we conflate
title we conflate
pairing Sehun/Jongin
rating PG-13
length 5,267
summary Who knew being bad at making potions might actually be a good thing for Jongin?
a/n Originally written for edoriko at exolliarmus. I don't know what happened here. I had a really good idea in the beginning, but then I don't know what happened. I'm sorry this happened.
If Sehun was completely honest with himself, nothing is ever his fault. He always seems to get involved with trouble that never centers around him.
Like that one time he accidentally levitated Jongin’s parchments out of their room and into the courtyard below, or the one time he accidentally spilled pumpkin juice on a third year that Jongin had a crush on by walking into him, or that one time he accidentally led Jongin down the wrong corridor and ended up in the faces of a pair of angry Slytherin prefects.
Every single one of those moments, Jongin had somehow managed to exaggerate the situations to be way worse than they really were.
In fact, if it wasn’t for Jongin’s incessant groveling and embarrassing pleading to said Slytherin prefects, Sehun might’ve been able to play off as a seventh year and gotten them both out of trouble. But no, Jongin had to go and prove how pathetic first years are seen by the older students. Sehun will never be able to pass by the Slytherin corridors without feeling any sort of faint embarrassment because he’ll always be seen as that first year, even though they’re no longer fresh meat so to speak.
Then again, he supposes that he might’ve been a factor in the series of unfortunate events that is Jongin’s life.
Okay so a bit part of it might be his fault, but Sehun feels like he deserves a lot of praise for simply being Jongin’s friend because let’s face it, the guy’s a socially awkward sex god.
Wait what? No, Sehun didn’t think Jongin was any sort of sexy god, or god in general. In fact, eliminate the sexy part all together because who in their right mind would think someone like Jongin is sexy?
Not Sehun. Nope, not at all.
“Sehun,” Jongin calls out with a long drawl, raspy voice rolling off his tongue in satisfying syllables. It’s only two, but it makes Sehun feel weak as he turns in his bed. “Sehun,” he calls out again, and Sehun can’t help but smile because his name sounds so right in Jongin’s voice.
“Hey Sehun!”
A book is flung at his head-or at least he thinks it’s a book-and it breaks Sehun from his reverie, startling the young wizard out of his covers. A beat later and the common room is filled with obnoxious laughter, including one nasally guffaw that catches his ear above the others.
“Sehun,” Baekhyun mimics as someone gasps in the background-Sehun thinks it’s Jongin. “When are you going to get your ass up out of bed?”
“When you die,” Sehun replies, deadpan.
Another laugh breaks off to the side. “Ooh, he bites.” Chanyeol’s voice is a pitch higher than usual, and just as irritating to hear as Baekhyun’s in the morning. Or, Sehun thinks it’s morning, but from the way the sunlight peeks in from the crimson curtains lining the windows, it’s definitely an hour past it’s too early for this.
“Professor Ahn said he was looking for you,” Chanyeol perks up as Baekhyun nudges him in the rib, and the pair break into an annoying bout of laughter.
Sehun is royally screwed.
The long trek to the Potions classroom, when most of the students have already shuffled out, is especially ominous, even though Professor Ahn is one of the nicer teachers here at Hogwarts-just don’t let any of Sehun’s other professors catch him saying that.
Potions is actually something that Sehun excels at, coming from a long line of witches and wizards whom also soared through Potions classes. Professor Ahn once suggested Sehun look into a career outside of Hogwarts as a Potioneer, perhaps even studying to take up his place one day here at Hogwarts. It was a fleeting suggestion, but Sehun thinks there’s more weight to his words than he first thought.
It’s with trepidation that Sehun makes his way to the back of the classroom, where most of the vials and ingredients are shelved between cauldrons and discarded attempts at potion-making. Professor Ahn is bent over the small cauldron in the corner, and from here, Sehun can see the pink liquid bubbling in the black pot.
“Uh,” Sehun starts. “Professor Ahn?”
He must’ve been in a trance because at the mere mention of his name, he jolts in surprise and nearly knocks over the cauldron in his haste. “Oh! Sehun!” he says as his lips form a delighted smile. “What brings you here?”
“You wanted to see me?” Sehun raises an eyebrow when Professor Ahn tilts his head.
“Oh!” he replies after a thought. “Yes I did! I was going to ask if you could help me with a project.” With a flick of his wand, and an incantation muttered under his breath, the liquid in the cauldron ceases its bubbling, reverting back to a still magenta. “Are you friends with Jongin?”
No. “Yeah, we’re good friends,” Sehun admits with a forced smile.
Professor Ahn claps his hand together in joy and motions for Sehun to take a seat near the table. “Jongin is a bright student, there’s no doubt about that. But, he seems to be a bit lacking in potions. He might be able to do better if he wasn’t off dozing so much during classes.”
At this, Sehun imagines Jongin with his face planted on the desk, eyes closed shut and drool dripping slowly from his lips. He has to mentally smack himself when he realizes he’s starting to think that image is actually very cute.
“I’m sorry but, what does that have to do with me?” Sehun says, pouting a bit when he realizes he might’ve been a bit harsh with his words.
Professor Ahn doesn’t seem to notice as he pulls out one of their old first year textbooks from the shelf, dropping it onto the table with an audible thud. “I’d like you to go through a set of potions with him. Just so he can get a feel for it. Help him successfully create one of the potions. I believe he’ll have better luck with you since you’re close with him.” Before Sehun can protest his complaints, a finger is raised in the air as Professor Ahn continues. “I’ll also consider this as proper work for your absent today.”
Sehun deflates immediately as he mumbles a, “Sorry.”
“I’ll accept a proper apology through your tutoring of Jongin,” Professor Ahn replies as he smiles again to soften his words. “Stop by after your other classes with Jongin. I’ll make sure to leave a cauldron for you both to work with.”
Sehun dips his head to answer before he realizes that he only has a few minutes left before his next class. Hurriedly, Sehun scrambles out of the classroom and prays that Professor Jung is as accepting of tardiness as Professor Ahn is.
She’s not.
Sehun corners Jongin after he finds him running away from Baekhyun in, who knows what the fuck they were doing, it doesn’t really matter. In between Jongin shrieking as he pulls him by the wrist, and Jongin’s rapid-fire questions about where he was taking him, Sehun manages to keep his game face on-he wasn’t about to let Jongin screw up his reputation with Professor Ahn.
“Do you know what this is?” Sehun asks when they step inside of the Potions classroom. It’s completely deserted inside, and even Professor Ahn is missing, probably heading up to the library to work on grading essays or whatever it is professors do in their spare time.
Jongin actually takes a moment to register his surroundings. “Isn’t this Potions class?”
“Correct,” Sehun says flatly as he drags Jongin to the back. “And do you know what this is?” He finally lets go of Jongin’s wrist and uses his free hand to motion to the cauldron on the table.
“It’s a pot right?” Jongin answers happily.
“Correct again,” this time Sehun says sarcastically. “You know your basics.”
