Chapter Text
Seungmin is munching on a fried chicken leg that Jisung picked up for him as he tries to figure out where he’s going with his essay. It’s not due for another two weeks, but he always likes to get a head start. He’s only planning to do an outline for today and put it away. It is Thursday night, and he only has one class tomorrow morning, so he’s ready for the weekend. While he hates himself every week for jam-packing his schedule from Tuesday-Thursday morning to late afternoon, he always thinks he’s a genius come the weekend since he also has no classes on Monday.
He should clean his room. There’s a bunch of clothes strewn across the floor with his new lilac sweatshirt Jisung bought him on the top that he’s been wearing way too much. His desk is cluttered, and he needs to organize his Funko Pops, especially since Jisung just got him the final ones to finish his collection, Sailor Uranus and Neptune, and he wants to arrange them.
The shelf he’s been meaning to put up for weeks is leaning against his closet door, even though Jisung keeps saying he’ll help him. While nice, they both have no skill in doing so and will definitely have to get Minho to actually put it up. Jisung knows that, so he says he’ll pick up lunch to bribe Minho with.
He’ll make sure to do it tomorrow, clean up tonight and do laundry. That way, his room will no longer stain his perfectionist façade, which only Jisung and Jeongin know is false. He texts Jisung and Minho to set it up since they’re probably at the gym together now. He returns to his essay, finally figuring out what he wants to write.
Isn’t that always the case, though? Once you stop focusing on something, you can finally see the bigger picture.
Their frat house is nothing like an actual frat. With a lowly eight members, they only call themselves a frat to gain the benefits from their university and eventually use it to beef up their resumes when they finish school. All they have to do is ensure they’re hitting their charity quota, and with Felix and Minho alone, they usually surpass it. It looks good for their university, and Jisung is sure that’s why they look the other way since they’re not really a frat.
But there are similarities to a real frat house. Like, other than the snores from certain bedrooms, it's quiet—everyone but Seungmin dead to the world in the early morning. Expect not since he hears the front door creak open, and that’s another thing they have to fix, Seungmin thinks as he sees Jisung pop around the corner carrying a tray with coffee, a box of some treats, and a paint can in the other.
“Minnie, perfect time, don’t make yourself a coffee. I got you a caramel latte right here,” something that Seungmin loves about Jisung, probably because he’s an impatient early riser living in a house full of night owls is that he does not give a fuck. He bellows as he puts down his goods and hands Seungmin his latte.
“Thank you,” Seungmin says smiling, “you’re up extra early for you.” Jisung isn’t one to sleep in late; that’s more Chan and Changbin, who work at all hours of the night. Jisung also works late but doesn’t need as much sleep as they do because he always falls asleep during their study or production sessions.
“Well, I know you get up early, and we’re organizing your room,” Jisung shrugs, smiling. “Oh! I also got some paint because you bought the wrong colour shelf. We can paint it and let it dry before Minho puts it up, and we want it done today, so earlier is better.” Jisung is by far the most caring and thoughtful person Seungmin has ever met. Seungmin won’t lie. He used to be an asshole, not aware of others to the degree he is now that he’s learned from Jisung.
Jisung does a lot for Seungmin, and Seungmin tries to give back, but it’s so hard because it’s impossible to be as thoughtful, generous, and aware as Jisung is, but he thinks Jisung knows how grateful he is—hopes, at any rate.
“Oh Jisung, you didn’t have to go to the trouble. I was fine with black,” Seungmin says as Jisung plops the paint on the table. Seungmin sees that the paint is mint green and will go nicely with his white room; bonus, it’s his favourite colour. He meant to buy the white shelf, but he grabbed what he thought was white. He didn’t look at the description and came home with the black option. He’s too lazy to return it and get the one he wanted. “But mint green is better. Thank you so much! You have to stop spoiling me. I was planning to do something, but now I have to pick up my game. I have to make it the experience to end all experiences,” Seungmin says as he points his finger threateningly to make sure Jisung gets himself ready for the awesome Seungmin will have to come up with.
