I KNEW He Looked Familiar, Welcome Back Blond Brows Jay 😭😭😭🖐️

i KNEW he looked familiar, welcome back blond brows jay 😭😭😭🖐️

𝑵𝑰𝑲𝑰'𝑺 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑲 𝑶𝑴𝑮𝑮𝑮, 𝑰 𝑾𝑨𝑺𝑵'𝑻 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑫-

𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✦⋆˚ αℓℓ мʏ ωσяκƨ ιи σиɛ ρℓαcɛ

⋆ note: as of now, all my works are very much sfw. however, they may still include mentions of various objects, sensitive topics, and suggestive themes. please read each warnings (if provided) and be guided accordingly. thank you! ⋆

I-800-LOVE-YOU | nishimura riki x male!reader

YOUR IDOL GIVES YOU HIS NUMBER YOUR IDOL ANSWERS YOUR CALL YOUR IDOL WANTS TO SEE YOU AGAIN

fairy of shampoo | park jongseong x male!reader

YOUR DOMESTIC BOYFRIEND IS HERE YOUR DOMESTIC BOYFRIEND IGNORED YOU YOUR DOMESTIC BOYFRIEND AND YOU YOUR DOMESTIC BOYFRIEND COMFORTS YOU

tfw... | nishimura riki x male!reader

TFW WHEN A BAD DATE LEADS TO YOU... TFW WHEN YOUR DISTANCE CLOSES IN...

u got texts // drabbles by writhyv | text stories x reader

would you kiss me? | sim jaehyun x male!reader

JAKE PULLS YOU INTO A KISSING BOOTH JAKE, YOU, AND AN APOLOGY TOO JAKE AND HIS HEART BEATING FOR YOU

CELEBRATING VALENTINE'S DAY 2025 [NI-KI] PUSHING HIS BUTTONS TO FINALLY MAKE HIM CONFESS [SUNGHOON] YOU WERE ALWAYS IN HIS HEART [JAY, JAKE, NI-KI, SUNGHOON] YOUR BF COMFORTS YOU FROM UNWARRANTED HATE [JAY] COMING HOME TO YOUR POUTY BF [JAY] A DAY WITH YOUR BELOVED SUPERSTAR [SUNGHOON] A TABLE FOR TWO AND SUNFLOWERS TOO [JAKE] THE EYES, THEY NEVER LIE [JAKE] JAKE AND THE SIMULATION [SUNGHOON] JUST A LITTLE BITE

got me shakin' | park jongseong x male!reader

way back into love | park jongseong x male!reader

4/9/25: This masterlist will be revamped soon as the 'LEGACY MASTERLIST'. Stay tuned for the new one!

⋆｡°✩ jake and his heart beating for you

would you kiss me? | sim jaehyun x male!reader

pairing: jake x male!reader

genre: fluff, highschool!au

words: 2.8k

notes: i have been falling faster for jake these past few weeks so I just had to write this down ... i hope you guys appreciate jake as much as i do 😭💙💙

"Is he sleeping?" Joey moved an inch closer as she finally got to her seat.

"Ugh, don't even ask me." Sunoo rolled his eyes as he grabbed a hot corndog from Joey's hand. "He's been like that since he got here."

Clearly, Joey had brought some goods from the snack stands, and she took a good look at your figure again.

"Are you sick or som-?"

"I'm not!" You defended, your voice barely above a whisper. "Shh!"

"Sir, did you just 'shush' me?!" Joey acted mock-offended, settling into her seat with some force.

"I think he did." Sunoo smirked, looking at you with a devious side-eye.

"Ugh, what are you two on about now..." You continued to shrink yourself in your seat, trying to blend into the crowd.

"Take that off!" Joey grabbed the large overcoat you'd wrapped around your body.

"Ah!" You yelped, clutching the coat tightly.

"Ugh, about time!" Sunoo raised his hand for a high-five, and Joey reciprocated with a grin.

"Hey!" You spoke, looking at your two best friends. "Are you two ganging up on me?"

The two snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement.

"He's totally mad." Joey whispered.

"He's definitely fuming." Sunoo spoke quietly.

"I'm still here!" You tried to pinch their ears, earning yelps from both.

"Ow ow, let it go!" Joey spoke, squirming away.

"Ahh! You!!!" Sunoo tried to remove your finger before you let him go.

"Now, are you two finished?" You crossed your arms, grabbing your overcoat from Joey.

Sunoo retreated to his seat, rubbing the part of his ear you'd pinched. Joey shot you an obvious question.

"So Jake-?"

"AAAAAAA!" You interrupted, clearly in a situation.

"Don't even." Sunoo spoke, waving his hand dismissively.

Joey looked at Sunoo, then back at you. She observed you and knew immediately what was going on.

"Oh, you two talked, didn't you?" Joey looked at you, her intuition sparking.

Sunoo sat up and gasped. "You did?!"

"H-how d-?"

"Mr. ACTING president, I can literally tell what you're all about right now." Joey smugly raised her chin towards you, pointing to the field. "It's obvious you like hi-?"

"AAAAA!!!" You tried to scream, covering your ears.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic!" She spoke.

"But he doesn't want to admit it." Sunoo took a good look at you, shaking his head earnestly. He couldn't take it anymore. "Honestly."

"I just!" You tried to speak. "Why m... me? Argh!"

The two looked at you, then at each other.

"That's what you're worried about?" Joey shot you an almost indignant look. "For real?!"

"He's having a crisis." Sunoo inhaled deeply. "He thinks Jake's just messing with him."

"That or he's being genuine." Joey adjusted herself in her seat. "You can tell he's trying to impress you."

And you couldn't help but agree. For all the times you'd encountered Jake, he'd always tried. One way or another, he was trying his best to get your attention.

And now, he definitely had your gaze.

"I'm just..." You shrunk in your seat again. "I'm just a guy, you know?"

"Oh, shut it and be confident!" Sunoo pulled you out of your chair, forcing you to cooperate unwillingly. "And sit properly; you're the ACTING school council president!"

"Aaaaaargghhh..." You groaned. That's all you could do.

And now, you couldn't take him off your mind. Especially that golden smile he seemed so proud to show off in front of you.

Joey, knowing you were feeling overwhelmed by these new emotions, tried to settle you down.

"Listen, if you can't bear the Jake-ness of it all-?"

"The what?"

"The Jake-ness."

"Oh. Psh." Sunoo retorted.

"What?" Joey looked at him.

"Continue." Sunoo flapped his hand dismissively.

"Okay, anyways... You should try and distract yourself with the game right now. The committee didn't elect you to just do nothing, right?" Joey tapped your back, letting you breathe for a second.

