EXO | When The Curtain Falls | PG-13
When The Curtain Falls
PG-13
3197w
Yixing/Jongin
Jongin has never liked the new kid in the dance club and now he has to work with him for a dance.
Jongin watches as Yixing gets the steps right just as fast as he did, ahead of the rest of the members. Their dance instructor praises him and Jongin seethes with anger. No one bats an eye anymore when Jongin executes difficult moves because dancing is what Jongin has been doing since young and after a year of watching him dance, the members are no longer surprised at his abilities. But unlike Jongin, Yixing doesn’t even have any dance background and he recently joined the dance club but he’s already surpassing the other members and is almost as good as Jongin is. Almost.
There’s no one Jongin hates more than their newest member as he eyes Yixing in the mirror from the corners of his eyes, repeating the dance steps almost perfectly. He hates the way Yixing’s body moves to the music and the way his eyes naturally find Yixing’s form in the mirror. Yixing doesn’t dance like Yunho or Taemin, moving their bodies with precision over each move. Yixing is fluid, each move seamlessly executed as though his body is moving out of its own accord instead of calculating the steps. Yixing dances like the way Jongin dances and Jongin hates him for that.
Once it hits 8 p.m. Jongin is the first out the door. He doesn’t need to see the other members congratulating Yixing as well.
“The line-up for this year’s summer concert has been decided,” Yunho announces to the dance club.
Jongin fidgets on the floor with excitement. He’s nervous even though he knows he’ll get a solo slot. Ever since he joined last year, Jongin has always been allocated a solo performance for all their concerts; his routines are a crowd favourite. Yunho announces all he group performances first; Jongin grins when he lands a spot in four of them including the main group consisting mainly of the seniors except for Yixing and him. He’s upset that Yixing gets a spot alongside him to dance with their seniors but his solo will make up for it. All the seniors get a solo performance as well which is to be expected since it is their last year with the club.
“After discussion with the committee members, for this concert we decided to do something a little different,” Yunho says, looking at Jongin. Jongin gets a weird feeling, his stomach clenching tight as his body tenses. This doesn’t sound good. Different is not something Jongin wants.
“Instead of a solo from Jongin, we decided to make it a duo stage, collaboration between our two talented juniors, Jongin and Yixing,” Yunho pauses when the room erupts in cheers. Those sitting near Jongin and Yixing slap on their backs congratulating them but they miss the way Jongin’s face goes pale.
“This stage is sure to blow the crowd away. Are you two ok with this?” Yunho asks but he’s looking at Jongin as though offering him a choice but Jongin knows he doesn’t really have much of a choice.
Fuck, no. “Yes,” Jongin softly says when all eyes turn to look at him. He can’t protest when everyone is expecting him to agree. Not when their leader is looking at him with hopeful eyes and Jongin doesn’t want to disappoint Yunho. Jongin is not crazy for the spotlight and it’s not like he won’t share the stage with anyone else. He just doesn’t want to share a stage with Yixing.
“If Jongin’s ok with it, so am I,” Yixing says, his smile seems genuine but all Jongin wants to do is poke a hole through his dimple.
“Since this is Yixing’s first concert, Jongin I’m counting on you to come out with the choreography for your collab stage. Do you have any objections Yixing?”
“No,” Yixing shakes his head, “Of course not. Jongin is better suited to come out with the choreo than I am.”
Yunho nods in agreement, “That’s all from me. Practice will now take place twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays. We’ll be extending two hours till 10 p.m. on Fridays and on Saturdays it’ll be half a day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in preparation for the concert. There’s only eight weeks left so let’s put in our all and we can take a break after the concert. Dismissed!” Yunho claps his hands twice, an old habit of his and the members start to disperse, chatting excitedly about the summer concert.
“I hate him,” Jongin says as he lies down beside Sehun, munching on a chocopie.
Jongin groans when Sehun nudges him with his feet. “Get off my bed if you’re gonna eat. You’ll leave crumbs all over and I’ll get bitten by ants in my sleep.”