Jisung likes gifts and things as everyone does, but what he likes more is doing something fun with his friends—the experience and memories over an object. So, Seungmin will come up with something, and he probably should have done this earlier since Jisung is so good to him. In his defence, he does try, but school has gotten in the way recently. All his essays and labs piling up are also why he didn’t think much about putting up the shelf and why his room was a disaster. Jisung’s anxiety is also something Seungmin needs to work around. While it’s not a problem, it’s not as easy as throwing Jisung a party or taking him to a fancy restaurant to show his appreciation. It’s a little more challenging for Seungmin since he’s not the best at thinking outside the box. He’ll figure it out. It just might take a minute.
“You don’t need to. I like helping you, so don’t feel you have to just because I’ve done stuff for you,” Jisung says and opens the pastry box with a heavenly-looking coconut donut and an old-fashioned Seungmin and Jisung’s favourites, respectively.
Oh, it’s on.
“No, I want to, but it may take a bit. I want it to be perfect for you.” Seungmin smiles at the blush on Jisung’s cheeks and grabs his donut from the box, leaning in to give Jisung a smooch on the warm skin of his cheek. Seungmin can only really be affectionate with Jisung, well, Jeongin as well, but that’s more because he’s an asshole and likes to annoy the maknae. “Thank you, Sungie.”
A few minutes later, once they’re situated on the couch, donuts finished, and sipping at their drinks, Minho, Jeongin and Hyunjin come in, each looking more blurry-eyed than the next.
“Minho hyung, you have a coffee on the kitchen counter,” Minho smirks at Jeongin and Hyunjin as he makes his way over.
“You didn’t buy for us?” Jeongin whines, and Seungmin smirks into his next sip.
“You guys are never up this early, and Seungmin and I are hoping our very nice and generous hyung will help us put up a shelf in Seungmin’s room today,” Jisung sends wide, earnest eyes to Minho as he comes back in and flops on the couch, coffee in hand, but not spilling a drop.
“Yes, your fair and illustrious hyung will help you, but you’re still buying me lunch,” Jisung sends Seungmin a wink like it’s all going to plan, and Seungmin chuckles.
“And you even got donuts!” Jeongin cries.
“Don’t see one for Minho hyung, but I bet Seungmin got one, right?” Seungmin watches as Jisung blushes.
“They had coconut, and I couldn’t just walk out without one since it’s his favourite,” Jisung explains defensively and Hyunjin smirks.
“Of course, how could we expect you not to get Seungmin’s favourite,” there’s a niggle in the back of Seungmin’s mind at the way Hyunjin says it like it means something, but before Seungmin can’t put his finger on it, it’s gone as Felix seems to just appear in the room and starts taking a mile a minute about his next charity event to raise money for impoverished youth to get them all the essentials for school.
Seungmin and Jisung both flop onto Seungmin’s bed at nine pm. They both were up early and didn’t even have a nap since they had to paint the shelf and grab lunch for themselves and Minho before he’d even come to Seungmin’s room.
Seungmin also washed his bed sheets, wanting optimum comfort once his room was organized. He made Jisung help move his dresser three times only to end up an inch over from where it was initially, but sometimes you have to try things out. The shelf is up and beautiful. All his Funko Pops are now on display, and all the clutter around his desk and the rest of the room either found its proper home or was garbage that needed to be tossed.
His sheets feel soft and smell nice. Jisung and he showered, got into their pajamas, and are debating watching a movie, all snuggled up in bed.
“I really appreciate your help today. I’m sorry I had you move my dresser so much,” Jisung hums in response, eyes closed.
“It’s what these guns were made for, so it’s fine,” Jisung says, flexing. Seungmin eyes the guns on display since Jisung is wearing a tank top. Very nice. It’s not something Seungmin would put in work for, but he can definitely appreciate the view. His eyes are drawn back to his figurines, where he can see post-it notes stuck to Sailor Neptune and Uranus.
It’s too far to see what the writing says, and Seungmin is too tired to get up.
“I don’t think I can make it through a movie,” Seungmin says as he snuggles into his pillow. “You want to just go to sleep?”
“Yeah, we can go to sleep, harabeoji,” Jisung says, and Seungmin can hear the smile in his voice.
“Bro, you’re almost asleep too,” Seungmin snarks back.
“That’s hyung to you,” Jisung says, and Seungmin rolls his eyes.
