Dean Kwon POV
Jake Ji has an annoying habit of disappearing on a whim to the most random places, usually to "complete a mission from Donald", as he puts it. And when that heartthrob comes back, he's usually got crimson blood that clashes magnificently with his orange hair dripping down his pale skin and into those charming eyes.
I don't know when I started thinking about him in my head in such a fantasizing manner. Maybe a few weeks ago? He was gushing about a manga, and I was looking at him and he was looking at me, then suddenly I saw him in a new light. Like the world was spinning the other way, I, the hard ass annoyed best friend, suddenly felt a weird, warm tingle down my spine as he smiled. Then his head tilted back and he let out that laugh and-
Fuck, what is wrong with me?!
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE SIMPING, HE'S IN TROUBLE!!!
My heart begins to race as I pick up my pace. Eunchan, Timothy, and I are currently in one of those "Jake-just-disappeared-off-the-face-of-the-Earth-and-now-we-have-to-find-him-before-he-literally-dies" situations. Of course, we split up, and for some reason, I'm determined to be the first one to find him. I want, no, need to be alone with him right now.
Jake, why don't you trust us...why don't you trust ME?
I have a feeling he'll be really hurt this time, and I don't like it one bit. I care about him more than I really let on. If anyone's fighting him right now...I don't care who they are, I'll step in. No one messes with my best friend. Not after what happened to Kenny.
-Flashback-
"Jake, what's going on?" I watched as Jake's eyes widened, the arm holding his phone to his ear falling loosely to his side. His mouth opened, but his lips trembled and words failed him. I sucked in a breath and grabbed his phone. It was the local hospital.
"What the hell..." Jake grabbed my arm, and I knew he needed support.
"Kenny," he managed. Something in me snapped.
-Present-
That day, I dragged him to the hospital on my own two feet. Jake was forever grateful for that. If he hadn't gotten there sooner, then the nurses would've followed their stupid policy of not operating until next-of-kin showed up. It was even stupider of them to appoint a middle schooler as "guardian" or whatever, but Jake always thanked for that day. He was a mess in the hospital room...
-Flashback-
"Dean, you can't come with me. I can't drag you into this, it's too dangerous." Jake's eyes were filled with cold certainty, softening only for moments to look at me.
"Bullshit. We're in this together. And that was Kenny's thinking, 'I can't drag Jake into this'. Look at him now. You think I'll let that happen to you, huh?" Jake physically flinched when I said Kenny's name. I felt awful, but Kenny wouldn't want him to get hurt.
"I...okay. I promise. I won't do anything stupid. I just want to be alone right now." I searched his expression, looking for any sign of a lie in those wide eyes. I didn't find anything.
"Go. I'll watch over Kenny in case he wakes up."
-End of Flashback-
I failed Jake that day, by failing to see the lie. Now he's constantly doing these stupid missions for Donald Na, instead of spending time with us, with ME. The infuriating flirt. I knew what he was doing yesterday when he leaned into me just to shut the door. I knew what he was doing last week when he got out of the shower inconveniently shirtless, even though he always brings his clothes inside the bathroom. The cheeky little shit was toying with me, in the gentlest, most loving way.
Reality slapped me in the face when I finally reached the right place. Ragged breaths and small groans of pain hit my ears before I even turned the corner into the alley. Those sounds followed Jake around whether he liked it or not, all the time. It was the price he had to pay for being a popular, strong, charisma filled leader with a perfect reputation. In my eyes, he IS perfect.
Speakign of my eyes, they fall on Jake sitting on the floor, his legs stretched out, leaning against a dirty wall. My hands clenched into fists. The Jake I know doesn't belong on the ground like that. He belongs on a pedestal, admired by all. I've always wanted to tell him that.
"JAKE!" I run forward, every bit of my emotionless facade dripping away. He glanced up at me and offered a tired grin, but it only made my stomach feel worse.
This idiot! How can he be smiling right now? Where is his sense of self-preservation? Where is his selfishness? Kenny will be fine if he leaves the Union now. We'll work something out, we always do. But this is draining a happy, spirited boy into nothing.
"Dean, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so upset?" he asks, only adding to my aggravation. Putting my hands under his arms, I forced him to stand before slamming him against the wall, furious.
"JAKE JI, WHAT THE HELL? Look at you! Do you see how injured you are? How are you still SMILING? Damnit, I told you that I'll always be there to help, and yet-" My words get caught up in my throat when his hand lifts up to brush across my lips.
