Work Text:
Jungwon stared blankly at his computer screen. His eyes stung with exhaustion, but he refused to stop working until he finished typing up his essay. Who knew majoring in literature required so much writing? Reading, sure. But not writing.
The importance of literature is very misguided. It is very crucial for people of any
Any… what?
Any… one?
Any… body?
Any…
Any…. any looks like ant…
ANY…
Jungwon stared at the screen, his mind blank. He half hoped the essay would just write itself, and then he could call it a night. Sadly, the screen remained the same with the sentence and a half.
His phone buzzed, vibrating against his desk. He picked it up to look at the screen and immediately smiled when he saw who it was.
Ki 🐤
Wonie hyung~
Me
:)
Yeah?
What’s up?
Ki 🐤
Wyd
Me
Essay for literature.
Due by midnight.
:]
Ki 🐤
Haha sucks to be you
Me
:’(
Ki 🐤
But don’t sit there
for too long. You’ll strain your eyes.
Me
I won’t!
Thanks Ki
Ki 🐤
You at the dorms?
Want me to drop off
chicken or smth
for you
Me
Aww :}
Thanks but I’m good
Ki 🐤
Kk!
Still up for boba tmrow?
Me
Mhm, ofc!
Good night!
Love u!
Platonically ofc ;)
Ki 🐤
Yup!
Good night hyung :D
Jungwon set down his phone again with a fond smile.
Gosh, Ni-ki never changed, even after ten years.
He had met the boy when they were in fourth grade and they had stuck like glue to each other all these years. They even went to the same middle, high, and now university together. Even though they have different majors now, they still manage to meet up together in their free time to go shopping or to get boba.
And Ni-ki remained the goofy, lovable, caring boy he was when he was ten years old. He was still teasing, but also sweet when he worried.
(The boy wouldn’t be caught dead worrying about anyone, of course.)
Jungwon shook his head, an image of Ni-ki’s cute, duck-like pout popping into his head for a moment. He was lucky to have such a caring, cute friend. Kinda good looking too.
Anyway.
He focused his attention back on the screen.
The importance of literature is very misguided. It is very crucial for people of any
Jungwon groaned, tempted to bash his head into the nearby wall. It sounded like shit.
The importance of literature is very misguided. It is very crucial for people to know about the different aspects of literature; each one is very unique to one another.
His phone buzzed again, and Jungwon picked it up, expecting to see Ni-ki’s contact. Instead, it was his boyfriend.
Jaeseok <3
There’s a party for
all the sports majors.
You’re coming along.
Me
But I’m not a sports major…?
Jaeseok <3
Whatever.
It doesn’t matter.
I’m picking you up right now.
Be ready.
Me
Tonight?!
Jaeseok <3
Yes tonight.
Are you in our dorm room right now?
Me
Yeah
Jaeseok <3
Be ready in ten minutes, okay?
Me
Okay
Jaeseok <3
You know I love you, right?
Me
Mhm
Jaeseok <3
Okay. See you, babe.
Jungwon sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. What about his essay? It was due in three hours…
Jaeseok <3
I’m on my way now.
You better be ready.
Jungwon winced.
Okay, no essay then.
And how was he supposed to get ready in ten minutes? Jaeseok would scold him if he looked less than perfect, so it wasn’t like he could just slip on a random shirt.
Jungwon bolted up and started to dig through his dresser in hopes of finding something for a party. Jaeseok liked it when he wore thin dress shirts and jeans…
He hurriedly pulled out a thin, white dress shirt, almost transparent— and winced at it.
He hated wearing these kinds of clothes and he was prone to getting cold easily… but Jaeseok was happy when he wore it. If Jaeseok wanted it, and if this was what Jungwon looked good in, then shouldn’t he listen to his boyfriend? Jaeseok knew best.
Jungwon changed into the white dress shirt, as well as a pair of black, leather jeans he found at the bottom of his clothes. He glanced in the mirror, fixing up his hair.
Do I look too ugly? What if Jaeseok thinks I look ugly today? What if he doesn’t like this shirt? Does my hair look okay? But Jaeseok might think it looks too flat.
Jungwon desperately tried to fix his hair, but it just didn’t look right.
His eyes caught sight of the small tube of lip tint his fellow literature major classmate, Sunoo, had given him as a gift, sitting right on his desk.
