Archive of Our Own

This was all Seungmin's fault, Hyunjin would vehemently argue. His best friend decided to take the first plane out of their small town, to Europe or some shit, leaving Hyunjin to fend for himself as they started their new lives at university.

Without Seungmin, there was no one to remind him of all the deadlines that were fast approaching. The essay for English. A test in their shared Chem class. The deadline for student housing...

Hyunjin hadn't realized he'd missed the cut off date until it was already a week too late. Living on campus was no longer going to be a part of his college experience.

And the commute was horrible! Two hours on a train, just to get to his first class late. Hyunjin wouldn't survive! He'd end up dropping out and in effort to not disappoint his parents, he'd tell them he found a new place, but really he'd have to work the streets and—

His slippery slope thinking was cut off by a buff boy with a snapback over his unruly hair.

"What's up, dude! You—like—looking to join a frat?" He was handed a paper, the name 'Sigma Nu' in big bold letters.

Hyunjin'd grin was almost evil. "Where can I sign up?"

Getting into a frat house was a lot harder than Hyunjin had imagined. Probably having something to do with his...image. He wore a lot of pastels in the spring, soft warm colors in summer, cool tones in fall, but the boys he was introduced to lacked any sense of real style. He saw them around in ripped jeans and t-shirts, baseball caps backwards on their heads. For the mixers, they dressed up in standard cut polos and trousers. A fashion crime, really. If they were going to reject Hyunjin for being so openly himself, fine. He didn't want to join their stupid frat anyway. 

But, he did need a place to stay.

So with a heavy heart, he walked up to the last house left on the block.

He hadn't exactly heard great things about it. Lots of the freshman were avoiding this place like the plague and he could see why. The grass out front was overgrown, window shutters hanging off their hinges. The house itself was a lot smaller than the other ones on the block. He couldn't imagine there were many members if they managed to fit into a one story just fine. It made him even more nervous to knock, worried that they'd take one look at him and dismiss him for not fitting their image either.

Fortunately, he was saved the trouble when the door went flying open, a mop of hair and a snapback breezing past.

"Coming through!"

They rushed past Hyunjin, hardly sparing him a glance as they dashed off to wherever it was they needed to get to in such a hurry.

Hyunjin was so busy staring in the direction the other had run that he was scared shitless when someone was shouting his way.

"Jisung! How many times have I told you to close the door when you leave!"

His head whipped back around to the still open door, a boy now standing in the doorway. They don't immediately notice Hyunjin, but when they do, they squeak before shutting the door in his face. 

So much for that plan. 

Loud whispers were being exchanged inside the house. Hyunjin leaned a little closer in curiosity. The door was suddenly being thrown open again, the same guy from before taking him in like it was the first time he'd ever come in contact with another human.

"It's not polite to stare, Changbin." Someone reminded from behind him. 

A new face popped into view, with shaggy blond hair and a strong nose. "Sorry, mate. What could we do for you?" And an accent.

"Wait! Let me guess, Beta Theta Pi sent you here? Changbin, get the laundry baskets—"

"What? No, I came by myself."

"Oh."

"To pledge?" The question lingered in the air.

Both boys were staring now. In utter disbelief.

"You want to pledge to our house, why?"

"Changbin!" The dark haired haired male—Changbin—rubbed the arm the blond had just smacked. He frowned at him.

"Excuse my surprise. We don't exactly get people pounding at the door, now do we?" said Changbin.

"Ignore him." The blond opened the door wider, pulling Changbin aside to allow space to enter. "Come in! We're happy to have you."

Hyunjin followed them into what he assumed was meant to be a living area, space limited due to the scattered clutter. There was a well loved couch resting in the center with a TV mounted on the wall in front of it. TV dinner tables were propped up all over, housing different tech equipment that Hyunin was scared to go near. Wires were at their feet as they traveled, Hyunjin almost face planting when he tripped over one. 

"Pardon our mess. We don't get a lot of visitors."

The only seat he felt comfortable in was the one lone stool in the corner. It rested far from their setup, enough that Hyunjin didn't have to worry about his clumsy limbs as he sat down.

"Is this all your stuff?" The blond asked, taking note of the tote bag Hyunjin had been lugging around.

"No, this is just what I need for my classes. The rest is back at my parent's place."

"Did you need help bringing it over? Changbin has a truck." Hyunjin gawked, dumfounded.

"You mean, I'm in? Just like that?"

"Just like that," The blond smiled. "New recruits are hard to come by. We take what we can get."

Hyunjin might have felt some type of way when the blond put it like that, but honestly, he was just relieved. He'd managed to land himself a place on campus. So long two hour train rides!

Settling in wasn't a total nightmare, despite what some may think. He got a room to himself and he no longer had to worry about waking up four hours before classes just to make it to campus on time. However. this house did come with some quirks Hyunjin hadn't been prepared for when he decided to move in,

Like waking up Monday morning because someone thought it was a good idea to burn their house down. Okay, so not exactly that dramatic, but. The fire alarm was blaring into his room and he covered his ears as he stepped into the hall. The blond, who Hyunjin now knew as Chan, was shouting at someone.

"Jisung! What have I told you about making ramen half asleep?"

"Not to do it because—

"Because shit like this happens!" Chan was holding a charred pan, raising it to Jisung's face. "You ruined our one good pan!"

"Relax, we still have the electric kettle."

"I will not relax!" He dumped the ruined pan into the bin. "Especially since you seem to forget that we, in fact, don't have an electric kettle because someone decided they wanted to boil eggs in the studio and managed to get it confiscated."

"Oh, yeah."

Chan sighed, walking back toward Jisung. He suddenly noticed Hyunjin in the room. "Uh, hey. Didn't mean to wake you." He awkwardly waved.

Jisung soon faced Hyunjin, sharp eyes meeting wide ones.

"Newbie, hey."

He hardly spared the other man a glance as he started walking to his room.

"Hey, we aren't done talking!" Chan shouted after him.

"Really? I thought we weren't doing that anymore. Since you two decided to pick up a stray." The door slammed behind him.

Retreating felt like the wrong move, so Hyunjin stayed where he was until Chan acknowledged him. 

"Sorry about Jisung. He's had a rough night."

Hyunjin imagined it was more than a restless night that made Jisung so angry, especially with his passive aggressive comment, but he chose to ignore the obvious to avoid any awkward tension as he slipped back into his room. 

He got dressed and left before the others, sparing himself the inevitable talk that would happen if they all gathered for breakfast. Instead, he arrived at the closest café, ordering an iced americano and muffin to start his day. His coffee was ready first and he was asked to wait a few minutes as a fresh batch of blueberry muffins would be coming out of the oven soon. He sat for those few minutes, scrolling through social media until his order was called.

"One blueberry muffin!"

Blindly reaching for his breakfast, attention still on his damn phone, he missed the other hand jutting out next to his. They bumped in the middle.

"Oh, sorry," a deep voice rumbled. "I thought it was for me."

Wow... What a way to start a morning. First, he was (potentially) accosted in his own home and now he was meeting (quite possibly) the prettiest man to ever exist. How was he even real? Freckles dotted along his nose and checks. His eyes were a variant of grey—they had to be contacts— and his smile was nearly blinding. He was like a ray of sunshine come to life.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have double checked."

The barista serving up the muffins came running back with a second one, giving them an apology as she pushed the muffins forward.

Pretty boy grabbed them both, offering the bigger looking one to Hyunjin. "Here, take it."

He pressed it into Hyunjin's open palm and waited until his fingers wrapped around it before letting go.

"Thank you." Heat climbed up Hyunjin's face.

"Headed to class?"

"Y-Yeah." Great, now he was a stuttering school boy. "I have my first class in Windsor Hall."

"Anatomy? Oi, me too." Accent. Hyunjin belatedly noticed the accent. 

"We should walk together, then?"

