Chapter Text
Working at a college library meant you had seen everything. It was as much a place for perfectly normal library tasks like reading and studying quietly as it was for socializing, mental breakdowns, and walking on your hands after your fourth energy drink. It also meant you usually weren’t part of the action; you were a spectator, a bystander at best. You were as much of a prop in the library as the shelves and books that lined them.
What Jinyoung did not expect was to be the star of the action.
It started like anything else. Two guys--kind of cute, kind of douchey-looking, Jinyoung noted--sat at the table closest to his line of vision. He recognized them both. One was a clean-cut athlete who frequently came to the library to study, but ended up falling asleep on the table and snoring loudly enough to clear the area around him. The other was a bit more on the lanky side, and he would pass by Jinyoung in front of his class buildings, usually making prolonged and awkward eye contact. They were speaking to each other in what they seemed to think were quiet voices, but Jinyoung could make out their entire conversation.
“How are you so sure he’s into guys?” the lanky one asked.
“Come on, Mark, are you serious? You have the worst gaydar on a gay guy I’ve ever seen,” said the athlete.
“Okay, well, how are you so sure he’ll be interested? In us? I mean, you’re fine, but I don’t know if I can last more than five seconds.”
“Dude, really? Have you seen yourself? You’re cute as hell. You don’t need to work very hard.”
He has a point, Jinyoung thought.
“I don’t know, Jackson, I don’t think this is--”
“Are you scared of losing?” Jinyoung could practically hear the shit-eating grin on the so-called Jackson’s face.
After a long pause, Mark finally said, “Fine. We’ll both flirt with him, and whoever wins him over first is the winner.”
“So, what does win him over mean? Are we talking a date, getting in his pants, maybe an ‘I love you’--”
“I don’t know, Jackson. It’s your game, weren’t those your conditions?”
“Fine, fine,” Jackson said. “I guess if he stops talking to one of us, we’ll know who has won. Loser has to do the other’s laundry for a month. Deal?”
Jinyoung chuckled under his breath as he watched them shake hands firmly out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t even imagine what being subject to the horrible courting of these two fools would to be like. He felt bad for the sucker who they were talking about. Still smiling, Jinyoung spared a glance in their direction. It was at that moment that he caught them both staring at him, and they turned their heads away far too quickly, as if they had been caught. And the full scope of what he had just witnessed hit him like a truck.
Oh, shit. He thought. The sucker is me.
It didn’t take long for one of them to make his way to the work desk where Jinyoung was now pretending to be busy. He could hear the other’s hushed “Jackson!” as a hand smacked down on the desk right by Jinyoung’s monitor. His eyes met Jackson’s and he put on his best oblivious smile.
“Hello,” Jinyoung said in his best customer service voice. “How can I help you today?"
“Yeah,” Jackson said, playful smirk on his face. “I was just wondering…” He stopped to look Jinyoung up and down. “...if I needed a library card to check you out.”
Jinyoung was silent for a moment, until he heard Mark’s head hit the table and he had to cover his mouth to stop himself from bursting out laughing. Jackson started to laugh a bit too, cool facade gone and a genuine smile appearing on his face.
“Okay, that was pretty corny. But it did make you laugh!” He leaned in towards Jinyoung. “And your laugh is pretty cute.”
“Thank you,” Jinyoung said, still smiling. “Your delivery was charming, even if that is the most overused librarian pick-up line in history.”
“You’re right. I was underprepared, and you deserve better than that.” There was a hopeful glint in his eye and Jinyoung wanted to cringe at his barrage of compliments. But this wasn’t exactly unenjoyable, so he kept playing along.
“My my, aren’t you on a roll, mister…?”
“Jackson!” He beamed. “Jackson Wang. And judging by your name tag, you’re Jinyoung. Hey, have you always worked at the library? I come here a lot and I don’t really remember seeing you around.”
“I’ve been working here for awhile,” Jinyoung replied. “And I’m not surprised you don’t recognize me. I don’t think you can remember much with your eyes closed, passed out on a library table.”
A look of horror washed over Jackson’s face. He buried his face in his hands and groaned. “Yeah, I probably shouldn’t be doing that here, should I?”
