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Junhyuk and Seonghyeon had been inseparable since childhood.
Their mothers were close friends, so the two boys had grown up side by side.
same kindergarten, same elementary school, same high school. They walked to class together, did homework together, hung out after school together. If one of them was somewhere, the other was usually right beside him.
It was an ordinary afternoon when the bell rang and the classroom slowly settled.
Students dropped into their seats, voices dropping to quiet whispers. Junhyuk and Seonghyeon sat at their usual desk by the window, Junhyuk on the side closest to the glass, still faintly smiling over whatever they’d been scribbling in their notebooks a moment earlier. Then the teacher walked in.
“Everyone quiet,” she said. “I have some good news. We have a transfer student.”
A ripple of curiosity passed through the room. Even Junhyuk and Seonghyeon exchanged a glance.
The door opened, and a tall boy with brown hair stepped inside, smiling. He walked up beside the teacher and gave a polite bow.
“Hello. I’m Jeong Semin. I transferred here from Eunjang High. I hope we get along.”
Junhyuk watched him for a second, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
He leaned closer to Seonghyeon and whispered, “He’s kinda pretty. Lowkey my type…”
Seonghyeon’s eyes widened. “Your type?” he whisper-yelled.
The teacher glanced their way. “Quiet over there, okay?”
Junhyuk only turned his head toward Seonghyeon and gave a quiet nod. “Totally.”
Something in Seonghyeon’s chest tightened. “…Okay.”
The teacher gestured toward the empty desk in front of them. “Semin, you can sit here.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Semin gave another small bow and slid into the seat.
The rest of the period passed like any other.
When the bell finally rang and the teacher left, Junhyuk immediately leaned forward and tapped Semin’s shoulder.
“Hey, Semin!”
Semin turned around with a warm smile. Junhyuk held out his hand.
“I’m Junhyuk.”
They shook hands.
“I’m Semin. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too!” Junhyuk grinned. “So I wanted to-“
Seonghyeon stood up without a word and started walking toward the door.
“Hey, where are you going, Hyeon?” Junhyuk called after him.
Seonghyeon didn’t turn around. He just kept walking.
“Hey!” Junhyuk stood up as well, then quickly looked back at Semin. “Sorry.”
“It’s o-“ Semin started, but Junhyuk was already following Seonghyeon out of the classroom.
“…kay,” Semin finished quietly, turning back to his desk.
A few classmates drifted over to him, striking up conversation. After a minute, one of them nodded toward the empty desk by the window.
“Don’t mind them. They’re in their own world most of the time.”
“Seriously,” another added. “If those two ever said they were dating, no one would even be surprised.”
“Right? The closet is basically glass at this point.”
A few quiet laughs followed, then the conversation shifted.
“Anyways… why’d you transfer here?”
⸻
When Junhyuk finally caught up to Seonghyeon in the hallway, he slung an arm around his shoulders.
“Hyeon, why’d you leave so suddenly?”
Seonghyeon didn’t answer. He just kept walking, eyes fixed on the floor.
Junhyuk let out a quiet laugh. “Was it because I said he’s my type? Seonghyeon, I was-“
“No.” Seonghyeon stopped and looked at him. “I just have a headache. I needed air.”
He started walking again.
Junhyuk laughed louder this time. “And you think I’d actually believe that? Just admit you’re jealous.”
He poked Seonghyeon’s cheek, still grinning.
“I’m not,” Seonghyeon muttered, but he couldn’t quite hold back the smile pulling at his mouth.
Junhyuk’s grin widened. “Yes, you are.”
“Whatever…”
A teacher’s voice suddenly cut through the hallway. “Hey, the bell’s about to ring. Get to class.”
“Yes, teacher,” they both answered, bowing slightly before continuing on.
A few seconds of silence passed. Then Junhyuk nudged Seonghyeon’s arm with his elbow.
“You were jealous. Admit it.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
Junhyuk smirked, already knowing where this was going. “Yes, you were.”
“No, I wasn’t!”
“Yes, you were.”
“Yes, I was- wait. No! I wasn’t… Junhyuk!”
Junhyuk burst out laughing. “Got you.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
Seonghyeon just sighed, a small smile still on his face. He bit his lip to keep from laughing.
Junhyuk’s own smile faded a little as he watched the way Seonghyeon’s teeth pressed into his lip. He swallowed and quickly looked away. Seonghyeon noticed, but didn’t say anything.
They finally reached their classroom. Semin was already surrounded by a few new classmates. He waved when he spotted them. Junhyuk waved back. Seonghyeon’s chest tightened for reasons he didn’t want to examine too closely. It was just a wave.
They slid back into their seats. The rest of the day passed quickly.
During their final class, Junhyuk tore a small strip of paper from his notebook, scribbled something on it, and slid it across the desk.
Seonghyeon glanced down.
'At mine as usual?'
He frowned slightly. They did this almost every day. Still, he grabbed his pen and wrote back.
'Yea ofc. Why r u asking?'
Junhyuk smiled when he read it, then glanced at Seonghyeon, who was already looking at him with a confused expression. He wrote again and tossed the paper back.
