Your Villain (Part 2)
“I take it back, Kyungsoo,” Chanyeol said, pounding his head on the edge of the desk repeatedly. “I do not like you. Get started on that transfer.”
Kyungsoo clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Stop overreacting and answer the problem set, Chanyeol.”
“Shh! In case you have forgotten, Mr. Do and company. This is a library,” the librarian said. Kyungsoo flushed and then shot Chanyeol one of his death glares. Chanyeol had grown used to them at this point, but he did not argue further.
It had been four months since Chanyeol went from a Class 5 to a Class 4, and in that period, Kyungsoo had proven invaluable to Chanyeol. Kyungsoo was patient and knowledgeable, but he was also a demanding and exacting teacher.
Kyungsoo had formulated a rigorous magical training program for Chanyeol. It hadn’t been easy. Chanyeol had to learn to discipline himself to wake up at the crack of dawn for his morning routine, going through meditation exercises with Kyungsoo to direct his magical energy as well as learning basic spell work. It was challenging, but Chanyeol didn’t mind that part. He was starting to feel stronger and less drained when he used his magic. That was pretty cool.
However, Kyungsoo had also formulated a magical/real life balance program that required Chanyeol to take all his academics seriously. That part he hated. Chanyeol just didn’t see the point of getting more than a passing grade, which was simply unacceptable to a nerd like Kyungsoo.
“You know that incantation for summoning Santelmo?” Kyungsoo whispered across the table to his roommate.
Chanyeol put down his pencil and shot Kyungsoo an interested look. “Yeeeees?” He had been grappling with summoning the fire entity for a couple of weeks now and suspected that Kyungsoo was withholding information on purpose.
“Well,” Kyungsoo began. “Unless you finish answering that problem set, there will be no summoning Santelmo!” he hissed.
“AHA!” Chanyeol crowed, confirming his suspicions.
“SHHHHH!” The librarian had snapped her pencil in annoyance.
Kyungsoo counted to ten before resuming his place on his own reading, but not before sticking out his tongue out at his roommate, who was now making a pig face at him.
Ah, really! This Chanyeol is such a child.
Chanyeol abruptly quit making faces and buried his nose in his textbook. Kyungsoo turned around to look at what had caused the shift in Chanyeol’s mood so he could send “thank you” vibes their way. He spotted Kris Wu and Byun Baekhyun heading out the library together.
Chanyeol was pretending extra hard to be absorbed in his problem set. He was not over Kris, who had broken up with him before the sem break. Kris and Baekhyun had hooked up right after the Showcase for some reason, being literally burned by Chanyeol the one thing the new couple had in common.
Kyungsoo knew that pledging Sigma Mu had been important to Chanyeol, but he didn’t know how to open up the topic because getting Chanyeol started on his magical training was far more important, as was getting good grades in all his subjects. However, Kyungsoo didn’t like seeing Chanyeol mope around whenever he bumped into the SMTown guys. It was obvious that it dampened Chanyeol’s spirits, and affected his magical stream of consciousness.
Kyungsoo needed time to mull things over and to keep on observing, then maybe a solution would start to present itself. After all, a good watcher keeps his eyes open.
***
Chanyeol, on the other hand was keeping his ears open for developments in SMTown while actively avoiding interaction with its members. The fraternity had done some effective damage control following the incident at the Showcase. Although the video from the event had gone viral, by the start of the semester it hardly even mattered anymore.
Chanyeol’s co-pledge Oh Sehun had completed the pledging process and was now a Sigma Mu brother, but Chanyeol’s own status within the fraternity was unclear. After the Showcase, Chanyeol had done another disappearing act, so he assumed that he was considered persona non grata at Sigma Mu.
Throwing himself into magical training with Kyungsoo helped him shift his energies and prevented him from wallowing too long in a puddle of misery. The time off was good in that sense, but on the other hand, training gave him an excuse to avoid what he thought were consequences from what happened at the SMTown Showcase. He knew that the stage mishap was because of him, and because he had no way of explaining all this to Sigma Mu, decided to become shut off from them.
He rationalized that he was taking control of the situation by undergoing magical training with Kyungsoo, especially if that meant not setting other people on fire by accident.
