Yuri wanted nothing but to sleep, eat, repeat for the next couple years of her life. She trudged through the hallway as if the floor was a huge muddy dirt path, eyes half open and whole head full of curses. Sooyun completely ruined her day yesterday and she was feeling the least bit energised right now.
To make her day worse, first thing in the morning she saw a bolting Ten flailing his arms at her and a huge crowd of people cramped in a cluster. She didn't know where this was heading, but she also knew, that it was definitely not heading it a good direction.
"You're dating Jeno!?" Ten practically hollowed, catching the attention of some by-standers. It took her a moment to process before she pushed Ten aside and rushed towards the crowd, shoving everyone aside to see a Royal with her hands around a phone. The screen was filled with a blurred photo of her and a Jeno with their lips millimetres apart.
"Oh you're kidding" She exhaled sharply, gripping her fingers together. The photo seemed to come from the student news board as everyone began to pull out their phones.
A second before she was about to begin cursing at everyone, everyone's attention diverted to another figure that had smugly entered the scene.
Everyone feel silent as his presence weighed over everyone's voices.
"What's going on" He said rather monotonously, hands in pocket and hood low over eyes.
"You know what Jeno, do me a favour and go die in a hole" Yuri barrelled her way back and sped to her class. Of course, not only did she have Sooyun insult her yesterday and now she was publicly humiliated. It's been great ever since Jeno decided to throw himself on her.
Half way through her walk to her classroom, someone grabbed her wrist. In one split second, she whipped around and fired a fist in the guys face. Luckily it was Jeno, knowing her so well that he took a step back instantaneously so that her fist scraped over his nose.
"Nice seeing you too" He pulled a smile
"Take the photo down" She demanded, cutting the sweet talk
"I didn't put it up" He retorted back, grasping her arm to lower her fist
"Then who did" She scoffed, not completely believing him
"Why would I get someone to specifically take a picture of us kissing to post it when you were the one who pulled me into the classroom. I didnt willing hire someone to keep tabs on me, I'm not crazy"
"You've got authority right? Tell whoever did it to take it down" She huffed, looking up at him
"So you're dating me for authority? Doesn't seem like you" He knew she didn't mean that, he just liked messing with her
"First of all, we're not dating. Second of all, if I wanted authority I'd straight up go date the Grimm Brothers son. Prince Charmings have nothing but a title" She moved to the side and leant against the wall.
"Ouch, for both statement, by the way" He faked a hurt
"Just take it down, I don't care"
"It's not embarrassing dating me, in fact, it should be a type of honour"
"Wow I've met someone's who's ego is bigger than mine, and that is saying something" She patted him on shoulder
"Don't act like we've only just met" He brushed her hand off his shoulder, scowling. She chuckled for a second, cocking her head to the side to give him a raised eyebrow "Have I met the Jeno behind the hood?"
He paused for a second. Yes she was the only person he had openly taken his hoodie off for, but in all honesty, they didn't know each other like they pretend to. She wanted to know more about the person behind the black piece of cloth that shields his eyes. His favourite colour, his favourite food, favourite music and favourite movie. What he does as a hobby and what makes him happy.
Jenos eyes avoided hers. He didn't want her to know the darkness that brewed within him and all the things that stained him. He gave her all his trust, but was it enough to trust that she wouldn't be scared? He was like a wolf, a creature of such beauty but the moment it begins to fear, he will bare his fangs and dare not hesitate to colour it red.
"Do you want to?" He stuck his tongue into the side of his cheek, raising his head to connect eye contact.
She just left him with a smirk
✧
"Look familiar?" She asked quietly, letting her voice be carried by the breeze. The night twinkled with little dots of pale yellow, each little green streaks of grass covering the ground with a soft blanket. The blue birds have gone to sleep and the trees swayed in their slumber. Each little firefly waltzing in a syncopated rhythms with it's dusky light. The reflection of their gentle blaze allowed scintillates of blurred yellow to be trapped behind their eyes. The duo leant against their palms, sprawled across the grass and let the atmosphere embrace then tightly.
"Yeah" He hummed, stretching his lips so that a natural low almost muted chuckle rolled down his lips.
"Take your hood off" She suggested casually, glancing at him. He paused for a second, then vulnerably brushed it off his head. The moment the piece of black clothing fell from his head, she started to see the thin line of fear that circled his throat.
"What's your favourite colour?" What a simple question. Jeno looked at her in surprise, but she only gave a nod back
"Black" He replied "That shouldnt be a surprise"
"Why?"
"Do I have to have a reason to like something?"
She looked back at the scenery that was like a porcelain art piece crafted by the hands of God "Favourite movie?"
"Don't have one"
"What movie do you like?"
"Not Disney"
She figured.
"Have you ever wanted to change?"
Jeno looked down, blinking a couple times to process the questions "I never had a chance to change"
She gave him silence as a reply
"I never had a change to be gentle and caring. I was always just thoughtless words and shards of glass. I wanted people to fear me"
"I want to hear your story Jeno, if you're willing to give me your trust."
He hesitated once more, but had come to a decision even before she asked the questions. He trusted her, not because he knew she wasn't going to break his trust, just because even if she did break his trust, he knew he deserved it. After all, he knew he doesn't deserve her trust.
"Perfect family perfect routine. Mark got adopted into our family then he decided to send my brother to the cemetery so he could take my brothers spot as prince charming. I did some horrible things, he did some horrible things. It's just horrible all in all" Jeno shrugged, briefing over his story rather nonchalantly.
"Do you want to know why I have that lollipop with my all the time?" She knew she could trust Jeno "Got bullied couple years back, that lollipop was given to me by someone when I was at my lowest; it got me through it all"
He remained silent
"Everyone's hiding something, but just know, hidden things will always be hidden until you try to find them"
And the silence settled with them for a bit. Staying here like this relaxed both of them and soothed their worries even if they have plenty clogged up in their minds. All they can think of was the soft breeze and the bidding insects. The lights below them were flickering off one by one, like a crowd of matches blowing out.
Jeno glanced at her for a second, his heart shooting a wrong direction when he caught her eye. He hated how she knew exactly how to make him nervous, even if it was just a simple glance. He didn't tear his eye contact away, except stared like she was a fine piece of china.
"You're so pre-" He began
"I know" Yuri was really shameless no matter the time.
"You never answered my question" He said, lowering his volume
"Which one?"
"Do you like me"
"Why ask a question with an obvious answer?"
Another thump in the chest; Jeno swallowed.
"Jeno" She stated. Jeno looked at her.
"I like you" she uttered "I like you. You stubborn rude head-up-your-ass jerk"
He was silent for a couple seconds, taking couple heavy breaths with his eyes piercing through hers.
"You're making it hard to resist"
She didn't widen her eyes, she didn't react much but left him with a smug smirk.
Jeno glanced to the side in subtle frustration, running his fingers through his hair.
"Are you al-" She provokingly teased him, curling the edges of her lips.
"Shut up" and he took hold of her neck, and pulled to press his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. Warmth coursed through her veins and a natural smile grew up her lips.
Finally, they've made it. Throwing away all worries and all types of standards. For a moment, they were going to be together and feel like they were something together.
Just for a little moment
I threw myself to the wolves, only to learn of the tenderness in their howl, and loyalty in their blood
And I don't regret it one bit