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The cafeteria is loud—louder than usual. Conversations crash into each other, laughter echoes off the walls, and the sound of trays clattering onto tables weaves through the noise. Jungwon barely notices any of it. His mind is still half-stuck on the chemistry test he just finished, replaying each question as if he was mentally calculating how many points he might’ve lost.
He walks through the hall, running a hand through his hair as he reaches for his hoodie draped over the back of a chair near his usual table. Without thinking much of it, he pulls it on, the fabric settling over his shoulders like muscle memory. The weight is familiar enough, the black hoodie the same as always—his go-to layer for this weird in-between weather, when it’s too cold for just a T-shirt but too warm for anything heavier.
He doesn’t think about the way the sleeves feel just a little looser, or how the scent clings differently—less like his usual detergent, more like something sharper, a mix of musk and something faintly woody.
It doesn’t even cross his mind that maybe this hoodie might not even be his.
Jungwon instead just adjusts the collar, exhales, and moves toward the cafeteria.
He slides into his seat across from Jake, reaching for the water bottle he left earlier. He barely gets a sip in before Jake gives him a look. “Since when did you change your perfume?” he asks, nose scrunching slightly. Jungwon pauses mid-sip. “What?”
Heeseung, sitting beside him, leans in, sniffing once before pulling back. “He’s right. You do smell different.” Sunoo tilts his head. “It’s kinda strong.” Jungwon sets his bottle down, frowning slightly. “I didn’t put on anything today.” Jake gestures vaguely at him. “Well it’s definitely coming from you.”
Jungwon raises an eyebrow and tugs at his hoodie, catching a faint whiff of something unfamiliar. He blinks. The scent is… not bad, exactly, but it’s distinct. It’s nothing like his usual cologne—lighter, more noticeable in a way that feels foreign.
“Maybe it’s the hoodie?” he mutters, mostly to himself. Jake eyes him. “You sure that’s yours? Black hoodies are like, everywhere.” Jungwon shakes his head. “No, I know it’s mine.” The words come automatically, without a second thought. He’s been wearing this hoodie since forever. Why would it be anyone else’s?
His friends exchange glances but drop it. Jungwon, composed as ever, shrugs it off, and the conversation naturally shifts to weekend plans. He listens and occasionally chimes in, but his mind keeps drifting back to the lingering scent clinging to his sleeves.
It’s oddly familiar. He just can’t quite place it.
On the other side of the cafeteria, Jay isn’t really paying attention to his friends anymore. He’s mid-conversation, but his words trail off as Jungwon walks past, a cup of water in hand.
Wearing his hoodie.
Jay tilts his head slightly, eyes narrowing just a bit. At first, he almost doubts himself—it’s a black hoodie, after all, and half the students in school own one. But then Jungwon shifts, adjusting his grip on the cup, and Jay catches the way the sleeves hang just a little looser than they should. The way the fabric creases in the exact places Jay’s does.
And then there’s the scent.
It’s not something most people would notice in passing, but Jay knows. The cologne isn’t overpowering, but it lingers. Clean, woody—his usual.
Definitely not Jungwon’s.
Jay leans back in his seat, a quiet laugh escaping him. “Huh.” “What?” Sunghoon asks, following Jay’s gaze and it only takes him a second. “Wait—is that your hoodie he’s wearing?” Ni-ki glances over, then grins. “Oh, that’s hilarious.”
Jay just shrugs, still watching. Jungwon looks completely unaware, eating and talking like nothing is off. Like he hasn’t spent the last ten minutes wearing something that very much isn’t his. “You gonna say something?” Sunghoon asks, nudging Jay’s arm.
Jay hums, considering. “Eventually.”
Ni-ki smirks. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Jay doesn’t answer, but the small smile on his lips says enough.
It’s later when the final bell rings that Jay finally decides to bring it up.
He spots Jungwon by his locker, adjusting his bag strap, still comfortably tucked into the hoodie that isn’t his. Jay doesn’t make a big deal out of it though. He just walks up, leans against the locker next to Jungwon’s, and casually gives him a small smile.
“Hey.”
Jungwon glances up. “Hey.”
With a nod toward the hoodie, Jay says, “That’s mine, by the way.”
Jungwon pauses. “What is?”
“The hoodie,” Jay replies, raising an eyebrow.
Jungwon frowns slightly, glancing down at himself. “No, it’s not.”
Jay huffs a quiet laugh. “Yeah, it is.”
Jungwon opens his mouth to argue, but then something shifts. He hesitates. Looks at the sleeves, at the subtle wear on the fabric, at the way it sits just a little differently than his usual fit. Then, finally, he catches the scent—the distinctly not-his scent.
Oh.
“…Oh.”
