Chapter Text
Sunjae couldn’t pinpoint when it started. Maybe it was after singing karaoke together after visiting Hae-e at the hospital. Or maybe it was after their heart to heart on the roof. Or heck, maybe it was after he helped him write his apology letter in detention.
All Sunjae knew was that he’s been thinking about Geonhu lately. A lot.
It’s mostly subconscious. Whenever he, Geonhu, Danji, and Hae-e hangout, Sunjae’s attention always somehow diverts to Geonhu. Sunjae would often find himself quietly observing the shorter male, and starts noticing more and more things about him. The way his eyes crinkle up as he smiles, the way tilts his head when he’s confused. The way he only sleeps on one arm in class to avoid hurting his injury on the other.
At first, Sunjae thought he was only watching the boy out of jealousy. If Geonhu was going to be his rival for Hae-e’s affection, might as well eye the enemy, right? What was so good about him anyway? A lot, Sunjae soon realized. A lot about him was good.
He was social for one thing. Geonhu seemed to be friends with almost everyone in class and can strike a conversation with almost anyone. Even the teachers love him, despite his below average grades. He’s good looking too, although Sunjae would never say it to his face. He’s athletic, kind, and friendly. A little too friendly though. It was a little too easy for Geonhu to get close to Hae-e. This annoyed Sunjae a little, but he shook it off after realizing there was nothing he could do about it.
He’s straightforward too. Unlike Sunjae, who took years to finally profess his feelings to Hae-e, Geonhu was confident about his feelings from the beginning, even asking her out in front of the entire class. While Sunjae mocked Geonhu for having an unserious confession, he does admit it was pretty charming. It’s a way better confession than asking a girl out in front of her wheelchair in a hospital after she wakes up from a coma, to say the least.
It was only after the rooftop incident was when Sunjae fully understood the “appeal” of Seo Geonhu. Sunjae was surprised Geonhu followed him to the roof in the first place, let alone stopped him from jumping to his death.
At that time, Sunjae was completely hopeless; with the guilt of a broken family, leaked test papers, and now his best friend in a coma all tormenting him, there seemed no reason for him to go on. He didn’t think anyone cared enough to stop him from leaving this world, let alone a certain meddling hockey player.
Despite continuous attempts to jump, Geonhu held Sunjae back each time. Soon, Sunjae gave in after getting pinned down by Geonhu. Despite Sunjae expecting Geonhu to ask why he wanted to jump, Geonhu didn’t pry much on his situation. In the past, whenever Sunjae was on the breaking point, people would either try to force an explanation out of him or turn a blind eye to his struggles.
Not with Geonhu though. Not only did Geonhu stay, but he didn’t push Sunjae to explain himself. Even so, Geonhu’s words stuck with him. He even made Sunjae laugh.
Sunjae wondered what was Geonhu’s intention with doing this. What’s his intention with all of this? He knew Sunjae liked Hae-e too and even so, he’s not one bit resentful towards Sunjae at all. It took a while for Sunjae to finally realize Geonhu had no malicious intent with his actions at all. That was just the type of person Geonhu was. Thoughtful, caring, respectful. And genuine. He’s never afraid to speak his mind, and is a friendly, kind person just for the sake of being a good person.
This was something Sunjae soon admired and respected Geonhu for. Unlike Geonhu, Sunjae has kept up a facade his whole life; keeping a front about his family, his brother, and his mental wellbeing as well. All people see on the outside is the model student, following in the footsteps of his model brother. Many would assume he had the perfect life. No one would even think he ever considered suicidal thoughts. It would’ve been a surprise to many. If it was a surprise to Geonhu too, Sunjae wouldn’t know since he never questioned him about it. Sunjae was thankful for that.
After that day, the two only grew closer. Sunjae’s inbox was soon filled with messages from Geonhu asking how his day was, has he eaten, and even the occasional “this reminded me of you” followed by the most random picture of something Geonhu found online.
Sunjae thought it was a nuisance at first, it got in the way of his studying, but he goes on to appreciate the texts as it fills his lonely nights after school. He’s glad he has a new main chat other than the Hae-Dan-Sun chatroom with the girls.
Ever since then, Sunjae’s taken more of a notice to Geonhu. The way he tilts his head back when he laughs, the way his face lights up when he finally understands a problem. Sunjae also noticed the more mundane things as well. How he fidgets with his bottle cap right before an exam or quiz. How he always orders the lychee Mogu-Mogu from the vending machine. Even how Geonhu starts checking the clock to see it’s time to leave school a whole hour before the end time.
Sunjae always thought his attentiveness towards Geonhu was due to the fact that they’re getting closer and he wanted to know more about him. And quite frankly, Sunjae didn’t know much. Other than knowing Geonhu is a hockey player who got laid off because of an injury, Sunjae didn’t know much about who is now his closest friend other than Hae-e and Danji.
It’s just the curiosity that comes with making new friends is what Sunjae thought until now.
Now, Sunjae and Geonhu were sitting in the library, tirelessly trying to get a group project done that was due the next day.
You see, the two of them and Danji and Hae-e were all in the group to present the social reforms of past Korea. Most of the project was complete and they were all supposed to work together to finish the final part of the project, but, as luck has it, Hae-e caught a cold and Danji had family matters to attend to, leaving the two boys to finish the project themselves.
The two worked diligently for a while, but after hours of editing and revising work, they groggily trudged through the remaining paragraphs they had to work on.
“Ugh,” Geonhu said after downing his third cup of coffee, “Sunjae-ah we’ve been working on this since 6 and it’s well past 10 now how are we not almost done.”
Sunjae glared at him from across the table. “Well, we’d be done by now if you didn’t spend the first two hours distracting me with that stupid game.”
“Hey! That’s no stupid game! We were learning valuable lessons about labor and economics.”