That's right. You were tasked and obliged to attend the game as the ACTING student council president. It wasn't a big deal to get in as yourself, but people were paying close attention as you did your duties. You sat up straight, realizing this. You weren't just here for one reason.

"That's right..." You sighed. "I'm weird, aren't I?"

"We know." The two shared the same sentiment.

"Hey!" You pouted. "You're not supposed to agree with that."

"But you're our weirdo." Sunoo smiled.

"So be weird all you like. Mister Weirdo." Joey poked your cheek, rolling your eyes.

In a way, it comforted you. To have these friends by your side. But of course, they couldn't help you take Jake off your mind. They even seem supportive of it ... too supportive even. You tried to relax your back on the leather covered seat, waiting for the game to start.

Suddenly, the whistles were blown. That was the sign of the teams' entrance for the championship.

In this match, whoever won would make it to the state championships. Calling it a big deal was an understatement. It was a HUGE deal. Especially since the opposing team was supposedly stronger than in previous years.

"And ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome them to the stage. Last and not least, the Peterson Saints!" A loud roar erupted from your side of the field. As much as this was your home court, the crowd couldn't help but yell their hearts out, seeing their pride and honor.

And there he was, beaming with his golden smile—Jake Sim. The Prodigy of the Ages, The Golden Ace, and the MVP for the 3rd consecutive year. All those monickers and titles bore his achievements and qualifications. He was truly something special.

Yet you could look at him with such a look. Out of all the people in this world, this one? This lucky guy who deserved a better person was in love with you? You had to laugh.

Why couldn't you believe that maybe this was the universe appreciating you? All these thoughts lingered in your head.

As if by chance, Jake spotted you quickly and smiled wide, waving his hand. Clearly, he'd expected to see you. He was beyond excited to have you there.

And that broke you. You could only smile back and wave, feeling chills down your spine. He really did want you to see him.

He eyes-locked with you, as if saying, "Watch me." And that you did.

The Peterson Saints took their positions on the field, and the game began. The opposing team, the Ironclad Titans, was known for their aggressive plays and solid defense. Jake, as the captain, called out plays to his teammates, his voice clear and confident. The crowd roared as the game started, and the energy on the field was electric.

"Keep them grounded, we can't let them breach us early!" Jake commanded, his teammates getting into their positions.

The first half was intense. The Titans were relentless, pushing the Saints to their limits. Jake, however, was a force to be reckoned with. He dodged tackles with ease, his movements fluid and calculated. But despite his efforts, the Saints were struggling to keep up. The Titans' defense was impenetrable, and by halftime, they were leading by a significant margin.

While halftime was up, Jake noticed one of his teammates, Bush, flipping over like a pillow in the middle of the field, or at least, that's what he was acting like.

"Bush, you good?" Jake panted, reaching out his hand towards the other.

"Get a life." Bush swatted Jake's hand, standing up by himself.

Jake couldn't just react then and there, but that really felt awful. Still, he has to go, and so he did.

As the teams headed to the locker rooms, tensions ran high. Jake's teammates were frustrated, and some were on the verge of giving up. That's when two of the players, Bush and Trell, started undermining Jake's tactics, blaming him for their poor performance. They accused him of being too selfish and not trusting his teammates enough, even though at best, they themselves couldn't really contribute anything on the field at all.

"You were hogging the ball!" Trell shouted. "Or worse, passing it down to these newbies!"

"He was trying to get it to score, you dumbass!" Another teammate seemingly defended Jake's actions, with more agreeing in unison.

"Well, we don't see it that way!" Bush stands tall, trying to put some intimidation onto the others. "Buttering yourself up for another win?"

One of Jake's teammates ultimately wanted to punch the guy, but Jake stopped him as soon as he lifted his fist.

"No," Jake mouthed.

Ever the leader, Jake didn't let their negativity get to him. He listened calmly, then addressed the team with a steady voice.

"We can do this," he said. "We just need to work together. Trust each other, and trust the plays. We've trained for this."

His words inspired the team, and they returned to the field with renewed determination. The second half was a completely different story.

The Saints fought back with everything they had. Jake led the charge, making incredible plays and encouraging his teammates. The crowd was on their feet, cheering wildly as the Saints slowly closed the gap.

"GO SAINTS GO!! GO SAINTS GO!! GO SAINTS GO!!" The crowd erupted in glorious cheers. Even you couldn't help but get your voice louder at the sound of it.

And Jake? One glance at your cheers was all he needed for a boost. The way your eyes closed as you tried to shout their team's cheer louder, or the way your voice was definitely getting higher as nerves almost popped from your neck, or even how excited you are jumping around and cheering for them? That was heaven for him, just to see you support and appreciate all of his and his team's hard work.

He loved that. And he loved you too.

"Good job, Saints!" Jake cheered with his hands towards his teammates. The others responded with the same sentiment, those closer to each other patting backs and hyping each other.

In the final minutes of the game, the score was neck and neck. The tension was palpable. Jake had the ball, and the crowd held their breath as he made his way down the field. With seconds left on the clock, he lined up for the final shot. The Titans' defense was tight, but Jake was unfazed.

"One ball..." Jake took a deep breath.

He looked closely at the goal, seemingly trying to get the aim at this second.

"One goal." He took his one last millisecond, inching away at the true kick.

With a swift, powerful motion, he released the ball. Time seemed to slow as it soared through the air, heading straight for the goal.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the ball scored, securing the Saints' victory. Jake was mobbed by his teammates, and the crowd chanted his name.

He'd done it again—the Golden Ace had proven his worth.

As the Saints celebrated their win, Jake spotted you in the distance. He mouthed, "I won!" with a wide, triumphant smile.

"You did!" You mouthed back, pride swelling in your chest.

"Thank you for coming." He mouthed again. "Backstage?"

You tilted your head, wondering what he meant. There was an area within the field called the backstage, where players and teams rested before the game. You nodded, knowing what he was implying.

"Okay!" You blushed slightly, wondering if this was something normal.

"Yeah!" Jake mouthed, before being carried away by his team.

You could only laugh as you left slowly, your best friends chuckling behind you.

"You two are seriously gonna be something else." Sunoo walked beside you.

"Definitely, I mean, that was too romantic." Joey spoke, walking backward in front of you.

"You guys, stop it." You chuckled. "I'm just proud. Nothing like that at all."

The two shot glances at you as you continued to walk.

"He's definitely into him now." Joey whispered.

"Don't tell me twice." Sunoo spoke, earning a hand chop to his shoulder.