With the second semester’s pledge cycle beginning once again, it became impossible for Chanyeol to avoid SMTown what with the teasers, banners, flyers and all the bells and whistles the brothers released announcing that the fraternity was once again accepting a new batch of pledges. Seeing the familiar SMTown insignia reminded Chanyeol of his failure, but he was still dying to know whether he could still go back to re-apply and pick up from where he left off.
Chanyeol had his fingers poised on the keypad on their dorm room door when he realized he was hearing Kyungsoo’s voice from the inside. Singing. The door opened, but his roommate hadn’t noticed Chanyeol coming inside. Kyungsoo had an apron on and a pair of gloves and was mopping the floor. That is, if one could call using the mop’s handle as a mic stand mopping.
Chanyeol recognized the song. In fact it was one of his favorites to play on guitar. Kyungsoo was singing a Spanish song called “Sabor A Mi” and more surprising than the fact that Kyungsoo knew the lyrics to the song was the fact that he had a really nice voice. It was steady and clear, so that when he did added the occasional curl or runs to the tune, it was thrilling. Chanyeol got goose bumps from Kyungsoo’s voice.
Chanyeol didn’t want to embarrass Kyungsoo in what was obviously a personal and private moment, so he slinked back out and shut the door as quietly as he could.
He did file away the information for future use, though.
**
“Always make sure to seal your summoning circles,” Kyungsoo said, one morning after a magical session. “You need to finish clean, or it could have dire consequences later on. The effects won’t always be immediate, but you’ll definitely feel it. Something will always be a little off at the very least.”
Chanyeol watched as Kyungsoo sealed the summoning circle with the smoke from a handful of burnt sage. He had tried to summon Santelmo, but failed. The spell required an offering of wood or elements derived from wood, so Chanyeol used paper, but this hadn’t given him the results he wanted.
“Cheer up,” Kyungsoo said, catching the disappointed expression on Chanyeol’s face. “You’ll get better. The first time isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.”
This brought a grin to appear over Chanyeol’s face. “You make it sound so sexual,” he said.
“I never said it wasn’t,” Kyungsoo said, in all seriousness.
***
The roommates’ schedules during that second semester allowed enough time for Chanyeol’s magical course work, regular class study sessions (much to Chanyeol’s dread) and even enough time for the two to hang out with each other.
Chanyeol didn’t think that Kyungsoo did the whole “hanging out” thing, so Chanyeol tried to introduce the concept more into their dynamic, just to break the ice more. And the more time the pair spent together, the more comfortable Chanyeol became with the idea of having a Watcher in his life. Of course, Chanyeol did everything he could to avoid the study sessions for his regular classes, preferring to concentrate more heavily on the magical aspect of his relationship with Kyungsoo.
The friendship part was pretty good, also. They soon found themselves falling into regular patterns, and despite the stark differences they had in the habits they kept, discovered they were alike in ways that counted, least of which was their shared takoyaki mania.
“My takoyaki guy is the best,” Chanyeol bragged. “The bonito flakes melt on your tongue, and the takoyaki are always the perfect temperature.”
“Hah,” Kyungsoo said, unimpressed. “My takoyaki guy is better. The sauce is never too sweet nor is it overly spicy.”
“I bet you my guy beats your guy,” Chanyeol said. “I bet you 20,000.”
“I see your 20,000 and raise you 10,000,” Kyungsoo challenged.
They were walking towards the same takoyaki vendor, so they had to call it a draw.
***
“Oh by the way, can you explain this to me, Chanyeol?” Kyungsoo said, handing Chanyeol a blue examination booklet, crumpled in guilt. “A five? Seriously?” Five was a failing grade.
Chanyeol grimaced, snatching the blue book from Kyungsoo. He really should have thrown it away when he had the chance, or at least hidden it better. Kyungsoo was scary when he was on truant officer mode. “Aw man, I was gonna drop that class anyway,” he said. He knew it was a lame excuse. “It’s only an elective.”
“Anime and The Magical Girl,” Kyungsoo said. “Yeah, I know. And you are a magical boy. You’d think you’d fare better in a class like that.”
“Park Chanyeol.”
Kim Junmyeon was approaching them. Chanyeol gulped down his half-chewed takoyaki in panic. Kyungsoo stiffened and his eyes widened even more. Junmyeon was impeccably dressed in a cream three-tone argyle sweater and neatly pressed gray pants. His hair was slicked back and his skin was radiant, looking every inch the Grand Omicron of Sigma Mu. He was smiling right at Chanyeol, but his eyes landed on Kyungsoo when he got much closer. He paused to give the other boy a smile. Kyungsoo’s mouth was opened slighty, but he caught himself and looked away abruptly.
