Chapter Text
Your literature classes were the highlight of your day, mostly because your professor was amazing and the hour-long lesson felt like it was too short. You never paid much attention to the people surrounding you, the way Mr. Smith explained poems and narratives made everything else seem not worth taking your eyes off of him.
Until one day your focus simply decided the pink haired guy seated beside you was more interesting than Mr. Smith talking about Jane Austen. And you absolutely loved Jane Austen. The way he held his pen and wrote little notes on his book like everything made more sense after the professor explained those little moments in the book that changed the way you saw a character and how that character saw their soon-to-be loved one. The guy wore thin rimmed round glasses and licked his mouth way too much. He also tended to smile when Mr. Smith talked about a romantic scene or a character he seemed to enjoy.
It took a month until your brain decided to go back to normal, the pink haired guy still sitting beside you in every class even though there were other places he could sit more comfortably, you also never changed where you sat; mostly because the idea never crossed your mind. His light scent of cologne was familiar to you and made class more enjoyable in a way, you didn’t need to side-eye him now because you were aware of every single feature in his profile. You felt like a weirdo sometimes, your head imagining how his voice sounded like, how he laughed or if he enjoyed poetry more than prose just like you did.
You could finally pay attention to Mr. Smith talking about his favorite Jane Austen book. Everyone in class could agree that, even if it wasn’t their favorite book, it still had a place in their hearts somehow. Pride & Prejudice tended to do that. It was one of your favorite classics also, your favorite romance of all times since you read it when you were 15. Lizzie Bennett and Darcy had stolen your little teenage heart easily with their bickering and little moments together.
Pink haired guy seemed to really enjoy the book also. The cover of his copy worn out and kneaded at the tips. Your book and notes seemed to catch his attention because he was clearly trying to read what you had written down during the lecture. You decide to play nice, placing your notes closer to him so he could take a better look without breaking his neck.
“Ah, I’m sorry” He whispered, his cheeks reddening a little “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It’s okay; you can take a look if you want. It’s not like I’ve written anything groundbreaking about the book” You smiled and tried not to look like a dumbass. He was really cute. Like REALLY cute.
He then turned his body toward the paper so he could read it better. Your head snapping back to Professor Smith trying to keep yourself from blushing, your heart almost bursting inside your body for no reason.
When class was over and people started getting up to leave, Mr. Smith made your way to where you were so you could both have a little talk as you usually did after every class, except this time the guy beside you didn’t seem like he was leaving anytime soon. He had started comparing his notes to yours halfway through the class and seemed to be immersed in it still.
“So, what did you think?” The professor asked smiling. “I tried to go through the whole book in one class, but got caught up. People seemed to enjoy it, though so I guess the questions and debate will be left for next class, I hope you will bring something new to the table”
“I don’t know; I feel like not many people have different points of view when we talk about romance books in class.” You say, your hands running through the cover of your book to feel its texture. “Last time we had a debate about romance was Romeo and Juliet, and that class ended with people almost screaming at each other”
“That’s because people are really passionate when it comes to Shakespeare” The guy beside you says. His eyes finally out of his notes. “I really enjoyed today’s class, Mr. Smith”
“Thank you, Jin” The professor seemed happy to hear about it. “I finished reading your analysis on Emily Bronte yesterday; by the way, it was really… Something”.
Jin laughed and started to put his stuff back into his bag and you decided to do the same since there were some assignments you had to finish until the end of the week. With a very bad internet at home, doing the research at the library seemed to be the only way to have anything done these days. You got up from your seat and bid Mr. Smith goodbye, he smiled and waved as you left the classroom.
“You forgot your notes” A hand touching your shoulder carefully, his other hand holding your messily written notes.
“Thank you” You tell him, the little smile on his face making you nervous. “I completely forgot about it.” The paper finally back in your hands, his fingers touching yours lightly when he was giving it back.
“No problem,” He says. “My name is Jin, but I think you know that already… Uhm, I really liked your notes. You seem to really enjoy the book.”
“I’m (y/n), and yeah, it’s one of my all-time favorites” You start walking slowly and he does the same, taking a couple of seconds to adjust to your pace, making his steps smaller and more controlled as to keep up with yours. “Why did you choose Mr. Smith’s class?”
