Chapter Text
"mum says come over some time during the next break." jeno brandishes a letter under jaemin's nose, "she says our families can have dinner together some time."
"i'd love that!" jaemin's face lights up, "my parents would, too, i'm sure. i keep saying good things about you, so they're very excited."
"wouldn't it be fun?"
"definitely." jaemin's smile dims, "i'll be a little nervous to meet your parents, though. they seem so nice, but what if they don't like me?"
jeno coos, "who in their right mind wouldn't like you? my parents adore you already."
"are you sure?"
"you are helping their son pass transfiguration, after all." jeno teases.
"mm, i guess that's true." the slytherin chuckles, kissing his cheek, "he needs all the help he can get."
"hey!"
"kidding, darling, you're doing wonderful."
"hey lovebirds." there's a thunk as renjun flops down across from them, "guess what i just saw?"
"markhyuck tea?" jaemin leans forward eagerly. jeno frowns.
"who the fuck is markhyuck?"
"it's mark and donghyuck's names together." jaemin says impatiently, "keep up, jen."
"mark and hyuck are together?!"
"oh my god, shut up." renjun rolls his eyes, "first, jeno, to answer your question- no."
"then why-"
"-because we think they like each other!" jaemin squeals, and jeno gapes.
"donghyuck and mark?"
"wouldn't it be adorable?"
"yeah, but- but- hyuck's just going to bully him! mark's just going to ignore him all the time!"
"oh, jeno." jaemin coos, "for someone so strong and handsome and smart, you're so dumb."
"heyyyy."
"haven't you noticed? the one person hyuck is the nicest to- besides the kids- is mark."
"yeah, plus." renjun continues, "nobody- i repeat, nobody- can make donghyuck lee blush. or so i thought. but just now i was with them, and we were talking about dying our hair, and hyuck said he doesn't think he can pull off anything. and mark said, 'no, i think you'd look great in any colour' and donghyuck went all red and fidgety."
jaemin squeals again. jeno blinks.
"donghyuck went red and fidgety? wait-" his brain short-circuits, "because of mark?!"
"yeah, who else?"
"you mean- mark."
"yes..."
"our mark. mark lee. lee minhyung."
"yes, jeno." renjun sighs.
jeno shakes his head, "renjunnie... mark can't flirt with a pole. mark can't flirt with yukhei."
"well, he was doing just fine last time i checked."
"that's so cute." jaemin claps, "if this works out, and the kids work out, too, we'll all be paired up."
"kids?" jeno is frowning again, "they're having kids?"
renjun and jaemin look thoroughly unimpressed.
"jeno-yah." jaemin says, as if he's talking to a baby, "i'm talking about jisung and chenle. they're the kids."
"ohhh." realisation dawns on jeno's face, "but what do you mean about them working out?"
"babe. they like each other. haven't you noticed?"
jeno splutters, "jisung and chenle? what?"
"oh my god." renjun groans, "for someone so romantic- from what i've heard from jaem, anyway- you really are a complete idiot."
"i use up all my love power on jaemin." jeno says, sticking his nose in the air, "besides, why do i need to know anything if you guys can just tell me?"
""whatever." jaemin says, "anyway, chenle likes jisung for sure-"
"-he might've let it slip during tutoring, too-" renjun inserts.
"-and sungie's my cousin, so i've known him for long enough to know when something's changed. he gets all shy about chenle now." jaemin frowns, "the thing is, he's a bit clueless. i don't even think he realises that he likes chenle."
"wow." jeno shales his head, "when did all this happen?"
renjun snorts, "when you were too busy staring at jaemin and coming up with romantic things to do for him."
jaemin giggles, giving jeno a kiss, "on the bright side, i love all your romantic gestures."
"that's all i need." jeno kisses him back, and renjun makes a disgusted face.
"yukhei and i were never this gross."
"you totally were!" jeno argues, "it was awful. yukhei used to sit in the common room for hours, not letting us sleep because he had to finish waxing poetic about your fucking- i don't even know- face and hair and bloody mole near your eye."
renjun seems to melt a little, "really?"
"yes. it was annoying as hell."
"i didn't know he talked about me so much."
