Work Text:
Compatibility. A word that never sat right with Jihoon. No matter what he did, the compatibility universe wasn't on his side. Whenever he took one of those compatibility tests it would always end in disappointed huffs and thrown phones.
His best friend Kyungmin sent him a test today. He said that it'll work 200% in his favour and that the one sided beef with compatibility Jihoon had will finally be over.
So Jihoon carefully rolled up his sleeves, cracked his knuckles, enjoying the sound of his bones cracking one by one and slowly started typing.
Person 1
Han Jihoon
Date of birth
28.3.2006
Gender
Male✓ Female
Person 2
Kim Dohoon
Date of birth
30.1.2006
Gender
Male✓ Female
Start calculating
So he sat there and waited until the calculator did its thing. He opened his closed eyes slowly and screamed in frustration.
0% better try next time
He sat there debating whether to throw his phone for the third time that day or to let it have some mercy as the phone itself wasn't at fault but the stupid tests. He just thought about Dohoon to calm himself down, that always worked.
The night sky was slowly filling with stars as Jihoon just sat there staring into nothing particular. Tomorrow was probably his biggest performance since he started dancing so he needed to get a good night's sleep, but how could he possibly get it when he and his crush are a mismatch?
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The next morning brought long awaited sunlight to his windows. He woke up with sun rays on his face and immediately knew that the day wasn't going to go well. He genuinely believed if he had a great morning the rest would go awful and vice versa so he tried to enjoy the morning as least as he could.
He didn't eat breakfast, just drank a cup of water, showered, brushed his teeth, got dressed and left the apartment.
He arrived at the venue 20 minutes early and sat on the benches near the performing area. He took a granola bar from his bag and started eating, enjoying his peace. He really wished that his superstitions weren't right this time since he really needed this day to go perfectly but of course the reason he believed in all of that was his bad luck and he slowly saw a black haired boy, with cat-like eyes approaching him nervously, and when he looked closer his heart started doing back flips, it was none other than the famous or not so famous Kim Dohoon.
“Y-you are Jihoon r-right?” He stammered nervously, rubbing his neck as he spoke softly. Jihoon's face immediately flushed pink and he genuinely wished that he could just disappear at this right moment. “Y-y-yeah, i am.” He said, stammering worse than Dohoon.
“I'm sorry to be the one breaking this to you, but due to heavy rain that was falling over the night, all dance performances are cancelled.” Dohoon said, with an apologetic look on his face and Jihoon couldn't decide if he was getting cuteness aggression from Dohoon or actual aggression from the events happening in the day.
“You can still access the backstage and all that since the staff will be treating all the dancers since they know how hard you all prepared.” Dohoon said softly trying to lighten up Jihoon's angry face and Jihoon's face softened up just a little before he realised that he's literally talking to the Kim Dohoon right now.
“But, can i watch the other performances?”
“Oh yeah, of course, you'll get the best seats as another apology from the staff. Make sure to watch mine.” Dohoon said with a wink and just happily hopped to his earlier place.
Jihoon wanted to dig a hole in the middle of this venue, dig himself in and stay there forever. His crush, the Kim Dohoon, knew he was dancing and came personally to tell him, invited him to watch his singing performance and even winked. Maybe this day wouldn't be so bad after all, Jihoon thought as he went to find Kyungmin.
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Jihoon found himself sitting on the seats closest to the stage awaiting Dohoon's performance. Dohoon sang and he danced another mismatch in his books. Maybe the compatibility universe is really right for putting 0% on every test.
Jihoon looked around the venue to find Kyungmin but his eyes naturally gravitated towards Dohoon's and they both caught eachother’s eyes. Dohoon's face stayed completely normal while Jihoon felt his face get completely heated. But then the contact broke as the backtrack started playing.
The song wasn't new to Jihoon, he knew it by heart, since he used to sing it everyday after he and Dohoon made eye contact.
“You're completely hooked, aren't you?” Kyungmin said teasingly while taking a seat next to him.
“Shut up Hanjin glazer.”
Jihoon looked at Kyungmin and wanted to kill him. He was jealous of Kyungmin. He and Hanjin had a great relationship while Jihoon was here playing a hopeless romantic with a person so different from him Jihoon thought that it wasn't humanly possible.
While Jihoon danced, Dohoon sang, while Jihoon was often described as a golden retriever, Dohoon was more of a black cat, while Jihoon had literature as his major, Dohoon was math. Everything about them was completely opposite.
