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No one really remembered when the rumour started.
It just existed out of thin air.
Ahn Keonho having a girlfriend was treated like a fact of life, the same way everyone accepted that winter break always came too late, that the swimming team always won regionals, that Keonho’s smile could brighten an abandoned town.
He was that kind of person, after all.
Popular in the effortless way, never too loud, and never too arrogant. Teachers all adored him, first-years whispered about him like he was some unattainable legend. Upperclassmen admired him openly, sometimes even inviting him to hang outs and parties. The swim team revolved around him, and even students who didn’t care about sports knew his name.
Sunshine smile guy, lots of puppy energy and goodness, had the warmest laughs, and was super polite.
Of course he had a girlfriend. It was the only plausible explanation.
Everyone thought Ahn Keonho had a girlfriend.
It wasn’t something anyone could trace back to a single source. There was no confession overheard in a stairwell, no photo leaked whatsoever, no secret date spotted at a cafe. The idea simply existed as itself— solid, unquestioned, undoubted, and passed around like a scientific fact that didn’t need proof.
Keonho was the kind of person rumours gravitated toward.
He was tall, broad-shouldered from years of swimming, with perpetually damp hair that never quite obeyed gravity. He smiled easily, laughed loudly, and greeted people by name even if he’d only met them once.
There was just simply no universe where Ahn Keonho went home alone every day.
He had to have a girlfriend, right?
“She probably goes to another school,” someone had said once, and that explanation stuck and passed around the school like fact.
It made sense. That was why no one had seen her. Why Keonho slipped out of school early on certain days. Why he checked his phone during breaks with a soft, private smile, that was definitely not reserved for his friends around him.
“She’s probably cute,” someone else added. “Like really cute.”
“Yeah,” another agreed. “He wouldn’t date someone intimidating. He’s too soft for that.”
And just like that, the imaginary girlfriend took shape.
Sweet, bubbly, harmless, and effortlessly beautiful. A suitable girl who fit neatly beside him, as of all things.
Keonho himself had absolutely no idea.
By the time swim practice ended, the sun was already sinking low, staining the windows orange. Keonho pulled his hoodie over his uniform, towel slung around his neck, skin still warm from chlorine and exertion.
“Hyung,” one of the first-years called out, grinning. “You’re leaving early again?”
Keonho hummed, shoving his things into his bag. “Yeah, Coach held us a little longer today, so I have to rush.”
“Why?” The boy asked, eyeing Keonho knowingly. “Do you have to meet your girlfriend?”
Keonho paused.
“...My what?”
The locker room went strangely quiet.
“You know,” the boy said, suddenly uncertain. “Your girlfriend?”
Keonho stared at him for a second. Then, he laughed, bright and unrestrained, tipping his head back.
“I don’t have a girlfriend, dude!” He said easily.
All heads snapped toward him.
The first-year started to stammer. “B-But then—”
Keonho zipped his bag and swung it over his shoulder. “You guys really just love making stuff up, huh?” He gave the boy a pat on the back, grinning. “I’ll see you all next week!”
He waved and headed out before anyone could interrogate him further, missing the room that erupted behind him.
He doesn’t have a girlfriend?
Then why does he always leave so early?!
Wait, so all this time—?
Keonho, blissfully ignorant, checked his phone as he walked.
No new messages.
He frowned slightly, thumb hovering over the screen, then shook his head. He’s probably asleep, Keonho thought. Or still sick, that stubborn idiot.
He scrolled through their most recent messages, when he sneaked his phone into the boys’ bathroom and gave him a quick text.
kono (me) : practice might end early today!
eonnie gongju<33: did u break another record??
kono (me): not today, coach just loves us apparently
kono (me): theres this stall near my school that sells christmas hotteok, it only shows up in december lol
kono (me): i’ll get u some someday
eonnie gongju<33: mm, okay
kono (me): r u feeling better??
And the conversation ended there, Keonho assuming that Seonghyeon had gone back to sleep, so he didn’t push for a response and went back to class.
Keonho pocketed his phone, and headed towards the main entrance, humming quietly under his breath. It was cold outside. December cold, the kind that settled deep into your bones and stayed there. The school gates were crowded, students lingering in thick coats, breath puffing into the air.
That was when the noise started.
Not the usual after-school chaos Keonho was used to. This was sharper, more high-pitched, and more— curious?
“Oh my god, who is that?”
“He’s not from our school, right?”
“He’s so handsome! Wait, should I ask him for his number?”
Keonho slowed, frowning slightly.
A cluster of students had formed near the gates, half-circling someone Keonho couldn’t see yet. Phones were out, and whispers buzzed around like electricity. Naturally, his interest was piqued. What could be so interesting that even the quiet students were crowding around as well?