The older classmate, being his seatmate in the lecture hall, had complimented Jungwon on his good looks and had gifted him the lip tint a few weeks ago, and Jungwon hadn’t used it, busy with assignments.
He grabbed the lip tint and hastily applied it. Glancing at his phone, he found a text from Jaeseok.
Jaeseok <3
You didn’t answer me, Jungwon.
Answer me.
Now.
Jungwon!
Me
Sorry, I was getting ready
I’m done now
Jaeseok <3
Don’t worry me like that
I thought something happened to you
Baby, I’m just arriving
Come outside now
Me
Okay
Jungwon slipped his phone into his back pocket, slid on his Converses, and hurried outside of the dorm building. He headed to the parking lot on the side, where Jaeseok’s dark red Porsche was waiting.
The campus had a parking lot near the dorms of the university campus, reserved for any students with cars of their own who preferred to drive when going out of campus for their free days. The students all parked their cars in the parking lot.
Jungwon neared the car and found Jaeseok impatiently staring at him from the driver’s seat. He got into the front, and Jaeseok promptly started the engine and began driving.
“We’re a bit late. I’m in a hurry, so don’t bother me right now.” Jaeseok said, not bothering with a greeting.
Jungwon simply nodded and leaned back. Jaeseok was an impatient driver, honking at the cars in front and speeding down the roads at times, but Jungwon had learned to tolerate it, even if it was scary sometimes.
—
The music blared from the speakers of the large room, with pink and blue lights flashing to the music. People danced on the dance floor, with some at the bar getting drinks.
As soon as they had arrived, Jaeseok kissed Jungwon before slipping away to join his sports major friends by the bar, leaving Jungwon awkwardly standing by the doors.
Someone tapped his shoulder and he turned around to find a dark-haired male wearing a loose black shirt and ripped jeans.
“Yang Jungwon, right?” The dark-haired male asked. “I saw you with Kwon Jaeseok. I’m in your boyfriend’s classes— he’s your boyfriend, right?”
Jungwon nodded, warily staring at the boy.
The other raised his hands. “Don’t worry, I don’t mean any harm.” He reassured. “I’m Jay. And this is Jake. He’s also in the same major as me and Jaeseok.” He said as another male with blond hair appeared next to him.
“Ah,” Jungwon said politely. “Nice to meet you then.”
Jay and Jake both nodded, murmuring the same greeting.
“So, why are you just standing here alone?” Jake asked, his eyes looking merely curious, with no judgment in his voice either.
“Just… chilling,” Jungwon answered awkwardly. “Jaeseok left me.”
Jay raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Jungwon pressed his lips into a thin smile. “It’s a bit awkward because I’m not even a sports major, so I don’t know anyone here at this party.”
Jake frowned. “And Jaeseok didn’t even try to invite you over? He came off as a pretty decent guy to me… a bit braggy, but decent.”
Jungwon waved his hands frantically. “No, no! He’s amazing! He just doesn’t want to be embarrassed by me. He says he doesn’t want his friends to meet me! It’s okay!” He reassured. “I understand his reasons!”
Jake and Jay looked even more upset, but Jungwon brushed it off.
A hand snaked around his waist, and Jungwon turned his head slightly to find Jaeseok nearly hanging off of him. His breath smelled like alcohol— but it wasn’t a surprise he already had a drink or few.
“Babeeee,” Jaeseok breathed. “Drink.”
He pushed a glass of frothy white-gold liquid into Jungwon’s hands.
“Oh, I don’t—” Jungwon tried to protest.
“Why are you such a party pooper? Just fucking drink it, for god sake.”
Jungwon shivered and hurried to drink the entire glass. It burned his throat, but seeing Jaeseok’s satisfied face made it okay.
Jaeseok was gone as quickly as he had come after getting Jungwon to do what he wanted.
Jungwon turned around to find Jake and Jay staring at him.
“What?” he asked, confused. “Is something wrong?”
Jake furrowed his brows. He leaned closer so that Jungwon could hear him better over the loud music. “I know this isn’t my business, but… is Jaeseok…. I mean… does he…” He trailed off.
Jungwon gave the other a confused look.
“Is— Is he nice to you?” Jake blurted out. “Jaeseok, I mean.”
Jungwon blinked. “Yeah, he is. Why?”
