Valentine's Tradition
summary you and your best friend have always spent valentine's together since you're both single, but this year something's different
word count 4,210
tags they both think it's unrequited (it's not), gender-neutral op, heart-felt, funny, fluff, best friends to lovers, bi jiseok, amusement park, they are so in love it's sickening, oblivious x oblivious, dumb & dumber, getting together, happy ending, comfort for myself, jiseok is so cute I'm gonna--
Being friends with Jiseok was probably one of the best things that’s ever happened to you: partially, because he was the only person that knew more about the dead matter than trends, which made him an easy target, but also because he was the most stupid genius you’ve ever met.
That’s all you could think of as you’re currently sitting on his bed behind him, trying to untangle the hair stuck with chewing gum. “Who the fuck takes a nap with gum in their mouth, I swear to god-” You mumble to yourself as the man was wincing, trying to defend himself.
“It’s not like I did it on purpose! I was just on my phone and next thing I know I’m her-OW!Can you be more gentle?? I’m sensitive!” Your friend complains, to which you simply reply by pulling on his hair once, earning a loud groan from the other. “I’m starting to regret calling you over.”
The remark only makes you chuckle, holding back a smile as you shake your head twice. “You didn’t, it’s Valentine’s, I’m always here on Valentine’s.” Jiseok huffs with a hidden beam, looking back at you.
“And who had that idea three years ago?” He asks proudly, fluttering his eyes, your own rolling as you force his head to its original position, ordering him to stay still as you focus on the piece stuck in his hair.
“Okay I think I got it.” You say, Jiseok giving you a questioning look, but before he could even process you reaching over the scissors on his desk, a chunk of his hair was cut off.
As soon as the clipping sound is heard, he reaches over the back of his hair with wide eyes, frantically touching it as he jolts his head towards you, eyes getting even bigger as he sees the piece of hair with gum being held between your fingers.
“I ASKED YOU FOR HELP, NOT TO MAKE ME BALD!” He whines, taking the piece of hair in his hand and holding it close to his chest dramatically.
You laugh and call him stupid, before getting up, making your way to the living room. “So, do we have to go buy snacks or there’s enough?” You ask, only to be stopped by Jiseok’s hand dragging you back inside his room.
“Actually…I was thinking we could do something different this year.” He suggests a hint of nervousness tugging at his voice. You tilt your head confused, blinking a couple times.
The tradition of you two spending Valentine’s together because you were single started well…three years ago, because funnily enough you met on that same day by complete chance as his boyfriend broke up with him in the most romantic day of the year (asshole) so he had no other choice than to watch the stupid romantic movie by himself at the cinema.
The cinema you were at to watch a movie by yourself because your friends ditched it at the last minute so there you were, tired, annoyed and next to Jiseok because you were somehow stupid enough to mistake the room number and instead of a horror movie, a rom-com was about to start and by the time you realized, it was too late to leave so you just accepted your faith.
Your friendship started around halfway through the movie when you muttered a snarky comment under your breath about the main character, earning a cackle from Jiseok, who was trying to hold in a laugh, head ducked down. When you turned your attention to him, small giggles leaving your lips as well, you somehow knew he was about to be a constant in your life.
Becoming friends with Jiseok was easy: he was fun, intelligent and he was the only person that could make you go from sobbing with snot running down your face to holding your stomach from laughter in less than ten minutes.
Falling for Jiseok was so easy too, he was, and still is, the most loveable human you’ve come across. Loving Jiseok is easy because Jiseok himself is easy to love, and although you’ve spent the last year stealing glances at him and quietly crying yourself to sleep when he’d go on a (thankfully) failed date, you wouldn’t have it any other way because having Jiseok in your life, even as simply a friend, was more than enough.
However, Jiseok suggesting you two do something different made your brain go into overdrive for a few moments, thoughts about him figuring out you like him and wanting to pull away racing through your mind before he speaks up, interrupting your train of thought: “I wanna go to the amusement park!”
