Archive of Our Own ^beta

Seungmin’s friends call him crazy for already going to the campus library when the semester hasn’t even started yet, but Seungmin likes being prepared, okay? Both for the start of his two year master in literature and for his job helping in the university library. And besides, he likes reading, so sue him for wanting to do some reading beforehand and getting a headstart on things. 

Right now he has just grabbed one of the books he wants to read and he’s heading around the corner to find his favorite quiet spot to read since he doesn’t think he’ll have to help anyone soon— oof. He bumps right into someone, sending both of them falling, dropping their books in an almost cliche manner.

“Oh my— I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” the man he bumped into apologizes and hands Seungmin his glasses that had fallen off, their hands brushing as Seungmin accepts them. 

Seungmin softly thanks him and puts on his glasses again, and as he does so and looks up, he immediately takes in a breath when he sees how beautiful the man is. He has shoulder length hair half tied up into a bun, thick lips, and a small head, and Seungmin wouldn’t really say he is one to judge or be attracted solely based on looks, but he can’t deny that this man is attractive. 

“It’s okay, we both didn’t see each other coming,” Seungmin assures as he wants to help the man pick up his books, and their hands brush again. It’s awfully cliche, but Seungmin can’t help but smile, just like the man in front of him does as he lets Seungmin help him. 

“Thank you. Uhm, I’m Hyunjin by the way,” he introduces himself when they stand up. He definitely seems older than Seungmin, but Seungmin can’t tell if he’s a student or not. He looks like a student to Seungmin. 

“I’m Seungmin, nice to meet you, Hyunjin-ssi” he replies and he chuckles when Hyunjin bows at him, so he does the same back. 

“Uhm, a weird question, maybe, but do you happen to know where I can find some books about art?” Hyunjin asks, and Seungmin perks up, somehow happy that he has an excuse to stay with Hyunjin for a bit longer. So he’s an art student? Just like Jeongin and Jisung! He definitely looks like one. 

“You’ve come to the right guy! By now I know this library like the back of my hand, so follow me,” Seungmin beckons Hyunjin over, and the latter follows him as Seungmin takes him to the art section, telling him which sections they’re passing by so he can remember it. “But if you get lost anyway, just come to me again.”

“Do you work here?” Hyunjin asks curiously, and Seungmin nods, at which Hyunjin’s eyes seem to light up. “Oh wow, that’s perfect! I– I’m new here and I’m trying to get familiar with the university before the semester starts, but there aren’t many people around yet.”

“True, professors and students alike love their vacation time. If you want, I can give you a little tour around the campus. I don’t know everything, but I know a few nice spots by now,” Seungmin tells him, and Hyunjin agrees. 

“That’d be great! I’ve already gotten a map, but a tour would help me a lot, I think,” he says with a big smile, and Seungmin likes how his cheeks squish when he smiles. “Are you sure you’re not busy, though?” 

“I’m not. I just came to pick up some books before the semester starts too, but reading them can wait, and my work hasn’t officially started, so I don’t have to be in the library,” Seungmin assures before they check out their books and head out into the chilly early spring weather.

Seungmin shows Hyunjin the cafetaria for the art and literature building, the convenience store nearby, and places to sit outside when the weather is nice. Hyunjin also asks him which books he got and Seungmin happily tells him about it and about the authors, and Hyunjin easily talks along, seemingly interested in literature too, and he seems to know a few things about styles and symbolism because he does art, so they easily converse about it. 

They find out that they can talk well with each other as they get some lunch from the convenience store, and Seungmin is impressed with Hyunjin’s wide knowledge about art and literature. They sit on a bench outside even though it’s still a little chilly, but Seungmin feels warm with the food and just talking about random things about the university with Hyunjin.

“I’ve heard that the art department is really messy and pretty unorganized, even more than literature, and that’s saying something, but I’ve also heard that it’s really fun there,” Seungmin tells Hyunjin after the latter asked if Seungmin knows what the atmosphere is like. “Two of my friends are in the art department, so I get all the tea.” 

“Well, I’m pretty messy and unorganized too, so I’d fit in just right,” Hyunjin laughs and Seungmin snickers, too. “But wow, I really lucked out bumping into you, huh? If this was happening in a book, I’d call it fate.” 

Seungmin chuckles and blushes, but he agrees with Hyunjin, and he’s glad he can help. Seungmin usually isn’t too quick to get attached, and he’s isn’t getting attached to Hyunjin, necessarily, but he’s pretty sure he’s already developing a small crush on the handsome art student. He wonders how old Hyunjin is and why he’s only doing a master now, but just as Seungmin wants to ask, curious if Hyunjin will be having class with his friends, Hyunjin speaks up.

“Uhm, is there a chance I could have your number, Seungmin-ssi?” he asks, and Seungmin’s eyes widen a little as his hear rate picks up. He wonders if Hyunjin is flirting with him. If so, he wouldn’t mind at all, but then Hyunjin continues, “You know, so I can ask some more questions if I have them, but I understand if you don’t want to be someone’s guide.” 

“No it’s okay, I enjoyed talking to you today, and I’ll gladly help you some more if needed,” Seungmin answers, and Hyunjin smiles happily, handing his phone to Seungmin so they can exchange numbers. 

“Thank you for all your help, Seungmin-ssi. I’d love to talk some more, but I still need to grab some groceries and probably do some work to prepare for my first class,” Hyunjin says with an apologetic look, and Seungmin is surprised that there’s anyone else also doing preparation before the start of the semester. “I’ll text you?” 

“I’d like that, yes,” Seungmin answers, unable to stop grinning like a fool as he says goodbye to Hyunjin. Gosh, what’s with him? He’s not a teenager anymore, but he’s feeling like a lovestruck one. He shakes his head and tells himself to wait until he knows Hyunjin a little better before thinking about things like that. He knows that it’s okay to be attracted, but just for himself he likes to build a bit of a connection first, especially if they’re going to be seeing each other around the campus often. 

Once he gets to his dorm, he sighs and looks at the books he checked out from the library. His roommate and friend, Felix, won’t come until the semester starts next week, so Seungmin has the room to himself to read all he wants, but his mind keeps lingering on Hyunjin. Just at that moment, his phone buzzes, and Seungmin immediately grabs it, glad that Felix isn’t around to comment on his behavior. 

Hyunjin: Hey Seungmin-ssi

Hyunjin: I wanted to thank you again for showing me around ^^ 

Hyunjin: I’m way less anxious about starting off the semester now

You: I’m glad!

Hyunjin: Anyway, I won’t keep either of us from doing some reading 

Hyunjin: But tell me about the books when you finish! I haven’t had much time to read something other than art books lately so maybe I can get the experience through you haha

You: Then expect a full essay when I’m done! ;)

Hyunjin: I’m looking forward to it haha

Hyunjin: Text you later

You: Text you later :)

Seungmin feels a bit giddy after texting Hyunjin somehow, and he immediately grabs one of the books to start reading, excited to share his experience with Hyunjin. Before he knows it, he’s spending hours reading and he’s only pulled out of his flow by his phone buzzing again. 

Instead of it being Hyunjin texting him, however, it’s his mom asking him if he already ate the meal they gave him to eat at the dorm, and Seungmin becomes aware of his hunger. He texts his mom back that he’ll heat it up right now and thanks her again for giving him his favorite kimchi stew to eat. 

Seungmin isn’t a good cook at all because he’s a bit spoiled by his parents and he often orders out, but he has the money (also thanks to his parents), so he doesn’t really worry about it yet. He wonders if Hyunjin cooks, and he remembers Hyunjin saying he had to get groceries, so that could mean he does cook, and that makes Seungmin wonder whether Hyunjin lives in the dorms too or if he worked before studying and got his own apartment already. Or maybe he has rich parents like Seungmin does as well. 

Thinking about it makes Seungmin want to get to know Hyunjin better, but he tells himself to be patient and wait until tomorrow to text Hyunjin again, especially since he knows that Hyunjin is probably still busy. So he just eats his kimchi stew while texting his friends about what happened, gloating a bit that going to the campus early earned him meeting a cute guy, and he laughs at Habin joking that she’ll come over right away to get one for herself too and Felix saying that he already has his own cute guy (Jeongin). 

He spends the rest of his even like that, and reads a bit more before going to bed, where he thinks back to his meeting with Hyunjin. He hopes that something can come of this, even if it’s simply a friendship, because he thinks they clicked well, and he can’t wait to talk to Hyunjin again soon.

Seungmin texts with Hyunjin every day for the rest of the week, mostly talking about books whenever Hyunjin has time (he seems busier than Seungmin is), but also talking about other things. Seungmin finds out that Hyunjin loves dogs and wants to adopt one but doesn’t have the money (so no rich parents), that he indeed doesn’t live on campus and has his own apartment near the campus, and that despite Hyunjin saying he’s messy and unorganized, he works hard on being prepared for the semester, almost harder than Seungmin is, which is impressive. 

The feeling that he can talk well with Hyunjin that Seungmin had the day they met seems to be correct, because when Seungmin finishes one of the books he was reading and tells Hyunjin all about the plot and symbolism and what he thought about the message of the book, they end up talking for hours on end, even late into the evening. Seungmin is positively intrigued by Hyunjin’s way of viewing things. They agree on a lot, but Seungmin thinks that he has a more practical way of viewing things compared to Hyunjin’s more romantic approach, which makes their conversations only more intriguing, in Seungmin’s opinion.

It’s the Friday before the semester starts, and Seungmin is just lounging on his bed, waiting for Hyunjin to text him back after Seungmin asked how his day was. Seungmin helped in the library to prepare for the upcoming semester, but he’s already back at home now. He wanted to read, but he can’t focus, because usually Hyunjin would have texted him back by now. He should be patient, he knows, but texting Hyunjin has been the highlight of this past week so he just wants to make the most of talking to him before things get busier and his friends and classes come to ask for more of his time — he always meets up with his friends on Saturdays every other week whenever they can, and coming Saturday, aka tomorrow, they’ll do so too. 

Seungmin almost drops the food as he accepts it from the deliverer because his phone buzzes, and he quickly thanks the delivery girl before he rushes in again, putting his food away for now to grab his phone instead. He takes in a breath when he sees that Hyunjin texted him back.

You: Hi Hyunjin-ssi! How was your day

Hyunjin: Hey Seungmin-ssi~ sorry for the late reply

Hyunjin: I was preparing for the semester the whole day now that some of the profs are finally responding to my emails… it was exhausting

Hyunjin: But oh well, I feel more prepared now so that’s a plus ^^

Hyunjin: How was yours?

You: I was in the library helping out for the start of the semester

You: Fortunately it wasn’t as exhausting as it was for you

You: I know the feeling of profs being slow… you’d think they would prepare beforehand too like some of us do

Hyunjin: Yeah,,, I get wanting to make the most of your vacation, but I’m new to it all, so some guidance would be nice

Hyunjin: Luckily I have you! haha

Seungmin’s heart skips a beat reading the text, and he contemplates on what to send back, but he always feels awkward with affection so he just keeps casual but grateful at the same time.

You: I’m happy to help :)

Hyunjin: Either way, I was on campus for a bit today too and I wondered if you were at the library, but I guess we just missed each other :( 

You: Ohh that’s unfortunate

You: Once the semester starts I’ll be there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

You: So then you know when you can see me :)

Hyunjin: I’ll stop by whenever I have time then! 

Hyunjin: I have to admit I’m nervous for the semester so I’m happy to have somewhere familiar to go 

You: And I’m happy to have some nice company!

Seungmin types about one of his friends, Felix, sometimes helping in the library too, but he hesitates sending it, wondering if it would ruin the atmosphere and take away the attention from him being happy that Hyunjin will visit him in the library. He deletes it and thinks that he can always tell Hyunjin about his friends another time. 

His stomach then growls and he remembers that he ordered food, so he gets to eating that, keeping his phone close in case Hyunjin texts. Fortunately his food is still warm, because he just forgets about everything else whenever he’s talking to Hyunjin, which is nice, but sometimes there are other things that need his attention too. 

That doesn’t mean that he won’t immediately check his phone when it buzzes again, not caring about that he has to eat with one hand to do so. He bites on his lip when he sees Hyunjin’s text, asking him if he can ask a question, and he wonders where he’s planning to go with it, because usually they just ask each other questions without warning beforehand.

Hyunjin: Can I ask you a question, Seungmin-ssi?

You: Yeah, ofc!

Hyunjin: I was just wondering if before the semester starts you’d want to go grab some coffee with me maybe?

Seungmin’s heart skips a beat, and the first thing that pops into his mind is that Hyunjin is asking him on a date, but he doesn’t dare to ask. Though, if it wouldn’t be a date, Hyunjin wouldn’t ask it like this, right? Seungmin’s heart is racing as he replies. 

You: Yeah sure!

You: We could go to that cafe I showed you?

Hyunjin: It’s not like I know any other places so yes! 

Hyunjin: What do you think about tomorrow around one?

You: Sounds great!

You: I’ll meet you there?

Hyunjin: Yeah it wouldn’t be smart to let me get lost in the dorms trying to pick you up haha

Hyunjin: And my apartment is out of the way for you so let’s meet there!

You: I’ll see you tomorrow then ^^

Hyunjin: See you tomorrow ^^

Seungmin almost squeals to himself and he wonders why he feels like a lovestruck teenager around Hyunjin, but he doesn’t mind it. It’s been a while since he crushed on someone or dated anyone, so he wonders how this with Hyunjin will play out. He hopes that this can lead to something nice, and he hopes that he’ll have some good news to tells his friends tomorrow evening as well.

Seungmin puts on something nice for his date with Hyunjin, but not too nice because it’s just a coffee date, so he grabs a button-up and a pair of his nicer jeans. It’s similar to what he was wearing when he met Hyunjin, he’s always dressed nicely, having been used to it his whole life, but that doesn’t mean he won’t put a little effort into his look today. 

The cafe is a few minutes from the campus on foot, and the weather is becoming nicer with the day, so the walk outside is nice, and it brings Seungmin into the right mood for his date, even if his heart is still fluttering in nervousness. He arrives at the cafe a few minutes early, but the weather is nice, so he just waits outside for Hyunjin. 

It takes a while, however, and Seungmin starts to get a little cold, but just as he wants to go inside and text Hyunjin, he hears the ring of a bicycle bell, and he sees Hyunjin biking over in a hurry, making Seungmin laugh. 

“I’m sorry I’m late!” he apologizes, panting. He looks a bit disheveled but he still looks good as he fixes his windswept hair and takes off his jacket, revealing a short-sleeved turtleneck combined with a necklace and slacks. Seungmin thinks he looks great, and very art-student like. “I slept for longer than I wanted to and then I somehow got lost on the way even though I’ve biked to the campus a few times before already.”

“It’s okay! It’s only a few minutes past one,” Seungmin chuckles, and Hyunjin exhales in relief. 

“I biked as fast as I could, but now I am sweaty… I didn’t think that one through.” Hyunjin rubs his neck with a sheepish smile, and while Seungmin would usually mind, he can’t help but be a little endeared now, knowing that Hyunjin just wanted to be on time and not keep Seungmin waiting. “Either way, let’s go in, I don’t want to make you wait much more.” 

They head into the cafe and stand at the counter to order something. Seungmin recommends some of the drinks and pastries he really enjoyed and Seungmin orders a latte and a muffin for himself while Hyunjin orders an iced americano and a croissant. Hyunjin says that he can pay since he asked Seungmin there, but Seungmin says that he can pay as well, since Hyunjin has an apartment and groceries to pay for, and Hyunjin already knows that he has enough to spare when he bought their lunch the day they met. 

“But you already paid for our lunch too,” Hyunjin pouts, and Seungmin snickers.

“I really don’t mind,” he tells Hyunjin, who relents and lets Seungmin pay finally. Fortunately it’s not too busy, so no one is waiting for them to hurry up and pay.

“Then I’ll pay a next time,” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat at the mention of a next time. He’d like that too, and he keeps smiling as they grab their drinks and food and find a table somewhere. Hyunjin smiles his squishy smile as well, and Seungmin can’t get enough of the sight, but he shouldn’t stare, so he just sits down. 

“I’m actually trying to cut back on the caffeine a little, but for this occasion I’m allowing myself,” Seungmin tells Hyunjin with a snicker, and Hyunjin chuckles sheepishly. 

“I would say that I’m the same, but I’m actually not really cutting back on the caffeine,” he answers, and Seungmin laughs. “Maybe I should, but maybe the start of the semester isn’t the best time to do that. Especially not when you just introduced me to this cafe which has delicious iced americanos and croissants!” 

“They also have delicious muffins, want a bite?” Seungmin offers, and Hyunjin’s eyes light up as he nods. Seungmin feeds him a bite, and Hyunjin lets out a delighted sound, making Seungmin snicker. Hyunjin has some crumbs on the corner of his mouth, so Seungmin gestures at his own mouth, but Hyunjin tilts his head, a bit slow in understanding. “You have some crumbs— here.”

Seungmin leans over to swipe his thumb over the corner of Hyunjin’s lips, and Hyunjin blushes as he thanks Seungmin, making Seungmin realize the intimacy of the gesture, too. Hyunjin’s lips look very kissable, and thinking about it makes heat creep up Seungmin’s neck. He wonders how it’s possible that he’s already this affected by Hyunjin after knowing him for barely a week, but he’s not mad at it. It’s kind of exciting, actually.

“Uhm, anyway— I think as hardworking students we’re allowed to have a bit more coffee and treats than might be good for you,” he says, hoping to divert attention from his red ears. “We have to survive somehow.” 

“Yeah, you’re right—” Hyunjin begins before he cuts himself of and frowns. “But wait, did you say students?” 

“Hmm? Yeah, you’re a student, too, right?” Seungmin asks, confused by Hyunjin’s confusion. “I’m a doing a literature master, and you’re an art student, I thought?”

“No, I— I’m a new professor! Oh my gosh– I thought when you said you worked there, I thought you were like a– a graduate working in the library,” Hyunjin stammers, and Seungmin’s eyes widen. A professor?! Seungmin saw that Hyunjin was older than him, but not to that extent. He certainly doesn’t act like he’s that much older than Seungmin. “Wait– How old are you?”

“I– I’m twenty three, turning twenty four in September,” Seungmin answers, and Hyunjin didn’t seem to have expected that because he very much fails to hide his shocked expression. “Why? How old are you?” 

“Oh my gosh, I thought you were twenty five at least!” Hyunjin facepalms and Seungmin snorts, but his stomach churns in worry, wondering if this small yet crucial detail is a deal breaker for them. Seungmin knows that he can look or seem older than he is sometimes, especially if he says that he works in the library and dresses the way he does, but he didn’t expect this turn of events. “I– I just turned thirty. I know I’m a young professor but— Gosh, am I really already screwing things up? I’m sorry, Seungmin-ssi, I should have been more careful.”

“I–It’s okay, I mean, it’s not like I didn’t just assume that you were a student like me,” Seungmin tells him, but it doesn’t seem to ease Hyunjin’s mind much. Seungmin is a bit at a loss of words for the rest, still trying to process the fact that Hyunjin is a professor and more than six years older than he is, instead of a fellow student who is two, maybe three years older. 

“Still, I’m sorry, uhm— we probably shouldn’t do this,” Hyunjin says, making the decision for them. He runs a hand through his hair and chews on his lip. “I apologize if you’re uncomfortable knowing this now. I— Thank you for helping me get a bit more familiar with the campus. I’ll go now.” 

Seungmin opens his mouth as Hyunjin gathers his stuff, taking his coffee and croissant with him, too, but Seungmin doesn’t know what he’s supposed to say, and before he knows it, Hyunjin is already gone. Seungmin exhales and slumps, taking a sip of his coffee. He definitely didn’t expect the date to go like this, but he doesn’t know what to do. 

On one hand, he wants to go after Hyunjin, say, ‘what does it matter? we can at least be friends right?’ but on the other hand, Seungmin realizes that, even though Hyunjin isn’t his professor, it could be inappropriate, and it could jeopardize both of their university careers, so is it worth it when they only know each other for a week? Is it worth it when Hyunjin seems to have already decided that it’s inappropriate and they shouldn’t do this? 

Seungmin groans and finishes his coffee and muffin before he saunters back to his dorm room and just throws himself on the bed to sulk. He contemplates texting his friends, but he’ll speak to them tonight anyway, so he just stays still, wallowing in pity for himself. 

Why does the cute guy who he clicked so well with have to be a professor of all things? If he was a professor at a whole different faculty it might’ve been okay, but then again, they probably wouldn’t have clicked so well if that was the case. Seungmin huffs, puffing out his cheeks as he grabs the book he was reading, but it only reminds him of Hyunjin— of how he told Hyunjin only a little bit about it and he said he’d tell Hyunjin all about it when he would be further along. 

It makes him a bit sad, not necessarily because he wants to date Hyunjin, but because he liked Hyunjin as a conversation partner too, and he worries that even that might be lost now. Maybe he should just wait for the shock to blow over and then text or ask Hyunjin about it, but for now he just sulks and stares into nothingness until he hears the door open and Felix appears.

“Did you miss me Seungminnie?!” he exclaims with a smile as Seungmin turns to face him, and he sees the smile fade and be replaced with a frown. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you have that date today— oh. Did it go badly?”

Seungmin just groans as Felix comes to sit on his bed with him. “I’ll tell everyone tonight…”

Felix pouts and manhandles Seungmin into a big hug, which is nice and comforts Seungmin a little. That’s right, even if things with Hyunjin went wrong, he still has his friends who have his back, and he thinks it’ll be good for him to see them tonight. 

He helps Felix unpack his things and accepts Felix’s offer to play a game with him until they meet with their friends. Seungmin plays horribly, but Felix’s cheers and laughter make up for it, and time passes quickly like that. 

They head to their friend Jobeom’s house because he lives near the campus and his parents are never home, so that is the place for their biweekly meetings with Seungmin’s friend circle, consisting of his closest friends Felix, Jeongin, and Jisung, and his other friends from the rich circles, Jobeom, Songyu, and Habin. They always gather to talk about anything, have some yummy food, play games, and just hang around, and it’s been a tradition to do it biweekly (unless there’s a party or they are busy with exams). 

They all greet each other with big hugs or fistbumps depending on who it is, and Habin says that they already ordered some pizzas and fried chicken as they all settle in the spacious living room. They first catch up with each other on what they did during the long break before they all look at Seungmin with curious eyes, and Seungmin feels a bit reluctant to talk about his blunder and misunderstanding with Hyunjin, but he trusts his friends. 

“Tell us about your date Seungmin!” “Yeah, tell us about your man!” they all exclaim, Habin and Jobeom already being tipsy from the soju and beer, and Felix grimaces a bit, but Seungmin only snorts.

Nevertheless, he takes a swig of his soju to gain some liquid courage to talk about this. “Well, okay, as you know, I met him in the library and I showed him around because he said he was new here and we exchanged numbers and talked a bit and I felt like we really hit it off, but…”

“But what?” Jisung asks with big eyes. “Did he eat with his mouth open all grossly?”

“Did he dislike one of your favorite authors?” Jeongin offers.

“Is he dirt poor and leeching off you?” Songyu jokes, and Seungmin huffs out a laugh at all the guesses as to what happened. 

“No, none of that, uhm… You see, I thought that he was a student here, but he’s not,” Seungmin explains, and he can see his friends frown. “He’s a professor.” 

His friends’ reactions range from shocked gasps to bursting into laughter and clapping, and Seungmin blushes, taking another swig of his soju, feeling the alcohol burn in his throat and the flush burn on his cheeks. 

“And he didn’t know that you were a student either? Or did he know and is he a creep?” Jisung asks with a grimace, and Seungmin’s eyes widen as he quickly shakes his head. 

“No– No he thought I was a graduate working in the library. You know how it is with me and how I dress and all,” he clarifies, rubbing his neck with a sheepish smile. “He– He immediately apologized and said that we shouldn’t be doing this.” 

“Aww, why not? It’s exciting!” Habin exclaims before she takes a sip of her beer. “Why didn’t you go after him?” 

