Archive of Our Own

"Hao hyung, let’s go watch the basketball players’ practice!" Taerae excitedly suggested during the break.

"Why the hell would I want to watch a bunch of guys who probably can't even spell their own names?" Hao replied, adjusting his large-framed glasses before taking a sip of his durian juice.

"Matthew can spell his own name!" Taerae retorted, offended.

"You're so pathetic for him, lowering yourself like that," Hao remarked with a disdainful smile.

"I heard Hanbin’s going to be there," Taerae added casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal — though he knew very well the impact his words would have on Hao.

"What?" Hao froze mid-action — the tuna sandwich forgotten in his hand, and the durian juice cup nearly slipping from his fingers. His large-framed glasses slid slightly down his nose, a result of the shock. Hanbin. Sweet Hanbin.

Hanbin, who wouldn’t hurt a fly, always so kind to everyone. Hanbin, so bright and smart, always competing with Hao for the top spot in class. For anyone else, that rivalry might be intense, but for Hao, it was one of his favorite things. It was the perfect excuse to talk to Hanbin — to see him approach with flushed cheeks, congratulating him with that shy smile and those adorable dimples whenever Hao came in first. And when Hanbin won, Hao got to do the same, just to hear that sweet, nervous voice saying thanks.

But Hanbin... among those basketball-playing troglodytes? It made no sense. None of it did.

"This doesn’t make sense. You’re lying just to trick me into going with you," Hao shot back, eyeing Taerae with suspicion.

"Maybe," Taerae replied with a teasing grin. "But do you really want to take that risk?"

Hao felt the urge to wipe that smug smile off his face. But what if... just maybe... Hanbin really was going to be there? The thought of Hanbin, so out of place, sitting in the bleachers or — worse — interacting with the players made Hao uneasy.

"Fine, I’ll go. But only because I have nothing better to do," Hao said, trying to sound disinterested as he pushed the rest of his tuna sandwich aside.

Taerae grinned like he’d just won the lottery. **"I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist."

"Don’t get too excited, Taerae. If Hanbin’s not there, you’re going to regret dragging me into this." Hao adjusted his glasses, trying to regain his composure.

They headed toward the court. Along the way, Hao spotted a few members of the basketball team, which only deepened his suspicion that Taerae was making it all up. Still, he kept walking, determined to go just so he could call Taerae out and rub it in his face that it had all been a ridiculous lie.

When they arrived at the court, Hao barely had time to reinforce his annoyance with Taerae. His eyes immediately found Hanbin, standing in the middle of the court next to Matthew, and any thought of confronting his friend vanished in an instant.

"I told you, didn’t I?" Taerae teased, flashing a mischievous smile that made Hao want to slap it off his face.

"What is he doing here?" Hao muttered to himself, ignoring Taerae as he climbed the bleachers in search of a spot with the best view. The place was empty, which made it easy to choose the perfect place to watch Hanbin without interruptions.

There he was, wearing his usual glasses and the P.E. uniform: dark blue shorts and a white polo shirt with the school crest and blue details. Hao froze. It was the first time he had seen Hanbin wearing the P.E. uniform. Neither of them attended practical classes, and Hanbin always wore long pants even on the hottest days.

It was almost ridiculous how much of an impact that sight had on Hao. He felt like a Victorian man seeing a lady’s ankle for the first time. But in his case, it was Sung Hanbin’s legs. And what beautiful legs, by the way.

"Hao hyung, be more subtle. You’re practically drooling, and they’re going to notice," Taerae said mockingly, nudging Hao’s shoulder.

Hao blinked, realizing with a mix of horror and embarrassment that his mouth was slightly open. He tried to cover it with his hand, but that didn’t help much. He still wanted to keep staring at Hanbin.

Hao watched Hanbin closely, recognizing the familiar signs of nervousness. Hanbin’s shoulders were slightly slouched, his fingers fidgeted with each other, and his leg bounced with an anxious rhythm. It was exactly how he acted during the rare times they spoke, even though they were in the same class.

With Matthew, it was different. Hanbin somehow seemed more at ease. The tension was still there, but not as obvious as when he was around Hao. That stirred an odd discomfort in Hao — a feeling he couldn’t deny: jealousy.

He wanted Hanbin to feel that comfortable around him, relaxed and natural, instead of that shy nervousness that always brought a blush to his cheeks and made his gaze hesitant. On the other hand, Hao adored that shy version of Hanbin, that unique and sweet demeanor he reserved for their interactions. Still, Hanbin’s closeness to Matthew bothered him.

Matthew said something to Hanbin — Hao couldn’t catch what it was, but he saw the immediate effect. Hanbin straightened his shoulders, as if gathering courage, and looked directly at the spot where Hao was sitting. The gesture was brief, but Hao noticed it, and it caught him completely off guard.

The reaction seemed to encourage Matthew, who patted Hanbin’s back before picking up the basketball.

Matthew began dribbling the ball slowly, as if explaining to Hanbin how to do it. After a while, he passed the ball to Hanbin, who caught it clumsily and began dribbling it himself. It was obvious he had no idea how to play. The ball slipped from his hands now and then, but Hanbin kept going, determined, while Matthew maintained an encouraging smile.

They continued passing the ball back and forth, and little by little, Hanbin began to gain confidence. When Matthew started shooting the ball into the basket, making several shots in a row, Taerae couldn’t help himself and cheered loudly with every basket.

"Stop screaming in my ear, you flamboyant idiot!" Hao complained, turning to Taerae and speaking loudly in retaliation. Taerae, of course, completely ignored him, with the same provoking grin as always.

On the court, Matthew said something to Hanbin, who nodded with a determined sparkle in his eyes. He threw the ball to Hanbin, who caught it with both hands. Then, in a strangely awkward move, Hanbin jumped with his legs spread and attempted a shot.

The ball missed the basket by far and flew toward the bleachers, drawing a wild arc through the air. Hao didn’t even have time to react. The last thing he saw was the ball coming straight at him, followed by the shouts around him, before everything went black.

Hanbin felt his soul leave his body. No, this couldn't be happening. He hadn’t just hit the love of his life with a ball. No, no, no!

His heart was racing, and heat rushed to his face in a blush so intense it felt like his head might explode. He ran toward the bleachers where Hao was lying.