“It’s just… Jaeseok’s a bit off, you know? I mean, I know you’re his boyfriend, and this is probably, like, really rude, but… I’m just…” Jake rubbed his nape. “He was really snappy to you just now.”
Jungwon’s face smoothened out, finally understanding.
“Oh! No, he’s kind. He just gets a little snappy after a few drinks.”
Jay hummed, brows wrinkled in a deep crease.
“I see…”
—
Jungwon hid in the corner of the party, watching as strangers danced and got drunk around him. Jay and Jake occasionally came over with their worried expressions and pitying looks, then left again apologetically to talk to someone.
Soon, the clock showed two in the morning, and some people were starting to leave. Jungwon glanced around, trying to look for Jaeseok.
His eyes widened as he found the two familiar faces he had gotten to know over the past few hours. He hurried up to them and asked if they had seen Jaeseok.
Jake frowned. “He wasn’t with you?”
Jungwon shook his head.
“I think, uh, Jaeseok left,” Jay responded, looking apologetic. “Earlier, with his three best friends.”
“Oh.” Jungwon blinked.
He… left? Without even telling me? And just left me here? When I don’t even know where this is or how to get back to the campus or the dorms?
Jay awkwardly cleared his throat. “We could drive you? If you’re okay with it. I doubt any buses are running.”
Jungwon shook his head. “It’s okay. I don’t want to bother you. I’ll manage.” He pressed a forced smile, then hurried into his little corner again. He watched as Jay and Jake exchanged a few words, then head out too.
He blew out a breath.
Jungwon shakily pulled out his phone and tapped on Ni-ki’s contact. He bit his lip anxiously, wanting to curl up somewhere and cry.
The call connected after a few rings.
“Hyung~” Ni-ki’s voice filtered through the phone speaker, cheerful and bright. “Don’t tell me you’re still writing that essay—”
“Ni-ki, can y…you pick m…me up?” Jungwon blurted out quickly, his voice trembling with every word.
“…Where are you, hyung?” Ni-ki no longer sounded so cheery.
“At… At a party for the sports majors. It’s… um, I think it’s at some bar near the campus.” Jungwon stammered out, wishing he wasn’t shaking so much.
He hated it— cold and still far too loud, and with all these unfamiliar people who didn’t leave yet… Jaeseok left, and so did Jake and Jay…
“Ni-ki, please come fast. I don’t like it here.” He pleaded.
“Where’s that Jaeseok guy?”
“I think he left.”
“Without you?”
“Yeah…”
“Isn’t he your boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“Ni-ki...?”
“What kind of asshole leaves his own boyfriend?! No, what kind of boyfriend drags you to a party when you hate parties?!” Ni-ki sounded angry.
Jungwon winced.
“Ni-ki, not now. Can you just pick me up?” Jungwon begged, desperate to get away from all the loud music and strangers around him and all the alcohol.
“…Sure. Share your location with me. I’ll be there soon.” Ni-ki said.
“Thanks,” Jungwon said, then flinched as someone brushed past him, their drink spilling everywhere on the floor as they passed by. The girl only laughed at him and sauntered off.
“Yeah. Call me if anything happens. Unless… you want me to stay on the call?”
Jungwon shook his head, even though Ni-ki couldn’t see him.
“No, it’s okay. Just drive safe.” Jungwon said.
“Okay. Be safe too, Jungwonie hyung. I’ll be there soon.”
Jungwon ended the call and quickly sent his location to Ni-ki, before pocketing his phone again.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut and prayed no one would come up to him.
—
Ni-ki called him exactly twelve minutes and two seconds later (yes Jungwon had been counting while waiting) to inform him he was outside.
Jungwon nearly ran out the door and found Ni-ki’s black Sedan parked outside on the street curb. The sky was pitch black, but the streets were lit by colorful, shop lights.
He shuffled over to the car and got in the front.
Ni-ki immediately tossed a warm coat around Jungwon’s shoulders and pressed the heater button to warm up Jungwon’s seat. He had been friends long enough to know Jungwon and his tendencies to get cold easily.
He shot a grateful look at the younger boy (who was frankly only a year younger) and leaned back on the leather seat of Ni-ki’s car. It smelled faintly of floral, and he realized a split second later that it came from Ni-ki’s air freshener pods.
It was a nice change from Jaeseok’s car which smelled like cigarettes more often than not.
“Are you drunk?” Ni-ki questioned sternly.