“The library staff would certainly appreciate if you didn’t.”
“I promise I won’t,” Jackson said. He leaned in close to Jinyoung once more and spoke in a hushed voice. “Also, can I get your number?”
Jinyoung stifled a laugh into the back of his hand. “How about I give it to you next time I catch you in the library and you don’t fall asleep?”
Jackson’s face lit up. “Okay! Sounds good! I’ll see you next time then, wide awake.”
Jinyoung gave him a small wave before he triumphantly returned to his table. He tried to tune out their harsh whispers, now undecipherable but still grating. Eventually they stopped, and Jinyoung almost forgot about the ordeal until a figure was looming over his desk and he looked up to meet with a pair of nervous eyes.
“Hey,” Mark said, voice a bit stiff. His eyes started to wander all around the desk, as if looking for his next move. Jinyoung would have been just as nervous as he was if his awkwardness didn’t trump out how cute he was. Which was saying a lot, because he was really cute. He stared back at the boy, hoping he could say something that would make him change his mind, but Mark seemed frozen.
“Can I help you?” he tried. That sounded a lot harsher than intended, he thought to himself. He might be even more scared now.
“Um,” Mark managed. His eyes landed on a sign, one with some of the librarian’s book recommendations, and he turned it towards Jinyoung, finally making eye contact. “These books--are any of these staff picks yours?”
“No, unfortunately not,” Jinyoung said, giving him a soft smile. “Those are just from our senior librarians. The student librarians haven’t had an opportunity to put out recommendations like this before.”
“Oh. I see.” Mark looked back at the sign and shoved it away. “Then, do you have any good recommendations? I--” he stammered. “I want to get more into reading, and I figure someone who works at the library would have something good to suggest.”
“Hmm,” Jinyoung said, feigning thought. He allowed himself a moment to admire Mark’s rocky but sudden save. He picked an easy recommendation. “Have you read The Great Gatsby?”
“The Great Gatsby…?” Mark seemed genuinely confused for a moment before responding. “Yeah, I have read it before.”
“Ah, well that’s good! Of the classics, it’s one of my favorites. If you’ve read it, though…”
“No, no, it’s okay!” Mark hastily responded. “It was awhile back, so it might deserve a fresh read.”
“Would you like to check it out, then? I can tell you where to find it.”
Mark flashed a toothy grin. “Yeah! I would like that.”
Jinyoung looked up the location of the book and directed Mark on the call number and check-out policy, leaning close to him to show him pictures on the monitor and to point him around. Mark seemed flustered by the proximity, and Jinyoung reveled in his uncertainty. It was different from playing along with Jackson’s intense reactions, but amusing in its own way nonetheless.
“Thanks for all the help, um…” He gave Jinyoung a weak smile. “I never got your name.”
“It’s Jinyoung.”
“Jinyoung.” His smile grew wider. “I’m Mark. Thanks again.”
He sent Mark off with a wave, glancing over at Jackson to catch him peeking over his textbook and furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance. Jinyoung folded his hands over his knee, leaning back into his chair in satisfaction.
If I’m gonna be a sucker, I might as well have a good time, he thought.
“What was that all about?” The voice that came from behind him almost made him fall out of his chair in shock.
“Jaebum! Don’t startle me like that,” Jinyoung all but seethed, as his friend leaned against a book cart and laughed. Jaebum was his first and closest friend at the university, having met at freshman orientation and clicking instantly. Despite being in total opposite majors--Jaebum in music and Jinyoung in journalism--they experienced most of their important college moments together, including their jobs.
“You? I’m the one who’s startled,” Jaebum said, mouth turning up into a knowing grin. “I didn’t think you’d be the type to flirt on the job.”
“You’re one to talk,” Jinyoung huffed, earning him a smack on the arm from Jaebum. “Anyway, if you must know, I think I just became the prize in some dudebro competition.”
“Ew,” Jaebum said, grimacing.
“It could be worse. They only want to see which one of them I’ll fall for first, and then whoever’s left in the dust has to do the other’s laundry.”
“And you’re okay with this?”
“Sure, why not,” Jinyoung responded. A mischievous smile spread across his face. “It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. They’re not the only ones who can play this game.”