Jay watches as realization fully settles in, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. Jungwon exhales through his nose, face still composed, but there’s a flicker of something like embarrassment in his expression. He meets Jay’s eyes, deadpan. “I was wondering why it smelled weird.”
Jay snorts. “Weird?”
Jungwon shrugs while adjusting the sleeves. “Different. Same thing.” Jay shakes his head, clearly entertained. “You really didn’t notice?” “No.” Tugging at the hem now, Jungwon suddenly feels hyperaware of how it doesn’t belong to him. “I must’ve picked it up without thinking.” Still grinning, Jay tilts his head. “So, what I’m hearing is—you saw a black hoodie and just assumed it was yours.”
With a flat look, Jungwon retorts, “Don’t act like you wouldn’t have done the same.” “Maybe.” Jay leans back, crossing his arms. “But, y’know… you kinda wore it all day. Makes it seem like you wanted to keep it or something.” Jungwon rolls his eyes, already pulling the hoodie off. “Don’t start.”
Jay laughs and takes it back, but the warmth still lingers from where Jungwon had been wearing it. The scent has mixed now—his own musk and something softer, something that’s unmistakably Jungwon. He swings it over his shoulder and gives Jungwon a once-over. “You actually pulled it off pretty well.”
“Didn’t exactly ask, but thanks,” Jungwon mutters with a sigh.
“Anytime,” Jay replies easily, still amused.
With hands stuffed in his pockets, Jungwon turns and walks off. But there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes—just faint, like maybe he’s a little entertained too.
Jay just watches him go, still smiling to himself.
After, Jay doesn’t dwell on it. It was just a hoodie mix-up, no big deal.
But his friends? They think it’s the funniest thing in the world.
At lunch the next day, Ni-ki leans forward with a smirk. “So. You and Jungwon.” Jay, already exasperated, sighs. “What about me and Jungwon?”
“You let him wear your hoodie for a whole day. That’s basically a confession.”
Jay blinks at him. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Unbothered, Sunghoon hums. “I don’t know. Sounds kinda sentimental to me.” Jay shakes his head, shoving a bite of food into his mouth. “You guys are making this weird.”
Ni-ki grins. “No, you made it weird. You knew he had your hoodie and just… let him keep it. For hours.” “What was I supposed to do?" Jay says, rolling his eyes. "Run across the cafeteria and demand it back?”
“Could’ve.”
“That’s insane.”
Sunghoon lifts a shoulder, barely holding back a laugh. “I mean, if you wanna let him borrow your clothes, just say that.” “It was an accident,” Jay groans. Ni-ki nudges his arm. “But you’re smiling about it.”
Jay was not smiling about it. At least, not anymore.
Probably.
“Okay, you know what?” He stabs his fork into his food. “I hope you both trip on the way to class.”
Ni-ki and Sunghoon just laugh, clearly satisfied with getting under his skin.
Meanwhile, Jungwon doesn’t seem even remotely fazed by what happened. Jay spots him between classes, leaning against his locker like usual as he chatted with Jake and Heeseung. Though he doesn’t mean to eavesdrop, Jay can’t help but overhear when Jake brings it up.
“So. The hoodie thing,” he grins. “You and Jay matching on purpose, or was that just a happy accident?” Jungwon exhales, but his expression stays completely neutral. “Accident.” Jake hums. “You wore it the whole day, though.”
“Didn’t notice.”
“Didn’t mind it either.”
Jungwon doesn’t even blink. “Didn’t really care.”
Heeseung chuckles. “Jay seemed amused, though.” Jungwon simply shrugs as he closes his locker. “Good for him.” Jake narrows his eyes, a playful glint in them. “You’re really unbothered, huh?” With a small, almost teasing smile, Jungwon responds, “Were you expecting me to be flustered or something?” Jake grins. “A little.”
A quiet laugh escapes Jungwon as he shakes his head, then walks off.
And for some reason, Jay finds himself irritated by the entire exchange.
Jay doesn’t plan to bring it up again—he got his hoodie back, and it’s not like they’re particularly close anyway.
Really, he doesn’t.
It was just a small mistake, and if Jungwon wasn’t bothered, then Jay shouldn’t be either.
But.
Something about how casual Jungwon had been about the whole thing gets to him. It wasn’t like Jay expected him to be embarrassed, but at the very least—at the very least—he could’ve acknowledged that it was kind of funny. So when he spots Jungwon alone at his locker after school, he goes for it.
Leaning against the lockers beside him and crossing his arms, he says, “So. You stole my hoodie.” Jungwon barely looks his way. “Borrowed.” With an eyebrow raised, Jay questions, “Without asking?” Shutting his locker, Jungwon finally turns toward him. “Didn’t realize it wasn’t mine.” Jay tilts his head. “Huh. Weird. Because you had it for a whole day.”
