Chapter Text
It was the typical story for Lee Yumi. Being adopted by a bunch of extroverts, Soobin, Yumi, and her Ravenclaw best friend, Cha Bora made their way into the friend group. And it had been colorful ever since, to say the least.
With them made up from different houses, it’s bound to be interesting.
It was also not a surprise for the Hufflepuff to slowly come out of her shell after years of being surrounded by them. If anything, Yumi had been influenced by their energy.
Bora had always admired her sense of autonomy once Yumi had been able to branch out of her shyness. She’s able to excel in things thanks to her intellect and confidence.
Time skips to now that they’re in their sixth year in Hogwarts… Things had changed a lot. And maybe this was Beomgyu’s mistake. His nonchalance and being too complacent about his friendship with Yumi caught him off guard by outside factors. He did in fact forget the blatant truth that everything has changed.
No longer were they kids stuck in their own little circle. They’re not the only existing people in their own world. Lee Yumi has a mind of her own to get to know other people and let them in her life. And vice versa.
But why is it that a certain snake seems to threaten the status quo established in their little world?
Beomgyu seems to be shaken ever since Na Jaemin came in waltzing his way into Yumi’s space. And suddenly, it’s not just him and the rest of the TXT boys making her smile.
He’s shaken up by the shift in Yumi’s behavior, or maybe it was him? Never that Beomgyu had got his heart pounding this hard at the sight of her. But the same ache resounds in his heart to see her smiles a centimeter wider other than their presence.
Kai and the others had to rub it onto him as they told him so the moment that this little crush of his since their fourth year had been realized into existence. To do something about it, idiot!
Though this wasn’t the first time someone had shown interest in their Hufflepuff bestie. But nothing had Beomgyu this guarded not until Jaemin.
Maybe it’s because it’s different this time around, or because this is the first time that some suitor of hers stayed this long. And he’s hard to get rid of.
Jaemin’s upfront and solid on his ground.
Everything has changed since Jaemin showed up.
For the first time, someone other than Beomgyu had been serious with Yumi. In his unlucky fate, he’s a step behind in getting his feelings across.
This best explains how Beomgyu is overprotective with Jaemin’s advances on Yumi.
The Hufflepuff had to perk her brow at her best friend blabbering about some schemes or advances of the Slytherin like it’s some game of chess.
So, am I supposed to be the queen here?
Checkmate? HUH?
Yumi blinks at Beomgyu in confusion. “I don’t see anything wrong, and besides, we had a few classes together. Ask Yeonjunie. It just so happens we just wanted to… branch out other than just be classmates, that’s all.”
Besides helping with academics, Na Jaemin was fun to have around. At most, Jaemin is just friendly, not the typical sly Slytherin one may call. He’s not the “bad boy type” as Bora would tell them, along with Yumi nodding in agreement.
And again, Yumi doesn’t see anything wrong with that?
Heck, what do we take Yeonjun for then? He’s Slytherin as well. So what’s so wrong with that?
“What do you take me as then? Punk! ” Yeonjun attempts to headlock him, but Beomgyu quickly swats off his arms, he tsks his tongue.
“You’re an exception, you’re definitely just an ass who happens to be a Slytherin.”
Yeonjun just rolled his eyes, to Yumi’s surprise, she was expecting banter to ensue between the two. Hmmm?
“Guys?”
Silence.
And just staring between the two guys.
What the fuck are they just staring at each other for?
In what seems to be a minute-long exchange, Beomgyu is the first to break off their stare-off.
He just went back and scooched closer to Yumi. “Again, I am just saying that you shouldn’t be trusting too soon. You barely know the guy.”
“Yeah, but… it’s just homework and projects, Beomgyu,” she meekly retorts.
Beomgyu sees otherwise. He’s a guy… of course, he can feel when a fellow guy is making a move on someone.
Oblivious to this, Yumi tilts her head as she turns confused again as his stare deepens slightly, now directed at her.
This is the first time she sees her best friend like this.
It just added an odd feeling for Yumi on how Beomgyu is a Gryffindor, a slight remnant of prejudice on her part as well, if you may.
