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Han was a total yearner. He had only learned how to love someone in the hard way, considering how many times he’s failed at asking anyone he’s ever liked out, because he always managed to embarrass himself in every shape or form imaginable.
Luckily though, his best friend Jeongwoo had been there to help him ... well, that’s until he got a boyfriend of his own 3 months ago, and now that’s all he can freaking talk about !!
“No dude, I promise you I don’t want to hear about Steven-hyung's pet fish that died 2 days in the first hour he had bought it, can we please move on, we have mid-terms on the way ?!” Han whined face flat on the book, to which Jeongwoo replied, “Oh yeah?? Move on to what? Your own bisexual awakening Cha Woongk-” “STOP HE’S RIGHT THERE-”
Ah yes, and the famous, or infamous, Cha Woongki. His energetic, lovely, and insanely stunning senior in college ... He was enamored; it didn’t take long for him to fall head-first.
“It’s not like you’ll ever have the courage to ask him out anyway ... you’re a lost cause” Jeongwoo was not being reasonable in the slightest; Han had to prove himself.
“And, how would you know that?” Han said, a little louder than intended in the quiet library, “Cut back to that girl you swore already had a boyfriend in high school, so all you could do was ‘admire from afar’, whatever that meant ...” Jeongwoo was never going to let him live that one down.
“Okay now, did we need to bring that up; she was CLEARLY flirting with that one guy from history, what else was I supposed to think !!” Han was absolutely livid; he couldn’t believe this ended up as his lore.
“Then how about this; I dare you to ask him out on a date by the end of the week, and if you don’t, you’ll have to do all my assignments for the next month.”
“NOW WHAT !! We don’t even share the same classes ??” What kind of trade was that supposed to be ?? He looked back at Woongki and sighed.
“Ugh, fine, I’ll try my best ...” He was beyond desperation.
“That’s the spirit- ah I gotta move, Steven-hyung's waiting out.” Jeongwoo got up immediately at the sight of his bf’s text, “Oh, so now you’re gonna ditch me for your boyfriend, okay yeah, I get it, whatever happened to bros before hoes man- and he’s gone.”
What did he get himself into ... he can’t just ask THE Cha Woongki out ??
That was when Han remembered the sheer reason he even agreed to go to the library and got up to check for a textbook in the psychology section.
As he was visibly struggling to grab the one from the last few rows, he was met with an incredibly tall and proportionate man that was kind enough to help him reach it.
“Wow.”, Han thought he was talking to himself, but judging by how the man turned to him with a smile, he realized that it was very much audible. Contrary to his amazing physique, he had beautiful, angelic, fairy-like facial features that matched his long blonde hair.
“Hello, seems like this is yours,” The man said handing out the book to Han, “I’m Zhang Shuaibo, nice to meet you.”
“And I’m uh- oh uhm- yeah, I’m Park Han ... or preferably just Hani, aha ...” Han gave an awkward wave; he cannot fathom how badly he fumbled just trying to introduce himself.
Good thing it didn’t seem to bother much Shuaibo as he continued, “Are you a psych student ?? My friend JL is majoring in that !!”
“Ah, no no, I’m actually a music major. I only signed up for the class for extra credits, but, hey !! Maybe I can meet that friend of yours as well.” This was a bit of a lie; he wasn’t too keen on seeking new people. However, he was slightly curious about the handsome man and his friend group now.
“Well, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Good luck with the rest of your work, let’s catch up later ??” Shuaibo said while handing out his number, to which Han couldn’t refuse at the moment. “Thank you, I’ll make sure to text you on my way back. See you around !!”
They waved their goodbyes with mutual interest. Han knew he had set his heart out for Woongki alone; but he was left positive about this conversation as well.
Regardless of all that, those mid-terms were about to kick his ass if he didn’t manage to catch up on time. He couldn’t believe the amount of work he needed to cram at the last minute. So much for ‘working-best-under-pressure' ...
It’s D-6 of trying to get the courage and ask Woongki out, he wasn’t having it any easier after yesterday’s crazy workload.
It was by then when he remembered meeting Shuaibo for the first time, and him mentioning his supposed friend in psych. The name was JL, if he wasn’t wrong. Best case scenario, Han gets another studious friend to help him out in these trying times; since Jeongwoo couldn’t be bothered to make time anymore. Relationships really do change some people, huh !!
Anyway, he headed towards the class with many doubts, both course related and not. It was hard to not let those thoughts go upon meeting people; he always envied Woongki’s effortless speaking abilities. This was something Han noticed not too long ago about his crush.
He wasn’t going to back down, however. Stepping in to ask one of the other students he was more familiar with about JL’s whereabouts. “JL ?? He should be here any minute; he’s never unusually late to class.” Chihen replied back with earnest.
