Love is nothing stronger

The bell signalling the start of the school days rings. The class has settled, awaiting Wonwoo's greeting and instruction. Wonwoo's eyes skip over each of the students' heads, landing on Mingyu's empty desk. It's stupid, how disappointed he is by Mingyu's absence. It's just that he hasn't seen Mingyu in two weeks, and maybe he's been missing that smile a little, that bright, "Hi, Mr. Jeon!"

Wonwoo plasters a smile onto his face and makes his way to the front of the classroom. "Happy New Year, everyone. Welcome back. I hope you all had a restful winter vacation, and that you're feeling reengergised and ready to get back into the grind of things. We are starting a new unit today…"

He's twenty minutes into talking about electric circuits when the classroom door is flung open and Mingyu comes barging in. He's got his backpack, two hockey sticks clutched in one hand, and a duffle bag hanging on his shoulder. He's flushed and panting, bangs swept away from his forehead. He probably rushed to get here. Wonwoo's traitorous heart leaps at the sight of him.

"Hey, Mr. Jeon, happy new year! Sorry I'm late," Mingyu says breathlessly. "I couldn't find my hockey gear." He looks to the back corner of the classroom, lighting up when he finds Seungcheol. "I brought you a hockey stick!"

"Thanks dude," Seungcheol calls back.

"Can I put my bags behind your desk, Mr. Jeon?"

"M-hm," Wonwoo says. The entire class has paused to accommodate Mingyu's interruption, which is something he cannot let slide. "Mingyu, if you're going to come in late, please don't disturb the entire class as you do so."

Mingyu dumps his belongings behind Wonwoo's desk. When he straightens, he flashes Wonwoo a grin. "Sorry," he says, trying to look contrite and failing.

"See me after class," Wonwoo says sternly. It takes him a moment to gather himself and recall where he was in the lesson. After collecting his thoughts, he resumes his instruction.

When class ends, Mingyu comes up to Wonwoo's desk. He puts both hands on the desk and leans forward, wearing a smile. Not at all like a student in trouble. "Hey, Mr. Jeon," he says. "Did you miss me?"

The reprimand fizzles out on Wonwoo's tongue before it can voice itself. He did miss Mingyu. A lot. It can't be that obvious that he is this fond of Mingyu, is it? Does Mingyu know that he is Wonwoo's favourite student? Made flustered, Wonwoo doesn't know what else to do other than let out a little laugh and say, "What?"

The smile on Mingyu's face turns into a grin. "I asked if you missed me. Because I missed you, Mr. Jeon."

Wonwoo's heart is going crazy in his chest. He hopes it doesn't show on his face. He raises a brow at Mingyu. "Are you saying that to get out of trouble?"

Mingyu laughs. "No! I mean it. I was looking forward to seeing you." Then his expression turns genuinely sheepish. "I'm sorry about this morning. I was just excited. It won't happen again."

Wonwoo sighs. Why does Mingyu have to make it so hard for Wonwoo to scold him? "Please ensure that it doesn't. The issue is not that you were late. The issue is that you interrupted my lesson and disrupted the entire class."

"I'm sorry," Mingyu says again, voice small now. It's surprising, how tiny someone as big as Mingyu can appear when chastised. He looks like a kicked puppy with his tail tucked between his legs. Wonwoo can't find it in his heart to remain mad--not that he was all that mad in the first place.