“I was wondering what had happened to you,” Junmyeon said. “How are you, Chanyeol?”
Chanyeol flinched from Kyungsoo not-so-subtly kicking his shin. “Good!” he said, trying not to wince. “I’ve been good.”
“Stop by SMTown sometime,” Junmyeon said. “We miss you. Will you at least consider it?”
Chanyeol could hardly believe his ears. Kim Joonmyeon personally inviting him back to SMTown? This was simply too good to be true. “I will!” he said, having trouble keeping the incredulity from his voice.
“Good,” Junmyeon said. He did not look back when he turned to leave.
“Do you know who that was?” Kyungsoo said, after the Grand Omicron had left. There was awe in his voice, which was rather rare because very few things impressed Kyungsoo.
“I know!” Chanyeol said, raising his hands up. “Kim Joonmyeon! Can you believe that?”
“Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said, trying to keep the excitement from his voice. “Do you not realize who he is?”
“Of course I do! What are you talking about? He’s only the most important person in Sigma Mu!”
Kyungsoo shook his head slowly. “Have you gotten started on the readings I assigned you three weeks ago on The Prophecy of the Two Planes?”
“Not now, Kyungsoo!” Chanyeol said, waving his hand dismissively. “First I need to figure out what to do about Junmyeon’s invitation-“
Kyungsoo banged his fist on the takoyaki food truck’s counter, making the whole vehicle shake. Their favorite takoyaki guy shot Kyungsoo a dark look. Kyungsoo could be really forceful when he wanted to be.
“This is about Joonmyeon’s invitation dammit!” he said. “You’re not listening to me!”
“Okay, okay,” Chanyeol said. “Take it easy, Soo. I’m listening.”
Kyungsoo steadied his breathing and took a drink from his can of cider before continuing. “Had you read the pages I’ve assigned for you to read, then you would have known that you had just been talking to an Otherworldly Class 2. Kim Junmyeon is a demigod, Chanyeol.”
Chanyeol’s mouth opened and closed until he resembled some sort of goldfish. He was aware of The Watcher classifications and what that meant. He had no words. He already knew Kim Junmyeon’s greatness and stature as a human being, but now he had to deal with the fact that Junmyeon was really a Class 2? He felt more out of his depth than ever.
“That,” Kyungsoo said, trying to find the appropriate words to convey his wonder. “Was. Completely. Unexpected.” A bubble of incredulous laughter erupted from his diminutive frame, sending startled glances from pedestrians their way. “Suho. Here. Posing as a student.”
For a full minute both boys tended to their own thoughts and takoyaki balls.
“So I guess that means I have to re-pledge then, won’t I?” Chanyeol said, uncertain about the larger implications of being personally invited by a Class 2. He was on shaky ground. He was still getting the hang of the nuances of magic, but he was guessing that surely it had to be rude to turn down an invitation from the magical equivalent of a sunbae?
“Are you joking right now?” Kyunsoo said. “Now you absolutely must make an appearance. When someone like that summons you, you must-“
“Turn up,” Chanyeol said. “I got it.” He chewed on his lip for a second. Then he had a brainstorm. “What if you came with me, though?”
“I beg your pardon?” Kyungsoo said.
“I’m serious,” Chanyeol said. The more he thought about it, the more it sounded like a good idea. “What if you pledged with me, Soo?”
“What nonsense. Why on earth would I want to do that?” Kyungsoo said, feigning distaste, trying to sound detached.
Chanyeol stared at Kyungsoo as if he was the stupid one in the relationship. “Come on, Soo. You said it yourself. Joonmyeon - Suho - or whoever he is - is a pretty big deal, right? Well now you have the chance to get up close and personal with a Class 2. I’m sure that will be an impressive asset to add to your resume.”
“Suho is a demigod who has the power to summon water,” Kyungsoo sighed. “Truly you are hopeless, Chanyeol. I don’t know how I do what I do for so little compensation.” He shook his head, though he had to admit the idea was tempting.