As you took a seat on a nearby bench, you waited with bated breath for that one guy who'd led you here. The "backstage" wasn't a familiar sight, but it was large and extensive. Even the hallway was long enough to stretch across the field. It was a marvel at how lucky you were to study in this school.

"Glad you came."

"AAAAH!" Jake sprung up close, and you jolted in surprise. He flinched back, and you both laughed, cackling at the stupidity of the moment before calming down.

"Warn me next time!" You punched his shoulder playfully.

"Please! Your face was priceless." Jake continued to laugh, his hand on his face.

"Ugh, you!" You tried to speak, but the words failed to come out.

"You what?" Jake taunted with a smile.

"You..."

"Hmm?" Jake grinned.

"Stop it." You raised your hand.

"Stop what?"

"Stop doing this." You tried to walk back a bit, feeling bothered by the weather suddenly. That or by the temperature.

"Stop me from what?"

"Stop me from—"

Before you could finish, a warm kiss enveloped your lips. It was soft and comfortable, like a feeling of pure sweetness and love—all in one. You couldn't even fight it, even if you tried. At this point, your lips had already remembered Jake's embrace. It was as if they'd already accepted his touch, and you couldn't help but say yes to the feeling of being close to him.

"Mhh..." Jake smiled as he pulled away, his lips lingering for a moment.

"Hahh..." You tried to catch your breath, and Jake giggled at the sight.

"What?" You asked him, still wrapped in his arms.

"It's just..." Jake looked to the side, then faced you again. "You didn't flinch this time."

You rolled your eyes, giving him a look. "I'm just appreciating you. Can't I be charitable?" Your tone soaking in hot sarcasm.

"And I appreciate it." Jake smiled back. "You! I mean ... totally you."

With the personal space between you practically gone, Jake couldn't help but ask.

"So... you want me to try?" Jake asked, a subtle questioning tone laced in his voice. He was still unsure if you were all in with the whole 'loving you back' thing.

You sighed heavily. "I didn't want to think about it, you know?"

"Huh?" Jake tilted his head.

"The way I feel. Deny it." You expressed your emotions, your face contorting into slight stress. "That I don't deserve someone as good as you."

Jake looked at you with disbelief, clearly taken aback. "Hey! I'm not that special."

"But!"

"I don't want you to care about me being ... something, okay? Yes, I do want to impress you, but I don't want that to scare you too." He held your hand.

"Sometimes, I long to hold someone rather than a trophy."

Your heart stung a bit at that. It felt like you were scared, but of course, you never just paid all your attention at anyone's achievements. You wanted to know the people beyond the surface. As much as you tried to not think of it, you knew just how hardworking Jake was, and you didn't want to interfere. But in this new light, you saw a deeper side of him.

You were seeing his real self. That he was willing for you to see it.

"Jake..." Your hands crept up to his shoulders, comforting him in a way.

"I want to date you. Eventually, love you too." Jake smiled. "I don't want these feelings to just go away because I've never felt so much in my life before."

You looked into his eyes. Seeing him being so earnest just ... melted you right then and there. It was a sight to behold.

"I want to love someone I can genuinely be with, without pretenses." Jake held your hands tighter. "And it doesn't matter if you're a guy who's got me going. Nothing changes."

Tears started flooding your eyes at that moment, with Jake noticing sooner. He then raised his gentle fingers to wipe them away.

"Look at you." Jake gazed at you lovingly. "Such a pretty man, no?"

You could only laugh, wiping your own tears yourself. "You too, Jake. You're too beautiful for this world."

"I am, huh?"

"Yup." You booped his pretty nose.

"Then..." He asked with a slight blush. "Would you kiss me?"

"Again?" You tried to scoff at him.

"Mhm." His puppy eyes. His damn puppy eyes...

"Okay..."

And in one final moment, you laid your lips onto his, lingering almost a second longer than before. This time, it was slow, easy, and a little bit lasting.

Jake took a good look at you once more and asked an important question.

"Are we dating now? Or should I just make you my boyfriend?" He asked bluntly.

"Pftt!" You laughed in front of him. "Already? We haven't even done anything!"

"Oh!" Jake pondered for a second. "Should we do 'that' then?"

You shot him a glance. "THAT?! Get yourself together! We just got to this point!"

"Got it, we'll chill for the moment." Jake agreed, his mouth hanging wide at that. "I'll prepare myself for it then." Clearly, he was still uneducated at how these things worked, being with someone he liked and all.

"So, be my boyfriend?" He muttered, his lips pursing through.

"Although I wouldn't mind, dating comes first." You spoke back.

"Got it." Jake nodded in gratitude. "Then boyfriend after."

"I mean ... If you're comfy, why not?" You replied. "I mean the boyfriend bit. If you're comfortable with it, just call me that right now."

"Okay!" Jake giggled at the thought. "I love you, my boyfriend~"

You rolled your eyes, feeling stupidly in love with this guy. Was this really true, or was he just putting on an act to disarm you? As if it really mattered. When he was hugging you tightly and you could feel every beat of his heart, you were definitely doing fine.

"I love you too, Jakey." You mumbled softly, reddening Jake's cheeks easily. He was totally caught off-guard with that nickname.

THAT WAS A RIDEEEEEE and like ... i love jake so much ... I WILL WRITE MORE OF HIM AAAAAAA

hope you guys enjoyed it! please like, comment, or reblog~

my masterlist!

made by writhyv.

⋆｡°✩ random texts with bf jay pt. 1

u got texts // drabbles | jongseong park x male!reader

pairing: jay x male!reader genre: fluffy smau warnings: suggestive words or double meanings idk u decide 😂 notes: somehow fits with my fairy of shampoo jay, but can stand alone on its own as just you being his established bf :D i would generally love to make more gn! stuff soon so stay tuned! also jay ... i love him ... i will lock him in a room with me and he'll be getting impr-

duolin_got_u.png

sweet_gestures.png

finders_fenders.png

just had that feeling of 'oh i want to spoil jay so bad ... he deserves so much love 😭💜' and did it ... WAAAAAAAAAA

hope you guys enjoyed it! please like, comment, or reblog~

my masterlist!

made by writhyv.

just a boy —

pairing : fuckboy!jay x gn!reader

summary : you meet jay at a party where you reject him after making a move… he likes it when they play hard to get.

warnings : angst, fluff, more angst than fluff tbh, uni au, reader is a freshman, jay is older, featuring heeseung + jake, jisung from nct, and minju from illit

a/n : omg fun to write is actually an understatement. i hope it turned out fun to read :) also for my pookie @writhyv

queueing : just a boy - alaina castillo,

— wc : 6.6 — not proof read —

you don't really care about parties. they're loud, crowded, and always filled with people trying too hard. but minju drags you along anyway, insisting that you need to "experience the university nightlife" at least once.

