#338: i'm pink and black and blue (for you)
Prompt: #338
Title: i'm pink and black and blue (for you)
Pairing: chen/d.o
Rating: pg-13
Word count: 6417
Summary: No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is an A+ kind of roommate.
Note: title from chairlift's bruises
When he pulled the short straw during the secret who-is-going-to-room-with-Kyungsoo meeting he had with Chanyeol and Baekhyun, the night after graduation, Jongdae honestly didn't expect to enjoy living with Kyungsoo this much. He used to think that Kyungsoo is the type to sleep with his eyes open and murder you in your sleep, but it's over a year later and Jongdae still has all his organs intact. He thinks, at least. As it turns out, most nights Kyungsoo sleeps in a curled up position, with a fluffy blue blanket over his body, and he looks like a tiny little baby angel and Jongdae might have let his gaze linger a little too long every time he comes over to Kyungsoo's room and finds him sleeping.
No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is an A+ kind of roommate, and Jongdae still can't believe that back in his high school days he preferred rooming with Baekhyun or Chanyeol. Dark times. He can't imagine the amount of talking he has to go through in one day. And the mess. Also how do those two eat? Jongdae doesn't remember Baekhyun ever being able to be in the vicinity of a stove, and Chanyeol's cooking is, well, to put it nicely, experimental.
Days typically start at eight for Jongdae, awaken by the slight morning sunshine sneaking into his room through the curtains and the sweet smell of Kyungsoo cooking breakfast. It takes him a minute or two to rub sleep out of his eyes and rolls off his bed, taking a shower before heading to the kitchen.
"Morning," he greets, yawning.
Kyungsoo is already there, flipping a pancake, today, because it's a Monday, nodding at Jongdae as his way of saying good morning. Jongdae makes his way to the fridge to get some bananas for their morning juice. Lazy mornings are rare for college students like them, but when they have one, this is how it goes-Kyungsoo makes the food and Jongdae makes the drinks.
They no longer bump shoulders when they maneuver in the kitchen. Mornings feel like a rehearsed choreography in which they both know where to step and where they should be. On busier days like Fridays when Jongdae has morning classes and Kyungsoo has studio, Jongdae will run to the kitchen and Kyungsoo will be ready to stuff his mouth with a toast. They will leave together, sharing plans of coming home late or discussing dinner menu until they have to separate when they reach the Law Faculty building.
"I made blueberry compote," Kyungsoo informs, absently pointing his spatula to the general direction of a small pot full of sauce that smells heavenly. Jongdae picks up a teaspoon and shoves a portion into his mouth. Kyungsoo should be a chef. Jongdae will give him a Michelin star right then and there. "How is it?" Kyungsoo turns around from his finished plates of pancakes, looking at Jongdae expectantly.
"It's amazing," Jongdae replies, although it comes out muffled and more like ohs ohmohzong because the sauce is hot and his tongue burns. But it's totally worth it. "Still hot."
Kyungsoo scoffs as he puts their plates on the kitchen counter and sits down on a stool next to Jongdae and his blender. There's a dining table in their dorm, one that they never really use to dine. Most of the time, on days when nothing good is on TV and they're too lazy to go out, they use it to play Counter Strike. A couple of weeks before finals, when they have far too many projects to work on, the table is used for Kyungsoo's building models, or for Jongdae to code with three monitors on. They once promised to start having actual meals on the table, but somehow they always end up having breakfast on the kitchen counter and dinner in front of the TV.
When he's done with the juice, Jongdae takes out two mugs from the top cabinet, pink for him and blue for Kyungsoo, and pour their drinks in. Their mugs are a matching pair gifted by Baekhyun last Christmas because you guys are so totally going to be a couple one day. Coincidentally, Jongdae bought him and Chanyeol a pair of cold cups, one says dumb and the other says dumber, because these are totally you two but I will leave it to you to decide which one gets to be dumber. It's Baekhyun-Chanyeol won the rock paper scissor match.
"Here you go," Jongdae says as he places the juice in front of Kyungsoo. He picks up their plates and goes to get some compote for the pancakes. "And here you go," he says, placing the plates back on the kitchen counter before seating himself down next to Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo mumbles his thanks and they start digging into their food in silence. This, also, is something they've established after occupying the same space for over a year. It's not necessary to be as loud as Baekhyun and Chanyeol during meals-staying silent is simply a way for you to appreciate that the other person enjoys the peace, and it's a lot better than chatting about the weather when you don't want to, anyway.
"So what time does your class start today?" Kyungsoo asks minutes later, looking up from his almost finished plate. Jongdae looks up, too-he's done with his pancakes and has just gulped half his juice. Kyungsoo grunts, taking out a tissue and leaning to Jongdae. "Why do you eat like a five-year-old," he mutters, wiping sauce from the corners of Jongdae's mouth and froths from his upper lip.
Jongdae pouts but he lets Kyungsoo continue, although at some point he accidentally looks at Kyungsoo right in the eye and has to look away because his heart is doing a weird thing. Jongdae clears his throat and Kyungsoo retreats to his seat. "Uh. So. My class starts at eleven? I thought you've had our schedules memorized," Jongdae blabbers, trying hard to make his stomach stop flipping, to make his heart beat at a more normal pace.
Finishing the last bites of his pancakes, Kyungsoo frowns. "Yeah, but I thought last night you said something about a tutorial or something?" Kyungsoo licks his fork clean and stares at Jongdae, who really, really needs to clean his mind. But Kyungsoo. And Kyungsoo's tongue. Also what is this tutorial Kyungsoo's talking about? Oh wait-
Jongdae glances at the clock on the kitchen wall. "Shit," he curses, running to his room to up pick his bag and laptop. The tutorial starts in ten minutes and Jongdae really has no more room for an absence this semester. "Shit, shit, shit, Kyungsoo I'm sorry I can't wash the dishes with you," he shouts, frantically putting on his shoes. He absolutely can't be late for this-his professor won't let him in the class.
"It's okay, but you're washing everything tonight," Kyungsoo answers from the kitchen. Jongdae is already by the door when Kyungsoo adds, "Don't forget to eat lunch! Have fun in class!"
*
It takes Jongdae one annoying best friend to finally admit to possibly having some tiny, little, miniscule feelings for his roommate.
"You like him," repeats Baekhyun for the tenth time in the week, after Jongdae finished telling him about that little skyscraper model Kyungsoo built for his studio, which is, in Jongdae's words, magnificent.
If he's being really honest with himself (and let's not say anything to Baekhyun about this) he's probably felt it for a while, but denial has gotten him through for the most part. When they started college and had to move in together, Kyungsoo had a boyfriend, a senior in the law department, so dating him was out of the question for the longest time. Joonmyun is kind, and handsome, also rich, and he is everything one can want in a boyfriend, which is why Jongdae gave up on Kyungsoo in the first place.
But one day Joonmyun called Jongdae in the middle of the night, asking if Kyungsoo's home yet, and it's easy to tell that they were having a problem. When asked about it on the next day, Kyungsoo merely scoffed into his waffles, said that they broke up, and ended the conversation. Jongdae scolded himself for being insensitive and inappropriate when a (tiny, little, miniscule) part of him felt really glad about that particular development. It means that Kyungsoo is available for him-not that he's done anything about it, now, three months later.
Jongdae sighs, and tries a different approach from the previous nine times. "Let's assume that's true," he comments.
"It is true, no assumptions needed."
Jongdae sighs once more. "Okay, sure, just to amuse you," he says (I'm hardly amused, Baekhyun snorts.) "So what?"
Baekhyun shrugs. "I just really don't understand why you haven't said anything to him," he replies with his mouth full. Baekhyun takes another big bite of his burger, smearing sauce around his mouth. Jongdae should have been able to come up with a hundred insults for Baekhyun's disgusting face right now, but all he can think about is the way Kyungsoo wiped sauce off his face earlier this week. This is a problem. "You can just go, hey, Kyungsoo, I kinda like you so, uh, do me?"
There are a lot of things in Jongdae's life that he needs to reflect on, but number one on his list will always be why am I friends with Baekhyun. Jongdae throws the slice of cucumber from his burger at Baekhyun, who squeaks like a schoolgirl before putting on his drama queen face.
"It's not that easy," protests Jongdae, accidentally defying the I-do-not-like-Kyungsoo front he's been putting up. But it really isn't-he lives with the guy, for God's sake. What if Kyungsoo rejects him? Where is he going to live then? He's too high maintenance to live in the streets, but he's too broke to afford his own place-there are too many logistical issues to think about. "What if he says no?"
"Well, then, at least you've said it," Baekhyun comments easily. Jongdae really questions his decisions on amusing Baekhyun regarding this matter-this is going nowhere. Baekhyun has finished his burger and starts picking Jongdae's fries. Jongdae swats his hand away. "Why do you like him, anyway? He always looks at me like he's going to murder me."
