quick advice: please keep your expectations low as I'm far from being a good writer but the world needs more yutae and more yutae stories and this is why I'm posting this lol

“ We’re not on good terms “ kept ringing through his ears. He knows that Yuta jokes a lot but he still couldn’t help but be bothered by it.

It started a year ago when they had to change room arrangements because of NCT U’s debut, after spending years in the same room, their room, they had to separate.

“ You must be happy, Doyoung is cleaner and more organized than me “ Yuta said with a laugh.

He wasn’t happy at all but he showed no sign of that, he let out a chuckle instead “ Finally I’ve been waiting for this moment “ his chest tightened as those words left his mouth because his heart more than anything knew that he hated it.

No offence to Doyoung but he wanted to stay in that room with Yuta. He couldn’t care less about the socks that he left in the bathroom or the bag on the floor that made him fall on his face too many times, they were all things that he was ready to live with as long as he could keep his bestfriend close to him.

“ Me too!! This is the best news I got in awhile~ “ Yuta sang as he quickly started packing his stuff.

When 127 was formed room arrangements changed again, needless to say that disappointment was what he felt when their manager announced that his new roomate was going to be Haechan. Again, he didn’t hate Haechan or any of s for that matter, he just wanted to be with his friend again, they were finally in the same unit after all.

Yuta on the other hand looked unfazed. Ever since they stopped being roommates, he didn’t exist for him anymore. They still talked and played together but it was nowhere near how they used to be and Taeyong started wondering if the only reason why Yuta beared with him in the past was because they had to share a room. Maybe I nagged at him a little too much. He often reprimanded himself.

“ Hey you okay? “ it was a concerned Johnny shaking his arm to get his attention. He just nodded and looked back at the two boys giggling at each other as they watched a drama he wasn’t familiar with.

“ Winwin’s korean is improving fast, Yuta is doing a good job. Right? ” yes and that’s the only thing he’s been doing. He mentally rolled his eyes and headed back to his room before he could throw a tantrum that he wouldn’t be able to explain. How to explain that he was jealous of Winwin having Yuta all for himself? Jealous.. was he jealous.. he grabbed a pillow and scremaed in it..

“ He’ll drive me nuts “ he grumbled

“ Who? “ Taeil just entered their shared room and blinked at his dongsaeng who was unusually unsettled.

Lee Taeyong was indeed jealous.

Taeyong knew that as 22 years old young man and a leader he couldn’t afford to be distracted by whatever he was feeling for his bestfriend. The group and the members' well-being had to be his priority, he had to be the one taking care of s and not the members worrying about him.

He really needed to get his together.

It was one of the rare days with no schedule. Yuta was in his room probably watching animes and Taeyong decided that it was the right time to talk to him. He paced back and forth for a good 10 minutes trying to figure out what he was supposed to do or say but his brain wasn’t cooperating. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. He composed himself and entered the room. Good thing Yuta was alone, he had no one to kick out.

“ What’s up “ Yuta just pointed at the screen, as expected he was watching anime.

“ C-can I “ words weren’t coming out, he cleared his throat but nothing. Yuta got the message and patted the spot next to him. He plopped himself down and started watching whatever was on the screen.

He looked at the cause of his stress from the corner of his eyes and noticed yet again how oblivious Yuta was of everything or maybe he wasn’t really oblivious, he just didn’t care and the only thought of it made him shiver.

“ I’m sorry “ it came out almost as a whisper but it was enough to get his friend’s attention and he was clearly taken aback.

“ I’m sorry “ he repeated more firmly this time

“ For what? “

“ I don’t know “ he paused and looked down at his lap as he played with his hands nervously “ Maybe for everything “

He hasn’t been the best of friends in the past years, he wasn’t really good at expressing his emotions, the most he did was to scold him for being messy, loud, late and they fought a lot because of him. There was no wonder that Yuta probably felt relieved that he didn’t have to put up much with Taeyong anymore but the truth was that no matter how hard he was on his friend, he still cared and if he had to apologize for everything, he was going to do it over and over again.

“ Are you sick? “ his warm hand touched his forehead before an awkward laugh escaped his lips “ You’re acting weird “

Fear told him to laugh it off and brush what he just said off but he swallowed it and looked at Yuta straight in the eyes.

“ You said we’re not on good terms, did you mean it? “ Yuta’s eyes widened in surprise. He didn’t see that coming.

