i only accept apologies in the form of cash

so maybe ryosuke was an open book to most people. he didn’t see the point of hiding his emotions when people were going to figure out anyway so at most, he does tend to wear his heart on his sleeve. times like this however had him wishing he learned the art; he’s pretty sure his professor already saw how wound up he was at the very moment. the only other time he’d been uncomfortable in taewoon’s presence was during their first meeting, and it was mostly because the professor was far too charismatic that he couldn’t actually breathe then. ryosuke himself thought he’d gotten over that otherwise uncomfortable environment but now he’s cursing at the fact that it’s back.

and despite the otherwise ashamed nature he was in at the very moment, he couldn’t hide the surprise—and probably even relief—when the older male had downright offered help. “i…you will?”, he asked, as if to confirm he didn’t hear wrong. as much as the jock hated asking for help from anyone, he knew that if he didn’t take this opportunity, political economy was going to fuck him over in the future. besides, who better to teach him than his favourite professor?

until taewoon had cursed and now ryosuke was more worried than anything. with a furrow of his brows, he almost stepped forward when he remembered that this was a professor and he wasn’t even sure if the professor was alright with it. there were boundaries that were set either way and he’s pretty sure taewoon saw him as just a student and nothing else. which he did find a little disappointing because ryosuke did want to be close to him since he’s probably one of the reasons why he’s even trying so hard. nonetheless, he still asked, “are you okay, professor?”

as much as he wanted to end this conversation for his own comfort, as much as he wanted to continue on pretending that he didn’t care, he saw too much in ryosuke. someone that tried that hard and ended up in a situation like this wasn’t someone he could just brush aside. time to suck it up and just get on with it, rather than debate and make one of his favorite students more uncomfortable than necessary. some discomfort, he wanted, but only enough for the younger to remember this moment if he ever thought about slacking off, or quitting. 

this was going to be an experience, that was for sure. “i’m fine,” he replied quickly, lifting his head and running his fingers through his hair. he was just going to have to make sure to be just as firm with his students and with ryosuke, to make sure that neither his integrity or his control over his classes slipped. he could manage that. the problem he faced after that was the idea of other students asking for extra help. he was going to have to give it, to be fair to them, but no part of him was excited about it.

“are you taking it this semester or next? if it’s this semester, how much help do you need? if you do want my help, you’ll have to take it seriously. as with my classes, if you’re late, you fall asleep or you stop trying, that’s the end of it.” with the words, he pulled one of the drawers of his desk open, pulling a notebook out of it. “these are my notes. if you breathe a word to anyone about them, we’re going to have problems. you’re still going to have to pay attention in class, but they’ll help and we can go from there.”

a shiver had gone up his spine at taewoon’s voice, and not the kind of shiver that he was used to. he swallowed hard before looking down, wincing because now he’s pretty sure continuing to play dumb was going to piss off the professor and there was no way in hell he was going to risk that. it wouldn’t do him any good if the professor he looked up to and tried so hard to receive his approval got angry at him at all. so he chose to keep quiet instead.

if the situation weren’t so serious, ryosuke would’ve found it funny that he was now incredibly nervous to be in the same room as taewoon alone, considering the fact that early in his keisung years, he’d tried so hard to even get the professor’s time of day. and now that he got it, he’s already wishing that the ground would swallow him whole.

one mention of him being held back and the jock leader had visibly deflated; hearing it come out of the professor’s lips had reminded him that the whole thing was real. his grip on his bag tightened and he started fidgeting, refusing to meet his professor’s eyes for a moment before finally taking a deep breath and looking up. “i…i was planning on taking a few more electives on political theory, and probably contemporary issues,” he replied, hoping that it would appease the older male, at least a little thankful that he could still take another current affairs class to make up for the credits he missed. “and maybe a few political economy classes as well. i…uh…i’m still bad at political economy.” he looked down again, his cheeks tinged red in embarrassment again, knowing this was essentially one of the worst things that could happen to him now. so he couldn’t help but say, “i’m sorry i disappointed you, professor.”

it was in moments like this that taewoon wished he was a different kind of person. he could see the stress that ryosuke was under and most people in this moment, he knew, would offer some form of support or reassurance, but here he was, just sitting down at his desk, no words to offer to smooth things over. it wasn’t like he didn’t care, but moments that required empathy and care made him uncomfortable. being soft wasn’t something that came naturally for him and whenever he tried to be, it always went badly in one way or another.

and then his mouth was opening without his control and words were coming out. “i’ll help you with political economy, and i’m not disappointed.” after he closed his mouth, he thought about what his father would have to say and almost laughed. no doubt something talking about how weak he’d become since he’d left. ah well, it was what it was. if he was weak, he was weak. 