“Come on, it’ll be fun!” Chanyeol said, stomping his feet in the way that Kyungsoo found very childish. Kyungsoo snorted and rolled his eyes.
Chanyeol suddenly leaned forward so that he was closer to Kyungsoo and lowered his voice. If nerdy supernatural fun was not going to do the trick, it was time to pull out the big guns.
“Don’t try to tell me you can’t meet the requirements, either. I know you can sing. I know you want to.”
Now it was Kyungsoo’s turn to resemble a goldfish. “How…how…” he said, unable to finish the thought. He stared down at his feet, not meeting Chanyeol’s eyes.
“Oh, would you relax?” Chanyeol said, his grin extending from ear to ear. “You know all of my deepest darkest secrets and you’re afraid I know you sing?” When Kyungsoo failed to come back at him with a clever answer, Chanyeol knew he had won, sort of.
Kyungsoo cleared his throat. “Well,” he said, considering his words carefully. “I suppose if I do pledge Sigma Mu with you, then it’d be easier for me to do my job.”
Chanyeol snapped his fingers and pointed at Kyungsoo. “Now you’re getting it!” he grinned, nodding. “That settles it, then, Soo. You’re coming with me. We’re going to SMTown!”
When Kyungsoo looked up, he was smiling his crazy smile, the one that made his mouth look like a heart with teeth. He was laughing his weird creepy laugh. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
“Shut up,” Chanyeol said. “You’re gonna love it.”
***
First on the agenda was to find some new clothes for Kyungsoo. Chanyeol decided that it wouldn’t do for his roommate to pledge Sigma Mu with what he usually wore because everything he owned was black. And it wasn’t even stylish or flattering black. It was just basic blah black.
“I think this is a waste of time, Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said, as he changed out of his clothing inside the dressing room in the men’s section of SPAO. Chanyeol had selected a bunch of preppy outfits for Kyungsoo to try and would not take no for an answer.
“Payback’s a bitch, my good Watcher friend,” Chanyeol said. “I’m helping you fulfill your own fate just as you’d helped me with mine.”
“That is not the same and you know it,” Kyungsoo said, stepping out of the stall. He sighed, presenting himself to Chanyeol. “How do I look?” Kyungsoo was wearing a striped yellow and blue rugby shirt over blue jeans.
Chanyeol’s hand went to his mouth as he muffled his delight. “Oh my gosh!” he said. “Look at you! Who could ever guess that you could look so…so…” he struggled to find the perfect word to describe his roommate. “…squishy?!” Chanyeol was bouncing on the balls of his feet, very much pleased with his styling abilities. He felt so proud.
Kyungsoo stepped around to get closer to a mirror to see what he looked like. What was this “squishy” nonsense about? When he caught a glimpse of himself on the mirror, he had to admit that he looked…younger. It was a refreshing look.
Chanyeol came up behind him. “See? You are very cute,” Chanyeol said, matter-of-factly, placing his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders. “It’s just that you hide everything under all that doom and gloom. Now people can see how your face lights up when you wear a different color.”
“Clothing is one thing I prefer not to have to think about,” Kyungsoo said in his defense. “Not having to think of what I put on my body saves me a lot of time to get more things done.”
Chanyeol wasn’t paying attention, as usual. He was busy fluffing up Kyungsoo’s hair and rambling about what hairstyle would suit him. “Stop that!” Kyungsoo said, battling away Chanyeol’s hand.
Chanyeol stuck out his tongue at Kyungsoo’s reflection then reached over to keep fluffing Kyungsoo’s hair. Kyungsoo ducked, and Chanyeol grabbed him by the waist, tickling him, causing Kyungsoo to fall over on the department store carpet. He lay down on the floor with Chanyeol pinning him down in a mock half Nelson. “Uncle! Uncle!” Kyungsoo cried. “Help!”
Chanyeol eased up on Kyungsoo, but that was a mistake because as soon as he loosened his grip, the smaller boy was somehow able to reverse their positions so that Chanyeol was now the one pinned under the smaller boy’s knee.
“Ouch! Ow!” Chanyeol yelped. “I’m sorry, Kyungsoo! Please forgive me!” he said, half-laughing, half-begging. He never saw that coming. He had underestimated how strong Kyungsoo was.
When Kyungsoo finally let him go, Chanyeol wondered what else he might have underestimated about his roommate.
