Work Text:
The problem with Kim Jaehee wasn't that he was tall, handsome, and annoyingly smart. The problem was that he knew it.
Maeda Riku had been trying to avoid him all semester, which was impossible when they shared three classes and somehow always ended up competing against each other. Like right now, in their Physical Education requirement, where they were supposed to be timing their 400-meter runs.
"Maeda, you're up," the instructor called.
Riku stepped up to the starting line, shaking out his legs. He was fast, being short and compact made him quick off the blocks. The whistle blew and Riku exploded forward, legs pumping. When he crossed the finish line, the instructor nodded approvingly.
"Nice, Maeda. Personal best."
Riku was catching his breath when Jaehee lined up for his turn. And of course, because the universe hated Riku, Jaehee ran a faster time. Not by much, maybe half a second, but enough that he shot Riku a smug look as he jogged past.
"Good effort though," Jaehee said, all fake sincerity.
"I hate you," Riku muttered.
The next week was swimming. Riku pushed himself hard, determined not to let Jaehee win everything. He didn't win. But he came close enough that Jaehee actually looked surprised when he checked the time board.
"You're faster than I thought," Jaehee said in the locker room after.
"Thanks for the patronizing compliment."
"It wasn't patronizing. You're actually good." Jaehee was toweling off his hair. "You almost beat me."
"Almost doesn't count."
"No, but it's closer than anyone else has gotten." There was genuine respect in Jaehee's voice. "You don't give up, do you?"
"Never."
Jaehee studied him for a moment, like he was seeing something new. But then he just smiled that annoying smile and walked away, leaving Riku confused and irritated.
When their professor announced their midterm project partners, Riku felt genuine dread hearing his name with Jaehee's.
"Guess we're stuck together," Jaehee said after class. "Try not to look so happy about it."
"I'm not happy. You're going to do nothing while I do all the work."
Jaehee stopped walking. His expression went cold. "You think I don't work hard? You think this is all easy for me?"
"Isn't it?"
"No. It's not." Jaehee's voice was quiet but sharp. "I work my ass off. I just don't make a big show of it like you do."
Riku felt like he'd been slapped. "I don't..."
"You do. You act like you're the only one who works hard. Meanwhile, you just assume everyone else has it easy." Jaehee stepped closer. "Maybe you should actually pay attention instead of hating me for no reason."
He walked away, and Riku stood there feeling angry and ashamed at the same time.
They met at the library that night. It was awkward and tense, both of them being overly polite. But then they started actually talking about the project, and something changed.
Jaehee had good ideas like really good ideas. And when Riku suggested something new, Jaehee got excited about it instead of shooting it down.
"That could totally work," Jaehee said, leaning over to look at Riku's notebook. "If we do it that way..."
"We could get way better results," Riku finished, feeling excited too.
"Exactly." Jaehee glanced up and they were suddenly really close. "You're actually really smart, you know."
Riku's face heated. "I know. That's why I'm here."
"Modest too," Jaehee said, but he was actually smiling. Not smirking—smiling. "We're going to destroy this project."
Over the next two weeks, they basically lived in the lab. Riku found out that Jaehee was super careful about getting things right and understood their coursework better than half their professors. Jaehee seemed surprised that Riku was good at explaining complicated stuff in normal words.
"You should teach someday," Jaehee said one night when it was just them. "You make things make sense."
"Maybe after grad school." Riku rubbed his eyes. "Haven't decided what I want to do yet."
"You'd be good at anything." Jaehee stretched, his shirt riding up slightly. "I'm probably going into sports coaching. Working with professional athletes."
"That makes sense. You're good at understanding how people move." Riku paused. "And you're good with people. Better than me."
"I don't know. You just pick who you spend time on." Jaehee swiveled his chair to face Riku directly. "You know what you're really good at?"
"What?"
"Annoying me. No one else argues with me like you do."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Both." Jaehee's fingers drummed against the armrest. "I like it. I like arguing with you. I like when you prove me wrong. I like working with you."
Riku's chest tightened. "I like working with you too. Even though you're annoying."
"Takes one to know one, short stuff."
"Don't call me that."
"You're right. Sorry." Jaehee actually looked apologetic. "I know it bothers you."
Riku was surprised by the apology. "I don't actually care that you're tall. I just hate when you use it to look down at me on purpose."
"Okay, maybe a little," Jaehee admitted with a laugh.
"You're distracted," Jaehee said a few days later. They were collecting data from some athletes, and Riku had messed up the same measurement twice.