@ksjian

there were quite a few staff members in their school that were around the same age. he interacted with the ones that he had to, and of course he was polite enough, but if he didn’t have to, he was content to avoid and ignore them. there were too many that were either too happy or too friendly, or just.. too much. he was selective in the people he spent time around.

he’d been in school with some of them, jian included. at school, he remembered not really having an issue with him, and interacting, but he didn’t know much about him then or now. tae was intrigued, though, and he had a feeling they’d probably get along. that or they’d hate each other. it was a risk he was willing to take, in all honesty. interesting people were rare and he’d hate to pass up a good opportunity. even now, they interacted occasionally, but things were a little.. awkward.

Ryosuke knew that the professors probably already received the student lists or whatever lists they had, along with the many evaluations and reports and whatever else that the faculty always got. The jock usually didn’t care about them reading whatever was written about the students, thinking he had already done his best so he didn’t see the point of worrying. But that wasn’t the case now—the case now was that the one person he had tried so hard to impress since he got on to Keisung was quite possibly going to be disappointed.

Taewoon was one of his favourite professors, there was no doubt about that—and he said one of his favourites because he knows Mykie would have his head if she weren’t part of it. He knew the stereotypes against him: he was a jock and there existed a language barrier then, but Ryosuke was competitive and stubborn enough to go beyond that. In a sense, he took his studies seriously and trying to impress Taewoon had been one of the main reasons why.

“Uh…of course,” he shifted awkwardly, flinging his messenger bag back, and following the professor. He cursed in his head, already knowing this didn’t mean good news. “What did you want to talk about, Professor?”, he asked as he feigned innocence again. Ryosuke was well aware of the fact that they were going to talk about why he had been held back because he’s pretty sure his professor had gotten the news already. But maybe if he acted like he didn’t know what they were going to talk about, the professor wouldn’t bring it up.

Who was he kidding. Song Taewoon didn’t fuck around.

tae almost wanted to laugh as ryosuke asked what he wanted to talk about. almost, but not quite. this was, if he was being honest, one of his favorite students playing dumb about something that was definitely not a joke. “i wonder.” he replied, his tone low and calm, “if you really have no idea what i want to talk to you about.” normally, when asked a question with what he thought was an obvious answer, he’d just dismiss it as stupidity, but not with ryosuke. he knew better.

he pulled the key to his office out of his pocket, unlocking the door again so that they could have this conversation where half of the school wasn’t sitting there trying to hear what was going on. his bag dropped to the floor inside the door, since he wasn’t planning on settling back in or staying very long. as he made his way to his desk, he glanced over his shoulder at his student. 

Following instruction, Jaehyun trailed Taewoon and eased himself onto the back of his bike. “Wasn’t planning on it,” he managed, scooting in closer to the other male leaving no tangible space between them. Well, minus the area his front facing backpack occupied. The bike roared to life and instinctively the misfit’s arms secured themselves around Taewoon’s torso. “You know, I don’t think you’ve ever taken me out on your bike before,” he commented. At least in recent  sober memory that remained true. This was the first time he could recall being on the back of the professors bike but it was definitely something he could get used to. 

They pressed on, weaving in and out of traffic and eventually merging onto the highway in pursuit of Taewoon’s apartment which lied not too far from where they were now if he remembered correctly. The unforgiving night time air ripping against his exposed skin was a refreshing sensation despite the temperature. Somehow bringing himself closer, Jaehyun allowed himself to lean on the older male, only slightly, as his gaze shifted to the passing city-scape they left behind, good riddance. It almost felt like a weight was being lifted off of his chest and the further they got from Keisung, the lighter it got.

there was something about having someone on the back of his bike that had always gotten to him. that person was relying on you for their safety, trusting you more than someone in a car would. even if it was equally dangerous to ride in a car, people don’t usually think about how unsafe it is to get into a car, but getting on a bike it’s blatantly obvious. it wasn’t something that he offered often either, didn’t want to deal with someone else. as he sped up, driving towards his apartment, he was tempted to close his eyes and just drive blindly for a few moments, and would have had jaehyun not been behind him, arms tightly wrapped around him, reminding him of his presence. he wasn’t sure what had possessed him to think this was a good idea, but it was too late. 

{ @kstaewoon }

So maybe he shouldn’t even be doing this.

