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That night, the house was quiet in that heavy, sleepy way after a long day in the sun. Luke had showered and changed into a fresh pair of shorts and an old t-shirt, settling into the couch with Gabe and Youngjae. They were cocooned in blankets, bowls of popcorn and candy spread across the coffee table. Some movie played softly on the TV, something Gabe picked but was clearly not paying attention to since he kept scrolling on his phone between bites.
Luke let himself sink into the warmth around him. His brother on one side and Young on the other. He liked being squished between them. It hit him then (quite painfully) that they’d both be leaving for college again tomorrow. Back to Boston. Back to dorms, and lacrosse games and their stupid little antics.
He didn’t want them to go.
But at the same time, the thought of him getting to move to Boston soon… to be near them both again (even if it was only for one more year) felt like a light at the end of everything terrible this year had thrown at him. Like something he could hold onto.
His phone buzzed suddenly and he saw both Young and Gabe look over sharply. He rolled his eyes at them but saw that it was Eli’s name that lit up the screen. Luke swiped to answer. “Hey, what’s up?”
Eli didn’t bother with hello. “Nate and I were thinking… can we come over? We’re bored and he’s crying about wanting pizza again.”
Luke huffed a small laugh. “Yeah, of course. My parents are asleep but we’re downstairs. Come round.”
“Oh thank god,” Eli groaned dramatically. “Nate, get your shoes on. Luke saved your life!”
Luke chuckled as he hung up and dropped the phone back onto his stomach. “Eli and Nate are coming over,” he announced.
Gabe perked up triumphantly. “Party.”
Young’s long legs were stretched out, and he reached out to nudge Gabe with his foot. “Chill, man. We just got back from the beach and I still taste saltwater.”
“That’s why God invented alcohol. It’ll drown out those tastebuds,” Gabe declared, already climbing up from the couch.
“Gabe, no,” Young groaned. “We already got pretty wasted last night.”
“So? Drinking is fun.”
“Gabe,” Young said in a warning tone.
Gabe ignored him and disappeared into the kitchen to raid his parents alcohol cupboard.
Luke rolled his eyes.
“Your brother drinks too much,” Young mumbled, eyes flickering over to where Gabe had disappeared and then back to Luke.
“He does?” Luke frowned.
“Almost every weekend,” Young said.
“Isn’t that what college life is all about?”
Young shot him a weary look. “College isn’t just about drinking. It’s about fun, yeah. But also protecting your liver. Especially if you’re an athlete.”
Luke rolled his eyes playfully. “I’m sure he’s just excited to hang out with everyone again.”
Young didn’t say anything.
Luke frowned at his silence. “What?”
“Nothing,” Young mumbled.
“Tell me,” Luke insisted, eyebrows pulled together.
Young let out a slow breath, eyes dropping briefly to the blanket before coming back up to Luke’s face. “I’m actually…” he hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck, “I’m a little worried about him.”
Luke blinked. “Why?”
Young’s voice dropped quieter. “He drinks a lot. Like… a lot. And not always with other people.”
“What?”
Young sighed. “Sometimes I’ll walk into the dorm after practice and he’s just… sitting there with a bottle. No music, no Netflix, nothing. Just scrolling on his phone and drinking.”
Luke frowned deeply. That didn’t sound like Gabe. The exuberant, loud, sunshine-on-legs Gabe.
“But that’s—that’s just college, right?” Luke tried weakly. “A lot of people party.”
Young shook his head. “It’s not just the weekend stuff. He drinks on weekdays too. And yesterday after your prom? Getting drunk wasn’t something that just happened accidentally. It was his idea. He pushed for it.” His voice grew tight. “Sometimes I don’t know how to say no to him. He’s my roommate. My best friend. But I worry he’s using it for reasons other than fun. I don’t know.”
Luke’s stomach twisted unpleasantly. He’d been so wrapped up in his own problems that he hadn’t even noticed anything different about Gabe. “What do you mean ‘other than fun’?” Luke asked quietly.
Young’s eyes softened, like he wished he didn’t have to say it. “He’s lonely, I think. Without Maddy. He puts on this big… charming front, but then he goes home and gets wasted by himself. I don’t know how to help him or if he even wants help.”
