"Hyun-ah, what are you doing here?" -Kim Seokjin

 

 

Chapter 5: Dark Chocolate Fever

 

 

“You know what I think is the problem?” said a very concerned Taehyung, his chin with eyebrows furrowed, looking at his friend. Or at least someone he thought of as a friend. He wasn’t sure if his friend thought the same.

“There’s a problem?” Jungkook growled, changing his shirt. 

“Oh yeah,” Taehyung nodded defiantly. “It seems to me, from what you’ve told me so far, that instead of proving to Hyunnie noona you’re the manly dude you are, you’re only showing her that she’s right in treating you like a baby.”

“That’s a bad thing?” Jungkook’s growl turned into a questioning head tilt as he pulled down his shirt and slammed his locker door. His doe eyes looked at Taehyung for an answer.

“Yes! Of course it is man!” Taehyung almost face palmed himself at Jungkook’s obvious question. He narrowed his eyes. “As long as she’s treating you like a baby, there’s no way you’re going to end up dating her. Because that means she only sees you like...a little brother and not a man. It means she’s not attracted to you the same way you're attracted to her.”

 

“...then what do I do?” Jungkook’s shoulders drooped, his mouth forming a worried pout.

 

It wasn’t like Jungkook didn’t try to make himself seem more like an “adult” to Hyun. There were times when he tried “manning up,” just like that time he tried calling her by just her name (remember chapter 2?). But that hadn’t gone so well with Hyun’s feisty personality. So Jungkook could only think she just liked their relationship just the way it was.

And if things were to progress from there, which to Jungkook was most definitely bound to happen, it would happen slowly and naturally. 

 

But guess not, according to Taehyung. Jungkook wasn’t entirely sure why he was even telling Taehyung everything and trying to get advice from him. He was sure he didn’t even like the guy, but something about his all-too-friendly demeanor made him easy to talk to.

 

“You have to stop whatever you’re doing,” Taehyung got up from his seat and looked into Jungkook’s eyes. He smirked, “Be more mature; stop being too clingy and be a gentleman. No more crying or throwing tantrums. Give her space when she needs it, but also be comforting, listening, caring, and…”

“And..?” Jungkook was mentally taking notes. 

“Take any chances you can to show her you’re a man,” Taehyung winked.

“What do you mean?” Jungkook asked.

“Just go for things,” Taehyung shrugged. His smirk grew. “Like instead of being child-like and just holding her hand all the time, try to take things further when you can.”

“You mean...do more than hold her hand?” Jungkook felt his cheeks grow hot as his mind flashed images of him potentially holding Hyun in his arms as his lips found hers.

“A little brother can hold her hand. But only a man can do more,” Taehyung laughed at Jungkook’s frozen state. He gave his shoulder a pat as he headed out. “Best of luck to you man! See you tomorrow!”

 

That was the conversation Jungkook had with Taehyung before he ran into Hyun and her friends. 

 

That was the conversation that made Jungkook suppress his desire to want to make Hyun sleep over again that night and instead just walk her to her dorm, simply offering to pick her up the next day before class and confusing her.

 

 

And that was the conversation that made him now “take things further” with his lips attached to Hyun’s in an attempt to wipe off the ice cream by .

 

 

It wasn’t long at all before Hyun’s eyes nearly popped out of her sockets as her mind processed what was happening and she quickly jerked away, pushing Jungkook away with both hands.  

 

“Yah!” she yelled, glaring at him. “Are you out of your mind?! What the frick was that?!”

 

“I…” Jungkook couldn’t seem to answer, a little flustered at what he did and Hyun’s rather negative response/reaction. His own eyes grew big and soon filled with tears. But he soon narrowed them, not letting a tear fall. He wouldn’t cry anymore in front of Hyun. He wouldn’t be a cry baby anymore...right?

 

“Noona,” he looked at Hyun. 

 

“What?” Hyun gulped, still startled at what was going on.

