Jongin groans when he hears his alarm goes off, he blindly reaches for his phone to turn it off. It’s still six in the morning but he needs to get ready since today is his first day at the new university. He is a professor and teaches Fine Art, which he genuinely loves. Even at a very young age, he dreamt of having his exhibit. He loves putting his idea into an artistic way, which is painting. It is also his way of expressing his emotions; he feels that without art he is incomplete. Whenever he is sad, exhausted he paints to release all the negativity as he is not good at expressing and sharing it with someone. That’s why sometimes he wondered how he ended up teaching wherein fact he doesn’t enjoy talking in front of hard-headed students.

His artworks are all displayed in his room where no one else has seen yet. It’s not that he doesn’t want anyone to see it, it’s just that he wants to share it with someone as equally passionate as him. He slowly sits up and roams his eyes to where his paintings are, a pride creeps in him as he observed how beautiful they are. However, he felt sad suddenly thinking no one shows interest in it, even Krystal, his wife.

He signed and pushes himself to stand and start preparing. As much as he hates being back to zero, he doesn’t have a choice but to man up his decision. He recently quit his job to live with Krystal, she’s one nurse that transferred to the hospital’s rural branch. Luckily, the nearest university in the area needs Art Professor and so it was easy for Jongin to look for a recent job. Plus, Suho, his college best friend, which is also a Professor at the same university, was there to back him up. Though the offer is less than what he receives previously, he accepted it because he doesn’t want to stay at home doing anything. Jongin is thankful that the university allows him to continue the subject the previous professor left that, the fall semester has already started and so he needs to be quick and study the syllabus. If he survived in the city, he thinks he can survive here.

--

“You can do this”, Jongin mumbles while on his way to the faculty office. Wearing loose khaki pants paired with plaid long sleeves and his old messenger bag hanging in his shoulder, he looks too old at 32 from the way he dresses more to that he also wears round specs which added to how weird he looks like, he always got teased in his previous job but dismisses his colleagues since this is his comfy work attire, he didn’t bother changing it. He’s an hour early, and no one is in the room yet. He settles to his desk and starts reading the materials he will use later. His first-class will start in an hour and he can’t deny that he is nervous. He sighs heavily while checking his watch.

Forty-five minutes left.

--

“Kyuunnnng”, Kyungsoo almost drops his book upon hearing his best friend’s voice. He is in the hallway going to their room for the first period.

“What the Baek”, he shouted back acting to throw the book at him.

“Woah, hold your emotion, dear best friend,”, Baek’s sassy response. “Don’t you know that we will have a new professor today?”, he continued.

“I know”, Kyungsoo replied, not stopping to wait for Baek.

“Really?”, it surprised him knowing that his best friend is aware of what is happening. “How come? So, you are interested now with society?”

Kyungsoo abruptly stops and faces Baek.

“The is wrong with people gossiping the new professor? From the primary gate until here I can hear everyone is talking about him,”, then he continues walking.

“Well, aren’t you curious?”, Baek teases him. “What if he is young and hot and y”.

“It’s too early for your , Baek, calm the down,”.

“Language babe,”.

“ you,”.

“No thanks, I have my Chanyeollie to do that,”.

“Remind me, why am I friends with you?”.

“That hurts babe”, Baek said while holding his chest and pretend offended.

They are about to entire the room when they see Yeol waving and running up to them.

“… and Yeol too, both of you are disgusting”, Kyungsoo added rolling his eyes to the lovers.

“Hey, did you wake up at the wrong side of the bed?”, Yeol said with his gleeful grin. He pulls Baek and hugs him.

“Wrong baby, no one is on the other side of the bed, that’s why,”.

Kyungsoo hears unruly laugh but didn’t mind them. He settles inside the room and waits for the class to start.

Kyungsoo had known them at the beginning of his college life. He witnessed how stupid their love story starts and how their relationship blooms after the confessions. There is nothing he desires but genuine happiness for them. Although sometimes he wanted to strangle them to death of how annoying they can be, they are the only people he can run to, who understand and honestly loves him.

