Work Text:
“Stop it,” Jaemin says, flustered at your antics. One of your favorite things to do was to bother your boyfriend until he gives in and shows you his million dollar smile, one that was out so rarely that you would give the world just to keep seeing it.
“I mean it's obviously true I have the most gorgeous boyfriend on campus,” you say as you plop on the seat at the counter. He tilts his head in response and clucks his tongue, his ears clearly turning pink. “I said stop it,” he says helplessly, eyes pleading.
You decide it was time to land the final hit.
“I love you,” you say sweetly, and Jaemin just about loses his mind.
He lifts his hand to his face but fails at covering his wide, pretty smile at the sudden confession after the endless compliments you showered him, and gosh, if you could just keep looking at it 24/7 you would.
“You're enjoying this, aren't you?” He runs his fingers through his hair.
“Please never show this smile to anyone else,” you narrow your eyes at him, but relish in the feeling that you were the one who put that smile on his face. You knew your boyfriend was a campus heartthrob, but he was known for being quiet and nonchalant so you couldn't even begin to think how much more women (and men) (and non-binarys) would fall for him if they saw his smile. “I need to gatekeep it,” you followed up seriously.
Jaemin chuckles and decides to give you a taste of your own medicine. “I don't know about that, maybe I should smile widely outside more often to fight the ice prince allegations,” he shrugs, and it ticks you off that you 'lightly' punch his shoulder. (You actually hit it with some strength, but you knew your boyfriend could handle it.)
Jaemin yelps, a hand rubbing his arm with a pout. “Yah. That hurt, baby. I exercised my arms yesterday,” his pout deepens, and you're conflicted whether he's being serious or teasing you back for earlier.
“Are you being for real or trying to get back at me for all the teasing earlier?” You prod, searching his eyes.
“I'm being serious. It actually did hurt,” he says with a genuine tone, wiping his ridiculous pout from his face for a moment before putting it back on while rubbing his arm that you just hit.
“I'm sorry...” You lay a gentle hand on his arm, meeting his gaze.
“A sorry won't make the pain go away, though,” he looks away for a moment before continuing. “Do you know what can make the pain go away?” He leans forward, bridging some space between you. Your breath hitches. You pause to think of the answer, but only one thing comes to mind.
“An apple?”
He snorts. “Nice try, but it's not an apple.” With an amused smile, he pulls back and checks the time. With a slight head shake, he says, “I'll head out and buy some stuff at the convenience store downstairs. And you,” he pokes your forehead, “head to your class in 15 minutes.”
Your eyes widen. “Shoot, I totally forgot I still had class. Thanks, babe,” you blow a kiss towards him before rushing out. He watches you leave with a soft smile on his face.
—
You arrive just in time after running to the building, since Jaemin's dorm was almost a kilometer away. You curse yourself inwardly for forgetting you had class. Begrudgingly, you open your notebook and try to listen to the lecture. However, your mind keeps drifting to the last question Jaemin asked you.
Do you know what can make the pain go away?
You hum to yourself. “What can make pain go away?” You unknowingly whisper out loud, to which the person on your right responds.
“An apple. An apple a day makes the pain go away,” she answers plainly. You look at her and silently agree, but whisper back, “right? but I said an apple, and he said I was wrong,” you scratch your head.
“That's because it's not the pain that goes away with an apple, it's the doctor,” the one two seats away from you on the right whispers back. That made sense, you thought, but isn't keeping the doctor away the same as making pain go away? If you don't feel pain, then you won't go to the doctor.
Finally, your other seatmate joins in. “You dumbasses. I know the answer,” he says proudly, grinning. All three of you look at him as he takes his time building up your anticipation.
“A kiss. A kiss makes the pain go away,” he grins.
He was met with three different reactions: the farthest person snorts and rolls their eyes, the next has a confused look on her face, and you...
You feel like you hit Eureka.
“So that's what it is..!” you whisper-shout in wonder, and then belatedly realize that the professor has stopped speaking and is looking at the four of you.
“Can you share the intellectual discussion back there with the class, please?“ She asks. Knowing that you started it, you quickly apologize and say it was nothing important.
“Mhm, then please listen to the discussion or else I might have to ask you to leave,” she scolds gently, with a warning look in her eyes. You nod in understanding, apologize once more, and spend the rest of the class in silence. (But you still couldn't stop thinking about the correct answer.)
