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Intak is, by all means, the star of the show wherever he goes. Taeyang has known that for a long time already - it’s been like that ever since Taeyang started going to college. Intak has always drawn attention to himself, he was kind, nice, popular. Loved even. Taeyang doesn’t think anyone truly dislikes him.
Maybe that is Intak’s biggest accomplishment - everyone knows him, everyone likes him. It was no different for Taeyang - he, too, liked Intak. More than he should, probably. More than necessary, more than anyone else he had ever liked. But Taeyang couldn’t deny the obvious: Intak was his type.
Unlike Intak, Taeyang was not popular, not loved. Taeyang had a small circle of friends, drawn back in the practice room of his band whenever he wasn’t in class. Practicing playing his guitar, practicing his singing. Writing new songs, trying to make better music. Whatever it was, it had something to do with music.
Taeyang is, in several ways, the complete opposite of what Intak is. There was a major difference in the amount of friends, in the popularity they had. A major difference in styles, Intak always wore stylish, modern clothes while Taeyang stuck to rather feminine fashion. Intak showed off his body, while Taeyang covered himself up. Intak’s clothes were colorful, while Taeyang stuck to dark colors, maybe a dark red if he felt like it. Intak’s hair was cut short and always styled perfectly, while Taeyang’s black hair was long, sometimes tied up but more often than not left open.
While Intak was clearly a man, someone who was easily liked and probably has never been judged, Taeyang was rather androgynous. Taeyang is frequently mistaken as a girl, but he has never once let it get through to him. In fact, Taeyang had never cared about what he was perceived as. His softspoken, rather high-pitched voice has never helped the accusations anyways. Taeyang more often than not got comments on his appearance, and was judged by his peers.
However, the biggest difference out of all, was that Intak was a straight man. Intak had a girlfriend, a beautiful one at that. Black, long hair that was always shiny. Feminine clothes, someone who fits right in with Intak. Taeyang however couldn’t be gayer. In fact, Taeyang just had to be so gay that he had to fall for a straight, taken man.
Taeyang thought that this was his biggest flaw. He had to fall for the popular, straight guy like a loser - except that he was actually a loser. He had no business picturing himself with the man in his free time, had no business imagining a future together. It was baseless, ridiculous, senseless. Just like Taeyang.
In the end, he’d treat it all the same - just like he was now. He was hidden away in their practice room, stringing away on his black guitar. He scribbled down a few notes from time to time, words or sentences. Something he could use for a song - a song that he’d write about Intak, knowing that Intak wouldn’t listen or pay attention to him.
The door to the practice room opened gently, but Taeyang did not look up. He brushed his hair back, tucking it behind his ear as he scribbled down more notes. Shota quietly made his way into the room, offering Taeyang a hair tie. Taeyang looked at the hair tie before looking up at Shota, taking it without a word when Shota’s eyes nudged him to tie it up.
Shota's eyes were fixed on Taeyang as he tied his hair up, glancing at the piece of paper in front of him. Taeyang handed the paper to Shota - mindlessly strumming away on the guitar as Shota read through it all. Taeyang hummed in acknowledgment when Shota put it back on the table, listening to Shota’s footsteps as he walked over to the drum.
Taeyang continued playing his guitar, somewhen establishing some kind of a melody he found fitting, nice sounding. Something that reminded him of Intak, in a way - something softer, something that maybe even Intak would listen to. Taeyang turned the paper around, quickly noting down what accords he had played before playing them again.
Shota took a few minutes before he played the drums - seamlessly fitting them to the melody of Taeyang’s guitar. Taeyang smiled slightly despite knowing Shota wouldn’t see it, as Taeyang’s back was turned to Shota. The melody continued for a while, Taeyang softly humming along to the tune.
The door opened once again - both Shota and Taeyang stilling in their tracks, the music quieting down. Jongseob stood in the door, his eyebrows knitted together as he looked at Shota and Taeyang. Taeyang listened as Shota got up, watching as Shota sat down next to him. He grabbed a piece of paper in front of him, taking a few notes as well while Taeyang watched him curiously.
“Hello to you, too. My day was great, thank you for asking!”
