Jae doesn't respond because the stating of his name wasn't a greeting to be returned, it was simply an announcement of Kisung's arrival.

"So," he approaches and swings an arm around him,

"Heard you're dating Kang, huh?" and Jae wants to deny but he knows it's futile, so he just stays still, tensing at the contact.

"Good, good for both of you... and me," and he laughs,

"Seungmin isn't fun to play with anymore, so I'm happy I found a new toy." 

"I won't become your toy," Jae says, finding resolve to look Kisung in the eye. 

"Oh, I wasn't asking for permission." and Jae doesn't like the look in the eyes of the boys behind Kisung as they get closer.

"What's your problem?" and Kisung's eyes narrow at the question,

"My problem?" 

"You're always bothering Brian, and he hasn't done anything-" Kisung lands a blow in Jae's stomach, making him double over in pain.

"I don't have a problem with Brian. I like playing with him," he says, grabbing Jae's chin,

"But it's so much more fun to play with him indirectly. Using people around him as chess pieces, you know?"

"Do you even know how to play chess? Humour me, how does the bishop move-" Jae fires back with an amused smile that goes away with another punch, and he realizes what Brian said earlier in the year - their school really doesn't care about bullying. 

"I'll take that as a no," he adds with a daring laugh and Kisung angrily grabs him by his hair, making him wince in pain.

"You got quite the mouth on you, huh?" and he resorts to a knee in Jae's stomach and he falls on the ground, his books scattering. He's never been the buffest boy, and he's definitely never been beaten before so this pain is new, and yet he finds himself wanting to fight. 

"I wonder how fun it'll be when Brian sees you all bruised," 

"I won't let him see my stomach," Jae says, gripping it as if that'll subdue the pain,

"You think we're stopping with your stomach?" and the inclusion of the boys behind him scares Jae as Kisung lets out a laugh. 

Fight back, scream for help, do something. Jae tells himself, but he finds himself helpless on the ground, squirming with his mouth covered shut as he's grabbed by the limbs and shoved into the nearest washroom, but not before managing to kick one of Kisung's followers.

He's thrown on the ground where he cowers against the wall when he gets a kick back from the guy, his whimper making Kisung giggle like an overjoyed kid. Jae repositions himself, taking quick, shallow breaths as he tries to stand,

"Why don't you call Bri in here? Wouldn't be fair to let you have all the fun, right?"

That's both the most and least wanted thing Jae wishes to happen. He wants to be saved, he wants his boyfriend - so badly. But he knows Brian, and he'd probably blame himself which is dumb. Brian's not the problem, it's Kisung. 

Jae makes a lame attempt to throw a punch, which Kisung dodges and says,

"Oh, you want all the fun to yourself? Fine," and that's when his first punch to Jae's face hits - and it hurts like Hell. 

Jae staggers back, holding his cheek as he holds back tears, he would hate to cry now, it would just entertain Kisung more. Kisung's about to land another one when they hear the door open with a squeak, and Jae wonders if it'll be someone who ignores bullying like the rest of the school, or an unexpected knight in shining armour. 

The way his eyes widen when he registers what's going on and almost instantly punches the boys behind Kisung makes Jae watch in awe. Kisung approaches him and gets a swift punch in the face and he runs to Jae,

"Jae! C'mon, I was wondering why you were late," Sungjin says, extending his hand with a comforting smile. Jae grabs it, getting up as Kisung shakes his head at the impact, laughing as he asks,

"So Kang's best friend can fight too?" Sungjin shoots him a glare,

"Good to know."

"You're such a coward," Sungjin spits angrily,

"I'm the coward? Did you see that losers face?" Kisung says, pointing a finger at Jae as he laughs,

"Yes, you're the coward and absolute trash because you have nothing better to do." he replies right to Kisung's face and both of them just stare at each other. Sungjin's still holding Jae's hand, behind him so that if Kisung tries anything, Sungjin can intercept. Kisung lets out a quiet snort before looking at Jae,

"Till the next round, prawn," 

"It's pawn, ," Jae corrects, and Kisung lunges, making him flinch as Sungjin tugs him to exit the bathroom. They quickly pick up the books Jae dropped earlier, and Sungjin helps Jae with his bag. 

"Maybe you should skip until lunch," Sungjin suggests, 

"Walking you into class like this would set Brian off and the period's almost over,"

Jae's still rather stunned but manages to reply,

"Y-Yeah, you're right.. I'll wait in the music room till lunch," 

"Want me to walk you there?"

