Chapter Text
As the first light of the ring sun enters the room by the unclosed blinds, it casts a gentle, warm glow that gradually brightens the usually gray space of a college dorm. The walls, painted in a light, neutral shade, reflect the sunlight, enhancing the room’s airy atmosphere. A wooden table near the window catches the sun’s rays, its surface gleaming with a rich, honeyed hue.
A young man, a inhabitant of this college dorm, slumped over the wooden desk. His tousled, light-brown hair spills across his forehead, partially obscuring his closed eyes. One arm is tucked under his head, serving as a makeshift pillow, while his other hand loosely grips a pen. A faint shadow of fatigue is evident on his fairy face, with his cheeks slightly flushed. There's a trickle of drool going down his chin.
The peaceful scenery is suddenly interrupted by the sound of an alarm, going off from the phone laying on the unmade bed. Hongjoong stirs from his slumber, brown eyes scanning the surroundings, unfocused and unaware. When reality finally came back to him, he jumped from the desk to his bed and turned off the still going alarm.
Hongjoong sighs as he hides his face in his bedding. He has classes to attend in half an hour. With a groan he tilts his head to look at his unfinished project, laying on the desk. Well, he'll have to pull another all nighter to get it done on time.
He checked the clock and sighs again. It's about time for him to start getting ready for yet another beautiful day.
He was fucking exhausted.
Kim Hongjoong, a twenty-three years old college student, was not the most optimistic person one could meet. He was grumpy and short-tempered all his life, true but his well-being dramatically changed since he started college. The endless circle of exams and projects had taken its turn on him. It's the beginning of the second year and Hongjoong doesn't think he can do it any more.
As he was leaving his dorm, after fighting his hair to make them at least a little bit presentable, he checked his phone to see new messages from his roommate and only friend- Jung Wooyoung.
-“HEY JOONGIE RISE N GRIND🔥🔥”-
-”I went out for classes earlier today but don't think about skipping breakfast because I'm not around😤”-
-”Gonna spend lunch with San, don't wait for me<3<3”-
Ah yes, San, Wooyoung’s boyfriend.
A person Hongjoong absolutely despise.
But don't get him wrong, he doesn't think that San is a bad man or an asshole. He doesn't like San because Wooyoung constantly spends time with him, leaving poor, unsociable Joong alone. And because Hongjoong loves his best friend, despite how loud and clingy he may be sometimes, he was happy in the beginning of Wooyoung's relationship, he really was. But as the time flew, Hongjoong became more anxious about this whole thing he was now stuck in. Wooyoung was almost always away now, spending time with his boyfriend. Technically, he was Hongjoongs roommate, but these days, he was more out than in their shared room, making Joong feel more lonely than he felt in the beginning of college. He just misses times when his friend would be constantly stuck beside him.
Since he couldn't be angry at his best friend for having a happy relationship, he obviously (for him) blamed his anger on San. Life would be perfect if he could just leave Joongs only friend alone.
And now Hongjoong is aware of the fact that he has yet another day to spend alone, most likely locked in his dorm room. Oh well.
He hid his phone in his pocket, not bothering to send a response.
He didn't have time to buy anything to eat before his class and he didn't have anything in his room either, so he went straight to the lecture hall (sorry Wooyoung). Hongjoong was so exhausted he would like to head straight for bed, to get eight hours of peaceful sleep (dozing off on a wooden desk was not the best restful position possible).
But as tired as he was, Hongjoong couldn't allow himself to miss any of his classes since he knew if he let it happen, it'll be more difficult to keep his timetable going. He needs this degree.
A lecture hall full of people is a bustling, dynamic environment- the place Hongjoong absolutely detest. The room is large, with rows of tiered seating that ascend from the front to the back. This place always makes Hongjoong anxious, especially when Wooyoung wasn't here with him.
He sat on the first free seat, near the entrance, so he could have a quick getaway route. The class starts with the audience of a diverse group, ranging from attentive students furiously taking notes, to some who are more relaxed, casually observing or checking their phones. The atmosphere and the hum of whispers and rustling papers all together with the clear voice of a lecturer, made Hongjoong’s eyes fall shut.
He was on the verge of consciousness, his head heavy in his hand, elbow prompted on the desk. Joong was basically asleep when suddenly someone plummeted down on a vacant seat next to him, waking him up from his slumber. When Hongjoong glanced at his new, unwanted seat-neighbor, he knew that his day just got worse.
You see, every university has a walking icon, a popular student everyone knows and admires. This specific university has their shining diamond as well: his name was Park Seonghwa.
A twenty-three years old psychology student was well-known around campus, mostly because of his striking and divine appearance. His facial features: sharp, defined jawline, high cheekbones, expressive eyes and honey skin added him a sculpted like look, making him the “walking perfection” for people to praise their eyes. The wavy, long, black hair framing his chiseled face, made a lot of girls glance with jealousy. His lean and toned physique only added to his angelic appearance. There's not much to say about his personality, most students have only described Seonghwa as cold and very distanced, but it wasn't perceived as a disadvantage. He was mysterious, he was handsome. Men and women alike had attempted to approach him for a date, a number, or even just a friendship but to no avail. No matter how much they tried, Park Seonghwa was still unapproachable. But he was their walking star after all. They still drooled over him, whenever he walked past.