“Right so,” Jongin trails off, fidgeting awkwardly in his spot. “What are we doing here? Shouldn’t we be down at the common room? I think Baekhyun wants to show us a book his father sent him. He said it’s a magazine, or that’s what the muggles call it. It’s interesting.”
Sehun deadpans again through Jongin’s little rant and sighs, “Are you done?” When Jongin offers a slow nod, Sehun forms a wicked smile and points to the shelf at the back. “Good, because we’re going to make a potion.”
“Wow,” Sehun mutters. “When Professor Ahn said you were lacking with potions, I seriously thought he was joking. You’re really crappy at this.” He shoots Jongin a sympathetic look as the other withers away behind the cauldron. “You don’t have to be afraid of it. It’s just a cauldron.”
Jongin looks terrified. “Dude, what if it explodes?”
“It’s not going to explode,” Sehun reassures, deadpan. “There’s nothing in it anyways, what are you so afraid of?”
Jongin’s pouts briefly and Sehun has to concentrate on the shelf behind him because staring at Jongin’s lips means staring at Jongin’s lips. Which means staring at Jongin’s lips. Which means old feelings. Which means wow why did Sehun even sign up for this?
Coughing into his sleeve-Sehun ignores how Jongin steps away from him like he has some contagious illness-Sehun flips his wand out and points to the book open on the table. “You just have to brew a simple Sleeping Draught. It’s so easy a toddler can do it. Not that a toddler should do it but you know what I mean.”
“Simple…” Jongin repeats, like the word is completely foreign to him.
“If you need any help, I’ll be right here,” Sehun tries, attempting to sound comforting. Not exactly his best suit. “I’m going to be like your tutor for the day. Your super smart, cool tutor.”
Jongin looks happy? He’s smiling ear to ear. This is a good thing? With how Jongin’s eyes light up with him just standing there Sehun affirms that yes, this is in fact a good thing.
“Okay then,” Jongin starts. “I mean, it’s just a potion. Just a potion…” He’s eyeing the cauldron with a wariness that Sehun figures should be reserved for spiders or some shit. Then again, Jongin’s always been scared of everything, so this shouldn’t so surprising.
Sehun nods along, deadpan face becoming even more deadpan. “Yes, it’s just a potion.”
“Just a potion.”
“Yes, we get it. It’s just a potion. Can you get on with it?”
Jongin flushes a bright pink as he finally starts to do… something. Sehun isn’t sure exactly what Jongin’s doing-he’s like circling around the cauldron like one of those interpretive muggle dances that he’s so fond of watching, and tried to get Sehun to copy with him. Not that Sehun would ever admit it, but he actually followed along with Jongin’s schemes and it was actually a bit of fun.
“Look,” Sehun huffs, after Jongin wastes five minutes doing absolutely nothing but stare at the cauldron. “You have to actually put ingredients in the cauldron to make a potion.” He scoots over to where the shelf is, motioning for Jongin to follow. “What does it say the Sleeping Draught needs?”
Jongin mutters something about Quidditch practice and pumpkin juice, and it’s clear the boy is too easily distracted.
“Jongin!”
“Right! Right!” Jongin springs to life under Sehun’s command and start searching the textbook for information. Fortunately for him, Sehun’s already flipped the book to the Sleeping Draught section, so all he has to do is just read the pages in front of him. “It says here, a Sleeping Draught needs…” His eyes squint as he reads off the list. “Lavender, Flobberworm Mucus, Valerian Sprigs, and… Standard Ingredient? What’s Standard Ingredient?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to figure out,” Sehun says curtly. “Just go through this shelf and pick out what you think looks right.” With a flip of his robes, Sehun twirls onto a nearby stool, resting his chin on his palm in what he thinks is clearly a cool, calm, and collected pose.
Many would like to disagree with him, but they’re wrong.
“Can’t you offer me just a hint?” Jongin asks meekly.
Sehun raises an eyebrow. “The textbook provides pictures. Seriously you just have to match up the picture to what it looks like.” Jongin seems to shrink on himself with each word and Sehun actually maybe sort of feels bad about it. “Hey look, it’s easy okay? Just follow your instincts.”
“Right,” Jongin says before he turns to the shelf with better confidence.
Sehun should always tutor people. He’s a natural.
Natural disaster that is.
Then again, Sehun didn’t think Jongin could screw up such an elementary potion, let alone mix up the ingredients so horribly that he’d end up creating a disastrous… disaster.
As soon as Jongin added that mystery ingredient-‘Is this Standard Ingredient?’ ‘I don’t know, add it and see’-the whole cauldron bubbled a vicious red before the scalding liquid splashed out in a miniature eruption, landing mostly on Jongin’s face since he was standing dangerously close to it. There was plenty of shrieking from both sides and Sehun’s glad no one was here to see it all happen.
Taking a closer look, it doesn’t look that bad in Sehun’s honest opinion. The swelling on Jongin’s face might be a bit over the top, but hey, at least now he doesn’t have to look at Jongin’s face and get distracted.
“Am I dead?” Jongin asks, and the way his lips swelled up, he’s starting to sputter in between his words. It’s not really attractive.
Sehun winces. “Uh dude, you might be.” When Jongin makes a high pitched whine at this, Sehun holds up his hands to placate him. “Dude I’m joking. We’ll just take you to the doctor and have you checked up okay?”
Thankfully, the swelling stops a few seconds later, and now Jongin’s face is puckered up so badly that Sehun isn’t able to make out any of the words he’s trying to say. He thinks Jongin’s offering his thanks, but it also sounds like Jongin’s imitating his pet goldfish. Wizards can have pet goldfish by the way.
As he ponders if he remembered to feed Pinku Pinku today, Sehun nearly jolts when he feels warm fingers brushing against his hand. Looking down, he notices how Jongin’s trying to hold onto him.
“Does it hurt?” Sehun asks when he sees how flushed Jongin’s face is now.
Jongin can’t even answer properly anymore, choosing to squeeze Sehun’s hand to let him know that he’s listening. This actually makes Sehun feel pretty bad about the whole situation, and he squeezes Jongin’s hand in return.
“Come on, let’s get you to the Hospital Wing.”
Sir Minseok’s infirmary is full.
Apparently, some third year thought it would be funny to cast a Locomotor Mortis charm on a crowd of first years as they ran down the Entrance Hall stairs. The result is self-explanatory.
“Maybe we should come back at a better time,” Sehun notes as he ducks out of the way when another first year is carried into the room on a stretcher. “It looks like a warzone in here.” The first year makes a pained groan and really, that third year must have been a huge asshole to pull a prank like this.
Jongin makes a sputtering noise and Sehun thinks he’s agreeing with him. Or not, but the way he holds onto Sehun’s hand tighter makes Sehun think otherwise.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure we can handle something like this by ourselves,” Sehun says.