Luke looked toward the kitchen where Gabe stood, laughing to himself while trying to find the bottle opener. It didn’t look like loneliness. But maybe that was the point. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Luke whispered.
Young shrugged, shoulders tense. “It’s not really my thing to tell. Plus, you were kinda dealing with your own stuff. I didn’t want to dump more crap on you, especially when i’m not 100% sure whether anything is actually wrong. Maybe i’m just overthinking it.”
Luke exhaled shakily. “You should’ve told me regardless. It’s important,” he said.
Young’s expression filled with something that looked like guilt. “I know. Sorry. I’m trying to do better,” he said softly. “Starting with not letting him drink a whole case by himself tonight.”
Luke huffed, barely a laugh. “Good luck with that.”
Young’s lips twitched… but his eyes stayed serious.
From the kitchen, Gabe yelled, triumphantly. “I FOUND THE BOTTLE OPENER!”
Young groaned into his hands, and Luke couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe just one more night of fun before we snap him out of it.”
“Deal,” Young murmured.
The front door clicked open a few minutes later as Eli and Nate stumbled in whispering way too loudly. They brought a case of cheap drinks because of course they did, and suddenly the living room turned into a tiny celebration.
“For the future college boys!” Gabe cheered, raising a bottle in the air happily.
Luke flushed with a shy kind of pride. “We haven’t even started yet.”
“That’s why we’re celebrating now,” Nate said softly, pressing a quick kiss to Eli’s cheek. “You both got into great colleges. Well done.”
“Thanks,” Eli beamed.
Blankets were rearranged. Drinks were opened. The movie was completely forgotten. Laughter filled the small space of the living room, warm and bright, making everything Luke had been worrying about feel far away for once.
Well, until Eli asked the dreaded question.
“Luke, where the heck did you disappear to last night? I was looking everywhere for you.”
The laughter dissolved into silence. Luke felt four sets of eyes swing toward him all ranging from worried, curious, and soft. He swallowed, reaching blindly for his drink just to do something with his hands. “I… I left with Noah,” he began, staring down into the blanket pooled over his legs.
“You went home early?” Eli frowned.
“No,” Luke mumbled. “He took me to a hotel.”
Nate and Eli’s eyebrows shot up. Gabe instantly sobered up again. Young went still.
“And?” Eli asked, eagerly leaning forward.
Luke curled into himself a little, a protective instinct. Still, he forced the words out. “And nothing. We didn’t do anything. But we did break up.”
The quiet that followed was heavy.
“Oh, Luke…” Eli whispered, already moving closer to wrap him in a hug.
“I’m okay,” Luke lied into Eli’s sweatshirt.
“That guy was a dick anyway,” Gabe said, too loud and too truthful.
“Gabe,” Young warned under his breath, but Luke actually laughed. Just a small one. It helped.
“I’m sorry,” Gabe said, sliding down to sit on the floor in front of Luke, his usual grin replaced with sincerity. “I know you cared about him. And he should’ve cared about you better.”
Nate nodded firmly. “I know you guys were friends before you started dating, so hopefully you can go back to being that.”
Everyone threw Nate a deadpanned look.
“Or not,” he muttered.
“You can’t be friends with an ex,” Young muttered. “It doesn’t work. Just makes everything awkward.”
Luke looked up and their eyes caught. Luke felt something flutter hard in his chest, too raw to unpack.
“Well. forget about it,” Eli said quickly, clapping his hands together, desperate to lift the energy, “we are absolutely not letting you sit here and get sad thinking about that loser.”
“That loser is also your best friend,” Luke reminded him.
“Is this a good time to mention that I only ever tolerated him for your sake?” Eli asked sheepishly.
Luke’s jaw dropped. “You did what!?”
Eli shrugged like it was no big deal. “I have a pretty good poker face. I was only ever his friend because you seemed to like him so much.”
“You can’t be serious.” Luke was shocked.
“Oh, he’s serious,” Nate cut in. “I had to listen to him rant about the guy for months. Trust me. He barely tolerated the dude.”
“My whole life has been a lie,” Luke whispered.
“I was just trying to be a supportive friend,” Eli shrugged. “You know I’ll always support your delusions.” Then Eli’s eyes very briefly glanced towards Youngjae and then back to Luke. Anyone else would have missed it, but not Luke. They were best friends. Luke knew Eli loved drama and in that moment, Luke knew exactly what Eli was saying with his eyes and his little smirk.
