Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Class, as you know, Mrs. Shin is out on maternity leave, so class 1C has been split up between us and class 1B. It'll be a tight squeeze but we should have room to welcome everyone."

Mrs. Moon stood at the front of the classroom beside several other seniors that would apparently be joining their class.

Of course, instead of hiring a substitute, the school would rather force students to practically share their desks for the rest of the year. Mrs. Moon went down the line of new classmates and introduced each one. One individual among them stood out the most.

"Kwon Soonyoung, you can sit with Lee Jihoon in the back."

With bleach-blonde hair and a bright orange sweatshirt, this 'Soonyoung' drew all the eyes in the room as he propped up from leaning against the chalkboard when his name was called. An indifferent smirk spread over his face as he walked between the other desks back to the last row of seats where Jihoon was sitting.

Upon hearing his name, Jihoon looked over to the front of the class from his previous state of daydreaming out the window. His eyes immediately fall on Soonyoung as he soon towered over him at his desk. Now, with a closer view, he could see his smirk is accompanied by a thin, silver ring at the corner of his bottom lip.

"Hey, deskmate."

Jihoon has to hold back a groan. He adjusts his glasses with his fingers and moves his chair over to make room. Soonyoung pulls an empty chair from the back wall, purposefully letting it scrape against the ground before sitting it uncomfortably close to Jihoon's seat. He plops himself down, legs spread wide apart, brushing against Jihoon, who clamps his own legs together and shifts to the side to avoid any more contact. Soonyoung notices this and huffs in amusement.

Once all the students were introduced and situated in their new assigned seats, Mrs. Moon addresses the class with a few more announcements then sits at her desk to let the class be open to homeroom - an almost mandatory study hall at the start of every day. At least in some ways the school seemed to be considerate. A few students take out their laptops or homework assignments while the majority spark up conversations with whoever will listen.

Soonyoung lounged in his chair. His arms stretched behind his head, ruffling the back of his hair. His elbows knock against Jihoon's shoulder, prompting an annoyed look from him through his lenses. After a yawn, he glances over at Jihoon.

"Can you talk?"

Jihoon's annoyance morphs into confusion, "Yeah?"

The smirk returns to Soonyoung's face, "Darn, I thought I'd lucked out and got the quiet corner so you'd be forced to just listen to me talk."

Jihoon holds back from rolling his eyes and just sighs, turning his attention back to his notebook.

Soonyoung leans even more on his desk, moving his elbow a bit against Jihoon's arm, forcing him to move even more to the side of his desk to avoid it.

"You can call me Hoshi. You know, like 'star'."

"Hm," Jihoon gives a faint hum as a response.

Hoshi studies him for a moment, "you like, a nerd or something?"

Jihoon sets down his pencil with a huff, "I'm trying to work on something."

"You didn't answer my question."

"No, I'm not a nerd."

"Uh huh, sure."

Jihoon looks at Hoshi again, eyes narrowed over the rims of his glasses. Seeing the devious smirk with that metal piercing looking back at him.

"That real?"

Jihoon finds himself asking, cursing himself for just blurting it out.

"My lip ring? Uh, yeah. Course it is."

"Hm," Jihoon responds simply again, turning back to his notebook. Hoshi doesn't take out any folders or books, instead he leans even more over towards Jihoon's side of the desk and looks over what he's writing. Jihoon does his best to ignore him but it's hard to focus with the orange glow coming from his peripheral.

"How come you write 'Woozi' at the top for your name when your name's Jihoon?"

Jihoon stiffens at the question, covering his notebook with his arm, pulling it closer to his chest.

"Can I help you with something?" He huffs, his usually soft voice shifting sharper with annoyance.

Hoshi bites the corner of his lip to keep his smirk from growing any wider.

"Yeah, you can. Answer the question. What's a Woozi?"

"It's nothing."

Jihoon knows he answered too quickly, and he avoids making any kind of eye contact with Hoshi's amused grin.

"Hey, I've got a nickname too. If we're going to be best friends now I should know yours."

"Friends?"

"Best friends," Hoshi corrects. His tone bordering on the line of serious and sarcastic.

"It's…just a name. I use it for my music."

This gets Hoshi's attention, "music? You some kind of rapper or something?"

For the first time since Hoshi sat down, Jihoon laughs, a brief chuckle under his breath.

"No. Nothing like that."

Hoshi raises his eyebrow and Jihoon wants to drop the topic, but with the way he's currently trapped physically at his desk and in conversation, he sighs.

"I write music. For piano, and other instruments."

The teasing demeanor fades from Hoshi's expression, "really? That's…cool."

Jihoon gives him a look. Trying to discern if he's just teasing him further. He sets his notebook back on the table and Hoshi sits back a bit more away from him.

"So, you play piano?"

Hoshi's tone is softer now, more calm. He folds his hands in his lap, giving Jihoon his full attention.

"Y-yeah. Also some guitar and clarinet and drums and…"

He starts to ramble off the various instruments he plays while Hoshi's eyes widen with each one listed.

"Woah…"

Jihoon gives him a curious look, doubting his look of amazement.

"That's so cool. I always wanted to play guitar or drums but my mom said it would be too loud."

Jihoon gives a small smile, just a brief upturn of his lips, "never too late to learn."

There's almost a minute of silence between the two of them as they each turn back to look at their own sides of the desks.

Then, Jihoon softly breaks the silence, "you can call me Woozi…if you want."

Hoshi glances back over at him, his smile stretching back into his signature smirk.

"Hoshi and Woozi. Partners in crime."

Woozi meets his glance, his eyebrow raised. His expression makes Hoshi laugh and nudge his arm.

"Oh, I forgot, you're probably too much of a teacher's pet to have any fun."

Woozi scoffs, "I have fun. Crime just doesn't sound like fun to me."

"Right, you're probably too good to get in any trouble."

There's a hint of something in his words that Woozi can't quite place, but it makes him feel something flutter in his stomach.

"This is going to be a long semester," Woozi groans, mumbling to himself.

The rest of first period goes by with Woozi having to ignore Hoshi's incessant tapping of his pencil in an off-beat and erratic rhythm on his desk or over his knees. He manages to jot down a few notes and lyric ideas in his notebook while Hoshi was distracted with watching the clock and not looming over his shoulder instead. As the class shifted into the first lecture of the day, Hoshi finally took out a spiral notebook, littered with more doodles than actual notes. The morning stretched on like it always does, moving from one lesson to the next. Woozi paid close attention when the teacher was talking, copying down everything she marked on the chalkboard. Hoshi laid his hand down on the page and traced around his fingers several times, his tongue sticking out a bit from his lips in concentration.

The bell rings to signal the shift to lunch and break time before the afternoon classes and Hoshi eagerly stands, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. The zipper still wide open, leaving his other books and notes in danger of spilling out on the floor behind him. He starts to take off to the door to meet up with his friends stuck in the other classroom. Woozi glances over to watch him leave then starts to pack up his own bag, carefully placing his notebook next to his other folders.

Before racing down the hall, Hoshi glances back and stands in the doorway for a moment, watching Woozi zip up his bag and start to stand up. As he adjusts his glasses he glances to the door and Hoshi turns to head down the hall before they could make eye contact.

The lunchroom as already filled with a messy symphony of different voices all in various conversations by the time Woozi made it there. He knew he wouldn't need to rush since his friends would have made sure to save him a seat, like always.

Jisoo is the first to spot him, "Jihoon!" he waves, motioning for him to join their table. Woozi returns the wave with a small smile and heads over. His other friends, Seokmin, Jeonghan, and Seungkwan were all discussing their memories over winter break and plans for after school. They stop and greet Woozi as he sits down and takes out his packed lunch.

"Can't believe we're stuck with class 1C, they're all troublemakers," Jeonghan remarks.

"That's not how the classrooms work, it's all random," says Seungkwan.

"The girl sitting next to me from 1C is nice. She read most of class though, I don't think she took any notes," Seokmin adds.

Jisoo turns to Woozi, "did you get stuck with someone, Jihoon?"

Before he can answer, Jeonghan answers for him, "yeah, he's probably the most unlucky. You remember that kid who kept throwing the basketballs on the roof in middle school?"

"The one who would trip kids in the hallways freshman year?"

Jeonghan nods, "yeah that guy, our Jihoon is stuck with him as his deskmate."

The boys give Jihoon a sympathetic look and he just shrugs, "he said his name was Hoshi. He also didn't take a single note in class."

Jisoo rolls his eyes, "I bet your teacher put him beside you because she thought you'd rub off on him and be a good influence."

"He's fine as long as he keeps to himself. He has a major personal space problem."

The boys share a knowing look, aware of Jihoon's distaste for physical contact with strangers.

"Sorry Ji, maybe you can ask Mrs. Moon to switch spots?" Seokmin suggests.

Woozi shakes his head, "it's fine. I don't want to cause any trouble for her. If he becomes a problem I might think about it though."

They all nod in understanding and eventually shift the conversation to a new topic.

Several tables away sat Hoshi with his smaller group of friends. He was the loudest among them, aside from some of their laughter, and could be overheard over the other conversations around Woozi's table.

"I hate that I'm stuck in class 1A instead of B with you guys," Hoshi groans, "they split us up on purpose."

Minghao and Chan nod in agreement while Junhui playfully nudges Hoshi, "yeah, but there's gotta be a plus side, right? There's some cute girls in 1A."

"Oh! Are you sitting near Mia?" Chan pipes up, "she's pretty."

He leans on his hand staring off into space until Minghao nudges him with a disgusted look.

"Come on, spill it, I bet you're sitting next to a hottie," Junhui teases, poking at Hoshi's cheek.

Hoshi feels his face get warm and he covers it a bit with the long sleeves of his sweatshirt, "N-no they got me sitting next to some music nerd."

"A music nerd? Like a band kid?"

"I don't think so, he just writes music and can play like every instrument."

"Oh, so like, a super music nerd."

Junhui and Chan's laughs echo off the cafeteria walls and Hoshi joins them, "He's also like, two feet tall, I thought he was a freshman at first."

"No way, where is he?"

The boys look around the lunchroom until Hoshi spots a familiar pair of glasses. Woozi is laughing at something Seungkwan said at the table and the sight makes Hoshi's heart feel like it stopped beating for a moment but he shakes it off and points.

"He's there, the one with the glasses."

"Ah, of course he wears glasses," Chan teases, looking to see if any of his friends laugh at his remark.

Minghao sighs, brushing away his pastel colored hair from his forehead, "looks like he's with the theater kids."

Hoshi scoffs, "makes sense, although he's way too quiet to be on stage. Could barely hear him in class when he spoke, and he was right next to me."

The three boys laugh again and Minghao just pulls out his phone and starts scrolling social media, already bored of the conversation.

"Come on, Hosh, you should introduce us to him."

"Yeah!" Chan agrees with Junhui, "we can all be best friends."

Chan's words are obviously sarcastic, and Hoshi thinks for a moment, "I don't know, he looks like he's in a good mood. I don't want to annoy him."

The three boys give him a weird look, "Since when do you care about that?"

Hoshi blinked, realizing he had said that out loud, "I don't, I mean, come on…let's go say hi to the nerd and his little friends."

"Lead the way," says Chan as the boys stand up and start heading over to Woozi's table.

"So, have you decided?" Seungkwan asks, leaning closer over the lunch table to Woozi.

"Decided what?" says Woozi after swallowing his bite of food.

"What you'll be playing for the recital?"

At the reminder of the senior showcase recital Woozi's face turns a bit pink, "Uh, oh, no. I won't be doing it this year."

All eyes at the table widen.

"WHAT?'

"But Jihoon-"

"It's senior year!"

"You have to!"

They all speak in unison, making Woozi's face blush even more.

"Guys, please…I just don't want it to be like last year."

The boys soften a bit at the memory.

"Hey, everyone makes mistakes. Besides, it's not your fault they didn't tune the piano like you asked."

Woozi shakes his head, "It's not just that, it's the crowd of people. All of them watching me. I didn't know anyone there since you guys had a cast event that night and I just couldn't focus… I'm sure this year will be the same, so I just decided not to worry about it."

"But Jihoon…" Jisoo says again, "you're so good at playing. We've been looking forward to hearing what you've composed since last year. Not to mention Jeonghan is right, it's senior year, it's the last time you'll be able to perform."

Woozi nods, taking in his words, "I'll still perform in college, maybe."

Jeonghan shakes his head, "come on, we know you. As soon as classes start at university you'll be so busy with studying you'll hardly look at a piano let alone play."

"Don't look at is as another chance for things to go wrong, instead see it as a opportunity to do it better this time. To show the whole school the genius you are!"

"The…whole school?" Woozi's voice falters despite Seokmin's encouraging words.

"Not literally the whole school," Seungkwan is quick to correct, "but we'll do our best to be there this time! Promise."

They all give encouraging words and expressions and Woozi feels a warmth in his chest.

"Okay…I'll think about it."

They cheer and the ones closest to Woozi give him small pats on the back, "We'll let Mr. Choi know, it's not too late to reserve a spot and he'll want you to have first pick."

"I didn't agree to do it yet."

"You're going to, and it's going to be your best performance yet," Jeonghan insists.

"Hey, we should-"

"Best friend!"

Seungkwan is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Hoshi who slides in between him and Woozi, linking his arm around the boy's shoulder. Woozi stiffens at the contact, shrugging off his arm. The boys that accompany him stand over the others at the table, with small smirks on their faces.

Hoshi ignores the annoyed expressions on the other guys faces at the table, "Miss me?" He leans in closer to Woozi who does his best to avoid looking at him.

"What do you want?"

Hoshi laughs, "What? I can't come talk to my new best friend?"

"We're not friends," Woozi says stiffly.

Junhui and Chan chuckle while Hoshi pouts, "Aw, come on. I thought we had something special, Woozi."

Woozi gives him a stern look and the other boys at the table exchange glances.

"You told him your composer name?" Jisoo asks.

"I-"

"See? Told you. Hoshi and Woozi. Best friends."

Woozi moves over even more to try and escape his closeness.

"You guys practicing for your little plays?" Junhui teases, making Chan laugh.

"Musicals," Seokmin corrects.

"Whatever."

"We were just talking about the senior showcase for the music department," Jisoo answers, ignoring their teasing.

"You guys gonna all sing something? Everyone always sings…" Chan looks thoughtful, as if wondering why anyone would want to sing in front of a crowd.

"Not all of us, some of us play instruments, like Jihoon does."

Seokmin gives a cheerful smile to them, happy to share his friend's talents. Hoshi's grin widens.

"Oh, so you'll be playing a little something at this showcase, huh, Woozi?"

"Well, I-"

"You gonna play a little love song on clarinet?"

His friends laugh but no one at the table does.

"Jihoon is really good! He's even helped write the music for some of our shows."

Woozi was appreciative of Seokmin's praise, but it also made him want to bury himself in the nearest ditch.

"So he is a super nerd!" Chan jokes, making the boys laugh again, even Minghao snorts a bit of a giggle.

Jeonghan stands, his eyes narrowed dangerously but before he can say anything Jisoo grabs onto his arm and pulls him back down, shaking his head.

Instead, Jisoo says, "you guys should come see it, or even sign up. It's not just music or singing, they have an arts one too where you can show off your artwork."

Hoshi's eyebrow raises faintly but Minghao speaks first, "really?"

Seungkean joins, "yeah! They turn the gym into a whole art gallery!"

Minghao crosses his arms as if frustrated he wasn't made aware of this information until now.

"You guys are wasting your time on that stuff, where's the fun in paint and singing?" Junhui scoffs, putting a hand on Hoshi's shoulder and looking to him for reassurance.

"Yeah," Hoshi agrees, his voice less upbeat, "what a waste of time."

Woozi turns his head to look at him fully, an almost pained expression on his face. Hoshi falters for a moment, opening his mouth to say something else when instead he shakes his head, "we've got better things to do than play pretend in dresses."

This makes his friends laugh loudly, and a few heads of students around them turn to see what's going on.

"We don't wear dresses." Seungkwan and Seokmin say in unison.

Jeonghan stands again and this time Jisoo doesn't stop him.

"Shut up! Go be annoying somewhere else!"

They laugh again and Hoshi goes to say something else when the bell rings, signaling the students need to start heading back to their classrooms. Hoshi stands and joins his friends, "See you soon, deskmate." He gives Woozi a firm pat on the back, knocking off his glasses that crash to the floor. For a moment he hesitates and almost picks them up for him but is dragged off by Chan and Junhui down the hallway.

Woozi reaches down by his feet and picks up his glasses, inspecting them best he can with his limited vision for scratches or cracks before putting them back on.

"Those guys are real-"

"Assholes," Jeonghan finishes for Seungkwan.

"Yeah, exactly."

"Don't let him get to you Jihoon," Jisoo puts a soft hand on his shoulder then takes it away, "those guys only care about making themselves feel good by putting other's down."