"Lead the way."

That was the story of how he met Felix. Soon to be new best friend.

It was nice having a friend outside of the frat house. If he could even really call his roommates friends. Hyunjin learned very quickly that the occupants of the house were only three, now four with his addition. Because their little group was so small, they were close. Super close. They spent a lot of their day together in their shared space, usually messing around with all the tech equipment they had set up. Hyunjin scurried to his room whenever he saw them in their element, not wanting to get in their way. Plus, they didn't have that much in common to begin with. Hyunjin was majoring in the arts and he was fairly sure the other three were music theory majors.

"You should have seen it, Lix! They were eating like pigs, scarfing down chicken breast and sloshing around beer. Ugh, men."

Yes, Hyunjin was also a man, but he had class! He thought's he'd escaped the Greek row wannabes by moving into the one shared house devoid of such clichés. Yet, the three men in his life were not a far cry from the animals he'd seen in nature documentaries.

"You're being dramatic."

"This is because you think Chan is hot, isn't it?" Felix rolled his eyes at his theatrics

"Thinking that your roommates are attractive has nothing to do with this," he sighed. "But really, have you seen them? Is it really all that bad if you get a free show every once in a while?" His best friend was just as bad as the rest of them.

Mind you, Hyunjin was very aware of his roommates' assets. He just tried very hard not to dwell on them knowing damn well all those men were straight. They had to be. Gym rats like them hardly went for the himbo types. Well, except in po—

"Besides, you should be grateful they took you in when you had no where else to go."

Curse his best friend for being right.

Hyunjin wrapped up lunch with Felix with a promise to come by his dorm to study tonight. Chan and Changbin had been feeling out a beat all week and it was all that has played in the house day in and day out. He was glad the house was empty when he returned, the stress from the day melting away with the silence that stretched on as he made his way to his room.

Since arriving, Hyunjin had done his very best to make his room feel cozy and warm. He hung fairy lights along the walls, framed some of his artwork to put up, and made sure his statement pieces color coordinated. He wondered if the boys would be mad if he tried hanging some of his art outside of the room. Heaven knows this place needed a spruce up.

There was still a few hours before he would meet Felix so he decided he'd take a a shower now instead of when he came home. His roommates were night owls and they were way more active when Hyunjin was trying to turn in for the night, usually meaning there was almost always someone in the bathroom when he'd arrive. Not this time. This time, they were all still attending classes and Hyunjin had the whole bathroom all to himself.

He grabbed his towel, strolling into the bathroom butt naked since no one else was around. He didn't bother locking the door, focusing instead on the temperature of the water so it was just on the right side of hot for his shower. Once he deemed it perfect, he stepped in, humming a song to himself as he started washing his hair. Bliss like this was hard to come by so he took his precious time, foaming up his cherry blossom shower gel to scrub away the day's worth of sweat.

He was so immersed in washing away the soap that he almost missed the sound of the toilet seat being lifted up. Almost.

"Hello?"

No answer.

Okay. Hyunjin assumed he was hearing things and went back to washing his hair, Then, he heard the toilet flushing.

Pulling back the curtain revealed Jisung, decked out in bulky headphones (explains why he didn't answer when Hyunjin called) and in tiny boxer shorts. Admittedly, as soon as Hyunjin saw who it was, he should have let the curtain drop back into place. But, he didn't. He stupidly watched as Jisung washed his hands, mumbling under his breath to whatever song was playing through his headphones.

When he turned to dry his hands, he finally noticed Hyunjin.

"Shit—fuck! What the hell, man?!" 

He tried to cover his lower half. As if Hyunjin wasn't the one showering right now.

"Me? You're the one who walked in on my shower!"

"You left the door unlocked!"

"I didn't think anyone was home!"

Arguing wasn't going to get them anywhere. "Could you please just leave? I want to finish my shower."

Jisung grumbled, but he gave up that fight easily which Hyunjin thought was suspicious. He should have realized that wouldn't be the end of that discussion. Jisung was found loitering in the hall when he emerged.

"What?" Hyunjin probed.

"I'm waiting for you to apologize." said Jisung, with so much conviction, Hyunjin's jaw actually dropped to the floor. 

"What do I have to apologize for?" 

"For peeping at me like a pervert."

How dare he accuse Hyunjin of being the pervert! "I know I'm hot shit, but that's no reason to be spying on me."

"Oh please, don't be so full of yourself." Living together for a month meant learning just what kind of guy Jisung was. Stupid ass frat boy with an ego too big for his tiny body. Who, for whatever reason, thought Hyunjin was into him or something. "I was not checking you out."

"So you didn't see my dick?"

"What are you embarrassed? Don't worry, I've seen smaller."

"Why you—" An alarm blaring somewhere off in the distance kept Hyunjin free of any punches to the face, "You're lucky I can't miss this class or I would have already pummeled you to the ground."

"If you want to wrestle with me, you could have just said so."

Jisung glared hard at him before stomping away, no witty comment on his tongue to counter his intentional innuendo. Ha! Take that fuck boy, Hyunjin got the last laugh. 

"He's so infuriating!" Hyunjin complained later, once in the safety of his best friend's dorm.

Felix took one look at his disgruntled face and knew they weren't going to get much studying done.

"So you've said."

"He had the nerve to act like it was my fault somehow."

"Maybe you should tell Chan."

"I can't do that! He'd probably kick me out if I disgraced one of his 'Bros.'" Felix laughed at him.

"You are the epitome of gay boy, you know that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, you have to stop acting like a priss all the time."

"I am not a priss!" Felix raised an eyebrow at him. "So I can be a bit much sometimes, but is it really that bad?"

"When you're living with straight men, yes. Yes, it is."

Hyunjin scowled. "Whatever. I just need to survive this school year and then, maybe next term, I can find my own place to stay."

"Is this your way of asking me to be your roommate?"

"Maybe~"

All bad things went forgotten after that.

On the weekends, Hyunjin liked to spend his time painting. He'd pack up some of his oil paints and a canvas and head out in search of a pretty place to paint. Mostly, it was the best excuse he had to get out of the house. 

The boys were busy with their tracks (having yet to move on from the beat that Hyunjin could recite asleep at this point) so he left early Saturday morning, every intention to spend half his day at the beach.

However, the weather had been traitorous, looming storm clouds making Hyunjin second-guess his choice destination. He ended up at the library instead, texting Felix to see if he had any free time to spare on this fine Saturday morning. His so called best friend informed him that he had rehearsals for some upcoming dance competition. To put it simply, he was busy.

Hyunjin didn't mind spending time alone. He was obviously on his way to do so when he packed his tote bag this morning. But that was different. He had something to do. Now, without even a pencil, the only thing he could turn to are the library books. Boring.

He sighed, resting his head on the table in a sad slump. If he'd known the day would turn out like this he would have stayed home. 

As he contemplated whether or not it would be worth it to sneak back in now, he caught sight of the last person he wanted to see.

Jisung was at the end of the aisle, seemingly unaware of prying eyes as he approached an upperclassman girl. Hyunjin could tell by the way she was dressed. 

"Excuse me," said Jisung, arm extending to lean against the table. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

He was met with raised brows and Hyunjin tried desperately to hide his laughter. "Ah, sorry. That must have been too direct." 

Hyunjin couldn't help but lose control over his mouth, bursting into obnoxious laughter at an obviously floundering Jisung. Forgetting that he was only a few feet away, Jisung's gaze was suddenly on him, caught red-handed as he hurried to slap a hand over his mouth. Jisung apologized again to the girl before stomping his way over to Hyunjin's table.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Last I checked, this was a public place."

"Did you follow me here?!"

"Of course not!" The nerve! "Last minute raincheck on my plans." said as literal rain came pelting down the windows. 