"I'm not distracted."
"You are. What's wrong?" Jaehee set down his clipboard. "Is it the project?"
"No, it's not..." Riku stopped. He couldn't exactly say I'm distracted because I can't stop thinking about you and it's confusing the hell out of me.
"Talk to me," Jaehee said, giving Riku his full attention, which somehow made everything worse and better at the same time.
"It's nothing. I'm just tired."
Jaehee studied him for a long moment. "You know, you can tell me stuff. I know we started off rocky, but I like to think we're friends now? Maybe?"
Friends. Right. That's all we are.
"Yeah," Riku said, trying to ignore the disappointment. "Friends."
A shadow passed over Jaehee's face, there and gone. But then he smiled and said, "Good. So as your friend, I'm telling you to take a break. You look exhausted."
They grabbed coffee and somehow ended up walking around campus, talking about things that had nothing to do with their project. Jaehee told him about growing up doing gymnastics, about the pressure from his parents to be perfect at everything. Riku found himself opening up about being recruited for basketball, about always feeling like he had to prove himself because of his height.
"You know what I think?" Jaehee said. They'd stopped by the lake, the sunset reflecting off the water. "I think you're already more than enough. You don't need to prove anything to anyone."
Riku looked up at him, at the sincerity written across his face.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
I'm so screwed.
The game was on Friday night, the week their project was due. Riku had mentioned it once—just casually. But when he walked into the gym for warm-ups, the cheer team was setting up on the sideline.
His heart stopped when he saw Jaehee adjusting his uniform, laughing with his teammates.
"Dude," Sion said, bumping his shoulder. "Is that Kim Jaehee? From sports science?"
"Yeah. So?"
"So the cheer team never comes to our games. Like, ever." Sion grinned. "Someone must've requested it."
Riku's face burned. "Shut up and stretch."
But Sion was right. Which meant Jaehee had specifically asked to be here.
For me?
During warm-ups, Riku kept stealing glances at the sideline. Every time he looked over, Jaehee was watching him. And when their eyes met, Jaehee smiled—not his usual smirk, but something softer.
Riku nearly tripped over his own feet.
The first half was rough. The other team was prepared and aggressive. By halftime Seoul was down by twelve, and morale was dropping fast.
The third quarter was worse. They were down by fifteen going into the fourth, and people were starting to leave. The gym felt defeated, quiet except for disappointed murmurs.
But the cheer team didn't stop.
While everyone else was giving up, they were on the sideline going harder than ever. And Jaehee was leading them, his voice cutting through the gloom, refusing to let the energy die.
"Let's go, Seoul! We're not done yet!"
We're not done. Not yet.
Then he heard it. Clear and unmistakable.
"Let's go, Riku!"
His head snapped toward the sideline. Jaehee was staring right at him, hands cupped around his mouth.
"Come on, number seven! I know you've got more than that!"
The gym wasn't that loud, so everyone heard it. Riku's teammates turned to look, and Sion started laughing.
"Bro, your man is crazy."
"He's not my..." Riku started, but Sion was already jogging to position, still grinning.
Something ignited in Riku's chest. Maybe it was embarrassment? Maybe it was the way Jaehee was looking at him like he genuinely believed Riku could turn this around? Or maybe it was the realization that Jaehee had come here, had requested this, had been cheering specifically for him.
He called for the ball.
What happened next felt almost out of body. Riku pushed the pace, attacking relentlessly. Every time he scored, he couldn't help glancing at the sideline, finding Jaehee leading cheers, screaming himself hoarse.
"Defense! Defense!" The cheer team's chant was echoed by the crowd now, everyone back on their feet.
Riku hit a three to cut it to eight. Then stole the ball and scored on a fast break. Down by six.
With three minutes left, Riku hit another three. Down by three.
Every time he scored, he looked at Jaehee. And every time, Jaehee was there—cheering louder than everyone, eyes fixed on Riku like he was watching something miraculous.
Oh. Oh no. I'm completely gone for him.
They tied it with a minute left. In the timeout, coach was drawing up a play, but Riku could barely focus. When he jogged back to the court, Jaehee caught his eye and mouthed, "You got this."
Riku's heart nearly burst.
They got the ball with ten seconds left, down by two. The play broke down, and Riku found himself with the ball at the top of the key. He drove, spun, pulled up...
The shot felt perfect leaving his hands.
It hit front rim, back rim, rolled around...
And fell out.
