Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

San was going to punch a hole in the wall an minute now. Today was terrible and it just didn't end!

He ran late in the morning, burned his tongue on his coffee, spilled it on his dress shirt - in class -  he had to ask Seonghwa to bring him something to change into.  Then work sheets flew all around when someone "had to" open the window even though it was stormy outside - work sheets for different classes - and that bastard didn't even help to pick them back up, making him late again, and now he had forgotten his keys in the teachers' lounge and he only noticed when he was already halfway to the parkign lot.

He rolled is eyes almost instinctively when he heard students laughing. Oh, shut the fuck up already and go home.

"No, Wooyoung would die on the spot if they did. Just imagine," one said, and San found the voice familiar, but especially zeroed in at the mention. Wooyoung? He slowed down as he reached the students' lounge, instantly focussed.

"He would never meet a teacher outside of school, he's way too stuck up for that. And "they're already established. They're boyfriends." San didn't need to see to know the boy was mocking Wooyoung. Who were they?

"He would never shut up about it!"

"He should though! I swear, he doesn't even shut up now; but - he's "not even crushing" on them, remember?"

Teachers, boyfriends, crush? That meant Seonghwa and him! San couldn't help but stop and peek inside. The two boys were upper grade students, the very pretty one with a birthmark next to his eye, Kang Yeosang, and one of the twins, Mingi or Yunho. Right, they were close with Wooyoung. He had taught their class for a while but he still confused their faces.

"Now, you guys," he alerted them of his presence, "It's late already, you should be headed home. The caretaker will lock you in." He looked at his wrist watch for an alibi, then back up at them.

"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.

Immediately around the corner he stopped, hoping they would go back to their conversation.

"He's really charismatic," the tall boy repeated and trailed off.

"I see why Wooyoug fell for him," the other answered. "I heard one of the younger students was being so annyoing that teacher Choi threw a piece of chalk at him and it left a bruise for a whole week... Jongho says he's usually playful, though." San winced, he remembered. That kid had it coming, though, San had given him a warning.

"How do you think he got with teacher Park? He is so strict in comparison... Maybe they both hate children? Teacher Park only teaches seniors, too." They both laughed. At him?

"Not just in comparison. He just is really strict. Wooyoung says he's a clean-freak, too... If Wooyoung gets with them, they'll all just bully each other," they laughed. "Oh my God, wait, we really have to keep the realisitc focus here: if Wooyoung gets with - even just one of them -, he has to get the exam drafts."

Oh, of course. San chuckled at their sillyness, and maybe worry a little bit that rumours could have started if anybody else had heard them. He had half a mind to step back inside and tell them they were no bullies. He couldn't help to correct one thought in his mind: 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 earlier half 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 false allegations if he doesn't give you the final exam draft... And if he says yes, you still have to get them," he instructed seriously before he left with Mingi and Yunho. "He has a boyfriend," Wooyoung grumbled to himself. He should have never said anything. He waited until most students were out before he took his bag and swung it over his shoulder as he walked up to the front. Teacher Choi would either praise him for his contribution to class, or tell him he wasn't doing well; but it had to be quick, Wooyoung had a feeling the physics teacher didn't like him lately, and he didn't want to anger her more. "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? Teacher Choi usually hurried out to the gym on Wednesdays.

Oh no. His grades were dropping!

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

Teacher Choi chuckled. 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 next to 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- That- so close!

"Actually we had sort of an ulterior motive. 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 reached out for his hands. Teacher Park was hovering behind him like a shadow. 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. A what?

Anticipation settled heavily on Wooyoung's chest. Breathing was hard, his heart was racing, and he could feel his blood rushing and heating his face. "It 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. He hadn't even thought of that! 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 a 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. 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 with sweat.

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 surprise, 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 liked 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 out, 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 name in surprise 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 anything 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 tightly. He must be so late for class already. The physics 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 convenience and bent to 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 harassment. 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, breathing heavily. “Oh, um, Wooyoung-ssi, we’re sorry. You're right, this really wasn't a good way to approach you.” Switching tactics 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 nonsense. Didn't come clean mean to tell the truth? Yet no word of his friends' plan to embarrass him again. Wooyoung frowned, 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 tips 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 nothing to it that they could possibly reciprocate. 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 it evidently impressed while they had been working on something 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 together 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 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 like you, but we'll- not- We'll keep it to ourselves, 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 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 cotton again. Physics class would suck. “If the teacher says anything, blame it on me. Say we discussed some extra homework you submitted 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 beating 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 tongue. "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 at a private high school, after all. These kids were snotty anyway. 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 a secret agenda of his own interest. “Wooyoung-ssi, could you spare me another minute?”  The boy blinked at him while the twins groaned behind him, “But it is pizza-day. Don’t worry, Youngie, I’ll save you a slice,” one of them patted Wooyoung’s back and left with the rest of their group. 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.

“Is there a problem, teacher?” Wooyoung offered politely, but he was tense and unable to keep looking at him for long. Maybe he shouldn't; Wooyoung had deflected their first approach, but he had seemed mainly overwhelmed; so San wished he had merely not had the mind to notice, while Seonghwa said this might actually be his answer and they should take it. One more try, that's it.

“No, I wouldn't say that. I'll try to be quick. Did you check your pocket last week?” he held the note hidden in his hand. He just realised giving it to Wooyoung twice wasn't the smartest move. "What pocket?" Wooyoung asked quietly after several beats when he only raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“I gave you our numbers,” he said; 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.

“My pocket?” Wooyoung repeated in surprise and instinctively padded down his coat even though it wasn’t even 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 remembered 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. He sighed quietly and nodded. What was he supposed to say? Seonghwa could handle things like this better; all he could tell from Wooyoung’s frown that he was frustrated or embarrassed. "Well, then I'd like you to have this," he smiled and held out the note. Wooyoung stared at it in surprise, inspecting it silently. Maybe he recognised Seonghwa’s handwriting; but he only looked back up with a blank face. “These are our phone numbers, Seonghwa hyung’s and mine. We weren't sure if you were shy and that's why you didn't text. Or maybe you just didn't notice, so I wanted to give it to you openly.” He paused when Wooyoung didn’t signal any understanding, and he also didn’t take the note. “We thought we really took you by surprise so maybe it'll just take a day or two to settle, but by the weekend Seonghwa figured we scared you off and you also wouldn’t have messaged us even if you had noticed, but I didn't want to believe that… Well, you have been pretty out of it, though. At least from what I’ve heard,” San explained which caught Wooyoung’s attention,

“You’ve heard? Wh-where - What have you heard?”

San blinked at the random pick-up. “Just some colleagues said you were quiet lately. You know we also talk about students sometimes,” he chuckled to diffuse the tension. “And usually all of the teachers are like a fan club for you, because you always perform amazingly, and that just needs to be said, Wooyoung-ah, you can be very proud of yourself. So we were a bit worried when you seemed so drained, almost. You still got all your assignments and participated from what I've heard, but your energy sort of slipped suddenly.” Wooyoung’s eyes grew big and glassy; his eyebrows even started twitching while he seemed entirely frozen. “Are you okay?” San asked, taking back the note and reaching out for Wooyoung. “Wooyoung-ah?” San got a hold of his arms and directed him to lean against the table top behind him so he wouldn’t fall.

“Wooyoung-ah?”

The new voice startled San, rough and guarded, but he barely had to turn before one of the tall boys came rushing in. Had he waited by the door and listened? Did he see? “What happened?” he asked instead.

“I don’t know,” San stammered, unlike himself, “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 like last week 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?” he 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 he sort of slipped since a few days ago,” he repeated, anxious as to what his friend would be able to take from it. Now San could tell it was Mingi; his features were sharp, and the tousled hair made him look even rougher. He paused and turned to look at the teacher.

Usually San wouldn’t budge at a student giving him an attitude, but Mingi was quite a bit taller and the protectiveness dripped from him so much San felt incompetent. “You told him his performance slipped?” 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 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, 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 watched it like a movie scene. The whole interaction meant a lot; he just couldn’t say how deeply rooted it was. Wooyoung was not just performing well because he wanted to, but because he was actively afraid of failing. San thought he 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 Yeonjun and Yeosang and Jongho and Hongjoong and Yunho and Changbin 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. San was dumbfounded that it took so much convincing to hook Wooyoung. 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 run to be with them as soon as possible. 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.

San 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?

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 rubbed the crease between his eyebrows before pleadingly searching Seonghwa’s eyes, holding up the note. Seonghwa’s eyes widened slightly. “Did he not want it? What did he say?”

San groaned and rolled his shoulders, “He didn't see the note in his pocket; maybe he'll check it out later. But… he didn't really say anything. I rambled a bit and hit a nerve somehow,” he explained. Seonghwa frowned at that, none the wiser, but kept massaging San’s arm, “What do you mean?” 

“I told him I gave him our numbers, but he didn’t text, and that we might have 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, “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 patted him gently and smoothed out a few strands of San's hair. “Honestly, I guess I should have been there to see it for myself, but it seems to be more than some misunderstanding, or scaring him off. He has something going on that we just aren't aware of… We can't ask him to entertain us when he has his focus elsewhere, and we can't expect him to prioritise us over his grades. Let’s give it some more time. 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?” San asked defeated. “First of all, 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 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.

“It could be better. This time of the 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 in his office chair and took out the sheets of paper.

“What’s that?” San asked curiously, welcoming the distraction. “Lists of the clubs. I’ll hang ’em up later. Could you inform your classes throughout the week to sign up for everything. There's a deadline for signing up’s in three weeks so they can check it with their schedules. I’d be very grateful,” Eden explained as Seonghwa came over and skimmed them. “Sure,” he agreed. Eden chuckled, “I’d write some names down already, but the clubs haven’t been going very strong last year. Maybe some fresh wind will help,” he looked up at both of them with an expectant grin.

“What?” San asked, not catching up.

“Some students join every year, so the clubs most likely don't change a lot. But maybe we’d get some teachers to join as well. The principal is trying to get a deal with the new gym down the street. As far as I know there'll be dance club kinda thing here and a few free gym memberships… What’d you think? San-ssi, you’re a PE teacher, an athlete. I’ll write you down for the dance club, hm? Then you have a good opener to ask for new gym equipment. And all the upper grads will join 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 then looked at the other list, to write two names in.

“Who’s that?” Seonghwa asked.

“Hongjoong is essentially my mentee. He'll start studying in spring, so he's trying to put together a portfolio of songs and all to land an internship. And Jongho’s a sophomore student. Shy kid but his vocal cords... They sometimes link up a record demos together. If their careers in the music industry don’t work out, the world’s ending.”

San was impressed, by the students as well as how fondly Eden talked about them; he usually kept his input short. “They’re recruiting every one else. Mostly their friends, completely unbiased of course. Others try to join on their own but they don't stand a chance against those  two. Sometimes I think they just needed me to get access to the studio and tech,” Eden smiled at the memories before he snapped back and sorted the papers as he stood. “Well then, they're on the black board. 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 Maths teacher and an athlete. I'm not going to spend my personal time at school for a dance club. What do you think they’ll do there?” 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. They join an unpaid, credited course and brag to their parents.” Seonghwa barked a laugh at the cynical stance, “Don't say that, you’re a teacher,” he scolded empitily. “Okay, maybe I exaggerated; but I’m a PE teacher and I’ve had my fair share of public gyms and sports clubs with student tariffs. I know what I saw. Why do you think I wanted a home-gym?”

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? If I visit the sports club, will you check out the band, then, hm?” San negotiated seriously, even if he couldn't keep a challenging smirk out of his face. 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 their moment. 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 or anxious like yesterday, 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 her bowl, seemingly already done with her meal. “Good morning, love,” 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 handsome,” he winked and checked the pancakes one last time before he plated them and put the pan aside.

“Did oppa feed you already, Byeol-ah? Did he make you a yummy breakfast?”

Seonghwa smiled at the way San he greeted and fuzzed over the cat, kissing and scratching her as every morning. “Wash your hands, then take these, please,” 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 with a finally smooch and did as he was told, carrying 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 figured if I'm staying in on Tuesdays, there's no need to get dressed up in the morning. I'm not sure I like my Tuesdays... But if you 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. “Dance club's on Tuesdays, I'll be out all day… Why not switch it to breakfast dates? I like this,” he winked, “And  dates can remain on the weekends. Then we can equally contribute to planning and everything. I wouldn't like to leave it all to you.” Seonghwa mulled over it but frowned. “Yes and no, I also like lazy mornings and when we sit down a bit romantically. But it would sort of force every weekend activity into a date… I mean, technically they already are, but that sounds stressing. Week-night-dates sound nice, actually.”

San let his words sink in and then beamed. “How does a weekly stay-at-home-date sound? Nothing extravaganza; we can cook together or relax in the garden; I'll give you a nice massage… And then we'll add an activity-date once or twice a month. Mystery movie premiere, sky diving, golf club, shopping for a new garden design, 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 passionately debating over colour schemes, or groaning from a tough work-out – San couldn’t come up with anything. “You think ... we should give it up? He still hasn't texted.”

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. Especially since yesterday.” They finished their food in silence, occasionally sneaking glances at the third seat.

“Let me clean up; 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 goodbye. He gently backed Seonghwa up against the counter and then cupped his face with one hand. “Whatever you say,” he smiled and kissed him softly, “You’re 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.” Seonghwa chuckled and let his hands fall lower on San's ass, “You’re just thinking about morning sex, aren’t you?” San laughed in turn. “Is that a bad thing?” Seonghwa smiled and hugged San properly, “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 two maths classes and one PE with the juniors, and the only good thing was that he specifically 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 second class he approached one of the students as they were going through text-based exercises, “Choi Jongho-ssi,” he called quietly while the boy was skimming the texts and the assigned formulas.

“Yes teacher?” the boy immediately turned and bowed politely.

“Are you doing okay?" he opened, he wasn't a good liar, but he didn't have to be blunt either.

Jongho-ssi nodded and revealed his notes; San nodded half-heartedly.

"Nice work ... Actually, I had a talk with teacher Kim Yonghwan the other day and he told me you’re an essential part of the school band." The student visibly relaxed, “Ah. 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.

“Kim 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.

“Yunho and Mingi? The twins?” he asked. They were friends with Wooyoung, and Mingi was 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 not related; they’re just both really tall. You’ve probably seen them around.”

San nodded again, “I've been teaching some of their classes for two years.” San wondered how all of them were connected. At least he could now be certain the two boys weren't twins. 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… He should pay closer attention to his students' full names, then, maybe it would help his confusion.

“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 ... like, famous,” he said as if it were ridiculous to even question that. “But we’re also friends. We have our group there… I don't even remember how I got there. They're all older than me.” 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? Why?” San blurted, He couldn’t tell if the student was joking or not. It certainly wasn’t likely for a teacher to spend their break with students if it wasn't to discuss school work, let alone join their little groups. Sure they were a private school and had a smaller amount of students; that didn't mean they were close.

“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. Tell him 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. Throughout Wooyoung's class later that afternoon, none of them mentioned anything; Wooyoung seemed reserved despite his oral efforts. He really must have hit a nerve with his comment.

“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 don’t like to hear 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".

Seonghwa smiled, "Were you there and know it happened like that?"

San frowned. "But why would he lie?”

“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 tsked at Seonghwa's factual objection, "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 looked up at the ceiling as he rolled the words over in his mind. San made a good point, right? The only way someone else talked about Wooyoung’s crush on them was that 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 instead. 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

“Wooyoung-ah, put the book away now. We're eating lunch together. You're being rude,” Hongjoong demanded again. "You don't even go to school here," Wooyoung countered uselessly. Dummy. 

"Please," Hongjoong tried, gentle but unapologetic. Hyung was sitting at the other far end of the table; why did he bother? He could just talk with Changbin and Yunho.

Wooyoung barely granted him a glance before he read the paragraph again, this time he tried to replace some of the technical terms with their definitions in his mind to make better sense of it. 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 to verify his threat. Yeosang laughed mid-chewing and covered his mouth not to spit any food 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 just out 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. Wooyoung closed it already; he wouldn't do any more to please them.

“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 for your personality?” Wooyoung shot back and earned a round of cheers, but it was cut short.

“I don't want to lecture you in your our free time, but I think your maths isn’t quite right,” someone said behind him. Wooyoung recognized the voice and the smile in it, and he could watch as all of his friends’ eyes started sparkling.

Teacher Choi chuckled 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 – God, he was also here? – which had the other boys scramble left and right. Changbin moved from the head of the table over to squeeze in next to Yunho, which consequently made Jongho also move closer to Wooyoung; Mingi and Yeosang snuggled up towards Hongjoong as well, leaving 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 next to Yeosang, “Hi,” he then smiled directly at Wooyoung. He could only stare back wordlessly and looked over to where teacher Choi sat at the other end. Mingi, next to Hongjoong, eyed the teacher with amazement, but checked for Wooyoung’s reaction as well. Wooyoung tried not to frown too obviously, but he really felt like something was going on and he needed to know what. When Wooyoung let his eyes roam through the rest group of people, he caught Yeosang and Yunho grinning at him.

He averted his eyes and checked the cover of his book for any oil stains that might have landed there. He'd get an earful later, Mingi was probably close to bursting already just from seeing them so casually close to him. He only ever once said he liked their teaching styles and that they're handsome… So? Everyone swooned as soon as the teachers entered the room, he wasn't special?! If Hongjoong had only moved to the left instead and pushed Mingi and Yeosang down the row, then- But Mingi and Yeosang had moved up quickly to leave the space across from Wooyoung open instead of letting the literal couple sit together at the other end. Ugh. Fuck off.

“So, you guys, 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 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, no one snitched. I'm just very observant. Comes with the job,” 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.

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 around his face with a soft curve, 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 waist were like out of a fashion magazine. He was strong and muscular.

Wooyoung had never expected it after the first time the maths teacher came in dressed in slacks and a satin blouse, but when he revealed his chest and arms during a PE lessons to he demonstrate a perfect pitch, Wooyoung was a goner. Not that Wooyoung would admit it; but his friends had already picked up that he paid more attention to his food intake and exercise. He usually said it was just what mom bought and Kyungmin still liked to be carried.

And now, when the teachers were sitting with his friends, Wooyoung’s friends, and laughing heartily, teacher Choi 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 was stressed and grumpy or acted stupid. 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. 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? You always shoot out random cooking facts when you’re reading from it?” Mingi blurted, and Yeosang nodded. Wooyoung gave them a look, “It's about Chemistry and molecule bonds but it uses food and other everyday stuff to explain the process of chem-”

“A cook book for super nerds,” Changbin cut in. Wooyoung just stopped and pursed his lip, looking down in defeat, “Yeah.”

“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, “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's 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, uncaring of his discomfort of being praised and presented in front of others. When he looked over to Teacher Choi of course he only looked at his partner with his ever-shining eyes and gentle smile, even throwing a wink across the table. The other teacher returned the gesture in-between watching their youngest gushing over Wooyoung’s most basic dishes, greatly entertained. 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 just were 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 his bloodline went way back to ancient Greece and he was a descendant from the woman who was then glorified as Aphrodite. 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. 

When people praised Wooyoung for being smart or diligent or organised, he just felt like it was part of the plan. He was supposed to be that. It was expected of him to be that. No need to praise him for meeting the baseline of requirements. It made him feel stupid again. Like people were surprised at his intelligence, or that he would put effort into whatever.

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 insisted, but Wooyoung didn’t dare to entertain a thought like this.

“Okay, think about this logically, okay,” Yeosang babbled, and Wooyoung let him because Yeosang rarely got so excited and chatty, “This is a private school with definitely less students than other middle and high schools, and also rarely turnovers with the teachers, okay. We know the teachers, and the teachers know us. And we’ve been attending this school for five years now, and spend as much as all of our lunch breaks in the cafeteria, and at the same table for the better part of one and a half years, isn't that right?” He listed with his fingers and waited for Wooyoung to nod because he was right, after all. “And how many times have you seen a teacher so much as even enter the cafeteria during lunch break – let alone to eat there with a group of students?”

Wooyoung only sighed, tired and exhausted from the mind games.

“Zero,” Yeosang answered himself. “So how do you think to explain why the hottest teachers of the nation, who are officially in a romantic relationship with each other, 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. They weren’t even thinking about me.” Wooyoung 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 achieve an acceptable score by purely memorizing the examples, he had nothing to complain about.

Just as he planned he checked his papers for his name and dates, sorted the pages by their numbers, and submitted the test to be quietly excused. He had better things to do than sit around for almost thirty minutes. He took his text book, which earned him a glance from Changbin, but he didn’t let it get to him this time. He chose the closest break room to his classroom and sat down at the far end of the desk, facing the open door so he'd catch any movement in the corner of his eyes.

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? Especially with the simplified formula drawings; just crooked lines with a bunch of roman letters on one end. Damn it, he should have taken a notebook with him, so 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 at least in his backpack. 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 reluctantly and opened the notes app to list at least the different names and functions of each molecule. 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.”

Wooyoung flinched, looking up at the door. Teacher Park stood there, just halfway leaning into the room, lingering there. “I'm sorry, Wooyoung-ssi, I didn’t mean to scare you. Just- Maybe sit that way, then your phone won't be obvious in case a teacher walks by,” he smiled and gestured to the closest seat to the door; meaning he'd have his back to it. 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 closed the phone anyway and put it away. His head was full and fuzzy, and he still had another class before going home, and he barely had any fresh air today. He'd have to revise it at home anyway.

“You just wrote test, right?" Wooyoung nodded, but the teacher seemed to know the answer. "Then you’re not supposed to have your phone on you anyway."

Wooyoung was baffled. They were just really similar in regard of following rules, it seemed. Teacher Park just said the exact words Wooyoung had been thinking a few minutes earlier and winked at him while saying it.

“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." Teacher Park hummed with a smile, "We have barely covered the foundation of organic Chemistry in class, Wooyoung-ssi. How are you holding up?"

Wooyoung deflated in his seat, "I’m stuck. It’s like only two sentences on each one, but a lot of information. I wanted to take notes to go over again.” Teacher Park just kept smiling and nodded. Great; at lunch he was called out for overachieving, now he had to admit he didn't even know anything. He was such a loser.

“I'd think so. It's hard to keep up if you're missing part of the basics. We'll get to that, this or next week. But if I’m not mistaken this is only a brief introduction, and there'll be more precise paragraphs on the next pages. It packed with a lot of history and experiments of how they were found, though, so it might be a bit difficult to filter what you really need to know for class.”

Wooyoung perked up a bit, “I like history." Teacher Park stepped closer again, “Is that so? History in general?”

Wooyoung tied not to gasp. At lunch there was an entire table between them; it was akin to class. But here the teacher stood essentially next to him.

“Um, I guess? At least not specifically. I like to watch documentaries of any kind, history, and science, 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, sinking down in his seat.

“Or cooking,” the teacher added proudly, showing off he listened at lunch.

“No, not really,” Wooyoung shook his head. “Only when I’m going to a friend’s house. At home – It's more... I can't cook there, 'cus- I'm usually alone with my brother and he's a bit, well, mostly the food would go to waste, so it's... I can't,” he looked down and slowly grew quieter as he spoke, he didn’t really want to talk about it. If they had already taken a liking in him – or whatever – he didn’t want to ruin it for them.

Teacher Park frowned though as he took a seat orthogonal to Wooyoung. It was already too late. Now he thought Wooyoung had some weird family home with no kitchen or a weird brother 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 call. You don't need to perform it or get approval from others. Same with the documentaries. You enjoy it, no matter if you get to do it a lot or not.”

The words were soothing and so easy to relax into the way teacher Park spoke so calmly and intentionally. Yeah, he liked cooking and reading text-books and watching weird deep sea animals and documentaries about ancient civilisations 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 matter 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 tutoring, or 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. The 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? I don't mean to take up any time that you don't want to give,” teacher Park scooted backwards and angled his chair to turn more towards Wooyoung, and was suddenly way too close, even though he was just sitting around the corner of the table. He was leaning back in a relaxed manner, upright and polite, sophisticated.

Wooyoung’s eyes swayed across the room. He sat up and pushed his chair backwards in the process, mirroring the teacher's posture; noting the chair 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 conjoined desks between himself and the door, and he’d have pass by the teacher.

If he were to make a run for it and he opted for the other way around the tables, teacher Park could reach the door before he did, and catch him.

Teacher Park wouldn't run and catch him if Wooyoung said he needed to leave, right? He could say he needed to go back to class; and he couldn't hold anything against Wooyoung for that.

“Um, maybe 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. And your friends? Are they joining you?”

Wooyoung’s throat closed up.

“Not that I know. I guess they’re not looking to stay any longer than they need to,” he tried to joke. Keeping the teacher joyful and entertained seemed to be a better option. "They might, though. I don't know." Hopefully teacher Park would drop the topic and not pay it any mind.

Sounds and chatter erupted from the hallway, which had teacher Park’s head snap around. Wooyoung quickly closed his book. “I’ll get going,” he barely mumbled a goodbye as he was halfway out of the room, so he didn’t bother to wait for a response.

His heart was pounding and blood was pulsing in his ears to the point of blending into a ringing sound. 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.

“You good?” he heard Mingi in the distance, and jerked his head weirdly before it turned into a nod. “We'll get some snack. I'll bring you something, yeah?” Yeosang said and waited for another nod before they left.

Recess was over 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 as the teacher walked 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. It made his head spin. 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 approaching that person.

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

“San-ah, let’s join the art club and library team,” Seonghwa announced unprovoked during dinner. San didn’t even need to ask why out loud 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's radical... Could've been my idea,” San countered. Seonghwa poorly schooled his face, "That's insulting, somehow."

“That's not the slow and 'keeping it to ourselves' kind of thing we promised him… It was obvious enough for us to join them at lunch, and also: if we join these clubs, or even just one of us, he’ll know it’s made up. I swear he'll freak out if he sees me outside of class one more time.” San meant to joke, but Seonghwa understood the underlying frustration. He hadn't been impulsive when he caught Wooyoung after class again like it had been San's worry, and on the very contrary he sat far away from him at lunch. Seonghwa listened while eating and nodded. San was right; he would react similarly if San had suggested it.

“Besides; art and books? What are we supposed to do there? An athlete and a scientist. You wanna turn spray paint bottles into Molotov cocktails and see how far I can throw them?” Seonghwa laughed in surprise. San was so out of pocket lately. “Don’t be mean.” The idea was funny to the imagination but Seonghwa still tried to reason, “When I studied I had to conduct research and experiments a lot, 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 somethi-” Seonghwa burst out into laughter before he could clearly finish his sentence when San gave him a deadpan look. “Who’s being mean now? And your thing about order isn't for scientific methods, either, mister,” he pouted, but not really offended. “And Wooyoung said he’d like to join one of them?” he followed up.

Seonghwa nodded. He agreed with Wooyoung as soon as he had told him, but it came more out of reflex to appease to him. Later on he had to give it more thought before it seemed real.

“Don’t you think?” Seonghwa asked San instead. San shrugged, “I gotta admit I don't know enough to confirm or deny. He seems like someone who would try anything, and he would probably be, like, really good without trying hard. But… I don't know. Today, when you mentioned the book he was reading, he didn't look too happy. And then this guy cut in-”

"Right? They were so rude about it," Seonghwa gasped. He almost forgot but he felt angry in the moment he saw Wooyoung deflate. San nodded; the last few half bites of soybean paste noodles forgotten on his plate. "And half a breath later they start praising him for what he does for them while he is a guest… Well, I mean, I sort of thought about how you two would cook together. It'll be chaos, or you might end up liking him better than me." Seonghwa raised his eyebrows, "Is that so?" San meant no harm; he was quite right actually. There were equal chances Seonghwa would enjoy or absolutely hate having Wooyoung in the kitchen with him. Not personally because of Wooyoung; just having someone with him who might work with a different rhythm or less focus on cleanliness might freak him out. "What else did you observe?"

San cocked his head as he thought out loud and counted with his finders as he listed a few things, “He's got a lot going on, I think. I know for a fact he's crazy about being in the top ranks. His friends are a bit weird. There's something that pressures him; it's like he has to prove something. And in between his own stuff and what his friends are up to… I don’t think he’s happy; only for as long as he receives good grades and- Well, sometimes- he can't take compliments. He gets shy but he wants the praise.”

Seonghwa listened carefully and tried to remember instances where it held truth. "Right, Wooyoung was embarrassed when Jongho talked about his cooking, but he doesn’t speak up for himself. I thought it was because he was scared but he rarely defends himself against his friends. It's like he is just letting it happen upon him. It's sad. I thought with his ambition he was more... cheerful." Seonghwa raised his pitch to invite San to answer. "Maybe he was just surprised that we came. He gets nervous around us."

"We really gave him a wrong idea. Maybe we shouldn't join any club after all."

"The clubs are more authentic, though. If anyone asks, we can always blame it on Eden-hyung."

Seonghwa chuckled. San's silly impulsiveness surfaced again. “I actually talked with Wooyoung again after lunch. He was sitting in a break room and reading with the lights off. I tried to ask about it and prompt him a little, I made a few different suggestions; he just answered with yes and no for the most part. Then I specifically asked if he was going to join any club, that's when he said art and the library.” San frowned at the news. "First I was a bit surprised, but then I thought about it. Wooyoung is on the calmer side, but always asks specific questions. And he also said it, he likes to know and learn new things. With free library access he won't even leave school grounds anymore. And if he joins the art club I think he'll find podcasts or documentaries about something and write an essay about it." San chuckled, "Oh, he'll definitely hand in something. He always hands in his homework and even asked me to actually count his mock test, and I was like… mock test. And then he looked away but he went like 'mock grade?' First few classes I had with them I thought he'd be a rascal." Seonghwa chuckled; yes, Wooyoung was quite witty. "And you'd let him get away with about anything, hm?" he mused but reconsidered, "I think he relies a lot on positive feedback. I've commented on his hand writing once and now his tests are always written so neatly."

They share a smug look. Maybe they had him wrapped around their fingers already, but only in a different way they expected. 

"Well, he's a kid, after all… He bags good grades left and right. He'll take what he gets," San concluded.

“That doesn't sound healthy. 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, “Isn’t that obvious? He had an extra-curricular text book with him for lunch and ate only when it was fed to him.”

“He is quite thin, yes. But a workaholic at such a young age? That’s not normal,” Seonghwa frowned, then he piped up, “And he lied to me.” San raised his eyebrows. “How so?” Seonghwa shook his head in thought and shrugged. “I have 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.”

“He probably gets scared when we ask a lot of questions. Like… panicked."

“Scared of me?”

“Us.”

Seonghwa sighed in defeat. San put their plates out of the way and reached for Seonghwa's hand. “We don’t know his situation. I'm serious, he has something going on and - as much as I want to - let's not prod at him too much,” San concluded. He was right. They simply lacked of information to make such strong assumptions. ”Let’s look out for him a bit.” Seonghwa said and pouted unconsciously. “Yeah, but,” San gestured with both if his hands laying flat on the table, “We’ll keep it down. That's also what he told him. We’re not his friends, and I have a feeling he’s shutting out lots of things.”

The next day Seonghwa only meant to cross the cafeteria to meet San in the gym. Of course with the ulterior motive to spy on Wooyoung just for a second. He was there, surrounded by his friends and seemingly talkative. Seonghwa checked their faces, and although he didn't recognise everyone, they seemed close and happy.

But his goal was honestly the gym. San and he would eat their lunch there, quietly and privately, and then they would take a little walk afterwards before they had to head back. San even offered to take one of Seonghwa's textbooks as an alibi. "You're my boyfriend, San-ah. I don't need an alibi to want to see you." He had pinched San's cheek, chuckling at his silliness.

As they entered the cafeteria to head for the exit towards the schoolyard, they couldn't resist casting a glance towards the boys again after Seonghwa had told San about the stranger, and a new but familiar face crossed their path.

“Oi, the lovebirds, come over here,” Eden-hyung shouted cheerfully and waved. 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.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” Seonghwa greeted him, trying to be more polite than accusing. “

What? Am I taking your spot?” Eden winked, and somehow Seonghwa knew, but also didn’t. San chuckled nervously, “Hyung, 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. If it's what helps you feel young,” 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 chirped with devilish eyes.

“So what? Aren’t you sitting 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 into three on each side of the table, with Eden at the head, it barely made sense for two additional people not to split as well. “Sure, I’ll just ... squeeze in right here,” Yeosang chimed in and stood to round the table on the other end and sit next to Yunho. Seonghwa initially had some trouble to keep the tall boys apart, but after a few weeks he noticed their different features. San had taken more time; he just recently discovered Mingi and Yunho were not twins.

"Go ahead, eat some. The boys didn't coordinate properly," Eden pointed at the different foods piled up in the middle. Some japchae, some kimchi, some bulgogi looking remnants and sandwhich wrappers. "We've already eaten, thank you," Seonghwa bowed his head slightly as they sat down, following Eden’s idea, next to Wooyoung. “Hello,” he then greeted into the round, scanning the faces and relaxed when he recognised most of them.

“What brings you here, hyung?” San addressed their colleague. The man shrugged, slightly offended, “And you?”

Seonghwa smiled confidently, “You called us over. We were actually planning to take a walk. 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. Hongjoong; the boy he hadn't recognised before. Seonghwa remembered Eden mentioned him, and now up close his face stirred a few memories. Right, he had graduated last year; with that icky, psychotic laugh. 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, made regret settle in his gut. 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.

"Try some, teacher," Yunho prompted, pointing at the food again, "Wooyoung-ah made bulgogi. And it's not even that spicy." San's hand came to rest on his knee, silently urging him to say yes. "Is that so?" he smiled towards the boy, but Wooyoung didn't budge next to him. He was handed a fresh pair of chopsticks and fed the first bite to San, who hummed appreciatively. "Thank you for the food," he said while chewing.

"It tastes really good. And it's juicy," Seonghwa complimented, but still no reaction.

No reaction, the thought reminded Seonghwa that Wooyoung hadn't contacted them, in case he even found the first note with their numbers. He pushed the thought aside quickly. Keep it down. "Wow, this is awesome, Wooyoung-ssi," San beamed, "Am I crazy? this could be Wagyu."

Wooyoung inahled sharply thorugh his nose next to him, like he had trouble zoning back in. "Hanwoo." San leaned forward to look at him, "Hanwoo? That's, like, really expensive to use it for bulgogi. Tell me you made it with left overs." Wooyoung shook his head, his eyes trained sternly on the table just before him, "It's an uncle who sends a package of fresh cut to our house when he has something left. He's sort of local." Seonghwa's jaw dropped around the last few crumbs of beef and scallion. "You have an uncle with a Hanwoo farm? Where?" Wooyoung nodded, "Up in Gangbuk-gu. But we're not related."

Seonghwa waited for him to go on, but he remained reserved. Seonghwa looked at San, exchanging a few thoughts, and back at Wooyoung. He was being awfully repressed in comparison to before.

"Is he a butcher, then?" Seonghwa tried to keep their chat going. Finally Wooyoung turned his head a bit, but he looked stiff, as if he didn't want to acknowledge their conversation. "I don't know him personally. My mom met him through work. There was an issue about residents around his property disturbing his cattle, but she took care of it. Now he saves ribeye and chuck flap tail for her whenever he can." Seonghwa marvelled at the idea in favour of ignoring his tone. "Those are the most delicate cuts and he saves it? Does she pay him extra, then?" Wooyoung shrugged. "I guess. She deals with, like, business favours with her other clients. Networking, making contacts. Like that. She doesn't use money."

"She must be quite someone, then. Hanwoo is the highest quality beef in Korea ... It's not even exported, and she gets it free of charge," Seonghwa chuckled. Wooyoung hummed, unimpressed, "He delivers to some restaurants across town. They advertise the high-quality meat, he offers buthering classes to their trainees. All give and take." Seonghwa only nodded. He wanted to ask more, but Wooyoung didn't seem anything close to interested, keeping his voice flat and tight, his answers short.

“Have you thought about my idea?” Eden thankfully took over, easily wrapping the teachers in a more fruitful conversation. “To join a club?” San clarified and nodded, “Yeah, art or something.” Eden squinted at them, prompting an explanation given it wasn't what he had suggested to them.

“Yes. We’ll do our own thing and conduct experiments and then we'll set everything on fire using different types of paint,” Seonghwa added dryly.

“I’m in if we do it just before our exams take place,” Mingi-ssi said quite seriously, Seonghwa worried.

“Why wait so long? Burn this place already,” Jongho-ssi said, giving a prompting gesture across the table. Yeosang shook his head, “No, no, Jongho-yah, think from our perspective. If it’s too soon, the principal will find some alternative venue. And besides, if it’s the day before or morning of the exam, the exam papers will burn as well. Maybe even the printer- We should- The printer. Remember the printer. I got an idea. Anyway, if the exams get lost, then they’ll have to get new copies. And on top of that, they'll renew safety measures and add new ones as well. You'll get nowhere near the exam papers next year,” he explained. Hongjoong listened at them in disbelief, munching open-mouthed on some pudding dessert. “Oh, when I want to visit an art gallery, no one can even navigate a website; but if you want to commit arson, you're more efficient than kkangpae, okay, okay,” he scolded.

Seonghwa held back a smile; these boys were really something else.

Yunho turned to his friend slowly after everyone went quiet, “Well… it’s about finals… and you told us we have to give it our best shot, right?” Jongho also chose his party easily. “You just never specified what to aim for, captain, so that's on you,” he grinned from next to him, apparently using an inside-joke. “Naw, don’t pull the captain-card on me now. I know I lost you the day Wooyoung moved in with you last year,” Hongjoong pursed his lips.

“What did I do?” Wooyoung quietly hissed 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, shooting him a smirk. “What I- Yeah, of course what I did. Sure, it was my fault,” Wooyoung’s voice grew the tiniest bit louder , angrier; still quiet, but the venom compensated for it, shocking both of the teachers. Wooyoung stood suddenly 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 the students didn't seem too fazed by the turn of events. They hurriedly exchanged glances and nodded. Yeosang slapped Hongjoong's chest, then both stood up and grabbed their back packs, seemingly rushing 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 untouched fried rice. “I’ll take it back home. Wooyoung had just one bite. He won't touch it,” 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. Wooyoung wasn't dumb for leaving. Obviously he snapped, but Hongjoong obviously said something wrong, and he left. Discrediting his reaction like that to say he was stupid wasn't fair. “I taught Hongjoong better than this.”

Oh.

Seonghwa move a bit more sideways to give himself and San more space to turn towards Eden. San frowned, “Do you know what just happened, hyung?” Eden pursed his lips and carefully watched where the boys disappeared. “Yeah. I've been told something about it, at least. Not sure it was the full story ... You're not getting any Intel from me. I'm not a spy… I'm not blind, either, though,” Eden eyed them almost accusingly.

“What? What do you mean?” Seonghwa sputtered in surprise and moved up to lean in again.

“Come on, you two have only had eyes for him since last year. Your only cover is that Wooyoung is outstanding all on his own.” San turned to look at Seonghwa, but he shook his head.

"What are you implying?"

Eden jerked one eyebrow, his eyes piercing through Seonghwa's composure more than he liked to admit. "You're teachers, and he's a student. That's a no no. The only reason that I'm not really worried is that Wooyoung is too busy to notice you simping over him, and you're … so," gestured with his hands, “Emotionally healthy. I trust you to stay in line." Seonghwa blinked as he tried to process the words. San seemed just as perplexed. "He's… Well, it’s not my place to tell you anything.”

Seonghwa felt stunned. For one because Eden never said so much all at once; he usually kept his words short and precise. And two: Wooyoung’s life was apparently so deranged that his friends have concrete protocols to handle him when he snapped. Hongjoong meant to tease him, but hit a nerve instead. It seemed innocent enough. But it also happened with San, given he couldn't know Wooyoung's grades were a sensitive topic to him. He was usually confident about it. Hongjoong had implied Wooyoung was a bad influence on Jongho, but Seonghwa couldn't even picture Wooyoung with a genuine careless or rude attitude. Anxious and impatient, yes, he's seen it. But not rude.

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 of oatmeal yoghurt and looked over to his boyfriend. “Yeah. Yeah, he did,” he frowned as he reached for his coffee.

“Are we too obvious?”

San shook his head, “No, don’t think so. Eden-hung always knows everything but never says anything. He said he's not a spy, but if Hongjoong spends a lot of time with him, they probably talk. They seem comfortable. He probably got some insight from him. I don't know." Seonghwa sipped his coffee as well, trying to remember an instance when they stepped out of line in front of others, but he came up empty. “And you were right. Something is going on in his life and it's weighting him down. It's got to be some family stuff,” Seonghwa added.

“Don’t be too nosy,” San smiled as he cleared his last scoop of oats to make way for the scrambled eggs. "I'm not nosy, I just want to know," Seonghwa argued lightly. He was curious. “Maybe that’s why he’s so shy? He's introverted, but- It's not a self-esteem issue, is it?” Seonghwa mumbled. San hummed and watched him for a minute, “Tell me what you’re thinking."

Seonghwa pursed his lips and looked over the empty seat of the table and out of the window. “I bet it's about his family… Maybe his parents are divorcing? Or they pressure him about his career choice. He mentioned he's usually alone with his brother, so they're absent. They seem well off, but Wooyoung essentially refuses to talk about them; I#ve only ever heard abotu his mother. Could have been his mood, though. He wasn't talkative at all …  It’s a cliché, but if he takes his brother to stay with his friends ... That’s why he’s so into studying: to win his parents' approval and distract himself, stay out of trouble, win their favours, and then enroll at a prestigious university."

San nodded along. It did sound more and more like a long-chewed trope of an adolescence themed soap-opera. Young adult son has to manage his major family issues and his own transformative life choices at once without support from either side; and he has to decide whether to put his family first or himself.

"His friends also seem kind of harsh towards him. Seo Changbin, a few days ago; awful. And those three that are always around didn't help either. Only when he fully snapped and left. On the one hand he gives so much and they need him. Did you see how they ran after him? I really hope Hongjoong-ssi apologised for joking about a sensitive matter. But on the other hand, they must care about him a lot. They make sure he eats and let him stay at their homes with his brother. So obviously they collectively know his situation, although he's uncomfortable talking about it. Which could also mean we're making him uncomfortable, which I also understand. There's both a chance he hasn't told them a word, or he told them all about us. They seem a bit too comfortable when we're around. They didn't once ask why we came to join, but they’re not stupid.” 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 almost sounds like they’re bullies,” he smiled and cocked his head. “More like… they help him if he helps them. Wait, that’s not a lot better." San clicked his tongue, dissatisfied. "They're young; they have a lot to learn… We weren't much better at that age. All the books and sessions… 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 thinks, even himself. He doesn't really acknowledge his own success,” San soothed him. “He’s young, and if he has been living in a troubled home, he hasn’t even had a chance to become his true self. He can be bright and attentive and eager in class; like a literal ray of sunshine in my ass o'clock Maths class with them. Maybe something's really bothering- like exhausting and limiting him, after all. I think he got a little goof ball in him and we just have to ticklei t out of him,” San smiled at his own thoughts. Seonghwa chuckled, “We’re taking about him as if he’s a pet we saw at the shelter."

San's jaw dropped before he 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 place to feel good, you know,” he explained. Seonghwa had to close his eyes to calm down and let the words sink in.

Images of Wooyoung flooded his mind: cuddling with him, feeding him, reading books and watching documentaries, 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." He shooed the cat away to get up and cupped Seonghwa’s cheeks for a firm peck on his lips. Seonghwa felt himself blush and let himself soak in the feeling for a minute before San stood and took their plates to the kitchen. “Ugh, now I got fur in my face, San-ah ... Did you like the food?” he asked as he also stood. “Very much, thank you, love,” San answered easily and stole another kiss when they passed each other. “What would you have liked better?” Seonghwa asked lightly as he pulled his boyfriend back from where he headed back to the dining table, halting him to collect another few more kisses. “

No carrots on the table,” San smirked in between and Seonghwa groaned. “They were just on my plate. Not even a fake offer.”

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

Seonghwa interrupted him with another kiss. Deeper this time, demanding so much San had to stop in his tracks to keep up. "Yeah, yeah, carrots are completely deviated from their origin."

"They are," San argued uselessly, breathing harder as Seonghwa's attitude shifted.

"You're gonna be a bitch about it?" They parted, and Seonghwa could catch San's pupils beautifully dilate. The name worked like a switch. He tried to keep arguing, his mouth hung open around words Seonghwa didn't wait for before he capture his lips in an open mouthed kiss. Wet, but not messy.

“Next time, I’ll just keep you on the floor next to my seat. Then you can try and complain again, and I'll find an entirely new way to make you hate carrots, hm." Seonghwa smirked as he felt San lose balance for just a moment. It was so easy to rile him up, really. He made quick work of pressing him against the counter and caught him in another kiss that quickly turned lewd; teeth and spit and moans, all in. San’s hands immediately found the dip of Seonghwa’s waist to ground himself, as if his boyfriend’s whole body pressed against him wasn’t enough support. Maybe it was the teasingly thin fabric of their pyjamas heightened the sensation of their touches, or Seonghwa's raging erection against San's, or a lack of oxygen in San's system that made San so compliant.

Seonghwa barely cared enough to cut San a break, losing interest in his lips in favour of moving towards his ear, switching to soft kisses and rough words. “I’ll call you down for breakfast just as any other day, and then I’ll just grab you and push you over. One touch and one kiss and you're chained and buckled in, Sannie. Don't pretend your muscles mean anything to me."

San whined, the words had an unmistakable effect on him, the hand in gripping his hair closly to his scalped also added to it, and Seonghwa enjoyed the neediness that overtook his body. Oh, their pyjamas definitely helped as San started to grind against Seonghwa; and he had half the mind to turn his hips, staying less affected.

“You're so easy. Just waiting for me to have my way with you already, hm? We'll need to revise our rules again though. Can't have someone new join and think and they can get all cocky with me." San bucked his hips harshly as if on autopilot. Seonghwa left the implication at that. Having someone watch them and be driven crazy desperate, or taking turns to watch each other had sounded surprisingly yet wildly erotic some time ago, Seonghwa didn't think it possible with both of their ticks. The mention of names was out of line first, but they both knew it had changed.

Seonghwa could dream. He'd have San all back on track so he would be perfectly well-behaved and show off both his eagerness as much as Seonghwa's dominance. And if they had to take it slow, then they could still give prime examples of how rewarding it could be to follow all the rules for both sides.

Seonghwa stepped away from San only to turn him around. His front was only met with cold air safe for the edge of the counter top. San mewled in protest. “I asked you a question, darling,” Seonghwa rasped in his ear, “Or did your brain melt already? Getting all stupid for cock in less than a minute. You're spoiled.” San moaned helplessly, almost crying out when Seonghwa’s hands found their way into his underwear. But oh, not where San wanted it, of course.

He was a sadist, so sue him. He was still perfect for San. He didn’t take him in his hand. He pushed his hands further downwards, palms flat to San's skin all around his groin, out of the leg holes of his briefs along his thighs, caressing the skin with his nails making him tremble.

“Did you get used to having your way? Not with me, though." San whimpered in between; something akin to No and Yours. "I'm taking proper care of my toy, right. You would have told me if you had anything specific on your mind. A certain wish, someone you like, hm? You can be a cock-slut, I don't mind, but you’d be honest to me, yeah,” Seonghwa spun the story around an unreal partner, whoring San out without lifting a finger from him. San was instantly on autopilot, bucking his hips forward against nothing, and grinding backwards against Seonghwa’s hardening cock.

Seonghwa 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 anyone would have mercy on you if they 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, maybe himself, too, until San whined, high-pitched and at his limit, "Plea- Please." Seonghwa latched his lips on the shell of San's ear, always a dead giveaway; not that San stood a chance if he wanted to, "Of course."  San’s body tensed, straightened for a moment as he came, then it gave out. Held up solely because he had slumped forward 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 leaned down and kissed along his back until he reached is nape, letting his hands accompany him along San's torso to pull him upright slowly. Keeping track of his posture and massaging every joint, Seonghwa praised him, just as San needed it. “Come here, sweetheart. Can you hear me?" he whispered and waited for San to straighten up and fall back against him on his own. "You’re so lovely," Seonghwa continued and kept caressing and massaging as San clumsily nudged his head against Seonghwa's face. "Did you feel good, yeah? I love you. You're so perfect,” he tried to dodge San's hair as he grew a bit restless in Seonghwa's hold. "Slowly, darling, what is it?" He swiftly reached up to steady San's head by cupping his jaw. "What is it?" he repeated, this time holding eye contact. San whined dumbly. Tired, eyes glossy and slightly unfocussed. "Nap time, then, yeah?"

Seonghwa managed to grab and fill a glass with tap water, barely parting from his boyfriend, and lifted it to his lips. "Drink up; slowly. You did so well for me. All strong and gorgeous. I love you… I love you."

"Love you," San mumbled heavily and made a point to catch Seonghwa in another kiss, a bit awkward and uncoordinated. “Come on, let's take a nap, hm,” he kisses him up and down wherever he could reach, lips, cheeks, temples, neck, to balance the high and the crash. He took his time to bring San slowly, carefully up into their bedroom, "Come on, be good for me one more time. That's it," he coaxed when San didn't fully cooperate with the bedsheets and just slumped on top of them. "I got you, baby. I love you so much," Seonghwa whispered as he manoeuvred San to cuddle and stroked his hair slowly, keeping sweet words of praise and love flowing until both fell asleep again under the mid-day sun sunrays.

