heart bugs and head games
►recipient: everyone
►title: heart bugs and head games
►pairing: chen/suho, side!sehun/d.o.
rating: r
►word count: 6.9k
►warnings: Overachieving Nerd!Junmyeon, underaged drinking, underaged wizards doing adult things
►summary: The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework.
►author's notes: Mentions of other SMTown artists. I’m not using South Korea's school year, but chinguline are in the same year. Apologies for the random mix of British and American slang/word-usage and any inaccuracies with HP canon. It’s been a while since I last read the books or HP fics OTL. Let’s pretend there are after school detention sessions run by Prefects. And that the curfew for 6th-7th years is 10 or 11pm. And that all 6th year Potions students brew Amortentia at some point.
♚
After countering three bat-bogey hexes, handing out two detentions, and taking points from his own house after he caught a fellow Fifth Year snogging another student in a broom closet-all before lunch-Kim Junmyeon decides he is having a bad day.
Definitely not a good day.
But after lunch is his free period, and he is looking forward to some quiet time in the library at his favorite spot, studying all by his lonesome. With no other trouble-causing students or hexes, and hopefully without anyone snogging in the nearby stacks.
He walks to his spot at the back of the library with heavy feet, and probably an angry look on his face-three first years quickly leave the table next to his when they see him. Usually first years love him.
One person doesn’t leave the vicinity, however. They’re sitting at his table at the end opposite his favorite seat, hunched over a book. When the first years scatter, the intruder turns around, and Junmyeon would curse if he wasn’t supposed to set an example for other students.
Sitting at his table is Kim Jongdae, one of the students he had to give a detention to this morning. Luckily, Byun Baekhyun isn’t around, nor Park Chanyeol, the other Gryffindor student he had given detention. He almost expects to see Do Kyungsoo with him, kicking his ass to study, but he remembers the younger Ravenclaw is in Potions.
“What do you want, Jongdae?” he questions, pulling out his favorite chair. He sinks onto the cushion with a weary sigh and leans his head back against the chair until he’s looking at the ceiling and not at one of the people causing his stressful day.
“This is the library,” Jongdae quips, not bothering to look up. “Am I not allowed to study in the library?”
Junmyeon looks down at him, suspicious. “You can study wherever you want. My question is why you’re studying here.”
“This is the library.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what you’re asking.”
Running his hands down his face, Junmyeon decides to drop it. This kid has caused him enough headaches for one day. “Never mind, never mind. Just study your whatever. Please keep quiet.”
“I will be quiet, hyung. You’re supposed to be quiet in the library.”
“Since when do you follow rules?” he throws back.
With a smirk, Jongdae turns to him. “Only when you ask me to.”
Junmyeon just rolls his eyes and ignores him.
♚
Every free period they share, Jongdae shows up to study in the library.
He doesn’t always sit at Junmyeon’s table, though that seems to be his favorite spot, to Junmyeon’s dismay. Wherever he sits, he is always close enough to needle the older boy before they begin studying quietly. It’s almost always, “Did you see our prank, hyung?” or "It wasn’t us this time, hyung.”
The four of them have been getting into less and less trouble lately. Any other Prefect would find this a relief, but Junmyeon knows these boys. If they’re foregoing their small, harmless pranks, then they’re planning something big. And if they have the combined minds of Do Kyungsoo and Byun Baekhyun planning it, it will definitely be big.
So Junmyeon just gives Jongdae his best ‘I know you’re up to something’-Prefect look and ignores the boy. At this point, Jongdae always leaves him alone, though he looks over at him every once in a while.
♚
For the fifth time in half an hour, Jongdae has looked over at Junmyeon from the table next to him, made to stand up, and decided not to.
The first four times, Junmyeon had wanted to see how it would play out-was the fidgeting his tell, and Junmyeon would soon find himself having to counter a stink bomb? Was Jongdae supposed to keep him busy while Chanyeol and Baekhyun set up traps?
"Hey, hyung?" he hears behind him.
Jongdae will later double over laughing when he tells Kyungsoo how high Junmyeon jumped. Junmyeon will deny it until his face is as blue as his tie.
Presently, he tries to play it off as him stretching in between turning pages. He clears his throat. "Yes, Jongdae?" he asks.
Jongdae coughs to cover his laugh. "I'm having trouble with translating these runes. Do you... think you could help?"
"Yeah, of course," he says, beginning to stand. Jongdae gestures for him to stay sitting.
"I'll just bring my things over here."
Junmyeon expects the younger boy to sit in the seat across from him, but Jongdae pulls out the chair next to him and sits, facing him with a smile. He lays his chin in his hand, elbow propped on the table and says, "So, Ancient Runes."
"Yes," Junmyeon hums. With his knee, he pushes the younger's seat to face forward. "Ancient Runes. On the table. In front of you."
Jongdae's smile doesn't fade. It grows, along with the warmth on Junmyeon's cheeks.
Every free period they share, Jongdae shows up to study in the library. Every time, he arrives second, flashes a brilliant smile, and sits next to Junmyeon.
Every time, Junmyeon wonders what exactly he's gotten himself into.
♚
The general reaction to Do Kyungsoo becoming Ravenclaw’s Prefect the next year is a mix of 'he's perfect for the job' and 'has the Headmistress lost her mind?' Junmyeon is of the general crowd, mostly unsure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Whether or not Kyungsoo admits it-he never, ever gets caught, but Junmyeon knows it's him-he has been the mastermind behind most of the quartet's worst (best, from Jongdae's point of view) stunts. But, Junmyeon has never seen the three beagles answer to someone as quickly as they do Kyungsoo when he throws them his infamous glare. Neither has he seen them bend over so far backwards for anything but the threat of Kyungsoo's fists or his Charms.
So, though Kyungsoo is an evil genius who once got all the food, just the food, in the Great Hall to float to the ceiling in the middle of dinner, he is an asset to the Prefects. The Head Boy and Girl dub him the secret weapon to taming the terrible quartet before he even steps into the Prefect carriage on September 1.
Kyungsoo dodges their attempts at coddling him and gravitates toward Junmyeon, as he does in any situation that does not involve his various Gryffindor friends. In kind, Junmyeon takes him under his metaphorical wing.
They both know what the other Prefects want from him, and they both know that Kyungsoo is too good a friend to betray future prank plans and secrets. Junmyeon teaches him to play the subtle politics of the Prefect-hood, and the younger fits into his role seamlessly and with everyone, including Junmyeon, unknowingly wrapped around his finger. All without giving up a single hint to any of the quartet's plans.
Junmyeon thinks the three beagles would be thrilled at having an inside man, but the frown on Jongdae's face when Kyungsoo first joins them for their study sessions makes him begin to doubt.
"What?" Kyungsoo bites.
"Why are you here?" Jongdae questions, squinting his eyes at his friend in suspicion. "You never want to study with me."
Kyungsoo shrugs. "I always study in the library. My love for the library is greater than my love for you."
Junmyeon tries to ignore them and focus on the parchment in front of him. He's used to their little arguments.
"I would hex you if you didn't just admit you love me."
"I would give you a detention if you hexed me."
The Prefect has his eyebrow raised. "Alright," Jongdae relents.
Junmyeon sighs. "Can we study in peace now?" He goes back to writing.
Jongdae faces Kyungsoo. "You can stay, but back off ‘the thing.’"
"I would never get in the way of ‘the thing,’" he responds, rolling his eyes.
"I know," Jongdae says. "But I should still threaten you."
"No one would dare interfere with the thing."
Kyungsoo rarely joins them after that day, which is actually a good thing because a blond Fourth Year has taken to following him around.
When he does join them on days like today, the Fourth Year follows like a lost puppy and won't stop asking questions.
Jongdae looks like he wants to crack up. Junmyeon feels a headache coming on. Kyungsoo somehow ignores most of it. Eventually, the eldest gets fed up and turns to the boy, scolding, "Sehun, one of the rules of the library is that there be minimal conversation."
"Sorry, hyung. Please don't take points," Sehun begs.
“As if five points would do anything to change the rankings,” Jongdae mumbles.
Sehun pouts at him. “Whatever, Gryffindor.”
Jongdae smirks back. “Whatever, Slytherin.”
"This is just a warning," Junmyeon assures him.
"But, hyung. I really need help on this question."
At first, Junmyeon thinks he is talking to him. But, no, Sehun's focus is back where it was ten seconds ago: on Kyungsoo. The other boy looks like he’ll continue ignoring the younger, but a kick from Jongdae gets his attention.
With a heavy sigh, the Ravenclaw gathers up his things and stands. “Let’s go find Jongin, Sehun. These two want to be alone.”
“Why do you want to find Jongin? He can’t help me with Arithmancy.” Sehun immediately jumps up and follows him out.
Junmyeon watches them go, confused. Jongdae, though, is back to laughing at them. “Did I miss something?” Junmyeon asks.
“The kid was getting picked on. Kyungsoo stopped it and gave his bullies detention,” Jongdae declares, obviously proud of his friend. “Now the kid won’t leave him alone.”
“I figured it was something like that,” Junmyeon says, but he’s still confused. “But Sehun’s not exactly the studious type.”
Jongdae laughs loudly, quickly covering his mouth with his sleeve. “You notice so many things, hyung. But then there are other things you’re oblivious to.”
