Woohyun stared at the drops of blood that were now trailing along the pavement. He was minding his own business just walking down the street when a motorcycle flew by. He was startled by the roar of the loud engine ripping into the cool night. He jumped and his notebook fell cutting his finger. The edges of the binding were exposed and it cut him, not too deep but deep enough to make him bleed. He stuck his finger in his mouth and frowned at the metallic taste washing over his tongue.

Nam Woohyun had the night off as he usually did on Sundays. He would always walk to the small pub near the collage that he attended bringing along his favorite notebook of course, but Sundays were special. On this day every other week there was a poetry reading.

Local poets, majority of which were amateurs, would unceremoniously string random words together calling it poetry, and bravely climb up on the stage to spew nonsense.  As was customary, Woohyun would order his favorite drink and sit at a dimly lit table in the back corner of the bar for hours; writing down prose in his overused leather bound notebook, remaining undisturbed. He liked it here because he was surrounded by people but he was ultimately alone. As he shifted into a comfortable position he set off to work.

This place was small and dark but gave Woohyun feelings reminiscent of the old days when minstrels would grace the street corners of the cobble stone roads. Back when there was romance, princes and princesses pining for each other  and writing long glorious enchanting love letters in hopes of finding their ‘happily ever after’. Although this place was relatively new it gave off a certain vibe with the dark wood and small oak casks full of bourbon. It was more of a sophisticated specialty bourbon bar serving only local IPAs and their own distilled liquors. But he imagined it to be a tavern of sorts which furthered his daydreaming. The modern crystal chandelier at the center of the room, glowing pale amber, covered him in a happy hue setting the mood.

After remaining like that for quite a while his peace was suddenly disturbed when he heard the unforgiving trill of someone adjusting a microphone. This caused him to remove himself from his scrawling and look to the front of the room. An unfamiliar linguist appeared on stage.

The man was unusual to say the least. He was wearing the most revealing pair of ripped jeans, exposing a vast amount of pale skin, barely covering a pair of long lean legs. Woohyun couldn’t help but stare and his head to the side in amusement, wondering how the material was still being held together, because it was certainly against the laws of physics. To top it all off the man had on an obviously battered leather jacket slung over broad shoulders.

Even from where he was seated he could see the man, yes man, had a heavy amount of eyeliner plastered on his face. Woohyun shook his head at the offensive sight and checked his watch; he had been there for almost four hours, how time flies.

He went back to writing, but was immediately interrupted again. Sighing, he shifted his weight feeling uncomfortable and annoyed. Lifting his head this time he heard the whispered hush of the audience scoffing at the rebel wannabe who was attempting to set up his amp and guitar. Who brings a guitar to a poetry reading?

“Hello.” The nervous man on stage paused scanning the audience. He moved his bangs away from his face.  “My name is Kim Sunggyu and this song… Mercutio’s Rant… was written and composed by yours truly.”

He lowered his head making a few adjustments to his guitar. Eyeing the audience once again he reached out to adjust the microphone and with a smirk ran his tongue over his lips, “Enjoy.” With a click of his tongue ring against his teeth he started to sing.

The song began with a light strum of the guitar and Woohyun rolled his eyes returning to his composition, but before he knew it he could feel his heart beating in his chest and his head began to swirl at the sweet melody. The voice wasn’t really singing but be in a hunting rhythm. 

He was completely entranced.

The words were like a dark confession spoken only to him, flowing from the singers sweet blushing lips to his sensitive ears. Woohyun slowly closed his notebook giving his full attention to the front of the room. As he watched the man sway and bob his head, red hair blazing like wild fire under the harsh stage lights, he realized he had found his muse and instantly returned to writing down every single emotion that was flowing through his body.

Oh brawling love oh loving hate

I see the way you make your fate

With cupids arrow you won’t be hit

I will die because of it

No bigger than an agate stone

she'll push and pull you from your throne

and through lovers brains they dream of love

A dream of which we fall short of

My only love sprung from my only hate

this is she

this is she

I’m just a man with my own heart

you never loved me from the start

I will bend you until you break

I let you go for my own sake

I hit you and it felt like a kiss

rage and beauty full of bliss

Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs

a fire sparking in lovers' eyes

My only love sprung from my only hate

this is she

this is she

this is she

As the rocker bad boy sang his last verse he finally opened his eyes to the crowd taking notice of one person in particular. The guy had his head buried in a book. Some people were just so rude! Even if he didn’t like it he could have at least pretended to. Silently cursing to himself he decided he was going to make it his mission to say something. He finished with a thank you standing as he picked up his guitar and amp smoothly this time.