“Anyway,” Luke said loudly, “let’s do something else.”
“What do you propose?” Gabe asked, already reaching for another drink.
“A game,” Eli grinned.
“What kind of game?” Gabe asked
“The ‘Get Luke’s Mind Off Noah’ game,” Eli announced.
“Terrible title,” Young muttered.
“Shut up, it’s a working title,” Eli shot back.
Nate lit up. “Truth or dare.”
Luke groaned. “Absolutely not.”
“Yes,” Gabe insisted, backing up Nate and Eli. “Let’s play. Don’t be boring. We start off easy. Only uplifting truths. Only harmless dares. That’s the rule.”
Luke buried his face in a cushion.
Gabe cracked his knuckles, dramatic as ever. “Alright, squirt. Seeing as if this whole game is for you, why don’t you start? Truth or dare?”
Luke peeked out. “Truth, I guess.”
Gabe wiggled his brows. “Who here has the best smile?”
Luke’s cheeks instantly heated.
Instantly, his brain screamed WI YOUNGJAE. But he couldn’t exactly say that in front of his brother. So instead, he pointed lamely at Eli. “His smile is kinda cute, I guess.”
Eli gasped in happiness. “Really?”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Luke grumbled.
Gabe huffed. “I feel betrayed.”
Laughter erupted within the group, light and genuine, and the tightness in Luke’s chest loosened.
The game rolled on with harmless dares, like wearing Gabe’s stupid sunglasses indoors, truths about favourite childhood cartoon crushes, Nate confessing he once cried over burnt waffles, and Eli being dared to do a handstand. Each answer and each joke stitched Luke back together in tiny invisible ways.
An hour later, Gabe was extremely drunk. His eyes were finally starting to drift close mid-sentence. Young caught him before he slid off the couch completely.
“Alright, buddy,” Young sighed. “Bed. Now.”
“I am bed,” Gabe mumbled, limp as a noodle, while Young hauled him upright.
“Sure you are,” Luke muttered as he stood up too and took most of his brother’s weight, Young steadying the other side. Luke looked over at Eli and sighed. “Back in a sec.”
“Take your time,” Eli grinned. “Goodnight Gabe!”
Gabe mumbled a response that nobody heard.
Together, Youngjae and Luke guided Gabe down the hall, then up the stairs and towards his room. His feet dragged on the floor, socks slipping on the hardwood, and he giggled at nothing along the way. By the time they shoved his bedroom door open and dumped him onto the mattress, he was already snoring.
Young tossed a blanket over him, brushing a hand across Gabe’s forehead in a quick, quiet show of affection before stepping back.
“Thanks for helping,” Young said.
“No problem,” Luke breathed heavily. “Jesus, he’s fucking heavy.”
Young snorted.
“You didn’t even break a sweat,” Luke complained.
Young looked over and a ghostly smirk appeared at his lips. “The life of an athlete.”
Luke just rolled his eyes.
When they headed downstairs, Luke saw Nate and Eli lingering near the front door with their shoes on and their jackets half-zipped.
“We should head out,” Eli said. “You okay, Luke?”
Luke nodded. “Yeah. I’m good. Thanks for coming and text me when you’re home.”
“I will.” Eli then hugged him tight, whispering, “Don’t worry about, Noah. He was just a bump in the road. You deserve someone so much better.”
When Luke pulled back, Eli smiled softly at him. Nate ruffled Luke’s hair and shot Young a chin-lift of goodbye before the two slipped out of the house. And suddenly—
It was just Luke and Youngjae.
Alone.
Luke cleared his throat and locked the front door. Then he turned and headed back into the living room and surveyed the wreckage of snacks, blankets, and empty cups.
“I’ll clean,” Young said, already stepping forward.
Luke followed anyway. “Not by yourself you won’t. If we both do it, it’ll go faster.”
Young didn’t argue.
So they cleaned. And it was quiet. But not the awkward kind. Just the kind full of things neither of them knew how to say yet. Their shoulders brushed when they reached for the same bowl. Their fingers grazed when Luke passed Young a cup. When Young crouched to pick up stray popcorn, Luke stepped back too quickly, bumping into his chest, and Young’s hands steadied his waist instinctively.
