Chapter Text
Intak and Jiung sat at the student center of their university’s campus. Intak had been sulking recently. He had a massive crush on Taeyang, one of their mutual friends, who also happened to be Jiung’s roommate.
“Jiung-ie, I don’t know what to do! What if he doesn’t like me back?” Intak whined dramatically.
Jiung slurped on whatever remained of his iced latte and set the cup down with enough force to make a loud sound.
“Who cares? There's plenty of other guys that like you. You could always date them.” Jiung’s bluntness made Intak pout.
“But I want it to be him!” Intak said, louder than he should’ve. He had gained a few glances from the students around him.
He quickly quieted down and looked at Jiung with pleading eyes.
“Jiung-ie.. would you help me confess to him? Pleasee?” he begged.
Intak could tell that Jiung was thinking. The long silence between them made the moment a little awkward.
“Sure, I guess,” Jiung tried acting like the words didn’t matter to him. In reality, he had been in love with Intak for as long as he could remember. Since the day they met on campus, they were instantly best friends. Jiung constantly told himself that it was just a stupid crush that would go away eventually. Years had gone by, and that never happened. It killed him to see Intak so head over heels over Taeyang, who Intak only knew because of Jiung. He regretted ever introducing them to each other. It only caused him more pain every single time Intak mentioned his name.
“Ji, are you okay?” Intak asked, it was obvious that Jiung was a little upset.
“Hm? Me? Yeah! I’m good, just a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Intak’s eyes squinted slightly. Jiung was lying, he could always tell when he was lying. Him and Taeyang had been texting each other until late at night, and Taeyang told him that Jiung had been asleep since 10 PM. Intak had no clue why Jiung needed to lie about anything near him. He thought that they were able to tell each other everything. He didn’t want to push it though, since he knew what happened when Jiung was pushed too far. He took out his phone and opened up his messages to him and Taeyang’s late night conversation.
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Friday, July 24, 1:27 AM
Taeyangiee 💕💕
Jiung has been passed out since 10 PM.
TakkiBaby
he’s prolly tired cuz he’s been studying a lot
he’s also been acting different
I hope he’s okay
Taeyangiee 💕💕
He’s been acting weird around me for a while now. Idk why
TakkiBaby
i’d be weird too if i had an annoying roommate like you
Taeyangiee 💕💕
Wow.
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Intak turned off his phone and shifted his focus back to Jiung, who was zoned out while tapping on the table to a rhythm he couldn’t quite recognize. ‘What is wrong with this guy today?’ he thought to himself. Intak shifted his seat back and stood up, desperately needing to save this awkward situation.
“I’m bored, can we go to your dorm?” Intak suggested it casually. In reality, he kinda just wanted to be in proximity with Taeyang.
Jiung rose an eyebrow, then responded, “You just want to see Taeyang, don’t you?”
Intak looked down at his feet, knowing he was caught. It didn’t matter though, cause Jiung grabbed his wrist and led him towards his dorm.
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Jiung fumbled with his keys as he tried unlocking the door with one hand, still holding Intak’s wrist with the other one. Taeyang emerged from his room, expecting to see an exhausted Jiung, but instead, he saw Jiung and Intak. Taeyang knew that they were best friends, everyone did, so it was strange to him that they were being so quiet around each other. He greeted them both and raised an eyebrow while looking at Intak. Intak shrugged and made a quick glance at Jiung, then looked right back at Taeyang.
“Is something wrong between you guys?” Taeyang asked, not wanting to seem too curious.
Jiung shook his head and walked towards his bedroom.
“I’m fine, just tired. I’m gonna take a nap. Talk to each other or whatever.”
Once he reached his room, he quickly slipped in and shut the door behind him a little louder than he meant to. He didn’t even bother turning on a light, he just sat down on his bed, bringing his legs close to his chest.
“Damnnit, Intak,” his voice barely a whisper, “Why does it have to be Taeyang?”
He hadn’t even noticed the stream of tears running down his face until one hit his hand. He didn’t even move to wipe his tears. He had never cried over this before. Of course, he had been sad, but never to the point of tears. He tried to stop, but every time he did, he was just reminded of moments where Intak hugged him through his tears. He always made things feel better. Always.
