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Ten was an ordinary college kid. He shared a place with another guy that quickly became his best friend, didn’t have a decent job (hence, he was broke), overwhelmed with his classes and most importantly, he was heartbroken.
“Dude, I think it’s time for you to let it go. I mean you were the one that ended things, remember?” said his friend while staring at his computer, probably trying to write another essay. There was always an essay.
“And that means I can’t be sad?”
“Exactly, you’ve dumped him. You have no rights” Ten had his mouth open, ready to argue back when his friend noticed “I’m just joking” he laughed “but see… I told you he wasn’t your THE ONE or whatever you call it”
“You’re making me sound like a helpless romantic, Johnny” the American looked at him, clearly holding his laughter. “Okay, maybe I am a helpless romantic, but can you blame me? He is gorgeous"
“Like all your exes, that I can tell” Ten rolled his eyes since his friend was still focused on the screen, even though he was about to give up on the essay “I think you need some alone time, you know? Like no relationships for a while, just you and me against the world again. I miss it.”
“You’re right, I miss it too” this time he was the one opening a computer, maybe doing something college related would be good for his mind “no relationships, just you and me against the world”.
That was probably one of the most cliches conversations the duo has ever had, but they really stuck to it. Johnny and Ten just focused on their academic responsibilities and, of course, the parties on campus. They’d attend all the ones their friends would suggest, except for one that happened right after Ten broke his wrist during a stupid game chosen by drunk people. Anyways, they were living their best lives partying together.
“We should attend a party thrown by people from other courses, I’m getting tired of seeing the same people every other weekend” Ten started mumbling while throwing a tennis ball on their wall, which according to him, it helped him with his anxiety.
“You just said the right thing, ‘cause I’ve heard business majors will have one this weekend to celebrate the end of their exams. Lucky bastards”
“Business majors?” he said not so confidently “Do we even know anybody there?”
“No, but don’t you wanna see different people?” ten held the tennis ball and looked at his friend “Okay, I think that a friend of a friend knows someone there if it makes you feel more comfortable, but I need to get in touch with him”
“It’d be nice, I just don’t wanna feel like an outsider, makes sense?”
“Again, no, but I get it” they laughed and kept doing what they were supposed to.
Things would definitely change after the party.
The music was hella loud and people couldn’t stop pushing each other. The two friends had talked about how this party would go and both of them had agreed that it wouldn’t be one that they’d get too drunk, because they really wanted to walk around and meet new people. That was the plan, until they saw the bar and the free drinks.
“Getting drunk it is,” they said.
They were getting some drinks when it happened. Johnny was leaving the bar, holding their drinks, when he noticed Ten wasn’t next to him anymore. He went back to their previous spot where the smallest one was standing, completely frozen there.
“What the fuck happened? I just had an entire conversation by myself an-”
“Johnny, shut up” he said quickly and his friend gasped.
“You shut up,” he said back.
“No, I mean shut up and listen to me” he finally let go of whatever he was watching and turned to Johnny “I think I’m in love”.
“No, you’re not. We’re friends, tennie” he said while sipping one of the drinks.
“Not with you dumbass, with him” he pointed to the other side of the room and there he was.
The pink haired guy was holding an almost empty bottle of tequila and dancing like it was his last night on Earth. There were a bunch of people around him, maybe dancing with him or trying to dance with him, because they all looked at him, but he had his eyes closed. He was in his own world. Just him and his bottle of tequila.
“He’s gorgeous” they both said at the same time.
“No. Fucking. Way. Don’t even think about it” Ten took one of the glasses from the other’s hand and drank.
“I’m literally just stating facts, dude” he decided to look back “He’s probably way too drunk and he still looks like a sculpture, like how?”
“RIGHT?” then he groaned “It’s not fair”. Both of them kept on drinking in silence and watching the other guy from across the room.
“Hey guys, I’ve been looking for you everywhere” said a new voice.
“YUTA” Johnny screamed before hugging him “Thank you so much for coming with us today”
“No biggie, I was going to come anyway” he was still being carried by the taller one “Just put me down already, we need to find my friend”
“Oh, that’s true!” Ten finally said something “is he a business major?”
“Yep, he is” now on the floor, he started looking around “he had a crappy week because of the exames so I wouldn’t be surprised to find him passed out drunk already” the boys nodded but didn’t say anything back “come on, help me find him”
“Sure, what does he look like?” Johnny was the first one to respond.
“Pink hair and probably holding a bottle of something, he never lets go of them” oh. Johnny and Ten stared at each other, then the American smirked. From that, Ten could tell what was about to happen.
“I think Ten found him already, right, tennie?” he said and Yuta looked at him with wide eyes, waiting for an answer.
