You were going home by bus after school, sitting next to your crush, Jaewon, with your best friend Simon across from you.

It was a long ride — streets blurring behind the window, the engine humming low, conversations of other students drifting like background noise.

You were bored. And Simon, being the best (and sometimes most annoying) friend in the world, decided to fix that the only way he knew how — by making trouble.

He reached out suddenly, poking Jaewon’s thigh. The latter smirked, not missing a beat, and poked other’s thigh right back.

“Pfft, is that all you’ve got?” Jaewon teased, his lips curving up, lip ring shining on the lower one, voice low and amused. He retaliated by squeezing Simon’s thigh hard enough to make him squirm.

“Hey, hey, enough!” Simon laughed, grabbing at Jaewon’s knee and squeezing back like a kid in a playground fight.

“Not fair.” Jaewon scoffed, eyes gleaming as he pushed back, both of them trying to out-squeeze the other like it was the most important battle of their lives.

You sat and watched with a tiny smirk tugging at your lips. Boys. Always turning everything into a game. Real kids…

But what you didn’t notice — at least, not right away — was how Jaewon’s eyes flicked to you in between the laughter. Quick, stolen glances. Watching the way your expression shifted, how your mouth twitched when you tried not to smile. He drank it in like it was a secret just for him. Adorable.

Simon noticed, though. And Simon, being Simon, decided to take things one step further.

When your eyes finally met his, he gave you that mischievous grin you knew too well.

“Did you think you could escape?” he teased, before his hand darted out, fingers squeezing your thigh.

You jerked in surprise, glaring at him with a half-growl, half-grumble, smacking his arm. “Are you serious right now?”

Simon only laughed harder, leaning back with that smug what-are-you-gonna-do look on his face. He didn’t even flinch at your little threats to hit him again.

But then- Jaewon’s hand shot out, landing firm and solid against Simon’s thigh. Not playful this time. Not teasing. A sharp contrast to the joking atmosphere just seconds ago.

“Take your hand off,” Jaewon said flatly. His voice was calm, but the weight behind it made Simon’s laughter die in his throat. His grey eyes glinted, sharp and steady, as his jaw tightened.

“You think you can do whatever you want?” Jaewon’s tone carried no smile. No softness. Just quiet authority. And maybe.. something else?

Simon blinked, caught off guard, then slowly raised his hands in surrender, pulling away from you. His eyes flicked to yours, confusion written all over his face.

And then it hit you both at the same time.

That look on Jaewon’s face. The way his stare lingered a fraction too long. The protective edge in his voice.

Was he.. jealous?