“Because he’s a goody two shoes and never colors outside of the lines aside from his mischievous streaks with his friends and family,” Jobeom says with a laugh, and Seungmin presses his lips together as he rolls his eyes. 

“That’s not true… I was just shocked, and he was too. And besides, we only know each other for a week,” he defends himself, but they don’t seem to be convinced. “I—” 

Just at that moment, his phone buzzes, and Seungmin’s heart picks up its pace. Is it Hyunjin? he wonders as he immediately grabs his phone, and Felix curiously looks over his shoulder to watch as well, but Seungmin barely notices it. 

Hyunjin: Hey Seungmin-ssi (If you haven’t already blocked me)

Hyunjin: I just wanted to apologize again for the misunderstanding… 

Hyunjin: If you feel more comfortable that way, I can delete your number and you can delete mine, whatever you want

Hyunjin: just let me know (unless you already blocked me, which is okay too)

Seungmin feels a bit bad about how much Hyunjin apologizes while it was as much Seungmin’s fault as Hyunjin’s, even if Hyunjin is the professor and Seungmin the student. Seungmin reads the texts to his friends when they ask what he sent, and Felix looks at him with compassionate eyes.

“You really liked him, right?” he asks, and Seungmin shrugs, taking another sip of his drink. 

“I guess, but we only know each other for a week, so—”

“Oh come on, Seungmin! Do something naughty for once! Pursue him!” Habin encourages him, and Seungmin’s blush deepens as he chews on his lip, hesitating. 

“See? You’re scared!” Songyu points out. “Jobeom was right.” 

“I’m not scared, I just— I just like to think about things like this a little before doing something,” Seungmin says, crossing his arms. “But I am perfectly capable of doing what I want.”

“Yeah? Prove it then. Text the prof and ask him out!” Habin challenges, and Seungmin’s eyes widen. 

“Let’s do a bet! Prove that you can do whatever you want and score this professor this semester, and if you lose, you have to wear a clowns suit in the library for a week. If I lose, I’ll do your laundry for a week,” Jobeom adds on, at which Songyu and Habin start clapping and agreeing, saying that they will do Seungmin’s laundry too. Seungmin snorts and shakes his head at his pushy friends in amusement.

“Tch— You’re on,” he says before downing the last of his drink. He’s definitely tipsy by now, and it makes him only more determined to prove his friends wrong. 

“Wait– You’re going to do it?” Jeongin asks with a shocked expression, and Seungmin shrugs.

“I was planning to text him anyway to see whether we can try again, so why not get some free laundry done?” he says with a laugh, ignoring the nerves fluttering in his stomach. 

“Oh gosh, this always happens in webtoons and dramas— be careful, Seungmin,” Jisung warns him, but it only makes Seungmin laugh. “You don’t want another misunderstanding or have one of us accidentally mention the bet before you can tell him yourself!” 

“Well, fortunately my life isn’t a webtoon or drama and I’m not doing it for laughs only to realize I’m catching feelings later on,” Seungmin says with a shrug, but Jisung doesn’t look convinced. “It’ll be fine, and I’m a man of my word. I accepted the bet, so I’m not backing out!”

Jobeom, Habin, and Songyu cheer for him while Felix just says that he thinks it’s good to at least text Hyunjin again and explain himself if he wants to try again, so Seungmin feels encouraged to grab his phone again and text Hyunjin back. He’s still a little nervous, but that is simply a buzz in the back of his consciousness, and he’s mostly determined to color outside the lines, as Jobeom put it, and do something risky for once, chase something he wants even if it might not be easy. 

He’s used to getting what he wants easily with his parents being rich and all, and while he does see himself as pretty stubborn and not necessarily a goody two shoes, he never really felt the desire to break any (big) rules or do anything too controversial up until now. His thumbs hover over the keyboard on his phone as he thinks about what to say to Hyunjin, and he just decides to say whatever comes up into his mind. 

You: I didn’t block you don’t worry

You: And I’m not mad nor am I uncomfortable

You: In fact, I actually really enjoyed our date despite the shock of the misunderstanding

You: So I don’t want to delete your number or for you to delete mine

You: You’re not my professor anyway, so… it’s not illegal to talk to each other, right?

Seungmin’s heart is bouncing in his throat as he sends the texts, hoping that Hyunjin won’t read them wrong or be appalled or uncomfortable with him. Hyunjin was mostly focusing on Seungmin’s comfort in his texts, yes, but maybe that was just him projecting his own discomfort, though Seungmin doesn’t hope so. 

He almost drops his phone when it buzzes and Hyunjin texts back, and Jeongin, Jisung, and Felix huddle around him to watch along. 

Hyunjin: Ah

Hyunjin: I’m glad you’re not uncomfortable or mad

Hyunjin: So you want to keep in contact? 

Seungmin looks at his friends as he wonders what he should reply, whether he should be bold or not. With the bet, he maybe thinks he should, but on the other hand he doesn’t want to pressure Hyunjin or scare him away. He has the whole semester to try anyway, so he doesn’t have to rush. 

You: Yeah, I’d like to at least keep talking to you if you’re okay with that as well

You: And we could still see each other in the library, right?

Hyunjin: Yeah you’re right we can do that

Hyunjin: We could maybe start over and start by being friends?

Seungmin is a bit bummed to read that, but on the other hand he’s happy that he can at least keep seeing Hyunjin and even become his friend, because he’d rather have that than nothing at all, and he already liked talking to Hyunjin as friends as well. This might make things harder for him with the bet and all, but he guesses that he agrees that it might be good to start off by getting to know each other better before diving into risky business that could affect their reputations and careers.

You: Yeah that sounds good

You: I’m glad we talked this out

You: And you can still come to me for any questions if you want

Hyunjin: Thank you Seungmin-ssi

Hyunjin: I’m glad we talked too

Hyunjin: Anyway, I still have to cook, so I’ll talk to you later

You: Yes talk later~

You: Have a nice dinner

Hyunjin: Thank you! You too, if you haven’t eaten already

You: Thank you! I’m hanging with my friends and eating together

Hyunjin: Oh, then don’t let me keep you occupied any longer and have fun with your friends

Hyunjin: My dinner calls, bye~

You: Bye bye

Seungmin sighs deeply, before he tells his friends a summary of what they texted about, and he laughs when they all clap and cheer for him. He’s happy that his friends are encouraging, and he’s happy that things with Hyunjin haven’t been completely fucked up, so he manages to enjoy the rest of the night with his friends a lot and he even feels kind of excited to start his master and see where things with Hyunjin can go, whether he can win this bet or not.

It’s not busy in the library at all today, only the first few days of the semester were busy with students getting the books they need for their classes, so Seungmin is catching up on some reading and homework as he waits for anyone to check out any books or ask him for help. Jisung and Jeongin had class from Hyunjin and they told Seungmin all about how he did, how he seemed a bit nervous and disorganized but also passionate and patient with the students and determined to do well and make them learn something. 

Seungmin texted to ask Hyunjin how his first week of teaching went as well, and while they don’t text every day anymore and the conversation didn’t last too long, it was nice, though Seungmin hopes that Hyunjin will stop by the library this week, too. 

“Hey there,” Hyunjin’s voice sounds, as if Seungmin’s wish was heard, and Seungmin perks up with a smile. 

“Hey! How can I help you?” Seungmin asks in his customer-service voice, and Hyunjin snickers. 

“I just thought I’d stop by here to peacefully look through some of my students’ artworks and get to know their styles and all,” Hyunjin says with a shrug, and Seungmin is happy that Hyunjin comes here for it instead of staying in his office. 

“The library is the perfect spot for that! You can sit anywhere you like since it’s a quiet day, but unfortunately I can’t sit with you because I’m on the clock,” Seungmin says with a chuckle, and Hyunjin grins as well. “I say as if I’m not reading and doing homework right now.”

Hyunjin laughs. “Then I’ll sit close by. Unless you want to read and do your homework in quiet.”

“Gosh no! I mean, I like reading, but no one likes homework and I’ve been so bored here that I am almost finishing this book already!” Seungmin says with a whine, and Hyunjin giggles in a way that makes Seungmin’s heart skip a beat. 

“It wouldn’t be responsible for me to keep you from doing your homework, but… I am curious about the book once you’re finished,” Hyunjin says as he sits down at a table near the counter Seungmin is sitting at and starts looking through the artworks his students made. “Jisung and Jeongin are your friends, right?”

“Yeah, they are. Do you like their style?” Seungmin asks, and Hyunjin hums with a nod. 

“I haven’t seen much yet, I still have to look at Jeongin’s, but I already like Jisung’s cartoony and expressive style,” he answers with a smile before his expression turns serious. “But I won’t give them special treatment!”

Seungmin barks out a laugh and jokingly slams his hand on the counter. “Damn, there goes my whole plan!” 

Hyunjin laughs too and shakes his head with a smile. “Go do your homework.”

Seungmin snorts and contemplates throwing a pencil at Hyunjin in retaliation, but he holds back and just focuses on his homework so that he can finish the book and tell Hyunjin all about it. Somehow, the fact that he can talk to Hyunjin about his book gives him the motivation to finish his homework quickly (fortunately he doesn’t have a lot, the semester has only been going for a bit more than a week after all), and when he sees that Hyunjin is still focused on looking at the artworks and writing things down about them after he’s done, Seungmin immerses himself in his book.

Even though they only talked a little at the start, Seungmin is happy spending time with Hyunjin like this, just doing their own thing but doing it in each other’s vicinity. It’s very much appreciated company, and Seungmin thinks it’s meaningful to spend time together like this, because Hyunjin could just as well sit in his office or even anywhere else in the library to look at the artworks, but he doesn’t, he sits next to Seungmin. 

“It’s a good book, huh?” Hyunjin comments when Seungmin closes the book after finally finishing it, and Seungmin jolts, startled by Hyunjin’s voice pulling him back to reality, and Hyunjin chuckles, a warm edge to his laugh. “You were totally engrossed by the story, it seemed.”

“Yeah, I was,” Seungmin replies, blushing at the fond glimmer in Hyunjin’s eyes. “You’re already done looking through the artworks?” 

“Yep, and I wrote down all the things that I noticed and that I think they can work on,” Hyunjin says with an accomplished smile. “So tell me about the book!”

Seungmin almost squeals in excitement as he gets from behind the counter to sit with Hyunjin so he can properly look at him as he tells him about the book and all the things he noticed and found beautiful and how he interpreted it all. Hyunjin listens intently and all too gladly shares his opinions when Seungmin asks for them, and just like the first time Seungmin talked about a book, they end up talking and discussing for what feels like hours.

Seungmin helps one student check out a book and find a certain section in between, but other than that, Seungmin is happy that he and Hyunjin can still talk freely and Hyunjin doesn’t seem to be hindered by their difference in age and difference in university status, so to say, just like Seungmin isn’t bothered by it too much. When they’re talking, it feels like every difference between them vanishes and they’re just two people conversing about something they’re passionate about.

“Oh wow, where did the time go? We ended up talking for quite a while again, huh?” Hyunjin comments with a chuckle. “At least we also got some work done! The library is a nice place to work.”

“I agree, and I am happy to have someone to ramble to about the books!” Seungmin says, and Hyunjin smiles. “My roommate Felix is always slower with reading and he doesn’t want me to spoil the plots and he wants to judge for himself, and Jisung and Jeongin don’t really care about books, despite loving art.”

“Hmm, I think I’ll have to give them a deduction for their next assignment for that then,” Hyunjin comments with a mischievous smile, obviously joking, and Seungmin laughs. 

“You said no special treatment! Special bad treatment falls under that!” he points out, and Hyunjin snickers. 

“Fair. You got me there.” He puts his hands up and his cheeks squish into a grin. “Anyway, thank you for your company and entertainment. I’ll be heading home now.” 

Hyunjin gathers his things and stands up before he looks at Seungmin with a curious look. “Will you be heading home soon, too?” 

“Yeah, on Wednesdays I have to close up, so I have to stay for a bit longer, but you definitely saved me from boredom,” Seungmin says with a chuckle. 

“It was my pleasure,” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin swoons a liitle. “I’ll see you around.” 

Seungmin says goodbye as well, and he happily texts his closest friends about what happened. They’re happy for him that things aren’t awkward and that Seungmin has gained someone to talk to about his hobbies so that he doesn’t have to spoil books for Felix, or pester Jeongin and Jisung. Seungmin is glad to have their support, but deep down he is also kind of bummed that they have to hold back their attraction, because Seungmin feels that it keeps growing and growing the more he talks to Hyunjin. 

He’ll work up to that they can acknowledge their attraction again, yes, spurred on by the bet, but he has to be patient and respect Hyunjin’s wishes (and he logically knows that starting off from being friends is a good way to prevent further misunderstandings). Hopefully, this made Hyunjin see that they can very well be friends without any problems and he’ll stop by the library more often.

Indeed, Hyunjin does visit the library whenever he has time, and he just reads, sketches, or does some work for his classes, sitting next to the counter where Seungmin is whether it’s busy or quiet in the library. When it’s busy, they talk less (both because Seungmin can’t talk if he’s helping people around, but also to stay lowkey), but they always talk at least a little bit, and their texting is mostly replaced by their meetings in the library. Seungmin doesn’t mind, because he likes seeing Hyunjin more than texting him anyway.

“And this professor is… let’s just say he’s stuck in old ways,” Seungmin is rambling about a class he has to Hyunjin, who asked how Seungmin’s classes were going, and Hyunjin chuckles at Seungmin’s way of wording things. Hyunjin also gave him some tips for a class about art movements which was really helpful, but now Seungmin is just ranting, “Either way, he thinks he knows everything better because he’s been at it for a thousand years basically, but once you understand the way he thinks it’s not too bad and I can just kind of do the exam the way he would want me to do it.”

“Still, it sucks that you can’t put your own thoughts down and defend what you think is right,” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin hums in agreement. “Well, I guess you can do that to me if you want— Or Felix-ssi.” 

“You’re right. I’ll gladly ramble to both of you,” Seungmin chuckles, and Hyunjin grins. “Anyway, that was my vent about that class. Do you have any gossip about your class? Or about the other professors? I won’t tell anyone!” 

Hyunjin laughs. “I see how it is, using me for gossip,” he teases, and Seungmin shrugs innocently. “Well, you’re in luck, because I was going to make some coffee in the lounge before my lecture, and when I entered the lounge, professor Bang and professor Seo were, like… flirting? I’m not sure what it was, but they were all smiley and touchy, and when they saw me, they seemed embarrassed and tried to act all casual!”

Seungmin gasps and huffs out a laugh. He vaguely knows the two professors from a writing class he took and he sees them around sometimes, and he knows that professor Bang is something like a coordinator too, but he doesn’t know them too well. “Wow! Do you think they could be together? That would definitely be some juicy gossip!” 

Hyunjin snorts. “Take my words with a grain of salt though, but if it’s true and they’re together… That would be very interesting. I wonder if the university would allow that.”

“Me too, but…” Seungmin contemplates bringing up their situation to compare to it, but he doesn’t know if he should. Eventually, with the bet in the back of his mind, he decides to do it and take the opportunity to flirt a little since he hasn’t done yet since that start of the semester. “I mean, who are we to judge, right? We’re pretty unconventional, too.”

Hyunjin’s eyes widen a little and he huffs out a sheepish laugh, his ears coloring a little red. “I guess it’s also unconventional for a teacher and a student to be friends yeah.” 

Seungmin can’t hold back a grimace, feeling awkward about his failed attempt at flirting, and he wracks his brain about how to fix the tense atmosphere. “At least nothing is as unconventional as when it was hot so professor Choi took off his jacket and one of the students started whistling. I think prof Choi is, what, in his sixties?” 

Hyunjin snorts and sputters out laughs, probably already imagining the scene, and Seungmin is glad that he could lighten the atmosphere a little. “Professor Choi? Wow, that is certainly unconventional, but we accept everyone, right?” 

“We do,” Seungmin snickers before he sighs, looking at Hyunjin, who is looking back at him, leaning his chin on his hand, and the sight tugs at Seungmin’s heart. No matter how many times he tells him that he agrees with taking things slow and being friends first, he can’t deny how he feels for Hyunjin, and how those feelings are only growing, and in moments like this, when it’s quiet for a beat and they just look at each other, Hyunjin with his ever so fond eyes, Seungmin can really feel his yearning to be closer, his attraction pulling him towards Hyunjin. 

Obviously, Hyunjin isn’t ready to push things forward, yet, so Seungmin respects that and keeps the longing to himself, though he wonders if Hyunjin feels that same longing or not.

“Oh shoot— I have a meeting to attend, sorry Seungmin-ssi, I’ve gotta run,” Hyunjin jolts out of his daze and gathers his things, and Seungmin chuckles. “Talk to you later!” 

“Talk to you later, Hyunjin-ssi!” Seungmin waves and relaxes once Hyunjin is out of sight. And maybe he daydreams about Hyunjin for the rest of they day, but that is only for him to know. 

“So, how is it going with our loverboy? I hear that you’re having many library dates!” Habin asks Seungmin at another get together with their friends. 

“Well, they aren’t really dates, but I’m working up to it,” Seungmin replies with a chuckle, grabbing a slice of pizza to eat, but Jobeom gives him an unconvinced look. “The semester has only been going on for a month, there’s time.”

“Before you know it, the time is over though!” Jobeom says. “If he’s scared of going further, you need to take that step!” 

“Maybe, yes, but I also don’t want to scare him away by pushing for a relationship,” Seungmin retorts with a shrug. “The bet was to score him by the end of the semester. It’ll be fine if I don’t rush things.”

“If you say so. As long as you don’t get too comfortable in the friendship and end up forgetting to ask him out!” Jobeom laughs at his own joke, and Seungmin snorts as well. “Or well, if you do, I’d win and we’d get to see you in a clown’s suit!”

“Don’t worry, I’m just taking my time, but I won’t forget to ask him out,” Seungmin assures with a laugh, and Felix snickers.

“I can attest to that, he’s always blabbering about Hyunjin. Hyunjin this, Hyunjin that, it’s really cute,” he says, and Seungmin huffs, his cheeks getting warmer. 

“Can’t say the same about prof Hwang, but that wouldn’t be appropriate in class,” Jeongin joins in on the teasing, and Jisung agrees. 

“He does always make sure to end the lecture in time which might be because he wants to see you in the library,” Jisung adds, and it doesn’t help Seungmin’s flush from fading. It would be nice if that was the truth, because Seungmin hopes that Hyunjin really does think about him as often as he does about Hyunjin. 

“Anyway, enough about that! Did you guys do anything interesting in the past two weeks?” Seungmin changes the topic, feeling a bit too seen and judged at the moment, even though he knows that his friends mean well and support him. Fortunately, no one comments on it and Jisung starts telling everyone about this art assignment he and Jeongin got, distracting Seungmin from his feelings. 

That distraction doesn’t last long, however, because Seungmin keeps thinking about everything his friends said for the rest of the weekend and on Monday, as well. He barely even notices when Hyunjin enters the library a bit later than usual, greeting Seungmin softly. Seungmin greets him back, but before he can say much more, a student asks him if he knows where he can find a certain book, so Seungmin has to help her. 

On top of that, the book seems to be out of stock or misplaced, so Seungmin has to check the logs and see which of the two cases it is. It’s the latter one, so Seungmin helps her find it, which takes a while, and it makes Seungmin lowkey anxious to have less time to talk to Hyunjin. Maybe Hyunjin is doing some work, though, and he wouldn’t be able to talk anyway, but Seungmin also wonders why he was later than usual, and he’s been overthinking everything the whole weekend.

When he comes back, he sees Hyunjin sketching something with pencils, and it looks like a quite a gloomy drawing, so Seungmin wonders if that’s a coincidence or not. He sits down across from Hyunjin, just watching him draw for a bit, and Seungmin thinks he wouldn’t mind it too much if they talk less and he just watches Hyunjin draw, because it’s kind of mesmerizing. 

Nevertheless, Seungmin can’t help but be curious as to what Hyunjin is drawing, so eventually he does open his mouth, talking softly to not ruin the atmosphere, “Do… Can I ask how you got into art? My friends did because they both love drawing and they can let out their emotions and creativity that way.” 

Hyunjin looks up and smiles, but there seems to be a hint of sadness behind it. “I’m the same. Uhm… Though I guess I never really had to opportunity to explore many other hobbies— not that I don’t enjoy art. I really do, a lot.” 

“What do you mean you didn’t have the opportunity?” Seungmin asks, and Hyunjin sighs, laying down his pencil. He waits a moment, probably thinking about what to say, before he speaks up.

“My parents just didn’t have the money to buy me all kinds of different toys and things to keep me busy, so when there was a sale, they bought me a big sketchbook and a bunch of pencils so I could have a hobby,” Hyunjin explains, and Seungmin’s eyes widen, not having expected Hyunjin to come from a poor family. “Ever since then I just drew a lot, whenever I was sad or mad or happy or frustrated or crushing on someone, whatever it was, I could draw to let it out, to blow off some steam, to make sense of what I was feeling. Then later on when I was old enough I went out to the library to read about art, or just about anything, and my passion only grew.”

“Wow… It’s nice that you could develop a passion like that despite not having many resources,” Seungmin comments, and Hyunjin hums, shrugging. 

“Yeah, art was my only shot at anything, basically. I wasn’t smart enough for anything else, so I went all out, trying to make this work,” he says, and Seungmin frowns. 

“I think you’re pretty damn smart. You’re a university prof for goodness sake!” Seungmin tells him, and Hyunjin huffs out a chuckle, rubbing his neck with a lopsided smile at Seungmin’s scolding. “But either way I think it’s amazing how far you’ve come despite the odds being against you. I’ve had it easy, growing up in a rich family, so I’m impressed.” 

“Well, if there’s anything I can do, it’s work hard,” Hyunjin says, his smile finally turning more genuine, and Seungmin is relieved to see it. “And I’m sure you are a hard worker too, seeing that you work in the library next to having classes, and you even prepared before the semester began!” 

“I guess you’re right,” Seungmin replies, blushing a little, and Hyunjin’s hand finds Seungmin’s arm.

“But I’m happy that some people have had it easier than I have,” he whispers, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat as his kind tone. “I wish everyone could just have all the opportunities they want.”

Seungmin softens, finding it wonderful how Hyunjin isn’t bitter about others having had it easier than he did, but instead wishing for no one to have to struggle as much as he did. 

“Me too,” Seungmin agrees, placing his hand on top of Hyunjin’s, and his heart swells when Hyunjin smiles. The moment is interrupted when someone walks by, however, because Hyunjin quickly pulls his hand away and averts his gaze, making Seungmin’s stomach churn in disappointment. 

“Either way, uhm, this reminds me of this one art piece and artist, I don't know if you know it but…” Hyunjin trails off and looks it up on his phone before showing it to Seungmin. Seungmin doesn’t know it, but he has vaguely heard of the artist from Jisung and Jeongin, and Hyunjin explains the meaning behind the piece and something about the life of the artist, who had rich parents like Seungmin and was very generous and had a lot of loving and compassionate messages in his paintings aside from donating a lot of money. 

Seungmin gladly listens to Hyunjin talking and showing the art and explaining the meanings behind them and Hyunjin’s views and interpretations, and Seungmin shares his own too, when Hyunjin asks about it. They end up in another almost philosophical conversation as they tend to do when talking about art, and it’s nice, because Seungmin can tell that Hyunjin’s views come from deep within his heart. 

“Wow, I really can’t keep my mouth shut whenever I’m with you, huh?” Hyunjin chuckles, and Seungmin snickers as well. “In a good way— well, unless you don’t think so.” 

“No, I like it,” Seungmin assures with a smile. He really loves talking to Hyunjin, and even when his worries were about Hyunjin, after talking to him, Seungmin always feels better. It makes him feel that they can actually take it slow and that whether Hyunjin will eventually want to date him or not, it doesn’t matter, because he already likes being friends with him. “It feels like for a moment I don’t have to think about anything else.”

“Yeah, exactly. It’s nice,” Hyunjin sighs deeply. “It made me feel a bit better, thank you.” 

“Was something wrong?” Seungmin asks, hesitantly placing his hand on Hyunjin’s arm, and Hyunjin shrugs.

