Chapter Text
Good afternoon, students.
Regarding the invertebrate observation/exploration activity, after considering the conditions and various requests, we hereby announce the following:
- The Animal Diversity: Invertebrate practicum next week will be an observation/exploration activity. Therefore, sit-in sessions in the laboratory are canceled, and attendance will be recorded manually.
- The invertebrate observation/exploration will take place at the beaches. We do not determine a specific beach, students are free to choose the location themselves.
- The observation/exploration period is a week before the Invertebrate practicum began. Transportation to the location will be by private vehicle.
- Before departure, each group is required to prepare a preservative solution for specimens. The technique follows what was taught in the Laboratory Management and Techniques course. The preservative solution is 70% alcohol. Each group must prepare their own glass jars.
- Before conducting observations, study in advance the different types of marine animals. The invertebrate samples collected should preferably include representatives from Porifera, Cnidaria, worms (Annelida/Plathyhelminthes/Nemathelimthes), Echinodermata, Arthropoda, and Mollusca. A minimum of 6 types of species should be collected, but more is encouraged.
- When collecting samples, documentation is required, and safety must be prioritized. If tides or waves are high, do not attempt to approach. Make sure the collection is conducted during low tide. Collection must be done using tools or at least gloves; bare hands are strictly prohibited.
- Participants must prioritize safety during travel to the location, be cautious on the road, and it is strictly prohibited to return from the location late at night.
Thank you for your attention. We hope this field experience will help you better understand marine invertebrates directly in their natural habitat. Always prioritize safety, maintain teamwork, and conduct the activity responsibly.
Seonghwa sighed, turning off his phone with a little reluctance, though his thumb hovered over the screen for a moment thinking that maybe he should type a complaint, something half-sarcastic, or half-serious? But, what was the point?
This announcement had been the only thing he’d actually been waiting for all week, and now that it was out, it wasn’t quite what he wanted. And it was disappointing enough to drain the spark of enthusiasm that’d been keeping him upright. Yes, he did love observing, loved the sea, had this quiet curiosity of marine life moving in patterns older than time itself. But the plan didn’t quite sit with him. This, the whole “Go find your own beach” didn’t fit the image he’d been hoping for.
But still. The decision had been made.
He sighed again, looking up, the clock on the wall pointed straight at 11:44, that surprised him a little. Two hours? He blinked at it, then at the window’s faint light leaking through the curtains. It had only felt like thirty minutes he was here at the library. Maybe what people said about it was true? That the library had that strange power to slow time down, wrap someone in its silence until the rest of the world blurred. Seonghwa looked at the table in front of him and clicked the bottom of his pen against the table.
“Yep, that’s why.”
Because the table gave him the answer right away. His glinting laptop, three opened books lying like an altar of devotion with their pages overlapping and corners marked with sticky notes. The one in the first heading read “Polyplacophora Anatomy”. There was still his notebook sitting beside it, opened to a half-finished sketch of a chiton which he had poured so much effort in making a clean outline, especially the scales, shaded meticulously, but the page still felt incomplete with empty lines waiting for his attention.
Earlier that morning, when he first saw the picture of the creature, a shiver had run down his spine. The armored plates, something about it, the way it seemed like it could crawl off the page and onto his skin had made him squirm. But he’d fought the urge to look away and drew it instead. Even when the assignment wasn’t due soon, he was ridiculously early. Because this was how he worked, finishing things early, getting it done, and distracting himself from everything else going wrong.
The thing was, today’s material was invertebrates, and every time before a practicum or field observation, the students were required to submit a literature review, with references—this one was a must—and sketches if possible. And Park Seonghwa had definitely almost done with all of them.
He leaned over his laptop again, securing his notes and scrolling the page, each paragraph had been written with focus that came only from mild obsession, but mostly from sheer habit. He doubted the others were doing the same because most of them, he knew, liked to wait until after the fieldwork to write anything down. The classic “We’ll learn it after we see it” like Wooyoung—oh he definitely should tell Wooyoung to finish the literature review soon—which, in his opinion, was completely wrong.