“You’re like a week older than me.”
“Yeah, exactly. I’m older.”
“Oh, maybe I’ll start calling Hyunjin hyung. You know he gets off on that shit,” Seungmin says, laughing, and then opens his eyes to look at Jisung’s response, but it’s not what he expects. Jisung has his eyes open now, looking disgruntled, with the tips of his ears red.
“Do not call Hyunjin that.” It’s sharper than Seungmin expects, but he chalks it up to Jisung being tired and cranky. It was Jisung and not Hyunjin who helped him out today so he could throw him a bone. Seungmin wouldn’t care about calling Jisung hyung if he wanted him to. There may only be a little over a week between them, but Jisung supports and helps with everything from reorganizing his room to getting him out of his head when school gets too much when the world feels like it’s too much, and everything in between. Jisung may not be much older, but he acts like he is by ensuring Seungmin eats, sleeps, and drinks more water than coffee. Most wouldn’t know it to look at him, but Jisung is one of the most put-together people Seungmin knows.
“Okay, hyung, I won’t,” Seungmin says as he turns to lie on his side. “Now, let’s sleep. I’ll take you out for breakfast tomorrow.”
“Sounds good, Minnie,” Seungmin can hear the grin in Jisung’s voice again and smiles into his pillow.
“Oh fuck,” Seungmin pouts.
“What?”
“Can hyung be so nice a to turn off the light? I’m so comfortable and warm.” Seungmin snuggles down into his blanket as he hears Jisung sighs and get up, swatting Seungmin’s ass as he goes.
“You can’t use that against me.”
Seungmin is pretty sure he can, now that he knows Jisung’s little secret. The room goes dark, and Jisung crawls back into bed a moment later. Seungmin can feel Jisung hesitating and sighs.
“Just cuddle me if you want to. I don’t know why you have to make it weird.” Seungmin really doesn’t get Jisung sometimes. They’re best friends, and he knows Jisung is a cuddler. He doesn’t get why Jisung hesitates like he does. Maybe he’s just being nice since Seungmin usually isn’t into skinship. It’s stupid if that’s the case; everyone knows Jisung is different.
They’re up before eight the next day since they went to sleep so early, so they sneak out of the house to not wake anyone. It probably didn’t work since Seungmin had to keep shushing Jisung, but they didn’t hear anyone moving as they left, so Seungmin is calling it a win.
Seungmin tries to pay for breakfast but realizes Jisung already did when he went to the bathroom after they ordered. He should have known since Jisung didn’t put up a fight the night before.
They stop at the grocery store before heading home since it’s Jisung’s turn to make “family dinner” for the guys, and he needs to pick up some supplies. Seungmin loves lazy days like this. There’s nothing he has to do for the rest of the day, and Jisung is throwing a bunch of meat and vegetables in a crockpot and making a stew. It’s easy and always turns out good.
They end up in Seungmin’s room again, watching some drama Jisung wanted to see, but Seungmin isn’t paying much attention. It’s cute, he’ll give it that, but it’s kind of far-fetched. Seungmin doesn’t understand how someone wouldn’t know that their best friend is in love with them. It's to the point that they are practically dating if the dumb main love interest would get a clue.
Seungmin grins and rolls his eyes, but then they snag on the lilac sweatshirt hanging on the back of his computer chair, and then to the Funko Pops that now in daylight, Seungmin can see his name on the post-it note on Sailor Neptune and right beside Jisung’s on Uranus written in Minho’s handwriting.
He looks down at himself and realizes he’s wearing Jisung’s sweatpants and shirt. He also sees some of Jisung’s clothes in his closet since the door opened halfway. Seungmin may be having an aneurysm, or it could be that he’s realizing he’s the stupid love interest.
Hyunjin’s words come back, and that niggle that he’s always pushed aside springs up hard and fast.
Of course, how could we expect you not to get Seungmin’s favourite.
Memories and moments fly through his mind of all the times Jisung has gone out of his way for Seungmin. All the blushes and the stuttered words that Seungmin just glossed over. How many days a week do they sleep in each other’s bed? And why did Seungmin think that was normal?!
Seungmin gets up, almost upending the laptop.