“Just having a bit of a meh day, I guess. There was some miscommunication with a student that had to be solved, and it’s getting busier, so I’m trying to find the right time for all of my responsibilities,” he explains, and Seungmin hums. “But yeah, this was a nice break between all the responsibilities. Though I do have to get back to them, now.” 

“It was nice for me too. Good luck with everything, Hyunjin-ssi,” Seungmin says with a smile, which Hyunjin returns. 

“Thank you, Seungmin-ah. Is that okay to say? If you want, you can call me hyung,” he says, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat.

“I’d like that, hyung,” he answers with a giddy nod, and Hyunjin’s smile widens before he’s off. Seungmin feels like they’ve gotten a little closer again, slowly unlocking a deeper connection with each other, more knowledge, more understanding, and he feels like his appreciation for Hyunjin is reciprocated. Now still for his romantic feelings and will to give this between them a shot…

“Seungmin-ah!” Hyunjin greets him with a big smile, and Seungmin immediately puts away his homework, thinking that he’ll do it later. 

“Hey, Hyunjin hyung. You’re awfully cheeful,” he comments, and Hyunjin giggles. Sometimes Seungmin forgets that Hyunjin is more than six years older than he is, but that’s a good thing in his eyes. 

“Yes, well… There’s an impressionist exhibition at the museum this week and I worked hard to have enough time this weekend to go,” he explains, and Seungmin remembers Jisung and Jeongin saying that Hyunjin told them to go during the lecture this week. 

“Oh! How fun! My friends told me about it too,” he says, and Hyunjin grins.

“Yeah, I’m excited to go,” he replies before his expression turns thoughtful and a bit shy. “Uhm… I was wondering if you wanted to go with me tomorrow?” 

Seungmin gasps softly and he flushes, flattered that Hyunjin wants to go with him, even when Seungmin isn’t an art major. Seungmin wonders in what way Hyunjin is asking him, and he’s almost afraid to ask, but he doesn’t want another misunderstanding, and if it’s a date, that would mean progress for the bet, so he does open his mouth to speak.

“I’d love to go with you, hyung,” he replies, and Hyunjin’s smile lights up the whole library. “Is… Is it a date?” 

“Oh, well, uhm…” Hyunjin trails off as his smile falls, and Seungmin’s stomach drops a little. “We don’t have to define it, do we? We can just… see it as a hangout and see where it goes? I– I don’t want to set any expectations only to disappoint. And besides, some students may be there too.”

“You’re right. That’s okay, we’ll just say it’s a hangout,” Seungmin answers, though if he’s honest, he’s a little bummed. They’re already slowly approaching the two month mark of the semester, and Seungmin feels like they aren’t making any progress, romantically. Yes, he loves the progress they’re making in their friendship, but gosh, he can’t keep this longing in his chest locked forever, and he doesn’t know if Hyunjin is scared or unwilling to move forward romantically. 

“Great! I’m looking forward to it!” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin can’t help but gain some excitement from Hyunjin’s smile. It may not be a date, but it’ll still be fun, and he should focus on that. 

“Me too. Though, it’d probably be smart for me to finish this homework before tomorrow, then.” Seungmin pulls a disgusted face when he mentions homework, and it makes Hyunjin laugh. Seungmin likes making Hyunjin laugh. 

“Good luck with your homework, I have some things to finish up as well, but… we can make up for that lost time in the museum, right?” he says, and Seungmin agrees. “I’ll text you about the details if that’s okay, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Hyunjin might say it’s not a date, but Seungmin feels giddy as if it’s a date, and as easily as Hyunjin made him stop doing his homework, he also motivates him to finish it. Sometimes, when Hyunjin isn’t busy with his own thing, he even helps Seungmin with tiny bits of his homework, and while Seungmin isn’t friends with Hyunjin to get professor benefits and use his knowledge, he definitely doesn’t complain about having a bit of help once in a while. 

“Damn, you are working hard on that homework,” Felix pulls Seungmin out of his thoughts, and Seungmin has to take a second to get back to reality. Right, Felix said he’d help in the library today. “Do you have any plans for the weekend or something?”

“Ah— I do, actually. Hyunjin hyung asked me to go to the museum with him,” Seungmin replies, and Felix immediately starts jumping up and down in excitement, grabbing Seungmin’s hands to shake them too.

“Oh my gosh! He finally asked you on a date again?!” he exclaims and Seungmin blushes, giving Felix a pointed look before his friend apologizes for yelling to some people glaring at him. 

“I appreciate the excitement, but it’s not a date, I… I asked,” Seungmin tells him with a shrug, and Felix pouts. 

“What exactly did he say? Do you think your romantic future is completely out of reach?” he asks, and Seungmin huffs, averting his gaze. 

“He said that we don’t have to define our hangout, but calling it a hangout doesn’t sound very… romantic,” he says, and Felix hums. “And that’s okay! I— I wouldn’t say that I have no chance anymore, because he didn’t reject it fully, but on the other hand maybe he just doesn’t want to hurt me… I don’t know.”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference either, you know him better than I do, but if he was the one to ask you on a date while he didn’t know that you were a student, I would be inclined to say that you still have a chance,” Felix shares his thoughts, and Seungmin hopes that he’s right. It makes sense, because if Seungmin being a student would still be a dealbreaker for Hyunjin, he wouldn’t accept being friends either, right? Or he’d at least tell Seungmin that dates are off limits instead of keeping it vague, he hopes… 

“I hope so, but either way I should just focus on having a fun time at the museum. I don’t want to rush him,” Seungmin sighs, and Felix rubs his back comfortingly. 

“It’s fair for you to want some more clarity on what you two are, but yeah, I’d say, just enjoy the museum hangout, and see how you feel after, if you want to talk to him about your feelings for each other,” his friends suggests, and Seungmin thinks that sounds like a good plan. If Hyunjin says they don’t have to define the museum outing, that’s fine, then he doesn’t want it to be a date just yet, but if this walking on the edge between dating and not dating keeps going on, Seungmin might lose his mind. 

“You’re right, thank you Felix. Now I can focus on my homework again!” he says, not feeling like having any serious talks about his feelings anymore, and Felix laughs. “Anyway, tell me how your literature for geeks class went?” 

Felix slaps him with a laugh and corrects him on the class name before he tells Seungmin all about it while Seungmin works on his homework (and Felix gets a peek at his answers because he still needs to do that homework too). It’s a nice distraction, but when Seungmin and Felix return to their room after finishing up at the library, Seungmin becomes nervous and giddy again. 

It’ll be his first outing with Hyunjin outside of the library since their first date, but Felix said that Jeongin and Jisung will go tomorrow, too, so Seungmin doubts whether they can be too open if they wanted to. Still, Seungmin looks forward to everything Hyunjin will tell him about all the artworks (he can listen to Hyunjin talk about anything for hours, but especially if it’s about art), and who knows, maybe they might get the chance to find somewhere private to be more intimate… (and maybe Felix catches Seungmin daydreaming about it, but can you blame Seungmin?) 

Seungmin is almost more nervous for today than he was for their first date, and he know that he should keep his expectations low, but he can't distinguish his excitement for a nice hangout from expectations in terms of dating Hyunjin. Fortunately, this time he has Felix hyping him up, so he goes there feeling pretty good about everything. 

On the bus there, Seungmin wonders if Hyunjin will bike to the museum again, and he snickers at the memory of Hyunjin arriving all panting and sweaty to their first date. Before he left, he texted Hyunjin to remind him to not oversleep, and Hyunjin assured that he was awake and ready to go to the museum, and Seungmin’s heart flutters a little thinking about it, but he shakes the feeling away. 

Once he gets off the bus, he already sees Hyunjin waiting near the bus stop, and his expression lights up when he sees Seungmin, and Seungmin mirrors his expression. 

“Hey, hyung! You waited at the bus stop?” Seungmin asks as he runs up to Hyunjin, and Hyunjin shrugs. 

“Yeah, you mentioned that you’d come by bus, so I thought I’d wait for you here,” he says, and Seungmin is touched. “And look at me! All on time!” 

Seungmin snorts, remembering that Jisung and Jeongin have talked about Hyunjin sometimes being late for class too, but he knows that Hyunjin does his best to be on time, so that is all that matters to him, and he’s flattered that Hyunjin wanted to wait for him, though it doesn’t help against this feeling like a date. 

“How amazing! I’m proud! Good job!” Seungmin exaggerates, and Hyunjin cackles happily before pulling Seungmin along to the museum. It seems that Hyunjin has already paid for the tickets, and when Seungmin wants to protest, Hyunjin says that he’s the art professor so it’s in his professor budget to spread the love for art, so Seungmin lets Hyunjin have this one. 

Once they enter the exhibition, Hyunjin’s face immediately brightens significantly, and he drags Seungmin towards the walls filled with beautiful impressionistic paintings. Hyunjin starts talking and talking and talking, and whenever Seungmin thinks they’ve discussed everything that there is about art, Hyunjin proves him wrong, and Seungmin loves it. 

“Oh my, I’m talking a lot here, sorry,” Hyunjin apologizes after a while. “I don’t mean to make this feel like a lecture.”

“It doesn’t feel that way, don’t worry,” Seungmin assures, and Hyunjin relaxes a little. “I like that you’re so passionate about this, and I love listening to people talk about their passions— I love listening to you talk about art.” 

Hyunjin blushes and smiles his lovely squishy smile. “I’m glad. Though, tell me if you start feeling like only I’m having fun.” 

“I will, though I don’t think it’ll come to that, because I’m having a great time,” Seungmin tells him, bumping their shoulders together, and Hyunjin giggles before he grabs Seungmin’s hand to lead him further into the museum. Seungmin blushes a little at the show of affection, and he doesn’t know if Hyunjin did it on purpose or not, but it doesn’t really matter because Hyunjin doesn’t let go even when Seungmin squeezes his hand happily. 

It is really starting to feel like a date, holding hands while looking at paintings, Hyunjin laughing at Seungmin’s dry and joking interpretations of some paintings. But just as Seungmin gets comfortable with it, the moment gets ruined, just like every time before. 

“Ack! Hyung! That tickles!” Jeongin’s voice echoes through the room, and Hyunjin immediately lets go of Seungmin’s hand and creates some distance between them. Seungmin’s heart drops in disappointment and he hates seeing Hyunjin look all embarrassed and anxious. 

“Sorry,” Hyunjin mutters under his breath, and Seungmin looks between his two friends and Hyunjin.

“It’s okay, it’s just my two friends, they don’t judge,” he replies, reaching out wanting to hold Hyunjin’s hand again, but Hyunjin doesn’t seem eased by his words, so he lets his arm fall back to his side.

“I know, but… let’s keep things lowkey, anyway. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea,” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin bites his lower lip to try to hide his disappointment. Right, it’s not a date. He told me so, yet why am I feeling this bummed then? 

“I understand,” Seungmin answers, because he does understand. Hyunjin worked hard to become a professor and to be able to share his passion for art, and while they aren’t each other’s student and professor, Seungmin knows that it can still come across wrong to people who don’t know them, Seungmin knows that people can and will still judge. 

And yet, Seungmin selfishly wants to say fuck what people think, but that’s easy for him to say, who has less to lose and is less likely to be blamed if people were to judge. He doesn’t expect Hyunjin to want to risk this all for him, he won’t ask him to, but deep down, he wishes that Hyunjin would, or ideally that they could be together without any major risks. The only way for that to work that Seungmin can think of is to wait for Seungmin to graduate, but Seungmin doesn’t want to wait for almost two more years. 

Seungmin is so caught up in his mind that he barely notices that Hyunjin has continued talking about the different art pieces, and Seungmin does a little sprint to catch up with him again. He can tell that Hyunjin is a bit more quiet and less detailed in his explanations, and the air between them is slightly tense, charged, but Seungmin still enjoys the rest of Hyunjin’s tour around the museum, even when they pass Jeongin and Jisung again and they send him smug looks and wiggle their eyebrows. 

When they’ve seen every single painting in the exhibition it’s almost evening already and Seungmin is hungry but satisfied with their hangout overall, despite the little letdown of Hyunjin letting go of his hand. Hyunjin does walk him to the bus stop, and Seungmin would ask him to have dinner with him if it wasn’t for this not being a date and Seungmin having his hangout with his friends in a bit. 

“This was a lot of fun, thank you for coming with me, Seungmin,” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin’s disappointment is replaced with relief. “I… I hope you had fun too despite me being… yeah.”

“I did have fun too,” Seungmin assures, and Hyunjin seems relieved as well. “Thank you for today, hyung.” 

“It was my pleasure,” Hyunjin replies, and Seungmin contemplates bringing up the hand holding and all, but the bus is already arriving and he guesses that Hyunjin already voiced his opinion on that — he wants to keep things lowkey. “Have a safe trip home.” 

“You too! I’ll see you.” Seungmin waves before he gets on the bus and deflates on the chair. He didn’t know it could be exhausting to pine for someone and to keep going between having hope and being disappointed. 

He had fun overall, but his heart yearns for more and he doesn’t know if Hyunjin is feeling the same or if he’s just feeling bad for Seungmin. He tries to empty his mind on the way back and just freshens up a little before heading to Jobeom’s place, where his friends are already waiting for him. 

“There is the loverboy!” Habin cheers, and Seungmin snorts. “Jisung and Jeongin said you were looking pretty cozy at the museum…” 

“Yeah, for a bit. It was nice, but Hyunjin put a bit more distance between us when he remembered that students could be there, too,” Seungmin says, trying to seem casual about it. “It… I don’t know what to think. I understand why he is hesitant, especially in public, but yeah, I don’t know. I don’t want to be selfish either.”

“It’s not selfish to want some clarity or to be disappointed when he keeps giving you mixed signals,” Felix tells him, and Seungmin presses his lips together with a shrug. “I know it’s easier said than done, but maybe you should talk to him?”

“Yeah, I agree. Prof Hwang has seemed really happy the past few days,” Jisung adds, and Jeongin confirms it. “You two also looked happy at the museum, up until Jeonginnie yelled.”

“Because you tickled me!” Jeongin groans and pushes Jisung when he makes a kissy face. “I have a boyfriend!”

“Yet your boyfriend let me go on a museum date with you, he’s fine with a little kissy!” Jisung whines exaggeratedly, and Felix, the boyfriend in question, just laughs. 

“He may be, but I’m not!” Jeongin protests before he seeks refuge with Felix, who does give him a kiss on the cheek and grins at Jisung, who pouts. “Go kiss Felix hyung if you want it so badly, or give them to Seungmin who can pretend that it’s prof Hwang instead.” 

Seungmin coughs out a laugh and sends a light-hearted glare towards Jeongin, who grins at him, still holding Felix. 

“Anyway, Seungmin hyung, will you talk to him or not?” Jeongin gets their conversation back on track, unfortunately, bringing the attention to Seungmin again. 

“Maybe, but we don’t have too much privacy in the library and I don’t want to do it over text,” he reasons, pressing his lips together. “I’ll see.” 

“Sounds like you’re avoiding~” Songyu singsongs, and Seungmin rolls his eyes with an amused huff. Maybe he is, but as Felix said, it’s easier said than done. 

“Sounds like he wants to put on the clown’s suit!” Jobeom laughs, already tipsy, and Seungmin just ignores his friends drunkenly poking fun and instead asks Jisung and Jeongin how their trip to the museum was. 

They end up talking a lot and laughing while eating and drinking, and it makes Seungmin feel a bit better again, even if he subconsciously feels the pressure of the bet becoming more. He still has enough time, that’s not the problem, but he just wants more, and he finds it difficult to find the right balance between flirting, being more forward, and being patient and giving Hyunjin more time. 

That is for future Seungmin to worry about, however, now he will just enjoy being with his friends and having fun with them, and he can think about Hyunjin and what he would say to him later. 

It’s been tough, Seungmin has never felt this much emotional turbulence in such a short time, but he wants this with Hyunjin, he isn’t going to give up even if the bet didn’t exist (but it’s a nice motivator, too). He just hopes that Hyunjin feels the same.

Maybe his friends were right and he is a coward after all, using excuses to postpone his talk with Hyunjin. He has a deadline to meet, Hyunjin has to grade artworks, it’s too busy in the library… 

He’s not proud of it, but it gets him through the week without having to face his feelings and Hyunjin’s feelings, and before he knows it, it’s the next Wednesday and he’s mindlessly watching other students study and do their homework. Hyunjin is later than usual, but Seungmin heard things about professors having a meeting, so that is probably the reason.

Seungmin kind of wishes that Hyunjin would text him to tell him he’s later, but on the other hand he understand that he’s not entitled to that, and on Wednesdays he has to close up anyway so he has all the time. 

And besides, Hyunjin doesn’t have to come to the library thrice every week, but he does whenever he can, and he does usually text Seungmin if he can’t. Either way, this week of avoiding confrontation did have Seungmin more efficiently working on his assignments, so that is a plus, but he probably should talk to Hyunjin eventually. 

“Hey, you bookworm without a book right now!” Habin’s voice suddenly sounds, and Seungmin perks up, wondering what she’s doing in the library. Usually his friends except for Felix don’t like coming to the library, so it’s surprising to see her. 

“Hey, you shouter in the library,” Seungmin greets back, and Habin snaps her mouth shut, rubbing her neck sheepishly. “What are you doing here?” 

“I came to get some tea, but your favorite prof Hwang isn’t here?” She looks around, and Seungmin huffs. 

“You guys are really enjoying this bet, huh?” he comments, and Habin isn’t shy to own up to it. “And yeah, Hyunjin hyung isn’t here yet. I think he has a meeting, but if the meeting takes long, he might not come today.”

“Oh, how sad… I hope your crush will arrive soon! Until then, can I stand behind the counter for a bit? I want to know what it’s like to be a nerdy librarian!” Habin says, and she doesn’t wait for Seungmin to agree before she already climbs over the counter instead of walking around. Seungmin snorts and wonders what is up with her today when she starts looking through the stuff on the counter. 

“What are you doing, Habin?” he laughs, and Habin shrugs, turning around. “You can’t access anyone’s phone number on the library computer if that’s what you’re after.”

“Can’t a girl be curious how her friend works in the library without being accused of having hidden motives!” She shakes her head disapprovingly, but Seungmin finds it suspicious. He can usually tell when someone is hiding something, and especially with his friends, though he has to say that Habin is a pretty convincing liar. 

“Well—” Seungmin starts off, but then the doors to the library open, and Hyunjin jogs in, wanting to wave at Seungmin but hesitating when he sees Habin. 

“Oh, look who arrived! Have fun with him, I’ll give you some privacy.” She winks before jumping over the counter again and running away, almost bumping into Hyunjin, who looks a bit perplexed as he dodges her. 

“Hey Seungmin, sorry for being late. Who was that?” he asks, looking back, but Habin is already out of sight. Seungmin thought that she wanted to watch him and Hyunjin, but maybe she realizes that Seungmin would not appreciate that. It’s whatever, maybe Seungmin will text her about that later, but right now is for hanging out with Hyunjin. 

“That was one of my friends, Habin. She suddenly came to bother me here, but I honestly don’t really know why,” Seungmin answers with a chuckle that Hyunjin echoes. “Anyway, my day was pretty boring, but I imagine yours wasn’t?” 

“It wasn’t. Gosh, that meeting was long, I’m happy to be freed from that,” Hyunjin sighs deeply, slumping against the counter. “Such long meetings should be illegal.” 

“Fully agreed!” Seungmin groans, recalling every time he’s had to sit and listen to hour long discussion about the library where half didn’t even apply to him, who is just doing a student job. His eyes fall onto the library clock, and his heart sinks a little realizing the time. “Hang on, I have to announce that the library will be closing soon. You can stay if you want, I have to close up anyway.” 

“Okay, yeah, then I’ll stay for a bit,” Hyunjin answers as Seungmin announces over the intercom that the library will be closing shortly so that everyone should wrap up whatever they’re doing. There aren’t too many students left, but the ones that are, soon enough leave, and Seungmin checks all the cameras to make sure that no one is lingering around. 

“Good, everyone is gone. You can talk about your day as I close up, or I can tell you about the book I’m planning to start reading,” Seungmin says, grabbing at the spot where he usually puts the library keys, but he frowns when he’s grabbing air. “Oh damn, Habin rearranged all my stuff. Where did she put the keys?” 

He searches the desk and then the floor before his eyes fall onto a sticky note stuck to the counter, reading ‘Have fun ;) ;) we’ll let you out in 2 hours. PS: you can thank us for helping you get your laundry service later <3 PPS: yes we also have your phone’ 

“Oh my gosh.” Seungmin stands up and heads towards the doors immediately. He already didn’t see his phone lying on the counter either, and now it makes sense why Habin stopped by. They’re definitely trying to force him and Hyunjin together and at the same time get a funny prank out of it, and Seungmin is sure that Songyu and Jobeom are in on it too. 

“What’s going on? Did you find the keys?” Hyunjin asks, following Seungmin, who is now pulling and pushing at the library doors, which are definitely locked. “Huh? They’re locked? Why? How?”

“My friends. They’re playing a prank on me and they’ve locked me in. They left a note saying that they’ll let us out in two hours,” Seungmin explains, feeling mortified for not having noticed this and his friends putting him in this situation. “Gosh, I’m so embarrassed, I’m sorry hyung.” 

“Oh, uhm… Why would your friends do that? Do they know I’m here, too?” Hyunjin asks, and Seungmin chews on his lip. Should he be honest about this or not? Hyunjin knows that his friends know about them, so… maybe he should, but he should probably leave out the part where he made a bet with his friends to pursue Hyunjin and his friends are trying to make Seungmin win. 

“I— Yeah, I think they do.” He puts it a little lighter, but it’s mostly the truth. “They— They just love playing pranks, I don’t know, but they’ve never thought out a prank this well, even stealing my phone. Wait— You can still use your phone to call a staff member, right?” 

“Yeah, I can.” Hyunjin pulls out his phone, but his face falls. “Shit— I didn’t get the chance to charge it today and this old thing’s battery is horrible. It literally just died on me.” 

“Okay, that’s fine, there’s a phone that can contact any other phone within the university and 119,” Seungmin speedwalks over there, but oddly enough, the phone isn’t there. Instead, there is another note, saying ‘Don’t worry, I’ll put it back safely’ . “Fuck— They even took the emergency phone?! That must be Songyu’s doing…” 

“They really went all out with this prank, wow,” Hyunjin comments with a low whistle. “But how did they know that my phone would die?”

“They didn’t. I’m pretty sure Habin tried to take yours too when she almost bumped into you,” Seungmin says with a disapproving shake of his head. “I’m sorry, Hyunjin hyung.”

“It’s… You can’t do anything about it, I’m just impressed by their dedication,” Hyunjin comments half-heartedly. “And I’m just wondering if there would be reason they did this other than for the laughs.” 

Seungmin presses his lips together and his stomach swirls in guilt. Maybe this would be the right time to tell Hyunjin about his feelings and also be honest with him in that this might be partially his fault despite not knowing what his friends were planning, but it’s damned difficult. 

“Is everything okay, Seungmin?” Hyunjin asks softly, his hand finding Seungmin’s arm. “Are these friends giving you a hard time?”

“No, that’s not it…” Seungmin trails off. His heart is bouncing in his throat, but he forces himself to speak up, to get some sound out of his mouth and tell Hyunjin the truth. “I— I just may have told them about our date which wasn't a date the Saturday before last and, I– I guess they took it as a sign to force us together.”

“Oh,” Hyunjin comments, and Seungmin has no idea what he’s thinking right now. When he stays quiet for even longer, Seungmin can’t handle it anymore and turns away, running a hand over his face.

“I’m sorry, hyung. I— I don’t want to force you into anything, and you shouldn’t let my friends force you into anything either,” Seungmin says, hiding his face in his hands, and he feels Hyunjin’s hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s… It’s a bit of a childish prank, but they’re lucky that I like spending time with you,” Hyunjin tells him softly, and Seungmin removes his hands to look at Hyunjin with wide eyes. “Isn’t it funny that my first friend here is a student? I— I tried to make friends with professors too, but it’s hard, yet with you, it’s somehow… easier, more comfortable.” 