“You study first. Then you observe. That’s literally how science works,” he muttered to himself. It was principle. You couldn’t identify what you didn’t understand. You couldn’t respect what you hadn’t learned about. Perks of being a biology student. You end up lecturing yourself more than anyone else does, he thought.
He sighed again, this time softer, letting the air leave him like a resignation. Enough for today. He began to pack up his things. It should be lunch time by now, which meant Wooyoung’s and Yeosang and Jongho’s additional classes were probably over already. Seonghwa had morning class only for today, which had ended at 9 am. Since he would be having a group meeting at lunch break with Yeosang, Jongho, and Wooyoung, he chosen the library to wait them up.
He returned two of the three books to their shelves, stacking them neatly, keeping the other one left tucked under his arm. The one he borrowed about Mollusca: A Study of Marine Soft-bodied Invertebrates, which he couldn’t stop flipping through. After signing the library membership card, he walked out, pushing open the heavy library door.
The shift from the still air of the library to the faint warmth outside from the hallway made him blink a few times. Students passed by in chatter, bags slung over shoulders, the usual midday rhythm of campus life. He took a deep breath. He just needed to head to the cafeteria, and as soon as he met with his group, he would pour everything out about the beach observation.
“Hey, Seonghwa!”
The voice came from somewhere down the hall, pulling Seonghwa’s attention. Turning around, he blinked again, recognizing the familiar face. “Ian, hi…”
Ian smiled as he caught up. He was Seonghwa’s other classmate for the BAD (Biology Animal Diversity) subject. Along with Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Jongho.
“Have you read the announcement?” Ian asked, slowing his pace to match Seonghwa’s.
Seonghwa nodded. “Just minutes ago.”
“You read it as soon as it popped, I assume.”
Seonghwa let out a small laugh. “Yeah, I was expecting it.”
“But?” Ian prompted.
Of course Ian would guess what was on his mind, Ian had been the one who suggested the bus arrangement in the first place. A proper college trip, which is the only thing that actually made sense. Seonghwa had supported it fully, especially since it would’ve been more manageable. But now that the new plan was adjusted for the students to get there alone, that was inconvenient and absurd.
“People go to college to study,” Seonghwa said instead. “And they pay a lot to do it. Shouldn’t there be, you know, facilities that match what they’re paying for?”
“Yeah, they should be doing that. But now that they want us to go alone…” Ian paused, his tone a little hesitant. “Would you go with me?”
Seonghwa turned his head slightly. “Go where?”
“To the beach?”
Seonghwa processed it for a moment, puzzled like Ian had asked him to explain a chemical reaction out of nowhere. “Shouldn’t you be going with your group?”
Ian only shrugged, but there was something deliberate in the way his lips curved. “Yeah, that’s the plan. But you can go with me if you want.”
Seonghwa’s brows furrowed slightly, and he mirrored the shrug. “Well, I’ll go with whatever my group decides. I’ll talk to them first whether if they want to join yours or not, I’ll inform you late—”
“No, I mean—” Ian interrupted. “Well… yeah, but you can drive with me.”
And that was the moment Seonghwa got it. His steps faltered for half a second as the realization settled in, suddenly it was awkward all at once. Seonghwa cleared his throat lightly. Not that he didn’t like Ian. He did like him in the sort of comfortable and steady friend you liked who always got your back.
“I…” Seonghwa blinked once again, looking straight ahead instead of at Ian. “I think no. I’ll be going with my group.” He said it softly, almost apologetically, but firm enough that Ian got the message.
Ian nodded, exhaling through a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. Of course. I figured you’d say that.”
Seonghwa continued his walk despite everything—along with Ian. He was glad that this wasn’t really that awkward—anymore? but at least the two of them had pretended they weren’t thinking about what just happened.
“How about… lunch today?” Ian asked again, trying for nonchalance but tripping just a bit over his words.
