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Oct 23, 2025

enhanoir-deactivated20260321

★ eyes on you ⋮ a s.jaeyun fic

SIM JAEYUN, normally known as JAKE, is the kind of quiet that everyone underestimates. always with a book tucked under his arm, glasses sliding down his nose, trailing silently behind his loud, charismatic frat friends, jay, heeseung and sunghoon. people see him, maybe, but they don't really notice him. he only speaks to answer questions, sits aside when his friends throw parties, doesn't make waves. on the surface, he's harmless, predictable and almost forgettable. however, looks can be deceiving. beneath the calm, bookish exterior, there's something sharp, clever and magnetic about him. a quiet intensity that only reveals itself in fleeting moments — a glance that lingers too long. the jake everyone thinks they know is only part of the story. amidst your own circle of friends, your chaotic campus life, you've caught his attention. he notices things no one else does, remembers the small details you forget yourself, and moves through the world with an awareness that both unnerves and fascinates. the closer you look, the less harmless he seems — and the more impossible it becomes to look away.

⋆ warnings. this fic contains ... MDNI! ... nerd!jake, frat boys, possessive and obsessive behaviour, campus life, college au, stalking, mild psychological manipulation, slow burn, slight angst, jealousy, toxic behaviours, jake might be a little bipolar, 3 year age gap, reader and her friendgroup is in freshman year college while jake and the frats are in sophomore. overprotective jungwon (god i need him), love triangle(?), paranoid reader, masturbation, jake yearns (?).

⋆ w/c. 13.6k

⋆ a/n notes. this may be a little messy, this is my first time writing such a longass fic, so please bear with me! any feedback will help :) yes there'll be a part 2, pls reblog and like for support!

you never thought much when the name jake sim went around. at least not in the way people usually whispered about boys on campus. jake was the quiet one, always a step behind the infamous frat trio—heeseung, jay, and sunghoon.

heeseung dominated the court, jay lit up every party, and sunghoon had that aloof charm that drew people in without him even trying. and then there was jake. no one could quite figure out why he was with them. he wasn’t the athlete, the life of the party, or the effortless heartthrob. he was just… there. the harmless nerd, glasses sliding down his nose, who spent more time in the library than anywhere else.

your own campus life was simple, though not without chaos. you’d been part of a tight-knit circle for years—jungwon and yunjin, your childhood best friends since preschool. in high school, sunoo and ni-ki joined, and since then, the five of you stuck together into college. your group wasn’t the center of attention, but you were everywhere, always orbiting around each other. it was comfortable. it was love, in the simplest way.

“don’t you ever wonder how jake ended up with them?” yunjin muttered one afternoon, her gaze flicking toward the frat boys strolling into the cafeteria. their laughter carried across the room, loud and easy. and just as always, jake trailed behind, quiet and unreadable.

“no idea. but does anyone not get bored of eating kimchi?” sunoo groaned, lifting a piece with his chopsticks and making a face. “it’s not even fermented properly!”

you laughed softly at his complaint, shaking your head. but your eyes didn’t leave jake’s figure in the crowd.

“he kinda gives me… peeping tom vibes,” ni-ki said, his tone casual but laced with suspicion. “lowkey scary.”

jungwon nudged your side, eyes curious. “what do you think, y/nnie?”

you hesitated, watching the way jake’s head tilted when jay said something, the faint smile that tugged at his lips before disappearing again.

“…i think he’s… kinda cute,” you admitted quietly. “maybe… mysterious?”

⸝⸝

as lunch wrapped up, your group shuffled to return trays, the cafeteria buzzing with voices and the clatter of cutlery. everyone slowly scattered, each going their own way to class. you and jungwon fell into step together, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder as you both headed toward microbiology.

for a moment, the walk was easy. the late noon light spilled through the tall windows lining the hallway, catching dust in the air. jungwon hummed something under his breath, a tune you couldn’t quite catch, until you froze mid-step.

“agh, crap.” you pressed a hand to your forehead, groaning dramatically. “i forgot my textbook in my locker.”

jungwon blinked at you, stopping too. “seriously?”

“yeah,” you sighed, tugging at the strap of your bag. “i’ll go grab it real quick. i’ll meet you in class, wonnie, promise.”

he narrowed his eyes playfully, the corners of his lips tugging into a smile. “fine, but don’t take too long. professor cho hates latecomers.”

you waved him off with a roll of your eyes, already pivoting in the opposite direction. “i’ll be fast, chill.”

“mmhm, that’s what you always say,” jungwon called out as he turned back down the hall.

you lifted your arm high, giving him a thumbs-up without looking back. your footsteps echoed against the empty stretch of hallway now, the sound strangely louder without him beside you. as you rounded a corner, the noise of the cafeteria faded completely, replaced with a quieter hum of the building.

for just a second, you swore you felt it—that prickle at the back of your neck, like someone’s eyes lingering a little too long. you slowed, glancing over your shoulder. nothing but a stretch of empty hallway.

still, the knot in your stomach hadn’t quite eased as you kept walking.

⸝⸝

closing your locker with a soft clang, you nearly jumped out of your skin when you turned and found jay leaning casually against the one beside yours. his head tilted slightly, dark eyes catching yours as a boyish grin spread across his face.

“hey,” he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

for a split second, your brain blanked. you were close enough to catch the faint scent of his cologne—something fresh, almost addictive, and it made your stomach twist in ways you weren’t ready to unpack.

“h-hey?” the word stumbled out, a little breathless, a little too unsure.

jay chuckled lowly, amused by your reaction. “y/n, right?”

you nodded slowly, clutching your textbook tighter to your chest.

“i noticed you and your friends don’t really show up to the parties i throw,” he said smoothly, voice carrying that easy confidence he always seemed to wear. “was wondering if you guys would be interested in coming this saturday.” his grin sharpened, a flicker of mischief in his eyes like he already knew you’d say no.

your brows knit together as you tried to process the random invitation. “yeah, jay? uh… that’s probably because we’ve never actually received an invite.” you tilted your head, letting a small smirk slip. “not that we were expecting one. and, honestly, we’re not exactly frat-party people.”

jay’s lips quirked, and he shrugged as if he had been expecting that answer. “well, maybe that’s because you guys are always together. tight-knit. intimidating.” his smirk widened like he found the whole thing entertaining.

you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at him, though a grin tugged at your lips despite yourself. “we’ll think about it. no promises though.”

“that’s all i ask,” he replied smoothly, pulling his phone from his pocket and offering it to you. “maybe we can exchange numbers. just in case.”

your pulse kicked up a notch as you took his phone, quickly typing in your number and handing it back before your nerves could get the best of you. jay’s smirk softened into something more charming as he glanced at the screen, clearly satisfied.

without another word, you turned, clutching your textbook like a lifeline as you hurried down the hall toward your microbiology class. your heart thumped so loudly it almost drowned out the sound of your footsteps. you didn’t know what you’d say to jungwon when you got there—if you’d even say anything at all.

⸝⸝

“why’d you invite her?!” jake groaned, voice sharp as he dragged his hands down his face. he could feel the jealousy simmering under his skin, raw and ugly, at the thought of you smiling at jay the way you did earlier. that smile hadn’t been his yet—and that was what drove him insane.

jay only shrugged, leaning lazily against the whiteboard at the front of the empty classroom, arms crossed like he had all the time in the world. “because then you’ll finally be able to make your move, sim. you’ve been watching her for, what—almost a year now?” his tone dripped with sarcasm before he grinned, cocky as ever. “and best believe, if you don’t do something soon, i will.”

heeseung let out a low chuckle from where he sat on one of the desks, shaking his head at their back-and-forth. “god, you two sound ridiculous,” he muttered, though his amusement didn’t hide the hint of concern in his eyes.

sunghoon stretched out in his chair, smirk tugging at his lips. “nah, hyung’s right. jake, it’s getting kinda creepy, don’t you think? like—” he gestured loosely with his hands, “you know so much about her while she probably barely even remembers your name. that’s not a good look, man.”

heeseung raised a brow in agreement. “exactly. this whole thing… i don’t know. it feels off.”

“tsk.” jake clicked his tongue, yanking his glasses off and setting them on the desk beside him with more force than necessary. he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, irritation flashing in his dark eyes. “none of your business. unlike you guys, i’ve got better things to do than waste my brain cells on parties and hookups.”