On Monday Seonghwa went to check the lists for the clubs. If anyone asked if it was to find Wooyoung’s name, 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's name was also on the list for dance club. In third place; it was Eden's hand writing and it made him unsure if San was aware of it since he hadn't mentioned it.

San was right, then; Wooyoung had felt cornered and slipped in a white lie. Would it still be a good idea to join the same clubs? Well, he could say he wasn't aware since Wooyoung had told him something else, or he was checking it out for Eden-hyung. Maybe he would honestly not enjoy it after all and honourably leave. He sighed and signed himself for the band.

Wooyoung’s in band and dance club. Not art and library.

You're in for dance club. Eden put your name in.

I'll go for the band, then

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.

San☀️💕

Its why

Hyung was weird

The other day

When I said art

For a moment Seonghwa wondered about San’s text with even more abbreviations than usual, but a look at the time told him he was probably busy sorting his scripts for three consecutive maths classes. 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. Seonghwa was blessed to start his week in Wooyoung's class. Adding the clubs now, he saw him almost every day, sometimes even twice.

It was less than ten minutes to eight, but he still went and prepped his desk in Wooyoung’s class room. “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 the work sheets for today's 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 to put down what he didn’t need until lunch.

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.

He let them take a quick break around half-time to open the windows and take a drink for a minute, and Han Jisung came in, "I'm so sorry, teacher. I was late but I arrived at eighteen minutes past eight." Seonghwa nodded, "Why were you late?" The boy looked actually a bit upset, not the non-chalant demeanour he was used from him. "I fell of my bike because some guy almost ran me over when he took a turn while I was crossing the street. And then he yelled at me because I was within the pedestrian marking on my bike, and I said I swerved there because he steered to the right when he should have had let me go first anyway, because my bike lane goes straight ahead. And he argued with me until another lady came to my side and told him off for yelling at a kid and holding up traffic."

Seonghwa gasped, "Are you alright? Did you go to the nurse?" Jisung shook his head and smiled, "It's fine. I didn't completely fall to the ground but I had to jump off and then my frotn wheel was sort of bent and I had to walk the rest of the way. And well, I was shocked but I'm fine now." Seonghwa looked him over, his clothing was intact and he didn't appear in any kind of sparing posture. “Alright. I’ll write you in at eight-fifteen, then. Get a doctor's appointment and he should check you over for any bruises,” Seonghwa nodded again and sent him off to his place to continue the lesson.

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 one seventy-eight 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 mused next to Wooyoung. They switched seats again; these rascals. No wonder the teachers got confused with them. “It’s basically his love-language,” Yeosang added from his seat in front of them, and made the other two laugh and also Seonghwa had to cough to cover up. Wooyoung shot his friend a glare but looked back to Seonghwa, and the switch up gave him whiplash. His eyes became big and curious, and he nodded and smiled as if to encourage Seonghwa to speak.

“Well, the short answer is: bases and acids are not electronically neutral because their molecules are quite complex, but also not absolutely stable. Acids constantly 'lose' H-ions – therefore called H-ion-donator – and they keep detaching and reconnecting. But at all times, there will be free H-protons swimming around in that liquid."

"And they can be counted?"

"You would think that, but the tricky part is that, at no point in time, all H-protons will be singled out simultaneously. Otherwise you could just go via volume and density and find out the overall count of molecules. That would  also mean if you have enough of something acidic, let's say vinegar for example, or sparkling water or blood - they all have dirfferent pH values - if you have enough of them, they can be as acidic as a drop of HCl, hydrochloric acid - if it were depending on the absolute number of H-protons, but it's not. You have to take a solution with water. Why? Because the water molecules, H₂O, are also unstable and constantly give away an H proton and take it back, but the acid molecules also give away H-protons which makes the count vary all the time."

Wooyoung's face crumbled in disbelief. Seonghwa tried to hide a smile by pressing his lips together. Wooyoung might think he was messing with him.

"So, now we have an immense excess of positive H-ions, in case it's acid, but also you can count the lose OH-molecules from the water. And the calculation of the pH value is based on how many lose H-ions or lose OH-molecules are there. That's also why the scale isn't linear, the steps go by tenfold. Four isn't twice as acidic as two; but two is a hundred times more acidic than four.”

Wooyoung stared with an open mouth and deeply furrowed eyebrows, “But not all lose H-ions are split from OH-molecules and the acid at the same time.” Seonghwa nodded, “That’s right. But on average, there will be a certain amount more H-protons than OH-molecules. There's a formula for it.” The other student also mumbled or snickered amongst themselves. “So water stops being water and then it becomes water again?” Han Jisung frowned in confusion. “Welcome to the part of school where science becomes philosophy. Worst year of my live throughout university,” Seonghwa smiled sympathetically and packed up the rest of his papers and left.  Heh ad another Chemistry class scheduled, 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 San; and the culprit was a Maths class at four in the afternoon beyond the days of November that still had sunlight at this time. San hated it. The students were tired and could barely concentrate, and also didn't hide that they'd rather be elsewhere. Seonghwa was sort of lucky with his Biology class just the period before, but he already warned him that no one really participated. A little part of his mind though found relief in the fact that it was Wooyoung's class.

“Surprise,” San greeted them with a stack of papers, waving it in the air as he walked in, “Guys ... Everybody, put everything away that is not a pen.” The class erupted into groans.

“Surprise test at this hour?” Hendery called.

San grinned wickedly and simply handed Yeji the stack to pass it through. “Yes. I’ll tell you about it in a minute. Get ready. Rest comes back to me.” They weren’t actually tests, just normal worksheets.

“This is not a normal test,” San explained as he followed the stack through the crowd.

“Is it the exam?” Yunho guessed and Wooyoung face palmed behind him as he received more than one sheet of paper.

“It’s not the exam,” San smiled and awaited Wooyoung. “For this one you may do partner work if, and it's a mandatory if, you get stuck. Don’t just copy the answers of your partners; help each other out. The goal is to find out what you remember and what you haven’t understood so far. Hand it in once you're done and note for yourself where you're lacking."

Wooyoung halted barely past the first row of desks and rather leaned forward with his arm stretched out to hand him the leftover papers. Hm.

"You'll receive a mock grade just to know where you're standing. Deal?”

"I'll take Wooyoung," Changbin shouted, making Wooyoung visibly flinch in the middle of the room.

"No, I will," Donghyuck whined. Wooyoung didn't react more than casting a glance towards them as he headed to the back. His friends protested quickly, "He doesn't even know your name."

"Can I team up with you, teacher?" Choi Jisu grinned brightly in her first row seat. San tried not to frown, "That costs extra."

With a bit less dread on their mind the students started on the papers and talked quietly. His eyes wandered, checking if they followed his instructions, and a few had already partnered up.

"Teacher, I need extra sheets of paper," Wooyoung called from the back and San nodded easily; but he doubted his friends sitting around him twisted towards him didn't quite actually need to listen to his explanations. They seemed fine on their own usually, though judging their scrap notes on their tests and homework much of it came from Wooyoung.

“Teacher, can I also go over to Wooyoung-ssi?” Yu Jimin asked from behind Yeji. “Are you stuck?” he asked instead and looked at Jisu, “You don’t know either?” They knew; they usually had an easy time in his classes, so he helped them out himself.

“Anybody finished yet?” he asked after he was through the girls' act, but the groups still talked over the paper and seemed to genuinely discuss, which pleased San immensely.

“Here,” Yeosang called in English next to Wooyoung who had his arm raised but fully leaned on the wall. San went over to them. Unexpected from students like Wooyoung and Yeosang: they sat in the very last row right next to the wall, and Yunho and Mingi at the desk in front of them. Sometimes they got distracted amongst themselves, but ever enough to miss much or disrupt the lesson. At least today. Sometimes they liked to switch amongst themselves and chatted more or less. San assumed it depended on their arrival, but sometimes it looked like it depended on their moods.

San checked their worksheets and extra notes with various calculations and formulas and more scribbled and scratched words. "Looks good. I'll take them, then," San nodded and collected the papers.

“In your next life just become a teacher, Youngie,” Yunho praised. “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 not to laugh. Wooyoung was witty. “Don’t say that. You’re remarkable, Wooyoung-ssi. Some of my class mates back then tried anything from volunteer work to claim their positive karma to making their parents argue with the teachers. There was a rumour someone practised a blood ritual before the exam because they were really hopeless,” San recounted and the students looked at him with big eyes.

"But did they make it? With the ritual," Mingi's looked up at him hopefully.

"I don't know who it was; but I know none of them became teachers." The boy frowned deeply. Oh boy.

He left them with more instructions to read up on their next chapter and work on some exercises from the text book. It was already past five. 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 May. 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 seventeen minutes past five. He surrendered, “Yeah, 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 interest, since today was the first time he’d join the dance club. And since Seonghwa had left after his last class, 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 and forth 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 boys and girls gathered with them.

“We’re waiting for another friend. We’ll head to the gym together,” Yunho explained. San nodded but briefly wondered what they’d do at the gym. “Ah, dance club?” he concluded 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 went to the teacher’s locker room to change and found it occupied by what seemed like two other people judging by the piles and bags. Someone was still there, not a teacher though, but San still recognised him as soon as he turned. Oh? Eden-hyung hadn't mentioned that part of the deal.

San took a steadying breath and cleared his throat, “Hello, sir. 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. Jung Hoseok. There was just no way he missed it. But honestly he didn't pay much attention to any detail head lining the participant list.

“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; like they were familiar with each other's faces from teacher conferences or university classes. San was a bit overwhelmed actually. Should he say something? "I'm happy to meet you, Hoseok-ssi! I'm sure the students will be thrilled to learn from you." Hoseok waved him off casually, but he beamed at the recognition. "Say hyung. I feel so old," he laughed.

“Thank you, hyung... I’ll change my clothes here as well, I guess,” San explained and Hoseok nodded and reasoned another teacher did the same. Then he left with the instruction to meet in the main hall. San changed quickly and let Seonghwa know he’d be starting soon and probably ready in two hours to be picked up, and also he'd never believe what happened. Seonghwa replied quickly and let him know there wouldn’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 music teacher, he had covered a few Korean classes for literature, but San had heard he was quite the dancer. He went over to where Taeyong-ssi sat with some of his students. 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 even from afar. 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 model looking student Hyunjin and a few girls from their year. Chaeryeong and Yeji, they were always together; the younger girl, Shin Ryujin, was with them chatting excitedly, 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 wildly from the set up room. It wasn't any real choreography, but wide and cheerful movements. Everyone started cheering and clapping. “Is he famous?” Taeyong asked San, startled by all then noise. San double checked his face to see if Taeyong was joking, “Yeah! Aren't you close to my age, sunbaenim? He’s a member of BTS." Taeyong-ssi frowned, the named seemed to ring a bell and he nodded. "He goes by J-Hope. He opened a dance academy after their hiatus announcement, but their company sends their trainees to his studios.”

San recalled they were quite an epiphany back in the day. He didn't want to call himself a fan, but he had enjoyed their music whenever it came on with the charts, and 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 training as they talked about ambition and passion. They were quite strict on themselves, but even more so when they became older and mentored younger idols. It left a bitter taste in San's mouth.

He couldn’t help but let his eyes stray away to Wooyoung many times. Hoseok did a very efficient round of introductions by asking the first few students why they decided to join and, instead of going through one by one to the end, 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! 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 strength 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 back against him, while Yunho sat on his heels like he was ready to pray; squirming and clapping excitedly. “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-hyung does with Hongjoong-hyung.” Yunho leaned forward on his wrists and back up repeatedly, 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. They would do it.

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 criss-cross 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 wanted to end it already, but the students begged to keep going until the few others songs played as well. A western rap 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, Yunho at the front. 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 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 shouted and held them for a moment. “I haven't seen this before,” he prompted, and the boys cackled as they all looked at Yunho. “It was free style - 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 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 chuckled, “How can he be 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-hyung 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 a PE teacher, but I studied at an athlete academy, so I don't really have any part in dancing. But I enjoyed it today. I’ll let you know in time, hyung.” 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 told him what happened.

Chapter Text

Wooyoung sighed heavily. It was Friday lunch time, but a glance on the black board earlier revealed that Biology class just before wasn’t the last time he’d see teacher Park today.

When Yunho and Yeosang had told him teacher Choi’s name was on the list for dance club on Tuesday, Wooyoung didn’t buy it. But then he had said See you after Maths, and Yeosang had left a bruise on his thigh to make him turn when 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. I bet they looked up Hanwoo cattle farms on Thursday.”

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

His friends conspired all the time. For almost two months now.

“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? They're only ever with us. And 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 before Christmas.”

“Please don’t. I have to fight off your mom 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 with his theory. “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; but there was definitely a slip of paper that he didn't put there.

“Okay, then. What if,” Wooyoung 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 as much sarcasm as he could as if he hadn’t seriously thought about it before.

“Take turns? Wooyoung-ah, you can have more than one boyfriend at a time,” Hongjoong told him.

“That’s called cheating.”

“Not if they know about each other,” Jongho hooked in.

"How wouldn't they? They're dating each other already."

“And then they could still date you if you all agree. There’s that thing called polygamy. Quite popular… if you look into it… I heard,” Yunho explained with a blush spreading to his ears.

“Did you look into it?” Hongjoong frowned 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. Wooyoung rolled his eyes.

“How’re your boyfriends?” Yeonjun greeted him cheekily.

Wooyoung managed not to gasped, “Who?” Soobin giggled.

“Your boyfriends. Yeosang and… what did you say? Yun-Gi,” Yeonjun explained which had Soobin laughing out loud.

Relief washed over Wooyoung. He almost thought they spread a rumour. That was the only thing missing to this chaos. "Oh, well. They're… normal."

"And the teachers?"

“Th-the teachers? What about them?” Wooyoung asked with discomfort. Yeonjun nodded. "Word is they're adopting you. Is your mom crashing out again?"

“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. Soobin only cooed at him, pinching his cheek, and Wooyoung decided to flee. “God, you’re just as bad as the others,” he scolded, but as he turned to walk away, he found teacher Park and teacher Choi already sat with his friends, sitting across from each other.

No.

Wooyoung stopped in his tracks; maybe he could go with Soobin and Yeonjun after all, 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.

Fully on purpose.

“You don't look like you’re ready for PE later,” teacher Choi mused.

“Yes, because he doesn’t eat,” Mingi scolded 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 the little note that was for Wooyoung.

Wooyoung read it and smiled before he 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 amused 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… And you bring stuff. Like, the expensive stuff,” 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 and made the rest laugh at his surprised face.  “Re-really? 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 anymore, but I'm still on 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. Savoury and juicy and with a little crunchy pickle, 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, “Recipe,” he said and pointed down to the sandwich.

“Are you finished?” Teacher Park asked incredulous and looked between Wooyoung and the sandwich.

“I’m full,” Wooyoung explained quickly.

“Full from what; technical terms about nutrient transport? I bet you already know the whole chapter word for word, don’t you,” Changbin scolded from across the table. Wooyoung looked down.

What was his fucking problem?

 “Hey,” Yunho and Yeosang immediately scolded Changbin across from them, not too harshly though. “He just said he’s full. No drama,” Yunho warned him. Wooyoung looked up at Yunho, but averted his eyes as soon as Yunho was about to look back at him.

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, “Yes, you’ll have a long day. You also joined the band; is that right?” he asked so gently and opened the bottle for Wooyoung and put it down in front of him.

How embarrassing. Getting babied by the teachers.

He 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.

The only reason Wooyoung stayed focus throughout their lunch was to keep track of what his friends were saying. He didn't participate a lot, he couldn't talk to his teachers just like that. The others had such an easy time to chat with the teachers, even talking casually in between which made Wooyoung's heart leap, but the men didn't seem to mind.

Teacher Choi pulled the sleeve of his track top to look at his wrist watch and shooed them all up, “Chop, chop. Get ready. You guys have no excuse to be late for class 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. “Takes one to know one,” teacher Park clicked his tongue and mocked childishly. Wooyoung wanted to watch; there was some sort of heaviness loading between them, but different than what he was used to. Instead, he only listened as he carefully wrapped his sandwich.

They bickered just like any other pair of friends. It wasn't like anything Wooyoung imagined about being romantically involved. Probably because they were at their work place.  Teacher Choi smiled and winked. That was also their thing; winking. "Alight, I'll text you when I'm done." There it was again. Teacher Park winked back, "Got it."

"What?" Wooyoung blurted as he headed for the gym alongside the teacher.  “We forgot our schedules don't completely line up anymore. Last year it was better. Seonghwa-hyung doesn't have any more classes today, but we came with one car,” teacher Choi explained, "So he'll wait up and pick me up after classes are over. Then he'll drive back in the evening for band." Wooyoung didn’t know what to say, and nodded instead. It hadn't occurred to him that, of course, they lived together and then also shared their cars and all. They lived together, worked at the same school and drove there together. They were with each other all around the clock. Wooyoung didn't know how they did it. He grew sick if he was with the same person for more than a day; be it his friends or his brother. He loved them, of course, but he had his limits. After a few hours his tolerance simply ran out and he became moody.

The PE class was quite uneventful, aside from his friends’ winks and mocking-kisses. The 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-ah?” 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. Wooyoung knew that look. The teacher lingered another moment but then left.

“They got it bad for you. What did you do?” Yeosang giggled 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,” teacher Choi smiled when he saw him and they greeted each other with a soft touch to each other's 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 look 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 more than three 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.

“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 patted his shoulder proudly while Hongjoong grumbled about exploitation.

Wooyoung sighed but eventually agreed, “Okay, go. Write in the group chat what you want. I give you half an hour before I send an ambulance.”

“You should really become a teacher, you know,” Yunho then mused. Wooyoung clicked his tongue, “Why; so your little fantasy three-way relationship between me and the teachers won’t be illegal?”

“You don' have to become a teacher for that," Mingi said.

Yunho nodded. "It'll be legal as soon as you're out of school… 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.

“If we were a K-pop boy group, you’d be the leader,” Mingi chirped and opened the door to the library for all of them to walk through.

“No, I wouldn’t. I’m the second youngest of our group. 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 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… choked 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?

He had made a list of high-class restaurants and culinary schools; he even added bakeries and pastry schools just in case. There weren't many. Two only relatively local in Seoul, and the rest were scattered all over the country.

He had his CV ready and almost a dozen different cover letters for different restaurants. But aside from getting in; he had to take much more into account. Should he move away or stay close? What would happen to Kyungmin once he’d leave their mother’s house? He'd need to look for an apartment and maybe take a job because internships didn't pay enough if at all. He had more than enough money in his savings for now; but it would only last close to a year depending on rent and all.

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 took a 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 once his balance ran out, 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 take a job next to full time culinary school. Or take one year off to work 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. He even said he’d introduce me to some real producers, like those that work with the big labels. And if I can add some of big names or contracts to my résumé, 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 spend every free minute drooling all over me. Your 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. You know Yeji said teacher Choi sounded jealous when Jimin asked to get your help in Maths this week,” Yunho said.

“My fanboy heart,” Mingi 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 themselves,” 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 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. If he talked to them personally, they’d have it easy to cage him in again. Coming all up into his space with their satin dress shirts and expensive perfumes and soft hands and- just thinking about it gave him a dry throat and goose bumps again.

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 rang, 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, 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… And he seems kinda nice.”  

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 was 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 cute, but he didn’t know Yeosang was into singing. “Not really. But I one time I was gaming with Yunho and some kid acted up in the chat, so I wanted to mess with him, but just in case he'd know my voice I made it really deep. I didn't even know I could do that, but I think I can train it. Maybe I can start voice acting or a podcasts. Something like that.” Wooyoung nodded and smiled.

"Your mom will be over the moon," he grinned and earned himself a sharp punch on the shoulder.

"Shut up."

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 chose to sit Wooyoung one row behind him in the first seat. Probably to watch him or something. 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-ah,” 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. Just little, soft touches, absentmindedly but enough to keep him grounded. 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 mom 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 August or so.

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 a bit too easily. “Just tired, no worries."

“Of course you’re tired. If I know you at all, all you had today was a cup of black coffee, some 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."

“That’s not enough, Wooyoung-ah,” Hongjoong argued with a bit more bite. 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

Seeing Wooyoung almost every day spoiled San; he anticipated their classes and had this urge to coo at him every time he got the right answers. That, or the fact that Wooyoung had left them hanging kept him on edge, but he wasn't ready to admit that.

Either way he should pay attention to keep his composure. His last class of today was Maths; the one with Wooyoung's class where everyone would be ready to fall asleep. He couldn't be too mad at the students given he would also have to fight of sleepiness after a long break; he had a PE class before, and then a free period right after lunch. Wooyoung's class had a full day of rather dry lessons with only short recesses between; but for him it would also be four in the afternoon in the darkness of late autumn, and he still showed up with no dent in his performance. And having only two or three students who really participated didn't ease his sentiment, even if one of them was Wooyoung.

But… there would also be the dance club afterwards. Last time was merely for Hoseok-hyung to get a look at his students. It wasn’t really a reliable taste for him to say if he’d stay or not. He would go again; he just had to let Seonghwa know he'd be home later than expected.

He was also in quite early today; Seonghwa had woken him up lovingly and presented the best breakfast ever. San had felt like he was in candy land and Seonghwa was gushing from all the praises, and promised him an equally tasty lunch before they kissed goodbye.

Seonghwa had only two classes on Tuesdays in the middle of the day, so he had lazy mornings and lots of free time in the evening, and still he used it to catch up with the other Science teachers. Even though they were almost three full months into the school year, there was still a bit of trouble with the schedules. They might be changed, after all, Seonghwa had told him.

San walked past the classrooms casually as the students were still walking around, greeting a few who were talking or on their phones. He was early, but just a minute too late to put his sports gear at the gym's locker room, so he left it at his desk in the teachers' lounge along with one stack of worksheets he'd need for his only class after lunch.

Walking past Wooyoung’s classroom towards the other seniors' class he caught a curious scene. The room was kept dark aside from the screen saver of the smart board provided a dim light. If it weren't for the sounds, San had kept walking. There was the chanting that lured him in, sounding somewhere between weeping and a blood sacrifice, so he stopped to peek inside.

Hongjoong and Jongho were there with Wooyoung’s group along with Yeonjun, Felix, Yu Jimin and Yeji. They moved around a bit and granted San a glimpse of Wooyoung, standing in the midst of them, swaying to the tune although he appeared shy. His face seemed a bit unfamiliar - unnatural shadows danced along the planes of his face; and only then did San catch sight of - something on flames?

He stepped closer inside; not just out of curiosity, but also as a teacher and regarding their affinity for arson, he had to make sure they stuck to the safety measurements. 

The rest of the students barely acknowledge him if they even noticed his presence, and also looked on and joined the chant which turned out to be Happy Birthday and applauded when they finished. What? Wooyoung laughed, high pitched and loud, clearly distinguishable amongst the clapping and cheering, and blew out the candles on a bright red apple. Seungmin turned on the lights again, blinding San for a moment, but it didn't take away from the attention Wooyoung received.

He smiled coyly as his friends closed in around him, hugging him, even giving him kisses on his cheeks which he accepted unwillingly. Jongho lifted the apple towards him and said something; San didn't catch it, but Wooyoung smiled charmingly and even bowed with his head even though Jongho was younger than him.

"Does anyone have a knife?” Wooyoung called out and the rest took a step back each.

Wow. First arson, now close combat?

“To cut the apple, you dummies. I want to share it with you. No murder on my birthday,” Wooyoung explained.

Wooyoung’s birthday?

Jongho shushed them all and took the apple, breaking it in half with his bare hands, and even broke them apart again, offering the pieces to the others. Yeosang was quick to feed a whole quarter to Wooyoung before he whispered something into his ear. Wooyoung rolled his eyes at him, but therefore caught San's eyes.

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?”

“Nineteen,” Wooyoung slowly blinked from San's eyes down to his outstretched hand and back up before he accepted San’s handshake politely with both hands and a bow. His eyes told something akin to shock.

“Then live at least another nineteen years full of health and joy. Happy birthday, Wooyoung-ah. I wish you all the best and that all your effort will pay off.” He held Wooyoung's hand gently but tightened his grip when Wooyoung's handshake was more firm than he expected, and he almost wanted to put his other hand as well, but kept it still across his waist. He smiled, hoping to sooth Wooyoung.

“Ah, thank you, teacher,” Wooyoung repeated and bowed his head again, although it didn't hide the way Wooyoung's eyes tracked down from his face to his chest in time.

"Just... make sure you have a teacher present next time you put a flame on... anything while you're in a class room, yeah?"

The students took it lightly, laughing and thanking San for his alliance; but he 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 from afar before.

Maybe they could buy him lunch or just a snack. Or Seonghwa could bring an extra serving for lunch 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 rather accepting of them; they even waved them over to join them for lunch and made easy conversation with them. Wooyoung himself was a bit ambiguous, sometimes more and sometimes less talkative. Aside from his cooking skills, a vague list of interests and indications that Wooyoung had easy access to expensive goods, San had barely any idea what could pique his interest that was still sincere yet under-the-radar.

It's Wooyoung's birthday today

Would you bring an extra serving for lunch? Maybe we can sit with them again

Or is it too much?

HwaSeong 🪐♡

It's a lovely idea, Sannie

Put your phone away, though. You're in class

Yes sir🫡

His first two classes wrote a test, so he had some quiet time to think something up. Seonghwa couldn’t jump Wooyoung with birthday wishes; the only way Seonghwa could know was if San told him, and then Wooyoung would know they talked about him.

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. 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, so how could they expect an immediate answer?

The classes went by quickly, and San still came up empty with just a few thoughts about how to proceed with Wooyoung.

He even had to hurry to the gym now; although it was his habit, he wouldn't cut class short while they were writing a test. In the teachers' lounge, Seonghwa was already there and San sneaked up on him to gently squeeze his shoulder, "Hi," he whispered close to his ear in lieu of a kiss.

“Hi. Are you in a rush?” Seonghwa greeted back with a faltering smile as he watched San sorting the papers into sealed files that he stored in his locker and getting his gym bag.

"Yeah, just had a test."

Seonghwa hummed, "Then I'll send you a picture of our lunch boxes. I made them extra pretty."

San slowed down in his movements and reached out to cup Seonghwa's cheek. He looked cute with his proud smile. "I bet they're phenomenal, hyung."

"What?" Seonghwa insisted when San paused unexpectantly.

"Maybe… Maybe we shouldn’t,” San said. Seonghwa looked at him in surprise and concern. “We’re basically hogging him. We’ll scare him off again,” he whispered. Seonghwa watched him, a frown crept upon his features, and nodded slowly.

“I see. We’ll take it easy, then. Should we… come back here for lunch? Can't really sneak past them in the cafeteria… And we’ll see him later anyway,” Seonghwa reasoned.

San exhaled. He should be at the gym already. “Yeah. At this point anything we do makes us suspicious. Even if we just stopped now. His friends must have noticed by now.”

“Let’s see how we feel in an hour, okay? We'll decide spontaneously."

It turned out they didn’t need to decide. Seonghwa had texted that he didn't want to stay at the teachers' lounge, after all, and they'll eat at the gym. For real this time. And then seize the last bearable temperatures for a little walk.

"Let' take a walk first. All the students are gone for now. I left an exit door open in the main hall, so we can go around and get back in on the other side," San smiled as he waited for Seonghwa at the entrance. Seonghwa's eyes lit up and he immediately fetched San's hand and put their joined hands in his pocket, while San took the paper bag with their food and let it swing in the cold air. Their arms were completely aligned and their steps synchronised as soon as they headed for the lower school yard. "I thought I'd join the dance club again today. See what Hoseok-hyung has in mind… I don't know."

"Oh, then you'll have a really long day," Seonghwa wondered, "But there'll be enough food for you until you come home."

"You made it look like art; I almost don't want to eat it." San's laughed caught in his throat, the little visible blast of his warm breath vanished as they rounded the corner. San didn't recognise them right away, but Mingi and Yeosang were setting something up outside the south entrance of the cafeteria; their laughter revealed them. Seonghwa tugged him a bit to the side; their steps faltered simultaneously.

"Oh, let's go thi-"

“Teacher, come join us today,” Mingi called out before they could sneak away, just getting around to formal speech in an afterthought, and Yeosang smiled excitedly, too.

"It’s Wooyoung’s birthday. We can only really celebrate with everyone now. He'll vanish after today.”

Oh, why? That sounded weird with such a cheerful voice.

San subtly bumped Seonghwa’s shoulder since officially Seonghwa didn’t know. “Oh, his birthday? Oh, well, San-ah, what do you say? They're inviting us so nicely," Seonghwa looked at San, not really for approval, although San had mentioned his concerns earlier. San gave in and nodded, "We'll be happy to join.”

“We got a little cake for him,” Yeosang presented the box he held as Mingi held the door to the cafeteria.

San cooed with a hand over his heart, “You bought him a cake? I wish I had friends like this when I was younger. Did you get it just now?”

“We didn’t buy it," Mingi shook his head.

"Wooyoung his brother came over to my place and my mom asked him about the different… mixing… whatever, so they ended up making it together,” Yeosang smiled fondly, “And then my mom drove them  home, while I went over to Mingi's place and we decorated it together.”

"And I brought it to the cafeteria this morning to hide it and we had to sneak around the back to get it... It looks horrible," Mingi laughed. "I had to take the bus. It's the saddest birthday cake ever. It looks like it melted."

“No, I bet it’s wonderful. And Wooyoung will be happy, I’m sure,” Seonghwa smiled and let go of San's hand as they entered the building. The boys both didn’t sound too sure, but were no less excited.

The group was gathered, Eden-hyung and Hongjoong-ssi were there, too, obviously done with their main course. Empty Tupperware and paper wraps sorted to the side. San and Seonghwa stood back for a moment as Mingi and Yeosang sped up to surprise them, cheering as they presented Wooyoung with the cake. Mingi even pulled out a little tiara to decorate Wooyoung’s hair with it.

Wooyoung looked around in shock, but couldn’t help to laugh in embarrassment and hugged each of them tenderly. His smile didn't drop when the teachers joined them; San 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 Yeosang to get a cake knife from the cafeteria staff and the boys settled again.

San sat down and watched on; locking eyes with Wooyoung a few times as Seonghwa congratulated him as well, and luckily the boy didn’t seem too irritated. Most of the students dug in right away, praising and laughing at the design, but Wooyoung left his piece sitting untouched in front of him for a while. In the meantime Seonghwa set out their lunchboxes.

"Wow, thank you for the food," he said and squeezed Seonghwa's thigh under the table. Yunho set down small slices of cake before each of them and San eyed it curiously.

“Dessert comes second, darling,” Seonghwa warned with a knowing smile. San smiled back, “Just looking. What’s this called? It's so,” he trailed off as he inspected the cake. The light reflected of the texture.

“Sponge cake," Wooyoung answered quickly. San blinked at him. Did he hear that right?

"Sponge cake? Why?"

"Because of its texture. It has the usual base ingredients but uses only egg whites so it's fluffly and a light colour."

"Hey, I wanted to say shiny," San giggled, turning to Seonghwa in embarrassment.

"It's normally soft and moist because without the yolks less sugar dissolves and it doens't firm up, but then it’s not good for stacking. Because you stacked it, it sunk down under it's own weight,” Wooyoung explained calmly but gave apointed look to Yeosang. 

“That sounded much more complex yesterday,” Yeosang added, his eyes showed judgement, but his smile betrayed him.

“Because you asked about Chiffon cake and kept asking why after everything I said so I had to explain it to you down to the molecules,” Wooyoung answered with no bite.

San looked at Seonghwa. “Baking with molecules?” he asked incredulously and Seonghwa nodded, licking a drop of soy sauce glaze from his lips.

“It's all Chemistry. That’s why I cook and you don't,” he winked and took another bite of his rice.

“I can also cook,” San pouted, but Seonghwa beat him quickly. “You see any vegetables and start a whole speech about why carrots are the inferior food.”

San sputtered. What a ridiculous accusation!

"Wh- Well, 'cause they are! Carrots aren't even what they're supposed to be. They originated from an entirely different climate and used to poisonous."

Seonghwa broke into a smile perfectly balanced between amused and smug, before looked over at Wooyoung, who also grinned.

"Changing crops to sustain such changes is also Chemistry," he nodded obediently.

That little traitor.

"Technically it's Bio-Engineering. We'll have a class about that soon," Seonghwa teased, but Wooyoung didn't mind.

"All Chemistry," San drawled sarcastically towards his boyfriend and earned himself a pinch to his thigh.

"Spongy or saffron, this cake is bomb. It's so fudgy," Mingi interjected, munching on his marzipan décor.

"Chiffon," Wooyoung repeated clearly. “With you baking also feels like bio-engineering." San hummed and kept his eyes on Wooyoung, signalling he was listening. Wooyoung shrugged, “The recipe and how it comes out depends on so many things; even just one step can throw it all off; the quality of the ingredients, the ratio, mixing order. It can change the texture from moist to dense; even the colour of the baking pan can give a different crust to it.” San was stunned and nodded along; he could probably listen and watch for hours and still be baffled, he'd just have to accept it.

He ate most of his rice and beef, but left some to eat before dance practise. Seonghwa set his cutlery down and whipped his mouth elegantly. “So Wooyoung-ah, do you celebrate your birthday; with your family?”

Wooyoung's posture deflated, tension flickered through the group of boys, judging by the beat of silence as Wooyoung hesitated to answer. “No, um, my mom’s out of town and I visited Yeosang with my brother yesterday to hang out. And we’re all together now, eating cake. That’s all I need.” He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes like before.

“Your mom’s away for your birthday?” Seonghwa repeated in an attempt to leave to next directions to Wooyoung, also noting the change in his demeanour. Wooyoung waved him off, “It’s alright. Probably easier this way.”

San bit his lip, hoping Seonghwa would stop asking, although he knew they were both burning for answers. There was definitely some crucial detail to his family background that weighted down on him. San always felt some latent sorrow on his birthdays or typical family occasions when he grew up and still to this day. It was a dull reminder that his upbringing wasn't like that of other kids; and while he cherished his grandparents for their care, then and now, he had always felt othered.

“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.

Yunho pinched his cheek from the side, “We’d give you more but you won’t accept any. At least eat your cake, birthday boy."

Wooyoung hadn’t touched it at all. Wooyoung hummed but only picked a few crumbs from it. San guessed he also hadn't eaten much more than three bites of anything else, then. “You must be tired of seeing and eating your own creations. Come here, let’s switch, my piece is a bit smaller, hm,” he offered his plate. Maybe Wooyoung would feel more inclined to eat it, but he denied. “Thank you, teacher. It’s fine.” San sighed and took a moment to ponder. Time to abuse his authority, then. “Wooyoung-ah, you haven’t eaten one bite,” he pointed out gently and still regretted it a bit when Wooyoung’s face fell.

"I'm not hungry."

He had been right. San tried not to twitch his lips, “It's rude, though," he prodded, maybe a bit tactlessly, "You know what; 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.” It was the same argument he had used before. At least this time Wooyoung he gave in. And on top of that he basically hand fed the cake to Wooyoung.

The tried with the chopsticks first, of course, but the cake was so light he had trouble not to squeeze it too hard. He went slowly, crumb for crumb because Wooyoung looked physically sick and ashamed to eat from his fingers. A new round of wishes and congrats started as they finished up their lunch.

Seonghwa reached over to gather their boxes, and San almost instinctively leaned on him, but Seonghwa got up first anyway. “Boys, I had a wonderful time, thank you for the invitation. But my rules for punctuality still apply. I’ll see you then.”

"Boo," San called calmly and looked up at him, “I’m so glad I never had a teacher like you.”

Seonghwa paused and raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. “You would have absolutely fallen in love with me if I had been your teacher.” Seonghwa pinched his cheek, while San packed their lunch boxes back into the paper bag. San mimicked his grin, also surprised at the dog whistle, but it was too tempting not to play along.

“Actually I fell in love with you before you were a teacher. I might have hated you if I had met you like this.”

Seonghwa smirked and leaned closer as if he'd share a secret, but he barely lowered his voice, “That's funny. I remember you acted like you didn't like me first and then liked it when I had to teach you a lesson or two.” San breathed in deeply in order not to react too much. Of course Seonghwa would make a kinky joke. After more than a decade, his cheeks still filled with warmth. The students around them laughed as well, and San just quietly accepted his defeat. “Kinky.”

San couldn’t wait to get through the last class of the day. The free period right after lunch was sacrificed to take another short walk to the gym where he left the door open, and then to grade the year twelve tests. He'd grade the seniors' when the other class also wrote their so he could compare their levels better. He even got a sneaky kiss from Seonghwa when he said goodbye and took some of San's paper work.

Unsurprisingly Wooyoung's classmates asked a lot of questions about the exam, obviously trying to waste time for the actual lesson, but also unsurprisingly San caved on the condition that they'd write a test in a week or two. 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 offered to let them go earlier again after they put together a list of topics or formulas they didn’t feel confident about so he could includeit in the next few classes and the test. Jisu took out a sheet of paper and started the list, then handing it over to Yeji until it reached the back. Everyone was buzzing, looking at him with wide eyes, and San gave a quick thought to have Wooyoung read the list out loud just to annoy them a bit, but he let them go.

Most students bolted right away, trying to catch the earlier bus, but Wooyoung and his group stayed seated again as San also took his time to pack up. “Waiting for your friends again?” San asked as he walked up to them since Wooyoung didn't make any effort to bring the list to him. But they also had an unfinished deal.

“No, he doesn’t want to stay in the dance club,” Mingi sighed. San nodded and assumed they’d just wait here instead of outside.

“Wooyoung-ah, we had a deal.”

He showed off the box with the rest of the cake. Wooyoung's eyes widened, akin to shock, and he whined loudly like a trapped animal, begging San with his eyes. Oh shit, he'd be in trouble if he and Wooyoung got any closer outside of class.

“No, no," San closed his eyes in concentration to keep his ground before he smiled. "Seonghwa-hyung will ask me if you ate your cake, and I’m a very bad liar. He won't be happy.”

Wooyoung seemed to give in after that notion; probably more out of pity than anything before it turned into a smirk for half a second, "Will he teach you another lesson?" He gasped, apparently shocked at his own wit, and San felt his face slacken. He did not expect Wooyoung out of all people to pick up and add to the innuendo.

"Sorry! I'm sorry, teacher! Oh my God."

San pressed his lips together but broke into laughter, and the boys joined after they waited for his reaction. "Don't worry, we'll just- I'll blame it on you and see what he'll say." He nodded as if he accepted his unfair fate and handed a bite-size piece of cake to Wooyoung. He meant for Wooyoung to take it, instead he leaned forward and ate from his fingers again. His throat went dry within a second. He almost said Wooyoung would need a lesson as well, but that was just too much; especially in front of other students, especially when Wooyoung literally just turned nineteen today. They'd think he was a creep. Still he had Wooyoung literally eat from his hand.

“Teacher,” Yeosang's still grinned from laughing, but it also foretold his very own mischief, “Would you really fall in love with teacher Park if you were his student now?”

San shrugged, pretending to miss the way Wooyoung almost bit his finger. “Probably… He’s even more handsome and charismatic now than when he was younger. He hasn't changed much, though; he still takes very good care of me and guides me a lot. My nineteen year old self would have been very lucky to him as he is now, even just as a mentor maybe, actually. He became a little less patient if anything, I'd say that's only because he's more aware of what he wants and accepts and to set his boundaries. 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 considering how playful and mischievous the boys were Yeosang probably had an ulterior motive with the question. They probably talked about them; he knew at least a few girls did. Maybe Wooyoung had told them? He wanted to gauge their reaction more as they listened, but he focussed on breaking smaller pieces of cake for himself as he went back and forth sharing with Wooyoung.

“Would you, if you were his student now, would you... like, confess to him? Like you're nineteen and he'd be your teacher. Or try anything?”

Oh, these boys definitely talked about them.

San replied innocently, “Well, I guess... Hm. I guess I, as my nineteen year old self, might do something rather than say something; some kind of a stunt to get his attention, to get him riled him up. Because I was an- I was pretty reckless. Seonghwa would probably give me an ear-full and make me wait and sort things out for myself first. Rightly so, of course. You don’t have to start a relationship as soon as someone confessed their feelings. Love, and trust and all that, it needs to be established and that can take time. You have to show up and stick to your words... At least that's what I've learned for myself. But, as I know him, he'd keep an eye on me anyway, and if he turned out to like me back, he would wait until I graduated to catch up. He has this gift of patience and empathy even when he’s strict. I really don’t know how he does it. In the beginning it was keeping me on my tip toes, ” San laughed as he thought back.

The students listen carefully, even Wooyoung seemed curious as he obediently accepted the food.

“You never act so… lovely,” Mingi mentioned, smiling.

“We’re not allowed to; kiss or anything. We came up with other gestures,” San said simply, “Figures… we work with children and minors. And we’re both men. We also don’t need to hang off of each other. Seonghwa needs to have quiet time, and I get exhausted from being around people for too long.”

Mingi and Yeosang hummed at the insight. Wooyoung eyed him suspiciously, but didn’t comment. He probably turned 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.

The boys left for the gym eventually while San got his sports bag. Hoseok-ssi was waiting in the main hall with some music playing in the background, Wooyoung was talking to him and a few men were working on the music station and putting tape on the floor. San sat down with Taeyong-ssi again and chatted lightly.

“Alright folks, settle down, settle down,” Hoseok called and the men also settled within the crowd. “These are my friends, from my dance crew, and they’ll tag along today’s special performance since we have a birthday boy in our midst,” Hoseok smiled brightly and gestured towards Wooyoung who was standing in the back instead of sitting. San watched on curiously. His outfit was much more elegant than last week; all black trousers and a see-through dress shirt over a simple tank top. His hair was a bit tousled and streaky like he had put product in it, and even wore some heavy looking necklace. It didn't look like something to wear for a school dance club at all.

Had he planned something special?

They had a casual warm-up with a few dynamic exercises and stretching first; Hoseok guided and corrected them as he walked around and explained wheres and whys. Then they were told to sit down again along the wall 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 recognised the humming and snapping right from the start and nodded along the music. Bad by Christopher. It had been Seonghwa’s favourite song a few months ago during summer, and it had been playing up and down all day, he even sung to it all the time.

Wooyoung started with his back towards the audience and turned smoothly, immediately starting out with quick and erratic movements. Oh wow.

He seemed to jump into a persona immediately, with hooded eyes and a naughty smirk, quite unfamiliar and opposing to the shy student that had to be forced to eat cake. San’s mouth gaped and maybe he needed to be reminded to breathe. He moved so elegantly and looked like it was barely an inconvenience to move to the words of the song, while his feet moved and stomped to the beat perfectly. His smirk, fingers waving him to come closer, his tongue- His 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 weren’t really explicit or overtly sexual like he was used from current music trends; the most when Wooyoung was kneeling and tracing his thigh and when a dancer grabbed at Wooyoung's chest. San's eyes flickered over to the man for a second; he looked a bit older than Wooyoung, not quiet San's age, though.. Still, it was only Wooyoung’s attitude that carried an almost forbidden sensuality. By the time of the second chorus, Hoseok-ssi must have dimmed the lights, because Wooyoung's eyes glinted differently, his cheek bones and jawline were much more prominent and San might have forgotten to swallow saliva pooled under his tongue. A few times the dancer from before came really close and touched him again, he had kept his position close to Wooyoung throughout the performance. Wooyoung moved smoothly with it, unsurprised and easy; it made something heated flare up in San's chest.

They must have practised together a lot...

The dancers left the second chorus for Wooyoung to dance on his own, and San  briefly recalled there was a passage with slow and distorted music. How would Wooyoung fill it when he had moved so powerfully until now and- well, he wasn’t disappointed.

Wooyoung ended the build of the chorus with 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?

San swallowed. No. No, he wasn’t ready. He had apparently 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.

The dancers rushed back to the centre just as the music picked up again. The hip thrusting move barely registered in San's mind, instead his heart almost leaped from his chest and he audibly gasped when Wooyoung let himself fall forward freely with his hands stretched forwards and making clawing motions. The dancers caught him last minute and 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 after all, but a rotten part celebrated.

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-hyung 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.

As a class they proceeded to single out and analyse some moves together, mostly for the other students to learn the choreography like Wooyoung did it. Hoseok-hyung also showed how to change and fit moves together for other beats and genres and even explained some anatomy behind it, what to be cautious about so they wouldn't hurt themselves.

San was surprisingly successful at picking up a few sequences. 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!

Of course he seized the moment of a little break to catch Wooyoung. "You're amazing. I didn't know you could dance like this."

Wooyoung looked down, but he smiled brightly, "Thank you." It was tamed and shy, like he couldn't say anything else. Yunho stepped up next to him, "Thanks to my skills and Yeonjun's persistence, yeah ."

"Shut up," Wooyoung grumbled, still smiling and pushed his friend off. San giggled, "You taught him?"

"Not really, but Yeonjun smothered me to send a portfolio to Hoseok-ssi, and then also pestered Wooyoung to ask to perform for his birthday. So eventually I participated in making the choreography."

"Wow, you guys are all so talented. Keep going," San cheered, "Just let me tell you, if I had danced like this, Seonghwa wouldn't have waited all year for me." He winked before he stepped backwards to leave them, but he saw Wooyoung definitely blushed immediately.

Back home he announced his arrival gently, looking for Seonghwa after he took his shoes and coat of at the entry hall. "Hi," he whispered, joining Seonghwa in his library.

Seonghwa stood to greet him with a kiss. “Hi, how was it? Oh, you’re all sweaty,” he marked and combed through San’s hair.

“Yes, I danced,” San explained with a big smile, “I’m good at dancing! I never knew that.”

“Is that so,” Seonghwa mused, a little doubtful, “Did you have fun?” San nodded. “Yes, it was great, and Wooyoung, oh my God,” he squeezed Seonghwa's waist and closed his eyes, “He danced to that song you like, Bad,” he said.

“Yeah?”

Seonghwa smiled as he waited for San's report. "It was so… You just had to see it. He's amazing, I almost died. But there were dancers with him; I mean good dancers, from J-Hope's company, but..."

"Jealous, are we?" Seonghwa cupped San's face and placed a kiss on his forehead, cheek and lips. “Let’s go, dinner is ready for you. Wash up and I'll warm it up for you.”

“Are you tired?” San asked in return, noting the static tone he used and tugged on Seonghwa's sweater uselessly just to do something. Seonghwa smiled gently, "A bit. I came home, cleaned in here. There was a bit of dust in a few corners. Then I made dinner. I just sat down again a few minutes ago."

San looked around and nodded, "You moved your coffee table."

"Yes, it's more comfortable with the light sitting this way. Let's go," Seonghwa directed San backwards and out of the room. "Fifteen minutes?" San nodded; Seonghwa always took such good care of him.

"Thank you," he whispered and placed a chaste kiss on Seonghwa's cheek when he came into the dining room with his plate already waiting for him, freshly showered, hair still wet. They sat together, Seonghwa watched him eat and then even served them both a little dish of chia-pudding topped with strawberries.

"Oh, they're sour," San squeezed his eyes as the taste faded from his tongue. Seonghwa agreed, "And way too expensive for it… I'll use apples or cherries next time."

"But it's good. I like the texture."

"Did Wooyoung eat his cake?"

"Yes, I shared with him and made sure he got more," San insisted with wide eyes. Seonghwa giggled, "And then he danced?"

“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 as they finished their dessert.

“Does he now?”

“Do you remember this part with Ready for this? He made it so sexy and I swear my head will fall off tomorrow if I’m lying, he looked right at me.” Seonghwa smirked. He wasn’t quite sure if he should believe it.

“So you think he likes us, after all. Should we talk to him again?” Seonghwa assumed based on story-Wooyoung’s confidence.

“We could try. Yeosang-ssi even picked up on our student teacher falling in love thing from lunch. He asked about it so specifically, and I said, like, yeah, maybe I would have tried, and Seonghwa-hyung would have looked out for me, and we would have waited and made it work. I think I got Wooyoung's attention with that. But 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 wouldn’t anyway. We gave him ours and for as long as he doesn’t decide to contact us first, 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. You'll catch a cold if you go out all sweaty again,” Seonghwa mentioned then and put his hand in San’s. 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 clicked today.

Chapter Text

Oh oh.

Yeosang and Mingi were grinning from ear to ear; the kind they did before stabbing Wooyoung in the back. He pretended not to notice – the eye contact and the settling apprehension just before their attack was usually a significant part of their bickering. He sat the fruit platter and three cans of soda down before he took his seat, still avoiding looking at them; instead he opened one can of Pepsi and handed it over to Yunho, silently rewarding him for minding his business.

"Wooyoungie, truth or dare."

"No."

"You should-"

"No," Wooyoung made it a point to look directly at Yeosang, keeping his face straight.

"You should give teacher Choi your number."

"No." What the hell?

"Come on," Mingi whined and kicked his feet.

"You just don't want to study. Go touch some grass; I won't even lock you outside."

