Chapter Text
“And that’s why I wanted to ask if you want to go with me as my plus one,” Seungmin tells Hyunjin, some kind of sparkle in his eyes that Hyunjin can’t decipher with his heart trying to pound of his chest.
“ Me? ” Hyunjin manages to squeak, and he opens and closes his mouth a few times in disbelief. His thoughts and heart are racing and he doesn’t know what to think. “I— uhm, wait— in what way?”
“Well… as you said I won’t let my parents tell me what to do, so…” Seungmin trails off, his cheeks red in embarrassment, but Hyunjin can’t really process it right now, he needs Seungmin to be clear with him.
“So you want to bring me as a fuck you to your parents?” he asks, his heart in his throat as his mind floods with fear that Seungmin only wants to use him to rebel— he should know better than that, but right now his brain isn’t cooperating.
“What?— No– well, it— I mean, it would be a fuck you to my parents, but…” Seungmin seems to be scrambling for words as well, and it might mean something good, but according to Hyunjin’s mind it can also mean that Seungmin didn’t realize that Hyunjin would be offended.
Seungmin pulls them to a more remote spot as he seemingly tries to get himself together. “But… ugh— just say it Seungmin — I actually mean to ask you as a real date— or– like, at least just to support me– it doesn’t have to be romantic, or you-you don’t have to come at all, either—”
Once Hyunjin has processed what Seungmin is trying to say in his uncharacteristic rambling, Hyunjin throws away all rationality and rushes forward to finally capture Seungmin’s lips in a long-awaited kiss, glad that they're hidden from prying eyes. Seungmin’s words die in his throat as he gasps in surprise, and it takes a second before his hands find Hyunjin’s neck and he kisses back breathlessly. The kiss reminds Hyunjin of Chan’s party but now it’s less filled with confusion and longing for something they don’t have and more filled with relief and loving feelings. It also reminds Hyunjin of the party because, when they part for air, Seungmin seems to want to chase Hyunjin’s lips before he realizes what happened.
“I— I’m guessing this means that you would want to go with me as a plus one?” Seungmin asks with a bashful smile. “Or… at least that you feel the same?”
Hyunjin grins back, his own cheeks matching Seungmin’s in color. “Well if those feelings are wanting to date me and maybe, like, be in a relationship, then yes . And yes to going with you as a plus one, too. Do you think I’d say no to an opportunity to make our parents mad and simultaneously be your actual date and support you?”
Seungmin laughs brightly and holds Hyunjin’s hand. “I’m glad…” he trails off and his smile falters a little. “I hope you don’t think I only asked you to piss off my parents.”
“Ah, you saw right through me, huh?” Hyunjin’s cheeks heat up in embarrassment and squeezes Seungmin’s hand. “I feared that for a moment, but I was just overthinking, not daring to believe that you asked because you have feelings for me, but I should have known better.”
Seungmin softens and intertwines their fingers before he softly says, “Well, I do have feelings for you, Hyunjin. You are so much more than just a rebel, or just an athlete, or just my tutor-student, or just someone to piss off my parents.”
Hyunjin swallows thickly and blinks a few times to stop tears from forming, because it looked like it took Seungmin a lot to say that. “Seungmin… you— you are too sweet— you are so much more than everything I made you out to be at first. I– I’m sorry I can’t find the words right now.” He just hugs Seungmin instead and places a kiss on his cheek as Seungmin smiles.
"It's okay, I'm happy that I could move you as much as you move me," Seungmin whispers, softly kissing Hyunjin’s cheek in return before he pulls back. "And I am happy you'll come with me to the party. You do know that there will be a big chance that my parents and maybe even others will insult you, right? I mean— I'll back you up, of course, but it's still not fun."
Hyunjin hums. "I know, but I try to not care much about what others think and I try to focus on doing what makes me happy, which is being with you, so I'm willing to do it. I'm more than just a rebel, but I'm still a rebel, right?"
Seungmin giggles and briefly hugs Hyunjin once more. "You are. Would you prefer it if I tell my parents beforehand?"
Hyunjin wants to say yes, but he doesn't know if that will only give them more trouble. "I appreciate the offer, but maybe then you'll end up being prohibited from bringing me, or I'll get prohibited from going."
Seungmin’s mouth forms an 'o' in realization and he nods. "Good point. Then we'll just have the pleasure of seeing my parents' reaction live, but we’ll also have the burden of dealing with it then, though they probably don't want to throw too much a fit in front of their guests."