"No, it's okay, you've done a lot. Thanks, Sungjin," Jae says and Sungjin shows him that classic smile Jae used to squeal over,

"You sure? I mean, I got permission to go to the bathroom anyway-"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Thank you," and Sungjin eyes him with concern,

"Okay. Don't hesitate to text or call any of us if something happens again," and Jae nods before walking to the music room.

He holds his stomach as he walks quickly, hoping Kisung doesn't exit the washroom and chase after him. He arrives at the empty music room that, over the past few months, has become so comforting and familiar. He lays down in the middle of the room, right under the skylight and stares at the sky.

Is that what Seungmin went through? Multiple times? he thinks, and wants to cry just thinking about it. 

Jae said before that he kind of understood why Seungmin liked Brian - as Brian was his knight in shining armour. That's why he didn't want Sungjin to walk him to the music room, because in that mess of an encounter with Kisung, Sungjin grabbing his hand and saving him made him feel something with a small "uh oh" that was quickly dispelled. No planes fly overhead, and he's actually about to fall asleep when he hears,

"Bri!"

"Is he okay?!" from outside the room, as the door swings open, and Brian runs toward Jae who's sitting up now, and just hugs him.

That's what he needed. For Brian to just hug him with his arms that never failed to support him, to hold him close like he usually does, and to place a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"I am-"

"Don't apologize. This wasn't your fault,"

The boys stay outside the music room for a few minutes, giving Brian and Jae their time as Sungjin explains what happened.

"Not my fault? So, Kisung didn't punch you because you're dating me?" he asks and Jae can't lie to his face, so he looks away, not saying anything. Brian clicks his tongue in irritation when he sees the bruise on Jae's face,

"Us dating isn't a fault. He's just a piece of trash," Jae answers, and Brian knows he's right, but he can't help but blame himself. Jae can see that in his eyes, so he just kisses him. 

"I swear to God when I see him, I might get expelled for the damage I'll do." Brian says with a tone and expression that proves he's not joking or exaggerating. His eyes are angry, not looking at Jae and his teeth are clenched and his whole demeanour is just negative. Jae places a hand on his cheek,

"Don't fight him, you've done it before and he hasn't stopped..."

"But look at what he did to your face. Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asks, holding Jae's body and Jae immediately shakes my head,

"No, just my face." 

"This time, it was just your face. If I don't fight him now, next time-"

"Don't think about a next time, Bri." and they go quiet. 

"Can you come over after school today?" he asks and Brian breaks out of his fuming trance to look at Jae. As if grounded, his eyes return to the adoring ones Jae knows, and he has a sad smile as he places his hand over Jae's. 

"I wanna be with you."

"You just don't want me beating Kisung's right when the bell rings, huh?" and Jae cracks a smile that sends a dull pain in his face,

"You're so smart," he says and Brian laughs, 

"Yeah, I'll come over." and Jae smiles before Brian pulls him in for a kiss - it's long, and they don't notice the door open, but they hear Dowoon's,

"Oh, nope, guess they need more time," and he quickly closes the door again. They laugh, Brian holding Jae's face in his hands as he says,

"I'm so sorry this happened to you." which Jae accepts as Brian kisses his forehead,

"Okay! Come in, sorry!" he yells and Jae laughs at Dowoon's jokingly disgusted expression as the rest of the boys enter the room.

Lunch proceeds as normal, the boys asking if Jae's okay and Sungjin watches him with a small, knowing smile. Brian doesn't leave Jae alone the rest of the school day, and is extra alert on the walk home to Jae's house. They're about to enter when Brian pauses, squeezing his hand, 

"Wait,"

"What?"

"What're we gonna tell your parents about your bruise?" and Brian hates that he even asked and says,

"I'll tell them the truth, that you got beat up because-"

"I fell running up the stairs 'cause I was late for class, what do you mean?" Jae says, fully resolved and acting mode ready. Brian's reminded of his acting on Valentine's Day and wants to smile, but this situation isn't playful or a scheme to ditch a group date.

"No, they should know-"

"It's my face, and if they ask, I'm answering." Jae replies, opening the door,

"I'm home! Brian's here, we'll be in my room!" he says quickly as his parents greet them, Jae's already going up the stairs while Brian gives a polite bow and smile. Brian follows after greeting Jae's parents. 