"well, he did." jeno grumbles, "and it was annoying."
renjun lets out a breath, "he's so stupid."
"in renjun language, that means 'i'm going to find him and take him to an empty classroom to do things.'" jaemin snorts, and renjun gets up, grinning.
"you got me there. see you, guys!"
jeno and jaemin bid him farewell, with jaemin leaning his head onto jeno's shoulder when the ravenclaw is out of sight. jeno kisses his cheek.
"wanna fly together for a bit?" jeno murmurs into his hair.
jaemin considers it, "will you take me on your broom?"
"anything for my princess."
jaemin giggles, kissing him, "thank you, my prince."
***
jaemin fidgets nervously.
he's waiting outside a classroom, where the Students Defense Association is having a meeting. it's basically an organisation started by their current defense against the dark arts professor, where he takes the 4 best d.a.d.a. students from every year (one from each house) and meets with them monthly. they discuss how the classes have been going and what can be done to improve the standard of d.a.d.a. at hogwarts. it's a nice idea- he's the first professor to actually take students' thoughts into account, and the student reps have been chosen well.
jeno is really good at d.a.d.a. jaemin's okay, too, but jeno is excellent. it's no wonder he's gryffindor's rep.
the rustling of chairs makes him jump, and he realises the meeting must have ended. his nerves increase, and he clutches the box he's holding even tighter. he hopes jeno's not annoyed at him for waiting outside like this.
the thing is, jeno's had a busy day. he had a full day of classes, a lot of homework, two quizzes, quidditch practice, and now this. it's nearly ten pm, and jaemin knows jeno hasn't eaten since lunch. so, he figured he'd make something special tonight.
it had taken hours, and he'd asked winky to get the ingredients in advance. after several failures, and a lot of help from the house-elves, jaemin had constructed a perfect korean bento box. it looks just like the ones his grandparents in korea made him, and he hopes it tastes as good.
he also hopes jeno doesn't think it's clingy.
the doors swing open, and the students stream out slowly. the professor passes him, and jaemin smiles politely. he spots jeno in the back, chattering happily with a few others. two good-looking senior boys and a very pretty girl. oddly enough, jaemin doesn't feel insecure about it. he trusts jeno completely. there's not need for him to be jealous when jeno kisses him every morning and calls him his baby.
it's the girl who points him out. jaemin can hear her say, "hey, lee, isn't that your boyfriend?" and jaemin feels a thrill of happiness that jeno might have actually talked about him to his other friends.
jeno cranes his neck too, and his face absolutely lights up, "jaemin!"
"hi." jaemin stands straighter, trying his best to look nonchalant and calm as jeno and his friends come closer, "how was your meeting?"
"it was great." jeno pecks his cheek before gesturing to the other three, "this is amelia, josh and jungwoo." he then wraps an arm around jaemin's waist, "guys, this is my boyfriend, jaemin."
"i know you." one of the seniors- jungwoo- says cheerfully, "you're the slytherin chaser, right?"
"ah, yeah." jaemin smiles, "i am. it's nice to meet you guys."
"you, too." amelia says, "jeno talks about you all the time, i was wondering when he'd introduce us."
"melia."
"what? i'm just saying." she tugs josh's sleeve, "guys, dinner's only open for another half an hour. you coming?"
jungwoo and josh nod, but jeno shakes his head, "i'll catch you later." he says, and josh grins.
"have fun."
when the three of them are out of sight, jeno turns back to jaemin and pulls him in for a quick kiss, smile never leaving his face.
"this is such a nice surprise, baby." he says, brushing jaemin's hair out of his face, "i was having a pretty shit day to be honest. i didn't expect you to come pick me up."
"did it make your day better?" jaemin asks teasingly, blushing when jeno nods.
"did you have dinner?"
"i already ate, don't worry." jaemin assures him, "i'm surprised you're not running to the great hall for dinner- you must be starving."
"yeah, but i've gathered too much faith in the kitchens."
jaemin laughs, "actually, i-um. made you something."
jeno quirks an eyebrow.
