‘Keep your eyes on the prize’ might as well be your school’s unofficial motto with the amount of times you’ve heard it ever since you started attending here.  Everyone has a competitive side, you get that. And if there’s one person you would say is number one on this category it would be your bestfriend.

“What if you interview one of the team players? It’s the start of the season too. Get to show a bit more of them, I know someone who will gladly do an interview” Giselle suggested

“Who?” Renjun asks, beating you to it

“Haechan”

“How about no” this time you answer, rather quickly.

“It’s a good idea actually, for once you actually contributed something useful to this conversation” Renjun tells Giselle who wasn’t sure whether she should be happy with her friend’s comment but Renjun gives her a playful pat on the head. 

“Uh hello did you hear me? I said no” you said to the two sitting infront of you, seriously considering walking out the room just to prove your point. 

“Why not? It will be good for the school paper, if this one fancies the likes of our audience then the school will extend our funds until next year. That club is the new talk of the campus, go see what the hype is all about ” Renjun tells you, it’s not like you can do anything. He’s the Editor-in-Chief and in charge all in all so you kinda have to do what he says

“Does it really have to be him? Why can’t I interview the other members?”

“One, he’s the most popular member and co-founder. Ask him why he thought about starting an e-gaming team and all that, you know the drill. Two, we know the pull we’ll get when he feature him, audience will want to hear about him or them”

Renjun is right, like he always is but you’re not going down without putting a bit of a fight. “Then you interview him” you rebutted, already knowing what his next words would be. Atleast you tried.

“It’s your job. So no, you can do it. I thought you like him, why are you avoiding him now?” he had you there, you don’t want to look guilty so in the end you just agreed to take the job.

“I’m not, but does it really have to be him?”

“Yes, just think about the logistics of it. We interview Lee Haechan, the whole school will want to read our paper, more fundings for us next semester. Just keep your eyes on the prize”

There it was. The dreaded line. The meeting ended there, Renjun walked to his next class while you go to yours which you shared with Giselle.

“It’ll go okay, stop freaking out over it” Giselle tells you, sensing your worries

“I’m not freaking out, maybe a little bit. You know, Renjun knows how long I’ve liked this guy” you grumbled

“Yea we know all about your crush, why haven’t you talked to him is what baffles me. He’s literally the most extroverted person” Giselle adds, and she is right. 

“We’re all different, he and you are the same. You can be friends with anyone you just met but not me. I overthink”  It’s easy to meet him when you practically have the same circle of friends. At parties there’s a 90% you’ll bump into him, and an even bigger chance at campus. So yes you kinda did fall under the charms of Lee Haechan.

Where do you even begin to describe the character that is Lee Donghyuck?

Haechan to many, Donghyuck to his family. 

Well for starters, if you ever hear laughter in a room there is a 90% chance he’s in there or most times even the center of it. A party is not a party if he isn’t there, a big mood maker. He’s a member of the soccer team, theatre club and the newest addition as of last year, e-gaming club. He even joined the table tennis club with Mark and Jeno on his second year for fun. Not what you will expect but he’s really smart; book and street smart.  He’s the type of person whose presence you just get used to no matter how boisterous he could get. It somehow feels empty whenever he isn’t around.

He’s all A’s across the board.

He’s the star.

In short, what’s not to like?

At first, most of your friends were really wondering how it came about. You were more on the quiet side, likes to keep to yourself and has a very small circle of friends you keep close to you. You’re a listener rather than a talker. It didn’t make sense, but you liked him. 

You like him. 

On the few occasions you’ve talked to him, it was almost impossible to wipe the smile off your face. Either he’s really funny or you just really really like him. Renjun’s bet is on the latter.

When you first attended this university alongside your now bestfriends, you’ve already heard the name Haechan. He is the type of guy who would be friends with everyone on the first day. He has this certain charm no one can resist. 

“It’ll be fine, he’s a cool guy you know. Won’t judge you if you stutter and make a complete idiot of yourself infront of him” Giselle says, trying or more failing at comforting you. 

