Chapter Text
kang taehyun had one goal in his life, to be the rank one in his college. he had done it before, graduating as the rank one in their highschool, but he was an overachiever. he wanted nothing but academic success and validation.
that’s also the reason why he had never had a significant other in his twenty years of living, it just wasn’t his priority — but the universe had a different plan for him.
it all started when he moved to a dorm in their university, studying in one of the most prestigious universities in the country, he was even lucky to get a dorm on campus. they usually give it to athletes, not to scholars.
but it had a downside — he had a roommate that he did not know. his only close friend, choi soobin was dorming outside of campus, so there was absolutely no chance that he knew his roommate. he only wished that he wouldn’t be an obnoxious and loud varsity, that would be his worst nightmare.
he entered his dorm room, and what would be his home for at least four years. it was surprisingly large in size for a two person bedroom. his roommate was nowhere to be found, making taehyun sure that he got here first, and it was up to him to decide which side would be his.
“omg, hi! you must be my roommate!” suddenly, a taller golden haired boy came out of the bathroom, dressed in basketball varsity attire.
this was taehyun’s worst nightmare.
“kang taehyun, right? what a small world!” the boy continued to say with so much energy.
taehyun couldn’t even process anything that was happening, he was focused on the fact that his roommate was a basketball varsity. this must be a joke from the universe.
“a-ah, yeah. i’m kang taehyun.” he said and they shook hands. oddly enough, he looked familiar.
“i’m kai kamal huening, but you can call me kai! we went to the same school, just different sections. by the way, you can pick your side of the room! i don’t mind whichever side!”
he’s so energetic , taehyun thought to himself.
“you seem familiar, kai… were you the MVP of our basketball team back in high school?”
“yeah, you could say that.. haha.”
“figures. would it be okay for you if i take the right side of the room?”
“no worries! i’ll unpack later, i have basketball practice. let’s get acquainted later, taehyun. bye!” he said and went out of their room.
taehyun knew what he had to do, update his friend.
kang taehyun
they paired me up with a basketball varsity
choi soobin
THATS SO FUNNY
kang taehyun
no, it’s not.
i’m just fortunate he’s from our high school, so he must be decent
choi soobin
who?
i’m familiar with the basketball team of our high school
kang taehyun
kai kamal huening
choi soobin
YOURE KIDDING
OUR MVP???
dude he's not just decent, he’s the best!
he’s the only varsity that’s also a scholar
kang taehyun
ah, that’s great
then we won’t have trouble setting up boundaries when it comes to academics and his varsity hours
choi soobin
he’s also handsome :)
kang taehyun
what does that have to do with boundaries?
choi soobin
nothing, i’m just saying you’re dorming with a handsome and smart boy
if you had a type, he would fit
kang taehyun
i’m not having this conversation with you again
i need to unpack
good bye
choi soobin
but you didn’t say i was wrong :P
taehyun rolled his eyes, soobin had always tried to recommend people romantically to him, but that wasn’t his priority right now. he wanted that rank one, and nothing can stop him.
he started decorating his side of the room, he saw kai had a tote bag that was filled with nothing but plushies. he wondered if that was his or a gift.
after unpacking, he immediately started fixing his desk and browsed his curriculum, trying to study in advance. he knew that he picked a hard major, but he wanted to be a doctor and biology was the best program for it.
he suddenly heard the door being opened, it was kai. but unlike other varsities, kai walked in already in fresh clothes. he wasn’t like the others who flaunted their uniform and wore it even while sweaty. thank heavens.
“hi taehyun! your side looks great, i’ll unpack mine now.” he said with a smile.
taehyun was surprised when kai started to decorate his bed with plushies and the most comfortable pillow and blankets he had ever seen. he also decorated his desk with cute little keychains. he was definitely not your typical arrogant varsity like taehyun knew.
“and done! i already took out my clothes earlier. do you want to eat dinner, taehyun?”
taehyun didn’t expect such a warm and energetic greeting, he honestly thought his roommate would just ignore him.
“s-sure. where do you propose to eat?”
