Chapter Text
Seunghyun was part of the Choi family, obviously. His family has always had excessive expectations. His sister was the rebellious child, but in an effective way. She grew up passing all her classes and graduating at the top of her class in college, becoming a CEO, and having their parents leech of her money.
Seunghyun was told that, as a man, he was expected to do better then her. But he didn’t want to, he admired his sister, loved her dedication to demanding work. Plus, she never let anyone bring her down, when their father used to laugh in her face, saying that “woman can’t make big,” she told him she’d show them. And oh, did she. Now he’s leeching off her paycheque like a parasite. It sickens Seunghyun to see.
Seunghyun wanted to make money doing something he loved, and what he loved, was art.
Art and men but that’s besides the point.
So, when Seunghyun told his parents he wanted to go to an arts school for every kind of art out there. His father was an immediate no to giving Seunghyun the money, saying; “either pick an actual carrier or pay for it yourself.” But when Hyeyoon gave him fifty million won and asked if it was enough. Seunghyun almost cried he was so happy.
With that amount of money he could go to the best art school there is in Seoul. And obviously he did.
The first day Seunghyun was there he met his roommate. Youngbae.
—
Seunghyun walked into the dorm room, dragging his luggage behind him, he was hoping to get a dorm room by himself, but well, that ship has sailed. He glanced around the room, two desks beside each other, two beds across from each other.
The bed and desk on the far end already had shit on it, plain black sheets with chips scattered across it, headphone sitting on the pillow, a charger plugged in at the desk, a notebook open with plenty of doodles on the cluttered table. He glanced at the wall, a poster for the band, BIGBANG.
Wait. This guy likes Bigbang? Huh… maybe they will get along.
Seunghyun sighed, walking up to the empty bed and tossing his luggage on the end of it. He dropped down onto the bed, god, this bed was small. Curse his long limbs…
The sound of the door opening and loud laughter made Seunghyun groan, burying his face into his hands.
He changed his mind again. He’s not gonna like this guy.
He peeked out through his hands, watching an average height male with white bleached—and completely dead—hair walk in with a slightly taller one, slightly longer, wavy brown hair.
The shorter one looked down at Seunghyun, “yo, are you my roommate or a burglar?” A lazy nod from Seunghyun had the shorter male reach his hand out, Seunghyun took it for a moment before pulling away, “I’m Youngbae”—he nodded towards the taller male beside him—“this is Daesung. Pleasure to meet you!” He said as he walked over to the cluttered desk, grabbing something probably—Seunghyun didn’t care enough to look.
Seunghyun sat up slowly, looking at the two males, “Seunghyun.” He said flatly.
Daesung smiled, tilting his head slightly, “don’t worry we won’t be here long. Just coming to grab his laptop.” Youngbae walked up beside him, “seems like we’re off, bye Seunghyun.” Daesung said with a small wave as he walked towards the door.
Youngbae smiled, bowing his head for a moment, “bye Seunghyun.” Then the two left
Seunghyun set up his stuff after they left, putting dark blue sheets on the bed and his laptop, sketchbooks, pencils, and paint markers on the desk. Putting clothes in the drawers under his bed and the closet beside his desk. Keeping everything organized. Seunghyun loves organization.
About an hour later, Seunghyun left the room to go figure out the campus. Maybe get a coffee while he’s at it. He has two days, today and tomorrow, until his classes start. So might as well map out everything he can on the campus.
Seunghyun was looking down at his phone, trying to figure out where the fuck he is when he ran right into someone.
Seunghyun stumbled back, his glasses falling down his nose. He groaned, fixing his glasses and opening his eyes. A shorter male was turning to face him, platinum blonde hair, and… great fashion sense, damn.
“Oh sorry.” Seunghyun said quietly, “you ok…?” he muttered, the man turned to face him.
He looked older than him but still had annoyingly smooth skin. Shorter, but still managing a sharp look on his face that made Seunghyun nervous, plump rosy lips with dark eyeshadow. He looked like… an agitated cat. Yet it… suited him? The annoyance in his expression. It … complimented his face.