"Let's hope so." Hyunjin chuckles and swings them back and forth in their embrace, his arms still around Seungmin’s middle. He leans forward to brush their noses together, and he relishes in the sight of Seungmin’s smile that grows in response. "You're really cute, did you know that, Seungmin?—"
They're startled out of their moment by Seungmin’s phone buzzing loudly and Seungmin flushes (or was that still from Hyunjin’s words?) as he scrambles to get his phone. "Shit— my driver is waiting for me. Right– I have to help my parents. I'm sorry, Hyunjin, I have to go."
Hyunjin smiles and caresses Seungmin’s cheek to calm him down. "That's alright, I am happy you had the time to confess to me. I'll see you or text you soon, then."
Seungmin mirrors his smile and kisses Hyunjin’s cheek, much to Hyunjin’s delight, before he says goodbye, and Hyunjin can’t seem to stop grinning like a fool the whole day.
Jisung and Felix all but scream when they hear the news that Hyunjin and Seungmin kissed and that he’s going to Seungmin’s parents’ party, they of course want to know every single detail once Hyunjin gets back, and Hyunjin is just happy that his friends have his back. Seungmin has his back as well, because they call on a few evenings and Seungmin takes him through what Hyunjin can expect at the party, but they also just talk about other things, like sports, books, dramas, anything, and it makes Hyunjin a bit less nervous about the party.
Nevertheless, Hyunjin’s hands tremble as he picks an outfit next weekend. Not because Hyunjin is afraid of what people will say, but just because it’s his first date with Seungmin, they haven’t really talked about what they are yet — Hyunjin doesn’t want to discuss that over the phone — and he doesn’t want to unnecessarily ruin anything for Seungmin.
He lets his friends check his outfit and give him some encouraging words because they’re still in the dorms too, and they hug him tightly when they notice that Hyunjin is nervously fidgeting with his hair and sleeves. Soon enough, a knock sounds on Hyunjin’s dorm room door, signaling that Seungmin and his driver have arrived (Seungmin’s parents know he's picking up his plus one, but they don't know yet who it is), and Hyunjin almost sprints to the door to open it. He is met with Seungmin’s face lighting up as soon as he sees Hyunjin, and the other way around is true, too, because Seungmin looks very handsome all dressed up in a neat suit, so Hyunjin can’t help but swoon .
“Hey, Hyunjin. And hi, Jisung and Felix,” Seungmin greets them with a cute smile, contrasting his cool, authoritative look. “Are you ready to go?”
“Uhm— yeah! If you think this look will suffice with your parents and– well, you?” he asks, and Seungmin chuckles fondly.
“I thought we went there to defy my parents?” he retorts with a mischievous smile. “And you could honestly show up in your dirty and sweaty soccer clothes and you’d still suffice in my opinion.”
Hyunjin laughs and blushes at Seungmin’s way of complimenting him. “You look amazing too, Seungmin. And yeah, I was just asking so that I at least don’t look like you picked me up from the street.”
“You look like I picked you up from a modeling gig,” Seungmin tells him with a cheeky smile, making Hyunjin laugh and flush yet again, and Felix exclaims some words of approval from inside Hyunjin’s room before they all leave Hyunjin’s room and Seungmin and Hyunjin head to the car.
Hyunjin greets the driver politely as they enter the car and sit thigh to thigh, accompanied by the sound of the driver starting the car and driving off. Seungmin bounces his leg up and down nervously and Hyunjin puts his hand on Seungmin’s knee to make him stop. Seungmin softly apologizes and Hyunjin looks at him in concern.
“Are you nervous?” he asks softly, and Seungmin breathes out a soft laugh.
“Yeah, a bit. I’m only a rebel novice after all,” he answers, and Hyunjin snickers. If he wasn’t this nervous he would have laughed harder. “What about you? Is the rebel master nervous?”
Hyunjin snorts and squeezes Seungmin’s knee. “I am incredibly nervous if I’m honest,” he admits with a shaky chuckle. “I don’t know, I’ve never rebelled against someone else’s parents, and, yeah, this doesn’t only have consequences for me , also for you , and… I guess for us .”
Seungmin softens and puts his hand on Hyunjin’s. “Whatever happens, it was my own decision to take you with me, and if anything, it puts me at ease that you’re here with me when we… uhm, reveal our relationship? Feelings? I mean, it’s also risky, but we can’t hide it forever, so I guess we better get the difficult part over with immediately.”