“I’m in pain, you’re supposed to be comforting me,” Jongin whines, burying his face into Sehun’s neck and throwing an arm around Sehun when the younger boy tries to push him away.
“Jongin, you’re being gross. And why should I comfort you? This is nothing new, you hate everyone.”
“But he took my solo stage away from me,” Jongin mumbles into Sehun’s neck. Jongin’s wet lips moving against his neck makes Sehun giggle but it turns into a groan when Jongin bites instead.
“The fuck was that for?”
“You laughed at me.”
“No I wasn’t laughing at you. You tickled me you idiot. Shit, you’re going to leave a mark.”
“Why is that even a problem?” Jongin asks, pulling Sehun closer as he melts into Sehun’s warmth.
“People will think I’m seeing someone and then I won’t get laid.”
Jongin looks up from where he’s buried his face into Sehun’s neck, “But I thought you are seeing someone? That kid with the constant deer-caught-in-headlights eyes from the engineering faculty?”
“I don’t know, he stopped calling me. I assumed it’s over.” Sehun is now the one whining and Jongin knows he actually likes the guy this time.
“Maybe you should call him first,” Jongin suggests.
“No,” Sehun says, muffled by Jongin’s hair but Jongin can hear him anyways, “It’s lame to be the one calling first.”
“It doesn’t make a difference. You’re already lame if you’re moping around waiting for him to call.”
“Shut up. Maybe it’s time to hook up with someone new. That Yixing kid is pretty hot.”
Sehun almost kicks Jongin off the bed when he sinks his teeth into the same spot again.
“The fuck?” Sehun shouts as he rubs at the sore spot. “I think you broke skin.”
“Yixing is off limits, just wanted to sink that into you,” Jongin says, sitting up. He throws the empty chocopie wrapper towards the bin but he misses and it falls to the floor, chocolate bits falling out in the process.
“Shit, you better clean that up later. I thought you hated his guts, why is he off limits?”
“It’s because I hate him so you as my best friend should not be frolicking with the enemy.”
“You hated Zitao too but you had no problems with me fucking him.”
“Who is Zitao?”
“The exchange student from China with the awesome skills. You should have seen the way he bends his body when we fuck. He was a great fuck.”
“Oh. That kid who was afraid of bugs and dumped you because he found a cockroach in our room?”
“It was your fault! You leave all these messes inviting all those stupid bugs. So can you introduce Yixing to me?”
“Fuck no,” Jongin squints his eyes at Sehun, trying to look intimidating but it doesn’t work when you’ve known each other for ten years. “I hate him, Sehun. He took away my solo,” Jongin goes back to whining, burying his face into Sehun’s neck again.
“You like him,” Sehun says in awe. “You’ve never whined about anyone else as long as you’ve whined about Yixing.”
“But he took my solo away, I have the right to whine. I hate him,” Jongin mumbles, leaning into Sehun when he starts to run his fingers through Jongin’s hair. “Fuck, I like him.”
“Yeah, yeah you do.”
“Why doesn’t he like me back?”
Sehun laughs, planting a kiss on Jongin’s forehead. He enjoys the fact that Jongin is only whiny and clingy with him, and no one else has seen this side of Jongin. “Maybe cause you never told him how you felt?”
“But he’s great friends with everyone else. Everyone but me. He doesn’t even talk to me.”
“Well you don’t exactly come off as the friendliest person. Have you tried talking to him first?”
“Why should I? I hate the way he’s nice to everyone, I hate the way his voice sounds, soothing as he tries to wrap his tongue around Korean words. I hate how he smiles politely to everyone, showing everybody that dimple when he should save it for someone special but he smiles at everyone as though they’re all special. I hate the way his body moves and the way he rolls his hips because fuck I cannot keep my eyes off him. He’s a distraction during dance and I hate him for stealing my solo stage away.”
“Wow, I never realised you’re in this deep. Think of the collab stage as a gift then. A chance for you to talk to him and a chance for you to make him see how special you are.”