You blink at him, tilting your head curious. “The amusement park?” You frown, letting yourself be pulled closer by the man, his hands gentle but secure around your wrists as he smiles down at you, making it harder and harder to stop yourself from glancing down at his lips.
“Yep yep, they’re doing a Valentine’s special this year, I heard even the House of Terror is Love Themed!” He grins wider, letting go of your wrists to wiggle his hands in front of your face, causing you to let out an annoyed scoff, looking to the side before turning your attention back to your friend.
“You couldn’t have told me that before I came over in sweatpants? I don’t even have a jacket with me, I thought we’d stay inside!” You complain, playfully hitting his chest a couple times, but the taller simply smiles softly, mimicking your head tilt.
“You look good, it’s better to be comfortable for the rides than to dress flashy, you know that. Plus, I can land you one of my hoodies, don’t be so dramatic, it’s not as if you don’t have options.” He raises an eyebrow, opening his closet for you to look through it. “But if you don’t feel like it, that’s fine too.”
You roll your eyes and complain about him being annoying, because that’s safer than kissing his cheek because he’s stupidly cute and mindful of your comfort. Wearing Jiseok’s clothes was something you’ve been doing for years because admittedly, he had good taste and it was more convenient than walking around with a bag of clothes whenever you had a sleepover.
However, lately, it’s something you avoided doing because wearing his clothes meant having his cologne lingering on your body even hours after you’ve taken it off and it only served as a painful reminder that you need to bite your tongue and if not forget, at least ignore your feelings for him, because he doesn’t deserve to lose you as a friend or feel uncomfortable.
Suppressing your feelings for Jiseok has been hard, but you would consider yourself to be quite a good actor. The way you act is still the same, and yet it’s been harder and harder to hold yourself back from blurting out your feelings for him, especially since your brain has been in overdrive and has been trying to convince you that he is testing the waters with you because he likes you too.
Foolish thoughts, truly, how could Jiseok ever like you? He’s everything you’re not and you’re just…you. Even with all that in mind, when he swiftly places his hand on your lower back to pass you by and grab his own hoodie when there was plenty of space for him, when he hugs you just a bit too long or when he smiles at you with fond eyes when he thinks you’re not looking, you can’t help but wonder if it would really be that bad of an idea to give it a shot.
“Okay, so I was thinking, we get the food, we do the carts, then the Terror House and maaaybbee the Jumping Frog after?” He clasps his hands together, eyes squinting as he looks around. You find yourself smiling at him with your head tilted to the side, the only thing on your mind being how pretty the glint in his eyes looks, before pulling yourself together, clearing your throat when he looks back at you.
“You really think having food before any of that is a good idea?” You challenge with an unimpressed look, to which the older whines cutely.
“But I’m hungry, I didn’t think you’d agree with this so I was saving myself for the family sized pizza we would’ve ordered!” He pouts, hands rubbing his face dramatically.
You let out a small laugh, shaking your head as you grab his wrist, tiredly dragging him to the closest food truck. “You’re impossible, you know?”
“That’s exactly what makes this friendship so interesting.” He scoffs, poking his tongue out before ordering food for the both of you. “Then should we do the arcade spot first?” He asks while eating and walking around, entering the venue once he finishes his food before letting you reply.
“Sure Jiseok, Let’s go inside, I agree with your idea, thank you so much for considering my feelings!” You mumble to yourself, only for Jiseok to mock you cutely, handing you one of the toy guns attached to the machine he decided to stop at. Giving him a nasty look as you started the game was useless because he knew you always let him get his way, and this time was no different.
You two have been to the amusement park before, but that was before that night when he came over your house after midnight unannounced, hair a mess and red eyes asking if he could stay over because his crush at the time liked someone else and he needed you, making you realize that if it was Jiseok, it didn’t matter you had a midterm the next morning, or that you’ve been feeling like shit yourself, because you’d much rather hug him and watch stupid science documentaries for six hours than let him feel like he’s not the easiest person to love in the world.
