They exit the cart and start walking in awkward silence until they find a cafe. They sit down and order, Jae getting a white hot chocolate while Brian orders a vanilla chai latte. The drinks arrive and they stare at each other, Jae's mouth is open as if he's going to say something but no words are coming out. Brian repeats,

"I like you, Jae."

"Uh- I-"

"You don't have to give me an anwer," Brian assures,

"I just wanted to say it and let you know-"

"I like you too." Jae cuts him off with pink cheeks,

"Oh." Brian starts, genuinely surprised,

"Are- Are you sure?" he looks extremely confused,

"I don't mean to invalidate your feelings or anything, I just wanna ask if you're sure 'cause I know that you liked Sungjin a lot, and I wouldn't wanna confuse you. Did tht kiss confuse you? I'm sorry-" he rambles, clearly flustered and Jae laughs, the familiar and melodic sound that Brian's come to adore.

"Bri," he says as he puts a comforting hand on his,

"I'm sure. I do like you."

They look at each other for a couple more seconds and Brian repeats,

"Are you sure sure ?" and Jae laughs with a roll of his eyes before grabbing Brian's collar and kissing him again. It's quick and shy but it's more sure than the last one, acting as Jae's answer.

"I'm surprised you didn't spill that hot chocolate on me," Brian jokes and Jae laughs,

"Yes, I'm sure sure I like you... I stopped liking Sungjin a while ago, I wasn't even sad when him and Wonpil told us they were dating,"

"Wait, really? Why weren't you answering my texts then?"

"Because I was really confused! And you were the centre of that confusion," Jae explains,

"When they said they were dating, I didn't really care... and that was so confusing, because I thought I'd be broken, and I say that with all the drama and exaggeration," he says with laughter,

"And then I couldn't stop thinking about you, and all the little things you do, and that thing during the countdown... So when you texted, I didn't wanna respond,"

"But then I showed up at your door," Brian points out, a sorry smile on his face,

"And you took me to see the things I love most because you didn't want me to be sad." Jae looks at him with a sweet smile,

"I had a feeling I liked you before then, but that night was just... Damn." and they laugh.

"To be fair, I did not do that to try and make a move on you, I was just trying to comfort you as a friend," Brian explains his side,

"Oh, and look where that got us," Jae jokes,

"This is embarrassing just talking about me, are you sure you like me?" he turns the question to Brian with a teasing smile.

"I've liked you for a while." he answers, matter-of-factly,

"Also, how could you question me when I was the one who almost kissed you on New Years?"

"Because you acted like it never happened! And then you apologized!"

"Because I thought it made you uncomfortable!" they bicker, each trying to understand what the other was going through.

"Oh, so that's why you apologized..." Jae says under his breath to himself, but Brian hears it,

"What else would I be sorry for?" he asks and Jae blushes, and quickly answers,

"Nothing."

Brian eyes him in thought before giving a smirk,

"I was also sorry I didn't close the distance."

"How'd you know-"

"I know you, I've been your sidekick to get Sungjin for the past half a year,"

"Mission failed, by the way,"

"I mean, if you're down for being a home wrecker, we could modify the plan a bit-"

"No, ," Jae says, laughing because he knows Brian's joking.

"I think I'm starting to like someone else,"

"What, who?! Now we gotta change up the plan,"

"This guy I had my first kiss with,"

"What," Brian says, drawing out the "a" and imitating his mind being blown before he leans in close,

"You know, this is a secret, but I like someone too,"

"No way," Jae plays along with a surprised expression,

"Yeah, I had my first kiss with him too." Brian says with a fond smile, his chin in the palm of his hand,

"My first 2, actually,"

"Really? Me too," Jae says, placing a hand on his chest as if he's really amazed,

"And I hope for more with him, maybe," Brian says and Jae breaks character, blushing and stumbling on his words which makes Brian laugh. Jae watches as Brian laughs sincerely, and he realizes he wants to see Brian this happy all the time. But then that unsettling and insecure feeling sets in, and Jae asks,

"Do you really like me?" and Brian nods, no hesitation at all.

"But... why?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, you're really popular at school, you could have practically anyone you want, you know?" Brian narrows his eyes at Jae who's never looked so vulnerable,

"And you're really handsome, and talented, and you're really soft hearted and do the kindest things but never take credit for them, and you put others before yourself, and you got a nice face," Brian snorts at that comment, which makes Jae stop rambling and he looks Brian in the eyes again.