“Like?” he challenges.
“The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework. I’ll just leave it at that.”
“But isn’t that obvious?”
Jongdae pokes his cheek. “Think about why Sehun wants Kyungsoo’s attention, then.”
“Maybe later, when I don’t have a D.A.D.A. essay to write,” he says, pushing the topic to the back of his mind in favor of the books in front of him.
He doesn’t see Jongdae watching him intently, head resting on his hand. When their free period ends, the younger boy plays it off as having fallen asleep before the older boy can notice.
♚
To the surprise of no one, Junmyeon is selected to be Head Boy his seventh year, and his already tight schedule becomes completely filled. For weeks after his appointment, the only people he sees outside of class are Prefects, professors, students in detention, and the Head Girl, Bae Joohyeon.
His day begins at dawn and ends hours after curfew when most of the castle is already asleep. He can’t remember the last time he was able to study in the library. Instead he studies at night in the sitting room of the Heads’ dorms until he’s ready to collapse. His finishes assignments much more quickly without having to help any of the Gryffindor Sixth Years with their homework, but time slips away from him. He’s fallen asleep on the sofa enough times that Joohyeon has made a habit of waking up a little earlier to check on him.
She had woken him up today, too, barely awake herself, before going to wash up and prepare for the day. It’s the third time this week, and it’s only Wednesday. Her wake up call had not been kind.
Junmyeon feels another bad day coming when he catches Baekhyun trying to plant a stink bomb in the fourth-floor lavatory after breakfast.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite Head Boy!” the Sixth Year yells.
“Isn’t it too early to be pulling stunts, Baekhyun?” he reprimands.
Before Baekhyun can answer, Kyungsoo steps out of the lavatory. Sehun stumbles out behind him, bumping into the shorter boy.
Kyungsoo takes one look at Junmyeon, sees the stink bomb in Baekhyun’s hand, and scoffs. “Five points from Gryffindor.” Baekhyun gasps exaggeratedly while Sehun fist pumps.
“But I’m your best friend!” Baekhyun cries. Kyungsoo just confiscates the bomb and pushes him down the hall. Baekhyun walks away with an overdramatic pout and a shaking fist. “I’ll get you someday!”
“Take that to Mister Filch, please.” Stink bomb-crisis averted, Junmyeon figures he can be on his way, but the younger Ravenclaw stops him with a hand on his shoulder.
“I will, in a minute. I need to ask you something not-Prefect related, if you don’t mind, hyung,” he says, and the elder is struck by the thought that this is his first conversation with Kyungsoo outside of Prefect duties since he became Head Boy. “When was the last time you talked to Jongdae? Or Jongin? Or anyone?”
Junmyeon is stunned silent. He honestly doesn’t know. The younger just shakes his head, mumbles something about Junmyeon needing to take it easy, and walks away, Sehun following behind him like always.
When was the last time Junmyeon talked to anyone for the sake of talking? With no agendas or instructions or scoldings? He only sees Chanyeol and Baekhyun during detentions, Jongdae in passing between classes. He wakes up on Saturdays in the middle of the day, missing all his friends heading to Hogsmeade and too tired to do anything but read in the quiet Great Hall. His free time is spent doing light reading in whatever empty classrooms he can find, and even that time seems to be getting shorter and shorter as the assignments pile up. And the N.E.W.T.s are ever present in the back of his mind.
Joohyeon always tells him they can assign some of the smaller jobs to the Sixth Year Prefects, but he’s convinced he’ll be fine once they get in the swing of things.
The last time Junmyeon had used words in actual complete sentences with Jongdae was through his owl near the start of term, when he had declined the younger’s invitation to visit Hogsmeade with their friends. Now, almost a month since that letter, Chen taps its beak rhythmically against his window again. The creature flies away as soon as he takes the envelope.
“Hyung, I splinched myself :( Pretty badly too. It’s all good now, but I’m gonna be in the hospital wing all day. Come visit me~”
Junmyeon’s heart jumps into his throat and stays there as he heads down to the hospital wing. He's seen people get splinched during Apparation lessons, sometimes whole limbs get left behind. His mind fills with worry for the other boy. The staircases won’t cooperate with him, and he gets lost for a second in the maze. The staircase he’s standing on jolts and moves and he has to start over again. His head spins until his feet hit the correct platform and he arrives at the corridor, breathless.
The door to the wing is open, and he can hear Jongdae’s energetic voice filtering into the hallway. His heart settles in his chest, slowing to a steady pounding. It is all good now.
But he hears a lighter, higher-pitched laugh join Jongdae’s laughter. He stops.
Looking around the corner into the hospital wing, he sees the yellow hood-lining of a Hufflepuff robe peeking through long, flowing black hair and Jongdae folded over in laughter. Her hand is in his.
Junmyeon’s heart sinks into his stomach and stays there, weighing him down. He goes back to his dorm, not understanding what sort of bug was making him feel ill.
♚
He does visit later, when there’s barely enough time for a decent conversation before Madame Pomfrey chases all the visitors out. He uses Head Boy duties and studying for N.E.W.T.s as an excuse, like he always has. Jongdae is happy to see him anyway, smiling and laughing like his usual self, calling Junmyeon an overachiever.
The visit is brief, and both boys frown in disappointment as Junmyeon leaves.
♚
Junmyeon doesn’t avoid Jongdae after he’s released from the hospital wing, but he doesn’t seek out his company either. He falls back into his routine, studying in the library after classes and during his free period, with more rest thanks to Joohyeon taking over and distributing some of their more menial tasks to the older Prefects. Only the Gryffindor Fifth Years have the same free period and Jongin would rather spend it napping than studying. Going back to his favorite spot brings stability back into his academic life, and the solitude allows him to plow through rolls of parchment.
He’s on his way to the History section when Jongdae steps out of the aisle in front of him, book in hand. The younger lets out a surprised laugh when he sees him. "Hyung! Long time no see. How've you been?"
Junmyeon feels guilty when he sees Jongdae’s eyes crinkle from his smile. “Good,” he says, trying to ignore the sudden twang in his gut. Please not the bug again, he thinks. “Need sources for some essays, so I’m heading to the History section.”
“I can help you look,” Jongdae says, his smile becoming impossibly wider, taking the parchment from Junmyeon. “We can catch up on the way.”
Or Junmyeon could find things on his own, without Jongdae, and get away from the younger. When he so much as sees or hears Jongdae, the bug from a month ago comes crawling back into his stomach.
But the Gryffindor grabs him by the arm and drags him along, looking through Junmyeon’s parchment with the other hand. "History of Magic? Okay, Arithmancy, D.A.D.A., Transfig., Potions, blah dee blah… Ancient Runes? You know, all the N.E.W.T.-levels you're taking would definitely look great to Gringotts."
In Junmyeon’s fourth year, when the O.W.L.s were introduced to them along with career options, he spent an entire lunch period describing curse-breaking to a Third Year Kyungsoo. The Gryffindor trio of Baekhyun, Jongdae, and Chanyeol had been fooling around next to them, like always. It had been a short-lived obsession; by the time his fifth year came around, Junmyeon was on track to a career in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Junmyeon only remembers Kyungsoo listening to him. He can't help the smile on his face. "You remember that?"
"Of course! Curse-breaking sounds way more fun than a Ministry desk job, but if you don't want to travel all over the world looking for gold..."
Junmyeon playfully slaps his shoulder in response. "Rules are necessary, and some people," he pokes the younger's side, "don't like to follow them. Someone has to take care of the rulebreakers."
"Rules are meant to be broken. Would you have taken care of me if I didn't break rules?" Jongdae says, as they turn into an empty corner of the library. Junmyeon doesn't get to answer and they don't make it into the aisle they’re meant to reach, because Jongdae pushes him back with wide eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asks, only to be shushed. The Gryffindor pushes him into a nearby shelf, gesturing for him to be quiet.
“Why don’t we try the biography section first?" Jongdae whispers.
"We're already at the History section,” Junmyeon whispers back. “What is it? What are you up to?”
“Nothing, I swear. You just don’t want to go over there,” the younger insists.
Just then, they hear a stifled moan.
Junmyeon’s face immediately heats up. “Merlin’s beard, I hate when this happens.” He’s about to find and scold the couple when he hears a familiar breathy laugh. He gapes at Jongdae. The younger just covers his face, trying not to laugh.
“Sehun?” he whispers. Jongdae nods.
”Ow, ow, ow! I’m sorry I laughed! Sorry!” Sehun yelps.
”I don’t think that’s enough of an apology,” the second voice says.
Now Jongdae is doubled over, mouth hanging open from cracking up silently. Junmyeon just flinches.
“Sehun and Kyungsoo?” he chokes out. Jongdae quickly covers his mouth before Junmyeon can give them away.
With the elder Ravenclaw still in shock, it’s easy for Jongdae to maneuver him to another section of the library. It’s darker here, devoid of windows and with only floating candles for light. They sit among the unsorted stacks, books upon books forming walls around them. It’s strangely comforting for Junmyeon. Away from anyone else, he realizes the ridiculousness of the situation they were just in and lets out a roar of laughter.
“People have no shame,” Jongdae says, joining in. They’re cackles soon fade into quiet giggles.