Jihoon was infuriated with that fact. Why can't he have Dohoon? Why is the world so unfair to him that his one and only love is a complete mismatch? While everyone around him had perfect love lives, Jihoon was just there, chasing a love that will never see the light of day. Chasing a love that will always include him running and running, never stopping and finally getting the thing he longed for - Kim Dohoon. It will only remain a part of his college years, that will later on probably be a forgotten memory he and his friends will talk about.
Dohoon started singing and the audience silenced faster than the speed of light. His soft honey voice laced the room as it left everyone in shock. Everyone looked stunned, never hearing a voice that soft and melodic. It felt like something sweet in your mouth or a breathtaking mountain view you only once in your life. And Jihoon slowly remembered the moment he first fell in love with Dohoon.
The high school freshman orientation, where they had a minute to showcase their talents, and of course Dohoon's voice wasn't as good as it is now but that memory, hearing that voice for the first time, Jihoon would do anything to hear it for the first time again.
Jihoon looked around nervously, suddenly very aware that nearly a thousand people were hearing the beautiful voice of Kim Dohoon, his Kim Dohoon.
“Kyungmin we gotta go.” He said, already picking his stuff up and leaving the venue. But before he could leave, he caught Dohoon's eyes again and he caught the slightest look of disappointment in Dohoon's eyes, at least he thought so.
“What was that about?” Kyungmin asked with an annoyed huff. Jihoon just shook his head in response, not knowing what that meant and started speed walking as far away from the venue as possible. Kyungmin looked genuinely confused, but early on in their friendship he learned not to question Jihoon's antics.
Finally after what seemed like 20 minutes of speed walking they sat on a bench. “Care to explain now?” Kyungmin asked but Jihoon just stayed silent, staring at a black cat that was approaching them slowly. The cat sat perfectly in Jihoon's lap and he couldn't help but be reminded of Dohoon. Speaking of Dohoon….
“Why did you leave in the middle of my performance?” Dohoon asked, his voice raspy from the running he did. “Umm, ah, i…, don't, k-k-know?” Jihoon responded, feeling embarrassment creeping up his veins as he spoke. “I was really hoping you and your friend would see it.” Dohoon didn't say another word after that and he just left. Jihoon genuinely felt like the stupidest person alive, but in his defense, how the fuck was he supposed to say to Dohoon that he felt jealous by all the other people hearing his beautiful voice so he left.
“Wow… you just fumbled in front of a baddie, man.” Kyungmin said, half amusingly half pitying. “Shut up Hanjin glazer.” “Do you have any other nicknames for me or just that one?” “No, I don't and I'll call you like that forever.”
“So, loverboy, what are you going to do now?” Kyungmin asked, suddenly standing up and taking his things, Jihoon included. Jihoon just stood there dumbfounded. “You're going to explain to me why you left Dohoon standing, or I'll march up to him and tell him the truth about you, so, spill it loverboy.”
“Aaaaaa, Kyungmin you're the worst?” Jihoon whined but still obliged to do what Kyungmin said. “I kinda felt jealous that nearly a thousand people were able to hear Dohoon's voice tonight.” He said, his small voice somehow echoing against the warm afternoon. “You seriously need professional help, I'll ring up Junghwan to let him know that you're coming.” “DON'T YOU DARE.” “Already did it.”
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And like that Jihoon found himself in a weird looking office with pictures of a man he did not recognise. He stretched a bit to ease the nerves and that seemed to help. Suddenly, a tall, very handsome man, in Jihoon's opinion, walked in holding a clipboard.
“So, my very good friend Kyungmin told me you have some concerns.” He said in his most professional voice but Jihoon could see that this was a newbie. He debated whether should he confide in a random stranger or leave like a normal person would do, but something about this Shin Junghwan, as his name tag said, looked very true, he looked very innocent, so against his best judgement he decided to spill everything out.
“I'm in love with an acquaintance? I genuinely don't know what he is to me, but basically we aren't compatible at all, we're a complete mismatch and we're so different and i want to be with him but I'm afraid of what that love might bring if it comes true one day.” Jihoon said, feeling very light all of a sudden, like a certain weight was lifted off his shoulders and he could finally breathe normally again.
“Tell me more about this person, everything you know.” Junghwan said, patiently waiting for Jihoon to answer.
