Chapter Eighteen

November is Taeyong's favorite month this year. He got to see his father, he's friends with Jaehyun again, the new ranks got released, and no monthly evaluation. The only thing that ruined the month is the written exam.

Written exams are his weakness when it comes to performance arts.

He prefer to dance or sing or whatever in front of the professors. He's not good with words or explaining, so answering paper exams is what he hates the most.

But does he have a choice? It's part of the school system.

"Why is this so hard?" Yangyang whined, almost crying beside him. The three of them are staying in the library, reviewing for the exams next week.

Ten hushed the younger and focused on his notes again. Taeyong sighed with his view, "Be organized and fix your notes." He advised, the youngest's notes are all over the table.

Yangyang just whined again.

"Hey,"

They look up and saw a familiar face, "Oh? Hendery bro!" Yangyang smiled after frowning for hours. "Wanna come with us? We're going to the arcade." The guy named Hendery said.

"Yes, please! That's what I was waiting!" He didn't even wait for Ten and Taeyong to react, he immediately fixed his things and pulled Hendery out of the library.

Ten sighed, "It's so good to be young." He murmured, which the red haired guy agreed at- "He's only 16, he'll graduate by 18- damn, too many opportunities waiting for him."

The two talked as if they're old when they're just 18 and 19 years old, well- they just also wanna have fun too but they can't.

"Oh, shit! I still have a class!" Ten panicked and instantly vanished. Taeyong was left alone which he didn't mind, he glanced at the time- right, no more classes for today. Just review- and review- and review..

Taeyong doesn't know how long he was stressing over his notes when he felt someone's presence beside him, it's probably Yangyang- but the body proportions doesn't look like him.

He lifted his head to see who it was- and saw Jaehyun. "H-hey," the older awkwardly greeted.

Jaehyun could still remember the night they got drunk, he's not that drunk though. And ever since, he can't stop think who does Taeyong likes. Seulgi? The 5th in rankings? Or Irene? The one voted as prettiest girl in the campus?

He really didn't dare to ask, and as much as possible he doesn't wanna talk about it. He just tried to get it off again from his thoughts.

"You review?" Jaehyun chuckled softly, making the red haired guy flustered a little. "I thought smart people doesn't review," he added.

"I'm not smart," Taeyong's eyes went back to his notes. "Maybe you are, since you're not reviewing." He shrugged, he felt the younger's stare at him but he didn't mind it at all.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Jaehyun replied. "But I'm just too lazy you know."

Taeyong can't help himself but snicker, "Knew that."

Jaehyun's just resting his head on his arms on the table while staring at the older's side profile, it's like the closest view he could ever have so he cherished every moment. For him, Taeyong looks so perfect- a too good to be true definition.

"I don't think I'll fail on my written exams, I got enough knowledge." Taeyong uttered to break the silence, even though he likes being stared at. "But what if I had a mental block? That's a total nightmare."

Jaehyun smiled when he saw him pout a little, "Aren't mental blocks caused by nervousness?" The younger asked which made Taeyong nod. "I think so,"

"Then don't be nervous," Jaehyun shrugged as he advised, the red haired guy frowned at him. "Oh, never thought of that." Taeyong smiled sarcastically, receiving a laugh from the younger.

"But you know what? I always fail my written exams." Jaehyun advised once again, yes an advice. Not even sure if it really helps the older. "It doesn't affect the ranks that much so chill, okay?"

Taeyong laid his book on the table and faced Jaehyun, "You always fail? Tsk, no fun at all." He smirked as a tease to the younger. "Why not impress me this time? Pass your written exams, Mr. Jung."

Jaehyun sat properly and smirked back, "Sure, but what's it for me?" He asked. "I mean, there must be a prize to keep me motivated."

The red haired guy furrowed his eyebrows. Prize? He can't even think anything. "What do you want? Louis Vuitton? Gucci?" He's clueless.

Sounds like a.. sugar daddy.. what the heck

The younger frowned, "No thanks. A meal would do." He shrugged as he answered.

Taeyong's mouth fell open. A meal? That's it? Isn't it basically like a date? What? No way, does he still like me? He didn't even confess and here's Taeyong already claiming that Jaehyun once liked him.

Well, Jaehyun indeed likes him. The younger's just too afraid to say anything, he knows Taeyong is straight- and he doesn't want the older to be uncomfortable. Not now that they're friends.

"Mkay then, I'll treat you a meal. But if you fail again, no meal." Taeyong replied casually and started reading his notes again. "If I fail, how about I treat you to a meal instead?"

Basically, it's a win-win.

The red haired guy didn't expect that but he just nodded, not thinking thoroughly about what he just heard.

**

"I passed 2 out of 3!" Yangyang screamed his lungs out, causing for him to cough. "Dumbass! It says there that you failed 2 out of 3 subjects and passed only 1!" Ten laughed at him.