“I hate how you’re always right,” Jongin mumbles sleepily, the way Sehun’s hand is rubbing slow circles down his back slowly making him drift to sleep.
“I know, I love you too.”
Jongin is surprised to find Yixing already in the dance studio, a good half an hour before practice starts.
“Hey,” Jongin greets him first. Might as well since they’ll be working closely with each other for the next two months.
Yixing looks up in surprise before he slowly smiles, “Hi, you’re early today.”
“Yeah, I came up with a choreo and wanted to run it through before practice starts.”
“Oh! Can I see it? If you don’t mind that is,” Yixing asks, his eyes are twinkling with excitement and it makes Jongin hates him even more how he can look so adorable and hot at the same time.
“Sure, just let me stretch first.”
Jongin stops the timer a second after the final pose, his chest heaving, trying to take huge gulps of air into his lungs. It is important to note the exact timing for the dances so they can fill in any gaps in timing with more routines or fillers so that the concert fulfils the time requirement.
Jongin’s heart swell with pride as he watches Yixing stare at him dumbfounded. Jongin has put on one of the best performances in his life, not that he was trying to impress Yixing. He just wanted Yixing to know his place, to know that he’ll never be as good as Jongin.
“So what do you think?”
“Wow,” Yixing breathes out before he starts clapping but Jongin notes that there is a certain reluctance, as though Yixing is not sincere. It makes Jongin angry when he thinks that Yixing does not find the choreography he worked so hard to put together impressive.
“Is this for our stage?” Yixing asks. Jongin hates the way Yixing refers it to their stage instead of Jongin’s. Jongin scowls but then he quickly schools his face into his default I-don’t-care expression.
“Yeah, Yunho sunbae wanted an impressive stage so I came out with this choreo. Why? You don’t like it?” There’s a certain challenge in Jongin’s voice, as though daring Yixing to say he thinks it can be better.
“It-it was great but -“
“But what? You don’t think it’s good enough?” Jongin scoffs, walking away from Yixing to unplug his mp3 from the stereo.
“No! That wasn’t what I meant.” Yixing stands up and Jongin notes that he is biting his lower lip and his hands and gripping the edge of his t-shirt hard. If Jongin didn’t know any better he would think that Yixing is nervous but Yixing doesn’t have a reason to be nervous around him. Or maybe Yixing is nervous because he finally realises how he’ll never match up to Jongin. Jongin almost laughs out loud with glee at the thought.
“Those were some ballet moves right?”
“You mean the arabesque and pirouette? Yes, I always incorporate ballet into my stage. The seniors will be mostly doing dubstep and hiphop performances so it’ll be boring if we do the same. Is there a problem?”
“It’s just…I-I don’t have any experience with ballet and I don’t know how to execute those moves.” It is almost endearing how Yixing is standing there unsure and insecure. But this is Jongin’s stage and he’ll settle for nothing lesser.
“Well, I guess we’re lucky you have eight weeks to start getting it right. Or you can tell Yunho sunbae that you can’t do it,” Jongin simply replies, turning on his heels to head for the washroom before everyone else starts piling in. Jongin doesn’t think he can stand being alone with Yixing for another minute.
There’s music coming from one of the dance studios when Jongin walks down the hallway to leave, already done with his routine. Curious, Jongin peeks in through the small glass window on the door and he is surprised to find Yixing inside.
Yixing is focused on his own reflection so he doesn’t notice that he’s being watched. He mouths the counts to the beat and on eight, Yixing starts to move. It looks familiar, Jongin thinks before a particular lift of Yixing’s legs tells Jongin that Yixing is actually practising on a ballet number. Jongin is impressed, he thought Yixing would give up by now but then the way Yixing doesn’t point his toes and how his lines and are not straight when he lifts his legs up makes Jongin frowns.
“I don’t even know why you bother trying,” Jongin says, stepping into the room the moment Yixing stops.