"You got a nice face yourself," he starts, and Jae cracks a smile,

"And you're soft hearted, too. You care for those around you so immensely, and you do it in silence too. You got me a separate gift, you're there for any of the guys when needed, and you remind us how much we mean to you. You're smart and don't mind trying new things or taking chances, you can talk about anything you find interesting for ages,"

"I do not-"

"I've had many phonecalls with you so don't even try and dispute that," Brian cuts him off with a warning finger, before continuing,

"You're funny yet lame, there's a thin line between those things when it comes to your humour, you're an overall good person who can be timid yet you stand up for yourself and what you want." Jae's blushing, trying to hide in his turtleneck,

"And you're really cute with your cheeks and round glasses," he finishes and they settle into silence.

Truth is, Brian doesn't know why he's saying all of this, after all the hesitation and the holding back, he doesn't know what button was pressed to upon this dam. Was it Valentine's Day? Was it the way his hand felt so warm in Jae's? Or maybe it was the feeling when they ran away from the group earlier that day, but it could also be just Jae. In all his timid, awkward, adorable shamelessness, Jae being in front of Brian was a button itself. 

Brian reflects on Jae's previous words of him being selfless yet never taking credit - but the opposite applied when it came to Jae. Brian wanted to be selfish for once, to go for what he wanted and not just be the supporting role. So despite all the internal warning signs, Brian confessed and is now talking things out with Jae, who claims to like him back. So, with that risk and this selfishness in mind, he asks,

"So, what now?" and Jae coughs on the sip of hot chocolate at the question he doesn't know the answer to either.

"Good question," he replies, eyes on his mug. 

"Where do people go from here?" and Brian laughs, and shrugs,

"Not sure, all confessions I've been present in usually end in rejection," 

Jae looks at him, eyes narrowed in disbelief as he shakes his head a bit,

"Wait, no!" Brian tries to correct, Jae has an amused smile as he continues,

"That's not how this is gonna end, I was just saying you and I are in the same boat because I don't know how to make this succeed-" Jae laughs, commenting,

"What a comforting statement, Bri," and the other admits defeat with a pout.

"Since we know how we feel about each other, how about we just take things slow?" Brian suggests,

"We've kissed twice."

"I meant in terms of titles, and like being official boyfriends and stuff," Brian replies with a light laugh,

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to make things official but I think there're some things we gotta talk through,"

"Like?"

"Like my insecurity of me being a rebound from Sungjin-"

"Brian," Jae cuts him off, because he needs to interrupt him before he gets even further in that thought.

"You are not a rebound." he says, looking into his eyes,

"I can't tell you for sure when things changed, but my feelings shifted gradually before I even knew Sungjin liked Wonpil. I don't like you because I didn't get Sungjin, I like you 'cause you're you, Bri. I didn't kiss you because I was sad Sungjin and Wonpil got together, I don't blush by choice when I'm near you... I sincerely like you so please don't think you're a rebound or some backup plan." and Brian feels slightly bad,

"But I can see why you'd feel that way," Jae says, understanding the concern,

"So, just like how I'm a bit nervous because you're so amazing and get confessions basically weekly, let's trust each other." Brian smiles at that and says a small,

"Okay," 

"Okay?" Jae prompts with an expectant smile just to be sure

"Yes, okay." he replies and he can't stop smiling. 

"I didn't expect you to get so deep, I just didn't want our anniversary to be Valentine's Day," Brian comments, and Jae scoffs,

"Yeah, well, I didn't expect to spend Valentine's Day with you, kiss you, and then talk our feelings out in a cafe, so looks like we're both full of surprises."

"Quite a family emergency, don't you think?" and Jae laughs,

"Very urgent." he agrees with a determined nod,

"Yeah, I really don't think it could've waited a second longer," 

"Mhm," he affirms again with a nod and they laugh, and the silence that follows after is comfortable.

"You know what, I also don't want our anniversary to mix with Valentine's Day," Jae suddenly says, and Brian laughs,

"So, let's just be sure, these feelings are not platonic, very much so romantic and completely mutual?" Brian asks,

"Yes, yes and yes." 

"Okay, now I guess we just wait for Valentine's Day to go by," he replies with a laugh,

"You haven't changed, you know," Jae comments out of no where, looking at Brian with fond eyes,

"What do you mean?"

"When I met you that day, despite the embarrassing situation you laughed a lot, smiled a lot. I liked that attitude you had, but as I got closer to you I realized I wanted to see it more."

"Cute," Brian replies, surprising Jae who expected a different response,

"One day, I realized that I wanted to be the cause of your smile. I knew you liked Sungjin, but I wanted to be there for you, and cheer you up as a good friend. It got harder, but I was doing it pretty well, and then one day I couldn't cheer you on as sincerely as I used to and that's when I realized 'Oh. These are feelings feelings... Oh no'" Brian reenacts his thought proccess, making Jae smile,

"Wait, oh no?" Jae asks, 

"Yes because you liked my best friend!"

