❝good friends my ass.❞

chan flinched from his placed and turned to the side with his brows furrowed, surprised to hear the older say that with such language. ❝anything bothering you?❞

jeffrey helped him in arranging the books in the bookshelves and even carried some for the younger as they were making their way to find a vacant table at the corner of the library. ❝i've had enough of everything already!❞

it was so not like the wong to look so frustrated as ever. the last time that chan had seen him like this was when the older was too busy with managing with his school projects that he didn't get to visit his papa to the hospital, who was expecting for his youngest sibling. three weeks, jeffrey blamed himself for three weeks for being a bad brother for not being present there and witnessing little sushi's first breath in this world. the lee can't calm him down, and not even his bestfriend's jokes were able to put a smile on his face during that time.

seeing him act like this, he must have been so conflicted with his situation. he was always seen as someone who's composed and collected, who is so kind and patient, someone who can never get mad even if you get jiro to pick up a fight with him. watching him cussing his life out and having a fistful of his hand clutching on to his hair— chan was lowkey enjoying this.

❝it's a surprise that you're coming to me for this.❞ the younger said with a chuckle, dropping the books he was forced to read down and placed all his attention to male sitting across him. ❝i thought jiro is your partner in crime.❞

the mention of that guy's name caused for jeffrey's brow to twitch. ❝don't even get me started with him.❞

❝i know, he brought twenty to a bar.❞ chan then started to explain to him what his boyfriend ranted to him with their phone call last night. ❝and so did his parents find out about it.❞

that was the part of the story which the wong did not know of. ❝is that why he's not here?❞

the lee laughed with a nod. ❝he's grounded.❞

not saying anything for a good minute, jeffrey started clapping as if he was congratulating his friend for winning something. ❝deserved.❞

chan can't help but roll his eyes at the two's friendship. way back, he can clearly remember how that park hated this guy's guts. he didn't know if it was because the wong had done something to annoy him, or because he is just simply jealous. knowing jiro, it's probably the latter. he can be truly a handful sometimes, chan is still wondering why he ever fell for someone like him. then again, 

❝so, let me guess, no gadgets?❞ jeffrey questioned.

only to have the younger shake his head. ❝he reasoned out that it was the only way to catch up from school while being grounded.❞

not to mention, jiro's papa almost decided to send him to china and have him stay there for a week because of what he has done. what did his dad and younger brother do while he was being scolded by the one and only zhong chenle? they sat down on the sofa and ate their macaroons while watching the sight unfold.

❝then, food?❞ jeffrey said with a brow raised.

that's also not it. ❝he said he will die if he doesn't eat, which he did have a point. or, he's just being a dramatic chicken.❞

the wong scoffed. ❝what is he not allowed to do while being grounded?❞

❝seeing me, that's what.❞ and it also looked like chan was proud to know that he can be of threat to the male's life.

not quite getting it, jeffrey made a confused noise as he tilted his head to the side. ❝what?❞

❝believe me when i tell you this, he called me last night and he was crying because he wouldn't be able to see me for about a week.❞ the sound that chan was making was like hearing someone do a keyboard smash. obviously, he was finding his boyfriend's suffering very entertaining.

❝uncle lele just said, "no chan." and he's already being a mess about it?❞ with a snort, the wong, too, was having the time of his life seeing the park being punished for what he had done. ❝i can see that happening.❞

❝i don't think uncle lele has mercy on anyone.❞ the tanned male leaned forwards with his elbows propped on the table, whispering something confidential to the older. ❝i heard that he made uncle ji sleep at the sofa for not giving him a rose flavored ice cream.❞

a rose flavored ice cream? jeffrey's faced scrunched at the unfamiliar kind of flavor but then shrugged at what he said. ❝my papa threw dad at the garage for ignoring him and putting all his attention to his pet goldfish.❞

that silenced chan for a while, already imagining that the older's chaotic father is building his own fort at the garage for being always there. he then snapped out from his thoughts and also had something to share about his parents. ❝papa just didn't let dad touch him for a good whole month when he destroyed that cardboard.❞

❝cardboard?❞ there were a lot of questionable things inside the lee's residence, this is one of those.

the younger male nodded his head as if it was normal for each family to have a cardboard at home. ❝it was a gift from uncle ootah, a cardboard of my dad.❞

jeffrey wasn't definitely the curious type, but he just had to ask. ❝and your papa has it?❞

❝bad shit happened in their past.❞ chan commented with a chuckle. ❝i even heard from your dad that they saw live porn by the river and i was possibly made there.❞

a gasp was heard from the older, already immersed from the most spontaneous topic they are having. ❝i was made exactly during new year's eve.❞

the two of them stared at each other with pure confusion before having the same question in mind. ❝where do you think jiro was made?❞

sure, they may have different group of friends because of being separated by their years and also sections, but the three of them have been very close since they were in diapers. though, it took a while for jeffrey and jiro to get along together, chan has been in between them all the time and has been the bridge for the two of them. the park's stubborn attitude and the wong's perfectionist trait just doesn't compliment to one another but look at them now, being the best of friends.

but back to their concern, where was jiro made? it was just a random curious thought they were having but it seems like they were dying to know. the male doesn't really talk about his parent's life story of how their love grew towards each other. as much as they wanted to push the park into telling them about his parents, they very well knew that it was a sensitive topic for him to talk about.