“At first it was because a friend of mine was in the same class, but he ended up switching half-way through the semester to a modern psychology class because they had a vacancy” Jin tells you. His hands going to fix his glasses while talking, “But I ended up really enjoying Mr. Smith way of speaking. He has a way of explaining stuff that makes the worst book on earth seem a little fun.”
“He really does” You agree, smiling a little. “I had some classes with him in freshman year and decided to take his elective this semester.”
“You must really enjoy his classes then; you always seem really focused when he starts talking.” He comments.
“Hum… Yeah” Is all that leaves your mouth. As if you would tell Jin the only thing you could focus in class was the way HE paid attention to class. “I need to go… I have some assignments to finish” You tell him and smiles.
“I guess I will see you next class then” Jin says. He smiles a little, his little cheeks going up and making his eyes scrunch up. You wave at him before turning to go to the library; he waves back and you notice he is wearing a pink t-shirt and jeans. The color looked really pretty on him and you guessed that, maybe, it was his favorite color.
///
After that morning, Jin and you started talking more often and exchanging notes every class. He usually was the one to ask for it, since you didn’t feel confident enough to do it. He also got to the habit of leaving little messages on your notes for no reason. Sometimes you would read over it and saw a little joke written in blue ink. It always made you smile, sometimes even laugh out loud with his dad-like humor.
He even asked for your number so you could talk about whatever came to mind. Jin usually liked to ask stuff about class or, every now and then, talk about something else he was curious or excited about.
You thought that with you both being friends, the massive crush you had on him would vanish, or at least, diminish a little, but Boy, were you wrong. Every time Jin turned to talk to you in class your heart jumped to your throat; sometimes you couldn’t even pay attention to what he was talking to you about because his face made your brain go blank.
He once asked you what you had for breakfast and if you enjoyed coffee, you told him that since you enjoyed sleeping too much you didn’t have the time to have breakfast before class started so whenever they had classes together Jin would bring a warm cup of coffee for you. It was always just the way you enjoyed, with milk and a little cinnamon. Jin always smiled brightly when he handed you the cup, it was bad for your sanity, but it made you love your Literature classes even more.
After a couple of months trying to decide whether or not you should ask him out or not, Valentine’s Day seemed to knock at your door as the perfect opportunity. He seemed to enjoy your company, right? So if he didn’t see you as a romantic interest, then you could tell him you just wanted to spend time with him because you thought he didn’t have a date. If he did already have a Valentine date and you basically made a fool of yourself… Well, then you would just go and die or something.
So a day before Valentine’s Day, you tried to find something to give to him as a gift, you had been walking around town all day searching for the perfect gift that could be mistaken as an appreciation gift if shit hit the fan. Clothes were too personal, you were not even sure what size he was so you didn’t even try to look around for that. Other options were chocolate, which you thought to be too cliché, and flowers. Flowers were a classic too, but you had always loved them. Maybe if you found a pretty little bouquet he wouldn’t find it too weird, right? Friends gave each other bouquets. You could even pretend someone gave it to you if he didn’t like the idea of going out with you.
So, after much internal debate, you entered a flower shop close to campus where a lot of students seemed to be going in. The scent of plants hitting you as you opened the door to the place. It was nicely decorated for Valentine’s Day, with pink and red hearts everywhere you looked. Roses seemed to take over the place also. It was a popular option when people were searching for a nice arrangement to gift to their special other.
You looked around trying to find something that called your attention, the various types of flowers making your head almost spin not knowing what Jin would like.
“Hello, how can I help you today?” Someone asks coming to your side. You freeze. This could not be happening.
“Jin?” You ask facing the guy in front of you. “You work here?”
“Yeah, have been working here for a while now,” He answers. He is wearing a headband with two hearts on them. His uniform was white and he still wore the black jeans and white converses you saw him wearing in class that morning. “Are you here to buy some flowers for Valentine’s Day?”
“Y-Yes” You don’t think your brain is working too well. It feels like you are in a dream. A nightmare if you were being honest. Your hands going to fix your skirt and your legs feeling numb. “I wanted to give something simple for someone I like”
“Oh” Jin voices. His warm smile flickering a little “Let me help you, then.”
“Sure” You agree “I don’t really know what kind of flowers he likes, though.”