'Should we invite Semin?'
Seonghyeon’s mouth automatically pulled into a small pout. He scribbled a reply and flicked the paper over.
'Do whatever you want.'
Junhyuk read it, grinned, and mouthed okay across the desk. Seonghyeon almost smiled before forcing himself to look at the teacher again.
The teacher hadn’t noticed the notes, but when her eyes eventually landed on their desk, she smiled.
“Junhyuk, are you trying to drill a hole into Seonghyeon’s head, or shoot a love arrow at him?”
The class laughed. Junhyuk’s ears burned red.
“No, teacher…” he mumbled, staring down at his desk.
Seonghyeon laughed under his breath, but didn’t look at him.
They didn’t speak or glance at each other for the rest of the period.
⸻
When the final bell rang, everyone started packing up. Junhyuk stood, definitely not staring at Seonghyeon, who was still stuffing things into his bag.
From the desk behind them, a classmate called out with a laugh,
“Still trying to shoot that love arrow?”
His friends snickered. Junhyuk rolled his eyes. Seonghyeon stood, slung his backpack over one shoulder, and pretended he hadn’t heard a thing.
Semin was about to leave when Junhyuk stopped him.
“Hey, Semin.”
Semin turned, smiling. “Yeah?”
“Do you have time right now? Wanna come over to mine? Seonghyeon’ll be there too.”
Seonghyeon looked at him, half wondering why he’d invite Semin and half silently hoping the answer would be no.
“Sure,” Semin said easily. “I don’t have anything to do anyway.”
“Great! Let’s go.”
Junhyuk headed for the door, the other two following close behind. In the hallway,
Junhyuk ended up in the middle, Semin on his left, Seonghyeon on his right. He casually draped an arm over Semin’s shoulders.
“So, Semin, what are your hobbies?”
“I like dancing… playing guitar… and I do taekwondo.”
“Wowww. That’s so cool. Right, Seonghyeon?”
Seonghyeon had been staring at the floor, but he’d been listening. He looked up, offered a small smile, and nodded. “Yeah. Cool…”
Their eyes met for a second longer than necessary before Semin broke the moment.
“So, Junhyuk… where do you live?”
“Just down the street, actually. Pretty close.”
They reached the lockers, Junhyuk and Seonghyeon’s side by side, Semin’s a few lockers away.
“Wait… me too,” Semin said. “What a coincidence. Maybe we could walk to school together?”
Junhyuk’s face lit up. “Oh my god, yes. We absolutely could.”
Something in Seonghyeon’s chest sank deeper than he liked. He opened his locker and pulled out his shoes without looking up.
Junhyuk glanced over at him.
“You wouldn’t mind Semin joining us, right?”
Seonghyeon kept his eyes on his slippers.
“No. Of course not.”
“Okay, great!” Junhyuk’s expression brightened even more as he nodded at Semin and started changing his shoes.
Seonghyeon quietly closed his locker and waited, watching Junhyuk without meaning to.
When Junhyuk straightened up and looked over first, Seonghyeon quickly averted his gaze, though it was already obvious he’d been staring. Junhyuk’s eyes flickered, and he looked away too, shutting his locker with a soft click.
“Alright… let’s go.”
They fell into the same formation as before. Most of the conversation stayed between Junhyuk and Semin. Seonghyeon kept his eyes on the ground and answered only when spoken to, short and quiet.
They were almost at Junhyuk’s house when Semin’s phone rang. The three of them slowed, then stopped.
“Hi, Dad. Why are you calling?”
…
“Oh. Okay. I’ll be there soon.”
Semin looked at them with a small pout.
“Sorry, guys. My dad needs me for something important.”
“It’s okay,” Junhyuk said easily, slinging an arm around Semin’s shoulders and giving him a light pat. “We can hang out some other time.”
Or never, Seonghyeon thought.
“I’m going this way.” Semin pointed in the opposite direction. “See you tomorrow!”
He pulled Junhyuk into a quick hug. Jealousy flared sharp and sudden in Seonghyeon’s chest, but before he could even look away, Semin turned and hugged him too.
“Bye!”
Semin let go, crossed the street, and waved once more over his shoulder. Seonghyeon waved back, still a little thrown. When he turned, Junhyuk was already looking at him.
For a second, Junhyuk’s expression almost looked jealous too.
Then he cleared his throat, faced forward, and started walking. Seonghyeon followed.
They didn’t speak for the last two minutes it took to reach Junhyuk’s house.
Junhyuk opened the door and stepped inside. Seonghyeon followed, closing it behind them before they both toed off their shoes.
“…You go first. I’ll get some water,” Junhyuk said, vaguely pointing toward his room.
“Okay.”
Seonghyeon started walking, but he’d only taken a few steps when Junhyuk called out again.
“Hyeon.”
He turned back.
“Take my backpack, please.”
Junhyuk shrugged the straps off his shoulders and held it out. Seonghyeon took it.
“Thanks,” Junhyuk said.