You’re sure he’ll be his usual dazzling self. What you’re unsure of is if you’ll make it out of the interview alive.  Also this would be the first time you’ll talk to him with more than a hello and hi so you’re not sure if he’s going to be candid with you, what’s the point of doing the feature if he’s not going to be.

“That feature isn’t going to write itself” Giselle tells you from across the table, she said she was going to get some work done and hunted you down until she found you sitting in the library, too lost in your own thoughts.

“I know, I just don’t know where to begin or how to” the cursor on the blank word page is starting to bother you so you turn your attention elsewhere, “tell me about him”

“Huh?” Giselle asks, a bit confused by your request

“Tell me about Lee Haechan, if I can’t start the interview with him then I’ll ask those who are close to him”

“Didn’t Renjun say to interview the guy? not me,,,?”

Rolling your eyes at your friend, you slumped your back on the chair. Already feeling the headache forming. “It’s a new writing style I’m trying out”

She snickers at your poor attempt at making an excuse, but she let’s it slide

“Don’t you know him already? Why ask me?”

“You’re friends, we’re not. We don’t see him in the same light”

“What’s with you and seeing people in different lights?” she asks, instead of answering your question she just shoots one back at you. It’s a phrase you always say, she’s heard many times over she’s sure.

“You don’t really know anyone fully, there’s always a side you don’t show others. There’s sides you choose to show only to a selected group of people. the good, the bad, the dark, the light. It’s never all those”

“And which side are you showing me right now?”

“The one you can handle” shooting her a smile before turning your gaze back on your laptop. 

“I’m sure I can handle it” 

“I know you can, but like what if I make a fool of myself infront of him and say something stupid” You tell Renjun who was giving you a ‘I’m done with this’ look

“Just go with it. I’ve never seen you struggle over an interview ever. And you’ve interviewed Jung Jaehyun, Nakamoto Yuta, you’re making it too obvious you like Haechan” Renjun tells you 

The truth was you made Renjun make the arrangement for the interview since you really can’t bring yourself to approach Haechan first. When Renjun told you he agreed to meet, you’re already 99% sure it’s going to be awkward.

“And if you make a fool of yourself in front of him, then I suggest go start liking somebody else” he manages to tease you, scowling at your friend

“You know, that’s not a very motivational thing to say. You’re not morally supporting me right now”

“Your morals are already askew anyways, even if I gave you a compass that only points North you would still trek the other way” Renjun says then stood up, taking his vanilla latte with him.

“Just do me a favor and don’t embarrass our team” rejun adds, standing up from his seat and taking the latte he ordered for himself

“I would never”

“Hey guys, am I late?” you don’t have to turn around to know who’s speaking behind you. You didn’t notice when he walked in but Renjun sure did. Letting out a laugh under his breath.

“I was just about to go actually, Y/N will be doing the interview with you, I’ll go now she’s all yours” he says before bidding goodbye and exiting the cafe.

“Hi”

“Hi”

After greeting each other there was a pause, like you were waiting for each other to continue but neither said a word. Haechan cleared his throat before speaking up again,

“I guess ask away”

“Right, uhm for legal purposes just know that everything we’ll talk about here would be published on the school paper for everyone to read. We don’t edit out the truth, ever, but please do keep it okay for the general public to read” you tell him, taking out your notebook where you wrote down the questions

“So, first question: why e-gaming?”

“Well I just thought it’s something I’m good at, plus the student council that year was thinking of new clubs to establish for the next school year. And the general public has an interest to it so why not”

“Do you think e-gaming is a distraction to studies in general?”