He craned his neck as he got closer, trying to catch a glimpse of who was in the center of attention.
And then, he saw him.
Seonghyeon stood just beyond the gate, hands tucked into the pockets of a long dark coat, scarf wrapped loosely around his neck. His hair was a bit ruffled up, falling into his eyes in a way that looked intentional to outsiders, but Keonho knew he was dying inside to clip his hair up. Rings glinted faintly on his fingers when he shifted, and Keonho resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Of course Seonghyeon had to be fashionable even at a school.
He looked out of place. Students hovered too close, emboldened by curiosity. A girl laughed nervously in front of him, clearly working up the courage to speak to him.
Seonghyeon’s posture was rigid, shoulders slightly tense. His gaze stayed firmly on his phone, thumb scrolling absently, as if he could disappear into the screen if he tried hard enough.
Keonho’s heart skipped, and then started racing for an entirely different reason than you’d imagined.
That idiot is sick and he’s outside? What the hell is he doing here?
Keonho curses under his breath. “Shit.”
Without thinking, he pushed forward, making his way through the crowd.
“Seonghyeon!” Keonho shouted, voice cutting clean through the noise. “What the hell are you doing here?”
The effect was immediate.
The crowd immediately quieted down.
Seonghyeon flinched and looked up.
And then, everything about him changed.
The tension melted away from his shoulders. His eyes softened immediately, warmth flooding them so visibly it felt intimate to witness. The corners of his mouth curved into a small, fond smile, one that Keonho got to see everyday.
“Keonho,” he said quietly, smiling.
The way he said it made Keonho’s heart jump.
He crossed the distance in seconds. “You’re sick,” he said immediately, frowning. “Why are you outside?”
Seonghyeon shrugged slightly. “You promised me hotteok.”
Keonho stared.
“...You came all the way here for that?”
“Yes. Got a problem?”
“I have ten thousand problems with that, but I’ll address the most concerning one: you’re sick, Eom Seonghyeon.”
“I’m not missing out on hotteok.”
Keonho laughed under his breath, then reached up without thinking, and adjusted Seonghyeon’s scarf. His hand lingered on Seonghyeon’s cheek, warm against cold skin.
“You should’ve stayed home,” he murmured. “I could’ve just brought it over to your house.”
Seonghyeon leaned into the touch. “I wanted to see you.”
The crowd froze.
Someone whispered, “Oh my god—”
Keonho turned, suddenly very aware of the crowd pressing in, of the phones raised high in the sky, of the way everyone was staring at them with wide, shocked eyes.
He didn’t pull away.
Instead, he took Seonghyeon’s hand and laced their fingers together.
“Everyone, this is Seonghyeon,” Keonho announced, voice clear and easy. “My boyfriend!”
The word landed like a shockwave.
Boyfriend.
Seonghyeon squeezed his hand gently, grounding himself through the noise that followed right after.
“Nice to meet you all,” Seonghyeon said quietly, dipping his head slightly.
No one spoke a word, and Keonho just laughed, shaking his head.
He smiled, radiant. “Come on. Let’s go before all the hotteok sells out.”
He guided Seonghyeon away, protective and sure, leaving behind a school full of shattered expectations and one very dead rumour. They walked hand in hand, ignoring the chaos left behind. Keonho didn’t let go until they were at least a few meters away from campus.
“Sorry about that,” he said, laughing breathlessly. “I forgot how… nosy my school is.”
“It’s fine,” Seonghyeon replied. “You’re popular, after all.”
Keonho raised an eyebrow. “You looked fine with the attention.”
Seonghyeon shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
Keonho grinned, bumping his shoulder gently. “You handled it well, though. I respect that.”
Seonghyeon glanced at him. “You… didn’t mind?”
“Mind what?”
“The stares.”
Keonho slowed, expression softening a fraction. “Why would I mind?”
Seonghyeon stopped walking.
Keonho turned back to him, confused. “Seonghyeonie?”
The boy hesitated, then spoke quietly. “I didn’t want to make things difficult for you.”
Keonho stared at him for a long moment, before huffing out a laugh, filled with disbelief. He stepped closer, reached out and cupped Seonghyeon’s face with both hands, thumbs brushing cold-reddened cheeks. Seonghyeon looked up at him with red, rosy cheeks, and he thought that he had never seen someone more pretty.
Seonghyeon looked amazing, dyed in red.
So pretty.
“You’re not a difficulty, Eom Seonghyeon,” he said, leaning in so their foreheads touched. “You’re my favourite thing.”
He heard Seonghyeon’s breath hitch, and he grinned.
“Hyung,” Keonho teased quietly. “You’re really warm.”
