Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

San was just going to punch a hole in the wall again by the end of the day, he was sure of it.

He had been running late in the morning, then he burned his tongue on his coffee and consequently spilled some on his dress shirt - in class -  so he had to borrow Seonghwa's oversized sweater, then the stack of work sheets for his different classes all flew around when the new guy found it necessary to open the windows when it was already stormy outside hence an air blast hit them right on and that bastard didn't even offer help to pick them back up, and now he had to go back into the teachers' lounge because he forgot his keys there.

Along the way he passed the students' lounge and overheard two students laughing. "Just imagine," one said, and San found the voice familiar while the other one howled in excitement. "No, Wooyoungie's way too shy for that. And they're already established. He would never!"

"I swear, think about it." Established? Wooyoung? San couldn't help but slow down and peek. They were upper grade students, the very pretty one with soft looking hair, Kang Yeosang, and one of the twins if his memory didn't let him down. "Now you young boys," he alerted them of his presence, "It's late already, you should be headed home." From what they said he knew they were Wooyoung's friends. "We're just waiting for a friend to catch up, then we're out, teacher Choi," the tall one explained. San smiled and nodded, then sent his goodbyes and left the room.

But he stopped immediately around the corner, hoping they would go back to their conversation. "Teacher Choi," the tall boy repeated and trailed off. "He's really charismatic," the other one answered, "I see why Wooyoug fell for him. But I've heard that he can actually be quite playful... Well, not that difficult when teacher Park's is so strict in comparison." They both laughed. At him? "Not just in comparison. He just is really strict. And a clean-freak. They're really different from one another. If Wooyoung gets with them, he'll convert at least one of them into a bully," they laughed. "Oh my God, but we really have to keep the realisitc focus here: if Wooyoung gets with even just one of them, he has to get the exams solutions beforehand."

San chuckled at their sillyness, but he couldn't help to correct him in his thoughts. Wooyoung wouldn't get with just one of them. If anything, he'd get the package deal.

He needed to let Seonghwa know. On his way to the teachers' lounge another student crossed his path. The other twin. They were really tall, San marvelled every time he saw them standing up. "Good evening, teacher Choi," he greeted politely and even stopped walking to bow properly. San greeted him in return but kept walking, "Your friends are already waiting for you," he told him and sped up then. After these kind of news, the rest of the day washed out in to the background. Nothing better could have come from today.

Chapter Text

"Jung Wooyoung-ssi, could you stay back for a minute," teacher Choi called. Oh, but he had Physics up next, and he'd have to go to another classroom, he couldn't spare much time.

"Sure, anytime," he smiled back. Yeosang poked his side and grinned knowingly. "Ask him out, and if he says no, threaten him with a false allegation if he doesn't give you the final exam blueprint... And if he says yes, you still gotta get those final exam blueprints," he instructed seriously before he left with Mingi and Yunho. Wooyoung grumbled to himself. He should have never said anything. He waited until most students were out before he took his bag and rested it on the first desk up front. "You wanted to speak to me, teacher," he asked and on cue, the door closed with a soft click of the lock. Wooyoung's head snapped around to see teacher Park walk in, "Hello Wooyoung-ssi," he greeted politely which Wooyoung returned with a stutter.

Why were they both here?

Oh no. His grades were dropping!

"Is there a problem with my grades, teacher?" 

Teacher Choi laughed. If it wasn't for his anxiety, Wooyoung might have found it charming. "Your grades are phenomenal, Wooyoung-ssi, don't worry," teacher Park smiled and squeezed his shoulder gently as he came up behind him. The touch itself was soft, as if they had done it a million times before, but right now it made heat spike where Wooyoung felt the pressure, taking his mind off of the few steps he took under teacher Park's guidance. 

Teacher Choi had meanwhile sat on top of his desk, muscular thighs spread to welcome Wooyoung's presence, but Wooyoung legs felt ice cold, his knees locked in at the prospect of getting into his space.

They- Both of them- No, that-s- Too close!

"Actually we had something different in mind. Maybe I should come clean right away." The smile from before was still lingering on his face. Charming. It set off alarms bells in Wooyoung's head as the teacher reacher out for his hands. Teacher Park was hovering behind him like a shadow. Now Wooyoung could only sense him out of his view; looming, waiting, but evidently there. 

"A little birdie told me you had a certain affinity for us," teacher Choi whispered, rubbing the back of each of Wooyoung's hands gently, while teacher Park trailed his fingers along his shoulders, pretending to smoothen out the fabric of his jacket, akin to a massage. 

Anticipation settle heavily on Wooyoung's chest. Breathing was hard, his heart was racing and he felt his blood rushing and heating his face. "I made me wonder. What if we have also set an eye on you? Maybe you'd like to know that," teacher Park whispered behind him. Apparently he had closed in, careful enough not to let their bodies touch. Wooyoung knew for a fact that the man had some height on him. He had always carried himself elegantly and calm. Nothing right now seemed calm or familiar in the slightest way.

"To put it simply; we'd like to get closer to you, Wooyoung-ah. It sounds scary, but I promise we have just the perfect spot for you right in our middle," teacher Park went on. Wooyoung could feel the airflow of his breath.

Oh no, he probably reeked of sweat and cheap dry shampoo; he hadn't even taken a quick rinse this morning! What the hell?

Teacher Choi never let his eyes stray from his face. Neither did Wooyoung; full of anticipation, trying to decipher what they expected from him. Teacher's posture looked relaxed though, "Do you want in?" His Prince Charming smile was hard to resist, Wooyoung found as small little singular brain cell told him to just lean in already.

But he couldn't. He was- They were a couple already. And his teachers.

And he was... Wooyoung.

He looked at their tangled hands and became hyper-aware of his reactions. He must be making a fool of himself. Sweating and squeaking like a pig. He must smell weird already from the anxiety and stress and the grease in his hair. And his hands were already glistening from how wet they were from sweating.

They couldn't be possibly be drawn to a clown like Wooyoung.

He looked up again, "Teacher, uh," he stuttered, but the words wouldn't come out. His mind was screaming, his lips twitched with the urge to speak, but his tongue was heavy. He couldn't possibly say yes.

Did they mean it? They wanted him to join their little love nest and be- their boyfriend? That sounded wrong for several reasons.

"We'd be so happy, Wooyoung-ah." It couldn't possibly be true.

"You wouldn't really say no to this, would you?" teacher Park reach out from behind him to pinch his partner's cheek. Teacher Choi grunted in suprise, but smiled lovingly at the man. Wooyoung saw just how his eyes sparkled so deeply after they strayed away from his.

This couldn't ever be directed at Wooyoung. A look like this was reserved for true love. Wooyoung wasn't a candidate for such a thing. He looked down again at their hands. He shook his head. No, no, no.

Just no.

They were messing with him.

Someone probably tipped them off to prank Wooyoung. Beomgyu or Changbin, probably. They told the teachers he said he liked their teaching style even though they were so different from each other, and what he liked best. And that he like Teacher Park's style of clothing and Teacher Choi's shoulders were so broad. Maybe he also called them handsome once.

Now they made up a plan to lure Wooyoung in, to make him confess and make a fool out of himself. They probably set up a bug somewhere to blackmail him with it later.

"Ah, um, teacher, I'd- I don't think, um, I shouldn't - I sh- should," he tugged himself free from their caging embrace clumsily and stumbled backwards.

Teacher Park called his namei n surpise and got a hold of his hand, gentle considering his strict personality, a touch for the sake of touching lest Wooyoung fell, "Oh? Do you not have anyhting else to say?"

Wooyoung pulled his hand back as if the touch burned him. "No, I- I don't," he rasped and grabbed his backpack. He must be so late for class already. The teacher would rip his head off and then mark him absent!

No. His streak!

"No, no," teacher Choi pouted- Pouted? Like a sulking child, and caught up before Wooyoung got to the door. No way.

Should he have said yes? Would they do something because he said no?

"Don't just leave. Jus- Just talk to us. Is it not true? Your friends said it. That you fell for us. Is that not right?" Wooyoung shook his head on autopilot more than anything.He had to get out.

"I'll be late," he said instead and moved to get past the men. "You can answer us truthfully, Wooyoung-ah, please," teacher Park reasoned but pulled the other man aside, physically freeing the path, "Just so we know. We don't mean to pressure you into anything. Just letting you know our stance, yeah."

Wooyoung watched the floor closely where the door sat, looking for moving shadows. For someone who was waiting for him. This was his friends' work, he knew it. What they called a crush was merely an attempt to distract himself from the budding stress of studying and this is what he got in return?! His eyes started burning, just like the teachers' words made him feel branded out of nowhere. Like a glowing hot iron in the dark, like a blanket made from barbed wire and daisies as if they cancelled out the pain.

His friends ratted him out and the teachers were in on the fun. What did he ever do to them?

Whenever they called- Whenever he could, he helped them out. He always made time, he always had cue cards or his old tests on hand to give to them. He always brought them food or bought them snacks. WHenever they had their few silly minutes, he'd let the stupid jokes and unfunny comments rain down on him. Studying, making plans, bringing food, revising their papers- Anything! And they still got him into a mess like this; now with his grades at stake. And those stupid, handsome, trustworthy teachers had revealed themselves as nothing but ordinary, selfish men. Adults were all the same. He was the best, the favourite, the angel as long as he served their comfort and played by their rules.

He huffed and turned back to them as a surge on red-hot anger bubbled in his chest and ripped through his composure. “I don’t know what you thought you’re doing, teacher, but this is harrassment. Any girl would call you rapey,” he growled with difficulties to keep his emotions at bay. “Rapey?” Teacher Choi repeated in disbelief, “What?” His face fell and he looked at the other man as if asking for directions. Teacher Park gasped but seemed to understand and pondered with a response, still breathing heavy. “Oh, um, Wooyoung-ssi, we’re sorry. You're right, this really wasn't a good way to approach you.” Switching tactis now, huh?

Teacher Choi stepped closer to his boyfriend; his eyes looked weird. Woyoung didn't have the mind to console him. "I overheard your friends saying something about your crush on the teacher-couple last week, so I figured we'd take a chance.” His voice was tight, definitely now the same as before. Great. Incredible way to fuck up your graduation, Wooyoung-ah.

“To come clean,” teacher Park took over, “We’ve set an eye on you as well and… Well, we thought we assumed this was a good in to approach you more personally without much of a ruse." So what? Wooyoung waited another minute for them to say anything else but the men stayed silent as well, seemingly losing their confidence the judging the way they turned towards one another.

What the hell? They said to come clean and just dished nonesense. Didn't come clean mean to tell the truth? Yet no word of his friends' plan to embarrass him again. Wooyoung rowned, rolling the words over and over. They meant it, after all? Or they lied again. Double-lie? So, his friends told the teacher he liked them?

And they-

Well, yes, he liked the teachers' classes the most, and their looks definitelly helped Wooyoung stay motivated. Teacher Park made him work for his approval, and teacher Choi always made sure to give him tipps without spoiling any solutions, so he liked it when they praised him or smiled proudly, but- None of this was any more than a simple crush. There was nothign to it that they could possibly reciporate. They were his favourites if he had to say it, alright. And? 

Was he having a stroke and dreaming up stuff? He sighed deeply in confusion and frustration. So many feelings were mixing in his chest and gut all of a sudden. Worry still lingered, his skin still sizzled where their fingers had touched, the echo of their words rang in his ears, and apparently they liked him? Okay? If they needed something, everybody liked him and he was the best. They weren't special. Nothing made sense, nor was there even one thought to hold on to. For a moment his world was spinning and turning. Beside his grades and the notes on his test, he would have never let himself expect more praise or affirmation like this. He knew they saw him with extracurricular books, the way he only pushed his notes to his friends when they had a question. Teacher Choi had seen his notes for a Physics class test and inspected evidently impressed while they had been working on soething else. But he had never let himself hope for any special treatment. That was just the way he liked to study. Maybe they just liked him more as a student?

All this attention and approval didn't grant him relief, just more tightness in his chest.

Teacher Park called him softly, “Wooyoung-ssi, we’re really sorry. This isn’t what we expected to happen.This went horribly wrong,” he trailed off again. He whispered with the other teacher again. “Maybe we can... We have to make it up to you. Let us start over?” he proposed with a serious but hopeful, polite smile, his head slightly lowered, “We could sit down togheter some time outside of class, if you want to, or San and I will plan something to do.” 

Wooyoung looked at them each at a time sceptically before he looked away and leaned backwards and turned for towards the door again. This was getting ridiculous. He had to get to class! He shrugged, “I don't- Really it's not... I don’t know if it's a good idea,” he explained lamely. He couldn’t look at them. He sighed and reached for the door knob. “It doesn’t have to be now,” Seonghwa added, “Even in few weeks or after winter break. Whenever you’re up to it, but for the time being, this is what we're saying. We’ll keep it down and see how it will go, yeah?”

Didn't they have any classes now? Wooyoung was done. Teacher Choi went on, “Just know the offer stands so long you don’t- um, well, reject us,” teacher Park made big eyes at him; something bitter-sweet crashed upon him. They tried their luck, but since they didn’t get the reaction they hoped for they were now trying to find the most gentle let-down possible. Reject them? Wooyoung just essentially said no, so why would they still try and convince him? It was probably just an attempt at ending this on a good note before it would never even cross their mind again.

“Wooyoung-ssi, you’ll be late for your class,” teacher Park suddenly called and went ahead to open the door for him. WOoyoung stood frozen again; his head felt like it was filled with cototn again. This class would suck. “If the teacher says anything, blame it on me. Say we discussed your grades and I lost track of time, okay,” the teacher instructed quickly and hurried them out of the room. Wooyoung just nodded and felt even fuzzier than before when he was back in the hallway. He took another look at them; their faces seemed like those of strangers and he felt almost grateful for the ringing sound in his ear to distract him. Everything felt so unreal all of a sudden; the talk about grades, the weird flirting, the touches, their confession, all of it. “Go,” teacher Choi sent him off just after adjusting Wooyoung’s jacket, as if trying to make him look less like a mess.

Wooyoung felt delirious when he entered the class room; just glad that the teacher barely called him out and let it slide. Both Yeosang and Mingi tried to communicate with him, but never got an answer. Eventually it slipped that it had to do with the teacher-couple. "DId you get the exams?" Yeosang checked seriously, Mingi cheered and it took everything in Wooyoung not to get up and leave. They got him into this mess in the first place. As if they didn't know what was going on! His heart was beatign so hard he thought his ribs might burst. Or his hands. He could barely hold on to his pen, his notes looked like a massacre. "You good?" Yeosang asked as he held his hand to Wooyoung's forehead, "I can't even read one word." Wooyoung clicked his tonuge. "I'll revise it at home anyway."

"Nerd."

Chapter Text

One and a half weeks later, the first Monday of November, the students in front of San were just waiting for class to end. Of course he noticed, and of course he wasn’t all too surprised, he was teaching Maths, after all. But today they were not tired of his class, just in a hurry to leave, it seemed. He granted them mercy, and ended his lesson a few minutes early even¸ although not without ulterior motives. “Wooyoung-ssi, could you spare me another minute?” He blinked at the teacher while his tall friend groaned behind him, “But it is pizza-day. Don’t worry, Youngie, I’ll save you a slice,” he patted Wooyoung’s back and left with another boy – Yeosang, the one who looked like a porcelain doll; he was getting prettier as he became older it seemed. Sometimes San wondered how these few boys came together, as they all seemed so different from one another. “Be quick,” the other one told him as well.  “Save me one as well,” San called after them jokingly as he waited for Wooyoung to come up to him.

“You wanted to talk to me, teacher Choi?” he asked politely, still not able to keep looking at him for long, San noted internally. “Yes, I’d like you to have this,” he held out a note with some numbers neatly written on it. Wooyoung stared at it in surprise, probably recognized Seonghwa’s handwriting, but only looked back up with a blank face. “These are our phone numbers, Seonghwa’s and mine. We spent the whole week waiting for you to call or text either of us, but I guess we really scared you off more than anything that time.” He paused when Wooyoung didn’t signal any understanding, and he also didn’t take the note. “Ho- How would I text you? An- And why?” Wooyoung asked quietly after several beats when he only raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I gave you our numbers already,” the teacher said when it dawned on him Wooyoung had been oblivious. “I put a note in your pocket before you left for class the other day after we- um, talked,” he paused unintentionally before and emphasised the last word differently, as if it were a code word. “My pocket?” Wooyoung repeated and instinctively padded down his pockets even though San noticed he wasn’t even wearing his coat, which in addition wasn’t the one he wore last week. “Oh, I never noticed,” he added, “I’m sorry, teacher, I don’t usually use my pockets, so I didn’t check.” San was surprised. Seonghwa could handle things like this better, but he could tell from Wooyoung’s frown that he was frustrated. Now that he thought back, Wooyoung had zoned out and probably hadn’t paid any attention to the way San had padded down and pulled on his jacket, just to slip the note in and readjust the fabric.

“We figured. Don’t worry. I mean, yes, we were hoping for a little something, but I guess you also wouldn’t have messaged us even if you had noticed. You have been pretty out of it. At least from what I’ve heard,” San explained which made Wooyoung’s attention snap back on him, “You’ve heard? Wh-where - What have you heard?”

“Just some teachers said you were quiet lately; more than usually. You know we also talk about students sometimes,” San chuckled. “And usually all of the teachers are acting like a fan club for you, because you always perform greatly, in class and extra-curricular, so it was kind of out-of-character when you barely even participated anymore. Like your energy has fallen short all of a sudden.” Wooyoung’s eyes started shaking. “Are you okay?” San asked, taking back the note and reaching out for Wooyoung. “Wooyoung-ssi?” San got a hold of his arms and turned him until he was leaning on the table top behind him so he wouldn’t fall. “Wooyoung-ah?”

San turned, startled by the new voice, but immediately turned back to the student in front of him. Mingi had stopped in the doorway just in time to see the teacher letting go of his friend’s arm but then touching his face instead. “What happened?” Mingi asked and came up next to them. “I, I don’t know,” San stammered, unlike himself, “I, I told him teachers were noticing he hasn’t been well lately, so I meant to ask about it,” he carefully watched Wooyoung’s reaction, somewhat worried the younger would snap and out them. But he stayed put and quiet, eyes unfocused; he had zoned out again. “What exactly did you say? Like, word by word?” Mingi asked and tested some of Wooyoung’s reactions: waved his hand before his eyes, pinched his cheek, lifted and dropped his hand – nothing. “I said he usually performs amazingly in class, so several teachers noted and mentioned that his fell short this last week,” he repeated, anxious as to what his friend would be able to take from it. Mingi paused and sharply turned to look at the teacher. Usually San wouldn’t budge at a student giving him an attitude, but as Mingi was taller than him and probably equally concerned about Wooyoung, protective even, it made him feel the need to run and hide.

“You told him his performance in class is falling short?” the student said with a clear edge in his voice. If looks could kill, San would have a hole burned through his skull now. “You can’t say that to him, teacher. Why do you think he puts so much extra effort into literally everything; he is scared shitless of not being the best.” Mingi couldn’t care less about his foul language or that it was directed at a teacher. It was too late. He knew Wooyoung was already spiralling. “Wooyoung-ah,” he tried again, softly, and took his hands. “My friend, come on, we are all waiting for you to join us. We want to eat lunch with you.” Something must have caught his attention; his eyes flickered to their joined hands, but also flew back to a random point on the floor just as quickly. “Wooyoungie, let’s go, even Yeonjunnie is there and waiting for you. He said he wanted to have a meal with you for so long. He was sad when he didn’t see you.”

San stood by and only watched it like a movie scene. The whole interaction meant a lot; he just couldn’t say how deep it really went. Wooyoung was not just performing well because he wanted to, but because he was afraid of failing, so much was clear. San could relate; for his training as an athlete he had to perform at his best at any time. But why was Mingi assuring him about his other friends? How were top grades his friends connected? “Come on. Let’s have pizza together with everyone. With Changbin and Yeonjun and Yeosang and Jongho and Hongjoong and Yunho and Felix. They’re all there at the big table. Minho even scared some lower grades off so we could make one extra big table to fit everyone. All that’s missing is you. Come on, you’re our last missing piece so we’ll have a perfect lunch break,” Mingi kept repeating and listing reasons why Wooyoung should definitely come. It had San dumbfounded that it took so much convincing for Wooyoung to be hooked. If he heard his friends had gone out of their way like this and had been waiting for him to enjoy their meal, he would have all but speed drive and run over every red light on his way to be with them as soon as possible. But Wooyoung seemed not to see any of that, for what San understood. But eventually, with lots of coaxing, he let his friend drag him out, unaware that Mingi glared at the teacher just before he was out of sight.

He stood there, only now feeling the adrenaline pumping through his system, staring at the door where Wooyoung disappeared. Wooyoung was upset because of him again.  That was his second strike. He groaned when he noticed he still hadn’t given him the note. Wooyoung was never going to come close to him again. How would he explain this one to Seonghwa? As if on cue, Seonghwa walked in, “What’s going on?” he came over and rubbed San’s shoulders, sensing the distress. “I messed up,” San whispered and pleadingly searched Seonghwa’s eyes, holding up the note. Seonghwa’s eyes widened slightly in surprise and confusion. “Did- did he not want it? What did he say?” San groaned, “He said nothing, because I said too much. I rambled a bit and somehow hit a nerve,” he explained. Seonghwa frowned at that, none the wiser. “What do you mean?” he asked and massaged San’s arm. “I told him I gave him our numbers, but he didn’t text, and that I wasn’t surprised because we scared him off so much that he was even slacking in class,” he tried to summarize, “and then his friend came in and told me I shouldn’t have said that because Wooyoungie is so scared of failing and then Wooyoung zoned out and Mingi-ssi basically carried him out of here.” San sighed in pure annoyance and ruffled his own hair roughly. Seonghwa nodded, “Ah yes, I just saw them. They were walking really slowly, but Mingi talked as if he were in a good mood?” he recounted. “Yeah, he was like coaxing Wooyoung into coming with him because all of their friends are waiting for them. Oh, Seonghwa, what did I do? Why do I keep messing up?” he whined and slumped into Seonghwa’s embrace.

Seonghwa could tell this was more than just a misunderstanding, but he didn’t want the two of them to spiral. “Let’s give it some more time. Remember what Wooyoung said? We barely really know each other, and this is proof of it. We have to take smaller steps to get to know him more personally other than to corner him and give him our numbers,” he thought out loud. “What do you suppose we do now?” San asked defeated. “Get lunch,” Seonghwa answered easily and manoeuvred them towards the door.

Back in the teacher’s lounge Eden was busy on his laptop when the pair came back in. “Hello Eden-hyung,” Seonghwa greeted politely, San only smiled at him when the older one looked up from the screen, not in the mood to talk. “Our love birds, how’re you doing?” he teased but with no bite. “Could be better. This time of the school year is always weird,” Seonghwa chatted lightly. Eden nodded but typed away on his keyboard until he stopped and the printer startled the teacher couple. Eden looked casual as he rolled over towards it in his office chair and took out the sheets of paper. “What’s that?” San asked curiously, distracted from his own planner. “Lists for the clubs ’n stuff. I’ll hang ’em up later. But when you’re here already, could you inform your classes throughout the week they can sign up for everything. And it’s noted on there as well, the deadline for signing up’s in three weeks so they can check it with their schedules. I’d be very grateful to you,” Eden explained as Seonghwa came over and skimmed them. “Sure,” he agreed. Eden chuckled, “If I could, I’d write some names down already, but the clubs haven’t been going very strong last year. Maybe some fresh wind’ll help,” he looked up at both of them with a grin. “What?” San asked, not catching up. “Some students join every year. There’re these two kids in the school band who’re basically founding members. And principle’s even tried to get a deal with the gym down the street… As far as I know one of the coaches agreed to take over some dance club kinda thing here… But maybe we’d get some teachers to join as well. What’d you think? San-ssi, you’re a PE teacher, an athlete. I’ll write you down for the dance club, hm? All the upper grads’ll be there if they hear about you,” Eden prompted, pen already in his hand. “Ah,” San chuckled and blushed, “I don’t know… I can check it out once or twice, I guess?” San even looked at Seonghwa who smiled and nodded. Eden hummed victoriously and scribbled his name on the list. Then he looked at the other list, and wrote two other names in, “Who’s that?” Seonghwa asked. “Hongjoong’s like my mentee, he wants to become a producer and work in the music industry. And Jongho’s a sophomore student, shy kid but a powerhouse vocal in the making. They sometimes link up a record demos together. If their careers in music don’t work out the world’s ending.”

Seonghwa was impressed, by the students as well as how fondly Eden talked about them. “And they’re also basically recruiting every other member. Most of them were friends before they joined, and those who joined on their own terms didn’t stand the standard those two set. Sometimes it’s almost like I was only a tool for them to get access to all the tech and space they need for themselves,” Eden smiled at the memories rushing through his mind. “Well then, my dearest colleagues, I’ll pack up and hang them on the black board. Remember to tell your students,” he nodded at each of them and left. The couple greeted swift good byes and sighed simultaneously when they were left alone. Seonghwa sat with San and relaxed back into his chair. “I’ll remind you to go to the dance club, don’t worry, darling,” Seonghwa grinned in suspicion and made San groan. “I’m a teacher and an athlete, doesn’t mean I want to spend my off-time at school for a sports club. What do you think they’ll do there? Throw balls and vibe to music?” Seonghwa laughed at San’s unusual pessimism. “Extra-curricular stuff like this is for kids who are too bad at something to join an independent club privately but not discouraged enough by their grades,” he scolded which made Seonghwa bark a laugh at the cynical stance, “Oh my god, don’t say that, you’re a teacher,” he laughed. “Okay, maybe I exaggerated but I’m a PE teacher and I’ve had my fair share of sports clubs. I know what I saw.” Seonghwa just kept laughing until he had tears in his eyes. San joined in when his partner really couldn’t seem to help himself anymore. “What about you? Will you check out the band, then, if I visit the sports club?” San negotiated. Seonghwa calmed at that and caught his breath. He considered, and thought it was only fair after he already called San out on dropping it before it started. “Alright. You got me,” he held out his hand for San to shake. San took it firmly and only gave Seonghwa a piercing look that barely accounted a warning before he pulled him forward and planted a kiss on his lips. Seonghwa made a sound of surprise but let them have a moment of quiet and privacy.

It was over just as quickly as it came, and both sighed. “I’m sorry I messed it up with him again,” San whispered and looked down. Seonghwa only put his other hand where they were already joined. “Don’t beat yourself up over it. I, for my part, know you didn’t mean to hurt him. You couldn’t have known any better. I’m sure we can find him some other time and clear up the air a bit more.” They kept eye contact and let the icky tension wash over them until both felt more relaxed again. “Okay,” San whispered I response, “Thank you.” Seonghwa smiled softly, “I love you.”

The next morning San felt weird. Not exactly shameful and anxious like directly after the incident, but some uneasiness was still hanging over him. Seonghwa was in the kitchen already and preparing breakfast, still in his lazy clothes with Byeol sitting by his bowl, seemingly already done with his meal. “Good morning, dear,” San greeted and came up next to him, still adjusting the sleeves of his sports shirt before he planted a quick peck on his partner’s cheek. Seonghwa smiled and looked at him, “Hi pretty,” he flirted and checked the pancakes one last time before he plated them and put the pan aside. “Did you feed Byeol already?” he asked, but didn’t even wait for an answer before he greeted and fuzzed over the cat. Seonghwa smiled at the way San cooed over the pet, kissing and scratching him as every morning. “Here, take these,” he then signed at the bowls of fruits and vegetables and other toppings, while he took the plates over to the dining table. San hummed joyfully as he let the cat down and washed his hands, and carried everything in one go. “Thank you for the food,” he said before sitting down and digging in. Seonghwa hummed and also inspected his creation. “You’re dressed nicely today… Now you’re just full of fur,” he noted and looked San up and down. “And you’re still in your pj’s,” San answered easily. “Yup. I’m starting late on Tuesdays. So if you’d like, we can make it our new date night, because I’ll have some time to prepare it in the morning.” San stopped chewing for a moment and swallowed. “Why not switch it to breakfast dates? I like this,” he winked, “And then date night can remain on the weekends. Then we can equally contribute to planning and everything.” Seonghwa mulled over it but frowned. “Yes and no, I also like lazy mornings and when we sit down a bit romantically. But I don’t like to make every activity we plan together a date… I mean, technically they are, right? But weekend-dates sound nice, actually.” San let his words sink in and then beamed. “Why not make it a weekly stay-at-home-date, and then add an activity-date once or twice a month. Could be the movies, could be sky diving, could be shopping for a new decoration, anything we come across that sounds fun to the two of us.” Seonghwa smiled, but then his eyes swayed over to the empty space on their table and his face dropped a bit, “Yeah, the two of us,” he repeated. San needed a moment but caught on quickly.

“You’re also thinking about him?”

“All the time,” Seonghwa whined. “But at the same time, I think I’m just a bit dreamy. You know, we only know him within the class room and lessons. We haven’t even really seen how he interacts without any rules, with his friend, during recess, with his family. Sometimes I think we don’t actually know him as a person at all, only as a student.” San was silent and also let his eyes blink over to the empty seat, currently taken by Byeol, and imagined what it would be like to have breakfast with Wooyoung, wake up next to him, visit an art gallery with him, watch a movie with him, play video games with him; but in each vision Wooyoung was only quietly smiling, politely bowing, or nodding with curious eyes. San thought it was cute, and felt endeared but otherwise, he couldn’t even imagine another expression of the student. No loud, joyful cheers or sparkling fascination in his eyes, or shy giggles – San couldn’t come up with anything. “You think,” He said slowly, “We should give it up?” Both shared a look, identically feeling sorrow at the mere thought of giving up something that they didn’t even have. Seonghwa grumbled and nibbled on a carrot stick, “No, just… maybe. I don’t know. Tone it down a bit? Give ourselves time to get to know him. Maybe he’s totally different from what we’re expecting.” San nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that sounds plausible.” They finished their food in silence, occasionally sneaking glances at the third seat.

“Let me clean up, or you’ll be late,” Seonghwa ushered San out of the kitchen when he started to put dishes into the dish washer. “But don’t make everyone fall in love with you as long as I’m not there.” San giggled and waited for Seonghwa to pause to properly say good bye. He gently backed Seonghwa up against the counter and then cupped his face with one hand. “Not like I have eyes for anyone but you after all this time,” he smiled and leaned in to kiss him softly. “You’re so amazing,” he said and peppered Seonghwa’s cheek with kisses until the other one was giggling. “I’m already looking forward to every Tuesday morning from now on.” “You’re just thinking about morning sex, don’t you?” Seonghwa sassed back and made San laugh in turn. “Is that a bad thing?” Seonghwa smiled and hugged San tighter, “Be safe. We’ll see each other at lunch, yeah,” they parted after another kiss. “I love you,” they called at the same time and chuckled together at how synchronized they have become.

San’s morning was boring. He had three PE classes in a row, and the only good thing was that he recognized one name on his lists. As promised, he told each class in the beginning that the lists for extra-curricular activities were out and ready for signing up. During the third class he approached one of the students. “Choi Jongho-ssi,” he called while he was waiting his turn on the exercise. “Yes teacher?” the boy immediately turned and bowed politely. “I had a talk with teacher Kim Yonghwan and he told me you’re an essential part of the school band,” the teacher smiled and saw the student visibly relaxing. “Ah,” he giggled flustered, “Did he say that,” he smiled endearingly. “Yes, he considered just putting your name on the list himself. Along with another student,” San paused, trying to remember the name correctly, “Ho- Hyeon? Joon?” he squinted, not even to his own ears did it sound familiar. “Hongjoong?” Jongho offered and San agreed proudly. “Yes, Hongjoong-hyung is like the foundation of the band. He brought me in as well. I don’t even know how he noticed me. Probably through Yunho-hyung. Many people say we look alike so maybe he confused us… but Yunho is usually with Mingi-hyung,” Jongho trailed off, not really talking to the teacher anymore, but it made San perk up. “Mingi? Song Mingi?” he asked. He knew that name, closely even. Song Mingi is friends with Wooyoung, and the one who came to get him yesterday. Jongho looked at him, surprised at the teacher’s interest. “Ah, yes. Song Mingi and Jung Yunho, they’re the tall pair of friends. You’ve probably seen them around.” San nodded again, “I teach some of their classes; I think I remember.” San wondered how all of them were connected. Of course they were students and shared some classes, and also clubs it seemed, so maybe that’s how this huge group of friends came together. “You know them, do you then know Jung Wooyoung as well?” San tried to sound nonchalant. Jongho’s eyebrows shot up, “Of course, everyone knows him. He’s always been one to be famous,” he said as if it were ridiculous to even question that. “But we’re also friends. We have our little group there… Yeah, I don’t even remember how we came together, we just… are.” San didn’t know why but his heart warmed and melted a little bit at how subtly fond Jongho was of his friends. He seemed so at peace when he talked about them. “You should join us today during lunch break,” Jongho then redirected his eyes pointedly at the teacher. “What?” San blurted, “Why?” He couldn’t tell if the student was joking or not. But it certainly wasn’t likely for a teacher to spend their break with students, let alone join their little groups. “Yunho-hyung saved you a slice of pizza yesterday, but you didn’t come. We then split it all together, but he really put his heart into negotiating with the lunch-ladies,” Jongho explained. San was stunned. The boy spoke sort of very formal, but the words themselves sounded so casual. He just laughed at the feeling of not knowing what to say. “Oh really? I’m sorry; I didn’t think he would do so. I’ll make sure to return the favour soon, Jongho-ssi.” San smiled and nodded, quickly cutting the conversation off.

He had a mixed feeling about the encounter. “Well, you know, it means they talk about us, which means they think about us. But that also means they talk about us. What if they think we’re weird? Or they said I made Wooyoung feel bad about himself?” San ranted while Seonghwa sat on the couch. The book in his lap was still open at the same page he was ten minutes ago, long forgotten. “Darling, I know you know I don’t like to say it, but you’re overthinking. They probably laughed at it because a teacher usually doesn’t ask their students to reserve them food. The teachers don’t even eat at the cafeteria, only if they have their own space there,” Seonghwa countered calmly. “But he saved me a slice of pizza. So long they had to split it after I didn’t show up and everybody was finished eating.”

“Do you know that?”

San paused. “Well. Jongho said it… Why would he lie?” Seonghwa smiled and shrugged, “He’s young, and probably a little bit silly, and after his friend was down maybe he wanted to get back at you and make you feel bad as well.” San frowned. “No, I don’t think so. They expected me to be there. They waited for me to come and sit with them… You think… Wooyoung talks about us? I mean, I heard his friend say something about a crush? So Wooyoung talks about us… Why wouldn’t his friends do, too?” Seonghwa rolled the words over in his mind. It actually sounded somewhat logical. The only way someone else talked about Wooyoung’s crush on them was if Wooyoung confided in someone. But a whole group of almost ten people? Teenagers at that; just shy of graduating high school. Sounded more like a new drama series…

“Do you want to join them tomorrow?” Seonghwa challenged. San shrugged, not so sure anymore now that he was asked like this. He knew Seonghwa was toying with him. But the thought of spending time with Wooyoung somewhat personally was nice. They would still be at school. But during break and with his friends. Not in a class room with folders and scripts and exams. “I’ll tell you what,” Seonghwa proposed, “If we join Wooyoung and his friends at lunch tomorrow, and they are nice and don’t seem be uncomfortable or ridiculing it, you can choose every Tuesday breakfast for the rest of the year. No exceptions.” Seonghwa stood up and walked over to San and loosely cornered him. “Why does it sound like a bet?” San pouted. “Well, do you want to find out whether they like us or not? Maybe it’s just an inside joke; or a running gag between them. Or it’s serious,” Seonghwa’s voice dropped, and along with the thought of Wooyoung taking about and crushing on them, it made his stomach coil with something forbidden. “I want to know as well,” Seonghwa encouraged him, “I’d like to hear and see for myself what he’s like as a person. And I’d also like to show him that we are serious.”

“We are?” San raised his eyebrows.

“Aren’t we?” Seonghwa frowned back.

“I mean, this morning you didn’t sound so convinced… You said maybe we’re just imagining it.” Seonghwa licked it lips, “No, I said maybe we have no idea what he is really like. And that we should get to know him better.” San took a moment to study his boyfriend’s face. He was set and convinced positively. He looked to the side where the dining table stood and just let his eyes linger for another minute. “Yeah,” he hummed, “We should,” he agreed. Seonghwa smiled at him softly and cupped his face on one side to pull him in and kiss his other cheek. “It’ll be fine, darling, let’s not worry too much. There’s no need to rush.” San nodded and let himself be guided back to the living room, where Seonghwa pulled him down with him to rest while the older one resumed to read his book.

Chapter Text

“Youngie, put the book away already. We're eating lunch together. It's rude,” Hongjoong demanded again. "You don't even go to school here," Wooyoung countered uselessly, "Please," Hongjoong insisted gently but unapologetic. Hyung was sitting at the  other far end of the table; why did he bother? Wooyoung barely granted him a glance before reading the paragraph again now with replacing the technical terms with their definitions in his mind. It was hard to concentrate with all the chatter from the other students around him. “Put it away or I’ll splash it with my mom’s chili oil,” Jongho opened the little container of sauce as if to verify his threat. Yunho laughed and covered his mouth not to accidentally spit on his book, “That will literally burn the whole book with one drop, and you know it.” Wooyoung rolled his eyes and closed the book, but kept it on the table in a surge of spite. Jongho was sitting right next to him, he might just follow up on his words. Hongjoong and Mingi eyed him warily but let it slide. “Is that even for an actual class? Or are you overachieving again?” Changbin chirped in from the other end of the table. “Do you even need to work out eight days a week or are you just compensating?” Wooyoung shot back and earned a round of cheers.

“I’m not trying to lecture you, but I think your Maths isn’t quite right,” someone said behind him. Wooyoung recognized the voice and the smile in it, and only watched all of his friends’ eyes go wide and sparkling. Teacher Choi chuckled behind him at his own joke. A sigh followed and another beat of silence, “Is there any space for us to join you guys?” Teacher Park asked politely as always, which had the other boys scramble left and right - Changbin moved from the head of the table over to squeeze in next to Yeosang what consequently made Jongho also move closer to Wooyoung; Hongjoong, Mingi and Yunho snuggled up as well - to leave one seat right across from Wooyoung and one at the head of the table between Hongjoong and Changbin. “Do you mind if we split you up?” Yeosang asked, gesturing to the two separate empty spaces.  “Of course not,” teacher Park answered and rounded the table to take the seat opposite of Wooyoung, “Hi,” he then smiled directly at the student. Wooyoung only stared, and then looked over where teacher Choi sat at the other end. Mingi, next to Hongjoong, eyed the teacher with amazement, but wordlessly checked for Wooyoung’s reaction as well. They communicated silently as to what was just happening, but they'd have to discuss it later. When Wooyoung let his eyes roam through the group of people, he caught Yeosang and Yunho grinning at him, to which he frowned and averted his eyes. Then he realised... The teachers could have sat together if Hongjoong had moved to the left instead.

“So, it has come to my attention that one of you actually saved a slice of pizza for me yesterday,” teacher Choi started a chat. “Yes, and you never showed up,” Yunho harmlessly scolded the teacher. What the hell was he doing? Why were they even here? “I almost knocked down one of the undergrads. I think he'll never eat a pizza happily for the rest of his live… Who snitched, though?” Why were they talking so casually as if they had been friends for ever? “Oh, it was Jongho-ssi. But I, well, interrogated him a bit,” the teacher smiled so much his eyes almost disappeared into crescents. But when they were visible again, they were sharp and shiny. He just was like this, when he was in a good mood, his eyes sparkled, despite of being dark brown. At the same time, when teacher Choi was mad, his eyes darkened even more, so much his pupils were barely to make out even up close. And the sharpness of his eyes would turn into a piercing glare. Together with his strong cheekbones and feline-like pointy teeth it made him look like a sniper. He wasn’t built very tall. Well, of course he was tall, but with his aura and his broad shoulders and proportionately long legs he appeared even bigger and brighter; never to get lost in the crowd – at least from Wooyoung’s experience; he couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t spotted him in a crowded hallway or full and loud assembly hall. His hair also had grown out a bit, and when he didn’t style it to casually stay out of his forehead, it fell softly in tiny waves around his face, almost reaching his lips. It never looked messy though, and while it was a contrast to his usual tidiness and practical fashion, it perfectly matched his prominent features. Everything about teacher Choi was so on point; sharp eyes, straight nose, high cheekbones, strong jawline, thin lips with fang-like teeth, even his hair line looked as if it had been corrected with a ruler and lots of geometric formulas. And his broad shoulders in ratio to his almost tiny waist. But he was strong and muscular. Wooyoung had never expected it from a maths teacher in dress pants and satin blouses, but when he revealed his chest and arms during PE lessons when he demonstrated a perfect throw, Wooyoung was a goner. But now, when he was sitting with his friends, Wooyoung’s friends, and laughing heartily, he appeared so young and youthful, but his visuals were perfect as always. There was no way he could look more, let alone less attractive than he always did. Not even when Wooyoung thought about him drenched in sweat, in messy gym attire, or in any position that Wooyoung wouldn’t like to be seen in; smeared with chocolate, disoriented after a nap, or when he got into a fight as soon as he came home. Wooyoung looked pitiful and unlikable when he wasn’t smiling and bowing politely, but when he imagined the teacher in a bad mood or being clumsy, he only felt a sense to go comfort and help him.

He was pulled from his thoughts when Jongho held out a spoonful of fried rice right to his lips and he opened his mouth almost automatically, only the spice stung for a second and made him scrunch his nose. He looked back down on a random spot on the table top while chewing, only now realizing that he had probably starred and daydreamed about the Maths teacher – right in front of everyone. No wonder Yeosang had called him out for his ‘crush.’ Instinctively his fingers felt the corners and pages of the chemistry text book still sitting beneath his arms and dug the edges into his skin. He needed to read the rest of the chapter. And the next one maybe. Probably during Econ class when he finished the test early. Yup, then he would go and wait outside and read it quickly. “That’s the book on Alkanes I told you about,” teacher Park spoke in front of him, pointing downwards. Wooyoung jerked back as if the book had burned him. “Ah, yes,” he blushed, “I looked it up and saw the author also writes about other topics, so I thought to get into it a bit,” he explained dryly. Why was he rambling again? Teacher Park didn’t even ask a question. “I like his writing a lot; especially because he connects all the examples. It makes reading a lot more entertaining,” the teacher smiled proudly. “Wait, I thought it’s a cooking book?” Mingi blurted, and Yeosang nodded, “Yeah, you always shoot out random cooking facts when you’re reading from it.” Wooyoung gave them both a look, “Yes, because the examples use food and other everyday stuff to explain the process of chem-” “So a cook book for someone who likes chemistry?” Changbin cut in. Wooyoung just stopped and pursed his lip, looking down he said flatly, “Yeah, exactly.”