“oh yeah?” sunghoon leaned forward, grin wicked. “better things like… stalking y/n? come on, bro. just confess already. i’m serious, it’s starting to get concerning. wouldn’t you rather she finds out because you told her, instead of, like—” he smirked wider, clearly enjoying himself, “you sneaking into her room one night, standing in the corner like some freak, and ending up behind bars?”

heeseung barked a laugh, but his eyes flicked to jake, searching for his reaction.

jake stayed quiet. his fingers toyed with the rim of his glasses, twisting them back and forth, jaw clenched tight. the other boys didn’t need to know everything—how much he already knew about you. the way he’d memorised your class schedule, the playlists you listened to when you studied, the little crease between your brows when you were annoyed, even the fact you still slept with your childhood blanket because you thought it helped with nightmares.

they didn’t need to know. because she was his. she just didn’t realise it yet.

⸝⸝

that afternoon, your dorm was filled with noise—half whining, half arguing—as your friends debated the same topic for the tenth time.

“no.” jungwon’s voice cut through the chatter, short and sharp. he stood with his arms crossed, his brows furrowed in that way that always made him look older than he actually was. he was the anchor of your group, the one who double-checked deadlines, walked everyone home, and kept chaos from spilling too far over the edge. he was the older brother you never had, and when he spoke like that, it usually meant the decision was final.

“but—” you tried, tilting your head, ready to argue.

“no buts, y/n.” his tone was firm, his frown unwavering. “it’s dangerous and reckless. we’re barely into our freshman year, and you want us to risk our grades and our conduct just to get drunk at some frat party? no way.”

sunoo, sprawled across your bed with his legs kicked up, nodded without looking away from his phone. “i agree with jungwon. walking into a party like that? we’ll get crushed the second we step through the door. besides, i don’t need drunk strangers spilling beer on me. or worse—sweating on me.” he caught his reflection in his glittery phone case and gave a satisfied sigh.

“but it could be fun,” yunjin chimed in, dramatic pout on her lips as she nudged jungwon’s arm. “come on, wonnie, you need to loosen up a little. we can check it out, and if it’s lame, we’ll leave. no big deal.”

ni-ki, sitting cross-legged on the floor, shrugged like it didn’t matter much either way. “i mean, it could be interesting. we don’t have to stay the whole night.”

you folded your arms, trying your best puppy-eyed look. “besides… i don’t want to look like a total loser turning jay down. please, wonnie—just this once?” you grabbed his arm and shook it, your voice playful but hopeful.

jungwon’s eyes flicked to yours, and for a moment you saw the hesitation in them. his frown faltered, the corners of his mouth tugging downward in conflict. he wanted to protect you, to protect all of you—but he also hated the way your eyes lit up when you pleaded with him.

he let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair before finally giving in. “f-fine. just this once, okay? but if anything goes wrong, i’m pulling the plug. we’re done with parties until we graduate. no arguments.”

you and yunjin shrieked at the same time, throwing your arms around him in victory. he muttered something under his breath about you two being impossible, but you caught the small smile tugging at his lips.

sunoo’s eyes widened at jungwon’s failed attempt at being stern, clearly unimpressed. “i cannot believe this. we’re actually going.” he groaned, flopping dramatically onto his back.

jungwon only gave him a helpless smile, half-apology, half-resignation.

“guess we’re really doing this,” ni-ki said with a grin, already pulling out his phone. “let’s hope it’s worth the drama.”

you giggled and reached for your phone which sat nicely at the nightstand next to your bed, to inform jay that you guys were coming.

y/n🐇: hey jay! this is y/n y/n🐇: the friend group said yes to the party

jay: hey y/n! jay: awesome! jay: the party will be at xxx-xxx, from 6pm - midnight :) jay: dress nice and see u guys there

“okay, now all that’s left is…” you smirked, tapping your chin dramatically.

“shopping!!!” you, yunjin, and sunoo shouted in unison before bursting into giggles. the three of you clung to each other, laughing like little kids as if you hadn’t just convinced jungwon into something he swore he’d never allow.

jungwon groaned but couldn’t help smiling at the sight, shaking his head in defeat. ni-ki chuckled quietly beside him, already predicting the chaos that was bound to come with dragging everyone through the mall.

⸝⸝

“she said yes.”

jay’s smirk stretched wider as he lounged on the couch, legs sprawled across the cushions like he owned the entire living room.

sunghoon looked up from his phone, brow raised. “who said what?”

“y/n,” jay said simply, like the name itself was enough to explain everything. “she and her friends are coming to the party this saturday.”

at the mention of your name, jake’s head snapped up. his attention slipped so fast that heeseung—who had been locked in a heated round of their video game—took the chance to score the winning point.

“yes!! hah, i won! you’re doing the dishes, nerd!” heeseung cheered, fist-pumping the air.

but jake barely flinched. the controller slipped from his hands onto the cushion beside him, his eyes glazed over as the words sank in. you had agreed. you were coming to their world.

since when were you interested in parties? since when did jay have the privilege of inviting you? and the way jay had said it—so smug—it meant the two of you had already been talking. maybe even texting. the thought clawed at his chest.

he didn’t notice how hard his jaw was clenched until heeseung snapped his fingers in front of his face.

“earth to jake?” heeseung’s voice cut through the haze.

jake blinked, dragging his eyes away from the carpet he’d been burning holes into. “what?”

heeseung gave him a suspicious look before leaning back, letting it go.

jake leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at nothing in particular. his friends didn’t know the way his thoughts were spiraling—how quickly curiosity twisted into jealousy, and jealousy into something darker. the idea of you walking into their party, laughing with your friends, maybe smiling at jay the same way you had in the hallway—he couldn’t stand it.

not when that smile should’ve been his. not when your eyes should only be on him.

⸝⸝

that night, after your friends had drifted back to their dorms one by one, the silence of your room felt heavier than usual. you grabbed your towel and slipped off to the showers, letting the cold water wash away the heat of the day.

your thoughts wandered the way they always did when you had a moment to yourself. you pictured the frat house—jay and his friends’ place that everyone whispered about on campus. it wasn’t just a house, it was a whole world of its own. jay’s dad was loaded, so of course the place looked more like a luxury apartment than a frat boy pad. jake, sunghoon, and heeseung had practically moved in with him years ago, and together they became the infamous frat brothers.

but even with all that flashing through your head—the parties, the alcohol, the noise—your mind always circled back to jake.

there was something about him that clung to you, tugged at you in ways you couldn’t explain. he wasn’t loud like the others. he wasn’t the center of every room. he was quiet—almost too quiet—but his presence was sharp, like there was more to him than anyone could see. sometimes you’d catch yourself staring during lectures, imagining him without his glasses, wondering what kind of person he was when no one else was looking. something about him felt… dangerous, but not in a way that scared you. in a way that pulled you in.

by the time you stepped out of the shower and into your pajamas, your thoughts still hummed with the image of him—his smirk, the faint intensity in his eyes when you’d accidentally caught his gaze earlier.

you pushed open your dorm room door, ready to flop into bed. but the second you stepped inside, your body froze.

the air felt different. colder. a subtle shift that made your skin prickle. you shut the door slowly behind you, eyes darting around the room. everything looked the same—your desk stacked with books, the blanket draped over your chair, the fairy lights you’d strung across the wall. but something felt… off.

that was when you noticed it. the faintest trace of cologne lingering in the air. not the floral sweetness of yunjin’s perfume, not the clean citrus of sunoo’s body spray, not even the faint woody musk jungwon and ni-ki sometimes wore. this was different. richer. darker.

your chest tightened.

you moved toward the light switch, fingers trembling as you flicked it on. the room glowed with the soft yellow light, revealing nothing out of place. your books sat where you left them. your bag was untouched. your bed was neatly made.

still—you knew. someone had been here.

the thought gnawed at you until your chest ached. clutching your phone tightly, you rushed out of your dorm, heart racing in your ears as your feet carried you down the hall to the one person who’d always made you feel safe.

you knocked urgently, panic written all over your face, and the door swung open to reveal jungwon, his hair mussed like he’d been about to sleep.

the second his eyes landed on you, his expression shifted. gone was the irritation of being disturbed; in its place was pure concern. he stepped aside without hesitation, letting you in.