Seungmin is touched, though there is a small hint of disappointment in his heart, wondering if friends all they can be, or if they can have both, if they can date and be friends. He should be grateful, he knows, because being friends with Hyunjin is wonderful, but his heart wants what it wants…

“I have the same with you, just…” Seungmin trails off, still afraid to lay his feelings bare like this, be vulnerable. 

“Just what?” Hyunjin whispers with a gentle touch to Seungmin’s jaw, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat. 

“Do you think we could ever date again?” he asks, finally, his voice barely coming out, and his heart goes wild in his chest as Hyunjin’s eyes widen. “And I don’t mean when I graduate, I– I mean this year even.” 

“You– You’d want that?” Hyunjin asks, and Seungmin wonders if there’s hope hidden in his eyes, in his voice. 

“Yes, I— I loved it when we held hands at the museum, I would have loved for it to be a date, and I do understand your hesitance and we don’t have to do anything in public, but I just haven’t been able to stop thinking about dating you again and those feelings aren’t going away—” Seungmin’s uncharacteristic rambling is cut off by Hyunjin surging forward and kissing him, his hand that was on Seungmin’s shoulder sliding up to cup his nape. Seungmin gasps and briefly pulls back to take off his glasses before Hyunjin pulls him closer again, and Seungmin immediately melts into it, kissing back and wrapping his arms around Hyunjin’s waist. 

It feels a bit rushed and sloppy at first, but soon enough they find eah other’s rhythm and Seungmin feels warmth and relief washing over him, weeks of yearning and cooped up feelings finally flowing out as his lips drag over Hyunjin’s. When they have to part for breath, Seungmin immediately dives in again, pulling Hyunjin closer, afraid that Hyunjin will chicken out again if they stop too soon even if Hyunjin was the one to kiss him first. 

They keep kissing and kissing until they stumble backward and hit one of the bookshelves, finally making them pull apart and take in a breath. They both giggle bashfully when they see each other’s red faces (even though Hyunjin’s is a bit blurry because Seungmin isn’t wearing his glasses), and Seungmin sees and feels now that Hyunjin did feel the same, but he was just scared. Nevertheless, it still might be good to talk, however much Seungmin wants to keep kissing Hyunjin for the remainder of these two hours. 

“So… what will we do now?” Seungmin asks softly, running his hand along Hyunjin’s side and smiling when Hyunjin shivers a little. 

“I… I think we could maybe try going on a date or two in private to start off with?” Hyunjin suggests, playing with the hairs on the back of Seungmin’s neck. “I… I do really like you, so I want to try this, and I want to apologize if I ever gave you the wrong idea by being so shifty in public.”

“It’s okay, I— I’m glad it’s cleared up now. I want to try this too, but I also want you to be comfortable and not sacrifice everything for me,” Seungmin tells him, still caressing Hyunjin’s side. “So I’m fine with keeping things private until we’re more sure about things.” 

“Thank you for being so understanding, Seungminnie,” Hyunjin whispers, and his voice seems to tug at Seungmin’s heart, urge him closer. 

“Of course,” Seungmin mutters distractedly, his eyes trailing down Hyunjin’s face to his lips, those plump, beautiful lips, and the words he speaks next just slip out, “Can I kiss you again, hyung?” 

“Gosh, yes,” Hyunjin replies airily, and it’s all Seungmin needs to close the gap between them again and lock their lips into a heated kiss. It’s even better now knowing that Hyunjin wants to try this with him, and he doesn’t care having to keep things private if this is what he’ll get in private. He’s never been a fan of flaunting a relationship or even a friendship anyway, so he fully enjoys the way Hyunjin kisses him as if it’s all he’s ever wanted, exactly like Seungmin, but Seungmin also wants more.

He licks over Hyunjin’s lower lip to ask for access, and Hyunjin easily parts his lips for Seungmin to deepen their kiss. Warmth spreads through his veins as their tongues swirl around each other, both of them wanting to feel all of each other, unable to get enough of each other. 

Seungmin shivers as Hyunjin’s fingers run through his hair, and when they briefly part for breath, Seungmin starts to feel a little brave, spurred on by the bet and the want to not have this slip through his fingers again. He kisses along Hyunjin’s jaw, and Hyunjin sighs appreciatively, so Seungmin continues scattering kisses along his neck and even dares to suck a hickey there. 

“Oh my— Seungmin, I have to work tomorrow!” Hyunjin gasps, and Seungmin chuckles sheepishly. 

“Sorry. I got a bit caught up in things,” he apologizes, still panting a little. “You can take revenge if you want, though.” 

Hyunjin laughs and swiftly pulls Seungmin back into a deep kiss, making Seungmin melt, but just as Seungmin gets to indulge in it, Hyunjin pulls back and drags his plump lips along Seungmin’s jaw, making Seungmin arch a little when those lips brush the skin behind his ear. It drives him insane in the best way how Hyunjin rubs his thumb over his neck before sucking not one but a few hickeys there. 

“Ah— unfair,” Seungmin whines, but gosh, it’s kind of hot how Hyunjin marks his neck like that. Nevertheless, he doesn’t want to have a day of classes scattered in obvious hickeys, so he wraps his arms around Hyunjin’s shoulders and kisses him on the lips again when Hyunjin pulls back with a lopsided grin. 

At some point, their lips start feeling numb, so they finally part and Seungmin puts his glasses back on, and Hyunjin suggest sitting somewhere. “Oh right! You wanted to tell me about a new book you’re going to read, no?”

Seungmin completely forgot about that too, and he guesses they still have some time to kill, so they get cozy on one of the couches, Seungmin scooching nice and close to Hyunjin as he shows him the book. They talk about that until they hear the doors rattle and they’re startled out of their conversation. 

“I think that means we can go out,” Seungmin says, standing up and looking around the corner to see his phone and the keys lying on the ground near the entrance. “I still can’t believe my friends went this far.” 

“I’m impressed too, but I guess it was something we needed?” Hyunjin asks, his fingers brushing along Seungmin’s wrist, and Seungmin holds his hand for a brief moment until they will be outside. 

“Yeah, I had been wanting to talk to you, but I… I don’t know. It’s a bit silly that my friends had to do this to get me to talk, but I’m glad we did,” Seungmin says with a sheepish chuckle. “I’ll try to do better on that front.” 

“It’s not like I was much better. I had the same feelings, but… I was just afraid to talk about it and then possibly let you down,” Hyunjin admits with a sigh, and Seungmin squeezes his hand. “It… I can’t say that I would approve of what your friends did today, but I can pretend nothing happened this time if your friend really puts the emergency phone back in its place.” 

Hyunjin winks at him with a smile and Seungmin laughs. He’s relieved for his friends that Hyunjin keeps them out of trouble, even if he would understand it if Hyunjin didn’t. He agrees that it’s a tad childish and he is definitely going to scold his friends later, but he’s glad that they could talk in private and he’s even happier that they could kiss a lot because of this. 

They let go of each other’s hand once they get outside, and Seungmin closes up the library. Hyunjin takes a look around and pulls at his collar a little to hide the hickey Seungmin gave him, and Seungmin chuckles, glad that everyone has already gone home. 

They giddily bid goodbye to each other before parting ways, and when Seungmin returns to his dorm, he immediately texts his friends to tell them off before telling Felix all about what happened. Felix is amazed and says he had no idea that Jobeom, Habin, and Songyu were planning that, but that he’s happy that Seungmin was able to talk things out with Hyunjin.

“I knew he’d feel the same way!” Felix cheers, hugging Seungmin tightly. “And I see you did a bit more than just talking…” 

His eyes trail down Seungmin’s neck and Seungmin blushes. “We might have kissed a bit, yeah.” 

“I’m sure you did!” Felix teases, wiggling his eyebrows. “Wait— Did you give Hyunjin hickeys, too?!” 

“Maybe,” Seungmin shrugs, but he thinks his deep red cheeks are giving him away. Felix claps, laughing delightedly. 

“That is amazing, honestly,” he tells Seungmin amusedly, massaging his shoulder a little as he softens. “I can tell you’re happy with this development.” 

“I am.” Seungmin smiles bashfully, and he’s kind of excited to fully tell his friends about this coming Saturday (though he thinks his friends will notice when he shows up in a turtleneck tomorrow, and Hyunjin as well, probably). 

And indeed, Jisung immediately comments on the fact that Seungmin and Hyunjin are both coincidentally wearing a turtleneck in spring the next day, but Seungmin tells him to be patient and wait for Saturday for the full explanation.

“So… now I guess we’re dating again. In private,” Seungmin finishes his explanation that Saturday, and he rolls his eyes at his friends whooping and cheering. “So, does this mean that I get my laundry service?” 

His friends share a look with each other, but while they were happy and smug hearing that their plan beared fruits, they don’t look too convinced even after Seungmin showed his fading hickeys. 

“Hmm. While you technically pursued him, we did have to force you into a situation for that, so… I think you’re not there just yet,” Songyu muses, and Habin and Jobeom immediately agree. “What about we make the new goal of the bet either public dating or becoming official? Whichever happens first.”

“Isn’t it unfair to change the conditions during the bet?” Jeongin asks, but Jobeom purses his lips. 

“Well, we did help him, so I wouldn’t think it’s too fair to call this Seungmin’s victory either, no?” he says, with which Habin and Songyu agree again, and everyone looks at Seungmin. He guesses they both have a point, but it’s a silly bet anyway, and Seungmin wants to either become public or maybe even become official eventually, because he’s pretty serious about this, and especially after being locked in the library, Seungmin knows that he’s falling for Hyunjin pretty hard. 

“Sure, let’s make that the new terms of the bet,” Seungmin agrees, and Jisung looks a little surprised. “Again, I was going to work up to this anyway, so no need to argue about the fairness if it won’t change my actions either way.” 

“That’s the spirit! Go get your man, Seungmin!” Habin leans over to high five Seungmin, which Seungmin does with a chuckle. 

The conversation then strays to other topics as they eat and drink as always, and Jisung comes to sit next to Seungmin when Jeongin and Felix are busy sucking each other’s faces off, as Seungmin would put it. 

“Come to seek refuge from the couple?” Seungmin asks, and Jisung huffs as he stuffs some chicken into his cheeks. 

“Yeah. But also, I’m curious,” he answers, sitting to face Seungmin. “When are you planning to talk to Hyunjin about the bet?” 

“Right.” Seungmin usually forgets about it, just having fun with Hyunjin and only thinking about the bet to give himself some courage, but maybe it might be good to eventually tell him. “Hmmm… I haven’t thought about it too much, but I guess I should tell him before the bet is over? Though maybe not immediately after deciding to date.” 

“Do you think he’ll take it badly?” Jisung wonders, and Seungmin shrugs. He doesn’t want to think about it too much, especially not now he’s a bit tipsy, and he just wants to be happy that he’s finally dating Hyunjin now. 

“Maybe, but it’s just a silly bet, I didn’t pursue him because of it, my feelings are all genuine, so it’ll be fine,” he answers, and Jisung doesn’t look to confident in it, but Jisung doesn’t know how Seungmin and Hyunjin are together. They’re comfortable with each other, they trust each other, so Seungmin thinks it’ll be fine. “We’ll have a week off soon, so then maybe I can ask Hyunjin on a date and we can talk about it then. I’ll see.” 

Jisung opens his mouth to reply, but right then, their friends ask them to play a game, so Jisung just wishes him good luck with Hyunjin and that he hopes that things can work out between them, which Seungmin appreciates. 

You: You’re still at the campus, right?

Hyunjinnie: I just finished up my work! Why?

You: Do you have time to come to the library right now?

Hyunjinnie: Sure

Hyunjinnie: But you don’t work today, right? 

You: That’s right that’s why I have time to show you something >:)

Hyunjinnie: What an ominous emoji

Hyunjinnie: I’m omw <3

Seungmin smiles at the little heart at the end of Hyunjin’s text, and he taps his foot on the ground nervously as he waits for Hyunjin. They’ve been having sort of dates in the library whenever it was quiet, but they always have to be careful and look around in case someone sees them or Seungmin has to to his job and help someone. 

Other than that, they’ve been too busy to really go on a date, so Seungmin thought that maybe he can bring Hyunjin somewhere quiet when he’s not working, knowing that Hyunjin loves flowers and nature and that the weather is very nice today. They probably can’t make their little spontaneous date too long, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Soon enough, Hyunjin arrives with a curious look, and Seungmin immediately grabs onto his sleeve and starts pulling him along. 

“Woah, where are we going, Seungmin? Do you have another book to show me?” Hyunjin asks him, and Seungmin shakes his head. 

“Do you remember that I told you about the benefits of working in the library and that I promised you to show you the secret spot I come to sometimes?” he replies, and Hyunjin gasps in recognition. “Just through here. Only staff is allowed, but I work here and you’re university staff too, so where fine.” 

Hyunjin laughs as Seungmin leads him through the staff room and then through a dusty corridor where barely anyone comes anymore before they get to a small courtyard, surrounded by walls from the university, yet the spring sun still shines on the overgrown yard, and Hyunjin gapes at it in awe.

“This used to be a small courtyard where scholars could read out in the sun, but ever since the university had some renovations and they needed more classroom space and cut costs on gardeners, it was abandoned, but the library staff still has access to it,” Seungmin explains. “There is one crappy bench left, so no one really uses it, but I always find it nice to be here and just read when the weather is good and I have time. You can still see some pretty flowers blooming here.” 

“I can tell! It’s breathtaking,” Hyunjin mutters, his eyes glimmering. “I wish I had brought my sketchbook so I could draw the scenery…” 

“We could always come here again,” Seungmin tells him, his hand finding Hyunjin’s, and Hyunjin intertwines their fingers as they sit on the bench. Hyunjin leans his head on Seungmin’s shoulder, and Seungmin is happy that they have this private spot to have a little date where they don’t have to hold back. “Can you tell me about the flowers here, Hyunjinnie?” 

Hyunjin hums and does as Seungmin asks, talking about the ones he recognizes and what he knows they mean in flower language, and he indulges Seungmin on all the questions he has, whether flower language is part of art, which are Hyunjin’s favorite flowers, and so on. Seungmin files away all the information in his mind and makes a promise to himself to buy Hyunjin’s favorite flowers for him soon. 

“Hmm… If we come here again, I’d love to draw you right there, reading between the flowers,” Hyunjin muses, and Seungmin blushes a little. “And I’d tuck one of the daisies behind your ear, and if we’d come at this hour again, the sun would fall just right to highlight your face.” 

Seungmin exhales, opening his mouth a little, but he has no idea what to say when Hyunjin is already imagining such a pretty scene, and when Seungmin turns his head, he doesn’t see Hyunjin looking at the spot with flowers, he sees Hyunjin looking at him. Seungmin feels shy under Hyunjin’s fond and almost loving gaze, and his heart makes a fuss about it. Gosh, he’s really falling for Hyunjin hard, isn’t he? 

“I… I’d like that too,” he admits, looking at Hyunjin’s tender expression as Hyunjin leans in a little bit. His smile makes Seungmin’s heart flutter, and when Hyunjin gently takes off Seungmin’s glasses, his stomach flips in anticipation. 

Hyunjin slowly closes the gap and kisses Seungmin softly, Seungmin’s eyes fluttering shut as he reciprocates it. This is the first time they’ve kissed properly again since having been locked up in the library, only having briefly held hands and just spent time in the library being a bit more flirty and affectionate, which Seungmin was fine with, he loves simply spending time with Hyunjin, but now he realizes how much he likes kissing him, too. 

They get lost in the way their lips feel on each other’s for a bit before they part for breath and Seungmin falls in love with the way Hyunjin’s cheeks are rosy and his smile is oh so genuine, and he can see it even better when Hyunjin gently puts his glasses back on. 

“I… I really want to stay for longer, but I should probably go home now,” Hyunjin whispers, still lingering close. “Maybe we can come here again next week before the break? I can bring my sketchbook and you can read something and it’ll be a relaxing date.” 

“I’d love that,” Seungmin replies with a smile, briefly caressing Hyunjin’s thigh. “I have some assignments due next week, but we can maybe meet on Thursday?” 

“Deal. I’ll make sure I will have time then,” Hyunjin promises, pecking Seungmin’s lips before they stand up and head in again, already parting ways so that people don’t get suspicious seeing them together when Seungmin isn’t working. It’s not ideal, but right now Seungmin doesn’t care, because even if they haven’t decided to start dating too long ago, he’s becoming pretty positive that this will be able to slowly evolve into something good. 

And the week after is just as good, even when they’re both busy wrapping things up before the short break and don’t do anything special other than look forward to Thursday and talk about their day, art, and books, or just working side by side as always. Felix, Jisung and Jeongin also comment on Seungmin and Hyunjin’s cheerful mood despite the busy times right before the break, and Seungmin is happy that Hyunjin seems to be enjoying them dating as much as he is, too. 

When Thursday rolls around, Seungmin waits for Hyunjin in a corner of the library in anticipation, holding the book he’s planning to read, and when he spots Hyunjin, he sees that the latter is wearing the same giddy smile as he is, carrying his sketchbook as well. They slip through the staff room into the courtyard again, and Seungmin is happy that the weather is just as nice as last week. 

They talk about how their hectic week has been, and Seungmin can tell that they’re both in need of some relaxation, so he asks where Hyunjin wants him to sit for his drawing. Hyunjin points to the spot surrounded by flowers, and Seungmin crouches down there, leaning against the wall as he opens his book at the page where he left off. 

“Oh, this is a pretty daisy,” Hyunjin comments, and Seungmin already blushes in anticipation, but he flushes even more when Hyunjin crouches before him and tucks the flower behind his ear, his hand briefly caressing Seungmin’s cheek after. 

Instead of sitting on the bench, Hyunjin sits in front of Seungmin, crossing his legs and putting his sketchbook on his lap before he starts sketching, his signature focused frown on his face, his tongue peeking out a little bit, and instead of reading his book, Seungmin is a bit distracted by watching Hyunjin sketch. When Hyunjin looks up, he blushes a little and urges Seungmin to read so he can draw him that way. 

Seungmin does as he’s told and it takes a bit before he gets immersed in the book, still glancing up once in a while to see Hyunjin draw, but eventually he gets lost in the fictional universe of the book and he barely even notices the minutes passing by. Somehow, though, even when he’s lost in the book, it’s more fun to read it when Hyunjin is beside him, because it means a lot to Seungmin that Hyunjin wants to spend his precious free time here, drawing Seungmin while he reads. 

“Done. I think. It’s a bit messy, but…” Hyunjin trails off and Seungmin looks up, eager to see the sketch. It’s as if his breath is taken away when Hyunjin shows the sketch to him with a bashful smile. “I hope you like it.” 

“Do I? It’s amazing!” Seungmin insists, putting his book away to take a closer look. “I thought it would just be a simple sketch of me and the scenery, and– I guess it is, but… you somehow managed to put emotion into the lines? Into the way you drew the flowers and my expression and everything! I know how you can do that with words on paper, but you only used a pencil!” 

Hyunjin chuckles and rubs his neck. “I’m happy you like it. You can have it, if you want to.” 

“Yes, please! I will frame it and put it in my room,” Seungmin says as Hyunjin laughs and tears the paper from his sketchbook and rolls it up for Seungmin, putting one of his hairbands around it. “Oh, and for the break… my parents want to take me on a small trip before they head somewhere else for business, so I’m away for the first few days.” 

“That’s fine, I have some work to catch up on too, and I think I’ll visit my parents as well. And… unfortunately tomorrow I have a long meeting at the end of the day. Friday meetings should be illegal,” Hyunjin tells him with a big sigh, and Seungmin snickers and pats his arm. “I hope you’ll have a nice trip with your parents.” 

“Same to you, good luck tomorrow and we’ll text, yeah?” Seungmin pecks Hyunjin’s cheek, and the latter nods, squeezing Seungmin’s hand. “Thank you again for the drawing.”

“And thank you for the lovely date and introducing me to this spot,” Hyunjin replies, and they linger around for a bit more, both not really wanting to leave because that would mean not seeing each other for a few days. Seungmin knows that they’ll survive being away from each other for a bit, but he’s just been enjoying Hyunjin’s company a lot. 

Eventually, they do part ways again and head home, but Seungmin has a good feeling about this. He’s confident that the break won’t hurt their relationship, and he hopes that they might even find some time to spend together and develop it a bit more, but if not, it will be fine as well. The bet only crosses his mind when he thinks about whether he wants to propose going official or public yet, but it’s too late to catch Hyunjin now and tell him about the bet, so maybe he can find some time for that during the break as well. He’ll see, but for now, he’ll enjoy the lingering feelings of their little date and put up Hyunjin’s pretty drawing of him. 

Seungmin is bored. He’s at his parent’s home for the break but his parents are already away on their business trip. The small trip with his parents and sister was pretty nice, and he told them that he’s getting along with his fellow students and professors well, but he kept his relationship with Hyunjin quiet. He doesn’t think Hyunjin would appreciate him telling his family already, and they’re still in the dating stage anyway, and his parents don’t need to know everything.

His friends are all busy or away, too, so Seungmin is laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling as he thinks about what he could do. Maybe he can plan a date with Hyunjin, but on the other hand, they want to stay lowkey, so maybe he can simply invite Hyunjin over. My parents aren’t home anyway, he thinks and snickers to himself as he imagines texting Hyunjin that exact line as a joke, but then he can’t stop thinking about it in a more serious way. 

He would be lying if he said that he hadn’t thought about Hyunjin in a more… heated context, especially after their make out session in the library, and he wonders if Hyunjin is the same. Right then, an idea pops into Seungmin’s mind, and he chews on his lip at the thought of it. It’s risky, but… maybe he should take a risk. He took that bet to prove something, and he wants to go for the things he wants anyway, so he decides to take the leap. But first, preparations.

Seungmin gets up from his bed and rummages through one of his drawers to find that prank gift his friends gave him last christmas. Am I really going to do this? he wonders as he looks at the baby blue lingerie set, feeling heat creep up his neck, and he really hopes that Hyunjin won’t be weirded out by this, but as far as he knows, Hyunjin is really open and accepting of many things, much more than Seungmin is used to in his family or the rich community, so… it should be fine, right? He can always test the waters first.

He takes the lingerie with him to the bathroom before he takes a shower and prepares himself a little, touching himself to get into the mood and conjure up some confidence. He thinks about Hyunjin touching him, kissing him, maybe leaving a few hickeys, and it already gets him worked up, feeling hot, but he wants to wait for Hyunjin, if Hyunjin can and wants to come. 

He quickly dries himself off and puts on the lingerie with an oversized shirt and some loose shorts before putting in his contacts so he doesn’t have to wear glasses, and he gives himself a quick imaginary peptalk in the mirror. As soon as he gets back in his bedroom, he checks himself again in the big mirror in front of his bed, and grabs his phone to finally text Hyunjin. 

You: Hey~

You: I’m bored :/

You: Are you busy?

Hyunjinnie: I was just painting but I’m not too busy ^^

Hyunjinnie: How can I help you get rid of your awful boredom?

Seungmin internally cheers, step one, done, and his heart picks up its speed as he types his next replies.

You: You can come over for one

You: *address attached*

You: My parents aren’t home ;)

Hyunjinnie: You did not just use that phrase one me xD

Hyunjinnie: Are you being serious or is it a joke?

Seungmin’s heart in hammering against his chest as he dares to make a selfie of himself on the bed, letting his shirt fall down his shoulder to show a peek of the lingerie. Okay, here I go.

You: I’m serious

You: *photo attached*

It takes a bit before Hyunjin replies, and holds his breath in anticipation. He doesn’t know what to think when the first text comes, and he wonders if he went too far, but then Hyunjin sends another message,

Hyunjinnie: Kim Seungmin you are not good for my health

Hyunjinnie: I’m coming over rn, be there in 10

Seungmin’s heart skips a beat and pats himself on the back for being bold and it paying off. The bet has really helped him crawl out of his safe comfort zone and do whatever he wants, and he likes that for himself. It has only resulted in good things so far, so he’s happy.

