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1. “The Time Jake Called Jay ‘Babe’ at Breakfast and No One Believed Him”
The Great Hall is alive with the hum of returning students, floating candles, and clinking cutlery. The start of 7th year feels almost fake, like the final chapter of a book no one’s ready to finish.
Jay slides onto the Hufflepuff side of the table (where all his friends are already at, even if they are not Hufflepuffs), nodding a silent hello to Jungwon across from him and snatching a piece of toast from the nearest tray.
“So, how was everyone’s summer?” Heeseung asks, draping an arm lazily around Sunoo’s shoulders. The two are practically glowing—soulmates radiating smugness.
“Productive,” Sunghoon replies, sipping pumpkin juice like it’s wine. “My father forced me to intern at the Ministry. Every day started at seven. I nearly died.”
Sunoo rolls his eyes. “You nearly died because you got banned from Floo Network use for reckless twirling.”
Jay snorts. “That was last year.”
Ni-ki grins. “I got banned from three apothecaries.”
Jungwon looks mildly impressed. “Respect.”
Jay takes another bite of toast, halfway through describing a camping trip his dad planned (“he calls it a ‘reconnecting ritual,’ I call it ‘mosquito hell’”) when someone drops into the seat beside him with a dramatic flourish of blue robes and the scent of expensive cologne.
“Morning, babe,” Jake says cheerfully, before leaning in to kiss Jay on the cheek.
Silence falls.
Jungwon drops his fork. Ni-ki freezes mid-chew. Sunghoon blinks like he’s trying to reboot his brain.
Jay, unfazed, picks up his goblet. “Oh yeah, we’re dating now. Over the summer and all that.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence—then the entire group bursts into laughter.
“No seriously,” Heeseung wheezes, clutching Sunoo’s arm. “That’s a good one.”
“I almost believed you,” Sunoo says through giggles. “But then I remembered Jake’s incapable of sincerity.”
Jake frowns. “It’s not a joke.”
“Oh, so now you’re committing to the bit?” Sunghoon asks, raising an eyebrow. “You expect me to believe you two—you two—are in a relationship and I didn’t notice? I’m the most observant person here! And your Best friend!”
Jake shrugs. “Apparently not.”
“Sure,” Ni-ki snickers. “And I’m secretly dating a Veela.”
Jay sighs, sipping his juice. “Just let them have their moment, babe. They’re in denial.”
Jake huffs. “You’re all going to feel so dumb when we’re kissing at the Yule Ball.”
“Oh please,” Sunoo scoffs. “You’d burst into flames if you tried to waltz.”
“You’re confusing me with Jay,” Jake says sweetly. “He’s the one with two left feet.”
Jay elbows him. Jake grins wider.
They return to breakfast as if nothing happened, but the table doesn’t stop whispering. Jungwon glances between them every few seconds. Sunghoon keeps muttering, “No way.” Heeseung and Sunoo whisper into each other’s ears like they’re drafting conspiracy theories.
Jay just keeps eating.
—
It’s late—past curfew late—and the castle is quiet save for the soft echo of their steps. Jay leans against the railing of the Astronomy Tower, the cool breeze lifting his hair, moonlight turning the edge of his robe silver.
Jake comes up behind him and wraps his arms around Jay’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.
“They really don’t believe us,” Jake murmurs, laughter in his voice.
Jay hums. “Told you they wouldn’t.”
“I thought Sunghoon would at least notice.”
“He’s too busy pretending he’s not worried about being outperformed by sixth-years.”
Jake snorts. “Harsh, babe.”
Jay tilts his head back so their cheeks brush. “It’s fine. Let them think whatever they want.”
Jake tightens his hold, voice quieter. “You sure?”
Jay nods. “We’ve got time. Besides… it’s kind of fun.”
Jake turns his head and kisses Jay properly this time—slow and soft under the stars, no audience, no teasing. Just them.
2. “The Time They Acted Like a Married Couple and Everyone Was Deeply Disturbed by It”
Lunch in the Great Hall is a predictably loud affair. The group has migrated toward the middle of the Hufflepuff table, where Jay always sits, despite Jake being a Ravenclaw. He’s there anyway—leg propped on the bench, lounging like he owns the place.
