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"Would you—" Jongseong kicks a stray stone and groans. He has been pacing back and forth ever since he arrived, practicing and practicing; simulating a scenario in his head.
"Do you want to—" He stops and breathes heavily, scrunching his face in disapproval for his choice of words. "Is that okay? Should I just be casual about it? How about…" He pauses to gather his thoughts.
"Jungwon—"
"Yes?"
Jongseong jumps upon hearing Jungwon's voice, hands instantly reaching for his chest to try to calm his pounding heart. When he turns around, he's welcomed by big, round, inquisitive eyes blinking up at him.
"You said my name," Jungwon informs the older boy as if he himself has no idea about what he was doing earlier.
"I-I did,” Jongseong avoids the younger boy’s gaze hoping he’ll drop it. He’s not yet prepared to ask him right now.
Jungwon blinks again, curious. His forehead creases in concern when he notices Jongseong's beet red face. He decides not to push the other and moves on to talk about something else, "Were you waiting long? Coach extended the training a bit today since the meet is next week already."
Jongseong shakes his head even though the dirt on the hem of his pants and his sneakers say otherwise.
Since Jongseong attends a different school, he drops by Jungwon's on the way home whenever he can so they can travel back together. Thankfully, one of the higher-ups in Jungwon’s school is Jongseong’s uncle and has given him a special permission to enter the school premises.
He usually waits outside the Taekwondo Hall which happens to be on a separate building by the field where students from other departments usually do their laps that's why it gets very dusty. He's fully aware of this so he could have waited at a nearby coffee shop or convenience store instead to avoid it but chose not to—not wanting to waste any second he gets to spend with the athlete. Jungwon wants to tease him about it but he decides to let it go. He doesn’t think the older boy will appreciate it.
"Give me your bag." Jongseong holds out his hand. Jungwon always declines but he still offers just in case the other boy is too exhausted and could use some help.
"It's fine. It's not that heavy." Jungwon hikes up the strap of his bag on his shoulder as they walk towards the school gate. "Can we stop by the convenience store? I'm so hungry. I don't think I can wait until we get home."
"Of course." Jongseong immediately responds. "Make room for a meal though. It's Monday."
Mondays usually mean curry. Funnily enough, instead of giving him a reward on Fridays for getting through the whole week, Jungwon's mother prepares curry for him on Mondays. She understands how difficult the first day of the week can be. The Monday Blues as they call it.
"Mm."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
Jongseong has been awfully quiet. Normally, he has a lot to say—how his classes went, school gossip, even current affairs—and Jungwon listens to each and every word. He is so receptive to the other’s stories that sometimes he'll bring up something that even Jongseong himself has already forgotten about. The full attention he gives to Jongseong whenever he's talking is probably the reason why the older boy is able to freely tell him everything that's on his mind.
Jungwon watches as Jongseong absentmindedly plays with the food in front of him. His noodles are probably soggy by now with how long the older boy has left it soaking in the broth, not eating, just stirring. But, it's not that that the athlete focuses on. It's Jongseong's facial expressions.
The older boy has always been expressive, not bothering to hide his reaction to anything—not on his face anyway. The different emotions he's going through as he's sitting and thinking deeply about whatever it is that is bothering his mind reflect perfectly on his face. Even so, Jungwon still has no idea what has got his friend on mute. Nevertheless, the way Jongseong's emotions ripple across his face amuses the athlete.
Jongseong, on the other hand, has been struggling internally. All due to the boy sitting prettily beside him. Ever since he learned that the amusement park is going to have a new section with new rides, he has been thinking of ways to ask him out.
The older boy has been nursing a crush on the athlete since they were younger so it's not surprising that the first person who pops into his mind to invite to these kinds of things is him. Jungwon doesn't know about it, however. Jongseong has decided that it is better to keep it to himself—for now. They're still young and he wants to enjoy what they have at the moment. Despite having to separate for high school due to a difference in college tracks, they have managed to keep their relationship intact so he thinks he has time and has secured his place in Jungwon's heart. Besides, he doesn't want to ruin what they currently have. Even if it means keeping his feelings for Jungwon.
Jongseong pools the courage to finally get his thoughts out there but just as he's about to ask, Jungwon tidies up and turns to him.
"If you're not going to eat that, should we go home?” Jungwon glances at his watch. "It's getting late. Mom might start texting me any time soon."
"Huh?" Jongseong mentally winces at his missed opportunity. He gives up and reasons that the bus ride home will give him time to think about his approach some more. "Uh, mm."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
Somehow they're already in front of Jungwon's house yet Jongseong still has not been able to say a word about his plans. His mind is still a mess of what ifs. He doesn't even have an inkling on how to properly say it without the younger boy being suspicious of his intentions.
Abandoning his doubts and worries, and fuelled solely by urgency, Jongseong calls out to the other boy, "Jungwon-ah!”
"Hmm?" Jungwon stops opening their gate to face Jongseong.
Finally, he thinks to himself as he sees a determined expression on Jongseong's face.
It's now or never.
Being in his last year in high school, Jongseong has a lot of studying to do for his college entrance exams. It will be a while before he can see Jungwon again. He doesn’t want to be consumed by this between now and then. He doesn't want to do this over the phone either. He wants to invite him in person. It makes it a lot more meaningful. This isn't just a normal hang out after all—for Jongseong, at least.
"A-after your c-competition next week," Jongseong stutters out and he immediately chastises himself for it. He braves through and continues, "Uh…can we…c–" The older boy shakes his head in frustration while Jungwon tilts his in confusion.
Jongseong is naturally good at articulating what his thoughts are. He's not in a humanities track for no reason. So, the younger boy is puzzled as to why he's stumbling on his words and fidgeting so much at the moment.
"What is it?" Jungwon playfully slaps Jay's arm. "Just spit it out."
Jongseong heaves and closes his eyes.
"After your competition next week, will you go to Lotte World with me?" The older boy shouts so loud the whole block heard him for sure. He covers his mouth when he realises how loud he had been.
Jungwon giggles as one of their neighbours who's passing by admonishes Jongseong for shouting when it's already quite late.
Jongseong is in the middle of bowing in apology to the elderly woman when Jungwon asks, "Like a date?"
The older boy immediately straightens up and chokes on his own spit upon hearing Jungwon's words. He steals a glance at the younger boy before turning his head away, hiding his embarrassment behind his coughs.
Though Jongseong doesn't respond, the way he is blushing and looking away is a big resounding yes for Jungwon.
The taller boy eventually tries to break the silence, "If you don't want—"
"I'll go if you come watch my match," Jungwon proclaims. The warm light from the street lamp forms a halo around him, illuminating him like he's some divine entity. Jongseong would believe it, if he said he was.
"But I always—"
Before Jongseong can even finish his reply, Jungwon cuts him off again, smile brighter than the city lights, "Exactly."
Jungwon's lips stretch wider upon seeing the older boy's countenance relax. His handsome smile has always made Jungwon's heart flutter. Something that the younger boy has yet to reveal to the other.
The athlete steps back, hoping that can help him resist the urge to kiss Jongseong on the cheek. He crosses the threshold and waves goodbye to the blushing boy, "I'll see you then. Be careful on your way home."
Jongseong replies with a smile and a tiny wave, "Mm."