After packing his things away Kim Sunggyu made his way back into the pub to find that fluffy haired punk. How dare anyone not pay attention to him. The book nerd was still in the same spot seemingly unmoved, his pen flying across paper. As Sunggyu came closer he noticed the writing was almost illegible. One thing that was to his advantage, this loser was so far off in la la land that he didn’t even notice when Sunggyu had slipped into the creaky wooden chair on other side of the table, hanging his jacket over the back.

Sunggyu watched for a moment amused as the person in front of him continued to furiously scribble what looked like nothing on pages of white paper. Taking note of the over-sized sweater the other was dressed in, he saw how the kid was incessantly running his fingers across the frayed edge of his worn down sleeve. Cute, he thought to himself smirking. Still remaining unnoticed Sunggyu shook out his red hair sliding a finger across his forehead to fix his fringe. He laughed to himself. This is unbelievable! How could anyone be so enthralled in something?

He cleared his throat.

Woohyun looked up from his notebook closing it defensively with eyes wide. When did this person get here?

“So did you hate it that much?” Sunggyu leaned forward placing his hands flat on the table. The loose fitting shirt slipped off this shoulder exposing even more skin then Woohyun had seen earlier.

Woohyun simply huffed winding it up his notebook, dramatically wrapping the leather string around the cover. He looked at the table, specifically at the man’s hands, because he didn’t want to look anywhere else. They were nice. The tips of his fingers were callused but they were long and he wore several silver rings. He probably wrote a lot too, Woohyun thought.

“Hey. You don’t have to be rude, man. I mean, reading through a whole performance?” Sunggyu sat back crossing his arms this time and readjusted his shirt. “I know this is a whole poetry club thing, but can’t a man just express himself?”

It was last week and he had been putting up flyers around the city and came across a black piece of paper plastered to a pole promoting an open mic poetry reading. He kept the flyer, but it was his friend and band member who had convinced him to share his ‘super bohemian lyrics’ with their peers. This caused Sunggyu to laugh and it was enough to convince him to give it a try at least. Promoting their songs to a new kind of audience wouldn’t hurt.  He brushed his hair out of his eyes again looking off into the distance somewhere slightly annoyed. A little disappointed but not regretting his decision.

Woohyun noticed the hair thing; it must be a nervous tic. He forced a bright smile and stood. “I have to go.” He gathered his things and as he was about to turn from the table he felt a hand on his wrist.

“You owe me an apology.” Sunggyu’s eyes were intense.

Woohyun froze instantly, stiffening at the unwanted hand on his body.

“Do not touch me.” His voice was rough and low. He stared right back into those sharp amber eyes unrelenting, and the grip on his arm was loosened, letting him go.

Just like that Sunggyu was left alone.

After a moment, ‘I’m sorry’ passed from his lips in a low murmur. His mind had finally caught up with his body. But why was he apologizing? He closed his hand still feeling the warmth on his fingertips.

He needed a cigarette.

Woohyun rushed out of the building before a wave of anxiety hit him. How dare that man just grab him like that. Who does he think he is? As soon as he stepped outside he was hit with a cool autumn breeze. He leaned against the cold brick wall of the building counting to ten slowing his breaths. Once he was calm, he thanked the heavens he wore a sweater. Wrapping himself up in his favorite scarf and jean jacket he prepared for the long trek home.

Sunggyu was mad, but not really. Maybe he should have kept his hands to himself? But that guy, he was just so rude… and too good looking. How dare he. He was standing outside now, cigarette in hand. He brought the burning ember to his lips inhaling the toxic smoke and as it filled his lungs he became relaxed when the familiar crackling sound entered his ears. Blowing out smoke through his nose, he made up his mind to find that fluff ball and make him listen.

Woohyun made it home sometime after one o’ clock in the morning. All of his roommates must have been sleeping because the house was pitch black. He slipped his shoes off dropping his bag on the floor and clutching his notebook to his chest as he headed up stairs to his bedroom.  Pushing his door open and closing it behind him he threw himself on his bed. What he felt was almost too intense for words. It was like his skin was on fire and he could still feel his heart racing. It could just be another panic attack, he thought to himself as he gripped at his chest.

