The Suburbs
The Suburbs
Kai/Chen, mentions of Kai/Krytal, Chanyeol/Kyungsoo and Sehun/Yixing
Romance/Fluff
PG-13
Jongdae and Jongin live on opposite sides of town, but in the heat of summer they end up meeting somewhere in the middle.
A/N: inspired by this picture and the suburbs by arcade fire.
Jongdae meets Jongin by accident.
He doesn't know how he ended up in the middle of a group of four angry guys, who all have the vicious intent to leave him black and blue, but he does. Actually, that's a lie, he does know why he's in this predicament. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that they looked like they were from the cover of a gay porn movie, especially with their tight polos and douchey faces. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to say. Now he's going to get beat up. It's a shame Jongdae never learned how to defend himself from his own big mouth.
"I'm gonna fucking pound you so hard," one of the guys says. His hair has blonde highlights. His face and neck are two different skin tones. Jongdae can't help but snicker under his breath at the rosary around his neck. "Then we'll see if you call us gay again."
"You would be defeating the point of emphasizing how 'not-gay' you are if you pound me, don't you think?" Jongdae asks, brushing his bangs away from his eyes so he can see these assholes more clearly.
"What did you just say?" That same guy asks. He's also wearing a pink polo and Jongdae thinks he's the biggest square headed loser asshole he's ever seen. The guy turns to one of his 'bros' and says, "Go hold him down. He looks like a squirmer."
"That's incredibly unfair," Jongdae says, side stepping away from the huge meat head who charges at him. "How can you tell I'm a squirmer? I don't look squirmish. Now I'm offended."
"Shut your mouth," another guy yells. "I can't wait to fuck you up."
"Okay, you guys really need to be more careful with your choice of words," Jongdae ducks when one of them swings at him. "You're going to have this same confusion again if you go around saying you're going to fuck and pound other men."
"Do you have a death wish, bitch?" Pink polo asks, gripping the front of Jongdae's shirt and pressing his own sweaty chest against his.
"Not particularly. I mean I know I'm going to die, and sometimes I wish life were easier, but I don't necessarily wish I would die in this very instant," Jongdae answers, trying to protect his face from the onslaught of spit this guy releases by merely breathing. How can anyone stand this dude? He's like a shaved Neanderthal.
Pink polo raises his hand in a fist and looks like he's about to literally pound Jongdae's face, when a hand wraps around his biceps and pulls him back. Jongdae quickly shields his eyes, wondering if this is some weird role play they do to catch him off guard, but nothing happens. When he opens his eyes, he sees a young man in a crisp blue button down and white shorts kicking Pink Polos's ass. Jongdae doesn't know how appropriate it would be if he started cheering right now.
Pink polo clutches his head and, Jongdae is amused to find, is incredibly squirmish. "Who's the squirmish bitch now?" Jongdae asks, way too excited for his own good.
White Shorts looks up from beating up Pink Polo and smirks at Jongdae. "You really do have a death wish, don't you?" After he punches Pink Polo again, all his friends now gone like the dicks they are, White Shorts grabs a hold of Jongdae's shirt and says, "Come with me, you shouldn't be around here."
Jongdae allows White Shorts to drag him to his car both because he actually really needs a ride home and White Shorts is really fucking hot. What's hotter is he didn't even get any blood on his white shorts. "Get in," White Shorts orders when they reach his car. "I have to excuse myself inside for a second." He holds the door once Jongdae's inside and then adds, "Don't move, okay? Don't touch anything either."
Jongdae watches White Shorts go back into the fancy Country Club and talk to a very pretty girl at the entrance. He points at Pink Polo on the ground, and then at Jongdae, and Jongdae can't see what he's saying but pretty girl frowns and grabs his shoulder and makes a "stay" motion. White Shorts shrugs her off but kisses her forehead, and jogs back to Jongdae who's sitting in his car like a disobedient little boy.
"Is that your girlfriend?" Jongdae asks once they're out of the parking lot.
"I'll ask the questions seeing as I saved your ass and am also driving your ass home," White Shorts says.
"My ass is very grateful," Jongdae answers, chuckling to himself because that was just too easy.
White Shorts cracks a smile. "What's your name?"
"Kim Jongdae. Yours?"
"Kim Jongin," he says, turning easily onto the main road with only one hand on the steering wheel. "Where do you live?"
"McCutheon Street down by the creek, next to the Taco Bell with the drive through," Jongdae answers, feeling up the leather seats and trying not to moan but it's hard because leather is soft and incredibly sexy. He's never been in such a luxurious car.
"You're pretty far from home. What are you doing in this part of town?"
Jongdae turns to his side, looking at Jongin's side profile. Damn, this guy is really attractive. His skin is tan, and unlike Pink Polo, Jongin's skin tone is even all over. His hair is longish for a rich snob, and his ears are pierced. "I was looking for some trouble."
"Really?" Jongin asks.
"What can I say? It's been a boring summer." Jongdae lifts his feet onto the seat even though his mother told him explicitly never to do that, especially never in a stranger's car.
"So you decided to go across town and start a fight with those meat heads?" Jongin chuckles slightly. "I can't say I blame you because I hate those douchebags but that's a weird way to spice up your summer."
Jongdae leans the seat back and laughs. "You're pretty weird too, giving a guy you don't know a ride to his house."
Jongin seems to think that over before saying, "I think you're weirder for getting into a stranger's car."
The rest of the car ride is silent, and Jongdae thinks he might have met his match.
>>>>
"Never in your life?"
"Can't say I have."
"How are you alive right now?" Jongdae asks, leaning over the table to press his palm against Jongin's forehead. "How have you never eaten a corn dog?"
"I don't think I've had that many chances to try one. My boarding school never offered such a delicacy."
"You are a First Class snob, I hope you know." Jongdae pulls his beanie down, ignoring the eye roll Jongin gives him. He rolls his eyes back at him because unlike White Shorts McSnob Boy, Jongdae thinks it's perfectly suitable to wear a beanie in the summer. Jongdae just does whatever he wants whenever he feels like it. For example, he felt like bringing Jongin to the Chinese Buffet next to his house, so he did, and even though the food is terrible, Jongin isn't complaining.
"So you've never gone to a Fair, you've never taken a dive in the creek and you've never had a corn dog," Jongdae shakes his head, feeling truly bad for this guy. "You are only a shell of a human."
Jongin rolls his eyes, as if Jongdae is exaggerating, but he's not. Jongdae is 100% serious. Not doing those things is a crime against nature. Jongdae's nature. "If you want, you can take me when the next fair comes into town, and I can have a corn dog while we're there."
Jongdae beams, completely content with himself. He's only known Jongin for a week, but there's already so many things he wants to do with him. None involving any sexual activity sadly, because Jongin is in fact dating pretty girl from the country club who wears knee highs all the time and goes by the name Krystal. Jongdae would much rather call her Satan.
Jongin glances at his phone when it vibrates on the table and frowns. He writes a quick text and looks down at his half eaten moo shu pork with a sullen expression. "I have to go. Krystal's really upset. She thinks I'm ignoring her."
Speaking of Satan. "Oh sure, go ahead. Tend to the girlfriend. We don't want her getting jealous of all the time you're spending with me."
Jongin smiles. "You're really understanding. I thought it would be weird hanging out with a gay dude, but it's really not."
"That's me, the ever understanding gay, now with all new packaging, easily disguisable as a straight dude, " Jongdae says, trying to keep his head up high. He knows he sounds bitter as fuck, but he really can't help it. If you found an incredibly nice, and incredibly nice looking, boy who was interested in you as a friend but had the most beautiful girlfriend you'd ever laid eyes on, you'd be pretty bitter too. At least, Jongdae hopes you would.
"That's not what I meant," Jongin says, frowning slightly. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"Oh you didn't." I just insult myself by liking a straight boy, Jongdae thinks. "I need to go too. I got a big gig next week."
"I'll see if I can make it. If Krystal doesn't throw a hissy fit and complains that I'm ignoring her again." He smiles, all charisma and charm. Jongdae kind of hates it.
"Sure, don't sweat it though. I'll probably have a thousand more gigs in that smelly bar," Jongdae says, grabbing their trays and throwing them away on their way out. "You just make sure your girl is happy."
Jongin sticks his hands deep in his pockets. "Maybe you'll meet a nice guy soon. Then we can double date and I won't feel like I'm ditching you."
Jongdae rather stab himself in the eye with a pencil and then pour acid on it. "Sure, why not? That sounds like fun."
Jongin smiles and Jongdae swears the sun is wedged somewhere between the irises and pupils of his eyes.
>>>>>
Jongdae's band practices every day at The Pit. He calls their practice garage The Pit because it smells like an armpit and looks like a pit of dirt. Chanyeol picked it out which is probably why it always smells so bad, well that and Sehun's bad gas problems. It's not the most decent place to practice, but Kyungsoo's air fresheners do the trick enough to keep them from suffocating.
"Let's go again, from the top." Jongdae orders, taking a sip from his water bottle. They've been practicing nonstop for the past hour and a half so his throat is starting to bother him.
"Can't we stop? Please? My fingers are bleeding," Chanyeol moans. His fingers aren't actually bleeding of course, but Chanyeol insists on being the biggest drama queen on this Earth.
"Don't you know Jongdae wants to impress his straight boyfriend?" Sehun, his eyes half closed in a yawn, says as he rests his hands on Yixing's shoulders for support. Once he's done yawning, he leans his entire face on Yixing's back and takes a big whiff. Sometimes Jongdae thinks he's part dog.
"He is not my straight boyfriend. He's just my friend. Is he a very attractive friend I would like to fuck? Yes! Can I do anything about that though? No! Am I completely bitter and frustrated? Hell to the fucking yes," Jongdae says, sitting down on an amplifier with a thud.
"I don't get it," Yixing says. "Who is Jongdae dating?"
"No one," Sehun whispers into his neck, making him squirm away like a startled piglet. Yixing gives him a reprimanding look but Sehun ignores him, like always.
"Who's no one?" Kyungsoo asks, bringing in the snacks like the angel he is. He passes bags of potato chips around and hands Chanyeol a bag of M&M's. Chanyeol decides to thank him by basically grouping his ass with a coy smile. Jongdae really hates his stupid friends.
"We're talking about Jongdae's straight boyfriend," Sehun clarifies, still harassing poor Yixing by tickling his neck with his breath. Yixing grabs onto Sehun's hands and stares him down until he smiles sheepishly and kisses his cheek instead. Jongdae really really hates his stupid friends.
"We are the gayest group in existence," Jongdae complains. He smacks his forehead against the mic stand and sighs.
"Gayer than the dudes who sang YMCA?" Chanyeol asks. "I doubt it!"
Jongdae ignores them all and practices by himself until his throat is raw and his sexual desires are non existent.
>>>>>
"Maybe he'll come next time," Kyungsoo says, sitting next to Jongdae once the gig is over. There was a total of 3 people, including the bartender.
"Yeah, maybe," Jongdae agrees. He doesn't add anything and Kyungsoo doesn't either, so they decide to take a couple shots. Jongdae doesn't fall asleep on the bar because that would be pathetic.
>>>>
Jongin doesn't mention not coming to Jongdae's gig so Jongdae decides not to dwell on it. They sit outside Jongdae's favorite coffee shop, sipping their iced coffees and talking about how Jongin spent his Friday night, prisoner to his she-devil girlfriend.
"She spent the entire night yelling at me," Jongin complains, fitting his face in his hands. He sounds muffled and pathetic. "She's such a piece of work."
There's only one thing Jongdae hates more than Jongin ditching him to be with Krystal and that's when he talks about Krystal when he's with Jongdae. "She sounds lovely, why haven't I met her yet?" Jongdae asks, sarcastically of course. He'd never willingly want to meet Satan.
Jongin straightens his back. "She actually saiid she wants to meet you. She wants to know what's so great about you that I can't stop talking about you."