He smiled at his own wit, but immediately regretted it when Jisung's glare hardened.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"This isn't even about you! Could you stop being so self-absorbed for one minute and—"

"Shhh!" came from the table next to them. Shit, Hyunjin forgot where they were for a second.

"Sorry," hissed Hyunjin to the stranger, then to Jisung, "I wasn't following you, so you can go back to doing whatever it was you were doing before I showed up."

Jisung didn't look convinced, but what more could he do? Unless he wanted to run the risk of being banned from the library, he would have to coincide. Thinking Jisung would turn around and stalk off back the way he came, Hyunjin nearly toppled out of his seat when he pulled out the chair in front of him.

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting, it's a public place." Fuck him for using Hyunjin's words against him.

Intent on ignoring Jisung now that he so suddenly decided to keep him company, Hyunjin fled to a random aisle in the library in search of something to do. A part of him thought to flee the second Jisung had sat down but he wasn't doing himself any favors rushing back to a noisy house. He figured tolerating Jisung would at least be a quitter affair given their location. He was wrong.

"What are you looking for?"

"Stalker much?"

"You followed me here first." Hyunjin did his best not to implode. "Besides, maybe I could help."

"Why would I ever need your help?"

"Because I'm older and wiser."

"Only by a year." Hyunjin so obviously pointed out "Now, fuck off old man."

Jisung stayed put, much to Hyunjin's displeasure. He trailed after him like some kind of kicked puppy, which Hyunjin would tease him for, but he was trying not to engage in the hopes that Jisung would leave if he was being ignored. When they got back to their table, Hyunjin pretended to be very invested in the random books he'd picked up (none of which were required for any of his classes.)

"What do you major in anyway?" Hyunjin stayed silent. "Giving me the cold shoulder, princess?"

His blood boiled. But he was not going to cave. "You are!" The table next to him hushed them again. Jisung waved a dismissive hand. "You don't know who you're messing with."

By some miracle, there was actually someone out there who wanted Jisung's attention, phone vibrating violently on the table. He checked the caller ID, smiling at the contact before abruptly standing up.

"Saved this time, Hwang. I've got a date."

He gave a mock salute—which Hyunjin ignored—and skipped away with the enthusiasm of someone who knew they were getting laid tonight. If Hyunjin was lucky, Jisung wouldn't even come home.

That marked off one of his roommates for the night, Hyunjin left to deal with Chan and Changbin. Those two weren't so bad as a pair and he figured he should make it up to them for allowing him his space despite their obvious differences. He sent a text to Chan asking what he wanted for dinner (his treat) and got back a, "chicken's fine," to work with. Hyunjin added on, "beer too?" and received a bunch of thumbs up emoticons. He could sacrifice a night.

When Hyunjin made it back to the house, Chan was wearing his bulky earphones, Changbin passed out on the couch next to him. He noticed Hyunjin and waved, slotting one earphone off to talk for a bit.

"You didn't have to." he said, even with his eager hands already reaching for the bags.

"But I did." He deposited the bags at Chan's feet, going off to grab plates and cutlery. "You two forget to feed yourselves when I'm not around."

"We're not that bad."

"When was the last time you ate?" Chan's silence was answer enough. "Eat, I'm going to shower and then I'll join you."

He came back to Changbin being awake, mouth stuffed full with chicken and completely immersed in his phone. 

"Ignore him, he's still trying to find the right lyrics for our song."

"You guys have been working on it for a while." noted Hyunjin, sitting on the lone stool since he was still too scared to be near their equipment. 

"It's for our final grade, we have to work hard."

"Don't overwork yourselves, either." Hyunjin couldn't help but worry. Sure, he got annoyed whenever they woke him up at odd hours with their mixes, but he cared about them. Well, at least for Chan and Changbin. "Shouldn't Jisung be here helping you?"

"He's got his own finals to worry about."

"Yet he's out on the town with a pretty girl?" inquired Hyunjin.

"Is that what he told you?" Changbin laughed so hard he choked on his chicken. Chan had to slap his back a few times to get him to calm down.

"What Changbin means is, Jisung probably said that to save face. He's spent the last few Saturdays tutoring Jeongin." said Chan.

"Don't let the kid fool you, he's a softie at heart."

Hyunjin found that hard to believe. Though, around Chan and Changbin, Jisung could be a total saint. It was just Hyunjin he had a problem with. Which, ouch, what had he done to deserve such treatment. Besides move in, of course. Jisung seemed to have a problem with him since the moment he set foot in their house.

If he remembered correctly, Jisung had made a comment about it a few days into his move. Something about not being involved in their decision to take Hyunjin in. Fair, albeit petty. Jisung didn't have to hate him for that. He should have been angry with the two that came to that conclusion, instead of acting like having Hyunjin around was a giant pain in his ass. He was amicable, goddammit! Or he tried to be. Jisung made it hard on him. Since he liked to act so high and mighty all the time.

Hours later, Hyunjin was holed up in his room, classical music playing softly through his speakers and a paint brush in hand. His two roommates called an early night, for Hyunjin's sake, saying they had probably kept him up most of the week with their incessant mixing. While true, Hyunjin merely scoffed at their presumptions, reminding them he was the one invading their space. He shouldn't have to make the two accommodate.

Still, they waved a lazy hand in his direction, bidding a good night, and left Hyunjin to do as he pleased. 

He'd gone to his room to work on homework, but a sudden burst of inspiration had him abandoning his textbooks for his oil paints, a canvas in the center of the room already covered in streaks of paint. Dark colors and harsh lines. Something to represent his frustration. When he was done, he felt it looked too sad and he changed directions, adding on streaks of white that made the piece more abstract than it already was. 

He stepped back to admire his work, thumb to his chin to asses the artwork. 

"You're not half bad." came a voice from behind him.

Hyunjin swiveled around to see Jisung stood in the doorway.

"Thanks." Hyunjin thought he'd closed the door all the way. "How was your 'date'?"

He didn't pick up on Hyunjin's sarcasm. "Great! Eleven out of ten, would smash again." Hyunjin wrinkled his nose. "What? Can't stomach the idea of me with other people?"

Hyunjin pretended to gag himself. "Stop, you're making me sick."

"Come on, baby. Don't be like that."

"I'm not your baby." Hyunjin pushed past him with his dirty paint water. "If you'll excuse me." 

Jisung let him through, Hyunjin sighing in relief when he wasn't followed. He snuck a glance at Jisung's retreating figure and noticed a textbook tucked under his arm.

Interesting.

Finals week brought a desolate air around the frat house, Hyunjin worried more for the others than his own final grades. He knew this was Chan and Changbin's last year so it only made sense they be so frantic. They were up at odd hours again, looking half possessed as they meandered through the kitchen for snacks and dinner. The only one not freaking out was Jisung, which Hyunjin felt wronged by. Shouldn't he also be suffering?

"Jisung's not a music major." Chan explained one night, when Hyunjin once again made a point about the other man's absence. "He's majoring in English Lit."

"But-I've seen him work with you guys in the past."

"He helps out a lot. When we lack inspiration, he usually pitches a few of his own lines. He's a pretty great lyricist."

"So why not study music?"

"I don't know, Hyunjin. Maybe these are things you should be asking him."

Pfft, no way! Jisung would probably ignore him if he got too personal. Besides, Hyunjin had other things he should be focusing on.

"I thought you came over to study?"

"This is studying!"

So maybe his curiosity hadn't been quelled, leading to Hyunjin poking around on social media. He thought there might be some answers there if he looked hard enough. Granted, Instagram was probably not the best place to start. Jisung had an account: wltjd914. He wasn't extremely active on it, but the few posts Hyunjin had seen proved no use to him, exasperation clear and the very reason Felix spoke up.

"I thought we didn't like Jisung?" Felix questioned when he saw what Hyunjin was scrolling through.

"We don't."

"Then why are you cyberstalking him?"

