𐔌՞. .՞𐦯

university had settled into something comfortably predictable. the frantic first weeks of introductions and orientation events had faded months ago, replaced instead by routines that seemed to repeat themselves without anyone really noticing. monday mornings always began with students rushing across campus twenty minutes later than they’d intended. the library was impossibly full by lunchtime despite everyone insisting they worked better in their own rooms. by friday afternoon, every coffee shop had queues stretching through the doors, fuelled by exhausted students convincing themselves they deserved an overpriced coffee after surviving another week.

somewhere between all of that, you’d found your place. looking back, it was strange how quickly everything had happened. you’d arrived expecting months of awkwardness, eating lunch alone, second-guessing whether anyone would remember your name after conversations, wondering if uni friendships really were as effortless as people had made them seem.

instead, they’d simply… happened.

sunoo had been the first. he’d sat beside you before your introductory lecture had even begun, complaining dramatically about the size of the campus before asking if you’d figured out where the nearest coffee shop was yet. neither of you had. by the end of the afternoon, the two of you had spent almost three hours wandering around hopelessly lost before accidentally stumbling across the student union together.

after that came jay, who somehow possessed the remarkable ability to complain about absolutely everything while still being the most dependable person you knew. then jake, whose boyish eagerness felt almost impossible to rival, and sunghoon, who’d seemed intimidating right up until you’d realised ninety percent of his sarcasm disappeared whenever someone offered him food.

before long, dinners became shared instead of solitary. library sessions somehow turned into six people studying different degrees around the same table simply because nobody wanted to work alone. birthdays, movie nights, grocery trips, midnight walks to convenience stores after collective assignment breakdowns… somehow, they’d all become normal.

it wasn’t that your newfound group spent every waking moment together. everyone’s timetables were different. there were weeks where assignments swallowed whole days, where some people disappeared beneath deadlines while others barely had a lecture scheduled. but somehow everyone always found their way back together eventually, as though it had become an unspoken expectation rather than something anyone actively organised.

you liked that. how there wasn’t any pressure, only familiarity. outside of your own friends, uni had a funny way of making people feel familiar too.

your course was large enough that you couldn’t possibly know everyone, yet small enough that faces started repeating themselves. people you’d exchanged exactly one conversation with would smile as they passed you on campus. classmates whose names you’d never learnt would wave from the opposite side of lecture theatres. baristas recognised your coffee order before you’d even reached the till.

jay insisted it was because everyone knew you, you insisted he was exaggerating. the truth probably sat somewhere in the middle. you’d always found it easier to smile first than wait for someone else to. if someone looked nervous before a presentation, you’d wish them luck. if someone sat beside you in a lecture, you’d introduce yourself before either of you had time to overthink the silence. conversations came naturally enough that you rarely realised you’d always be the one to start them until they’d ended.

people remembered kindness more than confidence, something you’d learnt a long time ago. which, to give jay some credit, was probably why you recognised so many faces despite knowing so few names.

one of those faces belonged to someone you’d never actually spoken to, you couldn’t even remember the first time you’d noticed him. he’d simply always seemed to exist somewhere on the edge of your life.

sometimes you’d catch sight of him crossing the courtyard with headphones resting loosely around his neck, one hand buried in the pocket of an oversized hoodie while the other balanced an impossible stack of books against his chest. other times he’d already be sitting near the front before lectures began, quietly reading through notes while everyone else chatted around him.

he left classes quickly. professors barely finished dismissing everyone before he was gone, disappearing into hallways crowded with students until he became impossible to pick out from everyone else.

you didn’t know much about him, only fragments gathered accidentally over the course of a year. he was ridiculously smart. heeseung lived with him and you’d hear his complaints, albeit fond ones, about how when jungwon had an exam or assignment coming up, however small, he wouldn’t leave his room until he was impossibly sure of himself, which never happened. 

riki also complained (in much less detail) that he spent too much time studying.

sunoo had once described him as “one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet once he forgets to be nervous.”

that last one had surprised you. from a distance, he always looked composed, quiet, sure. but never nervous. if anything, he’d struck you as someone perfectly content staying in his own company. the kind of person who preferred observing conversations rather than joining them. you weren’t sure you’d ever heard him raise his voice. or laugh loudly. or even stay somewhere longer than he absolutely had to.

still, he was difficult not to notice. perhaps because everyone around him seemed louder by comparison. heeseung laughed with his whole body. riki rarely stood still for longer than thirty seconds. jay somehow managed to turn ordering lunch into a competition. sunghoon teased sunoo relentlessly and jake always seemed to be stuck in the middle, trying his hardest to swat sunghoon’s persistent hands away from sunoo as he tried not laugh himself, for sunoo’s sake. jungwon simply… existed quietly amongst all of it, as though he occupied a completely different pace to everyone else.

you never gave it much thought, he was simply another familiar stranger. someone whose face had become a comfortable part of your life without ever crossing fully into it.

despite sharing more mutual friends than either of you probably realised, you and jungwon had somehow managed to spend the better part of a year existing almost entirely on the edges of each other’s lives. it became one of those things you only noticed after it had already been happening for months. the two of you would be invited to the same birthday dinner, only for one of you to arrive after the other had already settled into conversation. someone would suggest a movie night at heeseung and riki’s flat, and while everyone else gradually drifted into the living room, you’d somehow end up helping jay order food while jungwon disappeared into the kitchen to make more drinks. group photos would be taken at the end of the night, proving you had, in fact, spent several hours in the same room, despite barely exchanging more than a passing glance.

it almost became funny, but not in a way anyone ever pointed out. just one of those strange little coincidences that seemed to happen naturally whenever enough people were involved. if there was a seat beside jungwon when you arrived, someone would inevitably call your name from the opposite end of the table before you had a chance to sit down. if you wandered over to ask heeseung something, jungwon would suddenly realise his cup was empty and excuse himself to refill his water. if everyone split into smaller conversations, the two of you somehow always ended up in different ones. not deliberately. just… somehow.

the closest thing you’d had to a conversation happened sometime during the first semester. you’d arrived at heeseung and riki’s flat with two bags of snacks balanced awkwardly against your hip after volunteering to stop by the corner shop on the way over.

the front door was already unlocked. you’d let yourself inside, calling out a quick hello that was immediately drowned out by riki shouting something unintelligible from the living room. before you could make sense of it, someone appeared around the corner.

jungwon. he’d looked just as surprised to see you as you’d been to see him. for a second, the two of you had simply stared at each other.

“…hey.” you grinned. he noticed the hopeful sparkle in your eyes before he noticed the way the left side of your face tilted up slightly more than the right when you gave him one of the blinding smiles you seemed to dish out so abundantly to his friends. he thought it was the cutest thing he’d ever seen.

“…hi.” he muttered back sheepishly, dropping his gaze to the floor on instinct. 

then he’d stepped aside to let you through with a small, polite smile before disappearing down the hallway again. that had been it. looking back, you weren’t even sure if it counted as a conversation. it obviously hadn’t felt like one.

after that, much to your dismay, the pattern simply continued. you knew who he was, everyone did. if someone mentioned jungwon, nobody ever had to ask, “which one?” he’d built something of a quiet reputation around campus without ever seeming to try.

people on your course didn’t know much about him beyond the obvious. they knew he studied computer science, that he consistently did well in every module he took and that professors seemed to like him. every now and then, his name would come up when someone was complaining about an assignment.

“jungwon finished it last week.”

“apparently he got full marks.”

“does he ever sleep?”

the answer, according to heeseung, was apparently “not during exam season.”

you’d lost count of the number of times he’d shown up somewhere and casually mentioned that jungwon hadn’t left his room all day.

“he’s revising.”

“again?”

“he says he isn’t ready.”

“his test’s tomorrow.”

“exactly.”

heeseung always said it with the same mixture of affection and disbelief, like someone talking about a younger brother who worried far more than he needed to.

riki, on the other hand, had much less patience for it.

“he acts like every quiz decides his entire future.”

“it kind of does,” heeseung had replied once.

“no, it doesn’t.” riki muttered out, rolling his eyes as far back into his head as he could.

“to him it does.” heeseung smiled, swatting riki on the shoulder as he teased him for his dramatics.

the conversation had moved on quickly after that. most conversations did. people laughed, someone changed the subject and eventually everyone started talking over one another again.  still, little comments like that stayed with you, simply because they slowly filled in the gaps around someone you barely knew. the version of jungwon everyone described never quite matched the one you saw. they talked about someone who panicked over assignments, second-guessed himself constantly and somehow managed to convince himself he’d fail exams everyone else expected him to ace. the jungwon you’d always seen seemed unnaturally calm. he walked across campus at an unhurried pace, never looking particularly rushed even when everyone around him was sprinting to lectures. he’d sit quietly before classes with a notebook open, reading through something while conversations buzzed around him. when people spoke to him, he always looked up immediately, giving them his full attention before answering. reserved, maybe. quiet, definitely. but never anxious.

you wondered, briefly, if he simply hid it well. or maybe people behaved differently around those they were comfortable with. the thought didn’t linger for long. everyone was different around their friends, you probably were too.

one friday evening, the two groups ended up at heeseung and riki’s flat after jay had declared that nobody should be spending the end of the week working. the plan had been to order takeaway, watch a film and, in jay’s words, “pretend deadlines don’t exist until monday.”

predictably, the film never really happened. jake and heeseung couldn’t agree on what to watch. then sunghoon decided he was hungry before a decision had been made, so much so that he refused to talk about anything else. by the time food finally arrived, everyone had split off into different conversations scattered around the flat. you found yourself squeezed onto one end of the sofa beside an exasperated sunoo while jake and sunghoon argued over whether pineapple belonged on pizza. jay had wandered into the kitchen to find more drinks, heeseung followed after him. riki disappeared for reasons nobody questioned. at some point, you realised jungwon wasn’t in the room either. you only noticed because he returned a few minutes later carrying a stack of clean plates balanced carefully in both hands. without interrupting anyone, he set them down on the coffee table one by one before disappearing back into the kitchen.

he came back again with cutlery. then napkins. someone thanked him absentmindedly. he nodded once.

“no worries.”

and sat down as though he’d done nothing at all. it was such a small thing that nobody else seemed to pay it any attention. conversation carried on without missing a beat. sunghoon was still insisting pineapple absolutely belonged on pizza.

jay, now involved, disagreed so passionately that you’d begun to suspect it was personal. across the room, jungwon listened with the same quiet smile he’d worn all evening, occasionally laughing under his breath whenever riki deliberately tried to make the argument worse. he looked just comfortable enough to let everyone else fill the room while he quietly existed alongside them. for someone who supposedly struggled around people, there was something unexpectedly reassuring about the way he never seemed to force himself to keep up.

somewhere between arriving and leaving, you realised you’d learnt something new about jungwon. that he wasn’t quiet because he had nothing to contribute, he was quiet instead because he never seemed to feel the need to compete with everyone else for the conversation.

and, for reasons you couldn’t quite explain, you found yourself thinking that was admirable.

the problem with missing lectures wasn’t usually the lecture itself. it was everything that came afterwards.

lecturers had an unfortunate habit of squeezing the most important information into the last ten minutes of class; the reminders about coursework, changes to seminar groups, little comments that never made it onto the slides but somehow always ended up appearing in exams.

normally, you really wouldn’t have worried. one of your friends would send their notes eventually. except this lecture unfortunately happened to be shared with almost none of your friends. by the time you’d made it back onto campus, your phone was already buzzing with messages.

jay Where are you?

sunoo u alive??

jake thought you’d overslept 😭

you smiled to yourself, typing out a quick explanation as you walked across the courtyard.

doctor’s appointment. i’m alive, unfortunately.

three dots appeared almost immediately.

jay Truly devastating news

you rolled your eyes. he still texted like your dad.

the lecture theatre ahead was already emptying by the time you reached it. students spilled into the corridor carrying half-zipped backpacks and takeaway coffees, conversations blending into one another until it became impossible to tell where one ended and another began. a few familiar faces smiled as they passed. someone from your seminar waved. you returned it automatically before stepping to one side to avoid a group hurrying towards the stairs. too late. you’d known it before you’d even arrived. still, disappointment settled somewhere in your gut anyway.

“you look like someone just told you christmas is cancelled.”

you turned to find sunoo weaving his way through the crowd, balancing a coffee in one hand and his laptop under the other arm.

“i missed it.” you pout, poking him in the arm. he followed your gaze towards the lecture theatre.

“…ah.” he realised, mirroring your pout almost mockingly. you’d take it as an insult if his eyes didn’t have that affectionate sparkle in them, seeming to be naturally ever present around you anyways.

“i even left home early.”

“that’s rough.” he said, more gently now. you only sighed in return.

“did i miss much?”

sunoo considered it.

“…honestly?”

your shoulders lifted hopefully.

“…i wasn’t really paying attention after the break.”

you stared at him blankly, eyebrows just starting to furrow.

“you’re unbelievable.”

“i’m honest.” he giggled, winking at you.

“you’re hopeless.”

“a little.” he didn’t sound remotely apologetic.

the two of you drifted further into the corridor to avoid blocking the doorway as more students filtered past. somewhere nearby, someone dropped a folder, sending loose sheets skidding across the floor. three people immediately crouched to help gather them, the interruption lasting all of thirty seconds before everyone continued on with their day. nothing never really stopped moving. sunoo took another sip of his coffee before speaking again.

“you need the notes?”

“unless you’d like to sit my exam for me.” you deadpanned.

“…hard pass.”

“thought so.”

he made a thoughtful noise.

“mine aren’t great.”

“i know.”

“wow.”

“last time i borrowed your notes you wrote ‘i’m hungry’ halfway through a paragraph.”

“because i was.”

“you’d also drawn a cat.”

“…it was a cute cat.”

you laughed. there was a brief pause. then, as though the answer had only just occurred to him, sunoo clicked his fingers.

“ask jungwon.” he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

the suggestion came so casually that it took you a second to process it.

“…jungwon?”

“yeah.”

“why?”

“because he actually listens. and because his notes are terrifying.”

“terrifying?” you replied, eyes wide.

“you’ll see.”

you frowned slightly. asking someone for notes wasn’t unusual. you’d obviously done it before, many times in fact. people asked you all the time too.

still…

“i’ve never actually spoken to him.”

sunoo looked back at you, genuine confusion etched onto his face.

“yes, you have.” he said, suddenly so sure of himself.

“have i?”

“you’ve said hi.”

“…i don’t think that counts.”

“close enough.”

you weren’t convinced, he seemed to notice.

“seriously,” he said. “he won’t care.”

“how do you know?”

“because if someone asked him for notes, he’d probably apologise that they weren’t neat enough.” you couldn’t tell if he was joking.

“…you’re exaggerating.”

“i wish i was.”

before you could answer, his phone buzzed. he glanced down, groaned dramatically and shoved the coffee into your free hand while he typed out a reply with both thumbs.

“seminar?”

“unfortunately.”

he took the coffee back.

“come on.”

“what?”

“he’s probably still inside.”

your eyes drifted towards the lecture theatre doors.

they’d almost emptied now.

through the small window, you could just make out a few remaining students gathering their things.

“…i’ll feel weird interrupting him.”

“you won’t. okay, you might.” sunoo admitted, eyes narrowed as he mused. you gave him a flat look in return.

“helpful.”

“but he’ll still say yes.”

the lecture theatre was almost empty by the time you finally walked inside, a little while after sunoo had walked off to his seminar. you’d stood outside the door for a little longer than you probably needed to, fingers resting against the handle while you tried to convince yourself that this was not a big deal. because it wasn’t. it really wasn’t. you weren’t asking him for anything unreasonable. you weren’t about to have some life-changing conversation or confess some huge secret. you weren’t even asking for help with something complicated. you just needed notes, that was it. you still couldn’t for the life of you figure out why it felt like so much to ask, but that was obviously the reason for your unusually timid lingering outside the door.

you’d seen jungwon’s notes before. not properly, but enough to know that they were probably going to save you from spending three hours trying to piece together half-remembered information from the slides. the problem was not the notes. obviously. 

the problem was that you had never actually spoken to jungwon before. something which always seemed to be nagging at you when you were around him. clearly, you knew which people he was friends with, because you were their friends too. you knew little things you had picked up without meaning to, the same way everyone did when they spent months around the same people. but knowing about someone and knowing someone were completely different things. and for some reason, the thought of walking up to him made you hesitate.

if anything, he was the opposite of unapproachable. he was always easy to be around, yet strangely hard to interpret. there was something about approaching someone who always seemed comfortable in their own space that made you feel like you were stepping into something you hadn’t been invited into.

which was silly. you knew that. you were really not someone who usually overthought things like this. especially not so much so that you were loitering outside like an idiot, rocking on the balls of your heels with too much running through your head. you rolled your eyes at yourself, and how all of this was so unlike you. instead, taking a small breath, you pushed the door open. the sound was louder than you expected in the quiet room. it felt completely different after everyone had left. earlier, it had been filled with voices and movement, people packing away their things while talking about assignments and plans for later. now, it was almost peaceful. the rows of seats stretched out in front of you, sunlight falling across the desks near the windows. a few forgotten papers were scattered around, abandoned by students who had already moved on to their next class.

and there he was. you spotted him almost immediately. you weren’t surprised. if anything, you would have been more surprised if he wasn’t there. he was still sitting near the front, his attention focused on his laptop while he finished whatever he was doing. for a second, you just stood there. you almost laughed at yourself. because why had you made this into such a big thing? he was just a person, a friend at that. a friend who you needed notes from. a friend who would probably definitely say yes.

still, your feet felt slightly heavier as you walked closer. you stopped beside his desk. he didn’t notice immediately. and you were glad he didn’t, because it gave you one last second to collect yourself. then you spoke.

“hey.”

his head lifted. the reaction was small, but you caught it. the slight surprise, the way his attention shifted fully towards you. for a moment, he looked like he was trying to place why you were standing there. then, recognition settled it, not dramatically, just a quiet moment where you felt like you could hear his every thought as you glanced sheepishly at his eyes behind his thick rimmed glasses. something about that made you feel strangely less nervous. because, obviously, he knew who you were. and he wasn’t looking at you like an inconvenient interruption.

“hi.” he said, sounding his voice muffled as he cleared his throat behind his hand. his voice sounded softer than you expected. you smiled slightly.

“sorry, i hope i’m not bothering you.”

he shook his head almost immediately. the response came so quickly that you wondered if he was worried you had mistaken his surprise for annoyance.

you relaxed a little.

“okay. good.” you muttered out, unusually shy.

there was a small pause after that, not really awkward, just unfamiliar. you were two people who had existed around each other for months without ever having a reason to talk. and now suddenly, you did. you explained that you had missed the lecture and needed the notes. you found yourself adding the reason why, even though he hadn’t asked. you mentioned the appointment running late. maybe because you didn’t want him thinking you had skipped class. maybe because there was something oddly important about really wanting (needing) for him to have a good first impression of you, even though technically this was far from his first impression.

the whole thing was ridiculous. you didn’t even know why you cared. jungwon just nodded. as always, there was no judgement in his expression. no teasing. no comment about catching up. a tiny part of you almost wished there was. maybe then you’d be able to open him up a little bit. you told him sunoo had said his notes were really good. and almost immediately, jungwon tried to downplay it, which, to be honest, you’d expected somehow. there was something very predictable about the way he refused to make a big deal out of himself.

you looked at the notebook beside him and pointed out sheepishly that his notes actually had structure. you admitted yours usually consisted of random words that only made sense for the first ten minutes after typing them. this earned a small reaction from him, not quite a smile, but close, and for whatever reason, that felt like a really big victory. jungwon just turned back to his notebook and started gathering the pages. you watched quietly, noticing how there was no rush in the way he moved. he seemed to take care with everything, making sure he had everything he needed before handing it over. as always, it was strangely comforting.

when he looked back at you, he hesitated.

“i can send them.” he said, looking up at you again.

“really?” you smiled.

he nodded and you watched as he glanced between you and his notebook like he had reached the obvious next step but hadn’t figured out how to get there. for a moment you just looked at him with confusion until you realised, he didn’t know how to send them. because neither of you had actually exchanged any way to contact each other. you grinned again before he had the chance to overthink it.

“i can give you my number.” you offered hopefully, his eyes lifting to meet yours again.

“okay.” he mumbled, finally returning your smile, a lopsided grin taking over his features. you thought there was something oddly sweet about how willing he was to help even whilst being unsure of what to do next. you unlocked your phone and handed it to him.

“just put yours in.”

he typed his number in, saved the contact, and handed it back. you looked down.

jungwon

“that’s it?” you said without thinking, he merely blinked up at you in return.

“what?”

“your contact.”

he looked down at the phone.

then back at you.

“yeah?”

you laughed softly.

“i don’t know. i expected maybe something else.”

“like what?”

you glanced at the screen.

“an emoji or something.”

the silence that followed was so genuine that you had to stop yourself from laughing. you don’t even know why you’d said it, you wouldn’t have even done it yourself.

“i don’t really use emojis.”

you smiled brighter and then immediately noticed the tiny hesitation in his expression. you manually tried to soften your own face in hope that he wouldn’t take it as making fun of him.

“i’m not judging.”

“i know.” he mumbled quietly.

almost like he was reassuring himself as much as he was reassuring you. you added that you never used emojis either, which was absolutely not true. you know your friends would have laughed out loud if they’d heard you say it. but something about the small look of relief on his face made your white lie worth it. there was another quiet moment.

“thank you, by the way.” you said, trying to fill the silence as quick as you could. again, he nodded.

“it’s okay.”

you picked up your phone, looking down at his contact one more time before putting it away. now jungwon wasn’t just someone you sat near in lectures or someone you merely shared mutual friends with. now he was someone you had spoken to, someone who had your number. someone who would probably text you later.

“see you later, jungwon.” you motioned to wave before stopping yourself and putting your hand back down again.

“see you.” he replied, another lopsided grin taking shape after he caught your stifled gesture.

and that was it. you walked out of the lecture theatre with his contact saved in your phone, the unexplainable stress finally lifted.

you didn’t expect jungwon to send the notes so quickly. not because you thought he would forget. if anything, forgetting seemed like the least likely thing he could do. from everything you’d heard about him, jungwon was probably the type of person who made reminders for his reminders. you had already accepted that the notes would arrive eventually, probably later that evening after he had checked through them one more time and decided whether they were good enough to send. what surprised you was the fact that your phone buzzed before you’d even reached the other side of campus. you felt oddly good about seeing jungwon’s name. there was a difference between seeing his name appear in a group conversation and seeing it sitting privately in your own messages. it was such a stupid and small thing that you almost laughed at yourself for noticing.

jungwon hi i've sent the notes over

underneath were the files. you clicked on the first one while continuing to walk, expecting exactly what sunoo had described. you were prepared for them to be neat. you were prepared for them to be organised. you were not prepared for them to make you question whether you had been approaching uni notes incorrectly this entire time. the document was almost painfully structured. everything had a place. every topic had been separated clearly, important points marked out without making the page look overwhelming. there were small explanations beside certain concepts, things he had probably written down for himself because he knew he would want to remember them later, but obviously, they were equally as helpful for you too.

you stared at the screen for a few seconds. you barely knew him, but you could already imagine the process. him sitting somewhere quiet after the lecture, going through the notes again, deciding what was important and what wasn’t. because that was simply how his brain worked. you typed back before you could overthink it.

these are actually ridiculous

you paused. you didn’t want to sound like you were insulting him, especially not after he so graciously did you this favour.

quickly, you added:

in a good way 😭

the response did not come immediately. you found yourself looking at the little typing bubble appear, disappear, then appear again. it made you smile slightly. you’d never considered yourself someone who intimidated easily. you were usually the person who filled awkward silences, who introduced yourself first, who made conversations easier for other people (so you’d been told). but jungwon had a way of making you acutely aware of every small interaction. maybe because he seemed so careful in comparison.

eventually, his reply appeared.

jungwon thank you i think they’re okay

you giggled under your breath.

jungwon there are diagrams my notes look like i was writing during an earthquake

this time, his reply came a little quicker.

maybe your handwriting is just fast

you stared at the message. it wasn’t exactly a joke. not one you’d typically laugh at anyways. but there was something about the fact that he had tried to lighten the mood. 

that is the nicest way anyone has ever called my notes terrible

jungwon i didn’t call them terrible

you could practically hear the seriousness behind the message.

you didn’t have to

after that, your conversations stayed small. you preferred it that way. you didn’t suddenly become attached to your phone waiting for him to reply, and jungwon didn’t become someone who messaged constantly. that would have felt unlike both of you. instead, he became someone who existed slightly more in your day. a message about a lecture, a question about an assignment, a quick clarification when you didn’t understand something from the notes he had sent. you noticed quickly that jungwon was much easier to talk to through messages than you had expected. however, he was occasionally so formal that you wondered if he had accidentally written an email instead. but you’d like to muse there was warmth underneath it. maybe that was wishful thinking.

he always answered properly. if you asked something, he didn’t just send a vague response and disappear. he explained and he made sure you understood. and, perhaps more surprisingly, he started asking things back. small things; how your assignment was going, whether you had managed to catch up on the lecture, whether your exam preparation was going better. obviously simple questions, but they mattered to you because they meant progress. and because jungwon was not someone who asked things just to keep a conversation alive… when he asked something, he genuinely wanted to know the answer. you found that oddly refreshing. you were used to people knowing you. that was the strange thing about being naturally social. people often assumed familiarity. they knew your name. they knew your friends. they knew what you were studying. they knew the stories you told at parties or the jokes you made in group chats. but there was a difference between being known and being noticed.

jungwon noticed.

the next time you saw him outside of lectures, it was at one of your usual gatherings. not big enough to call a party, but usually, nobody was sober enough for it to be just an average hangout. by now, heeseung and riki’s place had become almost a second home for your progressively more tight-knit friend group. nobody really planned anything properly anymore. someone would mention they were bored, someone else would suggest going over, and within an hour half you’d all somehow end up there. it was comfortable in a way you hadn’t expected relatively new friendships to become.

you arrived with sunoo and jay, already listening to them argue about something completely unnecessary. the moment you walked in, the usual noise surrounded you. music playing quietly from heeseung’s speaker, riki complaining about losing a game he insisted he wasn’t taking seriously, jake laughing unabashedly from somewhere in the kitchen, heeseung attempting to stop everyone from making a mess while very clearly contributing to it.

it took you a moment to realise jungwon was already there. he was sitting at the edge of the sofa, listening while jake explained something animatedly beside him. before, you probably wouldn’t have approached him. you would have smiled. maybe waved. eventually, someone else would have pulled you into another conversation. but now it felt different. you obviously weren’t best mates. but friends enough that when your eyes met across the room, you wouldn’t hesitate to smile. and this time, he smiled first. it was a tiny thing. so tiny that you wondered if you imagined it. but you didn’t. something about that made you feel strangely content, you noted the way your cheeks flushed an embarrassing pink, feeling the heat spread up your neck as you took in his lopsided smile again.

later, after everyone had settled down, you found yourself sitting near him while the others argued over what film to watch. you weren’t sitting beside him intentionally. at least, that was what you told yourself. there simply happened to be space there. and he happened to be there. the conversation moved around you naturally, everyone speaking over one another the way they always did. jungwon wasn’t the loudest person in the room, but you had started noticing that he never seemed left out.

people included him without thinking. heeseung would always ask for his opinion on whatever niche topic they were discussing like their lives depended on it, jake would show him stupid memes on his phone that rarely prompted a reaction from anyone, riki would jab and poke at him until jungwon’s face broke out in one of his endearingly wonky grins. at some point, your conversation shifted towards classes. you mentioned the lecture you’d missed to sunoo and jay, mostly as a joke about how much work you had to catch up on.

jungwon glanced over.

“did the notes help?” he said, perking up as he did so.

“they did,” you said, smiling. “actually, they helped more than the lecture probably would have.”

he immediately shook his head.

“no, they wouldn’t.” he replied, brows furrowed.

“jungwon.”

“what?”

“you literally explained half of it better than the slides and the prof did.”

he looked like he wanted to argue, but didn’t have a response ready. that happened sometimes. you were beginning to notice it. jungwon was always prepared when it came to academics, but when it came to compliments, he never knew what to do with them. again, you found yourself thinking it was so endearing. obviously not enough that you would ever admit it, not right now anyways. you mentioned one part of the topic that you still didn’t fully understand, not expecting anything from it, you were really just babbling on at this point, to anyone that’s listen, although sunoo and jay had moved on and were having their own conversation now.

but jungwon listened.

and after a moment, he just started explaining. in the middle of heeseung’s living room. not with overly complicated definitions or phrases that made you feel like you were supposed to already understand. he broke it down slowly, making sure you followed each step, like he could see the cogs moving in your head and the moments things clicked for you.

“‘was easier to understand than the actual lecture.” you stared at him blankly after he’d basically summed up the entire second half of the module.

“was it?” he asked, confusion plastered onto his face yet again.

you nodded in reply, realising that you were probably making uncomfortable with the sheer amazement in your eyes. he looked down, a pink flush slowly creeping up his neck.

“i just explained it differently.” he shrugged, pushing his glasses up his nose as he lifted his gaze to meet yours again.

before you could respond, sunoo, who you now realised had clearly been listening despite pretending not to, looked over.

“you know, you could literally just tutor her.” the suggestion was casual, almost thrown away. 

you just looked at jungwon. he looked back at you. and immediately, you saw the thought cross his face, like the idea had never occurred to him.

“i don’t know if i’d call it tutoring,” he said eventually, a deeper flush now making its way up to his cheeks.

“well, what would you call it?” sunoo (almost) snapped, raising an eyebrow.

jungwon opened his mouth. then stopped, because he didn’t actually have an answer. you giggled softly, and this time he didn’t seem as embarrassed. he just looked away, a small smile spreading across his features despite himself. the conversation moved on soon after. jay changed the topic, riki started another quietly fond argument with sunghoon. the moment just passed, much to your forcibly subdued dismay. 

the idea of jungwon tutoring you was never supposed to become an actual plan. at least, that was what you’d told yourself after his brief hesitation. it had been nothing more than something sunoo had thrown into the conversation because he found amusement in pointing out things before anyone else noticed them. for as long as you’d known him (albeit it’d only been a year), he had a habit of doing that, noticing the typically imperceptible shifts between people and making them obvious before anyone involved was ready to acknowledge them. you’d learnt that about him quickly. sunoo always knew when dynamics had changed before either person realised it themselves. so, when he suggested jungwon tutoring you, you had laughed, because it felt too soon to call it anything like that. you and jungwon had exchanged a handful of conversations. you had his number. he had yours. he had sent you notes. you had made unfunny jokes about his lack of emojis. that was hardly enough to suddenly turn him into your personal academic support system.

except, as the weeks went on, you started noticing how often you ended up relying on him. there was a question you couldn’t figure out, so you checked the notes he had sent you. there was a topic you didn’t understand, so you found yourself wondering how jungwon would explain it. that strangest part was that you weren’t someone who usually needed help. not because you felt so uncomfortable that you were were incapable of asking, but because you were normally the person other people asked. it was a role you’d always fallen into without noticing, until now, that is. you were organised enough to remember deadlines, social enough to know who to ask if you needed something and patient enough that people felt comfortable coming to you. your friends joked that you somehow became everyone’s emergency contact despite barely being able to keep track of your own schedule.

you liked being helpful. you liked feeling useful. but there was something unexpectedly comforting about having someone who was willing to do the same for you. jungwon never made you feel like you were behind. he never responded to questions with the kind of surprise that made you feel embarrassed for asking. he simply answered, without fail, every time. and maybe that was why you started asking more. jungwon noticed too. just probably not in the same way you did. you were aware of the changes because they happened around you. you noticed that you no longer hesitated before saying hello when you passed him on campus. you noticed that seeing his name appear on your phone no longer felt surprising, but instead comfortable. for jungwon, it was less obvious because he wasn’t used to analysing his friendships in that way. he had always been someone who let things happen naturally. he had friends. good friends. people he trusted. but most of those friendships had formed slowly, through repeated exposure and familiarity. he wasn’t usually the person who approached first. not because he didn’t want to, but because he had never been particularly good at knowing when he was truly welcome.

with you, he never had to wonder, that was the part that caught him off guard. you made things really easy for him. you spoke to him with your soft, unguarded voice like there was no reason not to. you included him in conversations without making a performance of it, which obviously made it feel more genuine. you looked up at him with your big sparkling eyes through long lashes and nodded attentively when he was talking you through something, so he wouldn't have to guess if you were listening or not. jungwon was used to people noticing him for specific reasons; his grades, his ability to solve problems, the fact that he was reliable. he wasn’t used to someone being interested in what he had to say even when the topic had nothing to do with your syllabus. and you did that often. you asked him small things. what he really thought of the film you’d all watched at heeseung’s place. whether he thought the fancy coffee shop near campus was actually worth the price. whether he agreed with jay’s very strong opinions about literally everything.

none of the questions were particularly important, but jungwon always found himself thinking about them afterwards. he wondered if he’d still be thinking about the things you asked him if they’d come out of anyone else’s mouth. which was becoming increasingly inconvenient for him. because he had assignments. and exams. and a schedule that already felt too full. yet somehow, he always found time to reply to you.

the first time the tutoring idea became a genuine possibility was after another lecture. not because you had planned to ask, in fact, you'd actually been trying very hard not to bring it up. there was something slightly embarrassing about admitting you were struggling with a topic that everyone else seemed to understand. logically, you knew that was ridiculous. uni was difficult and everyone struggled sometimes. but there was still a part of you that hated feeling like you were falling behind. you had spent the better part of an evening trying to understand a section of your module notes, moving between your own work and the lecture slides until the information started blurring together. eventually, out of frustration more than anything else, you sent jungwon a message. you stared at the text blankly for a while before sending it.

hi Lol sorry this is random but do you understand this part?

you attached a screenshot.

almost immediately, you regretted the wording because you realised you’d apologised before even asking. something you did more often than you liked to admit. also, something jungwon had bought up with you before. telling you gently that he felt it was unnecessary to apologise for shivering next to him on heeseung’s sofa while you were sat right next to an open window.

you put your phone down and tried to focus on something else. it lasted approximately three minutes. then your phone buzzed.

i can explain if you want

you smiled before you could stop yourself at the way he’d always phrased his messages. he left space for you to decide. you replied that you would appreciate it, expecting another explanation over text.

instead, a few minutes later:

are you on campus tomorrow?

you stared at the message. your first thought was that you had somehow misunderstood.

yeah, why?

the reply came a little bit slower this time.

i can teach you properly

you looked at the screen for a moment. it was such a jungwon thing to suggest. practical and straightforward, completely unaware of how much trust was involved in what he was offering. because for jungwon, explaining something to someone wasn’t a big deal. it was simply something he could do, and did, regularly in fact. for you, though, there was something different about it. this wasn’t borrowing notes or a quick explanation during a group hangout. it was choosing to spend time together. just the two of you. you found yourself smiling slightly at the thought, then immediately questioned why. which was annoying. because there was nothing strange about spending time with a friend. and jungwon was becoming a friend! you thought that you really needed to stop treating every small interaction like it meant more than it did.

the next day, you met him outside the library. or, more accurately, you met him in the library because jungwon had apparently arrived early enough to secure a table before the usual afternoon rush. you weren’t surprised. when you approached, he was already there, laptop open, notebook beside him, two drinks sitting on the table. you slowed slightly when you noticed the second one.

“i didn’t know what you liked,” he explained before you could ask, gesturing towards it. “so i just got water.”

you looked at the bottle, then at him.

“jungwon.”

he paused.

“what?”

“you’re genuinely the most prepared person i’ve ever met.” you smiled.

for a second, he looked unsure whether that was a compliment. you had started noticing that happened often.

“i didn’t know if you’d have something to drink.”

“most people would just assume.”

“i didn’t want to assume.”

the answer was so simple that it caught you slightly off guard. jungwon always considered things other people overlooked. not because he was trying to impress anyone but because that was simply how he moved through the world. you sat down across from him, opening your laptop. and for the first time, you saw what everyone else probably saw when they studied with him. which wasn’t the intimidatingly smart person people talked about, not the student everyone went to when they were stuck. just someone patient, someone who genuinely wanted you to understand. which, somehow, made it much easier to admit when you didn’t.

the two of you didn’t study for very long before you ended up talking about other things, nothing particularly meaningful. just little conversations that happened naturally between his long, thought out explanations. you found out jungwon hated overly sweet drinks. you found out he had a habit of tapping his pen against his textbook when he was thinking. you found out he actually had a much drier sense of humour than you expected. and, perhaps most surprisingly, he found out you weren’t as effortlessly confident as he’d assumed. you admitted, almost accidentally, that you hated asking questions in lectures because you worried they would be obvious.

jungwon looked genuinely surprised.

“you?”

“what does that mean?” you muttered out through a frown.

“you talk to everyone.”

you laughed quietly.

“that doesn’t mean i can’t get nervous.”

he looked down at his notes. you mused that he probably understood that better than most people. because maybe that was the thing neither of you realised yet. everyone else saw the obvious parts of you; they saw someone friendly, someone confident, someone who belonged everywhere. everyone else saw the obvious parts of him; someone deeply intelligent, someone capable, someone who always knew what he was doing. but none of those things had ever fully summed either of you up. and maybe that was why the two of you got along. because you were both much more complicated than the versions people had decided on.

by the time you packed your things away, the library had started to empty. you hadn’t finished everything. technically, you had probably spent too much time talking. at the end of the day, you’d still understood bounds more than you had when you arrived. you looked at your notes, then at jungwon, a shy smile playing at your lips.

“i think sunoo was right.”

“about what?” he looked up and met your eyes.

“the tutoring thing.”

his expression immediately shifted, not really dramatically, but just enough for you to notice.

“oh.”

you giggled.

“don’t look so terrified.” you replied, pouting slightly involuntarily.

“i don’t.”

“you do.”

he just looked away. which, unfortunately for him, proved your point. you smiled as you packed your laptop away.

“i’m joking.”

but the idea didn’t disappear. and neither did the small smile that appeared on his face when he thought you weren’t looking.

the following tuesday arrived with the kind of weather that never seemed to make up its mind. the morning had started bright enough for people to leave their accommodation without coats, only for grey clouds to roll across the sky before lunchtime, threatening rain without ever fully committing to it. by the time your last lecture finished, the air had turned cooler, carrying the familiar scent of damp pavement that always seemed to settle over campus before autumn properly arrived.

you stood outside the building for a moment, adjusting the strap of your bag as students spilled around you. your phone buzzed.

hi i’m already at the library second floor i found us a table

you couldn’t help smiling. there was something strangely unsurprising about the message because of course he was already there. of course he had arrived early enough to secure one of the quieter tables before the afternoon rush started. of course he had somehow managed to phrase a simple text so politely that it almost sounded like an apology for disturbing you.

you typed back as you crossed the courtyard.

i’ll be there in five :D

you hesitated for a second before pressing send. the smiley face stayed. it wasn’t until your phone disappeared back into your pocket that you remembered your conversation about emojis. you laughed quietly to yourself. he was either going to think nothing of it… or spend the next ten minutes wondering whether there had been a hidden meaning behind one tiny :D

for some reason, the thought made you smile all over again.

the library was busier than usual. students filled almost every table on the ground floor, conversations kept deliberately hushed beneath the steady hum of printers and keyboards, while the occasional sigh or rustle of paper floated between shelves lined with textbooks that looked far too expensive for anyone to actually buy. you climbed the stairs two at a time before slowing your pace. there he was. he had chosen a table tucked beside one of the tall windows overlooking the centre of campus, far enough away from the busiest part of the floor that it felt almost secluded. his laptop was already open. two notebooks sat neatly beside one another. highlighters arranged in a straight line. a mechanical pencil resting precisely across the top page.

he looked up almost immediately. for a second, neither of you spoke. then his expression softened into a small smile.

“hi.” you whispered, hoping he wouldn’t notice the pink you could feel spreading across your cheeks for no apparent reason.

“hi.” he whispered back, his lopsided grin deepening, his dimple now visible.

you slipped into the chair opposite him, dropping your bag onto the floor with considerably less grace than he’d arranged the table.

“sorry if i’m late.”

jungwon glanced towards the clock hanging above the staircase.

“…you’re three minutes early.”

you blinked.

“…oh.”

“just had to find something to apologise for, didn’t you?” the corner of his mouth lifted slightly again as he whispered. you just looked at him for a second before laughing under your breath while pulling your laptop from your bag, bringing it up to your face because now you really had to hide your red cheeks from him. it wasn’t much, barely even a joke. but you were beginning to realise something about jungwon. he was funny! not loudly and definitely not in the way jake was, where half the room inevitably ended up laughing with him. jungwon’s humour appeared quietly, tucked between otherwise serious conversations, almost hidden beneath the way he spoke. if you weren’t paying attention, you’d probably miss it entirely. which somehow made it even better. 

“thank you for doing this.” you said quietly, breaking the comfortable silence while settling your things across the table. 

“for what?” he looked genuinely puzzled, eyebrows furrowed and face devoid of that grin you’d come to really like.

“helping me.”

“you asked.”

“exactly.”

“i don’t mind.” he said with so much conviction that it caught you off guard, like he was urging you to believe him. there wasn’t any awkward insistence that it was nothing, no dismissive shrug. just a straightforward answer, as though helping you had never been something he needed convincing to do.

it made something in your chest feel unexpectedly warm. you had always been the friend who offered. who stayed behind after seminars if someone needed something explained again. who reminded everyone about deadlines because you knew at least one person would forget. you liked taking care of people. it wasn’t something you thought about very often until someone quietly returned the favour. 

jungwon opened one of his notebooks.