❝do you think they did it at the balcony?❞ chan made a wild guess.

knowing the male's parents, that could possibly be it but then, jeffrey had another guess in mind. ❝or maybe, they made him inside the bathroom—❞

❝you guys look like you're summoning a demon, or something.❞

❝ah!❞ they then let out a loud shriek at the voice that was suddenly heard, earning a warning hush coming from the librarian. both the wong and the lee stared at each other for a short second before moving away from each other and turning their heads to the side, seeing a certain half thai standing there with his arms crossed and an obvious frown on his face.

no, they weren't summoning a demon, they were finding out where that demon (jiro) was made.

❝oh, twenty?❞ chan's eyes glanced at the older across him, and notice the wong just staring at the smaller male standing there, before giving the younger a small smile. ❝you're here.❞

the said male was trying to keep his gaze away from a certain someone. after the uncomfortable breakfast they had, he can't seem to even start a proper conversation with him. this may look like he was avoiding him when in fact, he just finds it awkward. ❝we just got dismissed. i was having a hard time with one of my subject, i just thought that maybe you can help me.❞

that would never be a reason why twenty would approach him first. it took chan a while to fully understand what he meant. ❝w-well, i still have things to finish first. maybe you can wait and—❞

❝that's strange, you usually would ask me when it comes to your studies.❞ while the smaller male was avoiding eye contact with him, jeffrey had his arms folded across his chest and never had his attention leaving the younger. ❝what happened to being good friends?❞

blinking his eyes in a clueless manner, this was the first time that chan had encounter the wong looking upset, that sweet smile of his showed his temper boiling inside. he opened his mouth and was about to ask him politely to leave so he and the half thai can have a talk, but seems like twenty had beat him to it by also having a sarcastic and boredom laced in the tone of his voice.

❝for your information, you're not the only good friend i have.❞ he snapped back.

jeffrey looked like he was out of it. ❝but i'm the only good friend who got to fuck you.❞

the confidence in his deep voice made chan let out a quiet yelp, feeling the tension between them and shrinking down at how they were shooting lasers with their glares. again, he made an another attempt to calm the both down. ❝o-okay, i think w-we need—❞

twenty clenched his fists and had his teeth gritted at how he was being exposed by him. lucky for them, there was no one else inside the library except for them. he had no idea what had gotten him for the wong to act like that. all they did was have breakfast together with his parents and got to separate their ways after, minding their own businesses in their university. he had so many things to ask him at this moment but recalling that they are inside the library, that made the half thai to shut his mouth up and look away once more.

❝got nothing to say?❞ when he said that he had enough, he really did mean it. jeffrey stood up from the chair while having both his hands inside his pocket.

the older male was towering over him, making twenty feel more small as he could basically see how his stern gaze focused down on him. ❝it's not like we have anymore things to talk about anyways.❞

❝are you sure about that?❞ the wong took a step close and he noticed how the shorter moved back.

never in his life did he expect to be scared at someone like jeffrey. even though his body is a threat itself already, his face and his personality was never the aggressive, jiro's soul probably took in his body as a form. ❝we finished talking last night.❞

and that's what pissed him, the two of them didn't do anything last night except for apologizing to each other and doing one soft round inside the bathroom. thinking about it, the two of them never really got to have a proper conversation as they kept on being distracted to one another.

and jeffrey is gong to make sure that this is the last time they are going to get distracted.

heaving out a sigh, twenty turned to face the certain lee that stayed there with his jaw dropping. ❝if you're busy, we can study later— hey!❞

chan could only watch at how the half thai was being taken away by the wong, tightly gripping on to his arm and dragging him away from the library. as much as he wanted to stop the two from leaving without explaining what was happening between them, he was genuinely frightened at how serious and strict jeffrey looked. he then recalled at how scared jiro was also last night as he talk about the male.

sitting there, chan leaned back to his chair while processing what had just happened. ❝is there a side of jeffrey that i do not know about?❞

"let go of me!"

with everyone was going back to their respective classes, jeffrey made sure to drag the smaller figure at the hallways where students rarely pass by. as the younger kept on squirming from his hold, the wong remained unfazed of what was happening until they finally reached a corridor where he gently threw the younger to the wall and startled him by slamming his hands on both his sides. he was too preoccupied with thinking about his purpose that he didn't notice how the smaller figure he is trapping looked damn scared.