"He stalked me first!" Now was not the time to be this worked up. "I'm just trying to get some insight."

"You could do one better and actually talk to him."

"You're starting to sound like Chan."

"What can I say? Great minds think alike." Felix smirked.

Frustrated, Hyunjin went home early, not in the mood to deal with a smug Felix. He tried to make as little noise as possible when he stepped in, worried he'd break the two music majors' concentration if he were too loud. Surprisingly, the house was quiet, the younger man noticing a lack of bodies in the communal area. He did, however, hear the loud bass of something a few doors down. He hung up his backpack before going to investigate.

He stopped at the door he knew belonged to Jisung, wondering if he should bother knocking since the music was so loud. He did it anyway, waiting outside the door expectantly when the music cut out. Jisung threw open the door, eyes wide when he saw who was on the other side.

"Hi." Hyunjin managed weakly.

"Hi..." Jisung gave back. "Was my music too loud?"

"No, I—" Why had Hyunjin knocked? "Um..."

"Cat got your tongue?" said Jisung, in that infuriating way he did when he knew Hyunjin was flustered.

"No! I was just—going to ask if you wanted f-food! But if you're going to be like this—"

"Now hold on." Jisung shut the door behind him. "What's this about food?"

Why was that the excuse he decided to blurt out? Jisung was waiting on his response, hopeful eyes directed at him. He supposed free food could do that to people.

"You choose." He gave in.

Ramen was Jisung's choice. He picked a booth in the back and Hyunjin tried really hard not to lose his cool. This was the first time he was alone with Jisung like this. In a setting that required them to talk. He gulped.

"The beef miso ramen is really good here." Jisung commented. Hyunjin was gripping the menu with excessive force, words shaking in front of him as he tried to read. "The chicken one is good too."

"I'll go with the chicken," he told the waiter. "and a cup of water, please?"

"Coming right up!"

Left truly alone, Hyunjin felt his throat drying up. Where was that waiter with is water?

"You're acting really weird today." Jisung interrupted his internal panic. 

"Am I?" What kind of third grade response was that?

"Yes. Are you trying to proposition me?"

"Um, no? What gave you that idea?"

"I don't know. The nice guy act raised suspicions."

"Has this happened to you before?"

Something similar to sadness washed over Hyunjin. Jisung ignored the question. "You're never this nice to me."

"Maybe I would be if you didn't act so self-absorbed all the time."

"Funny, coming from you."

"Oh." Hyunjin felt that little trickle of anger grow three sizes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Please, you bat your lashes once at a man and have them crawling at your feet."

"Excuse me?" Hyunjin's patience was running thin. "I don't know who you think I am, but I'm not some kind of manwhore."

"Really? I've seen you in those tiny sleep shorts."

Hyunjin was affronted. "I will not sit here and be insulted!" He ran. A little dramatic, but...

He made it out the front door and just took off, wiping at his eyes in frustration. Jisung didn't deserve his tears. Yet that didn't stop the ones sliding down his face, vision blurred as he made it to the crosswalk. He heaved in a breath, urging himself to calm down. Who did Jisung think he was? Accusing Hyunjin with such names. He had no right to assume anything about Hyunjin.

"Hyunjin! Hyunjin, wait!" 

Jisung caught up to him at the crosswalk. Hyunjin willed the light to turn green. "Hyunjin—"

"Leave me alone!" 

"Hyunjin, I'm sorry!" A hand wrapped around his wrist. Hyunjin jerked his arm away. "I was harsh, I made assumptions and I hurt your feelings."

"No shit, Sherlock." The signal changed. Hyunjin went to cross. Jisung held him back. "Let go of me."

"I'm trying to apologize—"

"I don't want your apology!" He put space between them. "You have been nothing but an asshole since I moved in! I thought I could put up with it until the end of the school year, but maybe it would be better if I left."

There were five seconds left to cross. Hyunjin used that to his advantage, sprinting across and away from Jisung. He didn't hear anyone behind him, so he deemed it safe to keep running, as far as possible from Jisung.

His two other roommates had already returned when Hyunjin made it back.

"Hey—" Chan's greeting went ignored as Hyunjin rushed to his room.

He slammed the door open, headed straight for his closet. He grabbed an armful of clothes, throwing them on his bed. "Hyunjin?"

Chan and Changbin were eyeing him from the doorway, trying to understand what was happening. 

"I won't be staying with you guys anymore."

"What? Why not?" Changbin was the first to say.

Hyunjin paused in his flailing of clothes to look at the two. Both of them wore frowns, Changbin's arms crossed in front of him. Hyunjin knew he would miss them. 

Suddenly, there was a door slam further down the hall. The front door. Jisung was back.

"Did something happen with Jisung?" asked Chan. 

Hyunjin went back to packing. Chan came further into the room, placing a gentle hand on Hyunjin's shoulder. "You don't have to leave over a a fight."

"You don't know what he said."

"Stay the night. We can talk about it in the morning. With a clear head."

Chan was pleading. Changbin looked one minute away from doing the same. But staying here another night... "Please. Don't go."

With those eyes, Hyunjin couldn't imagine saying no. So he didn't. He nodded and let the two men help him put back his clothes.

"You really made this room yours." Chan said, motioning to the room at large. "I would hate to see this all go."

The two left with a quiet click of the door. Hyunjin heard them knocking on JIsung's door. A few words were exchanged before his door was closed again. He sighed to himself.

Here he was trying not to be a burden on his roommates and now he was creating internal conflict. He thought again about packing everything and leaving, but the face Chan made came to mind and second-guessed himself. He didn't want to hurt them. But he was hurting too. Jisung had said all those things... He tried apologizing, his useless brain reminded. Hyunjin didn't think saying "sorry" was enough. Not after everything.

Some hours later, Hyunjin was in bed. Sleep wasn't coming easy. Frustration kept surfacing to the forefront of his mind, making it hard to switch off. His mind wandered to Jisung. He hadn't heard his door open again since Chan and Changbin went in. He wondered if they were still talking.

A knock on his door startled him out of his reverie. "Hyunjin? Are you asleep?"

It was Jisung. He should ignore him. He should just get through the night and—"I guess you would be."

There was something about Jisung's voice that compelled Hyunjin to get out of bed. He opened the door to the other man retreating. He whipped around at the sound of the door opening. "Hyunjin—"

"Stop. I have something to say first." Jisung nodded quickly. "I could forgive you for the way you've treated me. Believe it or not, there have been people worse than you. What I can't forgive is you suggesting I'm some kind of-kind of—"

"Boy-toy." Jisung so unhelpfully supplied. Hyunjin glared. "Not funny, sorry."

"It wasn't funny the first time and it's not funny now." Hyunjin emphasized. "Throwing around words like that as if you had any right."

"You're right. I don't have anything over you." Surprisingly, Jisung did look apologetic. "I should have never said that." Jisung stepped closer, like he wanted to shorten the distance between them, but then thought better of it. "Chan told me you almost left."

"I still could. Tomorrow."

"Don't leave because of my stupidity." Jisung stood there. Begging with his gaze. Hyunjin could see sincerity. It was odd.

"I'll...think about it." Hyunjin finally settled on.

 Jisung seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "For the record, I didn't mean it. Not like that."

"Then how did you mean it?" For the first time, in front of Hyunjin, Jisung appeared shy. 

"It doesn't matter." He shook his head. "You should get some sleep."

Hyunjin nodded. "You should too."

With a little wave, Jisung was gone. 

The next day, Hyunjin chose to stay. In part because of the conversation he shared with Jisung. The other...reminded him that he hated those two hour train rides. He met up with Felix that morning, giving him a rundown of yesterday's events.

"That was a dick move."

"It was. I wanted to move out."

"How was that fair to you?"

"It's not my place, Lix. His friends would have sided with him."

"You don't know that."