"come on, it'll be fun," she says, looping her arm through yours. "plus, jisung bailed on me, and i am not third-wheeling jake and his situationship all night."

so now you're here, standing awkwardly in the corner of a frat house, gripping a red solo cup filled with something that smells suspiciously like gasoline. minju is already off somewhere, talking to a girl from her english class, and you're left to watch as people dance, drink, and make questionable decisions.

"you look miserable," a voice says from beside you.

you turn and come face to face with park jongseong, jay, as everyone calls him. you know his name, even if you've never spoken before. he's older, popular, and has a reputation that follows him everywhere he goes.

flirt. player. fuckboy.

minju has warned you about him. "he's hot, yeah, but he's the kind of guy who doesn't do relationships. he flirts, hooks up, and moves on. trust me, i've seen it happen."

but none of that matters, because you have no plans to entertain him.

jay grins at you, leaning against the wall like he owns the place. he's got that easy confidence, the kind that comes with knowing he's attractive and that people want him.

"not a fan of parties?" he asks, tilting his head.

you shrug. "not really."

he chuckles. "then why are you here?"

"minju."

his eyebrows raise slightly. "you know minju?"

"from high school." you say, keeping your answers short.

"interesting," he muses, eyes scanning your face like he's trying to place you somewhere in his memory. he doesn't seem to recognize you, though, which isn't surprising. you've never exactly run in the same circles.

"so," he says, shifting closer. "wanna dance?"

it's not a question, not really. it's the kind of offer people don't usually refuse, not when it comes from him. jay park doesn't get turned down.

but you just blink at him and say, "no, thanks."

his smile falters, just for a second, before he recovers. "really? you sure? i promise i'm a good dancer."

"i'm sure." you say with a fake smile, giving off the vibe that you’re annoyed

he lets out a soft laugh, like he can't believe you're actually rejecting him. his ego must be bruised, but he hides it well, still looking at you with interest.

"alright," he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "then how about a drink? i can get you something better than… whatever that is." he nods at your cup.

"i'm good."

"wow," he murmurs, shaking his head in amusement. "you're really not making this easy for me, huh?"

"should i?"

he grins, running a hand through his dark hair. "most people do."

"well, i'm not most people."

jay studies you for a moment, like he's trying to figure out why you're different. why you're not reacting the way everyone else does. you don't bat your lashes at him, don't giggle or play into his flirting. and for some reason, instead of turning him away, it only seems to intrigue him more.

"i like you," he says suddenly.

you roll your eyes. "you don't even know me."

"not yet," he agrees, "but i’d like to."

there's something almost playful in his voice, but you know better. jay isn’t interested in getting to know people. he's interested in chasing, in winning. and right now, you’re just another game to him.

"keep liking me from a distance," you say, brushing past him.

you don’t look back, but you feel his eyes on you as you walk away.

for the first time in his life, park jongseong has been rejected. and somehow, you think that only makes him more determined.

—

you don't think much about your encounter with jay. to you, it was just another conversation at a party, one you barely wanted to be at in the first place.

but apparently, jay thinks otherwise.

it starts with small things.

you see him at the campus café, where he just so happens to show up right behind you in line.

"oh, hey," he says casually, as if running into you is pure coincidence.

you glance at him, unimpressed. "hey."

"what are you getting?"

you turn back to the menu. "haven't decided."

"let me guess," he hums, tapping a finger against his chin like he's solving some great mystery. "you seem like a caramel macchiato kind of person."

you raise a brow. "what does that even mean?"

jay grins, leaning in slightly. "sweet, but a little bitter if you get on their bad side."

"so basically, you're guessing."

"i call it an educated guess," he says, nodding at the cashier. "get one. my treat."

"no, thanks."

he lets out a dramatic sigh. "you really don't like accepting things from me, huh?"

"nope."

instead of looking discouraged, jay just watches as you place your order, an iced americano, completely different from what he guessed.

he chuckles. "so i was way off."

"yup."

you take your drink and leave without another word. jay doesn’t follow, but you swear you feel his stare on your back as you walk away.

it keeps happening.

and then, one afternoon, you’re sitting under a tree, trying to get through an assignment, when someone drops into the grass beside you.

"you always look so serious," jay muses.

you don’t even glance up. "because i'm trying to focus."

"right, right." he leans back on his hands. "but don't you ever take a break?"

"nope."

"come on," he nudges your knee with his. "five minutes won't kill you."

you sigh, finally looking at him. "do you need something?"

jay flashes you that same easy grin, the one that probably gets him whatever he wants. "just your company."

"i think you’ll survive without it."

he clutches his chest dramatically. "ouch. you wound me."

"you’ll live."

jay just laughs, shaking his head. "you know, you’re making this really difficult."

"making what difficult?"

"getting to know you."

"who said i wanted you to?"

he stares at you for a moment, eyes glinting with something unreadable. then, instead of answering, he stands up and dusts himself off.

"alright," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. "guess i’ll try again tomorrow."

before you can process his words, he's already walking away.

"okay, what is going on?" minju asks a few days later, sliding into the seat across from you in the dining hall.

"what do you mean?"

she gestures dramatically. "you and jay. he keeps staring at you. he keeps showing up wherever you are."

"it's just a coincidence."

"coincidence my ass," she huffs. "he’s interested."

"interested in what? flirting with someone who doesn’t want to flirt back?"

"exactly!" minju exclaims. "he's never been rejected before! you’re like. like. his first loss."

"not a loss," you correct. "just… not a win."

"same thing in his mind." she leans in, eyes narrowing. "be honest. do you like him?"

you snort. "no."

"not even a little?"

"minju, he flirts with anything that breathes."

"true," she concedes, stabbing a piece of her salad. "but he’s never tried this hard before."

you roll your eyes. "and that’s exactly why i’m not interested. he only wants what he can’t have."

"so you think if you gave in, he’d lose interest?"

"obviously. but it’s not like i want him to be interested in the first place,”

but what you don’t see is jay, sitting at another table with jake and heeseung, watching you from across the room.

"so," heeseung says, "still trying?"

jay sips his drink, not looking away. "yup."

jake shakes his head, laughing. "dude, you're obsessed."

"i'm not obsessed," jay scoffs. "i'm just… interested."

heeseung raises a brow. "in what? winning?"

jay pauses. that should be the answer. that’s how it always is. he flirts, he wins, he moves on. but this time, it feels different.