“Sorry,” Luke whispered.
Young’s voice was just as soft. “You’re fine.”
They kept moving, each pretending their hearts weren’t pounding. Sometimes Luke caught Young watching him. Sometimes Young caught Luke looking back. Neither of them looked away fast enough.
Once the room was finally spotless, Young dropped onto the couch with a long breath. Luke hovered for half a second before sinking down beside him, close enough that their knees touched. Neither bothered moving. They stared ahead, at nothing at all. The house had gone so quiet that Luke could hear his heartbeat thudding in his ears.
The air between them held something thick… something hopeful… something dangerous.
Luke’s palms were sweating. He wanted to say he was tired. Wanted to say goodnight. Or literally anything that would let him run away before his heart betrayed him. But he didn’t move.
Young drummed his fingers on his knee, a small restless rhythm Luke noticed instantly. Did Youngjae do that when he was anxious? Was he as nervous as Luke was right now?
Luke swallowed. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “For tonight.”
The words felt inadequate, a thin veil over the roaring wave of emotions churning beneath his skin. He didn’t just mean for the game of dumb truth or dare, or for the distraction, or even for the quiet companionship he had given Luke all day. He meant thank you for everything. For the way Youngjae had looked at him, for the steadying hand, for the unspoken understanding that had woven itself between them throughout the evening.
Youngjae’s drumming fingers stilled. He turned his head slowly, his gaze dark and deep, finally settling on Luke. The air thickened. Luke’s breath caught in his throat. He felt exposed and vulnerable all of a sudden, sitting in here in his shorts and t-shirt, like Youngjae could see every frantic beat of his heart and every nervous tremor of his dumb hands.
“Anytime,” Youngjae murmured, his voice a low rumble.
God, his voice. It sent a shiver down Luke’s spine.
Youngjae’s eyes, usually so guarded and dark, held a warmth that made Luke’s insides melt. He saw something there. He could see it right now, as clear day. The reciprocal longing and the quiet intensity that mirrored his own.
Fuck.
This feeling that was going through Luke was leaving him breathless. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He wanted to look away, to break the spell that was weaving itself around the two of them, but he couldn’t. He literally couldn’t.He was a moth drawn to a flame, mesmerised and terrified all at once.
The couch felt impossibly small, the space between them shrinking with every passing second. He could feel the heat radiating off Youngjae’s leg where their knees touched, a comforting anchor in the dizzying swirl of his thoughts.
“I… I should probably go to bed now. It’s late,” Luke stammered out, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could properly think them through. It was a flimsy excuse, a desperate attempt to escape the delicious, terrifying pull. His body, however, had other ideas. It remained rooted to the spot, betraying his weak attempt at leaving.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Youngjae’s lips, a knowing curve that sent another jolt through Luke. “Running away already?” Youngjae’s voice was teasing and gentle in its usual way, but it held an underlying tone of challenge that Luke couldn’t ignore. He wasn’t mocking; he was fucking inviting Luke in and Luke was no little bitch. He could rise to the challenge. He would rise to the challenge.
“No,” Luke whispered.
God, what was happening?
Luke shouldn’t have been doing this. He knew that. He had only just broken up with Noah, a relationship that had consumed his whole world for months. The idea of feeling this new thing for someone else, especially someone like Wi Youngjae, felt both exhilarating and profoundly wrong. But he couldn’t stop it. Luke was hooked on Youngjae since that dreaded night of prom where they had danced together in the classroom like they were the only two people who had excited in the world in that moment.
Youngjae’s hand, which had been resting on his knee, slowly and deliberately, moved. His fingers brushed against Luke’s, a feather-light touch that sent sparks igniting through Luke’s entire arm. Luke instinctively flinched, not away from Youngjae, but from the intensity of the sensation.
“Hey,” Youngjae said, his voice softer now, laced with concern. He saw Luke’s internal struggle, the conflict in his eyes. “It’s okay.”
Luke shook his head, a small, helpless gesture. “No, it’s not,” he confessed, the words barely audible. “I just… I don’t know what I’m doing.”
