappeared in the distance, Taeyong felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He did it.
He got rid of Jaehyun.
In the years to come, Taeyong felt so happy to be rid of Jeong Jaehyun. He got to go to school without having to feel panicked whenever his grade went down a decimal percentage. He got to enjoy activities like dance and photography for leisure instead of for awards. Taeyong was making friends, maybe even having crushes here and there. His family spent a lot of time together, the dinner table less crowded since the Jeongs departure.
Although, he felt like Jaehyun was always a lingering presence in his life.
Since Mr. Jeong still lived in Seoul but would fly to America every month; the Lees were in charge of checking on their house. It felt strange being in Jaehyun’s home while his family memories were still there but he was not. It felt even more strange how empty the halls were of the house he spent most of his childhood afternoons in.
Taeyong would also get regular updates on how Jaehyun was doing since their mothers frequently kept in touch. Jaehyun was apparently attending prep school in America. He used his english name “Jay” with his classmates. He was currently playing in his school’s basketball team. Mrs. Lee even mentioned that Jaehyun asked out a nice girl to go to the movies once.
Taeyong only internally scowled at all of this news but externally nodded at his mother’s announcements.
He wanted to be rid of Jaehyun once and for all.
He never wanted to hear his name or see his dumb face ever again.
It was short-lived.
Jeong and Lee Law were handling one of the biggest cases in the city that involved embezzlement of funds by a former trusted government official. This case made headlines all over the Asia region. Mr. Jeong and Taeyong’s dad were working on this 24/7 for the past three months causing Jaehyun’s dad to not be able to visit his wife and son. When it was time for the trial, the accused was found guilty. Their fathers had won and in return, their law firm became one of the most reputable law offices that garnered many new clients. Jeong and Lee Law were thriving more than ever.
Mrs. Jeong and Jaehyun returned home that same year.
Taeyong and his family were at the new office space that Jeong and Lee Law had rented out to make their own. With the height of their new success, their fathers were extra busy hiring new staff to join their team and a new space to house them all.
That night, they were celebrating the expansion of their law firm.
Most of the Jeong and Lee employees were either older men and women who had families with young children or freshly graduated interns who were single. No one was really around Jeno and Taeyong’s age so the two brothers mostly stayed to themselves. The night was rather uneventful for the brothers but all the adults seemed to be busy amongst themselves and having a good time.
Just then, the front office doors opened an hour into the event to Mrs. Jeong and a now fourteen year old Jaehyun at her arm. Mrs. Jeong was as beautiful as Taeyong remembered. Her neck was adorned with expensive jewelry and a sleek jumpsuit that accentuated her figure. She held on tightly to her son’s arm.
“Sorry, we’re late,” she chuckled, “the traffic was bad.”
Taeyong knew that Mrs. Jeong and Jaehyun had returned back to Seoul the night before. His parents left their home around midnight to pick them up at the airport. Usually Mrs. Lee would insist that welcoming the Jeongs home should be a family affair but since they had school the next day, the two Lee sons were excused from following.
Taeyong went to school that morning, passing by the Jeong house that still seemed quiet. It looked just the way it had the past four years. But he knew, he could feel it, Jeong Jaehyun was back.
As the chatter around them continued after the arrival of the new guests, Taeyong got a good look at Jaehyun. This was his first time seeing him after four years. Jaehyun got taller, his usual round coconut head hair was shorter, and his face wasn’t the chubby mochi cakes they usually resembled. Suddenly, Jaehyun was approaching them, hands shoved in his suit pockets. “Jeno-yah,” his voice was deeper. He glanced over at Taeyong but didn’t say anything.
Jerk.
Jeno smiled, “Jae hyung! I’m so glad you’re back.”
Jaehyun smiled, the dimples Taeyong remembered forming on his cheeks. “You grew up so much, Jeno-yah.”
Jeno smiled, at thirteen and going through pre-pubescence, he was a gangly teenager. Limbs long with a head not grown into his ears yet. “I think we all did.” He gestured to his older brother. Taeyong was always a cute child with striking features and large eyes. Now that he was sixteen, his features were even sharper but his large eyes remained the same. His parents liked to tease him that he would be getting love confessions and proposals left and right. Taeyong could only roll his eyes at this.
