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Riki sighs heavily. His skin was already uncomfortably warm and pasty in the heavy suit despite the 58-degree winds. If he’s being honest Riki isn’t sure why he allowed himself to be placed in such a compromising position.
“Hey, Riki, you need to be on the field in like two minutes,” Suno says as he finishes helping Riki zip up the ridiculous puma costume.
“Good luck dude!” Jungwon says giving his friend a thumbs up.
“Yeah, you’re gonna kill it!” Sunoo says next as he wraps his blanket around his shoulders. Jungwon pulls at the blanket forcing himself under it despite Sunoo’s shouts of protest.
“Don’t forget to give him the note!” Jungwon says after successfully forcing Sunoo to share his blanket. Sunoo groans rubbing at his hip where Jungwon had pinched him.
‘Fucking brat’
“Yeah yeah shut up! I’ll see you later,” Riki exclaims before shoving the head of the costume on. He gags unsure when the last time it’s been washed. Probably not for a while if the stench of sweat was anything to go by.
He takes a few deep breaths before jogging out onto the field listening to the students in the bleachers roar to life. Riki has only been the new mascot for a few weeks but he could already see the shift in attitude. Unlike their former mascot, Riki didn’t act cheesy. He didn’t walk around the field with boring expressions because when it comes to putting on a performance Riki gives it his all.
He ran around, he was energetic when interacting with students from their school and best of all Riki danced. Being on the dance team it wasn’t hard learning the steps but dancing in the bulky costume was a bit of a challenge but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. The challenge is worth it when he looks down the field and sees his crush watching him, the other football players by his side laughing and cheering him on.
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome back…The Puma!” the school announcer says before the music plays. Joining the dance team Riki stands front and center to put on a show. His bangs become damp under the Puma's head, sweat dripping into his eyes. Riki manages each step, even adding a backflip, running on pure adrenaline. When the dance is over Riki continues his running keeping the energy up while the cheer team replaces the dance team on the field.
Things calm down long enough for the football teams to return to their place on the field. Once the game continues the noise rises once again. Riki pants under the costume wishing for the fucking halfway point of the quarter to arrive so he can finally escape the damn suit. He watches the clock tick down bit by bit, interrupted a few times but finally, finally the coach calls for a rotation.
Riki’s heart leaps in his chest at the same time, and his stomach drops knowing now he has to actually complete his goal. Jungwon and Sunoo won’t shut up if he chickens out like he did the first time. This was the fourth time he’s done this and yet he can get over the way his stomach twists in complicated knots when he approaches… him.
Riki masks his nerves behind confident strides in the Puma costume as he approaches the football team. He can see the quarterback Lee Heeseung elbow his crush before pointing to him, a knowing smirk on his face.
“Hey dude. Awesome show!” Jay greets, his half smile half smirk on full display. Riki feels his feet stutter and almost trips himself. If it wasn’t for the Puma head hiding his blush he’s sure he’d run away by now. Instead of running he reaches into the pocket of the basketball shorts of the Puma costume to give Jay a hotpack.
“Thanks, dude! It’s freezing tonight.” Jay says as he takes the hot pack opening the packages to use them. “You alright in there?” he questions next, placing the packs on his face. Riki takes a moment to answer, standing frozen. He couldn't take his eyes off Jay. The way his face was flushed prettily from the cold and the way his bangs fell over his face, a stark contrast to the carefully styled look he had when they were in school.
When his brain catches up to reality Riki nods, doing his best to give a thumbs up with the awkward puma gloves on his hands.
“Hey Puma, what about the rest of us? We’re freezing our asses off here,” Sunghoon says with a teasing look.
“Too bad for you. I’m the favorite, right Puma?” Jay turns to Riki with his dazzling smile and this time the boy can’t help but nod like an excited puppy.
“Besides, don’t you already have an admirer?” Jay says to Sunghoon. The wide receiver blushes a darker shade of pink as he turns away from his friend to focus on the game.
“Thought so,” Jay chuckles. “Thanks again. Are you sure you don’t need them?”
It takes everything within Riki not to look down and toe at the fake grass beneath his feet. Why did his crush have to be so incredibly sweet? It always gave him a warm feeling in his belly.
Riki gives Jay a nod before pointing in the general direction of the locker rooms.
“Ah right, it’s almost time for you to get out of there . Well, stay warm! We can’t have the best mascot ever getting sick.”