Jongseob's voice was laced with sarcasm, while Shota simply rolled his eyes. Jongseob sighed loudly, dramatically before sitting down on the floor, in front of the table. Taeyang watched Jongseob closely, squinting his eyes when Jongseob snatched Taeyang’s paper and read over it.
“Have you, like, talked at all today? I feel like I’m invading something.”
“We don’t need to talk to make music, Jongseob.”
Shota nodded in agreement, while Jongseob groaned loudly. He took the nearest pen and threw it at Taeyang, narrowly missing his head. Taeyang picked the pen up, throwing it at Jongseob and hitting him right on the forehead. Jongseob winced before picking the pen up from his lap, rubbing his forehead.
Taeyang watched for a few seconds as Jongseob scribbled on Taeyang’s notes, something he had always done. When Shota got up and went back to his drum, Taeyang found himself playing the melody again. Shota eased back into the rhythm quickly, Jongseob listening quietly as the two played.
Somehow it always ended like this. Quietly making music, teasing each other and scribbling over each other's notes. Taeyang doesn’t think it would ever change. He didn’t want it to change, it had always worked, it had always been comfortable like this. In the practice room nothing but their music mattered.
ᯓ★🎸
Jiung rattled the handle of the bathroom door while Taeyang was inside, causing Taeyang to groan loudly. Jiung let the handle go, mumbling something Taeyang didn’t pay attention to. He quickly finished his makeup, opening the bathroom door to Jiung crossing his arms. His eyebrows were furrowed while Taeyang simply stared.
“We need to get going. Why do you always take so long?”
“I’m not taking long. Not my fault you always need to use the toilet before leaving.”
Taeyang grinned as Jiung hissed at him, pushing past Taeyang to get into the bathroom. Taeyang tied half of his hair up before putting on his shoes and grabbing his jacket. Jiung didn’t take long before he came out of the bathroom, getting dressed as well and taking his backpack, while Taeyang took his bag.
They left the dorm shortly after, Taeyang following Jiung without saying a word. Jiung kept talking, like always. Taeyang didn’t mind - he liked listening to Jiung, not having to put up the effort of trying to find a topic to talk about. Even though Jiung’s topics all eventually circled back to Keeho and Intak.
Jiung was the only person that Taeyang knew that wasn’t fond of those two. Jiung was a chronic hater, something Taeyang found mildly amusing. Jiung thought Keeho and Intak were annoying and rude, using their popularity to their advantage. He never proved it once but he also felt like he didn’t have to, because if he wanted to prove it he’d have to be close to them.
“I don’t get what you like about Intak, to be honest. You never even talked to each other. Never even walked past each other. Hell, he never even spared you a glance!”
“Why would he? I’m not what he wants. Even though I’m feminine, I’ll never be able to give him what he wants. I cannot give him any of that. I’m not a woman.”
Taeyang looked at Jiung, whose brows now furrowed in anger. Jiung stopped in his tracks, holding onto Taeyang’s arms to keep him from walking away. He knew what was coming his way, but that didn’t make it even a bit better. Taeyang tilted his head, watching as Jiung drew a deep breath.
“Are you serious? You’re good the way you are. You owe him nothing, absolutely nothing! Be happy he doesn’t look your way because I’m certain he’d be insufferable. You’re almost starting to sound like you’re feminine just to have him like you. We both know that’s not true, so please, get your shit together and don’t feel bad over a straight man.”
Jiung’s brows furrowed further, his eyes almost going straight through Taeyang’s soul. The more often Jiung tells him those exact words, the more agitated Jiung becomes. Taeyang fears he’ll be jumped the next time Jiung starts his scolding. Maybe that’d be easier, maybe that’d draw some attention to him.
Taeyang watched as Jiung clicked his tongue and let go of him, walking away without saying another word. Taeyang watched for a second or two before following Jiung, looking around and spotting Intak with his girlfriend. It’s the first time he’s seen her face - her nose was pretty, her lips plump and shiny. She had dark, big eyes and her makeup was surprisingly similar to his own.
A slight ache settled in Taeyang’s heart as he looked at her, tearing his head away from her to look back at Jiung. He refused to properly look at Intak, for once glad there was distance between them and he didn’t have to see his face. He didn’t want to picture them together. Taeyang knew they looked good together, however he didn’t need it rubbed into his face by seeing their faces next to each other, eyes focused on another.
