Chapter Text
Jeonghan stifles a yawn as his history professor continues droning on about culture on humanity's previous planet.
"Two hundred and seven years ago, before humanity's survivors fled to Kehrat, a catastrophic event occurred on Earth. I want all of you to do some research on that and write me a paper by next Tuesday," instructs the professor, and Jeonghan rolls his eyes. He uses his foot to nudge Junhui, who's looking at something with a dreamy look in his eyes.
He traces Junhui's line of sight with his eyes and finds the line attached to the only other Chinese student in the class.
"My God, you're so gay for Minghao," Jeonghan snorts, watching Junhui stare adoringly at the boy across the hall. Minghao's fingers move deftly, tongue poking out from his mouth slightly as he sketches.
"You literally can't say that to me, that's homophobic!" retorts Junhui, tearing his eyes away from Minghao long enough to throw Jeonghan a disgruntled look.
"Okay, but I'm gay too. So I can say that to you. You're gay for Minghao," teases Jeonghan.
They bicker for a while longer, Junhui quickly shushing Jeonghan as Minghao looks up at them. He waves awkwardly, grimacing when Minghao only pushes his glasses up and smiles.
"He didn't wave back," Junhui sulks, standing up to leave.
"You're a disaster," Jeonghan deadpans, pulling Junhui out. "Let's go. I promised Channie we'd go with him to the store." He kicks Junhui in the shin when the taller male starts whining.
Someone's waiting outside the lecture hall, leaning against the wall as he chats animatedly with Vernon and Seungkwan. Jeonghan sneaks up on him and slings his arm around his neck, messing up the boy's perfectly styled hair.
"Ah, found you! Changing your hairstyle won't fool me," Jeonghan announces triumphantly. Chan grumbles as he tries to fix his hair.
"How? I even made Vernon and Seungkwan help me," whines Chan, and Junhui starts complaining about how they're making him wait. Seungkwan slaps Junhui's shoulder. He pulls Vernon away by the arm, hugging it.
The campus is huge. Jeonghan doesn't know how he even found his lecture hall. Chan drags Jeonghan along through the quadrangle, the latter turning back and mouthing at Junhui to help.
"Oh, would you look at that? It's a blade of grass," Junhui sings, looking down at his feet to avoid looking at Jeonghan. But God forbid Yoon Jeonghan get ignored without any consequence, so Junhui bumps into someone. Iced coffee goes flying, and Junhui's head flies up to apologise.
One look at the person, and the words die in Junhui's mouth.
Minghao is staring at him, mortified. It takes a while for Junhui to realise that the coffee is Minghao's coffee. They look at each other for a while, at a loss for words.
Next to them, Jeonghan whistles at Junhui suggestively.
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking," the words spill out of Minghao's mouth so fast that Junhui would've stopped listening if he didn't find Minghao so fascinating.
"It's fine, it's just my coat," he says, shrugging it off and slinging it over his arm.
"No, it's a nice coat. Here, why don't you pass it to me? I'll wash it for you and return it," Minghao insists, and Junhui feels like he could melt.
"Uh. Yeah, sure," he passes the fashion major—don't ask how he knows that—his coat. Junhui tries not to think about the way Minghao complimented it.
"Okay, I'll give it back the next time we have class together, uh, Zhanhua?" Minghao promises, and takes off.
"It's Junhui," Junhui calls out helpfully at the retreating male, glaring at Jeonghan who's laughing so much he's in tears.
"So, Zhanhua, are you ready to go shopping?" Chan wheezes out. Junhui gives him an unimpressed look.
"I guess that's a yes, Zhanhua," Jeonghan wipes tears away from his eyes and pulls Junhui out of the campus.
Jeonghan wouldn't consider himself a huge fan of shopping, but he likes picking out clothes for Chan. He makes them stay in one shop for hours, eventually settling on an orange t-shirt and green pants. He beams at the disgusted boy.
"As an art major, I'm legally obliged to tell you that it looks like shit," says Junhui, not even looking up from his phone. Chan nods in agreement.
"Shut up, Zhanhua," snaps Jeonghan, not much bite in his voice. "I think it's cute. You're gonna look like a cute carrot, Channie."
"There's a reason why you're not an art or fashion major," Chan drawls, but takes the clothes anyway. Jeonghan grins proudly. Junhui picks out outfits that actually match for Chan, something he's exceptionally grateful for, and they leave with dozens of bags hanging from Chan's arms. Their throats are parched and they're tired and hungry from shopping for so long.