“Well, his name is Kim Dohoon, he sings very well, he is a math major, his birthday is on the 30th of January and he makes me feel amazing. We haven't talked much but whenever he opens his mouth i wish he never closes them. He speaks in such a comforting manner and is so polite that i genuinely sometimes think that he isn't a real person.”
“Let me tell you something Jihoon.” Junghwan said and then continued. “ I maybe don't know what your beliefs in love are but the thing i know is that compatibility isn't just about the physical things, it's about your chemistry as friends or acquaintances as you said, try to get closer to him, to actually learn something about him and maybe you'll start to like the way that you two are mismatched.” Junghwan finished with a polite smile and handed him his business card, “if you ever need something else” he said. Jihoon just smiled politely, thanked Junghwan and left the office, with his head fuller than before.
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“Jihoon!! Jihoon!!” Kyungmin yelled while running up to Jihoon. “Kyungmin? What's up? Why are you so excited?” Jihoon asked, confusion filling his head. “They found a time for us to perform the dance that was cancelled a few days ago!!” Kyungnin exclaimed loudly. But Jihoon wasn't excited at all. He just thought about how Dohoon would probably be there and he would fumble under Dohoon's gaze and make a fool of himself, like always. It seemed like Kyungmin noticed the shift in Jihoon's expression and just stopped talking.
“What's on your mind?” Kyungmin asked, turning serious. “Man, I don't know, if we perform, Dohoon will see me and I'll crumble and make a fool of myself like always when he's around.”
“No, that won't happen Jihoonie, you'll go and eat that stage up.” Kyungmin assured him, but that wasn't enough, he couldn't stop thinking about Dohoon's performance when Jihoon and him made eye contact and Dohoon looked so disappointed.
“Ok, let's just see when we're performing.”
….
Jihoon came home wanting to be swallowed by earth and never brought back. Everything was too much. His love for Dohoon was too much, but it seemed like Dohoon had no interest in him. He wishes he could just tell Dohoon everything he has been feeling, disappear and never come back. Just to lift the heavy rock his heart's been carrying since high school.
But no, the universe has made it impossible for Jihoon to approach Dohoon and talking to him wasn't even on the list.
Jihoon:
kyungmin
I'm about to do something crazy
don't look for me please
Kyungmin:
please don't to anything too crazy Jihoon
and yes, if you don't message me in two hours I'll flip the whole world trying to look for you
have fun!
Jihoon:
You're a menace
….
knock knock! Jihoon stood there looking dumb waiting in front of Dohoon's doorstep. “Coming!” Dohoon yelled out before he opened the door. And Jihoon could've sworn Dohoon changed about 200 expressions seeing the person on his doorstep. And it hit Jihoon right then and there that he had no idea what he'd say to Dohoon.
“Umm .. Jihoon, come in.” Dohoon tried to hide the surprise in his voice but he wasn't fooling anyone. “Can we go outside?” Jihoon asked nervously, for the hundredth time in his life wanting to disappear from the face of the earth.
“So, like, there's this major crossover on the university where the majors most different from eachother collab to make a project, and since you're math and I'm literature i thought that you might want to do it?” A complete lie btw. Jihoon had no choice but to lie if he wanted to get closer to Dohoon. It's like the universe read his mind when a notification popped up on their phones.
Major crossover - project
Math - literature, find your partner and report it in less than 24 hours.
“How… the fuck did you know?” For the first time in his life something's on his side. Jihoon wanted to jump out of joy. But he needed to stay calm.
“Kyungmin told me, since his major had this, I just assumed.” Another white lie coming out of his mouth. “That's crazy, but yeah, I'm down.” Dohoon said and Jihoon wanted to die out of happiness.
“Let's go and report it to the university so that we can pick our presenting order.” Jihoon said loudly and Dohoon just followed.
Maybe they're a mismatch but Jihoon really felt good right now, not flustered, not blushed, just like normal Jihoon.
“Anyways, Dohoon, would you come to my dance performance tomorrow?” Jihoon asked nervously, hiding his blushing cheeks. “Yeah, you didn't even need to ask Jihoon, of course I'll come, i always do.”
“Thank you.” Jihoon said before speeding off home. His cheeks were a dangerously red colour and heat crept up to his whole face.
Jihoon:
KYUNGMIN!!!
IT FUCKING WORKED
Kyungmin:
what worked?
Jihoon:
First step of my mission
Get Dohoon to like me
Kyungmin:
good luck jihoon
but…..
Jihoon:
What but?