Taeyang glanced at Jiung - who somehow managed to get into an argument with Keeho - before focusing on the stabbing pain in his heart. Tears welled up and stung his eyes and Taeyang was glad Jiung was busy arguing for once. He quickly rushed past Jiung, a small hiccup escaping his lips.
His fist clenched his shirt tightly, the stabbing pain in his heart not going away, stubbornly reminding him of the truth. Taeyang couldn’t hold the tears back any longer - the tears running down his cheeks as a choked sob escaped his mouth. His shoulders were shaking as he rushed past the people around him, running straight for the toilets and rushing inside of a stall.
Taeyang closed the door, pressing his back against it as he slid down the door and let his broken sobs finally run free. No matter what Taeyang did, no matter how meticulously and frequently Taeyang updated his social media, he’d never be what Intak would look for. No matter how much he looks at his profiles, seeing how he’d look on Intak’s phone, it was a far-fetched fantasy.
His tears got caught on his long sleeves before Taeyang pulled up his knees and sobbed into his arms. What was even his problem? Intak doesn’t talk to him, doesn’t look at him. Taeyang doesn’t think that Intak knows his name - he was sure about it. Why would he? Intak is everything that Taeyang is not.
Taeyang stilled when he heard a quiet knock on his stall door - quickly getting up from the floor before he opened the door. Shota looked at him, something unreadable in his eyes as he handed out a tissue to Taeyang. Taeyang took it with an acknowledging nod, wiping his tears away as Shota’s eyes seemingly tried to dig out a secret.
In the end, Taeyang didn’t mind. Shota brushed Taeyang’s hair back, taking another tissue to fix Taeyang’s makeup. Taeyang stood still, letting Shota handle his face and makeup. Neither of them said anything - like usual, but Taeyang liked it. Shota seemed to understand even without Taeyang saying anything.
“You’re pretty. Even after you cried.”
ᯓ★🎸
Taeyang usually trusted whatever the weather forecast claimed for that day and diligently looked it up each morning. Taeyang also usually had a small umbrella in his bag - knowing better than to go anywhere unprepared. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t check the weather forecast in a hurry and had somehow misplaced his umbrella, too.
Just because it was his luck, it also had to rain that day. Taeyang looked out of the window - eyebrows knitting together as the other students packed their bags to leave. Each of them had an umbrella or a waterproof jacket ready, while Taeyang had to mentally prepare himself for the humbling sprint through the rain without the right clothes nor an umbrella.
Eventually, Taeyang got himself pieced back together and packed his bag, standing up and leaving his class. His plan was to practice - they had a performance coming up and obviously wanted to prepare for it. He debated going to his dorm room first - but in the end he’d be drenched anyways and it would only lead to a delayed rehearsal.
Taeyang took a deep breath before he opened the door, wincing as the first drops of rain hit him before he even stepped outside. He quickly covered his eyes with a hand, rushing over the campus towards the practice room. Technically, the way to the practice room wasn’t long - but with the rain pouring onto him, it felt like an agonizing long time in the rain.
He was drenched by the time he had arrived at the practice room - he didn’t have a mirror nearby but he was able to tell that his makeup was messed up by the feeling on his face. He brushed his hair out of his face, tucking his bangs behind his ear before reaching for the door handle.
Taeyang didn’t need to open the door - it was opened from inside of the practice room before Taeyang had the chance to grab the handle. He looked up, his eyes meeting Intak’s and suddenly all noise around him vanished. Intak seemed surprised at first, knitting his eyebrows together for a second or two before he looked back and laughed.
Intak slid past Taeyang shortly after, while Taeyang’s head was busy spinning. It felt as if his world collapsed in the span of a few seconds - he was wet, drenched even and his makeup was smeared. There wasn’t a possible way to make him look even worse and it was obviously his luck to have Intak see him in such a state. To make it even worse, Intak laughed.
Taeyang took a few steps forward - just enough so that he was in the practice room - before he crouched down and sobbed. He heard the door click shut - barely registering that Jongseob kneeled down in front of him. Taeyang buried his face in his hands, letting the sobs ripple through his body, shaking slightly as he did so.