Jay slides into the seat beside him and wordlessly plops two slices of roast chicken onto Jake’s plate.
Jake, with a smug smile: “You do love me.”
Jay: “I just don’t want to hear you whine later about how the drumsticks ran out.”
Without comment, Jake reaches forward and pours Jay a glass of orange elderflower juice—the only one Jay ever drinks. He even adds a slice of lemon, the way Jay likes it.
Sunghoon stares. Ni-ki tilts his head. Jungwon looks mildly disturbed.
Heeseung squints. “Okay, you can stop now.”
Sunoo raises an eyebrow. “This is overkill. No one believes this anymore.”
Jay blinks. “What?”
Ni-ki points between them. “You’re acting like... like Sunoo and Heeseung. It’s weird.”
“I’m flattered,” Jake says, clearly not flattered. “But we’re not trying to be them.”
“Then why are you acting like... married?” Sunghoon gestures vaguely. “You’re supposed to be bickering. That’s your whole brand.”
Jay shrugs. “We still bicker.”
“Yeah,” Jake adds, grinning. “We just kiss after now, so Jay doesn’t curse me.”
“GAG,” Ni-ki announces, dramatically flopping forward onto the table.
Sunoo looks skeptical. “You absolutely do not kiss him. Jay would strangle you.”
Jake rolls his eyes and mutters, “You people are exhausting.”
He reaches for a bread roll. Jay slaps his hand and swaps it for one with less butter, muttering something about Jake’s “delicate stomach.”
The others just stare like they’re witnessing a glitch in the Matrix.
—
The room is all moonlight and candle glow, with scrolls of parchment curling under the weight of half-finished essays. Jay’s sitting cross-legged on the floor, books stacked around him like fortress walls, quill tapping against his lip.
Jake is lying on the rug, tossing a chocolate frog in the air and catching it with one hand. He hasn’t turned a page in twenty minutes.
“Jake,” Jay says, not looking up, “we have an essay due tomorrow.”
“I’m aware.”
“You haven’t written a single sentence.”
“I’m pondering my thesis.”
“Your thesis better not be ‘how to get hexed by your boyfriend in five minutes or less.’”
Jake sits up, grinning. “Ooh, I'm your boyfriend”
Jay glares. “You made that very clear at breakfast, remember?”
Jake crawls over to him, knee bumping his. “And yet they still don’t believe us.”
Jay sets his quill down, ready to launch into a tirade about the importance of NEWTs and study schedules and focus—
Jake kisses him.
It’s not playful or rushed—it’s slow. Intentional. His fingers curl under Jay’s chin, tilting him slightly. It’s warm and gentle and a little dizzying.
Jay makes a small, shocked noise in the back of his throat. When Jake pulls back, Jay’s ears are glowing red.
“I—what—Jake—”
Jake brushes his thumb over Jay’s cheek. “You were nagging. I had to shut you up.”
Jay tries to summon a glare. Fails.
He picks up a cushion and smacks Jake with it. Jake falls back laughing. Jay turns away, muttering under his breath—but he’s smiling.
3. “The Time They Started Being Cute at the Lake”
It’s a rare sunny afternoon at Hogwarts, and the group has taken full advantage. Blankets are spread out along the edge of the lake, shoes are kicked off, and the spring air smells like damp grass and sugar quills. A lazy breeze drifts by, stirring the edge of Sunghoon’s Transfiguration notes—which he’s absolutely not looking at.
Jay sits cross-legged with a book propped against one knee, talking quietly with Jungwon about magical creatures. Jake sprawls beside him, chewing on a sugar quill, clearly not listening to anything.
“Oi,” Jake says suddenly, “I’m tired. Be a good pillow.”
Jay barely has time to raise an eyebrow before Jake shifts and drops his head onto Jay’s lap with a content sigh, hands behind his head like he owns the place.
“Unbelievable,” Jay mutters, but his hand finds Jake’s hair anyway, fingers absently carding through soft waves.
Jake practically purrs.
He stays quiet for a moment—shockingly—then lifts Jay’s free hand and presses a soft kiss to the knuckles.
Jay freezes. Jake just smiles against his skin.