The ten minutes waiting for Hyunjin go by too slowly in Seungmin’s opinion, he checks if he still has condoms and lube and he thinks of what he would want to do, but it of course depends on Hyunjin, too, so he can’t wait for him to get here. He giddily waits for him and looks out of one of the big windows looking over the front of their home, and once he sees Hyunjin arrive on his bike, he quickly opens the gate to let him in, snickering at Hyunjin’s amazed reaction. 

“You found it in one go!” Seungmin cheers as he opens the door to greet Hyunjin, and Hyunjin laughs. 

“How could I miss the humongous street filled with mansions?” he exclaims as he puts his bike on its stand. Then, he takes a good look at Seungmin and something in his eyes changes. “I can’t believe you bootycalled me and I actually came.” 

Seungmin snorts and raises an eyebrow at Hyunjin as he motions for him to come in. “Because you feel too old for it?” he teases, and Hyunjin huffs out a laugh before he shakes his head.

“No… I’ve actually never done it– or experienced something like this,” he admits, rubbing his neck, and Seungmin’s eyes widen in shock. “I just never really had time or the mind for something like that, I guess. I felt like I had to spend every minute of my time working on getting into a college, working on my portfolio, working on my grades, having a job, and so on. I’m actually happy you’re giving me the experience.” 

“I’m happy to provide,” Seungmin snickers, though he feels a bit embarrassed that he didn’t realize maybe Hyunjin never had that experience. Sometimes he just forgets how incredibly different their backgrounds have been, because they both love the same things, art, literature, talking about anything and everything together… And besides, with Hyunjin’s looks, Seungmin can imagine that people have tried hooking up with him. 

As they walk into the house, Hyunjin looks around almost as if he’s in a museum, and Seungmin finds it endearing. 

“I know that my parents’ house is big and beautiful and there's a lot to look at…” Seungmin says, grabbing, Hyunjin’s hands and pulling him closer in a rush of confidence, “but I was rather hoping you'd be looking at me instead, hyung.”

Hyunjin takes in a breath, seemingly stunned for a beat, before his expression becomes a bit more intense as he whispers, “If I look at you for too long, I think I'll go insane.”

“If going insane means kissing me, then please do,” Seungmin mutters, letting go of Hyunjin’s hands to wrap his arms around Hyunjin’s shoulders and kiss him deeply. Hyunjin gladly reciprocates, holding Seungmin’s hips as he kisses back lovingly yet fiercely. 

Just from the way Hyunjin is holding him, kissing him back, running his hands along Seungmin’s sides, makes Seungmin feel warm, hot, even, and he doesn’t want to stop kissing Hyunjin, but he also wants to drag him to his bedroom and feel him even deeper, especially when Seungmin grinds forward a little and Hyunjin moans softly. 

So, Seungmin forces himself away for a second, smiling when Hyunjin softly whines, and pulls him along towards his bedroom. 

“I called you here for a reason, so let's go so I can show you what's under here,” he teases, and Hyunjin swears under his breath when they get into the bedroom and Seungmin takes off his loose shorts. 

“Fuck you're so hot, Seungmin,” Hyunjin breathes, pulling Seungmin closer for another fiery, airy kiss. “What did you have in mind?”

Hyunjin’s hands dip underneath Seungmin’s shirt, tracing the lace panties with his fingers, and it sends shivers down Seungmin’s spine, rendering him useless for a moment. 

“Ah— I really want to ride you, but anything is fine,” Seungmin mutters against Hyunjin’s lips, enjoying the way Hyunjin’s hands roam along his back. 

“Sounds good. I still have to bike back so bottoming wouldn't be a smart plan for me anyway,” Hyunjin replies, and Seungmin chuckles as he pulls back and turns around to get the lube and a condom from his bedside table. 

As Seungmin crawls over his bed to get it, Hyunjin takes the opportunity to smack his exposed ass, and Seungmin yelp-moans. 

“Sorry, I couldn't resist,” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin quickly grabs the lube and pushes Hyunjin to sit against the headrest of his bed. 

“That was super hot,” Seungmin mutters, straddling Hyunjin. “Can you spank me some more as we get into the mood?”

Hyunjin gulps and nods as Seungmin pops open the button on Hyunjin’s pants and pulls them down before sitting back on his lap and kissing him again. Hyunjin grips Seungmin’s waist as he kisses back, and experimentally slaps Seungmin’s butt once. 

“You can do it harder,” Seungmin encourages, and Hyunjin squeezes his ass cheek, making Seungmin moan. 

“Shirt off first,” Hyunjin whispers back, helping Seungmin with his shirt and eyeing Seungmin in his lingerie for a bit. Seungmin feels a little shy, but he loves the way Hyunjin is eating him up with his eyes. 

When they kiss again, Seungmin works on unbuttoning Hyunjin’s shirt, grinding their crotches together, while Hyunjin squeezes and spanks his ass, getting more and more confident with it. They both barely manage to kiss between the moans and pleasured breaths, building up heat slowly, and it feels good, it makes Seungmin want more. 

When Hyunjin slaps particularly hard on his ass, the skin slowly becoming numb, Seungmin moans before he pulls back and breathes, “I want you in me now.”

Hyunjin groans out a response and they both impatiently shimmy off their restrictive underwear. It's sad that Seungmin has to take off his panties, but the bralette is still on, so Hyunjin can look at that. 

Instead, as Seungmin grabs the lube and wants to ask Hyunjin if he wants to prep him, he sees Hyunjin looking past him. Seungmin looks back over his shoulder and blushes when he sees themselves in the big mirror. 

“Do you like what you're seeing?” Seungmin asks softly, wiggling his naked butt a little, Hyunjin’s hand still on it. 

“Definitely. You look like an artwork,” Hyunjin tells him with a little squeeze to his ass, and Seungmin’s breath stutters. 

“Says you,” Seungmin retorts shyly, trailing his hand down Hyunjin’s chest. “Now please prep me so you can see this artwork riding you.”

Hyunjin curses under his breath and pulls Seungmin closer before he opens the lube and slathers some on his fingers, warming it up before bringing his hand down. Seungmin gasps softly as Hyunjin teases at his entrance, and he loves how Hyunjin takes everything slow, massing his perineum a little before pushing in, and Seungmin sighs in pleasure, threading his hands through Hyunjin’s hair as he rocks a little against Hyunjin’s bulge.

“Tell me if it hurts or anything, okay?” Hyunjin tells him airily, placing a kiss behind Seungmin’s ear. “This… I’ve done things alone before, fingered myself, but this is my first time with someone else.”

“Will do. Hmm– you’re already doing good,” Seungmin tells him, moaning softly when Hyunjin’s finger brushes against his prostate. It seems like Hyunjin knows a bit of what he’s doing even if he’s never done it with someone else, but Seungmin finds it funny that Hyunjin, the older one of the two, has less experience. Not that he blames him, he knows that everyone is different and with Hyunjin’s background, he understands, and it even makes Seungmin feel more like they’re equals despite the age difference. “You can add another one, hyung. I… I already prepped a little in the shower.” 

“You’re really going to be the death of me, Seungmin,” Hyunjin groans, and Seungmin giggles happily, though that is cut off by a moan when Hyunjin’s second finger joins. Seungmin keeps grinding down on Hyunjin’s lap, wanting Hyunjin ready to have Seungmin riding him, too, and he enjoys Hyunjin’s pleasured sounds and that he doesn’t hold them back, and it only makes him feel hotter and more impatient to ride Hyunjin.

After adding another finger and prepping a bit more, Seungmin thinks it has been long enough and he yanks Hyunjin’s underwear down and grabs the condom. Hyunjin looks both amused and just as impatient as Seungmin feels, and Seungmin drools a little seeing Hyunjin’s length. He’s a bit small himself and Hyunjin looks bigger than average (though that might just be because he looks big in comparison to Seungmin), but Hyunjin hasn’t commented on it, so Seungmin hopes that he isn’t disappointed or anything (even if Hyunjin is the one topping today). 

He shakes the thoughts away and rolls the condom on Hyunjin and slathers some lube on there before he lines himself up and locks eyes with Hyunjin, feeling the tense heat between their bodies. “Ready?” 

“Gosh, yes—” Hyunjin replies and immediately moans when Seungmin starts sinking down. His hand fly towards Seungmin’s hips to hold him, squeezing as Seungmin slowly lowers himself on Hyunjin’s length. 

“Fuck– you feel good, hyung,” Seungmin pants, arching a little as he bottoms out. 

“You too. Ah– kiss me,” Hyunjin pleads, and Seungmin all too gladly indulges him, kissing Hyunjin as he gets used to the intrusion. The heat in his abdomen flares up as Hyunjin sucks on his tongue and his hand slides down to grip the flesh of his ass, and he moans appreciatively, pulling a little at Hyunjin’s long hair. “Ah– keep doing that.” 

Seungmin sighs hotly into the kiss and pulls again, drawing a deep groan from Hyunjin as Seungmin finally starts riding Hyunjin’s length, raising himself before sinking down again. “So good, ah—”

His eyes flutter shut and he can’t focus on kissing Hyunjin anymore as he gets lost in bouncing on Hyunjin’s lap and the pleasure it brings whenever Hyunjin brushes against his sweet spot. When he opens his eyes again, he sees Hyunjin looking past him at the mirror again, and Seungmin’s stomach flips, the knot of pleasure tightening. When he looks back and sees how Hyunjin’s length disappears into him as he rides him, he can’t help but moan, not having expected to love the sight as much as he does, so he keeps watching until his neck starts hurting, which is when he hides his face in the warm crook of Hyunjin’s neck. 

“Do you– ah– ever look at yourself in the mirror as you masturbate or finger yourself, Seungminnie?” Hyunjin whispers into his ear, and Seungmin almost comes on the spot, clenching. 

“Not really, but— hnng– I could show you some time,” Seungmin answers breathlessly, the image of Hyunjin watching him through the mirror as he fingers himself making even more heat pool in his stomach, and Hyunjin seems to feel the same, his sounds getting higher and more frantic. 

Seungmin thighs are burning, but he feels close to bursting, and the way Hyunjin’s hands twitch on his ass and hips only bring him closer and closer. Seungmin pulls on Hyunjin’s hair and squeezes his chest, almost unable to keep up with all the pleasure as Hyunjin brushes along his prostate with almost every thrust. 

“Look at yourself, Seungminnie— ah, ” Hyunjin keens and hides his face in the crook of Seungmin’s neck as his hips stutter, spilling into the condom, and Seungmin moans looking back to see how Hyunjin’s big hand spreads his cheek. Seeing that and suddenly feeling Hyunjin’s other hand wrap around his length, almost completely engulfing it, is enough to tip him over the edge as well. 

“Hyung–” Seungmin stutters out moans as rides out his orgasm, hugging Hyunjin close, not caring about their sweaty, hot bodies, but rather enjoying the warmth between them. As the heat of his orgasm simmers away and Hyunjin starts whining in overstimulation, Seungmin gets off Hyunjin’s lap, both of them hissing in sync, and they laugh at themselves. 

“My goodness that was nice,” Hyunjin pants, still caressing Seungmin’s hips a little, and Seungmin smiles, glad that he enjoyed it too. “I barely did anything, but I felt a lot, so– thank you.” 

Seungmin snickers at getting thanked after sex, but he finds it sweet. “It was my pleasure, literally. Do you want to take a shower?” 

“If you can drag me there and hold me up in there,” Hyunjin jokes, and Seungmin gasps acting offended. 

“You’re really letting me do all the work, huh?” he accuses, and Hyunjin laughs delightedly as Seungmin pulls him off the bed, stumbling a little because of the ache in his thighs and ass.

“I’m kidding!” Hyunjin snickers, wrapping his arm around Seungmin’s middle to help him, too, and together they head to the bathroom. “Wow, even the bathrooms are big.” 

“They are, and we have enough for me to give you some privacy, if you want—” Seungmin offers, but Hyunjin pulls him closer, melting a little in Seungmin’s arms, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat.

“No, I’m feeling clingy,” Hyunjin pouts, and sometimes Seungmin can’t believe that Hyunjin is more than six years older than he is. Seungmin pets his head with a chuckle and they both waddle over to the shower, their walking impeded because they’re holding each other so closely, but Seungmin doesn’t mind. 

It feels awfully domestic to take a shower together, and Seungmin loves every bit of it. It’s a nice change from only talking in the library, and Seungmin thinks they were ready for this next step together, and he hopes that this is also a step towards becoming official or public — not for the bet, Seungmin isn’t thinking about that anymore since Hyunjin got here, and also not because Seungmin wants to flaunt Hyunjin, but just so they can be comfortable and themselves in public. 

That is to think about later, though, because Hyunjin pulls him into a kiss once they get into the shower and turn on the hot water, and Seungmin sighs in appreciation, kissing back.

“Sorry, I just can’t get enough of you,” Hyunjin whispers, his cheeks dusted with a cute pink blush, and Seungmin’s heart does a little swoop. 

“Me neither,” Seungmin replies, feeling a bit shy to admit it somehow, but he’s rewarded with another deep kiss, Hyunjin wrapping his arms around Seungmin’s middle. Seungmin hums and threads his fingers through Hyunjin’s hair, massaging his scalp as they kiss, dodging the hot water running between them with their faces. 

Hyunjin’s hand trails down his back, leaving tingles in its wake until his hand lands on Seungmin’s behind and he squeezes a little, making Seungmin gasp into the kiss. Hyunjin takes that as an opportunity to lick inside Seungmin’s mouth, still playing with his ass, and Seungmin whines, the heat that had faded returning.

“If you keep doing that, you’re going to make me hard again,” Seungmin whispers, his breath hitching when Hyunjin squeezes again. “Hyung—” 

Hyunjin pulls back out of the kiss a little to look at Seungmin, but he’s still caressing Seungmin everywhere. “Sorry, I just… I just like touching you, I guess. And–” His eyes flick down towards Seungmin’s half hard dick. “I kind of want to suck you off.”

Seungmin’s eyes widen and he twitches a little, his body liking what Hyunjin is saying, and he feels even hotter. “Really? I– I mean, I’m not the biggest by any means, so…” 

“I like that. I think you’re a perfect size,” Hyunjin assures with a kiss before he switches their positions so that Seungmin is more under the stream of the shower, and he kneels down, massaging Seungmin’s sides, thighs, and then cupping his length, making Seungmin sigh softly. He still feels a little embarrassed about his dick because it’s small, but Hyunjin only looks at it with determination and lust, “Hmm, yes, I definitely like that you’re not big. Can I?” 

“Y-Yes, please,” Seungmin tells him, fire spreading through his veins as Hyunjin licks along his shaft, and he grabs Hyunjin’s hair, feeling his legs turn into jelly as Hyunjin continues and fondles his balls. All of his insecurities about his size suddenly disappear with how Hyunjin works his mouth on it. “Oh my– that’s good.” 

Hyunjin looks up, a satisfied twinkle in his eyes, and he takes Seungmin’s full length in his mouth, scrunching his face a little. Seungmin’s eyes roll back and he moans as Hyunjin sucks a little messily, but gosh, it’s good, even if he can tell that Hyunjin isn’t experienced with this. 

The sound of the water splattering on the floor muffles their sounds a bit, but he’s sure that Hyunjin can hear his moans and whines loud and clear, and he can hear and feel Hyunjin’s too whenever he pulls a little on his hair. It’s almost embarrassing how quickly he’s ready to come again, but he just can’t help that it’s been a while since he’s had the time to himself to really do something like this, and Hyunjin is just incredibly hot, too. 

“Ah– close, Hyunjinnie hyung—” Seungmin breathes, pulling Hyunjin off his length, and Hyunjin jerks him off for the last bit until Seungmin is spilling all over Hyunjin’s hand with stuttered moans. Hyunjin holds him when he stumbles a little, and the remnants of his orgasm are washed away by the shower, but the simmering warmth and nice feelings in Seungmin’s gut still persist. “Hmm, this was so nice, thank you.” 

“It was my pleasure,” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin snickers at him copying what Seungmin said earlier, but he doesn’t have the mind to tease Hyunjin about it, feeling too fuzzy and warm after his second orgasm, so he just wants to cuddle under the hot water right now. 

“Will you stay for dinner, hyungie?” Seungmin asks, and Hyunjin nods his head against Seungmin in their embrace. “Good, we can cuddle until then.” 

“Oh, I think I like this cuddly affectionate post-orgasm Seungmin,” Hyunjin chuckles fondly, and Seungmin blushes. “I always get lazy too.” 

“Right– Do I need to help you as well?” Seungmin asks, wanting to peel himself off Hyunjin, but Hyunjin stops with a bashful laugh. 

“No, I– I’m fine. I was spent after the first orgasm,” he says, and Seungmin chuckles. They hug some more in the shower before they start feeling wrinkly from the water and think it’s time to properly clean up so that they can reward themselves with more cuddling. 

After lending Hyunjin some comfortable clothes and changing into some himself as well, he suggests watching a drama that he knows Hyunjin has been wanting to watch, and the way Hyunjin lights up at the mention of it makes Seungmin not even care anymore if he’ll enjoy the drama as much, because he knows he’ll simply enjoy watching it with Hyunjin. 

They cuddle on the couch with some snacks and a drink (Seungmin’s parents made sure that Seungmin has enough food and drinks stocked up), and they just relax while watching the drama, not saying much, but Seungmin doesn’t mind it at all. 

After three episodes, Seungmin is starting to get a bit hungry, so he asks Hyunjin what kind of food he wants to order, getting out his phone, but Hyunjin laughs.

“You always order out, huh?” he asks, and Seungmin raises an eyebrow, his ears getting a bit warm. 

“I mean, yeah… it’s easy and I’m a pretty bad cook. I can make some simple stuff, but I want my guest slash date to have better than mediocre food,” Seungmin defends with a small pout, and Hyunjin softens, a fond glimmer in his eyes. “I’ll pay for it if you’re worried about the price.”

“And what if I cook for you?” Hyunjin offers, and Seungmin’s mouth falls open a little. “You said you like kimchi stew, right? I can make it for you if you have the ingredients.” 

“Oh that would be amazing! Though… my mom also made a lot of kimchi stew for me to eat when they are away, so I kind of want something different today,” Seungmin admits, and Hyunjin barks out a laugh. Seungmin huffs, feeling like a spoiled child, which– okay, maybe he is one a little bit, but he can also be responsible. Cooking is just not his strongest point.

“I’ll see what you have in your fridge and whip something up with that,” Hyunjin says with a fond ruffle to Seungmin’s hair, and Seungmin sticks his tongue out, only making Hyunjin laugh more and almost fall over as he heads to the kitchen. Seungmin puffs out an amused laugh as well once Hyunjin’s back is turned to him, and he can’t help but be flattered that Hyunjin wants to cook something for him.

He follows Hyunjin to the kitchen, not wanting to be left alone in the living room while Hyunjin cooks for him, and he thinks of maybe even helping Hyunjin along. He doesn’t want to be the spoiled kid who has everything done for him, and maybe cooking won’t be too bad if they do it together. 

First, he watches Hyunjin scour through the fridge and the pantry for everything he might need before Seungmin asks if he can do anything to help. Hyunjin turns to him, looking at Seungmin who is sitting on the counter, and quirks an eyebrow.

“You want to help? You don’t have to,” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin shrugs.

“I don’t want to just look at you cook or do something different, though, that’s no fun, and I don’t want you to think I’m a spoiled child in every way,” he counters, and Hyunjin snickers. “I can do some simple stuff.” 

“Alright, you can help then. Can I give my least favorite task of cutting onions to you?” Hyunjin asks with a chuckle, and Seungmin jokingly rolls his eyes as he jumps off the counter.

“That’s weak coming from an experienced cook, but I will take it,” he says, and Hyunjin laughs again. It seems like it doesn’t really matter what Seungmin says, Hyunjin laughs easily, and Seungmin loves it. He loves making Hyunjin laugh, even if it means that he’s rendered useless for a few seconds. 

Hyunjin gathers all the ingredients and goes over the things that need to be done both for himself and for Seungmin before they start cooking. Hyunjin is definitely faster with chopping vegetables than Seungmin is, so when Hyunjin is done with his part, he checks on Seungmin, and Seungmin blushes when Hyunjin softly snickers under his breath.

“You’re chopping in a really cute but inefficient way,” he comments, and Seungmin pouts. “Here, let me help you.” 

Hyunjin comes to stand behind him and gently grabs Seungmin’s hands to show him how to chop the onions better. Seungmin feels warm and his heart is making a fuss about the domesticity of what Hyunjin is doing, so he barely even processes what Hyunjin tells him. 

“Can you show it one more time, hyung?” Seungmin asks when Hyunjin checks if he got it, and Hyunjin laughs. 

“Were you actually not paying attention or are you asking because you’re a flirt?” he wonders, his breath hitting Seungmin’s ear and sending shivers down Seungmin’s spine. 

“More like you were being a flirt and distracting, Hwang Hyunjin,” he quips back, and Hyunjin snorts, but Seungmin can see his cheeks redden. 

“I apologize for my natural charms. Now pay attention so we can eat soon,” he says, and Seungmin snickers, bumping Hyunjin with his elbow before telling him to explain it again. This time, Seungmin does listen and proves it by properly chopping the union. “That’s it!”

“With a little more practice I can become your personal onion chopper,” Seungmin jokes and Hyunjin laughs as always. 

“I would love to have you as my onion chopper, but I don’t think I’d be able to afford it,” he says as he goes back to cooking, leaving Seungmin to his task alone. 

“I mean, you wouldn’t have to pay me with money, necessarily…” Seungmin trails off, and Hyunjin coughs in surprise, making Seungmin snort.

“Seungmin!”

“Hey, I didn’t imply anything! You’re the one getting things into your head,” Seungmin huffs jokingly, his cheeks feeling warm in the best way. He loves joking around with Hyunjin like this, and he feels oh so comfortable and nice with him, cooking together, teasing, flirting… Seungmin wishes their break wouldn’t end this soon, but maybe, before it ends, they can talk about making things official. 

For now though, Seungmin doesn’t want to break the lighthearted atmosphere and jeopardize this date that is going so well, not by bringing up their relationship outside, and not by bringing up the bet that had almost slipped Seungmin’s mind. He just wants to enjoy today and live in this bubble where everything is good for the rest of the day. 

Hyunjin’s dinner ends up being just as good as his mother’s kimchi stew and Seungmin tells him he’ll hire him to be his personal cook and then Hyunjin won’t have to pay him to chop onions. 

“I think that’s just called having a caring friend slash date slash partner,” Hyunjin laughs, holding his hand in front of his mouth. Seungmin shrugs, playing dumb, but he likes the sound of Hyunjin being his partner. “If you start paying me it’ll start feeling less personal!” 

“True, true. Okay, I won’t pay you,” Seungmin relents with an exaggerated sigh, and even that makes Hyunjin chuckle. “I will just… hope that we can cook together more often, then.” 

Hyunjin’s eyes widen a little before a soft, loving smile overtakes his beautiful features, and Seungmin’s heart swells. Usually Seungmin is more comfortable doing the acts of service himself, like how he helped Hyunjin get familiar with the university, and Hyunjin is the one with the sweet words, but Seungmin has been braver with words lately, and he likes the way Hyunjin reacts.

And this way, Seungmin guesses, they can sort of bring up their relationship without having to have a serious talk about it.

“I’d like that, too,” Hyunjin tells him, reaching over to hold Seungmin’s hand briefly. “Maybe when the break is over and things aren’t too busy I can invite you over to my place to have dinner.” 

“Well, you have my number,” Seungmin says, and Hyunjin giggles happily. 

They then end up talking about how their breaks have been up until now, and Seungmin realizes they’ve done things a bit backwards today, but he likes that. He likes doing things in their own way, because they’re not a conventional couple to start with, but if things work for them the way they’re doing things, then things work that way, and no one can tell them that they’re wrong.

Unfortunately Hyunjin says that he wants to leave before it gets dark because he still has to change the batteries of the light on his bike, and Seungmin thinks it might be too much if he asks him to sleep over, especially when tomorrow is Saturday so a maid comes to do some cleaning and Seungmin doesn’t want her to see Hyunjin and talk to his parents about it. 

