Please Say No

Chapter Five: It's A Date

An incessant buzzing had awoken Aria, who blinked slowly, trying to inhale past the stifling heat that encompassed her. She felt like she was on fire. Everything around her was hot, too hot, and she would melt or suffocate if she didn’t get this crushing force off of her.

Aria tried to shimmy out of the cocoon of thick blankets that she had been planted into, enough to peek over the top and realize that the crushing force had been June’s arms, wrapped around her in a vice-like grip and the stifling heat had come from the five blankets that had somehow wrapped around them so securely that it was essentially impossible to move.

Another buzz coming from the pocket of Aria’s hoodie drew her attention back to the reason she had been awake in the first place. She wiggled around a bit, freeing her hand and reaching for her phone. Giggles from the kitchen told her that Jin was awake and probably reading the same message that she had received, which meant that it had come from their group chat.

Jin sent a photo.

RenRen: MY SHIP

 Lucas: How can you even tell them apart, they just look like a big deformed blob.

Sola: His head is leaning on hers! They look so cute!

Hannah: Thank you for feeding my ship

Hannah:

RenRen: Are they awake??????

RenRen: DON’T WAKE THEM UP

RenRen: LET THEM CUDDLE FOREVER

 Lucas: Ren, for f**k’s cake, I can hear you squealing from my room. Shut up

 Lucas: *sake, not cake. Don’t f**k the cake Ren.

RenRen: There’s cake??

Soran: GUYS. It’s 4am. Shut the f**k up.

Lee-Chan: Why are Micks and June at Jin’s house?

Joon: They came over for dinner and then they fell asleep because they’re weak af.

Jin: You fell asleep not long after.

RenRen: DOUBLE DATE

RenRen: WHY WASN’T I INVITED??

Literal Sunshine Matt: Because you’re single af.

Sola: Babe, don’t be mean.

Soran: Babe, be mean.

RenRen: What’s happening here *shifts eyes from Sola to Soran*

Sola: Soran’s trying to steal my boyfriend.

RenRen: *Gasps in Spanish*

Sola: It’s fine. I totally ship it. I would totally consider a poly relationship for you, Sor

Kyle:

Danielle:

 Lucas: Why are the babies on this group?

Sola: Kyle asked and Soran caved.

Soran: Betrayal

Kyle: And I invited Danielle because she forced me to.

RenRen: GUYS! YOU’RE ALL DISTRACTING US FROM THE REAL ISSUE: ARIA AND JUNE ARE CUDDLED ON JIN’S COUCH, IN BLANKETS, PROBABLY SNUGGLING INTO ONE ANOTHER! SOMEONE WRITE ME THIS FANFIC! I NEED IT #ArJu #OTP

Aria groaned, letting her head fall back into June’s chest. The picture in question was of them snuggled in a bundle of blankets, on this very couch, Aria ’s head tucked under June ’s as his arms could be seen from the blanket outline, molded around her. If it were any other situation, she would have blushed. In fact, she did blush. From the heat. Because she was melting. Because June was a walking furnace. She tried to free herself again, this time poking his cheek to wake him up. He stirred for a moment, opening his eyes for a fraction of a second.

“June, you need to wake up,” Aria huffed, “it’s too hot, we’re covered in a mountain of blankets and I can’t feel my arms anymore.”

June , obviously too sleepy to comprehend any part of that sentence, or to think logically for that matter, shuffled until he had just enough room to take off his shirt and hoodie and discard it across the room. He then fell back onto the couch, his arms going around Aria again as he pulled her closer.

Fuck my life, Aria huffed. She groaned in frustration, looking towards the ceiling, dramatically sighing. Jin had walked into the lounge at that moment and then promptly burst out into a fit of giggles.

“Why doesn’t June have a shirt?”

“Because I told him I was hot, and for some reason, his sleep addled brain decided that the correct response to that was to take off his shirt and throw it across the room.”

“You must be having the time of your life,” Jin chuckled, attempting, and failing, to hold in the pleased smile that overtook his face.

“Piss off,” Aria  pouted.

At that moment, Jin’s phone vibrated. He glanced down to find a message from Hannah.

Hannah: What’s happening??? I need to know! You need to feed me some more.

Jin: Well, June’s just taken his shirt off for some reason and they’re cuddling again. It looks very ‘honeymoony’.

Hannah: whaaaaaaat! Thank you!