"That's just the effect you have on people, Baekhyun," comes Chanyeol's tired voice. Jongdae looks up to see the tall guy taking the seat next to him, looking like he didn't get any sleep. "Can you please stop playing Angry Birds Epic in the middle of the night?"
Baekhyun frowns at Chanyeol, and Jongdae does, too, because Baekhyun is a lot of problems, but Angry Birds Epic is a fantastic game and even an asshole like Baekhyun should be allowed to play it. "What do you have against Angry Birds Epic?" Baekhyun demands. Jongdae nods supportively. Justice for Angry Birds Epic!
"You imitate the fucking birds' sounds!" Chanyeol whines, glaring at Baekhyun. His daily Miserable Life of Being Byun Baekhyun's Roommate tales have become their lunch routine for so long and Jongdae isn't really surprised by anything anymore. At least he understands now why Baekhyun should stop playing the game. "I woke up to your screeching voice at 2 AM last night!"
Their argument quickly escalates to a competition of high pitched impersonations of Angry Birds characters-Jongdae has never felt so ashamed of his choice of friends before. His phone vibrates in his pocket and he is thankful for any excuse to get away from Baekhyun and Chanyeol bickering about the importance of sleep versus emotional investment in gaming.
It's Kyungsoo. "Hello?" Jongdae greets, frowning. Kyungsoo doesn't normally call-especially when he knows Jongdae has classes. "Kyungsoo? What's up?"
"Do you still have class?"
He does, actually-a two-period lecture on object-oriented programming, which he doesn't need to attend because he's already too good a programmer and the professor doesn't really care about attendance. "I can skip, why?"
"We're out of milk and eggs," Kyungsoo says in a whisper with a very somber tone. Jongdae snorts as he realizes where the conversation is going. Kyungsoo takes grocery shopping very seriously and whenever it happens, they always have to go together, because I'm not going to do this emotionally-draining chore more than once a month, Jongdae and there's no way I'll let you go grocery shopping alone! What if you buy the wrong brand of butter! "We, should-no, we have to go grocery shopping right now."
Jongdae can't hold back his laugh. Kyungsoo is so adorable when he talks about grocery and kitchen and architecture and-well, actually maybe to Jongdae, Kyungsoo is always adorable. Jongdae should probably stop thinking. "Okay, sure, do you want to meet up there?"
"No, no, I'll pick you up," Kyungsoo says quickly. Jongdae can hear rustling sounds of keys and doors being opened and closed and the sound of Kyungsoo running. He starts imagining the way the wind blows on Kyungsoo's face and how beautiful he looks and-oh my god, Kim Jongdae, get a grip! "I'll see you on the front gate in, like, ten?"
"Sounds good," Jongdae replies. "I'll get my things."
The call ends and Jongdae is probably smiling, and no, it's not because he really likes listening to Kyungsoo's voice. Jongdae just really enjoys smiling at a random time and place with no reason whatsoever. A piece of bread lands on his head and Jongdae instantly glares at Baekhyun, because who else could it be. "What?"
"Stop grinning to yourself and pay attention a little," Baekhyun nags. "I told Chanyeol we're going to get sushi for dinner later, are you coming?"
"Can't," Jongdae replies. He starts gathering his things and getting ready to leave for the front gate, where Kyungsoo will be waiting, sitting in his father's black, old Toyota that isn't even that cool but Jongdae sighs about anyway. "Grocery shopping with Kyungsoo."
Both of his friends start shaking their heads. "I still don't get the whole grocery shopping together thing," Chanyeol comments at the same time as Baekhyun's "Oh my god you guys are so married."
There are a lot of comebacks Jongdae can think of for those statements, but Jongdae has exactly five minutes to run to Kyungsoo and absolutely no time for Baekhyun or Chanyeol, so he sticks out his tongue and waves his friends goodbye.
*
It takes Jongdae an academic crisis to (accidentally) speak of this particular tiny, little, miniscule feeling to the object of his affection.
Jongdae wakes up that day with a pain on his neck and a devastating headache. He lifts up his head from the laptop he fell asleep on, squinting at his screen, where around three hundred lines of v's are typed, pressed by his cheek during his slumber. He groans and straightens himself up, noticing Kyungsoo's blanket falling off his shoulder.
Jongdae wasn't supposed to be asleep-it's almost 5 in the morning, and the deadline for his game-dev solo project is today. But unless all the codes he wrote last night was in his dream, then he should be fine. His space shooter game is all finished up and ready to upload. Jongdae rubs his eyes with one hand, the other clicking on his laptop to open his university e-mail and fetch the link to the course's upload dock. He slowly reads the e-mail containing the project's submission information. Deadline: September 3rd, 3:26 AM.
Jongdae rereads the line. 3:26 AM.
He wants to scream but in this ungodly hour more than a few neighbors will come filing reports to the dorm supers. Screw his TA and his weird ass project rules and specifications. Who the fuck sets deadlines at 3:26 AM? That is so not user friendly. Jongdae checks the time on the corner of his screen. Already 4:41 AM-over an hour late for submission and this project is forty percent of his grade. He was so close to getting an A, too. Jongdae allows himself a low, muffled groan, whispering fuck you Luhan under his breath. "Fuck you Luhan!" he growls once more, a little too loud. He silently prays that his neighbors didn't hear that.
"Oh, you're up," Kyungsoo comes out of the kitchen, yawning. He wraps one arm around a thick jacket he's wearing and shivers in cold. Oh, thinks Jongdae. He must be cold-Jongdae has his blanket. Kyungsoo approaches the table and puts down Jongdae's pink mug. Coffee. His roommate is definitely A++.
He is watching in awe and admiration as Kyungsoo takes a seat on the other side of the table when he realizes a much, much more important matter at hand. His fucking submission. He tears his gaze off Kyungsoo and the heaven-sent coffee he brings and clicks the link in his email. With his typing speed, Jongdae is logged in within mere seconds, and he frowns at an unfamiliar submission under his name, already uploaded at 3 AM.
"I zipped your project and uploaded it for you," Kyungsoo comments, covering his mouth halfway through the sentence to stifle another yawn. Jongdae stares at Kyungsoo with his mouth open. Did Kyungsoo just say that he saved his A this semester? But what did he upload? What if he uploaded the wrong file? How did he log in to Jongdae's account? So many questions but no sound comes out of his mouth. Thankfully, Kyungsoo goes, "I compiled the last opened file on your laptop. It worked. I played the game and set a high score. It was fun, you're good."
"I, uh, how did you-"
Kyungsoo yawns once more. "I've seen you go through probably ten thousand project submissions, I know how that works," he replies, waving his hand in dismissal like it's not a big deal. As if he didn't just save forty fucking percent of Jongdae's grade. "Sehun was online on Facebook so I asked him for the submission link. And for some stupid reason your password for everything is goddessliyin4eva-"
"She is a goddess. 4eva," cuts Jongdae. This is necessary. Defending Zhang Liyin the goddess is always necessary.
"Anyway," Kyungsoo shakes his head. "I uploaded the zipped file. Then I let you collapse on top of your laptop."
Jongdae blinks, trying to process the flood of information Kyungsoo has given him, barely ten minutes after waking up. "So," he trails, "the game works?"
"No glitch."
"And my project is uploaded?"
"Yes."
"Within the deadline?"
"True."
"I love you," Jongdae whispers, a little too quickly, too sincerely.
"I know."
*
It takes a really bad cold that drives him bedridden, with his body shivering and his head spinning, for Jongdae to finally get Kyungsoo in bed with him.
Jongdae is out of it. He has just finished his last midterm and turned in his group project, and he must have been pulling all-nighters for at least three nights, now, running only on instant ramyuns and canned coffees. He fumbles in front of his door, seeing double of everything and not being able to push his key into the hole. "Kyungsoo," he calls finally, knocking weakly on the door. "Kyungsoo, Kyungsoo."
The door opens with a click, and a wide-eyed Kyungsoo is the last thing Jongdae registers before everything turns pitch black.
The next thing he knows is waking up on an unfamiliar bed, his head hurting against a pillow that smells faintly of Kyungsoo. From the blue blanket that covers his body, and the Big Ben 3D puzzle on top of the shelf, Jongdae concludes that he must be in Kyungsoo's room. He moves around and tries to get up from the bed, but everything hurts so he ends up groaning.
A figure in all black jumps from the floor next to the bed and Jongdae shrieks, thinking that death has come to get him. "Jongdae?" the figure calls. It's just Kyungsoo, tone wary and tired, and affectionate, which is very rare coming from him. It doesn't last long, though, as he instantly returns to his bossy tone and commands, "Stay in bed!"
