Chapter Text
One: Don't forget to be a good friend
Taeyong would always leave stick notes around the house and Yuta was pretty much used to it by now. “Don’t forget to buy dish washer” above the sink; "Made your lunch” in the fridge; “Please give me back my coat” on his bedroom door; “Shopping List” anywhere random in the kitchen. Sometimes there would be some “Good luck on your exam!” stuck to his backpack or a “Have fun on your date!” in his desk.
They have been flatmates for two years now ― that’s how they met ― and it was quite easy to get along, They just clicked from day one. Yuta loved Taeyong’s cooking and Taeyong loved Yuta’s sense of humour.
During their first year of university, their schedules were so not in sink that Taeyong developed the habit of leaving sticky notes with messages to Yuta, whenever he needed to tell him something important ― but it soon grew into the not-so-important things too and, eventually, there were sticky notes everywhere and just about everything.
Yuta didn’t mind at all ― he knew that was Taeyong’s way of showing he cared; he even gave the older a branded, five coloured pack of new sticky notes for Christmas (they were broke students, the smallest things were the greatest gifts). Funny thing was: Yuta would just text Taeyong whenever he needed to say or reply to something. The sticky-notes method was one-way only. But none of them cared about that detail. It was their own system and it worked just fine, Yuta would wake up everyday with a note somewhere in his room (he’d always sleep with an open door and it was quite easy for Taeyong to just walk in, stick the paper somewhere, and then leave). Today, it said “Fighting! Please don’t sleep on your class! Left you coffee in the kitchen.”
Yuta smiled, took the yellow piece of paper and saved it inside his notebook ― the one he kept only for the sticky notes. Taeyong probably thought Yuta put them in the trash ― but nope. Yuta loved them and kept them all: even the angry “Just fucking take out the trash” ones. Yuta was one hell of a messy person (bless TY for always keeping the house clean), but that notebook was the most organized thing he ever owned in his life: each note was neatly stuck side by side, four per page, front and back, all perfectly aligned and clean, He didn’t know exactly how many there were in there, but the notebook was already on his half.
He dragged himself to the kitchen, finding the jar of coffee still warm. Taeyong hadn’t left long ago, Like always, Yuta mixed the black coffee with the milk and lots of sugar ― and found another note, a pink one, on the fridge door, saying “Out of yogurt buy more”. He chuckled and searched for the shopping list, added “Yoghurt” and then left the kitchen with one pink note in one hand and his latte in the other.
He dressed up, grabbed a slice of yogurt cake from the counter (no wonder they were out of yogurt, but Yuta was not complaining for having made-in-TY-cake instead) and went to classes. While on the bus, he texted Taeyong:
“Thnks 4 the coffee. Cake still gr8!”
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Taeyong was on the couch when Yuta arrived. He dropped his bag by the couch and Taeyong made some room for him to sit, but raising an eyebrow to the backpack. Yuta pretended not to notice; he would put it in the room later.
― How was your day? ― asked Yuta.
― It was OK. ― replied Yuta ― Nothing really happened. And yours? Did you deliver your paper?
Taeyong put his legs on top of Yuta’s and sighed deeply. Yuta started massaging his ankles and waited patiently.
― Unfortunately, but finally. One small step for me but one huge step for my mental health. I guess. ― he grunted ― I wish I was dead. I am dead.
― You look dead. ― Yuta chuckled and Taeyong slapped his shoulder, but smiled that smile that always made Yuta’s days a little bit better. ― I’m hungry.
― Dinner’s in the oven. By the way, did you finish the salami?
― Nope. What’s dinner?
― I think we have a food thief, then…
― Yeah, Win-fucking-Win.
They both laughed and then proceeded to watch TV until the oven’s timer went on and they both ran to the kitchen to eat Taeyong’s signature lasagna.
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― Honey, I’m home! ― Yelled Taeyong, closing the door behind him. It was Friday and Yuta always got home earlier on Fridays.
― Hi, home, I’m Yuta! ― Yuta yelled back, peeking from the kitchen door ― Who’s honey?
Taeyong rolled his eyes, chuckling.
― You’re such a dad! ― he complained.
― I am the ultimate dad.
Yuta went back to the kitchen and Taeyong followed him, afraid of whatever his friend was doing there. Didn’t even bother going to his room first to drop his backpack, But everything was fine: Yuta was just making a sandwich. Taeyong sighed in relief.
― Dude, chill. I am not setting the house of fire with a sandwich. ― Yuta knew all of Taeyong’s fears indeed ― Most of the time. ― he added.
Taeyong didn’t answer, but, relieved, went to his room and put some comfortable clothes before coming back. Yuta was already at the couch watching Family Guy and munching his sandwich.