"food." jaemin mutters, blush taking over his face, "i thought you'd like something special for dinner."
jeno's lips part in surprise, "you- you cooked me dinner?"
jaemin nods, holding out the bento for jeno to see, "korean."
"oh my god." jeno seems to melt, "are you serious? my jaeminnie. you're such an angel."
"we can sit inside the classroom." jaemin doesn't wait for a response, just tugs jeno back into the classroom he'd just exited, shutting the door and casting the muffliato as usual. jeno follows obediently, still looking at jaemin with an adoring expression.
to say jaemin is nervous is an understatement. he's more nervous now than he was while waiting. what if jeno doesn't like the food? what if it's too salty? or too bland? or not filling enough? what if it's just disgusting and jeno only pretends to like it because jaemin made it? what if-
"jaeminnie." jeno breathes out, "you are so cute."
it's only then that jaemin remembers he'd arranged the rice in the shape of a heart. he cringes a little. he's so fucking cheesy, but jeno seems to like it at least, if the kisses he's getting are anything to go by.
"is it okay?" jaemin asks carefully when jeno spoons the first bite into his mouth. jeno's usually tactfully honest- if it's not good, he'll probably just tell jaemin he's so grateful he went through so much effort, and avoid talking about the actual food altogether. it's like getting a review from a critic.
imagine if he hates my cooking, oh my god. i want to live with him and buy two cats and a samoyed after we graduate and make him eat well after work but how the fuck do i do that if he hates my food, oh my god i should have gone for classes, what was i thinking? and who the fuck starts with korean? i should have started with fucking sandwiches or something, what if he breaks up with me because i'm not wifey material? but would he even care if i'm not wifey material? of course not because he's such a sweetie, my wonderful boyfriend-
"-holy shit." jeno's eyes widen in amazement. he shovels more food into his mouth, looking wowed, "jaemin, this is incredible!"
jaemin squeaks and nearly falls off the desk he's sitting on. "are you sure?" he demands, "you can tell me if it's too salty or something. i'll learn how to do it better for next time. don't worry, this is just the beginning- i won't be a beginner forever. by the time we graduate and live together, i'll be good enough to feed you well-"
they both pause at the words that come out of jaemin's mouth. jaemin wants the ground to swallow him whole.
after a pause, jeno says, in the softest, most tender voice jaemin's ever heard, "there's nothing to improve. i'm not lying- this is the best i've ever tasted. it reminds me of my grandmother's house back in korea. it's fantastic."
"oh." jaemin's too embarrassed to say more, "well. thats...good."
"yeah." jeno spoons more into his mouth. jaemin waits for him to chew and swallow, and then the older smiles, "i wish i could return the favour, but i'm a terrible chef. i'll be counting on you once we graduate, nana. but i will try to learn some simple stuff so you can take breaks once in a while."
jaemin's heart is beating insanely fast.
that must mean jeno has thought about living together, too. and he even wants to learn some simple dishes so he can help jaemin at home.
they sit in silence as jeno finishes his box. when it's finally over, jaemin hands him a bottle of water and jeno takes a grateful swig.
"you're a real angel." he says, giving jaemin a hug, "you didn't need to do this. but it was great- i was so hungry."
"i figured you would be." jaemin pets his hair, "you've had a long day, jeno-yah. quidditch practice, too. are you sore? do you want a massage?"
jeno's cheeks colour, and he looks like he wants to say yes, but at the same time wants to save jaemin the trouble. it doesn't matter- the slytherin is already setting up a chair. he pushes jeno onto it, and then sits on the desk behind him, raising his level so he can comfortably massage jeno's shoulders.
"fuck." jeno groans after a moment, "you're good at this. you're the best, what did i do to deserve you?"
jaemin can write a book about things that jeno has done for him. but it's late and they're both tired, so he just kisses jeno's cheek, "you worked hard today."
"i'll work hard like this every day if this is my reward." jeno chuckles, tipping his head back and puckering his lips for another kiss, which jaemin gladly grants.
jaemin is good at massages. he doesn't know how, exactly, but he always seems to know the right places to squeeze, the most tender areas to look for. he massages the knots out of jeno's shoulders, tutting, "have you been stressed lately?"
"just a lot of work. you know the drill."