Buzzer. Game over. They lost.
Riku stood there, deflated, as his teammates patted his back with "good fight" and "almost had it." But all he could think about was that last shot, and how he'd let everyone down.
Especially Jaehee, who'd screamed himself hoarse believing in him.
After the locker room and coach's talk, Riku emerged to find Jaehee waiting in the hallway. His voice was shot—barely more than a rasp—and he looked exhausted.
"Hey," Jaehee said hoarsely.
"Hey." Riku couldn't meet his eyes. "Sorry. About the loss."
"Sorry?" Even destroyed, Jaehee's voice carried intensity. "Riku, you were incredible."
"We lost."
"You brought your team back from fifteen down. You scored like twenty-two points in the fourth quarter." Jaehee moved closer. "That was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen."
Riku finally looked up at him. "Why did you come?"
"I wanted to support you."
"But why?" Riku's voice cracked. "The cheer team never comes to our games. You had to request this. Why would you..."
"Because I wanted to watch you play. Because I..." Jaehee stopped, seeming to struggle with something. "Because you matter to me."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning.
"Jaehee..."
"I should let you rest." Jaehee started to back away. "You must be exhausted."
"Wait." Riku grabbed his wrist. "Walk with me?"
They walked in silence toward the dorms, tension thick between them. Riku's mind was racing. All those study sessions, the way Jaehee looked at him, the fact that he'd come to this game and screamed himself hoarse...
"Can I ask you something?" Riku said finally.
"Sure."
"Why do you care so much? About my games, about me doing well." He couldn't finish the thought. "Why?"
Jaehee stopped walking. He was quiet for so long that Riku thought he wouldn't answer.
"Do you really not know?" Jaehee's voice was barely audible, wrecked from shouting.
"Know what?"
"Riku, I..." Jaehee dragged a hand through his hair, visibly struggling. "I've been trying to get your attention since freshman year. The competing in class, the teasing, showing up wherever you are... I've been so obvious about it."
Riku's heart stopped. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I like you. I've liked you for so long I can't even remember when it started." Jaehee let out a rough laugh. "I thought working on this project together would help me get over it, but it just made everything worse. Because you're not just smart and talented... you're funny and passionate and stubborn and..." He stopped. "And I can't stop thinking about you."
The ground seemed to shift under Riku's feet. "You... like me?"
"Yes. And I know you probably don't feel the same way, but I needed you to know. I couldn't keep pretending..."
"Are you insane?" Riku interrupted.
Jaehee's face fell. "Right. I shouldn't have..."
"No, you're insane because I've been losing my mind for weeks trying to figure out why I care so much about what you think, like why I know your entire schedule. Why working with you is the best part of my day even when you're being annoying." Riku stepped closer. "Why watching you cheer for me tonight made me feel like my heart was going to explode."
Jaehee's expression shifted from devastated to shocked to hopeful. "Riku..."
"I like you too, you tall idiot. I just didn't want to admit it because we're supposed to be rivals or whatever, and I thought..." Riku grabbed the front of Jaehee's hoodie. "I thought you were way out of my league."
"Out of my league?" Jaehee's voice was rough, barely above a whisper from all the shouting, but the emotion in it was unmistakable. "Riku, you're... you're everything. You're brilliant and fierce and you don't back down from anything. Do you have any idea how incredible you are?"
"Stop talking," Riku said, and yanked him down.
Jaehee made a surprised sound as he was pulled forward, but then his mouth was on Riku's and nothing else mattered. The kiss was fierce at first, years of tension finally breaking free. Then Jaehee's hands came up to cup Riku's face, gentle despite everything, and the kiss softened into something sweeter.
Jaehee pressed him back against the nearest wall, and Riku threaded his fingers through Jaehee's hair, holding him close. When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Jaehee rested his forehead against Riku's.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," Jaehee whispered, his destroyed voice making it sound even more intimate.
"Then do it again."
Jaehee laughed, it came out as more of a rasp, and kissed him again, softer this time, like he was savoring it. When they pulled back, both of them were smiling.
"So," Jaehee said, wincing slightly at how rough his voice sounded. "Does this mean you'll let me take you on a date?"
"Only if you promise to stop calling me short stuff."
"What if I call you my short king instead?"
Riku pretended to think about it. "I'll allow it."
Jaehee laughed and kissed him again, and Riku thought that losing the game was worth it if it meant ending up here.
