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They say that the dragon at the academy has a soft spot for Yang Jungwon.
The dragon hasn't been part of the place for that long–he’s no mystical being guarding a sacred institution. Nor is he bonded with the headmaster, his blood is not part of any ritual to create a fortress to guard the alumni.
He’s just the dragon that has been here for about two years before Jungwon arrived. Though his behaviour is too obvious not to make such a claim. That he is fond of Yang Jungwon.
Far too fond.
They know him as a loner, the students, a majestic 'loner' creature that at times rests all calmly by himself under the cherry-blossom trees in the academy’s garden. Far from the students’ eyes. And is also known as a being that does not interact just like that because--he's probably not a pet.
So when you see the dragon, he's just there to be admired--it can be seen by the overly confident look on his eyes. The dragon knows himself 'pretty'. A beautiful wyrm, pure white, scales all iridescent, eyes like ambers and sapphires. Like he's been crafted out of lunar shards and moonstone.
When Yang Jungwon arrives--the dragon is all over him. His magnificent figure circles him, curls around him in an inviting way for Jungwon to sit against him or lie down beside him, or on his back, whichever. It’s like he wants to be chosen by the new face at the academy (the face is not new to the dragon, however).
The dragon has heard he is protective of Jungwon, a bit possessive, too. The statement isn’t a lie.
He doesn’t like it when he hears others talk about Jungwon, about how cute and adorable Jungwon is. About how they wish that they could ask him out. And the dragon can’t help but get a bit jealous when Jungwon visits with others--with a Kim Sunoo here, a Nishimura Riki there.
And when Jungwon caresses his horns and runs a hand over his scales--the dragon feels like all the fire within is melting him from the inside.
It’s not like lava, or like molten blazes inside. It resembles a candle lighting up his heart, a pretty flame burning brightly inside his chest.
When he sees Jungwon smiling at him like he's the prettiest thing he has seen--the dragon goes on and on in his head: 'Yang Jungwon, why on earth are you so cute. Cute, you are so cute, Jungwonie, why are you so cute?’
And when Jungwon looks at him all curious and asks him if he is smiling, the dragon can’t help but think, ‘yes, because you are looking at me. Yang Jungwon is looking at me. Yang Jungwon is paying attention to me.'
If he was a pocket sized dragon, he would nuzzle against Jungwon's neck, rest on his shoulder, accompany him--but he can only bump his nose against Jungwon at this size, and take delight in seeing him smiling. He hasn't seen Jungwon smile so bright in years--he takes advantage that he can make him smile this precise way.
It still makes his heart go, if he’s being honest. But then, everything about Jungwon makes his heart skip so many beats.
And at times, he has heard from Jungwon's friends that : 'he must have fallen in love with Jungwon.'
'He must want to be bonded with Jungwon.'
Both true. Undeniable. Extremely correct.
But witches only bond with witches, first and foremost. Especially the ones from Jungwon’s year--and if they haven't decided, they can aim for higher years but only through an arranged date and if the senior witch is available. Bonds are serious things, after all. And they can pair up with dragons, but they have to be registered as shapeshifters–it’s a different type of bond altogether. Bonus points mainly.
There are no papers that name this dragon as one, a shapeshifter.
But it doesn't mean that he's not.
Or that he isn't a witch, either.
It's one of those perpetual spring afternoons in the academy when Jungwon walks into the garden–the season downpouring after his entrance, the cherry-blossom trees greeting him with petals.
And then, he breaks the news.
"So, I've got a date arranged." he says, hands at the sides of the dragon's face, carefully cupping his face like he's made of crystals and fine enchantments (he is if he does say so himself, but that's something he would be able to say if he were human right now)
The silence that follows Jungwon’s statement is a little deafening. He waits for Jungwon to elaborate. Gaze fixed on Jungwon, relishing the sensation of his thumbs drawing circles on his skin.
"It's Sunghoon-hyung."
The dragon--no, Sunghoon stills.
'Thank heavens it got accepted.' Sunghoon thinks.
A part of him can’t stop the glee that courses through him upon hearing the news. His request got accepted by the headmaster, all the paperwork was worth it. Sunghoon had gone into the headmaster’s office with tons of papers and a dream, really. And a long list of explanations as to why a third year would want to form a pact with a first year.
Because that is his dream, to form a pact with Yang Jungwon.
His Jungwonie.