 

“Am I just a little bro to you?” Jungkook’s voice grew deep.

 

“What are you talking about?” Hyun let out a sigh in disbelief. “Of course you are.”

 

“Even now? Even after I…” Jungkook huffed, frustrated at her response. He couldn’t seem to finish his own sentence. “Never mind.”

 

 

“What has gotten into you Kook-ah?” Hyun leaned towards Jungkook, placing her hands around his face and inspecting him. “Are you sick? Why’d you...kiss me like that?”

 

“...you really don’t know?” Jungkook’s face grew hot and red. He looked down, unable to look at Hyun anymore. His heart raced as his cheeks warmed up her hands.

 

“Don’t tell me you...like me like...that,” Hyun smiled, wanting Jungkook to confirm her thoughts. Her scary thoughts. If Jungkook liked her in that way, the same way she liked Professor Kim, there would be problems. She hoped that wasn’t the case. But her hopes soon turned into despair.

 

 

“I do,” Jungkook raised his head again, his big doe eyes full of sincerity.

 

 

 

“I want you to be my girlfriend Noona.”

 

 

 

“...” Hyun stared at him, her smile melting away and her hands dropping to her sides. She could tell he wasn’t lying. In fact, he never did lie in the first place. Jungkook was always a blunt and honest person, and if she thought about it, he was pretty clear with his feelings from the start. Perhaps it was her fault for being too oblivious and thinking he was just being his clingy self in a brother-like-way. Or maybe she did know all along of Jungkook’s crush towards her (and old, long crush at that), but was dongsaeng-zoning him because she was scared to admit his feelings towards her.

Because that meant things had to change.

Either she had to say ‘no’ and not be his Noona anymore...or say ‘yes’ and be his girl.

She didn’t want to lead him on if she had her heart set on someone else.

 

 

“Kook-ah…” Hyun finally said, after moments of pure silence. She bit her lip. “I can’t be your girlfriend.”

 

 

“Why not?” Jungkook’s eyes grew watery once more. But his lips didn’t form his usual pout.

 

 

“You have a special place in my heart as a dongsaeng I really care about no doubt, but...I like someone else Kook-ah. I think I ought to be honest with you since you’re honest with me,” she answered before taking a deep breath.

There.

She had said it.

She had done it.

 

 

“...you like someone else?” Jungkook’s eyes turned cold, a single tear falling onto his left cheek. Dang it, he wasn’t going to cry. But he couldn’t help it.

 

 

“Yeah,” Hyun nodded, a little uneasy.

 

 

“Who?” Jungkook’s fists clenched.

 

“You want to know who?” Hyun asked, not really thinking it was a good idea to tell him. Because she wasn’t sure how he’d react or worse...if he’d attack the man that had her heart with a hockey stick. Especially since he knew who he was...sitting in his class three times a week.

 

“You don’t have to tell me who it is if you don’t want to,” Jungkook looked away, reading Hyun’s thoughts. He began to clear the coffee table and walked over to the kitchen, his face completely expressionless.

 

“Kook-ah…” Hyun didn’t know what to say, unable to read his own thoughts. His change of attitude towards her was chilling.

 

“Thanks for coming over to dinner and sorry about what happened earlier. I hope you forget it,” Jungkook the water. Hyun stared at him, silent and scared. This was the first time Jungkook was being so cold, so distant. Perhaps her rejection and confession that she was in love with someone else took a heavy blow on him. No doubt there.

 

 Perhaps now was not the best time to ask him about it. Perhaps it was time for her to go.

 

And so she did. After thanking him for the delicious meal, of course. 

 

Thud.

 

Jungkook sank down as soon as he heard the door close, certain Hyun had left. The water was still running, but so were his tears. 

 

 

Just as hard and endless.

 

His plans of pursuing Hyun harder now melted away, like the ice cream he didn’t put back in the freezer.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Jihyun-ah, wait.”