❝what is it this time!?❞ twenty asked as he gathered the courage to look at him straight in the eye.

❝your papa labeled us as good friends, and you didn't do anything to correct him?❞ moving away a slight bit, the wong gave him space as it looked like he was too dangerously close.

❝what for?❞ the fear from his eyes then disappeared as twenty now started to feel irritated at how the older male was acting this way.

❝we are not friends, twenty.❞ he finally said it, just realizing that this wasn't the right situation to talk about this but it has been done anyways. ❝we are far from being one—❞

❝what do you want me to do, admit that we are fuck buddies?!❞ his piercing voice echoed down the hallways that could possibly attract the nearest students. ❝that's like signing for my death bed, hyung.❞

not only his, but jeffrey could also get in trouble for it. but even with that being said, the wong still remained brave as if his positivity can get him elsewhere. ❝trust me, i can fix this.❞

❝great! what can you possibly do after i tell my parents about our relationship?❞ even twenty, himself, can't imagine how they'd react if they find out about their son already losing his v-card at a tender age. to make it worse, he lost it to someone that everyone trusted the most. ❝are you also going to talk it out like how you're doing it do me? please, i tell you, you can't get away from my dad. it's better if we just keep it a secret.❞

pushing himself away from the wall, jeffrey ran a hand through his hair, feeling so much stress and burden in this situation. ❝and what, fool people more?❞

❝what's wrong with that?❞ twenty shrugged, not finding a fault in just hiding what had happened just between themselves. ❝no one will get hurt.❞

❝i will get hurt.❞ he finally admitted, staring straight to his eyes so the younger could see how truthful his words are. ❝twenty, both of us are hurting.❞

they only locked gazes but the shorter male didn't say a word into agreeing about it.

❝don't tell me, you haven't caught feelings in the middle of always doing it.❞ jeffrey took a deep breath in as he massaged his temples. ❝twenty—❞

❝let's stop this.❞

stiffening from his place, the taller male stood their with his eyes widening at what he had heard coming from the half thai.

he didn't even have the guts to look at him, afraid that he might get caught being affected with that he'd have to say. ❝since we're both getting hurt, might as well stop it. this was supposed to have no strings attached. let's end this, that's the best solution we have.❞

those words he had said caught jeffrey off guard and it mayhaps also made his heart crack, bit by bit.

❝let's act as if nothing really happened, we didn't make an agreement that one time you got yourself drunk at your house.❞ he ended it that way slowly started taking steps away from the older who still looked surprised, and hurt.

and do you expect for jeffrey to just let him get away with it?

of course not. there's no way he's letting this end this way.

which is why, he snapped back from his senses and went to catch up towards the smaller figure that was about to take a turn and hopefully go back to his class. but the wong wasn't going to let that happen, finally able to take hold of his arm once more and unintentionally slamming him back to the wall. twenty gasped at the action, clearly not getting himself ready for it. ❝hyung— hm..❞

and not letting him speak, he smashed their lips together.

he stayed still and waited for the other to push him away, but that didn't happen. and so, jeffrey took this opportunity to deepen the kiss and have his arm snake around the smaller's waist. seems like twenty also forgot that he was supposed to stop being this intimate with the older, already drowning at the kiss and even making an attempt to lead it. 

their kiss was no where near being innocent, it was messy. they were abusing each other's lips and were looking like they are craving for one another deeply. with a both his hands on the older's nape, twenty tiptoed so that he can match the male's height— which was still no use. however, jeffrey was the one who adjusted and leaned a bit down after pressing the shorter male to the wall as he continued to devour his lips as if its the only thing that keeping him sane. when actually, it was making him go crazy.

air? they didn't need that.

all they needed was each other's presence.

but it was stupid of them to think that they were the only ones there just because everyone had went to their respective rooms already. nope, there was one student who is still roaming around and it just so happens the she walked in to a sight of her brother making out with her ex-boyfriend.

❝ge?❞

pulling away in an instant, the both of them were catching their breaths and took them seconds before they had to turn their heads towards the direction where the female voice was heard. and seeing her stand there with a hand covering her mouth, twenty had to push jeffrey away from him start explaining things to her. this wasn't supposed to happen, he was supposed to break her heart like this. because even if he fell out of love, twenty still genuinely cared for her as a friend.

and seeing her look betrayed like this made him feel like he was the only jerk alive in this world. ❝y-yanna, let me—❞

❝i'm sorry, i w-was disturbing something.❞ she quickly turned around before her tears comes streaming down from her eyes.

while twenty was feeling like a jerk, jeffrey was feeling like he was the worst brother that anyone can have. he could have sworn that there was no one around the place. why did this have to happen? among all times that they had to be caught, why does it have to be now?

and among everyone, why does it have to be his sister?

⚊ t b c ⚊