“I’m sure you will choose something he will enjoy, (y/n), don’t worry” He tries telling you. Jin’s posture was stiff compared to how he usually was around you. It made you scared that maybe he had caught on to it and knew you were buying flowers for him and didn’t enjoy the idea that much. Maybe you should give up.
But you had promised yourself you would ask him out and you couldn’t just leave now. You had to buy the flowers.
Jin showed you the most popular bouquets for Valentine’s Day. Most of them were too expensive and too big. Your eyes fixed on his mouth as he explained the details about the arrangements. He also told you how you could make a bouquet yourself, if you felt you didn’t like the options they had in-store. You nodded to that and he, then, took you to the other side of the place where there were about twelve baskets of different flowers for you to choose from.
“You can choose how many you would like and you can mix all of them if you want; I can also help you arrange something you are happy with” He starts talking again.
“Which one do you think is prettier?” You ask trying not to sound suspicious. Your eyes going from one flower to another until they stop at some pink ones. “What are those?”
“Those are peonies. I really like them also; I have other colors of them in the back if you don’t like the pink ones.” He smiles and grabs one so you can take a closer look at it. The flower has a pale pink color and it reminded her of his pink hair and the t-shirt he was wearing when they talked for the first time.
“I really like these” You answer softly. Smiling a little before you look up back at him. He seemed caught off guard by your smile because you can hear his breath hitch a little. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah” He answers and coughs twice. “Got something stuck in my throat for a second there.”
“Oh, do you want some water? I have a bottle in my bag” You tell him already taking your small backpack from your back and opening it. You take your bottle and pass it to him without waiting for his answer worried he had not been drinking a lot of water at work. “You should be drinking more water since you are speaking to costumers every day, you could get a sore throat very easily, you know?”
He takes the bottle drinking a bit of water before talking again. “Don’t worry, I’m a big boy.” Jin tells you smiling and giving your bottle back. You tell him he can have it so he would remember to drink more water during his shift. He thanks you and fixes his glasses. You have seen it too many times before; the way he pulled the arch of his glasses back in place was definitely a habit of his. He tended to do that a lot in class when Mr. Smith was giving his opinions. “Now, how many flowers do you want in your bouquet?”
“Uh… I don’t want a big one.” You started “Do you think 6 or 7 would look nice?”
“Yeah, I can put some little accent flowers also if you want” He says grabbing the peonies from its basket. They all had different tones of pink, some paler than others. “Can I ask who the lucky guys is?”
You licked your lips trying to think what to answer without giving away it was him. He must have noticed your brain was catching on fire because he adds “You don’t need to, I was just curious.”
You nod. No good answer coming to mind except silence. “I’m sorry” You finally say.
“Hey, don’t apologize, I was the one being curious” He tells you smiling, going behind the counter to arrange the peonies for you. He cut the stalks so they were all the same size and fit inside the white paper he chose to wrap them in, after that he grabbed some small white flowers to help the bouquet look more put together, his hands wrapping around the flowers to put a bow around them. They looked really pretty when he finished his job. Jin gave you the flowers and asked if you wanted to buy a card to gift “your special guy” too. You nodded and you choose one that he said he found funny.
You paid for everything and waved him goodbye before opening the door to the flower shop to leave. He waved back and when you were finally inside your car you let your mind process what just happened.
Of course he worked at the flower shop you decided to go in, you should have known something like that would happen to you. Jesus Christ.
When you get home, all you can do is lie in bed staring at the bouquet from across the room not knowing if it was a good idea to really ask him out the other day. God, he probably already knows it’s for him anyway, so fuck it.
You wake up super early in the next morning, going around trying to look a little more presentable than you usually look every day. You make sure to grab a coat and put the bouquet inside a bag so no one would see it. You even have the time to have breakfast before you head out, which you make sure to send a picture to Jin that replies with five surprised emojis and “I can’t believe you are up this early”. To be honest, you can’t believe it either.
Everyone on campus seems to be carrying presents around. Even if not to their special other, you see a group of girls exchanging gifts and you can’t help but feel a warm feeling in your heart. At the end of the day you really enjoyed seeing people around you happy.
When you got to class, almost everyone was already seated. Your group of friends calling to you so you could sit beside them. You sit down, all of their eyes on you as you put your backpack on the table.