They are all taking up Fine Arts however Yeol is majoring in film and video production, Baek is in theatre and voice while he took up painting. As much as he wants to drop the course, they only have one more year. It was foolish of him to enroll knowing that he always wanted Culinary. He ever dreamt of becoming one of the top chefs in the country, having his restaurant and get to travel the world to experience various cuisine. He scolded himself for believing that the course is suitable for him and so he paid the price of striving to finish it. Not that he doesn’t like the course, he learned to love it, however; it reminds him of the person he thought the one for him.

Just one more year and his free.

“Good morning,”.

Kyungsoo’s trail of the past cut off when he hears the voice. He sat up straight, trying to eye the prof. Well, he’s low-key curious how he looks like. He seems nervous, that’s what he first observed.

“I hope everyone knows that Mr. Suppasit will no longer hold this class. He needs to return to Thailand for personal reasons,”, the prof continues.

Kyungsoo can’t hear the man properly because most of the students are cackling and are all trying to contain their laughter. He looks at Baek, who’s doing the same.

“What?”, he whispers because he was so confused.

“The they say that the new prof. is hot?”, Baek said having difficulty stifling his voice. “Look at him, bored and old”.

He rolls his eyes and peeks at the man in front; he has a weird sense of fashion, but he suspects the man is old. Kyungsoo checks him out, he was sitting far but he can see that the man is tall; he has tan skin and his face, sharp jaw, pouty pair of lips, and his eyes -

Kyungsoo hastily dips his head, he suddenly feels hot, he caught him. He attempted looking at him after some time but he still stares at him. Their eyes meet. Was it just his imagination, or the man smirks at him? Kyungsoo hears him clear his throat and proceeds with the lectures.

“”, was the only word he mutters while trying to listen to the discussion.

--

“Do you think I didn’t see it?”, Baek teases him.

They are having lunch at the university’s cafeteria. He pretends unknowledgeable of what his best friend was saying.

“See what?”

“Don’t see what-see what me Mr. Do,”, Baek said with a stern voice and points fingers at his best friend sitting in front of him. “How the your taste changes from Yifan A.K. A Mr. Everything to Mr. Kim A.K. A Mr. Old Fashion?”

“Mention his name one more time and I will stab you with this fork,”, Kyungsoo retaliates.

“Babe, relax, you know that’s not my intention,”, Baek said clasping Kyungsoo’s wrist.

They bicker most of the time and Kyungsoo might not admit it vocally, but this is what he adores most about Byun Baek Hyun. He is a keen observer as and the guy doesn’t know how to stop unless he squeezes the information out of you.

“I don’t know, okay? He is weird but I think he is fine”.

“Define, fine?”. Baek pushes the topic and quoted the word fine by his fingers.

“I mean, he looks silly but admits it, he has charm. I just don’t know how to express it but the man is something,”, Kyungsoo clarifies while gazing at his food.

“Really babe? Like where? Argh, I felt sad when Mr. Suppasit resigned, like damn, I haven’t yet made my way unto his lap I can give him a ride of his life,”, Baek dreamingly said.

“Stupid, did you see his boyfriend? If looks can kill a lot of students are in hell especially you”.

“Babe, as if I will do it. I will only give myself to my Channy. The hell I will compete with Gulf, the guy is an angel, no wonder Mr. Suppa-hot is head over heels,”, Baek answers.

“Where’s Yeol?”, Kyungsoo wonders, since the three of them are often having their lunch together.

“He has a meeting with the team, they need to complete their projects for the upcoming play”.

Kyungsoo just hums as a response. He is fascinated by Mr. Kim. There is something about him that radiates mystery, and he likes to find it out. It has been a long time since he didn’t feel this, and he likes it.

“Ehem, I can smell something fishy the way you smile Mr. Do, tell,”, Baek interrupts his thought.

“God Baek, when was the last time you give me peace?”, he rolls his eyes and finishes his food.

“None that I can think of and I am not planning to grant you any peace especially your face screams something, now tell me,”, Baek watching him intently.

He sighs heavily, he knows he can’t keep secrets with his annoying best friends. “I was just thinking about Mr. Kim”.

He saw Baek lift his brow, however; he didn’t interrupt; it motivates him to proceed. “I know it’s kind of strange but there is something in him I want to know more”, Kyungsoo ducks his head waiting for Baek to crack up but to his awe, he hears nothing. He instantly perks up and found his best friend seriously gazing at him.

“Soo…”, Baek told.