It’s a habit that he can’t drop, thinking about Jungwon as ‘his’. It must be the dragon blood that courses through his system.
But that doesn’t matter, either way, if he wasn’t a dragon and he was just a human–he thinks a bit of that would still be part of his behaviour. Wanting Jungwon’s eyes on him all the time, longing for his attention, feeling a tiny bit murderous when other eyes are on him.
He still thinks he would be that way if he was just a witch. But being both witch and dragon makes him even more possessive.
Jungwon raises an eyebrow, “Are you in shock?”
Life surges through Sunghoon’s body when hearing it–yes he’s in shock, a good type of shock.
One that makes him inevitably bump his nose against Jungwon’s chest repeatedly, being careful not to be too rough so that Jungwon doesn’t end up falling over. But he’s overjoyed, he can’t stop himself when he ends rapidly nuzzling Jungwon.
“Hey hey hey–haha–why are you getting so happy for?” Jungwon asks, wrapping his arms around Sunghoon’s head. “You’re behaving like a puppy.”
Sunghoon stops, looks up.
“What? You’re behaving like one, like you are a pet.”
Sunghoon would groan in response. But there are so many lines that blur when it comes to Yang Jungwon, so he just looks at him and lets it slide. Takes in the sight of his arranged date, his childhood friend, the crush of his life, the boy he’s always been in love with and that academics took from him.
Ah, how he’s missed Jungwon.
Sunghoon absorbs all the details, the sharp and soft features of his face, the natural rose that dusts over his cheeks, the feline edge of his eyes. The fluffy hair. How he’s so small next to him like this. How cute. How it would be so easy to place his head on top of Jungwon’s when in his human form, nuzzle his cheek against his hair. Wrap his arms around the younger.
‘Hehe,’ his mind goes, unable to stop his thoughts, ‘Jungwonie is going to be bound to me. We are going to make a pact and then more than likely date, and kiss and then–Jungwonie is mine mine mine, so mine. I have a chance.’
He isn’t sure what precise expression he has on his face, but he knows it has made Jungwon’s eyes widen.
“Ah how beautiful,” Jungwon says, his hands moving to Sunghoon’s horns, running up and down both of them, leaving electricity in its wake–it feels dreamy, “You look far too happy about the news.”
Sunghoon makes a sound, not like a groan, or a roar, it’s meant to be a ‘mhm’, but it sounds like a very low growl.
Jungwon rubs the side of Sunghoon’s face with his own cheek–and Sunghoon can’t help his heart soaring at the attention. He looks at Jungwon like he’s the biggest treasure he could have ever been given the honor to have.
“Your eyes got all bright, why?”
‘Because of you,’ Sunghoon responds in his mind, but his eyes only form crescents. Hoping that it gets the message across.
“Do you know him? Sunghoon-hyung? Is that why you are so happy?” Jungwon asks.
Sunghoon freezes for a bit, Jungwon searches for his gaze.
“Do you like him?”
It’s probably his own emotions getting to his brain so rapidly–making him dizzy. His head goes round and round because Jungwon is so close like this–that disconnects his movements from anything logical. Sunghoon nods, it probably comes across as yeah, I like this Park Sunghoon for you.
That’s probably cheating though, because Jungwon is fond of him, so this is like playing matchmaker for himself. Yes, this Park Sunghoon is perfect for you, would give you the moon and the stars if you ask. Would protect you forever. Would look after you forever. Has loved you forever.
He loves you, he loves you a lot. Give him a chance. Look at him, one chance is all he asks.
Sunghoon nods one more time, then two, then three.
Jungwon’s surprise is reflected on his irises.
“Ah so you do,” he says, a sole nod of acknowledgment, his gaze fixes on the tree above them–like he is rummaging through his mind to find something more concise to say than just that, “Never seen you with him, though… what’s there not to like…”
Sunghoon tilts his head, and he internally curses himself for behaving exactly like a puppy in front of Jungwon. This is why everyone says that the dragon is in love.
But, ‘what’s there not to like’?
His curiousity can’t be contained, so he bumps his nose against Jungwon’s shoulder, a silent way of saying ‘elaborate’.
Jungwon smiles at him, a light pat on his head, “He’s kind, with a noble heart, hardworking and reliable and…” the corner of Jungwon’s lips remain curved, every caress has Sunghoon melting under his touch–it’s unavoidable, the way it feels like an arrow has pierced his heart. Cupid puncturing him further and all that stuff.