Well, he was admired by almost everyone.
Except for Kim Hongjoong.
Because for Hongjoong, Seonghwa was an enemy number two (don't ask who is number one). It's true that he had never spoken to this guy, but he didn't have to. His big popularity and unbothered self-being was enough to spark a fire of dislike in Joongs guts. And now, for some reason, he was sitting shoulder to shoulder with the spoken guy, who on the other hand looked a little too stunning for this early hour (and Hongjoongs liking).
Once Joong saw who had taken the empty seat next to him, his blood boiled. He hated this guy, for real. He hated his cold-hearted personality, his god-like appearance, how people reacted to his presence, his height and… everything. Everything about Seonghwa sends Hongjoong off. Wooyoung always said that it's because of his jealous personality but he would never admit it. Hongjoong is not jealous. He's not. Especially not of a guy like Seonghwa.
-”Did I miss something important?”- a gentle whisper shook him from his thoughts. There's no way that this guy is talking to him, right?
Well, it seems there is, because Seonghwa was now leaning slightly into his side, looking at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.
He did have to wait for a while since Hongjoong's brain seems to malfunction:
Park Seonghwa was talking to him? Why? Is he trying to make conversation? For god's sake, Hongjoong was avoiding the guy the whole first year, and now Seonghwa was trying to… be friendly? With him? But he was always so resistant to any interactions before. Ah wait, wait, get yourself together Joong, he's just asking some completely normal question… Ah right, the question!
-”Not that I know”- Hongjoong mumbled, leaning away a bit. He was practically sleeping since he entered the hall after all.
After a moment of what seemed to be a staring contest, Seonghwa looked away with a simple ”okay”, concentrating his whole attention on the lecture.
And Joong was trying hard to do the same but the distraction in a presence of a “shining-perfect” sitting right next, was making it quite a sisyphean work so he gave up. He slumped back on the desk, trying to get comfortable to at least try getting a minute of sleep, since he still had a sleepless night before him. But of course, his mind was running wild, trying to make a reason for this mini conversation to happen:
Why did Seonghwa sit in this specific chair? There were plenty of empty seats left. Did he want to sit next to the exit as well? But he never did, Hongjoong is the only one that always occupied those seats. Was the man really trying to be friendly? But why with Hongjoong? He doesn't even like him! He despises him, actually!
Carefully, Joong tilted his head to look at the couse of his problem. Seonghwa was vigorously taking notes on his laptop, which he apparently brought. His dark brown eyes traced the screen, from left to right, his slim fingers taping the keys delicately. He was lightly biting on the inside of his cheek, his brows furrowed in concentration. His dark hair was slightly shining in the timid, white light of the hall. He really looked like a sculp-WHAT WAS HE THINKING?!
Hongjoong quickly turned away. He must be hallucinating from exhaustion.
…
It was not until 7 pm that Hongjoong got back to his dorm, after another two long seminars and dinner-lunch (some chinese takeout but Wooyoung doesn't need to now). From the moment he stepped to the door, the urge to just fall onto the bed and pass out was so strong, Joong had to practically drag himself to his desk and his abandoned project. He could swear that the piece of paper was physically mocking his infirmity. Hongjoong only looked at it helplessly.
God, he wants to drop out so bad.
But it's not time for regrets when he has work due tomorrow.
So Hongjoong kicked his shoes off, tossed his hoodie away, and grabbed another energy drink from the small fridge his dorm provided. He clicked it open and gushed it down in one go. After grabbing another one, he finally sat down, determined to get this done as quickly as possible.
And it was going pretty good. He was progressing quite quickly. Wooyoung was texting him from time to time but since Joong was still a little bit mad, he muted his phone and tossed it on the bed.
Somewhere during his study, Hongjoong opened his dorm window wide, so that the cold night breeze could keep him more focused and less sleepy. And it was working good, only that he had to put his hoodie back on, the fall nights were pretty windy after all.
As the minutes passed and Hongjoong was making it half past his essay, a strong gust of wind suddenly rushed through the open window, aggressively shuffling papers scattered on the desk, making them fly all over the messy dorm. And when poor Joong desperately tried to snatch his precious notes, another wind blow snatched his essay and sent it flying straight out of the window.
-”Fuck!!”- Hongjoong, as he was standing, dashed through his dorm door, not even bothering to lock the door or put any shoes on.
Sprinting down the corridor to rescue the fruit of his hard work, he kept pleading that the wind didn't blow his essay somewhere far.
-”Please, please”- Hongjoong kept chanting as he stepped outside, desperately looking around for any sign of a white paper. But as far as his tired eyes could see, there was none.