Jin chuckled, sliding his phone back into his pocket and going about making breakfast. Hannah on the other hand, had promptly squealed and starting typing a new message to Lucas.

Hannah: June is shirtless! June is cuddling Aria and he’s shirtless! Please fangirl with me!

 Lucas glanced down at his phone upon reading the message, Ren reading over his shoulder as he munched on a slice of toast. He then proceeded to choke on said toast, ripping out his phone and fumbling a hasty message onto their group chat.

RenRen: JUNE IS HALF NAKED!! JUNE IS CUDDLING OUR LITTLE CINNAMON ROLL WHILE BEING HALF NAKED!!

RenRen: YOU BETTER NOT RUIN HER INNOCENCE, JUNE PARK!

Jin had glanced at his phone at that second, eyes growing wide at Ren’s message and the in-flood of messages that were now streaming through, all sounding extremely suggestive and risqué. Jin glanced at Aria as she pulled out her phone, obviously going to read the same messages he was now reading. She would kill him if she found out. They would all die. Jin made a snap decision and lunged for her phone, successfully taking it from her.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, shocked.

“Just checking something,” Jin said, attempting a casual tone but still sounding strained. He scrolled through the messages, deleting them. He’d sent a message from his own phone as well, warning everyone to drop the subject before she killed them all and then handed her phone back to her.

“Here we go,” Jin smiled, ruffling her hair as he walked past the couch on the way to the bedroom where Jaehun was currently changing, so he could collapse into his boyfriend’s arms. He was so smooth about that, he should have been a spy.

Aria inhaled, closing her eyes while deciding that she wouldn’t think on the matter anymore. She sent a distress message to Hannah, hoping her friend would be able to distract her.

Me: I can’t move L

Hannah: I don’t think you want to move.

Me: It’s too hot, my legs are now numb and I need to pee. I NEED to move.

Hannah: Aria No Bladder is in a pinch.

Me: You’re the worst friend L why are we even friends? I can’t believe you’re being so condescending while I suffer.

The conversation carried on for a while, until, finally, June stirred. He lifted his head from where it lay on the crook of Aria’s neck, blinking blearily as he woke up fully.

“Where’s my shirt?” he asked, still in a daze, his lips forming a natural pout.

“Over there,” Aria deadpanned, pointing to the bundle he had discarded earlier, “you threw it over there.”

“Oh,” June blushed, his hands finally leaving Aria so she could sprint to the bathroom. He chuckled, walking over to his shirt to put it back on again and then stumbling over to the couch where he checked the messages on his phone. His face turned progressively redder as he read through the chat, mortification coating his face. Jin had walked into the room then, and upon spotting June’s red face said, “You took your shirt off, so you deal with the embarrassment. Aria doesn’t know though, so you’re safe on that end.”

“Thank you,” June sighed in relief, knowing that had Aria known, she wouldn’t be able to look anyone in the eye for at least a week. She would be such an awkward, bumbling mess. June had begun to rethink Aria not knowing; flustered Aria has always been his favourite. He was pulled out of his thoughts when she walked back into the living room, glaring at him with her hands folded.

“If I peed on you it would have been entirely your fault,” she huffed.

“I’m sorry,” June grinned bashfully, shooting her one of his shy smiles. He could see her fascade weaken and Hannah’s words from the other night came back to him. Maybe he did have a chance. Maybe, by some miracle, she had feelings for him too and was also just really afraid of messing things up, just like he was.

“I’m hungry,” Aria said, pulling him out of his thoughts as he glanced at the pout forming on her lips.

“I made pancakes,” Jin smiled, “they’re in the kitchen.”

“Let’s go get pancakes,” Aria beamed, grabbing onto June’s hand and towing him into the kitchen.

He sat her down on one of the barstools and went about preparing their pancakes, slicing up the strawberries that Jin had left out. Aria helped decorate, squeezing little chocolate patterns onto them. When they’d sat down to eat, Jin and Jaehun had joined them, the four sharing funny stories as they ate. Jaehun had managed to smudge chocolate onto the side of his face and Jin, upon spotting it, had mommed out and wiped it away with his finger. Aria and June shared a look, internally squealing at how cute their friends were.

“What are you gonna do today?” Jin asked.

“I don’t have class, so I’m going to aimlessly wander,” Aria shrugged.

“You can come to campus with me,” June grinned, “Ren would absolutely love it and the dancers kind of miss having you around.”

