captain - jaeyong

twenty.

taeyong found it hardly surprising that he and jaehyun were a little awkward with each other the next day when they met in person. they, winwin, doyoung, johnny, ten and yuta were sat on the field and were later joined by jeno and jaemin. it was a nice atmosphere spare for the fact that jaehyun could hardly look at taeyong let alone hold a conversation with him.

it didn't help that jaehyun had been with him when he had received yet another letter in his locker that morning. the football captain had seemed unusually quiet ever since then especially as taeyong read it aloud to all of their friends who had been pestering him as they were so curious.

'dear taeyong,

no matter how many times i see your face, whether you're smiling or upset, whether you're angry or excited. you're always glowing.

of course, my favourite expression to see on your face is your raw unfiltered happiness. there's something about happy taeyong that beats every other sight in the world. there's just nothing better than seeing you throw your head back in laughter.

you're the most awe-inspiring thing i've ever had the pleasure of seeing.

- the dumbest guy

johnny snorted at the end of the letter causing jaehyun to elbow him in the side. taeyong didn't seem to notice jaehyun's action.

"the dumbest guy?" johnny questioned, "what is this? a wattpad book?"

"shut up," ten told him, "i think it's sweet, you never sent me love letters."

"do you want me to?" johnny asked and ten shook his head furiously, "never."

they all laughed at this before yuta was the next one to speak, "so you really don't know who it is?"

"i have no clue," taeyong admitted, "i asked nomin here to keep a look out for me but something distracted them and then they said they couldn't help me anymore," taeyong turned to look at the two youngest boy's who just grinned nervously back at him.

"it wasn't the person who distracted us!" jaemin spoke up, "it was something different but the we realised it probably wasn't best for us to help you because this person is obviously keeping the letters secret for a reason."

"that's fair," johnny spoke, "if this person is sending you anonymous love letters rather than just coming clean there's obviously a reason."

"i know," taeyong spoke, "it's just that the letters are super sweet but i almost feel guilty that i already like someone else."

taeyong didn't even realise what he had said before everyone turned silent for a brief second.

"you what?" ten asked him in surprise and taeyong blushed furiously. he looked towards jaehyun quickly in an attempt to gage his reaction but the boy simply stared back at him with a dull seemingly nonchalant expression.

"yeah it's..." taeyong trailed off, "i didn't mean to say that."

"i can gather," johnny spoke with a laugh.

the bell went then allowing taeyong to step free from the awkward situation he had created, he had the luxury of a free period with doyoung next so the two of them found an empty classroom to sit in.

"why did you say that?" doyoung asked him bewildered.

"i don't know it just slipped out," taeyong replied.

"you didn't even see jaehyun's face as you said it," doyoung began, "i'd been watching him since you mentioned the letter to see what his reaction was," the younger admitted.

"and what happened?" taeyong pressed him.

"he didn't look impressed let's just say that," doyoung said, "actually he looked kind of deflated, i think he was completely convinced that it wasn't him."

"why would he be though?" taeyong questioned, "i don't attempt to flirt over text with literally anyone else."

"you know that but he doesn't," doyoung spoke, "what crosses the boundary of flirting and friendly banter?"

"that's true," taeyong said before sighing and running a frustrated hand through his hair.

they tried to study then for a while but taeyong could simply not focus. every time he tried to solve an equation, his mind instead could not move on from doyoung's words.

jaehyun looked deflated? it didn't make sense to taeyong. of course, there was a small voice in his mind saying that maybe jaehyun could like him back but it was quickly fought down by his insecurity.

it was jung jaehyun. taeyong just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he could possibly like him too. from all of their prior interactions it just wouldn't make sense. jaehyun literally hated him not even two months ago?

"i can hear you thinking from over here," doyoung spoke and taeyong just sighed.

"i just can't see how he could like me back," taeyong groaned and doyoung just smiled in response.

"you showed me those texts from this morning and i'm sorry but they're not just something i'd send to you or winwin," doyoung said, "i know that friendly banter exists but that would be hugely crossing the line."

"maybe that's just how he is?" taeyong tried to reason.

doyoung scoffed, "are you even hearing yourself? you and i both know that you're making no sense."

"i don't know," taeyong admitted, "my head just won't let me believe it."

"i know but sometimes you've got to look at it realistically and sometimes you've got to let yourself have some hope, you can't spend your whole life missing out on being with people you like because you refuse to believe that maybe you have a chance with them," doyoung began, "and you're lee taeyong, you're super pretty, super kind, super talented, you're good at everything and you're probably so easy to like, i would know i'm your best friend," he finished and taeyong looked up at him in awe.

"you're right," taeyong spoke, "why shouldn't i hope that he likes me back too? i'm sick of being negative."

"exactly! so maybe it's time to start flirting back with him and asking to spend more time with him and trying to get close to him," doyoung told him.

taeyong smiled at the mere thought of spending more time around jaehyun. "and what if it all goes wrong?" he breathed out after a second of thought.

"it won't, i'm 90% sure he likes you too."

for the first time, taeyong found himself 50% sure too.

-

ahh i just remembered that i forgot my thank you note i'm super super sorry!! tysm for reading this chapter i know i always say this but it always means so much to me that anyone reads this <33 tysm ily