“there’s this ramen here on the campus that my teammate showed me. let’s go? i’m quite hungry.”
taehyun was new to this, he wasn’t exactly a friendly and approachable person. he only talked to people regarding academics. soobin was his family friend and was enough for him, so he never really bothered to make friends.
taking a leap of faith, he grabbed his wallet and jacket then walked with kai to the ramen place. he just hopes kai had enough conversation starters for the both of them, because taehyun didn’t know how to talk to strangers.
after a quick walk, they arrived at a cozy looking traditional ramen place. they both ordered ramen and side dishes, taehyun noticed that he and kai had similar food tastes.
“so… what’s your major?” kai started the conversation.
“biology, what about you?”
“guess.”
taehyun blanked out, he didn’t know kai that well and he already proved himself that he wasn’t your stereotypical varsity, so his major could really be anything.
“finance…?”
“wrong, i’m a performing arts major.”
“woah, really?”
“yes, really. nobody really expects a basketball varsity to take it, and i can see why.”
“correct… what’s… what’s your specialty? what can you do?”
“a lot, i think. i can sing, dance, act, and play instruments. i choose this major as it’s very broad and versatile.”
taehyun has never met such a talented human being, not to mention, he also looked like a demi-god. with the features of a greek god.
“that’s… that’s wow. you can do a lot.”
“i think so, i can do things when i enjoy doing it.”
“what about you? are you taking biology for med school?”
“correct, i want to be a surgeon to be precise.”
“oooh! you take your academics seriously, am i right?”
“yes i do.”
normally, taehyun would bring up the fact that they need to set boundaries now about time practices and not disturbing him while studying, but taehyun didn’t feel the need to. he trusts kai oddly enough.
before the conversation could continue, their food arrived. kai immediately noticed something.
“you don’t like cola?”
“yeah… i only like sprite.”
“noted, roomie!”
this was all new to taehyun, he was used to peace and only ever talking to soobin outside academic matters.
“you know, you’re a beast when it comes to academics. how do you do it?”
“w..what?”
“rank one overall with more than three hundred students? they should have given you a trophy instead of a medal and ribbons.”
“oh, i…” taehyun had never been complemented explicitly before. he was aware that he was smart, but for someone to actually say it was different.
“are there any habits i should know? don’t worry, i won’t disturb you while studying, i usually wear headphones all day long actually. you won’t hear a peep from me.”
“that’s so considerate of you, thank you. please do not disturb me while i’m studying.”
“noted, just tap me if you need anything, hmm? i can tell we are going to be good friends!”
after eating dinner together, taehyun and kai went back to their dorm and went on with their nightly routine separately.
kai was finally laying down on his bed when he finally texted his group of friends.
kai
YOU GUYS WILL NEVER GUESS MY DORM MATE
yawnjun
who?
bamgyu
he said guess
yawnjun
anyone could be his dorm mate
maybe a hint
kai
he’s from our high school
yawnjun
what are the odds if you were paired with your long time crush?
he studies in this university too
bamgyu
REALLY?
kai
yeah haha.. WHAT ARE THE ODDS
IM ROOMING WITH KANG TAEHYUN
T H E KANG TAEHYUN
bamgyu
GO GET HIM TIGER
how did your introduction go?
kai
i was quite confident, so far i think he doesn’t suspect anything
haha not like i’ve liked him for six years so far no big deal
yawnjun
this could be your chance to actually shoot your shot
bamgyu
YEAH, WE WILL HELP YOU
the next day was officially the start of their classes, kai woke up early as he had basketball training early in the morning, he decided to also cook for taehyun as he was already cooking breakfast.
when taehyun woke up, he immediately noticed the plate of food on the table and a note beside it, “good luck on your first day, taehyun! fighting! <3”
taehyun couldn’t help but to smile, this was the first time he experienced being accepted immediately. the food left for him were rice cakes and pork cutlets, he hit the jackpot with his roommate.
the day went on smoothly, taehyun could immediately feel the difference between high school and college, but he didn’t mind. he just knew that he had to get rank one, that was his only goal.
he went to the dorm with kai cooking, he couldn’t help but to feel ashamed that he hasn’t done anything for him yet.
“oh! hi taehyun! i’m cooking pork belly for lunch, i cooked for the both of us.”
“thank you, kai. i’ll repay you.”