It’s not like you didn’t know before that, it’s more that you didn’t quite allow yourself to feel it, but when his head was laying on your lap, eating ice cream while overexplaining the string theory, switching to guitar talk and then ending up telling you about the time he stabbed his toe in class so hard they had to take him to the nurse’s office in the span of five minutes, you couldn’t help but smile to yourself as you were playing with his hair and wishing you could kiss him to make him shut up before he chokes on his food.
So now, being with Jiseok, holding onto his arm as you two were screaming your lungs out as you were walking around the Terror House, was different. It was different because when you two stumbled against a wall and you found yourself pressed before the hard surface and Jiseok’s chest that was moving due to his laughter, for some reason, the space between your faces seemed to get even smaller, and you could swear you saw him catch his breath while looking into your eyes.
The Gyro Spin was…uncomfortable to say the least. The MCs kept alluding to you and Jiseok being a couple no matter how many times you corrected them, being held closely by him wrapping his arm around you securely, surely didn’t help the accusations. As the machine got more aggressive, the both of you started moving more and at some point, Jiseok pulled you on his lap bridal style so he could wrap his arm around your legs protectively and hold onto the balustrade with his free hand while laughing.
You laugh too, partially because it was a funny situation, partially because your bodies were glued together and you were starting to feel like you were losing your mind. “Uhhh you wanna kiss meee!” Jiseok teases playfully when your face gets closer to him because of a sudden move of the machine.
The worst part is, he was right. You were trying to think of a witty reply but all you could blurt out was “So what if I do, huh?” You yell while gripping harder on the balustrade, and you could swear Jiseok’s brain malfunctions at that, eyes going wide as he stops in his tracks, grip loosening, making you both fall on the floor as the ride ends, earning a groan from you as he falls on top of you.
“Shit, are you alright?” He laughs, voice higher than intended as he helps you get up and walks with you, hands brushing your clothes off dirt, choosing to ignore your previous statement. Good. Maybe he’s oblivious enough to think of it as a sarcastic remark and never bring it up again. Good.
The sun settled already, and you were about to suggest going home since it was late, but Jiseok had other plans. “Hey uhm, so, do you wanna go on the ferris wheel?” He asks, stumbling over his words, voice more insecure than usual.
You shoot him a questioning look, glancing at the attraction and then back at him. “Isn’t that too romantic?” You try to joke, voice slightly shaky, not because the idea of being suspended meters in the air with him was unpleasant, but because this entire day felt like a torture chamber, like a trial of what life would’ve been like if he was your boyfriend, and the last thing you needed right now was to get on the most romantic attraction at the fair, knowing you are in fact not together and that you will in fact not kiss when you reach the top.
Jiseok blinks, a bit taken aback by your reply, expression falling slightly, a hint of hurt noticeable behind his eyes that he tries to quickly mask with a laugh and a shake of his head. “Ah, you’re probably right, let’s just go home, it’s late anyways!”
You frown slightly, grabbing a hold of his hoodie once he turns around to leave, making him stop in his tracks. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to.” You admit in a more vulnerable tone than intended, the other’s face instantly lighting up.
“I love youuuu!” Jiseok chimes happily kissing your cheek, before rushing to buy the tickets, and now it’s you who stops in your tracks, before shaking your head. Right, he loves you, as a friend. It’s something he says on a daily basis, it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
You underestimated just how painfully stressful being on that ferris wheel with Jiseok would be. The atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable, it was peaceful silence as you both looked at the lit up stands at the fair and stars in the sky. It felt oddly intimate.
“Thanks.” Jiseok breaks the silence with a quiet voice.
You tear your attention from the moon and look at him, a slightly puzzled look on your face as you smile. “For what?”
“Agreeing to this, I know you don’t like changing plans last minute.” He says in a guilty tone, your eyes instantly softening. Fuck, You really really love him.