“Sorry. I have to go to the bathroom,” Seungmin says as he practically runs out of the room. Great, now Jisung probably thinks he has diarrhea or something.
Seungmin puts the lid down on the toilet and sits. He thinks he’s breathing too heavy. Okay, so Jisung is in love with him. That’s what this is. Jisung is his boyfriend, just like that girl on the show. And Jisung is just like that main lead and doing a boss-ass job of it.
Okay. Seungmin has to think it through. What exactly is causing him to panic? The fact that Jisung is in love with him or that he’s an idiot and didn’t know? Seungmin breathes for a moment. He’s more embarrassed than anything. It’s nothing new to love Jisung or to be loved by him. It’s way more than he thought, but it makes sense in a not weird at all way.
Case in point: Jisung is the only one allowed to cuddle him. The only one allowed to show him open affection without Seungmin grimacing and pushing him away. Also, Seungmin kissing him on the fucking cheek all the time. That is pretty gay, and they are gay, but like Seungmin never really thought of them being gay together. But like he assumed they’d grow old together, so no homo doesn’t seem to apply.
So, Seungmin enjoys Jisung’s affection and company. That’s somewhat friendly. He wants to grow old with him. Alright, that’s a little less platonic.
The biggest question is whether Seungmin wants to take it further. Does he want to do anything to change their relationship? Make it more intimate; add kissing and sex to the mix. It’s one thing when he didn’t realize how Jisung felt or that they’ve essentially been acting like boyfriends, and Jisung lets him and doesn’t pressure him. He’s probably been waiting for Seungmin to get a fucking clue for a while now. Either way, Seungmin will have to say something. It would be cruel to keep taking from Jisung and leaving him in limbo.
Is Seungmin attracted to Jisung? See, the thing with Seungmin that he’s done since he realized he was gay before he even came out was to make sure he wasn’t confusing a friendship with something more. Too many crushes on straight boys will do that, and he kept up this wall to make sure he never crossed any lines. As soon as someone became Seungmin’s friend, not just an acquaintance but a real friend, he’d friend zone them to keep himself and their friendship safe.
He doesn’t hook up with friends. He doesn’t judge them if they do, but he thinks it’ll get messy and cause more trouble than it’s worth, which is the same with relationships. Besides, he has Jisung, and he doesn’t need anyone else.
Getting less platonic by the minute, but Seungmin is avoiding his question. Does he find Jisung sexually attractive? It’s an easy yes, so Seungmin mentally tried to avoid it. Jisung is super good-looking and has a great body, and if Seungmin ever gave it a second thought, which he didn’t because when he friend-zones, he friend-zones hard, is that he’d definitely want to be all over that.
So, nothing platonic here. Crash landed on romantic and sexual. This should be a good thing. It is a good thing, but the embarrassment comes back tenfold. Fuck, Jisung knows he’s super unaware of these kinds of things and is always the one to point out when someone is hitting on him. And oh, in hindsight, Jisung never seemed to like it. He always had an excuse or explanation on why it’d be a bad idea for Seungmin to pursue anything as if Seungmin was planning to.
Seungmin’s panic has receded, and the shock has passed. He still needs a little more time to wrap his head around this. It’s not that different, except it’s completely fucking different. He will talk to Jisung, but not tonight.
Fuck, does he even need to? He just up and left like a crazy person as they’re watching a show about the exact situation that they’re in. Jisung has to know that Seungmin knows. He’s the smart one in this relationship. Not in actual education, Seungmin is practically a genius, and Jisung doesn’t care about school as much as he should, and he is barely passing. But emotional intelligence? Jisung has Seungmin squarely beat and is the one that always has to explain this shit to him.
Why didn’t Jisung explain this shit to him?
Whatever. He’s just returning to his room and letting the chips fall where they may. He looks at himself in the mirror; his cheeks are flushed, and he seems surprised. Seungmin doesn’t know why his eyebrows are so high. He already went over everything, and it really shouldn’t be surprising.
When he gets back to his room, the laptop is closed, and Jisung is gone.
“Dinner’s ready,” Jeongin says as he pokes his head in.
Saved by the fucking stew.