While he lay there staring up at the ceiling, he recalled the words which had delved into the deepest corner of his mind. The lyrics of that ostentatious rocker with his dark red red hair and combat boots were getting to him. He sat up on his elbows coming to a conclusion.

“Shakespeare? How cliché. I bet he couldn’t even quote Neruda.” He spoke aloud and scoffed flinging himself back down again.

A smirk formed on his lips but faded quickly as a very specific quote rolled through his mind.

Was it the voice? The melody? He remembered reading somewhere that specific tones could make animals and people act crazy. He shook his head. Woohyun stopped thinking for a moment to remove a few layers of clothing as he was heating up after coming in from the cold. He knew he felt something though. Something new was building itself up inside of him. After kicking off his socks and climbing under his covers he tucked the tired notebook under his pillow and decided to let sleep take over his wandering mind.

And for once he slept soundly through the night, and late into the morning.

The sun was shining bright through Woohyun’s windows. He curled deeper into his blankets feeling the warmth surrounding him. It was the first time in a while he had felt this well rested.

Refusing to wake from his slumber he kept his eyes shut to the light that was trying so hard to get through. After a moment of tossing and turning he decided his pillow would make a better shield. But before he could cover his face the notebook that was hidden underneath fell to the floor snapping him awake.

School.

He sat up immediately rubbing his eyes trying to focus on his alarm clock. The old thing was covered in dust. He had never needed it before. He had a tendency to never sleep, and on the rare night that he did, it would only be for maybe a few hours and he would still wake up at the crack of dawn. The clock was kept as a mere formality to tell him about the passing of time and how many hours he had until he would start his day again.

Rushing out of his house, he left in a whirlwind, tossing things here and there. He managed to find a clean hoodie and fluffy scarf wrapping it around his head as he ran down the stairs and out the door, sprinting all the way to school.

For some reason Sunggyu was awake. He did not like being awake. He would prefer to lie in bed all day for the rest of eternity but that wasn’t really an option. Waking up this morning he was more annoyed then usual, and this made him pissy. Sassy attitude Sunggyu was out to play and it was all because of that guy, the guy from the bar, who had ignored him. His part time roommate told him to just ‘get over it’ but it irked him to no end.

He was standing underneath a large maple tree in front of his university near the courtyard debating whether or not to go to his first class. He had never even considered the option before because he was never awake this early, so he just never went. It wasn’t a surprise he was still passing though. His professor was beautiful and he had a thing for older women, but not like everyone suspected. He just liked to help out and his professor had two little kids who just so happened to really like his music. After his classes one day he had offered to give them free lessons and she accepted. She was more like a big sister to him than anything else.

He lit up another cigarette in hopes of avoiding his classes all together. Maybe he would get cancer or something and never have to come back. He choked on the smoke thinking his own humor had gone too far this time. His laziness was one of his most overwhelming qualities, but his parents, specifically his mother, had their ways of convincing him to stay in school and be a good boy. So, he did just that. He was a good boy and this is the reason he couldn’t comprehend why someone had ignored him so completely like that. Did he do something wrong? Was he off pitch? The thoughts ran through his mind at full speed.

With his back to the wind a shiver ran down his spine. Maybe a mesh sweater wasn’t exactly enough to stay warm, but at least he looked good. Just as he was about to give up his internal struggle and enter the school for warmth a body slammed into him, knocking everything out of his hands. Oh today was not going to be a good day.

The person just continued running past yelling back a halfhearted ‘I’m sorry’ in Sunggyu’s direction.

“Yah!” He shouted but gave up because it was just too early in the morning for this. He groaned crouching down to grab his books. A frown crept over his face while he was looking at the cigarette still burning as it lay on the ground. He stepped on it grinding it into the pavement and looked up to see the culprit off in the distance jogging into the school with bouncy hair and stupid sweat pants.

Sunggyu tucked his books under his arm and pulled his hood up over his head, mumbling curses as he shuffled all the way to school.

Woohyun ran through the marble corridors noticing a few unnecessary glances in his direction. It was normal to see people running through the halls so why the smirks and grins? He patted himself down making sure there was nothing weird on him as he hurried to class.

He came in quietly through the door at the back of the classroom. If this was high school he would have been scolded but it wasn’t, so he slipped in without notice. This was one of his biggest classes, Art history. There were over a hundred students in this class alone and the professor couldn’t care less who would actually show up.

 “Hey.” Woohyun slid into his seat nodding to his friends who were staring at him awkwardly.

