Jeongin typed away on his phone as he walked next to the older, their steps slow and shoulders brushing. It was as early as eight in the morning and the two close friends were headed to college, one sleep-deprived but high on coffee and the other tired from sleeping in.
Han and Jeongin truly were opposites but as they say, opposites attract and it was hard to oversee the fact that that was the case for them. Neither of the two could imagine a life without the other—now that they've got closer than ever.
The two college students have been friends for roughly a year now and spend almost every second together. It may sound stupid but Jeongin was glad he spilled the older's coffee that October day. He was so so glad.
"Seungmin wants to meet up before first period." The raven voiced out as he looked over at his friend, eyes questioning if he was okay with it. "Yeah, sure. Where?" "Right at the entrance, he just wanted to ask something, in person." Han nodded away, "Alright."
And with a little conversation, they continued walking. Sometimes you're lucky enough to find yourself a person—a friend, a partner, a soulmate—where only their presence matters and nothing else. Both Jisung and Jeongin were fortunate to call the other that, though unfortunately only in a friends way at the moment.
Perhaps someday that will change.
- "Sweet, see you later." Seungmin walked off with a smile, leaving the two other boys alone again. "See you."
Jisung sighed softly, "Since when does he have a girlfriend?" "Don't ask me Hyung, you're closer with him." His head was crowded with thoughts, did Felix know? Surely he was going to be devastated.
As one of Felix's best friends, he felt the need to tell him about how his crush had a partner—a girlfriend at that—but he could already imagine the sad look on his face. He didn't want to break it to him.
All Han could hope for was that Seungmin had already told him and the blond had accepted it and learned to live with it. "What you thinking 'bout?" Jeongin—whom the brunette had long forgotten stood next to him—spoke up, seeing the slightly pained look on his face.
The ravenette stopped breathing for a second, feeling his heart clench inside of him. Was Jisung interested in Seungmin? Did his chance with him slip out of his hands before he even tried to grab it?
Oh, what was he thinking? Why would he even feel sad about such things? If anything he should be happy Jisung had found himself an interest and sad about the fact he got indirectly rejected, not sad that he doesn't have a chance with the brunette.
Jeongin shook off the weird thoughts and blamed it on his sleepiness.
"It's nothing. We should head to class now, I'll see you in a bit." Han shook off the question as quickly as Jeongin his thoughts and started walking away—at a suspicious speed. His hands tightly held his backpack as he marched through the hallways and to the first period.
Today was sure to be chaotic.
★
Light chatter echoed through the small café as the four college students sat at a table next to the big window of the coffee shop. The soft music playing in the background was too quiet to be heard as Jeongin spoke up, "So, how long have you two been together?" He asked in his usual sweet voice, eyes creasing into nothing as he smiled.
His head was resting on his hands as he looked forward at the couple—that had been together for little over a month, as he (and Jisung) just learned. The raven cooed and leaned to the side, falling against his friend in the progress.
"You know we've been together for a year now." Jisung voiced out as he threw his arm over the younger's shoulder, pulling him closer than he already was. The raven chuckled at the shocked faces of his friend and said boy's partner.
In disbelief, Seungmin looked back and forth between the other two boys, "...What?"
Even with all the joking and unserious atmosphere, the raven couldn't help but feel sad—despite the flirting from the older, that he actually enjoyed. Jeongin felt like he was just doing it because of the other brunette opposite them, was he trying to make Seungmin jealous?
But more importantly, should he play along?
Jeongin grinned teasingly, "I swear my boyfriend's the best." He looked up dreamily at the older, eyes wide and lips parted—before he pressed them together into a grin again. Han couldn't help but smile.
Would Yang actually call him the best boyfriend, if they ever got together? He couldn't help but wonder. "Hyung! Why'd you never tell me?" "I never found the time," Not going to lie, Jisung had to rack his brain for an answer.
"And I could ask you the same! I would've never guessed you and Aki were dating." "That's only because you keep saying our friend group is gay." "Is it a lie?" The only girl at the table laughed, enjoying the two bickering.
Aki had been feeling a bit out of place as the boys were talking, though they all tried their best to include her, but she felt like now was the time she could really join in. "Don't worry Seung, I'm gay too." "Noona!"
And the afternoon wore on, now all four of them chattering and joking around, while Jeongin and Han kept up the act of being together. And just between us, both adults enjoyed the chance to act all lovey-dovey—to hold the other's hand without it coming off weird.