THIS LITTLE-
Jake Ji POV
I gaze at Dean with all the love I can put into a look...they can say more than words ever can. My body feels like shit, but the headache, the annoyance, the anger...it all melted away the second Dean was here. His distressed expression hurt me...I don't want to see my love in pain. I can't tell what's bothering him though, until he says it right to me.
"STOP getting hurt for stupid reasons! ASK ME for help! Ask Eunchan! Ask SOMEONE! You're betraying Kenny and you're pushing me away. You're not fixing anything and it would hurt less if you trusted us! I'd rather get my ass kicked a million times than leave you on your own, Jake! Don't you ever think about how I feel? I lo-" Finally, he got flustered and stopped. Suddenly, a pulled muscle and fractured bones didn't seem so bad anymore. A smirk came across my lips as I used my remaining strength to switch our positions so that HIS back was against the wall, and MY arms caged his figure.
"Adorable. You're sweet, Dean, you really are. Don't take it personally, I can't watch you so sad. I'll get better, I promise...just as long as you do one thing." Dean tilted his head, silently asking me what it was.
Cute...
"Kiss me." Dean looked surprised for a moment, before sighing and smirking. He'd been waiting for this. I leaned in, then all of a sudden, I felt a hand.
"AFTER you GET YOUR ASS TO A HOSPITAL YOU LITTLE SHIT." The next moment I was on my ass, getting dragged by the collar to the hospital, which was thankfully not too far from here. I laughed, not expecting anything less from Dean. He'd always worry about me. But that was only a POSTPONED kiss, not a cancelled one. I took that as a good sign.
-At The Hospital-
"Can I get that kiss now?" I asked, feeling a bit brave despite the fact that I was laying on a hospital bed. Dean chuckled, and as he moved closer, I noticed the red tinge in his eyes.
Oh, Dean...
I cupped his cheeks and pulled closer. The space between us closed, and it was the most euphoric, beautiful feeling I've ever felt. No one told me lips could be so soft, so gentle and sweet, like Dean's.
"Mmm...oh Jesus, don't bite," he whispered when I pressed against his lower lip. I smirked.
"Then let me in." After a few moments, his mouth finally gave me entrance. God, words could never explain how much I loved the feelings that flooded my brain as I slipped my tongue in.
God, what the hell am I doing...how do I deserve this...This isn't okay, not after what happened to Kenny. I couldn't keep his happiness intact. Then I joined the Union, and I couldn't keep Dean's happiness intact. Now he has to fight alongside me, and he does it so loyally even though it must suck.
I don't deserve this happiness.
Every inch of my body screamed in protest when I pulled away and leaned back into the bed, and Dean let out a tiny, indignant noise that almost made me go right back to kissing him.
But I can't. I don't believe I get to relish in my own desires when I've been hurting those I care about because of my bad decision making. And yet...when I look into Dean's dazed, star filled eyes(where are the stars coming from?), I feel like everything's going to be okay.
"Yeah...everything will be okay," he says sweetly. God, he read my mind.
"Okay." My muscles worked despite their soreness and I lifted my tired body up, to Dean's comforting embrace. He was my refuge, my home. He was there for me and Kenny.
Kenny...everything will be okay.
And I captured his lips again.
Bonus
Kenny Ji POV
Jesus, these kids are so cute. Leaving the hospital door wide open while making out. Guess Dean forgot I'm registered here too.
I always knew those two were gay as fuck for each other. I'm so proud of my brother. And my likely brother-in-law now.
I know that Jake always blamed himself for what happened to me. But he doesn't have to feel that way. I'm more than happy with my new music production career. Soccer would've been nice, but hey, the whole leg injury incident was on me for getting involved with Manwol in the first place. Jake doesn't need to, nor does he deserve to blame himself for my circumstances. And I hope that one day, preferably this year or next, he'll learn to leave the Union. Leave the bloody fights and distance from his friends and I in the past.
I looked back into the hospital room. Dean's tongue was on Jake's neck.
Oh, gross. That's my cue to leave.
I smiled to myself as I shut the door for them, quietly so that I wouldn't snap them out of their little world.
I'm happy, Jake. It's okay. Be happy too.
Date Published: 23 December 2021
Word Count: 1787
Author's Note: Anyone want to leave requests? 🥺