 

“I don’t want to hear it.”

 

 

Ji Eun yawned as she looked to her right, curious as to who was having such a heated start to a conversation. Her fingers on her laptop keyboard halted and instead grabbed the cup of coffee she ordered an hour ago that had unsurprisingly grown lukewarm. 

 

 

“You can’t always run away every time I bring this up, and you know that,” the man who was holding onto the lady named ‘Jihyun’ pleaded with a deep, raspy voice. But Ji Eun could also hear the slight irritation mixed in. She glanced at the couple next to her and noticed the man’s narrow eyes and pale face under his jet black hair. The lady by him had short, brown hair with round eyes on a round face. They looked like polar opposites. 

 

 

“I told you I’m not ready. And that I’m not looking to settle anytime soon,” the lady—Jihyun—sat back down and crossed her arms. The man let go of her and leaned back in his chair. He sighed. 

 

“Then why are you even dating me?” he looked at her, his eyes weary yet pleading. Ji Eun felt uncomfortable listening to such a serious conversation and wondered if she should move seats. But the coffee shop they were sitting at seemed to be packed, with no available tables.

 

 

Darn it, why are they doing this here? Can’t they go somewhere else? I’m literally trying to finish a paper people, Ji Eun couldn’t help but grumble internally. She had woken up early on a Saturday morning to finish an assignment due soon, and thought it would be best to get it done at a cafe. Well, she seemed to have chosen the wrong place. And time, as it appeared.

 

“Do you always date to marry?” the lady snapped. Ji Eun raised a brow, straining to keep her eyes on her computer screen and mind her own business. Her hand fumbled about with the unopened macaron she bought and didn’t eat.

 

Damn, she thought, forgetting about her annoyance towards the couple distracting her from working. Things were getting quite interesting.

 

“We’re almost thirty now Jihyun-ah. I’ll be getting my doctoral degree soon, and I just want to settle down after that. Start a family, live life together. I’m not—and I can’t keep messing around when I clearly see a future with you,” the man dropped his shoulders. Ji Eun couldn’t help but sneak a few more glances at him. She felt bad, in all honesty, for this man she didn’t even know.

 

“But what about me? I’m still studying myself, figuring out what I want to do. Once I get married, it’s over. I’ll just be having your kids and not be able to chase after my own dreams,” the lady sat straighter.

“So you think marriage is a hindrance, or a barrier in your life?” the man looked at her in disbelief. “Why would you think that when we can support each other through marriage? You know I care about you achieving your goals just as much as my own.”

“It’s not that simple Yoongi-yah. You know that. I don’t want to marry yet so stop bringing it up,” Jihyun stood up, grabbing her purse and walking away. Ji Eun rolled her eyes to the left and right, unsure how to take all of this in. This was a typical, couple-related relationship fight she swore she saw countless times on the media or around her, but for some reason the man’s desperateness and sincerity left quite an impression on her. 

 

Well that girl is an idiot for walking away from a guy like him, she thought without realizing that she was full on staring at the man...who was staring back.

 

 

“Uh…” Ji Eun didn’t know what to say, startled that they were looking at each other eye-to-eye from across tables. 

 

“Sorry; did we bother you?” the man smiled weakly, apologizing.

 

“It’s alright,” Ji Eun shook her head. She then reached over and slid the macaron she never opened onto his table. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, and I don’t mean to be nosy, but I hope things work out.”

 

“...thanks,” the man let out a chuckle and accepted it. He then got up, putting on his coat and grabbing the two unfinished drinks. He slipped the macaron from Ji Eun into his coat pocket. 

 

“Have a good day, miss. At least one that’s better than mine,” the man smiled, his gums showing, “which shouldn’t be that hard given you saw what just happened.”

 

“Thank you,” Ji Eun bowed and watched the man turn around, throw the drinks in the trash, and walk out. 