Dinner is normal. Minus the awkward moment when Jisung plated food for himself, Seungmin, and no one else. That is still normal, except he catches the smirk Hyunjin sends Jeongin and realizes this constantly fucking happens. Jisung always serves him. Then, all the coffees, donuts, treats, and fried chicken come to mind.
Goddamn, Jisung is practically his feeder and sugar daddy all rolled into one.
Seungmin is an idiot but figures it can work in his favour until he’s ready to talk to Jisung about it. About them. The problem with trying to act normally after the revelation is that he doesn’t know how to use his body, how to speak, or how to act like he usually does. It feels like he’s always a few seconds behind everyone else.
He doesn’t think anyone notices, but he’s not putting it past Jisung, especially with how he left the bedroom to panic.
Seungmin feels strange as he steps into his room after his shower. Jisung’s laptop is gone, and he’s not in the room. He goes to look for him in his room because he feels weird. He doesn’t know if it is normal for Jisung to return to his room after spending the last two nights in his bed or if he’s upset because Seungmin knows now and hasn’t said anything and thinks Seungmin will reject him. Seungmin doesn’t know what’s normal anymore.
Seungmin sighs in relief as he pokes his head into Jisung’s opened door to see that he’s doing his homework.
“Don’t tell me that’s due tomorrow,” Seungmin says, startling Jisung, who smiles when he looks up.
“No,” Jisung says and then smirks, “Tuesday.” Seungmin rolls his eyes and licks his suddenly dry lips.
“Need any help?” Seungmin asks, and he’s not sure if it’s because he knows, but Jisung eyes catch on his lips, and for a moment, Seungmin can see how badly Jisung wants him. It’s equally as terrifying as it is exhilarating. In a split second, the look is gone, and Jisung shakes his head.
“Nah, it’s just a one-page review for my lit class. It’s easy and shouldn’t take me long to finish. But thanks.”
“Okay, if you’re sure, I think I’ll just head to bed. I’m tired,” Seungmin yawns, and Jisung looks concerned.
“It’s still pretty early,” Jisung says, looking at his clock on the wall reading 8:05 pm, “you looked a little peaky at dinner. Are you feeling okay?” Well, Jisung, panic tires a person out, and I just realized you are in love with me and that I’m probably in love with you as well. And I also caught how badly you wanted to kiss me a moment ago, so, you know, I’m tired, Seungmin doesn’t say.
“I’m okay, I don’t know. I didn’t drink much coffee this weekend, so maybe that’s it?” It’s not a lie; he typically has at least two, if not three, a day, and he only had one each morning, so that’s probably not helping things.
“Okay, take care of yourself. I have my early class and a long day, so I won’t be here to do it for you.” Seungmin feels hit over the head with how obvious everything seems now.
“Goodnight then, don’t stay up too late,” Seungmin replies when all he wants to do is lean in and kiss Jisung, not on the cheek like he usually does when he feels overcome with gratitude and doesn’t know how to thank Jisung properly. Everything is making more and more sense now.
Laying in his bed, his mind is whirling. They are dating, aren’t they? Seungmin has told Jisung about his feelings about hooking up with friends, but it was so long ago so does Jisung even remember?
Still, Seungmin doesn’t know when Jisung started having feelings for him; maybe he took that to heart. Seungmin doesn’t want to admit that he wouldn't have handled it right if Jisung had made a move and confessed before Seungmin realized what Jisung felt for him and his feelings for Jisung after tearing down the friend shield.
Seungmin would have been scared of ruining a friendship and would wrongly feel that Jisung only treated him as he does in order to fuck him. Now, finding out in his own time, embarrassment and stupidity aside, he knows that’s not the case. He knows that the change in dynamics might be weird and awkward initially, but not really because nothing other than Seungmin’s knowledge has changed. Jisung loves and legit cares about him, and Seungmin knew that, but now he knows.
Dating or not, Jisung is his best friend, and even if it doesn’t work out, which even pessimistic Seungmin doesn’t see happening, even if they are still young, they will make sure to stay friends. Remembering the little comments the others have said that have flown over his head before the epiphany makes Jisung out to be foolishly in love with Seungmin. Thinking on it now, Seungmin is just as foolish.