Riki nods and before leaving he reaches into his pocket for the second item. A note. He shoves it into Jay’s hands before dashing off resuming his mascot duties.
//
“Please tell me you did it,” Jungwon questions first thing Monday morning. Riki is half awake fighting off a yawn as his friends sandwich him in between them ensuring he can’t run away.
“What’re you talkin’ about?” he slurs rubbing the sleep out of his eye.
Sunoo rolls his eyes before pushing at Riki’s shoulder. “You know what. I don’t write those notes for nothing ya know,” the older fusses.
“So did you do it or not?” Jungwon pipes up next.
“Jeez, do you have to be so annoying first thing in the morning?”
“Well, Riki if you would reply in the group chat we wouldn’t have to corner you so early in the morning.”
“Unlike you, I’m not a gossip. And you two send too many messages. I don't even do the reading for class. Do you really think I’m reading your paragraph messages? Next time send a voice note.”
“Noted,” Jungwon jokes, then proceeds to laugh at himself.
“You little shit did you do it or not?”
Riki is seconds from telling Sunooo to fuck off when he feels nimble fingers digging into his sides. Rikis gasps for air as Jungwon tickles him, using his one (well maybe not one but Riki would like to think he’s not weak) weakness against him.
“Fuck! Dude yes!” he gasps out while slapping Jungwon’s hands. Despite getting his answer his best friend continues his relentless tickling for a few seconds longer than necessary just because.
‘Fucking brat’
“Did he say anything?”
Riki sighs. “No…I ran away before he could.”
Sunoo sighs clearly disappointed but not surprised. This is Riki after all. “You’re so pathetic.”
“You just gotta grow a pair and tell him yourself!” Jungwon says.
“Absolutely not!” The whole reason Riki even agreed to become the school mascot was because he was too shy to talk to Jay as himself. Hiding behind the costume gave him the perfect excuse to seduce Jay without the other knowing it was him. Simple right?
“Guess you’ll be stuck pining forever,” Jungwon sighs.
“I’ll confess when you confess to Sunghoon!” Riki spits back.
Sunoo sighs as he opens his locker “You two are staying single forever.”
//
Their school loses their next game. Riki can’t find it within himself to give Jay a note so he passes along a small gift instead. It's a guitar pick necklace he made himself. He snapped at least twelve picks before settling on the current project. A pretty purple with a little glitter. His sister called it girly but Riki thought it was cute like a little galaxy.
It doesn’t go with Jay’s usual attire but Monday morning Riki caught the smallest glimpse of it under Jay’s uniform. He’s sure poor Jungwon lost hearing in his left ear for the rest of that evening because Riki wouldn’t stop screaming about it.
“Like fuck he wore it! He actually wore it. Hyung I think I’m going to die. Is this what a happy death feels like?”
“Relax Riks, you’re not dying.”
“Good. I want to at least talk to him once before I die.”
“Be prepared to die first.”
And if Riki punched him afterward, only Sunoo knows.
//
There’s something about music that puts Riki at ease. It’s like he’s finally able to shut off the chaos in his mind and feel with his body instead. Music and dancing are as natural as breathing at this point. Everything fades out, including the sound of someone walking into the gym.
Riki’s so lost in the music that he doesn’t realize he's being watched. He carries out the new routine, equipped with more back handsprings than usual. It’s normal and fine, he goes to try out his new ending form, a one-handed handstand when he spots him. Riki feels his arm give out on him leaving him to crash onto the floor.
“Oh fuck!” Jay shouts before rushing over.
“Hey man are you alright?” he questions tentatively holding his hands above Riki clearly torn between wanting to help but not wanting to touch him and making him uncomfortable.
“I-it’s fine,” Riki mumbles, doing his best to not whimper and cry because it did hurt. It hurt a fuck ton but he’s not about to cry in front of Park Jongseong.
“Let me at least take you to the nurse, yeah?” the elder stands abruptly before holding his hand out. “Hmm, hold my hand.”
Riki feels his ear flush. He sits awkwardly staring at Jay’s hand longer than necessary before finally grabbing it. Jay grunts slightly as he helps him stand, emitting a small gasp once Riki is upright.