 

 

She then proceeded to work on her paper, uninterrupted. 

 

Almost as if she never was in the first place.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Is everything okay?” Sooyoung peered over Hyun’s shoulder as she silently made lunch: avocado toast with salad.

“Yeah, why?” Hyun looked over at her with a shrug.

“Because you’ve been so energy-less and quiet since the middle of the week. And it’s Sunday today, which means you’ve been not very much like yourself for four days now. Come on; what is it?” Sooyoung sat down at their dining table with crossed arms and legs.

“It’s seriously nothing. I’m just tired,” Hyun shrugged.

“Yeah right. You can’t fool me,” Sooyoung narrowed her eyes. She then waited for Hyun to sit down across from her. 

“Do you want some?” Hyun pointed at her food, trying to steer the conversation away from her having to talk about her state. Her low energy, worried, frazzled state. Because it clearly had to do with—

 

“This is about Jungkook, isn’t it?” Sooyoung ignored her previous question to cut to the chase.

 

“What? No it’s not,” Hyun shook her head, taking a bite out of her toast that got ignored as well.

 

“Then is it about Professor Kim?” Sooyoung tried again, knowing it had to be a boy problem that was making her friend so discomforted.

 

“No,” Hyun shook her head again, not entirely fond of hearing the name of the man that unfortunately still had her heart. Because that man was also the man she confronted the previous Friday, despite her mind being a bit bothered by the fact that Jungkook didn’t come to class that day.

 

 

 

“Hyun-ah. What brings you here?” 

 

“Hi, Professor,” Hyun turned around at the voice she had been waiting for. She was waiting in front of Seokjin’s office for about a minute, thinking he was in there. But it turned out he was behind her. “I just wanted to talk.”

“Come on in,” Seokjin smiled as he reached for the door knob and pushed open the door. He stepped in first, his tie swaying and bag swinging. He gestured to the seat in front of his desk.

 

“So...what’s up?” he settled into his chair after setting his bag down and hanging his coat. He took a look at Hyun and gulped, a little taken aback as his mind registered the fact that she was sitting in his office. It had been a while since she had—probably her confession being the last time—and he was just getting used to not having her visit him so frequently. Not that he missed that or anything.

 

“I just wanted to talk about your lecture two days ago...the one about love,” Hyun straightened up in her seat. She took in the man in front of her and silently cursed as to how he was so...good looking. How was his hair always so unfairly neat and style always so annoyingly sophisticated? But that wasn’t important right now.

 

 

“Look, Professor. I want you to know that I am not sitting here and asking you again to reconsider my feelings, which you probably know still exist because of that awkward encounter we had at that restaurant the other day, but I am asking you to see that just because I’m a college student doesn’t mean that those feelings were shallow,” Hyun took a breath, eyeing Seokjin’s reaction. His face was expressionless...like Jungkook’s expression two nights before. But this wasn’t about Jungkook.

 

 

“You’re absolutely right that we are a dating or romance-stressing society, and I agree that we ought to connect ourselves with our work before healthily bonding with another person. But my feelings for you are not at all ones that developed because I just wanted a relationship, or label, or...a belonging place,” Hyun continued.

 

“And how do you know that?” Seokjin leaned back in his chair. 

 

“Because you should know that I am not asking you to like me back! If I wanted a relationship with you for those shallow reasons I’d be throwing a tantrum or begging you to reconsider me. But I’m not. And I’m not looking for someone else right now either who can easily give me a place to belong and such,” Hyun couldn’t help but raise her voice. Seokjin was glad Yoongi had a class during this time. But his heart began to ache, and he couldn’t quite understand why.

 

“Well, I just wanted to tell you that. Sorry if that made you uncomfortable,” Hyun began to stand up. “I’m going to do my best in your class Professor. As your student and nothing more, like I’ve always been. Because I’ve said all I wanted to say, and whether you believe me or not is your choice.”

