Archive of Our Own

Wonwoo never intended to lurk in visitors' businesses, but some were too obvious not to notice. Take Choi Seungcheol, for example; he's 200% a boxer. A bandaid king and a Hajime no Ippo top borrower. The eyebrows or the corners of the lips are always at least slightly bruised. Woozi could be an architecture guessing from 50+ BDC magazines read and his own built. Seungkwan, a history major undergraduate. All history books in the library had his name recorded, and also Seungkwan told him, "I'm a history major undergraduate," a few weeks after becoming a regular.

And Yoon Jeonghan, Yoon Jeonghan is probably an astronomer.

In Wonwoo's defense, he had been keeping all assumptions to himself, and the algorithm was only a subject of interest so that he could customize each of them a correct "new arrival of the month" Seungcheol could do with First-aid at home. Woozi got suggested Secrets to Super Building: Latest Trends. Seungkwan a Cross-cultural history (new edition). Everyone also got recommended a picture book of kittens because they're cute.

"You're probably a fan of this photographer."

Jeonghan commented, flipping the cat picture book around in his palm. Wonwoo wanted to say something to keep the conversation going, but picking the proper reply was complicated when he tried to impress. Why couldn't emojis be sent in real life? He'd pick a thumb up.

Did that keep the conversation going?

"How you'd know.." his voice came out deep and soft, like hiding in the wind. Jeonghan could have missed it, but the library was so quiet that a tiny tone quickly got across.

Jeonghan, thinking there was some policy of shutting up the most time in the library so as not to be a disturbance, whispered back. "Last month, you recommended a collection of black kittens. The same author."

"Oh"

"Yeah"

"We have 7 copies."

Amused, he signals at the pile of Cat books on the shelf behind, "So, that is your doing."

"No......" Wonwoo replied. A lie so brutal it exposed itself the minute it met the air, forcing him to change the answer a few seconds after "yes," immediately followed by excuses. Kids like them..?.

"It's cute."

Yes. Instead of declaring love for all cats in the universe, Wonwoo just nodded.

"I'll borrow one, and I'll also get SpaceX."

Moving to NASA now? He wants to ask. 

Wonwoo gives him the two requested books so that Jeonghan can get them scanned at the machine.

Jeonghan muttered a soft thanks and left with a faint smile that somehow lasted days at the library counter.

2 ☀︎

"Here is a picture of cats."

The man did not take the library as his second home like Seungkwan did or a weekend spot like Seungcheol liked, but he was enough of an acquaintance that Wonwoo recognized the walking pattern whenever he entered. So a little friendly greeting did not come out awkward.

There was a picture of cats in an adorable postcard on the counter, together with the books Jeonghan borrowed last time and fines for late returns.

"They're so cute."

"Yours."

"For me?"

Jeonghan nodded and pushed the postcard forward. "I walked past the postcard store and thought you'd like it."

"Thank you"

The librarian's thrilled.  

The newcomer was still standing there with the two books in his arm when Wonwoo's cat postcard's thrilling appreciation cooled down.

"..May I--..help you with something?"

Jeonghan looked at Wonwoo with relieved eyes. 

"Can I please pay the fines for late returns here? I think the machine broke" 

"Of course"

Ah, yes, he still remembered how to manually do the work.

Although it was a little tacky and took a whole 15 minutes so they must engage in more small talk than usual, situation-wise.

Here's what Wonwoo knew more about the guy -- he's so cute.

3 ☀︎

"Hyunggg"

"Seungkwan"

Seungkwan gestured his hand, offering a seat for the newcomer. 

Seungkwan's senior's Joshua and Joshua's Jeonghan's best friend. So they're automatically bros.

"Thanks"

And here's what typical bros did

"So," Seungkwan started, "Just ask him. He's single."

"Sorry?"

"Wonwoo's single."

Clearly, the way he had just spent five minutes waiting for the barcode reader to do its only job gave Seungkwan some fresh ideas.

