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It hits Jaehyun on a very unfortunate Tuesday morning that he has the biggest crush and there’s no turning back.
It’s break time and he’s pretending to sleep in class, but really he’s hiding his giggles at his text messages with his crush from over weeks ago. His classmates are nosy people, always curious about the school president’s love life, and Jaehyun refuses to provide ammunition for his school friends to begin looking up everybody he’s ever interacted with on social media.
Not only is it none of their business, really, but also because it would be ridiculously easy for them to find who it was.
Instagram user @uririwoo_, Lee Sanghyeok.
If someone were to scroll through Sanghyeok’s posts, they would find @myungjae0412 commenting under his posts either overly flirtatious compliments or poking some sort of fun at him.
One could argue that that was normal Myung Jaehyun behaviour, and they would be somewhat right. Jaehyun has always been a touchy and affectionate person who loves his loved ones with his whole heart. Sanghyeok would be no different.
But, if they did some further digging, they would stumble upon @hangiantmountain’s post of a sleeping Sanghyeok in many positions and angles. Underneath it, @myungjae0412 wrote: @uririwoo_ dont let anyone else take pics of u like this, ill get jealous
To which Sanghyeok responded by posting a selfie of them both, in the bus on their way to their dance class, with the caption: to appease the jealousy, here’s my payback haha
Jaehyun spammed his comments with the puppy eye emojis and hearts.
In @myungjae0412’s highlights under the name of “bffz”, if they tapped to the thirtieth story, they would see multiple candid photos of Sanghyeok smiling while fixing his hair in the dance studio’s mirror. He captioned it with Sanghyeok’s favourite heart exclamation mark emoji. When he had posted that, he had pointedly ignored every single curious dm he received from relatives and schoolmates asking who is he??? Is that your bf?? Is he single??
Jaehyun could not answer that. In all honesty, he has no clue what they are.
The weird overly flirty back and forth has been going on ever since they became friends when they met at the dance school at fourteen years old.
Lee Sanghyeok, who currently goes to the same art school as Woonhak, Jaehyun’s childhood best friend, walked in with such a cool aura that he immediately caught Jaehyun’s eye. His dance was even cooler, movements precise and mesmerising to watch.
Sanghyeok was already part of a friend group in the class composed of Park Sungho, Han Dongmin and Kim Donghyun. The four of them looked pretty intimidating, especially Sungho and Dongmin, who both when they were not smiling could come off as cold. Especially Dongmin’s already shocking height of nearing six feet at thirteen.
Jaehyun, at that time still relatively new at the dance school, had gathered his confidence and introduced himself to them in hopes of becoming friends. He got more than he bargained for, and by the end of the year the five of them became a close knit group of goofballs.
Sungho is bright and laughs a lot, Dongmin is easily embarrassed but way too witty for his own good and Donghyun is caring and passionate about things he cares about.
Sanghyeok is simple and easy to get along with, ridiculously funny and way too cute .
Woonhak joined the class a couple months after, immediately joining them to form a group of six, and Jaehyun will always think of them as his bestest of friends.
Even Sanghyeok; even if ever since he was sixteen, Jaehyun’s stomach feels funny whenever he reciprocates his advances and whenever he diverts eye contact and gets shy.
He’s turning 18, he’s graduating soon, and yet all he can think about is the same guy ever since he entered highschool.
He exits the chat and presses on the green circle surrounding Sanghyeok’s profile, sighing dreamily when it’s a bathroom mirror selfie of him with his glasses (!!) and freshly dyed red hair (!!!!).
He likes the story.
The selfie fuels his energy for the rest of the school day.
—
It’s a Friday afternoon, and Jaehyun has taken over Sanghyeok’s bed, legs sprawled over his sheets as if it is his own. Sanghyeok’s mum had kindly offered a bowl of cut fruits to the two boys after Jaehyun walked Sanghyeok home after school, so Jaehyun had no choice but to stay!