 

“...” Seokjin couldn’t find the words to say.

 

“I guess I can finally move on now. Sorry for the inconveniences again, Professor. I’m sure you’re not in a place to be dealing with classes and students’ personal feelings. And if you thought my feelings were shallow to begin with then well, it’ll be easier for me to fully withdraw them,” Hyun walked over to the door. She turned around one last time and bowed.

“Thank you for your time sir. Have a great day.”

 

 

Thud.

 

 

Seokjin stared at the door for a solid minute. His heart was still aching and his mouth was utterly speechless. He knew Hyun was quite the bold, passionate student, but she was just as fiery as a woman too. Wait, he did not just think that—

 

 

Meanwhile Hyun herself had her heart pounding and hands already pulling her hair. She didn’t expect all of that to come spilling out. But at the same time, she was quite proud of herself. She had stood her ground and was now going to really try to move on from her college crush. 

 

But before that she had to deal with being someone else’s crush, although she didn’t quite know if she still was. 

 

“Why the heck is he not even picking up,” Hyun muttered as she pulled out her phone and looked at the name in her contacts. The name that had been ignoring all her calls and texts.

 

The name Jeon—

 

“Jungkook!”

 

“What where?” Hyun immediately turned her head to look out her dorm apartment window.

“Okay, so it is about Jungkook,” Sooyoung smiled, lowering her hand that was pointing out the window to get Hyun to respond. And she did, making it obvious that the hockey player was on her mind. 

“Fine. It is. So what?” Hyun rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, fully admitting everything.

“Can I ask what happened?” Sooyoung asked.

“Well…” Hyun rubbed the back of her neck, pushing away her salad plate.

“Well..?”

 

“Let’s just say I got kissed and confessed to and then I rejected my confessor and now he’s ignoring all my calls and texts,” Hyun nearly rapped. Sooyoung’s eyes nearly popped out of her sockets.

 

 

“OMG. Are you serious? The little baby Jeon Jungkook did all that?” Sooyoung covered and squealed. “And you rejected him? Brutal.”

 

“I know...but what else could I have done? I didn’t want to lead him on when…” Hyun’s voice trailed off. Sooyoung waited for her to continue. 

 

“...when I’m just not available for that kind of relationship,” Hyun ended up saying.

 

“Wait, are you finally over Professor Kim?” Sooyoung widened her eyes.

 

“No...but that’s a working progress. You know it’s not easy to just stop liking someone,” Hyun shook her head.

 

“If you know that so well, you should also know how hard it must be for Jungkook too,” Sooyoung clicked her tongue. But she also reached out her arm to give Hyun a rub on the arm.

 

“I’m so sorry Hyun-ah. That for you...the most, really.”

 

“Yeah well...I’ll get through it,” Hyun let out a sigh and focused on her lunch. She chewed louder than usual, letting Sooyoung know she didn’t want to talk anymore. And of course, Sooyoung understood. 

 

 

She just prayed her friend would make the right decisions and not regret anything. It’d be quite the shame if she lost both men whom anyone could say were fine catches. 

 

 

The week was just starting. Hyun would deal with either one, if not both of them, soon enough.

 

And my, was she excited about that.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Ah-choo!

 

 

Seokjin rubbed his nose as he got out of his car. He sniffled and coughed. 

 

“Shoot,” he muttered under his warm breath. He knew he was catching a cold. It wasn’t common for Seokjin to get sick during this time of year, but perhaps it was due to the recent chilly weather with rainy skies that matched his muddied state. After all, he was still trying to get over Hyun’s bold statements last week. 

 

Something about her stance, or the way she said the words she said...or perhaps her words themselves made him quite bothered. Because it was like she poked him in the right spot. That made him...perhaps softer. 

 

 

“Good morning Professor,” Yoongi greeted Seokjin as he walked in, holding a handkerchief to his nose and bowing in response. Yoongi raised a brow.