“Yeah.” “And you didn’t notice?” “Not really.”
For a moment, Jay just stares at him, waiting for something—an amused smile, a little laugh, or any sign of acknowledgment. But Jungwon remains unreadable. After a few seconds of silence, a small smirk finally cracks on his face. “Why? Were you expecting me to freak out or something?” Jay groans. “Okay, well no.” Jungwon leans back against his locker, arms crossed. “So why does it bother you so much?”
“It doesn’t.” “Then why’d you bring it up?”
Narrowing his eyes, Jay mutters, “I don’t like how you’re turning this around on me.” Jungwon just hums, looking way too entertained for someone who claims to be unbothered. Jay points at him. “You knew.” “Knew what?” Jungwon raises an eyebrow, feigning confusion.
“You knew it wasn’t yours before I even told you.” There’s a slight pause, just long enough for Jay to catch it. “…I realized it eventually.” “You’re actually evil.” Jungwon’s small, genuine smile makes Jay shake his head in disbelief. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Exasperated, Jay pushes off the lockers. “Unbelievable.” “It was a nice hoodie.” Jay rolls his eyes, pushing off the lockers. “You know what? Keep it.” “Huh?”
Jay swings his backpack around, unzipping it and pulling out the hoodie he had brought to school that day—the same one Jungwon had taken by accident. Without a second thought, he tosses it at Jungwon, who catches it reflexively. Jungwon stares at it, confused. “What—” “Clearly, you liked it so much you didn’t want to give it back.” Jay waves a hand as he starts walking away, as if it’s not a big deal. “So just keep it.”
Jungwon watches him go, still holding the hoodie and still processing. “…You’re dramatic.” Jay doesn’t look back. “And you’re a thief.” A smile spreads across Jungwon’s face as he shakes his head.
It was a nice hoodie, though.
Jungwon doesn’t think much of it at first. Sure, Jay was being more dramatic than necessary, but that was just… Jay. And it wasn’t like Jungwon actually planned to keep the hoodie. He was going to return it. Eventually. But then—
“Wait,” Jake says the next morning, narrowing his eyes as they walk into school. “Is that… Jay’s hoodie?” The question barely registers with Jungwon. “Yeah.” Jake stops dead in his tracks. “I thought you gave it back already.” A sigh escapes Jungwon as he adjusts the sleeves. “I did.” There’s a beat of confusion. “And yet…?” Another sigh follows as he pulls the hoodie tighter around him. “He gave it back.”
Jake stares at him like he’s just said the sky is green.
“Jay gave it back?” Jungwon just nods. “And you took it?”
A casual shrug is all Jungwon offers. “Guess so.” Jake stares in silence for a beat. “What?” Looking at him, Jungwon asks, “What do you mean, what?” Jake gestures wildly. “Jay literally called you a thief yesterday, and now you’re actually just… keeping it?” A long exhale follows from Jungwon. “He was joking.” “You think he was joking,” Jake points out. “What if he wasn’t?” Jungwon scoffs. “Jay wouldn’t give me something if he actually wanted it back.” “You’re so sure?” Jake crosses his arms.
Jungwon doesn’t answer, and the thought doesn’t hit him until he’s already sitting in first period, still wearing Jay’s hoodie, when the door swings open—
And Jay walks in. Their eyes meet instantly.
Jungwon doesn’t move. Doesn’t react. Just stares back.
Their eyes lock across the room and Jay’s expression sharpens, gaze flicking straight to the hoodie. A slow tilt of his head follows, unreadable as ever. Trying to look unfazed, Jungwon glances down at his notes, flipping a page he’s already read. Jay doesn’t blink. In response, Jungwon lifts the hood, movements casual—too casual. Silence stretches between them as Jay remains still, watching.
And just like that, he knows—Jay is absolutely not letting this go.
He waits.
Doesn’t say a word until lunch.
Jungwon’s already at his usual table when Jay drops into the seat across from him, setting down his tray with a little too much force. He doesn’t have to look up to know who it is. He takes a slow sip of his drink, gaze steady as Jay leans in, eyes locked on him. “So,” Jay starts. Jungwon sets the cup down, unbothered. “So.”
A glance toward the hoodie.
“You’re actually still wearing it.” “Yup,” Jungwon says, unfazed. Jay exhales sharply. “Wow.”
Jake, watching from the sidelines, looks way too entertained. Heeseung, next to him, leans in. “Is this a standoff?” Sunoo whispers, “I think Jay’s about to fight him.”