"i should do this for you more often. my poor jeno."
"it feels so relaxing." jeno says with his eyes closed, "damn. my baby's good at everything, huh?"
"shush." jaemin flicks his forehead softly, and the older laughs.
jaemin stops after a few more minutes- he doesn't want jeno's shoulders to become overly sensitive. they pack up the now-empty box, and jeno gives him so many kisses before they leave the room.
"thank you, princess." jeno breathes against his mouth.
"you're welcome, my prince." jaemin giggles, and jeno kisses him again.
***
"do you take an airplane to canada every summer?" chenle asks mark with great interest.
jisung gasps, "how do you know about airplanes?"
"how many times do i tell you- i take muggle studies."
"yeah, but still!"
"i don't do that every summer, no." mark cuts in, "but i've taken a plane before loads of times."
donghyuck frowns, "then how do you get home?"
jaemin and jeno exchange confused glances at donghyuck's question. renjun lets out a long breath.
"donghyuck, have you forgotten that we are all wizards? there's this thing called a portkey"
"oh." hyuck blinks, "yeah."
"also, side along apparation." yukhei adds, "and floo powder."
"muggles don't like floo powder." jaemin, jisung and mark chorus, before exchanging glances and laughing.
"it blows out their fireplace and makes a mess." jisung explains, "they'd have to clean up by hand. jaemin and i always get side-long apparated to our grandparent's house. we have to do it to this place a little away from their community so no one gets suspicious, and they pick us up from there in a car."
"wow." chenle and jeno chorus, amazed, "cars."
"the only reason you know about cars is because of the weasley's old ford anglia in the forest." jaemin flicks jeno's forehead, "did you know about airplanes?"
"nope."
"we side-along apparate to korea, too." donghyuck says, sheepish that he had forgotten about magic for a moment, "to visit my grandparents."
"same." jaemin says, "my mum's parents live here, but my dad's parents moved back to korea a while ago. we should all visit korea after graduation. we could visit china, too."
the group looks excited by this prospect.
"i haven't visited korea since i was, like, ten." jeno says reminiscently, "damn, it's been ages. i got all nostalgic after jaeminnie made me korean food for dinner a few days ago." he stresses on the last part of this phrase.
of course. jaemin rolls his eyes. his boyfriend does love showing off.
the rest of the group burst into whines of how unfair it was and how they want jaemin's food, too. jeno pulls him into his chest, smug, and kisses his hair.
"will the honeymoon stage ever end?" jisung sighs, flopping into chenle's lap. chenle strokes his hair absent-mindedly. chenle's good at maintaining a neutral expression- mark, yukehi and jeno don't seem to notice anything. it's only because jaemin and donghyuck have known the boy for so long that they can spot the hint of longing in his eyes. jaemin's heart clenches.
"leave them be." chenle says to his best friend, "i bet you'd be like that when you find someone you like."
"i'd be too shy."
"that's what i thought, too, about myself." jeno chuckles, "but when it's just friends, it's okay."
jisung shrugs, "doesn't matter. i don't like anyone, anyway, so."
jisung...can be a bit slow at realising his own feelings for several things. the first time jaemin started hanging out with his then-boyfriend a little too much, it took jisung three whole weeks to realise the annoyed feeling in his stomach was just jealousy because he missed his hyung. and of course, even if jisung did like someone, it's not like he'd randomly blurt it out here, at this moment. he's a little closed that way- he probably wouldn't tell anyone at all. so his answer is logical and makes perfect sense. there's nothing wrong with it.
and chenle knows jisung almost just as well as jaemin does, so he is completely aware of all these things about the boy. however, his shoulders still slump a little, like he can't help it. jaemin sighs.
"at least you have chenle." donghyuck says with a snort. it's clear that he noticed chenle's droopy aura, too, "even if you're single forever."
"yeah." jisung mutters into chenle's stomach, "chenle-yah, if you date someone and leave me alone, i'll cry."
"don't be mean." renjun scolds, "he can date whoever he wants."
jisung whines pathetically, "but if i'm single forever, i only have chenle."