“Oh wow…you’re…tall,” Jay says before laughing at himself. Riki laughs with him, feeling himself wanting to shrink in on himself. He wasn’t a whole lot taller than Jay having only recently hit his first growth spurt but it was a noticeable height difference.
“Erm anyways, let’s get you to the nurse.”
Holding Riki’s non-injured hand Jay leads him to the infirmary. With it being after hours the nurse is long gone. Jay forces Riki onto one of the beds despite the younger's protest.
“You can’t wrap your wrist on your own, can you? C’mon just let me help.” and who is Riki to deny him? He can’t when Jay looks at him with those cute honest sparkly eyes and slight pout. Riki is only so strong.
“So…you’re the puma?” Jay can’t help but ask. He apologizes when Riki tenses thinking he might have pulled the wrap too tightly. He loosens it a bit but his eyes remain on Riki waiting for an answer.
“U-uh…I am.”
“You’re really cool ya know. Like I could have never danced like you, especially not in the costume.”
Riki blushes with the praise, only managing the smallest ‘thank you’ as a reply.
“So can I ask you um…about the notes? You have a crush on me…right?”
The panic sets in with the question. Riki’s mouth moves before his brain, resulting in him shouting “No!” Jay flinches with the sudden response and so does Riki.
No? Why the hell did he yell no? The answer is very clearly yes!
“Um I mean I’m just passing them along for a friend. Y-yeah a friend.” Riki wants to slap himself. Out of all the excuses in the world he managed to come up with the most cliche of all.
“Oh…really?” Jay questions laughing nervously. His eyes dart from Riki to scratch at the back of his neck. That’s a bit embarrassing.
“Yeah! My friend um well he’s a little shy and you’re so cool and popular so he couldn’t just like come out and tell you.”
“He doesn’t have to be shy. Your friend seems very genuine and sweet. I’m sure if he confesses I’d like him back.”
Riki feels his heart stop for a minute, skipping a beat, maybe two. Is he going into cardiac arrest? Is it possible to go into cardiac arrest at sixteen?
“You would?” he whispers clearly astonished. Did Jay inadvertently say he liked him? Him? Nishimura Riki.
“I don’t see why not. Honestly, those notes have really cheered me up during games, or even during the week.”
“That’s good at least. I’m glad you liked them,” Riki winces, realizing that might have been a weird thing to say. His nerves settle a bit when Jay laughs giving a small nod.
“Yeah well, I hope to meet him soon.” Jay stands to pack the supplies away before turning to Riki. “Ice your wrist when you get home. It should help with the swelling.”
“O-ok…thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Well take care Puma, remember what I said we can’t have our best mascot leaving us before the end of the season.” then Jay ruffles his hair before grabbing his bag and leaving.
GUYS
OMG GUYS
HEY YOU FUCKS ANSWER YOUR PHONE
I THINK IM REALLY GOING TO DIE THIS TIME! - N.R.
OMG JUNGWON HE’S FINALLY USING THE GROUPCHAT
SOMETHING BIG MUST HAVE HAPPENED
WHAT HAPPENED RIKI? - K.S.
I TALKED TO JAY HYUNG - N.R.
CALL US NOW!!!! - Y.J.
//
It’s been established that Riki is weak but in the next few weeks, he truly does feel pathetic. The fall air gets cooler and cooler meaning games night not only get colder but they’re coming to an end as well. This means Riki’s chances of confessing are coming to a close. Despite knowing Jay would accept him if he did confess, Riki couldn’t bring himself to do it. Even Jungwon was making more progress than him.
Riki was still surprised it even happened. One day Jungwon is just as big of a shy simp as he is, the next Park fucking Sunghoon is smiling at Jungwon saying “good morning” like he’s done it all his life. Maybe Riki could have pressed Jungwon for answers if he weren’t so starstruck at Jay (he was still wearing the necklace Riki gave him!) and his smile, that was directed right at him! It was the best 5.2 seconds of Riki’s life other than a half hour ago when Jay smiled at him (again!) before being swept away into the crowd by his friends. After that Riki wanted to leave the party but Sunoo wouldn’t let him.
“I didn’t get you all dolled up for nothing Riki!” was his not so gentle protest. Riki didn’t think him being “all dolled up” really mattered when he couldn’t even spot Jay in the crowd and he was too still nervous to talk to him.
“You know he graduates soon. You’re going to miss your chance,” Sunoo states matter-of-factly.
