Chapter Text
Taehyun sat at a bench in front of the engineering building, waiting for Soobin who should have gotten out of his history of dance class 10 minutes ago.
It wasn't like him to be late, they were already going to have a late lunch today, since Soobin was busy before this class.
Taehyun mentally chastised himself for feeling annoyed, Soobin was such a good person. He was lucky to be rooming with someone who already knew college life, he should thank his luck that it was also such a responsible hyung who actually cared for him.
Taehyun pulled his jacket around him tighter, sighing.
Autumn was ramping up quickly, and it was unexpectedly chilly, it being one of those ugly days where the sky is covered by a sheet of clouds filtering the sun into a pale greyshine. He wished he was home with a cup of cocoa.
He finally noticed Soobin approaching, his eyes catching him quicker than usual since he was accompanied by someone with deep blue hair.
He couldn't make out who this other person was, he was clutching Soobin's arm and had his face tucked down, as he leaned his head against Soobin's shoulder. It looked oddly... Intimate.
They were both holding very full-looking boba teas, which would explain Soobin's lateness. They must have stopped at one of the campus's shops.
It didn't explain Soobin's relationship with this guy.
Soobin looked stiff, uncomfortable, a smile tugging on his face, but something was off.
Taehyun frowned, was he okay?
Soobin was speaking, and blue-hair released his arm, grabbing the end of his jacket and throwing it with his arm around Soobin, who was only wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
He pushed the jacket over Soobin's shoulder, maneuvering to bring Soobin into it completely. Soobin grabbed of the edge of the jacket and helped pull it over him. So he was just cold, maybe?
Taehyun frowned.
The two approached a split in the path, and now that Taehyun could see the guy's face, he recognized him from orientation. He didn't know the guy's name, but he did remember that he was conceited. He had bragged that he was the best dancer in his class, maybe the school. The level of cockiness was a stand-out to Taehyun. How come Soobin was letting a guy like that hang all over him?
They stopped walking. The guy wrapped Soobin up completely, rubbing Soobin's back quickly under the jacket to generate warmth. Soobin laughed and rambled out dismissals, seeming pretty flustered at the closeness.
Taehyun didn't like it.
The guy released Soobin, waving goodbye as he took off down the other path towards the quad. Soobin turned and started jogging, slowing when he noticed Taehyun.
Taehyun stood, noting the panic that flashed on Soobin's face upon seeing he already had his hoobae's full attention.
"You didn't bring a jacket today?" Taehyun greeted, starting to walk with Soobin towards the dining hall.
Soobin grasped his boba arm with the other, scrunching in on himself to conserve bodyheat, walking with Taehyun. He laughed uncomfortably.
"Yeah I forgot it was supposed to get cold. I'll head to the dorms and get a sweater after lunch. Sorry I was a bit late.."
"Who was that?" Taehyun asked, feigning boredom.
Soobin gathered himself, expecting the question.
"...Yeonjun. Choi Yeonjun. He's in a few of my classes. We met a few weeks ago."
"You two seem close."
Soobin raised his eyebrows. "Do we? I don't know... This is the first time we've hung out outside of class."
Taehyun studied his face, Soobin looked conflicted.
"It certainly seems like he wants to be closer." Taehyun replied.
If Soobin picked up on what he was implying, he made no acknowledgement of it. He just forced a laugh.
"Yeah maybe?"
Taehyun figured he wouldn't get much else out of the other right now.
"What do you want to eat?"
****
One more class today. Taehyun was running a little late because he had to print out his homework, why didn't this teacher just accept it digitally? He didn't know, but he was a bit behind considering his usual arrival to class was at least ten minutes before start.
At least he wouldn't be late-late.
Taehyun rounded the corner of the hall and was met with familiar deep blue hair, next to an even more familiar face, one he's known since highschool. He slowed to a stop, unable to stop a smile from stretching across his face, despite the presence of blue hair.
"Oh hey Taehyun! What's up? Where ya going?" Beomgyu asked, noticing him immediately.
That made Taehyun happy. He had missed Beomgyu after he graduated high school a year before him. He had sought him out right away last year when he moved in, befriending his hyung who he was merely friendly with previously.
"Hey Gyu, I'm just going to class. I had to print something so I'm running a little late."
"What class starts at 3:20?" Yeonjun asked. Taehyun resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"I like to be early." He replied cooly.
"He's a good student, unlike someone." Beomgyu said, reaching forward and ruffling Taehyun's hair. He didn't like being messy, but he appreciated the gesture and the compliment. He tried to subtley straighten his hair when Beomgyu's hand left, not wanting to offend Beomgyu or dissuade further contact with him.
"Thanks hyung..."
Yeonjun raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.
"Suit yourself. I'm Yeonjun by the way."
"I know." Taehyun answered flatly. Oh no, the ego. Why did he say that?