Jongseob got up shortly after, wrapping a towel around Taeyang and carefully drying his long hair. Taeyang’s sobs echoed through the room, desperation becoming more evident while his mind was still spinning. His chances had been slim already - but meeting Intak like that must’ve taken even the slightest chance away from him.
Taeyang’s sobs quieted down after a while - he simply kept his head down and chewed on his bottom lip as Jongseob continued drying his hair. The door clicked open behind Taeyang, the quiet sound of footsteps shuffling inside now filling the room. Taeyang looked up when he noticed someone kneel in front of him - smiling slightly at Shota’s face.
“I brought dry clothes for you.”
Shota handed the clothes to Taeyang - his smile never leaving his face. Jongseob stopped drying Taeyang’s hair and handed him the towel, a smile draped across his face as well. Taeyang smiled slightly and got up, squeezing himself in the small room that was attached to the practice room. He dried up and changed quickly, a small smile forming on his face when he noticed that Shota must’ve dropped by his dorm to get him his own clothes.
Jongseob gave Taeyang a tissue when he stepped out, immediately holding his phone up. He smiled as Taeyang wiped the makeup off his face, which was slightly uncomfortable because of the lack of makeup remover, but it was manageable. Taeyang threw the tissue away after he was done, turning around to Jongseob and Shota, who both sat on the couch.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, hyung.”
Taeyang smiled slightly before he sat down as well, a quiet giggle escaping his lips when the younger two wrapped him into a tight hug. Taeyang rested his head on top of Shota’s, closing his eyes to appreciate the moment. Jongseob squeezed Taeyang’s body for a few seconds before letting go of Taeyang entirely and getting up again.
“Do you feel better now?”
Jongseob smiled slightly when Taeyang nodded, although it went unnoticed by Taeyang. Taeyang pulled Shota closer, opening his eyes after a few seconds, looking straight into the camera of Jongseob’s phone. Shota made a small noise before he, too, let go of Taeyang. Taeyang ignored the slight ache and the desire to be hugged for just a while longer, smiling at Jongseob’s phone instead.
He watched as Jongseob took a few pictures, smiling slightly before he got up from the couch and grabbed his guitar. Jongseob put his phone away, while Shota sat down in front of his drums. Taeyang sat down with the guitar on his lap, tuning it as Jongseob kneeled down in front of him. Taeyang looked at Jongseob, his eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to figure out what Jongseob wanted from him. They looked at each other for a few seconds, the noise from the instruments slowly dying out before Jongseob spoke.
“You have a crush on Intak, don’t you?”
ᯓ★🎸
Taeyang had successfully ignored Jongseob’s question the past week. Jongseob had let it go when Taeyang pretended that he didn’t hear it - although Taeyang was quite sure that Jongseob had only let it go because it was obvious and they both knew the answer. However, he was glad that Jongseob hadn’t brought it up again. He had been upset enough that day.
They were quietly assembling their instruments, only a few minutes left before they had to go on stage and perform. Taeyang was slightly nervous - just as always - but today he had a weird feeling. He didn’t know why - there was no obvious reason - so he simply tried to ignore it. Since the other two seemed unaffected, Taeyang figured it was just his mind playing tricks on him.
Taeyang, Shota and Jongseob went onto the stage a few minutes later - performing their songs seamlessly. For once, Taeyang was glad that he forgot to put contacts in his eyes and therefore had a hard time seeing whomever was in the crowd. It made him feel a little at ease and he was able to fully push the odd feeling away.
Jiung greeted them backstage after their part of the show was finished - a wide smile on his face as he greeted them. They went into one of the rooms backstage, where Taeyang immediately put his guitar back into the case. It was silent for a few seconds, until Shota suddenly spoke up.
“Intak was in the crowd. I saw him.”
“Huh? That’s unusual. He didn’t tell me he’d come watch.”
Jongseob furrowed his eyebrows - looking at Shota as if he had any answers for why Intak didn’t tell Jongseob about watching their performance. Taeyang’s mind, however, was starting up again. Did he look okay? Did he make an okay impression? Did Intak even pay attention to him? Was he even worth that attention?