His second class was already thirty minutes in, how much had he missed? He pulled his scarf off over his head ruffling his hair and shoved it in the space between him and his best friend.

“ dude, you are never late. What the hell happened to you last night?” His best friend questioned him with a concerned look and it wasn’t without reason, Woohyun really was never late, ever.

“Nothing, Dongwoo.” There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. Woohyun was trying to focus on the lesson at hand. He slouched forward resting his chin on his fist staring at the front of the room, but not really paying any attention. He was still stuck in a dream.

“A little too much girl’s gone wild action?” It was Sungyeol who spoke next, leaning in between the two to elbow Woohyun in the side.

Sungyeol wasn’t really a friend but he was a roommate who occasionally liked to annoy him with unreasonable optimism. They also shared a class together. Woohyun was only in this class because he needed a few extra credits and Dongwoo had begged him, he couldn’t say no.

“Yeah sure.” At this point he was no longer interested in the conversation his two friends were having.

It seemed like the people around him would rather talk about his love life then actually know what was really going on. Another thought crossed his mind. On his way to school this morning he could swear he saw a flash of red, a red that reminded him of last night. Maybe it was the morning sun shining through the color changing leaves but it definitely stuck out in his mind and nothing ever clung to his thoughts like that red haired imposter did.

He never once felt anything like this in his life. His heart was beating in his chest again and a smile spread across his face. Before he knew it his cheeks were tinted pink and he closed his eyes briefly to let out a content sigh. But he called that man from the pub an imposter for a reason, because how could someone like that bring light to his life. How could another human make him feel again? This could not be real. People were not to be trusted. His mind continued to wander as the sound of the professors voice droned on in the background.

An annoying buzzing interrupted his thoughts. He looked over to see his best friend texting like mad giggling to himself.

“So, I just got a text from Soojung.” Dongwoo smacked Woohyun in the chest to get his attention.

“So?” Woohyun raised an eyebrow.

Sungyeol also leaned in close. Any conversation that involved girls was always worth eavesdropping on.

“She said to tell you ‘Nice pants.’” Dongwoo checked Woohyun out. It seemed that his oblivious friend was missing something.

Sungyeol sat back barely able to control his laughter. Woohyun and Dongwoo hit him simultaneously.

“The hell is so funny?” Woohyun asked his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Dude I could see your junk fro-“ Dongwoo cut off Sungyeol before he could finish.

“Woohyun, did you forget something today? This isn’t like you. Are you okay?” Dongwoo moved closer keeping his voice at a whisper. He put the back of his hand against Woohyun’s forehead, to check for a temperature.

“Huh? Forget what? You guys are the ones being weird.” Woohyun trailed off and pushed Dongwoo’s hand away turning his attention back to the lecture.

“Your underwear!” Dongwoo almost shouted unable to control himself any longer sending Sungyeol and himself into roaring fits of laughter getting everyone’s attention.

Woohyun’s face went red he and could feel it. All the embarrassment building up in his chest, he was going to crack. This was not good. He needed to get out of there and fast. But class was already over and it didn’t matter anymore. He wrapped his big scarf around his head and pouted as Dongwoo and Sungyeol pushed him up and out of class.

He moped through the halls as his two idiot friends kept cracking jokes at his expense.

“Woohyun!” A high pitch voice echoed through the hallway behind them and all three turned around simultaneously to see who it was that had yelled. It was Soojung.

“Dude, dude she is coming this way. Oh my god. How do you always get so lucky?” Sungyeol was cringing and trying to keep his excitement to a low whisper as he was having a mental breakdown over the most beautiful girl in school. Woohyun always got all the girls.

“How is this lucky?” Woohyun shrugged his shoulders. His friends shared a confused look unable to understand his mind.

“Hey Soojung.” Sungyeol was the first to speak. He was so obviously in love. It was pathetic and pouring out of his face.

She walked up to them in her short skirt and high heels, causing even Dongwoo to stare and he was already in a committed relationship.

“Hey.” She barely even gave Sungyeol a glance before focusing on Woohyun. “So Hyunnie,” She cooed. “I hear there is a new anthology being put into the works and I was wondering if you needed any help, maybe some inspiration?” She gave her best attempt at doe eyes wiggling around and twisting a finger in her hair as she bit her lip.

Sungyeol and Dongwoo were weak. They braced each other needing a place to sit down after that.

“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t work with a partner it’s too distracting.” Woohyun stated simply with a smile on his face.