Kyungmin:
I'm sure he already likes you Jihoonie
it's obvious, you just need to look more closely and you'll see it
But anyways, zhen’s calling i gtg
“No, he doesn't!” Jihoon yelled into nothing, “does he?” He questioned himself. “What if he actually likes me?” He kept repeating it, because there were many possibilities of that coming true. “What if he actually does like me?” “Shut up Jihoon.” He whined, putting his face in his hands.
“I genuinely need to shut up.” He said for the last time and prepared himself to sleep since he'll need to perform tomorrow.
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The morning brought gloomy clouds and loud storms to Jihoon's house. This time, it was an indoor venue so there won't be concerns about the stage being slippery. He slowly woke up and stretched his whole body.
He hoped that this day would go well because after the performance he and Dohoon would need to have a meet up about their project. So everything needed to go well or Jihoon would actually consider ending it all.
He decided to go on a run since it was still a bit early in the morning. The weather was awful and slippery but Jihoon needed to shake off the nerves sometimes. So he ran, despite the stormy weather.
He was so immersed in his music that he didn't realise an umbrella coming above his head and another person running beside him. He slowly turned around praying to God that the person beside him wasn't Dohoon but excepted of his luck of course it was Dohoon.
“What are you doing in the rain, silly?” Dohoon asked teasingly. “What does it look like?” Jihoon asked back. “I don't know, trying to get a fever maybe?” Dohoon replied. “Well it's my technique of shaking off the nerves.” “If your technique includes getting sick then, you do you, good luck on the performance.” Dohoon said, leaving the umbrella with Jihoon. “Dohoon!! Your umbrella?!” Jihoon yelled out but Dohoon just kept running to his home. “What a flirt.” Jihoon muttered as he continued running.
…
It was finally time for Jihoon's solo performance. The cheers of the crowd were heard before he even stepped out on the stage. The earlier run did help with some nerves but he still felt pretty nervous. He slowly stepped out on the stage and his eyes caught one person only, Kim Dohoon. He stiffened up immediately and just like Dohoon noticed it, he gestured to Jihoon to take deep breaths, mouthing breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. And it genuinely helped. Jihoon mouthed a quick thanks and the music started playing.
The performance went as expected, Jihoon killed it and the audience went crazy. But Jihoon couldn't care less about the audience, the only audience he cared about was Dohoon, and by the looks of his face, Dohoon really liked his performance. Jihoon couldn't help but smile at Dohoon's reaction as he slowly retreated backstage.
Now he could go home to change and take some notebooks with him so that he could work with Dohoon on their project.
…
His home was empty, as always, when he stepped in and he just threw his dance bag on the floor. A long time has passed since he has been proud of himself but this time he really was. He carried every step out perfectly, managed his expressions like a professional and got the biggest applause out of everyone so we could mark this as a win in his books.
He took an unnecessary time to get ready since he was meeting Dohoon after all. He had to make sure that everything on him looked and smelled perfect.
He arrived at their spot and laid out his notes carefully while waiting for Dohoon to arrive. Dohoon arrived holding a bouquet of carnations.
“Oh?” He said and then stood up to greet Dohoon properly. “For you.” Dohoon held out the bouquet with a bright smile on his face. “What is this?” Jihoon asked, genuinely puzzled. “It's a little gift from me for your amazing performance.” Dohoon said, his eyes sparkling. Jihoon felt his heart fluttering at the view of the beautiful flowers Dohoon had picked for him. He genuinely didn't know why carnations though? Did they have a special meaning or it was just the first thing Dohoon found, but everything about this was weird, very weird.
“Anyways” he said, his voice shaky, “let's get to work.”
“Soooo, the correlations between math and literature.” Dohoon started. “They're literally so opposite, like math is all about numbers and logic while literature is all about feelings and emotions.” Dohoon genuinely looked so cute while thinking about it. Jihoon could've just eaten him there.
“The presentation is in a week and we need to make a full 10 page work of the correlation.”
“Or, like it said, we could skip doing all that boring work and just make a project that will include both majors.” Jihoon suggested and judging by Dohoon's expression he seemed to like it too.
“Yeah, but now we need to think about what we should do.” Dohoon said, feeling a bit stressed.
“Since my major is creative writing not just boring literature and since we write poetry, stories, novels, fiction, nonfiction and other things, let me use poetry for example, what do people use poetry for Dohoon?”