His gaze dropped to their almost intertwined knees, then to Youngjae’s hand now resting gently over his own. The older boys thumb began to stroke the back of Luke’s hand, a slow and hypnotic rhythm that soothed some of the panic, yet amplified the longing.
“You don’t have to know,” Youngjae said, his voice low. “Just…feel.”
Luke looked up at him again, his eyes slightly wide and uncertain. Youngjae’s face was closer now. The scent of him filled Luke’s brain, intoxicating him. He could see the tiny flecks of gold in Youngjae’s dark eyes and he was hooked.
The last time they had been this close was in the kitchen after New Years.
“I’m scared,” Luke admitted, the words a raw whisper torn from his soul. It wasn’t just fear of the unknown, or fear of another heartbreak. It was the fear of this. This potent, undeniable connection that felt entirely different from anything he’d ever experienced. It felt monumental, dangerous, and utterly captivating.
Youngjae’s thumb stilled, then gently squeezed Luke’s hand. He leaned in just a fraction, his gaze unwavering, full of a quiet strength that made Luke feel both vulnerable and incredibly safe. “I know. Me too,” he whispered, his breath ghosting over Luke’s lips. “But I’m right here in front of you. If you want me, you get me. It’s your choice.”
Luke’s heart hammered against his ribs.
Jesus Christ. If I had a dick, it would be pointing straight up right now.
Luke could feel the heat emanating from Youngjae’s body, the subtle tension in his muscles. The older boy wasn’t pushing, but he was holding his ground. He was clearly letting Luke know he wasn’t going anywhere. He was waiting. For Luke.
The silence stretched, filled only with the frantic thrumming of Luke’s own blood in his ears. He was teetering on the tip of a mountain, one side leading back to the familiar lonely and safety part of his bedroom, the other plunging into an unknown and thrilling abyss.
And then, Youngjae shifted. His other hand, which had been resting on the couch cushion between them, slowly rose. Luke watched mesmerised as it reached out, not to his face or his hair, but to the sensitive skin of his neck just beneath his ear. Youngjae’s fingers were warm and firm, and the lightest touch sent shivers down Luke’s entire body.
Luke gasped softly, a barely audible sound. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, savouring the sensation, the sheer electric current that shot through him. When he opened them again, Youngjae’s face was even closer, his eyes intense and searching.
“Can I?” Youngjae’s voice was a low growl, a question that was both a request and a statement of intent. He wasn’t asking for permission to simply touch, but for permission to cross a very clear boundary that the two of them had been tiptoeing around for years. Young wanted to delve into the unspoken desire that had been simmering between them for what felt like an eternity and Luke suddenly couldn’t speak. His throat was too tight, his mind a chaotic whirl of conflicting emotions. But his body, oh, his body knew. It leaned in, a fraction of an inch, a silent, desperate YES.
Youngjae’s eyes darkened, a flash of triumph mixed with tenderness. His thumb began to stroke the sensitive skin of Luke’s neck, a slow and hypnotic rhythm that made Luke’s head loll back slightly, exposing more of his throat. Luke’s breath hitched again, a soft moan escaping his lips. And then, Youngjae closed the remaining distance.
His lips were soft and tentative at first, just a ghost of a touch against Luke’s neck. Then his jaw. Then his chin. Then his lips. He was clearly giving Luke every chance to pull away, but Luke didn’t. Instead, a desperate hunger surged through him, an aching need that had been buried deep beneath layers of uncertainty and fear. He met Youngjae’s kiss, tentatively at first, then with a sudden fierce urgency.
Youngjae responded instantly with a surprised moan, his lips molding against Luke’s, deepening the kiss. His hand tightened on Luke’s neck, pulling him closer, while his other hand slid from Luke’s hand to his waist, drawing their bodies flush against each other. Luke’s arms instinctively wrapped around Youngjae’s neck, his fingers tangling in the soft hair at the nape of his neck.
The kiss was everything Luke hadn’t known he was starving for. It was soft and tender, yet fierce and demanding. It tasted of longing, of unspoken desires finally unleashed. Youngjae’s tongue traced the seam of Luke’s lips, a silent request, and without hesitation, Luke parted them.
Another soft groan rumbled in Youngjae’s chest as their tongues met. Luke felt himself gladly drowning in the sensation. His mind, so recently just filled to the brim with doubt and fear, was now blissfully blank, consumed by the rush of touch and taste.