Seonghwa looked over, hesitated, with a polite smile flickered on his lips. “Well, I already—”
“He already has an appointment, excuse me!”
The sudden voice came from behind them, loud enough to make both of them turn. Ian rolled his eyes immediately. “Of course. With you, Wooyoung.”
The said Wooyoung was already curling his hand easily over Seonghwa’s shoulder, tugging him a step closer like a cat claiming territory, grinning just like a cat itself who hissed over its opponent over a food. “Who says it’s me?” he shot back, arching an eyebrow.
Seonghwa frowned. Of course it was him. They’d planned to grab lunch together with their group after his class ended.
“He already has an appointment with his b-o-y-friend,” Wooyoung added sweetly, every syllable soaked in mischief. “So don’t try too hard.”
Ian’s face fell, confusion flickering into something more uncertain. “What?” He looked back at Seonghwa. “You… have a boyfriend?”
“Well—”
“Yes!” Wooyoung cut in. So I suggest you stop asking him out.”
“Wooyoung, what—” Seonghwa hissed under his breath, elbowing him hard in the side.
Wooyoung yelped but didn’t budge. “What? Am I wrong?”
“Oh,” Ian said finally, and Seonghwa could see a flicker of hurt in Ian’s eyes before it was gone. “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, well, now you do,” Wooyoung chimed in. “He does have a boyfriend. You can find him in the second-floor laboratory. Physics lab.”
There was a sharp pause. Seonghwa almost choked on his own saliva. “Wooyoung. What the hell are you—”
Ian cleared his throat, looking down for a second as thoughtrying to shove away whatever thought had just crossed his mind. When he looked up again, he smiled tightly. “Right, of course. Lucky guy, I guess.” He adjusted his bag strap over his shoulder. “Well… I’ll see you later, Seonghwa.”
Seonghwa opened his mouth, wanting to say wait and clear it up whatever misunderstanding Wooyoung had just thrown into the universe but Ian was already walking off, hands tucked in his pockets. As soon as he turned the corner Seonghwa whirled around on Wooyoung with wide eyes. “Why would you say that?!”
Wooyoung shrugged. “What? Thought you were getting annoyed at him asking you out every other week, what was this now, the fifth time?” Seonghw a was about to retort but Wooyoung didn’t let him.
“Because from what I remembered, the fourth time happened when you told me that Hongjoong suddenly got stuck doing some demonstration about what–Schrödinger mechanism? Whatever, so he couldn’t pick you up which left you standing alone outside class until Ian asked you to go with him instead.”
Seonghwa widened his eyes. “Don’t say that outloud.” He closed his hand over Wooyoung’s mouth. “What if Ian heard that??”
“So that he’ll know! First, I’m saving you from getting awkward anytime you refuse him and second, I’m saving him from suffering more later knowing that you would never want to,” muffled Wooyoung.
“You don’t have to sound so sarcastic,” Seonghwa hinted. “Please don’t do that again, I’m trying not to make this uncomfortable. I’d rather keep everything civil.” He finally let go of Wooyoung’s mouth and regretted it immediately.
“Fine, but when are you to tell everyone that you and KIM HONGJOONG—”
Seonghwa slapped his hand over his mouth again. “WOOYOUNG—” And he ignored the muffled protest as he grabbed Wooyoung’s wrist and started dragging him down the hallway before he could say anything worse.
They eventually made it to the cafeteria, a place near the food court where Seonghwa could smell fried fries and cheap coffee that lingered in the air which made him nearly let go of Wooyoung hand but he didn’t—really, Seonghwa had to choose for the quietest corner possible, hidden enough that Wooyoung couldn’t accidentally expose his entire relationship to the campus population. He was still visibly heated, though he was trying hard to look composed. His lips pressed too thin, cheeks warm, eyes narrowed with lingering irritation.
Meanwhile the culprit himself was utterly unbothered, giggling at mostly like he hadn’t just caused minor emotional chaos back in the corridor, the sight of them now—Seonghwa dragging Wooyoung around—felt less like two college students arguing and more like a mother cat hauling away her horribly misbehaved kitten by the scruff.