“I have no idea?” Dohoon said, genuinely confused where this was going. “Don't give me that confused face. People use poetry to confess to their loved one, what do they use to confess to?”
“I have no idea?” “People, especially math nerds use Cardioid Equations to confess to their nerdy friends and because they told us that creativity is graded the highest and it's the season of love why shouldn't we show them the many ways of how you can confess to your loved one through writing and maths.”
“Jihoon, that's genuinely excellent, how come i didn't think of that?”
“Well because I'm the smart one and you're the dumb one hehe.”
“Shut up.” Dohoon said playfully.
Jihoon felt so good in Dohoon's presence. Yeah, he was in love, but Dohoon was such a good friend. Jihoon felt like he could be himself with Dohoon.
A week later….
Jihoon woke up to at least 20 notifications blasting his phone. He took his phone, his hands unstable from sleeping and his heart fell when he saw the notifications.
Dohoon:
the project's cancelled
fuck
fuck
fuck
such a shame
we can't show off your brilliant work
we spent so much on it
and now it's all for nothing
sorry jihoonie
but anyways
it was really great to work with you
see you on campus ><
Jihoon wanted to kill himself. His only shot at confessing to Dohoon was now ruined….
Jihoon:
No
No
No
:(
no worries and don't apologise Dohoon, it's not your fault
anyways since college is probably cancelled should we meet up?
Dohoon:
Yeah, works for me
around 2?
Jihoon:
Yeah, great, see you!
The day couldn't start any worse, their project was cancelled and Jihoon wanted to use that opportunity to confess to Dohoon, now that it's cancelled he doesn't have that choice anymore. Unless, he does.
Since he's not a maths major, Jihoon had to research which equations also give a heart graph in the end. Because he had a great plan up his sleeve and started getting to work. Maybe his major is creative writing but he's also very familiar with maths.
So Jihoon decided to do it by using the Polar coordinate system. In mathematics, the polar coordinate system specifies a given point in a plane by using a distance and an angle as its two coordinates. And using a specific equation the end result should give a heart.
He got to work, reviving his math skills and finished the equation.
….
The meet up was at a cafe near their university since it was close to both of them. Jihoon arrived first as usual and waited for Dohoon. While he waited he once again checked his equation to ensure that everything's right.
Dohoon arrived not long after and Jihoon didn't hesitate, he slipped the paper with the equation solved and asked “is this right?”
Dohoon looked puzzled but still looked at it, smiling at the paper. “Yeah, it is, but what's the point of this, Jihoonie?”
“Dohoon, you see the heart in there?” Jihoon said slowly. “Yeah, i do.” “Well that's a graphical display of my love for you. Everything in my life was always about compatibility, possibility, matching, mismatching so when everything in our lives succeeded to mismatch i lost hope in getting you. I always took those stupid compatibility tests and the only thing they said was 0% so i decided to take matters into my own hands. Who cares if we're mismatched, i thought, even though we have entirely different hobbies, different animals to describe us, different majors. Through our project we proved that even the biggest differences carry a bit of similarity, so i don't care if we're mismatched, i like it, i fucking do. And i love you Dohoon, i fucking do. Ever since the first time i heard your soft honey voice i became addicted, i couldn't take my eyes off you and i realised that I'm in love.”
Jihoon just poured his whole heart out to Dohoon, but in comparison to his earlier thoughts, he didn't want to disappear and never come back, he wanted to stay here forever, in this little café where it somehow all started.
Dohoon looked puzzled and took his time to think. Jihoon was anxiously waiting for Dohoon to respond, praying that the universe be on his side. But Dohoon's expression quickly changed into a mischievous one before he pulled Jihoon into a kiss. A kiss so warm it felt even sweeter than his voice.
“Jihoon.” Dohoon said when they pulled away. “I love you too. Everything that I've done was done for you. The song that i sang was for you, that's why i looked disappointed when you left the performance early, the bouquet of carnations was because they show love, fascination and amusement. I'm amused by you, by everything you do. I love you Jihoon, you bring the sunshine to gloomy days and on sunny days you shine even brighter. Who cares about our differences, like our majors we do have one thing in common and that's the feelings we have for one another, so let's focus on that”
“Now, let's go and sing our hearts out to love songs, shall we?” Dohoon said softly
“Nooo, I don't sing well.” Jihoon whined.
“I know you do Jihoonie, let's go now.” Dohoon pressed a quick kiss to Jihoon's lips and together, they went out of the cafe already choosing their playlist.