Chapter Text
“Hanbin, I’m begging you,” Matthew whines, “just talk to the guy. He’s really nice, I swear!”
Matthew’s not even sure than Hanbin heard him, not with the way he’s staring across the dining hall at Zhang Hao again. Matthew turns to whine to Hoetaek, who smiles fondly at the scene.
“Hyung!” Matthew whines again, shaking Hanbin a bit this time. This seems to finally grab his attention.
“What?” Hanbin says, shaking himself out of his Zhang Hao induced daze. Gyuvin giggles a bit behind his hand, hiding it in a cough when Hanbin narrows his eyes.
“Stop staring at Zhang Hao and just talk to him,” Hoetaek repeats, “Young love is cute and all, but it’s actually kind of hard to hear myself think over your staring.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works..” Gyuvin comments, Yujin nodding in response. Hoetaek shrugs.
Hanbin shakes his head, returning his eyes to the red-haired boy across the hall. Hanbin’s fascination with Zhang Hao was obvious, or at least he thought so. Zhang Hao didn’t seem to share that same sentiment. He barely seemed to acknowledge that Hanbin existed sometimes, which only made Hanbin all the more intrigued.
Hanbin first noticed him in one of his education classes. When he had initially signed up for the class, he was expecting the class to consist of the same classmates, which in the past had been mainly young women. He wasn’t expecting to walk in and see the man of his dreams. So he’s a little dramatic, sue him.
Zhang Hao, he found out from introductions, is a music major, and wants to teach music to students. Despite being an elementary school major, Hanbin found this admirable. Every class discussion made him want to be near the older boy more, as Hanbin was becoming increasingly aware with how caring and almost maternal he seemed to be.
His infatuation only got worse when they were paired up for a project together, and Zhang Hao was even kinder than he seemed. Hanbin truly despised groupwork, no matter how social he may seem. He always ended up doing most of the work, and he was fully prepared for the same situation this time. Zhang Hao surprised him, however, sharing his own ideas and actually contributing for once. Ever since then, Hanbin has had a bit of a crush on him. They barely have any classes together, so Hanbin doesn’t waste any of his precious Zhang Hao time on useless things like eating, or paying attention to his lovely group of friends.
“Dude. Seriously.” Gyuvin interrupts his thoughts, “What is your problem? Why won’t you just ask him out?”
Hanbin sighs, “I can’t just walk up to him and ask him out. I don’t think he even remembers who I am.”
“I’m sure he does,” Matthew says, placing a hand on his shoulder, “With how much you stare at him, I don’t see how he could not notice you.”
Hanbin scowls at this, shrugging off the hand of his best friend. “What am I even supposed to say to him? I haven’t spoken to him in weeks.”
“Hi Zhang Hao! I’m actually in love with you! Do you want listen to my three page essay on reasons why your smile brightens my day?” Matthew provides, dodging a light hit from Hanbin.
“Honestly, Hanbin, just tell him that you want to get to know him better.” Hoetaek provides, turning his attention from Matthew and Hanbin’s fight to his own tray of food.
“I can’t just do that!” Hanbin whines, “What if he thinks I’m weird, or like, a stalker.”
“You kind of are.”
“Hoetaek hyung! I thought you were on my side!”
“I know! Ask him to be your boyfriend, but like fake it.” Gyuvin says, smiling proudly at his idea, Hanbin’s eyes lighting up.
“That’s stupid.” Yujin responds, “Do you think Zhang Hao is stupid?”
“No, but I think Hanbin is stupid enough to do it.”
—
“Hao, I don’t want to freak you out, but, he’s coming over here.” Keita says, nudging Zhang Hao in the ribs.
Zhang Hao startles at this, glancing over his shoulder to see Hanbin marching towards their table, perhaps with the most confidence he’s ever seen in the younger boy. After ten or so minutes of being stared at, Zhang Hao was hoping he was finally going to have a minute or two of peace.
Not that Zhang Hao really minded being stared at, not if it was Hanbin anyways. Zhang Hao had had a crush on Hanbin for what seems like for forever, and even having the privilege of being stared at by Hanbin was enough to make his last year self freak.
“What do you think he wants?” Zhang Hao dares to ask, but he regrets it as soon as Ricky goes to open his mouth. “Nevermind, no time for that.”
“Zhang Hao!” Hanbin calls, “Can I talk to you?”
Zhang Hao nods, ignoring the smirk from Keita and the low cheer from Ricky. Ollie is my favorite Zhang Hao thinks, watching as the younger boy mouths a “Good luck.”
Zhang Hao allows Hanbin to lead them out of the dining hall, and stands beside him outside. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you would be my boyfriend?”
What?
Zhang Hao must’ve said that out loud, if Hanbin’s face was anything to go off of.
“Sorry, I screwed that up. I was wondering if you’d be my fake boyfriend?”
“Fake boyfriend?” Zhang Hao dares to ask, fighting the flush that he feels rising up his neck, “What for?”
“Oh! Uh, God this is embarrassing.” Hanbin flusters, hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. Zhang Hao can’t help but notice how bright Hanbin’s cheeks are showing red. He thinks Hanbin looks pretty like this. “Well, um, I kind of have a crush on someone, and I was hoping you could help me make him jealous.”
“Jealous? Me?” Zhang Hao questions, enjoying the way Hanbin seems to fluster further.
“Yeah, you. You don’t have to or anything- it’s just that I thought, well you know, since we don’t really know each other, it might be more believable. I can’t exactly ask someone I know really well to do this, so I thought I’d ask you. I’m sorry- it’s stupid-” Hanbin rambles, and Zhang Hao can’t help but notice how anxious he looks, and he hates it. What he really hates, however, is himself, because he catches himself agreeing.
“It’s fine, Hanbin. I’m flattered you thought of me. If you really think I can help, I’m willing.”
Hanbin’s eyes light up, and Zhang Hao catches himself smiling at the sight. He tries to play this off before Hanbin can question it.
“Really?” Hanbin asks, like he’s expecting Zhang Hao to make fun of him.
“Sure,” he sighs. Curse him and his weak heart. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
—
“Me?!” Matthew all but yells, and Hanbin jumps back before he has a chance to grab him. He can hear Gyuvin laughing loudly behind him, but he can only deal with one problem at a time.
“I’m sorry!” Hanbin cries, “He asked and I didn’t think that far ahead! You made the most sense at the time.”
“I’d ask how, but I don’t want to know.” Matthew whines, leaning into Hoetaek for comfort. “You better not start hitting on me.”
Hanbin fake gags at this, “I would never.”