“which part?”

you pulled your own notes closer.

“this.”

you pointed towards a page that had become increasingly covered in question marks over the past few days.

“i understand the beginning.”

your finger moved lower.

“and then somewhere around here i completely lose whatever’s happening.”

he leaned forward slightly, just close enough to see the page properly. without thinking, you did the same. your shoulders almost brushed. you didn’t notice until you caught the faint scent of clean laundry and something woodsy. not cologne. nothing strong. just oddly fresh. you blinked quickly, forcing your attention back towards the notebook. jungwon, meanwhile, had already started reading. he didn’t seem to notice the distance between you at all, and you couldn’t help feeling like a little kid about the fact that you were so aware of it, and liked it in fact. perhaps he had simply decided it wasn’t worth acknowledging.

“okay,” he murmured after a moment. “i think they’re explaining it backwards.”

you looked up.

“backwards?” you asked, confusion painting your features like it rarely did. jungwon thought your scrunched eyes and tilted head was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.

“kind of.” he replied after clearing his throat. he reached for his pencil before hesitating.

“can i?”

you looked down, he was gesturing towards your notebook.

“oh.” you nodded quickly.

“yeah, of course.” 

only then did he start writing. his handwriting was somehow just as neat as you’d expected. he drew a small diagram, crossed something out, rewrote it differently. then turned the notebook back towards you.

“try thinking about it like this instead.”

there was no rush in the way he explained things. he never made you feel as though you were slowing him down. if you interrupted to ask another question, he answered it without sighing or trying to move on too quickly. if you looked unconvinced, he simply found another way of explaining the same concept.

after about twenty minutes, something finally clicked. you stared at the page.

“…oh.”

jungwon looked up.

“does that make more sense?” he asked, hint of a knowing smile spreading across his face.

“a lot more.”

you looked between the diagram and him.

“why couldn’t the prof just say that?” he looked almost embarrassed by the compliment.

“they probably did.”

“they definitely didn’t.”

“maybe they explained it differently.”

“jungwon.”

he met your eyes.

“you’re being modest again.” you whispered, poking him playfully in the shoulder. colour crept faintly into his ears.

“i’m not.”

“you are.”

he looked away first. you smiled to yourself, you were starting to recognise his little pattern. whenever anyone complimented him, jungwon reacted as though they had accidentally handed him something that belonged to someone else. time passed easier than either of you expected. somewhere between diagrams, explanations and comparing lecture slides, the awkwardness that had hovered around your first few conversations dissolved into something quieter. more comfortable. you found yourself talking without thinking about it. sometimes about the work, oftentimes not. you learnt that jungwon almost always studied in the same spot because he liked the light from the window. he admitted, after a surprising amount of persuasion, that he couldn’t concentrate if people chewed too loudly. you confessed that you sometimes highlighted entire pages of content because you could never decide what was actually important.

“that defeats the point of highlighting.”

“i know.”

“then why do you do it?”

“panic.”

he looked down at your notebook.

“…fair enough.”

again, that tiny smile. small enough that someone across the room probably wouldn’t even notice it. you did, every time. and each time it appeared, it seemed to linger a fraction longer than the last. it happened gradually enough that neither of you noticed the hours slipping past. outside, the sky had darkened. students came and went around you, chairs scraping quietly across the floor as people packed their things and left. you only realised how long you’d been there when your stomach growled. loudly. the sound seemed to echo across the table, jungwon’s head snapping up at the sudden noise. your entire body froze. you covered your face with one hand.

“please pretend that didn’t happen.” heat rushed to your cheeks almost instantly.

“i left straight after my lecture this morning.” you laughed awkwardly.

“i completely forgot to eat.”

jungwon didn’t laugh. he didn’t tease you. he simply looked at you for a second before quietly reaching down beside his chair. you frowned. he unzipped his backpack, rummaged around for a moment, then placed something gently on the table between you. a packet of chocolate almond pepero. you stared at it blankly, then up at him.

“…what?”

“you should eat.”

you blinked.

“jungwon…”

“before you try and study anything else… your stomach sounds unhappy.” he mumbled out after being interrupted mid sentence by another grumble from your tummy. despite your embarrassment, you couldn’t help the tiny giggle that escaped.

“thank you.”

you picked the packet up slowly, still looking at it.

“…hang on.”

he looked up from his notebook.

“how did you know these were my favourite?”

for the first time all afternoon, jungwon hesitated.

“i…”

he looked as though he genuinely hadn’t expected the question.

“jay and sunghoon used to buy them for you.” he replied sheepishly, hand scratching at the back of his neck.

“yeah, but that was only once or twice.”

“it was eight times. that i was around to see it at least.” 

you stared.

“…you counted?”

“not intentionally.” he said, his eyebrows knitting together slightly.

“jungwon.”

“they were always the same… so i remembered.”

your heart did something strange. you weren’t even sure why. it wasn’t the snack. it wasn’t even the fact that he’d brought one. it was that he’d noticed! months ago, during noisy evenings where everyone had been talking over one another, he’d quietly remembered something so insignificant that even you would’ve forgotten mentioning it. you looked back down at the packet in your hands.

“that’s…”

you searched for the right word.

“…really thoughtful.”

he seemed almost confused.

“it’s just a snack.”

“yeah i know, ‘m just saying thanks anyways.” you spluttered out quickly and now, shyly, hoping he wouldn’t notice your immediate backtracking after his dismissal. you looked back up at him. for a second, neither of you spoke. jungwon rubbed absentmindedly at the back of his neck again, suddenly looking far more interested in his notebook than he had been a moment earlier.

“…i wasn’t sure if they were still your favourite.”

your smile softened again before you could stop it. it seemed like he was giving you an out from your previous embarrassment. you didn’t feel as much like you’d made an unnecessarily big deal out of it.

“they are.”

he just nodded once in reply.

“…okay.”

for some reason, that answer seemed to make him happy. and as you opened the packet, handing the first stick across the table towards him without really thinking about it, you couldn’t shake the growing feeling that somewhere along the way, tutoring had quietly become one of your favourite parts of the week.

by the time the packet of pepero was empty, the stack of notes between you had doubled. it hadn’t happened all at once. one explanation had turned into another, then into comparing lecture slides, then into jungwon suddenly deciding that one of the examples in your textbook was unnecessarily complicated and rewriting it from scratch in the margins of your notebook. you watched him for a moment while he worked. his brows drew together whenever he concentrated, creating the faintest crease between them that disappeared almost immediately whenever he looked back up. every so often, he would stop writing altogether, not because he had forgotten what he wanted to say, but because he was deciding how to say it. that was something you were beginning to admire about him. jungwon never explained things to prove that he understood them. he explained them so that you would.

it was a small difference, but one you hadn’t appreciated until now.

you had met plenty of people who enjoyed being the smartest person in the room. people who answered questions in ways that somehow made everyone else feel a little smaller for asking in the first place. jungwon was the opposite. if anything, he seemed happiest when the person sitting across from him finally understood. the little smile that appeared whenever something clicked for you was never smug, it was relieved. you caught yourself watching him again. this time, it wasn’t because he was explaining anything. he had reached up absentmindedly to push his glasses higher on his nose, only for them to slip straight back down again a few minutes later. he sighed so quietly you almost missed it before repeating the same movement without even thinking. you smiled to yourself before realising you probably looked like a bit of a perv, hastily bringing your hand up to your face to hide your smile as casually as you could.

“what?”

his voice pulled you out of your thoughts.

you blinked.

“huh?”

“you smiled.”

“…did i?”

he nodded once.

“…why?”

heat crept into your face before you had a chance to stop it. he tilted his head ever so slightly. the expression wasn’t suspicious, just curious. you debated telling him. it wasn’t that embarrassing. not really. still…

“your glasses keep falling.”

his hand immediately lifted towards his face.

“…oh.”

“you’ve pushed them up about six times in the last ten minutes.”

“…have i?”

“i’ve been counting.”

for the first time since you’d met him, you watched jungwon look genuinely flustered. it wasn't dramatic, he didn’t splutter or hide his face. instead, his eyes widened just enough for you to notice before he looked away with a quiet, “i didn’t realise.”

you laughed softly.

“it’s kind of cute.”

the words left your mouth before your brain had caught up. silence settled between you. your smile disappeared.

oops! to be really honest, it was something you’d say to most people with ease. it wasn’t even typically an odd thing to point out, you remembered only yesterday telling jake how adorable he looked when he let his hair grow out a little longer. but something about the way jungwon looked up at you, like you’d just done something jail time worthy, almost made you wince. again, you felt like a kid, a really stupid one at that. you looked down at your notebook so quickly you almost gave yourself whiplash.

“i meant…”

why were you trying to explain it?

“they’re just…” you gestured vaguely towards his face without looking directly at him. “very… you.”

that somehow sounded worse.

“forget i said anything.”

you squeezed your eyes shut for the briefest second after seeing a lack of the lopsided grin you’d become accustomed to on his face. across the table, jungwon had gone completely still. he didn’t look offended. if anything, he looked as though his brain had momentarily stopped working.

cute. you had called him cute. he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with that information. compliments had always made him uncomfortable. they tended to sit awkwardly somewhere in the middle of gratitude and disbelief, leaving him unsure which emotion he was supposed to choose. this one felt… different. because you hadn’t said it to be polite. if anything, you’d oddly seemed horrified that you’d let it slip, in a way so unlike what he’d seen of you these past few months. his ears felt warm. he was fairly certain they were turning pink. he hoped they weren’t.

“…thank you,” he managed eventually, the words quieter than he’d intended.

you looked back up, relief written plainly across your face. something in jungwon relaxed. the smallest laugh escaped him before he could stop it at the sheer speed in which the alleviation of your panic ensued. later, as the conversation drifted away from coursework and towards anything else that came to mind, the atmosphere around the table changed almost without either of you realising. the books remained open. pens still rested between pages. yet neither of you seemed particularly concerned with the fact that you hadn’t looked at the lecture slides in nearly twenty minutes. instead, you learnt that jungwon always listened to the same playlist whenever he studied because changing songs distracted him. he learnt that you couldn’t revise in complete silence because your thoughts became louder than whatever you were trying to memorise. you admitted that you had once colour-coded an entire set of flashcards only to lose them the day before a test. he admitted, after a surprising amount of hesitation, that he alphabetised the folders on his laptop.

“you’re joking.” you said, probably too loudly considering the fact you were in a library.

“…no.”

“every single one?”

he nodded.

“…it makes finding things easier.”

you stared at him for a moment before laughing under your breath.

“that’s…”

you searched for the right word.

“the most jungwon thing i’ve ever heard.”

“that’s probably true.”

“you agree?”

“…yeah.”

the consistent honesty of all of his answers no longer caught you so off guard. most people would’ve defended themselves, or laughed it off. jungwon simply accepted it. there was something strangely attractive about that. not because alphabetising folders was attractive.

obviously. but because he never seemed interested in pretending to be someone else. he wasn’t trying to seem cooler than he was, or louder, or more confident. he simply existed exactly as he was. and somehow, that made you want to know him even more. jungwon, meanwhile, was trying very hard not to stare. he wasn’t succeeding particularly well. he was trying so hard to make his constant glances look unintentional but his eyes simply kept drifting back without permission. you smiled all the time. he had noticed that weeks ago. not the kind of smile people put on automatically when they greeted someone. your smiles were different. sometimes they were quick and amused. like when jake would show you some stupid meme on his phone that only ten year olds would typically find funny, you usually ended up laughing at jake himself for his endearingly regressed humour. sometimes they spread slowly across your face before you even realised you were doing it. like when you and riki came to the conclusion that jay was in fact wrong about whatever he’d been arguing about with sunghoon with so much conviction. 

sometimes, when you laughed properly, your nose scrunched ever so slightly. he had never consciously paid attention to something like that before. now he couldn’t seem to stop noticing. every time you tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear while reading. every time you frowned at a sentence before chewing lightly on the inside of your cheek. every time you looked up after finally understanding something he’d explained. he kept remembering them.

which was again, extremely unhelpful. he was supposed to be helping you study. he felt like he’d just been gawking down at you the whole time. eventually, the announcement echoed gently through the library.

“the building will be closing in fifteen minutes…”

you both looked up instinctively, then towards the windows. outside, the sky had turned almost completely dark. 

“…what time is it?” you frowned, surprise colouring your features.

“…eight forty-five.” he said, whispering long forgotten as he checked his phone.

your eyes widened.

“jungwon! we got here at one.”

“…yeah.”

you both looked down at the notebooks covering the table. then back at each other. somewhere between studying and talking, almost eight hours had disappeared.

“i didn’t even notice.”

jungwon nodded slightly.

“…me neither.”

the admission just lingered between you. it probably should have felt awkward. eight hours was a long time to spend with someone you’d only recently become friends with. instead… it felt strangely easy, comfortable, even. like the afternoon had passed exactly as it was supposed to. you packed your things away together, neither of you rushing despite the librarian beginning to switch off lights further down the floor. as you zipped your bag closed, your hand brushed against jungwon’s where both of you reached for the same pen lying between your notebooks. it barely lasted a second. just enough for your fingers to touch before both of you instinctively pulled back.

“sorry.”

you spoke at exactly the same time. then stopped. then looked at each other. a little giggle escaped you first. jungwon’s followed a second later. it was quieter, warmer. and somehow, hearing it felt like accomplishing something. walking out of the library together, you realised something that should probably have worried you a little more than it did. for the first time since uni had started you weren’t looking forward to the next tutoring session because you wanted better grades. you were looking forward to it because you wanted another afternoon exactly like this one. with jungwon. and, a step behind you, jungwon found himself thinking that perhaps he’d start arriving fifteen minutes early next week instead of ten. not because the library got busy. that was simply the excuse he gave himself, the truth was much harder to admit. he liked waiting when he knew you were the person he was waiting for.

a month passed quietly. not in the dramatic way some movies liked to pretend time moved, where seasons changed overnight and entire lives somehow transformed between one scene and the next. nothing about the last few weeks had felt particularly significant while you were living through them. lectures came and went. assignments accumulated faster than any real human being could finish them. the weather grew colder, the mornings darker, and somewhere along the way, the trees lining the paths across campus began shedding leaves that collected in damp piles beneath benches no one wanted to sit on anymore.

life carried on. the only difference was that, at some point, jungwon had become woven into it. you couldn’t have pinpointed exactly when. there hadn’t been a conversation where the two of you had agreed to keep meeting every week. nobody had suggested making tutoring a regular thing. it had simply… happened. 

the first time, you’d arranged to meet because of one particularly confusing lecture. the second time, because there was another topic you wanted him to explain before a quiz. by the third week, neither of you really needed an excuse anymore. thursday afternoons had quietly become yours. sometimes you studied in the library, tucked away in the same corner beside the windows where jungwon always managed to find a table before anyone else. sometimes you ended up in the little coffee shop across from the engineering building after discovering every seat in the library had already been taken. once, when it had started raining halfway through the afternoon, the two of you had spent almost an hour sitting on the floor outside an empty seminar room because neither of you wanted to carry all your textbooks somewhere else.

it didn’t seem to matter where you were. eventually, one of you would arrive first. the other would appear a few minutes later. and somehow, without ever talking about it, the afternoon would disappear. your friends noticed before you did, not in an obvious way. little comments slipped into conversations so naturally that you rarely thought much of them.

“aren’t you with jungwon today?” sunoo had asked one thursday when you’d turned down lunch because you wanted to finish a reading beforehand.

you’d blinked.

“…yeah.”

“thought so.”

that had been the end of it. another time, heeseung had wandered into the kitchen while jungwon was packing his bag.

“library?”

jungwon hadn’t even looked up.

“…yeah.”

“she’s already there?”

“…probably.”

heeseung had smiled to himself but wisely chose not to say anything else. it wasn’t strange. at least, it didn’t feel strange. friends spent time together, friends studied together. if anything, it made sense that you and jungwon had become close. you were taking similar modules, he explained things well, and somewhere beneath all of his quietness, he’d turned out to really make you laugh. you liked being around him. that was all. or at least, that’s what you told yourself.

by now, your study sessions had developed their own unspoken routine. jungwon still arrived first. you still apologised for being late, even when you weren’t, he poked fun at you for this and made you promise you’d stop (knowing full well you never would). he still insisted on explaining concepts from the beginning instead of assuming you understood the foundations. you still interrupted him halfway through with questions that somehow sent the conversation in completely different directions. he no longer looked surprised when you reached across the table to steal whichever pen he happened to be using. instead, he simply sighed with exaggerated patience before sliding another one towards himself.

“you’re unbelievable,” he’d muttered the week before.

“thank you.” you grinned out through a mouthful of apple.

“that wasn’t a compliment.” 

“it sounded like one.”

“…maybe a little.” he muttered out, mask of feigned disbelief broken by his lopsided smile.

you’d giggled so hard that people had actually looked over from neighbouring tables. jungwon looked faintly horrified, which only made you laugh harder. somewhere along the way, he’d stopped apologising every time the silence settled between you. you’d stopped feeling responsible for filling it. there were afternoons where the two of you barely spoke for twenty minutes at a time, completely absorbed in your own work before one of you quietly asked a question. the silence never felt uncomfortable. if anything, it was becoming one of your favourite parts. there was something strangely peaceful about existing beside someone who didn’t expect constant conversation.

“you’re staring.”

your head snapped up.

jungwon looked at you over the top of his laptop.

“…what?”

“you’ve been looking at the same page for five minutes.”

heat crept into your cheeks. had you? you glanced back down at your notes. the paragraph you’d supposedly been reading hadn’t changed. because, apparently, you’d spent the last five minutes watching the way sunlight caught against the rim of jungwon’s glasses instead. the way his dimple emerged slightly when he scrunched up one side of his face in concentration.

brilliant.

“i was thinking.”

“…about operating systems?”

“…yes.” you muttered out after a pause.

his eyebrows lifted ever so slightly. you tried to keep a straight face. he tried to keep a straight face. neither of you managed it.

“you’re terrible at lying,” he said quietly, poking you playfully in the arm.

you pointed your pen towards him.

“that’s rich coming from the person who once tried convincing me he didn’t alphabetise his desktop.”

“…i don’t.” jungwon replied, still trying to make you believe what you knew was false.

“jungwon.”

“…it’s organised by colour now.” he replied, eyebrows raised.

you giggled again so suddenly that you had to press your lips together to keep the sound from carrying across the library. he smiled fondly, hoping you wouldn’t notice the affection that he felt was radiating off of every bone in his body. obviously not because he’d made a joke, but because you’d laughed.

it wasn’t until saturday evening that everything unravelled. everyone had ended up at heeseung’s flat again, the same way they always seemed to. sunghoon had suggested ordering takeaway (again). jay had complained about the prices before ordering it regardless. jake and riki were arguing over a game neither of them seemed particularly good at, sunoo had somehow convinced heeseung to help him bake cookies despite the fact that neither of them appeared to know what they were doing, leaving jay and sunghoon occupying opposite ends of the sofa. you wandered into the other living room (which heeseung has fashioned into a bar of sorts) in search of something to drink. jay followed a minute later.

“can you pass me a glass?” 

you reached into the cupboard without looking.

“thanks.” he replied simply, and if you’d met his gaze, you’d have seen the slight raise of his eyebrows and the hint of a smirk playing on his face.

he leaned against the counter while you filled your own glass with water. there was a comfortable quiet between the two of you, broken only by the distant sound of riki insisting someone had cheated.

“so.” he started.

you looked over.

“so?”

jay shrugged.

“nothing.”

“…you’re doing that thing again.” you exclaimed, probably louder than you should’ve.

“what thing?”

“where you say ‘so’ because you actually want to ask something. that thing that all older women do.” you said, poking him. you thought maybe riki was rubbing off on you, making fun of jay’s mannerisms even though he was only a junior, not too far off of you. he didn’t even bother denying it, just rolled his eyes at you exaggeratedly.

“…are you and jungwon dating?”

the question landed so casually that, for a second, your brain didn’t register it. you just blinked up at him for a second.

“…what?” you muttered, eyes wide.

“you heard me.”

“jay.”

“yes?”

“…what?”

he frowned slightly, as though you were the confusing one.

“i’m just asking.” he smiled, poking at you as if to reassure you. he didn’t expect you to have an expression on your face akin to that of someone who’d just been stabbed.

“why?” you said, forcibly narrowing your eyes as you tried to steel yourself. 

“because you spend half your week together.”

“we study together.”

“you also get coffee afterwards.”

“because we’re already there.”

“and then you walk each other home.”

“…we live in the same direction.”

jay just hummed in response, doing that annoying, all-knowing thing with his eyebrows again.

“interesting.”

“what is?”

“how you’ve got an answer for every single one.”

you opened your mouth. closed it again. before you could muster up another aimless defence, sunghoon wandered into the living room.

“what are you two talking about?”

jay answered before you could.

“whether she and jungwon are dating.”

sunghoon paused.

“…i thought they were.” he said casually.

your heart stopped. you actually thought this in your head before coming to the gross realisation again of how childish you probably seemed. sunghoon turned to glance between you and jay, looking genuinely confused.

“wait…”

his eyes moved between you and jay again.

“…you’re not?” he almost exclaimed, shock painting his features.

“…nope!” you said, popping the p in a desperate attempt to seem unbothered.

“oh.”

“…my bad.” he sounded almost disappointed.

you stared at both of them.

“…why would either of you think that?” you muttered, bringing your cup to your lips in a quiet plea that they’d take that question rhetorically.

much to your dismay, jay just gave you a look that bordered on incredulous.

“because every time one of us asks where you are, the answer is jungwon.”

“because he’s put almond pepero on the ‘essentials’ section on heeseung’s shopping list. and we all know you’re the only one who likes them.”

to your horror, sunghoon continued counting on his fingers.

“because i’ve seen him smile more in the last month than i did during the whole first year.”

“because you both look for each other before anyone else when we all meet up.”

your mouth opened. nothing came out. jay’s expression softened almost immediately, a twinge of regret in his eyes.

“hey.” he nudged your shoulder gently.

“i wasn’t trying to embarrass you.”

“…i know.” you mumbled, now even further embarrassed realising he’d probably noticed the flush on your cheeks.

“just forget i asked.”

you nodded. you tried to smile. you weren’t sure whether it looked convincing. because the problem obviously wasn’t that jay had asked. the problem was that, for the first time, you couldn’t stop replaying everything he’d just said. you did look for jungwon first. you’d never noticed that. and much more terrifyingly, had he?

jungwon had always preferred kitchens to living rooms. not because there was anything particularly interesting about washing dishes or collecting empty glasses, but because kitchens gave him something to do. there was a certain comfort in keeping his hands occupied while conversations carried on around him. from the sink, he could still hear everyone laughing from the other room, hear riki loudly accusing jake of cheating at whatever game they’d inevitably started, hear sunoo protesting about something that was almost certainly insignificant.

it was familiar. comfortable. he liked that. he was rinsing the last of the glasses when footsteps approached behind him, quick enough that he didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. riki had never been particularly subtle.

“avoiding us already?”

jungwon glanced over his shoulder briefly before returning his attention to the sink.

“i’m just washing dishes.”

“that’s not what i asked.”

he smiled faintly to himself. “i know.”

another pair of footsteps followed a moment later, slower this time. heeseung. without a word, he picked up a tea towel and began drying the plates jungwon passed across the counter. it was something the two of them had done often enough that neither of them thought about it anymore. for a while, the three of them worked quietly. or, more accurately, jungwon and heeseung worked quietly while riki stood nearby looking as though he were waiting for the perfect opportunity to interrupt.

it didn’t take long.

“so…”

jungwon didn’t look up.

“…what?”

“where’s y/n?”

the question was so casual that it took him a second to process, he frowned slightly in response.

“in the living room?”

“no.” riki shook his head.

“she went to get a drink.”

“…okay.” jungwon said blankly, obviously confused.

“and you didn’t follow her.”

jungwon finally looked up.

“…was i supposed to?”

the grin that spread across riki’s face immediately made him suspicious. heeseung noticed too, hiding a smile behind the rim of his glass. 

“he genuinely doesn’t realise,” riki muttered, sounding almost impressed.

“realise what?” jungwon almost exclaimed, frustrated now.

instead of answering immediately, heeseung rested the plate he’d been drying on the counter and regarded jungwon thoughtfully.

“when was the last time the two of you weren’t together for more than a day?”

jungwon just blinked. the question felt oddly specific. he thought about it for a moment. lectures, the library, coffee after studying, group dinners, another study session.

“…i don’t know.”

the answer came more honestly than he’d intended. because he genuinely couldn’t remember. somewhere over the last month, seeing you had become part of his routine. not in a way he’d ever consciously planned. you were simply… there. thursday afternoons belonged to the library now. if one of you finished class early, the other usually received a message asking whether they wanted to start studying sooner. if you both happened to be on campus longer than expected, one of you would inevitably suggest grabbing something to eat before heading home. none of it had felt unusual. it still didn’t. friends spent time together, and that was all.

“exactly,” riki said, sounding far too smug and pleased with himself.

jungwon frowned, which riki took as a sign to continue.

“that’s exactly my point.”

“…i don’t know what your point is.” 

“you never do.”

heeseung laughed quietly, folding the tea towel over one shoulder.

“he means that you’ve become close.” heeseung finally chipped in, fond look ever present in his gaze when regarding you or jungwon.

“we are close.” the words slipped out defensively before jungwon had really considered them. he paused, then looked back down at the sink.

“…i think.”

heeseung’s expression softened.

“you don’t have to sound so unsure.”

jungwon wasn’t unsure, that wasn’t the problem. he knew the two of you had become friends. good friends, probably. it was just strange hearing someone else say it aloud. because once they did, he found himself replaying the last few weeks in his head. you reaching across the table without asking to steal his pen, the way you always thanked him, even after he’d insisted you didn’t have to. the fact that you now complained whenever he skipped lunch, as though it had somehow become your responsibility to make sure he ate. he hadn’t noticed any of those things changing. they simply had.

“she’s good for you.” heeseung said it so matter-of-factly that jungwon looked up again.

“…what do you mean?”

“you seem happier.”

jungwon almost laughed.

“because i’m helping someone study?”

“because it’s her.”

the kitchen fell quiet. jungwon looked away first, he didn’t really know how to answer that. he liked spending time with you. that much was obvious. you made difficult afternoons feel lighter somehow. studying, something he’d always considered a solitary task, had become something he looked forward to instead of simply getting through. you made him laugh. more than he’d expected. sometimes without even trying. but that didn’t mean anything, did it? before he could untangle the thought, riki nudged his shoulder.

“you’re a lucky bastard, you know.”

jungwon looked at him.

“she’s pretty.” he continued, heeseung rolled his eyes in response, exasperated with riki’s instinct to always state the obvious.

“and she’s really really nice. everyone likes her.” there wasn’t any jealousy in his voice, just simple certainty.

“she could’ve asked loads of people for help.” heeseung added, much to jungwon’s dismay.

“yeah, well, she asked me.” jungwon almost snapped back, frown deepening further.

“exactly.” riki smirked.

“that’s what we’re saying.” heeseung added on.

jungwon opened his mouth before closing it again. but it was true, you had. for reasons he still didn’t fully understand. before he could think about it any longer, riki ruined the moment completely.

“seriously, hyung.”

he grinned.

“if i were you, i’d be feeling pretty lucky.”

jungwon rolled his eyes, reaching over to swat him lightly around the back of the head.

“you’re unbelievable.”

“i know.”

riki rubbed the back of his head dramatically despite the fact that the hit had barely registered. heeseung only shook his head, amused. neither of them pointed out the faint colour settling across jungwon’s ears. neither of them needed to. because jungwon was already wondering why a perfectly ordinary conversation had left him thinking about you. not about your coursework, or the next tutoring session. just you. and for the first time since the two of you had become friends, he found himself lingering on the thought much longer than he meant to.

somewhere along the way, jungwon stopped feeling like someone you were trying to get to know. for months, he had existed at the edge of your life. someone you recognised before you knew him. someone whose name you heard often, whose face you saw across lecture halls and at group dinners, but never someone you expected to become important to you. now, you couldn’t remember the last time you went an entire day without speaking to him. it wasn’t intentional. that was what maybe made it worse. there had never been a conversation where the two of you decided to become close. no dramatic turning point where you suddenly realised you were friends. it had happened in the quiet spaces between everything else. a message after a lecture because you’d both complained about the same assignment, a five minute conversation that somehow became forty, a walk back from the library that became a regular thing because your routes happened to overlap. you had started knowing things about jungwon that you never would have noticed before. aside from the obvious, everyone knew he was smart. everyone knew he was reliable. everyone knew he was the person people went to when they needed help understanding something complicated. you knew the smaller things. you knew he always checked the weather before leaving the flat because he hated being caught in the rain, you knew he got quieter when he was tired, not because he was upset but because he was saving what little energy he had left for anybody else that needed it, you knew that when he was trying not to laugh, he pressed his lips hard together like he was physically stopping himself.

you knew he pretended not to care about things he absolutely cared about. and somehow, those were the things that made him impossible not to like. which was becoming a bit of a problem. because you were starting to notice him in ways you hadn’t before. you realised it one evening in the library. not in some huge, overwhelming way. you weren’t staring dramatically across the table, suddenly struck by how much you liked him… it was much more inconvenient than that. you were working through a practice question, completely stuck despite having already read through the explanation twice. jungwon was beside you, typing something into his laptop while occasionally glancing over to check your progress. you had gotten used to that, his quiet attention. the way he never interrupted unless he thought you genuinely needed help, the way he somehow knew when you were about to give up before you even admitted it.

“you’re doing that thing again.” he whispered, breaking the silence.

you looked up.

“what thing?”

his eyes moved briefly to your notebook.

“you’re staring at the paper like it’s a death sentence or something.”

you looked back down.

“feels like one.”

a small smile appeared on his face. that tiny reaction you had somehow become weirdly proud of causing. jungwon didn’t often laugh loudly. he didn’t have the dramatic reactions that some of your friends did. but when you made him smile, it felt like you’d earned something. which was ridiculous, you knew that. still.

“you’re impossible,” he said, rolling his eyes fondly.

“and yet you keep tutoring me.” you whispered back, scrunching up your nose as you did so.

“that’s because i’m nice.”

you looked at him, really looked at him with that quizzical glare he’d come to love.

“that sounded suspiciously like you were complimenting yourself.”

“i was stating a fact.” he muttered back, flush rising to his cheeks as he suddenly turned his head back to his laptop.

you giggled under your breath.

and that was when it hit you. not because he looked particularly different, or because something magical happened. just because you realised you wanted to remember this. you wanted to remember sitting in this library with him, you wanted to remember the way he looked when he was trying to defend himself, you wanted to remember the sound of his voice when he was amused. and that was when the thought finally settled.

oh. you liked him. and not in the vague way you liked people, the way you liked your friends. you liked jungwon. and instead of feeling terrifying, the realisation was strangely calm. like your brain had finally caught up with something your heart had already known for weeks.

after that, you didn’t suddenly become a different person. if anything, you became more yourself around him. because now that you knew why you enjoyed being around him, you stopped trying to explain it away. you stopped pretending that you didn’t look forward to thursdays. you stopped pretending that you didn’t check your phone more often when you knew he might message. you stopped pretending that you didn’t notice when he walked into a room. and maybe you became a little less subtle. not intentionally. you just found yourself wanting to make him smile, wanting to hear his little laugh, wanting to see the moments where he forgot to be reserved. you teased him a little bit more. you stole his pens more often despite having your own. you sent him random messages that had absolutely nothing to do with studying. sometimes he replied immediately. sometimes it took him hours because he was busy. but he always replied. and every single time, you caught yourself smiling. which was embarrassing because you had never been someone who cared this much about a notification.

jungwon noticed. he wasn’t sure when it started. at first, he thought nothing of it, you had always been friendly. that was one of the first things he had noticed about you. you made people feel instantly comfortable, you talked to literally everyone, you remembered names with an ease he wished he had about him. you smiled at strangers like it was the simplest thing in the world. so when you started saving him a seat before he arrived, he assumed you were just being considerate. when you started bringing him into conversations more often, he assumed you were making sure he didn’t get left out. when you started teasing him more, he assumed you were simply comfortable. all of those explanations made sense, because they were true.

but jungwon was also beginning to realise there was a difference between how you treated everyone else and how you treated him. you were still yourself, but there were moments. small ones. like the way you sometimes seemed to look for his reaction after saying something funny. like how you remembered things he mentioned once and brought them up weeks later, similar to what he did with you. how you had somehow learned his coffee shop order without him ever telling you, however simple it was.

he noticed. he noticed everything. that was the problem. because the more he noticed, the harder it became to convince himself that you were just being friendly. and he didn’t know what to do with that. jungwon had never been someone who rushed into things. he liked certainty, he liked understanding situations before acting on them. but with you, everything felt slightly unfamiliar. because he understood assignments and he understood programming, he understood problems with clear and correct answers. he didn’t understand why he felt disappointed when you had to leave early, he didn’t understand why he checked his phone more often than usual after sending you a message. he didn’t understand why, whenever everyone was gathered together, he always seemed to know where you were without trying. and he definitely didn’t understand (and was beginning to feel very frustrated by the fact) why he had started looking forward to fucking tutoring sessions of all things even when there was usually very little actual tutoring involved.

“you’re coming tonight, right?”

jungwon looked up from his laptop. you were standing beside the table, your bag already over your shoulder.

“coming where?”

you stared at him.

“jungwon.”

he blinked up at you before realising.

“oh.”

“game night.” you said, smiling at him and pumping your fist with excitement. right. the group had been planning it for nearly a week, he knew that. he just hadn’t connected the reminder to the fact that you were the one asking.

“yeah, sure, i’m coming.”

“good.” you replied, flashing him a toothy grin. your answer came too quickly but you didn’t seem embarrassed by it. if anything, you looked pleased.

“because i need someone on my team.” 

jungwon raised an eyebrow.

“you lost last time.” he deadpanned, glare flat but not devoid of a soft affection behind it, an affectionate which he secretly hoped you wouldn’t miss.

“because everyone cheated.” you whined, before remembering to keep your voice down.

“everyone?”

“everyone.”

“including me?”

“especially you.” you whispered back after hesitating a little.

he shook his head, but he was smiling. and you noticed. of course you noticed. you felt like you noticed everything about him now. however, the thing you didn’t notice was the way he watched you walk away. or the way he smiled slightly to himself when he realised he’d started looking forward to the evening for a reason that had nothing to do with the silly games jake and heeseung put him up to.

by now, nobody questioned where jungwon would be sitting. it wasn’t something that had been decided. there had never been a conversation where someone had pointed at an empty chair and declared it his, or where you had officially claimed the space beside him as yours. it had simply become another one of those small, unnoticed habits that appeared when people spent enough time together. the same way sunghoon always complained about being hungry approximately ten minutes after eating. the same way jay pretended he wasn’t invested in whatever game everyone was playing despite somehow knowing every rule. the same way jake always arrived a little bit late and acted as though everyone else had been waiting up specifically for him. and the same way jungwon always ended up beside you. sometimes you noticed it, sometimes you didn’t. that was probably what made it feel so natural. there was no awkwardness anymore. no carefully choosing where to sit, no wondering if you were bothering him, no hesitation before sending him a message that had nothing to do with coursework. at some point, jungwon had stopped being someone you were trying to get comfortable around. he was just someone you were comfortable with. which was arguably much more dangerous. because once you got used to someone being there, you really started noticing when they weren’t.

game nights had become a regular occurrence in heeseung’s flat. not weekly, because everyone had enough assignments and deadlines to make that impossible, but often enough that it had become part of everyone’s routine. the first few times, you had still felt like you were unwelcome, entering someone else’s space. jungwon, heeseung and riki lived together, and although you were friends with all of them, there had always been something slightly different about being in their home. it was where jungwon existed outside of uni. where he wasn’t the person sitting at the front of lectures with a laptop open and a notebook full of impossibly neat handwriting. here, he was different, softer. he wore old t-shirts and pyjama shorts instead of structured outfits. his hair was usually messy from running his hands through it while studying. he complained more than people would expect, especially when sunoo purposely chose the most frustrating games possible.

it was strange how much you liked seeing those parts of him. not because they were really that surprising, but because they were his. you had spent so long knowing him as someone everyone admired from a distance that getting to see the ordinary parts made you feel oddly special. tonight was no different. you were sitting on the floor between the sofa and coffee table, surrounded by half-finished drinks, snacks and discarded game pieces. everyone was talking over each other, which meant nobody was actually listening properly. except jungwon. he always listened, you had noticed that early on. even when he wasn’t actively involved in a conversation, he was paying attention. he remembered details people mentioned casually. he noticed when someone looked uncomfortable and quietly changed the subject. you had once asked him how he remembered so much. he had just looked genuinely confused, as though he hadn’t realised he did it, it was just so ingrained in his being, to care for others. that was probably one of the things you liked most about him. he never seemed to understand how thoughtful he was.

“you’re overthinking it.”

you looked beside you. jungwon was looking at your cards.

“you don’t even know what i’m thinking.” you frowned.

“yes, i do.”

“you’re very confident.”

“you’ve been staring at the same card for three minutes.”

you looked down, then back at him.

“that doesn’t mean anything.” you pouted, glaring slightly at him now over the top of your deck. he just smiled in response. 

you should have been used to that by now. his tiny grins, just for you. the way he was much funnier than people gave him credit for because most people never stayed around long enough to notice. but you weren’t, not really. because every time he made you laugh, some part of you still felt ridiculously pleased that you were the one who got to see that side of him. which was a thought you tried not to examine too closely.

the thing about liking jungwon was that it hadn’t changed your friendship. that had surprised you. you had expected the realisation to make everything feel different and much more complicated. like suddenly every interaction required careful consideration. instead, you had simply become the tiniest bit more aware. you noticed when he pushed his glasses further up his nose while reading. you noticed how he always checked whether everyone had arrived before starting anything. you noticed that he never took the last of whatever odd snack jake had bought over from the table unless someone specifically told him to. you noticed that he always walked slower when leaving places with you. that last one had taken you a while to figure out because jungwon never made a show of it. he never said he was waiting, he simply adjusted his pace. and somehow, you always ended up walking together. you wondered if he knew he did that. you wondered if he realised how many little things he did that made you feel important. you also used to wonder if you were the only one who noticed, which now you suspected was false after jay’s earlier interrogation. you were right. you realised this when you returned from the kitchen with two drinks and found everyone looking at you. well, not everyone. specifically just jay, sunghoon and sunoo. which was somehow worse.

“what?” you murmured, your voice lacking any real bite because of the probably too loud sigh that followed it.

sunoo immediately looked away too quickly for your liking.

“nothing.” he said, voice an octave higher.

“that was suspicious.” you narrowed your eyes at him.

“you’re suspicious.” he snapped back, sticking his tongue out immaturely.

“that doesn’t even make sense.”

“exactly.”

you stared at him blankly, then forced your gaze upon jay, who seemed like he was trying very hard not to smile.

“why are you all being weird?” you whined.

“we’re not.” sunghoon muttered, wiggling his eyebrows in that annoying way he often did.

“you are.” jay whispered at you, smug expression still pasted onto his sharp features.

before the conversation could continue, riki interrupted from across the room, completely unaware that he had saved you from being questioned further. or maybe he was aware. with riki, it was impossible to tell. you sat back down, handing jungwon his drink without thinking. only after you had done it did you realise you’d remembered exactly what he liked. again. not because he had told you, but because you just knew. jungwon accepted it with a quiet thank you, looking down at the cup before glancing back at you.

“you remembered?”

the question was innocent, he just sounded oddly surprised. you weren't quite sure why when he did the same kind of thing tenfold when it came to remembering your preferences and favourite things. but something about it made you feel a disappointed. because you weren’t sure why it surprised him so much.

“of course i did.” you shrugged forcibly, doing a bad job of feigning nonchalance.

you said it before you could overthink it. for a moment, jungwon just looked at you. then his expression softened.

“right.” he replied, face now weirdly blank other than the remaining fondness in his eyes.

that was all, just one word. not worth overthinking, you repeated in your head like a mantra.

later that night, when everyone had started leaving, you found yourself standing near the front door with jungwon. it wasn’t unusual because he always walked you out. sometimes he walked you home. sometimes he didn’t, depending on how late it was and how much work you desperately urged him to finish. you peeked out of the open door to see that it was raining lightly.

“i didn’t bring an umbrella.” you said sheepishly. jungwon just glanced towards the coat rack.

“i have one.”

“you don’t have to walk me.”

he looked at you. not confused, just slightly surprised. as though the idea had never occurred to him. 

“i know.” he replied blankly.

there was a pause. you immediately thought about backtracking, embarrassment probably evident on your face at how you seemed to just expect him to follow you to your accom, so used to it by now that you didn't even think of the other possibility. a feeling akin to shame burned at the back of your neck. then, he picked up his jacket.

“i want to.”

the relief that spread across your features was palpable. you hoped he didn't notice. jungwon said things like that so naturally, without hesitation, without realising how much weight they carried for you. you just smiled.