―Jeez, Yuta, that show sucks. What the fuck?
― It’s my guilty please, please leave. ― Yuta defended himself ― So, how was your day? Mine was fine, thanks for asking.
Taeyong sat on the couch before answering, going to his usual position: legs on top of Yuta’s.
― That guy came to me again. ― he said.
― Seriously? ― Yuta snapped his head to look at Taeyong, surprised ― What’s his bloody problem, mate?
Taeyong shrugged.
― Don’t blame him. ― he said, with a smirk ― I mean, look at me.
― So fucking full of yourself. ― Yuta rolled his eyes ― What did he want?
Yuta wanted to ignore the cold feeling in his stomach. That was the third time that guy annoyed Taeyong by asking him out despite being rejected every time. It seemed to bother Yuta more than Taeyong itself and Yuta always tried his best not to show it. He wasn’t even sure to why it bothered him so much in the first place, so he just convinced himself that it was because his friend was being harassed.
― A date, again. ― Taeyong sighed ― Told him no, again.
― You should tell him to just fuck off. ― Yuta said ― Want me to have a chit-chat with him? Sure he won’t bother you again.
Taeyong shook his head and gave him a soft smile.
― No, thanks. I can handle this.
― If you say so. ― Yuta turned back to the TV and pretended like it was all fine. But he was not fine himself, so he changed the subject. ― Want pizza?
― Why do you even ask?
The next morning, Yuta found a “Thank you for being the best friend ever!” note on his door. He put it in his notebook and smiled like and idiot for the rest of the day. Yuta and Taeyong were nor best friends ― both had their own ― but they would not bother with labels when it came to their friendship. Or, at least, that’s what Yuta told himself when he would stop and think about their relationship.
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“Made you lunch, I’ll be at Johnny’s the whole day. Wash the dishes!”
Yuta kept the note with a bit of disappointment. He was planning on ask Taeyong to watch Game of Thrones season 8 premiere with him on that Sunday. He looked at the clock: 11:35h. Too soon to have lunch, too late to have breakfast ― so he just grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and laid on the couch watching random TV shows until it was time to have lunch. While eating ― Taeyong made the most delicious japchae Yuta had ever had ― he checked his social media. There were 236 messages on the school group chat, so he just turned the wi-fi back off.
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Sicheng ― or Winwin ― was being a prick again, stealing food and leaving his shoes in the middle of the living room. Taeyong was scolding him for the fifth time on that month, while Yuta ate popcorn in the back (literally, because they had been watching a movie). Johnny was trying not to laugh and Jaehyun wasn’t even trying at all.
― But hyung! ― Winwin whined ― Your food is so good!
― This is not about the food, kid! ― Taeyong yelled ― It’s about those damned shoes! Leave them where they belong!
Winwin whined a bit more, but made what he was told to. Taeyong turned to Yuta.
― And you! ― pointed at him ― Don’t eat all the popcorn, you selfish brat! ― he took the bucket of popcorn from Yuta’s hands ― I’m not making you dinner tomorrow.
― But hyung!
Now it was Yuta who was whining and Sicheng who was laughing.
Taeyong did made Yuta’s lunch anyway and Yuta texted him with a lot of emoji hearts and flowers. Then he kept the note he had left on the fridge, like always.
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― How was your day? ― asked Yuta, when Taeyong put his legs over his. The latter let out a sigh.
― It was fine. The presentation went well and I had lunch with Johnny. Also got an A at Ethics, so… yeah.
― Hmm. ― Yuta massaged Taeyong’s ankles, softly ― I am very glad. Congrats!
― Oh. ― Taeyong remembered something ― Actually, there was something weird. That guy… he passed me today and sent me the most freaking hideous look, but didn’t say a word to me. It was so weird!
― Well, I guess he got the message. Isn’t that good?
― Fucking great.
― Awesome. ― Yuta smiled and then Taeyong went on about his presentation that morning. Yuta felt relieved that his little chit-chat worked.
He thought that Taeyong would never know about his intervention, but woke up to a “Thank you so much” note the next day.
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Yuta didn’t want to kiss Taeyong, but he really felt like doing it, which was so weird that he kind of froze. Taeyong had his head on his legs and Weekly Idol was on TV, and he was just being so pretty, with his messy hair and sleepy eyes, that Yuta just had a moment of pure devotion and oh shit, he’s so perfect I want to kiss him. And his gaze must have been so intense that Taeyong looked up and frowned.
― You ok, mate? ― he asked.
Yuta woke up from his moment and shook his head.
― Yeah, sorry. ― he looked back at the TV and pretended like it was nothing, cheeks hot. But he could still feel Taeyong’s worried gaze on him. The next day, he woke up to a “Have an awesome day like yourself” note on his desk.
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