At this, Jongin turns to Sehun with an even louder, indignant sputter. Spit lands on his robes and Sehun closes his eyes, counting to himself in slow beats because this nightmare is almost over. They just need to cure Jongin of his ailment and things will be back to normal. No big.
A honey-haired man barrels through the pair, knocking him out of his reverie, covered head to toe in what Sehun hopes is Floo Powder.
“Minseok! Minseok!” the man shouts, waving his arms about frantically. Each motion shakes off a layer of powder and Sehun confirms it is in fact, Floo Powder. “Guess what I’ve discovered.”
Sir Minseok freezes comically as he holds a student’s arm in his hand. “Not now Lu Han.” He promptly ignores the man’s garbled sentences, and each word makes the furrow in his brows grow. “No, I did not know Flourish and Blotts had a hearth. Yes, it’s just like that one time-why are you on Hogwarts grounds anyway?”
Their conversation grows louder and Sehun takes this cue to head back to work on a cure. He can only hope his family’s perfect genes pull through and get them out of this mess.
As they stride back through the halls, Sehun catches students giving them odd looks, a few even laughing when they brush past in their haste.
“Assholes.”
Jongin seems to cower at the unwanted attention, and Sehun actually feels guilty for what he’s putting the poor guy through. Thankfully, no one will ever know about his sympathetic side because Jongin is the only witness, and he’s going to be the only witness because Sehun actually has a soft spot for him. He doesn’t want to see Jongin get hurt.
“Man people are real assholes,” Sehun says when two tall fifth years block the hallway, cackling when Sehun pushes through them with Jongin in tow. “Their parents must be so proud.”
Another bout of sputtering and Sehun thinks Jongin’s saying yes everyone is an asshole, and it’s the way life works. Man, when did Jongin get so smart?
“Look, when I get you out of this mess, I’ll treat you to ice cream okay?” Sehun smiles when Jongin turns to him with a happy sputter. “I know some people who know some people who know about that Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. Just tell me what your favorite flavor is when you can talk again and it’ll be my way of saying sorry okay?”
Another happy sputter.
“WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?” Chanyeol banshee shrieks are what greets them when they walk back into the common room.
Sehun deadpans. “Dude chill, it’s just Jongin.” He hold on Jongin’s hand becomes tighter as he leads him towards the couch in front of the hearth, making sure he’s seated comfortably before wandering off. “I’m just picking up some things to help with an antidote.” Glancing around the room, Sehun notes how quiet it is. So peaceful. “Wait, where’s Baekhyun?”
Chanyeol’s still eyeing Jongin with wide apprehension, but he stops when he finally realizes Jongin isn’t about to bite him in some fit of infected rage. “BB? Who knows? Last time I checked he was skipping after Kyungsoo all happy and shit.”
“Baekhyun’s pining after Kyungsoo?” Sehun ears perk up at this. Jongin sputters with equal curiosity.
Chanyeol looks offended when Jongin spits on his robes, and inches away from the couch accordingly. Rich sons are always weird as fuck when it came to their clothes. “Yeah, they’re practically a couple.” He gags at the last word. “Or, at least Baekhyun seems to think so. He won’t stop talking about Kyungsoo like, ever. It’s getting kind of annoying.”
“That’s kind of cute,” Sehun says. “You know, except for the fact it’s Baekhyun. I feel sorry for Kyungsoo. Poor guy.”
Jongin’s playing with the hem of his robes now. Sehun briefly wonders if the potion mishap has any extra negative side effects. He should be writing this stuff down.
“You’d think so,” Chanyeol says, before his eyes glaze over. “But I mean, this is Kyungsoo we’re talking about.”
“I’ll pretend that means something to me.”
Disregarding Chanyeol’s attempt at furthering the conversation, Sehun searches through his luggage for any sort of tip-books, notes, anything-his parents left him to help him out with the school year. Not that he’d expect them to have expected a situation like this, but Sehun could always hope.
He could ask Professor Ahn for help, but he really doesn’t want to disappoint him any further. He’s already in a good position with him, and he doesn’t want to ruin that.
“Jongdae!” Chanyeol’s voice is a bit happier than before. “Where’ve you been?”
“Hey Cha-AH! WHAT IS THAT?”
Jongdae nearly trips over in the doorway when he spots the inflated Jongin on the couch, and Jongin really looks like he’s going to cry now-Sehun just knows these things. He can tell what kind of mood Jongin’s in even through his physical condition. It’s a talent.
“It’s Jongin,” Sehun snips when he gives up on his quest to find any sort of information to help with this problem. “And would you guys stop that? Seriously, we don’t need more douchebags on the grounds.”
Jongdae recovers quickly and promptly apologizes like the gentleman he always is. Chanyeol follows suit with his own heartfelt apology, even going as far as to hug Jongin with his gangly arms, and Jongin actually brightens up from all of the affection. Sehun can’t help the way his heart flips at this.
“Oh! Chanyeol, before I forget, check this out.” Jongdae whips out his wand with a bit of unnecessary flair, and after taking a deep breath, he chants out, “Expecto Patronum.”
A silvery light escapes from the tip of his wand, casting a bright glow over the room as a figure appears from his wand. The figure shapes into an animal as it sprints about the room, shedding a cocoon of silver trails, and after a few moments, the fine details of a puppy spring to life. It’s so adorable, with the way it nuzzles against its owner’s leg before hopping onto the couch to butt its head against Jongin.
Said wizard can’t hide how happy he is to see it, even under his inflated cheeks. Jongin loves dogs just as much as he loves Sehun. Maybe. Maybe even more.
“That’s so cool!” Chanyeol shouts out, as he chases after the apparition with a lazy stroll. “It’s just like me! It’s like my twin.”
Immediately, his body starts to shrink and his robes are displaced by tufts of fur, until all that’s left in his spot is a small, adorable looking puppy. Chanyeol’s been brushing up on his skills as an Animagus ever since Sehun can remember, but it doesn’t come as a surprise to him how well Chanyeol has perfected his transformation-when Chanyeol has something on his mind, he doesn’t stop until he’s completed it like the perfectionist he is.
“Aw!” Jongdae squeals from his spot as he watches Chanyeol chase after his Patronus on his short little legs. Every time he almost catches it, Chanyeol barks enthusiastically, tongue slipping out of his mouth as he pants in short breaths.
The smile that slips onto Jongdae’s face is too bright to ignore.
What interests Sehun the most is how Jongdae’s Patronus looks exactly like Chanyeol; he’s seen enough Patronus charms to know what this means. He doesn’t ask any questions though.
The answers come when they’re supposed to be learned.
“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?”
Sehun passes by Baekhyun on the way to the Potions classroom, and he really wishes he didn’t because Baekhyun has zero tact when it came to everything and Jongin looks like he’s about to faint on the spot from all this negativity.
“You know what, I’m not even going to answer that,” Sehun says as he brings his arm up to wrap around Jongin’s elbow.