Woozi sighs and nods, "yeah."

As they start to pack up and head into the hallways, Seungkwan speaks, "Hey, as I was going to say earlier, we should meet up tonight after school. We can meet at my place and go over our ideas for the showcase."

"Oh!" Seokmin smiles, "I got a karaoke machine for Christmas, I'll bring it over."

The boys nod excitedly and schedule a time to meet after school. Seungkwan's place was just a short walk from the school grounds, so they'd often chose to meet up there.

Woozi smiles as he agrees to meet them there after tutoring and then split from the group with Jeonghan to class 1A.

"Don't worry, if he tries anything with you I'll rip that stupid ring off his lip," Jeonghan says sternly but then smiles, "just ignore him. He'll get tired of you if he doesn't get a reaction."

Woozi nods, thankful to have a friend in class watching out for him, especially Jeonghan, who was fiercely loyal and hated anyone teasing his friends. Except for him, but his teasing was much more endearing.

"Yeah," Woozi nods, "he's not worth my time."

Chapter Text

The rest of the day was quiet. Hoshi still commandeered most of the desk space, and would try and catch Woozi's eye just to smirk at him teasingly, but he didn't strike up a conversation.

Woozi was relieved when the bell rang for the end of the school day. Finally, he could breathe again without feeling cramped in his own chair. He packed up his desk and moved to put his backpack on, standing up to suddenly be met with the taller blond standing over him. For the first time, Hoshi really took in the height difference between the two of them. The top of Woozi's head reached just over his own chin, forcing the smaller boy to tilt his head up to look him in the eyes. Whatever words Hoshi was going to say were caught in his throat as Woozi just looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"Excuse me."

His voice was it's usual softness, but with a hint of annoyance. Hoshi swallowed roughly and moved aside, letting him pass.

"Thanks."

Woozi didn't look back as he left the room with Jeonghan, leaving Hoshi to curse himself for being an idiot.

He shouldn't care about him. Woozi was easy fodder for endless entertainment to tease and joke about, yet there was a part of him that felt almost sick about it. The look Woozi had given in the cafeteria lingered in his mind. He had looked almost heartbroken that Hoshi would make fun of his friends, as if he had personally betrayed him. He shook his head, regaining his focus. Woozi had been right, this was going to be a long semester.

But Hoshi planned to make the best of it.

Jeonghan walked Woozi to the tutoring lab despite his protests that no one is going to want tutoring after the first day back from holiday. Woozi was still determined to at least make an appearance.

"It was part of my agreement when I became a tutor. Besides, I get duel credit for the hours whether people show up or not."

"Alright. You okay to walk over to Kwan's afterwards?"

Woozi nods.

"While you're sitting here doing nothing, maybe think about what you'd want to play for the showcase."

"Okay," he decides not to correct Jeonghan that he'd be working on assignments instead of doing 'nothing'.

Jeonghan gives him a dramatic bow of a goodbye and heads out of the room, leaving Woozi on his own at the corner desk. There was a few other tutors for various subjects, but they must have had the same thought as Jeonghan and decided not to stay after today. He couldn't imaging signing up to do something and then just not showing up for it. Especially something as important as helping others learn. He was only scheduled to be there for an extra hour after school ended, so it wouldn't be a long time he would have to wait, but plenty of time to start working on homework.

He was so engrossed in his textbook he didn't notice when a student sat at the table across from him.

Hoshi had wandered the halls trying to convince himself he wasn't following Woozi, they just happened to be going the same way. He walked several paces behind them as they neared the tutoring labs. When Jeonghan had left the room he made sure to stay clear down the hall to avoid running into him. Something about him made Hoshi feel like he would actually start throwing punches if he provoked him too much. There was a pang of something sharp that sparked deep in Hoshi's chest seeing how protective Woozi's friends were of him.

How annoying.

After waiting a while out in the hall to see if any other students would walk in, he decides to creep into the lab room. Woozi was sitting alone in the corner, worksheets and textbook spread out on the table. As Hoshi approached he expected him to look up and give that usual annoyed expression, but Woozi seemed laser-focused on whatever he was doing. Hoshi managed to walk all the way to the table, pull out a chair, and sit down, all without being noticed. He sat there for a minute, watching Woozi's delicate fingers scan over the words on the page. Hoshi fiddles with the pencil in his hand, putting it between his upper lip and nose in thought when the pencil accidently slips and clatters on the table.

"Shit!"

Woozi jumps, clutching his chest, "What the hell! When did—how long have you been sitting here?"

Hoshi was just as startled by his outburst and curse, "Uh, I just—just sat down."

Woozi takes in a breath, shaking his head. It only takes a second for Hoshi to regain his usual demeanor.

"The little composer curses huh? Not as sweet and innocent as you look."

Woozi scowls while Hoshi smirks.

"What are you doing here?"

Hoshi shrugs, "I need a tutor."

Woozi gives an obviously disgusted look, "No."

"No?"

"No, you're just here to bother me more."

"Maybe."

Woozi groans. He adjusts his glasses from where they had been knocked slightly askew from being startled. Closing his textbook, he starts packing up to leave.

"Wait, where you going?"

"I'm tired of wasting my time."

With you, Woozi wanted to add, but he kept that part in his head. He moves around the table and heads for the door.

"Wait—"

Hoshi stops him by grabbing his wrist. What am I doing? he thinks, but he says, "Wait. I…I actually did have some questions."

Woozi gives him a look of disbelief. His eyes trail down from Hoshi's face to where his wrist was being held. Hoshi pulled back his hand instinctively under his intense gaze.

"Sorry."

This small whispered word makes Woozi pause. Just a brief moment to look between Hoshi and the door then the clock.

He sighs, "Alright," he moves back to his seat across from him, "what did you want to ask?"

Hoshi sits back in his chair, stunned that he actually sat back down with him. He fumbles for a moment to think of a question.

"Uh, so, what do you tutor?"

Woozi tilts his head a bit, "Science and English, mostly. I'm alright with Math but you'd be better off with a different tutor."

"I bet you're good at math," Hoshi blurts out, then continues, "you know, cause you're a nerd."

Woozi huffs and stands up again, grabbing his bag.

"Wait! Sit down, I didn't…I didn't mean it."

"What do you want from me?"

His words are blunt, making Hoshi flinch slightly. Woozi crosses his arms as he stands there at the table, waiting for an explanation.

"I-I just…"

Woozi raises an eyebrow.

"Can I…copy your notes from this morning?"

Hoshi blurts the first excuse that comes to his mind, making Woozi lower his arms in confusion.

"My notes?"

"Y-yeah. From second period. I realized I need them for the homework so…"

Woozi seems to debate this, searching over Hoshi's body language to look for any clues of deception. His shoulders were slightly sagged and he wouldn't meet Woozi's eye.

"Fine."

Woozi sits back down a second time, taking out his notebook and flipping it so Hoshi could read it. Hoshi's eyes widen again and he looks up from the page to Woozi.

"Thanks."

"Sure."

He takes back out his textbook after glancing at the time and seeing he still has a while before he should head over to Seungkwan's. Hoshi takes out his own notebook and flips to find a blank page before looking over Woozi's writing. He couldn't help but notice how neat and small his writing was and how that seemed to reflect him as a person — opposed to the larger, slightly slanted writing that was Hoshi's penmanship.

They worked in silence, an odd, almost suffocating silence for Hoshi.

Until he couldn't take it anymore, "what are you working on?"

Woozi doesn't look up, "homework."

"For?" Hoshi tries to press for more.

"Chemistry."

"Oh, gross."

Hoshi's immediate response was teasing, hoping for a laugh, but all he got was a blank look.

"I like Chemistry."

Stupid, Hosh, stupid.

"Oh. Yeah. Chem is cool."

Woozi sets down his pencil, "You done?" He holds out his hand for his notebook and Hoshi slides it back over to him.

"Thanks again…"

"Whatever."

Hoshi bites his lip and adjusts his piercing with his tongue. Woozi looks over his glasses that have fallen a bit down his nose, "you really came here to ask me for my notes?"

"Yeah," Hoshi responds quickly.

"Soonyoung?"

Hoshi pouts a bit at the use of his real name, "Yeah?"

Woozi stands, this time actually headed for the door, "stop trying to be my friend."

He leaves before Hoshi can even comprehend his statement. Once he does, a coil tightens in his chest, an uneasy heat that settles into anger.

"Whatever…" he says to the now empty room, ripping the page of notes he just took and crumpling it into a ball in his fist.

There was an immediate chill to the air as Woozi walked outside of the school. He clung his scarf higher up over his mouth and nose, sighing when his glasses fogged up from the change in temperature. The walk to Seungkwan's house wasn't far, thankfully, he'd just have to cut through the neighborhood park to get to his place. A few flakes of snow drifted down onto his dark jacket as his sneakers crunched into the old buildup of snow still left on the sidewalks. As he neared the playground equipment in the center of the park he could hear a few laughs and chatting voices.

"I win!"

"You cheated!"

"How did I cheat? You're just slow."

The bickering grew louder and more recognizable as Woozi walked. As the owners of the voices came into view it was obvious why they sounded familiar. It was especially easy to recognize them as they weren't wearing coats or hats.

"Hao get off your phone, you missed it!"

"Jun won."

"See?"

"You guys suck."

Woozi picked up the pace, hoping his extra layer of clothing protected his identity. Unfortunately, it may have only made it worse.

"Hey, kid!"

"Shit," Woozi muttered.

"Hey!"

The voice was louder, quickly approaching him. Woozi debated making a run for it but before he could take another step a firm hand was on his shoulder.

"Little late for the middle school to be getting out. You lost?"

Chan spun him around to face him, trying to peer past his scarf. Once he dropped his hand from his shoulder Woozi turned and started walking again, only to be stopped by the much taller Jun blocking the sidewalk.

"He asked you a question."

"I'm not lost."

The boys laughed, "then what are you doing out here?"

"Walking."

Jun narrows his eyes and scoffs "smart-ass. Don't you know you should respect your elders?"

"You're not my elders," Woozi couldn't help but correct.

"Huh?" Hao looked up from his phone as he walked over, "what did he say?"

Chan spun Woozi around again to face him. After a moment his eyes lit up with a mischievous gleam.

"Hey, I know you. You're that short music nerd."

Woozi scoffs, "can I go now?"

Chan shakes his head, "Nah, actually, we could use your help."

"My help?"

Chan looks between Jun and Hao who all seem to land on the same idea.

"Yeah," Jun starts, "see, we've been working on our aim and need to step up our game a bit. We need a…moving target."

Woozi's eyes widen, "I-I've got to go, they're expecting me-"

"Hang on, we'll let Hoshi decide where you should stand first."

Jun grabbed onto Woozi's arm and held him in place. He heard footsteps quickly approaching in the snow behind him.

"Who's the kid?"

Woozi recognizes Hoshi's voice immediately.

"It's your best friend from 1A," Woozi is shoved forward and spun around to see, in fact, Hoshi. Also not wearing anything warm aside from his neon sweatshirt.

Hoshi's posture shifted at Jun's words, crossing his arms with a deep scowl.

"Ex-best friend."

"Ex?" Hao asks.

"Yeah, forget the whole best friends thing, he's nothing but a target to me now."

"That's exactly what we were thinking. You've been a bit rusty with your aim, Hosh, maybe you need some target practice."

The grin on Hoshi's face matches Chan's.

"Aren't you guys too old for bullying people like this?" Woozi speaks up, his words firm. Like a teacher scolding his students.

"Aren't you too old to be the size of a preschooler?"

The boys laugh, as if Woozi hasn't heard every short joke on the planet already.

"I don't get what you guys suddenly have against me, but I really should be going. We can settle this tomorrow."

"Oh no, you don't."

Hoshi grabs Woozi before he can turn to leave again. He bends down a bit to look right in his glasses.

"I've been nothing but nice to you, and all you've given me is attitude."

"I—"

"Huh? What's that?"

"I-I don't—"

"You don't what? You don't have an attitude?" Hoshi laughs, holding firm on his shoulders. The other boys have started forming misshapen snowballs in their bare fists.

"Don't worry, we'll knock that attitude right out of you."

Hoshi looks over and nods to Jun and Chan, licking his lip ring absentmindedly, reminding Woozi of a feline licking it's mouth before a meal.

"We'll give you a head start, since I'm so nice," Hoshi let's go of his shoulders and gives him a shove. Then, he starts to count down from five.

"Five."

Woozi doesn't hesitate to pull himself off the ground, wet snow already seeping into his jeans from where his knees had sunk into the snow.

"Four."

He takes off, heart already pounding from the abrasive encounter.

"Three!"

Hoshi yells a bit louder. Hao pulls out his phone and starts recording Woozi as he runs.

"Two!"

Maybe he could use the trees as cover? No, he should just run the rest of the way to Seungkwan's.

"One!"

The word had barely left Hoshi's mouth before Woozi felt a dull impact on the center of his back. Then another on his shoulder. The wet snow made it difficult to get any traction, the surface of almost frozen-over pavement causes him to slip but he stays upright. For now.

The boys shouts and crude comments were drowned out by how heavy Woozi was breathing. He took a moment to look over his shoulder to see if they were chasing after him.

Which was a terrible mistake.

As he turned he was met with the sharp pain of ice meeting his nose and cheek. The sudden impact sends him off-balance, forcing him down flat against the rough and cold ground.

His face hurts. His hands hurt. His knees hurt.

The laughs that ring out over the empty park make his pride hurt.

I wont cry, he thinks to himself, I'm too old to cry.

Woozi gets up, not even bothering to dust off the snow from his hands and pants. He bolts off towards Seungkwan's. The laughs fading more and more into the background as he ran.

Leaving his glasses behind in the snow.

Chapter Text

"I'm going to kill him."

"Jeonghan, it's fine, I'm oka-"

"No! You're not okay. You're bleeding and blind now thanks to those dickheads!"

Seungkwan shushes him, "hey, quiet with the cursing. Mom hates hearing it."

"Sorry," Jeonghan sighs heavily, rubbing his forehead as Seokmin places the last band-aid over Woozi's nose. The boys were slightly blurred around the edges but Woozi could still clearly see the concerned expressions on all their faces.

"We should tell Mrs. Moon," Jisoo suggests.

"I should break his nose."

"Hannie, calm down a second. We don't want you getting expelled."

"I didn't get expelled last time when I made sure that Brynn stopped picking on Seok for singing in class."

"That's because you managed to convince Mr. Choi to let you do school service instead."

"So? I'll just do that again."

"Jeonghan, please," Woozi sighs, running his fingers over his scrapped palm.

"I just don't understand what that 'Hoshi' guy has against you," Seungkwan says as he packs up the medicine kit.

"I don't know," Woozi admits, "he was nice for a second and then he just…"

"I'll kill him," Jeonghan says again through gritted teeth.

"Easy," Jisoo puts a hand on his shoulder, "Jihoon? What do you want us to do?"

The boys turn to look at their friend. Woozi glances up from looking at his palms.

"Nothing."

"Ji! We're not just going to let them get away with this!"

"Yeah, they hurt you."

"Maybe we should tell the principal."

Woozi sighs again, "Guys, really, it's okay. I'll…speak with Mrs. Moon about moving seats."

"Want me to ask her?" Jeonghan asks, coming over and sitting on the bathroom counter next to him.

Woozi nods.

"Okay. Instead of breaking something, I'll at least get him away from you. Maybe I can convince her to make him switch spots with me. That way I can be next to you for once."

They all nod, seeing this as a good idea.

"Just…don't tell anyone what happened. It's…embarrassing."

"Of course. We wont tell anyone," Seokmin gives him a reassuring smile.

"I'm sorry, Jihoon. From now on we'll walk with you, at least one of us at all times."

Woozi wanted to protest Jisoo's offer for protection but he didn't have the energy, "thanks."

"You sure you're okay?"

Woozi nods and gives a small smile to Seungkwan as he asks, "yeah, I'll be okay."

Jeonghan clenches his fists but takes a breath.

"Alright. I say we break out the soda and start up that karaoke machine. I have the perfect song to get our Jihoonie to laugh."

Oh boy.

Woozi dreaded going to school the next day, but it helped to have his friends with him at all times. Jeonghan walked into class 1A with him, both sighing with relief to see Hoshi wasn't there yet. Woozi settled himself at his desk, pressing on the bandage on his nose to make sure it stays on. He'd struggle to read the board from here, but maybe Mrs. Moon would move him closer anyway.

Jeonghan starts to move to the front of the room to Mrs. Moon at her desk when something on a student's phone catches his eye. A group of three of their classmates are gathered around the phone giggling, which only makes more and more students crowd them to see what's so funny. Jeonghan pauses, looking over their shoulder to watch the video playing. He can hear obnoxious laughter and can recognize the video was taken at the park. It's only when he sees the figure in a dark coat fall to the ground when his blood starts to boil. He yanks the phone from his classmate's hand and as he goes to yell something, he's interrupted.