He doesn’t think he’d know how to be without Jisung. Jisung may be more expressive and aggressive with his care, but Seungmin always thinks of Jisung first, and maybe he can’t express or execute his love like Jisung does, and it’s not for the gifts or anything like that, but just for Jisung’s existence, just for his place in Seungmin’s life.
He tries, and now he really needs to think of an incredible experience for even more reasons than before. It needs to be good. It needs to show that not only does Seungmin listen to Jisung and understand him, but that he appreciates him and is in this. Seungmin wants to be with Jisung.
That’s the thing: Seungmin may have panicked, but he’s never thought about turning Jisung down, not truly, just in the way it was an option he’d never do.
Tomorrow, he will brainstorm because Jisung doesn’t deserve to wait any longer, and Seungmin isn’t sure he’d be able to hold back anyway. He needs to make this plan and confession and make it good. He hasn’t been the most thoughtful boyfriend, and although he has a good excuse for not even realizing they were dating, that doesn’t hold now that he does, and Jisung has been putting in effort and not getting recognized for it.
Seungmin recognizes now. It’s better late than never.
Seungmin sits on the couch with a notebook, balls of subpar ideas littering the coffee table. He’s figuring out he isn’t the best under this kind of pressure. He’s thought of making a romantic dinner in Jisung’s room or kicking everyone else out, but that’s not really him. He could see Jisung doing it for him, and it not being cringy at all, but Seungmin wasn’t sure he has the demeanour for it, or at least not yet.
He’s never really been in love before, not like this. He’s been infatuated with crushes, and it’s different when it is requited. It’s different being on the other side, the one to be crushed on. Seungmin is thinking of how easy and good they’ll be together. They get each other, their hangups, and issues. With Seungmin focusing on his feelings, it’s all-consuming, but not in that infatuated way; it just is. Seungmin thinks about Jisung first; he’s always been a priority, and everyone knows it. He makes sure Jisung is comfortable and vice versa, and they know almost instinctively how to do it.
He doesn’t just want to do what he always does when he only thought they were friends. He doesn’t just want to go out to dinner, a movie, a concert, or anything like that. It has to be intimate, and Jisung has to know immediately that Seungmin knows and wants him. Flower petals on the bed was another thrown-out idea. Closer to what he needs to do but not quite right.
Seungmin scrambles to pick up all his trash as someone enters the front door. No one needs to read those papers; some are just weird love letters, and others gushing about Jisung’s body. Once Seungmin let Jisung out of the friend zone, it’s been hard to even look at him without chubbing up, especially when he comes home from the gym, still sweat-slicked, flushed and smelling distinctly male. It really gets Seungmin going.
Minho walks in with two coffees as Seungmin bounds to the garbage to throw out his notes. Minho hands him one with a smirk.
“Jisungie made me pick this up for you on my way home from class,” Minho says in an exaggerated, sickly-sweet voice. Seungmin blushes but grabs the coffee with a smile. Minho looks at him with narrowed eyes before grinning wide enough to bare teeth.
“What?” Seungmin asks as he opens the tab on the plastic lid to take a drink.
“You fucking know,” Minho says, eyes wide but still looking thoughtful, as he points and wags his finger at Seungmin.
“Know what?” Seungmin asks, but he’s blushing too much now to make it believable. Minho laughs.
“Holy shit, was it the drama you watched?” Minho asks. Seungmin cringes and Minho laughs harder. “How fucking stupid did you feel, brainiac?”
“Fuck off,” Seungmin whines.
“He wasn’t sure that it worked, you know?” Minho says, and Seungmin rolls his eyes.
“Well, give me an Academy Award,” Seungmin deadpans. Minho glares and Seungmin glares back because what the fuck?
“You haven’t said anything yet. Don’t tell me you’re actually going to reject him because then you really would be fucking stupid, worse than not realizing in the first place,” Minho spits, and Seungmin rolls his eyes again.
“Of course not,” he snaps, “I just want to do it right.” Minho scoffs.
“It doesn’t matter to him. You just have to say it. He’s going to be fucking ecstatic either way.”