A moment of silence passed before Jaebum’s eyes widened in realization. “Wait, Jinyoung, how do you know all this?”
“I overheard it all before they even tried to talk to me.”
Jaebum ducked behind the book cart to hide his uncontrollable laugh, and Jinyoung only kicked the cart in response.
-----
“Jinyoung!”
Surprised by the call of his name, Jinyoung all but fell off the step stool he was using, gripping onto the dusty library shelf for support. He looked over to scold whoever shouted at him, but when he saw Jackson’s beaming smile from the end of the aisle, his anger softened.
“Jackson, please, remember where you are,” Jinyoung said, putting a hand over his chest to catch his breath as Jackson approached him.
“Sorry,” Jackson whispered loudly. He cheekily held out a hand and bowed his head, earning a laugh from Jinyoung as he helped him down the step stool.
Over the past few weeks, Jinyoung had found this kind of over-the-top behavior was typical for Jackson. He had dutifully come to the library again and managed to stay awake, so Jinyoung fulfilled his promise and gave him his number. Since then they spoke often, Jackson always ready to talk about himself, but never forgetting to ask as much as he could about Jinyoung, either. But the most consistent thing about him was his ability to make Jinyoung laugh. Extravagance seemed to come naturally to him, and though Jinyoung often found it ridiculous, he couldn’t help but crack a smile. He almost forgot he was supposed to be playing along with this courting game.
“Were you here to study?” Jinyoung asked, wiping his dusty hands on his pants.
“Well, I was,” Jackson began. “But then I started thinking, there have to be better librarian pick up lines out there than that tired library card one, right? So I got to looking, and I found some really good ones! And I just had to tell you, so I came looking for you, and I--”
“Jackson, you know I’m still working, right?”
Jackson’s face fell. “Well, can’t I just read them to you while you--” he glanced at the shelving cart. “--do your librarian thing?”
Jinyoung sighed. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “My shift is up in 15 minutes, and after that we can go somewhere where you’re not supposed to be quiet and you can read me all the pick up lines you want.”
“Don’t say that. I might get carried away and spend the rest of the day reciting them to you.” Jackson flashed a wide grin. “I’ll wait for you downstairs?”
Jinyoung nodded as he shooed him away, returning to the books on his cart. When he managed to finish shelving all the books before his shift was up, he collected his belongings and made his way to the entrance where he found Jackson giggling to himself, staring at his phone screen. After Jinyoung all but yanked him from the library they decided to go to the food court for some smoothies while he read off his long list. With each line, he attempted a perfect game face.
“Hey baby, can you recommend me a book to sweep you off your feet?” He pointed a finger at Jinyoung.
Jinyoung winced. “Not even the finger guns could save that one.”
“How about: I’d catalog you under desirable.”
Jinyoung’s face fell into his hands.
“Wait, no, this one’s the winner! Do you have overdue books? Because you have fine written all over you.”
“I think that’s enough for one day,” Jinyoung said, sighing.
“Aw, but we only got through fifty!” Jackson protested.
“Yeah, and about half of them involved some lewd comment about racks or stacks. Do I look like I’m stacked to you?”
“I don’t know, I guess I’ll have to find out.” Jackson burst into a fit of giggles as Jinyoung attempted to shove him onto the floor.
“Maybe instead of using trashy pick up lines, you should be more like your friend and actually ask me about books instead,” Jinyoung said.
Jackson’s face became serious. “My friend? You mean Mark…?”
Jinyoung smiled through his straw, satisfied that the mention of Mark alarmed him. “Mmm...the one who was with you the other day? When you first came to talk to me. He wanted me to recommend a book to him, so I did and told him where to look it up.”
“Damn, he’s good…” Jackson muttered. He stiffened, trying to relax his face. “H-have you seen him around the library? Since then?”
“Unfortunately not,” Jinyoung said. He took a melancholy sip from his smoothie. “It’s a shame, I wanted to know if my recommendation suited him. Or if he even found the book at all.”
“I can read! I’d like a recommendation too!” Jackson was suddenly shouting and leaning towards Jinyoung desperately. “What book did you tell him to read? I’ll read it too!”