After circling around his building twice, Hongjoong couldn't catch any glimpse of any paper lying around somewhere.
-”No, no, no”- he could feel the tears climbing to his eyes. This was it, weeks of his hard work was gone. His essay literally flew out of the window and into another dimension apparently. He could hear Wooyoungs mocking. But he didn't want to give up just now, regardless of how bad the situation looked.
-”Okay Hongjoong calm down”- he said, taking deep breaths -”You just need a flashlight”-
And with that Hongjoong headed straight back to his dorm for his phone so he could use it as a source of light in the miserable hunt for his lost work progress.
Well, he tried to get to the dorm at least but the front door of the building was locked due to it being past midnight. Hongjoong patted his pocket in desperate search for his key, but in his mind he could see the picture of his keys peacefully laying on the nightstand in his dorm room.
He was screwed.
-”FUCK!”- that's all he had to say. Hongjoong sat quietly at the doorstep, hiding his face in his hands. This situation has gotten a hundred times worse.
He takes a couple deep breaths to calm his emotions and think of a solution- he can sit here and wait for some lost student coming back at this hour to the dorms and could hopefully let him in or he could go pleas Wooyoung for his key.
The thought of sitting helplessly on the cold concrete in the middle of the night at the dorms doorstep, waiting like a lost puppy, for some stranger to magically appear to his rescue, was an absolute horror for Hongjoong’s ego.
So with that in mind, Hongjoong decided for the smaller evil. He got up, pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head (incognito mode activated) and headed barefoot in the supposed direction of San’s shared apartment, where Wooyoung was spending most nights.
As he heads down the empty road Hongjoong just hopes that there won't be many people roaming the streets.
…
Hongjoong’s delicate tip tap feet were not made for the hard cold concrete. Every time he stepped on a rock or any small curve he would flinch with discomfort. Maybe Wooyoung would lend him his shoes for his way back. Hongjoong really belittled the comfort shoes provide, he should start thanking them every time he steps out.
Every now and then some lost soul would pass next and in Hongjoong’s mind, every one of them was giving him a side eye, judging his miserable state. And with every passing stranger, Hongjoong’s tip tap speed would increase twice. So as for now, Hongjoong was on the verge of running- this would most definitely cost his feet to fall out, but he wanted to get out of the open and out of the judging eyes as soon as possible.
And with that, Hongjoong tip-toed another two cross streets before he had to stop to dust gravel off the soles of his feet. Leaning against the brick wall, next to some sketchy Irish pub, Hongjoong was so busy picking the small rocks from his foot he didn't notice a hunched person emerging from the dark alley nearby.
-”Fucking hell, does nobody clean those pavements??”- Hongjoong was mumbling to himself from pure agony coming from his tortured feet -”I would rather run a marathon wearing high-heels than-OH GOD!!”-
Hongjoong jumped in fear as he felt someone grab his shoulder. He momentarily spun around locking his frantic gaze with an old, visibly neglected lady.
-”I can feel your misery young man, you're suffering indeed, yes, yes, your heart is very hurt”- the old woman spoke, the words coming out lisp as she was missing half of her teething.
Hongjoong unintentionally scrunched his nose, the lady was reeking of digested ethanol and other, not nice fluids. It was sure to him that she was homeless and clearly under the influence.
-”I'm sorry, what?”- he asked, puzzled by her rambling.
-”I see what you're missing my dear, I see what you desire”- she stepped closer to him, looking expectantly into his eyes -I can help you look for it- she whispered as if she was spelling a big secret.
”Oh, great, now he has to deal with a mentally ill”- that's the thought that crossed Hongjoong's mind -”What have I done to deserve such night?”-
-”Yeah well, maybe next time, I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry so…”- he said with a weak smile, looking around for some help, but out of spite, there was no one around.
-”It's a perfect time to change your miserable life, young man as l’m…”- Hongjoong wasn't listening, this old lady clearly was having some sort of a mental issue. His feet hurt, he was sleepy and he still had a mile or two to walk. He was getting more annoyed by the passing seconds -”... you have visible demons in your heart and I am truly concerned that…”-
-”OKAY I GET IT!”- he didn't let her finish -”I am miserable and lonely, now please leave me alone! I don't have any spare chain either, I'm not a walking charity for fuck sake!”- he shook off her hand from his shoulder and as he was about to turn around the old lady grabbed his hand.
-”Nobody has ever offended me this bad”- she muttered, her grip strong as stall -”You'll pay for an insult of an witch, young man”- as she said the last word, she took her hand out of her pocket, her palm was full of a strange red powder“- You'll need to find it yourself”-
Hongjoong watched in shock as the old lady blew the red powder right in his face. He immediately started coughing, the powder irritating his nose and mouth.
-”What the-”- he coughed out, while his eyes started to water.
After a couple of agonizing seconds, Hongjoong's vision went black, the last thing he could see was an evil smile that the bum-lady had plastered on her face…
”I'm in trouble”