“Hm, yeah, maybe, I don’t know him so… but, uh, is he that one?” he pointed to the other side of the room, where the boy was still dancing with a more empty bottle. Yuta’s eyes immediately lit up as he encountered his friend.
“LEE TAEYONG!! JUST SHARE THE BOTTLE ALREADY” he screamed while walking through the crowd.
The boy still had his eyes closed but as he could hear his name more and more clearly, he started searching where it was coming from and Ten could see his confused expression as he was getting closer to him as well. Fuck, he was perfect.
Ten didn’t remember much about the party, he just had flashes of going to the bar several times. Sometimes with Johnny, others with Yuta, by himself and also with… Taeyong. Lee Taeyong, this he wouldn’t be able to forget. There were also some blurred memories of dancing and that’s it. Nothing on how he got home, nor how the rest of the night went.
He stretched on his bed and could already feel a hangover. His whole body hurt and his head was about to explode, he thought about never drinking again after that night. His throat was as dry as a desert and for his luck, his water bottle was empty on his nightstand. The idea of getting up seemed like torture, but he knew Johnny was probably passed out on his bed (or somewhere in the room) so he didn’t even bother screaming and reaching out for any assistance. Getting up was the only way out, so that’s what he did.
He left his room and went straight to the kitchen, without paying any attention to his arounds. Once he drank a full bottle of water in one go, he decided to go back to bed. It was Saturday, so he didn’t have any plans and plus, there was no sign of Johnny to make him do something at this time. Which made him think “what time is it?”.
He walked towards the living room to check their clock and froze. He just stood there without saying or doing anything, he didn’t even know what he was going to do in the living room anymore.. All he could see was a shirtless pink haired guy lying on his couch.
If you ask Ten, he wouldn’t be able to tell you how much time he spent just staring at the scene, all he knew is that eventually the other one started showing signs that he was about to wake up. So he just gave a few extra steps, pretending he’d just arrived there.
“God. My head” Taeyong basically groaned, voice muffled by a cushion on his face.
“Painkillers?” ten almost whispered but still startled the other, who stood up from the couch in one jump.
“I am so sorry, I thought-” both of them looked down and for Ten’s surprise and Taeyong’s embarrassment, he was only in his underwear “This is so embarrassing. God, I’m sorry again” he said while covering his body with the blanket. He was definitely the clumsiest in the room.
“Uhm, that’s okay! Don’t worry. I’m sorry for waking you up, I was just getting some water” he started talking, trying to ease the blush on Taeyong's face. “Do you want some?”
The one covered in the black blanket looked at him, his cheeks were still as pink as his hair “Sure” he said calmly “and then I’ll go, thank you so much for helping me. I'm not usually like this” he said while laughing nervously.
“You don’t need to go now” jesus christ, Ten “I mean, it’s probably best to eat something you know” he started walking back to the kitchen when he remembered “Oh, and again, don’t worry. It’s fine”
“Thanks again” he heard the voice coming from the living room. He also heard some cloth sounds so he chose to wait a bit more in the kitchen, since maybe he was putting his clothes on.
When he came back, Taeyong was fully dressed and the couch was organised again. He was sitting with hands on his lap, looking like the smallest thing in the world, which didn’t make sense since he was taller than Ten himself. He gave him a small smile while accepting the bottle of water.
“I’m sorry about asking it but” Ten said once he sat on the other edge of the couch “but what really happened last night?”
“Oh” Taeyong’s cheeks were pink again “I kinda lost my keys and couldn’t come back to my place” both of them started laughing again, together this time “I have to repeat: I’m not usually like this”
“Yuta told us you had a crappy week, so I think you probably needed this”
“He did?” Ten could tell Yuta and Taeyong were close, the boy’s question was filled with emotion. As if he was relieved that someone could tell what was happening to him.
“Yeah” they fell in silence again and the youngest just couldn’t take it, he needed to talk to him a bit more “Would you like some coffee, Taeyong?” and his eyes started glowing at this.
“Coffee would be great”
After sharing some water, painkillers and coffee, Ten and Taeyong became much closer. The four of them became closer, actually. Yuta would always come over to spend some time with him and Johnny and Taeyong would always tag along.
They couldn’t see each other all the time as a consequence of their classes and their distant buildings, but eventual weekday evenings and weekends were enough for Ten.
Every time he’d open the door, he’d see two smiling boys awaiting it. Yuta was always a hugger, Taeyong not so much but whenever he chose to be one, Ten thought he’d die from combustion. Yuta was a talker, he’d talk about his whole week and make everybody laugh with his jokes and weird things that happened to him. Taeyong was a listener, but whenever he decided to talk about his week or about any occurence, Ten thought he’d die from excitement, he’d be smiling during the whole time the other was talking. Yuta was an interesting open book, full of adventures and happiness. Taeyong was like a secret Ten wanted to discover, full of emotion and mystery.