Jaehyun spared him a glance but said nothing, “I’m planning on inviting Johnny over tomorrow to play basketball. Do you want to come over?”
Jeno’s face lit up, “sure! I haven’t played in awhile.”
Jaehyun nodded, “I should get going to eomma and appa, but I’ll text you tomorrow morning.” He made his way past them but stopped when he was right by Taeyong’s shoulder. “By the way Taeyong, see you at school on Monday.”
Not only did Taeyong see Jaehyun in school on Monday, but he saw him in his class. In the seat three over to his left. Jaehyun’s school in America had an advanced academic program that put Jaehyun in Taeyong’s year when he returned.
Great.
Jaehyun and Taeyong as classmates included a lot of passive aggressive academic competition. Jaehyun scored a 98 on his exam? Taeyong studied all night to get a 99. Taeyong was selected to lead his group presentation for their history report? Jaehyun had made sure to ask a bunch of annoying and trivial questions to see him squirm. It was even worse whenever they had their humanities class that encouraged regular discussion of world issues. Jaehyun and Taeyong were constantly opposing each other’s opinions and finding flaws in their narratives. Their teacher would stare helplessly, wondering if this was what all sons of lawyers were like.
It was even more annoying having to see his classmates constantly throw themselves at Jaehyun. It’s like all he had to do was flash his annoying dimples and let out his old man laugh then a line of suitors would be at his door.
Disgusting.
Since Jaehyun and Taeyong were moving through high school at the same pace, their approach to university was nearing. In their last year of high school, both Taeyong and Jaehyun studied rigorously for the university entrance exam. Taeyong wanted to go to Seoul National University so bad. This university had a great architecture program and a great dance team that he could take part in. Despite Taeyong being a student dedicated to his studies, he still wanted to enjoy his hobbies.
From what Taeyong had heard, Jaehyun had applied to several universities including Yonsei University that had an excellent basketball team. Yonsei University was not that far from SNU, but still Taeyong would take any distance he could that would separate him and Jaehyun. Even if it was just 12 kilometers.
The day he got his acceptance letter to Seoul National University, Taeyong felt so much relief and excitement. He made it in! He also got accepted to SNU’s architecture program. Things were really looking up for Taeyong.
That was until Jaehyun had to ruin things.
Just like he always did.
The Jeongs and Lees were having dinner for Mr. Jeong’s birthday, when Taeyong’s parents brought up his acceptance to university. The Jeong parents were excited and congratulated him on a job well done. Taeyong did like Mr. and Mrs. Jeong. Since he was two years older than their son, they had two years to practice being parents by babysitting Taeyong whenever Mr. and Mrs. Lee needed quality time together. Taeyong didn’t remember the first two years of his life, but since those were two years sans Jaehyun, he assumed they must have been peaceful.
“We are still waiting for Jaehyun-ah to decide his acceptance,” Mr. Jeong said as he drank his glass of wine.
“Oh?” Mrs. Lee asked, turning to Jaehyun. “What universities are you looking at, Jaehyun-ah?”
“Yonsei University or SNU,” Jaehyun politely replied.
“Yonsei is offering him a spot on their basketball team,” Mrs. Jeong explained. “Plus a sports scholarship.”
“Ah, that’s a great opportunity, Jaehyun-ah,” Mr. Lee encouraged, “I hear SNU doesn’t really let their players on the court during their first year.”
“We’ll see,” Jaehyun nodded.
When the dinner ended, both families were headed out to the parking lot. Taeyong knew the drill, even if they were done eating, they were not leaving right away. Mr. Lee and Mr. Jeong would be talking about something that happened at the office while their wives would be chattering about whatever aunty gossip they heard. The children were left to entertain themselves.
The restaurant was located near a bookstore that Jeno wanted to check out. He let his parents know and made his way on his own. Taeyong was about to follow when he stopped to turn to Jaehyun who was seated on one of the benches outside the restaurant. He was scrolling through his phone, only looking up when he saw Taeyong’s shadow casted from the streetlight above fall over him.
“Jaehyun.”
“What is it?”
“Please tell me you’re going to Yonsei.”
“Why?”