Mingi and Yeosang both gave him a disapproving frown while Yunho chuckled. "It's cold outside. The grass is probably wet."

"Come on. Just one of them. And if he rejects you, you got your answer and you can pretend it was just a hopeless crush anyway."

"You mean you got your answer and will stop pestering about a crush that I don't have."

Mingi pointed his hands to his own chest, "I'd like the answers for every test and exam, actually. Say you'll only leave him alone if he sends you the solutions as soon as he gets them."

"That's what I said," Yeosang gasped and high-fived Mingi.

Yunho finally stepped in, sensing Wooyoung's vanishing patience. "Guys, guys, he's a teacher; it won't work just like that."

"Thank yo-"

"He's probably had tons of people asking and flirting for extra credits. And he knows us. He'll never buy that Wooyoung out of all people would ask him for cheat sheets. You're gotta think this through properly. They'll know it's us."

"Fuck you."

"You could ask for his number instead to ask study questions between classes," Yunho suggested. Wooyoung deadpanned, "Ah, yes. Of course. Because that'll work."

Yunho shrugged but Mingi and Yeosang agreed, "You always study. It's much more plausible."

Wooyoung took his own advice and went outside to the backyard to get away from their assault, while they ditched their English homework in favour of an elaborate plan how to get the teachers on their side.

If they only knew.

He already had their numbers.

He could have texted them weeks ago.

Maybe he could really work them to help his friends.

No. What the hell?!

They were getting into his head. They were making him stupid.

No. He didn't need to give the teachers his number. He needed to send all of his applications already. The only thing he could possible text them about is if he'd get digital copies of his last report cards to attach. But he could also just ask the principal. No need to artificially wrap the teachers up in it.

They would just praise him and coo at him like a baby. As long as teacher Choi wouldn't look at him again like on his birthday.

Ugh.

Wooyoung shivered. Maybe from the cold, maybe from the gut wrenching knot the memory alone stirred in him, maybe it became more intense as the days had passed. Teacher Choi looked like he was about to jump him – Wooyoung just couldn't tell if it was in a good or bad way.

Well, at least he was impressed with him. Not just his grades or his hand writing, but his dancing. Something Wooyoung really had to practise for, something he really had to consciously rethink and relearn.

Formulas and facts came easy. That was merely learning it by heart, pure reconstruction. He hated it when people praised him for that. It was the easiest kind of studying.

Ugh.

Dancing was better. Something he had to apply and watch in the moment. Like cooking, most of the time. Only cooking needed more patience and was easier to fix. If he messed up a measurement he could still adjust the recipe. If he got too much or little seasoning, he could always water it down or even it out. Anything really. For baking he had to wait and see if it went well ans then take notes for the next time.

But for dancing, he had to make sure his movements were right. If he didn't correct it as soon as possible, it was harder to forget it. Even an outfit or more dancers could change the outcome. It was steady while it was dynamic. He liked the contradiction. It kept him active and focused.

And he liked the praise as well - especially when it was for his dancing; not the music choice or his looks, but for the details, the micro-expressions, and his ability to switch styles.

He just couldn't shake teacher Choi's comment afterwards.

Seonghwa-hyung wouldn't have waited.

Judging the way teacher Choi had watched him, he had also been barely waiting. It didn't entirely make Wooyoung more nervous, being watched so intently. Unsurprisingly it reinforced determination and pride in him, but also some sort of weird- boldness? The teachers were being bold coming to the clubs and feeding him cake. Hand-feeding. They even said they liked him.  He should also be allowed to be bold, too. So he checked teacher Choi while he was dancing. So he saw his smile vanish into professional observing. So Wooyoung licked his lips, and twisted his hips more, and looked at him a few more times than elsewhere.

So what?

So he liked performing and being watched and enjoyed getting reactions. And teacher Choi obviously enjoyed watching him perform and say so. There was nothing wrong with that. So they enjoyed what they did with each oth- Oh. That was- That didn't-

He and teacher Choi weren't doing anything with each other!

Wooyoung felt his cheeks heat up against the evening air. His hands where shivering, red from the intense wet cold as he picked up loose wet leaves that had been blown into Mingi's garden.

And even if they did, they shouldn't! He was just being stupid. The teacher had a boyfriend. They were a very established and famous couple. And the teacher couple had a subtle, innocent way of flirting in front of everyone. No one in their right mind would come close to think of getting between them. It was so easy yet agitating to watch them smile and touch and bicker and flirt with each other. Especially when Wooyoung knew by first-hand experience what it felt like to be on the receiving end of it. He knew some girls tried it anyway, more often with teacher Choi, to smile extra big, so be extra sweet, to be extra dumb and need extra help. The only reason Wooyoung kept his cool about it was that teacher Choi always left them cold and dry.

And also because the only other time he said something remotely specific about them, his friends fell down the secret-teacher-crush rabbit-hole and remorselessly dragged him down with them as well.

Mingi was so determined, and Yeosang so amused they started pointing out every breath of air that went his way. The worse part was that he became hyper-aware of it, too. And the very worst part was that their attention started to unmistakably gravitate towards him. Yunho was there for Mingi, and Jongho was there because he liked to bully Wooyoung.

He could never ever ever say one word. Not that they liked him back. Not that they already gave him their numbers and he knew them by heart. Not that they found one excuse after the other to be with him. Not that he felt relieved when they sat down with them, not that he grew restless when they talked to his friends more than him. Not that he knew what their hands felt like on his skin, and not what their eyes felt like in his gut.

Oh God, that was so inappropriate. He shouldn't even think about it.

"Hey, come back. You have an extra script and we don't get your notes," Yunho called from the sliding door.

Ugh. Fine.

To say Wooyoung felt uneasy was understating. Nervous was a more fitting term. Or apprehensive. Not his typical demeanour for school on a Monday morning. His friends didn’t help. They had bothered him with the teachers’ very selective attention on the students all weekend until he snapped and let them believe they convinced him to “get them,” as Mingi and Jongho decided together. He wouldn’t ask or give anything, of course. He had nothing to ask or give.

He would tell them to stop. It's better that way. He'd say thank you, it's flattering of them, they were still welcome at their lunch table, but this couldn't go anywhere.

His friends didn’t know that they were already past the asking part 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. Not in the way he had grown to prefer over anxiety and stress.

The fareirst class was Chemistry with teacher Park, and as promised he had a little article and a video prepared about pH value that also cut into pharmacy-marketing and antibiotic resistance; key word bio-engineering. 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- but for an oral exam or something he would have been perfectly prepped.

He felt so much attention on him it made him sick; his friends, teacher Park who kept nodding at him but didn't call om him, Changbin who snickered and  said "Wooyoung knew that already," every now and then, Jimin who giggled every time. People weren’t even looking at him but he knew they were thinking about him. He wasn’t even in their line of sight.

Teacher Park was very talented though. They had taken quite some measures to get closer, yet he 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, anything. He paid attention to every student and recalled that he’d take oral marks. 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.

Every few days he was caught between wanting to drop out of their classes and never cross paths with them again, and never even letting his name slip from their thoughts again. They noticed him because he was a top-rank student; he couldn't let them down. If they weren'tintrested in him anymore, it would mean he slacked. Dropping their classes was no possibility of course; his attendance record would suffer and his marks would plummet so quickly he could drop out of school entirely. He came to class, punctual as before, prepared and more energised due to his nerves. And against his worries, they were fine. Teacher Park didn't act much differently even though Wooyoung hadn't really rejected nor accepted their confession; and Wooyoung's grades also didn't seem to suffer. Teacher Choi was also still calm and smiley, his newest quirk was to sit in the back while explaining whenever he didn't have to write on the board; but he still gave them worksheets and let them go early.

What he worried about was his battle plan for today. His friends would lock him in a supply closet with the teachers if he didn't make a move on his own. He had no way out of it.

Should he make up a ruse? Should he call teacher Park over now or go to him after class?

Should he tell him to stop by before lunch at all? He'd see the other teacher before lunch anyway. Teacher Park would probably tell his boyfriend right away, and then teacher Choi would be thrown off during Maths later.

Teacher Choi was… something. He was still as charming as ever, but especially since dance club last week Wooyoung felt his eyes on him constantly. He was more obvious with his attention towards him – still without breaking any protocol, but Wooyoung was obviously his favourite. Changing and Felix even noticed, but Soobin blamed it on him being so smart. Teachers liked smart and active students.

Wooyoung had first assumed he was testing the waters, now he knew he was just drooling like Mingi wished for it. On his birthday, rather while dancing he felt confident and bold and on Thursday he hadn't seen a problem with it himself; but now teacher Choi seemed to wear the same expression on his face since, like a lion ready to pounce his prey. And with Mingi, Yeosang and Yunho keeping track more actively he had no option to flee. If they'd let him back out today, they’d make him do it next week. And if Wooyoung hated one thing – well, there were a lot of things lately – today it was was procrastination.

He had to do it today.

It was the first Monday of the month and therefore the cafeteria offered something special, so all the students would rush out of class for lunch and leave zero attention to Wooyoung and the teachers. So he'd do it after Maths.

Should he let teacher Park know of his plan? 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, he’d know what’s up, and probably also give teacher Choi a heads-up, and then he couldn't back out either. Oh God, why did he let his friends talk him into this?

“Teacher,” Yunho called and lifted his hand. Wooyoung blinked, startled by his friend. There were many new notes on the board and only a few minutes left on the clock. 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. Yunho asked for articles or magazines about antibiotic resistance and if the teacher could drop them off later, maybe before lunch break? Teacher Park accepted with delight.

"Aren't you clever," he whispered when the teacher was out of earshot, but loud enough for Yunho to catch it. 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. As promised he put together exercises from previous exams and also a collection of all formulas they definitely needed to know. He let them work in their groups again and help each other out; he didn’t even mind when Wooyoung got up to use the bathroom, and sat with Yeji, Donghyuck and Renjun to help them out when he came back.

Wooyoung looked up as Mingi called him and he saw teacher Choi sitting in his seat, watching again with those sharp eyes. Wooyoung sighed. Oh God.

He stopped next to Yeosang since the teacher was still blocking his seat, but no one really talked to him in particular. Mingi was taking after Yunho now; great. Yunho gestured to remind him that time was running out.

Wooyoung rounded Yeosang with a few unsteady steps, closing in on the teacher and pretended to sort through his notes as he leaned down.

“Teacher, I’d like- Um, can we,” he stammered quietly, very on edge and definitely not soothed by the wink the teacher gave him.

“I mean, would you wait for me? After class, just a minute,” he added hurriedly.

Wait for me.

How stupid.

The innuendo about teaching a lesson last week just poured out of him- It was the last thing he wanted to talk about, even though his mind found it easy to create an image or two. Now asking the teacher to wait for him threw him back into the moment when teacher Choi talked about his hypothetical relationship with Seonghwa-hyung.

Wooyoung fought himself to keep calm and smiling at the man.

“To talk about your grades?”

Wooyoung swallowed. He was being stupid. This whole conversation was just one deja-vu and the other. And teacher Choi very much enjoyed it. Like they were having a secret conversation underneath the one his friends were listening to.

“Yeah,” Wooyoung breathed, not even a whisper, completely enamoured by his smug smile.

The man nodded and walked back to the front. Ever so generously he let the students leave a few minutes early since it was corndog day, the ones with potato and cheese. His friends waited it out a bit, maybe to make it extra awkward for when Wooyoung would be left alone with the teacher, but 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 him. He’d just pretend nothing ever happened and greet them politely at lunch. It could work out.

“Talk about your grades, hm?” teacher Choi mused then, 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 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 came empty-handed. So he had seen through Yunho’s pretence from the beginning.

“Hi,” he greeted softly. Wooyoung tried not to freeze breathe somewhat normally.

The door closed with a quiet click and teacher Park looked at his watch, “Again?” 

It was barely small talk, teacher Choi didn't answer with words, but it took the attention away from Wooyoung for another moment.

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?”

His tone was light, inviting. 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. Not to be casual, just because his knees might give out. He stuttered, trying to put his thoughts into order and find the right words. “I don’t know.”

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 …”

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.

“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?”

Wooyoung look up. He needed to speak, otherwise they wouldn’t understand.

He tried 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!

He felt the familiar pressure built behind his eyes and how it released a moment after blinking; his vision wasn't blurred yet, but he noticed the difference. The heat spike, the weight, he could feel it in his nose already. It was over for him.

“No, I- I mean, yes, I did. But… It’s- It’s like …”

How would he explain this? This whole thing was just a damn shitshow and there was no way they could 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 each other while being so different from one another.

“T’s okay. It’s a lot, we know,” teacher Choi soothed him quietly; but how could he mean it?

Wooyoung meant to smile at the sympathy, but it turned into a grimace probably. The tears were still building. “I’m sorry,” he whispered and saw both of them deflate.

“You- You’re not interested?” teacher Park asked and Wooyoung wanted to spring up and tell them of course he’s interested!

“I- I mean,” he stammered again, blinking to will his emotions down.

Get it together for fuck’s sake.

Why are you being stupid?

“I’m not sure,” he sidestepped.

“I see. Then, if you’re not sure, we could always start over. We’d be glad to, actually,” teacher Park said and made Wooyoung look up at the bait. “Our first approach wasn’t fair, Wooyoung-ah, and we’d like to apologise for that again anyway. We were too eager. We left out a few steps, and … We're not surprised you'd be hesitant after that,” he told him earnestly.

It was like a few weeks ago after the Economics test, when teacher Park sat with him and they talked about his hobbies. Listening to them felt so quiet and warm, and they weren't angry at Wooyoung's dumbness. He felt his heart melt, and his composure, too, when their calmness settled around him like a cocoon. He had never felt like this. Restless but - not? Nervous, but it had eased to a faint tingling in his toes; not like a need to run and hide. It was like their mood was slowly seeping into him when they weren't even touching. Like the exact entire opposite of their first approach. It was so … so … relieving. Like he could breathe freely.

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 added. “Well, Seonghwa-hyung usually is; I’m a disaster. I’m impatient and spoiled,” he smiled 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 paused, more like the words got stuck in his throat, although his eyes shone confidently. He took a deep breath and started to scratch around his thumbnails.

No way.

Teacher Choi was nervous?

They- Nervous? Talking to Wooyoung?!

“If you give us the chance, as hyung said we’d like to start over; slowly. To get to know each other, because we realised we don’t know that much about you, but neither do you about us. So, we could… meet and hang out some time… or leave it at lunch and the school clubs. That way it’s maybe not too personal.”

Wooyoung found himself nodding even when this was not what he had planned at all. Tears brimmed in his eyes and he quickly wiped away the drops that had fallen. “I’m sorry, I- I’m a … I've never had anything like this,” Wooyoung smiled to hide his discomfort.

They were so forthcoming and caring; why was he being so weird?

“Everyone starts somewhere,” teacher Park smiled fondly and Wooyoung had to double take it in his mind. He was used to “Don't be stupid, you're fine,” or “You're dramatic, just say what you think,” and it always felt hard to make out what it meant. Was it normal to feel scared? Was it expected that he pushed away his worries so the others got what they wanted?

They weren't really surprised, teacher Park said. Did they know he was having a hard time?

Was he supposed to have a hard time?

“Anything?" Teacher Choi repeated. "No girlfriends or boyfriends?"

Wooyoung chuckled at the silly question and shook his head. "No, I'm kinda busy with my family and school. My friends demand a lot of time to study, so …"

"And dating, or a little crush?" teacher Park added.

"No," Wooyoung shook his head again, smiling at the floor.

Teacher Park sighed and shifted his weight quietly, "Then, let's start like this."

Ah- Oh no.That was his cue.

"Wait, let me get a chair," he took a few steps and settled in Yeji's seat right across from teacher Choi, next to the one Wooyoung was sitting on. 

Idiot! He should have said he had a crush on them. 

But teacher Park moved on and a new wave of anxiety built up inside of him. It was too late. The teacher sat down and let it slide gracefully, and moved on. "So, are you okay with us being close to you at all; outside of class, during lunch for example?”

He couldn’t tell if it was on purpose, but their proximity felt unbalanced. Both teachers were sitting down, while he was- not standing, but still sitting on a higher level. 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 don't really mind. 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… like they want to notice, even if nothing's happening they're still ... They keep saying it can't all be a coincidence. 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 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. 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 repeated, looking down again.

“We don’t want to cause you any trouble, of course, or fallout with your friends,” teacher Park reasoned. Wooyoung shook his head, “Oh no. They’re just teasing me. 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. He tried to hide his irritation, but Wooyoung’s recognised the mismatched smile with the glinting in his eyes before it vanished into a soft pout. “You could call us hyung as well." 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, "He also sits with you during lunch, and we're – We'll sit with you, too."

“It's only for Hongjoong; he's our friend, but Eden-hyung works with him. And- and 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 explained.

Teacher Choi looked down and folded his hand, the pout creeping back mindlessly, and nodded. Wooyoung felt like he knew that look as well. Like he got an answer not particularly wrong, but not right enough and it would cost his precious points for his grade.

Teacher Park chuckled, an endeared smile settled on his lips as he watched his boyfriend. “You don’t have to, of course. San-ah was just offering. No worries.”

San-ah.

It sounded so soft and welcoming. And it fit him so well. Wooyoung let the words tumble on the tip of his tongue mindlessly, not even really aware that he whispered it out loud until teacher Choi inhaled deeply and his eyes brightened with something Wooyoung would call mischief.

“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 at lunch 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 not at all as special as he seemed in class, he easily got moody when he was stressed, he hated to talk about himself anyway, and he was too busy with his grades to pay any attention to them; 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. He wasn't worth their time.

“I’m fine with that. Wooyoung-ah?” teacher Choi prompted then, and Wooyoung was lost for a moment.

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. Why did he have to verbally agree? Teacher Park just explained the plan; what was he supposed to say to that?

His mind was fogging up with too many thoughts. Wooyoung nodded but his head felt heavy like a wrecking ball. He tried to look at both of them, but his mind did … this thing again. His vision zoned out like he was in a nightmare. Their bodies seemed so close, while the rest of the room distorted at the edges. Their faces looked awfully unfamiliar, like he had never seen them before.

Focus. Behave!

You're being weird again.

He hated it when he became like this. Everything slowed down and 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, Wooyoung only nodded. Silly bean. 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. They were bound to meet the others as well, and it wouldn't take long to like them better.

“Is there anything else you’re thinking of?"

Did they notice?

They were putting him on the spot. They were testing him! Was he supposed to have something to say? Oh God.

"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 Choi explained.

No.

No switches. No worries.

He didn't want to talk anymore. He tried to talk today and what did he get? Why was he here? Why him; for God’s sake?

"Wooyoung-ah," teacher Park called him. "Wooyoung-ah."

Wooyoung gasped quietly when he felt a hand on his knee. Quickly, say something!

“I just wondered,” he paused, “Why ... me?”

The men seemed caught off guard, blankly raising an eyebrow at him. Hm, they had no idea either.

“I mean, you’re already established, and … so, how come you’d,” he cut himself off. How did they come to notice him? Maybe he shouldn't have asked. He probably wouldn't like the answer. It would turn out to be some plotless mood, and saying it out loud would snap them all out of their trance.

“How come you’d be interested in me? Out of all people,” Wooyoung repeated.

Now that he said it, he kind of wanted to know, but he also wanted to be swallowed whole by the ground.

He pulled one leg up to sit more comfortably, and balled his fists. They took so long to answer. He shouldn't have asked! He was being stupid. He couldn't even look at them, instead he worked his knuckles over his thigh and ankle, rubbed and pinched the fabric here and there to work off his anticipation.

“Well, it just so happened, I guess,” teacher Choi 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 more awake, a bit alerted. He’s been attending this school for more than five years now, and these two teachers weren’t new either. “When did you notice me?”

“For me it was almost instantly when I took over your classes. You were always working ahead, helped and looked out for everyone, even the teachers. And ever since the exam last year I just had this soft spot for you; you were almost more nervous than the seniors that time,” teacher Choi recounted with the brightest smile growinng on his face2, “I used to teach only the younger students but then … there were new teachers only for the juniors while the old upper grade 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. It’ll be chaos when a teacher who hasn't prepped you grades your exams. It's unfair. ”

Wooyoung nodded again, a bit at ease.

“He wouldn’t stop talking about this one guy, so I called him out for it,” teacher Park grinned. “He said, see for yourself when I started teaching your science classes last year and … I don’t know how put it into words. You’re always so curious and sweet about everything. You know things that aren't even in entry level study programmes, but you're still so humble and hard-working with your class mates even when they are being unreasonable. Always the first in line to help others out, you bring them food or cook for them, always check to make other people's work easier – there aren't many people with such an honestly kind mind set. To be honest it made me worry you’d be burned out by Spring break, so I kept an eye on you … San was right. You're remarkable even when you're still young.”

Wooyoung was amazed. They noticed things that Wooyoung wasn’t even really aware of himself. They were really looking out for him. “And now we’re here,” he added light-heartedly.

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. We've- kind of talked about you a lot; and – I mean, your personality traits and we praised you a lot until we- sort of came to the conclusion that, some day- well, We'd might be open to a third person. It's not like we aren't happy, we just both agreed that a person like you would be really nice to have around and-  Then it, eventually, it boiled down to, if we ever came across the chance, like, sooner or later, if you are also comfortable with it, we’d be open to include - you,” teacher Choi explained a bit clumsily.

Wooyoung felt hot and cold all over again. He felt proud about standing out to them and how fond they were of him, but the mention of him joining their relationship-

“Romantically?” Wooyoung asked and watched his own hands work as he gripped down on his ankle to release some of the tension that spread through him. It hurt. He let up and fidgeted with the seam of his trousers instead, and pressed his leg down against the table top until it hurt his ankle where the bone stood out.

“If it develops that way, yes,” teacher Park spoke softly, “Again, we’re 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 you'll be occupied with exams and applications soon and everything along with that. We’ll just hang out and see how we're feeling, what we'll find; if we're still on the same page. No strings attached.”

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 the clock read close to two.

“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.”

“You haven't eaten anything.”

It was a simple observation, Wooyoung could say the same; but teacher Park's eyes glinted in a way that made Wooyoung's heart race.

“Neither have you.” God, he could slap himself.

“You usually don’t eat a lot. Is it only at school or in general?” the teacher continued undeterred.

“I’m just not hungry a lot. I get an upset stomach easily,” Wooyoung lied. They hummed in understanding, and teacher Park got up slowly. “Well, we should get going,” he said to his boyfriend who also stood. They stood together, teacher Choi threaded a strand of hair from teacher Park's forehead; it wasn't unruly or fringing into his eyes, it was just a touch for the sake of a touch. Their shoulders bumped together first before their arms found their way around each other's waist.

“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.

Wooyoung looked down to where teacher Park’s hand peeked out on teacher Choi's side and couldn’t help but think about himself being held like this by either of them. Someday, eventually, if they'd like.

“We’ll see you around,” teacher Choi said. Wooyoung nodded and wanted to greet them goodbye as well, when his phone started buzzing.

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 … they know. They made me ask if you joined the clubs because of me. They don’t know we’re- past that already,” he explained and hoped the teachers wouldn’t worry. They grinned, between satisfied and smug. 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 and pens just a few moments before his first class mates stormed in. Mingi and Yeosang were at the forefront, followed by Yunho and Jimin.

“How’d it go? What did they say?” Mingi rushed with bright eyes like a child on Christmas Eve. Wooyoung shrugged, “Nothing."

"What? Why? How did they say nothing?!"

"He didn't ask them," Yeosang concluded with squinted eyes when Wooyoung stayed silent for a moment too long.

"What?" Mingi whined, "You didn't ask their- Did you give them your number?"

"There were no numbers, Mingi," Wooyoung shushed when his friend became a bit too loud.

"Then what did you do for one hour?"

"Nothing," Wooyoung said automatically. Too quickly, looking down and fumbling with his pencil case uselessly.

"Come on, tell us!" Mingi said and grabbed Wooyoung's wrist, shaking it dramatically.

"I asked why they joined the clubs, and how they liked it. And teacher Choi said for fun- But they just wanted to check it out … And then I asked why they come to sit with us during lunch and they said since Eden-hyung also sits with us during lunch – and I said that's only when Hongjoong is with us. And then … Yeah, nothing really.” 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 couple magazines it seemed. Yunho 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 adopt you. Just accept it.”

Chapter Text

Seonghwa had been wary of San’s outburst after dance practise last week; he thought San might have been pent up or just really easy-going after a long day, but no. San had been pent up, Seonghwa found the evening before, but his excitement towards Wooyoung stayed the same.

Wooyoung’s performance in full glam must have been a masterpiece to watch live, he agreed after Yeonjun had forced Yunho to show him a recording from a previous practise during lunch on Friday. The only time they joined this week.

He hadn't slept too well, feeling stiff even after his sea-salt body scrub showers and magnesium induced bubble bath and herbal tea with jujube berries in the evening. Joining the students at lunch only gave Seonghwa an image of sarcastic teenagers with greasy fingers and squeaky voices, so they opted to stay back for bone broth and seaweed salad in the teacher's lounge.

On a side note Seonghwa kept to himself he marked the casual look Wooyoung wore, straight cut light grey sweat pants and the loose fitting muscle shirt, still styled with sneakers and rounded up with a plaid long sleeved shirt tied around his hips, was a sight to behold.

He usually preferred neatly fitting and styled clothes of a matching colour palette, an outfit that was put together to be seen. More importantly did he look for obvious sign for cosmetic input; hair styling or maybe accessories or perfume. The parameters more or less checked out for Wooyoung, but also dozens of other students solely for wearing their school uniform and having earrings and a montly hair cut. It was widely impractical to judge since the parts came in standardized clothing sizes and weren't meant to be individually styled. The uniform offerered a minimal variety; and there were few who put in effort to add a personal touch. Wooyoung might have taken his uniform one size too big; maybe in foresight, maybe with a hidden motive; he seemed to drown in it sometimes. Even in summer he wore the long sleeved button up shirt, or his blazer over the polo shirt; his pants were always kept in place with a shiny belt, colour matched with his shoes if he didn't go for sneakers - the ones with the thick, patterned sole. Then he also didn't tuck his shirt or left one button open at the top; a light but clear boyish touch. He looked happier when he did.

Seonghwa hadn't decided if he liked them or not, the platform soles, but the height suited Wooyoung - at least when he wore the full lenght pants; the knee lenght cut he wore two or three times threw the entire outfit off balance showing off his slim legs.

Maybe Wooyoung meant to go for an oversized, baggy fit like Seonghwa had seen in Vogue and Elle countless times, but it only made him look sick and malnourished; as if he wore his father's clothes but he wasn't quite literally grown for the persona.

Now as the weather grew colder most students opted for a sweater on top anyway, and Wooyoung didn't stand out too much with his layers upon layers of long-sleeves. He still made it look soft and purposefully adjusted. San often compared him to a kitten; a Persian, the ones who look angry and petty.

To Seonghwa he looked closer to a Bombay cat; with sleek black hair and wide, light coloured eyes, looking evidently curious or bored due to the strong contrast.

Only if he had to name it, of course.

Seeing Wooyoung in baggy clothes with wide cut outs that emphasised with slim frame, topped with tousled hair and worn out sneakers was like seeing a different person on screen. Still he had to admit he found a certain 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 a notable amount of attentiveness and alsreplayed a few sections.

He nodded as the video ended and handed the phone back to Yunho. “You must have practised a lot. I never really understood dancing as a form to express emotions if it wasn't decisively theatrical, but this was the artistic definition of restrained attraction if I had to name it."

Wooyoung blushed and hid himself by cuddling up to Jongho.

"Don't be shy. You worked hard. Did the dance teacher praise you well?"

"J-Hope loved it," Yeonjun-ssi shot before Yunho or Wooyoung could even look up, "I told you. Listen to your Yeonjun-hyungie more, hm," he mused and pinched Wooyoung's nape where he could reach from two seats over.

Eden-hyung cleared his throat. He sat with Hongjoong at the head of the table, vividly occupied by his tabled, but still eavesdropping. “Maybe the band can compose and record a song for the dancers to perform to. Like an interdisciplinary project. Some of you take part in both, anyway.” The whole table gushing at the possibilities.

“For the Christmas party,” San prompted which had most of them quiet down again. Oh? "That would be nice. It adds a bit more appeal to it as well. Otherwise it'll just be the principal's little speech. Most classes don't even bother to organise anything."

San was right. Their Christmas party was merely worthy to be called that. A little festival in the assembly hall, the principal would wish everybody well, and send them off. The junior classes often sat together with traditional homemade food and store-bought sweets.

“That’s in two weeks, teacher. Will the principal even bother to organise anything?” Jongho put in. Eden-hyung scoffed, “You’ve learned and acquired and finished more in less time. All of you, right?” he spoke up and everyone admitted that to be true.

Hongjoong and Eden kept discussing the proposal about participation and organisation. Jongho and Mingi paid attention and also put it their ideas, but Seonghwa didn't bother to listen. He felt too hot after this morning's shower and drove with his windows down – just a hand-wide, just for a few minutes – but his neck already felt stiff.

 “San-ah,” Seonghwa called him where he sat diagonally from him, and the younger one nodded in response, “I’ll drive home then. 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 his hands palm up across the table for San to take. He smiled after a beat, “Enjoy your dry bread and tap water, then.”

"Anything for you."

Yunho and Mingi right next to them snorted. San smiled genuinely and rubbed circles from the tips of Seonghwa's fingers up to the back of his hand repeatedly as they exchanged a wink.  “I don’t know yet. 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 shook his head. "You're out some time around three-thirty, it might not be enough time; depending on what you'll say I'll have to check first and then send you the list."

San pouted with a nod and switch both of his hands to one of Seonghwa's, repeating the massage more elaborately, pressing and rubbing in all the right spots to make Seonghwa's whole body react. It was like little, singular threads snapped and let his muscles loosen up.

“Hyung, what do you want for dinner?” Seonghwa then asked across the table to which Eden only laughed, “No, leave me out of your domestic fluff. I have a wife at home and she’s probably making steamed chicken broth and I won’t eat it from anyone else.”

Hm. He didn't feel like thinking too much right now.

“Anyone else? Wooyoung-ah, what do you want for dinner?”

“I- Um, I don’t … eat,” Wooyoung replied clumsily from right across, caught off guard. His friends burst out into another fit of laughing.

“I already know that; I asked what you want,” Seonghwa clapped back lightly. San giggled and reached up to smooth over the fabric of Wooyoung's sweater where it bunched up.

Seonghwa couldn't really see if he reacted bodily, but his eyes widened for a moment before his face relaxed again, pressing closer to Jongho on the other side. “I want a sushi-bake,” he mumbled through a pout, 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.”

The explanation didn’t help Seonghwa’s case. He looked over at Jongho and Yunho.

“Is it that baked rice with salmon and stuff?” Yunho asked and pulled his phone out again, "You saved it, right?" Yunho showed a clip to Seonghwa. The instructions were listed as the hands moved across the screen, assembling salmon, crab, scallions and seasonings all cut up and mixed with sauces. It seemed simple enough; cook the fish, cut up and mix everything, pack it on top of cooked rice and bake it to be served with more sauce, sesame and nori.

“That looks so good. San-ah, I’ll make that,” 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 smugly.

Truth was - and he assumed Eden thought so as well - to join Wooyoung for lunch, since they haven’t done so since all week. “Because I want to eat lunch with my boyfriend,” he answered easily. They usually weren't clingy per se, but yesterday's session might still linger in his system.

"Which one?"

Huh?

"All of them." Seonghwa frowned and picked up his own phone, writing down what he needed to buy for cooking, but mostly to distract himself from his rising heartbeat.

“Alright guys, let’s head out,” Hongjoong ordered and got up with Eden. "See you later."

Seonghwa accompanied San to the teachers’ lounge since he had left most of his materials there. “I'll take some,” Seonghwa offered while he plastered himself onto San's back to look over his shoulder, taking advantage of being alone for a minute.

“Hm, would you mind taking these two? I can carry the rest myself, then. You can leave them in the car when you get home, no need to strain your shoulders.  I won't look at them before tomorrow anyway,” he pointed at two about halfway filled hard-case ring binders. He turned his head to the side, much more wasn't possible with Seonghwa essentially wrapped around him, and placed a few sweet kisses on his cheek; not that Seonghwa needed to be bribed.

"Of course," Seonghwa nodded and let go. He clicked the hooks of the long shoulder strap into place; he would carry his briefcase on his shoulder then to carry the binders in his arms.

“Alright, call me when you leave, yes.” He 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 with a wink and Seonghwa nodded as he pulled San 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 he went through the list. 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 Yunho’s phone. It was past to two-thirty. He’d need at least one hour to finish the meal. San wouldn’t come home before four o'clock; and Seonghwa would have to leave again in less than three hours.

Seonghwa had too much time on his hands and still stressed about his next schedule like this. Again. Like Tuesdays; they were a disaster. He and San had the same amount of classes per week, but vastly mismatched.

He decided to put the groceries away and see what else he could do without much effort; his neck felt uncomfortably stiff again. He kept the ingredients he needed to cook nearby and unpacked what he could, cleaned out and restocked the containers, and took out the trash. Usually it was San’s part to clean out the loose stuff, but oh well.

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 and also put on a load of laundry. “Okay, okay,” he whispered to himself repeatedly, keeping track of the plan he mentally made. He sorted out the immediate trash he collected on his quest and circled back to the kitchen eventually.

He sighed heavily and rolled and shook his shoulders to ease the tension. As he played the video on his phone again he wrote down the recipe on a separate sheet of paper so he could add and edit his own notes while cooking, and eventually copy it to his little booklet he kept for various dishes that were easily lost in the range of the internet.

Just as he set the rice down to soak after washing his phone went off. Seonghwa checked the time on his wrist watch, three thirty-eight. That's almost late.

“Hi Sannie.”

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 over the roar of the engine.

“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 preheated the oven.

“Alright then, darling, gimme half an hour,” San smiled and hung up.

Seonghwa smiled as he prepared the marinade for the salmon with various spices 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 from a few steps away. He still wore his track top but a normal black tee underneath, and a smile that was too calm and sweet to be unintentional.

“Hi,” Seonghwa greeted back as he put the fish down and set the oven mitts aside. "You're early," his eyes squinted with suspicion when it was just a minute past four and San stood still in the dining room.

“Didn't you miss me?” San mused, and he still held his hands behind his back. Seonghwa closed in on him, slowly, but reached out to cup his face and place a gentle kiss on San's lips.

"I did."  

San's lips were twitching between pursing and a smiling widely, then he pulled out a big bundle of bright yellow and orange flowers. Seonghwa shouted out from surprise, then gasped, then cooed as he inspected it. Their colours were vibrant and perfectly assembled with greens and white little blossoms. Like hot lava had been morphed into their petals.

“Oh, marigolds, my favourite,” he whispered and hugged San close. As if he was hypnotised he took the flowers from San and paraded them as he found a vase and a spot to set them down. “They need water. Oh my God, I hope they last for ever. Sannie, they’re beautiful! Where did you get them?”

San laughed, happy about the successful surprise, and watched Seonghwa fussing over the flowers, inspecting every single one when he arranged them on the dining table. He paused suddenly and turned back to San deadly serious.

“I want them every week.”

San grinned, completely enamoured by his reaction. “Anything for you, my love.”

The rice cooker chimed, taking both of their attention. Seonghwa left the flowers with a last glance, and followed San in to the kitchen with a pat to his butt. “Go get washed up.”

Seonghwa was intensely watching the pan in the oven when San came back freshly showered with damp hair and a new set of casual clothes on.

“Did you take my trash?" San pouted.

"I had so much time, I'm sorry," Seonghwa smiled at San's apparent helplessness.

"Then I’ll take over laundry,” he stopped by Seonghwa's side, giving him a peck on the cheek and rubbed a few gentle circles around the back of his neck, "Thank you for cleaning and cooking so quickly."

Seonghwa enjoyed the little gestures; massages and winks and flowers and keeping up with his cleaning plan. He wasn't always easy, but it felt easy with San. After being together for some while now he'd expect it from anyone – most likely because he wouldn't have chosen someone who talked him down for his routines and preferences of course – , but Seonghwa still liked to acknowledge and praise how well worked together. Admittedly it took some time and uncomfortable effort, but Seonghwa couldn’t be happier.

After setting the table San came and peeked over Seonghwa's shoulder, holding out a glass of lemonade for him to drink. “What’s that?”

“I’ll take some back to school with me. I’d like Wooyoung to try it,” Seonghwa mumbled as he loaded a bit of the meal into a separate container.

"Oh really?" he could hear San’s teasing smirk as he kept watching. Seonghwa shrugged, “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 window shopping for Christmas decoration. Or winter decoration, maybe. It’ll last longer,” Seonghwa said and San had no thought of disagreeing. Seonghwa loved shopping and 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 on a loose outlay for their weekend; San would look up and plan in more detail while Seonghwa would be out for the evening.

“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 baked the salmon while cutting up the rest. 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?"

"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 finish a word puzzle from yesterday, and also made a list of decorations and stores he'd like to check out the next day, while the tea San brought him slowly stopped steaming.

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 left a few minutes earlier than his usual schedule, otherwise he might get stuck in the evening 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 first snow hadn't stayed long, but the air fogged up his breath 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. Why was Changbin always sitting with them? He never really gave him the impression of friendship around Wooyoung.

“I have something for you,” he smiled instead when Wooyoung held his gaze for a minute.

“For who?” Yeosang asked and got up to step closer, more curious and extroverted than Seonghwa recalled him to be outside of their group dynamic.

“Mainly Wooyoung, but also whoever wants to try, I guess,” Seonghwa deflected charmingly and pulled out the Tupper dish.

Wooyoung frowned in suspicion, zeroing in on the container. “Sushi bake?” He got up and followed, but stayed behind Yeosang. They reminded him of a pair of kittens; dumbly curious but instinctively cautious as they tried to see what he got but unwilling to come closer.

“Come, we’ll get some plates from the 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 food.

“What did you put in it? Just salmon? But this looks like crab. And scallions. And sesame.” He kept analysing and only stopped when Seonghwa had to unlock the door. Wooyoung went drastically quiet and with another look to check, Seonghwa almost laughed at his wide eyes. Wide eyes, averted quickly when Seonghwa had caught him, his lips morphed from a thin line to a distracted pout. Wooyoung must have felt like he had been tricked and trapped.

“Have you eaten anything since lunch?” Seonghwa asked casually as he pulled out a few small plates from the cupboard and set them down.

“Should we warm it up again?” Wooyoung deflected as he set the Tupper ware down to inspect it anew with the lid removed. “Which spices did you use?”

He sounded tight and strained. Seonghwa tried to keep the mood light, but in the back of his mind the image of a kitten turned into a very frightened feral cat that could easily lash out if he made a wrong move.

“I made a marinade with olive oil, gochujang, soy sauce and sugar but it didn’t really turn out the way I expected. I think it would have needed to sit longer. It formed a crust where the filet was thinner, but San said it's juicy,” 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, more sugar than oil and liquid so it caramelised. It’s still an interesting taste, the spicy and sweet combination. Was it crunchy when it came out the oven?” Wooyoung mumbled and tried another few bites with the other ingredients as well.

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. All Chemistry,” Wooyoung shrugged but grinned at their joke from earlier this week as he plated a few servings.

“Did you eat?” Seonghwa repeated, but Wooyoung stayed quiet. “No?” he guessed then, “Have some more, Wooyoung-ah.”

“I ate,” Wooyoung pressed after a pause.

His tone was light on the surface, all the polite intonations, but Seonghwa noticed the shift. It was easy when he expected it already. The pause, the stillness in is face with an unmoving Barbie-esque smile and unblinking eyes.

Seonghwa tried to relax, let his shoulders hang and face soft, to let Wooyoung sit with his own answer, watched him wordlessly, and noticed how Wooyoung became more restless just within one minute or two. He plated the food in perfectly equal portions by eyeballing the cuts he made with a spoon and topped them off with loose pieces of scallions and salmon where they looked less.

Until his hands moved helplessly, the automatic practiced movements became more human; kernels of sesame and drops of mayonnaise fell in between the container and the plates, the serving was set vastly off-centre.

“Do you do it on purpose? Deny yourself to eat.”

Wooyoung gasped softly, “I’m not starving myself, teacher.” He still fussed over the detailing of the servings.

“It's not an average healthy amount either,” Seonghwa pointed out with half a mind to leave out mainstream adjectives like good and bad and enough.

"I just don't eat much. I never have. I'm used to it."

"Do you have regular check-ups with your doctor? Physicals and blood tests, you know."

“Teacher, I’m just not hungry. If I eat too much, I get sick. I can’t help it; I'm sorry,” he snapped. Like he did the other day with Hongjoong. Seonghwa let him be. His eyes were wide, hands shaking even when he held them down to the counter. His face flushed red up to his ears even long after he turned back to scrap the last grains of rice and sesame out.

“I don’t mean to make you feel bad about it,” Seonghwa whispered after a beat of silence. “I noticed it during lunch. It makes me worry because you appear thin for your age and height. You’re also hard-working, Wooyoung-ah; and you should take care of your health. Eating enough to sustain your activity is important for that,” he explained his argument.

For some time he thought Wooyoung might have sulked and ignored him for feeling insulted. The list of sensitive toppings kept growing; falling grades, his family, his performance in class, his stay at Jongho's house last year ... His food intake? Seonghwa just needed to figure out his mechanisms; snapping and retreating it seemed for now. Seonghwa guessed avoiding, too, but he hadn't had any chance to see for himself yet.

"I'm only bringing it up because I got the impression you're not aware of it. Maybe San can help you out. He was struggling a few years back when he started to work out; bulking up requires a high calorie intake and he could barely keep up with his meals; he hated it, so … He might be able to tell you a thing or two."

“I don't want  bulk or eat more or anything. I'm fine. I just don’t like to eat around others. I don’t like when they watch,” Wooyoung whispered very tightly and Seonghwa soaked up the sliver of trust like a sponge, even though he still doubted it to be fully true. Logically it would mean he'd get to eat at home, since per his own statement he was alone most of the time; but he was just too thin for it to be the case. There was no way Wooyoung leveled his intake at home. He didn't give him another chance to engage. Clearing his throat, shaking his head, rolling his shoulders back, he stood straight and calm again. Like he had put his armour back on. Ah, pretend, of course.

“Is there … Is there a tray or something?”

Seonghwa watched him move around and sift through the cabinets, and frowned. “No, I don’t think so.”

Wooyoung closed all cabinets quietly, avoiding the sound by guiding the cabinets doors shut slowly with his fingertips. Then he sorted the little plates to rest on his wrists and the heel of his palm professionally so he could carry four at a time, also so carefully they barely clanked together.

Seonghwa smiled impressed, took the other two plates and 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 anyway, even if he didn’t say anything, and the other students didn’t react significantly as he sat with Wooyoung’s group again.

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 when Jongho demanded another bite.

“Ah, thank you, Mingi-ssi, but I already ate at home,” waved him off. “With your other boyfriend?” Eden-hyung asked pointedly. Seonghwa stared back, disbelief and angered flared up in him.

"Do you want to say something?"

Eden backed down, instead he greeted the round with the idea of the joint project and showed demos to them, letting them play out loud for a minute, skipping to the main parts or showing of how they could be changed.

“Christmas assembly?” Renjun repeated 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. Surely he could participate behind the scenes; give some creative input or help out with the physical set up.

“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 something cheerful, I was thinking Utopia or Arriba, 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 with the dance teacher and the principal for logistics.

“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.

Seonghwa couldn’t stop himself, “What about Wooyoung?”

He hoped he didn’t sound as irritated as he felt for a hot minute. They always relied on Wooyoung for about everything; leaving him out like this didn't sit right with him.

“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 CEO and marketing manager.” Laughter filled their corner. Hongjoong carried on, “Yeah, Yunho will arrange something with J-Hope-ssi to give us a kick-start, and Wooyoung will book and sponsor the facilities. And Yeosang's parents will help us claim the name for the label. And we’ll name it All TeenagerZ, with a capital Z … Because we’re all Gen Z and none of us is even out of school.”

They already planned this out, huh? Well, better than to commit arson. Wooyoung smiled fondly at them and giggled with the others, “A to Z. A ... T Z."

Eden mused, “Sure. I’ll tell Yoongi-ssi.”

The kids 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 and then he'll be much more inclined to give it a thought,” Yeosang trailed of as the others jumped in to hatch yet another 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 also 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 … 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. What? No, no he thought maybe adlibs, or the part where everyone sings and his voice might be drowned out. But not-

 “Jongho, go take Seonghwa-ssi and test him a bit.”

The students looked at him with wide eyes and nodded eagerly, motioning him to follow. Seonghwa got up and already tried to talk Jongho-ssi down from whatever he planned, barely processing the questions Jongho asked him all at once.

He hadn't felt so put on spot in a long time. He wasn't entirely afraid of a negative outcome; he just never considered himself or his voice to be utilised like this. A few breaths to calm down, and he focussed again on what Jongho explained about breathing and articulation. He could do this. And if he failed to deliver what they expected, 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 with the recording programme, directed Seonghwa into the recording booth to sing a few lines and high notes into the microphone. Did he really record it? Then he saved and stored it for later. He was really going to be in one of Hongjoong's song.  

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.

Wow, now he really understood San’s excitement and overwhelming joy when he came back 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 unreal. Like he just realized he had been dreaming all along. San greeted him with a tight hug and kisses.

"How was it?"

"I'm- I might be on a song? What?" he laughed in disbelief. "I just- They were singing and I hummed along to the melody, and then Eden sent me off with Jongho and he recorded me."

"Are you happy?" San ginned and giggled to himself. "We've become so boring."  

"But happy," Seonghwa repeated.

"Go, wash up a bit, no body lotion. I got something prepared for you."

"Sannie, all the surprises today."

San shrugged. "Why not? It's the weekend. Let's relax."

The bathroom was perfectly clean; shiny counter tops, meticulously arranged décor and utensils, and all the towels were all fresh and soft and folded and presented just the way Seonghwa liked. The only thing out of place were cotton pyjama pants, no top; one of Seonghwa's favourites. They sat perfectly snug without cutting into his skin, soft and not too warm.

San hadn't said anything, but he put them on after his routine – no body lotion – and was awaited in the bedroom with candle-light, sweet lavender scent and a set of towels next to the massage table.

"San," Seonghwa gasped softly. "What's all this?"

Not that he minded; San often spoiled him with massages and scented wellness supplies.

"I love you," San simply smiled and welcomed Seonghwa with another slow kisses. "You've been tense this week. You neck is all stiff … Come lay down."

Seonghwa let himself be led to the massage table and wrapped with the warm wet towels. First he should be on his back, so San, very gently and slowly, applied oil like he would put on lotion on Seonghwa's entire front. He made sure not to let his hands linger too long or reach too far down. Not that Seonghwa had it in him today, but still …

Then San covered him with two damp towels to trap the warmth and settled by Seonghwa's head. He started between his armpits and upper pecs as usual to open the lymphatic nodes before he made his way across his neck to then press into the trigger points in his trapezius muscle. He felt the threads snapping again, even down to his feet this time. It didn't take too long until Seonghwa could turn around on his front.

His lower back was also covered with the towels to keep him warm and relaxed. Their weight and the sound of the candles crackling pulled him in to a haze immediately. Then San's firm touch and the lavender scent embraced him so perfectly his eyes rolled back.

"That's it," San repeated lowly as he pressed and rubbed and pulled the flesh of Seonghwa's upper back, even in the back portion of his skull and behind his ears, halfway down his spine and what felt like underneath his shoulder blades. The knots in his muscles jumped every time San's fingers glided over them until he didn't feel them anymore.

He hummed throughout it all, happy and tired in all the right ways, solely because he was not awake enough to moan anymore. By the time he opened his eyes again, San was taking a new towel from the stack, it had steam coming from it, but it didn't feel too hot on his skin.  

"All clean, baby," San praised with his las few strokes all across Seonghwa's back. "You did so well, hm. Did you like it?" he whispered and placed kisses on his shoulder and cheek where he could reach. "All soft and loose again. Come on, the bed is waiting for you," San coaxed with more firm touches to Seonghwa's back and legs to wake him up just enough.

The temperature drop from the warm towels and his skin to the cold sheets of the bed pulled him under almost immediately. The noise of San slowly putting away his utensils fades around the edges of his mind and lulled him in even more.

When he felt San climb in next to him he still turned to cuddle up to him, silently thanking his boyfriend for the treatment. San's pulse was calm and his voice vibrated through his body; Seonghwa barely caught anything beyond it while San told him about the cafés and stores he picked out for tomorrow. He didn't listen, he only felt warm and felt San next to him and felt the exhaustion pull at him. He 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 told the idea of performances to 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 beyond thrilled. He told them to find themselves in groups or pairs or tell him individually to join the programme. Wooyoung watched as most students found them in smaller groups or pairs; but he figured he'd stick with his friends. Maybe Yeonjun or Hyunjin and Felix would join them. They could do a lot with more people.

"Won't it be too much all at once?" he overheard teacher Lee say to teacher Choi. They stood, a little lost, at the side lines, also watching the students. "Some of them are in the band and dance club, they'll have so much to do." Teacher Choi nodded noncommittally.