“y/n? what’s wrong, baby?” he asked softly, his tone threaded with worry as he shut the door behind you.

you clutched your arms around yourself, your voice shaking. “i feel it again, wonnie. that feeling—like someone’s in my room. i swear someone was in there. i smelt a men's perfume and it wasn't yours, or sunoo's or ni-ki's.” your words cracked as a sob slipped out.

jungwon’s face fell, his brows pulling together in a deep frown. this wasn’t the first time. you’d shown up at his door like this before, pale and trembling, convinced someone had slipped into your dorm when you weren’t there. every time, he told you it was your imagination. every time, he checked just to be sure.

he sighed softly, pulling you into a hug, his hand stroking the back of your head as you buried your face into his shoulder. “it’s okay. you’re safe. rest here on my bed for a bit, yeah? i’ll go check your room again.”

his voice was calm, steady—just the way it always was when you needed him.

you nodded against his chest, too exhausted to argue, letting him guide you to his bed.

jungwon lingered for a second, watching you curl up beneath his blanket, before slipping out into the hall. his jaw was tight, worry etched across his face as he made his way toward your dorm.

he didn’t know what scared him more: the idea of you being paranoid for no reason… or the possibility that you weren’t imagining it at all.

after inspecting your dorm, he came back only to see your sleeping figure tucked under his blanket.

the steady rise and fall of your chest reassured him, but that tight knot of unease in his stomach refused to loosen. he hated seeing you like this—scared, paranoid, constantly second-guessing your own safety. the fact that you had come running to him again only solidified how deep the fear had gotten under your skin.

he dragged a hand through his hair, conflicted. part of him wanted to march straight to the higher ups, to demand a proper check on the dorms, maybe even alert campus security. there were also times where he wanted to tell the friend group but then he remembered the way you had gripped his arm the last time he suggested it, pleading with those wide, desperate eyes. “please, wonnie. don’t tell them. they’ll just think i’m crazy.”

and so he didn’t. again.

quietly, he stepped into the room and pulled the blanket higher over your shoulders. his thumb brushed over your temple gently, brushing away a stray strand of damp hair. you murmured something incoherent in your sleep, turning your face into the pillow. jungwon’s heart squeezed.

he sat on the couch at the corner of his room, not wanting to crowd you.

that perfume smell you had described earlier… he had caught the faintest trace of it too while checking your dorm. it wasn’t strong, just enough to linger, but it wasn’t yours. and it wasn’t any of your friends’ either. the thought made his jaw clench.

for a long while, he sat in the dim glow of his lamp, mind turning. he didn’t believe in coincidences, not when it came to you. someone had been there. someone was watching.

and whoever it was, jungwon was determined to find out before you lost any more sleep over it.

he just hoped he wasn’t already too late.

⸝⸝

back at the frat house, jake stumbled through the quiet halls, face tight with frustration. the house was quiet and dimly lit, he assumed that his friends were asleep. why did you keep running back to jungwon? what did jungwon have that he didn’t?

he slipped into his room and locked the door behind him, the dim light of the single lamp casting long shadows across the walls. he dropped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling, replaying the memory of your frightened expression. there was something about the way you clutched your arms, the small tremor in your hands… it made his chest tighten.

his fingers absentmindedly toyed with the small item he had taken from your dorm earlier—a simple token of yours, something you probably didn’t even notice was missing. he held it, smelling the faint trace of your arousal that lingered on it, a reminder that you were yours in some way, even if only in his mind.

the obsession clawed at him, unrelenting. he thought about the way you looked at jay, how easily you smiled at others, and a cold knot of jealousy twisted in his gut. he imagined being near you, close enough to protect you, to be the one you turned to, even if you didn’t know it yet.

he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to breathe. he needed to be patient. he needed to wait. but every thought of you made the wait unbearable, every memory of your laugh or your glance like a spark he couldn’t ignore. he took of his glasses and set them on the nightstand. the smell of your arousal making his pants tighten. he let out the softest whimper as he imagined you straddling him, grinding against his manhood. he stared at the pink lacy underwear that had been used and thrown into your laundry basket. he had stolen yet another pair. he just couldn't get enough of you. his hand reached the hem of his sweats, pulling them down as he took his already hard and leaking cock.

the idea of you turned him on so badly. he wrapped your underwear around his cock, feeling the lace tighten around his length. letting out breathy moan, he started jerking off slowly, feeling the blood gushing to his leaking mushroom tip. his eyes closed and his face contort with pleasure, imagining that your hands were the ones touching him. with every thought of you touching him and letting him do whatever he wants to you, it further encouraged him to go faster.

⸝⸝

the next morning, you woke up feeling groggy from the previous night. your eyes fluttered open to the soft light spilling through the blinds. you hadn’t realized that you’d fallen asleep in jungwon’s bed until the scent of his detergent reached you. guilt quickly filled your chest as your gaze drifted to jungwon’s sleeping figure on the couch. he was curled up uncomfortably, one arm thrown over his face to block out the light. you hadn’t meant to intrude. you told yourself that every time. every time you came running back to him. every time he let you in. you felt like a burden, a weight he was too kind to shake off.

“y/n? you’re awake?” jungwon’s sleepy voice cut through the quiet. his eyes blinked open slowly, still heavy with sleep.

your lips trembled and before you could stop yourself, tears welled up in your eyes. you started sobbing again, the guilt crashing over you like a wave. “i’m sorry,” you muttered between shaky breaths. “i’m so sorry, wonnie…”

the sound of your voice made him sit up immediately. he swung his legs off the couch and hurried to your side, his hands gentle as they found your back. “hey, hey… it’s okay,” he murmured softly, rubbing slow circles between your shoulder blades.

“i didn’t mean to—”

“shhh. you didn’t do anything wrong,” he whispered, his voice steady despite his own tiredness. “you’re safe. i’ve got you.”

jungwon’s presence wrapped around you like a blanket. even though the weight of guilt pressed hard against your chest, the warmth of his touch soothed it, just a little.

afterwards, you guys quickly got up and got ready for your classes. jungwon had insisted on walking you back to your dorm first, making sure you packed your bag properly before the two of you headed out together. when you finally met up with the rest of the friend group, their voices filled the air like usual—light, familiar, comforting. but the moment they saw your swollen eyes, the mood shifted.

yunjin didn’t even hesitate. she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around you in a warm hug. “oh my god, y/n… what happened?” she whispered against your hair.

ni-ki and sunoo exchanged worried glances before turning their attention to jungwon, their faces full of concern. “was something wrong? did something happen last night?” sunoo asked, his voice quieter than usual. ni-ki frowned, his brows furrowed, clearly waiting for an explanation.

jungwon’s eyes softened, but his lips pressed into a firm line. he placed a protective hand on your shoulder, steadying you before speaking. “she’s okay. it was just… a rough night,” he said carefully, his tone leaving no room for more questions.

you bit down on your lip, guilt flooding you again as the others looked at you with worry. yunjin squeezed your hand, and sunoo reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, his way of showing comfort without prying. ni-ki tilted his head, watching you closely, like he was trying to piece together the puzzle jungwon wasn’t sharing.

“you don’t have to tell us anything if you don’t want to,” yunjin said softly, her eyes kind but firm. “just know we’ve got you, okay?”

you nodded, forcing a small smile, even though the unease from last night still lingered deep in your chest.

⸝⸝

saturday quickly came around. you, yunjin, and sunoo were squeezed into yunjin’s dorm room, clothes and makeup scattered across the floor as you got ready for the party. laughter echoed off the walls as yunjin tried on yet another dress, sunoo complaining that you two were taking too long while still fussing over his own hair in the mirror.

meanwhile, in the common lounge down the hall, jungwon and ni-ki sat on the worn-out couch, waiting. jungwon tapped his foot impatiently, his arms crossed tight over his chest. ni-ki scrolled through his phone, clearly just as restless but far less concerned.

“you guys sure about this party?” jungwon finally asked, breaking the silence. the concern and hesitation in his voice were written all over his face.

ni-ki glanced up from his phone, smirking. “hyung, you’ve been asking that for like the tenth time. relax. it’s just a party.”

jungwon frowned. “that’s what you think. i’ve heard things about these frat parties. fights, drunk people passing out, god knows what else—”

“jungwon.” ni-ki cut him off with a raised eyebrow. “you sound like an eighty-year-old dad.”

jungwon groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “i just don’t want anything happening to them. especially y/n.”

as if on cue, the dorm door swung open and you three finally stepped out. yunjin was grinning ear to ear, sunoo was posing dramatically like he was walking down a runway, and you… you felt heat creep up your cheeks when jungwon’s eyes lingered on you.

“well?” yunjin twirled. “do we look party-ready or what?”

ni-ki let out a low whistle. “not bad. you’ll definitely turn heads.”

jungwon, however, only sighed, his expression torn between admiration and worry. “you look… fine,” he said softly, the word fine carrying so much more weight than he intended.

sunoo clapped his hands together, breaking the moment. “okay, okay, enough with the staring contest. let’s get going before all the good music dies out!”

you laughed, brushing past jungwon as you adjusted your bag strap. you caught the way he frowned slightly, like he wanted to stop you, but he didn’t. instead, he trailed after the group quietly, his unease following you like a shadow.