“Okay,” Aria smiled.

“And then we can do something tonight,” June added, an idea suddenly forming. He should confess tonight. They’d have the perfect day and then he would confess tonight.

“Yeah okay,” Aria shrugged, completely oblivious to the thoughts running through June’s mind at the moment.

They’d finished their pancakes and Aria had declared first use of the shower, scrimmaging in the cupboard designated to their group of friends for overnight clothes. After having too many spur of the moment sleepovers, everyone had brought extra clothes to stash at Jin and Jaehun’s apartment. While Aria was in the shower, June had opened her phone and had gone into her Two Dots game, too lazy to reach for his phone all the way on the other side of the couch.

As he completed a level, her phone had buzzed. He thought nothing of it as he went into her messages; they often answered messages for each other. It had only occurred to him that that might not have been the best idea when the message in question belonged to Cedric.

Cedric: Hey! Heard you were free today. Would you like to hang out later?

June thought for a moment. He couldn’t leave the message unanswered because Aria would feel horrible about it and he had already made plans with her. So obviously, the solution was to answer the message and tell Cedric that she was busy.

Me: hey, it’s June, Micks is in the shower. We made plans already, sorry.

He hit send, feeling smug at the thought that she would spend the day with him and by the end of it, hopefully, he wouldn’t need to be worried about her spending all day with Cedric. Because she’d be with June. Because they’d be dating. June smiled stupidly at the thought, eyes crinkling.

It’s gonna be the perfect date, June thought. That sense of excitement died when he found that he couldn’t think of the perfect date for the two. He rushed for his phone in a panicked scramble.

Me: Haaaaaannaaaaaaaah! I need help!

Hannah: What’s wrong?

Me: I want to confess to Aria today but I don’t know how L I need date ideas.

Hannah: OH MY GOSH! JUNE!! FINALLY!

Hannah: Sorry, I’m in class at the moment. Will spitball ideas as soon as I’m done.

June pouted, shoving his phone back into his pocket as Aria walked back into the room.

“Done,” she grinned, and he could smell a hint of the coconut body wash she always wore.

“Let’s go,” June sent her a soft smile.

 They said their goodbyes to Jin and Jaehun drove them to the campus before setting off towards his own. They’d bumped into Ren as they strolled around the campus, and he’s been an excited mess.

“What are you doing here?” he asked Aria, and June had practically seen the theories running through his head.

Aria and June together was not suspicious, but coupled with the photos and messages that had spread through the group, June could only imagine the turn Ren had taken.

“I’m here to make the dance class feel good about their dancing when they see me chicken flopping everywhere.”

“It’s a cute chicken flop though,” June grinned, smug feeling settling as he saw Aria look down, flustered. Today was going to be so much fun.

Bringing her onto campus had been the worst decision ever. It was bad enough that all of his friends apparently knew about the obvious crush he has on her, but their endless teasing and questions were taking its toll on him. Okay, so they held hands and shared earphones.

Big deal. Friends did that. The constant teasing had ensured that he was always blushing to some degree. The only saving grace had been that Aria had her earphones in most of the time, doodling or aimlessly staring off into space as his so-called friends tortured him. Of course things would only get worse from there.

It was in his dance class when one of June ’s friend’s had asked him outright if they were dating, at the same exact moment that Aria  decided to lean her head on his shoulder and join the conversation for god knows what reason.

June panicked, knowing that if she had heard that question she would have been so awkward and mortified and he didn’t want that to happen. So he did the only logical thing he could think of: he pushed her away, shaking his head furiously in denial.

 Only, he had miscalculated his strength and Aria’s inability to remain upright. She had gone sprawling to the floor, her headphones now a tangled mess. June stared at her wide eyed, completely horrified. His friends’ eyes were the size of plates, completely shocked.

I am the worst person, June thought, I just pushed over the tiniest little bean, My tiniest little bean and now she probably has broken bones.

“What the hell,” Ren exhaled. He looked at June, as bewildered as the rest of them. At that moment, June sprang into action, picking Aria up by her arms, completely off of the floor, and setting her upright.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, “are you okay? Are you hurt?” He checked her arms and legs, praying that she wasn’t actually hurt or he’d dig himself a grave and bury himself in it because he’d just hurt one of the most important, one of the most fragile, people in his life, god save him from this misery.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she chuckled, seeming completely unfazed by it. June looked at her palms and felt his chest tighten. She was bleeding. He had made her bleed. Someone decapitate him, he doesn’t deserve to live anymore.