They're just chilling in Jae's bed, cuddling as per Jae's request, while watching a teen romcom but not really paying attention. Brian's attention hasn't left Jae the minute they laid in his bed, and Jae's not complaining. He kind of wishes Brian would stop looking at him with such apologetic eyes, but he likes the attention and doting, smiling to himself when Brian unconsciously plays with his hair while trying to watch the movie. His stomach still hurts so he's just praying Brian doesn't tickle him or else he'll ask about why he winced instead of laughed. 

"Bri," Jae starts, suppressing a smile,

"Hm?" hums against Jae's neck where he's placing soft kisses,

"Watch the movie."

"I am," he says and Jae can feel him smile before Brian wraps his arms around him, rather tightly but gently enough that Jae can hold in the dull pain. 

Jae's eyelids begin to feel heavy, so somewhere between Brian running his fingers through his hair, and the main girl in the movie getting a makeover, he falls asleep, head on Brian's chest. 

Brian is about to nap too, finding it cute to nap together, but Jae moves in his sleep which lifts up his sweater just slightly, and Brian sees it.

He slowly and carefully lifts up the hem even more, just to be sure, and the bruises are clear. His jaw clenches and he tries to contain his anger as he slowly removes himself from under Jae, making sure to tuck him in and place a kiss on his forehead before leaving his room. Brian says a goodbye to Jae's parents,

"Jae fell asleep, so I'll get going," he says with a smile, itching to just leave,

"Oh okay! You're welcome back anytime, sweetie. Get home safe, I'll tell Jae," his mom says and Brian bows before leaving the Park house.

When Jae awakes, it's already dark and he notices Brian's absence, wondering where he's gone off to. On his desk is a note that reads,

Had to go do something! I'll text you later, and see you tomorrow

Accompanied by a cute heart doodle that makes Jae smile.

He goes to the bathroom to wash up and he stares at his bruise. He lifts up his hoodie to check on his stomach, hissing when he accidentally presses a bruise to hard. In the shower, there's something nagging at him, something he knows is stupid but he can't help but feel a certain way about. When Brian was Seungmin's knight, Brian never hesitated to throw a punch - no one could tell him to stop, or calm down. Jae knows he's the one who asked Brian not to do anything, but part of him wishes Brian protested more, wishes he found Kisung and beat him like he did when Seungmin was in danger. He brushes the thought off as he's drying himself, and decides to call Brian which he doesn't pick up and Jae finds that odd - he's usually so quick to answer his calls. 

He must be busy, he thinks and doesn't think about it again as he starts his homework. 

bri bri: Hey! sorry I missed your call

bri bri: was busy but I'm home now!

Jae smiles as he messages back, mainly at his boyfriend's new contact name, even though he feels like burger kang could've been kept.

jj: it's okay, was just checking if you were okay

jj: I woke and you were gone :(

bri bri: ah sorry but you were sleeping so soundly

bri bri: I didn't wanna wake youu

jj: wow so you just abandon your boyfriend like that

bri bri: don't pull that card

bri bri: I might walk back over there

Jae laughs to himself, and decides to take a cute selfie, pouting and hugging a pillow in his free arm,

jj: that pillow could've been you.

jj: but NO you just leAVE ME

Jae receives a photo from Brian, it's of his usual Converse with one foot already in and laced,

bri bri: I'm really boutta come back

jj: LOL no don't it's late

jj: but make it it up to me tomorrow? 

bri bri: Gladly♡

And that heart makes Jae's swell. They decide to call and talk on the phone as Jae finishes up his homework that Brian says he'll finally start. 

The next day at school, Brian's not late but he's not on the slope which Jae finds odd considering they didn't even call that late last night. He walks into class right as the bell rings, his head down but Jae sees his hands that reach for his chair. His knuckles are busted and Jae gets an idea of where Brian left to last night. Jae makes a mental note to bring this up during lunch because he thought things were fine yesterday. He curses that small part of him that wished Brian reacted the way he did with Seungmin. 

It's just them two in the music room, the boys giving them their space again,

"Bri." Jae starts and Brian looks at him, his face sporting small scratches and a bruise,

"What did you do?" and he doesn't answer because he knows it's rhetorical.