“okay.” you said so quietly it was almost a whisper. 

the walk home was quiet. not awkward, never really awkward anymore. you talked about small things. things that wouldn’t matter tomorrow. complaints about assignments. something stupidly funny jake had said to him earlier. a random story sunghoon had told you and sunoo about his crazy ex. ordinary things. you found yourself thinking that ordinary things with jungwon never really felt ordinary. and beside you, jungwon was having a similar thought. he had spent most of his life believing that comfort was something you built alone. in a quiet room, a familiar routine, a predictable schedule. he had never expected another person to become part of that. but somehow, you had. and the strange thing was, he didn’t feel like you had interrupted his life. you felt like you had always been there. when you reached your building, you turned back towards him.

“thanks for walking me.”

jungwon shook his head.

“you don’t have to thank me every time.”

you smiled.

“i know.”

a small pause, which you’d both seemed to be accustomed to by now. then, almost unconsciously, he smiled back. and neither of you noticed how long you stood there before saying goodbye, neither of you noticed that you were both reluctant to be the first person to leave. but maybe that was the thing about something becoming important. you didn’t always notice the moment it happened. sometimes, you only noticed when you realised you didn’t want it to stop.

the dinky coffee shop you two had discovered months ago had become quieter as the afternoon wore on. the lunchtime rush had disappeared almost an hour ago, leaving behind only the occasional student hiding from the rain outside and a few people scattered amongst the tables with laptops propped open in front of them. neither of you had noticed how late it was until one of the baristas began wiping down the empty tables nearby, a subtle reminder that perhaps spending nearly four hours discussing coursework wasn’t entirely normal behaviour. not that either of you minded. you couldn’t remember when studying had stopped feeling like studying when it was with jungwon. assignments still frustrated you and deadlines still came far sooner than they should have, but somewhere along the way, the time between arriving and leaving had started disappearing far too quickly. it was becoming increasingly difficult to separate whether you enjoyed the afternoons themselves or simply enjoyed spending them with him. if you were being honest with yourself, you had known the answer for a while now.

it was still strange thinking about it sometimes. not because it felt wrong or overwhelming, but instead because it felt so obvious in hindsight. you wondered if everyone else apart from jay and sunghoon had figured it out before you had. judging by the increasingly knowing looks from the rest of your friends whenever his name appeared in conversation, you suspected they probably had. you smiled faintly at the thought as you closed your notebook, reaching across the table to collect the loose sheets of paper that had somehow migrated onto his side over the last few hours.

“i think we’ve done enough work for today,” you sighed, stretching slightly in your chair.

jungwon looked up from his laptop, his expression softening into something quietly amused.

“we’ve been here longer than some of my lectures.”

“exactly my point.”

he laughed quietly before also beginning to pack his things away. over the last few months, you had grown used to moments like these. comfortable silences had become second nature between the two of you now. there was no pressure to fill every moment with conversation anymore. it was nice. you had begun to realise recently that your favourite part of the week wasn’t thursday afternoons themselves. it was the fact that they belonged, in some small way, to the two of you. uni was unpredictable and busy and constantly changing, but somehow this, whatever it was, had remained untouched by all of it. you knew that probably meant more to you than it should. probably meant more to you than it did to him.

“everyone keeps asking me about you, by the way.”

the words left your mouth casually as you zipped your bag shut. it wasn’t entirely untrue. all of your friends, not just your mutuals, had become increasingly interested in jungwon’s existence over the last few months, much to your embarrassment.

his eyebrows lifted slightly as he glanced towards you.

“why?”

“i don’t know.” you laughed quietly. “they’re nosey.”

“that’s unfortunate.”

you smiled to yourself at his response before continuing to pack your things away. there was something about talking to jungwon now that felt so easy compared to those first few conversations. you didn’t overthink every sentence anymore. you had long since stopped wondering whether you were bothering him. he was your friend. hopefully more than that, if you were thinking positively. the thing was, lately, you had started wondering whether perhaps you weren’t entirely alone in all of this. there were moments where he looked at you for slightly longer than necessary, moments where he remembered things you were sure you had only mentioned once, moments where he would choose to stay just a little longer when neither of you really needed to. you weren’t foolish enough to assume that meant anything on its own. but, naturally, sometimes you wondered. perhaps that was why you foolishly felt brave enough to continue the conversation.

“you know,” you smiled, resting your chin briefly against your hand as you looked across the table at him, “jay’s like… convinced that there’s something going on between us.” you blurted out as quickly as you could, as if not to give yourself time to immediately regret it.

his expression shifted immediately into something slightly embarrassed.

“i know.”

“it’s getting difficult to convince people otherwise at this point.”

“is it?”

“a little bit.”

there was a brief pause as he packed away the last of his things. you weren’t sure what the fuck possessed you to say what came next. perhaps it was because things had been so good lately. perhaps it was because you were tired of wondering whether you had imagined every small moment between the two of you over the last few months. or perhaps it was simply because you liked him enough to be a little brave! you smiled softly, looking down at your notebook rather than at him.

“i don’t know,” you admitted quietly. “i don’t think i’d mind all that much.”

the words were deliberately vague. gentle enough that you could pretend they meant very little if you needed to. however, you realised they weren’t ambiguous enough to fully shroud your true intentions after mumbling them out. the silence that followed lasted only a few seconds. it felt significantly longer. jungwon seemed to have froze. for a moment, he wasn’t entirely sure he had heard you correctly. his mind immediately began trying to make sense of what you meant, each possibility somehow more terrifying than the last. he knew his friends joked about the two of you often enough. he knew people made assumptions about your friendship. except suddenly, sitting across from you now, he realised there was another possibility he had spent months refusing to acknowledge. you. liking him. the thought shouldn't have felt so shocking anymore. it still did. because if you liked him, then suddenly every feeling he’d spent months carefully ignoring demanded to be acknowledged in return. and jungwon had never been particularly good with uncertainty. friendships made sense to him because they had rules he understood. this didn’t. he didn’t want to lose what the two of you had now. he didn’t want to make things difficult or uncomfortable or complicated. he didn’t want to ruin this.

“i don’t think…” he began quietly before stopping himself, hand reaching up to scratch awkward at the back of his neck. “i don’t think that’s a good idea.”

your smile faltered almost imperceptibly, a grimace attempting to fight its way through.

“oh.”

it was such a small sound that he almost missed it entirely. he rushed to continue, unaware that the conversation the two of you were having had become entirely different ones.

“i just mean…” he paused, struggling to explain thoughts he’d barely managed to understand himself. “things are good how they are.”

you pasted on what you thought was your best smile before he had the chance to notice your expression properly.

“yeah.” you replied, nodding your head almost feverishly so he really understood that you meant nothing by it, ignoring the sinking feeling in your gut.

well, at least you had your answer now. looking back, you supposed you should have expected it. jungwon had never really been someone who sought out change when he was happy. perhaps you had simply allowed yourself to become a little too hopeful over the last few weeks. it was embarrassing more than anything else. how stupid of you to have misread things so badly.

“you’re right,” you smiled quietly, standing from your chair and slipping your bag over your shoulder. “they are.”

jungwon just smiled back, relieved that you seemed to understand him. what he didn’t currently realise was that you’d heard blatant, painful rejection, when he’d simply meant to reassure you, and in turn, himself. somehow, that hurt you far more than if he’d simply said no.

if jungwon was really being honest with himself, he thought things had gone surprisingly well. he had spent the entire walk home from the coffee shop replaying the conversation in his head, wondering whether he had explained himself properly. he hadn’t. he’d hardly gotten out a full sentence, much less explained to you everything that was on his mind like a normal person. he knows why he said what he said, because things are good how they are. it had felt honest. reassuring, even, to him at least. and to you too actually! you had smiled afterwards, you had agreed with him. the conversation hadn’t become uncomfortable or tense or anything he had spent the previous five minutes worrying it might become. so, all things considered, he had gone home thinking he’d done the right thing. for approximately twenty-four hours. because the strange thing about spending so much time with someone was that you became accustomed to all of their little habits without ever consciously meaning to. they simply became part of his own routine before he had realised they were there. jungwon knew exactly how long it usually took you to reply to his messages. he knew that you hated studying in complete silence and always put together strangely specific playlists whenever assignments became particularly difficult. he knew that you had an endearing tendency to become more affectionate when you were excited about something, talking slightly faster and laughing a little louder than usual. he knew that when you were tired, you absentmindedly played with the sleeves of your jumpers while trying to stay focused. he knew these things in the same unconscious way that he knew the walk back to his flat or his coffee order or his timetable for the semester. he simply knew them. which was why he noticed almost immediately when something had changed. not enough for anyone else to pay attention to, just enough that he couldn’t stop thinking about it. the first few days afterwards, he convinced himself he was imagining things. you still smiled at him when you saw him. you still sat right beside him whenever the two of you studied together. you still laughed at his jokes, even the terrible ones that never seemed to land with anyone else. nothing had changed. except, somehow, everything had.

you’d stopped doing that stupid thing where you stole his pens. it was almost like tradition now, like a routine, however childish and intentional you both knew it was. that one shouldn't have bothered him nearly as much as it did. for the last few months, he had found himself bringing extras whenever the two of you studied together because you always seemed to lose yours or decide his were somehow better despite being exactly the same. the first tutoring session you’d had after the coffee shop, he had unconsciously placed two pens beside your notebook before he’d even sat down, like he always did. one of them remained untouched for three hours. he told himself he was being ridiculous for noticing, yet he noticed anyway. you thanked him more often now, which somehow felt worse than if you hadn’t thanked him at all. there was a distance in your gratitude that hadn’t existed before. before, your appreciation had always been accompanied by teasing or laughter or some dramatic declaration that he’d saved your degree. now, they sounded almost formal. 

you were still kind. still yourself. just… quieter around him. nobody else noticed it. of course they didn’t. you were exactly the same around everyone else. he watched you laugh so hard at something jay had said one evening that tears had gathered in the corners of your eyes, heeseung watching you fondly from the other sofa. he’d watched you complain dramatically to sunoo about an assignment you’d been putting off for nearly two weeks, riki mocking you right to your face, much to your feigned annoyance. he’d watched you lean comfortably against sunghoon’s shoulder during a movie when you’d become sleepy halfway through. and then he’d watched you be stirred awake by jake’s constant fidgeting on the other side of you. you hadn’t changed. not really. except somewhere along the way, you had become slightly more careful around him. and that was infinitely worse. he found himself thinking about it far more often than he cared to admit.

“you’ve been staring at absolutely nothing for ten minutes.”

jungwon blinked before looking up from where he’d been sitting at the kitchen table. riki was looking at him suspiciously from across the room, eating cereal directly from the box despite heeseung’s careful placement of perfectly usable bowls right next to the boxes, to try and make it easier for him to just do the normal thing.

“i haven’t.”

“you have.”

heeseung looked up briefly from where he’d been making coffee before glancing between the two of them.

“you have.” he agreed through a grimace, much to jungwon’s dismay.

jungwon frowned slightly. “i’m just tired.”

“you’ve been tired for two weeks.”

“uni is difficult.”

riki snorted loudly from his seat.

“no, y/n is difficult.”

the words caught him so off guard that he nearly dropped his pen. heeseung, as always, looked considerably less surprised.

“i was wondering how long it would take for you to say it.” heeseung muttered, rolling his eyes.

jungwon just stared at both of them.

“…what?”

“you’re moping, won.” riki snapped, his tone of voice not matching the sympathetic look on his face.

“i’m not.”

“you’re staring into space all the time.”

“i do that anyway.”

“you’ve made coffee twice this week and forgotten to drink it.”

he paused.

“…that’s happened before.”

“not because you’ve been thinking about someone.” heeseung finally interjected, annoyingly all-knowing look in his gaze. jungwon went suspiciously quiet after that. because that wasn’t possible. was it? he’d spent so long trying not to think too carefully about his feelings for you that he had somehow missed when they’d become something entirely different. he missed hearing from you throughout the day. he missed the way you’d absentmindedly rested your chin against his shoulder while trying to read something on his laptop screen. he missed the familiarity of knowing exactly what you were thinking before you’d said anything at all. more than that, though, he simply missed feeling close to you. he found himself looking for you whenever he walked into a room before he’d even realised he was doing it. he knew immediately when something had happened that he wanted to tell you. he’d begun associating particular songs with you because you’d insisted on adding them to his playlists weeks ago. you had somehow become woven into the fabric of his everyday life so gradually that he’d never noticed it happening. and now, suddenly, he noticed your absence everywhere. perhaps the cruelest part of all of this was that he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d done wrong.

you were still there. you still smiled at him. you still sat beside him every thursday afternoon. but somewhere between two tuesdays ago and now, he had lost something he couldn’t quite name. for someone who had spent his entire life preferring certainty, he had never felt more confused. he was beginning to realise that things were no longer good how they were, and they hadn’t been for a while.

there was something particularly embarrassing about realising you’d been wrong. not devastatingly wrong or life-altering or anything dramatic enough to warrant crying over to your friends at two in the morning. just quietly, painfully wrong in a way that made you wish you could go back and shake yourself from three weeks ago. you weren’t upset with jungwon, you couldn’t be. that would imply he’d done something wrong when, if anything, he’d been much kinder than he needed to be. looking back now, you weren’t entirely sure where your confidence had come from that afternoon. maybe the months of small moments, insignificant accumulating into something bigger in your mind. perhaps it had been everyone else’s comments beginning to blur the lines in your head. or perhaps it had simply been wishful thinking.

whatever it had been, it had been yours. not his. that was the important part. you had offered him an open door and he’d quietly, gently closed it. that was all there was to it. it should have been easy enough to move on from.

the embarrassing part was that you found yourself replaying months worth of memories and wondering how many of them you had gotten wrong. moments that had made your stomach twist pleasantly suddenly felt different when viewed from another perspective.

of course he remembered your coffee order, because jungwon remembered everyone’s. of course he walked you home whenever it got late, because he was simply thoughtful. of course he stayed a little longer whenever the two of you studied together because he enjoyed spending time with his friends.

you hated how quickly your own thoughts began correcting themselves now. there had been a time, not even a month ago, where those moments would have made your heart race for entirely different reasons. now, they simply made your cheeks warm with embarrassment, hot shame burning in your gut.

perhaps that was why you had unconsciously started pulling back. not because you were upset or angry or trying to punish him for anything, but because liking someone who didn’t like you back was difficult enough without making yourself feel disgustingly foolish every time you looked at them.

you still wanted to be his friend. more than that, really. you couldn’t imagine suddenly removing him from your life after everything the two of you had become over the last few months. jungwon had become one of your favourite parts of uni so gradually that you hadn’t noticed it happening until it already had. that hadn’t changed simply because he didn’t feel the same way. you still smiled whenever he sent you something funny. you still looked forward to your thursday afternoons together. you still thought he was one of the kindest people you’d ever met.

you simply couldn’t afford to like him quite so loudly anymore. it was wierd, the little things you stopped yourself from doing without ever consciously deciding to.

you stopped reaching for his sleeve whenever you wanted his attention. you stopped sending him photographs of random things throughout your day simply because they reminded you of him. you stopped sitting quite so close whenever the two of you studied together.

small things. almost insignificant things. except they weren’t insignificant to you. because each one had been an unconscious expression of your affection before you’d realised what it was. you had never meant for him to become so woven into your everyday life.

some days were easier than others. there were moments where you forgot entirely and everything felt comfortably familiar again. then there were moments where he laughed quietly at something you’d said or looked at you with that same soft expression he always wore around you and your heart would ache just a little before settling once more.

you wondered if that feeling would ever completely disappear. hopefully, eventually, it would. for now, though, you thought friendship was enough. it had always been enough before you’d become so greedy for more.

maybe that was why you felt guilty sometimes when jungwon looked slightly confused whenever you thanked him for something or didn’t immediately steal the pen he’d unconsciously left beside your notebook.

because none of this was his fault, he hadn’t changed. you had.

and if protecting your own feelings meant becoming slightly more careful around him for a little while, then you thought that was something you could live with.

jungwon couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt quite so out of place.

looking back, he probably should have refused when heeseung asked him for what felt like the hundredth time if he wanted to tag along. in his defence, it had been a particularly long week and an even longer month. assignments had begun piling up again, he’d somehow managed to spill coffee over half of his notes two days ago, and, perhaps most embarrassingly of all, he’d spent the better part of three weeks pretending he wasn’t miserable whenever he noticed that things between you two had changed.

he was tired of moping around his apartment. riki had become particularly ruthless about pointing it out over the last fortnight and heeseung had long since given up pretending to be subtle whenever he brought your name into conversation.

apparently, staring sadly at your contact for twenty minutes before deciding against sending a message about a video he’d seen was gross and pathetic behaviour. at least according to riki. who was probably right as he knew a whole lot more about these things than jungwon.

despite that, jungwon had still voiced that riki’s assessment of his conduct was unnecessarily harsh. heeseung had wholly disagreed. which was how he’d somehow found himself accepting a drink from jake less than two minutes after arriving.

and then another. and then one he’d accepted entirely because he’d forgotten he’d already had two. he wasn’t drunk. he never really had been. well, at least, he didn’t think he was.

he was simply pleasantly warm and considerably more relaxed than usual, leaning against the kitchen counter while only half listening to whatever story sunghoon was currently telling him. the music was louder than anything he would ever willingly choose to listen to himself and there were significantly more people crammed into the house than he’d initially anticipated, but he was enjoying himself more than he’d expected. granted, he was doing his best to ignore the heavy smell of weed emanating off of jake.

he’d laughed more tonight than he usually did in an entire week. perhaps heeseung had been right after all.

“you should do this more often,” heeseung smiled, nudging his shoulder lightly as he handed him another drink.

jungwon looked down suspiciously at the cup before looking back at him.

“i’ve learnt enough from tonight to know that’s a terrible idea.”

heeseung laughed quietly.

“you’re surprisingly tolerable when you’re tipsy.”

“thank you.”

“that wasn’t entirely a compliment.”

before jungwon had the opportunity to respond, riki appeared between them carrying approximately four different bags of snacks tucked beneath one arm.

“he smiled at a stranger twenty minutes ago.”

jungwon frowned. “i was being polite.”

“you apologised when they walked into you.”

“…that’s also polite.” jungwon muttered back after a moment of hesitation.

“no,” riki laughed, “that’s just wierd.”

heeseung just smirked into his drink. there was something strangely amusing about watching jungwon slightly tipsy. he’d spent so much of uni worrying and overthinking and analysing every situation presented to him that removing even a small amount of that caution left behind him considerably softer than people expected. he laughed easier. smiled more readily. he allowed himself to simply exist amongst conversations rather than constantly listening from the outside of them.

he seemed lighter somehow. it really suited him.

“where’s y/n?” jungwon asked quietly before quickly taking another sip of his drink, pulling his cup up to his mouth with slightly shaky hands.

the three seconds of silence that followed were perhaps the most suspicious seconds of silence he’d ever experienced in his life.

slowly, against his better judgment, he looked up, only to be met with a slightly unsightly view of heeseung and riki garishly grinning at him, their eyes wide but gaze lacking the surprise that usually went hand in hand with this kind of exaggerated expression.

somewhere behind him, he was reasonably certain he could hear jake giggling, although, he could be mistaking it for a cough, courtesy of jake’s persistent tendency to inhale too quick.

“…what?” jungwon snapped, eyebrows furrowed.

“nothing,” riki replied immediately.

“you asked where she was before you’ve asked where literally anyone else is.”

“i asked where you were.”

“after i’d been standing beside you for twenty minutes.”

jungwon chose not to dignify that observation with a response. instead, he just looked towards heeseung expectantly.

“sunoo said she should be here soon.” heeseung said reassuringly, supportively placing his hand on jungwon’s shoulder. although, in hindsight, that may’ve just been to hinder his incessant swaying.

jungwon nodded absentmindedly before returning his attention towards the conversation around him. he didn’t think very much of it. after all, asking where you were wasn’t particularly unusual anymore. he was simply accustomed to knowing whether or not you’d be somewhere.

that was all.

at least, that’s what he’d spent the last three weeks desperately trying to convince himself. it was considerably easier to maintain that delusion when you weren’t standing in front of him.

he heard your laugh before he saw you. 

that wasn’t unusual either.

he thought he’d probably recognise your laugh anywhere now, which was perhaps a more embarrassing admission than he’d ever willingly make aloud. his head turned instinctively towards the front door before he’d consciously registered why and suddenly there you were, laughing quietly at something sunghoon had said as you slipped your coat from your shoulders.

you looked really pretty tonight. the thought came so quickly and naturally that it startled him slightly. you always looked pretty, obviously. he’d realised that a long time ago. he simply didn’t allow himself to think about it very often.

perhaps alcohol was significantly more dangerous than he’d initially given it credit for. he watched absentmindedly as you smiled brightly at everyone gathered in the room before your eyes eventually found his. the smile that appeared faltered slightly, but almost immediately afterwards became softer somehow.

“you’re here?” 

there was something oddly sweet about the genuine surprise in your expression.

“i’m beginning to regret it already,” he smiled quietly, suddenly all too aware of the heat on his cheeks and the smoky smell clinging to his hoodie.

you laughed softly at that before making your way towards him.

“that’s because you’ve only been here for an hour.”

he wasn’t entirely sure why he’d spent the last few days forcibly convincing himself things hadn’t changed all that much between the two of you.

they had. he’d known that. he simply hadn’t realised quite how much he’d missed this. you still smiled at him exactly the same way you always had. you still laughed quietly whenever he made particularly terrible jokes. you still seemed happier somehow whenever the two of you were talking.

the difference was subtle enough that nobody except him would ever notice it. you didn’t touch his arm absentmindedly anymore when you laughed. you left slightly more space between the two of you than before. and perhaps most noticeably of all, you no longer looked at him first whenever something happened that you thought was funny.

they were impossibly small things. he noticed every single one of them anyway.

the rest of the evening passed comfortably enough. conversations blurred together as more people arrived and the music grew louder, everyone splitting themselves into smaller groups before eventually finding their way back together once more.

somewhere throughout all of that, jungwon had unconsciously begun following you around. it wasn’t intentional. at least, not consciously.

if you were in the kitchen, he somehow found himself there five minutes later. if you sat beside sunoo on the sofa, he’d absentmindedly occupy the empty space beside you without thinking very much about it.

he simply preferred being wherever you happened to be.

heeseung had noticed approximately thirty minutes after you’d arrived. riki had noticed considerably faster than that.

“oh my god.”

heeseung looked up from where he’d been talking to jake.

“what?”

riki gestured vaguely towards the living room where jungwon was currently laughing quietly at something you’d said.

“he’s literally following her.”

heeseung just shrugged noncommittally in reply, grin still pasted onto his face.

“no, hyung. look.” riki urged him, poking at his arm before pointing at you and jungwon.

there was something strangely amusing about watching jungwon tonight. he smiled more whenever he was speaking to you. his shoulders relaxed whenever you sat beside him. if somebody asked him a question whilst he was looking at you, there was an unusually chance he’d need it repeated.

he was completely hopeless. his tipsy state wasn’t helping matters, especially considering it was more or less his first time.

“that’s actually insane,” jake laughed quietly as he watched you fix the hood on jungwon’s hoodie where it had folded awkwardly against itself.

jungwon thanked you absentmindedly before immediately continuing whatever conversation he’d been having with you moments earlier. he hadn’t even seemed to notice he’d paused talking entirely whilst you’d fixed it, neck hot as you’d brushed it slightly with your fingers.

sunghoon laughed quietly beside him.

“i don’t think i’ve ever seen him look at another person that much.”

heeseung smiled into his drink.

“i’ve been saying this for months.”

riki looked genuinely offended.

“and nobody thought to tell him?”

“we have.”

“repeatedly.”

the younger boy’s expression somehow became even more scandalised.

“he’s more oblivious than she is.”

perhaps the most ridiculous part of all of this was that jungwon remained entirely unaware of every observation being made about him throughout the evening. he was too busy wondering whether you’d always looked quite so beautiful whenever you laughed.

he was beginning to suspect that perhaps you’d always looked exactly like this and he’d simply spent too much time pretending not to notice. for someone who had spent weeks mourning the small changes in your friendship, he was finding it increasingly difficult to remember why he’d ever thought things were better before.

it was approaching three in the morning by the time people began discussing leaving.

the house had quietened considerably over the last hour or so, conversations becoming softer as people sank further into sofas and armchairs, unwilling to brave the walk back home just yet. somebody had long since changed the music to something significantly quieter and there was something strangely comfortable about the aftermath of nights like these.

jungwon found that he didn’t mind this part nearly as much as he’d expected to.

he was pleasantly tipsy now, the warmth from the alcohol still lingering comfortably in his chest as he sat amongst conversations that seemed to weave together around him. for perhaps the first time since beginning uni, he wasn’t thinking quite so carefully about every little thing he said or did. he simply existed amongst it all.

more importantly, though, he’d spent most of the evening sitting beside you. 

it had been strangely easy to fall back into old habits tonight. somewhere between laughing quietly at your complaints about one of your assignments and listening to sunoo dramatically retell something that had happened earlier in the week, jungwon had almost forgotten that things had ever changed between the two of you at all.

almost.

because every so often, he’d catch himself waiting for you to unconsciously lean your shoulder against his before remembering that you didn’t really do that anymore. looking back, he wasn’t entirely sure when he’d become quite so selfish.

“you seem suspiciously happy tonight.”

jungwon glanced towards riki sitting opposite him before quietly rolling his eyes.

“i’m fine.” he replied, forcing back a pout.

“that’s somehow significantly more suspicious.”

heeseung laughed quietly from beside him before following riki’s gaze towards where you were sitting, your cheeks slightly pink from both the alcohol and your laughter as you listened to jake explain something particularly enthusiastically with his usual accompanying hand gestures.

“…oh,” riki deadpanned. “never mind.”

jungwon frowned slightly. “what does that mean?”

“nothing.”

it meant considerably more than absolutely nothing.

you looked so beautiful tonight. he thought perhaps indulging in so many drinks had simply removed whatever part of his brain usually stopped him from acknowledging thoughts like that because he’d lost count of how many times he’d found himself looking at you throughout the evening.

it wasn’t only physical attraction anymore either, although he’d long since realised he found you beautiful. it was smaller things than that. he liked the sound of your laugh when you were tired because it became slightly quieter than usual. he liked listening to you talk excitedly about things he knew absolutely nothing about simply because you always looked so happy when you did. he liked that you still became flustered whenever somebody complimented you despite spending your entire life being loved so easily by the people around you.

he liked who you were when you thought nobody was really paying attention. which never truly happened. people were just drawn to you in that way, himself included.

you caught him looking at you from across the room and smiled instinctively, lifting your hand slightly in a small wave before continuing your conversation. his expression softened almost immediately. heeseung watched the entire interaction over the rim of red plastic cup before looking towards riki.

“‘s painful to watch.” he whispered into riki’s ear.

eventually, conversations again turned towards leaving. sunoo had somehow managed to fall asleep against sunghoon’s shoulder almost twenty minutes earlier and jake had been unsuccessfully attempting to convince everyone to stay for another hour despite complaining about how tired he was himself.

jungwon had been helping clear empty glasses from the coffee table when he’d heard you shyly giggling beside him. he glanced towards you immediately.

“how much have you had to drink?”

you thought about it briefly before laughing again sheepishly.

“that’s probably not something i should have to think about.”

he just smiled quietly at that. you weren’t drunk, not really. simply pleasantly tipsy in much the same way he was. your movements were slightly slower than usual and your smile was somehow impossibly softer than it had been all evening.

still, it was enough for him to dislike the idea of you walking home by yourself.  you’d always gone out more than he had throughout uni. if he was being honest with himself, he had worried about you walking home late more times than he would ever willingly admit aloud. that wasn’t particularly new. what was new, however, was his willingness to actually voice it.

“i want to walk you home.”

the words came so naturally that he didn’t really think about them before saying them.

“you don’t have to.” you said, not bothering to stifle the way your jaw temporarily dropped open at his words.

“i know.” he whispered, turning quickly before you could see the further flush on his cheeks, half flustered, half guilty at the way you seemed so shocked by the simple words he usually just held back.

i know. you felt your heart ache slightly before reminding yourself that jungwon had always been thoughtful. he would have offered regardless. you smiled softly up at him.

“okay.”

the walk back was quieter than most. perhaps because the world always seemed gentler after midnight or perhaps because the alcohol had left both of you softer around the edges than usual. your fingers brushed accidentally once when the two of you reached for the sleeve of your jacket that had slipped from your shoulder and neither of you commented on it.

somehow, though, neither of you immediately pulled away either.

and for perhaps the first time in weeks, things didn’t feel quite so different between the two of you anymore. not yet, at least.

there was something comforting about walking through the city this late at night. the rush of the evening had long since disappeared, leaving behind little more than the occasional passing car and the sound of quiet conversation spilling from restaurants preparing to close for the evening. you’d always loved nights like this.

perhaps that was why you’d never minded when jungwon walked you home after studying ran particularly late or movie nights stretched far longer than anyone had originally intended. somewhere along the way, walking beside him had become one of the most familiar things in your life. you were very grateful for that.

the last few weeks had been easier than you’d expected them to be. difficult sometimes, certainly, but easier nonetheless. enough time had passed now that the burning humiliation had softened around the edges into something a little more manageable. jungwon was still one of your favourite people and, if you were being honest with yourself, you thought he probably always would be.

beside you, jungwon was unusually quiet. perhaps he was simply tired after an evening spent far more socialising than he usually subjected himself to. still, there was something different about him tonight. he’d spent almost the entire evening beside you. every time you’d looked around the room, he’d somehow found his way back to wherever you happened to be. even now, his hand brushed occasionally against yours as the two of you walked side by side down familiar streets.

it reminded you a little too much of before.

“thank you for walking me home.”

his eyebrows pulled together slightly at that.

“you don’t have to thank me every time.”

you smiled faintly. “it’s still polite.”

“you never used to.” he blurted out, voice dropping an octave. the words were quiet enough that you almost missed them.

for a moment, neither of you spoke. there were some conversations that seemed easier to avoid than begin. you looked down at the pavement briefly before laughing quietly to yourself. “i’m trying to be better.”

“i don’t think you… needed improving.” he slurred his words a little at the edges.

you hated how easily he could still make your heart ache sometimes. the thing about jungwon was that he had always said the kindest things when he wasn’t thinking about them first. before you had the opportunity to reply, he spoke again.

“i’m sorry.”

you frowned slightly as you looked towards him.

“for what?”

he was quiet for longer than usual this time, his attention fixed somewhere ahead of the two of you. he’d spent the last few weeks thinking about very little else besides what he’d said to you that afternoon and every moment that had followed afterwards. he missed things he hadn’t even realised he would notice before they disappeared. he missed you in ways that felt increasingly impossible to ignore despite the fact that you’d never actually gone anywhere.

it had become difficult pretending that nothing had changed when he thought about you constantly. he was tired of pretending.

“everything.”

your expression softened immediately.

“jungwon…”

“i’ve been thinking about it for weeks.”

you laughed quietly. only then did he notice the deep shame behind your eyes before you lowered your head. “that doesn’t surprise me very much.” you mumbled.

that earned a small smile from him before it disappeared just as quickly.

“i lied.”

you felt yourself pause slightly beside him.

“about what?”

his laugh, usually filled with affection, sounded soft and self-deprecating somehow.

“things being good how they were.”

you froze, gaze still locked onto the floor. suddenly, the walk home didn’t feel so quiet anymore.

“i thought they should be,” he admitted quietly. “i thought if i ignored it for long enough it would just…” he trailed off before shaking his head slightly. “i don’t know.”

there was something almost unfair about hearing him say the things you’d spent weeks trying to convince yourself you’d imagined. you let him continue, feeling a prickling in the corner of your eyes.

“i miss you.”

the confession was so quiet that it almost disappeared amongst the sounds of the city around the two of you.

“i’m right here,” you muttered, watery smile still pasted onto your face for as long as you could muster.

“that’s not what i mean.” he cleared his throat, steely gaze locked onto you.

your heart was beating far too quickly now. so much so that it felt like it’d pop out of your throat.

“then what do you mean?”

he wasn’t entirely sure when he’d become brave enough to say these things. maybe the everflowing drinks had simply quietened the part of him that usually overthought every feeling before allowing himself to voice it. or perhaps he was simply tired of slowly losing the bits of you he liked so much.

“i miss the way things were before that day in the coffee shop,” he admitted honestly. “i miss you texting me about things that don’t matter and sitting too close to me whenever we study and stealing my pens even though we both know you’ve amassed such a collection that you could probably make good money selling them.” he babbled out, suddenly feeling like he was speaking at the speed of light.

your eyes softened almost immediately.

“jungwon…”

“and i know i don’t really get to miss those things because this was my fault.”

a long pause. you didn’t want to fill the silence.

“heeseung says i’ve been insufferable for like… three weeks.”

that startled a giggle from you despite yourself.

“only three?”

“apparently riki thinks that’s generous.”

the two of you smiled at each other softly before the moment settled into something quieter once more.

“i was really scared,” he admitted finally. “and i think i still am.”

you waited patiently for him to continue.

“but i’ve realised i’m… significantly more scared of things staying like this.”

the honesty in his voice stole whatever response you’d been preparing.

slowly, he reached for your hand, his fingers slipping carefully between yours as though he was still giving you the opportunity to pull away if you wanted to.

you didn’t.

“i like you,” he smiled quietly. “which is unfortunate because i’m beginning to think i’ve liked you for a really long time.”

“that is unfortunate.” you whispered, unable to hold back your pout now.

there had never really been anyone else who made him feel the way you did. not in the way you had slowly become part of his everyday life without either of you noticing. not in the way he searched for you the moment he walked into a room, or how easily his mood changed simply because you were there. not in the way he had spent weeks feeling the absence of things he hadn’t realised he depended on until they were gone.

and now, standing in front of you, he finally understood just how much he had been avoiding. the moment he finished speaking, there was a quietness between you that felt different from all the others you’d shared before.

then your eyes filled.

jungwon froze.

the guilt hit him almost immediately. he hadn’t expected that. he’d imagined this moment so many times over the last few weeks, but somehow he’d never considered that you might cry. not because he thought you wouldn’t care, but because he hadn’t realised just how much his hesitation had hurt you.

“i’m sorry,” he whispered.

his hand lifted almost without thinking, fingers brushing gently against your cheek as he wiped away the tear before it could fall any further. the familiar gesture felt strangely unfamiliar now, like he was finally allowing himself to do all the things he had spent months stopping himself from doing.

“jungwon,” you murmured, shaking your head slightly.

you weren’t upset with him. that was the worst part. even now, even after he had made you feel like you had imagined everything between you, you were still looking at him like you were worried about him feeling guilty.

because that was who you were. and maybe that was the exact reason he had fallen for you without noticing. you had always been patient with him. you had always made space for him. you had always understood the things he struggled to say. and he had spent weeks convincing himself that keeping things the same was safer, when losing the little pieces of you that had become so important had been far worse. the small smile you gave him was enough to ease some of the tension in his expression.

“you’re so unbelievable,” you whispered, voice still slightly unsteady.

he let out a quiet laugh, relieved despite himself.

“i know.”

and somehow, that was enough.

enough for you to stop worrying about whether you were misunderstanding him. enough for him to stop wondering whether he had ruined everything. because for the first time in weeks, neither of you were holding back.

the hands resting on your shoulders crept up to hold your face again, brushing away another stray tear as jungwon motioned to tilt your head up a little further, his reassuring gaze meeting yours again. he cautiously brought this thumb around to brush over your lip, searching your eyes for any unwillingness. he took note of the way your face fit perfectly in his grasp before leaning in, lips finally meeting yours.

the kiss was hesitant at first, almost like both of you were waiting to make sure this was real. but when you leaned into him, when you didn’t pull away, the uncertainty slowly disappeared. he took your bottom lip into his mouth as you somehow reached between the little space between you two to wrap your arms around his head, fingers resting at the nape of his neck, softly carding through the dark hair at the bottom.  

to your dismay, the tears you had tried to hold back slipped free anyway, caught between relief and the overwhelming feeling of finally getting what you had spent so long trying not to want.

jungwon noticed immediately. of course he did.

he pulled back, despite your unintentional and somewhat embarrassing whine at the loss of his soft lips against yours. his hand stayed against your cheek, thumb brushing gently beneath your eye as his expression softened with that same guilt from before.

but before he could apologise again, before he could turn this moment into another thing he needed to fix, you kissed him again. softer this time, a quiet reassurance. the way you pressed against him serving as a reminder that he didn’t have to keep apologising for caring about you.

Self-sabotage must bloom from within you. 

Sprout and sow its roots into you, slow and steady, unsuspecting with a growing sinisterness blamed on something else ─ discipline scarcity, forgetfulness, an unseriousness you'd made more of a joke than stated, your laugh hollowed in its tail end as the weight of consequences push against your chest, crushing ribs and whistling wheezes. You wouldn't say it's terribly detrimental, some of your greatest life lessons are learned through your least loved trait. Life goes on anyways, whether you're your best friend or worst enemy and in those lulls, Jungwon remains stable. Unwavering. Much like he is now, as you tremble under his weight. 

He's one of your life's nicest surprises ─ unexpected, serious and with a heart like no other. It makes your brain stutter, lashes batted in increments because what warrants this? You're trudging through life, changes here and there made for your betterment but up to no standard of your own. Not that you're undeserving of him, but at least what you'd read in fictional tales and romantic poems, you thought you would've met him at a better place. In a better version of you, the one that doesn't need body doubling to get anything done, the kind of person who doesn't blank when asked about who they are, what they like. They're all too big of questions, ones you have answers for but somehow feel like don't fit into conversation ─ like they belong to a former life of yours, or deserve no platform at all. With time, and in no time at all, Jungwon fills in the blanks. Draw conclusions of you ringing too close to home, a prickle of unnerve at your nape for your fear of perception. Yet, you yearn. Yearn for love and to be seen, even in the dark crevices of yourself and in true Jungwon fashion, he loves you through it all. 

Doesn't mind the clutter when things get bad, when your joke's fall flat or the glossiness of your eyes coming with an impending burst of your chest. Unconditional is the love he holds for you, a something that cannot be revoked or misplaced by over-thought actions or a lack of words. Pressure conjures in his palm, soft yet heavy against your hand's back, a wobbled corner of your lips lifted given before another hand swallows the back of your head, your face burying into his chest. A metallic taste decorates your palate, teeth sunk into your bottom lip in a mask of your wails, a poor attempt if anything before the dam breaks. 

You could say you find yourself in a similar situation now. That same too-big feeling in your chest, lungs burning with the breath you forget to take with a vision becoming blurry. It's overwhelm ─ less horrific, with the beginnings of pleasure as you let out a winced whimper, lips clamped into a pale after. 

"Look at how good you're doing," Jungwon coos, love in his eyes while they hang low, glued to where you connect. "How perfect you are taking me." 

Sheets ruffle, a muffled moan at your throat's back before you pant in desperation, a simmered sting in your eyes and between your legs as Jungwon feeds inches of himself into you. Knuckles burn white, your dropped chin futile in your chanced look down below, unsure how much more length you can take before you're split open.

The inches grind to a halt, a burial to your hilt that has your teeth baring, a keen chocked back whilst your body burns furnace levels hot. Your ears ring like church bells, eyes blinked purposely to clear your vision's haze as your body adjusts to his size, clenching and squirming to his detriment. 

He's gracious about it ─ as he is everything ─ not fucking into you like some rapid beast kept away in his chest. The lid of cement contains it, some cracks and frays but nothing sizable enough to hurt you. 

Not in any way you wouldn't like, of course. 

All glossy eyed with a pant that doesn't cease, your voice finds its sound, vocalise your affirmations accompanied by a nod and with a short pause, a double check for your welfare, Jungwon moves. 

He groans, you whimper. Your toes curl with all the lust pooled in your stomach pushed to clog your throat, a feeling of fullness your body doesn't recognise but clings to, even in a dull seethe of pain, reaches out for hints of ecstasy. The more he moves ─ draws his hips back, slick echoing off four walls and announced when he plunges back in ─ the more it's accessible. The more you live for it, back of your head rolling against a pillow's plush as a galaxy dances across your eyes, your moans louder than your ears' rushed blood. 

"Aren't you lucky that I'm the one to ruin you and no one else?" Jungwon offers, tone bathed in that lick of condescend you clench at. The grin's shit-eating on his face as he feels the inevitable squeeze, a harder jut of his hips a crack in his composure. He collects, then carries on. 

"I took my sweet time with you too, made you come thrice on my fingers before you felt brave enough." 

Shadowed in the lowlights of your bedroom, his body magnetizes closer to yours, fingers undoing your duvet grip and weaving his with yours. All with hips at an impossible angle, one that feels like more inches you've had to accommodate for, friction burn on your heels as they glide hot against the duvet, body too small for his dispensed pleasure. 

"Tell me," the whisper dances in your ears, bottom lip grazed against the flesh with a slight labour to his breath. It's the single most erotic thing you've ever heard. "Is it worth it, princess? Feeling me in all the way in your stomach?" 

"Y─" you choke on enthusiasm, the tears in your eyes pushed past their waterline and down your warm cheeks, lips squeaking out the obvious. "Yes." 

"Aren't you sweet?" you hear his smile before seeing it, his face hauntingly beautiful as his pelvis hits the back of your thighs again and again. It spins your head dizzy. "Even sweeter when you're crying for me,"

A kiss bestows the skin of your cheek, a stripe against its warmth as he licks your tear away. All before his fingers squeeze against yours in a sequence of three ─ I. Love. You.