Seonghyeon blinked, then glowered at him. “That’s because you keep dragging me around.”
Keonho scoffed softly. “You walked all the way here while sick. Don’t act tough now.”
He pressed the back of his hand to Seonghyeon’s forehead. And it was way too warm.
His smile faded into concern. “You should’ve stayed home.”
Seonghyeon looked at him through half-lidded eyes and with rosy cheeks. “I wanted hotteok.”
Keonho didn’t answer. Instead, he tugged Seonghyeon closer, wrapping his scarf more securely around his neck.
“Next time,” he muttered. “I’m coming to you.”
Seonghyeon smiled faintly. “Okay.”
They began walking after, with Keonho leading the way. The city grew brighter as Christmas decorations began to appear, with twinkling lights strung between lampposts, shop windows glowing warmly against the cold.
The stall was easy to find.
Steam curled thickly into the air, carrying the unmistakable scent of sugar and cinnamon. A small queue had formed then, people huddled together in groups to conserve warmth and energy, breath fogging the air.
Seonghyeon stopped walking, mouth open in awe.
Keonho glanced back. “Hyeon?”
Seonghyeon stared at the stall. “...It smells really good.”
Keonho laughed, relief flooding his chest at Seonghyeon’s words. “See? It’s worth the hype, trust me.” He guided Seonghyeon to the side, resting a hand at the small of his back. “Stay here, I’ll go get it.”
“I can—”
“You can stand,” Keonho interrupted gently. “That’s your only job for now.”
Seonghyeon looked at him, anguished, but nodded obediently, compliant. Keonho gave his hand a tiny squeeze before he let go and joined the queue. He glanced back every few seconds to make sure Seonghyeon hadn’t collapsed in the snow or wandered off elsewhere. The older boy leaned against a pole, folded his arms, eyes following Keonho quietly.
Keonho thought Seonghyeon looked as pretty as always.
When he finally returned, he held a paper bag carefully in his hands.
“Careful,” he warned, pulling one out. “It’s piping hot.”
Seonghyeon accepted it with both hands, eyes lighting up. He hissed in pain when the hotteok burned his fingertips slightly. “It’s warm.”
“Yeah,” Keonho grinned. “Like you should be.”
“Shut it.”
Keonho shrugged, and broke one in half, steam spilling out. He blew on it instinctively, then held it up.
“Eat slowly.”
Seonghyeon nodded, and took a big bite.
The first bite made him close his eyes.
“...Mmm, oh my god.”
Keonho grinned. “Good?”
Seonghyeon nodded. “Really, really good.”
Keonho smiled, something soft and satisfied settling in his chest like a second home. “Told you it was worth the hype.”
They found an empty bench nearby, tucked away from the street. Keonho sat down first, then tugged Seonghyeon down beside him. The cold crept in the moment they stopped moving, and Keonho noticed instantly the moment the sick boy started to shiver slightly.
Without a word, he shrugged off his hoodie and draped it over Seonghyeon’s shoulders.
Seonghyeon was startled. “Keonho—”
“You’re sick, ah, Eom Seonghyeon.”
“But you’ll be cold.”
“I’m a swimmer,” Keonho clicked his tongue playfully. “I’m basically a human heater!”
Seonghyeon huffed a quiet laugh but pulled the hoodie closer anyway. Keonho watched as the boy took in a shaky breath, leaning into his side quietly, still shivering. He stiffened for a second, then relaxed, arm coming around Seonghyeon’s shoulders, pulling him closer.
Seonghyeon looked pitiful like this, sick and pliant, and so fragile. It honestly made his heart ache.
“Are you okay?” Keonho murmured.
“Mm.”
“Your head still hurt?”
“A little.”
Keonho frowned. “You should’ve told me, you stubborn idiot.”
Seonghyeon rolled his eyes. “And miss out on amazing hotteok? I think not.”
“That’s why you’re sick. You keep eating food that doesn’t let you get better!”
“Eating good food is more important.”
Keonho snorted, shaking his head. “Ahh, Eom Seonghyeon, you’re such a pain.”
“Shut up, Ahn Keonho,” Seonghyeon murmured, voice soft and hoarse. “Your voice is contributing to my headache.”
Keonho glanced down at him. Up close, Seonghyeon looked exhausted. Lashes casting faint shadows under his eyes, cheeks flushed in a way that had absolutely nothing to do with the cold. He was warm even through layers of fabric, feverish and stubborn and still somehow huggable.
His chest tightened.
Seonghyeon hummed, and took another careful bite of hotteok. Syrup dripped onto his glove, and Keonho was already reaching over, thumb swiping gently at the spill.
“You’re making a mess, Seonghyeonie.”