“Do you like cooking?” teacher Park asked him after beat of silence. Wooyoung shrugged and hummed. “Don’t lie,” Jongho cooed, “Wooyoung-hyungie will become the greatest star chef worldwide right after he graduates.” Teacher Park's eyes went wide with interest and he nodded, “Ah, is that so?” No, no, no, no, Wooyoung prayed silently, and subtly pinched Jongho on his elbow and thigh to makes him stop. “Yeah, he' basically our personal chef. Whenever he comes over to one of our houses, even before he comes over we make a bargain, so the first thing he’ll do is cook something. Even if all he had was the light in the fridge and dry bread, he would turn it into a three course meal for ten people. He’s like a magician,” Jongho kept cheering for him with had Wooyoung look up in embarrassment. “Stop,” he quietly whined. He looked at the others again, most of them clearly amused with his discomfort of being praised and presented in front of the teachers. When he looked over to Teacher Choi of course he only looked at his partner with his ever-shining eyes and gentle smile. The other teacher looked also happy and greatly entertained with his eyes full of adoration while he looked at Jongho while their youngest kept on gushing over Wooyoung’s most basic dishes. Wooyoung’s heart sank a bit; he never knew what people meant with this saying, but now he understood.

His chest felt tight and as if his whole body weighted tons and nothing at the same time, making it impossible to move. Why was it so easy for everyone to feel happy and joyful when they were together? Why could people fall for Jongho, or Yeosang, or Yunho so easily and look at them with the purest delight so openly? And how did Jongho, with his young age soak it up so charmingly? But they were just so easy to love. Why couldn't he be like this? They were handsome, and charismatic, and gentle and polite. And so intelligent. Yunho just always carried a kind of control with him; he knew exactly want he wanted and where to go, probably from being a dancer for so long. And Jongho was just adorable; there was no other way to put it. And Yeosang was the embodiment of visual perfection. Someone even spread a rumour that Yeosang wasn’t human, but a statue sculpted by Aphrodite herself; and haters then added he was cursed to live and age as a human so his beauty wouldn’t last. But they all were so humble and still acted surprised every time someone praised and complimented them and just honestly thanked the person for being nice, they weren’t greedy or arrogant. Even strangers, even teachers fell for their charms. Wooyoung couldn’t imagine being so cool about all this attention. 

After lunch and a horribly awkward round of goodbyes, Wooyoung only looked forward to the silence he would get when he finished the Economics test. Until then he had to endure his friends’ excitement over the teacher-couple’s sudden interest in them – well, him specifically, as Mingi said, but Wooyoung didn’t dare to entertain a thought like this. “Okay, think about this logically, okay,” Yeosang also babbled, and Wooyoung let him because Yeosang rarely got so excited and chatty, “We’ve been attending this school for five years now, and spend as much as every single lunch break in the cafeteria, and we’ve had our table for the better of one and a half years, isn't that right?” He waited for Wooyoung to nod because he was right, after all. “And how many times have you seen a teacher so much as enter the cafeteria during lunch break – let alone to eat there, much less with a group of students?” Wooyoung only sighed, tired and exhausted from the mind games. “Zero,” he answered himself. “So how do you plan to explain why the hottest teachers of the nation, who are officially in a romantic relationship, ambitiously sat with us and did nothing but make heart-eyes at you?” Wooyoung scoffed, “What are you saying? Teacher Choi only laughed with Hongjoong and Mingi, and teacher Park was absorbed in Jongho’s cuteness beyond the realms of appropriate. They weren’t even thinking about me.” Wooyoung only kept walking and disappeared in the classroom, not seeing the knowing looks the other boys shared, silently formulating a plan already.

The Economics test was as easy as Wooyoung expected: first some definitions of technical terms, then examples for more complex stuff like stocks, and eventually deducting the preferable choice between given housing options. Sometimes he found it hard to understand since some things seemed so abstract, but as long as he could get an A with 100 percent by learning it by heart, he had nothing to complain about. Just as he planned he took his papers and gave them to the teacher, and quietly asked to be excused so he wouldn’t have to sit here for another hour. He took his text book, which earned him a look from Changbin who caught him, but he didn’t let it get to him another time. He chose the closest break room to his classroom and sat down.

The chapter on the different functional groups attached to hydrocarbon molecules and how each one changed the activity and character of it significantly made his head spin. They were all so similar yet vastly different. How was he supposed to remember all of that? Damn it, he didn’t take his notebook with him, he could have written down some things. But he had his phone in his pocket he noticed, and immediately felt his feet go cold. He wasn’t supposed to have it in his pocket; it was supposed to be turned off and in his backpack. His mind told him he shouldn’t use it now, since he wouldn’t have it either if he had followed the rules, but he just wanted to finally work through the chapter. He took it out and opened the notes app, and typed down the different names and functions of each molecule as well as the everyday-examples given with them. Some might say he was just copy and pasting instead of reworking the content, but it helped him to work the words and phrases into his memory. “Hi,” a voice called from the door and Wooyoung flinched, looking at teacher Park with big eyes, “Sorry, Wooyoung-ssi, I didn’t mean to scare you. Just sit that way maybe, then your phone is not so obvious in case a teacher walks by,” he smiled and gestured to the seat that was facing away from the door. Wooyoung looked between his phone, the book and the teacher and swallowed, “I’m sorry, teacher. I only used it to take notes because I didn’t bring anything to write,” he explained but closed the phone and put it away. He’d have to read it again, anyway. “You just wrote test, right? Then you’re not supposed to have your phone on you anyway,” the teacher winked. Wooyoung was baffled how he just said the exact words Wooyoung was thinking a few minutes earlier. They were just really similar in regard of following rules, it seemed.

“Are you reading on alkanes again?” he peeked on the page that was open and took a few steps inside the break room. Wooyoung nodded, unable to form words. He suddenly felt like teacher Park was checking on him and whether he was doing his homework – disregarding the fact that the book wasn’t part of the curriculum and Wooyoung read it purely for his personal interest. “Which chapter are you on?” the man asked happily, but Wooyoung shrugged, “Functional groups… But I’m stuck. It’s a lot of information but it’s like only two sentences on each one, so I wanted to take notes to go over again.” Teacher Park just kept smiling and nodded. “I know. But if I’m not mistaken this is only a brief introduction, and each one is explained more precisely on the next pages. It might be just as hard to understand though, because it’s packed with a lot of history and experiments of how they were found.” Wooyoung perked up a bit, “That’s good. I like history,” he hummed. “Yeah? History in general?” Seonghwa took another step closer. “Um, yeah, I guess? At least not specifically. I like to watch documentaries of any kind. History, technology, nature, whatever. I just like to know things, I guess,” he explained. The teacher only kept looking at him, smiling, as if he waited for Wooyoung to continue, but there was nothing else to say. “But I don’t have a lot of time to watch or read anything. I’m usually caught up studying for school,” he shrugged again, slightly sinking down in his seat. “Or cooking,” the teacher added proudly, showing off he listened and remembered. “No, not really,” Wooyoung shook his head. “Only when I’m at a friend’s house. At home I don’t get to do a lot of that. I wish I could do more, but it's not... I can't,” he looked down and slowly grew quieter as he spoke, he didn’t really want to talk about it. If they already seemed to take a liking in him – to whatever degree – he didn’t want to ruin it for them. Teacher Park frowned though, so it was already too late. Now he thought Wooyoung had some weird family home with no kitchen or something. “Well, you don’t have to be cooking or eating ‘round the clock to like it. As long as you enjoy it, that’s your calling. It doesn't need approval from others. Same with the documentaries. You enjoy it, no matter if you get to do it a lot or not.”

It was so easy to listen to the soothing words, so easy to relax into a thought like this. Yeah, he liked cooking and reading text-books and watching weird animals on his phone and soak up all the new knowledge. He enjoyed it for himself, not for others. But it would sound weird if he were asked what his favourite was, and he couldn’t say anything, just like right now. “Yeah,” he only said. He didn’t want to discuss what he liked or how he enjoyed it. It made him think why the teacher was here. Didn’t he have a class? Or was he on the way somewhere and passed by? But why did he stop and sit down with Wooyoung? “If you’d like to, we can sit down sometime and go through the material together. And discuss or look up things that pick your interest,” teacher Park offered. Why? So they would be alone again? "Huh? Yeah,” Wooyoung agreed dumbly. Teacher Park smiled, “Like a book club. Just for us.”

Wooyoung tried to stay calm, but felt a flashback to the fateful day when he was cornered by them. Teacher’s voice sounded dark and predatory, all of a sudden, and Wooyoung felt his body rush and heat up with adrenaline again. “Yeah,” he found himself breathe, barely a whisper. He already agreed, he couldn’t back out now. “Are you joining any clubs by the way?” teacher Park took another few steps and sat down with Wooyoung, and was suddenly way too close, even though he was just sitting across of him, a table still in between them. Wooyoung’s eyes swayed across the room. He sat up and pushed his chair back a bit in the process, noting that it didn’t catch on the smooth floor. The door to the break room was open and his classroom barely ten meters away. But he had the two connected desks between himself and the door, and he’d have to round them not to be caught by the man. And if he were to make a run, teacher Park could easily reach the door long before Wooyoung and block it. “Um, I’m thinking I’ll join the library team, or art club, maybe. I heard it’d be free access to books or trips to museums and galleries.” Seonghwa nodded and just kept smiling. Why did he do that? “That sounds like you, yeah… And your friends? Are they joining you?” Wooyoung’s throat closed up. “Not that I know… they’re not as fond of school as I am,” he tried to joke lightly, “So I guess they’re not looking to stay any longer than they need to.” Hopefully teacher Park would drop the topic and not pay it any mind. Wooyoung couldn’t tell why he lied.

Sounds and chatter erupted from the hallway, which had teacher Park’s head snap around. Wooyoung quickly closed and grabbed his book, “Class is over, I’ll get going,” he briefly explained, but he was already halfway out of the room, so he didn’t bother to wait for a response. His heart was pounding and blood was pulsing behind his eyes. Without a word he entered the class room again were his class mates streamed out of, even past his friends and hurriedly sat down in his place. His phone quickly slipped into his bag; he pulled out his note book and pens to scribble down random notes of things he remembered about alkanes. “Buddy, you good?” he heard Mingi in the distance, and jerked his head weirdly before it turned into a nod. “You’ll call one of us when you’re ready, yeah?” Yeosang said and waited for another nod before they left. Recess was over a little too quickly for him to calm down entirely, but Yeosang sat down next to him calmly and slid a bottle of ice tea and an egg sandwich his way. Wooyoung eyed it warily, then, looked up to Yeosang, but the other boy was facing front, watching the teacher walk in. Wooyoung took the little gifts and packed them away, forgetting that his friend brought them for him immediately, or else he wouldn’t be able to stop the tears from falling. They were always so nice to him. Caring and looking out for him even on the days he had mood swings, ignored them or snapped at anything, and refused to even look at them.  They always told him he didn’t have to be in a good mood for them be friends, or talk and explain himself, but he felt like a piece of garbage when he left them wondering if they did something wrong. He knew he hated it when someone ignored him or only pettily let him figure it out for himself what was up. He was an overthinker; an anxious one at that. He’d rather jump off the highest building of the world and have his body slam into the ground live-streamed for the whole world to see instead of asking what he did wrong and how to fix it. There was no point in revisiting his mistake, or trying to even it out. If he did something wrong, then that’s it. No apology or gesture could fix that. He sighed and glanced out of the window. Luckily, it was only History class now, and the powerpoint slides would be uploaded to their cloud. But he didn’t want to spiral again. The last two days drained him without end, and he could use some distraction.

Chapter Text

“Let’s join the art club and library team,” Seonghwa announced unprovoked during dinner. “Why?” San didn’t even need to say it with the dumbfounded yet sceptical look on his face. “Wooyoung said he’ll probably join one of them. That way we’ll get to know him a bit.” “That sounds like it was my idea because one,” he counted, “It was obvious enough for us to join them at lunch of all times, and two: if we join these clubs, or even just one of us, he’ll know it’s made up for sure.” Seonghwa listened while eating and nodded. Yeah, he would react the same way if San had suggested it. “Besides; art and books? What are we supposed to do there? I’m an athlete, you’re a scientist. You want to turn spray paint bottles into Molotov cocktails and see how far I can throw them?” Seonghwa laughed. “Don’t be mean,” he giggled but found the conclusion very funny to the imagination. “I’m a scientist so I like to read up on things and put them in order. I could go for the library. And you’re a Maths teacher as well. If you join the art club, you can… draw... little triangles or something,” Seonghwa burst out into laughter because of the deadpan look San gave him. “Who’s being mean now?” he pouted, but not really offended.

“And Wooyoung said he’d like to join one of them?” he followed up. He had to think about it before it sort of seemed real. Yeah, Wooyoung was quiet but liked knowledge and rules, as far as Seonghwa could judge. In the library he could read through anything he could get his hands on, and for art he could imagine Wooyoung quietly sitting in a pile of paint tubes and canvases, or tools and shreds of paper. He smiled. Yeah, Wooyoung would like the quiet, or listen to some podcast about an artist or musical era and lose himself in the detailing of an artwork. He’s seen his notes and handwriting, and it soothed his eyes how neat it was. “Don’t you think?” Seonghwa asked San instead, “What can you tell me after your observations today?” he grinned knowingly, still curious about what San concluded from watching Wooyoung from the other end of the table. 

“He has a lot going on, I think; between his own stuff and what his friends are up to… I don’t think he’s really happy. He’s young and still finding himself and where to go.” Seonghwa listened carefully and tried to match each take with something he heard or saw himself. He could tell Wooyoung was embarrassed when Jongho talked about his cooking, and that he didn’t tend to speak up for himself. He answered to explain the book to his friends before the other boy made fun of it, and he only tried once to stop Jongho from talking about him, otherwise it was like Wooyoung was just letting it happen upon him. It was sad, Seonghwa thought. “Hm,” he agreed, “I talked with him again today. He was sitting in a break room and reading. And when I tried to ask about it and prompt him a little, he didn’t let much show. I made a few different suggestions, he just answered with yes and no for the most part.” San frowned, but not in confusion, rather he seemed to understand. “He said he didn’t have a lot of time to go after his hobbies. Do you think he’s a workaholic?” Seonghwa added. San raised his eyebrows, “Yes, isn’t that obvious? He had an extra-curricular text book with him for lunch and ate exactly one bite during the whole time, only when it was fed to him.”

“He is quite thin, yeah. But a workaholic at such a young age? That’s not normal,” Seonghwa frowned sadly, then, he piped up, “And he lied to me.” San raised his eyebrows, “How come?” Seonghwa shook his head in thought and shrugged. “No idea… I asked if his friends were joining any clubs, he said no, but Eden hyung told us those two boys would definitely join the band, and I don’t think Wooyoung wouldn’t know that.”

“Maybe he got scared when you asked many questions,” San suggested.

“Scared of me?”

“Us.”

“Yeah. Maybe,” Seonghwa sighed. “We don’t know his situation,” San concluded from their lack of information. ”Let’s look out for him a bit, though.” Seonghwa asked, and pouted unconsciously. “Yeah, but,” San gestured with both if his hands, “We’ll keep it down. We’re not his friends, yet, and I have a feeling he’s shutting out lots of things, in both ways. And after ‘take one’ failed, we need to be careful anyway.”

The next day they only meant to cross the cafeteria once and maybe stop by their group. San even left his Maths books at the gym for an alibi. But upon passing the boys a familiar face crossed their plan; or maybe made it more efficient, actually. “Oi, lovey and dovey, come over ‘ere,” Eden-hyung shouted cheerfully. San looked at Seonghwa with wide eyes, but the other one was just speechless as well. They silently agreed to play it cool and just walk towards the group set around Wooyoung. “What are you doing here?” Seonghwa greeted him, not so politely, but still joyful. “What? ‘M I taking your spot or what?” Eden winked, and somehow, Seonghwa knew, but also didn’t know what he meant to hint at. San chuckled nervously, “Wait a minute, since when are you spending lunch with the students?” Eden-hyung pursed his lips and leaned back, “Oh, but you two can?” Seonghwa let out a humourless chuckle. Now he understood. “Don’t be mad we caught you, hyung. I’m sure you’re not the only one who uses those poor teens to forget about your own age,” Seonghwa teased. One of the students piped in, “Wait, adults also tease each other for being old? Oh man,” he whined and made most of the group laugh. San’s eyes flickered over to Wooyoung who rather looked like he wasn’t exactly enjoying his time. “Ugh, no hyung, of course we would never let you off the hook so easily,” Yeosang, Seonghwa recognised, smiled charmingly with a devilish hint in his eyes.

“So what? Aren’t you gonna to sit down with us?” Eden-hyung prompted in an obvious attempt to change the topic, “If these boys move a bit, you can sit next to Wooyoung,” he gestured to his left. Seonghwa noticed that the students were an even number and divided equally on each side of the table, with Eden at the head, it barely made sense for two additional people not to split as well. “Don’t worry, I’ll just move over here,” Yeosang chimed and stood to round the table on the other end and sit next to Yunho. Seonghwa initially had some trouble to keep the tall twins apart, but after a few weeks he noticed their different features. “Sure, but actually I have to get something at the gym. I'll be quick,” San countered, “Will you get food?” he then addressed Seonghwa. The older one looked up across the room and noticed the queue was still quite long and nodded towards it, “There are still a lot of people. Wouldn’t be any faster,” he whispered back. San agreed and left while Seonghwa sat down, following Eden’s idea, next to Wooyoung. “Hi,” he then greeted into the round, and noticed all eyes flickering around suspiciously. “What brings you here?” he addressed his colleague. The man shrugged, slightly offended, “And you?” Seonghwa smiled confidently, “San forgot his textbooks and you called us over to sit here. And you?” Eden’s smirk dropped at the sassy mirroring. “Went over some things for the band,” he grumbled. “Hongjoong-ah and Jongho-yah are helping with the schedules and outlay,” he nodded towards the two students to his right. A little voice in Seonghwa’s mind screamed at him not to, but he couldn’t hold back. “Oh, I thought none of you were joining any clubs?” he feigned ignorance, but one casual look to his left, where Wooyoung and Mingi were sitting, and he almost regretted it. Wooyoung stiffened like a wooden board and seemed to barely move as the conversation around them carried on. It turned out every single one was joining at least one club, or had something else they regularly visited outside of school.

A hand on his shoulder signalled him that San was back already, and Seonghwa scooted over a bit to the left, where Wooyoung still sat mostly frozen and didn’t budge, but it was already enough space for San to sit as well.  It was random and all of a sudden that Seonghwa remembered they still hadn’t managed to give their numbers to Wooyoung again. He pushed the thought aside quickly, and tried to jump back in on the conversation. “Have you thought about my idea?” Eden asked the teachers. “To join as well?” San clarified and nodded, “Maybe art or something,” he said which made the older one squint at them. “Yep. And then we’ll turn it into scientific experiments and set everything on fire using spray paint,” Seonghwa added dryly. “I’ll help if you plan to do it just before our exams,” the Mingi-ssi said, quite seriously Seonghwa worried. “Why wait so long? Burn this place already,” another student sitting across from Wooyoung said, but Seonghwa couldn't remember his name. “No, no, Jongho-yah, think from our perspective,” Yeosang disagreed, “If it’s too soon, principal will find some alternate venue. And besides, if it’s the day before or morning of the exam, the exam papers will burn as well. And then they’ll have to get a completely new set,” he explained. Hongjoong listened at them in disbelief. “Oh, when I want to visit an art gallery, no one can even open a link; but if you want to commit arson, you're more efficient than kkangpae, okay,” he scolded. Seonghwa held back a smile; these boys were really something else. Yunho turned slowly after everyone went quiet, “Well… it’s about finals… we have to give it our best shot, right?” Jongho also chose his party easily. “Hm, you just never specified the methods, captain,” he grinned from next to him, apparently using a inside-joke. “Oh, don’t pull the captain-card on me now. I know I lost you the day Wooyoung stayed over at your house during summer break,” Hongjoong pursed his lips. “What did I do?” Wooyoung quietly pouted next to Seonghwa, and he almost had forgotten Wooyoung was even sitting at the table with them. “You know what you did,” Hongjoong answered easily, still in their fun atmosphere. “Yes, I took my brother and stayed at Jongho’s place, and you know why,” Wooyoung’s voice was quiet, but the venom compensated for it. Shocking both of the teachers, Wooyoung stood up and left; quite quickly for being squeezed in between several people sitting on an unbeneficially designed bench.

Seonghwa and San didn’t know what to say or do, just as Eden-hyung, but it seemed the students were already prepared. They hurriedly exchanged glances and nodded. Yeosang and Hongjoong both stood up, quickly grabbed their back packs and seemingly went after Wooyoung. The rest quietly packed everything together, also Wooyoung’s, Yeosang’s and Hongjoong’s belongings that were left in their table. “Anyone wants the rest?” Mingi pointed at Wooyoung’s untouched fried rice. “I’ll take it back home, then. He had just one bite,” Yunho took the Tupper ware and closed it, and neatly put into his backpack. Seonghwa tried to hold onto as many details as he could and piece them together. They all stood, Yunho took Wooyoung's backpack, and politely greeted goodbye to the teachers.

Eden tutted and shook his head, “Dumb boy,” he sighed and Seonghwa already wanted to snap at him. “I taught Hongjoong better than this.” San frowned, “Do you know what just happened, hyung?” Eden pursed his lips and carefully watched where the boys disappeared. “A bit. Not everything. Only it'll take a lot of effort to get closer to him,” Eden explained and eyed them almost accusingly. “What? What do you mean?” Seonghwa sputtered in surprise and moved up to sit closer to Eden. “Come on, you two have only had eyes for him since last year. It’s like a soapy drama even if I know how,” Eden gestured with his hands, “Emotionally healthy you are." Seonghwa blinked as he tried to process the words. San seemed just as perplexed. "Be careful with him. But you’ll learn that yourself. It’s not my place to tell you anything.” The couple was stunned. For one because Eden never said so much all at once; he usually kept his words short and precise. And two: something so deranged must be going on in Wooyoung’s life that his friends have come up with concrete plans how to handle it if anything of it came up and he snapped. Hongjoong meant to tease him, but hit a nerve instead. He implied Wooyoung made Jongho to be less polite, but Seonghwa couldn't even picture Wooyoung with a genuine careless or rude attitude; anxious and impatient maybe, but not rude. Wooyoung had a brother. And they stayed with Wooyoung’s friends. For a specific occasion it had seemed. They’ll have to find out. Bit by bit.

It was only on their lazy Saturday brunch when it hit Seonghwa again. “Hey, did Eden-hyung call us out for having a crush on Wooyoung?” San swallowed his last bite and looked over to his boyfriend. “Yeah. Yeah, he did,” he frowned but reached for his coffee. “Are we too obvious?” San shook his head, “No, I don’t think so. But Eden-hung always knows everything but never says anything, right? Maybe he got word from his mantee; he's the oldest of them, right? He might have been bothered by... something. I don't know,” he tried to think back to times when they maybe had been obvious, but he couldn’t come up with something. “And something heavy is going on in his life,” Seonghwa added. “Don’t be too nosy,” San smiled. "I'm not nosy, I just want to know," Seonghwa argued. But he was curious. “Maybe that’s why he’s so shy and self-conscious?” Seonghwa thought out loud. San hummed and watched him think. “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he asked and leaned forward.

Seonghwa pursed his lips and looked over the empty seat of the table and out of the window. “Maybe something with his parents? It’s cliché, but if he takes his brother to stay with his friends… Maybe his family home isn’t the best. That’s why he’s so into studying, to win his parents' approval and distract himself, and then move away for a prestigious university. But his friends also seem kind of harsh towards him? Like mocking him for studying. Just because they enjoy different things? That muscle guy two days ago? I don’t like him… But the way they immediately jumped into action after he left today felt almost scripted. They must care about him a lot. They let him stay over at their homes for several days, so obviously they know his situation. But he’s still not entirely comfortable with them. At least he hasn’t been the last two times we have been with them. Which would mean we're making him uncomfortable, which I also get; I mean, I dog whistled him for lying. And I'm sure his friends also know something is going with us. They’re not stupid, they just don’t know how to react, I think.”

Seonghwa looked over to San to watch his reaction. Byeol had jumped into his lap and purred at the absentminded scratches. He nodded, but his eyes were averted, he didn’t fully agree. “I don’t think- His friends, they're... I don't know. It sounds like they’re bullies the way you say it,” he smiled and cocked his head. “More like friendly banter that dismisses his feelings... That’s acutally not a lot better. They also have a lot to learn… How many times we have corrected each other and read books and how many times have we fought until we became,” San paused and mimicked Eden-hyung’s hand movements from before, “Emotionally healthy.” Seonghwa laughed in relief. “I just get that feeling he’s a lot different from what we thought.”

“I think he’s also a lot different from what everyone else thinks, even himself,” San soothed him. “He’s young, and maybe he has been living in a troubled home, so he hasn’t even had a chance to become his true self. He’s usually so bright and attentive and eager in class. I belief he has a great potential to be a cute little goof ball,” he smiled at his own thoughts. “We’re taking about him as if he’s a pet we saw at the shelter,” Seonghwa chuckled and let his head fall in embarrassment. San joined in on the laughter, “Oh no,” he whined when he thought about it but kept laughing. “But technically,” he tried to articulate but both laughed. “No, really. If he’s kind of traumatised, let’s give him a nice new home to feel good in, you know,” he explained. Seonghwa had to close his eyes to calm down and let the words sink in. Images of them cuddling Wooyoung, feeding him, reading books and watching documentaries, and cooking and enjoying their homemade meals together. “Yeah, that sounds nice,” he sighed and looked at San dreamily. The other one giggled, “You’re so in love,” then, he shooed the cat away to get up and grabbed Seonghwa’s cheeks for a firm peck on his lips. Seonghwa felt himself blush and let himself soak in the feeling for a minute. “Did you like the food?” he asked as he also stood and put the dishes away. “Very much, thank you, baby,” San answered easily and stole another kiss when they passed each other. “What would you have liked better?” Seonghwa asked lightly; always curious for feedback. “No carrots on the table,” he winked and Seonghwa groaned. “They were even just on my plate. Like not even a fake offer.”

“I could still see them. Carrots aren't eve-”

“Next time, I’ll just have you on the table instead,” Seonghwa whispered darkly as he pressed San against the counter and caught him in a kiss that quickly turned messy. San’s hand immediately found the dip of Seonghwa’s waist to ground him, as if his boyfriend’s whole body pressed against him wasn’t enough support. Seonghwa lost interest in San’s lips and instead made his way towards his ears, switching to soft kisses and rough words. “I’ll call you down for breakfast just as any other day, and then when you go to set the table, I’ll just grab you and bend you just as I want and have my way with you.” San moaned and whined, the words had an unmistakable effect on him, and Seonghwa enjoyed the neediness overtaking his body, making desperate as he started to grind himself again Seonghwa’s hips. “I guess we'll have to revise our rules again before we let someone new join, hm?” San bucked his hip as if on autopilot at the mention. No, he would be all well-behaved and show off with... someone new. If not only to give him a prime example of how sweet Seonghwa would be if he followed all the rules.

Seonghwa stepped away from San only to turn him around, now his front was only met with cold air where he coutner top was wider than its base. San mewl in protest. “I asked you a question, darling,” Seonghwa rasped in his ear, “Or did I already melt your brain? You’re so easy. Sometimes I wonder how you haven’t offered him to just suck his dick with how greedy you are.” San moaned, and almost cried out when Seonghwa’s hands found their way into his underwear. But oh, he was cruel; he didn’t take San in his hand, no. He pushed his hands further downwards out of the leg holes along his thighs, caressing San where he was the most sensitive, making him tremble.

“You would have told me if anything like that happened, right? You can be a slut, but you’d be honest to me, yeah,” Seonghwa spun the story and had San on autopilot, bucking his hips forward against nothing, and grinding backwards against Seonghwa’s hardening cock. The older chuckled; it was so easy to render San speechless. Even easier to make him cry real tears when Seonghwa teased and edged him just right. “I bet Wooyoung would have mercy on you if he saw you now. I’m sure he’d ask me to be nice to you. What do you think he’d do? God, I can’t wait to watch you two play together,” Seonghwa kept the words flowing and drowning San, until he came with a high-pitched whine. Seonghwa hadn’t need to bend him over, San’s body gave out on his own, only held up because he had slumped on the counter and Seonghwa had a firm grip on his waist. Even his legs trembled, knees buckled and turn inwards, sizzling with the post-orgasmic fire running through the muscle fibres. He was so out of it.

“Sannie,” Seonghwa called softly, checking his consciousness. San mumbled something, rather slurred to himself. Seonghwa pulled him upright slowly, keeping track of his posture and massage every joint before he turned him in his arms. “You’re so gorgeous,” he whispered, “So beautiful when you let me take you apart like this,” he kisses him up and down wherever he could reach and took his time to bring San slowly, carefully up into their shared bedroom to let him take a nap. "Come on, be good for me once more," he coaxed when San didn't fully cooperate with the bedsheets and just slumped on top of them. "I got you, baby;" Seonghwa whispered as he manoeuvered San so they could cuddle and stroked his hair, keeping sweet words of praise and love flowing until both fell asleep.

Chapter Text

On Monday Seonghwa went to check the lists for the clubs. If anyone asked if it was to find Wooyoung’s name just anywhere and add his own to the list, he would deny it. As it turned out Seonghwa had been right. More than that. Wooyoung had lied to him. He was on the list for dance club and the band. Not for art and the library team. He bit his lip, unsure how to take it. San was right, apparently; Wooyoung slipped in a white lie after feeling cornered. Would it then still be a good idea to join the same clubs? Well, he could say he was just checking it out for Eden-hyung, and maybe he didn’t enjoy it after all and honourably leave. He sighed and signed himself for the band. San was already on the list for dance club. Eden wrote it in. Tuesdays for San, Fridays for him. Seonghwa wondered if there was maybe a group chat for those clubs. That would give a way to contact Wooyoung. If San told him about the first note with their numbers, Wooyoung could have gone back home and check his coats and pockets. The note would still be there. Seonghwa bit his lip. Maybe he could ask him. Or San could do it tomorrow. Or maybe not at all; it didn’t go well the last time. He would do it himself on Friday. That would give Wooyoung enough time away from them to reconsider it.

Wooyoung’s in band and dance club. Not art and library, he texted San on his way to the class room. San answered in short words, saying that maybe during club activities they’d talk to him. For a moment Seonghwa wondered about San’s unusual text with abbreviations, but a look at the time told him; he must be at his own class room already. They really put Maths as the first class of the week for a bunch of graduates, those poor kids. San was equally bummed when he saw his schedule. The only good thing about it: they had a class with Wooyoung almost every day, sometimes even two. And adding the clubs now, Seonghwa felt like he was in high school again, counting down the seconds until they’d meet. He sighed deeply. Wow, this was getting out of hand.

Seonghwa sped up, and entered the room with Wooyoung’s Chemistry class. “Good morning,” he called and was greeted with various responses. Some just greeted back, others scrambled to get to their seats. “Don’t worry, I’m early,” he opened his briefcase and pulled some work sheets for the class out and set his book down as well. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, tell everyone who’s missing to speed up. You know the rules,” he instructed and let his eyes sway through the crowd to see only one or two seats remained empty. Wooyoung was also there, chatting with his group of friends. Out of the mood Seonghwa smiled and winked at him when Wooyoung looked up at him but he didn’t wait for his reaction. He went to the teachers’ lounge and put down what he didn’t need for the rest of class.

As he came back perfectly on time he closed the door behind him and immediately caught one last seat amongst the desks unoccupied. Oh, well. They knew the rules, he mused in his head. He greeted them again and started the lesson on acids and bases, introducing the new topic and checking the students’ knowledge about it. Unsurprisingly Wooyoung was at the forefront, as if he had finished his Chemistry major overnight. A knock on the door interrupted and a boy came in, apologising hurriedly. Seonghwa looked at his wristwatch, but it was past eight AM, so he was too late. “I’ll write you in at 8.15. Close the door, please,” Seonghwa guided, and with a fallen expression the student closed the door, waiting outside.

He resumed the lesson and was mildly surprised at how well the students worked with him. By the end of the class it got a bit confusing though and most of them shut down. Seonghwa didn’t mind as long as they didn’t disrupt. “All right, make sure to go over your notes again and maybe share them with each other. You can read up on it in chapter nine, that’s page 178 in your text books and I’ll plan a recap on Thursday, so make sure you prepare,” he announced and took a look at his watch, there were still three minutes left, “Any questions for now.”

“Do you know the textbook by heart?” Hwang Yeji asked as he went through the pages of her book. “No, but I prepared,” Seonghwa answered gently, still with a bit of sass. “Um, teacher?” Seonghwa looked over to where Wooyoung politely raised his hand. “Yes, please,” he called. “What exactly is the PH value? Like, is there some kind of calculation?” he asked. Smart boy, Seonghwa praised in his head. “There is, but it’s a bit complicated,” he warned, meaning it might take longer than three minutes. “He doesn’t mind that,” Yunho, next to Wooyoung, mused. They switched seats again; these rascals. Seonghwa grinned, endeared by Wooyoung’s curious eyes. “It’s basically his love-language,” Yeosang mused from his seat in front of them, and made the tall twins laugh and also Seonghwa had to cough to cover up. Wooyoung shot his friend a glare but quickly looked back to Seonghwa. “Well, the short answer is: bases and acids are not electronically neutral, but lose or take up H-ions when mixed with water. The tricky part is that the water molecules themselves are not stable but they also fall apart and reconnect with those lose H-ions swimming around. And the calculation of the PH value is based on how many lose H-ions or lose OH-molecules are there.”

Wooyoung stared at him in disbelief, “But then you’d need to know the number of all molecules first because there could be lose H-ions that could be split from OH-molecules but not from the solution,” he guessed and Seonghwa nodded, “That’s right.” The other student also mumbled or snickered amongst themselves. “So water stops being water and then it becomes water again?” another boy frowned in confusion. “Welcome to the part of school where science becomes philosophy. Worst year of my live,” Seonghwa smiled sympethatically and packed up the rest of his papers and left, before he moved to his next class; also Chemistry, but juniors this time. They were boring and still acted like school on Monday was a hate crime. Useless brats, Seonghwa thoughts but corrected his facial expression. He’d just give them a mandatory surprise test next week; they’d learn.

Chapter Text

Life was really cruel to some people, wasn’t it? In this case the victim was Wooyoung’s class who had now a Maths lesson at four in the afternoon. San hated it as well. The students were tired and could barely concentrate. Seonghwa was sort of lucky with his Biology class just the period before, but he already warned him that no one really participated.

“Surprise,” San greeted them with a stack of papers, “Put everything away that is not a pen,” he instructed and the class erupted into groans. “Surprise test at this hour?” Hendery called. San grinned wickedly. “Yes. I’ll tell you about it in a minute. Get ready,” he said as he handed out the sheets. They weren’t actually tests, just normal worksheets.

“This is not a normal test,” San explained when he was back at the front. “Is it the exam?” Yunho guessed and Wooyoung face palmed behind him. “It’s not the exam,” San giggled. “For this one you may do partner work for when you get stuck. Don’t just copy the answers, help each other out, and see what you remember and what you haven’t understood so far. You'll receive a mock grade just to know where you're standing. Deal?”

"I'll take Wooyoung," Changbin shouted across the room, "No, I will," Donghuck argued, to which Wooyoung chuckled but his friends protested, "He doesn't even know your name," ending the unreal competition. "Can I team up with you, teacher?" Jisu grinned brightly in her first row seat. San tried not to frown, "That costs extra."

With a bit less dread the students started on the papers and talked quietly. “Teacher,” Wooyoung called and San nodded at him to speak, “May I take out some extra papers for notes?” San nodded again and watched the three students around him turn and twist to listen to his explanations. “Teacher, can I also go over to Wooyoung-ssi?” Jimin right in front of him asked. “Are you stuck?” he asked instead and also looked at Jisu, “You don’t know either?” He didn’t buy it and just helped them out himself.

“Anybody finished yet?” he asked after another thirty minutes when the groups still talked over the paper and seemed to genuinely discuss, which pleased San immensely. “Here,” Yeosang called next to Wooyoung who had his arm raised but leaned on the wall. San went over to them. Unexpected from a student like Wooyoung they sat in the back corner: Wooyoung and Yeosang in the very last row right next to the wall, and Yunho and Mingi at the desk in front of them. Today. Sometimes they liked to switch amongst themselves. San assumed it depended on who arrived first. “In your next life just become a teacher, Youngie,” Yunho praised after San had checked even the extra notes which Wooyoung made to explain various calculations and formulas. “No. I like good grades, not school,” Wooyoung answered dryly. “You could be a private tutor, then. Don’t waste your talent,” Yeosang suggested. Wooyoung looked less and less amused, “My talent is wasting me.”

San had to bite his lip. Wooyoung was witty. Or depressed. Or he had a thing for dark humour. “Don’t say that. You’re remarkable, Wooyoung-ssi. Some of my class mates back then tried a satanic ritual before the exam because they were really hopeless,” San recounted and the students looked at him in shock and amusement. "Did they make it?" Mingi's looked up at him hopefully. "I know they didn't become teachers." He left the students to work on some exercises from the text book and looked over the others’ papers as well before it was already close to five-thirty. He sat back at his desk and looked through the next pages of the Maths book and also the calendar. He had to keep track so they wouldn’t fall behind until the exam in June. He noticed it had gone quiet and when he looked up, all students were watching him expectantly. Oh oh, he knew those faces. He looked at his watch and well, it was five twenty-two, “Alright, go. But don’t rat me out!” The students all but scrambled from their seat, calling out thanks and goodbyes.

Maybe it was even a bit to his own motive, since today was the first time he’d join the dance club. And since Seonghwa had left earlier even though they had come together, he could use the time to eat another bite and pack up, so he wouldn’t have to go back when they were finished. Just as he left the room, taking another look to check that all light were out and windows closed, he caught the group around Wooyoung standing in the hall. “You’re not leaving?” he asked from a few meters away. They looked up and turned to see him. It wasn’t just Wooyoung and his usual friends. A few more gathered with them. “We’re waiting for another friend. We’ll head to the gym then together,” Yunho explained. San nodded and thought what they’d do at the gym. But he would also go to the gym because, “Ah, dance club?” he remembered and they nodded eagerly. “See you then,” he smiled and left for the teachers’ lounge. 

At the gym almost everyone seemed to be there already. San wasn’t sure where he should change, but went to the teacher’s locker room just to be safe. Someone was there already, not a teacher, but he recognised him as soon as he turned. “Hello, I’m Choi San. I’m a teacher, but I’d like to check out the dance club as well,” he introduced himself to the idol who smiled brightly at him. “Wow, that’s great! Thank you, teacher; it will make a great impression. I’m Jung Hoseok; I own a dance studio in the other part of town,” the man spoke loudly and energised. He seemed oddly strange yet familiar. San was a bit overwhelmed actually. But it’s always nice to see people who act with passion. “I’ll change my clothes here as well, I guess,” San explained and Hoseok-ssi nodded and reasoned another teacher did the same. Then he left with the instruction to meet in the main hall, which was the only hall actually, but whatever. San changed quickly and let Seonghwa know he’d be starting soon and probably ready in two hours to be picked up. Seonghwa replied quickly and let him know there won’t be any carrots in their dinner.

San smiled dumbly as he went into the gym hall and was surprised to see so many people. Many students, seniors and also some younger folks.  “San-ssi,” someone called, and unsurprisingly it turned out to be Taeyong-ssi. He was a musics teacher, he had covered a few literature classes, but San had heard he was quite the dancer. He went over to where Taeyong-ssi sat with some of his students. San had seen them as well since they were in the same year as Wooyoung but the other classes. They talked quite casually with the teacher, not impolite of course, but generally relaxed, complaining about homework and so on. San looked around the crowd and caught one of the tall students. Yunho, he could tell by now. Yunho, Wooyoung, and Yeosang were sitting together, but Mingi was missing. But he said he wouldn’t join the dance club. Yeonjun-ssi, San could tell because they had the same last name, the Australian boy Felix, the other model looking student Hyunjin and a few girls from their year. Chaeryong and Yeji, they were always together. The younger girl, Shin Ryujin, was also there, and San had to quickly turn his face away before he rolled his eyes. Even the Hawaiian siblings were here, but San only knew the brother went by Kai, he didn’t know the girl’s name, but she was also with two friends of hers it seemed.

Some popular song started playing form the speakers, startling most of them, and Hoseok-ssi came out dancing from the set up room. Everyone started cheering and clapping. “Is he famous?” San asked Taeyong to double-check, and he nodded, “He’s a member of BTS, and he opened a dance acedemy after they disbanded, but their old company sends their trainees to his studios. He goes by J-Hope.” San nodded in approval, he recalled they were quite an epiphany back in the day. He didn't want to call himself a fan, but he had also enjoyed their music maybe also some additional content. Initially he had judged them, thinking they were soft, unstable teenagers, but he had learned quite a few things from following up on idols and their traingin. He couldn’t help but let his eyes stray away to Wooyoung many times. Hoseok-ssi did a very efficient round of introductions, asking the first few students why they decided to join and then asked the whole group if they shared the interest, so he could quickly mark it. That’s so smart, San thought, it saves a ton of time before every third students stutters around to just repeat what had already been said. Most joined because they were already interested in dancing, others like Yunho had greater goals to become a choreographer like teacher Hoseok as well. Others like San admitted they wanted to check it out and maybe wouldn’t stay for long, even though the group seemed quite friendly.

“That’s alright. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, they say, right! But, since the interests here vary I’ll also try to come up with various themes and outlays for the classes. I already planned to bring some friends of mine, other dancers and coaches, maybe even some special guests if it might so happen,” he grinned excitedly and also made the students squeal, “So they can give lessons or help out in specific areas like western style or acrobatics or give some theoretical background in anatomy, which- Which is not as boring in sports and dancing as you might think. It'll link up to mobility and strenght training,” Hoseok laughed when the students groaned at the mention of theoretical lessons. “And, for maybe a bit more of a token, I’m already discussing with your principal that my participants here will be allowed to take part in performances with my dance crew or on other official school festivals. So please look forward to a great year and many many good memories with your and my friends!” he ended his introduction speech and the students clapped and cheered again.