Matthew called out to him, trying to say something, but Hanbin was blinded by panic. He reached Hao's side and quickly knelt down.

“H-Hao gege! Are you okay? Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to, I—” Hanbin stammered, his voice trembling with desperation as he gently shook Hao’s arm. The words came out so jumbled they barely made sense, but the urgency in his eyes was unmistakable.

Beside them, Taerae was nearly falling over laughing, doubled up with amusement. “Dude, you knocked out Hao hyung with a shot. I’m never getting over this!”

“SHUT UP, TAERAE!” Hanbin shouted, his voice higher-pitched than he meant. It wasn’t anger—just pure panic. His face, already red with embarrassment, looked like it was about to explode.

He turned back to Hao, who remained still, his glasses slightly askew on his face. The lack of reaction only heightened Hanbin’s fear. What if he had actually hurt him? What if... he had killed him?!

Panic grew with every second, and something inside Hanbin just snapped. With a strength he didn’t know he had, he leaned in and picked Hao up in his arms, bridal style, carefully.

“Hanbin, what are you doing?!” Taerae asked, his laughter dying instantly at the sight.

Matthew stood frozen, holding a basketball like time had stopped. Hanbin didn’t even see him there.

“I’m taking him to the nurse’s office!” Hanbin replied, voice resolute but still trembling. His arms held Hao firmly, and he was already rushing down the hallway.

“You know he’s just unconscious, right?!” Taerae tried to argue, but Hanbin didn’t hear a word. Panic had clouded everything.

Matthew looked at Taerae, smiling. “I think our plan was a success.”

Taerae shrugged, still processing what had just happened. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go, but it might work out in the end. “Wanna go out tonight?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Of course, babe.” Matthew dropped the basketball and pulled Taerae by the waist, kissing him.

Meanwhile, Hanbin marched on with determined steps, ignoring the confused stares of the other students. The few who saw him pass stopped and stared, jaws dropping, trying to make sense of why Sung Hanbin, the model student, was carrying Zhang Hao in his arms like a scene out of a drama. The only thought running through his mind was: “Hao gege, please be okay. I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to you.”

When he finally reached the nurse’s office, Hanbin kicked the door open, causing a loud bang that made the nurse jump in her chair.

“What’s going on here?” she asked, raising her eyebrows at the sight of Hanbin and Hao.

“Hao! He got hit by a ball... and fainted... and I...” Hanbin panted, trying to explain as he gently placed Hao on the infirmary bed.

The nurse, already used to the students’ exaggerated dramas, assessed the situation calmly. “Let me take a look.” She approached and checked Hao’s vital signs.

Meanwhile, Hanbin stood by the bed, nervously wringing his hands. He couldn’t take his eyes off Hao, who still appeared unconscious.

“Is he going to be okay?” Hanbin asked, his voice thin and trembling.

The nurse nodded. “He just fainted. Probably from the impact. I’ll apply a cold compress to help with the swelling, and he should wake up soon.”

As the nurse walked away to get what she needed, Hanbin sat down in a chair near the bed, his heart heavy with guilt. He looked at Hao, whose face was swollen and glasses crooked on his face. The sight alone was enough to bring tears to his eyes. How could he do this? How could he be so stupid as to listen to Matthew’s advice?

“Nerds love basketball players,” Matthew had said with a smug smile. And Hanbin believed him. He believed it because he desperately wanted Hao to notice him. And now, Hao probably hated him. Not that he could blame him.

A tear slid down Hanbin’s cheek, and he didn’t try to stop it. He didn’t know if he could handle Hao hating him. Hao, his great crush.

Hanbin closed his eyes and remembered the first time he saw Hao. He used to be the top student in class—until the day a foreigner with an adorable accent and pink hair showed up and turned everything upside down. The other students expected a rivalry between the two of them, but for Hanbin, it was the opposite. He loved Hao.

He loved how Hao personalized his uniform with little accessories that made it cuter. He loved the freckles on his face—damn, he even loved the way his retainer showed when he smiled, and how his cheeks lifted with it. He wanted to be the reason for that smile.

Hanbin loved Hao’s voice, especially when he said his name to congratulate him for getting first place, or when he thanked him with that sweet, unassuming tone. He wished he were braver, someone interesting enough for Hao to truly look at. But Hao was too amazing. He would never notice someone as pathetic as Hanbin.

And now, after almost seriously hurting Hao, that chance was gone forever. The tears wouldn’t stop falling.

He took Hao’s hand in his, brought it to his face, and started to whimper:

“I’m sorry, Hao gege... I’m so sorry... I’m such an idiot, I didn’t mean to... Please forgive me...”

Hanbin sobbed as he murmured his apologies. He knew Hao deserved someone better, someone who would never hurt him. He wished he could somehow undo everything.

Hao began to feel his consciousness slowly return. Pain throbbed in his head, like he’d taken a hard hit—which, incidentally, was exactly what had happened. He let out a small groan, trying to open his eyes, but the light was too bright, forcing him to shut them again.

He felt something warm in one of his hands. A soft, hesitant touch. He tried to focus on that, ignoring the pain. Slowly, he began to distinguish a nearby sound, broken and muffled.

"I'm sorry, Hao gege... I'm such an idiot... I didn't mean to... Please, forgive me..."

Hanbin.

Hao opened his eyes slowly, blinking until he got used to the brightness. His eyes focused first on the figure hunched over beside him. Hanbin was holding his hand, pressing it against his face, and tears were freely streaming down his cheeks.

"Hanbin?" Hao managed to murmur, his voice hoarse and low.

Hanbin froze. He lifted his head slowly, eyes wide and red from crying so much. "H-Hao gege! You're awake! Oh my god, are you okay? Does it hurt a lot? I'm sorry, please, I'm so sorry!"

Hao’s head still throbbed, but the sight of Hanbin so distressed made him forget it for a moment. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit him, forcing him to lie back down.

"Hey, easy..." Hao managed to say, his voice still weak. "I'm alive, aren't I? So just relax a little..."

Hanbin sniffled again, tears still running down his face as he tried to say something, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. Hao watched him, his chest tightening at the sight of the boy who always seemed so sweet and gentle now falling apart in front of him.