“ I was just joking “ he lightly hit his arm “ you know that “ but Taeyong wasn’t having any of it and his brows furrowing confirmed it “ Okay, maybe not but that’s because I was annoyed you forgot about me when I was eager to read your message “ the last part was said lowly and a long silence fell in the room.

Taeyong didn’t know what to say because he was busy mentally slapping himself for being such an of a friend.

“ We.. we’ve been so distant lately that I thought you’d take the chance to…. “ wait, what?? He straightened his position to fully turn his body and face Yuta.

“ You.. feel it too? “ the distance, the awkwardness, the change. Yuta simply nodded and another long silence filled the room.

They ended that confrontation telling each other that they were going to fix things between them, Taeyong in particular promised his friend that he was going to make up to him.

The change was noticeable from the next day. Taeyong seemed a whole different person towards Yuta. He was a lot more attentive of him, he’d carefully listen to anything the boy said and even the way he talked to him changed, his voice would get so soft that anyone else would’ve melted. Lastly, Taeyong got a lot clingier than he already was. He’d hug him out of nowhere, lean his head on his shoulder, caress the small of his back and doted on him in every way possible.

Members were baffled by the latest events but no one dared to say anything. They were just two bestfriends trying to solve their problems after all, that could only benefit the group.

Yuta wasn’t of the same idea though. He appreciated his friend’s effort but he couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable with the excessive attention he was getting. Uncomfortable not because he didn’t like it but because Taeyong was just making it even harder for him.

“ am I a good friend? “ Taeyong blurted and looked at him expectantly. Johnny raised his brows wondering about the reason his friend was suddenly asking him such a question.

Taeyong looked like someone who really needed to be reassured at the moment and being the caring boy he was he sat next to him and patted his shoulder “ of course you are “

“ may I know what’s going through your mind? Don’t keep everything to yourself “ give it to Johnny for being the sweetest human on the planet. He was the perfect example of a good friend, someone you could have fun with but also someone you could talk to. If only he could be half as good as him maybe he wouldn’t be in this situation.

He thought that once he started being nice to Yuta, he’d warm up to him again and things between them would go back to normal but Yuta kept pushing him away instead. He wasn’t blatant about it but he could feel how his friend would tense whenever he hugged him or how he always avoided staying alone in the same room as him.

“ he hates me “

“ who? “

A few seconds passed, Taeyong was hesitant, he wasn’t the type to talk about his problems to others, he preferred to deal with them by himself but he was feeling so hopeless at the moment “ Yuta.. he hates me “

Johnny smiled fondly hearing that name “ He doesn’t hate you, Tae “

“ But “

“ Helloooo “ a jumpy Ten walked in the room with snacks on his hands and offered the two some. Judging from their pensive faces they were holding a quite serious conversation so he kneeled in front of his leader and tilted his head trying to understand what was going on.

“ It’s about Yuta “ Johnny said lowly.

OOOHH was literally Ten’s reaction. His mouth formed an O shape and he nodded like he understood the whole situation just by those few words.

“ Just give him time, ok “ Johnny turned to Taeyong again “ and space “

“ Yes, hyung.. give him time and space and “ Ten echoed but Johnny immediately stopped him from saying anything more as he eyed him knowingly. Ten covered his mouth and chuckled.

Time and space. TIME AND SPACE? How could Yuta need time and space if they’ve been distant for the past few months already. He was even more confused after the conversation he had with Johnny and Ten. He wasn’t as dense as they thought he was and it didn’t go unnoticed to him how they exchanged looks. He was sure that they knew something they couldn’t tell him. Something that he needed to figure out alone.

He became a lot more observant of s Johnny, Ten but also Doyoung and Winwin who were Yuta’s current roommates. Something was definitely up. One of them would always show up whenever he happened to be alone with Yuta, mainly Winwin who’d call Yuta for the dumbest reasons or all the times he found Yuta talking to one of them and they went quiet as soon as he appeared.

“ Winwin, don’t you want the best for your Yuta hyung? For NCT? “ he was pressing the younger one to reveal whatever they were keeping from him.