Seonghyeon just nodded and finally headed into the room. He set both backpacks down, dropped into one of the chairs, and started playing with the strings of his hoodie while he waited, eyes on the door.
Seonghyeon came over so often that Junhyuk’s parents had bought him his own chair so the two of them could sit at the table together. Junhyuk never even had to ask if Seonghyeon could stay.
Everyone already knew he was the only person Junhyuk hung out with.
When Seonghyeon heard footsteps, he slowly looked up. A second later Junhyuk appeared with two glasses of water. He glanced at Seonghyeon, and his heart skipped. Seonghyeon looked so…hot sitting there.
Junhyuk quickly dropped his eyes to the table and set the glasses down.
“Thanks,” Seonghyeon said, lifting one to take a sip.
Junhyuk snuck another glance at him before turning to close the door. He shut it quietly, then came back and sat in the chair next to Seonghyeon, angling it slightly toward him.
“So…”
“Your parents are abroad again?”
“Yeah. As always…”
Junhyuk nodded.
The truth was, Seonghyeon’s parents had been working abroad for most of his life. Home had always felt more like a short vacation than a permanent place.
At first it was only his father traveling for work. Then, when Seonghyeon was a little older, his mother got the chance to take a job in the same company as her husband. She was a flight attendant. He was a pilot.
Working together and traveling the world side by side had always been her dream, so she took it.
She’d looked for a long-term babysitter, but nothing worked out… until one afternoon at a café, while she and Junhyuk’s mother were waiting to pick the boys up from kindergarten.
“Junhee, do you by any chance know any babysitters who could take care of Seonghyeon long-term? I’m going to be abroad most of the time.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I know anyone… but I could watch him if you’re okay with that. Junhyuk and Seonghyeon already get along so well.”
“Wait, really? That would be amazing. Thank you, Junhee.”
And just like that, Seonghyeon basically started living at Junhyuk’s house.
They played together in the rooms, in the garden. Junhyuk’s mom drove them both to kindergarten.
Seonghyeon only saw his own parents a few times a year, whenever they managed a short vacation.
By the time he was thirteen, Seonghyeon could stay home alone. He learned how to cook, clean, and take care of himself. He was a responsible kid. But he and Junhyuk never stopped hanging out. Their houses weren’t far apart, Seonghyeon’s was just a little farther from school, so every morning Seonghyeon waited for Junhyuk, and they walked to school together.
After school they almost always ended up at Junhyuk’s until late, studying, gaming, or just doing nothing.
At some point their classmates even started thinking they were dating. Both of them shut it down immediately.
“Him?” Junhyuk had said once, pointing at Seonghyeon. “Never.”
Seonghyeon laughed with the others. “Yeah, you’re not much better, Junhyuk.”
They both knew it was a lie. They both knew there was something more than friendship between them. They were just too scared to say it out loud.
⸻
They stared at each other for what felt like minutes. Junhyuk’s ears turned a little pink and he looked away.
Why is it so awkward today…
“Anyways…” he cleared his throat. “Should we do the maths homework?”
He grabbed his backpack, unzipped it, and started digging for his notebook and pencil case. Seonghyeon did the same.
“Yeah…”
They both started working in silence. A few minutes later, Seonghyeon nervously tapped his pen against the page. He didn’t even know why he felt so nervous asking a question he’d asked a hundred times before.
He glanced at Junhyuk, who was already on the next problem.
“…Junhyuk, do you know the answer to this one?”
He pointed at his notebook. Junhyuk shifted his chair closer until their knees pressed together and leaned in to read the question.
Seonghyeon kept staring at him.
He’s so…
“Yeah, it’s 45,” Junhyuk said, looking up. His own heart was beating faster than it should have been.
“Oh… can you explain why…?”
Right. Seonghyeon wanted an explanation. Definitely because he actually wanted to understand the problem, and not because he just wanted an excuse to keep staring at Junhyuk’s face.
So… pretty… Seonghyeon thought while Junhyuk talked.
“…so that’s why it’s 45. Do you get it now?”
Fuck. Seonghyeon hadn’t listened to a single word.
“Uh, yeah… thanks.” He quickly started scribbling in his notebook.
Junhyuk raised an eyebrow.
No you fucking don’t.
“Okay…” he said, and went back to his own work. He didn’t move his chair away. He just slid his notebook a little closer to himself.
Both of their hearts were racing, but neither of them shifted their legs.
A few minutes later Junhyuk closed his notebook. “Okay, I finally finished.”
“I’m almost done too.”
A moment later Seonghyeon sighed and shut his own notebook. “Finally.”
He put everything away, then picked up his glass and took a drink.
Junhyuk’s eyes drifted to the way Seonghyeon’s throat moved when he swallowed. The second the thought registered, his face burned and he looked away as fast as he could.
When Seonghyeon put the glass down, he noticed Junhyuk’s red ears and cheeks.
“You okay?”
Junhyuk hesitated, then turned his head.
“Yeah…”
“Did thinking about Semin make you this red?” Seonghyeon asked, laughing like he wasn’t jealous at all.
“What?! That’s not it at all!” Junhyuk frowned.