The man sighed softly, “Kwon Jiyong.” He said flatly, hand out, “I’m taking it you’re a new student?” He tilted his head.
Seunghyun reached up shakily, taking the man’s hand and shaking it, he could feel the heat on his cheeks. This man was beautiful.
“If you’re lost. The primary office is right over there.” Jiyong pointed to a building across the flowery path they were currently on.
Seunghyun nodded, “u-uh— thanks… Jiyong.”
“Kwon to you. Mr Kwon.”
Mr Kwon? Weirdly formal.
“Uh, right,” Seunghyun bowed, “thank you Mr Kwon.” He shifted awkwardly as he straightened up, “I… am going to go now.” He managed a shaky smile before practically sprinting away towards the building that was supposedly the head office.
That was so awkward. The one time Seunghyun finds a man that makes his body physically react and he acts like a scared bunny. Ugh.
Now, Seunghyun doesn’t know if he killed an emperor or some shit in his past life. But what the hell did he do to deserve this?? After Seunghyun spoke to the secretary at the office and she pointed out all the main places in the campus—including a cafe—he obviously went for a coffee.
He was in line at the counter when he heard a gasp from the corner of the cafe, he ignored it—he doesn’t even know anyone who goes here. So, he just kept his music playing in his one earbud, waiting for the person in front of him to finish.
He took a step forward after they moved, ordering a plain coffee. But sadly, an arm stamped around his shoulder, making Seunghyun tense immediately.
Until a voice he wished he didn’t recognize said beside him, “hey, whatever he ordered? On me.” Youngbae huffed, the waitress nodded and Youngbae took out his card to pay.
Seunghyun stayed quiet, muttering a half hearted; “thanks…” as Daesung stepped beside Youngbae.
“Hey hyung.” Daesung smiled to Seunghyun. Hyung? How the hell does Daesung know how old he is. Oh,, oh wait the school gives you information about your roommate… Youngbae probably looked at his info with him.
“Hey,, Daesung.” Seunghyun muttered awkwardly, “nice… running into you guys.”
Daesung smiled, he had this smile that made Seunghyun feel weirdly comfortable even in public situations, “awe, thanks. You too, you seem nice,” He tilted his head, looking at Youngbae as he stepped back from paying, “you want to come with us back to Youngbaes dorm?”
Seunghyun was already planning to go to the dorm. But with them? People he barely knows… sigh. “Yeah, sounds great.” He managed a smile, his music still playing in one ear.
He was so thankful for that music, it was the only thing actually keeping him from crying about needing to talk to people.
After Seunghyun grabbed his coffee the walk to the dorm was silent. Well, not actually. As much as he wished it could’ve been a silent walk, it was only silent on Seunghyun’s side, he was just staying quiet as Youngbae and Daesung did most of the talking. He maybe said tiny things here and there. But he was basically silent the whole time.
When they got back to the dorm Youngbaes whistled as he jumped down onto his bed, “damn your side is cleaner than mine.” He hummed.
Daesung laid down on Youngbaes bed too, like he was comfortable enough not to ask.
Seunghyun’s never been like that, even when he gets to know someone or is even their friend he asks for permission for everything.
“Can I lay down?”
“Am I able to grab a water bottle?”
“May I grab something from the fridge?”
Seunghyun finds it rude to not ask first. Unless it’s something simple like, “excuse me, I need to go to the washroom.” Then he thinks it’s polite to ask first.
But thats probably because of how he grew up. His father would yell at him if he went through the fridge without asking or stayed late after school for a club.
He made Seunghyun leave the art club in high school because he didn’t ask he if could join it beforehand. God. That really hurt Seunghyun. He didn’t talk to his parents for the rest of the week, only his sister. God, he misses her.
“You know Hyung.” Daesung hummed, tilting his head as Seunghyun snapped out of his thoughts, turning on his bed to look at Daesung who was now sitting on Youngbaes bed, “you’re a quiet guy.” He smiled.
Youngbae nodded in agreement, sitting up straight, “you really are. Lost in your thoughts?” He asked simply.