Munching on some apples, he twists his torso a little to face Sanghyeok. Sanghyeok’s in his home clothes, school uniform thrown in the laundry the moment he got home, unlike Jaehyun who only removed his school blazer. The music on the speaker is playing something hip-hoppy that Jaehyun recognises. It’s the song they’re learning in dance class, and the instructors mentioned that they would be filming them to upload to the dance school’s official youtube.
Sanghyeok will be the centre in some of the shots.
He’s practicing the hardest move in the choreo. His feet move on his wooden flooring at a lightning speed that Jaehyun has a headache even trying to comprehend. There’s a look of determination on Sanghyeok’s face and it dissolves into one of satisfaction when he finally gets it right. To celebrate his little achievement, he shakes his clenched fist in excitement.
Jaehyun’s lips quirk upwards. If there’s one thing he has to choose to admire about the other boy, it’s his determination to put in his best effort when it comes to something he puts his mind to.
“I’ll remember this move when I freestyle,” says Sanghyeok conversationally, breaking their long but comfortable silence.
Jaehyun leans to rest his head on his palm. “And you’ll teach it to me?” He asks, already daydreaming up scenarios of them dancing together. Preferably under the moonlight. Or in the rain, like in some of those dramas he used to watch with his mum.
The music from the speaker fades to a slower, but still upbeat type of song.
Sanghyeok begins to sway to the melody, stretching an arm out to Jaehyun in invitation. “How about now?” He offers, never keeping still, now bopping his head. “I’ll even give you a ten percent discount.”
Though he instantly takes his hand, Jaehyun’s jaw drops a little.
Maybe his fantasies have a chance to become reality after all?
Straightening his clothes, Jaehyun starts to let the music take over his body, following Sanghyeok’s movements with some ease. They grin at each other and Jaehyun’s cheeks hurt from the extent at which he was smiling. They definitely look a little goofy, two teenage boys circling each other while dancing in the confines of a relatively small bedroom. Jaehyun’s heart beats a steady rhythm: thump thump thump.
A ray of sun peeks through Sanghyeok’s blinds, reflecting on the round of Sanghyeok’s cheeks with a warm glow. He looks good, his hair down with a tuft of hair endearingly sticking out a little at the side of his head and a wide smile showing his fangs peeking through. Jaehyun is pretty sure if this was a shoujo manga there would be sparkles and roses everywhere.
Cute, is all Jaehyun thinks. Cute cute cute cute-
His eyes may be conveying how he feels a little too well because Sanghyeok bashfully looks away, doing a couple spins as if it could cover his rising blush.
The next song is a slow, relaxed song.
Jaehyun can grab an opportunity when he sees it, so he does a dramatic bow and extends his hand in invitation.
“What are you doing?” Sanghyeok laughs, pausing his spinning to look at Jaehyun with watchful eyes. Jaehyun clears his throat, then in a rather comically deep voice he asks with faux sophistication, “May I have this dance?”
Sanghyeok giggles a little and accepts his hand.
It’s as if this scene was straight out of a fairytale or a drama.
Jaehyun carefully pulls Sanghyeok in, one hand holding Sanghyeok’s waist. He tries not to swallow so easily, but his brain short circuits a little at how small his waist actually is. Sanghyeok awkwardly holds onto Jaehyun’s shoulder.
“Never tried ball dancing?” Jaehyun titters a little.
“No, have you?” Sanghyeok shoots back, raising both eyebrows.
“Nope!” Sanghyeok squints a little at Jaehyun’s beam, but soon breaks out into a small smile of his own. “Guess we’re freestyling this as well, huh?”
“It’s what you do best.”
They slowly fall into step, feet smoothly sliding from one point to another on the wooden floor. Halfway through, Jaehyun begins to hum along to the song, squeezing Sanghyeok’s hand as he moves away from him only to pull him back in one swift motion. Sanghyeok yelps a little, flustering at the sudden changes to their routine of moving left, then forward, then right, then back and repeat.
Jaehyun mischievously counts down from three, and Sanghyeok’s eyes widen for a brief second, belatedly realising his plans before he is being dipped, one leg up and head nearly touching the floor. Sanghyeok blinks, then huffs a laugh.