Yangyang took a closer look and frowned when he realized Ten was right, "Nevermind, how about you then?"

"I passed 2 out of 3." He answered confidently. Then the two faced Taeyong who's busy scanning the papers on his hand, "How about you, Yongie?"

The red haired guy clicked his tongue, "Of course, I passed all three subjects." In conclusion, Taeyong's cramming for the whole week was worth it.

"Woah! You should've tutored this dumbass here," Lucas appeared out of nowhere, pointing at Yangyang. Of course the youngest immediately scowled.

"Dumbass? Me? What's your results then?" He asked in an unmannered way. "3 out of 3!" He even chinned up just to boast.

"You passed three subjects?!" Ten widens his eyes, couldn't believe that Lucas got a higher remarks than him. As far as he know, he's smarter than the tall guy.

Lucas bit his lower lip trying not to laugh, "I failed 3 out of 3 subjects."

They all chuckled cause of what they heard, especially Yangyang- whose laugh can be heard up to the other hallway.

"Oh before I forgot," Lucas snapped, "I'm actually here to tell you that Jaehyun's waiting at the parking lot. Do you have a date?"

Lucas, Ten, and Yangyang squinted their eyes to the oldest. "Date?! With Jaehyun?! What am I missing out?!" The youngest got excited with the thought, Ten just smirked at him.

"I-it's not a date!" Taeyong immediately denied while his face is burning red, "We just had a deal. If he passed the exams, I'll treat him out- I guess he passed? I'm going bye!"

He didn't wait for their reaction and sprinted away.

"But Jaehyun.. failed.." Lucas murmured.

Taeyong arrived at the parking lot, it wasn't hard for him to find Jaehyun. The younger is literally leaning against a car with a black shiny hair- plus highlights! He's wearing a bright white hoodie as if it's brand new. He could totally stand out whatever he's wearing.

Sometimes Taeyong even thought if he could stare at the younger for a whole day- which he actually thinks is possible. Jaehyun's visual is out of the world.

The red haired guy's about to walk towards him with a wide smile but he stopped midway when someone got to go near Jaehyun first, it was Jungwoo.

Taeyong stood there for a minute, staring at them both- who's casually talking and laughing. Jaehyun's dimples are visible and his eyes are smiling while it shines- is Taeyong jealous?

If cursing Jungwoo on his mind is one of the definitions of being jealous, then yes- Taeyong is.

The red haired guy flinched when his gaze suddenly met Jaehyun's. To not be awkward, Taeyong walked towards the both, trying to look friendly.

"I.. I gotta go!" Jungwoo blurted and gulped before the red haired guy could even say anything, he didn't wait for Jaehyun's response and instantly walked away.

What? Are they talking about something I can't know? Well, there are things that are called private for some reasons.

Taeyong faced Jaehyun who's showing off his dimples, "Sorry for his actions, but you actually scared him." The younger's smile widens.

"I scared him?" The older blinked twice trying to let the words sink in. Jaehyun nodded, "Yeah, you look like you're in a bad mood- which looks so intimidating. Are you okay? Did you fail or what?"

Taeyong swears he tried to look friendly as possible, "Nah. I passed of course." He proudly replied.

He just tried to forget Jungwoo ang changed the topic, "How about you? You passed? Where's your papers? I need proof." He grinned. Jaehyung stood up properly and caressed his nape, "I failed."

Taeyong awkwardly nodded, "Oh.."

Jaehyun faced the ground, still remaining silent. The older felt bad for him so the red haired guy voluntarily tapped his shoulders, "You said it won't affect the ranks anyway, right? Come on, you still gotta treat me."

Jaehyun face light up and looked at Taeyong, "Right. Uh, let's go?" The older was confused cause of the sudden change of mood but he didn't mind it, as long as Jaehyun's okay.

"Wait, this is your car?" Taeyong pointed at the white Mercedes Benz CLA45 AMG. "Yeah, it was Mr. Jung's 18th birthday present for me."

"W-when was your b-birthday?" The older gulped, feeling guilty that he doesn't know Jaehyun's birthday. He could've greeted him and gave him a gift-

Jaehyun chuckled when he saw the older worried, "Chill, Tae. My birthday is on February, I rarely use this ever since I got it." He explained and opened the shotgun seat's door for the red haired guy.

Taeyong rolled his eyes and went in, he'll just come back for his own car later when they get home.

The ride was in peace, Jaehyun just played a song and they're both vibing to it- almost having a duet. "Where are we going by the way?" Taeyong asked as soon as the song finished.

Jaehyun glanced at him for a second before looking back at the road, "Ah, right. I'm sorry in advance since I can't bring you to a fancy place." He sincerely said.