“Catching a cold? Or is it allergy season?”

“The former, unfortunately,” Seokjin shuddered. He looked miserable with his slightly red nose. He glanced at Yoongi and found him just as miserable-looking. But in a different way.

 

“Did you have a good weekend?” Seokjin managed to ask. Yoongi smiled weakly, “Oh yeah. Had a weekend full of fighting and ignoring calls, but what’s new?”

 

“Wait, is this about Jihyun? I thought you two were doing great,” Seokjin sat in his chair and leaned forward on his desk.

“We do great until we talk about marriage,” Yoongi shrugged. He looked down and muttered, “What am I supposed to do?”

“I’m so sorry about that,” Seokjin nodded, unable to fully relate. But he too had a girl on his mind lately, and he knew that was no fun. 

 

“Nothing you can do about it, so don’t say that,” Yoongi chuckled, his eyes fluttering back to Seokjin. He then furrowed his brows in concern, “I’d say be more sorry about your state now. I feel like you should cancel your classes and go home for the day.”

 

 

“I’ll be fine,” Seokjin answered, waving his hand. Yoongi gave him a skeptical look, almost cuing Seokjin’s nose to scrunch up.

 

 

Ah-choo!

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Yes! No class today!” a student yelled, standing up in his seat. The rest of the class looked at him eagerly, throwing hundreds of questions confirming his statement.

 

“Really? Did he send an email?”

“Did he post it on the forum page?”

“Are you for real?”

 

Hyun quickly grabbed her phone and checked herself for a message. Sure enough, she found an email.

 

So sorry for the late notice, but due to a cold I’m going to say no class today. Just keep up with the reading and I’ll see you Wednesday. 

-Prof. Kim

 

“A cold..?” Hyun murmured, feeling worried. She had never seen Professor Kim ill to the point of having to cancel a class. She hoped it wasn’t too severe.

 

But then again, why should I care? Hyun scolded herself internally. It hadn’t been all that long since she proclaimed to the world (or more so Seokjin himself) she was going to really try to move on. And yet she still liked him. Of course she did. Her feelings weren’t at all light hearted. It was frustrating for Hyun to keep going back and forth, her feelings rocking like a pendulum she wanted to take apart. 

 

 

Hyun had found out very early on that Professor Kim Seokjin lived in conditions that matched his rather introverted personality.  Because if she remembered correctly, Professor Kim lived alone. And how did she learn that? Well, the countless conversations in his office most certainly always turned to him and his life, given that Hyun was more curious about him than he was about her.

When he checked up on her, it was for academic purposes.

When she striked a conversation, it was for personal purposes. And feelings.

 

 

The cold side of her that strove to be indifferent towards the man began to thaw away as her burning, lingering feelings told her Professor Kim probably didn’t have anyone to take care of him since he lived alone. And that bothered her.

Or rather, worried her.

 

 

You can’t just leave someone who’s sick alone. What if his condition gets worse? And he can’t come to class all of this week? That would be a waste of my credit money. Yes. That’s why I’m so bothered, Hyun was convincing herself internally. She shook her head and quickly grabbed her belongings before running out.

 

 

Her feet took her in front of Professor’s Kim’s office in no time, and she knocked as soon as she could, hoping the man Professor Kim shared his room with was in there to answer her burning question.

 

Knock knock.

 

A few seconds of silence made Hyun’s heart thump faster before she heard a low voice. Raspy and deep, like she had expected.

 

“Come in.”

 

Hyun turned the door knob and peeked inside the office, meeting the eyes of Professor Min.

 

“Hyun? Is that you?” he looked surprised to see her at first, before glancing over at the desk across from him. He smiled, “Sorry if you’re looking for Professor Kim. He’s not here today.”

“Yeah, that’s actually why I came to see you,” Hyun stepped inside, letting the door shut behind her. She bowed before continuing. “We all got notified that he was ill today and cancelled class. But I wanted to ask...if you are able to tell me...what Professor Kim’s address is!”