“God, sometimes I forget you’re friends with those assholes. What even does Intak want here? He should get lost. I can’t stand him!”
Jiung squinted at Jongseob as he talked, sighing before he fell into the cushions of the couch. Taeyang paid no mind to Jiung, busy with his own questions slowly overflowing his head. Taeyang froze when Jongseob suddenly stopped in his tracks - almost mechanically turning towards Taeyang. He hoped Intak didn’t somehow end up backstage.
“That reminds me, Taeyang. You never answered my question. Do you have a crush on Intak?”
Taeyang stared at Jongseob like a deer caught in headlights - blinking a few times before his eyes flickered between Jongseob and the door. Jongseob caught on quickly, blocking the way out for Taeyang. Jiung and Shota looked at him as well - expectation filling their gaze. What would he even say?
“I do. But it’s hopeless anyways, I’m not what he’s searching for. It’s impossible for him to like me back.”
“Taeyang, I seriously don’t get what you see in him. You should leave him behind, he’s never paid attention to you!”
Jiung’s voice grew a little louder - reminding Taeyang of a parent that scolded their child. Taeyang shuddered slightly, sighing as he bit on his lip. No matter what he’d say, Jiung would twist it all into a narrative to move on from Intak. Maybe he should figure out a way to follow Jiung’s instructions.
“Wait, Taeyang. Why do you even have a crush on him? Did it happen just like that?”
Taeyang looked at Jongseob - gulping at the curious, almost invasive look on his face. Taeyang had never told any of them why he liked Intak - it had been too embarrassing for him, but by now Taeyang had nothing left to lose. Maybe Jiung would cut out his complaints if he knew about it all.
“No. Not really? In the first week or so, a party was hosted. It was quite at the beginning of the year and I attended it because I didn’t know what to do with myself. I don’t remember how exactly, but I got roped into a drinking game. I hadn’t said anything the entire evening and didn’t really know what to say at all, so I still wonder how I ended up there. The game somewhen got to Intak, and he got told that he had to kiss someone. All of them were already beyond drunk, while I was only tipsy. In the end, the guys told him that he and I should kiss. I think I was only chosen because they thought I was a girl and since I hadn’t spoken I didn’t really give anything away. I also didn’t want to speak and deny Intak, especially because I didn’t mind kissing him. We kissed for that bet and somehow something clicked inside of me. I’m quite sure that he doesn’t remember and he must’ve been convinced that I was a girl, too. It’s quite embarrassing, actually.”
There was a long, awkward silence after Taeyang explained everything and even though he could see the way they processed the information still, Taeyang wanted to crawl and hide somewhere. It was almost cruel - watching their mouths open and close, speechlessness evident in their faces. Maybe this fate was worse than hell.
“You two kissed before? I thought you were just being delusional about him like, I don’t know, almost everyone else who likes him that way and you’re telling me you kissed?! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“I was embarrassed! Who the fuck kisses some guy at a party while everyone thinks you’re a girl except me?”
Jiung huffed after Taeyang’s defense - leaning back while his eyebrows furrowed again. Shota seemed to have recollected himself, giving Taeyang a thumbs up while he prayed for the ground to open up underneath him and swallow him whole. Jongseob’s face twisted in ways Taeyang hadn’t seen before, before he finally looked at Taeyang again.
“You were the girl he kissed? He only remembered kissing someone with dark hair. I think he said something about you being totally his type. Take that with a grain of salt, he was super drunk and I only listened because I couldn’t fall asleep while he told me about everything that went down at the party.”
ᯓ★🎸
Taeyang was in the practice room with Jongseob and Shota when the door suddenly burst open - Keeho almost running through it. Taeyang almost couldn’t believe his eyes - while Intak and Jongseob were friends, it wasn’t uncommon for Intak to sometimes drop by and give Jongseob something. Although Keeho and Jongseob were friends too, Taeyang had never once seen Keeho in the practice room they shared.
“Jongseob, you will not believe what just happened.”
Keeho closed the door behind him, dragging a bewildered Jongseob to the couch. Keeho sat down right next to Taeyang, causing him to scoot further away before Jongseob sat down on the other side of Keeho. What even was going on? Taeyang was irritated, especially by Keeho’s lack of care for them not being the only ones in the room.