"Hanbin, it’s not your fault," Hao said, his voice firmer now, even though his head still pounded. "I should’ve dodged the ball, but I couldn’t."

"No, gege," Hanbin immediately replied, his voice an octave higher, full of desperation. "There was no way you could’ve dodged the ball! I was careless, I almost killed you!" The tears came back in full force, streaming from Hanbin’s eyes as he shook his head over and over. "I don’t even deserve your forgiveness!"

"Bin-ah..." The nickname slipped from Hao's lips before he could think. He noticed Hanbin flinch slightly at hearing it, his tear-filled eyes locking onto Hao’s as if he had imagined it.

Hao's heart clenched even more. How could Hanbin think he didn’t deserve forgiveness, when he hadn’t done anything wrong? Hao wanted desperately to wipe those tears away, to kiss every single one until they were gone, until Hanbin smiled again.

"I'm okay," Hao said softly, trying to reassure him. "Do you really think a ball to the head is enough to take me down that easily?" He tried to smile, though he could tell it probably came out more awkward than he intended. Still, he wanted Hanbin to understand that he was fine, that there was nothing to forgive.

Hanbin blinked a few times, as if trying to process what he had just heard. He still looked uncertain, as if trapped in the guilt that consumed him, but the sound of "Bin-ah" echoed in his mind, almost distracting him entirely from his own despair.

Hao noticed and decided to take advantage of it. “You worry too much,” he said, gently squeezing the hand Hanbin was still holding. “I’m here, right? That means nothing serious happened. So please... stop crying.”

Hanbin sniffled again, still hesitant, but nodded slowly. Tears still shimmered in his eyes, but now there was something else there — a small spark of relief.

"Gege, I’ll do anything to make it up to you," Hanbin said, and Hao thought about denying it, about telling him there was nothing to make up for — but an idea crossed his mind.

“Anything?” Hao raised an eyebrow despite the pain. He couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. “That’s a dangerous thing to say, Hanbin...”

Hanbin pressed his lips together, visibly nervous, but didn’t let go of Hao’s hand. In fact, he gripped it even tighter, as if determined to prove his sincerity. “I want to make it right, gege,” he said, firmly.

Hanbin’s gaze was so intense that Hao felt a wave of heat spread through his chest. Maybe that hit to the head had been stronger than he thought, because the words that slipped from his lips came before he had time to think.

“Go out with me.”

The silence that followed was almost deafening. Hanbin froze, eyes wide, his breath caught in his throat. The heat in his face seemed to have reached unbearable levels, his cheeks burning bright red. His throat was dry, and he felt like he had to be hearing things. Maybe he was dreaming. That had to be it.

“I... what?” Hanbin finally managed to stammer, his voice barely audible.

“Go out with me,” Hao repeated, slower this time, his throat dry and his mind already rehearsing all the possible excuses in case the answer was no. He could blame the blow to the head, say he wasn’t in his right mind. But Hanbin had said he’d do anything...

Hanbin blinked rapidly, trying to process, and then — as if a dam had burst — the words tumbled out in rushed stammers: “Y-yes, yes, yes!”

He seemed just as nervous as he was excited, his hand trembling as he gripped Hao’s tightly, like he was afraid Hao might change his mind. Hanbin’s face was even redder now, but his eyes shone with something so genuine that Hao felt all the tension melt away.

A wave of relief washed over Hao. The nervousness was replaced by something warmer, a feeling he couldn’t quite describe, but he knew it was right.

“First, my face needs to stop swelling,” Hao said, breaking the silence with a lightness that made Hanbin’s heart race even faster.

“I’ll help you, gege, don’t worry,” Hanbin replied immediately, his voice full of determination despite the shy tone.

Hao raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’re making a lot of promises, Hanbin.”

Hanbin opened his mouth to respond, his face growing even redder. He wanted to say he’d be willing to promise much more — that he’d do anything to stay by Hao’s side — but he held the words back before they slipped out.

Before he could respond, the door opened and the nurse entered again. “Ah, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice firm but gentle as she held a compress in her hands.

The startled reaction from both of them was almost comical. Hanbin jumped in his chair, quickly letting go of Hao’s hands like they’d been caught doing something wrong. Hao blinked a few times, trying to appear more awake and in control than he actually was.

“I think I’m okay,” Hao answered, his voice slightly hoarse, while Hanbin looked away, clearly flustered.

The nurse approached, examining Hao’s face with a clinical gaze. “Well, the swelling doesn’t look too bad, but you should keep this compress on for a while.”

She handed the compress to Hanbin, who took it like it was the most important task of his life. “You can help apply this to his face while I prepare something for the pain.”

“Yes, of course!” Hanbin replied quickly, his hands trembling slightly as he moved closer to Hao again.

Hao carefully removed his glasses, placing them on the table next to the bed so they wouldn’t get in the way, revealing his full face without them for the first time. Hanbin felt the air leave his lungs. He wasn’t prepared for that.

Hanbin held the compress so tightly that his fingers hurt. It was like the world had slowed down around him, every detail of Hao’s face now etched into his mind. Without his glasses, Hao looked different — softer, more... adorable. His eyes were slightly squinted as he tried to focus, and Hanbin felt that he was officially unable to deal with it.

“Hanbin?” Hao’s voice broke through his daydream. “Is something wrong?” He blinked, squinting to adjust his blurry vision.

Oh God, Hanbin thought, how is he this adorable? How does he look even more adorable without glasses, squinting like that? I am not your strongest soldier, I can’t handle this!

“Hanbin?” Hao called again, concern tinting his voice. “I can do this if it’s too much for you.” He reached for his glasses, assuming Hanbin was uncomfortable.

The gesture snapped Hanbin out of his thoughts. “N-no, gege!” he said quickly, stuttering. “I... I’m fine! Sorry! I’ll do it, don’t worry!”

Hao hesitated for a moment but then relaxed, allowing Hanbin to adjust the compress. Hanbin leaned carefully, getting closer to Hao’s face than ever before. His fingers were still trembling, but he adjusted the compress with the utmost care, as if Hao were made of glass.

Meanwhile, Hao, without his glasses, could barely see Hanbin’s expression, which frustrated him a little. He wanted to see his face clearly. Is Hanbin making that adorable pout he does when he’s focused? Are his long eyelashes as beautiful up close as they seem from afar?

