Chapter Text
₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡
The first time James noticed Juhoon, it wasn’t because he spoke.
It was because he didn’t.
Seniors and Juniors group assignments in their university were always chaotic, voices overlapping, chairs scraping, people trying to assert themselves just enough to avoid doing all the work. James, as a senior, had seen it all. He usually took the lead naturally, not out of arrogance, but because silence dragged things out.
Juhoon sat at the edge of the table.
Quiet. Shoulders slightly hunched. Fingers curled around his pen like it might disappear if he let go. When asked something, he answered softly, so softly that people leaned in without realizing it.
“Sorry, could you repeat that?” someone had said.
Juhoon nodded quickly, repeating himself just a little louder, but still barely above a murmur.
James noticed the way his ears turned red.
After that, James made it a point to sit next to him.
At first, it was practical.
“Juhoon, right?” James said one afternoon, dropping into the chair beside him. “You’re good with research, yeah?”
Juhoon blinked, startled at being addressed so directly. “…I think so.”
“Perfect. You and I will handle that part.”
A small nod. A pause.
“…Okay.”
It wasn’t much but James caught the faintest hint of a smile.
The first time Juhoon laughed, it was an accident.
They had been working late in the library. The rest of the group had already left, leaving just the two of them surrounded by notes, laptops, and half-finished drinks.
James stretched, groaning dramatically.
“If I read one more academic article, I’m going to transfer majors.”
Juhoon glanced at him, hesitant. “You say that every thirty minutes.”
James turned sharply, dramatically . “Oh? You’ve been timing me?”
“I-no-I just-”
James leaned in, mock-serious. “Wow. So you have been paying attention to me.” He made a face, so funny that for a split second, Juhoon looked like he might combust.
And then-
He laughed.
Not a polite chuckle. Not a quiet exhale.
A full, bright laugh that seemed to catch even him off guard.
His eyes curved into crescents, completely disappearing. His shoulders shook. And as he tried to stifle it, he leaned slightly to the side, losing his balance just enough that he had to grab the edge of the table.
James froze.
Oh.
That was-
That was dangerous.
“Did I just unlock something?” James grinned.
Juhoon covered his mouth, still laughing softly. “Stop…”
“No, no, do it again,” James said immediately. “That was amazing.”
Juhoon shook his head, but his smile lingered, bright and unguarded.
And just like that, something shifted.
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