FOREVER & ALWAYS CHAPTER 1: SAME OLD BANTER

[Jared’s POV]

They say best friends are souls that recognize each other before they even speak. That’s me and Jaden. We’ve been attached at the hip since we were toddlers, running around in matching onesies because our moms were college best friends. People always get confused though — Jaden is older than me by exactly one month and twelve days, so technically he’s the hyung. But let’s be real, everyone knows I’m the alpha between us. I’m the one who leads, who protects, who makes decisions, even if sometimes I still act like a kid just to annoy him.

Right now we’re in my living room. The house is big, modern, and quiet. Too quiet. Ever since my mom got promoted as a senior engineer, she became a full-on workaholic. She leaves before I wake up, comes home when I’m already asleep, and lately she’s been staying in company apartments or hotels for weeks straight. The only signs of her presence are the money she leaves on the counter and short text messages. I don’t show it much, but it gets lonely.

But then there’s Jaden. His world is the total opposite. His house is always loud, warm, and full — parents laughing, siblings yelling, home-cooked meals every single night. He has everything I wish I had, but he never acts like he’s better. Instead, he treats my place like his second home, and me like his extra responsibility. Even though he’s only older by a month, he carries himself like he’s a whole decade ahead. Always well-dressed, always prim and proper, with that signature sassy diva attitude that only comes out when he’s with me.

He’s currently sitting on my couch, fixing his hair using my phone screen as a mirror, tilting his head left and right like he’s checking every angle before a photoshoot. His legs are crossed elegantly, one hand tapping his knee impatiently — pure diva mode activated.

I walk over and lean against the couch behind him, my arms crossed over my chest, towering over him easily. I have this natural aura, broad shoulders, sharp eyes, the kind that makes people step aside when I walk down the hallway. But with him? I love using it just to tease.

“Wow,” I start, my voice low and amused. “You’re taking longer than I do to get ready. You gonna meet the President or something, hyung?”

He doesn’t even glance back, too busy patting his bangs into place. “Please, I need to look presentable. Unlike you. Look at yourself — jacket half unzipped, shirt untucked, hair messy like you just fought a storm. Do you have no sense of style at all?”

I lean down closer, my face right next to his ear, making sure my voice drops into that deep, teasing tone I know gets him. “Aw, but you said last week you like how I look ‘raw and manly’. Don’t tell me you forgot already, baby hyung?”

Jaden freezes for a split second before spinning around, cheeks turning a soft pink but his expression still fierce and sassy. He swats my arm hard, but it’s weak, like he’s just playing. “Yah! Don’t call me that! I only said that because you forced me to compliment you! And I’m older, show some respect!”

I chuckle, grabbing his wrist gently but firmly — showing that strength and control I naturally have — and pulling him closer until he’s almost pressed against my chest. He tries to pull away but I don’t let go, just smirk down at him.

“Respect? I respect you a lot. But you look so cute when you’re mad, how can I not tease you? Besides, you may be older by a month, but we both know who’s in charge here.” I wink, then suddenly ruffle his perfectly styled hair just to annoy him.

“JARED!” He screams, immediately fixing his hair again, looking absolutely scandalized. “You are so childish! One minute you’re acting all cool and manly, the next you’re behaving like a five-year-old! Make up your mind!”

[In Jaden’s mind]

Ugh this guy! He’s so frustrating! Standing there all tall and intimidating, acting like he owns the place, calling me sweet names, holding my hand like it’s his right… and then ruining my hair right after! He knows exactly what he’s doing. Even though I’m technically the hyung, he always acts like he’s the one taking care of me, protecting me, deciding everything. And honestly? I don’t mind it at all. It feels safe. But I’ll never tell him that, he’ll just tease me even more. I have to keep my sass up, it’s my only defense.

Just then, my phone buzzes on the coffee table. I glance at it and see it’s my mom.

Mom: Hi sweetheart, won’t be home this month. Big project overseas, I’ll be busy. Bought you groceries online, eat well okay? Love you always.

My smile fades just a little, but I quickly lock the screen so he won’t see. But of course, Jaden notices every little change in me. His sassy expression softens instantly, the diva attitude disappearing, replaced by that caring hyung side of him.

“Another message?” he asks quietly.

I shrug, leaning back and shoving my hands into my pockets, putting back that calm, unbothered alpha mask. “Same old. Work is everything to her now. It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

Jaden stands up and walks over, poking my chest firmly. “It’s not fine. Just because you act all tough and mature doesn’t mean you don’t get lonely. You think I don’t notice how quiet you get when you talk about her? You’re such an idiot, hiding everything.”

I look down at him, and for a moment the playfulness leaves my eyes. I pull him into a loose hug, resting my chin on top of his head, my voice softer and deeper, showing that serious, manly side only he gets to see. “I’m okay, really. Besides, I have you, don’t I? You’re more family to me than anyone else right now.”

He freezes in my arms, then hits my back lightly, trying to sound annoyed but I can hear the warmth in his voice. “Ugh, don’t get all sappy on me now! And let go, I just fixed my shirt!”

I laugh, tightening my hold a little before letting go, going back to my teasing mode. “Why? You like it when I hold you, admit it.”

“In your dreams, you big brute!”

[In Jared’s mind]

Yeah, I act childish sometimes just to make him laugh, just to fill the silence in this house. But when it matters, I know how to be strong, how to take care of him. He’s older by a month, but I’ll always be his protector, his alpha, and the one who teases him until he turns red. This thing between us — the bickering, the flirting, the comfort — it’s something I’ll never let go of. He’s my best friend, my home, and maybe someday, something more.

"Movie time".

They decided to watch a horror movie. Jared acted all cool and unbothered, but deep down he was already nervous and scared. He refused to show it though—his pride wouldn’t let him. It’s just a movie, stop being a baby, he kept telling himself, forcing his expression to stay blank.

Jaden noticed right away how hard he was trying to act tough. She grinned and started teasing him. “You don’t have to pretend, scaredy-cat. I bet halfway through you’ll be hiding your face or clinging to me for protection.”

Jared’s pride stung, so he decided to get back at her. As the opening credits rolled with spooky music, he put on a dramatic terrified face. He gasped loudly and suddenly lunged toward her like he was about to grab onto her in fear.

But in the middle of his act, his hand slipped. Instead of grabbing her arm or shoulder, it landed straight on her butt.

Jaden froze. Shock hit her instantly, followed by hot irritation. Did he do that on purpose? How dare he?! Her heart was pounding fast, and she turned to glare at him, eyes blazing. “Jared! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

But he didn’t apologize. He just pulled his hand away slowly, wearing that annoying, smug smirk he always had. He looked way too pleased with himself for getting such a big reaction. Inside, his heart was racing too—not just from the prank, but from the strange spark he felt when he touched her. He didn’t regret it one bit.

A thick, electric silence fell between them. Everyone else went quiet too, sensing the shift. The movie playing in the background felt far away compared to the tension building up.

“Oops,” he said casually, voice dripping with mischief. “My bad. I was just so scared, my hand slipped, you know?”

“Slipped my ass!” she snapped, crossing her arms. “You totally did that on purpose! You’re such a pervert!”

“Me? Never,” he teased, leaning closer. “Though you did react pretty loud… did you maybe like it?”

“JARED!”

They started bickering right away, throwing insults and teasing back and forth. But under all the arguing, there was something new—something exciting and unspoken that neither of them could deny anymore.

To be continue.

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