Junhui gestures at the café down the street and tilts his head. Jeonghan squints, and he sees that ginkgo leaves adorn the exterior of the shop. He elbows Chan, who's panting. The boy nods.
"Welcome!" a familiar voice rings out from the café. They gasp in unison.
"Mingyu!" Jeonghan exclaims. Chan drops the bags on one of the couches propped against the wall and collapses on it.
"It's been days since I saw you, are you okay?" fusses Jeonghan, gripping Mingyu and scrutinising him. Junhui wanders over as well, clapping Mingyu on the back.
"Since when did you get a job?" Junhui asks, looking around. The designer did a great job, thinks Junhui, the furniture's warm yellow and orange hues complementing the cherry wood walls and mahogany floor.
"My boyfriend's parents own the café, so we both work here," Mingyu admits sheepishly, and Chan makes a noise of excitement from his spot on the couch.
"No way, did you really confess to him?" Jeonghan interrogates. "Thought you were too scared."
Mingyu waves a hand in the air, as if trying to shoo Jeonghan's words away. But his face starts burning when a deep and sweet voice, not unlike chocolate, echoes from the cashier counter.
"Gyu? Is everything okay? Oh my God. Junhui?" the man asks, brow furrowed. Jeonghan recognises him as Wonwoo.
"Yeah. Remember the friends I told you about?" Junhui replies, smile breaking out. Wonwoo looks like he just remembered something, and approaches them.
"Hi. Junhui's told me so much about you, Jeonghan. Mingyu too," he gushes, linking arms with Mingyu as he looks at the puddle on the couch. "And you must be Chan. I'm Jeon Wonwoo, and my parents own the café. They're out of town for the month, so Mingyu and I are helping out."
Junhui fights the urge to ask about the interior designer. Wonwoo's eyes look Junhui over, and as if he can read minds, says, "You're an art major now, aren't you? I'm the one who designed the café and chose all the furniture and flooring, in case you're wondering."
"Stop thinking about the floors. I'm hungry," complains Chan from the couch. Mingyu laughs, and hands them a menu.
"Take your time," he says, the silver bell on the glass door jingling as someone comes in. Jeonghan looks up and almost chokes on his spit.
Jesus Christ, he's hot. Alarms go off in Jeonghan's head as he short circuits, unable to take his eyes off the stranger. He elbows Junhui urgently, who immediately mutters a "I'm loyal to someone who doesn't even know my name." Jeonghan rolls his eyes and bumps Chan's shoulder, who starts talking about how he's taken a vow of chastity.
The hot stranger runs a hand—holy shit, it's veiny—through his shoulder length blonde hair. Jeonghan snatches the menu from Chan and Junhui, who were still mulling over the items, and makes his way to the cashier counter.
He politely chooses to ignore their indignant cries.
"Can I have a latte? To go, please," the stranger says, voice like honey. Jeonghan swoons internally.
"Gyu, I want a vanilla latte. And, uh, grapefruit pomelo juice. You know what, give Chan an orange juice," Jeonghan tells Mingyu, who gives him a bemused expression.
"What, no dessert?" he looks confused, and Jeonghan feels like slapping himself.
"Three slices of key lime pie. Maybe an Oreo cheesecake too," Jeonghan adds, trying his best not to steal glances at the stranger holding a latte and his phone and his wallet in one hand.
Jeonghan gazes at the stranger walking out of the café, bell jingling happily. He doesn't notice Mingyu slide the tray to him. Junhui barges forward, blowing a loud raspberry in Jeonghan's ear as he carries the tray back.
He scarfs down some pie and sips his latte, wondering if the stranger's drinking his latte too. His phone buzzes in his pocket, and Jeonghan fishes the phone out.
"Hello?" he answers, chewing the pie in his mouth.
It's sour. Just like how he views his life.
"Are you eating something? Whatever. I called to tell you that I'm going over to Soonyoung's. Seokmin said that Soonyoung's trying to play Monopoly and Jenga with his toes," comes Jisoo's voice from the speaker.
"Just say you're getting some dick," says Chan from the other side of the couch. Jisoo goes silent for a few moments, then promptly hangs up.
Jeonghan nearly chokes on his pie laughing.