San looked over to Wooyoung who was sitting between Yeonjun’s legs and leaning against him, while Yunho must have passed out on his thigh but they were talking to him happily. “Imagine you’ll land a spot with Jung Hoseok’s dance crew, they’re just as famous as BB Trippin! Do you think he’ll mentor you?” they talked with bright eyes. “Like Eden does with Hongjoong-hyung.” Yunho sat up again and shook his hair out before he turned to talk to them. It looked like they were already planning how to smuggle him in if he didn’t get officially trained and he smiled. These boys were really creative.

After that Hoseok asked for songs, idols, other dancers and genres from the students to get them warmed up, and also to put together a playlist. "So we'll all get an overview of the different styles and sounds," he explained as he hooked his phone to the speakers. Taeyong and San also shouted out a few song names and laughed with Hoseok; they were old song, most of the students didn’t even know them and therefore Hoseok didn’t add them. “You know Random Dance Play?” he asked and explained the rules even though many were familiar. “Let’s go,” he shouted and started the music. Students immediately jumped up and seemed to get in sort of formation to dance with the songs and cheered each other on. San smiled. He didn’t get up, just watched. To the few song he could have danced, main stream songs like Psy’s Gentleman or the Coming of Age Ceremony, he remained seated as Wooyoung also got up, and as much as he enjoyed fooling around to music, he couldn’t miss a performance like this.

San found it was quite controversial to add these songs in the first place, let alone the lyrics and dance moves were sort of explicit and provocative, but the way Wooyoung swayed his hips or elegantly exercised the slow movements- And dear God, his facial expressions! San might have died a little bit. Hoseok-ssi wanted to end it already, but the students begged to keep going until the few others songs played as well. A western song San didn’t immediately recognise played and for a moment everyone stayed put before Wooyoung’s little group jumped up and went into formation. This wasn’t random, San thought. They had danced to this before. The formation let on that they were supposed to be more dancers, and after a few beats Yeonjun and the Hawaiian boy joined them to fill the blanks. Hoseok-ssi also let the song play for longer than the others. The way they hit every beat and incorporated what San wouldn’t necessarily call a dance move and their facial expression turned it all into a whole performance instead of a play. He didn’t know a lot about dancing, but this was more than amateur level.

When they were done everyone roared and applauded like crazy. “Wow,” Hoseok-ssi shouted and held them for a moment. “This wasn’t free style,” he prompted, and the boys cackled as they all looked at Yunho. “It was for like one minute. But then I asked my friends to join and make it a group thing,” he explained and San could see how his ears turned a significantly deeper shade of red. “You choreographed this? It’s amazing! What’s your name again?” Hoseok-ssi praised and Yunho was too shocked with the reaction to say anything. “Jung Yunho,” Wooyoung came forward and stood next to Hoseok, pointing out the name on his list. “You’ll graduate this year?” Hoseok-ssi asked as he took from the information. Yunho nodded, still frozen. “We’ll keep in touch, I can tell you that much already,” he smiled with the promise and laughed at the student’s belated reaction of happiness.

San giggled, “How can he be so adorable, he’s like two meters tall,” and Taeyong-ssi joined him. After that teacher Hoseok handed out some prospects and answered questions from the students, mostly about which special guests he’d invite, but he didn't give away even one bit. Soon, he called it a day and sent them all to leave. San also stood, and bid Hoseok-ssi a polite goodbye, thanking him for the great experience. “You won’t join again?” he asked a bit shocked. San grimaced and scratched his neck. “I don’t know yet. I'm an athlete, but I haven't really had any part in dancing. I’ll let you know in time, though.” Hoseok nodded and wished him a good time before they parted ways. As soon as he entered the locker he grabbed his phone and saw Seonghwa’s message that he’s already waiting outside. Overly punctual as always. "See you tomorrow,” Taeyong called as he left and San repeated it thoughtlessly. Seonghwa would die as soon as San would tell him what happened.

Chapter Text

It was Friday now, and a glance he had on the black board earlier revealed that Biology class wouldn’t be the last time he’d see teacher Park this week. Just when Yunho and Yeosang had told him teacher Choi’s name was on the list for dance club, Wooyoung didn’t buy it. But then he told them See you then after Maths on Tuesday and he also tried to brush it off, but Yeosang and Yunho basically beat him up to turn to see the infamous teacher actually joined them in the gym. There was just no fucking way they were serious.

“They’re doing in on purpose. I’ve never heard anything along the lines that teacher Park is into music.”

“They’re stalking you.”

“First during lunch, now even clubs. Wooyoung-ah. They’re into you.”

They conspired all the time. “Come on,” he whined, “How many other students are participating in these clubs? And how do you even know it’s not just because- They- Maybe they don’t have any friends. Maybe they try out a new club every year and we never knew,” he debated. “But at lunch? That's only ever us. They couldn’t keep their eyes off of you,” Mingi preached, “I swear, Wooyoung-ah. I’ll fail every exam on purpose if they don’t start flirting with you by the end of this year.”

“Please don’t. I have to fight off your mom from giving me money every time we study. If you fail, she’ll bury me with you and spit on our grave,” Wooyoung ranted. The rest laughed, but Yeosang wasn’t finished. “I bet they’d frame it if you gave them a note with your number,” he winked and Wooyoung cringed. He still had that note with their numbers in his pocket. He had checked after teacher Choi told him. Well, he checked for the note, he didn’t take it out; too afraid of reality.

“Okay, then. What if,” he changed tactics. “What if they’re into me? They’re teachers. They teach my classes, almost every day. That would be so awkward if it weren’t illegal first. We couldn’t even be together, aside the fact that they are already an established couple. Do you suppose we take turns with each other?” Wooyoung made sure to add a sarcastic note to his voice, as if he hadn’t thought about it before. “Take turn- Wooyoung-ah, you can have more than one boyfriend at a time,” Hongjoong told him. “That’s called cheating,” Wooyoung argued. “Not if they know about each other,” Jongho hooked in. “And they’re already dating each other. There’s that thing called polygamy. Quite popular if you look into it,” Yunho explained. “Did you look into it?” Hongjoong frowned in suspicion and a new round of conspiracies erupted as they entered the cafeteria. Wooyoung giggled but ditched the group behind him in favour of finding Yeonjun and Soobin in the queue for food.

The rest went over to their usual table, already occupied by Felix and Changbin. “How’re your boyfriends doing?” Yeonjun greeted him cheekily. “Who?” Wooyoung frowned and Soobin giggled. “Your boyfriends. Yeosang gave quite a detailed presentation,” Yeonjun explained which had Soobin laugh out loud. “Th-the teachers?” Wooyoung asked with discomfort, “Guys, that’s just some joke Mingi came up with. There’s nothing to it, okay,” he smiled and hoped to settle it with them. “Not from what Hueningkai told us,” Soobin cooed and Wooyoung decided to flee. “God, you’re just as bad as the others,” he scolded, but on cue, just before he reached the first table, teacher Park and teacher Choi called out and sat down with his friends, sitting across from each other. Wooyoung stopped in his tracks, but Felix and Jongho had already seen him and whistled at him which also directed teacher Choi's attention to him. He sighed deeply and slowly made his way over. “Hello,” he greeted politely into the round and took the last free seat next to teacher Park. He could have sat between the teacher and Hongjoong, but the man scooted over already, leaving only the seat at the corner for him.

They were doing this on purpose.

“You don't look like you’re ready for PE later,” teacher Choi mused. “Yes, because you don’t eat,” Mingi scolded him softly next to teacher Choi and pushed an egg sandwich towards him, “If you don’t take my mom’s money, at least take the food she makes for you,” Mingi showed off his own food as well as the little note that was for Wooyoung. Wooyoung smiled at it and put the note into his phone case so it’d be always on display. “I’ll eat it reverently,” he gave in and took a bite. “Why would you take his mom’s money?” teacher Choi asked with an excited smile. “No, no, the question is, why won’t you? Hyung, I’ve told you so many times,” Jongho redirected and Wooyoung shook his head, smiling at their youngest one’s antics. “We often come to study at Mingi’s place and his mom thinks he’d be hopeless without me,” he sighed. “I am,” Mingi disagreed. “You’d finish your Chemistry major overnight and invent ten new radioactive materials if you wanted to burn the school down for real,” Wooyoung said with so much confidence Mingi almost blushed. “Re-really?” He smiled and made the rest laugh, “But I’d still ask you to look over the plans for any errors and you’d find them even if I woke you up at four in the morning.”

Teacher Choi started laughing at their banter and also teacher Park joined them. “You have quite a worrisome obsession with burning down the school,” he pointed out. “Every student has that... I'm not a student here, by the way. But I'm still taking their side,” Hongjoong told him as if that made it better. Teacher Park nodded and hummed as if he understood and felt soothed. Wooyoung chewed on his egg sandwich, and it was really the best sandwich he had eaten in a long time. But he had to put it down after a few bites; he wasn’t used to eating so much at once. “Mingi-ah,” he called and Mingi turned away from the rest of the group to look at him, “This was so good. I need the recipe,” he said and pointed to the sandwich before him. “That’s it? Are you finished?” Teacher Park asked incredulous and looked between Wooyoung and the sandwich. “I’m full,” Wooyoung explained quickly. “You’re full from what; technical terms about nutrient transport and three bites of toast? I bet you already know the whole chapter word for word, don’t you,” Changbin scolded from across the table. Wooyoung looked down. Why did he always do that? “Hey,” Yunho and Yeosang scolded the other as they sat right with him, not to harshly though. “He just said he’s full. No drama,” Yunho warned him. Wooyoung looked up at Yunho and nodded in thanks. The teachers also looked around in discomfort and exchanged a few glances. God, they must think Wooyoung was pathetic. “Then drink some more, at least,” teacher Choi instructed gently, “I don’t want you to break down during class.” Teacher Park nodded and took the bottle of water Jongho offered, “Yeah, you’ll have a long day. You also joined the band, isn’t that right?” he asked so gently and opened the bottle for Wooyoung and put it down in front of him. How embarrassing, he thought but nodded and accepted the offer, turning away to take a drink. After everything he didn’t want to be rude to them. The teachers sat right in front of him, and he knew he’d see Mingi’s, Jongho’s and Yunho’s sparkling eyes, absolutely exhilarated by the teachers fuzzing over him. He would never hear the end of their fantasy relationship.

Teacher Choi looked at his wrist watch and shooed them all up, “Chop, chop. Get ready. You guys have no excuse to be late for lesson this time.” Teacher Park chuckled, “This time? They can be late to your class?” he asked as if to accuse the other. “Yeah, I’m not a psycho,” teacher Choi winked at his partner as he got up and quickly shot a look at Wooyoung, too. “You’re not a psycho,” teacher Park clicked his tongue and mocked childishly. Wooyoung watched in sort of amazement. They bickered just like any other pair of friends. They didn’t act like anything Wooyoung imagined about being romantically involved; maybe because they were at their work place and in front of students. But it was still interesting to see their dynamic.

The students all packed up and were heading towards the gym, as did teacher Choi, but teacher Park called him. “Wait, uh, logistics,” he said and his partner just looked at him confused. “I don’t have any more classes today, only the club later at six… We came with just one car,” he then added when teacher Choi didn’t catch on. Wooyoung didn’t know why they still waited, but no one moved even though he tried to tug them along. “Would you mind waiting out for me, then we’ll drive home together? Otherwise it’ll be really complicated,” teacher Choi proposed and the other man nodded, “Sure. I’ll pick you up at the gym, then,” teacher Park said and winked back at San. Some silent goodbye, Wooyoung guessed. He then tapped Yunho and Changbin again as he lead the way to the gym. Most other students where there already, but still had to wait until the teacher opened the doors.

The class was quite uneventful, aside from his friends’ winks and mocking-kisses. Teacher seemed to be closer to the students today; usually he stood on the side and coached them through whatever exercise or game they played. Today he was almost pacing up and down, and Wooyoung couldn’t help but notice it correlated with where he stood. “Ugh, get him off me, what the fuck,” he whispered when he sat out to take a drink and Yeosang came to him with a knowing look. “Bad enough we are graded in general, but he’s watching every step I take. Do you know how nervous that makes me?” Yeosang nodded sympathetically. If Wooyoung was serious it was about two things: his grades, and people keeping their distance. Speaking of the devil, teacher Choi appeared next to them, “Are you feeling alright, Wooyoung-ssi?” Wooyoung grimaced as long as the teacher didn’t see but got a hold of himself quickly. “Yes, thank you. Just… thirsty,” he smiled and showed off the bottle. Yeosang snapped his eyes back to the teacher, less amused but rather observing now; ready to step in. Wooyoung knew that look. The teacher lingered another moment but then left. “They got it bad for you. What did you do?” Yeosang chuckled after all and made Wooyoung growl, “Stop saying that, you’re just manifesting it.”

Later when class was almost over and they already packed everything away, teacher Park stepped into the gym hall and patiently waited for teacher Choi to let the students go. “Oh, hi,” he smiled when he saw him and they greeted each other with a soft touch to each others’ arm; probably a substituted hug. “You’re done?” teacher Park asked and they chatted quietly. Wooyoung wondered why he never saw them interact so much before; probably because their schedules never lined up or because he never paid attention. “Come on,” Mingi tapped him and Wooyoung had one last looked at them, meeting teacher Park’s eyes actually, before he bolted. Hongjoong and Jongho were also done with their classes and joined the four on the way back to the main building. They had a little less than two hours to fill before band practise started, and who was Wooyoung if he didn’t use that time to study? The rest of the group whined and complained, “Complain to me when you failed your exams and not one minute earlier,” he scolded them as he lead the way to the library. “Okay, proposal,” Yeosang sprinted to catch up with Wooyoung, “Let me and Hongjoong go get snacks and drinks, the rest of you can set up already. We’ll find you then.” Wooyoung fixed him with a raised eyebrow, and Yunho and Mingi were also quick to disagree. “Why you and Hongjoong, let me and Mingi go. We have the most space in our backpacks if you take our books,” Yunho argued. “But if Hongjoong goes he’ll pay. And if I go with Hongjoong he’ll buy whatever I want because he loves me,” Yeosang explained and received a round of approving hums. “I taught you well,” Jongho said sentimentally, while Hongjoong grumbled about exploitation. “Okay, go. Write in the group chat what you want,” Wooyoung agreed finally, “I give you half an hour before I send an ambulance.”

“You should really become a teacher, you know,” Yunho then mused. “Why; so your little fantasy three-way relationship between me and the teachers won’t be illegal?” he sassed. “No, I mean because you just have that thing where you can make people do what you want but you still motivate them to think for themselves. You make us better.” Wooyoung scoffed at the compliment. The rest exchanged a smile, and Wooyoung knew what it meant. He couldn’t handle praise well if it weren’t As and 100% marks on his papers. And by handle he meant believe. “If we were a K-pop boy group, you’d be the leader,” Mingi chirped and opened and held the door to the library for all of them to walk through. “No, I wouldn’t. I’m the second youngest of our group. And Hongjoong couldn’t live with that. I’m a menace in his eyes.” They all clicked their tongues which had Wooyoung widen his eyes in surprise. “Hongjoong’s old. His eyes don’t work well anymore,” Jongho reasoned as Wooyoung went ahead again and chose one of the big round tables where they’d have enough space to take out all of their notes. “Have you texted them what you want?” Wooyoung reminded and they all fished for their phones, textbooks and notes forgotten until the other two finally re-joined them packed with precious gifts.

Time flew by quickly. Wooyoung could barely concentrate between his own notes, helping the others and the smell of different snacks and sodas. But it was already too cold to open the windows to get fresh air. Luckily they were almost alone in the library, since Friday afternoon wasn’t really a day many students spent actually studying, so their talks and the rustling of plastic bags didn’t offend anyone. “I’ll step outside for a minute, yeah? Need some fresh air,” he reasoned and walked out. He needed to just breathe for one minute. He felt so… cornered by everyone. It was probably just his imagination, after all. The pressure coming with the exams had him lose hours sleep at night already. He didn’t really worry about passing the exams, but what came after. He would graduate, and then? Would he enroll in college or land a professional training programme? Move away or stay close? What would happen to Kyungmin once he’d leave their mother’s house?

There were too many open variables and it was just impossible to find the solution. His dream would be to start as a trainee under Gordon Ramsay’s burger restaurant, but they only tooka new apprentice maybe every two to three years. And even then, a trainee’s salary wouldn’t be enough to sustain him and Kyungmin in his own apartment in Seoul, even if it were just one bedroom. An apartment he would still have to find, in addition. So he’d have to either leave Kyungmin, or ask someone for money. Or work one year or two as a servant or helpling in the kitchen of some other restaurant that would take him, and save up until he’d land the spot in training. But then he'd still be stuck with his mother, and she of all people wouldn't appreciate such plans. He shook his head. The way he knew his luck, nothing would come even close to any of this, let alone the ideal case in which he’d have enough money to grab Kyungmin and move so far away they’d have to pay extra postage to even send a letter to their mother.

Alright, he told himself, enough spiralling for today. He went back up to the group and caught them all on their phones. “I knew I shouldn’t have left you unsupervised,” he taunted. “You were gone for twenty minutes. Did you leave any air for the rest of us outside?” Mingi answered. Wooyoung granted him a fake smile at the lame joke but jumped right back in. Got some grades and exams to keep up with. He could tone the others out for a bit, but he noticed Hongjoong speaking about Eden-hyung all the time. “Eden-hyung? Not even Eden-ssi or teacher Kim?” he pointed out. “Yeah,” Hongjoong answered easily and shrugged, “We’ve been closer ever since he took me in for mixing and producing. He even said he’d introduce me to some real producers, like those that work with the big labels and groups. And if I can add some of big names or contracts to me resumé, then finding another long-term internship for my degree won't be a problem at all,” he told them with wide eyes. “So why don’t you guys ship them instead? They have an actual real-life base for anything like that,” Wooyoung complained to Mingi and Yeosang. “Because Eden-hyung doesn’t try to spend every free minute to drool all over me. You teachers do,” Hongjoong supplied. Wow. “God, I shouldn’t have mentioned it,” Wooyoung tried to abort, but oh, he just dug his own grave. “They do, even the other guys noticed. Yeonjun and Mark, even Yeji said teacher Choi sounded jealous when she asked to get your help in Maths this week,” Yunho revealed. “And don’t think I didn’t see that teacher Park winked at you. I know everything,” Yeosang warned playfully. “He winked at you?” Mingi repeated and gasped. “My fanboy heart,” he leaned back and grabbed his chest. “Teacher Park even joined the band, hyung told me. He said he suggested it first so the lovebirds won’t make fools of themself,” Hongjoong chuckled, amused at Wooyoung’s struggle to deny everything. “He talks to you about it? What the hell? Has everyone gone crazy?” Wooyoung marvelled. “See, even the teachers are in on it. Can’t be that illegal if he helps their case,” Jongho laughed. Wooyoung scoffed, “Stop. Stop it. Teacher Kim is not helping anyone with any case because there is none. I am currently not involved with the teacher couple, and I also don’t plan any future involvement with the teacher couple. Got it?”

They waited out a moment of silence, letting Wooyoung sway in the false security of having made his point clear. “Yeah, but I think they’re planning future involvement with you,” Yeosang mirrored his wording, high-fiving Mingi for the neat word play. Wooyoung only face palmed again, there was no way to stop them. His only hope was that they’d calm down for the band meeting, and then sometime along the next weeks when the teachers would finally stop to make advances at him. Maybe he should talk to them again. He hadn’t given them a clear answer as they asked, after all. Maybe he could tell them he felt flattered but he didn’t think to take their approach seriously. There was just no way they were. But if he talked to them personally, they’d have it easy to cage him in again, and just thinking about it gave him goose bumps. But he could text them, or tell teacher Park later. Then he’d be safe, right? He was just one person, and his friends would be close by and help him.

Hongjoong’s phone started ringing, distracting them all from their previous discussion as they listened to Hongjoong’s call. “Hi Xiaojun,” he answered but only hummed afterwards, “Oh, really? Alright, we’re on our way. See you.” He ended the call and took a look at the time. “Hm, Xiao Dejun called. He said almost everyone’s there already. We can get started early.” The boys packed up and threw away their trash before they made their way to the west wing where the music and art rooms were. “Actually, I’ll head home. Dance club is enough for me, but I’ll wish you good luck. Have fun,” Yunho said and the rest whined sadly, but also greeted their good byes where Yunho parted to go to the bus stop. They waved him until they couldn’t see him anymore, but incidentally teacher Park came from the parking lot at the same time and awkwardly returned the gesture. “Let’s wait for him?” Hongjoong suggested a bit unsure, and Wooyoung scoffed at him, “Do you hate me?” Hongjoong put his hands up in defence, “No, but, I mean, he’s headed to band as well and he already thinks we waved at him. We can’t just drop him like a hot potato now.”  

Teacher Park caught up to them quickly, and Wooyoung didn’t stand a chance to keep arguing. He couldn’t even storm off now because the man would know it’s about him. God, Wooyoung really started to hate this place more by the minute. But he took the lead again and pulled Yeosang with him. “You sing?” Wooyoung noted belatedly. His friend had a nice voice, he liked to listen to him when he rambled and the lisp made it sound really cute, but he didn’t know Yeosang was into singing. “Not really. But I think if I train it right, I can make my voice really deep. And maybe I can do some synchronisation some time or just podcasts. Something like that.” Wooyoung nodded and smiled. He heard Yeosang fool around a few times, and while he was only talking nonsense of the top of his head, his voice was intriguing like that of a narrator in a documentary. They arrived quickly and joined the full room. “Didn’t you play the violin,” Wooyoung then asked his friend as he saw some instruments laid out. “Yeah, and I hated it until I got out of grade school,” Yeosang smiled suspiciously, “And I dropped it like four years ago. Don’t act like you don’t remember.” Of course Wooyoung remembered, but he needed to reason to be occupied and not pay attention to teacher Park, because of course he had chosen to sit right behind Wooyoung. These bastards!

Teacher Kim made a similar introduction as teacher Hoseok on Tuesday, asking the students to talk about themselves a bit and their main interests. Again it ranged from this is my life to just checking. Only this time Wooyoung couldn’t shake off teacher Park’s presence looming over him. He didn’t feel comfortable and kept to himself more than he liked. Music was nice, he liked to sing, or scream sometimes, or listen to Hongjoong and Jongho’s masterpieces but today, it was torture to sit though the session. Eden-hyung, as he now introduced himself, had also laid out the instruments Wooyoung had noticed and offered the students to pick them up so he could demonstrate and teach a few things about them, or give elaborated lessons if anyone was interested. Otherwise he mentioned guests and vocal coaches that he contacted and invited who were willing to join once or twice to give more detailed coaching in certain areas. “I thought we’ll cover more topics in a lesson-like setting where you can read up on stuff before or after. Maybe we can distribute the topics for presentations if you like, not graded of course, sorry Wooyoung-ssi,” Eden-hyung explained and again Wooyoung became the butt of the joke. He did a lot today, and now even the teachers joined. Great. He smiled as Eden-hyung checked for his reaction since the other students found it quite funny. Yeosang squeezed his thigh in sympathy, and kept massaging him mindlessly; his thigh, his knee, his hand and fingers. Wooyoung liked it when people touched him like that. Not any people, of course, just his friends. He could put his brain on hold for a few minutes and just enjoy the funny feeling; the pressure and warmth of the other’s hands, or even where they hit nerves or bones in his own body.

It was a pity. He really looked forward to ending his school week with singing, or listening to music in any other way, but he just zoned out, too tired to deal with anything at this point. He’d just get home and cook something quick for Kyungmin, and then put him to bed and keep studying. Tomorrow he’d have to clean the house as long as his mother was gone, do the laundry, maybe he’d put the curtains from the living room into the laundry as well. Last time he did that was in spring. He sighed in relief when Eden-hyung set them free and wished them a happy weekend. Hongjoong and Mingi came back over to them and Jongho claimed his seat in Yeosang’s lap. “You good?” Mingi asked and pinched his cheek. “No,” he answered. “Just tired, no worries,” he then added. “Of course you’re tired. If I know you well enough all you had today was a cup of black coffee, maybe a slice of toast with the veggies Kyungmin didn’t want and half of a half egg sandwich at lunch, right?” Jongho scolded him gently and caressed Wooyoung’s hair. “And the cookies when we studies,” Wooyoung corrected half-heartedly. He knew it wasn’t the point. “Yeah, you started two and I ate the rest of them,” Yeosang pointed out. “That’s one whole cookie,” Wooyoung said. “That’s not enough, Wooyoung-ah,” Hongjoong argued with a bit more enthusiasm. Oh, how he hated these exact words in this exact sequence. “Really, you have to eat more. You’ll run yourself to the ground before Christmas if you keep going like this.” Wooyoung swallowed and looked to the side, leaning into Jongho’s touch a bit more. “Sorry. Thank you for caring about me. I’ll be more careful.”

No. No, he wouldn’t. And they all knew that.

Chapter Text

To be honest, seeing Wooyoung almost every day spoiled him. Or maybe the fact that Wooyoung had left them hanging and still hadn’t texted kept him on edge. Either way, he felt bumped that he’d only see him after lunch for Maths again, when everyone was basically already asleep. But… Tuesday meant dance practise, he considered. Well, last time was merely for Hoseok-ssi to get a look at his students. It wasn’t really a reliable taste for him to say if he’d stay or not. So, what’s the harm in going again, right?

He was early today; Seonghwa had woken him up lovingly and presented the best breakfast ever. San had felt like he was in candy land and praised him the entire way as they drove to work. Seonghwa had a later class, but needed to catch up with the other Science teachers so they figured they'd take just one car. San walked past the classrooms casually as the students were still walking around, talking or on their phones. Walking past Wooyoung’s classroom he caught a curious scene. Hongjoong and Jongho were there - odd, since one of them wasn't even a student here - with Wooyoung’s group, along with Changbin and a few more. They were chanting, something between weeping and a blood sacrifice, and as they moved around a bit, he caught sight of- a burning apple? He stopped and came closer not just out of curiosity, but also as a teacher, and regarding their preference to arson, he had to make sure they regarded safety measurements. 

The other students also looked on and join the chant which turned out to be Happy Birthday and cheered when they finished. Wooyoung was sitting there, letting it happen upon him, and blew out the candles on the bright red apple. He smiled coyly as they cheered and shouted around him, hugging him, kissing him on his cheeks which he accepted unwillingly. Jongho lifted the apple towards him and said seriously, “Cherish this apple as a sign of my adoration for you, hyung, because you won’t get another one until Christmas.” Wooyoung thanked him and pulled the candles out, “I’ll eat it gratefully. Does anyone have a knife?” The rest took a step back each, “To cut the apple, you fools. I want to share it with you. No murder on my birthday,” Wooyoung explained. Wooyoung’s birthday? Jongho shushed them all and started singing a song San didn’t know, and took the apple, breaking it in half with his bare hands, making every one laugh and cheer. Then he took the halves and broke them apart again, offering them to the others. Mingi and Yunho shared one, and Yeosang was quick to feed a whole quarter to Wooyoung before he whispered something into his ear. Wooyoung rolled his eyes at him, and therefore caught San standing there and watching them. San had half a mind to feel embarrassed, but he played it cool. “It’s your birthday?” he asked and walked over to the group, “How old are you this year?” and stretched his hand out for Wooyoung to shake. “Nineteen,” he stood up to accept San’s handshake politely, but his eyes told something akin to shock. “Then live at least another nineteen years full of health and joy, Wooyoung-ssi. I wish you all the best and that all your effort will pay off,” he congratulated earnestly and smiled, hoping to sooth Wooyoung. “Thank you,” the student rasped and bowed his head. "But... make sure you have a teacher present next time you put a flame on... anything while you're in a class room, yeah?"

San left after that, more in hurry now that he spent almost ten minutes watching Wooyoung accept a little bit of love and affection. It was Wooyoung’s birthday today. Should they do something for him? Buy something? But literally anything would be obvious. Even his handshake and sentimental words were bordering on inappropriate, since he had never congratulated a student with more than a simple Happy Birthday before. Maybe they could buy him lunch or just a snack. Or Seonghwa could bring something homemade on Friday as an alibi if Wooyoung would barely eat again. Maybe they couldn’t give him gifts, but a caring gesture. If San had understood correctly, his friends were already supporting him to get closer to them; they would find it weird at worst, maybe also weird at best.

His first two classes wrote a test, so he had some quiet time to think something up. He also texted Seonghwa to let him know, but Seonghwa couldn’t jump Wooyoung with birthday wishes because the only way Seonghwa knew was if San told him, and then Wooyoung would know for sure. Well, not like he didn’t know they liked him, but he hadn’t reacted to it as they hoped. But they also hadn’t chosen the most thoughtful way to confess. They basically harassed him, caging him under the pretence of talking about grades. His hands had felt deadly cold and he had been shaking all over. San was disappointed in himself for acting so recklessly; they usually knew better. Of course he would only think to ditch them and get the hell out. Why would he think about accepting their confession after that? Maybe they’d have to ask him again, just so he would give them a clear call about how to go on. If he didn’t like them back after all that would be fine. Or maybe he’d tell them he was just shy and they could talk it out and go slowly, get to know him first. He also didn’t really know them. The classes went by quickly, and San had to admit he came up empty with just a few thoughts about how to proceed with Wooyoung.

Seonghwa came in to the teacher’s lounge and greeted him casually with a squeeze to his shoulder, but went ahead, "I forgot to put the lunch boxes in the fridge right away," he worried as he rumadged for a spot for their food. “Hyung,” San called quietly and tugged Seonghwa to pay attention. He had a PE class now and should be on his way to the gym already. “Maybe… Maybe we shouldn’t,” he opened. Seonghwa looked at him in surprise and concern. “We’re basically hogging him. We’ll scare him off even more before he even thinks to talk to us,” he whispered. Seonghwa looked at him deeply and nodded slowly. “We’ll take it easy, then. Should we… stay here for lunch? We’ll see him later anyway,” Seonghwa reasoned. San exhaled, “I don’t know. At this point anything we do makes us suspicious,” San whined, “Even if we just stop now. His friends must have noticed by now.” Seonghwa watched him as he fetched his gear. “Let’s see how we feel in an hour, okay? We'll decide spontaneously," he said. It turned out they didn’t need to decide. Seonghwa had texted and picke him up at the gym so could go for a little walk around the school’s estate before they ate, but Mingi and Yeosang were apparently setting something up outside the south entrance of the cafeteria. “Oi, aren’t you joining us today, teachers?” Mingi asked curiously, just getting around to formal speech in an afterthought, and Yeosang smiled excitedly. “It’s Wooyoung’s birthday and lunch is the only time we can really celebrate with everyone,” he told them as if it was a secret. San subtly bumped Seonghwa’s shoulder where they had linked arms already, since officially Seonghwa didn’t know. “Oh, his birthday? Well, if you're inviting us, we'll be happy to join,” he smiled. “We even got a little cake for him,” Yeosang presented the box he held. San cooed, “I wish I had friends like you back when I was in school,” he said with a hand over his heart. “Okay, you go ahead, and I'll grab our lunch, then, I’ll be with you in a minute,” Seonghwa agreed and sent the three on their way. “You really bought him a cake? Just now?” San asked as they walked together. “We didn’t buy it. Wooyoung baked it himself with my mom yesterday. He and his brother were over at my place and I asked him about the different… mixing… whatever. And my mom said she has to do something for him,” Mingi explained. Yeosang smiled fondly, “And after Wooyoung left I came and we decorated it together. It’s a mess,” he revealed, “It looks horrible. It's the saddest birthday cake ever,” Mingi laughed. “No, I bet it’s wonderful. And Wooyoung will be happy, I’m sure,” San smiled and pulled his shoulders up to shield his neck from the cold air. The boys both didn’t sound too sure, but not any less excited.

The group was already gathered, Eden-hyung and Hongjoong-ssi were there, too. The boys chattered and laughed, and Mingi and Yeosang sped up to join them, howling loudly as they presented Wooyoung with the cake and Mingi even pulled out a little tiara to decorate Wooyoung’s hair with it. Wooyoung couldn’t help but smile and laugh in embarrassment but hugged each of them tenderly. San smiled and felt his heart explode. He was such a sucker for affection, he even felt overjoyed when he saw it happen to others. “Come on, let’s share,” Hongjoong ordered and sent Yunho get a bigger knife from the cafeteria staff. San also sat down and watched on; locking eyes with Wooyoung a few times, and luckily the boy didn’t seem too irritated. Most of the students dug in right away, but Wooyoung left his piece of cake sitting in front of him for a while. In the meantime Seonghwa had arrived and also congratulated Wooyoung happily, and prepared San’s lunchbox for him. Yunho set down small slices of cake before each of them and San eyed it curiously. “Dessert comes second, darling,” he warned with a knowing smile. San smiled back, “Just looking,” he answered, “What’s this called?” he pointed at the cake and asked Wooyoung. “Sponge cake," Wooyoung answered quickly, and San blinked at him in case he misheard, "Sponge cake? Why?" he repeated. "It's the usual base ingredients, but I used whole egg, that’s why it’s so yellow and dense. Normally it uses only egg whites to stay soft and moist but then it’s not good for stacking,” Wooyoung explained confidently.  “That sounded much more complex yesterday,” Mingi added. “Because you asked about Chiffon cake and kept asking why after everything I said so I had to explain it to you,” Wooyoung answered but with no bite to which Mingi hummed in defeat.

San looked at Seonghwa, “Baking is complicated?” he asked incredulously and Seonghwa smiled. “Yes, it’s Chemistry. That’s why I cook and you don't,” he winked and took another bite of his rice. “I can cook,” he sulked but Seonghwa beat him quickly, “You see any vegetables and start a whole speech about why carrots are the inferior food.” San sputtered at the ridiculous accusation," Yes, 'cause they are! Carrots aren't even what they're supposed to be." Seonghwa broke into a smile perfectly balanced between amused and smug, before he  gestured at Wooyoung, and the little traitor nodded, “Baking is fine work,” he shrugged, “It depends on the quality of the ingredients you use, the ratio. The order you mix it together changes the texture; the colour of the baking pan can give a different crust to it.” San was stunned and just accepted it. He ate most of his rice and beef, but left some to eat before dance practise. “So Wooyoung-ssi, do you celebrate your birthday; with your family?” Seonghwa then asked and San noted the tension flickered through the group of boys as Wooyoung hesitated. “No, um, my mom’s out of town and I visited Mingi yesterday to hang out. And we’re all together now, eating cake. That’s all I need,” he smiled but it sounded so sad the way he said it. “Your mom’s away for your birthday? That's a pity,” Seonghwa pouted but Wooyoung waved him off, “It’s more enjoyable that way.” San bit his lip, hoping Seonghwa would stop asking. There was definitely some crucial detail to his family background that weighted down on him. He knew he also always felt some latent sorrow on his birthdays or family occasions when he grew up. “Did you get any present, though, from your friends maybe?” Seonghwa changed topics – more or less. “A cake, and an apple with candles ... and lots of affection,” he just kept smiling and it looked more fake as the minutes passed. “We’d give you more but you won’t accept any,” Yunho mused and pinched his cheek, “At least eat your cake, birthday boy." San noticed Wooyoung hadn’t touched it at all; or any other food for that matter. Wooyoung hummed but only picked a few crumbs from it. “You must be tired of seeing and eating your own creations. Come here, let’s switch, my piece is a bit smaller, hm,” San offered. Maybe then Wooyoung would eat it, but he denied, “Thank you, teacher, it’s fine.” San sighed and took a moment to ponder. Time to abuse his authority. “Wooyoung-ah, you haven’t eaten one bite,” he pointed out gently and still regretted it a bit when Wooyoung’s face fell. "Oh, I'm not hungry." San tried not to twitch his lips, “It's rude, though," he prodded, maybe a bit tactlessly, "Let’s share. We’ll eat your piece first, and after Maths class we’ll share the other piece, hm. We have dance practise later, you can’t go there on an empty stomach,” he reasoned and Wooyoung swallowed before he gave in.

San felt so happy, even if – or especially because – he basically hand fed the cake to Wooyoung. He went slowly, crumb for crumb because Wooyoung looked physically sick and ashamed to eat from his fork. But they all praised him genuinely and started a new round of wishes and congrats as they finished up their lunch. “Boys, I hate to break it to you but my rules for punctuality still apply. I’ll see you then,” Seonghwa announced and San gave him a look. “I’m so glad I never had a teacher like you,” he teased, but Seonghwa wasn’t deterred to step up, “You would have fallen in love with me if I had been your teacher.” San raised his eyebrows at the dog whistle but it was too tempting not to play along. “Kinky,” he challenged and grinned wickedly, “Actually I fell in love with you when you weren't a teacher, though.” Seonghwa smirked, “Hm, I remember you especially liked it when I had to teach you a lesson back then as well,” and made the students laugh. “Keep it down. There are minors around,” Eden-hyung mused. San took a deep breath trying to hold back an embarrassed smile as he felt himself get a little hot, in more than one way.

San couldn’t wait to get through the last class of the day, even if he had a free period right after lunch first, and then Wooyoung's class, and he got a sneaky kiss from Seonghwa when he said goodbye and the promise to be picked up later. The class asked a lot of questions about the exam, obviously trying to waste time for the actual lesson, but San caved. Maybe they’d feel more at ease when he gave them a heads up about the procedure and the layout of the exam, how it would be graded and everything else in case they failed. It was exhausting, still. He was a weak man, too easily bribed by pouty lips and sad eyes. Eventually he handled out to let them go earlier again, only by ten minutes, after they would put together a list of topics or formulas they didn’t feel confident about so he could give them another mock exam. Most students bolted again, trying to catch the earlier bus, but Wooyoung and his group stayed seated again as San also took his time to take notes and pack up. “Waiting for your friends again?” San asked as he got up. “No, he doesn’t want to stay in the dance club,” Mingi sighed. San nodded and assumed they’d just wait out here instead of outside. “Wooyoung-ssi, we had a deal,” he then remembered and showed off the box with the rest of the cake. Wooyoung whined loudly like a trapped animal and begged San with his eyes. “No, Seonghwa-hyung will ask me later and I’m a very bad liar,” he scolded in amusement and was happy that Wooyoung seemed to give in after that notion. “Teacher,” Yeosang asked and his tone already foretold mischief, “Would you really fall in love with teacher Park if you were his student?” Wooyoung almost choked on a bite of cake, but recovered quickly. San had to put in real effort to keep calm. “Probably, he’s even more handsome and charismatic now that he's a bit older. We’re almost the same age now, but he still takes very good care of me and guides me a lot. My nineteen year old self would have been very lucky to have someone so established and settled, even just as a mentor maybe, actually. But as fate decided, I got with him when he was just as blue-eyed and naive as me, so we grew into better versions of ourselves together, and I couldn’t be happier either way.” He was almost a bit surprised at his own honesty. He would have never thought to talk about Seonghwa or any details with students, but reflecting even just for a second, he knew they probably had an ulterior motive with the question. Oh, they definitely talked if they didn’t already know. Maybe Wooyoung had told them?

“Would you, if you were his student now, would you... like, confess to him? Or try anything? Wouldn’t you have minded that it was,” Yeosang trailed off, eyeing Wooyoung suspiciously. “Frowned upon?” San replied innocently, “Well, I guess... I guess I might have said something, or even pull some kind of a stunt to stick out to him. I've always been impatient, but when i was your agge I was essentially reckless. Seonghwa, Seonghwa now would have probbaly given me an ear-full and talked me into waiting. Rightly so, of course. You don’t have to start a relationship as soon as someone confessed their feelings, you know. Love, and trust and all that, it needs to be built up over time, it barely just happens. I’m sure if he, as he is now, wanted me as a student, he would have waited until after I graduated if he really wanted it. He has this gift of patience and empathy and he can keep that up even when he’s strict sometimes. It’s really… fascinating, this mix. I really don’t know how he does it. I’m so impatient. You have no idea how many times we fought about silly things because of it,” San laughed as he thought back. The students listen carefully, even Wooyoung seemed curious. “But you never act so… lovely,” Mingi mentioned, as if to negate what San said. “We’re not allowed to at school; kiss or anything like that, so we came up with other gestures,” San answered quickly, “Figures… we work with children and minors. And we’re both men; that’s even more controversial in some people’s eyes. But other couples would have gotten the same rules and conditions to be allowed to work here or at most other schools. We also don’t need to hang off of each other. If we weren’t employed at the same place, we wouldn’t see each other at all.” Mingi and Yeosang hummed at the insight. Wooyoung eyed him in a bit more disbelief now, but didn’t comment. Probably turning over every detail to match with their confession from a few weeks ago. A little thought bloomed in San’s mind. Maybe it was a missing thread to tie it all together for Wooyoung. Maybe now they had a more stable base to approach him again.

They parted eventually and met again in the gym where Hoseok-ssi already waited with some music playing in the background. Wooyoung was already talking to him. San sat down with Taeyong-ssi again and chatted lightly. “Alright folks, settle down, settle down,” Hoseok called as another two men came from the set up room. “These are my friends, from my dance crew, and they’ll tag along today’s special performance since we have a little birthday boy in our midst,” Hoseok smiled brightly and gestured towards Wooyoung who was standing in the back of their  crowd. San watched on curiously. They had planned something special? But first they had a casual warm-up with a few dynamic exercises and stretching. Then they were asked to sit down again as Wooyoung and the two dancers got in position. Yunho, Yeosang and Yeonjun sat around San and whispered among each other. They seemed to gravitate towards each other lately. Was he part of their group now? He smiled proudly at the thought. A funky beat started playing and San thought he knew the song. Bad by Christopher. It had been Seonghwa’s favourite song a few months ago and it had been playing up and down all day, he even sung to it all the time. Wooyoung seemed to jump into a persona immediately, with hooded eyes and a naughty smirk, quite unfamiliar to the shy student that had to be forced to eat cake. San’s mouth gaped and maybe he needed to remember how to breathe. Wooyoung moved so elegantly and made it look like it was barely an inconvenience to dance to the words of the song, and his foot work was so on point. His smirk, fingers waving him to come closer, his devilish tongue, for God’s sake, had San breathing heavily; he just hoped it wasn’t noticeable under the loud music. Throughout the second verse he noticed the dance moves on their own weren’t really explicit or even just teasing, it was only Wooyoung’s attitude that carried such a deep, almost forbidden sensuality. By the time of the second chorus, Hoseok-ssi must have switched the lights, because Wooyoung's eyes glinted differently, his cheek bones and jawline were much more prominent and San might have started drooling for real. A few times the dancer came really close to him or even touched him, and Wooyoung morphed in so well with the entire movement it made something heated flare up in San's chest. They must have practised a lot... After the second chorus, San recalled, there was a passage with slow and distorted music and stillness and he wondered how Wooyoung would fill it when he had moved so powerfully until now and- well, he wasn’t disappointed. Wooyoung had his head thrown back just as the music faded, his neck beautifully on display as he ran his fingers down from his chin to his chest and looked back up, right at San, licked his lips and mouthed Ready for this? and San swallowed. No. No, he wasn’t ready. He had obviously bitten off more than he could chew when he thought Wooyoung would present a sweet little birthday dance with his friends. In moments like these he needed Seonghwa to hold him down, because San hadn’t been lying when he said he’s impatient and needed guidance from time to time.