“Whatever you say, Junhyuk.”
“So… what should we do now?” Junhyuk tried to change the subject.
“I don’t know…” Seonghyeon tapped his finger against the table.
Then Junhyuk’s phone buzzed on the table. He picked it up and checked the screen.
“Oh, it’s Semin.”
Seonghyeon’s eyebrows immediately pulled together. “What does he want?”
Junhyuk opened the message and started typing with a small smile. When he didn’t answer right away, Seonghyeon snatched the phone out of his hand and read it himself.
Semin: Hey! I actually finished what I had to do earlier. Are you guys still hanging out? Can I come over?
What the hell.
“…Hyeon?” Junhyuk said carefully.
Seonghyeon looked up. “When did he get your number?”
“What?”
“When did Semin get your number?”
“When we were walking home. If you’d been listening you’d know I asked for it.”
“What? You asked for his number?” Seonghyeon’s voice turned possessive.
“Yeah? Why not? We’re friends now.”
Seonghyeon sighed and handed the phone back. “Whatever. I don’t care anyway.” He rolled his eyes and looked away.
“You clearly do,” Junhyuk said, taking the phone with a small smile.
“No. I don’t.”
Junhyuk just shook his head and started texting again.
“So should I invite him over?” he asked, smirking. He already knew the answer Seonghyeon wanted to give.
“Yeah,” Seonghyeon replied flatly.
“Yeah?”
Silence. Seonghyeon didn’t look at him.
“…Okay.”
Junhyuk typed something, waited a few seconds for a reply, then sent another message and put the phone face-down on the table. When Seonghyeon finally looked at him again, Junhyuk was already watching him.
“So when is he coming…?”
“He isn’t.”
“What?”
“I told him you already left and that I’m doing something important.”
Seonghyeon’s heart skipped. Did he…?
“Oh…”
He wanted to ask why, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“Yeah. I wanted to only be with you anyway.”
“oh”
Seonghyeon’s jaw dropped a little. His brain short-circuited. His face went so red that comparing it to a tomato would’ve been an understatement.
Junhyuk smirked and laughed quietly, clearly enjoying how flustered he’d made him.
“Anyways, I’m hungry. Let’s make some food. What do you want?”
“Uhh… buldak?”
“Again? We had it two days ago…”
“And?”
“…Fine.” Junhyuk sighed and stood up.
“Yay.” Seonghyeon smiled and followed him to the kitchen.
Junhyuk pulled two packets of buldak out of the cupboard while Seonghyeon took out a pan, filled it with water, and set it on the stove. They waited for it to boil in silence. Usually they always had something to say, but today the quiet felt heavier.
When the water started bubbling, Junhyuk opened the packets and dropped the noodles in. Seonghyeon grabbed a pair of chopstickz from the drawer and held them out. Their hands brushed. Both of them froze for a second, faces heating up, then quickly looked away.
Junhyuk started stirring. Seonghyeon went to the fridge for two eggs. Junhyuk mixed in the powder and sauce, and Seonghyeon cracked the eggs over the noodles before putting the lid on. They stood there waiting again.
When the eggs were done, they both reached for the lid at the same time and their hands bumped.
Seonghyeon pulled away first.
Junhyuk set the lid aside. Seonghyeon put a board under the pan and carried it to the table. Junhyuk grabbed another pair of chopstickz, two bowls, and sat down next to him. He handed Seonghyeon a bowl and started serving himself.
“Is it good?” Junhyuk asked after a minute.
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You haven’t said anything.”
“Neither have you.”
Junhyuk paused, then nodded. “True.”
They ate in silence for a bit longer.
“You know, you’re really quiet today.”
“So are you.”
“I’m eating.”
“So am I.”
“Yeah, but you’re usually talking my ear off.”
Seonghyeon glanced at him. “Maybe I don’t have anything to say.”
Junhyuk raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Not even about Semin?”
Seonghyeon immediately looked away. “…No.”
Junhyuk smiled to himself and kept eating.
After they finished and cleaned up, they went back to Junhyuk’s room and sat facing each other again. It was around seven by then.
“Hyeon, let’s play something.” Junhyuk tried not to smile at the thought of what he was about to suggest, but failed.
“What is it?” Seonghyeon looked at him, confused by the expression on his face. And maybe a little distracted by how pretty he looked.
“Let’s play Never Have I Ever.”
“But we played that like three days ago.”
“But I wanna play it againn…” Junhyuk pouted.
Seonghyeon smiled and shook his head.
“Okay…”
“Yayy!!”
“You start.”
“Okay… Never have I ever skipped class.”
Junhyuk kept all his fingers up. Seonghyeon put one down.
“Wait, when?”
Oh shit.
“…When you were sick. I skipped to buy you medicine and sweets.”
A blush started creeping up Seonghyeon’s neck.
Junhyuk’s eyes widened. “Wait, really?” His heart skipped.
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were sick. I didn’t want you to know I skipped because of you.”
“That’s so sweet of you.”
“I guess…”
“No, seriously.”
Silence.
