Chapter Text
Dohwa tended to speak before thinking, a lot. And that causes her to get into many useless and easily avoided arguments.
Yet, every time she did, Hyeseong was right there to back her up.
Huijin had gotten complaints from other departments and majors at the school because those two just didn’t know when to back down. Suchan had been in the middle of those useless arguments enough to now turn around and fly the opposite way if he saw them in the ‘we’ve realized we are wrong, but we are now in too deep to back down’ stance.
This could easily be seen when Hyeseong grabbed Dohwa by her forearm and restrained her from ‘physically communicating’ with the people in front of them. He would then miraculously de-escalate the situation, and after a couple of rough insults, he would drag Dohwa away, or get her to scare the people they were arguing with away. The latter is the one with the highest success rate.
Then, ever so naturally, he would let Dohwa know, after there was none in sight of course, just how fucking wrong she was.
‘What the fuck are they supposed to do if not fly, dumbass? They have wings!’ He said after an argument she had started because a couple of moths were flying by and had gotten her irritated with the wind coming from their wings that smacked her face. Truth be told, she was on the wrong sidewalk, which gave it to NEST to make sidewalks where people don’t…well walk, but instead fly. They had considered changing the name to flywalks or sideflys . But, the puns coming from those names during the staff meeting were enough to not even mention the topic again.
‘You are a practical combat student, but your major IS entomology. No, they weren’t trying to make fun of your elective classes.’ Of course, this one was a classic, because when they first started college, and Dohwa having been homeschooled at NEST since she was around 10 or 11, she lacked the common knowledge of college terms, despite the ardent effort by staff at the shelter who tried to give her the most they could, but, it was too much to cover.
‘The fact you’re an emperor scorpion doesn’t give you royal status, that fucker over there actually has a long distant royal relative. No, we cannot kidnap him and ask for money, do you know how many punishments Professor Ji could come up with for something like that?’
That one would remain a mystery because Suchan had only heard that ending in their conversation during the last moments of their ‘debrief’ and he had decided to stay ignorant and not ask, in case they went through with their crazy kidnapping plans, he would not be involved.
The all time favorite was…
‘ Dohwa, stop calling people ‘background characters’ This is not a comic. Yes, they’re irrelevant to the plot but- No! There isn’t a plot! This is real!’ He was convinced at this point she just enjoyed the feeling of stirring people up with that overused comment of hers.
Yet, he would join her and be as annoying as her during those arguments, spouting nonsense after nonsense. At this point, many people ended up so baffled by their incredible bullshitting that some, very few honestly, even ended up leaving the argument thinking they were in the wrong.
Truth be told, it was almost never the case. No, the usual truth was Dohwa just picking a fight anywhere she went because to her cocky people didn’t know what to do when an even cockier person came and took them down a notch. Yes, there were a bunch of assholes at school. But, Dohwa was an expert at being an asshole, so what better than to fight fire with fire? Hyeseong went along each time as long as she didn’t cross the line. Which up to today, she had not.
Until she decided a so-called Yoga instructor needed some of that ‘taste your own medicine’ type of remedy.
Arguing against professors had never been in her. Sure, she dissed them through gritted teeth all the time, but to actually tell them to their face? No.
“What did you just say, you punk?” The woman in front of her was a wasp, perfect body, amazing curves, and an ampel bust.
She was a bitch despite being so perfect.
“You heard me. You are nothing more than a degrading bitch, the rest of the girls in this class don’t come to see an exibitionist put them down for such bullshit as your idea of beauty is.” Dohwa had her arms crossed.
She had come to pick up Daun and Huijin to go out and have a girls night after their afternoon Yoga lesson.
Just to hear the absolute disgusting nonsense that woman was feeding her friends.
“Give the guy a little taste, if he doesn’t like it, you know you have to work harder. After all, you are all taking this class to please him? Aren’t you all?” The witch had the audacity to chuckle. Dohwa was at the door waiting and broke the damn door with her tail with one swing.
Her anger was visible, Hyeseong was behind her, since he had to give Huijin her knuckles back as a favor to Suchan who was currently home still resting after the individual assignments were done a couple of days ago.