"It's cold," Jongdae whines. His head is in pain and all he wants is to sleep, but it's freezing and he's sort of hungry but really, all he wants is to sleep. Kyungsoo kneels beside the bed and carefully places the back of his hand on Jongdae's forehead. "It's cold," repeats Jongdae.
"How is it cold, you're burning up," mutters Kyungsoo. He stares at Jongdae worriedly, and Jongdae tries hard to remember if Kyungsoo's midterms are over and if he's supposed to be studying or doing some project instead. Also why is he sleeping on the floor? God. "Do you want to eat something? Should I take you to the hospital?"
Jongdae shakes his head. "I want to sleep," he replies, "but it's cold."
Kyungsoo looks around his room and fetches one of his jackets, throwing it over Jongdae's body and the blanket he already has. "Better?"
"Still cold," Jongdae pouts. Kyungsoo looks desperate and confused, appropriately so. He's always been a good roommate to Jongdae, yet here Jongdae is, a nagging ball of fever. "Cuddle me," Jongdae demands. The desperation and confusion in Kyungsoo's face become more apparent.
"No," comes the firm reply.
"I'm going to die from the cold."
"No, Jongdae-"
"And you will be the one to blame."
"Jongdae stop I'm gonna-"
"Baekhyun's theory that you will someday murder me will come true!"
"Oh, okay fine!" grumbles Kyungsoo. He climbs on the bed and shifts awkwardly next to Jongdae, who eagerly wraps his arms around Kyungsoo's waist, and places his head on Kyungsoo's chest. Kyungsoo mutters ten thousand words of complains that Jongdae can't catch, but the corners of Jongdae's lips twitch upwards when he feels Kyungsoo brushing his hair.
*
It takes a stupid party, hosted by none other than Baekhyun and his roommate-slash-servant, Chanyeol, for Kyungsoo to finally reply to Jongdae's blurted out confession.
"I thought you said it's a party?" Luhan protests, flinging one arm around Minseok's shoulder, only to be shrugged off within seconds. Jongdae smirks at Luhan's misery. "Where are the, you know, people?"
Jongin helps Chanyeol carry bowls of snacks into the room, where people are seated randomly, some on the floor (Jongdae, Kyungsoo, Sehun, Zitao, Joonmyun), some on the couch (Minseok, Luhan, Baekhyun), and some on the table next to the TV (Yixing). "This is all you get, hyung," Jongin comments. "Not that many people can tolerate Baekhyun hyung."
People solemnly agree. Baekhyun opens his mouth to protest but then realizes that it's pretty much the truth, so he just shrugs. "Whoever said the more the merrier is stupid, okay," Baekhyun retorts. "I say the less the more intimate!"
"He's not talking about us, Luhan!" Minseok snaps in irritation as Luhan takes Baekhyun's comment as a permission to leap onto the elder's lap. Minseok pushes Luhan off his lap and onto the floor, where Joonmyun catches him and gives him this odd look before looking down the floor, the tips of his ears burning red. "We're never going to be intimate," Minseok adds threateningly.
Sadly for Minseok, anything can happen when you're in Byun Baekhyun (and his roommate-slash-servant Park Chanyeol)'s party. As for today, what happens is truth or dare.
"What are we, highschoolers?" is Joonmyun's instant protest. He shuts up after Luhan takes a dare to let Baekhyun put some lipstick and a long, wavy wig on him (or her, honestly, Jongdae isn't even sure anymore).
Minseok gets unfortunately intimate with Luhan, as Baekhyun goes I dare you to stare at Luhan with your faces only three inches apart. "Really, Baekhyun? Three inches?" challenges Minseok, "I thought you're bolder than that." This, he eventually regrets, because Luhan is bolder than that, and for one moment their faces has zero inches between them.
And then, "Ah, Kyungsoo!" Baekhyun exclaims, rubbing his hands together devilishly. For one second, Baekhyun's gaze flits to Jongdae, and he instinctively feels uneasy. Baekhyun's definitely planning something after Jongdae reluctantly admitted that he's probably into Kyungsoo. He wonders why he's friends with Baekhyun, but then he realizes that probably everyone in the room wonders the same thing.
After enough dramatic pause, Baekhyun continues, "Truth or dare?"
Kyungsoo sighs. "Why am I friends with you," he mutters. Jongdae can see people making small nods. "Dare," he replies finally. Baekhyun gasps, and Jongdae can totally relate-Kyungsoo doesn't usually do things that require him to make meaningless efforts. A dare is the very definition of meaningless effort. Then again going to Baekhyun's party is a meaningless effort in itself.
Everyone looks like they're prepared for Kyungsoo to do truth, too, so it takes a while before anyone comes up with something. "Go to your favorite person here and tell him how you feel about them," Joonmyun says finally. Kyungsoo glares at him and Jongdae can't help but feel a little bit jealous about this thing that looks like an inside joke between the two of them. "Oh, and why you feel that way!" Joonmyun adds with a smirk. Kyungsoo maintains his glare.
"Well, then," Baekhyun says, standing up. "Come on, Kyungsoo, come to me!"
Kyungsoo snorts. "As if."
Jongdae would laugh at Baekhyun, but then Kyungsoo walks up to him and Jongdae freezes in his position. "Jongdae," Kyungsoo begins, placing his hands on Jongdae's arms. "I really like you."
His friends, for once, are silent, and Jongdae wishes they weren't. This is nice, hearing these things from Kyungsoo, but, like, really awkward. "Uh," Kyungsoo pauses, possibly thinking the same thing as Jongdae. "I guess because you don't cause much trouble? I mean, my other closest friends are Baekhyun and Chanyeol, so obviously you're the most tolerable one."
Chanyeol boos and Baekhyun joins in. "What else, what else!" Joonmyun cheers. For some reason he seems to be the most amused, which is curious because aren't exes usually bitter? Then again Joonmyun is probably too kind to even be bitter. "Tell us more!"
The look in Kyungsoo's face as he glowers at Joonmyun is scary, but it's almost like Joonmyun isn't afraid of death, as he continues chanting more, more, more. "Okay, fine, more!" Kyungsoo grumbles. "Might as well pick truth," he complains. Kyungsoo bites his bottom lip, thinking, and Jongdae's heart beats so fast it's not even funny.
"I like you because you sincerely compliment my food, and text me good luck before tests, and call to check on me when I'm not home by the time I say I will be," Kyungsoo says flatly. Jongdae likes what he hears, but the way Kyungsoo said it is so.. casual. Like it's nothing. It probably is nothing. Being picked as a favorite among these ten people isn't really that big of an achievement.
Sehun breaks the silence. "You guys are so domestic," he comments, scrunching his face in earnest disgust. "It's gross."
*
It takes Jongdae one stressful group project, three bottles of soju, and losing 72.4% of his consciousness to finally be brave enough to kiss Kyungsoo.
Chanyeol, as usual, the designated driver of trouble making duo Baekhyun and Jongdae, takes Jongdae home that night, barely conscious and muttering things that nobody but him understand. Jongdae allows himself be dragged to his apartment door, where Chanyeol knocks impatiently until Kyungsoo opens the door, bleary-eyed, probably because he's been working on his building model on their dining table for three days non-stop. Jongdae vaguely imagines himself as Chanyeol's princess in fairy tales, where instead of saving him, the prince feeds him to a dragon.
"What now," Kyungsoo growls when he opens the door.
Chanyeol cowers in fear. "Don't kill the delivery guy," he blurts.
Jongdae can only understand half of their conversation, because he's so drunk that for once he's quite sure that even Yixing is more sober than he is right now. But he recognizes Kyungsoo and his heart is thumping, half from the thrill of alcohol and half from seeing Kyungsoo with disheveled clothes and sexy bed hair. He leaps forward and latches onto Kyungsoo. "Kyungsoo!"
"What is this?" Kyungsoo groans, possibly with a glare at Chanyeol, because Jongdae can see Chanyeol shaking on his feet. "How much did he drink?"
"A lot," Chanyeol mutters. He scratches his head, desperately pleading at Kyungsoo. "I have Baekhyun to deal with, Kyungsoo, he's in the car as we speak," he says. "I hope he's still in the car. Oh my god I can't remember if I locked the door or not.."
Kyungsoo sighs, securing Jongdae's waist with one arm, making Jongdae giggle. "Go," he tells Chanyeol. "Save Baekhyun."
Chanyeol mumbles his thank you and sprints downstairs, while Kyungsoo pulls Jongdae inside and closes the door. "Drinking," he complains under his breath, and Jongdae is so close to Kyungsoo's neck that he can hear Kyungsoo clearly. "As if you're strong enough to hold alcohol."