Han thanked him as he got up and locked eyes with a certain tan brunette across the door. “Oh, hyung, that’s him right there !!” Chihen was quick to notice JL’s entrance as well. “Thanks again, I gotta hurry now.”
He moved over to the empty seat beside JL’s, nervous about the study session offer.
“Hey !! I’m Hani, you must be JL ??” JL was flustered for a moment, “Uh, yes !! I’m a bit confused though; how did you figure out my name ... ?? Ah .. I’m so sorry, I don’t exactly remember us meeting before ... I’ve always been forgetful ... ”
Han thought about it for a moment, he should’ve probably mentioned Shuaibo from the start. Now JL is frantic thinking, trying to recall back any point of time ...
“No, it’s my bad, I met Shuaibo yesterday at the library, he led me back to you; I apologize for not saying it earlier really ...”
JL calmed down momentarily at that, “It’s totally fine, I’ve just too many similar instances ... well, nice to see you, Han-ssi ... ??”
“Yeah, sorry for putting you through that again. No, but since we’re in the same class, I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in some study sessions ?? I’m truly falling behind right now ...”
JL wasn’t against the idea; he could use the extra help as well. “Mhm, sure !! Should I give you my number so we can discuss it better ??”
Han was relieved at JL’s agreement, “That’d be great, yeah.”
They exchanged numbers before they had to focus on class for the rest of the time. Han was happy about this small success, now to actually push through the material.
His mind kept coming back to Woongki; he was still determined.
Han went back to his dorm that night with many thoughts and deliberations. It might be the sleep deprivation getting to him, but he decided to text Woongki once and for all.
‘Hey-’ Too casual. ‘Good evening-’ Too formal. He went on for almost an hour.
‘Hey. Wanna go out next weekend ?? 6pm at Flover Cafe, give or take.’ Hit send and crashed out on the bed completely.
He thought nothing of the text, excited to see Woongki’s reaction, that is until ...
The next morning comes around, checking to see Woongki’s reply. Their conversations were flirty but never escalated much until that moment, yet he still feared the rejection seeing how Woongki was with everybody else. Han checks his phone; multiple notifications light up.
He froze.
It was sent to three people, one mistake he never thought about ever making.
Woongki, Shuaibo, and JL.
WHAT !!
He stood still for a moment, how could this even happen ??
HOW WAS HE GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS ONE ??
20 questions circled his mind. For one, he couldn’t just play off the text as a joke to Shuaibo and JL, that would make him look like an ass !!
Second, now he knows for sure Woongki’s rejecting him ... oh god ... he ruined everything.
“What- How- HUH !!” Han had called up Jeongwoo, looking for comfort, only to feel even worse about the situation. “Hyung, I don’t know, I just don’t-”
“This is just not what I meant when I said you should ask Woongki out ...” “YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT-” Han noticed Woongki waving over to him with the brightest smile before he could get even more mad. He feels awful, yet he waves back, nonetheless.
“I’m excited about tomorrow; you better look your best~” One wink from Woongki had Han melting.
“Aha, yup !! Wouldn’t miss it for anything ... !!” Jeongwoo face palmed at Han’s awkward reply as Woongki left their table. “Yeah, it’s over for you, isn’t it ...” “DON’T SAY THAT-”
It’s the next morning before he knew it, he couldn’t even begin to confront Shuaibo nor JL.
For now, all he could do was think 10 times over about what and what not to wear.
If he was going to get fucked over, it better be when he looked decent.
This is where having a part-time model as a friend really helps.
And Jeongwoo was anything but shy of being honest.
“Are you going to a funeral ??”
“This shirt has a stain.”
“You haven’t gotten a haircut in weeks.”
“Let’s learn to put on toner a little less ... aggressive.”
Jeongwoo had Han settling on a white t-shirt and jeans, trying to look as clean as possible, up until his doom.
“Right, this should be fine, now go on over and embarrass yourself !!” Jeongwoo was insane. “You’re saying that way too happily dude ...”
Han gone out a little early, letting all 3 know of the exact table in the cafe. He still couldn’t believe what was happening.
JL came over first, sat down and looked to no one else around, but didn’t think much of it until Woongki and Shuaibo followed.
“Shuaibo-hyung ?? Woongki-hyung ?? Wait, where’s Hani-hyung at-”
“Hani ?! He asked me out too- This can’t be ...” Woongki noticed Han hiding behind a corner table. He was frustrated. “HANI-YAH !! Explain yourself !!”
Shuaibo calmed Woongki for a second before speaking, “Hey, who needs that guy anyway ?? Besides, you both look amazing right now~” “Mhm, huge compliment coming from you, pretty~” Woongki was totally moved.
All three sat down at that, exchanging looks and flirting. Han glanced over to see he wasn’t exactly wanted anymore.
“Hey, hyung, maybe this wasn’t my biggest failure afterall. I guess I play a pretty good cupid ...”
Steven and Jeongwoo laughed through the phone.