"I was just trying to pay my fine."

"Oh yeah?"

"oh yeah. "

"No, hyung, YOU like HIM. Your eyes spark like this when you talk to him" Seungkwan imitated a sparkling with his fingers.

"My eyes are never like that."

"But you like him."

"Don't you have homework to do or something?" he said, eying the pile of books on the table and a tablet with so many tabs. 

Seungkwan momentarily pushed his research away and gave Jeonghan a face.

"Bruh, adulting must be boring, can't even ask a guy out."

4☀︎

"We're having a seminar about stars for local primary kids," Wonwoo stated as he sat at the gang table one evening.

The gang includes 1) Seungkwan 2) Jeonghan, Seungkwan's bro 3) Seungcheol, Seungkwan's swan enemy 4) Woozi, Seungkwan's teacher's neighbor, featuring the one thing that draws them together, compulsory loves for Seungkwan, demanded by the man himself a year ago. 

"So I was wondering if any of you would be interested in joining as instructors."

Any of you already implied Jeonghan by the eyes and the common knowledge that he is the 'stars' guy in the group.

"Jeonghan doesn't like kids," Seungkwan explained on behalf of his older bro.

"I don't hate 'em" Jeonghan immediately gave a follow-up.

Seungkwan boo narrowed his eyes.

"Um, so. Would you mind?"

"Ah, I can do the astronomy part, but I'm not sure about the kid's bit," he said. "I'm not the most entertaining guy for kids."

 "I can help you with that."

"Then that'd be fantastic."

"Could we talk if that's convenient for you?"

"The weekends are fine."

"We can talk here. Just have to keep the volume low."

Jeonghan looked around the library before whispering back.

"Do you like coffee?"

5 ☀︎

Something did not match out.

Wonwoo thought

Don't pick cloth like you're going on a date.

no, what's wrong with looking good

Don't try to impress him just because you think he's a little cute.

no, but what's wrong with looking good

Wonwoo came out with a plain t-shirt that did not look too impressive but was fun enough to signal I'm a delight to be with. 

Jeonghan looked gorgeous.

Casual jeans, a bright yellow striped t-shirt, the way he styled his already perfect hair.

"You look g gorgeous."

Wonwoo's jaw dropped. Why did Jeonghan start the day by stealing his line?

"Thank you"

6 ☀︎

They walked out of a cafe with a splendid plan in their hands.

And that was it.

Which made sense. Again, that was not a date.

Wonwoo could have asked some questions, then that business was done. He's indecisive about it till the last minute. 

I guess it's a goodnight almost slipped out the tongue of his lips when Jeonghan opened his mouth.

"Do you realize we have a planetarium here?"

"Here? in this town?"

"Yeah, sort of"

"We do? I never notice."

"Want me to take you?"

"If it's not too far."

7 ☀︎

It's too cheesy for Wonwoo's liking, but the smile on Jeonghan's face blurred his usual judgment, so Wonwoo let it slide.

The biggest planetarium in town, by what he means, was the sky.

Just a park in the central area where it's clear enough to see the sky.

They argue about how this made no sense because the sky was real and should not be called a "planetarium". Jeonghan said it was an excuse. Wonwoo asked 'for what?' to which Jeonghan pretended he didn't hear anything and asked if Wonwoo liked constellations. 

Saying yes an hour before, Wonwoo debuted his astronomer career by successfully identifying The Great Bear.

"It's beautiful."

"I know, right?"

"You locate it so fast. Do you do this for a living? The stars stuff, I mean."

"Nah, I wish," Jeonghan replied before disclosing the mystery of the year. "I'm an accountant."

"Oh"

"It's a hobby I picked up in college. We have, like, a club there."

"It's a really cool hobby."

"Thanks. What about you? What do you like? "

"I just read, I guess, and play games." Wonwoo felt a little shy. "It's boring, right? My hobby is partially the same as my job. I'm boring."

"No, I think you're sort of cute." 