"Hey, deskmate."

Hoshi stands over Woozi at his desk, leaning over him uncomfortably close.

"You see me at all or are you actually blind now?"

He leers in, and Woozi does his best to keep his face looking straight ahead at the board. Hoshi huffs, not liking being ignored.

"Here, you need these, don't you?"

He dangles Woozi's glasses in front of his face and Woozi finally glances over at him before trying to grab them from his hand.

"Ah-ah. These are mine now. You left them behind," Hoshi pulls them back, looking through them in mock curiosity.

A few students have turned to watch this exchange, some whispering about the video and start to put the pieces together about who exactly was in it.

"Soon-"

Hoshi's face stiffens, his voice shifts low and agitated.

"It's Hoshi."

"Hosh-"

"Quiet," Hoshi snaps, taking the temples of the glasses in both his hands, "Since these are mine, they're mine to break, right?"

"No, wait!"

With a quick movement, Hoshi snaps the bridge of the glasses in half, separating each lens into a useless piece of glass. He drops them unceremoniously onto Woozi's desk. Woozi could get a new pair no problem, but the sudden action tore through him, tearing his heart in two pieces to match his glasses. His hands shake as he goes to try and pick them up, but he jumps at Jeonghan's shout.

"You dick!"

In a flash Jeonghan had his hands full of Hoshi's sweatshirt and forces him up against the back wall, hard.

"I'll kill you!"

"Mr. Yoon!"

"You'll pay for that! You'll get him a new pair, or I'll-"

"MR. YOON!"

Jeonghan grit his teeth and pushed Hoshi back into the wall once more as Mrs. Moon came over and pulled the boys away from each other.

"What is going on?" She demands.

Jeonghan points directly at Hoshi, "he's been bullying Jihoon and broke his glasses."

Woozi lays his head down on the desk and covers it with his arms, wishing he could turn invisible on command.

Hoshi just grins, "he started it."

"Mr. Yoon, you do not put your hands on anyone, and you certainly don't use words like that in my classroom. Now, Mr. Kwon, is this true?"

Hoshi shrugs, giving no further explanation. Mrs. Moon sighs and turns to look at Woozi who was attempting to hide from the conversation. She could see the remains of his glasses on his desk and puts her hands on her hips.

"Alright, that's it. You two, I'll be giving a write up to each of you. As for the seating arrangements...Mr. Lee?"

Woozi puts his head up and she continues, "why don't you switch with Miss Kim? You can sit at the front next to Miss Ahn."

Minjee Kim groaned at having to move as she packed up her things and shared a sad frown with her friend Mia Ahn.

Great.

Woozi reluctantly stood up from his desk, avoiding everyone's eyes as he cradled his glasses in his hands and moved to the front seat. Mia gave him a half-sympathetic look that he ignored as he sat down and tried to fit the pieces of his glasses together.

After some more stern words for Jeonghan and Hoshi, Mrs. Moon sent them to their respective seats. She then started the class a bit early, deciding to skip the usual morning announcements to get into study hall. This time she sat at a stool at the front and answered any questions over the homework and kept the classroom volume to a simmer.

The rest of the school day was agony for Woozi. It seems just about every student had seen the video and couldn't help but giggle when they'd see him in the hallways or in class. Woozi's face was expressionless, emotionless. Hardened and serious. Jisoo had helped tape the bridge of his glasses together at lunch to hold him over until his new pair could come in. The lenses were scratched pretty well, from the icy snowball, the ground, or whatever Hoshi did with them overnight before 'kindly' returning them.

Like all things over time, the humor of the video eventually faded. Most students forgot about paying any attention to Woozi, just like they used to. Just as he liked it. Hoshi and his friends would continue to torment Woozi, and occasionally his friends too, as often as they could, being careful not to cross the line into anything that would get them in any real trouble. Or, would get them a fist-fight with Jeonghan.

January turned into February. The cold air still lingered outside, but this time without any snow.

Valentines day was approaching, and for most seniors, this was around time to ask their crushes to Prom. For Woozi, it was just like any time of the year, except he felt the urge to write more love-leaning lyrics for his songs. Just in the spirit of the holiday.

Seokmin had managed to get the courage to ask his book-worm deskmate to Prom, who actually said yes, to his shock. Jisoo had been asked by a few girls, but he declined each one, saying he would be a terrible dance partner, instead of the real reason. He knew his mom would go all out for Prom if he had a date and would probably get him an embarrassing suit and make him take pictures for hours. So, he pretended like the whole thing didn't interest him. Seokmin felt bad abandoning them, but Woozi and the others encouraged him, saying maybe they would go anyway without dates, just to hang out as friends.

Jeonghan had nearly knocked out Hoshi's teeth when he had forged a "promposal" from Mia.

Woozi had come into class to see a folded, red heart-shaped piece of paper on his desk. Everything in him told him not to open it and just throw it away, but his curiosity was too great in this case. He opened the note to read a somewhat sloppy love confession:

"My Woozi,

I've never had the courage to say how much you mean to me.

Your heart calls to me like a song.

And that's why I'm writing this letter.

To ask you to Prom.

Mia

Yes/No (Circle One)"

For just a split second, a tiny fraction of a moment, Woozi's heart soars at the idea of having an admirer, not even fully registering that it was 'signed' by Mia.

But the admirer had made one crucial mistake.

Only two people in the class new his nickname, and Jeonghan would never pull a prank like this.

Kwon Soonyoung.

Woozi turned and glared daggers at him at the back of class. Hoshi pretended not to notice, gazing out the window as if he just saw something interesting.

He stood up and made a show of ripping the heart down the middle before throwing it away in the trash at the back of class. Hoshi gave a mocking pout, and put his hand on his heart as if he was offended. Jeonghan saw this and gave Hoshi a death-glare of his own. Counting the ways he wanted to wipe that pierced smirk off his face.

Valentines day came and went with the usual sight of new and old couples holding hands, and even sometimes making out, in the hallways. Hoshi was grateful that it was no longer mandatory to make valentines for all the kids in class, like they had to do in younger years. The day was just another excuse to sell chocolate and cheap gifts. It had nothing to do with the fact that Hoshi never had a relationship. Nothing romantic at least.

Prom was in the middle of March, when the snow was just starting to turn to rain. Woozi had all but forgotten about the dance, instead, he had been putting all his focus on the showcase at the end of the year. He had decided to rework his performance from last year. It was a complex piano piece that he had already spent hours perfecting, but he wanted more. He wanted it to sparkle, to leave an impression on the school he was leaving behind.

After his tutoring sessions, he would head to the music room, since he had permission from Mr. Choi to use it after-hours.

The times when Woozi felt most like himself was seated at the piano bench with his fingers over the keys. The rest of the world slipped away, letting Woozi focus on each note, as it rang out through the room and enveloped him.

He had been so wrapped up in his music, that he didn't notice he had an audience until he heard slow clapping behind him. Woozi turned his head to see Hoshi leaning in the doorway, his sweatshirt tied around his waist, revealing that he was wearing a sleeveless muscle shirt that exposed his arms — and some of his torso with how low cut the sleeves were.

Woozi turned back to grab his sheet music and quickly pack up his things.

"That was great, Woozi."

"Don't call me that," he snaps back, pushing his crooked glasses back on his nose best he can. He was still making his broken ones work as long as possible, hoping to get the new pair before Prom.

"No, I mean it. That was good."

"Leave me alone."

"Hey—"

Hoshi stops him from leaving, holding his arms out across the doorframe, trapping Woozi inside.

"I'm complimenting you. That's when you say thank you."

Woozi just glares through his lenses.

"Thank you, Hoshi, that's so nice of you — see it's not that hard." Hoshi mimics Woozi's quiet voice before laughing.

"What are you even doing here?"

Hoshi shrugs, taking his hands off the walls, "forgot my sweatshirt."

Woozi sighs and tries to push past him but Hoshi puts a hand on his shoulder, "Not so fast. I'll let you leave on one condition."

Woozi tries not to sigh again.

"Play me something."

"What?"

"Play me something," Hoshi repeats, turning Woozi around and guiding him back to the piano.

"I don't think—"

"Then you'll be stuck with me in here forever."

Woozi sits down at the bench, hesitating for a moment before stretching his fingers a bit.

"What should I play?"

Hoshi thinks, "well, you're like a music genius right? Come up with something."

"I can't just—"

"Oh, come on. Just play something that reminds you of me."

Woozi turns back to the piano and quickly slams his fingers on random keys at the lower register, making a horrible chord of loud notes.

"There."

Hoshi stifles a laugh, amused by his response.

"You're such a smart-ass. That was good though, I guess I set myself up for that one."

"Can I go now?"

Hoshi clamps his hands on Woozi's shoulders again, forcing him to sit back down, "nope, play something real. Write me a song."

Woozi let's out his sigh this time, desperately wanting to shrink away from Hoshi's grip. He closes his eyes for a moment, then raises his hands over he keys. Hoshi takes a step to the side to watch his fingers. Then, Woozi starts to play.

It's an erratic piece at first, but still sounded coherent and somewhat beautiful. Hoshi couldn't tell if Woozi was playing this from memory or making it up on the spot, but he was nonetheless impressed.

It ended as quickly as it started. Woozi quickly grabbed his things and started for the door.

"That was pretty."

Hoshi's voice was so quiet Woozi almost missed it. It wasn't mocking Woozi's volume this time, it was sincere. He pauses at the door for a moment.

"I wrote it years ago. It's called 'Sunbeam', at least, until I can come up with a better title. It's not my best."

And with that, he heads out of the room. Leaving Hoshi by the piano, looking over the keys in amazement. A wave of something warm returning to his heart.

He places a finger on one of the keys, letting the lone note fill the empty room.

Chapter Text

Ever since that encounter in the music room, Hoshi has been oddly reserved around Woozi. He still found enjoyment with disrupting the class and pulling other pranks, but at least his focus seemed to be lifted from targeting Woozi specifically.

Finally.

As February turned into March, Woozi's new glasses were ready just a few days before Prom. Part of him felt oddly sad to lose the broken ones, since he had become accustomed to how they sat on his face, but the new ones were definitely an upgrade.

On the day of Prom, Woozi's mom made sure he was outfitted in a nice suit and took way too many pictures of him and his friends before they were allowed to head off to the school. Jisoo drove them so they could all arrive together, aside from Seokmin who wanted to be a gentleman and drive his date himself.

The student council had arranged the gym to make space for the tables, DJ booth, and dance floor. It was strange to see other students in fancy attire; the room was full of boys mostly wearing their first tux and girls bordering on the lines of appropriate attire.

They claimed a table for themselves and sat down, immediately spotting Seokmin through the crowd of people. He was making a fool of himself dancing, but he was also making the girl he was holding the hand of laugh, so he had a wide grin the whole time. Seungkwan managed to convince them to get out on the floor, at least for a few songs, even if they had to drag Woozi out with them. Most of the dancing was just jumping and singing along to the songs they knew, but since they were together it made the night somewhat fun.

Eventually, the dreaded tone shift rippled through the room when a slower song started to play. Couples linked their arms around each other and Woozi started to head back to his seat. Until a smaller hand reached out and tugged his sleeve.

"Um, Jihoon?"

He turned, seeing a girl from his class. She used to sit in front of him when he was in the back row, but he couldn't recall a single time they had ever spoken.

"Would you…like to dance…with me?"

She still held onto his sleeve but avoided his eyes. Despite the dim lighting he could see that her cheeks were flushed to match the same color as her dress.

"Uh…" Woozi tried to respond.

Letting go of his sleeve, embarrassed to have been still clinging onto it, she stammers, "that's okay, you don't have to, I mean, I just thought—"

"Sure."

Woozi finally form a coherent word.

"We can, uh…I'll dance."

For the first time she looks at his face.

"Okay."

She tugs on his tux sleeve again and walks with him more to where everyone else is partnered together. Woozi glances back and sees the various expressions on his friends faces. Seungkwan's is the most dramatic with his jaw practically on the floor. Jeonghan and Jisoo seemed to be in a tense discussion about something, but stopped at seeing Woozi be dragged off by a girl.

When they stop moving, Woozi realizes he doesn't remember what her name is, which only builds onto the embarrassment. He wasn't sure why he agreed to dance with her. Maybe it was the shy and flustered nature she had that just made it impossible for him to say no. She delicately wrapped her arms around his neck and after a few moments he places his hands centimeters from actually touching her waist. Neither of them could look at each other, which was difficult since they were about the same height. Woozi instead tried to focus on the music, closing his eyes for a moment to try and pick out each instrument behind the vocals. Anything to distract him from her touch and the warmth of her body so close to his.

After what felt like an eternity, the song ended. He opened his eyes and took a step back from her. She opened her mouth to say something but Woozi found himself turning and walking away out into the hallway.

Why did I agree to dance?

He made his way to the water fountain without looking back, the music had returned to a more upbeat dance song so he could hear the bass a bit through the closed gym doors. He knew his face was red, flushed from the embarrassment and thoughts of her. He wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead and leaned against the wall after getting a drink. She was cute, nice probably, but he was sure he had only made a fool of himself by agreeing to dance.

Why would she even ask me to dance?

She probably felt bad for me. Yeah, that's it. Girls don't like me like that.

As he sighed again and moved off of the wall, he started to make his way back to the gym, turning the corner to be hit by a giant tiger.

No, not giant tiger. Well, it was a tiger, and it was giant, but it wasn't a real one. Obviously.

He had bumped into the school mascot who had been running at full speed down the hall. The impact knocked Woozi on his backside.

"Hey!"

He called out in reaction to being hit. His glasses had been knocked off, again. Cursing he looked around for them to see in his limited vision a pawed hand holding them out to him.

"Hey! Ex-deskmate!"

Hoshi?

Woozi took the glasses and put them on, blinking twice before his mind fully registered that it was, in fact, Hoshi. The tiger head had tumbled off when they collided, but he was still wearing the rest of the suit.

"What the—"

"KWON!"

"Oh, shit.

Woozi wasn't able to finish his sentence before he was interrupted by a janitor at the end of the hall. Hoshi cursed again before helping Woozi to stand.

"Stop! Both of you!"

"Come on!"

Hoshi took Woozi's hand and dragged him off away from the gym.

"Wait—"

Hoshi's grip was firm, and he could run much faster than Woozi could, but he managed to keep up. Within minutes, they were outside heading to the parking lot.

"Wait! Soonyoung, stop!"

Hoshi faltered a moment after hearing his name, "yeah?"

"What the hell?"

"I'll explain in the car, come on."

"I'm not going with you!" Woozi realizes his fingers are still laced between Hoshi's and he quickly yanks his away.

"Well, I'm not staying here!"

"Okay? Then leave?"

Hoshi shakes his head, "Nah, not without you."

"What?" Woozi has to ask again.

They can hear the janitor shout from inside the building.

Hoshi thinks for a moment, then says, "You should come with me, you know, live for once."

"What?" Woozi's lost count how many times he's asked at this point.

"Come with me! I promise it'll be much more fun than that stupid dance."

"But—"

"Kwon Soonyoung!"

Hoshi glances away to see the janitor had made it outside. With a quick grin, he scoops Woozi up in his arms bridal style and heads off towards his car. Woozi protested the entire way, even shouting for help saying he was being kidnapped, but this only made Hoshi laugh.

When he reached his car he practically flung Woozi into the passenger seat before rounding to the driver side. Woozi yanks at the door to try and get out but Hoshi has already started the car and began pulling out of the parking lot.

"What…the fuck…?"

Woozi mutters as Hoshi rolls down the windows a bit, shouting excitedly as he sticks his middle finger up at the fading high school building.

"I can't believe I did it! HAHA!"

After his celebrating, he glances at Woozi who has his arms crossed, practically pouting in the passenger seat.

"Don't give me that, this is going to be fun."

Woozi sighs and slumps back in his seat. There's an odd moment of silence where both boys are processing the situation they're currently in. Woozi doesn't have to check his pockets to know for sure that he had left his phone on the table back at school. No calling for help. Great.

Glancing around the interior of the car, it's —to Woozi's surprise—clean. At least there's no trash or random napkins and things on the floor like he would expect, but it was definitely dusty. He dares to glance over at Hoshi who was fiddling with his lip ring as he drove. His body a bit squished between the seat and the steering wheel due to the larger size of the mascot suit. The ridiculous sight almost made Woozi laugh. Almost.

"You gonna explain what you're doing with that?"

Hoshi glances over, as if just remembering that Woozi was in the car with him.

"With what?"

Now, Woozi laughs.

"That stupid tiger suit!"

Hoshi watches as Woozi laughs, the sound almost making him forget the question.

"Oh, yeah. Right," he glances down at his furry body, "I stole it."

"Obviously!"

Hoshi smiles, a more warm expression than his signature grin.

"What, is this like your senior prank or something?"

"No, much cooler than that."