"i dunno," he mutters, eyes still locked on you. "but i wanna find out."

and just like that, park jongseong makes it his mission to make you fall for him.

whether you want to or not.

—

you’re starting to think the universe has a cruel sense of humor.

there’s no other explanation for why jay park keeps showing up everywhere you go.

first, it’s the café… again. you stop by for your usual iced americano, and there he is, leaning against the counter like he has all the time in the world. when he sees you, his lips curl into a smirk.

"you stalking me now?" he teases.

you blink at him. "this is literally my usual spot."

"yeah?" he muses, stepping aside so you can order. "funny. seems like it’s mine now too."

you ignore him and pay for your drink, but as you turn to leave, he suddenly holds out a muffin. "here."

you frown. "what is this?"

"peace offering," he says. "for annoying you so much."

"i don't want it."

jay tuts, shaking his head. "harsh. you don’t like sweets?"

"i don’t like you."

he laughs, completely unbothered. "that’s not true. you just won’t admit you think i’m funny."

you roll your eyes and walk past him, but not before he calls out, "see you around!"

unfortunately, he’s right.

the second time, it’s the library.

you’re sitting at a table, halfway through an essay, when someone slides into the seat across from you.

you don’t need to look up. "seriously?"

jay rests his chin on his palm, grinning. "seriously."

"do you even study?"

"i do now." he gestures to his laptop, which, sure enough, is open.

you sigh and turn back to your work, ignoring him completely. for the first ten minutes, he’s quiet, and you start to think maybe—just maybe—he’s actually here to study.

but then he leans forward. "you always this focused?"

"yes."

"cute," he murmurs, just loud enough for you to hear.

you finally look at him, unimpressed. "why are you here?"

"what, a guy can’t expand his knowledge?"

"you haven’t typed a single word."

jay glances at his screen, where his essay is blank. he shrugs. "i’m thinking."

"about what?"

"about how long it’s gonna take for you to admit you like having me around."

you let out a slow breath, standing up and gathering your things. "good luck with that."

"where you going?"

"somewhere quiet."

jay watches you leave, the smirk never leaving his face.

you think that’s the end of it.

until your professor assigns a group project.

"you’ll be working in pairs," she says. "check the list for your partner."

you scan the names, looking for yours, and freeze.

park jongseong.

"you’ve got to be kidding me," you mutter.

"what?" minju asks, peering over your shoulder. then she snorts. "oh. wow. the universe really has it out for you."

you groan, dropping your head onto the desk.

"who’d you get?"

you glance up to see jisung standing beside you, holding his own paper.

"jay," minju answers for you.

jisung grimaces. "yikes."

"yep."

before you can say anything else, someone taps your shoulder.

"guess we’re partners," jay says, voice far too amused.

you sigh. "don’t remind me.”

—

working with jay is… not as painful as you expected.

you still don’t like him. obviously. but he’s not completely useless.

turns out, he’s actually smart. and organized. he doesn’t slack off or make you do all the work. and—annoyingly—he’s kind of funny.

you realize this when you’re both at the library, bouncing ideas off each other.

"okay, so we could go with this topic," you say, scrolling through the research.

jay hums. "or we could pick something that won’t make me want to throw myself off a building."

you bite back a smile. "dramatic much?"

"you’re underestimating my ability to get bored."

"i think that’s just your problem."

jay gasps, placing a hand over his chest. "ouch. i thought we were bonding."

"we’re working."

"same thing."

you shake your head, but you don’t argue.

slowly, things shift.

you still tell yourself that jay is just playing a game. but sometimes, you catch him looking at you—really looking—and for a moment, it doesn’t feel like one.

like when you’re at the library, and you yawn without thinking.

"tired?" he asks.

"obviously."

without a word, he slides his drink toward you.

you blink. "what—"

"it’s an americano," he says simply.

you hesitate, then take a sip. "it’s sweet."

jay shrugs. "i like sugar."

you give him a look. "so you were way off when you guessed my order last time."

he grins. "guess so."

you shake your head, but you don’t push the drink back.

—

"okay, so he’s not the worst person alive," you admit later.

minju stares at you. "who are you and what have you done with my friend?"

"i’m serious," you say. "he’s… fine. actually kind of helpful."

minju sighs. "that’s how it starts."

"how what starts?"

"you start thinking he’s not that bad. then, before you know it, you’re catching feelings."

"i’m not catching anything."

she gives you a look. "just be careful, okay? he’s only this persistent because you’re the first person to say no."

you nod, but her words stick in your head.

you tell yourself you don’t care.

but then one night, you’re leaving the library, and jay is waiting outside.

"walking alone at this hour?" he muses. "dangerous."

you raise an eyebrow. "and you’re what? my bodyguard?"

jay smirks. "i could be."

"no thanks."

"still," he says, falling into step beside you. "i’ll walk you back."

"you don’t have to."

"i know."

you sigh, but you let him.

the walk is quiet, save for the sound of your footsteps. when you reach your building, you stop.

"this is me," you say.

jay nods. "guess i’ll see you tomorrow."

"guess so."

he hesitates, then lifts a hand, ruffling your hair before you can react.

you blink. "what the—"

he just grins. "goodnight."

then he’s gone, leaving you standing there, heart doing something it definitely shouldn’t be doing.

this is bad.

really bad.

—

the next party is loud, too loud. music shakes the floor, conversations overlap, and the air is thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat. you don’t even know why you’re here.

well. you do.

minju dragged you out, saying you’ve been too cooped up with schoolwork and your stupid group project (which, unfortunately, includes jay park). jisung backed her up, insisting you needed to “socialize like a normal human being.”

so now you’re here, standing in the corner of someone’s crowded apartment, gripping a half-empty cup of soda because you don’t drink, and pretending you’re interested in whatever minju is talking about.

until you see him.

jay.

you tell yourself you shouldn’t be surprised. parties are his thing, after all. loud music, dim lighting, a sea of people who’d fall into his arms without hesitation.

he fits right in.

too well.

you spot him across the room, leaning against the wall, that lazy smirk on his lips. there’s a girl beside him, standing too close, laughing at something he just said. she tilts her head, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. jay doesn’t move away.

he says something else, something that makes her giggle, and then he leans in,,, just a little.

your stomach twists.

it’s stupid. so, so stupid.

this is what he does. this is who he is. he flirts with everyone. you’ve seen it before. you knew this about him before he even knew your name.

but tonight, it bothers you.

you don’t know why, and you don’t want to think about it.

"you okay?" minju asks, nudging your arm.

"yeah," you say too quickly. "just… tired."

she eyes you but doesn’t press. "wanna leave soon?"

you nod. "yeah."

but before you can say anything else, you feel a presence beside you.