"So, what have we got, eh?" teacher Hoseok came to stand with them and knocked Yunho's shoulder with his own playfully. Yunho smiled shyly, "I'd love to make the choreography for Hongjoongie's song, but he only has an instrumental and won't finalise it before next weekend but we have a few tests coming up; I don't know if I'll be able to keep up," Yunho smile fell; he looked an awful lot like the trainees who knew they didn't deliver before the judges. "So, maybe we'll choose another song."

Teacher Hoseok nodded. Wooyoung would almost expected him to give a soft scolding to Yunho, to say he needed to take the challenge, because if wasn't going to get easier. "It's not mandatory; it was solely an idea that admittedly came up on short notice. There'll be another event to make it work."

"Or we can make a cover," Mingi added, "We're a lot of people. Maybe we can use a mash-up and take up a bit more time, then."

"You'll choose one of my songs then, right?" teacher Hoseok smiled brightly and winked, and Wooyoung felt his breath stop.

Cover J-Hope's song? In front of him? When he would also watch them practise?

Oh God.

"What about you two? Come here already," the teacher called back to the other two standing a few paces away.

No.

No.

Come on.

"You're joining them, right? You said you're not sure, but I am."

Teacher Choi walked over sheepishly slowly, rubbing his neck and all. "Hyung, I don't know …"

"That's what I just said."

"I'm sorry, but I actually don't know many of your songs, hyung. I liked Fake Love when it came out. The album was kinda my style, but usually I listen to really different music."

"Fake Love it is. Wasn't that easy?" teacher Hoseok wrote on his note pad and checked the group or comments.

Wooyoung did, too.

Yeosang did, too.

Mingi did, too. But Mingi smiled.

No!

"Teacher Choi, then you can dance with Wooyoung-ah. It's been his favourite since it came out!"

"I want to do Idol," Yunho pouted and slapped Mingi unceremoniously.

"Okay. We'll take Idol."

"Hey," Yeosang protested weakly a few beats of silence later at being left out, but immediately walked over to Yeonjun and Beomgyu as he grumbled, "Fine, I'll look for new friends."

"Then we have two more pairs, alright. Do you think to take the whole song? Maybe not, like up to one and a half, two minutes will be alright if you take out a verse or so. See if you find it on YouTube or Eden can edit it for you," teacher Hoseok thought out loud, still scribbling while already walking away.

What?!

Wooyoung looked at his friends with big eyes while teacher Choi already stalked towards him. How could they keep stabbing him in the back like this?

But teacher Hoseok-ssi was perfectly happy about the enthusiasm and sent them off to work something out and get started, "This is a Christmas party. If you want a competition, come to my company," he joked.  

"Yah, let's not take all the complicated parts. 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 take a bit of space each, but he felt somewhat safer to have his friends close by if he was going to be alone alone with teacher Choi.

Speak of the devil; Wooyoung had tried to ignore him.

"Because of the test? Your score's fine," teacher Choi asked loudly for Mingi to catch it and smiled wide.

"Yup. But I can't study for Maths when I have a dance to learn. Why would I?"

The test was tomorrow and they'd be here for at least another hour. Teacher Hoseok would let them go if they'd need to leave, of course, but it would still be late. Mingi wouldn't get done with a thing anyway.

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 … you've started studying before, right?" Teacher Choi sounded somewhere between hopeful and disappointed. What an awful sound. If a teacher was talking to him this way, he would consider jumping out of the window.

"Of course," Yunho drawled, giving wide eyes to the teacher before he turned back to Mingi, "But we're studying again with Wooyoungie later. He'll keep you focused."

Teacher Choi looked over, smiling so wide Wooyoung couldn't defend not noticing it. He looked at him just a short moment and smiled back. That had to be enough. He just didn't have it in him anymore.

"But I'll leave dance practise early," Mingi whined.

What?

"And visit my aunt, 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.

Why- Why would he do that? Why would he say yes to studying when he was invited somewhere else – and go to dance club in between?!  He should have gone home right after Maths class. Wooyoung would have given him his notes so he could have started on his own!

Yunho sighed, "Then we'll just learn the official choreo today and figure something out on our own by the weekend." Then turned to Wooyoung and the teacher, "You’ll stick with Fake Love?"

"And you'll stick with Idol. C'mon, Wooyoung-ah, I've got a dance to learn," the teacher mused, not even looking at Wooyoung before he stalked away dramatically.

Well, that doesn't sound so bad, Wooyoung whispered to himself as he followed. Yunho and Mingi's quiet laughs still poked at him.

Oh God.

Wait-

Teacher Choi had to learn from Wooyoung now?

What?

"Wait, you'll leave early?" he turned back to Mingi after a few steps. Mingi nodded, but Yunho, too.

"You too?"

Yunho scratched his neck, smiling sheepishly, "'Course I'll go with him. It's aunt Taeyeon's birthday, Young-ah, I can't say no," he explained.

"You traitors."

Teacher Choi was already waiting for him, watching as he came to a stop. They weren't isolated, but it would be quite a close proximity they'd need to share.

"You know the choreography?"

Wooyoung nodded and took out his phone. Pure alibi; teacher Choi would catch on soon.

"I sort of know the choreo, but I mostly danced the challenge part, so we might be learning it together," he mumbled and searched up some sped down tutorials.

"Well, we won't perform the entire song, right?"

Wooyoung shook his head. "Teacher Hoseok also said so. Do you know the choreo at all, teacher?”

The man grinned and Wooyoung imagined a glint akin to mischief in his eyes, “I’ve seen it a few times, but I didn't pay much attention to it. I never tried.”

Wooyoung tried to think how to teach the teacher. “Maybe we can also try and go with the key parts first for today … Let’s, uh,” he trailed off as he set up a mirrored dance tutorial for the chorus, “Your phone is bigger, you could open the front camera so we can use it to watch ourselves. 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, so the teacher could see their reflection, the dance tutorial and Wooyoung for guidance. They worked through it step by step, and Wooyoung could tell through the camera that teacher Choi was highly concentrated even when he couldn't make out his expression in detail. They were dancing facing the wall, but the overhead light should have been bright enough to cancel out harsh contours. On camera it casted strong shadows under his cheekbones and brought out his nose and jaw and – muscles.

He shouldn't look at him like this. It was stupid. But his skin was the perfect tanned colour to bring out the veins in his hands and the bulges on his arms even with minimal contrast. The synthetic fabric of his shirt didn't help Wooyoung's case the way it stretched across his skin and glistened where his muscles moved underneath when he griped and pulled it for the dance.

It only helped to distract him and support his lie that he didn't know the dance.  

They paused when they got to run through it quite smoothly; next step was to speed up for the original song.

"Ah, but Wooyoung-ah …"

Wooyoung-ah.

He said it so many times without shame.

"Shouldn't we add a little … Or- I mean … Can we change it? It's so disconnected when we dance just side by side. We should dance together."

Hm, fair point. They would only move back and forwards next to each other; it wasn't really giving as much weight as with a whole group of people who moved around with each other.

"Sure," he nodded. "What did you have in mind?"

No way would he find a way to dance even closer to this man. He felt his heart beating fast and his nose started running from the exercise; he wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be blood by the end of this.

"Let's … At this part, Love it's so mad, we could … like this," he mimicked their step for the part switch, slightly crouching with a side lunge, also leaning in with his shoulder, "We could turn around each other instead, so we'll switch positions completely."

"Yeah, let's try," Wooyoung nodded again, feeling numb except for his sizzling fingertips.

Wooyoung searched for the part in the song and skipped fifteen seconds back to get into position. Teacher Choi was moving his hands to the choreo; it looked good on camera, not as sharp since it was the faster than they practised until now, but good. Teacher Choi was good.

Wooyoung also picked up as the chorus started, but purposefully took a step outwards not to be too close to the teacher. He would die on the spot being literally face to face with him. He didn't mean to – he didn't even expect himself to do it – but his eyes lifted from the spot on the floor to look right at him as they dropped for the lunge; teacher Choi wasn't looking back. He looked sideways, his whole face turned away from Wooyoung to the front; sharp and concentrated. He leaned back with his shoulders, showing off his neck in the most evil way. The veins and tendon stood out, sweat shone on his collarbone; maybe Wooyoung even counted the freckles he noticed for the first time.

He swallowed but kept moving behind teacher Choi and watched shamefully as he also continued with his movements. Four drops of sweat clung to his hair line at the back. The others had already run down to the collar of his shirt.

"That's good. You're good," he mumbled before he could stop himself, halting on the spot.

The teacher turned, smiling brightly. "Go from the start?"

Wooyoung nodded, "I need a drink."

Oh shit.

Oh my-

Oh my God.

Oh fuck.

He wouldn't make it to studying with the guys. And if he did, he wouldn't make it back out. He sneaked a glance at Mingi and Yunho. Mingi was sitting, face red and exhausted while Yunho was free styling playfully in front of him. Hopefully they hadn't watched.

The water cooled his throat, he felt it even in his stomach, but he didn't stop until he run out of air in between gulps.

"C'mon," teacher Choi called him. He had eagerly kept running through the dance to the original sped. "Let's record it this time, then we'll pick another part of the song, and I can practise at home."

Record it? Why? There were thousands of videos for him to watch!

"Sure."

Teacher Choi already set the camera and the music as Wooyoung got to his spot, sniffled and shook his limbs out.

Okay. Okay.

Let's go.

Don't be stupid.

Wooyoung concentrated on the dance tutorial more than his own image; he might have started watching the teacher instead, and then he'd go dumb.

Why did he dance so well? He said he never danced before! That wasn't fair.

Or he lied.

Whatever.

He shouldn't worry about it. He had enough things to look after; an essentially married man wasn't one of them.

Maybe expect for the way their eyes met during the part switch and the way Wooyoung could tell he lifted his shirt to expose his probably perfectly sculpted abs. Maybe even his V-lin-

Wow- wow!

Wow.

Slowly.

He had to get out of here; this man was frying his brain.

The second time they switched part for Wooyoung to come back to the front he knew why the teacher hadn't looked at him at the very first time: he had a great view at the camera. He looked at their image and it felt like the image of them together, so close, was starring right back at him, burning itself into his memory like a branding.

This was- It looked perfect; much better than before. The exact touch between the original move and their own twist to it.

“You're good at remembering everything, Wooyoung-ah. Did I dance well?” The teacher asked smiling sweetly.

Wooyoung nodded, then again more enthusiastic; he said it so many times already.

“Can I get a reward, then?” he asked.

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 incredulously. No. Teacher Choi had suggested it before and Wooyoung said no. Now he really tested him, huh?

“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 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 at the firm touch. Just as they got into position Wooyoung looked over to Mingi and Yunho again and noticed they had already packed up and watched them.

Fucking hell.

The routine went smooth, but Wooyoung looked away again when they faced each other. Teacher Choi grinned, probably perfectly aware that the closeness worked Wooyoung to the bone. He succeeded and cheered, with no malice, but Wooyoung felt called out either way.

“So?” he prompted.

“You’re a really good dancer,” Wooyoung said instead but the teacher didn’t let him off, pinning him with a raised eyebrows, “Hyung,” he added quietly and looked away, letting his eyes wander through the hall until he spotted Yunho and Mingi with their backpacks on. 

Wooyoung skipped over to catch up with Yunho, “Wait, are you guys leaving?”

“Yup. We’ll see you later, right? Say eight-thirty? Mingi's mom left the spar key, though.”

Wooyoung nodded. It was just past seven, so less than ninety minutes until he’d get to learn Maths and recite formulas and work through tasks and solve problems.  

"You good?" Yunho asked quietly, looking over to their corner. Teach- Wooyoung sighed. "Yeah. He's ... he's really good. Maybe he danced before and just doesn't admit it." 

Hyung waved him back over; Yunho waved back and pinched Wooyoung's cheek in goodbye.

Wooyoung had almost expected the teacher to come over, too. He nodded defeated. Aside from his own thoughts, tea-

Ugh.

Hyung didn't really do anything out of line. He danced like they were here for.

He looked good like he always did.

He smiled and talked in between polite and playful like always.

Teacher Hoseok came to him, calling a quick goodbye to after Yunho, but nodded for Wooyoung to follow. “How are you two holding up? Fake Love was is, right?” Wooyoung nodded and walked back with him over to where … hyung waited with his phone in hand, and Wooyoung just remembered he was covering his dance.

“Hyung, is there a limit for how long each performance can be?” hyung asked, but Wooyoung zoned out for a bit while he watched them chat and internalised he would dance J-Hope's choreo while J-Hope would watch and probably notice every error.

Teacher Hoseok stood next to hyung and watched his phone ... the recording!

Wooyoung mouth went dry. Aside from the concentration on his face, seeing them together was something Wooyoung didn't know he'd like. They had a similar built, although teacher Hoseok's outfit drowned out his frame a bit with his sports jacket and loose fitting sweats. 

They didn't stop after the short video was seemingly over; hyung set his phone back down with the camera open as teacher Hoseok stood before him. He went through a few moves slowly with more details in his fingers, talking about tension and lip synching, praising him in between. Wooyoung could barely stand it. But he still joined as well; getting into position in the middle behind the two. It felt closer to participating in a survival show; being coached by J-Hope and then being judged by J-Hope and it suddenly didn't sound so bad, but also a thousand times worse.

“If I didn’t know better, I'd say you two have been dancing together for some time already. Wow.” He clapped when watched the video again. This time Wooyoung felt more confident with the reaction, eager to follow and remember the comments. "Keep going and Yunho might have a competitor here. If you have questions call me." Hoseok-ssi laughed and went around the groups to join and teachthem as well.

"I like these moves where they ... jerk their bodies like that. Can we try?"

Wooyoung snapped back into reality and saw the chorus part playing on his phone again. "That's krumping. The way they do it here is kind of soft, but it's also really difficult."

"Show me."

"I can't do it well."

Hyung smiled, "We'll learn it together."

Wooyoung felt a smile tug at his lips. The teacher didn't really display puppy eyes, but he sounded so sweet and eager. "It's ... already past seven thirty; we won't get far." 

"Let's learn it a little bit; I'll practise at home."

Wooyoung sighed, "Okay."

They've barely found a few good and understandable videos before teacher Hoseok called everyone to gather up to end the lesson. What? It wasn't even ten minutes? Wooyoung made quick work of saving the videos so he'd find them again and sat with teacher Choi ... hyung close by where teacher Hoseok gathered them. He kept taking another few notes of the groups who still wanted to participate in two weeks. "I got in touch with my friend and he agreed to try a mash up for you," he pointed at Yeosang and Yeonjun where they sat with Changbin, Beomgyu, Felix, Yeji and Ryujin and a few lower grade students. Oh, they'd make a huge medley. With so many people it would look really good. 

"Also, I'm really happy about all of your creativity as a whole. You came up with original choreographies or turned a cover into your own thing. That's exactly what I've been hoping to see. Well done, everyone! I'll see you next week, then."

Everyone stood immediately, chatting and stretching. Wooyoung went over to Yeosang; fleeing from the te-

No.

The teacher. Not hyung. Teacher Choi was still his teacher. Yeosang took his hand, welcoming him as if they hadn't seen each other for ages and pulled him with him.

"Yeonjun is really good at dancing; and Felix, too, even though he said he had some issues with his spine. And Ryujin is on something – like, really. That can't be all her mind. She's gone. The way she talks about herself, no thanks."

Wooyoung let himself be led out of the main hall, careless of the world around him and just glad Yeosang was babbling his ear off. Surprisingly he stopped in the hallway, the other direction of the changing room. “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? The teachers came from the main hall, startled by him lurking there, but went on chatting and laughing as they left for their separate changing room.

Oh man, his heart still picked up every time he just thought about dancing with hyung.

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 he'll catch up and talk with you more,” he whispered and winked.

Wooyoung scoffed. “Stop it. It’s not funny. I’ll literally have a heart-attack. We haveto get the bus, dummy,” Wooyoung whispered back, swallowing his own agitation and making quick work of changing his clothes.

The door opened the entrance door and Hoseok-ssi looked around, “Everyone o- Alright you boys, go hurry up. And put on everything you have, it’s freezing outside,” he ordered. He had to lock the gym, so he had to check everywhere.

Wooyoung jumped and hurried to pack his clothes up among the chaos of half of his wardrobe, while Yeosang already waited at the door. “Should I leave already? Then you can catch him alone,” he suggested.

“No, I've had more than a fair share of alone-time with hyung. Also, we're going to Mingi's place. Don't tell me you aren't coming,” he scowled.  

“With hyung?” Yeosang repeated in disbelief, “Alright. You go home. If you come over to Mingi we're not going to even open our notes. I gotta catch a bus,” Yeosang rushed out.

“Wait! Hey,” Wooyoung call after him, struggling to straighten out the sleeve of his sweater underneath the blazer.

“Anybody left? Come on, now,” teacher Hoseok peeked inside again 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 rushed 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 standing there as well, busy with his phone. He smiled awkwardly as he approached the door, of course.  

“You’re alone?” hyung asked, closing his phone. He kept adjusting his collar around a scarf, and Wooyoung wondered why, but one look outside revealed it had started to snow, and it even stayed on the ground instead of melting.

“Yeah, um, my friend had to leave."

He swallowed. Great, he had to wait out another bus in this weather, only steeled with his school blazer and a hatred for the cold. He sighed and braced himself.

“Will you be picked up?” teacher Choi asked. Wooyoung halted and looked down at his phone, “No, um, my- My mom just told me she couldn’t make it.”

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, so I'm closing this baby up,” he joked as they all stood outside while he locked the door and left, "Have a good one, see you next week." Wooyoung and teacher Choi repeated it half-heartedly, mostly out of respect.

“When’s your next bus?” teacher Choi 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.

“I could …” teacher Choi started but paused, giving a sheepish glance at Wooyoung.

“Ah, hyung, no, no that’s not necessary,” Wooyoung tried to stop the offer before it sprouted, but was beaten to it.

“'Course it is, I 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; Yeosang said so, too. 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 teacher.

 “So? I can give you a ride. I don’t mind.”

Wooyoung knew overall, generally, logically and objectively it was the smarter decision, but he just couldn’t bring himself to accept.

“Remember you got a test tomorrow. If you wait here, you’ll get sick and won’t be able to take it, right?” 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.

“C'mon, I’ll drop you off and you’ll be home in no time.”

Wooyoung looked around. Should he really say yes? He looked at him, looked around, checked his phone and tried to think of another solution.

“Just this once,” teacher added, probably guessing Wooyoung was wary after they promised to take it slow.

Wooyoung looked down in shock when teacher Choi took his hand, not really gripping or pulling, just picked it up. Wooyoung looked back up, “Let us take care of you. We don't want to make you feel bad, I promise. You're in no debt, you don't owe us anything. Let me do this, just this once,” he whispered and had Wooyoung frozen in place.

He couldn't give more than a tiny nod, still mesmerised at the gentle touch. “C'mon, you’ll navigate me,” teacher Choi instructed, and led WOoyoungall the way to the car park, not once letting go of his hand. when they reached the car, the teacher even opened the door for him to take his seat. He acted like he was some celebrity, going all out on formalities and etiquette.

Oh my God, what were they doing? It was close to eight now; so no one should be around.

“Thank you, hyung,” he whispered and watched as teacher Choi gently closed the door and also settled in. “Seat belt on,” he instructed as he started the engine and tinker around the ventilation so clear up the windshield. Wooyoung followed quickly as he also checked if the teacher did, too.

“So, where to?”

“Uh, Umyeon.” 

“In Seocho?” teacher Choi asked in surprise which had Wooyoung flinch sideways,

"Yeah, it's close to the Samsung Campus."

“That just down Gangnam Avenue to Umyeonsan road ... We live in the Hannam neighbourhood in Yongsan. Like, next to Banpo Bridge. Umyeon isn't that far … I never knew you live in the Seocho district,” teacher Choi smiled and shifted the gear into drive. He drove smoothly; out of the parking space and onto the road despite the fog and snow.

I don’t live there. Wooyoung couldn’t bring himself to say it. Well, when his mother bought the house it was still Seocho, by now it was morphed into Gangnam, but that was even closer to Hannam. It was basically just across Han River.

Teacher Choi was just so happy, so he just smiled back at him, “Yeah.” Weren’t teachers supposed to live farther away from the school they worked at to prevent this exact scenario? Hannam was in Yongsan district, right across from Dongjak district only divided by the river. The only thing that made the way there long was the rush hour traffic. Maybe they lived further north? 

“How come you live so close to school?” he still asked and rubbed his palms on his sweatpants. Thank God he had them with him; he only took them to sleep in them because he was usually cold at night. now he had to use another pair for later. 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. He shouldn’t be in this car; it looked much too expensive to be touched with anything unwashed. Then it clicked. If they lived ike really close to the river, to Banpo Bridge, probably closer to Seongdong district where everything reeked of filthy rich Gangnam flair, then they had money. They were rich. At least enough for two new cars - at least one Mercedes - all the fancy clothes, teacher Park's sophisticated manner, teacher Choi's thick wrist watches and leather shoes.

“We’ve both worked at different places before, and we both didn’t want to relocate. Principle Kim approved 'cause there was a shortage of teachers and we were just far away enough. A bit further south and he would've said no,” teacher Choi explained calmly. Wooyoung hummed.

Where did they work before? Different schools, maybe? Or teacher Choi could have been a personal trainer or a coach somewhere. And teacher Park could have been a professor at university; it would suit him. He kept wondering and just watched the world around them move on. Teacher Choi 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 was just stupid. Please turn left now just sounded wrong even in his head. Take a turn left here – Sounded a bit rude.

The way was easy, literally down the road, turn left, then down the road again, turn right, down the road, and to the right into the residential streets. But Mingi’s place, or his place in his thoughts could be anywhere, they wouldn’t know if they could take another route to be quicker. Would he notice if Wooyoung made him take a longer route? He checked his phone again and again, seeing the first text message saying Mingi and Yunho were at his place, so everyone was welcome now. Thank God, he couldn't be the first one to arrive. They wouldn’t take too long to arrive, by car the way from school took least fifteen minutes, even more if he took public transport. They would know if he arrived too soon. They got out early, and if Yeosang caught the bus at seven fourty-seven he would be there around fifteen past eight. If they kept driving like this, Wooyoung would arrive around the same 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. And Mingi and Yunho are out; they'll be late,” Wooyoung blurted when he realised they wouldn’t even need much more than ten minutes from here to Mingi’s house. They were long past the first evening rush hour, and it was nowhere near eight-thirty. The residential areas were calm and quiet now; maybe they'd see a few squirrels hoping around.

"Sure,” teacher Choi looked over at him a few times as they drove on the freeway. Wooyoung kept checking the time and calculated how long it would take them. He typed wildly in the chat; trying to make up a story matching Yeosang's hints. Easiest solution was to say he called a cab, but then it would have still taken a few longer because he would have needed to be picked up first.

“You should slow down here, I heard they put up a radar,” Wooyoung said and looked around as they got closer to the city entrance. There was nothing, all that people got around here were parking tickets because the Natural Ecological Park was close but their parking lot was just way too small.

“I got it. You’ll give me directions, then, right,” teacher Choi answered 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 nor an edible warm meal was there even though Mingi and YUnho had ltaken left overs from the party.

“You're studying for Maths, right?” teacher Park prompted.

“Um, yeah. We have a test tomorrow,” Wooyoung said lamely but he could have punched himself. Stupid! He didn't need to tell the Maths teacher about a Maths test. Tomorrow.

“Don’t tell me you're nervous,” teacher-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. Usually the same grade, the A range was bigger, but he had been so mad, oh my God.

“Everyone is graded for their individual performance, not the effort behind it; it’s not entirely fair, I know. But your friends’ results aren't your responsibility, even if you help them."  Wooyoung sighed. He would love to believe him, and the way teacher Choi turned to him when they stopped at a red light made his heart drop for all the wrong reasons. He felt like he was in a movie scene.

“Right." Wooyoung pressed his lips together tightly and moved to look from his lap out of the window.

"But all they ... lately- I mean, studying is nice, and hangouts, too. Sometimes they …” Wooyoung trailed off. He wouldn’t speak badly of his friends, especially not in front of the teacher. They were his friends after all. “They’re still really hooked on- You. Like, when we’re all together. They probably watched us half the time and now when I'll get there then- When they see- If I-” Wooyoung tried to explain without giving away he won't be the first to get to Mingi's house. He didn't like to be watched. It never got him anything good.

“We could always do less, Wooyoung-ah. We can wait 'til Christmas and then stick to one thing only. Lunch or the clubs; Seonghwa-hyung andI talked about it. I'd say clubs 'cause that's easier to justify if anyone asks. Then we could mingle with other students as well; it won't be centred on you. Seonghwa-hyung prefers lunch, because then we'll have more free time after class,” teacher Choi said and had Wooyoung fidget in his seat.

“N-no, no, that's not- I was- You can always - like, You're not ... I- I didn’t mean it like that.” Oh God, what did he just do? He just told them it was fine if they joined them for lunch and the clubs 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 and join any club. I didn't mean to kick you out or anything. Like 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 being stupid again? If he had just shut up and stuck to giving directions, he would have been fine. He could have led him 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. 

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. And then they’ll ask questions…” he tried to summarise and hoped he wouldn’t ask questions. Silence stretch after they started moving again when the light turned green.

"And you don't know what to tell them," the teacher concluded. It wasn't a question.

"Yeah. I'm not good with lying. I can't do it."

“Say we just like you and your friends. You seem fun and besides; you’ll have exams this year. Can’t be too bad to be friends with the teachers, right? I might forget a rule or something when you need extra help. Don't tell Seonghwa, though. He'll scold me, then I have to listen to him, and he's strict … That's not true; we don't keep secrets. I'll probably even tell him myself. And he'd probably help you out, too. But he's still stricter about it.”

It made Wooyoung actually chuckle, but more from the lack of a more honest response, and maybe to also drop the topic as well. Teacher often tried to praise him give him a helpful perspective of things to make them seem less massive, 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. Teacher Choi followed, checked the mirrors and then squinted when they stopped at yet another red light.

“I think my aunt used to live around here. I don't remember much, but we often went to parks and such … You have aunts and uncles, Wooyoung-ah?” Teacher asked. He was really curious, Wooyoung wondered.

“My mom's friends mainly,” Wooyoung mumbled, “But I'm not close to them. I think only when there are birthday parties and so on and we're invited. Aunts and uncles … I think the last time I saw them was when my grandma passed and we met 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.

“Oh, sorry to hear that. I basically grew up with my grandparents because- my parents … well, but we were still close overall,” teacher-hyung started to ramble. He did a lot, actually, Wooyoung noted. And he used a bit of slang or English words, and he pouted or smiled brightly. 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. He wasn’t really interesting, nor was his or anecdotes life filled with memories to tell others. Even if he did, he didn't like to talk about his family.

“Which way?” hyung asked.

“Straight ahead,” Wooyoung said without thinking; he could have led him around here and taken two more minutes.

“Yeah, well, I’m just glad I still experienced lots 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 to give him away, he would have probably ended up on the streets. She wouldn't have cared where she left him. And if she had put another thought on top of that, Kyungmin wouldn’t even have been born at all.

“Not everyone's lucky enough to have that. Even planned children can be neglected,” the teacher added 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 Wooyoung chuckle. “I have a cat and we're all over each other,” he smiled.

“Cat?” Wooyoung perked up. He liked cats, they're pretty and funny and smart. He always wanted one, but his mother never let him. He was allergic. She said, you’ll swell up like a balloon. “I like cats. My friends say I’m like a cat,” Wooyoung mumbled.

“Really? Why?”

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 and hide; evne when they're at my place, or I'm with them. We're close like that.” He waited for his reaction anxiously.

“Like Byeol,” San cheered, “Sometimes she’s all over me like purring in my face and kneading my chest when I'm lying down, but only for as long as I don’t react like when I’m still asleep. But the moment I even talk to her she’s like, no, don't breath in my direction. But when I'm away and Seonghwa-hyung has to feed her, she's always crying and looking for me. She's a Siamese, so she can be loud. It's only in the morning when she's cuddly and sit in my lap.” Wooyoung chuckled with him, even though he had no idea what he was talking about. “Left or right?” he asked again.

“To the left twice, then the second to the right.”

“And then we’re there? That’s not too complicated, actually. I might not even need twenty minutes back,” he chuckled.

Twenty? Wooyoung needed around fifteen minutes here. Oh, they're close; they might wave each other good mornng across the river. Maybe they could drive him home, too- Oh.

Oh no.

Then he'd have to tell them he lied. Or he'd say it's another friend's house. It's not that he would ever invite them to his place. How would that even happen?

He only hummed in response and hoped it wasn’t too late and made it awkward.  

“You have to meet Byeol. I’m sure you’ll get along,” teacher Choi said and it had Wooyoung’s heart beating faster. Meet his cat? His 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?”

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,” hyung added. Wooyoung smiled; teacher Choi breathed deeply into his chest. He was nervous. Maybe by the time exams were closer he could take them up on it. They probably had better things to do than to hang out with their student on their free days. “Well, we’ll see. We know you’re very busy, Wooyoung-ah. 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 the 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 half an hour ago.

“Alright, here we are.”

The car stopped and the teacher turned to watch Wooyoung. “Have fun, yeah? But also rest up properly. You have early classes tomorrow,” he directed to which Wooyoung clamped his fist down on his backpack and nodded.

“Thank you for driving me, teacher. I hope I didn’t inconvenience you,” he bowed his head as much as he could while still sitting.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll always help if you need anything. Just let us know,” he answered easily. Wooyoung thought about saying something, but the teacher's phone started ringing.

"That's Seonghwa, I need to take that," he said and lifted the phone to his ear.

"Hi … Uh, yeah? We did, like quarter to eight … Late? Wha- right, uh," the teacher hummed sheepishly and looked from the watch up at Wooyoung. "I made a detour, I'll tell you when I get home; twenty minutes tops … Yes, actually … No, I know, you're right. I'm sorry … Alright, baby, I'll be right with you, okay. Yes, bye-… Anything you want, love. Bye bye."

Wooyoung could hear the faint reminder of teacher Park's voice, he spoke fast. Was he mad? Did he disagree with driving Wooyoung home?

"Sorry. I texted Seonghwa when we got out of dance club, but not that I'd drive you. He was worried 'cause I took too long to get home. Seonghwa gets lonely quickly, you know,” he giggled and smiled down at his phone even when the screen turned off. Then he looked up at Wooyoung, the smile still sat on his lips. His eyes still twinkeled as they just looked at each other.

“I’ll go then,” Wooyoung 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, a mess of soda cans and snacks, and waited for him. He better not make them wait any longer, even though he should for credibility. Wooyoung felt his cheek heat up. He just worried someone would catch them.

“Be safe,” teacher Choi called from the car, passenger window rolled down. 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 his 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. “I flew in,” he answered.

“Who drove you?”

Wooyoung shrugged and walked past him.

“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 ... Dummy.”

He wished could call the teacher so he could ask them to turn around and pick him right up again.

“Was it the teacher?” Mingi asked hopefully. “Come on, it was the teacher! Did he drive you? Yeosang said you were the only one left with him. Did you sit with him? 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 teacher,” 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, long and full of grief.

“Stochastic and probability calculation. I just really can’t,” Mingi answered, although he would have been happy to hear about Wooyoung’s stupid car date.  

Chapter Text

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 … He was stupid. They told him they would be alright; they would take his 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 one thirty in the night.

They all overslept a little.

A lot. 

Although Wooyoung had the brain power to assess Mingi's fridge and its contents in the evening before and there were still left overs because they opted for snacks over food, there was no way between heaven and hell that he would have managed to make six breakfast packages in ten minutes. But he could cut up some fruits for them to snack on the way.  

“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. It's moments like this with other people in the bathroom, more running and yelling through the hallways, everybody talking over one another that Wooyoung was glad he grew up as an only child with nannies and house staff.

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 the teacher dismissed them.

Yunho must have gotten up and out, or Hongjoong stopped by and Wooyoung didn't even notice him, but he looked up when he heard plastic packaging rustled in front of him. Yeosang patted him on the shoulder and he automatically opened his mouth when Yeosang fed a few pieces of a fruit sandwich to him. Strawberry-kiwi, perfect.

“Drink some,” he said and pushed steaming cup and a bottle of water over to him.

Fruit sandwich and coffee? Wow. "Thanks," he whispered.  

“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 he 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 forty-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.”

“Your notes told me something else.” Wooyoung got up and stretched. He needed to get his energy back up. “Give,” he mumbled and stretched his hand out for the sandwich again. Yunho unwrapped it for him, and Wooyoung took it and the coffee with him to the window.

“Wooyoung-ah, you have to write the test first, and then jump out of the window,” Yunho joked.

“I'm just getting fresh air. I'm still half asleep,” he answered lowly, sipped the coffee 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. Then the teacher winked at him.

Wooyoung almost jumped out of the window after all. He turned around quickly, facing outwards while nibbling on his sandwich. He took a sip of coffee, too much too quickly, and felt the sting on his tongue; but he powered through in favour of distracting himself from this sneak attack.

Okay, now he was awake for sure. He waited his time out until teacher Choi called everyone to sit down, and in a surge of adrenaline he thought to stay put until the teacher would drop his easy persona; just to test him. But given the weather he was freezing and walked back to his seat voluntarily. 

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.

He wasn't the first on to hand his test in, but he knew he'd be the first with all tasked worked through correctly. It took him a bit, but he also didn’t stress since he still had more than 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, even his scrap paper, and then looked up to search for 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.

Why would he frown? Jisung and Tzuyu left much earlier than him. He wasn't really early. Felix probably only stayed for appearances after writing his name and the date.

“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?”

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 with his palms showing, 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, eleven tasks,” teacher agreed and watched Wooyoung go through everything with growing distress.

“I g- I got everything. I’m done, I’m sure.” Wooyoung put it down, adjusting the edges again.

“Alright,” teacher Choi nodded and took the papers to put them face-down on top of his files. “You’re dismissed, but stay inside the building.”

Wooyoung sighed in relief. He just wanted this test to never find its way back to him. It could stay with the teacher.

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 the teacher so surprised? Last time Wooyoung checked, the teacher was surprised he was quiet during class; now he was surprised about his top performance.

Okay, at least one of them was being stupid now.

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, eleven tasks. “Fuck,” Wooyoung gritted when he couldn't remember every drill. He was going dumb over this.

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,” Yeosang yawned.

“And you,” Yunho nodded at Wooyoung.

“Don’ know,” he whispered, “Think I messed up.” He looked at them for only a moment, before a 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 9.75 and I went through it again but got the same result.” Wooyoung nodded in between. Yeah, he could remember 9.75, 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. He was usually smart; 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 stupid. 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 intently, 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 me- 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?”

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, like, the solutions somewhere? I can even 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,” teacher Choi smiled, probably meaning to seem sympathetic while keeping his composure even though Wooyoung was 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 breathe when teacher Choi fixed him with just his eyes before he moved half a step closer. Wooyoung 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 back him up all the way and do something to him. 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, and let them pass as if he were a bouncer.

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.

Great. He was worked up and they were annoyed not even five minutes into it.

Just shut up already.

You were stupid, and now you got to deal with it.

They kept asking him questions during class, even if they knew the answers as well. It was starting to annoy Wooyoung in return.  

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 a 99 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. Already three classes he had with them.

High-class restaurants and chefs often sent their trainees and Junior Chefs to Chemistry or Maths classes to freshen up their knowledge. If they were lucky, their employer would even cover the costs.

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 at least 98%.

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 fucking ruin him for good.  

No, stop. Everyone was graded for their individual output, teacher Choi 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 breathing like that?”

“Trying to stay fucking calm,” he gritted, trying to keep his voice down, “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, dummy. About 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. None of the teachers 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 got out kinda late. If he not here anymore, we’ll miss our bus for nothing.”

“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 everyone's gone. 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.

“Listne, if I’ll try to bolt, you have to make me stay. Pull me back by my hair, fight me to the ground if you have to, I need to talk to him,” Wooyoung instructed seriously as if they were about to go into battle.

The door opened abruptly, and teacher Seo looked at them in surprise, “Hi, you two. What can I do for you?”

Wooyoung fidgeted in place, having expected teacher Choi to be right there. Despite his nerves, Wooyoung kept his manners on point, ever so polite.

Okay, okay, he could do this.

He’d just keep up the act.

“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.”

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.

"I never said anything about fault. But I said he might not be here."

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 other people's schedules.

“Are you going to ignore me now?” Yeosang asked after a while of walking in silence.

Wooyoung didn’t look at him, because, yes. Yes, he was going to ignore Yeosang.

Yeosang could eat his shit.

He didn't even take the wireless ear pod Yeosang offered him like always.

Yeosang stayed by his side the entire ride back to Apgujeong central station, quiet and calm, and walked with him until they had to split for him to head towards Hyejin-noona's house.

“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. 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, “Tell Kyungmin-ah and noona I said hi. 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 to Hyejin's home passed in a blur; Kyungmin's babbling kept him awake even though listening and answering sucked out the last bits of energy he had left.

It was dark when he arrived. He remembered seeing the last blueish grey hues in the sky when they sat down in the bus. He left Kyungmin with a few of his books and toys.

A plate of yesterday's food was stored in the fridge. He had already used up most of the produce, but the fridge just didn't become empty.

Wooyoung sighed. The fridge was stuffed and yet he all he could bring himself to use was eggs and rice and a beautiful slab of pork belly.

“Did you eat?” he called and went over to pick up his brother. If he had fresh Parmigiano Reggiano and one more ounce of a will to live he'd make fake Carbonara rice, but egg fried rice and crispy pork belly had to suffice.

His phone, left on the kitchen counter, buzzed relentlessly after another minute when Wooyoung was sitting down at the dining table 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, and Wooyoung was in his wool pyjama sitting on his own bed, he 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.

And it was late, closer to midnight than anything; 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.

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 a bit less than ten minutes left.

"So, that's it for today, guys. 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, 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 didn't dare 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.

"Whatchu got for number seven?" Yeosang asked, not looking up from his own test.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?!"

"I don't know. Ask someone else." Wooyoung got up and paced around the hallway.

He was not about to admit his failure. He messed up the test, but no one needed to know that.

"Hi Wooyoung-ah," Lee Chan called him, "Why the long face?"

Wooyoung sighed. He wasn't in the mood.

"Too many tests before Christmas … Always the same every year."

"Oh, come on," Chan drawled, smiling brightly. His face was a bit plumped up; maybe he had eaten more sweets while Christmas was approaching. Usually his cheekbones casted prominent shadows on his face. Wooyoung liked that better than now. "Don't tell me you're worried. What are you even doing with all those grades? Law or medicine?"

Wooyoung smiled, he hoped Chan would get going soon. "World domination."

"Aye Chan!"

Wooyoung looked up, but he felt a few more of his brain cells died on the spot when Changbin came over. Alright, that was his cue. "See you," Wooyoung muttered and went back to his classroom. Teacher Seo was also heading in his direction, stack of sheets in hand. Damn.

"Give me," he heard Mingi screech from inside before he saw him. Wooyoung peeked before walking in, finding Mingi seemingly assaulting Yeosang, who held Wooyoung's backpack to his chest.

What the hell?

"What's going on?" he asked Yunho, standing close by but only to watch.

"Mingi wants to see your test."

"No!" Wooyoung went in between, prying Mingi off of Yeosang but also the backpack from him.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you like this?"

"Yeosang looked at your grade and I wanted to know, too. It's unfair!"

Yeosang's eyes widened. "Just the score, I swear. You go-"

"Don't tell me! I don't want to know! "

Mingi sputtered. "Wha- So he can see but I can't? I just want the solutions. I can't wait until Monday."

"No one's seeing anything! Stay out of my stuff!"

Yunho directed Mingi back to their seats while Wooyoung packed most of his stuff in his backpack and set it down more behind him; out of reach. "You are crazy. All of you. It's just a test."

"Says you," Yeosang deadpanned. "Seriously. Don't be so uptight, at least give us a little credit. We're the ones who always call you to study. Showing us your grades is merely a good-faith payment to insure our efforts will pay off."

"Why thank you, of course. Because without you I would never even think to sit down and study on my own."

"Come on, man," Mingi joined from the front, "Give me your test, I won't tell you a thing, I promise."

Wooyoung didn't even know what to say anymore.

"If you ask me one more time, you can have it because I swear I'll jump out of the window," he grumbled to himself.

"You have nothing to worry about," Yeosang tried.

"Fuck off. Don't even talk to me," 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 died of a stroke now or a busted artery, he wouldn't even be surprised; he'd keep it together of the English test and then die from tripping over his own feet.

Maybe it would be a relief. Then he didn't have to see his score, and never take any more tests or the exams ever again.

No failed classes.

No rejected applications.

No graduation and no worries about anything beyond today.

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

Teacher Seo called the class to take their seats. He was gracious with them and granted them extra time even into recess. Oh, teacher Park was going to be thrilled to hear that.

The test was just like Wooyoung had predicted which left his friends relieved beyond compare. They came to him with thousands of compliments as if they hadn't chewed him up earlier. It didn't help. None if it felt real. Nothing to hold on to. His mind races with thoughts all swirling together and breaking apart before he could grasp them. Only images of teacher Choi's frown were still clear in before his eyes. His mind couldn't get away from teacher Choi and their fight. He couldn't tell what teacher Choi thought about him now.He had been ready to fight on Wednesday, getting all up in Wooyoung's face. He had to be so disappointed now; especially after they got so close, dancing and driving in his car. Wooyoung knew it, he shouldn’t have been in this car. He let himself get all wrapped up and dreamy with them. He let himself go and be stupid.

Maybe Biology class with teacher Park would help him make a guess. Maybe he'd say something or give Wooyoung a look. But since some people in this class were fucking stupid, they needed to poker with his luck. Wooyoung was just skipping the pages through his script, getting ready for the lesson.

"Teacher, can we have a bit more time. We just wrote a test."

Wooyoung halted and left the pages open somewhere in the middle of evolutionary theory. His heart beat picked up by just seeing teacher Park had stopped in his track; he was only halfway into the room, and looked at Jisung with distaste. "So?"

"Our recess was cut short," Jisung whined. How stupid could he be? When has that ever helped their case with teacher Park?

"Is that so? … Who else stayed longer than eleven fifteen to finish their test?"

Wooyoung knew that look; the slight frown, the tight smile that wasn't really a smile. He knew the question, the tone in his voice, the inclusion of the entire class even though it would be so easy to just say no; and he knew they would full on run into that trap. Jisung, Minho and Yuqi raised their hands. "It was just a minute or two for me, teacher," she tried.

Wooyoung almost face palmed, but he kept his hand unmoving andfolded in front of him.

"Jisung-ssi was so nice to speak up for all of you. Feel free to catch up on your break. Come back inside at twelve fifteen."

The room stayed silent. Only the ticking of the clock was audible, and maybe Wooyoung's bood being pump through his veins at a thousand litres per minute.

Why weren't they moving? Why didn't they get up?

"Go on," he insisted, his voice just a sheen away from sarcastic. Like a demon tempting them to sin when they stayed put; looking up at him with big eyes. Yuqi looked between the boys and the teacher, ready to leave but unsure when the other two didn't budge.

The teacher's face didn't break, he looked at his wrist watch instead. "Every minute that I don't start my class on time, I'll add at the end. I get paid for ninety minutes, so I will work for ninety minutes."

Wooyoung's heart pounded in his chest, and he tried to exhale as slowly and quietly as possible. They were being inhumanely stupid right now; straight up disrespectful. He kept his eyes down, straight at his hands; he couldn't help but clicked his tongue, "Go already," he whispered, but apparently loud enough to turn a few heads.

Teacher Park stood his ground; he didn't even put his briefcase down. He hadn't even made it to his desk. Jisung had asked for an extension before he even greeted him. Teacher Park hadn't even greeted them to signal the beginning of his class. Stupid. Simply stupid.

"Get out," he repeated, his voice grounded but louder than Wooyoung had ever heard him speak. Yuqi flinched in her seat, much like Wooyoung, but hurried to get up. "I'm sorry, teacher," he whispered and bowed before she left, followed by Minho and Jisung. They didn't bother to be quiet; letting their chairs drag over the floor, making them screech painfully loud. Even the teacher winced, breaking his compuse for merely a second and ran a hand through his hair. Wooyoung almost gasped; teacher Park had never done that before.

"Come back at eighteen past, and not one second earlier."

Minho looked pissed, but also apologised as he passed the teacher; Jisung didn't even look at him and closed the door with more force than needed.

Wooyoung's heart was in his throat. His legs were cold as ice, numbing in preparation to get up and run. He's never ever seen the teacher so mad. This was even worse than with teacher Choi even though he had Wooyoung almost caged against a wall and all the reason to lash out. Teacher Park was all the way in front of the room, not even talking to Wooyoung, but the tension was just as heavily rendering him stuck in place. What the hell.

What the hell.

What were they thinking?

It was even just Jisung who asked. No one else had a problem. Now all of them were in for it. If anyone stepped out of line now, they were done.

What would the teacher do if he got mad? Wooyoung's never seen him like that; he never knew he could be like that. What was he supposed to do now? Were they allowed to speak? Ask questions? He would probably assign them a shit load of homework or something. 

Should he smile at him in sympathy? Or would it look like a taunt? He should keep his eyes down. He knew how to handle angry adults, but he never even thought teacher Park could be angry. How was he supposed to know what to do?

"I understand you have quite some pressure now before Christmas break, so I'll switch this Biology class with an extra Chemistry class," he said as he sat and took out his materials. "And we'll switch it back before the next Biology test. Got it?"

"Yes, thank you teacher," Yeji answered quietly, politely right in front of him. The teacher didn't answer.

Wooyoung kept it down, avoided eye contact, looked at the board instead of the teacher, grabbed a handful of sharpies and pencils to perfectly copy every dot in case it wasn't in the script. Everything needed to be perfect in case the teacher would look at his notes again. There wouldn't be a speck of dust out of place to be criticised. His notes were perfect and ready to be handed in and graded and never looked at again.

He was on a hundred million thousand trillion billion percent perfect behaviour. Even if the others were stupid, he wasn't. He couldn't let the teacher forget that.

He was a good student and smart. He listened to rules and instructions.He wouldn't step out of line or disobey.

He'd be perfect and give the teacher a reason to stop frowning and clenching his jaw. 

At eighteen minutes past noon, the teacher called for a break. He said one minute to let them open the windows and have a drink, and call the other three back inside. It would be more like two or three minutes; mostly to fuck with them over lunch time. Yuqi seemed to apologise before the teacher was even out of the room, mostly to swear on her loyalty to teacher Park's rules and expectations to save her grace. He dismissed her swiftly and told her to sit down before he seemingly headed for the teachers' lounge.

"They're so stupid. Why didn't they just leave when he told them to?" Wooyoung muttered as soon as there was movement. It was like a tight net had been stretched over them, and loosened after a single threat had been cut. Wooyoung could breathe again.

"Maybe they were shitting their pants? Just like you from a grade you haven't even seen," Yeosang answered easily.

"Wooyoung-ah, come," Yunho laughed from across the room, he had gotten up to open the widow by the teacher's desk and pointed outside.

"I might," he groaned and rubbed his face.

"You're still on that track?" Mingi asked, "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. Or let me take pictures of your answers so I can compare them to mine."

Wooyoung vehemently shook his head, "No, Mingi, I won't. Really. I'll only need to be nice to teacher Park today, I'll be on my best behaviour, and then I'll talk to teacher Choi on Monday and apologise and ask him if I can re-take the test. Or maybe I can hand in some extra work to even it out."

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 as he went to sit down again.

"He said it himself to talk to him on Monday. He won't talk about Maths during PE anyway," Wooyoung reasoned half-heartedly, rather to soothe himself than to oppose his friend.

"Alright, alright, settle down," teacher Park ordered, a little quieter than before, but perfectly efficient. His frown had barely eased up, he was still annoyed. Of course he was; he wouldn't just let it slide after forty-five minutes.

"For those who have just joined us, pay attention and take notes, because I won't repeat myself. Make sure to catch up on your own. If your classmates are nice enough, they'll lend you their notes, but you're to work individually."

He was calmer but definitely not any more relaxed. It was a test; both for the students' understanding of his seriousness, and for his patience. He handed out work sheets; and since no one had their Chemistry script on them except for what they wrote down earlier, they really had to work with what they knew by heart.

Okay, okay.

Wooyoung would be perfect! Even if he was missing a few points from a Maths test, he could still perform in other classes. Teacher Park wouldn't notice a thing.

"Woah, there, Speedy Gonzales. You're going to catch on fire if you keep moving so fast," Yeosang whispered next to him.

Wooyoung ignored him. He wouldn't get caught breaking the rules and going against instructions because of someone else. He was smarter than that.

"Do you get number five? How do those words even go together in one sentence?"

"Be quiet," Wooyoung whispered sharply.

"Oh, just because you lost a few points, I have to, too?"

"No, you don't get it. This is my chance," 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."

This wasn't about being smart or a full score. This was about being good for teacher Park and to make him happy again. Perfect; he had to be perfect for them like they wanted him to be. Like they expected it of him. He couldn't disappoint them now.