Woozi gives him a curious look in response. Hoshi looks over him again, suddenly a bit embarrassed to be in a fuzzy tiger costume while Woozi was dressed in a nice suit. One that showed off his slightly broad shoulders with dress pants that clung tightly to his thighs. Hoshi swallowed thickly.

"I like the new glasses."

"Hoshi."

He almost stops the car hearing his nickname again. It had been so long.

"Y-yeah?"

Woozi laughs again, more in disbelief.

"Why the tiger?"

Hoshi shrugs, "why not?"

"Did you kidnap me just to drive me around looking like that?"

"No!" Hoshi laughs this time, "I had to steal it."

"Had to?"

"Yeah."

Woozi's confused look deepens.

"Either you explain what's going on or I'm jumping out of the car."

Hoshi laughs but feels a slight pang at the idea of Woozi getting hurt. A deep guilt floods through him, making him hesitate before he responds.

"You ever been to a college party?"

Woozi shakes his head but before he could answer verbally Hoshi continues.

"I'm about to change that."

Chapter Text

"No, absolutely not."

"Woozi-"

"I told you not to call me that."

"But—"

"Take me back, now."

"Come on, this will be fun! There's a first time for everything, and I'm going to make this the best first college party ever for you."

"But we're not in college."

"So? We'll graduate in a few months, what's the difference?"

Woozi was very aware of what the difference was. Their ages.

But he decides not to argue that.

"So, wait, why did you need the suit?"

"Oh, Cheol said he'd let me drink if I could manage to take it."

"Cheol?"

Hoshi glances over, "Yeah, Seungcheol. He's Chan's older brother. He graduated like, five years ago. Him and his buddies got a whole house together and have these big parties like, every weekend."

"And he told you to steal the suit so you could…drink?"

"Exactly."

"Why did you force me to come?"

"I'm not forcing you."

"Oh really?" He gestures to the car door and jiggles the handle a few times, confirming it's locked.

"Okay, maybe I am, but I couldn't just leave you to get in trouble."

"You don't think I'll be in more trouble running away with you?"

Hoshi pauses. He hadn't thought about that.

"Oh."

"God, Hoshi…"

Woozi slumps back in his seat again and Hoshi tries to hide his smile. He wasn't sure what made Woozi start using his nickname again but he hoped he wouldn't stop.

"Yeah?"

Woozi whipped his head to look at him, hearing the smirk in his tone. Various thoughts ran through his head as his annoyance grew, but after a moment he just sighed.

"Fine, but we're not staying long."

Hoshi practically radiated with excitement.

"Deal!"

With a few more turns the car eventually passed the local college campus and made it's way into the nearby neighborhoods. It was immediately evident which house this party was at since cars of just about every make and model lined the streets around a simple two-story home at the end of the cul-de-sac. Hoshi parks down the road and gets out, falling to the floor with a curse after his leg got stuck in the seat belt.

Woozi laughs. A higher pitched almost giggle that made Hoshi want to hear it again and again, even at his own expense. He stood up and brushed himself off, crossing his arms in playful annoyance.

"Glad you think that was funny."

"It was hilarious."

Hoshi smiles.

"Damn, I left the head behind…hope this is enough."

Woozi gets out of the car and rounds it to stand at the front of the vehicle, staring at the house. The windows were blocked by curtains, but rainbows of colored lights from inside the house could still be seen through them. The familiar thud of heavy bass could just barely be heard from this distance. He hesitates for a moment and Hoshi moves to stand beside him, linking his arm over his shoulder.

"Alright. Party 101. First up, appearance."

Hoshi moves to stand in front of Woozi, looking him over.

"Take it off."

"Excuse me?"

"The jacket. Take it off."

Woozi furrows his eyebrows at first, but then slips off the dark suit to instead be just in his dress pants and button up shirt.

Hoshi nods, seemingly pleased. He takes the jacket and flings it into the back seat before returning to look over Woozi.

"Now…let's fix this."

He moves closer and starts to unbutton the first few buttons of his collar. Woozi looks up at him and meets Hoshi's eyes. They both freeze.

Then, Woozi slaps his hands away, "I'll do it."

Clearing his throat and avoiding eye contact he undoes the first button, then another, leaving the tiniest sliver of his upper chest exposed.

"Better?"

"Perfect," Hoshi's throat was dry and he coughed before continuing, "Great. One last thing."

Before Woozi could protest he reached up and ruffled his hair, sending the gelled strands loose from their previous neat and tidy style.

"Hey!"

"There, now you don't look silly."

"Speak for yourself."

Hoshi looks down at what he's wearing.

"Smart-ass," he grumbles, but can't hide his smirk. Woozi smirks with him, then looks back at the house.

"We go in for a bit and then we head back to school, okay?"

Hoshi shakes his head, fixing his hair in the reflection of the car window, "the night is just starting! Let's not make any plans."

"Hoshi!"

Hoshi takes his hand again and holds onto it tightly as he drags him down the sidewalk and up to the house. The music and voices get louder as they approach and Woozi starts to panic internally. What was he doing? His mom was going to kill him if she knew where he was.

But Hoshi was right, in a way. In a few months he would be in college. He would be eighteen. He would be an adult. Maybe this could be the start of living like one.

His small boost of motivation immediately vanished as they stepped inside the unlocked front door. The lights were dim, music was loud, and a haze of various smelling vapors filled the room and overwhelmed his senses.

Hoshi was still holding onto his hand, and neither of them pulled away.

Until they heard his name, "Hey, Hoshi!"

An older guy approached them from the crowd of people. As Woozi looked at him he noticed the slight red haze in his eyes and what looked like lipstick stains around his cheeks.

"Looks like I owe you a drink, huh?"

Hoshi beamed, "told you I'd do it!"

They had to yell a bit over the music to be heard.

"Who's your date?"

The older guy, who Woozi assumed was Seungcheol, now looked over at him.

"He's not—we're not—he's—"

"Jihoon," Woozi answers, "I'm Soonyoung's…"

They looked between each other, not quite knowing the word to explain their relationship.

Seungcheol holds up his hands, "whatever man, you followed through so I will too. You gonna wear that thing all night?"

Hoshi's cheeks we're already flushed from the previous exchange but now they burned even hotter.

"Maybe."

This makes Seungcheol laugh and he calls back into the room of people, "Hey! Gyu, Woowoo, you gotta see this, the kid actually did it!"

Two other guys step out from the party, easily towering over everyone else there. One was completely shirtless, tan skin and muscular frame on full display, the waistband of his boxers exposed over his jeans. The other had his arm around the shirtless one's shoulders, his glasses slightly askew as he took a long drink of whatever was in his cup.

"Damn, Hosh, how the hell you manage that?" The shirtless one says, holding back a laugh at seeing him in the mascot suit. As they got closer, Woozi could see a few smeared lipstick kiss marks on the shirtless one's chest. He couldn't help but stare as they continued talking.

"Not even Vernon could manage to steal it back when we dared him senior year," the one with glasses speaks up next. His zip-up hoodie was barely hanging on his shoulders, revealing a tight-fit tank top underneath that made his pecks more prominent. Now Woozi really wasn't sure where he should look. Hoshi glanced past them deeper into the house.

"Vernon in the kitchen?"

Seungcheol nods, "Yeah. You guys have fun. If you need a ride home let me know and I'll text Chan."

"Chan isn't here?" Hoshi asks.

"Nah, said he had a date or something."

"He got a date to Prom?"

The shirtless one laughed, "Oh shit, it's prom tonight? Guess that's why this kid's all fancied up."

He gestures to Woozi who feels his cheeks flush like Hoshi's at the sudden attention.

"You steal him from his date, Hosh?"

Hoshi goes to answer the guy with glasses when the music changes to a song that rattles the windows of the house. The guys all cheer and hardly give a wave before heading back in the sea of bodies.

The two of them share a slightly uncomfortable glance before Hoshi's smirk returns and he takes Woozi's arm again.

He drags him deeper in the house to the kitchen where various snacks and abandoned red cups litter the counter tops. A guy with short hair in a muscle tank and tattoos leans against the island, surrounded by liquor bottles of every shape and size.

"Vern!"

The guy turns and smiles widely seeing Hoshi, "Hey, kid!"

He pulls Hoshi against him in a headlock and brushes his knuckles roughly against his head.

"Kinda pissed you managed to pull this off but I guess that means I can make you something special, eh?"

Vernon releases him and starts pouring a can of Coke in a plastic red cup with ice. He then grabs a darker liquid and a lighter liquid and pours them in the same cup with the soda, measuring with nothing but his heart. He pushes it towards Hoshi.

"Want one?"

He looks at Woozi who just stands there beside him.

"Uh—"

"Vern! The playlist ended!'

Vernon curses and mutters something about being bartender and DJ and walks off, leaving the table of drinks unattended. Woozi just grabs a can of Coke Zero and turns to Hoshi.

"Having fun?" He asks him dryly.

Hoshi responds by taking a long swig of his drink, clearing his throat a bit afterwards. He clearly wasn't used to drinking alcohol, but it definitely wasn't his first time. He holds out the cup to Woozi, "wanna try?"

Woozi hesitates only for a moment, "no, thanks."

Hoshi shrugs and takes another drink. Leaning on the counter next to the sink. He sets the drink down and starts shimmying out of the mascot suit, "Damn this thing's hot."

He was left in his loose muscle tank and baggy jeans without any shoes but still wearing a pair of socks. He kicks the suit to the side and grabs his drink again, fanning himself with the other hand. The music picks up again, this time much louder than before, if that was even possible. Woozi visibly shrinks into himself, debating if he should cover his ears, but he didn't want to seem any more out of place than he already was.

Hoshi frowns, "you okay?"

Woozi nods but it's not convincing.

Hoshi looks around then tilts his head towards the stairs, "follow me."

Not wanting to yell back over the music Woozi just follows him upstairs. They pass by a couple who hadn't made it into a bedroom before they started making out against the wall in the upstairs hallway. Woozi stares at the carpet as he walks close behind Hoshi who leads him to the far room that was thankfully open and empty. It seemed to be the master bedroom, and was adorned with a sign on the door that read "No Access". Hoshi shuts the door behind them instinctively.

They walked further in the room towards the far window. Hoshi set down his drink on the bedside table and grunted faintly as he pushed up the window. He hooked his leg over the windowsill and dipped under the glass, heading outside to stand on the slanted roof that hung over the garage. He turns to Woozi and points at his drink, "would you mind?"

Woozi grabs his cup and heads over to the window, holding it out to him. Hoshi takes his cup and reaches for the unopened soda in Woozi's other hand.

"Here, join me."

Woozi reluctantly passes him the drink and sighs before mimicking Hoshi's movements to join him outside on the roof. Hoshi sits leaning back against the wall of the the house and Woozi cautiously goes to sit beside him. He passes the soda back to Woozi who takes it without a word. They look out over the sea of cars and other houses. Woozi pops the tab on his soda, the sound breaking their silence.

Hoshi fidgets with his lip ring between his fingers, "I come up here when the music gets too loud."

His voice is quieter now that they don't have to yell to be heard.

"You come here often?"

Hoshi nods, "yeah, almost every weekend. Whether they're having a party or not."

Woozi thinks for a moment, taking a sip of his drink, then he asks, "why?"

Hoshi had expected this question, and he answers, "My parents aren't home most of the time. They travel for work so I like being here so I'm not always alone. I like having the house to myself during the week, but Cheol and the guys have been like older brothers to me since I started hanging out with Chan, so I like hanging out with them too."

Woozi listens, watching Hoshi as he talks. Hoshi stares off ahead of him, not really focusing on anything but isn't able to look at Woozi even though he can tell he's being watched.

"You drink often?"

"Only when they let me. Last time I got a bit…carried away, so they made a bet with me this time."

"The tiger thing?"

Hoshi nods. Woozi turns his head to look out at the neighborhood. The sun had mostly set, leaving a soft glow on the horizon as stars started to appear higher up in the sky. Hoshi feels another wave of guilt as he finally manages to glance at Woozi, seeing him in his new glasses and dress clothes.

"Did I steal you from your date?"

His words are quiet and unsure. Woozi shakes his head, "No. Didn't have one."

"Oh."

Hoshi sits up a bit more, subconsciously leaning a bit towards Woozi sitting beside him.

"I did dance with a girl though."

Woozi isn't sure why he admits this so he takes another drink of his soda while Hoshi tries not to choke on his drink.

"You did?"

Woozi nods, "yeah."

"Oh," Hoshi says again.

After several beats of silence Woozi continues, "it was weird."

Hoshi glances over, "weird?"

"Yeah. I don't even know her name but for some reason I said yes when she asked me. It was so awkward."

"Who was she?" Hoshi tries not to let any jealousy coat his words.

Woozi shrugs, "she sits in front of you, with the red hair."

"Ruby?"

Woozi raised his eyebrow, "you know her?"

Hoshi nods, "yeah she let's me borrow her pencils when I forget mine. She's nice."

"Oh."

Silence falls over them again.

Until, "she definitely has a crush on you."

"Me?"

Hoshi nods, "I saw her doodle your name in her notebook once with a bunch of hearts."

"Oh."

Woozi seems deep in thought but Hoshi can't help but ask, "do you like her?"

"Huh?" Woozi turns to face him again, genuinely unsure what he had asked.

"You know, are you guys gonna date or something?"

"Uh. No, I don't think so."

Hoshi looks at him a bit dumbfounded, hiding his relief, "why not?"

"She…she's pretty and seems nice. But I made a fool of myself. I shouldn't have danced with her."

"Why not?" Hoshi asks again.

Woozi sighs, tracing his finger over the condensation on the outside of his soda can.

"I'm just not sure that I should have."

"Oh, come on. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't get a date. She must not have had the courage to ask you until tonight. Hell, I'd ask you to dance, if I was a girl."

The words tumble from his lips before he can think them through, so he quickly adds, "you know, since I'd feel sorry for you, all alone."

Woozi doesn't think through his next words either, but he doesn't have the excuse of alcohol, "why would you have to be a girl to ask me to dance?"

This sends a shock wave over Hoshi that takes him minutes to fully process.

"Uh…I guess…I mean—"

"I just meant—"

"No, no. I uh…does that mean you're…?"

Woozi clings onto the soda can, leaning his head back on the wall. The roof was too high up to jump from and make a run for it, but he seriously considered it for a moment.

"No, I'm not gay."

"Oh."

Hoshi almost sounded…disappointed?

"I'm bi."

"Oh!"

Hoshi turns his attention back to Woozi, coughing a bit to cover up his sudden excitement. He takes another long swig of his drink.

"I shouldn't have told you that."

Hoshi frowns, "No, I'm…glad you did. I mean, I won't tell anyone. I promise."

Woozi gives him a look and Hoshi hangs his head in shame.

"Wo—Jihoon…I'm sorry."

Woozi softens the look he was giving him but keeps his eyes on his face. Hoshi looks up and cautiously meets his eyes.

"For everything. For the snowball thing and breaking your glasses and the valentine and…just being a dick."

"Why?"

Woozi's sudden question almost startles Hoshi.

"Why did you do all that?" Woozi continues.

"I-I just…"

Hoshi looks at him. His soft brown eyes were reflected behind his glasses, and his eyebrows were tilted together in a stern expression. The pale skin of his chest peeked out past the white fabric of his dress shirt. His hair fell over his forehead in such a way that Hoshi was tempted to reach over and brush it out of his eyes. Instead he takes another drink and looks at the ground, taking a deep breath before responding.

"At first I thought it would be funny to pretend you were my best friend all of a sudden but then you started talking about music and you just lit up talking about it and I thought it was really cool but then you wanted nothing to do with me so that made me mad for some reason and I started to make fun of you and your friends because it made the guys laugh and made me feel better but also made me feel like shit because you looked so sad but I couldn't bring myself to stop until I saw you play piano and it was so pretty I just felt like a total ass and when I saw you tonight I wanted you to think I was cool too so I brought you here and—"

"Hoshi?"

Hoshi's words had run together as he rambled to explain himself. He stops to take another breath hearing Woozi say his name.

Before he can speak again Woozi asks, "what's the real reason?"

His eyes widen, he can feel his hands start to shake a bit, holding his cup. He crunches the plastic a bit in his hands.

"Woozi?"

"Yeah?"

He didn't correct him this time.

Hoshi thought back to Woozi's statement: why would he have to be a girl to ask him to dance? A small flicker of hope ignites in his chest and before he could snuff it out he responds.

"Because I like you."

The silence is deafening as Woozi looks over him, searching for any sign of teasing, but the blush on Hoshi's cheeks can't be faked. He turns away from him, looking back out over the roof as the sun finally sets, dimming the lights around them The chill in the air seems to suddenly drop in temperature even more, despite the warmth growing in Woozi's chest.

"You…like me?"

Hoshi nods.

"Like…like-like me?"

Hoshi nods again.

"So you're—"

"Yeah."

"Are you—"

"No, just guys."