“I should have given them detention,” Junmyeon considers, leaning his head back over the chairback. “Or at least taken points.”
“You can show favoritism every once in a while, I won’t tell,” the younger jokes. “Besides, Sehun would have loved to have detention with Kyungsoo. Hey, hyung? Hyung? Junmyeon!”
He jolts awake before he completely falls backward in his chair. “What happened?” He yawns loudly. “I’m sorry. That bit of excitement drained the rest of my energy.”
The Gryffindor frowns at him. “Come here,” he commands, pulling the Head Boy until he’s standing next to a nearby candle.
“Hyung, have you been sleeping okay?” Jongdae questions, turning his head towards the flame and taking in the color of his face in the change of light. The bags under his eyes are probably more noticeable.
“I have lately,” he assures him. “I wasn’t before, but I am now. I promise.”
Jongdae holds his gaze, searching for any hint of a lie. Finding none, his fingers glance over his eyelids as if to smooth out the wrinkles himself. “You have to sleep, hyung. At least be healthy if you have to be busy.” He sighs. “What am I going to do with you?”
Everything has been so different this year for Junmyeon, so much more studying and new responsibilities, so little time for friendship. But Jongdae is the same as always, still warm and filled with laughter, still stealing his attention. Still caring. Junmyeon closes his eyes and leans forward into the younger’s touch. This is comforting, too, like the walls of books, a catharsis. He could sleep easily like this. Jongdae’s breath tickles his lips; the scent reaches his nose.
The bug is back, and it’s reached his lungs. Maybe his heart, with the way it’s pounding uncontrollably.
“Stop,” he says to himself, annoyed with the stupid thing.
Jongdae springs back instantly, bumping into a stack. They barely manage to stop it from toppling before Jongdae quickly backs away again, saying, “Sorry, uh, I should get back to what I was doing earlier. Yeah. You can find your books on your own okay, right? Right. I’ll just…”
The bug is definitely in his heart now, because it twists as he watches Jongdae walk away.
Warmth lingers on his cheeks, not from his racing pulse but from Jongdae’s hands. He can almost feel the pressure of his fingers slowly turning his head as the younger inspected him, the strokes of his thumbs against his cheekbone.
And he can’t help but think of something Jongdae said some time ago, something random, and irrelevant, but present in his mind.
“The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework.”
♚
When a House wins a Quidditch match, there are two possible results: they throw a party in their common room, or they wait a week or so until the professors least expect it, and then throw a party.
Word of the parties hasn't reached any professors all term, though they've been happening. Junmyeon and Joohyeon don't know if they should be glad no one gets caught anyone red-handed while on patrol. On the one hand, rules are being broken. On the other hand, they don’t have to break up hundreds of students by themselves. And if the parties aren’t being broken up, then they get to go to them. Junmyeon only stays up for Ravenclaw celebrations, but Joohyeon often frequents them when she needs to unwind. They honestly don’t feel nearly as guilty as they should.
Gryffindor wins in November, and the party is expected to be twice as wild as the last one, which had been twice as wild as the previous one, and so on. All the Prefects are prepared, as are the Head Boy and Head Girl, though in different ways.
It’s past curfew by the time Junmyeon finishes checking up on the Prefects assigned patrol. Unsurprisingly, no Gryffindor Prefects are on duty. Joohyeon is probably at the party. He doubts she’s in her room, not when she quickly disappeared after checking on the younger students with earlier curfews. Effectively saddling him with the older Prefects who don’t head to bed until midnight.
He’s alone in their sitting room, revising a Potions essay, when someone knocks. He rises quickly, expecting an inebriated Joohyeon who can’t remember the password, or one of the patrolling Prefects. For a second, he dreads it’s one of the professors having caught some partygoers, or discovered the party itself.
He does not expect Kim Jongdae to crash into him and head-butt his chest. “What?”
“Hyung,” he sings, “hyungie, hyung, hyung. ‘Myeonie, ‘Myeon-hyung, ‘Myeon.”
“Are you drunk?” he asks.
“Hyoong,” Jongdae giggles. He head-butts the elder’s shoulder and twists his head back and forth. “Joon-hyoong.”
That confirms it. “Jongdae, how much Firewhisky have you had?”
“Dunno. Was it Furwhisky? Don’ think so.” He lifts his chin and rests it on Junmyeon’s shoulder. “But ‘m sleepy.”
“It’s past curfew. I should be punishing you, but if you get back to your dorm right now, I’ll pretend this never happened.”
“No,” the drunk Gryffindor whines. “No, no, no, no, no!”
Jongdae is not just drunk, he realizes; he’s completely sloshed. Junmyeon steps back into the sitting room. Jongdae, arms still latched around his waist, gets pulled along and yells, “Yay! Head Boy Party!”
Junmyeon sits on the sofa with a thump. Instead of letting go, Jongdae gets pulled down with him. He climbs onto the elder like a koala, arms around his torso and legs tucked at his hips.
“Junmyeon,” he slurs. The elder can feel his voice vibrate against his chest.
“Yes?”
Jongdae sits up and looks at him for a second, before leaning forward to cling to him again. This time, his arms circle Junmyeon’s neck. “I have to tell you about a thing,” he whispers into his ear, like it’s a big secret.
“A thing?” Junmyeon croaks.
“Mmhmm, a thing, but not ‘the thing,’ just a thing.”
Junmyeon is very confused. He raises his arms, but instead of pushing the younger away like he thinks he should, he sets one hand on Jongdae’s shoulder, and the other against the back of his neck. If he satisfies his whims, maybe he’ll calm down sooner. The other boy is really warm, probably from the alcohol, but it’s been a long night and Junmyeon is cold. His skin feels like a blanket against his own.
“Okay, a thing. What thing?”
Jongdae presses his face to Junmyeon’s neck and takes a deep breath through his nostrils. When he exhales, his breath fans all over Junmyeon’s neck and the side of his face. He can smell Firewhisky and mead and something else, something sweeter, something familiar that tugs at the back of his mind the same time the bug tugs at his heart.
“You really smell like nice,” he mumbles to the elder.
“Thank you?” he responds automatically. He’s not sure if that sentence was in the right order. Translating drunk people is not one of his talents.
“Like home cooking and a pretty house.”
It is too late at night for this. Junmyeon just wants to sleep. He does not want to deal with drunk friends climbing all over him and talking about nice houses. “What did you want to tell me, Jongdae?”
“I just told you.”
“You-,” Junmyeon breaks off with a sigh. He may be irritable, but Jongdae is still one of his best friends. “You wanted to tell me that I smell nice?”
“No, like nice. And home cooking... pretty house.”
“So, I smell like what ‘nice’ would smell like if it had a smell... also, home cooking and a pretty house?” Jongdae sighs again. His breath reaches the back of Junmyeon’s neck and he can’t help but shiver.
“Yep,” the younger says, letting ‘P’ pop. “S’what the Am… tent?... thingy said. Yep.”
Junmyeon feels Jongdae press his lips once at the side of his neck, once at the edge of his jaw, and once just below his ear where he bites down for a split second. He runs his lips against the bit of collarbone peeking from beneath Joonmyeon’s crewneck, and drags his tongue along his pulse point before nipping at the other side of his neck, moving slowly from the tip of his breastbone up to his earlobe. A chill runs up the elder’s spine as warm fingers reach under his shirt and brush against his cold skin.
Everything suddenly stops, and Junmyeon wonders if he’s done something wrong, if he should have responded. But then he feels the steady rise and fall of Jongdae’s chest, the slack grip at his waist, and the quiet breathing. Jongdae has fallen asleep.
A wave of relief washes over him; with the younger boy asleep, Junmyeon could finally get to bed. If only he could untangle himself from his limbs.
He gently lifts the Gryffindor's arms from his sides in an attempt to shift Jongdae's weight onto the couch.
Jongdae's arms suddenly tighten around him as he lets out a soft moan. Junmyeon freezes, too.
In his fidgeting, he had made the mistake of raising his hips. The movement had been slight, but now their crotches are pressed together and a wave of pleasure runs through Junmyeon's body. He groans when Jongdae, still asleep, ruts into him once with a soft whimper of, "'Myeon."
It hits Junmyeon then: Jongdae had been kissing him, Jongdae is on top of him-Jongdae who is one quarter of the terrible quartet and Junmyeon's friend of years. And they're both very hard.
He pushes the younger away from him and stands, maybe too harshly, making the Gryffindor fall onto his side on the sofa cushions. Junmyeon feels the bug crawling around in his gut as he watches Jongdae whine and thrust his hips forward into nothing. He's still again the next second, letting out a soft snore.
Junmyeon paces, running his fingers through his hair, over his face, taking deep breaths-anything to calm down. His slacks feel too tight, and he wishes he was sleeping with his roomy pajamas having an odd dream, instead of out here facing an awkward situation while still dressed for school.
The bug is definitely back. His skin feels like it’s on fire-he has a fever-his chest shouldn’t feel like it’s trying to suck itself into his heart and his stomach shouldn’t feel so hollow.
This is Jongdae, Jongdae who is shit at Runes, Jongdae who has studied with him, dined with him, made him laugh whenever he was stressed, Jongdae always the same, constant Jongdae.