“Your hand,” He muttered, almost in tears now, “You need a plaster. Who has a plaster? Where do I find plasters?”

“It’s fine, “Aria sighed, “I’ve got this.” She scrimmaged in her bag for a few seconds before pulling out a box of Frozen themed plasters. June stared at her, wordlessly asking for some explanation as to why she had this box of Frozen plasters.

She sighed before saying, “Hannah bought them for me as a joke because I fall over a lot. Turns out it, June is more dangerous than my own left feet,” She grinned but immediately stopped when she’d seen the piteous look on June’s face.

“I’m kidding, calm down,” she smiled, “Put one on for me?”

June nodded, entirely serious as he pulled one of the plasters out and proceeded to take care of the graze on Aria’s palm. Once he was done, he’d kissed the plaster, “cuts heal faster when you give them love,” he explained, light blush on his cheeks.

“You are the cheesiest human being I’ve ever met,” Aria giggled.

“Careful Micks,” Ren grinned, “if you make fun of him, he might ‘accidently’ push you again. Domestic abuse is a serious crime and I would totally testify if you needed me to.”

June sent his friend a glare, feeling smug when Ren actually glanced down at the floor, guiltily shuffling his shoes.

The rest of his classes passed by quietly after that, his friends deciding not to tempt fate and tease them even more. June and Aria were sat outside on the grass, passing the time as they waited for Ren to finish his tutor consultations.

Aria had been aimlessly scrolling through her phone when more messages from the group chat popped up, Ren having explained the embarrassing situation that had happened earlier. Aria sighed, making a mental note to hit Ren over the head as many times as her friends made domestic abuse jokes about her and June. Her phone had vibrated again, alerting her to another message, this one from Cedric.

Cedric: I heard you got hurt today. I’m really sorry. I hope you’re okay. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow instead?

Aria frowned, not remembering having any sort of conversation with Cedric today. She scrolled up and her eyes widened as she read the previous conversation. When she was done, she flicked June’s forehead, grimacing.

“You can’t say s**t like that, June,” she huffed, “that’s so suggestive, oh my gosh, I can’t believe you.”

“What are you talking about?” June chuckled. She shoved her phone into his face, making him read the message again, “oh,” he chuckled.

“You’re so unrepentant, it’s making me even more annoyed.”

“Oh please, you would totally love to be in that situation, I’m irresistible,” a stroke of confidence had passed through him as he’s said that, smirk on his face.

His confidence levels continued to rise as she spluttered looked down at the ground and nudged him playfully. He was so smug he’d almost missed the weak “shut up,” she gave. He could definitely see what everyone else saw, now.

“So I was wandering if I could talk to you about something tonight,” June said, nervous as he played with a strand of Aria’s hair.

“Um, okay,” she said, “about what?”

“I’ll tell you tonight,” June smiled. And he could picture their date now.

They would get something light to eat, and then he’d take her ice-skating because Aria couldn’t stand upright for more than a few seconds and it would require him to hold her for most of the night. They’d have the best time, giggling and holding hands. And he’d confess to her, on the ice, when they’re both flushed and happy and staring into each other’s eyes. It would be perfect.

June had dropped Aria off at her house that late afternoon, claiming that he had a late dance practice. As soon as she was out of earshot, Ren shot him a look before dialing Lucas.

“Be ready,” he said when Lucas answered, “June’s planning to confess to Aria tonight and needs to look like s*x on legs if he’s gonna succeed. I’m gonna have me some chubby little angel children before the night is over.” June hit Ren over the head, but couldn’t stop the excitement bubbling as they both grinned.

Meanwhile, Aria had dialed Hannah as soon as she’d got into the house, “June wants to talk. I have no idea why he wants to talk. You need to come over immediately to calm me down before my anxiety actually smothers me.”

Danielle had found Aria on the floor, leaned against the door and clutching her phone. She’d given her distressed sister a head pat before walking away.

 When Hannah had arrived, she had to control the grin that took over her entire face. She’d been so excited, knowing what was happening, that she had to send Lucas a message.

Hannah: s**t is about to go down, but I’m not telling you because you CAN’T KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.  

Lucas had replied with: ‘Stop being so overdramatic, I already know’, with a bunch of eye rolls under that.