Yeonjun looked interested. "You do?"
He looked at Beomgyu throwing his arm over him. Taehyun felt his eye twitch.
"Does my reputation proceed me?"
Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "That might not be a good thing Yeonjunnie... I'm certainly not spending my time with Taehyunnie gushing about you."
Yeonjun huffed, crossing his arms. "Why noooot?"
Taehyun cleared his throat. "I gotta get going, now, see you, hyung."
He offered a wave to Beomgyu, pointedly ignoring Yeonjun, and dismissed himself, continuing down the hall.
Beomgyu called after him.
"Hey, tell Soobin I'm down to study tomorrow, I'll meet you guys there!"
"Okay! " He yelled back, and continued rushing to class.
*****
"You invited who?" Kai asked, sitting next to Soobin at the large table. He pulled up his bag and started pulling out books.
"My bud Yeonjun, he's in one of my classes. He wanted to join us studying today." Beomgyu replied, settling into his seat next to Taehyun and across from the others, throwing an arm up on the back of his chair.
Taehyun bristled.
"Wait, Choi Yeonjun?" He asked, looking at Beomgyu.
"He wants to study with us?"
Taehyun's gaze flicked to Soobin, who looked down, fiddling with his hands.
"Yeah. So?" Beomgyu replied simply.
"Nothing he's just so..." Taehyun bit his tongue, the word 'obnoxious' painted on it.
"Lively, I guess... I don't really see him wanting to study."
"Oh you know him, Taehyun-hyung?" Kai asked.
Taehyun shrugged. "Not really."
"Well we can fix that." A voice said, and Taehyun groaned internally. Yeonjun had appeared next to the table. He gave a cutesy wave.
"Apparently I'm more well-known than I thought. Nice to formally meet you, Taehyun." Yeonjun said, smirking at him.
Taehyun frowned.
"Nice to meet you too." He mumbled out, looking at Beomgyu to gauge his reaction to his previous rudeness of not introducing himself. Beomgyu didn't seem to mind, he just greeted Yeonjun casually.
"Hey dude, glad you made it."
Yeonjun was pointed at Soobin, who looked away as soon as they made eye contact. His chest rose with a little laugh.
Yeonjun turned to Kai, extending his hand to him.
"I'm Yeonjun, nice to meet you!"
Kai smiled, upping the enthusiasm while greeting him back, shaking his hand excitedly. "Nice to meet you too! I'm Hueningkai!"
Yeonjun smiled at him, then looked back at Soobin.
"Hey Soobin, how's it going?"
Soobin rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm doing well... How are you, hyung?"
"Fantastic, now." He plopped into the chair next to Soobin.
"Oh you all already know Yeonjun? That's so cool, I'm glad you're here to study with us!" Kai chirped, clearly not picking up on the mood.
"Are you really here to study?" Taehyun asked, looking not at all amused.
"Taehyun! Lighten up." Beomgyu scolded, ruffling Taehyun's hair. Taehyun huffed.
"Of course." Yeonjun answered.
Yeonjun stretched his arms forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Okay! Time to study. Does anyone have a pencil I can borrow?"
Taehyun gave him a stern look. "Who comes to a study session and doesn't bring a pencil?'
Beomgyu rolled his eyes at Taehyun, punching his shoulder gently. He started digging through his backpack in search.
Soobin piped up. "I have an extra you can use." He held up a wooden pencil, it was pink, covered in little white polka dots.
Yeonjun looked at it, then at Soobin, a smile creeping on his face.
"Aww it's cute. Like you."
Yeonjun leaned over to take the pencil from Soobin, placing his hand on the other's thigh. Soobin flinched and gasped, face turning pink and hands coming up to clutch his heart.
"Thanks, you're an angel." Yeonjun purred, leaning forward more so Soobin felt breath on his ear.
Kai looked scandalized, and Taehyun could sympathize. His precious hyung was being flirted with so hard by basically a stranger, and was being reduced to an embarrassed schoolgirl.
How corny. Taehyun and Beomgyu shared a look.
Taehyun looked at Yeonjun. "And you're a devil." He deadpanned.
Beomgyu shrugged. "I can't really disagree with that."
Yeonjun side-eyed Taehyun briefly, before returning his attention to Soobin.
"A cute little devil though." He said with a wink.
Soobin looked about ready to explode.
"I have to use the restroom!" He announced, promptly standing and fast walking away from the table.
Yeonjun turned back to the group, sinking a little.
"He doesn't like that. You're too touchy." Taehyun said, feeling vindicated.
"Sweetie, you don't even know what you like." Yeonjun responded, unaffected.
Taehyun blinked. What does that mean?
"Whatever." He mumbled.
Soobin returned and they continued to study, everyone enjoying the new presence in their group.
Well, most everyone.