Work Text:
Lee Minho never thought he’d fall for someone like Han Jisung.
Jisung was soft around the edges,hoodies two sizes too big, always hunched over a laptop in the library, muttering to himself as he scribbled notes. He laughed too loud at his own jokes and apologized when he didn’t need to. He talked about things Minho barely understood coding projects, random trivia, philosophy videos he watched at three in the morning.
Minho, on the other hand, was Lee Minho.
Star forward. Campus royalty. The kind of guy people whispered about. The kind of guy who didn’t date nerdy boys who tutored freshmen for extra cash.
And yet.
They met because Minho failed a midterm and got assigned mandatory tutoring.
Jisung smiled nervously and said, “Uh—hi. I’m Han Jisung. I promise I don’t bite.”
Minho was doomed from that moment.
They didn’t mean to fall into something.
Late-night study sessions turned into shared meals. Shared meals turned into lingering touches. Lingering touches turned into Minho kissing Jisung against the library shelves at midnight, heart racing like he was doing something forbidden.
When Minho asked to keep it secret, Jisung went very still.
“You mean… secret,” Jisung said.
“Just for now,” Minho replied quickly. “You know how people are.”
Jisung did know. He also knew how it felt to be hidden.
But Minho looked at him like he mattered. Like this wasn’t shame, it was just fear.
“…Okay,” Jisung said quietly. “But if it hurts, I’m leaving.”
Minho promised it wouldn’t.
Being someone’s secret was exhausting.
Jisung learned how to walk past Minho on campus without reacting. Learned how to ignore the way people flirted with him openly—hands on his arms, laughs too loud, confidence they were allowed to want him.
Jisung learned how to sit alone in the library while Minho joked with his teammates ten feet away.
At night, Minho was gentle. Apologetic. Whispered promises pressed into Jisung’s hair like he was something precious.
During the day, Jisung was nothing.
Still, he stayed.
Until the cinema.
They hadn’t meant to be seen.
Minho had insisted on the late showing. Dark theater. Back row. Minho’s hand warm in Jisung’s, thumb tracing circles like he didn’t care who noticed.
Someone did.
By morning, campus forums were buzzing.
IS LEE MINHO DATING A GUY??
Spotted at the cinema with some nerd!!!!
Jisung stared at his phone until the words blurred.
Minho didn’t text him all day.
Jisung was passing the locker rooms when he heard Minho’s name.
“Yo, Minho,” someone laughed. “You seriously dating that library kid?”
Jisung froze.
“That Han guy?” another voice added. “Man, aim higher.”
There was a pause.
Then Minho laughed.
“Nah,” Minho said. “You kidding me? He’s just… some clingy tutor. Thought it’d be funny to mess with him.”
Jisung felt it like a punch to the chest.
“I’d never date that,” Minho added.
The laughter echoed.
Jisung turned away before anyone could see him break.
When Minho found him that night, smiling like everything was normal, Jisung didn’t raise his voice.
“We’re done,” Jisung said.
Minho frowned. “What? Why—”
“I heard you,” Jisung whispered. “Everything.”
Minho went pale.
“I was scared,” Minho said desperately. “I didn’t mean it..”
“But you said it,” Jisung replied. “And I won’t be someone you’re ashamed of.”
Then he walked away.
Minho unraveled.
He skipped practice. Got benched. Showed up at the library every day just to watch Jisung pack up and leave.
Apologies went unanswered. Gifts were returned unopened.
It took a week for Minho to realize the truth.
Jisung hadn’t been the embarrassing secret.
Minho had.
The apology came in the middle of campus.
Minho climbed onto the fountain ledge between classes, hands shaking, heart in his throat.
“Han Jisung!” he shouted.
People stopped. Phones came out.
“I was wrong,” Minho said, voice cracking. “I hid you because I was scared. I hurt you because I cared more about my image than about you.”
Whispers spread.
“I love you,” Minho said. “And I don’t care who knows anymore. If you never forgive me, I’ll deserve it. But I’ll spend every day proving you’re not a mistake.”
Silence.
Then Jisung stepped forward.
“You embarrassed me,” Jisung said quietly.
“I know.”
“You broke my heart.”
“I know.”
Jisung exhaled shakily.
“…You’re an idiot.”
Minho laughed through tears. “Yeah.”
Jisung took his hand anyway.
“This is your last chance,” he said. “No more secrets.”
Minho squeezed back.
“Never again.”
And this time, when people stared—
Minho held on tighter.
fin....!