“It’s a better choice for you,” Taeyong stuffed his hands into his coat, the winter night chilly.
Jaehyun stared at him, warm in his fleece lined bomber jacket, “what’s it to you?”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
It sounded false even to Taeyong’s ears.
“You just don’t want me to go to SNU.”
“I didn’t say that,” Taeyong said carefully. He knew Jaehyun, he was spiteful. If he said that he didn’t want him to attend Seoul National University, he would most likely be there the next academic year. This idiot lived to make Taeyong’s life harder.
“Well, we’ll see,” Jaehyun stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets, “Yonsei may have a better offer for basketball but I think I see myself at SNU more. They do have a better business program.”
Something set off in Taeyong that he wasn’t proud of. Everyone knew that between Taeyong and Jaehyun, Taeyong was more quick tempered while Jaehyun was more level-headed. Whenever Jaehyun would bait him, wanting to get a reaction out of him, Taeyong always fell for it. He always felt ashamed that Jaehyun could affect him so much.
Just let it go, his mother would say whenever the two got into an argument. Why do you need to always say something back to him?
Taeyong knew that his childish feud with Jaehyun was stupid. It could probably end sooner if he just committed to not giving a fuck about Jaehyun like he claimed.
“You know I want to go to SNU,” Taeyong glared at him. “Why can’t you be a decent human for once and just let me have this?”
This was the signal. Jaehyun always waited for Taeyong to set the tone whenever they interacted. Would Taeyong be just giving him a cold shoulder? Okay, Jaehyun could do the same. Was Taeyong going to fake politeness in front of their parents? Not a problem, Jaehyun was already forcing a smile at him over the dinner table. Was Taeyong going to explode and start a full on argument? Hell yeah, Jaehyun was ready.
“I’m sorry,” Jaehyun said sarcastically, “I didn’t know you were so entitled to SNU, Taeyong. Are you a property shareholder or something? Does your appa know you have acquired this asset?”
“You only want to go because I’m going.”
“You wish.”
“I wish you didn’t.”
“Not everything is about you.”
“It is when it comes to you, Jeong Jaehyun.”
“The campus is big enough that we won’t see each other.”
“It’s not enough, Jaehyun. We might bump into each other by chance. I need to know that you’re not even breathing in the same air as me. I need it guaranteed that you’re at least five kilometers away from me at all times.”
“Then file a restraining order!”
“I already tried!”
“Hyungs?” Jeno cut in, standing a safe distance away with a paper bag in hand. “I think it’s time to go.” He gestured over to his parents who were starting up their cars. Jeno nodded at both of them, mumbling a goodnight to Jaehyun then left the scene.
Taeyong and Jaehyun both glared at each other, not wanting to break eye contact. Eventually Mr. Jeong honked his horn, signaling for Jaehyun to get going. Jaehyun huffed as he turned away. Taeyong smiled. Victory! It was a small win but he’s learned over the years that he could take whatever win he could get.
After their high school graduation, the Jeong and Lee families took separate family vacations. Thankfully. Usually, they would travel together as one group which Taeyong hated because it meant sharing special memories with Jaehyun. The Jeongs had flown to America to visit Mrs. Jeong’s family while the Lees decided to take a trip to Germany where Taeyong could appreciate all the old infrastructure and eat good food.
It was a nice two weeks away from Taeyong’s life in Seoul.
The week before their high school graduation, Jaehyun had announced that he was going to be attending Seoul National University. This caused a full on dispute between Taeyong and Jaehyun that their parents had to scold them for. Taeyong appreciated not having to spend his only free time relaxing before university with Jeong Jaehyun.
Once they got back to Seoul, Taeyong’s parents were helping him move into his SNU dorm. Taeyong tried to think positively that Jaehyun might be right and they wouldn’t have to see much of each other during his time in university. It was a big campus after all.
It turns out, Johnny was a legacy at one of SNU’s fraternities and would be a pledge his first year. Jaehyun was interested in joining the fraternity too. This meant that Johnny and Jaehyun would be living in the frat house while they were members.
Taeyong was grateful for that. Knowing his unlucky stars, the universe might have put Jaehyun and Taeyong in the same first year dorm for shits and giggles.