His friends were baffled as they looked from one to another. Soojung’s face dropped and she cut the act.

“Nam Woohyun, Do you have a girlfriend?” her attitude changed and she was being serious now.

Woohyun cocked his head in confusion. “Uh no, why?” He was already embarrassed that she had noticed his junk earlier and he just wanted to slowly back away because running in this situation would just make things much worse, and now she was asking him this. He hated these kinds of questions. Does he have a girlfriend? No. Does he want a girlfriend? He didn’t know. Maybe?

“Player gonna play.” Sungyeol mumbled under his breath and Dongwoo pinched him to get him to shut up. They shared a look again. Knowing Woohyun would always stay out late but where did he go? Sungyeol’s only train of thought was girls, so that is what he assumed. The great and powerful Nam Woohyun was some sort of ultimate ladies’ man, never making it home at night.

“Player?” Soojung smirked at the word. She enjoyed a little challenge. “Then maybe I could be your next date?” She was shameless.

“Maybe.” Woohyun answered coolly with a wink. What else could he say? He gave up and decided to play along.

“You better call me.” Soojung flashed a smile and waved as she walked off, ultimately getting the answer she was looking for. It wasn’t a yes, but it definitely wasn’t a no.

The two idiots attacked Woohyun with a hug and kept ruffling his hair, giving each other high fives for a job well done. Woohyun pressed his lips together thinking about what this could possibly mean but decided it was a good thing and laughed along with his friends, smiling brightly.

At that moment Sunggyu was rounding a corner and spotted the guy from this morning in the middle of the hall. He would notice those stupid sweatpants and that stupid big scarf anywhere. Just as he was about to stomp over and give him a piece of his mind that bastard turned in his direction and he was stopped dead in his tracks. It was the guy from the pub and he was smiling. He couldn’t do this now, could he? In the middle of all these people…? He pulled his hood up over his head and hid behind the corner. His heart was pounding.

They went to the same school. How had he never seen him before? Well that was simple, this school was huge. He hid his face in his hands leaning back against the wall. Why was he nervous? He did not get nervous. Deciding to forgo bringing up the incident at the pub and from this morning he smacked himself in the face a few times to calm down. He straightened out his jacket and fixed his sweater stepping out to walk around the corner.

And as he did there was Woohyun. Their eyes met for a split second but neither made a move to pay any attention to the other. They were close enough for their shoulders to brush as they walked past each other. Sunggyu kept his head down and Woohyun was too distracted by his friends to even notice. But as they passed Sunggyu’s hood fell from the slight bump and something caught Woohyun’s eye, the color red.

In the crowd of people shuffling through the hall Sunggyu stood out like no other and Woohyun was sure it was him but he was being dragged in the opposite direction by his friends. He wanted to go back. But why? He knew there was something but it couldn’t be that man, it couldn’t be that person. He tried to keep his sight on Sunggyu as he was being pulled away but the crowed was too big and then the moment had past. He felt cold and a chill ran down his spine. He was suddenly sad as if he had lost something so precious.

“Hey man, come on.” They were outside. His friends waiting at the bottom of the stairs, as if foreshadowing his fate, he was going down.

He blinked at the realization. The previous night came back into his mind. He would have to find that Kim Sunggyu and know what he was really about.

Without really thinking about it Sunggyu decided to follow that fluffy guy. He didn’t know his name, all he knew was that he was dumb and needed to be taught a lesson. About what, he didn’t know anymore. He just needed to talk to him. So he turned around once he reached the end of the hall and back tracked to where he last saw him walking towards the doors near the entrance. There he was standing at the top of the stairs. Sunggyu stayed out of sight watching from behind. What was that guy doing just staring off into the distance? He followed the gaze and saw the sun glowing behind the clouds, breaking through in places, shining beams of light over the city. It was beautiful. A strong gust of wind blew and he shifted his gaze back to the person at the top of the stairs, his hair was fluffy again from the wind and Sunggyu’s heart beat slowed down to mirror his thoughts. There wasn’t another sight like this. His concentration was broken by voices being carried with the wind.

“Come on Woohyun! It’s cold! Let’s go.” The voices came from people who must be his friends. And now he knew his name. It was Woohyun.

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AN: SOOOO MANY SUBCRIBERS EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST CHAPTER OMG IM NOT WORTHYYYYY T^T

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Merry Christmas everyone and THANK YOU FOR READING *THROWS HEARTS*