Chapter Text
The university campus buzzed with its usual rhythm—a mix of hurried footsteps, animated conversations, and the occasional groan from students buried under piles of coursework.
Sean strolled into the main lecture hall, his leather satchel slung casually over one shoulder. The crisp autumn air outside was a stark contrast to the warm hum of chatter inside the room.
As soon as he stepped in, Daniel’s voice called out from their usual corner. “Sean! Over here!”
Sean made his way to the spot, dropping his bag beside Daniel, who was mid-sentence in a dramatic retelling of his failed attempt at deciphering their latest assignment.
Hyun Jin appeared moments later, her signature oversized sweater and beret making her look effortlessly stylish as always. She plopped down beside Sean with a theatrical sigh.
“Unbelievable!” she exclaimed, crossing her arms.
“What’s unbelievable this time?” Sean asked, his lips curving into a small smirk.
Hyun Jin pointed an accusing finger at him. “You brought Eric Young to your house, and I find out secondhand? Sean, are you even my best friend anymore?”
“And where do you get that information lady?”
“I bumped with Felix and Jangjun hyung a while ago, they’re talking about it.” Hyun Jin reply
Daniel raised a brow, leaning back against his chair. “Wait, hold up. You took Eric home? Like, to the Kim Family estate not on your apartment?”
Sean rolled his eyes, clearly prepared for the overreaction. “It wasn’t a big deal,” he said nonchalantly, but the faint flush on his cheeks gave him away.
“Not a big deal?” Hyun Jin’s jaw dropped dramatically. “Do you know how much I wanted to spend a day in your house, let alone get invited there? And you chose Eric first—E.R.I.C!”
Daniel snickered. “Careful, Sean, I think Hyun Jin’s about to combust from jealousy.”
“I’m not jealous!” Hyun Jin retorted, though her pout suggested otherwise. “I’m just saying, I feel betrayed. You, me, and Daniel—we’re the OG trio. And suddenly Eric comes in with his sharp jawline and charming smile, and I’m out?”
Sean shook his head with a small laugh. “You do realize we barely hang out as much as we used to, right? Between your idol training and cosmetic academy on the side, you’re always running around.”
Hyun Jin opened her mouth to argue but immediately shut it, her expression sheepish. “Okay, fine. Maybe I’ve been busy… but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with being replaced!”
Daniel leaned in with a teasing grin. “Relax, Hyun Jin. I’m still here. No one’s replacing you as Sean’s second favorite person.”
Hyun Jin swatted Daniel’s arm. “Second?! Excuse me, I am absolutely number one.”
Sean raised a brow. “You were until you started abandoning us for dance practice and product mixing labs.”
The trio burst into laughter, the lighthearted banter easing into a rhythm that felt comforting and familiar.
Between classes, Sean’s phone vibrated on the desk. It was a text from Eric.
Eric: How’s class? Dozing off yet? 😉
Sean smirked as he typed back.
Sean: Unlike some people, I actually pay attention.
Eric: Impressive. I’m sure your professor’s in awe.
Sean shook his head, the corners of his lips twitching.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” Daniel leaned over curiously, his tone deliberately nosy.
Sean locked his phone, slipping it into his pocket. “Nobody.”
Hyun Jin narrowed her eyes. “Nobody? Oh, please. Was it Eric?”
When Sean didn’t answer, Hyun Jin gasped dramatically, clasping her hands to her chest. “It was Eric! Look at you, texting away like you’re in a rom-com!”
Daniel laughed. “Are we going to talk about how Sean never texts back this fast, but somehow Eric gets instant replies?”
“Not true,” Sean said, though his tone wasn’t very convincing.
“Sure, sure,” Hyun Jin teased, mimicking typing on an imaginary phone. “Oh, Eric, you’re so funny! Let’s text all day while ignoring my other friends.”
Sean couldn’t help but laugh at her antics, even as his phone buzzed again.
Throughout the day, the dynamic between Sean and his friends continued to unfold in the small, mundane ways that made university life feel both chaotic and cozy.
In their next lecture, Hyun Jin doodled exaggerated caricatures of Sean and Eric in her notebook, earning an unimpressed look from Sean and stifled giggles from Daniel. “I’m just capturing the vibe,” she said innocently.
When Sean got another text from Eric during a study break, Hyun Jin snatched his phone, reading aloud in a mockingly deep voice, “‘Hope you’re not working too hard. Remember to eat.’ Wow, Sean, he even reminds you to eat. That’s boyfriend material if I’ve ever seen it.”
“Give it back,” Sean said, trying to swipe the phone from her hands.
“Not until you admit he’s not your favorite,” Hyun Jin declared, holding the phone just out of reach.
“Fine,” Sean deadpanned. “Eric’s my favorite. Now give it back.”