Jinyoung laughed. “It was actually The Great Gatsby.”
“Oh.” Jackson sat back again. “I’ve read that before, so I guess it’s cool.”
“Really? That’s what your friend Mark said, and yet he wanted to read it again.”
“He did!?” His eyebrows knotted together. “Okay, in that case, so can I! Let’s go back to the library, I can get it right now!”
Jinyoung couldn’t help another laugh escaping his throat. Though he was using him to tease Jackson, it was true that Jinyoung had barely seen another trace of Mark since the first time they spoke. He only saw him when they passed by one another outside of their class buildings, Jinyoung trying his hardest to give him a warm smile and friendly greeting, and Mark only managing tense eyes and an even more tense wave. Compared to Jackson’s enthusiasm, Mark was utterly disappointing Jinyoung.
“It’s no fun if they’re not both playing along,” Jinyoung whined to Jaebum during one of their many shifts together.
“Maybe he’s scared of you,” Jaebum offered. “You can be pretty intimidating.”
“I don’t think it’s that,” Jinyoung sighed. “It’s more like...he’s never done this before. Like he has no game. He’s just awkward.”
“Why don’t you try giving him an opening, then? Maybe a little push is what he needs to get in motion.”
Jinyoung had considered this. He thought about stopping him when they crossed paths outside of their classes, to ask about anything that crossed his mind, but as soon as Jinyoung felt gutsy enough Mark always seemed to rush away. This will never go anywhere, Jinyoung thought.
Just when Jinyoung lost hope, he was given a perfect chance. On his way to pick up coffee from a shop near campus, Jinyoung was looking down at his phone unconcerned when he noticed a figure fast approaching him. He looked up just in time to avoid a skateboarder ramming into him full force, shuffling away as the rider stumbled off his board. Jinyoung was about to tell him off when he recognized a familiar tousled head of hair.
“Sorry,” Mark began, picking up the skateboard. “I--” He froze when he looked at Jinyoung. “Oh my god.”
“Hey,” Jinyoung said, trying to ease the tension. “Funny running into you here. Or, not running into you, actually.”
“Yeah,” Mark chuckled. “Sorry I almost killed you with my skateboard.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t paying much attention to where I was going, either.” They spent a few moments staring at each other in silence before Jinyoung gestured towards the shop. “Um...were you going inside too?”
“Yes! Yes, I was,” Mark said. Nervously, they entered the coffee shop together, only to be greeted by a line. They stood beside each other as they waited, staring up at the menu in contemplation. Jinyoung only spared it a quick glance before deciding on a drink. He glanced at Mark, intending to finally start a conversation, when he noticed Mark still studying the menu intensely.
Jinyoung smiled. “Trouble deciding?”
Startled, Mark looked at Jinyoung before directing his attention back to the menu. “A little. There’s a lot to pick from, and I don’t really know what’s good because I’ve never been here before.”
“Really? You haven’t?”
“Yeah. A friend told me I should try it out, so here I am.” He turned towards Jinyoung. “Do you have any recommendations? You seem like you come here often.”
“Well, you would be right! I’m basically a regular.” Jinyoung looked at the menu again, placing a thoughtful finger on his chin. “Hmmm. It depends on my mood. For instance, when I’m trying to study, I usually order a hot mocha so it keeps me warm and focused. The chai tea latte is good for when it’s cold out, since it’s so toasty. When I need a pick-me-up, I usually order an americano, they’re pretty good here, and not too strong. But my favorite drink is probably the hot chocolate. I’ve never had a better one.” He looked back at Mark, who was staring at him with an amused grin on his face. Jinyoung’s eyes widened with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble. I promise I’m not usually this passionate about café drinks.”
“It’s okay,” Mark said. “Thanks for all the suggestions.” His eyes crinkled with softness, compliment practically begging to fall from his lips, but instead he said nothing. Jinyoung smiled in return and turned away, wondering what it would take to get him to speak up and flirt a little.
When it was Jinyoung’s turn to order, he was greeted by a familiar youthful face. Yugyeom was about to go through the motions of his obnoxious greeting that he saved specifically for Jinyoung, but he was startled by the face beside him. “Jinyoung? Mark? You two know each other!?”