“Please don’t remind me,” Riki sulks. He takes a sip of his drink, grimacing when he tastes the sour aftertaste of alcohol.
“At least Jungwon finally made a move. If I had to keep hearing how hot Sunghoon is in glasses I think I was gonna strangle him.”
“Jungwon would bite your fingers off before you could,” Riki says knowing how chaotic their supposed best friend is. “ And don’t let him hear you call Sunghoon sunbae hot. He’d probably kill you,” he adds.
“He probably would. Fucking brat.” Sunoo grumbles to which Riki nods along. Jungwon was a brat but he was their brat at least. Or maybe he was Sunghoon’s now because Jungwon would rather chase after his crush than hang out with his best friends. If he was going to do that he could have at least invited Riki so he could breathe the same air as Jay.
“So when are you confessing?” Sunoo questions again and Riki deflates.
“Definitely before the last game. Or should I do it at the last game? That’s romantic right?” He heard that Jay liked romantic things. Would confessing at a game be romantic to Jay?
“Oh my gosh, the last game would be so cute! Like, think about it, if they win that would be your perfect opportunity! He’s all happy running on adrenaline and then boom, he gets confessed to by the guy who has been passing him notes for weeks. Ugh, that would be- ” Sunoo sighs dreamily while Riki deadpans. Sunoo was such a hopeless romantic that Riki is honestly surprised he doesn’t have a boyfriend by now.
“That would be cute I guess…if I can work up the confidence for it.”
“Well, you better start thinking about it. Like now, right now…look.” Riki follows Sunoo’s line of sight to see the Park Jongseong heading right for them. What was he doing? Wasn’t he with his friends? Why was he coming over here now?! Oh gosh, what does he do? What does he say?
“Maybe start with hello?” Sunoo says obviously judging him. Fuck did Riki say that part out loud?
“Yeah, you did.”
“Stop doing that,” Riki hisses.
Sunoo flicks him in retaliation. “You’re the one talking out loud weirdo!”
“ Shut up !”
Before either of them knows it Jay is standing in front of them giving a half wave and a “Hi.” Riki might have squealed out loud if Sunoo hadn't pinched his back.
“Hi!” He manages to squeak out after receiving a stronger pinch. Riki does his best to subtly wiggle away from Sunoo’s grip without looking like he has a wedgie. Riki couldn’t help but feel his brain go to mush. Jay was just so, so pretty. He knows the older is typically cool, hell his outfit practically screamed cool. Baggy black jeans with a few too many loops and a white button-up tucked into it but Riki only found him pretty. The prettiest with his flushed cheeks and little dimple on display. Riki wants to bite his cheek.
“How is your wrist? You’ve been doing a lot of tricks at the games so I’m guessing it healed well?”
Riki’s ears ring and not from the unnecessarily loud bass coming from the music. “Y-yeah it did. Thank you sunbae .”
Jay laughs, waving his hand dismissively. “Sunbae makes me feel old. Just call me hyung. ” he says to which Riki quickly corrects himself.
“Thank you…hyung.” Jay smiles a bit wider.
“Is there something we can help you with Jay hyung ?” Riki fights off giving Sunoo a side eye while in front of Jay so he pinches the older instead. Why was he saying his Jay hyungs name like that?
“Oh um well I was actually wanting to see your friend. You’re Kim Sunoo right?” Jay questions now addressing Sunoo.
Sunoo tilts his head slightly. “Who's asking?”
“Well uh, I was hoping we could talk in private.”
“Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Riki.”
“Ok…” Jay mutters. Riki notes how the tops of Jay's ears darken as the older clears his throat. “Well, I uh I know you’re the one who has been passing notes to Riki. If you’d be open to it I’d like to take you on a date to get to know you better.”
Sunoo and Riki stand stunned. Sunoo? Jay thought Sunoo was giving him the notes? Technically it was Sunoo’s handwriting but the older one only wrote the words Riki was thinking! Those were Riki’s notes!
The younger feels his heart hammering in his chest. He panics slightly, words jumbled on his tongue a desperate mix of “No it's not him it’s me!” and “Sunoo hyung are you crazy?” threatening to spill out. The words never do, Riki doesn’t get a chance when Sunoo takes a half step forward.
“Alright. When were you thinking?”
“Any time is alright with me. I can give you my number and we will settle it.”