Yixing seems surprised to see him at first but then his face falls and there’s disappointment on his face. “I just wanted to make sure I don’t drag you down for our stage. I know it’s not perfect but I’m trying.”
“I suggest you quit while you still can before you embarrass the whole team on performance day.” Jongin regrets it the moment he said them but when Yixing smiles at him, the feeling disappears and it angers Jongin knowing that nothing he does is making Yixing upset. Jongin is obviously being unfair and yet Yixing won’t call him out on it.
“Well, since you’re here, how about you help me out with the routine again? So that I don’t embarrass any of us,” Yixing says, smiling and his smile is so genuine, Jongin can see his eyes light up and that dimple on his cheek that has been haunting Jongin for weeks.
“Look, I don’t know if you’re just naturally cheery and don’t think the worst of anyone but I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t want you around and I definitely do not need a dance with you,” Jongin snaps. His patience is running thin but it’s only because he hates the way Yixing treats him like everyone else. Jongin wanted to be different, he wanted to be more but he was only deluding himself and now he’s the only one hurt in the process. It is stupid because they’re not even friends and yet here Jongin wants Yixing’s attention.
“I don’t even know why you’re here,” Jongin continues, “It’s not like you bring anything new to the team. Why are you here Yixing? Why did you join us so late in the academic year?”
Jongin watches Yixing for a reaction but the other boy just keeps his head down. That isn’t what Jongin wants; Jongin wants him to react, wants him to raise his voice and tell Jongin off. If Jongin can’t have Yixing’s smiles reserved for him, he’ll take Yixing’s anger since Yixing has never been angry at anyone before; Jongin will be the first. His silence only riles Jongin up and once Jongin starts he can’t stop.
Jongin takes a step forward, “You should leave, no one wants you here. The only reason no one pointed out your bad dancing is because you keep clinging on everyone’s back like a baby koala. They don’t even have the heart to tell you you’re annoying so let me do you this favour and tell you now.”
But when Yixing looks up Jongin wishes he can take back every single word, he never meant them anyways.
“Thank you for being honest with me Jongin. You asked me, so I’m telling you now that the reason I joined the dance club was you,” Yixing says, biting his lips nervously and this is the first time Jongin has seen his eyes downcast. “I saw you at the Christmas concert the student body held and at that moment, I was just attracted to you. I wanted to be like you, I wanted to get to know you better. But then I joined the club and I was scared, that you might not think I’m good enough to be your friend. Every time I tried to talk to you, my feet take me to the other side of the room.
“I’m sorry that I was just being annoying. I realise that I don’t have talent in dancing like you do but I just hoped that if I joined the club, I’d be one step closer to you. You’ve seen me dance and if you think I’ll embarrass everyone with my level of dancing, I guess it’s better I stop now before I bring down the club’s reputation. I’m really sorry, I’ll tell Yunho I’m withdrawing.”
Yixing walks past Jongin, their shoulders bumping and Jongin feels his world crashing down. How could he have messed up so bad?
Being a dancer has its perks, like great reflexes and Jongin reacts before Yixing can get to the door, pulling Yixing back with his wrist and pushing him back against the door. For the first time since Yixing has come into his life, Jongin reacts honestly. He cups Yixing’s face and crushes their lips together.
It stings a little, Jongin moving in with too much force and he’s pretty sure he cut his lip with his teeth but the soft plush lips against his takes the pain away. Jongin pulls back but not before licking Yixing’s lips.
“I like you, I’ve always liked you,” Jongin whispers against Yixing’s lips, eyes searching his, “But I hated you at the same time. I hated that you’re so good at dance. I hated that you treated me like everyone else. I wanted to be special to you.”
Jongin waits for Yixing to say something but he’s rewarded with a kiss instead. This time, Yixing opens up his lips and Jongin doesn’t waste time licking his way into Yixing’s mouth. He loves the way Yixing’s tongue feels around his and he enjoys the slight taste of blueberry in Yixing’s mouth, probably from all the mint candies he keeps eating.
“You’re so silly Jongin,” Yixing says when they part, catching their breathes and Jongin couldn’t agree less.