⸝⸝

over at the frat house, the atmosphere was already electric. bass-heavy music boomed from the speakers as jay moved around the living room, adjusting lights and checking on the drinks. he thrived in this environment, already texting half the campus to remind them that his party was the only place to be tonight.

heeseung lounged on the couch, lazily tossing a ping pong ball into a red cup across the room with ridiculous accuracy. “you’ve outdone yourself, jay,” he drawled. “again.”

sunghoon leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping on a beer like he owned the place, his sharp eyes scanning the setup with mild approval. “it’s whatever. let’s just hope the cops don’t show up this time.”

“cops only show up if someone’s dumb enough to fight on the lawn,” jay shot back with a grin. “and i’m not planning on letting that happen.”

jake sat a little apart from them, hunched over in one of the armchairs with his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose. his hands clenched and unclenched against his knees, trying to mask the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

“they’re on the way,” jay announced suddenly, checking his phone. he flashed a triumphant smirk at jake. “y/n and her friends.”

heeseung raised his brows, tossing another ball effortlessly into the cup. “wow, never thought they'd actually say yes.”

“guess even the straight-laced ones want a little fun sometimes,” sunghoon added, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

jake’s jaw tightened at their words. straight-laced? innocent? they didn’t know you like he did. they didn’t know the way your lips curved when you were nervous, or how you twisted your fingers when you lied, or the way your laugh hitched just slightly when you were holding something back. they didn’t know that sometimes you left your window cracked open at night, or that you always set your alarm five minutes earlier than necessary but still snoozed it twice.

they didn’t know—but he did.

“you should be excited, sim,” jay teased, nudging his leg with his foot. “this is your shot.”

jake pushed his glasses up and forced a smirk, though his stomach burned with something darker than excitement. “don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice low enough that it almost got lost under the music. “i’ve been waiting for this.” he leaned back in the chair, but his hands tightened into fists again. tonight, he’d finally have you right where he wanted you.

the moment you and your friends reached the frat house, the music was already thumping through the walls, heavy bass rattling the windows. people spilled out onto the lawn, cups in hand, laughter and shouting carrying into the night. it felt like stepping into another world, one that was louder, brighter, and far less forgiving than the campus you knew during the day.

yunjin practically skipped up the porch steps, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “oh my god, this is it,” she squealed, tugging at your wrist. “we’re finally at one of jay’s legendary parties!”

sunoo rolled his eyes but followed close behind, clutching his phone in one hand. “legendary for noise complaints and beer stains, maybe.” still, his gaze darted curiously around the packed hallway as the door opened to let a group of people out.

jungwon lingered at the back of the group, his shoulders tense. his eyes flicked from the chaotic crowd to you, his jaw tight. he didn’t say a word, but his disapproval was written all over his face.

ni-ki, on the other hand, slipped right inside, already blending into the energy like he’d been to a hundred of these before. “come on, it’s not that bad,” he called back with a grin. “live a little, hyung.”

you hesitated at the threshold, your hand tightening around the strap of your bag. the lights inside were dim, shifting colors from a cheap party bulb strung up in the corner. laughter, shouting, music—it all hit you at once. overwhelming, but intoxicating too.

before you could overthink it, yunjin dragged you in, weaving through the crowd like she’d been waiting her whole life for this.

across the room, jake saw you the second you stepped inside.

his friends were scattered around—the frat trio already in their element—but jake’s gaze was fixed on you, unblinking. the way you looked around nervously, the way your lips parted as you tried to take it all in, the way you stayed close to yunjin but still held yourself with that soft edge of caution—he drank it all in like he’d been starving.

jay noticed, of course. he clapped jake on the shoulder with a knowing grin. “there she is.”

but jake barely reacted. he didn’t smile. he didn’t speak. he only adjusted his glasses, leaning forward slightly in his seat.

watching. waiting.

like the night had only just begun.

yunjin was the first to spot them, her hand shooting out to grab your arm. “look, over there.”

you followed her gaze and sure enough, jay, heeseung, sunghoon, and jake were gathered near the kitchen. jay had a drink in hand, laughing at something sunghoon said, while heeseung leaned casually against the counter, chatting with a girl who was clearly trying too hard to get his attention. jake stood a little apart, as always, shoulders relaxed but eyes scanning the room.

your breath caught when his gaze brushed over yours. you thought it would pass, like it always did, but it didn’t. his eyes lingered—steady, unreadable.

“uh-oh,” sunoo muttered, narrowing his eyes. “we’ve entered enemy territory.”

“don’t be so dramatic,” yunjin scolded, smoothing down her dress. “they’re just guys. frat guys. totally normal.”

“normal?” jungwon scoffed, his tone low and skeptical. “normal doesn’t usually hang around people like jay.”

before anyone could respond, jay’s voice cut through the noise. “hey! you made it.”

he moved toward your group with that easy confidence of his, grin wide as he handed his drink to someone else mid-step. heeseung and sunghoon glanced up at his call, both subtly curious, while jake didn’t move at all—except for the faint tilt of his head, eyes still locked on you.

“glad you came,” jay said, his gaze sweeping over your group before landing on you with a spark of mischief. “wasn’t sure if you’d show.”

“we almost didn’t,” jungwon muttered, crossing his arms.

jay raised a brow, amused. “ah, the up-tight one. you must be jungwon.”

jungwon’s glare sharpened. “and you must be the troublemaker.”

heeseung chuckled from across the counter. “he’s got you pegged, jay.”

sunghoon smirked, sipping his beer. “so this is the friend group.” his tone was teasing, but his eyes flicked over each of you like he was taking stock.

ni-ki stepped forward, smirking. “and you’re the infamous frat boys.”

“infamous sounds harsh,” jay shot back smoothly. “we’re really just good hosts.”

sunoo snorted. “good hosts who probably can’t even clean up after themselves.”

that earned a laugh from heeseung, who raised his cup in mock salute. “fair enough.”

the air buzzed with a strange mix of tension and curiosity, everyone subtly sizing each other up.

but while your friends traded quips and jabs with the frat boys, your eyes drifted—back to jake. he still hadn’t said a word. still hadn’t moved. just stood there, watching. and when your gaze accidentally met his again, you swore you saw it: the faintest trace of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

you felt the noise of the party closing in, everyone slipping into their own pockets of chatter and energy. jungwon was still locked in some heated bicker with jay across the room, his tone sharp even as jay grinned like he was enjoying every second. sunoo and ni-ki had gotten pulled into a rapid-fire conversation with sunghoon, their voices rising with laughter at something you couldn’t catch. yunjin had vanished altogether—probably off making friends with strangers like she always did.

that left you.

you shifted uncomfortably, leaning against the cool edge of the kitchen counter. the condensation from an abandoned cup dripped near your elbow, the bass from the speakers making your chest hum. for a moment, you debated just slipping outside for some air—until you noticed him.

jake stood nearby, a little removed from the chaos, his back half-turned as though he was trying to make himself smaller. his hands fidgeted with the rim of his cup, eyes cast low, glasses catching the flicker of the colored lights.

before you could second-guess yourself, you pushed off the counter and closed the gap between you.

“hey,” you said softly, your voice almost lost in the noise.

jake’s head snapped up, his eyes widening like you’d startled him. “o-oh… hey.” he blinked quickly, adjusting his glasses with a clumsy push up the bridge of his nose.

you tilted your head, studying him. “you don’t… really look like you want to be here.”

he let out a short, awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “yeah, uh… parties aren’t really my thing. i’m just here ‘cause, you know… friends.” his eyes flicked toward jay and heeseung for half a second before darting back down to his cup.

something about the way he stumbled over his words made your lips curve. “same. honestly, i feel kinda out of place.”

his gaze lifted again, slower this time, like he was trying to read you. “really? you don’t seem like it.”

you shrugged, resting your hands behind you on the counter. “guess i’m just good at pretending.”

for a beat, the two of you stood there in the hum of the party, the noise fading just slightly between you. jake shifted again, his shoulders tense, but his lips twitched into a small smile.

you didn’t push him after that, letting the silence sit for a moment. the music thumped, voices swelled and cracked around you, but here with him it felt… quieter. calmer.

⸝⸝

with the heavy bass rattling the walls and the laughter of drunken students echoing through the house, you barely noticed how you’d been pulled into a circle on the living room floor. one minute you were leaning against the counter with a drink in hand, and the next you were seated cross-legged on a carpet that smelled faintly of spilled beer and cologne. somewhere along the way, your group of friends and the frat boys had merged together—two separate worlds colliding for the sake of “fun.”

you ended up between jungwon and jay, the warmth of jungwon’s shoulder brushing yours as he shifted uncomfortably beside you. directly across the circle sat jake, his presence impossible to ignore even in the chaos of bodies and noise. his dark eyes caught yours for the briefest second, and you quickly looked away, pretending to adjust your sleeve.

