1.

The Fire Within

'And that's the end of today's lecture, you are dismissed.' Upon hearing that, more than half the students in the lecture hall picked up their bags and left the immediately as if they couldn't stand being in there for another second. Hongbin, being one of those who actually bothers about the class, packed his textbooks, notes and pencil case into his backpack before leaving just like the others.

It has been a long day for Hongbin, having lectures followed by lectures, he just couldn't wait to finally get a cup of his favorite hot chocolate from the coffee house down the street before going home and have a nice refreshing shower.

It took a ten minute walk before the coffee house was finally in sight. As Hongbin entered, he let out a sigh of relief, thankful for the warm air that surrounded him and the short queue that separated him from his hot chocolate.

'A cup of hot chocolate please.' He said just as the guy behind the counter opened his mouth to ask for his order. He knew that it made him seem a little eager but that didn't matter too much to Hongbin at the moment.

As Hongbin was getting the cash out from his wallet, he missed the smile the barista gave.

'Your name?'

'Bin.'

Hongbin left after his drink was ready, all the while not noticing that a pair of eyes were on him the entire time.

  

The next time Hongbin visits the coffee house is when his roommate was practicing for his school festival performance and he needed a quiet place to do his work.

As usual, he ordered a cup of hot chocolate before getting a seat at the corner of the coffee shop. He took out his learning materials and started working on them.

Again, Hongbin did not realise the pair of eyes and watching him.

After what seemed like hours, Hongbin was finally done and as he lifted his head up from his work, his round eyes met a pair of downturned eyes.

Had he been staring the whole time?

Usually, people would look away when they were caught staring. However, this guy wasn't just anyone. Nope, it's not anyone that would dye their whole head blue like this. This blue haired guy not only did not look away, but even blew a kiss over.

To say Hongbin was shocked was an understatement. He did not even register what was happening until the reason of his shock took the seat opposite of him and the smell of smoke invaded his nostrils.

Looks: 90 marks
First impression: -50 marks
Smoking?!: -30 marks

'Took you long enough to realise.' The blue haired said to which Hongbin only replied with the raise of an eyebrow. The barista muttered something about cute before explaining that he was talking about Hongbin taking really long to realise that he had been looking at him the whole time.

That was when Hongbin was beyond creeped out. He immediately packed his things and sprinted out of the coffee shop before he could even put on his coat properly.

 

The next time Hongbin visited the coffee house was when his roommate had called to tell him the heater was spoilt. Hongbin told himself that he had no other choices other than to go there (either he forgot that his school had a library or he didn't allow himself to remember).

Hongbin peeked into the coffee shop from the door, trying to make sure that a certain blue hair wasn't (was) inside, and he indeed wasn't. Just as he was about to step in, he felt a tug on his backpack, preventing him from entering. He looked back, only to find a head of blue hair and a certain pair of downturned eyes.

'Looking for someone?' Hongbin could hear the hint of amusement in the other's deep voice before worry started to take over when the other realised Hongbin's flushed cheeks. Had it been because of the cold? Or was he just embarrassed that he was caught? Hongbin felt his cold go away when a pair of warm hands found their way to his cheeks. 'Let's get you inside.'

Hongbin was escorted to the same table he sat at the last time before the blue haired sprinted over to get a cup of hot chocolate and delivering it right into Hongbin's tiny and cold hands. 'My treat.' He said before doing some weird movements with his hand and a wink.

Hongbin stared at the drink for a few moments before deciding that it should be safe. 'In return for the treat,' The blue haired started. And for some reason, Hongbin's heart started beating faster. 'maybe you can let me know your full name.'

Just at that moment, a 'Get you over here and stop hitting on customers!' was heard. Was Hongbin thankful for it? He wasn't sure but the next action of the blue haired had his eyes widening again. The barista ruffled Hongbin's fluffy brown hair before returning back to his duties with a 'My is here.' It was only then did Hongbin notice the name tag on the other's black uniform.

Ravi.

 

The fourth time they met was three weeks later. Hongbin's promos where coming up and he was literally spending eighteen hours a day staring at his notes, studying to the point he couldn't even wear his contact lenses as his eyes were so tired. His roommate, having had enough stress just from watching Hongbin study, decided that Hongbin needed a break. What he didn't expect was that Hongbin would just take his intensive study session outside.

So there Hongbin was, at the coffee house, with his black rim glasses that only his roommate and family have seen before. When he was ordering his drink, he surprised everyone with his order of Americano instead of his usual hot chocolate. Why everyone? Because a certain blue haired had been mentally punching himself the whole three weeks that Hongbin had not visited the coffee shop, whining all day about having scared his fluffy-brown-hair-big-round-eyes-hot-chocolate-cutie off. It was quite a sight to be honest. A 183cm, always cool guy with blue hair stomping his feet.