“Sounds good to me!” Sunoo chirps. He pulls his phone from his pocket, easily trading with Jay.
Riki’s jaw drops in utter disbelief. Sunoo agreed to go on a date with Jay. His Jay, the same Jay he’s been crushing on for months. Riki would like to think he’s not weak but his heart shatters on the spot. He watches as the two exchange numbers before Jay clumsily says his goodbye disappearing once more.
“Wow, can you belie- Riki!”
Riki feels his entire body practically vibrate with the betrayal and rage flowing through him. “Fuck you!” he shouts, giving Sunoo a shove.
“Riki, wait!”
Riki does not wait. Riki bolts from the house as quickly as he can. He runs and runs until his lungs burn a combination of the bitter cold and exhaustion bringing him to his knees. If anyone asks him Riki says he doesn’t cry at least not easily but alone on the sidewalk Riki breaks down in an instant . He can hardly pull his phone from his pocket to dial his sister, his sister who shouts at him worried her little brother is hurt and in pain somewhere. In a way, Riki is but not the way she thinks.
“Get in the fucking car. What happened?!” Konon shouts once she pulls up. Riki climbs into her car clinging to his sister for dear life as he spills his heart out.
//
It is agreed in the Nishimura household that Kim Sunoo is dead to them. Konon won’t stop ranting about it and Misora drew him multiple pictures to ease his heart the entire weekend. It only made Riki cry more but he appreciates their sentiment.
When Monday morning rolls around Riki considers skipping class. He probably would have if his mother hadn’t threatened to cut the cords to all his consoles.
As the minutes tick by Riki dreads going to school more and more. He knows Sunoo and Jungwon were blowing up his phone but he shut the device off so he wouldn’t have to see them. He didn’t want their excuses.
“Do you want me to kick his ass?” Konon asks when she drops him off. Riki considers it for a moment. She didn’t go to his school so it wasn’t like she could get into a lot of trouble.
“Nah it’s fine. I’ll just ignore them. Thanks though.”
“Of course. If he so much as looks at you call me.” She’s always been his older sister so Riki has never found her all that scary but at this moment he can see the murderous glint in her eyes.
“Will do sis. Hurry before Mom blames me for you being late,” he says before shutting the door. Konon gives him one last reminder as she points two fingers to her eyes before pointing them in Riki’s direction. The younger makes an ‘ok’ sign with his hand before waving. He can do this. It’s just school.
Riki won’t lie and say that it didn’t hurt to immediately be bombarded at the school gate by his friend. It hurt but only furthered his pain. His friends suck. He makes it all the way to his locker before he hears his name being called.
“Riki!”
“What Jungwon? I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Hey wait! Riks please I’m on your side ok? I can’t fucking believe Sunoo did that!” Jungwon holds Riki by the shoulders. It’s a bit difficult, Riki is no longer the small shy (he’s still pretty shy) kid who used to cling to him, and Sunoo too afraid to talk to anyone else.
Riki’s bottom lip wobbles as he pulls Jungwon into a hug doing his best to hide against the older like he used to do when he was smaller. It only shows how much things can change overnight, friendships included . Riki’s heart grows heavier at the thought.
Riki isn’t sure how long they hug. Long enough for their peers to call them weird so he gently pulls away from Jungeon using his blazer to wipe under his eyes.
“C’mon let me walk you to class,” Jungwon mutters as he loops his arm with Riki’s. Riki doesn’t have the heart to protest but he feels like crying due to the empty space next to him.
//
Avoiding Sunoo is easy for the first few days. The older one has always been a bit more social so he stays surrounded by people. Riki is almost convinced Sunoo threw their friendship away without a fight until he tried to approach him during homeroom on Wednesday.
“Riki please just talk to- ”
“Shut up he doesn’t want to hear it,” Jungwon hisses, interrupting him. A hurt look crosses Sunoo hearing Jungwon’s tone but he still presses on.
“Wonnie please ,” Sunoo’s desperate, ready to beg but Jungwon stands shielding Riki from Sunoo.
“No!”
Riki isn’t sure if he’s more embarrassed or grateful to have Jungwon as a guard dog. Any time Sunoo gets too close he's glaring and snapping at him, close to starting a fight. If anything it hurts. They were just best friends.