“It’s not that big of a change, we’re still keeping the tradition of spending it together. If you were to change that, I would’ve killed you.” You threaten playfully, earning a wholehearted laugh from your friend, his head thrown back before he looks back at you.
“Oh, so I’m just supposed to make sure to spend Valentine’s with you for the rest of my life, no matter what the circumstances?” Jiseok grins teasingly, eyes sparkling as he looks at you, arm wrapping around your seat, face getting closer to you.
“Of course, I’m always supposed to be a priority.” You try to joke, but it comes more like a shaky whisper when you feel the other’s hot breath close to you.
“You’ve always been a priority.” The black haired man whispers back sincerely, and you feel yourself gulping at the statement, wanting to cry so badly, because he is an evil person for saying such things and not meaning them in the way you want him to.
“You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean to sound that romantic when being stuck 250 meters in the air, Jiseok.” You argue in a small voice, eyes shifting to look down, trying your best to keep your composure.
“I never said I didn’t mean for it to sound romantic, though.” He corrects in a gentle tone, getting his face closer to you, his hand cautiously cupping your jaw and making you look at him.
You gulp once more, eyes scanning over his face as he does as well, and in your insanity, you could swear he is leaning closer. Before you could stop yourself you say: “What are you doing?”
Any other day, this would’ve sent Jiseok into a frenzy and made him do something stupid like pinch your cheek and play this off as him messing around with you, but with the way his thumb feels your pulse quicken and the fact that you’re not pulling away, he’s never been more sure of something in his life as he is in this very moment, that this is exactly what he’s supposed to do.
“Making sure you’ll be a priority next Valentine’s too.” He whispers with a small smile, eyes closing before his lips capture yours into a soft and slow kiss, as if testing the waters. Your breath hitches, and you have to resist the urge to pinch your thigh to make sure you’re not dreaming because if you are, you don’t want to wake up.
Jiseok is about to pull away after a short kiss, figuring you’re not kissing back because you don’t feel the same way, because he’s stupid and idiotic and how could he ever think that? So, before he gets to stop the kiss, you start kissing him back slowly, moving your body closer to his, hands holding onto the hem of his hoodie, a silent plea for him to not pull away.
A quiet laugh escapes his lips, more relieved than mocking, before he cups your face with both of his hands and starts kissing you more confidently, a wide smile spreading across his face when your fists tighten on the material of his hoodie. “You’re going to stretch my clothes.” He whispers jokingly between kisses.
“Please for once in your life, shut the fuck up.” You whisper back with a smile, earning a chuckle from the other who hums once before hugging your waist while kissing you, your own arms moving around his neck, holding him closer.
Eventually, you pull away, Jiseok’s forehead resting against yours, eyes still closed as he tries to calm his shaky breaths, unable to hide his smile and thumbs gently tracing patterns on the side of your waist. “Fuck, you have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that…” He sighs, opening his eyes to look at you, your hands now caressing his face, a stupid smile present on your face.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve been wanting to do it for longer.” You argue, and when he shoots you a questioning look, you chuckle, taking a strand of hair out his eyes. “The night you came over crying because your crush liked someone else?”
“And who do you think was responsible for that?” He scoffs, making you widen your eyes as you point to yourself offended at the accusation. “Yeah, you! Can’t believe you liked Hyeongjun…he’s not even that good at guitar he just uses a lot of overdrive…”
At that, you can’t help but break into laughter, pulling away slightly to get a better look at him. “Where even did you get that idea from? Wait, that’s what made you come over like a kicked puppy and make me lose sleep before an exam??”
“I mean, the guys were talking about how much time you two were spending time together- and Jooyeon! That fucker said he saw you hug Hyeongjun! He doesn’t just hug anyone, you know?! Plus, asking a guy to teach you guitar is like Flirting 101, everyone knows that.” Jiseok scoffs while ranting, arms loosening around you but still keeping his hands on your waist.