Ugh, if Seonghwa teased him like this, San was usually straining within minutes. If Wooyoung would ever tease Seonghwa like this, he would be a dead man if they'd let him watch. After that his heart almost leaped from his chest and he audibly gasped when Wooyoung let himself fall forward freely and the dancers caught him last minute, but it fit the music so well. Mere seconds later, they heaved him up again to turn mid-air and let him fall backwards to repeat the scene. It looked demonic, evil and straight up illegal to be so captivating. How was San ever supposed to live on like a sane man? The rest of the song passed quicker than he remembered, but nonetheless fascinating. He felt like cheating on Seonghwa just watching Wooyoung by now. A small little part of his conscience told him he should have ditched today’s class, but the rotten part celebrated its win. The group applauded and roared when the music stopped and Wooyoung broke out into the biggest, proudest smile he had seen on him so far. Taeyong-ssi whistled next to him and lifted his index finger as if to speak a warning, “If this kid wasn’t a student, he’d be cuffed right this second,” and San could only chuckle helplessly at the hidden truth in favour not to let jealousy sour his mood. They proceeded to single out and analyse some moves together, mostly for the other students to learn the choreography, and even San was surprisingly successful at picking up a few sequences. Hoseok and his dancers also explained some anatomy behind it, what to be cautious about so they wouldn't hurt themselves. This was so much better than any athletics training he ever had. Why had he never thought of dancing as sports before? This was great!

As promised Seonghwa came to pick him up; just in time to bid the students goodbye as well. “You’re all sweaty,” he marked and combed through San’s hair. “Yes, I danced,” San explained, still breathing a bit heavily. “I’m good at dancing! I never knew that,” he told him with a big smile and a few voiced behind them laughed. They looked up and found Wooyoung, Yeosang and Yeonjun who just came from the locker room, greeting whoever was left a good night. “Is that so,” Seonghwa mused, a little doubtful, “Did you have fun?” San nodded, “Yes, it was great, and Wooyoung here,” he squeezed the student’s shoulder just in time as the group passed them, “Danced to that song you like so much, Bad,” San reported and Wooyoung immediately blushed. “Yeah?” Seonghwa prompted with a pleased smile and Wooyoung looked away shyly but nodded. “Oh, he didn’t dance to it, he performed it. He didn’t dance to the song, the song played to his choreo,” Yeonjun declared proudly and slipped in a few English words here and there so they all broke out into giggles. “You might have been mad at me but yourYeonjunnie-hyung knew J-Hope-ssi had to see it. And the dancers were so excited, oh my God, they kept praising you all the time,” Yeonjun went on, praising himself in the process.

“Let’s head home, dinner is ready,” Seonghwa changed the topic, ever so composed. “Are you tired?” San asked, noting the static tone he used and tugged on Seonghwa's coat uselessly just to do something. Wooyoung slipped from his grip and the boys bowed to see them off politely. “Are there any busses driving so late?” Seonghwa asked after a beat, “Only every other hour, but my mom is picking us up,” Yeonjun said and waved them goodbye.  “Are you okay?” Seonghwa asked when San watched after Wooyoung dreamily. “Oh my God, you had to be there. The fact that I stayed where I sat is unreal. He’s crazy. This whole shy kid persona is not real, I’m telling you, he knows what he’s doing,” San conspired on the way to the car. Seonghwa took his bag and opened the door for him to get in. “Does he now?” Seonghwa asked but his interest was picked up. “Do you remember this part when the music slows down with the Ready for this? He made it so sexy and I swear, Seonghwa-hyung, I swear my head will fall off tomorrow if I’m lying, he looked right at me, I almost busted,” San recounted his experience. Seonghwa smirked as he started the car. He wasn’t quite sure if he should believe it. “So do you think we should talk to him again?” Seonghwa assumed based on story-Wooyoung’s confidence. “We could try. Yeosang even picked up on our student teacher falling in love thing from lunch. I think I got Wooyoung's attention with that. But after school. Or maybe- No, I don’t know when. He's always got someone around, even for club activities,” San thought out loud, “We can’t really sneak his phone number without someone telling him, I’m sure.” Seonghwa chuckled, “Yes and we won’t anyway. We gave him ours and for as long as he doesn’t decide to contact us that way we won’t go behind his back." San agreed immediately and revoked his idea. Maybe he was still high on endorphins or something. “Next time bring a hat to dance practise. I don’t want you to catch a cold if you come out all sweaty again,” Seonghwa mentioned then and put his hand on San’s thigh as he drove on. San smiled at his boyfriend's display of affection, always paying attention to details. In his mind San kept replaying the events of today. Something might have clicked today. They’d keep an eye on Wooyoung and his mood for the rest of the week before they’d proceed with any more gifts or advances.

Chapter Text

Wooyoung felt uneasy. Nervous was a more fitting term. Or apprehensive. His friends didn’t help to ease the tension in his body. They had bothered him until he snapped with the teachers’ very selective attention on the students and he had let them believe they convinced him to, “ask them,” as Mingi and Jongho decided together. He wouldn’t ask, of course. He would tell them to stop. But the guys didn’t know that the three of them were already so far down the line of Mingi’s little dream romance fantasy thing whatever. Still the boys were so giddy and eager to find out what would happen, it made Wooyoung’s stomach twist and knot up. The first class was Chemistry with teacher Park, and as promised he had a little article and a video prepared about PH value and other chemical classifications. But other than that they went on with the basics of organic chemistry, and Wooyoung felt blessed that he read the book teacher Park had recommended, because he could foresee every word teacher Park said. He could have held his hand up in the air for the whole ninety minutes; actually, he could have held the lesson himself. Maybe not to teach the other students but for an oral exam or something.

He could feel so much attention on him it made him sick. Oral exams were fine, nobody but the teachers listened anyway. But like this; people weren’t even looking at him but he knew they were thinking about him. He wasn’t even in their line of sight yet his  friends' attention was on him. Teacher Park was very talented though. Although Wooyoung knew the men had taken quite some severe measures to get closer, they remained normal inside of the classroom. Within the minutes of a lesson teacher Park acted just like before: he kept his rules intact, reminded them to take notes and prepare for the next lesson, gave homework and supplied links, articles, authors, anything, he paid attention to every student and recalled that he’d take oral marks after every lesson. It made Wooyoung worry more than before. The principle was established before and Wooyoung was always mindful of his input during class, but after their confession he felt pressured. All he wanted to do was drop out of their classes and never cross paths with them again. But his attendance record would suffer and his marks would plummet so quickly he could have dropped out of school entirely. So he still came to class, punctual as before, prepared and a lot more energised, but that was most likely due to his nerves. Against his apprehension Wooyoung had to admit, after one or two classes since the teachers had talked to him and then also wormed their way into their friend group, that teacher Park was fine. His classes were okay and going well and Wooyoung wouldn’t need to worry about his grades.

What he worried about was his battle plan for today. Should he use a ruse to talk to the teacher? Should he call him over or go to him after class? Should he tell him to stop by before lunch at all? He would tell his boyfriend for sure, and then teacher Choi could be thrown off more than usually. Teacher Choi was… something. He was still as charming as ever, but especially since the dance performance on his birthday he couldn’t shake off the feeling of teacher Choi’s watchful eyes. He was more obvious with his attention towards him; Wooyoung had first assumed he was testing and waiting for him to snap or something. Now he knew he was just drooling like Mingi wished for it to be true. On his birthday, rather while dancing he felt confident and a bit bold even to look at the teacher’s reaction a few times. But thinking back Wooyoung noticed the teacher often wore this look on his face, like a lion ready to pounce on his prey. And well, like prey Wooyoung either froze of fled under such circumstances; his preference was to flee, though.

Now that Mingi, Yeosang and Yunho were with him and keeping track more actively he had no option to flee. He still could back out of course, but then they’d tell him to do it next week. And if Wooyoung hated one thing – well, actually you could say anything and be right, but right now that thing was procrastination. He had to do it today. It was the first Monday of the month and therefore the cafeteria offered something special: fried corndogs and American styled Hot Dogs, so all the students would rush out of class for lunch and leave zero attention to Wooyoung and the teachers. But for that, he had to let teacher Park know of his plan which would be fine if it weren’t so far in advance. With teacher Choi he could just ask for another minute right after class and still back down. But if he told teacher Park to come back here after the third class he’d know what’s up and then Wooyoung wouldn’t be able to make up something else.

Oh God, why did he let his friends talk him into this. “Teacher,” Yunho called and lifted his hand. Wooyoung had spaced out and hadn’t even noticed class had almost ended. Oh shit fuck. His oral mark for today was wasted. Teacher Park came over to Yunho and Wooyoung watched on as if he was watching a train wreck happening. But Yunho just calmly asked if the teacher had some more magazines or the like and could drop them off in the class room which teacher Park accepted with delight. Oh, Yunho you sly little fox. Yeosang grinned happily next to him and the tightness in Wooyoung’s chest returned. His cheeks heated up, heart raced and his body told him to run. God, this would be a disaster.

As soon as teacher Choi walked in Wooyoung could barely sit still. They made it through several repetitions of formulas and exercises from previous exams which Wooyoung found fairly easy and all the other students also worked hard. Teacher Choi let them work in their groups again and help each other out; he didn’t even mind when Wooyoung got up and sat backwards on the empty seat next to Yeji to help out Donghyuck and Renjun. They used the wrong formula so they got stuck, so he explained how to decipher the task from the text. Otherwise their notes were fine. Wooyoung looked up as Mingi called him and he saw teacher Choi standing where he would usually sit, watching again with those canine eyes. “Come,” Mingi waved and Wooyoung sighed. Oh God. He stopped next to Yeosang, staying behind him since the teacher was still sort of blocking his seat, but could tell that his presence wasn’t actually required for the chat they held, and Yunho gestured to remind him that time was running out. Wooyoung rounded Yeosang with a few unsteady steps, slowly crowding the man’s personal space since he wouldn’t move. “Teacher, I’d like- Um, could we,” he stammered quietly, very on edge and definitely not soothed by the man’s faux innocently curious smile, “I mean, would you wait for me? After class, just a minute,” he added hurriedly when he felt it sounded weird the way he posed the question. It threw him back into the moment about a week ago where the teacher talked about his hypothetical romance with his real-life boyfriend, when he said teacher Park would have waited for him to graduate. Wooyoung fought not to shake his head and look at the man. “To talk about your grades?” the teacher assumed and Wooyoung swallowed. His friends didn’t know, but Wooyoung and teacher Choi found themselves in a little deja-vu. “Yeah,” Wooyoung breathed, not even a whisper, completely enamoured by his happy smile.

The man nodded and walked back to the front. Ever so generous he let the students leave a few minutes early, two or three, since it was corndog day. His friends waited it out a bit, maybe to make it extra awkward for when Wooyoung would be left alone with the teacher, but they also left when Mark and Dejun hurried them to get a move on. It only soothed Wooyoung to know they wouldn’t be waiting outside and eavesdrop. His heart was beating in his chest so hard he thought his rib cage would bust. For half a second he thought about just leaving as well. He didn’t need to talk to them. He’d just pretend nothing ever happened and greet them politely at lunch. It could work out. “Talk about your grades, hm?” teacher San mused then, leaned back casually in his chair, all notes and books closed. “Yes, um, grades,” Wooyoung repeated, too nervous to look at the man. He shouldn’t have done this. He shouldn’t have started this again. What was he even supposed to say? What was his goal?

A knock on the door made them both snap up, and Wooyoung really felt delirious with the similarities to the last time he was alone with the men. Teacher Park entered the room, and Wooyoung almost laughed because he didn’t even bring any magazines or books with him. So he had seen through Yunho’s pretence from the beginning. “Hi,” he greeted softly and Wooyoung tried not to freeze from panic and breathe somewhat normally. The door closed with a quiet click and teacher Park looked at his watch, “You let them go earlier again?” obviously trying to take some attention away from Wooyoung. He watched on as if he were caught in a nightmare, unable to act on his volition. “Not even five minutes,” teacher Choi defended himself easily and nodded towards Wooyoung. “What brings us here?” teacher Park then turned to him and while he kept his tone light, Wooyoung didn’t feel light. He felt like crying. He felt like a lying prick that was wasting their time.

He sat on top of the first desk with a reassuring distance between him and both men. He stuttered, trying to put his thoughts into order and find the right words. “I don’t know,” he ended up admitting dumbly. How stupid and reckless of him to put himself in this position. His mind had shut down halfway already, and the flood of thoughts about getting out had stopped to a trickle of sarcastic hindsight. He fumbled with the edge of the desk, pressing and scratching at the hardwood to distract himself. “I meant to… uh,” he stopped himself again. He knew what he wanted. What he had felt the last four weeks and what he need to tell them but his mouth and his brain had disconnected ten minutes ago. “Did you want to talk about what we told you?” teacher Park supplied and closed in on him very slowly; so slowly Wooyoung’s brain barely registered it. Wooyoung nodded because it was all he could do to communicate. “That we’re very curious about you,” he added and Wooyoung nodded again, still avoiding their eyes. “Have you thought about it?” he asked and only then did Wooyoung look up. He needed to speak, otherwise they wouldn’t understand.

He tried to take a deep breath to centre himself, but he only took one deep breath after another and it really didn’t help. He probably looked like a panting dog. And they looked at him expectantly. Oh shit, shit, shit. Mission abort! Fuck! Tears sprung to his eyes and he just knew it was over for him. “No, I,” he swallowed again, “I mean, yes, I did. But… It’s- It’s like,” how would he explain this? It was like this whole thing was just a damn shitshow and there was no way they could possibly believe to have set their eyes on someone like Wooyoung?!  “I don’t know,” he repeated. He knew, of course. He knew he had a hopeless crush on them. Who didn’t? They were perfect, and charming and so good-looking and smart and perfectly fit for their professions even though they were both so different from one another yet they seemed to match each other like no one else. “That’s okay. It’s a lot, we know,” teacher Choi soothed him; but how could he mean it? Wooyoung meant to smile at the sympathy, but it turned into a grimace probably. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and he could see both of them deflate. “You- You’re not interested?” teacher Park asked to clarify and Wooyoung wanted to spring up and tell them of course he’s interested! But how could he make them understand. “I- I mean,” he stammered again. Get it together for fuck’s sake. “I’m not sure,” he sidestepped again. “Well, um. If you’re not sure, we could always start over. We’d be glad to, actually,” teacher Park explained and made Wooyoung look up at the bait. “Our first approach wasn’t fair, Wooyoung-ah, and we’d like to apologise for that first. We didn’t- We didn’t just jump a few steps, we skipped the entire staircase,” he told him earnestly and Wooyoung maybe melted a bit. Teacher Choi had taken a more reverent pose and sat with his wrists flat on the table top. “I overheard your friends say something like you fell for us and we got ahead of ourselves, and- We’re usually better than that, I promise,” he agreed with his partner. “Well, Seonghwa-hyung usually is; I’m a disaster. I’m impatient and spoiled,” he added sheepishly and Seonghwa-hyung also broke out into a fond smile. “But, we cornered you and sort of pushed it all onto you and it was wrong and thoughtless, and if,” teacher Choi cut himself off and also took a deep breath and started to scratch around his thumbnails.

No way.

Teacher Choi was nervous?

“If you’d like to give us the chance, as hyung said we’d like to start over; slowly. Just get to know each other, because we realised we don’t know much about you, but neither do you about us. So, we could… meet up and hang out some time… or leave it at lunch and the clubs. That way it’s maybe not too personal,” he suggested and switch to a little ramble. Wooyoung found himself nodding, even though this was not going the way he planned at all, and quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen. “I’m sorry, I- I’m… a mess with these kind of things,” Wooyoung smiled to hide his discomfort. They were so forthcoming and caring; why was he being so werid? “Everyone starts somewhere,” teacher Park smiled fondly and Wooyoung had to double take it in his mind. He was used to responses like “Oh, no you’re not,” or “Don’t be dramatic, just say what you think,” and it always felt hard to make out what it meant. Was is normal to feel so uptight and scared when talking about things he was uncomfortable with? Was it expected that he had to silence his anxiety with such force so the other one got what they wanted?

But what teacher Choi said basically acknowledged him for struggling without making it a big deal. But that still meant they knew he was having a hard time, right? Was he supposed to have a hard time? “Let's start like this: Are you okay with us being close to you; during these times, then?” teacher Park refocused and a new wave of anxiety built up inside of him. “Wait, let me get a chair,” he interrupted and walked over to sit at the first desk right in front of San, next to the one Wooyoung was sitting on. He couldn’t tell if it was on purpose, but now their proximity felt even more unbalanced. Now both teachers were sitting down, while he was- not standing, but still sitting on a higher level. Now it was like he was on a pedestal and they were waiting for his speech. Wooyoung swallowed and worried his lips, eyes averted to the floor. “I guess. I mean, I think the hardest part of it is my friends,” he trailed off, smiling again at how silly it sounded to say his friends fanboyed over their interactions. “Did you tell them?” teacher Choi blurted and leaned forward like he had been waiting to say it. Wooyoung looked up in surprise. It sounded so accusing the way he said it. “No, no,” Wooyoung stuttered, “But, um, they noticed. They keep bringing it up that there are too many coincidences. That you come to the cafeteria at all, sitting down with us, you joined the clubs. They’re… going haywire all the time.” The teachers looked at each other, and maybe, he thought, he said too much. “So should we, um, not?” teacher Park asked again. And Wooyoung had to really think about it. He didn’t mind anyone joining their group at lunch or anything like that. But he knew they were watching him. Really paying attention to anything he did; just as they told him: they wanted to get to know him. He had to be perfect, then. He couldn't let them in on his problems; why would he do that?

“I don’t mind,” Wooyoung whispered instead, again not looking at them. “Well, we don’t want to cause you any trouble, of course, or a fallout with your friends,” teacher Park reasoned, and Wooyoung shook his head, “Oh no. They’re just teasing me sometimes. It’s nothing serious,” he looked up again and smiled at him to reassure him, “You can join us whenever you like. Eden-hyung also sits with us from time to time.”

“Eden-hyung?” teacher Choi repeated, pitching his voice up a bit to hide his irritation, but Wooyoung’s recognised the mismatched smile with the glinting in his eyes. “You could call us by hyung as well,” he then supplied and Wooyoung’s brained short-circuited. “But everyone calls him Eden-hyung. He introduces himself like that,” Wooyoung explained instead of disagreeing. The teacher didn’t let it slip, though, and just raised his eyebrows, smile widening. Oh, this was a trap, “No one else calls you hyung. No students, I mean. I’m… I’m so used to calling you teacher. It’s so unfamiliar to say anything else,” he added. San looked down and folded his hand, pouting mindlessly and nodded. Wooyoung felt like he knew that look as well. Like he got an answer wrong and it would cost his precious points for his grade. “You don’t have to. San-ah was just offering. No worries,” the other man stepped in easily.

San-ah.

Choi San.

It sounded so soft and welcoming. And it fit him so well. “San-ah,” Wooyoung whispered mindlessly, not even really aware that he thought it out loud. Teacher Choi inhaled deeply and his eyes brightened with something Wooyoung would call mischief, but it wasn’t the right word, he knew. “That’s also nice,” the man whispered just as cautiously and swallowed. Teacher Park widened his eyes but didn’t bother to hide his amusement. They sat together in silence for a minute or two, neither knew how to proceed. “So, where do we stand now? We won’t change a lot, just, let’s all take it easily. We’ll spend some time together and chat lightly to get a feeling for one another, right?” teacher Park then announced, and Wooyoung was so relieved he didn’t have to actually answer the question. He wouldn’t have known what to tell them. Thinking of it, Wooyoung actually meant to tell them to stop their advances, but slowing down will give him the same results, right?

They’d notice he’s as bland as flour and not all as special as he apparently seemed in class, and they’d drop him sooner or later. Maybe they’d stick around for appearances or to talk with the other guys, and then stop showing up eventually. But it still made him wonder what had drawn them in in the first place. “I’m fine with that. Wooyoung-ah?” teacher Choi prompted then, and Wooyoung was lost for a moment. Did he have to verbally agree? But teacher Park just explained the plan; what was he supposed to say to that? He looked between them, growing a bit nervous under their expecting glances. “Would you be alright with that? That we keep joining your group from time to time,” teacher Choi redirected. Wooyoung nodded. His mind was sort of fogging up with too many thoughts. Ugh, he hated it when he became like this. Everything slowed down and his worries just wouldn’t stop. It rendered him useless. He couldn’t concentrate or keep up a conversation to the point when he just blanked out. “You’re allowed to disagree; you know that, right?” teacher Park added, seeming worried, but Wooyoung only nodded again. Of course he wouldn’t disagree; he’d just let them do their thing until they grew bored of him. Maybe they could keep up a friendly line of contact, so Mingi could get a bit of extra lessons or something before the exams. If they would come to get to know him, they were bound to meet the others as well, right?

“Is there anything else you’re thinking of? Anything that worries you or maybe something you’d like better. We can always switch it up, you know. Just talk to us, then,” teacher Park advised and Wooyoung felt like he was put on the spot. Was he supposed to have something to say? Oh God. His mind was going numb. Why was he here? Why him; for God’s sake? He hummed, trying to figure out a way to put it politely. “I just wondered,” he paused, contemplating if he should really say it. Oh well, sooner or later, right? “Why me?” The men both raised their eyebrows in surprise, obviously caught off guard. “I mean, you’re already established, and, well, there are probably people lining down the street to be wiht either of you, so, how come you’d,” he cut himself off. He felt like he was ridiculing them. But maybe he’d uncover it was just some plotless mood that would be over in another four weeks. “How come you’d be interested in me? Out of all people,” Wooyoung repeated, and now that he said it, he kind of really wanted to know. He pulled one leg up to sit more comfortably, a bit more stable, but he balled his fists and pushed and pressed at his own thigh to work off some of the restlessness that came with his anticipation.

The men blinked at him, still speechless and also exchanged another look or two. “Well, it just so happened, I guess,” teacher Park smiled, “It’s not like we planned this. It just came up with you, actually. We never thought of a third person joining us before we noticed you.” Wooyoung frowned, a bit alerted, “When did you notice me?” He’s been attending this school for quite a few years now, and these two teachers weren’t new either. “For me it was some time around last year's exams. I’ve just had this soft spot for you quite early when you were always so eager and working ahead, and you were almost more nervous than the seniors that time,” teacher Choi recounted with the brightest smile, “But that’s why I took over your class. I used to teach only the younger students but then two new teachers arrived while the old Maths teacher left, and teacher Jung is also due to leave after this year; so I upgraded before you’d have three different teacher over three years. I told the principal to let the seniors have the same teacher for the last two years. Otherwise it’ll be chaos.” Wooyoung nodded again, a bit at ease. “He wouldn’t stop talking about you so I called him out for it,” teacher Park grinned then; and made the other one blush?! “But he said, see for yourself. And then I started teaching your science classes last year as well and… you’re amazing. Definitely- I don’t know how to say it. You’re always so curious and sweet about everything. You know literally everything but you don’t brag with it or your grades. You’re still so humble and hard-working. You’re always the first in line to help others out and - To be honest it made me worry you’d be burned out by Spring break, so I kept an eye on you and… What should I say? San was right. You're a really strong and remarkable person even when you're still young,” he recalled and Wooyoung was amazed. They were genuinely paying attention to him and noticed things that Wooyoung wasn’t even really aware of himself. “And now we’re here,” he added light-heartedly and pulled Wooyoung back into reality.

Yeah. Now they were here, talking properly the first time since they approached him. “We sort of went into overdrive after I overheard your friends talk about you, but Seonghwa-hyung and I had talked about it a lot before and came to the conclusion that, well, eventually, and if you are also comfortable with it, we’d be open to include you,” teacher Choi explained again and Wooyoung felt hot and cold all over again. He felt proud about successfully standing out to them and how fond they were of him, but the mention of him joining their relationship- “Romantically?” Wooyoung asked to clarify and watched his own hands work as he gripped down on his own ankle harshly to release some of the tension that spread through him. It hurt quite a bit, and he pushed his foot down against the table top until it hurt his ankle where it stood out. “If things develop that way, yes,” teacher Park spoke softly, “Again, we’re only letting you know that for now so you know where we’re coming from. But we don’t mean to push you to do anything you don’t want to. Especially now; you’re still in school and all that… We’ll just see how things go and check in from time to time to make sure we’re still on the same page.” Wooyoung swallowed and nodded again, still massaging and kneading at his leg thoughtlessly. Like dating, right? Okay, okay. He could that, right? Just let things take their natural course and see where they would end up and make sure no one got hurt in the process. He’d just have to be brave and keep up and make sure they won’t be fucked up at him later or doom his grades by the end of the school year.

“Okay, yeah,” he whispered repeatedly to pep talk himself, and nodded more confidently. When he looked up their eyes read worry, before teacher Park’s eyes swayed to the side, focussing on something behind him, and Wooyoung turned. The door was still closed but, “Lunch break is almost up,” he mentioned calmly, “Where do you have your next class?” Wooyoung looked back at them. Oh no, he had held them up for almost an entire hour. “Here; it’s Social Studies,” he explained and was tempted to sit down on his assigned seat and prepare for the last fifteen minutes. “You haven’t eaten anything, have you?” he asked then, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Neither have you,” Wooyoung defended on reflex and- God, he could slap himself. “You usually don’t eat a lot. Is it only at school or in general?” the teacher continued underterred. “I’m just not hungry a lot. I get an upset stomach easily,” Wooyoung mumbled, looking down again. They hummed in understanding, and teacher Park got up slowly. “Well, we should get going,” he said to the other man but walked closer to Wooyoung then like a predator. Not really, he was elegant and slow as if not to scare Wooyoung away, but they kept eye contact that had Wooyoung’s heart racing again. “Take care, then, yes,” he whispered and Wooyoung almost expected some gesture; that he would take his hand or cup his face. For a split second he imagined the teacher would lean in and peck his cheek again, but he didn’t. Teacher Choi also got up and tidied up his space before he came to stand next to them. The other man welcomed him by ruling a few lose strands of hair back into place and rounded his arm around teacher Choi’s waist. Wooyoung looked down to where teacher Park’s hand peeked out on his side and couldn’t help but think about himself being held like this by either of them.

“We’ll see each other around,” teacher Choi said and leaned into his boyfriend a bit more. Wooyoung nodded and wanted to greet them goodbye as well, when his phone started buzzing up like crazy. He took it out from his pocket and saw the group chat spammed with warnings that students started to leave the cafeteria. “What’s that?” teacher Park asked and Wooyoung hummed as he wrote a quick reply. “My friends… They’re saying the other students will come back into class soon,” he smiled sheepishly. “So, they knew,” teacher Choi assumed, brows furrowed since he had asked the same question earlier. “N-no, um, they think I asked you if you joined us and the clubs because of me. They don’t know we’re… past that already,” he explained, “They think we’re acting out some real-life romance drama or something. I don’t know,” he sighed but hoped the teachers wouldn’t worry. They took their leave, then, hurriedly when the chatter and noise from students flooded the hallways. Wooyoung made his way to the back quickly and pulled out his folder or pencil case just a few moments before his first class mates stormed in. Mingi and Yeosang were at the forefront, followed by Yunho and Changbin. “How’d it go? What did they say?” Mingi rushed with bright eyes like a child on Christmas Eve. Wooyoung played it cool, just shrugging, “Nothing. They just wanted to check it out and then saw Eden-hyung also sits with us during lunch and thoughts it’s cool enough.” They all groaned in unison, “How lame,” Yunho whined.

“Yunho-ssi,” someone called from the doorway, and of course it was no one lesser than teacher Park, holding up a set of magazines it seemed. Yunho gasped quietly but got up and hurried to take them from him, bowing and thanking him for being so considerate, “I stopped by after class but you were already gone. I hope I got you what you were looking for,” he reasoned and pinned Yunho with a pointed glance; Yunho’s ears went red, Wooyoung could see it even from back here. What was this man doing? Yunho returned a bit shocked and looked at Wooyoung, “What did they really say?”  Wooyoung blubbered as all eyes were on him again. “No-nothing, I swear. They just- I told them that we noticed they zeroed in on us and I asked them why. And they said they just wanted to check it out and see if they like it. It’s nothing more. Just hanging out together,” he tried to repeat as much truthful information as possible, “And they told me to take care, because teacher Park is worried I'll burn out and teacher Choi said I was already more nervous about the exams last year than the students who actually took them.” The three boys eyed him with various degrees of suspicion and disbelief before Yeosang seemingly found an answer they could all agree with, “They’ll have adopted you by the time we’ve graduated. Just accept it.”

Chapter Text

Seonghwa had been wary of San’s outburst after their practise last week; he thought San might have been pent up or just really easy-going after a long day, but no. Wooyoung’s performance must have been a masterpiece, he agreed after Yeonjun had shown him a recording from a previous practise during lunch on Friday. The only time they joined this week. On a side note Seonghwa kept to himself, the casual look look Wooyoung wore with baggy sweat pants and the loose shirt, still styled with sneakers and rounded up with his tousled hair was a sight to behold. Although Seonghwa’s preference always checked neatly fitting clothes of a usually nude or neutral colour palette and an obvious sign for cosmetic input like hair styling, lip balm or maybe accessories or perfume, he had to admit he found a new appeal in this practical style. It wasn’t meant to be widely appealing or decorated fancily because it wouldn't survive a strong performance unchanged anyway. Seonghwa watched on with maybe even an embarrassing amount of attentiveness and also replayed a few sections.

“Wow. I never really understood dance, or dancing to express emotions if you don’t have fitting music or lyrics to perform it to, but this was the definition of restrained attraction,” he praised and Wooyoung blushed and giggled, hiding himself by cuddling up to Jongho. “Maybe we can do some joined project and the band can compose and record a song for the dancers to perform to,” Eden-hyung proposed and had the whole table gushing at the possibilities. “Maybe for the Christmas thing?” San prompted which had most of them quiet down again. Oh? The last day before Christmas break the school held a little festival in the assembly hall, where the principal would hold a little speech wishing everybody well, and sending them off to a merry few days to celebrate with their families. “That’s in two  weeks,” Jongho put in to which Eden-hyung scoffed. “You’ve learned and acquired and finished much more than one song in less time already, while keeping up with school and everything. All of you, right?” he spoke up and everyone admitted that to be true.

“We could also cover a song if that will take the edge off. What’d you say, Hongjoong-ah?” Hongjoong munched on his sandwich but eventually nodded, “But I’d like to write a song for the band. You know I have a few demos ready that we could sample today and then let the crew decide. Or maybe, not everyone has to participate, right? It’s on short notice if we pull through, and a few people aren’t even in for that anyway.” Eden-hyung also nodded at that and told Hongjoong to remind him of it later.

“San-ah,” Seonghwa called him where he sat diagonally from him, and the younger one nodded, “I’ll drive home in the meantime. Do you have special wishes for dinner? Then I’ll go to the store.”

“No carrots,” San teased and Seonghwa almost flicked him off out of reflex, but instead reach a hand across and to hold San's, “Enjoy your dry bread and tap water, then,” he mused and made Yunho and Mingi right next to them snort. “I don’t know yet,” San smiled genuinely and rubbed Seonghwa's skin where he could comofrtably reach it, akin to a massage, “But maybe I can text you when I’m done with class and if you send it to me I can pick it up on my way home. Then I’ll also help you prepare and we’ll eat dinner early before you head back here.” Seonghwa thought about it, and it was actually a very efficient compromise. Except for that depending on San’s wish they’d maybe not have enough time. They had a thirty-minute car drive, and if San stopped somewhere on the way, Seonghwa had to hurry. “Hyung, what do you want for dinner?” Seonghwa then asked to which he only laughed, “No, leave me out of your domestic fluff. I have a wife at home and she’s probably making chicken broth and I won’t eat it from anyone else.”

“Anyone else? Wooyoung-ah, what do you want for dinner?” Seonghwa asked after a beat. “I- Um, I don’t eat,” Wooyoung replied clumsily being caught off guard, making his friends burst out into another fit of laughing. “I didn’t say you have to eat it, I asked what you want,” he clapped back lightly. “I want a sushi-bake,” he pouted then, staring at nothing, and God, was he cute. “A what?” Seonghwa asked instead. “A sushi-bake. I’ve seen it on Instagram a few times and I really want to try it,” Wooyoung explained but it didn’t help Seonghwa’s case. “Is it that with the rice baked with the sushi toppings?” Yunho asked and already pulled up a few food-related videos on the app. “This, here,” he showed the clip for Seonghwa to watch. Okay, fresh salmon in an air fryer, crab, a few vegetables all cut up and mixed with probably mayonnaise, on top of cooked rice, baked for another few minutes and then served with sriracha, more mayo and nori. “Wow, that looks so good. San-ah, I’ll make baked sushi,” Seonghwa decided right then. “Seonghwa-yah, why do you stick around for lunch anyway if you don’t have any classes in the afternoon?” Eden-hyung asked, and only then Seonghwa noticed the error as well. Truth was - and he assumed Eden thought so as well - to join Wooyoung for lunch, since they haven’t done so since last week. “Because I want to eat lunch with my boyfriend since I probably won’t eat dinner with him,” he answered confidently, dodging Eden-hyung’s covert allegations while he picked up his own phone and wrote down what he needed to buy for cooking.

“Alright guys, let’s head out,” Hongjoong ordered and the group dissipated with polite bows to the teachers. Seonghwa and San went to the teachers’ lounge together since San had left most of his materials there. “Should I take some?” Seonghwa offered while he plastered himself onto San's back to look over his shoulder, and San scanned everything. “Hm, would you mind taking these two big files. I can carry the rest myself, then.YOu can leave them in the car when you get home, I won't look at them beofre tomorrow anyway,” he pointed at the hard-case ring binders. "Of course, sweetheart," Seonghwa nodded and pulled out the long strap from his briefcase and clicked the hooks into place; he would carry it on his shoulder then to carry the bindersin his arms. “Alright, call me when you leave, yes,” he said and looked San up and down again. He looked so good in his sports gear; the tight material hugged his muscles perfectly and made everything stand out much more. “Like what you see?” San flirted and Seonghwa nodded before closed in on San again and pulled him in by his neck for a soft goodbye-kiss. “Have fun, I love you,” Seonghwa called and San gave him another flying kiss and returned it, thanking him for helping him with the binders.

Seonghwa made a quick drive and tried to think what they already had at home for the dish and what he still needed. As soon as he got home packed with grocery bags, he found a thousand things he needed to get done this weekend. He checked the time and pulled up a few videos like the one he saw on the student’s phone. It was close to two-thirty. He’d need at least one hour to finish it. San wouldn’t come home before four o'clock; and Seonghwa would have to leave again in about three hours. He decided to put the groceries away but roughly set out the ingredients they'd need to cook. Then he cleaned out the trash, everything he could do without much effort. Usually it was San’s part to clean out the loose stuff, but oh well; Seonghwa had too much time on his hands. He could kill one hour by going through the cabinets and roughly sorting out the old or empty products that needed to be replaced soon. “Okay, okay,” he whispered to himself repeatedly, trying to hang onto the plan he mentally made. He sorted out the immediate trash he collected on his quest and circled back to the kitchen eventually. He got the materials and foods ready for cooking and also pulled out a pen to add the recipe to his little booklet of various dishes he tried in the past. He weight most things after he measured them with his eyes and feelings to write it down, and corrected and added notes as he worked on. Just as he set the rice down to soak after washing his phone went off. “Hi Sannie,” Seonghwa picked it up and as promised San let him know class was over and he’d take off from the school’s parking lot now. “Should I pick something up on the way?” he asked and Seonghwa could hear the engine roar. “No, thank you, I made a stop at the store and got everything. Only if you need anything specific. But we have everything in stock to be alright for the weekend,” Seonghwa thought out loud and picked out the spices he wanted to add to the salmon. “Alright, darling, I won’t be long then,” San smiled and hung up.

Seonghwa smiled as he prepared the salmon, started the oven and got lost in the notes he took. He was just pulling the fish back out from the heat when San came into the open dining room. “Hi baby,” he greeted and Seonghwa put everything down and away to greet him. “Hi,” he said back and couldn’t help but pull San in closely to kiss him. He felt a bit affectionate, maybe he breathed in to many chemicals while cleaning. “Did you miss me?” San giggled and pulled out a rather big bundle of bright yellow and orange marigolds. Their colours were so stunning; they looked like hot lava had been morphed into flowers. Seonghwa shouted out from surprise and then gasped, then cooed and hugged San close. “Marigolds, my favourite,” he whispered. San laughed, happy about the successful surprise. As if he was hypnotised he took the flowers from San, “I need to get them water. Oh my God, I hope they last for ever. Sannie, they’re beautiful! Where did you get them?” he kept fussing over them, inspecting each single flower, then stopped and looked at his boyfriend deadly serious, “I want them every week.” San grinned, completely enamoured by his reaction but agreed, “Anything for you, my love,” and helped Seonghwa arrange them on the dining table. “So, how’s it going?” San asked and pointed towards the food as Seonghwa got back to it. He put the fish and the crab meat into a bowl with some mayo and more spices to mix it; perfectly in time with the rice cooker signing its job done. “Go get washed up,” Seonghwa sent San with a pat on his bum, “It’ll be about done when you get back.”

As promised Seonghwa was intensly watching the pan in the oven when San came back into he kitchen freshly showered with damp hair and a new set of casual clothes on. “Did you take my trash? What will I do now?" San pouted. "I had too much time, I'm sorry," Seonghwa smiled at San's apparent helplessness. "I’ll set the table,” he announced but first went to stop by Seonghwa's side, giving him a peck on the cheek, "Thank you for cleaning and cooking so quickly." Then got a two cups and filled them with lemonade from the fridge and set one down for Seonghwa before he went to grab all the needed utensils from their cabinets. It felt so easy with San. Well, they been together for some while now, but Seonghwa still liked to acknowledge and praise how well they knew each other and worked as a team. Admittedly it took some time and uncomfortable effort, but they worked it out perfectly, and Seonghwa couldn’t be happier.

“What’s this?” San asked as he peeked over Seonghwa’s shoulder, pointing at the separate dish with food. “I’ll take some back to school with me. I’d like Wooyoung to taste it,” Seonghwa mumbled. "Oh really?" he could feel San’s smirk as he kept watching, “Well, it was his idea. And he said he’d like to try it, so why not.” They ate calmly and chatted about their day, their classes, and briefly thought what they’d like to do this weekend. “We can go shopping for Christmas decoration. Or winter decoration, maybe. It’ll last longer,” Seonghwa suggested and San had no thought of disagreeing at this point. Seonghwa loved shopping, and he loved decoration, “Sure. We could sleep in and go for brunch, and then see what we find. I’m sure the city will be crowded though. Christmas day is in less than three weeks.” They agreed that San would look up and decide the location for brunch, and maybe they’d make a video call with Seonghwa’s parents tomorrow. “This was delicious. Was it hard to prepare?" San praised. Seonghwa smiled and picked up a few lose crumbs of rice and  fish, "Not really. I preheated the oven while setting up the rice. Then seasoned the salmon and baked it in a sauce pan. And then in the meantime I cut up the crab and vegetables. And by the time I mixed all the toppings the rice was done; so it all fit together perfectly, barely any wasted time. Did you like it?" San tried to mentally note down what Seonghwa described and  drank up his lemonade. "I loved it. Perfectly juicy and spicy. That's definitely going on the party-list... Now you go relax a bit before you leave, love. I'll clean up. Do you want another drink?,” San picked up Seonghwa's plate and cutlery when they were done, got up and pressed a kiss to Seonghwa’ cheek as he passed him.

Seonghwa didn’t need to be told twice. He sat down on the couch to read his magazines and maybe finish a puzzle or two with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. But time flew, and San came around to remind him to get ready and not forget the sushi. Barely fifteen minutes later Seonghwa kissed San goodbye at the front door and left to drive back to school. He had to leave a few minutes earlier, otherwise he’d get totally stuck in rush hour, and he really didn’t need that before spending another two hour around his students. As he stepped out of his car he regretted not bringing a scarf. It was mild for December, the frist snow hadn't stayed long, but the air fogged up at the late hour and had him freezing. Oh well, he’d only have to walk for a few minutes. Walking in to the studio, he saw many students were already there; Eden-hyung and Hongjoong-ssi were sitting together in front of a laptop and discussing while Jongho-ssi was standing behind them and listened. “Hello teacher,” Yeosang called to his left. Unsurprisingly Wooyoung was sitting next to him with Changbin, Mark and Dejun. Seonghwa greeted them in return and put down his bag and looked over to the group again. “I have something for you,” he smiled when Wooyoung held his gaze for a minute. “For who?” Yeosang-ssi asked and got up to step closer, more curious and extroverted than Seonghwa recalled him to be. “Whoever wants to try, I guess,” Seonghwa deflected charmingly and pulled out the Tupper dish. “Sushi bake?” Wooyoung asked with a suspicious frown but curiosity outweighed it. “Come, we’ll get some plates from the teachers’ kitchen,” Seonghwa invited him, hoping he’d take the bait, and Wooyoung agreed almost blindly only following the food. Seonghwa chuckled and handed the container over to Wooyoung who even led the way, still solely focussed on the baked sushi. “What did you put in it? Just salmon? But this looks like imitation crab. And sriracha. And sesame,” he kept eyeing and analysing it and only stopped when they were already alone. They had to stop for a minute because Seonghwa had to unlock the door. Wooyoung went drastically quiet and with another look Seonghwa almost laughed at his wide eyes. Wooyoung must have felt like he had been tricked and trapped. “Have you eaten anything since lunch?” Seonghwa asked as he pulled out a few small plates from the cupboard and set them down. “Should we warm it up again?” he wondered out loud as Wooyoung set the Tupper ware back down and opened the lid to inspect it anew. “Which spices did you use?”