At the football game, Riki is a bit of a mess. He finds it difficult to put on a performance when his heart feels like a large boulder and his head hurts from a lack of sleep and dehydration from crying so much. Riki ends up slipping during a backbend, falling in front of everyone. He probably would have stayed on the ground if it weren’t for Nicholas helping him and playing it off as part of the choreography.
To make things worse he could see Jay’s worried glance (We’ve established that Riki isn’t a strong person and can’t help but look at his crush despite knowing he’s probably dating Sunoo now).
The weekend after drags on and feels long, the week feels longer. Now it’s Friday once again. Riki doesn’t want to go to the game. In fact, he already begged and pleaded for his friend Harua to take his place for the game only to be denied.
“No one can replace you, Riki! If I went out there our classmates would probably boo me off the field!”
So here Riki is struggling to zip up his costume because Jungwon wasn’t showing up tonight. It felt weird. Jungwon showed up to every game to support Sunghoon and to see Riki’s performances. His absence took a bigger toll on him than Riki thought it would.
“Need help?”
Riki flinches hearing the voice. Sunoo smiles shyly as he approaches him.
“What are you doing here?” Riki does his best to sound upset but can’t help the slight stutter in his chest seeing Sunoo.
“I always helped you zip up your costume didn’t I?” Sunoo's smile is a bit weary, nervous Riki will snap at him. He should be anxious and Riki should snap at him but he can't.
“That was when we were friends. I can manage on my own.”
“Riki please just let me explain ok? I swear I’m not trying to date Jay,” despite only saying a handful of words, Sunoo's eyes filled with tears.
“You could have fooled me,” Riki mutters. His throat closes up with his own need to cry seeing Sunoo so beat up and upset. Riki should be mad at himself for getting so emotional when it was Sunoo who hurt him first.
“I’m really not Riki I swear. I like someone else. The only reason I agreed to the date was so I could clear up the misunderstanding without embarrassing him.” Sunoo rushes his words to the point that Riki feels his brain go to mush. It takes him a minute to pick apart the syllables to put them into a cohesive statement once again.
“You like someone?!” he exclaims. Since when did Sunoo like someone? And why didn't he say anything?
Sunoo deadpans for a moment before breaking out into a fit of laughter. “Seriously that’s all you got?”
“C’mon! You’ve never said anything!”
“I have! You and Jungwon are just too obsessed with your stupid football players to pay attention.” Sunoo pouts, crossing his arms over his chest. Riki blushes one hand going to scratch at his nape only to feel plush fabric instead.
‘Stupid fucking puma gloves’ Riki will be glad when this whole mascot debacle is over.
“So…are we good now? I-I’ve really missed you,” Sunoo plays with his fingers nervously.
“I dunno…Konon really wants to beat you up…” Riki says slowly. He can see a look of terror pass through Sunoo’s eyes and fights back a smile. “But I guess I can convince her not to. You’re my friend after all.”
Sunoo lets out a sigh before lurching forward wrapping Riki in a hug.
“Fuck I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too,” Riki whispers. They hug for a few minutes before Sunoo pulls back with a sniffle.
“Hmm let me zip you up so you can get out there. Tonight is a big night after all.”
Riki blinks at him. “What's that supposed to mean?”
Sunoo bites the corner of his tongue similarly to how he does when he’s been caught lying. “You’ll see,” he says. Riki is mildly unsettled by those words but allows Sunoo to help him put on the costume properly.
“Have a good show Riks!”
//
Riki performs with a bit more energy compared to the last game. Making up with Sunoo did wonders for his poor little sad boy heart. Knowing his friend isn’t dating his long-term crush makes things better as well. He runs around running on pure ecstasy knowing his chances of getting with Jay jumped from 0 to 1%.
Speaking of Jay the older seemed unable to take his eyes off Riki, or rather “The Puma”. Even when he wasn't on the field Riki could see him peering over at him every break in the game. It was weird. Riki is used to people spotting him wanting a wave or to take a picture but Jay never looked at him, not during games at least. He was always zeroed in making sure to protect his teammates or defend their zones.
At one point Heeseung yells at him grabbing Jay by the front of his helmet before barking orders at him. Riki feels a flash of anger pass through him seeing Heeseung yell at him despite knowing the two are childhood friends. He doesn’t think Jay deserved to be yelled at. Couldn’t Heeseung like…be nice?