He looks down at his underclassmen, snoring and drooling on the sofa. This is also drunk out of his mind Jongdae who probably won't remember this the next day.
His heart twists again, stupid bug.
♚
He sets Jongdae up in the sitting room with blankets, pillows, and plenty of water, then goes to take a cold shower in the Prefect’s bathroom.
He doesn’t know what happens with Jongdae the next morning. Joohyeon probably sees him out, shares her hangover potion with him, who knows. He’s gone before Junmyeon wakes up.
♚
This time, Junmyeon is actually trying to avoid Jongdae. All their friends realize it, but they say nothing of their opinions except for rolled eyes and exasperated sighs. He expects Jongdae himself has finally realized it after the incident in the hallway. The Gryffindor had been sitting on a windowsill in the hallway when Junmyeon turned the corner. He had hoped to retreat before he could be seen, but the younger looked up and their eyes met. He had waved, but Junmyeon had only stopped mid-step, turned, and continued walking down the adjacent corridor.
Jongdae must be angry, but Junmyeon avoids thinking about his feelings for the boy as well as he avoids meeting him. It’s easier to be cold than to try to figure anything out, and he doesn’t expect anything from the other except the same coldness he had received from Junmyeon.
He does not expect to find Jongdae waiting outside the Heads’ dormitory with a stony look on his face.
“Can we talk?” he asks, when the Head Boy stops in front of him.
“Jongdae,” he responds. Curt. Brief. “What is it?”
“I think it’d be best if we had this conversation inside.”
“I won’t be here long. We’re meeting the Prefects in the Great Hall in twenty minutes.”
“I won’t take up too much of your time,” Jongdae says.
Wanting this to end as soon as possible, Junmyeon relents. “Fine. Come in.”
As soon as Junmyeon sits on the sofa, the younger speaks, watching him from where he stands next to the window. “I remember everything that happened that night,” he says, to Junmyeon’s surprise. “I remember it vividly, and I’m sorry I came onto you like that. I was drunk, but that doesn’t excuse anything. I understand if you never want to see me again, but we’re good friends, aren’t- weren’t we? Don’t I at least deserve to hear that from you, if you want me out of your life?”
“I don’t want you out of my life,” Junmyeon interrupts. “Honestly, I don’t.”
Jongdae frowns in confusion. “Then why are you avoiding me? Why won’t you even look me in the eye?” he asks, voice small.
Junmyeon’s heart twists, and he recognizes the symptoms. His palms begin to sweat, his heartbeat picks up, his stomach folds in on itself. He doesn’t understand why it keeps happening. He hasn’t even really looked at Jongdae, only kept him in his peripheral vision.
“Because I can’t,” he responds.
The younger exhales with shaky breath. “Okay,” he sighs. “Okay. I’m sorry. I really am. I’ll just go, let you get back to your business.”
Junmyeon stands hurriedly, cutting him off before he can reach the door. “No, don’t- please stay and hear me out.” Even with his hands planted firmly on the other’s shoulders, he still can’t look him in the eye.
He can, however, look at his lips. His heart twists again.
"I can't, because every time I see you I want to kiss you. I like you, Jongdae. This is new for me, you have to understand that. I'm not a romantic, I'm not interested in relationships, but you- with you- sometimes I just want to hold you-" Jongdae pulls him into his arms, hands settling at his lower back.
"Avoiding is easier," he continues, chin resting on the Gryffindor's shoulder. "Because with everything else, I am so confused, and so tired."
"I like you, too, hyung," Jongdae confesses, "and I just want you to talk to me." His fingers begin to knead at Junmyeon's lower back, releasing some of the tension there. "Whenever you need to, just talk to me like this. Or over dinner, if you'll let me take you to Hogsmeade, or the Great Hall is fine, too," he jokes.
The elder pushes against the younger’s shoulders until they’re looking at each other. This is the playful, laughing, caring Kim Jongdae looking at him-not drunk, unfocused Jongdae-and he whispers, “Jongdae.” The most beautiful smile spreads onto the other’s face. Junmyeon closes his eyes, sears the image onto his eyelids. Of this Jongdae, his Jongdae close to him here, calming the erratic beating of his heart with his smiles and touches.
All the fatigue leaves his body the next second when Jongdae’s lips meet his halfway. There’s no room for breathing after that, only short gasps of air between one kiss and the next. Their nostrils flare as their kisses become one long caress of each other’s lips, not wanting to separate for as long as possible.
Junmyeon has kissed people before-under mistletoe, as a dare, for party games-but they were always female and they were never friends. It was never this urgent or this heated, not even with the people he had been attracted to.
Jongdae moves one hand from Junmyeon’s waist to his hair, tightening his hold and pressing himself even closer to the elder. Junmyeon can feel the younger’s hardness pressed against his thigh, and he shifts his leg forward to press against it. "Is this okay?" he asks, detaching their lips. The younger throws his head back as he moans. “Yes, hyung,” he gasps. Junmyeon's own hardness comes to his attention.
Jongdae steps forward until he has the other pressed against the wall. He braces himself with a hand next to the elder's head and shoves his other hand up his shirt, stroking below his navel. Junmyeon's hands come down his back to rest against his clothed ass as Jongdae slides his foot between the elder's, pressing his thigh against his crotch.
"Ah," Junmyeon's voice trembles. The younger nips at his jawline, his soft humming indicating his pleasure. Junmyeon can't help himself, he begins rutting against his thigh. His grip on the other's ass tightens with every thrust, and the slightest shift has his own thigh brushing Jongdae's crotch. With a gasp, the younger loses control, hands running all over the skin of his torso, nails digging in.
Junmyeon lifts his leg and hooks it around the younger's back, pulling him closer and aligning their centers. Jongdae yelps, hands finding purchase on the elder's shoulders as Junmyeon arches his back.
Their movements increase in pace, and Jongdae gasps against Junmyeon's neck. "Please," he begs, and Junmyeon brings his head down to meet the younger in a heated kiss.
Jongdae nips his lower lip enthusiastically, sucking it into his mouth. Junmyeon moans, head tilting back, and Jongdae uses the opportunity to lick into the elder's mouth, tongue meeting tongue.
The pressure grows and grows with every flick of Jongdae's tongue against his, with every thrust of their hips.
Their thrusts grow wilder, the tension between them about to explode. "Jongdae," Junmyeon groans against his lips. "Dae."
The younger trails his lips against the elder's cheeks until he's mouthing at his ear. One nip of his earlobe and Junmyeon freezes, back arched as pleasure wracks through him from head to toe.
Jongdae groans, moving faster and faster, breath fanning the elder's neck. He holds the other up, arm reaching back to keep his leg in place. "Junmyeon. Please, hyung, please," he moans, and the other boy trembles against him, sensitive. Junmyeon leans forward enough to kiss his neck. His pulse races beneath his lips, and he sucks hard until Jongdae comes undone.
They stand there for a few minutes, breathing laboured and heads resting against each other.
Junmyeon jumps when Jongdae lets out a loud whoop. They're both laughing after that, hands on hips, just looking at each other.
"Where did that come from?" Jongdae asks, out of breath.
"I don't know," Junmyeon answers, leaning his head back against the wall. Through the nearby window, he can see the sun setting-the meeting. “I’m late,” he gasps, still trying to catch his breath.
Jongdae laughs and laces their fingers together. "I'll walk you down? After we get cleaned up."
"I'd like that." His heart still beats erratically and his stomach still churns, but Jongdae's hand in his feels like the answer to everything.
♚Epilogue♚
Years later, in a shared flat just outside of London, right before he drifts off to sleep, Junmyeon remembers something.
“Hey, Dae. What was ’the thing’?”
“What thing?” his boyfriend mumbles, already half-asleep.
“You were always talking about ’the thing’ with Kyungsoo, Baekhyun, and Chanyeol. Not ‘a thing’ but ’the thing,’ like with air quotes. I always thought it was referring to your big pranks, but you always changed the code names for each prank.”
“Hmm?” he says, sleepily. “How do you remember- How do you know all that?”
“I spent a good chunk of my time as a Prefect watching over you four. You weren’t as sneaky as you thought you were. Maybe Kyungsoo was. No one ever figured out how he never got caught for anything. I guess it’s appropriate he’s in Auror training-”
“Too sleepy for your sleepy rambling,” Jongdae says as he pulls their blanket over Junmyeon’s mouth to shush him. “It was my crush on you.”
“Your what?” The four had used that phrase as long as Junmyeon can remember. Jongdae had had a crush on him for that long? How had he never noticed?
“I’ve had a crush on you since Third Year. But you were always reading or studying,” he says, answering Junmyeon’s unspoken question. He rolls over and hooks an arm and leg around his boyfriend, tucking his chin onto his shoulder. “Can we sleep now?”
“Mmhmm, go back to sleep. Sorry,” he whispers. Sorry for waking you, sorry for not knowing, sorry for not being able to see past the top of his books, he thinks. As if he can hear his thoughts, Jongdae lifts himself for a last goodnight kiss.
“Sleep, hyung.”
Junmyeon falls asleep with his lips against Jongdae’s forehead, breathing in the scent of his hair.
Author’s Notes:
►title: heart bugs and head games
►pairing: chen/suho, side!sehun/d.o.
rating: r
►word count: 6.9k
►warnings: Overachieving Nerd!Junmyeon, underaged drinking, underaged wizards doing adult things
►summary: The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework.