Seunghyun stayed quiet for a bit, “I guess I can be.” He shrugged, looking down at his hands in his lap, music still quietly playing in his earbud, “I think I just got used to not speaking, and being alone. I like being alone so I’m not mad.”
Youngbae clicked his tongue, “and they put you in a two person dorm? What assholes.” He hissed quietly, “Daesung and I physically can’t be quiet when we’re together. Want us to leave?”
Daesung nodded, “he’s not wrong. Though I guess you have been with us since the cafe.”
Youngbae snickered, “Oh! Remember that guy sitting in the corner with his shirt on inside out?”
Daesung snorted, “yes! How could I forget?” He laughed, “his shirt was literally just a—“
“Yes.” Seunghyun interrupted, “it would be lovely if you two left.” He muttered softly, now laying on his bed, arms behind his head and glasses on the bedside table.
“Oh, yeah sure man.” Youngbae muttered awkwardly.
The two left quickly.
Seunghyun sighed, closing his eyes, just until Monday. Tomorrow he can do more organizing, maybe draw a bit, sleep, call his sister at some point probably. Yeah. Yeah, he’ll be fine.
The next day went exactly how he hoped. Every so often Youngbae would come in to grab something or just stay on his bed for a bit, most of the times he came in with Daesung. They would say hi and Seunghyun would reply with a nod or wave if he was busy, if not he would actually reply.
Then Monday came by, and Seunghyun had his first class of the day in the morning, music. He loved music, he practically poured his soul into his lyrics when he wrote.
Music class, he was surprisingly cheerful after that class. His teacher was a sweet, slightly older lady who had a passion for what she taught, it made Seunghyun like her more.
After music class, that evening Seunghyun had art history. He wasn’t as excited for it as he was for his other classes. But he was still happy to learn more about art.
Tuesday Seunghyun didn’t have class, so that day he just did chores. Bought food, did laundry, organized his room again, spoke with Youngbae a bit, said hi to Daesung a few times. He called his sister again complaining about how messy his roommate is for almost an hour, she just laughed and nodded along.
Then it was Wednesday, he had photography class in the morning.
Oh… oh Seunghyun will never forget his first photography class on Wednesday.
He stepped in early like he did for his other classes. Going to the back of the class so he doesn’t draw much attention to himself.
He pulled out his laptop, looking at photos he took a few years ago. He was hoping to get on the teacher's good side if he shows him these. He’s heard the teacher is stern and a hard grader from Youngbae. But Seunghyun is a teacher's pet, and he plans to keep that title.
Seunghyun was watching the door to the room like a hawk, the second the teacher walks in Seunghyun’s going to flaunt the photos even his father said looked good and earn the teacher's respect.
Seunghyun saw a face he recognized walk in, that shorter guy, the one with platinum hair. What was his name again? Jiyong. Kwon Jiyong. The guy who made Seunghyun call him… Mr Kwon. Still weird specially since their probably only like a year or two apart.
Seunghyun shook it off, looking back at the door, until he saw Jiyong go to the teacher's desk. Seunghyun’s brows furrowed, “should you be going into the teachers desk?” He asked, loud enough for the shorter male to hear him.
Jiyong looked up at Seunghyun with the same sharp eyes as before that made Seunghyun nervous for speaking up. “Well,” Jiyong said flatly, reaching down and grabbing the protector’s remote from the desk, “unless you don’t want to be taught anything,” he turned on the projector with a click of the remote, “I think it’d be best if I did.”
Seunghyuns burned a deep red when he realized what Jiyong meant by that. He shrunk backwards into his chair, so thankful only a few students were in class so far. So… now he knows why Jiyong wanted him to call him Mr Kwon… oh… that is so fucking embarrassing.
But Jiyong looked so young to be a teacher at a college. The man must be really good in photography, specially since he’s known as a hard grader and stern teacher. Though Seunghyun didn’t need to be told he was stern, just that sharp gaze he has makes Seunghyun whimper out of fear.
A few minutes later the class started to fill with students.