And? And, and, and?
His eyes must look too eager, because Jungwon snorts, “And he’s nice, he’s always so nice with me… sometimes I wonder…”
Jungwon’s words trail off, shimmer like fairy dust and vaporize as they hang in the air. And Sunghoon is impatient–sometimes you wonder, what?
It’s a silent demand in the shape of snuggling, he buries his head against Jungwon’s heart, huffing and making noises to urge him to speak more.
“Hey–what–”
The nuzzling doesn’t stop, Sunghoon insists. He gets to hear Jungwon talking about him. He’s not going to lose his chance. Not when all their interactions have been about catching up, but never about more–even when he hasn’t been able to stop himself from complimenting Jungwon.
To the point he sometimes has felt delusional hoping for Jungwon to look at him with eyes that are not just of admiration.
The quietness is a pleasure, the synchronicity they exhibit far too good (and that he had highlighted in the papers he submitted) The abilities up to par. And when he’s feeling bold, he thinks that they would look good together. That they maybe look like a couple. If only Jungwon wasn’t admired and sought after by all the academy. And if only his human side wasn’t so prone to become shy and a bit of a blabbing mess when in front of Jungwon to the point of not even being able to hold eye contact for that long.
So if he gets to hear Jungwon talking about him, he’s going to make the most out of it.
“Okay okay, I’ll tell you,” Jungwon rolls his eyes and sits on the grass, legs pressed to his chest, Sunghoon circles him, tapping Jungwon’s knee. An indication so that he crosses his legs instead–Jungwon understands it clearly, it has Sunghoon placing his head on Jungwon’s lap.
It takes Jungwon a couple of minutes before he speaks, and Sunghoon simply waits, feeling Jungwon’s fingers on his scales, relaxing against his touch, eyes falling shut. Jungwon sighs before he starts, “Sometimes I wonder… how is he even real?”
Sunghoon’s heart stops inside of him, his body jolts slightly, eyes snapping open.
What, Jungwon mouths, even though Sunghoon is still looking at him from the corner of his eye. Debating if he should move or not.
Jungwon is really treating him like he is his pet, because he grins, all bright, all cocky–and it does things to Sunghoon’s heart. It slithers within like prismatic vines, marking Jungwon’s name deeper in his system. Jungwon’s ability to make him turn into a silly enamoured thing is astounding.
“I’m not telling you more.”
Sunghoon huffs, and it makes Jungwon laugh all vivid, with warmth, warmer than his own blood, shining more than his iridescent scales, dimples on full display.
God he’s so pathetically in love with this boy.
Jungwon pats his head, once, twice, then treats him fully and thoroughly like he is not a dragon but a dog–through and through like he had become his pet. He buries his head on top of Sunghoon’s, nuzzling so hard that Sunghoon is hoping he won’t get any cuts, and he tickles him. Jungwon has the audacity to tickle a dragon–and Sunghoon lets him because if he moves he may hurt his Jungwon.
And because being touched by Jungwon delivers glee to all the cells. His system vibrates. He’s so in love. Having Jungwon’s fingers caress him or tickle him feels like a triumph.
“What if you tell Sunghoon-hyung? Um? What if you decide to speak too much?”
Sunghoon whines. He knows it doesn’t sound like that, more like a wounded noise.
His reputation as the solitary dragon of the academy is going down the drains if someone finds them.
But it’s Jungwon. It’s Yang Jungwon. So he lets him be this playful. If only he would be this close when he is human.
Yet Jungwon stops, all playfulness drains from his movements. And his touch is now hovering at the sides of Sunghoon’s head. He sighs against his horns. Sunghoon pretends that he isn’t affected by Jungwon’s breath brushing against them.
“I’m…” Jungwon starts, gulps, the words seemingly tied up somewhere in his trachea, his breathing harsher, “I’m not sure if I should…”
Sunghoon can’t stop his movements, rising from Jungwon’s lap, face right in Jungwon’s sphere. Eyes more than likely all wide. Alarms course through him.
And the bemusement Jungwon looks at him with is enough to tell him that this is an odd sight for a dragon. Peculiar. Unnatural.
Sunghoon could care less about living up to his dragon image.
“What’s wrong?” Jungwon tries to reach for him but he stops when he notices the look on his pupils. “You look like you want to ask me why.”
No action. Spring pauses around them.