***
“What about her?” Chanyeol said, discreetly pointing out a girl with resting bitchface. They were playing a game called Magical Folks. Chanyeol would randomly point out any person and Kyungsoo would tell him if they were magical or not. If they were, Chanyeol would have to guess which class they belonged to. The rule was that Kyungsoo had to be honest about who was magical and who was not. “Green dress. Hook nose.”
Kyungsoo craned his neck and glanced outside the window. They were in their favorite diner, Deer and Goalie, where Kyungsoo had outed Chanyeol to himself. “Hm,” he said. “Definitely.”
“Really!” Chanyeol said. Sometimes the most normal looking ones were the most unexpected magical folk. “Class 3?”
“Nope.”
“Class 4?”
“Uh-uh.”
“Huh,” Chanyeol said, rubbing his chin. “Class 5, then.”
“Nope.” Kyungsoo said, smiling slighty. The girl in green entered the diner.
“No shit, that girl’s a 2?” Chanyeol said, lowering his voice to a whisper-shout. “What is she, then?”
“Vengeance demon,” Kyungsoo said. “She’s in my major subjects.” He raised his eyebrows in greeting as the girl in green walked past their booth. “Hello, Taeyeon noona. How are you?” The vengeance demon smiled.
Their waiter, Minseok appeared bringing their orders. His hair was colored a shock of pink now, and he had new piercings in his ear. “Hey, guys,” he said, setting down their food. “Here you go. The house salad for you,” he said to Kyungsoo. “Dressing on the side. And a shitload of complex carbs for you,” he said to Chanyeol, who was rubbing his hands together in excitement. “Can I get you anything else?”
“We’re good for now, Minseok,” Kyungsoo said. “Oh, I almost forgot to give you this,” reaching inside his jacket pocket, Kyungsoo pulled out a small cloth bag tied with ribbon and handed it to Minseok, who took it gratefully before holding it up to his nose and inhaling.
“Thanks, Soo,” Minseok said, dropping the bag inside his apron pocket. “Owe you one.” He glanced at Chanyeol and shot him a conspiratorial look before attending to another table.
“Was that…” Chanyeol said. “Was that legal?”
Kyungsoo was digging into his greens. He frowned. He should have ordered something heavier. The shopping was more tiring than he thought. “Was what legal?”
“Kyungsoo,” Chanyeol said, still whisper-shouting. “Are you a drug dealer?”
“I’ll have you know that Minseok is a Class 3,” Kyungsoo said, by way of explanation. “And I just gave him some catnip. He’s a cat hybrid.”
“Are you on a first-name basis with all the magical folk in the area?” Chanyeol said. “And here I thought you were completely without a social life.” He imagined Kyungsoo having study dates with Class 3’s on Wednesdays and choir practice with Class 2’s on Fridays. Suddenly Kyungsoo didn’t seem to be the anti-social nerd Chanyeol once perceived him to be.
“No,” Kyungsoo said, though Chanyeol had a hunch his roommate was simply being modest. “I mean, Junmyeon didn’t recognize me. But that’s because he’s really old. Like Ancient Aliens old.”
“Oh,” Chanyeol said. Sometimes talking to Kyungsoo tended to bring up more questions than answers.
***
“Well, well, well,” Byun Baekyun said, his words slightly slurred. The rush party at SMTown had just started but Baekhyun was already sloshed. “And so you’re back from outer space.”
“Baekhyun,” Chanyeol said, nodding. He couldn’t afford not to be civil. He was just a pledge, after all. Worse - he was a returning pledge, someone who couldn’t cut it the first time around so that he had to extend his pledge cycle for a second term. It was humiliating. Sigma Mu didn’t do returning pledges, as far as he knew. Either you got in or you didn’t.
Baekyun smiled and draped himself over Chanyeol, who stiffened. Beside him, Kyungsoo pressed close. This was his first ever college party, and he promised himself he wouldn’t get drunk. He even downloaded and laminated a chart to help him keep track of the alcohol he would imbibe that night. He discreetly felt around his back pocket to make sure it was there. Check.
“Oh, look,” Baekyun said, noticing Kyungsoo for the first time. “You brought a friend. Hello there, Chanyeol’s friend. I’m Baekhyun. What’s yours?”