"hey," a familiar voice says.

you turn, and there he is.

jay.

his smirk is gone.

"what do you want?" you ask, not in the mood for whatever game he’s playing tonight.

he hesitates, glancing at minju, then back at you. "can we talk?"

"no."

he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "please?"

minju looks between the two of you, then slowly backs away. "i’ll be over there," she says, pointing to jisung.

you cross your arms. "what?"

jay doesn’t answer right away. instead, he exhales, then jerks his head toward the door. "outside?"

you should say no. you should walk away. but there’s something in his eyes, something that makes your chest feel too tight, so you follow him out.

the cool night air is a relief against your heated skin. outside, the noise is muffled, distant, like the party belongs to a different world.

you stop a few steps away from the door, crossing your arms. "well?"

jay shoves his hands into his pockets. "you looked upset."

you scoff. "why do you care?"

"because," he says, stepping closer, "i do."

you laugh, but it’s humorless. "you flirt with someone else, then come running after me? what is this, jay?"

his jaw tightens. "it’s not like that."

"really? because it sure as hell looked like it."

"you think i do this with everyone?" his voice is sharper now, frustration leaking through. "yeah, i flirt, but this,whatever this is, is different, and you know it."

your breath catches.

different.

he said it first.

but that doesn’t change anything.

"do i?" you challenge. "because it looks exactly the same to me."

jay groans, running a hand through his hair. "i didn’t even realize what i was doing."

"that’s not making this better."

"i know!" he snaps. "i just—fuck."

he exhales, tilting his head back like he’s trying to find the right words in the sky. then, softer, he says, "it’s a habit, okay? flirting, keeping things surface-level. that’s just how i’ve always been."

you swallow, suddenly unsure. "then why are you here?"

jay takes another step forward, close enough that you can see the tension in his shoulders, the crease in his brows.

"because i don’t want this to be surface-level," he admits. "not with you."

the words knock the air out of your lungs.

for a moment, neither of you speak.

then you say, "so what? you want me to believe that you’re suddenly different?"

"i don’t know," he admits. "but i know i don’t want to fuck this up."

you stare at him, at the raw honesty in his expression.

this is dangerous territory.

you should walk away.

you don’t.

but then you think about that girl inside, the way he leaned in so easily, the way it took him this long to come after you.

"you say that," you murmur, voice quieter now, "but you still went back to your usual thing the second i wasn’t around."

jay flinches.

"it didn’t mean anything," he says, quickly, desperately. "i wasn’t even thinking about her."

"exactly," you say bitterly. "you weren’t thinking at all."

jay opens his mouth, then closes it.

"you don’t even realize what you’re doing," you continue, voice tight. "you don’t realize how easily you slip into old habits. you say this is different, but are you sure?"

"yes," jay says, without hesitation.

you laugh, but it’s broken. "then why do i feel like i’m just setting myself up to get hurt?"

he doesn’t have an answer for that.

silence stretches between you, heavy and suffocating.

jay looks like he wants to say something, to fix this somehow, but what is there to fix? he’s still the same jay park who flirts with everyone, who doesn’t think before he acts, who only realizes too late that he might actually care.

"you’re not ready for this," you whisper.

"i am," he insists, but there’s something fragile in his voice, something that tells you even he isn’t sure if he’s telling the truth.

you shake your head. "i don’t think you are."

jay reaches out, just a little, like he wants to touch you, like he wants you to stay.

but you step back.

his hand drops.

and with that, you turn around and walk away.

jay doesn’t call after you.

he doesn’t chase you this time.

and maybe that tells you everything you need to know.

—

you avoid him.

it’s not hard at first. you’re in different years, different circles. you stop going to the café where you know he likes to hang out between classes, ignore the parties minju tries to drag you to, and duck your head whenever you spot him on campus.

the only problem is that jay notices.

you’re not sure when it happens, but at some point, jay park—fuckboy, campus heartbreaker, the guy who shouldn’t care—is suddenly watching you.

you feel it in the way his eyes linger too long when you pass by in the hallway, in the way his conversations falter when you’re around, in the way his whole demeanor shifts whenever you deliberately turn away.

he doesn’t chase after you.

but he’s not ignoring it, either.

and that’s what makes it worse.

it would be easier if he didn’t care, if he went right back to flirting with someone else like nothing ever happened. but he doesn’t.

and that terrifies you.

so you run faster.

"okay, what is wrong with you?"

jay exhales sharply, gripping the pool cue tighter. "nothing."

"bullshit."

heeseung snatches the stick out of his hands before he can even attempt a shot. jay scowls, reaching for it, but heeseung just leans away.

"bro, you’ve been in the worst mood for, like, a week," jake says, spinning an unmarked beer bottle between his fingers. "just admit it."

jay glares. "admit what?"

heeseung rolls his eyes. "that you’re being a little bitch about this whole thing."

jay scoffs. "about what?"

"oh my god," jake groans. "are you in denial, or just stupid?"

jay clenches his jaw. "neither."

heeseung and jake share a look, and jay hates that they’re silently communicating in that annoying, knowing way that only best friends do.

"listen," heeseung starts, "you don’t do feelings. we get it. but this? whatever’s happening between you and—"

"don’t say their name," jay mutters, looking away.

heeseung smirks. "oh, so you do care?"

jay exhales, tilting his head back against the worn leather of the booth.

fuck.

he doesn’t know what this is.

he just knows that it sucks.

he didn’t think avoiding them would be a big deal. people walk away from him all the time, sometimes before he can even do it first.

but this?

this feels different.

it feels like something is missing. like something is slipping through his fingers and he’s too fucking slow to catch it.

"you don’t even like people," jake points out.

jay sighs. "i like you guys."

"yeah, but we don’t count," heeseung snorts. "we’re basically required to deal with your bullshit."

jay scoffs, shoving his shoulder, but heeseung just grins.

then, quieter, he says, "this is the first time you’ve actually looked miserable over someone."

jay doesn’t answer.

"so what are you gonna do about it?" jake asks.

jay exhales, drumming his fingers against the table.

he doesn’t know.

but he knows he can’t keep pretending this is nothing.

not anymore.

—

you don’t know why you look.

it’s just a normal afternoon. you’re heading toward the library, minju walking beside you, talking about something jisung said earlier.

and then you see him.

jay is standing near the campus courtyard, golden light catching the sharp edges of his jawline. he’s not alone.

there’s a girl with him. she’s standing close—too close. her hand is on his arm, fingers curling lightly around the sleeve of his jacket. she laughs at something he says, head tilting, eyes locked on his.

and jay?

jay just smiles.

it’s the same smile you’ve seen before, the same effortless charm, the same easy confidence that has made him a campus legend. he leans in slightly, talking low, his posture relaxed like he’s done this a thousand times.

because he has.

your chest tightens.