"Oh."

The silence returns. Hoshi has a hard time swallowing, as his mind and heart race. He's not pulled from his erratic thoughts until Woozi holds out his hand.

"Give me some."

"Huh?"

Before Hoshi can move Woozi takes the cup from his hand and puts his lips to a different place on the rim from where Hoshi was drinking from and took a sip. It tasted mostly like soda at first, but a warm burn soon hit his throat and he tried not to cough as it heated through him. He takes another sip and hands it back to Hoshi who takes it back with wide eyes.

Woozi runs a hand through his hair.

"Why did you—" Hoshi starts to ask.

"First time for everything, right?"

Hoshi was feeling a mix of emotions, but now he was mainly confused.

"Who knows about you?" Woozi asked softly, wondering if they should even be continuing this conversation. Hoshi was partially happy they moved on so quick from his confession.

"Uh, I've only told Seungcheol…I've kinda always known but it wasn't until the last party where I got way too drunk and I came out to him. He was actually cool about it, said I should be more open about it and be myself, but I just…I can't."

"I get it."

Hoshi looks over at Woozi's profile.

"Who knows about you?"

"All my friends actually, but that's it. I haven't exactly told my parents yet."

"Oh God, yeah me neither," Hoshi cringes at the thought of explaining himself to his parents, "how did you know you were bi?"

Woozi's face flushes a bit warmer as he thinks back to a certain memory.

"There was one time back in sophomore year…we were messing around working on the musical that Seungkwan and Seokmin were going to be in. There was a kissing scene in it and Seungkwan just kissed me out of no where. It was supposed to be on my cheek but I'd moved on accident and it landed here," Woozi points to the spot on his face between his lips and his dimple, "and long story short I…didn't hate it."

"And that's when you knew?"

"I always kinda knew. I mean, I've felt the same way about girls that I do about guys. I would get super flustered around any of them I found attractive. I've talked to my friends about it so they know, but Jisoo is the only one I've really opened up about it too since he and Jeonghan—"

Woozi stops himself. He was fine to have come out himself, but it wasn't his place to share his friend's sexualities.

Hoshi was just fascinated with every word. This was the most Woozi had ever spoken to him. It couldn't have been the alcohol, one sip wouldn't loosen his lips this much, so Hoshi could only hope this meant he was warming up to him at least a little.

"I'm glad you have someone to talk to about it," Hoshi plays with the rip in his jeans, pulling the threads, "Cheol and the guys are cool but I just can't bring myself to really talk about it. I mean, you saw them"

"I saw a lot of them," Woozi mutters.

Hoshi starts to smile, which widens into a grin, then bursts into a full laugh. After a second, Woozi laughs with him.

"Mingyu sucks, he's always shirtless."

"The other guy wasn't helping either."

"Wonwoo? Yeah, no kidding. Between you and me, I think they secretly have a thing for each other but they just date around with a bunch of girls to try and pretend they don't."

"Have you dated anyone?" Woozi suddenly asks.

Hoshi shakes his head, then stops, "well, I had a 'girlfriend' in elementary school for like, a week. Until she tried to kiss me and I screamed so loud the teacher thought she had punched me."

Woozi laughs again, the sound warming Hoshi despite the cool outside air.

"I've had a few girlfriends. They didn't last too long, and it wasn't serious. I mean, it was middle school, not exactly the most mature. But it was still nice at the time."

Hoshi swallowed back some jealously, "no guys though?"

Woozi shakes his head, "No. I haven't really been thinking about dating recently. I thought it might be something I pursue when I'm in college but..."

"We are in college," Hoshi finds himself saying, "I mean, a college party at least."

"True."

Hoshi mentally slaps himself for being so obvious. He had already confessed and now he felt like he was subtly begging Woozi to feel the same. He knew it was hopeless though, after how he had treated him, there was no way he would—

"Hoshi?"

He blinked and looked over at Woozi. The flickering flame of hope in his chest bordering the line of burning and burning out.

"Y-yeah?"

Woozi looks over him, his intense gaze like ice water over Hoshi's burning skin.

"Is that really real?"

He reaches over and points to his lips. Closing the space between them a bit.

Hoshi touches his lip ring, "Uh, yeah. Of course it is."

"Hoshi."

Hoshi folds, "No, no it's fake."

He twists it off his lip easily, leaving no piercing marks in it's place.

"I knew it!"

Woozi laughs, playfully slapping Hoshi's shoulder. Hoshi sits there stunned for a moment before letting out a small chuckle himself.

"Alright, genius. It's a fake. I thought it would make me look cool."

"It does."

Woozi says this so honestly it makes Hoshi's heart ache.

"I'm really sorry—"

"I forgive you."

They share a glance, a soft smile on both their faces.

"You shouldn't."

"But I do."

Hoshi sighs and leans his head back against the wall, and Woozi does the same, moving his hand down on the roof to steady himself.

Their fingers touch as Woozi lays his hand down and Hoshi is about to pull away and apologize when Woozi links one of his fingers around his.

Woozi is looking up at the stars and Hoshi watches him for a moment. Then, he turns and looks up with him and slowly links his finger around Woozi's. It was almost like a pinky promise but with their index fingers. A silent promise of secrets to keep and a second change.

"The stars are nice tonight," Hoshi says softly.

Woozi glances over at him.

"Yeah, they sure are."

Chapter Text

Woozi then realized he had never actually responded to Hoshi's confession, at least not verbally.

Their fingers were still intertwined, both avoiding looking at each other as the conversation settled into a relatively comfortable silence around them.

What would his response be?

It was complicated.

Hoshi was nothing but trouble. A textbook bully, almost. Yet, there had been something there since the beginning, something else that confused him to think about. It was something Woozi couldn't shake.

Was there an attraction? Physical and otherwise?"

Woozi didn't want to admit it, even to himself.

Could he trust it? Could he even trust his own feelings?

Could he trust him?

God, what would Jeonghan think—

"Ya! Kwon Soonyoung!"

Jeonghan?

"Gah- stop! You're hurting me!"

"Chan?" Hoshi speaks this time, looking out to where the voice was coming from. Their hands flinch away instinctively.

In the dim lighting of the neighborhood they could just make out four figures approaching the house.

They don't seem to have noticed Hoshi and Woozi on the roof yet.

As they get closer Woozi is able to clearly make out Jeonghan at the lead, pulling Chan by the ear towards the house while Jisoo and Seungkwan trail behind. They seem to be focused on entering the house, not even looking up to the roof where they're sitting. Hoshi looks like a deer caught in headlights, turning to Woozi he mutters, "we should—"

"Right behind you."

Hoshi goes to slide back through the window, leaving his cup behind. Woozi takes his almost empty soda can with him. They head out of the main bedroom and down the hall. The couple that had been exploring each other in the hallway were no longer there, either they'd finally made it to a vacant room or disappeared back into the crowd downstairs.

Hoshi wasn't sure if he should confront or run from the oncoming army approaching the house. As they made it back downstairs the party was still just as alive as when they left it. He glances at Woozi who's been watching him this whole time and something surges in his chest. Something like acceptance.

"Kwon Soonyoung!"

Jeonghan's voice can just be heard over the music, followed by a softer, "should we knock—?"

Seungkwan's words ended abruptly when Jeonghan throws open the front door, causing it to crash back against the wall. Only a few of the college students turn to look, giving long glances at the younger kids suddenly walking into the house, but no one moves to question them.

It only takes a second for Jeonghan's eyes to meet Hoshi's as they narrow into thin slits. Without another word he releases his hold on Chan's ear, pushing him to the side. His attention now focused only on Hoshi.

"Ah!" Chan murmurs, rubbing his red ear. Jisoo and Seungkwan exchange glances with each other and then let their eyes linger around the entryway to the house.

Woozi stands frozen, knowing the look in Jeonghan's eyes, and there were no teachers around this time to stop him. Hoshi doesn't run, but more surprisingly, he doesn't even smirk. He just lets Jeonghan approach.

Before he can blink, his back is shoved into the wall, his tank top almost ripped from his chest with how hard Jeonghan is clutching it. He's saying something about kidnapping and trouble, but all Hoshi can focus on is Woozi, standing to the side, his eyes wide behind his glasses, debating if he should intervene. Hoshi doesn't flinch when a fist meets his cheek, his body limp in Jeonghan's hold.

"What's your problem?!"

Hoshi doesn't respond as he's pulled forward and shoved back into the wall, the air deflating from his lungs. He can faintly hear Woozi's protests beside him, but nothing hurts more then the regret he feels.

He wants Jeonghan to keep hitting him, to give him a proper punishment for how he's treated all of them.

"Nothing to say for yourself?!"

"Han, please!"

Woozi breaks from his frozen state and grabs his arm before he can make another strike, looking up at Jeonghan with pleading eyes.

"This bastard hurt you, he's had this coming!"

"Jeonghan ple—"

Woozi stops his protest and Jeonghan follows his gaze. He turns to see Hoshi sinking down the wall out of his grasp and onto his knees. Without a word Hoshi kneels down to a deep bow, his head touching the floor.

"I'm sorry."

His voice is rough and quiet, barely heard over the music.

The other boys stand in stunned silence. Staring at the troublemaker they knew now in full surrender. He lifts his head up looking to Jeonghan first, repeating his apology. He then turns to bow his head to Jisoo and Seungkwan still standing by the door and repeats his apology.

Then finally, he shifts his whole body towards Woozi practically laying his forehead against his shoes. He looks up, meeting Woozi's eyes full of a mix of emotions.

"Lee Jihoon, please forgive me."

Woozi was frozen again, the music blaring in the other room faded away. All he could think of the sight of Hoshi kneeling in front of him, asking, begging for his forgiveness.

He shouldn't. Even if he already had forgiven him. He really shouldn't.

The memory of that day in the snow still fresh in his mind. That devilish look in his eyes, the way he laughed at his pain, and the sinister smile when he deliberately broke his glasses right in front of him.

But then he thought of him the first day they met, how Hoshi's eyes lit up when he listed the instruments he played. The way he seemed almost enchanted when Woozi played piano for him the first time. The way his breath stuttered when Woozi admitted he was bi. The way Hoshi's eyes shone brighter than the stars above them when he said he liked Woozi.

Who was the real Hoshi?

Who was the real Kwon Soonyoung?

Could he really forgive either of them?

Hoshi was still looking up at him, not expecting any kind of response, but still searching for something.

"Hoshi…"

Woozi's voice is soft, a dull ache coating each syllable.

Hoshi's eyes flash with something, a subtle plea, a desire for hope.

Then he's pulled out of his reverie, back hitting the floor with a heavy thud, it takes him a moment to realize that Jeonghan is now straddled over him, his hand up and ready to strike him again.

Again, Hoshi doesn't fight back.

"Jeonghan!"

"Wait—"

"NO!"

The other boy's voices cry out, but Woozi's is the most loud and desperate.

Chan finally shakes off his own shock and turns into the house, calling out, "Cheol!" He heads to find his brother while Jisoo tries to pull Jeonghan off of Hoshi.

Jeonghan pushes him away and returns to his brutal fist meeting anywhere on Hoshi's upper body he could reach. A few good cracks to his face breaking skin, busing his lip, a seam of blood replacing where his lip ring used to be before he'd taken it off. He keeps his hands at his sides, sitting completely still as he lets himself be punished.

Jeonghan reared back for another big strike to his head, Hoshi flinched this time, turning away. But the hit never came, instead Seungcheol's voice broke over the music and shouts.

"The FUCK is going on?"

Hoshi opened his eyes to see Cheol holding Jeonghan's arm back stiffly. Jeonghan strained to get out of his grasp but he easily pulled the younger boy off of Hoshi and stepped between them, keeping his grip on Jeonghan's arm.

Jeonghan protested, trying to pry out of the older man's grip.

Woozi fell to his knees next to Hoshi, looking over his red and already bruising face, "Hoshi..."

"Get off me!"

Seungcheol twisted Jeonghan's arm, causing him to cry out in frustration.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?"

Jeonghan pointed an accusatory finger at Hoshi who still laid flat on the floor, his eyes glued to the ceiling, unblinking. Trying to hold back his tears.

"Hoshi…" Woozi's voice doesn't reach him.

Jeonghan and Seungcheol are still arguing, until eventually Seungcheol shouts for them to get out.

"You kids get out of here! And if I hear you come after Hosh again I'll make sure you have a black eye of your own."

Vernon comes to join the scene from deeper in the house. The look on his face daring any of them to disobey. He heads over to Hoshi and starts looking over his wounds, giving a silent softer look to Woozi.

"Fine! Jihoon, let's go."

Woozi finally tears his gaze from Hoshi, "what?"

Jeonghan grabs him buy the shoulder, tugging at the fabric of his dress shirt, ignoring his protests. Hoshi doesn't look his way as he leaves, his eyes still trained on the ceiling. A single tear escapes to slide down his cheek.

Jeonghan drags Woozi down the street and to Jisoo's car. Seungkwan and Jisoo follow quietly behind.

Jeonghan sits Woozi down in the backseat, buckling him in as if he would try and run once he let go. Jisoo silently takes the wheel with Jeonghan in the passenger seat and Seungkwan awkwardly sitting next to Woozi in the back.

The ride home was painful. Woozi almost wished Jeonghan would have just hit him. Instead, the car was filled with phrases of, "how could he do that?" and "you almost looked like you cared for him!".

Eventually, Jeonghan quieted down and turned back to face the front. Jisoo gave Woozi a sympathetic look in the rear view mirror and Seungkwan would give him a small smile whenever their eyes would meet.

Woozi couldn't focus on any of it. All he could think about was how Hoshi had let himself be hurt, be punished, be humiliated and beaten as an apology.

For him.

He wouldn't have done that unless he really cared, right?

Woozi's heart ached at the memory of seeing his bloodied face. It was then that he knew what his response to Hoshi's confession would be.

But he still couldn't accept it. Not yet.

If Woozi thought the ride home with Jeonghan scolding him was rough, sitting in the principles office on Monday morning was almost worse.

"Mr. Lee, I was stunned to hear a student such as yourself was involved in this…incident."

Woozi slumped in his seat, embarrassed. Unable to make eye contact.

"but you, Mr. Kwon, I expected."

Instead of the characteristic smirk, Hoshi sat in his chair across from the principal with almost perfect posture, but his head was hung to his chest in shame. There was a band-aid on his nose and a few bruises under his eye turning a deep purple. His signature lip ring nowhere to be found.

"Anything you two have to say for yourselves?"

Woozi hesitates, he wants to argue that he had nothing to do with stealing the mascot suit, but it already felt like a lost cause.

Hoshi shifted in his seat, "Wo—Jihoon had nothing to do with it, it was all my idea."

"That doesn't explain why Mr. Warner saw both of you running off with it. "

"But I'm telling the truth, he—"

Principal Atticus holds up a hand, "I don't want to hear any excuses. We have eyewitness and camera proof of you two running off with Horangdan, and to make things worse for you both, it seems all we have left is the head."

Hoshi wasn't ready to admit that he had completely forgotten the suit after the party went sideways, and it had practically vanished into thin air after he had left it kicked to the side in the kitchen.

"I've discussed with your teachers on the appropriate punishments. Both of you will be expected to stay after school every day for school services."

"But…" Woozi starts, "I have tutoring and rehearsals for the senior showcase."

Principal Atticus gives a small shrug of his shoulders, "unfortunately, it's also been discussed that because of this behavior between you two over the semester, your spot at the showcase has been revoked."

Woozi's eyes widen but it's Hoshi who speaks out. He stands from his chair, almost knocking it over with the force of his sudden movement.

"No way! You can't take that away from him!"

Principal Atticus holds up a hand, obviously frustrated with Hoshi's outburst, "Sit down. This was a decision made by the music department, it's out of my hands. As for you, Mr. Kwon, you'll be restricted from playing in the upcoming basketball tourney finals. This is a serious crime against our school community and we expect you both to behave from now on. Am I clear?"

Hoshi opens his mouth to argue but a stern look from the principal makes him huff in frustration as he slumps back in his chair. Woozi looks down at his hands, begging his embarrassed and disappointed tears not to fall.

Principal Atticus dismisses them from his office and they both leave to head back to class. Halfway down the hall Hoshi glances at Woozi, neither of them have spoken to each other since the party. With a shaky breath Hoshi mutters, "Woozi, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—"

His words stop in their tracks when Woozi finally looks up and over at him. The edges of his eyes red from holding back tears. His gaze seems to focus on the various bruises and bandages over Hoshi's face.

With his last shred of keeping his composure, Woozi shakes his head and turns back ahead of him. Walking down the hall at a quicker pace.

Leaving Hoshi behind, reaching out his hand in a desperate but feeble attempt to pull him back.

But Woozi was already gone.

Chapter Text

Hoshi didn't mind school service. It allowed him to have something to do instead of sitting around at home all afternoon, even if it was just busy work. Cheol and the other's were busy with midterms anyway, so sure, he could sit and scrub chalkboards and sweep floors all afternoon for all he cared.