This time, and only this time he doubted for a second to take her side, because this wasn’t just a simple student, it was a teacher and they could very well get reported for property damage now. That would not look good for their grades, and Professor Ji would definitely not be happy.
But, he realized that this time. He didn’t need to take her side just because it was Dohwa.
But because that instructor was absolutely and utterly…
“Wrong…You are so wrong” Dohwa hissed, helping Huijin and Daun pack their bags, class wasn’t even over. She was planning on just waiting the last half of class in the hallway, and Hyeseong had arrived just in time to hear what the wasp was saying to her young students.
All hesitation left him, and he helped Dohwa carry their bags, as they escorted their friends out. Dohwa was fuming, because the rest of the young women were still sitting, too scared to move. Huijin and Daun had been a bit teary and moved by Dohwa’s protectiveness, and they had not doubted to follow her. But the others? They didn’t feel confident.
“What are y’all waiting for?” Dohwa stood at the door, and signaled the rest of the class to get up.
“Would y’all rather listen to this bitch talk about degrading yourself for the sake of someone who doesn’t like you the way you are? That’s bullshit. If someone really likes you…” Her glance jumped to Hyeseong who was helping a few of the girls with their bags as one by one started to head for the door towards Dohwa.
“They will stay by your side, in the wrong, and in the right. They won’t put you down if you’re different. They will like you, just the way you are.” She smirked a bit, and Hyeseong ignored the remark at the end, because he felt his face heating up to dangerous levels.
“What a load of manure!” The wasp chuckled. Truth be told, she was more irritated at the damn scorpion who interrupted her while she was given the young pupils some much needed advice. She needed to prove her point, and her eyes set on the only man in the room, who would be perfect to set an example.
“Ask the guy in between you all! Won’t you rather a woman with a great body who was willing to do anything to please you?” She gave him an insinuate smile, and winked, not caring for the sudden cold chill in her spine, as if someone was piercing it.
Hyeseong arched an eyebrow, guess it was the time to prove he would always…
Always back Dohwa up.
And he would make a bigger effort, if she was right.
Hyeseong walked up to the instructor, taking full advantage of his height, and towering over her. The instructor smiled knowling.
‘Now watch how even your little boyfriend prefers me over you.’ She thought in delight.
“That’s so lame.” Hyeseong scoffed at her, and turned around, about 5 bags in hand and stood beside Dohwa, backing her up.
“You view yourself as nothing but an object others can change and mold to their views. If a guy likes that, then he isn’t worth the time of anyone with the tiniest bit of self-respect.” He smirked, knowing damn well her ego had taken a critical hit by the way she staggered back, and her mouth open and closed but no sound came out.
The rest of the class left hurriedly, some getting hugs from Huijin and Daun while heading out the door, with a promise they will handle the rest, and they should focus on getting out of there.
“This could easily be a violation to the rules of NEST, I suggest you think about how you will explain to your supervisor why you were brainwashing young women to think in such a way.” Dohwa approached her. Hyeseong behind her, in case he needed to restrain her, the wasp probably deserved to get hit, but whether they like it or not, she was still faculty staff.
He was not going to let her get in trouble, not while-
SLAP!
Hyeseong did not know when, or how, but the idiotic wasp had sealed her fate. Dohwa’s cheek was flaming red, and the mark of her fingers was imprinted. Hyeseong had never felt such rage in him. He knew damn well Dohwa could defend herself, and in fact he could already feel the anger rising through her body, as he had been holding her shoulders as support.
But he beat her to it.
In a swift move, he moved Dohwa behind him and kicked the wasp right across her face, sending her flying across the room.
“You fucking bitch.” He called with absolute disgust. He approached her with the full intent of kicking her once more.
Now, for the first time, he was the one being restrained.
“Let her…” Dohwa said, looking down and letting her hair cover her face. Hyesong was confused, her anger no longer in place.
“But-”
“I said let her…” She looked up at him, biting her bottom lip and her eyes teary, yet she refused for the tears to be free.
“Let's go…She’s not worth you getting expelled.” Dohwa announced.