"Hey!" protests Jongdae, voice slurred and definitely drunk. He's awake enough to walk, only not sober enough to walk straight. He presses his body as close as possible to Kyungsoo's, taking as much advantage as the situation allows. "I am a strong, independent man, perfectly capable of handling my drinks."
Kyungsoo pushes Jongdae to sit down on the edge of his bed, placing his hands on Jongdae's cheeks. He looks straight at Jongdae with an angry expression, but all Jongdae can focus on are how beautiful Kyungsoo's brown eyes are, how pretty his pink lips look. "You are drunk," Kyungsoo starts his lecture. He slaps Jongdae's cheek lightly, and it doesn't hurt. Jongdae wants more. "Do not drink that much ever again," Kyungsoo continues. He slaps Jongdae's other cheek, a little harder, and Jongdae wants to yell more, more, to Kyungsoo. "Actually, no, do not drink ever again."
Jongdae hears the words but honestly doesn't focus on them at all. Rather, he focuses on the way Kyungsoo's lips move, parting and closing in slow motion, forming pretty shapes on top of his pretty face. Jongdae is really going to pass out pretty soon, he can feel it. So as Kyungsoo's grip on his face loosens, Jongdae leans forward, capturing Kyungsoo's lips on his.
It's soft, and warm, and it tastes a lot like coffee. Jongdae isn't sure whether Kyungsoo really kisses back or if it's his drunken mind playing tricks on him. But Jongdae allows himself to enjoy the way Kyungsoo's lips move against his, softly, then rougher by the second.
And Jongdae passes out.
*
It takes Jongdae three days of constant nagging from Baekhyun, begging for Jongdae to stop crashing on his sofa, and one terrifying lecture from Chanyeol, demanding that Jongdae grow some balls, to finally have the required post-kissing discussion with Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo's texts have evolved from what time are you coming home to when are you coming home to are you ever coming home, and Jongdae should probably stop rejecting his calls. But he is still too deep in regrets about the fact that he kissed Kyungsoo and can't even remember properly how that felt. If the entire relationship between the two of them is going to crumble down and fall, Jongdae should at least be able to recall the kiss that causes it.
"Why can't you deal with kisses like normal people?" Baekhyun complains, shoving a bowl of cereal to Jongdae, who is sitting on the couch with his chin on his knees. Jongdae takes Baekhyun's definition of a breakfast and realizes how much he misses Kyungsoo. Jongdae wants real food. Three days of cereals is not good for his health. Three days of having breakfast with Baekhyun and Chanyeol isn't doing much to help. "Most kisses lead to make-out sessions or hot sex. Not a fucking hide and seek."
Chanyeol emerges from his bedroom, topless and with a bed head. He definitely has just woken up, but he apparently already has something to say. "For once I'm agreeing with Baekhyun," he growls, voice still thick with sleep. "Go home! Talk! Be normal people!"
"Listen to the hot dude," Baekhyun nods, smacking Chanyeol on the butt as he passes the sofa to get to the kitchen. Jongdae wants to barf-Chanyeol and Baekhyun are gross. Their place is gross. The cereal is gross. Jongdae misses Kyungsoo.
Chanyeol returns to the room and squishes himself in the space between Jongdae and Baekhyun, munching on colorful cereals that look like they consist more of artificial coloring than anything else. Is this what normal college students eat? Jongdae feels sorry for society. This is what his reality will be like if he loses Kyungsoo. How is he supposed to live now? He's already too pampered to be thrown back into actual college students' life.
Chanyeol eats in silence and Baekhyun mouths something at Jongdae behind Chanyeol's back. Jongdae can't quite make it-Care... Careless? Sho.. Shoot? Any.. Anonymous? Jongdae shoots Baekhyun a questioning look and Baekhyun gives up after failing over five times. When Chanyeol finishes his food and stands up to place his bowl on the table, Baekhyun quickly repeats what he's been mouthing to Jongdae, who catches it perfectly this time. Careful, Chanyeol shouts a lot when any ominous situation looms upon Kyungsoo. What does that even-
"Okay you, ungrateful little son of a bitch," Chanyeol bellows, throwing a pillow to the floor, and Jongdae is definitely starting to understand what Baekhyun meant. Baekhyun conveniently excuse himself to the kitchen. Chanyeol continues glowering at Jongdae. "Kyungsoo has been having a hard time, alone, at you fucking dorm, where you should be, and you are going to go there and apologize to him."
Jongdae opens his mouth, daringly trying to retort, but Chanyeol hovers above him, glaring, and Jongdae swears Chanyeol's ears become pointier. "No buts, Kim Jongdae," he threatens. "Go back there and talk to Kyungsoo and do not, I repeat, do not show your face in front of mine before you're in good terms with him."
Resistance is futile as Chanyeol drags him to the door, roughly shoving him outside, where he bumps into a small man who was just about to knock on Chanyeol's door.
"Fantastic timing," Chanyeol cheers. He smiles at Kyungsoo with an apologetic expression before pushing Jongdae towards him. "Here, take your person," he says curtly before closing the door behind him.
Jongdae stares at the floor for as long as he can until Kyungsoo clears his throat and breaks the silence. "I can't believe I'm the one who has to come to you," he mutters, clearly irritated. "So are we going to talk or are you just going to avoid me forever?"
"I'm sorry," Jongdae blurts. He looks up to see Kyungsoo-the circles under his eyes darker than ever, his shirt isn't buttoned up right, and his hair is messy under a snapback. Kyungsoo looks terrible, and Jongdae believes that it's at least 82.3% his fault. "I'm sorry I kissed you. I'm sorry I ran away. I like you a lot and I probably shouldn't, and I'm sorry for that, too. I'm sorry I ruin things. We were going on so well, your food is delicious, grocery shopping with you is a lot more fun than I ever thought grocery shopping could be, and your texts reminding me to eat are the warmest text messages after my parents', I can't believe I'm-"
Jongdae's incoherent speech is cut off by Kyungsoo's lips over his, pushing him harshly against the wall. "I said we are going to talk, not you," Kyungsoo mumbles in between the kiss. Jongdae is conflicted between crying and laughing because this is definitely an absurd turn of events. He resorts to making choking noises, which unfortunately leads to Kyungsoo pulling away.
"I already told you I like you a lot," Kyungsoo starts in frustration, shoving a hand on Jongdae's chest. "That was really hard!"
Jongdae stares blankly at Kyungsoo. Does that mean he actually meant it? "You're actually serious? Like, you like me, like me?"
"Yes!" screams Kyungsoo. "Oh my god I cannot believe we're having this conversation."
"You said it like someone reading a weather forecast!" protests Jongdae. "How was I supposed to understand that you meant it?"
"I always talk like I'm reading the weather forecast," deadpans Kyungsoo. True.
There's awkward silence. Until, "So," Jongdae trails, his hands twirling the edge of Kyungsoo's shirt and tugging him closer. "Uh, can we continue kissing, or do you still want to talk?"
"You realize this is the lamest way to start a relationship, right?" Kyungsoo asks, already leaning in closer to Jongdae.
Jongdae scoffs, and kisses Kyungsoo. "I know."
*
It takes practically nothing for Kyungsoo and Jongdae to shift from friends to lovers, except probably a slight change in their rooming arrangement.
Days normally start at seven for Jongdae, nowadays, awaken by the beeps of Kyungsoo's alarm and the shift of the younger's body next to him. He'd reach to his side and hold Kyungsoo down under his arms, and Kyungsoo would sometimes try to break free, especially on days when he has studio, but most of the time he concedes and cuddles with Jongdae for another half an hour.
"Morning," Jongdae greets, tucking his head into the crook of Kyungsoo's neck. "Please tell me it's a Sunday."
"Better," answers Kyungsoo lazily. He closes his eyes and rests his chin on top of Jongdae's head, nose nuzzling into Jongdae's hair. "Saturday."
Jongdae hums contentedly, smiling and wrapping his arms around Kyungsoo's waist. "Why do you have an alarm at this hour for a Saturday," mumbles Jongdae, more amused than annoyed, although sleeping is definitely the way to go for a Saturday morning.
Kyungsoo chuckles lightly. "To wake you up and hear you whine," he responds, pulling away a little to stare at Jongdae and stroke his hair. Jongdae pouts just because he knows it will make Kyungsoo happy, and his roommate-slash-sort-of-boyfriend laughs. The best start for a day. "We're actually very sappy," he adds, scrunching his face.
"I know, right?" Jongdae chuckles, tightening his hug on Kyungsoo. "If anyone calls us domestic one more time I honestly have no comeback for it."
"We peck each other on the lips and whisper I'll see you at dinner baby boo," suggests Kyungsoo.
Jongdae laughs into Kyungsoo's chest. "Deal."
No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is definitely an A+ kind of roommate. And who cares about being sappy when you have Kyungsoo to cuddle with, really.