He’s not mad, but he does wonder why Jungwon would doubt this. Their arranged date. Does he not see him as enough? Is it that fondness is never enough in order to win Jungwon’s heart? Is it a curse instead?
The smile on Jungwon’s face is sheepish, before it turns a little bit defeated, “How do I explain… well you have seen Sunghoon-hyung, haven’t you?”
Nod. Just a nod.
Like that would answer why Jungwon is doubting their arranged date–god forbid, does Jungwon not want such a lifelong commitment with him? Does he have someone else in mind?
It must be that Kim Sunoo.
Sunghoon has seen the boy clinging to Jungwon’s neck. Claiming that the boy is his.
When he’s been in human form, Sunghoon has simply laughed. Jealousy burning his insides while trying to act nonchalant. In dragon form, he has, without any malice, bumped his head against Sunoo’s shoulder a little too hard to establish distance between the pair. A very territorial thing to do. A silent way to say ‘Jungwonie, likes, me’. Does Sunghoon regret it? Nah, Jungwon is his. They go way back. Him and Jungwon.
But what if–
“He’s a third year,” Jungwon’s words cut through his thoughts, and Sunghoon allows himself to listen–trying to push all his hypotheticals to the back of his mind, “He has plenty of options.”
In reality, Sunghoon doesn’t even know if he does.
He’s not that social, aside from Jongseong and Jaeyun and Heeseung-hyung. Sure, he’s heard that he is popular. But people do give him his space–whenever they don’t crowd him with presents that he has to politely decline.
So, options…
It’s not like he has options. Nor does he want to.
Maybe Jungwon is right, but Sunghoon has never even thought of being bonded or in a pact with anyone else other than Jungwon.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t formed a pact yet.”
Jungwon’s confusion and surprise drips, and clings to Sunghoon’s skin. There is no logical reason as to why he should have made a pact by now. Yes, the usual thing is the end of their first year. But Sunghoon is on his third–people could just deem him picky.
And that’s valid.
Jungwon knows him–hasn’t he noticed it really? That all he’s ever wanted has been to be Jungwon’s one and only?
“Maybe… it’s too far-fetched right?” Jungwon says, his hands falling on his lap, gaze avoiding Sunghoon’s as he grasps his jeans, “It’s far-fetched, don’t you think? To think that he could have waited for me…”
Sunghoon doesn’t make a single noise. He allows Jungwon the space to speak.
But far-fetched… Jungwon’s got it all wrong, because this is exactly what Sunghoon has been doing ever since they had to part ways–he’s waited for Jungwon. His heart counting the days, looking forward to the moment in which it can beat out of pace again.
It’s factual, reality.
He thinks he sees the tips of his ears turn red. Jungwon rubs the back of his neck, ruffles his own hair in increasing frustration. Face covered with his palms. Once he deems that enough, he looks at Sunghoon through the gaps of his fingers.
“Apparently, he’s the one that sent the request for the arranged date–guess to see if we are compatible…” Jungwon exhales, when his palms go back to his lap, Sunghoon can see that there’s a pretty scale of rose hues on Jungwon’s cheeks, “You know for a bond?”
Hearing the word ‘bond’ from Jungwon’s lips has an immediate effect in Sunghoon. He feels his blood rushing, his breath hitching. Bond. Pact. Yang Jungwon. Compatibility with Yang Jungwon–he doesn’t need to check, nor to see. They just get each other–a mirror, they are just like looking-glass. His pulse spikes, but he looks solemn enough and he is thankful for that–else he would be a blushing mess upon hearing it.
He must have let out a small noise. Because Jungwon looks up, pets his nose a couple of times, like he’s consoling him. Or being supportive, “Though! It would be easier to bond with you, right?”
Sunghoon’s pride wins, he recoils from Jungwon’s touch and huffs loudly. He takes flight, just a bit to circle Jungwon–incapable of helping the glare he throws his way. Of behaving like a neglected… pet. Though what he is embodying right now is his human with a crush mode instead.
He should be proud. Jungwon would still create a bond with him as a dragon.
But the thread holding his rationality together has snapped–because what does he mean it’s easier to bond with the dragon rather than with him as Park Sunghoon?
Leave it to me to sabotage this. A very ‘he’ thing to get in the way of his own love life.