“Okay, your turn.”
“Never have I ever stayed up all night gaming.”
They both put a finger down.
“Didn’t we do that together actually?”
“Yeah. Many times actually,” Seonghyeon laughed.
“Never have I ever secretly eaten the other’s food,” Junhyuk said.
They both put a finger down again.
“You literally do that almost every day,” Seonghyeon pointed out.
Junhyuk shrugged.
“It tastes better when it’s yours.”
“WHAT.”
“What? It’s true.”
“You’re seriously…” Seonghyeon sighed.
“Anyways… Never have I ever wondered if someone liked me.”
Junhyuk put a finger down. When Seonghyeon did the same, Junhyuk immediately asked, “Who?”
Seonghyeon froze. “…Why do you want to know?”
“Because you put your finger down.”
“So did you.”
“But I asked first.”
“…It’s nobody.”
“Nobody?”
Silence.
“You definitely wondered if someone likes you.”
“Maybe I did.”
“Who?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Fine… keep your secrets.”
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“You put your finger down too.”
“Uhm.”
“Who did you wonder about?”
“I’m not telling you either.”
“Then stop asking me!”
“No.”
Seonghyeon sighed, smiling a little. “Okay, my turn. Never have I ever had a crush on someone from our class.”
They both put a finger down at the same time, then both said “Who?!” together.
“You go first,” Junhyuk said.
“No. You do.”
“Well, I’m not telling you…”
“Then I’m not telling you either.”
“Okay. I didn’t care anyway.”
“Me neither.”
They both looked away, each quietly wondering if the other had been talking about them.
“This is stupid,” Junhyuk muttered, annoyed that he hadn’t gotten an answer.
“Yeah.”
“Who even suggested this stupid game…”
“You did.”
“…Whatever. Wanna watch something?”
“Sure.”
Junhyuk grabbed his laptop and they moved to the bed. He set it between them and opened YouTube.
“What do you wanna watch?”
“I don’t know. You pick.”
“Okay…” He scrolled for a bit. “Let’s watch this.”
It was one of their favorite channels. Junhyuk hoped something funny might loosen the tension still hanging in the air.
“Yeah!”
Ten minutes in, neither of them had really laughed. Normally they would’ve been dying by now, but tonight both of their minds kept drifting back to the game. Even when a particularly funny moment came on, the kind that usually had them laughing for the next twenty minutes, the most Junhyuk managed was a quiet chuckle after zoning out for most of it.
When the video ended, Seonghyeon checked his phone.
“Junhyuk, it’s getting late. I think I’m gonna head out.”
He started getting up. Junhyuk stood too.
“Yeah…” He looked like he wanted to say something else, but didn’t.
Seonghyeon grabbed his bag and they walked to the front door. He put on his shoes, then turned around with a warm smile.
“See you tomorrow, Junhyuk.”
Junhyuk nodded. “See you…”
Seonghyeon opened the door and was about to step out when Junhyuk spoke again.
“Seonghyeon.”
He stepped closer and pulled him into a hug, cheeks already heating up. Seonghyeon froze. He almost raised his hands to hold him back, but stopped himself.
Junhyuk pulled away quickly, looking anywhere but at him.
“Bye!” he said, a little too loud, and shut the door.
“Fuck.” He covered his face with both hands.
Why was it so hard to just hug his best friend?
Outside, Seonghyeon stood frozen for a few more seconds, ears and cheeks burning. He finally exhaled a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket, and started walking. He was grinning so hard his face hurt. Butterflies were going crazy in his stomach.
Oh my god.
Inside, Junhyuk was still spiraling.
Why would I do that all of a sudden?
He forced himself to go take a shower, hoping it would clear his head. It didn’t help at all. He kept thinking about Seonghyeon, the hug, the tension, how ridiculously hot he’d looked earlier when he got jealous over Semin.
Eventually he dried off, changed into pajamas, and went to bed.
Seonghyeon couldn’t stop thinking about the hug either. It was dark out, so at least no one could see how stupidly he was smiling the whole way home. When he finally got in, he showered and went to sleep still thinking about it.
⸻
The next morning, Seonghyeon woke up to a message from Junhyuk.
Junshark 🦈: Hey, I’ll be going to school earlier today, so we’re not going together. Sorry.
Seonghyeon smiled at his phone. He already knew why. Junhyuk always did this after something embarrassed him or made him shy. The hug yesterday definitely counted.
Skrrhyeon 🐈⬛: It’s okay Hyuk. See u at school.
He got ready and headed out on his own.
When he walked into the classroom, Junhyuk was already there, head resting on his arms on the desk. Seonghyeon smiled to himself.
Cute.
He sat down, mirrored the position, and turned his head to the side so he could quietly watch him.
A few minutes later, Junhyuk’s eyes slowly opened. He stared at Seonghyeon for a second, then seemed to realize it wasn’t a dream. He sat up quickly and cleared his throat. Seonghyeon straightened up too, just a little slower.
Seonghyeon kept looking at him. Junhyuk, on the other hand, kept his eyes on the desk, still clearly shy about yesterday.