A sob hurtles out your throat, contained in the cross of moans pouring out in generosity, the piston of his hips, feel of his skin and cycle of his breaths making a mess of your body and mind. 

"It's okay, baby," his fingers untwine, the hover of his chest not as imminent while his body heat vacates, your legs handled and propped to the stretch of his shoulders. "You know nothing but pleasure with me." 

And you do. Even with its beginnings of pain, all nothing but a vague memory as he folds you, your thigh's flesh braced to your chest as his bodyweight bares into into their back. Your eyes roll to the back of your skull as you become untamed, voice's volume foreign to your ears as he chases you off a cliff, his thrusts pushing your head off the pillow and into your headboard. It smacks, your bed creaks, crying with the overwhelm you feel, body with no choice but to suffer the consequences of your actions. Your insistence that you can take it. To your credit, you do, but to an undoing of yourself you cannot overwrite. Ruined by him for anyone else and you wouldn't have it any other way, your tears kissed away before Jungwon's lips find yours, a kiss of death as your orgasm explodes through the cells of your body. 

What crosses your mind once the fog clears, when your body's back on Earth and you're more human is that you wish you watched. Saw the tip of him signal beneath your lower stomach's skin, the rosy flush fill the shell of his ears, the growing desperation Jungwon really can't hold back with you before he ruts into you. Letting go, giving you his everything. 

You wish you could've seen it all. 

Lucky for you, your boyfriend is nothing but willing. A cautious look given before his eyes widen at your legs linking around him, crossing at the small of his back. He laughs then, breathy and low-toned, licking arousal up your spine before he goes again, the feeling of fullness less thought of as self-sabotage and more like love.

thank you for reading! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

comments, reblogs and likes are much appreciated.ᐟ ᰔ

to join my taglist, please fill out this form! ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-

GENERAL/ALL WORKS TAGLIST  ⨾ @ahnoote ノ@angelhyuka ノ @hwrtoni ノ @kookiesnkim ノ@kssniki ノ@user-0703

it’s been a while since you visited karina. usually, it’s just quick coffee dates at crowded cafés or chaotic group hangouts, but today felt like the perfect time to seek out some genuine, “womanly” advice from your older cousin. you needed a safe space, away from the noise, to voice the thoughts that had been keeping you awake for weeks.

the moment jongseong’s laughter faded down the hallway as he went to grab a board game from the bedroom, you seized the chance. you practically cornered karina against the kitchen counter, your fingers gripping your glass of water a little too tightly.

"karina, can i ask you something? in secret," you whispered, glancing over your shoulder to make sure the hallway was still empty.

karina blinked, pausing with the snack bowl in her hands, her expression shifting from cheerful to curious. "yeah, of course. what’s up?"

you swallowed hard, the question burning a hole in your throat before you could stop it. "have you and jongseong... you know. have you and jongseong, you know…done it?"

karina blinked, her cheeks instantly flushing a soft pink. she let out a small, startled giggle, nearly dropping the bowl of snacks back onto the counter before she hurriedly set it down.

"oh my god, y/n," she whispered-yelled, her eyes widening as she glanced toward the hallway to make sure jongseong wasn't walking back yet. she hid her face in her hands for a brief second, trying to shake off the sudden warmth in her face. "straight to the point, huh?"

but as she looked back at you, her playful expression softened, noticing the slight tension in your shoulders and how tightly you were holding your glass. the teasing look in her eyes faded into something much gentler.

she leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice to a quiet, comforting murmur. "but yeah... we have. honestly, it is normal for relationships to go to that next level as you and your partner grow closer together."

karina placed a warm hand over your trembling fingers, grounding you. "it is completely natural to feel curious about taking this next step, provided you both feel ready, safe, and entirely comfortable with the decision." she paused, looking into your eyes with pure honesty. "so... have you and jungwon talked about it or...?" 

“well… no, but there have been signs. sometimes he’d kiss me longer and when we're just resting on the couch, he'll slide his hand under my shirt to trace the bare skin of my waist. the air between us gets so heavy and you can tell he wants more, but then he'll suddenly catch himself, pull his hand back out, and just pull me into a tight hug instead.”

thinking about those scenarios brought a burning sensation to your cheeks and a sudden, heavy ache in your core. you looked down at your hands, your voice barely a whisper. "it's like... i can tell he’s holding back for me. but i want to take that step with him, but i'm just so terrified of messing up the best thing that's ever happened to me. i mean what if he thinks i’m not good enough?”

​“y/n, that’s not true.” karina let out a soft, sympathetic sigh, shifting closer to cup your face so you’d look up from your hands. “jungwon loves you for exactly who you are, not for how experienced you are. he’s holding back because he respects you, not because he’s judging you.”

​you swallowed down the lump in your throat, looking at her with a quiet, hesitant curiosity. "rina... how does it... how does it actually feel? like, the first time?"

​karina opened her mouth to answer, a thoughtful, tender look crossing her face, but the sound of heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway cut her off.

​"hey, found the board game!" jongseong announced, walking back into the kitchen with a box tucked under his arm. he paused, looking between the two of you and noticing the slightly heavy atmosphere. "wait, what are you guys talking about in here?"

​karina didn't miss a beat. she immediately dropped her hands from your face and leaned back against the counter, flashing him a totally innocent smile. "just girl stuff, jay. go set up the board, we'll be there in a second."

​jongseong raised an eyebrow, clearly knowing there was more to it, but he just chuckled and headed back toward the living room. "alright, alright. don't take too long."

​the moment his back was entirely turned, karina's serious demeanor completely vanished. she gave you a playful, knowing look, zipped open her handbag sitting on the counter, and fished something out of the side pocket.

​“in case things escalate,” she whispered, slipping two small, square foil packets into your palm.

​“karina!” you whispered-yelled, your face bursting into an absolute feverish crimson as you hurriedly shoved them into your own pocket.

​“and if you need lingerie, i have some in my closet.”

​“ew and you used that to… with jongseong… no way!”

after your time with karina, you passed by jungwon’s condo. and he greeted you with a short kiss then he cooked both of you some pasta. yes, jungwon already knows how to cook. he figured if his girlfriend would always visit him, it would be better to keep her well-fed.

​you had a few conversations like how his latest photography portfolio was coming along and how he still needed a makeup artist for his next studio shoot, eyeing you while raising his eyebrow. you casually mentioned that your parents might be visiting you next week and that they really want to see jungwon again.

hearing him immediately smile and agree to the dinner plan made a wave of warmth wash over you. you couldn't help but think about how genuinely happy you were in this relationship. jungwon was everything you had ever hoped for, completely erasing the old, bitter fear of always being the lesson.

​since you were planning to stay the night, you didn't need to worry about the late hour. you already had a small drawer of your own clothes in his closet, including underwear, since sleeping over at his condo had become a regular, comforting routine for the two of you over the past year. but as you watched him stand up to gather the empty plates, a sudden wave of nerves hit you.

​you often slept at his place, tangled up in his oversized shirts and sharing quiet, groggy mornings, but nothing had actually happened yet. jungwon had never pushed.

​your heart skipped a dangerous beat as you suddenly remembered what was currently sitting at the very bottom of your tote bag. despite your playful disgust with karina earlier, you had actually stopped by a boutique on your way over to buy a set of lace lingerie, and it was now tucked away right next to the two packs of condoms she had slipped you.

​"i'll wash the dishes, you can go ahead and shower first," jungwon said, turning back to you with that soft, innocent smile that suddenly made your stomach do an absolute flip.

​"okay, thank you," you murmured, forcing your voice to stay steady as you slipped away from the dining table.

​you grabbed your tote bag, holding it tightly against your side like it contained a ticking bomb, and walked into his bathroom. the moment the door clicked shut and you turned the lock, you let out a long, trembling breath you hadn't realized you were holding.

​your hands shook slightly as you reached into the bag, pulling out the delicate, unfamiliar lace of the lingerie and setting it on the counter right next to the two small foil squares. looking at them laid out under the bright bathroom lights made your cheeks burn all over again. this was it. tonight could be the night everything changed, and the thought made your pulse jump frantically against your ribs.

​you turned on the shower, letting the steam slowly fill the room as you stepped out of your clothes, your mind racing with a mix of terrifying nerves and an intense, burning anticipation for what would happen once you walked back out.

​you stood under the hot water for a long time, the steam swirling around you as your racing thoughts slowly began to overwhelm you. the lingerie was beautiful, but looking at it resting on the counter, a wave of cold nerves washed over you. it’s too fast, you thought, your chest tightening. what if i ruin this?

​chickening out, you left the lace set hidden at the bottom of your bag along with the two foil packets. instead, you pulled on one of his familiar, oversized college t-shirts and a pair of soft shorts, letting out a small sigh of relief as you unlocked the door. you decided you would just wait. tonight would just be another normal, cozy sleepover.

​but the moment you stepped into the bedroom, your heart completely dropped into your stomach.

​your tote bag was sitting wide open on his desk. jungwon was standing right in front of it, holding a roll of black-and-white film tape he had clearly been looking for, but his eyes weren't on the film. he was looking down into the open bag, his entire body frozen.

​from where you stood, you could see that the delicate black lace of the lingerie had spilled out of its tissue paper wrapper, and sitting right on top of it were the two unmistakable square packets karina had given you.

​the bedroom was entirely silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. jungwon slowly turned around to face you, his cheeks flushed a dark, prominent crimson that matched the sudden, intense heat burning in your own face. his gaze dropped down to your bare legs beneath his shirt, then traveled back up to your wide, terrified eyes.

​he swallowed hard, his throat bobbing, and for the first time in a year, the gentle, innocent look in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by something deep, heavy, and entirely breathless.

​"y/n," he murmured, his voice noticeably deeper and rougher than usual as he took a slow step toward you. "were you... planning on telling me about this?”

“o-oh that? i bought that for karina. s-she said she needed a new set, yeah that!”

​jungwon stopped right in his tracks, blinking at you for a couple of seconds as your terrible excuse hung awkwardly in the silent room. a slow, incredibly amused smile began to tug at the corner of his lips, his initial shock melting into pure, teasing disbelief.

​"for karina?" he repeated, his voice still low but carrying a quiet chuckle. he leaned back against the edge of the desk, crossing his arms over his chest as his dark eyes locked onto your burning face. "so you bought lace lingerie for your cousin. and... the other things? did karina need those, too?"

​your face burned so hot you felt like you were going to self-combust right then and there. you bit your lower lip, looking absolutely anywhere else but at him, your hands gripping the hem of his oversized shirt.

​seeing how completely flustered you were, jungwon's smile softened, the playful teasing shifting back into that deep, magnetic intensity. he stood up straight and walked the remaining distance between you, closing the gap until he was standing right in front of you. the familiar scent of his fabric softener and woodsy cologne wrapped around you, making your knees feel weak.

​he didn't touch you yet, but he leaned down slightly so his eyes were level with yours. "y/n," he murmured softly, his tone completely dropping the joke. "look at me.”

jungwon placed his thumb on your chin and gently lifted your face.

“i-i…”

you couldn't find the right words. “i want to take things to the next level, won. i know that you do too but you keep restraining yourself. but i know that you want it as much as i do. are you…are you mad? weirded out?”

jungwon placed both of his hands on your face, looking at you with a soft, breathless sort of adoration as he brushed his thumbs against your cheeks before gently placing his lips on yours.

his kiss erased some parts of your fears, proving with every slow, deliberate press of his mouth that he wasn't just taking something from you. he wanted to give you everything he had.

​when he finally pulled back, his lips were red and his breath hitched against your skin. he leaned his forehead gently against yours, his hands still cupping your warm cheeks.

​“wear that lingerie for me, would you?” he murmured, his voice a low, heavy plea that left your knees completely weak.

​a few minutes later, you walked out of the bathroom again, your hands trembling as the cool air hit the exposed skin of the delicate black lace. jungwon was waiting on the edge of the bed, and the moment his eyes landed on you, his breath completely caught in his throat. he stood up, his gaze dark and incredibly focused, and gently led you toward the mattress.

​but as he climbed over you, the reality of the moment hit you all at once. your hands came up to rest against his chest, gently halting his movement.

​"wait," you whispered, your heart hammering against your ribs. "t-this is a first for me."

​jungwon stopped instantly, shifting his weight onto his forearms so he wouldn't press down on you. he looked down into your wide, nervous eyes, and instead of pulling away or acting surprised, a soft, incredibly tender smile touched his lips. he reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

​"me too," he confessed softly, his voice grounding you completely. "but we figure things out together, right?"

you hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding your head. the small gesture was all he needed. 

jungwon captured your lips again, his kiss full of a sudden, desperate relief. he paused only for a breath, his hands moving quickly to strip off his shirt before bringing his focus right back down to your mouth.

then he started trailing down your neck. the feeling gave you an involuntary shudder, a sudden rush of electricity that shot straight down your spine and made your toes curl under the sheets. it was entirely different from anything you’d ever imagined, leaving you completely breathless.

you let out a breathy moan, the sound making jungwon pause for a brief second before he leaned back in. “is this okay?” he whispered against your skin.

​“yes,” you breathed out, your fingers wrapping around his neck. “it's okay.”

​jungwon continued giving your neck kisses before trailing down to kiss every single part of your shoulders and arms. the action made your heart flutter wildly, your eyes wide as you watched the intense, focused look on his face with every single press of his lips.

then he went and kissed your breasts, his warm breath fanning across the exposed skin just above the neckline. a helpless gasp caught in your throat the moment his mouth made contact, your body arching into him completely on instinct.

​after a long, intoxicating moment, jungwon crawled back up your body, his chest pressing warmly against yours as he captured your lips once again. this kiss was different—slower, deeper, and filled with a quiet, heavy promise that left your mind completely spinning.

​when he parted from your mouth, he didn't pull away far. his hands slid down to the edge of the delicate black lace covering your skin. he looked down into your eyes, his gaze intensely focused but incredibly soft.

​"can i take this off?" he whispered, his voice rough and breathless.

​you swallowed hard, your heart hammering against your ribs, but looking into his earnest face left no room for doubt. you nodded softly.

​jungwon was gentle, his fingers brushing against your skin as he carefully slid the lingerie off your body and tossed it to the floor. the sudden coolness of the room hit you for only a fraction of a second before jungwon moved, quickly stripping out the rest of his own clothes.

​when he settled back over you, the feeling of his bare skin pressed completely flush against yours was so intensely warm and overwhelming it made your breath catch entirely.

​jungwon looked at your bare body, his dark eyes wide and completely blown out as he took you in. he mapped every curve under the dim bedroom light with a reverence that made you feel like the most beautiful thing he had ever captured.

​he leaned down to capture your lips once more. the kiss immediately turning deep, heavy, and desperate as his hands slid down to firmly grip your hips. you let out a muffled, breathless moan against his mouth the moment he shifted his weight, the heat of his bare core pressing heavily right against yours.

​jungwon rocked his hips against yours in a slow, deliberate rhythm, letting you get used to the intense sensation of his bare weight. the deep, electric pull in your stomach was so overwhelming that your fingers dug into his back, pulling him as close as humanly possible.

then, jungwon goes lower, kissing your stomach before going down to your core. you knew what he was going to do, but the nervous thrill of it being your first time made your breath catch completely. yet a deeper, burning desperation made you tilt your hips up toward him anyway, completely ready.

when your core came into contact with jungwon's lips, a sharp, blinding jolt of pure electricity shot straight through your lower stomach, and your entire body arched off the mattress on pure instinct.

​he was painfully gentle at first, his hands anchoring firmly beneath your thighs to keep you steady as his tongue swiped against your sensitive core. but as a helpless, high-pitched gasp escaped your throat, a low, ragged groan rumbled deep in jungwon's chest. the small sound of your undoing completely broke his restraint.

jungwon's pace turned hungry, his breaths fanning hot and desperate against your skin as his mouth moved over you with a sudden, driving intensity that made your mind go completely blank. your fingers instantly tangled deep into his hair, gripping him tight as you sobbed out his name, entirely at the mercy of his worship.

​he didn't stop until your body shuddered completely against his mouth, your breath catching in a beautiful, trembling release that left you entirely weak.

​only then did jungwon slowly crawl back up your body. his skin was flushed and slick with sweat, his dark hair falling messily over his forehead as he settled his weight between your thighs. he looked down at you, his chest heaving as he took in your dazed, tear-stained face.

​"y/n," he breathed out, his voice incredibly deep and rough as he leaned down to kiss the tears from your cheeks. his hands slid down to lock his fingers securely with yours, pinning your hands gently into the mattress. "you okay? look at me, baby.”

​you could barely nod, your heart hammering a frantic rhythm against your ribs. you just looked up into his dark, entirely consumed eyes.

​he swallowed hard, the heavy length of him pressing directly against your core again, ready to finally take the last step. "i want to be inside you," he whispered against your lips, his hot breath fanning across your mouth with a low, pleading honesty. "tell me you're ready."

​“yes. yes, i'm ready,” you breathed out, your voice trembling slightly from the sheer anticipation, but your eyes remained locked onto his, completely unblinking.

​jungwon hesitated for a fraction of a second, his dark gaze searching every inch of your face, looking for any trace of doubt as his thumbs gently traced your hip bones. “you sure? you don't need a minute?”

​“no, i want to feel you too,” you whispered, the raw confession slipping out effortlessly as the heavy ache between your thighs grew entirely too intense to ignore.

​letting go of all your remaining fears, you pulled jungwon down by his nape, burying your fingers deep in his hair as you tilted your head back and kissed him hard.

the hunger in your kiss was all the permission he needed. ​a desperate groan escaped jungwon's throat as he kissed you back, his sudden intensity completely spinning your mind.

his hands slid down from your hips to cup the backs of your thighs, gently lifting and widening your stance. without breaking the kiss, jungwon used the heavy press of his lips to distract you as he slowly, painstakingly began to push his way inside.

​the sudden stretching of him made your entire body tense up completely on instinct. a sharp gasp caught right in the back of your throat, and your fingernails dug deep into the muscles of his bare shoulders.

​jungwon stopped moving, barely a fraction of the way inside you. he tore his mouth away from yours, his head resting heavily against your neck as his chest heaved frantically against your breasts.

​"breathe, baby," he choked out, his voice incredibly strained and rough as he fought hard against his own hunger to keep himself perfectly still. "slow breaths.”

a shaky exhale escaped your lips as the tension gradually left your body. the aching desire to be completely close to him grew. you tilted your head up, kissing his jawline softly. “please... go all the way.”

taking your word, jungwon closed his eyes, his jaw clenching tightly as he slowly pushed his hips forward. you caught your breath as the stretching fullness returned, deeper and heavier than before. he stayed completely still for a moment, pressing his forehead against yours, waiting for you to adjust to his entire length.

​“you feel so nice.” jungwon says and both of you giggle. the lighthearted sound mixing with a thick, heavy desire that only tightens the pull in your stomach. the soft vibration of his chuckle against your bare skin sends a new rush of heat straight to your core, making his dark eyes darken even more as he looks down at you.

“move now, please.”

​jungwon pushes his hips forward, his dark gaze never breaking from yours. the sudden, overwhelming fullness makes your hips tilt up into him on instinct, your fingers digging right back into his shoulders as he establishes a steady, burning pace.

​“oh my god,” you sob out softly, completely undone by the slow, perfect friction of his bare weight. your hips instinctively lift to meet his next push, your whole body wound tight and shivering under the heavy, intoxicating rhythm he’s setting.

​jungwon keeps the pace deliberate at first. each thrust slow but incredibly hard, burying himself so deeply inside you that it feels like he’s touching your very soul. he groans against your neck with every single push, the raw, heavy thud of his hips against yours sending waves of white-hot pleasure straight to your core.

​but as your whimpers turn louder and more desperate, his control finally snaps entirely.

​the rhythm shifts, turning fast and frantic as his hunger takes over completely. he drives into you with a sudden, relentless speed that makes the bedroom blur around you. your mind spins out of control as you try to catch up with the sudden high, your breath coming in short, ragged gasps while you ride the overwhelming wave of arousal he’s forcing through your body.

the overwhelming intensity of it all becomes too much to hold in. a few tears slip from the corners of your eyes as a soft, broken sob escaping your lips. jungwon freezes instantly. the sudden frantic speed of his hips stops completely, his entire body going rigid above you. his eyes go wide with a sudden, sharp panic, his breathing ragged as he looks down at your tear-stained face.

"baby? hey, look at me," he chokes out, his voice trembling as he carefully cradles your face in his hands, his thumbs gently wiping your tears away. he looks absolutely terrified that he messed up. "did i hurt you? i'm sorry, i'm so sorry—"

"no, no, i'm not hurt," you interrupt breathlessly, your hands coming up to rest over his chest so he can feel your racing heart. you gave him a weak, reassuring smile through your tears, your hips giving a tiny, instinctive tilt against his. 

"i'm not hurt, jungwon. it just... it feels like too much. it feels too good."

a visible wave of relief washes over his face, though his dark eyes are still thick with concern as he presses his forehead against yours.

"do you want to stop?" he whispers against your lips, his voice raw and completely ready to pull away if you need him to. "we can stop right now, baby. just tell me."

"no," you gasp out softly, your fingers tightening on his shoulders as you pull him back down to you. "don't stop. Please."

his resolve crumbles at your plea, and he captures your mouth in a deep, searing kiss that tastes like pure relief. he holds the kiss for a long, slow moment to ground you, letting the warmth of his lips melt away any lingering tension.

then, he begins to move again. this time, it's with a steady, worshipful rhythm that starts slow before building right back into something hungrier, pulling you both under all over again.

the tension builds rapidly, sending a shivering wave of arousal straight down your spine. instinctively, you tighten your legs around his hips, pulling him as close as physically possible to keep yourself from floating away from the intense high. he gasps against your lips at the sudden restriction, his hands gripping your thighs securely as he drives even deeper. 

as the rhythm quickens, your mind completely unravels under the heat of his touch. seeking to get closer, you lift your legs, wrapping them tightly around his waist to lock him against you. the sudden, deeper friction draws a low, jagged groan from jungwon’s throat as he responds to the tight hold, his thrusts turning heavier and more deliberate.

he completely loses his breath at the sudden, crushing tightness of you, his jaw clenching so hard the muscles twitch. his hands fly down from your shoulders to grip the undersides of your thighs, holding your legs securely in place as he rides the waves of your pleasure.

"god, y/n," he pants out. his eyes completely blown out and dark with an unfiltered hunger as he looks down at you. 

jungwon can't hold back anymore. the friction is too intense, the fit too perfect. his pace turns frantic and heavy once more. his chest heaving against yours as he buries himself into you over and over, completely undone by the way you are holding him.

the bedroom completely blurs around you as the overwhelming high reaches a breaking point. you grip his bare shoulders for dear life, your head rolling back into the mattress as a long, breathless whine escapes your lips, your body trembling violently as your climax ripples through you.

the tight, rhythmic squeezing of your release instantly snaps the very last of jungwon's control.

his jaw tightens. a low, guttural growl ripping from his throat as he drives into you one last time, burying himself as deeply as physically possible. jungwon freezes completely, his muscles locking up as he spends himself inside you, his chest heaving frantically against yours as he rides out his own undone release.

for a long minute, the only sound in the room is the synchronized sound of your ragged breathing.

jungwon slowly collapses his weight onto his elbows, careful not to crush you, though he stays buried deeply inside your warmth. he rests his forehead against your neck, his skin slick with sweat and his heart hammering like a trapped bird against your ribs.

"i've got you," he pants out softly, his voice incredibly thick and sweet as he shifts to press a lingering, grateful kiss to your pulse point. his hands gently slide down to soothe the aching muscles of your thighs. "i've got you, baby. you did so good for me."

you gave jungwon a tired smile and he gave you a deep, breathless kiss that sent you into a soft spin. 

“that was…amazing,” you murmured, your voice barely a whisper against the quiet room. your fingers lazily traced the line of his shoulder blade, still slightly dazed by the lingering warmth inside you. 

“yeah? did it live up to your expectations?” 

you let out another breathless giggle, “even more.” 

jungwon let out a low, breathless chuckle of his own, the vibration of it warm against your chest. the last bit of tension completely melted from his shoulders as he leaned down to press a soft, lingering kiss to the corner of your lips.

"good," he whispered against your skin, his voice thick with affection. "because you completely ruined me tonight."

“me? you’re the one who railed me until my eyes turned white,” 

jungwon let out a sudden, choked laugh at your bluntness, burying his face in your hair to hide his wide grin. "you're terrible," he muttered affectionately, though he didn't deny it.

slowly and carefully, he shifted his weight to roll onto his side, pulling you right along with him so you were tucked securely against his chest. his long fingers immediately began to trace gentle, soothing circles up and down your bare back, keeping you warm as the cool air of the room settled over your skin.

after a while, jungwon quietly slipped out of bed to prepare a warm bath for the two of you. he returned to wrap you securely in a plush bathroom robe, gently lifting your exhausted body to carry you into the bathroom so you could completely relax against his chest in the steaming tub. 

as the warm water swirled around your tired limbs and jungwon’s arms wrapped tightly around your waist from behind, a profound sense of peace washed over you. listening to the steady, rhythmic beat of his heart against your back, you couldn't help but smile into the quiet room.

Sweet cream and lavender, those were the only thoughts running through the pureblooded Alpha’s mind as he sat down in his next class, surrounded by a sea of admiring gazes from his classmates, most of them being Omega females.

Their eyes followed his every move like he was prey, a gazelle surrounded by lions, a bunny running away from wolves—ironic how he was the wolf and had the highest placement in the food chain within the four walls.

But Jungwon paid them no mind, he was used to the attention, immune to their advances.

Ever since he stepped foot into the academy, Yang Jungwon had been the epitome of perfection.

A pureblooded Alpha with his tall stature, soft yet sharp features, confident aura, one hell of a family background, and a charming smile paired with dimples that nobody could say ‘no’ to.

It was like he was born to be praised and bowed down upon. He was the Alpha that every Omega dreamed of, yet he decided to remain aloof.

For his heart belonged to one, and one alone.

“Council meeting later at four, don’t be late.” Jungwon felt a sharp slap behind his head, pulling him away from his thoughts.

A low growl instinctively formed in his throat, but as he recognized the voice and the scent that accompanied it, his shoulders slumped and he rolled his eyes.

Turning around, he came face to face with one of his best friends and fellow Alpha, Lee Heeseung—who also happened to be the student council vice president.

The youngest son of the influential Lee family, Heeseung had been raised in the spotlight, known for his striking looks, silver tongue, and effortless charm that seemed to bend people to his will.

He wore his status like a crown and a smirk, the kind of Alpha who could walk into a room and have everyone’s attention without even trying.

And right now, that attention was focused entirely on Jungwon, paired with the shit-eating grin stretched across his face.

“For fuck’s sake, I’m literally the president.” Jungwon growled, his voice dripping with irritation, startling the Beta sitting beside him who had been minding his own business.

Jungwon sent an apologetic look toward him before redirecting his irritation toward the senior, rubbing the back of his head where Heeseung’s slap had landed.

Heeseung chuckled, the sound swallowed by the chatter of the loud room as he leaned a little closer, clearly unfazed by Jungwon’s temper.

“You’re the president, yet you can’t even control that anger of yours,” he teased, his tone light but his eyes glinting with mischief.

“You weren’t like this before. What’s gotten into you, huh?” He clicked his tongue and tilted his head, studying Jungwon like a puzzle piece he couldn’t quite fit.

Jungwon wanted to scream: ‘Sweet cream and lavender. The Omega sitting two seats in front of me. The only girl plaguing my mind. My Omega. Claim. Mark. Mate.’

But instead, he forced a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing’s gotten into me,” Jungwon replied curtly, his tone dismissive toward the older Alpha, though his stare remained glued to your back.

Heeseung followed his gaze, pupils narrowing as realization crept in. His lips parted like he was about to say something sharp, but for once, he held his tongue.

He hummed instead, a low knowing sound. “Ah, so that’s it.”

“What are you doing here?” Jungwon’s voice cut through the air with exasperation, his annoyance seeping through even without sparing Heeseung a glance.

“I stopped by to get some documents from Sunoo, but it seems like he isn’t here for me to annoy.” Heeseung grunted, dragging out his words, his eyes scanning the large classroom for the mentioned male.

His tone carried that casual, lazy arrogance only Heeseung could pull off, but the faint irritation under it betrayed his mood.

“Dude, he’s in the cafeteria with Jay.” Jungwon snickered, still refusing to meet his gaze.

The older Alpha’s breath hitched at the mention of Jay’s name, his eyes widening ever so slightly. His posture straightened, expression flickering before he masked it with a scoff.

Without another word, Heeseung shoved his hands into his pockets and made a beeline for the cafeteria, his presence leaving the air just a little quieter in his wake.

Jay and Sunoo together were a force to be reckoned with, their antics often leaving chaos in their wake.

As members of the student council, they held a certain level of responsibility, but when left alone, they were known to push the boundaries of what was deemed ‘acceptable.’

Park Jongseong, the council treasurer and the only son of the powerful Park family, carried himself with an air of quiet rebellion.

Despite being the ideal Alpha—sharp-minded, devastatingly handsome, and capable of taking over the family empire—he had a habit of stirring trouble just to remind everyone he could.

Kim Sunoo, on the other hand, was the youngest of the Kim family, blessed with delicate features and a charm that made him unforgettable.

As the council’s Public Relations Director, he wielded influence with words and appearances alone, a natural at swaying opinions.

Despite their constant bickering, Jay and Sunoo found a rare peace in teaming up to mess with the higher-ups, much like the rest of the council.

Jungwon stifled a laugh as he observed the confused faces of his classmates, their attention shifting from him to the well-known council vice president.

The sight was amusing yet familiar—a regular occurrence. Attention seemed to follow them wherever they were.

Yang Jungwon had grown accustomed to being the center of attention wherever he went. From a young age, he had been expected to embody the epitome of perfection.

His pureblooded Alpha status made doors open and people bow in his presence.If he wanted something, all he had to do was ask, and it would be in the palm of his hand without hesitation.

After all, he was the one and only Yang Jungwon, a name that carried power in every corner of their society.

Yet, despite his status and influence, there was one thing that eluded him: you.

The Omega who sat just two seats away, engrossed in a book probably older than the library itself.

Your presence often served him some sort of fascination that he couldn’t put a finger on—and it was terrifying, because Jungwon never found fascination in anything. You were unlike anyone he had ever met.

Your quiet and gentle personality pulled him in. And your scent—oh, your scent—was simply intoxicating.

But try as he might, the young Alpha found himself unable to grasp you, to claim you as his own, his Omega.

And it wasn’t for lack of trying; he had approached you countless times. Yet each time, you slipped through his fingers like thin air.

The same Omega he had been staring at for the past minute before Heeseung came barging in.

You, who tried to focus your attention on your book, ignoring the weight of the eyes you had already recognized—eyes that seemed to catch your gaze every time—eyes that never stopped staring at you.

The first time he had tried to approach you was during his freshman year, during the campus tour.

It was boring him out of his mind. Jungwon had been stuck in the middle of his family’s manor library countless times, listening to his private tutors drone on about history, politics, and etiquette—and somehow, even that felt more entertaining than this.

A guided walk around a place he’d already visited multiple times before his enrollment felt unnecessary, a complete waste of time for someone like him.

He already knew every building, every shortcut, every face worth knowing. The only reason he was here was because the school required it, not because he needed it.

He moved through the sea of students with practiced ease, his steps steady and confident, his presence alone commanding attention.

Even as a first year, his name already put fear in people’s minds. Yang Jungwon, the golden boy of the Yang family. A pureblooded Alpha who could ruin a life with a single phone call. A god and savior of his generation—or so people liked to whisper.

But amidst the chaos of chatter and laughter, his attention caught on something that made him pause.

You.

Standing near the student guide whose name he hadn’t bothered to remember, you looked as though you belonged and yet stood apart at the same time.

A Louis Vuitton bag hung over your shoulder, Chanel draping you head to toe, but your quiet presence was a stark contrast to the other Omegas around you—louder, eager to impress, all smiles and chatter.

You were simply… still.

Intrigued, Jungwon veered away from the three senior Alphas he’d been forced to mingle with before classes began.

With a charming smile firmly in place, he approached you, his footsteps light but purposeful until he stopped right in front of you.

“Hey,” Jungwon started, his voice smooth and friendly as his dimple appeared, gaze locked on you. “Enjoying the tour?”

“Hello.” Your response was polite but guarded, your eyes darting away from the handsome Alpha’s stare as you muttered a brief affirmation.

“It’s okay, I guess.”

Jungwon hummed lowly. Your scent was slightly off—nervous, maybe?—but he didn’t bother asking.

“So what brings you here?” the young Alpha asked, his tone playful as he gestured casually toward the crowd around you.

The first thing you noticed wasn’t even his voice—it was his scent. Whiskey and cedarwood. It enveloped you instantly, warm and intoxicating, wrapping around your senses until your head felt light.

It called to you in ways you didn’t understand, twisting your stomach, making your chest tighten. His presence was overwhelming, his eyes unreadable, but there was something magnetic about him that made it impossible to simply look away.

You blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his presence and the warmth of his smile. His eyes held nothing but curiosity as he waited for your response.

Despite your efforts to maintain composure, you found yourself at a loss for words; the strength of his scent and his proximity made both you and your Omega feel breathless.

You had just met him, and this dimpled Alpha was already doing things to you.

“I, uh… I’m just here for the tour, like every first year,” you stammered, your voice barely above a whisper as you struggled to form words in front of the Alpha whose name you didn’t even know.

Jungwon’s smile widened slightly at your response. He noticed the shift in the air, the way his cedarwood and whiskey scent mingled with your sweet cream and lavender, and it sent an involuntary shiver racing down your spine.

With a thoughtful look, he tilted his head. “By the way,” his tone was soft, controlled, but carried the weight of someone used to being listened to, “what’s your name?”

The question made a shy laugh bubble past your lips, and a small smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as you finally met his gaze.

“It’s (L/N) (Y/N),” you replied, the intensity of his dark, hazy eyes making it hard to breathe. “And yours?”

He straightened, posture effortlessly regal, before speaking with practiced ease. “Yang Jungwon,” he introduced himself formally, the family name falling from his lips like a seal of authority.

Then, to your surprise, he didn’t simply offer his hand—he took yours gently in his, raising it with elegance before pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. “It’s an honor to meet you, (Y/N).”

Heat crept across your cheeks, but you couldn’t look away. For a moment, it was as if the world blurred around you, your hand still in his, both of you lost in each other’s eyes.

You swallowed, your voice quiet, sincere. “It’s… nice to meet you too, Jungwon.”

He held your gaze a beat longer, then asked smoothly, “So tell me, (Y/N)… what made you choose Decelis? Surely someone like you had other options.”

You blinked, surprised by his interest, but managed to gather your thoughts.

“I wanted something different,” you admitted. “Not just prestige, but a place where I could grow on my own terms. Decelis seemed like the right choice.”

His lips curved into a faint smile, dimples peeking through. “A wise answer. Growth is often undervalued… though, if I may be honest, Decelis seems all the more fortunate now.”

Your heart skipped at the subtle compliment, and for a second, you didn’t even notice your hand was still in his until the student guide’s voice cut through the air.

“Alright, everyone, if you could please gather around,” the guide called, tone cheerful as he gestured for the group to move. “We’re going to continue with the next part of the tour.”

Reality snapped back. You pulled your hand away gently, a soft apologetic smile crossing your lips.

“Excuse me,” you murmured, before hurrying to rejoin the group of Omegas you had been standing with.

Jungwon didn’t stop you. He only gave you a respectful nod, that same small smile gracing his lips—dimples deepening as if to carve your name into his memory.

And just like that, you carried the weight of his gaze with you as you walked away.

Heeseung’s voice cut through the air, pulling Jungwon back to reality. “Hey, man, I found them.”

Jungwon’s gaze lingered for a moment longer on the back of your head before shifting toward the classroom doors. Heeseung stood there, a mix of amusement and impatience written across his face as he gestured for Jungwon to follow.

But instead of leaving right away, Jungwon’s steps carried him in the opposite direction—straight to your desk.

He leaned down, his shadow falling over your book as his voice dropped low. “What are you reading?”

You froze, heat creeping up your cheeks at the sudden closeness, at the way his scent seeped into your lungs and wrapped around you like a cage.

“N-Nothing of importance…” you murmured, trying to keep your composure.

Jungwon tilted his head, his lips curving faintly as his eyes scanned the page.

He read a line under his breath, voice smooth and warm, and you nearly forgot how to breathe.

The sound of your pulse must’ve betrayed you, because he chuckled quietly, his arm sliding around your shoulders with an ease that felt far too natural.

His mouth hovered just near your ear. “Relax. I don’t bite…” his smirk deepened, “…unless you want me to.”

Your face burned hot as you rolled your eyes in an attempt to brush off your embarrassment. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jungwon.”

He only laughed again, rubbing his wrist casually against the fabric of your blazer, leaving his scent behind with deliberate precision. “I’ve read this one before. It’s pretty good,” he commented, straightening up to his full height.

Your eyes followed him without meaning to, tilting your head slightly. “What do you need, then?”

The question made him pause. He studied you for a moment, and there it was again—that wide-eyed look, soft and unguarded, like a bunny caught in headlights.

His lips tugged into a smile that reached his eyes.

“I’m needed for a meeting,” he said simply, scanning the room. He didn’t miss the stares—your classmates watching the way he’d just scented you so blatantly, their gazes darting away the second his sharp eyes caught theirs. The smug curl of his lips betrayed how much he enjoyed it.

You noticed the flicker of tension, your brows knitting in concern, but before you could speak, Jungwon glanced down at you and gave a small, reassuring smile.

His hand patted your shoulder gently. “Can you tell Anton when he gets here to handle whatever the professors need while I’m gone?”

You nodded quickly, eager to prove yourself, eyes bright with determination.

“Good girl,” Jungwon murmured under his breath, the words slipping out like velvet before he stepped away, leaving you flustered in your seat.

He strode toward the door, that same smug smirk tugging at his lips as he rejoined Heeseung outside.

Heeseung patted Jungwon’s back. “Come on, let’s go get those troublemakers,” the senior said with a chuckle, heading toward the cafeteria where Jay and Sunoo were no doubt stirring up trouble.

Jungwon followed, that infuriatingly smug smirk still tugging at his lips.

Heeseung caught sight of it and arched a brow. “What’s up with that smirk on your face?”

Jungwon let out a low chuckle. “It’s nothing,” he replied casually, though the curl of his lips betrayed him.

“Nothing, my ass. Spit it out,” Heeseung pressed, giving him a knowing side-eye.

Jungwon tilted his head back toward the classroom they’d just left, not bothering to say your name—Heeseung was sharp enough to pick it up without words.

“Ah, I see.” Heeseung’s mouth curved into a sly grin. “So it’s about (Y/N), huh?”

Jungwon’s smirk deepened. He didn’t answer outright, but his silence said enough.

The older alpha shook his head, mock-disbelief flashing in his eyes. “You know, you’ve been dancing around this for a while now. Why haven’t you made your move yet?”

Jungwon sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “We’re in… a very weird relationship right now,” he admitted, the frustration slipping into his otherwise composed tone.

Heeseung raised a brow. “Weird? What do you mean by weird?”

“A situationship, maybe,” Jungwon said with a careless shrug, though the glint in his eyes betrayed just how much it got under his skin.

Heeseung barked out a laugh, loud enough to draw the stares of a few passing students. They blinked in surprise at the rare sight of the usually collected student council vice president laughing so openly in the halls.

“I can’t believe I’d live to hear the day Yang Jungwon is settling for something as flimsy as a situationship,” Heeseung teased, shaking his head.

“It’s not flimsy, okay?” Jungwon shot back, tone flat but his smirk betraying him.

Heeseung only shrugged with a laugh, sharp fangs flashing. “Maybe she just hates your scent. That’s why.”

Jungwon scoffed and lightly punched his shoulder. “My scent is irresistible, thank you very much.”

Their exchange earned a few wary glances from passing students, who could practically feel the clash of alpha scents between the two—whiskey and cedarwood mixing with Heeseung’s darker musk, both carrying that unmistakable weight of power.

But this was normal for them: quick banter, quick jabs, and an unspoken understanding in every exchange.

As they turned the corner, their conversation was cut short by the sight of Jay and Sunoo.

Jay walked with that effortless calm that always carried an edge, his hands shoved into his pockets while his blonde hair fell slightly into his eyes.

Sunoo, in contrast, bounced along beside him, grinning wide as he balanced an absurd stack of sandwiches in his arms.

“Speak of the devils,” Heeseung muttered with a scowl, nodding toward them.

Jay’s lips curled into the faintest smirk. “Hey. Took you long enough.”

Sunoo piped up brightly, holding the food higher as if showing off a prize. “Look at what we got! And before you say anything—no trouble was caused.”

He leaned closer, dropping his voice in mock seriousness as he shot a pointed look at Jay. “Not even from him.”

Jungwon couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head. “Heeseung’s been looking all over for you.”

“Don’t put all the blame on me,” Heeseung cut in with a sharp look. “We have a meeting, and I need those documents from last week’s session.”

Sunoo blinked innocently, big eyes widening as if he’d just heard something impossible.