"it's okay." chenle pats him. he's smiling again, but it's a weird smile. a little strained, not as cheerful. "i'll probably be single for a long time, too. usually, people i like don't like me back."
jisung sits up, nearly knocking the chinese boy over, "who did you like? why didn't they like you back? why didn't you tell me? are they stupid- how could someone not like you?"
chenle's cheeks burn, and mark and yukhei exchange grins. jeno leans onto jaemin's shoulder, whispering, "i see what you mean now."
"i think." hyuck says carefully, "they just don't realise they like you, chenle-yah. maybe. it's a possibility."
"maybe." chenle mutters, "and also, jisung, sorry i didn't tell you- i didn't want to make it a big deal. let's just forget about it."
"well." jisung humphs, "you don't need them anyway. you have me." he directs his sweet smile- the one he only ever gives his best friend- at chenle, "i'll probably like you the most, no matter who you date. because i know you the best."
chenle's smile is genuine again. jaemin understands this, too- even if jisung is still a little clueless, it's nice to know that chenle will always be his first priority, no matter what the situation is.
they spend some more time there like that, lounging around and laughing together. when they all separate for the night, jaemin clears his throat, "chenle-yah, wait up. i need to talk to you."
chenle looks surprised, but nods, arms crossed and eyes rolling as he waits for jeno to finish kissing jaemin good night.
"i know i'm the only one who supports your honeymoon stage." the younger says dryly, "but, really?"
"sorry." jeno scratches the back of his head, "good night, guys. i'll see you tomorrow."
jaemin frowns, "wait- where's hyuck?"
jeno gives him a mischievous smile, "he left. he and mark were talking about something, and well, they just wandered off."
jaemin shakes his head in amazement, pecking jeno one last time and waving goodbye, before turning to chenle.
"go a little easy on my cousin." jaemin requests sheepishly, "i know he's super slow and oblivious and it's really infuriating. sorry about that."
chenle lets out a surprised laugh, "am i that obvious?"
"to us. maybe because we know you well."
"ah." chenle lifts a shoulder, "i know him well, too, though. so i can't say i'm surprised. i'm not sure when i fell for him, but when i realised i did....i knew it was going to be like this."
"frustrating?" jaemin chuckles.
"yeah. and confusing. a little painful sometimes, when he's too oblivious." he sighs, "but... he's jisung, you know? it's not like...he'll hate me ever. i just. i don't know."
"you're special to him either way." jaemin says honestly, "besides his family- which i count as, obviously- he adores you more than anyone."
"i know that."
"so give him some time, i guess. i can't speak for him- i have no clue what he's thinking sometimes...." jaemin says wryly, "but i know you're special to him. i can't say whether he likes you or not, because i've never seen him like anyone before. i just know it's different now. so all i can say is...give him some time, maybe? i know you will...i just don't want to see you hurt, either. it must hurt sometimes, right?"
"a little." chenle admits, "when he says stuff like he doesn't like anyone or he thinks he'll be single for life, or he doesn't find anyone attractive. i feel like shouting at him sometimes, like i'm right here, i'm so obvious, why won't you notice me?. he doesn't seem to look at me at all."
"because you've been best friends for so long. and jisung...isn't familiar with these type of feelings. it's going to take a while for him to realise he likes you, if he does. he's just used to seeing you as his best friend, so he never bothers to wonder if anything's changed." jaemin smiles a little, "maybe it's the familiarity. you're a constant in each others' lives- he might be scared to acknowledge something that could change that."
"but why would the change be a bad thing?"
"it wouldn't, necessarily. it'd just be different, and different can be scary. jisung doesn't like change much. you know that, too."
chenle sighs, "i can't even fully blame him for not noticing me- despite how obvious i am sometimes, it's not like i'm directly telling him anything, either."
"maybe you should."
"maybe i will." the hufflepuff raises an eyebrow, "i'm just a little scared, too. if i tell him now, when he hasn't even thought about me in a way other than his best friend, of course he'll reject me at first. maybe i should give him time. but he's really oblivious, jaemin. what if i say 'i like you' and he goes 'yeah, we're best friends'?"
jaemin laughs at that, "i can't say that's impossible."
"it's very jisung, right?"