He couldn’t finish thinking before he heard a knock on his door. He quickly wiped his tears and positioned himself to look like he had been asleep. Intak walked through the door shortly after, sitting carefully on Jiungs bed. He was afraid of waking him (even though he was fake sleeping), but Intak knew Jiung was a heavy sleeper. Intak brought his hand to the ‘sleeping’ boy’s hair, gently stroking it. Jiung had to hold his breath in order to not make any reaction.
“Ji,” Intak whispered, “I don’t know what’s going on, but if it’s bothering you, why don’t you tell me?”
Intak noticed a tear that Jiung hadn’t wiped away, and instantly stopped.
“Jiung,” he said, pretty loud, “Were you crying?”
Jiung pretended to wake up, acting tired on purpose.
“What?” He said, faking grogginess, “No, why?”
Intak looked at Jiung, a hint of concern in his eyes.
“Why do you keep lying to me?” Intak asked, his voice slightly trembling with hurt.
Jiung stayed silent, but he sat up. He didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t say anything. He wanted to tell Intak that he loved him, he really did. He wanted to kiss those soft pink lips that his fingers have touched millions of times. He wanted to tell Intak that he was breaking apart every time he mentioned Taeyang, and that it should be him instead. He didn’t say any of that. Instead, he tried as hard as he could to hold back the tears welling in his eyes, but he couldn’t. He let out a choked sob, quickly trying to cover his face. Intak didn’t move at first, he just looked at Jiung with genuine concern. Then he hugged him, slowly caressing his back. Jiung melted into the hug, still sobbing, but now he let his head rest in the nook of Intak’s neck.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry,” He said, his voice shaking and cracking, “I can’t tell you. I would, I really would, but I can't.”
His words were muffled, but audible. Intak didn’t know what to say. They had done this many times. When Jiung’s life got overwhelming, he always went to Intak and cried in his arms until he felt better. This time there wasn't any difference, except for the fact that Jiung hadn’t approached him first. He felt terrible for not talking, like he wasn’t able to provide any help. All he could do was hold Jiung like that for the next 20 minutes. When Jiung finally pulled away, his eyes were red and puffy. His eyes, glossed with tears, landed onto Intak’s face, looking for any sign of reciprocated feelings. Instead, he was met with a sympathetic look of worry. Jiung looked away and closed his eyes. The fact that he had Intak right in front of him, seeing him in such a vulnerable state, made him feel so embarrassed.
“I’m gonna take another nap,” Jiung sniffled. He laid down and brought his blanket close to his face, expecting Intak to leave within the next few seconds, but he didn’t. Instead, Intak laid down right next to him, hugging Jiung by the waist and pulling him closer. Jiung nuzzled into his neck, inhaling the scent of Intak’s cologne. They had done this many times, and every time was painfully casual. This time was just as casual, except Jiung tried his best to pretend it wasn’t. He pretended that Intak was doing this out of genuine romantic feelings, but he knew deep down that he was only staying so Jiung would feel safe.
As Intak’s breathing slowed into soft, calm breaths, Jiung’s breathing aligned perfectly. They fell asleep like that, cuddled together and both at peace.
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Taeyang had heard some noise coming from Jiung’s room. He didn’t hear what they were talking about, if they even were talking, but he did hear Jiung’s sobs. He wanted to be the one comforting Jiung, the one to make him feel safe and secure, but he knew that person would always be Intak.
After he heard the sobs slow down and eventually stop, he decided to wait a few minutes before going in to actually check on Jiung. He hoped that he’d be able to comfort him and make him feel better, even though he knew Intak had probably done that already.
When he opened the door, all he saw was Intak and Jiung, cuddling in bed. Their limbs were a tangled mess, one of Intak’s hands gently placed on Jiung’s head while the other one was on his waist, pulling him closer. ‘Oh.’ he thought to himself. He quickly and carefully closed the door, walking back to the living room.
“Damnnit, Jiung,” He cursed under his breath, “Why does it have to be Intak?”