Title: i'm pink and black and blue (for you)
Pairing: chen/d.o
Rating: pg-13
Word count: 6417
Summary: No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is an A+ kind of roommate.
Note: title from chairlift's bruises
When he pulled the short straw during the secret who-is-going-to-room-with-Kyungsoo meeting he had with Chanyeol and Baekhyun, the night after graduation, Jongdae honestly didn't expect to enjoy living with Kyungsoo this much. He used to think that Kyungsoo is the type to sleep with his eyes open and murder you in your sleep, but it's over a year later and Jongdae still has all his organs intact. He thinks, at least. As it turns out, most nights Kyungsoo sleeps in a curled up position, with a fluffy blue blanket over his body, and he looks like a tiny little baby angel and Jongdae might have let his gaze linger a little too long every time he comes over to Kyungsoo's room and finds him sleeping.
No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is an A+ kind of roommate, and Jongdae still can't believe that back in his high school days he preferred rooming with Baekhyun or Chanyeol. Dark times. He can't imagine the amount of talking he has to go through in one day. And the mess. Also how do those two eat? Jongdae doesn't remember Baekhyun ever being able to be in the vicinity of a stove, and Chanyeol's cooking is, well, to put it nicely, experimental.
Days typically start at eight for Jongdae, awaken by the slight morning sunshine sneaking into his room through the curtains and the sweet smell of Kyungsoo cooking breakfast. It takes him a minute or two to rub sleep out of his eyes and rolls off his bed, taking a shower before heading to the kitchen.
"Morning," he greets, yawning.
Kyungsoo is already there, flipping a pancake, today, because it's a Monday, nodding at Jongdae as his way of saying good morning. Jongdae makes his way to the fridge to get some bananas for their morning juice. Lazy mornings are rare for college students like them, but when they have one, this is how it goes-Kyungsoo makes the food and Jongdae makes the drinks.
They no longer bump shoulders when they maneuver in the kitchen. Mornings feel like a rehearsed choreography in which they both know where to step and where they should be. On busier days like Fridays when Jongdae has morning classes and Kyungsoo has studio, Jongdae will run to the kitchen and Kyungsoo will be ready to stuff his mouth with a toast. They will leave together, sharing plans of coming home late or discussing dinner menu until they have to separate when they reach the Law Faculty building.
"I made blueberry compote," Kyungsoo informs, absently pointing his spatula to the general direction of a small pot full of sauce that smells heavenly. Jongdae picks up a teaspoon and shoves a portion into his mouth. Kyungsoo should be a chef. Jongdae will give him a Michelin star right then and there. "How is it?" Kyungsoo turns around from his finished plates of pancakes, looking at Jongdae expectantly.
"It's amazing," Jongdae replies, although it comes out muffled and more like ohs ohmohzong because the sauce is hot and his tongue burns. But it's totally worth it. "Still hot."
Kyungsoo scoffs as he puts their plates on the kitchen counter and sits down on a stool next to Jongdae and his blender. There's a dining table in their dorm, one that they never really use to dine. Most of the time, on days when nothing good is on TV and they're too lazy to go out, they use it to play Counter Strike. A couple of weeks before finals, when they have far too many projects to work on, the table is used for Kyungsoo's building models, or for Jongdae to code with three monitors on. They once promised to start having actual meals on the table, but somehow they always end up having breakfast on the kitchen counter and dinner in front of the TV.
When he's done with the juice, Jongdae takes out two mugs from the top cabinet, pink for him and blue for Kyungsoo, and pour their drinks in. Their mugs are a matching pair gifted by Baekhyun last Christmas because you guys are so totally going to be a couple one day. Coincidentally, Jongdae bought him and Chanyeol a pair of cold cups, one says dumb and the other says dumber, because these are totally you two but I will leave it to you to decide which one gets to be dumber. It's Baekhyun-Chanyeol won the rock paper scissor match.
"Here you go," Jongdae says as he places the juice in front of Kyungsoo. He picks up their plates and goes to get some compote for the pancakes. "And here you go," he says, placing the plates back on the kitchen counter before seating himself down next to Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo mumbles his thanks and they start digging into their food in silence. This, also, is something they've established after occupying the same space for over a year. It's not necessary to be as loud as Baekhyun and Chanyeol during meals-staying silent is simply a way for you to appreciate that the other person enjoys the peace, and it's a lot better than chatting about the weather when you don't want to, anyway.
"So what time does your class start today?" Kyungsoo asks minutes later, looking up from his almost finished plate. Jongdae looks up, too-he's done with his pancakes and has just gulped half his juice. Kyungsoo grunts, taking out a tissue and leaning to Jongdae. "Why do you eat like a five-year-old," he mutters, wiping sauce from the corners of Jongdae's mouth and froths from his upper lip.
Jongdae pouts but he lets Kyungsoo continue, although at some point he accidentally looks at Kyungsoo right in the eye and has to look away because his heart is doing a weird thing. Jongdae clears his throat and Kyungsoo retreats to his seat. "Uh. So. My class starts at eleven? I thought you've had our schedules memorized," Jongdae blabbers, trying hard to make his stomach stop flipping, to make his heart beat at a more normal pace.
Finishing the last bites of his pancakes, Kyungsoo frowns. "Yeah, but I thought last night you said something about a tutorial or something?" Kyungsoo licks his fork clean and stares at Jongdae, who really, really needs to clean his mind. But Kyungsoo. And Kyungsoo's tongue. Also what is this tutorial Kyungsoo's talking about? Oh wait-
Jongdae glances at the clock on the kitchen wall. "Shit," he curses, running to his room to up pick his bag and laptop. The tutorial starts in ten minutes and Jongdae really has no more room for an absence this semester. "Shit, shit, shit, Kyungsoo I'm sorry I can't wash the dishes with you," he shouts, frantically putting on his shoes. He absolutely can't be late for this-his professor won't let him in the class.
"It's okay, but you're washing everything tonight," Kyungsoo answers from the kitchen. Jongdae is already by the door when Kyungsoo adds, "Don't forget to eat lunch! Have fun in class!"
*
It takes Jongdae one annoying best friend to finally admit to possibly having some tiny, little, miniscule feelings for his roommate.
"You like him," repeats Baekhyun for the tenth time in the week, after Jongdae finished telling him about that little skyscraper model Kyungsoo built for his studio, which is, in Jongdae's words, magnificent.
If he's being really honest with himself (and let's not say anything to Baekhyun about this) he's probably felt it for a while, but denial has gotten him through for the most part. When they started college and had to move in together, Kyungsoo had a boyfriend, a senior in the law department, so dating him was out of the question for the longest time. Joonmyun is kind, and handsome, also rich, and he is everything one can want in a boyfriend, which is why Jongdae gave up on Kyungsoo in the first place.
But one day Joonmyun called Jongdae in the middle of the night, asking if Kyungsoo's home yet, and it's easy to tell that they were having a problem. When asked about it on the next day, Kyungsoo merely scoffed into his waffles, said that they broke up, and ended the conversation. Jongdae scolded himself for being insensitive and inappropriate when a (tiny, little, miniscule) part of him felt really glad about that particular development. It means that Kyungsoo is available for him-not that he's done anything about it, now, three months later.
Jongdae sighs, and tries a different approach from the previous nine times. "Let's assume that's true," he comments.
"It is true, no assumptions needed."
Jongdae sighs once more. "Okay, sure, just to amuse you," he says (I'm hardly amused, Baekhyun snorts.) "So what?"
Baekhyun shrugs. "I just really don't understand why you haven't said anything to him," he replies with his mouth full. Baekhyun takes another big bite of his burger, smearing sauce around his mouth. Jongdae should have been able to come up with a hundred insults for Baekhyun's disgusting face right now, but all he can think about is the way Kyungsoo wiped sauce off his face earlier this week. This is a problem. "You can just go, hey, Kyungsoo, I kinda like you so, uh, do me?"
There are a lot of things in Jongdae's life that he needs to reflect on, but number one on his list will always be why am I friends with Baekhyun. Jongdae throws the slice of cucumber from his burger at Baekhyun, who squeaks like a schoolgirl before putting on his drama queen face.
"It's not that easy," protests Jongdae, accidentally defying the I-do-not-like-Kyungsoo front he's been putting up. But it really isn't-he lives with the guy, for God's sake. What if Kyungsoo rejects him? Where is he going to live then? He's too high maintenance to live in the streets, but he's too broke to afford his own place-there are too many logistical issues to think about. "What if he says no?"
"Well, then, at least you've said it," Baekhyun comments easily. Jongdae really questions his decisions on amusing Baekhyun regarding this matter-this is going nowhere. Baekhyun has finished his burger and starts picking Jongdae's fries. Jongdae swats his hand away. "Why do you like him, anyway? He always looks at me like he's going to murder me."