“No, not if you do it moderately and now how to manage your time. Most of our club members participate in other clubs, including myself. We made a rule that no member is allowed to have any failing marks or else they will be put on the bench until grades are back up again” you write down his words diligently, while Haechan watches you from across the table

“Did you anticipate the attention your club got? Since last year, your team received an ample amount of budget from the board after winning the tournament and taking home the championship trophy for our district”

“Yes and no, we knew people were interested. There’s a whole community online, it’s not like we built from the ground up. We saw the opportunity and grabbed it. No we didn’t expect to make it to the district meet, we used to only play for fun, to relieve our stress from too much studying. The funds we gathered last year were used for expenses whenever we have competitions outside campus, and whatever we win we donate to charity”

“What is it to you? e-gaming?”

“A short escape, stress reliever, bonding time. It’s silly to say but we don’t take it too seriously because that would take the fun out of it, we just do what we do. You know they say in order to master something you have to spend 10,000 hours doing it, but also I think we can only spend so much time on one thing without getting tired of it so I don’t stress too much about it. I just enjoy”

You run through the major events that happened within the club for the past year, asking about the tournaments they joined, the different people they meet, the members of the team and their dynamics within the group.

Surprisingly, the conversation went smoothly unlike what you expected. You ask the questions, Haechan answers. Maybe it’s because you didn’t let it get too quiet between the two of you, ready to jump to the next question once he finishes with the first one. But also because you’re the only one freaking out.

“Okay, that’s it for now. If it’s okay with you, can we get some pictures you have with the team from your last meet or during your practices if you have any” you inform him, finishing your notes

“If I have anything to ask further, I’ll just contact you” looking up to see him intently looking at you

“Are we off the records now?”

“Huh?”

“I mean will this part be also on the article?”

“No, we’re done. Thank you for doing this interview, for the pictures you can just email them to me I guess or Renjun”

Haechan wanted to ask if you wanted to stay and have a chat but you were already putting your stuff away. He heard stories about you from mutual friends, Renjun, Giselle even Jaemin who never speaks to anyone outside of the circle knows you. So he is a bit interested. 

Haechan thinks there’s something endearing about you, maybe the way you’re so confident when it’s in a formal setting, how to deliver the questions eloquently. But the moment it’s done, you’re back to being your shy self. 

He wonders if you’re really that way or is it because of him. 

“Do you have any questions?” you ask him, already you can feel the nervousness creeping through. You didn’t to be too obvious so you hurry. 

“None, if I think of any I’ll just contact you” he answers with a small smile, right then you could already feel the blush blossom on your cheeks

“Yea, thank you again for doing this feature”

Then there it was again, that silence between the two of you. Not a word is being said and yet it was the loudest in your head.

Not being able to stand it any longer, you bid a quick goodbye to him before bolting. Haechan didn’t even get to say his goodbye before you were dashing through the door. 

“It’s actually okay, surprised you did it this fast” Renjun tells you as he reads the rough draft of your feature

“Why’d you say that? I turn things on time” you say defensively, making Renjun chuckle

“I meant talking to him, I thought you were going to bail out of it” he answers,

You wanted to say he’s right. You did want to call it off last minute, reason why you had to call him and make him wait with you at the cafe before the interview. You figured if Renjun was there you’d had no choice but make your self stay. 

The whole time you were sitting across from Haechan, you were having an internal battle. Trying not to look like you’re freaking out, the perfect balance between actively listening to him and nonchalance.

Snapping out of your thoughts, looking beside you to see Renjun already looking at you.

“You okay?” he asks, uou nod your head and smile at your bestfriend.

Casting your feelings aside, you get your head in the game.

Instead of dwelling in your doubts, you focus on your goal for this semester; Finish that feature on the star player, Lee Haechan.

Your attention returning to your laptop screen, the imagine of the whole e-gaming club on your screen. All smiles while they hold the championship trophy from the last tournament they won. You can’t help the way your eyes linger on him longer, smiling at how happy he looked. 

This feelings you have for him is completely one sided and you’re sure you’ll never get the courage nor the chance to confess. So you settle for this, you settle for the formal interviews, casual encounters in the hallways or the quick greetings at parties.

Looking at the picture one last time before clicking save.

“Think of this as that sign you’ve been waiting for” Renjun says, watching you look at your screen like a lovesick puppy. He already have an idea on what you’re looking at but he doesn’t say.