He glances at Jaehyun, grinning, “You know what you’re doing, don’t you?” Teasingly he releases himself from Jaehyun’s hold and slides back.
Jaehyun shrugs, chasing after Sanghyeok’s retreating figure with a happy pep in his step. He captures Sanghyeok’s wrists and with a gentle tug, they fall into each other, chest to chest and heart to heart.
Everything comes to a halt.
The song slows, and all Jaehyun can hear is his rapid heartbeat.
Thurrump thurrump thump thurrump thurrump.
He gulps, eyes taking in Sanghyeok’s face whole. His cheeks are flushed and eyes darting everywhere but Jaehyun’s face, a sheen of sweat on his forehead visible from the dancing and possibly nervousness from the close proximity.
Jaehyun sure as hell hopes so, because he’s sweating buckets at the fact their noses are practically touching right now. He can feel the exhales from Sanghyeok’s nose.
His eyes flutter downwards, eyes trained on the way Sanghyeok’s tongue swipes against the pink of his bottom lip.
Damn.
He really wants to kiss him.
Damn.
“I…um,” Jaehyun says, flinching a little at how loud his voice came out. “I…”
Sanghyeok finally makes eye contact. Jaehyun’s eyes trace the movement of his throat as he swallows.
Thurrump thurrump thump.
“Can I kiss you?” Jaehyun asks, nervousness converting to a sudden burst of energy. His shoulders are tense and he’s pretty sure he looks like a tomato.
Sanghyeok stiffens. He blinks a couple times, as if processing what he just heard, colour slowly rising from his neck to his ears. “Uh, yes,” He says quietly, nodding. “You can.”
THUMP THUMP THUMP-
Jaehyun gulps and wonders if he’s dreaming, releasing his hold on Sanghyeok to pinch his cheek. Hard.
“What are you doing now?” asks Sanghyeok a little fondly, palm reaching out the cup Jaehyun’s red (and slightly purple) cheek. His hand is slightly soft and gentle and warm.
Though flustered, his gaze is inviting with hints of anticipation and amusement.
Jaehyun can’t wait any longer.
He feels his insides bubble with want.
His finger lifts Sanghyeok’s chin up, the pad of his thumb sliding over his lower lip. Tilting his head slightly, he watches Sanghyeok shudder and close his eyes.
He’s so cute.
Breathe in, breathe out.
He leans in and their noses bump a little awkwardly, startling a giggle out of both of them.
“Okay, okay,” says Jaehyun, recovering quickly. “One more try?”
Sanghyeok scrunches his nose. “I’m going to leave a one star review.”
Barely resisting an eye roll, Jaehyun whines, “No fair?! You’re my first customer, cut me some slack!”
Sanghyeok makes a surprised sound at that, a look of disbelief on his face. “Seriously?” He says incredulously. “Woah.”
This time Jaehyun does roll his eyes, hand slowly tracing Sanghyeok’s jaw to cup the back of his head. “I really, really, like you, Lee Sanghyeok. Ever since we were sixteen. I’d throw myself at you if you’d let me.” He confesses, full of sincerity. Sanghyeok’s smile lines deepen as their foreheads touch, noses rubbing against each other. “Myung Jaehyun, I really, really, like you too.”
Their gazes linger for a beat longer.
When Sanghyeok’s eyes flutter close again, Jaehyun tentatively closes the gap, brushing his lips lightly against Sanghyeok’s own. Jaehyun’s lips are slightly chapped and cold, a contrast to the warmth he feels ghost his face when the other’s breath stutters; and with a surge of confidence Jaehyun twists his head further to deepen the kiss, pressing firmly against now parted lips. Sanghyeok’s arms snake up Jaehyun’s back, pulling him nearer and nearer until they can feel the quick thumping of each other’s hearts through the fabrics. Jaehyun’s fingers comb through Sanghyeok’s hair, sighing contentedly.
They stumble back a little and Sanghyeok hits the wall with a soft thud.