Either way, they kiss some more in the door opening, conveying how much they both enjoyed this hangout slash date, before reluctantly pulling away and Seungmin telling Hyunjin to text him when he gets home. Hyunjin promises him to do so before he bikes away, still wearing Seungmin’s clothes (he’ll give them back later). 

Seungmin sighs lovingly, watching Hyunjin until he’s out of sight before he heads in again. He feels good, great, even, and he can’t wait to tell his friends about this tomorrow. Not because of the bet or to prove anything, but just because he’s happy. 

“And… well, let’s say I could put that gift from last christmas to good use,” Seungmin tells his friends, heat creeping up his neck when they all cheer and whoop. “We also made dinner together — he did most of the work — and it was just… a very good time.” 

“So you got laid with the lingerie?!” Habin almost screams and Seungmin laughs, nodding with a shrug. “You are an icon! Guys I think this deserves a win of the bet.”

“Definitely. He did this all on his own, I think that certainly proves he can do something risky if he wants it,” Songyu agrees, and even Jobeom does so as well. Seungmin didn’t expect his friends to give him this win, though he guesses he has definitely won the bet by now. He doesn’t care too much, though, because he’s been doing what he wants anyway, and he’s just happy that his relationship with Hyunjin is going this well. “Does this mean you’re going to ask him to make things official still now that the bet is over?” 

“Definitely. I’m not completely sure when yet, but I really want to, and hopefully he does too,” Seungmin says with a giddy smile. “Though… I probably have to tell him about the bet first.”

“Yeah for sure. It would be good to be completely honest about everything before making things official,” Jisung agrees, and Seungmin sighs, but Jisung is right. If Seungmin knew how everything would have unfolded, he would have maybe told Hyunjin earlier, but he can’t go back in time so the best time to do it is as soon as possible, especially if he wants to make things official soon. 

“I agree. You guys please tell me how your break was, and I’ll listen as I’ll text Hyunjin to ask if we can see each other tomorrow,” Seungmin says, grabbing his phone, but as he does so, it already buzzes a few times. Seungmin’s eyes widen when he sees that it’s Hyunjin, and his heart starts beating faster, wondering what Hyunjin is texting him about. 

Hyunjinnie: Hi Seungminnie

Hyunjinnie: I know you’re with your friends now so no need to answer immediately

Hyunjinnie: But I have just been unable to stop thinking about yesterday, I had such a good time

Hyunjinnie: So I was wondering if you want to come over to my place tomorrow before the break ends?

Hyunjinnie: I don’t have anything special planned like you did but I do have some things I’d like to talk about in person if you’re up for that too <3

Seungmin takes in a breath, a little bit of hope filling his chest as he reads the texts. Would this mean that he maybe wants to become official too? he wonders, but he thinks this bodes well for them if they’re on the same wavelength about this, too. Before he texts back, though, he comments on his friends’ stories about their breaks, Jisung watching another anime, Felix and Jeongin’s date, and everyone of course seeing their family for a bit, too.

Knowing that Hyunjin already wants to meet tomorrow, he sees no reason to rush texting back, and only when his friends ask about it, he tells them what Hyunjin sent and that he’ll text back. 

You: I’d love to come over tomorrow!

You: I’ll have to bring some stuff back to my dorm first, but I can come over after

Hyunjinnie: Great! Take your time of course ^^

Hyunjinnie: You know that I don’t wake up early anyway haha

Hyunjinnie: From the campus you can take the bus and then it’s a five to ten minute walk

Hyunjinnie: Or I can pick you up with my bike if you want

You: No need, thank you tho!

You: I don’t know when I’ll be done so it’ll be easier if I take the bus I think

Hyunjinnie: Okay then I can make sure my apartment is tidy for when you arrive haha

You: And I’ll text you whenever I’m about ready to come over!

Hyunjinnie: Deal ^^

Hyunjinnie: See you tomorrow Seungminnie <3

You: See you tomorrow hyung <3

Seungmin can’t stop smiling for a few minutes after pocketing his phone, and his friends definitely tease him about it, but he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care about anything right now because all that matters is that he and Hyunjin are happy with their relationship, and his friends are supportive. 

“So you think Hyunjin will take it well?” Jeongin asks, and Seungmin huffs. There is definitely a difference in concern between Songyu, Habin, and Jobeom, and Felix, Jisung, and Jeongin. 

“We’ve been on the same wavelength about a lot of things up until now, we’ve talked a lot about different topics, so I think it’ll be fine,” Seungmin says with a shrug. “If I just explain myself, he shouldn’t be too mad, right?” 

“I hope so. You seem really happy with him, so I hope things will work out,” Felix tells him, and his other friends agree, which eases Seungmin a little. He’s nervous for tomorrow, of course, but he knows that he has to tell Hyunjin about the bet, and he just hopes that it won’t make Hyunjin change his mind about possibly taking their relationship to the next step. 

For the rest of the night, he manages to distract himself with his friends, but when he gets back home, he can’t stop thinking about Hyunjin, what he’ll say to him, and something in the back of his mind nagging at him that he should have told Hyunjin earlier. 

You: I'm done getting my stuff to my dorm so I'm omw now! 

Hyunjinnie: Great! I'm almost done cleaning 

Hyunjinnie: Maybe if I'm quick enough I can meet you at the bus stop

You: You don't have to rush for me

Hyunjinnie: But what if I want to? 

You: Then I'll gladly see you at the bus stop <3

Hyunjinnie: <3 

Seungmin smiles at the texts, finding it sweet that Hyunjin wants to see him as soon as he can, just like he did at the museum. It soothes some of Seungmin’s nerves, but not all of them. He didn't sleep that well last night because he feels like today is an important day for him and Hyunjin, a turning point, even if Seungmin hopes that the bet won't feel like a big deal to Hyunjin, because it wasn’t. 

He contemplated buying Hyunjin’s favorite flowers for today, but he didn’t really have time, so it’ll have to wait for another day, if things go well.

Hyunjin greets him with a big smile and a hug when the bus arrives, and he even places a very sneaky kiss on Seungmin’s cheek, which Seungmin returns bashfully. Once the bus is gone and they're sure no one is around, Hyunjin grabs Seungmin’s hand as they walk towards his apartment, and it already feels like they're official. 

“My apartment is definitely not nearly as fancy and big as your parents’ place, so don't expect too much,” Hyunjin tells him, and Seungmin snickers. “It's probably more like your dorm room.”

“That’s fine, I'm sure it'll be cozy,” Seungmin assures. “But even if not, I don't judge a man by his apartment size. Or any size for that matter.”

Hyunjin snorts and squeezes Seungmin’s hand, the joke making the atmosphere feel a bit lighter, but Seungmin’s stomach still feels heavy in anticipation. He wonders when he should bring up the bet, probably sooner than later, but before he can decide, Hyunjin already speaks up.

“So… About what I wanted to talk to you about…” Hyunjin trails off, swinging their hands back and forth. “I don’t know how you felt about our date at your house, but I had such a good time, I couldn’t really stop thinking about it.” 

“Me neither, actually. I enjoyed it a lot, too,” Seungmin admits, and Hyunjin smiles. Should I bring it up now? Is that a bad time? He hesitates for too long again.

“I’m glad, because it had me thinking about… us, too,” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat. He thinks he knows where this is going, and he should probably try to intervene and be honest before Hyunjin fully finishes talking. “Ah, wait— we’re here. Let me first offer you something to drink. I don’t have a coffee machine like you have at home, so the most I can offer is tea.” 

“Tea is fine,” Seungmin chuckles, and he takes off his shoes before he looks around. “Your apartment is nice. Cozy, as I imagined. Your art really livens up the place.” 

“Usually it’s a lot more messy, but after seeing your house I thought I needed to clean up before you came.” Hyunjin rubs his neck sheepishly after putting up a kettle. “But I’m glad you like my modest little place. Oh— and the clothes I borrowed are on the coffee table, washed and all.” 

Seungmin hums, and he opens his mouth to start speaking, but, again, Hyunjin beats him to it. 

“Anyway— What I was saying. I was thinking about us,” he continues, his cheeks gaining a rosy color. “I know I have been the main reason for us going a bit slower, so I wanted to show and tell you with this that I– I’m becoming pretty serious about you, my feelings for you, too, and our time at your place only made me more sure of it. It made me sure that I want our relationship to become official, if you want that too.” 

Seungmin smiles, but his heart does feel heavy with what he still needs to say, and he didn’t want to interrupt Hyunjin, who is looking at him with such hopeful eyes. But he should say it now.

He takes a deep breath before he finally, finally says it, “I– I really like you too, Hyunjin. My feelings are the same, but before I properly answer, I need to tell you something.” 

Hyunjin frowns and tilts his head a bit, looking confused. “Sure, go ahead— Oh, the tea is ready. I’ll pour it. Is green tea fine?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Seungmin mutters, his voice small, muffled by his heart that is up in his throat, and Hyunjin quickly gets their tea ready before they sit at the small dining table and Hyunjin tells him to continue. “So… Well, it’s a bit silly, but I wanted to be completely honest with you, because my friends and I had this bet. Uhm, about us. They bet that I wouldn’t have the guts to pursue you, and, well, I wanted to do so anyway so I accepted and the bet is over now, but—” 

“What?” Hyunjin breathes, but it’s enough to cut Seungmin off, and his heart drops at Hyunjin’s shocked and confused expression. “Why? When?”

“Uhm, it was before the semester, just after our first date. I told my friends about our misunderstanding and that I enjoyed our date and then they sort of challenged me to pursue you—” 

“And you just accepted the bet? And you’re only telling me now? Months later?” Hyunjin interrupts him with a disbelieving look, and Seungmin presses his lips together, guilt swirling in his stomach, but he feels the need to defend himself.

“Well, I was already interested in you and I wanted to pursue you anyway, so it wouldn’t change anything,” he explains, but Hyunjin doesn’t look happy at all. “And I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn’t find the right time.”

“If it wouldn’t change anything, then why take it in the first place?” he asks, and Seungmin frowns. “Maybe if you couldn’t find the right time to tell me, that means that you shouldn’t have taken that bet.” 

“It just gave me the courage to do my best to make this work, is that so bad?” Seungmin questions, not understanding why Hyunjin is so upset. “And if I would have told you earlier would you have reacted any better?”

“Probably not, but that’s my point! Though maybe it would have been good to tell me about your bet before we had sex!” Hyunjin retorts, his ears a fiery red, and his intense voice startles Seungmin a bit. “Was that part of the bet too? Just like locking us in the library? Did you have a good laugh about that with your friends?” 

“We didn’t laugh about it— Now you’re just assuming things!” Seungmin exclaims, but Hyunjin only huffs and looks away. “I told you, the bet only gave me the courage to do things I already wanted to do! The details don’t matter, because my feelings are all genuine!”

“How can I not assume things when you have kept this secret from me for so long?” Hyunjin runs a hand through his hair, ignoring what Seungmin said about his feelings. Seungmin feels like Hyunjin isn’t listening to him, not looking at him, and it frustrates him. “And the details do matter!”

“Why? I’m being honest now, right? I’m telling you that everything we did was genuine!” he tries, more frustration building up in his chest as Hyunjin still doesn’t look at him. “Fine, you want details?! Yes, they locked us in the library partly because of the bet, but mostly because I really liked you and wanted things to develop! I never asked them for it, and it only worked against them winning the bet! We didn’t even have a clear goal for the bet, but once I told them about our date at my place, they gave me the win because they could see that we are both serious about each other!”

“ What? ” Hyunjin finally looks at him with wide and intense eyes. “So you only won because we had sex?!”

“That’s— You’re just twisting my words now!” Seungmin retorts, his throat closing up in frustration as he throws up his hands. “I didn’t text you to come over to win that bet!”

“Yet you did win it that way!” Hyunjin points out, and Seungmin gasps in exasperation. “Do you have any idea how that comes across?” 

“I do, but that’s why I’m trying to explain that it’s not how it looks! The bet didn’t affect how I acted!” Seungmin barely manages to keep himself from raising his voice, but he can’t stop it from wavering. “But you’re not listening!”

“ You’re not listening to me! ” Hyunjin does raise his voice, though it definitely trembles, and Seungmin looks away. “I’m telling you it matters that you took that bet!”

“Why?” Seungmin demands, and Hyunjin slams his hand on the table and stands up, making Seungmin look at him again. 

“It matters because you still kept something from me! It matters because there was a hidden motive, whether you wanted this or not! It matters because it paints a certain picture to do a bet like that with your friends!” Hyunjin rants angrily, and Seungmin can see tears brimming his eyes, and it makes Seungmin’s stomach churn in discomfort, but it’s mostly drowned out by frustration. “Even if I should believe that you didn’t see this as a game, your friends might have! They probably see me as some kind of easy fool— And— it’s a big deal because while you were joking around and making this childish bet with your friends, I was worrying whether I’d lose my job over this— over us! If you really took this as seriously as I did, you wouldn’t have taken the bet—”

“That’s unfair! I am serious about you damnit!” Seungmin stands up as well, the chair screeching over the floor. “Just because you’re older doesn’t mean that you know my feelings better!”

“Well obviously you don’t know mine either because I feel used!” Hyunjin grits out.

“What did you want me to do then? If I told you earlier, you would have reacted the same!” Seungmin points out. “I was half drunk when I took that bet and just needed some courage to pursue you okay? And why would I go back on my word when it wouldn’t have changed a thing?!” 

“Because—” Hyunjin starts, but he stops himself and angrily wipes at his cheek when a tear falls down. He then sighs deeply, and it’s as if all of his will to argue with Seungmin leaves his body. “Nevermind. You won’t understand anyway.” 

“Why not?” Seungmin demands, feeling like he’s being treated like a child. 

“Because we’re too different!” Hyunjin replies, his voice lowered but still harsh.

“So you’ll just give up when it gets too difficult?” Seungmin accuses, and he tenses when Hyunjin steps closer. 

“Don’t you dare to accuse me of giving up when it gets difficult! I worked my fucking ass off to get the things I wanted and to get where I’m at now while you had to do shit!” he exclaims, another tear falling down, and Seungmind clenches his fists in anger, swallowing away a lump in his throat.

“Fuck you! I’m not a spoiled child!” he growls. “If I always did what was easy I wouldn’t have pursued you and I would have never told you about the bet! I want this too!”

Hyunjin sighs deeply, shaking his head, and pushes past Seungmin. Seungmin turns around and grabs his wrist, “Where are you going?”

“I'm done arguing. I need to think,” he says, his voice obviously on the brink of breaking, and he roughly pulls his wrist loose before walking away to what Seungmin assumes is his bedroom and slamming the door closed. 

Seungmin lets out a groan that comes all the way from his toes as he pulls on his hair, his heart bouncing in frustration, feeling out of breath. He wants to barge into Hyunjin’s room and tell him to not run away, he wants to cry, he wants to run away himself, and at the same time he doesn’t know what he wants and his insides feel like a volcano waiting to erupt. 

He closes his eyes and tries to take a few deep breaths, hoping his anger-clouded brain will settle down, but even when that helps a little, he still feels jittery and bad when he opens his eyes. He still doesn’t know what he should do, but what he does know is that he doesn’t want to stay here and have to look at Hyunjin’s artworks hanging on the walls for much longer, so he just takes one look at the firmly shut door which Hyunjin slammed earlier before he grabs the clothes he lent Hyunjin and decides to leave. 

He speedwalks to the bus stop, biting down on his lip to stop it from quivering, but he can’t stop a few stray tears from falling down anyway. He frustratedly wipes them away, feeling like a fool for crying, hating that Hyunjin affects him so much that he couldn’t event think straight and still can’t. 

He ignores the concerned look the bus driver shoots him and just buries his face in his arms, sniffling and tears wetting his sleeves until his stop at the campus. He wants to dive into his bed and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the day, but he realizes that Felix is probably there too, so he hesitates and quickly tries to hide all evidence of him having cried. His friends warned him and told him to tell Hyunjin about the bet a few times already, and they were right, and even though Seungmin trusts them and loves them, he feels embarrassed and ashamed about being wrong about how Hyunjin would react. 

He lingers in front of the door indecisively for a moment more before he just opens the door, hoping that Felix might be at Jeongin and Jisung’s dorm—

“Oh my gosh—” Jeongin basically throws Felix off his lap and they both flush bright red when they see Seungmin, and it makes Seungmin snort sadly, mixed feelings swirling through his stomach seeing his friends being lovey-dovey together. 

“Innie!” Felix laughs, rubbing his sore butt. 

“Sorry! Seungmin hyung startled me!” Jeongin defends before he takes a good look at Seungmin and frowns. “Speaking of that, why are you back already? Why are you just standing there without even making fun of us? Is everything okay?” 

Felix stands up and his expression turns concerned as well, so Seungmin avoids their eyes as he shrugs. “I– No. We fought.” 

The beat of silence is tense, and Seungmin feels his friends’ gazes boring through him before Felix speaks up. “So he didn’t take the bet well?” 

“No, he was upset, said he felt betrayed—” Seungmin tells them, deflating as he sits down on his bed and swallows away the lump in his throat. He doesn’t want to start crying again. “I don’t know what to say or think. I–I tried to explain myself but he wouldn’t listen! I know that it would have been better to tell him earlier, but– I don’t know— I guess I shouldn’t have won the bet at all, because I’m still a coward.” 

“Hey, come here.” Seungmin feels Felix pull him into an embrace, and Jeongin’s hand finds his back in a supportive motion as well, and Seungmin lets himself be comforted by his friends, blinking his tears away. “Maybe he was just startled and didn’t expect to hear this. You did what you thought was right, and one fight won’t ruin everything, right?”

Seungmin hums and shrugs again, dread creeping back into his chest as he thinks about what happened. “I– I don’t know. He was just telling me how he– he wanted to make things official and then I dropped that bomb. He said– we’re too different.” 

“So what now? That’s it?” Jeongin asks, and Seungmin sighs deeply. 

“I don’t know,” he says for the nth time, pulling out of the hug. “He said he was done arguing and needed to think.” 

Felix and Jeongin share a look, seeming unsure of what to say or do as well other than what they’re doing right now, but Felix still asks Seungmin if there is anything he can do to help. 

“I… I don’t want to talk about it anymore, I just want to– I don’t know, I want to think about something else, anything else,” he says, running a hand through his hair. He sighs and tries a grin at his friends. “Anything as long as you two don’t suck each other’s faces off in front of me.” 

Felix barks out a laugh and Jeongin snorts and slaps Seungmin’s arm, but he seems happy that Seungmin is joking around and finally teasing them again. The two suggest playing a game together, and Seungmin agrees, thinking it’ll be a good distraction. 

He plays horribly, but it doesn’t matter because Jeongin and Felix start playing horribly on purpose too, and they text Jisung to join them too. Jisung does wonder why Seungmin is already back, but Felix quickly whispers to gist of everything to him so Seungmin doesn’t have to explain, and Seungmin actually manages to have a bit of fun with his friends. 

He doesn’t look forward to tomorrow, but at this moment he is really glad that Hyunjin is not his professor, though he does think that being in the library will make him think of Hyunjin a lot. Fortunately, Felix offers to be there with him since he was planning on doing a few more shifts in the library after the break anyway, and Seungmin appreciates it a lot. 

He hates that he doesn’t know what to expect and what to do now, but he hopes that with time and the support from his friends, he will get there eventually. 

Seungmin still doesn’t know what to do. He has been thinking about it almost non-stop (which wasn’t great for his focus during lectures), and the more he does so, the more he starts to regret the way he handled things. He knows that he should have told Hyunjin earlier or maybe canceled the bet, but he didn’t and he just wanted Hyunjin to see that all of feelings were genuine despite everything… but now he realizes that he should probably have listened to Hyunjin’s feeling a bit more instead of trying to tell him that he shouldn’t be mad because Seungmin meant well. 

“Ugh.” Seungmin puts his forehead on the lunch table, and he feels a hand on his back. 

“Can’t stop thinking about him?” Felix asks, and Seungmin groans. 

“Prof Hwang didn’t look much better in class,” Jeongin says, and Seungmin props his chin up on the table to look at his friends. “It was pretty obvious that he didn’t sleep a lot and that he had other things on his mind.”

“It was a pretty stark contrast compared to before the break,” Jisung adds, and Seungmin pouts, feeling even more guilty. “Do you already know what you want to do?”

“No, but I at least know that you were right and I should have told Hyunjin hyung,” Seungmin huffs. He knows that Hyunjin wears his heart on his sleeve, even when he tries to hide his true feelings, and that you can always tell how he feels if you know how to see it, and it sometimes reminds him a bit of Jisung, so he understands why Jisung better predicted how Hyunjin would have reacted. “I should have been more mature about it…” 

Seungmin trails off, avoiding his friends’ eyes, who look at him with sympathy. 

“You can’t do much about what should have been, just… take it step by step and don’t blame yourself too much,” Jisung whispers and Seungmin appreciates it a lot, but he can’t help but overthink everything.

When Felix agrees with Jisung, Seungmin hums and he thinks about it some more until suddenly he realizes something, and he perks up. “That’s right.” 

“What do you mean that’s right ?” Jeongin asks as Seungmin reaches for his phone and hesitates, thinking some more, before committing and grabbing his phone. 

“I said that I should have been more mature about it, and Hyunjin hyung said that we’re too different, probably meaning our age difference, so I just have to show him that I am mature, right?” Seungmin asks, a hint of insecurity still slipping through, but his friends only look curious. “And I should fix things step by step. The first step is apologizing, so I– I’m going to try to text him to ask him if I can apologize in person.”

He can see his friends’ expressions soften, and Jisung telling him that he thinks that that is a good idea fills him with a little more confidence. If they want to solve this, they should talk, and maybe Hyunjin is waiting for Seungmin to set that first step to show that he can be mature about this and admit his mistake, but even if Hyunjin isn’t ready to talk yet, Seungmin can always ask and give Hyunjin the option. 

You: Hey hyung

You: Can we talk? I want to apologize

You: In person, I mean

You: You know where to find me if you want to talk

Seungmin’s heart is bouncing rapidly in his chest as he sends the texts, and he’s nervous to see whether Hyunjin will answer or not. If he does, Seungmin promises himself that he will do his best to be patient and understanding with Hyunjin and apologize properly for everything. 

He doesn’t. At least, Hyunjin doesn’t come to see him at the library nor does he text him back for the rest of the week, and Seungmin’s confidence and hope is slowly slipping through his fingers. If Hyunjin doesn’t even want to hear his apology, did Seungmin really mess up that badly? Or is Hyunjin still figuring out what he wants to say in return once he hears Seungmin out? 

Seungmin feels like texting again, but he doesn’t want to pressure Hyunjin. He also thought about sending Hyunjin his favorite flowers with a small apology note, but he didn’t want it to seem like he thinks he can apologize only through flowers or flattery. So, maybe texting again would be better. Though, maybe he even blocked Seungmin already—

“Seungmin I can literally feel you thinking thoughts of doom,” Felix pulls him out of his spiral. They’re both working in the library right now, but Felix is doing most of the work because Seungmin is still feeling kind of crappy. 

“I’m sorry…” Seungmin sighs, slumping over the counter. “I know I’m being impatient, but I just hate not knowing what to think. What if I never get an answer?” 

“Well, that would be unfair to you, in my opinion,” Felix tells him, rubbing his back comfortingly. “If nothing happens even in the weekend, I’d say it’s fair for you to go see him yourself, but on the other hand I don’t think that will happen.”

“Really?” Seungmin whispers, looking up at his friend, who is standing next to the counter, and Felix hums.

“I may not have Hyunjin-ssi as my professor nor have I ever really properly talked to him, but from what I’ve heard from your side and Jisungie and Jeonginnie, he really seemed to like you,” Felix says, and Seungmin’s chest tightens a little. “So if those feelings are as real as yours, if he really wanted to make things official, he’ll hear you out eventually. He’ll give you another chance. Maybe he just needed some time to think.” 

Seungmin swallows away a lump in his throat and looks forward, blinking away the wetness in his eyes. “I hope so…” he trails off, sighing deeply. 

He wants to go home and distract himself from everything again, but just as he straighten himself and wants to ask Felix if he can cover for him, Felix mutters something, “Speak of the devil.” 