Youngjae pulled back slightly, just enough to break the kiss, but their foreheads remained pressed together, their breaths mingling. “Fuck, I missed you,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, his thumb still stroking the sensitive skin of Luke’s neck. “Are you sure you wanna do this?”
This? What exactly was this?
Luke knew he was scared. He was terrified. But the fear was overpowered by something much more powerful. He didn’t need to say anything. He simply leaned in again, his lips finding Youngjae’s once more. This time, the kiss was deeper and more confident. Youngjae responded with equal fervor, his hands that was on Luke’s hips pulling him in so that Luke was now straddling his lap.
“This is so bad,” Luke breathed out.
Young’s lips attached to his neck instead and he nodded wordlessly.
“So, so bad,” Luke whispered, craning his neck to give Young better access.
“Feels so right,” Young murmured, kissing Luke’s ear.
“Please,” Luke panted like a dog.
“Please what?”
“Please do something.”
Luke wasn’t even thinking about what the hell he was saying. He just needed…something.
He was suddenly lifted up and then dropped back onto the couch, this time on his back. His legs were inevitably parted and Youngjae quickly settled in between them, and fuck if it didn’t feel like this is where he had always belonged.
“You look so good like this,” Young praised him.
A little mewl escaped Luke’s mouth.
God, i’m such a fucking slut.
Luke wasn’t even aware he could make sounds like this and he should have been embarrassed. He really really should have been. But he wasn’t. He wanted more. So much more.
“Please, Youngjae, I want you,” Luke whispered. “I’ve waited long enough.”
Youngjae froze for the briefest second, like the gravity of what they were about to do suddenly hit him all at once. His eyes searched Luke’s face, his hands braced on either side of his ribs, careful and gentle in a way that only made Luke want him more. Luke swallowed, chest tight with anticipation he could barely stand.
“You sure?” Young whispered again, as if begging him to change his mind before it was too late.
Luke nodded once, eyes soft. “Yeah. I want this. I want you.”
That was all it took. Young leaned down and kissed him again, not desperate this time but slow and devastating, like he wanted to memorise every single second. His hand slowly and timidly slid under Luke’s shirt just a tiny bit, just far enough to feel warm skin but not high enough to push it off. He didn’t try. Didn’t even hint at it.
Luke’s breath caught. He didn’t have to explain. Didn’t have to panic. Young already knew what the whole deal with the shirt was and he respected it.
Young’s thumbs brushed careful circles over the side of Luke’s stomach, grounding and heating him all at once. Luke’s fingers curled into Young’s soft hair, tugging him closer as their hips slotted together, clumsy at first, then perfectly aligned in a way that made Luke gasp into his mouth.
“God,” Young breathed, forehead resting against Luke’s for a moment, lips brushing every word. “You’re killing me.”
Luke laughed, breathless and shaky, and tugged him down again. He didn’t know how his body ended up beneath Youngjae, only that it felt dangerously and amazingly right.
Young kissed him like he’d been starving, like every second they’d spent apart these past months and years had been a slow torture. His mouth moved over Luke’s jaw, his throat, the edge of his collar, careful but hungry. Luke arched into him before he even meant to, a small, desperate sound breaking out of him. Young’s hands traced Luke’s toned stomach further up, his warm palms skimming up his smooth skin. They paused, just for a second, looking for permission.
Luke hesitated. “I want to…I don’t know. Do something. But I just don’t want you to look at me. I know it’s weird. But please.”
“I won’t look,” Young murmured, voice low and hoarse. “We can just feel.”
And God, Luke did.
Young’s mouth was everywhere it could be without crossing that boundary—along the side of Luke’s neck, down the line of his throat, sucking gently at the sensitive spot beneath his ear until Luke writhed. His hands slid over Luke’s hips and his waist, memorising him through the fabric, worshipping every inch he was allowed access to.
Luke squeezed his eyes shut, overwhelmed, breath shaking. “Youngjae.”
“Tell me what you want,” Young whispered against his skin, voice trembling with restraint. “Anything. Just tell me and I’ll do it.”
Luke dragged his nails down Young’s back through his shirt, pulling him closer. “I don’t know. I’ve never…I haven’t done this before. With anyone,” Luke whispered, chest heaving. “Just do something. Anything.”
