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Jaehyun can confidently say that he’s a romantic and huge sucker for love. Considering he was born on Valentine’s Day, it's basically in his biology. The concept of love was something he always found fascinating. The warm feelings and the nerves to be around that special someone. The fear of telling the person and praying the feelings are returned. The mutual trust that’s shared once the relationship grows. Jaehyun wanted to experience that too. But he never did. No one ever fancied him, not until 2013 when Yuta Nakamoto came into his life.
Jaehyun was a shy, awkward teenager at the time. He was focusing on his dream of being a singer and navigating through the rest of puberty (the time of realizing his sexuality was not a great ride, but one he really needed). And knowing how dating was in the industry, it wasn't something he wanted to focus on just yet, even though he so badly wanted a partner. He vowed to get his career going before he found the one.
He vowed that but even he knew the heart palpitations he experienced when a SM staff member walked into the practice room with the prettiest boy Jaehyun had ever seen. It felt like the whole world stopped as he stared at the boy in front of him and the others. He looked about the same height as him, his black hair framed his face, and his eyes . They were big, deep brown and Jaehyun swore they were black holes that held the galaxy in them.
“This is Yuta, he’s Japanese, 95 liner and new trainee. I'll leave him here with you guys. He'll also stay in your dorm so please treat him well.”
This Yuta was obviously nervous in a new environment, and his wide eyes seemed to reflect everything he was feeling. He looked transparent and honest. Even though Jaehyun was younger he wanted to protect this hyung.
So shy Jaehyun decided to be brave. He walked over to Yuta and held out a hand, his smile making his dimples show. “Hi I’m Jaehyun,” He spoke in English, hoping that would be easier for the other boy to understand. The japanese boy stared at him in awe for a moment, snapping out of his daze and gently taking his hand. “Hi, I’m Yuta,” He blessed Jaehyun with a wide smile and Jaehyun knew-
He was truly gone .
He felt his brain buffering but thankfully Johnny, Taeyong, Mark, and Ten were next to introduce themselves so no one noticed his malfunction. He hung back as they tried to converse with the boy. It seemed like Yuta and Taeyong hit it off once they realized they were the same age, Johnny right behind them. Even though there was a language barrier, they both were patient in waiting for their words to be translated. “Do you want to join us in dancing a little? We can show what we’ve been working on.”
Yuta seemed excited by that and so the group of boys went back to dancing. Jaehyun did what he could to help. While Taeyong went back into teacher mode, Jaehyun hung back next to Yuta to help point things out when he looked confused. He seemed to catch on pretty quickly considering it’s only been hours.
Jaehyun had a feeling Yuta was going to stay in his life for a long time.
After a few hours, practice finally ended. The boys flapped around the floor exhausted. Taeyong pulled out his phone, “I hope you don’t mind but when we get a new trainee we take pictures together to celebrate!” He waited as a staff member translated what he said, Yuta listening attentively. He smiled and giggled “Okay!”
Johnny whooped and asked the staff if he could take their picture. They crowded next to each other, Jaehyun selfishly making sure he was next to Yuta. He wasn’t sure where to put his hand but luckily Yuta decided for him. The older boy rested his hand on Jaehyun’s shoulder, looking at him in question. Jaehyun was quick to smile and nod at him, letting him know it was more than okay.
The group faced the camera, smiling and grinning and the staff members counted down.
“3…2…1!”
---
Jaehyun stared fondly at the photo in his hand. It’s been eight long years since then but the feelings never changed. Jaehyun’s heart still raced and ached for the same person. Only this time it was different.
He was snapped out of his nostalgia when arms wrapped around his neck and a head bumped his own. He couldn’t control the smile when the head nuzzled into his neck. “Can I help you?”
“I’m bored…”
“And?”