“This is school work”

“I know, you know why I assigned this feature to you even though I knew you were going to freak out and be all shy around him?” he asks, “Because you enjoy seeing me suffer?” you jokingly ask back.

Renjun throws a crumpled piece of paper at you, “Because I was trying to give you an olive branch. I know you just let the rest of the school year passby again without doing anything about your feelings for him, it’s the 21st century it’s okay for a girl to make the first move. That is, if you like him that much”

“Thanks, but I’m good crushing on him from afar”

“Where’s the fun in that? Go out there, enjoy. It’s okay to step outside your bubble every once in a while. And Haechan’s a good guy, noisy most times but he’s better than most guys on campus”

“You think I don’t know that already, it’s why I’ve liked him since freshmen year” you mumbled

“Can you stop being scared for one second, if you really think he’s this great and that he’s worth all of this then go take that risk. You’ll never know unless you try” he tells you, it’s the first time Renjun ever braved to discuss this topic with you and he’s really just stating all the facts.

Even after your conversation with Renjun, his words kept ringing in your head. Knocking some sense into you. Maybe he is right afterall, you need to stop being so scared to step outside your comfort zone and brave it out. 

“You look like your deep in thought” someone spoke from beside you making you look up from the book you were failing to read.

“Can I seat here? All the tables are taken” Haechan says, gesturing to the seat beside yours. Instead of giving him an answer, you move your stuff from the seat to let him occupy it.

“When is the feature going to come out, by the way?” he asks again, attempting to start a small conversation with you.

“By next week, I think. It’s already for approval of the school so yea. I’ll send you a copy when it comes out. Think of it as a simple thank you for doing the interview” you finally managed to speak, even shooting a small smile towards him which he returns. 

“No need to thank me, it’s nothing really. Renjun told me it would be good for your club so I said yes” he tells you before getting his stuff out of his bag

“Thank you” you still tell him. quietly mumbling it before turning your attention back to your book

Unlike that time in the cafe, the silence wasn’t that awkward. Haechan took out his notes and laptop to do his work while you go back to reading. You can hear him hum some random tune under his breath, a habit of his.

Some time passed, you didn’t even notice the other student’s started to leave. Only when Haechan closed his laptop you raised your head to look over at him, “I’m done for the day, you?” he asks

“Yea” you’re actually now two chapters ahead your reading but you didn’t want to get up first to leave. So instead you waited for him to go first but it took longer than you expected, although you didn’t really notice the time pass.

The two of you gathered your things in silence. He even motioned for you to go first, walking just right behind you as you make your way outside campus.

“There’s this new donut shop just near here, do you want to grab some before going home? I can give you a lift home if you want” Haechan tells you, the invitation was so unexpected yet so timely. You’ve been thinking about what Renjun said, about talking to Haechan and now is the chance

“Are you sure?” you ask back

“Yea, I did tell Jeno I was going to bring some back for him. He’ll sulk for sure I come back to the dorm empty handed” he lets out a chuckle that went straight to your heart, making it thump a little harder. 

Just like that you find yourself seating at the passenger seat of his car, some random song playing in the background as you stare out the window.

“So uhm how have you been?” Haechan likes to think he’s an eloquent person, he’s smart and can easily carry a conversation with anyone. But right now it’s the total opposite, he’s a bit unsure how to start a conversation with you that wouldn’t end with 3 worded answers. 

He wanted to know more about you. 

“Good, busy with university”

Silence.

Well that was longer than the three words he was expecting. He thinks to himself. “You’re not that talkative, are you?” he asks

He didn’t say it in a teasing way, it’s an honest observation he gathered from the few times he conversed with you. 

“Uh not really, I mean I think I am but it depends on the topic. I think I’m a better listener than a talker” you admit, looking over at the driver side to see Haechan with a small smile on his face. Wondering why was he smiling like that, but you weren’t courageous enough to ask. 