“no need, i’m already cooking for myself, it would be rude if i didn’t cook for you.”
“hmmm.. what about this… what if i pay for our groceries and you cook?”
“but…”
“we should be a team. i don’t really cook that much and rely on delivery food, so thank you…”
“okay, but you would only pay for groceries! request dishes that you like too, okay?”
“thank you. i’ll set up the table for us.”
they say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s why kai has been cooking for taehyun.
taehyun set up the table and already popped soda cans for them, kai’s cooking looked and tasted delicious.
“since when have you been cooking?”
“my whole life. it’s one of my interests, i like cooking korean and japanese dishes.”
“they look and taste amazing. i’m so lucky that i got you as my roommate.”
kai couldn’t help but to blush at the statement, “ah you’re flattering me too much, i’ve only cooked twice for you.”
“and both meals were so good. i can only cook an egg and maybe instant noodles.”
“good thing i’m here then.”
days rolled by and taehyun and kai spent most of their time either studying or training for basketball. their only conversation would be mainly at dinners where they would slolwy get acquainted with each other.
“it’s our first weekend as college students tomorrow. are you busy?”
“not that i know of. why?”
“my friends and i are going to the mall. do you want to go with us?”
“are you sure i wouldn’t be intruding?”
“not at all. in fact, they want to meet you.”
“you… talk about me to them?”
“well yeah, you’re part of my daily life.” kai answered quickly, nice save.
taehyun was flattered at the fact that kai mentions him, “s..sure. would it be okay if i invited my friend too?”
“of course, the more the merrier!”
kang taehyun
clear your schedule tomorrow
we’re going to the mall
choi soobin
is that a threat
kang taehyun
no, kai wants me to meet his friends
i’m dragging you along with me
choi soobin
you and kai are getting along nicely
kang taehyun
it would be hard not to be on good terms with the person you live with
choi soobin
you know that’s not what i meant
kang taehyun
whatever, see you tomorrow
the first thing taehyun felt when he woke up was nervousness. he’s not used to socializing that much, and he’s scared that kai’s friends might not approve of him.
“oh taehyun-ah! good morning! i prepared pancakes for us. after that, let's go to the mall.”
“doable plan. should i dress nicely…?”
“hmmm.. dress however you like.” kai says and eats a pancake, “you look good in anything anyways.”
taehyun couldn’t quite hear what kai said afterwards, as he was already chewing.
“would a t-shirt be fine? i… i don’t want to look out of place.”
“yeah! that’s perfect, i’m wearing a shirt and jeans.”
they finished eating and getting ready and taehyun is about to pass out. he’s not a sociable person and he hopes kai’s friends are as kind as him.
“who’s your friend?” kai makes conversation as they were walking to the mall.
“soobin, he’s a family friend.”
“soobin… choi soobin? he was my classmate back in the third year of high school.”
“oh… are your friends from our high school too?”
“yep, we’re all neighbors so we grew up together.”
“who are they?”
“yeonjun and beomgyu.”
“their names are familiar…”
“we’re all in the basketball varsity team, but i’m the only one who continued to play until college.”
“oh, i see them. hi guys!”
two tall boys approached them, and they immediately smiled at taehyun. he was relieved, they’re definitely friendly like kai.
“yo taehyun! nice to meet you, i’m yeonjun.”
“hi, i’m beomgyu. we’re kai’s best friends.”
“we we’re never classmates with you during high school as we were in the class for athletes.” kai explains, taehyun didn’t even know they had that.
“nice to meet you.” taehyun says and shakes their hand.
“oh! choi soobin!” beomgyu calls out.
“you know each other?” taehyun asks.
“well yeah, he’s my boyfriend.”
“what?!” taehyun and kai exclaimed at the same time.
“not yet! but hey guys!” soobin says cheerfully.
“hey taehyun! i’m already acquainted with them as beomgyu’s courting me hehe…”
“i can’t believe i didn’t know about this!” kai says.
“well yeah, it only happened yesterday. it was a coincidence that you brought taehyun along, but i wanted to introduce soobin to you guys immediately.” beomgyu says, clinging to soobin.
taehyun was shocked to say the least, but quickly realized that beomgyu was exactly soobin’s type. their height difference is cute too.