Young lowered his forehead to Luke’s, their breaths mingling, hot and uneven. “I want to,” he said, barely holding on. “I want to do everything you’ll let me.”
Then his hand slid away from Luke’s stomach and towards his knees where his shorts were riding up. His hands still stayed respectful and cautious as they slid up Luke’s soft thighs, but Luke could see the undeniable want in Young’s eyes and movements, and Luke’s answering gasp made Young groan like he was the one being touched.
“Want you here. Want to feel you here,” Luke breathed out as he clutched at Youngjae, pulling him further on top of him so that their hips moved together in a way frantic and messy. Luke’s legs were wide spread and he didn’t think about the burn in his thighs because it felt so fucking good.
Young cursed against his mouth. “God, Luke—”
“Don’t stop,” Luke pleaded.
“I’m not stopping,” Young rasped, kissing him hard and deep, until Luke couldn’t tell where he ended and Young began.
Luke could feel the outline of Young’s erection pushing against his joggers and right into the heat between Luke’s legs, and fuck, it felt amazing. Luke felt lightheaded, like he was floating on a soft fluffy cloud. He didn’t care that Young’s dick was pushing against an area of his body that he was very very insecure about. He didn’t care that he wished he also had the tools to form an erection so that Young could feel good too All he could think about was the pleasure shooting through his entire body.
The couch dipped under their weight. Luke felt himself tipping and falling, not away from danger but directly into it, into something terrifying and overwhelming and so good he could barely breathe.
“Shit, this feels so good,” Youngjae breathed against Luke’s mouth.
“I…” Luke couldn’t speak. All he could do was feel. Feel the way Young rocked his hips back and forth to create friction so his dick ground right into the area where Luke needed to feel it. Young was frantic now and Luke moaned and gasped and panted and FUCK.
Young stilled above him, letting out a low groan.
Luke blinked in surprise. He lay there on the couch, chest still rising and falling fast, Youngjae half-draped over him, both of them flushed and breathless. For a long moment, neither spoke. The living room was alive with just the sound of their panting and the soft hum of the TV still playing in the background.
Then Young let out a small laugh. Quiet, shaky, embarrassed.
Luke blinked, looking up at him. “What?”
Young rubbed his face with one hand, cheeks burning. “We just… dry humped on the couch like we were in ninth grade.”
Luke snorted despite himself. “Yeah. Like a couple of hormonal idiots.”
“Pretty much,” Young said, dropping his forehead against Luke’s shoulder with a groan. “That was… embarrassingly hot.”
Luke’s cheeks went even redder. “It… actually felt really good.”
“Really good,” Young agreed softly. “And now my joggers are all sticky.”
Their laughter faded into something quieter, something warm and electric.
Young shifted a little so he could look Luke in the eye again, brushing a thumb over the edge of his jaw. For a moment, Luke thought Young was going to kiss him again, but instead Young’s expression changed. Tensed. Hesitated.
“Luke…” he began, voice low. “We need to talk about the elephant in the room.”
Luke’s stomach immediately twisted. “What elephant?”
“Gabe,” Young said quietly, glancing upward toward the ceiling where Gabe was snoring. “He’s upstairs right now. Dead asleep. And we just—” He sighed. “If he found out about this… about us… he’d lose it. He would literally kill me. You know how protective he is of you. The shit he says to me sometimes kinda scares me, honestly.”
Luke’s heart dropped straight through the couch. There it was. The let-down. The backtrack. The ‘this was a mistake’ speech he could feel coming. He forced himself to look away. “It’s fine. You don’t have to explain. I get it. You’re just—”
“No.” Young cut him off sharply.
Luke blinked.
Young shifted upright, cupping the side of Luke’s face with both hands like he needed Luke to really hear him. “Hey. Hey, look at me.”
Luke did, throat tight.
“I’m not letting you go,” Young said fiercely. “Not again.”
Luke froze.
“I’m not backing away. I’m not pretending this didn’t happen. I’m not going to push you toward someone else. I’m done doing that.” Young’s voice trembled just enough to prove he meant it. “I lost you once because I was scared and stupid and trying to protect everyone but myself. I’m not making that mistake again.”