Jay doesn’t acknowledge any of them. His eyes stay locked on Jungwon. “You know, most people, when they borrow something, they eventually give it back.” “Most people, yeah,” Jungwon agrees, taking another sip. “You’re unbelievable,” Jay mutters. “I’ve heard that before.” Jay runs a hand through his hair, clearly trying to stay calm. “You can’t seriously think I actually meant you could keep it.”
“You said it.” “It was sarcasm.” "Hm. Sounded convincing.” The air hangs heavy between them. Jay’s gaze lingers, sharp and steady, but Jungwon doesn’t flinch. Eventually, Jay drags a hand over his face with a sigh. “Fine. Doesn’t matter anymore. Keep it, if it means that much.”
That makes Jungwon pause. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Jay shrugs, resigned. “I mean, you’ve already worn it two times, so whatever. Consider it yours.”
Jungwon watches him for a moment. “You sure?” "Yeah, not like I’m getting it back anyway.” Jungwon nods, settling back in his seat. “Cool.” Jay turns back to his lunch, dropping the subject like it means nothing. And for some reason, that’s exactly what makes Jungwon hesitate. He looks down at the hoodie. It’s slightly loose on him, sleeves a bit longer than his own. Jay’s hoodie. He hadn’t thought much of it before, but now that he actually has permission to keep it—
He kind of wants to give it back.
Jungwon tells himself it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a hoodie. Just a hoodie. But then he catches himself fixing the sleeves more than usual and noticing how comfortable it actually is. And thinking about how it still kind of smells like Jay—like some mix of cologne and laundry detergent and something else he can’t place.
And that’s when he decides he has to give it back.
So, after school, he finds Jay by the waiting shed. Alone.
Jungwon doesn’t make a big deal out of it. Just walks up, takes the hoodie off, and holds it out. “Here.” Jay turns, brows raised. “Huh?” “Your hoodie,” Jungwon says, his voice calm. There’s a pause. Then Jay snorts. “Didn’t you fight me for two days to keep it?” “Changed my mind.” “Why?” “What do you mean, why?”
“I mean why,” Jay repeats, crossing his arms as he props one leg up on the bench, his body weight leaning casually against it. “You obviously like it.” Jungwon shifts his weight. “No, not really.”
The look Jay gives him says he doesn’t buy it.
“I just figured you actually wanted it back,” Jungwon admits, adjusting his grip on the hoodie. “I never said that.” “What?” “I didn’t say I wanted it back.” “You literally called me a thief.” Jay shrugs. “Yeah, but that was before." “Before what?”
A smirk tugs at Jay’s lips. “Before I realized you actually look kind of cute in it.” Jungwon pauses. “What.” Jay grins wider. “What?” Jungwon frowns. “Are you messing with me?” “No. It suits you.”
He has no idea what to do with that. The hoodie’s still in his hands, but now he’s just staring, thrown completely off balance while Jay stays annoyingly relaxed. Then, with a casual nudge, Jay pushes the hoodie back toward him. “Just keep it.” “...Seriously?” “Consider it a gift. Or whatever.” Jungwon eyes him. Then the hoodie. Then him again. “You’re really not taking it back?” “Nope.”
A long pause.
“…I don’t believe you.” Jay just grins. “Then don’t.” And with that, he pushes off the bench and walks away—leaving Jungwon standing there, hoodie still in hand, thoroughly confused.
Jungwon still doesn’t get it. Even later, at home, as he stares at the hoodie draped over his chair, he still doesn’t know why Jay just gave it to him.
But…
He doesn’t give it back.
And the next morning, without really thinking about it, he wears it again. It isn’t until he steps into class that he realizes it—he’s immediately aware of eyes on him, just like the first time. Or rather—Jay’s eyes on him.
It’s subtle, barely a glance, but Jungwon catches it anyway. The way Jay’s gaze flicks to him, then lingers just a second too long before he looks away. Like he’s amused. Or just waiting. Jungwon acts like he doesn’t notice. Instead, he walks to his seat and sets his bag down like it’s just another normal day. Like he’s not wearing a hoodie that technically isn’t his. But before he can sit, Jay leans back in his chair, head tilting slightly. “Huh.”
Jungwon pretends not to hear. Jay hums, tapping his fingers against his desk. “So I let you keep it, and you immediately wear it again?” Jungwon looks at him now. “So?” A smirk tugs at the corner of Jay’s mouth. “I think you just wanted an excuse.” “An excuse for what?” “To keep it.” Jungwon scoffs, crossing his arms. “I didn’t need an excuse.”
A frown pulls at Jungwon’s expression, unease creeping in as Jay looks entirely too satisfied. With his chin resting on his hand, Jay continues watching, that same easy amusement in his eyes. “You look good in it, by the way,” Jay adds, his tone casual like it’s no big deal.