Jay, however, tilted his head slightly, his voice calm and unbothered. “Oh, those documents?” His smirk widened, feigning innocence with a casual shrug. “Pretty sure I left them at Sunoo’s house.”

Sunoo’s eyes widened in realization. “Wait, you mean the ones you spilled coffee all over?” he shot back, shifting the towering stack of sandwiches in his arms as he tried not to drop them.

Jay clicked his tongue, pointing a finger at Sunoo with that sharp, unbothered glare. “Don’t act innocent. You were the one who distracted me in the first place.”

The younger alpha jabbed a finger back at Jay, juggling the food in the process. “Distracted you?! You’re the one who—hey, careful!”

Heeseung let out a long, tired sigh and dragged a hand down his face. “What the actual fuck…” His voice was heavy with exhaustion, like he had aged ten years in the last ten minutes.

Jungwon leaned against a nearby wall, arms crossed, quietly amused at the circus in front of him.

It was always the same: Jay with his calm-but-menacing indifference, Sunoo chirping and smirking his way into trouble, and Heeseung stuck in the middle ready to strangle them both.

And then, the inevitable happened.

From the far end of the hall came Jake—disheveled hair falling into his eyes, multiple clipboards tucked under his arm, and the expression of a man one second away from murder.

His scent of burning citrus flared sharp and hot, a clear warning as his voice thundered down the corridor.

“Get back here, you two fuckers!”

The usually composed secretary looked anything but calm as he barreled toward them, and the way Jay and Sunoo’s eyes widened was priceless.

Instead of scrambling, the two immediately started jabbing their fingers at each other, practically shouting over one another in a desperate attempt to shift blame.

“It was him!” Sunoo squeaked, almost dropping a sandwich.

“Liar,” Jay shot back smoothly, his smirk not helping his case.

Heeseung glanced at Jungwon, giving him a single tired nod before pushing himself into a jog, muttering curses under his breath as he joined Jake in the chase.

Jungwon only shook his head with a quiet chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. This was their pack—chaos and order constantly colliding.

The rustle of books in the library was a comforting sound to Jungwon as he stepped into the vast room.

Rows upon rows of shelves towered over him despite his tall stature, each one filled with the knowledge and stories of countless authors he grew up learning about.

Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, casting warm rays across the polished wooden floors.

Jungwon walked slowly, his steps muffled by the blood-red carpeting beneath his feet. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books.

The young Alpha rounded a corner, but amidst the towering shelves and sea of quiet bodies, he saw you.

You were sitting at a wooden table with Sunoo, surrounded by a stack of books, your attention fully absorbed in the pages before you.

The gentle curve of your profile, illuminated by the soft glow of the reading lamp, drew him in like a moth to a flame. It was as if Sunoo didn’t even exist to him during this moment.

Without realizing it, he found himself drawn closer, his steps cautious as he approached your table.

Jungwon cleared his throat softly, not wanting to startle you, but you remained lost in your own world, unaware of his presence.

Sunoo gave Jungwon a sly grin, his eyes flashing with amusement as he mouthed the words, “You finally asking (Y/N) out?”

The teasing glint in Sunoo’s eyes was unmistakable.

Jungwon shot Sunoo a quick glare, silently willing him to be quiet, but Sunoo only grinned wider, clearly enjoying Jungwon’s discomfort.

Then, raising his hands in mock surrender, the older pink-haired male quietly stood up, a playful smile still playing on his lips.

with a nod of appreciation towards sunoo, jungwon turned his attention back to you. he raised a brow at you and your still oblivious form before before clearing his throat once again to grab your attention.

the sound echoed softly in the corner where you're seated in, cutting through the hushed atmosphere. you looked up from your book, your eyes meeting his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as you came face-to-face with the alpha you've been trying to avoid ever since you got there.

"hi," jungwon greeted, his voice deep but gentle as he took another cautious step closer to your table. "i hope i'm not interrupting anything."

you blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden approach. "oh, uh, no, not at all," you replied, your voice coming out softer than you intended. "i was just… doing something with sunoo."

as you glanced around, you noticed sunoo's absence as his now faint scent permeated through the air, a realization dawning on you that he had discreetly left while you were engrossed in your book. a faint flush of embarrassment colored your cheeks at the thought of being left alone with the alpha who had occupied your thoughts more often than you cared to admit.

With a nod of appreciation towards Sunoo, Jungwon turned his attention back to you. He raised a brow at your still oblivious form before clearing his throat once again to grab your attention.

The sound echoed softly in the corner where you were seated, cutting through the hushed atmosphere.

You looked up from your book, your eyes meeting his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as you came face-to-face with the Alpha who always left you fumbling for words whenever he was near.

“Hi,” Jungwon greeted, his voice deep but gentle as he took another cautious step closer to your table. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

You blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden approach. “Oh, uh, no, not at all,” you replied, your voice coming out softer than you intended.

“I was just… doing something with Sunoo.”

As you glanced around, you noticed Sunoo’s absence, his faint scent still lingering in the air. A realization dawned on you—he had discreetly slipped out while you were absorbed in your book.

A faint flush of embarrassment colored your cheeks at the thought of being left alone with the Alpha who had occupied your thoughts more often than you cared to admit.

With a quick mental shake, you focused your attention back on Jungwon’s towering figure. “Um, yeah, he must have stepped out,” you explained, offering a sheepish smile.

Jungwon’s gaze softened, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Guess it’s just you and me then,” he remarked lightly, his tone casual as he gestured toward the empty seat right beside you.

You hesitated only for a moment before giving a small nod, a shy smile tugging at your lips. Jungwon slid into the seat next to you, his presence so close it made the air feel heavier.

Your breath caught in your throat as his scent washed over you, each inhale filling your lungs with the essence of Yang Jungwon himself.

“What’ve you got there?” Jungwon asked, leaning ever so slightly until his shoulder brushed against yours.

The simple touch had heat rushing up your neck, and despite yourself, you smiled faintly, his intoxicating scent overtaking your senses.

He noticed. A quiet chuckle slipped from his lips as he gestured for you to move closer. Hesitant, you did—but apparently not close enough for him.

With a soft click of his tongue, his hand slipped beneath your chair, tugging it towards him. You yelped lightly at the sudden motion, earning nothing but a sheepish smile from the Alpha.

Before you could even react, his arm draped loosely around you, and the faint brush of his wrist against your clothes left his scent lingering warmly over you. Your breath faltered, your cheeks burning.

“I–uhm,” you stammered, trying to focus as your fingers fumbled with the edge of your book, “I just needed a quiet place to finish this.”

Jungwon tilted his head, peeking at the stack of papers and books scattered across the table.

His lips softened into an amused smile. “Partners with Sunoo for the lab report, huh? Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

A nervous laugh bubbled from your chest as you nodded. “Yeah, you could say that. Sunoo always has a way of making things… interesting.”

His low chuckle vibrated against you, warm and effortless. “That he does.”

You let out a quiet sigh, your body relaxing just slightly as you leaned into Jungwon’s warmth.

Your voice dropped to a softer mumble, “It’s just that… Sunoo already has so much on his plate with all the council stuff you guys do. I don’t want to be a burden.”

Jungwon’s brows furrowed for the briefest second before he shook his head, his tone steady but gentle.

“You’re not a burden, okay? I’m sure Sunoo appreciates the help. But he’s also the kind of guy who wants to do some of that stuff too.”

A small smile tugged at his lips as he added knowingly, “If there’s one thing Sunoo doesn’t like…”

You tilted your head, curiosity breaking through your nerves. “What?”

“…It’s when people look down on him and his capabilities.”

The truth in his words made you laugh softly, shoulders easing as the tension melted away. “Yeah… you’re right. That sounds exactly like him.”

Jungwon’s own chuckle rumbled against you, low and effortless, and he nodded with a satisfied little hum. “Mhmm. Exactly.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The quiet hum of the library wrapped around you both—the rustle of pages, the faint scratching of pens, and the mellow glow of sunlight spilling in from the tall glass windows.

It felt comfortable, dangerously so.

Just as Jungwon parted his lips, ready to say something more—something that lingered heavy in the air between you—the sharp ring of the bell shattered the stillness.

His jaw tightened, a soft curse slipping past his lips as his eyes flickered toward the digital clock mounted on the wall.

With a reluctant sigh, Jungwon gave you a tight smile as he slowly unwrapped his arm from around you.

For the briefest second, his fingers lingered against your sleeve as though he wasn’t ready to let go, before he finally dropped his hand to his side.

Still, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his gaze, like even that moment of holding you close was enough to anchor him.

You quickly gathered the scattered papers into your arms, trying to mask the sudden warmth crawling up your neck.

When you looked back at him, your lips curved into a small, sheepish smile. “I’ll… get going now. Bye, Jungwon.”

He gave you one of those rare, dimpled smiles that made your chest tighten, his head tilting just slightly as his eyes softened. “Bye, (Y/n).” A pause.

Then, with the kind of casualness only he could pull off, he asked, “Is Anton doing what I asked him to?”

You blinked, momentarily thrown off by the shift in topic, but quickly nodded. “Yeah… he’s doing pretty well.”

Jungwon leaned back into his chair, his long legs crossing at the ankle with deliberate ease. His posture oozed authority, the kind only a pureblooded Alpha carried in his veins.

A teasing smile curved at his lips as he studied you. “But not better than me, right?”

The sudden intensity of his gaze caught you off guard, heat flooding your cheeks at the way his eyes locked onto yours like he was daring you to say otherwise.

Your heart thudded as you shifted on your feet, fumbling with the stack of papers in your arms. “N-no,” you mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. “You’re still better.”

A quiet chuckle slipped from him, satisfied yet amused, and the weight of his stare lingered even as you tried to look away. Mustering another shy smile, you gave him a small wave before finally turning on your heel.

Your footsteps echoed softly against the carpet, but even as you walked away, you could feel his gaze trailing after you.

There was something in the way you walked, the quiet grace in each movement, that made it impossible for him to look away.

With a sigh, he finally tore his eyes from your retreating figure, closing them in exasperation.

This wasn’t the first time you’d tried avoiding him in the same room, after all.

It was a rainy afternoon, the soft pitter-patter of raindrops against the library windows creating a soothing sound to the otherwise silent atmosphere.

A second-year Yang Jungwon had entered the library, piles of paper tucked under his arm.

Heads turned to catch a glimpse of the prominent Alpha walking through the aisles of books. Some stole glances filled with admiration, while others seemed intimidated by his aura that reeked of authority despite being only a sophomore.

Yet, he paid no mind to the curious stares, his focus solely on finding the resources he needed for his weekly student council report as the vice president.

“You done?” Jungwon turned to see Ni-ki grinning at him, his playful demeanor a welcome distraction from the seriousness of his task.

Ni-ki was a first-year Alpha, known for his mischievous antics and his tousled hair and bright eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief.

“Just about,” Jungwon replied with a chuckle, adjusting the stack of papers in his arms.

“I wanna fucking curse the living hell out of Heeseung and Jay for telling me that the student council was all sunshine and rainbows, though.”

He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips as he recalled Heeseung—the current president’s—words of encouragement when he took on the role of vice president.

“Where’s Sunoo? I thought he was coming with us,” Jungwon asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.

“I dunno, he said he’d be coming here with someone,” Ni-ki mumbled, scratching his head.

An ever-so-familiar scent of lavender overtook Jungwon’s senses, and his eyes darted frantically around the library.

Without a second thought, he grabbed Ni-ki by his hoodie, pulling him along as he followed the scent toward the source.

Ni-ki stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden pull and even managed to shout a small, “What the fuck?”—but he quickly caught on and allowed himself to be dragged along.

Finally, they reached the center of the library where the chandelier glowed softly above them, casting a warm, golden light over the scene.

There, Jungwon spotted Sunoo chatting idly with the very same Omega who had been avoiding him like the plague since day one.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen you—Jungwon could admit he’d lost count of how many fleeting glances he’d stolen from across crowded rooms—but it was probably only the second or third time he was seeing you this close.

And up close, it was worse.

Your hair fell in gentle waves that framed your face, strands catching the light like silk threads. Your eyes gleamed, wide and attentive, as you listened to Sunoo’s animated rambling. The soft curve of your mouth shifted with every laugh, and Jungwon swore it was the most dangerous sight he’d ever laid eyes on.

The stone-cold stiff demeanor of Yang Jungwon cracked, just barely, as his heart skipped a beat.

“So I asked Jungwon if he wanted to come, and he literally threw a pen towards my face!” Sunoo quietly exclaimed toward his pretty Omega friend walking beside him.

It was no doubt—you were indeed very pretty. Your delicate features were highlighted by the glow of the chandelier, your presence radiant yet understated.

Ni-ki snorted at the memory of the pen incident, while Jungwon only rolled his eyes. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he shifted the stack of papers under his arm, posture tall, sharp, and commanding.

If anyone else had seen him approaching, they’d likely shrink back—he carried that much authority without even trying. But you already knew better.

“Are you done talking about me behind my back?” Jungwon teased as he finally closed the distance, his voice carrying a playful lilt that contrasted the weight of his aura.

Jungwon’s presence alone seemed to command attention, drawing your gaze despite the deepening flush creeping up your cheeks.

The faint scent of whiskey and cedarwood surrounding him made your mind hazy.

Sunoo’s frustration melted into amusement as he shot Jungwon a playful glare. “Talking about you? Who, us? Never,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Jungwon’s smirk widened as he leaned in closer, his Alpha pheromones swirling around you, making your heart race.

“Well, if you’re done gossiping about my pen-throwing skills—you, Kim Sunoo, promised to take these papers to Heeseung.”

Sunoo’s eyes widened in realization as Jungwon shoved the pile of papers under his arm. He let out a grunt of annoyance, shooting Jungwon a glare.

“Oh, come on, Mr. Perfect Yang Jungwon. Can’t a guy have a little fun gossiping with his best friend without getting roped into paperwork duty?” he grumbled, sneaking you a side glance.

Jungwon chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down your spine.

Despite addressing Sunoo, his gaze remained fixed on you, his intense, cat-like eyes seeming to pierce through to your very being.

“Rules are rules, Sunoo. And you know Heeseung doesn’t take kindly to late papers,” he replied. His words hung in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of his authority.

But it wasn’t just his authority that captured your attention—it was the way he effortlessly commanded the room despite speaking in such a hushed tone.

“Fine, fine, I’m going. But I call dibs on Ni-ki,” Sunoo declared with a mischievous grin, earning himself a thumbs up from Ni-ki.

“Fine with me, but I’m coming with you both,” Jungwon shrugged, his tone casual yet decisive.

Then he pointed toward you, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “But I’m taking (Y/N) with me.”

Your heart skipped a beat at Jungwon’s unexpected declaration, and you blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by his sudden attention.

Sunoo rolled his eyes so hard you thought they might get stuck, snorting, “Might as well say you’re dragging us all, yeah?” His snicker quickly turned into a full-blown chuckle at Jungwon’s remark.

What made you catch your breath wasn’t just the Alpha’s sudden attention, but the fact that he remembered your name despite only properly interacting with him once or twice during your freshman year.

How could he not remember you? You were the Omega that plagued his mind and never left his thoughts.

“Are you sure? I might just bother you. It’s official student council business, anyways,” you mumbled, instinctively beginning to twirl a strand of your hair between your fingers—a nervous habit that often surfaced.

“It would be fun with you around. Means that I won’t get stuck with these two knuckleheads,” Sunoo grunted as he started walking toward the gigantic wooden doors, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

The four of you passed through the vast hallways that stretched endlessly, lined with towering windows overlooking the sprawling school fields.

The halls were nearly empty, the faint echo of your footsteps bouncing off the polished floors, a reminder that everyone else was locked away in their classrooms.

Jungwon slowed his pace until he was walking beside you, his papers still tucked neatly under his arm.

He leaned down slightly, his voice lowering into a whisper meant only for you. “Sorry for roping you into this,” he murmured, his breath brushing faintly against your ear.

You shook your head quickly, looking up at him just enough to whisper back, “It’s fine.”

Instinctively, Jungwon leaned down closer, closing the small gap between you as if he couldn’t help himself.

His sharp gaze softened, his lips twitching in the faintest smile at your words, though his scent wrapped tighter around you.

The sound of Sunoo’s exaggerated groan ahead snapped the moment, and the four of you finally reached the towering student council doors.

With perfect timing, none other than Park Sunghoon swung them open with a dramatic flair only he could accomplish, his sharp eyes immediately narrowing as he pointed accusingly at Sunoo.

“You!” Sunghoon exclaimed, his voice laced with annoyance as he locked eyes with the fox-like male.

Sunoo froze in his tracks, schooling his expression into wide-eyed innocence as he raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “Me?” he replied.

Sunghoon let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You know exactly what you did,” he retorted, though the sternness in his voice faltered under the hint of amusement tugging at his lips. “Heeseung’s looking for you, now.”

Sunoo only shrugged nonchalantly as he stepped inside the room, Jungwon and Ni-ki trailing close behind him.

You were quick to slip away before anyone could notice, blending seamlessly with the small crowd of students out in the field beyond the hallway windows.

The thought of standing at the receiving end of Park Sunghoon’s infamous temper was enough to have your feet moving fast, your presence vanishing before the four boys fully entered the council room.

Ni-ki glanced around, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Hey, where did (Y/N) go?” he quipped, scanning the space as if you’d simply disappeared into thin air.

“Who?” Sunghoon raised a brow at the unfamiliar name, his expression puzzled.

Sunoo, caught off guard, quickly looked around, feigning casualness as he scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, you know, (Y/N),” he replied with forced nonchalance.

Jungwon’s sharp gaze snapped to Sunoo, his cat-like eyes narrowing in a warning. The room seemed to shrink in on itself, the weight of curiosity thick in the air, every pair of eyes trained on them.

But Sunoo wasn’t about to back down.

The usual airy lilt in his voice faded, replaced by a colder, sharper tone—the kind of voice that reminded everyone that despite his playful exterior, he was still a pureblooded Alpha, dangerous when he wanted to be.

His lips curled into a smirk, one that could slice through Jungwon’s composure with ease. “My friend that Jungwon’s been crushing on for two years now… or was it three?”

Before Sunoo could finish, Jungwon’s patience finally snapped. With a swift motion, he rammed his elbow into Sunoo’s side, harder than he meant to.

The impact made Sunoo choke on air, his words cut short in a rough cough. Jungwon’s jaw clenched, the faintest flush rising to his cheeks as his composure cracked.

But instead of letting up, Sunoo only straightened with that same cutting grin. He lived for moments like this—pushing buttons until they broke.

His tone dropped even lower, slow and taunting, his eyes glinting with mischief that masked an unnerving authority.

“And who could blame you?” he drawled, tilting his head ever so slightly. “She’s your mate, after all… isn’t she?”

The words landed heavy, the room falling into stunned silence at the weight of his revelation.

A low growl rumbled out of Jungwon’s throat before he could stop it, primal and raw, the sound vibrating through the tense air. His denial was quick, but unsteady.

“Shut up, Sunoo.” His voice was rough, strained, and it only betrayed how hard he was trying to keep control.

Sunoo’s grin widened, teeth flashing, the taunt digging in deeper. “That’s it,” he whispered, almost gleeful, as though daring Jungwon to admit it aloud.

“The perfect Alpha, caught off guard by instincts he doesn’t even understand yet.”

Jungwon’s chest rose and fell sharply, his cat-like eyes flickering toward the hallway where you had vanished, then back to the group.

His lips parted, words barely scraping their way out as he forced himself to speak. “I… I didn’t realize it myself,” he admitted, voice heavy, reluctant.

“It’s not something I wanted to burden anyone with… especially not (Y/N).”

Jungwon stared at the empty hallway leading outside the student council room, where you had managed to slip away. Maybe Sunghoon’s dramatic entrance had startled you.

Either way, you were gone, and a wave of worry washed over him.

“Great,” Jungwon muttered under his breath, his mind racing with thoughts of where you might have gone. “Just great.”

Despite Jungwon’s sour mood, Sunoo only shrugged, smugness dripping off him. The corners of his mouth curling upward.

He looked almost proud of himself for finally pushing the younger Alpha into realizing what he’d been denying all this time.

Across the room, Heeseung caught Sunoo’s eye.

The current council president gave him a subtle nod, one that spoke volumes—approval, amusement, and maybe even a quiet ‘good job’ for cracking the unshakable Yang Jungwon.

The bright light of the library chandelier pressed against his closed eyelids, his temples throbbing with frustration—until a sudden tug on his ear snapped him back to reality.

He winced, turning to see Sunghoon grinning mischievously, his fingers still pinching Jungwon’s ear with infuriating playfulness.

“Daydreaming about your mate, huh?” Sunghoon teased, his voice low enough not to attract too much attention from others in the library.

Jungwon swatted Sunghoon’s hand away. “Shut the fuck up,” he muttered, his tone half-pleading, half-annoyed. He couldn’t afford to let his mate become a topic of gossip—especially not now.

Just then, Sunoo returned, spotting another chance to push Jungwon’s buttons. “Hey, it’s not every day you find out the stone-cold president of the student council has a soft spot,” he quipped, his grin widening.

Jungwon shot him a glare, but the intimidation he usually carried seemed to falter, losing its sharp edge. “Just drop it,” he warned, his voice carrying a mixture of frustration and unease.

The pink-haired Alpha’s grin softened slightly as he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll back off. For now,” he hummed.

Sunghoon, sensing the tension and eager to move things along, rolled his eyes. “Come on, you’re late to your own meeting, goddammit,” he said, already walking toward the door.

“We’ve got actual work to do.”

The student council room was noisy with activity as the meeting went on. Papers were scattered across the long wooden table, and the soft hum of voices filled the air.

Jungwon sat at the head of the table, his expression a mask of calm authority.

A disagreement broke out between two people, their voices rising above the general murmur.

Jungwon’s attention snapped back to the present as he realized one of them—a beta junior named Minjae—and Heeseung himself were at odds, with Minjae questioning a proposal Jungwon and Heeseung had spent weeks preparing.

“I just don’t see how this new policy is going to benefit anyone,” Minjae argued, his tone stubborn and dismissive.

“It’s too restrictive, and it’s going to make students resent the council even more—a curfew after one in the morning? What are we, middle schoolers?”

Jungwon’s jaw tightened as he listened to the objections. He had anticipated some resistance and disagreements, but Minjae’s tone bordered on insolence, challenging not just the proposal but the council’s authority as well—Yang Jungwon’s authority.

“Minjae,” Jungwon huffed, his voice calm but carrying a cold undertone, “this policy is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. We’ve already seen incidents where the lack of such regulations has led to serious problems.”

Minjae scoffed, crossing his arms. “Serious problems? Or just problems that make the council look bad? This feels more like a power play than anything else.”

Jungwon darkly chuckled, the sound resonating through the room like a thunderstorm.

Leaning forward slightly, he let his scent fill the air—what was once whiskey and cedarwood turned into the foul bite of burning coffee and charred wood; the subtle but undeniable aura of dominance making the room feel heavier.

Heeseung and Jay exchanged uneasy glances, aware of what the young Alpha could do when pushed to his limits.

“Power play?” Jungwon growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Minjae faltered for a moment, visibly affected by the intensity of Jungwon’s burning scent and undeniable authority. But his stubbornness drove him to continue.

“I just think there are better ways to handle this. Ways that don’t involve overstepping your bounds.”

Jungwon’s eyes glinted with a cold fury, his anger a quiet storm that promised chaos and destruction for the beta seated across the table.

“Overstepping my bounds?” he asked, his tone dangerously calm.

“Let me make something perfectly clear, Minjae. My bounds are defined by the responsibility I carry to protect and lead this council. The responsibility that I carry as Yang Jungwon.”

With a swift motion, Jungwon stood up, slamming his hands on the table. The loud crack echoed through the room, silencing everyone instantly.

“Let me remind you all of what happens when we fail to act as decent members of this council,” Jungwon continued, his voice now a low, threatening growl.

“Every time we hesitate, every time we allow chaos to happen, we fail in our duty. This policy is not about power; it is about protection.”

Jungwon hummed, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “And if you can’t see that, you might as well surrender your position to someone more competent.”

His words hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the standards Jungwon demanded from his fellow council members.

Minjae shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of the Alpha’s words pressing down on him.

“But—” Minjae began, his voice faltering under Jungwon’s unwavering gaze.

“No buts,” Jungwon interjected, his tone firm. “We cannot afford to entertain doubts or indecision.”

Minjae swallowed hard, his defiance waning in the face of Jungwon’s authority. With a nod, he conceded, “I… I understand.”

Jungwon nodded in response, his expression softening slightly but still bearing the weight of his authority. “Good. Now, let’s proceed with the vote. All in favor?”

One by one, hands rose around the table. Jungwon’s smirk was subtle but it was there, a silent acknowledgment of his victory.

As the meeting shifted, Jungwon turned his gaze back to Minjae, his expression sharpening once more. “I’ll speak to you next week regarding your behavior toward this council—and toward the vice president.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Heeseung, who tilted his head in amusement, lips twitching as if he were entertained by Minjae’s impending lecture.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Jungwon began, his voice commanding yet composed, “I have more important matters to attend to. All the other higher-up members are excused as well.”

He glanced around the table, meeting each council member’s eyes with finality. “I’m letting Soobin take over this meeting.”

As he began to walk away, six figures rose from their seats and followed him out of the room, their expressions unreadable.

As the seven Alphas disappeared from view, Jake let out a snort, his words breaking the silence.

“Dude, I thought Minjae was going to die,” Jake laughed, his voice filled with amusement, as they walked toward the stairs leading down to the university lobby.

Heeseung chuckled, shaking his head at Jake’s comment. “Well, thankfully it didn’t come to that,” he replied, his tone teasing.

“He’ll either be dead or lose his position,” Jay chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm as he joined the conversation.

Jungwon glanced at Jay, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Let’s hope for his sake it’s the latter, yeah?” the president quipped, his tone dry but tinged with amusement.

“Didn’t we leave a little early? What time’s the banquet anyways?” Sunoo walked beside them, his stride matching theirs as they made their way down the stairs.

They all carried themselves with confidence, their shoulders squared and heads held high.

The echoes of their private tutors’ voices from their younger years were etched in their minds: ‘Stand up straight with your head held high. Remember who you are.’

Sunghoon chuckled at Sunoo’s question, adjusting his tie with a flick of his wrist. “We left a little bit late, to be honest. The banquet starts at 7:00 p.m.,” he answered, a smirk playing on his lips.

Heeseung nodded in agreement, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Plenty of time to make a grand entrance,” he added with a smirk.

Jay grinned, his gaze sweeping over the bustling university lobby, where familiar faces mingled among strangers.

“To hell if they get angry at us for being late; our families made this big event happen,” he quipped, earning a round of chuckles from the group.

“Please, young master, stop fussing or we won’t get anything done at all.”

The annoyance emitting from Jungwon’s personal assistant, who had been with him since he was young, echoed in the hotel room where he was currently situated.

Jungwon let out an exasperated sigh, his reflection staring back at him from the mirror as he adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. “I just want everything to be perfect,” he muttered.

Beside him, the hair stylist huffed in irritation as Jungwon shifted again, causing strands of hair to fall out of place.

Jungwon offered a small apology, realizing his restlessness was causing a mess for those around him.

“Young master, if I may,” his assistant paused, as if trying to find the right words. “You’ve never been this… fidgety before an event. What changed?”

Jungwon’s gaze flickered away from his reflection for a moment. He hesitated before responding, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be seeing someone tonight. Someone important.”

His assistant’s eyebrows raised in curiosity. “Do I know who this person is?” he inquired, his tone laced with intrigue.

Jungwon hesitated for a moment before answering. “Do you know the (L/N) family?” he asked, his voice slightly strained.

The young Alpha’s assistant nodded knowingly. “Ah, young master, who doesn’t?” he replied with a knowing smile, his eyes reflecting understanding.

“I see. Well, I’m sure everything will go perfectly tonight. Just relax and be yourself. You’ll do wonderfully, as you always do.”

Jungwon managed a dry chuckle, though it held a hint of bitterness. “It seems like their only daughter… doesn’t like being around me,” he confessed, his words low.

“It’s not that she outright avoids me, but—she keeps her distance. Limits the time we spend together, like she’s uneasy when I’m near.” His reflection hardened in the mirror, a faint frustration pulling at his features.

His assistant’s brow furrowed in concern, sensing the frustration within his young master. “Why do you think that is?” he asked gently, his voice filled with curiosity.

Jungwon’s expression darkened slightly, a shadow crossing his features as he sighed.

“I’ve been seeing her for two years. Around the school halls, classrooms, the library—everywhere. And yet, every time I think we’ll have a real conversation, she finds a way to cut it short. It’s like she’s always slipping through my fingers.”

The door creaked open, and the unmistakable scent of red wine and leather filled the room—Heeseung. Jungwon’s eyes darted toward the older Alpha as he strode in casually, hands in his pockets.

“I told you, maybe she just hates your scent,” Heeseung remarked bluntly, his tone laced with amusement as he leaned against the dresser.

A low growl escaped Jungwon’s throat at the intrusion, his shoulders tensing. “Easy for you to say,” he snapped, narrowing his eyes at his friend. “You have a girlfriend.”

Heeseung only smirked, clearly enjoying himself as he shrugged. “Not my fault your charm doesn’t work on everyone.”

Jungwon huffed, irritation pulling at his chest as he adjusted his tie again, trying to ignore the older Alpha’s grin.

“Or maybe she hates all of you and avoids me because of your collective stupidity,” he muttered, shooting a pointed look at Heeseung.

Heeseung only chuckled, unbothered, his sharp grin widening.

“Before I say anything, let me remind you—just because I’m happy now doesn’t mean I didn’t chase her first. You know my girlfriend made me suffer before she even looked my way.”

Jungwon let out a low scoff, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted his cuffs. “You deserved it.”

That made Heeseung laugh outright, his head tipping back for a moment before his eyes gleamed with amusement.

“Whatever it is, you’ll figure it out,” he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying Jungwon’s discomfort—it made his inner Alpha howl in laughter.

“Now, stop worrying about it. We’ve got a banquet to attend, remember?”

Jungwon’s jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly in acknowledgment. Heeseung’s teasing was the last thing he needed right now, especially when thoughts of you were already swirling through his mind.

“Plus, you have the whole evening to go look for her,” Heeseung added with a knowing grin, his tone light but suggestive.

Jungwon shot him a glare, but the playful smirk remained plastered on Heeseung’s face.

The loud chatter and classical music overtook Jungwon’s senses as he stepped into the grand ballroom of the luxurious venue hosting tonight’s banquet.

The vast space was adorned with sparkling chandeliers, intricate floral arrangements, and elegant décor. The young Alpha’s cat-like eyes scanned the room, searching for any familiar faces among the sea of attendees.

He spotted Ni-ki and Sunghoon engaged in conversation with a group of prestigious guests, their charismatic presence drawing attention from all corners of the room.

Jungwon glanced at Heeseung, and the two shared a knowing look. Together, they squared their shoulders and adjusted their suits, movements deliberate and composed.

Tonight, he was more than just a young Alpha heir attending a social event—he was a representative of the Yang family, and he intended to uphold their legacy with grace and authority.

As Jungwon descended the spiral stairs, his presence commanded attention, and a hush seemed to blanket the entire room.

Heads turned, whispers were exchanged, and all eyes shifted to the young Alpha making his entrance.

The dim lighting cast a soft glow over his features, accentuating the sharp line of his jaw and the intensity of his gaze.

With each step, confidence radiated outward, his very aura dripping with authority and power.

They called him many things, but tonight the whispers grew louder, echoing through the gilded hall—this generation’s god and savior.

Heeseung followed closely behind, mirroring the same power and grace. His presence exuded confidence and authority, complementing Jungwon’s own commanding aura.

“Always with the dramatic entrance.” A voice drawled, making the two Alphas tear their attention away from the crowd.

Glancing to the right, they were met with a pair of ever-so-familiar fox-like eyes that anyone could recognize.

“There you are, you little shit,” Jungwon acknowledged, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Sunoo, with his signature playful grin, approached them with an air of nonchalance. He was dressed impeccably, his suit perfectly tailored to his frame, and though his aura was less imposing than the two standing in front of him, he still undeniably radiated the kind of magnetism that screamed pureblooded Alpha.

“Couldn’t help but notice the hush that fell over the room as you two made your grand entrance,” Sunoo teased, his tone light but edged with mischief.

“It’s like watching a scene from a movie—two Alphas descending from on high to mingle with us mere mortals.”

Heeseung chuckled, shaking his head as Sunghoon’s voice erupted from his right. “Stop talking as if you aren’t one yourself,” he retorted, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Sunoo laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to capture the attention of those around them.

“Oh, come now, dude. You know I prefer to keep things interesting. Besides, where’s the fun in being just another Alpha when you can be so much more?”

“You all are acting like children,” Jay chided, approaching the group with a smirk, Jake and Ni-ki trailing behind him.

He held two glasses of champagne, one of which Jungwon promptly snatched from his hand. Jay’s eyes followed him as he watched his friend take a long sip, clearly trying to calm his nerves.

Heeseung raised his glass in a mock toast. “To our savior—the Yang heir who’s finally growing some balls and is trying to find his mate as we speak.”

Jungwon shot Heeseung a glare but couldn’t help the small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Very funny,” he muttered, taking another sip of his champagne.

Jake chuckled, adjusting his tie. “Hey, if it gets you to finally talk to her, I’m all for it.”

“Dude, I don’t know if I have hearing problems, but I swear I just heard some old people talking about Jungwon’s engagement,” Ni-ki chimed in, his tone half-joking but laced with curiosity.

Jungwon’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of an engagement.

“Engagement?” he echoed, his voice filled with a mix of irritation and disbelief. He couldn’t even talk to his own mate, let alone think about an engagement.

Ni-ki shrugged, glancing around the room. “Yeah, you know how these events are. Rumors fly faster than anything.”

Heeseung’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t be surprising if people started speculating. The Yang family is more than well-known, and people love to gossip.”

Jay nodded in agreement. “Especially when there’s a young, eligible Alpha like you, Jungwon. They’re bound to talk.”

The young Alpha let out a frustrated sigh. “Well, they’re wrong. There’s no engagement. Not yet, anyway. I don’t even know at this point.”

His voice carried nothing but confusion, the weight of the so-called rumor finally dawning on him.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, his usual playful, nonchalant demeanor replaced with concern. “You don’t know? What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”

Jungwon ran a hand through his hair, messing up the careful styling. “I can’t even talk to (Y/N) without her disappearing, and now I just found out that I’m supposedly engaged? Goddammit!”

His voice rose with frustration, drawing the attention of a few nearby guests who quickly looked away, sensing the tension.

Jake stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Jungwon’s shoulder. “Hey, take it easy. This whole thing sounds like a mess, but we’ll figure it out. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.”

Jungwon shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. “I don’t think it’s just a rumor, Jake. My parents have been hinting at it for months, but I didn’t think they’d actually go through with it without telling me.”

Sunghoon, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “Have you tried talking to your parents about it? Maybe they have a reason for keeping you in the dark.”

“I have no idea where they are,” Jungwon replied, frustration lacing his words.

He scanned the room again, hoping to catch a glimpse of his parents among the elegantly dressed attendees, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Jake, always observant, pointed towards a group near the buffet table. “Isn’t that your sister over there?”

Jungwon’s eyes followed the gesture, landing on his older sister, Jia. She was standing with a few friends, her bright smile contrasting sharply with his current mood.

Taking a deep breath, Jungwon made his way towards her, his friends following closely behind.

Jia turned, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Jungwon! I didn’t expect to see you down here so soon,” she said, her tone cheerful—before quickly noticing the furrow in his brows.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you know where Mom and Dad are?” Jungwon asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Jia glanced around before nodding. “I think they’re in the VIP lounge, talking with some important guests. Why? What’s going on?”

Jungwon hesitated for a moment, not wanting to burden his sister with his frustrations, but he knew he needed to get to the bottom of this.

“I just found out there’s a rumor going around about my engagement. I need to talk to them.”

His sister’s eyes widened in shock. “Engagement? But… you aren’t supposed to know yet…” she trailed off, her words faltering as she caught the shock plastered on her brother’s face.

Her expression turned serious. “I’ll take you to them. Come on.”

Jungwon shared a nod with Heeseung and the rest of the group before following his sister out of the bustling area.

As they walked, he couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean I wasn’t supposed to know? You knew?”

Jia bit her lip, glancing at her younger brother with a mixture of guilt and concern. “I found out by accident weeks ago. I overheard Mom and Dad talking about it. I didn’t think it was my place to tell you.”

The young Alpha’s jaw tightened, his frustration mounting. “So everyone knew except for me? That’s just great,” he muttered sarcastically.

Jia sighed and reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Jungwon. I should have said something. I just thought… I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary stress until they were ready to talk to you.”

Jungwon sighed, his anger fading away. “I get it. It’s just that this whole thing is a mess. I need to talk to them and figure out what’s going on.”

As they approached the doors of the VIP lounge, Jungwon took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. One look at the siblings, and the guards let them in wordlessly.

The room beyond was luxurious, filled with an air of exclusivity. The rich fabrics and decorations spoke of old money and high society.

Inside, Jungwon spotted his parents in deep conversation with a group of well-dressed individuals.

His father, with his commanding presence, and his mother, with her elegant poise, looked every bit the powerful figures they were. Surrounding them were other notable figures from influential families.

“Mom, Dad,” Jungwon called out, his voice steady but firm. The conversation ceased as his parents turned to face him, surprise and curiosity evident in their expressions.

“Jungwon, what’s the matter?” his father asked, his tone a mix of concern and authority.

The young Alpha took a deep breath, stepping forward. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

“Ah, you must be Jungwon,” a voice he recognized interrupted, making him snap his head in its direction.

Mr. (L/N), with his intimidating presence, was seated nearby, his gaze sharp and calculating. His wife, Mrs. (L/N), sat beside him with a kind smile as she observed the heir of the Yang family.

Jungwon’s heart skipped a beat as he realized the implications of Mr. (L/N)’s presence.

If your parents were here, it could only mean one thing—you were the one Jungwon was supposedly getting engaged to. But he didn’t want to jump to conclusions just yet.

“Mr. (L/N),” the young Alpha greeted, trying to maintain his composure despite his inner Alpha clawing within him. “What brings you here?”

Mr. (L/N) regarded him with a knowing smile, his eyes glittering with hidden meaning. “I’m here to discuss matters of mutual interest with your parents,” he replied in a hushed tone, his expression unreadable.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and a mixture of shock and disbelief washed over him. His mind raced with questions, but one thing was clear: he needed answers, and he needed them now.

“Oh, it was very impolite of me to appear without notice. I deeply apologize,” Jungwon’s older sister, Jia, interjected, coming to his aid.

Sensing her brother’s silent plea, Jia nodded subtly, her expression conveying understanding and support. “Let’s go,” she murmured to Jungwon, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they moved away from the VIP lounge, the air seemed to grow heavier, each step Jungwon took gnawing at his insides. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.

“Have you seen (Y/N)?” Jungwon abruptly asked his sister, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. The mere mention of your name seemed to do things to him.

Jia glanced at him, her expression softening. “I saw her earlier, she was in the garden,” she replied, her voice calm but laced with concern.

He let out a sigh of relief he hadn’t realized he’d been holding in. “The garden,” Jungwon repeated.

With a quick goodbye to his sister, the Alpha wasted no time. He took off towards the garden, paying no heed to the curious glances of onlookers as he ran like a madman.

The lush greenery of the garden enveloped Jungwon as he entered, the scent of blooming flowers filling his senses with their sweet fragrance. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze was a stark contrast to the darkness his gaze held.

The moonlight filtered through the canopy of trees above, casting patterns of light and shadow on the ground below. His senses were heightened as he kept on walking.

With each step he took, the scent of sweet cream and lavender grew stronger, pulling him like a magnet.

It was a scent he recognized more than his own name, one that made him question his hold on his own sanity—the very scent that belonged to the Omega he had already claimed as his from the moment your eyes met his.

And then, there you were, standing near a bush of blooming roses, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.

You looked as beautiful as ever, the gentle light accentuating the delicate features of your face and the soft curves of your figure.

Your dress hugged your body in all the right places, the fabric flowing gracefully around you as if it were made just for you.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Jungwon took in the sight of you, his heart swelling with love and longing. Everything else faded away, leaving only the two of you under the moonlight.

“I finally got you to myself, Omega,” he breathed, his voice a low whisper filled with affection and desire.

There was a sense of longing in his voice, as if he had been chasing you for an eternity and now, finally, you were within his grasp.

The familiar voice made you turn around, your heart skipping a beat at the sight of Jungwon standing there. He looked perfect, bathed in the moonlight, his features softened by the gentle glow. His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions.

You felt a rush of warmth spread through you at the intensity of his gaze, his words sending shivers down your spine.

“Jungwon,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath as you took in the sight of him.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity as he reached out to touch your hand. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from you any longer.”

You felt tears welling up in your eyes at his words, overwhelmed by his sincerity.

Without a second thought, you stepped into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body and his scent enveloping you.

“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you,” you confessed, your voice muffled against his chest. “I was scared at the thought of you rejecting me as your mate.”

Jungwon pulled back slightly, his hands cupping your face as he looked into your eyes with nothing but love. “I would never reject you, (Y/N),” he said firmly, his gaze filled with devotion.