“Intak’s girlfriend just broke up with him. She almost caused a scene! She said she’s sick of him always looking at some other tall girl, that she noticed him focusing on the girl the second she appears anywhere. He apparently also went to some performance of hers! I don’t even know who she’s talking about, do you know? She also said she saw him with that girl when she was drenched from the rain. It was crazy! Intak didn’t even say much, he just said okay! He seemed so relieved too. It was super weird.”
“Performance? Rain?”
Jongseob furrowed his brows as he looked at Keeho, while Taeyang simply stood up and walked over to Shota. He felt like he was invading their space, invading Intak’s business which he had nothing to do with. Shota furrowed his brows for a second or two before he smiled at Taeyang, his attention turning back to Jongseob and Keeho right after.
The door opened once again shortly after, except this time Jiung entered the room. Jiung’s irritation was evident on his face the second he saw Keeho - a frown forming on his face before he looked at Jongseob. Jiung closed the door behind him slowly before he awkwardly sat down next to Jongseob. Taeyang watched as Jiung shot a glare in Keeho’s direction, slightly irritated.
“Where’s Taeyang?”
“He’s next to Shota.”
Jiung hummed before he turned towards Shota and Taeyang, waving towards them with a small smile. Taeyang furrowed his eyebrows as he watched Jiung, waving just so Jiung wouldn’t feel ignored. Taeyang watched the three on the couch awkwardly, getting up after a few seconds. He left the practice room quickly, deciding that he didn’t want to hear Jiung and Keeho argue with each other.
Taeyang walked by the soccer field, stopping when he saw Intak walk past. Intak didn’t seem to notice him - why would he, after all - walking straight ahead without paying any attention to Taeyang. He sighed quietly, turning before he felt a tap on his back - quickly turning around to see a tall, dark haired man in front of him.
“Your name is Taeyang, right? I’m Jo.”
Jo smiled shyly, a slight blush dusting his cheeks while Taeyang nodded. He scratched his neck before going through his hair, which seemed wet from sweat. He must be on the same team as Intak, if Taeyang were to judge his gym bag and the jacket Jo was wearing. Objectively speaking, he was very pretty.
“I’ve seen you around a few times. I actually watched your performance! You’re really pretty so I drew you. I wanted to give this to you, since I really liked your performance.”
Taeyang gasped, watching as Jo held out a piece of paper - the drawing very clearly picturing Taeyang. Taeyang couldn’t help but smile widely at the piece of paper - gently brushing his finger over the drawing. He looked back at Jo, who now smiled brightly as well, before kissing his cheek gently.
“Thank you so much! Do you want to watch the band practice? I should probably get back to them, if you want to, you can come with me.”
“If it’s no issue for you to have me watch, then I’d love to.”
Jo smiled as Taeyang shook his head, laughing slightly when he took his hand and got dragged away. Following Taeyang was easy - they didn’t need to exchange many words and Taeyang’s laugh felt carefree and almost healing. Somehow, Jo couldn’t even feel nervous about meeting the other band members with Taeyang around.
They arrived at the practice room shortly after - Taeyang sticking the drawing on a wall as soon as they went inside. Keeho had already left the practice room - leaving a slightly tense seeming Jiung and Jongseob, who quickly snapped out of their trance as soon as they saw Jo.
“Jiung, Shota, Jongseob, this is Jo! He’s from the soccer team. He drew me during our last performance and I offered to let him tag along to our practice.”
Jiung’s eyebrows raised shortly before he bowed to Jo - who quickly mirrored Jiung. Taeyang showed him a place to sit at before he grabbed his guitar, tuning the instrument carefully while Jo watched. Jo’s eyes never left the other man - focusing on him solely, a soft smile on his face.
Taeyang rushed over to Jongseob and Shota, chatting with them quietly as Jiung settled next to Jo. They shared a few words before quieting down, as the band seemingly was ready to perform. Taeyang looked at Jo as he sang, a slight smile forming on his lips, which Jo continuously mirrored.
Jo’s eyes barely shifted their focus from Taeyang and Taeyang doesn’t think anyone has ever paid as much attention to him as Jo did. Taeyang couldn’t help but smile wider as he sang, his heart fluttering a little every time he opened his eyes and noticed Jo hasn’t looked away from him even once.