Baekhyun sniffs. “Sehun what the-”
His words are cut off with a yelp when Kyungsoo-where the fuck did he even come from-jabs at his side with precise fingers. Baekhyun’s whimpering as he clutches at his side, mumbling something about why and getting dinner to eat. This reminds Sehun that he hasn’t eaten anything for the past few hours because of this accident.
“Baekhyun, don’t be a little shit,” Kyungsoo grumbles as he pulls Baekhyun away by the wrist.
Sehun concludes that Kyungsoo is a wonderful soul, filled with all the karma Baekhyun deserves, and that maybe their relationship is perfect.
Good for them.
“Okay, so I think I can make an antidote if I concentrate enough,” Sehun says. “I just need you to sit down and, do, absolutely, nothing.”
Jongin sputters a noise of acknowledgement. This is actually progress in their relationship, because usually this is followed up with several annoying questions about ‘why he should’, and ‘what was Sehun doing’, and ‘why was the sky blue’ or something stupid like that. Sehun doesn’t need the distractions, no matter how tempting.
“Wingardium Leviosa,” Sehun chants as he mimics the movements his professor taught him back when he was a first year.
The small vials and bowls all shake slightly before a few are floating in the air, following Sehun’s command and landing gently onto the table. He could’ve picked them up one by one, but Sehun’s lazy like that. He’d already use his levitating charm on the most menial of tasks, and he sees no reason to break habit.
“So I just have to counteract the effects of the potion you made,” Sehun mutters to himself. “If I add this here…” His fingers tap against the wooden surface in thought. Usually answers come easily for him, but he’s honestly a bit flustered at how to tackle this problem. “I could whip up a Cure for Boils, but I don’t know if that would even help with this. It’s not like it’s a normal problem.”
Jongin tilts his head, and Sehun swears he can hear the sound of his heart clenching at how adorable it is, boils or not.
Compose yourself Sehun.
“I think I have the answer,” Sehun says after he works out a possible formula in his head. “I really hope this works because your face looks really painful. I mean to have, not that it’s… never mind.”
A noncommittal sound later and Jongin’s eagerly awaiting Sehun’s concoction, palms tapping on his knees in a steady rhythm. The cauldron only starts to shake after Sehun adds the powdered ginger root, the liquid inside bubbling a bright pink. It’s similar to a mixture he tried to make as a first year to remove blemishes, but hopefully, it’s more successful than its counterpart.
“I think it’s almost done,” Sehun notes as he lowers the heat on the cauldron. “All we have to do is wait and it should be good to go.”
Jongin sputters with glee.
“We’re not out of the woods just yet. You can thank me when it’s finally gone.”
When Jongin jumps up to hold Sehun’s hands with his own, Sehun nearly jerks away from the contact. It’s different this time, a deep coil in the pit of his stomach and he starts to wonder, is he feeling something for Jongin? Is it something real?
If it was any other day, Sehun would’ve shrugged it off with his usual nonchalance because it was Jongin. But now, after going through this ordeal with him, Sehun’s wondering if he should be acting on his thoughts instead. Testing his theory out, Sehun holds onto Jongin tighter, and for some reason, he doesn’t want it to end. He wants to keep holding.
But why?
“Say Jongin,” Sehun starts, keeping an eye on the cauldron as it slows to a simmer. “How long have we known each other?”
A frantic bout of sputtering.
“That’s, what I thought.” Sehun deadpans, before his face softens up to a smile. “It’s been a while now. It’s like we’ve… I’m…” His hands start to loosen their grip. “Sorry. Forget I said anything, it’s not important.” When he looks back at the cauldron, his instincts tell him that the liquid is at the perfect state now. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
Dropping Jongin’s fingers all together, he shuffles over to the shelf to find a few sterile cloths to help with patching Jongin up.
The entire time, he doesn’t notice how Jongin’s face drops.
“How do you feel?”
With a damp cloth in hand, Sehun’s carefully dabbing the liquid over Jongin’s swelling, finding relief in how immediate the effects are. As soon as the potion hits Jongin’s skin, there’s a faint hissing sound as the swelling starts to shrink, skin closing tightly around his face as it reverts back to normal. Another point for the precious Oh genes.
Jongin doesn’t say a word as his face returns. Sehun ends up staring because he’d almost forgotten how perfect Jongin’s face is. Smoldering eyes half-lidded and inviting, lips soft and plump, just right for kissing. It’s a face crafted by the gods themselves, and Sehun has to turn away to stop falling for it.
“I,” Jongin starts, and his voice is warm. It tickles Sehun’s ears. “I’m fine. I feel… yeah. Thank you.” He’s touching his face all over, but something seems off.
Sehun notices it right away. He doesn’t seem happy. The usual joy in his eyes is not there anymore, and it doesn’t feel right.
“What’s wrong?” Sehun asks, dropping the cloth back into the empty dish.
Jongin sighs. “Sehun, I like you.”
Well that was quick.
He’s biting his bottom lip now, and it just looks so cute? This is unfair? It’s like Jongin has become the epitome of everything cute and adorable in the world and Sehun just wants to keep him forever.
“I know.”
Jongin’s eyes widen. “Wait, you do?”
“No,” Sehun snorts, but inside, he’s shaking. “But, I’ve always felt something between us.” He feels silly, confessing like this, but it’s for Jongin, and maybe he’s been waiting too long for this moment, and screw everything else. “I think I like you too.” A lot. “Look, I’m not the best with words okay? I could go on and on about your looks, or your stupid personality, but that’s not me. Muggles make it look so easy with-”
It’s a crash into heaven.
Jongin’s lip taste like sweet candy. Like the first drop of satisfaction you get when the first bean you eat from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans is your favorite flavor. Jongin kisses with drive, chasing after Sehun like he’s afraid this moment will slip through his fingers.
When they part, Sehun feels tingly all over, and that’s when he sees it in Jongin’s eyes. The uncertainty. Sehun weaves his fingers with Jongin’s, reassuring him to continue taking this step forward. “This feels right doesn’t it?”
Jongin’s eyes curve into little crescents, and Sehun’s seeing stars once more.
“It does,” Jongin breathes when he pauses his kisses to lean against Sehun. Together, their bodies are so warm, and even though they’re in a Potions classroom, Sehun’s never felt anything so romantic.
“So, does this mean we’re dating now?” Sehun asks.
Jongin coughs as he wraps his arms around Sehun’s waist, pulling him closer. “I’ve never dated anyone before.”
“Seriously?” Sehun’s mouth actually goes agape. “You’re kidding right? Jongin the sex god hasn’t been one a date before?”
“Nope I-wait you think I’m a sex god?”
Sehun scoffs just a tad as he hits Jongin’s shoulder. “I do not.”
“But you just said-”
Kisses are the perfect dulcet solutions to everything, and after Sehun leans forward to deepen his reach, Jongin just smiles and relaxes into it, light arguments dying in the back of his throat. He could live like this.
And maybe, when people ask how it all started, he won’t feel embarrassed to say it all started with an accident.