Hyunjin smiles, feeling a bit more relieved. “Yeah, I agree. I have found that it’s easier to confront people immediately compared to waiting and overthinking.” He moves his hand to hold Seungmin’s properly as he chews on his bottom lip, wondering whether he should ask the question that is threatening to spill from his lips.
"Uhm, what are we exactly? In case people ask?"
Seungmin’s eyes widen a little and he looks a bit unsure. "That depends on what you want, too, but… let's maybe say we're dating? Not jump into things too quickly?"
Hyunjin lets out a breath of relief he didn't know he was holding and he squeezes Seungmin’s hand. "Yeah, I agree. I'd like that, too."
Seungmin looks relieved as well and Hyunjin can't help but lean in to kiss Seungmin's soft lips, relishing in the safe and warm feeling he gets from it. Unfortunately, they arrive at Seungmin’s huge mansion before Hyunjin can really put all his nerves into the kiss.
They hold hands as they get out of the car, Seungmin’s fingers intertwined with his, grounding Hyunjin a bit, otherwise he thinks he might have thrown up or passed out. Hyunjin tightens his iron grip on Seungmin’s hand when they enter the mansion and Hyunjin sees that there are already some guests walking around, dressed in the fanciest clothes Hyunjin has ever seen (and he has seen some fancy stuff when his parents still had their company).
He immediately recognizes Seungmin’s parents, not only from the way they resemble Seungmin, but also from press releases and news articles Hyunjin has seen about them. He gulps when they spot him and Seungmin, but he tries to remain as calm and confident as possible when they approach them.
“Seungmin, you brought your—” Seungmin’s parents halt in their tracks as soon as they recognize Hyunjin, and despite their best efforts to keep their expressions neutral, Hyunjin can see the disbelief and disgust in the subtle twitches of their eyebrows, eyes, and mouths. “Hwang Hyunjin? He is your date?”
“Yes. I really like him, so I asked him to come with me,” Seungmin answers with an impressive amount of self-control and confidence, and Hyunjin can’t hold back a smile. “You said it was about time I went looking for a girlfriend, and, well, Hyunjin isn’t my girlfriend nor is he my boyfriend, but we are dating, so… maybe sometime in the near future he’ll be my boyfriend.”
His parents share an incredulous and almost offended look with each other before they turn back to their son. “I— I am frankly baffled, Seungmin. We thought you disliked Hyunjin? And—” Seungmin’s mother leans a bit closer to Seungmin, but Hyunjin can still clearly hear her hiss, “You know his reputation, right?”
Seungmin remains unaffected and just pulls Hyunjin a bit closer to himself as he answers, “First of all, I used to dislike Hyunjin, but that was a misunderstanding that we long worked through together, and it turns out that we click really well and– yeah, we like each other a lot, as friends as well.” He briefly looks at Hyunjin with a sparkle in his eyes and slightly pink cheeks, and Hyunjin gives Seungmin an encouraging smile before the latter continues, “Second of all, I believe you’re talking about his parents’ reputation in your circles, but, frankly , I don’t care about that. And I don’t care about any bad reputation Hyunjin might have at college, because that will go away after we graduate if not sooner. Furthermore, Hyunjin also has many friends who think the world of him, and Jeongin likes him as well.”
“So you’re saying you don’t care about us at all?” Seungmin’s father accuses, and Hyunjin holds back a scoff at how he totally missed the point. “And you brought him to a party where everyone can see him like you’re trying to humiliate us? What happened to you, son?”
“I am not trying to humiliate you. Hyunjin is not someone I am ashamed of liking, so I don’t see how his mere presence could humiliate you. He is not his parents,” Seungmin retorts, squeezing Hyunjin’s hand passionately, and Hyunjin is glad that he doesn’t have to say anything (yet at least). “And what happened to me is that I am finally living for myself instead of for you. I am finally making decisions for myself, deciding what makes me happy, like watching sports games and being with Hyunjin, and I would appreciate it if you would see me as a separate person from you guys, just like Hyunjin is a separate person from his parents.”
Seungmin’s parents seem at a loss for words, but they don’t seem happy with the things Seungmin is telling them. “Well, you managed to pick the worst time to dump this on us, Seungmin. Can’t you have this date on another day?—”
“I thought you encouraged me to bring a date,” Seungmin cuts in, and Hyunjin suppresses a gasp at Seungmin’s courage. “I won’t send Hyunjin away, if that’s what you want. He won’t taint your reptutaion, and you won’t have to worry about my future reputation anyway, because I won’t be taking over the company.”