“alright,” heeseung said suddenly, his grin too wide for comfort. “let’s make this interesting. truth or dare.”

you groaned immediately, throwing your head back. “seriously? that’s literally how every horror movie starts—friend group plays a stupid game, and boom, half of them don’t make it out alive.”

sunghoon leaned forward, his smirk smug and amused. “what, are you scared?”

“no,” you shot back, frowning as you tugged at the hem of your top. “just… cautious. there’s a difference.”

a couple of people chuckled, but your gaze was drawn back across the circle when you caught movement. jake, who had been quiet ever since your brief conversation earlier in the night, was smiling. it wasn’t big or showy, just a small curl of his lips, subtle enough to make your stomach tighten.

“come on,” his voice cut through the music, steady yet playful. “it wouldn’t hurt to play.”

jungwon immediately tensed at your side, his jaw tightening as his eyes darted toward jake. “since when do you even care about this stuff?” jungwon asked, his tone skeptical, almost protective.

jake didn’t flinch. in fact, he leaned back a little, his posture relaxed, like he was enjoying the attention. “thought i’d join in the fun tonight,” he said, his smile spreading wider. it was strange—almost unsettling—because it wasn’t the shy, reserved demeanor you were used to seeing from him. this jake looked like someone entirely different.

“so, who's going first?”

⸝⸝

you couldn’t remember how many rounds of truth or dare had gone by or how many drinks you’d had. everything was a blur — the music, the laughter, were fading into the background. your head felt heavy, your thoughts slow, and your body warm.

you barely registered how you ended up in the pantry — small, dimly lit, the smell of cheap liquor and something faintly sweet in the air. your back pressed against the cool counter, breath hitching when jake stepped closer, his hands tentative but certain as they found your waist.

it happened so fast, and yet it felt slow. your fingers tangled in his hair, his breath hitched against your lips, and before you knew it, you were kissing him — messy, unsteady, desperate. your knees felt weak, so you grabbed onto him for balance, and he pulled you closer like he couldn’t help himself.

his lips moved like he’d thought about this for a long time. and he had. every time he deepened the kiss, you felt yourself getting lost in the warmth of it — his scent, the faint taste of alcohol, the way his hand trembled slightly against your skin as if he was holding himself back.

when you finally broke apart, gasping for air, his forehead rested against yours. his voice was rough, barely a whisper.

“f-fuck, y/n…” he breathed, chest rising and falling.

you blinked up at him, heart racing. there was something in his eyes you hadn’t seen before — not just hunger, but something darker, something that made your stomach twist.

the moment hung between you, your breaths tangled, lips still tingling when a sudden knock on the pantry door broke the silence.

“seven minutes are over,” came a voice from outside — jungwon.

you froze instantly, and jake only chuckled under his breath, the sound low and smug. he pressed one last kiss against your lips, softer this time, almost teasing, before pulling away to fix his shirt.

you ran your hands through your hair, trying to calm your heartbeat, though your reflection in the microwave’s glass door gave you away — flushed cheeks, swollen lips, complete chaos.

“oh my god,” you whispered, staring at him. “i can’t believe that just happened.”

jake’s smirk deepened, and he tilted his head, looking far too composed for someone who had just kissed you breathless.

“believe it, sweetheart,” he murmured, voice low.

taking a deep breath, you pushed the pantry door open — only to be greeted by jungwon’s unimpressed face. behind him, the rest of your friends were wearing matching grins, eyes glinting with amusement.

“so,” jay teased, arms crossed. “did the pantry survive?”

you groaned, hiding your face in your hands as laughter broke out around you. jungwon just kept quiet, while jake slipped past him, the ghost of a grin still on his face.

before you could even think of saying anything to defend yourself, jungwon’s hand wrapped gently around your wrist. his grip wasn’t harsh, but it was firm enough to make your stomach drop.

“we’re going back,” he said quietly, tone flat but tight with frustration.

“w–what? now?” you asked, still a little dazed, glancing back at your friends who were still laughing, the music pulsing in the background.

jungwon didn’t answer right away. his jaw clenched as he looked away from you, eyes flicking briefly toward jake — who stood across the room, leaning casually against the wall, watching. that same small, knowing smirk tugged at his lips, and it made jungwon’s frown deepen.

“yeah. now.”

the rest of your group must’ve caught on, because sunoo and ni-ki stopped their chatter mid-laugh. yunjin raised a brow, exchanging glances with jay, clearly confused by the sudden tension.

“we’re heading out,” jungwon said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

you sighed, guilt crawling up your chest. you knew that tone. jungwon wasn’t just annoyed — he was disappointed.

as you walked past jake, you could feel his eyes on you, lingering, heavy. you tried not to look at him, tried not to think about the taste of his lips still on yours. but you couldn’t help it — you glanced once, and he caught your gaze instantly, the corner of his mouth twitching like he knew exactly what you were thinking. you tore your eyes away and followed jungwon out the door. the night air hit your skin, cold and sobering.

he didn’t say a word the entire walk back to the dorms. just quiet footsteps, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, jaw tight.

when you finally reached the dorm building, you stopped and turned to him, unsure of what to say.

“wonnie, i—”

“don’t,” he said, voice low. “not tonight, y/n.”

and with that, he walked off toward his room, leaving you standing there — heart heavy, mind reeling, and jake’s smirk burned behind your eyelids.

⸝⸝

the next morning came too quickly. sunlight bled through your curtains, stabbing at your eyes and forcing you awake. your head throbbed, your mouth was dry, and every memory from the night before came crashing back all at once.

you groaned and rolled over, burying your face into the pillow as if you could hide from the guilt clawing at your chest. you hadn’t meant for things to spiral like that. it just… happened.

by the time you dragged yourself out of bed and got ready, the dorm hall was already alive with noise. you found your friends in the common lounge — yunjin scrolling on her phone, ni-ki half-asleep on the couch, and sunoo sipping an iced coffee.

jungwon was there too. but he didn’t look up when you walked in.

“morning,” you greeted softly, trying to sound normal.

“morning,” yunjin smiled. “feeling better?”

you nodded. “yeah, a little. last night was… a lot.”

“that’s an understatement,” ni-ki muttered, earning a snort from sunoo.

jungwon stayed silent. his arms were crossed, his gaze fixed on something outside the window. the coldness in his demeanor made your chest tighten.

you bit your lip, debating whether to speak to him privately or just let it go. before you could decide, your phone buzzed.

unknown number: morning, sunshine. sleep well?

you frowned, unlocking your phone.

unknown number: it’s jake. thought i should check in. you looked a little dizzy when you left last night.

your stomach flipped. you hadn’t given him your number — at least, you didn’t remember doing so. your eyes darted across the table, but everyone seemed preoccupied.

you quickly typed back:

y/n🐇: how did you get my number?

his reply came instantly.

jake: i’ve got my ways ;)

you stared at the screen, uneasy but curious. your pulse quickened, though you weren’t sure if it was because of nerves… or something else.

jungwon stood abruptly, breaking your thoughts. “i’m heading to class,” he muttered, not looking at you.

“wonnie—”

“i’ll see you later,” he cut in, slinging his bag over his shoulder and walking out.

the silence he left behind was deafening.

and you hated that all you could think about was jake’s message — and the strange mix of thrill and dread that came with it.

yunjin watched the door close behind jungwon, then turned to you with a look that said everything without needing words.

“you should probably go after him,” she said gently, setting her phone down.

you froze. “what? no—he clearly doesn’t want to talk right now.”

“that’s exactly why you should,” sunoo chimed in, arching a brow. “if you leave him to stew in his own thoughts, he’s just gonna assume the worst.”

ni-ki peeked from under his blanket, his voice groggy. “yeah, he looked pissed. like, ‘ready to delete jake from existence’ pissed.”

“ni-ki!” yunjin hissed, smacking his arm.

“what? i’m being honest!” he mumbled, rubbing the spot. “the guy’s quiet, but that silence was… dangerous. he's been mad at me before, i swear he's scary.”

you groaned, sinking into the couch. “i didn’t plan for that to happen, okay? it just—”

“—happened?” sunoo finished, crossing his arms. “y/n, you literally disappeared into the pantry with jake for seven minutes straight. that’s not a ‘just happened’ situation.”

you gave him a glare, cheeks burning. “it was a seven minutes in heaven dare! which i might add, was given by jay!”