Jongdae smiles, he loves that Jongin can't stop talking about him to his girlfriend. "You talk about me?" He asks, leaning forward and batting his eyelashes at him.
Jongin clears his throat, and looks away from Jongdae's coy look. "Yeah, sometimes. I think you are...interesting?"
Interesting enough to fuck? Jongdae wants to ask, but he doesn't because that would mean letting Jongin know just how much he wants to bone him and that would be a definite no. "Interesting? Interesting how?" He asks instead.
Jongin scratches his chin, still avoiding Jongdae's gaze. "I don't know. You're different. I can't even think of one word to describe you." He takes a long sip of his coffee, looking a lot like the awkward teenager he still is. It surprises Jongdae that Jongin is in fact younger than him. When Jongdae first met him in his white shorts, being badass and beating up assholes, Jongdae thought he was at least the same age as him. "I guess I just find you fascinating. And I expect everyone else to think so too."
Jongdae doesn't say anything. Usually he'd make a smart remark, but he can tell Jongin is being sincere so he smiles. "Thanks. You're pretty fascinating too."
Jongin smiles back. "Are you going to hold this against me in the future?"
"Oh most definitely, no one compliments me and gets away with it," Jongdae says, slurping the rest of his coffee. "Are you free this Saturday? The band wants to meet you. They're completely upset I'm not spending every single waking moment with them."
Jongin nods, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand like a true man. "I'll be there on Saturday. I'll even tell Krystal now so that she can't make something up later."
Jongin excuses himself to go talk to Satan and Jongdae takes the opportunity to appreciate how nice Jongin's ass looks in 500 dollar jeans.
>>>>>
"So where did you go to school? Do you smoke? You look like a smoker. You're really dark, do you tan? I've thought about tanning but I'd look weird if I were black, don't you think?"
Jongin sits, staring at Chanyeol like he's the stupidest person he's ever met. Jongdae shares the sentiment and continues to enjoy his delicious enchilada. Kyungsoo is quiet as always, pretending he's not at a greasy Mexican joint with idiots. Sehun is drinking tequila like it's water. And Yixing is trying his hardest to be polite but he doesn't exactly understand what is going on.
Jongin gives Jongdae a look that resembles a drowning puppy pleading to be rescued, but Jongdae doesn't throw him a line. He lets Chanyeol harass him because Jongin ditched him and this is what happens when you ditch Kim Jongdae.
"Chanyeol, I think you've had enough," Kyungsoo says, removing every type of alcohol from his reach, which is work for Kyungsoo because his arms are comparably shorter than Chanyeol's. "Eat half of my quesadilla and stop talking."
Jongin sighs, clearly relieved, and if Jongdae isn't careful Kyungsoo might become Jongin's favorite person at the table. "You'll have to excuse Chanyeol. He has a tendency to be even more moronic when he's drunk."
Jongin leans into Jongdae, breath hot on his neck, and whispers, "I hope you are going to make this up to me." Jongdae smirks, but ignores he said anything.
When the meal is done and Kyungsoo has dragged Chanyeol, Sehun, and Yixing to their shared apartment (where they probably have orgies on a daily basis), Jongdae hangs back with Jongin outside of the restaurant. He likes when Jongin doesn't rush off to rescue his damsel in jealous distress and simply sits with Jongdae to talk. Jongdae likes feeling special enough that Jongin is willing to fight with his girlfriend over him again. If Jongdae keeps this up, maybe they'll break up without him having to create a master plan that involves way too much work than he's willing to invest.
"So how did you like my friends?" Jongdae asks, already knowing the answer.
"They were...interesting?" Jongin scratches the back of his neck, and a chill runs up his spine so he spazzes momentarily before continuing, "I think Chanyeol has the worst social skills I've ever seen. My shrink would call him emotionally vacant."
Jongdae looks at him. "You have a shrink?"
"Yeah," Jongin shrugs, "it's like a right of passage for rich kids. If you turn 14 and you don't have a shrink, you're not truly part of the society. It's completely trite."
"When you use words like trite you sound like a dick," Jongdae says, leaning on his elbow. "It's kinda sexy."
Jongin makes an incomprehensible noise Jongdae adores. "Thanks, I guess. I don't mean to sound like a dick."
"I know you don't," Jongdae reassures him. "It's just how you've been bred."
Jongin blows his bangs out of his eyes, looking like a true movie star. "You make me sound like a show dog."
"Aren't you though? At least a little?" Jongdae smiles at him and Jongin can't help but smile as well. "Besides, I say all this because I'm superbly jealous."
Jongin frowns. "I don't really enjoy your mockery, but I guess it's fair seeing as I have my own pool and you had to share one with the community."
Jongdae controls himself against punching Jongin in the chest. "There's nothing sexy about a gloater."
Jongin stays silent for a while. Jongdae guesses he should stop flirting so much, because he's just going to make their relationship awkward, but he really can't control what comes out of his mouth. If he could control it though, he wouldn't have met Jongin because he wouldn't have been throwing gay comments at hunky gay porno models. And that's just something he can't apologize for.
"Tonight was nice. The guys have been meaning to celebrate since our gig last week," Jongdae says. He doesn't want to be the awkward one. Jongin is awkward. He should be awkward 100% of the time.
Jongin's face falls as it dawns on him. "I totally forgot about that." He smacks his hand against his forehead and groans, scratching his scalp with murderous intent. "I'm so sorry, Jongdae. I am a horrible friend."
"Yeah you are," Jongdae agrees. "You would've had a lot more fun at our gig than getting yelled at by your girlfriend, but that's not important. What's important is how you're going to make it up to me."
Jongin looks at his hands. Jongdae thinks he might've zoned out so he's about to repeat himself when Jongin clears his throat. "I'll think of something and let you know. I'll stop by your work. Let me sleep on it." Jongin then stands up and does an awkward dance of deciding whether to stay or leave. He finally decides to leave and almost trips on the sidewalk. Jongdae watches on in amusement. Moments like these are why Jongin has to be the awkward one 100% of the time.
>>>>>>>
The next morning at 8am, Jongin storms into the music shop Jongdae works at and places two tickets on the counter.
"If you're inviting me to prom, the answer is: where is my corsage?" Jongdae says, eyeing him suspiciously.
Jongin makes a face like he's just eaten something sour. "I'm inviting you to Krystal's birthday celebration."
"You mean birthday party?"
"No, celebration. She's insisted on calling it that."
Jongdae's face matches Jongin's. "Okay, what's the point of this?"
"I'm making it up to you and getting you to meet Krystal. Killing two birds with one stone I think they call it," Jongin says, looking both smug and apprehensive simultaneously.
"What if I say no?" Jongdae asks.
"Then I'll have to stand here until you say yes."
Jongdae sees the challenge in Jongin's eyes and curses under his breath. "Fine, okay, I'll go."
"Great," Jongin says, his perkiness making Jongdae queasy. "I'll come pick you up after work to go shopping."
"Shopping? What for?" There's no way in hell or heaven Jongdae is buying satan a gift.
"You need better clothes. You don't think you can show up dressed in capris and an oversized sweater to a formal event, do you?" Jongin asks, waving his hand around. "Don't be silly."
"2 douche points," Jongdae says, holding up his index and middle finger at him.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
"I'm going to deduct points every time you say something douchey. If I deduct more than 30 you're no longer my friend." Jongdae leans over the counter and whispers, "we both know who would be more affected by not being my friend."
Jongin lets out an exasperated breath, but he's smiling, so Jongdae knows he's not completely annoyed. "I can't believe- you...fine, do whatever you want. I'm going to buy you the most ridiculous tie to go with your suit."
"Suit?" Jongdae asks, but Jongin is already walking out of the store with an infuriating grin.
>>>>>
Shopping with Jongin is surprisingly fun, and except for the looming reminder that this is all for his satanic girlfriend's birthday, Jongdae has a good time.
"Come out, I want to see how it looks," Jongin calls out. Jongdae fiddles with his hideous tie a few more seconds before busting out of the dressing room with dramatic passion. Jongin stares at him, mouth slightly open until he says, "You...look...really good actually."
"You say that as if I don't look good all the time," he says, narrowing his eyes at Jongin.
"No, that's not it. You just never dress this nicely. Everything you wear is baggy and cheap looking; no offense. And you really like capris, don't you?"
"I don't comment on your obsession with plaid so you have no place to point out my healthy indulgence of capris."
Jongin laughs. "That's putting it mildly. You wear capris every day. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just the same pair over and over again."
Jongdae holds up a finger. "One point." He turns to look at himself in the mirror and he smiles. "You're right though, I do look incredibly hot."
Jongin's face turns red and he rubs his neck instead of saying anything. Jongdae smacks his shoulder. "So you're buying this for me?"
"Yeah, I'm inviting you to this thing, and I can't expect you to pay for something I'm sure you won't wear again." Jongin takes a step back to admire Jongdae completely, a small sheepish smile taking over his face. "Although you should. You look really good."
Jongdae smiles and hugs him. He momentarily feels weird because Jongin isn't hugging him back, but then a pair of hands come up and hug him closely to his chest. "Thanks for this. I'll make sure to wear it more often just to seduce you."
Jongin seems to want to say something, but instead he bites his lip and pats Jongdae's butt. "Now go change so we can get dinner. I'm starving."
Jongdae is also starving, but for something else entirely.
>>>>>
Jongdae is head over heels in love with Jongin.
He realizes this completely unfortunate fact when he's sitting on a chair, watching Jongin and Krystal dance song after song, imagining different scenarios of him choking Krystal with her own surprisingly well suited for her complexion mermaid hair. Jongdae crunches the bowl of nuts angrily and tries not to look like a little boy who has been sent to time out. The reality hits Jongdae like a punch in the gut; he wants Jongin, so badly. He wants to be the one he dances with and the one he runs off to be with. He wants to hold him the way Krystal is clinging to him, her perfectly manicured nails clutching his shoulders through the black button down he's sporting.
Jongdae sips on his champagne (fucking pretentious) and waits until midnight when he feels he's spent enough time torturing himself and decides to go home. He puts Jongin's jacket, which he had been holding, on the chair and throws his own jacket over his shoulders. The ballroom is completely stunning, decorated like in that stupid Sweet Sixteen TV show Chanyeol loves to watch, but it's also incredibly far away from Jongdae's house. The bus doesn't run at this hour, and he obviously doesn't have any friends in this douchetastic part of town so he pulls out his phone to get Chanyeol to get him. Chanyeol can't say no. It's programmed in his system.
Jongdae waits by the entrance, feeling incredibly chilly and stupid for even coming here in the first place. He also feels like a jerk for leaving without telling Jongin, but he thinks Jongin is a bit of jerk too for ignoring him all night.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Jongdae smiles as he turns around to find Jongin standing behind him, with Krystal, her arm around his waist. His smile drops off the face of the earth. "Hi, yeah, I just remembered I have to go, uhm, Chanyeol needs me to uh, get something ready for our next gig."
Jongin looks at his watch. "At midnight?"
"Yeah, he's kinda compulsive like that. He's gonna pick me up so you don't have to worry. Go back inside and enjoy your party," Jongdae says, and he musters every ounce of poise and class he has to add, "happy birthday, Krystal. Your dress is gorgeous."
Jongin looks completely perplexed and sad. "But, you haven't even talked to Krystal. Those are the first words you've said to her, ever. I wanted us all to sit down and talk." He swings his arm around Krystal's shoulders. "I wanted you both to see why I love you so much."
Jongdae's throat tightens so suddenly he feels like he can't breathe or swallow. He looks at Krystal and she seems equally disturbed by that statement, but she turns to Jongdae and extends her delicate hand to him. "It's nice to meet you, Jongdae. Oppa talks about you all the time."