Taken aback, Jinyoung responded, “A little, yes. How do you guys know each other?”
“He’s the friend I mentioned, who said I should come,” Mark said.
“I’m sorry you have to know this guy, Mark. I hope he hasn’t personally attacked you yet.” Jinyoung smacked Yugyeom on the arm as he winced. “Ow! See? The violence never ends!”
“I could say the same for you, punk,” Jinyoung said. “I’ll be having an Americano today.”
“One Americano, for bully,” Yugyeom shouted as he punched his order in on the register.
The name prompted another employee, Bambam, to peek over to the register. “Hey Jinyoung!”
He nodded in Bambam’s direction as he finished his order with Yugyeom. He idly chatted with Bambam for a moment until Mark was done with his own order and wandered his way over to Jinyoung again.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were a regular,” Mark said. “The staff is really friendly with you.”
“I guess so. Though I don’t know if I’d call what Yugyeom is friendly,” Jinyoung shrugged. They stared at their feet for a moment before Jinyoung met Mark’s expectant gaze.
“So you ordered an Americano today,” Mark noted. “It’s a pick me up kind of day?”
Jinyoung laughed, a little shy at Mark paying such close attention to his words. “It is. I need to get to class soon, and I was feeling a bit tired, so I needed something to keep me alert through the lecture.”
“Ah,” Mark said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I was, um, going to ask if you wanted to sit around for a bit, but if you’re going to class…”
A grin spread across Jinyoung’s face. The push worked, he thought. “I would love to sit and chat some other time, especially about the book I recommended the other day.”
“Right! The book,” Mark said nervously.
Jinyoung arched an eyebrow at him. “You have been reading it, haven’t you?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Okay, just checking,” Jinyoung grinned as Bambam called out his order. He took his drink and turned towards the door, looking over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you around, Mark.”
“See you,” Mark answered.
Before he left, Jinyoung shot him a coy smile just for impact, and turned away just in time to catch the start of Mark’s dizzied expression. Now the fun starts, he thought, taking a triumphant sip of his Americano. He grimaced at the bitter taste.
“I forgot the sugar.”
-----
As the days passed since their encounter at the coffee shop, Jinyoung had begun to see Mark at the library more often. He always came in and gave Jinyoung a shy wave, sitting close enough to spare him a few glances, which Jinyoung caught far too often. He then asked Jinyoung how to use some kind of machinery the library provided for students. Jinyoung almost wished he hadn’t given Mark a nudge of courage before--he felt obligated to fulfill his requests now, not so much as library staff, but as the one who sparked their flirting. But even when he felt annoyed by Mark’s nonstop questions, the smile he gave Jinyoung when he asked how to use the printers, despite being forced, was one Jinyoung had trouble saying no to.
On one of the days Mark came to the library, Jinyoung already had his hands full with Jackson. He was going to greet Jinyoung with his typical wave before he noticed the presence of his friend.
“Come on, Jinyoung,” Jackson urged, leaning against the desk and pouting.
“I don’t know, Jackson,” Jinyoung said. “I have a big paper to work on this weekend. Are you sure it’s okay if I go?”
“Jackson? What's going on?” Mark asked, approaching the desk.
“Mark!?” Jackson turned around in a panic. “Uh...absolutely nothing. Nothing is going on.”
“Jackson is trying to get me to go to a party this weekend,” Jinyoung responded, ignoring Jackson’s attempt at changing the subject.
“A party?” Mark said. He furrowed his brows at Jackson.
“Yeah, the one I told you about last night. At Brian's,” Jackson reminded him. He turned back to Jinyoung, expectant and with puppy-dog eyes.
“Listen Jackson,” Jinyoung started. “Maybe it’s best if we do something else. I won’t even know anyone else there.”
“You’ll know me,” Mark interjected.
Jackson gave Mark a look of shock. “You said you weren’t going!”
“Yeah, and I changed my mind.”
“Well, if Mark is going, I guess I won’t be so lonely.”
“What? Hey, wait a minute,” Jackson said. “You’re my date to this party, right, Jinyoung?”