“You’re my mate, my other half. Nothing in this world could ever change that. Why do you think I kept scenting you, huh? Why do you think I couldn’t stay away from you even when I tried? Every time I caught your scent, I lost control—it was always you.”

“I’ve been in love with you ever since you avoided me during our freshman tour,” he admitted, his usually calm voice trembling with emotion as he met your gaze.

Jungwon’s expression softened as he stared deeper into your eyes, a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I knew from that moment that you were someone special,” he confessed, his thumb gently brushing against your cheek.

“And I’ve been waiting for the day when I could finally tell you how much you mean to me.”

“You’ve always had a way of making my heart race, even when you ran away from me, even when I tried to ignore it,” Jungwon whispered, his voice barely above a breath as he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours.

“I love you, (Y/N), more than words can express.”

“Can I kiss you?” Jungwon’s voice was barely above a whisper, his breath warm against your skin as he looked into your eyes as if you would disappear if he looked away.

You nodded, unable to find your voice as you leaned in closer, your breath mingling with his.

With a soft smile, Jungwon closed the distance between you, his lips capturing yours in a gentle yet passionate kiss. It felt like coming home, the warmth of his touch melting away any lingering doubts or fears.

Surrounded by the beauty of the garden and the sweet scent of flowers, all that mattered was the love you shared.

The sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow into the room as the new day began.

In the peaceful morning, the both of you lay entwined in each other’s arms, the remnants of sleep still lingering on your faces.

With a soft smile, Jungwon pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his heart overflowing with love for the Omega beside him.

“Good morning, my love,” he whispered, his voice filled with tenderness as he brushed a strand of hair away from your face.

You stirred at Jungwon’s touch, a sleepy smile tugging at your lips as you gazed up at him. “Good morning, Alpha,” you murmured, your voice still heavy with sleep.

You relished in the warmth of his embrace, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you as you snuggled closer to him.

With a gentle sigh, you remembered the responsibilities of the day ahead. “We have to get to school in a few hours,” you mumbled, reluctantly pulling away from Jungwon’s embrace as you glanced at the clock beside his bed.

“The fuck are they going to do if I told them that I need some time with my mate? I’m literally the council president,” Jungwon retorted, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.

“Language!” you chided gently, a playful smile dancing on your lips as you reached out to tousle his hair affectionately.

“But still, we need to go,” you continued, your tone softening with understanding. “As much as I wish we could stay like this forever, duty calls, my dear Alpha.”

Jungwon sighed reluctantly, but nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering. “You’re right, as always,” he conceded, pressing a lingering kiss to you, savoring the moment before you two attended to your responsibilities.

“But I need to scent you first,” he added, his voice low and possessive, authority seeping into his tone. “Can’t have some stupid Alphas claiming you under my watch now, huh?”

You chuckled softly at his protective demeanor, leaning into him as he pressed his nose against your neck, inhaling deeply as he left his strong scent of whiskey and cedarwood on you, his scent mingling with yours in possession.

“Now we really gotta go,” you said with a playful smile, gently pulling away from his embrace—much to his dismay—and heading towards the bathroom to freshen up before starting the day.

The sight of their intimidating student council president and pureblooded Alpha, accompanied by the shy Omega, wasn’t a sight that the whole student body was expecting.

As Jungwon and you walked through the halls of the school, heads turned, whispers echoing in the air as students exchanged surprised glances.

Some couldn’t help but stare openly, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected pairing.

Others watched with a mixture of admiration and envy, recognizing the significance of the Alpha and Omega being together in such a public manner.

“Are you sure you really want to carry that?” your voice was barely above a whisper as you pointed towards your hyper-feminine bag that Jungwon was carrying with pride, amusement evident in your voice.

Jungwon chuckled softly, glancing down at the bag before meeting your gaze with a playful smirk. “Of course,” he replied, his tone light and teasing. “It’s an honor to carry something that belongs to my mate.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his response, shaking your head in disbelief at the sight of the usually composed Alpha carrying your very pink bag without a hint of hesitation.

The screams of shock snapped you out of your little moment, causing you to turn towards the source of the sound.

Heeseung, followed by the others, was striding towards the two of you, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

“Yang Jungwon, you sly motherfucker!” Heeseung exclaimed, his voice ringing out in the hallway as he reached the both of you.

Out of instinct, you hid behind Jungwon, feeling a rush of embarrassment at the sudden attention. Jungwon, ever protective, instinctively moved closer, wrapping a reassuring arm around you as he faced his friends.

Jay grinned at the sight, clearly amused by your reaction. “Look at you two. It’s like a scene from a movie,” he teased, his tone playful as he nudged Jungwon with his elbow.

Jungwon shot Jay a playful glare before turning his attention back to you, his expression softening. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice soothing. “They’re just teasing.”

“Holy fuck, who are you and what happened to the Jungwon that we know!?” Sunoo exclaimed, his eyes wide with mock disbelief as he approached, his tone playful.

Jungwon rolled his eyes at Sunoo’s dramatics but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “You’re just jealous that I’m not scowling for once,” he retorted, his tone laced with amusement.

The pink-haired Alpha chuckled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “Damn right I am,” he teased, flashing a grin at you.

“But seriously, it’s good to see you both together. About time, if you ask me.”

“Thanks, Sunoo,” you replied, your voice filled with gratitude as you glanced up at Jungwon.

Jungwon squeezed your hand reassuringly, his gaze softening as he looked at you.

Heeseung was quick to nudge Sunoo to move, earning a scowl from the pink-haired Alpha as the dark-haired one stepped forward, shaking your hand with a friendly grin.

“Hi. I’m Heeseung. I’m sure my girlfriend would love you,” he said, his voice light with charm.

Jungwon watched the sight with a small smile, his chest swelling at how naturally you fit into his world, as if you’d always belonged there.

“That’s how you get the Omega, I guess.” he murmured, his voice filled with affection.

taglist: @hoonbrry @hime98 @chae-darling @moonchus @peatchiedii @creamkwan @nyfwyeonjun @whoe-dis @woonie-muffin @caelumsjy @90sni-ki @leiomorea @junjungsunwoo @in-somnias-world @notcamii @yizhoutv @lovesickth @elairah @graythecoffeebean @skyearby @ikeumina @blckorchidd @littlebambi-isdee @immelissaaa @jakesfurry @dreamy-carat @cristy-101 @m1kkso @h4niyahcar @firstclassjaylee

Sweet cream and lavender, those were the only thoughts running through the pureblooded Alpha’s mind as he sat down in his next class, surrounded by a sea of admiring gazes from his classmates, most of them being Omega females.

Their eyes followed his every move like he was prey, a gazelle surrounded by lions, a bunny running away from wolves—ironic how he was the wolf and had the highest placement in the food chain within the four walls.

But Jungwon paid them no mind, he was used to the attention, immune to their advances.

Ever since he stepped foot into the academy, Yang Jungwon had been the epitome of perfection.

A pureblooded Alpha with his tall stature, soft yet sharp features, confident aura, one hell of a family background, and a charming smile paired with dimples that nobody could say ‘no’ to.

It was like he was born to be praised and bowed down upon. He was the Alpha that every Omega dreamed of, yet he decided to remain aloof.

For his heart belonged to one, and one alone.

“Council meeting later at four, don’t be late.” Jungwon felt a sharp slap behind his head, pulling him away from his thoughts.

A low growl instinctively formed in his throat, but as he recognized the voice and the scent that accompanied it, his shoulders slumped and he rolled his eyes.

Turning around, he came face to face with one of his best friends and fellow Alpha, Lee Heeseung—who also happened to be the student council vice president.

The youngest son of the influential Lee family, Heeseung had been raised in the spotlight, known for his striking looks, silver tongue, and effortless charm that seemed to bend people to his will.

He wore his status like a crown and a smirk, the kind of Alpha who could walk into a room and have everyone’s attention without even trying.

And right now, that attention was focused entirely on Jungwon, paired with the shit-eating grin stretched across his face.

“For fuck’s sake, I’m literally the president.” Jungwon growled, his voice dripping with irritation, startling the Beta sitting beside him who had been minding his own business.

Jungwon sent an apologetic look toward him before redirecting his irritation toward the senior, rubbing the back of his head where Heeseung’s slap had landed.

Heeseung chuckled, the sound swallowed by the chatter of the loud room as he leaned a little closer, clearly unfazed by Jungwon’s temper.

“You’re the president, yet you can’t even control that anger of yours,” he teased, his tone light but his eyes glinting with mischief.

“You weren’t like this before. What’s gotten into you, huh?” He clicked his tongue and tilted his head, studying Jungwon like a puzzle piece he couldn’t quite fit.

Jungwon wanted to scream: ‘Sweet cream and lavender. The Omega sitting two seats in front of me. The only girl plaguing my mind. My Omega. Claim. Mark. Mate.’

But instead, he forced a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing’s gotten into me,” Jungwon replied curtly, his tone dismissive toward the older Alpha, though his stare remained glued to your back.

Heeseung followed his gaze, pupils narrowing as realization crept in. His lips parted like he was about to say something sharp, but for once, he held his tongue.

He hummed instead, a low knowing sound. “Ah, so that’s it.”

“What are you doing here?” Jungwon’s voice cut through the air with exasperation, his annoyance seeping through even without sparing Heeseung a glance.

“I stopped by to get some documents from Sunoo, but it seems like he isn’t here for me to annoy.” Heeseung grunted, dragging out his words, his eyes scanning the large classroom for the mentioned male.

His tone carried that casual, lazy arrogance only Heeseung could pull off, but the faint irritation under it betrayed his mood.

“Dude, he’s in the cafeteria with Jay.” Jungwon snickered, still refusing to meet his gaze.

The older Alpha’s breath hitched at the mention of Jay’s name, his eyes widening ever so slightly. His posture straightened, expression flickering before he masked it with a scoff.

Without another word, Heeseung shoved his hands into his pockets and made a beeline for the cafeteria, his presence leaving the air just a little quieter in his wake.

Jay and Sunoo together were a force to be reckoned with, their antics often leaving chaos in their wake.

As members of the student council, they held a certain level of responsibility, but when left alone, they were known to push the boundaries of what was deemed ‘acceptable.’

Park Jongseong, the council treasurer and the only son of the powerful Park family, carried himself with an air of quiet rebellion.

Despite being the ideal Alpha—sharp-minded, devastatingly handsome, and capable of taking over the family empire—he had a habit of stirring trouble just to remind everyone he could.

Kim Sunoo, on the other hand, was the youngest of the Kim family, blessed with delicate features and a charm that made him unforgettable.

As the council’s Public Relations Director, he wielded influence with words and appearances alone, a natural at swaying opinions.

Despite their constant bickering, Jay and Sunoo found a rare peace in teaming up to mess with the higher-ups, much like the rest of the council.

Jungwon stifled a laugh as he observed the confused faces of his classmates, their attention shifting from him to the well-known council vice president.

The sight was amusing yet familiar—a regular occurrence. Attention seemed to follow them wherever they were.

Yang Jungwon had grown accustomed to being the center of attention wherever he went. From a young age, he had been expected to embody the epitome of perfection.

His pureblooded Alpha status made doors open and people bow in his presence.If he wanted something, all he had to do was ask, and it would be in the palm of his hand without hesitation.

After all, he was the one and only Yang Jungwon, a name that carried power in every corner of their society.

Yet, despite his status and influence, there was one thing that eluded him: you.

The Omega who sat just two seats away, engrossed in a book probably older than the library itself.

Your presence often served him some sort of fascination that he couldn’t put a finger on—and it was terrifying, because Jungwon never found fascination in anything. You were unlike anyone he had ever met.

Your quiet and gentle personality pulled him in. And your scent—oh, your scent—was simply intoxicating.

But try as he might, the young Alpha found himself unable to grasp you, to claim you as his own, his Omega.

And it wasn’t for lack of trying; he had approached you countless times. Yet each time, you slipped through his fingers like thin air.

The same Omega he had been staring at for the past minute before Heeseung came barging in.

You, who tried to focus your attention on your book, ignoring the weight of the eyes you had already recognized—eyes that seemed to catch your gaze every time—eyes that never stopped staring at you.

The first time he had tried to approach you was during his freshman year, during the campus tour.

It was boring him out of his mind. Jungwon had been stuck in the middle of his family’s manor library countless times, listening to his private tutors drone on about history, politics, and etiquette—and somehow, even that felt more entertaining than this.

A guided walk around a place he’d already visited multiple times before his enrollment felt unnecessary, a complete waste of time for someone like him.

He already knew every building, every shortcut, every face worth knowing. The only reason he was here was because the school required it, not because he needed it.

He moved through the sea of students with practiced ease, his steps steady and confident, his presence alone commanding attention.

Even as a first year, his name already put fear in people’s minds. Yang Jungwon, the golden boy of the Yang family. A pureblooded Alpha who could ruin a life with a single phone call. A god and savior of his generation—or so people liked to whisper.

But amidst the chaos of chatter and laughter, his attention caught on something that made him pause.

You.

Standing near the student guide whose name he hadn’t bothered to remember, you looked as though you belonged and yet stood apart at the same time.

A Louis Vuitton bag hung over your shoulder, Chanel draping you head to toe, but your quiet presence was a stark contrast to the other Omegas around you—louder, eager to impress, all smiles and chatter.

You were simply… still.

Intrigued, Jungwon veered away from the three senior Alphas he’d been forced to mingle with before classes began.

With a charming smile firmly in place, he approached you, his footsteps light but purposeful until he stopped right in front of you.

“Hey,” Jungwon started, his voice smooth and friendly as his dimple appeared, gaze locked on you. “Enjoying the tour?”

“Hello.” Your response was polite but guarded, your eyes darting away from the handsome Alpha’s stare as you muttered a brief affirmation.

“It’s okay, I guess.”

Jungwon hummed lowly. Your scent was slightly off—nervous, maybe?—but he didn’t bother asking.

“So what brings you here?” the young Alpha asked, his tone playful as he gestured casually toward the crowd around you.

The first thing you noticed wasn’t even his voice—it was his scent. Whiskey and cedarwood. It enveloped you instantly, warm and intoxicating, wrapping around your senses until your head felt light.

It called to you in ways you didn’t understand, twisting your stomach, making your chest tighten. His presence was overwhelming, his eyes unreadable, but there was something magnetic about him that made it impossible to simply look away.

You blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his presence and the warmth of his smile. His eyes held nothing but curiosity as he waited for your response.

Despite your efforts to maintain composure, you found yourself at a loss for words; the strength of his scent and his proximity made both you and your Omega feel breathless.

You had just met him, and this dimpled Alpha was already doing things to you.

“I, uh… I’m just here for the tour, like every first year,” you stammered, your voice barely above a whisper as you struggled to form words in front of the Alpha whose name you didn’t even know.

Jungwon’s smile widened slightly at your response. He noticed the shift in the air, the way his cedarwood and whiskey scent mingled with your sweet cream and lavender, and it sent an involuntary shiver racing down your spine.

With a thoughtful look, he tilted his head. “By the way,” his tone was soft, controlled, but carried the weight of someone used to being listened to, “what’s your name?”

The question made a shy laugh bubble past your lips, and a small smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as you finally met his gaze.

“It’s (L/N) (Y/N),” you replied, the intensity of his dark, hazy eyes making it hard to breathe. “And yours?”

He straightened, posture effortlessly regal, before speaking with practiced ease. “Yang Jungwon,” he introduced himself formally, the family name falling from his lips like a seal of authority.

Then, to your surprise, he didn’t simply offer his hand—he took yours gently in his, raising it with elegance before pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. “It’s an honor to meet you, (Y/N).”

Heat crept across your cheeks, but you couldn’t look away. For a moment, it was as if the world blurred around you, your hand still in his, both of you lost in each other’s eyes.

You swallowed, your voice quiet, sincere. “It’s… nice to meet you too, Jungwon.”

He held your gaze a beat longer, then asked smoothly, “So tell me, (Y/N)… what made you choose Decelis? Surely someone like you had other options.”

You blinked, surprised by his interest, but managed to gather your thoughts.

“I wanted something different,” you admitted. “Not just prestige, but a place where I could grow on my own terms. Decelis seemed like the right choice.”

His lips curved into a faint smile, dimples peeking through. “A wise answer. Growth is often undervalued… though, if I may be honest, Decelis seems all the more fortunate now.”

Your heart skipped at the subtle compliment, and for a second, you didn’t even notice your hand was still in his until the student guide’s voice cut through the air.

“Alright, everyone, if you could please gather around,” the guide called, tone cheerful as he gestured for the group to move. “We’re going to continue with the next part of the tour.”

Reality snapped back. You pulled your hand away gently, a soft apologetic smile crossing your lips.

“Excuse me,” you murmured, before hurrying to rejoin the group of Omegas you had been standing with.

Jungwon didn’t stop you. He only gave you a respectful nod, that same small smile gracing his lips—dimples deepening as if to carve your name into his memory.

And just like that, you carried the weight of his gaze with you as you walked away.

Heeseung’s voice cut through the air, pulling Jungwon back to reality. “Hey, man, I found them.”

Jungwon’s gaze lingered for a moment longer on the back of your head before shifting toward the classroom doors. Heeseung stood there, a mix of amusement and impatience written across his face as he gestured for Jungwon to follow.

But instead of leaving right away, Jungwon’s steps carried him in the opposite direction—straight to your desk.

He leaned down, his shadow falling over your book as his voice dropped low. “What are you reading?”

You froze, heat creeping up your cheeks at the sudden closeness, at the way his scent seeped into your lungs and wrapped around you like a cage.

“N-Nothing of importance…” you murmured, trying to keep your composure.

Jungwon tilted his head, his lips curving faintly as his eyes scanned the page.

He read a line under his breath, voice smooth and warm, and you nearly forgot how to breathe.

The sound of your pulse must’ve betrayed you, because he chuckled quietly, his arm sliding around your shoulders with an ease that felt far too natural.

His mouth hovered just near your ear. “Relax. I don’t bite…” his smirk deepened, “…unless you want me to.”

Your face burned hot as you rolled your eyes in an attempt to brush off your embarrassment. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jungwon.”

He only laughed again, rubbing his wrist casually against the fabric of your blazer, leaving his scent behind with deliberate precision. “I’ve read this one before. It’s pretty good,” he commented, straightening up to his full height.

Your eyes followed him without meaning to, tilting your head slightly. “What do you need, then?”

The question made him pause. He studied you for a moment, and there it was again—that wide-eyed look, soft and unguarded, like a bunny caught in headlights.

His lips tugged into a smile that reached his eyes.

“I’m needed for a meeting,” he said simply, scanning the room. He didn’t miss the stares—your classmates watching the way he’d just scented you so blatantly, their gazes darting away the second his sharp eyes caught theirs. The smug curl of his lips betrayed how much he enjoyed it.

You noticed the flicker of tension, your brows knitting in concern, but before you could speak, Jungwon glanced down at you and gave a small, reassuring smile.

His hand patted your shoulder gently. “Can you tell Anton when he gets here to handle whatever the professors need while I’m gone?”

You nodded quickly, eager to prove yourself, eyes bright with determination.

“Good girl,” Jungwon murmured under his breath, the words slipping out like velvet before he stepped away, leaving you flustered in your seat.

He strode toward the door, that same smug smirk tugging at his lips as he rejoined Heeseung outside.

Heeseung patted Jungwon’s back. “Come on, let’s go get those troublemakers,” the senior said with a chuckle, heading toward the cafeteria where Jay and Sunoo were no doubt stirring up trouble.

Jungwon followed, that infuriatingly smug smirk still tugging at his lips.

Heeseung caught sight of it and arched a brow. “What’s up with that smirk on your face?”

Jungwon let out a low chuckle. “It’s nothing,” he replied casually, though the curl of his lips betrayed him.

“Nothing, my ass. Spit it out,” Heeseung pressed, giving him a knowing side-eye.

Jungwon tilted his head back toward the classroom they’d just left, not bothering to say your name—Heeseung was sharp enough to pick it up without words.

“Ah, I see.” Heeseung’s mouth curved into a sly grin. “So it’s about (Y/N), huh?”

Jungwon’s smirk deepened. He didn’t answer outright, but his silence said enough.

The older alpha shook his head, mock-disbelief flashing in his eyes. “You know, you’ve been dancing around this for a while now. Why haven’t you made your move yet?”

Jungwon sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “We’re in… a very weird relationship right now,” he admitted, the frustration slipping into his otherwise composed tone.

Heeseung raised a brow. “Weird? What do you mean by weird?”

“A situationship, maybe,” Jungwon said with a careless shrug, though the glint in his eyes betrayed just how much it got under his skin.

Heeseung barked out a laugh, loud enough to draw the stares of a few passing students. They blinked in surprise at the rare sight of the usually collected student council vice president laughing so openly in the halls.

“I can’t believe I’d live to hear the day Yang Jungwon is settling for something as flimsy as a situationship,” Heeseung teased, shaking his head.

“It’s not flimsy, okay?” Jungwon shot back, tone flat but his smirk betraying him.

Heeseung only shrugged with a laugh, sharp fangs flashing. “Maybe she just hates your scent. That’s why.”

Jungwon scoffed and lightly punched his shoulder. “My scent is irresistible, thank you very much.”

Their exchange earned a few wary glances from passing students, who could practically feel the clash of alpha scents between the two—whiskey and cedarwood mixing with Heeseung’s darker musk, both carrying that unmistakable weight of power.

But this was normal for them: quick banter, quick jabs, and an unspoken understanding in every exchange.

As they turned the corner, their conversation was cut short by the sight of Jay and Sunoo.

Jay walked with that effortless calm that always carried an edge, his hands shoved into his pockets while his blonde hair fell slightly into his eyes.

Sunoo, in contrast, bounced along beside him, grinning wide as he balanced an absurd stack of sandwiches in his arms.

“Speak of the devils,” Heeseung muttered with a scowl, nodding toward them.

Jay’s lips curled into the faintest smirk. “Hey. Took you long enough.”

Sunoo piped up brightly, holding the food higher as if showing off a prize. “Look at what we got! And before you say anything—no trouble was caused.”

He leaned closer, dropping his voice in mock seriousness as he shot a pointed look at Jay. “Not even from him.”

Jungwon couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head. “Heeseung’s been looking all over for you.”

“Don’t put all the blame on me,” Heeseung cut in with a sharp look. “We have a meeting, and I need those documents from last week’s session.”

Sunoo blinked innocently, big eyes widening as if he’d just heard something impossible.

Jay, however, tilted his head slightly, his voice calm and unbothered. “Oh, those documents?” His smirk widened, feigning innocence with a casual shrug. “Pretty sure I left them at Sunoo’s house.”

Sunoo’s eyes widened in realization. “Wait, you mean the ones you spilled coffee all over?” he shot back, shifting the towering stack of sandwiches in his arms as he tried not to drop them.

Jay clicked his tongue, pointing a finger at Sunoo with that sharp, unbothered glare. “Don’t act innocent. You were the one who distracted me in the first place.”

The younger alpha jabbed a finger back at Jay, juggling the food in the process. “Distracted you?! You’re the one who—hey, careful!”

Heeseung let out a long, tired sigh and dragged a hand down his face. “What the actual fuck…” His voice was heavy with exhaustion, like he had aged ten years in the last ten minutes.

Jungwon leaned against a nearby wall, arms crossed, quietly amused at the circus in front of him.

It was always the same: Jay with his calm-but-menacing indifference, Sunoo chirping and smirking his way into trouble, and Heeseung stuck in the middle ready to strangle them both.

And then, the inevitable happened.

From the far end of the hall came Jake—disheveled hair falling into his eyes, multiple clipboards tucked under his arm, and the expression of a man one second away from murder.

His scent of burning citrus flared sharp and hot, a clear warning as his voice thundered down the corridor.

“Get back here, you two fuckers!”

The usually composed secretary looked anything but calm as he barreled toward them, and the way Jay and Sunoo’s eyes widened was priceless.

Instead of scrambling, the two immediately started jabbing their fingers at each other, practically shouting over one another in a desperate attempt to shift blame.

“It was him!” Sunoo squeaked, almost dropping a sandwich.

“Liar,” Jay shot back smoothly, his smirk not helping his case.

Heeseung glanced at Jungwon, giving him a single tired nod before pushing himself into a jog, muttering curses under his breath as he joined Jake in the chase.

Jungwon only shook his head with a quiet chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. This was their pack—chaos and order constantly colliding.

The rustle of books in the library was a comforting sound to Jungwon as he stepped into the vast room.

Rows upon rows of shelves towered over him despite his tall stature, each one filled with the knowledge and stories of countless authors he grew up learning about.

Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, casting warm rays across the polished wooden floors.

Jungwon walked slowly, his steps muffled by the blood-red carpeting beneath his feet. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books.

The young Alpha rounded a corner, but amidst the towering shelves and sea of quiet bodies, he saw you.

You were sitting at a wooden table with Sunoo, surrounded by a stack of books, your attention fully absorbed in the pages before you.

The gentle curve of your profile, illuminated by the soft glow of the reading lamp, drew him in like a moth to a flame. It was as if Sunoo didn’t even exist to him during this moment.

Without realizing it, he found himself drawn closer, his steps cautious as he approached your table.

Jungwon cleared his throat softly, not wanting to startle you, but you remained lost in your own world, unaware of his presence.

Sunoo gave Jungwon a sly grin, his eyes flashing with amusement as he mouthed the words, “You finally asking (Y/N) out?”

The teasing glint in Sunoo’s eyes was unmistakable.

Jungwon shot Sunoo a quick glare, silently willing him to be quiet, but Sunoo only grinned wider, clearly enjoying Jungwon’s discomfort.

Then, raising his hands in mock surrender, the older pink-haired male quietly stood up, a playful smile still playing on his lips.

with a nod of appreciation towards sunoo, jungwon turned his attention back to you. he raised a brow at you and your still oblivious form before before clearing his throat once again to grab your attention.

the sound echoed softly in the corner where you're seated in, cutting through the hushed atmosphere. you looked up from your book, your eyes meeting his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as you came face-to-face with the alpha you've been trying to avoid ever since you got there.

"hi," jungwon greeted, his voice deep but gentle as he took another cautious step closer to your table. "i hope i'm not interrupting anything."

you blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden approach. "oh, uh, no, not at all," you replied, your voice coming out softer than you intended. "i was just… doing something with sunoo."

as you glanced around, you noticed sunoo's absence as his now faint scent permeated through the air, a realization dawning on you that he had discreetly left while you were engrossed in your book. a faint flush of embarrassment colored your cheeks at the thought of being left alone with the alpha who had occupied your thoughts more often than you cared to admit.

With a nod of appreciation towards Sunoo, Jungwon turned his attention back to you. He raised a brow at your still oblivious form before clearing his throat once again to grab your attention.

The sound echoed softly in the corner where you were seated, cutting through the hushed atmosphere.

You looked up from your book, your eyes meeting his, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as you came face-to-face with the Alpha who always left you fumbling for words whenever he was near.

“Hi,” Jungwon greeted, his voice deep but gentle as he took another cautious step closer to your table. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

You blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden approach. “Oh, uh, no, not at all,” you replied, your voice coming out softer than you intended.

“I was just… doing something with Sunoo.”

As you glanced around, you noticed Sunoo’s absence, his faint scent still lingering in the air. A realization dawned on you—he had discreetly slipped out while you were absorbed in your book.

A faint flush of embarrassment colored your cheeks at the thought of being left alone with the Alpha who had occupied your thoughts more often than you cared to admit.

With a quick mental shake, you focused your attention back on Jungwon’s towering figure. “Um, yeah, he must have stepped out,” you explained, offering a sheepish smile.

Jungwon’s gaze softened, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Guess it’s just you and me then,” he remarked lightly, his tone casual as he gestured toward the empty seat right beside you.

You hesitated only for a moment before giving a small nod, a shy smile tugging at your lips. Jungwon slid into the seat next to you, his presence so close it made the air feel heavier.

Your breath caught in your throat as his scent washed over you, each inhale filling your lungs with the essence of Yang Jungwon himself.

“What’ve you got there?” Jungwon asked, leaning ever so slightly until his shoulder brushed against yours.

The simple touch had heat rushing up your neck, and despite yourself, you smiled faintly, his intoxicating scent overtaking your senses.

He noticed. A quiet chuckle slipped from his lips as he gestured for you to move closer. Hesitant, you did—but apparently not close enough for him.

With a soft click of his tongue, his hand slipped beneath your chair, tugging it towards him. You yelped lightly at the sudden motion, earning nothing but a sheepish smile from the Alpha.

Before you could even react, his arm draped loosely around you, and the faint brush of his wrist against your clothes left his scent lingering warmly over you. Your breath faltered, your cheeks burning.

“I–uhm,” you stammered, trying to focus as your fingers fumbled with the edge of your book, “I just needed a quiet place to finish this.”

Jungwon tilted his head, peeking at the stack of papers and books scattered across the table.

His lips softened into an amused smile. “Partners with Sunoo for the lab report, huh? Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

A nervous laugh bubbled from your chest as you nodded. “Yeah, you could say that. Sunoo always has a way of making things… interesting.”

His low chuckle vibrated against you, warm and effortless. “That he does.”

You let out a quiet sigh, your body relaxing just slightly as you leaned into Jungwon’s warmth.

Your voice dropped to a softer mumble, “It’s just that… Sunoo already has so much on his plate with all the council stuff you guys do. I don’t want to be a burden.”

Jungwon’s brows furrowed for the briefest second before he shook his head, his tone steady but gentle.

“You’re not a burden, okay? I’m sure Sunoo appreciates the help. But he’s also the kind of guy who wants to do some of that stuff too.”

A small smile tugged at his lips as he added knowingly, “If there’s one thing Sunoo doesn’t like…”

You tilted your head, curiosity breaking through your nerves. “What?”

“…It’s when people look down on him and his capabilities.”

The truth in his words made you laugh softly, shoulders easing as the tension melted away. “Yeah… you’re right. That sounds exactly like him.”

Jungwon’s own chuckle rumbled against you, low and effortless, and he nodded with a satisfied little hum. “Mhmm. Exactly.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The quiet hum of the library wrapped around you both—the rustle of pages, the faint scratching of pens, and the mellow glow of sunlight spilling in from the tall glass windows.

It felt comfortable, dangerously so.

Just as Jungwon parted his lips, ready to say something more—something that lingered heavy in the air between you—the sharp ring of the bell shattered the stillness.

His jaw tightened, a soft curse slipping past his lips as his eyes flickered toward the digital clock mounted on the wall.

With a reluctant sigh, Jungwon gave you a tight smile as he slowly unwrapped his arm from around you.

For the briefest second, his fingers lingered against your sleeve as though he wasn’t ready to let go, before he finally dropped his hand to his side.

Still, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his gaze, like even that moment of holding you close was enough to anchor him.

You quickly gathered the scattered papers into your arms, trying to mask the sudden warmth crawling up your neck.

When you looked back at him, your lips curved into a small, sheepish smile. “I’ll… get going now. Bye, Jungwon.”

He gave you one of those rare, dimpled smiles that made your chest tighten, his head tilting just slightly as his eyes softened. “Bye, (Y/n).” A pause.

Then, with the kind of casualness only he could pull off, he asked, “Is Anton doing what I asked him to?”

You blinked, momentarily thrown off by the shift in topic, but quickly nodded. “Yeah… he’s doing pretty well.”

Jungwon leaned back into his chair, his long legs crossing at the ankle with deliberate ease. His posture oozed authority, the kind only a pureblooded Alpha carried in his veins.

A teasing smile curved at his lips as he studied you. “But not better than me, right?”

The sudden intensity of his gaze caught you off guard, heat flooding your cheeks at the way his eyes locked onto yours like he was daring you to say otherwise.

Your heart thudded as you shifted on your feet, fumbling with the stack of papers in your arms. “N-no,” you mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. “You’re still better.”

A quiet chuckle slipped from him, satisfied yet amused, and the weight of his stare lingered even as you tried to look away. Mustering another shy smile, you gave him a small wave before finally turning on your heel.

Your footsteps echoed softly against the carpet, but even as you walked away, you could feel his gaze trailing after you.

There was something in the way you walked, the quiet grace in each movement, that made it impossible for him to look away.

With a sigh, he finally tore his eyes from your retreating figure, closing them in exasperation.

This wasn’t the first time you’d tried avoiding him in the same room, after all.

It was a rainy afternoon, the soft pitter-patter of raindrops against the library windows creating a soothing sound to the otherwise silent atmosphere.

A second-year Yang Jungwon had entered the library, piles of paper tucked under his arm.

Heads turned to catch a glimpse of the prominent Alpha walking through the aisles of books. Some stole glances filled with admiration, while others seemed intimidated by his aura that reeked of authority despite being only a sophomore.

Yet, he paid no mind to the curious stares, his focus solely on finding the resources he needed for his weekly student council report as the vice president.

“You done?” Jungwon turned to see Ni-ki grinning at him, his playful demeanor a welcome distraction from the seriousness of his task.

Ni-ki was a first-year Alpha, known for his mischievous antics and his tousled hair and bright eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief.

“Just about,” Jungwon replied with a chuckle, adjusting the stack of papers in his arms.

“I wanna fucking curse the living hell out of Heeseung and Jay for telling me that the student council was all sunshine and rainbows, though.”

He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips as he recalled Heeseung—the current president’s—words of encouragement when he took on the role of vice president.

“Where’s Sunoo? I thought he was coming with us,” Jungwon asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.

“I dunno, he said he’d be coming here with someone,” Ni-ki mumbled, scratching his head.

An ever-so-familiar scent of lavender overtook Jungwon’s senses, and his eyes darted frantically around the library.

Without a second thought, he grabbed Ni-ki by his hoodie, pulling him along as he followed the scent toward the source.

Ni-ki stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden pull and even managed to shout a small, “What the fuck?”—but he quickly caught on and allowed himself to be dragged along.

Finally, they reached the center of the library where the chandelier glowed softly above them, casting a warm, golden light over the scene.

There, Jungwon spotted Sunoo chatting idly with the very same Omega who had been avoiding him like the plague since day one.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen you—Jungwon could admit he’d lost count of how many fleeting glances he’d stolen from across crowded rooms—but it was probably only the second or third time he was seeing you this close.

And up close, it was worse.

Your hair fell in gentle waves that framed your face, strands catching the light like silk threads. Your eyes gleamed, wide and attentive, as you listened to Sunoo’s animated rambling. The soft curve of your mouth shifted with every laugh, and Jungwon swore it was the most dangerous sight he’d ever laid eyes on.

The stone-cold stiff demeanor of Yang Jungwon cracked, just barely, as his heart skipped a beat.

“So I asked Jungwon if he wanted to come, and he literally threw a pen towards my face!” Sunoo quietly exclaimed toward his pretty Omega friend walking beside him.

It was no doubt—you were indeed very pretty. Your delicate features were highlighted by the glow of the chandelier, your presence radiant yet understated.

Ni-ki snorted at the memory of the pen incident, while Jungwon only rolled his eyes. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he shifted the stack of papers under his arm, posture tall, sharp, and commanding.

If anyone else had seen him approaching, they’d likely shrink back—he carried that much authority without even trying. But you already knew better.

“Are you done talking about me behind my back?” Jungwon teased as he finally closed the distance, his voice carrying a playful lilt that contrasted the weight of his aura.

Jungwon’s presence alone seemed to command attention, drawing your gaze despite the deepening flush creeping up your cheeks.

The faint scent of whiskey and cedarwood surrounding him made your mind hazy.

Sunoo’s frustration melted into amusement as he shot Jungwon a playful glare. “Talking about you? Who, us? Never,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Jungwon’s smirk widened as he leaned in closer, his Alpha pheromones swirling around you, making your heart race.

“Well, if you’re done gossiping about my pen-throwing skills—you, Kim Sunoo, promised to take these papers to Heeseung.”

Sunoo’s eyes widened in realization as Jungwon shoved the pile of papers under his arm. He let out a grunt of annoyance, shooting Jungwon a glare.

“Oh, come on, Mr. Perfect Yang Jungwon. Can’t a guy have a little fun gossiping with his best friend without getting roped into paperwork duty?” he grumbled, sneaking you a side glance.

Jungwon chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down your spine.

Despite addressing Sunoo, his gaze remained fixed on you, his intense, cat-like eyes seeming to pierce through to your very being.

“Rules are rules, Sunoo. And you know Heeseung doesn’t take kindly to late papers,” he replied. His words hung in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of his authority.

But it wasn’t just his authority that captured your attention—it was the way he effortlessly commanded the room despite speaking in such a hushed tone.

“Fine, fine, I’m going. But I call dibs on Ni-ki,” Sunoo declared with a mischievous grin, earning himself a thumbs up from Ni-ki.

“Fine with me, but I’m coming with you both,” Jungwon shrugged, his tone casual yet decisive.

Then he pointed toward you, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “But I’m taking (Y/N) with me.”

Your heart skipped a beat at Jungwon’s unexpected declaration, and you blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by his sudden attention.

Sunoo rolled his eyes so hard you thought they might get stuck, snorting, “Might as well say you’re dragging us all, yeah?” His snicker quickly turned into a full-blown chuckle at Jungwon’s remark.

What made you catch your breath wasn’t just the Alpha’s sudden attention, but the fact that he remembered your name despite only properly interacting with him once or twice during your freshman year.

How could he not remember you? You were the Omega that plagued his mind and never left his thoughts.

“Are you sure? I might just bother you. It’s official student council business, anyways,” you mumbled, instinctively beginning to twirl a strand of your hair between your fingers—a nervous habit that often surfaced.

“It would be fun with you around. Means that I won’t get stuck with these two knuckleheads,” Sunoo grunted as he started walking toward the gigantic wooden doors, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

The four of you passed through the vast hallways that stretched endlessly, lined with towering windows overlooking the sprawling school fields.

The halls were nearly empty, the faint echo of your footsteps bouncing off the polished floors, a reminder that everyone else was locked away in their classrooms.

Jungwon slowed his pace until he was walking beside you, his papers still tucked neatly under his arm.

He leaned down slightly, his voice lowering into a whisper meant only for you. “Sorry for roping you into this,” he murmured, his breath brushing faintly against your ear.

You shook your head quickly, looking up at him just enough to whisper back, “It’s fine.”

Instinctively, Jungwon leaned down closer, closing the small gap between you as if he couldn’t help himself.

His sharp gaze softened, his lips twitching in the faintest smile at your words, though his scent wrapped tighter around you.

The sound of Sunoo’s exaggerated groan ahead snapped the moment, and the four of you finally reached the towering student council doors.

With perfect timing, none other than Park Sunghoon swung them open with a dramatic flair only he could accomplish, his sharp eyes immediately narrowing as he pointed accusingly at Sunoo.

“You!” Sunghoon exclaimed, his voice laced with annoyance as he locked eyes with the fox-like male.

Sunoo froze in his tracks, schooling his expression into wide-eyed innocence as he raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “Me?” he replied.

Sunghoon let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You know exactly what you did,” he retorted, though the sternness in his voice faltered under the hint of amusement tugging at his lips. “Heeseung’s looking for you, now.”

Sunoo only shrugged nonchalantly as he stepped inside the room, Jungwon and Ni-ki trailing close behind him.

You were quick to slip away before anyone could notice, blending seamlessly with the small crowd of students out in the field beyond the hallway windows.

The thought of standing at the receiving end of Park Sunghoon’s infamous temper was enough to have your feet moving fast, your presence vanishing before the four boys fully entered the council room.

Ni-ki glanced around, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Hey, where did (Y/N) go?” he quipped, scanning the space as if you’d simply disappeared into thin air.

“Who?” Sunghoon raised a brow at the unfamiliar name, his expression puzzled.

Sunoo, caught off guard, quickly looked around, feigning casualness as he scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, you know, (Y/N),” he replied with forced nonchalance.

Jungwon’s sharp gaze snapped to Sunoo, his cat-like eyes narrowing in a warning. The room seemed to shrink in on itself, the weight of curiosity thick in the air, every pair of eyes trained on them.

But Sunoo wasn’t about to back down.

The usual airy lilt in his voice faded, replaced by a colder, sharper tone—the kind of voice that reminded everyone that despite his playful exterior, he was still a pureblooded Alpha, dangerous when he wanted to be.

His lips curled into a smirk, one that could slice through Jungwon’s composure with ease. “My friend that Jungwon’s been crushing on for two years now… or was it three?”

Before Sunoo could finish, Jungwon’s patience finally snapped. With a swift motion, he rammed his elbow into Sunoo’s side, harder than he meant to.

The impact made Sunoo choke on air, his words cut short in a rough cough. Jungwon’s jaw clenched, the faintest flush rising to his cheeks as his composure cracked.

But instead of letting up, Sunoo only straightened with that same cutting grin. He lived for moments like this—pushing buttons until they broke.

His tone dropped even lower, slow and taunting, his eyes glinting with mischief that masked an unnerving authority.

“And who could blame you?” he drawled, tilting his head ever so slightly. “She’s your mate, after all… isn’t she?”

The words landed heavy, the room falling into stunned silence at the weight of his revelation.

A low growl rumbled out of Jungwon’s throat before he could stop it, primal and raw, the sound vibrating through the tense air. His denial was quick, but unsteady.

“Shut up, Sunoo.” His voice was rough, strained, and it only betrayed how hard he was trying to keep control.