Jongdae makes a face that he hopes looks the tiniest bit like a smile and shakes her hand briefly. "Yeah, he talks about you all the time too. Nonstop; 24/7."
Jongin looks uncomfortable as he stands in between them. "So, you're leaving? Just like that? I didn't pay for that suit to be worn for two hours."
Krystal gapes at Jongin. "You bought him that suit? You've never gotten me anything more expensive than a purse."
"That's because you own everything you could possibly want or need," Jongin argues. "Whatever, I don't want to talk about this now. Don't leave Jongdae, you haven't even had any cake."
Jongdae wishes the ground would open and suck him up. "Yeah well, it's fine. I don't really like cake that much."
"You told me you orgasmed once after eating cake," Jongin says, so completely unaffected, just stating a fact Jongdae stupidly told him.
Jongdae's pretty sure he must look like a tomato. He said that to him the first week they met. He can't believe he remembers that. He's about to defend himself, which he doesn't know how, when he's saved by Chanyeol's loud honk. "That's my ride," Jongdae says excitedly. "I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your party."
Jongin stares as Jongdae gets into the car. Krystal says something that he ignores and she walks back inside, leaving Jongin standing there until Chanyeol's car is out of the parking lot.
>>>>>
"Are you sure you don't smoke? You really do look like a smoker. I tried a cigarette once but I got an asthma attack. I don't even have asthma. I think I developed it because I smoked once. I'm not sure about the science of all that but I'm pretty sure smoking causes asthma."
"Please stop talking," Kyungsoo pleads, pulling Chanyeol away from Jongin, who's standing awkwardly in the entrance of The Pit. Kyungsoo turns to Jongdae. "Why do you always torture your own guest?"
"He deserves it," Jongdae says plainly, avoiding Jongin's gaze. "He showed up unannounced, I'm sorry I don't have the proper entertainment."
"Why is Jongdae upset?" Yixing asks, tugging on Sehun's sleeve so he'll tell him but Sehun merely pulls him away into a corner so they can make out.
Jongdae sits on a stool by the mic stand and pretends Jongin isn't boring holes into his head. He should probably stop being immature because the biggest crime Jongin committed was spend time with his girlfriend. On her birthday. Clearly Jongin isn't the asshole here.
"Please don't be mad at me anymore," Jongin says, walking up to Jongdae and crouching down, placing his hands on Jongdae's knees. "I'm sorry I ignored you and you didn't get to have your cake orgasm."
Jongdae bites his lip because he doesn't want Jongin to think he is that easy but he really wants to laugh at that.
"The cake wasn't even that good," Jongin promises. Jongin squeezes Jongdae's right knee and out of reflex he looks at him. "I can't apologize enough."
"You certainly can't," Jongdae says and instantly clomps down on his lower lip. He wanted to hold out a little longer, but when Jongin is almost on his knees in front of him, his hair coiffed like an old movie star, Jongdae can't resist. He has a weakness for Jongin. He's his kryptonite, as trite as that sounds.
Jongin's smile is completely blinding. "I think I have the perfect opportunity for me to make it up to you!"
Jongdae is intrigued so he leans in. "This better be magnificent. I won't just let you off the hook that easy."
"I hear the fair is coming to town. You promised to take me so I can try a corn dog."
"You've never had a corn dog?" Chanyeol asks. Of course he was eavesdropping. What a loser. "I can't believe that. What kind of childhood did you have?" Kyungsoo smacks him on the mouth with his hand and then shoves a handful of chips down his pants and watches him squirm away from the sharp pieces. Jongdae thinks it's his own fault for going commando.
"So what do you say? Will you do me the honor of taking me to the fair?" Jongin's eyes sparkle like he's a fucking anime character so Jongdae says yes and pushes him out of The Pit so they can keep practicing. He can't get the stupid smile off his face all throughout rehearsal.
>>>>>>
"You're going to regret doing that," Jongdae tells Jongin once he's finished scarfing his third corndog.
"These things are so delicious. How did I not know it was this delicious?" Jongin asks, already ordering another one.
"They're really not that great," Jongdae says, smiling. He's never seen Jongin this excited. "You should slow down if you want to get on more rides."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I have a strong stomach," Jongin says, pouring copious amounts of ketchup and mustard on his fourth corn dog. "I should probably try some cotton candy while I'm here."
"You haven't had cotton candy either? I really don't envy you."
"My father didn't want us to eat anything 'synthetic'," he says, using air quotes. He rolls his eyes. "I think processed food is the tits."
Jongdae grimaces at that retort but he can't get annoyed because Jongin is having the time of his life. The fair is boisterous and there are people everywhere of every age group and background mulling around and making lines together. Jongdae has always liked fairs ever since he was a little kid because he got to see Chanyeol puke after every ride and Sehun complain because he always had to ride with him in the back seat. Since then his friends have grown out of going, so it's nice being able to relive that magic with Jongin who acts likes he's in Disney land.
"Hey, speaking of, where are your parents? I've never asked you about them," Jongin says, a large blob of ketchup on his chin.
"There's really not much to say," Jongdae shrugs, wiping Jongin's face with a nearby napkin. "When I graduated they moved up North and I stayed here to pursue my music. They call and send me money but I think they're disappointed I haven't gone to college yet. No, I don't think, I know they're disappointed."
Jongin smiles at him.
"What?" Jongdae asks.
"You're still wiping my face," Jongin says, lowering Jongdae's wrist. "But I'm sorry about your parents. At least they don't force you to do something you don't want to."
"Like what? Live in a mansion and drive fancy cars? Yeah; must suck!"
Jongin shakes his head but doesn't elaborate. Jongdae would push it if he didn't look so uncomfortable. "So what's next captain?"
Jongin smiles. Sometimes Jongdae thinks he doesn't have too many people who leave him alone when he wants to be. "I think we should do the carousel."
"That's so gay," Jongdae says, and Jongin frowns at him. "No, seriously, if we go on the carousel together everyone will totally think we're gay."
What Jongin does next surprises Jongdae.
He takes his hand and says, "I don't care," and after a couple seconds of suspense he adds,"besides, they'd be half right."
Jongdae takes the liberty to punch Jongin in the stomach.
Up in the carousel, Jongin presses his face against the tiny glass window and smiles. "This is really nice, Jongdae. Thank you for bringing me."
"Well technically you drove us here, but you're welcome," Jongdae says. Their knees are pressed together because apparently this carousel isn't for anyone taller than 5ft but Jongdae certainly doesn't mind. And by the looks of it, Jongin doesn't either.
"So, how did Krystal feel about you going to the fair with me?" Jongdae asks, just making conversation.
Jongin's face changes for a second. "I...didn't tell her." He looks at his shoes and then right at Jongdae and the look he gives him is so intense it makes Jongdae's throat constrict.
"Why?" He manages to choke out.
"Because, I just...didn't," Jongin shrugs, his hands clasped in front of his stomach tightly. "I knew she'd want to come and I wanted it to be just us."
Jongdae smiles besides himself. He would kiss Jongin right now if they weren't 50 ft off the ground and if Jongin weren't straight and if everything were different. Jongin smiles a little too, but he also looks apprehensive, like he isn't completely sure why he lied but he felt like he had to anyway.
"You can tell her you were buying her a new purse. I'll even go and help you pick one out," Jongdae suggests but Jongin is quiet until they reach the ground again. He isn't that startled when Jongin pukes in a trash can a few minutes later. Jongdae refrains from telling him I told you so.
>>>>>
"Why are you so smiley?" Sehun asks when Jongdae comes in for rehearsal the next day and kisses everyone on the cheek. "Are you finally getting some from your straight boyfriend?"
Jongdae laughs. "Not yet, but maybe soon," he says, and ignores the looks everyone gives him.
>>>>>>
Jongdae's couch is moldy and littered with stains from various different sources, but surprisingly, Jongin doesn't complain at all. He watches Jongdae's favorite movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in complete silence, except to ask Jongdae to pass the popcorn.
"Do you like it so far?" Jongdae asks at the part when Ferris is singing on top of one of the floats in the parade.
"He reminds me of you," Jongin whispers, his eyes glued to the tv. "You're both incredibly cocky."
Jongdae throws his legs over Jongin's waist and cages him in. "Shut up, Ferris and I are both misunderstood geniuses." He starts tickling Jongin with his feet, causing him to turn red with laugher.
Jongin's laughing seizes when Jongdae's foot accidentally slips between Jongin's legs. They clear their throats simultaneously but Jongdae can't help but smile at the blush that takes over Jongin's entire face. Jongdae moves up the couch and starts to remove his legs off Jongin's lap to give him more space and remove the awkward tension, but Jongin holds his ankles. "It's fine, you can keep them there. If you want."
Jongdae doesn't need to be told twice.
>>>>>
"My parents and Krystal are out of town," Jongin says, flopping on Jongdae's couch with a contented sigh.
"Why do you look so happy?" Jongdae asks, putting a couple of White Castle hamburgers in his microwave for their dinner. He's amazed Jongin doesn't throw up every time he feeds him junk food.
"Because they're going to be gone for two weeks at some boring resort in the middle of nowhere," Jongin smiles. "Two weeks without anyone nagging me and questioning me about when I'm going to get home. I'm so glad I was able to get out of that mess. A few families from the country club decided to go, but I convinced my parents to let me stay. I get to enjoy the last few days of summer."
Jongdae watches the hamburgers rotate inside the microwave. "Are you starting college in the fall?"
Jongin grimaces at the word and shrugs. "I don't know. I was thinking of applying for the Spring semester. I'm not totally sure. Can we not talk about this?"
"Of course," Jongdae says. "I'm not interrogating you."
"See this is why I like you! You give me space. You don't suffocate me every second of the day."
"I don't suffocate you ever," Jongdae says as he removes their dinner from the microwave. He slaps Jongin's hamburgers onto a plate. "Come and get it, sport."
Jongin glares at Jongdae, but his hunger overrules his annoyance so he gets up and sits by the counter. He looks at his dehydrated burgers and pouts. "I can't believe you call this food."
"Hey, my house, my food. Now shut your pretty trap and fill it with this tiny burger," Jongdae holds up a burger to Jongin's face and says, "isn't it just the cutest thing you've ever seen?"
"No, you are."
Jongdae lowers his burger and laughs. "Yeah, okay."
"I'm serious," Jongin argues. "You're clothes may be horribly baggy on you, but you look really cute in your orange beanie and tank tops that don't make any sense."
"Shut up and eat your miniature cow," Jongdae says, ignoring the fact that he is most probably smiling like a bafoon.
>>>>>>
Jongdae takes Jongin to the creek on the hottest day of the summer. Jongin has been spending a lot of time with Jongdae, but Jongdae can't let their friendship go on until he jumps into the creek like every person he knows has done at least once.
"And you're sure this isn't dangerous?" Jongin asks, looking down at the rocks and unsteady terrain. He's dressed in only his swim trunks and Jongdae has a hard time focusing on anything, let alone Jongin's safety.
"Yeah, you'll be fine," he promises, grabbing hold of the rope Kyungsoo tied to make it easier for them to jump when they were little. Having a Boy Scout friend came in handy sometimes.
"Is it stupid that I'm nervous?" Jongin asks, gnawing at his lower lip.
"Just a little bit," Jongdae teases. "It's going to be fine. I've been doing it since I was 6 years old. I only broke my arm once."
Jongin doesn't look too convinced. "If anything happens to me, my father is going to sue you."
"Oh I'm so scared," Jongdae says, handing him the rope. "Now stop being a chatterbox and jump."
Jongin looks down, takes a deep breath and plunges. The way he jumps with so much grace makes Jongdae smile, feeling exhilarated from the second hand rush. A second later, Jongin surfaces and gives Jongdae a thumbs up. "That was incredible," Jongin yells. "Can I go again?"
"You can go as many times as you want," Jongdae yells back.