“mhm. and what about that look you two shared when you came out?” yunjin teased lightly, though her tone softened when she saw your face fall. “hey, i’m not judging. i’m just saying… jungwon definitely noticed it. and he didn’t take it well.”

silence hung for a moment before she sighed. “you and him… you’ve always been, uhm, close. i think you owe him a talk. even if it’s awkward.”

sunoo nodded, setting down his cup. “yeah. clear things up before rumors do it for you.”

ni-ki lifted a hand lazily. “and if he’s mad, just say it wasn’t that deep. easy.”

you scoffed. “yeah, because jungwon’s totally the type to believe that.”

they all looked at you knowingly, and your stomach sank.

you exhaled slowly, grabbing your phone and standing up. “fine. i’ll talk to him.”

“good,” yunjin smiled. “before he starts plotting jake’s funeral.”

sunoo grinned. “too late for that, i think.”

you rolled your eyes, ignoring the teasing as you walked toward the door, heart pounding. jungwon wasn’t just a friend. he was like an older brother — steady, protective, always the calm in your chaos.

and last night… you might’ve just broken something you couldn’t fix.

⸝⸝

you left the dorm building and made your way toward campus, heart pounding with every step. the morning air was crisp, but it did nothing to cool the heat of anxiety rising in your chest. you replayed everything over and over — the party, the looks, the kiss — wishing you could take it all back.

as you entered the school building, your eyes scanned the hallway until you spotted him — jungwon, standing by his locker, talking to one of his classmates. he looked calm, too calm, the kind of calm that comes right before a storm.

you hesitated for a moment, your feet almost refusing to move. but you forced yourself forward anyway, your pulse thrumming in your ears.

“hey, won… can we talk?” you asked, voice small but steady enough to catch his attention.

jungwon’s head turned toward you slowly. his expression didn’t change — still guarded, unreadable. he muttered something to his classmate, who gave a quick nod before leaving the two of you alone in the hallway.

he crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the locker. his eyes flicked to you for only a second before looking away, as if the sight of you made it harder for him to stay composed.

you swallowed hard, the weight of guilt pressing against your chest. “i’m sorry,” you breathed out, barely above a whisper.

the silence that followed felt deafening. he didn’t respond immediately — just stared at the floor, his jaw tightening for a moment before he finally exhaled.

“you don’t have to apologize,” he said quietly, though his tone didn’t match his words. it was strained, clipped, like he was trying too hard to sound unaffected.

“no, i do,” you insisted softly. “i didn’t mean for any of that to happen last night. i wasn’t thinking straight, and—”

“you weren’t thinking,” he cut you off, his voice firmer now. “yeah, i noticed.”

his words stung, but you couldn’t even blame him. you’d hurt him — maybe not intentionally, but it still happened.

“wonnie, please,” you said, stepping closer. “it wasn’t what it looked like, okay? it was a stupid dare, and i—”

he finally looked at you then, his gaze sharp, but there was something else in it — something vulnerable. “you think that makes it better?”

you froze, unsure how to respond.

“you could’ve said no,” he continued, his voice low but trembling slightly. “you always say no when it’s something you don’t want to do. but you didn’t.”

you blinked, guilt clawing its way up your throat. “i know. i just… i don’t know what came over me.”

jungwon let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “yeah. me neither. i knew we all shouldn't have agreed to this stupid party. it's my fault for letting this happen.”

the silence stretched again, heavy and painful. you wanted to reach out, to grab his hand, to make him understand, to tell him it wasn't his fault — but something in his posture told you to stay where you were.

finally, you whispered, “i’m sorry, jungwon. really.”

he sighed, running a hand through his hair, his expression softening just a little. “yeah… i know.”

but the distance between you still felt like miles.

jungwon’s shoulders rose and fell in a quiet sigh, his jaw working as if he were biting back a dozen things he wanted to say but couldn’t. for a long moment, neither of you spoke — only the faint hum of students passing by filled the air.

finally, he exhaled and looked up at you. his eyes were softer now, but there was something tired in them — something that told you he’d been thinking about this for a while.

“y/n…” he started, voice low and careful, “i think i just… need some time.”

the words hit you like a cold wave. your lips parted, but nothing came out. “time?” you echoed weakly.

he nodded, avoiding your gaze again. “yeah. just… some space. i need to clear my head.”

“jungwon, please—”

“no,” he interrupted gently, but firmly. “it’s not about being mad at you. i’m not— well, maybe a little. but it’s more than that.” he sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. “i’ve always tried to look out for you, to keep things steady when everything else was a mess. but last night… i realized i can’t keep doing that if it keeps hurting me too.”

you felt your throat tighten, your chest aching. “i didn’t mean to hurt you,” you whispered.

“i know,” he said quickly. “i know you didn’t. and that’s why this isn’t me shutting you out. i just…” he trailed off, trying to find the right words. “i need a break to figure out how to stop feeling like i have to protect you from everything — even from yourself.”

you blinked rapidly, trying to fight the sting in your eyes. “so what are you saying? that you don’t want to be around me anymore?”

his eyes finally met yours, and the look in them made your heart crack a little. “no,” he said softly. “i’m saying i need to learn how to be around you again… without feeling like i’m losing myself in the process.”

you didn’t know what to say. your hands trembled slightly as you fidgeted with your sleeves, the silence stretching between you until it hurt.

he gave you a small, sad smile — one that didn’t reach his eyes. “just give me a little time, okay?”

you nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in your throat. “okay,” you whispered.

he turned back to his locker, grabbing his books, and you watched as he walked away down the hall — each step feeling like it carried another piece of you with it.

you stood there for a long while after he left, staring at the empty space where he had been, the sound of his words echoing in your head like a quiet heartbreak: i just need some time.

⸝⸝

he watched from the shadows near the staircase, arms folded across his chest, trying to appear casual. but his heart was thundering like it would burst through his ribs. there she was — you, standing by jungwon's locker, the sunlight catching strands of your hair and making you look impossibly delicate.

he could see the way your shoulders slumped, the tiny tremble in your hands as you twisted the strap of your bag. his chest tightened. you weren't smiling. you weren't laughing. and that wasn’t the y/n he knew.

you had just come from talking to jungwon — and judging by the look on your face, you hadn’t gotten the response you wanted. your eyes were glassy, lips parted like you were holding back words that couldn’t quite make it out. he wanted to reach for you, to wrap an arm around you and tell you everything would be fine.

but he didn’t. not yet. he was careful. he had to be.

he let his gaze linger on you, memorizing the way you twisted your hair around your finger, the soft tilt of your head as if you were trying to make sense of the world. he knew you were vulnerable right now. and a part of him — the part he hated, the part that was… selfish — wanted to see you just like this.

he could hear you whisper something to yourself, a soft, broken sound that made his stomach churn. he wanted to step in, wanted to tell you he’d been waiting, watching, ready to make you smile again.

but he didn’t move. he stayed behind the shadows, heart aching, mind spinning. you had jungwon in your life, always so close to him, always wrapped up in his protective orbit. and jake… jake had to figure out a way to get through that, to reach you without scaring you. so he decided to drop you another text.

he sat back against the wall near the stairwell, phone in hand, staring at the screen as he typed and deleted the message three times before finally hitting send. his fingers hovered over the glass, as he imagined what your reaction would be.

jake: ignoring me already? :(

he didn’t have to wait long. from the corner of his eye, he saw you reach into your pocket and pull out your phone. you paused, thumb hovering over the notification, before finally unlocking the screen.

he watched every little movement, memorizing the way your eyebrows furrowed slightly as you read the message, how your lips twitched at the corners, betraying the faintest hint of a smile.

he felt a small, smug thrill run through him. you noticed him. you might be frustrated, upset, or even conflicted about jungwon — but you noticed him.

he pressed his back more firmly against the wall, sliding down just slightly so he could watch you without being seen. every subtle reaction of yours — the way your eyes softened, the quiet inhale through your nose, the way you tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear — it all made his chest tighten.

“yeah,” he muttered under his breath, a small smirk tugging at his lips, “that’s more like it.”

he could feel the familiar pull in his stomach, the heat of anticipation, the dangerous little thrill of being the unseen observer. this was just the beginning — and he intended to make sure you couldn’t ignore him again.

even if you wanted to.

y/n: i'm sorry, i didn't mean to. i was caught up with something

jake: everything alright? :o

y/n: yeah it's nothing, thanks for checking up on me

jake: well, i hope i didn't give you much of a scare last night. i'm not the type to go around kissing girls, think that's obvious.

y/n: oh, so i'm lucky then...?

jake: oh no, i'm lucky :) jake: hey so i was wondering if you wanted to hang out maybe? i hope this isn't too weird especially after last night

your hands hovered over the screen, unsure of what to reply.

jake: sorry, was that too quick?

y/n: oh noo, i'd love to hang out :)

jake: great! see you after school today? we could meet at the park :)

y/n: okay, see you!

you slapped a hand over your mouth. oh no, what have i done?