"hey, you okay?" minju asks beside you, nudging your arm.

you snap your gaze away, pulse quickening. you shouldn’t care. you knew what he was like before you even met him. you knew he flirted with anyone he found attractive, that he never had to try, that he never faced rejection.

you knew he was never meant to be serious.

so why does it feel like something inside you is caving in?

"yeah," you mumble. "just remembered something i have to do."

minju frowns, but you don’t give her a chance to question it. before she can say anything, you turn and walk the other way, ignoring the burning feeling in your chest.

you don’t look back.

and jay doesn’t notice you leaving.

yet, jay can tell something’s wrong.

he doesn’t know what it is, but he can feel it.

it’s in the way you won’t look at him, the way you walk past him like he’s just another face in the crowd.

at first, he thinks he’s imagining it. you were never friends to begin with—maybe you were just busy, maybe this is normal.

but the shift is undeniable.

before, you’d at least acknowledge him. you’d give him a polite nod, a passing glance, sometimes even a subtle eyeroll when you caught him flirting.

now?

nothing.

he sees you on campus, and you don’t even flinch.

he walks past your usual café, and you’re not there.

he catches you in the library and for a second. just a second. he swears you meet his gaze.

but then you turn away.

like he’s not even there.

he doesn’t plan to confront you.

but after a week of this, of whatever this is, he finds himself standing outside your dorm, hands shoved in his pockets, frustration bubbling under his skin.

he doesn’t even know why he’s here.

it’s not like you owe him anything.

but still, he knocks.

no answer.

he exhales sharply, rocking back on his heels, debating whether to try again.

then, he hears footsteps.

"what are you doing here?"

jay turns, finding jisung standing a few feet away, arms crossed.

"looking for y/n," jay says. "they’ve been… acting weird."

jisung raises an eyebrow. "and you just noticed?"

jay frowns. "what’s that supposed to mean?"

jisung exhales, shaking his head. "they saw you," he says simply.

jay’s stomach tightens. "...what?"

"the other day. in the courtyard. with that girl."

jay blinks, the memory slotting into place. shit.

"they saw you smiling at her," jisung continues, his voice even but firm. "letting her touch you. looking at her the way they thought—" he stops himself, sighing. "never mind."

jay’s pulse kicks up. "you think they—"

"they think they were stupid for believing you might actually be different with them," jisung cuts in, sharper now. "they think they almost fell for the same bullshit you pull on everyone else."

jay clenches his jaw.

fuck.

he wasn’t thinking. he didn’t even realize.

but now, remembering the moment, the way the girl had laughed, the way she had leaned in, the way he hadn’t pulled away—

he understands.

and it feels like he just lost something important without even knowing he had it.

"if you’re gonna say something, make it worth their time," jisung says. "because right now? they don’t want anything to do with you."

jay doesn’t answer.

because for the first time in his life, he’s the one who got it wrong.

he’s the one who let something real slip through his fingers.

and he has no idea how to fix it.

but he knows one thing—

he has to try.

—

you don’t expect him to be waiting for you.

it’s late. you just finished a study session with minju, and all you want is to go back to your dorm, crawl under the covers, and forget about everything—forget about him.

but as soon as you step into the dimly lit hallway leading to your room, you see him.

jay.

leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, jaw tight, eyes dark with something unreadable.

your heart stutters.

you hesitate, debating whether to turn around, pretend you didn’t see him. but then he looks up—really looks at you—and you know there’s no escape.

"we need to talk," he says, pushing off the wall.

fuck jisung for letting him in.

"i don’t think we do," you mutter, stepping past him, reaching for your door.

but before you can, jay moves, his hand catching your wrist—gently, cautiously, like he’s afraid you’ll pull away.

"please," he says.

you freeze.

he’s never said please before. at least, not like this. not as desperate as this.

slowly, you turn to face him, sighing. "jay—"

"just let me say this," he cuts in, eyes burning with something raw, something you’ve never seen on him before. desperation.

you press your lips together but nod.

jay exhales, running a hand through his hair. "i—fuck, i don’t know how to do this," he mutters, shaking his head. "i’m not good at this."

"then don’t," you say, voice sharper than you intended. "don’t stand here and feed me some excuse about how you 'don’t do relationships' or 'didn’t mean to hurt me.' i don’t want to hear it."

jay flinches. "that’s not what i was gonna say."

you cross your arms. "then what?"

he swallows hard, eyes flickering to the floor before meeting yours again. "i—i don’t know how to do this, because i’ve never felt like this before."

your breath catches.

"i didn’t even realize what i was doing," jay continues, voice quieter now. "i didn’t think. i’ve never had to. flirting, messing around—it’s just… easy. but you—" he exhales sharply. "you make things different."

you shake your head. "jay—"

"i don’t want anyone else," he interrupts, stepping closer, voice steady. "just you."

your chest tightens.

"and when you get bored?" you ask, voice barely above a whisper. "when someone new comes along?"

jay shakes his head immediately. "i don’t think i could ever get bored of you."

it’s too much.

too much to believe, too much to trust, too much to risk.

"how am i supposed to believe that?" you ask, eyes searching his face. "how am i supposed to believe you won’t wake up one day and decide i was just another name on your list?"

jay exhales, stepping even closer, until there’s barely any space between you. "because no one’s ever made me feel like this before."

your pulse is loud in your ears.

"i don’t know how to do relationships," he admits, voice low, honest. "i don’t know how to be what you deserve. but i want to try. i want to figure it out—with you."

he’s so close now. close enough that you can smell the faint scent of his cologne, close enough that you can see the hesitation in his eyes, the fear of being rejected, of losing you.

you shouldn’t.

you should walk away.

you should protect yourself, guard your heart, not fall for the one person who could break you the easiest.

but then jay reaches up, fingers brushing against your cheek, his touch hesitant, almost trembling.

"please," he murmurs, his voice almost breaking.

jay park—unshakable, confident, the fuckboy—is breaking in front of you.

and against all logic, all reason—you fall.

before you can think, before you can stop yourself, you close the space between you.

his breath catches, just for a second, before his lips press against yours, warm and desperate.

jay kisses you like he’s afraid you’ll disappear, like he’s trying to prove every word he just said. his hands cup your face, pulling you closer, holding you like you’re something fragile—something precious.

and when you kiss him back, letting yourself believe—just for this moment—that maybe, just maybe, this could be real, he sighs against your lips, like he’s just found something he’s been searching for all along.