“Damn Sean, no hesitation huh,” Daniel said, shaking his head in mock betrayal. “This is why you’re second place, Hyun Jin.”
Their laughter echoed through the nearly empty study hall, the camaraderie between them drawing a few amused glances from other students.
By the end of the day, Sean found himself feeling a rare sense of contentment.
As they packed up their things after their last lecture, Hyun Jin looped an arm through his. “Okay, fine,” she said. “Eric can borrow you, but only because I’m swamped this week. And you owe me bubble tea.”
“I’ll buy you two,” Sean said, amused.
Daniel slung his bag over his shoulder. “So, Are you two together now?”
Sean smirked, saying nothing, though the faint blush on his cheeks was answer enough.
As they walked out of the building together, the autumn breeze ruffling their hair, Sean’s phone buzzed one last time.
Eric: Miss me yet?
Sean smiled to himself, typing back.
Sean: You wish.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, but for the rest of the walk, the quiet warmth of Eric’s message lingered. As Hyun Jin chattered on about her upcoming auditions and Daniel chimed in with sarcastic commentary, Sean found his thoughts drifting.
. For a moment, he let the silence in the car wrap around him, but his thoughts inevitably drifted back to Eric—his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about music, how effortlessly at ease they were together despite everything. It wasn’t just the text that made Sean’s heart race; it was the way Eric seemed to occupy every corner of his mind now.
After a few minutes, Sean felt a strange sense of longing, and he found himself typing again, his fingers moving on their own.
Sean: Still with the band? Or heading home already?
He glanced at the screen, waiting for a reply, as the traffic light flickered from red to green. His phone buzzed again:
Eric: Still with the band. Got some stuff to wrap up. Why? Miss me already?
Sean smiled to himself, a small, contented sigh escaping his lips. The hint of sadness that tugged at him was quickly replaced by understanding. He wasn’t upset; he knew Eric’s commitment to the band was important, even if he wished Eric was there with him instead.
Sean: You wish.
As he continued to drive, his thoughts were interrupted by a loud honk. He quickly swerved into the correct lane, chuckling to himself at how distracted he’d gotten.
Meanwhile, at the band’s rehearsal space, things were far from quiet. Eric was surrounded by his friends—all of whom were relentless in their teasing.
“So, tell us, Eric,” Mark said, raising an eyebrow and smirking. “What’s the deal with you and Sean? Are you two... together now or what?”
Felix snorted from behind his drum kit, spinning a stick between his fingers. "What is this, high school? ‘Are you two together?’ Dude, could you be more obvious?"
Mark shot Felix a playful glare. "I’m just saying what we’re all thinking, okay? Don’t act like you’re not curious."
Felix grinned, leaning forward as if to share some grand secret. “Curious? Bro, I’m way past curious. Eric’s had a crush on Sean since, like, day one. Don’t even try to deny it.”
Eric groaned, dragging a hand down his face, but the blush creeping up his neck betrayed him. “Okay, can we not? You guys are worse than gossip columnists.”
Jangjun cackled, elbowing Eric in the side. “Oh, come on, Eric. It’s not gossip if it’s true. You’ve been making heart eyes at him everytime you saw him on campus.”
Mark leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Right? I mean, the first time you saw him, you were like, ‘Who’s that?’ And now look at you—‘dating.’ Dude, this is a full-on K-drama.”
“Dating?!” Jangjun burst out, barely containing his laughter. “Wait, wait, did you just admit that you’re actually dating?”
Eric rolled his eyes, waving a hand dismissively. “Fine. Yes. We’re dating, okay? But we’re taking it slow. Still getting to know each other.”
“I mean, yeah, it’s still kind of new, but it’s different now,” Eric said, trying to explain. “We’re moving forward, but not rushing into anything. Sean... he agreed to take the next step with me. We’re just... figuring things out.”
Mingyu, who had been quietly listening, leaned over with a teasing grin. “I still can’t believe this. You’ve been pining for Sean for ages and now it’s real?”
Mark smirked, leaning back. “Well, well, looks like our dongsaeng Eric is a man in love now.”
Mingyu made exaggerated kissy noises in the background, and Jangjun laughed. “You’ve been acting all shy, but now it’s finally official. I can’t believe this is happening. And you’ve got him bringing you to his house now?”
Eric rolled his eyes again but couldn't stop the grin from spreading. “Yes, he brought me to his house. Are you happy now?”
The teasing continued as the band took turns throwing playful comments his way, all of them knowing the backstory. They’d known about Eric’s crush on Sean for a while, and the fact that they were finally together was nothing short of a spectacle for them.
But through all the teasing, Eric couldn’t shake the thought in the back of his mind—he wondered if any of them knew about Mingyu and his boyfriend.