“Sounds perfect, people tend to tell me I talk alot. Feel free to tell me if I’m being too much though. I’ll shut up” he can here a giggle coming from you, making him smile again. 

“I don’t mind” you mumble “But if you want to say anything, ask anything. Go ahead, I’m all ears. I’m a good listener to, a good shoulder to cry on if you need it and an excellent cuddler” he adds a wink at the end. 

Not knowing how to react, you just let out a chuckle again before turning to look out the window again. 

When you arrived at the donut shop, Haechan opens the door for you. Saying a quick thank you before walking towards the display of donuts available, “See anything you like?” he asks from beside you

“Chocolate, I want this one” you point at the chocolate covered donut with yellow sprinkles., Haechan watches you as you happily look at the other donuts on display. For the first time, you weren’t your usual reserved shy self. 

When you look over at him with the biggest grin on your face it’s the wind got knocked out of Haechan’s lungs. 

Were you always this pretty? yes. He noticed that when he first saw you in the cafe before the interview. Actually, he’s seen you a few times with Renjun and Giselle. He’s also seen you a few times during parties but never got to talk to you. He noted you liked keeping to yourself or keeping your circle of friends small but you’re that one student every one seem to know. 

He always thought you were pretty but right he can’t think of anything else apart from how beautiful you looked smiling right at him.

Shaking his head as if to wake himself up, he orders a few boxes to take back at the dorm and the one you liked. 

Before you could pay for your donut, Haechan already swiped his card paying for everything you ordered. “Hey, I was going to pay for that” you tell him

“My treat, think of it as an advance thank you for the feature on the campus journal” he tells you with a smirk 

“Renjun is the editor in chief, he was the one who told me to do it..” “You did a great job at the interview, and I’ve read some of your previous articles before. You’re good. Give yourself the credit, you deserve it” he cuts you off, telling you words you didn’t think you needed to hear but very much appreciated. 

It feels okay to be told you’re good at something you enjoyed doing every once in a while. It’s a big bonus when it’s your crush that tells you just that.  

“Thank you” you tell him, both for the compliment and the snacks

“Don’t mention it, if it bother’s you that much you can buy me donuts next time or whatever you want to eat. Whenever you’re free” he tells you

There’s a next time? you ask yourself. Too stunned once again, you couldn’t say anything else so you just nod and smile shyly at him. 

As promised he drove you to your apartment complex after, waving goodbye at him from the doorway before going inside. The smile on your face never leaving even for a second. 

That encounter was enough to put you in a good mood for the next couple of days. You didn’t get to see or talk to Haechan after that though, too busy with finishing the campus journal prior it’s final publication. 

Then release day comes, finally finally all the hardwork you’ve put in for the past semester paid off. All the coffee induced palpitations, sleepless nights and hours of staying infront of your computer editing is done. 

At the moment, you didn’t mind if 3 people get a copy of the journal. You’re just so happy with your work. Renjun, who is probably the only other person who is as tired and as excited as you, felt the same way. Yes he is a bit grumpy from the lack of rest due to late night editing and last minute revisions but he’s happy. He even bought you coffee before coming to school today. 

“And here are the first 10 copies printed, all the other ones are being delivered to the library, student center and front office” Giselle says when she entered the room, “Thanks Gi, the pictures and edits on this issue is amazing. Thank you” Renjun tells her

“What can I say, I am a genius behind the camera” you all chuckled at her answer, taking a copy for yourself as a keepsake. 

“Why don’t you give one to Haechan?” Renjun asks you 

“Can I?”

“Yeah, it’s getting released today anyways. Plus it would be better if you give it to him yourself” he says, passing another copy to you. 

And that is how you find yourself at the student lounge looking for a certain brown haired boy. You managed to find his roommate Jeno but no sign of Haechan. 

“He only has one class today, I think he’s going to the party later though” Jeno tells you “Party?”

“Yea, to celebrate the almost end of this semester. Also it’s his birthday soon so it’s like an advance party”

It sounds like he’s busy for the rest of the day, saying a quick thank you and goodbye to Jeno before walking out the student hall feeling less excited. Meanwhile Jeno shoots Haechan a quick text telling him you’re looking for hin. 

