For the next few weeks, every Wednesday after class Taecyeon and Minjun went to the campus coffee shop. During the study dates sessions Taecyeon copied the meticulous notes Minjun took during the various speaker sessions and any special notes Minjun thought he should have. While he worked, Taecyeon would ask seemingly innocent and random questions to fish for information about his crush.

It always started the same with Taecyeon speaking first, “Can I ask you some questions?”

“Sure, I guess,” was the simple response. Then began a simple back and forth between the two students.

He learned that Minjun was from Daegu, he loved to eat sour things, his favorite animal was a panda, and they were born in the same year, different ends of the year but still. Wanting to delve even deeper, today Taecyeon decided to ask about his job and scholarship, “Since you are a composer, I doubt you are a business major. Why are you taking such a high level business class?”

“Actually I'm a music and composition major. But because my scholarship is through my employer, the university wanted me to have a minor in business. What about you?” Minjun asked as he sipped his coffee, effectively turning the conversation away from him (again) without mention the company’s name.

It frustrated Taecyeon whenever he did that, but he had no choice but to go along with it, “It’s a requirement if I want my bachelors by the end of next semester.”

“Aren’t you twenty-two? Shouldn’t you be graduating along with me?”

Taecyeon focused his attention back on his writing before the adorably furrowed brow distracted him, “I did not start university until I was a year out of high school. My parents, the ones who own the fashion company, wanted me to start my training in the real business world first.”

“Never pegged you as one for fashion.” Minjun teased as he gestured to Taecyeon’s blue jean shorts and plaid button up shirt.

“I was model for my mother for years. You don’t have to know fashion to run the business.”

It was true. What Taecyeon did not say was he was not to be his parents’ successor. His older sister was being groomed to take over the company. Labeled a fashion terrorist by his family, Taecyeon was partnered up with his cousin Park Kwon, better known as the music idol JoKwon, to take over his uncle’s company JYP Entertainment. Not wanting to lose what he had with Minjun over a possible company rivalry, he kept the information to himself.

Minjun nodded in agreement and gave him a half smile that sent his heart fluttering. Seeing how he seemed to be in a good mood, Taecyeon decided to ask the question that had been bothering him since the day he went over the man’s apartment. “So are Wooyoung and Junho your sons?”

Slightly shocked at the sudden change in subject, Minjun stared at the coffee cup in his hands not answering. Just as Taecyeon started to regret asking, he spoke, “They’re actually my brothers.”

Taecyeon paused in his writing, “Why do they call you appa?”

Minjun sighed and leaned back in his chair. “We lost out parents in a car crash over a year and a half ago. Because they are so young the therapist said to let them call me appa but make a distinction between myself and our father.”

That confused Taecyeon even more, “Why are you taking care of them? If it’s not totally rude to ask.”

A light smile dusted his lips, “We have grandparents in Daegu, but Junho and Wooyoung don’t like to stay there. They may be only three and five, but they can be pretty stubborn when they want to.”

“I guess they made their opinions known?”

The wonderful peel of laughter fell from his lips, “Oh yes. I tried to leave them with our grandparents after our parents’ memorial. Even though I was named my brothers’ guardian by our parents’ will I did not feel I could take care of them properly here in Seoul. My grandmother called me a few days later saying Wooyoung and Junho ran away. Police found them later that day trying to board a train to Seoul. Wooyoung packed a backpack, their plushies, and pushed Junho in his stroller all the way into town. When they said they would do it again, I agreed to have them stay with me permanently. Although, we go down to Daegu to visit at least one weekend a month.”

“Sorry, did not mean to spring the question on you.”

Minjun waved him off, “It’s alright. Guess the situation is a little strange.”

Before he could say anything else, Taecyeon's phone buzzed. He glanced down at it and saw a message from Kwon.

-Where are you?! We are supposed to meet Uncle at 3!-

He sighed, “Sorry, I have to go. Thank for letting me copy your notes.”

“Oh right. See you next week?” They clasped hands and hugged with Taecyeon holding on a little longer than necessary.

*     *     *

“That’s all for this course everyone. Congratulations to those who are graduating and I’ll see everyone else next semester.” The professor announced and everyone quickly gathered up their materials and rushed for the doors.

Taecyeon moved a little bit slower so he could talk Minjun, “Hey do you want go for lunch to celebrate?”

“Sure. I don’t have to go into work today and I don’t have to pick up the boys until later.”

“Do you like Italian? Because I know a great place.”

Minjun picked up his bag, “Yeah Italian sounds good.”

“It’s a little far out from here but we can just take my car.” They chatted about the last class as they walked to Taecyeon’s car. In the parking lot they stopped in front of a silver Audi. As he clicked the button on the key fob to unlock the doors, Minjun seemed to grimace. Taecyeon noticed but did not pay much attention, chalking it up to the way his parents died.

As they pulled out of the lot, his cousin’s new CD that was released that morning started playing. Minjun looked startled, “You actually like his music?”

For a moment, Taecyeon felt offend. Did his crush just insult his cousin? Even if he was from a rival company, no one insulted his Kwonnie. “He’s got an amazing voice and a fun quirky attitude. The songs they give really accentuate his voice.”

Minjun recognized the defensive tone and quickly backtracked, “I was just surprised. You didn’t seem the type to like his music. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Taecyeon immediately deflated, feeling bad, “Sorry. I’m just used to having to defend my…my choice in music.”

Minjun just nodded and hummed along to the songs as if he knew them by heart. Taecyeon smiled to himself enjoying the man’s soft musical voice. They soon pulled up to the swanky Italian restaurant. Minjun hesitated to get out of the car.

“You alright Minjun?” Taecyeon asked concerned.

“Huh? Yeah I’m fine.” Minjun quickly stepped out of the car and followed him inside.

In the restaurant lobby Taecyeon was immediately greeted by the head host, “Mr. Ok. Welcome back to Bellissimo. Your usual table?”

“Please.” If Taecyeon had paid attention he would have noticed Minjun slowly sinking into himself.

The host led them to a table near the windows and place large sparse menus in front of the two men.

“Enjoy your lunch gentlemen.” The host bowed and returned to the front podium.

When Minjun opened the menu his eye nearly popped out, “Taecyeon the prices are a little…”

“Don’t worry about it,” he interrupted.  “I’ll pay for it. What’s the point of a parent’s wealth if you can’t spend it? Besides I get a discount for coming here so frequently.”

Minjun’s jaw set and for the rest of lunch kept his answers to Taecyeon’s attempts to start a conversation to a minimum. 

When they finished and returned to the car Minjun spoke with frost in his voice,

“Thanks for lunch Taecyeon-sshi. I need to go pick up the boys now, so if you could drop me off back at the university?”

“Why don’t I just drive you guys home instead of taking the bus or walking?” He tried to offer.

“I would prefer it if you didn’t.” was his clipped response.

The drive back to the university was unnervingly quiet. Minjun’s beautiful panda eyes stayed trained out the passenger window, not even glancing his way. Once he pulled up to the bus stop, Minjun hopped out with a sharp ‘Thank you’ and he snapped the car door shut. As he pulled away, all Taecyeon could think was Crap!

A/N: Still short but we are getting there. I hope you are still enjoying. Please let me know what you think. (And yes Taec is an idiot :P)

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