Wooyoung voice sounded tight and strained. Seonghwa tried to keep the mood light, but in the back of his mind he also felt like he was caged with a very frightened cat that could easily lash out if he made a wrong move. “I tried to make a marinade from olive oil, gochujang, soy sauce and sugar but it didn’t really turn out the way I expected. San said it's juicy but on the outside it formed a crust,” Seonghwa explained as Wooyoung took a fork and pick out a few little pieces of salmon and tasted it. Seonghwa watched him, waiting for his feedback like their roles were reversed. “The ratio was off, too much sugar and not enough oil. It caramelised, but it’s still an interesting taste, the spicy and sweet combination. I bet it was really crunchy when it came out the oven first,” Wooyoung mumbled and tried another few bites with the other ingredients as well as Seonghwa kept watching and nodded. How did Wooyoung guess all of this right on the first try? “Crunchy, but almost a bit too dry for my taste. I like saucy food. How do know you all that?” he asked then out loud. "That’s how it works,” Wooyoung shrugged and went on to plate the servings. “Did you eat anything?” Seonghwa repeated, but Wooyoung stayed quiet. “No?” he guessed then, “Have some more, Wooyoung-ah.”

“I ate,” Wooyoung resisted and Seonghwa thought if they had been on a more casual base already it would have had more bite. Seonghwa let him sit for a while and noticed how he became more restless just within one minute or two. “Do you do it on purpose? Deny yourself to eat,” he asked then and Wooyoung gasped softly, “I’m not starving myself, teacher,” he mumbled as he still fussed over the detailing of the servings. “But you don’t eat enough either,” Seonghwa pointed out. “I’m sorry, I’m usually not hungry. I can’t help it,” he snapped like he did the other day with Hongjoong and Seonghwa let him be. “I don’t mean to make you feel bad about it,” he whispered after a beat of silence. “I noticed it during lunch. It made me worry. You’re hard-working, Wooyoung-ah; and you should take care of your health. Eating enough is important for that,” he explained his argument. For some time he thought Wooyoung might have ignored him and he felt a bit insulted by it, but Wooyoung was just fighting to keep it together. “I don’t eat around others. I don’t like when they watch,” he whispered very tightly and then went on to search the cabinets. “Is there,” he cleared his throat, “Is there a tray or something?”

Seonghwa watched and frowned. “No, I don’t think so.” Then Wooyoung did that thing where he sorted the little plates to rest on his wrists so he could carry five at a time, “Wow,” Seonghwa smiled and took the other two as well as a handful of forks, “Be careful. Don’t get hurt, please,” he instructed as they walked back to the studio. The others already awaited them with curious eyes and cheers, and the little groups that already formed silently agreed to share the serving among themselves. Seonghwa wondered if he might be too obvious, but Eden had already caught on, even if he didn’t say anything, and the other students also didn’t react so he sat with Wooyoung’s group again where Hongjoong and Jongho had also joined. If Wooyoung was tipped off by Seonghwa’s question earlier he didn’t show, instead he fed the rice to his friends bite by bite and only picked up two or three corns of rice that were left. “Leave some for teacher Park as well,” Mingi tapped him. “Ah, thank you, Mingi-ssi, but I already ate at home,” waved him off. “With your boyfriend?” Eden-hyung asked pointedly, but Seonghwa easily answered, “Yes, I was very happy,” a bit to quickly before he noticed his error. Earlier he proclaimed they wouldn't get to eat together. Damnit.

Eden went on to show samples of demos to them, letting them play out loud for a minute, skipping to the main parts or showing of how they could be changed in order to introduce the idea of producing a song together for the next official school event. “Christmas assembly?” Renjun pointed out with a hint of panic in his voice. “It’s not mandatory, but I wanted to propose the idea and the opportunity for you. You don’t have to participate; I thought you might also want to prepare something individually. The main idea was to produce a song so the dance club can put together a choreography to perform it.” The students talked amongst each other and the opinions varied. Seonghwa himself also wasn’t too sure. He liked to hum along to songs, and sing a little bit to himself. But he never had any major affinity for it, much less sought to record a whole song. Well, maybe he could participate behind the scenes; give some creative input or something. “Hongjoong-ah, what’s your call?” Eden asked him as the unofficial representative, even though they haven’t had a proper discussion with the whole group. “I’d like to go with Utopia or Wave, something cheerful, but maybe it's too... summer-y, I don’t know. I invite everyone to try or participate if they’d like, but I’m fine if anyone has their own plans as well,” Hongjoong announced, and Eden went back to replay the demo tracks, while Hongjoong talked about the lyrics and what he had in mind, and Jongho even gave a little live performance so then they could properly discuss it.

The students, joined by teacher Kim Doyoung and Seonghwa, eventually split into three groups: those that went with Hongjoong’s song, those that didn’t want to participate at all, and those who wanted to fulfil their own projects. Eden let them split up and promised to coordinate something with the dance teacher. “We should just found our own company at this point. I’m a rapper, and Jongho is a singer, and Yunho makes choreographies, Yeosang is the visual, Hongjoong is a producer. We should debut as a group,” Mingi mentioned at some point, and Seonghwa couldn’t stop himself. “What about Wooyoung?” He hoped he didn’t sound as irritated as he felt for a hot minute. “Wooyoungie is the glue that sticks us all together,” Yeosang explained and Changbin laughed, “He’s our social butterfly, he’ll collect all the people. He’s everywhere. Like a manager.” Laughter filled their corner, “And we’ll name it All TeenagerZ, with a capital Z,” Hongjoong carried on, “Because we’re all Gen Z and none of us is even out of school.” Wooyoung smiled fondly at them, “A... T Z, A to Z,” he pronounced in English and giggled with the others.

Eden mused, “Sure. I’ll tell Yoongi,” and made them perk up. “Yoon- Min Yoongi?” Hongjoong repeated in disbelief and Wooyoung’s eyes widened. “BTS Suga Min Yoongi?” he clarified and Eden nodded quite amused at their excitement. “No hyung, talk to J-Hope-ssi, he’s the dance teacher, and if he knows we’re producing and dancing, he’ll tell Suga himself,” Yeosang trailed of as the others jumped in to hatch a plan, while Eden-hyung went around to gather everyone’s ideas. “Teacher, will you participate as well? And teacher Choi is dancing, too, right? He can also join,” Mingi asked innocently and Seonghwa laughed as they kept discussing. Only when Eden came to sit with them, Hongjoong started to explain the vibe of the songs he wanted to finish and handed around the sample lyrics he worked out so far. Jongho was their living juke box and worked out the melodies and cadences. “I want a high note, I want so many high notes and parts where everyone sings together,” Hongjoong noted, and Seonghwa hummed along with Jongho, fascinated at his vocal range even while singing quietly. “Wow,” Eden-hyung praised loudly, genuinely surprised it seemed at Seonghwa’s input. “You’re trying a high note, even if it’s the only thing you’ll do,” he decided and noted it down. Seonghwa gaped like a fish. “Jongho, go take Seonghwa-ssi and test him a bit,” he instructed and the students looked at him wide eyes and nodded, motioning him to follow. Seonghwa followed a bit dumbly, barely processing the questions Jongho asked him all at once. He felt put on spot in a way he really wasn’t used to. He needed to take a few breaths to calm down and focus. He could do this. And if he failed, oh well, then so be it.

But it didn’t be so. It turned out well. Much better than Seonghwa had thought it was possible. Jongho was a good teacher, explaining what he should focus on and what they were going for. And he was quick, to Seonghwa’s surprise, just as familiar with the recording programme as the other two, and let Seonghwa sing a few lines and high notes into the microphone to save and store for later. They came back barely twenty minutes later, with Yunho and Wooyoung dancing and moving around with the music playing and Hongjoong singing along. Seonghwa watched in awe. They were all so talented, how was this even possible? Wow, now he really understood San’s excitement and overwhelming joy when he had picked him up from dance practise. It felt really good to be surrounded by people who shared his passion and to discover he also had some potential hidden somewhere that just needed to be tickled out.

He came back home and it felt so unreal. Like he just realized he had been dreaming all along. San greeted him with a tight hug and kisses, sending him to change clothes immediately so they could cuddle. Snuggled together on their bed with his laptop resting on San’s thighs they brows the links and all which San had saved and Seonghwa just knew he had made all the right decisions by staying with San.

Chapter Text

If someone told him about this tension between him and his lovers, as Mingi already declared them, could get worse, Wooyoung would have never believed it, but it could, and it did. Teacher Hoseok announced he had been made aware of the idea of performances and an original song for the Christmas assembly, and while he wasn't officially employed at school and it wasn't mandatory for him to attend, much less give input, he was thrilled. He asked around for the students' ideas and made a list of projects to be added on the schedule, and it just so happened that Wooyoung and teacher Choi were immensely passionate about one of BTS's latest special releases, Fake Love, to which teacher Hoseok suggested they'd make a dance cover, like a duo performance. "Can we do one as well?" Yunho asked and pointed between him and Mingi. Wooyoung looked at them with big eyes; how could they keep stabbing him in the back like this? But J-Hope-ssi was just happy about the enthusiasm and sent them off to work something out so they wouldn't perform the same song, "This is a Christmas party. If you want a competition, come to my company," he joked.  

"Ya, let's not make anything too complicated. I'll keep thinking about this instead of Maths for tomorrow," Mingi whined and kept poking Yunho, "I can hear the gears turning in your head already." Wooyoung kept silent walking behind them. They'd just make sure they weren't choosing the same song, but he felt somewhat safer to have his friends close by if he was going to be alone alone with teacher Choi. "Because of the test? Your score has been fine until now," San-ssi asked and smiled wide. Oh yeah , they were going to write a test tomorrow. Wooyoung barely worried about such dates anymore, he'd have to know everything at every other moment as well, so there was no more pressure than usual for him. "But we're studying again with Wooyoungie later. He'll keep you focused," Yunho explained to Mingi, and teacher Choi sent another smile to Wooyoung. "But I'll leave dance practise early, anyway, and then visit my aunt for her birthday, and then study. My head will explode if anyone asks me anything. I don't even know what I don't know," Mingi kept complaining, and Wooyoung found teacher Choi's facial cues quite funny actually. Yunho sighed, "Then we'll just learn the official choreo today and figure something out on our own by the weekend," he soothed Mingi and then turned to Wooyoung and the teacher, "You’ll stick with Fake Love ?" Wooyoung nodded, worry more prominent weighting him down in place. "Idol ?" he addressed Mingi. "So you want a competition, after all?" teacher Choi smirked to which Yunho casually nodded. "Come on, Wooyoung-ah, I have a choreography to learn," the teacher mused, not even looking at Wooyoung before he stalked away dramatically. "Well, that doesn't sound so bad," Wooyoung whispered with panicked eyes while Yunho and Mingi quietly laughed at him. Oh God. Wait- Teacher Choi needed to learn- Form Wooyoung? What? "Wait, you'll leave early?" he turned back to Mingi after a few steps. Mingi nodded, "And you?" Wooyoung nodded at Yunho, piecing the rest together. Yunho scratched his neck, smiling sheepishly, "I'll go with him. You know his aunt basically adopted me, Young-ah, I can't say no," he explained. Wooyoung sulked. "You traitors," he scolded but braced himself to join San-ssi.  

"Do you know the choreography?" teacher Choi asked when Wooyoung stepped closer, painfully obvious of the close proximity they probably needed to share. "I sort of know the choreo, but I mostly danced the challenge part, so we might be learning it together," he mumbled and watched as he took out his phone to search up some tutorials. "Well, do you think we'll perform the entire song? Might be a lot," he frowned. "I don't know. Teacher Hoseok didn't say anything," Wooyoung shook his head and tried to spot him, but he was busy with another group. “Do you know the choreo, teacher?” The man grinned and Wooyoung maybe imagined a glint akin to mischief in his eyes, “I’ve seen it, but I never tried.” Wooyoung tried fo think how to teach the teacher, “Maybe we can also try and go with the key parts,” he suggested and pulled out his own phone, “Let’s, uh,” he trailed off as he set up a mirrored dance tutorial, “Your phone is bigger, you could open the camera so we can use it like a mirror.” Teacher Choi raised his eyebrows and smiled as he followed the instructions and set his phone up a bit next to Wooyoung’s. “You're so smart,” he praised. 

Wooyoung stood a bit in front of San-ssi, so that he could see their reflection, the dance tutorial and Wooyoung for guidance. They worked through the chorus step by step until they could run through it in one go but got stuck on the part where they would switch formation, even though both moved smoothly as if on instinct. They both turned inwards while Wooyoung moved to the back and teacher Choi moved towards the front; taking big steps to let their body drop in a sensual, wavy movement. Their eyes met and the air almost sizzled, so Wooyoung had to stop and look away. “Wow, you- you’re good,” he praised to smooth over his sudden movement away from the man and hoped working out was a good enough explanation for the redness in his face. “You're so good at remembering all the steps, Wooyoung-ah. Did I also dance well?” The teacher asked smiling sweetly. Wooyoung nodded, being oblivious to the oncoming trap. “Can I get a reward?” he asked then and Wooyoung stilled, “Re- Reward? Like what?” he laughed in equal measures of surprise and nervousness. “Call me hyung?”  

Wooyoung blinked. Did- Did he just say that? “Hyung?” he repeated. “Let’s go through it again, and if I’ll get it without any mistakes, you’ll say hyung to me, okay,” teacher Choi stretched out his hand for Wooyoung to seal the bet. Wooyoung looked the teacher up and down, and he knew he was going to lose to his will either way; he was quite talented and didn’t have any problems until now. He took a deep breath before he went in and forced himself to keep eye contact. Just as they got into position Wooyoung looked over to his friends and noticed they had probably watched them. The routine went smooth, but Wooyoung broke away again when they faced each other as part of the dance. Teacher Choi laughed at his success, with no malice, but Wooyoung felt called out either way. “So?” he prompted. “You’re a really good dancer,” he tried to distract but he didn’t let him off, “Hyung,” he added quietly, and looked over to the other pair. They were just packing up their phones and heading back towards the group. “Wait, hyung, are you leaving?” Wooyoung skipped over to catch up with Yunho. “Yup. We’ll see you later, right?” Wooyoung nodded, just glad he’d get to learn Maths and recite formulas and work through different tasks and solve problems.  

Teach-  

Wooyoung sighed.  

Hyung waved them off, but he didn’t act a bit different from when they were there. Wooyoung had expected him to maybe come closer again, but well, there were still other students around. “Go get your phone, we’ll review the rest of the routine, then we can decide what we’ll do, hm.” Wooyoung nodded wordlessly and did as he was told before he sat down with him to watch the dance video over and over.  

“How are you two holding up?” teacher Hoseok came over to them and Wooyoung just remembered he was going to cover his dance. “Hyung, is there a limit for how long each performance can be?” teacher Choi asked, but Wooyoung zoned out for a bit while he watched and internalised, he would dance Jung Hoseok’s choreo while Jung Hoseok would watch and probably notice every error. But Hoseok-ssi dropped the Christmas-aspect and only focused on teaching them more details and perfecting their dynamic, praising them the whole time so much Wooyoung could barely stand it. “If I didn’t know better, I'd say you two have been dancing together for some time already. Wow.” He clapped when they went through the routine again, and this time, Wooyoung had felt more confident, eager to fulfill the challenge of being judged by J-Hope, so he kept his position when they moved around and stared at each other. This time it was teacher-hyung's turn to widen his eyes and skip a beat, even though he masked it well under the exhaustion after dancing a lot. Hoseok-ssi left them and called everyone to gather up to end the lesson by taking another few notes of the groups who still wanted to participate in two weeks.  

Everyone left as soon as the teacher dismissed them, Yeosang also went in to grab Wooyoung and pulled him surprisingly not into the changing room but just a bit to the side, but on their way-out teacher Park came in and entered the main hall, waving them with a smile. His coat was glistening like it was wet. “Uh, wait here really quick, okay,” Yeosang instructed and left to the changing room. Wooyoung wondered what it was about but waited. Was Yeosang bringing him something? From the main hall he could hear the teachers chat and laugh. Oh man, his heart still picked up every time he just thought about dancing with hyung again. What was Yeosang doing for so long? Wooyoung frowned and went into the cabin as well, seeing nothing special going on, and Yeosang was already changed and halfway packed up.  

“What’s that about?” he asked, speaking calmly but his body trembled. Yeosang turned and looked around. They were almost alone, “I wanted to know how it went,” he smiled and leaned in, “Then I wanted to delay you, so you’ll bump into them again,” he whispered and winked. Wooyoung scoffed. “Stop it. It’s not funny. I’ll literally have a heart-attack,” Wooyoung whispered back, swallowing his own agitation. The door opened and Hoseok-ssi looked around, “Alright you boys, go hurry up. And put on everything you have, it’s freezing outside,” he ordered. He’d have to lock the gym later, so of course he’d like to leave as soon as possible. Wooyoung jumped and hurried to change his clothes as well, while Yeosang already waited at the door. “Should I leave already? Then you can catch them alone,” he suggested. “No, I've had more than a fair share of alone-time with hyung,” he scowled.  

“With hyung?” Yeosang repeated in disbelief. “Alright. I gotta go,” Yeosang rushed and opened the door leading to the other hallway, checking for anyone else, and winked a last time at Wooyoung. “Wait, will you be there later?” Yeosang gave him a quick nod before he left Wooyoung struggling with his sweater.  

“Anybody left?” teacher Hoseok asked and Wooyoung probably made a fool of himself to pick up everything securely. “Just me. I’m sorry, teacher. I got caught up,” explained and waved his phone, solely for the reason he had it in hand. He came out the cabin, checking he didn’t forget anything and headed towards the entrance but stopped short in his track when he saw the teacher couple standing there as well. He smiled awkwardly as he approached not them, of course, but the door.  

“You’re alone?” hyung asked. “Yeah, um, my friend had to leave.” Teacher Park gave him a look of interest, while teacher-hyung still fixed his coat. “I told you bring a hat,” the older one nagged quietly, but ironically had to cough a few times himself. As he helped to adjust the collar, and Wooyoung wondered why, but one look outside revealed it had started to snow, and it even stayed on the ground instead of melting. Great , he had to wait out another bus in this weather, he sighed and braced himself. “Will you be picked up?” teacher Park asked. He halted and looked down at his phone, “No, um, my- My mom just told me she couldn’t make it,” he lied and was spared a direct answer when teacher Hoseok came down the hall and ushered them outside. “Sorry, folks, but I have a warm apartment and a freshly changed bed waiting for me,” he joked as they all stood outside while he locked the door and left, "Have a good one, see you next week."

“When’s your next bus ride? Didn’t you say they take a long time,” hyung asked then. Wooyoung stuttered and looked at the time, “I just missed one. But the next one comes in less than an hour,” he clenched his jaw, cursing Yeosang. He had really delayed him and then left him hanging. What the fuck. “We could,” teacher Choi started but trailed off, looking at his partner for guidance. “Ah, hyung, no, no that’s not necessary,” Wooyoung tried to stop the offer before it sprouted, but was beaten to it, “Of course it is, we can’t just leave you here. And your friends are coming over to study, right? They’ll be waiting.” Wooyoung looked at him with big, torn eyes. No, no. He could leave his friends waiting; they’d meet up at Mingi’s place, he’d call and help them on the phone or something. But he couldn’t inconvenience the teachers. “Just on a side note,” teacher Park started, “Hyung?” he looked between them with a smile, “When did that happen?”  

“I outsmarted him,” hyung told him proudly, to which the other man laughed, “You outsmarted your student? Wow, you should be a teacher,” teacher Choi pouted and waited a minute to answer. “Fuck you,” he cursed softly, “I danced so well I get called hyung now and you don’t.” Wooyoung watched in awe, maybe a bit of terror in the back of his mind, still pondering over his dilemma as the two went on bickering gently. They smiled at each other, then slowly turned back to Wooyoung.  “So? We can give you a ride. We really don’t mind,” teacher Park repeated and Wooyoung knew overall, generally, and objectively it was the smarter decision, but he just couldn’t bring himself to accept. “Remember you have a test tomorrow. If you wait here, you’ll get sick and won’t be able to take it,” teacher Choi explained and Wooyoung softly gasped. No. If he felt sick but went to school, he might mess up the test. And if he felt sick and stayed home, his attendance record would be ruined. Oh God . “Come on, we’ll drop you off and you’ll be home in no time,” teacher Park prompted as well. Wooyoung looked around. Should he really say yes? He looked at them, looked around, checked his phone and tried to think of another solution. “Just this once,” teacher Park added, guessing Wooyoung was concerned about their proximity after they promised to take it slow. Wooyoung looked down in shock when he felt his hand being taken. Teacher Choi had taken his hand, not really gripping or pulling, just picked it up basically to start a line of contact. Wooyoung looked back up, “Let us take care of you. Just today, promise,” he whispered and had Wooyoung frozen in place. He was too overwhelmed to really answer more than a tiny nod, still mesmerised at the gentle touch. “Come on, you’ll jump in the passenger seat so you can navigate me,” teacher Park instructed as soon as they reached the car. Hyung went with Wooyoung and opened the door for him take his seat. Oh my God, what were they doing? They acted like he was some celebrity, going all out on formalities and etiquette. “Thank you, hyung,” he whispered and watched as teacher Choi gently closed the door, while teacher Park also settled in. “Seat belts on,” he instructed as he started the engine, and Wooyoung followed just as quickly as he also checked if they did, too. “So, where to?” teacher Park asked as he smoothly drove out of the parking space and onto the road. “Uh, Hanam.” 

“Hanam?” both men repeated in surprise which had Wooyoung flinch sideways, “We live in Guri; that’s so close. I never knew you live in Hanam,” teacher Park smiled with sparkling eyes. I don’t, Wooyoung couldn’t bring himself to say it, they were just so happy, so he just smiled back at him, “Yeah,” and looked at the time. Weren’t teachers supposed to live farther away from the school they worked at to prevent this exact scenario? “How come you live so close to school?” he asked and rubbed his palm on his sweatpants. Ugh, he must be reeking from practise. He didn’t even splash a bit of water in his face or wash his hands after he was done to wash off the sweat. He shouldn’t be in this car; it looked much too expensive to be touched by someone like Wooyoung. “We’ve both worked at different places before, and we both didn’t want to relocate. Principle approved because there was a shortage of teachers,” teacher Choi explained calmly. Wooyoung hummed. Where did they work before? Different schools, maybe? Or San-ssi could have been a personal trainer or a coach somewhere. And Seonghwa-ssi could have been a professor at university; it would suit him. He kept wondering and just watched the world around them move on its own. They knew the way, of course, but Wooyoung still tried to think how he would say it out loud. Would he need to say please ? But... That didn’t make any sense. Please turn left now just sounded wrong even in his head. Take a turn left here – Sounded a bit rude. But if he told them he’d sound arrogant anyway. They knew the way. But Mingi’s place, or his place in their thoughts could be anywhere, they wouldn’t know if they could take another route to be quicker. Or their place could be at the other end of the district so they wouldn't come across the streets near Mingi’s place; Wooyoung couldn’t know that either.  

Wooyoung checked his phone again, seeing the first text message saying Mingi and Yunho were at his place, so everyone was welcome now. They wouldn’t take too long to arrive, but Wooyoung usually needed at least half an hour to come over, even more if he took public transport. They would know if he arrived in such a short time. He needed to make something up to explain why he was so quick, damnit. “There’s no need to rush, teacher. There will probably be a lot of traffic anyway,” Wooyoung blurted when he realised, they wouldn’t even need twenty minutes from here to Mingi’s house, just a few more minutes before they’d reach Hanam, and then only about twelve minutes through the traffic in the residential area. "Sure,” teacher Park looked over at him a few times as they drove on the freeway, “What did San do to make you call him hyung? I’ll do it, too,” he asked. Wooyoung giggled nervously while San-ssi-hyung laughed in the back. “Guess what I did, then you’ll get a shot as well,” he answered for Wooyoung. “Why? Why does it take two-step-verification for me?” he asked in disbelief, “Shouldn’t Wooyoung decide that.” Wooyoung tried not to laugh at them, but it just so entertaining to watch them act around each other so playfully. Where they always like this in private? “No, I want a hyung-privilege. You can’t have it so easily,” hyung argued. “Did he- Did he dance for you? Or- How many chin-ups did he do? Twenty? He loves to do that to impress people, because his record is actually twenty-four with added weight,” Seonghwa-ssi revealed and made Wooyoung laugh quietly while teacher Park shot his partner a shit-eating grin. “Don’t expose me like that. Now he won’t be impressed if I do it,” he whined in the back. “Just do twenty-five, then.” If they really acted like this in private, did it mean they also talked about him like this; making plans to impress him? Oh God . Wooyoung took a deep breath to calm down and looked out of the window again.  

“You should slow down here, I heard they put up a radar,” Wooyoung said and acted like he was trying to spot it as they got closer to the city entrance. There was nothing. Well, not that he would know if there was one, after all. “I got it. You’ll give me directions, then, okay,” teacher Park smiled gently, but did slow down even but just a bit. Wooyoung quietly agreed, and checked his phone again, scrolling up and down the chat. Yeosang and Hongjoong had arrived as well and were outraged that neither Wooyoung or an edible warm meal was there. Jongho didn’t say anything. “What are you studying for?” teacher Park prompted, “Um, maths. We have a test tomorrow,” Wooyoung explained and sighed deeply. “Don’t tell me you're nervous,” San-hyung smiled, “You’ll ace it.” That’s not the problem Wooyoung thought. “I hope my friends will, too. They’ll blame me if they don’t.” The teacher chuckled. Wooyoung wished he was joking. He still remembered Yeosang’s fit when they studied together all the time, yet Wooyoung was always just a few points above Yeosang. He had been so mad, oh my God. “Everyone is graded for their individual output, not the effort behind it, I’m afraid. It’s not entirely fair... You don’t have to take responsibility for your friends’ results, even if you help them study. Anyway, your friends are very fond of you. And you like studying and helping. Right? From my experience you have nothing to worry about,” Seonghwa-ssi spoke and turned to him as well when they stopped at a red light. Wooyoung pressed his lips together tightly and moved to look from his lap out of the window. “Right. But we- I mean, studying is nice, and hangouts, too. But sometimes they can be,” Wooyoung trailed off. He wouldn’t speak badly of his friends, especially not in fort of teachers. They were his friends after all. “They’re still really hooked on- You . Like, when we’re all together,” Wooyoung tried to explain without sounding self-centred. He never liked to have a lot of attention on himself. It was much easier when his friends also concentrated on studying instead of bugging him about the two men. “We could always do less, Wooyoung-ah. Should we stick to the clubs only?” teacher park asked and had Wooyoung fidget in his seat. “N-no, no, I didn’t mean it like-” 

Oh God , what did he just do? He just told them it was fine if they joined them for lunch last week, now he was pulling a complete 180 on them. They would be so disappointed. “Yo-you can always come and sit with us. There’s no problem. I didn’t mean to tell you off. It’s just- Today, like right now when I,” he cut himself off again. Why was he making an idiot of himself again? If he had just shut up and stuck to giving directions, he would have been fine. He could have led them to a random house two streets over and walked the rest, but no, he had to make a fuss over literally nothing. Ugh, he was so stupid, really. They couldn’t possibly want to have anything to do with him now. 

He took a steading breath and prepared his words in his mind. Just say it, oh my God, it’s over anyway, now. Just say the words. “If I’m there too soon, they’ll know someone drove me. Only my mom could drive me but… My mom doesn’t drive me,” he tried to summarise and hoped they wouldn’t ask questions. Out of his field of vision, the men shared a look, and let the silence stretch until they started moving again as the light turned green. “And then they’ll ask questions… And ever since you started joining us for lunch my friends have been very fond of you as well,” Wooyoung tried to keep his voice light and smiled. “So? That only seems to be a benefit. See it like,” Seonghwa-ssi paused in search for the right choice of words when San helped, “Unlimited extra lessons? You’ll have exams this year. Couldn’t be too bad to be friends with the teachers.” It made Wooyoung actually chuckle, but more from the lack of a more honest response, and maybe to also drop the topic as well.  

San often tried to praise him or make him laugh or give him a different perspective of things to make them seem less awkward, especially today. In was endearing, but Wooyoung told himself not to think about it too much. “You have to take the turn here,” Wooyoung directed quietly; dropping the topic with the silent forecast of more time spent together. Seonghwa followed, setting the turning signal and slowing down. He checked the mirrors and then squinted when they stopped at yet another red light. “San-ah, doesn’t your aunt live here somewhere?” Teacher Park asked as he looked around. San-ssi looked around as much as he could, lips slightly pouted. “No, she’s in Mapo-gu, but the area looks really similar,” he mused, missing the way Wooyoung perked up for a minute. They kept quiet again, only the radio lifted the pressing atmosphere. “Do you have aunts and uncles, Wooyoung-ah?” Teacher Park asked again. He was really curious, Wooyoung wondered. “Yes,” Wooyoung mumbled, “But they live far away so we don’t really talk. I think only when my grandmother passed we saw each other at the funeral.” He looked out of the window as they started moving again; counting the trees like every time he drove along the avenue. “That’s so sad. I basically grew up with my grandparents because my parents had a kind of complicated relationship, but… We were still close overall,” San-ssi rambled. He did a lot, actually, Wooyoung noted. It was quite different from his presence in a classroom, or at school in general. Even when they joined their lunch break or in dance rehearsals, he acted way more… focussed. It wasn’t the right word, but right now it was like he just let his thoughts stray and said them out loud. Wooyoung never acted like that. He would never just speak his mind if it wasn’t to help someone or answer their questions – otherwise they wouldn’t listen to him anyway. He wasn’t really interesting, nor was his life filled with memories or anecdotes to tell others. “Which way?” Seonghwa-ssi asked Wooyoung, also not really reacting to San’s words. Shouldn’t he say something to his partner? “Straight ahead,” Wooyoung said without thinking. “Hm, complicated is a really nice way to put it,” Seonghwa-ssi added, after all, but he smiled softly so Wooyoung took it not to be a correction. “Yeah, well, I’m just glad I still experienced a lot of love and safety as a child that wasn’t planned,” he sighed. Wooyoung frowned. Teacher Choi also wasn’t born because his parents wanted him. So, they gave him to his grandparents. Hm. If Wooyoung’s mother had thought so far to give him away, he would have probably ended up on the streets. And if she had put another thought on top of that, Kyungmin wouldn’t even have been born. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have that. Even planned children can be neglected,” San added but over the outer mirror Wooyoung could see he was shaking his head. “If I had a child, I’d be all over them. But like, in a healthy way. Not limiting them, of course,” he thought out loud and it made Seonghwa-ssi chuckle. “You already have a cat and you’re all over each other,” he smiled. “You have a cat?” Wooyoung perked up. He liked cats. He always wanted one, but his mother never let him. He was allergic, she said, you’ll swell up like a balloon, she said. “I like cats. My friends say I’m like a cat,” Wooyoung mumbled. “Really? How come?” Seonghwa asked curiously. Oh damn. How would he explain this? “Um, sometimes I like attention, or I bring my friends things, and other times I like to be by myself.” He waited for their reaction anxiously. “Like Byeol,” San cheered, “Sometimes he’s all over me like purring in my face and kneading my chest, but only for as long as I don’t react like when I’m still asleep. But the moment I even talk to him he’s like, no, how dare you breath in my direction.” Seonghwa-ssi laughed, “He’s exactly like that.” He looked around, “Left, or right?” he asked Wooyoung again to which he responded, “To the left twice, then to the right,” Seonghwa-ssi nodded, “And then we’re there? That’s not too complicated, actually,” he chuckled. Really ? Mingi’s place wasn’t really far off their way home from school? Then they could drop him off more often, maybe. Wooyoung snapped at himself and shook his head to lose that thought right away. No. They’re teachers, not friends and definitely no cab drivers. If Wooyoung went to his friends’ places, he would get there on his own. He only hummed in response and hoped it wasn’t too late and made it awkward.  

“You’ll have to meet Byeol. I’m sure you’d get along greatly,” San-ssi said and it had Wooyoung’s heart beating faster. Meet their cat? Their pet at their home? “Uh, sure,” he said helplessly. He was allergic to cats but if it meant to visit them at home – it would be probably really fucking awkward. Would they invite him in, and he’d only be occupied with the cat? Like a cat sitter. It sounded weird. And after some time, he’d become all red and swollen and he wouldn’t be able to breathe. And then he’d have to tell them he couldn’t stand cats and that he needed an ambulance. And then they’d be really mad because he would have lied to them and caused them trouble like this when he could have just stayed away. Oh God. “And then we can cook dinner together and watch a documentary. How’s that sound?” Seonghwa-ssi suggested gently. Did Wooyoung not sound happy about it? “Sure,” he repeated, more energetic this time and turned his head to look at the teacher. “Maybe Saturday? I mean some time, on a day that's a Saturday,” San-ssi added. Wooyoung smiled at the correction for a lose timeframe, but teacher Park’s eyes snapped to his partner over the mirror. Was there something unspoken? They’d probably had better things to do than to hang out with their student on their free days. “We’ll see. We know you’re very busy, Wooyoung-ah,” Seonghwa-ssi then said soothingly. “To the right here?” he then asked, pointing to the next crossroad. “Yes,” Wooyoung said and felt his heart beating faster. Hopefully no one would be waiting for him outside. No one usually did, but he couldn’t shake the thought off. Even if they just stood in the kitchen and watched the street, someone could see him getting out of their car. “The second last house on the right,” he added quietly and began checking his backpack. He had everything, and everything was zipped up just like thirty minutes ago. “Alright, here we are,” Seonghwa smiled as he stopped the car and turned to watch Wooyoung. “Have fun, yeah? But also rest up properly. You have early classes tomorrow,” he directed softly to which Wooyoung clamped his fist down on his backpack and nodded. “Thank you for driving me, teacher. I hope I didn’t inconvenience your evening,” he bowed his head as much as he could while still sitting. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll gladly help if you need anything.  Just let us know, yes,” Seonghwa-ssi answered easily. It was so genuine, Wooyoung couldn’t keep eye contact. “I’ll go then,” he whispered, undid his belt and opened the door. His eyes immediately swayed to the kitchen window, the lights were on, but he didn’t see anyone clearly. They probably all sat around the dinner table and waited for him. He better not make them wait any longer, even though he should for credibility. Teacher Choi also stepped out of the car, and Wooyoung’s mind yelled at him. The lights were on, so anyone could walk into the kitchen and see them at any moment. “Thank you, tea- hyung, I can manage,” he said and swung his backpack over his shoulder to prove it. “I know, Wooyoungie,” San-ssi smiled, “But I’ll sit in the front on the drive home. Seonghwa gets lonely quickly, you know,” he giggled. Wooyoung felt his cheek heat up. Of course, teacher Choi didn’t come to help him carry his stuff. Why would he? Hopefully they didn’t think he was rude for rejecting a non-existent offer. He just worried someone would catch them. “Be safe,” he called from the car before he closed the door. Wooyoung waved, “You, too. See you tomorrow,” he called. Teacher Choi smiled at him, weirdly softly, before the car started again and drove off. It was by no means rare for them to smile at him. But usually San-ssi’s smile was sharper and more charismatic. Smug even. Like a smirk. Now it was just as soft and warm like teacher Park’s. His smile and his voice were always so calm and warm, so soothing and relaxed.  

When Wooyoung was about to ring Mingi’s doorbell, the door already opened and Yeosang squinted at him. “You’re here already?” Shit. Wooyoung knew it. “Who drove you?” Wooyoung shrugged and walked past him, “I flew in,” he answered. “How did you come so quickly?” Jongho perked up when he saw Wooyoung walk in. Wooyoung frowned. He thought they were studying together. “What are you doing here?” The younger one’s smile dropped, “Yah, I can hang around while you study and learn something as well. I also have stuff to do for school. I also put effort into my scores and want a good record,” he scolded and was only calmed down by Yunho’s hand on his shoulder. “So, you won’t tell us how you came here?” Wooyoung pouted. “No.” He wished he had taken the teachers’ numbers so he could ask them to turn around and pick him right up again. “Was it the teachers?” Mingi asked hopefully. “Come on, it was the teachers. Did they drive you? Yeosang said you were the only one left with them. Did you sit with one of them? What did you talk about?” he rambled on. Wooyoung sighed and just took his seat at the dinner table. Ever since Wooyoung said the teachers looked nice once or twice, Mingi has been pushing an agenda for a three-way relationship between them. Yeosang gasped quietly, “It was the teachers,” he concluded from his reaction, however, and grinned. “What do you want to start with?” Wooyoung ignored their conspiracy and switched the topic to their school material. “Food,” Yeosang yelled, “Stochastic and probability calculation. I just really can’t,” Mingi answered, although he would have been happy to hear about Wooyoung’s car date.  

Wooyoung felt like throwing up.  

He knew it, and he told his friends several times: he could stay up until midnight, and maybe even push through until 1 AM, but 2 AM was really a hard limit for him. He knew it . And he said it. And they didn’t listen. Well… they told him they would be alright; they would take his cards and notes and try to figure them out on their own. But he couldn’t leave when even Yunho still couldn’t tell odds from probability at 1.30 in the night. They all overslept a little. A lot.  Although Wooyoung had the brain power to assess Yunho’s fridge and its contents in the evening before and already brainstorm what he could cook up for breakfast, there was no way between heaven and hell that he would have managed to make six breakfast packages.  

“Wooyoung-ah, leave it. We don't have time,” Yeosang scolded and roughly took away the produce to put it back in the fridge.  “Hongjoong-hyung doesn’t have an early class, he’ll go to the store and drop something off during break, okay. Just get ready,” he instructed quickly and Wooyoung didn’t have the brain power to argue. His backpack was ready for him to just take, he just needed to freshen up. He couldn’t take a shower anymore, thank God he did yesterday, so a washing cloth, day cream, Mingi’s hair spray and his perfume had to suffice. They still got the bus on time, and thankfully Korean in the first period, so it wasn’t too hard. Wooyoung slumped down, almost hitting his head on the table, when plastic packaging rustle in front of him. He looked up when he was patted on the shoulder and automatically opened his mouth when Yeosang fed a few pieces of a fruit sandwich to him. “Drink some,” he whispered and opened a bottle of iced tea and water for him.  

“Good morning,” teacher Choi came in and waved a stack of papers, “Get ready, please, everyone. We’ll start on time,” he called out and repeated the standard rules for his test. Yunho took off another piece of the sandwich and stretched his hand out for Wooyoung to take it while wrapped the rest up. Teacher Choi must have seen, “Eat up, you guys, we’re still on break. I was just early. We’ll start at nine-fourty-five sharp so we can go through the tasks together, you’ll start writing at ten minutes to ten and you have ninety minutes to complete the test.”  

“Mingi-ah, I hope I’m feeling like death because you sucked up all my energy for this test,” Wooyoung groaned and Mingi turned to look at him in disbelief. “I told you go to bed,” Mingi defended. “Your notes told me something else,” Wooyoung sassed and stretched. He needed to get his energy back up. “Give,” he mumbled and stretched his hand out for the food. Yunho unwrapped it for him, and Wooyoung took it with him when he stood up to go over to the window. “Wooyoung-ah, you have to write the test first and get the results, then jump out of the window,” Yunho joked,  “Just getting fresh air. I'm still half asleep,” he answered lowly and let his eyes drift through the room. Teacher Choi was sitting at his desk in the front, doing the same thing until they just stared at each other for a moment. And then Wooyoung almost jumped out of the window after all when he winked at him. Wooyoung turned around quickly, facing outwards while picking little pieces of his sandwich to nibble on, and maybe also to calm down from this sneak attack. Okay, now he was awake for sure. He thought to wait out here until teacher Choi called everyone to sit down, just to test him, but given the weather he was freezing and walked back to his seat unprompted.  

As predicted, they went over the tasks together and Wooyoung was itching to start writing. The tasks were fine, just stuff they used to do in class maybe with a few different numbers. The last two tasks were a bit tricky, because they had to use a few different formulas to fill in the gaps and get to the solution in several steps, but technically he had everything he needed to find it. It took him a bit, but he also didn’t stress since he still had almost fourty minutes left until the class was ending by schedule. He looked around the classroom, watching a few snowflakes lazily fall from the sky. He went back to the task, looked through everything again, checked his name, the date, that all papers were collected and numbered correctly, and then looked up to search or teacher Choi's attention. Well, patiently waiting of course, not to disturb the others. Teacher noticed him and Wooyoung showed him his sheets to signal he was done and ready to submit it. The man frowned but nodded. Wooyoung walked up to him, sorting the papers to be neatly put together. “You’re done?” teacher Choi asked in a whisper as he took the stack. Wooyoung blinked at him, “Um, yes,” he whispered back. “So fast?” San-ssi insisted. Yes? He never need the entire ninety minutes, not even when he went slowly. Did-

Did he forget something?

Wooyoung looked back up to see if he left anything on his desk, a worksheet or anything. Wooyoung nodded again, also furrowing his brows. “You sure? If I take it now, I can’t give it back if you need to check anything,” he explained and showed his palms to Wooyoung, as if to push his test away. “But I got- I got everyth-” Wooyoung stuttered quietly but skimmed his papers again. “It was three work sheets, right? I got everything,” he checked the number of sheets, the list of the tasks and his own writing, “Three sheets, ten tasks,” teacher agreed and watched Wooyoung go through everything with growing distress. “I g- I got everything. I’m done, I’m sure,” Wooyoung approved eventually and put it down, adjusting the edges again. “Alright,” teacher Choi nodded and took the papers to put them upside down on top of his files. “You’re dismissed, but stay inside the building,” he instructed, and Wooyoung sighed as he left.  

Why did teacher Choi ask him like this? If he was sure, and if he got everything. Wooyoung would rather start a fight than to submit a test that wasn’t fully and perfectly filled out. And he always was quick to finish his tests. Why was he so surprised? In his entire high school career Wooyoung had never struggled with a time limit before, so why was it different this time? Did he miss something, after all? Not even Yeosang was coming out, he usually was also quick. Wooyoung went to his favourite spot in the students’ lounge. He should have taken something with him; papers and a pen or maybe snuck his phone again. Ugh, now he would have to just sit in silence and try not to panic about teacher Choi’s doubts in him. Did he make a test extra hard? Maybe he added a trap? Like a trick-question. Wooyoung gasped. Was it the last two? The ones where he had to come up with his own formula? But that's what the task said. But maybe that was the trick? Maybe he should have asked for clarification, but teacher Choi also said it himself, he’d have to find it on his own.  