The words hit Jungwon like a slight surprise.
The way Jay says it—so offhand—makes it feel somehow worse.
Jungwon clears his throat, trying to brush it off. “It’s just a hoodie.” “Yep.” Jay nods, still smirking. Jungwon narrows his eyes. “Stop looking at me like that.” “Like what?” “Like you’re enjoying this.” Jay laughs. “I am enjoying this.”
A glare settles on Jungwon’s face, then decides he’s done with this conversation. He pulls out his chair and sits down, tugging the sleeves of the hoodie over his hands. Jay leans back, still watching him. “So… you’re really keeping it?” Jungwon doesn’t even glance at him. “You literally told me to.” Jay nods and starts tapping his fingers against his desk again. “I know. Just checking.”
Jungwon doesn’t respond because at this point, it’s too late to give it back.
And maybe—just maybe—he doesn’t want to.
The hoodie becomes part of the routine. Jungwon doesn’t really think about it anymore—it’s just there, another layer of his uniform, something he throws on without a second thought.
Comfortable. Unnoticed.
Or at least, that’s what he tells himself. But it isn’t until weeks later that he realizes it still doesn’t smell like him.
He’s sitting at his desk, absentmindedly tugging at the strings while listening to his teacher drone on about something he definitely won’t remember. And then—he notices. The faintest hint of something not his. Something familiar, but distant. Something that isn’t the usual clean scent of his detergent, or the occasional whiff of his own cologne.
It’s different. And it’s Jay’s.
The realization is so sudden that he almost shifts in his seat because this still isn’t his hoodie. He stole it.
Well—borrowed it. Then took it, then kept it.
Whatever. Same thing.
The point is, he only just realized it now. And that’s—annoying. Because now, he’s thinking about it. Thinking about how long it’s been. Thinking about how Jay never really asked for it back. Thinking about how much he’s just been wearing it like it actually belongs to him. And maybe it kind of does. Now.
Right?
Jungwon doesn’t say anything for a while. He keeps the realization to himself, like maybe if he ignores it, it won’t matter. But Jay of course doesn’t let it slide.
“Still got my hoodie, huh?” Jay says casually, walking up to him after class. Jungwon pauses because this time, the words hit differently. Before, it was just Jay being Jay—casual teasing. But now, Jungwon actually realizes it’s true and he has no excuse.
“…Your hoodie?” he responds carefully. Jay raises an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Yeah. You remember, right? Black? Slightly oversized? Smells kinda like me?” Jungwon scowls. “Why would I know what you smell like?” A laugh escapes Jay. “I dunno. You tell me.” With a slow exhale, Jungwon mutters, “You’re so annoying.”
Grinning, Jay replies, “And yet, you’re still wearing my hoodie.” “I just got used to it, okay?” The statement seems to catch Jay off guard, and he stares for a second before bursting out laughing. “Why are you laughing?” Jungwon demands, irritated. “It’s just funny,” Jay says, still grinning and shaking his head. “You’re the one who gave it to me.” “I know,” Jay replies. “But you really made it yours, huh?”
Jungwon falters because yeah, he did. “…You want it back?” he asks, trying to sound casual. Jay tilts his head like he wasn’t expecting that question. Like he already knows what Jungwon is thinking. “…Nah,” he finally says with a shrug. “Looks better on you anyway.” The words hit harder than they should. Jungwon blinks, and for some reason, his ears feel warm.
He clears his throat. “Good. Because I wasn’t gonna give it back.” Jay just laughs again.
And that’s it. No more teasing. No more talking about it.
Just—understanding.
And maybe something unspoken. Something neither of them really say.
But both of them already know.
The hoodie thing fades into the background. Not completely—Jay still makes the occasional joke about Jungwon stealing his stuff, and Jungwon still pretends not to hear him—but it stops being the only thing they talk about. Instead, their conversations start stretching longer. It happens gradually, in small moments.
Like when Jungwon is stuck outside the classroom one morning, shaking the locked door handle, and Jay comes up behind him while sipping on his drink. “Locked out?” Jungwon doesn’t turn. “No, I’m standing here for fun.” “Nice. Let me know if it gets boring.” Jungwon rolls his eyes. “Aren’t you gonna help?” Jay leans against the wall. “Dunno. I’m enjoying this.”
A sharp exhale escapes Jungwon as he debates whether it’s worth arguing. (It isn’t.) But before he can even decide, Jay already knocks on the door. “Hey, open up,” he calls lazily. “Jungwon’s sad out here.” The door opens a second later, and Jungwon gives Jay a look. In return, Jay just grins.
And before they know it, talking to each other just becomes natural. Effortless, even.