►author's notes: Mentions of other SMTown artists. I’m not using South Korea's school year, but chinguline are in the same year. Apologies for the random mix of British and American slang/word-usage and any inaccuracies with HP canon. It’s been a while since I last read the books or HP fics OTL. Let’s pretend there are after school detention sessions run by Prefects. And that the curfew for 6th-7th years is 10 or 11pm. And that all 6th year Potions students brew Amortentia at some point.
♚
After countering three bat-bogey hexes, handing out two detentions, and taking points from his own house after he caught a fellow Fifth Year snogging another student in a broom closet-all before lunch-Kim Junmyeon decides he is having a bad day.
Definitely not a good day.
But after lunch is his free period, and he is looking forward to some quiet time in the library at his favorite spot, studying all by his lonesome. With no other trouble-causing students or hexes, and hopefully without anyone snogging in the nearby stacks.
He walks to his spot at the back of the library with heavy feet, and probably an angry look on his face-three first years quickly leave the table next to his when they see him. Usually first years love him.
One person doesn’t leave the vicinity, however. They’re sitting at his table at the end opposite his favorite seat, hunched over a book. When the first years scatter, the intruder turns around, and Junmyeon would curse if he wasn’t supposed to set an example for other students.
Sitting at his table is Kim Jongdae, one of the students he had to give a detention to this morning. Luckily, Byun Baekhyun isn’t around, nor Park Chanyeol, the other Gryffindor student he had given detention. He almost expects to see Do Kyungsoo with him, kicking his ass to study, but he remembers the younger Ravenclaw is in Potions.
“What do you want, Jongdae?” he questions, pulling out his favorite chair. He sinks onto the cushion with a weary sigh and leans his head back against the chair until he’s looking at the ceiling and not at one of the people causing his stressful day.
“This is the library,” Jongdae quips, not bothering to look up. “Am I not allowed to study in the library?”
Junmyeon looks down at him, suspicious. “You can study wherever you want. My question is why you’re studying here.”
“This is the library.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what you’re asking.”
Running his hands down his face, Junmyeon decides to drop it. This kid has caused him enough headaches for one day. “Never mind, never mind. Just study your whatever. Please keep quiet.”
“I will be quiet, hyung. You’re supposed to be quiet in the library.”
“Since when do you follow rules?” he throws back.
With a smirk, Jongdae turns to him. “Only when you ask me to.”
Junmyeon just rolls his eyes and ignores him.
♚
Every free period they share, Jongdae shows up to study in the library.
He doesn’t always sit at Junmyeon’s table, though that seems to be his favorite spot, to Junmyeon’s dismay. Wherever he sits, he is always close enough to needle the older boy before they begin studying quietly. It’s almost always, “Did you see our prank, hyung?” or "It wasn’t us this time, hyung.”
The four of them have been getting into less and less trouble lately. Any other Prefect would find this a relief, but Junmyeon knows these boys. If they’re foregoing their small, harmless pranks, then they’re planning something big. And if they have the combined minds of Do Kyungsoo and Byun Baekhyun planning it, it will definitely be big.
So Junmyeon just gives Jongdae his best ‘I know you’re up to something’-Prefect look and ignores the boy. At this point, Jongdae always leaves him alone, though he looks over at him every once in a while.
♚
For the fifth time in half an hour, Jongdae has looked over at Junmyeon from the table next to him, made to stand up, and decided not to.
The first four times, Junmyeon had wanted to see how it would play out-was the fidgeting his tell, and Junmyeon would soon find himself having to counter a stink bomb? Was Jongdae supposed to keep him busy while Chanyeol and Baekhyun set up traps?
"Hey, hyung?" he hears behind him.
Jongdae will later double over laughing when he tells Kyungsoo how high Junmyeon jumped. Junmyeon will deny it until his face is as blue as his tie.
Presently, he tries to play it off as him stretching in between turning pages. He clears his throat. "Yes, Jongdae?" he asks.
Jongdae coughs to cover his laugh. "I'm having trouble with translating these runes. Do you... think you could help?"
"Yeah, of course," he says, beginning to stand. Jongdae gestures for him to stay sitting.
"I'll just bring my things over here."
Junmyeon expects the younger boy to sit in the seat across from him, but Jongdae pulls out the chair next to him and sits, facing him with a smile. He lays his chin in his hand, elbow propped on the table and says, "So, Ancient Runes."
"Yes," Junmyeon hums. With his knee, he pushes the younger's seat to face forward. "Ancient Runes. On the table. In front of you."
Jongdae's smile doesn't fade. It grows, along with the warmth on Junmyeon's cheeks.
Every free period they share, Jongdae shows up to study in the library. Every time, he arrives second, flashes a brilliant smile, and sits next to Junmyeon.
Every time, Junmyeon wonders what exactly he's gotten himself into.
♚
The general reaction to Do Kyungsoo becoming Ravenclaw’s Prefect the next year is a mix of 'he's perfect for the job' and 'has the Headmistress lost her mind?' Junmyeon is of the general crowd, mostly unsure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Whether or not Kyungsoo admits it-he never, ever gets caught, but Junmyeon knows it's him-he has been the mastermind behind most of the quartet's worst (best, from Jongdae's point of view) stunts. But, Junmyeon has never seen the three beagles answer to someone as quickly as they do Kyungsoo when he throws them his infamous glare. Neither has he seen them bend over so far backwards for anything but the threat of Kyungsoo's fists or his Charms.
So, though Kyungsoo is an evil genius who once got all the food, just the food, in the Great Hall to float to the ceiling in the middle of dinner, he is an asset to the Prefects. The Head Boy and Girl dub him the secret weapon to taming the terrible quartet before he even steps into the Prefect carriage on September 1.
Kyungsoo dodges their attempts at coddling him and gravitates toward Junmyeon, as he does in any situation that does not involve his various Gryffindor friends. In kind, Junmyeon takes him under his metaphorical wing.
They both know what the other Prefects want from him, and they both know that Kyungsoo is too good a friend to betray future prank plans and secrets. Junmyeon teaches him to play the subtle politics of the Prefect-hood, and the younger fits into his role seamlessly and with everyone, including Junmyeon, unknowingly wrapped around his finger. All without giving up a single hint to any of the quartet's plans.
Junmyeon thinks the three beagles would be thrilled at having an inside man, but the frown on Jongdae's face when Kyungsoo first joins them for their study sessions makes him begin to doubt.
"What?" Kyungsoo bites.
"Why are you here?" Jongdae questions, squinting his eyes at his friend in suspicion. "You never want to study with me."
Kyungsoo shrugs. "I always study in the library. My love for the library is greater than my love for you."
Junmyeon tries to ignore them and focus on the parchment in front of him. He's used to their little arguments.
"I would hex you if you didn't just admit you love me."
"I would give you a detention if you hexed me."
The Prefect has his eyebrow raised. "Alright," Jongdae relents.
Junmyeon sighs. "Can we study in peace now?" He goes back to writing.
Jongdae faces Kyungsoo. "You can stay, but back off ‘the thing.’"
"I would never get in the way of ‘the thing,’" he responds, rolling his eyes.
"I know," Jongdae says. "But I should still threaten you."
"No one would dare interfere with the thing."
Kyungsoo rarely joins them after that day, which is actually a good thing because a blond Fourth Year has taken to following him around.
When he does join them on days like today, the Fourth Year follows like a lost puppy and won't stop asking questions.
Jongdae looks like he wants to crack up. Junmyeon feels a headache coming on. Kyungsoo somehow ignores most of it. Eventually, the eldest gets fed up and turns to the boy, scolding, "Sehun, one of the rules of the library is that there be minimal conversation."
"Sorry, hyung. Please don't take points," Sehun begs.
“As if five points would do anything to change the rankings,” Jongdae mumbles.
Sehun pouts at him. “Whatever, Gryffindor.”
Jongdae smirks back. “Whatever, Slytherin.”
"This is just a warning," Junmyeon assures him.
"But, hyung. I really need help on this question."
At first, Junmyeon thinks he is talking to him. But, no, Sehun's focus is back where it was ten seconds ago: on Kyungsoo. The other boy looks like he’ll continue ignoring the younger, but a kick from Jongdae gets his attention.
With a heavy sigh, the Ravenclaw gathers up his things and stands. “Let’s go find Jongin, Sehun. These two want to be alone.”
“Why do you want to find Jongin? He can’t help me with Arithmancy.” Sehun immediately jumps up and follows him out.
Junmyeon watches them go, confused. Jongdae, though, is back to laughing at them. “Did I miss something?” Junmyeon asks.
“The kid was getting picked on. Kyungsoo stopped it and gave his bullies detention,” Jongdae declares, obviously proud of his friend. “Now the kid won’t leave him alone.”
“I figured it was something like that,” Junmyeon says, but he’s still confused. “But Sehun’s not exactly the studious type.”
Jongdae laughs loudly, quickly covering his mouth with his sleeve. “You notice so many things, hyung. But then there are other things you’re oblivious to.”
“Like?” he challenges.
“The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework. I’ll just leave it at that.”
“But isn’t that obvious?”