"Yeah," Hyunjin thought about the way the two looked when he was getting ready to leave. "I guess I don't."

He didn't. His relationship with Chan and Changbin was odd. They didn't talk a lot. They weren't really friends, not like him and Felix were. They got on well, but that was the most Hyunjin could say. He thought they liked him enough to let him stay. Jisung's declaration came floating into his mind and he wondered, briefly, if Chan and Changbin saw him in that light too. Made assumptions about him for the way he dressed or carried himself. The more his mind wandered, the more he couldn't help the insecurity seeping in, thinking of the names they might be calling him behind his back.

"Hyunjin?"

The younger man had hoped no one was home when he saw the empty sofa. Turned out they were in the kitchen, preparing their own version of a family dinner—as Chan had dubbed it. Hyunjin was required to attend.

Jisung still had classes this late in the afternoon and would join them later. Chan said they wanted to talk to him first anyway.

"We asked Jisung to share his side of the story. We want to know yours too."

He didn't sound accusatory. It calmed him enough to tell his short version of what happened, leaving out the bad names because it still hurt to think about. 

"He did apologize." Hyunjin added, seemingly wanting to paint Jisung in the same light the two already knew him, not wanting his friends to perceive him any differently. 

"Did you accept it?" Changbin regarded him with big imploring eyes. Hyunjin found it hard to answer.

"It's okay if you didn't." Chan said some minutes later, when Hyunjin had yet to speak. Hyunjin looked up at him. "What Jisung did was terrible, we'd understand if you wanted to leave."

"We're sorry if we gave you the wrong impression yesterday by asking you to stay. That was before we knew what he'd said." So Jisung could be honest.

"He was harsh, we acknowledge that. But we had to be the neutral party."

"Why? He's your friend."

"And you're our roommate. Just because Jisung has seniority here doesn't mean he should treat you any differently than he does us." Chan countered. "I saw the signs and should have spoken up sooner about it. I'm sorry I didn't."

Chan apologizing felt wrong somehow. "It's not your fault—"

"It's not. It's mine. I take full responsibility."

Enter Jisung, hair tucked up under a beanie and wide rimmed glasses sliding down his nose. He looked the way Chan and Changbin often described him. The soft nerdy type. "I was wrong. I'll say it a million times over if it's what it takes for you to stay."

Why was Jisung being so heartfelt? Even the expression he wore reminded him of a saddened animal. A quokka to be exact, cheeks plumped up with his pout. He looked cute and Hyunjin quickly cursed the thought.

"Do you really want me to stay that badly?" He couldn't help but ask. The three if them nodded.

"You're a Nu Alpha Kappa. We may not be be many, but we love our small trio, now turned quartet." Chan was smiling so wide, showing a side of himself Hyunjin rarely got to see.

Beside him, Changbin nodded, agreeing with Chan's word and Hyunjin felt tears in his eyes for a very different reason.

"Oh no, he's crying. Quick, show him the song."

"The song?" Chan ran out of the room, returning not even a minute later with his laptop in hand.

"Our final grade song. We were having a really hard time with it, but I think, after some consideration. We realized what it was we needed to sing." 

When Chan hit play, the emotions Hyunjin felt only swirled more. The melody of the piece was much more ballad than Hyunjin would have imagined from the two seniors. It spoke about the woes of growing up, the new reality of it, we learn and we grow...Hyunjin sobbed harder. When that last note played, Hyunjin threw himself into Chan's arms, overwhelmed, and yet, overjoyed. Chan's arms hugged back. 

He felt someone press in behind him, then a third body and as much as it once would have disgusted him, he was glad Jisung was a part of this too. This was the reassurance he needed from them. That he was welcomed here. He belonged there, in spite of their differences.

That night Hyunjin went to bed a little more content with his decision to stay.

It felt like a fresh start. Chan and Changbin submitted their song and slept nearly the entirety of the next day. Jisung acted cordial, omitting comments he would have otherwise made in Hyunjin's presence.

For a while, everything appeared to be okay.

"I don't think I understand your irritation." said Felix one Saturday afternoon. "I thought you guys were on good terms."

"We are! It just feels...wrong?"

"So you don't want to be friends with Jisung."

"It's not that, it's—" In truth, it was hard to explain what exactly he was missing. 

Jisung proved to be the guy Chan and Changbin told him he was. He watched anime between homework. He made weird sounds when he was bored. He did actually tutor a kid named Jeongin, said kid appearing in the frat one day, just out of the blue. Jisung had apologized for not warning Hyunjin there would be a guest, but Hyunjin had been too stunned to speak, weirdly attentive to those wide-rimmed glasses Jisung wore around the house. Now more than ever. 

Hyunjin often wondered why Jisung hadn't just showed this side of himself before. It wasn't like he had anything to prove to Hyunjin. Acting all egoistical when he, in fact, was not. He was more selfless than Hyunjin gave him credit for. Watching him around the house sometimes, he'd see Jisung come into the room with an ice americano. Hyunjin used to think they were for him and him alone, but he would hand them off to Chan, or Changbin, depending on who was awake. Usually Chan. The oldest mentioned Jisung helping out a lot when they came up short with lyrics and it wasn't until another rainy day that Hyunjin saw him in action, freestyling three lines with barely any pause. He stood in utter shock and only moved away when Jisung's concerned gaze met his over the laptop screen. He scuttled away so fast he nearly toppled over his limbs.

Forget douchebag, Jisung was like...an angel. An angel in disguise who Hyunjin only now had the pleasure of actually meeting. 

And yet.

And yet, there was something missing. That teasing spark in his eyes that hinted at mischief when he was around Hyunjin was gone. Replaced by something else. Something Hyunjin couldn't quite place. 

"Why can't nothing be right by you?"

"I'm just saying! Jisung isn't acting all himself."

"And what? You want him to act the way he did before?"

"Well, no but—"

"Forget Jisung!" Felix swiveled from his perch on his desk chair, leaning onto the bed where Hyunjin was sitting. "A friend of mine just invited me to a party!"

"Wait. Were you texting someone else this whole time?"

Felix bit his lip. "Maybe?"

"You're an ass." Hyunjin threw a pillow at him.

Felix dodged the pillow, flying out of the chair to throw himself over Hyunjin. The other freshman gave a groan at the added weight.

"Listen, I love you and all, but your Jisung chronicles have no end! I fear this man will consume you if I don't intervene." He rolled off of Hyunjin to sit next to him. "So let's get all dressed up, go to this party, and shack up with some cute boys. It'll take your mind off of everything."

While Hyunjin was a bit mad at his best friend for only half-listening, he was right. Sitting around and talking about Jisung would lead them absolutely nowhere. He deserved a night out. 

"I do like dressing up..."

"I know you do. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise."

"Let's skip the one night stand, though. I don't feel like going home with anyone." Felix almost looked disgusted by such a notion.

"Nonsense! You deserve a little heavy petting!" Hyunjin couldn't help but laugh.

"So I kiss a few boys." Hyunjin shrugged. "No harm no foul."

"That's the spirit!" Felix stood up, going over to his wardrobe. "I still have that mesh shirt you lent me," He threw out over his shoulder. "Want to wear that?"

"Let me see what else you've got."

An hour later, they roll up to the party, Hyunjin dressed in something very experimental for him.

He liked crop tops, the ones Felix showed him very enticing, but he was itching for something different. 

"That was the one good button down I owned." Felix complained when he saw Hyunjin take scissors to his single white long-sleeved button down. 

His tune changed, however, when he saw it on Hyunjin, gushing about how artistic it was with the tattered threads hanging loose at the hem. Hyunjin pulled a cropped sweater over top and then couldn't decide on bottoms.

"Try this!" Felix handed him a khaki skirt.

"Are you crazy?"

"Please, you and I both know fashion has no gender. Your long legs are perfect for it." Hyunjin took the skirt with hesitant hands. 