Suengmin’s parents gasp loudly, attracting the attention from some guests. “Kim Seungmin, you—”
“Honey, let’s do this another time, okay?” Seungmin’s mother stops her husband, and Hyunjin lets out a relieved breath. “But we will have a talk with you later, son. And you, Hwang, if you even dare to think about pulling something or dating our son for your own gain, we will destroy your life until it’s as miserable as that of your parents’.”
Hyunjin swallows thickly and gains some strength from Seungmin’s squeeze to his hand. “You don’t have to worry. I want nothing to do with your business or my parents, and I like Seungmin for who he is, not his money or his lineage or whatever. I like him for his honesty, his humor, his kindness, his diligence—” Hyunjin takes a breath to prevent himself from getting too worked up. “I could go on like that, but you get the point. I am only here because Seungmin asked me to keep him company and I want to be here to support him in being himself, not to cause trouble.”
Seungmin’s parents scowl and scoff at him, probably not believing (or not wanting to believe) him, but it doesn’t matter, because they have already walked away to greet all the guests that are arriving, and Hyunjin feels like he can finally breathe again. He turns to Seungmin and lets go of his hand to hug him.
“You did that so well! You stayed so calm and collected, I could never,” Hyunjin praises proudly as he pulls back to look at Seungmin, who chuckles bashfully. “I always get emotional whenever I’m defending myself… as you might know from experience.”
Seungmin softens, his rosy cheeks making his smile look extra cute. “Well, you were there to support me, which kept me calm. And… I like your more emotional side. I like that you’re so transparent and genuine.”
Hyunjin blushes and hides his face in the crook of Seungmin’s neck, making the other chuckle and ruffle Hyunjin’s hair. Once Hyunjin has composed himself again, he pulls away, not wanting to catch the attention of too many people, but then again, maybe it wouldn’t be bad for some of these people to see some emotional vulnerability.
They walk around, Seungmin gets something to drink for them, and Seungmin talks to some people who don’t recognize Hyunjin. Others do recognize Hyunjin and some even have the audacity to ask why Seungmin brought “the son of the Hwangs ” (extra emphasis on their disapproval of Hyunjin’s parents), but Seungmin just smiles at Hyunjin sweetly before he answers that he brought Hyunjin because they’re friends, and Hyunjin is glad that he mentions that instead of them dating because, first of all, they’re not dating for that long, second of all, it’s not everyone’s business, and third of all, it gives off a more genuine impression of their bond in Hyunjin’s opinion (because in the rich world, dating doesn't necessarily mean liking each other).
After having something to eat and a bit too many people looking at them and whispering to each other in judgment, they have had enough and Seungmin pulls Hyunjin along through the extensive hallways of the mansion and through a bedroom until they reach a balcony that looks out on the huge garden. Seungmin then turns to him with a relieved sigh and a grin as they plop down on the built-in seat decorated with comfortable pillows.
"Welcome to my hideout." Seungmin spreads his arms to show the balcony, books spread around just like in the (Seungmin’s?) bedroom. "I come here to wind down and escape from my parents and their company and all and everything that’s bothering me."
"It's a cozy spot, and the view is pretty as well," Hyunjin comments, briefly watching the sunset illuminate the many flowers in Seungmin’s extensive garden before he looks back at Seungmin with a lovestruck smile. "But I think you are prettier."
Seungmin flushes bright red and Hyunjin smiles fondly at it. “You’re such a cheeseball, Hyunjin.”
Hyunjin giggles and pinches Seungmin’s warm cheeks. “I know. But you know that I just say whatever I feel.”
Hyunjin didn’t know that Seungmin’s blush could become even deeper, but lo and behold, it does, and Seungmin pushes at Hyunjin’s shoulder with a cute pout. Hyunjin just laughs as he takes Seungmin into his arms, and Seungmin melts without any protest.
“Anyway, I’m still proud of how you handled things with your parents. I should give you the title of rebel master now,” Hyunjin continues, and Seungmin chuckles. “Will you be okay later when your parents will talk to you again, though? Because you said that you wouldn’t take over their company and they looked pretty mad.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Seungmin answers, his hand mindlessly caressing Hyunjin’s arm. “I’ve been preparing for this moment for a while, and I hope that I can convince them to seek someone else to take over the company in the future. And I have you and Jeongin to fall back on if things go wrong, but I have a few backup plans of my own as well.”
“Wow, as expected of Kim Seungmin, he is super prepared!” Hyunjin half-jokes, kissing the crown of Seungmin’s head proudly. “That’s good. And good that you know that you have me to fall back on.”