Woozi, on the other hand, was not as thrilled about how his time was now being spent.

That first day after school had ended, they met up at the janitors closet with Mr. Warner. His expression was hardened, eyes narrowed as he looked over the boys with distain. Woozi couldn't meet his eyes but Hoshi easily stood his ground, crossing his arms and standing tall.

Mr. Warner silently thrusts a broom and mop towards them and gestures off towards the first floor classrooms. They both head off towards it, carrying the supplies to the classroom they're assigned to for the day.

School service was essentially free labor. Instead of spending detention sitting in some room thinking about what they've done wrong, they were given chores to complete throughout the school in various classrooms. They would still be stuck after school for an hour either way, so might as well pass the time by sweeping up chalk dust and pencil shavings, right?

As they entered the room Woozi's shoulders slumped and he let out a tired huff. Hoshi stood beside him in the doorway for a moment, both of them just looking around the room in thought.

Then, Hoshi speaks up.

"Here, give me that."

He takes the broom and dustpan from Woozi before he can even respond.

"What are you—?"

"It's my fault you're here. You did nothing wrong. I'm not letting you lift a finger."

"But Soonyoung…"

Normally, Hoshi would have bristled at the use of his real name, but this time, for whatever reason, it was endearing to hear.

"No buts. You work on homework or your music, I'll take care of the work."

"My music? What does that matter, I can't perform."

There's a hint of frustration in his words, sending a shot of guilt through Hoshi's heart. Woozi sighs again, almost feeling bad he had lashed out a bit.

"I uh…you can work on whatever you want. Just take a seat and I'll take care of this."

Hoshi lifts up the broom and dustpan to emphasize his point. Woozi seems to contemplate this, but then concedes and moves to sit on the edge of one of the desks. Propping himself up so his feet are off the ground.

Hoshi gives him a curious look but doesn't question it. He starts pushing the broom around, not really aiming to make any clean lines, just moving the dust around. Woozi watches closely, taking mental note of all the paper scraps and eraser shavings he misses. His legs swing slightly under the desk absentmindedly.

After a while of cleaning Hoshi looks up to see Woozi still watching him.

"You waiting to tell me I missed a spot?"

Despite his joke he didn't expect Woozi to react, let alone smile. But he does.

"There's a candy wrapper under that desk you keep going around."

Hoshi tilts his head curiously, then turns to the desk he's pointing at and leans down to see better.

"Oh."

And Hoshi's heart leaps as Woozi laughs.

Actually laughs.

"It was like you were avoiding it on purpose. It was driving my crazy!"

Hoshi scoffed, but there was no real annoyance in his tone, "why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Wanted to see how long it would take you to actually get—AH!"

Woozi suddenly flinches, his hand coming up to his chest off the desk as he moves to sit even more on the edge of it, almost falling off.

Something switches in Hoshi's mind, something protective and alert at his sudden cry.

"What? What's wrong?"

He comes over immediately to check on him. Woozi's eyes are focused on a spot on the desk he was sitting on. He doesn't respond verbally, only slightly pointing down at the desk as something small and black skitters near where his hand was.

Hoshi felt his shoulders relax, but had to hold back a laugh at Woozi's reaction.

"It's just a spider."

"Yeah, but it touched me."

Hoshi bites his lip to keep from smiling as Woozi continued to shrink away from it.

"Here," Hoshi looks around and takes a paper off the teacher's desk and folds it slightly. He moves back to the desk. Woozi watched with fearful but now curious eyes. Hoshi hums to himself as he gently moves the paper next to the spider, guiding it with his other hand until it climbed safely onto the paper. He cautiously moved over to the windows with the spider, pushing one open slightly before tipping the paper to let the spider settle onto the windowsill outside.

The spider stops for a moment, turning around with it's front legs in the air slightly. For an odd second, it almost seemed like it was looking right at Hoshi, perhaps in thanks, before it crawled off and away from the room. He watched it leave then shut the window again. He set the paper back down on the desk and looked back over at Woozi who was looking at him with an expression he was familiar with.

Confusion.

Hoshi gives him a look in return that silently asks 'what?'.

Woozi blinks from his trance, "you didn't just kill it?"

It was a statement more than a question. Hoshi looks back at him incredulously.

"Why would I do that?" he says sincerely, then decides to test a joke, "he didn't bite you did he? Then I'd have to go beat him up."

Woozi smiles again, seeming to calm down from the sudden spider 'attack'.

Hoshi wants that smile to stay, so he continues, "unless you get super cool powers from him and become the real life Spider-Man."

Woozi laughs a bit again, another small victory for Hoshi, "somehow I doubt that'll happen."

Hoshi moves to lean against the desk next to Woozi's, "don't be so sure. You're as smart as Peter Parker, it would fit perfectly. I can totally see it."

Woozi scoffs and shakes his head thoughtfully, "what would that make you then? My Gwen Stacy? No, you're more like Mary Jane…"

Hoshi's smile falters. Was that supposed to be…flirting?

"Uh…"

Woozi looks at him, a small tilt of his head as if to question what his reaction was for. As if he didn't just insinuate that opposed to a sidekick or friend, Hoshi would have been his love interest in this hypothetical super hero story.

"What?"

Woozi finally asks, as Hoshi has been just staring at him with his mouth slightly open for the past minute.

Hoshi shakes his head and brushes it off with a shrug, "nothing."

Woozi decides not to press, but there's a hint of a smirk on his lips as he watches Hoshi return to cleaning the room.

This routine became a normalcy every day after school. They'd be given the cleaning supplies and shown a room to clean. Hoshi would get to work, doing a somewhat decent job of at least making the place look a little nicer. Occasionally he would hum some song or dance around with the broom to try and make Woozi laugh while he worked on homework.

A gradual change between them had started, like a flower finally budding after a harsh season of rain.

March blended into April. The whole student body was practically vibrating with excitement over the upcoming spring break. Murmurs of vacations and celebratory plans filled the hallways and the quiet moments in class. Everyone was anxious for the school year to be over, especially the seniors.

Before now, Woozi would have probably spent his entire break polishing his performance for the showcase. He felt too ashamed to beg Mr. Choi to give him his spot back. Having to face authority made his stomach hurt, and he knew his friends would make a big deal about it so he avoided telling them. He was embarrassed enough about the whole ordeal, and he hadn't even wanted to perform in the first place, so maybe it was for the best. At least that's what he told himself to prevent him from being too sad about it.

It was odd, in a way, that part of his punishment was to spend more time with Hoshi. A month or two ago, it would have been one of the worst punishments he could imagine, but now he was almost grateful for it. He found himself looking forward to the end of the day where he got to see the more honest version of Hoshi.

The Kwon Soonyoung he's learned to…

Tolerate.

Or something like that.

He started to feel himself get more comfortable around him, laughing at his jokes or physical comedy, even if it was obvious he was playing it up just to entertain him. Hoshi's confession still ringing clear in Woozi's mind.

There were other things he started to notice too, smaller things that started to add up.

Like how there was a shimmer of youth that seemed to permanently sparkle in Hoshi's eyes, or the way he seemed to have precise control of his body when moving around or even just doing a few silly dance moves with the broom. There was something endearing about the way he laughed with his whole body, and how he would listen so intently whenever Woozi, or any of his other friends at his lunch table, he observed, would talk.

Woozi already knew what this meant, what all this newfound attention to detail was revealing, but he'd be damned if he let it show. He thought he was doing a good job of it, but as the days went on, more and more of his true feelings started to slip. Maybe he was getting too comfortable around him…or maybe he was doing it intentionally.

Contrarily, Hoshi was a nervous wreck as the minutes counted down every day until their student service hour. His heart would almost burst every time Woozi would meet his eyes across from the cafeteria or when he'd turn around in his chair to stretch his back in class. He could swear there was a hint of a smile, just a brief pull of the corner of his lips whenever Woozi looked at him. It was small, but still proof that their time together after school wasn't just some dream he was hallucinating.

Woozi really was warming up to him.

Well, actually, he wasn't exactly sure if he was.

After Hoshi had confessed his crush on him, he had expected a weight to be lifted from him, but instead he was only left with pure confusion. Woozi hadn't really reciprocated the same feelings, at least not explicitly, but he definitely didn't deny them either. It felt like a strange game of push and pull. Woozi would laugh at Hoshi's jokes and would greet him more like a friend then he would have weeks ago, but he would also immediately leave as soon as the hour was up, and in class he would avoid passing by his desk when he was there.

Whatever. Friends. He could be friends with Woozi.

Or maybe just an acquaintance.

Either way, it seemed that Hoshi really had been forgiven. Something he still didn't think he deserved, but desperately wanted.

He'd almost forgotten about the basketball team that he was forbidden to play with, but he still would spend some free time after school running drills in the gym. Once the weather started to get nicer, he would stay out near the playgrounds and shoot hoops from there. His sweatshirt usually wrapped around his waist, still sweating despite the cooler weather. The school let out early on the day before spring break, so they didn't have to stay for student service, thankfully.

Because of this, Hoshi hadn't expected to see Woozi at all.

So when he heard his familiar and soft voice behind him, he nearly screamed as he made a shot at the basket.

"Hey, best friend."

The basketball went wide, bouncing several times before rolling in the grass by the swings.

Hoshi turned to see Woozi grinning at his fright. His eyes were amused crescents behind his lenses.

Best friend? Did he just say...

"Wha-" Hoshi's voice cracks and he clears his throat, crossing his arms across his chest to appear casual, "what are you doing here?"

Woozi shrugs, "I was on my way to Seungkwan's for the night. I could see that sweatshirt from a mile away."

Hoshi huffed, but there was no real annoyance in his tone.

"How long you been standing there? Admiring my skills?"

"Yeah."

Hoshi opened his mouth to tease, having expected Woozi to deny it but he softened, "oh."

"Do you miss it?"

Hoshi was so lost in his thoughts he almost missed his question, "hm?"

"Playing on the team?"

"Oh, honestly? Not really. It was just another thing I did to have something to do after school. I like basketball but the guys on the team…they run in different crowds than me, you know?"

Woozi tilts his head, "I thought you'd fit in with the popular kids. You're funny and cool."

"Ah, well, I guess." Hoshi faltered at the compliment, turning to head over to where the ball had rolled. A memory of the last time the two of them had been on this playground plagued his mind, guilt started seeping into his veins, making his heart clench. He rolled the ball with his foot and kicked it up to grab it, tucking it under his arm as he looked over his shoulder, "you shouldn't leave your friends waiting."

Woozi had followed him, "I'm not."

A silence fell between them. An uncertain blend of comfort and confusion. Woozi's expression was unreadable, much to Hoshi's dismay.

"H-hey, uh," Hoshi started talking before he could really think, "you can totally say no this time, but…there's another party at Cheol's tomorrow night. I feel like a bad teacher after how the last one ended. I thought maybe…I could give you a second chance at a first college party?"

Woozi looked at him as if studying a curious specimen.

"Yeah, sure."

"It's okay I underst— what?"

"Would you give me a ride?"

"Uh," Hoshi's mind was racing with complete joy and absolute shock. Was he hearing this right?

"You…you're serious?"

"Were you serious about asking me?"

"Of course."

"Then you can pick me up tomorrow. Does around nine work or is that too early?"

"Nine is…nine is perfect."

"Great."

"Great."

Another silence falls between them.

Then, "Do you know where I live?"

Hoshi shakes his head, "Uh, no. No I do not."

Woozi smiles faintly, "Maybe I should have your number then. So I can tell you where to pick me up from?"

Hoshi freezes for a moment, his phone suddenly heavy in his pocket. Then he shakes off his daze, "Oh...yeah. That makes sense."

He hands Woozi his phone after opening a new contact. Woozi takes it and starts inputting his number. Hoshi watched his slender fingers press over the touchscreen. Once he's done he hands it back to him and Hoshi looks to see that Woozi had sent himself a message from his phone. A simple, "hey, it's Star."

Hoshi stared at the words, almost not realizing the subtle joke. A reminder of their first interaction. He shoves his phone back into his pocket and avoids looking at him.

After a beat, Hoshi felt himself move, needing to get out the nervous energy bubbling inside him. Woozi followed him every step of the way as he walked over to the monkey bars.

He set down the basketball and jumped up to hang off the bars. With practiced movement, he swung his legs up and hung them over the other bar. Once secure, he let his hands go and hung upside down on the bars, something he often did as a kid. Woozi watched his every move, his head tilting far to the side as Hoshi flipped upside down. A hint of an amused smile on his lips. His tied sweatshirt acted as a belt to keep his muscle shirt from falling down to reveal his stomach, but Woozi found himself staring anyway.

"Trying to make me laugh?"

"No…maybe. Is it working?"

Woozi's smile reached his eyes.

"Maybe."

Hoshi smiled himself now, letting his arms hang free below him, swaying a bit purposefully as a small chilled breeze brushes between them. He closes his eyes for a moment, letting the rush of the blood to his head settle a bit before blinking them open again.

His eyes open to see Woozi had moved to stand right in front of him. Just inches away.

From this position the two of them were at eye-level. But instead of looking at his eyes, Woozi was focused on something else. Hoshi was reminded of a very specific scene from a movie. One with Spider-man and Mary Jane, except this time, it seemed Hoshi was Spider-man and Woozi was MJ, and honestly? He wasn't sure which he liked more.

"Your lips."

The words just below a whisper from Woozi. He was standing so close he could feel his breath faintly over his skin. Sending a shiver up his back. Hoshi let out a shaky breath, "huh?" he mumbles, thinking he must have misheard him.

"Your lip ring."

Hoshi swallowed thickly as Woozi seemed to lean in more.

"I miss it."

If Hoshi hadn't linked his sneakers on the other bar, he definitely would have fallen off in shock.

A voice from a distance calls his name, and Woozi suddenly glances around Hoshi towards Seungkwan's house.

He looks back to Hoshi, this time at his eyes.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"Nine?"

"Nine.

"It's a date."

Woozi heads off away from the park, leaving Hoshi even more lightheaded than he was from being upside down.

He...he had a date.

A date with Lee Jihoon.

Maybe he had fallen off and hit his head.

Chapter Text

Hoshi was incredibly fun to mess with.

Now that Woozi knew the power he had over him, he was going to abuse it. His own form of revenge.

And that’s exactly what this “date” was for. He had used that word more teasingly in the moment, but part of him was considering it as a date of sorts. Something like a trial run, just to see what happens.

Especially since it made Hoshi nearly pass out as he said it the other day.

It was Saturday, late after dinner and he was still in his room sifting through his clothes.

Nothing he picked out to wear was 'cool' enough. He felt like no matter what he'd just look like a little kid trying to fit in with the adults.

As he pulled off and tossed another shirt to the side he sighed, staring at himself in the mirror. He runs a hand through his hair, his bangs a bit longer now since he had been putting off getting a haircut for the past few months. Normally he would make sure to before the spring concert, but that didn't matter anymore.

He sighed, a bit in sadness and a bit in frustration.

It wouldn’t be weird to text Hoshi, he’d already sent him his address earlier today. It wouldn’t be weird to text him twice in one day, right?

His finger types over the screen as he writes out, “what the hell do I wear to a college party???”

Hoshi laid with the upper half of his body hanging off his bed, head almost on the ground as he clutches a basketball to his chest. He stares at the digital clock on his nightstand, watching each minute pass by. In less than an hour he'd be picking up Woozi, driving him in his car again, hanging out at Cheol's again, except this time Woozi seemed to actually want to do these things.

This wasn't actually a date, right? Woozi was just messing with him.

Woozi.

Lee Jihoon.

His name echoed around his mind. His face reflected on every surface. His voice caressing his memory.

Hoshi couldn't stop thinking about him. His whole mind body and soul was being consumed by that nerd he had bullied for weeks just to hide his own feelings.

There was no way Woozi would ever feel the same. Hoshi had decided that right then and there. As much as he wanted him to, he didn't deserve it.

Maybe he had made up this whole date thing in his head.

As if the universe itself could hear his doubts, his phone buzzes with a message. He sits up, dropping the basketball to the side to trade it for his phone that was sitting at the edge of the mattress. Seeing Woozi's name on his screen nearly made him fall to the floor.

What should he wear?

Hoshi was reminded when they went to that first party during prom, where Woozi was dressed up all fancy. He imagined him in that same look again and tried not to imagine what it would be like to unbutton the rest of his dress shirt this time.

This was going to be a long night.

Hoshi decided, to not seem eager, he'd give it a minute before he responds. He watches his clock, waiting sixty seconds to pass exactly before typing out his response.

"anything but a tux"

The response was short but made Woozi snort

"duh"

Woozi types back quickly.