It’s your last class for the day, the journal is already out and surprisingly you saw a lot of students with copies of their own. That being the highlight of your day. 

You exit campus. ready to call it a day and head home. Walking across the parking lot to the bus stop right outside the campus gate. You had your earphones on so you didn’t hear your name being called out, only when someone grabbed your arm you let out a shriek

“Sorry I didn’t meant to scare you” Haechan says, holding both hands up to show you it’s just him. You take your earphones of, still feeling a bit startled. 

“It’s okay, sorry” you mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed for shouting at him

“It’s cool, my fault. Promise I won’t sneak up on like that again” he says with a gentle smile. Since it was rush hour, a lot of students were passing by you. Some even bumping into you and Haechan. 

On the other side, cars where exiting the campus so you were leaning towards the inner side of the sidewalk but too many students were passing by. Noticing this, Haechan pulls you by your arm again. Gently, you notice, he tugs you towards him before putting his hand on your back to guide you back the parking lot assuming that’s where he parked. He was walking closer to were the cars were passing by but he still kept you close to him so you don’t bump into other students passing by. 

When you got closer to his car, he drops his hand from your back. 

“Uhm where are we going?” you ask, “Well I can drive you back home instead of taking the bus if you like, we can also go for an after class snack” he tells you

“Aren’t you busy today?” you ask again, remembering Jeno’s words earlier today. “Not that busy, I had to go to the hyung’s house to prepare some stuff for the part tonight but they can handle that. So I came to pick you up, heard you were looking for me” he says in a teasing tone, shooting you a cheeky smile

“Yea, uh the journal was released today. I wanted to give you a copy, I have it in my bag” you shrug one of the strap off your shoulder to get his copy when suddenly Haechan pulls the other strap off you to put your bag on him. Slinging it on his own shoulders infront of him so you can grab your stuff easily

“So I get an exclusive, nice” he says making you let out a chuckle “Technically they have a copy now, I was supposed to give this to you earlier but here you go. Better late than never” you say, passing the copy over to him. 

When you looked up at him, his attention wasn’t on the paper like you were expecting. Instead he’s looking at you, he had this look on his face you can’t explain but it was enough to make the blood rush to your cheeks. Feeling your face get warm. 

“Are you free later?” he asks, not taking his eyes off you even for a second

“Yea, I’m just going back to my dorm and rest. We had to pull an all nighter the other days because of this” you say, pointing at the paper Haechan’s holding. 

He was just about to ask you out to come to the party later with him but then changing his mind again, now that you mentioned it he noticed the tired look in your eyes. You still looked cute and was smiling adorably at him but still he can see the tiredness behind it. 

Even though he wanted to invite you to the party or spend more time with you he wanted you to rest first. Maybe he can ask you out some other day. 

“Want to grab something before I drive you home?” 

“My treat?” you ask him, smiling up at the boy. This day taking a turn for the better now that he’s here. It’s crazy just how better your mood got now that Haechan’s here but it is what it is. 

“Fine, but next time I’m buying” he agrees before opening the passenger door for you. Passing your bag back to you when you settle in. The two of you grabbed something for dinner, eating in his car while you tell him stories about your very very busy week. 

Contrary to how your first meeting went, you’re more carefree this time. Maybe because you missed talking to him. You were too engrossed about telling him all about the late night revisions and multiple cups of coffee you consumed to notice the fond look on Haechan’s face as he listens to you. 

He liked how you’re getting more comfortable around him, he loved talked to you but he loved hearing you tell stories about your day. You can be reading the back of the cereal box and he’d still be all ears for you but he don’t admit it to you. Not yet. He didn’t want to freak you out. 

“Oh my god I’m speaking too much, am I boring you? Oh gosh I’m so-” “:Hey no, none of that. I love hearing about you and how your day went” he stops before you could finish the sentence. 

