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The exhaustion of consecutive classes from 9 AM hits Johnny at once, barely managing to keep his eyes open through his sociolinguistics class. Combined with a typical college student's barely sufficient sleeping pattern, it's fair to say Johnny is well overdue for a good rest. Unfortunately for him, his classes don't end until 8 PM, and he's pretty sure he promised his roommate Jaehyun he'll pick up some food for them after the younger pestered him all day through texts. It's a Wednesday tradition for the friends since diapers to spend some time together, and Jaehyun never lets him forget their bro-date.
He rubs his eyes again before the Professor dismisses the class, the room is quickly filled with the sound of laptops shutting and zippers, and Johnny moves to collect his things. He shuffles out of the room on autopilot, letting out a yawn he was trying to hold back in class. The thought of skipping and going back to the dorms crosses his mind, but he decides against it, too worried to fall behind on his studies so early in the semester.
Instead of sleeping, Johnny opts to spend his 30-minute break between classes getting himself a coffee. The cold air of late autumn wakes him up a tad bit, and he's grateful to move his body after two hours of sitting in a very uncomfortable chair. It's a short walk from the lecture hall he's heading to anyways, and if he wants to pull through the language acquisition lecture he needs something to keep him awake. He's thankful for the lack of lines at this time, most students not being dumb enough to consume caffeine at 6 PM, and greets the barista manning the register.
"Just the americano today?" Jeno, the young barista, asks him with a kind smile, tapping away on the screen in front of him.
"That's it," His reply is short, cut off by another yawn.
"That'll be 6$, cash or card?" The boy asks as Johnny reaches for his pocket but comes up short when his wallet isn't there. Hurriedly checking the rest of his pockets, he sends an apologetic look to Jeno, who nods understandingly. He checks his bag too, before checking through all his pockets once more, the wallet still unfound. Realization hits him as he recalls rushing out in the morning, leaving behind his wallet to make it on time to his first lecture.
"I'm sorry, I forgot my wallet. I'll come back later or something.." He trails off, almost defeated at the thought of having to go through another class this tired. He's moving to leave the café, allowing the person behind him in line to get his order as Jeno greets him.
"What can I get for you?"
"Did he forget his wallet?" Johnny doesn't hear the soft-spoken man when he asks Jeno, the latter nodding with a pout, his brain focused on making his feet move toward the next destination. Then the stranger turns to him, voice clearer, yet still soft and warm,
"Can I pay for your drink?" he asks, and Johnny halts his movement, turning to decline the offer. He takes a second to look at the stranger's face, greeted with big round eyes and pale skin, and a smile so soft it matches his voice perfectly. If Johnny wasn't so sleep-deprived he might have flirted with the undeniably cute man, but Johnny is lacking in sleep and some common sense, so he quickly refuses the offer.
"Oh, no, it's alright! Thank you," he replies, but it's futile; the stranger is already pulling his card out and handing it to Jeno.
"It's really not a problem, I'll have a small hot chocolate and whatever he was having." the man leaves Johnny no room for argument as his card beeps and Jeno hands it back to him along with the receipt.
"It's my pleasure" The stranger moves from the register to stand next to Johnny, extending a hand and Johnny has to school his face to not coo when he's greeted with a sweater paw clad hand.
"Taeyong" he introduces himself and Johnny shakes his hand, studying the no longer nameless man and taking in his features. He's much shorter than Johnny, the latter having to look down to meet his eyes, and his brown hair peaks from under his knitted beanie in soft tufts. his sweater swallows him, looking a few sizes too big but still looking chic on the slim figure. The pale blue suits his skin, and the pink flush on his cheeks deepens the longer Johnny looks him over.
"Johnny, I'm not always this scatter-brained," He answers, maybe a beat too slow, but despite the embarrassment of being caught staring threatening to wash over him and turn him into a tomato he recovers as Taeyong's giggle rings in his ear.
"I don't usually buy random strangers a drink," The shorter replies and Johnny smiles widely, already enamored of him.
"Well, I'm honored and all, but what made this time different?" It's a genuine question, but Johnny can't help the flirty tone that laces his speech. Taeyong is absolutely his type and even though his brain is at half capacity of functioning he's not blind.
"You look like you really need this coffee" Taeyong chuckles again, eyes creasing. He has a unique laugh, Johnny notes, already kind of obsessed with the sound. He runs a hand through his long, black, and fairly messy hair, realizing he's probably looking worse for wear after his long day.
"oof, that bad? I thought I only felt like I'm dying, didn't realize I looked it, too.." Taeyong lets out another giggle at that, hand flying to cover his mouth. Their drinks are ready and Jeno calls their names, and Johnny moves to grab both. He hands Taeyong his hot chocolate and sip his own coffee, the bitter flavor welcomed on his tongue.
"Not too bad that I wouldn't buy you another drink sometime, if you wanted, ofcourse.." Taeyong trails off, his blush spreading down his neck and up his ears, and he blinks up at Johnny, the confidence in his voice not matching his shy kitten-like look. It takes Johnny a moment to register the offer, before his smile doubles.
"Only if you let me buy you one first, my mom raised me up to always repay my debts, especially if it's to the cutest boy on campus.." He winks, which earns him another chuckle from the brunette who shys away from the attention. Before he gets a reply he pulls his phone out of his pocket, placing it in Taeyong's free hand. The confused face he is granted makes him want to squeeze the smaller man's cheeks, this time he can barely avoid the coo that threatens to escape him.
"Your number, we have a date to schedule." Johnny answers the wordless question, coaxing another smile out of Taeyong who grabs his phone, quickly dialing his own number. He hangs up the call when there's a buzz from his own pocket and hands the taller his phone back, grinning. It's then that Johnny glances at the time, realizing he's about to be late to his class.
"Shit, I really have to run to class, but I'll see you soon, yeah?" He asks, moving to leave the café with Taeyong in tow. Taeyong nods, smiling.
"See you soon, Johnny" he waves him off, and Johnny all but sprints away, leaving the small boy still blushing at the interaction.
A few minutes later Taeyong's phone buzzes again in his pocket.
unknown number: hey beautiful
unknown number: was late to class :(
unknown number: guess I wasted all my daily luck on having the prettiest boy buy me a coffee.
unknown number: worth it.