Seonghyeon reached out. “Hyuk, you have something on your cheek.”
He brushed it away with his thumb. Junhyuk’s eyes flickered up. Seonghyeon’s thumb was still resting against his skin. They stared at each other until a classmate walked up and completely ruined the moment.
“Hey, lovebirds. Did you do the math homework?”
Seonghyeon pulled his hand back. Junhyuk blinked and looked away fast.
“What?”
“The math homework. Did you do it?”
“Oh…” Junhyuk glanced at his notebook.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Can I copy it? I completely forgot.”
Junhyuk rolled his eyes and reached into his backpack. “Fine. But give it back before class starts.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” The classmate grinned, took the notebook, and walked off.
Once they were alone again, Junhyuk finally looked back at Seonghyeon. Seonghyeon was already watching him.
“…What?” Junhyuk asked, trying not to smile.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you staring?”
“I’m not…”
“Yes, you are.”
“Not this again…” Seonghyeon sighed, smiling, and looked away.
Junhyuk laughed under his breath, remembering the last time they’d gone back and forth like this.
A minute later Semin walked in and said hi. They both greeted him back. The rest of the day went by normally.
⸻
Over the next week, Semin grew closer to both of them. On Friday, when the last class ended and Junhyuk and Seonghyeon were about to leave, Semin called out to them.
“Guys!”
They both turned.
“I know this might be a bit soon, but my friends from Eunjang are having a party this weekend.”
“Your friends?” Junhyuk asked.
“Yeah. I told them about you two.” Semin laughed. “They said they wanna meet you.”
Seonghyeon raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because you’re basically the only people I know here.”
Junhyuk glanced at Seonghyeon. “You wanna go?”
Seonghyeon shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
“There’ll be people from different grades too,” Semin added with a small grin. “Some of my older friends are coming.”
They both understood what that meant.
“I’ll text you the info later. I gotta go now. Bye!” Semin said, already heading out.
Junhyuk and Seonghyeon left the classroom shortly after, the rest of their day continuing like any other.
⸻
Two days later, it was Saturday. The day of the party.
Around 6:30 p.m., Junhyuk left his house already dressed. He and Seonghyeon had agreed he’d come over first so they could head out together, since Seonghyeon’s place was closer to the party. The house was about a twenty-minute walk away, and the party started at 7:30.
Junhyuk arrived at 6:40 and rang the doorbell. Seonghyeon opened the door, also already dressed.
“Hey.”
“Hi, Hyuk. You excited?” Seonghyeon asked as Junhyuk stepped inside and took off his shoes.
“Yeah. I’m actually really excited. You?”
“Same. More than I thought I’d be.”
“Me too.”
Junhyuk smiled and followed him to his room.
“How did your parents even allow this?”
Seonghyeon asked once they sat down on the bed.
“They didn’t.”
“What?” Seonghyeon’s eyes widened.
Junhyuk’s parents weren’t strict, but his mom could be sometimes overprotective.
“They went on a trip for a week. They won’t know. Besides, they would’ve let me go if they knew I was with you.”
Seonghyeon smiled a little. “Yeah, but you still should’ve told them…”
“Whatever.”
They sat and talked about the party for a while until Seonghyeon checked the time.
“I think we should go now.” It was 7:05.
“Yeah.”
They left the house together.
They arrived at 7:27 and rang the doorbell.
Semin opened it almost immediately.
“Hey!” he greeted them, stepping aside to let them in.
The house was already full. Semin led them over to a group of his friends and introduced them, then disappeared to grab drinks.
The others started talking easily with Junhyuk and Seonghyeon.
“I heard you two have known each other since childhood,” one of them said.
“Yeah… we’re pretty close,” Seonghyeon answered.
“Oh… but you’re not da-”
“Seongjae, don’t be so nosy,” a girl next to him said, playfully hitting his arm and laughing.
“What? I was just asking…” Seongjae replied, then winked at Junhyuk.
What the heck?
Seonghyeon thought, shifting a little closer to Junhyuk without realizing it.
“I’m back with the drinks!” Semin announced, handing cups to both of them. Everyone else already had one.
“Is this alcohol?” Junhyuk asked.
“Of course it is. Have some fun!” Seongjae said.
Junhyuk glanced at Seonghyeon. Seonghyeon gave him a small, reassuring smile and a tiny nod, as if to say they’d be fine. Junhyuk smiled back, and they both started drinking.
⸻
After about two hours of talking and drinking, both of them were starting to feel tipsy.
Seonghyeon, though, was getting more and more bothered by how much Seongjae kept staring at Junhyuk and finding reasons to talk to him. He stayed quiet about it for as long as he could.
“I’ll go get some drinks,” Junhyuk said at one point.
“I’ll-” Seonghyeon started.
“I’ll come with you,” Seongjae cut in smoothly.
Junhyuk didn’t hear Seonghyeon and just nodded. “Okay!”
As Seongjae walked past, he winked and smiled at Seonghyeon.
Fuck that guy.