The walk back to campus is silent, Jeonghan thinking about the really really hot stranger, Junhui thinking about the way Minghao doesn't even know his name even though they're the only two Chinese students taking history, and Chan thinking about excuses to give Jeonghan when he starts asking about the horrid orange and green ensemble and why Chan isn't wearing it.
Junhui waves goodbye to Jeonghan and Chan, presumably going back to his dorm to start moping about his failed crush to Soonyoung. Chan speeds off to find Vernon and Seungkwan. Jeonghan remembers that Jisoo's with Seokmin who's with Soonyoung.
"Wait!" he shouts as he chases after Junhui, who starts walking even faster at the sound of Jeonghan's voice.
"Hey, stop that, you little shit, I'm getting old," Jeonghan breathes heavily as he finally catches up to the lanky male. Junhui responds by swinging an arm around Jeonghan's shoulders.
Junhui swings the door open, frozen in place when he sees what's inside.
Soonyoung's pushing a Jenga block with his toe, Jisoo and Seokmin goading him on with monopoly cards in between their toes. They turn to look at Junhui and Jeonghan with bright eyes.
He slams the door shut in their faces, Jeonghan still processing what he just saw.
The door creaks open after a few heartbeats. "Welcome back," Soonyoung cheers. Junhui blinks.
"I should go back, it's getting late," Seokmin stretches and yawns. Jisoo clambers to his feet, wiggling his toes at Jeonghan who screeches.
"Before you go, Jihoonie told me that he's having game night, like, next week. Who's going?" Soonyoung asks after checking his phone.
Everyone voices out agreement with varying levels of enthusiasm.
tiger enthusiast
i asked junhui, jeonghan, seokmin, and jisoo
everyone's going
non-tiger enthusiast
okay but did i ask
"He said okay," Soonyoung whoops.
"Can my roommate come too? He's pretty chill," Seokmin asks, typing away on his phone.
"Depends. Who's he?" Soonyoung shrugs.
"Wonwoo," he answers, and Junhui's mouth drops.
"Wait, like Wonwoo? Jeon Wonwoo? The guy with the deep voice?" Junhui's eyes suddenly burst open.
"If you're talking about the broadcasting major, then yeah," Seokmin replies casually, playing with Jisoo's hair.
Junhui and Jeonghan exchange glances.
"Do all our friends know each other?" Jeonghan whispers, and Junhui looks appalled as he nods.
tiger enthusiast
someone called wonwoo's coming too
have you seen him before
non-tiger enthusiast
do i look like the fbi
i think he's mingyu's boyfriend
tiger enthusiast
?? he got a boyf before me ??
Soonyoung shoos everyone out, Junhui sitting in silence as he watches his roommate pick up Jenga blocks with his feet.
"Minghao called me Zhanhua," he suddenly whines. Soonyoung cackles, and kicks a Monopoly card across the room.
Jeonghan really hates essays. He even hates it more than living an active lifestyle, and that's saying something.
"I'm going to the café to study. Do you want anything?" he asks Jisoo.
"An Americano, please," Jisoo shouts. "Why are you even going to a café anyway? It's not like you can't revise here."
He really doesn't want to admit that he wants to catch a glimpse of that hot stranger, so he doesn't. "It's quieter," he lies. He bolts before Jisoo can question him.
The bell on the door rings when Jeonghan enters the café.
"Ah, Jeonghan-hyung! Guess what. Wonwoo invited me to game night with his friends!" Mingyu hums happily as he leans over the counter. Either he doesn't notice Jeonghan's blanched face, or he chooses not to care.
"You mean...Jihoon's game night?" Jeonghan asks really slowly.
"Oh, so you know him too! Wonwoo said you were going," beams Mingyu as he sneaks Jeonghan a slice of cheesecake. Jeonghan shakes his head and slaps his palms against his face. He gives Mingyu a defeated expression and orders an Americano, going to sit at a table.
sunday morning
going to jihoon's
come over and pass me my americano once you're done
jeonghan
i don't know where he lives??
sunday morning
you'll figure it out
jeonghan
?????????
Jeonghan sighs as he sips his Americano, fiddling with the straw as he tries to study.
"Latte," a pretty voice floats from the cashier counter, and Jeonghan's head snaps up. His eyes dart around before he's looking at the same stranger. As if he could feel Jeonghan's gaze, he turns to smile at him.
Jeonghan gives a shaky smile back before hiding behind his laptop screen. He types away, researching about the stupid essay topic.