PG-13
3197w
Yixing/Jongin
Jongin has never liked the new kid in the dance club and now he has to work with him for a dance.
Jongin watches as Yixing gets the steps right just as fast as he did, ahead of the rest of the members. Their dance instructor praises him and Jongin seethes with anger. No one bats an eye anymore when Jongin executes difficult moves because dancing is what Jongin has been doing since young and after a year of watching him dance, the members are no longer surprised at his abilities. But unlike Jongin, Yixing doesn’t even have any dance background and he recently joined the dance club but he’s already surpassing the other members and is almost as good as Jongin is. Almost.
There’s no one Jongin hates more than their newest member as he eyes Yixing in the mirror from the corners of his eyes, repeating the dance steps almost perfectly. He hates the way Yixing’s body moves to the music and the way his eyes naturally find Yixing’s form in the mirror. Yixing doesn’t dance like Yunho or Taemin, moving their bodies with precision over each move. Yixing is fluid, each move seamlessly executed as though his body is moving out of its own accord instead of calculating the steps. Yixing dances like the way Jongin dances and Jongin hates him for that.
Once it hits 8 p.m. Jongin is the first out the door. He doesn’t need to see the other members congratulating Yixing as well.
“The line-up for this year’s summer concert has been decided,” Yunho announces to the dance club.
Jongin fidgets on the floor with excitement. He’s nervous even though he knows he’ll get a solo slot. Ever since he joined last year, Jongin has always been allocated a solo performance for all their concerts; his routines are a crowd favourite. Yunho announces all he group performances first; Jongin grins when he lands a spot in four of them including the main group consisting mainly of the seniors except for Yixing and him. He’s upset that Yixing gets a spot alongside him to dance with their seniors but his solo will make up for it. All the seniors get a solo performance as well which is to be expected since it is their last year with the club.
“After discussion with the committee members, for this concert we decided to do something a little different,” Yunho says, looking at Jongin. Jongin gets a weird feeling, his stomach clenching tight as his body tenses. This doesn’t sound good. Different is not something Jongin wants.
“Instead of a solo from Jongin, we decided to make it a duo stage, collaboration between our two talented juniors, Jongin and Yixing,” Yunho pauses when the room erupts in cheers. Those sitting near Jongin and Yixing slap on their backs congratulating them but they miss the way Jongin’s face goes pale.
“This stage is sure to blow the crowd away. Are you two ok with this?” Yunho asks but he’s looking at Jongin as though offering him a choice but Jongin knows he doesn’t really have much of a choice.
Fuck, no. “Yes,” Jongin softly says when all eyes turn to look at him. He can’t protest when everyone is expecting him to agree. Not when their leader is looking at him with hopeful eyes and Jongin doesn’t want to disappoint Yunho. Jongin is not crazy for the spotlight and it’s not like he won’t share the stage with anyone else. He just doesn’t want to share a stage with Yixing.
“If Jongin’s ok with it, so am I,” Yixing says, his smile seems genuine but all Jongin wants to do is poke a hole through his dimple.
“Since this is Yixing’s first concert, Jongin I’m counting on you to come out with the choreography for your collab stage. Do you have any objections Yixing?”
“No,” Yixing shakes his head, “Of course not. Jongin is better suited to come out with the choreo than I am.”
Yunho nods in agreement, “That’s all from me. Practice will now take place twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays. We’ll be extending two hours till 10 p.m. on Fridays and on Saturdays it’ll be half a day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in preparation for the concert. There’s only eight weeks left so let’s put in our all and we can take a break after the concert. Dismissed!” Yunho claps his hands twice, an old habit of his and the members start to disperse, chatting excitedly about the summer concert.
“I hate him,” Jongin says as he lies down beside Sehun, munching on a chocopie.
Jongin groans when Sehun nudges him with his feet. “Get off my bed if you’re gonna eat. You’ll leave crumbs all over and I’ll get bitten by ants in my sleep.”