Taeyong loved his new roommate though. Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul also known as Ten. Ten was a fellow architecture major and equally passionate about dance. He kept his side of the dorm tidy and managed to get Taeyong out of his hibernation mode while never pushing him too far to the point of being uncomfortable.
Taeyong had a nice routine going on. He went to his classes, dance team practice, and hung out with Ten and Doyoung, another fellow architecture major. He had a few dates and flings here and there, but nothing serious, since he was an attractive but busy university student. He spoke to his parents regularly on their family video call and got to go home every other weekend. The best part was that he barely saw Jaehyun. Only a few times in passing or at a safe distance away, which gave Taeyong enough time to avert his direction to avoid him completely.
Life at university was pretty good.
That was, until Ten flipped Taeyong’s life upside down with only a couple more weeks left in their first year.
Ten had been going on dates with a handsome fraternity boy that he met at the library one evening. Ten usually would not give frat boys the time of day. But this one was different , he claimed. And thus, Ten had been going on several dates over a period of two months. Taeyong still hasn’t met the mystery man yet but Ten was happy and that’s all that mattered.
Well, until Ten suggested one evening. “Hey, can we have lunch tomorrow with Doie? I want you to meet my new loverboy.”
Taeyong, who was typing away at his desk, turned around. “We’re finally going to meet your boyfriend?” Taeyong teased.
Ten rolled his eyes, as he sifted through his freshly done laundry. “It’s still casual. But we’ve been on multiple dates so maybe it’s time my friends met him before you know.”
“Before?” Taeyong asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You know.”
Taeyong still looked confused.
“Before, we fall into bed together!” Ten said. “How can I get intimate with someone that my friends don’t even know? What if he’s a creep and just waiting around for us to fuck then he leaves.”
Taeyong let out a snort and shook his head, “I’m sure he’s not. You’ve been dating for awhile now.”
“Well, we’ll see tomorrow. I already told Doie so you have to be there.”
The next day, Taeyong and Doyoung followed Ten to a cafeteria near the architecture building. Ten looked around the crowd of people and stopped when he spotted a familiar head. Ten excitedly led Taeyong and Doyoung to a table. A table that had Johnny—the same Johnny from primary school—waiting patiently with a smile.
“Hey babe,” Johnny stood up and greeted Ten with a kiss on the cheek. He pulled out an empty chair for Ten to occupy.
Taeyong raised his eyebrows in surprise as he and Doyong took their seats. Johnny sat down and said to Ten, “hey, I didn’t know you knew Yong.”
Ten looked over at Taeyong in surprise, “oh, you two know each other?”
“We went to school together,” Johnny explained.
Ten nodded and leaned over to whisper in Taeyong’s ear, “is this idiot worth my time or not?”
Taeyong lowered his head, whispering into Ten’s ear so Johnny couldn’t make out what he was saying. “He is an idiot. But I think he’d be good to you.”
Ten smiled and looked over at Johnny. “What a small world!”
“Johnny!” an unfamiliar voice called out as a Japanese man with striking features made his way to their table. He stopped short when he saw the new people with his friend.
“Yuta,” Johnny nodded and slapped his hand out in greeting.
“Sorry, are you busy?” Yuta asked, eyes darting around.
“Uh…” Johnny started but Ten cut him off, “we were just having lunch. But you should join us.”
Yuta smiled, perfect teeth on display. “Cool, I hope you don’t mind bro.” He said to Johnny then looked out into the crowd, “Jae is meeting me too if that’s cool.”
“Oh,” Johnny’s eyes glanced over at Taeyong who remained oblivious.
“The more the merrier,” Ten smiled.
“Yuta, they didn’t have your usual so I got you something else,” a familiar baritone voice said behind Taeyong. Taeyong turned to see Jeong Jaehyun holding two coffees in his hand. He passed one over to Yuta, eyes trained on Taeyong.
“Hi!” Ten smiled at Jaehyun who nodded politely at him.
Johnny gestured for the empty seat next to Yuta, “have a seat, Jae. This is Ten.”
“Ah, so you’re Ten,” Yuta nodded, smirking with Jaehyun like they shared a secret.