He’d never heard any mention of Mingyu’s personal life, though he had a sneaking suspicion he already knew. But he didn’t want to ask directly.
Eric leaned closer to Mingyu, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Hyung, do any of them know about you and Hugo?”
Mingyu glanced at him, his grin widening as if he’d been waiting for the question. “I’m not sure,” he said, his tone teasing. “We don’t really talk about love lives... except yours. And, well, they never asked,” he added with a shrug
Eric blinked, caught off guard by how casually Mingyu brushed it off. “That’s it? They just… never asked?”
Mingyu chuckled, leaning back against the amp and crossing his arms. “Pretty much. But if you’re asking whether someone’s figured it out, I’d put my money on Felix. That guy’s way more observant than he lets on.”
Eric narrowed his eyes, tilting his head. “Felix? Really? I thought he was just here for the chaos.”
Mingyu smirked, giving him a knowing look. “Chaos and secrets. Don’t underestimate him. He’s got a sharp eye when he’s not busy messing around. Trust me, Felix notices things. He just doesn’t always say them out loud.”
Eric let that sink in, glancing over at Felix, who was now drumming lightly against the side of his leg, completely absorbed in his own world—or so it seemed. “You think he knows about you and Hugo?”
Mingyu shrugged, but there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “Let’s just say Felix is probably connecting dots. Whether he actually knows or just suspects is another story.”
Eric frowned, his voice lowering further. “And that doesn’t bother you?”
Mingyu raised an eyebrow at him. “Why would it? I’m not hiding Hugo. I just don’t feel the need to announce my personal life during band practice. Besides,” he added with a wink, “I think Hugo would be amused if Felix figured it out. He loves a good mystery.”
Eric chuckled, but there was still a hint of curiosity in his expression. “I don’t know how you do it, hyung. You’re so... relaxed about everything.”
Mingyu’s grin softened, his tone turning slightly more serious. “It’s not about hiding, Eric. It’s about choosing when and where to share. Some things don’t need to be explained to everyone, you know? And honestly, if someone does find out, what’s the worst that could happen? Hugo’s my boyfriend, not some secret I’m ashamed of.”
Eric nodded slowly, the words settling in his mind. He hadn’t realized just how much control Mingyu had over his own narrative—not out of fear, but out of self-assuredness.
“Still,” Eric murmured, almost to himself, “I don’t think I could keep something like that to myself. If it were me, I’d probably let it slip the second someone looked at me the wrong way.”
Mingyu laughed, clapping Eric on the shoulder. “That’s because you wear your heart on your sleeve, man. And that’s not a bad thing. But maybe take it from me—sometimes, holding a little back isn’t about secrecy. It’s about protecting what matters until the moment’s right.”
Eric gave him a lopsided smile, the weight of the conversation leaving him both impressed and slightly envious of Mingyu’s calm demeanor. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As the conversation lulled, Mingyu glanced around the band room, his brows furrowing slightly. “Speaking of protecting what matters…” he began, crossing his arms and giving both Eric and Felix a pointed look. “Why do the two of you keep hanging out here? Don’t you have exams coming up in, what, two weeks?”
Felix, who was mid-yawn, snapped upright in mock indignation. “Hyung, we’re multitasking! The band room is good for focus. It’s peaceful here.”
“Peaceful?” Mingyu raised an eyebrow, glancing at the clutter of sheet music, scattered guitar picks, and empty coffee cups on the table. “This place is chaos. You’re not fooling anyone.”
Eric grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s not like we have a performance soon. We’re just… catching up. You know, staying sharp.”
Mingyu let out a heavy sigh, clearly unimpressed. “Staying sharp? For what? You don’t have a gig lined up. The only thing you need to focus on right now is your upcoming exams.” He pointed a finger between them. “If I catch you in here again before finals, I’m locking the door.”
Felix laughed nervously. “Hyung, you wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” Mingyu replied flatly, his stern tone betraying the faintest hint of amusement. “You might think Mark and Jangjun hyung are bad, but I’ll remind you that they taught me everything they know.”
Eric groaned dramatically. “Hyung, we’re not kids anymore.”
“No, but you’re not exactly adults when it comes to priorities either,” Mingyu shot back. “Hyung may still get roped into family obligations, but at least they don’t spend half their time pretending the band room is some magical productivity zone.”
Felix leaned back in his chair with a resigned sigh, throwing an arm over Eric’s shoulder. “Looks like we’re busted, man.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Eric muttered, waving Mingyu off. “We’ll get back to studying, okay?”
Mingyu smirked triumphantly, turning toward the door. “Good. Now pack it up and find a real study spot. Or better yet, join Sean at least he actually look like they’re preparing for exams.”