He even had his Chemistry script in a ring folder with the other science classes since right in front of him. It wasn't full enough to split it yet. But he had it open on Biology, and looking through it for Chemistry would make too much noise. He had to use his notes from before and ignored that Yeosang was giving him a strong side-eye. "You're going crazy."

Wooyoung clicked his tongue and huffed. "Do you know 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 hi-"

"You didn't pick 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."

Wooyoung's eyes widened and his throat closed up. 

Fuck! No. No!

How stupid ...

He wasn't- He didn't ... He went against instructions and got caught.

This was the exact opposite of what he wanted.

"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 repeatedly bowed his head until he rested his forehead against the table top, 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 to keep track of his mood, even while writing down his answers and extra formulas and additional information he remembered from before.

To his sorrow and relief in equal parts, teacher Park looked back at him three times. Three. In a bit less than forty minutes teacher Park looked at him three times. Unimpressed and bordering impatient. He didn't even keep the eye contact in case Wooyoung had a question. He didn't, of course, but still.

He knew everything, he barely needed to look at his notes to fill out the tasks, he got everything perfectly written down for teacher Park. He was perfect. 

"I'm doomed."

Wooyoung sighed and deflated as soon as the teacher dismissed their class for lunch, letting his head fall down to his desk, seven minutes past one. Yunho turned back immediately, "What was that?"

Wooyoung only earned sympathetic glances and half-hearted smiles of encouragement. "I told you. They hate me. They hate me and they'll make me fail all my classes."

Yeosang clicked his tongue dismissively as they packed up, "Oh, you're making things up. He was annoyed from before, he told us to work alone and he caught us talking. That doesn’t mean we didn't listen before. He just told us not to talk while other still worked 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 today; instead he only spared them with a text saying he was held up in an interview but he'd make it to band practise later.

"'Sup with him," Changbin said without bothering to greet them as soon as he sat down with the bunch. Felix and Lee Chan followed with a side-eye towards their friend.

"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, "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 scratch whatever's not clearly written, but I think like half my score was solely for the benefit of the doubt. 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. How would I even analyse geometry, mate? Just look at it!"

Wooyoung listened intently, trying to ignore the knowing looks his friends gave him. It clearly supplied the conclusion that teacher Choi would have 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's in his dramatic loser-lover era, let him be," Yeosang said, 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.

"See, he gets it," Soobin comained to his friend, "Can't we just all 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, "Hey Soobin-ah, you should have started training as an idol two years ago if you wanted a proper excuse to ditch classes like this." Soobin made an annoyed face and pulled Yeonjun along.

"Lunch is almost over, we should get going." Changbin, Felix and Chan packed up, chatting quietly amongst themselves, and joined Yeonjun and Soobin.

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."

Mingi beamed 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 you don't have favourites." Wooyoung wanted to add another one-liner, but Yeosang's attention wasn't on him anymore, instead he was looking past Wooyoung.

"Now don't say you'd skip my classes because of your Maths test, Wooyoung-ssi. You're pettier than I am," teacher Choi called from behind Wooyoung, a bit too close; 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.

Also - Wooyoung-ssi.

Not Wooyoung-ah. Even though he had called him that plently of times  even in front of others.

God, this was the worst thing that ever happened to Wooyoung.

FIrst a bad grade, so bad his reputation already fell off, and the teachers lost interesst in him - all in less than a day.

He could just die now. Unhappily. Maybe he'd become a ghost attatched to this school and hunt lazy students.

He 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 you have to run laps for every minute," he clapped. Another group of their class mates got up and followed the teacher.

Did he stop by just to taunt Wooyoung?

Telling him his test was bad.

Calling them to be punctual and threaten with the same punishment that teacher Park had used.

"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 at him and Yeosang reinforced it with a firm hit again Wooyoung's shoulder. "He's smiling but he's already fed up with us. Oh-" Yunho gasped, "They talk talk about us. Like your test and our classes …"

"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 I'll let him if 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 Soobin and Minho of all people for demonstrations. The ones who were the least motivated and definitely didn't put in any effort whatsoever.

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 in the changing room, "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 against me," he conspired with Mingi's big eyes on him. "He didn't even say goodbye to me. What?"

"Can you make up your mind, though?" Yeosang argued, "For a few weeks you swooned when their names were just mentioned, then denied your crush on them completely. After that you were freaked out about just being in the same room as them; then you go and spend an entire lunch period with them alone. Then you danced with teacher Choi, getting all up in his face, and 'picked a fight' over a test you didn't mess up - all within less than a business week, by the way. Today, you're making up stories that they'll fuck up your grades, and two hours later you're losing it because teacher Choi didn't have a reason to make you stay behind; besides 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 extracurricular nonesense instead of actual classes.' I'm sick of talking and hearing about studying and clubs and grades, is all."

But -

Wooyoung was a mess in between their push-and-pull way of affection. All the praises and compliments; then offering to pull back, then asuring him his grades were fine; then ignoring him when they weren't.

Yeosang was right; he should get it together soon, focus on his grades, and spend less time daydreaming. He 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 before lunch break," Eden-hyung answered simply before briefing them on the protocol for the Christmas assembly. They had finalised the back tracks for two songs and decided to play them live at the assembly; recording and arranging it wouldn't fit their schedule; and it helped to declutter the programme.

"No way. There's just no way," Wooyoung 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. It's fun to tease you, but …. Look, man, you're stressed about your grades, and maybe them sitting with us at lunch, is cool and all, but maybe that gave you the wrong impression. They're teachers … it'd be kinda weird if … you know. I mean, as long as you're cool with it. … But they're too nice for that. They wouldn't mess with your grades just because you panicked for a moment," Mingi explained and sighed; his breath fogged up the cold air. Wooyoung felt his face pull into a grimace as he let the silence stretch uncomfortably.

Did Mingi just say that?

He was the one propagating this whole thing in the first place; now he was telling Wooyoung he got the wrong impression and it was weird like some grand revelation.

Besides … They wouldn't take advantage of him in return for his grades, right? But they clearly made him suffer for being off-track. 

What the fuck.

But that would explain the way they pulled up with the bad mood and punishments and cold shoulder out of nowhere. Like mom when she couldn't sell a deal or was stuck in traffic before she came home.

Oh no.

He was doomed.

"Felix just said it today. Did you hear?" Mingi prompted then, "Teacher Choi even gave him extra points so he would pass the test. 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 into his collar at his friend's words. As they walked back inside he looked down to inspect his shoelaces and silently thanked himself for buying and wearing the chunky New York sneakers one size bigger to fit even with his wool socks.

Mom hated the shoes; she said brands names and emblems ruined every look and made it look cheap; like he desperately wanted to look expensive. But they perfectly kept his feet far away from the cold ground.

Also - 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 he'd not even get into 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 out and I doubt she cooked dinner for Kyungmin and left him 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 plants 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 bit of their breakfast and packed the rest of it with 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 went there even while Mingi was still at school; 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; true to themselves 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 the same teachers. 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'll starve," Wooyoung pursed his lips.

"And when we're all dead, we'll share a grave with you, pookie," Yeosang piped in as he came back from the reunion with Kyungmin and widened his eyes at Wooyoung, "Kyungmin'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. "I mean it. I couldn't even lift him up anymore," Yeosang went on gushing about the boy, especially because he had cooked dinner yesterday, 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 got better at cutting vegetables into even pieces and cracking 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.

"Define the subject of organic Chemistry. Yunho," Wooyoung asked, channelling his inner teacher Park.

"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.

"That's true. Why was it wrong?" Wooyoung poorly hid a smile by pressing his lips together and winked at Mingi while handing him a cue card with the correct answer. He didn't mean to put his friend on the spot, but it helped everyone to call out a mistake and make them work it out together.

"Look, Carbon and hydrogen are the two elemental components of hydrocarbons, but what you said are just other elements that commonly occur in the compounds," Yeosang pointed out on the cards for Mingi, "Get it?"

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

"Jongho, 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. With all that he knew, he was  totally correct. "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 … nu…cleic 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, but he still felt his cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "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 electrical charge… And! And atomic bonds aren't as strong or stable as ionic bonds because- of … something that I won't say because you didn't ask," Mingi lied 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." He lowly whistled to himself; teacher Park probably just felt a cold shudder run through him wherever he was right now.

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 décor 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 didn't prepare and replace themselves with all those toys when they're exhausted. 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. And the children are all crazy. They can't keep themselves occupied just by themselves."

When he came back home Wooyoung didn't even want to take off his coat. "Hey Siri, set the temperature to twenty-four degrees, please," he called. The house turned into a freezer when it stood empty for just a day, but two people lounging around also didn't change a lot.

He hung up two towels and Kyungmin's PJs above the heater in his brother's ensuite bathroom so they'd be fluffy and warm later. "Kyungmin-ah, are you hungry?" he asked as he came back to his brother waiting on the bed.

He knew Kyungmin was probably full from auntie's good food and the sweets in between, but Wooyoung still made instant ramen but added cream and mozzarella to the sauce and a few sausages; perfectly easy and heavy enough to fill Wooyoung with what Kyungmin left.

"Do you want to shower first? Then I can clean up before you're in bed." Kyungmin was so used to the quiet of the house, and even more so with all the crying babies he often had around him, that he got easily upset when he heard the noise from the kitchen or when Wooyoung played music. Kyungmin accepted of course - not that Wooyoung asked because he hadn't known his brother's choice - and let Wooyoung check the water temperature for him.

In the meantime Wooyoung tidied up the kitchen and updated the grocery list before he set up his own bedroom; heated blanket and pyjamas, and all.

"Do you want to go to Mingi's house again tomorrow?" Wooyoung asked he dried Kyungmin off and helped him into his clothes. He sighed deeply; if he went to study at Mingi's house, he needed to plan when to practise his dance cover. Even when he was busy with anything, he kept thinking about the teachers.

"Will Yeosang-hyungie be there?" Kyungmin managed around a yawn.

Wooyoung nodded, "I think so. We'll have a test on Monday morning. But he'll always come to see you if you say so, Kyungmin-ah. If you ask him nicely, he'll probably be with you more than with us."

Wooyoung 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, why he made his friends help out so much, or why he didn't reach out to any social services.

Well, Hongjoong-hyung, mom didn't care with much more than money and social services looked at financials first, maybe health care bills, too, and if there was plenty of money and no hospital bills out of the ordinary, they didn't bother much with anything else. So, for as long as she provided them with all necessities like food and extra money, he stood no chance against her.

Only when he was alone in his bedroom again, too upset and too tired to do anything beyond loading the dishwasher and cleaning the counter tops, 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 missed calls from Yunho, Yeosang and Mingi each along many messages.

Mingi Mangi
@ 🦉– young Are u coming tmrrw?

Yes kyungmin asked for yeosang hyungie 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 still not in this chat

Jongho can starve

Yuyu
Jongho is not happy with that answer

And 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- 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 and extra notes and praises." 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," 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 at fucking eight o'clock on Monday morning, 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.

"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 eight o-five, 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 raise your hand and I will try to help or paraphrase it once; if the same question is repeated several times, I'll write any helpful additional notes up on the board, so keep that in mind. If you're done before the time is up, copied go to the students' lounge, I have copies of a few tests here 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, turned off, 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 your own accord. You will not get the benefit of the doubt, I will also not chase after your points; 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, but his own stomach twisted.

The formality part was normal; teacher Park liked rules and principles and black-and-white solutions especially for tests; that was his thing. But the mention of another look at tests was new. That hadn't been part of his rules before.

That was because of Wooyoung.

Teacher Park looked around, pinpointing a few faces it seemed, wordlessly inviting questions. Then he looked at Wooyoung and the corners of his lips lifted a bit more.

A look to his wrist watch, one more to the one on the wall above the door. "Good luck. You may start."

Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh-

kay…

Okay.

Okay. Chill out. We've studied. We got this. Nice and easy.

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. He blinked his eyes into focus again, and when he looked up, teacher Park was already looking at him with a weird expression. Eyes wide and attentive, back straight, hands still even though he was clearly in the middle of taking notes.

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.

Technical terms --> full points

Substitutions e.g. definitions (if correct) --> half-points,

Spelling mistakes --> depends on the amount (1-2/10) 

Spelling mistakes might be forgiven?

That sounded awfully like benefit of the doubt, even though the teacher said there would be no such thing.

Whatever. It 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 that peeked out beneath a thick, heavy looking grey woolly sweater. It seemed quite unusual given his preference for button ups and form fitting round-neck shirts. Not to call the man a show off, but if anyone asked, Wooyoung guessed he had most of his dress shirts tailored. His black hair was shiny even in the neutral white light; fluffy and perfectly cut to fall neatly 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 at him.

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. 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 and Yunho 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, the band of his watch scratched across the surface.

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.

Wooyoung stop in his track and straightened up. Where they-

Fuck this!

He sighed but looked back at his desk in the back and skimmed through his papers, mainly for protocol, more for show right in front of the teacher. He could watch Wooyoung check his papers because he knew he had everything perfectly.

"Yes," he simply answered and put the stack of papers down, not even bothered to align the edges before he turned and left. If he couldn't hide his sour mood afterwards, he didn't let the teacher say anything about it.

Yeosang and Seungmin 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; those big and puffy ones 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 is all-knowing. Our God of being smart," Changbin explained simply.

"You mean Apollo, the God of divine knowledge and distance … So truth and prophecy, and healing and purification … and stuff. Prometheus was a titan who brought fire to the humans; with the eagle eating his liver," Wooyoung corrected but didn't bother explain the lore, even though he liked the stories and finding out all the word stems phrases that were still in use. Changbin looked at him sceptically 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 watched his class mates. Fucking idiots. 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 you want now? Just move on already.

Changbin kept looking at him; Wooyoung could tell out of his periphery even though he pretended to ignore him. But he was getting angrier by the minute. 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.

They're your teachers.

They're already together.

Fuck off already.

Wooyoung jumped from his seat and walked off. He needed some air, he was getting 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 or extra lessons or better grades.

He need to focus and keep his score and look for restaurants that could corporate with the culinary school, and internships for pastry arts and international cuisine 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 and that you should try it. She said it's American styled pasta with chicken and a creamy sauce," Mingi went on about cooking but Wooyoung couldn't fully concentrate.

"Hide it from Yeosang.

"Don't worry, it's not fried or crispy. All sauce," Mingi smiled, unaware Wooyoung couldn't bother.

When they got back to their seats teacher Park was already gone and teacher Kim was struggling with the connection to the smart board. Wooyoung might lose his cool with this man someday. The smart board was already as installed and connected as possible; he only needed to plug in his USB drive or whatever. Why did he tinker with it every day; and more importantly, how did he not learn from any of it?

"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 like this. If you made me guess, I'd say he was nervous."

"Nervous about what? He was worried, not nervous," Yeosang corrected.

"He skipped through your test two times before he even started to actually sort it onto his stack, and that only because you handed in your test, then."

"I don't care," Wooyoung forced himself to say after another beat. Teacher Park, nervous? Worried? 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, class, let's get started, 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." It's not like Wooyoung cared anyway.

Chapter Text

"Wooyoungie, let's change seats next class," Mingi blurted out 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.

"Teacher Park is out for me as well. They're a package deal. I can't just be beefing with one of them."

"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. Anyway these themes are a bit tricky sometimes; even though the symbolism itself barely changes. The challenge is to take the historic and cultural backgrounds into account."

"Here we go again," Yeosang mumbled next to him.

"Anyway," Wooyoung smiled emptily in return, Yeosang chuckled through his nose.  He let his eyes rest for a few minutes as he mindlessly doodled on his notes as the teacher explained the confusion with western and eastern literature. He tuned the voice out, only catching single words; the Americas, Pacific Ocean, anyway, prosecution, Russian and Arab languages. What?

"… Chinese or widely Buddhist texts that focus on moral duties and the relevance of authorities in the sense of role models. So anyway, in light of our lesson, that means … Wait," the Kim squinted and looked on between the text on the smart board and his notes; mumbling to himself, "Our lesson and Chinese texts." Then he straightened up, "Forgive me; I lost track. Where was I?"

"Western literature and translations," Yeji supplied.

"Knowing historic background," Hyunjin added.

"Animal symbolism," Wooyoung repeated.

"Anyway," Yeosang hummed quietly but it made Yunho and Mingi crack enough to cover their mouths with their hands.

"Ah yes. Thank you, thank you. Anyway, exactly like I said, it's important to be aware of the author's background in light of analysing their text. That's why we learn about different genres, the most famous authors and the historic events that took place during their life time."

Wooyoung sighed. Teacher Kim had this thing where he knew everything and therefore tended to vastly lose track from the topic he started with, only to keep going. It was his cue to relax, maybe think about something different, but he still heard a few words and perked up once or twice and he couldn't stop listening. Wooyoung admired it in a way; this man knew so much about history and different authors and recognised references even when they seemed impossible to catch; about cultures like he had lived a thousand lifetimes already, and he loved to talk about it every chance he got. He wanted to do be like that, too; to know so much, and be so smart, too. To be asked about anything and then - he'd just answer.

But right now Wooyoung couldn't concentrate. The teacher went on; something about hearts and crosses with opposite meanings, before and after. Anyway. He couldn't follow. 

"Anyway - on the same note, can anyone explain why our main character's name is Oisin? Or the other names; Jora, 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 a goddess of fertility and harvest."

Teacher Kim nodded encouragingly. "Yes. What can you tell just by that?"

"Um, it fits the mother's traits like gardening and her nurturing behaviour in general.  But I don't know the others," Wooyoung said 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 an aptronym or more commonly a telling name. Anyway, try to put it in context with the setting of the entire story; we've already discussed it is set during Autumn and we already got another clue: the mother's name stands for fertility and harvest. What else can you think of? Wooyoung-ssi, do you want to go on?"

But I just said I don't know.

Wooyoung supressed a deep breath and managed to shake his head. "No."

He meant to say it quietly, but it sounded sarcastic. Yeosang stifled a sound in his throat, a laugh or a gasp, and teacher Kim also seemed surprised as his smile only fell when Wooyoung looked away from him to the board and stared at him silently. He just said he didn't know. Why would the teacher still call on him? The teacher can look and smile at him all he wanted; Wooyoung wasn't going to say one more word.

"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. Scribbling pictures of important symbols, adding translations and markings for later references. He even made a list of names and words to look up later.

"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 filled the hand-out with notes all over.

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 were drowned out by his heartbeat.

"Wooyoung-ssi, you were unusually quiet today, 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 - I was busy all weekend; studying and with my brother. I'm just... feeling tired," he sighed, embarrassed at the honesty. "But I'll rest up and… I'll- I'll be fine tomorrow, promise," he nodded as he went on, mainly to convince himself of the empty words. 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 though to confide in your teachers before class, so they won't mark it negatively in their notes, right? Anyway take it slow and make sure to recover well, Wooyoung-ssi. I'd be sad to see you lose interest," the teacher agreed. Wooyoung swallowed. Telling the teachers he wasn't fine so they'd give him pity points? Never. That was nowhere near Wooyoung's standards. Just the mention of it gave him flashbacks to his classmate's stupid questions during class or when they started to argue about their grades. Wooyoung might have become stupid, but not that stupid. No teacher ever gave in. Not even when parents started to harass the principal about it.

Wooyoung stood there, halfway frozen with horror, halfway drowning in the sounds and sensations of a bustling classroom. Changbin was yelling, pens and papers rustled on the desks, a cold breeze mixed with the stuffy atmosphere inside, a light in the back of the room started flickering. All the while teacher Kim went on about always 100% and setting priorities as he fucking finally gave up on the papers and tucked them away in his briefcase. Wooyoung's ears started ringing and overshadowed most of his thoughts. "Of course, teacher, thank you for understanding," he nodded politely.

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 belt 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? He would be stupid to let that happen.

Even if he had the skill and willingness to listen and write and look all at the same time, and even if routinely revised his notes, and even if he memorised everything better ... What was it worth if one single day might ruin his record?

But he did have it all, he did it all, and he could do it all. Why would he let himself slack and risk it?

He had to get back on track. Teacher Kim was right. He had to get his priorities straight and get back on his 100%. Mingi and Yeosang were counting on him.

Yes. Wooyoung wouldn't hear a warning like this twice. He'd get back on track and up to 150% even.

"Wooyoung-ssi," teacher Choi stood next to him where teacher Kim had left him, startling him. 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, checking the room; the students, the view out of the windows, the clock, the teacher. Time felt like everything was going at double speed while he crept behind.

Teacher Choi looked so strange and unfamiliar. His fringe was shorter and straightened out across his forehead. The sharp shadows of his features stood out even more. 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. 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.

He also proved that bad grades would definitely not be rewarded with pity points when Aeri and Jisung both kept asking why their answers didn't get all the points, when their answers were simply wrong.

"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, guys. 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, guys, just 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's wrong with you?"

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, "He's right. Let's sit here today," and led the way towards the usually empty area next to the doorway leading to the schoolyard and the 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 recall his name on the spot. 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 Shin Ryujin and Yang 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 guys, do you mind if we join you again?" Wooyoung didn't have to look up, but certainly the teacher couple came to stand behind Mingi and Yunho. Instead, 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.

"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 Park's focussed smile while Jongho and Ryujin talked to him, and teacher Choi's attentive eyes finding his repeatedly didn't soothe him.

At least teacher Choi 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 opposed 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, Wooyoung 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. Perfect. "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 declined it.

"Hello. Hello, mother," he picked up expecting but not ready for her updates.

"Wooyoung-ah, are you at school? Look, I'll be leaving for a project in Daegu in the next hour or so and I probably won't come back before Friday; I got a call. Boah-unnie is already in Thailand, and 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. Anyway that means you will have to bring and pick up Kyungmin from kindergarten. And kindergarten also told her this morning that they'll be closing on Friday sometime around noon, probably earlier. You got the number, too, right? You can call or ask them when you're there. Anyway, 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 I have to hurry. We'll talk when I'll be on my way back, alright, but I'll be busy all wekk. If something comes up go to uncle Song Jaehee next door. Or text me... don't call, I wont answer. Anyway I have to go, baby. You'll manage everything, yeah. Bye-bye."

Wooyoung was left gasping and stuttering between her relentless babbling. Of course she ignored his answers with practised ease. At least her voice sounded like she wasn't in a bad mood; she was probably rushing around and grabbing things, checking of lists or something. At least she told him and the neighbors. Before she left, too. 

Leaving within the hour? That probably meant she was already out and about.

Boah-noona was away with her new husband and Hyejin-noona was off, too? He was on his own from tomorrow on. Maybe he should have asked Yunho and Felix to pray with him.

This day was going horrible.

So… Mom was gone until Friday, and Hyejin also was not available, kindergarten usually closed around five in the afternoon, and Wooyoung's class tomorrow ended at five in the afternoon. He would have to leave early tomorrow- And around noon of Friday? He wouldn't be able to stay all throughout the Christmas assembly then either. Actually, he shouldn't even bother to come at all. Only if not before Friday implied mom could be back by Friday morning, but Wooyoung knew his mother well enough to rest assured she wouldn't blink her eyes to get Kyungmin even if she were staying home all week. He sighed deeply and let his head fall back.

This woman… Did she ever even consider that Wooyoung wasn't her staff? At least she had half a thought to check if he was at school. Aside from that she always made him step in. She was essentially independent in her company; she could always halt a conversation to check with her calendar or push a meeting back one day. She always put Wooyoung on hold to if he needed her to agree to anything! And then he still had to plan around her so she wouldn't be inconvenienced!

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 settled on him expectantly.

"Sup," Yunho asked. He spent too much time with Changbin and Yeonjun. Wooyoung frowned, but by now his face might have just become stuck like this.

"It's… I'm… I might have to ditch dance club tomorrow." 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.

Teacher Choi gasped dramatically, "What? But it's the last dance practise before the assembly. What will I do without you there?"

Wooyoung sighed; he expected a lot, but not this reaction. "I'm sorry, my mom made plans."

"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."

"Oh… But we worked so hard. You said I did well."

"I know, teacher, it's not because of that. I would come if I could, but my mom had to leave town. I'm sorry, I can't make it."

"I even practised dancing at home. Seonghwa-hyung ev-"

"I said I'm sorry! I can't help it," Wooyoung snapped, louder this time now that they sat on opposite ends of the table; he didn't even care he interrupted the man. All he felt was his heart against his ribs and his teeth grinding so hard he felt his gums moving. "My mom made plans of her own and she just told me; and my five year old brother still needs to get home safely, so I have to step in." Figures.

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.

Did he just yell at the teacher? Stupid. Really fucking stupid, wasn't he?

"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," Wooyoung whispered next to Yunho before he cracked his hands, his neck and rolled his shoulders. He just needed to move. To get away from here.

"I can dance with you then, teacher."

Wooyoung's head whipped around just in time to see the girl smile in a girly-flirty manner as he passed behind the teacher couple.

"No?" he barked in shock, "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 and barely resisted the thought of putting a hand on teacher Choi's shoulder, "I said I might have to ditch tomorrow. That doesn't mean you'll get to dance with him," he rebottled easily to wipe the unimpressed smile off her face.

And teacher Choi agreed, because he didn't want to dance with Ryujin or something else, he added, "I wouldn't come to practise tomorrow without Wooyoung either. We'd just reschedule."

Wooyoung shallowly gasped, genuinely surprised at the blind loyalty, even more so when the teacher leaned back towards him, letting his left hand lavishly land on teacher Park's thigh while they both looked up at him. Wooyoung didnt acknowledge it; he still felt hot with embarrassment and anger, instead he left without another word.

Once he was out of the cafeteria he felt like he finally reached the surface after being too long under water.

Stupid stupid stupid. Why was he being stupid?

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, 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 his 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 did ur mom say

Mingi Mangi
wooooowwwww jealously suits you

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
What plans

@Mingi Mangi
wooooowwwww jealously suits you
The teachers like it too 😜

Yuyu
I hate to admit it but that was kinda awesome

They are 

✨gushing ✨

Kang(aroo) Yeosang

Jongho says their faces were phenomenal

Yuyu

I've only seen teacher Park floored like this once before

And that was today after you gave him your test

Young-ah you broke them😂😂

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
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

Accept for the fight 

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

Shuold we say smth?

I said the usual stuuf

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

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Awww Youngie theyre onto youuuuuu

Into

Stop lying u're also into them kkkkk

Oh My god

Did that just happen?

Mingi Mangi
Whaaaatttttttt

I'm dying omg

AHAHAHAHAAHAHA

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
WOOYOUNG

WOOYOUNGGGGGGGG

COME BACK

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

Everybody's yelling I'm scared

Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Can I have a waffle?

Mingi Mangi
New Wooyoung-mood unlocked: possessiveness

Do it more often

Ryujin left

@Kang(aroo) Yeosang
Can I have a waffle?
Can I pleeeease get a waffle?

Come back she evn left the teahers here for u

Were all on our phones theyre lonely now

They keep looking at the door man

Theyre waiting

Comimg

Dont embaarass ne

When Wooyoung came back into the cafeteria most students had already left and the serving line was empty. 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 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, and texted his mother a few follow-up questions as an alibi. And to get his eyes back under control. The teacher must be thinking all sorts of things now; he completely messed up his test, picked a fight with the teacher Choi, then teacher Park was petty, now he yelled at them, and came back staring like he was hypnotised... What the hell? He was actually beyond stupid, there was no hope. 

She wouldn't answer until the evening if at all. He felt Jongho lean on him and, knowing his habit, tilted his phone mid-typing 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 this time. 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, they were talking among themselves, but 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, seemingly thinking of an answer but he 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.

"How much earlier? If it'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.

"Wooyoung-ah, can't Hyejin-noona pick him up, and then bring him over to your house?" Yeosang added from across the table.

"She's 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; staying over on a school night out of convenience?

Well, there were exactly two people in the entire world that Yeosang would accept any inconvenience for: Jongho and Kyungmin.

"No, I don't know… Come on, Sangie, your mom is busy. Your entire family is going to visit again, right?"

Yeosang shrugged, "So? That's, like, 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, "He loves to be with us. He told my mom he's always bored at noona's place because he can't play with any of the other children." Wooyoung chuckled. They're all babies! He could hear Kyungmin's voice scold in his mind. It was all much too plausible to reject.

"Is Hyejin-ssi your sister, Wooyoung-ah?" teacher Park chimed in. Wooyoung halted; he almost had forgotten the teachers were still there. They had listened, clearly invested.

"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 oth- our … out mother and I can't pick him up." He nodded and hummed; glad he didn't reveal there were 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 you come and talk to me tomorrow," teacher Choi ordered as he stood up, his boyfriends followed. "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.

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, bowing his head clumsily.

"See you. Have a nice evening," teacher Park greeted 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 Apgujeong-dong; 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 softly to make him look up, "You're amazing, too. Doing all this. 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 will 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 had to walk back to his house then. 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's 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, one of those terribly ugly rich people breeds; Wooyoung felt sorry for them every time he saw them out on a walk, but the people 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 had another grocery delivery in order? 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. He helped him get ready for bed as they usually did. "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 slowly and dreamily. It was dark around him, but warm and soft. The sheets smelled faintly of lavender and he felt a weight resting on his chest. He chuckled dryly when Seonghwa's fluffy hair tickled 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 sat up to lean over him.

"Good morning," San whispered and welcomed Seonghwa's lips in a sweet kiss.

"Good morning, Sannie. Did you sleep well?" San nodded but had to cover his mouth as he yawned.

"Have you been up for long?" he asked in return 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.

If it wasn't for Seonghwa's worry to appear superficial, San would compliment him constantly. Seonghwa loved to be touched and praised for his looks, but he got flustered easily despite his confident composure.

San liked to push him, though. A natural blush was the cutest and hottest look on his boyfriend, and touching him was the perfect excuse for to show off his massage skills; 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.

San sighed. He wished he could stay in bed and hidden from the busy world for ever. Just him and Seonghwa and cozy sheets and candle light and lavender scent mixed with quietness in the air. Touches and whispers and kisses of love. What else could he ask for? Lots of money to never work again… Or at least to call in sick and sent a file of worksheets to the secretary to hand out while he stayed in, maybe.

"You can't skip school. You're the teacher."

He blinked his eyes open. His hands were still moving on their own, but he had dozed off again. Seonghwa smiled down at him, apparently reading his mind, but San only pouted. He might have had a few complaints lately, so much Seonghwa already knew his inner works by heart.

"I would do it to stay with you, though."

"I also have to go."

San groaned childishly and kicked his fit, more to get his system up than anything, but it made Seonghwa laugh anyway.

"Blueberry or kimchi pancakes? … Kimchi? And fried eggs? And blueberries with your oats," Seonghwa asked quietly, breaking the silence that had stretched between them.

"I love you," is all San could say.

One day… one day, he had already promised Seonghwa, one day they would run off somewhere and get married. In the middle of the night, in burning mid-summer heat, or freezing hailstorms, it didn't matter. 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 two upper grad maths classes, ugh, a PE lesson 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… maybe.

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… Seonghwa's Tuesday breakfasts were evidently the best. He sneaked up behind his boyfriend and surprised him with a 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.

"This is awesome, 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 part in the back that started to stand out. Seonghwa didn't comment as he flipped the pancakes out of the pan and reduced the heat before he cracked in the eggs.

"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. Byeol-ah was starving before I got to it, though." San pouted as he double checked. "It's okay, baby. I'll reheat it with the steamer and drink it later. Thank you, my love," he added quickly seeing San's dissatisfaction.

"Later when?" San said but went to pour both of them a glass of water and one of juice at the table, and saw that Seonghwa's first coffee was about half full.

"I should try to get Tuesdays off completely. One class before lunch break and then one afterwards is total nonsense… Or maybe I can go for home office," Seonghwa thought out loud.

"That sounds feasible. But let's eat first, you're busy since you got up," San agreed and came to plate their food when he saw Seonghwa turning off the stove and loading his cooking utensils in the dishwasher. Then he took the pans and rinsed them in the sink.

Then he took a rag to clean off the counter.

Then he noticed Byeol had left a little mess around her bowl again.

Then he-

"Come sit with me," San stopped him and led him to the table by the hand when he wouldn't stop fussing, "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."

San supressed a sigh and complied with a smile. Seonghwa started to be fussy; he'd likely be nagging by the end of the week. Something was making him anxious. All over his schedule? Probably not. San would ask about it later; but Seonghwa would tell him in due time.

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. Seonghwa pursed his lips, but didn't turn his head.

"My Tuesdays are so useless. I only teach two classes, but I can't get to anything, really… go for walk, read, cleaning and chores, even really catching up with paper work is awful because they're in the middle of the day."

San nodded. Seonghwa usually liked to clean - to be healthy. At least that's what he said San believed it was latent mysophobia. And to consciously relax to be healthy as well, but he added them into his schedule like an appointment; so much that  feeling healthy and relaxed became chore as well.

"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 try and catch the principal in person to open the discussion… Actually he might ask me to teach Physics regularly because Sojin-ssi is getting on his nerves. Quote unquote, 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, so he was allowed to sneak a few bad words. "I don't want more classes. I told him already I'm not open for it... Can I say something?"

Hm? San nodded. 

"I've been thinking if the issue keep coming up, and principal Kim keep coming to me, I'll quit." 

San felt his heart stutter. "Oh. Seriously?" Seonghwa nodded. He seemed conflicted. "Have you thought about another job? Or would you want to stay home for a while?"

Seonghwa shurgged and shook his head slowly. "I wouldn't do it in the middle of the year, of course; I'd go with the graduates. In between is... bullshit. Then back to uni; a PhD sounds nice."

San chuckled and hummed appreciatively. Doctor Park Seonghwa. "It does... Well, I'd say go for it. You've made your requests and principal Kim agreed when he hired you. You're perfectly right to leave when he starts to disregard your contract."

Unfortunately San couldn't lift Seonghwa's spirit all too much before he had to leave, even talking about the urban dream, tending to his garden, reading all day  cozied up in his library, and let himself be pampered and bundled up in a thicker coat, scarf, hat and gloves to ease Seonghwa's mind for the moment. He also 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. 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 irony 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, "It's wrong. 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 had probably been 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. He said it would go bad before he got to it," the boy bragged with happiness.

"Two meals for your entire group; there are always, like, ten people sitting together, right?" San asked, making Jongho's eyes widen.

"No? We're regularly… five people with Wooyoungie. Hongjoong-hyung is sometimes with us and then Eden-hyung also joins, 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 Seungmin-sunbae … we all get along but we're not that close ... Well, you and teacher Park join us sometimes, too, but you usually bring your own food, as well. And Seo Changbin and his friends," 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 seemed 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. "You know, his mother is not just any real estate agent. She likes luxurious houses and high value clients or when they remodel and modernise older houses, especially for entrepreneurs and vacation homes for companies, like when music labels or reality TV productions. 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 found out.

But Seonghwa did find out. San walked into the teachers' lounge to switch his ring binders for his sports gear, and Seonghwa was there.

"Oh, hi," he greeted with an immediate lift in his spirit.

"Hi Sannie... You're early," Seonghwa chirped with a look at his wrist watch, but welcomed San with an outstretched arm 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."

"I know. I brought you a snack. You have a long day ahead," 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 it if I'm open to teach 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 it's mainly his decision, so…"

Seonghwa seemed only mildly soothed by the answer. San was harsh, bordering radical on the topic, 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. They still hoped he'd make a move, but the chanced dwindled every day. Sometime throughout last week his mood has shifted extremely from class to class; 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 expected, 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.

HwaSeong 🪐♡
You know where I am

Hm, passive-aggressive, are we? In hindsight, of course San knew where he was; seated with their favourite group of seniors.

He greeted the group politely as he took his seat and cheered when Seonghwa opened his lunchbox for 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, "That's radical… I didn't leave you to die when you were sick. I massaged all your lymphatic nodes away and I worked out extra quietly."

Seonghwa was unimpressed by the argument, keeping his posture upright and his face politely neutral, "Right, you were really sweet. But I 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 after I warned you; and I promised I wouldn't let you be reckless."

San smiled, "I made promises, too."

Seonghwa stretched out his hand towards him, wordlessly showing off his fingers this way and that. San tried to inspect it, looking for swelling and redness. Did he get hurt?

"Size ten fits me well."

Ah.

San swiftly caught and brought Seonghwa's hand up to his lips, leaving a chaste kiss on his knuckles. Seonghwa, now clearly impressed, pulled it back and tried to hide his reaction, but his face turned lovingly red while he pressed his lips together to control his smile. Only when he thanked Seonghwa for the food again and turned to take a bite, he remembered a group of teenagers surrounded them. Judging their wide eyes and solely the fact that they were all quiet at the same time, they certainly enjoyed to watch the PDA. Then he also remembered what Jongho had told him.

"Whatchu got there? I heard Wooyoung cooked for you," he peered across their table and saw, "Kimchi pancakes?"

Mingi pushed the plastic lid 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 to bump their shoulders.

"I'll say yours are better anyway," San whispered back. 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 besides holding Seonghwa's eyes as he spoke, but he seemed to expect San's professional judgement of his skills but tried to hide his nerves. He held eye contact calmly, but subtly shifted as he awaited San's verdict. Usually San wouldn't care if someone kept trying too hard to seem unfazed, 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. They're really good; San had expected them to be spicy because of their bright colour, but they had a subtle sweetness to them. He assumed they were really crispy when they were fresh and warm, and they still had some crunch to them even though they had probably softened since then.

He looked at Wooyoung for a moment, then slowly turned to Seonghwa and received a wink. "Go ahead. Don't you think they're good?" he prompted and San smiled taking another bite. "They're really good", he mumbled with his cheeks puffed out.

"You like it? Should I get the recipe?" Seonghwa asked again, leaving San to nod shyly to run in his trap full speed. "It's a tie, though. No winner."

"That's too bad," Seonghwa sighed, making San frown, "They have carrot."

San's hurriedly covered his mouth as his jaw dropped in shock. He inspected the pancake in disbelief, "What? No. Where? You put-" He turned to Wooyoung, expecting him to deny it.

"Yes? What?"  Wooyoung – finally – reacted with wide and alarmed eyes, reaching out to him uselessly. "What- Yes, it has carrots. Why? Are you allergic? Teacher," he asked increasingly louder as he almost comically leaned across from where he sat and grabbed for the food in San's hand.

"And you- You let me- Hey, hyung-ah, what will I do now?" San asked distraught, still inspecting the pancake as if it held the answer. Seonghwa looked between him and the students, likely amused by Wooyoung's reaction.

"Teacher! Will you die? Did I kill you? Hey," Wooyoung shrieked, forgetting his manners. San thought he was going to jump on the table any second now. He caught Wooyoung's hand easily just to make him stop fussing, but broke into a smile as the boy froze on the spot. "I'm fine, Wooyoung-ah, don't worry," he let go and cleaned up a few crumbs and the grease from his fingers while the students also calmed down.

"Sannie, you have to marry him now, remember?" Seonghwa shrugged like it was nothing.

The boys' heads snapped around in shock synchronically. Seonghwa nodded at them, as if he just revealed the latest 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. He was barely smiling, but nodding encouragingly with his cheek leaned on his fist. Was he being sarcastic? Still passive-aggressive? 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 eyes widened and Jongho giggled, "You already thought about it?"

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

"Wha- What did I do?" He looked around seeming surprised. Had he not been listening?

"You know what you did," Jongho answered quickly, an accusatory tilt in his voice but Yeosang started to smile. "I did … whatever you asked for probaly. You're the one taking advantage."

It gave San a little flash-back. Was this just a running gag? You know what you did?

"And you'd still marry me." Yeosang broke the tensed stare-off, accepting his defeat.

"But then I'll be alone if you all marry each other," Wooyoung frowned.

"No, we already got it; you'll marry the teacher. Didn't you listen?" Mingi repeated.

"Uh, I listened when the teacher's boyfriend said they're essentially engaged," Wooyoung shot back, but of course that didn't stop his friends. How come they were talking about him and Seonghwa and boyfriends and engagement so lightly? This surely wasn't the first time.

"But the boyfriend said as per the original wording you're now engaged to the teacher… by proxy. The carrots demand it. And- uh, also the boyfriend mentioned precisely there's no ring on his finger." Wooyoung blinked in shock when Mingi boldly pointed at Seonghwa and, to San's shock, Seonghwa went along by showing off his hand again.

Although San found it quite amusing to listen to their arguments, he couldn't help the lingering feeling that Seonghwa just unconsciously admitted what was bothering him. He usually took it lightly, whatever the boys were saying and laughing about, and reminded San to take Wooyoung's actions for what they were. Yet, they repeatedly brought Wooyoung into their relationship, and even suggested he should give it a go. San just couldn't decide whether it was a good sign or not.

"Technically you can marry both of them."

"Just not in Korea."

"Do it just to annoy Ryujin, actually. She's been hogging teacher Choi. It's worse than any drama Mingi's ever told me about, really," Jongho scoffed, making Wooyoung visibly perk up but deflate just as quickly.

"Yeah, sure. I'll just marry them out of spite."

Yunho nodded, "I wouldn't even put that past you."

Then Jongho held up his index finger, giving his most important input yet, "And- And maybe they'll pull some strings and help you with a scholarship."

Wooyoung gasped, his disbelief 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."

"You'll bribe someone?"

"For your own gain but not for the exam, is what I'm hearing."

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. He even made San pack a few things of Wooyoung's kimchi pancakes to take them back home, despite Wooyoung's protest of no bribing; insisting 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 teachers any kind of 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, mindlessly playing with his Seonghwa's sleeve.

"I'm not moody," Seonghwa mumbled and allowed another moment of affection, softly butting his head against San's.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Seonghwa hummed unenthusiastically. "An international trip."

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 lists and files with the calendar to outline the next six months until the seniors' classes were officially cut for exam preparation. 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, and Wooyoung had showed up seemingly half-dead before he'd miss out, 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 had never noticed anything before even while he had his attention on Wooyoung; probably because during lessons he was preoccupied. But during the few encounters he had with him more or less alone, outside of class, Wooyoung had definitely displayed a few signs of… at least something very close to 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 reached 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 efforts; probably stemming from performance pressure and people-pleasing. He seemed genuinely stunned when they told him why him. He couldn't imagine himself beyond perfect attendance and full scores. Five full semesters and his sixth on-going; three and a half years by the time he'd graduate. He was long lost in a vicious cycle of burn-out and occupational therapy. San found it weird how they had missed so many details even after they got closer to him. Wooyoung seemed shocked to find out they liked him, and also hapless to give a proper response. Only … his withdrawal might be his response.

But it had increased, fluctuated, but eventually increased. Something must have happened last week that triggered him into a worrisome ambivalence. He would almost jump them about one thing, be it his own temper or worry, 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; it just wasn't like him.

San closed the file. At the end of the day they weren't 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 and grades, 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, but San couldn't shake off the underlying tension. Seonghwa said he wasn't moody; and maybe that also wasn't the right word, but San couldn't think of a betting fitting one. He didn't seem sad. More frustrated and stressed. And then the repeated hint about marrying… There was not a drop of doubt in San that Seonghwa was the one, his significant other. He couldn't imagine being happier without him; or happy at all. Only they would have to go abroad to get married, and then it still wouldn't really be registered here.

They were also in steady contact with Seonghwa's parents; and while they knew they were serious, and Seonghwa had given them an ultimatum to stay in touch, they still reduced their contact to holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. If it weren't for Seonghwa, San would have gladly cut them off long ago, he did it with his family, too. If they managed to get married this way or that, Seonghwa's parents would be part of it either way.

And Seonghwa had given him precisely a ring size, and said an international trip. International where same-sex marriage was legal, San assumed. He knew Thailand and Australia for sure, parts of the US, most of Europe. Hm. He took his phone out and swiftly searched for holiday homes, hotels, resorts, and wedding customs and saved the links once a site seemed promising. Christmas break was two weeks, starting on Monday.  

The classroom faintly rumbled from the inside, the door open. "Oh- Hello teacher Choi," Yeji greeted in surprise but quickly pulled her friend along, making way for him to strut towards his boyfriend.

Seonghwa's stood at the desk sorting papers into files, his briefcase on the chair. San waited a moment, watching and hoping Seonghwa would look up. A minute passed, so San leisurely walked in with what he hoped to be a cocky smirk. Seonghwa's eyes slightly widened and he stopped sorting his papers when he noticed, looking San up and down as he came to a stop at the teacher's desk. "Hi," he greeted with a cautious smile, apprehensive almost when San extended his hand for him to shake.

"Hi. I uh, I saw you from over there and- I just thought I had to give it a shot. Do you come here often?"

Seonghwa broke into a wide smile but looked away to hide his reaction. "What?" San smiled politely, proud to have him flustered.

"You're awful," Seonghwa giggled and lightly slapped him with his stack of papers.

San and sat on the edge of the desk, putting his binder down where Seonghwa put his away. Letting his voice drop, he tried again, "Got any plans for the night?"

Seonghwa pouted cutely and shook his head mindlessly, "Regretting all my life decisions that brought me here."

San chuckled, a tad bit offended, "Not all of them, right?" and subtly pointed at himself.

"Te- Teacher."

San turned and found Wooyoung like a feral cat in an unfamiliar alley; with wide, attentive eyes rimmed by dark circles. San hummed and smiled, although he had to force it a little bit, leaning slightly towards him to signal he was listening.

"I'll um, I wa- That uh… I wanted to say that 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 could also- If you made other plans already, 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 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 at the windows and took in the reflections. There weren't many students inside.

"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 accurate than San liked to admit. "Well, I'm sort of engaged to him since lunch, right? 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 here, mister. If I'm not your first spouse, you will have none at all."

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 that complicated, 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 exclaimed 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. 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?"

He added four coordinates he knew by heart to make a tilted plane. "You see, instead of two coordinates we have a third one now, and therefore we 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: if the x coordinate of the snowflake falls in between the coordinates of the canopy, then it's easy, given we ignore physics and all."

He tried to talk slowly and in synch with his half-hearted sketch of lines as a 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 and aligned the set square for the board, "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. Also don't say area in analytic geometry, we say plane. And they can be tilted, they can be any shape and have holes even. And we use the vectors to describe movements and directions in this three-dimensional room."

He turned to watch the room, see if anyone seemed lost, but most of them were quietly writing or absently scribbling in favour of being quiet.

"Changbin-ssi, when's your birthday?"

"Uh, in summer?"

San gave 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 beamed, "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 bland confusion while his friends broke into laughter at his rough tone. "Uh, seven… 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 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, and a few others started whispering with their seat mates. "Changbin-ssi?"

The boy shrugged, keeping his arms crossed over his chest and a stupid grin on his face.

"I just explained it. Look at what you have."

"I don't know, teacher."

Yeji and Seungmin raised their hands hesitantly; a few more kept frowning between the board and their notes. Wooyoung was staring at him with wide eyes, essentially waving at him in the back, whispering with his friends. San still smiled, but he felt his composure crumble. "Try. It's actually quite obvious."

"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; he has let others participate as well. But you were so excited about snow in the first place. Now is the snowflake on the canopy, yes or no?"

"Yes," Changbin answered like a bratty teenager.

"Reason?"

"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 again, I'll mark you absent and you're free to go catch the snowflakes. 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. Even his friends sat still and silent.

"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. He explained it perfectly like he was reading from a textbook.

"Exactly, very good. Now, this is a rough sketch, in the exam you will of course draw it properly with a sharp pencil and a set-square and add a proper scale, or I'll hunt you down in your nightmares because," he turned back to the students, "I will grade your exams first, then it'll go to another teacher from a different school who'll grade it as well to check I'm not handing out points because I know what I taught you. And if you hand in something like this – That would make me look bad. Don't do it."

He finished the sketch in silence; he could only hear pencils scratching on paper. At least they were more partaking now, even if it took a ridiculous amount of scolding. Maybe he should start being stricter in general.

He lost them again, after all, 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 was tough battle, and most of these students weren't God's strongest soldiers, or whatever that saying was.

San was as relieved as the students when he called the end of class; less than five minutes early. 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.

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.

He sighed and let his head rest on the steering wheel for a minute before he grabbed another few bites of his lunch left overs. The kimchi pancakes were bordering soggy now and almost fell apart. Now San also found the carrots in them. More like the pulp; Wooyoung must have used a juicer or something. Hm.

It had been almost funny how Wooyoung suddenly broke his act, worried that Seonghwa would have let him eat something he'd be allergic to. The way he literally jumped up and tried to stop San from eating more. And then Seonghwa brought up his promise, basically handing him over to Wooyoung for liking something that had carrots in it. 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, and his parents had been straight up disappointed when he presented San as his partner. Eventually they accepted it, probably more because of San himself rather than actually accepting their son.

San pursed his lips and he tried to think up something to surprise Seonghwa with a trip, even if they didn't spontaneously get married. He just had to organise the tickets and to pack their suitcases without Seonghwa noticing. Difficult when Seonghwa usually took charge of their laundry, though. He's notice if something disappeared between the dryer and the wadrobe.

Hi love

Are you busy tonight

Or do you feel like sleeping early

HwaSeong 🪐♡
Hi Sannie

I'm about to deep clean all the washing machine and dish washer. They're icky. Not sure how long it will take.

I'll keep dinner simple if you don't mind. Feeling tired.