"yeah, but you know him well enough." jaemin claps his shoulder, "it'll be fine. you just looked a little down after that conversation. i wanted to make sure you were okay."
"i am." chenle assures him, "don't worry. above anything, jisung is my best friend no matter what. so i'll be okay."
"alright." jaemin ruffles his hair and pulls him into a hug, pinching his cheeks like he always does.
chenle shrieks and smacks him but doesn't pull away.
***
"i like this." jisung announces.
the eight of them are lounging by the lake. for once, jeno had felt sorry for the rest of them and brought enough heated blankets for everyone. good thing, too- renjun would have torn him to pieces otherwise.
it's become a routine. if someone asks jaemin who his closest friends are, he can confidently list the other seven. they've become so close, and it makes him genuinely happy.
"what do you like?" donghyuck frowns, "the blankets? of course you do, you have two."
"how does he have two?" jaemin asks, confused
"he said it was still too cold and complained for half an hour till chenle gave him his."
jaemin's mouth drops open at the thought of poor, cold chenle, giving up his blanket because he has a crush on his stupid oblivious cousin, "park jisung!" he doesn't even notice he's speaking korean instead of english, "give his blanket back right now!"
"hyuuuunggg-" jisung whines back, and jaemin frowns because he finds jisung so cute when he speaks korean, and that devil probably knows, which is why he's doing it.
"he'll be cold." jaemin snaps, "at least share."
"can you please speak in english." chenle asks, and jisung just lifts one of his blankets for chenle to cuddle into.
"jaemin scolded me because he said you'd be cold."
jeno is regarding him with wide eyes, "your korean is so pretty, nana. you speak so nicely."
"for god's sake!" renjun mimes vomiting, "to think you even found a way to compliment him speaking his mother tongue."
"you sound cute speaking chinese, too, though." yukhei says, and renjun splutters.
the banter between them starts there. jaemin has a good enough time just watching his friends say stupid things to each other, but after a while, he can feel jeno's gaze on him.
"careful." he teases quietly, making sure the others can't hear, "your eyes might fall out if you stare too hard."
jeno doesn't look even the slightest bit embarrassed, "you caught my eye, though. i can't look away."
"idiot." jaemin retorts, but he's smiling- how can he not? "i can't look away from you, either."
"will you two stop whispering?" yukhei's loud voice interrupts them, "jeno, especially you. i need help- my pride is at stake!"
"what pride?" donghyuck demands, "renjun's right- i'm the commentator, so i'd know. the only times you miss hitting the bludger are when you're too showing off your muscles to the crowd."
"to renjun." yukhei corrects, "who just so happens to be in the crowd."
mark pulls his hair in frustration at this response, and jaemin thinks again that he'd be a pretty good quidditch captain.
"who cares? why are you showing off in the middle of the game?" hyuck asks agitatedly.
"at least i have muscles to show off."
"excuse me-
it spirals into an argument soon enough- a friendly one, of course. the eight of them can be quite chaotic together. it's fun, sometimes, to just sit back and watch them banter, to just take it all in.
the way hyuck and renjun (who has now switched sides to defend his boyfriend's pride) make smart-ass comments at each other. the way mark tries to be a good example and intervenes, only to get shut down immediately, and how yukhei laughs at his best friend, arms still wrapped around renjun's waist. the way hyuck does quiet down a little when mark tells him to- mark has an effect on him that jaemin is very, very curious about.
the way jisung and chenle are cuddled underneath the heated blankets. despite everything, jisung is massaging chenle's temple so he won't get a headache from the noise (even though chenle's dolphin laugh contributes to 3/4ths of it). when jaemin sees them like that, he knows they'll be okay- jisung will figure it out eventually.
the way jeno smiles at him- that stupidly gorgeous eye-smile, so familiar and warm- and jaemin falls for him again and again and again.
"you okay?" jeno asks him quietly, and jaemin nods, snuggling into his boyfriend.
this is all he wants. he doesn't even really need the blanket- jeno is more than enough to protect him from the chilly wind. the eight of them are together, and they're all laughing, and jeno is holding his securely, his anchor through everything.
like this, jaemin is happy.