Shooting you a gentle smile before reaching a hand towards you to tuck a loose strand of har behind your ear, “Next time, you can call me when you have to pull an all nighter. I sleep pretty late anyways”

“I don’t want to bother you though” you mumble 

“You’re not a bother, it’s definitely better than hearing Jeno scream at his computer all night” he jokes, tapping you on the nose gently before taking his phone from the console to pass it over to you

“Here, you can give me your number” you take the phone from him, putting your number in before passing it back to him. Feeling your phone vibrate in your pocket, “There, you can save my number. Now you can call me whenever”

Too bad you had to cut your night short since he had a party to go to and you’re pretty sleepy already. You don’t tell him but he noticed how you were fighting the sleepiness off. Deciding to drive you home, again he waits until you were inside before driving away. 

Ever since then, you and Haechan would call each other on random times whenever you’re not together and when both of your schedules are free. Sadly you don’t have any classes together so you don’t really spend a lot of time together on campus. 

“You’re not smiling at our phone this time? He forgot to shoot you a goodmorning text?” Renjun teases you. He definitely noticed the change between you and Haechan and how more frequent your interactions were. 

He’s happy now that you finally have the courage to go out there, he’s known you for years and considers you like his own sister. You’re loyal to people you love and care about, probably the most understanding person he knows. You’re that one person he could call anytime he needs someone. You deserve to have someone like that and Haechan is perfect for that. 

When Renjun first got that confession out of you; your feelings for Haechan, he was surprised because Haechan is pretty rambunctious, the total opposite of you.  But seeing you and Haechan together it definitely make sense. 

“No” you grumbled

“No as in he didn’t text or no that’s not reason?”

“No, he didn’t text me and no that’s not the reason. I’m just a bit snappy since I haven’t had my coffee yet”

Renjun just gives you a look but choose not to say anything anymore. It was cute you were acting this way, sneaking to take a picture of you to send to Haechan.

The aforementioned boy back at home, stuck doing a few papers due by tomorrow. Did Haechan really wait until the last minute to do all his work? Yes. In his defense he was about to do it last night while he was talking to you but after the call Jeno asked him to play games then the rest was a blur. 

Now he’s here, no sleep running on 5 energy drinks. 

A few final clicks before hitting send, finishing his last requirement before finally being free from any pending work. He was too focused in his work he forgot to plug his phone last night, only remembered to charge it an hour ago. Standing up from his computer chair to jump on his bed. Checking his phone to see any messages, a few from his friends but none from you. 

Then he sees the text Renjun sent a few hours ago. A picture of you slumped on your seat, head resting on the table. Come and get her, she’s sulking, Renjun’s message says. 

Immediately Haechan smiles, feeling recharged even though he hasn’t slept a wink. Quickly changing clothes before taking his phone and keys to do just what Renjun said. 

It was your last class for the day, ready to get back to your dorm and rest when something or more like someone catches your eye by the parking lot. You’ve been on a few roadtrips with Haechan, plus those other times he drove you home so his car is familiar to you by now. 

Also, you’d know that mop of brown hair anywhere. Even when his face is being blocked by a bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers. 

Walking across the lot towards him, “What are you doing?” you ask him 

Haechan peaks his head from behind the flowers, before pulling them down to finally look at you face to face. “Came here to see you, I was busy finishing three papers that were all due at the same day so I didn’t get to charge my phone”

“Okay, doesn’t explain the flowers though”

“Well these are for you, to brighten up your day. Sunflowers from your sunshine” he smiles at you, a bit jokingly but still you find it adorable. Not being able to fight off the smile, you just roll your eyes before taking the flowers from him

“You like them? I remember you said you liked sunflowers” he asks, but from the way you’re looking at the arrangement he can tell you liked it

“I do, thank you. You didn’t have to though”

“But I wanted to, so there you go. And that is only the beginning, are you free tonight?”

“Yea why?” you ask back, “Want to go on an adventure with me?” 