“I’m in pain, you’re supposed to be comforting me,” Jongin whines, burying his face into Sehun’s neck and throwing an arm around Sehun when the younger boy tries to push him away.
“Jongin, you’re being gross. And why should I comfort you? This is nothing new, you hate everyone.”
“But he took my solo stage away from me,” Jongin mumbles into Sehun’s neck. Jongin’s wet lips moving against his neck makes Sehun giggle but it turns into a groan when Jongin bites instead.
“The fuck was that for?”
“You laughed at me.”
“No I wasn’t laughing at you. You tickled me you idiot. Shit, you’re going to leave a mark.”
“Why is that even a problem?” Jongin asks, pulling Sehun closer as he melts into Sehun’s warmth.
“People will think I’m seeing someone and then I won’t get laid.”
Jongin looks up from where he’s buried his face into Sehun’s neck, “But I thought you are seeing someone? That kid with the constant deer-caught-in-headlights eyes from the engineering faculty?”
“I don’t know, he stopped calling me. I assumed it’s over.” Sehun is now the one whining and Jongin knows he actually likes the guy this time.
“Maybe you should call him first,” Jongin suggests.
“No,” Sehun says, muffled by Jongin’s hair but Jongin can hear him anyways, “It’s lame to be the one calling first.”
“It doesn’t make a difference. You’re already lame if you’re moping around waiting for him to call.”
“Shut up. Maybe it’s time to hook up with someone new. That Yixing kid is pretty hot.”
Sehun almost kicks Jongin off the bed when he sinks his teeth into the same spot again.
“The fuck?” Sehun shouts as he rubs at the sore spot. “I think you broke skin.”
“Yixing is off limits, just wanted to sink that into you,” Jongin says, sitting up. He throws the empty chocopie wrapper towards the bin but he misses and it falls to the floor, chocolate bits falling out in the process.
“Shit, you better clean that up later. I thought you hated his guts, why is he off limits?”
“It’s because I hate him so you as my best friend should not be frolicking with the enemy.”
“You hated Zitao too but you had no problems with me fucking him.”
“Who is Zitao?”
“The exchange student from China with the awesome skills. You should have seen the way he bends his body when we fuck. He was a great fuck.”
“Oh. That kid who was afraid of bugs and dumped you because he found a cockroach in our room?”
“It was your fault! You leave all these messes inviting all those stupid bugs. So can you introduce Yixing to me?”
“Fuck no,” Jongin squints his eyes at Sehun, trying to look intimidating but it doesn’t work when you’ve known each other for ten years. “I hate him, Sehun. He took away my solo,” Jongin goes back to whining, burying his face into Sehun’s neck again.
“You like him,” Sehun says in awe. “You’ve never whined about anyone else as long as you’ve whined about Yixing.”
“But he took my solo away, I have the right to whine. I hate him,” Jongin mumbles, leaning into Sehun when he starts to run his fingers through Jongin’s hair. “Fuck, I like him.”
“Yeah, yeah you do.”
“Why doesn’t he like me back?”
Sehun laughs, planting a kiss on Jongin’s forehead. He enjoys the fact that Jongin is only whiny and clingy with him, and no one else has seen this side of Jongin. “Maybe cause you never told him how you felt?”
“But he’s great friends with everyone else. Everyone but me. He doesn’t even talk to me.”
“Well you don’t exactly come off as the friendliest person. Have you tried talking to him first?”
“Why should I? I hate the way he’s nice to everyone, I hate the way his voice sounds, soothing as he tries to wrap his tongue around Korean words. I hate how he smiles politely to everyone, showing everybody that dimple when he should save it for someone special but he smiles at everyone as though they’re all special. I hate the way his body moves and the way he rolls his hips because fuck I cannot keep my eyes off him. He’s a distraction during dance and I hate him for stealing my solo stage away.”
“Wow, I never realised you’re in this deep. Think of the collab stage as a gift then. A chance for you to talk to him and a chance for you to make him see how special you are.”