Jongdae pokes his cheek. “Think about why Sehun wants Kyungsoo’s attention, then.”
“Maybe later, when I don’t have a D.A.D.A. essay to write,” he says, pushing the topic to the back of his mind in favor of the books in front of him.
He doesn’t see Jongdae watching him intently, head resting on his hand. When their free period ends, the younger boy plays it off as having fallen asleep before the older boy can notice.
♚
To the surprise of no one, Junmyeon is selected to be Head Boy his seventh year, and his already tight schedule becomes completely filled. For weeks after his appointment, the only people he sees outside of class are Prefects, professors, students in detention, and the Head Girl, Bae Joohyeon.
His day begins at dawn and ends hours after curfew when most of the castle is already asleep. He can’t remember the last time he was able to study in the library. Instead he studies at night in the sitting room of the Heads’ dorms until he’s ready to collapse. His finishes assignments much more quickly without having to help any of the Gryffindor Sixth Years with their homework, but time slips away from him. He’s fallen asleep on the sofa enough times that Joohyeon has made a habit of waking up a little earlier to check on him.
She had woken him up today, too, barely awake herself, before going to wash up and prepare for the day. It’s the third time this week, and it’s only Wednesday. Her wake up call had not been kind.
Junmyeon feels another bad day coming when he catches Baekhyun trying to plant a stink bomb in the fourth-floor lavatory after breakfast.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite Head Boy!” the Sixth Year yells.
“Isn’t it too early to be pulling stunts, Baekhyun?” he reprimands.
Before Baekhyun can answer, Kyungsoo steps out of the lavatory. Sehun stumbles out behind him, bumping into the shorter boy.
Kyungsoo takes one look at Junmyeon, sees the stink bomb in Baekhyun’s hand, and scoffs. “Five points from Gryffindor.” Baekhyun gasps exaggeratedly while Sehun fist pumps.
“But I’m your best friend!” Baekhyun cries. Kyungsoo just confiscates the bomb and pushes him down the hall. Baekhyun walks away with an overdramatic pout and a shaking fist. “I’ll get you someday!”
“Take that to Mister Filch, please.” Stink bomb-crisis averted, Junmyeon figures he can be on his way, but the younger Ravenclaw stops him with a hand on his shoulder.
“I will, in a minute. I need to ask you something not-Prefect related, if you don’t mind, hyung,” he says, and the elder is struck by the thought that this is his first conversation with Kyungsoo outside of Prefect duties since he became Head Boy. “When was the last time you talked to Jongdae? Or Jongin? Or anyone?”
Junmyeon is stunned silent. He honestly doesn’t know. The younger just shakes his head, mumbles something about Junmyeon needing to take it easy, and walks away, Sehun following behind him like always.
When was the last time Junmyeon talked to anyone for the sake of talking? With no agendas or instructions or scoldings? He only sees Chanyeol and Baekhyun during detentions, Jongdae in passing between classes. He wakes up on Saturdays in the middle of the day, missing all his friends heading to Hogsmeade and too tired to do anything but read in the quiet Great Hall. His free time is spent doing light reading in whatever empty classrooms he can find, and even that time seems to be getting shorter and shorter as the assignments pile up. And the N.E.W.T.s are ever present in the back of his mind.
Joohyeon always tells him they can assign some of the smaller jobs to the Sixth Year Prefects, but he’s convinced he’ll be fine once they get in the swing of things.
The last time Junmyeon had used words in actual complete sentences with Jongdae was through his owl near the start of term, when he had declined the younger’s invitation to visit Hogsmeade with their friends. Now, almost a month since that letter, Chen taps its beak rhythmically against his window again. The creature flies away as soon as he takes the envelope.
“Hyung, I splinched myself :( Pretty badly too. It’s all good now, but I’m gonna be in the hospital wing all day. Come visit me~”
Junmyeon’s heart jumps into his throat and stays there as he heads down to the hospital wing. He's seen people get splinched during Apparation lessons, sometimes whole limbs get left behind. His mind fills with worry for the other boy. The staircases won’t cooperate with him, and he gets lost for a second in the maze. The staircase he’s standing on jolts and moves and he has to start over again. His head spins until his feet hit the correct platform and he arrives at the corridor, breathless.
The door to the wing is open, and he can hear Jongdae’s energetic voice filtering into the hallway. His heart settles in his chest, slowing to a steady pounding. It is all good now.
But he hears a lighter, higher-pitched laugh join Jongdae’s laughter. He stops.
Looking around the corner into the hospital wing, he sees the yellow hood-lining of a Hufflepuff robe peeking through long, flowing black hair and Jongdae folded over in laughter. Her hand is in his.
Junmyeon’s heart sinks into his stomach and stays there, weighing him down. He goes back to his dorm, not understanding what sort of bug was making him feel ill.
♚
He does visit later, when there’s barely enough time for a decent conversation before Madame Pomfrey chases all the visitors out. He uses Head Boy duties and studying for N.E.W.T.s as an excuse, like he always has. Jongdae is happy to see him anyway, smiling and laughing like his usual self, calling Junmyeon an overachiever.
The visit is brief, and both boys frown in disappointment as Junmyeon leaves.
♚
Junmyeon doesn’t avoid Jongdae after he’s released from the hospital wing, but he doesn’t seek out his company either. He falls back into his routine, studying in the library after classes and during his free period, with more rest thanks to Joohyeon taking over and distributing some of their more menial tasks to the older Prefects. Only the Gryffindor Fifth Years have the same free period and Jongin would rather spend it napping than studying. Going back to his favorite spot brings stability back into his academic life, and the solitude allows him to plow through rolls of parchment.
He’s on his way to the History section when Jongdae steps out of the aisle in front of him, book in hand. The younger lets out a surprised laugh when he sees him. "Hyung! Long time no see. How've you been?"
Junmyeon feels guilty when he sees Jongdae’s eyes crinkle from his smile. “Good,” he says, trying to ignore the sudden twang in his gut. Please not the bug again, he thinks. “Need sources for some essays, so I’m heading to the History section.”
“I can help you look,” Jongdae says, his smile becoming impossibly wider, taking the parchment from Junmyeon. “We can catch up on the way.”
Or Junmyeon could find things on his own, without Jongdae, and get away from the younger. When he so much as sees or hears Jongdae, the bug from a month ago comes crawling back into his stomach.
But the Gryffindor grabs him by the arm and drags him along, looking through Junmyeon’s parchment with the other hand. "History of Magic? Okay, Arithmancy, D.A.D.A., Transfig., Potions, blah dee blah… Ancient Runes? You know, all the N.E.W.T.-levels you're taking would definitely look great to Gringotts."
In Junmyeon’s fourth year, when the O.W.L.s were introduced to them along with career options, he spent an entire lunch period describing curse-breaking to a Third Year Kyungsoo. The Gryffindor trio of Baekhyun, Jongdae, and Chanyeol had been fooling around next to them, like always. It had been a short-lived obsession; by the time his fifth year came around, Junmyeon was on track to a career in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Junmyeon only remembers Kyungsoo listening to him. He can't help the smile on his face. "You remember that?"
"Of course! Curse-breaking sounds way more fun than a Ministry desk job, but if you don't want to travel all over the world looking for gold..."
Junmyeon playfully slaps his shoulder in response. "Rules are necessary, and some people," he pokes the younger's side, "don't like to follow them. Someone has to take care of the rulebreakers."
"Rules are meant to be broken. Would you have taken care of me if I didn't break rules?" Jongdae says, as they turn into an empty corner of the library. Junmyeon doesn't get to answer and they don't make it into the aisle they’re meant to reach, because Jongdae pushes him back with wide eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asks, only to be shushed. The Gryffindor pushes him into a nearby shelf, gesturing for him to be quiet.
“Why don’t we try the biography section first?" Jongdae whispers.
"We're already at the History section,” Junmyeon whispers back. “What is it? What are you up to?”
“Nothing, I swear. You just don’t want to go over there,” the younger insists.
Just then, they hear a stifled moan.
Junmyeon’s face immediately heats up. “Merlin’s beard, I hate when this happens.” He’s about to find and scold the couple when he hears a familiar breathy laugh. He gapes at Jongdae. The younger just covers his face, trying not to laugh.
“Sehun?” he whispers. Jongdae nods.
”Ow, ow, ow! I’m sorry I laughed! Sorry!” Sehun yelps.
”I don’t think that’s enough of an apology,” the second voice says.
Now Jongdae is doubled over, mouth hanging open from cracking up silently. Junmyeon just flinches.
“Sehun and Kyungsoo?” he chokes out. Jongdae quickly covers his mouth before Junmyeon can give them away.
With the elder Ravenclaw still in shock, it’s easy for Jongdae to maneuver him to another section of the library. It’s darker here, devoid of windows and with only floating candles for light. They sit among the unsorted stacks, books upon books forming walls around them. It’s strangely comforting for Junmyeon. Away from anyone else, he realizes the ridiculousness of the situation they were just in and lets out a roar of laughter.
“People have no shame,” Jongdae says, joining in. They’re cackles soon fade into quiet giggles.
“I should have given them detention,” Junmyeon considers, leaning his head back over the chairback. “Or at least taken points.”