Did he miss the word hobby?

"I've actually been thinking that," Jeonghan continued.

Oh he must miss the word hobby. 

8 ☀︎

Where to find a lover

"I, um, return this on behalf of Seungkwan's friend. Can I pay the fine here?"

The event went wonderfully. Jeonghan was so cool with kids. But then they didn't really have a chance to interact much.

Well, the only thing connecting the conversation now and then was that the machine was still broken. 

Wonwoo nodded and flipped through the book.

Where to find a lover

Lee Seokmin was the name. The book looked mint. So many suspicions

"I peek a little, hope that's not a crime." 

Jeonghan mentioned mindlessly while waiting for the barcode reader to work again.

"Oh, care for a review?"

"Seems like it's a collection of short stories of how different pairs meet. Like, college, friend gathering, parties, dating apps."

"Dating app, huh. Does it work?"

"In the story? It does. I mean, it often does in reality too."

"Should I download it?"

"Should you?"

Jeonghan stole a look at the librarian a second before Wonwoo's glance.

What about this man? Is he seeing anyone now? Why does he smell good all the time if he isn't? 

The curiosity is killing the kitty.

"Is that..." Wonwoo did not realize he was spelling it out. Ugh, why don't things stay in his mind ever? "...how you find yours?"

Smooth one, kudos

"Hah, I'm not seeing anyone."

"Um"

"Yeah"

"Ah...."

"Dating app, huh."

"Should we download?"

"Should we?" 

When Wonwoo looks up again. Jeonghan holds up his finger and gestures toward the right. 

The librarian looked to the right, trying to figure out what his customer wanted. 

"?"

"I'm swiping right on you."

Jeonghan thought about what Seungkwan said and rebutted him in his mind. Adults do know how to ask a guy out.

Wonwoo's shocked. 

"I mean, you're cute. We haven't known much about each other yet, but I'll be thrilled to."

Wonwoo fell quiet for so long. Jeonghan panicked a bit. "Too forward? Just testing my chance."

His face is the color of Mars.

"Um"

He's holding up his fingers and, as one must communicate in the same frequency, moving it to his right

"It's uh, it's a match then."

The barcode makes a ding sound to signal it finally functions. 

What a timing.

9 ☀︎

At first, Wonwoo thought, 'it's that easy?' Then on their first official date, he thought, 'Right, why should it be hard?'

It's never complicated with Jeonghan. Dating's incredibly simple, an easy and relaxing read. Almost like knowing a new friend, Wonwoo thought, except he felt a little crazy when the other beam. 

While the librarian was daydreaming, Seungkwan stared at the sign.

"Why"

Wonwoo turned to look at the sign before he replied  

"No Idea. I don't make the rule around here either" the librarian leaned in and casually threw the blame. "I'm just an employee."

Seungkwan leaned in as well. "What about any other days."

"I don't know," he said. "But why would you take your date to the library."

They both eyed the sign again.

NO KISSING ON VALENTINE DAY with the lips emoji and an X on it

"What if your date is a librarian."

"I am a librarian."

"Exactly. Do you not have a date?"

"No"

Seungkwan narrowed his eyes, looking back and forth between the sign and the so-called today's bachelor as if to signal, and you're sure it wasn't you. 

If Seungkwan were to ask again, though. The answer would change.

"The question is," Seungcheol started as soon as he entered, "Why would you wanna kiss in the library."

"Freedom to love"

"You can love outside."

"I WANT TO LOVE INSIDE"

"Throw a tantrum."

"The question is, why are you in the library on Valentine's day."

"My boyfriend got a job?"

"You got a boyfriend???"

"You don't??" 

Seungkwan opened his mouth and closed and reopened it again to direct the conversation somewhere else. "Flash new. Wonwoo also got one."

"You do?"

And Wonwoo nods

Yes, Wonwoo got a brand new, just-in boyfriend. And this would be their first Valentine's together, yet the day was about to end, and no sign of his man.