“Soooooo… Today is the day” Taehee starts “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m gonna die” You answer “My heart is literally going to stop working at any second now”
“Don’t be dramatic, you have to survive until break otherwise how you are gonna confess to Baby Jinnie” Jiyeon teases doing a baby voice at the end.
“I called him that ONCE because I was drunk” You say “Please don’t use it against me”
“We will forever hold it against you” Jiyeon replies “Or, at until you and Baby Jinnie start dating” She has a devilish grin on her face.
“I can’t believe I’m actually confessing to him” You mutter and your professor enters the class. He tells everyone Good Morning and asks everyone to open their books where they had left off last time.
You swore it was the longest day ever, every class seemed like it would never end. Not even your friends could help time pass quickly. When your last morning class was over, you grabbed your bag and the damn bouquet and ran across campus as fast as you could.
You knew it took fifteen minutes to get to where Jin had classes that day. If you ran you maybe could cut it in half, you also had to make it before he even left his last class because otherwise you doubted you would be able to find him. He wasn’t the biggest fan of the lunch at the cafeteria and tended to go off campus to eat with his friends during break. He always sent pictures of his food that made you hungry every time.
He was on the third floor at the Theater Department, you even contacted one of his friends to check his schedule and not fuck up. You couldn’t breathe when you finally got up the last stair. You fixed your hair and tried to catch a breath checking the time on your phone. You had made it. You almost couldn’t believe it.
There was still five minutes until his classes were over so you got the time to think about everything that could go wrong with your plan. Again.
You were walking from side to side in front of his class’ door when the bell rang. Your feet stopping in the middle of a step and turning to give space so people could leave.
A few minutes passed and you started to think maybe Jin had ditched classes that day, until a head full of pink-ish hair entered your field of vision. He was still sat in his place, faced away from where you stood at the door; he looked like he was reading something.
You start walking toward him, taking the flowers out of their bag and breathing deeply. Your nerves not knowing what they were supposed to do anymore. When you were finally behind him did he seem to notice that someone else was there too. He turned to face you as you were ready to poke his shoulder, your hand caught halfway in the air.
Your body seems to do its own thing when he looks at you and then at the bouquet in your hands. When you notice you are bowed 90 degrees and the flowers in your hand are almost hitting his face. You close your eyes from embarrassment. This was not how it was supposed to go. You were supposed to be cool about it.
After a couple of seconds of nothing but silence, you decide to raise your head so you can see what is happening. For all you know you could have punched him in the face without realizing it and knocked him out. To your surprise, he is actually pretty much alive and staring at you with wide eyes.
“Uhm… Happy Valentine’s Day?” You try to start a conversation. Your voice making him get out of his thoughts. He takes a few seconds to try to understand what is happening. His mouth opening and closing a couple of times before he finally speaks.
“You got those flowers for me?” He asks pointing at the peonies.
“Yeah?” You answer.
“I’m the guy you like?” He questions his fingers now pointing him.
“I mean… Only if you like me too, otherwise this is totally platonic” You say and you lick your lips nervously “That is not what I thought I was gonna say”
“You like ME?” He is wordless. You maybe have broken Jin.
“Sort of.”
“What do you mean by ‘sort of’?” Jin asks. You both seem to be in panic over what is happening.
“I have had a huge fat crush on you since the first day you sat beside me in Professor Smith’s class” You suddenly say. My God this is only getting worse.
Jin grabs the bouquet of peonies after that, his face still not knowing what to do. He has the biggest smile you had ever seen, when he puts the peonies on the table. You are about to pass out when he turns to you again.
“I like you too” He then says “And I have known you since the first day of Mr. Smith’s class, I just didn’t have the courage to talk to you until Namjoon left.”
“WHAT?”
“I didn’t know if you liked me back so I never asked you out.” Jin continues “I was scared you only thought of me as a friend or a classmate”.
“My mind is not working right now” Is all you can say. “I had a plan, I don’t know what to do now”.
“Ok” He says; his smile still as big as ever. “What about we go on a date now? I know a nice place to grab some lunch”
You nod slowly trying to understand what had just happened and what Jin just told you. This was definitely something you were ready for. Jin grabs his things and puts on his jacket before putting his hands on your back as to help you start walking.
Baby Jinnie had a crush on you before you had a crush on him. He likes you.