Jungwon ducked his head. “I had… a few drinks. Just tipsy, but not too drunk.”
Ni-ki’s eyebrows pinched and Jungwon almost felt like a kid getting scolded by his parent. It wasn’t often, but Ni-ki could be very reprimanding.
“Why did you go?”
“Huh?” Jungwon raised his head again.
“To the party. Did he force you?” Ni-ki pressed.
“N—No, of course not!”
“Then why? I thought you hated parties?”
“…I do.”
Ni-ki exhaled sharply and Jungwon flinched.
The car was silent and Jungwon could only stare at Ni-ki’s furrowed brows and angered face.
“…Do you need anything right now?” Ni-ki finally spoke, voice resigned. He started rummaging around in the side compartment.
“Uh…” Jungwon started.
Ni-ki held out a water bottle and a tiny packaged milk bun. “Here. Water for your headache and bread for your hungry stomach.”
Jungwon gaped at his friend. “How did you—”
Ni-ki’s lips curled into a half smile. “Your stomach is growling. And I know you have headaches right after drinking.”
Jungwon’s cheeks heated up. His stomach hadn’t been that loud… was it?
He accepted both items and internally grateful, took a sip of the water. It was cool and helped settle his hot headache.
“Can’t you tell me what happened?”
Jungwon ducked his head again. He busied himself in clicking on his seatbelt, half trying to avoid Ni-ki’s eyes.
He had a feeling Ni-ki would get mad again, and he wasn’t sure why his friend was getting mad in the first place. Yes, it wasn’t the smartest decision, but he was making Jaeseok happy, wasn’t he? Jaeseok’s happiness was all that mattered.
Wasn’t it?
Ni-ki was still intently staring at him.
“Can you just start driving?” Jungwon asked. “P—Please?”
The other boy’s face softened. “Okay. But promise to tell me what happened later. Okay?”
Jungwon nodded. “Okay.”
Ni-ki held out his pinky, and Jungwon laughed at how childlike his best friend was. He hooked pinkies with Ni-ki’s and made a pinky promise.
The blond-haired male finally started his car.
—
“Have you ever considered that Jaeseok isn’t the best person for you?”
“Don’t be crazy, Ni-ki.”
“Why can’t you see the signs, hyung?”
“What signs?”
“…Never mind. Just… be careful, hyung.”
“Okay? Just watch the road.”
“I am.”
—
When Jungwon got dropped off in front of his dorm by Ni-ki, he thanked his friend and bid him safe travels on getting back to his dorm.
Jungwon entered the dorm and found Jaeseok wasn’t there. He frowned.
If he wasn’t in the dorms, then where did he go?
Should I call him? But what if he doesn’t like it? But don’t I have the right to worry?
Jungwon pulled at his lip with his teeth, then ultimately decided to call Jaeseok.
[This number is currently unavailable. Please try again later.]
Jungwon stared at the words on his phone screen.
—
Jungwon sat in the lecture hall, uncomfortably watching as the literature professor commented on the essays due last night.
“Mr. Jungwon,” Professor Dae called out. “Is there a reason you didn’t turn in your essay on time yesterday?”
Jungwon’s cheeks burned with shame, thinking about how he had forgotten about his essay in the midst of getting ready for Jaeseok’s party and then going to the party and getting wasted.
It was a sad excuse, and he was too honest to lie.
“I…. was at a party, sir.” He mumbled.
Professor Dae clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “See me after class, Jungwon-ssi.”
“Yes… Professor Dae.” Jungwon mumbled.
—
Jungwon’s eyes were welling up with tears. Jaeseok looked unbothered as ever.
“You’re not listening! The point is, I had an essay due, and you forced me to go to the party when I’m not even a sports major!”
Jaeseok scoffed from where he was seated on the couch.
“I never forced you, Jungwon. Don’t get it all coiled up. You agreed to go, remember?”
“No.” Jungwon spat out. “I didn’t.”
“Oh? Lying to my face? Why are you lying to yourself? You went because you wanted to.” Jaeseok sneered. “It’s up to you to face the consequences of your choices. Don’t make me the villain. You’re nothing special anyway.”
Jungwon’s heart was racing and he felt like his lungs weren’t working properly.
“I’m nothing special? Is that what a boyfriend should say?”
“Aren’t I your first boyfriend? I’m more experienced in the field of dating. You just don’t know enough. Trust me, babe.”