“what a small world indeed. i’m hungry, let’s grab lunch?” yeonjun offers.
the hangout went well, taehyun got to know more about kai and his friends. he realized how closed off he was all his life, and he was depriving himself happiness when he didn’t bother to make friends during high school.
taehyun is a goal oriented person, he tends to lock in and forget the world when he’s studying, often forgetting to eat.
that’s why it was no surprised when kai found him passed out at his desk. he immediately carried taehyun to his bed and put on a blanket.
“taehyun-ah… you’re already smart. don’t overwork yourself.” kai whispered, careful not to wake him up.
taehyun woke up not feeling well, luckily for him, kai cooked rice porridge for him.
“you’re overworking yourself. you don’t eat when i don’t cook.” kai sulks.
“sorry, i’m just.. focusing on my studies.”
“how can you focus on your studies when you’re sick?” kai says and puts his hand on taehyun’s forehead, “you even have a fever!”
“sorry for being a burden, i have a long exam this monday…”
“taehyun-ah, it’s friday night. you have the weekend to study. for now, eat up and rest. i won’t leave your side!”
“but aren’t you tired from your basketball training? don’t mind me…”
“what kind of friend would i be if i just left you alone?i’ll go to the store and buy you ginseng, okay? eat and rest up while i’m out.”
taehyun couldn’t help but to smile. this was the first time someone took care of him. being an only child with busy parents, he was used to being alone. but now, he can’t imagine not having kai by his side.
he finished his rice porridge and the apple that kai gave him before he was back from the convenience store.
“ginseng, milk, water, and some fruits for your health!”
“thank you kai, really.”
“i would be the happiest if you recover soon, hmm? drink this ginseng and brush your teeth.”
for the past few weeks, kai has been doing a good job at concealing his obvious crush on taehyun, but tonight, he was very worried and went overboard with buying food in the convenience store. he was lucky taehyun didn’t question it.
it was midnight when taehyun suddenly woke up, needing to go to the bathroom. he checked his temperature and he didn’t have a fever anymore, all thanks to kai.
he turned to kai, who was peacefully sleeping while hugging his plushies. taehyun couldn’t help but to admire kai’s face, he’s so pretty. kai’s beauty could compare to greek gods.
taehyun kneeled in front of kai, admiring his face, when he suddenly felt the urge to kiss him. he slowly closed the gap between their faces and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
“thank you, kai.” he whispered.
“did you just kiss me?” kai suddenly said.
“what the fuck! you’re awake?”
“i’m just closing my eyes, i need to pass an assignment later. but did you just kiss my forehead?”
well fuck. taehyun couldn’t deny it. he was caught.
“yeah… uhm… as a thank you… i didn’t want to kiss you on the lips as i don’t want you to get sick.”
“i see.” kai said and stood up from his bed, towering over taehyun, “so… if you weren’t sick, you would kiss me?”
taehyun slowly started stepping back, but the room was small, they were slowly backed into a corner.
“y.. yeah…” taehyun answered.
“well why didn’t you just say so? i would let you.”
“let me what?”
“do this.” kai said and closed the gap between their faces, kissing taehyun on the lips.
“goodnight taehyun.” kai said and patted taehyun on top of his head, then proceeded to lay down again.
well played, kai.
“i thought you were going to do your assignment?”
“i lied. i’m going to sleep. you should sleep too.”
taehyun laid down and immediately touched his lips. that felt nice. he wasn’t opposed to doing it again.
kang taehyun
kai just kissed me
choi soobin
WHAT THE FUCK
kang taehyun
why are you still awake?
choi soobin
why are YOU still awake?
its one am
kang taehyun
got sick and kai took care of me
choi soobin
is the kiss part of the treatment?
kang taehyun
shut up
choi soobin
well you aren’t repulsed by it
so im guessing you enjoyed it
kang taehyun
i wouldn’t be against another kiss
choi soobin
are you saying you like kai?
taehyun put down his phone and stared at the ceiling. he likes kai?
kang taehyun
i don’t know
but hes handsome
and tall
kind
sporty
talented
thoughtful
caring
his lips are soft
choi soobin
invite me to your wedding