You didn’t need to be a genius to find out that one was completely in love with the other after some time.
“When will you tell him?” Johnny suddenly said during lunch.
“Hm?” he asked, uninterested.
“I’m asking you when you’re going to tell Tae you’re in love with him”
“WHAT? I am not in love with him” he let a high pitched voice escape.
“Tennie, you’re just toooo easy to read” Johnny said after smiling “I’m surprised Taeyong himself didn’t say anything yet”
“Maybe he just doesn’t feel the same way, ever thought of it?”
“Bitch, please. Have you ever seen the way he looks at you? I know he feels the same. Just go and talk to him already, it’s been killing us”
“Us?” now he was paying close attention to it.
“yeah, me and Yuta”
“Have you two been gossiping about my love life?”
“No, we’ve been venting about our stupid friends that don’t do anything about heir love lives.” the older said “And don’t even ask me if Yuta said anything, ‘cause I won’t be telling you anyway”
“I hate you,” he said with a serious expression.
“I know you don’t” Johnny always knew how to read Ten “Here’s the proof I’m the bestest friend of all: if I were you, I’d do something about it. And fast.”
“Fast? Why so urgent?” he was definitely not saying everything.
“A little bird told me there’s another business major hitting hard on our ty” once he heard it, Ten thought it was over. For real. “Look at him, dude, of course you’d have competition”
Fuck.
Ten spent the whole week thinking about it, trying to come up with a plan. It was Friday, he’d just arrived from his last class. Currently in front of a mirror practicing his speech.
“So, I was wondering if you wanted to grab something to eat and- no, this is too friendly.” he took five deep breaths “Taeyong, are you free tomorrow? No, Ten, no.” It was a very difficult task, indeed “So, Tae, I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me someday, you know just us. Jesus, that’s even worse” he put his hands on the sink, taking deep breaths again. This was more nervewracking that any other situation “Lee Taeyong, I am completely in love with you so please just give me a chance so I can take you to a nice place and show you that I’m worth it, for fuck sake” he wasn’t even looking at the mirror anymore.
He gave up after hearing Johnny’s laughter behind the bathroom door.
“Way to go, Romeo, you’ve got him”
“Shut the fuck up, Johnny, I swear” he screamed back.
They were interrupted by a knock on their door and Ten ran like a child to open it. His face went from excitement to disappointment in a millisecond after he saw just one smiling boy outside. The always hugger and talker one.
“Hello to you too, my dear friend,” he said.
“Hey there, I’m sorry” Ten knew he was being too obvious.
“Don’t worry, your man is tutoring someone now, but he said he’d come here once he finished it” he was just TOO obvious for his own good.
Yuta and Johnny soon began talking about their week and how much they needed to go to another party together soon, since the last ones the group went together were a success. The other was just listening to everything and nodding when he was supposed to. In his mind, he was still in front of the mirror practicing his speech with sweaty hands.
When he heard that knock on the door, he ran in its direction one more time and when he opened it, he could see Taeyong standing there with the prettiest smile on his lips and a pizza box on his arms. Ten couldn’t stop smiling at the older one as he took the pizza from him.
“Come in, we’ve been waiting for you” Taeyong smiled even wider after the comment.
“Glad to know that” he whispered to himself, but Ten could hear.
“Hey, yong! You brought pizza? And here I was thinking that I couldn’t love you more” the Japanese of the group said, already opening the box “What the fuck is this?” he took a post it note from the box’s inside part.
“Oh, it’s probably from Doyoung” Taeyong quickly took it from his hands and read it. It was simple and clear:
Thank you for helping me again
Looking forward to our next class :)
DY
“Doyoung?” Johnny and Ten basically said together.
“He left a note inside the pizza box? Disgusting if you ask me” Yuta kept on going.
“Nobody asked and yeah, he’s from my class. The one I’ve been helping” Taeyong was eyeing Yuta, as if they both knew something.
“The tutoring?” Ten asked pretending to be unconcerned.
“Yeah, you could say that. He’s been having a hard time with some subjects and asked for my help.” he put the post it note in his pocket and Ten thought ‘why not throw it away?’ as taeyong kept on saying “He bought the pizza as a thank you, so I couldn’t say no.”
“You can always say no” Yuta insisted “Unless, you didn’t want to” the smirk on his lips in Ten’s direction made everything clear. That sneaky fucker.