She spoke a little boldly at the end without realizing, and Yoongi couldn’t help but chuckle at her sight. With her two hands folded and firmly placed in the center of her body, her face showed desperation and concern.

 

And then it hit Yoongi that Seokjin was right.

 

 

This girl was nowhere near over him.

 

 

Yoongi had two options. And it pained him to be stuck between the two.

One, he could simply choose to not get involved in the business of his colleague and this student standing in front of him while also following the school’s policy of not disclosing any personal information of faculty without their consent. That made his life easier no doubt.

Or two, he could help out his single, lonely (at least in Yoongi’s own eyes), and now ill fellow professor of his by just telling the girl so worried about him his address. Because it was clear she was going to go visit him. And take care of him. And maybe cook him some porridge, get him some medicine, and Seokjin would finally realize that he too is a little more invested emotionally in this girl right now than he realizes—

 

“Professor Min?”

 

It was Hyun’s voice that broke Yoongi out of his thoughts that were clearly dragging him into a dilemma. He blinked a couple of times and sighed. He realized things could get a little messy if he followed through on the latter option.

 

“Sorry. Here, I’ll write it down on this post-it note, but you better not say you got this from me, okay?” 

 

But here he was, risking it all. He knew he was either being helpful or crossing the line. Either way there was no going back. And Yoongi had to admit that he lowkey enjoyed all of this.

 

 

“Thank you so much Professor!” Hyun bowed deeply as she put out both hands to receive the note and darted out within seconds. Yoongi flashed his gums at her quick steps, even though there was no one to see them. He shook his head, curious as to how things would turn out.

 

He hoped from the bottom of his heart that he had done Seokjin a favor.

 

 

And he hoped that he was wrong to have shipped the kid he saw hugging Hyun with her.

 

 Yoongi hoped.

 

Because that was all he could do.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“What time is it?” Seokjin groaned to himself as he rubbed an eye and sat up straight from his bed. He had no idea how hoarse his voice was, and he didn’t seem to notice his burning skin or swollen throat. 

 

He looked around for his phone, and found it by his pillow. The room was already dark, and he realized he had slept the whole day. 

 

“Frick…” he muttered under his breath as he felt his body shiver, making him slide back into his covers. His unlit room in his unlit house made him feel extra alone. As if even his own house didn’t acknowledge his presence by warmly lighting up itself. He closed his eyes, miserable and dizzy. 

He knew should be used to this by now. 

 

 

Ding dong.

 

 

Seokjin’s eyebrow twitched at the sound. His brain told him that was his doorbell ringing, but his body didn’t budge. He couldn’t imagine it was anyone important. He laid still, trying to sleep again and hoping the person at his door left.

 

 

Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.

 

 

So much for feeling alone. And it turned out the person at the door had no intention of leaving. Seokjin groaned once more out loud as he pulled the covers off of his body, sending a chill down his spine. He kicked his legs off to the right and slipped them into the slippers by the side of his large bed. He scratched the side of his neck as he struggled to get up, dragging his feet towards the door.

 

His fingers fumbled about to turn on the lights of the living room, and immediately his eyes narrowed at the sudden bright light filling them. He checked the intercom to see who it was that was so passionately ringing.

 

 

“Hyunnie..?” Seokjin’s eyes adjusted to the figure behind the camera. Her short hair and large eyes undoubtedly belonged to his student. The student that confused him continuously. 

 

Especially now, as he could hear her voice come through, “Professor! Are you in there? I brought something for you!”

 

 

Seokjin furrowed his brows as he made his way to the door and finally pushed down the handle to let Hyun in. 

 

“Hyun-ah, what are you doing here?” Seokjin croaked as soon as he saw her. He really did not expect to see her in front of his house after their last encounter.