Jinyoung laughed. “Yes, Jackson, I am.”
“Alright, good to know.” Jackson turned to Mark and rammed a finger into his chest. “And don’t you try anything funny, Tuan.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jackson narrowed his eyes. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” In the quickest change of expression either of them had seen, Jackson shot Jinyoung a large, angelic smile. “I’ll text you the details later, Jinyoung. See you this weekend!”
As he walked away, Mark rolled his eyes and Jinyoung laughed. “You two seem close.”
“Unfortunately,” Mark responded, causing Jinyoung to laugh out loud. Mark’s expression softened at the sound. “Do you two talk often?”
“Unfortunately,” Jinyoung mirrored back, and this time it was Mark’s turn to giggle. “Did you need help with anything today? Forget how to load your printing card again, perhaps?”
Mark’s face flushed a bit at Jinyoung’s jab. “No, actually. I just wanted to extend the rental of this book. I’m almost done, but I don’t think I can finish it today…”
“Oh! That I have no problem helping you with.” He took the book from Mark and scanned it, Mark’s watchful eyes on him. “I’m glad you’re that interested in the book.”
“I am. Thanks for the recommendation,” he said, taking it back. “It makes so much more sense when you’re older.”
“I’m sure it does,” Jinyoung said with a smile. A stiff silence passed between them--not uncommon, as Mark was often digging desperately for words--before he tucked the book under his arm.
“I’ll...see you on Friday then?”
“See you on Friday,” Jinyoung reassured.
-----
“Jinyoung, are you ready yet?” Jaebum whined from the couch in the living room. “Any later and you’ll only be at the party for five minutes. Didn’t you want to get home early?”
“Jeez! Give me a minute,” Jinyoung answered, checking himself in the mirror one last time. He decided on a sweater and jeans for his outfit--nothing too fancy, but still well put-together. He arranged his bangs to his liking before stepping outside of his room. “How do I look?”
Jaebum only moved his eyes from his position on the couch. He was flicking his lip piercing with his tongue, a bad antsy habit that made plenty of girls (and sometimes guys) who visited the library gawk in his direction. “Fantastic, obviously. Can we go now?”
Jinyoung looked upward pensively before realizing what he was missing. “Oh, hold on. I forgot cologne.” He heard Jaebum groan as he ducked back into his room. “Sorry, we can’t all be effortlessly chic like you, Jaebum!”
“Oh please. You say that as if you’re not always walking around looking like a GQ cover.”
“Yes, and I’ve spent a lot of effort cultivating that image,” Jinyoung said, walking out of the room again as he dabbed cologne onto his wrist. “I don’t just throw on a leather jacket and call it a day, like somebody I know.”
Jaebum rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I don’t even know why you’re trying so hard to impress a guy who won’t even come pick you up for your first date.”
“I told you, I told Jackson he didn’t have to pick me up since my neighbor was going to the party anyway. And I don’t know if I’d call going to a party together a date. We’re just hanging out outside of school for the first time. I guess.”
“You guess.” Jaebum crossed his arms. “Whatever it is, I don’t trust this guy. I don’t know why you’re putting up with his antics like this.”
“I just want to see how far he’s willing to take this, is all.” Jinyoung ran a tense hand through his hair. “And he’s not the only one I can have fun with tonight, even though the other option is…”
“Rough around the edges?” Jaebum smirked. As Jinyoung let out a sigh, he got up off the couch, grabbing his keys.
“Let’s go find out what kind of night you’re about to have.”
Upon arriving at the party, Jinyoung was slightly surprised to find that the music was pulsating out of the house, and the crowd was spilling out of the front door. He was even more surprised to find Jackson inside, dancing loosely with a cup in his hand and his jacket tied around his waist.
“Jinyoung! You made it!” Jackson’s face lit up when Jinyoung had found his way to him, Jaebum lurking behind with a watchful eye. He grabbed Jinyoung by the waist and pulled him in close. Jinyoung noticed he smelled a little like alcohol already.
“I did,” Jinyoung said, offering a smile up at him. He was still dancing and taking another sip from his cup, which probably contained a mixed drink. “How long have you been here for?”