Later, when Jongin is curled up on Jongdae's couch because he's too drunk to drive, Jongdae swears he sees a happiness that's unique. A type of smile only he has the ability to put there.
"Thanks," Jongin says when Jongdae is heading off to bed. They played scrabble for a while but realized it is impossible to spell when you've had enough to drink. Jongdae would offer his bed if it wouldn't kill him inside not to be able to hold Jongin. "Thanks for today and everything. You're a really special person to me."
Jongdae guesses he says it because he's a little drunk and very sleepy, but Jongin sounds sincere when he says it so Jongdae doesn't make fun of him. Instead he leans over and kisses him softly, watching as his eyelids flutter closed. Seconds later he pulls back when Jongin looks up at him sharply.
"I-" Jongdae can't find the words to excuse himself. He has no idea what to say after something like that and by the look on Jongin's face neither can he. Jongdae stands there like an idiot for a moment before escaping to his room to wait for the verdict tomorrow.
>>>>>
The next morning, Jongin crawls into Jongdae's bed to wake him up. He doesn't really wake him up, because all he does is slip under the covers and sleep for an hour more. When Jongdae finally wakes up, he startles at Jongin in his bed. "Why didn't you let me sleep here last night?" Jongin complains, rolling onto his stomach. "My neck is killing me. You're a horrible host."
Jongdae swallows. He's more than a horrible host. He's a horrible friend with a hidden agenda. He can't breathe thinking about if Jongin remembers their kiss. He wasn't counting but he guesses Jongin drank more than him. "I'm sorry, I sleep...fart."
"Sleep fart?" Jongin asks. "You're full of shit."
"And farts," Jongdae says. He smiles at Jongin's bed hair and messes it up further. Jongin clearly doesn't remember the kiss if he's joking around with Jongdae, but he tenses when Jongin's hand lands on his waist. "I wanted to let you know why I didn't tell Krystal about the fair. I want to explain."
"You don't have to," Jongdae breathes. He wonders where this is coming from all of a sudden, but at least he isn't talking about the kiss. Jongdae is pretty sure he could talk about anything except for that kiss he so foolishly had to plant on Jongin's poor, drunk, unknowing lips. He also wonders if Jongin has noticed Jongdae doesn't have any pants on.
"But I want to. I don't want you to think I'm ashamed of you or anything. She knows we hang out all the time. That day was just, different." Jongin takes a deep breath. "It was special. Just you and me."
Jongdae nods because words aren't coming to him now. He doesn't completely understand what Jongin is trying to say. He doesn't understand what's going on either. He just knows that he doesn't want Jongin to remember. He doesn't want Jongin to hate him.
"I think I...Jongdae, I think I," Jongin swallows and shakes his head, the moment of uncertainty gone. "Forget it. I should probably go. I've over stayed my welcome."
'Not at all' Jongdae wants to say, but his mouth refuses to obey his brain. Jongin waits for a few tense seconds before getting up and shutting the door behind him. Like a coward, Jongdae waits for Jongin to leave out the front door before getting out of his bed.
>>>>>
Jongdae isn't surprised when Jongin doesn't come around or call for a few days. It was pretty dicky of him not to say anything when Jongin was clearly having a hard time expressing himself, but Jongdae doesn't want to get his hopes up. Jongdae doesn't want to wish that what Jongin was about to say is what he wants to hear. So instead he retreats and gives Jongin space.
If his friends notice him acting differently, they don't say anything, and Jongdae is thankful. He needs time to himself, to regain what it is he wants from his relationship with Jongin. He doesn't know if he's 100% fine with being just Jongin's friend. He doesn't know if he's the type to sacrifice a friendship for the off chance it could be something more. What he doesn't know scares him, because he does love Jongin and his happiness is important to him, but right now he doesn't know how to make him happy. He figures giving him space is the best thing he can do for him.
>>>>>>
"You're being totally stupid," Kyungsoo says after Jongdae has told him everything because Kyungsoo notices everything and called him out for slacking off during practice. "You must have the IQ of a walnut."
Jongdae frowns. "I didn't confide in you so you'd insult me."
"Oh right, sorry. Well I think you should call him, maybe invite him to our next gig. You haven't talked for a week, that's a lifetime in gay boy/straight boy relationship years." Kyungsoo finishes his taco and shrugs as he chews.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll invite him to our gig. If he likes me he'll show up, if he doesn't then I'm screwed but I'll move on." Jongdae smiles, feeling the forced lines etching his skin. "I always move on, don't I?"
"We all do," Kyungsoo says, staring at his empty plate. "We all have to move on after we finish our last taco. It's sad, but that's the way life is."
Jongdae smacks his shoulder. "You're such a good friend."
"I see you more as a colleague," Kyungsoo says, lying through his teeth,because colleagues don't eat greasy Mexican food with you when you're being a dick to the guy you like.
"I'll text him," Jongdae says, taking a deep breath as he pulls out his cellphone. "Text messages are completely noncommittal."
"Sure, you tell yourself that."
>>>>>>
Jongdae sings three songs to empty chairs with his pride dragging on the floor. He tries not to dwell on the fact that Jongin might not come, because he has a show to finish, even if it is to the house regulars. He glances at Kyungsoo as he's singing the last verse of their final song, his anxiety getting the best of him causing his voice to crack.
"Thank you," he mumbles once the song is over. The only people there to clap are his fellow band mates and the bartender, but they don't because it was a horrible gig. "I'm sorry you guys," he says, turning around to look at their sullen faces. "I'm sorry I was out of it tonight, I'll do better next time. If the owner complains I'll tell him it was all my fault. And if we get fired I'll just get us a new gig, I promise."
"I didn't think it sounded that horrible."
Jongdae turns around so fast he almost gets whiplash. Who he sees makes his cheeks pull up in a smile. "Jongin? You're here?" He frowns. "You heard me whining for the past hour?"
"It sounded more like moaning to me," Jongin says. He's dressed in a formal suit, and he looks the most handsome Jongdae has ever seen him. "Can I borrow your lead singer for a second, guys?"
Jongdae doesn't give anyone a chance to protest because he jumps off the stage and almost falls into Jongin's arm, but he saves himself the cliche by catching himself in time. "We can talk backstage. It's pretty chilly outside at this hour."
Jongin nods so Jongdae walks toward the back of the stage and leads him into the hall closet that's barely large enough for the both of them and their awkward tension to fit, but it'll have to do.
Jongin curves his shoulders forward, trying to make space without bumping against Jongdae. He looks at his feet momentarily before speaking. "First off, I want to say that I think your singing voice is amazing."
Jongdae shakes his head, completely embarrassed Jongin heard him like that. "I was terrible, you should hear me when I'm not depressed."
Jongin smiles. "I would love that."
"You mean, you're not mad at me?" Jongdae fits his hands into the pockets of his oversized jersey.
"Of course not, why would I be mad?" Jongin asks.
Jongdae can think of a million reasons but he goes with the simplest, "Because I kissed you..."
"Oh that?" Jongin asks nonchalantly. "I'm not mad about that. I was a little taken aback but I'm not mad," he says, leaning back against the wall. Jongdae hates it when he looks so calm, cool and collected. He expected him to be a mess, begging Jongdae to be his handsome lover, but this Johnny Bravo is definitely something else.
"Then why did you pull away for a week and not talk to me?" Jongdae asks. He has a many more questions but he doesn't want to overwhelm Jongin.
"Oh my father made me attend a bunch of boring college fairs all week to help me narrow down my options for the spring." Jongin rubs the back of his neck. "and I had to take time to think, and...break up with Krystal."
"You're shitting me right now," Jongdae says. His heart is beating so fast he feels like he might puke.
"I'm not shitting you," Jongin says, taking a step forward and caging Jongdae against the opposite wall. "I broke up with her so we could start fresh."
"We? You mean..." Jongdae's pretty sure he's about to have a heart attack. It can't be normal for him to hear his blood rushing through his veins as if Niagara falls were in his body.
"You're awfully slow tonight," Jongin teases, breath tickling Jongdae's neck. "It's okay, I'm pretty patient."
"Wait a second," Jongdae says, pushing Jongin away. "You were straight a few days ago."
"I never told you I was straight; you just assumed."
"But Krystal-"
"Was my girlfriend yes, but that doesn't mean I only swing one way," he chuckles like he hasn't made Jongdae suffer all this time. "I guess you could say I'm a revolving door."
"Please shut up and kiss me. I've wanted to kiss you since the second I saw you, and now you're telling me I could've? That's some straight up bullshit. Who does shit like that? You mean you've been holding out on me all this time? I will fucking piss on everything you love you rich twerp."
Sadly Jongdae doesn't completely avoid cliches that night, because Jongin smiles before shutting him up with a kiss.
>>>>>>
One month later
"Even out on the brake; you can't stop so abruptly."
Jongdae tries again and fails.
"You're stepping too hard on the break, just ease into it," Jongin recommends, pushing his hair out of his face. Jongdae has never seen him break a sweat so quickly but he's practically drenched after just 10 minutes of teaching him how to drive. Jongdae wasn't even the one to suggest it, so Jongin has no right to complain. He'd been so appalled at Jongdae's lack of driving skills that he had insisted they practice. Immediately. Too bad Jongin is a terrible teacher.
"Softer."
"I'm not doing it on purpose," Jongdae complains. "This thing has a mind of its own. I think it has a personal vendetta against me. It's probably jealous I'm so handsome."
Jongin makes a face. "Lila is a saint, she's just not used to someone else driving her. Especially someone so awful."
Jongdae stares at him, appalled. "You named your car? You're that type of guy?" He rolls his eyes, but he's smiling. "I hope you don't have a special name for your penis."
Jongin chokes like he just swallowed a fly, but then he tries to act cool, leaning back all suave like and says, "maybe you'll find out later."
"If you don't have one, I already have a few ideas," Jongdae says, wiggling his eyebrows at him.
Jongin makes sure the car is in park before turning his body toward Jongdae. "Do share these contenders."
"I need to know if it has a nickname already or not," Jongdae smirks, putting the emergency on for safety precautions. He never knows when Jongin's hands are going to wander.
"It doesn't," Jongin says, looking exasperated. "Now can you share these creative ideas of yours for the sacred naming of my penis?"
"Sacred? Now you're just putting words in my mouth," Jongdae laughs. "Well the first name would be Becky."
"Becky?" Jongin narrows his eyes at him. "Why Becky?"
"Because Becky sounds like a bitch's name."
Jongin doesn't comment, but Jongdae can tell he wants to cry. "Go on."
"Second name would be MJ."
"Michael Jackson?" Jongin asks, looking disturbed and Jongdae wanting to name his penis after the king of pop.
"No, you doofus, Michael Jordan, because it's long and great at making the winning shot."
Jongin laughs hard at that one and hooks his fingers around Jongdae's. Their hands are cold because of the AC in the car but they warm up quickly from the friction against Jongdae's thigh. "Okay, do you have any more?"
Jongdae thinks for a second. Honestly, he's making these up as he goes along, but Jongin doesn't have to know that. "I thought of a few actually, but these two are my favorite."
"So Becky and MJ?" Jongin scratches his chin. "Which do you think suits me more?"
Jongdae leans in, closing the distance, trapping Jongin's lips. "I think I’d rather just scream your name during sex."
Jongin pretends he doesn't blush but they both know he does. "I think I’d prefer that too. It would be awkward if you yelled out Becky as you came."
Jongdae kisses him again, letting Jongin know what he wants without having to say it. "Do you want to drive me home? If I try, we'll probably get there tomorrow, and we both know you don't have the patience."
Jongin's out of the car and crossing over to the driver's side before Jongdae finishes his sentence.
2nd A/N: this fic is sponsored in part by my lovely Mi!!!!!!. I'm sorry this is so late but i love you and i hope you enjoy my fail fluff. Happy late birthday! Also super thanks to Biba for being my flawless editing queen!