Kyungsoo startled, only a few are calling him Soo, and he already buried the name a long time ago, after what happened to him and Yifan.

“Byun Baekyun”, he replies the minute he recovered. He was mad but confused. Baek deliberately reaches for his hand and presses lightly.

“You and Yifan get to know each other before I came to your life Soo, but I’m telling you this is how you make me feel when you are telling me how in love you are with that ”.

“Baek –

“I’m happy that finally after two years somebody caught your attention but Soo… if you haven’t fix yourself yet, then please don’t”.

“How can you be so sure that I haven’t yet over with him?”, he drags his hand and directs his attention on his empty plate.

Baek leans unto the table, “Babe, isn’t it obvious? Let me clarify then, first, you can’t say his name,”, he is counting using his fingers. “Second, you don’t want to hear his name, third, if you hear his name painful memories fill your head and lastly you haven’t got laid in two years, I didn’t even see you try. God! have mercy on your hands,”, Baek this time rolls his eyes on him.

“You don’t have to be harsh,”, he answers realizing that it is all true. I’m just beginning to consider Yeol’s idea of –

“No, you will not, arrgghhh… I will kill Park Chanyeol once I see him. How come he is feeding you this dumb idea,”, Baek furiously slams the table.

“Don’t be so dramatic Baek, hookups I guess might help me move on, you know,”, he murmurs.

“I want you to have a serious relationship Mr. Do not just hookups and tell me, Yeol has been feeding you this idea for months and you are reconsidering this now because…?”.

“What if I tell you I am honestly curious about Mr. Kim?”. He challenged him.

“Hmmm?”

“Come on Baek, you just said I haven’t even tried in two ing years and so maybe this time it works”.

“Mr. Do, you will be the death of me,”, Baek surrenders. “This guy might be a married man or some weirdo”.

“Baek, you’re exaggerating things, okay? Just relax, nothing bad will happen”.

Baek looks at him and shakes his head. The best thing he didn’t comment on.

--

Jongin admitted that his first day was nerve-wracking, especially his first subject this morning. Students are discreetly laughing, though he didn’t feel offended. It worries him a lot during the 2-hours session. But one person captured his attention. At first, he believed the student was just trying to be attentive, but he was checking him out. Frankly, he got rattled and so he ends up peering at the guy. He saw how red the guy was since he has fair skin; he was short by the look of it, and he was cute though. Jongin smiles by the thought of it, it’s been a long time he didn’t feel such a thing. He thinks he is too old for this kind of stuff, however, he can’t resist that it feels good knowing that someone checks him out.

“Mind sharing it?”. Junmyeon interrupts him.

“Nothing, I just remembered something”, Jongin startled tries hiding his face with papers because he knows he is blushing.

“Something or someone?”. Junmyeon teases him more.

“Something, okay?”, he tried acting mad.

“I haven’t seen you in a while Kim but I know how you get mad so don’t pull that act on me”.

Jongin stands up fixing his bag getting ready to leave, Junmyeon did the same and they continue having their chat while walking towards the parking area.

“So, how was your first day?”

“Better than I expected, however something weird happened though, students were laughing earlier when I meet them”, he confessed. To his surprise, Junmyeon boisterously laughs beside him. He got confused and was about to leave when Junmyeon grabs his bag.

“Can you listen to me first before you get mad,”.

Jongin stops and faces him. He doesn’t have time for whatever nonsense Junmyeon is about to tell him.

“Okay, when students hear that the school will have a new prof everyone was excited, and they were expecting to have,”. He trailed his eyes on Jongin’s while he continues talking. “hot, y, and young professor. I can’t blame them since Mew, the old prof set the standard high,”, Junmyeon explains.

“So, they were laughing because they end up having an old-fashioned prof?”, Jongin states. To be honest, it doesn’t concern him. He continues approaching his car when Junmyeon speaks again.

“How’s Krystal?”, Jongin hears the cautiousness from Junmyeon’s voice. It’s not a sensitive matter anymore, but if anyone knows how ed up his marriage, it’s Junmyeon.

“Same old buddy, nothing’s changed,”, he answered back dryly.

“Hmmm… well, there’s a small bar a few minutes away from here, we can meet there some other time,”, Junmyeon playfully retorts.