Me: come over! We can plot when you’re here!

 Lucas: How do we explain why I need to be there?

Me: Tell them we’re working on our project!

Hannah grinned mischievously when Lucas had agreed to come over with June. She had succeeded in calming Aria down, distracting her with coffee and Tumblr while she helped her get ready.

When June arrived, the pair had been a bumbling mess, communicating through awkward glances and shy smiles. When they’d finally left, Hannah had turned to Lucas in all seriousness.

“We can’t let them f**k up.”

“Agreed,” Lucas said.

“We should follow them. Just to make sure they don’t f**k up,” Hannah said.

“You’re so smart!”  Lucas beamed, “that’s a great idea! We could be spies!”

Danielle, upon hearing their conversation, realized that it was the worst idea. She definitely needed to see this unfold, “Can I come, too?”

“Of course,” Hannah grinned. “I am Spy Mom!”

“Do we get code names? I want to be Justin Seagull!”

“What’s your codename?” Hannah asked Danielle, who shrugged.

“I don’t need a codename.”

“You need a codename,” Hannah snapped, giving Danielle her signature crazy eyes.

“Okay fine, I’ll be Fluffy Princess.”

They all set off for the mall that June and Aria were going to, Hannah having discussed this with June earlier today. On the way, Lucas had created a group with everyone excluding the couple in question, titling it #OperationArJu.

Ren: What the hell?

 Lucas: June’s going to confess to Aria. We’re following them to make sure they don’t f**k up.

Ren: That’s the best idea!

Soran: That’s the worst idea. You’re being an i***t. Stop, before you f**k up.

 Lucas: Can’t talk now, going in! We’ll keep you updated!

 Lucas: He took her to their favourite coffee shop!

Hannah: They’re sharing a cake slice!

 Lucas: He just took a sip of her drink, they’ve basically indirectly made out!

Soran: If you two don’t stop, I’m going to come there and kick you both.

Soran’s message made Hannah contemplate the logistics of their idea.

“This is the worst idea,” she concluded, “It’s so creepy, why did you let me go through with it?”

“I think it’s good.”

“Of course you think it’s good! You think all of my shitty ideas are good!”

“Should we stop spying on them?”

“Yes,” Lucas said.

“I wanted to buy chocolate, though,” Danielle added. They’d all nodded, making their way towards the Lindt store. As they walked out, Aria and June  had left the coffee shop and Aria  had spotted the three and walked over.

“What are you guys doing here?” she asked.

“Um, we just came to get some chocolate,” Hannah said sheepishly, hiding her face so she didn’t have to see the death glare that June  sent her way.

“You guys should join us! We’re going ice-skating,” June’s glare seemed to intensify as Aria continued speaking, and Hannah shrunk into Lucas’s side. They were both going to die today.

“We have the presentation to do and it’s due soon so we can’t,” Hannah began to mumble.

“Didn’t you tell me the presentation was due in a few weeks?” Aria narrowed her eyes.

“We wanted to get started on it now,” Lucas added.

“You two are the biggest procrastinators I know, you’d never start anything early,” Aria scoffed, “come with us.”

Hannah decided that protesting even more would seem a bit suspicious, sp they begrudgingly relented, shuffling behind an oblivious Aria and an infuriated June .

 Lucas: We dun f****d up.

Me: We’re going ice-skating with them now.

Ren: I want to go ice-skating!

Ren: Guys! Let’s go ice-skating.

Hannah hadn’t had more time to check their messages when they reached the ice rink. It had been going well, June helping Aria into her skates as she fumbled around like a drunk seal.

Hannah had known she shouldn’t have expected things to go smoothly, because when June had left to go to the bathroom, the rest of their friends had shown up. And of course, of f*****g course, Soran would bring Cedric.

Hannah watched helplessly, as Cedric helped Aria onto the ice and then took her hand, guiding her around the rink. Hannah and Lucas shuffled into an empty space near the tables, pulling out the pile of chocolates they’d bought and proceeded to shove chocolate into their faces dejectedly.

When June walked out of the bathroom, Hannah could see the sad look take over the soft smile that had been on his face all evening. She beckoned him over, gave him her bag of chocolate and pulled out another. The three sat in self-pity, shoving chocolate into their faces as they watched Cedric twirl Aria around. The only upside had been when Matt had slid into the couple, sending Aria sprawling into Ren, instead of Cedric.