The moment they found an empty bench, Seonghwa dropped his tote bag onto the table with a loud thud before sitting down heavily. He was still holding onto Wooyoung’s wrist when he sat, which meant Wooyoung got yanked down beside him far less gracefully.
“Ow!!” Wooyoung complained instantly. “No need to do that?? If my ass ends up permanently flattened I’m blaming you.”
Seonghwa looked back in horror, before dragging both of his palms down his face, sighing. He tried to remind himself that Wooyoung was just being Wooyoung. But why was everything out of order today? He sighed, maybe this was probably the effect from the announcement.
He didn’t say anything but reached inside his tote back and started unpacking his lunch box. Wooyoung was now already darted off, already calling out an order still with his usual noisy energy. When he came back, tray in hand, Seonghwa was chewing silently. Wooyoung plopped down across from him. “You’re as red as a tomato. Actually, wait. I can’t tell if that’s because you’re mad at m—”
“I’m not mad at you.”
Wooyoung smirked. “Or because I mentioned Kim Hongjoong.”
Seonghwa’s cheeks somehow turned even redder.
“Ah,” Wooyoung said knowingly, pointing his chopstick at him. “So you really are in that disgusting lovey-dovey phase. That’s normal, by the way, most people in their first relationship act shy and pretend they’re not dating.” Wooyoung gestured dramatically at Seonghwa. “Just like you. Avoiding eye contact, panicking every five seconds—seriously, your face looks like it’s about to combust.”
Seonghwa blinked slowly. Then he inhaled deeply, turning around and fixing Wooyoung with an intensely steady stare. Wooyoung gradually stopped chewing. “Wooyoung. How many times do I have to tell you that we are not boyfriends,” he paused, immediately ruining the seriousness by faltering, “...yet.”
Wooyoung clapped his hands. “Hah! ‘Not yet’ but you blush every time you think about him.” Seonghwa almost chocked kn his own food. “Relax. You even sound defensive when you say that. That’s a classic denial stage. But anyway, parking hall, laboratory building, last Friday. You think no one saw you two? Hongjoong had you cornered.”
Seonghwa’s chopsticks froze midair. His brain short-circuited for exactly two seconds before he sputtered, “We were—he was—Hongjoong was helping me carry things from our microbiology practicum, just averages!”
“Oh sure, ‘helping’. But you two kissed, was he helping you carrying stuff or helping you breathe through your mout—”
“WOOYOUNG!” The volume of Seonghwa’s voice turned several heads at nearby tables. Mortified, he lowered his tone. “You can’t just say things like that out loud!”
“Hey, I’m just saying, if he’s not your boyfriend yet, then hurry up and make it official. Because honestly, watching you deny it every day is genuinely entertaining. Please, Hwa, I know you’re not that dumb but everyone already knows there’s something going on. You’re the only one still in denial, my dear not-boyfriend-haver.”
“It’s not everyone. It’s only you, Yeosang, and Jongho know.” Wooyoung raised an eyebrow. “…And San. And Mingi. And Yunho,” Seonghwa admitted miserably. “And I would very much like to keep it that way.”
“Why? I mean, why are you still so shy about it?” Wooyoung asked, a little softer and calmer this time, like, a real curiosity that piqued. “Hongjoong doesn’t act half as flustered as you do. Your almost boyfriend walks around looking cool as hell, and here you are, blushing like your entire face made up of gasoline.”
What does that even mean? Seonghwa cringed, then stared down at his lunchbox. His face warmed but growing calmer, even though color was still creeping up his neck. “Because… we just want to go slower.” I want to go slower.
“Well… that actually explains a lot of your behavior.” Fortunately though, Wooyoung continued eating again.
Seonghwa narrowed his eyes and was still preparing for another round of teasing, but then exhaled, letting his shoulders loosen for the first time in what felt like forever when wooyoung didn’t prompt anything again. They finally had a peaceful moment of lunch break—safe for only ten seconds after that.