Even though his vision was blurry, Hao noticed Hanbin’s cheeks were still flushed. That tiny detail was enough to make Hao’s heart race faster.

“Is... is it hurting?” Hanbin asked, his voice soft, almost a whisper.

Hao shook his head, a small smile appearing. “You’re doing great, Hanbin. I think I don’t need anything else... besides you to take care of this.”

The compress almost slipped from Hanbin’s hands. His face instantly burned, and he had to look away, focusing on some random spot on the wall, as if it suddenly became the most fascinating thing in the world. He felt like he might set the world record for blushing the longest.

“Gege, don’t say things like that all of a sudden...” he murmured, but didn’t have the courage to let go of the compress.

Hao chuckled softly, a gentle sound that made Hanbin’s heart skip a beat. “Sorry, it was just the truth.”

Hanbin took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his chest. He looked away again but couldn’t stop himself from sneaking a quick glance at Hao’s face.

“Gege...” Hanbin started, but the word got stuck in his throat. He wanted to say something — anything that could express how he felt in that moment. But how could he put into words the chaos of nervousness, admiration, and that unmistakable warmth taking over him?

“Hmm?” Hao responded, tilting his head slightly, waiting patiently.

Hanbin shook his head, his eyes returning to the compress. “Nothing... just... it’s nice to hear your voice.”

This time, it was Hao who felt his face heat up and the air leave his lungs. Hanbin couldn’t say that to him when he couldn’t even see Hanbin’s face properly. Hanbin was so focused on the compress that if he hadn’t been, he would have seen how red Hao’s face was because of him. Hao raised his slightly trembling hand, touching the one Hanbin was using to hold the compress. The touch was gentle, but enough to make Hanbin freeze in place. “Thank you for being here.”

Hanbin felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room. He opened his mouth, trying to formulate a response — maybe a thank you, perhaps more apologies, or even an "I love you" that was floating lost in his thoughts. Anything. But before he could say anything, the door opened again.

“Boys, I need you to leave now. I have other patients to attend to. Let me take another look at your face,” the nurse said, entering with a gentle but firm tone.

Hanbin quickly stepped back, almost tripping over his own feet as he released the compress. His face was on fire again, and he murmured softly, “I’d do this as many times as you need, gege...”

The sentence slipped out in a whisper so low that it was swallowed by the ambient noise in the room. Neither Hao nor the nurse heard it. Hanbin, however, felt the weight of what he had just said and clenched his fists by his sides as he stepped back, giving space for the nurse to approach.

The nurse leaned over Hao, carefully observing his swollen face while adjusting the compress. “Your face will be de-swelling soon,” she informed him in a professional tone. “Use cold compresses regularly, and I’ll prescribe painkillers if the pain gets worse, as well as an ointment. If the symptoms persist for more than a few days, I recommend seeking further medical attention.”

She finished examining Hao’s face and, without wasting time, began filling out a prescription. Hao, still a little dazed and confused by everything that had happened, put his glasses back on and watched the nurse silently. But in his mind, he couldn’t stop thinking about Hanbin and the flustered, adorable way he pulled back.

Hanbin, for his part, was leaning against one of the walls in the office, trying to regain control of his breathing and, above all, calm his racing heart. Why did he have to say that? Why did Hao have to be so perfect, even with a bruised face? He felt his cheeks burn again.

When the nurse finally finished, she turned to Hao with the prescription in hand. “All set, you can take this to any pharmacy,” she said, handing over the paper. She then glanced at Hanbin, noticing his restless expression. “You look more nervous than he does,” she commented with a slight smile.

Hanbin just let out a nervous laugh, shaking his head. “I’m fine, just... worried.”

The nurse raised an amused eyebrow. “I see. Well, if you’re so worried, keep an eye on him to make sure he takes care of himself, okay?”

Hanbin nodded vigorously, as if he had just been given a life-or-death mission. “I’ll do that, don’t worry.”

The nurse chuckled softly, already preparing to leave. “Alright, boys, I really need you to clear the room now.”

Hao started to get up from the bed, moving carefully, but before he could make any real effort, Hanbin immediately stepped away from the wall where he had been leaning and rushed to help him.

“Gege, let me help you,” Hanbin said, carefully holding Hao’s arm, as if he might break with the slightest jolt.

Hao, though he didn’t need help, gladly accepted. Hanbin’s touch felt more comforting than anything he could have asked for in that moment. He allowed Hanbin to support him as he got up, a subtle smile forming on his lips.

“Thank you, Hanbin,” Hao murmured, his warm tone making Hanbin’s heart race again.

“C-course, gege. It’s the least I can do,” Hanbin replied, trying not to sound too affected, though his face betrayed any attempt at composure.

As they left the room, the corridor seemed strangely quiet, only the soft sound of their footsteps echoing. Hanbin still kept his hand on Hao’s arm, as if he were afraid he might collapse at any moment, even though he knew Hao was fine.

Hao, for his part, didn’t comment on Hanbin’s excessive concern. He was more than content to enjoy the moment, feeling comfortable with the attention. It was rare for him to feel so cared for, and Hanbin made it seem so natural, as if it were the most important thing in the world to him.

“H-Hanbin,” Hao called as they walked down the empty corridor. Hanbin responded with a murmur, indicating that he was listening.

“I’m sorry I made you miss your class,” Hao said, his lips forming a small pout. He looked around, confirming the corridors were deserted. Classes had already started, and he felt that the gym teacher, who was always picky, would scold them both, assuming he even let them in. This teacher loved the basketball players and only tolerated the rest of the class — especially Hanbin and Hao, who got high enough grades to avoid the practical classes.

“N-no, gege. It’s fine,” Hanbin replied quickly, almost desperately. “I had to help you, I don’t mind.”

Hao stopped walking and turned to face Hanbin, a serious expression softened by the adorable pout on his lips. “You say that, but I don’t want you to miss important things because of me.”

Hanbin also stopped, surprised by the change in tone. He shook his head firmly, eyes determined. “Gege, I would never consider helping you as anything less important. In fact...” He hesitated for a moment, seeming to gather courage. “You are important to me. Much more than any class or annoying teacher.”