“Thanks, as always, Myeon”, he sincerely smiles and gives his buddy a tight hug before climbing to his car.

“See you tomorrow, drive safely”, that was Junmyeon’s last word before he hit the road.

--

Here he is, Jongin, sitting alone in the bar.

He spent his time over beer since no one’s home. Krystal left a terse letter saying she will be away for a 3-day training. What’s new? It doesn’t matter anyway if she’s home or not since they are not in acceptable terms. It’s been a while now, too long to remember. They had been together for 10 miserable years; he got Krystal pregnant when they were in college, both attended a house party, they got drunk and it happened. Their families married them, Jongin doesn’t have a choice but to accept it. They were okay at the beginning. Well, that’s what he tried to believe, especially when Hee-young, their daughter, was born. Hee-young, for him, was everything and the only bundle of joy in his married life.

But things didn’t go well. They took away his happiness from him when Hee-young got sick when she was 3. It was a lengthy battle and he almost loses himself when he lost her. He was in grief even after 7 years had passed. He can’t blame anyone, including Krystal because partly it was his fault. He failed to be a husband to Krystal; he didn’t care even if she was out partying during his pregnancy. It was late for him to realize that he wanted to work things right; he lost his only chance; he lost his family, and he lost his wife. Much as they want to call their marriage off no one dares to because for them this is the only way to pay for their mistakes.

It has been 7 long years, and Jongin seeks attention. He craves to feel that somebody wants him. He is lonely and as a man he also has needs; he is so tired of watching and silently himself.

Jongin didn’t notice the time. He can’t count how many glasses of beer he consumes. All he can feel is his dizziness, , he’s drunk. He somewhat stood and sways through a crowd of people, he can see a couple making out and it’s not helping him at all. He heaves a sigh to release his frustration. Damn, children! He is finally outside when he bumped someone causes him to lose his balance, luckily the guy catches and steadies him.

“Mr. Kim?”, he hears the guy call his name. He tried looking at him through his blurry vision.

“Oh, cute guy”, he blurts out, the guy laughs, and it was too late for him to realize what he said.

“I didn’t expect you to be this vocal Mr. Kim”, the guy reacts. He smiles at him and damns, even in his current state he can see how gorgeous he is in a simple shirt paired with tight black jeans.

“Leaving so soon Sir?”, there is a hint of mischievousness in his gaze, “the night is still young”, he continues. Jongin was enthralled by those eyes, it’s round, big, and innocent, however, there is also a hint of despair and yearning? He is not sure of it. Jongin didn’t move. His eyes are all over the guy’s face, he can’t help but stare at his lips, , his lips–wet and plump? They are too close that they can feel each other’s breath. Jongin is too drunk to think straight, he gradually tugs him and leans closer until their lips meet. He felt the guy stiffens but just for a split second, he didn’t stop. He pulls him even closer, if it’s possible, and devour his lips. He is so frustrated he craved this for so long, the guy is kissing him back. Is he just as desperate as him?

“Wanna go someplace private?”. Jongin asks he’s not in a fit state to thinking things properly. He needed this, that all he can think of.

“Thought you wouldn’t ask,”, the guy replied.

--

“Name?”, Jongin asks while busy nipping the guys’ neck.

“K-kyungsoo”, he responds in between his pants and stifled a moan. He looked so in his tousled hair and wet lips.

On their way home, Kyungsoo offers his apartment. Jongin didn’t bother asking. He mentally thanks the guy because even though he is not okay with Krystal, he doesn’t want to bring him home.

“Uhmmm…”

Jongin successfully removes the other’s shirt and throws it on the floor, he didn’t waste time he dives in and his while toying the other with his finger. , he is so that he thinks he wouldn’t last any minute. However, he wants tonight to be good. It’s been ages and damn he almost forgets how to do it. Jongin had a fair share of casual relationships, men or women, he had both, however; he enjoyed doing it with men.

“Moan… moan for me”, Jongin loves to be told how his partner feels, it added pleasures. “Tell me how you feel, I want you to tell me how good it is to be by me”, he added. Kyungsoo comply, he can’t bear the sensation, it’s been a long time, and he is equally as . He wants Mr. Kim to go rough on him. He pulled him up and stares.

“ me, and don’t dare go soft on me Mr. Kim, I want it hard,”, Kyungsoo demanded.