Of course he wouldn’t wear a tux again, but the idea of him showing up dressed as fancy as last time was a little funny. Compared to shirtless Mingyu and tank top Wonwoo, he would be extremely overdressed. It also remind him that he never got his suit jacket back. It might even still be in the back seat of Hoshi’s car. He tried to make a mental note to remember to get it back.

He sent back another message, “what are you wearing?”

Hoshi let out a sound between a laugh and a choke at his question. It was innocent enough but he couldn’t help but let his mind wander a bit.

He thinks for a moment before responding, wondering if his suggestion would be too…intimate.

“facetime? I’ll be your remote teacher for lesson 102 in college parties.”

Woozi doesn’t respond, instead his name pops up with a request to face time.

Hoshi swallows harshly before hitting accept.

When Woozi answered it was just the top right half of his face in frame. He wasn’t wearing his glasses and the close proximity almost made Hoshi laugh.

“I’ve never facetimed before.” Woozi’s voice comes through a bit loudly.

“I can tell.”

He can hear a scoff from the other line as his visual starts to shake and move as Woozi sets him up on his dresser so he can be fully in frame.

With a wider view Hoshi could now see what Woozi was wearing.

And it wasn’t much.

He was just in his boxers.

Hoshi turned his phone to face the ceiling for a moment as he bit down on his finger to stifle the nose he had wanted to make.

“Okay, show me what you’re wearing so I can get an idea for what’s appropriate.”

“Y-yeah right sure okay.” Hoshi’s voice cracked.

He positions his phone up against his alarm clock. It’s at an odd angle but he can step back enough to show off his outfit. White baggy cargos, a plain tshirt, and a zip-up hoodie. Very Hoshi. Very simple.

“Don’t overthink it, just whatevers comfortable. You’ll probably get hot with all the bodies in there so wear layers. And sneakers. Open toed shoes are a disaster waiting to happen.”

Woozi rummaged around the clothes he had discarded around his bed, pulling out a plain white tshirt. He slipped it on over his head and Hoshi tried desperately not to watch too closely.

He then held up two pairs of pants to the camera, “the light or the dark ones.”

Hoshi smiled a bit fondly, finding it endearing how seriously he was taking this. “The tan ones, I guess.”

Woozi gave a nod and slipped them on. Grabbing socks for his sneakers as he then sat on the edge of his bed to put them on.

“How long have you been going to these parties?”

“Couple years now. I think since freshman year.”

“What? And they let you drink back then?”

“Well, not exactly. I used to be good at sneaking it, but then Mingyu caught me and told Cheol and so I was banned from the kitchen until my senior year. Then they loosened up more.”

Woozi slipped on a red varsity jacket over his arms and moved back to the mirror to fix his hair.

“How’s this?” He turns back to the phone and gestures to himself.

“Looks good to me.”

“Do I look cool enough?”

Hoshi’s heart clenched, “very cool, Woozi.”

He slips on his glasses, “do they totally ruin it?”

Hoshi shakes his head, “No. Not at all. They're you.”

Every time Hoshi looked at those glasses it was a clear reminder that he could never deserve Woozi. No amount of apologizing could change that.

“I guess Wonwoo wears glasses and he’s pretty cool," Woozi commented.

“Yeah, I guess.”

Woozi had picked back up his phone and was closer to the camera now, just his face in frame.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Hoshi moved closer to his phone.

“Huh?”

Woozi pulls at his own bottom lip. Hoshi's eyes drop to watch his fingers pierce his lip. It takes several rapid heartbeats before he realizes what he means.

“Oh!”

Hoshi glances around his room until he spots what he’s looking for. He grabs it and comes back over to the phone to use the camera to put it on.

He slips the lip ring easily back onto its place.

“Better?”

“Much."

"You have your glasses to look cool and I've got this thing. Except you actually need yours and mine is fake, but…"

He rambles a bit and Woozi laughs.

"Well now that I'm dressed I'm ready anytime."

"Huh?" Hoshi asks again.

"For you to come pick me up. You can come over anytime."

"Oh…y-yeah. I guess I'll…is now okay? You're about fifteen minutes from me."

Woozi had to hold back his smile at how flustered Hoshi already was, "works for me."

"Great! See you…soon then."

The whole fifteen minute drive Hoshi had both his hands firmly on the wheel, eyes straight ahead in complete silence. He can't remember the last time he was this nervous. It was just a hang out, just hanging out with a friend. The word 'date' didn't mean anything different.

Get it together, tiger.

He triple checks the address when he arrives and sighs with relief and a new surge of nerves when he sees Woozi step outside the front door, giving a wave to someone inside before jogging slightly to Hoshi's car.

He rolls down the window.

"H-hey, I was just about to come up…"

"I couldn't wait."

Hoshi swallowed, "okay."

Woozi pulls at the door handle. It doesn't move.

"Oh, shit, sorry."

He didn't mean to curse but his nerves shove it out of him. He presses the button to unlock the car and Woozi opens the passenger door, sliding in beside him. This time on his own accord.

Hoshi starts the car, clearing his throat, "S-so, Cheol and the guys usually have people start coming over at ten, so it's a bit early but we can still head over and help set-up. or I can just set up and you can get to chat with the guys more or whatever…"

"Sounds good."

"Good."

Hoshi starts to drive, the car silent aside for the hum of the engine. Woozi glances over, "you usually drive in silence?"

"No…you wanna play something?"

Woozi smirks, "yeah, actually."

Hoshi adjusts himself in his seat more, curious what he was going to play. He passes him the aux cord that thankfully is compatible with Woozi's phone.

Woozi scrolls for a moment before biting back a smile as he presses play on a playlist he studies to.

Jazz. Nothing but pure, instrumental jazz music, with the occasional classical pieces here and there.

Hoshi nods slowly, "nice."

Woozi couldn't hold back his own howl of laughter anymore.

"Wha…what's so funny? I like jazz too."

Hoshi took a hand off the wheel and raised it in a 'rock on' sign and started banging his head to the soft piano notes as if it was a heavy guitar solo.

This only made Woozi laugh harder.

Hoshi loved nothing more than hearing Woozi laugh, and over the time they had spent together he had gotten pretty good at making the sound come out of him. Or maybe Woozi just laughed easily.

Pulling up to Cheol's place, Hoshi has the foresight to park a little further away to make it easier to leave in case they bet blocked in other cars. The sun has set by now and the house is lit up from the inside, but with regular warm lighting opposed to the colorful lighting it'll have later in the night.

They walk up to the house and let themselves in, Hoshi calling out, "here!"

"Hey, Tiger!"

Seungcheol's voice calls from the other room, and he rounds to the hallway to greet them, "and Music Man! Glad you could come again."

Woozi raises an eyebrow at the nickname and gives Hoshi a look who just rubs his neck sheepishly.

He had told Seungcheol that he'd be bringing Woozi along again, but had left the potential date part out of it. But Cheol knew him well enough to read the situation in seconds.

"Looking sharp, Jihoon. Not as sharp as last time, but I like the jacket."

"Thanks," Woozi smiles.

"We've got about," he glances at his watch, "a half hour before people start showing up. Hosh can you help Vern DJ this time? Maybe get some music advice from the master over here," he gestures to Woozi.

The boys share a look, both thinking back to the playlist that accompanied their drive here.

Woozi and Hoshi help set up some of the drinks on the island in the kitchen and help queue up some of Vernon's playlists. Wonwoo and Mingyu arrive next, both a little more clothed than the last time Woozi had seen them. For now, he figured.

In no time soon after, the once comfortable and spacious house is filled with bodies and voices. The music is set, drinks poured, and conversations flowing. There seemed to be a different kind of vibe in the air this time around, maybe it was because of spring break, but everyone seemed to immediately loosen up once they stepped into the house.

Hoshi and Woozi stuck to the walls for the most part, letting people fill in the space of the living room to make a dance floor.

"I'm gonna grab something to drink."

Hoshi gestures with his thumb to the kitchen, leaning in closer so he can be heard over the heavy bass.

Woozi nods and follows after him.

Vernon is at his station as bartender again, his hair seemed to be freshly buzzed and even shorter now, giving him a tough and masculine look. It fit well with his tattoos and overall grunge aesthetic. The music was lightly muffled on this side of the house, letting them talk just above a normal volume.

"Eyy, you came back. We didn't scare you off last time."

He greets Woozi with a grin and a nod to Hoshi.

Woozi smiles faintly, "yeah, kinda had the night cut short last time."

Vernon looks to Hoshi, an expression crossing his features, something like protectiveness.

"Yeah."

"Can you make me that usual thing?" Hoshi leans on the counter, quickly changing the subject back to the drinks.

Vernon looks back to the drinks around him, "the Mixture? yeah sure."

"Me too."

They both turn to look at Woozi, who stammers slightly, "i-if that's okay."

"Yeah, man." Vernon smiles, "I'll go easy on you, though. Don't what Cheol to beat my ass if you get sloshed out here."

He pours the drinks into red cups and passes them over.

"Thanks, Vern."

Vernon gives a sharp salute and takes a long swig of his own beer.

Hoshi takes a quick drink. Woozi stares down into the cup for a moment, watching the bubbles rise to the surface.

Fuck it. This was his first real college party, officially, and he was going to make the most of it. He tossed away his mothers voice in his head already disappointed in him, and took a long drink.

He was almost eighteen. Heading off to college in a few months.

He was a man, and he can handle a little alcohol.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated how much to tilt his cup, the access liquid that didn't make it into his mouth dribbling down his chin. He coughs a bit and Vernon laughs.

"Easy, kid. I like the spirit, though."

Hoshi puts a tentative hand on his shoulder, "you good?"

Woozi nods, his cough turning into a laugh, "never better."

They move to stand back in the hall against the wall, finishing their drinks and people watching. Most entertaining was Mingyu, wearing Wonwoo's glasses and doing his absolute best to throw it back. Woonwoo was in stitches on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

"Are they that drunk already?"

Hoshi shakes his head, "I doubt they've even had one drink, they usually don't need it to be like this."

Eventually the liquid courage runs dry in their cups and Woozi speaks up, "I'm gonna ask for another."

Hoshi follows behind him as he weaves his way back to the kitchen, "you sure? I've been down this path before…"

Woozi doesn't respond, he slips into the kitchen where Vernon is on the phone this time, "yeah, I'm free next Friday…for sure…"

He glances up and gives a nod and a smile again, pointing to their cups and miming filling them up again.

Woozi nods but Hoshi shakes his head and tosses his cup in the already overflowing trashcan. Vernon holds his phone between his head and his shoulder and continues his conversation with whoever is on the other end while he pours Woozi another cup full, not paying much attention to what liquids he was choosing. It overflows a bit as his hand slips and he mouths a 'my bad, bro' but Woozi gives a thanks and slowly brings it to his lips to start sipping off the top.

It was leagues stronger this time and Woozi had to blink away the burn for a moment after his first long sip. Hoshi watches nervously as Woozi guzzles about half of his cup before setting it down and grabbing Hoshi's arm.

"Dance!"

Hoshi let's himself be dragged back to the living room, eyes wide in surprise at this new Woozi. It had been long enough he was probably pretty buzzed from his first drink, and while this was partially entertaining to see him loosen up, Hoshi couldn't help but be nervous for his condition.

They push into the gathering of people, finding a free pocket of space just as the song shifts into a crowd favorite.

"PUT YOUR PINKY RINGS UP TO THE MOON"

Everyone's voices chant together to the lyrics.

"You know this song?" Hoshi leans closer to Woozi to be heard.

Woozi gives him a look akin to disgust, "obviously!"

Hoshi backs up a bit and puts his hands up defensively, "sorry, Maestro, thought you only listened to jazz."

"I'm full of surprises."

Most of their dancing was jumping up and down and waving their arms in different angles, but it was fun because they were together. Woozi was completely loose, even more than when he was with the guys at Seungkwan's. It was a new level of ease, his filter almost completely wilted away under the burn of the alcohol in his system. Hoshi eventually warmed up to join him, even if he felt like an idiot, Woozi was smiling, and that's all that mattered.

As the songs played on and the night dipped darker and darker, the dancing got even more stupid. At one point, Woozi was hoisted on Mingyu and Wonwoo's shoulders and paraded around. He played into this by pretending to be a king overlooking his subjects. He was tossed a pair of red sunglasses which he put on over his own glasses, completing the look. Seungcheol made his way into the center and challenged Hoshi to a dance off, which he forfeited after tripping over his untied shoe and almost embarrassing himself if Hoshi didn't plop down next to him as if they had both fallen.

It was hours later when Hoshi could see Woozi was starting to fade, exhaustion worn on all his features.

"Come on, party animal, let's sit down."

Woozi only nods and lets Hoshi guide him out of the circle with his arm around his waist. They make their way upstairs back to the room with the window, but this time a heavy downpour rattles against the roof, so they decide to sit on the bed instead. Away from the music and bodies Woozi can feel his head throbbing, his eyes blurred even with his glasses on. Hoshi sits beside him. concern pressing his eyebrows again.

"You alright there?"

Woozi nods, a stupid smile on his face, "this has been the best night of my life."

Hoshi laughs, "maybe this was a bad idea."

"Bad? No, this is great. I had fun, Soonie."

The name makes his heart stop and he opens his mouth to say something, anything, but the words tangle in his throat.

Woozi's eyebrows suddenly furrow, "I'm sad, Hoshi."

Hoshi closed his mouth, quickly moving his gaze back to Woozi, "sad?"

He sniffed and nodded, "I wanna play at the show," he whines.

It takes Hoshi a minute to put together what he means.

"Oh. The spring concert thing. I…I'm really sorry about that still. I wish there was something I could do."

"I've been too sad to tell my friends…"

Hoshi thinks for a moment, "have you talked to Mr. Choi about it?"

Woozi shakes his head, "I'm worried he's mad at me."

Hoshi could see tears start to brim in his eyes and he decides he needs to change the topic. Fast.

"Hey, hey…you said you had fun tonight?"

Woozi sniffs and nods, seeming to think back over the events of the night that just happened.

"You were killing it out there, I think the guys like you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I think Gyu would adopt you if Wonwoo would let him."

"Adopt me?"

"Yeah like a pet or something."

Woozi laughs now, looking over his glasses at him. It reminded Hoshi of when he snuck into his tutoring session and he gave him that disapproving look, except there was something else in his eyes this time. Another word that started with 'd' and was a lot more dangerous.

Desire.

"Woozi?"

"Hm?"

"You sure you're—"

The words were stolen from his lips as Woozi's own lips were suddenly on his. He had practically leapt at him, wrapped his arms around his neck, holding him close as he smashed his lips to his. Hoshi's eyes were wide and still processing what was going on when Woozi started to lean back, pulling Hoshi more on top of him. His glasses askew on his face, pressing into Hoshi's cheek. The metal of his lip ring cold against the heat of their breaths.

Woozi let out a sound that made Hoshi's entire body go numb, but it also started him awake.

"Woah! Woah, woah woah…"

Hoshi pulled back, steadying his arms on either side of Woozi for a moment before sitting back even more, "woah, woah, woah."

He repeated to himself as he stood up and started backing away from the bed. Woozi sat up, looking disheveled. A familiar look of disappointment in his eyes now, but his pink lips were puffed in a pout.

"I thought you wanted me?"

The words slurred and low, and Hoshi had to cover his face for a moment to hide his flushed cheeks.

"I…I do, but not like this. I mean, kinda like this but not when you're drunk and going to regret this. Shit, Woozi…I…"

Hoshi ran his hands through his hair, heart still pounding and blood rushing south as he tried to think straight.

Woozi yawns, and Hoshi has to wonder if he even knew what just happened.

"Hey, Woozi?"

"Hm?"

"Let's get you home."

"Okay, baby."

Hoshi almost fell to his knees at his soft voice saying that word. Calling him baby.

But it wasn't real, it was a drunken desire, and Hoshi wouldn't take advantage of that. He leads a stumbling Woozi back downstairs and towards the door. Seungcheol sees them head off and gives a wave, a questioning look in his eyes as he looks between Woozi and Hoshi.

Hoshi gives a silent 'I'll tell you later' and guides Woozi outside the house and to his car, shielding him from the rain with his hoodie. He helps him slump into the passenger seat and buckles him in. Glancing for a second at the back seats he moved to open the back doors and pulls out Woozi's jacket that had been there since prom. He had somehow completely forgotten about it. He moves back to drape the jacket over Woozi who pulled it close to him like a blanket. Hoshi shuts his door softly and rounds the car to the driver seat. His shirt now completely soaked through by the rain, but he hardly noticed.

He starts the car and manages to get back out onto the street. He was sobered enough now after the kiss that he felt wide awake at the wheel while Woozi was already softly snoring beside him. Hoshi tapped his fingers against the wheel in thought.

Woozi had kissed him. Something he had wanted for weeks now, but it made his stomach churn. It wasn't right. He might not even remember that he did it in the morning.

Hoshi made a silent promise to himself not to bring it up, just in case. He didn't want things to change again after all they'd been through to get closer. He glanced over at Woozi who's head lulled slightly as the car moved.