“It matters to me. I just want to tell him and do something to show I care and, like, I guess to make up for being so oblivious and be as good to him as he always is to me,” Seungmin says this while not looking at Minho because they don’t do this, they don’t have heart to hearts, and Minho is Jisung’s good friend too. God, that’s probably why Seungmin feels the need to antagonize Minho. What a weird jealous bitch he is, even when he doesn’t know it.
Minho doesn’t say anything in reply, which is good. Seungmin feels too vulnerable now that he’s said it out loud to another person. Seungmin looks up to see Minho with a thoughtful expression before a grin slowly forms, and he looks straight into Seungmin’s eyes.
“I know what you can do,” Minho says, grin twitching, “I don’t know if he’s mentioned this to you, but if you can handle sexy and daring, I think it’ll work. You can only do it alone with him. That’s the sexy part.” Minho says, and Seungmin motions for him to continue. “You remember two Halloweens ago, and you dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood?” Seungmin blushes and nods. “Jisung loved it. Fucking loved it. Like, Jisung is usually romantic and in love and doesn’t cross the line when he talks about you. Like he’ll say you’re so cute, or you look so attractive, and it’s a little Victorian, very sweet,” Minho looks disgusted as he says this. “But that night?” Minho asks, as his eyebrows rise and he tilts his head like he is impressed and surprised, “he was real close to getting real uh graphic, if you know what I mean,” Minho says, wriggling his eyebrows. Seungmin is a tomato now.
It’s sweet that Jisung doesn’t objectify him. Seungmin wouldn’t believe it anyway, but still talking with your friend about your crush sometimes gets a little horny. It is what it is, and it’s not bad as long as you don’t go too far or disrespect them. Like, of course, if you like someone, find them sexually attractive, and you know, have thoughts of them, it’ll lead to thoughts of having sex with them; it’s only natural.
“Was it the skirt?” Seungmin asks, smirking while still embarrassed, and Minho grins back, nodding.
“Oh yeah,” Minho cackles, “he said he wanted to bite your thighs in the most vehement tone.” Minho widens his eyes to press home his point, and Seungmin is honestly flattered.
“Your lit class seems to be paying off,” Seungmin says, sidestepping, and Minho rolls his eyes and swats at Seungmin’s head, who dodges the hand.
“Brat.”
“Don’t tell him yet. Let me do it,” Seungmin says, and Minho sends him a look.
“I know, but don’t wait too long,” Minho says, looking seriously at Seungmin. “He’s liked you pretty much from the first day you guys moved in here,” Seungmin’s eyes widen because that’s almost three years ago, “and what you may not realize is that Jisung falls hard and fast, so he’s been in love with you for just under that. Be careful with him.”
Seungmin doesn’t know what to say, so he nods, and Minho nods back.
Seungmin tries to work on his essay again after Minho leaves. He’s finished all his readings for the next week. It’s hard to focus after his and Minho’s talk. He texted Jisung to thank him for the coffee and just wanted to spill his guts, but three years deserves better than a text, regardless of whether Minho says it’s enough.
He can’t just wear his old costumes. He’s put on some weight, and he doubts Jisung will care if anything gives him a little more to bite. It doesn’t feel right to reuse the costume.
He sees his figurine collection and leans back, thinking, then gets it. The Post-it notes are still there. Seungmin was the one who made Jisung watch Sailor Moon, but Jisung loved it, and honestly, it was probably how they became inseparable. Seungmin got to geek out, which made him comfortable enough to let Jisung in, and the time they spent together watching brought them closer. Then it turned into getting dinner before bingeing, playing video games after, and so on until it was odd to see one without the other.
This is it.
Seungmin clicks out of his document and into a web browser. He pays way too much for two-day shipping but feels accomplished when the notification of his order pops up.
When Jisung comes home, Seungmin plays it as cool as he can. He went and got them dinner, and then when Jisung wanted to watch the drama, Seungmin pouted and said they should rewatch Sailor Moon. Jisung gave in, and Seungmin would feel bad, but Jisung will get why this coming weekend.
He didn’t want to wait that long, but they are both busy during the week and have the weekend off, so it makes sense to wait.
Come Tuesday, Seungmin has too many classes to do more than catch dinner with Jisung, so he doesn’t act differently except for the million times he looks at Jisung’s soft, pink lips and wants to say the hell with it and lean in. He doesn’t, obviously, but if he feels like this after a few days of accepting and acknowledging his feelings, then Jisung deserves a medal for not acting on his own in the years he’s felt this way.