“There they are,” Yeosang’s voice filtered through the hallway air.
Both Seonghwa and Wooyoung turned toward the source to see Yeosang was walking over with Jongho trailing behind him, looking half-awake as usual, like he’d either just woken up from a nap or was planning his next one already. Did he sleep through class again?
“Why are you guys hiding in some secret corner?” Jongho asked as they approached. “Trying to avoid a professor or something?”
Seonghwa instinctively shifted over to make room. Yeosang slid onto the bench beside him while Jongho sat down next to Wooyoung with his usual calm that bordered more on permanent boredom. Both of them immediately started unpacking their lunchboxes.
“And that announcement,” Yeosang muttered flatly, sounding irritated in the most Yeosang way possible. “I hate it.”
“They really never think about us, do they,” Wooyoung complained. “Why are we being sent off alone for an assignment, like, what exactly am I paying tuition for?”
“Exactly,” agreed Seonghwa.
“So let me get this straight. We’re expected to observe marine invertebrates…” Jongho paused. “Alone?”
Seongwha nodded. “Alone. We’re going with no campus facilities and no guided laboratory session. It’s just the beach and your own survival instincts.”
“Is this a university or wilderness training? Where’s the organization and the academic structure?” Wooyoung added.
Seonghwa nodded again. “We’re supposed to learn collaboratively.” Then he suddenly looked up at the others. “Wait. Have you guys finished your literature reviews yet?”
Wooyoung immediately reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Almost…”
“Wooyoung.”
“Two pages,” Wooyoung defended weakly. “I already wrote two whole—”
“Paragraphs,” Yeosang corrected without looking up from his food. “I think he means two paragraphs.”
Wooyoung closed his eyes in defeat.
Seonghwa clicked his tongue. “Finish it before Sunday,” he deadpanned. Then he turned toward the other two.
“I’m almost done,” Yeosang said.
“I still haven’t written the sections for Asteroidea and Echinoidea,” Jongho admitted. “Two classes left.”
Seonghwa nodded. Then slowly turned back toward Wooyoung. “Wooyoung.”
“Yes, mom.”
Seonghwa ignored him. “We should study the specimens properly first,” he said, steering the conversation back toward the observation project. “Read the theories and learn the classifications. Know what you’re actually looking for, not just run into the ocean and hope something bites you.”
Jongho bumped his shoulder to Wooyoung’s, then snorted. “Yeah, apparently the administration forgot that science is supposed to involve preparation and logic. But—wait, didn’t Ian suggest to the professors about arranging a bus? That would’ve been so much better.”
“He did, but… I guess it wasn’t just the professors. They might have taken more suggestions from some of the other students that prefer to go alone.”
Yeosang took a slow sip of his iced tea, tilting his head. “Yeah, that’s it. Some students apparently yelled that they wanted to go alone… so they could, you know, play around.”
That’s why. If we go alone, it’s chaos. No organization and guidance. Seonghwa thought.
“Bunch of shitheads,” Wooyoung muttered.
“Actually, going alone isn’t that much trouble. But the nearest beach from here is almost a two hour ride,” Jongho said. Though most of them—Jongho and Wooyoung—already had driver’s licenses, it wasn’t a matter of capability. The real problem was… why the college didn’t provide proper facilities.
“We’re going with my car, then,” Jongho added. “But Wooyoung, you gotta take over when I get tired.”
“No, I can’t!” Wooyoung bit his lip. “I’m not driving with you guys.”
Yeosang frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I… um, already told San, and he said he’d go too. So… I’m going with him.”
Jongho scoffed. “Of course you’d call San to join us.”
Seonghwa slammed his chopsticks down a little too loudly, making the other three freeze mid-bite. “Wooyoung! We’re going together the four of us so we can organize it properly. Don’t go alone by yourselves!”