Well, Valentine has 24 hours.

10 ☀︎

It's never complicated with Jeonghan. Dating's incredibly simple, easy, relaxing, and slow read. A damn slow read. 

Like Wonwoo thought, this has been really slow.

Are you at work?

Yes

Would you still be there in the next 15 minutes?

Very likely

The library's also facing closing time in 15-ish. Wonwoo was not sure if Jeonghan would make it but judging from the silence, unlikely. 

He was returning books to the shelves with a clock ticking in his mind.  

"Need a hand?"

Ah? 

Jeonghan popped out of nowhere with chocolate in his hands.

Wonwoo gladly accepts the gift.

"Ah, thank you."

Jeonghan grabbed a book and started putting it back, remembering the Dewey Wonwoo had told him.

"Any plan tonight?"

"I'll just grab something and head home, I think."

"Don't you have a date?"

"Not really."

"Do you want one?"

Wonwoo looked at his just-in boyfriend, looked at the clock, then at his boyfriend, and pointed at the clock.

"I know. I'm sorry. It's probably long overdue. Working late for overtime isn't always worth it now, is it? Sorry I didn't tell you beforehand."

"No, it's okay. You can buy us a good meal with that money."

"I'll buy you anything."

One thing Wonwoo finally came to judge Jeonghan is that he's cheesy as hell. 

"Too much. Just a nice drink will do."

"I'll get you, like, two of every bottle you want, seriously"

Jeonghan put the last book on the shelf; Wonwoo has not moved an inch.  

One moment they realize how incredibly close they are.

The librarian eyed a sign on the shelves in front of him. It's impressive how those are everywhere in the library.

The two hadn't "kiss kiss" kissed, and they hadn't felt it was necessary or the time. The time doesn't relate to conservativeness or progress, but the lighting and an unidentified voice telling them to 'now kiss' like they are two ken dolls.

A kiss does need that type of outer space dictation. 

It's funny because of all the time they date, of so many places they could have debuted the kiss, they haven't. Suddenly, the timing was then, in the public space where it was generally inappropriate, especially on the day it was prohibited.

Now he needed to kiss this man.

Jeonghan looked like he knew how to read eyes. "Are you breaking the rule?"

"Are we breaking the rule?"

"How much is the fine?"

"A spender, I see."

"Not the richest man in the universe, but not like I'm gonna be broke paying a fine to kiss my boyfriend."

"We can split the bill since it takes two to misbehave." 

Gosh, That's so cute. How kind of you. How absolutely cute and kind of you. 

Jeonghan is choosing the proper response to Wonwoo's generosity, and right when he's done, Wonwoo puts an end to his unheard speech, "but we have CCTV."

Not a big fan of PDA, is he?

If this were a film, Jeonghan would at least steal a peck. 

Instead, he just says

"Do you wanna grab ice cream before it's too dark?"

"Yeah...Sure"

11 ☀︎

Wonwoo's sure Jeonghan bumped into him on purpose. Fingers brushing while they were walking.

The soft giggling tickled.

"There is a new galaxy-themed cafe nearby. I hope the theme has not been changed to Valentine yet."

Wonwoo murmured

"I'd love it regardless, unless there is a prohibit sign."

Oh wow

Somehow he needed to give a hint. He needed to respond. Isn't there any book about kissing a man in the middle of the street unprovoked? Why isn't there one? 

"Well, there's.... no sign here..?"

Jeonghan slowed down gradually.

Though it made no sense, the biggest planetarium in town was still and always will be the sky. But no one's looking, not even the star-craze guy.

Wonwoo's counting in his mind, like, they have been into this only months, yet the number of romance books he had taken out off the shelf lately? Embarrassing.

But if those embarrassing books had taught him anything, it's this: He doesn't need to know more about a man to kiss him; he needs to kiss him to know more. 

Right, right.

With that novel knowledge, Wonwoo leaned in and watched the 14th of February begin with sunset.