“There you are!” Kris said, appearing in time to save all parties from an awkward situation. His hand came up to massage his boyfriend’s neck. Chanyeol thought that as usual, Kris looked amazing. He was wearing a black Givenchy suit textured with tiny teal and pink dots, cutting a gorgeous silhouette on his tall frame.
Kyungsoo on the other hand, thought Kris’s hair had seen better days. His hair was gelled and teased all over one side of his head in what appeared to be some kind of 1980s New Romantics throwback hairdo. Or hair don’t. Kyungsoo may not have been the party-going type, but he knew enough not to make comments about a fraternity member’s fashion choices, especially not one from a frat in which one wanted to pledge. Instead, Kyungsoo shot Chanyeol a look that he hoped clearly said, This is stupid.
“Listen, listen, listen,” Baekyun said, letting go of Chanyeol and wrapping his arm around Kris’s waist. “I just want you to know,” he pointed to Chanyeol. “That I know what you did last semester.”
“Baek,” Kris said in a warning tone, his hand tightening over his shoulder. “Come on, babe. Let’s go sit down.”
“No!” Baekhyun said, refusing to be led away. “I’m talking to Park Chanyeol here. Park Chanyeol? Your former Little?” He made quotation marks in the air.
Kris shot Chanyeol an apologetic look and shrugged. Chanyeol pretended not see it. As far as Chanyeol was concerned - Kris has made his bed. Now he had to lie in it.
“But I also want you to know,” Baekhyun continued. “That I forgive you. I forgive you, Chanyeol! Because in the end, I got this-“ and here he grabbed Kris’s face and squeezed his cheeks between his fingers. “-gorgeous man to finally sleep with me. I have been throwing myself at him-“ Baekhyun’s drink spilled from his plastic cup, Chanyeol sidestepped in time to avoid being covered in cranberry vodka punch. “-but he never did give me the time of day. Until you set me on fire during the Showcase!”
“Ooookay, that’s enough!” Kris said, bodily lifting his very drunk boyfriend away from Chanyeol. He nodded to Chanyeol and Kyungsoo both before leaving. “Gentlemen.”
Chanyeol lifted his beer bottle in a mock toast.
“Pssst,” Kyungsoo said, poking Chanyeol in the ribs. “When can we leave?”
“What? We just got here,” Chanyeol said, shoving a beer into Kyungsoo’s hand. “Loosen up, Soo. Hey, it’s your first college party! All right!” he clinked his bottle with Kyungsoo’s.
“Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said, setting down the beer back down on the kitchen counter. “All I want to do is sing. Maybe go onstage and perform. When do we get to do that?”
Chanyeol put an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder. “You know how I started out as a Class 5? Well that’s pretty much where we‘re at frat-wise. We’re at the very bottom of the barrel. The singing comes much later. Consider this part of the training, Soo.”
Kyungsoo looked around him. There were drunken people everywhere. Granted, they were very good-looking normal non-magical people. But they were drunk all the same. He was out of his depth. Give me a room full of snobbish Class 2’s anytime over this lot.
“I’m going to need something stronger than a beer to get me through tonight,” he said, admitting defeat.
Chanyeol ladled him a cup full of cranberry vodka punch. “Welcome to SMTown.”
***
Not wanting to be a burden to Chanyeol, Kyungsoo eventually made an attempt to venture out on his own during the party. He just had to warm up for a bit with a cup or two more of that cranberry vodka punch drink.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay, though?” Chanyeol said, concern lining his forehead. He felt responsible for his Watcher. Kyungsoo always had his back, after all. Chanyeol felt it only fair he should at least have Kyungsoo’s when it came to non-magical, real-life matters like college parties.
Kyungsoo shooed him away. “Go mingle,” he said. “As long as I have some more of this delicious punch and my handy-dandy alcohol chart, I shall be all right. Maybe I’ll go talk to that guy over there,” he pointed with his chin to a sleepy-eyed guy that he noticed had been making eyes at him all night.
Chanyeol tried to make out which guy Kyungsoo was referring to. “Well he’s not an active member,” he said. “He must also be pledging.” He slapped Kyungsoo’s shoulder for luck. “I’ll try not to set things on fire. There’s Sehun. I’ll catch you later. You look cute by the way.”