"Okay, within the half year we've been doing this plan, I honestly think I've liked you longer than I liked Sungjin."

"What?"

"Not sure, but I felt some type of way when I saw you at Halloween," Jae admits, and Brian lets out a snort of a laugh,

"The night you were freaking out about Sungjin holding your hand?"

"That is why I prefaced that with "not sure" because you were so confusing,"

"Me? What did I do that night?" 

"Your costume was deadly and you know it,"Jae says with narrowed eyes as if scolding Brian, and before the other can object he continues,

"The photobooth thing with you pretending to bite my neck was stressful, and you and Seungmin were so cute and close, and then!" Brian feels like he's done something wrong,

"That text convo that night, you ended it! You never ended our conversations before,"

"How do you even remember all of this?"

"Because I seemed to remember all the details when it involved you, it's annoying and just affirming that I really do have feelings for you." Jae says with a huff before taking another sip of his drink that's gone cold from the talking they're doing. But it's nice, to be able to talk about their feelings so openly and get to understand the other before they became official, get past these confusions and worries that could prove a problem in the future.

"Well in my defense, I was struggling with an assumed unrequited crush, and since you were freaking out about Sungjin holding your hand, I got sulky and didn't want to text you... And that photo experience was even more stressful for me." he says, firm and as fact. Then Brian realizes how long ago Halloween was,

"Wait, you've liked me since then?!"

"No! Yes? Maybe, I didn't know, I couldn't tell," Jae sounds just as confused as Brian's expression shows,

"If you were focused on and still remember Seungmin and I, then you totally did,"

"I didn't know if I did!"

"So you just ignored some signs that you actually liked me,"

"Don't get all high and mighty, I still very much liked Sungjin at that time, hence why I was freaking out about holding his hand,"

"Wow, you're just gonna bring him up after I confessed to you?"

"Wha- Brian!" Jae says in disbelief at Brian's audacity, and they're both laughing because this whole thing is ridiculous.

"Okay okay, we keep getting off topic." Brian settles down, 

"Let's not worry about the past, and focus on the present and the future," 

"Says the one who said we should talk things out,"

"And I think it's done us well, now we know our feelings are true and that we're both idiots for taking so long to realize and admit."

"Did you say we even though you've known your feelings for a while to make me feel better?"

"Yes,"

"See, that's part of why I like you,"

"Because I softened the blow to your pride?"

"Precisely! Wow, whatta genius, I'm falling so hard," Jae says with sigh, resting his chin in his hand as he stares at Brian in adoration and Brian just laughs, shaking his head with a roll of his eyes.

"When we do date, are we telling our parents? Or is that..." Jae trails off,

"Mine won't care," Brian replies bluntly, and Jae doesn't press further because he notices the sudden change in tone.

"But I'll still tell them about you," he adds with a warm smile,

"Because I want to." and Jae smiles,

"I'm worried about your parents, they've met me already... Do they hate me?"

"Bri, are you kidding? Hate you? They love you," he assures,

"Honestly, I think my dad wants to be your best friend or something, he keeps asking when you'll be over next for another game of pool."

"That's both relieving and nerve wracking," Brian says,

"What if he doesn't think I'm good enough for you?"

"Wager me in a pool game and win." Jae jokes because he knows his dad wouldn't think that about Brian. 

"But what if I win and he just disapproves of me even more,"

"Do you really care that much?"

"Yes because I like you a lot and I want your parents to like me too. I want them to accept me and know that I'll treat you well," and Jae's lips curve in a smile,

"Trust me. They already like you. We'll take things slow and tell our parents when it's time, so don't stress." he says, and they talk about other things as the night grows deeper and the cafe starts to close. Their hours talking are filled with laughter, blushing confessions and concludes with the understanding that they do want to do this. 

The walk to Brian's car is slow, shy hands that sometimes brush yet neither of them reach out to hold until Brian realizes how dumb that is, so he just grabs Jae's hand and intertwines their fingers. Jae smiles at the action,

"Do you need help holding those?" Brian asks, looking at the flowers and chocolates,

"Yes please, if you don't mind," and Brian takes the chocolates as they continue walking.

"Damn," Brian says and Jae looks to his side in worry but sees Brian smiling wide,

"What?"

"I like you a lot," he says and turns to look at him and Jae's heart speeds at how cute Brian looks right now, smiling at him as if he's the only thing in the world.

"So, I'm just super happy right now, sorry," he explains with laugh, hiding his face with the chocolates, and Jae can't help but smile himself. 