If Haechan thinks you will say no to him, then he’s severely wrong. He might not know it yet but the power he has over you, his ability to pull all the yes in just about every question he asks from you. 

That’s how you found yourself going on a spontaneous date with the guy you really really like. Sometimes you think you want to distance yourself from him because the lines are getting too blurry but you don’t want to make yourself hope over nothing. He’s very doting when it comes to you, gives you rides to and from school, you two talk nonstop but he never really expressed the intention of becoming more than a friend. 

Even though you like him very much, you respect he might not feel the same. You’re happy with whatever this is, but sometimes you also want to go and distance yourself from the pain if one day all of this changes. 

“You look like you’re in deep thought” right now the two of you are at the park, seating by the swings

“Just thinking about some stuff”

“Tell me” he tells you like a little kid, “You really want to know?”

Haechan nods his head, leaning closer towards you 

“Really really want to know?” again he nods his head enthusiasticly 

It took a second before you burst out laughing, making Haechan realize you were joking. 

“That’s not nice” he grumbles, acting like he’s mad making you tug on his arm. He drop his arms from the swing making yours follow along. Now both of your hand are resting mid air, his hand holding yours. 

“You really can’t tell me?” he asks again 

“Should I? I’m not sure if you’re ready to hear it yet” in between the feeling of him holding your hands and the fact that you’re about to confess to him, you’re trying your best not to freak out

“Remember what I told you before? Whatever you have to say, I’m here to listen. I like hearing your stories” he looks over at you, meanwhile you were looking down at the ground

“I like you” you whisper

The words were already out before you could stop yourself, hoping he didn’t hear it. Haechan says nothing at first, he just stays still beside you. Maybe he didn’t hear after all. 

Haechan on the other hand, was still looking at you. Did he hear you right? You did say you like him? You like him?

This time he stands up, pulling you with him so now you’re standing infron of each other. He holds you by your shoulders, “Sorry my hearing is shit from how loud my headphones are when I play games so I need to hear that again just to be sure”

“So you didn’t hear me?” you ask 

“I did but I want to be sure”

“Sure about you heard? So you didn’t hear me clearly?” you asked, 

“Are you teasing me because if so this is no fun, I know what I heard I just... Can I hear you say it, please?” how can you say no to him when he asks you like that, one look at his eyes and you’re ready to spill your feelings to him

“I like you” you mumble, looking over his shoulder

“It doesn’t count if you don’t look in the eye” he chuckles, dropping his hands from your shoulder to hold both of your hands. 

“Please” he tilts his head to catch your gaze

This time you look at him in the eyes, feeling your cheeks burning already

“I said I like you” you said a bit aggravated because you can tell he’s teasing you. Then you see his smile, starting from the corner of his lips turning to a full grin. The type of smile that reaches his eyes, making them look like tiny cresent moons. 

The next second he was hugging you tightly against his chest, “I heard it the first time I just wanted to hear it again” he admits

“You’re annoying” you mumble

“You like me though” “That I can’t argue with” 

He then pulls away from you, holding your face with both hands so gently. “I like you, too. Like a lot” he tells you, hearing his words it made you blush like crazy. Haechan loving every second of this, not letting this moment pass without teasing you 

“Oh my god are you blushing? You are!” that earned him a pinch on the side making him yelp in pain. He takes your hands again to pull you in an embrace, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ears

“I have a question thought”

“What is it?” you ask him, “Can I kiss you?” you can feel his hand hold the side  of your face, instead of saying yes you’re the one to close the distance between the two of you. You can feel him smile against your lips, then his arms wound around your waist slightly lifting you off the ground. 

When the two of you broke apart, you can’t stop the smile on your faces. He peppers kisses all over your cheeks, your nose, from your forehead down to your chin, saving your lips for last. 

“This is better than any prize out there” he mumbles “Mhm, you say that now. Wait until your next tournament” you joke. He lifts you again, taking you for a spin making you squeal and hold him around the shoulders tightly. Burying your head on his neck, you feel him kiss the top of your head before you hear him say