:O

Be careful baby

Leave something for me to help you with

I want to be helpful🙏

I wanted to talk

But it can wait until tomorrow I just thought of it today

I can also get take out no need to cook if you're not feeling like it or I'll make something 💪

I won't even talk about carrots 😘

We can try this indian place we've seen the other day

Anything you want ♡ ♡

HwaSeong 🪐♡
💜

Chapter Text

Seonghwa didn't respond about food options before San was in the main hall. He already felt more exhausted after their greetings and warm-up than ever before. He 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 the gym's courses after all.

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 to check what Wooyoung was doing; they hadn't talked since after class. More like, Wooyoung hadn't even looked at him. Back with his nonchalant act, then? 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 wanna go?" San asked flatly. He usually wasn't one to let his mood override his manners, let alone someone else's mood, but today, after this Maths 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? I watched a few stage performances; a blouse maybe and dress shoes will do, 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.

"Let's start with a run through, and then we can fix the details. I practised krumping at home." Wooyoung only nodded again.

San felt stiff and tight in ways he never had before as they got into position. The atmosphere was entirely off, uncomfortable, disconnected even. The first round was more awkward than San could 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 – their performance, they made up the move; not doing it was like mistaking a whole step, like dancing to a different song. For the second time, San just stepped in closer, crouched deeper, passively forcing the eye-contact – Wooyoung even turned his face away.

San stepped away immediately. This wasn't it.

"Alright. What's up?" he couldn't help the rough tone through his heavy breathing and watched as Wooyoung took a few useless steps, turning this way and that, clearly conflicted.

"Oh-oh… 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 don't have to do it on Friday. You can go for something else."

San nodded. He understood the suggestion that they'd loosen up 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.

"Good. 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. 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 got it," San nodded again 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 rolling 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. Ugh, fuck off.  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 also notice that it has to do something with me. But – and I honestly mean this in the most gentle way – I believe for as long as you don't talk to me about it, it's not my problem and I'm also not taking your attitude. It becomes my problem, though, when I already approach you about it, and you lie to me."

He paused, giving Wooyoung time to process. The boy didn't engage more than before; his pulse was still racing even in his fingertips, his eyes stubbornly casted down behind his fringe. Was it so hard to just say a damn word?

San liked to tease; not to prod and push. But if anything Wooyoung's mind was withdrawing; his face was unmoving, his eyes shone like glass when he looked around, almost thoughtless, while his hand lost tension.

"Wooyoung-ah," he called still quietly, more slowly, but nonetheless certain. "I need you to understand that although Seonghwa-hyung and I like you, it doesn't mean we'll accept just anything. We really don't want to force ourselves onto you; we just need you to communicate properly. That means honesty, but also transparency." His voice slightly trembled and his fingers sizzled with the onset of a bad conscience for his next words.

He hated confrontations like this; when he was just talking to himself until he had to raise a reaction out of the other person. He put a lot of effort into staying calm and understanding, but like this just became angrier, and maybe a bit disregarding.

"We've approached you to take our stance and asked for your opinion; you didn't agree or disagree. And from my perspective, you've… suddenly withdrew with no explanation. That would be fine, more or less, if you'd let us know … why. So no transparency - and that gives us a certain impression. And when I can tell, several times, that you're not honest when I'm directly asking what's wrong… that's a deal breaker, Wooyoung-ah."

Oh God. He needed to pause. He was getting nowhere with him. Wooyoung's lips tightened, his jaw clenched and unclenched. San could tell he was listening, and somewhere between discomfort and stress, but no verbal answer.

"Look, you don't have to tell us everything; there are just things you might just not want to talk about… or you just don't know yet. That's fine; we'll figure it out along the way. But then you just say that. Don't lie and say everything's fine when it's clearly not... See, I tried to reflect on my behaviour, and I don't think I've done anything wrong or anything to hurt you, but I'll listen to you if I have… But I think if you are hurt, it's also your decision how you want to deal with it. I'm just saying the silent treatment doesn't work for us. 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. And we'll check in with you, of course, just like now when we think you're acting differently. The goal is that we can establish a common ground and boundaries to make sure we profoundly understand each other and won't repeat a mistake like that. Do you get me?"

The tiniest nod from Wooyoung let San breathe out in relief. His chest relaxed like a ton of bricks had fallen off. But he admitted it wasn't enough. Wooyoung had proceeded to bite his lips and nervously shift his weight, but still no words. He didn't have much more to go on for, only if he went low.

"Look, we want to be happy, and we want you to be happy... But like I've said before in regard of transparency and honesty, if you're not talking to us – or lying to us - then we have to take it for what it is; and it is a signal that you're not interested and the cue for us to leave you alone. And that's also fine, we're not going to pester you if you don't want us around. We won't fall apart just because you say no."

He quickly suppressed a hiss. Wooyoung visibly stiffened. Oh. No.

His head was bowed in shame; the tension in his hand was back to subtly tug his hand out of San's hold.

But he - still - didn't - crack. What the hell? Of all the things he knew and learned about Wooyoung, he wasn't aware he had such a thick skull. Did he have to pound it into his brain?

"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. Seonghwa and I have been very happy before we knew you, and we will be without you as well."

Finally, sadly, Wooyoung's façade crumbled. He moved like he was punched in the gut, gasping once, quietly but sharp; ready to throw up, pale and shaking.

Oh.

Oh no. Was-

That was too much. He shouldn't have said it like that! Damnit.

Wooyoung broke his silence with a heavy sob. San caught tears falling 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, he tilted his head to try and catch Wooyoung's eyes but he turned away again.

He remembered Seonghwa's comment; he's avoidant. Painfully so, even in person. Was that his thing? Looking away when it got too much?

San still saw. Wooyoung could look away, but not hide. He was blinking rapidly as he forced deep breaths through his nose, muffled by his hand. San rubbed the back of Wooyoung's hand, slowly, calmly, to keep him grounded until he could redirect Wooyoung's attention, and lifted his other arm to offer him more contact.

Finally – fucking finally – Wooyoung looked up at him through big, glossy, red-rimmed eyes; desperate for comfort, but too scared to ask for it. He still covered his mouth, literally gagging himself.

"Take your time. I'm here. I got you," San whispered with hopefully an encouraging smile and decisively pulled Wooyoung's hand closer to himself, leaving it to him if he wanted to close in all the way, "Not done with you."

Wooyoung's breathing stuttered until it turned into gasps, slow and deep, like it was the only thing keeping him whole; he blinked without any rhythm, without focus. If San had to describe it he would say Wooyoung had been drained, but his eyes foretold his mind was filled and racing beyond his capacity.

"Baby," San cooed, proud when Wooyoung's eyes snapped up immediately, "What do you need, hm? Talk to me."

Tears welled up in Wooyoung's eyes again; his insides must have been screaming and burning with exhaustion after he had just calmed down, but it seemed more and more that Wooyoung simply didn't have the tools to articulate. He either withdrew or snapped.

"A hug? Fresh air? Scream?" San assumed giving him some options would help. Wooyoung blinked again, 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 cheered, but managed to only chuckle when Wooyoung slowly leaned in, letting himself slump against San's chest. He cooed, breaking their hands after all to wrap his arms around Wooyoung slowly. Wooyoung's face immediately warmed up his neck where 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, 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 more, but I needed to get this off my chest... I think- The way you behaved the past week made me think you were feeling really uncomfortable or angry with us, but you haven't said a word. We do- We don't want to pressure you, Wooyoung-ah. But it doesn't sit right with me to let things like this hang in the air until we just pretend nothing happened. 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," San whispered again, this time closer to Wooyoung's ear, "I still need you to talk to me. I will scoop you up and cuddle 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, I promise."

Wooyoung pulled 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. What makes you say that?"

"'Cause… I messed up the test… And then I picked a fight. I'm sorry," the tears were back, but Wooyoung didn't hide them anymore, he just tried  to fight 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 the test?" San winced; this felt even more delicate and raw than his monologue.

"I was rude. Because- you asked if I'm sure about the test and then I didn't check properly and later- And I wanted to apologise but- I was stupid because on Thursdays we don't even see each other and you were gone and then it was too late anyway, and then Yeosang was pissed, and then teacher Park was also mad and he didn't even come to band practise and- and then yesterday- And I snapped at you and today you got so mad during class gain." He rushed and sobbed 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 treatment as a student. You still have to earn your scores, I can't change that." San smiled sympathetically; Wooyoung had been really upset.

Had that been the kick-start? He genuinely panicked over his test because San was surprised? 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 always repeats the rules, I can cite it by heart but he's never said anything about submitting the tests too soon. I swear," Wooyoung rambled with wide eyes like he had uncovered Seonghwa 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… I asked Seonghwa-hyung if I was mean when I said no, but he actually checked-in with the principal-" Wooyoung gasped in shock. "No- It's alright, hey. Listen, it's alright. There really weren't any specific rules about a case like this, so Seonghwa double-checked. I said I can't hand it out before because 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? Even if he counted every correct answer and additional calculation, Wooyoung already had the highest grade. "What; you wanted more points? I couldn't give you more even if I know you would get them all," San giggled, but Wooyoung didn't join. He looked horrified. San zoned in, "Wooyoung-ah, you got an A, full score. I wouldn't mess with your grades even if I had been mad. Like, really, who would even believe you genuinely didn't reach full score? Your friends would probably hunt me down 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?"

"Did he say he was mad at you? What makes you think so?"

"'Cause… On Friday- In class – you know?! He looked at me three times. Three. I wanted to participate extra well, but then I told Yeosang I had to behave well, and he caught us talking, and then- He didn't even call on me once. And then he ditched the 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.

"I'll be honest; he talked to me about it. Officially we're not supposed to do that, so officially you don't know this. Seonghwa wasn't feeling well on Friday, and he had to kick someone out before he even started his class… and he only revised what  he was going to ask in the test; and he knows you very well exceed those basics. By lunch time he said his throat was sore so he went home. He was lying in bed all weekend and barely talked. I promise it wasn't because he had a grudge against you."

"And the Chemistry test yesterday?"

Damn. Wooyoung wasn't just anxious. San pointed out the reality of the matter and he was still unsure.

San was a bit speechless. Wooyoung- seemed unable to let go of the belief that he made them mad. He was even tapping into paranoia at this point.

San would love to say it figures; Wooyoung spent more than a week pent up with anxiety until he was genuinely convinced he messed up beyond repair. Only San and Seonghwa had the impression Wooyoung was upset with them. And San just told him they'd break it off with him if he didn't step up.

He could slap himself.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't there; I can't give you the answer. Only… hyung said he made you upset somehow and that he's never seen you like that… What happened?"

"Nothing happened. The test was fine but when I was done teacher Park also asked if I got everything," Wooyoung scoffed, and shook his head. "Of course I got everything! I would never hand in something that's not perfectly done. Why do you keep asking me that?"

Ah, now they were getting somewhere.

"Because we do that every time; and like I said, we're not starting any favouritism. We, speaking as a teacher, don't have to check. But some teachers, like us, are nice and give you a chance to check. Just in case. It's nothing personal."

"It starts feeling personal. Even teacher Kim talked to me after Korean class yesterday. He said I was distracted, and I really wasn't! He was getting off topic, and I still took notes. Just because I couldn't answer once. I answered one question and said I don't know the rest, and he called on me again and I said no. And then he called me after class and said something that I was losing interest and about setting priorities… and- that's just," he looked at San helplessly, like he was caught in a maze and just wanted to get out already.

"I don't get it. I always do more, the extra homework, extra readings, extra notes. Everybody has a problem with it; they tell me I don't need it, it's not important, and I say I know, but I still want to learn – They call me  stupid and then always come to me when they don't understand, like- what?"

San nodded along as he let Wooyoung ramble, still holding his hand in support; his heart hurt when Wooyoung's voice started to tremble with anger and desperation and tears shone and spilled over again.

"And then-  I have one bad day, one in months, and I just – like I'm writing applications and worried my grades could drop and I'm exhausted looking out for things I don't even know will happen – and then I'm listening with my eye closed for a minute then I have to get my priorities straight?! What? Teacher Kim said I should let my teacher know when I'm not feeling well. You know what will happen if anybody hears that? They will literally stab me."

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, just like Wooyoung had when he talked to him after class.

He had told Wooyoung he wasn't performing well… That must be a serious trigger for Wooyoung.

"Yeah, I noticed with some of your classmates… They can be… a lot." He really didn't know how to comfort him anymore. "It's not fair you get called out for something so small, when you've excelled all your classes. Everyone forgets you're working really hard… You're just a kid." 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 fringe 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. "I get it. You were mad at us, then, hm?" he noted belatedly. Wooyoung snapped up like from a nightmare.

"Huh? No?"

"From what you said, I could take you got offended when he asked you to check, while we should really know how important your grades are to you. On top of that Inseong-ssi overstepped and discredited all your effort. So asking if you're sure you followed all rules and submitted your test correctly set you off. Rightly so, it's clearly a double-standard." Wooyoung blinked at him in surprise. "You got it a bit twisted. We weren't mad you."

"But- I wasn't- 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 essentially an insult to you by now."

"But I thought you were mad."

San shook his head gently and had to stop himself from laughing. He just flipped Wooyoung's world 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 gasped in shock and covered his mouth for laughed. "Teacher- What? What are you saying?" San clicked his tongue, "Come on, he's so full of himself. I've heard how he talks to you. And - today… He was really rude to me after I tried to make this class easier for you."

Wooyoung nodded quickly, "It was really good. But then you got mad 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 apologised 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." San took the liberty to let his free hand come up to cradle Wooyoung's waist, "Because, on a side-note, your waist is definitely 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 seem to agree.

"What?"

"It's- What you said before. I could tell you were still mad during the rest of class, even when you were looking at me." The boy shrugged, but had calmed down, safe for his red eyes and runny nose. "I just have to do something to make you feel better. I don't like it when people are angry or in a bad mood… I don't know. Or just disappointed when I did something wrong. Then I just never want to show my face again. If I don't do anything, how can I be sure they won't be mad at me then, too, you know. If you're angry, who knows, what if I say something wrong at the wrong time?"

San worried his lips. Should he say something? Maybe a bit. He didn't need to know all of it if they were keeping it low.

"Listen, um, you didn't know that, but I sort of take offense with things like this, that you assume I'd lash out for no reason."

Wooyoung eyes grew big. "It has nothing to do with you. There was a time when I was… just always angry. But it wasn't good, for anyone. So I've done lots of work to manage myself, so I won't lash out at just anything, especially when I'm actually mad. You couldn't have known that," he cut Wooyoung off before the boy could pull back and apologise for nothing. "Seonghwa-hyung helped me a lot through it, I'm better at it now, and I really don't want you to worry about something like this. So if you feel like I'm angry at you or you get scared even, I need you to tell me, please. It's really important to me. I want to know and I want us to work through it together. Separating won't help either of us."

Wooyoung had his big eyes on display again; he nodded dumbly. It dawned on San but he didn't want to draw conclusions yet. Wooyoung came from some sort of emotional neglect and honestly couldn't fathom not comforting others even though he himself panicked in the face of … something; consequences, punishment, being blamed. Top tier people-pleasing. And he didn't see the twisted cruelty in his own explanation; even saying it out loud, he found it normal.

No wonder he was so protective of his brother, feeling conflicted accepting other people's help. Oh, Seonghwa would flip when he'd find out.

"Promise?" San prompted, but before Wooyoung could answer the door to the hall opened, noise spilled into the corridor, 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 with relief, "I already thought you had left. You're good? Got the chemistry going again?"

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 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."

Ah.

That didn't sound like the best philosophy to project on teenagers.

"Don't listen to nonsense like that. He's glorifying struggle as if it's the only way to earn success. 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 struggle does. And that means it'll get better until you can safely push yourself more… Whatever. Come on, let's go."

They fell in step heading back to the main hall, linking their hands again on autopilot as if they had done it a million times before, but it only took a couple of seconds until they halted.

"Sorry," San breathed, "So… We're good?" San asked, looking down at their hands and back up, internally preparing to let go.

"Yeah," Wooyoung smiled back just as shyly, "Promise."

HwaSeong 🪐♡
Indian sounds good. Can you get me something with lots of sauce, please.

And naan.

Text me when you're on your way. The temperature is dropping, but the weather seems dry until now.

San smiled at his phone. Seonghwa had sent the messages not even twenty minutes ago. He was probably starving already.

Of course baby 😌

I'll be out in about ten minutes.

Are you all fluffy and cozy?

You better be when I get home ☝️

He got changed quickly, even with his scarf and hat. On his way to the car he searched for the restaurant and the menu; before he called he heard a few students chat behind him.

"You guys are getting home safely?" he prompted as they caught up with him.

"Yes, my dad is picking us up," Yeosang answered, arms linked with Wooyoung. He was also packed in a thick coat and a hood that covered most of his face, but his steps were small and sluggish.

He had zoned out again after they went back inside, just a bit, but enough to throw him off the first time they danced again. He had stayed still when they looked at each other during the part switch. San had to admit it did feel a lot more intense, intimate almost, and left Wooyoung motionless while San kept dancing around him until he only played around to make Wooyoung smile again. They even got the krumping done to a degree worthy of showing with their performance.

"Good. Rest up properly, you worked hard. See you tomorrow," he waved as he parted to get to his car and dialled the number. He ordered chicken and lamb curry dishes with extra sauce and less spicy so Seonghwa could chose, and a double portion of Tandoori chicken, naan and samosas for the side, and also two different desserts. He'd only need twenty minutes to get there, but was Tuesday, so they would have it ready for him as soon as he'd come pick it up.

Home about 20.30

In response Seonghwa sent him a picture of himself in his reading arm chair with a cup of tea, wearing a high cut striped fluffy sweater, Byeol in the back ground, dozing on the window sill above the heater. It was captioned with drive safe, a kissy face and the empty plate with cutlery.

San chuckled to himself, thinking ahead of Seonghwa's mood and his proposal. They needed some sort of a plan for when and if Wooyoung would overcome his shyness and allow himself to be safe with them. How would they hang out outside of school? He didn't live too far away, but visiting each other's houses might be weird. Taking him out to eat sounded boring; they often ate together. Any sort of date activity seemed almost impossible, because San could already hear him saying he was caught up studying.

They'd need a ton of coaxing. It would be straining for all of them; for them to be patient, and for Wooyoung to trust them and let himself relax. San had no idea how to pull it off. He didn't have to; they wouldn't get to do much before Wooyoung got at least his exams over with and at least one acceptance letter; solely because Wooyoung wouldn't rest until then.

The food smelled delicious and San's stomach was grumbling loudly by the time he got home. Byeol was first to greet him in the kitchen, purring loudly and swishing her tail in mild dissatisfaction as he rummaged in the fridge. "Yeah, yeah," he mused and picked her up, "Oppa has been away for so long you had to hang out with Seonghwa-oppa, hm. Meow meow." Seonghwa came in as well, his soles dragging on the tiles, and he wordlessly examined the food boxes.

"So much? Did you bring someone?"

San chuckled and let Byeol down on her chair at the dining table. "No, but I wanted to make sure you get something you'll like." He came back and leaned in, but Seonghwa leaned away instead of kissing him. "Hey," San pouted softly.

"That's what you get when you kiss your cat before me. You're all furry."

"Hyung," San called out, akin to a gasp, "Are you jealous?"

"No."

No way. Seonghwa was sulking.

"Come on," San patted his butt. "Here, this is… lamb curry, this one is korma… it's chicken with a peanut and coconut sauce; both extra saucy, less spicy. Tandoori chicken for me, naan and samosas for the side, and I got dessert. Something crunchy and rice pudding. All yours."

Seonghwa inspected all of it, smelling and closely looking, humming appreciatively. "Wow. How fast can you freshen up?"

"Five minutes? Then I'll shower later."

"Wow," Seonghwa repeated as he finally spread out the meals. He had put them on plates and warmed up the naan and samosas again. San whistled as he saw it and went to get them both a drink.

"Thank you for the food," he cheered as they sat. Seonghwa scoffed but smiled, "You brought the food?"

"You turned it into dinner. All nice, at the table, laid out like a buffet. Even with napkins. Whatchu got?"

Seonghwa pinched his cheek, and gave him a kiss. San smiled proudly and caught Seonghwa' hand to kiss it again. "Your hands shall be sacred."

"Sannie," Seonghwa laughed and pulled back his hands, "You're making me shy."

 San smiled the whole time through dinner. The food was really good, tender and spicy just like he liked it. Seonghwa also hummed and cleared the sauce with a spoon when he was done.

"How did the deep cleaning go?"

"It wasn't as bad as I thought. I just had to take out a few pieces, filters and all to clean them by hand first, and then put on the automatic self-cleaning programs."

San squinted, "Did you leave something for me?"

Seonghwa smiled at him, a little bit like a naughty cat when they know. "Hm… the drains and AC filters if you want." San grumbled but agreed. Seonghwa always found something new to clean; San almost couldn't keep track anymore.

"How was dance practise?"

San huffed, putting together their cutlery. "Intense. I- uh… I talked to Wooyoung."

"Yeah? … You said you wanted to talk to me, too."

"I know. Actually, do you mind if we do it tomorrow? It's getting late. And, talking with Wooyoung was sort of exhausting."

"What? What happened?" Seonghwa frowned with concern and sat up straight, already reaching out for San's hands.

"He was … avoidant first, and then I just asked; what's up? And he wouldn't answer. So I took him aside, out in the hallway, and I told him. I said, look, something's bothering you, but you gotta talk to me; otherwise this isn't going to work out. I said if he wouldn't talk this out with me then and there, I'd…"

"What?" Seonghwa whispered, brows furrowed deeply, jaw slack with apprehension.

"I'd make to the call to stop."

Seonghwa gasped, "You said that? What did he say?"

San bit his lip. He knew he had been acting hastily, especially without agreeing with Seonghwa first. "He cried... I made him cry. But I also told him it's important to us that we'll keep everything transparent. We want this to work out, and we want him to be happy, just he's been distant and … I said it gave the impression he's just not that interested and also that I won't beg for his attention that's what it is."

"Oh, Sannie," Seonghwa looked pained if not dissatisfied, his hands fondled with San's restlessly. "And then?"

"Alright, that's not exactly how I said it, but … I don't remember clearly. But he cried and I held him and said we'll figure it out together. And he said he's interested, first real thing he said after I confronted him. Turns out - he was mad at us, but he thought we were mad at him. It was really weird when he suddenly talked so much. I had to tickle it out of him, but… I've never heard so many words from him all in one session. You should have seen him. He was freaked out because of his maths test, when I said I'll grade it just as usual. He thought you ditched band because you were mad at him. He thought I messed with his grade. Kim Inseong gave him a really unnecessary scolding just yesterday."

"So what was the reason? He was upset at us. Why?"

San sighed, he almost wanted to laugh. "He… he was upset because we both asked him, when he handed in his test…"

Seonghwa deflated, disbelief and disappointment laced together, "No… Really?"

San nodded, "We asked him if he got all of his papers correctly; is what set him off. I mean, there was more to it I guess. He spent a whole week overthinking if he made a mistake, and then it just repeated… You know, he's already working on applications. He's really serious about it. And then, we both had an argument with a student, and Wooyoung got all in his head what to do to soothe us."

"No… Oh no. Oh," Seonghwa pouted as he let the words sink in. "He's… he's… I don't know what to say."

"Inseong-ssi must have said something about him being distracted. He looked angry even, I've never seen that on him. Straight up- just done. I didn't even know what to do; I just held his hand the whole time."

"Wooyoung? Distracted? Has he ever actually just taught a full lesson without straying off topic in his own class? Wooyoung is literally the last person to not listen, no matter what a teacher talks about."

"It's no wonder he's all over the place. Putting in so much effort for three years in a row, just to be told to get his shit together. I would go crazy."

"By the sole embodiment of distraction even. I could... We have to do something for him. Some… some… I don't know. Just some time off. No homework, no tests, no nothing. Just time for him to do what he likes."

San paused, looking at the empty dishes, a few samosas and half a piece of naan left, Seonghwa's glass a bit less than half full. "Do you know… I basically invited him over already." Seonghwa perked up, "I think you told me."

"When I drove him home last week. I said he could meet Byeol, and he lives not that far away, that he could come over for dinner or something."

"What did he say then?"

"Nothing really. He hummed, but it sounded a bit forced. He was probably overwhelmed. And ... He's a people-pleaser. He'll say yes to anything if we sound happy enough." Then San huffed through is nose. "We could ask him to relax, and he'd do it, only that he'd actually be stressing about not studying or something."

"I've seen him nervous; I know he's diligent. He's also witty, feisty sometimes. But I never knew he was anxious like this."

"Well, let's wait and see how he is tomorrow. Anything else probably has to wait until next year anyway." San got up, cupped Seonghwa's face and gave him a big, comical smooch until Seonghwa had to push him off.

"You're greasy, ugh," Seonghwa frowned at him, but San had planned ahead. He took the empty dishes to the kitchen and came back with a slice cake.

"What's that?" Seonghwa asked, and ogled the sweetness. San handed him a spoon and presented the plate. "Strawberry and white chocolate cream cake. The café was on the way. I couldn't resist."

"Wow… It's so fluffy and soft," Seonghwa mumbled with his mouth full, and San let him have the whole strawberry sitting on top, just smiling as the cake slowly disappeared between them and only left a dust of powdered sugar around Seonghwa's lips. "Thank you, Sannie. This really made my day."

"You can roll me up to the bedroom, now," Seonghwa groaned and yawned. San giggled and came up behind him, patting his shoulders, his chest and his tummy. "You ate well, hm. We can take the rest to school tomorrow." Seonghwa hummed tiredly and pressed kisses along San's cheek and neck where he reached him with a turn of his head. "I claim the rice pudding."

"Anything you want."

Chapter Text

Coming home to Yeosang's house felt refreshing but it gave him whiplash at the same time. The house was bright with lights and colourful decoration and pictures of all the family members and vacations.

Kyungmin was drawing at the dinner table with his markers and colour pens scattered around, Yeosang's mom was on the phone while she watered the flowers lined up at the living room window sill, but hung up to greet them warmly with two cups of hot chocolate.

"Go sit down boys, take your coats off and get comfy. Kyungminnie has been waiting for you. But I said I have to start cooking so you can eat when you come home so late. Go long," she ushered them and only stopped when Yeosang gave her a big hug and thanked for taking care of them.

Wooyoung smiled – honestly so much it hurt his heart – and hid his tears by hanging up his coat properly and searching through his backpack for his phone charger. It was on mobile data and YouTube all evening and had so many apps running in the background all day that the battery almost died.

Wooyoung also almost died. He might have had a heart attack when teacher Choi said he and teacher Park would be happy without him, but in the back of his mind he had figured that out by himself weeks ago. And about the lying… he didn't mean to lie when he said he was fine. He just didn't want to talk.

But he had lied to them before… they would probably find out sooner or later. But those instances also weren't about not telling them the truth, just… they said something wrong and he couldn't bring himself to correct them. Like when he said he lived at Mingi's place. Teacher Choi was so insistent on giving him a lift home, why would he say he wasn't even going home. He'd think he was weird; interested or not.

"So," Yeosang tried again as they sat with a hot cup of chocolate and watched Kyungmin as he doodled away and all over the pages of his book. It was the exact same tone he had already used two times before.

"Nothing," Wooyoung deflected like he had two times as well.

"It can't be nothing, Young-ah, you were gone for half an hour! Just tell me already. Why are you keeping secrets all of a sudden?" Yeosang whined.

"It's not a secret… You saw that we went outside. He even held my hand. In front of everybody."

"But why aren't you telling me what you talked about? He looked pissed actually. I was worried, like really. Mingi and Yunho were about to come and get you."

Wooyoung shook his head. "He was pissed the entire day."

"Did he snap? Did he yell at you or something? You know, you're not their punching bag, right?"

Oh, but everyone else's?

"He asked why I was mad at him. And I said I wasn't."

Yeosang made big eyes, but his lips didn't know whether to smile or not as he leaned in. "And? What did he say?"

"Nothing."

Yeosang let out a scream of impatience. More like a yelp. An exclamation. "Why are you being like this? Come on, I need to know."

"And tell Mingi because I haven't answered his texts and his calls don't come through? He'll hire a priest from Thailand to get us ceremonially married by the end of the week and make me cook for a thousand people and throw dates and chestnuts at us. So no."

Yeosang pouted. "You know so many things and it includes how to hold an official wedding and getting you married to another man. Good for you."

"It wouldn't be official. Same-sex marriage isn't legal. It's probably the only reason they're not married yet."

"They could go abroad."

"Still wouldn't be registered in Korea."

"They could still have a ceremony."

"Maybe they did and we just don't know about it."

"Today the said they weren't married but made plans to… Also they said teacher Choi had to marry you, too, like right then and there."

"They could have had a ceremony and then still not be registered. Also - he made that promise to his actual boyfriend, not me, dummy."

"Anyway, I stand by that. You should get married to them."

"I'm nineteen! I'm not even out of high school!"

"You'd make a cute couple, though… Triple… Triplets- Trouple.  Throuple. Threeso- Oh," Yeosang gasped at his own thoughts. Wooyoung looked at Kyungmin in alarm, but the boy didn't seem to listen, instead he was very focussed on drawing with four colour pens at the same time, two in each hand.

"Wooyoung-ah, I didn't even think about tha-. Oh my God!" Yeosang became all red in the face and tried to hide the shock and amusement behind his ceramic cup. "Did you?" he still whispered and leaned in.

"No!" Wooyoung felt shocked Yeosang would even suggest that. Of course he hadn't thought about them- doing- that. The couple barely even made any loving gestures towards one another; at least not when he could see, or maybe they just really weren't that affectionate.

Maybe that's why they started thinking about something so unconventional. Were they just bored? They only ever really winked at him. It was only today that he even really touched any of them for the first time. Well, teacher Park had sort of massaged his shoulders before. And they were so close to him at the same time. His knees got weak and his throat dried up every time he thought back to it.

Sometimes he imagined what would have happened if he had been confident and bold and just said yes; but he couldn't go further than seeing their smiles. It was just too much to even think about. They would never touch or kiss or anything. He had never even seen teacher Park with less than his sleeves rolled up. How was he supposed to think of anything?

Well, for their cover dance he and teacher Choi arranged a few moves to overlap and connect better. Teacher Choi put his hands in front of Wooyoung's face, but they never touched. And it was just for the dance, that wasn't a normal thing between them.

But today… Teacher Choi held his hand for so long and then they even hugged. It felt so nice. Wooyoung had felt the pull as soon as they stood outside, like an urge to hide again but this time not by running away. He felt ashamed to push him so far to say they might not want him, after all. He couldn't explain how but a few times, a few moments over the course of almost three months now, he had let himself lean on the certainty that they liked him and looked out for him.

He couldn't make himself say he was happy about the news, or that he felt shy and maybe also intimidated by their charisma, but he definitely couldn't even imagine himself saying he reciprocated. Not because he didn't but because- They were already so perfect, right? How did he of all people fit into that equation?

"Why are you looking down?" Yeosang pulled him back. "What happened, for fuck's sake, tell me!" he whined again but stopped when Wooyoung slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Careful, he's not deaf," Wooyoung scolded and gestured towards his brother.

"Sorry," Yeosang bit his lips and watched Kyungmin. "Did you hear what I said, Kyungminnie?" he asked cutely.

"Wooyoung-hyungie will get married! To a boyfriend!"

Yeosang giggled at that, "Ah, that's no-"

"Yes, exactly. That's what Yeosang-hyungie said," Wooyoung corrected and threw his friend a warning look before he looked back to his brother and ruffled his hair. "We eat lunch together sometimes. And I held hands with him today."

Kyungmin looked unimpressed, if not a bit incredulous, "With your boyfriend?"

Wooyoung nodded; if only because he shouldn't say someone else's boyfriend, "He's a new friend from school. We only have a few classes together so I don't know him so well. You don't know him either."

"And you will get married?"

"Uh-huh. But until then we don't need to talk about getting married." Kyungmin didn't like talking about people he hadn't met, he just couldn't imagine it, so he didn't care about it a lot; Wooyoung sighed in relief that if anything, Kyungmin would go around and tell people his brother will get married instead of yelling curse words.

"Oh, will we be invited as well, Wooyoung-ah? Who's the lucky person?" Yeosang's mother came in with plates.

"We don't know yet. Too many to choose from," Yeosang grinned and took the plates to set the table, while Wooyoung helped Kyungmin to tidy up his drawing supplies and bring them over to the living room instead.

"You still won't tell me," Yeosang mumbled while they were playing Mario kart after dinner.

"He said why I was mad and I should tell him; I said I wasn't mad, that I thought they were mad. He said they weren't mad... I don't even remember."

"I told you they weren't mad."

"Dude, they were about to get mad."

"What? Why?" Yeosang paused the game.

"'Cause… He said if I'm mad, I have to tell them; they won't bother otherwise."

"That's messed up. Maybe that's just their way to handle stuff; they don't know you that well. You hate to talk. If I can tell something's bothering you, I ask you what's up. I know you won't answer right away, I just keep bugging you, until you do."

"Yeah, it makes me cry every time. I hate that."

"So you really didn't talk for half an hour. You just… held hands?"

"No. We talked… a bit. And I cried and I hated it."

"What?" Yeosang turned towards him and scooted closer. "Why did you cry?"

"Just happened. Like with us," Wooyoung looked down on his crossed feet. "He said stuff. Then I said stuff. Then I cried."

"Like?"

"Look, he asked what's up when we were still the main hall, and I said it's fine. He dragged me out and held like a whole speech that I shouldn't lie to him because they don't like that. And that I should tell them when I'm mad at them. So I said I wasn't mad, you're mad. Turns out… they weren't mad and I just overreacted because they asked me if I got everything when I handed in my tests."

Yeosang's face slacked. Not in shock, more confusion. "Wait; that's why you were fucked up all week? Because they said Is that everything like they do with everyone - every time? Are you serious?" Yeosang sprung forward and toppled Wooyoung down the length of the couch. "You dummy! I told you they're not mad at you. Why would you let that get to your head like this? You pick-me bitch!"

Wooyoung groaned and cackle underneath him until he fought Yeosang off with tickle attacks.

"Well, he said if I don't get it together, they'll leave me alone anyway. And I know I don't need them; but if they'll be sort of friends with us and they could help us out."

"But they're in it for you. I don't care what everyone says. You say it's nothing, they keep making friendly conversation with everyone at the table, but they only look at you when we're not in a class room. I'm not blind. Mingi is just too far gone into his fantasy that he doesn't see it's actually happening right before his eyes, and Yunho and Jongho just don't care… Is what I say."

"Dude, Jongho keeps ratting me out to them. That's why he's not in the group chat."

"Jongho is doing God's work, and we would stop him if he was in the group chat." Yeosang smiled mischievously and continued the game before Wooyoung had a chance to grab his controller. 

"Yeah, he told teacher Choi about the pizza that Yunho saved him. That was the first time they came to us and directly asked about it. And that I made kimchi pancakes for you yesterday. No one knew. You're the only one who knew and teacher Choi wasn't even in our class before lunch. Only Jongho's. How else would he know?"

"How do you know I told Jongho?" Yeosang said as pushed the item-button to throw a banana peel.

"I know everything."

For the first time in a long time Wooyoung felt actually refreshed when he got up out of bed. The air wasn't cold, he heard sounds of people, washing up in the bathroom next to Yeosang didn't bother him, and when he came downstairs Kyungmin was already happily munching on fruits and bacon, even broccoli.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" Yeosang's mother greeted them again, "Come sit down, Wooyoung-ah, do you still drink coffee? We have juice and tea as well." Yeosang sat down and chatted with Kyungmin, and plated food for them. Wooyoung went over to the kitchen and gave her a tight hug. "Thank you, aunty, I'll take a cup."

In between pouring himself a cup of black coffee and a glass with sparkling water, he couldn't help but tidy up a few leftovers from cooking. He plated the few pieces left from Kyungmin's fruits and vegetables to bring them to the table, and put away the knives and cutting boards that weren't needed anymore.

"Ah, Wooyoung-ah, go sit down. You'll have to leave soon. Kyungminnie will help before we'll go to kindergarten, right?" She winked towards the boy who looked up when he heard his name.

"You should get his number today," Yeosang said when Wooyoung took his seat after he brought the plate of fruit and their drinks. What number? "Just now is perfect. A few days before Christmas break. And then text him merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Perfect to establish more contact."

"Teacher Choi's number?" Wooyoung clarified.

"You mean your hyung," Yeosang chirped. Wooyoung frowned, "I haven't even called him that since last week and he never said anything."

Yeosang sipped his sparkling water before he popped a grape in his mouth. "'Cause you didn't talk to him at all. Not because you didn't want to."

Kyungmin sat up on his knees, wobbling a bit while he licked his lips clean, "Is hyung your boyfriend?" he asked loudly. Wooyoung hummed in disagreement and fed three grapes at once to his friend before Yeosang could say anything, "I don't have a boyfriend, Kyungmin-ah. There's a guy at school and we didn't talk to each other for a few days, but yesterday we made up. Are you excited for kindergarten?" he deflected lightly.

Kyungmin was in a phase in which he easily picked up new things to do and try, but also lost interest in them quickly. Evidently he babbled about toys and games and dry sand is better when it's warm outside but now they can't play outside anymore because it's too cold anyway, but also the other kids always have loads of stuff to carry and he doesn't because Hyejin-noona always takes them.

"Today, I'll pick you up, okay. Noona is on holidays," Wooyoung told him as his brother climbed into his lap.

"And tomorrow?"

Wooyoung groaned as Kyungmin got comfy, turning and scrambling around, "Tomorrow is also me."

"And the day after?"

"Kyungmin-ah, did you finish your breakfast?" Yeosang's mother called from the kitchen, still buzzing around cleaning and prepping for the day.

"Yes," the boy called back. Wooyoung glanced over at the three small sprouts of broccoli left on his plate. "Hm, on Friday, it's me or mom. I don't know yet, but I'll ask her, okay?" Kyungmin didn't answer the mention of their mother. Instead he looked around the table and grabbed the vegetables and fed them to his brother. Wooyoung caved, knowing Yeosang's mother wouldn't agree with even three little pieces left.

"Hm, one for hyungie, one for Kyungminnie, ah, and for one for Yeosangie-hyung," he counted uselessly as Kyungmin clumsily fed all three pieces to him.

"Alright, you boys. It's almost seven, you should get going," Yeosang's mother came over to them and collected the empty dishes. "I packed you sandwiches and a bit of kimchi and rice and a pack of those tortillas, alright. Kyungmin-ssi, come let's pack up," she instructed and lifted the boy from Wooyoung's lap in an exciting motion. Yeosang took the plates and carried them back to the kitchen, giving his mom a kiss on her cheek as he passed her.

"Thank you, aunty, it was delicious," Wooyoung said as he brought her the other serving plates, "Bye-bye, Kyungmin-ah, have fun today."

"Jung Wooyoung-ssi, you have an outstanding debt to pay me," Mingi greeted him unceremoniously as soon as Wooyoung entered the class room, sitting nonchalantly on the table even with his coat still on.

"And that is?" Wooyoung said unimpressed.

"Report from yesterday? Why didn't you answer any of my texts? Call back?"

Ugh, about the teacher again. Hopefully Yeosang wouldn't sell him out.

"Nothing happened. There's nothing to report."

Mingi didn't seem to like the answer, although Yunho greatly enjoyed it, also still standing but with his coat over his arms and his backpack hanging on one shoulder. "I don't know if I believe that," Mingi mused accusingly, but a grin played around his lips.

"I don't know if I care," Wooyoung mirrored, smiling sarcastically.

"Then, let's switch seats today."

"No. Why? Good morning, by the way. Dummy," Wooyoung grumbled before his eyes widened suddenly. "Wait! Yes. Yes, let's switch." Yeosang gave him a side eye as he rushed past Mingi to take the seat by the wall.

"Who exactly are you switching with?" Yunho asked when Mingi took his seat usual seat next to Wooyoung.

"It's Korean class, I'll get distracted next to you," Mingi reasoned.

"Dummy," Yunho and Yeosang grumbled simultaneously, erupting in giggles as they sat down next to each other.

"What's for lunch?" Mingi asked as he pulled out his binder and a roughed up looking college block.

"You're supposed to put your notes in the binder so you'll find them again," Wooyoung tried to read through the scribbling on the first page.

"Oh, I didn't know," Mingi said dryly, "What's for lunch, though?"

"I don't know. I didn't make anything."

"We'll starve?" Mingi exclaimed.

"Hey," Yeosang tutted as he threw a crumbled paper at him, "My mom made it… I don't know if she also made something for you, though, so you might actually starve… You deserve, though. Dummy."

Korean class wasn't really eventful, only that maybe half of the literary categories, eras and differences in philosophy across the continents were now burnt into Wooyoung's brain from the many times he had to repeat them for Mingi. Teacher Kim smiled many times and nodded proudly at Wooyoung.

Good.

Not that Wooyoung was doing significantly more than before, but solely sitting one seat closer to the front seemed enough effort to even out his dip from the day before, and teacher Kim left without another word to him.

"I'm still waiting," Mingi reminded him lamely but pinned him solely with his eyes.

"I still don't care," Wooyoung grumbled as he turned to lean back against the wall with his legs pulled up. He casted a glance at Yeosang, hoping he'd leave him alone, but Yeosang got up with Yunho, "You want strawberry or orange?" Wooyoung shook his head; he already had breakfast, a snack sounded terrifying. "You pick." They wouldn't leave him alone even when he ate breakfast.

"We were worried yesterday, Wooyoung-ah," Mingi said after the other two had left and scooted closer. "You looked upset. I really wanted to go after you."

Wooyoung faked a smile. He really didn't want to hear anything about it anymore. "You just wanted to eavesdrop." Mingi raised his eyebrows, "Was there something to eavesdrop for?"

"No."

Damn it. He said it too quickly. Mingi squinted at him. "I don't really believe you."

"I don't really care."

"Guys, everyone," teacher Choi called loudly. Wooyoung hadn't noticed he came in. "Call your classmates back, we're starting on time." As he had told them he brought exercises about vector geometry and normal vector calculations. "These are exercises with two parts each to highlight the different purposes and calculations needed. We'll solve the first few together, and then you try on your own. The rest will be homework until after Christmas break." A few students groaned, Mingi decisively amongst them, "Why?"

"Because I said so… Also we need to get this done so we'll move on to vector addition and scalar multiplication, so do yourselves a favour."

Wooyoung pouted, not necessarily unhappy, but mildly surprised. Teacher Choi was usually soft on them, especially regarding homework.  He always gave them something to do, but usually not mandatory. Catching Wooyoung's eyes he winked. "Don't be snotty; I might decide to grade it." The teacher called out loudly; Wooyoung grinned as the room turned oddly quiet.

Otherwise Maths class was boring; maybe just in light of yesterday's chaos. Teacher Choi walked around for a bit, checking in like he usually does.

Mingi was essentially falling apart next to Wooyoung, begging him to just let him copy the answers. "No. You heard him. He might grade it, so you have to learn it anyway. Here," Wooyoung searched through his notes for the formulas, and helped Mingi work through the tasks, fighting his own impatience.

"You're out for my job, Wooyoung-ah?" the teacher asked from behind. Wooyoung turned to find him standing behind Yeosang and Yunho, rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt a few inches.

"No," he smiled shyly.

Yeosang grinned mischievously, "Out for the whole ma- Ow!" The sharpie flew before Wooyoung really meant to do it, surprisingly accurate, though, hitting Yeosang's face. "Out for me, too? Why?" Yeosang pouted with betrayal written all over his face.

"You know why," Wooyoung warned with an accusing finger pointed at him.

"Now I really don't believe you," Mingi mumbled.

Wooyoung sighed in defeat but tried to ignore Mingi, closing his eyes to keep calm. When he opened them again the teacher was still there; grinning widely. "Please grade their papers, teacher. Just theirs. Make it count double. Please, teacher."

"Not yours, too?" he smiled knowingly.

Wooyoung thought for a minute. An extra A just because? He'd be stupid to say no. "Sure. I'll even give you the others worksheets you gave us on Monday if you want. I'll bring them tomorrow."

Mingi groaned, "Why are you turning on us."

"Are you crazy? You already did that?"

"No, I'll do it tonight." Wooyoung turned back to the front to escape his friends' judgment and collect his notes from class. "Here," he handed them back over to the teacher, just to make a point. "Can it also count double?" he added sweetly when the teacher hesitated to take the papers, but nodded; he licked his lips in a poor attempt to hide a smile, "Don't come at me if it's not an A."

What? "Of course it's an A." Silly goose.

"If you say so." The teacher shooed Yeosang to the side to set Wooyoung's paper down on his desk and opened his hand towards Yeosang, too. "Red pen. What's today's date?"

Wooyoung watched silently. What was he doing? Yeosang hurriedly sifted through his pencil case, but Yunho beat him to it and handed over a red fine liner, "December eighteenth." They all watched curiously, and collectively gasped when the teacher scribbled 100/100 with his signature and the date.

"What?" Wooyoung breathed as the teacher handed the papers right back to him. Was this real? He didn't even look at it!

"You don't want it?"

Wooyoung snatched the papers so quickly they could have ripped and held them to his chest protectively, "'Course I want it… It counts double, right?"

Teacher Choi sighed contently, "Anything you want."

"Oh, teacher, you're really taking it?" Jisu asked in shock when teacher Choi sat back down at his desk. She must have seen them.

"Everyone, if you think it'll help your grade, hand your papers in, please. Make sure I got them until Friday morning. Otherwise... I don't care. I don't want to work during Christmas break, either." He smiled at the students as they sighed in relief.

"What will we do on Friday, teacher?"

Wooyoung sighed. That again. His classmates were calm considering they were just stalling again; but teacher Choi took a look at his wristwatch and indulged them again. Asking questions about anything but Maths or class or exams.

"Do you get the final exam via e-mail and then print them here, or will they be delivered postal service?" Yunho asked, apparently reading Wooyoung's mind.

"Will you break in and set something on fire if I tell you?" teacher Choi answered easily, also reading minds now.

"No," Yunho grinned cutely, "Yeosang will do it. He can pick locks."

"He can?" Teacher Choi's eyes widened at the revelation, but he laughed.

Yeosang gasped, "Right! That's so sma- Why didn't I think of that?"

Mingi tuned in, the class long forgotten, "And Wooyoung will study a few laws before so we'll know our rights in case teacher Choi rats us out."

"I will?" Wooyoung asked, addressing no one in particular but his eyes fell back to the teacher, "I probably would."

Teacher Choi seemed still amused, but slightly worried with one eyebrow raised. He tried to form words, but only waved the back of his hand at the class, "Go already."

Wooyoung let out a breath he wasn't aware of holding, his eyes still on the man in the front. Teacher Choi actually nodded and winked at him, before signalling with his hand for him to come to the front. "Me?" Wooyoung asked out loud, probably not audible for the teacher anyway.

"Do you have your test? Bring it," he answered though.

"What?" his friends asked in synch, looking between them. Wooyoung shook his head, "I don't know." He stood and flipped through his binder until he landed on a stack of papers that was facing down.

"Seriously?" Mingi said, recognising the print on the front. Wooyoung pulled it close to his chest again, making sure he wouldn't catch a look at his score, "Leave me alone."

He had to wait for his classmates to get up as well as and give him a little space to pass through to walk up to the front. Most of them left to the hallway, someone opened the window and let in a gush of cold air.

"Ah, no, it's so cold, teacher," Tzuyu whined, and Wooyoung turned in surprise. Teacher Choi was right here?

Teacher Park- and teacher Park were here. Why? And so soon? Teacher Park Sojin held Physics now, and teacher Park might have come to see his boyfriend, but he was the one who opened the window in the back.

"Wooyoung-ah," teacher Choi called him. Wooyoung came to stand in front of him, while the man still sat and tapped the desk. "Do you want to say something about your score?" he prompted.

Wooyoung didn't answer. He still hadn't looked at the test. He never wanted to. He wanted to shake his head no, but he also wanted to know if he really had a full score. Actually, he never wanted to see or speak of this test ever again.

"Hi," teacher Park – the man – joined them, his tone was light, and Wooyoung noticed how he missed it. He might have been mad at them, but they had also acted differently towards him.

Teacher Choi returned his greeting with a soft smile, and Wooyoung had to look down when the glint in his eyes appeared awfully similar to something he had seen yesterday, too. It hit him like a flashback; he cleared his throat, shifted away with half a step and looked around the room to regain his composure.

"Are you handing in something?" teacher Park asked, nodding at the papers. Wooyoung snapped around to look at him. Teacher Choi giggled, "He tried."

Were they joking about him?

"But?"

"I didn't really take it. He said it's an A, so I gave him an A."

"Just like that? You didn't even look at it?" Teacher Park was stunned if not accusing. Teacher Choi shrugged at him, then looked at Wooyoung, "And this?"

Wooyoung hummed, it felt weird to stand next to them when they apparently disagreed. Should he leave? It was more like a reflex that he looked at the paper and he wanted to turn away, but the red scribbling at the top immediately caught his attention.