They get to the car and the ride home is nice, Jae rolling down the windows and singing along to the radio. Brian sings with him and Jae loves the way their voices mesh, just like that time at the music store. When they get to Jae's house, Brian hands him his chocolate and walks him to the doorstep. 

"Thanks for today, Bri," Jae says and Brian nods,

"Thank you, too. It was a lengthy family emergency but everything turned out great, so," and they laugh.

"Good night, get home safe," Jae says, a hint of anticipation in his eyes,

"Good night," Brian replies and they look at each other just for a bit before Jae turns to go into his house,

"Jae, wait," and he turns around and Brian takes his face in his hands as he kisses him, slow. They both smile into the kiss, but Brian gives him one more peck,

"Okay, good night," he says, and jogs to his car, a huge smile plastered on his face as Jae goes inside and leans against the door.

"Oh, you're home. How was your day?" his dad asks when he sees Jae as he was exiting the kitchen,

"Good... Really good," he says,

"Who got you those chocolates and flowers?" Jae doesn't think it's the right time to expose what happened today so he answers,

"I got them for you and mom," and on cue, she walks into the foyer from the living room, 

"Honey! Welcome home, did you eat already?"

"Yeah, Bri and I had dinner,"

"Just you two?" 

"Oh, no the others were there too, but you know, immersed in being the couples they are," Jae says with a chuckle as his mom accepts the flowers as his dad opens the box of chocolates. Jae looks at the gifts Brian gave him and swiftly takes one flower from the bunch and one chocolate, a content smile on his face. 

"I'm gonna go to sleep, I'm tired, good night mom and dad!" he says, quickly grabbing a glass from the kitchen, before his mom asks questions,

"Wait- oh, okay," she says as Jae's already up the stairs,

"Love you, good night!" his dad says as he picks a chocolate,

"Love you!" he says and goes into his room. He fills the glass with water from the bathroom sink, puts the one flower inside and sets it on his desk, and eats the chocolate which is actually pretty good. He's sitting at his desk, admiring the beautiful flower, only one out of the bunch and he feels bad, but he's happy. 

After he showers and is in bed, he's on his phone, trying to put together a text to Brian but no words, no matter how they're strung together, seems to deliver the right message. He's still typing and then deleting when he gets a text,

burger kang: I really cant stop smiling

burger kang: Like I try to and I try to sleep cause we got school tomorrow

burger kang: but then I remember today and you and just 

burger kang: aaaAAHHHHHH

And Jae laughs at the last text because he can practically hear it.

jaepark: wow I was just about to text you

jaepark: also same hehe

burger kang: damn Im gonna have to hold back at school tomorrow huh? 

And the way that's worded makes Jae blush

jaepark: yes unless you want to expose the unofficial us to the group

burger kang: ok ok

burger kang: I dealt with an assumed unrequited crush for like half a year, I can do this

Jae giggles at Brian's pep talk,

jaepark: I like you

burger kang: you're gonna make this hard for me, aren't you??

jaepark: hehehe

burger kang: damn you, Park

And Jae gets flustered at the use of his last name because Brian's never addressed him like that. They decide to talk on the phone, their conversation continuing in groggy, tired voices and soon enough whispers. Jae falls asleep first and Brian smiles at his steady breathing before hanging up with a,

"Good night, loser," and this time he hears Jae's barely coherent response of,

"Night, loser."

The next day at school, the boys meet at the slope and the group asks about Jae's situation.

"Was everything okay yesterday?" 

"Oh it was gr-" they look at him confused because Jae's smiling, and he catches himself and switches his expression,

"grueling." he continues, shaking his head,

"Yeah, I noticed Bri got home really late," and Brian seemed to forget they were neighbours,

"Oh yeah, I stayed with Jae just to make sure everything was okay,"

"Good on you, Bri. Glad everything's okay, Jae," Wonpil says and the group moves toward the school while Jae and Brian lag back.

"Hey Jae, I really like you," Brian teases in a whisper into Jae's ear and speeds up to catch up with the rest of the boys, teasingly sticking his tongue out.

I hate you, Jae mouths, shaking his head with an amused smile and pink cheeks.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

hi hello mydays!♡ that comeback hurt me physically and emotionally. LOL anyway guys! here's the next chapter, tell me guys what you thought! I'd love to know :D if you guys wanna be friends (I'm actually really friendly and if we become friends, I usually share ideas I have for other stories or chapter spoilers lol) feel free to message me on twitter @ zenkrcovers or kakao @ zenaya! thank you for reading, guys. subscribe to keep updated and upvote if you're enjoying the story :) 

please check out my vocal covers on YouTube too :D anyway, I'll try to update soon, but until then, peace! - Zen