Chapter Text
Nut liked quiet. He liked books. He liked chemistry formulas sprawling across his notebook like tiny universes he could understand and control. The library was perfect for all of that—soft lamps, the low hum of the AC, and most importantly, people left him alone.
Usually.
“Hey, Nut! Mind if I sit here?”
Nut looked up and sighed. Of course. It was Hong. Again. He was practically impossible to miss: bright, confident, the kind of boy whose smile made sunlight look dim in comparison. Nut had known him for a little while—classmates, same after-school club—but he still didn’t understand how Hong seemed to radiate… energy wherever he went.
“…Uh… sure,” Nut muttered, sliding his notebook slightly to make room.
Hong plopped into the seat across from him like it was pre-assigned. “Thanks!” He dumped his bag at his feet and leaned across the table with a grin that made Nut’s brain short-circuit.
“So,” Hong said, reaching for a pencil from Nut’s pencil case, “still trying to solve the mysteries of chemistry, huh?”
Nut pulled back a little, blinking. “…Yes. I have an exam next week.”
“Right. But, you know, you look way too serious all the time,” Hong said, tilting his head. “I figured I’d come supervise your studying. Make sure you’re… doing it right.”
Nut frowned. “…Supervise?”
Hong leaned closer, eyes twinkling. “Yeah. Make sure you don’t starve or… forget to blink or something. Important stuff.”
Nut went back to his notebook, cheeks warming. “…I don’t need supervision.”
“Sure you don’t,” Hong said casually, sliding a small pack of strawberry Pocky toward him. “But I brought snacks anyway. Brain fuel. Cute, focused brains like yours need it.”
Nut froze. “…Thanks,” he said quietly, taking one stick.
Hong leaned back, smiling like he’d just won. “You know, most people just nod when I say stuff. You… you actually make sense. It’s nice.”
Nut didn’t notice the lingering glances or the way Hong’s grin softened whenever he smiled faintly while writing formulas. He was too busy trying to focus, oblivious as ever.
“So,” Hong said after a moment, leaning closer, “you’re still sitting here alone every day?”
Nut shrugged. “Yeah. It’s quiet.”
“Good choice,” Hong said, tone serious—but the glint in his eyes gave it away. “But… now that I’m here, maybe it’s not so quiet anymore.”
Nut blinked, puzzled. “Not so quiet?”
Hong groaned, leaning his forehead on his hand. How is he this dense? “You’re distracting. That’s all. In a good way.”
Nut went red, buried himself back in his notebook, and muttered, “…I’m just trying to study.”
“And I’m just trying to… well, make sure you don’t die of starvation or boredom,” Hong said with mock-seriousness, tapping the table. “Deal?”
Nut nodded absently, completely missing the wink Hong threw him.
Minutes passed. Nut scribbled formulas. Hong doodled stars in the margin of his notebook, watching him with a soft, dangerous kind of fondness. Every so often, he’d slide a snack closer, brush a stray hair from Nut’s face, or make some exaggerated comment about “cute, focused brains.” Nut never realized it was flirting.
And Hong smiled. Because that was the fun part. Phase one: completely confuse Nut while being extra nice… officially underway.