Luke stared, wide-eyed, breath stuck in his throat.
Young swallowed, thumb brushing Luke’s cheekbone. “I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time. I’m tired of pretending I don’t.”
“Y-Youngjae…”
“I know we have to be careful around Gabe. I know this can’t be public tomorrow. I know your life is already messy and you just got out of something complicated.” He leaned closer, breath warm against Luke’s lips. “But none of that changes the fact that I want to be with you.”
Luke’s heart kicked violently against his ribs.
Young took a breath. “Luke Davies… I want you to be my boyfriend.”
Luke’s mouth fell open. “You—” he tried, voice cracking. “You want that?”
Young’s expression softened into a smile so gentle Luke felt it in his bones. “More than anything.”
Luke made a small, humiliating noise—half laugh, half sob—as he covered his face with his hands.
Young immediately tugged them away and leaned down to kiss him softly. “Don’t hide from me.”
Luke shook his head, smiling helplessly. “You’re insane.”
“Probably,” Young said, grinning now. “But I just dry humped you on a couch, so no take backs.”
Luke laughed into his chest and grabbed fistfuls of Young’s shirt, pulling him closer. “Okay,” he whispered, voice shaking with happiness he didn’t know how to hold. “Okay. I wanna be your boyfriend too.”
Youngjae slumped back against the couch, hands still warm on Luke’s hips, and let out the most dramatic, pathetic little groan. “I wanna sneak into your bed so bad,” he whined.
Luke snorted, face still blazing. “Young—”
“No, you don’t get it.” Young dropped his head back against the cushions like he was actually in pain. “I want to hold you. I want to fall asleep with you. I want you breathing on my damn neck. I want—”
“Okay!” Luke hissed, clapping a hand over his mouth. “Stop talking.”
Young grinned wickedly against Luke’s hand, then kissed his palm.
Luke melted instantly. Of course he did.
Young sat up slowly and reluctantly, like his body physically didn’t want to break contact. “But,” he sighed, voice dropping back to a whisper, “your brother is upstairs. If he catches me in your bed—”
“He’ll kill you,” Luke whispered back.
“Exactly,” Young said. “And tragically, I’m very attached to being alive right now.”
Luke rolled his eyes, but his smile wouldn’t leave his face. Youngjae stood up, offering Luke a hand, and pulled him gently to his feet. For a second, they both swayed and just stared at each other. Then Luke let out the most embarrassing and bashful life ever and Young snickered at his reaction. Young pulled his hand and they padded through the quiet, dark house together, shoulders brushing, fingers brushing, stealing tiny, secret touches they both pretended not to initiate.
When they reached Luke’s bedroom door, Young stopped him with a hand on his wrist. “Come here,” he murmured.
Luke stepped closer, heartbeat rising.
Young cupped his jaw and kissed him slow, deep and lingering. Luke kissed back greedily and desperately, every nerve in his body sparking to life. The kiss softened, softened some more, then softened again, until it was barely even lips—just breaths, shared air, Young’s forehead leaning against Luke’s.
“I can’t believe you’re mine,” Young whispered.
Luke’s breath caught. “You are so cheesy.”
“Yeah,” Young murmured, brushing their noses together. “You gotta get used to that. I turn into a fucking melt when I like someone. Sorry in advance.”
Luke’s smile was so big it hurt. “I can handle it.”
“Good,” Young whispered, stealing one last kiss.
Luke tugged softly on the front of his shirt. “I wish you could stay.”
Young gave him a look so longing it nearly knocked him over. “Me too. More than you know.” He kissed the corner of Luke’s mouth, lingering just a second too long. “But tomorrow. Tomorrow we’ll have more time before I go. And after that… all summer.”
Luke felt his knees go weak.
“Goodnight, Luke.”
“Goodnight, Youngjae,” Luke whispered.
Young slowly backed away, eyes locked on Luke’s the entire time. He only turned when he absolutely had to, padding softly toward Gabe’s room.
Luke slipped into his bedroom, shut the door behind him, and let out a silent, breathless laugh. He crawled into bed, pulled the covers up to his chin, and let the truth settle deep in his chest: He was Youngjae’s boyfriend. His cheeks ached from smiling.
He drifted to sleep happier than he had ever been in his entire life.
Authors Note: 👀
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