“You can show favoritism every once in a while, I won’t tell,” the younger jokes. “Besides, Sehun would have loved to have detention with Kyungsoo. Hey, hyung? Hyung? Junmyeon!”
He jolts awake before he completely falls backward in his chair. “What happened?” He yawns loudly. “I’m sorry. That bit of excitement drained the rest of my energy.”
The Gryffindor frowns at him. “Come here,” he commands, pulling the Head Boy until he’s standing next to a nearby candle.
“Hyung, have you been sleeping okay?” Jongdae questions, turning his head towards the flame and taking in the color of his face in the change of light. The bags under his eyes are probably more noticeable.
“I have lately,” he assures him. “I wasn’t before, but I am now. I promise.”
Jongdae holds his gaze, searching for any hint of a lie. Finding none, his fingers glance over his eyelids as if to smooth out the wrinkles himself. “You have to sleep, hyung. At least be healthy if you have to be busy.” He sighs. “What am I going to do with you?”
Everything has been so different this year for Junmyeon, so much more studying and new responsibilities, so little time for friendship. But Jongdae is the same as always, still warm and filled with laughter, still stealing his attention. Still caring. Junmyeon closes his eyes and leans forward into the younger’s touch. This is comforting, too, like the walls of books, a catharsis. He could sleep easily like this. Jongdae’s breath tickles his lips; the scent reaches his nose.
The bug is back, and it’s reached his lungs. Maybe his heart, with the way it’s pounding uncontrollably.
“Stop,” he says to himself, annoyed with the stupid thing.
Jongdae springs back instantly, bumping into a stack. They barely manage to stop it from toppling before Jongdae quickly backs away again, saying, “Sorry, uh, I should get back to what I was doing earlier. Yeah. You can find your books on your own okay, right? Right. I’ll just…”
The bug is definitely in his heart now, because it twists as he watches Jongdae walk away.
Warmth lingers on his cheeks, not from his racing pulse but from Jongdae’s hands. He can almost feel the pressure of his fingers slowly turning his head as the younger inspected him, the strokes of his thumbs against his cheekbone.
And he can’t help but think of something Jongdae said some time ago, something random, and irrelevant, but present in his mind.
“The easiest way to get a Ravenclaw’s attention is to ask for help with homework.”
♚
When a House wins a Quidditch match, there are two possible results: they throw a party in their common room, or they wait a week or so until the professors least expect it, and then throw a party.
Word of the parties hasn't reached any professors all term, though they've been happening. Junmyeon and Joohyeon don't know if they should be glad no one gets caught anyone red-handed while on patrol. On the one hand, rules are being broken. On the other hand, they don’t have to break up hundreds of students by themselves. And if the parties aren’t being broken up, then they get to go to them. Junmyeon only stays up for Ravenclaw celebrations, but Joohyeon often frequents them when she needs to unwind. They honestly don’t feel nearly as guilty as they should.
Gryffindor wins in November, and the party is expected to be twice as wild as the last one, which had been twice as wild as the previous one, and so on. All the Prefects are prepared, as are the Head Boy and Head Girl, though in different ways.
It’s past curfew by the time Junmyeon finishes checking up on the Prefects assigned patrol. Unsurprisingly, no Gryffindor Prefects are on duty. Joohyeon is probably at the party. He doubts she’s in her room, not when she quickly disappeared after checking on the younger students with earlier curfews. Effectively saddling him with the older Prefects who don’t head to bed until midnight.
He’s alone in their sitting room, revising a Potions essay, when someone knocks. He rises quickly, expecting an inebriated Joohyeon who can’t remember the password, or one of the patrolling Prefects. For a second, he dreads it’s one of the professors having caught some partygoers, or discovered the party itself.
He does not expect Kim Jongdae to crash into him and head-butt his chest. “What?”
“Hyung,” he sings, “hyungie, hyung, hyung. ‘Myeonie, ‘Myeon-hyung, ‘Myeon.”
“Are you drunk?” he asks.
“Hyoong,” Jongdae giggles. He head-butts the elder’s shoulder and twists his head back and forth. “Joon-hyoong.”
That confirms it. “Jongdae, how much Firewhisky have you had?”
“Dunno. Was it Furwhisky? Don’ think so.” He lifts his chin and rests it on Junmyeon’s shoulder. “But ‘m sleepy.”
“It’s past curfew. I should be punishing you, but if you get back to your dorm right now, I’ll pretend this never happened.”
“No,” the drunk Gryffindor whines. “No, no, no, no, no!”
Jongdae is not just drunk, he realizes; he’s completely sloshed. Junmyeon steps back into the sitting room. Jongdae, arms still latched around his waist, gets pulled along and yells, “Yay! Head Boy Party!”
Junmyeon sits on the sofa with a thump. Instead of letting go, Jongdae gets pulled down with him. He climbs onto the elder like a koala, arms around his torso and legs tucked at his hips.
“Junmyeon,” he slurs. The elder can feel his voice vibrate against his chest.
“Yes?”
Jongdae sits up and looks at him for a second, before leaning forward to cling to him again. This time, his arms circle Junmyeon’s neck. “I have to tell you about a thing,” he whispers into his ear, like it’s a big secret.
“A thing?” Junmyeon croaks.
“Mmhmm, a thing, but not ‘the thing,’ just a thing.”
Junmyeon is very confused. He raises his arms, but instead of pushing the younger away like he thinks he should, he sets one hand on Jongdae’s shoulder, and the other against the back of his neck. If he satisfies his whims, maybe he’ll calm down sooner. The other boy is really warm, probably from the alcohol, but it’s been a long night and Junmyeon is cold. His skin feels like a blanket against his own.
“Okay, a thing. What thing?”
Jongdae presses his face to Junmyeon’s neck and takes a deep breath through his nostrils. When he exhales, his breath fans all over Junmyeon’s neck and the side of his face. He can smell Firewhisky and mead and something else, something sweeter, something familiar that tugs at the back of his mind the same time the bug tugs at his heart.
“You really smell like nice,” he mumbles to the elder.
“Thank you?” he responds automatically. He’s not sure if that sentence was in the right order. Translating drunk people is not one of his talents.
“Like home cooking and a pretty house.”
It is too late at night for this. Junmyeon just wants to sleep. He does not want to deal with drunk friends climbing all over him and talking about nice houses. “What did you want to tell me, Jongdae?”
“I just told you.”
“You-,” Junmyeon breaks off with a sigh. He may be irritable, but Jongdae is still one of his best friends. “You wanted to tell me that I smell nice?”
“No, like nice. And home cooking... pretty house.”
“So, I smell like what ‘nice’ would smell like if it had a smell... also, home cooking and a pretty house?” Jongdae sighs again. His breath reaches the back of Junmyeon’s neck and he can’t help but shiver.
“Yep,” the younger says, letting ‘P’ pop. “S’what the Am… tent?... thingy said. Yep.”
Junmyeon feels Jongdae press his lips once at the side of his neck, once at the edge of his jaw, and once just below his ear where he bites down for a split second. He runs his lips against the bit of collarbone peeking from beneath Joonmyeon’s crewneck, and drags his tongue along his pulse point before nipping at the other side of his neck, moving slowly from the tip of his breastbone up to his earlobe. A chill runs up the elder’s spine as warm fingers reach under his shirt and brush against his cold skin.
Everything suddenly stops, and Junmyeon wonders if he’s done something wrong, if he should have responded. But then he feels the steady rise and fall of Jongdae’s chest, the slack grip at his waist, and the quiet breathing. Jongdae has fallen asleep.
A wave of relief washes over him; with the younger boy asleep, Junmyeon could finally get to bed. If only he could untangle himself from his limbs.
He gently lifts the Gryffindor's arms from his sides in an attempt to shift Jongdae's weight onto the couch.
Jongdae's arms suddenly tighten around him as he lets out a soft moan. Junmyeon freezes, too.
In his fidgeting, he had made the mistake of raising his hips. The movement had been slight, but now their crotches are pressed together and a wave of pleasure runs through Junmyeon's body. He groans when Jongdae, still asleep, ruts into him once with a soft whimper of, "'Myeon."
It hits Junmyeon then: Jongdae had been kissing him, Jongdae is on top of him-Jongdae who is one quarter of the terrible quartet and Junmyeon's friend of years. And they're both very hard.
He pushes the younger away from him and stands, maybe too harshly, making the Gryffindor fall onto his side on the sofa cushions. Junmyeon feels the bug crawling around in his gut as he watches Jongdae whine and thrust his hips forward into nothing. He's still again the next second, letting out a soft snore.
Junmyeon paces, running his fingers through his hair, over his face, taking deep breaths-anything to calm down. His slacks feel too tight, and he wishes he was sleeping with his roomy pajamas having an odd dream, instead of out here facing an awkward situation while still dressed for school.
The bug is definitely back. His skin feels like it’s on fire-he has a fever-his chest shouldn’t feel like it’s trying to suck itself into his heart and his stomach shouldn’t feel so hollow.
This is Jongdae, Jongdae who is shit at Runes, Jongdae who has studied with him, dined with him, made him laugh whenever he was stressed, Jongdae always the same, constant Jongdae.
He looks down at his underclassmen, snoring and drooling on the sofa. This is also drunk out of his mind Jongdae who probably won't remember this the next day.
His heart twists again, stupid bug.