“…What don’t I know?”
“Everything. Just stay stupid and be good for the public.” Jaeseok sighed.
“Is that all I am to you?!” Jungwon huffed. “A trophy to present around?!”
“You’re so naive, Jungwon.” Jaeseok rolled his eyes. “Don’t say stupid things. I love you, Jungwon. You know I do.”
“Do I?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
“Don’t use my words against me, Jungwon. It makes me angry.”
—
Jungwon shoved his clothes, his books, his laptop, and his phone charger into his duffel bag. He didn’t bring much to the university anyway— and some of his stuff was still at Ni-ki’s dorm, where he had originally been before he moved to Jaeseok’s dorm after they started dating.
Jaeseok watched him. “You’ll regret it. Jungwon, you know I’m right.” He whispered.
Jungwon faltered, before standing up and slinging his bag over one shoulder. He glared at Jaeseok.
“I won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”
Jungwon shoved past Jaeseok, storming his way to the front door. Jaeseok grabbed his wrist before he could open the metal door.
“You’ll regret it,” He said, eyes narrowed. “I know what’s best. And it’s you staying here.”
Jungwon tried to wiggle free from Jaeseok’s grip, but the other gripped tighter.
“Let! Go!” Jungwon shouted, struggling. “We’re done!”
Jaeseok let out a low laugh. “You won’t be able to come back to me later. I won’t take you back if you leave right now.” He warned.
Jungwon got free of the grip and opened the door. “So be it.”
He stepped out and slammed the door in Jaeseok’s face.
—
Jungwon panted, out of breath.
He had started running after closing the door in Jaeseok’s face, fearing the other would chase after him. He found himself in the west wing of the dorms and knocked on the door of his old dorm.
The door swung open to Ni-ki, clad in fluffy blue pajama bottoms and a black, rock band t-shirt. His eyes widened at the sight of Jungwon.
“Wha— Hyung?! It’s one in the morning! What are you doing here?”
Jungwon’s lip trembled, eyes stinging. And then he started bawling, right there on Ni-ki’s dorm doorstep.
Not even a second later, he was pulled into a warm hug. He buried his face in the crook of Ni-ki’s shoulder, taking in the cinnamon scent of the younger boy. He practically soaked in the warmth, and let his tears explode out.
Ni-ki held him as he fell apart, holding his broken heart together in a warm hug. It honestly felt like home… and it felt like comfort, more than Jaeseok could ever be to him. Much more.
—
“You— You were right,” Jungwon said in between tears. “Jaeseok is horrible. It was toxic.”
Ni-ki simply rubbed his back soothingly, murmuring sweet reassurances, holding him tightly. Jungwon buried his face into the crook between Ni-ki’s neck and shoulder, crying.
“That asshole didn’t deserve even a piece of you,” Ni-ki whispered. “Don’t ever cry for him. Cry because it’s for yourself.”
Jungwon sniffled, letting out a choked out laugh. “Yeah.”
—
After Jungwon’s crying session, Ni-ki ushered him inside, telling him he could stay over for the night. He was already taking Jungwon’s duffel bag to carry for him.
Ni-ki nudged Jungwon into the bathroom to wash his face, and Jungwon complied, too weary after crying to argue.
He came out of the bathroom and found Ni-ki in the living room, setting a pillow and duvet on the sofa.
“Someone else took your old room here— my new roommate— and there’s only two beds, so you can take my bed for tonight. I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Ni-ki offered.
“No, I came here unannounced. You should sleep in your own bed.” Jungwon argued.
Ni-ki simply pushed him into his room. “Room. Sleep. Now.”
“Okay, okay fine!” Jungwon pouted and Ni-ki gave him a bright grin before closing the bedroom door.
Ni-ki’s room remained the same from when Jungwon had still been here. The walls were stark white, but they were covered with colorful posters and magazine pages. There was the same twin bed and the same wooden desk, and Ni-ki still kept a yellow nightlight on his table, which lit up the dark room.
Jungwon flopped onto Ni-ki’s bed. It was soft and it smelled faintly like Ni-ki… like soft cinnamon and sweet cream and wild strawberries.
How nice.
Jungwon closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly, drowned in the smell of comfort.
—
The sunlight shone into the room the next morning, and Jungwon blearily stepped into the kitchen-dining room of Ni-ki’s dorm to find the latter was already up and making breakfast.