Kai/Chen, mentions of Kai/Krytal, Chanyeol/Kyungsoo and Sehun/Yixing
Romance/Fluff
PG-13
Jongdae and Jongin live on opposite sides of town, but in the heat of summer they end up meeting somewhere in the middle.
A/N: inspired by this picture and the suburbs by arcade fire.
Jongdae meets Jongin by accident.
He doesn't know how he ended up in the middle of a group of four angry guys, who all have the vicious intent to leave him black and blue, but he does. Actually, that's a lie, he does know why he's in this predicament. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that they looked like they were from the cover of a gay porn movie, especially with their tight polos and douchey faces. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to say. Now he's going to get beat up. It's a shame Jongdae never learned how to defend himself from his own big mouth.
"I'm gonna fucking pound you so hard," one of the guys says. His hair has blonde highlights. His face and neck are two different skin tones. Jongdae can't help but snicker under his breath at the rosary around his neck. "Then we'll see if you call us gay again."
"You would be defeating the point of emphasizing how 'not-gay' you are if you pound me, don't you think?" Jongdae asks, brushing his bangs away from his eyes so he can see these assholes more clearly.
"What did you just say?" That same guy asks. He's also wearing a pink polo and Jongdae thinks he's the biggest square headed loser asshole he's ever seen. The guy turns to one of his 'bros' and says, "Go hold him down. He looks like a squirmer."
"That's incredibly unfair," Jongdae says, side stepping away from the huge meat head who charges at him. "How can you tell I'm a squirmer? I don't look squirmish. Now I'm offended."
"Shut your mouth," another guy yells. "I can't wait to fuck you up."
"Okay, you guys really need to be more careful with your choice of words," Jongdae ducks when one of them swings at him. "You're going to have this same confusion again if you go around saying you're going to fuck and pound other men."
"Do you have a death wish, bitch?" Pink polo asks, gripping the front of Jongdae's shirt and pressing his own sweaty chest against his.
"Not particularly. I mean I know I'm going to die, and sometimes I wish life were easier, but I don't necessarily wish I would die in this very instant," Jongdae answers, trying to protect his face from the onslaught of spit this guy releases by merely breathing. How can anyone stand this dude? He's like a shaved Neanderthal.
Pink polo raises his hand in a fist and looks like he's about to literally pound Jongdae's face, when a hand wraps around his biceps and pulls him back. Jongdae quickly shields his eyes, wondering if this is some weird role play they do to catch him off guard, but nothing happens. When he opens his eyes, he sees a young man in a crisp blue button down and white shorts kicking Pink Polos's ass. Jongdae doesn't know how appropriate it would be if he started cheering right now.
Pink polo clutches his head and, Jongdae is amused to find, is incredibly squirmish. "Who's the squirmish bitch now?" Jongdae asks, way too excited for his own good.
White Shorts looks up from beating up Pink Polo and smirks at Jongdae. "You really do have a death wish, don't you?" After he punches Pink Polo again, all his friends now gone like the dicks they are, White Shorts grabs a hold of Jongdae's shirt and says, "Come with me, you shouldn't be around here."
Jongdae allows White Shorts to drag him to his car both because he actually really needs a ride home and White Shorts is really fucking hot. What's hotter is he didn't even get any blood on his white shorts. "Get in," White Shorts orders when they reach his car. "I have to excuse myself inside for a second." He holds the door once Jongdae's inside and then adds, "Don't move, okay? Don't touch anything either."
Jongdae watches White Shorts go back into the fancy Country Club and talk to a very pretty girl at the entrance. He points at Pink Polo on the ground, and then at Jongdae, and Jongdae can't see what he's saying but pretty girl frowns and grabs his shoulder and makes a "stay" motion. White Shorts shrugs her off but kisses her forehead, and jogs back to Jongdae who's sitting in his car like a disobedient little boy.
"Is that your girlfriend?" Jongdae asks once they're out of the parking lot.
"I'll ask the questions seeing as I saved your ass and am also driving your ass home," White Shorts says.
"My ass is very grateful," Jongdae answers, chuckling to himself because that was just too easy.
White Shorts cracks a smile. "What's your name?"
"Kim Jongdae. Yours?"
"Kim Jongin," he says, turning easily onto the main road with only one hand on the steering wheel. "Where do you live?"
"McCutheon Street down by the creek, next to the Taco Bell with the drive through," Jongdae answers, feeling up the leather seats and trying not to moan but it's hard because leather is soft and incredibly sexy. He's never been in such a luxurious car.
"You're pretty far from home. What are you doing in this part of town?"
Jongdae turns to his side, looking at Jongin's side profile. Damn, this guy is really attractive. His skin is tan, and unlike Pink Polo, Jongin's skin tone is even all over. His hair is longish for a rich snob, and his ears are pierced. "I was looking for some trouble."
"Really?" Jongin asks.
"What can I say? It's been a boring summer." Jongdae lifts his feet onto the seat even though his mother told him explicitly never to do that, especially never in a stranger's car.
"So you decided to go across town and start a fight with those meat heads?" Jongin chuckles slightly. "I can't say I blame you because I hate those douchebags but that's a weird way to spice up your summer."
Jongdae leans the seat back and laughs. "You're pretty weird too, giving a guy you don't know a ride to his house."
Jongin seems to think that over before saying, "I think you're weirder for getting into a stranger's car."
The rest of the car ride is silent, and Jongdae thinks he might have met his match.
>>>>
"Never in your life?"
"Can't say I have."
"How are you alive right now?" Jongdae asks, leaning over the table to press his palm against Jongin's forehead. "How have you never eaten a corn dog?"
"I don't think I've had that many chances to try one. My boarding school never offered such a delicacy."
"You are a First Class snob, I hope you know." Jongdae pulls his beanie down, ignoring the eye roll Jongin gives him. He rolls his eyes back at him because unlike White Shorts McSnob Boy, Jongdae thinks it's perfectly suitable to wear a beanie in the summer. Jongdae just does whatever he wants whenever he feels like it. For example, he felt like bringing Jongin to the Chinese Buffet next to his house, so he did, and even though the food is terrible, Jongin isn't complaining.
"So you've never gone to a Fair, you've never taken a dive in the creek and you've never had a corn dog," Jongdae shakes his head, feeling truly bad for this guy. "You are only a shell of a human."
Jongin rolls his eyes, as if Jongdae is exaggerating, but he's not. Jongdae is 100% serious. Not doing those things is a crime against nature. Jongdae's nature. "If you want, you can take me when the next fair comes into town, and I can have a corn dog while we're there."
Jongdae beams, completely content with himself. He's only known Jongin for a week, but there's already so many things he wants to do with him. None involving any sexual activity sadly, because Jongin is in fact dating pretty girl from the country club who wears knee highs all the time and goes by the name Krystal. Jongdae would much rather call her Satan.
Jongin glances at his phone when it vibrates on the table and frowns. He writes a quick text and looks down at his half eaten moo shu pork with a sullen expression. "I have to go. Krystal's really upset. She thinks I'm ignoring her."
Speaking of Satan. "Oh sure, go ahead. Tend to the girlfriend. We don't want her getting jealous of all the time you're spending with me."
Jongin smiles. "You're really understanding. I thought it would be weird hanging out with a gay dude, but it's really not."
"That's me, the ever understanding gay, now with all new packaging, easily disguisable as a straight dude, " Jongdae says, trying to keep his head up high. He knows he sounds bitter as fuck, but he really can't help it. If you found an incredibly nice, and incredibly nice looking, boy who was interested in you as a friend but had the most beautiful girlfriend you'd ever laid eyes on, you'd be pretty bitter too. At least, Jongdae hopes you would.
"That's not what I meant," Jongin says, frowning slightly. "I didn't mean to insult you."
"Oh you didn't." I just insult myself by liking a straight boy, Jongdae thinks. "I need to go too. I got a big gig next week."
"I'll see if I can make it. If Krystal doesn't throw a hissy fit and complains that I'm ignoring her again." He smiles, all charisma and charm. Jongdae kind of hates it.
"Sure, don't sweat it though. I'll probably have a thousand more gigs in that smelly bar," Jongdae says, grabbing their trays and throwing them away on their way out. "You just make sure your girl is happy."
Jongin sticks his hands deep in his pockets. "Maybe you'll meet a nice guy soon. Then we can double date and I won't feel like I'm ditching you."
Jongdae rather stab himself in the eye with a pencil and then pour acid on it. "Sure, why not? That sounds like fun."
Jongin smiles and Jongdae swears the sun is wedged somewhere between the irises and pupils of his eyes.
>>>>>
Jongdae's band practices every day at The Pit. He calls their practice garage The Pit because it smells like an armpit and looks like a pit of dirt. Chanyeol picked it out which is probably why it always smells so bad, well that and Sehun's bad gas problems. It's not the most decent place to practice, but Kyungsoo's air fresheners do the trick enough to keep them from suffocating.
"Let's go again, from the top." Jongdae orders, taking a sip from his water bottle. They've been practicing nonstop for the past hour and a half so his throat is starting to bother him.
"Can't we stop? Please? My fingers are bleeding," Chanyeol moans. His fingers aren't actually bleeding of course, but Chanyeol insists on being the biggest drama queen on this Earth.
"Don't you know Jongdae wants to impress his straight boyfriend?" Sehun, his eyes half closed in a yawn, says as he rests his hands on Yixing's shoulders for support. Once he's done yawning, he leans his entire face on Yixing's back and takes a big whiff. Sometimes Jongdae thinks he's part dog.
"He is not my straight boyfriend. He's just my friend. Is he a very attractive friend I would like to fuck? Yes! Can I do anything about that though? No! Am I completely bitter and frustrated? Hell to the fucking yes," Jongdae says, sitting down on an amplifier with a thud.
"I don't get it," Yixing says. "Who is Jongdae dating?"
"No one," Sehun whispers into his neck, making him squirm away like a startled piglet. Yixing gives him a reprimanding look but Sehun ignores him, like always.
"Who's no one?" Kyungsoo asks, bringing in the snacks like the angel he is. He passes bags of potato chips around and hands Chanyeol a bag of M&M's. Chanyeol decides to thank him by basically grouping his ass with a coy smile. Jongdae really hates his stupid friends.
"We're talking about Jongdae's straight boyfriend," Sehun clarifies, still harassing poor Yixing by tickling his neck with his breath. Yixing grabs onto Sehun's hands and stares him down until he smiles sheepishly and kisses his cheek instead. Jongdae really really hates his stupid friends.
"We are the gayest group in existence," Jongdae complains. He smacks his forehead against the mic stand and sighs.
"Gayer than the dudes who sang YMCA?" Chanyeol asks. "I doubt it!"
Jongdae ignores them all and practices by himself until his throat is raw and his sexual desires are non existent.
>>>>>
"Maybe he'll come next time," Kyungsoo says, sitting next to Jongdae once the gig is over. There was a total of 3 people, including the bartender.
"Yeah, maybe," Jongdae agrees. He doesn't add anything and Kyungsoo doesn't either, so they decide to take a couple shots. Jongdae doesn't fall asleep on the bar because that would be pathetic.
>>>>
Jongin doesn't mention not coming to Jongdae's gig so Jongdae decides not to dwell on it. They sit outside Jongdae's favorite coffee shop, sipping their iced coffees and talking about how Jongin spent his Friday night, prisoner to his she-devil girlfriend.
"She spent the entire night yelling at me," Jongin complains, fitting his face in his hands. He sounds muffled and pathetic. "She's such a piece of work."
There's only one thing Jongdae hates more than Jongin ditching him to be with Krystal and that's when he talks about Krystal when he's with Jongdae. "She sounds lovely, why haven't I met her yet?" Jongdae asks, sarcastically of course. He'd never willingly want to meet Satan.
Jongin straightens his back. "She actually saiid she wants to meet you. She wants to know what's so great about you that I can't stop talking about you."