♚
He sets Jongdae up in the sitting room with blankets, pillows, and plenty of water, then goes to take a cold shower in the Prefect’s bathroom.
He doesn’t know what happens with Jongdae the next morning. Joohyeon probably sees him out, shares her hangover potion with him, who knows. He’s gone before Junmyeon wakes up.
♚
This time, Junmyeon is actually trying to avoid Jongdae. All their friends realize it, but they say nothing of their opinions except for rolled eyes and exasperated sighs. He expects Jongdae himself has finally realized it after the incident in the hallway. The Gryffindor had been sitting on a windowsill in the hallway when Junmyeon turned the corner. He had hoped to retreat before he could be seen, but the younger looked up and their eyes met. He had waved, but Junmyeon had only stopped mid-step, turned, and continued walking down the adjacent corridor.
Jongdae must be angry, but Junmyeon avoids thinking about his feelings for the boy as well as he avoids meeting him. It’s easier to be cold than to try to figure anything out, and he doesn’t expect anything from the other except the same coldness he had received from Junmyeon.
He does not expect to find Jongdae waiting outside the Heads’ dormitory with a stony look on his face.
“Can we talk?” he asks, when the Head Boy stops in front of him.
“Jongdae,” he responds. Curt. Brief. “What is it?”
“I think it’d be best if we had this conversation inside.”
“I won’t be here long. We’re meeting the Prefects in the Great Hall in twenty minutes.”
“I won’t take up too much of your time,” Jongdae says.
Wanting this to end as soon as possible, Junmyeon relents. “Fine. Come in.”
As soon as Junmyeon sits on the sofa, the younger speaks, watching him from where he stands next to the window. “I remember everything that happened that night,” he says, to Junmyeon’s surprise. “I remember it vividly, and I’m sorry I came onto you like that. I was drunk, but that doesn’t excuse anything. I understand if you never want to see me again, but we’re good friends, aren’t- weren’t we? Don’t I at least deserve to hear that from you, if you want me out of your life?”
“I don’t want you out of my life,” Junmyeon interrupts. “Honestly, I don’t.”
Jongdae frowns in confusion. “Then why are you avoiding me? Why won’t you even look me in the eye?” he asks, voice small.
Junmyeon’s heart twists, and he recognizes the symptoms. His palms begin to sweat, his heartbeat picks up, his stomach folds in on itself. He doesn’t understand why it keeps happening. He hasn’t even really looked at Jongdae, only kept him in his peripheral vision.
“Because I can’t,” he responds.
The younger exhales with shaky breath. “Okay,” he sighs. “Okay. I’m sorry. I really am. I’ll just go, let you get back to your business.”
Junmyeon stands hurriedly, cutting him off before he can reach the door. “No, don’t- please stay and hear me out.” Even with his hands planted firmly on the other’s shoulders, he still can’t look him in the eye.
He can, however, look at his lips. His heart twists again.
"I can't, because every time I see you I want to kiss you. I like you, Jongdae. This is new for me, you have to understand that. I'm not a romantic, I'm not interested in relationships, but you- with you- sometimes I just want to hold you-" Jongdae pulls him into his arms, hands settling at his lower back.
"Avoiding is easier," he continues, chin resting on the Gryffindor's shoulder. "Because with everything else, I am so confused, and so tired."
"I like you, too, hyung," Jongdae confesses, "and I just want you to talk to me." His fingers begin to knead at Junmyeon's lower back, releasing some of the tension there. "Whenever you need to, just talk to me like this. Or over dinner, if you'll let me take you to Hogsmeade, or the Great Hall is fine, too," he jokes.
The elder pushes against the younger’s shoulders until they’re looking at each other. This is the playful, laughing, caring Kim Jongdae looking at him-not drunk, unfocused Jongdae-and he whispers, “Jongdae.” The most beautiful smile spreads onto the other’s face. Junmyeon closes his eyes, sears the image onto his eyelids. Of this Jongdae, his Jongdae close to him here, calming the erratic beating of his heart with his smiles and touches.
All the fatigue leaves his body the next second when Jongdae’s lips meet his halfway. There’s no room for breathing after that, only short gasps of air between one kiss and the next. Their nostrils flare as their kisses become one long caress of each other’s lips, not wanting to separate for as long as possible.
Junmyeon has kissed people before-under mistletoe, as a dare, for party games-but they were always female and they were never friends. It was never this urgent or this heated, not even with the people he had been attracted to.
Jongdae moves one hand from Junmyeon’s waist to his hair, tightening his hold and pressing himself even closer to the elder. Junmyeon can feel the younger’s hardness pressed against his thigh, and he shifts his leg forward to press against it. "Is this okay?" he asks, detaching their lips. The younger throws his head back as he moans. “Yes, hyung,” he gasps. Junmyeon's own hardness comes to his attention.
Jongdae steps forward until he has the other pressed against the wall. He braces himself with a hand next to the elder's head and shoves his other hand up his shirt, stroking below his navel. Junmyeon's hands come down his back to rest against his clothed ass as Jongdae slides his foot between the elder's, pressing his thigh against his crotch.
"Ah," Junmyeon's voice trembles. The younger nips at his jawline, his soft humming indicating his pleasure. Junmyeon can't help himself, he begins rutting against his thigh. His grip on the other's ass tightens with every thrust, and the slightest shift has his own thigh brushing Jongdae's crotch. With a gasp, the younger loses control, hands running all over the skin of his torso, nails digging in.
Junmyeon lifts his leg and hooks it around the younger's back, pulling him closer and aligning their centers. Jongdae yelps, hands finding purchase on the elder's shoulders as Junmyeon arches his back.
Their movements increase in pace, and Jongdae gasps against Junmyeon's neck. "Please," he begs, and Junmyeon brings his head down to meet the younger in a heated kiss.
Jongdae nips his lower lip enthusiastically, sucking it into his mouth. Junmyeon moans, head tilting back, and Jongdae uses the opportunity to lick into the elder's mouth, tongue meeting tongue.
The pressure grows and grows with every flick of Jongdae's tongue against his, with every thrust of their hips.
Their thrusts grow wilder, the tension between them about to explode. "Jongdae," Junmyeon groans against his lips. "Dae."
The younger trails his lips against the elder's cheeks until he's mouthing at his ear. One nip of his earlobe and Junmyeon freezes, back arched as pleasure wracks through him from head to toe.
Jongdae groans, moving faster and faster, breath fanning the elder's neck. He holds the other up, arm reaching back to keep his leg in place. "Junmyeon. Please, hyung, please," he moans, and the other boy trembles against him, sensitive. Junmyeon leans forward enough to kiss his neck. His pulse races beneath his lips, and he sucks hard until Jongdae comes undone.
They stand there for a few minutes, breathing laboured and heads resting against each other.
Junmyeon jumps when Jongdae lets out a loud whoop. They're both laughing after that, hands on hips, just looking at each other.
"Where did that come from?" Jongdae asks, out of breath.
"I don't know," Junmyeon answers, leaning his head back against the wall. Through the nearby window, he can see the sun setting-the meeting. “I’m late,” he gasps, still trying to catch his breath.
Jongdae laughs and laces their fingers together. "I'll walk you down? After we get cleaned up."
"I'd like that." His heart still beats erratically and his stomach still churns, but Jongdae's hand in his feels like the answer to everything.
♚Epilogue♚
Years later, in a shared flat just outside of London, right before he drifts off to sleep, Junmyeon remembers something.
“Hey, Dae. What was ’the thing’?”
“What thing?” his boyfriend mumbles, already half-asleep.
“You were always talking about ’the thing’ with Kyungsoo, Baekhyun, and Chanyeol. Not ‘a thing’ but ’the thing,’ like with air quotes. I always thought it was referring to your big pranks, but you always changed the code names for each prank.”
“Hmm?” he says, sleepily. “How do you remember- How do you know all that?”
“I spent a good chunk of my time as a Prefect watching over you four. You weren’t as sneaky as you thought you were. Maybe Kyungsoo was. No one ever figured out how he never got caught for anything. I guess it’s appropriate he’s in Auror training-”
“Too sleepy for your sleepy rambling,” Jongdae says as he pulls their blanket over Junmyeon’s mouth to shush him. “It was my crush on you.”
“Your what?” The four had used that phrase as long as Junmyeon can remember. Jongdae had had a crush on him for that long? How had he never noticed?
“I’ve had a crush on you since Third Year. But you were always reading or studying,” he says, answering Junmyeon’s unspoken question. He rolls over and hooks an arm and leg around his boyfriend, tucking his chin onto his shoulder. “Can we sleep now?”
“Mmhmm, go back to sleep. Sorry,” he whispers. Sorry for waking you, sorry for not knowing, sorry for not being able to see past the top of his books, he thinks. As if he can hear his thoughts, Jongdae lifts himself for a last goodnight kiss.
“Sleep, hyung.”
Junmyeon falls asleep with his lips against Jongdae’s forehead, breathing in the scent of his hair.
Author’s Notes:
- Junmyeon’s love bug is inspired by Harry’s 'chest monster' from the 6th book.
- Now I want to reread all the books and find more next-gen fics.
- Thank you again to my recipient, the awesome, lovely mods and all the participants of this exchange ♥♥♥