Taeyang smiled when Jo applauded them as soon as they finished their practice - his smile growing even wider. He felt as his cheeks heated up slightly, looking away when Jiung came up to him. His eyes sparkled weirdly as he leaned in to whisper into Taeyang’s ear - his breath hitching slightly as he listened.
“Jo seems like he is in love with you. You should go for him, I like him. He seems very nice.”
ᯓ★🎸
Jongseob had invited Taeyang to a party - Taeyang wasn’t entirely sure who was hosting it, but it didn’t really matter either way. Jongseob had said that he could bring someone along and for some reason, he had asked Taeyang. For some reason, unbeknownst to himself as well, Taeyang agreed.
Taeyang felt the cold air hit his face as he stood in front of the door - looking at his phone, only to see a text from Jongseob saying he couldn’t make it and that he was sorry. He sighed loudly, brushing his hair out of his face that kept hitting him due to the wind. Taeyang turned around on his heel - shock evident in his face when Jo suddenly stood in front of him.
“Oh, Taeyang! It’s nice to see you. Do you want to go inside with me?”
Jo smiled widely and for some reason, Taeyang couldn’t find himself denying the offer once again. He followed Jo inside, partly glad he was able to be there with someone he knew. Taeyang followed Jo through the crowd, who seemed awkwardly familiar with the place. The host must’ve been someone from the soccer team.
Taeyang looked around - quickly losing sight of Jo, despite both of them being rather tall. He sighed to himself, fiddling with his sleeves as he looked around. He didn’t need nor want to be there and losing Jo just made him question all of his life choices. Why couldn’t he have denied either Jongseob or Jo?
He considered turning around and just sneaking off, if no one really knew he was here no one would miss him anyways. Besides, Jo didn’t seem that much like he was out of place as Taeyang did. Maybe it was for the best to just sneak off - he could handle Jiung’s questioning way better than the awkwardness anyways.
Taeyang stopped in his tracks when he almost bumped into Intak - not even getting to move a meter away from where he was standing. Taeyang looked at Intak, bowing slightly while apologizing before trying to walk past him. Intak quickly grabbed Taeyang’s wrist, turning him around gently.
“Taeyang? What are you doing here alone, did Jongseob not come?”
“Ah, no. He didn’t. I was just about to leave again.”
Intak quickly pulled Taeyang closer, turning them and shielding Taeyang from the bottle that fell. Taeyang looked past Intak, gasping at the broken glass bottle. Intak took Taeyang’s hand and walked past the other people, further into the house until they eventually reached the kitchen.
“Are you alright, Intak? Did you get hit by the glass?”
“No, not at all. I’m fine. Do you want a drink?”
Taeyang didn’t get to give Intak an answer - as the latter immediately turned around and poured something into a cup and gave it to Taeyang. Intak smiled slightly before he poured alcohol into another cup, bringing that one up to his lips. Taeyang stared at the cup before he looked at Intak - slowly taking a sip out of it. Since when did Intak even know his name? More importantly, why did Taeyang just accept his fate?
“Intak, come on! The team is playing a game upstairs!”
Intak nodded at his teammate, who quickly disappeared upstairs. Taeyang accepted his fate once again when Intak took his hand, following the latter upstairs. It was less crowded there, which Taeyang was partly glad for. Nonetheless, he felt a deja-vu hit him as he sat down, a little further away from Intak.
Taeyang looked to his side when someone sat down next to him, quickly recognizing Jo and flashing him a small smile. Jo seemed happy to see Taeyang once again, whispering a quick apology for losing him earlier. Taeyang simply nodded, focusing on the bottle that suddenly spun in the middle.
He barely paid attention after the bottle spun a few more times, never landing on anything that had to do with him - which Taeyang was grateful for. The room suddenly erupted into a loud cheer as Taeyang sipped on whatever concoction Intak had produced for him, realizing that the bottle pointed towards Jo.
Taeyang had barely heard the words that were said to Jo - almost dropping his cup when Jo suddenly turned his chin, a slightly apologetic look in his eyes as he kissed Taeyang. Jo pulled back rather quickly, spinning the bottle as Taeyang looked away from Jo again, looking at Intak who suddenly seemed rather unhappy.