Seonghyeon blinked, then laughed under his breath. “Why are you acting like my mom?”
“Well, someone has to,” Keonho replied. “Since you clearly don’t take care of yourself.”
Seonghyeon leaned more of his weight against Keonho’s side, tired enough that he didn’t bother pretending otherwise. His head tipped toward Keonho’s shoulder, hovering there for a moment, hesitating, before finally resting against it.
Keonho sucked in a quiet breath. He adjusted his arm around Seonghyeon carefully, thumb rubbing slow circles against his upper arm to keep him warm. Seonghyeon sighed softly against him, the sound barely audible, so soft Keonho almost couldn’t catch it.
They sat like that for a while, sharing warmth and sugar and silence. The city moved around them, cars passing, laughter drifting by, Christmas lights blinking lazily overhead. They stayed on the bench for a good while. Keonho finished his hotteok first, and waited patiently for Seonghyeon to finish his own.
“Did it really shock them?” Seonghyeon asked out of the blue.
Keonho glanced at him. “Hm?”
“At your school,” the boy answered, chewing on his hotteok. “When you said I was your boyfriend.”
Keonho smiled faintly. “I mean, probably? A lot of them looked shocked.”
“Did I cause any trouble or rumours?”
Keonho huffed a laugh, more breath than sound. “Seonghyeon-ah, they already had rumours. They thought I had a girlfriend.”
Seonghyeon snorted. “So, you’re not upset?”
“Not even a little,” Keonho said, grinning. “Actually, I kind of liked it.”
Seonghyeon’s eyebrows knit together. “You did?”
“I liked that they saw you.” Keonho nuzzled into Seonghyeon’s hair. “That they know I’m yours.”
A faint blush crept up Seonghyeon’s neck, disappearing into the scarf. He looked away, embarrassed, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Keonho caught onto all the details instantly, and he grinned.
“...You’re cheesy,” he muttered.
Keonho laughed. “Eat your hotteok, Eom Seonghyeon.”
Seonghyeon did, but slower this time, leaning fully into Keonho’s side, eyes fluttering closed between bites. By the time he finished, he looked even more exhausted, movements sluggish, head heavy like lead against Keonho’s shoulder.
Keonho brushed his hair back gently. “We should probably head home soon.”
Seonghyeon didn’t respond.
“Seonghyeon?”
“Mm,” he hummed, eyes still closed.
Keonho smiled despite the worry blooming in his chest. “I’m walking you back.”
Seonghyeon opened one eye. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to. What if Seonghyeon passed out on his way back home alone and got taken away by bad guys? I can’t let that happen.”
Seonghyeon snorted, and nodded slowly. “Alright, alright. You can walk me home.”
Keonho grinned, and helped him stand, keeping an arm firm around his waist as they walked toward the bustling street. They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Seonghyeon spoke up again, quietly.
“I don’t really like Christmas.”
Keonho blinked, the words hanging between them. “You love Christmas food.”
“I love you,” Seonghyeon corrected. “Christmas just… doesn’t hit for me.”
“Is it because you’re sick?”
“No,” he shook his head, staring into the distance. “It’s just… the house gets lonely sometimes. The tree is up, but no one is home.”
Keonho’s chest tightened. Of course, how could he forget? Seonghyeon grew up in a rather isolated household. He had good parents who could take care of children, but careers get busy and they often get left behind.
Seonghyeon had probably been spending Christmas alone for several years already.
He shifted closer. “Then stay with me,” he said without thinking. “Next time.”
Seonghyeon slowed to a halt beside him. “Stay?”
“At my place,” Keonho continued, heart racing despite his steady voice. “Next Christmas during winter break. You can stay as long as you want.”
Seonghyeon stared at him.
“I don’t want to intrude in on your family time, though.”
“Nonsense, my parents love you.”
Seonghyeon stared at him for a long time.
“You’d really let me stay?”
Keonho smiled at him softly, with all the love he could muster.
“Why not? You’re already home when you’re with me.”
Keonho didn’t see the way Seonghyeon’s eyes burned. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Seonghyeon’s, humming quietly. They stayed like that for a short while, before Keonho quickly pulled back with a frown.
“You’re burning up, Seonghyeonie.”
“Stop ruining the sweet moment.”
“But it’s true! You’re seriously burning up right now—”
“I said stop ruining the moment,” Seonghyeon mumbled, weakly pressing his forehead back against Keonho’s shoulder.
Keonho laughed, and rubbed Seonghyeon’s back. As he looked down at the boy in his arms, he thought absently and fondly, that everyone else could believe whatever they wanted.
Ahn Keonho didn’t need a girlfriend when he had Eom Seonghyeon as the best boyfriend in the world.