Or like that one time when Jungwon finds himself alone in the cafeteria, barely paying attention as he picks at his food. He doesn’t expect anyone to sit with him but Jay drops into the seat across from him without hesitation, setting his tray down with a clatter. “What’s up.” Mildly surprised, Jungwon glances up. “Didn’t know we had lunch together.” “We usually don’t.” Jay shrugs, already unwrapping his sandwich. “Then why are you here?”
Jay bites into his food. Chews. Swallows. Then, casually—
“Felt like it.”
Jungwon stares for a second, then looks back at his tray and for some reason, his food doesn’t seem so boring anymore.
Little things. Jokes exchanged in passing. Casual teasing in the hallways. Sitting next to each other just because.
They don’t talk about it but somewhere along the way, Jay stops being just a classmate.
And Jungwon doesn’t mind. Not even a little.
Jay is everywhere.
Not in an annoying way, not in a way that makes Jungwon feel crowded—just in a way that wasn’t true before. They don’t make plans. They don’t text. But somehow, Jungwon keeps running into him. Like when he’s heading to the library after school, expecting some peace and quiet—only to find Jay already sitting there, lazily flipping through a book he clearly isn’t reading.
Jay looks up as Jungwon hesitates at the entrance. “Hey.”
Jungwon gives him a blank look. “You study?” “I exist.” “Debatable.” Jay snorts, tapping the book. “I’ll have you know, I take academics very seriously.” Jungwon slides into the seat across from him. “Yeah clearly because you’re holding that upside down.” Jay glances at the book. He doesn’t fix it. “That’s just how I learn.”
Jungwon shakes his head, but he stays.
They don’t talk much after that—Jungwon actually does his work, while Jay pretends to be productive and at some point, slides a bag of snacks across the table. Jungwon doesn’t ask where they came from. He just eats.
Another time, Jungwon is walking home late, earbuds in, mind elsewhere—when a voice calls out from behind him. Jungwon turns to see Jay jogging to catch up, hands shoved in his pockets. He raises an eyebrow. “You follow me now?” Jay scoffs. “I live this way too, genius.”
Jungwon hadn’t known that, but when Jay falls into step beside him, it doesn’t feel strange. They don’t talk much on the walk—just the occasional comment, an offhand joke—but it’s comfortable. And when they reach Jungwon’s street, Jay gives him a lazy two-finger salute. “See ya.”
Jungwon watches him go, and then, before he can think about it too much—
“Jay.”
Pausing, Jay turns slightly, and Jungwon shifts, adjusting the strap of his bag. “If you’re bored tomorrow, library’s open.” Jay blinks. Then, a small smile. “Noted.” Jungwon nods, looking away as he heads inside. He doesn’t check to see if Jay’s still smiling.
But he thinks he is.
The next day, Jay’s already at the library when Jungwon arrives. This time, the book is right-side up. Jungwon pauses and Jay glances up. “What?” “You do know how to study.” Jay rolls his eyes, tossing his pen onto the table. “Look. I never said I was bad at school. I just have better things to do.”
“Like?”
Jay leans back in his chair. “Music. Football. Sleeping.” A beat. “Messing with you.” Jungwon snorts, dropping his bag onto the chair across from him. “Truly, an academic.” Jay grins. “I try.”
Jungwon doesn’t fight the small smile tugging at his lips.
Maybe he’s getting used to this. To Jay.
Jungwon’s friends start noticing too. It begins subtly. A few glances. Raised eyebrows. The occasional knowing look. But then it turns into something else.
“Are you and Jay, like, a thing?” Jake asks one afternoon and Jungwon blinks. “What?” Sunoo leans against the table, smirking. “You’re always together.” “No, we’re not.” Heeseung snorts. “Dude, he walked you to class this morning. And yesterday. And the day before that.” “So? We just happen to be going the same way.”
Sunoo gives him a look. “And he just happens to wait for you after school?” Heeseung grins. “And just happens to sit with us at lunch now?” Jungwon crosses his arms. “He’s friends with us.” Jake hums. “Sure.” Jungwon sighs, picking at his food. “You guys are reading too much into it.”
“Are we?” Jake tilts his head. “Because, I mean—” he gestures vaguely “—the way he looks at you?” A sharp, incredulous sound escapes Jungwon. “How does he look at me?” Jake exchanges a glance with Heeseung and Sunoo before deadpanning, “Like you hung the fucking moon.”
“What even—”
Heeseung nods, completely serious. “Yeah, it’s kinda gross.” Sunoo snickers. “A little cute, though.” Jungwon groans. “He does not look at me like that.” “Okay. If you say so.”
They drop the conversation after that, but Jungwon can feel them watching him the rest of lunch. And when Jay shows up, sliding into the seat next to him like he belongs there—his knee knocking against Jungwon’s under the table—his friends smirk. Jungwon pointedly ignores them.