"That's just the effect you have on people, Baekhyun," comes Chanyeol's tired voice. Jongdae looks up to see the tall guy taking the seat next to him, looking like he didn't get any sleep. "Can you please stop playing Angry Birds Epic in the middle of the night?"
Baekhyun frowns at Chanyeol, and Jongdae does, too, because Baekhyun is a lot of problems, but Angry Birds Epic is a fantastic game and even an asshole like Baekhyun should be allowed to play it. "What do you have against Angry Birds Epic?" Baekhyun demands. Jongdae nods supportively. Justice for Angry Birds Epic!
"You imitate the fucking birds' sounds!" Chanyeol whines, glaring at Baekhyun. His daily Miserable Life of Being Byun Baekhyun's Roommate tales have become their lunch routine for so long and Jongdae isn't really surprised by anything anymore. At least he understands now why Baekhyun should stop playing the game. "I woke up to your screeching voice at 2 AM last night!"
Their argument quickly escalates to a competition of high pitched impersonations of Angry Birds characters-Jongdae has never felt so ashamed of his choice of friends before. His phone vibrates in his pocket and he is thankful for any excuse to get away from Baekhyun and Chanyeol bickering about the importance of sleep versus emotional investment in gaming.
It's Kyungsoo. "Hello?" Jongdae greets, frowning. Kyungsoo doesn't normally call-especially when he knows Jongdae has classes. "Kyungsoo? What's up?"
"Do you still have class?"
He does, actually-a two-period lecture on object-oriented programming, which he doesn't need to attend because he's already too good a programmer and the professor doesn't really care about attendance. "I can skip, why?"
"We're out of milk and eggs," Kyungsoo says in a whisper with a very somber tone. Jongdae snorts as he realizes where the conversation is going. Kyungsoo takes grocery shopping very seriously and whenever it happens, they always have to go together, because I'm not going to do this emotionally-draining chore more than once a month, Jongdae and there's no way I'll let you go grocery shopping alone! What if you buy the wrong brand of butter! "We, should-no, we have to go grocery shopping right now."
Jongdae can't hold back his laugh. Kyungsoo is so adorable when he talks about grocery and kitchen and architecture and-well, actually maybe to Jongdae, Kyungsoo is always adorable. Jongdae should probably stop thinking. "Okay, sure, do you want to meet up there?"
"No, no, I'll pick you up," Kyungsoo says quickly. Jongdae can hear rustling sounds of keys and doors being opened and closed and the sound of Kyungsoo running. He starts imagining the way the wind blows on Kyungsoo's face and how beautiful he looks and-oh my god, Kim Jongdae, get a grip! "I'll see you on the front gate in, like, ten?"
"Sounds good," Jongdae replies. "I'll get my things."
The call ends and Jongdae is probably smiling, and no, it's not because he really likes listening to Kyungsoo's voice. Jongdae just really enjoys smiling at a random time and place with no reason whatsoever. A piece of bread lands on his head and Jongdae instantly glares at Baekhyun, because who else could it be. "What?"
"Stop grinning to yourself and pay attention a little," Baekhyun nags. "I told Chanyeol we're going to get sushi for dinner later, are you coming?"
"Can't," Jongdae replies. He starts gathering his things and getting ready to leave for the front gate, where Kyungsoo will be waiting, sitting in his father's black, old Toyota that isn't even that cool but Jongdae sighs about anyway. "Grocery shopping with Kyungsoo."
Both of his friends start shaking their heads. "I still don't get the whole grocery shopping together thing," Chanyeol comments at the same time as Baekhyun's "Oh my god you guys are so married."
There are a lot of comebacks Jongdae can think of for those statements, but Jongdae has exactly five minutes to run to Kyungsoo and absolutely no time for Baekhyun or Chanyeol, so he sticks out his tongue and waves his friends goodbye.
*
It takes Jongdae an academic crisis to (accidentally) speak of this particular tiny, little, miniscule feeling to the object of his affection.
Jongdae wakes up that day with a pain on his neck and a devastating headache. He lifts up his head from the laptop he fell asleep on, squinting at his screen, where around three hundred lines of v's are typed, pressed by his cheek during his slumber. He groans and straightens himself up, noticing Kyungsoo's blanket falling off his shoulder.
Jongdae wasn't supposed to be asleep-it's almost 5 in the morning, and the deadline for his game-dev solo project is today. But unless all the codes he wrote last night was in his dream, then he should be fine. His space shooter game is all finished up and ready to upload. Jongdae rubs his eyes with one hand, the other clicking on his laptop to open his university e-mail and fetch the link to the course's upload dock. He slowly reads the e-mail containing the project's submission information. Deadline: September 3rd, 3:26 AM.
Jongdae rereads the line. 3:26 AM.
He wants to scream but in this ungodly hour more than a few neighbors will come filing reports to the dorm supers. Screw his TA and his weird ass project rules and specifications. Who the fuck sets deadlines at 3:26 AM? That is so not user friendly. Jongdae checks the time on the corner of his screen. Already 4:41 AM-over an hour late for submission and this project is forty percent of his grade. He was so close to getting an A, too. Jongdae allows himself a low, muffled groan, whispering fuck you Luhan under his breath. "Fuck you Luhan!" he growls once more, a little too loud. He silently prays that his neighbors didn't hear that.
"Oh, you're up," Kyungsoo comes out of the kitchen, yawning. He wraps one arm around a thick jacket he's wearing and shivers in cold. Oh, thinks Jongdae. He must be cold-Jongdae has his blanket. Kyungsoo approaches the table and puts down Jongdae's pink mug. Coffee. His roommate is definitely A++.
He is watching in awe and admiration as Kyungsoo takes a seat on the other side of the table when he realizes a much, much more important matter at hand. His fucking submission. He tears his gaze off Kyungsoo and the heaven-sent coffee he brings and clicks the link in his email. With his typing speed, Jongdae is logged in within mere seconds, and he frowns at an unfamiliar submission under his name, already uploaded at 3 AM.
"I zipped your project and uploaded it for you," Kyungsoo comments, covering his mouth halfway through the sentence to stifle another yawn. Jongdae stares at Kyungsoo with his mouth open. Did Kyungsoo just say that he saved his A this semester? But what did he upload? What if he uploaded the wrong file? How did he log in to Jongdae's account? So many questions but no sound comes out of his mouth. Thankfully, Kyungsoo goes, "I compiled the last opened file on your laptop. It worked. I played the game and set a high score. It was fun, you're good."
"I, uh, how did you-"
Kyungsoo yawns once more. "I've seen you go through probably ten thousand project submissions, I know how that works," he replies, waving his hand in dismissal like it's not a big deal. As if he didn't just save forty fucking percent of Jongdae's grade. "Sehun was online on Facebook so I asked him for the submission link. And for some stupid reason your password for everything is goddessliyin4eva-"
"She is a goddess. 4eva," cuts Jongdae. This is necessary. Defending Zhang Liyin the goddess is always necessary.
"Anyway," Kyungsoo shakes his head. "I uploaded the zipped file. Then I let you collapse on top of your laptop."
Jongdae blinks, trying to process the flood of information Kyungsoo has given him, barely ten minutes after waking up. "So," he trails, "the game works?"
"No glitch."
"And my project is uploaded?"
"Yes."
"Within the deadline?"
"True."
"I love you," Jongdae whispers, a little too quickly, too sincerely.
"I know."
*
It takes a really bad cold that drives him bedridden, with his body shivering and his head spinning, for Jongdae to finally get Kyungsoo in bed with him.
Jongdae is out of it. He has just finished his last midterm and turned in his group project, and he must have been pulling all-nighters for at least three nights, now, running only on instant ramyuns and canned coffees. He fumbles in front of his door, seeing double of everything and not being able to push his key into the hole. "Kyungsoo," he calls finally, knocking weakly on the door. "Kyungsoo, Kyungsoo."
The door opens with a click, and a wide-eyed Kyungsoo is the last thing Jongdae registers before everything turns pitch black.
The next thing he knows is waking up on an unfamiliar bed, his head hurting against a pillow that smells faintly of Kyungsoo. From the blue blanket that covers his body, and the Big Ben 3D puzzle on top of the shelf, Jongdae concludes that he must be in Kyungsoo's room. He moves around and tries to get up from the bed, but everything hurts so he ends up groaning.
A figure in all black jumps from the floor next to the bed and Jongdae shrieks, thinking that death has come to get him. "Jongdae?" the figure calls. It's just Kyungsoo, tone wary and tired, and affectionate, which is very rare coming from him. It doesn't last long, though, as he instantly returns to his bossy tone and commands, "Stay in bed!"