Jongdae smiles, he loves that Jongin can't stop talking about him to his girlfriend. "You talk about me?" He asks, leaning forward and batting his eyelashes at him.
Jongin clears his throat, and looks away from Jongdae's coy look. "Yeah, sometimes. I think you are...interesting?"
Interesting enough to fuck? Jongdae wants to ask, but he doesn't because that would mean letting Jongin know just how much he wants to bone him and that would be a definite no. "Interesting? Interesting how?" He asks instead.
Jongin scratches his chin, still avoiding Jongdae's gaze. "I don't know. You're different. I can't even think of one word to describe you." He takes a long sip of his coffee, looking a lot like the awkward teenager he still is. It surprises Jongdae that Jongin is in fact younger than him. When Jongdae first met him in his white shorts, being badass and beating up assholes, Jongdae thought he was at least the same age as him. "I guess I just find you fascinating. And I expect everyone else to think so too."
Jongdae doesn't say anything. Usually he'd make a smart remark, but he can tell Jongin is being sincere so he smiles. "Thanks. You're pretty fascinating too."
Jongin smiles back. "Are you going to hold this against me in the future?"
"Oh most definitely, no one compliments me and gets away with it," Jongdae says, slurping the rest of his coffee. "Are you free this Saturday? The band wants to meet you. They're completely upset I'm not spending every single waking moment with them."
Jongin nods, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand like a true man. "I'll be there on Saturday. I'll even tell Krystal now so that she can't make something up later."
Jongin excuses himself to go talk to Satan and Jongdae takes the opportunity to appreciate how nice Jongin's ass looks in 500 dollar jeans.
>>>>>
"So where did you go to school? Do you smoke? You look like a smoker. You're really dark, do you tan? I've thought about tanning but I'd look weird if I were black, don't you think?"
Jongin sits, staring at Chanyeol like he's the stupidest person he's ever met. Jongdae shares the sentiment and continues to enjoy his delicious enchilada. Kyungsoo is quiet as always, pretending he's not at a greasy Mexican joint with idiots. Sehun is drinking tequila like it's water. And Yixing is trying his hardest to be polite but he doesn't exactly understand what is going on.
Jongin gives Jongdae a look that resembles a drowning puppy pleading to be rescued, but Jongdae doesn't throw him a line. He lets Chanyeol harass him because Jongin ditched him and this is what happens when you ditch Kim Jongdae.
"Chanyeol, I think you've had enough," Kyungsoo says, removing every type of alcohol from his reach, which is work for Kyungsoo because his arms are comparably shorter than Chanyeol's. "Eat half of my quesadilla and stop talking."
Jongin sighs, clearly relieved, and if Jongdae isn't careful Kyungsoo might become Jongin's favorite person at the table. "You'll have to excuse Chanyeol. He has a tendency to be even more moronic when he's drunk."
Jongin leans into Jongdae, breath hot on his neck, and whispers, "I hope you are going to make this up to me." Jongdae smirks, but ignores he said anything.
When the meal is done and Kyungsoo has dragged Chanyeol, Sehun, and Yixing to their shared apartment (where they probably have orgies on a daily basis), Jongdae hangs back with Jongin outside of the restaurant. He likes when Jongin doesn't rush off to rescue his damsel in jealous distress and simply sits with Jongdae to talk. Jongdae likes feeling special enough that Jongin is willing to fight with his girlfriend over him again. If Jongdae keeps this up, maybe they'll break up without him having to create a master plan that involves way too much work than he's willing to invest.
"So how did you like my friends?" Jongdae asks, already knowing the answer.
"They were...interesting?" Jongin scratches the back of his neck, and a chill runs up his spine so he spazzes momentarily before continuing, "I think Chanyeol has the worst social skills I've ever seen. My shrink would call him emotionally vacant."
Jongdae looks at him. "You have a shrink?"
"Yeah," Jongin shrugs, "it's like a right of passage for rich kids. If you turn 14 and you don't have a shrink, you're not truly part of the society. It's completely trite."
"When you use words like trite you sound like a dick," Jongdae says, leaning on his elbow. "It's kinda sexy."
Jongin makes an incomprehensible noise Jongdae adores. "Thanks, I guess. I don't mean to sound like a dick."
"I know you don't," Jongdae reassures him. "It's just how you've been bred."
Jongin blows his bangs out of his eyes, looking like a true movie star. "You make me sound like a show dog."
"Aren't you though? At least a little?" Jongdae smiles at him and Jongin can't help but smile as well. "Besides, I say all this because I'm superbly jealous."
Jongin frowns. "I don't really enjoy your mockery, but I guess it's fair seeing as I have my own pool and you had to share one with the community."
Jongdae controls himself against punching Jongin in the chest. "There's nothing sexy about a gloater."
Jongin stays silent for a while. Jongdae guesses he should stop flirting so much, because he's just going to make their relationship awkward, but he really can't control what comes out of his mouth. If he could control it though, he wouldn't have met Jongin because he wouldn't have been throwing gay comments at hunky gay porno models. And that's just something he can't apologize for.
"Tonight was nice. The guys have been meaning to celebrate since our gig last week," Jongdae says. He doesn't want to be the awkward one. Jongin is awkward. He should be awkward 100% of the time.
Jongin's face falls as it dawns on him. "I totally forgot about that." He smacks his hand against his forehead and groans, scratching his scalp with murderous intent. "I'm so sorry, Jongdae. I am a horrible friend."
"Yeah you are," Jongdae agrees. "You would've had a lot more fun at our gig than getting yelled at by your girlfriend, but that's not important. What's important is how you're going to make it up to me."
Jongin looks at his hands. Jongdae thinks he might've zoned out so he's about to repeat himself when Jongin clears his throat. "I'll think of something and let you know. I'll stop by your work. Let me sleep on it." Jongin then stands up and does an awkward dance of deciding whether to stay or leave. He finally decides to leave and almost trips on the sidewalk. Jongdae watches on in amusement. Moments like these are why Jongin has to be the awkward one 100% of the time.
>>>>>>>
The next morning at 8am, Jongin storms into the music shop Jongdae works at and places two tickets on the counter.
"If you're inviting me to prom, the answer is: where is my corsage?" Jongdae says, eyeing him suspiciously.
Jongin makes a face like he's just eaten something sour. "I'm inviting you to Krystal's birthday celebration."
"You mean birthday party?"
"No, celebration. She's insisted on calling it that."
Jongdae's face matches Jongin's. "Okay, what's the point of this?"
"I'm making it up to you and getting you to meet Krystal. Killing two birds with one stone I think they call it," Jongin says, looking both smug and apprehensive simultaneously.
"What if I say no?" Jongdae asks.
"Then I'll have to stand here until you say yes."
Jongdae sees the challenge in Jongin's eyes and curses under his breath. "Fine, okay, I'll go."
"Great," Jongin says, his perkiness making Jongdae queasy. "I'll come pick you up after work to go shopping."
"Shopping? What for?" There's no way in hell or heaven Jongdae is buying satan a gift.
"You need better clothes. You don't think you can show up dressed in capris and an oversized sweater to a formal event, do you?" Jongin asks, waving his hand around. "Don't be silly."
"2 douche points," Jongdae says, holding up his index and middle finger at him.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
"I'm going to deduct points every time you say something douchey. If I deduct more than 30 you're no longer my friend." Jongdae leans over the counter and whispers, "we both know who would be more affected by not being my friend."
Jongin lets out an exasperated breath, but he's smiling, so Jongdae knows he's not completely annoyed. "I can't believe- you...fine, do whatever you want. I'm going to buy you the most ridiculous tie to go with your suit."
"Suit?" Jongdae asks, but Jongin is already walking out of the store with an infuriating grin.
>>>>>
Shopping with Jongin is surprisingly fun, and except for the looming reminder that this is all for his satanic girlfriend's birthday, Jongdae has a good time.
"Come out, I want to see how it looks," Jongin calls out. Jongdae fiddles with his hideous tie a few more seconds before busting out of the dressing room with dramatic passion. Jongin stares at him, mouth slightly open until he says, "You...look...really good actually."
"You say that as if I don't look good all the time," he says, narrowing his eyes at Jongin.
"No, that's not it. You just never dress this nicely. Everything you wear is baggy and cheap looking; no offense. And you really like capris, don't you?"
"I don't comment on your obsession with plaid so you have no place to point out my healthy indulgence of capris."
Jongin laughs. "That's putting it mildly. You wear capris every day. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just the same pair over and over again."
Jongdae holds up a finger. "One point." He turns to look at himself in the mirror and he smiles. "You're right though, I do look incredibly hot."
Jongin's face turns red and he rubs his neck instead of saying anything. Jongdae smacks his shoulder. "So you're buying this for me?"
"Yeah, I'm inviting you to this thing, and I can't expect you to pay for something I'm sure you won't wear again." Jongin takes a step back to admire Jongdae completely, a small sheepish smile taking over his face. "Although you should. You look really good."
Jongdae smiles and hugs him. He momentarily feels weird because Jongin isn't hugging him back, but then a pair of hands come up and hug him closely to his chest. "Thanks for this. I'll make sure to wear it more often just to seduce you."
Jongin seems to want to say something, but instead he bites his lip and pats Jongdae's butt. "Now go change so we can get dinner. I'm starving."
Jongdae is also starving, but for something else entirely.
>>>>>
Jongdae is head over heels in love with Jongin.
He realizes this completely unfortunate fact when he's sitting on a chair, watching Jongin and Krystal dance song after song, imagining different scenarios of him choking Krystal with her own surprisingly well suited for her complexion mermaid hair. Jongdae crunches the bowl of nuts angrily and tries not to look like a little boy who has been sent to time out. The reality hits Jongdae like a punch in the gut; he wants Jongin, so badly. He wants to be the one he dances with and the one he runs off to be with. He wants to hold him the way Krystal is clinging to him, her perfectly manicured nails clutching his shoulders through the black button down he's sporting.
Jongdae sips on his champagne (fucking pretentious) and waits until midnight when he feels he's spent enough time torturing himself and decides to go home. He puts Jongin's jacket, which he had been holding, on the chair and throws his own jacket over his shoulders. The ballroom is completely stunning, decorated like in that stupid Sweet Sixteen TV show Chanyeol loves to watch, but it's also incredibly far away from Jongdae's house. The bus doesn't run at this hour, and he obviously doesn't have any friends in this douchetastic part of town so he pulls out his phone to get Chanyeol to get him. Chanyeol can't say no. It's programmed in his system.
Jongdae waits by the entrance, feeling incredibly chilly and stupid for even coming here in the first place. He also feels like a jerk for leaving without telling Jongin, but he thinks Jongin is a bit of jerk too for ignoring him all night.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Jongdae smiles as he turns around to find Jongin standing behind him, with Krystal, her arm around his waist. His smile drops off the face of the earth. "Hi, yeah, I just remembered I have to go, uhm, Chanyeol needs me to uh, get something ready for our next gig."
Jongin looks at his watch. "At midnight?"
"Yeah, he's kinda compulsive like that. He's gonna pick me up so you don't have to worry. Go back inside and enjoy your party," Jongdae says, and he musters every ounce of poise and class he has to add, "happy birthday, Krystal. Your dress is gorgeous."
Jongin looks completely perplexed and sad. "But, you haven't even talked to Krystal. Those are the first words you've said to her, ever. I wanted us all to sit down and talk." He swings his arm around Krystal's shoulders. "I wanted you both to see why I love you so much."
Jongdae's throat tightens so suddenly he feels like he can't breathe or swallow. He looks at Krystal and she seems equally disturbed by that statement, but she turns to Jongdae and extends her delicate hand to him. "It's nice to meet you, Jongdae. Oppa talks about you all the time."