Seungmin whips himself around, and his heart kicks into overdrive as soon as he sees Hyunjin entering the library and their eyes meet. He barely hears Felix telling him that he’ll take over, but he feels Felix pushing him towards Hyunjin, and he stumbles towards him, his heart going wild. 

“Seungmin— I want to apologize—” Hyunjin starts, but Seungmin gently shushes him.

“Wait— Wait, hyung– can I apologize first? Please?” he asks, feeling a bit out of breath, and Hyunjin softens before he nods. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

Seungmin pulls him towards the courtyard, feeling shaky on his legs, his mind still catching up to that Hyunjin came and seems to want to apologize, too, but first he wants to apologize and show Hyunjin that he realizes that he was wrong. 

“Okay, so…” Seungmin takes a deep breath in an attempt to calm his nerves as they sit down on the bench. “Sorry, I prepared what to say, I– just need to gather my thoughts.”

“Take your time,” Hyunjin whispers, and it both eases Seungmin’s nerves and makes him more emotional— Hyunjin always manages to make him unable to keep his cool, while he usually prides himself on that. 

Seungmin nods and takes few more breaths before he starts talking, “So, uhm, I thought about everything you said, and the things I said, too, and I realized that I was being selfish and that I wasn’t listening to you properly. I was only seeing things from my perspective and not yours, but I realize now how it comes across that I kept this bet secret from you for so long.” 

He briefly checks Hyunjin’s expression between talking, and Hyunjin simply seems to be listening intently, and Seungmin hopes that he believes his words.

“I’m sorry, Hyunjin hyung. I’m sorry for taking that bet, I’m sorry for putting my pride above your feelings and above honesty. I selfishly let the bet give me the courage to pursue you despite being afraid, and it was unfair of me to keep you in the dark about it,” he continues, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “I know it might not be good enough, but I told my friends that I don’t want the reward for winning anymore. I didn’t care for it in the first place, especially when I got to know you better and better, but instead of calling off the bet, I just let it be. And I’m really sorry, because I— I really, genuinely like you a lot, I was— I am serious about you, and I hope that I didn’t mess up everything, but I understand if you’ve changed your mind about– about me.”

Seungmin swallows thickly and looks away, trying to keep the tears at bay as he sighs shakily. “Sorry, I usually don’t get emotional like this—”

Now it’s Hyunjin’s turn to softly shush him, and Hyunjin’s hand finds Seungmin’s jaw to gently make him look at Hyunjin. Seungmin’s heart skips a beat when he sees Hyunjin’s watery eyes as well. 

“It’s okay. It shows that you care, and that you’re genuinely sorry,” he tells him, and Seungmin exhales in relief, though he still feels very emotional. “I’m genuinely sorry for a few things too. First, I’m sorry that I took so long to come to you despite you already being ready to apologize so soon. I needed a bit longer to think about things, and I guess I was also a bit of a coward, because I hid behind being busy with teaching, but I couldn’t ignore my feelings and I knew that I had to give you a chance.”

Hyunjin takes a deep breath and Seungmin has the urge to hold his hands, but he waits to hear him out first. 

“Because I was being selfish, not listening to you, as well,” he says, looking at Seungmin with apologetic eyes, and Seungmin takes in a breath. “I was so shocked to hear about that bet, it didn’t fit with anything I knew about you, so I couldn’t believe that it could go hand in hand with you being serious about me. All I could think of was that this was some elaborate prank or just kids looking for a hookup, looking for a good time but not a long time, but that isn’t fair to you. You’re not a kid, and I should believe you when you say that you’re serious about me, otherwise you wouldnt have texted me to apologize, otherwise you wouldnt have asked to apologize first, otherwise your friends wouldn’t have come to me to give me another perspective of everything. So I’m sorry for underestimating you, Seungminnie, and I accept your apology. I forgive you.” 

Seungmin’s eyes widen and he pulls Hyunjin into a big, warm hug. “I forgive you too, hyung. I’m so glad we could talk this out.”

“Me too,” Hyunjin whispers, caressing the back of Seungmin’s head, and relaxes letting Hyunjin’s words sink in, basking in Hyunjin’s warm embrace. When the words do sink in, he pulls back with a frown.

“Wait– Did you say that my friends came to you?” he asks. He knows that Songyu, Jobeom, and Habin have apologized to him when Seungmin told them he didn’t want them to do his laundry anymore, and Seungmin forgave them because he knows that it was his own fault and that his friends only wanted him to do what would make him happy, but he didn’t know that some of his friends went to Hyunjin as well. 

“Yeah, Jisung and Jeongin talked to me after class today because they didn’t like to see you sad,” Hyunjin answers, and Seungmin blushes. “They asked if they could give their perspective of things.”

“Oh– I didn’t know. I hope you didn’t feel pressured because of them,” Seungmin says, feeling embarrassed that his friends had to come vouch for him. “I wanted to solve this myself, I promise—”

“I know, Seungminnie, they told me that too,” Hyunjin assures with a chuckle, briefly caressing Seungmin’s warm cheek. “And I didn’t feel pressured at all. It was nice to hear your side from a different perspective, to know that your friends could tell that you were developing feelings for me and that your intentions were good. They never told me to go see you, that was my own decision, encouraged by what I heard.” 

Seungmin let’s out a breath, his embarrassment replaced by gratitude for his friends. “Okay, then I won’t kick their asses.”

Hyunjin bursts into laughter, doubling over and holding onto Seungmin for support as he basically hugs him as he laughs. Seungmin is happy to hear his beautiful laughter again, to be the reason for it, and to be able to hug him again. He sighs contentedly, and a comfortable silence falls over them. 

Seungmin knows that things aren’t completely back to before now, but it’s still nice to see that the bond they built together wasn’t just surface level, that Hyunjin managed to forgive him and wanted to give him another chance. Seungmin will try to see this as a lesson and pay more mind to Hyunjin’s feelings and try to be more understanding to him. And maybe it’s because Hyunjin explained himself now, but Seungmin feels like, even before, he already understood why Hyunjin reacted the way he did, he just didn’t in the heat of the moment. 

He hopes they can go forward with more understanding and consideration for each other, and Seungmin will also try to prevent keeping secrets, going forward— that is, if Hyunjin still wants to go forward together, too.

“Hyunjin hyung?” Seungmin pulls back and Hyunjin hums in curiosity. “Uhm… What are we now?” 

Hyunjin purses his lips in thought, and Seungmin understands that he doesn’t know the answer immediately. Just as Seungmin wants to tell Hyunjin that he doesn’t need to have an answer, Hyunjin speaks.

“I don’t know, but… What if we have a do-over of last Sunday?” he offers, and Seungmin’s eyes widen a little. “If you have time, we could go to my apartment, have dinner, maybe watch something, take it slow, and see where we want to go from there. Though, we would still have to get some extra groceries.”

“I’d love that,” Seungmin tells him, his hand finding Hyunjin’s. “I have enough time. I– I actually felt so miserable that I focused on homework and did it all to distract myself from everything.” 

Hyunjin snorts and he looks both amused and a bit guilt-ridden. “I’m sorry I made you wait. I was actually the same, getting lost in work to distract myself, but in the process I didn’t realize that you were waiting for me.” 

“It’s okay, we’ve talked it out now. I get that you needed time,” Seungmin whispers, squeezing Hyunjin’s hand. 

Hyunjin smiles before he pulls Seungmin up and drags him along. “Now let’s go get some groceries so we can eat soon. You can go on the back of my bike.” 

Seungmin thanks Felix for covering for him and tells him he’s going to have dinner at Hyunjin’s place, and Felix sends him five different kinds of thumbs ups as they walk past him, making both of them laugh. Seungmin gets on the back of Hyunjin’s bike, holding onto his middle tightly, and it feels nice to hold him like that and feel the breeze blowing through his hair as Hyunjin bikes. 

To think that this morning he still felt hopeless is weird, and though he can feel that not everything is completely back to normal yet, he’s happy that they could talk it out well and that they can try again and that Hyunjin was the one to suggest it. Seungmin likes getting to see Hyunjin’s life like this, how he bikes to the store, how he forgets what he was planning to cook and has to check his shopping list again, how he minds the price of every product but also grins happily when Seungmin tells him to just get that snack he’s been eyeing. 

Seungmin likes how Hyunjin pouts when Seungmin insists that he pays for him because he’s the reason Hyunjin needs to buy extra groceries, and he likes how Hyunjin puts the groceries in the same bag he brings to work because he doesn’t have any other bags. It’s definitely different from what Seungmin is used to, but, as Hyunjin tells him as well, it’s pretty nice to do together. 

Just like that it’s nice to cook together again. The atmosphere is a bit loaded and more awkward than the last time they cooked together, but they slowly warm up to each other, Seungmin making Hyunjin laugh with onion jokes, and Hyunjin showing Seungmin some tips and tricks in case he finally wants to start cooking for himself. 

“You know, I’m not all hopeless. Felix can cook a little, and sometimes— very sometimes, we cook something together,” Seungmin defends half-jokingly, and Hyunjin chuckles. “Though every single of our attempts to bake something have failed so far– except for the bungeoppang— despite Felix being good at baking.” 

“Hmm… I think I can deduce the reason behind the fails from this information,” Hyunjin teases, and Seungmin laughs as he softly pushes at Hyunjin’s shoulder. “I teach my students to read between the lines in my class too, though they get to do it metaphorically.”

“I will just keep quiet and leave my words open to the reader’s or listener’s interpretation.” Seungmin acts innocent, and, as always, it makes Hyunjin laugh again. 

“Hmm, but I think you’re definitely improving on cutting onions,” he says, ruffling Seungmin’s hair, and Seungmin sticks out his tongue, making Hyunjin snort. “I’m serious!” 

“Good,” Seungmin points the chopping knife at Hyunjin, hiding the way he feels warm from Hyunjin’s compliment. “I guess I have a good teacher, so I’m improving quickly.” 

Now Hyunjin flushes a little too, smiling bashfully. “You’re a good cooking apprentice as well.”

Once their dinner is ready, they’re both hungry (Seungmin still can’t get over that cooking takes so long and that Hyunjin just does it basically every day), and they first eat in a comfortable silence, getting some food in their stomachs before Hyunjin speaks up. 

“I’m curious, can I ask some more questions about the bet?” he asks before stuffing some noodles in his mouth, and Seungmin nods.

“Yeah, of course. I want to be fully honest so ask whatever you want,” he says, and Hyunjin smiles. 

“You said you told your friends you don’t want the reward for winning it anymore. What was it?” Hyunjin doesn’t seem to feel too upset about it anymore, fortunately, and Seungmin is glad he’s asking all about it. He hopes they can soon laugh about it. 

“Well, they offered to do my laundry for a week. Jobeom, Songyu, and Habin did. Felix, Jisung, and Jeongin weren’t really in on the bet,” he explains, and Hyunjin’s eyes widen in realization.

“Oh! So that’s why they said they were helping you with your laundry service on that note when they locked us in the library!” he points out and Seungmin snorts, confirming it. 

“Doing my own laundry is actually one of the things I do myself and I am good at, in terms of household chores, though.” He rubs his neck with a sheepish smile. “So yeah, I really mostly accepted the bet because I wanted to shoot my shot with you.” 

Hyunjin hums. “And what would happen if you'd fail?”

“I, uhm, I would have to wear a clown’s suit to the library for a week,” Seungmin explains, feeling a bit embarrassed, and Hyunjin snorts. “It’s childish– I know. But— The bet was pretty vague, and we were half-drunk when we made it. It was more of a challenge to pursue you in the first place, so if things didn’t work out between us, maybe they would have been lenient and called it a tie, because I did try.”

“Did you feel pressured to try?” Hyunjin asks then, and Seungmin purses his lips, taking a bite of his food as he thinks. 

“Maybe a tiny bit at times, but every time I decided to be bold with you, I ended up being rewarded in the best way, so… it wasn’t all bad,” Seungmin answers slowly. “I wouldn’t have done anything I didn’t want, though.”

“That’s good,” Hyunjin replies with a smile before slurping some more noodles. “I… I still have to get used to this knowledge, but I’m trying to see it as if your friends simply encouraged you instead of that you were forced or did it for the jokes.” 

“I understand. We can take it slow and I hope that I can make you feel like everything is genuine,” Seungmin whispers, reaching over to hold Hyunjin’s hand briefly. 

Hyunjin curls his fingers around Seungmin’s and brings Seungmin’s hand up to place a light kiss on his knuckles, making Seungmin blush. “I’m sure I’ll get there eventually if you just keep being yourself like this.” 

Seungmin is relieved to hear that and the atmosphere slowly turns more comfortable again as Seungmin helps Hyunjin with the dishes after dinner. He’s happy when Hyunjin still suggests continuing the drama they watched together and they cuddle up on the small couch to watch it, Hyunjin’s head resting on Seungmin’s shoulder. 

It’s nice and comfortable, and it makes Seungmin believe that Hyunjin is right in that they’ll get there eventually, because Seungmin still loves simply being in Hyunjin’s presence, and he feels like Hyunjin feels the same. 

Seungmin doesn’t really want to go back to his dorm, but he has to admit he’s getting tired after a few episodes — he hasn’t slept great this week — and Hyunjin notices, fondly running a hand through Seungmin’s hair. 

“Come, I’ll bike you back to the dorms so you can sleep,” he says. “And I thought students were supposed to go all out partying on a Friday night.” 

Seungmin huffs. “Not me. I rather keep it to drinking with my friends, or being on a date with someone I like.” 

Hyunjin coughs out an embarrassed laugh and smiles as he shakes his head. “Come here you flirt.”

Seungmin is happy that Hyunjin still smiles so beautifully at his flirting and that he himself still has the courage to flirt, but he’s taken by surprise when Hyunjin tilts his head pulls him into a brief, soft kiss, careful not to bump against Seungmin’s glasses. Before he can even kiss back properly, Hyunjin already parts from his lips, and Seungmin barely holds back a whine.

“Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself,” Hyunjin whispers with a sheepish smile, and Seungmin simply answers by taking off his glasses and pulling Hyunjin into another kiss. Hyunjin immediately melts, and they softly kiss, Seungmin holding Hyunjin’s nape, and Hyunjin’s arms wrapped around Seungmin’s middle. 

They keep it tame and slow, both because they’re a bit tired and because they don’t want to rush things, and in the back of his mind, Seungmin realizes that now, without the bet, he does feel a bit less rushed, which is nice. They chase each other a few times before they part fully and catch their breaths, still in each other’s embrace. 

Soon enough, they hoist themselves off the couch and Hyunjin bikes him back, Seungmin almost falling asleep sitting on the back, holding Hyunjin, and feeling the evening breeze. 

“I had a nice time again, as always,” Hyunjin tells him once they arrive at the dorms, and almost all of Seungmin’s worries and hopelessness from this morning have already disappeared. “Let’s do this again sometime?”

Seungmin can barely hold back his delight at hearing that Hyunjin wants to continue to date, and at that moment, it doesn’t matter that he doesn’t know exactly where they stand, because he knows that Hyunjin still likes him the same way Seungmin likes him. 

“I’d love that,” Seungmin answers, sneaking a kiss on Hyunjin’s cheek since there’s no one walking in the dorm halls right now. “And you are also still always welcome in the library.”

“I’ll definitely come by,” Hyunjin promises, sealing his promise with a gentle kiss to Seungmin’s lips. “Good night, Seungminnie.” 

“Good night, Hyunjinnie hyung.” Seungmin can’t stop smiling, not even when he turns around and enters his dorm. In fact, his smile only widens when Felix excitedly asks him how everything went. 

Seungmin tells him everything in full detail, laughing when Felix squeals and hugs him. “I’ll immediately text Innie and Jisungie about it.” 

“I’m surprised they weren’t here or that I didn’t walk in on you and Jeonginnie being gross again,” he comments, and Felix snorts, rolling his eyes at Seungmin. 

“They were here, but Innie was getting tired, and we assumed that everything went well for you because you weren’t back yet,” he explains, and Seungmin is touched that his friends always think of him and look out for him. 

“Well, you were right, then. And I get Jeonginnie— I’m tired, too.” He yawns and stretches himself a little. “I’m going to sleep, good night, Lixie.” 

Felix wishes him good night as well, and Seungmin almost immediately falls asleep as soon as he lays down in bed. This week was a rollercoaster, but it ended well, so Seungmin can sleep peacefully, with giddy excitement for what will come next for him and Hyunjin.

Seungmin is bouncing his leg as he sits in the library, waiting for Hyunjin to stop by. They texted a little over the weekend, mostly about a book Seungmin is reading because they’re still holding on to that tradition that formed ever since they met, but Hyunjin also said he’d stop by the library to get a book to read himself because he’s been getting the hang of being a professor so he has some more free time on his hands. 

He lights up when he sees Hyunjin, but his smile soon falls when he sees Hyunjin’s frown and the way he’s looking around as if he’s afraid he’s being followed. Seungmin mirrors Hyunjin’s frown and wants to grab his hand, but he hesitates.

“What’s wrong, Hyunjin hyung?” 

“There are rumors going around about us,” Hyunjin whispers with a concerned expression as he leans close, keeping his voice low, and Seungmin’s eyes widen as his heart sinks. He guesses it was an inevitable thing since they’ve been together often in the library, but other professors sometimes come to the library too, and he imagines that not everyone knows that Hyunjin even is a professor, like Seungmin didn’t when they met. 

“What? How do you know?” Seungmin asks, and Hyunjin presses his lips together. 

“Professor Bang, the coordinator, came to talk to me,” he explains, and Seungmin grimaces. “He says that an art student saw me bringing you back to the dorms last Friday and that others have said that they have seen me with you often before, but he only decided to talk to me when he heard this— me dropping you off at the dorm at night.” 

“Is he angry?” Seungmin wonders, his fingers twitching in the urge to hold Hyunjin’s hand again, and he wants to feel relieved when Hyunjin shakes his head, but he can’t when Hyunjin’s eyebrows are still drawn together. 

“No, not really… I– I was shocked but I did tell him the truth, that we’re sort of seeing each other and I explained that everything is consensual and that I’m not your professor and that we didn’t even know that we were professor and student at first,” Hyunjin rambles, running a hand through his long hair before he takes a deep breath. “Prof Bang heared me out and he said he understands but that he’ll still think about it and discuss it because they don’t want any misunderstandings or scandals to arise.” 

“Oh gosh,” Seungmin mutters, unsure of what to say. He’s glad that Hyunjin wanted to tell prof Bang the truth despite that they only recently talked things out, but he doesn’t want Hyunjin to have to carry all the burden of solving this. “Is there anything I can do? Should I talk to prof Bang too?” 

“I– I don’t know, maybe we should first wait for them to discuss everything? Maybe they’ll decide that it’s all fine already?” Hyunjin doesn’t sound too confident, but Seungmin doesn’t know what he can do to ease him. “I’m already glad no one asked me about anything during class if an art student saw us. I wouldn’t know what to say.” 

“Because you don’t want them to get the wrong idea or because you don’t know if you want to keep doing this if prof Bang doesn’t end up approving of us?” Seungmin asks hesitantly, hoping to hide his anxiety for being rejected. Hyunjin’s eyes widen, but Seungmin doesn’t know if that means that he didn’t think about that or that he’s afraid to answer and disappoint Seungmin. 

“No– The first one, I…” Hyunjin trails off, probably in search of the right words. “I don’t want to give up on you this easily, even if we only just made up after a fight. I just really like you, and I can’t deny that, so I want to at least try to fight for you.” 

Seungmin exhales in relief and smiles bashfully. “I want to fight for you, too, so if there is anything I can do, tell me.” 

“Will do.” Hyunjin returns the smile and briefly squeezes Seungmin’s hand before he sits down at his usual spot and asks Seungmin to tell him some more about the book they discussed during the weekend. 

They do as they’ve always done, just being a little more careful with affection just in case people might get the wrong idea. Seungmin thinks that even if they were to decide to become public and official together (with approval), they would still keep it lowkey in public, just because Seungmin thinks it’s more meaningful that way and he doesn’t think his relationship is for public eyes. 

Nevertheless, it would be nice to not be afraid that Hyunjin would lose his job over this or to just feel a bit more secure in their relationship. It sucks that they will have to wait and they can’t do much, but at least professor Bang didn’t seem to be angry or too judgmental from what Hyunjin told him, so all Seungmin can do is hope. 

While they don’t hear from prof Bang, they keep their more general conversations to the library, and their more personal or affectionate ones to texting. Hyunjin tells him that students did approach him to ask about his love life, but he told them that it’s none of their business, which seems to be enough for now, and Seungmin basically says the same when someone comes to ask him at the end of the week (or, specifically, he says ‘what do you care? I don’t even know you’ ). 

Right now he’s studying for the upcoming end-of-semester exams while sitting behind the counter in the library as always, hoping that no one else is going to disturb him to ask about Hyunjin. When Seungmin hears the doors open, he perks up, but instead of seeing Hyunjin, a different professor walks in— professor Bang. Seungmin takes in a breath and he braces himself for bad news when the professor approaches him. 

“Kim Seungmin?” the professor asks, and Seungmin nods. 

“Yes, that’s me,” he replies, trying to be confident. “Can I help you?” 

“Can I talk to you for a moment? I already arranged for someone to take over for you,” professor Bang tells him, and Seungmin gulps. 

“Yeah, uhm, sure.” He follows prof Bang when he beckons him to, and Seungmin wonders if Hyunjin will be there too, if they’re going to be told that they need to stop seeing each other and stay away from each other… 

When they get to Bang’s office, however, Hyunjin isn’t there, and Seungmin suspects that they might want to talk to him separately in case Hyunjin pressured him into anything? Either way, he’ll find out soon what this is about, and he sits down across from professor Bang when he motions for him to do so.

“Do you know why you’re here, Seungmin?” he asks, and Seungmin finds him less intimidating than he feared. 

“I’m guessing it’s about Hyunjin hyung,” he answers, trying to keep his face mostly neutral, and prof Bang quirks an eyebrow at Seungmin calling Hyunjin hyung. “He told me that you talked to him as well, because of the talks about us.”

“Exactly. Hyunjin-ssi already told me about your relationship already, but I want to hear things from your side as well, just to make sure that there are no power dynamics at play here,” professor Bang explains, and Seungmin hums. “So, just tell me about your relationship, how it started, how you’re feeling, how you see it, where you think you’re standing now…” 

Seungmin doesn’t like this feeling of being interrogated, but on the other hand he understands, and if this is what is needed to get the approval of the university, Seungmin gladly tells them everything. 

He explains how they met in the library, how Seungmin thought that Hyunjin was a student and Hyunjin thought that Seungmin was an employee because he works in the library, how they clicked, how Hyunjin immediately wanted to stop once he found out that Seungmin was a student, how they started being friends first after that, and so on. 

“Sometimes I even forget that he’s a professor if we aren’t talking about university,” Seungmin tells the professor. “I genuinely like him a lot and he likes me, and I am pretty sure that I am old enough to see that between us there is no significant difference in power. Sure, he’s older than I am, he has more experience in certain things and in life in general, but it doesn’t make our relationship unbalanced, because he’s not my professor and he can’t influence my grades or opportunities, and I have my own strengths and I can defend myself just fine.” 

Professor Bang crosses his arms and nods, taking in Seungmin’s story. “Okay, it sounds like you look at it the same way, that’s good.” 

Seungmin huffs softly, he knows that he and Hyunjin look at things the same way. After their misunderstanding, being locked in the library, and fight, they’re both making sure they try to be on the same page about their relationship, but he’s glad that professor Bang sees it too.

“And I’ve heard that some of your friends do follow professor Hwang’s class. Is that going to be a problem?” he asks, and Seungmin shrugs. 

“I don’t see why it would be? If Hyunjin hyung would for some reason threaten me to fail my friends if I don’t do what he wants, I could just report him to you, right?” he replies, and the professor nods. 

“And what about professor Hwang possibly giving your friends preferential treatment?” 