"It's cold," Jongdae whines. His head is in pain and all he wants is to sleep, but it's freezing and he's sort of hungry but really, all he wants is to sleep. Kyungsoo kneels beside the bed and carefully places the back of his hand on Jongdae's forehead. "It's cold," repeats Jongdae.
"How is it cold, you're burning up," mutters Kyungsoo. He stares at Jongdae worriedly, and Jongdae tries hard to remember if Kyungsoo's midterms are over and if he's supposed to be studying or doing some project instead. Also why is he sleeping on the floor? God. "Do you want to eat something? Should I take you to the hospital?"
Jongdae shakes his head. "I want to sleep," he replies, "but it's cold."
Kyungsoo looks around his room and fetches one of his jackets, throwing it over Jongdae's body and the blanket he already has. "Better?"
"Still cold," Jongdae pouts. Kyungsoo looks desperate and confused, appropriately so. He's always been a good roommate to Jongdae, yet here Jongdae is, a nagging ball of fever. "Cuddle me," Jongdae demands. The desperation and confusion in Kyungsoo's face become more apparent.
"No," comes the firm reply.
"I'm going to die from the cold."
"No, Jongdae-"
"And you will be the one to blame."
"Jongdae stop I'm gonna-"
"Baekhyun's theory that you will someday murder me will come true!"
"Oh, okay fine!" grumbles Kyungsoo. He climbs on the bed and shifts awkwardly next to Jongdae, who eagerly wraps his arms around Kyungsoo's waist, and places his head on Kyungsoo's chest. Kyungsoo mutters ten thousand words of complains that Jongdae can't catch, but the corners of Jongdae's lips twitch upwards when he feels Kyungsoo brushing his hair.
*
It takes a stupid party, hosted by none other than Baekhyun and his roommate-slash-servant, Chanyeol, for Kyungsoo to finally reply to Jongdae's blurted out confession.
"I thought you said it's a party?" Luhan protests, flinging one arm around Minseok's shoulder, only to be shrugged off within seconds. Jongdae smirks at Luhan's misery. "Where are the, you know, people?"
Jongin helps Chanyeol carry bowls of snacks into the room, where people are seated randomly, some on the floor (Jongdae, Kyungsoo, Sehun, Zitao, Joonmyun), some on the couch (Minseok, Luhan, Baekhyun), and some on the table next to the TV (Yixing). "This is all you get, hyung," Jongin comments. "Not that many people can tolerate Baekhyun hyung."
People solemnly agree. Baekhyun opens his mouth to protest but then realizes that it's pretty much the truth, so he just shrugs. "Whoever said the more the merrier is stupid, okay," Baekhyun retorts. "I say the less the more intimate!"
"He's not talking about us, Luhan!" Minseok snaps in irritation as Luhan takes Baekhyun's comment as a permission to leap onto the elder's lap. Minseok pushes Luhan off his lap and onto the floor, where Joonmyun catches him and gives him this odd look before looking down the floor, the tips of his ears burning red. "We're never going to be intimate," Minseok adds threateningly.
Sadly for Minseok, anything can happen when you're in Byun Baekhyun (and his roommate-slash-servant Park Chanyeol)'s party. As for today, what happens is truth or dare.
"What are we, highschoolers?" is Joonmyun's instant protest. He shuts up after Luhan takes a dare to let Baekhyun put some lipstick and a long, wavy wig on him (or her, honestly, Jongdae isn't even sure anymore).
Minseok gets unfortunately intimate with Luhan, as Baekhyun goes I dare you to stare at Luhan with your faces only three inches apart. "Really, Baekhyun? Three inches?" challenges Minseok, "I thought you're bolder than that." This, he eventually regrets, because Luhan is bolder than that, and for one moment their faces has zero inches between them.
And then, "Ah, Kyungsoo!" Baekhyun exclaims, rubbing his hands together devilishly. For one second, Baekhyun's gaze flits to Jongdae, and he instinctively feels uneasy. Baekhyun's definitely planning something after Jongdae reluctantly admitted that he's probably into Kyungsoo. He wonders why he's friends with Baekhyun, but then he realizes that probably everyone in the room wonders the same thing.
After enough dramatic pause, Baekhyun continues, "Truth or dare?"
Kyungsoo sighs. "Why am I friends with you," he mutters. Jongdae can see people making small nods. "Dare," he replies finally. Baekhyun gasps, and Jongdae can totally relate-Kyungsoo doesn't usually do things that require him to make meaningless efforts. A dare is the very definition of meaningless effort. Then again going to Baekhyun's party is a meaningless effort in itself.
Everyone looks like they're prepared for Kyungsoo to do truth, too, so it takes a while before anyone comes up with something. "Go to your favorite person here and tell him how you feel about them," Joonmyun says finally. Kyungsoo glares at him and Jongdae can't help but feel a little bit jealous about this thing that looks like an inside joke between the two of them. "Oh, and why you feel that way!" Joonmyun adds with a smirk. Kyungsoo maintains his glare.
"Well, then," Baekhyun says, standing up. "Come on, Kyungsoo, come to me!"
Kyungsoo snorts. "As if."
Jongdae would laugh at Baekhyun, but then Kyungsoo walks up to him and Jongdae freezes in his position. "Jongdae," Kyungsoo begins, placing his hands on Jongdae's arms. "I really like you."
His friends, for once, are silent, and Jongdae wishes they weren't. This is nice, hearing these things from Kyungsoo, but, like, really awkward. "Uh," Kyungsoo pauses, possibly thinking the same thing as Jongdae. "I guess because you don't cause much trouble? I mean, my other closest friends are Baekhyun and Chanyeol, so obviously you're the most tolerable one."
Chanyeol boos and Baekhyun joins in. "What else, what else!" Joonmyun cheers. For some reason he seems to be the most amused, which is curious because aren't exes usually bitter? Then again Joonmyun is probably too kind to even be bitter. "Tell us more!"
The look in Kyungsoo's face as he glowers at Joonmyun is scary, but it's almost like Joonmyun isn't afraid of death, as he continues chanting more, more, more. "Okay, fine, more!" Kyungsoo grumbles. "Might as well pick truth," he complains. Kyungsoo bites his bottom lip, thinking, and Jongdae's heart beats so fast it's not even funny.
"I like you because you sincerely compliment my food, and text me good luck before tests, and call to check on me when I'm not home by the time I say I will be," Kyungsoo says flatly. Jongdae likes what he hears, but the way Kyungsoo said it is so.. casual. Like it's nothing. It probably is nothing. Being picked as a favorite among these ten people isn't really that big of an achievement.
Sehun breaks the silence. "You guys are so domestic," he comments, scrunching his face in earnest disgust. "It's gross."
*
It takes Jongdae one stressful group project, three bottles of soju, and losing 72.4% of his consciousness to finally be brave enough to kiss Kyungsoo.
Chanyeol, as usual, the designated driver of trouble making duo Baekhyun and Jongdae, takes Jongdae home that night, barely conscious and muttering things that nobody but him understand. Jongdae allows himself be dragged to his apartment door, where Chanyeol knocks impatiently until Kyungsoo opens the door, bleary-eyed, probably because he's been working on his building model on their dining table for three days non-stop. Jongdae vaguely imagines himself as Chanyeol's princess in fairy tales, where instead of saving him, the prince feeds him to a dragon.
"What now," Kyungsoo growls when he opens the door.
Chanyeol cowers in fear. "Don't kill the delivery guy," he blurts.
Jongdae can only understand half of their conversation, because he's so drunk that for once he's quite sure that even Yixing is more sober than he is right now. But he recognizes Kyungsoo and his heart is thumping, half from the thrill of alcohol and half from seeing Kyungsoo with disheveled clothes and sexy bed hair. He leaps forward and latches onto Kyungsoo. "Kyungsoo!"
"What is this?" Kyungsoo groans, possibly with a glare at Chanyeol, because Jongdae can see Chanyeol shaking on his feet. "How much did he drink?"
"A lot," Chanyeol mutters. He scratches his head, desperately pleading at Kyungsoo. "I have Baekhyun to deal with, Kyungsoo, he's in the car as we speak," he says. "I hope he's still in the car. Oh my god I can't remember if I locked the door or not.."
Kyungsoo sighs, securing Jongdae's waist with one arm, making Jongdae giggle. "Go," he tells Chanyeol. "Save Baekhyun."
Chanyeol mumbles his thank you and sprints downstairs, while Kyungsoo pulls Jongdae inside and closes the door. "Drinking," he complains under his breath, and Jongdae is so close to Kyungsoo's neck that he can hear Kyungsoo clearly. "As if you're strong enough to hold alcohol."
"Hey!" protests Jongdae, voice slurred and definitely drunk. He's awake enough to walk, only not sober enough to walk straight. He presses his body as close as possible to Kyungsoo's, taking as much advantage as the situation allows. "I am a strong, independent man, perfectly capable of handling my drinks."