"Huh, so humanity evolved?" Jeonghan snorts derisively as he stares at his screen. "People get heightened senses around their soulmates? What, are you gonna tell me that some soulmate mark is going to appear?"
He rolls his eyes and packs his things; clearly this has been going nowhere. Suddenly, the cake tastes overwhelmingly sweet and Jeonghan feels like leaving.
"Mingyu, do you know how to go to Jihoon's dorm? Shua told me to get him an Americano," he sighs. Mingyu's telling him how to get to the dorm, but all Jeonghan can think about is how much the stranger suits blonde.
"Oh, thanks," Jeonghan tells Mingyu, and grabs the Americano.
Dimly, Jeonghan wonders if he'll get lost.
He didn't, and he's really proud of that.
"Jisoo?" he calls from the door and knocks hesitantly. The door opens, and Jeonghan's greeted by a lithe figure who lets him in.
"Pass me that, I'm dying," Jisoo cries out melodramatically, sprawled on the floor. Jeonghan snickers and gives his best friend the coffee. "So, how did the studying go?"
"It sucked. How am I supposed to write a paper on evolution and soulmates?" he complains.
"Did you get Professor Choi for history? He's my roommate's father," Jihoon comments, taking a swig from a bottle of water. "Just write some bullshit about how humanity evolved to make sure the population restores itself, I guess. Easy A."
"Never knew you had a roommate. Aren't you all about the life of solitude?" Jeonghan replies, shifting to lie down on the couch.
Jihoon makes some snarky remark about how he's actually a really social person, and the door creaks open.
"Oh, he's back. Hi, Cheolie," Jihoon chirps. Jeonghan has to chew on his lip to stop himself from commenting on Jihoon's change of tone. He arches his back so he can see the door behind him.
"Hey, Jihoon. Oh, you're here too, Joshua," 'Cheolie' says.
"Wait, wait, I'm here too," Jeonghan grumbles from the couch and turns his body completely to face the stranger. He spits his coffee all over Jisoo, who starts yelling at him. "Hot café guy?!"
Jisoo nudges Jihoon, who nods and starts texting Soonyoung.
non-tiger enthusiast
guess what
jeonghan saw my roommate and went into a gay panic
tiger enthusiast
oh my god wait
junhui told me that jeonghan died when he saw a hot guy yesterday
does your roommate have shoulder length blonde hair and "really hot veiny hands"
non-tiger enthusiast
wouldn't be my choice of words but yeah
"You think I'm hot? Thanks, I guess. I'm Seungcheol," the really hot stranger introduces. Jeonghan feels his brain malfunctioning.
"Did I seriously say that out loud? I'm Jeonghan," Jeonghan groans, flopping back onto the couch in shame. His face starts flushing, but he doesn't know if it's from embarrassment or because Seungcheol's name is as cute as him.
tiger enthusiast
hot café guy is actually jihoon's roommate lol
jeonghan saw him when he went over
junjun huihui
?? lucky
if only i had that kind of luck w minghao lol
tiger enthusiast
better luck next time zhanhua
"Is the history professor really your father? Because if he is, you should tell him to make his assignments easier. Jeonghan's dying from it," Jisoo sips his coffee, seemingly unbothered by Jeonghan's mental breakdown next to him.
"The paper about the catastrophe? No can do, he's proud of that," replies Seungcheol, kicking his shoes off. "I can send a copy of mine though, he called it insightful."
"My saving grace," drones Jeonghan, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of digging a hole and climbing into it, and launching himself out of the open window.
sunday morning
jeonghan's dying rn
his hot café guy is actually jihoon's roommate
seokminnie
now this is news
wonwoo was telling me that jeonghan looked like he was having a meltdown yesterday
guess ik why
sunday morning
fr
The laugh Seungcheol gives Jeonghan makes him throw away all the thoughts of digging holes and launching oneself out of the window.
"Yeah, I'll send it to you. What's your phone number?" Seungcheol whips out his phone and stares at Jeonghan expectantly. Jeonghan feels himself dying for the third time in two minutes.
He's proud that his voice only wavers slightly when he gives his number. His phone buzzes.
cheol
hi
jeonghan
i'm like less than a metre away from you but hi
Jeonghan looks at him, bemused.
"Had to make sure you didn't give me a fake number," Seungcheol shrugs.
He doesn't want to admit it, but Jeonghan finds him fascinating.