Their school ends up winning their game. The bleachers exploded with noise seeing as they were going to the finals now. On the sidelines, Riki jumped and even did a somersault with excitement. His joy is short-lived, replaced with anxiety when Jay breaks apart from the team to approach him. Riki holds his breath taking in every one of Jay’s steps, noticing how they grow smaller and smaller until they’re somewhat face to face.
“Hey Riki…um this is for you. Please read it…tonight…if you can, I mean.” Jay stutters. He places a note into Riki’s hand (the fucking Puma gloves almost make him drop it) before giving him a pat on the shoulder and jogging off. Riki holds the note like Jay handed him a piece of gold. He bolts from the field to the locker room desperate to get the costume off.
In the safety of the locker room, Riki throws the Puma head off not caring where the damn things land. He uses his teeth to rip one glove off, giving him a free hand to carefully unfold the note. He reads it once, twice, three times, and a fourth for good measure. Each inked word engraves itself into Riki’s brain until he’s squealing, kicking his feet under the bench.
“Oh my god…oh my fucking god.” Riki is going to combust. Riki is going to die today. He thinks he is alright with that. Checking the clock in the corner Riki realizes he only has a few minutes to change out of the costume before the football team comes barreling in. Riki worms his way out of the costume, bunching it up in his arms before sprinting out.
Thankfully Sunoo is there reaching out for the costume.
“So did you get it?”
“Get what?”
“Jay’s note”
“You knew?!” Riki screeches but of course, Sunoo knows. After all, tonight was Riki’s big night.
“So…you’re gonna see him right?” Sunoo questions although seeing the way Riki was already sprinting back to the field he knew Riki was going to go see Jay.
//
Riki laughs with Sunghoon at some story about Jake, watching the older frown.
“It wasn’t that funny,” the soccer player scoffs. Beside him, his boyfriend giggles leaning into his shoulder.
“It is that funny Jakey, but you're cute too so,” Sunoo shrugs fening nonchalantly. Riki can spot his shyness a mile away especially when Jake leans over planting yet another kiss on his lips.
‘Gross. Couples’
“You only think it’s gross 'cause your boyfriend didn’t do it,” Sunoo says, pointing an accusing finger toward Riki.
“How do you keep doing that?!” Riki complains.
“You have a habit of saying things out loud baby,” Jay says walking in. He hands Riki his drink before taking a seat draping his arm behind his boyfriend. Riki takes a sip smiling when he tastes the Sprite on his tongue and not some alcoholic abomination everyone else was drinking.
“I do not.”
“Yeah, you do,” Jungwon says pulling back from Sunghoon long enough to add his two cents.
‘Gross more couples.’
“Well Riki is cute so I don’t think it matters,” Jay shrugs, causing his boyfriend to blush.
“You’re so fucking gross Jay.”
“Hey, you shut up tiny! Jay hyung isn’t gross!” Riki says glaring at Jake. The older one sits mouth opening and closing like a fish.
“Hey, you giant! You can’t speak to me like that! Jay, get your boyfriend!” Jake shouts, wagging a finger in Jay’s general direction. Riki sticks his tongue out at the older nuzzling closer to Jay who coos at him planting a kiss on the crown of his head.
“I can’t believe how whipped you still are after all these months Riki,” Sunoo sighs then groans hearing Jake complain that he wasn’t defending him.
“Jay’s no better. You guys are lucky you didn’t have to listen to his pinning,” Sunghoon says with a small shake of his head. Those were long, long days.
“Huh?”
“Wait what?”
Jake smiles evilly, staring Jay down. “Oh? You didn’t know?”
“Jay was head over heels for the person writing those notes. He kept them all in a shoe box and would read them after practice sometimes,” Heeseung says shamelessly. Riki sits up to look at his boyfriend for confirmation only to see Jay turn in a vain attempt to hide his face.
“He’s such a hopeless romantic. Ya know he was saur disappointed when Hee-hyung told him Sunoo was the one writing the notes.” Jake adds in.
“In my defense, I saw Sunoo write them and pass them to Riki. What else was I supposed to think?!” Heeseung huffs wanting to defend himself. He still feels bad for causing Jay to mope around for days believing someone other than Riki was writing him notes.
“Were you really disappointed?” Riki questions. His eyes were wide and cute as he blinked innocently at Jay.
“I mean yeah…a little.” Jay shrugs trying to fan himself. He knows it's not working, not when Riki beams at him only aiding to worsening his blush.