He tells himself that nothing has changed but he’s a liar. Because something has.
He notices it in the way Jay’s presence no longer feels like a coincidence—more like a certainty. Like if Jungwon looks up, Jay will be there, leaning against a locker, slouching into a chair beside him, bumping their shoulders as they walk.
He notices it in the way Jay watches him—openly, unapologetically. Like he’s memorizing the way Jungwon talks, the way he moves, the way he reacts.
It’s a Friday when it hits him.
They’re walking home together, which is another thing Jungwon has stopped questioning. The air is cool, the sun dipping lower, painting everything in soft gold. Jay is talking. About something dumb, probably, because Jungwon isn’t even really listening. He’s just—watching.
The way Jay’s hands move when he speaks. The way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs. The way he kicks at a rock absentmindedly, completely at ease.
Jungwon looks at him and thinks, Oh.
It’s not some dramatic revelation. Not some big, life-changing moment. It’s just quiet. Simple. Obvious.
A nudge to his side pulls him out of his thoughts. “You good?” Blinking in confusion, Jungwon responds, “Huh?” “You’re staring,” comes the teasing remark. His face flushes. “I’m not.” The smirk on Jay’s face says otherwise. “Sure.” A glare follows, but Jungwon can’t hide the warmth creeping up his neck. “Shut up.” That grin never fades.
A part of him wants to deny it, to brush it off as nothing. But in that moment, Jungwon can’t lie to himself anymore and he knows.
After that, things feel different.
“You wanna hang out?” Jay asks one day. Jungwon raises a brow. “We’re already hanging out.” Jay shakes his head. “Nah, I mean—like, outside of school. Just us.” “Like… a date?” “You want it to be?” A shove and an eye roll. “Forget it.”
Jay laughs. “Okay, okay. No labels. Just… us.” Jungwon exhales while rolling his eyes. “Fine.” Jay’s smile lingers. “Cool.”
Jay texts him at random times now. Wanna go get food? Library again? I’m bored. Entertain me.
Jungwon never says no.
They meet up on weekends. After school. Sometimes it’s planned, but mostly it’s not. Mostly, it’s just—falling into each other’s presence, like gravity.
It’s the way Jay always sits just a little too close. It’s the way Jungwon doesn’t move away. It’s the way Jay looks at him—like he’s already figured something out.
Jungwon knows something is going to happen. He just doesn’t know when but then—
“Jungwon.”
It’s late and they’re sitting on Jungwon’s roof, because Jay has a habit of showing up uninvited. The sky is dark, the city humming below them. “Hm?” Jay hesitates. Then, softly—
“You know, right?”
Jungwon knows. Of course he does.
But he still asks, “Know what?” Jay sighs, like he was expecting that. Like he knows Jungwon too well to be surprised. Instead of answering, he shifts, leaning in just enough for Jungwon to understand exactly what he means.
Jungwon’s breath catches. Jay’s close. Close enough that if Jungwon moves even a little...
But he doesn’t. He just sits there, heartbeat loud, something in his chest pulling tight. He studies him for a second longer. Then, finally, he says, “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.” And just like that, the moment passes but the tension lingers. Jungwon swallows, his throat dry. He stares at the skyline, trying to ignore the fact that Jay is still too close, that his heart is still too loud.
And maybe—just maybe—he’s almost ready.
One night, after another too-late hangout, Jay walks him home like usual and they stop at Jungwon’s door. The air is heavy, the kind of silence that means something. Jay looks at him, hands in his pockets, and says, “I need to know what you want.” Jungwon blinks. “What?” “I’m not asking for anything right now,” Jay continues, voice even. “I just… I need to know if this is going somewhere. Or if I should stop waiting.”
Jungwon’s throat feels tight because he doesn’t want Jay to stop waiting. But if he says it—if he admits it—there’s no taking it back. Jay tilts his head, eyes searching. “Jungwon.” Jungwon hates how his name sounds like that—soft, careful, hopeful.
He exhales.
And then instead of saying anything, he reaches out. Fingers curling around Jay’s hand, holding onto him like that’s enough of an answer. Jay watches him for a long second. Then he smiles, small and knowing. “Yeah?” he asks.
Jungwon huffs, rolling his eyes—but he doesn’t let go. Jay just laughs. “Took you long enough.”
And Jungwon, finally, finally lets himself fall.
“You’re happier now,” Sunoo observes one day, watching Jungwon with narrowed eyes. Jungwon pauses mid-bite. “I was happy before.” He snorts. “You were tolerable before.” Jake leans in, grinning. “So, what’s the verdict? Are you two a thing now?”