You laugh more, shaking your head as you look at his pout fondly, pinching his neck. “You’re too stupid for someone this smart.” You note, poking your tongue back at him when he does. “We were hugging because he felt bad that I had to keep giving you romance advice knowing I liked you and I asked him not you because as you said, it is flirting 101, why would I want to make it obvious I had feelings for you and ruin our friendship, idiot?” You explain, a rage of emotions present on Jiseok’s face for each sentence that leaves your lips.
“Say that again.” Jiseok demands with a stupid grin present on his face, completely disregarding everything else you just said.
“Say what? That you’re an idiot? Gladly.” You squint unimpressed, but that doesn’t seem to bother the other who was too busy looking at you with big doe eyes and a bigger smile.
“And you like me.” He adds, to which you roll your eyes, stupid grin forming on your lips as well, because sadly, he’s right. Kind of. “You like meeeee!” He giggles, twirling his finger in front of you teasingly.
“Yeah, Yeah, I like you, so what? You like me too, you’re no better.” You glare at him, to which the black haired boy cutely shakes his head.
“Wrong!” He argues, voice stern, and your stomach flips unpleasantly.
“Wrong?” You blink, your voice quieter, wondering for a split moment if he is that evil to joke to this extent with you.
“Wroonnng!” He nods, now cutely nodding. “I love you.” He smiles, head tilting, voice as confident as ever. Your eyes widen and your voice gets stuck in your throat, but as you open your mouth, Jiseok waves a dismissive hand, smiling reassuringly. “You don’t have to, my feelings are mine and I’m sure of them, but you don’t have to say it back now.”
You were about to reply, but before you know it, your seatbelt is being unbuckled by the amusement park staff and you’re brought back to reality, so you bite back what you really wanted to say, because it feels like the opportunity was missed.
Jiseok, however, doesn’t seem to mind it. Quite on the contrary, he seems to be on cloud nine, smile not once leaving his lips and his doe eyes shining brighter than the stars. “Do we still do the sleepover?” You ask as you start walking, feeling the taller’s hand easily slip into yours, interlocking your fingers.
“Mmh, tradition is tradition.” He nods solemnly, pecking you once before walking towards the bus. And pecking you once more when you get inside the bus…and off the bus…and once in the middle of the street…and once more before opening his apartment door and…really every few minutes.
You’re not particularly complaining, it’s just that you’re still not sure this is a dream, and Jiseok has been having a blast doing whatever to you and have your only reaction be a shocked face and frozen body with eventual confirmation that you’re not against him being physically affectionate or him pulling you on his lap bridal style to watch the romcom you had in mind.
The last thing you remember is Jiseok’s lips kissing your temple continuously as he gently caressed your hair, your head resting on his chest while you looked up at him, the movie being the least interesting part of your night right now, still too afraid to pinch your thigh to test whether this was a dream or not.
When you wake up, you bury your face deeper into what you come to quickly realize is Jiseok’s neck, and when you feel your body be held closer, you look up only to see a messy haired and puffy faced Jiseok smile down at you, a raspy “Hi” leaving his lips before leaning down to kiss you shortly, nose brushing against yours once.
That was enough confirmation for you to understand last night was not a dream, so you cup his face and pull him in a loving kiss, earning a pleased hum from the older who simply wraps his arms around you tighter, smiling in the kiss. “Jiseok?” You whisper.
“Hm?” He hums once again, because morning Jiseok was a very quiet Jiseok.
“I love you too.” You whisper, and at that, the man pulls away with wide eyes, a shaky breath leaving his lips before erupting into a series of giggles, eyes sparkling, smile bigger than ever before.
“Say that again before I kill myself thinking I imagined it, please.” He begs cutely, making you laugh as you repeat it, eyes locked with his, your hands squishing his cheeks.
He squeals happily, hugging you as tightly as he can, before kissing you lovingly, mumbling a bunch of I love you’s, the room filled with soft laughs, and the rest of the morning consisting of small kisses and hugs.
It turns out, Jiseok wasn’t only easy to love, you were too, and somehow you were lucky enough to be loved by him of all people.
THE END