♔
pairing Sehun/Jongin
rating PG-13
length 5,267
summary Who knew being bad at making potions might actually be a good thing for Jongin?
a/n Originally written for edoriko at exolliarmus. I don't know what happened here. I had a really good idea in the beginning, but then I don't know what happened. I'm sorry this happened.
If Sehun was completely honest with himself, nothing is ever his fault. He always seems to get involved with trouble that never centers around him.
Like that one time he accidentally levitated Jongin’s parchments out of their room and into the courtyard below, or the one time he accidentally spilled pumpkin juice on a third year that Jongin had a crush on by walking into him, or that one time he accidentally led Jongin down the wrong corridor and ended up in the faces of a pair of angry Slytherin prefects.
Every single one of those moments, Jongin had somehow managed to exaggerate the situations to be way worse than they really were.
In fact, if it wasn’t for Jongin’s incessant groveling and embarrassing pleading to said Slytherin prefects, Sehun might’ve been able to play off as a seventh year and gotten them both out of trouble. But no, Jongin had to go and prove how pathetic first years are seen by the older students. Sehun will never be able to pass by the Slytherin corridors without feeling any sort of faint embarrassment because he’ll always be seen as that first year, even though they’re no longer fresh meat so to speak.
Then again, he supposes that he might’ve been a factor in the series of unfortunate events that is Jongin’s life.
Okay so a bit part of it might be his fault, but Sehun feels like he deserves a lot of praise for simply being Jongin’s friend because let’s face it, the guy’s a socially awkward sex god.
Wait what? No, Sehun didn’t think Jongin was any sort of sexy god, or god in general. In fact, eliminate the sexy part all together because who in their right mind would think someone like Jongin is sexy?
Not Sehun. Nope, not at all.
“Sehun,” Jongin calls out with a long drawl, raspy voice rolling off his tongue in satisfying syllables. It’s only two, but it makes Sehun feel weak as he turns in his bed. “Sehun,” he calls out again, and Sehun can’t help but smile because his name sounds so right in Jongin’s voice.
“Hey Sehun!”
A book is flung at his head-or at least he thinks it’s a book-and it breaks Sehun from his reverie, startling the young wizard out of his covers. A beat later and the common room is filled with obnoxious laughter, including one nasally guffaw that catches his ear above the others.
“Sehun,” Baekhyun mimics as someone gasps in the background-Sehun thinks it’s Jongin. “When are you going to get your ass up out of bed?”
“When you die,” Sehun replies, deadpan.
Another laugh breaks off to the side. “Ooh, he bites.” Chanyeol’s voice is a pitch higher than usual, and just as irritating to hear as Baekhyun’s in the morning. Or, Sehun thinks it’s morning, but from the way the sunlight peeks in from the crimson curtains lining the windows, it’s definitely an hour past it’s too early for this.
“Professor Ahn said he was looking for you,” Chanyeol perks up as Baekhyun nudges him in the rib, and the pair break into an annoying bout of laughter.
Sehun is royally screwed.
The long trek to the Potions classroom, when most of the students have already shuffled out, is especially ominous, even though Professor Ahn is one of the nicer teachers here at Hogwarts-just don’t let any of Sehun’s other professors catch him saying that.
Potions is actually something that Sehun excels at, coming from a long line of witches and wizards whom also soared through Potions classes. Professor Ahn once suggested Sehun look into a career outside of Hogwarts as a Potioneer, perhaps even studying to take up his place one day here at Hogwarts. It was a fleeting suggestion, but Sehun thinks there’s more weight to his words than he first thought.
It’s with trepidation that Sehun makes his way to the back of the classroom, where most of the vials and ingredients are shelved between cauldrons and discarded attempts at potion-making. Professor Ahn is bent over the small cauldron in the corner, and from here, Sehun can see the pink liquid bubbling in the black pot.
“Uh,” Sehun starts. “Professor Ahn?”
He must’ve been in a trance because at the mere mention of his name, he jolts in surprise and nearly knocks over the cauldron in his haste. “Oh! Sehun!” he says as his lips form a delighted smile. “What brings you here?”
“You wanted to see me?” Sehun raises an eyebrow when Professor Ahn tilts his head.
“Oh!” he replies after a thought. “Yes I did! I was going to ask if you could help me with a project.” With a flick of his wand, and an incantation muttered under his breath, the liquid in the cauldron ceases its bubbling, reverting back to a still magenta. “Are you friends with Jongin?”
No. “Yeah, we’re good friends,” Sehun admits with a forced smile.
Professor Ahn claps his hand together in joy and motions for Sehun to take a seat near the table. “Jongin is a bright student, there’s no doubt about that. But, he seems to be a bit lacking in potions. He might be able to do better if he wasn’t off dozing so much during classes.”
At this, Sehun imagines Jongin with his face planted on the desk, eyes closed shut and drool dripping slowly from his lips. He has to mentally smack himself when he realizes he’s starting to think that image is actually very cute.
“I’m sorry but, what does that have to do with me?” Sehun says, pouting a bit when he realizes he might’ve been a bit harsh with his words.
Professor Ahn doesn’t seem to notice as he pulls out one of their old first year textbooks from the shelf, dropping it onto the table with an audible thud. “I’d like you to go through a set of potions with him. Just so he can get a feel for it. Help him successfully create one of the potions. I believe he’ll have better luck with you since you’re close with him.” Before Sehun can protest his complaints, a finger is raised in the air as Professor Ahn continues. “I’ll also consider this as proper work for your absent today.”
Sehun deflates immediately as he mumbles a, “Sorry.”
“I’ll accept a proper apology through your tutoring of Jongin,” Professor Ahn replies as he smiles again to soften his words. “Stop by after your other classes with Jongin. I’ll make sure to leave a cauldron for you both to work with.”
Sehun dips his head to answer before he realizes that he only has a few minutes left before his next class. Hurriedly, Sehun scrambles out of the classroom and prays that Professor Jung is as accepting of tardiness as Professor Ahn is.
She’s not.
Sehun corners Jongin after he finds him running away from Baekhyun in, who knows what the fuck they were doing, it doesn’t really matter. In between Jongin shrieking as he pulls him by the wrist, and Jongin’s rapid-fire questions about where he was taking him, Sehun manages to keep his game face on-he wasn’t about to let Jongin screw up his reputation with Professor Ahn.
“Do you know what this is?” Sehun asks when they step inside of the Potions classroom. It’s completely deserted inside, and even Professor Ahn is missing, probably heading up to the library to work on grading essays or whatever it is professors do in their spare time.
Jongin actually takes a moment to register his surroundings. “Isn’t this Potions class?”
“Correct,” Sehun says flatly as he drags Jongin to the back. “And do you know what this is?” He finally lets go of Jongin’s wrist and uses his free hand to motion to the cauldron on the table.
“It’s a pot right?” Jongin answers happily.
“Correct again,” this time Sehun says sarcastically. “You know your basics.”