The next week flew by in a blur of stolen kisses between classes and late-night texts. They finished their project, presented it together and got the A they deserved, and Riku couldn't stop smiling through the whole presentation. Their professor even commented that their partnership had produced exceptional work.
If only he knew, Riku thought, catching Jaehee's eye across the room.
Riku was tying his shoes after basketball practice when his phone buzzed.
Jaehee: Practice is running late. Miss you though.
Riku: I'll come wait. Want to see you.
Jaehee: You're the best. Love you.
Riku grinned at his phone. They'd been officially together for two weeks, and it still felt surreal. Kim Jaehee—the guy everyone wanted—was his boyfriend.
When he got to the athletic field, the cheer team was running through their competition routine. Riku found his usual spot by the fence and watched Jaehee lead his team through complicated formations. He was in his element, confident and encouraging.
The routine ended, and Jaehee immediately looked toward the fence, breaking into a smile when he saw Riku.
"Five minutes!" he called to his team, then jogged over. "Hey, baby."
"Hey." Riku wanted to reach through the fence and kiss him. "You looked good."
"Yeah?" Jaehee was slightly out of breath. "We're almost ready for competition."
"You're definitely ready. That was perfect."
Jaehee's smile grew impossibly wider. "Wait for me to shower?"
"Obviously."
When Jaehee emerged fifteen minutes later in joggers and a zip-up, he immediately reached for Riku's hand.
"Ready?"
"Wait." Riku tugged him closer. "You forgot something."
"What?"
"This." Riku pulled him down for a kiss. It was quick and sweet, but it made Jaehee smile against his mouth.
"I like this rule," Jaehee murmured.
"What rule?"
"The one where I have to kiss you every time we leave somewhere."
"It's not a rule. It's a requirement." Riku kissed him again. "Now let's go. I'm hungry."
They started walking across campus, hands linked, talking about their days. As they passed the gym, Riku heard voices and looked up to see his entire basketball team standing by the entrance.
Watching them.
Riku froze. Oh no. I wasn't ready to tell them yet. I didn't even know how to bring it up.
"Riku!" Sion called out, grinning wide. "That's your man!"
The team started whooping and clapping. Minho jogged over, still smiling.
"About time you two got together. We were all wondering when you'd figure it out."
"You... you don't care?" Riku asked, caught off guard.
"Care?" Sion laughed. "Dude, you're our best player and a good person. Why would we care who you date?" He looked at Jaehee. "Plus, you landed Kim Jaehee. The Kim Jaehee. That's like hitting the jackpot."
"Everyone on campus wants to marry him," Minho added. "Good job, captain."
Jaehee's ears turned red, but he was smiling. "Thanks, guys."
"Just don't distract our point guard too much," Sion said. "We need him for the tournament."
"I'll do my best," Jaehee promised, squeezing Riku's hand.
As they walked away, Riku felt lighter.
"See?" Jaehee said softly. "Told you it would be fine."
"Yeah, yeah. You're always right."
"I like hearing you admit that."
Riku shoved him playfully, and Jaehee laughed, pulling him closer.
The next morning, Riku had to drop Jaehee off at the dance studio before his own practice. They stood outside the building, and Jaehee was looking at him with that soft expression that made Riku's stomach flip.
"I'll see you after?" Jaehee asked.
"Obviously." Riku glanced around—no one was watching—then pulled Jaehee down for a kiss. "Good luck with practice."
"Thanks, baby." Jaehee kissed him again, then once more. "I love you."
"Love you too. Now go before you're late."
Jaehee finally pulled away, walking backward toward the entrance with that stupid smile on his face. "You know, you're really cute when you're being bossy."
"And you're annoying. Go!"
Jaehee laughed and blew him a kiss before disappearing inside.
A few days later, Riku showed up early to meet Jaehee after cheer practice. One of Jaehee's teammates, a girl named Amani, spotted him and grinned.
"Riku! You're here!"
"Just waiting for Jaehee."
"He's still inside." She walked over. "You know, we're all really happy for him."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. He's had the biggest crush on you since like freshman year. We've been watching him pine from a distance this whole time." Amani laughed. "When he found out you guys were partnered for that project, he tried to play it cool but called me at midnight freaking out about it. Kept asking if he should act normal or if this was his chance to actually get to know you."
Riku's face heated. "He did?"
"Oh yeah. And after your basketball game? When you guys finally got together? We've never seen him so happy." Amani's smile was genuine. "You guys are cute together. Take care of our captain, okay?"
"I will."