Hanbin's words made Hao's heart skip an unexpected beat. He opened his mouth to respond but was momentarily lost for words, surprised by the boy’s honesty. The silent corridor seemed to amplify the weight of that declaration, making it even harder to ignore.

After a moment, Hao smiled softly, warmth spreading in his chest. “Thank you, Hanbin. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m very grateful.”

Hanbin looked away, his cheeks reddening again. He waved his hands, trying to brush off the seriousness of the moment. “D-don’t say things like that, gege! I just... I just did what anyone would do!”

“No, Hanbin,” Hao said firmly, gently placing his hand on his arm. “You care, and that’s what matters to me.”

Hanbin froze under Hao’s touch, feeling the weight of his words. He wanted to say something, perhaps downplay the situation or change the subject, but the intensity in Hao’s gaze held him in place.

After a few seconds of silence, Hao broke the moment with a light smile, squeezing Hanbin's arm gently. “Come on, Hanbin-ah, before we both get in trouble for being out of class for the first time in our lives.”

Hanbin blinked a few times, trying to process the words. “S-sure, gege,” he replied, his voice a little louder than he intended.

Without removing his hand from Hanbin's arm, Hao began walking, guiding him down the corridor. Hanbin followed beside him, still feeling the firm, gentle touch of Hao, which seemed impossible to ignore. He tried to focus on the sound of their footsteps to calm his racing heart, but all he could think about was how close Hao was — and how everything else felt secondary.

As they approached the classroom, the silence between them was filled with a strange, but not uncomfortable, tension. When they reached the door, Hao finally released Hanbin's arm, but not without flashing him an amused smile. “Ready to face the grumpy teacher?”

Hanbin let out a nervous sigh. “As if we had a choice.”

Hao laughed, the sound soft and reassuring. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

Hanbin couldn’t help but smile a little in response. “Me too, gege.”

Hao hesitated for a second before opening the door to the classroom, and in a gesture meant to be charming, he tried to wink at Hanbin. However, he ended up blinking both eyes, looking more like a grimace than anything intentional. Hanbin couldn’t hold back a smile, finding the awkward expression endearing.

Once inside, the two naturally separated, as if the closeness before was a secret only for them. Hanbin walked to his seat next to Matthew in the second row by the window, while Hao went to the first row, sitting next to Taerae, near the door.

The teacher, already writing on the board, cast an unpleasant look in their direction, but, to both their relief, didn’t say anything.

As the atmosphere returned to its usual rhythm, Taerae leaned slightly toward Hao, a mischievous smile on his lips. “So? How was it with your crush?” he whispered, his voice low enough to avoid drawing attention.

Hao, without missing a beat, replied sarcastically, “I’m fine, thanks for asking, Taerae.”

Taerae rolled his eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. “Of course, you are. Hanbin was with you,” he teased, a malicious grin spreading.

Hao sighed and motioned for him to be quiet. “Shhh. You could at least pretend to be a good friend and follow me, or, I don’t know, act like you care,” he murmured back, crossing his arms.

Taerae chuckled softly, shaking his head. “And play the third wheel to you and Hanbin? No thanks, I was busy with Matthew.”

Hao made a disgusted expression, lightly pushing Taerae with his shoulder. “Gross.”

“Jealous,” Taerae shot back, raising his eyebrows provocatively. “But you didn’t answer me. How was it?”

Hao looked away, trying not to show too much, but the slight smile that appeared betrayed him. “It was... good,” he murmured, almost like a confession, before turning his attention back to the board.

Taerae noticed the tone and grinned wider. “Hmmm... just good? I’m sure Hanbin would make an effort to improve that description.”

“Shut up, Taerae,” Hao replied, but his voice lacked any real irritation.

Taerae chuckled quietly, clearly enjoying Hao’s discomfort. He leaned in even closer, determined to pry more information out of him. “Come on, Hao hyung. Don’t act all tough. You know I’ll find out everything eventually.”

Hao sighed, giving up on changing the subject. “He just... took care of me. He was considerate.”

“Took care of you, huh?” Taerae raised an eyebrow, still teasing. “And you two were alone the whole time?”

Hao rolled his eyes, but couldn’t contain a small smile that escaped.

“No little kiss to make you feel better?” Taerae teased, making an exaggerated pout, as if offering the “kiss.”

Hao felt his face heat up even more, the embarrassment bursting in his cheeks. He chose not to respond, trying to focus on what the teacher was scribbling on the whiteboard. Hanbin kissing him with those perfect lips? That was reserved only for his best dreams. He was just being kind, Hao repeated to himself, trying to calm his racing heart. Hanbin is like that with everyone. I’m not special to him. He was just feeling guilty, that’s it. Hanbin must have only accepted the invitation to go out because of guilt—well, it wouldn’t hurt to at least try to enjoy it a little.

Across the room, Hanbin was equally distracted. He was absentmindedly scribbling in his notebook when Matthew, noticing his restlessness, nudged his arm.

“So, what happened?” Matthew whispered, making sure the teacher wouldn’t hear.

“What?” Hanbin blinked a few times, as if he’d been pulled from a daydream.

Matthew smiled knowingly. “You and Hao. Did my plan work? Is that why you’re red all the way to your ears?”

“N-nothing like that!” Hanbin responded quickly, averting his gaze and lowering his face as if the notebook had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.

“Oh, of course not.” Matthew shook his head with a playful smile. “Come on, tell me! I helped you guys, I’m directly responsible for this! Did you talk? Are you together?”

“Matthew, it’s nothing! Seriously!” Hanbin whispered, his voice coming out a bit louder than he intended. Realizing the mistake, he quickly lowered his tone. “Hao gege said it wasn’t a big deal,” he continued, almost murmuring to himself, “but... he was just being kind, like always. How could I be so clumsy?”

Matthew watched his friend, alternating between wanting to laugh and a sincere desire to comfort him. Hanbin was terribly slow when it came to Hao. How could he not see it? If it were anyone else, Hao would be complaining non-stop about getting hit in the face with the ball. But with Hanbin…

Matthew suppressed a laugh, returning to copy what was on the board.

Hanbin hesitated for a moment, his face turning even redder, before murmuring almost inaudibly, “He... asked me out.”