“Right so,” Jongin trails off, fidgeting awkwardly in his spot. “What are we doing here? Shouldn’t we be down at the common room? I think Baekhyun wants to show us a book his father sent him. He said it’s a magazine, or that’s what the muggles call it. It’s interesting.”
Sehun deadpans again through Jongin’s little rant and sighs, “Are you done?” When Jongin offers a slow nod, Sehun forms a wicked smile and points to the shelf at the back. “Good, because we’re going to make a potion.”
“Wow,” Sehun mutters. “When Professor Ahn said you were lacking with potions, I seriously thought he was joking. You’re really crappy at this.” He shoots Jongin a sympathetic look as the other withers away behind the cauldron. “You don’t have to be afraid of it. It’s just a cauldron.”
Jongin looks terrified. “Dude, what if it explodes?”
“It’s not going to explode,” Sehun reassures, deadpan. “There’s nothing in it anyways, what are you so afraid of?”
Jongin’s pouts briefly and Sehun has to concentrate on the shelf behind him because staring at Jongin’s lips means staring at Jongin’s lips. Which means staring at Jongin’s lips. Which means old feelings. Which means wow why did Sehun even sign up for this?
Coughing into his sleeve-Sehun ignores how Jongin steps away from him like he has some contagious illness-Sehun flips his wand out and points to the book open on the table. “You just have to brew a simple Sleeping Draught. It’s so easy a toddler can do it. Not that a toddler should do it but you know what I mean.”
“Simple…” Jongin repeats, like the word is completely foreign to him.
“If you need any help, I’ll be right here,” Sehun tries, attempting to sound comforting. Not exactly his best suit. “I’m going to be like your tutor for the day. Your super smart, cool tutor.”
Jongin looks happy? He’s smiling ear to ear. This is a good thing? With how Jongin’s eyes light up with him just standing there Sehun affirms that yes, this is in fact a good thing.
“Okay then,” Jongin starts. “I mean, it’s just a potion. Just a potion…” He’s eyeing the cauldron with a wariness that Sehun figures should be reserved for spiders or some shit. Then again, Jongin’s always been scared of everything, so this shouldn’t so surprising.
Sehun nods along, deadpan face becoming even more deadpan. “Yes, it’s just a potion.”
“Just a potion.”
“Yes, we get it. It’s just a potion. Can you get on with it?”
Jongin flushes a bright pink as he finally starts to do… something. Sehun isn’t sure exactly what Jongin’s doing-he’s like circling around the cauldron like one of those interpretive muggle dances that he’s so fond of watching, and tried to get Sehun to copy with him. Not that Sehun would ever admit it, but he actually followed along with Jongin’s schemes and it was actually a bit of fun.
“Look,” Sehun huffs, after Jongin wastes five minutes doing absolutely nothing but stare at the cauldron. “You have to actually put ingredients in the cauldron to make a potion.” He scoots over to where the shelf is, motioning for Jongin to follow. “What does it say the Sleeping Draught needs?”
Jongin mutters something about Quidditch practice and pumpkin juice, and it’s clear the boy is too easily distracted.
“Jongin!”
“Right! Right!” Jongin springs to life under Sehun’s command and start searching the textbook for information. Fortunately for him, Sehun’s already flipped the book to the Sleeping Draught section, so all he has to do is just read the pages in front of him. “It says here, a Sleeping Draught needs…” His eyes squint as he reads off the list. “Lavender, Flobberworm Mucus, Valerian Sprigs, and… Standard Ingredient? What’s Standard Ingredient?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to figure out,” Sehun says curtly. “Just go through this shelf and pick out what you think looks right.” With a flip of his robes, Sehun twirls onto a nearby stool, resting his chin on his palm in what he thinks is clearly a cool, calm, and collected pose.
Many would like to disagree with him, but they’re wrong.
“Can’t you offer me just a hint?” Jongin asks meekly.
Sehun raises an eyebrow. “The textbook provides pictures. Seriously you just have to match up the picture to what it looks like.” Jongin seems to shrink on himself with each word and Sehun actually maybe sort of feels bad about it. “Hey look, it’s easy okay? Just follow your instincts.”
“Right,” Jongin says before he turns to the shelf with better confidence.
Sehun should always tutor people. He’s a natural.
Natural disaster that is.
Then again, Sehun didn’t think Jongin could screw up such an elementary potion, let alone mix up the ingredients so horribly that he’d end up creating a disastrous… disaster.
As soon as Jongin added that mystery ingredient-‘Is this Standard Ingredient?’ ‘I don’t know, add it and see’-the whole cauldron bubbled a vicious red before the scalding liquid splashed out in a miniature eruption, landing mostly on Jongin’s face since he was standing dangerously close to it. There was plenty of shrieking from both sides and Sehun’s glad no one was here to see it all happen.
Taking a closer look, it doesn’t look that bad in Sehun’s honest opinion. The swelling on Jongin’s face might be a bit over the top, but hey, at least now he doesn’t have to look at Jongin’s face and get distracted.
“Am I dead?” Jongin asks, and the way his lips swelled up, he’s starting to sputter in between his words. It’s not really attractive.
Sehun winces. “Uh dude, you might be.” When Jongin makes a high pitched whine at this, Sehun holds up his hands to placate him. “Dude I’m joking. We’ll just take you to the doctor and have you checked up okay?”
Thankfully, the swelling stops a few seconds later, and now Jongin’s face is puckered up so badly that Sehun isn’t able to make out any of the words he’s trying to say. He thinks Jongin’s offering his thanks, but it also sounds like Jongin’s imitating his pet goldfish. Wizards can have pet goldfish by the way.
As he ponders if he remembered to feed Pinku Pinku today, Sehun nearly jolts when he feels warm fingers brushing against his hand. Looking down, he notices how Jongin’s trying to hold onto him.
“Does it hurt?” Sehun asks when he sees how flushed Jongin’s face is now.
Jongin can’t even answer properly anymore, choosing to squeeze Sehun’s hand to let him know that he’s listening. This actually makes Sehun feel pretty bad about the whole situation, and he squeezes Jongin’s hand in return.
“Come on, let’s get you to the Hospital Wing.”
Sir Minseok’s infirmary is full.
Apparently, some third year thought it would be funny to cast a Locomotor Mortis charm on a crowd of first years as they ran down the Entrance Hall stairs. The result is self-explanatory.
“Maybe we should come back at a better time,” Sehun notes as he ducks out of the way when another first year is carried into the room on a stretcher. “It looks like a warzone in here.” The first year makes a pained groan and really, that third year must have been a huge asshole to pull a prank like this.
Jongin makes a sputtering noise and Sehun thinks he’s agreeing with him. Or not, but the way he holds onto Sehun’s hand tighter makes Sehun think otherwise.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure we can handle something like this by ourselves,” Sehun says.