“Why?”
“Cause he already met you and thought you were so cute. He wouldn’t shut up about you!” Sunghoon says.
“Yeah, he was all “ he’s so cute” and “he’s such a good dancer” and “do you think someone that talented could have a crush on me?” It was so sad.”
Riki chuckles, his squeaky laughter filling the space between them. It warms Jay's heart to hear such a beautiful sound.
“Jay hyung you’re such a loser!”
“Oh, Riki like you were any better. “He’s so pretty I’m going to die” or “Do you think he got hurt today? That tackle was brutal” Jungwon says, doing his best to pitch his voice like Riki’s. It was a bit difficult now since Riki's voice seemed to grow deeper with the passing days.
“Don’t forget “I could listen to him talk forever. Why is his voice so nice” blah." Sunoo adds faking a grossed-out expression. The two friends laugh as Riki pouts, pulling his hoodie over his head to hide his face.
Knowing Riki was just as down bad as he was Jay smirks. He leans over his boyfriend, prying the hoodie off to unveil Riki’s flushed face. “Aww don’t hide pretty! My cute little baby.”
Heeseung laughs at that. “Little? He’s taller than you!”
“Still my little baby. And don’t act like you didn’t go crazy when Sunoo simply talked to you, Jake. And Sunghoon you tripped on air when you saw Jungwon’s back. You guys don’t get to tease me for being a simp.” Jay says not wanting Riki to be the only one embarrassed.
The boys in question flush while their boyfriend chuckles, having more things to tease them for. Riki honestly feels a bit bad for them. When it came to teasing Jungwon and Sunoo could be relentless.
“Whatever dude. We need to get Heeseung hyung a partner now.”
“So you can tell them all my dirty secrets? No thanks.”
Riki perks up again with mild curiosity. “Oh, what are Jay’s?”
“Nothing!” Jay shouts but Riki can see Sunghoon mouthing ‘I’ll tell you later’ from across the room.
From then the rest of the night is full of the group of friends making jabs at each other, with the occasional (maybe a bit more than occasional because Jake can’t keep his hands off Sunoo) kiss being exchanged.
At the end of the night , Jay drives Riki home, lingering at his doorstep.
“If you stay any longer my mom is going to invite you in for the night again,” Riki says as he plays with Jay’s necklace. Riki didn't have the words to express how happy he was that Jay still wore it every day without fail.
Jay’s half-smirk makes an appearance as he steps just a bit closer.
“Is that such a bad thing? That means I get to spend more time with you,” he whispers, making Riki jealous. Even though they’ve been together for a few months now Jay always managed to make him feel so shy.
“It’s not but Konon would try and kill you the entire time and Misora would just cling to you. I’m sick of fighting my sisters away from you.” Riki pouts. Every visit without fail his sisters wouldn’t leave Jay alone despite him being his boyfriend. Riki was supposed to be the center of his attention!
“At least I have their approval. I’m glad they trust me with their brother.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever. You like me so much.” Riki hoped to tease his boyfriend but forgot Jay at times has no shame.
“I do.” Jay nods, not even denying it. Riki feels like he could melt into a puddle. A warm love love-filled puddle.
“Jay hyung…I wanna kiss you.”
“Then kiss me,” Jay shrugs. He wraps his arms around Riki’s neck pulling him down to his height. It makes Jay a bit sad to know Riki is a lot taller than him now than he was a few months ago but he thinks it adds to his cuteness as well. His tall, cute baby.
Jay’s lips are soft when Riki finally kisses him. His senses scream Jay, Jay, Jay, the entire time. The way the older smells, his expensive cologne invading his senses, the warmth of his hands on his neck, his soft lips. Riki thinks he could kiss him forever, or at least a bit longer. They pull apart too soon when Riki hears the front door open.
“Bringing him home a bit late huh Jongseong?” Konon questions, eyes glaring daggers.
“Sorry about that. I’ll bring him home early next time.” Jay says, putting on a charming smile. Konon isn’t easily wavered. She reaches for her brother pulling on his (Jay’s) hoodie to tug him into the house.
“Good night Jay,” Konon says grimly, her hand on the door ready to slam it shut.
“Night Konon. Night Puma,” Jay smirks seeing Riki flush from the nickname.
“N-night Jay. See you tomorrow?”
“Always.”