A very long silence follows.
“Are we all seeing this?” Sunghoon says flatly.
“Yep,” Ni-ki replies, sipping his drink with a disgusted expression. “Unfortunately.”
Sunoo leans around Heeseung to get a better look. “You guys are really trying to be us.”
Jake lifts his head enough to glare at him. “Trying? Please.”
He gestures toward Sunoo—who is currently sitting between Heeseung’s legs, his back resting against Heeseung’s chest, arms tangled like vines. They look like a wizarding wedding advertisement.
“You’ve been betrothed since you were in nappies,” Jake says. “Jay and I? We’ve gone through all possible stages of a relationship. Childhood friends, rivals, enemies—”
“We were never enemies,” Jay interrupts.
Jake waves a hand. “Fine, emotionally repressed best friends then. And now we’re in the most romantic stage: domestic chaos.”
“You mean me doing all the work while you lounge around?” Jay deadpans.
“Exactly,” Jake grins. “Soulmates.”
Heeseung chuckles. “Still not buying it.”
Sunoo twirls a blade of grass. “Me neither.”
Jake groans and drops his head back onto Jay’s lap with a dramatic flop.
“They’re impossible,” he whines.
Jay rolls his eyes but keeps stroking Jake’s hair. “Let it go. They’ll believe it eventually.”
Ni-ki watches them like they’ve grown a second head. “If you kiss again, I’m walking into the lake.”
Jake snickers. “Noted.”
—
The warmth of the kitchens wraps around them like a blanket, filled with the scent of cinnamon and cocoa. House-elves scurry happily, offering snacks and beaming at Jay like he’s royalty.
Jay hums quietly as he helps one elf frost a cake, delicate and precise, sleeves rolled to the elbow. Jake leans against the counter beside him, sneaking spoonfuls of frosting when he thinks no one’s looking.
“Stop that,” Jay says, nudging him with his hip.
Jake sticks out his tongue. “It’s quality control.”
Jay sighs. “And maybe try not to compare us to Sunoo and Heeseung again, yeah?”
Jake pouts. “I know, I know… but it’s just—” He slides behind Jay, arms curling around his waist in a soft back hug. “It’s frustrating. Like, do we really look that incompatible? Is it that bizarre?”
Jay pauses, hands stilling over the cake.
Jake mumbles against his shoulder, “I know I tease you, but I’m obsessed with you, you know? I’m in love with you. Properly. Like, pathetically.”
Jay turns in his arms, cheeks faintly pink. “You’re not pathetic.”
Jake lifts his chin, eyes soft and a little uncertain.
Jay leans forward and presses a quick kiss to his lips. “I love you too. Don’t overthink it.”
Jake blinks. “That was short.”
Jay smirks. “You want longer, behave better.”
Jake grins like a fool and pulls him close again, forehead resting against Jay’s. “Impossible.”
4. “The Time Jake Announced It Very Loudly (and Still No One Believed Him)”
The group is halfway across the courtyard when Sunoo says, “Where’s Jay?”
“Library,” Jungwon replies, checking the time. “He said he wanted to finish some Arithmancy reading before lunch.”
“Of course he did,” Heeseung snorts. “Let’s collect him before he forgets to eat again.”
They arrive at the library doors, voices dropping instinctively as they step into the echoing quiet. And there—by the window, books stacked like bricks around him—sits Jay.
And standing across from Jay, leaning a little too casually on the table, is a seventh-year Ravenclaw. Tall, smug-looking, and laughing at something Jay said.
Jake sees red.
He starts moving forward with murder in his eyes, but Jungwon grabs his arm. “Whoa. Chill.”
“He’s flirting with him,” Jake hisses.
Jungwon shrugs. “Jay can flirt back. Maybe he can get himself a boyfriend.”
Jake turns so fast he nearly knocks over a chair. “I am the boyfriend.”
Jungwon blinks. “...You are?”
“Yes,” Jake growls, throwing his arms up. “I’ve said it five hundred times!”
He storms across the library, all Ravenclaw confidence and rage, and slides into the seat beside Jay, draping his arm very pointedly across Jay’s shoulders.
“Hey, babe,” Jake says, voice saccharine. “Who’s your friend?”