—

your relationship with jay park is different.

you knew it wouldn’t be easy, falling for someone who never had to try, who never had to work for love. but you never expected this.

never expected him to try so hard.

at first, it’s awkward. jay doesn’t know what he’s doing. he’s used to effortless flirting, meaningless hookups, relationships that start and end in the span of a night.

but with you?

he wants to be better. he wants to be different.

so he does things he’s never done before.

he waits for you after class, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, eyes lighting up when he sees you.

"did you eat?" he asks one day, falling into step beside you.

you blink. "uh… yeah?"

jay nods, looking relieved. "okay. cool. just—yeah. cool."

he’s awkward. jay park, campus fuckboy, the smooth talker who never falters, is awkward.

you bite back a smile. "did you eat?"

he hesitates.

you raise an eyebrow. "jay."

he clears his throat. "…no."

you sigh, grabbing his sleeve and dragging him toward the campus café. he lets you, grinning like you just gave him the world.

the first time he reaches for your hand, it’s so casual that you almost miss it.

you’re sitting next to each other, watching a movie in the dorm common room. your hand rests between you, fingers brushing against his.

then, slowly, hesitantly, jay links his pinky with yours.

your heart stutters.

you glance at him, but he’s staring straight at the screen, his jaw tight, his ears slightly red.

you bite your lip.

then, without a word, you let your fingers slip fully into his.

jay stiffens for half a second. then, his grip tightens, and he exhales, shoulders relaxing.

he doesn’t let go for the rest of the movie.

he’s not used to jealousy.

or rather, he’s not used to his own jealousy.

he’s seen people get possessive over him before, watched girls glare when he flirted with someone new, felt the heat of their disappointment when they realized he wasn’t theirs.

but now?

now he understands.

he understands because he’s standing in the middle of campus, watching some guy—some random guy—smile at you like he has a chance.

and jay hates it.

he crosses the distance before he can think, sliding an arm around your waist, pulling you flush against his side.

"hey, baby," he murmurs, voice low, casual, possessive.

your eyes widen. "jay?"

"who’s this?" jay asks, looking at the guy.

the guy blinks, glancing between the two of you. "uh, just—just a classmate."

jay smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. "cool. yeah. we gotta go, though."

you barely have time to say goodbye before jay is leading you away, his grip firm but gentle.

once you’re out of earshot, you elbow him. "what was that?"

jay shrugs. "didn’t like the way he was looking at you."

you roll your eyes. "you can’t just—"

he stops walking, turning to face you, eyes serious. "i know i don’t have the right," he admits. "but i don’t like it. i don’t like the idea of someone else thinking they can have you."

your breath catches.

"you’re mine," jay says, voice softer now. "right?"

you stare at him for a moment.

then, finally, you sigh, reaching up to flick his forehead.

"yeah," you mutter. "i’m yours."

jay grins, rubbing his forehead. "damn right."

heeseung and jake pretend to be disgusted.

"you’re whipped," jake says, shaking his head.

"nah, man, this is worse than we thought," heeseung adds. "he’s holding hands in public."

jay glares at them from across the table, but he doesn’t let go of your hand.

"you guys are just mad i have a functional love life," he says.

jake snorts. "yeah, sure. functional."

"bet he calls them ‘baby’ over text," heeseung whispers loudly.

jake gasps. "you think he—"

"shut up," jay groans.

you’re trying not to laugh. "do you?"

jay glares at you, but his ears are red. "i hate you."

you grin. "you love me."

jay rolls his eyes.

but then, under the table, he gives your hand a squeeze.

and you know—

even if he’ll never admit it out loud—

he really does.

—

you constantly look back and don’t know when you started believing him.

maybe it was the first time he held your hand without thinking, his fingers curling around yours so naturally, like he didn’t need to pretend anymore.

or maybe it was when he let you steal his hoodie, even though you were sure he’d never let anyone do that before.

or maybe—just maybe—it was when you saw the way he looked at you.

because it’s different now.

jay park, the guy who used to flirt with anyone just for fun, the guy who never stuck around, only looks at you.

"okay, but seriously," jake says, pointing a fry at jay. "how the hell did this happen?"

you’re sitting in the corner booth of a diner near campus, squeezed between jay and the wall. heeseung and jake are across from you, both staring like you’re some kind of unsolvable mystery.

jay takes a slow sip of his drink. "what do you mean?"

"you!" heeseung gestures wildly. "relationship jay. committed jay. ‘not flirting with every breathing human’ jay."

"it’s called growth," jay deadpans.

"it’s called ‘i fell first, and i fell hard,’" jake teases, smirking.

jay huffs. "whatever, man."

but he doesn’t deny it.

heeseung leans forward, grinning. "okay, but who confessed first?"

jay opens his mouth—

"me, obviously," you interrupt.

jay’s head snaps toward you. "what?"

you shrug. "you’re a coward. took you forever to admit you liked me."

jake laughs. "ohhh, he got you there."

jay glares at you, but you just smile, nudging his foot under the table.

you laugh, “joking, it’s complicated.”

heeseung rests his chin in his palm. "man, i never thought i’d see the day."

"what day?" you ask, amused.

"the day jay park became a simp."

jay groans, burying his face in his hands. "i hate all of you."

you pat his arm. "no, you don’t."

he exhales, tilting his head to look at you. his eyes soften.

"yeah," he murmurs. "i don’t."

—

later that night, after jay walks you back to your dorm, you linger outside the door.

he doesn’t leave right away.

instead, he leans against the wall, hands in his pockets, just looking at you.

you tilt your head. "what?"

jay hesitates, then exhales sharply.

"it’s weird," he mutters. "this whole time, i thought i had everything figured out. i thought i knew what i wanted. but then you came along, and suddenly, nothing made sense anymore."

your chest tightens.

"i didn’t get it at first," jay continues, eyes flickering to the ground. "why i got so annoyed when you ignored me. why i kept looking for you in every room. why i couldn’t flirt with anyone else without feeling like it was wrong."

he finally meets your gaze.

"but now i do."

your fingers tighten around the door handle, heartbeat loud in your ears.

"i don’t want to be the guy i was before," he murmurs. "not with you."

you swallow. "jay—"

"i know i’m not good at this," he cuts in. "i know i’m gonna mess up. i know i don’t deserve you."

his voice drops lower, almost hesitant. almost afraid.

"but i want to try. and i want you to let me."

for a moment, neither of you speak.

then, finally—

you sigh, shaking your head. "god, you’re such an idiot."

jay blinks. "huh?"