“I hate how you’re always right,” Jongin mumbles sleepily, the way Sehun’s hand is rubbing slow circles down his back slowly making him drift to sleep.
“I know, I love you too.”
Jongin is surprised to find Yixing already in the dance studio, a good half an hour before practice starts.
“Hey,” Jongin greets him first. Might as well since they’ll be working closely with each other for the next two months.
Yixing looks up in surprise before he slowly smiles, “Hi, you’re early today.”
“Yeah, I came up with a choreo and wanted to run it through before practice starts.”
“Oh! Can I see it? If you don’t mind that is,” Yixing asks, his eyes are twinkling with excitement and it makes Jongin hates him even more how he can look so adorable and hot at the same time.
“Sure, just let me stretch first.”
Jongin stops the timer a second after the final pose, his chest heaving, trying to take huge gulps of air into his lungs. It is important to note the exact timing for the dances so they can fill in any gaps in timing with more routines or fillers so that the concert fulfils the time requirement.
Jongin’s heart swell with pride as he watches Yixing stare at him dumbfounded. Jongin has put on one of the best performances in his life, not that he was trying to impress Yixing. He just wanted Yixing to know his place, to know that he’ll never be as good as Jongin.
“So what do you think?”
“Wow,” Yixing breathes out before he starts clapping but Jongin notes that there is a certain reluctance, as though Yixing is not sincere. It makes Jongin angry when he thinks that Yixing does not find the choreography he worked so hard to put together impressive.
“Is this for our stage?” Yixing asks. Jongin hates the way Yixing refers it to their stage instead of Jongin’s. Jongin scowls but then he quickly schools his face into his default I-don’t-care expression.
“Yeah, Yunho sunbae wanted an impressive stage so I came out with this choreo. Why? You don’t like it?” There’s a certain challenge in Jongin’s voice, as though daring Yixing to say he thinks it can be better.
“It-it was great but -“
“But what? You don’t think it’s good enough?” Jongin scoffs, walking away from Yixing to unplug his mp3 from the stereo.
“No! That wasn’t what I meant.” Yixing stands up and Jongin notes that he is biting his lower lip and his hands and gripping the edge of his t-shirt hard. If Jongin didn’t know any better he would think that Yixing is nervous but Yixing doesn’t have a reason to be nervous around him. Or maybe Yixing is nervous because he finally realises how he’ll never match up to Jongin. Jongin almost laughs out loud with glee at the thought.
“Those were some ballet moves right?”
“You mean the arabesque and pirouette? Yes, I always incorporate ballet into my stage. The seniors will be mostly doing dubstep and hiphop performances so it’ll be boring if we do the same. Is there a problem?”
“It’s just…I-I don’t have any experience with ballet and I don’t know how to execute those moves.” It is almost endearing how Yixing is standing there unsure and insecure. But this is Jongin’s stage and he’ll settle for nothing lesser.
“Well, I guess we’re lucky you have eight weeks to start getting it right. Or you can tell Yunho sunbae that you can’t do it,” Jongin simply replies, turning on his heels to head for the washroom before everyone else starts piling in. Jongin doesn’t think he can stand being alone with Yixing for another minute.
There’s music coming from one of the dance studios when Jongin walks down the hallway to leave, already done with his routine. Curious, Jongin peeks in through the small glass window on the door and he is surprised to find Yixing inside.
Yixing is focused on his own reflection so he doesn’t notice that he’s being watched. He mouths the counts to the beat and on eight, Yixing starts to move. It looks familiar, Jongin thinks before a particular lift of Yixing’s legs tells Jongin that Yixing is actually practising on a ballet number. Jongin is impressed, he thought Yixing would give up by now but then the way Yixing doesn’t point his toes and how his lines and are not straight when he lifts his legs up makes Jongin frowns.
“I don’t even know why you bother trying,” Jongin says, stepping into the room the moment Yixing stops.
Yixing seems surprised to see him at first but then his face falls and there’s disappointment on his face. “I just wanted to make sure I don’t drag you down for our stage. I know it’s not perfect but I’m trying.”