"I'll head to the restroom real quick." The raven voiced out before scooting off the loveseat and heading away from the table, to use the toilet. Seungmin took the opportunity while he was away and didn't waste a second to ask, "So, have you two done it yet?"
Jisung flushed a deep crimson red, "What the fuck Kim Seungmin?" Not only did the boy's eyes widen, but the girl's as well. "Yah, you can't just ask something like that. Don't you know how embarrassing it is?" "I do actually, Your father showed me."
This time Han took the opportunity, to slip away from the table—hoping to calm down a bit. With quick steps and heavy breathing, he walked to the restroom—where he actually forgot Jeongin was—and washed his face, hoping to get the redness to fade away.
"Hyung? You good?" The ravenette looked concerned as he saw his red face and heard his heavy breathing, carefully he placed the back of his hand onto his still-wet forehead, gasping at the temperature. "I'm fine."
Jeongin gave him a glare, taking his hand into his. "What do you mean fine, You're freezing cold. I told you to take a jacket with you!" "What are you? My mom?" Not answering the raven once again took off his clothes in the small restroom and handed the older boy his light grey zip-up jacket, forcing him into it.
"No, your fake boyfriend, it seems."
Looking at the ground, Han found himself leaning into the younger's touch as he pulled the jacket over his body and zipped up the zipper to his chin. His hands lingered there for a second before he let go, stepping away.
"Anyway, w-we should get back to the others." Jeongin coughed the awkwardness out of his throat and grabbed the other's wrist—his hand hiding in his sleeves, unable to be held.
Quietly the two stepped back to the couple. Han clutched onto the piece of clothing as he sat down, looking as flustered as ever. "What were you-" "Seung." As the adult across from them was about to tease again, Aki cut him off—fortunately for Jisung, he couldn't handle any more embarrassment today.
The raven sipped his americano as he averted eye contact, questioning himself if he should just tell the couple in front of them the truth to stop this light tension between him and Jisung. "Seungmin Hyung, Aki Noona... You do know we aren't actually dating, right?"
Despite the brunette's best attempts, he still tensed up when he looked to his side—at Jeongin. "No!" "I told you!" "Why are you so smart, damn it." "I'm a girl, I know when love ain't loving." "Fuck this."
Still avoiding eye contact, the tallest of the group gulped down the last sip of his coffee and leaned back into the loveseat. "But Innie, why not?" That caused the boy to finally look up. Why not? Because Jisung is in love with you! He wanted to scream it out so badly but ultimately was able to hold it back.
"I'm not looking for a relationship I guess, College's been pretty stressful you know. I feel like I'd be a bad boyfriend in times like this." He whispered out the last part. Him not looking for a relationship might've been a lie but College really was stressing him out and he did not want to hurt anyone if he couldn't make time for them—especially not Jisung.
★
With four big smiles, the group of friends bid goodbye. Aki leaned in to kiss Jeongin on the cheek and the raven returned it, before hugging the girl quickly. "Guess we'll see each other tomorrow," he said, waving at the couple already walking away.
"Bye!" Jisung screamed after them, getting a light wave in response, but he wasn't done talking. "Innie, where's my kiss?" "What? Sungie Hyung, I think you forgot we're not together," He laughed out but you could clearly see the sparks in his eyes fade away.
"And? Why can't I get a kiss?" Jeongin had to ponder, there was no reason not to do it and it wasn't like they never kissed the other before. Right at their first meet-up outside school, Jisung planted a peck on his cheek as a goodbye and they didn't even know each other back then.
So what was stopping him?
"That'd be weird, wouldn't it?" "C'mon! Just a small peck!" Jeongin laughed again but this time with his whole heart, he found it incredibly cute how he was so desperate—desperate to get a kiss from him. "Hyung was right-"
As the raven had just begun talking again, about to tell him how Seungmin was right about the older being happy to get a kiss—the boy threw himself onto Jeongin and kissed his cheek instead. If he couldn't get one, he'd give one.
"Hyung~" The taller whined out when Jisung didn't let go and instead nuzzled himself closer, along with pressing his lips onto him over and over again.
His feelings were obvious, yet Jeongin was left confused. He thought he'd flirt with him to get Seungmin jealous but the boy was long gone now, so what was he doing? Kissing and clinging onto him like that?
Not that he minded.