Winwin couldn’t utter a word because he obviously wanted the best for his Yuta hyung and NCT but he didn’t know what was the best. He also promised his hyungs that he was going to bring that secret to his grave. He felt like crying, his eyes getting watery and Taeyong noticed it. His face softened instantly “ Forget everything I said “ he pulled him in a hug “ I’m going to buy you ice-cream later, ok? “

“ Sorry hyung “ he said sincerely but Taeyong shook his head and flashed him a reassuring smile.

This wasn’t okay. He was definitely losing it if he reached the point of scaring the poor Winwin that he adored so much. He had to put an end to all of this even if that meant put everything at risk.

“ Where are the others? “ Yuta asked cautiously as he came back from the toilette and only found Taeyong left in the practice room.

“ I sent them home “ Yuta was allarmed by that piece of information but he tried to hide it wiping the sweat from his face.

“ Shouldn’t we go home too? “

“ Not just yet “

The look in Taeyong’s eyes wasn’t promising at all, they were fixed on him. He tried to distract himself pulling out stuff from his bag and reorganize everything which was weird itself since he wasn’t really known for it.

He couldn’t escape anymore. He knew that. Taeyong who was standing close to the entrance wasn’t going to let him leave easily. He was considering starting a fist fight for a moment but they had schedules and they couldn’t show themselves with bruises, right? And he also could never punch that handsome face of his.

“ Do you like me? “ he choked on his water. What the ???? Since when was Lee Taeyong that straightforward, he has always been the no filters one of the two but tables turned now.

“ No, definitely not “ he forced out and waved his hands defensively “ how could you think of that? Is this what was bothering you? Oh my god, I don’t like you, not in the way you mean it. Can we go back to the dorm now? “ if he could only bury himself, he would. Never in his life he felt this way. He turned his attention back to his bag which has never been this neat.

Taeyong let out a groan. The always cool and composed TY was visibly frustrated feeling helpless in front of his friend building a wall between them. He had to count up to 10 to compose himself and think things throughly before he could do or say anything he might regret.

“ I think I like you “

Yuta put down his bag and faced him unsure of what he just heard. Taeyong gave him a nod confirming that he heard it right. He knew that he was risking everything from their friendship to the group dynamic but he had to take this burden off his chest.

“ I.. I “ he started reluctantly thinking of the right words to use.

“ I don’t know when or how it started “ he was speaking softly knowing very well that he was exposing himself more than he ever did “ At first I was just missing my bestfriend, I missed his mess “ a smile curved on his face as images of them bickering appeared in his mind “ then I kept seeing you with others and I felt.. jealous “ he paused trying to read Yuta’s expression, scared that it could be too much to take everything at once. He kept biting his bottom lip that it took all Taeyong’s self-control not to kiss him right then.

“ I didn’t think much of it, I just thought that it was my possessive side kicking in. These past few weeks though, as I was trying to make up to you I knew there was something different, was it.... attraction? I mean, it's not normal to want to kiss your friend and whenever I had you in my arms I didn’t want to let go anymore and it hurt  when you pushed me away “

“ So yes, I think I like you “

There he was standing in front of his bestfriend powerless after completely baring his feelings for him. His knees felt weak, he was scared. Scared of rejection, scared of more changes. He didn’t know how he was going to deal with them.

“ Please say something “ he begged with his voice cracking.

And before he could say anything else lips pressed againt his. It was sudden, it was quick, it was chaste but it was enough for him to hear fireworks in his head. That was all he needed to make all his worries vanish.

He stared at the person who caused him so much stress the past months, the same person who was now the cause of butterflies in his stomach.

Cute.. he thought when he noticed Yuta’s cheeks heating up.

Soon Yuta's expression darkened and he made his first step back. Just then Taeyong realized that he was too overwhelmed that he has been standing still for minutes already. How dumb. He facepalmed mentally and reached for Yuta’s wrists to stop him from making another step.

He slipped one of his hand around his waist and the other one on the back of his neck before pulling him into another kiss. This time it was deeper, more passionate with tongues fighting for dominance exploring every inch of each other mouth. They parted for air, both panting breathless, Taeyong holding him tight and Yuta lost in his eyes.

Just in that moment they were fully realizing how real and strong their feelings for each other were. It wasn’t just attraction, it wasn't a simple “ I like you “. It was something that made them feel dizzy and happy at the same time. It was that something that everyone likes to call love.

“ I thought you didn’t like me? “ Taeyong broke the silence and smirked.

And that definitely called for a punch on his face.