"Bri, yesterday things were okay, yeah you were angry but you came over instead of beating him up! He's a waste of your time, why do you keep-"

"Why did you lie to me?" and Jae looks genuinely confused,

"Your stomach. You said he just hit your face, but your stomach was so bruised... What, are you gonna say you fell up the stairs? You have extremely sensitive skin?" and he's clearly irritated so Jae doesn't say anything, instead, wrapping his arms around him. Brian doesn't move at first, not until Jae says,

"Thank you... but you're not a delinquent, Bri. I don't want you to keep getting dragged back into Kisung's crap, even if it's for me." 

Jae closes his eyes in relief when Brian hugs him back,

"He won't stop if I don't do anything,"

"Maybe he likes that you react. Try ignoring it-"

"I ignored it, and you got dragged into a bathroom and if Sungjin didn't need to pee at that time, I don't even wanna think about what he could've done to you." and he's staring at his boyfriend with sincerity,

"So, what do we do?" Jae asks and Brian looks away,

"I handled it..." he almost whispers, and Jae gets concerned,

"Handled it? Bri, what'd you do?"

"Relax, I didn't kill the guy... Just got an upperhand," he says with a mischievous smile and Jae eyes him suspiciously,

"and beat him up just a tiny bit, but that's besides the point,"

"Bri!"

"I wanna put this behind us." Brian cuts off,

"That's why I left last night, because I don't know if we could continue to date comfortably if Kisung was just a constant, annoying threat on the side." he admits and Jae cracks a smile,

"Threat? He barely knows how to play chess," and Brian snorts,

"Chess? That's your requirement of being labled a threat?" 

"No," Jae quickly denies as Brian starts laughing. He steals a quick kiss from Jae, and Jae pouts about to say that now's not the time because he's still upset,

"That was the first and last time he hurts you. I promise. So, can we move past this and continue just being happy together?" and Jae rolls his eyes,

"You're so annoying,"

"What?" Brian asks, surprised, 

"What did I do?"

"You ask as if I'm gonna say no, you already know the answer but you just wanted to be cool." he replies with a smile with his arms crossed and Brian laughs,

"You know me so well," he says with a proud smile, and he's about to lean in for another kiss when they hear

"Are you guys done fighting?!" from outside the room,

"I'm hungry!" Wonpil yells and Brian settles of a quick kiss, a bonus on Jae's neck before running to open the doors,

"Why're you out of breath- Oh gross!" Sungjin looks between the two who look extremely confused,

"In the music room?!" Sungjin's teasing catches him off guard, and Brian stutters in his protest,

"W-What, no! What're you even talking about?! I just ran to open the door! I wasn't even out of breath!" Brian yells as he shoves his best friend who's laughing loudly as he makes his way to his usual spot and Jae flushes a bright red.

They put the Kisung incident behind them, Jae genuinely curious as to what Brian's upperhand is - but as long as it's working, he's content. Days turn into weeks, turn into months that pass by. Their relationship is going well, they're comfortable with each other but they haven't lost that flustering spark, and there are dates where Jae swears he falls for Brian all over again. There are also days where Brian wonders how it's possible that Jae never fails to give him butterflies. They celebrate their monthiversaries at various places, and their kisses have grown more intense - they were teenage boys, afterall. They hang out with the boys like they usually do, and since they're all couples now, a group hang out doesn't feel like a date with third-wheelers. The days get warmer and they're only a month away from graduation. They have some fights, and even if there is a dispute, they make sure to talk things out because they both want this to work. That's what they said - just like the time they proclaimed their relationship to Jae's parents, they said they want to date seriously and last a long time.

So, Jae's wondering why, in his room on a night his parents are out of town, Brian says a seemingly strenuous sentence - his eyes not meeting Jae's in confidence like they usually do, he's further away than he usually would be, as he says,

"Jae, I love you," for the first time so Jae seriously doesn't understand why he adds,

"But let's break up."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi Hello MyDays!♡ My name is Zen, and Happy New Year! 2018 was by no means the easiest or happiest year for me, but I made it. and so did you! I pray 2019 brings you happiness and blessings. This story is soon coming to an end, but I have other stories planned for this year, so I hope you guys come along with me on this journey! Please comment any thoughts, I'd love to read them! If you guys wanna be friends, feel free to contact me on:

twitter&instagram: @zenkrcovers | kakao: zenaya

Once again, Happy New Year! I'll try and update soon, but until then, peace! - Zen