After failing to reach the quota for Todai, Ryosuke hasn’t actively sought out approval from anyone—let alone someone older than him. The last time he did was with his dad and even until now, their relationship hasn’t been the smoothest of journeys. Even until now, their relationship remained sour and if it weren’t for the fact that he was still his son, he’s pretty sure his father wouldn’t talk to him at all. Yet the moment he stepped on to Keisung, Ryosuke found himself seeking the approval of one particular professor. 

It had started out as him trying to be noticed by Professor Song, his attraction to the older male definitely far too obvious for anyone to ignore. Taewoon was well within his type—what with the long legs and the otherwise aloof nature—and Ryosuke found himself so utterly weak, especially when he spoke. And considering he was teaching quite a lot of Ryosuke’s major classes, he found himself striving to reach the otherworldly high standards that the professor apparently had. In a sense, he had gone from just being attracted and trying to be noticed, to actually meeting and going beyond the standards and expectations that Taewoon had set for all of them.

Except Ryosuke was actually hiding from him now.

The minute he had been called to the department chair’s office was the same minute he found out that he had been held back a year—all because he enrolled a semester late during freshman year. And while he had tried to fix the problem, it was obvious that he was repeating junior year, not because he fucked up a class, but because his schedule had fucked up and he was required to take additional units before he stepped foot on to senior year. But the thought that he would be disappointing a professor—Song Taewoon, of all people—had him hiding out and hiding away from him. Until he bumped into him just as he was about to get out of the building. “Professor Song. Uh…”, he trailed off, “I haven’t seen you…in a while…” A lie, considering class just ended two weeks ago. Great job, Ryosuke. You’re officially the worst liar ever.

tae knew that there more than a few students that were uncomfortable around him, or that felt like there was extra pressure being in his classes. honestly, he was fine with that. he wasn’t doing anything that should make someone feel uncomfortable if they paid attention and tried. political sciences classes were easy, in his opinion, but only if you paid attention and knew how to use your mind. the people who failed out of his classes were always the people that either thought their shit didn’t smell, or the people who had only taken the class for the credit.

every semester, there were at least one or two students that impressed him. he did his best not to let on to who they were, but it was something he absolutely took notice of. typically, they were people in his major, and he wanted to make sure to remember them. one in particular this semester was someone that had surprised him. though he didn’t really give two shits about the cliques, it had still surprised him that one of his best students was a jock. 

from the first year he’d started teaching, he’d been careful not to get too friendly with any of his students. it hadn’t always went perfectly, but for the most part, he had done well and hadn’t gotten attached. in ryosuke’s case, though, he could see that he was failing. when he’d seen his name on the list of students held back, he’d been concerned and had been tempted to seek him out. that was too much, though, and he’d let it go.

“Well with all your fond memories of me I can imagine how it might get hard to differentiate them,” Jaehyun countered, smirking slightly. Clearly a little too pleased with his off handed comment. “Uh your place?” he shrugged, answering without an ounce of hesitation as if he didn’t just ask a professor to take him home. To be fair, the misfit wasn’t in the business of denying himself what he wanted, or beating around the bush to get it, so why lie? He could have easily went that route but coming up with a decent enough lie required him to use more brain power than was really expendable for him at this point in time. Either way, Jaehyun was determined to get on the back of that bike whether Taewoon liked it or not. 

“You got it,” he agreed, taking Taewoon’s bag out of his reluctant hands and slipping it onto his front. The only logical place since his own backpack was already on his back. Jaehyun turned and took a step back to his bike before glancing back at the professor behind him. “Coming or what?”

tae couldn’t do anything else but just snort quietly to himself. he’d gotten himself into this mess, after all, not like there was anyone else he could blame for this. “presumptuous,” he said, his eyebrows raised as he made his way over to the bike. “assuming you’re invited back to my apartment. i just washed the sheets after last time.” he swung his leg over the bike, looking over his shoulder at jaehyun, holding back a sigh at the sight of him with both bags strapped to him. it was moments like this that reminded him he’d slept with one of the students, reminded him just how young the other was.

A long day marked with disappointment after disappointment meeting him at every avenue began to take its toll. Jaehyun prided himself on letting things roll off his shoulder without a second thought but even he could only carry so much on his back before it started to slow him down. It showed, mentally and psychically. In his speech, thoughts, even movements. It was like gravity was increasing on him. The only thing that appealed to him now was the sweet relief of his bed back in the dorms. Or at least it was, until the sock on the door put a wrench in his plans. Fighting the urge to cuss out his sex crazed roommate Jaehyun instead uttered his muffled threats under his breath before storming off. Shuffling down the hall slowly he slumped against a nearby wall, contemplating where to kill the rest of the night. Until a vibration in his pocket drew his mind elsewhere. Disregarding the notification his eyes wandered to an older text message and an idea came to him. One that tugged in the form of a smug smirk at the corner of his lips. Maybe tonight could be salvaged after all. His mind was made up. With a twinkle in his eye, he headed towards the staff parking lot.  