He tried to go through the test again mentally. Three sheets, ten tasks. “Fuck,” Wooyoung cursed quietly when he couldn't remember every drill. Slowly the students started to come out, Yunho and Yeosang were among the first ones, and both slumped down next to him. “What the hell was that?” Yunho’s cursed and Yeosang groaned in tune. “When I get home, I’ll sleep for three days,” and yawned. “And you,” Yunho addressed Wooyoung. “Don’ know,” he whispered. “I think I messed up,” he looked at them for only a moment, before the surge of anxiety overwhelmed his body, and he got up to pace around. “What do you mean? You submitted it after like thirty seconds,” his friend pointed out. “Yeah, and teacher Choi almost didn’t want to take it.” He shook his head, still walking off the energy and massaged and pinched his wrists until it hurt. “No, I got something wrong. I must have missed something,” he kept mumbling. “Did you work through every task?” Yeosang tried to calm him down by logic, “Even the last two ones? And with all nice numbers. Oddest one I got was 8.75 and I went through it again but got the same result.” Wooyoung nodded in between. Yeah, he could remember 8.75, but not even what the problem was about.  

“If you keep taking about Maths, I’ll throw up,” Yunho whined and changed the topic to a drama-series that recently came out. Wooyoung didn’t listen, his brain was hard-wired on school and saving everything learned to his memory. Why couldn’t he do it now? Did he have a blackout? Oh God. And teacher Choi would see all of it. He probably scribbled so much nonsense on his worksheets, still fogged up by sleep-deprivation and anxiety; teacher Choi would be so disappointed, oh my God. Just yesterday he told him he expected him to do well, and not to be nervous. Maybe being so close to the teachers altered his brain chemistry and now he wasn’t smart anymore! They made him dumb. No, he whined internally. But they just started liking him because he was so smart; he couldn’t afford to slip.  

Voices and chatter started filling the corridors and signalled the test would only run for another ten minutes. “Let’s go, we’ll talk to Mark and Xiaojun,” Yunho stood and stretched, “Let’s get your mind off this bullshit.” Yeosang followed but waited by the door for Wooyoung. As predicted, Mark and few others had gathered, waiting in the hall across their classrooms. “Ayo wha’sup,” Mark greeted in English which Yunho answered with a handshake. “What happened? You look awful, man,” Mark said and nodded towards Wooyoung. “It’s nothing, really,” he mumbled in return and tried to tune in on the other students’ conversations, hoping to hear something about the test. He came up empty, and just fidgeted with his sleeves. Just a few minutes later teacher Choi opened the door and halted a bit surprised to be met by a crowd of students. He smiled nonetheless and greeted them all goodbye as he left for the teachers’ lounge. Wooyoung watched him, desperate to find any sign, really just the smallest hint of any special occurrence; basically, burning his eyes into the teacher’s skull. He must have noticed because after a few steps he halted again and turned, finding Wooyoung’s eyes immediately.  

He approached them calmly, but he seemed to pick up on the tension, “Is something the matter, Wooyoung-ssi?” Wooyoung pushed out a huff of air he didn’t realise he was holding and only watched the man. “Oh, um, no. I mean, no,” he stuttered and made Yunho almost curse in front of the teacher. “He’s worried about the test,” he exposed. Wooyoung sputtered to deny it, for whatever reason, because he wasn’t worried about the test, he was out of his fucking mind over the test. Teacher Choi looked around between them and waited for Wooyoung to catch himself. “No, just, maybe, I was wondering, uh, di- did you... Do you already have any results?” Wooyoung rushed. Teacher Choi squinted his eyes at him and cock his head, “You literally just wrote the test,” he smiled to cover the deadpan tone in his voice, but his eyebrows ticked upwards and made him look so strange and unfamiliar all of a sudden; strict, like a - like a teacher. “But I gave you mine early, maybe you already had a look at it,” Wooyoung suggested unable to stop the flood.  

“No, Wooyoung-ssi, I don’t do that when the others are still taking the test. I also don’t know the correct answers by heart.”  

“Not even one look?”  

“No.” 

“Don’t you have the solutions somewhere? I can check it myse-” 

"I said no, Wooyoung-ah, calm down.”  

“But, hyung, I think I messed up,” he leaned in and whispered.  

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he smiled, keeping his composure while Wooyoung was basically falling apart in front of him. How was he supposed to calm down? 

“Can’t you just have a look really qui-“ 

“Stop. Wooyoung-ssi, I haven't looked at any test yet, and I will not make any exceptions.” 

Wooyoung gasped sharply and didn’t dare to breath when teacher Choi fixed him with just his eyes. He felt himself tremble, his face felt warm, and the familiar lump formed in his throat. If they were just for themselves, maybe he would have slumped backwards against the wall and waited for the man to cage him physically. Teacher Choi had an athletic build anyway, now he just felt twice as broad.

“Listen to me: I’ll take the tests home and grade them this evening. You’ll have it back by the end of the week, I promise. And trust me when I say you’ll be fine.”  

Wooyoung nodded silently. “Come,” Yeosang and Yunho came up right one to each side and pulled him away into the classroom, not even saying goodbye to their teacher. Mingi waited just by door, he hadn’t come closer when he walked in on the scene, let them pass as if he were a bouncer, and kept his stance blocking the door until the man also left without another word.  

They sat Wooyoung down in his seat and kept surrounding him, keeping a hand on his shoulder, massaging gently until he calmed down. “What was that?” Mingi asked quietly. “He asked the teacher if he had a look at his test, but he said no; quite clearly,” Yunho summarised but had his own addition to it, “Just one question: did you just call him hyung?” Wooyoung sheepishly looked up but shook his head. It slipped; he didn’t mean to call him that in front of everyone. Now after he made a scene, teacher Choi wouldn’t want him to do it anymore anyway. “What?” Mingi asked hopefully, “Did you start it? Since when you call him hyung?” Wooyoung couldn’t take it, “Shut up, I didn't. I don’t! He’s a teacher, not my hyung. And I fucked up the test and now I just pissed him off and he’ll subtract even more points from me, and I’ll fail his class... I fucked up. I fucked it up so bad.”  

The rest of the boys sighed. Now Wooyoung was spiralling, and the best way to help him was to comfort him instead of scolding. They kept asking him questions during class, even if they knew the answers as well, and tried to remind him he always had a place to crash within their close circle.  

The next day was pure torture. He had Chemistry class with teacher Park, but otherwise they didn’t see each other. Oh my God, they were so mad at him for throwing a tantrum like some brat; they didn’t even join them for lunch anymore. Not to mention Chemistry was going like hell because they also had a test incoming right on Monday morning. And a test in English tomorrow. What the hell. Okay, English was just vocabulary, really. Wooyoung wasn’t the most confident in speaking, but he knew what he wanted to say, and that he could write. If he got an 98% or something by the end of the year, he had nothing to complain about. Maybe a little bit, but he doubted teacher Seo would really stab his back like this.  

Only if he didn’t fail Maths, of course. He couldn’t afford to slump like this in two classes. Maths, English, Economics, Chemistry and Biology were the most important ones for landing a place as a trainee in any restaurant. Economics and Maths of course for running a business, Chemistry and Biology was important for knowing your measurements and how your ingredients worked with and around each other, English was always good for working with international staff or recipes in foreign languages; but for a fully covered scholarship he’d need to hit an average of 100%. Social Studies and preferably a journey through every cuisine across the whole world were then only there for decoration on his report card, like IT and all the other classes, of course .  

God, he needed to apologize to teacher Choi as soon as possible. Only he wouldn’t see him for class today. Alright then, new plan for battle: check teacher Choi's mood tomorrow morning, and then maybe try and find out if it changed until lunch, and then check again during PE, and then he could approach teacher Choi after class. Then he had to do it. Because... If he waited for too long, maybe teacher Park would also change his mind, and then he could also decide to fuck around with Wooyoung’s Chemistry grade, and Biology. Oh no , he had both teachers in two classes each, so, if they were mad at him, they could really just ruin him for good.  

No, stop. Everyone was graded for their individual output, teacher Park said. They- they wouldn’t do that to anyone.  

They... liked him, right? 

So why would they want to hurt him; right?  

No, Wooyoung couldn’t risk it. He needed to apologize as soon as possible, like, right now.  

If he didn’t know the teachers were probably in class themselves right now, he would have made an excuse to use the restroom or something and find them in the teacher’s lounge or something. He’d go afterwards. He’d go to the teachers’ lounge, and ask politely to speak to them, or to teacher Choi at least, and apologize properly and reverently, and make up for it, okay? Okay.  

“Are you doing yoga or something?” Yeosang whispered next to him, in English of course, since English class still had about fifteen minutes left. “Why are you slowly breathing like that?” Wooyoung hummed. “Trying to stay fucking calm,” he answered. “I need to talk to teacher Choi. I’ll go right after class.” Yeosang looked at him with wide eyes, “About your test?” Wooyoung clicked his tongue, “No, but the way I pestered him. Didn't you hear how he talked to me? He was so mad; I have to go and say sorry at least.” Yeosang sighed quietly and shook his head, looking back down on his notes. “Wooyoung... Just- You're going crazy. He wasn’t mad. You were anxious, really. And I get it. And he probably also got it; he’s not mad at you for being worried. In fact, none of the teacher would be, and he is the last one who would want to harm you. I promise,” Yeosang spoke to him quietly, and making sure Wooyoung really let his words sink in. “I'll go with you, no problem, but I’m one hundred percent sure he’s not mad at you.” 

Wooyoung listened, but he didn’t want to hear it. He just pouted his way through the rest of the lesson, and quickly packed up everything. “Come, come, come,” he rushed and Yeosang told the others not to wait up. “Wooyoung-ah, we’ll miss our bus,” Yeosang told him and Wooyoung gasped at him, “You said you’d come with me, you liar,” Wooyoung sulked as he went on, strutting straight towards the teachers’ lounge. “I’m right here, I’m just saying it looks kind off empty here. Are you sure he’s still here?” Wooyoung didn’t answer, instead he stopped in front of the door and knocked on it just before his nerves left him. “Okay, if I’ll try to bolt, you have to make me stay. Pull me back, fight me to the ground if you have to, I need to talk to him,” Wooyoung instructed Yeosang seriously as if they were about to go into battle. The door opened abruptly, and teacher Seo looked at term in surprise, “Hi, you two. What can I do for you?” Wooyoung fidgeted in place, having expected teacher Choi to be right there. “Teacher Seo, forgive me for disturbing you after class, but, um, is- Is teacher Choi here? I just needed to talk to him for a minute.” Despite his nerves, Wooyoung could always deliver his manners on point, ever so polite. Okay, okay, he could do this. He’d just keep up the act. He’d just act cool, and accept his mistake and honestly apologize for it, and he’d be fine, and teacher Choi wouldn’t fuck up his grade. 

“Oh, Wooyoung-ssi, I’m sorry, but teacher Choi isn’t here. I believe he was at the gym with a PE class last. Maybe write him an e-mail if it needs to be settled today, but I wouldn’t bet on it. It’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” teacher Seo explained. “Oh, um, sure. Thank you, anyway, teacher,” he bowed and greeted goodbye politely. “We just missed our bus,” Yeosang huffed absently. Wooyoung clicked his tongue. “Then don’t come with me. You offered it yourself, it’s not my fault,” he snapped and walked on quickly. Ugh, did Yeosang have to be a pain in the ass all the time? Don’t come if you have other plans, my god. It wasn't Wooyoung’s responsibility to look after his schedule. “Are you going to ignore me now?” Yeosang asked after a while of walking in silence. Wooyoung didn’t even look at him, because, yes. Yes, he was going to ignore Yeosang. Yeosang could eat his shit. He didn’t answer, but Yeosang stayed by his side the entire ride back to Mapo-gu central station and walked on with him until they had to split. “Do you want to come home with me? We’ll study for English, or Chemistry even. You don’t even have to cook, my mom’s home.” Wooyoung kept his mouth shut. He couldn’t even look at Yeosang, more from something akin to pettiness. He hadn’t said one word, or spared one single glance in his direction, why would he do it now out of all times? Yeosang would make fun of him if he caved at the mention of food or a mother who’s at home caring for her children. He shook his head, staring just somewhere at the ground. “’Kay,” Yeosang sighed and went in for a one-sided hug, “Text me when you’re home. Please,” and went on his way. Wooyoung didn’t understand why, but his eyes welled up a bit after Yeosang left. He was stuck in place for a minute or so before he could go on as well. Why did Yeosang have to be like this? Wooyoung was angry at him, so why would he still stay by his side and make sure he got home safely? When Yeosang was upset with him, he also just stayed away for a day until they both calmed down and went back to normal.

His way home passed in a blur, it was dark when he arrived. He remembered seeing the last blueish grey hues in the sky when they sat down in the bus. Kyungmin was sitting in front of the TV, a plate of food was stored in the fridge, and basically nothing but eggs and rice and instant ramyeon was available. Nothing new. “Did you eat?” he called and went over to pick up his brother. Mom would always put some kids’ show on just to keep him occupied, so he wouldn’t notice he was alone until Wooyoung came home. His phone buzzed relentlessly after another minute when Wooyoung was sitting down with his brother, giving him some doodles and puzzles to play with while he went over his homework and notes again. Only when it was past Kyungmin’s bedtime already Wooyoung had the mind to open his messages. Like a hundred ones from Yeosang and Yunho, asking if he was home and reminding him to get some rest after this tiring day. Only his head wouldn’t shut up. He couldn’t stop thinking about the way teacher Choi had looked at him. Like he was about to snap. Wooyoung didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if they had been alone. Oh man. He needed to apologise. But tomorrow ‘s first class was Maths, so he’d have the tests graded already. Approaching him tomorrow wouldn’t make a difference anymore. But it was late; teacher Choi would barely check his e-mails now. Or he could...  

He looked at his phone and opened the contact list. His eyes flicked up to the jacket hanging on his door, still with the little note, not forgotten, but severely ignored in its pocket.  

No. 

He couldn’t possibly harass them like this. First, he’d make a scene at school, and then text his private number about it again. No. No way. But... It could change his grade. But... No, it was so late, teacher Choi must have been long finished with the tests. His mark was settled.  

Fuck.  

Chapter Text

On Friday, fucking finally, teacher Choi was gracious enough to eventually hand out the tests when there was only about ten minutes left. "Take a few minutes to go over your results and exchange, maybe, let in sink in over the weekend and if there are any questions about it left you can talk to me on Monday."

"Weak ass move, man," Yunho commented quietly after the teacher had left leaving everyone hot and hanging because of their grades. Yunho got up himself to stretch and take a few steps, leaving their group for a few minutes. But teacher Choi had foretold it himself: if he handed the tests out right away, no one would participate in his class anymore. But now they had an English test coming, so their nerves were wrecked anyway.

Wooyoung hadn't dared to look at his test. He couldn't even look at teacher Choi's face as he took it, and just shoved it into his backpack immediately. "No. I swear if I'm just one point short, I'll jump out of the window," he grumbled before Mingi could even ask about his grade. "Oh come on. Let us see, then. We won't tell you," he tried to bargain. "Fuck off," Wooyoung muttered. He felt so… so… like his mind was on fire but his body was caught in a giant ice cube. Only his abnormally fast beating heart kept him up at this point. Really, if he had a stroke now or an artery busted he wouldn't even be surprised, ace through the English test and then die from tripping over his own feet. Maybe he would even be relieved. It would mean he didn't have to see his score, and take any more tests or the exams. No failed classes, no graduation and no worries about anything beyond today.

But it would leave Kyungmin with mom. Hm. Not worth it.

Teacher Seo was gracious with them and granted them extra time, to teacher Park's misery, and the English test was just like Wooyoung had predicted which left his friends relieved beyond compare and with thousands of compliments towards Wooyoung's teaching skills. Only Wooyoung's mind was still on teacher Choi and their unofficial fight. He couldn't tell what teacher Choi thought about him now. Maybe Biology class with teacher Park would help him make a guess.

"Stop stressing, will you? He's been a teacher for ages and if he ever messed with any grades, then only to benefit the students," Yeosang said. "Well, he's been a teacher for ages and he's never come across a loser like me either. Things change," Wooyoung replied quickly. "For God's sake, you're not going to die from one grade. Just go and talk to them," Yeosang pinched the bridge of his nose, but it wasn't like Wooyoung had any capacity for logic at this moment. "No, I'd actually rather die. They hate me."

"Wooyoung-ah, come," Yunho laughed from across the room, pointing at the open window, rather outside. "Now, now. That's a bit excessive, don't you think. You can open the other window in the back for another few minutes," teacher Park had walked in already, ever so punctually, and sent Yunho away from the window at the teacher's desk with a motion of his hand before he closed the window again. Wooyoung's face fell into his palms. He just heard that. God, they had to have an entirely new idea of him; no wonder they didn't approach him anymore. "Thanks Yunho, now teacher Park thinks I'm a suicidal freak. They'll absolutely butcher my grades," Wooyoung grumbled when his friend sat back down.

"You're still on that track? Come on, let one of us have a look at your test and we'll tell you how bad it is. Spoiler: you're absolutely fine." Wooyoung vehemently shook his head, "No, Mingi, I don't want to know. Really. I'll be nice to teacher Park today, I'll be on my best behaviour, and then I'll talk to teacher Choi on Monday." Yeosang pursed his lips, "Or today in PE class. You don't have to wait." Oh God, he had to see both of them again today! PE with teacher Choi and teacher Park again for band practise. How could he forget? "You just made it worse. Look at him," Yunho slapped Yeosang's hand, and started an entirely new session of bickering. "He said it himself to talk to him on Monday. He won't talk about Maths class during PE anyway," Wooyoung reasoned half-heartedly, rather to soothe himself than to oppose his friend.

"Alright, alright, settle down, kids," teacher Park ordered, a little quiet for the circumstances, to start his class – late. "I'll let you keep your snacks and drink out for another ten minutes, but in return we'll start with the lesson now. I know you just took a test, but that is no excuse to cut my class short." Oh, he sounded hoarse and unwell. He might be in a bad mood about having to look at Wooyoung for another hour before he was released into the weekend. "Forgive me; I'm feeling a bit under the weather and my voice is strained so I won't be able to talk loudly. That means be quiet, pay attention and take notes, because I won't repeat myself too much today." Okay, okay, this was his chance. Wooyoung would take this opportunity to prove to teacher Park he still was the perfect student, even if he was missing a few points from a Maths test, he could still perform in other classes. No biggy. "And I understand you have quite some pressure now before Christmas break, so I'll switch this Biology class with an extra Chemistry class," he paused to let the students cheer subtly in relieve and gratitude, "And we'll switch it back before the next Biology test. Alright, sh. I'll present you with tasks and exercises that you can solve as a group and support each other. I suppose you don't have your scripts with you, but it'll be even more efficient this way. If there are any questions, I want you to answer them for each other, since my voice won't last that long. Got it?"

This… was perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Wooyoung nodded eagerly because he actually had his script. His ring folder wasn't heavy enough to split it, so he still kept all scripts together. "Woah, there, Speedy Gonzales. You're going to start a fire if you're moving so fast," Yeosang whispered next to him. "You don't get it. This is my chance. I'll show him," Wooyoung explained. "Yes, of course. Show teacher Park how smart you are and prove that teacher Choi was wrong for grading your test completely objectively and giving you your earned full score." Wooyoung went through his scripts and notes, grabbed a handful of sharpies and pencils to make notes, and held his calculator somewhere in between while giving Yeosang a side-eye. "I have to. They talk about me; all the teachers gossip in their lounge. If teacher Choi told them my grade dropped and I picked a fight with him-"

"You didn't start a fight, Wooy-"

"Kang Yeosang-ssi, Jung Wooyoung-ssi, I know you two are on top of your classes, but please give the other students a fair opportunity to revise and learn as well." Yunho and Mingi turned in synch to meet the other pair's wide eyes. "Of course. We're sorry, teacher," Yeosang answered politely and bowed his head, slapping Wooyoung's thigh below the desk for him to follow. Wooyoung stammered unintelligibly and bowed his head down to the desk top even, staying there for maybe longer than he really needed to. Great. Now he had to grovel twice as hard. The entire time Wooyoung couldn't take his eyes off of the teacher, and to his sorrow and relief in equal parts, teacher Park looked back at him three times. Three. In one and a half hours teacher Park looked at him three times. While Wooyoung's hand was up almost the entire time. He knew everything, he barely needed to correct his notes, he got everything perfectly written down. Yet he wasn't called on even once.

"I'm doomed." As soon as the teacher dismissed their class with one last offer to look at notes and correct them as non-verbally as possible, Yunho turned back to his friend, "What was that?" Wooyoung only earned sympathetic glances and half-hearted smiles of encouragement. "I told you. He hates me. They hate me and they'll make me fail all my classes." Yeosang patted his back while Wooyoung packed up his belongings "Oh, you're making things up. I'm sure he didn't call on you because he knows that you're fine. And everyone else also knows that you know everything. He just wanted to give the other students a chance to work through the tasks." Wooyoung grumbled and didn't stop all the way to their lunch table. The teachers were nowhere to be seen, and not even Hongjoong joined them this time; instead he only spared them with a text saying he was held up talking with the principals about the organisation of the Christmas assembly.

"'Sup with him," Changbin said without bothering to greet them as soon as he sat down with the bunch. Felix and Jeongin followed with a side-eye towards their friend and said hi quietly. "He's lovesick," Mingi said, much to Wooyoung's dismay, only he didn't have the mind to argue. "About who?" Changbin asked incredulously. "My grades," Wooyoung snapped as soon as he realised Changbin wasn't really in on Mingi's fantasy rom-com drama illusion theatre thing. "What about them? You're still a nerd. You ate up that Maths test in less than an hour and teacher Choi even asked me if the test was too easy," Changbin frowned, "He asked me, of all people. I'm the last person to put the words Maths and test and easy in the same sentence."

Wooyoung frowned in return, equally shocked, "What? When was that?" Changbin shrugged, "Just when I handed him my test. I also got out with a few minutes left. Only Yunseong and Baekgyeul were with me; I think they ran out of time, though." Wooyoung looked around the group waiting for clues as his friends discussed and gossiped about their tests and grades. "That man is delusional," Felix shook his head finally, "I was sweating like crazy. My papers had literal stains on them and the ink was blurred. I thought he'd be strict and just scratch whatever's not clearly written, but I think he gave me like half my score for the benefit of the doubt for like half of it. He literally saved my grade; I'd been doomed if I had fucked up this test. There's no way I'll be able to save anything with freaking analytic geometry." Wooyoung listened intently, trying to ignore the knowing looks his friends gave him when Felix mentioned that the teacher saved his grade. It clearly supported the conclusion that teacher Choi also had mercy on Wooyoung, but it could also mean that he only had been nice to those who really needed help like this. Wooyoung was about as far as possible from being a candidate who needed a teacher's grace to keep his score. "Suck it up already, Wooyoung-ah. You're giving pick-me vibes. You will never need to mourn your grades," Changbin grumbled after seeing Wooyoung's confusion. But they actually picked me, he wanted to say. "He's in his dramatic loser-lover era, let him be," Yeosang joked, earning a grunt from Wooyoung and a kick to his shin that was probably softer than intended. "Anything from Hongjoong? Does he want to hang out before band practise? Or should we just go to the library after PE?" he provided instead. "It's Friday, don't you have anything else to do but study?" Changbin complained, earning barely an eye-roll from Wooyoung, as Yeonjun and Soobin approached their group, "Ready to get wrecked?" Yeonjun cheered in English, much to his friend's disapproval, if Soobin's sour expression was anything to go by. "You are way too hyped for PE class on a Friday afternoon." Mingi stretched out his hand towards Soobin for a firm handshake who urgently agreed, "He gets it. Can't we just skip PE? Like as a group? Like boycott. Especially after that Maths test. He gives me a low score and then wants me to run around? I've never felt less like moving and working out." Changbin laughed and disagreed, "You should have started training as an idol like two years ago if you wanted a proper excuse to ditch classes like this." Soobin made an annoyedface and pulled Yeonjun along. Changbin, Felix and Jeongin packed up, chatting quietly amongst themselves, and joined Yeonjun and Soobin, "Lunch is almost over, we should get going." Wooyoung worried his lower lip between his teeth and not so gently rubbed his face, "I feel ashamed to say this but skipping PE today sounds more appealing than I want to admit," and made Mingi beam in triumph. "You just want to avoid teacher Choi," Yeosang lightly slapped his arm and grinned before he ate the last bite of his egg sandwich but dropped his teasing smile when Wooyoung countered, "So? You'd skip PE to join Jongho's class now. Don't act like I'm the only one who has favourites." Wooyoung wanted to add another one-liner, but Yeosang's attention seemed less and less directed towards him, instead he was looking past Wooyoung. "Now don't say you'd skip my sports class because of your Maths test, Wooyoung-ssi. You're pettier than I am," teacher Choi called from behind Wooyoung, a bit too close as if Wooyoung could feel his presence looming over him, smug and charming as ever Wooyoung could tell from the tone in his voice. So, his test was bad, after all. Bad enough to believe Wooyoung would fall out even more from now on. God, this was the worst thing that ever happened to Wooyoung. Wooyoung turned with exactly no idea how to respond, especially when he saw the teacher's relaxed smile. "N-no, of course not. We were- Just… Joking," he stammered; baffled when the man barely acknowledged him. "Perfect. Because it's time to head to the gym. You have five minutes left. Chop-chop. If you're late I'll make you run laps after class for the missed time," he clapped and announced loudly in the direction of another group of students in a true coach's manner and left as quickly as he had approached them. "Do you think he'd strangle me with a rope if I throw a tantrum?" Three heads turned towards Wooyoung in utter shock. "Stop that," Yunho hissed and Yeosang reinforced with a firm hit again his shoulder. "Maybe he'll make you run laps and then catch you with a loop like a cowboy," Mingi supplied a bit helplessly. Wooyoung chuckled equally dry, "Maybe he'll strangle me with it."

In one word PE was hell. Just like teacher Park, teacher Choi barely paid any attention to Wooyoung. He chose Yeonjun and Felix of all people for demonstrations. When Wooyoung offered to help packing up he carefully mentioned several options – turn off the lights, close the doors and windows, or check the equipment room, teacher Choi just dismissed him.

"It's fine, thank you," he repeated, "He didn't even look at me. He was on the phone and just shooed me away."

"Well, he was talking to someone."

"I asked three times to help."

"Everything was packed up already."

"They're planning something. They're plotting," he conspired with Mingi's big eyes on him. "He didn't even say goodbye to me. What's going on?"

"Can you make up your mind, though?" Yeosang argued, "For a few weeks you denied your crush on them completely. Then you were freaked out about just hearing their names being mentioned. And now you're losing it because teacher Choi didn't pay attention to you while he was talking on his phone? Get it together, man," he scoffed but sighed immediately after, "Sorry for being mean. My parents ganged up on me because 'I'm investing too much into extracurriculars instead of actual classes.' I'm sick of talking and hearing about grades, is all." Wooyoung was a mess in between their push-and-pull way of affection. Yeosang was right; he should get it together soon, focus on his grades, and spend less time daydreaming. Wooyoung decided right this second he wouldn't let them get to him so much. And he would get it together.

Wooyoung would have. Would have tried at least. But teacher Park didn't even show up for band practise. "Why are so many people missing?" Wooyoung asked innocently when Eden-hyung started the session - they were only three people short. "Two students ditched and teacher Park fell sick, he left after his last class," Eden-hyung answered simply beofre briefing them on the protocol for the Christams assembly. 

"No way. There's just no way," he repeated and searched an answer in Mingi's eyes when they stepped outside for some fresh air. "Wooyoung-ah, I know Yeosang and I like to push it a bit, but… I think you're really overreacting today. Look, you're stressed about your grades and spending some extra time with the teachers might have given you the wrong impression. They know you… and how important your grades are to you. They wouldn't mess with your classes just because you panicked for a moment," Mingi explained and sighed; his breath fogged up the cold air, "Felix just said it today. Did you hear? Teacher Choi even gave him extra points so he would pass the test. And that same man keeps making heart-eyes at you. He would never make you fail his class, even if he wanted to no one would believe it. I bet the principal would call in any teacher and demand an elaborate explanation if you don't get one-hundred percent in each subject."

Wooyoung felt his heart beat faster, more from anxiety than anything else, but his cheeks heated up and a lump formed in his throat at the same time. He cleared his throat and wrapped his arms tightly around his waist as he nodded at his friend's words and looked down to inspect his shoelaces. Mingi was right. He's right. No one could mess up his grades beyond passing this year without an extremely severe reason. Even if he did completely fail one test in each class, he'd still make it into the top ranks.

But the top ranks weren't enough for a scholarship. He needed to be on top. The very top. First place. Maybe not even for the programme he wanted. "Do you want to stay over tonight? We can study and my mom will cook anything with you. She's been asking when you'll come over again," Mingi then offered. Wooyoung looked up, too exhausted to give an immediate response. "I can't," he whispered unable to look at Mingi. "My mom's not home and I doubt she cooked dinner and Kyungmin is alone." Mingi raised his eyebrows and smiled, "He can come, too. You know we love him. We can put on a movie or something for him while we study. My mom wants to decorate for Christmas this weekend. She'll be happy about some help." Wooyoung slumped his with shoulders and pulled his knees to his chest, a little haplessly on the chair with not too much space, "I don't know… It's kinda late. If you don't mind, I'll ask him when I get home and we'll come over tomorrow morning?" Mingi nodded happily and took out his phone, "Sure thing. I'll tell my mom and the others to bring their stuff, and then we'll have a long and relaxed study session with teacher Wooyoung."

Chapter Text

The weekend passed in a blur while it also lasted ages until he sat at his desk in school again, but Wooyoung liked it. If he kept himself busy with whatever, he felt he had much more free time. He cooked dinner with Kyungmin on Friday after he got home, which took a bit longer because Kyungmin was worried about burning their steak while searing it, but it was alright since they didn't have to get up so early the next day; they ate and watched cartoons and then even looked at the different flowers and bushes in their garden disregarding the late hour when Kyungmin didn't believe they had a fir tree at home, and only went back inside because of the cold.

The next morning, on Saturday, they ate just a small breakfast and packed the leftovers from the night before to bring them to Mingi's house. Wooyoung expected to be greeted with various foods and proved to be right; Mingi's mother had even baked cupcakes for Kyungmin to snack on while she took him under her wing to sift through last year's Christmas decoration.

Yunho had stayed the night at Mingi's place; he was basically an official resident there as well as Mingi's twin brother – declared by Mingi's mother herself, thank you. The rest of their group arrived around lunch time; in true teenager fashion they stayed up late to play video games and slept in in the morning. Yeosang immediately went to look for Kyungmin as if he was visiting him instead, while Jongho stole the food Wooyoung had brought. "What are you doing here?" Wooyoung started their regular banter, irritated that Jongho ate on his own when Mingi's mother had prepared an elaborated meal for them to eat together. "I have tests, too. And I like your food," Jongho easily replied while preparing a spoonful of food to feed Yunho. "How'd you know he'd bring food?" Mingi laughed to which Jongho made a sassy face, "He always does."

"One day I'll die and you all starve," Wooyoung pursed his lips. "And we'll make sure to share a grave with you, pookie," Yeosang piped in as he came back from the reunion with Kyungmin and widened his eyes at Wooyoung, "He's so tall now. A few months ago he could barely look over the counter top; now he's as tall as me." The group groaned and laughed in response, "Woah, stop exaggerating like this."

"I mean it. I couldn't even lift him up anymore," Yeosang went on gushing about the boy, especially after he mentioned his brother had assisted the day before's cooking session, while pulling all sorts of reactions from his friends. Wooyoung stood by and felt a smile had settled on his face only when his cheeks started hurting. He liked to see and listen to them fooling around and being happy together; gossiping and laughing while Jongho went on feeding them the last bites of fried rice with steak. Kyungmin was getting really good at cooking, too. He picked up how to cut the vegetables into even pieces and crack egg shells without splitting too much; he was still a bit reserved about frying meat after he burned his fingers once a while back, but nonetheless eager to help.

After lunch, which the boys all ate a bit less of than expected for unknown reasons, Mingi's mother took Kyungmin shopping so the students would have the house to themselves. The incoming Chemistry test was already peeking on the horizon if not breathing down their necks, as Mingi put it. Wooyoung spend most of the time revising his friend's notes, their calculations and structural formulas, rather than going through his own. Quite unsurprisingly Wooyoung had brought their old Chemistry tests from last year, and made up a new one based off of it by merely changing the subject of the questions.

"What is the definite subject of organic Chemistry? Yunho," Wooyoung called.

"Easy. The main subject of organic Chemistry is hydrocarbon compounds."

"Yes. Mingi, name four examples for hydrocarbon compounds."

"Four? Uh, Carbon, hydrogen. Um… Nitrogen and phosphor?"

Wooyoung nodded, "Yeosang, two more."

"Wha- Why? He got it wrong!" Yeosang pointed back at Mingi.

"What?" Mingi's jaw went slack with betrayal.

"Why is it wrong, then?" Wooyoung poorly hid a smile by pressing his lips together and winked at Mingi while handing him a cue card with the correct answer. "Carbon and hydrogen are the two elemental components of hydrocarbons, but what you said are only elements that most commonly occur in the compounds," Yeosang pointed at the sketched molecules on the card, "Get it?"

"No," Mingi sulked after a beat of silence, turning the card over and over.

"Jongho, can you explain the difference?" Wooyoung prompted.

Jongho's eyebrows shot up in surprise; a bit dumbfounded since his classes hadn't covered such details yet, but he wouldn't give Wooyoung that, "Uh, Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and phosphor are individual elements, not compounds. But you can add them to the hydrocarbon compounds in some way to make bigger molecules." Wooyoung nodded when Jongho blinked at him, "Yunho, anything to add?" Yunho lifted his hand to count the terms he named with his fingers to make sure he had four each, like Wooyoung's original question demanded and looked at him for approval. "Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphor, sulphur and oxygen are the most common elements that make organic compounds like carbohydrates, alcohols, lipids, amino acids… nucleic acids and hydrocarbons. Hah!"

"Yes. Better?" he asked Mingi again and handed him another note card that had the exact and elaborated definitions on it. "Thanks," Mingi nodded with a frown and inspected the card before exclaiming. "Ah, I named the elements that are part of the larger hydrocarbon compounds. Okay, got it," he cheered. "Okay, moving on. Mingi," Wooyoung announced as he skipped through his notes but was quickly interrupted by an accusing finger, "Hey, why are you targeting me now?" Wooyoung looked up a bit in surprise. "I just went along with the order," he pointed at their seating order. "Explain the difference between atoms and ions." Mingi took another moment to recollect the definitions while looking at the ceiling, "Atoms are neutrally charged, and ions have an unbalanced amount of electrons and protons which gives them an electrically charge… And! And atomic bonds aren't as strong or stable as ionic bonds because… of- something," Mingi gave up but Wooyoung smiled, "See, you got it." Only when they started discussing and bickering more than constructively helping each other Wooyoung called for a break and went to refill their snacks. Yeosang silently followed him to get another drink, sparkling water for a change Wooyoung guessed, but to his surprise Yeosang held the glass out for him to take. "Ah, thanks," he said softly and took a few sips before setting it down. "Try the muffins, they're really good," Yeosang encouraged, but Wooyoung only smiled as he put the last pieces of potato chips into the bowl, "I'll leave them for Kyungmin."

Kyungmin proved to be very happy about some more of the sweets especially after the eventful shopping experience. He told them about all the lights and reindeers and Santa Claus figures that were everywhere, and all the toys and chocolate standing in the front of every store. "Ah, Wooyoung-ah, will you and Kyungmin stay the night? Then I'll prepare the other bedroom for you," Mingi's mother asked and Wooyoung already wanted to say yes, because it would be a lot easier than to pack up and go home and come back since he knew Mingi wouldn't let him catch a breath if they didn't study tomorrow again, but maybe he should consult with his brother, since he had only told him about today. "Oh, I think it'll be best if I take Kyungmin back home for the night; he gets cranky if he's away for too long. I also haven't packed for the night, so," he trailed off, hoping Mingi and his mother wouldn't come up with old stuff they could lend them or such, "And you're already having someone over for a second night in a row, so I'd hate to overstay," he explained as politely as he could manage on the spot. Mingi's mother, the angel she was, only cooed at him in sympathy, knowing how hard it could be to calm a child that's been out and about for two days straight.

"Alright, text me, then. Thanks for coming," Mingi said as he loosely hugged Wooyoung good bye. "Sure, and you'll let me know what we'll study for tomorrow, and I'll prepare everything," Wooyoung nodded as he received a hug from each friend. "Kyungmin-ah, say goodbye to your hyungs. Bye bye, good night, see you tomorrow," he waved and spoke along with the boy. He didn't accept Mingi's mother's offer to drive them, lest she had even more of her hand than before. But since it was Saturday evening, the busses still drove off regularly instead of taking their longer, conjoint routes like on Sundays.

He listened to Kyungmin babble on about the many decorations he saw and the newest Lego sets, and an elderly lady picked up on it and reminisced how children in her generation hadn't been so spoiled. "Sometimes parents replace themselves with those presents. It's not the children's fault," Wooyoung reasoned gently, even though his heart was hammering in his chest at the prospect of this stranger wanting to call Kyungmin spoiled for telling Wooyoung about his day. Luckily the woman strongly agreed, "It's a shame what some people call parenting nowadays."

When he came back home he firstly adjusted the thermostat and hung up two towels and Kyungmin's PJs above the heater in the bathroom so they'd be fluffy and warm later. "Kyungmin-ah, are you hungry?" he called as he came back downstairs. They ended up cooking instant ramen with sausages and a cheesy sauce, perfectly easy and quick. Afterwards Wooyoung gave his brother the choice of taking the shower first or after Wooyoung, to which he happily chose to go first. In the meantime Wooyoung tidied up the kitchen and put together a grocery list before he laid out Kyungmin's pencils and doodles to keep him busy while he also washed up.

"Do you want to go to Mingi's house again tomorrow?" he asked while also taking out a few notes to revise for Chemistry. He sighed deeply. Even just studying made him think of the teachers non-stop. "Will Yeosang-hyung be there?" Wooyoung nodded, "I think so. We'll have a test on Monday morning, so he'll want to study as well. But he'd also come just to see you, Kyungmin-ah. If you ask him nicely, he'll probably be with you more than with us." He loved the bond between Kyungmin and his friends. He just hoped Kyungmin genuinely liked them, and didn't just see them as a replacement or babysitters for when their mother couldn't be bothered. He also hoped Kyungmin didn't feel like he was a burden to Wooyoung, but until now he had never given any hint of that kind. Only stupid Hongjoong-hyung made comments about it. Why he didn't tell his mom, or why he didn't reach out to any social services. Well, Hongjoong-hyung, mom didn't care with anything more than money, and social services also only looked at financials. As long as she provided them with all necessities like food and extra money, he stood no chance against her. His notes were getting messy, his hand started cramping, and his third pen was also running out of ink. "Wha'chu got there?" he closed his notes and looked through Kyungmin's doodles instead, to pick one and start colouring as well. "Dragon," Kyungmin cheered and started rambling about dragons and knights and made up a really crafty story about an army that was sent to slay the dragon but eventually turned on their king instead and helped the dragon to take over. Wooyoung admittedly listened only half-heartedly but tried to keep up with constructive questions. Since it was the weekend, Kyungmin would stay up two hours longer, but he asked to get ready for bed even before nine o'clock, so Wooyoung didn't think to complain. They've had quite a long day after all. Only when he was alone in his bedroom again, too upset and too tired to really get anything in his head, he noticed he never reconnected his phone with the Wi-Fi; he had turned it off once they were on the bus so he wouldn't get too distracted while he was with his brother, but he hadn't picked his phone back up after they got home. Damnit, he even had one or two missed calls from Yunho, Yeosang and Mingi each along many messages. He texted the group chat that he got home safely a few hours ago and Kyungmin was fed and happy and in bed already.

Mingi Mangi
Are u coming tmrrw?

Yes kyungmin asked for yeosang hyung specifically tho

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Aye aye Captain! 🫡

Yuyu
Jongho asks if you'll bring food

Mingi Mangi
Mom asks if ull bring dessert

Yuyu
Jongho also asks why he's not in this chat

Jongho can starve

Yuyu
Jongho is not happy with that answer

Well im not happy with |

Wooyoung sighed. Anything, he thought as he watched the blinking cursor, and deleted the words.

Ill bring smtg if hell massage my shoulders

Yuyu
Jongho says deal

Wooyoung says thank you

"Did you look at your grade, actually?" Mingi asked while peering over Wooyoung's shoulder as he plated the meatballs; Yunho clicked his tongue on his other side. "Hm? They're all As, I don't have to look," Wooyoung frowned at the question, earning an unexpected slap on his shoulder. "Ow, what?" Mingi seemed a bit too excited about something like Wooyoung's grades. "See, teacher Choi could never mess up your grade," he cheered. Wooyoung almost dropped the food in shock. "Oh, you mean- My maths test? I haven't looked at it. I really want to get this Chemistry test behind me first. I'll have a break down during Chemistry if I take a look at teacher Choi's notes on my test before tomorrow." Mingi whined and stomped his feet, "It's probably full with hearts and stars." Yunho laughed and took over plating the food when Wooyoung had to set down what he was holding. "They haven't talked to me nor looked at me for days. Who would do that after scribbling hearts on an official document of all things?" Wooyoung countered. "Fictional characters," Yunho provided just before he took the plates from the kitchen out to the dining table, "Like from the dramas Mingi's watching. Come on." Wooyoung shared a half-smug half-disappointed look with Mingi at the blatant reality-check. "I'm just saying if there aren't any hearts on your test, or at least your next test, I'll be really sad. Like genuinely sad."

"Yeosang, define the term emulsion and name two examples."

"No," Yeosang grumbled into his notebook where had his head laid down on his arms.

"Mingi," Wooyoung prompted between hope and his last hope.

"It's when two different- uh… things are mixed when they would usually not mix," Mingi said in chunks of words he probably randomly remembered. "Like day creme and mayonnaise."

"I hope you mean those two separate from each other," Yunho added with a side-eye. Yeosang lifted his head and looked at them with big serious eyes, "We should try that."

"Okay, but we can't use my mom's stuffs; she'll kill us and teacher Park if we say it's for school," Mingi explained. Wooyoung sent a silent prayer to teacher Park to have mercy on them as his friends started to discuss the healing probabilities of mayonnaise on skin, but grabbed his phone to look it up as well, since he knew eggs were packed with nutrients, but he wasn't sure of the dermatological uses of eggs.