“Too late for that.” He signaled the unconscious wasp, and bleeding coming from her head that needed treatment immediately.
“You two go back, I’ll deal with security and Professor Ji.” Huijin came to their rescue. She didn’t take a no for an answer, and with the help of Daun, sent the two of them out and to her and Dohwa’s dorm.
Once at the dorm, Dohwa could no longer hold it in.
Hyseong barely had time to react when he felt a pair of arms around his neck, Dohwa throwing herself at him in a hug. The action didn’t match the words though.
“Is your head full of shit? Have I kicked your ass enough, you've finally lost it?” Her tail snaked its way around his waist, keeping him in place. Dohwa buried her face in the crook of his neck, while still yelling at him.
“Why did you kick her? Do you know how much trouble you could get in for doing that to an instructor?” Hyeseong was not listening, and the reason being because everytime she moved her lips to speak or yell, they brushed against his skin sending shivers down his spine.
Dohwa placed some space between them to look him straight in the eye.
“Why did you go that far?” She asked, an angry contorted face, yet in Hyeseong’s eyes it was nothing but an adorable pout. He shook his head to force himself out of the trance, and placed his hands firmly on her waist.
“Because she deserved it, and I would rather be the one people talk about hitting an instructor, but I would never let her drag you down like that.” He looked deep into her eyes, hoping to transmit his hidden feelings although he no longer knew if they were so much of a secret.
“You- You always have my back. But why won’t you let anyone have yours?” Dohwa asked, from the island incident, to the tournament, to their missions. Hyeseong was always supportive of his friends, because he hated being dead weight, although he never was. But, although he did need saving, he still refused to bluntly call for help.
And Dohwa hated that. She wanted him to rely on her too, to know she would gladly beat a bitch up for his sake too.
“I would gladly beat a bitch for you.” She let her thoughts out in a serious note. Hyeseong was taken so aback that he blinked a couple of times to make sure he heard that right.
Then he busted out laughing, his shoulders wiggled up and down and he had to hug her back and leaned on her shoulder because he felt the air leaving his lungs.
“Dohwa, oh god! You say the most random, and cutest things when I least expect it!” He exclaimed, pushing himself back up and grabbing her shoulders, Dohwa arched an eyebrow at him.
“You…” He looked back at her face again.
“You really make me fall harder every time you do that.” He let out his thoughts without care this time. Maybe he should follow her ways and just be straightforward, speaking without thinking.
Maybe it would work.
Dohwa had a blank expression, too stunned to speak. Then, she chuckled.
“About damn time,” Hyeseong didn’t have time to ask her about what she meant.
Her lips crashed onto his with force and need, he let out a heavy sigh, suddenly grabbing her waist and pulling her in. God, this felt so right.
One of her arms pulled him down and the other one grasped his hair tightly, it turned a switch on Hyeseong he didn’t even know he had. He repressed a growl and bite Dohwa’s lower lip, she catches the message and parted way for his tongue to enter her mouth.
Hyeseong heard her low moan, and continued to explore the cave of her mouth, their tongues constantly battling for power. He would be lying if he said part of him wasn’t tempted to give up and surrender to Dohwa’s force. He broke the kiss and they both let out pants and gasps for air. He still had her tail around his waist, and the night was young and early.
He was going in for another kiss, and Dohwa was closing her eyes ready to receive it.
When they heard the door click and jumped a foot away from each other.
Huijin was coming in with food and a loud ‘Hey!’ Suchan behind her, smiling almost proudly at them. Huijin had told him how they had stood up for everyone. Behind them, Daun and Hyona and some other of their classmates were coming to cheer them up.
Hyeseong could not help but think they could have cheered each other up just fine without the rest of them. But, as he saw Dohwa happily drinking with the rest, he decided to let it go.
After all, he was always on her side, and if she was fine with this, then so was he.
Meanwhile, Dohwa was drinking heavier than usual, to make sure her face flushed bright red and none would notice how she randomly blush every time she locked eyes with that damn katydid and stared at his lips.
God, she needed the room for herself one of these days, with Hyeseong included of course. And a part of her told her that Hyeseong would gladly agree with her.