Jay glances up, blinks once, and immediately bites back a smile. “Oh, you mean Kieran? He was just asking if I needed help with the theory section.”
Kieran looks between them, suddenly less smug.
Jake leans closer, still smiling. “Thanks for your concern, but Jay has all the help he needs.”
Jay hums, clearly entertained. “That I do.”
Kieran mutters something about being late for Divination and practically bolts.
Jake watches him go with the satisfaction of a cat who just chased off a dog.
Jay leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “That was dramatic, even for you.”
Jake huffs. “He was eyeing you like you were a Honeydukes sample tray.”
Jay laughs. “Jealousy’s not a good look on you.”
Jake pouts. “Then why are you smiling?”
“Because I find you mildly adorable when you’re homicidal.”
—
The trees are tall, the canopy thick, and the dappled light makes the whole trail glow green and gold. Birds chirp, leaves crunch, and Jake has been ranting for at least fifteen minutes.
“—and seriously, who flirts with someone in the library? That’s sacred ground,” Jake says, hands gesturing wildly.
Jay walks a little ahead, arms behind his back, letting Jake tire himself out.
“Like, I know I tease you, but I don’t go around leaning on your table and laughing at nothing like a third-year trying Butterbeer for the first time—”
“Jake.”
“—and don’t even get me started on our friends. What kind of friends spend weeks denying your very real relationship? At this point I could snog you in front of McGonagall and they’d say we’re just practicing for a play—”
“Jake.”
He finally stops walking.
Jay turns to him, amused. “Breathe.”
Jake stares at him. “I’m going to lose it.”
“Oh no,” Jay deadpans. “That would be such a departure from your usual emotional regulation.”
Jake takes a step forward. Then another. Until Jay’s back hits the trunk of a tree and Jake’s hands are on either side of his head.
“You know what?” Jake says, voice dropping. “Let’s make this impossible to ignore.”
“Jake—”
Jake dips his head and mouths at the curve of Jay’s neck, hot and possessive, his breath warm against skin. Jay gasps—quiet and sharp—his hand gripping the front of Jake’s robe.
Jake sucks a mark just below his jaw. Slow. Deliberate. Like a challenge.
When he pulls back, his voice is all smug satisfaction. “My pretty mark on your pretty neck. Let’s see them try to ignore that.”
Jay is red. Very, very red.
“You’re insane,” he whispers.
Jake just smirks. “You’re into it.”
Jay glares. “Maybe.”
And then he drags Jake forward by the collar and kisses him hard.
The forest rustles around them, but Jake’s world narrows to the press of Jay’s lips, the warmth of his hands, and the hum in his chest that says finally.
5. “The Time Jake Had Enough and Screamed It into the Sky”
It’s a crisp Saturday, all blue skies and the sweet smell of butterbeer floating on the breeze. The group walks through the gates of Hogsmeade together, coats buttoned against the late autumn chill, breath puffing in white clouds.
“Alright,” Sunghoon starts, glancing between the others, “I feel like maybe we should—”
“ACTUALLY,” Jake cuts in, loud enough that several passing students look over, “me and my BOYFRIEND are going to go have a really cute date with each other. You know. As boyfriends. In a relationship. That we are very much in.”
Jay blinks. “Jake—”
Jake grabs Jay’s hand and starts dragging him toward the High Street.
“BYE EVERYONE,” he calls over his shoulder. “WE’LL BE KISSING. IN PUBLIC. ON THE MOUTH.”
The group just… stares.
Sunoo has one eyebrow raised so high it might detach from his face. Jungwon looks stunned. Heeseung is frozen mid-step.
Sunghoon opens his mouth. Closes it.
Ni-ki, slowly: “Sooooo… are we believing it now?”
No one answers.
Back on the High Street, Jake is laughing like a maniac.
“You’re impossible,” Jay mutters, trying and failing not to smile.
“You love it.”
Jay sighs. “Unfortunately.”
—
The first stop is Honeydukes, where Jake makes Jay close his eyes and guess the flavor of every jelly bean he feeds him—except Jake keeps sneaking in terrible ones on purpose.
“Was that onion?” Jay chokes, eyes watering.