By the time teacher Park handed out the test Wooyoung's mind could only repeat that egg whites for oily skin, yolks for dry skin; and that plain boiled eggs made up the perfect protein packed snack without adding too much effort into cooking or eating at fucking 8 o'clock on Monday morning. "You think teacher Park will give me pity points of I write extra neatly?" he heard Mingi whisper in front of him. "Only if you write more than your name, Mingi-ssi," teacher Park had apparently overheard as he walked past him to the front, leaving Mingi's mouth gaping. "Now, for formality. We'll start at 8.05, you have ninety minutes to finish and submit your test," teacher Park announced as he wrote the time down on the board. "In case you don't understand a task or question, you may call for me and I will try to help or paraphrase it once, if the same question is repeated several times, I'll write it up on the board, so keep that in mind. If you're done before the time is up, you may take one of the texts here that I've copied and go to the students' lounge to read; it's not mandatory for any class. Please do not leave school grounds, please also mind to keep the volume down. Your phones will stay here until everyone has submitted their tests. If you hand in your test, you cannot have another look and will not get it back before it's graded, so make sure you give me everything on the first try, afterwards it's between you and the higher powers. You will not get the benefit of the doubt, I will also not chase after your tests; any lose papers without names and any writings that I can't decipher will be disregarded. If you're caught cheating, your test will be taken in and graded as failed and there will be a discussion with the principal about compensation of your score." Wooyoung looked around, taking in all the big eyes staring at the teacher like he was the Moirai.

Wooyoung's stomach twisted. The formality part was normal; teacher Park liked rules and principles and black-and-white solutions, that was his thing. But the mention of another look at tests was new. That hadn't been part of his speech before. That was because of Wooyoung. Teacher Park looked around, pinpointing a few faces it seemed, silently inviting questions. Then he looked at Wooyoung and the corners of his lips lifted a bit more.

"Good luck. You may start."

Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh-kay…

Okay.

Okay. Chill out. We've studied. We got this.

Formality first; if he lost points because of stupidity, he might react drastically. Wooyoung nodded to himself as he counted and labelled his papers with his name, the class, date, and page numbers before skimming the tasks. Ten tasks for ninety minutes, that's fair, that's fine. And it's perfect. Everything that they've studied was in there. Definitions, examples, differences, formulas, detailed explanations. Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you, teacher! As if he had heard him yesterday. Wooyoung's hand almost moved on its own; and by the time he added the last few words the paper might as well have started smoking. He threw his pen back into the pencil case and leaned back with a heavy sigh like he had run a marathon. Maybe a bit too carelessly. When his eyes focus again and he looked up, teacher Park was already looking at him with a weird expression. Are you okay? he silently but distinguishably mouthed, which had Wooyoung scramble upright and making himself aware of his seat. He gave an apologetic look and a nod to the front and checked his papers. Then his eyes went to the front again, to the board more specifically. He hadn't noticed that teacher Park had apparently walked around class and talked, let alone written something on the board to specify technical terms would give full points throughout the tests, but substitutions equalled half-points if they were correct, and he might even forgive spelling mistakes depending on the amount. Duh? Hm, didn't matter to Wooyoung, he got all the technical terms tattooed on his brain according to the way it felt yesterday. Teacher Park also turned to look at the board, the movement caught Wooyoung's attention. He wore a black, probably fitted shirt, just shy of a turtle neck and on top a thick, heavy looking grey woolly sweater. His black hair was shiny even in the neutral white light; fluffy and perfectly cut to look neat even with minimal styling to keep it out of his eyes. His lips were a brighter red than Wooyoung recalled, and his eyes seemed a bit smaller but it didn't make a difference when the teacher winked.

Winked?!

Was Wooyoung going insane?

His only response was to look away again. Test, right, he had to hand in his test. His writing started nicely but definitely didn't hide his nerves after the fourth task. It was still alright, definitely decipherable and all tasks were in order. He didn't even need the fifth sheet of paper, but he still checked if he had accidentally scribbled anything important on it. Afterwards he noted 4 work sheets on the test below his name and sorted them neatly. From his seat he couldn't look at the clock properly, but it had to be some time around nine o'clock, and the other students where still deeply focussed on their tests. He risked a peek at Mingi's and Yunho's seats right in front of him, but they seemed busy enough. He looked back to the teacher and waited until he caught his eyes again to lift his test. Can I? he mouthed to which teacher Park nodded and carefully patted a spot on his desk. Wooyoung stood as quietly as he could and also grabbed his coat from his back rest to go and hand in his test. "Did you get everything?" teacher Park whispered which had Wooyoung stop in his track and straightened up in offense. He looked back at his desk in the back and skimmed through his papers, mainly for protocol because he knew he had everything perfectly. "Yes," he simply answered and put the stack of papers down, and if he couldn't hide his sour mood afterwards, he didn't let the teacher say anything about it before he turned and left, not even taking a look at the readings provided.

Yeosang and Seungmin also came out a few minutes later, and together they sat down in the student lounge. Wooyoung stayed silent during the entire how was it? chat, and instead started picked on the seams of his jacket. By the time Minho, Changbin, Hyunjin, Jisu and Yeji also joined them, he had decided he might want to buy a new winter jacket. A big and puffy one with a high collar to shield his ears. "So, Prometheus, how was it?" Changbin greeted him with a subtle sneer as he flopped down on the little sofa next to Wooyoung. "Prometheus?" Hyunjin asked visibly confused. "Yeah, he who knows it all. Our God of being smart," Changbin explained simply. "You mean Apollo, the God of knowledge and wisdom. Prometheus was a titan and he brought fire and light to the humans," Wooyoung corrected but didn't bother to feign interest. Changbin looked at him skeptically for a moment before relaxing, "I rest my case."

"But how was it? You left so quickly," Yeosang asked and offered a copy of the texts teacher Park had brought. Wooyoung declined silently. "Was good."

"Good? That's it?" Yeosang insisted.

"Yeah, what do you want me to say?"

"Well, was it easy? I felt it was kinda basic stuff. I expected a bit more," Yeosang grumbled. "More? I almost died in there," Jisu scoffed with big eyes, earning a shrieking laugh from her friend.

Could you be any more obnoxious, Wooyoung thought as he watch his class mates. Fucking iditos. Their test had really only covered the basics, and they were already struggling. And the teachers had the time and energy to pick on him? "Sup?" Changbin cleared his throat and prompted more reserved now while the others got caught up in their own conversation. "Nothing," Wooyoung grumbled. The boy cocked his head, visibly confused but stayed quiet, "Hey, seriously. School wise you have nothing to worry about. So what's up?"

"Nothing," Wooyoung repeated sternly.

Changbin blinked at him a few times. What do want now? Just move on already, Wooyoung thought, getting angrier by the minute as he could sense Changbin's eyes on him out of his periphery. Changbin sighed in defeat, "Hm, 'kay. But you talk to your friends, right?"

"Yeah," Wooyoung pressed with poorly hidden impatience. Who he talked to was none of Changbin's business. Just like the teachers were in no place to lecture him about his performance in class merely weeks after confessing they took an interest in him specifically because of it. And worst of all: he couldn't even tell his friends. Or anyone. Telling them he was upset would trigger a spiral of questions he wasn't ready to answer; love confession aside. They would start lecturing him as well.

No one could mess with your grades.

You've been the highest ranking student for more than a year.

There's nothing that could stop you.

You have nothing to worry about.

Fuck off already.

Wooyoung jumped from his seat and walked off. He need some air, he was getting all restless. On his way out Mingi joined him. "There are only a few people left. And time's not even up. I aced this one, Wooyoungie. Thank you for studying with us," he cheered. Wooyoung could only muster a smile at his friend, but Mingi didn't need a verbal answer, he just kept rambling to himself. The cold air felt good and took his mind off of the test. His heart also slowed down - fucking finally. He should break it off with the teachers. All this winking, smiling, joining lunch… It was confusing him. He didn't need any boyfriends or secret alliance to sneak extra lessons or better grades. He need to focus and keep his score and look for academies and jobs and maybe even an apartment and maybe even a way to milk his mother for more money to put it into a savings account that would multiply it somehow to sustain him for at least half a year. "Let's go back inside, hm? Recess is almost up. Did you have breakfast? My mom packed me something special today. It's an American pasta dish with chicken and creamy sauce," Mingi went on about cooking but Wooyoung couldn't fully concentrate. "Well, hide it from Yeosang," is all he could offer. When they got back to their seats teacher Park was already gone and teacher Kim was struggling with the connection to the smart board.

"Are you ready to analyse some contemporary fiction," Yunho prompted as they sat together in their assigned seats but used the remaining time. "No," everyone answered simultaneously, making Yunho's face fall in wonder. "Anyway, what happened? Are we beefing with the teachers? Teacher Park was shocked when you left, I'm telling you. You slammed your test down and took off, and he was just sitting there… I've never seen him nervous like this."

"I don't care," Wooyoung forced himself to say after another beat. Teacher Park, nervous? Not in his lifetime. Not on Wooyoung's list of things to care about. "Don't care? What the hell happened?" Yeosang repeated. "Nothing happened," Wooyoung said just shy of shouting.

"Alright, alright, settle down, please," teacher Kim called from the front. "I know you just took a test, on a Monday morning, so I prepared an excerpt on the big screen so we can work on it together, you don't have to take notes, this is just an exercise to get your mind a bit away from poetry analysis and more into prose text analysis and abstract writing.  Let's get started."

"You're not off the hook, mister," Yeosang warned quietly. "Do your worst," Wooyoung countered without any depth.

Chapter Text

"Wooyoungie, let's change seats next class," Mingi blurted out randomly during Korean class, just loud enough for Wooyoung to hear, not too loud to disturb the lesson.

"No?"

"Too soon?" Yeosang guessed. "Yes, Yeosang, twenty minutes is too soon," Wooyoung hissed. "We wrote that test almost a week ago, what are you saying?" Mingi asked, but Wooyoung figured out the ace the teachers had up in their sleeves. "They're a package deal. I can't just be beefing with one of them. Teacher Park is out for me as well."

"You're not beefing with anyone," Yeosang exclaimed, loud enough to be called on this time by teacher Kim, and asked to explain the link between the animal symbolism and the tragic turn of events of their current text excerpt. "Ah, yes, very well done. Thank you, Yeosang-ssi. On the same note, can anyone explain why our main character's name is Oisin? Or the other names; Jora, Taran, Ceres. Anyone? Wooyoung-ssi, hm?" Wooyoung carefully looked up from his notes and hoped he didn't look as annoyed as he felt. He remembered coming across some similar names before, but not in detail. "Um, I only know... I think Ceres is the goddess of fertility and harvest… It fits the mother's talent for gardening and her nurturing behaviour in general.  But I don'tknow the others," he said but without the enthusiasm he usually had when he talked about his newest mythology findings; Changbin, a few seats over, sighed of desperation either way. Teacher Kim smiled nonetheless, "That's correct, very good. In fact all names are meticulously chosen for their meaning, not just because they sound nice. In literature studies such a symbol is quite common. Does anyone know what's it called? Hm, no? It's a telling name or most commonly aptronym. Try to put it in context with the setting of the entire story; we've already discussed it's set during Autumn, and we already got another clue: the mother's name means harvest. What else can you think of? Wooyoung-ssi, do you want to go on?" the teacher prompted expectantly. But I just said I don't know… Wooyoung supressed a deep breath and managed to shake his head, "No," he hummed quietly, accidentally making it sound sarcastic. Teacher Kim seemed surprised as his smile only fell when Wooyoung looked away from him to the board and stayed silent. "Ah, okay. Uh, someone else, then," he stuttered for a brief moment with confusion written all over his face. In his periphery Wooyoung could tell Yeosang and someone from across the room turned their heads to look at him; Changbin maybe, or Yeonjun, but he didn't acknowledge it and pretended to take notes from what was being said.

"Wooyoung-ssi, I'd like a word with you." Taken by surprise Wooyoung looked up again; in his pretence he actually got into the matter and took many notes along the hand-out. His classmates were moving around, eating or and on their phones.  It's already over? When did that happen? He got up, accompanied by an encouraging pat from Yeosang as he passed him, to walk up to the teacher with a darkly glooming anticipation. His brain did this weird thing again where his body felt strange and numb and weightless, his chest burned up until he felt it in his cheeks, and the noise around him was drowned out by his heartbeat. "Wooyoung-ssi, you were unusually quiet today; um, distracted even I would say. Did something happen?" teacher Kim asked as he repeatedly turned and adjusted a stack of papers that kept sliding apart. Wooyoung fought for clarity for a moment long, watching the man fumble with it. "No, teacher, I paid attention… And I took notes," he defended uselessly. The teacher nodded but didn't seem convinced. "Well, we wrote a test just before…. And I had a fall out with a friend just before… and," Wooyoung stopped himself. None of these things were legitimate excuses for him, so teacher Kim wouldn't believe them either. "I think I might be just really- exhausted," he sighed, almost embarrassed at the honesty, "But I'll rest up and… I'll be fine tomorrow," he nodded as he went on, mainly to convince himself of his empty promise. He hadn't been fine in a long time, it won't matter by tomorrow. "Ah, yes.  I see. For the next time you have a bad day – and that's fully alright, everyone has a bad day once in a while, right, everyone needs a break from time to time. Anyway I'd like to advise you, to confide in your teachers before class, so they won't mark it negatively in their notes, right? Take it slow and make sure to recover well, Wooyoung-ssi. I'd be sad to see you lose interest," the teacher agreed and went on about 100% and always the best and setting priorities as he fucking finally sorted the papers and tucked them away in his briefcase, but Wooyoung's ears started ringing quietly and drowned most of it out. "Of course, teacher, thank you for understanding," he nodded and replied politely on autopilot. Two strikes within less than three months. Teacher Kim gently squeezed his shoulder as he left, and Wooyoung zoned in just to look at him before he moved away, only that the teacher wasn't looking back at him anymore.

A heavy sigh made its way all throughout his chest, he inhaled so deeply his waistband uncomfortably bit into his stomach, and he blinked rapidly as he came back down to earth. He had to get back on track. Damnit. What were all his notes and test results worth if he performed poorly in class and ruined everything with his oral marks? Nothing. Well, he had the talent and skill and willingness to listen and write and look all at the same time, and when his handwriting got messy he had to revisit it anyway and learned it even better. Why should he not make the best of it? All the while he could help his friends revise for class tests as well. It's a win-win situation.

"Wooyoung-ah," teacher Choi stood next to him where teacher Kim had left from the desk, startling him even though he had caught the movements briefly. Teacher Choi looked at him, surprised by Wooyoung's reaction. "Is everything alright? You look pale," he said and swiftly touched the back of his hand to Wooyoung's cheek and neck, "Are you getting sick? You're ice cold." Wooyoung stumbled away half a step, he felt like everything went at double speed yet he crept behind. Teacher Choi looked so strange and unfamiliar. His fringe was shorter and straightened out and brought out the shadows of his sharp features. His eyes were boring into Wooyoung's, but they didn't seem as bright as usual, his brows were drawn together and accentuated by two creases in their middle that were reaching into his forehead. His lips were drawn tight, not soft and plumb. Wooyoung's stomach cramped over an empty pressure that almost climbed out his throat, and he swallowed, "Yeah," he pressed dumbly and turned to take his seat, only Mingi was already sitting in his corner next to Yeosang, smiling happily.

What?

"Alright, take your seats, recess is over, guys," teacher Choi called behind him and limited his options. Oh. Wooyoung walked into the second last row and squeezed through the narrow space to the last seat. "What'd he say?" Yunho asked as the teacher started setting up the smart board with the original test from the week before, announcing they'd work through it together. "Nothing," Wooyoung whispered as loud as he could muster. He prayed after a morning like this today would get better.

Throughout maths class Wooyoung tried to put his hand up and answer as many times as he could, but teacher Choi only called on him after every other answer was either wrong or took too long, taken from his remark that he had planned to be done after twenty minutes to move on when they had only thirty minutes left of class. To be fair, teacher Choi also switched up the tasks and made up add-ons if the solution seemed to come easily, so that might have had something to do with the time-issue. By the end of it Wooyoung recalled many equations and results and almost felt like a deja-vu as his hand moved on its own, but he didn't dare to hope his test results were the same. It was an uneasy mixture of hopeful confidence and hateful denial. Nothing around the test made him believe he actually got a good score. The teacher's reaction and their behaviour afterwards, their remarks. Maybe teacher Choi only proved to Wooyoung that studying a lot and solving exercises didn't always get him his full score, sometimes you can be good at something and still fail at other times.

"Do you have a power-off button? You're like a ticking bomb," Yunho asked and tickled his arm and thigh until his hand came to purposely rest on his knee, only the absence of his motion made Wooyoung aware he must have been squirming and bouncing his leg. "Sorry," he chirped quickly and instead started swaying side to side with his shoulders. "Alright, everyone. I know you don't like to hear it, and I feel bad for saying it, but analytic geometry isn't going to grow on you easily, so I got a bunch of exercises for you to try out until next year. It's- I know, I know, I'm sorry," teacher Choi tried to fight against the chorus of groaning and complaints as he handed a thick stack of papers to Yeji in the first row to pass them through, "They're not mandatory, but we'll have to get right into it after Christmas break since we couldn't get the introduction done properly today. We'll do that on… Let me check - not tomorrow but on Wednesday, since we probably won't get anything done on Friday morning. Settle down for another minute, please… Our class on Friday is scheduled as is, but I'll prepare something easy going that will still be accountable as a lesson, and then your next class will be cut at half past ten for preparations and the set-up for the Christmas assembly. Got that?" A few hands sprung up in the air while whispers erupted, "Will you be there as well?"

"Do we have to bring our scripts?"

"Can't you just mark us all present while we sleep in?"

"When will we write the next test?"

"Shut up, Renjun."

"We just had one, what you saying?"

Teacher Choi laughed softly, "We'll get to all of that tomorrow and on Wednesday," he looked at his wrist watch and also the clock above the door, "Alright, you rascals, lunch time."

"Oh, I'll starve," Mingi groaned sadly when they entered the cafeteria and saw the queue of people waiting for food. Yunho and Yeosang laughed, "No come on, we'll share," Yunho assured him and hooked their arms together. "Let's take this table," Wooyoung chimed in and abruptly stopped, pointing at the table to their left. "But Yeonjunnie and Changbin already got our table," Mingi said and stood up on his tip toes to confirm his assumption. "I don't want to sit in a big group today. They're too loud." Yeosang eyes him suspiciously but then smiled at Mingi, "You're right. Let's sit here today," and led the way towards the usually empty area next to the doorway leading to the schoolyard and gym.

"Is there a secret plan you mind to share?" Mingi asked rather pointedly as he opened his bottle of ice tea and inspected Yeosang's and Yunho's sacrifices to him. "A: I think Wooyoung's really a bit bouncy today and needs to calm down, and more importantly B: behavioural experiment. The teachers just walked in; let's see where they'll sit," he smiled devilishly. Wooyoung pouted like he had bitten sour candy, "I don't want to see them," he whined and let his face fall into his hands. "Okay, sorry, we'll go somewhere else," Ryujin grumbled in response, making Wooyoung look up. He recognised her face but couldn't recall a lot about her, only she hung around Yeji during dance club. The other boy next to her also looked familiar, but Wooyoung couldn't even call him by his name. Jongho giggled and rounded the table, but let the girl slip in first to sit next to Yeosang, leaving the other boy to sit next to Mingi. "These are Ryujin and Jeongin," Jongho introduced and they smiled at them, "We're doing a group assignment over Christmas break, so I might have to ditch you sometime." Wooyoung couldn't care to listen; instead he eyed Yunho's and Yeosang's lunches, but only playfully imitated munching instead of actually accepting Yunho's forkful to try. "Come on, it's good," Mingi promised. "Can't," Wooyoung admitted a little regretfully. His stomach was all over the place since he left after the test. Even before the test, but that were his usual nerves. After the test his stomach went crazy, and even looking as the mix of vegetables and meat made him want to throw up.

"Hi there, do you mind if we join you again?" Wooyoung looked up and certainly the teacher couple came to stand behind Mingi and Yunho. Wooyoung looked over to his friends and then just somewhere on the table top. He wasn't in the mood for friendly conversation with them, but also not in the mood to argue with his friends or make a scene in front of their two newest additions. Yeosang took over and nodded eagerly in courtesy of his mouth full of food. Yunho, whether he did it for Wooyoung or unintentionally, moved over for Mingi and Jeongin to follow, making space for the teachers at the far end away from Wooyoung. "Hello, I didn't know you were all so close across classes. How do you know each other?" teacher Park opened and politely engaged with the younger students as well. Something more and more sour bubbled up in Wooyoung's mood, and teacher Choi's attentive eyes didn't soothe him. He looked more relaxed than in the moments before class that had burned a memory in Wooyoung's brain. He had looked not quite shocked, not quite mad, but overall not happy. But Wooyoung had been right, his had cut his hair a bit and it smoothed out the blow out looking wave that usually framed his face. The shorter cut gave him a more serious and strict look, more practical as well, he guessed. He was cruelly reminded that he had been staring again when the maths teacher caught his eyes and winked. What was up with that habit, anyway? All those hot-and-cold kind of things didn't help his nausea. "And you, Wooyoung?" teacher Park called, but Wooyoung had missed the actual question. He looked back up to ask when his phone rang. "Oh, excuse me," he said and stood up to move away a few steps. If he had looked at the caller ID sooner, he would have considered to decline it.

"Hello, mother," he picked up expecting but not ready for her updates. "Wooyoung, yes, I'll be leaving for a little work trip down to Daegu soon and I'll probably come back some time on Friday, but I'll call you about it. Boah is already in Thailand, so you will bring and pick up Kyungmin from kindergarten because Hyejin-ah is also taking time off from tomorrow for the rest of the year, God bless her, what a mess she's leaving me with again. And kindergarten also told her this morning that they'll be closing on Friday sometime around noon, probably earlier. I left cash and a card for you that'll get you through the week. If there is an emergency you can ring the neighbour's door and they'll take care of it, I just got them an early Christmas gift so that's settled. Anyway we'll talk when I'll be on my way back, alright. I have to hurry. Don't call me," she blubbered relentlessly, leaving Wooyoung gasping for air and ignored his answers with practised ease. Leaving today? That probably meant she was already out and about. Boah-noona was away with her new husband and Hyejin-noona was off, too? Maybe he should have asked Yunho and Felix to pray with him. This day was going horrible. If mom left until Friday, and Hyejin also was not available, and kindergarten usually closed around five in the afternoon, Wooyoung would have to leave class early tomorrow- And around noon of Friday? He wouldn't be able to stay all throughout the Christmas assembly then either. Only if sometime on Friday implied in the morning, but even then Wooyoung knew his mother well enough to rest assured she wouldn't blink her eyes to get Kyungmin. He sighed deeply and let his head fall back.

This woman…

Whatever. As long as she's out of his hair.

He straightened up and stretched his arms over his head and let his hands fall on his scalp to ruffle through his hair and down his neck until it spiked pain for a hot minute. When he sat back down an awful amount of eyes was on him. "Sup," Yunho asked. He spent too much time with Changbin and Yeonjun. Wooyoung frowned, but by now his face might have just become frozen like this. "I might have to ditch dance club tomorrow," he announced, mostly because the realisation had settled in just now. He didn't only have to leave class early, he wouldn't be able to come back either. He couldn't leave Kyungmin alone for so long especially on a school night and especially not if he had to bring Kyungmin to kindergarten the next morning. "What? But it's the last dance practise before the assembly. What will I do without you there?" teacher Choi exclaimed. Wooyoung sighed, he expected a lot, but not this reaction. "I'm sorry, my mom made plans," he said.

"But I already thought about our outfits," teacher said with an audible pout, causing a few heads to turn between them. Wooyoung shyly shook his head no, "Sorry, it's- I have to get my brother. And I won't make it back in time. I'm sorry."

"But we worked so hard. And- and I practised dancing at ho-"

"I said I'm sorry! I didn't choose this," Wooyoung snapped, louder this time now that they sat on opposite ends of the table. He felt his heart jumping against his ribs and his eyebrows were twitching, "My mom made plans of her own and she just told me," he repeated slowly. Hadn't the teacher heard him the first time? His lungs worked on their own, sucking in a deep breath and forcing him to relax lest he popped a vein or something. His fingertips tingled and he felt awfully tired all of a sudden. "Sorry," he added plainly after one too many moments of silence and got up, heading for the main hallway. "Where to?" Yeosang asked but didn't try to hold him back, "Dunno, just gotta move," Wooyoung whispered next to Yunho before he cracked his hands, his neck and rolled his shoulders. "I can dance with you, teacher." Wooyoung's head whipped around as he heard those words just in time to see the girl cock her head in a girly-flirty manner. "No?" he barked as he passed behind the teacher couple, "I'll be there." Her eyes widened in shock but she composed herself quickly, challenging him matter-of-factly, "You just said you can't come." Wooyoung scoffed, "I said I might have to ditch dance practise tomorrow. That doesn't mean I won't dance with him," he rebottled easily to wipe the unimpressed smile off her face and rejected the intrusive thought of putting a hand on teacher Choi's shoulder. And because teacher Choi apparently also didn't want to dance with Ryujin, he added, "I wouldn't come to practise tomorrow without Wooyoung either. I'd take the evening off and we'd reschedule." Wooyoung shallowly gasped, genuinely surprised at the blind loyalty, even more so when the teacher turned back towards him, lavishly letting his left hand land on teacher Park's thigh while his right elbow stayed seated on the table top. "Exactly," was all Wooyoung said before taking his leave.

Once he was out of the cafeteria he felt like he finally reached the surface after being too long under water. He knew the group chat was already exploding but he actually needed a few minutes to rebalance. He speed-walked down the hallway to the next door outside, he side-tracked the schoolyard, went back and forth and in circles where the ground seemed dry, but came back inside literally a few minutes later when his fingers became numb from the icing cold. He should have brought his jacket. The fresh air was quiet and still aside from the sounds of steps on the few patches of snow-sodden ground. Inside he took his phone out clumsily and skimmed the text messages.

Yuyu
Care to explain, Wooyoung-ssi

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
What just happened

What your mom say

Mingi Mangi
wooooowwwww jealously suits you

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
What plans

@Mingi Mangi
Jealously suits you
The teachers like it too 😜

Yuyu
I hate to admit it but that was kinda cool

They are  ✨gushing ✨

I've only seen teacher Park floored like this once before and that was today after you left his class

Young-ah you broke them😂😂

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Jongho says their faces were phenomenal

And he asks why hes still not in the gc      

Yuyu
Come back, they're worrying already

Mingi Mangi
Did you say smthg about htem last week or so

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
They ask if you're mad at them☹️

What should we say

I said the usual stuuf

Yuyu
Grades and holidays, the things normal people care about you know

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Youngie theyre onto youuuuuu

Into

Stop lying youre also into them kkkkk

Oh

My god

Mingi Mangi
Whaaaatttttttt

Jus happend omg

Whar the hellllll

Yuyu
😂😲😂😲

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Jongho for president 🎊🎊💪💪

Yuyu
@Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Jongho for president 🎊🎊💪💪
Gosh you two are just as bad

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Ryujin wanted to bitch abt u

But Jongho was like

You know…

Theyre not into girls right

Mingi Mangi
Jongho boss 😂😂😂

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
@Yuyu
Gosh you two are just as bad
Leave me alone

Somebody has to be happy here

Yuyu
😂😂
Wooyoungie please come back, I'm scared

Mingi Mangi
New Wooyoung-mood unlocked: possessiveness

Do it more often

Ryujin left

Come back

She left the teachers here for you

Were on our phones theyre lonely now

They keep looking at the door man

Theyre waiting

Comimg

Dont embaeads me

When Wooyoung came back into the cafeteria most students had already left and the food was put away from the serving line. The air was stuffy and smelled of grease and sugary drinks. He bee lined for their table, as foretold the teachers were still with them, but Jongho's friends had both left which Wooyoung took as an invitation to sit next to Jongho's left side, across from the two men.

He felt the tension rise as he joined them and tried to silently reassure Yunho and Mingi that he was fine again. With the teachers… He didn't know. Should he say something? He only snapped at teacher Choi, their semi-fight from last week still looming over his head, and then he almost bit Ryujin's head off. He would have loved to. But Jongho had apparently given her a much needed reality check. Who was she to flirt with his teachers? He dared to sneak a glance, or a few, until he got his eyes under control, and texted his mother a few follow-up questions as an alibi. She wouldn't answer until the evening if at all. He felt Jongho lean on him and, knowing his habit, showed him his phone screen to let him read the messages. "Is she leaving over break again? Are you coming over? I'll tell my parents," Jongho concluded but Wooyoung shook his head, "It's just three nights and… Well, she told me in advance. The biggest problem is," he sighed and looked up to teacher Choi as he slumped his shoulders. This would be fun… "Teacher," he called out cautiously, to which both men immediately looked at him with big eyes, "Uh, ah- teacher Choi, I might have to leave your maths class tomorrow a bit early. I have to pick up by brother and the kindergarten closes at five." Teacher Choi nodded and seemed to think of an answer but never looked away from Wooyoung. His gaze was sharp, just like always, and it made Wooyoung's feet twitch again. He was falling further and further on their bad side; no wonder they thought he was mad at them. "How much earlier? If its's just a few minutes, it won't be a problem," he offered kindly instead. Wooyoung frowned. He should look up the schedule for public transport. "Can't Hyejin-noona pick him up, and then bring him over to your house?" Yeosang added from across the table. "Hyejin is on time off as well. Even after Christmas," Wooyoung corrected as he typed away on his phone. "And Boah-noo- Ah, honeymoon, right? My mom can pick him up," Yeosang then offered. Wooyoung worried his lip. Could he really ask that of her? "Are you sure? It'll be really late until I can take him back."

"Then you'll stay the night at our house, no problem." Wooyoung grimaced. There were exactly two people in the entire world that Yeosang would drop and do and rearrange anything for: Jongho and Kyungmin. "Come on, Sangie, your mom is busy. Your entire family is going to come visit again, right?" Yeosang shrugged, "So? That's like, uh, three people. She can use some help."

"That's no- Why do you keep enslaving my brother?"

"He doesn't know his rights," Jongho added plainly. Mingi laughed but disagreed, "He loves to be with us. He told my mom he's always bored at noona's place because all the other children are much younger and he can't play with them."

"Is Hyejin-ssi your sister, Wooyoung-ah?" teacher Park chimed in clearly invested. Wooyoung halted; he almost had forgotten the teachers were still there. "Ah, no, she's a childminder. My mom pays her extra money because she usually doesn't take anyone his age. But she picks him up and takes him to her house when our other- our mother and I can't pick him up." He nodded and hummed, glad he didn't reveal they basically had two nannies, what would they think of him?  "How old is your brother? May I ask?" he followed up. "He's five," Wooyoung answered with a bit of hesitation, "He'll start school next year."

"Why don't you guys settle it on your way to class and then talk to me tomorrow," teacher Choi ordered as he and his boyfriend stood up, "If you can't make it, after all, we'll just meet up another time to practise." He was smiling, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes. Was he annoyed? He sounded annoyed. And Wooyoung hadn't thought he was serious about rescheduling. But now he had to plan that, too? "Of course," Wooyoung answered dumbly just before they left. "See you. Have a nice evening," teacher Park wished them goodbye politely and waved as they took off, which his friends enthusiastically returned. "Oh shit, we have to hurry," Yunho shrieked as he looked at the time, and Jongho also jumped and ran off in panic.

Socio class was fine, not too impressive, but interesting enough to keep Wooyoung's mind occupied. As predicted his mother didn't respond to his texts where she was going and if she would send the principal a note that he would have miss one of his classes and probably leave early on Friday. As soon as class ended he texted Hyejin to clarify today's and tomorrow's schedule. He could pick him today and bring him to kindergarten in the morning, so actually they wouldn't see each other before Christmas, so Wooyoung wished her happy holidays and sent greetings to her family.

"So, what's the plan?" Yeosang asked him again as soon as they left school. "Hyejin's completely off. Do you want to come pick Kyungmin up today?" Yeosang gasped in faux shock, "Why would you ask me that? Of course I will; Kyungminnie will be disappointed if I'm not there." Wooyoung giggled at his friend's rant over his royal status as Kyungmin's favourite brother and also called his mother after they finally got off the bus to Mapo-gu; demonstratively verifying the possibility that she'd pick the boy up tomorrow and let him and Wooyoung stay the night to Wednesday. "You're amazing, Yeosang-ah," Wooyoung mumbled, looking down at his feet as they walked their way to kindergarten. "I know," Yeosang mused, bummed when Wooyoung didn't return his grin. "Hey," he nudged his friend's arm to make him look up, "You're amazing, too. Doing all this… on your own. Taking care of your brother like a single parent while you're still in school. That's some god tier effort." Yeosang's words were honest and his eyes sparkled; Wooyoung hated it. He shrugged and gave half a grin, "Thanks," he said, because anything else wouldn't be accepted, he had learned. "And you got all of us on your back, oh my," Yeosang noted Wooyoung's discomfort, and for once didn't discuss it, "We suck, like really! If you don't take the teachers, at least hook us up with them, come on." Finally Wooyoung laughed. Fully and honestly and from his chest, not just his lips.

To Yeosang's growing ego, Kyungmin called out for him first after they went inside and asked one of the caretakers to send for Jung Kyungmin. That's what you get as a big brother, huh? "Do you want to visit Yeosangie-hyung tomorrow, Kyungmin-ah? Auntie can pick up and we'll have a sleepover, hm," he prompted and got his brother instantly excited. They left together in the direction of Wooyoung's house. Yeosang decided to join them for their walk, even though he could also take the shorter route without them. On the way Kyungmin was busy looking at the Christmas lights on the street lamps and in people's windows, and also made plans with Yeosang about tomorrow food and what cartoons to watch. "You're the boss, Kyungminnie," Yeosang saluted on the last crossroad leading to Wooyoung's house, "I'll see you tomorrow." Wooyoung hugged his friend good bye and said goodbye with his brother, "Bye bye, Yeosangie-hyung, good night, see you tomorrow." Wooyoung used the last few meters of their way to enjoy not being inside their house. As promised he found a stack of cash and a credit card on the counter with a neatly handwritten card about the neighbours and their number. It was the elderly pair next door. They had two dogs, those terribly ugly rich people breed; Wooyoung felt sorry for them every time he saw them out on a walk, but they were nice in general, so he didn't say anything. Next was the fridge, nicely stocked with fermented vegetable, eggs, plant milk and vacuumed meat. They'll be fine for a few days, and he wouldn't even be here after tomorrow morning. He prepped dinner and tomorrow's breakfast and lunch so the fresh produce wouldn't go bad; mom would kill him. Why did she even leave so much money when she had another grocery delivery? Maybe she forgot to cancel it? Whatever, they'd never use up all that- Cash… She didn't specify what it was for, right? Was- was he wrong if he took it? He could put it in his savings account. She would never find out; she never checked receipts or anything, just asked if it was enough. He left it where it was as they ate dinner and watched a few cartoons before Wooyoung sent Kyungmin to get his pyjamas and helped him get ready for bed. "Good night baby, are you comfy?" he asked again and again, checked the nightlight, the curtains, and wardrobe, and the thermostat, "Good night, little brother. See you tomorrow."

He tried to ignore the money while he cleaned up and only looked at it again when he was fully done. He'd put it in his wallet to have to on hand if he needed it throughout the week. And whatever was left, he'd keep.

Chapter Text

San woke up dreamily, coddled with warmth between soft smelling sheets and Seonghwa's fluffy hair tickling his nose. Did his seniors really need a maths class first thing at eight on a Tuesday morning? Surely they could do without him. He sighed and blinked in surprise when Seonghwa giggled and moved to lean over him. "You can't skip school. You're the teacher," he smiled down, but San only pouted. He might have had a few complaints lately, so much Seonghwa already knew his inner works by heart. "Good morning," he whispered instead, and welcomed Seonghwa's lips in a sweet kiss. "Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?" San nodded. "Have you been up for long?" he asked in return after he yawned and stretched his arms to the sides before he reached for Seonghwa and feel his sides and his arms and chest. "Just a few minutes. But your alarm is going off any minute now, anyway," he gently explained and let himself enjoy the touch. He loved to be touched and praised for his looks, only he didn't like how it made him appear superficial. But it was the perfect excuse for San to show off his massage skills he had learned; his mind automatically brought up the memories of their first few dates, the first few touches and the sparks it ignited. Now he had Seonghwa's ever handsome body all to himself, and neither needed to be shy about their loving gestures. "Blueberry or kimchi pancakes? Kimchi? And fried eggs?" Seonghwa asked quietly, breaking the silence that had stretched between them, reading San's mind again. "I love you," is all San could say. One day… one day, he had already promised Seonghwa, one day they would run off and get married. Seonghwa really was the best. He was perfect. More than anything San could wish for. Seonghwa winked before left their cocoon of bedsheets and blankets after a parting kiss. "No carrots! Please."

San jumped under the shower just for a few minutes to wash the sleepiness off and tried to think ahead for the day. He had a PE lesson just before lunch break, and depending on his students he might need a quick rinse afterwards. The showers at the school's gym sucked, he never felt really clean afterwards. But he had another lesson afterwards and wouldn't want to sit through anxious and hormonal teenagers while smelling of sweat; and then there was dance club today. He'd save an actual deep cleaning shower for when he was done with the day and staying home with Seonghwa. 

He came down to the kitchen smelling spices and coffee, scoffing at his belt while he was still adjusting it. He sneaked up behind his boyfriend and surprised him with a little kitten bite on his ear. Seonghwa shriek and jerked away, "Sannie, your hair is still wet." San laughed and apologised with a cautious peck on his lips. "It's fantastic, I don't have to blow dry for an hour when it's short like this," he ruffled through the strands and tried to flatten out the little part in the back that started to stand out due to the direction it grew. Seonghwa didn't comment as he flipped the small pancakes out of the pan without tearing the fried egg apart that seeped in between. "There you go," San came up next to him again with an extra cup of coffee for him. "Sannie," Seonghwa gasped softly, "I already have one, it's on the dining table." San pouted as he double checked. "It's okay. I'll reheat it with the steamer and drink it later. Thank you, my love," he added seeing San's dissatisfaction. "Later when?" San said but went to pour both of them a glass of water at the table, and saw that Seonghwa's first coffee was about half full. "My first class is before lunch break and then one afterwards… I should try to get Tuesdays off completely. Or maybe I can go for home office," Seonghwa thought out loud. San agreed and came to plate their food when Seonghwa turned off the stove and loaded his cooking utensils in the dishwasher. "Come sit with me," San took him by the hand when the other wouldn't stop fussing over smaller and smaller things in the kitchen, "Thank you for the food," he smiled and waited for Seonghwa to eat first. "This is delicious. What did you put in it? They're really the best," San cheered, but he noticed Seonghwa seemed more and more reserved. "I think it's the kimchi. I got another brand this time. It tastes fresher, right? More crunchy. Cut it into smaller pieces, though, you're leaving crumbs everywhere."

After they finished with a calm quietness between them, San sat with Byeol in his lap, mindlessly scratching and petting through the thick fur, and watched as his boyfriend slowly sipped his coffee. It was probably ice cold by now. "What's on your mind, love," he finally called. "My Tuesdays are so useless. I only teach two classes, but I can't really do much more than the usual chores or… go for walk, read, because they're in the middle of the day." San nodded. Seonghwa liked to clean to be healthy – at least that's what he said; San believed it was latent mysophobia - and to relax to be healthy as well, but he tended to turn both into chores so much they became part of his stress as well. Even a slow day with only two classes couldn't provide time off if it was scheduled like this. "And you have a packed schedule on Tuesday; you're gone for more than twelve hours, so I can't possibly leave anything for you do. So… I'll write an email or see if I can catch the principal in person to open the discussion… But he might ask me to teach Physics regularly because the other teacher sucks. Quote, by the way," he immediately gestured sassily towards San when he was about to remind him of his own principles. But… Seonghwa wasn't immensely happy at the time, so he was allowed to sneak a few bad words.

Unfortunately San couldn't lift Seonghwa's spirit all too much before he had to leave, but let himself be pampered and bundled up in a thicker coat, scarf, hat and gloves to ease Seonghwa's mind for the moment, he guessed, and waited to roll his eyes until he was out of sight. As soon as he was out the door, his boyfriend would fuss around the house and deep clean something until he got dizzy from the fumes. Health, my ass, San thought to himself from time to time, but Seonghwa vehemently disagreed with any utterance that included phobia or coping mechanism, so he let him be. Of course not without wanting to mention his fair share of therapy and seminars and more than uncomfortable confrontations, but still, it wasn't the time to bring it up.