Wooyoung quickly raised his hands defensively. “We’re not going alone! I’ll be right behind you like a convoy.”
Seonghwa groaned, leaning back, feeling a small pang of betrayal. “Great… you with San, and now I’m stuck in one car with Yeosang and Jongho.”
Yeosang and Jongho exchanged amused glances, already aware of the dynamic. Meanwhile, Seonghwa felt decidedly, like the odd one out in a perfect little pair-up. Not fair… he muttered under his breath, poking at his rice with the tip of his chopsticks.
Yeosang leaned back. “Why don’t you just… ask your… whatever-boyfriend? But no pressure, of course.”
“He’s too shy,” Wooyoung interjected.
“I’m still curious what happened when you returned his lab coat that day, except for Hongjoong asking you to go to dinner with him,” Jongho noted.
“Seonghwa’s first kiss happened.”
“Just that? Nothing else?”
Seonghwa’s face heated up all over again, the heat crawling down his neck. ‘Just that’?? It was my first kiss! His thought stipulated.
Closing his eyes, he took a very deep breath. When he opened them, he narrowed his eyes sharp enough to be dangerous. “Can we not talk about this? Let’s talk about the observation.”
“Yes, mom,” the three of them said in perfect unison, voices teasingly obedient.
*
Seonghwa dropped his tote bag onto the couch, shoulders slumped as he did. Though there was only a single class, the day had been long, there were a dozen small things that left him drained by the time he got home. He blinked at the clock on the wall. Exactly four. No wonder his body felt like lead.
He exhaled softly, stretching his arms above his head before sinking into the couch. At least one thing has been settled now, their plan for the invertebrate observation would be Jongho driving, and since Yeosang would be in the passenger seat he would navigate, and Seonghwa probably would be stuck in the back of the car, meanwhile that little menace Wooyoung had triumphantly declared he’d be going with San. Figures.
The plan was more or less finalized, he had drawn the short straw for jars and alcohol. He’d need to get those soon, at least 500 mL of 70% alcohol for each jars. Twelve jars in total, if he remembered correctly from the discussion earlier. That was going to be a lot of work, and of course would be exhausting.
He’d cleaned himself up after dinner—he didn’t eat much, but enough amount to keep his stomach from growling—then took a quick shower, and before he realized it, the sky outside had already turned dark. Late August nights always had that quiet kind of chill, and his apartment felt almost too cozy for it. The small desk lamp cast a warm pool of light over his table, where his laptop glowed faintly beside an open book about Mollusca. His fingers danced over the keyboard, typing out bits of his literature review.
Ding!
His phone lit up on the table beside the book. He blinked, pulling his hands back from the keyboard. The notification banner flashed a name he didn’t expect this late at night.
Hongjoong(ie):
Hey, how are you today? Sorry for not replying earlier—been buried in something. You okay?
Seonghwa’s cheeks warmed instantly as he read the message. He hadn’t really minded Hongjoong being quiet, after all, the man had told him yesterday that he was finishing up a project that had been eating up most of his time. Still, he hadn’t expected to miss him this much.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t talked—of course, they’d exchanged a few messages here and there. But since last Tuesday, a week ago, they hadn’t seen each other at all on campus. And now, with that single message glowing on his screen, it was ridiculous how quickly his heart decided to react.
‘Everything’s fine. Just got an announcement about something…’ he typed back.
Actually, Seonghwa hesitated first before sending it. He didn’t want to bother Hongjoong with the little details of his day. But… Hongjoong had once told him he liked hearing about his academic chaos, like observations and lab work. The same way Seonghwa loved hearing Hongjoong talk about his projects, about the things he built and dreamed. Hongjoong always managed to surprise him, just like he’d promised, to never stop amazing him.
He still remembered the first time they met, or well… not likely the first time meeting, but it was the first time they were together, Hongjoong was explaining that absurdly fascinating concept about quantum mechanical work for the heart. God, how lovely that day was. He’d never really forgotten it. His phone dinged again.