Jongdae makes a face that he hopes looks the tiniest bit like a smile and shakes her hand briefly. "Yeah, he talks about you all the time too. Nonstop; 24/7."
Jongin looks uncomfortable as he stands in between them. "So, you're leaving? Just like that? I didn't pay for that suit to be worn for two hours."
Krystal gapes at Jongin. "You bought him that suit? You've never gotten me anything more expensive than a purse."
"That's because you own everything you could possibly want or need," Jongin argues. "Whatever, I don't want to talk about this now. Don't leave Jongdae, you haven't even had any cake."
Jongdae wishes the ground would open and suck him up. "Yeah well, it's fine. I don't really like cake that much."
"You told me you orgasmed once after eating cake," Jongin says, so completely unaffected, just stating a fact Jongdae stupidly told him.
Jongdae's pretty sure he must look like a tomato. He said that to him the first week they met. He can't believe he remembers that. He's about to defend himself, which he doesn't know how, when he's saved by Chanyeol's loud honk. "That's my ride," Jongdae says excitedly. "I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your party."
Jongin stares as Jongdae gets into the car. Krystal says something that he ignores and she walks back inside, leaving Jongin standing there until Chanyeol's car is out of the parking lot.
>>>>>
"Are you sure you don't smoke? You really do look like a smoker. I tried a cigarette once but I got an asthma attack. I don't even have asthma. I think I developed it because I smoked once. I'm not sure about the science of all that but I'm pretty sure smoking causes asthma."
"Please stop talking," Kyungsoo pleads, pulling Chanyeol away from Jongin, who's standing awkwardly in the entrance of The Pit. Kyungsoo turns to Jongdae. "Why do you always torture your own guest?"
"He deserves it," Jongdae says plainly, avoiding Jongin's gaze. "He showed up unannounced, I'm sorry I don't have the proper entertainment."
"Why is Jongdae upset?" Yixing asks, tugging on Sehun's sleeve so he'll tell him but Sehun merely pulls him away into a corner so they can make out.
Jongdae sits on a stool by the mic stand and pretends Jongin isn't boring holes into his head. He should probably stop being immature because the biggest crime Jongin committed was spend time with his girlfriend. On her birthday. Clearly Jongin isn't the asshole here.
"Please don't be mad at me anymore," Jongin says, walking up to Jongdae and crouching down, placing his hands on Jongdae's knees. "I'm sorry I ignored you and you didn't get to have your cake orgasm."
Jongdae bites his lip because he doesn't want Jongin to think he is that easy but he really wants to laugh at that.
"The cake wasn't even that good," Jongin promises. Jongin squeezes Jongdae's right knee and out of reflex he looks at him. "I can't apologize enough."
"You certainly can't," Jongdae says and instantly clomps down on his lower lip. He wanted to hold out a little longer, but when Jongin is almost on his knees in front of him, his hair coiffed like an old movie star, Jongdae can't resist. He has a weakness for Jongin. He's his kryptonite, as trite as that sounds.
Jongin's smile is completely blinding. "I think I have the perfect opportunity for me to make it up to you!"
Jongdae is intrigued so he leans in. "This better be magnificent. I won't just let you off the hook that easy."
"I hear the fair is coming to town. You promised to take me so I can try a corn dog."
"You've never had a corn dog?" Chanyeol asks. Of course he was eavesdropping. What a loser. "I can't believe that. What kind of childhood did you have?" Kyungsoo smacks him on the mouth with his hand and then shoves a handful of chips down his pants and watches him squirm away from the sharp pieces. Jongdae thinks it's his own fault for going commando.
"So what do you say? Will you do me the honor of taking me to the fair?" Jongin's eyes sparkle like he's a fucking anime character so Jongdae says yes and pushes him out of The Pit so they can keep practicing. He can't get the stupid smile off his face all throughout rehearsal.
>>>>>>
"You're going to regret doing that," Jongdae tells Jongin once he's finished scarfing his third corndog.
"These things are so delicious. How did I not know it was this delicious?" Jongin asks, already ordering another one.
"They're really not that great," Jongdae says, smiling. He's never seen Jongin this excited. "You should slow down if you want to get on more rides."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I have a strong stomach," Jongin says, pouring copious amounts of ketchup and mustard on his fourth corn dog. "I should probably try some cotton candy while I'm here."
"You haven't had cotton candy either? I really don't envy you."
"My father didn't want us to eat anything 'synthetic'," he says, using air quotes. He rolls his eyes. "I think processed food is the tits."
Jongdae grimaces at that retort but he can't get annoyed because Jongin is having the time of his life. The fair is boisterous and there are people everywhere of every age group and background mulling around and making lines together. Jongdae has always liked fairs ever since he was a little kid because he got to see Chanyeol puke after every ride and Sehun complain because he always had to ride with him in the back seat. Since then his friends have grown out of going, so it's nice being able to relive that magic with Jongin who acts likes he's in Disney land.
"Hey, speaking of, where are your parents? I've never asked you about them," Jongin says, a large blob of ketchup on his chin.
"There's really not much to say," Jongdae shrugs, wiping Jongin's face with a nearby napkin. "When I graduated they moved up North and I stayed here to pursue my music. They call and send me money but I think they're disappointed I haven't gone to college yet. No, I don't think, I know they're disappointed."
Jongin smiles at him.
"What?" Jongdae asks.
"You're still wiping my face," Jongin says, lowering Jongdae's wrist. "But I'm sorry about your parents. At least they don't force you to do something you don't want to."
"Like what? Live in a mansion and drive fancy cars? Yeah; must suck!"
Jongin shakes his head but doesn't elaborate. Jongdae would push it if he didn't look so uncomfortable. "So what's next captain?"
Jongin smiles. Sometimes Jongdae thinks he doesn't have too many people who leave him alone when he wants to be. "I think we should do the carousel."
"That's so gay," Jongdae says, and Jongin frowns at him. "No, seriously, if we go on the carousel together everyone will totally think we're gay."
What Jongin does next surprises Jongdae.
He takes his hand and says, "I don't care," and after a couple seconds of suspense he adds,"besides, they'd be half right."
Jongdae takes the liberty to punch Jongin in the stomach.
Up in the carousel, Jongin presses his face against the tiny glass window and smiles. "This is really nice, Jongdae. Thank you for bringing me."
"Well technically you drove us here, but you're welcome," Jongdae says. Their knees are pressed together because apparently this carousel isn't for anyone taller than 5ft but Jongdae certainly doesn't mind. And by the looks of it, Jongin doesn't either.
"So, how did Krystal feel about you going to the fair with me?" Jongdae asks, just making conversation.
Jongin's face changes for a second. "I...didn't tell her." He looks at his shoes and then right at Jongdae and the look he gives him is so intense it makes Jongdae's throat constrict.
"Why?" He manages to choke out.
"Because, I just...didn't," Jongin shrugs, his hands clasped in front of his stomach tightly. "I knew she'd want to come and I wanted it to be just us."
Jongdae smiles besides himself. He would kiss Jongin right now if they weren't 50 ft off the ground and if Jongin weren't straight and if everything were different. Jongin smiles a little too, but he also looks apprehensive, like he isn't completely sure why he lied but he felt like he had to anyway.
"You can tell her you were buying her a new purse. I'll even go and help you pick one out," Jongdae suggests but Jongin is quiet until they reach the ground again. He isn't that startled when Jongin pukes in a trash can a few minutes later. Jongdae refrains from telling him I told you so.
>>>>>
"Why are you so smiley?" Sehun asks when Jongdae comes in for rehearsal the next day and kisses everyone on the cheek. "Are you finally getting some from your straight boyfriend?"
Jongdae laughs. "Not yet, but maybe soon," he says, and ignores the looks everyone gives him.
>>>>>>
Jongdae's couch is moldy and littered with stains from various different sources, but surprisingly, Jongin doesn't complain at all. He watches Jongdae's favorite movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in complete silence, except to ask Jongdae to pass the popcorn.
"Do you like it so far?" Jongdae asks at the part when Ferris is singing on top of one of the floats in the parade.
"He reminds me of you," Jongin whispers, his eyes glued to the tv. "You're both incredibly cocky."
Jongdae throws his legs over Jongin's waist and cages him in. "Shut up, Ferris and I are both misunderstood geniuses." He starts tickling Jongin with his feet, causing him to turn red with laugher.
Jongin's laughing seizes when Jongdae's foot accidentally slips between Jongin's legs. They clear their throats simultaneously but Jongdae can't help but smile at the blush that takes over Jongin's entire face. Jongdae moves up the couch and starts to remove his legs off Jongin's lap to give him more space and remove the awkward tension, but Jongin holds his ankles. "It's fine, you can keep them there. If you want."
Jongdae doesn't need to be told twice.
>>>>>
"My parents and Krystal are out of town," Jongin says, flopping on Jongdae's couch with a contented sigh.
"Why do you look so happy?" Jongdae asks, putting a couple of White Castle hamburgers in his microwave for their dinner. He's amazed Jongin doesn't throw up every time he feeds him junk food.
"Because they're going to be gone for two weeks at some boring resort in the middle of nowhere," Jongin smiles. "Two weeks without anyone nagging me and questioning me about when I'm going to get home. I'm so glad I was able to get out of that mess. A few families from the country club decided to go, but I convinced my parents to let me stay. I get to enjoy the last few days of summer."
Jongdae watches the hamburgers rotate inside the microwave. "Are you starting college in the fall?"
Jongin grimaces at the word and shrugs. "I don't know. I was thinking of applying for the Spring semester. I'm not totally sure. Can we not talk about this?"
"Of course," Jongdae says. "I'm not interrogating you."
"See this is why I like you! You give me space. You don't suffocate me every second of the day."
"I don't suffocate you ever," Jongdae says as he removes their dinner from the microwave. He slaps Jongin's hamburgers onto a plate. "Come and get it, sport."
Jongin glares at Jongdae, but his hunger overrules his annoyance so he gets up and sits by the counter. He looks at his dehydrated burgers and pouts. "I can't believe you call this food."
"Hey, my house, my food. Now shut your pretty trap and fill it with this tiny burger," Jongdae holds up a burger to Jongin's face and says, "isn't it just the cutest thing you've ever seen?"
"No, you are."
Jongdae lowers his burger and laughs. "Yeah, okay."
"I'm serious," Jongin argues. "You're clothes may be horribly baggy on you, but you look really cute in your orange beanie and tank tops that don't make any sense."
"Shut up and eat your miniature cow," Jongdae says, ignoring the fact that he is most probably smiling like a bafoon.
>>>>>>
Jongdae takes Jongin to the creek on the hottest day of the summer. Jongin has been spending a lot of time with Jongdae, but Jongdae can't let their friendship go on until he jumps into the creek like every person he knows has done at least once.
"And you're sure this isn't dangerous?" Jongin asks, looking down at the rocks and unsteady terrain. He's dressed in only his swim trunks and Jongdae has a hard time focusing on anything, let alone Jongin's safety.
"Yeah, you'll be fine," he promises, grabbing hold of the rope Kyungsoo tied to make it easier for them to jump when they were little. Having a Boy Scout friend came in handy sometimes.
"Is it stupid that I'm nervous?" Jongin asks, gnawing at his lower lip.
"Just a little bit," Jongdae teases. "It's going to be fine. I've been doing it since I was 6 years old. I only broke my arm once."
Jongin doesn't look too convinced. "If anything happens to me, my father is going to sue you."
"Oh I'm so scared," Jongdae says, handing him the rope. "Now stop being a chatterbox and jump."
Jongin looks down, takes a deep breath and plunges. The way he jumps with so much grace makes Jongdae smile, feeling exhilarated from the second hand rush. A second later, Jongin surfaces and gives Jongdae a thumbs up. "That was incredible," Jongin yells. "Can I go again?"
"You can go as many times as you want," Jongdae yells back.