—
Immediately after the lecture, you text Jaemin. 𝚠𝚛𝚞?
He quickly replies. 𝚓𝚘𝚐𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎?
𝚢𝚞𝚙. 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚓𝚘𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝚒𝚖 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚋𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐. You text back.
He responds with 👌🫶 𝚒𝚖 𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚛. 𝚕𝚎𝚝'𝚜 𝚓𝚘𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚖.
Jaemin arrives quite quickly. You weren't at the entrance yet, as you decided to freshen up a bit at the restroom first. While waiting for you, someone all dolled up approaches Jaemin with fluttering eyes. “Hey, handsome. Are you free tonight?”
He sighs inwardly and puts his hands in his pockets. “I have a girlfriend,” he says uninterestedly, without even looking at the girl.
“Hey, you won't even look at me? I bet I'm prettier than her,” she boasts, and Jaemin bites the inside of his lip in irritation. “I love my girlfriend, so please go away,” he responds coldly, looking at her with so much disgust in his eyes. The girl backs off a little with the look, but seems determined to keep going.
Meanwhile, you weren't in a hurry because you knew Jaemin would wait for you patiently if he arrived first. But seeing a very familiar silhouette from afar with another girl who looked very well-made up had you feeling a little regretful that you took your time.
“...prettier than her,” you overhear the girl say snarkily as you briskly walk towards them. “I love my girlfriend, so please go away,” Jaemin coldly responds, and your heart feels like it’s about to soar. You quicken your pace, almost running just to hug him from behind.
“And I love my boyfriend too,” you grin, placing a kiss at the back of his neck. You flash your ‘𝖎 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚’ eyes at the girl who was hitting on a taken man, and grab Jaemin's hand. It didn't escape your sight that his ears were turning the lightest shade of pink.
“Come on, babe, let's go on that jog, hmm?” You smile brightly at him, tugging at his hand, and he happily lets you drag him for a few steps before he reaches out to carry your bag for you. Your gorgeous grin didn't fade for the entire jog that he made a mental note to tell you he loves you more often.
The moment you arrive at his dorm, you giggle really happily and look at him with all the love in the world.
You clear your throat and with a deep voice and a (poor attempt at a) serious face, you say, “I love my girlfriend, so please go away,” you laugh in kilig and continue with your normal voice, “God, you were so cool,” you flash a thumbs up at him as you fall back onto the couch, your eyes turning into crescents.
“Aren't you a bit too happy with that one sentence?” He drops your bag on a stool, a little embarrassed with how you imitated him but also plenty pleased with how giggly he got you with just that statement.
“Of course I'm happy. My boyfriend said he loves me,” you murmur as you hug one of his pillows. You gesture for Jaemin to sit next to you, patting the couch. He obliges and watches you with amusement.
Once he's seated, you stand and face him, cupping his cheeks. His gaze never leaves you, and he waits for another one of your antics with anticipation.
“You know you could've just told me...” you trail off, your eyes full of adoration. Confused, he waits for you to continue speaking when you dip your head and plant a kiss on his lips. His eyes widened in surprise.
“...that a kiss makes the pain go away,” you whisper. He takes a moment to process what you just said, head spinning with a quick kiss. As he always did, his cheeks turned pink with how flustered you got him with just a peck.
Swallowing his embarrassment, Jaemin murmurs, “I don't think that kiss was effective...” He lowers his head and breaks eye contact, his lips parted as he tries to calm himself.
You giggle and kiss him again, slotting his upper lip between yours for a bit longer. “Was that your attempt at asking for another kiss? Be grateful your girlfriend can understand. Use your words, Jaemin,” you tease.
With your encouragement, he moves his hands over yours, still on his cheeks, and places them on his shoulders. “I want more kisses,” he says directly, a small pout on his lips. Now, you're the one who's blushing, and with a nod of approval you lean down and kiss him even longer. He places his gentle hand on your jaw, angling your head for a deeper kiss, while the other cups the back of your neck.
When he pulls away, you chase after him like he's the oxygen you need to breathe, and you end up losing your balance and fall on his lap. He swiftly catches you, holding you securely by the waist, and by this time both of you are flushed and panting. You bury your face on his shoulder, his arms pulling you closer.
You didn't know it then, and would likely never know—but Jaemin flashed the brightest smile he has ever had with you in his arms, the smile that was only reserved for you and was only ever yours to begin with.