His heart swelled, his affection taking an even deeper root in his heart.

He thought back to Woozi's sad face, eyes brimmed with tears at losing out on performing at the concert.

Hoshi gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckled turned white with a newfound determination.

He would get Woozi his chance back. No matter what it took.

After spring break, he would fix everything.

Chapter Text

The first day back from spring break was a drag. Everyone was already done with the school year, especially the seniors. Their minds already focused on the upcoming summer break, and a final escape from high school.

Hoshi only had one thing on his mind, and it had nothing to do with graduation.

It took so much focus forom him that he hardly paid attention to Woozi.

They had talked much over break, texting into the late hours of the night. Woozi had only ementioned that he didn't remember much from that Saturday night, so Hoshi let it slip into a distant memory. Like a dream that only he had, a secret he would happily stay awake at night playing over and over in his mind.

Their punishment for student services was thankfully over, having met the required amount of hours, so Hoshi could run straight to the music room once the final bell rang on that first day back.

He ignored Woozi's wave, not on purpose but due to his tunnel vision, and raced down the hall. Dodging around other students and a few teachers who yelled for him to slow down, he barreled past the classroom he was looking for and had to backtrack. Catching his breath for a moment he paused in the doorway before calling into the band room, "Mr. Choi?"

An older voice grumbles something from a side office room.

Hoshi steps in further and heads to where he heard the voice from.

"Mr. Choi? I need to speak with you."

"Yes? In my office."

Hoshi rounds the corner and sees the music teacher seated at his desk surrounded by sheet music. Sticky notes over every surface of his school laptop. He glances up at Hoshi with a curious glint in his eye.

"Sir, my name is Soonyoung, and I—"

"I know who you are."

There's a gruffness to his voice that makes Hoshi suddenly nervous, but he tries his best to be polite and apologetic.

"Sir, I understand you made the decision to remove Jihoon from the show?"

Mr. Choi nods, a bit of impatience in the way he taps his fingers together.

Hoshi swallows, "please, sir, I'd like you to reconsider that decision."

The director leans back in his chair, the look of impatience now full curiosity, "really now?"

"Yes, sir. I'm…friends with Jihoon and this is really important to him. It's really been affecting him since he found out and he's worked so hard on his music. It's his last shot before graduating and after last year he really wanted to make things right and—"

Mr. Choi holds up a hand, "that's enough. I hear you."

"Sorry, sir."

"No need to be so stiff, Mr. Kwon, but I appreciate the formalities. You must be serious about this."

Hoshi gives a sheepish nod.

Running a hand over his chin he continues, "when Atticus told me you both had been involved in some kind of prank or vandalizing, I took him at face value, but it seems there's more to it."

He seems to open the floor for Hoshi to explain himself more, so he does.

"It was all my fault. Taking the suit was my idea. I dragged him along because at the time I thought it would be funny. He had no part in it. I swear."

"It did seem very unlike Mr. Lee."

"Please, sir. He needs to perform. I'd do anything. I'll scrub the band room floors or…or clean out the spit valves or something. Please."

A hint of an amused smile crosses Mr. Choi's face before he covers it with his hand, making it look like he was scratching his chin in thought again.

"I suppose I was too harsh with my punishment. There is still room for him to play his piece. To be quite honest with you I was about to discuss letting him do something else for it, but your efforts of coming here have changed my mind. The guilt has been eating you alive, hasn't it, son?"

Hoshi glances down at his sneakers.

"Very well," the band director had a much more sympathetic and almost friendly tone now, "let Mr. Lee know that his piano will be ready for him in two weeks."

Hoshi looks back up, his eyes bright, "you mean it?"

A nod from Mr. Choi made a smile finally stretch on Hoshi's lips. He bent his upper body in a deep bow, "thank you, sir. Thank you. You have no idea how much this means."

He stands back up and goes to head for the door, turning back quickly to add, "Mr. Choi? Would it be too much to ask for you to tell him? And…to not mention me at all?"

He nods slowly with an understanding smile, "I'll tell him, and I won't mention you, Mr. Kwon. For whatever reason."

With another deep bow and thanks Hoshi sprinted from his office. He hadn't expected that to go so smoothly, and it allowed him to start getting his plans in motion for the rest of the school year.

Hoshi had expected Woozi to light up with that bright smile after Mr. Choi had given him his spot back, but there was only a cloud of dread over his head.

"Jihoon? You okay?"

Jisoo put an arm on his shoulder to wake him from his daze. He looks around at his friends at the lunch table, catching a glimpse at Hoshi's blond hair at a distant table over Seungkwan's shoulder.

"Hm? Oh, yeah."

"You nervous for the show?"

"Yeah, I'm glad Choi didn't take that away from you."

Woozi laughs a bit forcefully, "yeah. Nervous."

"It's okay! We'll be there this time to cheer you on!"

"You'll do great," Jeonghan reassures in full confidence.

"Hey, uh, guys?"

A tentative voice comes from a fellow student standing behind where Woozi was sitting. He turns his neck back to see Chan and Jun standing there awkwardly, both looking nervous. It was the first real time they had interacted since the party and all eyes at the table were on them.

"Sorry but we were wondering…you said there was like, an art show at the end of the year?"

"Yeah, the kids in art club take over the gym and make it an art gallery. They're still taking pieces—"

"You two do art?"

Jeonghan's voice was laced with an obvious annoyance for both of them.

"No…Hao does though. He's too nervous to ask. Hoshi, I mean, we thought we should ask you guys for him."

Woozi glances over at Hoshi's table and sees Minghao buried in his phone, completely ignoring the interaction. Hoshi is saying something to him, making a silly face in an attempt to get him to smile. The sight made Woozi's heart flutter a bit.

The other guys explained more details about the art showcase, but all Woozi could focus on was Hoshi.

He had remembered every detail of the party that night. Every urge to have his hands and other things all over Hoshi. The alcohol hadn't made him want Hoshi, it showed him he already needed him. Without his filter preventing him from really exploring theses feelings, he had passed right through his hesitations.

He had kissed him.

Woozi had played dumb, a quick decision that he had to run with. He had told a lie that he didn't remember much from that night or how he got home, which was partially true, but a lie nonetheless.

Hoshi never teased him about it. Never embarrassed him or even forced him into anything, even though Woozi had practically given him drunk permission to.

He shouldn't want Hoshi after all he'd done.

But after that night, he only wanted him more.

Unfortunately, while Woozi was aching to be closer to him, Hoshi was distancing himself almost subconsciously.

He wanted to give him space to focus on his music. To focus on enjoying the last few weeks of school.

That's what he told himself anyway. It had nothing to do with how his face would get hot when their eyes would meet or his hands would start to sweat thinking back to that night. He was grateful for the final weeks of school to be busy. Woozi would be studying for finals and now practicing for the showcase.

And Hoshi would be doing his best to keep his distance. For now.

The week of the showcase was scattered with heavy rainfall and dark clouds. Woozi's friends had been buzzing about the play they would be putting on outside in a mock amphitheater this year, but with the rain, it was delayed.

Rescheduled to the same night as the concert.

It would be in the smaller auditorium, the same arts building that would house the basketball tournament game that Hoshi would have played in. The concert that Woozi would be playing in would be held at a venue downtown like last year.

When Hoshi overheard this from Woozi's table, the wheels in his head began to turn furiously. No. He wasn't going to let anything ruin this for Woozi. This would be perfect, and he would make it that way no matter what.

And he already had a plan.

That Saturday night, the concert venue was set with various instruments and students mingled to distract from the nervous energy in the air. The anticipation for their performances like a physical presence among them, especially for Woozi.

His mind kept drifting back to last year. One note after the other falling out of place caused his whole piece to collapse. Now, his friends wouldn't be there, again. His parents were there, but in a way that only made him more nervous considering how much they'd wanted him to pursue music because of his so-called talent they insisted he had. He wasn't so much playing for them, he was playing to impress them.

And he had a lot more enjoyment playing for someone.

He had invited Hoshi, who had been oddly quick to send an apology that he had to be with the team for the big game, even if he was forbidden to play.

Woozi had been so upset about losing this opportunity, and now he was starting to wish he hadn't been given a second chance.

As the house lights dimmed and students and audience members started to take their places, Woozi moved back into the queue in the wings. He skimmed over his sheet music but the notes and lines started to blend together helplessly. He slipped off his suit jacket to cool off a bit, the action reminding him of the first party with Hoshi. The memory making his nerves twist into something else he couldn't quite name as he thought back to Hoshi slowly loosening the button his his shirt. He tugged on his collar, his fingers working the top button loose. Strangely enough, he felt a bit more relaxed. Less stiff. Like he was about to charge into a fun college party and not perform for a crowd full of strangers.

He wondered if he would be this nervous if he was drunk. A thought that made him smile, just a bit.

Back on the school grounds, Hoshi sat on the bleachers while a heated game was going on around him. Their school was only three points behind and it could be anyone's game.

Hoshi's eyes were only on the clock.

He had about an hour to make all of this come together.

Starting…

Now.

As a referee called a foul he took the distraction to head off to the bathroom. As he slipped out into the hallway he runs past the always tempting fire alarm.

This time, he would get to act on that temptation, knowing full well the consequences.

For Woozi.

He quickly pulls down the switch and the reaction is immediate. An alarm blares and a blinking red light illuminates through the halls.

Time to go.

He was outside in seconds, unlocking his car and getting behind the wheel just as he started seeing people filter out of the building. He hoped Chan would follow through on his promise, but he didn't stick around to find out.

He made sure something in the passenger seat beside him was secure before screeching off out of the parking lot just as the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.

The previous night's art gallery was less of an event like the basketball game, but still brought in many students and friends to show off their artwork.

After sharing some conversations with Minghao, Jisoo was able to convince him to display a few of his works of photography. They were mostly nature scenes and close ups of delicate flower petals or strange shapes in local chain linked fences, but he felt a sense of pride having his work be displayed like this.

Chan and Jun joined Jeonghan, Seungkwan, Seokmin and Jisoo at the gallery, thanks to Hoshi's nudging for his friends to mingle with them more. The odd tension having dissipated over time as the boys realized they had more in common than they thought. Jun and Chan had always liked dance, less ballet and more hip hop, but they could share their interests with the theater kids of the group who had to learn a bit of dance for their musical performances.

They had also promised to return the favor and go to the play tomorrow night instead of the game. Not only because Chan was suddenly more interested after hearing them excitedly talk about it, but he was given a mission from Hoshi to make sure that if something happens, he's to take them to Jihoon's concert.

And he followed through on that promise.

When the fire alarm rang it was a mad dash out of the auditorium, but Chan and his friends had pushed their way back stage to find Jihoon's friends. It took only a little convincing to drag them out to the parking lot and away to the venue downtown. He was asked if he had anything to do with the fire alarm going off, but he only gave a knowing smile.

Hoshi had made it just in time. According to the pamphlet at the entrance to the theater, Woozi should be up next after the short intermission break. While people stood and stretched and shared quiet conversations, Hoshi found a side door and pushed his way back stage.

His eyes scanned past the other students and stage crew members who gave him a curious look to find him.

There he was.

He was at the edge of the curtain, looking out on stage. His back was facing Hoshi but he could tell he was nervously fidgeting with his hands.

He slowly approached, his breathing still a bit heavy from his rush to get here on time.

"Hey."

Woozi jumps slightly and Hoshi immediately apologizes, "sorry, didn't mean to—"

"Hoshi!"

His nickname wasn't said in anger, it was said in elation. That wide and bright smile that Hoshi was so incredibly fond of accompanying his name.

"You said you couldn't make it."

"I lied."

Woozi scoffs, taking a few steps closer to him. He tilts his head to the side, "what are you hiding behind your back?"

"Hm? Nothing."

"Hoshi."

"It's a surprise, and I hope it's not the only one tonight."

Woozi gave him a curious look and Hoshi steps around him to peek out the curtain.

A warmth fills his chest as he sees Chan and all the other boys filling into the the front row, some of them still in their costumes from the play. Woozi steps beside him to try and see what he's looking at but Hoshi stops him.

"Hey, you look like you're ready for a party."

Woozi laughs.

Hoshi melts.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was."

Woozi's mouth opens as if he was going to say something else but the lights flicker and a stage crew member mumbles something about next performer on deck.

"That's my queue."

"I should go find a seat—"

"Actually can you…stay back here? I like knowing where you are."

"Sure. I'll watch you from here. I'll still be able to hear you, right?"

Woozi nods and is waved over by Mr. Choi who appears from the other side of the stage. He gives an unreadable look to Hoshi who gives a small and silent nod in response.

"You got this, Woozi. Go break a knee or whatever they say."

Woozi laughs again, "thank you, Hoshi."

He nods again and watches Woozi step out onto the stage.

His appearance is accompanied by the loud cheers of his friends, hooting and hollering.

"Yeah! Woozi!"

"Lee Jihoon!"

"That's my friend!"

Woozi pauses half way to the piano, gazing at his friends with a confused look, then glances back at Hoshi who shrugs. A smile warms on his face as his shoulders relax slightly. He sits at the piano and Mr. Choi introduces him, "next we have our very own music composer in the making. Lee Jihoon, who will be playing an original piece."

Woozi nods and leans closer to the mic over the piano, "If it's okay with everyone, I actually have two songs. One is very short so don't worry."

This gets a few laughs from the crowd.

"The first is called Cheers to Youth. It's a rewrite of a song I had prepared for last year when I had struggled to get through the first few measures correctly. I've learned lately from someone that we're all just living life for the first time, and part of living is youth. Where we make mistakes and we grow. The second song is one I played for a friend a while ago and I hadn't decided on a name for it until recently. It's called Pinocchio. Please enjoy."

Woozi glances over his shoulder at Hoshi behind him, soaking in the joy and pride on his face. With a newfound confidence, he turns back to the piano, stretching his fingers and laying them over the keys before he begins playing.

The first piece is a lovely melody of notes, and Hoshi feels himself fill with wonder just as he had the first time he heard Woozi play.

Except this time, his heart almost stops, as Woozi starts to sing.

The lyrics speak of adolescence, the uncertainly and anxiety of the future, but also the bright hope that our youth never quite leaves us.

As he glances to his friends he can see their eyes are all a bit misty, especially Jisoo who wipes a tear from his cheek as Jeonghan rubs his thumb over their joined hands.

The first song ends and applause rings out. He gives a small nod before starting his next piece.

He was honest, it's a very quick piece, very similar to the one he had played for Hoshi earlier in the semester. 'Sunbeam' he had called it at the time. Now, it was almost a bit more haunting, a deeper register of notes. He doesn't sing with this one, just hums a few notes to accompany the piano.

It's simple but beautiful, and Hoshi finds even himself unable to hold back his emotions from welling up in his eyes.

After about a minute he ends with a final note that rings across the audience and sticks in their hearts. There's a pause, then a loud and abrupt collection of applause. The loudest being from his friends, of course, but as they stand so does the rest of the room.

Woozi adjust his glasses as he stands and gives a few bows and thank yous before walking back towards the wings.

As he turns, he sees Hoshi holding out a bouquet of a colorful array of various flowers. As Woozi steps further backstage and pulls him away from where they could be heard Hoshi whispers, "you were amazing…"

"For me?"

Hoshi nods, handing the flowers to him, "I didn't know what kind you liked—"

"You did this didn't you? You brought them here."

Hoshi shakes his head at first, but then nods after seeing Woozi's expression.

"I don't know what you did to make that happen, but…thank you. I…"

He looks down at the flowers and rubs the petal of a pink rose between his fingers.

"I lied too, you know."

"Huh?"

"I remember that kiss."

"You…you do?"

Hoshi's face turns a shade similar to the rose.

Woozi nods, "Hoshi?"

"Woozi?"

"Can I have a do-over? Like the party? A second, first kiss?"

"You…" it takes Hoshi's mind a minute to catch up with the words he was hearing, "you can have as many first's as you want."

"Is that a yes?"

"Are you sure you want this?"

"I need you, Hoshi. I'm tired of lying to myself."

Hoshi's heart was racing a mile a minute and he was grateful for the dim lighting in the corner they'd found backstage. He was suddenly hyper aware of how close they were. He could count the little moles on Woozi's face.

One under his eye.

One on his cheek.

One—

Then a familiar sensation of warm lips pressed to his. This time he didn't push away.

Woozi's arms were wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him down slightly to match his height. The bouquet of flowers dropped to the floor beside them but neither of them cared.

Neither of them knew what this meant. What a future together would be.

But right now they were both finally honest with each other and themselves.

If someone could apologize through a kiss than that's what Hoshi's would say.

If someone could forgive through a kiss, than that's what Woozi's would convey.

'Where on earth is my happiness?'

Woozi's lyrics had said in his song.

Hoshi had an answer.

It was right here, in this moment. In his youth.

In the embrace of someone he had loved for a very, very long time.