At this, Jongin turns to Sehun with an even louder, indignant sputter. Spit lands on his robes and Sehun closes his eyes, counting to himself in slow beats because this nightmare is almost over. They just need to cure Jongin of his ailment and things will be back to normal. No big.
A honey-haired man barrels through the pair, knocking him out of his reverie, covered head to toe in what Sehun hopes is Floo Powder.
“Minseok! Minseok!” the man shouts, waving his arms about frantically. Each motion shakes off a layer of powder and Sehun confirms it is in fact, Floo Powder. “Guess what I’ve discovered.”
Sir Minseok freezes comically as he holds a student’s arm in his hand. “Not now Lu Han.” He promptly ignores the man’s garbled sentences, and each word makes the furrow in his brows grow. “No, I did not know Flourish and Blotts had a hearth. Yes, it’s just like that one time-why are you on Hogwarts grounds anyway?”
Their conversation grows louder and Sehun takes this cue to head back to work on a cure. He can only hope his family’s perfect genes pull through and get them out of this mess.
As they stride back through the halls, Sehun catches students giving them odd looks, a few even laughing when they brush past in their haste.
“Assholes.”
Jongin seems to cower at the unwanted attention, and Sehun actually feels guilty for what he’s putting the poor guy through. Thankfully, no one will ever know about his sympathetic side because Jongin is the only witness, and he’s going to be the only witness because Sehun actually has a soft spot for him. He doesn’t want to see Jongin get hurt.
“Man people are real assholes,” Sehun says when two tall fifth years block the hallway, cackling when Sehun pushes through them with Jongin in tow. “Their parents must be so proud.”
Another bout of sputtering and Sehun thinks Jongin’s saying yes everyone is an asshole, and it’s the way life works. Man, when did Jongin get so smart?
“Look, when I get you out of this mess, I’ll treat you to ice cream okay?” Sehun smiles when Jongin turns to him with a happy sputter. “I know some people who know some people who know about that Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. Just tell me what your favorite flavor is when you can talk again and it’ll be my way of saying sorry okay?”
Another happy sputter.
“WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?” Chanyeol banshee shrieks are what greets them when they walk back into the common room.
Sehun deadpans. “Dude chill, it’s just Jongin.” He hold on Jongin’s hand becomes tighter as he leads him towards the couch in front of the hearth, making sure he’s seated comfortably before wandering off. “I’m just picking up some things to help with an antidote.” Glancing around the room, Sehun notes how quiet it is. So peaceful. “Wait, where’s Baekhyun?”
Chanyeol’s still eyeing Jongin with wide apprehension, but he stops when he finally realizes Jongin isn’t about to bite him in some fit of infected rage. “BB? Who knows? Last time I checked he was skipping after Kyungsoo all happy and shit.”
“Baekhyun’s pining after Kyungsoo?” Sehun ears perk up at this. Jongin sputters with equal curiosity.
Chanyeol looks offended when Jongin spits on his robes, and inches away from the couch accordingly. Rich sons are always weird as fuck when it came to their clothes. “Yeah, they’re practically a couple.” He gags at the last word. “Or, at least Baekhyun seems to think so. He won’t stop talking about Kyungsoo like, ever. It’s getting kind of annoying.”
“That’s kind of cute,” Sehun says. “You know, except for the fact it’s Baekhyun. I feel sorry for Kyungsoo. Poor guy.”
Jongin’s playing with the hem of his robes now. Sehun briefly wonders if the potion mishap has any extra negative side effects. He should be writing this stuff down.
“You’d think so,” Chanyeol says, before his eyes glaze over. “But I mean, this is Kyungsoo we’re talking about.”
“I’ll pretend that means something to me.”
Disregarding Chanyeol’s attempt at furthering the conversation, Sehun searches through his luggage for any sort of tip-books, notes, anything-his parents left him to help him out with the school year. Not that he’d expect them to have expected a situation like this, but Sehun could always hope.
He could ask Professor Ahn for help, but he really doesn’t want to disappoint him any further. He’s already in a good position with him, and he doesn’t want to ruin that.
“Jongdae!” Chanyeol’s voice is a bit happier than before. “Where’ve you been?”
“Hey Cha-AH! WHAT IS THAT?”
Jongdae nearly trips over in the doorway when he spots the inflated Jongin on the couch, and Jongin really looks like he’s going to cry now-Sehun just knows these things. He can tell what kind of mood Jongin’s in even through his physical condition. It’s a talent.
“It’s Jongin,” Sehun snips when he gives up on his quest to find any sort of information to help with this problem. “And would you guys stop that? Seriously, we don’t need more douchebags on the grounds.”
Jongdae recovers quickly and promptly apologizes like the gentleman he always is. Chanyeol follows suit with his own heartfelt apology, even going as far as to hug Jongin with his gangly arms, and Jongin actually brightens up from all of the affection. Sehun can’t help the way his heart flips at this.
“Oh! Chanyeol, before I forget, check this out.” Jongdae whips out his wand with a bit of unnecessary flair, and after taking a deep breath, he chants out, “Expecto Patronum.”
A silvery light escapes from the tip of his wand, casting a bright glow over the room as a figure appears from his wand. The figure shapes into an animal as it sprints about the room, shedding a cocoon of silver trails, and after a few moments, the fine details of a puppy spring to life. It’s so adorable, with the way it nuzzles against its owner’s leg before hopping onto the couch to butt its head against Jongin.
Said wizard can’t hide how happy he is to see it, even under his inflated cheeks. Jongin loves dogs just as much as he loves Sehun. Maybe. Maybe even more.
“That’s so cool!” Chanyeol shouts out, as he chases after the apparition with a lazy stroll. “It’s just like me! It’s like my twin.”
Immediately, his body starts to shrink and his robes are displaced by tufts of fur, until all that’s left in his spot is a small, adorable looking puppy. Chanyeol’s been brushing up on his skills as an Animagus ever since Sehun can remember, but it doesn’t come as a surprise to him how well Chanyeol has perfected his transformation-when Chanyeol has something on his mind, he doesn’t stop until he’s completed it like the perfectionist he is.
“Aw!” Jongdae squeals from his spot as he watches Chanyeol chase after his Patronus on his short little legs. Every time he almost catches it, Chanyeol barks enthusiastically, tongue slipping out of his mouth as he pants in short breaths.
The smile that slips onto Jongdae’s face is too bright to ignore.
What interests Sehun the most is how Jongdae’s Patronus looks exactly like Chanyeol; he’s seen enough Patronus charms to know what this means. He doesn’t ask any questions though.
The answers come when they’re supposed to be learned.
“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?”
Sehun passes by Baekhyun on the way to the Potions classroom, and he really wishes he didn’t because Baekhyun has zero tact when it came to everything and Jongin looks like he’s about to faint on the spot from all this negativity.
“You know what, I’m not even going to answer that,” Sehun says as he brings his arm up to wrap around Jongin’s elbow.