“And what about you, Hyunjin? What do you think your parents will say when they find out?” Seungmin asks, looking up at Hyunjin with glimmering eyes, and Hyunjin takes a moment to admire Seungmin before he answers.
“Well, if the rumors won’t spread before I can tell them, I’ll tell them soon and they’ll probably get mad or something, but it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before,” Hyunjin says, running his thumb along Seungmin’s hip. “One day they’re going to have to accept that we are going to live our own lives for ourselves.”
Seungmin’s lips curl up into a smile and he nods. “Yep, and I’m glad that you encouraged me to do so as well.”
Hyunjin leans down until he’s only a breath away from Seungmin and he goes slightly cross-eyed from the proximity before he whispers, “And I’m glad we support each other in it.”
He captures Seungmin’s lips in a slow kiss, and Seungmin’s hand comes up to cup Hyunjin’s cheek as he kisses back warmly. Hyunjin tightens his grip on Seungmin’s waist as he pulls him closer and warmth explodes in Hyunjin’s chest at the new contact and at Seungmin’s arms finding their way around Hyunjin’s neck, their kiss slowly becoming more passionate.
Hyunjin sighs appreciatively against Seungmin’s lips at the feeling, and Seungmin takes that opportunity to lick at the seam of Hyunjin’s lips, wordlessly asking for permission to deepen the kiss. Hyunjin opens his mouth for Seungmin and feels like overheating when their tongues swirl around each other and kiss lovingly, trying to feel all of each other.
“I want to take you on a date, Minnie,” Hyunjin whispers against Seungmin’s lips when he’s out of breath, and Seungmin smiles.
“I’d like that, too,” Seungmin replies, stealing a brief kiss as he runs his fingers through Hyunjin’s hair and Hyunjin smiles at the feeling. “Did you already have something in mind?”
Hyunjin kneads Seungmin’s sides and hums in thought before he comes up with an idea. “What do you think about watching a baseball game together?”
Seungmin’s eyes positively light up and he doesn’t even need to say anything for Hyunjin to understand what Seungmin thinks. Nevertheless, Seungmin answers, “I’d love that. You know me so well.”
Hyunjin barely has the time to chuckle and smile fondly at Seungmin before the latter pulls him back for a kiss, putting even more feeling into it than before, and if Hyunjin didn’t already know that Seungmin likes him a lot, he would feel it now, in the way Seungmin keeps him close and shows a vulnerability which Hyunjin imagines he doesn’t show to many.
If you told Hyunjin a few months ago that he would be sitting on Seungmin’s balcony kissing him lovingly with the prospect of a date to a sports game, Hyunjin would have laughed in your face and called you a liar who knows nothing, but right now there’s nowhere he’d rather be. There’s almost no better feeling than Seungmin’s lips on his, Seungmin’s arms securely around his neck, and them sharing their warmth and space, making Hyunjin feel more loved and safe than he has felt in a long time.
They’ve come a long way since the start of the year and it gives Hyunjin the hope and confidence that they’ll come even further in the remaining years of college and after that. They have each other and their friends who support them in their dreams and in whatever happens, so they’ll be fine.
When the grades of the semester are released, Seungmin helps Hyunjin in studying for his retake and supports him when Hyunjin’s parents are mad at him (but they also celebrate the rest of their good grades together with their friends), and Hyunjin lets Seungmin sleep over at his dorm when he fights with his parents and Jeongin isn’t back from vacation yet.
They become boyfriends after their date to the baseball game, and if Hyunjin asks Seungmin to tutor him again for their next year in college despite his parents trying to get him off it, then maybe that just means that he’s totally gone for Seungmin in the best way. And Seungmin is the same, if the way he excitedly tells Hyunjin how he’s making progress with his parents, the way he takes his studying and homework to Hyunjin’s soccer practices after the summer, and the way he kisses Hyunjin sweetly whenever they’re alone is anything to go by.
Jisung goes on about how they’ve gone from enemies to lovers like in the movies, but Hyunjin likes to think about it more as that they went from unknowing and judgemental to open and understanding, because Hyunjin knows that in another universe where they wouldn’t have their parents and surroundings shaping their image of each other, they probably would get along immediately and maybe they would even never fight, who knows.
What Hyunjin does know is that what matters is that they grew as people and they love each other for who they are now, and he knows that Seungmin agrees with him. Their past is something to learn from, and Hyunjin thinks it might have even helped them understand each other better. Either way, everything turned out well, and Hyunjin is sure that will be the case in the future as well, with Seungmin by his side.
The end.