His first class was with one of his senior classes. Luckily he got the introduction to analytic geometry done quite fast even only because they weren't quite as enthusiastic with questions about the matter. Nonetheless they worked through a few tasks and he also handed out the worksheets to them like he did the day before with the promise that they weren't necessarily mandatory. His second period was also maths with the younger class; in fact, the one with Choi Jongho and Shin Ryujin. Just the thought of the girl made him take a deep breath; he hadn't told Seonghwa before, but the previous day hadn't marked the first time she tried her luck. He didn't pay her any mind, really. Why would he? Jongho-ssi had made a good point to her and a lot more well-mannered than San could have done. It only really clicked now, but Jongho on his own just wasn't as outstanding as when he was with his older friends, and San wondered yet again how they came together. Choi Jongho was so reserved and well-mannered during his classes, also good grades, but with the seniors he was quite mischievous and easily matched their banter. Shin Ryujin's eyes sparkled, and in some twisted manner her heart eyes caused a feeling alarmingly close to disgust in San's gut. He hadn't dared to seriously bring it up to her, but he felt quite offended when she blatantly asked to dance with him – right in front of his very famously known boyfriend. He initially assumed she did it to spite Wooyoung, and since Wooyoung's immediate reaction as well as Jongho's correction afterwards made her leave quite quickly, he concluded the matter was off the table. Not for Ryujin, it seemed. She called him over during their exercises and, being the caring teacher he was, he had to go and check in. "Teacher, will you be there for dance practise later?" San blinked once, genuinely surprised and annoyed as well, "Are you done with your tasks?" he answered instead. "Yep, I wrote extra neatly for you," she smiled proudly and showed the papers to him. Neat writing indeed, but, "You used the wrong formula. Try to reverse it, you'll get it then." He left her mouth hanging open and moved on to another student. Sometimes he wished he could go on and say he'd rather separate boys and girls schools again, and the hormonal teenage girls were the main reason. Well, he couldn't deny he was probably in her position once or twice as well when he was her age, so maybe he shouldn't be so strict about it. It still got on his nerves. On the same note, though…

"Are you getting there?" he approached Choi Jongho and Kang Chanhee, and almost turned away when he caught sight of their note books. The pages they were seemingly working on were a mess with smudged ink and many scratched and scribbled side notes and a few non-class related… drawings. "Yes, now we're onto something. We got it backwards first, but I think we got it," Chanhee answered as he obviously wrote more clearly now that San was watching. Jongho nodded along but couldn't resist bragging, "I told you. Wooyoungie-hyung explained it to me eight hundred thousand trillion billion times." San smiled at the familiar bite; also at the poorly hidden intention to bring Wooyoung into the conversation. He might as well take the bait, "How is he doing by the way? Have you heard anything from him?" Jongho nodded eagerly, "He made plans for the evening and made breakfast and lunch packages for us because his fridge was full of food," the boy bragged with happiness. "Two meals for your entire group; you're like ten people, aren't you?" San asked, making Jongho's eyes widen. "No? We're regularly… five people with Wooyoungie. Hongjoong-hyung is sometimes with us but since he has to work all the time he can't make it when we're at school. And most of the others, hm, Yeonjunnie-sunbae and Changbin-sunbae, we all get along but we're not that close. And Seo Changbin," Chanhee nodded before Jongho could finish, "He often makes fun of Wooyoung-sunbae, I heard that, too. From many people actually," he agreed seriously as if they were conspiring together. Wow, Wooyoung was really popular amongst the students, so many knew something about him even though they barely interacted with him. "So," San thought how to put his next question, "Wooyoung made plans for the evening; he won't make it to dance practise, then?" Jongho's eyes widened for a moment, "Ah, no, no. He'll come. He made plans so his brother will be taken care of. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding." San waved him off, he was more than happy to hear Wooyoung would be there. "His mother travels a lot for real estate business, you said, right? And then he stays at your house? I think I heard somebody say that." Hopefully he didn't seem too eager to find out; it had to make him look suspicious to chat during his own class like this. But as he looked around the other students actually kept going back and forth with their scripts and notes, so they were still working well. "That was one time last year. She went away unexpectedly and chang- Uh, there was an issue with their house at the time, about- uh, the electricity or something… and they couldn't stay there. So I offered him and his brother to stay with me because everyone else was on vacation, too." Interesting. When Hongjoong mentioned it a few weeks ago Wooyoung seemed a bit too upset about electricity issues, not that San was one to judge. "Well, his mother is not just any real estate agent. She likes luxurious houses and high value clients, especially for entrepreneurs and vacation homes for companies, like when music labels send their singers somewhere to shoot reality content. So she likes to take time or just make a personal vacation out of it. There's usually no long-term planning ahead involved, more short-notice projects." San nodded. A real estate agent for big money clients, huh. That could mean Wooyoung's family was well-off. But Wooyoung never seemed the type for luxuries and over the top antics that he would expect. San welcomed it when another student raised his hand, and since it was the third time already they stumbled upon the same problem, he declared they'd work through the task together. His next class was PE, so he had a good reason to leave a few minutes early again. Phew, Seonghwa would rip his head off if he knew.

But Seonghwa knew. At least when San walked into the teachers' lounge to grab his sports gear, and Seonghwa was there. "Oh, hi," he greeted with an immediate lift in his spirit. "Hi. You're early," Seonghwa chirped with a look at his wrist watch, but welcomed San with open arms and a peck to his cheek for as long as they were alone. "You too," San deflected and sorted his paperwork. "I always am. You just ended your class early again," Seonghwa concluded with no bite, though. Bossy. "My next class is PE; I have to set everything up." Seonghwa only smiled at San's pout, as if he had been caught stealing cookies again. "I know. I brought you a snack because you have a long day," he said and handed San a lunch box. San gasped silently and smiled. "Thank you," he cheered cutely and rewarded him with another kiss, "You take such good care of me… Did you catch the principal?" Seonghwa shook his head, "I did, but he's busy with the Christmas assembly. I told him it was about my schedule and work hours, but he said he can only prioritise that talk if I'm open to more classes," he pouted at San sympathetically, "I don't want to teach younger students. But there's a chance I'll have to take over at least the senior's Physics classes sometime next year. Teacher's pregnant. They'll try to hire a new one, or else they'll have to change the schedules." San grumbled with sympathy. It was the exact opposite of what Seonghwa had initially applied for. "More classes with Wooyoung?" he offered helplessly, making Seonghwa break out into a laugh, "He's going to kill us." San shrugged, "We're just teachers, after all. We don't really have a choice either. And if he still won't talk to us, that's mainly his decision, so," Seonghwa seemed only mildly soothed by the answer. San was harsh on that issue, of course, but if they knew Wooyoung well enough by now, they were positive he wouldn't cause much drama if only for the sake of his grades. But sometime throughout last week his mood has shifted extremely from class to class, so he seemed somewhat unpredictable as of now. They didn't dwell on it for long before San had to take his leave with an unsure plan to meet for lunch if he made it in time.

Unfortunately his junior students were little rascals again; really full of energy and very determined that he had to join their team to even out two missing players. And they were good. He actually had to run quite a bit and watch his steps more than he'd like, so he ended up taking a quick shower in the gym's facility, after all. He texted Seonghwa he'd make it quick, to which Seonghwa replied with a vague description of his location.

You know where I am

Okay, apparently he knew where he was. Hm, passive-aggressive, are we? In hindsight, of course San knew where he was; seated with their favourite group of seniors. "Hello," he greeted happily and cheered when Seonghwa opened his lunchbox for him as he sat next to him. "If you keep leaving the shower with wet hair, I'll leave you to die when you catch your next cold," Seonghwa scolded him with a soft voice. San frowned, "I didn't leave you to die when you were sick last weekend. And I massaged your lymphatic nodes away." Seonghwa was unimpressed by the argument, "Right, you were really sweet. But I actually caught it from being out in the cold even though I was wearing a hat and a scarf. You'll get it from being reckless; and I promised I wouldn't let you be reckless." San smiled, "I made promises, too." Seonghwa only stretched out his hand towards him, showing off his unadorned fingers this way and that, "Size ten fits me well." San swiftly caught and brought his hand up to his lips, leaving a chaste kiss on it. Seonghwa, now clearly impressed, pulled it back and tried to hide his reaction, but his face turned lovingly red. Only when he thanked Seonghwa for the food again and turned to take a bite, he remembered a group of teenagers surrounded them, and certainly enjoyed the PDA. Then he also remembered what Jongho had told him.

"What you got there? I heard Wooyoung cooked for you," he peered across their table and saw, "Kimchi pancakes?" Mingi pushed the paper plate towards him, "Have some, Wooyoung-ah makes the best." San deflated and looked at Wooyoung with guilt filling his chest, but the student's face was blank. "I can't. I already told Seonghwa he makes the best," he explained, earning barking laughs from silly teenagers of course. "It's okay. Try them, I also did," Seonghwa leaned into him. "I'll say yours are better," San whispered back, but Seonghwa just chuckled. "If they're better than mine, Wooyoung-ah just has to teach me his recipe," Seonghwa sing-songed, a hint of teasing in his voice, and he raised his eyebrows when he caught Wooyoung's eyes. Wooyoung barely reacted, instead he seemed to expect San's professional judgement of his skills but tried to hide his nerves; he held eye contact, but calmly shifted as he checked San's verdict, still blank. Usually San wouldn't mind, but by now he assumed it was a mask Wooyoung had crafted, and he might have become a little too curious to see what's underneath it. As he chewed on the pancake, he really tried to pinpoint every last aspect of their taste, the different ingredients, the texture, and nodded in approval. San had expected them to be spicy because of their bright colour, but they had a subtle sweetness to them. He looked at Wooyoung first for a moment, but slowly turned to Seonghwa and received a wink. "Go ahead; eat more if you want... You like?" he prompted and San eagerly nodded, taking another bite with his cheeks still puffed out. "That's too bad," Seonghwa sighed, making San frown before the grand revelation, "They have carrot." San's hurriedly covered his mouth as his jaw dropped in shock. He inspected the pancake in disbelief and he felt close to betrayal from all sides, "What? No. Where? You- How did you-" He looked up at Wooyoung, expecting him to deny it, but Wooyoung only – finally – broke his act and sprung up and held his hand out uselessly, "What? What! Why? Are you allergic? Teacher," he asked increasingly louder as he almost comically leaned across from where he sat and reached for the food still in San's hand. "Wh- Hey, Seonghwa-yah, what- What will I do now?" San asked distraught, merely amused by Wooyoung's reaction, "Teacher! Will you die? Did I kill you? Hey," Wooyoung panicked, San thought he was going to jump on the table to get to him. He caught Wooyoung's hand easily just to make him stop fussing, broke into a smile as his student froze on the spot, and  let him go again, "I'm fine, Wooyoung-ah, don't worry," and cleaned up a few crumbs and the grease from his fingers. "Well, Sannie, you have to marry him now," Seonghwa shrugged like he just reminded his students of their homework. The boys' heads snapped around in shock synchronically. Seonghwa nodded at them, as if he just revealed a crazy conspiracy theory, "San told me, if I get him to eat carrot willingly and he likes it, he'll marry me on the spot." San tried to check Seonghwa's underlying mood. Still passive-aggressive? Was he mad? Was he annoyed? Hurt? "Teacher, you can't marry Wooyoungie. It's not legal in Korea," Mingi said dumbly, Yunho chuckled, "Yeah, that's the main hurdle they weren't aware of." Mingi nodded decisively and tapped his friend's arm, "I would marry you if I could. But we can't." Yunho and Jongho giggled together, "You already thought about it?"

"I'm not the only one. Yeosang would take Jongho in a split second."

"What did I do?"

"You know what you did," Jongho answered Yeosang accusingly, adding a mischievous wink to increase Yeosang's confusion. It gave San a little flash-back. Was this just a running gag? You know what you did?

"But then I'll be alone if you all marry each other," Wooyoung frowned. "No, no, we got it. You'll marry the teacher, didn't you listen?" Mingi repeated. "Uh, I was listening when the teacher's boyfriend said they're already engaged," Wooyoung answered quickly, but of course that didn't stop his friends. "But the boyfriend just said it. You're now engaged to the teacher… By proxy… And- uh, the boyfriend also mentioned there's no ring on his finger." Wooyoung blinked in shock when Mingi boldly pointed at Seonghwa's hand and, to San's shock, Seonghwa went along by showing his hand again. Otherwise San found it quite amusing to listen to their arguments again. They casually brought up their apparently accepted affinity for Wooyoung, and even suggested he should give in already. San just couldn't decide whether it was a good sign or not.

"Just marry both of them."

"Just not in Korea."

"Just to annoy Ryujin, actually. She's been hogging him. It's worse than any drama Mingi's ever told me about, really," Wooyoung perked up at Jongho's report, "Yeah, sure. I'll just marry them out of spite." Yunho nodded, "I wouldn't even put that past you." Jongho was seemingly proud of his logic, "And- And maybe they'll pull some strings and help you with a scholarship." Only Wooyoung pushed back, his disinterest morphed into something akin to anger. "Uh- Have we met? I don't need a teacher to buy me into culinary school. I've been taking all my classes apart to get into the top ranks. I don't need anyone to bribe anyone. I'll do that all by myself."

San secretly turned to Seonghwa while the boys' banter started anew, "Did you just whore me out?" Seonghwa winked as he stole another pancake from San's lunchbox, "You like it sometimes." Seonghwa then made the call to get back to class since break time was almost up, and made San pack a few things of Wooyoung's food and kimchi pancakes to take them back home, despite Wooyoung's protest of no bribing, and insisted San should eat enough around his workouts, "You could join our biology class now if you don't believe me. Neuromuscular junctions and ATP synthesis," he suggested when San sighed. "I believe you. I've taken nutritional science and biology classes as well." The students were quick to complain, though, "Why do all teachers start a new topic just before Christmas break. First a ton of tests, now this," Mingi muttered as he shoulder his backpack. "It's so you keep worrying about school instead of letting you enjoying your time off. It's the only thing that gives us teachers any joy," Seonghwa sassed. San smiled but also looked his boyfriend up and down. Still passive-aggressive then. "What's got you so moody today?" he leaned in and whispered. "You know exactly what," Seonghwa allowed another moment of affection and softly butted his head against San's. "Is there anything I can do for you right now?" Seonghwa hummed unenthusiastically, "A trip to Australia."

San walked Seonghwa to his class and went on to the teachers' lounge. A few other junior teachers were there, chatting lightly but didn't necessarily bother when San tried to join in two or three times. Whatever. He had stuff to do, anyway. He took his laptop from his locker and checked his classes and materials with the calendar and outlined the next three to four months until classes were officially cut for exam season. He also had to update the missed-out times in the students' files. Hm. Jongho said Wooyoung would make it to his class and all, but it never hurt to check, right? San opened Wooyoung's file and skimmed his record. He had a glowing streak of five whole semesters with perfect performance already. His grades, extracurricular courses and overall behaviour didn't have one bad note on them. San frowned in concern. He hadn't watched as closely before, but during the few encounters he had with Wooyoung more or less alone, Wooyoung had definitely displayed a few signs of… well, at least something very close to active self-harm. He was barely eating in general and also pinched and rubbed his own skin until it grew visibly red and irritated.  It made San think anxiety or depression. High-functioning at that. San sighed and shook his head; at this rate Wooyoung would work himself into the ground before he hit his mid-twenties. All on top of a mother who liked to leave him with a five-year-old, apparently disregarding of care labour options - or rather because of that? San's heart sank. Wooyoung's behaviour suddenly came full circle; he was academically high-achieving with endless interests and talents and hobbies; it probably came from non-stop performance pressure that had turned into a vicious cycle of burn-out and occupational therapy. And then there was the emotional constipation as Seonghwa liked to put it.  San found it weird how they had missed so many details even after they got closer to him. He seemed a bit shocked to find out they liked him, and also hapless to give a proper response; but something must have happened last week that triggered him into a worrisome ambivalence. He would almost jump them about one thing, and then act like he had never seen them ever before, rinse, repeat. San couldn't remember anything about Wooyoung being seriously rude or snappy before.

San closed the file. At the end of the day they weren't babysitters or therapists. Seonghwa had tried to reach out to him directly but Wooyoung had refused to acknowledge it. And if Wooyoung had a personal problem with them, he'd have to reach out first to address it, because passive-aggressiveness barely worked on them anymore. It had cost San hours upon hours to detach himself from his projections, and he wouldn't give all that hard work up for Wooyoung. They weren't even really friends; they were teachers and he was their student. He and Seonghwa had agreed if Wooyoung didn't make a move on his own, they wouldn't make one either. They had approached him and made their position clear, so it was up to him to accept it or not - well, it seemed Wooyoung wasn't exactly sure what he wanted either. Until then, they had to keep up with the reality that he might not be seriously interested in them after all. Of course there were more factors to it; he was still in school, worried about grades and exams and his little brother. They couldn't possibly turn those facts against him. He didn't have the capacity for a literal three-way relationship with his actual teachers. Maybe they got it all wrong. They should tell him let's pause and wait until he's all done and out of school. But Wooyoung was young and had at least an idea of what he wanted to do after graduating, so he might actually be all over the country; and knowing his personality, San assumed Wooyoung wouldn't ease up on his efforts then either.

San sighed and rolled his shoulder. It got him all worked up to think ahead through so many possibilities. He wouldn't dare to say it out loud, but he might regret approaching Wooyoung so spontaneously, just a little bit. They should have - Whatever. It's over already. But the uncertainty might get to him soon.

He worked through his list of absences, closed all files and turn his laptop back off to put it away. He had almost ten minutes left until break, and then much longer until his own class started with the seniors. But Seonghwa was in that class right now, so he packed up and made his way to their classroom. He pondered if he should be a menace and just walk in while Seonghwa was still teaching, but Seonghwa hadn't been in the best mood today, even though a little playful during lunch, so he waited until the door open from the inside. "Oh- Hello teacher Choi," Hwang Yeji greeted in surprise but quickly pulled her friend along, making way for him to strut towards his boyfriend.

Seonghwa's eyes slightly widened and he stopped sorting his papers, looking San up and down as he came to a stop at the teacher's desk. "Hi. I uh, saw you from over there and- Do you come here often?" Seonghwa broke into a smile but looked away to hide his reaction. "What?" San smiled politely, proud to have him flustered. "You're awful," Seonghwa giggled and slapped him with his stack of papers. San let his bag drop to the ground and sat on the edge of the desk. "You got any plans for the rest of the night?" Seonghwa pouted cutely as he packed up and shook his head. "Regretting all the decisions that brought me here." San chuckled, "Not all of them, right?" he added and subtly pointed at himself. "Teacher," San turned and found Wooyoung, like a feral cat in an unfamiliar alley, looking at him with wide, attentive eyes rimmed by dark circles. He hummed and smiled, although he had to force it a little bit, leaning slightly towards him to signal he was listening. "I'll stay until class ends. I could arrange something, and I will also be joining dance practise… If you also want to come- Or we can- We can also- If you made other plans, we can also find another time- If that's fine with you. I'll figure something out, since-" San lifted his hand to shush him when Wooyoung looked like he was suffocating mid-sentence, "It's alright, alright. You made sure to be able to come, so I'll also be there. Thank you for letting me know." San relaxed back onto the desk and meant to turn his attention back to Seonghwa, but Wooyoung stood like he had grown roots. Don't, San warned himself, Wooyoung had to do it on his own. "Did you want to say something?" he prompted and caught the little breath Seonghwa let out. Benefit of the doubt, he reasoned. "Uh, no," Wooyoung stuttered haplessly and backed up with steps so tiny and unsure San's heart made a little jump. But he said no. "Alright," San smiled again and nodded, this time really turning back to his boyfriend. They exchanged a few thoughts with their eyes. Seonghwa looked around the room cautiously and whispered, "He looks at us like we're about to take his head off. I'm starting to get offended." San looked out of the window, and took in the reflections. There weren't many students left.

"I have another few hours with him, I could say something." Seonghwa shook his head as he shouldered his briefcase, "We don't really have the highest success rate with that. Or any." That was more true than San liked to admit. "Well, aren't I sort of engaged to him since lunch? I have a right to know what's going on." Seonghwa gasped both in shock and to hide his amusement before he locked in again with fierce eyes, "Listen, if I'm not your first spouse, you will have none at all, mister."

Later on in Wooyoung's maths class he did as promised and covered the basic theory and terminology of vector geometry. At least he tried. Admittedly adding a little arrow above a letter shouldn't be the most challenging part, and admittedly they wouldn't have it much easier with more theoretical background knowledge, but also admittedly, their Tuesday maths class at ass o'clock in the darkness of winter was merely for the record. No one wanted to be here. Maybe in spring it would be better, but today it rubbed San the wrong way. He put in honest effort to make it easier for his students; the tasks, the lessons, the preparation for the exams. He even let them have snacks and drinks as long as they weren't too noisy – the least they could do was to listen instead of sighing loudly and obviously paying attention to anything but him. Bless Wooyoung for these days, because he was essentially the only one who helped San not to go insane during his ninety-minute monologue – okay, maybe seventy-five minutes give or take. 

"Woah, it's snowing," Seo Changbin suddenly cheered and pointed out the window, to which the students shouted in glee and marvelled at the weather. San huffed and also took a sip of water to centre himself. Ugh, fuck off. "Okay, then let's try this. Uh, exam says," he took his pen to write on the whiteboard, "Uh, did the snowflake S land on the," he looked out of the window as well, trying to make it realistic, "canopy C? Uh," he added four coordinates he knew by heart to make the canopy a tilted plane. "You see, instead of two coordinates we have a third one now, and therefore we can – or have to – consider the three-dimensional perspective. If we only use the x and y axis to calculate something like the snowflake landing on the canopy, you can easily make it out just from looking at the coordinates. The x coordinates represent borders, and if the x coordinate of the snowflake falls in between, then yes, of course the snowflake will land on the canopy, given we ignore physics and all," he tried to talk slowly and in synch with his half-hearted sketch of a x and y axis, a line to represent the canopy and a simple point from which he drew a straight arrow down to the line. "Now that we have the third axis z though," he switched back to his bigger drawing, "we can tilt our view and see even if from this first perspective there's no doubt, the snowflake could actually be way back here- or in the front like here and solely by comparing the z coordinate miss the area C of the canopy. Don't say area in analytic geometry, we say plane. And they can also be tilted, and we can describe movements and directions in a three-dimensional room… Changbin-ssi, when's your birthday?"

"Uh, in summer?"

San turned to give him a deadpan look, merely because he couldn't help himself in time. "Tzuyu-ssi, when's your birthday?" he asked more politely, and the girl smiled, "It's June fourteenth, teacher. I'll be nineteen, then." His smile vanished immediately as he wrote the numbers as the first and third coordinate for the snowflake, then looked around the room when Wooyoung raised his hand with furrowed eyebrows, "Yes, Wooyoung-ssi, what's-"

"Doesn't tha-"

"Your waist size?"

"Huh?" Wooyoung's face crumbled into even more confusion while his friends broke into laughter at his rough tone. "Uh, seventy-five-ish, I think," he stuttered unsure. San tried to hide his smile while he added it as the middle coordinate, feeling embarrassed for the lack of a more fitting word, "I'm sorry, did you want to say something?" Wooyoung hesitated, "I meant to say… Actually, doesn’t seventy-five for y in point S already exclude it from the plane now?" Smarty pants. "Why would you say that? Anyone," San asked instead, addressing the entire class. He just explained it, so anyone should understand.  Wooyoung raised his hand again, more ambitiously this time. "Changbin-ssi?"

"I don't know, teacher."

"Try."

"Why me all of a sudden? Wooyoung's head will explode if you don't let him answer," the boy snapped, and San almost, almost, snapped back, but he licked his lips and bit his tongue. "Wooyoung will be fine for another thirty seconds, but you were so excited about snow in the first place. Now is the snowflake on the canopy, yes or no?"

"Yes, I watched it when it landed there." San held his gaze. His stupid, shit-eating grin with his arms crossed over his puffed up chest. Oh boy. Clenching his jaw, rolling his shoulders and jerking one eyebrow, San took an audibly deep breath before he set his knuckles on his desk to level with the student. "That's your second strike, Changbin-ssi. You think you're being funny; you're really not. If you mouth off to me another time, I'll mark you absent and you're free to go and piss your name in the snow for all I care. Got it?" The other students were deadly silent as Changbin visibly deflated. He corrected his posture, his lips tight and eyes wide as took a pen to take notes, "Yes teacher. I'm sorry for being rude." San released his posture, "Wooyoung-ah, why is the snowflake not on the canopy?" He spoke softly as if nothing ever happened. Wooyoung looked back and forth between him and Changbin two or three times before he cleared his throat. "Um, the biggest y coordinate of the given points that mark the plane is fifty-one, so seventy-five for y implies the snowflake landed at least twenty-four units away from the canopy." San smiled proudly and turned back to the board. "Exactly, very good. Now, this is a rough sketch of what the plane would look like, in the exam you would of course draw it properly with a sharp pencil and a set-square, or I'll hunt you down in your dreams because," he turned back to the students, "I will grade your exams  first, and then there will be at least one more teacher from an entirely different school who grades it as well to check I'm not being soft on you and handing out points like candy. And if you hand in something like this – That would make me look bad. Don't do it." He finished the sketch in silence, but he could hear pencils scratching on paper. At least they were more partaking now, even if it took a ridiculous amount of scolding and joking. Maybe he should start being stricter in general. But after all he lost them again by the time he explained the absolute value bars that they needed to build the equation to check if the snowflake did really land on the canopy. Well, mathematics posed a few tough battles, and most of these students really weren't God's strongest soldiers. San was as relieved as the students when he called the end of class; less than five minutes early, mind you. Only dance practise was left now.

He didn't bother with the students this time. Seonghwa was right; he was away from home for more than twelve hours, spent about eighty percent of his time with snotty teenagers, and barely had any energy left to entertain his boyfriend by the end of the day. Instead he put his binders and bag in the car and even parked it closer to the gym. Although the snow from before hadn't stayed long, the windshield was a bit frosted, but he made it safely across parking lot. H sighed but grabbed another few bites of his lunch left overs. The kimchi pancakes were soggy and almost fell apart by now and only now could San also find the carrots in them. More like the pulp; Wooyoung must have used a juicer or something. Hm. Even if it had been fun to bring up his promise to Wooyoung, Seonghwa's were still better; solely because of the carrots, of course. Seonghwa had brought up marriage a few times today; he had always dreamt of a big festival with all sorts of decorations and a fairy tale set-up. San pursed his lips and he tried to think up something to surprise Seonghwa, and as he made his way to the gym he looked up a few travel destinations with promises of relaxation and holiday-attractions.

He already felt more exhausted after their greetings and warm-up than ever before. E really might have to drop dancing, if only because of his schedule. Otherwise he might really enjoy it. He could find another class for sure; maybe he'd check out his gym's courses. Hoseok-ssi didn't drag the warm-up out a lot, saying he'd rather let them focus of their performances for the assembly and help out with details. He scanned the crowd again too check what Wooyoung was doing and only now noticed they hadn't talked since after class. More like, Wooyoung hadn't even looked at him. Back with his nonchalant act, then? Hm. It really didn't help San's mood now. The boy looked like he was dreading it as he approached San, looking down at the floor and fumbling with his shirt. "Where d'you want to go?" San asked flatly. He usually wasn't one to let his mood override his manners, but today, after this class, he just didn't have the energy anymore.

"There," Wooyoung whispered and walked ahead towards the corner with the wall bars. San followed quietly while he opened the music app on his phone to have the song ready. "Have you thought about outfits? Honestly I wouldn't like to go too extra. But something a little chic? A blouse maybe and dress shoes, right?" Wooyoung nodded as he set up his phone as well, but San had to look up and check, otherwise he would have missed it. Hm.

San felt stiff and tight in ways he never had before as they got into position. The atmosphere was entirely off, uncomfortable and disconnected even. The first round was as awkward as San couldn't have ever imagined. Around the part-switch Wooyoung didn't look at him, and to San it was utterly wrong. It was part of the performance; not doing it was like a completely wrong movement. For the second time San just closed in and crouched deeper, passively forcing the eye-contact – Wooyoung even turned his face. San stepped away immediately. This wasn't it. "What's up?" he couldn't help it through his heavy breathing and watched as Wooyoung took a few useless steps, turning this way and that, clearly conflicted.

"Trouble in paradise?" Hoseok-ssi approached them with a curious but expecting smile. "We're good," San deflected swiftly and added a smile when the dancer stayed and crossed his arms. "You know, these performances aren't mandatory. If you're not happy with what you got, you can of course, keep practising, but you don't have to do it on Friday." San nodded. He caught the covert suggestion that they'd loosen up, this wasn't a graded class, and focus on dancing for the sake of dancing. "I see, thank you. But we're fine," San repeated tightly even though he could sense Wooyoung behind him pacing like a caged tiger. "Alright, but let me give you another insight. As a dancer and an idol, I have had many partners and trainees. Especially in groups and pairs, chemistry is a key for an authentic presentation. And- I don't mean to overstep, but – chemistry doesn't always last. Sometimes it needs some time to flourish, and sometimes it vanishes. That doesn't mean you're bad dancers and that the performance is bad, just, sometimes it's not a match. Don't hang yourselves up on it. Take it easy," Hoseok smiled subtly as he explained, apparently trying to be sympathetic, while being gently honest at the same time. "We're fine," San nodded but didn't smile this time. "I'm just having a rough day, is all, teacher," Wooyoung stepped up next to him and slightly bowed to the idol. "Thank you for looking out for us. We'll learn a lot from you." San resisted to roll his eyes but it made Hoseok-ssi leave them alone. Ceasing the moment he swiftly caught Wooyoung's hand before he could sneak away and tugged him to stand face-to-face. "Seriously, what is it? Talk to me," he whispered and turned them so Wooyoung had his back to the rest of the hall. "It's nothing," he whispered back, still avoiding his eyes. San gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "Come," he only said as he led Wooyoung out to the hallway, not letting up on his grip for even just a second. He could feel Wooyoung's pulse in his fingers and also the slight resistance as the boy let himself be dragged around the corner. San halted and turned to look at him again. "Wooyoung-ah, please. I'm saying this with all the empathy I have, but I will also say it just once," he swallowed and sighed, taking a few extra seconds to prepare the right words and tone of voice. His own heart beat also picked up. "Look, I'm not blind. I can tell something is bothering you, and after a couple of days I can also take notice that it has to do something with me. But – and I honestly mean this in the most gentle way – I as an individual believe for as long as you don't talk to me, it's not my problem. It becomes my problem, though, when I already approach you about it, and you lie to me." He paused, giving Wooyoung time to process as he saw the boy didn't engage more than before. If anything his mind was withdrawing; his face slacked, his eyes looked glassy and thoughtless behind his fringe while his hand lost tension. "And I need you to understand that although Seonghwa-hyung and I like you, it doesn't mean we'll accept just anything. We've been together for so long, and if you're not interested or it doesn't work out otherwise, we will not fall apart. We really don't want to force ourselves onto you; we just need you to communicate properly. And for both of us individually but also as a couple the main pillar for that is honesty." His voice slightly trembled and his fingers sizzled a bit. He hated confrontations like this when he was just talking to himself and had to gauge his opposition and raise a reaction out of them. He put a lot of effort into being calm and understanding, but like this just became angrier, and maybe a bit disregarding. "And if I can tell, several times even, that you're not honest, that's a deal breaker, Wooyoung-ah. You don't have to tell us everything all at once; there are just things you might not want to talk about, but then you say just that. Don't lie and say everything's fine when it's clearly not. I tried to reflect on my behaviour, but I don't think I've done anything wrong or anything to hurt you, but if you are hurt or offended, then it's also your responsibility and your decision how to deal with it. But you really don't want to pull me out of all people into some kind of petty silent treatment. You come and say, hyung, look, this and that wasn't nice of you or I felt bad when you said like this and that, whatever, and we'll talk it all over and establish a common ground and boundaries to make sure we both understand each other better and won't repeat it. We want to be happy, and we want you to be happy. If you're not talking to us – or lying to us - then we have to take it for what it is, and that's a signal that you're not interested and the cue for us to leave you alone. And that's fine, we're not going to chase after you. Seonghwa and I have been very happy before we knew you, and we will be without you as well."

He quickly suppressed a hiss; that last sentence was too much. He shouldn't have said it like this. Damnit. Wooyoung looked like he was punched in the gut and ready to throw up. Pale and shaking. His head was bowed in shame, but San could still see he kept chewing his lips and biting his cheek; the tension in his hand was back to subtly tug his hand out of San's hold. But he didn't crack.

"Wooyoung-ah, I want you to talk to me. I've told you how I feel, but I won't beg for your attention. If you don't try to work through this with me now, I'll go back home and let Seonghwa-hyung know we aren't taking this any further." Finally, sadly, Wooyoung's façade broke with a heavy sob. San caught a tear rolling down his cheek just before Wooyoung's free hand shot up to cover his mouth, while his other hand suddenly tightened around San's. Fuck. San didn't let go, though, he tilted his head to try and catch Wooyoung's eyes – he was still looking down and blinking rapidly to will the tears away as he forced deep breaths through his nose. San used his thumbs to rub the back of his hand to gently redirect Wooyoung's attention, and lifted his other arm to offer him more contact. Finally – fucking finally – Wooyoung looked up through big, glossy, red-rimmed eyes; desperate for anything akin to comfort. "Take your time, I'm not done with you," San whispered with an honestly hopeful smile and decisively pulled Wooyoung's hand closer to himself, leaving it to him if he wanted to close in all the way. His breathing stuttered until it became more shallow sobs through his mouth. If San had to describe it he would say Wooyoung's posture was lax like he had been drained, but his eyes foretold his mind was filled and racing beyond his capacity. "Baby," he called softly, proud when Wooyoung's eyes snapped up immediately, "What do you need, hm? Talk to me." Tears welled up in his eyes again; his insides must have been screaming and burning, but it seemed more and more that Wooyoung simply didn't have the tools to articulate. He either withdrew or snapped. "Hug? Fresh air? Scream?" San assumed giving him some idea of his options would help. Wooyoung blinked, zeroing in before he looked around swiftly, towards the main hall, then towards the door outside, then his eyes were all over San's face, his neck, their hands still locked. San almost gasped, but chuckled when Wooyoung slowly leaned in, letting himself fall against San's chest. He cooed, breaking their hands after all to wrap his arms around Wooyoung slowly, finding the position they melted together in a blink. Wooyoung's face warmed up his neck immediately when he breathed into his skin, his hands needed a minute to find a way to hold on. "You got this. I'll help you," San whispered and rubbed slow and firm circles where he held him. Wooyoung was tense, actually, not at all relaxed and slack. Still not done, then, San concluded. "I'm sorry I was mean. I really didn't want to hurt you. I want to to scoop you up and cuddle you whenever I see you, but I just had to get this out of the way. I think- The way you behaved the past week made me think you were feeling really uncomfortable or angry with us. We want to know why, but you haven't said a word. It doesn't sit right with me to let things like this hand in the air until we just pretend nothing happened. I don't forget these kinds of situations. And then I become petty and- I really don't want that." Wooyoung weakly grumbled but tightened his arms like he was trying to morph into San. "Baby," he whispered again, this time closer to Wooyoung's ear, if only to feel his reaction, "I still need you to talk to me. I'll hug you for the rest of your life, but I want answers. I just need to understand what I did wrong, and then I'll make sure to never do it again, alright."

Wooyoung drew back, breaking the hug but his hands found their way into San's. "I'm interested," he whispered barely audible, but his eyes were huge, scared almost. San nodded as he held eye contact. "Alright. Good," he whispered back and smiled, hoping to encourage Wooyoung to keep going. "I thought you were mad at me. And- I just kept being stupid," he pressed, embarrassed and ashamed if San had to call it, but the revelation was really anything but what he expected. "What? I wasn't mad at you. Why would I?"

"'Cause I messed up the test… And then I picked a fight," the tears were back, but Wooyoung didn't try to hide them anymore, he just fought himself through it.

"The test? The- the maths test last week?"

"Yeah."

San never had to pay so much attention to controlling his face as right now. "And… uh, after that?" San winced; this felt even more delicate and raw than his monologue. "I was rude. And I wanted to apologise but- On Thursdays we don't see each other and after class you were already gone and then it  was too late anyway, but then teacher Park was also mad and he didn't even come to band practise and- and then yesterday- I snapped at you and today you got so mad during class gain." We gasped through the explanation and San had to concentrate to make sense of it. There was so much to unpack. "Alright, alright, I see. Listen, we got to talk through these things one by one, I'm afraid. Let me say in advance, none of this was being stupid, okay. Don't talk about yourself like this. We'll figure this out. What made you think I was mad at you?"

Wooyoung frowned as San answered and sniffled, "I submitted the test too soon, and then I picked a fight over it after class." San tried to remember, "When you asked to see it? I was a little bit… Well, I didn't want to start any blatant favouritism. And I didn't want you to think you'd get any special sympathy as a student. You still have to earn your scores, I can't do that." San smiled empathically; Wooyoung had been really upset. Had that been the kick-start? Oh boy… "And you said you messed it up? How come?" The score had been perfect as expected. If anything he had probably thought faster than he could write and had to scratch and rewrite a few parts. "You kept asking if I got everything, and then when you handed it back you didn't even look at me. And then- On Friday you said that I was petty about my score. And also- then teacher Park- Yesterday we wrote a Chemistry test and he mentioned it! He usually repeats the rules - that's normal - but he's never said anything about submitting the tests too soon. I swear," Wooyoung said like San had conspired against him. Hm? "Okay, for my part, it was just half-time. I know you're good, but that was really fast for what I expected. And… yes, I mentioned it to Seonghwa-hyung, and he actually checked-in with the principal- It's alright," Wooyoung gasped in shock. Yes, they had taken his little outburst to the upper league, but not because Wooyoung had been anxious about it. "Listen, it's alright. There really weren't any specific rules about a case like this, so Seonghwa double-checked. I just said I can't hand it out before because – well, I personally think that'd be unfair, you know… But you're fine; you didn't get any trouble for it, did you?"

"And my score?"

"What about your score?" He had full score. What about it? "What; you wanted more points? I couldn't give you more even if you would deserve them," San giggled, but Wooyoung didn't join. He looked horrified. "Wooyoung-ah, you got full score. I wouldn't mess with your score even if I had been mad. Like, really, who would even believe you genuinely didn't reach full score? Let alone your friends would… do something to me if I tried." Wooyoung fidgeted a bit; he didn't seem one bit happier. "You weren't mad?"

"No. Really, I wasn't."

"And teacher Park?"

"Why would he be mad at you?" Wooyoung wasn't just anxious; he was tapping into paranoia at this point. "'Cause… On Friday- In class – you know what? He looked at me three times. Three. I wanted to participate extra well, but then he caught me talking to Yeosang-ah, and then- He didn't even call on me once. And then he ditched band. Why would he do that?"

San pressed his lips together; at this point it was almost cute that he was fixated on them. Almost. It was also making concern bloom in his chest. "Because in class Seonghwa covered the basics that he was going to ask in the test, and he knows you very well exceed those basics. And he had also caught a bit of a cold and his throat was sore. He was lying in bed all weekend and barely talked. I promise it wasn't because he had a grudge against you."

"And Chemistry yesterday?"

"I wasn't there, I can't speak for that. But hyung told me he's never seen you like this… What happened?"

"The test was fine and when I was done he also asked if I got everything… Of course I got everything. I would never dare to hand in something that's not perfectly done. Why do you keep asking me that?"

Ah, now they were getting there.

"Because we have to. We, speaking as a teacher, we don't have to check. But some teachers are nice and give you a last chance to check, just in case. It's nothing personal."

"It starts feeling personal. Even teacher Kim talked to me and said I was distracted, and I really wasn't! Just because I couldn't answer once. I said I don't know, and he still called on me. And then he called me after class and said something that I was losing interest and about setting priorities… and- that's jus'… If I want to do more- I can't. Everybody has a problem with it – They always come to me for anything- really, and then they get mad when I give them an answer. And if I have one bad day and I just can't – like I'm just really tried, then I have to get my priorities straight? What? He said I should tell my teachers or they would give me bad grades." San nodded as he let Wooyoung ramble; his heart hurt when his voice started to tremble with doubt and desperation and tears shone in his eyes again. San remembered yesterday; he had just walked in while Inseong-ssi was still talking to Wooyoung – come to think of it Wooyoung had seemed really lost and lifeless after the teacher had left. Had he told Wooyoung he was performing badly? That must be a serious trigger for Wooyoung. "Yeah, I noticed with your friends… They can be… a lot." He really didn't know how to comfort him now about the pressure though. "You've excelled all your classes and made it look so easy, now everyone forgets you're working really hard… You're just a kid. It's really unfair, hm," he let go one hand and brought it up to wipe away the tears from Wooyoung's cheek and uselessly tugged a few strands of hair behind his ears. His hair had grown out a bit and fell in unruly strands into his eyes, but it looked nice on him; even Seonghwa liked it when he'd usually prefer neatly styled hair. Wooyoung leaned into the touch like a starved stray cat. "You actually were mad at us, then?" he noted belatedly.

"Huh? No?"

"From what you said, I could take you really don't like it that people keep doubting or undermining you while we should really know how important your grades are to you. Asking if you're sure you followed all rules and submitted your test correctly set you off." Wooyoung blinked at him in surprise. "You got it twisted. We weren't mad you."

"But- I can't be mad at you. You're the teachers?"

San chuckled, "So? Of course you can be mad at us. Getting double-checked is almost like an insult to you by now."

"But I thought you were mad." San shook his head gently and had to stop himself from laughing. Wooyoung's world was just upside-down. "But what if I get mad and give you an attitude. You almost ripped Changbin's head off earlier."

"Changbin is a little shit." Wooyoung laughed in surprise. "Teacher- What? What  are you saying?" San tsked, "Come on, he's so full of himself and a bully. I've heard how he talks to you. And well- today… He was really rude to me after I really tried to make this class easier for you." Wooyoung nodded quickly, "It was really good. And then you got mad at him and I didn't know what to do."

"You didn't need to do anything. I was mad at him, if anything he should have come to me and apologise properly. Actually, I'm entitled to let his parents know, but I really don't think he'd change. But he'll have to deal with his grades by the end of the year, not me, and not you. You take care of yourself. Because, on a side-note, your waist is definitely way below a seventy-five. Be good to yourself, you're straining yourself and I'm not convinced you're aware of your limits."

Wooyoung didn't look convinced.

"What?"

The boy shrugged, but had calmed down a lot. "It's- What you said before. I get this urge to run and hide when people around me are angry. Or just disappointed. When I know I should have done better. Whe I know someone's in a bad mood, even when I didn't do anything. If you're angry, who knows, what if I say something wrong at the wrong time?" San worried his lips. Should he say it?

"Listen, um, you don't know that, but I sort of take offense with things like this." Wooyoung eyes grew big. "It has nothing to do with you. I've done lots of work to keep calm and manage myself when I'm angry, so I won't lash out at just anything. You couldn't have known that," he cut Wooyoung off before the boy could pull back and apologise for nothing. "I've had some… trouble when I was younger, but, also with Seonghwa-hyung, I'm better at it now, and I really don't want you to worry about something like this. It makes a lot more sense now that you've said it; from what I've seen I assume you tend to withdraw when you expect a fight. So if you feel like I'm angry or angry at you and you get scared even, I need you to tell me. I need to know it and I want us to work through it together. Separating won't help either of us." Wooyoung had his big eyes on display again like San had asked him to butcher a rabbit. "Promise?" he prompted, but before Wooyoung could answer the door to the hall opened and San quickly let go of Wooyoung. The boy also whipped around to find Hoseok-ssi peeking around the corner. "There you are," he cheered, "I already thought you had left. You're good? Got the chemistry going again? I thought I lost you." Wooyoung nodded quickly and answered sweetly, "Yes teacher, thank you." San had half a mind not to make a face before he left calling them back as well.

"I don't like him," he mumbled when Wooyoung looked back at him. "He can be really tough. I've watched, like, all of his content and stuff when he was mentoring at his own company or a judge for survival shows. He really pushed the trainees to high standards from the beginning and sorted the bad ones out. He always said if you're having fun, it's good, but if you're not struggling, you're also not changing." That didn't sound like the best philosophy to project on teenagers. "Don't listen to nonsense like that. You shouldn't glorify struggling. If you want to change that's good, too. But if you're only always struggling, it means nothing is changing. Struggling doesn't make you successful. Overcoming a struggle does. And that means it'll get better until you can safely push yourself more… Whatever. Come on, let's go." As soon as they walked back they linked their hands again as if they had done it a million times before, but it only took a couple of steps until they halted. "Sorry," San breathed, "We're good?" San asked, looking down at their hands and back up, internally preparing to let go. "Yeah," Wooyoung smiled back, "Promise."