So when Ravi saw his cutie enter the coffee shop, he immediately shot up, energetic as though he didn't just spend weeks lazing around behind the counter because he hadn't seen his energy pill for weeks. However, he was quite surprised by the change in order and the glasses currently seating on the other's nose. Even more so by the dark circles under the other's round eyes and the frown he was wearing after having taken a closer look.

That should have been some sort of signal for Ravi. Unfortunately, he just brushed it off as if it was nothing.

When Hongbin took a seat at that same table, he fished out all this study notes and laid them out neatly on the table, ready to start. He had a lot of topics to cover within the three hours he had.

When Hongbin was around an hour into his revision, he suddenly felt a presence in front of him. Only upon looking up did he realise that Ravi had made himself comfortable on the seat in front of him. He then picked up one of Hongbin's notebooks, carelessly flipping through it before reaching the first page where 'Lee Hongbin' was written neatly.

'So that's your name, Hongbin. It's cute, just like you.' Ravi said as he looked up to see his cutie... Glaring at him...

Again, the dense blue hair brushed it off and just commented on how cute Hongbin looks even when he's angry. It's no wonder why the people around Ravi always wonder if bleaching his hair had killed some of Ravi's brain cells.

Ravi then picked up another notebook, wanting to flip through it again but wasn't able to when Hongbin snatched it out of his hands. 'What do you think you are doing?' Hongbin spat, without giving Ravi a chance to reply, he continued, 'Just in case you couldn't tell, I'm trying to study here and I'm pressed for time, so if you don't mind.'

Ravi didn't want to leave, but the look Hongbin is giving him made him. As he got behind the counter, he couldn't help punching himself again for messing up again while Hongbin was half thankful for the much appreciated peace, half guilty for treating the blue haired like this. Despite that, Hongbin decided now is not the time to worry about that and continued with his studies. After all, what's done cannot be undone.

Two hours later, Hongbin wasn't done with the topics he had to cover. However, he had decided that his brain could no longer take in any information no matter how he studied. He gathered his items before dragging his feet over to the counter where the blue haired barista was. He looked so different from his usual confident self, the slight pout making Hongbin feel even worse.

Having a cute side: +10
Feeling guilty about disturbing Hongbin: +10

'Hey.' Hongbin started. 'Sorry about just now, I was just stressed out over my promos.'

'It's ok, I understand. I shouldn't have disturbed you in the first place. But hey, you look really tired, go back and have a good night sleep ok?' The barista replied to which Hongbin only responded with the tilt of his head, as if not understanding Ravi's reaction.

Caring even when upset: +10

The blue haired laughed and ruffled Hongbin's hair again, while commenting about how cute Hongbin is, before saying with the usual playfulness in his voice, 'If you really feel bad, how about leaving your number behind?'

Having such a hearty laughter: +10

Hongbin thought he quite like having someone pamper him and being called cute on a daily basis. Maybe this wouldn't turn out too bad? Besides the blue haired has a score of 50 over 100 hundred now, that's a pass? With that, they exchanged numbers after Hongbin emphasized that he would be busy with promos for another two weeks. This time, Ravi understood and told himself to not bother his cutie too much until two weeks later.

After Hongbin left, Ravi kept asking others if he was dreaming which resulted in a slap on the cheek from his co worker while Hongbin fell asleep that night thinking of a guy with blue hair and downturned eyes, a smile appearing on his lips.

The two only exchanged a few simple messages in the next two weeks, Ravi being too afraid to disturb Hongbin while the other simply didn't know what to send.

 

'Time's up, please put down you pens.' The invigilator announced. It was finally the end of Hongbin's promos and he was thankful that it was finally over.

When they were dismissed, Hongbin had no idea why but his legs led him straight to the coffee shop down the street. Only when he was at the door, did he realise what he was doing. Hongbin wanted to leave but it was too late, Ravi had saw him.

Ravi greeted Hongbin with a wink before walking over with those long legs of his and again escorted Hongbin to the same table he always say at.

'Americano or hot chocolate?' Ravi had to make sure after the previous unexpected change.

Hongbin told him hot chocolate which The blue haired responded with a huge smile, knowing that the others promos were over.

When the barista returned with the drink, his treat again, the two finally had their first official conversation whereby Hongbin wasn't angry or creeped out and Ravi wasn't the only one talking. They talked about everything they can think of from Hongbin's promos to Ravi's interest in graffiti to the movie How to Train Your Dragon which both of them really liked.

Liking that movie: +10

The two sat there, not even realizing the time until Ravi had to leave to help out with the counter when after work rush started. Even though Ravi was reluctant to leave, he was already really grateful to his co worker for letting him be with Hongbin for the few hours.