“A while. Could you tell by how drunk I am?” Jackson let out a high pitched giggle. He put his drink on a counter and grabbed one of Jinyoung’s hands. “Wanna dance?”
“Not right now,” Jinyoung said. “Is there anywhere to sit? I don’t really want to bump into everyone dancing.”
Jackson took Jinyoung’s other hand and looked him straight in the eye, attention fully on him. “Of course. Can I get you something to drink first? Punch? A beer? Juice, maybe?”
“I’m fine, thanks. I think I’m going to avoid drinking tonight, I don’t want to risk working on a paper with a hangover.”
“You got it,” Jackson said, tugging at his hands. Jinyoung turned to check if Jaebum was still watching over him. He had found someone to talk to, but as soon as Jinyoung turned around Jaebum looked his way, giving him a questioning look. Jinyoung gave him a thumbs up to let him know he was fine as Jackson led them to a sunken, stained couch in another room.
With his arm up behind Jinyoung on the couch, they started going through their typical conversation topics--how their days had been, what they had done throughout the day, anything they had on their minds. With the loud music they had to lean in closer to each other to hear, and Jinyoung was becoming starkly aware of the smell of alcohol in Jackson’s breath. It wasn’t like Jinyoung cared about him drinking, really, but he couldn’t help but notice that Jackson was much touchier than usual. And all things considered, a drunk and overly affectionate Jackson while he was sober and reluctant was not how he imagined their first evening together.
Jackson was looking at the crowd and bobbing his leg to the music when Jinyoung put a hand on his knee to get his attention. “I’m gonna get some fresh air for a second. I’m a bit overstimulated.”
Jackson nodded fiercely. “For sure! Take your time. I’ll be here, waiting...probably.”
As soon as Jinyoung escaped the confines of the overheated house onto a balcony, he indeed did take a deep breath and leaned against the railing. Though the music was muffled behind him he was lucky enough to be the only person outside. He felt at peace for a moment, staring up at the sky.
It wasn’t long before his peace was broken by the sound of the door opening and the music flooding out onto the balcony. A moment of silence passed as he wondered whether his guest would try to disturb him or not, and then a familiar voice spoke.
“Escape the party to look for that green light, Gatsby?”
Jinyoung turned around to find Mark standing by the door, trying his best to conceal a grin. Jinyoung turned away from him, hiding his own wide smile with the back of his hand. Mark broke into melodic giggles at Jinyoung’s loss of composure as he approached him.
“Wow. That was quite the reference,” Jinyoung said.
“Thanks, I think,” Mark responded, leaning on the railing. “I wouldn’t normally say things like that, but since you remind me of that book now, I saw you all by yourself out here and couldn’t help it.”
“I’m glad my recommendations are so memorable.”
Jinyoung eyed Mark, noting the change in his appearance. Mark typically walked around campus with his hair messily falling over his eyes and a sweater big enough for two of him. Tonight, though, his fringe was pushed away from his face and he wore a jacket over a sweatshirt and form-fitting jeans. He looked much better than Jinyoung was willing to admit. Mark raised an eyebrow at him and he looked away, embarrassed.
“You look, um...really nice tonight.”
Mark’s face lit up. “Thanks. You do too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Jinyoung couldn’t stand to make eye contact, so he glanced at the life below the balcony. He felt Mark’s eyes on him, watching him like he had been moments before. Neither of them spoke, but at this point between them, Jinyoung was almost used to it.
“Did you just get here?” Jinyoung finally asked.
Mark seemed taken aback by the break in the silence. “No, I’ve been here for a while. But I found Jackson and he told me you were out here.”
Jinyoung winced at the thought of Jackson on the couch. “I was with him for a bit, but I got overwhelmed by all the noise and his vodka breath. So I needed to escape for a bit.”
Mark laughed. “I totally understand. This doesn’t really seem like your type of scene.”
“It doesn’t seem like yours, either.” Jinyoung shot him a questioning look. “Why did you agree to come, anyway? It seemed like you didn’t want to.”
It was Mark’s turn to avoid eye contact. “I really wanted to see you. And I was hoping we’d get a chance to, you know, talk a bit more. Since all we talk about is library stuff.”