Evening classes just let out so his wait wasn’t very long. The approaching footsteps prompted his eyes to trail up the rain stained concrete and to those eyes it was so hard to forget. Jaehyun remained still, leaning against the familiar motorcycle. Perhaps it was the cover of dark or the fog clouding his mind that gave him the courage to be so bold but whatever it was it was too late to turn back now. The misfit pocketed his phone and took a step towards the professor. “You said if I ever needed a ride…”

classes were over for the day and he was grateful. he enjoyed teaching, he did, but at the end of each day he was always glad not to have to see anymore of the students. unless by choice of course, but when had he really chosen that? the lesson was planned for the next day, he could grade papers at home and his office hours were over. tae started pulling together everything he needed to grade that night, binding it all before sliding it into his backpack. it was convenient and simple, and it worked on his bike, so he’d take the shit the other teachers gave him for it.

the moment he turned the key in the lock on his door, he stopped being willing to talk about classes or assignments. he’d go home and review things, but for the most part, when he left, he was done for the day no questions asked. thankfully, it wasn’t typically an issue for him since he always left the campus late. he made it to the parking lot with no interruptions, but as soon as he was within sight range of his bike, he slowed his steps down. there was jaehyun, leaning against the bike like it belonged to him. what a little shithead he was, honestly.

Su was relieved when someone seemed to come to his add, his eyes quickly finding the source of the voice. He was confused though, shaking his head down at the person below him. “Don’t be so rude? My name is Suyeon so use it, please.” His expression looked puzzled, but he brushed it off and held the cat out to the stranger anyways. “Are you sure you’ll catch him? I’m more worried about the cat than me. I used to always climb trees as a kid so I’m okay.” Though experience with climbing trees did not make him immune to the pain of falling from one. Not that he thought that way.

When he’d dropped the cat down to the other successfully, Su began his descent from the tree. Once settled safely on his feet again, he turned to the stranger and held out his arms. “I’ll take him now. I’ll keep him until I find out what to do with him, so he won’t go running up any more trees.” Of course, it hadn’t even occurred to him that the ‘babou’ mentioned was the cat and not himself. It also hadn’t occurred to him that this could possibly be this stranger’s cat as well. His only thought was that this person had been rude enough to call him that way when they didn’t know each other, not that he really held it against him. He had gotten stuck in the end, and that person had still come to help him, or so he was assuming still, too.

the kid mentioned his name, asking him not to be rude, and he had to keep himself from rolling his eyes. he wasn’t going to comment on it, not entirely understanding how he’d been rude but genuinely not caring enough to try and figure it out. once babou was in his arms, tae felt some of the tension in him disappear. as much as he would deny it, he loved his cat and was relieved he wasn’t stuck in a tree still. he was, if he had to admit it, also relieved that this ‘suyeon’ person was safe as well.

There was no way that Su could pass by a cat stuck in a tree and not try to help it. So, when he spotted the poor animal meowing in a panicked way, he immediately jumped into action. More like climbed into action really, as he scurried up the trunk of the tree and managed to reach the branch that the cat was on. He soon found that it was too high to climb down while clinging to the cat, so he sat helplessly and glanced around desperately for someone to help him with the cat.

When he spotted someone, his smile brightened and he called to them from his spot in the tree. Hopefully, they would notice him. “Hey!” He waved one of his arms, the other one clutching the confused cat to his chest. “Can you help me out here? I just need you to hold the cat while I climb down. I should be able to lower it down to you if you reach up for it, too.” The cat’s body language said it could decide to scratch Su and jump away from him, its tail swishing back and forth in an irritated manner. Su, on the other hand though, seemed to not notice it at all, airheaded enough to believe that the cat appreciated his attempts to save him and his clinging.

when his classes were over for the day and he got to leave his office, taewoon’s mood always improved marginally. it wasn’t that he didn’t love his classes, because he did, but college kids could piss him off royally. the moment when he didn’t have to deal with them anymore was always a bit of a relief. he was walking across campus appreciating the freedom when he saw an arm waving and the only thing he could do was sigh. why? what were the odds that he’d be the one to come across this kid, hanging from a tree with a.... was that his cat? 

sam here with my second kid, song taewoon, polisci professor, old man and overall grump. more info under the cut!!