Sunoo’s grin widened, teeth flashing, the taunt digging in deeper. “That’s it,” he whispered, almost gleeful, as though daring Jungwon to admit it aloud.

“The perfect Alpha, caught off guard by instincts he doesn’t even understand yet.”

Jungwon’s chest rose and fell sharply, his cat-like eyes flickering toward the hallway where you had vanished, then back to the group.

His lips parted, words barely scraping their way out as he forced himself to speak. “I… I didn’t realize it myself,” he admitted, voice heavy, reluctant.

“It’s not something I wanted to burden anyone with… especially not (Y/N).”

Jungwon stared at the empty hallway leading outside the student council room, where you had managed to slip away. Maybe Sunghoon’s dramatic entrance had startled you.

Either way, you were gone, and a wave of worry washed over him.

“Great,” Jungwon muttered under his breath, his mind racing with thoughts of where you might have gone. “Just great.”

Despite Jungwon’s sour mood, Sunoo only shrugged, smugness dripping off him. The corners of his mouth curling upward.

He looked almost proud of himself for finally pushing the younger Alpha into realizing what he’d been denying all this time.

Across the room, Heeseung caught Sunoo’s eye.

The current council president gave him a subtle nod, one that spoke volumes—approval, amusement, and maybe even a quiet ‘good job’ for cracking the unshakable Yang Jungwon.

The bright light of the library chandelier pressed against his closed eyelids, his temples throbbing with frustration—until a sudden tug on his ear snapped him back to reality.

He winced, turning to see Sunghoon grinning mischievously, his fingers still pinching Jungwon’s ear with infuriating playfulness.

“Daydreaming about your mate, huh?” Sunghoon teased, his voice low enough not to attract too much attention from others in the library.

Jungwon swatted Sunghoon’s hand away. “Shut the fuck up,” he muttered, his tone half-pleading, half-annoyed. He couldn’t afford to let his mate become a topic of gossip—especially not now.

Just then, Sunoo returned, spotting another chance to push Jungwon’s buttons. “Hey, it’s not every day you find out the stone-cold president of the student council has a soft spot,” he quipped, his grin widening.

Jungwon shot him a glare, but the intimidation he usually carried seemed to falter, losing its sharp edge. “Just drop it,” he warned, his voice carrying a mixture of frustration and unease.

The pink-haired Alpha’s grin softened slightly as he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll back off. For now,” he hummed.

Sunghoon, sensing the tension and eager to move things along, rolled his eyes. “Come on, you’re late to your own meeting, goddammit,” he said, already walking toward the door.

“We’ve got actual work to do.”

The student council room was noisy with activity as the meeting went on. Papers were scattered across the long wooden table, and the soft hum of voices filled the air.

Jungwon sat at the head of the table, his expression a mask of calm authority.

A disagreement broke out between two people, their voices rising above the general murmur.

Jungwon’s attention snapped back to the present as he realized one of them—a beta junior named Minjae—and Heeseung himself were at odds, with Minjae questioning a proposal Jungwon and Heeseung had spent weeks preparing.

“I just don’t see how this new policy is going to benefit anyone,” Minjae argued, his tone stubborn and dismissive.

“It’s too restrictive, and it’s going to make students resent the council even more—a curfew after one in the morning? What are we, middle schoolers?”

Jungwon’s jaw tightened as he listened to the objections. He had anticipated some resistance and disagreements, but Minjae’s tone bordered on insolence, challenging not just the proposal but the council’s authority as well—Yang Jungwon’s authority.

“Minjae,” Jungwon huffed, his voice calm but carrying a cold undertone, “this policy is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. We’ve already seen incidents where the lack of such regulations has led to serious problems.”

Minjae scoffed, crossing his arms. “Serious problems? Or just problems that make the council look bad? This feels more like a power play than anything else.”

Jungwon darkly chuckled, the sound resonating through the room like a thunderstorm.

Leaning forward slightly, he let his scent fill the air—what was once whiskey and cedarwood turned into the foul bite of burning coffee and charred wood; the subtle but undeniable aura of dominance making the room feel heavier.

Heeseung and Jay exchanged uneasy glances, aware of what the young Alpha could do when pushed to his limits.

“Power play?” Jungwon growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Minjae faltered for a moment, visibly affected by the intensity of Jungwon’s burning scent and undeniable authority. But his stubbornness drove him to continue.

“I just think there are better ways to handle this. Ways that don’t involve overstepping your bounds.”

Jungwon’s eyes glinted with a cold fury, his anger a quiet storm that promised chaos and destruction for the beta seated across the table.

“Overstepping my bounds?” he asked, his tone dangerously calm.

“Let me make something perfectly clear, Minjae. My bounds are defined by the responsibility I carry to protect and lead this council. The responsibility that I carry as Yang Jungwon.”

With a swift motion, Jungwon stood up, slamming his hands on the table. The loud crack echoed through the room, silencing everyone instantly.

“Let me remind you all of what happens when we fail to act as decent members of this council,” Jungwon continued, his voice now a low, threatening growl.

“Every time we hesitate, every time we allow chaos to happen, we fail in our duty. This policy is not about power; it is about protection.”

Jungwon hummed, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “And if you can’t see that, you might as well surrender your position to someone more competent.”

His words hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the standards Jungwon demanded from his fellow council members.

Minjae shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of the Alpha’s words pressing down on him.

“But—” Minjae began, his voice faltering under Jungwon’s unwavering gaze.

“No buts,” Jungwon interjected, his tone firm. “We cannot afford to entertain doubts or indecision.”

Minjae swallowed hard, his defiance waning in the face of Jungwon’s authority. With a nod, he conceded, “I… I understand.”

Jungwon nodded in response, his expression softening slightly but still bearing the weight of his authority. “Good. Now, let’s proceed with the vote. All in favor?”

One by one, hands rose around the table. Jungwon’s smirk was subtle but it was there, a silent acknowledgment of his victory.

As the meeting shifted, Jungwon turned his gaze back to Minjae, his expression sharpening once more. “I’ll speak to you next week regarding your behavior toward this council—and toward the vice president.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Heeseung, who tilted his head in amusement, lips twitching as if he were entertained by Minjae’s impending lecture.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Jungwon began, his voice commanding yet composed, “I have more important matters to attend to. All the other higher-up members are excused as well.”

He glanced around the table, meeting each council member’s eyes with finality. “I’m letting Soobin take over this meeting.”

As he began to walk away, six figures rose from their seats and followed him out of the room, their expressions unreadable.

As the seven Alphas disappeared from view, Jake let out a snort, his words breaking the silence.

“Dude, I thought Minjae was going to die,” Jake laughed, his voice filled with amusement, as they walked toward the stairs leading down to the university lobby.

Heeseung chuckled, shaking his head at Jake’s comment. “Well, thankfully it didn’t come to that,” he replied, his tone teasing.

“He’ll either be dead or lose his position,” Jay chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm as he joined the conversation.

Jungwon glanced at Jay, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Let’s hope for his sake it’s the latter, yeah?” the president quipped, his tone dry but tinged with amusement.

“Didn’t we leave a little early? What time’s the banquet anyways?” Sunoo walked beside them, his stride matching theirs as they made their way down the stairs.

They all carried themselves with confidence, their shoulders squared and heads held high.

The echoes of their private tutors’ voices from their younger years were etched in their minds: ‘Stand up straight with your head held high. Remember who you are.’

Sunghoon chuckled at Sunoo’s question, adjusting his tie with a flick of his wrist. “We left a little bit late, to be honest. The banquet starts at 7:00 p.m.,” he answered, a smirk playing on his lips.

Heeseung nodded in agreement, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Plenty of time to make a grand entrance,” he added with a smirk.

Jay grinned, his gaze sweeping over the bustling university lobby, where familiar faces mingled among strangers.

“To hell if they get angry at us for being late; our families made this big event happen,” he quipped, earning a round of chuckles from the group.

“Please, young master, stop fussing or we won’t get anything done at all.”

The annoyance emitting from Jungwon’s personal assistant, who had been with him since he was young, echoed in the hotel room where he was currently situated.

Jungwon let out an exasperated sigh, his reflection staring back at him from the mirror as he adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. “I just want everything to be perfect,” he muttered.

Beside him, the hair stylist huffed in irritation as Jungwon shifted again, causing strands of hair to fall out of place.

Jungwon offered a small apology, realizing his restlessness was causing a mess for those around him.

“Young master, if I may,” his assistant paused, as if trying to find the right words. “You’ve never been this… fidgety before an event. What changed?”

Jungwon’s gaze flickered away from his reflection for a moment. He hesitated before responding, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be seeing someone tonight. Someone important.”

His assistant’s eyebrows raised in curiosity. “Do I know who this person is?” he inquired, his tone laced with intrigue.

Jungwon hesitated for a moment before answering. “Do you know the (L/N) family?” he asked, his voice slightly strained.

The young Alpha’s assistant nodded knowingly. “Ah, young master, who doesn’t?” he replied with a knowing smile, his eyes reflecting understanding.

“I see. Well, I’m sure everything will go perfectly tonight. Just relax and be yourself. You’ll do wonderfully, as you always do.”

Jungwon managed a dry chuckle, though it held a hint of bitterness. “It seems like their only daughter… doesn’t like being around me,” he confessed, his words low.

“It’s not that she outright avoids me, but—she keeps her distance. Limits the time we spend together, like she’s uneasy when I’m near.” His reflection hardened in the mirror, a faint frustration pulling at his features.

His assistant’s brow furrowed in concern, sensing the frustration within his young master. “Why do you think that is?” he asked gently, his voice filled with curiosity.

Jungwon’s expression darkened slightly, a shadow crossing his features as he sighed.

“I’ve been seeing her for two years. Around the school halls, classrooms, the library—everywhere. And yet, every time I think we’ll have a real conversation, she finds a way to cut it short. It’s like she’s always slipping through my fingers.”

The door creaked open, and the unmistakable scent of red wine and leather filled the room—Heeseung. Jungwon’s eyes darted toward the older Alpha as he strode in casually, hands in his pockets.

“I told you, maybe she just hates your scent,” Heeseung remarked bluntly, his tone laced with amusement as he leaned against the dresser.

A low growl escaped Jungwon’s throat at the intrusion, his shoulders tensing. “Easy for you to say,” he snapped, narrowing his eyes at his friend. “You have a girlfriend.”

Heeseung only smirked, clearly enjoying himself as he shrugged. “Not my fault your charm doesn’t work on everyone.”

Jungwon huffed, irritation pulling at his chest as he adjusted his tie again, trying to ignore the older Alpha’s grin.

“Or maybe she hates all of you and avoids me because of your collective stupidity,” he muttered, shooting a pointed look at Heeseung.

Heeseung only chuckled, unbothered, his sharp grin widening.

“Before I say anything, let me remind you—just because I’m happy now doesn’t mean I didn’t chase her first. You know my girlfriend made me suffer before she even looked my way.”

Jungwon let out a low scoff, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted his cuffs. “You deserved it.”

That made Heeseung laugh outright, his head tipping back for a moment before his eyes gleamed with amusement.

“Whatever it is, you’ll figure it out,” he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying Jungwon’s discomfort—it made his inner Alpha howl in laughter.

“Now, stop worrying about it. We’ve got a banquet to attend, remember?”

Jungwon’s jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly in acknowledgment. Heeseung’s teasing was the last thing he needed right now, especially when thoughts of you were already swirling through his mind.

“Plus, you have the whole evening to go look for her,” Heeseung added with a knowing grin, his tone light but suggestive.

Jungwon shot him a glare, but the playful smirk remained plastered on Heeseung’s face.

The loud chatter and classical music overtook Jungwon’s senses as he stepped into the grand ballroom of the luxurious venue hosting tonight’s banquet.

The vast space was adorned with sparkling chandeliers, intricate floral arrangements, and elegant décor. The young Alpha’s cat-like eyes scanned the room, searching for any familiar faces among the sea of attendees.

He spotted Ni-ki and Sunghoon engaged in conversation with a group of prestigious guests, their charismatic presence drawing attention from all corners of the room.

Jungwon glanced at Heeseung, and the two shared a knowing look. Together, they squared their shoulders and adjusted their suits, movements deliberate and composed.

Tonight, he was more than just a young Alpha heir attending a social event—he was a representative of the Yang family, and he intended to uphold their legacy with grace and authority.

As Jungwon descended the spiral stairs, his presence commanded attention, and a hush seemed to blanket the entire room.

Heads turned, whispers were exchanged, and all eyes shifted to the young Alpha making his entrance.

The dim lighting cast a soft glow over his features, accentuating the sharp line of his jaw and the intensity of his gaze.

With each step, confidence radiated outward, his very aura dripping with authority and power.

They called him many things, but tonight the whispers grew louder, echoing through the gilded hall—this generation’s god and savior.

Heeseung followed closely behind, mirroring the same power and grace. His presence exuded confidence and authority, complementing Jungwon’s own commanding aura.

“Always with the dramatic entrance.” A voice drawled, making the two Alphas tear their attention away from the crowd.

Glancing to the right, they were met with a pair of ever-so-familiar fox-like eyes that anyone could recognize.

“There you are, you little shit,” Jungwon acknowledged, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Sunoo, with his signature playful grin, approached them with an air of nonchalance. He was dressed impeccably, his suit perfectly tailored to his frame, and though his aura was less imposing than the two standing in front of him, he still undeniably radiated the kind of magnetism that screamed pureblooded Alpha.

“Couldn’t help but notice the hush that fell over the room as you two made your grand entrance,” Sunoo teased, his tone light but edged with mischief.

“It’s like watching a scene from a movie—two Alphas descending from on high to mingle with us mere mortals.”

Heeseung chuckled, shaking his head as Sunghoon’s voice erupted from his right. “Stop talking as if you aren’t one yourself,” he retorted, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Sunoo laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to capture the attention of those around them.

“Oh, come now, dude. You know I prefer to keep things interesting. Besides, where’s the fun in being just another Alpha when you can be so much more?”

“You all are acting like children,” Jay chided, approaching the group with a smirk, Jake and Ni-ki trailing behind him.

He held two glasses of champagne, one of which Jungwon promptly snatched from his hand. Jay’s eyes followed him as he watched his friend take a long sip, clearly trying to calm his nerves.

Heeseung raised his glass in a mock toast. “To our savior—the Yang heir who’s finally growing some balls and is trying to find his mate as we speak.”

Jungwon shot Heeseung a glare but couldn’t help the small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Very funny,” he muttered, taking another sip of his champagne.

Jake chuckled, adjusting his tie. “Hey, if it gets you to finally talk to her, I’m all for it.”

“Dude, I don’t know if I have hearing problems, but I swear I just heard some old people talking about Jungwon’s engagement,” Ni-ki chimed in, his tone half-joking but laced with curiosity.

Jungwon’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of an engagement.

“Engagement?” he echoed, his voice filled with a mix of irritation and disbelief. He couldn’t even talk to his own mate, let alone think about an engagement.

Ni-ki shrugged, glancing around the room. “Yeah, you know how these events are. Rumors fly faster than anything.”

Heeseung’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t be surprising if people started speculating. The Yang family is more than well-known, and people love to gossip.”

Jay nodded in agreement. “Especially when there’s a young, eligible Alpha like you, Jungwon. They’re bound to talk.”

The young Alpha let out a frustrated sigh. “Well, they’re wrong. There’s no engagement. Not yet, anyway. I don’t even know at this point.”

His voice carried nothing but confusion, the weight of the so-called rumor finally dawning on him.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, his usual playful, nonchalant demeanor replaced with concern. “You don’t know? What’s going on? This isn’t like you.”

Jungwon ran a hand through his hair, messing up the careful styling. “I can’t even talk to (Y/N) without her disappearing, and now I just found out that I’m supposedly engaged? Goddammit!”

His voice rose with frustration, drawing the attention of a few nearby guests who quickly looked away, sensing the tension.

Jake stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Jungwon’s shoulder. “Hey, take it easy. This whole thing sounds like a mess, but we’ll figure it out. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.”

Jungwon shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. “I don’t think it’s just a rumor, Jake. My parents have been hinting at it for months, but I didn’t think they’d actually go through with it without telling me.”

Sunghoon, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “Have you tried talking to your parents about it? Maybe they have a reason for keeping you in the dark.”

“I have no idea where they are,” Jungwon replied, frustration lacing his words.

He scanned the room again, hoping to catch a glimpse of his parents among the elegantly dressed attendees, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Jake, always observant, pointed towards a group near the buffet table. “Isn’t that your sister over there?”

Jungwon’s eyes followed the gesture, landing on his older sister, Jia. She was standing with a few friends, her bright smile contrasting sharply with his current mood.

Taking a deep breath, Jungwon made his way towards her, his friends following closely behind.

Jia turned, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Jungwon! I didn’t expect to see you down here so soon,” she said, her tone cheerful—before quickly noticing the furrow in his brows.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you know where Mom and Dad are?” Jungwon asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Jia glanced around before nodding. “I think they’re in the VIP lounge, talking with some important guests. Why? What’s going on?”

Jungwon hesitated for a moment, not wanting to burden his sister with his frustrations, but he knew he needed to get to the bottom of this.

“I just found out there’s a rumor going around about my engagement. I need to talk to them.”

His sister’s eyes widened in shock. “Engagement? But… you aren’t supposed to know yet…” she trailed off, her words faltering as she caught the shock plastered on her brother’s face.

Her expression turned serious. “I’ll take you to them. Come on.”

Jungwon shared a nod with Heeseung and the rest of the group before following his sister out of the bustling area.

As they walked, he couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean I wasn’t supposed to know? You knew?”

Jia bit her lip, glancing at her younger brother with a mixture of guilt and concern. “I found out by accident weeks ago. I overheard Mom and Dad talking about it. I didn’t think it was my place to tell you.”

The young Alpha’s jaw tightened, his frustration mounting. “So everyone knew except for me? That’s just great,” he muttered sarcastically.

Jia sighed and reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Jungwon. I should have said something. I just thought… I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary stress until they were ready to talk to you.”

Jungwon sighed, his anger fading away. “I get it. It’s just that this whole thing is a mess. I need to talk to them and figure out what’s going on.”

As they approached the doors of the VIP lounge, Jungwon took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. One look at the siblings, and the guards let them in wordlessly.

The room beyond was luxurious, filled with an air of exclusivity. The rich fabrics and decorations spoke of old money and high society.

Inside, Jungwon spotted his parents in deep conversation with a group of well-dressed individuals.

His father, with his commanding presence, and his mother, with her elegant poise, looked every bit the powerful figures they were. Surrounding them were other notable figures from influential families.

“Mom, Dad,” Jungwon called out, his voice steady but firm. The conversation ceased as his parents turned to face him, surprise and curiosity evident in their expressions.

“Jungwon, what’s the matter?” his father asked, his tone a mix of concern and authority.

The young Alpha took a deep breath, stepping forward. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

“Ah, you must be Jungwon,” a voice he recognized interrupted, making him snap his head in its direction.

Mr. (L/N), with his intimidating presence, was seated nearby, his gaze sharp and calculating. His wife, Mrs. (L/N), sat beside him with a kind smile as she observed the heir of the Yang family.

Jungwon’s heart skipped a beat as he realized the implications of Mr. (L/N)’s presence.

If your parents were here, it could only mean one thing—you were the one Jungwon was supposedly getting engaged to. But he didn’t want to jump to conclusions just yet.

“Mr. (L/N),” the young Alpha greeted, trying to maintain his composure despite his inner Alpha clawing within him. “What brings you here?”

Mr. (L/N) regarded him with a knowing smile, his eyes glittering with hidden meaning. “I’m here to discuss matters of mutual interest with your parents,” he replied in a hushed tone, his expression unreadable.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and a mixture of shock and disbelief washed over him. His mind raced with questions, but one thing was clear: he needed answers, and he needed them now.

“Oh, it was very impolite of me to appear without notice. I deeply apologize,” Jungwon’s older sister, Jia, interjected, coming to his aid.

Sensing her brother’s silent plea, Jia nodded subtly, her expression conveying understanding and support. “Let’s go,” she murmured to Jungwon, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they moved away from the VIP lounge, the air seemed to grow heavier, each step Jungwon took gnawing at his insides. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.

“Have you seen (Y/N)?” Jungwon abruptly asked his sister, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. The mere mention of your name seemed to do things to him.

Jia glanced at him, her expression softening. “I saw her earlier, she was in the garden,” she replied, her voice calm but laced with concern.

He let out a sigh of relief he hadn’t realized he’d been holding in. “The garden,” Jungwon repeated.

With a quick goodbye to his sister, the Alpha wasted no time. He took off towards the garden, paying no heed to the curious glances of onlookers as he ran like a madman.

The lush greenery of the garden enveloped Jungwon as he entered, the scent of blooming flowers filling his senses with their sweet fragrance. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze was a stark contrast to the darkness his gaze held.

The moonlight filtered through the canopy of trees above, casting patterns of light and shadow on the ground below. His senses were heightened as he kept on walking.

With each step he took, the scent of sweet cream and lavender grew stronger, pulling him like a magnet.

It was a scent he recognized more than his own name, one that made him question his hold on his own sanity—the very scent that belonged to the Omega he had already claimed as his from the moment your eyes met his.

And then, there you were, standing near a bush of blooming roses, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.

You looked as beautiful as ever, the gentle light accentuating the delicate features of your face and the soft curves of your figure.

Your dress hugged your body in all the right places, the fabric flowing gracefully around you as if it were made just for you.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Jungwon took in the sight of you, his heart swelling with love and longing. Everything else faded away, leaving only the two of you under the moonlight.

“I finally got you to myself, Omega,” he breathed, his voice a low whisper filled with affection and desire.

There was a sense of longing in his voice, as if he had been chasing you for an eternity and now, finally, you were within his grasp.

The familiar voice made you turn around, your heart skipping a beat at the sight of Jungwon standing there. He looked perfect, bathed in the moonlight, his features softened by the gentle glow. His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions.

You felt a rush of warmth spread through you at the intensity of his gaze, his words sending shivers down your spine.

“Jungwon,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath as you took in the sight of him.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity as he reached out to touch your hand. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from you any longer.”

You felt tears welling up in your eyes at his words, overwhelmed by his sincerity.

Without a second thought, you stepped into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body and his scent enveloping you.

“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you,” you confessed, your voice muffled against his chest. “I was scared at the thought of you rejecting me as your mate.”

Jungwon pulled back slightly, his hands cupping your face as he looked into your eyes with nothing but love. “I would never reject you, (Y/N),” he said firmly, his gaze filled with devotion.

“You’re my mate, my other half. Nothing in this world could ever change that. Why do you think I kept scenting you, huh? Why do you think I couldn’t stay away from you even when I tried? Every time I caught your scent, I lost control—it was always you.”

“I’ve been in love with you ever since you avoided me during our freshman tour,” he admitted, his usually calm voice trembling with emotion as he met your gaze.

Jungwon’s expression softened as he stared deeper into your eyes, a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I knew from that moment that you were someone special,” he confessed, his thumb gently brushing against your cheek.

“And I’ve been waiting for the day when I could finally tell you how much you mean to me.”

“You’ve always had a way of making my heart race, even when you ran away from me, even when I tried to ignore it,” Jungwon whispered, his voice barely above a breath as he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours.

“I love you, (Y/N), more than words can express.”

“Can I kiss you?” Jungwon’s voice was barely above a whisper, his breath warm against your skin as he looked into your eyes as if you would disappear if he looked away.

You nodded, unable to find your voice as you leaned in closer, your breath mingling with his.

With a soft smile, Jungwon closed the distance between you, his lips capturing yours in a gentle yet passionate kiss. It felt like coming home, the warmth of his touch melting away any lingering doubts or fears.

Surrounded by the beauty of the garden and the sweet scent of flowers, all that mattered was the love you shared.

The sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow into the room as the new day began.

In the peaceful morning, the both of you lay entwined in each other’s arms, the remnants of sleep still lingering on your faces.

With a soft smile, Jungwon pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his heart overflowing with love for the Omega beside him.

“Good morning, my love,” he whispered, his voice filled with tenderness as he brushed a strand of hair away from your face.

You stirred at Jungwon’s touch, a sleepy smile tugging at your lips as you gazed up at him. “Good morning, Alpha,” you murmured, your voice still heavy with sleep.

You relished in the warmth of his embrace, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you as you snuggled closer to him.

With a gentle sigh, you remembered the responsibilities of the day ahead. “We have to get to school in a few hours,” you mumbled, reluctantly pulling away from Jungwon’s embrace as you glanced at the clock beside his bed.

“The fuck are they going to do if I told them that I need some time with my mate? I’m literally the council president,” Jungwon retorted, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.

“Language!” you chided gently, a playful smile dancing on your lips as you reached out to tousle his hair affectionately.

“But still, we need to go,” you continued, your tone softening with understanding. “As much as I wish we could stay like this forever, duty calls, my dear Alpha.”

Jungwon sighed reluctantly, but nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering. “You’re right, as always,” he conceded, pressing a lingering kiss to you, savoring the moment before you two attended to your responsibilities.

“But I need to scent you first,” he added, his voice low and possessive, authority seeping into his tone. “Can’t have some stupid Alphas claiming you under my watch now, huh?”

You chuckled softly at his protective demeanor, leaning into him as he pressed his nose against your neck, inhaling deeply as he left his strong scent of whiskey and cedarwood on you, his scent mingling with yours in possession.

“Now we really gotta go,” you said with a playful smile, gently pulling away from his embrace—much to his dismay—and heading towards the bathroom to freshen up before starting the day.

The sight of their intimidating student council president and pureblooded Alpha, accompanied by the shy Omega, wasn’t a sight that the whole student body was expecting.

As Jungwon and you walked through the halls of the school, heads turned, whispers echoing in the air as students exchanged surprised glances.

Some couldn’t help but stare openly, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected pairing.

Others watched with a mixture of admiration and envy, recognizing the significance of the Alpha and Omega being together in such a public manner.

“Are you sure you really want to carry that?” your voice was barely above a whisper as you pointed towards your hyper-feminine bag that Jungwon was carrying with pride, amusement evident in your voice.

Jungwon chuckled softly, glancing down at the bag before meeting your gaze with a playful smirk. “Of course,” he replied, his tone light and teasing. “It’s an honor to carry something that belongs to my mate.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his response, shaking your head in disbelief at the sight of the usually composed Alpha carrying your very pink bag without a hint of hesitation.

The screams of shock snapped you out of your little moment, causing you to turn towards the source of the sound.

Heeseung, followed by the others, was striding towards the two of you, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

“Yang Jungwon, you sly motherfucker!” Heeseung exclaimed, his voice ringing out in the hallway as he reached the both of you.

Out of instinct, you hid behind Jungwon, feeling a rush of embarrassment at the sudden attention. Jungwon, ever protective, instinctively moved closer, wrapping a reassuring arm around you as he faced his friends.

Jay grinned at the sight, clearly amused by your reaction. “Look at you two. It’s like a scene from a movie,” he teased, his tone playful as he nudged Jungwon with his elbow.

Jungwon shot Jay a playful glare before turning his attention back to you, his expression softening. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice soothing. “They’re just teasing.”

“Holy fuck, who are you and what happened to the Jungwon that we know!?” Sunoo exclaimed, his eyes wide with mock disbelief as he approached, his tone playful.

Jungwon rolled his eyes at Sunoo’s dramatics but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “You’re just jealous that I’m not scowling for once,” he retorted, his tone laced with amusement.

The pink-haired Alpha chuckled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “Damn right I am,” he teased, flashing a grin at you.

“But seriously, it’s good to see you both together. About time, if you ask me.”

“Thanks, Sunoo,” you replied, your voice filled with gratitude as you glanced up at Jungwon.

Jungwon squeezed your hand reassuringly, his gaze softening as he looked at you.

Heeseung was quick to nudge Sunoo to move, earning a scowl from the pink-haired Alpha as the dark-haired one stepped forward, shaking your hand with a friendly grin.

“Hi. I’m Heeseung. I’m sure my girlfriend would love you,” he said, his voice light with charm.

Jungwon watched the sight with a small smile, his chest swelling at how naturally you fit into his world, as if you’d always belonged there.

“That’s how you get the Omega, I guess.” he murmured, his voice filled with affection.

taglist: @hoonbrry @hime98 @chae-darling @moonchus @peatchiedii @creamkwan @nyfwyeonjun @whoe-dis @woonie-muffin @caelumsjy @90sni-ki @leiomorea @junjungsunwoo @in-somnias-world @notcamii @yizhoutv @lovesickth @elairah @graythecoffeebean @skyearby @ikeumina @blckorchidd @littlebambi-isdee @immelissaaa @jakesfurry @dreamy-carat @cristy-101 @m1kkso @h4niyahcar @firstclassjaylee

INSPIRED BY : What You Need - The Weeknd

(+ Slow It Down - Ty Dolla $ign)

What could be worse than going to the restaurant with your boyfriend a week after you found out that he’s been cheating on you? Oh right, you don’t know. Ethan orders for himself without asking what you're having first, catches himself halfway through, and asks you anyway. You already know what you want because you always know what you want here.

His phone sits face up next to his water glass. It lights up twice in the first ten minutes. Both times he glances down, thumb hovering, before setting it back exactly where it was. "Sorry," he says, not looking up from the screen the third time. "Work thing."

You nod like that made sense. You've heard about Heeseung's terrible taste in restaurants, about his cowoker’s dog, about traffic on the way here ; three separate stories he's started and abandoned mid-sentence because his attention keeps sliding sideways toward that phone.

"You could put it away," you say, tired enough that it comes out flat.

"I know. I will." He actually doesn't.

The waiter brings your food and Ethan eats fast, he’s already somewhere else in his mind. You ask about his sister's move to Daegu and get half an answer before his phone buzzes again and he actually picks it up this time, thumb moving across the screen, brow furrowed like the message requires real concentration.

You watch him read it. You watch his jaw do a small tightening, and you already know before he opens his mouth. "I have to go in," he says. "They need someone to cover a shift. I'm really sorry, I know we just got here."

Work doesn't call people in at 9:47 at night for office emergencies. You've known things like this for months now, small inconsistencies that don't line up if you actually stack them next to each other, which is why you stopped stacking them.

"Now?" you ask anyway, knowing how it will end up anyway.

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to." He's already reaching for his wallet, already half out of his seat. "I'll make it up to you. Promise."

You tell him it's fine and to go, that you'll finish eating and head home. He kisses the top of your head, distracted, already checking his phone again as he walks toward the door, and you sit there with a plate you've lost interest in and a boyfriend-shaped absence across the table.

Your phone buzzes. Heeseung.

Heeseung [9:54 PM]

you good?

saw ethan's location just switched to "downtown" lol at 9pm

You stare at the message for a second too long before you type back.

Y/N [9:54 PM]

he had a work thing apparently

Heeseung [9:55 PM]

mhm. sure he did

You almost put the phone down.

Y/N [9:55 PM]

please don’t start

Heeseung [9:57 PM]

wasn't gonna say anything. i'm very good at not saying things

Y/N [9:57 PM]

you're the worst at not saying things btw

Heeseung [9:58 PM]

rude.

i've been holding back SO much tonight and this is the thanks i get

You find yourself smiling at your phone, alone at a table for two, food going cold in front of you. Even though you couldn’t care less.

The waiter comes by to clear Ethan's plate and asks if you need anything else, and you're halfway through saying no when your phone buzzes again.

Heeseung [10:05 PM]

where are you?

sending someone to get you before you sit there being sad and pathetic

Y/N [10:05 PM]

wdym I’m not sad and pathetic

Heeseung [10:06 PM]

you're eating alone at a restaurant your boyfriend just ditched. what else could it be?

address please.

You give him the name of the place mostly because arguing about whether you're pathetic or not would take more energy than you have left right now. Fifteen minutes later Heeseung walks in wearing a jacket you’ve seen plenty of times, scanning the room until he finds you, and drops into the seat across from you like he's been there the whole time.

"You didn't have to come, you know." you state.

"I know that very well. I wanted to see you sad and pathetic in person." He picks up the menu even though you're clearly done eating, flips through it without really looking. "Also I was bored."

"Comforting."

"I try." He waves the waiter over before you can stop him, orders a drink for himself, and when the bill comes a few minutes later he reaches over and takes it before you can even move your hand toward it.

"Heeseung."

"Yeah?"

"Give me that."

"No." He's already pulling out his card, not even glancing at the total.

"I can pay for my own food."

"Never said you couldn't." He hands the card to the waiter without looking at you, and something about how easy it is for him : he acts like it costs him nothing and like it’s something he has to do but does it naturally. The inside of your stomach is tingling and obviously not because of the food you had earlier.

"I'm being serious, I don't need you to—"

"I know you don't need me to." He lifts his gaze and looks at you with less joking in it than a second ago. "I want to. Learn how it’s not the same."

"That's not the point."

"What's the point, then?"

You freezes, not an answer or a talk back could reach your mind, and he grins like he's won something.

"Aw, look at that," he says. "I missed that face."

"I fucking hate you."

"You don't. You're just annoyed you can't win an argument about who gets to pay for your dinner, which, by the way, is a very weird thing to be stubborn about."

"It's called having self-respect."

"It's called being difficult for no reason, but sure, we can call it self-respect if that makes you feel better." The card comes back and he signs without checking the receipt, tucks it away, and stands up casually. "Come on. I'm parked badly and I will get towed."

"You fucking asshole."

"You keep saying that like it's news." He holds his hand out, not really an offer so much as an assumption you'll take it, and you do.

He gets in to start the car, and has a cigarette lit before you've even got your seatbelt on. The window cracks an inch, cold air cutting through the smoke smell that's already filling the small space.

"You know those are terrible for you," you say.

"Groundbreaking information. Thank you." He takes a drag, one hand on the wheel, not pulling out of the spot yet.

"I'm dead serious. You should stop."

"I should do a lot of things." He glances at you sideways, smoke curling out the window. "You should stop pretending you don't know your boyfriend's cheating on you. We're both just walking around not doing things we should, I guess."

The car goes quiet except for the engine idling. You look straight ahead at the brick wall of the restaurant, at nothing. "I don't know what you're talking about," you say in a breathy tone.

"Sure you don't." He's not looking at you now either, tapping ash out the window, voice even, done pretending along with you. "His location switches off every other night. He checks his phone at dinner like it's gonna bite him if he doesn't. Tonight he left you at a restaurant for a 'work thing' that doesn't exist, and you didn't even ask him to explain it properly. You just let him go."

"That's not—" You stop and start again. "It's complicated."

"It's really not." He finally pulls out of the spot, one hand on the wheel, cigarette still between two fingers. "You don't want to deal with it. Which, fine, your business. But don't sit there and tell me you don't know, because I’m aware for the phone thing tonight too, and you didn't look surprised. You looked like someone who's done the math already."

There isn't a version of an answer that isn't just agreeing with him. So silence is the best option you could have at this moment.

"I'm not trying to make it worse, okay?" he says, softer, some of the edge gone out of his voice. "I just don't really feel like watching you sit through dinners like that and pretend it's normal."

"Why do you even care?"

He takes another drag and lets it out slow.

"Good question," he says finally without elaborating further, yet you don’t want to know more of it, because you're not sure you want to hear the answer any more than he seems to want to give it.

He drives you around the city for a while then turns left instead of right at the light that would've led back toward your apartment. The road opens up eventually, streetlights getting sparser, and then there's the smell of salt before you see the water. He parks in a mostly empty lot facing the beach, cuts the engine, and the quiet that follows feels different from the quiet in the restaurant parking lot. It’s less loaded.

"Why are we here?" you ask.

"I needed air that doesn't smell like your ex's cologne." He's already pulling his jacket off, tossing it into the back seat. Underneath he's just in a black tank top, and it's warm enough out that it makes sense, summer nights here never really cooling off the way you'd expect. "Also I like it here. Don't make it a big deal."

"He's not my ex."

"Give it time." He says it lightly, already opening his door, not wanting to hear you argue back. "Come."

You get out as sitting in the car alone would feel worse than following him. The sand is cool yet the air isn't, and he walks ahead of you toward the water without checking if you're behind him, hands in his pockets and shoulders loose.

"You could've warned me we were going to the beach," you say, catching up. "I'm in the wrong shoes for this."

"You're in shoes. That's more preparation than I did."

"You're wearing actual sneakers."

"Correct. Preparation." He glances back at you, the corner of his mouth pulling up. "Take them off if you're gonna complain the whole time."

"I'm not complaining, it was just a statement."

"Same thing, coming from you."

You shove his shoulder, and he barely moves as he laughs, low and light, as your annoyance is the most entertaining thing that's happened to him all week. The water's dark ahead of you, waves you can hear more than see, you can feel the knot in your belly loosening up.

"So this is the fresh air you talked about," you say, kicking your heels off like he told you to, sand cold between your toes. "Very noble of you, considering your lungs are probably black at this point."

"They're totally fine."

"You just smoked an entire cigarette in a closed car ten minutes ago."

"The window was cracked."

"Barely an inch."

He stops walking. He turns to look at you, and there's a specific kind of offense on his face, you can see that’s it’s fake. "Okay, you don't get to smoke-shame me and then act like you weren't the one who wanted to eat a hundred tons of sugar last week."

"That has nothing to do with your lungs."

"It's about hypocrisy, Y/N." He's already crossing his arms, which should've been your first warning. "You wanna talk about people ruining their bodies, we can talk about those candies."

"That's not remotely the same thing, and you know it."

"I don't know anything. I'm just a guy with fucked up lungs, apparently, standing here, getting attacked—"

"I didn't attack you, I made a freaking statement—"

"—run," he says, it's not really a warning and it's already happening, he's moving toward you before the word's even fully out. You don't think and you just run, already laughing three steps away, sand slowing you down and you probably look embarrassing and isn't because he's not much faster, both of you stumbling across the beach. He's close behind you, close enough that you can hear him laughing too, breathless, yet you don't look back and just keep going toward nothing in particular, the water loud beside you and your own heartbeat louder, making you forget why you were sad in the first place.

"Slow down!" you yell back at him, though you're the one speeding up. "Your lungs can't take this!"

"They're taking it fine, actually—" He's gaining on you, voice rougher now from the running, the laughing, both. "Better than yours, probably, all that complaining you do about stairs—"

"I don't even complain about stairs—"

"You complained about stairs yesterday. To my face."

"That building has no elevator, that's a legitimate—" You don't get to finish, because his hand catches your arm, hard enough to throw your balance off, and you're laughing too much to fight it anyway.

"Got you—"

"You didn't—"

He did. Your feet tangle in the sand and his do too trying to compensate, and there's a second where it could've gone fine, where you both could've just stopped, but now you're both going down, and he twists at the last second so he hits the sand first and you land half on top of him, knocking whatever air he had left in those apparently terrible lungs straight out of him.

"Okay," he wheezes, staring up at the sky, chest moving fast under you. "Okay, that one's on me."

You're still laughing, you can't stop, face pressed near his shoulder, sand in your hair, in your clothes, everywhere. "You caught me on purpose."

"I caught you very badly on purpose."

"Your lungs are so fucked."

"Please stop talking about my lungs." He's laughing too, you can feel it more than hear it, his chest shaking under where you're braced against him, and neither of you moves to get up right away, and it takes a second before either of you remembers there's a reason you're supposed to pull away from this.

"Great," you say, still not moving off him. "Now I'm covered in sand. This was a bad idea."

"It was my favorite plan I've had all week."

"You've had bad judgment all week, then." You finally push yourself up, brushing sand off your arms, off your legs, a losing battle. He sits up slower, still catching his breath, watching you try to fix your hair with zero success.

"I'm also thirsty," you add.

"There's water in the car."

"Warm water in a car that smells like cigarettes doesn't count."

He stands, holds a hand out to pull you up, and doesn't let go right away once you're on your feet. He looks at you for a second, he seems like he's deciding something. "Come to mine. Shower, water, whatever you need. It’s better than dropping you off covered in sand at eleven at night."

"Heeseung, I don't need—"

"You keep saying that word like it changes anything about what I'm gonna do anyway." He's already walking back toward the car, keys spinning once around his finger. "Come on."

His apartment turns out to be nothing like you expected, which annoys you a little, because you'd built some idea of his place in your head ; messy, small ; and instead the elevator opens straight into something enormous, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the city, furniture that looks like it costs a hundred racks, which does.

"This is insane," you say, standing in the doorway, still not fully inside. "You live here? Alone?"

"Don't sound so betrayed about it."

"I pictured you in, like, a studio apartment with a mattress on the floor."

"Wow. Thank you for that image of me." He drops his keys on the counter, shrugging like the apartment doesn't warrant comment. "Bathroom's down the hall, second door. There's towels in there. I'll find you something to change into that isn't full of sand."

You still haven't moved from the doorway, taking in the size of it, the quietness of a place too clean to belong to someone who bickers the way he does. "How do you even afford this?"

"Very boring answer. Ask me another time." He's already disappearing down the hall, calling back over his shoulder. "Towels. Bathroom. Go before you track sand into my very expensive rug."

You linger by the counter instead of heading for the bathroom yet, arms crossed, sand still clinging to your ankles. "Okay, but—when am I getting home tonight? I have work in the morning."

He reappears from the hallway with a folded shirt and shorts in hand, tossing them onto the couch for you. "Never. You live here now. I've decided."

"Heeseung."