Hongjoong(ie):
About the observation? The one you’ve been looking forward to these days?
Me:
Yess, but it’s not exactly what I was hoping for. Still fine, though
Hongjoong(ie):
What’s the problem? Tell me, should I email the person responsible? Or maybe slide a note under his office door?
Seonghwa laughed quietly, biting back a grin as warmth spread through his chest and butterflies swarming over his stomach.
Me:
It’s a long story. I’ll probably end up
ranting and nagging here
Hongjoong(ie):
Should we call then?
But I might get distracted a little… I’m outside right now
Me:
Then don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you next time
Hongjoong(ie):
Okay. Save it for Friday night, I’ll hear everything^^
Seonghwa stopped dead. Friday night. His cheeks flamed warmer he felt like burning. Hongjoong had asked him out for dinner. Even after months, he didn’t know why he still felt this way. Months after… whatever this was between them began. Dating? Maybe. Neither of them ever said boyfriends. That was Seonghwa’s choice, and Hongjoong respected it completely, which only made Seonghwa’s heart ache even more. He loved that about him, he loved the way Hongjoong never pushed nor demanded labels. Hongjoong accepted just the quiet, staying by each other’s side.
And honestly, it wasn’t like Wooyoung was wrong when he called them boyfriends anyway. They acted like one, but without the public declaration because Seonghwa didn’t like making things too official and open. It had been like this for months and still, only six people established whatever this relationship was. Their closest friends of course. He smiled lightly when remembered the other thing Wooyoung had teased him about. They did kiss often—BUT in Seonghwa’s defense, it was still a normal amount—unlike Wooyoung who practically lived attached to San’s mouth every day. Seonghwa would never—
…well, maybe he would—wait, what? Anyway, Hongjoong was more than happy with the way things were. Gentle, steady, and understanding.
Hongjoong(ie):
You didn’t forget, right?
Of course not. Seonghwa smiled softly, thumb hovering over the message, about to click the notification but—
Ding!
Another notification popped up, and he accidentally clicked it instead.
🤸🏻🤸🏻BIOLOGY CHAOS🤸🏻🤸🏻
Wooyo:
CALLING FOR ALL THE CRABS 🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
AND ALL THE JELLYFISH 🪼🪼🪼🪼🪼🪼🪼🪼
@you I’M HERE FOR THE TASK, I’M READYYY
Jjongie:
Geez, stop capslocking??
Sangie:
Aren’t Seonghwa listed already, weren’t you taking notes?
Wooyo:
…
No
Sangie:
Were you even listening??
Wooyo:
I did
Jjongie:
Lie
Wooyo:
🦀🪼🦀🪼🦀🪼🦀🪼🦀🪼
Wooyo:
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Wooyo:
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Wooyo:
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Me:
Wooyoung stop spamming
Wooyo:
Sorry
Jjongie:
He’s not
Seonghwa sighed as he faced his laptop again that painted him in a faint blue light. The night had settled in quietly safe from the occasional ping of group notifications breaking the calm. He examined his literature review again, the biology references.
Me:
Okay listen
I’ve compiled the observation list below:
1. Porifera: sea sponges, tube sponges
2. Cnidaria: jellyfish, coral, anemones
3. Nemathelminthes: nematodes
(usually found in sand), marine worms
4. Platyhelminthes: marine flatworms
(this one usually in the deep sea, so i think no)
5. Annelida: sandworms
6. Mollusca: squid, sea slugs/snails
octopus, clams, sea shells
7. Arthropoda: crustaceans like crabs
lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles
pycnogonids like sea spiders
8. Echinodermata: starfish,
sea urchins, sea cucumbers
Wooyo:
Fuuuuck
Look at all of that Pokémon!
Should we find them all?