Jongin almost loses his , he can’t help cursing as he feels his twisted. This guy can be the death of him, he kisses him desperately. The guy responses as equally eager as him. They didn’t waste time; they hurriedly remove all their clothes and pull each other for another kiss.

--

Kyungsoo wakes up with an aching body. Last night was rough. He felt sore all over but feels so damn good at the same time. He has morning class, but he doesn’t want to move yet; he stared at the ceiling, judging how stupid of him to had with his professor. All he wanted to do last night was to relax and have fun with Baek and Yeol, but guess he ended having fun with someone else. He closes his eyes. When he saw Mr. Kim last night, he realizes he wanted him. It was good–no–amazing, ing amazing. He felt so alive. The touches, the grip, the way their body moves, the sound of their wet skin, whispered words, and the burning sensation every time he . God! Mr. Kim’s appearance doesn’t do justice on how much of a god he is. By the thought of it, Kyungsoo feels it again, the arousal. He palms his half-hard . He shut his eyes harder and tried to remember how Mr. Kim claim him last night.

“Argh!”, he utters giving hard grip while his other hand is busy toying his s. He arcs his body and begins to pants, he tugs faster trying to reach his . He moans loudly, toes curls and mouth slightly parted, he can feel the familiar sensation. Few more seconds Kyungsoo shot white ropes all over his hand, still staring at the ceiling attempting to calm himself. He realized how ed up he is!

--

Jongin fidgeting while having his lecture. Lucky for him, Kyungsoo didn’t attend his class. He initially planned not to work today, but this is his second day and he doesn’t want to give a terrible impression to the University. Jongin rushed home the moment he realizes how stupid he was last night. He allows himself to get drunk and had with his student; he ed up big time! However, despite his dilemma, he can’t deny how in amazing it was with Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo was peacefully sleeping when he left the apartment and Jongin can’t deny how beautiful he is, he can still feel the warmth of his skin, the tingling sensation when they kissed and god knows how he wanted to do it all over again. But how? He is a married man for God’s sake, he can’t just around, and last night was a mistake. It shouldn’t happen again. He sighs heavily, hoping it will somehow lessen his headache.

Jongin needed a distraction, he stayed for a while keeping himself busy with paperwork, his first subject just ended. He failed to notice the opening-closing of the door. Twenty minutes, he gets up, giving himself enough time to proceed to his next class. He carefully collects his stuff scattered on his desk when he finally notices the man sitting near the door.

“Jesus Christ!!”, he startled causing him to drop his belongings on the floor, it genuinely scared the out of him.

“Oh , I’m sorry Mr. Kim, I didn’t mean to scare you”, the guy hurriedly apologized and pick up his stuff. Jongin dumbfounded stood, it’s Kyungsoo, and he looks different. Did he dye his hair? It was not like that this morning.

Jongin stood still, eyes not leaving him. Last night’s scenarios are running on his mind and kneeling in front of him is complete torture. He steps back causing the guy to look up and Jongin’s mind goes haywire, Kyungsoo looks so hot in his red hair and the pull-up style accentuates his beautiful face. They are gazing at each other, Kyungsoo stands without looking away, he places the paper back into the desk and slowly moves toward him.

“Don’t, please!”, Jongin moves away before Kyungsoo can touch him, he doesn’t trust himself anymore.

He needed to clear things out, it’s the right thing to do.

“Look, what happened last night was a mistake. I was drunk. It was not an excuse, but happens,”, Jongin explained. “Let’s just forget about it, okay?”, he continues. He mentally prays that the guy will just leave it as if nothing happened.

He didn’t receive a response, Kyungsoo was staring at him, more on challenging him.

“What if I won’t?”, he said, a smug on his face and continue approaching him.

“I’m your prof -

“... and so?”, Kyungsoo cuts him off, he’s getting nearer.

“I’m marr-

“... I know”, he butts in, voice stern. He can see hurt through his eyes, but it quickly disappears. He finally stood in front of Jongin.

“Just - just , please?”. Jongin doesn’t know what he was saying, he doesn’t know what he is please for.

“Please what?”. Kyungsoo said above a whisper. His voice sends a shiver down Jongin’s spine, and he is about to lose his . Kyungsoo starting to unbuckle