Even though Kyungsoo had encouraged Chanyeol to mingle at the party, he could feel his roommate’s eyes on him at several points throughout the night. Sometimes when they caught each other’s eyes, Chanyeol would give Kyungsoo a questioning thumbs’ up just to make sure the other was doing okay.
It was actually very sweet.
“Who’s that guy that keeps looking at you?” the guy with the sleepy eyes said. Kyungsoo found out his name was Jongin, and he was also thinking about pledging Sigma Mu. They were having a nice conversation, him and Jongin, the dance major. Jongin was telling Kyungsoo about his three pet poodles.
Kyungsoo squinted and found Chanyeol looking over at Jongin and him from across the room.
“That’s my roommate Chanyeol,” Kyungsoo said. “He’s just looking out for me, don’t worry about him.”
“Oh, okay,” Jongin said. “Sure he’s not your boyfriend?”
Kyungsoo smiled up at Jongin. He was really cute, and Kyungsoo was pretty sure he had misplaced his handy-dandy alcohol chart. But who cared about that? Who cared when he was at his first ever college party talking to a really nice, really cute guy and for once he could just let loose and be normal? He found himself toying with the material on Jongin’s shirt, tugging him closer.
“No,” Kyungsoo said, as Jongin leaned in to kiss him. “Absolutely not.”
***
Kyungsoo was a virgin, but he had never felt burdened by his lack of sexual experience. It just wasn’t that important or interesting to him. The previous dearth of available options was also a factor. In hindsight, none of his fellow Watcher trainees had been particularly, to use Chanyeol’s term, fuckable, so he never truly considered his sex life as something to be preoccupied with. Besides, whenever he felt the need to relieve a little stress, Kyungsoo had no problem taking matters into his own hands, so to speak. He just didn’t think of anybody specific when he did.
In fact, Kyungsoo didn’t even know if he had a type, though he wasn’t close-minded about being attracted to either sex, be they magical or non-magical. Cognitively he knew what made an attractive person just like anyone else, but that’s as far as his own appreciation for someone’s beauty went.
But as they say, there’s a first time for everything, even for Watchers.
And though Jongin was not Kyungsoo’s first kiss, Kyungsoo felt as though an entire other world was opening up to him. It was very different from the Otherworld that he was used to, and it was blowing his mind.
Kyungsoo liked the way Jongin tasted - a heady brew of the by-now familiar cranberry vodka punch and something else - a sweetness Kyungsoo wasn’t able to identify, a flavor that became more potent as their kiss deepened. Kyungsoo wanted more of it, and it was obvious that Jongin did, too.
So Kyungsoo did what came naturally. The two found themselves stumbling out of the party, giggling and making out and trying to make it back to Kyungsoo’s dorm room.
None of this escaped Chanyeol, who, while he was generally glad his weirdo of a roommate was stepping out of his comfort zone, was also feeling quite possessive. “Hey, Sehun,” he said. “Mind if I crashed on your couch for the night?”
***
Kyungsoo was a lights-off kind of guy. Luckily, so was Jongin.
The two boys fumbled over each other as they kissed in the dark, their only light source coming from the street lamps outside the window. Kyungsoo loved the way the shadows moved over their skin as pieces of clothing came off from their bodies. They hardly said a word to each other since leaving the Sigma Mu house, but their movements were in perfect sync as they touched.
Jongin felt so good against Kyungsoo’s body that he wanted to feel more of him, quickly. Kyungsoo’s hands moved to grab Jongin’s ass as he trailed kisses down the taller boy’s neck.
“Whoah, whoah. Hey,” Jongin said, bucking into Kyungsoo’s hands, slightly falling forward on his toes. He put both hands over Kyungsoo’s shoulders to steady his balance. Kyungsoo could feel Jongin’s warm, sugary breath over the tip of his ear, and the vibrations of Jongin’s voice and he shivered. “Hyung, take it easy. I’m not going anywhere else tonight. Okay?” Kyungsoo could sense that Jongin was smiling in the darkness, and he found this terribly, incredibly, painfully arousing.
Kyungsoo groaned, leaning his head against Jongin’s chest, letting out an embarrassed little laugh. “I just…want you so much.”
Jongin responded by dipping his head low to catch Kyungsoo’s lips in a heated kiss, picking up on Kyungsoo’s pace finally.
Kyungsoo realized right then that he was capable of starting fires of his own.
Part 1 | Part 3