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The house was packed, bodies moving to the rhythm of the bass that thumped through the speakers. Jaemin could feel the floor vibrating beneath his feet as he pushed his way through the crowd, a drink already in hand. It was one of those typical student parties—loud music, way too many people, and an endless supply of drinks. But it was exactly what he needed tonight.
He grinned as he spotted Jeno walking behind him, their eyes meeting for a moment before Jaemin got swept into the crowd. They had come to the party together, like they always did, since they were practically inseparable. Best friends who did everything together. But lately, something felt different. Maybe it was the way Jeno's gaze lingered a little too long or how he always seemed to hover close, like he was watching over Jaemin.
Jaemin didn't dwell on it, though. He was here to have fun, and he wasn't going to let his thoughts ruin the night. He took a sip from his cup and let himself get lost in the energy of the party.
The music was infectious, and soon enough, Jaemin found himself in the middle of the dance floor, moving to the beat with some friends he recognized. Laughter bubbled up from his chest as he twirled around, the alcohol loosening his limbs and making everything feel a little lighter. The lights flashed, casting the room in neon colors, and Jaemin felt free.
Jeno had stuck close by, at first just watching from the edge of the crowd, his eyes never leaving Jaemin as he danced. But as the night went on, Jaemin noticed something shift in Jeno's expression—something darker, something that looked suspiciously like jealousy.
It wasn't until Jaemin started talking to a guy from class—someone friendly, but definitely leaning in a little too close—that Jeno appeared beside him, a hand sliding possessively around Jaemin's waist. Jaemin stiffened for a second, caught off guard by the sudden contact, but Jeno didn't pull away. His grip tightened, just enough to make it clear that Jaemin wasn't alone.
"Hey," Jeno said, voice low, almost casual, but Jaemin could hear the edge in his tone. "We were looking for you."
Jaemin blinked, confused for a moment. "We?" He was about to ask what Jeno meant when he caught the look in Jeno's eyes, the barely hidden irritation as he glanced at the guy Jaemin had been talking to. That's when it hit him—Jeno was jealous.
A strange thrill ran through Jaemin at the realization, but he played it off, laughing softly as he took another sip from his cup. "You found me," he teased, leaning a little closer to Jeno, the alcohol making him bold.
Jeno's arm stayed around him, the weight of it both comforting and... different. Jaemin's heart skipped a beat, but he pushed the feeling aside, determined to just enjoy the night.
They moved together after that, Jeno sticking close, always a little too aware of who Jaemin was talking to or dancing with. It wasn't until Jaemin was spinning on the dance floor again, laughter spilling from his lips, that the tension between them really came to a head.
Jaemin was having fun, completely lost in the music, but every time he glanced over at Jeno, he could see the way his friend's jaw clenched, the way his eyes never left him. And then, suddenly, Jeno was there again, pulling Jaemin off the dance floor, his hand gripping Jaemin's wrist just a little too tight.
"Jeno, what—?" Jaemin began, but the words died in his throat as Jeno stopped them just outside the main room, the noise of the party still loud but more muffled here. Jeno's eyes were intense, dark, and there was something different about the way he looked at Jaemin, something that made Jaemin's stomach flip.
"Are you okay?" Jeno asked, his voice tight, but Jaemin could tell that wasn't the real question he wanted to ask.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Jaemin replied, frowning slightly. "What's up with you?"
Jeno hesitated for a second, eyes flicking down to Jaemin's lips before quickly looking away. The air between them felt thick, like it had been for the past few weeks, but this time, it felt like something was going to snap.
Before Jaemin could say anything else, Jeno's hand was on his waist again, pulling him close. The touch was firm, possessive, and Jaemin's heart raced as he felt the warmth of Jeno's body press against his. The tension he'd been ignoring all night suddenly felt impossible to avoid.
"Jeno..." Jaemin's voice was softer now, unsure, but Jeno didn't let go. Instead, he leaned in, his breath warm against Jaemin's ear.
"You're not paying attention to me," Jeno murmured, and Jaemin's breath caught in his throat at the quiet intensity in his voice.
Jaemin swallowed hard, his mind racing, trying to figure out what was happening. This was Jeno—his best friend—but the way Jeno was touching him now, the way he was looking at him... it didn't feel like just friends anymore.
"I—" Jaemin started to say, but before he could finish, Jeno's hand slid up to cup his face, thumb brushing lightly over Jaemin's cheek. Jaemin's pulse quickened, his body reacting before his mind could catch up, and all he could focus on was how close Jeno was, how badly he wanted to close the remaining space between them.
Jeno didn't wait for Jaemin to make the first move. In one smooth motion, he leaned in, pressing his lips softly against Jaemin's. It wasn't rushed or frantic—it was slow, deliberate, like Jeno had been waiting for this moment just as much as Jaemin had. Jaemin's breath hitched, and for a second, everything else faded—the noise of the party, the people around them—it all disappeared, leaving only the warmth of Jeno's lips against his.
Jaemin's hands instinctively gripped Jeno's shirt, pulling him closer, his head spinning as the kiss deepened. Jeno's fingers slid to the back of Jaemin's neck, his touch sending shivers down Jaemin's spine as they pressed even closer together.
The kiss was different from anything Jaemin had ever felt before—like it was full of all the things they hadn't said, all the tension that had been building between them for weeks. And when they finally pulled apart, Jaemin was breathless, his heart racing in his chest as Jeno stayed close, their foreheads touching.
"Stay with me tonight," Jeno whispered, and Jaemin knew that they had crossed a line, one that neither of them could go back from.
But for once, Jaemin didn't care. He smiled softly, his fingers still tangled in Jeno's shirt, and leaned in to press another soft kiss to Jeno's lips—because this, whatever this was, felt right.