"A," he mumbled, but seeing it with aigoo! scribbled next to the score didn't give him the usual little rush of relief. All this mess for nothing…

Teacher Park leaned over to peek, "You don't seem happy." Wooyoung let his hands fall and looked at the Maths teacher, a little helpless, before he lifted them again to flip through the pages and check the individual tasks until something caught his eye. A sad smiley face next to the edited score. What?

"Why?" he whispered, more to himself, distracted by the red 3.5/4 score that was scratched and corrected with 4/4. He had never received a grade like this.

"But… You said full score." He definitely remembered. Teacher Choi said: Wooyoung-ah, you got an A, full score. Was Wooyoung having a stroke? Was he dreaming? This wasn't right. This… No.

Wooyoung frowned at him, but teacher Choi seemed indifferent. "Full score is an A, Wooyoung-ah. I can't go higher than that, I'm afraid," he chuckled, probably to soften the blow, and played with the rim of his rolled up sleeves to pull them a little higher, almost to his elbow.

"But I'm missing half a point," Wooyoung shook his head and felt his eyebrow twitching as he pointed to the correction where 9.75 had become 9.25 in the next line.

"I had to check, but the result is correct; the rest of the equation as well," teacher Choi admitted, "You got it right, formula and everything. I figured it was a transmission error."

"But then it's not full score," Wooyoung repeated. Teacher Choi raised his eyebrows so high his forehead creased and he leaned forward. He looked shocked but composed himself quickly. Then he stretched his hand out, "Alright, then give it back. I'll mark the task as incorrect and change the score to ninety-six. That's still an A… A- starts at- What? Ninety-four down to ninety points. I'll find something."

What?!

"No," Wooyoung gasped and quickly pulled the test out of reach. Teacher Choi wouldn't dare! Just yesterday he promised not to mess with Wooyoung's score!

"Then take your full score."

"But I got it wrong."

"Then give it here."

"No!"

Teacher Choi smirked, but charmingly, and Wooyoung thought he must look like Kyungmin-ah when Wooyoung made him choose between two toys.

"Wooyoung-ah, I know you didn't get it wrong because you didn't know, or couldn't do it, or because you don't pay attention. It's a minimal, fleeting error that I just marked so you'd see. I marked it with the point-five, but if I log half-points in the system, it'll be rounded up anyway."

Teacher Park patted Wooyoung's shoulder, and half a point made him so frustrated he almost stepped closer. It had felt so nice when teacher Choi had hugged him yesterday. And teacher Park was a bit taller, Wooyoung risked glancing over; his shoulders seemed to align perfectly to lean his head against him.

"Wooyoung-ah, even if San-ah had subtracted it; in this range one point doesn't throw the grade off. Sometimes we just think or write too fast or skip a step in our minds. It happens all the time."

Not to me, he wanted to say, but teacher Choi nodded, "Sometimes I accidentally leave out whole words in text messages when I'm frustrated. Then Seonghwa-hyung has to guess what I'm talking about."

"One time I took out the fresh laundry from the washing machine and started another cycle completely empty because I was thinking about preheating the oven; with detergent and all. Sometimes the brain switches to autopilot when we're stressed in an attempt to set priorities or concentrate on other things. It happens, and it doesn't mean you're lacking. You still got the highest grade possible. Let yourself accept your reward."

A smile faintly tugged at Wooyoung's lips; it sounded funny to imagine teacher Park stunned or out of order. Wooyoung looked at his test again and sorted the papers. He got called out for setting priorities again… Wooyoung had his priorities and it was a spotless test result over everything else. He nodded eventually, not that he had much of a choice but to accept, "Yeah. You're right. It's still an A. I shouldn't have complained. I'm sorry, teacher." He didn't have any ground to argue with teacher Choi; not last week and not now. "But I could have done better. I should have listened when you told me to check," Wooyoung added quickly.

Teacher Choi hadn't doubted him per se, but Wooyoung let it go to his head and sabotaged himself. He could have easily taken another minute or two and it wouldn't have been an issue.

A spotless, perfect score was supposed to be spotless and perfect. Missing half a point was not spotless nor perfect. A transmission error wasn't spotless; even if his derived result was correct, it wasn't perfect.

Maybe he was going crazy, after all. They just said it: in his range it didn't matter. Half a point couldn't even be registered in their system. If it were three points less and had his grad dangling between an A and A- he would fight until he landed in the principal's office.

Teacher Choi cooed, "Don't beat yourself up over it. We've talked about it, right? Accept your score as you deserve it for your hard work, and see that you still learned something more: use the time that you have, and check yourself, even if you're confident. Don't be arrogant."

Wooyoung nodded eagerly, eyes widened in shock at the accusation of arrogance. "I will. I won't- I won't waste points again. I can't."

"I know," teacher Choi smiled again winked.

"Can I get ready for my class, now?" teacher Park Sojin interjected them, high-pitched and impolite. She didn't even greet them.

"Sure, I gotta run, now," teacher Choi got up and grabbed his ring binder. "I got you," teacher Park, the boyfriend, smiled proudly and presented a gym bag and took the binder as well, "Leave it here. I'll take it with me."

Teacher Choi gasped in surprise and shouldered the bag. He seemed to wonder but then remembered. "Ah, you're staying here, right. Thank you, my lo- Lo… Love," he whispered the last word after unsuccessfully smoothing out his slip. They weren't supposed to hint at their relationship, not even pet names; they didn't even hug. Teacher Park winked in return and stepped aside to let him pass.

"You're staying?" Wooyoung asked as he headed back to his seat. He didn't want to stay around teacher Park Sojin any longer than he had to. She disliked him for some reason.

Teacher Park, the boyfriend – Wooyoung rolled his eyes at the title. Maybe he should switch to calling them both hyung, after all. If they'd like. Maybe they didn't want it anymore after he was petty all throughout last week.

Teacher Park followed him to the back but didn't explain beyond humming yes. Hm, okay? The teacher in front announced that her class would be held as usual, but teacher Park would simply tag along. Teacher Park took a single chair and sat in the back of the room; Wooyoung looked back and watched him for a moment as he crossed is legs to steady his notebook on teacher Choi's binder, otherwise he sat upright and elegant as always.

Was he watching the students? Their performance? Did teacher Park Sojin say something about Wooyoung and teacher Park came in to check? He didn't stand out more or participated less than in his other classes, yet she always had a remark about him.

"You don't agree, Jung Wooyoung-ssi?" she hissed; smiling, but hissing, "Do you know it better?"

He must have made a face or something when he looked between the script she had handed out and the notes on the white board. He just checked but, "In the script it says a rectifier converts AC to DC."

"I know what it says. I wrote the script."

Just spit in my face already.

"Then you have it wrong on the board, teacher," Mingi spoke up when Wooyoung took a subtle breath. This woman… She didn't turn around immediately. "Oh," she said, genuinely surprised, "Oh, you're right." A few students groaned quietly having to correct their notes.

"Thanks," Wooyoung whispered and kept his eyes down for the rest of the lesson. He opted to listen and added whatever extra information teacher Park dropped to the script.

"Alright, then, you guys… See you tomorrow," she greeted good bye in an awfully sweet tone that caught Wooyoung by surprise. She smiled around the room, even though the students were busy packing up for lunch break and didn't look at her. She sounded so sincere.

"Good bye," Wooyoung said automatically, earning another glare. Wow, okay. She didn't like their class; not that she said it but her attitude spoke for itself.

"What was that about?" Yunho grumbled as Wooyoung and Mingi turned to them.

"I don't mean to be a misogynist, but she's definitely on her period today," Mingi said, keeping his voice low even though teacher Park Sojin had already left. "Or because she put on weight. Maybe she's hit her midlife-crisis." Yunho tried not to laugh next to him, "That's even meaner."

"Am I wrong, though?"

Wooyoung looked up as teacher Park slowly gravitated towards them. They were really accustomed to each other now, huh? Would he say something? Wooyoung had made a fool of himself with teacher Choi yesterday, but he probably told his boyfriend, but maybe he just talk to teacher Park as well.

"Actually," the teacher chimed in equally low, drawling it out a bit until all eyes were on him, but suddenly deflated, "Nevermind. I don't know."

Huh? The boys looked at each other, then gauged teacher Park's reaction, maybe he'd give them a secret hint, but he only held his pointer finger in front of his lips as he left as well.

"Can we just stay here today?" Wooyoung sighed and let himself fall against Mingi's shoulder.

"Only if you tell me what's going on with the power couple," Mingi said. Wooyoung grunted and got up decisively, "Let's go then."

Seated in the cafeteria, the five boys were on alone for the first in forever. Jeongin, Beomgyu, Changbin and Felix, or Yeonjun and Soobin joined them sometimes, but not today. At least it made sharing Jongho's two rolls of gimbap, Yeosang's shrimp fried rice and kimchi, Yunho's spicy rice cakes skewers with mini-sausages easier.

Wooyoung took out his phone and opened the chat with his mother; the last text was from Monday that she would probably be back by Thursday night because the house needs remodelling until February, but most furnishing companies wouldn't close deals so close to Christmas. He had told her he would be in school until 1pm on Friday, so he wouldn't be able to make it to pick Kyungmin up, but she hadn't answered.

"Do you know anything about teacher Park? He gave us a stack of worksheets and left. Said he had an appointment… during our Chemistry class. That has never happened," Jongho asked with half a mouthful. Wooyoung lightly clapped the back of his hand, "Chew it down first before you talk."

"He was with us, actually," Yeosang answered and licked his lips, not that Wooyoung could scold him where he sat on Jongho's other side, "Did he tell you something, Wooyoung-ah?"

"No." Wooyoung gave Yeosang a quick glance halfway between guilty and accusing, whatever that might look like, "Why would he?"

"'Cause he was with you for a few minutes. Maybe you asked him why he was there."

"We could ask him directly," Yunho mused across from the other three and fully stretched his arms out above his head for a waving gesture; grand and unmistakable. "Teacher Park," he called out and had Wooyoung stop mid-motion when he reached for a tteokbokki skewer, after all. No. He shot Yunho a glare, if only because the teacher wouldn't see it.

"And there I just thought I wouldn't bother you for once," teacher Park came up to them and stopped behind Jongho. Yunho and Mingi giggled. "You never bothered us. We basically adopted you. It's weird that we're only five people. Come sit with us," Mingi waved him closer and patted the table next to his free side.

"If you insist," teacher Park chuckled and rounded the table to take a seat next to Mingi who scooted over until he was sitting across from Jongho. The teacher set his lunchbox down relatively close to the others and opened it before he pulled his phone out, "This is lamb curry from yesterday. I'll call San, then." Jongho and Yeosang nodded happily, still munching on their food. Wooyoung let his chin rest on his hand; rice skewers fully forgotten now with teacher Park across from him.

"Hi. Yeah, I got it, but come out. We're eating in the cafeteria." Pause. "Don't be rude, we were very decisively and warmly invited… Okay," he smiled as he spoke into the phone and straightened his posture once he hung up. "He'll be here in a minute. We planned to eat at the gym."

"Why would you eat there? Isn't it stinky?" Jongho asked, probably involuntarily cute as he scrunched his nose. The teacher shook his head, making his hair slightly fluff up. It looked so soft Wooyoung wanted to touch.

"We usually open an exit door in the main hall so we'll have fresh air. And we're alone there. San likes it better because I don't pay attention to etiquette that much… Is what he says. I like it because it's quiet."

Wooyoung nodded absently, eying the curry that the teacher revealed. Why didn't he think of eating out on the schoolyard or even in their classroom before? He hated the mix of noise and smells. The cafeteria got stuffy with hundreds of students and he never felt refreshed or energised after lunch.

"Hello," teacher Choi cheered as he joined them, sitting next to his boyfriend, and Wooyoung felt his heart picking up when he saw the slim-fitted sports shirt stretching around his chest and shoulders and left his arms on display. Wow. It wasn't precisely a new view, the arms, but they had a new effect since he had felt the arms.

Never thought about it, my ass; he remembered feeling embarrassed after Yeosang mentioned it yesterday. How could he not think about it? He was just a boy.  He had seen him in short-sleeves and longs-sleeves, chic and casual before. Hundreds of times. Maybe he was just sensitive today.

Teacher Choi hummed and spoke a general thank you for the food when Jongho and Yunho offered to share again.

"Who made all this?" he asked and waited for a dribble of sticky sauce to slow down as he picked up a rice cake skewer, but some still spilled around his lips and chin when he quickly lifted it to his mouth.

Wooyoung swallowed, but it didn't help his dry throat.

"Not Wooyoung-ah?" teacher Choi grinned around a bite of sausage and Wooyoung swallowed again, almost choking on the spit that had pooled beneath his tongue. "Huh?" he had completely missed the conversation. "You didn't cook anything?" the teacher repeated but politely covered his mouth.

"No, I stayed at Yeosang's house, so his mom cooked. But I brought the black tiger prawns; they would have gone bad."

"The-Those are black tiger prawns? Wooyoung-ah," teacher Park gasped at him. What? "You have such high-quality seafood at home and use it for school lunch fried rice, wow. You must live comfortably."

Oh, that.

"I would invite people back home, like, host dinners and make real menus and special stuff, every day, but," he trailed off, eying their mixed plates and lunch boxes sitting on plastic bags with a mess of single-use chopsticks. Just a few touches and even those could look much more appetizing; not that Wooyoung could stomach anything right now anyway.

He'd really love to decorate their dining room and spend days prepping marinating meat and whipping up mousse and baking brioche buns and all sorts of delicacies. But he got school, and no one to invite to live up to the luxurious vibe Wooyoung would like to go for. Sure his friends would come over and eat whatever he prepares for them; but they'd show up in sweats and baseball caps and then they'd lounge on the couches and play video games.

"Count me in," teacher Park marvelled, but Wooyoung couldn't tell if he was serious or not. Having them over as his guests? Dressed up all nice and chic; Wooyoung could easily picture it. They were already good looking, with and without being styled in hair products and accessories; elegantly shining blouses or cozy sweaters, slacks or blue denim. They just always looked good, and charismatic and approachable and still so much more sophisticated than everyone else in their polyester suit and tie or fashion jewellery.

"I'll help you clean up afterwards." Teacher Choi laughed at his boyfriend and set a bite of lamb meat down before eating it, "I'll eat everything and you'll clean everything."

"We'll do it when we get the dates for the exams. Then we'll all move in with Wooyoung and study in the conservatory every day," Yunho said matter-of-factly.

"Oh yes," Jongho cheered, "Especially when the sun goes down super late."

"No, you'll just spill pepsi and leave crumbs all over the furniture and won't even lift a finger to help me clean it. My mom will kill me."

"Don't worry, Wooyoung-ah; Seonghwa-hyung will help you… Maybe bake a cake for him and give him flowers on Fridays, then he'll be happy." This man wasn't real. Teacher Park looked equally surprised but then smiled coyly. "I'll even bring the strawberries for the cake. I'll clean everywhere so you can keep studying."

His heart started racing again, beating harshly against his sternum, but also tugging uncomfortably at something he couldn't name. "Yeah," Wooyoung breathed, more to himself than anything.

"Wooyoung-ah, how will you handle ten people at your house? Kyungmin will be there; maybe Yeonjun and Soobin want to join, Yeji and Jimin, Mark, Felix," Yeosang began to count.

"How about asking me if they can come? My house is not a hotel."

"As if you'll say no. You couldn't even look at your Maths test for a week until teacher Choi lectured you."

Ah.

There it was. Finally. Yeosang stabbed him. Wooyoung only looked up at him half-heartedly and then back down to the fried rice. He should have stayed quiet. He knew Yeosang would bring it up sooner or later.

Jongho blubbered next to him, mostly unaware of the whole ordeal aside his usual 'freaking over a score' antics.

"Aye, wait- Now, wait a minute, guys. I didn't lecture him- I didn't lecture you about your test," teacher Choi's jaw dropped at the accusation, even if Yeosang wasn't out for him, and pointed a finger at Yeosang first, then Wooyoung. His eyes were unusually wide.

He was right, though. Teacher Choi hadn't lectured him about a test, but his reaction only fed into Yeosang's scheme that he was blissfully unaware off. "I didn't lecture you," teacher Choi repeated but he deflated as Wooyoung didn't grant him a reaction. Besides: Yeosang said that, not Wooyoung. Teacher Choi just told him the day before that he didn't like shit-talking and lying, and if Wooyoung had a problem he should come forward.

"I know. I didn't say that." Wooyoung held eye contact a little too calmly even for his own expectations, but he just didn't have the energy to stress about it again. "My test was fine. It's an A," he dimly announced to his friends and they shared a rounds of relieved hums and also slightly aggressive I told you so.

"Don't tell me you're still- Wooyoung-ah," teacher Choi sat up, straightened his shoulders, but essentially appeared calm and gentle. "You did an excellent job on that test. Please don't let half a point – that doesn't even really exist, by the way – sour your mood. It won't spoil your record and you'll still graduate with honours."

"That's not…"

That's not it.

"Not what? Tell me."

Wooyoung gulped. He hated hearing those words. After the previous evening, he never wanted to hear them again.

Tell me. Talk to me. What's up?

"It's… The places and schools I want to apply to expect completely perfect scores. I can't afford a ninety-nine. I didn't even have one double-digit score in a major subject for, like, years now."

Teacher Choi blinked at him like he did before in class. "Did you receive a double-digit from me?"

"No. That's-"

"See."

"That's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

Wooyoung took a deep breath, probably looking like a fool, but he could feel his eyes burn and his throat closed up with a heavy lump that cut off his air.

"It's- Look," he folded his palms together flatly, pretending to offer support to himself, "I need a perfect score. All one-hundreds, okay? But I want to earn them. I want to receive them honestly, and you also said I can't get any favouritism."

"Yeah."

"So why… I made a mistake and didn't solve a task right. Why do I still get the full score?"

"You don't want the full score?"

"I want it. Of course I want it. And I know I can have it. But I didn't get the right answer to the task, and then I should receive my points accordingly, because – you also said it, by the way – I can't be favoured just because I usually have full scores. Then I could just lean back and bullshit every other test from now on and then demand full score because you know I know it.'"

Teacher Choi nodded along as Wooyoung explained, hopefully making sense as he jumbled upon his words the more he got into it. It was like cooking some nasty or bland food and then claim it was still good because he knew the recipe. Try that at a competition. He let his eyes wander to avoid looking at him, but the sight of food made him feel sick. Why was teacher Choi so adamant about this?

"And- also- If it were the exam, you couldn't just give me points because you wanted to either. There's a second teacher who will call you out and then he's take every drop of ink on my papers apart. And then?"

Yeah, then what? Teacher Choi pressed his lips together as he frowned, and slowly released them as he watched all over Wooyoung's face.

"Okay. I see. But Wooyoung-ah." There was this tone again. It was so gentle yet alarming to hear the teacher call out his name like this. Like his patience was thinning and he secretly gave Wooyoung just one last chance to come around but he tried hard to be gentle. "Your scores - on your report card, right? Your scores, how are they listed?"

Huh?

"It says the subject, then the grade, and the numeric scores."

"Right... Every single score? For each test individually?"

What? Did this man think Wooyoung was stupid, after all?

"No."

"Exactly. The scores are listed per semester. You're writing two tests per semester; in your majors. And those two results are then listed by their average."

Wooyoung leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. This was getting ridiculous. "I know."

"So, even if this test was a ninety-nine, your next Maths test will be a hundred because if it's not, one of us won't get out alive of that classroom when I hand it out; and then they will average ninety-nine point five for the semester. Right? What I said about half-points?"

"There's none," Wooyoung answered quietly.

"Exactly. It'll be rounded up to one hundred. So why don't you just take it?"

"You also said no special treatment."

"You're also not getting special treatment." The teacher cocked his head, his jaw playfully dropped a little akin to shock but it turned into a smile again, like he genuinely found Wooyoung cute and sighed eventually. "Do you think I would help you out with your full scores, but not anyone else? I constantly upgrade scores."

Teacher Park scoffed besides him in surprise, and something inside Wooyoung's chest might have ripped. Okay, he wouldn't mess with his grade, but he also wouldn't help it; was it that? He was really not special to him.

"I don't mean to say you're not special. You are. Very… I offer to grade homework all the time; only I don't log those in. They don't really count, but I can add much more detailed notes on mistakes and scores without dragging any grade. You don't know that because… I never have anything to add to yours. You're good."

But I need perfect.

He wanted that perfect score, no doubt. But he couldn't receive a perfect score for a not-perfect performance. He couldn't accept it. Who cared about other people's scores? Not Wooyoung.

"But what if in the exam," Wooyoung worried his lips. If he didn't receive special treatment, his exam was even more at stake. His eyes darted around, all just not to look at teacher Choi's gentle, patient, understanding smile. He looked at the food a few times, the lunch boxes were mostly empty but a few crumbs and drops of sauce scattered all around them. Could somebody just put it away already?

"What if in the exam, you give me full points for that task, and the second teacher makes it less? Then what?"

"Then it depends of the difference. If it's just one or two point's difference, it'll be averaged, same as before."

"And if they- If they decide to say zero points. Then I'd be down to ninety-six! I can book a mortician, then."

Ninety-six. That's four points off. Wooyoung could just end his life then and there.

"Actually it would come up to ninety-eight. That would still make an A. If there is five points difference, the exam will be sent to a third teacher because five points change the grade… Aside from As; they have a range of six points," teacher Choi leaned forward and smirked, "But as long as both grades are same range, they'll be averaged and rounded up."

Wooyoung sighed helplessly. None of that relieved him. Even if he wrote a perfect exam by teacher Choi's standard, he could still be crushed by some stranger. He let his face fall into his hands and rubbed along his forehead, then let his finger slip into his hair to tug a little as the ball of his hands pressed into his eyes to relieve the pressure he started feeling in his whole body. He was cooked.

"The exam also only counts a third to your final grade; you know that? If you got one hundred in your last two semesters and your exam was ninety-nine, it'll be one-hundred. And you can always opt to register for an oral exam. That'll be averaged agai- You get the picture. And most employers and universities look at the overall range of the last two to three years, and if they found you out of all people not consistent, then that place can just close up already. Anyone would be stupid to reject you."

Wooyoung sighed deeply. No no no. It didn't even matter anymore. Scores and exams and anything beyond. He was working so hard for what? There were so many other students who ranked so close behind him; there were seven or eight students in the top three ranks because they performed with just a few points difference and then just shared the second and third places.

"You really don't want that point, do you?" teacher Choi said, a bit more quietly, less loaded, like he understood. Wooyoung shrugged his shoulders. If it didn't make a difference in his grade, then teacher Choi could have given him the lesser score; wasn't that their entire conversation just now? And since in the exam there could be an issue about different scores, Wooyoung should learn to be better. But he needed the one-hundreds.

"I don't think you should have given me one hundred points." Pick-me, Yeosang's voice echoed in his head, but Wooyoung just wanted to play according to the rules. That wasn't anything new. But he still felt stupid for it.

"Listen, you don't think you deserve the points, that's fine. Give me the test and I'll correct it if you eat something," he grabbed and held out a slice of gimbap towards Wooyoung with his chopsticks. Why? "If you want to receive consequences, at least make them just in regard to your crime. Don't starve yourself when you're hungry. Otherwise it's just self-harm."

"I'm not- I don't want to eat," Wooyoung gulped as the smell of radish and seaweed hit him. Teacher Choi shook the gimbap right in front of him, "You keep staring. Come on. Eat and I'll change the score."

What? Jongho laughed next to him, "Teacher, are you bribing him for his score?" the others also giggled.

"That usually goes the other way around, teacher," Mingi said. The teacher also chuckled, but didn't look away from Wooyoung, hand still calmly stretched out across the table. "It's more for your well-being right now."

A piece of gimbap for a fair score? Hm. That was a little too easy. What would teacher Choi demand next time he slipped? Besides, why would he comply to have a lower score?

"Gimbap for ninety-nine points?" Wooyoung asked and the teacher nodded, lifting the food a little closer. Wooyoung pursed his lips.

"Or you'll keep your unearned one hundred. But I know the truth anyway," he sighed like he burdened by it. It made Wooyoung palms sweaty; a decision like this was impossible. Keep his perfect score as he needed it, or be honest and admit his mistake? Well, he already did. He was the one to point it out, and teacher Choi essentially said he didn't mind. But if he took ninety-nine now, he had absolute no play for the next test. Only if…

"I changed my mind. I want my hundred points," Wooyoung rasped out, almost breathless with regret. He shouldn't accept it.

"Anything you want. I just need you to eat this to know you're serious, and the score is all yours," teacher Choi quickly followed up, but Wooyoung hesitated. He was really making a deal for his grade. The teacher drew his hand back a little, "No? Ninety-nine it i-"

No!

Wooyoung reached over to grab his wrist in both of his hands and pulled him back to eat the gimbap before teacher Choi could finish his threat. He probably looked like a fish or a goat, clumsily trying to hold on and take the food with only his lips and teeth when the teacher could barely coordinate the chopstick in Wooyoung's hold. He still reached over to hold his other hand out under Wooyoung chin as well.

That wasn't so bad. Hundred points and a bite of gimbap. Easiest score ever, Wooyoung sneered to himself as he chewed down the slightly soggy and too salty gimbap. The teachers' eyes were wide in surprise and he quickly pinched Wooyoung's chin, merely grazing it as he pulled one hand back. Wooyoung looked around; some students had already left, the food was cleared from the counter, and Mingi and Yunho were picking up the last pieces of fried rice, laughing amongst themselves.

"Good job. Congratulation on your very well earned score," teacher Choi cheered.

Yeah. Exactly. And all it took was to eat a little stuffed rice roll for the teacher to change th-

Not change-

Wooyoung looked up, jaw slack.

"You tricked me." His friends busted out laughing. "You! You… You," Wooyoung didn't even know what to say.

"You?" teacher Choi repeated and looked happier than ever, "Are you comfortable? Are we friends now that you talk informally?"

Shit.

Well… at least Wooyoung hadn't cursed? "I'm… also engaged to you."

Both teachers laughed in surprised, teacher Park covered his mouth while teacher Choi scrambled to retaliate. "Then you can call me hyung again. Since I outsmarted you again," he smirked, and it was so damn charming that Wooyoung was helpless.

"But teacher, if only Wooyoungie can call you hyung, isn't that special treatm-"

"No," Wooyoung slapped a hand over Jongho's mouth and leaned towards him until even Yeosang was almost falling over on the other side. Maybe he was just trying to hide. "You don't even call me hyung."

"I do when you're not around," Jongho laughed in defence. "I want special treatment as well. By association or something. I have to prepare for next year."

"Your special treatment is you're not in the group chat."

Chapter Text

Seonghwa rolled his neck and checked his wristwatch again; one more minute. It might need a polishing again soon; the metal links looked a bit dull, maybe it came from his body lotion.

"Alright, everyone. I'll need to leave in a minute to check in with someone. You are free to stop working then, too, but please stay quiet and in the room for the remaining time to be mindful of the other classes. Also, this is an exception, I'm sorry, but this was the easiest solution."

The class gave him a choir of reassurance, telling him not to worry for them, they didn't mind. Of course they wouldn't mind, but it still wasn't his first choice to cut a class short; this was also the students' time to talk to him, ask questions and all. At least it was Chemistry, they didn't have a test, and they wouldn't have a major exam, so they'd survive.

He tried 'office hours' on Tuesdays, strictly scheduling the time to answer e-mails, grade tests, plan his classes and all; Seonghwa was not a fan. So much nonsense came up in his inbox: questions about homework that had been due the week before; organisational issues that could be answered in less than ten seconds; requests by parents even though they weren't even part of Seonghwa's scope.

Well, it wouldn't get easier either way. He packed up and made his way down the hall, one floor lower to the principal's office. He stopped in front of a picture just around the corner, not to look at it. He checked his reflection in the glass, combing through his hair and straightening his jacket. Then he knocked, entered, and greeted principal Kim Kyuwook and Park Sojin politely. She smiled at him brightly, "Right on time, Seonghwa-ssi." Seonghwa didn't react more than sitting down next to her. He wasn't on a friendly first name base with her, but he also wouldn't berate her now. She seemed stressed enough; unplucked eyebrows, the wrinkly collar of her blouse stood out even under her mismatched cardigan.

She wasn't the most popular teacher amongst the students, and also not her colleagues, but she did light up ever since she brought the news.

Seonghwa had suspected something the like; she didn’t wear a wedding ring, but she had suddenly switched her style of clothing; more wide cut and flowy long-shirts instead of high cut dress pants, layers upon layers that hid her figure and sneakers in December. Her appetite was the last clue he needed, but the mood swings and the way her face had puffed up all came full circle.

"I want to repeat, Seonghwa-ssi, thank you very much for stepping in. I know it wasn't what we agreed upon the last time, and I'll make sure it won't last longer than the second semester." Principal Kim said as he pushed the contracts towards them on his desk. He had initially been understanding of his wish to only teach the upper secondary school, year 11 was the lowest he would accept. He hadn't taken an extra semester to write his master thesis about risks of bioengineered microorganisms in regard of lateral gene transfer to teach teenagers why they should use a fireproof pad and tie their hair up when using a Bunsen burner.

Seonghwa nodded and signed both contracts; one for the school to keep, one for him. He had already written a letter of resignation, ready to be sent out, looked for other promising jobs and talked to San. If he was asked to teach more and younger classes one more time, he'd quit.  If he was smart, he'd do it like Sojin; bitch about everyone, dab at students instead of answering questions, then go on paid maternity leave for a year. At least he got a raise starting right next month instead of in March.

He came out into the hallway feeling both loaded with chains and weightless. The air was quiet; the students were probably already out or at the cafeteria. San had texted him to come there, too. I'm feeling rage-baited. Seonghwa wondered what it meant and wanted to answer, but Sojin's high pitched laugh urged him on to leave.

He found San with the boys in their usual spot; a few more of their classmates had joined again. Only… He greeted them shallowly, admittedly distracted by the girls.

"You're making a face out loud," San whispered as he slid his lunchbox over along with his cutlery. "Thank you for the food. It was just what I needed."

Seonghwa blinked, his forehead already felt tight from frowning. "What are you wearing? You look so… casual," he said and tugged at San's sweater to align the hood properly, even found a stray threat and whipped a barely there smudge of sauce from San's chin.

"I just had PE, and later, too. Didn't want to get all changed."

"It looks nice. Wear it more often." Seonghwa kept nodding along to San's explanation, but he was utterly distracted by Yu Jimin, Yeji and Jisu sitting at the other end with Wooyoung and Yunho. They were talking and laughing; Wooyoung also seemed relaxed and engaged in the conversation.

"Hyung, you're staring," San giggled quietly. Seonghwa hoped Jongho and Yeosang didn't listen in on them. How could he not? San was right, Seonghwa did feel irritated; but it wasn't rage baiting quite yet.

"I just signed the contract," he tried to distract.

"How did it go?"

"Nothing special. Sojin was there already, chatting and all like we've been best friends. Principal thanked me again."

"She seems happier. Maybe it's why she's been so unbearable before."

Seonghwa suppressed to laugh, "Sannie, don't be mean." San hummed, but didn't say anything else as he watched Seonghwa eat.  "San-ah," Seonghwa called, "Will we talk later." He had had a longer day yesterday, and San had disappeared into his gym to work out and dance. After dinner, they fell asleep during a rerun of Always.

"Of course," he said, leaning his chin on both hands in a bored manner, but reverently watched Seonghwa take a few bites in silence.

"What exactly are those girls doing here?"

San broke out in laughter but got a hold of himself quickly. "That's what I said," he whispered back. "I don't know. They just came by, asked to join. They've been talking about homework and studying the whole time."

"I wasn't aware the boys are close with them."

"I don’t think they are… But there's no reason to send them away either."

Seonghwa hummed; he had nothing else to add, and looked at the time. "I'll head home then. Any wishes?"

"Hm, I'll work out later, so… Something with meat and… I don't know. Potatoes?

"Potatoes?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking… I don't know. What did you have in mind?"

"I thought something easy like Japchae. I can add all your proteins and still make some potatoes on the side."

San nodded happily. "Sounds good to me. I'll call you when I'm out."

"Alright." Seonghwa already wanted to lean over for a goodbye kiss, and just barely aborted it into softly knocking his head against San's.

"Ow," San giggled. Seonghwa smiled, halfway embarrassed, halfway amused. "Sorry… I'll get going then."

By the time San called him, Seonghwa had prepared and cut all the ingredients for their meal, plucked the dried leaves and flowers from last week's bouquet of marigolds and gave them fresh water; his phone was left abandoned in the kitchen as he sat on the couch. The Sudoku puzzle fighting him since yesterday. Just as he filled in the last few numbers the front door opened.

"I'm home," San greeted cheerfully. Seonghwa didn't answer directly, but tidied the coffee table and put his blanket aside neatly before he went to welcome him.

"Come in, let me help you. What's all this?" Seonghwa made big eyes at the heavy bag.

"I sorted my locker a bit and took about everything out. I figured I won't be in the mood to do it tomorrow... I'll wash up quickly, and then I'm all yours, okay?"

Seonghwa nodded and carried the bag to San's study, took out the small binders to leave them on his desk with his two big binders, one for the seniors and one for a junior year. Seonghwa couldn't tell how he did it; so many classes across six grades. Well, some of them were PE which was only schedules once a week, so most of them were actually Maths classes with the upper classes. And he still managed all of them well and organised, friendly, empathic and patient.

If Seonghwa had to repeat himself more than once, he felt his time was wasted. He was a high school teacher for Science classes, not a tutor them for reading comprehension.

Whatever. He sighed and went back downstairs and to the espresso machine, hearing San also got dressed in their bedroom.

"Do you want coffee?" Seonghwa asked as San joined him in the kitchen to plug his phone to charge, and came up behind him, hugging him around his waist, breathing in deeply and placed kissed along his shoulders and nape while Seonghwa tinkered with the portafilter. "You're tickling me," Seonghwa jerked slightly but didn't further protest.

"Are you nervous?" He heard the smile in San's voice, but it settled weirdly in his mind. "Hey, Seonghwa-yah," San quickly came up next to him, surprise written all over his face, "Don't tell me you've been worried. We could've talked sooner."

Seonghwa breathed in deeply and sighed, "No, it's not that." He set their cups under the sprout and turned while the machine rumbled. "I'm… I don't know. I think I'm petty over lunch; we didn't even really talk to any of them. And I also don't look forward to tomorrow either, maybe expect for watching you dance. I'm in that kind of mood, so… flat." San caressed his cheek lovingly and tugged at a few loose strands of hair.

"I'm sorry to hear that, love. Is there anything I can do for you right now?"

Then San did his thing. He didn't wait for confirmation or permission, and squeezed himself in front on Seonghwa, caging himself between him and the counter. Then he touched, light and grounding at first; letting his hands travel all across Seonghwa's upper body akin to a massage, slouching a bit to make himself smaller, and looked up to Seonghwa with so much adoration and patience and eagerness in his eyes alone. Ready, they said. All for you.

It worked like a charm, like Seonghwa had been Pavlov'd into reacting with want and confidence and calmness. He cupped San's face firmly, making sure they held eye contact, steady and deep until they stood bare in front of one another. His mind zoned in, taking in every little part of San; his face, lidded eyes and slack lips, he swallowed, going lax against Seonghwa like submission manually took over.

All mine.

All for me.

"You're so perfect for me."

San hummed quietly, loving the praise.

"Always taking care of me, making me so happy."

San inhaled, waking up a bit, and blinked his eyes into focus. Oh? He stayed calm as he straightened up again, kneading Seonghwa's lower back where he had held onto him.

"It's what I wanted to talk about," he whispered. "Ask," he corrected.

"Is that so?" Seonghwa whispered back. He felt his heart pick up slightly, but San seemed steady and composed. It had sounded random when San texted him with no urgency, in between other matters, and even when he came home, there were no signs of worry or tension. For a minute Seonghwa thought he had read it wrong. 

"Let's sit, then," he suggested and slowly, almost regretfully, eased away from San with an equally slow kiss, checked their cups and filled his up with hot water.

They sat on the couch comfortably, facing each other, and San waited patiently as Seonghwa snuggled into his blanket again.

"Are you happy?" San then asked without any ado.

Seonghwa blinked, actually a bit surprised, but without doubt. "Yes, of course I am… What makes you say that?"

"I mean generally. I know you're not satisfied with your schedule, and I've been noticing your cleaning tick has picked up. I figured something must be stressing you out."

Seonghwa waited, letting the words sink in. He was annoyed with his schedule and that he had to take on more classes; and he did seem to find something new to deep clean every day, yet another spot that he hadn't noticed before. He did feel a bit dull lately, but he had blamed it on the weather; no sun, grey skies, wet and icy streets everywhere.

"No, I'm... I would say I'm generally happy. This schedule thing isn't exactly what I wanted, but I'll manage; it's also only planned for one term. And I assume I'm spending more time inside lately and I just need something to do. I can't just sit here and read and solve word puzzles just because it's cold outside."

San nodded as he listened, a smile played around his lips. "I see. You compromised because even if they hired a new teacher, somebody would have to supervise them, and that would have probably been you as well. You also thought about quitting at school if it doesn't work out, after all."

"I'll quit if they ask me to keep teaching, but Principal Kim promised me he'll hire a new teacher since he's also been weary of Sojin; it's still open though. I don't mind Dongjak so much, it pays well. But I looked around; SNU and Soongsil University will be hiring for the new winter semester. I'll keep track with the principal and send out my applications as soon as he says the word."

"Does he know?"

"Of course. Not that I'll apply at university, but that I'd leave. I assume he was planning to keep me with the younger classes; he immediately said pay raise when I said only for this school year."

San nodded slowly and seemed to think about it.

"What about you? Are you happy?"

"Yes. I'm very happy. It got me thinking, the other day, marriage. It's essentially why I asked." He looked up, eyes bright and calm and so in love. It made Seonghwa smile automatically. Yeah, marriage.

He had always dreamt about it; somewhere outside, with water, maybe close to a coast, but not a beach with a big avenue like a palace to stay on clean floors in big rooms with unbelievably luxurious décor. Something like Hyangwonjeong pavilion, in autumn when there's still flowers and greens and the sun will shine warmly golden on the all-white dressing.

"Yeah," Seonghwa whispered.

"I thought we should do it."

Huh?

"Sannie…"

"Even if it won't be registered here. Let's have a ceremony, even just for us or with whomever you want to invite. I don't need the state to approve that I want to spend my whole life with you... I've look up a few places," San crawled forward and grabbed Seonghwa's hands where they lay in his lap. "I wanted to surprise you for Christmas, but there weren't any places available for that also match your wishes during that time. So..."

"San," Seonghwa whispered; the tears were close already. San did that? "You tried to plan a surprise wedding for me?"

"You'd figure it out anyway. I can't keep surprises… The universe told me I should make sure anyway. Let's find something together and book something as soon as we can."

His vision was blurred before San finished. "Yes, yes, of course."  Seonghwa reached up to pull San in for a deep slow kiss. There was no way to put his feelings into words, and even his body felt like it was going to burst if he didn't do anything soon. San hummed happily into the kiss and followed Seonghwa's rhythm steadily even as he probably not so elegantly climbed out from under his blanket and into San's lap. "You're so perfect. Perfect," Seonghwa said between kisses, "I couldn't be happier, Sannie. Thank you."

San smiled dumbly, uncaring for anything but Seonghwa right in front of him with their arms wrapped around each other. Seonghwa's heart beat was prominent where San leaned his head on his chest while Seonghwa was still planted kisses all over San's forehead and temple.

"Do you want to join me in the sauna later?" San then asked after a few minutes, stroking and kneading Seonghwa's back and thighs. He sighed contently; Seonghwa could have probably fallen asleep on his throne even in the middle of the living room.

"I think it's too late for me… Is tomorrow okay as well? And then we can sleep in for as long as you want on Saturday," Seonghwa mumbled into his hair.

"Of course," San chuckled. He remembered the first time he took Seonghwa to a sauna and he severly overslept the next day. San had to grovel for more than two weeks with  good-morning messages and breakfast, but he didn't regret it one bit.

"You'll be working out now?" Seonghwa asked quietly.

"Just an hour or so. Practise for tomorrow."

"Then dinner around," Seonghwa looked at his watch. It was past five already; San would work out for an hour, hop in the sauna for around twenty minutes and take a shower afterwards. "Seven?"

"Yes, sir," San mused and patted Seonghwa butt as he got up, groaning like an old man, and stealing another kiss from San.

Friday morning rolled around much too soon, but also lasted way too long. He had one full Chemistry class, and then Biology with the seniors would be cut short. He had also talked to Eden; since he hadn't participated in last week's band practise he was sure he would participate in any sort of performance. Instead Eden had called a friend, a vocal coach he had met during an entertainment cooperation project, and let him prepare something with Jongho and Seungmin.

He had thought about preparing a lesson and how to compromise, because he knew the students would still try to put up a fight. He found educational videos and online quizzes to keep them occupied playfully while still sticking to his classes.

At ten-fifteen a few students left to help with the set-up, and he let the rest go fifteen minutes later. He sighed deeply. This day was so useless. Not that he wasn't a fan of Christmas and festivals and food and all, just at school. In January he'd be bombarded with questions upon questions and would end up repeating whole lessons. At least he'd get more money.

San greeted him briefly in the assembly hall; it was packed and loud, probably not enough seats for everyone, but lot of finger food and sweets, coffee and tea in the back. Seonghwa could spot Eden-hyung and Taeyong-ssi and most of the band members around a sound system close to a podium in the front where they left space in lieu of a stage.

"I have to find Wooyoung-ah. Did you see him?" Seonghwa shook his head but let his eyes rake across the crowd. "I see Mingi, over there," he said and pointed across the hall. Before San could leave, Mingi reacted, apparently thinking the same, and waved as he walked towards them with their bunch in line.

"Wooyoung-ah, come, I brought something for you," San went in to grab his hand but improvised to wave him closer instead. Wooyoung's eyes grew big but he hesitantly followed along. San had taken two or three extravagant shirts with him for them to wear for their performance. Seonghwa had frowned for a minute; he was sure Wooyoung didn't lack fancy clothes or at least a standard white dress shirt; also they weren't really meant for dancing or sweating anyway. San had only smiled back, Seonghwa could image there was a scheme solely from that proud smile.

"How are you guys? I heard you've also prepared something," Seonghwa opened to chat with the boys. Mingi was giddy, fully energised and looking forwards. He wore a similar outfit like Yunho, quite casual, ripped jeans and a white tee, although they tried to get away by wearing their school blazer on top. It didn't look bad, admittedly.

Seonghwa knew San and Wooyoung came back before he saw them. The students who were crowding the hallway gushed and whispered, making Seonghwa look.

And he looked.

Wooyoung wore a dress shirt with snake skin print; Seonghwa remembered when he bought it, but it shrank after a few washes, yet Seonghwa liked it too much to give it away. It fit Wooyoung nicely; the two open buttons were probably San's doing. He had it tugged in at the waist of black slim fit leather pants…

Just throw Seonghwa in jail already. What was that? Did San do that on purpose; showing the boy off like that? Like a bitchy nepo-baby model too rich to care. Like an idol with all the right manners to excuse his scandalous looks. San himself wore his black slacks and a black satin dress shirt that fit him just the smallest bit too snuggly, throwing shiny creases where it stretched across his chest. He strutted behind Wooyoung like a body guard, chin held high, frowning a bit, elbows turned outward, smirking at Seonghwa like he just served him the sweetest treat while he was on a diet.

"Look at you," Seonghwa smiled almost on autopilot, only because he had nothing else appropriate to say. Wooyoung sighed nervously. He didn't seem to feel the outfit, it was probably a bit too form fitting, too fancy, too outstanding for his usual taste; not that Seonghwa had seen him much out of his uniform. Only twice, in the dance practise recordings, but Seonghwa had doubted they were representative. Even his hair was styled just slightly off from a middle-part, tousled and probably fixated with not enough hair spray to keep his forehead on display.

"All pretty and… gorgeous," he tugged at the collar, closed the second open button and adjusted the shirt on Wooyoung's shoulders. "And you," he turned to San, all smug, a bit accusatory, "Running around like a whore with your… with your wrists all out."

San smiled, close to a full laugh, "I remember you specifically like it that way." He did. 

Wooyoung jumped when his phone rang; he pulled it from his pocket and frowned at the ID. His expensive look melted away from him as his demeanour changed. "Sorry, I gotta," he mumbled as he answered and covered his other ear, "Mom?"

Seonghwa moved over to cover Wooyoung from the noise of the crowd. Mingi hissed at the name, while Yunho and Yeosang merely perked up, but worry flickered across their face.

"At school? We have the Christmas- ... No? Why?" Wooyoung sounded irritated. "No, I- I told you… Wha-"

That didn't sound good.

"But I'm-" He exhaled sharply and brought up his hand to run over his face. "I can't, I'm at- Mom? Mom." He lowered the phone, ghostly, pale. The screen showed the call was ended.

"What's up?" Yunho asked. Wooyoung gaped and blinked emptily, shocked. Seonghwa reached up to cradle his shoulder, "Wooyoung-ah, what's going on?"

"I got- gotta," he swallowed, and fidgeted with his phone again. "I gotta pick up Kyungmin, oh god. I'm- I have to-"

"But… Kindergarten closes at noon. Why doesn't your mom take him?" Yeosang asked, phone in hand. Wooyoung didn't even look up; Seonghwa peeked at his screen showing time tables behind his trembling fingers, "Does it matter? She won't and now I have to and  I'm not gonna make it in time!"

"Wooyoung-ah," San called but looked at Seonghwa intently, cocking one eyebrow. Should we… Seonghwa nodded. "We could give you a lift."

"Ah- No. Hyung, no… No I can't, I can't. I'll take a bus. And I'll call and ask them to wait."

"Come on, now. Your brother will be waiting," Seonghwa reasoned. Wooyoung was trembling, sweat glistened on his forehead, and his pupils were dilated, shaking his head. "You won't catch a bus in time."

"But- But the assembly… " he looked between them helplessly.

"Nobody wants to be here," Seonghwa whispered, "Come on. We got you."

"Wooyoung-ah, go already. Our parents are all working," Mingi smiled, Seonghwa could make a guess why he seemed so supporting. "It's just once."

"C'mon, go grab your stuff." San patted his shoulder and pushed him towards his friends. The boys went along with him, leaving the pair while the principal started his speech. "We should let someone know," Seonghwa said. San nodded, "I'll tell Eden. Will you get our stuff?"

"Meet at the entrance."

A few minutes later Seonghwa had both their ring binders and San's laptop in his bag, San's coat and scarf folded over his arms. San only had had one class, after that he helped with the preparations. Seonghwa hadn't even bothered to bring any food, it had felt weird this morning when he left the house with barely anything; he had to check several times, so much he almost seriously delayed them.

Wooyoung still looked unwell and shaken, especially dwarfed next to San; the epitome of insecure if Seonghwa had ever seen it. "See, there he is," San greeted and let Seonghwa help him put on his coat and bind his scarf. He was tempted to give the scarf to Wooyoung instead; his coat looked thin and unfitting. "Let's get you and your brother home, hm."

The cold air was biting at Seonghwa's skin and his jaw clattered barely five steps past the entrance door. They had to walk almost across the entire parking lot, even though at least now a few slots closer to school were open. San had just taken about the first one he saw when they arrived.

"Is the Kindergarten also in Seocho? Just relax, I think I'll still find the way." Wooyoung didn't answer. "Do you want to sit in the front of the back?"

Seonghwa unlocked the car and opened the passenger door, waiting for Wooyoung to decide as San came to stand next to them by the rear door, holding his hand out for the key. Wooyoung still seemed distracted; tired or frustrated didn't really describe it, but he also wasn't spaced out.

"I… I don't live in Seocho," he pressed, looking not quite down, but not at their faces either.

"What?" San blinked, steady, dropping his empty hand.

"I don't live in Seocho," Wooyoung repeated, breathless.

"Um, then… Where did I let you off the other day?" Wooyoung might sense it; he probably did before already, hence his apparent demeanour, but Seonghwa recognised it immediately. The huff of air akin to a smile to lessen to blow, the underlying tightness in his voice signalling frustration, the tilt in his head, eyes boring into Wooyoung.

"Mingi's house," Wooyoung looked up resembling a frightened feral backed into a corner. Seonghwa shifted away half a step, giving him room to breathe. He looked between San and him, gasping and gulping as if they were making him walk the plank.

San raised his eyebrows, giving a little shake to prompt Wooyoung. San was usually easy-going, trusting, giving second chances and all; until he wasn't.

Wooyoung backed into the car like he had been punched; trembling, breathing heavily, eyes brimming with tears. San had told him, only when Seonghwa inquired about it, how desperate and pitiful Wooyoung had looked crying. No words for it, San had said; Seonghwa assumed he just didn't want to think about it, now knew what he meant.

"I didn- I didn't mean to lie- Hyung, I-"

"How did you not mean to lie?"

"San," Seonghwa warned when his voice grew with annoyance, "Easy."

"Well- Y- You- You- You said my house and all, and you were so happy to drive me home and I didn't know what else to say, and I figured it wouldn't come up again! I know it's stupid, but you were being so nice and I didn't want to… to…" Wooyoung kept looking between them, desperate but unable to say what for, until he became calm, unmoving, too suddenly for Seonghwa liking. Only his eyes trembled with racing thoughts it seemed, but his body disconnected.