Johnny rolled his eyes. “Ten, this is Jeong Jaehyun and Nakamoto Yuta, for some reason these two idiots are my friends.”
“We’re your only friends,” Yuta retorted loudly but said in a softer voice, “nice to meet you, Ten.”
Ten nodded and gestured for Doyoung and Taeyong, “this is Kim Doyoung and Lee Taeyong. Nice to meet you guys.”
Jaehyun and Taeyong’s eyes met over the table but they said nothing. They both had been careful not to be in each other’s orbit their first year at university and it worked for the most part. Other than the few times they’d see each other on campus, they could pretend the other did not exist. That didn’t mean they were completely rid of each other though, since every time they went home for a semester break or a weekend, they’d go back to having dinner or spending vacations in and out of the country with their families.
Maybe this would be a one time thing.
Ten and Johnny just started seeing each other and who knew if their feelings would stay the same come the end of the semester? University students’ feelings were constantly fleeting. What were the odds that Jaehyun and Taeyong would have to spend another lunch together because of this?
Turns out, Ten and Johnny’s feelings were not fleeting but steady. As in, they were sickeningly obsessed with each other. When the friends all came back to start their second academic year, Johnny and Ten had apparently become official. Ten spent his semester break in Thailand with his family and when he returned, Johnny asked him out on a date immediately that led them to becoming an official couple.
Taeyong was happy for the two. He grew to really like Ten over the year they spent in their dorm and he’s always had a soft spot for Johnny. But unfortunately, since Ten and Johnny were obsessed with each other, they wanted everyone in their lives to be obsessed with each other too. Which included their friends.
Ten and Johnny were constantly trying to get everyone together once they started the new semester. It was awkward at first since Yuta, Jaehyun, and Johnny were all business majors while Taeyong, Ten, and Doyoung were architecture majors. Yuta and Jaehyun were both on the basketball team and Johnny and Jaehyun were fraternity brothers. Ten and Taeyong did dance while Doyoung had his astronomy club. Also, Jaehyun and Taeyong fucking hated each other.
But Ten and Johnny still insisted that they all hang out.
The four decided to indulge the couple.
Throughout the time they spent together, the six of them did eventually form a little friend group. It was hard not to when Johnny insisted they do recreational team building activities like mini-golf and bowling and Ten insisted they get drunk and confess their deepest darkest secrets every weekend.
As the friend group got closer, the history of Jaehyun and Taeyong unraveled. They wanted to keep their friends out of their petty fighting but it was hard when they had to spend so much time together.
“Just act like how we are whenever we’re with our parents,” Jaehyun had said when Taeyong brought it up the evening of Jeno’s eighteenth birthday.
Ten thought it was ridiculous that Jaehyun and Taeyong hated each other so much. Ten thought that Jaehyun and Taeyong would have been best friends since they shared so much of the same life. They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, and their fathers even shared a career. How could Taeyong hate someone who lived the same life as him? Unless Taeyong was mistaking his agitation for actual attraction.
Taeyong just scoffed and gave Ten the cold shoulder for a few hours. Ten couldn’t stand being ignored so he apologized and promised to never mention it ever again.
At the age of twenty two years old, Lee Taeyong did not know everything but he was certain of few things. Almost two decades on Earth, he knew a thing or two and was certain he had good judgment. His list of things he didn’t know wasn’t as long but did have more thought provoking topics. Taeyong didn’t know if he’d pass Professor Kim’s calculus class. He didn’t know if he was going to be a successful architect. He didn’t know if he should live closer to the business district or stay in a quiet neighborhood like his parents did after university. He did not know a lot of things and was still learning. But the few things he did know, he was certain.
He knew that no matter how old he got, his mother’s warm presence would always be a source of comfort for him.
He knew that he still wanted to be an architect, even more so now that he was studying and taking classes.
He knew that you could actually put your whites and colored clothes together in the wash and it wouldn’t be a catastrophe. He tried this out once but never again as he didn’t want to ever risk ruining his favorite hoodies.
He knew that backing up your files on cloud storages were the best thing he could do when he was writing the most important paper of the semester. He will never have to worry about hitting save anymore.
He also knew, and for this one he was most certain, that he despised Jeong Jaehyun with every fiber of his adult being.