Matthew stopped immediately, abandoning any pretense of copying the lesson. “What?”

“You heard me.” Hanbin averted his gaze, shrinking with embarrassment. “I’m not repeating it.”

A huge smile spread across Matthew’s face, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Hyung, my plan worked and you’re still lying to me! We need to pick the outfit for the date. Do you guys know where it’s going to be?”

“Matthew, shhh! Lower your voice!” Hanbin gestured desperately for his friend to calm down, nervously looking around. He couldn’t risk anyone hearing, especially Hao. “And... no, I don’t even know if it’s going to happen. Maybe he wasn’t even serious. Maybe he was... I don't know, hallucinating because of the hit to the head!”

Matthew rolled his eyes dramatically, leaning on the desk with a dramatic sigh. “Hanbin hyung, come on. Do you really think Hao hyung would just go around asking someone out, especially someone who hit him in the face with a ball?"

Hanbin bit his lip, trying to ignore the obvious.

“If it were anyone else,” Matthew continued, “he would have fought, complained... you know how he is. But because it’s you, he’s probably thinking that the slap was the best thing that happened today.”

“Don’t exaggerate!” Hanbin protested, though his cheeks were as red as tomatoes.

“It’s not an exaggeration, hyung. He just took the opportunity. And you should do the same!” Matthew patted Hanbin’s shoulder, smiling encouragingly.

Hanbin sighed, sinking into his chair as his mind raced in circles. What do I do now? He knew Matthew was probably right, but it was hard to believe that Hao could actually like him. And what if he messed everything up?

No, I need to take responsibility for what I did, he thought, sitting up a little straighter. I said I would help him if he felt any pain from the slap, and that’s what I’m going to do. I won’t mention the date... only if he brings it up first. Yes, that’s the best way to handle this.

The sound of the bell marking the end of class interrupted his thoughts, and before Hanbin could react, Hao hurriedly stood up and left the room. He ran straight to the bathroom. He still hadn’t seen his face since the incident, and when he asked Taerae, he said it looked pretty bad. Hao needed to check for himself.

While Hao was checking his reflection in the bathroom, Hanbin, noticing Hao’s quick exit, felt a tightness in his chest. He’s avoiding me... I’m sure of it. The thought made him feel even more disheartened.

Unaware, Hanbin began packing his things slowly, his downcast expression evident to anyone paying attention. That’s when Taerae approached, giving him a meaningful look.

“Hanbin, go after Hao,” Taerae said directly.

Hanbin looked up, surprised. “What? Are you sure? I... I don’t know if I should.”

“I’m absolutely sure. He went to the bathroom. Just go.” Taerae interrupted him before he could come up with an excuse.

With one last uncertain glance at Taerae, Hanbin took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and headed to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Hao was leaning over the sink, closely observing his own reflection in the mirror. He touched the side of his face, where the ball had hit, and winced at the slight sensitivity. “Pretty ugly” was an exaggeration... Taerae just wanted to tease me. The swelling wasn’t that bad, but still, the mark bothered him. He sighed, thinking about how everyone was seeing that mark on his face, especially Hanbin. Nothing that some makeup wouldn’t fix, but he’d have to wait until tomorrow since he didn’t bring anything with him.

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening caught his attention. He lifted his gaze in the mirror, seeing Hanbin timidly enter. Hao’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned to face him.

“Hanbin?” Hao said, his voice louder than he intended, clearly surprised.

“I... I just wanted to see how you’re doing,” Hanbin replied, approaching hesitantly. “You ran off, and... well, I thought it might be hurting.”

Hao blinked, surprised by the genuine concern in Hanbin’s tone. He gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s not that bad. I mean, it’s not my best look, but I’ll survive.”

Hanbin stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Hao’s face, examining every detail of the mark left by the ball. The intensity of his gaze made Hao’s heart race, and he felt his face heat up. It wasn’t common for Hanbin to look at him like this. In fact, Hanbin almost always looked away, as if he was too shy to meet his gaze directly. But now\... now it was different.

“Don’t say that,” Hanbin said softly, his voice low but full of sincerity. “Gege is always beautiful, always at his best.”

Hao blinked, completely caught off guard by the statement. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words didn’t come. It wasn’t just what Hanbin had said, but the way he had said it—so genuine, so honest.

“Thank you, you’re always beautiful too,” Hao shyly returned the compliment.

Hanbin seemed to realize what he had just said only then. His ears turned red, and he quickly stepped back, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “I just... I mean... I wanted to say that... Thank you.”

Hao couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. Hanbin was adorably impossible. A part of him wanted to cross that distance and kiss every inch of Hanbin’s worried face. But before he could get too lost in his thoughts, the sound of other people entering the bathroom brought him back to reality.

He cleared his throat and took a small step back, trying to regain his composure. “I need to go, Hanbin,” he said, a smile still playing on his lips. “I need to stop by the pharmacy to get some painkillers and the ointment.”

Hanbin immediately frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of Hao handling everything alone. Before he could think too much and hesitate, the words escaped his mouth: “I’ll go with you!”

Hao blinked, surprised, but quickly tried to dissuade him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to bother you. Maybe you have other things to do. I can handle it on my own.” Not that he was against Hanbin accompanying him—quite the opposite, but what if Hanbin had something urgent to do and forgot?

“I’m sure!” Hanbin responded quickly, the words coming out almost desperately. “Gege, you never bother me. Besides, I don’t have anything urgent to do, and... I’m responsible for this. I said I’d help you, didn’t I?”

Hao watched Hanbin for a moment, noticing the nervousness in his voice and the determination in his gaze. It was clear he was serious, and Hao couldn’t help but smile at his determination.

“Alright,” Hao gave in, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Let’s go to the pharmacy then.”

Hanbin sighed in relief, gripping the straps of his backpack as if preparing for battle. He was determined to keep his promise, even though the idea of being so close to Hao made his heart race in a disorienting way.

The two left the building together, walking side by side. The silence that settled between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but Hanbin felt every second as a missed opportunity to say something, anything, to make the moment less mundane.

“Are you sure it’s not hurting too much?” Hanbin asked, breaking the silence while glancing at Hao.

Hao chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “I already said I’m fine. No need to worry so much.”