Baekhyun sniffs. “Sehun what the-”
His words are cut off with a yelp when Kyungsoo-where the fuck did he even come from-jabs at his side with precise fingers. Baekhyun’s whimpering as he clutches at his side, mumbling something about why and getting dinner to eat. This reminds Sehun that he hasn’t eaten anything for the past few hours because of this accident.
“Baekhyun, don’t be a little shit,” Kyungsoo grumbles as he pulls Baekhyun away by the wrist.
Sehun concludes that Kyungsoo is a wonderful soul, filled with all the karma Baekhyun deserves, and that maybe their relationship is perfect.
Good for them.
“Okay, so I think I can make an antidote if I concentrate enough,” Sehun says. “I just need you to sit down and, do, absolutely, nothing.”
Jongin sputters a noise of acknowledgement. This is actually progress in their relationship, because usually this is followed up with several annoying questions about ‘why he should’, and ‘what was Sehun doing’, and ‘why was the sky blue’ or something stupid like that. Sehun doesn’t need the distractions, no matter how tempting.
“Wingardium Leviosa,” Sehun chants as he mimics the movements his professor taught him back when he was a first year.
The small vials and bowls all shake slightly before a few are floating in the air, following Sehun’s command and landing gently onto the table. He could’ve picked them up one by one, but Sehun’s lazy like that. He’d already use his levitating charm on the most menial of tasks, and he sees no reason to break habit.
“So I just have to counteract the effects of the potion you made,” Sehun mutters to himself. “If I add this here…” His fingers tap against the wooden surface in thought. Usually answers come easily for him, but he’s honestly a bit flustered at how to tackle this problem. “I could whip up a Cure for Boils, but I don’t know if that would even help with this. It’s not like it’s a normal problem.”
Jongin tilts his head, and Sehun swears he can hear the sound of his heart clenching at how adorable it is, boils or not.
Compose yourself Sehun.
“I think I have the answer,” Sehun says after he works out a possible formula in his head. “I really hope this works because your face looks really painful. I mean to have, not that it’s… never mind.”
A noncommittal sound later and Jongin’s eagerly awaiting Sehun’s concoction, palms tapping on his knees in a steady rhythm. The cauldron only starts to shake after Sehun adds the powdered ginger root, the liquid inside bubbling a bright pink. It’s similar to a mixture he tried to make as a first year to remove blemishes, but hopefully, it’s more successful than its counterpart.
“I think it’s almost done,” Sehun notes as he lowers the heat on the cauldron. “All we have to do is wait and it should be good to go.”
Jongin sputters with glee.
“We’re not out of the woods just yet. You can thank me when it’s finally gone.”
When Jongin jumps up to hold Sehun’s hands with his own, Sehun nearly jerks away from the contact. It’s different this time, a deep coil in the pit of his stomach and he starts to wonder, is he feeling something for Jongin? Is it something real?
If it was any other day, Sehun would’ve shrugged it off with his usual nonchalance because it was Jongin. But now, after going through this ordeal with him, Sehun’s wondering if he should be acting on his thoughts instead. Testing his theory out, Sehun holds onto Jongin tighter, and for some reason, he doesn’t want it to end. He wants to keep holding.
But why?
“Say Jongin,” Sehun starts, keeping an eye on the cauldron as it slows to a simmer. “How long have we known each other?”
A frantic bout of sputtering.
“That’s, what I thought.” Sehun deadpans, before his face softens up to a smile. “It’s been a while now. It’s like we’ve… I’m…” His hands start to loosen their grip. “Sorry. Forget I said anything, it’s not important.” When he looks back at the cauldron, his instincts tell him that the liquid is at the perfect state now. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
Dropping Jongin’s fingers all together, he shuffles over to the shelf to find a few sterile cloths to help with patching Jongin up.
The entire time, he doesn’t notice how Jongin’s face drops.
“How do you feel?”
With a damp cloth in hand, Sehun’s carefully dabbing the liquid over Jongin’s swelling, finding relief in how immediate the effects are. As soon as the potion hits Jongin’s skin, there’s a faint hissing sound as the swelling starts to shrink, skin closing tightly around his face as it reverts back to normal. Another point for the precious Oh genes.
Jongin doesn’t say a word as his face returns. Sehun ends up staring because he’d almost forgotten how perfect Jongin’s face is. Smoldering eyes half-lidded and inviting, lips soft and plump, just right for kissing. It’s a face crafted by the gods themselves, and Sehun has to turn away to stop falling for it.
“I,” Jongin starts, and his voice is warm. It tickles Sehun’s ears. “I’m fine. I feel… yeah. Thank you.” He’s touching his face all over, but something seems off.
Sehun notices it right away. He doesn’t seem happy. The usual joy in his eyes is not there anymore, and it doesn’t feel right.
“What’s wrong?” Sehun asks, dropping the cloth back into the empty dish.
Jongin sighs. “Sehun, I like you.”
Well that was quick.
He’s biting his bottom lip now, and it just looks so cute? This is unfair? It’s like Jongin has become the epitome of everything cute and adorable in the world and Sehun just wants to keep him forever.
“I know.”
Jongin’s eyes widen. “Wait, you do?”
“No,” Sehun snorts, but inside, he’s shaking. “But, I’ve always felt something between us.” He feels silly, confessing like this, but it’s for Jongin, and maybe he’s been waiting too long for this moment, and screw everything else. “I think I like you too.” A lot. “Look, I’m not the best with words okay? I could go on and on about your looks, or your stupid personality, but that’s not me. Muggles make it look so easy with-”
It’s a crash into heaven.
Jongin’s lip taste like sweet candy. Like the first drop of satisfaction you get when the first bean you eat from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans is your favorite flavor. Jongin kisses with drive, chasing after Sehun like he’s afraid this moment will slip through his fingers.
When they part, Sehun feels tingly all over, and that’s when he sees it in Jongin’s eyes. The uncertainty. Sehun weaves his fingers with Jongin’s, reassuring him to continue taking this step forward. “This feels right doesn’t it?”
Jongin’s eyes curve into little crescents, and Sehun’s seeing stars once more.
“It does,” Jongin breathes when he pauses his kisses to lean against Sehun. Together, their bodies are so warm, and even though they’re in a Potions classroom, Sehun’s never felt anything so romantic.
“So, does this mean we’re dating now?” Sehun asks.
Jongin coughs as he wraps his arms around Sehun’s waist, pulling him closer. “I’ve never dated anyone before.”
“Seriously?” Sehun’s mouth actually goes agape. “You’re kidding right? Jongin the sex god hasn’t been one a date before?”
“Nope I-wait you think I’m a sex god?”
Sehun scoffs just a tad as he hits Jongin’s shoulder. “I do not.”
“But you just said-”
Kisses are the perfect dulcet solutions to everything, and after Sehun leans forward to deepen his reach, Jongin just smiles and relaxes into it, light arguments dying in the back of his throat. He could live like this.
And maybe, when people ask how it all started, he won’t feel embarrassed to say it all started with an accident.
♔