Kyungsoo pushes Jongdae to sit down on the edge of his bed, placing his hands on Jongdae's cheeks. He looks straight at Jongdae with an angry expression, but all Jongdae can focus on are how beautiful Kyungsoo's brown eyes are, how pretty his pink lips look. "You are drunk," Kyungsoo starts his lecture. He slaps Jongdae's cheek lightly, and it doesn't hurt. Jongdae wants more. "Do not drink that much ever again," Kyungsoo continues. He slaps Jongdae's other cheek, a little harder, and Jongdae wants to yell more, more, to Kyungsoo. "Actually, no, do not drink ever again."
Jongdae hears the words but honestly doesn't focus on them at all. Rather, he focuses on the way Kyungsoo's lips move, parting and closing in slow motion, forming pretty shapes on top of his pretty face. Jongdae is really going to pass out pretty soon, he can feel it. So as Kyungsoo's grip on his face loosens, Jongdae leans forward, capturing Kyungsoo's lips on his.
It's soft, and warm, and it tastes a lot like coffee. Jongdae isn't sure whether Kyungsoo really kisses back or if it's his drunken mind playing tricks on him. But Jongdae allows himself to enjoy the way Kyungsoo's lips move against his, softly, then rougher by the second.
And Jongdae passes out.
*
It takes Jongdae three days of constant nagging from Baekhyun, begging for Jongdae to stop crashing on his sofa, and one terrifying lecture from Chanyeol, demanding that Jongdae grow some balls, to finally have the required post-kissing discussion with Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo's texts have evolved from what time are you coming home to when are you coming home to are you ever coming home, and Jongdae should probably stop rejecting his calls. But he is still too deep in regrets about the fact that he kissed Kyungsoo and can't even remember properly how that felt. If the entire relationship between the two of them is going to crumble down and fall, Jongdae should at least be able to recall the kiss that causes it.
"Why can't you deal with kisses like normal people?" Baekhyun complains, shoving a bowl of cereal to Jongdae, who is sitting on the couch with his chin on his knees. Jongdae takes Baekhyun's definition of a breakfast and realizes how much he misses Kyungsoo. Jongdae wants real food. Three days of cereals is not good for his health. Three days of having breakfast with Baekhyun and Chanyeol isn't doing much to help. "Most kisses lead to make-out sessions or hot sex. Not a fucking hide and seek."
Chanyeol emerges from his bedroom, topless and with a bed head. He definitely has just woken up, but he apparently already has something to say. "For once I'm agreeing with Baekhyun," he growls, voice still thick with sleep. "Go home! Talk! Be normal people!"
"Listen to the hot dude," Baekhyun nods, smacking Chanyeol on the butt as he passes the sofa to get to the kitchen. Jongdae wants to barf-Chanyeol and Baekhyun are gross. Their place is gross. The cereal is gross. Jongdae misses Kyungsoo.
Chanyeol returns to the room and squishes himself in the space between Jongdae and Baekhyun, munching on colorful cereals that look like they consist more of artificial coloring than anything else. Is this what normal college students eat? Jongdae feels sorry for society. This is what his reality will be like if he loses Kyungsoo. How is he supposed to live now? He's already too pampered to be thrown back into actual college students' life.
Chanyeol eats in silence and Baekhyun mouths something at Jongdae behind Chanyeol's back. Jongdae can't quite make it-Care... Careless? Sho.. Shoot? Any.. Anonymous? Jongdae shoots Baekhyun a questioning look and Baekhyun gives up after failing over five times. When Chanyeol finishes his food and stands up to place his bowl on the table, Baekhyun quickly repeats what he's been mouthing to Jongdae, who catches it perfectly this time. Careful, Chanyeol shouts a lot when any ominous situation looms upon Kyungsoo. What does that even-
"Okay you, ungrateful little son of a bitch," Chanyeol bellows, throwing a pillow to the floor, and Jongdae is definitely starting to understand what Baekhyun meant. Baekhyun conveniently excuse himself to the kitchen. Chanyeol continues glowering at Jongdae. "Kyungsoo has been having a hard time, alone, at you fucking dorm, where you should be, and you are going to go there and apologize to him."
Jongdae opens his mouth, daringly trying to retort, but Chanyeol hovers above him, glaring, and Jongdae swears Chanyeol's ears become pointier. "No buts, Kim Jongdae," he threatens. "Go back there and talk to Kyungsoo and do not, I repeat, do not show your face in front of mine before you're in good terms with him."
Resistance is futile as Chanyeol drags him to the door, roughly shoving him outside, where he bumps into a small man who was just about to knock on Chanyeol's door.
"Fantastic timing," Chanyeol cheers. He smiles at Kyungsoo with an apologetic expression before pushing Jongdae towards him. "Here, take your person," he says curtly before closing the door behind him.
Jongdae stares at the floor for as long as he can until Kyungsoo clears his throat and breaks the silence. "I can't believe I'm the one who has to come to you," he mutters, clearly irritated. "So are we going to talk or are you just going to avoid me forever?"
"I'm sorry," Jongdae blurts. He looks up to see Kyungsoo-the circles under his eyes darker than ever, his shirt isn't buttoned up right, and his hair is messy under a snapback. Kyungsoo looks terrible, and Jongdae believes that it's at least 82.3% his fault. "I'm sorry I kissed you. I'm sorry I ran away. I like you a lot and I probably shouldn't, and I'm sorry for that, too. I'm sorry I ruin things. We were going on so well, your food is delicious, grocery shopping with you is a lot more fun than I ever thought grocery shopping could be, and your texts reminding me to eat are the warmest text messages after my parents', I can't believe I'm-"
Jongdae's incoherent speech is cut off by Kyungsoo's lips over his, pushing him harshly against the wall. "I said we are going to talk, not you," Kyungsoo mumbles in between the kiss. Jongdae is conflicted between crying and laughing because this is definitely an absurd turn of events. He resorts to making choking noises, which unfortunately leads to Kyungsoo pulling away.
"I already told you I like you a lot," Kyungsoo starts in frustration, shoving a hand on Jongdae's chest. "That was really hard!"
Jongdae stares blankly at Kyungsoo. Does that mean he actually meant it? "You're actually serious? Like, you like me, like me?"
"Yes!" screams Kyungsoo. "Oh my god I cannot believe we're having this conversation."
"You said it like someone reading a weather forecast!" protests Jongdae. "How was I supposed to understand that you meant it?"
"I always talk like I'm reading the weather forecast," deadpans Kyungsoo. True.
There's awkward silence. Until, "So," Jongdae trails, his hands twirling the edge of Kyungsoo's shirt and tugging him closer. "Uh, can we continue kissing, or do you still want to talk?"
"You realize this is the lamest way to start a relationship, right?" Kyungsoo asks, already leaning in closer to Jongdae.
Jongdae scoffs, and kisses Kyungsoo. "I know."
*
It takes practically nothing for Kyungsoo and Jongdae to shift from friends to lovers, except probably a slight change in their rooming arrangement.
Days normally start at seven for Jongdae, nowadays, awaken by the beeps of Kyungsoo's alarm and the shift of the younger's body next to him. He'd reach to his side and hold Kyungsoo down under his arms, and Kyungsoo would sometimes try to break free, especially on days when he has studio, but most of the time he concedes and cuddles with Jongdae for another half an hour.
"Morning," Jongdae greets, tucking his head into the crook of Kyungsoo's neck. "Please tell me it's a Sunday."
"Better," answers Kyungsoo lazily. He closes his eyes and rests his chin on top of Jongdae's head, nose nuzzling into Jongdae's hair. "Saturday."
Jongdae hums contentedly, smiling and wrapping his arms around Kyungsoo's waist. "Why do you have an alarm at this hour for a Saturday," mumbles Jongdae, more amused than annoyed, although sleeping is definitely the way to go for a Saturday morning.
Kyungsoo chuckles lightly. "To wake you up and hear you whine," he responds, pulling away a little to stare at Jongdae and stroke his hair. Jongdae pouts just because he knows it will make Kyungsoo happy, and his roommate-slash-sort-of-boyfriend laughs. The best start for a day. "We're actually very sappy," he adds, scrunching his face.
"I know, right?" Jongdae chuckles, tightening his hug on Kyungsoo. "If anyone calls us domestic one more time I honestly have no comeback for it."
"We peck each other on the lips and whisper I'll see you at dinner baby boo," suggests Kyungsoo.
Jongdae laughs into Kyungsoo's chest. "Deal."
No matter how Jongdae thinks about it, Kyungsoo is definitely an A+ kind of roommate. And who cares about being sappy when you have Kyungsoo to cuddle with, really.