When Jaehee finally emerged, Riku was waiting with that now-familiar flutter in his chest.
"Ready?" Jaehee asked, and Riku just pulled him down for their required goodbye kiss, smiling against his mouth when Jaehee laughed softly.
That weekend, Riku's practice had run brutally long. His legs were jelly as he cut through campus, taking the shortcut past the athletic field. Music drifted over—the cheer team was still going.
He should keep walking. He was exhausted, needed to shower, had homework waiting. But his feet stopped anyway, drawn to the fence.
Jaehee was in the center of the formation, leading the routine with that same confidence and grace that had captivated Riku at the game. But now, watching him as his boyfriend, everything felt different. The way Jaehee encouraged his team, caught people when they stumbled, celebrated their successes... warmth bloomed in Riku's chest. Pride mixed with affection, knowing this amazing person was his.
The routine ended with their competition pyramid—flawless execution. When Jaehee spotted Riku by the fence, his demeanor shifted from captain to boyfriend in an instant.
"Hey, baby," Jaehee said, jogging over. "Stalking me now?"
"Just happened to be passing by."
"Sure you were." Jaehee's eyes were bright with amusement. "Give me twenty minutes?"
"I'll be here."
And he was. When Jaehee emerged in his usual post-practice attire, Riku's exhaustion felt less heavy somehow.
They started the walk back to the dorms, and Riku realized this had become his favorite part of the day—these quiet moments, just the two of them, the rest of campus fading into background noise.
"You okay?" Jaehee asked. "You're quiet."
"Just tired. Happy, though." Riku squeezed his hand. "Really happy."
Jaehee stopped walking, tugging Riku to face him. "Sometimes I still can't believe this is real."
"What do you mean?"
"Us. That we're together. That you actually like me." Jaehee's thumb traced circles on the back of Riku's hand. "I spent so long thinking you hated me. Now you're mine and sometimes I can't wrap my head around it."
Warmth spread through Riku's chest. "I'm yours. You're stuck with me."
"Good. I don't want to be unstuck."
They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, before Riku made a decision. "Bend down."
Understanding dawned on Jaehee's face. He turned and crouched, and Riku hopped on his back, wrapping his arms around Jaehee's neck. Jaehee stood easily, adjusting his grip.
"Comfortable?"
Instead of answering, Riku pressed a kiss to his cheek. Then another. And another.
"What are you doing?" Jaehee asked, laughing.
"Kissing my boyfriend. Is that illegal?" Riku kept pressing kisses to any part of Jaehee he could reach—his cheek, his jaw, behind his ear. "You're warm and you smell good and I love you."
"You're being extra cute right now."
"I'm always cute. You're just noticing."
Jaehee started walking, carrying Riku like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like Riku weighed nothing. Like he'd carry him forever if asked.
"You know what's funny?" Jaehee said.
"What?"
"I used to call you short stuff to annoy you. Now you're my short stuff and I mean it in the best way."
"I'm your short king," Riku corrected. "Get it right."
"My short king. The love of my life. My favorite person."
"Wow, you're really soft right now."
"I'm always soft for you."
Riku rested his chin on Jaehee's shoulder, completely content. The campus lights blurred past, the evening air was cool, and everything felt right. "I'm really happy."
"Me too, baby. Me too."
When they reached Riku's dorm, Jaehee tried to put him down, but Riku refused.
"Five more minutes."
"We're literally at your door."
"Don't care. Five more minutes."
Jaehee laughed and leaned back against the wall. "Fine. Five more minutes."
Riku kissed his cheek again, then his jaw, his temple. "I can't believe I used to think I hated you."
"You didn't hate me. You just didn't know you liked me yet."
"Maybe." Riku tightened his arms. "I'm glad we figured it out though."
"Me too. I love you so much it's kind of scary sometimes."
"Not scary. Just big." Riku kissed his cheek again. "I love you big too."
"Big love for my short king."
"Keep it up and I'm revoking your kissing privileges."
"You wouldn't dare."
Riku kissed him to prove his point. "You're right. I wouldn't."
When Riku finally slid down, Jaehee pulled him into a proper kiss—deep and sweet and full of everything they felt but didn't always say.
"See you tomorrow?" Jaehee asked.
"See you tomorrow. Love you."
"Love you more."
"Impossible."
Jaehee kissed him one more time before walking away. Riku watched him go, still smiling.
Being enemies first had been stupid, but being this? Being Jaehee's? Being loved like this? That made everything worth it.