At hearing Mark’s confession, Jinyoung’s eyes crinkled with happiness. “You came to see me even though you knew I was your friend’s date?” He asked smugly. “That’s pretty shameless.”
“Hey!” Mark started, tone defensive. His expression then dissolved into a cheeky grin. “If you ask me, asking someone to a party and getting shitfaced before they even arrive is what’s shameless.”
Jinyoung burst out laughing, causing Mark to laugh along with him. As their laughter subsided, Jinyoung realized just how poorly he dressed for the weather. He shivered, rubbing his forearms.
Mark frowned. “Are you cold? Do you want my jacket?”
Jinyoung gave him an incredulous look. “What? No, you’ll be cold too. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t be like that. I’ll be fine, you seem like you need it more than I do.” He began to take off his jacket before Jinyoung could protest more.
He narrowed his eyes at Mark as he walked over to drape the jacket on his shoulders. “You’re being awfully bold tonight. Are you drunk, too?”
“No! I promise I’m not drunk,” Mark insisted. “Though I did have a few drinks that are making me warm, which is why I have no problem giving you my jacket.”
“Okay. I believe you.” Jinyoung put his arms into the sleeves and wrapped it around him tightly. He gave Mark a warm smile. “Thanks.”
Mark gave him a small, shy grin in response and they fell silent again, the rustle of the trees filling in the silence between them. Jinyoung didn’t mind, and Mark didn’t seem to either, but he didn’t want the evening to pass with so few words between them.
“You haven’t exactly told me,” Jinyoung began, “How are you liking Gatsby ?”
Mark let out a sigh and began unloading his feelings about the story and characters. Jinyoung continued to ask him questions, and soon they were engrossed in a conversation about books. They mentioned everything from books they were forced to read for class, to books Jinyoung read for fun, to books Mark remembered reading when he was younger. They spent a long time out on the balcony, lost in their conversation, when the door to the apartment suddenly flew open. Jinyoung stopped mid-rant about poor book-to-film adaptations to see Jackson hanging onto Jaebum’s shoulders like a rag doll.
“Jinyoung,” Jaebum said. “We gotta go. You should be getting back to your apartment to rest up, and I need to get this drunk idiot home.”
“Jaebum?” Jinyoung asked. “Why are you with Jackson?”
“Jinyoung! There you are,” Jackson shouted, grinning deliriously.
“See, I was being a good friend, watching your date to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid,” Jaebum began. “Then he got up and almost toppled over, so I asked if he needed help and now I’m somehow his caretaker.”
“Jackson, are you okay?” Mark rushed over to his friend, holding his arm in an effort to stabilize him.
“Hey, I thought I told you no funny business tonight, Tuan.” Jackson weakly shoved a finger at Mark’s chest and it began to drag down his body.
Jinyoung sighed, accepting his fate for the evening. He helped Jackson hoist an arm onto his shoulders as well, practically dragging him to Jaebum’s car. Mark trailed not far behind them, but on their way out the door a hand yanked him away and its owner began to yell at him with no hopes of stopping. He shot Jinyoung an apologetic look and Jinyoung nodded in acknowledgement.
After a car ride with a very clingy and very close to carsick Jackson, Jinyoung made his way back to his apartment after being dropped off first. Jaebum insisted that he needed to get rest to work on his paper the following day, and he couldn’t afford to spend any more of the night looking after Jackson. As he was welcomed by the warmth of his room, he shrugged the jacket off his shoulders and gasped in realization.
“I kept Mark’s jacket,” he murmured to himself. He felt guilty, folding it to place on his dresser until he caught a whiff of the lingering fruity and musky scent on the jacket. Jinyoung recognized it immediately as what Mark had smelled like, probably a mix of his cologne and whatever body wash he had used.
A small smile formed on his lips, face flushing with color. He thought back fondly to Mark, listening intently to his thoughts and his laugh that sounded like wind chimes. But as quickly as the moment came, it passed, and another realization sunk in.
Jinyoung’s expression fell. “Oh god.” He looked at the jacket, hesitant to admit to himself what he already knew.
He was falling for Mark.