“YOU WHAT?” yunjin practically shrieked, making a few nearby students glance over in your direction.

you yelped and quickly cupped her mouth with your hand, glaring at her at the same time. “tone it down!” you hissed, your cheeks heating up as you frantically looked around the cafeteria. the murmurs, the curious stares, — all of it made you want to sink into the floor right then and there.

your eyes immediately found jungwon, ni-ki, and sunoo sitting at a table a little ways off. your stomach twisted. your friend group never had to sit separately like this, and the thought of jungwon alone made you anxious. which is why earlier, you shot a quick glance at ni-ki and sunoo, silently shooing them over toward jungwon, hoping they’d keep him company while you dealt with yunjin.

yunjin, meanwhile, was bouncing slightly in her seat, her eyes wide and sparkling with mischief. “jake sim basically asked you out!” she whispered, barely able to contain herself. “he wants you, girl, i swear! like, he actually texted you… and asked to hang out! after last night!”

you groaned, burying your face in your hands for a moment, wishing the ground would just swallow you whole. “oh my god… yunjin, i didn’t… it just… i didn’t know what to say!”

yunjin leaned closer, eyes gleaming with excitement. “well, clearly you liked it! look at your face!” she teased, nudging you.

you peeked at her through your fingers, heat still creeping up your neck. “i did not like it like that,” you protested, though even to your own ears, it sounded weak.

“sure sure, keep telling yourself that,” yunjin said, smirking. “but the question now is… what are you gonna do about it?”

you froze, the cafeteria suddenly feeling unbearably loud. jungwon’s gaze flicked toward you, curious and concerned, making your stomach drop.

⸝⸝

he watched from across the cafeteria, arms crossed over his chest, jaw tight. you and yunjin were in the middle of the room, whispering and laughing, completely oblivious to the weight sitting in his chest. jungwon could feel it twisting, gnawing at him. and it's like he knew exactly what you guys were talking about — jake sim, the kiss. and just thinking about it made something cold and heavy settle in his stomach.

ni-ki and sunoo were leaning on the table beside him, trying their best to nudge him into moving, to say something, to do something.

“hyung, just go talk to her,” ni-ki said quietly, though his voice was edged with that firm teasing tone he used when he wanted to push people.

“she’s gonna spiral if you don’t,” sunoo added, eyes flicking toward you like he could see your panic from here. “you’ve been sitting here all silent, girl, just pour it out, whatever it is.”

jungwon’s shoulders tensed further, and he ran a hand through his hair. “i can’t,” he muttered, more to himself than to them. “i just… i need some space right now. i don’t… i can’t deal with this.”

ni-ki’s eyebrows knitted together. “hyung, you can’t just ignore her. you two were inseparable, and now this? if you don’t say something, it’s only gonna get worse.”

“i know, i know,” jungwon said, voice low, his chest tightening. he could feel his hands start to shake slightly as he reached for the pitcher of water at the edge of the table. “i just… i don’t know how to do it without…” he trailed off, jaw clenching.

without thinking, he grabbed his cup and chugged down the water. the cold liquid was supposed to calm him, but instead, it just made him feel more hollow, more restless. ni-ki and sunoo exchanged worried glances beside him.

“jungwon…” sunoo started, “you can’t keep doing this. ignoring it won’t make it go away. she’s right there.”

jungwon’s jaw tightened, and he slammed the pitcher down a little harder than necessary. water splashed at the edges, and a few nearby students turned to stare. he didn’t care. “i know what i’m doing,” he said quietly, but his voice lacked conviction. inside, he was in turmoil — part of him screaming to run over to you, to tell you how he felt, to claim you before someone else did, and another part pulling him back, telling him he had to stay composed, he had to protect himself too.

he poured another cup of water, letting it run over the edge slightly, the sound oddly satisfying in its finality. his chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to steady himself, fighting against the tug of jealousy, worry, and something darker he wasn’t ready to name.

ni-ki reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “look, bro, whatever’s going on, you need to face it. she’s not going anywhere, but you can’t just sit here watching her slip away to someone else.”

jungwon swallowed hard, staring at the spilled water at his shoes, his mind in knots. he wanted to move, to go over there, to grab your hand and make you promise you were only his. but instead, he just kept pouring, hoping maybe the cold splash against his skin would drown out the storm inside him.

he didn’t know how long he could keep this up.

⸝⸝

you stood by the park gates, your fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of your sleeve. the late afternoon light stretched across the pavement, warm and soft, but it did little to calm your nerves. you’d been standing there for almost ten minutes, replaying every single thing that happened since last night — the kiss, jungwon’s reaction, the way he refused to even look at you today. it made your stomach twist.

you were half-contemplating texting jake to cancel when you heard his voice.

“hey,” he called, walking up with that same lopsided grin that had been haunting your mind since the party. his hair was slightly messy from the wind, and he had that easy, calm energy that somehow made you feel safe — and yet, it terrified you.

“hey,” you greeted back softly, forcing a small smile.

he tilted his head, eyes scanning your face for a moment. “you look... tired. long day?”

you laughed weakly. “something like that.”

you both started walking down the park path, the sound of crunching leaves filling the silence. for a while, neither of you spoke — just small glances exchanged between the laughter of kids and the rustling wind. it was peaceful, almost too peaceful, and it made your heart race for all the wrong reasons.

“so...” jake started, shoving his hands into his pockets, “about last night.”

you immediately tensed up. “yeah,” you breathed out, not sure where this was going.

he chuckled softly, eyes trained on the ground. “i didn’t mean to make things awkward. i swear i didn’t plan for that to happen, it just... did.”

“i know,” you said quickly, voice a little higher than you intended. “it’s fine. it was... um... the heat of the moment, i guess.”

he looked up at you then, and there was something in his gaze — something raw and unguarded. “you keep saying that like it didn’t mean anything.”

you blinked, caught off guard. “jake—”

“because it did, at least for me,” he said quietly, almost like he was afraid to admit it. “i don’t... do stuff like that with people i barely know. you’re... different.”

your breath hitched. for a second, the world felt too still, the air too heavy. you wanted to say something — anything — but your throat tightened. all you could think about was jungwon’s face, the way his eyes darkened when he saw you come out of that pantry.

jake noticed your silence, and his expression softened. “hey, it’s okay,” he said gently, brushing his hand against yours. “i’m not trying to rush you or anything. i just wanted to see you again. no pressure.”

you nodded, forcing another smile, but your heart was pounding. the warmth of his touch lingered on your skin, and you hated how good it felt — how easy it was to fall into that comfort, to forget everything else.

but you couldn’t.

not with jungwon still avoiding your gaze. not with guilt sitting heavy in your chest.

“thank you,” you said finally, voice small. “for... checking up on me. it means a lot.”

he smiled again, that same soft, boyish grin. “of course. that’s what friends are for, right?”

the word friends stung more than it should have.

you both sat down on a nearby bench, the late sun painting the world gold. you could hear distant laughter, the hum of cars passing by, and yet — all you could focus on was the silence that settled between you two. it wasn’t uncomfortable. just uncertain.

and as jake leaned back, humming to himself, your phone buzzed in your pocket. a message.

you checked to see who it was from.

jungwon.

you stuffed your phone back into your pocket and suddenly, your heart wasn’t calm anymore.

you felt your phone buzz again in your pocket, and your fingers twitched against the fabric, debating if you should check it again. you didn’t mean to look distracted, but jake noticed. his eyes flicked to the way you kept glancing down, the faint crease forming between your brows.

he tilted his head, lips quirking. “am i already that boring?” he teased lightly, but there was a subtle edge to his tone — something that sounded half-joking, half-serious.

you froze, shaking your head quickly. “no! no, it’s not that, i just—”

“someone important?” he asked, leaning in just slightly, curiosity flickering in his gaze.

you hesitated. “just… a friend,” you mumbled.