A while after the game suddenly changed to 7 minutes in heaven - Taeyang watching as more and more people got selected, coming back looking like a mess or like nothing happened at all - Taeyang was about to get up and leave - his cup was empty anyways - before the bottle stopped on him.
“Oh, Intak, you’re lucky. You can pretend he’s a girl if you turn the lights off.”
“He looks convincing enough, don’t get too carried away!”
Taeyang slowly got up - disgust showing in his face as he looked at some of the teammates. Intak had quickly taken Taeyang’s hand, quickly dragging him into an empty room and closing the door. Taeyang looked at Intak as he sat down on the bed - sighing loudly before looking at Taeyang.
“I’m sorry. They’re assholes, you really didn’t deserve this treatment. You shouldn’t be seen as some kind of… last option. You’re more than that. In fact, I think you’re really beautiful no matter what.”
Intak’s ramble suddenly seemed never ending - something which Taeyang unfortunately found incredibly endearing. Taeyang walked up to Intak, kissing Intak but quickly pulling away again, blush covering his cheeks. He was about to apologize, quickly stopped by Intak pulling Taeyang onto his lap and kissing him again.
Taeyang shyly reciprocated the kiss, blushing more when Intak tucked a few strands of his hair behind his ear. Intak’s eyes almost sparkled - his hands grabbing Taeyang’s waist before he kissed Taeyang again. The leftover tension inside of Taeyang broke loose - slowly melting into Intak’s touch, reciprocating every kiss.
“You’re so beautiful, Taeyang.”
Intak smiled widely before he kissed Taeyang again, a quiet giggle escaping Taeyang’s lips before he reciprocated the kiss once again. Intak groaned quietly when Taeyang shifted slightly, adjusting his position. Taeyang looked at Intak as he could feel Intak’s dick hardening, blushing slightly while trying his best to pretend that he didn’t notice Intak’s boner at all.
“7 minutes are over!”
Taeyang quickly got up from Intak’s lap - pressing a soft kiss on Intak’s lips before he slipped out, quickly passing by the other teammates and leaving. Intak seemed to have quickly recovered, chasing after Taeyang until they were outside. Intak grabbed his wrist, stopping Taeyang from leaving entirely.
“Taeyang, is everything alright? Did I do something wrong? Please, don’t leave just yet.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t want to see those guys anymore and going home is the best option.”
Intak’s worry faded away at Taeyang’s answer - his eyes seeming weirdly soft. Intak pulled Taeyang closer, watching as someone walked past them. Taeyang looked at Intak - yawning quietly before Intak spoke.
“Please let me accompany you home.”
“Okay.”
Taeyang smiled slightly when Intak wrapped his jacket around Taeyang, putting his arm around Taeyang’s shoulder shortly after. Taeyang let himself get guided back to the dorms, not daring to look up at Intak. If he did, then maybe his illusion would fall apart - after all, this is the closest he has been with Intak.
“Taeyang, to be honest, I really like you. Can I be your boyfriend?”
Intak turned towards Taeyang - his smile faltering when Taeyang froze. He stood in front of Taeyang, biting his lip slightly as Taeyang’s eyes caught his. Taeyang looked around, stepping forward a little while looking at Intak.
“I don’t want to be your rebound, just because I look like a girl.”
“Taeyang, all I want is you. Since we kissed at the first party, all I’ve wanted was you. Everyone told me I kissed a girl, she lied to me and I believed her like a fool. I somewhen noticed that it was you I kissed, but I didn’t know how to approach you. Jiung hates me and when I saw you with Jo, I didn’t know what to do. I promise you, Taeyang, I would never get with you just because you have a more feminine appearance. I want to be with you because I like and admire you.”
Taeyang blushed as Intak talked to him, cupping Intak’s cheeks and kissing him gently. Intak’s tension eased immediately - his arms wrapping around Taeyang’s waist as if they always belonged there. Taeyang opened his eyes after they parted lips - smiling slightly when Intak leaned his forehead against Taeyang’s.
“So, is that a yes? Can I be your boyfriend?”
“Yes, please.”