“I suggest you quit while you still can before you embarrass the whole team on performance day.” Jongin regrets it the moment he said them but when Yixing smiles at him, the feeling disappears and it angers Jongin knowing that nothing he does is making Yixing upset. Jongin is obviously being unfair and yet Yixing won’t call him out on it.
“Well, since you’re here, how about you help me out with the routine again? So that I don’t embarrass any of us,” Yixing says, smiling and his smile is so genuine, Jongin can see his eyes light up and that dimple on his cheek that has been haunting Jongin for weeks.
“Look, I don’t know if you’re just naturally cheery and don’t think the worst of anyone but I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t want you around and I definitely do not need a dance with you,” Jongin snaps. His patience is running thin but it’s only because he hates the way Yixing treats him like everyone else. Jongin wanted to be different, he wanted to be more but he was only deluding himself and now he’s the only one hurt in the process. It is stupid because they’re not even friends and yet here Jongin wants Yixing’s attention.
“I don’t even know why you’re here,” Jongin continues, “It’s not like you bring anything new to the team. Why are you here Yixing? Why did you join us so late in the academic year?”
Jongin watches Yixing for a reaction but the other boy just keeps his head down. That isn’t what Jongin wants; Jongin wants him to react, wants him to raise his voice and tell Jongin off. If Jongin can’t have Yixing’s smiles reserved for him, he’ll take Yixing’s anger since Yixing has never been angry at anyone before; Jongin will be the first. His silence only riles Jongin up and once Jongin starts he can’t stop.
Jongin takes a step forward, “You should leave, no one wants you here. The only reason no one pointed out your bad dancing is because you keep clinging on everyone’s back like a baby koala. They don’t even have the heart to tell you you’re annoying so let me do you this favour and tell you now.”
But when Yixing looks up Jongin wishes he can take back every single word, he never meant them anyways.
“Thank you for being honest with me Jongin. You asked me, so I’m telling you now that the reason I joined the dance club was you,” Yixing says, biting his lips nervously and this is the first time Jongin has seen his eyes downcast. “I saw you at the Christmas concert the student body held and at that moment, I was just attracted to you. I wanted to be like you, I wanted to get to know you better. But then I joined the club and I was scared, that you might not think I’m good enough to be your friend. Every time I tried to talk to you, my feet take me to the other side of the room.
“I’m sorry that I was just being annoying. I realise that I don’t have talent in dancing like you do but I just hoped that if I joined the club, I’d be one step closer to you. You’ve seen me dance and if you think I’ll embarrass everyone with my level of dancing, I guess it’s better I stop now before I bring down the club’s reputation. I’m really sorry, I’ll tell Yunho I’m withdrawing.”
Yixing walks past Jongin, their shoulders bumping and Jongin feels his world crashing down. How could he have messed up so bad?
Being a dancer has its perks, like great reflexes and Jongin reacts before Yixing can get to the door, pulling Yixing back with his wrist and pushing him back against the door. For the first time since Yixing has come into his life, Jongin reacts honestly. He cups Yixing’s face and crushes their lips together.
It stings a little, Jongin moving in with too much force and he’s pretty sure he cut his lip with his teeth but the soft plush lips against his takes the pain away. Jongin pulls back but not before licking Yixing’s lips.
“I like you, I’ve always liked you,” Jongin whispers against Yixing’s lips, eyes searching his, “But I hated you at the same time. I hated that you’re so good at dance. I hated that you treated me like everyone else. I wanted to be special to you.”
Jongin waits for Yixing to say something but he’s rewarded with a kiss instead. This time, Yixing opens up his lips and Jongin doesn’t waste time licking his way into Yixing’s mouth. He loves the way Yixing’s tongue feels around his and he enjoys the slight taste of blueberry in Yixing’s mouth, probably from all the mint candies he keeps eating.
“You’re so silly Jongin,” Yixing says when they part, catching their breathes and Jongin couldn’t agree less.