Jake grins. “Nope. It was double onion.”
Jay tries to punch him. Jake dodges. A small first year applauds from the next aisle.
Then they walk hand-in-hand down the cobbled street, stopping for hot chocolate and splitting a pumpkin pasty from Madam Puddifoot’s (“this is domestic and disgusting,” Jay says, but finishes it). Jake insists they take a picture with a magical camera from Zonko’s, which shows them mid-bicker while a little heart floats between their heads.
They visit the post owl tower to look at the new hatchlings (“you’re picking our future owl,” Jake says casually; Jay turns red). Then they detour down a quiet path by the Shrieking Shack.
“I still can’t believe they didn’t know,” Jake mutters, watching the frost sparkle on the grass. “I mean—I kiss you constantly. I’m so obvious.”
Jay leans into him. “They thought you were pranking them.”
“You thought I was pranking you when I kissed you the first time.”
Jay shrugs. “You prank a lot.”
Jake nudges him. “Still think it’s a prank?”
Jay looks up at him, eyes soft and full of quiet affection. “Nah. You’d never commit this hard to a joke.”
Jake grins. “Exactly. I’m annoying, but I’m not that dedicated.”
Jay tips up on his toes and kisses him—quick, warm, with frost nipping at their noses and the scent of chocolate in the air.
“C’mon,” he says. “Let’s go feed the thestrals before we head back. They like you better.”
Jake preens. “Everyone likes me better.”
Jay rolls his eyes, but laces their fingers together as they walk.
+1 “The One Time Everyone Absolutely Believed Them (and Regretted It Immediately)”
It starts with Peeves.
“I saw the lovebirds! Ravenclaw Tower, third floor room, they looked really cozy—ooOooh la laaaa~!”
Naturally, the group goes to investigate.
Heeseung knocks. “Jake?”
No answer.
“Maybe they’re napping,” Jungwon offers.
Sunghoon mutters, “If they’re actually together, we should probably apologize.”
“I still think this is going to turn out to be another prank,” Sunoo says, already halfway through the door.
And then—they see it.
Jake is shirtless. Jay is also shirtless. Jay is on his back, hair a mess, lips swollen, pupils blown wide. Jake is on top of him, one hand braced beside Jay’s head, the other halfway to pulling off his own belt.
Everyone freezes.
Jake looks up first.
“Oh,” he says, blinking. “Hi.”
Jay turns his head and sees the door open, the six of them staring like they just walked in on a Boggart’s worst-case scenario. He makes a sound like a dying owl and immediately covers his face with both hands.
Sunghoon turns around so fast he knocks into Ni-ki, who is backing up blindly.
“WE GET IT,” Sunoo cries. “YOU’RE DATING.”
“GOOD FOR YOU,” Heeseung says, covering Jungwon’s eyes. “WE’RE LEAVING.”
“I need bleach for my brain,” Ni-ki mutters, stunned. “I need to forget this.”
Jungwon just says, “I can never look at Jay the same way again.”
They all flee.
The door slams.
Silence.
Jay groans into his hands. “Kill me already.”
Jake bursts into laughter. He collapses on top of Jay on the bed, clutching his stomach. “Did you see their faces? Sunghoon looked like he got hit with a Stunning Spell.”
Jay grabs a pillow and hits him with it. “You are insufferable.”
Jake grins, catching the pillow and tugging Jay closer by the waist. “And yet, you’re still under me.”
Jay glares. “I was about to push you off.”
Jake hums, brushing his knuckles along Jay’s flushed cheek. “You could’ve. But you didn’t.”
Jay rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling.
Jake kisses his jaw, slow and deliberate. “They believe us now.”
Jay sighs. “They saw us now.”
Jake chuckles, voice low. “Might as well make it worth their trauma.”
Jay turns red again. “Jake—”
Jake kisses him softly, then trails his lips down Jay’s neck. “My pretty boyfriend,” he murmurs. “Still embarrassed?”
“Mortified.”
Jake smirks. “Want me to make you forget?”
Jay doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t stop him either.
The curtains close around the bed with a flick of Jake’s wand, muffling everything but laughter and the rustle of blankets.
The group never speaks of it again.