When the clock hit nine, Jiyong began to speak—Seunghyun managed to look in Jiyong's direction without mentally combusting, “hello class. I’m Kwon Jiyong, but you will call me Mr Kwon. I will be your teacher for this semester and next semester depending on what you took,” he stepped to his desk and put a slideshow on the screen, it was information about the class, “because of situations last year with a student trying to get into romantic relations with me, I am obligated by the school to give you this information so you don’t grow feelings. I am thirty-seven, and not interested, if I do go into a romantic relationship with a student, I will be fired and the student will be expelled from the school.”
What the hell could’ve that student have done? Yeah, Jiyong was an attractive man. But going after a teacher? Specially one as strict and scary as Jiyong? Maybe it was their kink or something. Eh… Seungyun doesn’t want to think about that.
Jiyong continued, “now that that’s over with,” he turned to the slideshow on the screen, still a screen of the different things they’d do in the class, “welcome to my class. I will have you know, I’m known for being quite strict, you heard the rumours correctly. Now I wouldn’t say that I grade unfairly, because I don’t, but if you don’t do as I ask then you won’t get the marks you want so badly.”
Jiyong spoke a lot that lecture, but the second it was over Seunghyun grabbed his stuff, putting it into his bag and going up to him to apologize.
Jiyong was turning off the projector when Seunghyun stepped up to the desk, “yes?” Jiyong said simply as he placed the projectors remote down on his desk again, looking at Seunghyun with that sharp gaze that makes Seunghyun swallow subconsciously—this man is terrifying for such a small package—fidgeting in his spot.
“I just—“ Seunghyun hung his head, “I feel horrible for what I said, I just… you looked so much younger than I expected a teacher rumoured to be stern to look like…” he scratched the back of his neck, looking away, “I was thinking like… short old man with grey hair,” he fixed his glasses subconsciously.
Jiyong rose a brow to Seunghyun, “you’re the kid who ran into me in the garden right?” Jiyong crossed his arms.
“Yes sir, that was me.” Seunghyun nodded, shifting in his spot uncomfortably again.
Jiyong watched Seunghyun for a moment, like he was studying him, “you looked embarrassed earlier. I’m sorry. But it was very disrespectful of you.”
Seunghyun winced, bowing at a full ninety degree angle, “I’m terribly sorry Mr Kwon,” he whimpered, straightening up.
“It’s fine,” Jiyong sighed, like he was tired of the conversation, “just as I said at the end of class, you may email me a few photos you’ve taken if you’d wish for my criticism.” He hummed as he sat in his desk.
Seunghyun nodded eagerly like the teachers pet he was, “y-yes! I would love for you to critique my work!” He grinned like a dork, “have a good rest of your day Mr Kwon.” Then he was leaving with a small wave. Jiyong didn’t respond to him, Seunghyun isn’t mad or anything, the guy is probably busy.
Seunghyun was sitting at his desk that night like a puppy with its tail between its legs, chewing on his nails as he waited nervously for Jiyong to reply to his email. It was almost midnight, Youngbae was passed out on his bed, and the only light in the room was the light from Seunghyuns laptop as he stared at the ‘received mail’ box, refreshing every second just to see exactly when his teacher would reply to his photos. He sent the ones he liked the most, the ones even his family acknowledged as good, and one photo of his sister he took when he needed a model that she hung in her room after asking for Seunghyun to sign it, saying, “I’ll be your first fan before your rich and famous.” She always said with a comforting wink.
Seunghyun clicked on Jiyong's email replying to his right when he saw it, he read Jiyong’s answer with wide eyes.
“Dear student,
The photos taken were very well organized and detailed, but I wouldn’t call it professional worthy. In this class we are going for the best we can do, staying within the rules while also learning to break out of the normal photography you see.
My favourite piece of advice; find a muse, something to give you ideas when your out of them.
But Seunghyun, not as a critique, the photo of the woman on the beach was my favourite.”
Seunghyun stared at the reply for a moment too long, the silence in the room stretching. Break out of the norm… Seunghyun can do that… yeah… yeah, it’s not like his entire life was spent with parents trying to make him perfect and like everyone else, clean, and organized.
Oh god. This class will be very out of his comfort zone.