Don't get him wrong, he was all for trying new things, but a skirt? It intimidated him. Felix noticed his skepticism, taking the very same hands holding the skirt into his own.

"You don't have to wear it if it makes you uncomfortable. I just thought it might be nice to show off what your mamma gave you." He placed a warm kiss to his cheek as his best friend. "I have some bell bottoms if you wanted to try—"

"I'll wear the skirt."

"You will?!"

So, Hyunjin arrived, feeling the late winter draft as they were hustled into the frat house the party was being held in. Hyunjin hadn't revisited any of the frat houses since trying to pledge and in this light, they looked like a whole different world. The house was overflowing with people, spilling into various rooms as Hyunjin and Felix made their way to the kitchen. Music blared from huge speakers set apart in the common area, bass boosted so Hyunjin could feel the rhythmic thump of the song playing even as he swerved through the crowd. Lots of the guys he remembered wandering in with him during pledge week were present, having ditched their polos for dark washed jeans and band tees.

"Felix! Over here!" The two turned at the voice, Felix waving at the boy with the messy blond highlights beckoning him over.

"Eric! Thanks for the invite." Felix said in lieu of greeting, detaching from Hyunjin to give the other boy a hug.

"Thank you for coming!" He turned to Hyunjin, giving him a very obvious onceover before offering a wink. "And who might you be?"

"Eric, this is Hyunjin!" Felix introduced, pushing Hyunjin closer to the slightly shorter boy. "He's majoring in fine arts, he's a Pisces and he's here for a good time."

With Felix urging him closer to Eric, the taller man tripped over his platform boots, stumbling right into Eric's awaiting arms.

"I could give you a good time," Eric drawled.

"I'm going to get a drink!" Hyunjin squeaked, leaving the warmth of Eric's side to high tail it to the kitchen. Felix did not let him get very far.

"What was that about?" He probed as Hyunjin collided with the kitchen island, sticking his hand into one of the many coolers with beers. "Eric's cool."

"He's not my type." mumbled Hyunjin.

"Then who is?" He tried not to think of chubby cheeks and wide rimmed glasses. "You promised me you'd kiss some boys."

"I will." he assured his best friend. "But first," he thrust a Redbird into Felix's hands, "drink up." 

Two beers later, Hyunjin felt a lot lighter, dancing with Felix on the makeshift dance floor. A few times, they would be approached by another, squeezing in behind one of them to whisper in their ear. The two would entertain them for a while, sandwiching whoever struck their fancy for a few songs before going back to each other. While this wasn't exactly what Felix had planned, he at least let Hyunjin have his fun, giggling with him as they abandoned their latest dance partner.

Unexpectedly, the music cut off, leaving all those who were dancing to groan in annoyance.

"What gives?" Someone shouted over the quiet. Murmurs exploded over the room until someone was shrieking making all heads turn.

"It's 3racha!" They screamed all at once, directing everyone's attention to the far side of the room. 

Hyunjin could barely make out the shift in the crowd, stumbling backward as people started pushing them back. When he was right again, he peeked over heads, for once thankful for his height, noticing the dancing crowd now surrounded one of the couches in the common room.

A clapping rhythm started playing through the speakers, the people in front of them shrilling in excitement. Hyunjin and Felix turned to each other. Mic static was suddenly followed by a familiar voice. Hyunjin jerked his head back to see toward the front. He knew that voice. Had heard it plenty of times on mixes the three played. His eyes bugged out.

He caught sight of Chan as one of the three on the couch, the one on his left pushing their head into the arm rest, the one on his right obscured by the people in front of Hyunjin. Even with just a mop of black hair visible, Hyunjin knew it was Changbin which meant...

"No way..." said Felix, awed. Hyunjin's own jaw had hit the floor.

Where do I gotta go? Maybe I wanna go somewhere
I’ll go anywhere that I can take a breather
Whether it’s home or out it doesn’t matter, I’m just chillin’

Jisung was rapping. And fast. Hyunjin wondered when he even had time to breathe. It was hard to see him over the crowd but when he started staggering over to their side, Hyunjin had the perfect view of him through the space between two heads. He was dressed like Hyunjin hadn't seen before, in all white, hair slicked back. An earring dangled from his left ear, bouncing as he did his own choreo to the beat of the track. His arms were decorated with silver jewelry, an arm band hooked tightly over his right bicep. Hyunjin nearly drooled.

He'd seen Jisung in muscle tees before, but the way his arms looked right now, big and buff as he held a mic to his lips. Hyunjin was floored.

Felix wasn't faring much better, eyes glued Chan as the chorus reprised, the two left sitting going up on their feet. The crowd pushed back again to give them more space, Felix holding onto Hyunjin as they were tossed side to side. Changbin started the next verse, hopping up onto the couch, combat boots and all, rapping just as fast if not faster than Jisung. He was like a whole other person up there, chain dangling from his ripped black jeans and ball cap falling over his eyes. SInce his expression couldn't be seen well, t it added to the mystery of this persona he embodied, completely in his element in front of the crowd.

Count out 1, 2, 3, and a grin blooms for Binnie
They all say Binnie Binnie, makes me think of beanies
When it’s cold don’t forget your beanie

Hyunjin's gaze drifted to the side, where Chan and Jisung were hyping up their third, waving their arms high and getting the party to do the same. Hyunjin half expected hands to reach out and grab at their clothes, like one would a popstar, but they remained generally calm, copying their motions to show their support. It was crazy how mesmerizing their performance was, the once dancing crowd mellowed by the upbeat music, here to have a good time. They must be a crowd favorite if the earlier shriek proved anything.

Soon the three fell into formation, swaying to the music with moves Hyunjin would find cringey on anyone else, but fit the three so perfectly...it was hard to look away. Just before the closing of the song, the three stood stock still, faces void of emotion, dark and foreboding, the crowd eating that shit up with loud echoes of hollers and claps. Hyunjin joined in at some point too, wrists hurting from how hard he was clapping. He wooed with the others, crashing into Felix when they all started moving again, a new bass coming through the speakers.

"Come on!" shouted Felix. "Let's go find them."

Ignoring his previous vow to Hyunjin, he led them off to the side in search of the three, zigzagging haphazardly with Hyunjin attached to his side. Surprisingly, the three were easy to spot once they made it past the common area, Jisung's white outfit hard to miss.

Or maybe that was just Hyunjin actively searching for him. 

They were surrounded by a gaggle of people, all of whom were gushing over them like real celebrities, hanging onto their every word as they predicatively thanked the audience for their support. Felix tugged Hyunjin closer, until they were in their line of sight, Chan's attention on him first.

"Hyunjin!" he called, motioning for him to come closer. "I didn't know you would be here." he said once Hyunjin had stepped up beside him.

There was a bandana tied around his head, pushing his hair out of his face. This might have been the first time Hyunjin got a real good look at him, not surprised by Felix's crush on him. He had a nice face, lush red lips and dark eyes. His gaze kept fleeting to Felix and Hyunjin realized they'd never been properly introduced.

"Meet my friend, Felix." Payback was a bitch. "He's studying to be a nurse, he's a Virgo and he told me he isn't leaving until someone shows him a good time." 

Felix went flailing forward, Chan immediately putting hands on him to stop him from falling. Both of them pull away with matching blushes to show for it and maybe payback for Felix wasn't all that bad. Hyunjin directed his eyes somewhere else, meeting Jisung's gaze abruptly. He reddened. 

This close, Hyunjin could see details he'd missed while the other had been performing. Snake bites on his brow. Lip ring straining against his lower lip. It was distracting. 

"Drink?" Changbin was handing him a wine cooler. 

He took it to give his hands something to do. Jisung stared at him, almost willing him to speak. So he did.

"You were great out there." he said, only just above a whisper.

"Thanks." He raised his wine cooler in a toast.