They walked a little further until they reached the pharmacy. Hao went straight to the counter, asking for the painkillers and ointment. Hanbin, however, stayed by his side, observing everything with such a serious expression that it seemed like he was on an important mission.

Hao couldn't help but notice how serious Hanbin looked and hid a smile while waiting for the attendant to prepare the items.

When he finally received the bag with the medicines, Hao turned to Hanbin and smiled warmly. "Thank you for coming with me, Hanbin. Really."

Hanbin blinked, as if taken by surprise by Hao's gratitude. "I said I’d help, didn’t I? This is the least I can do." He scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide the slight shyness that tinted his cheeks.

Hao held back a laugh again. "Well, then I guess I'll need you to carry this bag. It's your responsibility, after all," he joked, extending the package toward Hanbin.

But Hanbin, without hesitation, quickly grabbed the bag from Hao’s hands. "Of course, gege," he replied firmly, his tone serious as if he had just accepted a high-stakes mission.

Hao widened his eyes, shocked. He actually took it? For a moment, he was at a loss for words, watching Hanbin hold the bag as if it were something precious. His heart raced, surprised by the unexpected kindness, and a soft smile appeared on his lips.

Not knowing what to say, Hao simply muttered, "Th...thank you," as a slight wave of heat rose to his face. He looked away, trying to hide his sudden shyness.

Hanbin, on the other hand, seemed unaware of the effect his actions were having. He walked beside Hao, holding the bag with determination, pleased that he could help.

"Where are we going?" Hanbin asked, glancing at Hao with curiosity.

"I was planning to go to my house," Hao replied casually, but then added with a calm smile, "But if you want to go somewhere else, I’ll go with you."

Hanbin stopped walking abruptly, as if Hao’s words had struck a sensitive chord. Going to Hao’s house? Seeing Hao’s house? The idea made him freeze in place, his heart beginning to race.

"Hanbin?" Hao called, his expression confused as he turned to look at his friend standing still on the sidewalk. "Why did you stop?"

"Hi, gege!" Hanbin responded quickly, forcing a smile as a wave of nervousness overtook his face. "Y-your house? Ah, y-yes, of course, hahaha." He let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck as he always did when he was uncomfortable.

"So, shall we go?" Hao asked, still watching him curiously.

"Yes, let’s go there!" Hanbin replied, this time with a little more confidence, though his cheeks were still visibly flushed. He took a step forward, trying to seem natural, but the anxiety of being so close to Hao and the possibility of visiting his house had him on the verge of an internal collapse.

Hao's house wasn't very far from the pharmacy, so they decided to walk. As they walked, Hanbin seemed distracted, admiring the surroundings, while Hao was consumed by an internal battle. He hadn't thought much about inviting Hanbin to his house, but now, with their imminent arrival, reality hit him hard.

His crush. In his house.

Hao began to question everything. Was the house tidy? He couldn't remember if he had left anything out of place. What if it was a mess? And besides, they’d be alone since his mom was at work. Should he invite him in? It would be rude not to. But what if Hanbin declined? Maybe he had other things to do. Or worse, what if Hanbin accepted?

The flow of frantic thoughts made his head spin, and he barely noticed when he stopped in front of the house.

"Gege?" Hanbin asked, tilting his head, noticing that Hao had stopped abruptly.

"Ah," Hao replied, almost as if waking from a trance. He looked at the front door as if it were a portal to the unknown, and then finally looked at Hanbin. "This is it... my house."

Hanbin smiled softly, the nervousness still evident on his face. "Ah, I see. It's nice."

"Thank you," Hao hesitated for a moment but then took a deep breath, trying to sound more confident than he really was. "Do you want to come in? It's nothing special, but... if you're not in a hurry, you can have a glass of water or something."

Hanbin widened his eyes slightly, surprise mixed with a slight blush on his cheeks. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came immediately. He knew he could make an excuse not to enter, but deep down, he wanted to accept. It was an opportunity to get to know more of Hao and spend more time with him.

"Of course, gege," he replied with a shy smile. "I’d love to."

Hao blinked, surprised, but a small, satisfied smile appeared on his lips. He unlocked the door, feeling his heart race, and opened the space for Hanbin to enter. "Welcome," he said, trying to sound casual, though he was about to have a mental breakdown on the inside.

As Hanbin entered, Hao thought frantically: Please, let the house be presentable.

Hanbin entered slowly, as if afraid of invading Hao's personal space. He looked around with curiosity and a subtle smile, noticing the small details of the place. It was a cozy space, with simple yet well-maintained furniture. The living room had a sofa with some colorful pillows and a coffee table with a few books and a forgotten mug.

“It’s really cozy,” Hanbin commented, sincerely, while looking around.

“Ah, thanks...” Hao replied, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He tried to appear relaxed, but the idea of Hanbin noticing every corner of his house made him uneasy. He closed the door and gestured for Hanbin. “Make yourself at home. Do you want... a glass of water? Or something to eat?”

“Water is fine,” Hanbin replied, still looking around. He stopped in front of a photo frame on a shelf, where there was a picture of a younger Hao with his mother. Hanbin smiled. “Is that your mother?”

Hao, who had been heading to the kitchen, stopped midway and looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, that’s her. It was taken a few years ago, I think, on her birthday.”

Hanbin continued looking at the picture, his expression soft. “You two seem close.”

“We are,” Hao replied, the warmth in his voice making it clear how important that was to him. He quickly grabbed a glass from the kitchen, filled it with water, and returned to the living room. “Here.”

“Thanks,” Hanbin said, taking the glass with both hands and taking a sip. He looked at Hao, who still seemed a little nervous. “Hyung, your house is really nice. You don’t need to worry.”

“Who said I’m worried?” Hao shot back, trying to sound casual, but Hanbin chuckled softly, catching him with a look.

“It’s written all over your face,” Hanbin teased, laughing quietly. “But seriously, it’s fine.”

Hao laughed too, finally feeling a little more relaxed. He sat on the couch, gesturing for Hanbin to do the same. Hanbin hesitated for a moment but sat down beside him, still holding the glass of water.

The silence that fell between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it carried a soft tension, as if they both knew something was changing in that moment. Hao observed Hanbin out of the corner of his eye, the way he held the glass carefully and looked ahead, as if he was trying to find something to say.