“You okay?” Jaehyun asks with half-lidded eyes, a little breathless, pulling away just a bit to give Sanghyeok room. He rests his free hand on the wall to steady them both, smiling down on Sanghyeok who chases after him, as if their lips are hanging on by a thread. He finally opens his eyes, slumping on the wall while breathing deeply, one hand on Jaehyun’s waist and the other clutching his heart.
“Yeah, hah , that was. Wow.” Sanghyeok mumbles. He looks a little awestruck.
“Wow,” Jaehyun agrees. Sanghyeok’s lips are wet and red and kiss swollen, Jaehyun is sure his own are identical. Kissing Sanghyeok is something else, a revelation, an act so sweet it sent both Jaehyun’s heart and brain exploding at the sheer fact that this moment is real. It is so, so real. He thinks he’s about to develop heart palpitations at the way his heart is pounding.
He really should stop, Jaehyun thinks, savouring the post-kiss tingling sensation. It’s getting late and Sanghyeok’s mum would probably come up any time soon to kick him out (nicely). He really shouldn’t try to kiss Sanghyeok again.
But, he is greedy.
After getting a taste, he wants the whole meal.
“So,” Sanghyeok says hesitantly, breaking Jaehyun out of his mental dilemma. “This means we’re..?”
Ah. The age-old question that has been plaguing Jaehyun since forever.
“Only if you want to,” Jaehyun replies, cupping Sanghyeok’s cheek sweetly.
Sanghyeok leans into the touch, pressing a chaste kiss to Jaehyun’s palm. “Yeah,” He breathes, the sensation of his lips on his palm sends Jaehyun tingles. “I want you.”
Jaehyun soaks in Sanghyeok’s charm and once again there’s sparkles everywhere in Jaehyun’s rose-coloured vision. God, he’s so endearing, and he’s gonna be the death of him.
Jaehyun likes him too much.
When Jaehyun’s mum calls for him to come home, he blows a flying kiss to Sanghyeok, yelling his goodbyes to both mother and son with newfound brightness in his eyes.
Sanghyeok’s mum looks after his retreating figure, quizzically raising an eyebrow at Sanghyeok when Jaehyun throws his fists in the air at the end of the street.
“Something good happened today?” She asks.
Sanghyeok hums. “You could say that.”
—
A week passes and the six of them are outside a convenience store some distance away from the dance school. The sky is dark and the other stores are closed, so they splurge on some instant ramyeon, tteokbokki, packet drinks and other yummy goodies. They sit in a line on the curb, pressed against each other.
Sanghyeok leans his head on Jaehyun’s shoulder, nursing his hot noodles. The air is as tranquil as it can get in the city with only a couple motorcycles whirring by them. An exhausting class has their postures slumped and legs turned to jelly, but not even that seems to quell Sungho’s burning questions.
He clacks his chopsticks on the plastic bowl of instant rice, squinting at the two of them from where he sat. “Okay, there’s something different going on with you two here.” He declares, and Jaehyun innocently smiles at him. “What’s different?”
“Yeah, Sungho-hyung is right.” Woonhak pipes up, mouth stuffed. Donghyun passes him a napkin, which he accepts gratefully. “Like, in class, you two were more gaga over each other than before. Especially you, Jaehyun!”
Dongmin snickers. “Yeah, Myung Jaehyun. The teachers probably have to cut out some clips ‘cause you kept making massive heart eyes at Sanghyeok-hyung.”
Jaehyun scoffs a little. “Okay, first off, rude. Why am I the only one honorific-less? Second, Sanghyeok only has eyes for me, too. Right?” He directs the question to Sanghyeok, who alongside Donghyun has been silent the whole time.
All five of them stare at the boy currently slurping down ramyeon.
He stares at all of them, then swallows his food with a single gulp.
“Our first week anniversary is today.” He says, unbothered by the fact he had just dropped a massive bomb on four of their friends. There is a shocked silence.
Then, Donghyun raises his hand. “Called it,” He grins, “Everyone, pay up.”
There is a collective groan, Jaehyun and Sanghyeok included.
Three out of six of them were 5,000 won poorer that night.
—
@uririwoo_ reposted @myungjae0412’s story:
Happy one month!!