They stared at each other. 

"Jisung!" A body came barreling into the second year's side. "You were amazing out there!"

Jisung didn't oppose the hug, throwing an arm around the person now attached to his side. "Thanks, Min. I would have played it up more if I knew you were watching."

"What for, baby? You already did plenty." He was really close to Jisung, practically in his face. Jisung shoved at the man he dubbed "Min."

"Quit teasing."

"Who says I'm teasing? Maybe I want you in my bed tonight."

Something like a truck hit Hyunjin then. Min's words turned his world upside down and he was sure the others would notice, clear surprise written all over his face.

"Excuse me." Hyunjin managed, slipping away from the trio and their entourage, away from Min and his advances. 

He just needed fresh air.

He could hear Felix calling for him, but he ignored his best friend, forcing his way through the people in his way as he searched for a way out. He stumbled into an empty hallway, bracing a hand on the wall for a minute of peace.

Damn. Damn it.

Tears threatened to fall. He was uselessly crying over something that didn't pertain to him. So what if Jisung fell into bed with Minho? It wasn't his place to be upset.

Someone touched his shoulder and he shook their hand off, turning to see who caught up to him.

"Are you okay?"

Jisung. It would be Jisung.

"I'm fine." His voice betrayed him.

"Why'd you run off like that? You had us worried." Hyunjin could wish all he wanted, those words weren't meant in the way Hyunjin needed.

"I'm fine." he repeated. "I had too much to drink."

"Do you want me to take you home?" Jisung asked, concern flooding his irises.

If Hyunjin wasn't still upset right now he might have thought it cute, the way Jisung could switch between the two. Go from confident peacock to soft hamster. All in less than five minutes. 

Then he remembered what had bothered him.

"What about Min?"

"Min?" It took a moment for recognition to come. "Oh, you mean Minho! He won't care." Hands were placed on Hyunjin's shoulders. in charge of moving him as Jisung walked them out of the party. 

They skipped over their friends, Hyunjin wondering if that was intentional. If Jisung didn't want Hyunjin to have a run in with Minho. Before they could walk out into the cold night, Jisung was picking up a blazer that was left hanging on a coat rack. He slipped it over Hyunjin's shoulders.

"Won't someone miss this?"

"Nah, it's Chan's. He's the only one courteous enough to leave it here."

So they go, Hyunjin wrapped up in a warm coat and Jisung braving the cold in his muscle tee.

"You should have stolen someone's sweater."

"I had a hoodie with me earlier...don't know where I left it." He didn't seem all that worried. 

Hyunjin thought it better to keep his mouth shut, lest he admit something stupid. Like his feelings.

"You know," Jisung started, after the music could no longer be heard in the distance, "when you moved in, I couldn't believe my eyes." When Hyunjin glanced over at him, he was smiling. "You were nothing like the guy I was imagining when Chan told me we had a pledge."

So he hadn't met Jisung's expectations. That wasn't something knew. Meeting others expectations.

"I think I was intimated by you." Hyunjin froze mid-step. "You're really...cool, you know? Artsy and cute. I had a hard time figuring out why it affected me so much." Hyunjin almost missed the part where Jisung called him cute.

"You were an ass." Hyunjin reminded.

It wounded Jisung, one of his hands going to his heart in mock hurt. "I know! I acted so out of character because of your beauty." That twinkle in his eye was back. "You could have me begging at your knees, princess."

Hyunjin hit his chest. "You really are an ass." He began to walk away.

"Kidding! I'm only kidding, Hyunie." Jisung shouted after him. 

The nickname made him pause again. "That's a first."

"What?"

"Hyunie." Jisung went scarlet. "For a mouth like yours, you sure get shy a lot." 

"Can I be honest with you?" Hyunjin nodded. "You're the first person I've ever been tongue-tied with."

"Are you using a line?"

"No, if I were I would have asked if our tongues could be tied together."

"That was bad."

"I tried." Hyunjin had them stop again. 

"Wait, does that mean you want to kiss me?"

"What do you think?"

Honestly, Hyunjin couldn't be sure. Not even an hour ago, he believed Jisung to be straight. 

A sudden hand on his cheek made him turn his head. He faced Jisung, tilting his head down slightly to see him better. His eyes were dancing over his face, trying to read Hyunjin's reaction. When he wasn't pushed away, Jisung pressed a little closer.

"If you don't want this, tell me now."

Hyunjin kept his mouth shut.

For as much whining as he did about the guy, Jisung was chivalrous. Asking Hyunjin if this was okay...he really wanted to kiss him.

He nudged their noses together, giving the smallest of whimpers when Jisung didn't immediately connect their mouths.

"So impatient." chuckled Jisung. Then he kissed him. 

If Hyunjin were a stronger man, he wouldn't have let one measly kiss leave him breathless. But he wasn't. So when Jisung's lips joined his, his knees grew weak, leaning onto Jisung as they kissed in the middle of the sidewalk, arms coming to cling onto the older man, groaning when Jisung handled him easily, pushing against his body to steady him.

The feeling of the lip ring did things to Hyunjin, clawing at the man's back to give him more, to let his tongue out to play.

"Not out here, baby. Anyone could see us."

"So?" It wasn't like Hyunjin to be this shameless.

"Baby..."

"Take me home, fuckboy."

"Oh, you can call me names, but I can't?"

"We'll discuss it. Please, just—" He pressed his lower half against Jisung's hip, whining when the friction wasn't enough. 

"Yeah, um, yeah we can do—that, yeah." 

Hyunjin laughed at the way Jisung scrambled to call an Uber, complaining that he could not walk another second with Hyunjin hard under his skirt. Like Jisung was any better. 

The car ride was a little awkward, Jisung putting space between them in the back seat. It was probably for the best anyway. (Hyunjin might have done something the driver shouldn't be privy to if he'd gotten his way.)

Jisung opened his door when they made it back, pulling Hyunjin along, up the front steps with urgency.

"And you say I'm impatient."

"Can you blame me? I've wanted you in my bed since the first time I saw you in those sleep shorts."

Once the door was open, Jisung didn't waste any time hauling Hyunjin inside, pressing him into the closest surface, which happened to be the front door. The force of Jisung's movements had the door slamming shut, Hyunjin too turned on to really care about the noise. Not like his roommates were home anyway.

He immediately dipped his hand into Jisung's cargo pants, petting him over his boxers.

"S-shit." Jisung stuttered, placing a kiss by Hyunjin's ear.

Hyunjin wasn't lying when he said he'd seen smaller. Jisung was actually a nice size, thick and long in Hyunjin's hand. He stroked him a few times, feeling him harden even more, grow fuller in his hand. He wanted it in his mouth.

Before he could voice that want, Jisung was placing arms under his thighs, lifting him off the ground with almost practiced ease. "You do this a lot?"

"I can bench more than this, sweetheart." He moved them away from the door, Hyunjin's legs and arms wrapping around him to keep them steady. 

Jisung took them to his room, carelessly throwing open the door and heading for his bed. Instead of tossing Hyunjin onto the bed like he expected, Jisung turned them around, landing on his back with Hyunjin on top of him. His skirt flipped up with the fall, exposing his panty clad ass to the cold air. He shivered. Jisung's warm hand soon found purchase on the exposed skin, groping and kneading roughly, Hyunjin couldn't help the whimper.

"When you showed up in the skirt, my first thought was, 'Is he wearing underwear?'" One of Jisung's fingers traced a line from the meatiest part of his ass to his hip, digging into the strap there. "Then I thought, 'Shit. He must be wearing girl's underwear.'"

The strap snapped back into place when Jisung let go and Hyunjin sucked in a breath. "Can I see your pretty underwear, baby?"

Hyunjin nodded.