However, it just brushed her thoughts momentarily before going back to the fact that this is Choi Beomgyu we’re talking about. He can be petty on things without any regard at times, and that goes to her as well as why they get along.
But most just doesn’t make sense on how much he’s pressed on this concern of his to be even called as one.
“If that's what you're afraid of Beomgyu, fine. Besides, taking your words into account , I wasn't born yesterday, hun. I can handle myself. I've grown up!” Yumi reminded, brushing it off yet again. She just quickly fixes his gold and crimson necktie, patting it for a slight reassurance. Even looking at him straight in the eye to assert herself.
He didn't budge.
She almost rolls her eyes at his pressing tone, smiling more widely as he taps her arm almost reprimandly.
“Yeah, yeah… even your naivety is showing through Yumi. You don't even see past that friendliness of his, that's part of his tactics!” He almost sharply inhales stating this, adding the fiery look in his eyes. Yumi had to laugh at how worked up he was.
This is like seeing his and Soobin’s beef over video games. What’s up with him?
“And just letting you know, you’re almost always a bad judge of character. Take Soobin for example… just because he can outdo your pettiness, doesn’t mean he’s bad .”
“Thanks?” Soobin turns to them, and then his eyebrows knit together after processing, much like a loading screen finished up his forehead. “Man, I can’t even take that as a compliment, Yumi-yah!”
Yumi laughs, but Beomgyu keeps his gaze on her. She goes back to him. “Okay, not that you’re a bad judge, I was kidding. But you get it, right?”
No response.
Just… glaring.
She just sighs at his piercing look.
“Again, Beomi… how about getting to know the guy for yourself first, hmmm? He’s not even half-bad as you think.”
Speak of the devil.
The familiar scent of fresh oak whiffs through her system, she’d almost grown familiar with it for the past weeks she had been exposed to the Slytherin. The sweet aroma of the chocolate and nuts almost mocks Beomgyu’s nose as a tray of baked goods is placed on their table.
“Hi, guys! Hey, Yumi-sshi, here’s what I promised you.” He winks cheekily as a greeting. Jaemin shows up at their table, with a satisfying look served along with the cupcakes he brought for the group. Specifically for the sweet tooth Hufflepuff girl.
“Jaemin… Didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Yumi’?”
Already at that level huh? Beomgyu grits over his teeth.
Yumi nudges him.
“Ohhh… how sly, yeah, this definitely caught me off guard in his vile schemes, ” Yumi says with a playful tone, overtly directed at Beomgyu during their prior conversation. Her warm breath brushing by the tip of Beomgyu’s ear gave him a shiver.
His lips slightly twitch at how Yumi is even acting weakened by the cupcake as she takes a bite. Further teasing him… Beomgyu chose to purse his lips.
She smiles at Jaemin now, turning her attention to him. Even some of Beomgyu’s friends are warming up to the Slytherin guy on how he's been friendly and approachable with them.
“Thanks, Nana! You're the best!” she beams.
Swooned even. Beomgyu resisted the sass on his facial features.
Jaemin goofily smiles upon hearing Yumi using his nickname.
Beomgyu inhales as he remains quiet, observing the two like a Lion eyeing its prey. Heck yeah, cause you're too much of a foodie, Lee Yumi.
A ray of sunshine that even the Gryffindor would be obliterated by its encapsulated light.
Beomgyu rolls his eyes at how obvious it is that the Slytherin thinks the same with such child-like smiles she displays.
Not even batting an eye at Beomgyu, Jaemin places a cupcake on his plate. His eyes clearly stayed longer at Yumi than the rest of the group.
And how she’s looking back at him with the same intensity…
Fuck, this is definitely the way to Yumi’s heart. Curse you, Na Jaemin.
Jealousy bores through his gazes at the two near him. How is it that she's smiling too brightly like that?
Those plump cheeks as she smiles widely, how her eyes light up whenever she laughs.
And that eye smile of hers, that damned aegyosal .
Beomgyu is just left pouting, holding on to the bitten cupcake he ate out of spite. His annoyance is boiling up further, cause damn , this is so much better than what Soobin concocts.
Soobin sneezes out of the blue, feeling a goosebump brushing off the nape of his neck.
Oops. Sorry, bud.