“Oh gosh–why are you so offended?” Jungwon asks, laughing as Sunghoon side eyes him, doesn’t stop slowly flying in circles around him. Trying to look insulted, menacing. He shouldn’t let Jungwon’s laughter affect his system this way–he feels all warm, his head full of cotton candy because he’s acting like this with the boy he loves. But his ego is a little wounded, even if he should be happy Jungwon is still choosing him, “Are you trying to play matchmaker for hyung?”
Sunghoon turns his head to the side, stopping mid-flight. Only to huff. Now he’s sulking. Needing to play matchmaker for himself because his dragon form is closer to Jungwon than his human form–these things only happen to him.
“You shouldn’t worry,” Jungwon says, hands outstretched in a peace offering. And Sunghoon’s self control is gone, because he caves in, placing his head on Jungwon’s hands. His body descends. Good boy, Jungwon mouths–Sunghoon pretends he is not going to pass out. Pretends the endearment, the praise doesn't have him weak on his knees–or mid flight, rather.
They are nose to nose for a few seconds, Sunghoon relishes in the faint cherry scent coming from Jungwon.
It’s probably his chapstick, it invades his system so fast. Sunghoon is unable to stop his gaze from lingering on Jungwon’s lips.
If he were in his human form right now, he would be able to get lost in Jungwon's eyes even closer. Would feel his breathing against his lips. Would be at kissing distance from him. Would lean in, kiss him, have every molecule of his being be rewritten. I belong to Yang Jungwon. Yang Jungwon belongs to me.
He would be breathless. He would get his fingers lost in Jungwon’s hair, inhale oxygen from him, hear the little sounds he would make, hear him sigh his name against his lips, cup his face all carefully. Like he is the most valuable being in Sunghoon’s life.
And he is.
The cherry scent soaks his bones, intoxicates him. Makes his mind go. He would sigh right now.
Good boy, the praise tastes so sweet. Like love potions and soft magic. Like first loves and ever afters. For a few minutes, his head flies high, higher than when he takes flight.
Good boy, good boy, good boy.
His inner chant only stops when Jungwon places his lips against the top of his nose. Sunghoon’s system pretty much collapses, “Don’t worry, alright?”
Jungwon reassures him, but he isn’t so sure he’s listening. His mind is too fixed on the ghost of Jungwon’s lips against his skin. Ah, ah he kissed his nose. Ah, ah Jungwon kissed him. Actually dragon him, but he kissed him.
Jungwon kissed me. He kissed me.
Yang Jungwon kissed me.
Static rings loud, it makes Jungwon’s words reach him in an almost distorted way–he is looking at him, but it is a gargantuan feat to attempt to decode anything he is saying. Because this means more than just a tiny kiss, and Jungwon probably lacks this knowledge, but this is only the first step… just one more, one more and he could get Sunghoon to himself.
Step one. Be kissed by the love of your life. And then–
“I’ll still go on the date,” somehow, Sunghoon does listen to that, trying to pay attention to Jungwon’s words clearly now and pushing aside the erratic pace his heart has taken, “but I don’t know if I should…”
Jungwon absentmindedly caresses Sunghoon, his gaze downcast, lost. His words hanging mid air. Like he's got more to mention, more to let his dragon know.
“What do I do?”
Sunghoon tilts his head, the rest of his body lands with a thud on the grass, surrounding Jungwon. Sprinkling polychromatic dust, sparkling around him.
Jungwon looks at him like he’s got the answers to things like this, like Sunghoon is the person to go to for emotional predicaments.
“I’ve always…” Jungwon starts, teeth digging on his bottom lip, face all heated, all carmine. Sunghoon feels like the colours pump through his veins. Seeing Jungwon feel so conflicted like this, seeing how highly he regards him–it makes so much rush within, “Well I mean we fell apart when he enrolled at the academy, sure it’s two years only but… I’ve missed him but powers wise we are different.”
If Sunghoon could speak his mind, he would beg to differ. Jungwonie, that's nonsense.
Jungwon is humble, far too much for his own good–a hard worker. But he’s also perfect in everything he does and there’s nothing that makes him less than Sunghoon in any way. He’s an ace.
And yet when he’s been told so, Jungwon has only smiled–unable to take the compliments well.
Perhaps he would be able to if they came from a mystical being–but there’s no way. Not yet. To hear his thoughts, Jungwon would need to form a bond with him right here and now.
Not in that curricular way they tell him. What with the rituals and all.