 

 

 Hyun’s own eyes became wider as soon as she saw him. She had never seen him in such a state as this: his oversized shirt and lounge pants accompanied his ruffled hair and pale face. He looked...rough for the first time. Still good looking, but clearly not in the best state.

 

 

“Oh my goodness Professor! Were you sleeping? I’m so sorry!” Hyun began to apologize when Seokjin just shook his head. 

 

“It’s fine. What brings you here?” he asked again.

 

“I just have a few things for you; do you mind if I just set them on your table and also heat up some porridge for you? I’m assuming you haven’t eaten,” Hyun looked at Seokjin, and he could see the concern in her eyes.

Were they always so bright and...beautiful?

 

“Sure,” Seokjin scooted off to the side, shaking off his thoughts and still holding the door out to let Hyun inside. He clearly wasn’t thinking properly. He never would have let one of his students—and a female student at that—into his house...he lived alone if he was thinking clearly.

Right?

 

Seokjin followed Hyun into the kitchen by his living room and watched her as she began to pull out a container in her large paper bag. It seemed as though she came thoroughly prepared to nurse him and somehow seeing her in his space didn’t feel so weird. It didn’t feel like his personal space was being intruded.

It almost felt...natural, like she belonged there. And before he knew it, he saw her now heating up porridge in a pot she found and turning around to check on him.

Naturally.

 

 

“Professor, did you take medicine?” Hyun reached up to feel his forehead. Her lips were in a pout.

 

Seokjin shook his head and Hyun glared at him. 

 

“Aigoo Professor. The porridge will be done soon so let’s have you eat that and then take medicine, okay? Then you’re going to bed,” Hyun commanded. Her noona-instincts were kicking in, and for a second she found herself thinking of Kookie, the very cause of her noona-instincts.

 

She tried to brush off the thought of him and turned around to go stir the porridge.

 

But she soon stopped short as she felt two hands grab her by the shoulders and turn her around.

 

 

“..?” Hyun gazed up at the man who still had his hands around her shoulders. She eyed his flushed face, heavy breathing, and hair naturally falling down into his eyes. She felt her heart beat faster but opened again. 

 

 

“What’s wrong? Do you need something?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.

 

 

Seokjin shook his head again and did the unthinkable. 

 

Hyun gasped as she was soon engulfed in Seokjin’s arms, her face hitting his hard chest. She couldn’t tell if it was his burning body or the state she was in that was making her own body heat up. She felt Seokjin’s grip tighten around her and his breath steady on her neck.

She was so confused. Was this really happening? And why?

 

 

“Hyun-ah…” Seokjin finally spoke, his voice still raspy and hoarse. 

 

“Yes?” Hyun gulped, desperately trying to keep calm.

 

 

“Thanks for coming,” he snuggled closer to her. Hyun froze, feeling a mixture of emotions.

 

She felt bad that Seokjin didn’t have anyone to look after him when he got sick, and then she got angry at how actions like this made it harder for her to get over him. But eventually, she felt a rush of relief.

She felt glad that she came and was able to do this for Seokjin. 

 

 

Because right now, with his arms desperately trying to hold her close, she could tell he wanted company.

That he needed warmth—not like the fever he was suffering from—but the warmth of someone else.

 

 Someone who cared about him. 

 

Someone to make sure he was okay. 

 

And if Seokjin was honest, he was feeling glad too. 

 

 

 

That that someone was Hyun. 

 

 

 

***

 

 

---

Author's Notes:

OKAYYYYYYY At this point, I really don't think any of you are still with me because I haven't posted in a literal decade but... HALLOOOOOOO

 

I am so so so sorry I haven't been posting at all and I feel terrible coming back with such a lame chapter....uhuhuhu...

 

But I wanted to at least continue and finish this tale (even though I've got such a long ways ahead) and if any of you are even sticking to see/read this you have my complete gratitude.

 

Thanks for all the views and comments you guys leave behind; THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT!

 

@blonde_cup_of_joe