Seonghyeon watched them at the drinks table. Then he saw Seongjae’s hand slide around Junhyuk’s waist, pulling him closer. Junhyuk didn’t look happy about it. He even tried to step away, but Seongjae just pulled him in again.
They were standing way too close.
Seonghyeon’s blood started to boil.
The second he saw Junhyuk looking uncomfortable, he couldn’t just stand there.
He walked over. When he got close enough, he heard Seongjae say,
“So you don’t have a boyfriend, cutie?”
“N-”
“He does, so hands off.” Seonghyeon said flatly.
Seongjae turned around with a raised eyebrow. Junhyuk’s eyes widened a little, but he also let out a quiet, relieved breath.
Seongjae finally let go of his waist.
“Okay, okay… i was just asking, no need to get so serious,” he muttered, grabbing his drink and walking off.
Seonghyeon kept staring after him until Junhyuk cleared his throat. When Seonghyeon looked at him, Junhyuk’s expression was softer.
“Are you okay?” Seonghyeon asked, still worried.
“Yeah… thanks for that, Hyeon.”
Seonghyeon poured himself another drink and sighed. “Those people… can’t keep their hands to themselves.”
Junhyuk nodded. “Yeah…”
After that, Seonghyeon tried to drink the image out of his head. Seongjae’s hand on Junhyuk’s waist. How close he’d been standing. That stupid wink. None of it would leave his mind.
“Seonghyeon, you should stop…” Junhyuk said at some point.
“Nah, I’m okay, Hyuk.” Seonghyeon stumbled a little as he said it, trying to keep his balance.
A few minutes later, Seongjae came back over to their group. The second Seonghyeon spotted him, he pointed.
“You!” His voice was louder than usual.
“Don’t touch Jun- my boyfriend ever again. Got it?”
He started walking toward him.
“Seonghyeon… that’s enough,” Junhyuk said quickly, grabbing his wrist.
“Guys, I think me and Hyeon should leave. Have a great night,” Junhyuk told the others, already pulling Seonghyeon toward the door.
Outside, Seonghyeon could barely stay upright.
“Sorry… sorry… sorry…” he kept repeating.
“Gosh… Seonghyeon, be grateful you have me by your side,” Junhyuk muttered, looking at him with clear worry.
“So-rry,” Seonghyeon mumbled again, stumbling over nothing on the flat street.
Then, quieter, “I’m happy to have my boyfriend by my side.”
Junhyuk exhaled. “Seonghyeon, we’re not… whatever.”
⸻
When they finally reached Seonghyeon’s house, they stopped. Junhyuk let go of his wrist and stepped in front of him.
“Where are your keys?”
“Here,” Seonghyeon said, pointing at the house.
“That’s your house. I need the keys.”
Seonghyeon just stared at him blankly.
Junhyuk couldn’t help smiling.
“So cute.”
He started checking Seonghyeon’s jacket pockets, then his jeans pockets. When he reached for the back ones, Seonghyeon suddenly tensed.
“J-Junhyuk! We’re outside!” His face went red.
“What? I wasn’t going to do anything! I’m searching for your keys!”
“Ohhh…”
They weren’t there either.
“Unzip your jacket,” Junhyuk said.
“W-why? You want to…”
“No! I’m searching for the keys..”
Junhyuk unzipped it himself and finally found them in the inside pocket.
“There they are…”
He took Seonghyeon’s wrist again, unlocked the door, and led him inside.
Once they reached the bedroom, Junhyuk sat him down on the edge of the bed.
“Stay here. I’m gonna bring you water.”
Seonghyeon smiled and nodded. Junhyuk went to the kitchen, poured a glass, and came back only to find Seonghyeon sitting in his rotating chair, swinging left and right.
The room setup was almost identical to Junhyuk’s, right down to the two chairs.
“Seonghyeon, I told you to stay on the bed.”
Seonghyeon pouted. “Sorryyy…”
Junhyuk’s expression softened. He really was too cute like this.
“Here. Drink.”
“Thank you, Junhyuk.” Seonghyeon looked up at him as he took the glass.
Junhyuk sat in the other chair so they were facing each other. Seonghyeon drank most of the water, then set the glass on the desk.
“Gosh… what would your mom say if she saw you drinking like this…” Junhyuk muttered, more to himself than anything.
Seonghyeon suddenly shifted his chair closer, trapping Junhyuk’s knees between his own.
He leaned in.
“Junhyuk…”
“What…?”
Seonghyeon’s eyes dropped to his lips.
“I really like you… my boyfriend…”
Junhyuk’s heart started beating faster.
“I like you too, Hyeon. But do you really mean it…?”
“Yes. I mean it, Junhyuk.”
He tried to lean in for a kiss, but Junhyuk gently held him back.
“Seonghyeon, I don’t think we should do this…”
Seonghyeon’s face fell. “Whyyyy,” he pouted.
“You’re drunk. And I don’t know if you’re being serious.”
“I really am!”
“Still… let’s talk about this tomorrow. Right now, let’s just sleep.”
Junhyuk stood up and went to the closet, pulling out a pair of pajamas. Seonghyeon stood too. Junhyuk tossed the clothes at him.