“ah,” he nodded, a small smile forming on his lips, but his eyes didn’t quite match the expression. still, he let out a soft laugh and leaned back. “guess i’ll have to compete for your attention then.”

before you could respond, he reached out and poked your arm, making you jump a little. “so,” he said, voice lighter this time, “what do you usually do when you’re not getting dragged into chaotic parties and questionable pantry moments?”

you rolled your eyes playfully, grateful for the change of topic. “i study, obviously. i’m not like you guys, partying every weekend.”

he laughed — that deep, warm laugh that made your chest feel tight for some reason. “hey, i don’t party,” he said defensively, running a hand through his hair. “i’m usually at the frat house reading or doing research stuff. the guys tease me for being a total nerd.”

you raised an eyebrow. “yeah i know, you're not exactly the spotlight when it comes to you four together,”

“yeah,” he said, smiling a little sheepishly. “well, i’m majoring in cognitive psychology. i like figuring out how people think, why they react the way they do. it’s kinda fascinating.”

you blinked, surprised. “that’s… actually really interesting,” you admitted.

“thanks,” he said with a grin.

“could’ve fooled me though,” you muttered under your breath, and he laughed again — that effortless kind of laugh that somehow made your heart flutter.

for a while, you two just talked — about small things, random things. favorite movies, weird habits, how you both can’t function without caffeine. it felt easy, natural. every time you said something, jake actually listened — like he was memorizing the way you spoke, the way your nose crinkled when you laughed.

he leaned his chin on his hand, watching you with a soft look. “you know, you’re different when you’re not surrounded by your friends,” he said quietly.

“different how?” you asked.

“just… calmer. more real,” he murmured, eyes lingering on yours for a moment too long.

you swallowed, suddenly aware of how close you were sitting. the air between you felt heavier now, warm and fragile.

he smiled again, looking away first. “sorry, didn’t mean to make things weird.”

you shook your head. “you didn’t.”

he grinned softly. “good. because i kinda like this version of you.”

you laughed, feeling your cheeks warm. “how? you barely know me.”

“maybe,” he said, eyes flicking back to yours, “but i want to.”

you didn’t remember when the laughter faded or when the conversation started feeling heavier, quieter — like the world had slowed down just for the two of you. maybe it was the way the golden hour light hit jake’s face, tracing over his features like the sun itself was admiring him too.

he was sitting close, maybe too close now, one arm resting lazily behind you on the park bench. the soft wind carried the faint smell of his cologne — warm and clean with a hint of something woodsy.

“you have this habit,” he murmured suddenly, his tone lighter but his eyes sharp.

you blinked. “habit?”

“yeah. when you talk about something you like, your hands move a lot. it’s cute.”

you froze for a second, cheeks warming. “that’s— that’s not a habit.”

“it is,” he smiled, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping an octave. “you just don’t notice it.”

you laughed quietly, glancing away to hide your smile, but the air between you felt different now — charged, heavy with something neither of you wanted to name.

your laughter faded when you looked up and caught him watching you again. his gaze lingered, soft and unreadable, and suddenly you forgot what you were about to say.

“jake…” you started, your voice small, unsure.

“yeah?”

“you’re staring.”

he didn’t even flinch. “can’t help it.”

you felt your breath hitch. “why?”

he smiled faintly, his voice barely above a whisper. “because you’re beautiful.”

your heart skipped. your throat tightened. you wanted to say something — anything — but your words got tangled somewhere between your chest and your lips.

the silence stretched, filled only by the faint rustle of leaves and your unsteady breaths. and then — slowly, almost hesitantly — he leaned in.

you didn’t move. you couldn’t.

his nose brushed yours, just barely, and your pulse went wild. your fingers curled against your knees, torn between pulling away and giving in.

“jake…” you breathed, your voice trembling.

he paused, his lips hovering just inches from yours, his eyes flicking down to your mouth before meeting your gaze again. “tell me to stop,” he whispered.

you didn’t.

and that was all it took — the space between you vanished. his lips met yours, soft and warm, and the world around you blurred. it wasn’t rushed or messy like the night of the party; it was slow, deliberate — like he’d been waiting for this exact moment.

you felt his hand reach up to cup your cheek, thumb brushing your skin so gently it almost hurt. your fingers found his jacket, clutching it weakly, pulling him closer without even realizing it.

when you finally pulled away, your breaths were uneven, your heart a chaotic rhythm in your chest. his eyes stayed closed for a moment longer, like he was trying to memorize the feeling.

then, with a shaky laugh, he whispered, “guess i really couldn’t help myself this time.”

you looked down, your cheeks flushed, your lips tingling, and said softly, “me neither.”

but even as you smiled, a tiny part of you — the quiet part — couldn’t stop wondering if this would only make things more complicated.

you both sat there for a while, the silence between you thick but not uncomfortable. your lips still tingled, your heart still hadn’t slowed. neither of you really knew what to say, so you just let the quiet stretch.

eventually, you pulled back slightly, brushing your hair behind your ear. “i should probably… get going,” you murmured, glancing at the sky that had already begun to darken.

jake hummed, eyes still on you. “yeah… i’ll walk you.”

you shook your head quickly. “no, it’s okay— you don’t have to. it’s not that far from here anyway.”

“y/n,” he said, tone low but firm. “let me walk you.”

you blinked at how serious he sounded, a tiny smile tugging at your lips. “you sound like jungwon right now.”

his expression hardened at the name but only for a second before he said quietly, “i just want to make sure you get there safe.”

there was no arguing with that. you sighed in defeat and nodded. “okay, fine. you can walk me.”

the walk back was quieter than before. you kicked at a few stray leaves on the pavement while jake kept his hands tucked into his pockets, glancing at you every now and then. the distance between you wasn’t much, but every time your shoulders brushed, your chest fluttered.

“you know…” you started, breaking the silence, “this wasn’t how i thought today would go.”

he smiled faintly, eyes still forward. “yeah? what were you expecting?”

“definitely not…” you trailed off, cheeks warming as you looked away.

he laughed softly. “definitely not making out with the nerd you got to know at a frat party huh?”

you shoved his arm lightly, flustered. “shut up.”

“hey,” he said, voice turning gentle again. “for what it’s worth, i’m really glad we did hang out.”

you glanced up at him, meeting his eyes — and for once, there was no teasing in his expression. just something honest. warm.

“me too,” you admitted quietly.

when you finally reached your dorm building, you stopped at the steps. he lingered beside you, hands still in his pockets, like he wasn’t ready to leave.

“so,” you said softly, “this is me.”

“yeah.” he smiled, but his gaze stayed on you longer than it should have. “guess i’ll see you tomorrow?”

“you will.”

for a second, neither of you moved — both waiting for the other to say something more, to stretch the moment just a bit longer.

“goodnight, y/n,” he finally said, his voice low and almost tender.

“goodnight, jake.”

you turned to head inside, and as the door closed behind you, he stood there for a while, staring at it — a faint smirk tugging at his lips before he muttered under his breath, “mine.”

with a smirk plastered on his face, he turned and walked off into the night, the faintest trace of your perfume still clinging to his jacket. “soon you'll on have your eyes on me.”

⸝⸝

somewhere in the far corner of the dormitory courtyard, half-hidden behind the shadow of a column, jungwon stood still. the light from the hallway window caught just enough of his face to reveal the hard set of his jaw, the way his fingers curled tightly against his palms. he’d seen everything — the way jake walked you home, the way you smiled at him, that soft laugh you used to save for jungwon alone.

his chest burned. he told himself it wasn’t jealousy, that he was only worried, that he just wanted to keep you safe. that’s what he’d always done — protected you, shielded you, stayed by your side. but as he watched you disappear behind the dorm doors with that dazed little smile, something in him twisted.

he exhaled shakily, eyes flicking to where jake had been standing only moments ago. even from here, jungwon could still picture that look on the other boy’s face — the one that wasn’t as sweet as it seemed, the one that made his stomach turn.

“it's okay,” he muttered under his breath, though the words were more for himself than for anyone else. because deep down, he knew what was growing inside him wasn’t just protectiveness anymore. it was darker. heavier.

he’d noticed it for a while now — how his thoughts of you lingered longer than they should, how he’d memorized the sound of your steps in the hallway, how the sight of anyone else making you smile made his skin crawl. it wasn’t normal. but he couldn’t stop it either.

jungwon’s phone buzzed in his pocket. a message from ni-ki, asking where he was. he ignored it. instead, he kept his eyes on the dorm entrance, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

if jake sim thought he could have you, he was wrong. jungwon had been there first — every laugh, every secret, every tear you ever shed. you were his to protect. and maybe, just maybe, a part of him was starting to believe you were his, period.

he shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away from the building, expression slipping back into its usual calm mask. no one needed to know what he’d just seen, or what he was planning to do about it. not yet.

paymal7

WE DIDNT EVEN GET TO THE CRAZY PART😭😭😭

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