The motion of San's head whipping up caught Seonghwa's attention. He was clenching his jaw, looking away to think, silently tapping his fingers by his side, wanting to grab something to ground him. Seonghwa shook his head slowly. This wasn't the time to lecture him; he's already stressed.

"Is there anything else you didn't mean to lie about?"

Of course. Seonghwa didn't stand a chance to stop San from being petty, not without physically separating them. Admittedly it essentially was Wooyoung's second strike after the cold shoulder last week, there was only so much Seonghwa could do for him.

Wooyoung looked up at San in shock, then down; his eyes were brimming with tears as he visibly flipped through his memories before he began to stutter. "I …. I danced to Fake Love before… but only once or twice, and with a guide; I didn't really know it! And my mom was never going to pick me up that day, she'd never do that. And- I don't have any aunts or uncles- I wasn't at my grandma's funeral. I didn't even know about it. I- just- said something else because you sounded happy talking about family and I didn't want to ruin it for you."

San frowned and licked his lips, the anger behind his eyes died down in a split second. Seonghwa didn't entirely understand what he said either, but he would have assumed it was something Wooyoung had talked about with San; only San looked euqally confused. The tears were spilling over, clumping his lashes together as he blinked rapidly and spoke even faster, slurring around hiccups and gasps. Seonghwa's composure almost crumbled. Wooyoung looked so small and scared; all the secrets and worries bubbling over from where they were kept hidden and heavy before.

Then Wooyoung also looked at him. Oh? "And I never planned to join the library team or art club. I thought about it, but my friends said it's boring so I didn't apply. I didn't even check it out, but I thought it could be fun."

"It's alright, Wooy-"

"And I cook a lot at home but mostly for my brother, so it's really easy stuff so I don't really get to cook the recipes that I want to try, but I'm practising the professional techniques... Or when my friends come over or when I can bring food to school, because then I don't have to eat it more than to check how it came out." He breathed heavily, gasping like he had been held underwater. San swore under his breath, but Wooyoung seemed oblivious. "And I only watch documentaries  when I can't fall asleep, but I listen to podcasts when I'm on the bus or cleaning a lot... And I'm allergic to cats.. I'm sorry, please, I swear."

"Oh, baby," San cooed and reached out for Wooyoung, but he strongly flinched away sideway, still he caught San's hand in a shockingly strong, accurate motion. Seonghwa quickly reached up as well to steady him, worried he might slip, "Oh, wow- be careful… Careful," he whispered and cradled Wooyoung's shoulder until he relaxed just enough to look at them again, still holding San's hand close to his chest like it was a shield. He was scared; more than Seonghwa could fathom.

"Please," he hiccupped again. Seonghwa didn't know what he was asking for; comfort he assumed, forgiveness maybe.

"Of course... It's alright. Come on, now. San-ah," Seonghwa nodded his head towards the passenger seat. San reached up again to gently free his wrist from Wooyoung, and wordlessly sat down. Seonghwa handed his bag down to him and let the door fall shut.

"Wooyoung-ah," he called softly. The boy was still staring at him wide-eyed and terrified, "No- No, please. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry. I swear I won't do it again."

"Oh- You're good, you're good, sweetheart, don't worry," Seonghwa whispered as he wiped his cheeks dry uselessly. Wooyoung's skin was ice cold where the tears were still falling, soft and swollen. He felt him tremble, his whole body shivered and the muscles beneath his skin twitched irregularly. "It's all okay; you did so well telling us everything, hm…  We're not angry, I promise."

Maybe San was, but San wasn't here right now. Seonghwa couldn't say if his reaction was justified just yet; although he merely insisted Wooyoung came clean, he let his anger rise up too quickly. Especially after he had just had a confrontation with Wooyoung earlier this week, Seonghwa would have assumed he'd approach him more gently.

"It's close to eleven-thirty; we'll just jump in the car and get your brother, yeah. We can even put the address in the GPS and you can just relax, don't even need to talk. We got you, okay." Seonghwa patted him like tending to a child, a toddler.

"I won't lie anymore. I promise, I swear, please. I'm so sorry," he rasped, fear clearly rising again. Seonghwa felt his heart clench and an urge to hold him close and kiss him senseless until he forgot the world.

"I know, sweetheart, I hear you. Don't worry about it now; we'll talk about it another time. But now we should get going, right. Come on," Seonghwa led him towards the back of the car; just enough to open the rear passenger door for him and close it again. Wooyoung sat like a shell of himself.

"Good?" San mumbled when Seonghwa got in and started the engine. Seonghwa hummed, "Wouldn't call it that," he whispered back as he turned on the AC, the seat heating and waited for the windshield to clear up enough.

"Seatbelt on… Wooyoung-ah, what's the address?" He watched through the rear view mirror; Wooyoung blinked slowly, barely turned his head.

"CRADA International."

"In Gangnam?" San startled.

Wooyoung nodded wordlessly, his eyes casted down, head leaned back apathetically. "But we live in Apgujeong. CRADA is really close, though."

Seonghwa looked over to him as he typed on the display, "That's … even closer."

The drive was quiet, a bit tense even. Seonghwa didn't know how to talk of either of them, so he just mindlessly commented on the weather, the traffic, the Christmas decoration. He kept glancing in the mirror, noting Wooyoung became more awake again the closer they got.

"You can park over there around the corner, there are a few more spaces," Wooyoung then peek up when they made the last turn. Seonghwa nodded and slowed down. The street was already packed with cars and people; mothers and other caregivers waiting for their children. The crossroad was quite close to the facility, and the street allowed parking by the side of the road.

"Perfectly in time, see. Do you-"

Wooyoung already got out; leaving his backpack tossed on the rear seat behind Seonghwa, and shut the door swiftly.

"… want to wait in the car."

"We're so done," San chuckled with a wide smile and let his head fall back. Seonghwa whipped around, "What? Like done with him?"

San blinked up quickly, equally shocked, "No! No, I mean… done for him. He's got us like this," he lifted his pinkie; wrapped around his finger.

"You… looked like you were about to strangle him, mister," Seonghwa scolded, "He looked like a deer in the headlights. I thought he was going to faint."

San giggled but grimaced in sympathy. "He did… But… I just talked to him about lying a few days ago. I- thought he's kidding, really. Then seeing him like this, I just want to," San mimicked a bite and a grabbing like he did with Byeol-ah. "I feel sorry, I'm sorry. But I also feel a bit frustrated."

"I understand... He was scared to death. Look at him," Seonghwa pointed. They had a clear view of the entrance area where the children came out and rushed towards their parents, clumsily waddling with their baggy coats and oversized backpacks.

Wooyoung was kneeling down, obviously fumbling with and cradling his brother. A slim boy, quite tall for being five years old, but unmistakably Wooyoung's sibling. He looked almost bored, strikingly similar to Wooyoung's motionless face, but he nodded along to whatever Wooyoung told him, smiling once his older brother cupped his face and kissed him as he stood, even waving the kindergarten teacher goodbye. They walked over hand in hand, Wooyoung's face hardened while the little one skipped along his side obliviously.

"If we confront him like this again, he'll never speak one more word to us ever," Seonghwa thought out loud.

"Of course he will. Otherwise we might fuck up his grades, remember."

"Stop. You're being cynical," Seonghwa slapped his chest softly. "And he talked about his mother?"

"Not really. From what I've got, she's a menace. No wonder he blocks every time…" San whispered just as Wooyoung reached their car again, letting his brother get in first.

"Say hello, Kyungmin-ah. These are my friends from school," Wooyoung announced as he also got in and buckled Kyungmin's seatbelt. Maybe Seonghwa got an idea about the not lying.

"Hello, Kyungmin-ssi," Seonghwa and San smiled in unison, making the boy grin back shyly at them with sparkling eyes.

"They are Seonghwa-hyung and San-hyung. They're taking us back home," Wooyoung explained calmly and buckled his own belt again; Seonghwa felt a little flutter in his chest, even if he wouldn't admit it. "What do you say?"

"Thank you," the boy cheered. San tilted his head a bit, closing his eyes tightly and holding a hand over his heart.

"Did you have fun today, Kyungmin-ah? Did you go out to play or did you stay inside?" Wooyoung kept fussing over him; combing his hair and planting a kiss every few minutes. The boy didn't seem to mind at all, happily chatting away.

"Wooyoung-ah," Seonghwa called, breaking their moment. "Your address."

"Hyungie, can I say it?" Kyungmin asked loudly.

"Sure, you want to tell them how to get to Nonhyeon street? Then you can tell Seonghwa-hyung where to go. We have to take Apgujeon road, though, remember?" Seonghwa grinned while San searched up the address on his phone and turned the screen so Seonghwa could see. Kyungmin was so excited and very precise with his directions, repeatedly reminding Seonghwa when exactly he had to take turns and making sure he didn't miss the traffic lights.

"We're almost home, hyungie," Kyungmin shouted when they entered Apgujeon main road. "Can we see the boats, huyng?"

Wooyoung stuttered a bit. "Uh, not right now. But we can go later and see the boats if you want." Kyungmin shouted in glee. He wasreally adorable. "Hyung, can you drive a boat?"

"Me?" Seonghwa laughed after a pause when he noticed Kyungmin in the mirror, "No, only as a passenger... But there are smaller boats, Sannie-hyung can drive them."

"Hyung," Kyungmin looked up at Wooyoung with big eyes, "Hyung, he can drive a boat."

"Hm, they... they can do a lot of things. And they're really nice for driving us home, right? We have to remember to say thank you later." Wooyoung chatted with him, trying to keep him occupied. He looked utterly tired. Hadn't it been for his brother, Wooyoung would have probably been out cold, but he still kept him occupied, talking to him about his day, his friends, too, which biscuits he liked better while tugging at his jacket and checking his belt.

"Are they your new friends from school?"

"Yes, I know them from school."

"Do you talk with them every day?"

"We talk almost every day. We have a few classes together." Again. Not lying.

"And then you'll get married?"

San's head snapped up to look at Seonghwa but he coughed before he could say something, while he himself had to concentrate to keep watching the road in between flickers to the mirror.

"I- I don't know yet," Wooyoung chuckled helplessly, equally surprised judging from his wide eyes. "It takes a long time to plan it. But I'll tell you then, okay?"

Where did Kyungmin even learn about something like that?

"Yeosangie-hyung said you'll get married to a boyfriend."

Ah.

"Yes, he did, and it will be a really big party with all of our friends. Do you want to come, too?" Kyungmin cheered. Obviously he didn't understand what exactly he just said, but Seonghwa appreciated the Intel either way. "Who do you want to invite?"

"Yeosangie-hyungie, and Hyejin-noona, and Mingi-hyung," Kyungmin listed a few names Seonghwa knew, some he didn't.

"You have to take a sharp turn right there, tea- hyung, and then all the way down across Nohyeon main road, then to the right," Wooyoung said in between, Seonghwa almost missed it. He would have probably just taken them home with him.

Seonghwa marvelled quietly. The streets were broad with a few new apartment buildings; they were big with lots of space in-between and balconies on every side. Barely any cars parked outside, the ones he could see were big, shining, sporting expensive brand names, standing behind high fences or in front of garages. He thought Wooyoung's family had to be rich before, but as he crossed the road and took the turn right...

"Here the second to the left, then you can turn easily."

Seonghwa almost gasped. He knew big and shiny houses; San and him also lived comfortably in Hannam. It still had some of the Gangnam flair but not as expensive since the industrial and company and office buildings dulled the landscape after all. But these here were the closest thing to mansions he has seen up close. Rich bitch, Seonghwa remembered in the back of his mind, looking on at the extensive front yard designs and Christmas décor.

"It's there at the corner to the right," Wooyoung said and scrambled in his seat, checking the house as well. Seonghwa slowed and stopped perfectly in front of the gate. The yard was inviting and open with lots of space and a pond next to the plastered path leading to the front door and probably around the house towards the conservatory. Wow. He should stare like that, a woman was already standing there, arms crossed, face tight. Oh-oh.

He just went to unbuckle his belt, meaning to help Wooyoung out before Kyungmin would get out onto the street, but Wooyoung was already outside, ushering his bother along. "Say bye, Kyungmin-ah. Be nice, say bye hyung, thank you for driving us. Bye bye, see you next time. Have a nice day," Kyungmin babbled along almost perfectly like they had practised it for days. Kyungmin was already skipping away, barely acknowledged by their mother besides a little pat as he passed her, but her eyes were fixed on the car.

"Thank you, teacher. Really, I don't know what I would have done without you," Wooyoung strained as he reached back inside for his backpack but halted between the seats, looking at both of them.

"It's no problem."

"Anytime," San nodded and rolled his window down.

Wooyoung looked at the house upon hearing his name being called, but turned back to them while climbing out of the car, "No, I mean it. Thank you. It means a lot. I- I owe you, really."

"Don't worry about it. You're very welcome, Wooyoung-ah," Seonghwa nodded.

"Wooyoung!"

He jerked, looking back as he let the door fall shut. Seonghwa already lifted his foot from the break a little bit, the car vibrated as the engine revived, feeling the woman would come chase them away any minute. Wooyoung took a few steps, but looked back to bow his head, "Thank you. Thank you!"

"Jung Wooyoung! Don't get on my nerves now!"

Wooyoung gasped but ultimately hurried away.

Seonghwa watched on as Wooyoung entered the house, drawing his shoulders up and bowing his head as he passed his mother, subtly leaning away. She barely granted him a cold stare in favour of staring the car down.

What the hell?

"Yeah, I feel bad now," San muttered as they entered the main road again heading towards Dongho Bridge, pouting down at his phone.

"You should. We already guessed he had some sort of trouble at home, and you also knew exactly how he reacts to being cornered."

San gasped softly, "Oh, just because he is sensitive doesn't mean I can't get annoyed about something that I've always hated before and also explicitly told him about… But I have to be more careful in my approach, I take that. I couldn't have known it's that bad. I knew he was anxious but, hyung, this seems like paranoia."

Seonghwa nodded. "I see, you're right; you couldn't have known… I also don't think he deliberately lied; he just goes along with what is being said; like the way the talked to his brother, too. He didn't bother with the truthfulness, just guided his attention."

San hummed, not quite happy, "He never seemed like someone who'd bend like that. And lots of stuff he corrected weren't things I assumed. I asked about it, like, open answer."

"Hm, maybe… He said he didn't think it would come up again. So… he just didn't want to give too much detail. Saying anything about his mother… Alone his face is giving away she's obviously not pleasant to be around. Did you see him flinch?"

"Yes and she didn't even move a muscle. So… point taken about his family, but… What about dancing to a song? His house or a friend's house? Art club or not? Cat allergy? Why would you lie about it; what does it matter?"

"It matters to him. I wonder… Lots of those things were about him personally, like his interests. Lying about it is like making up a different person. That's... worse," Seonghwa concluded. "I already told him we'd talk it out another time. I'm not sure he'll remember, though, it was before he was even in the car."

They stayed silent until they've crossed the bridge and turned onto Seobinggo road. San checked his phone and reported, "Eden-hyung says we didn't miss much; Hoseok-ssi didn't even make it, and Jongho and Seungmin sang with Love Poem with his friend."

Seonghwa hummed, "That was probably really good. Jongho is really good at singing... Also, whose idea was it to put Wooyoung in these pants, by the way?"

"That was him! I swear. I only showed him the shirts; I wanted to give him the red one, but he said, wait, left and then came back looking like that. You think I'd tell him no?"

Seonghwa laughed as he turned into their street. "I really wouldn't have minded watching you two dance together, though."

"I would have liked to see you drool over it."

"I'm not going to drool for you. About anything, but no drooling."

"We'll probably have another thing to do it sooner or later. You'll get your show."

"We'll have to make sure Wooyoung will keep dancing with you first." San chuckled, but Seonghwa himself couldn't even tell how serious he was. He kept thinking out loud, "We won't see him for more than two weeks. He'll probably repress and forget what happened today, I felt like watching him dissociate in real-time. Beside there will be a few more tests in january."

That's right," Sansighed, "They were already making plans to meet up to study yesterday." Seonghwa parked the car smoothly and unbuckled his seat belt, but they stayed put. "Well, we got his address now," San said looking over, "We could look up his landline number."

"No. That's called stalking, and it's illegal."

"We're literally teachers essentially trying to court our student who turned nineteen not even one month ago."

"But we should keep it consensual at least. We gave him our numbers, and repeatedly told him what we want. It's his turn."

San hummed dismissively, playing petty but Seonghwa just needed to glance over for a second to see him smiling. "Hey, once you quit, you won't be his teacher anymore."

"By the time I'd be out of there he also wouldn't be a student anymore."

They weren't necessarily hungry by the time they got home, but San still duty fully helped Seonghwa prepare a stew to eat since the leftover Japchae wouldn't be enough.

"Sauna today?"

"Yes," Seonghwa nodded eagerly; San had already asked the day before. "Will you work out first?"

"Yes, I'm feeling like it. Do you have anything planned?"

"Call my brother, maybe. See what he's doing for the holidays."

"Sucking up to your parents, probably," San huffed.

San hated his family if only out of loyalty to Seonghwa. Maybe not; their disapproval of his lifestyle was one of the first impressions San had of his family, so he might also hold on to that. He was furious when Seonghwa told him his brother had contacted him on his parents' behalf. But they managed to keep it steady along holidays and birthdays mostly, but also limited to calls or cards. No meetings, no visits.

"My last update was he's getting divorced. No custody," Seonghwa mumbled half-heartedly.

"Again?" San scoffed, "Of course; he's got to make up for your non-existent- What did they call it? Inevitable unfulfillment. The one your parents were so sure about, remember." He mused mockingly. "We should go Australia or Las Vegas for a few days, take a picture of us showing off rings and print it on a postcard captioned just married and send it to them."

"My mother would die on the sport, San."

"You said that," San grinned and went to set the table.

They ate calmly, talking about vacation options and whether Seonghwa should apply at SNU and go for a PhD regardless of Principal Kim's promise. San kept swiping on his phone, checking and showing Seonghwa lists and pictures of hotels and resorts, spa treatments, and plane tickets.

It was already close to two in the afternoon when the doorbell rang. Seonghwa looked up, "Are you expecting someone?" San shook his head as he stood to collect their dishes, seeming just as clueless, "Why don't you get it, and I'll start cleaning up."

Seonghwa sighed, feeling tired after just half a day. It really was time for a vacation. He wasn't in the mood for a spontaneous visit from neighbours; he hadn't even changed clothes since he had come home.

Luckily he was met with a delivery of the biggest, fullest, brightest bouquet of marigolds he had seen since San started bringing them. He almost yelped out in shock; he couldn't even see the delivery man behind it. Seonghwa thanked him profusely; if he had had any cash on him, he'd given him some, but wished him happy holidays and a safe drive as he left.

"Sannie… What?" he marvelled, especially when he noticed they weren't only put together in a gradient from deep, almost red, orange to golden and bright yellow, but even all perfectly same-sized.

San smiled as he came to stand by his side, "You like?"

"Of course I like. Look at them," Seonghwa laughed and took the flowers to inspect and trace blossoms with his fingers. "When did you arrange that?"

San shrugged, "I won't tell you… But I figured if I got them today you'd either see or notice if I'd try to keep you occupied."

"That's why you kept checking your phone the whole time," Seonghwa realised in shock; San had successfully fooled him.

"Go get them some water," he only smiled.

Even hours later, San was long gone in his gym, and Seonghwa had scrubbed the kitchen squeaky clean until everything smelled subtly of chlorine and citrus, he still couldn't look away from the flowers as he sat on the couch again.

San came up from downstairs, skin still glistening with sweat, dressed only in his underwear. "You ready?" he called from the kitchen, audibly sifting through his post-workout snacks. He came back out with two big glasses of syrup infused water and handed one to Seonghwa.

"Yes, thank you, darling," Seonghwa sat up and orderly put his magazines away. He had refilled his tea earlier, but he wasn't necessarily used to the sauna, so drinking more wouldn't harm him.

"You have a few notifications. Want to check your phone before we go?" San almost emptied it glass while Seonghwa had barely gotten half of it down, and took his empty cup back to the kitchen.

"Sure, why not," Seonghwa yawned and stretched as he followed. "Wow," he suspiciously tapped his screen as his phone buzzed almost rhythmically on the counter.

"What's that?" San asked curiously, peeking over as plugged in his own phone. Seonghwa couldn't tell immediately, as the notifications flew in one after the other.

"Someone's texting."

From an unsaved number.

He gasped and unlocked his phone. The messages stopped at thirteen, but the chat showed he was still typing.

"San… Wooyoung texted."

Chapter Text

"You have some nerve," his mother grumbled as she closed the door with more force than necessary, and raised her voice in the same measure, "What the hell is it with you all the time, Jung Wooyoung? Do you need me to take care of everything for you?"

Wooyoung tried to keep calm even though his mind immediately screamed at him to get away. It was just a misunderstanding. He told her he'd be at school; he wouldn't make it to pick up Kyungmin at noon. He should have known when she hadn't answered. She even told him before she left.

"Are you deaf? Answer me. Apologize maybe."

He turned not fully, head bowed while he took of his shoes. "I'm sorry. There was an event at school."

"You were at school wearing that? You're dreaming," he said, closing in on him. "And those men in that car; they picked you up from school, too? You might be stupid; but I'm not. You look like a hooker."

Wooyoung saw her hand shooting up before he felt it on his scalp, but he wouldn't dare move a muscle; she hated it when he flinched. He would make her look bad.

He tried not to gasp and followed along with the force she pulled his hair with, "Go put something on that won't make me want to spit at you."

Thank God he was already taller than her. He might have stumbled and fallen; then he'd really be in for it.

He held onto his backpack tightly and made sure not to stomp too loudly as he quickly made his way upstairs to his room. Mom was still ranting when he was halfway up to the third floor.

Only when the door clicked quietly he let himself take a breath. Bringing his backpack over to his desk; taking off his blazer and hanging it up happened on autopilot. Only when he closed the wardrobe the mirror caught him off guard; like someone just revealed to be watching him from the other side. Instead he was met with his own face. Or someone pretending to wear it. Last time he really recognised himself was at Jongho's house.

Here he looked weird. Like a doll; like those alien reptile duplicates in the conspiracy theories that were secretly taking over. His skin was grey; hair matt and flat. The snake print looked dull and the hem of the shirt was barely tucked into his pants anymore. Even those just hung on him like he had bought it two sizes too big.

She was right. He looked cheap. And this hair style… He shook his head and combed through the strands from the back towards his forehead. The middle part made him look like he desperately tried to look good, more established. Like he had followed some idol styling tutorial only to end up still being Wooyoung.

The teachers had liked it…

He scoffed.

It didn't matter what they liked. They surely didn't like him anymore.

He opened the door to the wardrobe again. He should take it off already and stop dreaming. He didn't even know how to put the shirt away. It was expensive, made from almost exclusively linen, and had a thick and smooth feel to it even though it had felt light and airy on his skin. The care labels said to machine wash on cold if not by hand. Mom would never let him wash it with her linen or cotton. She'd rather burn the house than keep it here at all. Great. Maybe he should give it to a professional.

He looked up the brand instead; maybe he could find reviews on it that said anything about it… Turns out no helpful reviews for him; only praises of the detailed processing like all of their articles. But there were prices listed, too. Wooyoung's jaw went slack. More than sixty thousand won for the snake print – with a discount for members since it would be discontinued. Still it was one of the lowest prices listed in their sales.

Oh God.

Would teacher Choi even want it back after he wore it? He hadn't even though about that when they went outside.

He just stole their sixty thousand won shirt.

He put in on a clothing hanger as gently as he could and hung it on his bathroom door; that way he wouldn't forget.

He put on a tank top and a black sweater on top and already started shivering before he changed into matching sweat pants. The air was stale and cold even inside the house. Mom probably switched off the AC as soon as she got home; Wooyoung usually kept the temperature a bit warmer. Mom said it smelled like suburban family home. He hated it when his mom was here. She always opened all windows for fresh air and then lit four or five scented candles instead of using the AC, and it left the house ice cold for hours. And the scents weren't even real; labelled like warm cotton, elegant cashmere, blue moon. They weren't scents, those were concepts. They all smelled like warm wax and magazine pictures.

He didn't want to go downstairs. But his stomach already hurt a bit. It was probably from the nerves from the last hour more than actual hunger, but he should drink a cup of coffee at least to get his system up again. He was tired, and hadn't eaten anything, and all the stress and the tears left him feeling literally dried out. His other most prominent option was to check his phone; Mingi and Yeosang had spammed him already closing in on twenty messages. He had no mind to deal with them and their prodding. They would want to know all about the teachers, so he left it on his bed and off to kitchen he went. Before he left his loft he manually put the AC up to twenty again; that way at least his room would be warmer.

"Kyungmin-ah, are you hungry?" he asked as he softly took the last few stairs down to the middle floor; his brother was already playing with his Lego figures by himself. "It's time to eat something. Do you want to help me cook? It might take a while," he added when Kyungmin only shook his head. No, then.

He moved carefully to listen for any noise that would tell him where his mother was. It was quiet, maybe she was in her office or reading on the couch. He peeked around the corners but ultimately made his way to the kitchen in peace. She must have been home all morning; a few things were left out where Wooyoung didn't usually put them.

The coffee machine beeped and rumbled so loudly the whole house vibrated. Mom probably heard him. So much for his peace. He should have stayed upstairs. Maybe he could buy or order a smaller coffee machine and smuggle it into his room? Then he wouldn't have to come down all the time. Especially in the mornings. Get out of bed and move barely a few meters until coffee.

"Did you manage with the money?"

Wooyoung jumped a bit, he hadn't heard his mother come in.

"Yes, perfectly… Thank you."

She didn't answer, still scrolling on her phone. "I'll be," she mumbled, still frowning and typing before she put it down and turned to the coffee machine, reaching up to choose her settings.

"Keep the card. I'll have to leave… You know you could also try and help around here. Every time I want to get myself anything from this machine, I have to do something first; fill up the water, clean out the coffee grounds, drip tray is full, every time. It's like I'm the only person actually living here," she scoffed and opened the front of the machine to loudly fiddle with its parts only to hand them over to Wooyoung. Wooyoung scrambled to comply, even though he secretly disagreed with her. She wasn't even home for most days.

"Here. Anyway, Dohyun-ssi called a friend so we could start on the Daegu project right on Thursday, after all. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning so I've got all my appointments today."

"You'll… You won't be here for Christmas?" he asked while meticulously rinsing the drip tray and drying it off while the water tank filled up from the filtered faucet.

"No. I'm not flying right on holidays. I did that once, never again," she shook her head as she watched and waited for him to reassemble the machine.

"Get me a cup," she said and tapped away on the display. "No, the glass one," she clicked her tongue and swatted his hand when Wooyoung handed her white porcelain.

Of course, stupid. Messing up her schedule, coming home dressed like a hooker and even unable to get her the right cup; she's always preferred her glass cups. She didn't even want to see his face when she took it and started the machine.

It was hissing loudly, and Wooyoung kept watch how she reacted. With the last drops of coffee mom hummed quietly, a satisfied smiled played around her lips as she admired the layering of her cappuccino. The house could burn down and all she'd go back in for was that damn fully automatic coffee machine with eight different drink options and the setting for amount by the millilitre.

"Will you be back for New Years?"

She shook her head and took a sip. It just came out of the machine two seconds ago; how did she not burn her tongue?

"I don't know yet. Maybe. But that house will take a while to be done, and Dohyun-ssi said he's onto something in Busan; so if I come back, I won't stay l long."

Then they'll be alone? Maybe he could ask Yeosang or Mingi if he and Kyungmin could spend the day with them.

"Did you have any plans? CRADA is closed, right."

"No… No, just asking."

"You should be okay with that card, though. Text me if you need more money. Maybe get something for the neighbours, too," she only thought out loud anymore, still talking as she left the kitchen.

"I will. Thank you," Wooyoung called after her dutifully and took out a few things to make a quick meal; something that could also be reheated easily. He should make more for the evening, maybe they'd eat together. He settle on rice as a base and fried two eggs with it. For the evening he could make steak or something with the tuna for mom. She always bought so much meat. Not because she liked it so much, but because other people couldn't afford it.

"Hyungie," Kyungmin called from the hallway.

"In the kitchen," Wooyoung called back and heard his brother come in quietly. "Are you hungry? I'm making rice and fried egg. You want some?"

"I'm bored. Mom said she's busy."

Busy. Yeah. Wooyoung taught Kyungmin it was a code word for stay out of her way as soon as he could walk and ask for her on his own. Until now she hadn't touched him in any way, but Wooyoung knew there would be a day she'd snap.

"You want to play Legos together?"

"No."

"No?" Wooyoung repeated, genuinely surprised but keeping his voice playful. Maybe he was exhausted from meeting and talking to strangers today, or having mom around just made him unsure to play at all. "Do you want to do something else together? Or do you want to play by yourself?"

"Can we see the boats?"

"Sure. Let's eat and if the weather stays good, we can go outside, deal?"

Kyungmin cheered shortly and settled on a high-five, and ultimately stuck around for mostly the fried egg and a few bites of rice. Wooyoung smiled as he watched, but retreated to clean to the kitchen when his eyes felt wet.

He didn't use many utensils but still managed to stay over half an hour scrubbing and wiping and throwing stuff out. It was also a nice opportunity to get an overview of their storage. With mom gone for the holidays, maybe they'd go out or his friends would come over or the neighbours would stop by.

Upstairs in the main bathroom he could hear his mom run circles in her bedroom. He meant to clean out the empty bottles of shampoo and body lotion and see what else needed a refill.

"Oh, Wooyoung-ah, do you have to be here now?" he clicked her tongue and sighed heavily. Of course.

"Sorry," Wooyoung immediately said and moved aside to point at the hidden supply closet, "Just checking."

"The water doesn't drain properly by the way. You should see if it's clogged with your hair again," she grabbed pack of cotton pads and a hand mirror, but stopped to comb her hand through his hair – Probably solely to make a point. "Or get a haircut. You start to look messy. What will the neighbours say?"

She might be right; his scalp hurt where her nails scraped the skin and tingled where she uncaringly detangled a few knots in the process.

"Of course," he answered dutifully. He should probably take Kyungmin then, as well, even though he hated the hair dresser.

"Use up my laundry products while I'm gone. They opened a new Dior boutique in Daegu that sells custom products and I need them. It'll be better to try them at the store than to order the samples," she smiled excitedly, not at Wooyoung though. "But don't use it on cashmere and cotton, so bed covers and scarfs and all that. Leave that to the dry cleaners."

Right. Speaking of scarfs.

"Mom," Wooyoung called before she was out of ear-shot.

"What?"

"Did the pass-code change? It would be around that time."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll send it to you," she waved him off and disappeared.

So it did. Wooyoung had suspected that's why she waited with the front door open. Why?

Why?! Wooyoung couldn't understand. Why would she withhold the code to access the house, just to be fucked up and annoyed out of her mind when he had to call her and open it?

Make it make sense! And she also didn't seem to find it plausible to send him the code all by herself- No! She had to wait it out until Wooyoung asked her for it. And then act like it was a hassle to let her sons get into the house.

Why have fucking children if you hated them so much? There were plenty of options especially for a woman of her status. Adoption or… Boarding schools or a third nanny for fuck's sake. Anything. She's nothing but an ordinary adult. Selfish. They were all the same. Wooyoung was good as long as he served her convenience. How dare he want to live a calm and comfortably in a warm home and with his brother taken care of and make a career out of his hobby? He had some fucking nerve, right?

Whatever. He's being stupid.

There was no use to break his head over it again. She probably only waited for him to move out anyway. Or she actually worked on these houses all over the country to buy one for herself to stay there eventually once Kyungmin would be old enough to stay by himself or she'd send him off to boarding school.

The only benefit of thinking and getting angry about it was that time flew by seamlessly. One minute he was just checking on shampoo, the next in was dark outside and the Serge Roche lamps already illuminated the hallways with soft orange light.

Damnit. He told Kyungmin they'd go see the boats. It was too late now. And mom had already left it seemed.

"Kyungmin-ah," he called and started looking for him. He knew rationally his brother wouldn't wander off outside on his own, but a pang of fear made his heart race. Kyungmin was in his room, playing Legos again and tracing the pattern on his carpet with a toy truck.

"Kyungmin-ah… Hey," Wooyoung sat down on his bed, just watching. "Did mom say bye? Did she leave?"

The boy nodded, and kept mimicking engine noises.

"Sorry we didn't see the boats. Maybe next week if the river isn't frozen, hm?" No reaction. "I'll check if we can take a ride on a boat, hm?"

Kyungmin didn't answer, but Wooyoung had to search for his phone anyway, so it was a welcome distraction from the silence. It was still in his room. Kyungmin seemed somewhere between petty and intently occupied with his toys, so Wooyoung left him again, feeling more heavy-hearted.

The notifications had reached an uncountable amount from his messages app, e-mails, reminders and others. Between Mingi's and Yeosang's private texts and their group chat, he had a few from an unsaved number.

It was Yu Jimin. Right. They had agreed the girls could join them to study sometime during the holidays. However that happened, Wooyoung hadn't really listened in between worrying why teacher Choi was sitting at their table yet looking so lonely until teacher Park joined him. He had looked pissed when he arrived, but together they immediately fell into their own little world of being close and whispering among themselves, laughing and smiling at each other cutely.

Ugh.

How-

Never.

Ne-

Ver!

Never ever were they really interested in him. How could he possibly fit in?

But they kept saying it, and he had agreed he was interested as well.

What the fuck had overcome him to say that?

Why would he say that? He was- He wasn't- Well… He was, of course. Sort of? He liked that they fussed over him from time to time. But it was also a lot. The small things they picked up on, and the questions they asked, and the answers they wanted…

But didn't that mean they were interested for real?

And they had assumed he was interested because he said it. Was that why they offered him a ride? To keep him in line, sort of. To keep him hooked. 

But now they had found him out. About the lying, about his fucked up life. They had noticed the eating thing, and they had to suffer from his mood swings and his anxiety about grades, they knew when he was mad, they knew that his friends could be overwhelming to him sometimes – all on their own. Not through questions that he could give a practised answer to. They had just watched him and got the answers by themselves. So, they were really really interested in him. They often joined him and his friends for lunch even though they didn't like it as much. They even essentially invited him over to their place, and hypothetically invited themselves over to his house. They were really comfortable with him, then.

Was he obviously interested in them, then? Like, swooning and dreamy and all that when they were around? Was that why they were so insistent? And his friends, too? He knew sometimes he couldn't take his eyes off of them, or even stared. And ever since they started dancing together, teacher Choi appeared so much more physically attractive; Wooyoung didn't even know he could be so attracted to someone's body. And teacher Park made even the driest and complex topic exciting to listen to. If he ever decided to make a podcast or videos, Wooyoung would certainly watch them on repeat. Until he started noticing his looks, his clothes or his hair style or his smile or he winked at Wooyoung. Then he couldn't listen anymore. It was distracting and made his heart jump like crazy. Oh.

They were more attractive than before, he tended to stare, and his heartbeat picked up when they were around.

And he spent a lot of time thinking about them.

He was going stupid. Oh no. They probably noticed that as well.

There was no way between heaven and hell that they still liked him.

But-

Oh…

They were so nice. Sometimes they were a bit scary. But it wasn't always like that. Only ever when he was being stupid. After his test and when they found out he had lied to them.

Usually they were nice. When Wooyoung was also nice. When he participated well and wrote good grades and they liked it when he danced well and they liked his cooking.

So…

That… was nice.

Wooyoung liked it when they were nice. It felt nice. He liked to think about it.

When they smiled at him. Or when teacher Choi had hugged him. And he even fed him a piece of gimbap to make sure Wooyoung kept his score right. And when teacher Park talked to him calmly or didn't keep pushing after Wooyoung felt stressed about their questions.

And they were really nice to Kyungmin; picking him up and driving them home and they played along when Kyungmin talked to them in their car.

Well, it they were mean to children then Wooyoung wouldn't like them anymore. Adults had to reason to be mean to children. Especially parents and teachers. People who chose to be around children or even earn money while taking care of them.

Wooyoung never felt the urge to be mean to Kyungmin, even when he was getting impatient. It was never Kyungmin's fault for not knowing stuff or being clumsy with some things. He was a child; he was still learning about stuff and didn't have the capacity like older people.

He only ever felt annoyed at his classmates or adults. Adults often expected him, or other young people, to suck up to them. They were so entitled and selfish, acting like their lives were more important than anyone younger or less experienced. And his classmates were sometimes really dense and made lessons go much slower than they needed to be. It made Wooyoung impatient when he had to hear stuff more than three or four times, it was a waste of time.

Speaking of, Yu Jimin asked to revise lessons from the very start and work their way throughout everything together. Maybe we could even meet up without the others? They're too fast for me, I'll get distracted.

Oh, hell no. No.

No thank you, Jimin-ssi. Wooyoung didn't have the nerve to be around people all the time, whether they were a group or just two or three people. Even though mom would be gone and he had the house mainly to himself, he still had to take care of Kyungmin. Try that with eight hundred thousand strangers around all the time. Even if Wooyoung introduced them as friends and he let him join them at the table; Kyungmin noticed when he wasn't paid attention to.

The topic of the car ride from their individual messages from Mingi and Yeosang had shifted to Christmas plans in their group chat; New Year's Eve parties and family time and impending doom when school would start again.

No, no, no. They just were at school a few hours ago, why start thinking about it right again. Boats.

He wanted to look up boats and tickets. My God. Boat ride Han River he typed into the search engine. There were lots of options. Wow, he didn't even know there were so many. Sight-seeing tours, sunset and night cruises and even small rental boats for self-driving. They could ask teacher Choi to go with them.

No.

No! What the hell.

But maybe Kyungmin would actually like it better than with lots of other people. And then he could still see all the other bigger boats. He always asked to see them, not to be on them.

Hm.

Well, Wooyoung had their numbers. He could ask. He could do a lot with those numbers, actually.

Apologise, for starters.

God, he really was acting dumb. Back and forth all the time while they kept it sweet and generous. He should thank them and apologise for bringing such a hassle to them.

And he had their numbers. They were waiting. They had been waiting for months.

Hello teacher Park, this is Jung Wooyoung's number.

He hit send before he could chicken out. Should he have added an emoji? He sounded so plain. He should say thank you right away, but he really shouldn't double-text, right? It seemed desperate. And even if it didn't, he shouldn't blow up his phone now. They probably weren't even lounging around. He probably didn't even have his phone on hand. Maybe he didn't even think Wooyoung would still text him.

I don't mean to disturb you outside of school but I really really wanted to say thank you

Thank you for driving me and my brother home today

Was this enough? It was honest; he said what he meant to say… But he just had to. He had to say thank you a hundred thousand million billion trillion times. They had to know he meant it.

And thank you for picking up my brother with me

I hope I didn't inconvenience you but I really didn't plan to pick him up

I thought my mother would do it that's why

Not because I wouldn't pick up my brother of course

I don't know how to repay you but whenever I can do something for you please feel free to ask anything

I won't say no

I promise

I owe you so much for causing you so much trouble

And I'm also sorry for |

Everything.

Screwing up.

Being fucking stupid, really.

For being a literal menace to their peace of mind.

Lying about so many stupid things.

Should he send it? He already said inconvenience and disturb, but he didn't want to bring it up before he made sure he thanked them properly. He really just wanted to forget about it actually. The way teacher Choi looked at him – spoke to him. He was so angry. Wooyoung thought he had seen him angry, but no. For a few minutes Wooyoung really thought they wouldn't drive him anymore. He wouldn't have even argued; they'd be totally right to say no.

And I'm also sorry for asking so much of you I don't want to be a burden

I know you're really busy and you're also on free time now so I don't want to bother you unnecessarily

No double-text, right? Wooyoung would have laughed if it wasn't for the tears clouding his vision. His chest felt tight with…

With…

With so much… guilt.

It was guilt. He was guilty. For being so plainly stupid. Telling lies and making such an unnecessary fuss over his test, acting distant towards them and then today…

And it hurt. It hurt so much in his chest and in his throat and in his whole body; he felt so much, so so much of something he couldn't even name, something he wouldn't dare to say out loud even if he could. Something no one could know.

Park Seonghwa teache-hyung-nim

Hi Wooyoung-ah, I'm so happy to hear from you

Please don't worry about being a burden to us or causing trouble. We will always gladly help you out if we can. We wouldn't say no to you.

We are glad we could help you and that you and your brother got home safely. It's all that matters to us. There is no need for any repayment, please don't worry about it

What?

No?

No, no, they had to… He had to make it up to them? What was he saying? Wooyoung couldn't just take favours and their food and extra points and car rides and not give them anything in return.

No teacher, I mean it

It means a lot that you did this for me. I'm really thankful to you

And you've already done so much to help me out I cant just leave it at that

Wooyoung pressed his lips together so much his cheeks started cramping. Why didn't he answer?

He said we. So teacher Choi was probably nearby. Did they sit together and read through his messages?

Oh God.

How many did he even send? Sixteen.

He's so screwed.

Why didn#t he write it in oone go? Then it would have been just one or two messages. Or maybe it was better to catch their attention. One bog ass text from an unsaved number; they would have thought it was a scammer or something.

But that's what Wooyoung was.

They cared so much about him, Yunho and Mingi and Yeosang, even Yeonjun, and Changbin sometimes and apparently even Yeji and Jimin kept up with him. And for what?

For all fake smiles and his poorly hidden impatience and his unnecessary info-dumping and his overpriced star-chef level ingredient home-made school lunches.

He scammed them even more because Wooyoung just wanted to look for boats. He just scammed himself.

Park Seonghwa teacher-hyung-nim

Don't worry for now, Wooyoung-ah. Let yourself relax a bit now that you have some free time and enjoy the holidays.

We can catch up afterwards 😌

Afterwards.

Catch up afterwards.

What did that mean?

After the holidays?

Or after the free time?

Wooyoung didn't really plan on free time. He would be busy with studying and finding new stuff to entertain his brother.

Sure |

No. He backspaced it. He couldn't reply, 'sure.'

Sure.

Who said sure?

Shouldn't he show interest?

Hadn't he shown enough interest?

Had he?

Oh.

He wanted to asked what that meant. He also said not to worry for now. So afterwards, when they were catching up, then he could worry?

He would prefer to worry now and get it over with.

Also- Did he just admit it? There was something to worry and to catch up about. Teacher Park also said they'd talk another time when they were at the parking lot. When teacher Choi had already gotten into the car.

Teacher Park had essentially sent him there when he was really angry at Wooyoung. And teacher Park had protected Wooyoung?

How could one of them be angry at him and the other was so soft and calm? That didn't make sense. They should agree on how to handle stuff. What if.

What if there was a fight between any two of them, what was the third person to do? Of course if the teachers had a fight, Wooyoung would be quiet and leave; no need to add any fuel. They never seemed at any sort of dissonance, so if Wooyoung found them fighting, he would know it was because of him, a new variable that hadn't been there before and threw their balance off.

When he and teacher Choi were not-fighting, teacher Park had been sort of not really present either. Wooyoung was sure they had teamed up even if teacher Choi had denied it; why wouldn't they? Of course he couldn't know for sure what they talked about or how they talked about Wooyoung, but teacher Park hadn't really come forth or talked to Wooyoung more than necessary for his classes. And of course there was a bias, no doubt.

What if teacher Park and Wooyoung ever ended up fighting? Wooyoung could just start digging his own grave then. There was no way he could fall into some sort of serious disagreement with the calmest, gentlest, most nicest person on the whole planet and walk away unscathed.

But if he ever fought with teacher Choi again, Wooyoung would probably end up on some true crime podcast. No way teacher Choi was going to give him another chance. He already had caused enough trouble.

Teacher, I don't mean to be rude or talk back. I'm really really seriously sorry for how I acted towards you and teacher Choi.

Wooyoung tried to keep his breath down and sniffled when his nose started running. Even after he went to get a tissue and blow his nose and came back, the teacher hadn't answered.

It was disrespectful to lie about all those things when you've told me you don't like it.

He checked again and again. Eight minutes between teacher Park's last message and Wooyoung's answer. One more for his second message. The teacher had probably dropped it and left his phone somewhere to spend time with his boyfriend. After all they also had free time now and holidays. It had also taken more than five minutes between his first message and the first answer, even he had fired a ton of texts in a short time.

Maybe the teacher had his phone on silent and even if he had his phone right on him, he wouldn't know until he checked.

I've enjoyed all the time we've had together, at lunch and in the clubs. I felt really shy in the beginning, but I like it when you join us.

Oh God. No. He shouldn't have sent that.

I've enjoyed our time. Sounded like one of them died. Or he was trying to butter them up. Like some meeting thing to land a job with a good impression.

He closed the chat and skimmed through the other messages and answered.

Yu Jimin-ssi (school)

They're too fast for me, I'll get distracted.

Of course. Maybe not in the holidays, though, my mom planned a trip so I can't tell when I'm free yet.

But we can study any time at school after the holidays too

Yuyu

Story time appreciated anytime but we'll be leaving to Yongpyong sometime tomorrow and I'm making no promises about my signal, attention or battery

No story

Have fun

Be safe

Mingi Mangi

Did they go inside with you???

Did you make them food?

What did Kyungmin say?

Hello?

??

R they  still with u and thats y ure not answering?

Did u kiss??????

Come OOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Tell MEEEEEEEE

Dumy

Dummy

They didnt stay

Didn’t even get out of the car

It felt weird to text them so late. They had spammed him when he hadn't even been home. That was hours ago. The whole day had passed. Mingi had even fully stopped in between.

What had they been up to until he answered? Yeosang said he was ready to come over. Mingi just-

Mingi had called him a dummy and then left him alone. Thanks for that then. Unless he could feed his fantasy, feed him expensive food or good grades, Wooyoung was nothing to him. Of course.

Kang(aroo) Yeosang

Are you home

How did it go

Was your mom there

Are you okay

↩️missed audio call

↩️missed audio call

I'll come over if you won't answer gimme ten minutes

Nvm my mom lured me to go shopping

↩️missed video call

I'm home

Ate with Kyungmin

Mom was there

Come tmrrw if u want i#ll tell u when mom's gone

Wooyoung scrolled up and down through the thread. At least Yeosang stayed consistent. He left Wooyoung time to answer. If he assumed mom was home, Wooyoung wouldn't answer for hours, so he tried his luck every thirty minutes or so. Even called three times. The video call must have been when he was still out with his mom, judging it came less than an hour after the message before.

Wooyoung didn't even have time to open another app before he had a new notification. He gasped and he drew the menu down. Teach-

Oh. Yeosang.

Kang(aroo) Yeosang

What do you mean

She's leaving over the holidays?

Did she give u the pass code tho

Yeah

He checked again.

Fourteen minutes already and no answer form the teacher.

No message or photo in mom's chat either.

Why weren't they answering? Was this some adult thing?

I promise I won't lie again it was wrong of me and im really sorry snd I wont do it again

He closed the message app and looked at the boat tickets again. Day-time and evening prices were different. Night rides didn't allow children under fifteen. Opening times may vary due to weather changes.

Twenty-one minutes.

Wooyoung went down stairs again. Kyungmin was drawing in his room, the toys half-heartedly put away but the box still stood in the middle of the room.

Thirty-five.

If his friends came over to study, the snack cabinets would need their own grocery list.

Forty-two.

Where would they stay on the twenty-fifth? Maybe they could go over to Yeosang's or Jongho's house.

Forty-nine minutes.

He pulled the last tissue from the pack. This was ridiculous. How could he be so attached already?

They're just- his teachers. If it ever became anything even just sort of serious, he'd have to wait so much longer than fifty-six minutes.

His patience didn't grow after one hour four minutes.

The tears didn't stop even after one hour and twenty minutes without a reply.

By the ninety minute mark, he just left his phone by the charger. On silent.

One hour thirty-seven made him realise he should have just let his battery run out to take his mind off of it.

Two hours and he wanted to tell the teacher he even ate dinner. He should have made a picture. Would he appreciate it?

When mom came back home with barely shorter, barely lighter hair and three bags of expensive brands, he changed the contact name.

"Mom? Could you send me the code, please. I guess I'll go outside with Kyungmi-"

"I literally just got home, Wooyoung. Can't you give a one minute of before annoying me?"

"Sorry."

Kyungmin didn't tell him which boat he liked best. But he said good night when Wooyoung tucked him in.

Wooyoung cuddled himself into his blanket and almost broke out into tears again when it didn't fully wrap around his shoulders and didn't give before the bottom end painfully caught on his toes.

"Stop! Just- "

He sobbed as he unwrapped himself and straightened it out again. "Ow… If I'm bleeding now, I'll cut my foot off," he mumbled and reached for his phone to inspect his toes. Another dozen of notifications but-

PSH hyung-nim

Cutie 😊

Sorry for leaving you waiting. I didn't have my phone around. We're glad you're getting comfortable with us

I'm serious, Wooyoung-ah. We'll find some time to get together and talk it all out for as long as you want. Until then please don't worry. You would know if you were in trouble with us 🤭