Later, when Jongin is curled up on Jongdae's couch because he's too drunk to drive, Jongdae swears he sees a happiness that's unique. A type of smile only he has the ability to put there.
"Thanks," Jongin says when Jongdae is heading off to bed. They played scrabble for a while but realized it is impossible to spell when you've had enough to drink. Jongdae would offer his bed if it wouldn't kill him inside not to be able to hold Jongin. "Thanks for today and everything. You're a really special person to me."
Jongdae guesses he says it because he's a little drunk and very sleepy, but Jongin sounds sincere when he says it so Jongdae doesn't make fun of him. Instead he leans over and kisses him softly, watching as his eyelids flutter closed. Seconds later he pulls back when Jongin looks up at him sharply.
"I-" Jongdae can't find the words to excuse himself. He has no idea what to say after something like that and by the look on Jongin's face neither can he. Jongdae stands there like an idiot for a moment before escaping to his room to wait for the verdict tomorrow.
>>>>>
The next morning, Jongin crawls into Jongdae's bed to wake him up. He doesn't really wake him up, because all he does is slip under the covers and sleep for an hour more. When Jongdae finally wakes up, he startles at Jongin in his bed. "Why didn't you let me sleep here last night?" Jongin complains, rolling onto his stomach. "My neck is killing me. You're a horrible host."
Jongdae swallows. He's more than a horrible host. He's a horrible friend with a hidden agenda. He can't breathe thinking about if Jongin remembers their kiss. He wasn't counting but he guesses Jongin drank more than him. "I'm sorry, I sleep...fart."
"Sleep fart?" Jongin asks. "You're full of shit."
"And farts," Jongdae says. He smiles at Jongin's bed hair and messes it up further. Jongin clearly doesn't remember the kiss if he's joking around with Jongdae, but he tenses when Jongin's hand lands on his waist. "I wanted to let you know why I didn't tell Krystal about the fair. I want to explain."
"You don't have to," Jongdae breathes. He wonders where this is coming from all of a sudden, but at least he isn't talking about the kiss. Jongdae is pretty sure he could talk about anything except for that kiss he so foolishly had to plant on Jongin's poor, drunk, unknowing lips. He also wonders if Jongin has noticed Jongdae doesn't have any pants on.
"But I want to. I don't want you to think I'm ashamed of you or anything. She knows we hang out all the time. That day was just, different." Jongin takes a deep breath. "It was special. Just you and me."
Jongdae nods because words aren't coming to him now. He doesn't completely understand what Jongin is trying to say. He doesn't understand what's going on either. He just knows that he doesn't want Jongin to remember. He doesn't want Jongin to hate him.
"I think I...Jongdae, I think I," Jongin swallows and shakes his head, the moment of uncertainty gone. "Forget it. I should probably go. I've over stayed my welcome."
'Not at all' Jongdae wants to say, but his mouth refuses to obey his brain. Jongin waits for a few tense seconds before getting up and shutting the door behind him. Like a coward, Jongdae waits for Jongin to leave out the front door before getting out of his bed.
>>>>>
Jongdae isn't surprised when Jongin doesn't come around or call for a few days. It was pretty dicky of him not to say anything when Jongin was clearly having a hard time expressing himself, but Jongdae doesn't want to get his hopes up. Jongdae doesn't want to wish that what Jongin was about to say is what he wants to hear. So instead he retreats and gives Jongin space.
If his friends notice him acting differently, they don't say anything, and Jongdae is thankful. He needs time to himself, to regain what it is he wants from his relationship with Jongin. He doesn't know if he's 100% fine with being just Jongin's friend. He doesn't know if he's the type to sacrifice a friendship for the off chance it could be something more. What he doesn't know scares him, because he does love Jongin and his happiness is important to him, but right now he doesn't know how to make him happy. He figures giving him space is the best thing he can do for him.
>>>>>>
"You're being totally stupid," Kyungsoo says after Jongdae has told him everything because Kyungsoo notices everything and called him out for slacking off during practice. "You must have the IQ of a walnut."
Jongdae frowns. "I didn't confide in you so you'd insult me."
"Oh right, sorry. Well I think you should call him, maybe invite him to our next gig. You haven't talked for a week, that's a lifetime in gay boy/straight boy relationship years." Kyungsoo finishes his taco and shrugs as he chews.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll invite him to our gig. If he likes me he'll show up, if he doesn't then I'm screwed but I'll move on." Jongdae smiles, feeling the forced lines etching his skin. "I always move on, don't I?"
"We all do," Kyungsoo says, staring at his empty plate. "We all have to move on after we finish our last taco. It's sad, but that's the way life is."
Jongdae smacks his shoulder. "You're such a good friend."
"I see you more as a colleague," Kyungsoo says, lying through his teeth,because colleagues don't eat greasy Mexican food with you when you're being a dick to the guy you like.
"I'll text him," Jongdae says, taking a deep breath as he pulls out his cellphone. "Text messages are completely noncommittal."
"Sure, you tell yourself that."
>>>>>>
Jongdae sings three songs to empty chairs with his pride dragging on the floor. He tries not to dwell on the fact that Jongin might not come, because he has a show to finish, even if it is to the house regulars. He glances at Kyungsoo as he's singing the last verse of their final song, his anxiety getting the best of him causing his voice to crack.
"Thank you," he mumbles once the song is over. The only people there to clap are his fellow band mates and the bartender, but they don't because it was a horrible gig. "I'm sorry you guys," he says, turning around to look at their sullen faces. "I'm sorry I was out of it tonight, I'll do better next time. If the owner complains I'll tell him it was all my fault. And if we get fired I'll just get us a new gig, I promise."
"I didn't think it sounded that horrible."
Jongdae turns around so fast he almost gets whiplash. Who he sees makes his cheeks pull up in a smile. "Jongin? You're here?" He frowns. "You heard me whining for the past hour?"
"It sounded more like moaning to me," Jongin says. He's dressed in a formal suit, and he looks the most handsome Jongdae has ever seen him. "Can I borrow your lead singer for a second, guys?"
Jongdae doesn't give anyone a chance to protest because he jumps off the stage and almost falls into Jongin's arm, but he saves himself the cliche by catching himself in time. "We can talk backstage. It's pretty chilly outside at this hour."
Jongin nods so Jongdae walks toward the back of the stage and leads him into the hall closet that's barely large enough for the both of them and their awkward tension to fit, but it'll have to do.
Jongin curves his shoulders forward, trying to make space without bumping against Jongdae. He looks at his feet momentarily before speaking. "First off, I want to say that I think your singing voice is amazing."
Jongdae shakes his head, completely embarrassed Jongin heard him like that. "I was terrible, you should hear me when I'm not depressed."
Jongin smiles. "I would love that."
"You mean, you're not mad at me?" Jongdae fits his hands into the pockets of his oversized jersey.
"Of course not, why would I be mad?" Jongin asks.
Jongdae can think of a million reasons but he goes with the simplest, "Because I kissed you..."
"Oh that?" Jongin asks nonchalantly. "I'm not mad about that. I was a little taken aback but I'm not mad," he says, leaning back against the wall. Jongdae hates it when he looks so calm, cool and collected. He expected him to be a mess, begging Jongdae to be his handsome lover, but this Johnny Bravo is definitely something else.
"Then why did you pull away for a week and not talk to me?" Jongdae asks. He has a many more questions but he doesn't want to overwhelm Jongin.
"Oh my father made me attend a bunch of boring college fairs all week to help me narrow down my options for the spring." Jongin rubs the back of his neck. "and I had to take time to think, and...break up with Krystal."
"You're shitting me right now," Jongdae says. His heart is beating so fast he feels like he might puke.
"I'm not shitting you," Jongin says, taking a step forward and caging Jongdae against the opposite wall. "I broke up with her so we could start fresh."
"We? You mean..." Jongdae's pretty sure he's about to have a heart attack. It can't be normal for him to hear his blood rushing through his veins as if Niagara falls were in his body.
"You're awfully slow tonight," Jongin teases, breath tickling Jongdae's neck. "It's okay, I'm pretty patient."
"Wait a second," Jongdae says, pushing Jongin away. "You were straight a few days ago."
"I never told you I was straight; you just assumed."
"But Krystal-"
"Was my girlfriend yes, but that doesn't mean I only swing one way," he chuckles like he hasn't made Jongdae suffer all this time. "I guess you could say I'm a revolving door."
"Please shut up and kiss me. I've wanted to kiss you since the second I saw you, and now you're telling me I could've? That's some straight up bullshit. Who does shit like that? You mean you've been holding out on me all this time? I will fucking piss on everything you love you rich twerp."
Sadly Jongdae doesn't completely avoid cliches that night, because Jongin smiles before shutting him up with a kiss.
>>>>>>
One month later
"Even out on the brake; you can't stop so abruptly."
Jongdae tries again and fails.
"You're stepping too hard on the break, just ease into it," Jongin recommends, pushing his hair out of his face. Jongdae has never seen him break a sweat so quickly but he's practically drenched after just 10 minutes of teaching him how to drive. Jongdae wasn't even the one to suggest it, so Jongin has no right to complain. He'd been so appalled at Jongdae's lack of driving skills that he had insisted they practice. Immediately. Too bad Jongin is a terrible teacher.
"Softer."
"I'm not doing it on purpose," Jongdae complains. "This thing has a mind of its own. I think it has a personal vendetta against me. It's probably jealous I'm so handsome."
Jongin makes a face. "Lila is a saint, she's just not used to someone else driving her. Especially someone so awful."
Jongdae stares at him, appalled. "You named your car? You're that type of guy?" He rolls his eyes, but he's smiling. "I hope you don't have a special name for your penis."
Jongin chokes like he just swallowed a fly, but then he tries to act cool, leaning back all suave like and says, "maybe you'll find out later."
"If you don't have one, I already have a few ideas," Jongdae says, wiggling his eyebrows at him.
Jongin makes sure the car is in park before turning his body toward Jongdae. "Do share these contenders."
"I need to know if it has a nickname already or not," Jongdae smirks, putting the emergency on for safety precautions. He never knows when Jongin's hands are going to wander.
"It doesn't," Jongin says, looking exasperated. "Now can you share these creative ideas of yours for the sacred naming of my penis?"
"Sacred? Now you're just putting words in my mouth," Jongdae laughs. "Well the first name would be Becky."
"Becky?" Jongin narrows his eyes at him. "Why Becky?"
"Because Becky sounds like a bitch's name."
Jongin doesn't comment, but Jongdae can tell he wants to cry. "Go on."
"Second name would be MJ."
"Michael Jackson?" Jongin asks, looking disturbed and Jongdae wanting to name his penis after the king of pop.
"No, you doofus, Michael Jordan, because it's long and great at making the winning shot."
Jongin laughs hard at that one and hooks his fingers around Jongdae's. Their hands are cold because of the AC in the car but they warm up quickly from the friction against Jongdae's thigh. "Okay, do you have any more?"
Jongdae thinks for a second. Honestly, he's making these up as he goes along, but Jongin doesn't have to know that. "I thought of a few actually, but these two are my favorite."
"So Becky and MJ?" Jongin scratches his chin. "Which do you think suits me more?"
Jongdae leans in, closing the distance, trapping Jongin's lips. "I think I’d rather just scream your name during sex."
Jongin pretends he doesn't blush but they both know he does. "I think I’d prefer that too. It would be awkward if you yelled out Becky as you came."
Jongdae kisses him again, letting Jongin know what he wants without having to say it. "Do you want to drive me home? If I try, we'll probably get there tomorrow, and we both know you don't have the patience."
Jongin's out of the car and crossing over to the driver's side before Jongdae finishes his sentence.
2nd A/N: this fic is sponsored in part by my lovely Mi!!!!!!. I'm sorry this is so late but i love you and i hope you enjoy my fail fluff. Happy late birthday! Also super thanks to Biba for being my flawless editing queen!