As expected, he gets the package in the mail Wednesday afternoon, and a trickle of trepidation runs through him. It won't stop him. He's never let a little nervousness or insecurity stop him before.
It comes with two bows to attach, one around his neck and the other on his tailbone. It's a bodysuit and a really fucking short skirt, a tiara, a pair of high-heeled shoes and a wig. He's unsure about the wig and heels but figures he will try them on once together.
No one's home and Seungmin has a two-hour break, breaking up his six classes for today. He figures he may as well try it now.
He struggles into the bodysuit. It’s a bit too tight, but once he situates himself, the fact that he doesn't have breasts, his waist tapers in small, and he is on the smaller size in the dick department, it fits, just very snuggly. He may have dislocated his wrist doing up the buttons at his groin, but it's on.
It is sexy, even if he's also gained a slight belly that pushes the white fabric out just enough to be noticeable. The skirt is short, stopping a quarter of the way down his thighs if he bends just slightly in any direction; he'll be putting on a show, which is pretty much the point.
Seungmin swishes the skirt and shivers at the slight gust of cool air. His nipples harden, and he can see them through the shirt. His cheeks are flushed and his hair in disarray, and he sure does feel daring even without an audience.
He puts on the bows and struggles to clasp the shoes, wobbling as he stands to look at himself again. The shoes are a must; they make his legs look longer and leaner than they are. Once Jisung touches them, though, he'll realize it's an optical illusion.
He tries on the wig with the tiara. On and off a few times, and still not sure which way to go. He has time to decide, but he wants to know now what he's doing.
He gets his phone and snaps two photos, one with the wig and one without. He wasn't planning on involving Minho anymore than he has, but he has no one else to talk to since that'll be letting another person know before Jisung and Seungmin doesn't think it's right.
He sends them off, asking which is better. He sits on his bed to wait for a response. Minho is usually pretty prompt, but Seungmin doesn't know where Minho is at the moment. He hopes Minho isn’t in a lecture where someone will see the pictures over his shoulder. Shit, he should have sent a warning text first since it's a little NSFW.
His phone starts ringing a few minutes later with an incoming call from Minho.
“Hey-”
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Minho spits. “I'm at the gym with Jisung, and he saw that you texted me. And I went to see what it was, and BAM! Slutty sailor Seungmin! You need an Academy Award? I deserve it for blank facing as I open those pictures with Jisung standing across from me. You wanted to borrow a book from me, just FYI if he asks. Jesus Christ.” Minho sounds out of breath, and Seungmin tries hard not to laugh, but he breaks and Minho grumbles. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, but if he saw those pictures, I don't even fucking know. It would be enough to have him hulk out and gain the strength to beat me up.”
“I'm sorry. I thought to send a warning text after I already sent them. But answer the question with the wig or not?”
“Okay, let me look again. I thought you'd go with your old costume, but it's a good idea to get a new one,” Minho starts to chuckle, making Seungmin feel self-conscious knowing he's pulled up the pictures. “He’s going to fucking lose it when he sees you like this. Both are good. You could push your hair out of your face and use some product. I think you should do a little makeup, even if it's just some eyeliner and mascara and maybe eyeshadow if you go no wig. If you do the wig, I think you have to go all out and do a full face. But that means you have to get someone to do it for you since you don't know how to and will look like a toddler did it.”
“No, I only had eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick for Little Red Riding Hood. It's been a while, so I'll have to practice putting it on, but I can handle that. I don't want anyone else to know before Jisung. It's bad enough you do, but you've helped me, so I don't think it'll upset him too much after seeing the final product.”
“Uh, no, I'm not telling him I knew. Also, delete the pictures you sent because I'm deleting them now. No evidence,” Minho says sharply, and Seungmin sighs.
“I won't say I sent you the pictures, but he's not stupid. He's going to know someone, aka you told me because I'd never think of dressing up like this,” Seungmin explains. As soon as Jisung can think properly, he'll immediately know Minho let the thigh biting out of the bag.
“Fuck, fine, but the pictures are to the grave.”
“Agreed.”