He eased his thighs lower to better straddle Jisung, pulling at the front of the skirt to expose the panties he'd borrowed. In truth, Hyunjin hadn't anticipated wearing this type of underwear out tonight. He'd tried the skirt on over his tiny boxer shorts and they were still able to be seen. Felix shok his head at him before tossing him the frilly underwear. They were white with black bows, two on each side, tight enough where the little bit of pudge on his love handles showed. Jisung was appreciative of the extra meat there, hands going to his hips, thumb pressing under the material of the underwear.

The slight shift had Hyunjin squirming, the fabric rubbing against his leaking member, hardly constrained by the tiny underwear. Jisung lowered a bit of the fabric, smirking when he saw the way Hyunjin reacted to the touch.

"Sensitive?" A weak nod. "Should I touch you here?" Jisung's palm circled his entire cock.

Hyunjin bit his lip on reflex, not wanting the moan to tumble from his lips. Used to the touch of his own hand, late into the night, when the other three were asleep. The hand that wasn't pumping Hyunjin went to his lips, thumb tugging the bottom lip out form under Hyunjin's teeth.

"You can be loud, baby. It's just you and me here." Jisung's thumb rubbed over his slit and a Hyunjin couldn't help the noises that spilled out of him. "Just like that, sweetheart. So good for me."

The praises were getting to him, Hyunjin weak for a cute pet name. Every time the word 'baby' left Jisung's mouth, Hyunjin crumbled even further into the pleasure, wanting desperately to be good for Jisung. His own hand ventured behind him, where Jisung's cock lay trapped in his white pants. He pressed his hand down over it, Jisung jerking up at the unexpected touch.

"Can't wait, baby?" Hyunjin shook his head, sliding down so their crotches were right over each other. He bumped their hips together, crying out when he felt Jisung's dick against his ass. "G-gotta be patient." Jisung stuttered out.

He sat up, reaching for the back of his shirt to tug it off. His chest now exposed, Hyunjin could see how truly toned the other was, abs flexing the more Hyunjin stared.

"Now you."

Jisung helped him out of the cropped sweater, blazer left behind on their move to the bedroom. Hands cupped his chest under the material of the button down, breaking off their progress as Jisung copped a feel.

"Mmph~" Hyunjin arched into the touch, loving when his tits were played with.

Jisung was relentless, fingernails grazing over the pink buds, pinching every so often to see the way Hyunjin would jerk. Hyunjin's head fell forward, lips pursed, asking for a kiss. Jisung gave him one. This time, he let his tongue explore the warm cavern of Hyunjin's mouth, sloppy and wet and everything Hyunjin wanted on the sidewalk. Hyunjin couldn't control the movement of his hips anymore, dick desperate for the friction Jisung no longer gave him. The hands playing with him had gone back to working his top off, eventually leaving his chest bare for Jisung to see. 

He was a little self-conscious, not up to par with the kind of muscle Jisung was packing, but the older man didn't hesitate to admire him.

"So pretty, just for me." He latched onto a spot on Hyunjin's neck, biting and sucking the skin until he was satisfied. 

Hyunjin's world spun as he was flipped onto his back, staring up at Jisung with glassy eyes.

"Gorgeous." Hyunjin shied away from such a genuine compliment. "No hiding." Jisung chastised when Hyunjin tried to cover his face.

"Stop staring." he whined.

"I will do no such thing." He placed a careful kiss right under his eye. "Your beauty is meant to be admired."

"Tease—ah!" Jisung's hand returned to his dick. Thinking became hard (no pun intended.)

"You were saying?"

"Shut up and fuck me." 

That got Jisung scrambling, finally discarding the last of their clothes. He reached for his bedside table, digging in the drawer and coming up with lube and a condom. 

"Open for me, baby." Hyunjin let his legs fall apart, allowing space for Jisung to fit between them. His fingers glisten with lube. "Fuck, you listen so well."

Hyunjin whimpered, raising his hips to hopefully speed up this process. He craved the feeling of being full, specifically with Jisung's dick. "Fingers, please your fingers—" His mouth dropped open, keen falling from his spit slick lips. Jisung had only done one finger.

"Easy, baby. I'll take care of you." He punctuated his words with a sharp jab to Hyunjin's prostate.

Hyunjin wasn't sure how many men Jisung had slept with, but the skill he possessed with those fingers...hiccups of pleasure wouldn't stop leaving him, Hyunjin left as a pathetic mess of pleas and whines. Jisung's other hand came back to his chest, fondling his nipples in sporadic bursts. Hyunjin knew he would cum if Jisung didn't let up.

"G-gonna cum." he warned.

Jisung's hands immediately disappeared and Hyunjin wailed. He propped himself up on his elbows with difficulty, head hazy with desire. He watched through half-lidded eyes as Jisung slicked himself up, condom already on. "Please..."

"Your so hot, begging for my cock." Jisung leaned over him biting at his lips and jaw while he slowly started to ease the tip against Hyunjin's rim. 

Finally. Finally he was going to get what he wanted. What he needed all along. Hyunjin trembled as Jisung pressed further inside, legs going to wrap around the older man's waist. Hands anchored in Jisung's dark locks, he tugged when Jisung was all the way in, body tensing from the intrusion.

"Relax." Jisung cooed, soothing circles over the bare skin of his hip. "Relax and let me fuck you properly, princess." Hyunjin went plaint. "Fuck, you're such a pillow princess."

What started slow ended with Hyunjin on his knees, ass up in the air for Jisung to pound into. Hyunjin let Jisung do what he wanted with his body, manhandling him into the positions he wanted with little to no complaint. He liked this Jisung, the one that demanded attention, that made his insides all funny with burning arousal. He wanted this Jisung to like him too.

"Fuck, Hyunie. So tight."

They'd been fucking for a while now, Hyunjin on the cusp of his orgasm before it was ripped out form underneath him. Each time, Jisung would pull out, giving a minutes rest before starting over again. Sadist. He had Hyunjin begging for release.

"Please! Let me cum. I'll be so good—please! Just let me cum."

When he felt Jisung's thrusts slowing, he nearly cried. "Please!"

"I'll let you cum, don't worry." he eased.

He pulled out, moving to sit at the center of the bed. "Come here, baby."

Hyunjin scrambled into his lap, feeling instant relief when Jisung let him sink down on his cock on the first go. "There you go, Hyunie. Better?" 

"M-much better."

"Good, now ride me. Show me how much you want to cum."

Hyunjin didn't have to be told twice. He bounced on Jisung's cock, wheezing out breaths of pleasure with every roll of his hips. Jisung sat there and let him, gaining amusement from his desperation, letting his hand skirt along Hyunjin's dick a few times. 

"Close?" 

Hyunjin nodded. He was close. He was almost there. He just needed—needed—"Jisung!" He came with the older man's fist around his cock.

Jisung milked him through his orgasm, only letting go when Hyunjin swatted his hand away. Hyunjin slumped over on the bed, limbs tired and heavy from the workout Jisung had put him through. Yet, he knew Jisung hadn't cum.

"Cum on my face." he told him, the older man loosing his balance with his outburst.

"What?"

"Cum on my face. Want it." He let his mouth fall open to prove his point. 

Jisung kneed his way closer, expletives leaving his mouth as he jerked off in front of Hyunjin. "So perfect for me. Your so perfect, Hyunie." 

He wasn't as loud when he came, folding in half as his body shook, strings of cum splattering on Hyunjin's chin and nose. Most of it made it into his mouth. While Jisung caught his breath, Hyunjin swallowed, wiping the leftover cum with his thumb. He blinked up Jisung when he noticed him watching him.

"I think," Jisung flopped onto his side, wrapping arm around a sweaty Hyunjin. "I think we should do this often."

"Like friends with benefits?" Hyunjin wanted more but if this was all Jisung would give him...

"Like boyfriends. I really want you as my boyfriend."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Hyunjin planted a kiss on Jisung's cheek as answer. "Okay."