A whine escaped the person behind him and Jaehyun decided to give mercy. He turned around in the arms holding him and was face to face with Yuta’s doe eyes. His smile turned from teasing to something softer and he let one hand rest on the older’s waist as the other ran a hand through the red hair framing his pretty face. God he was so in love. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Yuta smiled back, “What were you doing instead of giving me attention?”
That made the taller of the two laugh, “I was giving you attention, just not the present you.” He held up the photo for the older male to see. He watched as Yuta’s eyes changed into a deep fondness, never being able to hide what he’s feeling.
“You were so young back then, so shy.”
“I was sixteen.”
“Yeah and shorter than me with a cute voice,” Yuta frowned, “Now you’re taller than me, have a deep voice and abs. What happened to my baby?”
The younger smirked, pulling his boyfriend even closer and whispering into his ear, “I thought you liked me grown up.” He smirked even more from the shiver he could feel running through Yuta’s body.
“S-Shut up. I like all parts of you.”
“And I love all parts of you.” Jaehyun leaned back with a small smile, “I have since the day you walked in the practice room.”
“God you’re so embarrassing and cheesy…” The blush that dusted Yuta’s cheeks was enough to boost his ego for a few days.
“Yeah but you love my cheese.”
Yuta closed his eyes with a sigh of defeat, “You’re right, I really do.” He peeked through his long eyelashes and stared at his boyfriend, “Our anniversary is soon…”
“Yes that it is.”
“Do…” Yuta looked off to the side, “Do you want anything in particular? Or go somewhere?”
Jaehyun hummed, swaying them side to side as he thought. It was hard to say. Their repackage album was about to release in a few days and they had promotions, as well as NCT 2021 coming. Plus he already had a whole spicy night planned for Yuta’s birthday.
“Honestly, as long as I’m with you I’m fine with anything.
Yuta let out a sigh of relief, “That’s honestly great to hear. I really want to keep it lowkey this year. We have so much going on right now.”
“We could just stay in bed all day.”
The redhead’s eyes lit up, “We can watch anime and cuddle.”
“Amongst other things...”
“Yah get your head out of the gutter you hornball.”
“I’m a growing boy Yudda, I have needs.”
“You are no boy.”
Jaehyun chuckled, “Yeah yeah I know.”
Yuta smiled in triumph, pulling Jaehyun back closer, resting his head on his shoulder. Jaehyun kept his firm hold on his waist and continued to sway them.
“Is this what you consider entertainment?”
“Anytime with you is entertainment.”
“Now look at who's cheesy.”
The older male let out a soft giggle, the kind that made Jaehyun’s heart expand tenfold.
“ YUTAAA ”
“ OPPAAA ”
Their personal bubble burst from the call of Jungwoo and Mark. Said person let out a groan. Jaehyun smiled, “Your kids are calling for you.”
“I don’t want to move.”
“Jungwoo will for you.”
“Ugh fine.”
Yuta pulled away not without letting his hand run down Jaehyun's chest with a playful look. “I’ll head out now.”
“Ok. Are you sleeping in here or I’m going to your room?”
“I’ll come here and kick Woo out.”
“Okay.”
Yuta rose on his tiptoes and softly kissed him. Jaehyun wasn’t having that, bringing him for a firmer kiss. The redhead chuckled, “If you keep kissing me like that I really won’t leave.”
Jaehyun finally pulled away, “I’ll see you later Hyung.”
“ YUUUTAAAAA HYUNGIEE.”
“I’m coming!!” Yuta rolled his eyes before smiling at his boyfriend, “I’ll see you later baby. Love you.”
“Love you too.” He called out as Yuta walked out the room. Jaehyun stared at the door for a moment longer before looking down at the photo still in his hand. They came a long way, he thought. It was a little rocky getting Yuta to realize how whipped Jaehyun was for him, with Yuta being the most oblivious person on the earth. But slow and steady won the race. Jaehyun was loyal and patient, and it paid off in 2019 when things came to a head. They grew as people, as friends, as lovers.
And Jaehyun wouldn’t want it any other way.