That night, after the blue haired had finished work, marks the start of their the constant vibration of their phones. Ravi made it his responsibility to let Hongbin wake up knowing how cute he is and to let the last thing Hongbin sees before sleeping be a sweet message from him.

Ravi's score increased with each passing day as the two got to know each other more and more.

 

By the time spring kicks in, Ravi already had whooping score of 160 over 100 and the two were practically attached at the hip. If you were looking for one of them, high chances are that you will find him when looking for the other. Even Ravi's co workers and Hongbin's roommate had accepted the fact they were always together.

Only that the two had not made things official among themselves.

There were many occasions whereby they have been called a couple by the people around them which always resulted in Hongbin sporting a deep blush on his cheeks and Ravi trying to act normal (his definition of normal) by winking at Hongbin and saying 'Not yet, but soon.'

The thing is Ravi himself doesn't know just how soon this 'soon' meant. He did not want to progress too fast for Hongbin's liking and was afraid of the possible rejection he may get even though he was 99% sure that Hongbin liked him back and they were already close enough. He had tried on many occasions, however the 1% chance always made him swallow back whatever words he had at the tip of his tongue.

This time, it was nearing Valentine's Day and he did not want to spend the day alone eating jajangmyun again. Ravi decided that he was going to gather whatever courage he had.

Ravi arrived at Hongbin's house that day. He greeted Hongbin's roommate before walking over to Hongbin's room, familiar with the place as though it was his own house.

The two then hung out like they always have, talking, cracking jokes, fooling around, Ravi teasing the other. It was only when the clock struck ten that night did Ravi remember what he was there for.

At that time, Hongbin had collapsed on his bed, tired from all the laughing he had just done. Ravi got up from his seat on Hongbin's desk chair and sat on Hongbin's bed beside where the other was lying. The blue haired took the other's smaller hands and pulled him up so that they were facing each other.

'You know it's been quite long since we started hanging out.' Ravi started rather awkwardly. 'I know that your first impression of me was probably me being a creep or something. But I swear I am not one, you can never find a creep as good looking as me.'

Ravi muttered a curse under his breath when he saw Hongbin's knitted brows, knowing he was going off point.

'Ok, what I mean is that will you be my boyfriend?'

Hongbin was a little shocked at first, but after a few moments, he regained his composure and lets go of Ravi's hands, walking over to his desk.

Ravi's face fell, thinking that the 1% possibility he was afraid of actually came true.

That's when Hongbin said, 'Only if you promise to quit smoking.' as he looked for some files on his laptop. If only Hongbin had looked up, he would have seen the the confused look the other was wearing.

'You know whenever I smell the smoke smell on you, the med student side of me keeps wanting you to quit it. Cigarettes are bad you know, I don't want you to suffer because of it. I even prepared a PowerPoint for you, I just couldn't find a suitable time to show it to you.'

Hongbin turned to look at Ravi along with his laptop, the nicely made PowerPoint slides lighting up the screen of the laptop.

The blue haired couldn't help but laugh, going on and on about how cute his cutie is. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel touched knowing that Hongbin worries about him.

On the other hand, Hongbin who had no idea what Ravi was laughing about was feeling mildly offended. He had spent a whole night preparing the slides for the other but he was just laughing? Hongbin was starting to regret caring about Ravi, why had he even bother?

When Ravi finally managed to stop laughing, he noticed the other's expression. He walked over to his cutie and started smoothing out his others frown with his lips. Ravi could feel Hongbin tense up for a moment before eventually relaxing.

When the two parted, Ravi said with a smirk, 'Then I guess we are official now.' When Hongbin was about to retort, the blue haired continued, 'I never smoked anyway.'

Hongbin raised an eyebrow at that and the reply he got was 'I am part dragon.' before Ravi's eyes glow bright red as if trying to prove it to the other. The med student was stunned for a moment, this was against all the science he had learned. Before a thought occurred in Hongbin's head...

A dragon... +500

 

This is my attempt at fluff and a little bit of humour, I hope you guys can sense it. It probably didn't quite turn out to be what you guys expected from reading the foreword but I hope that you still liked it!

The dragon part was inspired by a tumblr post but I didn't follow most of it.

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Comments

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hestarrr
#1
Chapter 1: I love this fic so much!! It's too cute!! ♥︎ The last part was so unexpected HAHAHA.
Khysani_Myrical
#2
Chapter 1: Lol, this was really cute. Half-dragon Ravi? That made it so much cuter, to be honest. Had Hongbin all worked up, thinking that Ravi smoked, lol XD
shizwow #3
Chapter 1: That dragon part took me totally off guard HAHAHAHAHA gdi you had me you meanie but it's cute and I rolled my eyes on reflex whenever Ravi calls Bean that. dRAVgon sequel maybe? HEHE