Jjongie:
You must be kidding me
Me:
No, but they are the easy references which we could find
Including the flatworms,
if we’re lucky enough we could find it along the shore
But if we aren’t, I forbid diving into the deep sea
Jjongie:
Is it different species per phylum or per classes
Sangie:
Best cases if we find one species for at least two different classes per phylum
Me:
Yes, that’s the safe line
Wooyo:
WE’RE DOOMED
The phone began to buzz many times as Wooyoung was now sending some incomprehensible rant about shrimp sizes. He reached over to mute the notifications but stopped dead when he realized a message buried beneath the flood of group chatter. One he’d forgotten to reply to.
Hongjoong(ie):
Seonghwa? You don’t forget, right?
Seonghwa’s stomach flipped. He had forgotten to answer Hongjoong’s messages. He had just ignored it all along while still being online. Guilt crawling up the back of his neck as he quickly typed back: No, I didn’t forget. Just got a little carried away with the prep list, sorry>.< And the “seen” mark appeared almost instantly.
Hongjoong(ie):
You sure? You’d planning on making me an idiot?
Seonghwa froze all of a sudden, eyes wide. Did he plan on making Hongjoong an idiot? He read the message again. Wait—did Hongjoong get mad at him? Was he mad because Seonghwa just ignored his message? His fingers hovered as he didn’t know what to type back. But then another message popped out.
Hongjoong(ie):
Thought the marine worms replaced me for a second. And I’d be jealous of a worm;)
Seonghwa covered his mouth, half to hide a smile and half to muffle the embarrassed sound that escaped him.
Me:
They didn’t. Promise. Sorry, a little bit caught up
About marine worms
Yes, that too
Hongjoong(ie):
Really? Then I’m not an idiot
But if that really happens, I’m really competing with a worm
Seonghwa laughed softly, sinking deeper into the chair.
Me:
You’re not an idiot Hongjoong
You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met
Well, after the professors
I mean, the smartest student I’ve ever met
Yes, that
Hongjoong(ie):
And you’re the prettiest living being in the universe
Seonghwa jumped out from the chair and threw himself out of the window—no, his bed, he threw himself on the bed, pulling a pillow and shoving it in his face as he screamed Hongjoong’s name into it. The night outside the window was really quiet, his laptop screen dimmed on its own in the abandoned desk. And here he was smiling and giggling like a fool. It needed two minutes straight to calm down his nerves before he braced himself to type back.
Me:
Thank you☺️
Emmm… Friday night. I wouldn’t forget
Never
Hongjoong(ie):
Great then, I was starting to think I’d have to remind you in person
Me:
You wouldn’t dare
How
Hongjoong(ie):
Wouldn’t I? You underestimate how much I miss seeing your face, just turn around and open your closet.
Seonghwa’s eyes widened. W—what? He turned to his closet fast trying to ridiculously find Hongjoong. Is he for real?? And his phone dinged again loudly.
Hongjoong(ie):
Kidding
I’m not a creep, starlight
Seonghwa scoffed loudly.
Me:
Hongjoong stop
I mean—
You’re working outside, aren’t you?
Focus on that first
Hongjoong(ie):
I am. Just… needed a reason to smile for a second
Me:
Great, so you’re smiling by playing a trick on me?
Funny
Someday I will be the one inside your closet
You better watch out
Hongjoong(ie):
Is that a promise?
I’m counting on that
Me:
☺️☺️🔪
Hongjoong(ie):
I’d be thanking you for that
I’m omw to head home right now actually
I could stop by your apartment
Me:
NO
It’s too late
You said you’re not a creep
Hongjoong(ie):
And I said I miss seeing your face
Me:
Friday night>.<
Have a safe ride back home
And… goodnight Hongjoong
Hongjoong(ie):
Hm… Nice try
Goodnight, starlight
Seonghwa replied with a sticker of a bunny animation giving a love sign with two hands, and was left unread. Hongjoong was on his way back anyway, so Seonghwa didn’t really demand any message in return. He was left lying there, still smiling like an idiot, the echo of every Hongjoong’s words running in giddy circles through his head. He didn’t even notice when he drifted off, laptop still open, the list of marine creatures glowing faintly on the desk, abandoned.