“No, you were just clicking buttons to get cookies to fight cake dragons.”
“Whatever,” Geonhu retaliated, rolling his eyes. “It’s not my fault I’m that distracting to you. It’s fine, I’d be distracted too if someone as good-looking as me was sitting across from me while I was doing work.”
Sunjae sighed at this obvious taunt to get his attention diverted from the project to Geonhu, but he gave in anyway. “What, you’re saying I’m not good-looking?”
Heat rose on Sunjae’s face as Geonhu then looked him up and down, accessing his appearance. “Hmm… You’re not bad. But you’re not my style.”
Sunjae’s eyes widened. “Not your style?” he scoffed.
“Woah, woah, it was a joke! I didn’t think you’d get offended like that so easily.”
Sunjae didn’t know why he got so offensive either. He knows he’s good-looking so why does Geonhu thinking differently affect Sunjae?
“Go back to work,” Sunjae stated, trying to change the topic.
It was Geonhu’s turn to sigh now. “Actually, no, I’d rather take a nap,” he said as he stretched.
“Ya- I didn’t tell you you can just-”
“Too late, my thoughts are already drifting, do the last paragraph and we’ll be done, will ya? Thanks, good night.”
Sunjae was about to scold Geonhu but as soon as his head hit the table, the athlete was fast asleep.
“Bastard,” Sunjae mumbled, as he started the final paragraphs.
After 20 minutes or so, Sunjae finally completed the project. As he started to pack his things, he looked down at Geonhu sleeping soundly on the table. He had head resting on his right arm, and his left outstretched, the same position he always sleeps in in class.
Sunjae thought it’d be a shame to wake the boy now, when he’s finally catching up on the needed sleep he’s been complaining about being deprived about the whole session. He felt guilty too, since he knew Geonhu spent an all nighter the previous night studying for the science quiz they had that day. Geonhu got a B-, which was the best score he’s ever gotten in that subject, and to congratulate him, Sunjae bought the two of them tickets to see a game with Geonhu’s favorite hockey team. He was going to surprise him with a convenience store mukbang after they finished the project, but Sunjae realized it wasn’t the right time to bring it up now, with Geonhu knocked out and all.
Instead, Sunjae studies Geonhu as he sleeps. Not in a creepy way, but there wasn’t much else to do as he waited for him to wake up. Sunjae mirrors Geonhu’s position and lays down next to him on the table, so they’re face to face.
Since Geonhu sat in front of him in class, Sunjae mostly saw his back in school, so he took his chance to now study his face instead. Geonhu really was good looking. He seemed almost… pretty too. His thick eyebrows, long lashes, the curve of his nose; they all added up to make up the face of Seo Geonhu. Even his ears were pretty.
As his gaze traveled down the athlete’s face, Sunjae found himself gazing at his lips. They looked full and soft. For a moment, Sunjae wondered if they felt soft, too. Heat rose in his cheeks as he quickly shook the thought away. What was he thinking? Seo Geonhu. The no show hockey player Seo Geonhu. The rival for Hae-e’s affection Seo Geonhu. The “if I get into college, date me” Seo Geonhu.
Sure, the dude was nice, charming, handsome, and respectful. And sure he was the one to comfort Sunjae when he needed it the most. And sure he was an annoying arrogant prick who, despite liking the same girl, has only ever been a great friend to him? Plus, Sunjae likes Hae-e. He’s been liking her ever since she moved to Woorim. So then why was he feeling this way?
Before he knows it, Sunjae’s hand reaches out and starts to move hair out of Geonhu’s face, thinking, How can someone look so pretty while they’re sleeping?
“Is your heart fluttering, Sunjae?”
Oh, shit.
Sunjae froze as he looked down and met the eyes of the exact reason why his heart was fluttering at that moment. He was now hyper aware about the fact his hand was literally touching Geonhu’s hair and that there were only centimeters in between their faces, specifically between their lips.
Sunjae shot up instantly and frantically looked away to hide the rising blush that was creeping on his face.
“The-there was a fly in your hair.” Sunjae tried to say it as calmly as he could, but he knew Geonhu wasn’t that dense to not pick up on the anxiety in his voice.
In the corner of his eye, Sunjae saw Geonhu sit up, saying, “Yeah, right…” with his signature smirk growing on his face.
“It's not what you think-” Sunjae started before getting interrupted by Geonhu.
“Look,” he said seriously, “You don’t have to explain yourself right now. You can tell me when you’re ready.”
Sunjae was surprised by his seriousness, and could only nod along in shock. Did he know what Sunjae was thinking?
“For now, I’ll believe that there really was a fly in my hair,” Geonhu chuckled as he packed his things and stood up. “But don’t fall for me too hard.”
Sunjae turned beet red and chased after Geonhu. “Wha-wait Geonhu what-”
“Hey, let’s hit up the convenience store before heading home. I’m starving.”
“But Geonhu, you can’t just-”
“You’re paying right? I did pass the science quiz today so-”
“Geonhu you can’t leave me hanging like this-”
“Ya!” Geonhu said, finally turning around to face Sunjae. “I don’t know what this is about but don’t avoid it. Face it head on.”
The familiar words struck Sunjae. He paused before smiling and slapping Geonhu’s back. “You idiot. You can’t reuse lines like that.”
Geonhu chuckled. “What? It helped you last time. Maybe it’ll help you now.”
“Whatever,” Sunjae responded, rolling his eyes.
It wasn’t the turn of events Sunjae was expecting; not with the study session, not with his feelings, and not with Geonhu at all. It was never planned, nothing’s ever planned when it comes to Geonhu, but Sunjae wasn’t complaining. It may be a new path for Sunjae, but it’s not one he’ll avoid. He’ll take Geonhu’s advice and face it head on.