“A thing?” “You know. A thing. Dating. Together. In love. Whatever.” Jungwon rolls his eyes. “We’re not—” He stops. Hesitates. “We haven’t really talked about it.” Heeseung snickers. “C’mon. You held his wrist like it was a confession.”
Jungwon glares. “It was a confession.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” Jake tilts his head. “It’s obvious. You like him, he likes you. Just say it.” Jungwon exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “I know.” Sunoo and Heeseung exchange looks, then sigh at the same time.
Heeseung pats his shoulder. “Good luck, man.” Jungwon scowls. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “You’re an overthinker with feelings,” Jake says, standing. “It means you’re doomed.” Jungwon groans, dropping his head onto the table because—yeah. Maybe he is.
It happens on a quiet afternoon.
No big moment, no dramatic scene—just them, sitting on Jay’s bed, the weight of something unspoken lingering between them. Jungwon is leaning back against the headboard, scrolling through his phone. Jay is lying beside him, close enough that their shoulders touch, close enough that it’s almost funny how they still haven’t said it out loud yet.
Jay shifts, tilting his head toward Jungwon. “Hey.” Jungwon hums, not looking up.
“Are we… like. A thing?”
Jungwon finally glances over, eyebrows slightly raised. “What do you mean?” Jay groans. “Oh my god, I’m being serious.” Jungwon smirks but sets his phone aside, turning his full attention to Jay. “Okay. Ask me properly, then.”
Jay exhales, dramatic but fond. “Jungwon.”
“Yes, Jay?” Jay swallows, but his voice stays steady.
“Do you want to be my boyfriend?”
Jungwon watches him for a moment, something soft in his gaze, something certain. Then, slowly, he smiles. “Yeah,” he says, as easy as breathing. “I do.”
Jay blinks. “Oh.” Jungwon laughs. “What, you weren’t expecting me to say yes?” “I mean, I was,” Jay mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “But now it feels, like… real.” Jungwon leans in just slightly, his voice quieter. “It is real.”
Jay looks at him—really looks at him. At the way Jungwon is just sitting there, calm and sure, like this has been the answer all along. And that’s when Jay notices. The black hoodie snug around Jungwon’s frame, a little loose at the sleeves, the hood slightly folded from wear.
His hoodie.
The same one Jungwon had accidentally taken all those months ago.
Jay huffs a laugh, reaching over to tug at the sleeve. “You’re still wearing this?” Jungwon shrugs, glancing down at it. “It’s comfortable.” A pause, then a quiet, almost teasing smile. “And it smells like you.” Jay freezes for half a second, then groans, flopping back onto the bed.
They sit in comfortable silence for a while, the hum of music playing softly from Jay’s speakers. The late afternoon sun spills through the window, warm and golden, painting their skin in soft light.
“So. Since we’re official now…”
Jungwon hums. “Yeah?” Jay shifts, tilting his head to look at him. “Does that mean I can hold your hand whenever I want?”
“Come on, you already do.” “Okay, but now I can do it without sneaking around.” Jay grins before adding, “I can just call it boyfriend rights.”
Jungwon rolls his eyes. “Oh, so now you want to call me your boyfriend?” Jay huffs a laugh, nudging Jungwon’s knee with his own. “What? You want me to say it more?” Jungwon shrugs, but there’s a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips. “Wouldn’t hurt.” Jay watches him for a second before shifting closer, his voice softer now.
“Boyfriend.”
Jungwon presses his lips together, but the corners of his mouth twitch. Jay nudges him again, playful.
“Jungwon, my boyfriend.”
Jungwon groans, burying his face in Jay’s shoulder. “Okay, okay, I get it.” Jay laughs, resting his chin against the top of Jungwon’s head. “Just making sure it sinks in.” Jungwon shakes his head, but he doesn’t move away. If anything, he shifts even closer, letting the warmth settle between them.
The hoodie still rests over Jungwon’s shoulders, a quiet reminder of where this all started. And now, after everything—after the teasing, the stolen glances, the slow realization of something more—it feels like it’s come full circle.
Jungwon exhales, voice barely above a whisper. “You know… I think I knew for a while.” Jay tilts his head. “Knew what?” “That I liked you.” Jungwon glances up, his eyes meeting Jay’s. “I just didn’t want to say it first.” Jay’s breath catches for a second before he lets out a soft laugh. “Guess that makes two of us.”
“We’re really bad at this, huh?” Jay grins. “Yeah. But at least we figured it out.” Jungwon smiles, quiet and real. “Yeah. We did.”
And just like that, it’s settled. No grand confessions, no big moment—just them. Jungwon in Jay’s hoodie, just like the first time.
Jay and Jungwon, together, like they were always meant to be.