“Professors give some students preferential treatment over others for different reasons all the time,” Seungmin answers simply. “If that is going to be a problem in your eyes, I’d start talking to every professor. It’s not illegal for professors to be friends with students, though I wouldn’t even say that my friends and Hyunjin hyung are that yet. Besides, the semester is almost over, so they won’t follow his class anymore soon anyway.” 

“Fair enough,” professor Bang says with a hint of finality, and Seungmin hopes that he has somehow managed to convince him that he and Hyunjin are allowed to be together. “Thank you for answering my questions Seungmin. I will bring this all to the table and we’ll let you and Hyunjin-ssi know what our advice will be soon.”

“I can still talk to him on campus and in the library until then, right?” Seungmin asks as he stands up, and the professor hums with a small smile. 

“I guess I can’t stop you, but I would just say to be… careful,” he replies. 

“Of course.” Seungmin bows before he’s out and he heads back to the library, wondering if Hyunjin is already there looking for him, or not. 

Sure enough, Seungmin finds Hyunjin looking restless and worried in front of the library, and he immediately rushes to Seungmin when they meet eyes. 

“Seungmin! They told me that professor Bang wanted to talk to you?” Hyunjin holds his arm and looks at him with concern. “What did he want? Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah, things are okay,” Seungmin assures, placing his hand on Hyunjin’s briefly. “He just wanted to hear about our relationship from me, to get the full picture. I told them that I really like you and that I know you like me, so that I don’t think our relationship will be any problem for the university.” 

Hyunjin exhales in relief and smiles. “Knowing you, you were probably more convincing than I was. Did prof Bang take it well?”

“I think he did? He at least said that it was good that we seemed to view our relationship in the same way,” Seungmin tells him, and Hyunjin’s smile widens. “I… Let’s just say that I’ll be shocked if they’re going to be very difficult about us.” 

“Gosh– I hope you’re right,” Hyunjin breathes, his hand sliding down to squeeze Seungmin’s before he looks around and lets go. “The end of the semester is coming close, so I hope we can end it on a good note and not have to be careful next semester.”

“Me too,” Seungmin agrees, and it’s silent for a beat. Seungmin doesn’t want to leave, but he should probably head home and study for a bit more, so he tells Hyunjin that, and the latter understands. 

“I should probably do some more work, too. But I’ll text you okay?” he replies, his hand finding Seungmin’s neck briefly— Suddenly a whistle sounds and they both flush and step back when someone claps and laughs. “Oh gosh– do you know them?”

Seungmin shakes his head. “No idea who they are. Just ignore and move on.”

“Yeah. Uhm, I’ll text you, good luck studying!” Hyunjin tells him before they part ways, and Seungmin lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. 

He’s trying not to stress over his exams and professor Bang’s verdict on his relationship, but he is feeling the pressure of both looming over him. He can’t influence the verdict anymore, but he can try to ease the pressure of his exams by studying a bit more, so he tries that, even if he can’t fully focus. 

Just texting Hyunjin and talking to Felix when they eat dinner does help, but he hopes that the exam weeks can go smoothly and as Hyunjin said, they can end this semester on a good note. 

Seungmin is revising his notes, trying to make the information stick in his brain because tomorrow he has his first exam, but they haven’t heard anything from professor Bang yet, and as much as Seungmin wants to not be distracted by it, it plagues the back of his mind. 

He sighs and closes his notebook, looking around at all the other students cramming for their exams in the library. He doesn’t know if Hyunjin will come today, because they’re both busy with wrapping up the semester, so he will have to manage by himself like he’s always done. He opens his notebook again and decides to just go over them once more, maybe write them down again to force his brain to work—

“Seungmin! Seungminnie—” Seungmin perks up when he hears Hyunjin’s whisper-shouting, and he lights up as soon as he sees Hyunjin’s happy expression. “I know that you’re studying, but I have some good news.” 

“You do?” Seungmin tries to keep his expectations low until he hears the words from Hyunjin, but he can’t help but hold his breath in anticipation. 

“Yes! Prof Bang talked to me about what they decided, and we’re all good!” Hyunjin cheers, obviously doing his best to keep his voice low in the library. Seungmin gasps and immediately runs around the counter to jump into Hyunjin’s arms and hug him. 

“That’s amazing! I knew it would be alright,” Seungmin tells him with the biggest smile that Hyunjin returns tenfold, brightening up the whole library. “So we can just… be ourselves on campus too?” 

“Yep. Though, of course we have to be decent, but I don’t think that will be a problem as long as you keep that hickey-sucking mouth of yours under control,” Hyunjin jokes, and Seungmin laughs, feeling a thousand times lighter than just before. 

Instead of replying, Seungmin pulls Hyunjin behind one of the bookshelves, takes off his glasses, and kisses him lovingly, enjoying the way Hyunjin melts in his arms as always. They’re startled and pull away when they hear footsteps, and Seungmin giggles in relief when he sees that they haven’t been caught. 

“Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself,” he repeats Hyunjin’s words from when the day they talked things out, and Hyunjin chuckles, sneaking a kiss on Seungmin’s cheek before he pulls back. “But I’ll keep my hickey-sucking mouth in control.”

Hyunjin cackles happily and squeezes Seungmin’s nape fondly. “Good. I know that our relationship has been approved now, but let’s still keep thing a bit private?” 

“I’d like that too,” Seungmin replies, his cheeks feeling a bit warm in giddiness. “But… let’s talk about this properly when my exams are over? Maybe we can celebrate, I don’t know.” 

“That sounds like a good plan,” Hyunjin answers, his hand caressing Seungmin’s neck. “Now go use that big brain of yours and study well, and text me to tell me how it went tomorrow okay? I’ll be busy grading assignments so I can’t visit you in the library this week…” 

“Will do. Good luck grading.” Seungmin places one last quick kiss on Hyunjin’s lips before they part their ways for now and focus on studying and grading, but now they both can fully focus on it without other worries nagging in the back of their minds, and Seungmin is even motivated to do well with the prospect of celebrating with Hyunjin after his exams. 

The exam weeks seem to go by in a blink — it’s all studying, eating, sleeping, and texting Hyunjin briefly to tell him how everything is going, but it mostly feels like the days are a haze of literature, books, and more literature. It’s as if time flows differently for two weeks and his brain is replaced by an encyclopedia of literature knowledge for a bit, but after his last exam, when he’s finally done and exhales in relief, it feels like he can take a breath and give his brain some rest, slowly ease back into normal life.

“ Finally, ” Felix groans, and Seungmin laughs and agrees. “You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and then play some games to kill time until we can bother Innie and Jisungie after their last exam.” 

“Sounds like a good plan,” Seungmin sighs longingly. “I haven’t decided yet, Hyunjin hyung is still busy for a bit more, grading and giving feedback, but…” 

“But what?” Felix asks curiously, leaning closer. 

“I was thinking of doing something nice for him, but I don’t know what. I could buy him his favorite flowers, but I feel like that isn’t enough,” he replies with a shrug. He was thinking of maybe attempting to cook dinner for Hyunjin tomorrow on top of gifting the flowers, but his dorm room isn’t the most comfortable, and he doesn’t have the keys to Hyunjin’s apartment. 

“Okay, new plan: we go back to our dorm and come up with something you can do for your boyfriend— almost boyfriend.” Felix grabs his wrist and pulls him along. “And we rope Innie and Jisungie into it once they’re done too.” 

Seungmin laughs, appreciating Felix’s support, and they spend the afternoon brainstorming (but also mostly joking around) to recover from their exams and come up with something Seungmin can do for Hyunjin as a surprise. 

“Oh! He can also maybe join our friend meeting tomorrow if he wants to!” Felix suggests, and Jeongin and Jisung agree, saying that now they don’t have him as their professor anymore, they can’t go wrong with it. 

“Sure, I’ll ask him tomorrow,” Seungmin says, already giddy with excitement for tomorrow. He hopes he can make Hyunjin happy with his surprise and that they can have a nice start of their official relationship (maybe Seungmin is getting ahead of himself, but he’s pretty sure that Hyunjin feels the same, unable to wait to make their relationship official).

You: Hey my hard worker <3

You: When you’re done being an amazing professor can you come to the dorms?

You: I have a surprise for you

Hyunjinnie: Is this a bootycall?

Seungmin snorts at Hyunjin’s reply, and he blushes. As much as he enjoyed last time, the dorm is not really suited for having comfortable sex so they will have to keep it at a romantic dinner. 

You: No! The dorms have thin walls and the beds aren’t nearly as comfortable or big as mine at my house

Hyunjinnie: Noted haha

Hyunjinnie: I just have to finish up sending all the feedback and then I’ll be there ^^

You: I’ll be waiting~

Seungmin giddily puts away his phone and checks on the food that is slowly getting done as he goes over everything he planned for the date — dinner? check. flowers? check. contacts in for a more comfortable kissing experience? check. a tidy dorm? check. 

Maybe Hyunjin will get there before the dinner is completely done, but that’s better than having it get cold. He’s also glad that almost everyone in the dorm has already gone home for the break between semesters, so there are no prying eyes or people who can disturb them. 

“Seungminnie?” Seungmin immediately turns around as he hears Hyunjin’s voice, and he smiles at Hyunjin’s surprised expression as he enters the dorm’s shared kitchen. “Wait– it’s smelling really good? Is that you cooking?” 

“Yes! It’s almost ready. Surprise~” Seungmin chuckles, and Hyunjin’s mouth falls open. “Before you ask who I am and what happened to the spoiled rich kid, I asked Felix and my mom for a recipe and some tips.” 

“I— That’s amazing– You prepared all this even though you had exams?” Hyunjin asks, a touched lilt to his voice, and Seungmin nods before he tells Hyunjin to wait and he gets the flowers. 

“Here. I remembered that you said that purple tulips are your favorite flowers, so I bought them for you.” He hands them over, and Hyunjin mouth hangs open as he accepts them, seemingly needing to process it for a moment.

“Dinner and these beautiful flowers…?” Hyunjin trails off before he pulls him into a hug and kisses the side of Seungmin’s head. “Oh my gosh you’re the best, Seungminnie. Really.” 

“Save that for when you actually taste the food— hold on, it should be about ready by now.” Seungmin blushes and turns to the stove and turns it off, and once Hyunjin is done laughing at Seungmin’s little comment, he offers to help. “You don’t have to, you probably had a long day– a long two weeks, even.”

“Ugh, definitely,” Hyunjin lets out a deep groan, deflating a little. “But I can help getting everything to your dorm and then tell you all about it.” 

Seungmin relents and they swiftly move to the dorm room (Felix is at Jeongin and Jisung’s room), and Hyunjin puts the flowers in some water before they sit at the small wonky dining table and they plate their food. 

“I’m sorry that we have to do with the small dorm room for this,” Seungmin says. “My parents are home this time and I can’t just break into your apartment— though I did consider it.” 

Hyunjin barks out a laugh. “Ah, hence it wasn’t a bootycall,” he teases, and Seungmin snorts. “No, but it’s all good. My apartment isn’t that much bigger or fancier, so this reminds me of home, but I can give you a spare key for next time.” 

Seungmin blushes, not having expected such a sweet answer to his joking comments, and he can’t hold back a bashful smile. “I’d like that.” 

He then motions for Hyunjin to eat the food, and he chuckles at Hyunjin’s satisfied groan when he takes a bite. 

“This was just what I needed,” he sighs in content. “I really wanted some nice hot food, but I really didn’t want to cook, and like this I have your company too, so a win win win.” 

Seungmin shrugs and waves him off with a smile. “I’m glad I could do this for you. Now tell me how your first exam week as a professor went!” 

Hyunjin chuckles and starts ranting, telling Seungmin about how chaotic everything was and he couldn’t reach one of the teaching assistants, and Seungmin gladly listens before telling Hyunjin a bit more about his exams. It’s nice, it’s comfortable, and it’s the best way to wind down from exams (and the preparation for the date was even fun, too). 

“Gosh, I can’t thank you enough for this, Seungminnie,” Hyunjin repeats once they finish eating and Seungmin has put all their dishes in the kitchen, saying he’ll do them later. Seungmin huffs and accepts Hyunjin’s hug and loving kiss gladly. 

“It really wasn’t any problem, but I’m happy you liked it so much,” he whispers against Hyunjin’s lips. “I had a lot of fun preparing it with my friends too.”

“Good,” Hyunjin replies, smiling as he mindlessly caresses Seungmin’s back. “I… I guess I’m just so used to having to do everything myself, always help around… So I really appreciate this. It’s nice to have something done for me for once without worrying that I’m spending too much money.” 

Seungmin softens, even more glad that he did this for Hyunjin now. He knew that Hyunjin has to cook for himself every day, but sometimes he forgets that Hyunjin has had to do this his whole life basically. “Well, I’ll gladly help you around more often during the break if you want.” 

“Only if we make them all dates like this one,” Hyunjin says, booping their noses together, and Seungmin grins widely. 

“Even better.” He closes the gap between them and kisses Hyunjin lovingly. Hyunjin pulls him closer as he reciprocates, and they both let out all of the lingering stress and worries through the kiss, holding each other. 

“Be my boyfriend, Seungmin,” Hyunjin whispers when they part for breath, and Seungmin’s heart skips a beat. 

“I thought you’d never ask,” Seungmin mutters, butterflies flapping up a storm in his stomach at the sight of Hyunjin’s sunny smile. “I just wanted to ask you the same.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. I have been wanting to say this all my life basically, especially the past two weeks,” Hyunjin tells him with a giddy grin, and Seungmin is happy that he could give Hyunjin this experience, so he tells him so with another soft kiss to seal this new development in their relationship. Through the kiss, he can feel that Hyunjin has wanted this as much as he did.

They then settle on Seungmin’s bed to kiss and talk a bit more, just about some things they want and don’t want in terms of PDA, and things they want to do during the break together. Seungmin will go to his parents’ house again for a bit, but he promises to stop by Hyunjin’s place often if he can. 

“Oh right, and tomorrow my friends and I are having our biweekly hangout again, and Jeonginnie, Innie, and Lixie said that you’re invited,” Seungmin tells Hyunjin, whose eyes widen. 

“I am? Oh– I don’t know if I’ll be the best company, but I’d love to meet your friends properly,” he replies, and Seungmin kisses his cheek. “I am planning to tell my parents about you soon, too, now that we’re officially official. They’re coming over next week— you don’t have to meet them, yet, if you don’t want to, but just so you know.” 

“Do you think they’ll be supportive?” Seungmin asks, and Hyunjin nods. 

“They’ve been supportive of me all my life, even when I said I wanted to pursue art so I didn’t know if I could provide for them later,” he explains, and Seungmin recognizes it from a few stories Hyunjin had told him. It’s good to know that Hyunjin has that support in his life. “What about you? You said you’re going home tomorrow right?” 

“Yeah, I want to tell my parents and sister, too,” Seungmin tells him, fidgeting with Hyunjin’s fingers a little. “I have no idea what they’ll think, but I don’t really care. I can do whatever I want.” 

Hyunjin snorts. “That’s one of the things I like about you.” 

Seungmin just grins happily and Hyunjin tackles him on the bed in an act of cute aggression, smothering him with kisses. Seungmin giggles in delight and gladly accepts all the affection given to him, and he tries to give some of it back as well. 

It already felt like they were boyfriends for a while, but now that they’ve cleared everything up and they can actually call each other boyfriends, it feels even better to kiss and fool around without any lingering worries, and Seungmin thinks he has never ended a semester better than like this, feeling loved, and seeing someone else be over the moon receiving your own love. 

Hyunjin doesn’t stay over, but that’s okay, he’ll see him tomorrow evening as well, and he texts his friends that Hyunjin will be there, too. Seungmin’s mood can’t be brought down anymore, not even when the next day he comes home and his parents are a bit reluctant to hear that he’s dating one of the professors — he doesn’t care, because his sister does congratulate him, and he can tell that his parents can see that he’s happy and in love. 

The hangout with his friends goes well, too. Hyunjin has to warm up to everyone a little, just like his friends do to Hyunjin, but after a drink and some jokes, they still have a nice time, and it seems like the difference between their ages is easily forgotten. Jobeom, Songyu, and Habin even apologize for having wagered Seungmin to ask him out, but Hyunjin waves them off, saying that it’s fine, and that things went well the way they did, which makes Seungmin even more relieved, knowing that Hyunjin doesn’t bear any leftover worries or grudges regarding that. It makes him feel even more secure in their relationship, and it makes him even more excited to experience what life has in store for them in the future. 

Hyunjinnie<3: Seungminnie

Hyunjinnie<3: I don’t know if you’re busy or not, but my parents won’t stop bothering me about you

Hyunjinnie<3: They really want to meet you already

Hyunjinnie<3: No pressure though you don’t have to come if you don’t want to

You: I don’t have anything to do today so I can come over yeah ^^

Hyunjinnie<3: Great! You can stay over for dinner, my dad is cooking~

You: I’ll be there in a bit

You: I’ll ask my sister to drive me

Hyunjinnie<3: See you in a bit my spoiled Minnie<3

You: Know that I am sticking my tongue out at you right now

Hyunjinnie<3: Noted<3

Seungmin immediately gets out of bed where he had been lounging and reading and runs over to his sister’s room. “Seungeunnie noona! Can you drive me somewhere?” 

“That depends. Where to?” she teases and Seungmin huffs. 

“To my boyfriend’s place,” he replies and her grin widens. Seungmin likes saying ‘my boyfriend’ about Hyunjin, but he still feels a bit shy saying it in front of his sister. 

She easily agrees, however, though not without asking him what they will do and screeching when Seungmin tells her that Hyunjin’s parents want to meet him. Seungmin laughs, and he realizes that Hyunjin is about his sister’s age and that she can be as childish as Hyunjin can be. 

Seungmin is a little nervous to meet Hyunjin’s parents because he really likes Hyunjin and wants his parents to like him too, but he knows that Hyunjin won’t let his parents sway him and he said his parents have always been supportive, so it’ll probably be fine. 

“Will you stay the night there or do I need to come pick you up again later?” Seungeun asks him, and Seungmin shrugs. 

“I don’t know yet. I’ll text you about it, okay?” he replies, and she gives a thumbs up before wishing him good luck and to have fun. 

Seungmin rings the bell with his heart up in his throat in giddiness and nerves, but it’s already eased a little when Hyunjin opens the door and positively lights up when he sees Seungmin. They hug and Hyunjin kisses his cheek before he brings him in, a supportive hand on the small of Seungmin’s back to ground him. 

“Ah, there he is! Seungmin!” Hyunjin’s mom greets him excitedly. “Hyunjin has told us so much about you. Really, he couldn’t shut up about you.” 

“Mom!” Hyunjin whines and Seungmin laughs, though he feels warm knowing that Hyunjin has talked about him so much. 

“Can you bring the conversation to the kitchen? I want to meet him too!” Hyunjin’s dad calls from the kitchen, and they chuckle as they move there. 

Seungmin introduces himself to Hyunjin’s parents and they talk a bit about themselves as Hyunjin’s dad cooks, and Seungmin warms up to Hyunjin’s parents pretty easily, and he feels comfortable being a little affectionate with Hyunjin around them, too. It’s already immediately clear that Hyunjin’s parents are very open and supportive of their son, and Seungmin loves the warm atmosphere.

“So, Seungmin, next year is your last year of your master’s right?” Hyunjin’s dad asks when they’re all eating the delicious dinner he cooked. “Do you already know what you want to do after that? Are you thinking of moving away?” 

Hyunjin shoots his dad a look, and Seungmin wonders if Hyunjin worries about what will come after Seungmin’s graduation. 

“I’m not too sure yet. I’ll just look around and see what comes onto my path and what sounds like something I can enjoy doing,” Seungmin replies, checking everyone’s expressions, but he finds it difficult to interpret them. “I’m planning to look more deeply into what exactly I can and want to do next year, and if I can’t find anything right away, I can always keep working in the university library while I’m looking.” 

“It’s good that you don’t sound too worried about the future,” Hyunjin’s mom comments. “And what if you find something elsewhere and you’d have to move?” 

“Mom…” Hyunjin hisses softly, his cheeks getting a little red, and he seems a bit embarrassed, but Seungmin finds it sweet that Hyunjin’s parents are looking out for their son and bringing up these things, because while Seungmin hadn’t thought too much about it yet, these are good questions to think about, even if they still have more than a year to do so. 

“I’m not completely sure what I’d do, it depends on the circumstances, but…” he trails off and looks at Hyunjin, whose eyes are glimmering prettily as he watches Seungmin in return. “If things with Hyunjin hyung keep going the way they are, I want us to stay together, whatever will happen, so the least I’ll do is discuss things with him.” 

Hyunjin lets out a small breath of relief, and his parents seem satisfied with the answer as well, fortunately.

“I feel the same, though I wouldn’t want to hold you back from anything, of course,” Hyunjin tells him, placing his hand on Seungmin’s thigh and caressing it a little. “But— That will all come later, we’ll cross that bridge when we find it.” 

Seungmin agrees, and the rest of the dinner they talk about other, lighter things, and Seungmin is proud that he manages to make Hyunjin and his parents laugh quite a few times. It’s a nice evening, and Seungmin is glad he came over and sees how supportive Hyunjin’s parents are for himself. 

“You know, you’re a good kid, Seungmin,” Hyunjin’s mother tells him as they’re both washing the dishes after dinner, and Seungmin thanks her softly. “Thank you for making Hyunjin happy.” 

“He makes me happy, too,” Seungmin whispers, heat creeping up his neck at the admission. They haven’t been boyfriends for too long, sure, but they’ve been meaning to become official for a longer time, and their bond and feelings say more than whatever label they have. 

“I’m glad you two found each other,” Hyunjin’s mom tells him, and Seungmin agrees softly. They continue washing dishes in a comfortable silence after that, and Seungmin can’t stop smiling to himself, glad to have Hyunjin’s parents’ approval, even if he doesn’t need it to be happy with Hyunjin. 

Soon after having a cup of tea and talking some more, Hyunjin’s parents leave, but with the promise to see Seungmin again soon, and Seungmin and Hyunjin settle on the couch with a deep sigh, huddling close to each other. 

“I hope you had a nice time with my parents, too,” Hyunjin whispers, nuzzling his nose against the side of Seungmin’s head. “And that they didn’t say too many embarrassing things.” 

Seungmin chuckles and leans into Hyunjin’s touch. “It was very nice. I can tell they really care for you.” 

“They do, and… they could tell I really care for you, too,” Hyunjin replies, and Seungmin blushes, his heart swelling. “Though I hope you don’t feel pressured because of anything.” 

“I don’t,” Seungmin assures, turning his head to kiss Hyunjin softly. “I want the same as you, I want this to work, I want to stay together even after I graduate, no matter what else comes onto our paths.” 

Hyunjin smiles and pulls Seungmin onto his lap to kiss him more deeply, and Seungmin can feel that Hyunjin believes him, he can feel that they’re both serious about this and want to make this work. 

They’ve had their ups and their downs, from their meeting at the library, bumping into each other in a cliche manner, to Seungmin taking that bet that was both a help and a barrier, to getting locked in the library by his friends, to all the dates they’ve had and more. All in all, even if there would be things that Seungmin would do differently next time, he’s happy with how things went, they enjoyed the good parts, learned from the bad ones, and are looking forward to whatever will come next. 

“Will you stay the night, Seungminnie?” Hyunjin asks softly between kisses, and Seungmin’s stomach flips.

“Is this a booty call?” he jokes, and Hyunjin barks out a laugh, squeezing Seungmin’s waist.

“I’m asking you in person, you idiot!” he snickers, shaking Seungmin from side to side. 

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Seungmin teases, and Hyunjin huffs lifting Seungmin off his lap without answering. “Ah, I see, you’re keeping me on my toes. Exciting.” 

Hyunjin cackles and just hugs Seungmin close, pulling him along towards the bathroom, saying that he’s tired and wants to get ready for bed, so Seungmin gladly goes along and texts his sister that he’ll be staying over, feeling giddy and warm at the prospect of sleeping together (in whichever way that will be). 

It feels domestic, and it’s nice, both of them unable to keep their hands and lips off each other as they get ready for bed. And how they spend the rest of their night exactly, well, that is for only them to know. 

The end.