"It's already, what, eleven thirty? You're covered in sand, your options are a shower here or a shower at home in forty-five minutes of traffic smelling like a beach." He shrugs, entirely too pleased with his own logic. "I'll drive you back whenever. Or you sleep on the world's most comfortable couch and I take you home before work. Very generous offer, considering my lungs are apparently on their way out."

"That's not what I asked."

"Yeah, and I answered better questions in my life." He nods toward the hallway, unbothered. "Go shower. I'm not driving anywhere until you stop smelling like low tide."

You get out of the shower first, dressed in the shirt and shorts he left you, both too big, sleeves falling past your hands. When you find him in the kitchen he's just in sweatpants, no shirt, hair still wet, and you stop in the doorway far too long before catching yourself.

"What?" he says, not even looking up from the glass of water he's pouring.

"Nothing. Put a shirt on, it's weird."

"It's my apartment, and it's hot. I'm not putting a shirt on for you." He slides the glass across the counter toward you, finally glancing over, and whatever's on your face makes something shift in his. "Are you flustered right now?"

"No."

"You're a little flustered."

"I'm annoyed." You grab the glass just to have something to do with your hands, and drink half of it too fast. "Some warning would've been nice."

"A warning for what, my own kitchen?"

"For the— " you point directly at him, at the general fact of him, "—situation."

"There's no situation. This is just what I look like." A shit eating grin appears on his face, fully enjoying this, leaning against the counter. "You can look away if it's that distressing."

"I'm not even looking."

"You're looking right now."

"I'm looking at you to argue with you, and you look so dumb right now."

"Sure it is." He pushes off the counter, grabs a pack of cigarettes off the counter, and heads for the balcony door without the will to talk back. You follow, mostly out of spite, and the air outside is warm, the city spread out below, making the apartment's size make a little more sense. He lights up, leaning on the railing, and you stand a few feet away, arms crossed against a chill that isn't really there.

The smoke drifts toward you on the next breath of wind and you cough slightly, covering the lower half of you face with your hand.

His eyes stay on the city while a silent chuckle almost escapes him. He shifts slowly, moving to stand on your left instead, angling himself so the smoke pulls away from you and out over the railing. A quietness installs itself between you.

He flicks ash over the railing, and glances at you. "You want a drink or something? I've got wine, I think there's soju somewhere too."

"Wine would be good."

He disappears inside for a minute, comes back with two glasses and the bottle tucked under his arm, he sets everything down on the small table between the balcony chairs. You sit, and he drops into the chair across from you, pouring without measuring, more in yours than his.

"How did we even meet?" you say, mostly to fill the silence, turning the glass by its stem. "Like, before Ethan and I were even together. I feel like I always just knew you as his friend."

"You did. That's exactly what happened." He takes a sip to give himself time to recoil on the memory. "We met at that party his roommate threw, where it had the terrible speaker system. You spilled something on my shoes and apologized for like ten minutes straight."

"I did not apologize for ten minutes."

"You did. I still remember the shoes, they were new."

"You're exaggerating."

"I'm really not, I still have them." He leans back, glass balanced on his knee. "Then Ethan started talking about you nonstop for like a month before he actually got the balls to ask you out. It was unbearable. I heard about your laugh before I heard you laugh."

You laugh a little despite yourself. "That's embarrassing," you say.

"For him, mostly. I didn't say anything." He swirls the wine, not quite looking at you now. "You were different back then. I mean—Not different-different. I just think that you were, like, less careful about everything."

"Careful how?"

"You used to argue with me for fun. Now half the time you're arguing with me because you're arguing with something else and I'm just the nearest target." He says in a chuckle. "I liked the fun version better. Not that this version's bad, though."

You take your time before replying. Your fingers slowly roll the glass between your palms as you watch the wine reflect the light, letting the silence fill the space while you think.

"I didn't notice it happening," you say finally.

"Fair enough. That's usually how it goes."

He gives you time. He sits beside you in comfortable silence, his glass resting against his knee while the distant sounds of the city soften the moment.

"You know he doesn't deserve the amount of patience you're giving him, right?" he says eventually, not looking at you when he says it, trying to make it easier for both of you. "Whatever he's doing, wherever he's going at nine at night—you're sitting there making excuses for him. I watched you do it tonight."

"It's not that simple."

"It’s obviously not simple, we both know that. I'm saying you deserve someone who doesn't make you rehearse excuses for him in your head before he's even said anything." He looks over at you, his gaze serious. "You're smart. You're funny, when you're not exhausted, which lately is rare. You shouldn't be spending this much of yourself on someone who’s always checking his phone at a dinner with you."

"You don't know everything that's going on, so stop—"

"I don't need to know everything. I already know enough." He sets his glass down, leans forward slightly, elbows on his knees. "I'm not trying to convince you to do anything, okay? I just don't think you hear it enough, so I'm saying it. You deserve better than what he's giving you. That's it."

You look down at your glass instead of at him, throat tight from what you’ve been holding since you found out.

"Like it matters to you, anyway." you mumble quietly.

He lets the silence settle between you once more. Taking a deep breath, he seems to consider his next words carefully, revealing nothing before he's ready.

"It does," he declares finally. "I'm not gonna make it more complicated than that tonight."

You let the subject rest, and he doesn't volunteer anything more. Together, you sit quietly, listening to the muted sounds of the city while the wine slowly warms in your hands. Somehow, the silence says more than words you could find.

After some time, you both decided to watch a movie to ease everything out. Now, you’re curled up on the couch, the bottle of wine you two polished off leaving a soft warmth in your veins. The TV flickers with some late-night drama that you couldn't force yourself to be invested in even if you wanted to. Your head feels pleasantly light, and whatever usually fuels your arguments has faded, leaving behind nothing more than lazy teasing.

A new scene unfolds on screen : dark lighting, tangled sheets, the actors lost in a heated and sensual moment. The woman arches under her partner’s touch as his hands glide slowly over her body ; caressing, teasing, worshipping. The sounds are low and breathy, filling the room.

You feel the heat rise in your cheeks, and the wine makes you bold. You glance at Heeseung beside you. "I…I’ve never done that with Ethan," you murmur, voice coming out as a whisper. "Not like that, at least."

Heeseung’s head snaps toward you, eyes wide with real shock. "Wait—what? Never? Not even close?"

You shake your head, biting your lip as embarrassment and frustration mix with the alcohol. "No. It’s always been…rushed. He enever wanted to explore things or try new things. Like he doesn’t have the patience for it." Your gaze lingers on the screen for another second before returning to him. "Do you…know how to do that? Like, really touch someone like that?"

Heeseung keeps his eyes on you, his usual smirk nowhere in sight. Something unspoken passes between you. "Y/N…" he starts, voice low and careful, a flicker of heat in his eyes.

You shift slightly, scooting an inch closer on the couch. "Show me? I want to know everything. Touch me the way he’s touching her. Please?"

He swallows, and finally slowly nods, setting his empty glass aside. "Alright. But tell me when it's too much, okay?" His voice has dropped, rougher now. He reaches out, starting gentle. His fingers brush along your arm, tracing slow lines from your wrist up to your shoulder. "Like this," he murmurs, eyes locked on yours. "Pay attention to how your skin feels under my hand." His palm flattens against your collarbone, sliding down your side in one smooth caress, mapping the curve of your waist through your shirt.

You shiver, the wine amplifying every touch. Emboldened, you lean into him, and he scoots closer too, until your thighs press together. His other hand joins in, fingertips grazing your neck, then trailing down your chest with feather-light pressure.

"Tell me what feels good," he instructs softly, his hand venturing lower, stroking along your hip and the top of your thigh. "Here?" He squeezes gently, then lets his palm glide back up, bolder now.

The space between you disappears as you both shift nearer, bodies turning toward each other. Your hand finds his chest, feeling the thrum of his heartbeat, and slide up to his neck. His breath grows heavier. His fingers slip under the hem of your shirt, caressing bare skin ; warm, exploratory, following the line of your ribs.

You look up at him, lips parted. He meets your gaze for half a second before closing the distance. Tongues meet, slow and deep at first, turning more insistent as your fingers thread into his hair. He pulls you closer, one hand firm on your lower back while the other continues its caress, sliding higher under your shirt.

His kisses grow fiercer, nipping at your lower lip before soothing it, bodies pressing together on the couch as the moment spirals deeper.

You automatically swing your leg over, straddling Heeseung’s lap as the kiss deepens. Your knees sink into the couch on either side of him, bodies aligning perfectly. He groans softly into your mouth, his hands finding your waist instantly, gripping you to steady the sudden movement. "Y/N…" he breathes against your lips, pulling you closer.

His fingers dig in a little too hard at first ; eager, hungry from the built-up tension ; and you yelp sharply against his mouth, a quick flash of pain cutting through the haze of wine and heat. He pulls back immediately, eyes wide with concern, his grip loosening right away. "Shit—sorry," he murmurs. One hand gently rubs the spot on your waist where he’d gripped too tightly. "Didn’t mean to. You okay?"

You nod quickly, still breathing hard, the sting already fading into the warmth. "Yeah…I’m fine. Don’t stop."

Relief flashes across his face, quickly renewed by that same heated look. He leans in again, capturing your lips in another urgent kiss. his time, there's a new caution in the way he touches you. His hands glide slowly along your sides, lingering as though giving you every chance to pull away before one drifts lower. He cups your ass firmly, squeezing with just the right pressure ; possessive, appreciative ; as he pulls you tighter against him.

You moan softly into the kiss, rolling your hips instinctively. His tongue slides against yours, deeper and more demanding now, while his fingers knead your ass, encouraging the movement. The kiss turns messy, breathless, both of you lost in the heat as his other hand stays anchored at your waist, guiding you closer. The undeniable spark between you push everything else away.

You’re both breathing heavily when Heeseung pulls back just enough to speak, his voice low and gentle against your ear. "Come off my lap for a second, baby," he murmurs, hands sliding soothingly along your thighs. "Turn around for me."

You nod, a little dazed from the wine and the intensity, and shift off him. He helps guide you, turning you so your back is to his chest. He settles back against the couch, spreading his legs and pulling you between them until you’re nestled against him, your back flush to his front. His arms wrap around you from behind, one hand resting on your stomach while the other strokes your thigh.

"Spread your legs for me," he says softly, lips brushing the shell of your ear. "As far as you can. Let me see you."

You obey, parting your thighs wider, heat flooding your face as the position leaves you open and exposed. Heeseung hums approvingly, his fingers teasing lightly along the inside of your thigh, drawing slow circles that inch higher but never quite touch where you’re starting to ache.

"My pretty girl," he whispers, the praise making you shiver. His hand keeps stroking closer and closer until you’re squirming. "Has he ever fingered you?" he asks almost hesitantly, he already suspects the answer.

You shake your head, voice small. "No…He never did. He only ever made me suck his dick and...he was so rushed to put it in."

Heeseung exhales sharply, a mix of disbelief and irritation flashing through him. "Fuck…alright. I’ve got you."

He’s careful ; painfully so. His fingers slide under your clothes, gently parting you before one fingertip circles your entrance, gathering wetness. "Tell me if it hurts or if you want me to stop," he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to your neck.

Slowly, he eases one finger inside you, inch by inch, giving you time to adjust to the stretch. He moves gently, curling carefully, his other arm holding you against his chest. "Breathe, Y/N. I’ll make it good for you."

He adds a second finger only when you start rocking back against his hand, still cautious, focusing entirely on your reactions as he begins to pump them in a sluggish rhythm. His thumb finds your clit, teasing light circles while he fingers you with patient strokes.

You gasp sharply as Heeseung’s fingers suddenly hit harder, the angle shifting and sending a jolt of pain through you. Your body tenses, a small cry escaping your lips.

He freezes instantly, eyes widening in panic. "Shit—sorry, sorry," he blurts, quickly easing his fingers out of you. "I didn’t mean to—fuck, are you okay? I’m so sorry, Y/N." He repeats the apology under his breath, one hand gently rubbing your thigh while the other hovers uncertainly, clearly rattled.

You catch your breath, the sting fading fast in the haze of alcohol. A smirk slowly tugs at your lips as you look back at him over your shoulder. "Are you really sorry?"

"Yes," he says immediately, voice earnest. "Of course I am."

You turn around fully to face him, still sitting between his legs. "Then get on your knees in front of me."

He blinks, then lets out a short disbelieving scoff, assuming you’re joking. "What? Right now?"

Your expression stays serious, eyes locked on his. "I said get on your knees."

The smirk on his face fades when he realizes you mean it. After a beat of hesitation, he slides off the couch and drops to his knees on the floor in front of you, looking up at you with surprise and growing desire.

"Come closer," you order softly.

He shifts forward on his knees until he’s right between your spread legs, hands resting tentatively on your thighs as he waits for your next instruction, breath a little uneven.

You lean back slightly, looking down at him. "Lick it."

Heeseung’s eyes darken instantly. Without another word, he leans in, pressing his mouth to you. His tongue drags slowly through your folds at first ; warm and soaked ; before he settles into long hungry strokes, focusing on your clit with just the right pressure. His hands grip your thighs to hold you open as he licks you with focused intent, the earlier apology shifted by eager obedience.

You let the pleasure build for a few moments, your hand threading into his hair as his tongue works you over with growing confidence. But then you tug gently, pulling him back.

"Stop." you say, voice breathy yet firm.

Heeseung pulls away immediately, lips glistening, looking up at you with hooded eyes and a hint of confusion. His chest rises and falls quickly.

You smirk down at him, still holding his hair. "You’re not going to continue until you say sorry…while you’re eating me out."

He blinks once, processing the command, then an almost amused smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "You’re serious?"

You raise an eyebrow, waiting.

He leans back in without further protest. His tongue returns to you before he murmurs the words right against your core, the vibrations sending sparks through you. "I’m sorry," he breathes, licking a long stripe up your folds. "Sorry for being too rough…" Another slow swirl around your clit. "I won’t hurt you again."

He keeps going, alternating between soft apologies and dedicated licks, his voice low and muffled as he eats you out. "Sorry, baby…fuck, you taste so good." His hands grip your thighs a little tighter as he buries his tongue deeper, still repeating quiet "sorry"s between every lick and suck, the blend of submission and hunger making the moment even more intense.

You lean back further, letting him worship you like that ; his apologies vibrating against you with every stroke of his tongue.

You slide your fingers deeper into his hair, gripping it firmly as you pull him closer against you. Heeseung’s eyes flutter half-closed ; sleepy and hazy with lust ; his ears flushed a pretty shade of pink from the heat and the wine. The sight makes something wicked twist in your lower belly.

"Well, would you look at yourself," you tease, voice breathy but filled with amusement. "On your knees, ears all pink, eyes looking half-asleep like a fucking loser."

He pulls back just enough to look up at you, lips shiny and swollen, a lazy smirk spreading across his face despite the grip you have on his hair. His sleepy eyes narrow playfully. "Loser?" he scoffs, breath hot against your skin. "Says the one who’s been missing out for months and is now dripping all over my face. If I’m such a loser, why are you pulling my hair like you never want me to stop?"

You tug his hair a little harder in response, and he lets out a low, amused chuckle, vibrating right where you need it.

"Keep talking shit and I might actually stop," you warn, though your hips roll forward, chasing his mouth.

Heeseung’s smirk only widens, pink ears burning brighter. "Yeah? Then I guess this loser better shut up and keep saying sorry…" He dives back in with renewed energy, tongue pressing flat and slow, murmuring one last muffled "Sorry, baby" against you before focusing entirely on making your teasing backfire.

You feel it building fast ; the tight coil of pleasure winding tighter and tighter in your core while his tongue works you relentlessly. His sleepy eyes stay locked on yours whenever he pulls back for air, pink ears still burning, that smug little smirk never fully leaving his face even while he’s buried between your thighs.

Your grip in his hair tightens, hips rolling against his mouth as your breathing turns ragged. "Heeseung—fuck, I’m—"

Right as the orgasm crests, right as you’re about to tip over the edge, he pulls back completely. His mouth leaves you with one last slow, teasing lick before he sits back on his heels, lips glistening, looking far too pleased with himself.

You let out a frustrated whine, thighs trembling. "What the hell—"

He chuckles lowly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes are sleepy-lidded, but sparkling with mischief. "Not yet," he murmurs, voice rough. One finger lazily traces up your inner thigh, barely brushing where you need him. "You were talking so much shit earlier about me being a loser…thought you could handle a little teasing."

You glare down at him, still panting, the denied orgasm leaving you aching and frustrated. He leans in again, pressing the softest, almost innocent kiss right above your clit, then another on your thigh ; carefully avoiding where you’re throbbing.

"What is it?" he teases, voice low and amused. "All worked up and squirming. Were you really about to cum that fast on my tongue? Cute."

He blows a gentle stream of cool air against your wet folds, making you jolt, then gives you one torturously light lick before pulling away again.

"Beg a little nicer and maybe I’ll let you finish," he says with a smirk, pink ears still flushed as he watches your reaction, clearly enjoying edging you way too much.

Your hand tightens in his hair again, torn between wanting to pull him back in and wanting to throttle him for stopping.

You’re still catching your breath on the couch, legs shaky from the cruel edge, when Heeseung rises from his knees. He climbs over you, hovering above your body with his hands braced on either side of your head. His face is flushed, those sleepy eyes dark with want as he looks down at you.

You bite your lip, heart racing. Slowly, you lift one leg and slide your foot up between his thighs, pressing the sole against the obviously hard bulge straining through his sweatpants. You rub it teasingly with your toes, pressing on it with gentle pressure, feeling him twitch under your foot.

His breath hitches sharply, hips jerking forward into your touch. "Y/N," he warns, voice low and strained.

You look up at him with soft, fakely innocent eyes, a sweet little smile playing on your lips even as your foot continues its lazy; pressing, rubbing, tracing the outline of his cock through the soft fabric.

"What?" you murmur softly, batting your lashes. “You edged me…seems only fair I play with you a little."

He lets out a shaky laugh, forehead dropping to rest against your shoulder for a moment. His arms tremble slightly as he holds himself up, clearly fighting the urge to grind harder against your foot.

"Fuck, you’re evil," he breathes, with only affection and raw desire. His eyes flutter half-closed again as you keep rubbing him so gently, the contrast between your soft gaze and the teasing pressure of your foot making him groan quietly above you.

The air between you crackles, thick with tension as he hovers there, letting you toy with him.

You’re still looking up at him with those soft eyes when he suddenly pulls back. He stands just long enough to shove his sweatpants and boxers down in one motion, kicking them aside. His cock springs free, hard and flushed. Before you can fully process, he’s back on the couch, gently turning you around again so your back is pressed to his chest ; just like earlier.

You blink in confusion, still wobbly. "Heeseung, what are you—?"

While staying silent, he wraps one arm around your waist, pulling you firmly against him. With his free hand, he guides his cock, rubbing the thick head slowly up and down your soaked core. The pressure is heavy and hot as he glides it between your folds, coating himself in your wetness, letting you feel every inch of his length sliding against your sensitive skin.

"Just feel it," he murmurs against your ear. "Gotta get you used to me first."

The grind makes you whimper, your body tensing as the blunt head nudges at your entrance. Then he pushes in ; slow and gentle. The stretch is intense. You yell out at the burn, your hands flying back to grip his thighs.

Heeseung stops instantly, burying his face in the crook of your neck. "I know, baby, I know," he whispers soothingly, voice dull and tender. "You’re doing so good." One of his hands slides down to caress your lower stomach in comforting circles, trying to ease the discomfort. "I’ve got you, Y/N. I’m right here."

He stays still inside you, whispering sweet nothings against your skin while his fingers keep gently rubbing your stomach. Gradually, the pain starts to melt into a deep ache. When your breathing evens out a little, he begins to move. His thrusts are slothful at first but quickly turn sloppy, messy and uncoordinated from the alcohol and the overwhelming heat of the moment. Wet sounds fill the room as he rocks into you from behind, one arm banded around your waist while the other continues caressing your lower belly.

"Fuck…sorry, it’s—shit, you feel too good," he groans, the pace erratic and desperate, hips snapping up into you with needy and imperfect strokes.

His thrusts are getting sloppier, hips stuttering as the dizziness makes his pace messy and desperate. Next, on one particularly eager push, his cock slips out completely with a wet pop, loud enough to be heard in the entire living room.

You squirm hard in his lap, a needy whimper escaping you at the sudden empty feeling. Your body instinctively rocks back, searching for him again.

Heeseung lets out a breathy chuckle against your neck. "Easy, baby…"

He grips the base of his cock and gives it a couple of lazy slaps against your soaked cunt; wet smacks making you jolt and moan. The head nudges your clit with each tap, fooling you until you’re trembling.

And without warning, he lines himself up and pushes back in with one thrust, burying himself deep into you cunt. You gasp at the sudden fullness, your back arching against his chest as he groans deeply.

"Shit…that sound," he mutters, voice rough. His arm tightens around your waist, holding you in place while his other hand returns to caress your lower stomach. He starts moving again, still sloppy and uncoordinated, but deeper now ; each thrust punctuated by the wet sounds of skin meeting skin.

He kisses along your shoulder, whispering hotly, "You’re so fucking wet…hear how you take me?"

His hips snap up messily, cock sliding in and out as he keeps you pressed tight against him, lost in the pleasure of it all. You’re lost in the flow of his cock sliding in and out of you, the filthy sounds of your pussy filling the room with every sloppy thrust, when your phone starts ringing on the coffee table. The screen lights up with Ethan’s name.

You notice that it doesn't stop Heeseung from doing his work. If anything, his hips snap up harder, driving deeper as he reaches over and grabs your phone. You try to protest through a moan, but he answers the call and puts it on speaker, setting it down nearby.

"Hey, man," he says casually, voice only slightly strained as he keeps fucking you tirelessly from behind. The squelching sounds are loud and clear.

Ethan’s voice comes through, sounding worried. "Heeseung? Where’s Y/N? She’s not home yet and she’s not answering her phone. Is she with you?"

"Yeah, she’s right here," Heeseung replies, one hand gripping your hip tighter as he thrusts up into you again, making you bite down on your lip to stifle a moan. "She’s a little busy though."

You squirm in his lap, embarrassed heat flooding your face even as pleasure keeps building. Heeseung leans closer to your ear and whispers, "Let him hear how wet you are," before picking up the pace.

The obscene, slick sounds of his cock plunging into your soaked pussy echo clearly through the speaker.

Ethan pauses. "What the fuck is that sound? Is she okay?"

Heeseung lets out a low chuckle, still thrusting deeper. "She’s more than okay. I’m fucking her right now, bro. That’s the sound of her pussy taking my cock."

You moan despite yourself as he hits a particularly good spot, unable to stay quiet.

"Can you hear that?" Heeseung asks tauntingly, angling his hips so the wet noises get even louder. "Hear how soaked she is? Those are her moans too. She’s been missing this for a long time."

Ethan’s voice cracks with shock and anger. "What the hell, Heeseung?! Y/N—!"

Before Ethan can finish, Heeseung cuts him off, still buried deep inside you, voice low and possessive as he speaks directly into the phone :

"You might be what she wants…but I’m clearly what she needs."

He hangs up quickly, tossing the phone aside. His arms wrap around you tighter as he resumes fucking you with intensity, mouth pressed to your neck.

"Focus on me, baby," he murmurs hotly. "Just feel how full you are."

The sounds continue as he drives into you, the interruption only making him more eager. You barely have time to process the call ending before your phone starts buzzing repeatedly on the table. Message after message from Ethan lights up the screen ; vibrating angrily one after another.

Heeseung glances at it but doesn’t stop. His hips keep rolling up into you in that same relentless pounding, cock stretching you open with every wet thrust.

"Damn…he’s blowing up your phone," he mutters with a dark chuckle. One arm stays banded around your waist, holding you firmly in place on his lap while his other hand reaches down to rub slow circles over your clit.

He keeps fucking you through the mess. Your phone vibrates again and again ; texts popping up rapidly.

You moan helplessly, eyes fluttering as pleasure overrides everything else. "Heeseung…he’s—"

"I don't fucking care," he whispers, nipping at your earlobe. "Let him text. You’re mine right now."

He angles his hips and thrusts up hard, making you cry out as the head of his cock hits that perfect spot over and over. The phone keeps buzzing but Heeseung only fucks you harder, the sounds of your bodies utterly drowning out the vibrations.

His hand on your lower stomach presses down gently, making you feel every inch of him sliding in and out. "Hear how loud your pussy is for me?" he groans, voice rough. "Keep taking it, baby. Just like that."

You’re a mess ; moaning, squirming, gripping his thighs as he continues pounding into you from behind, unbothered by the nonstop stream of notifications. The phone eventually goes silent for a few seconds only to start vibrating again. Both of you wouldn't care less. Heeseung’s only focus is the way your walls clench around him as he fucks you through it all.

So that's what you've been missing out all this time.

You stand at the stove. The sizzle of vegetables in the pan fills the air, mingling with the savory aroma of garlic and spices. It’s late, the apartment pleasantly peaceful. You’ve been stirring absentmindedly, lost in the task of cooking after a long day.

The sound of the bathroom door opening reaches your ears, followed by soft footsteps padding across the floor. You’re about to turn when Jungwon’s arms slide around your waist from behind, pulling you gently back against his chest. His skin is still warm and slightly damp from the shower, the clean scent of his body wash enveloping you. He nuzzles his nose into your hair, inhaling deeply as if he’s been waiting all day for this moment.

“Mmm, what’s for dinner?” he murmurs, his voice low and husky against your ear, lips brushing lightly along your temple. You smile, leaning into his embrace just a little, your free hand resting over one of his on your stomach. “You,” you joke lightly, the word slipping out with a teasing laugh as you tilt your head back toward him.

The effect is immediate.

Jungwon’s breath catches, his body tensing against yours. You feel it ; the subtle shift in his hips, the obvious hardness pressing against the curve of your ass through the thin fabric of his sweatpants. He’s always been like this with you, so responsive to even the smallest touch or the slightest suggestion. A simple joke, your body fitting so perfectly against his, and he’s already half-hard, growing firmer by the second.

“Fuck,” he whispers, a mix of embarrassment and desire thickening his voice. His arms tighten around you, one hand splaying across your abdomen as he rocks forward instinctively, seeking more contact. “You can’t just say that while I’m holding you like this.” His nose burrows deeper into your hair, and you feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest, the heat radiating from him.

You set the spatula down, turning your head enough to catch his flushed expression from the corner of your eye. His cheeks are tinged pink, eyes half-lidded, that known vulnerability mixed with want making your own pulse quicken. Without letting go, his fingers trace clumsy patterns on your waist, dipping just under the hem of your shirt, as if fighting the urge to go further right there against the counter.

“Dinner can wait,” he adds breathlessly, his erection now fully evident, throbbing gently with each subtle movement. “Unless you really meant that part about me…”

You feel his breath hitch against your neck, his body pressed flush to yours. One of his hands slides up from your waist, cupping your breast firmly through your shirt, his thumb brushing over your nipple until it hardens under his touch. The other hand dips lower, slipping beneath the waistband of your panties without a second thought. His digits find your folds, stroking gently at first before pressing in, circling your clit and then sliding one finger inside you. He works you patiently, curling his finger just right while his palm grinds against your sensitive bundle of nerves. A second finger joins the first, pumping steadily as your breaths grow sharper. “That’s it,” he murmurs hotly into your hair, squeezing your breast in time with his thrusts. Soon you’re slick and dripping around his fingers, your hips rocking back against him involuntarily.

He spreads your wetness all over your core, coating his fingers thoroughly before pulling them free. The cool air hits your heated skin while he tugs your panties down just enough. You hear the soft rustle of fabric as he frees his cock, already rock-hard and throbbing from earlier. He taps the swollen head against your entrance teasingly ; once, twice ; rubbing it up and down your slit, making you ache with impatience. Then he slips his length along your pussy, gliding through your folds to coat himself in your slickness. The wet, obscene sounds fill the kitchen as he drags his cock back and forth, teasing your clit with every pass. Finally, with a low groan, he lines himself up and thrusts deep into you in a single smooth motion, burying himself to the hilt.

A filthy, wet squelch echoes from where your bodies meet, your arousal making the slide effortless and loud. Jungwon curses under his breath, his grip tightening on your breast as he holds still for a moment, savoring the way you clench around him. “So fucking wet for me,” he whispers, starting to move ; slow, deep thrusts that make that slick sound with every push and pull, his hips snapping forward against your ass while the dinner forgotten on the stove.

You grip the edge of the counter as Jungwon’s thrusts push you forward, your upper body bending over until your chest and arms rest against the cool kitchen surface. The position arches your back perfectly for him, offering deeper access. His hand slides up to press firmly on your lower back, holding you still as he adjusts his stance behind you. With a deep groan, he buries himself as far as possible inside you, his hips flush against your ass. After that, he starts to wiggle them in small circles, grinding deep without pulling out. The motion creates a loud wet noise ; lewd squelching that are filling the silence of the room. Your slickness coats him completely, making the sounds even wetter and lustier.

He chuckles breathlessly, the sound low and teasing against your ear as he leans over you slightly. “Hear that?” he murmurs, amusement coloring his voice even as he keeps wiggling, stirring inside you. “So fucking messy…Does it embarrass you, baby? Or does it turn you on more?”

His hand stays anchored on your lower back, keeping you pinned gently but securely against the counter while he continues those teasing, grinding movements. The wet noises don’t stop ; each wiggle draws out another slick, embarrassing squelch that makes your face heat up. He’s rock-hard and throbbing deep inside, clearly enjoying how your body reacts to him.

You stay bent over the kitchen counter, upper body pressed against the cool surface, ass presented to him. Jungwon’s hand leaves your lower back for a moment, then comes down with a sharp slap on your ass, the sound cracking through the kitchen as your skin stings and flushes under his palm. He groans in satisfaction and starts thrusting again ; deep and slow, dragging his thick length almost all the way out before sinking back in to the hilt with force. Each thrust makes your body jolt forward against the counter, the squelching sounds returning louder than before. “Fuck, look at you,” he says condescendingly as he keeps that torturously slow pace. “Bent over like a slut, taking me so well. You’re so wet it’s pathetic. I wish you could see how needy you look right now.”

He slaps your ass again, lighter this time, and rubs the spot soothingly as he grinds deep. “Can’t even talk, huh? Just moaning and clenching around me like you’ve never been fucked before.” His tone turns mockingly sweet. “Poor thing’s brain all empty. So cute when you’re this fucked out.”

You try to respond, but only a broken whimper escapes your lips, your fingers gripping the counter edge tighter as another deep thrust knocks the breath out of you. Jungwon chuckles darkly, leaning over you, his chest against your back. He grabs your hip with one hand while the other stays on your lower back, holding you in place. “Use your words, baby,” he coos, slowing his thrusts even more, making sure you feel every inch. “Tell me how it feels. Come on…don’t make me ask twice.”

He punctuates the demand with another firm slap on your ass, waiting with a smug smirk as he stays buried deep inside you. When he pushes himself even deeper, pressing his hips flush against your ass until you feel him bottom out completely. He stays there, buried to the hilt, and starts stirring his hips again in circles, grinding his cock against every sensitive spot inside you. The motion makes your toes curl and pulls another broken moan from your throat. He knows exactly what he’s doing, he loves to stir your slickness with his length.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” he murmurs, voice low and mocking. His hand smooths over the reddened skin of your ass where he slapped you earlier. “I can feel you fluttering around me… greedy little pussy trying to pull me in even deeper.”

He keeps up the stirring, rolling his hips in lazy figure-eights that press right against that perfect spot, making your legs tremble. Then his tone shifts, still condescending but now edged with warning. “Better start using your words, baby,” he says, slowing his movements until he’s barely moving, just keeping himself buried deep and grinding teasingly. “If you don’t say something right now…I’m not letting you cum at all. I’ll keep you right on this edge, stirring your cunt until you’re crying for it, and then I’ll pull out and leave you empty. Understand?”

His fingers dig into your hip as he waits, still buried inside you, the threat hanging in the air while your body clenches desperately around him. “Go on,” he coos, slapping your ass lightly again. “Tell me how my cock feels. Use your words like a big girl.”

You’re trembling against the counter, overwhelmed by the deep grinding and the threat in his voice, when the tears finally spill over. They slip down your cheeks as soft, overwhelmed sobs escape you, your body clenching hard around his cock from the intensity of it all.

Jungwon’s breath catches. You feel his cock twitch and swell even harder inside you, thickening noticeably as your crying seems to turn him on more. “Oh? Now you’re crying?” he mocks, voice echoing in fake sympathy. His hand presses firmer on your lower back, keeping you pinned down as he suddenly starts thrusting harder ; deeper, sharper strokes that make your hips jolt against the counter with every wet slap of skin on skin.

“Big girls don’t cry, baby,” he coos viciously, punctuating each word with a rough thrust. “You’re stronger than that.” He laughs softly as he picks up the pace, fucking you with hard strokes. “Crying only makes me harder, you know that?” He leans over you, lips brushing your ear while his hips snap forward. “Poor thing can’t even handle being stuffed full. But you’re still clenching so tight…you love it, don’t you?”

Another hard thrust rocks through you as fresh tears slide down your face. Jungwon groans in pleasure, clearly enjoying every second of your overwhelmed state. “Go on, keep crying for me. Big girls don’t cry…but it looks like my needy girl does.”

INSPIRED BY : What You Need - The Weeknd

(+ Slow It Down - Ty Dolla $ign)

What could be worse than going to the restaurant with your boyfriend a week after you found out that he’s been cheating on you? Oh right, you don’t know. Ethan orders for himself without asking what you're having first, catches himself halfway through, and asks you anyway. You already know what you want because you always know what you want here.

His phone sits face up next to his water glass. It lights up twice in the first ten minutes. Both times he glances down, thumb hovering, before setting it back exactly where it was. "Sorry," he says, not looking up from the screen the third time. "Work thing."

You nod like that made sense. You've heard about Heeseung's terrible taste in restaurants, about his cowoker’s dog, about traffic on the way here ; three separate stories he's started and abandoned mid-sentence because his attention keeps sliding sideways toward that phone.

"You could put it away," you say, tired enough that it comes out flat.

"I know. I will." He actually doesn't.

The waiter brings your food and Ethan eats fast, he’s already somewhere else in his mind. You ask about his sister's move to Daegu and get half an answer before his phone buzzes again and he actually picks it up this time, thumb moving across the screen, brow furrowed like the message requires real concentration.

You watch him read it. You watch his jaw do a small tightening, and you already know before he opens his mouth. "I have to go in," he says. "They need someone to cover a shift. I'm really sorry, I know we just got here."

Work doesn't call people in at 9:47 at night for office emergencies. You've known things like this for months now, small inconsistencies that don't line up if you actually stack them next to each other, which is why you stopped stacking them.

"Now?" you ask anyway, knowing how it will end up anyway.

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to." He's already reaching for his wallet, already half out of his seat. "I'll make it up to you. Promise."

You tell him it's fine and to go, that you'll finish eating and head home. He kisses the top of your head, distracted, already checking his phone again as he walks toward the door, and you sit there with a plate you've lost interest in and a boyfriend-shaped absence across the table.

Your phone buzzes. Heeseung.

Heeseung [9:54 PM]

you good?

saw ethan's location just switched to "downtown" lol at 9pm

You stare at the message for a second too long before you type back.

Y/N [9:54 PM]

he had a work thing apparently

Heeseung [9:55 PM]

mhm. sure he did

You almost put the phone down.

Y/N [9:55 PM]

please don’t start

Heeseung [9:57 PM]

wasn't gonna say anything. i'm very good at not saying things

Y/N [9:57 PM]

you're the worst at not saying things btw

Heeseung [9:58 PM]

rude.

i've been holding back SO much tonight and this is the thanks i get

You find yourself smiling at your phone, alone at a table for two, food going cold in front of you. Even though you couldn’t care less.

The waiter comes by to clear Ethan's plate and asks if you need anything else, and you're halfway through saying no when your phone buzzes again.

Heeseung [10:05 PM]

where are you?

sending someone to get you before you sit there being sad and pathetic

Y/N [10:05 PM]

wdym I’m not sad and pathetic

Heeseung [10:06 PM]

you're eating alone at a restaurant your boyfriend just ditched. what else could it be?

address please.

You give him the name of the place mostly because arguing about whether you're pathetic or not would take more energy than you have left right now. Fifteen minutes later Heeseung walks in wearing a jacket you’ve seen plenty of times, scanning the room until he finds you, and drops into the seat across from you like he's been there the whole time.

"You didn't have to come, you know." you state.

"I know that very well. I wanted to see you sad and pathetic in person." He picks up the menu even though you're clearly done eating, flips through it without really looking. "Also I was bored."

"Comforting."

"I try." He waves the waiter over before you can stop him, orders a drink for himself, and when the bill comes a few minutes later he reaches over and takes it before you can even move your hand toward it.

"Heeseung."

"Yeah?"

"Give me that."

"No." He's already pulling out his card, not even glancing at the total.

"I can pay for my own food."

"Never said you couldn't." He hands the card to the waiter without looking at you, and something about how easy it is for him : he acts like it costs him nothing and like it’s something he has to do but does it naturally. The inside of your stomach is tingling and obviously not because of the food you had earlier.

"I'm being serious, I don't need you to—"

"I know you don't need me to." He lifts his gaze and looks at you with less joking in it than a second ago. "I want to. Learn how it’s not the same."

"That's not the point."

"What's the point, then?"

You freezes, not an answer or a talk back could reach your mind, and he grins like he's won something.

"Aw, look at that," he says. "I missed that face."

"I fucking hate you."

"You don't. You're just annoyed you can't win an argument about who gets to pay for your dinner, which, by the way, is a very weird thing to be stubborn about."

"It's called having self-respect."

"It's called being difficult for no reason, but sure, we can call it self-respect if that makes you feel better." The card comes back and he signs without checking the receipt, tucks it away, and stands up casually. "Come on. I'm parked badly and I will get towed."

"You fucking asshole."

"You keep saying that like it's news." He holds his hand out, not really an offer so much as an assumption you'll take it, and you do.

He gets in to start the car, and has a cigarette lit before you've even got your seatbelt on. The window cracks an inch, cold air cutting through the smoke smell that's already filling the small space.

"You know those are terrible for you," you say.

"Groundbreaking information. Thank you." He takes a drag, one hand on the wheel, not pulling out of the spot yet.

"I'm dead serious. You should stop."

"I should do a lot of things." He glances at you sideways, smoke curling out the window. "You should stop pretending you don't know your boyfriend's cheating on you. We're both just walking around not doing things we should, I guess."

The car goes quiet except for the engine idling. You look straight ahead at the brick wall of the restaurant, at nothing. "I don't know what you're talking about," you say in a breathy tone.

"Sure you don't." He's not looking at you now either, tapping ash out the window, voice even, done pretending along with you. "His location switches off every other night. He checks his phone at dinner like it's gonna bite him if he doesn't. Tonight he left you at a restaurant for a 'work thing' that doesn't exist, and you didn't even ask him to explain it properly. You just let him go."

"That's not—" You stop and start again. "It's complicated."

"It's really not." He finally pulls out of the spot, one hand on the wheel, cigarette still between two fingers. "You don't want to deal with it. Which, fine, your business. But don't sit there and tell me you don't know, because I’m aware for the phone thing tonight too, and you didn't look surprised. You looked like someone who's done the math already."

There isn't a version of an answer that isn't just agreeing with him. So silence is the best option you could have at this moment.

"I'm not trying to make it worse, okay?" he says, softer, some of the edge gone out of his voice. "I just don't really feel like watching you sit through dinners like that and pretend it's normal."

"Why do you even care?"

He takes another drag and lets it out slow.

"Good question," he says finally without elaborating further, yet you don’t want to know more of it, because you're not sure you want to hear the answer any more than he seems to want to give it.

He drives you around the city for a while then turns left instead of right at the light that would've led back toward your apartment. The road opens up eventually, streetlights getting sparser, and then there's the smell of salt before you see the water. He parks in a mostly empty lot facing the beach, cuts the engine, and the quiet that follows feels different from the quiet in the restaurant parking lot. It’s less loaded.

"Why are we here?" you ask.

"I needed air that doesn't smell like your ex's cologne." He's already pulling his jacket off, tossing it into the back seat. Underneath he's just in a black tank top, and it's warm enough out that it makes sense, summer nights here never really cooling off the way you'd expect. "Also I like it here. Don't make it a big deal."

"He's not my ex."

"Give it time." He says it lightly, already opening his door, not wanting to hear you argue back. "Come."

You get out as sitting in the car alone would feel worse than following him. The sand is cool yet the air isn't, and he walks ahead of you toward the water without checking if you're behind him, hands in his pockets and shoulders loose.

"You could've warned me we were going to the beach," you say, catching up. "I'm in the wrong shoes for this."

"You're in shoes. That's more preparation than I did."

"You're wearing actual sneakers."

"Correct. Preparation." He glances back at you, the corner of his mouth pulling up. "Take them off if you're gonna complain the whole time."

"I'm not complaining, it was just a statement."

"Same thing, coming from you."

You shove his shoulder, and he barely moves as he laughs, low and light, as your annoyance is the most entertaining thing that's happened to him all week. The water's dark ahead of you, waves you can hear more than see, you can feel the knot in your belly loosening up.

"So this is the fresh air you talked about," you say, kicking your heels off like he told you to, sand cold between your toes. "Very noble of you, considering your lungs are probably black at this point."