“What are you implying?” the pink haired one said, clearly annoyed.
“Is he hot?” Johnny asked, then he and Yuta burst into laughter right after.
“I’m literally just helping him”
“Yeah, you are and he’s literally buying you stuff. Last week it was chocolate and now, pizza. Trust me, he wants you” At this point, Ten was just fake smiling and pretending he didn’t want to choke his friends and himself to death. And of course, Doyoung.
“Well, it doesn’t matter ‘cause-” Taeyong said as he looked down “anyway, it just doesn’t matter, okay? Can we eat now?”
Ten was feeling like shit after it.
He just started overthinking everything now. Was he really worth it? Maybe Taeyong would be happier dating Doyoung in the end. He ended up seeing his classmate once on campus; Taeyong had called Yuta and asked him to bring his keys (apparently, the man had a problem keeping his keys to himself) to his building and, since the Japanese asked them, Johnny and Ten went too. The first thing Ten noticed once they got there was that Taeyong had company. A very handsome black haired tall guy was standing next to him, he was also wearing glasses, looked like the most intelligent guy in the building and Ten judged his appearance, thinking that there was no way he was struggling and needed help with subjects.
So that was it. His competition was a very good looking and easygoing guy. Meanwhile, Ten considered himself a complete mess.
He thought about giving up on his crush, even though he knew it wasn’t just a crush, but deep down he knew he wouldn’t be able to just let it go. He didn’t want to, in fact. Because he didn’t want to not have Taeyong in his life and he didn’t think he could have him in life without thinking about kissing him or holding his hands. So he just decided about giving himself a break. He thought about letting things happen when they were supposed to, he didn’t want to do anything. He made himself think that the universe, somehow, would help him. Johnny was in disbelief, saying there was no such thing. Until it happened.
It was a rainy night, a weekday. Johnny and Yuta were at the library and Ten was home reading some random book to keep his mind busy. Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door.
When he answered it, he could see Taeyong soaking wet, not with a smiling face, not with hugs or anything else. He looked pissed off.
“Hel-” he couldn’t even greet the other.
“Doyoung asked me out,” Taeyong blurted.
“Uhm, that’s nice then, right?” no, it isn’t. He thought to himself.
“Not really, I was expecting him to do it tho, but I just wished you had done it before him”
“What?” Ten thought he was hearing things.
“I don’t even know what I’m doing here, because if you wanted you would have asked me already, but I just-” he sighed and tried taking off his wet bangs from his face “I’m sorry, it’s not even your fault. I think I’m just frustrated at myself because I should have done it if I wanted it so bad, right?”
“Taeyong, what are you saying?”
“For fuck sake, I’m saying that I want you!” he almost screamed “That I’ve been feeling like this for months and I-”
Ten just heard this and without any second thoughts, he pulled Taeyong for a kiss. He couldn’t believe he was finally kissing THE Lee Taeyong after so many months of thinking about it. Taeyong tasted like the sweet potatoes he loved so much and smelt like roses, probably his perfume. His lips were softer than anything Ten had ever tried in his life and he didn’t want to let him go, never. He was in ecstasy at this point and Taeyong wasn’t in any different state. He was caught in surprise, but you wouldn’t hear any complaints.
When they finally pulled back, they didn’t say a word. Ten simply took Taeyong inside his house and walked him to his bedroom, so he could change clothes.Once the man was warm with other T-shirt and pants, he started
“So… is this for real?” Ten could see his rosy cheeks and remembered the first morning when he woke up on his couch. That was a good start.
“More than real for me” taeyong was all giggly after hearing that “I’m sorry Doyoung got the first place tho”
“It’s a shame I told him no then, right?”
“Yep, I’m sad for him but I’m not complaining, be sure of that” they started laughing and Taeyong walked towards Ten, so he could hug him, fitting just perfectly.
“You’re so stupid, you know that right?”
“I know” they fell in silence one more time, but Ten was okay this time.
“I really like you, Ten” he let go of the hug to look right into his eyes “Really really”
“I really really like you too”
Ten was an overthinker, like many others, he knew that. But at that moment he felt like all his problems had been solved. And he felt like that for a very long time.
Johnny never said he didn’t think Taeyong was the so-called THE ONE for Ten, the helpless romantic in the group. Taeyong was kind and caring, he’d take Ten on walks that would either end on the rooftop, watching the sunset, or on one of their beds. He’d smile with his eyes whenever he was looking into Ten’s eyes, who still needed to get used to it. Taeyong was the one. He knew it.
There was this party where he saw this man with an angelic look, even if he was holding a bottle of tequila and dancing around the room and the first thing he could say after it was “I’m in love with him” and that was all he could say ever since.