“Your favorite. Waffles with chocolate chips.” Ni-ki said, glancing at him when he noticed Jungwon standing at the table. “Thought that might cheer you up after last night.”
Huh. This is oddly domestic. Jungwon thought fleetingly.
He watched in quiet interest as Ni-ki moved around the kitchen, making breakfast for him.
—
Jungwon blinked as a tall male with chocolate brown hair and doe-like eyes entered the kitchen.
The male stared at him for a second, before introducing himself.
“I’m Lee Heeseung, Ni-ki’s dorm mate. You must be… Jungwon?”
Jungwon nodded.
“Ah, Ni-ki talks about you a lot. I think he mentioned you were his roommate before I came here?”
Jungwon nodded again.
“…I don’t mean to intrude, but I think I heard you crying last night…? So… I’ll, uh, I’ll be at my boyfriend’s dorm.” He bowed his head politely. “Sunghoon has an extra bed, so if you and Ni-ki want, I’ll stay there tonight. So, you know, you guys can have the dorm for your friend moment?”
“That’d be nice, hyung,” Ni-ki said, coming into the room. He offered a plate with a few freshly made waffles. Heeseung hummed and took one, thanked Ni-ki, bid goodbye to both Ni-ki and Jungwon, then left.
—
“Ni-ki, I love you.”
“Me too, hyung.”
“No, Ni-ki. I love you.”
“Platonically, right? I do too, hyung.”
“No, romantically. I mean, I think I do.”
“…”
“Ni-ki?”
“WHAT?!”
“Why, is it weird?”
“N—No, I just… it’s just…”
“Do you… like me back?”
“Ha…. Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Wait, seriously?!”
“Yeah…? Can’t I love my best friend?”
“Wha— Since when did you like me?”
“…A few months after you started dating that asshole.”
“Seriously? And you didn’t say anything?”
“I wasn’t going to, like, get in the way of you dating that guy! Even if he’s a complete prick.”
BONUS (after Jungwon had gone to bed in Ni-ki’s room):
Ni-ki peeked into his room and found Jungwon deeply asleep, snuggled under his bed covers. He chuckled, and then quietly closed the door.
Now that he’s sleeping…
Ni-ki grabbed a light sweatshirt and headed outside. He pulled the hood over his head, casting a shadow over his face as he briskly walked into the next dorm wing.
He remembered Jungwon telling him that he was moving in with Jaeseok, and luckily, he still remembered which dorm it was.
He stopped in front of the dorm with a plastic label reading: 5D.
Smirking to himself, he banged a fist on the door. A moment later, the door swung open with a furious looking male on the other side.
“What do you fucking want, it’s two in the morning!” He snarled.
Ni-ki tilted his head. “Kwon Jaeseok, right?”
“What’s it to you?” Jaeseok sneered.
Ni-ki promptly punched Jaeseok in the face.
The other turned back to Ni-ki with angry eyes and a bloody nose.
(Good, he had hit his mark.)
“The fuck?!” Jaeseok hissed.
“Don’t you fucking go near Jungwon again,” Ni-ki stated calmly. “Or I’ll snap your neck in half before you can even blink.”
Jaeseok narrowed his eyes. “You’re that twerp that was always hanging off of Jungwon.”
Ni-ki scoffed. “Yeah, and?”
Jaeseok barked a laugh. “Oh, so you think you can beat me up now? You think you actually stand a chance? Jungwon doesn’t like you that way. He doesn’t love you the way you do, with your little heart eyes—”
He fell to the floor with a dumbfounded expression.
Ni-ki glared down at him. “The first was for Jungwon. This is for myself. And this,” he kicked Jaeseok where it really hurt. “is for both of us.”
Jaeseok howled in pain, and Ni-ki walked off back to his dorms.
As he entered, his roommate Heeseung was there in the kitchen drinking a glass of water.
“Had fun beating up an asshole?” Heeseung asked, setting down his glass.
Ni-ki rolled his eyes. “Jaeseok deserved it.”
“Isn’t that guy older than you?”
“…He doesn’t deserve shit, much less honorifics.”
Heeseung let out a laugh at that. “True. Guess I should be glad you call me hyung.”
Ni-ki shook his head. “I’m taking your bed tonight. You can take the sofa.”
Heeseung gave him an offended look, and Ni-ki walked to Heeseung’s room.