“Here. Change.”
Seonghyeon caught them. “But I don’t want to…”
Junhyuk grabbed another pair for himself.
“Change. I’m changing too. Look, we even have matching ones.”
He was hoping that would be enough to convince him.
“…Okay…”
Seonghyeon pulled his shirt up and started changing. Junhyuk’s gaze lingered for a second too long before he forced himself to look away.
“What? We’re dating. Don’t you wanna look at your boyfriend?” Seonghyeon asked.
“We’re not dating, Seonghyeon…” Junhyuk muttered, still not looking at him.
Seonghyeon ignored that completely. Once he finished, he announced, “Done!”
“Great. Now go to sleep.” Junhyuk gently took his arm and tried to guide him toward the bed.
“You’re not changing?” Seonghyeon asked.
“I’ll change after I shower. But I can’t leave you alone while you’re still awake, so just go to sleep.”
“Just change here and don’t shower.”
“But I want to shower.”
“Please…” Seonghyeon looked up at him with pure puppy eyes.
“I want to sleep with you…”
“HUH?! Seonghyeon, you can’t just say that!!”
“Why not?? We’re dating. It’s normal.”
Junhyuk sighed, then smiled in defeat.
“Yeah… sorry. My bad, Hyeon.”
He took a few steps back. “Look away. I’ll change.”
Seonghyeon crossed his arms. “No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“I wanna see you.”
“Seongh-”
“Change.”
Junhyuk was caught off guard by how straightforward he was being… but he couldn’t exactly say he hated it either. So he changed while Seonghyeon watched every second of it. Junhyuk’s cheeks were burning by the end.
“Good boy…” Seonghyeon said, completely unfiltered.
Junhyuk laughed, but butterflies exploded in his stomach at the words.
“Happy? Now let’s go sleep.”
Seonghyeon nodded and crawled into bed. Luckily it was big enough that Junhyuk wouldn’t have to be pressed right against him after everything that had happened today.
Before Junhyuk even made it to his side of the bed, soft snores were already coming from Seonghyeon.
Junhyuk shook his head with a small smile.
“How cute.”
Then he got in and went to sleep too.
⸻
When Seonghyeon woke up with a mild headache, Junhyuk was already in the kitchen making hangover broth. He heard the door open and glanced over his shoulder.
“Oh. Hey.”
“Hey.”
“I just finished making some broth in case you feel sick.”
“Really? Thanks. I already woke up with a headache,” Seonghyeon said, sitting down at the dining table. He watched Junhyuk from behind as he gave the pot one last stir, then pulled out two bowls and spoons and poured the broth.
“Here you go.” Junhyuk sat across from him.
They ate quietly.
Once they finished, they just stayed at the table in comfortable silence for a while.
Then Junhyuk spoke.
“So… do you remember anything from yesterday?”
“Aside from when I saved you from that weirdo who asked if you had a boyfriend… no.”
Junhyuk smiled to himself. “Okay.”
“What? Did something else happen? Why are you smiling like that?”
“No, no. Nothing important. I was just asking.”
“Sure…” Seonghyeon didn’t sound like he fully believed him. “…Did I drink a lot?”
“What do you think? You don’t even remember the whole night.”
“Oh. Yeah…” He chuckled.
“Anyway.” Junhyuk stood up. He’d already gotten ready earlier. The only reason he’d stayed was to make the broth. “I think I’ll head out now.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Junhyuk left and walked home. Part of him was relieved Seonghyeon didn’t remember everything that had happened.
The other part of him really wished he did.
A few hours later, Junhyuk was lying on the couch in his living room, scrolling through reels and trying not to think too much about the night before.
Then his phone buzzed.
Skrrhyeon 🐈⬛: JUNHYUK!!!
Junhyuk replied What? and got left on delivered.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rang.
He walked over and opened it. Seonghyeon was standing there in sweatpants and a T-shirt, breathing hard.
“Did you run here?” Junhyuk asked.
“Obviously. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Junhyuk silently prayed it wasn’t about yesterday.
“I remember.”
“…How much?”
“The whole night.”
Junhyuk just stood there.
Oh shit.
Seonghyeon stepped closer. “I meant it.”
“…”
“When I said I like you.” A blush spread across his face.
Junhyuk felt completely stunned.
“Me… me too. I also meant it when I said I like you too…”
“Really?!” Seonghyeon’s stomach flipped so hard the butterflies felt out of control.
“So that means…”
“That we’re really dating…”
They both burst out laughing at the same time, remembering how Seonghyeon had already been calling him his boyfriend the night before, when they technically weren’t yet.
Seonghyeon stepped inside and closed the door behind him, never taking his eyes off Junhyuk. He gently took him by the shoulders, turned him around, pressing his back against the door.
Then he leaned in and kissed him softly.
When he pulled away, he was smiling.
“And I remember when you changed in front of me because I made you.”
Junhyuk’s face immediately went bright red.
“You remember that?!”
Seonghyeon laughed. “I remember everything.”
“Oh my god…”