Taeyong clicked his tongue and shrugged, "Who said I'm into fancy places?" He giggled a little and looked at the window to hide his blushing face. "Well, you look fancy so I thought-"

"Stop it, I'm not. So where are we going?" Taeyong insisted asking before he could turn into a tomato. "My apartment," Jaehyun casually answered.

"Oh.. wait, what?" Taeyong felt his face hotter but he still chose to face Jaehyun, the younger's looking at the road anyway.

"Mr. Jung offered me to live with him cause I'm already 18, I can no longer stay in the orphanage so I decided to fully move out. But I don't wanna live with Mr. Jung, he just offered me an apartment instead." The younger explained, "And I decided to cook for you, since I lost the deal."

To be honest, Taeyong's not really expecting a fancy place. He thought they'll just eat in a restaurant nearby the university since it's almost 6pm. But going to Jaehyun's place? It's even better than a fancy restaurant.

Taeyong got excited with the thought and patiently waited.

On the other hand, Jaehyun's heart is almost trying to burst out from his chest. He actually aced all his exams, he didn't fail anything- but that's what he told everyone so he could treat the red haired guy- cook actually.

After a few more minutes, Jaehyun pulled over in a driveway. The apartment wasn't that big nor small, just enough space for a family. Two bed rooms and a guest room, living area, dining and kitchen. All cool.

"Woah, your place is so clean- totally different from the dorms." Taeyong commented while laughing, which made Jaehyun shy a little- "Johnny's the only one who's messy, come and sit."

Taeyong sat down comfortably, still looking around the place. "I hope you're not hungry yet," Jaehyun uttered while taking off his hoodie-

And that certainly made the older panicked.

The red haired guy just calmed down when he saw there's a white plain shirt under. Thank God. Thank God what?

"Nah, it's still early. Take your time cooking- oh, wait. Should I help?" Taeyong offered and stood up, he's not even sure if the younger could cook. Why would he insist to cook for me if he doesn't know how? Exactly.

Jaehyun walked towards him and pushed him by his shoulder to sit down again, "I can handle it, just relax hmm?" The younger gave him an assuring smile that made him look away.

"m'kay."

Jaehyun went to the kitchen, totally out of Taeyong's sight. It's been only a few minutes but the red haired guy's already dying out of boredom.

Without any hesitation, Taeyong stood up and walked to the kitchen. There he saw the younger in an apron, being so serious on what he's doing.

"What's the dish?" The older asked and sat by on the counter. Jaehyun looked up to him before smiling, "Creamy Prawn Pasta, specially made by the hottest Jung Jaehyun," he winked.

Taeyong rolled his eyes, "And what if I say I'm allergic to shrimps?"

Jaehyun stopped and lost his smile, the older noticed it and quickled chuckled. "I'm just kidding! But atleast now you know you should ask your guest first." He scolded.

The younger nodded and showed his dimples, "Roger that. And incase you're really allergic to shrimps, I have a back up recipe which I think is way more delicious." He confidently shrugged.

"Really? What is it?"

"Me."

Taeyong freezed. This time, Jaehyun's the one who laughed, "I'm also kidding! Come on, you should've seen your face." The red haired guy frowned and just shook his head, he's just hoping he isn't blushing.

"I'm so bored, let me help." Taeyong whined, changing the topic. "No, you're a guest-"

"Then pretend that I also live here, I just really wanna help."

Jaehyun tried not to show any reactions on what he heard. Is it bad the he actually imagined Taeyong and him living under the same roof? Nevermind. "Fine, come here and wash some ingredients."

Taeyong giggled as soon as he heard him. He instantly jumped out from the counter and stood behind Jaehyun who's currently in front the sink.

"I'll handle tha-"

Right after Jaehyun turned around, he didn't know Taeyong was so close so the older lost his balance while taking a step backwards. Fortunately, Jaehyun caught his waist to help him not to fall.

Taeyong gulped with the closeness of their bodies and the warm contact their skin creates, he knows and he's aware how burning red his cheeks are at the moment. Jaehyun's arms are still wrapped around his waist- intensely staring at him.

The older's throat is the one drying up but his lips were the ones the he wets using his tongue, and that's a fucking wrong move. Jaehyun's eyes went from his eyes to his lips.

Shit, Jaehyun. Control your fucking self-

Nope, nevermind.

The younger tightened his arms from the red haired guy's waist to pull him closer. He didn't even think twice when he pressed his lips against Taeyong's. Will I regret this? Whatever it takes.

Taeyong isn't supposed to be shock anymore, but he still is. It took him a few seconds before he went back to reality- just to hold Jaehyun's nape and pull him for a deeper kiss.

Which Jaehyun didn't expect.

-
a/n: this is like uh.. the longest chapter, it was fun writing this to the point i didn't notice the number of words. ‧⁺◟( ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ ·̫ ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀ )

note : this is unedited. expect more typographical and grammatical errors. thank you.