But in the way that it would feel more genuine–with words. Sunghoon is not that good with words, but when something is important to him, he does his best to voice his actual thoughts.
All he thinks is Jungwon is perfect for him.
And then it hits him—Jungwon has also missed him. If so, isn’t it enough? I’ve missed you, you’ve missed me, there must be a reason, right? It’s because of your heart, right? Though Sunghoon also can’t help but second guess–just briefly.
If it’s only that. Overthinking, insecurity. Thinking he needs to do more to catch up with Sunghoon.
Sunghoon’s breathing resounds louder, and it feels like Jungwon misreads it as reprimanding–but he doesn’t distance himself from Sunghoon. Instead, his arms wrap around Sunghoon, resting his face on top of his nose. Sunghoon sees the way Jungwon’s eyes close, eyelashes all pretty against his skin.
His voice drops, barely a whisper, “He could get anyone…” the words sound like defeat–like he’s been going over this for longer than Sunghoon can even fathom. Like Jungwon has resigned, any glimmer of hope crushed, mere particles, the sigh that leaves his Jungwon’s lips aches, “Sunghoon-hyung could really get anyone and yet…”
There’s no one else I want.
There’s really no one else I want.
“I guess I’ll see,” Jungwon breathes, long, audible. He open his eyes, looks at Sunghoon through his lashes, sends his heart off course even more, “I would have still liked you as a guardian though.”
Sunghoon can’t help it.
There’s no way for him to hug Jungwon like this, it’s also impossible to reassure him that he doesn’t want anyone else–neither to indirectly confess to him. Though he isn’t sure if confessing to Jungwon is ideal, or if he would run away thinking that there’s no way Sunghoon would like him.
So he can only do what his dragon form allows him to do.
Sunghoon bumps Jungwon, his nose making contact with his chest. The hit is perhaps a little too powerful and Jungwon loses his balance almost immediately–falling on his back as a result. The grass where Jungwon falls explodes in opalescent sparks, Sunghoon’s nature making the scene full of magic.
But it’s Jungwon’s heart that holds the incantations that pull Sunghoon in.
It’s the surprise that courses through Jungwon, his laughter only for him to hear, the way his arms are outstretched–it makes Sunghoon follow, almost a command.
He hovers over Jungwon. And his Jungwon catches his head in his hands, looking at him from below. His pupils are all wide, the traces of doubt all gone. And now, Jungwon looks at him exactly as Sunghoon does when he isn’t looking.
Awestruck.
“You are pretty,” he says, his touch lingering some seconds too long, getting lost in his thoughts before smiling at Sunghoon–the dragon, “you really are so pretty… just like–”
The words die on Jungwon’s agape lips. Sunghoon feels them entrapping him.
Because he dares hope, too. He’s been so confident that he could get a chance with Jungwon. But thinking about the possibility of Jungwon thinking about him too–that’s different.
It’s not just fantasy, it’s not just his crush. If there’s even the remote possibility that he’s reciprocated–that he doesn’t need to fight.
‘You are so pretty just like–’
“Let’s nap.” Jungwon pulls him back to reality, his hands now patting the grass softly–and Sunghoon takes it as cue to fully descend, curling up around Jungwon in a protective manner.
Jungwon snuggles against him, letting his eyes close.
The perpetual spring of the garden guards them both, and Sunghoon guards Jungwon, feels his warmth against his scales. If that could seep, he thinks all of his body would turn into rose quartz.
It’s quiet, for a bit. Only the breeze whispers against Sunghoon’s ears. Then Jungwon shuffles, slightly, a murmur comes from him, “What do I do…”
The question goes unanswered. Jungwon doesn’t mind. He knows his dragon can’t answer. Sunghoon doesn’t make any noise, pretending to sleep.
“What do I do… I’ve always… liked Sunghoon-hyung.”
The pace of Jungwon’s breathing slows down, his body relaxing against his dragon.
Sunghoon’s pulse accelerates, instead.
There’s a particular rush that comes from hearing that your crush likes you back. From hearing from Jungwon’s lips that he’s always liked him as much as he’s liked Jungwon. It’s binding, somewhat paralyzing, what, Jungwonie what.
But it also feels like fated moments and long awaited dreams materializing.
Sunghoon. Park Sunghoon is just a boy whose mind is clashing between victory and the inability to stop his heart from booming hard inside of him to the point it makes him tremble.
Dragon Sunghoon though, that part of him, feels a far more powerful emotion tying itself around him.
Because one step was the kiss, the other was to hear from the love of your life that your feelings are reciprocated. That’s how ever afters are written for someone like him. Jungwon has connected their souls with those mere words.
With something as simple as this, he’s made Sunghoon his.
It’s different from a guardian bond. It’s not just a pledge of loyalty–he’s written a fairytale out of Sunghoon. he has him now for life.
Jungwon is not just his. He really is Jungwon’s now.
Sunghoon would just need to seal it. Because he is a shapeshifter, what he and Jungwon would need to do is to properly kiss. The thought makes him dizzy, he has longed to kiss Jungwon–but this is the type of kiss that has to rival a true love one.
Or so he’s been told since little.
And Jungwon likes him like that, too. Jungwon likes him like that, he’s always liked him. Yang Jungwon likes him.
But he’s keeping his feelings to himself. It’s not like Sunghoon can just kiss him without warning and tell him that he’s the dragon, his dragon.
Yet for now, he is enraptured by the moment, by Jungwon. His system too full of joy that he loses control of his magic just the slightest–and the downpour of opal precedes it, his transformation, he changes back.
He is Park Sunghoon again.
The garden sparkles, the magic is alive. But he is just his regular self, because his overly confident one is shaking and it leaves nothing of that side. He’s there, under the cherry-blossoms, sitting down, Jungwon’s head on his lap, his hand lingering close but not touching. Stopping himself from indulging in that type of physicality.
‘Jungwonie’, it’s noiseless, only his lips forming his name. His lips curve, now he’s able to smile, ‘I like you too.’ mouthing the words, time stopping just for them. Letting Sunghoon confess without being heard.
There’s an elongated silence. Sunghoon doesn’t really count if it’s been ten or twenty minutes. But it makes him bold enough to repeat it, if only for himself.
‘I like you so much.’
He’s sure the words weren’t really pronounced, and that enough time has passed, but he feels Jungwon stir.
“Slept well?” Sunghoon asks, only to regret it a few seconds after.
Jungwon’s eyes snap open at the voice, and he looks up, confused at first, alarmed right after. He sits up in a haste.
“Sunghoonie-hyung! when did you–”
“I found you sleeping here,” he says, “The dragon was about to leave.”
Jungwon frowns, because it sounds almost like a lie, the dragon wouldn’t leave him not even if his life depended on it.
“Told me to look after you.”
“The dragon. Told you.”
Sunghoon gulps. A nod.
“I can go bring him back, if you want.” Sunghoon offers, sounding all kinds of uncertain. Because if Jungwon likes the dragon more than him then–he can’t help but be jealous, too.
“it’s okay, he must have something to do, I guess.”
“I don’t think so…”
They lapse into silence, the awkwardness of two boys with a crush surrounds them. It’s obvious in the change in Jungwon’s demeanor. He’s quieter, shy, looks away when he locks eyes with Sunghoon.
Sunghoon only notices now, the difference.
That Jungwon acts like this because he likes him back. That it goes beyond platonic, and that’s what their subtlety is about.
“Jungwon-ah.”
“Oh? yeah, hyung–um... tell me?”
There’s so much Sunghoon can say, he could pretend he was eavesdropping. He could simply bring up their arranged date. He could confess in front of Jungwon, but the words truly fail.
“The dragon told me something–he had an answer for you.”
Jungwon tilts his head, somewhat confused, somewhat like he believes him.
Sunghoon inhales, it almost hurts. His fingers dig on the grass, his eyes focus on the falling petals. He isn’t sure he’s that brave.
“What did he tell you?”
From the corner of his eye, he sees Jungwon leaning in, both palms on the grass, too close to his own sphere. Curiousity something he can’t win against.
So Sunghoon continues. And then maybe Jungwon will be able to tell–that Park Sunghoon and his dragon are one and the same. That it’s only because he’s too in love that all his words fail him when he is in this state.
“The last thing you said–he told me to tell you...”
To the point. Without fluff, just his heart accepting Jungwon.
“Me too.”
Jungwon’s eyes widen, Sunghoon hears the way his breathing pauses. And he’s not sure if he has realized. But if he hasn’t, he’ll tell him another day.
Because there’s only one thing Sunghoon wants to hear today.
“Say yes, because me too.”
Yes, Jungwon, just please say yes.