Hao ran a hand over his face, feeling a slight flush. He sighed, more to himself than to Hanbin. “I think it’s time to apply the ointment…”

Hanbin, sitting beside him, glanced briefly at Hao’s face. His eyes lingered on the wound for a moment longer than usual, and he bit his lip, as if contemplating something.

“Gege…” Hanbin began, his voice soft and hesitant. “Can I... can I apply the ointment for you?”

Hao turned to face him, his eyes wide with surprise. “What? No need, Hanbin. I can do it myself,” he replied, laughing lightly, trying to hide the sudden acceleration of his heart.

“No, seriously,” Hanbin insisted, now looking directly into Hao’s eyes. “It was my fault, after all. And... I want to help. Please.”

Hao fell silent, surprised both by Hanbin’s determination and the kindness in his tone. He didn’t know what to say.

“Alright,” Hao finally replied, a small smile playing at his lips. “But... only if you’re careful, okay?”

Hanbin swallowed, feeling his heart race in his chest as if it were about to explode. He tried to focus, but his mind was a mess. He’s going to touch Hao’s face. He’s going to touch Hao’s face. And now, with Hao’s eyes closed, without the glasses that were now closed, so close, it felt as though all the courage he had built up was about to escape.

His hand still trembled slightly, and he tried to steady it as he moved his fingers toward the wound. Focus, Hanbin, it’s just a wound. It’s just helping him.

But his eyes kept straying. They stopped on Hao’s lips, which seemed even softer now that he was so close. They were full, slightly parted, as if ready for an invitation that Hanbin didn’t know if he had the courage to make.

He took a deep breath again, his mind screaming at him. Stop looking at his lips, Hanbin! You’re here to help, not to... to...

“Hanbin?” Hao’s soft voice brought him back to reality. He hadn’t opened his eyes, but his tone seemed curious. Did Hanbin give up?

“Oh, yes! I’m here, hyung. Just... making sure I do it right,” Hanbin replied quickly, his voice a little higher than usual.

He finally managed to focus on the wound and, with all the care, almost exaggerated, touched Hao’s face. His fingers met the warm skin, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. It was such an intimate touch that he hadn’t expected it to affect him so much.

Hao, in turn, held his breath when he felt Hanbin’s fingers lightly touch his face. Hanbin is touching his face. Hanbin is touching his face. It was such a careful and gentle touch. Hao didn’t even notice when he leaned closer to Hanbin, and Hanbin didn’t realize he was getting closer and closer, as if they both had a magnet pulling them together.

"Is everything okay?" Hanbin asked softly, almost in a whisper, afraid to break the moment.

Hao slowly opened his eyes, and for a moment, their gazes met. Hanbin's face was so close to Hao's that, despite his vision not being the best, he could sense the intensity of Hanbin's gaze; he couldn't look away even if he wanted to.

"I... I think so," Hao replied, trying to focus on the question. The faint scent of Hanbin's cologne, the warmth of his body, and for a moment, the idea that he could be dreaming about all of this seemed more plausible than reality. Everything was confusing his feelings even more. He didn’t know what to do with this, but he didn’t want it to end.

Hanbin continued applying the ointment, but Hao didn’t close his eyes, maintaining intense eye contact with Hanbin. The ointment had already run out on his fingers, but Hanbin didn’t want to stop. He was lost in Hao's gaze, as if hypnotized, and he felt addicted to the soft touch of his skin, as if he never wanted to let go. He was, in fact, caressing Hao's face. The ointment was now a forgotten detail, and they were both immersed in a bubble, their faces getting closer, as if the world around them had disappeared.

Hanbin's gaze, once fixed on Hao's eyes, slowly descended to his lips, which seemed even more inviting than he had imagined. Hao noticed the movement, felt the tension in the air, and his mouth, suddenly dry, became the focus of his attention. He unconsciously licked his lips. The air between them felt thicker, charged with something neither of them could name, but both could feel. The proximity was becoming almost unbearable, and Hanbin could hardly breathe properly.

The silence between them stretched on, dense and heavy, until Hanbin couldn’t bear it anymore. He lowered his gaze further, Hao's lips now so close that Hanbin could feel the heat coming from them. The impulse was so strong that, without thinking, he leaned in even closer to Hao’s lips.

Hao felt Hanbin’s warm breath, so close it seemed to touch him, and his body reacted automatically. He closed his eyes for a second, feeling his heart pounding in his chest, and before he could regret it, he leaned slightly forward and pressed his lips to Hanbin's.

The initial touch was light, almost like a shy dance, but soon Hao’s hands found Hanbin’s face, pulling him a little closer, as if he wanted to feel more, something more intense. Hanbin, surprised at first, quickly relaxed, responding to the kiss with the same intensity, the tips of both of their fingers brushing gently, adjusting to the rhythm of that silent exchange of feelings.

When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, struggling to catch their breath. Hanbin’s glasses were completely fogged up, and Hao pulled Hanbin back into another kiss, more intense than the first. Without hesitation, Hao brought him onto his lap, and Hanbin, completely pliant, let himself be guided with ease. The kiss grew more intense, the exchanges of touches and sighs becoming more desperate. Hanbin bit Hao’s lips, sucking them with an intensity that seemed almost as if he wanted to swallow them. When his tongue brushed against Hao’s cold braces, he couldn’t resist the moans that escaped his throat. It felt good, it was perfect, it was better than he ever dreamed, and Hao responded with the same urgency, the same desire.

Eventually, Hanbin, frustrated with his fogged-up glasses that were falling off, quickly pulled away from Hao, tossing them aside without caring where they landed. What mattered to him at that moment were Hao’s lips, and as he leaned in again, everything around them disappeared.

They didn’t know how long they had been kissing, but time seemed irrelevant in that moment. The world around them had disappeared, and all that mattered was the connection between them. Every touch, every breath, seemed more intense than the last, as if they were trying to imprint themselves on each other, fearing that when they separated, everything would dissipate.

A phone’s ringtone suddenly startled them—it was Hao’s phone ringing in his pocket.

Hao felt the proximity of Hanbin and the soft touch of his lips still on his, while Hanbin spoke in a soft, but meaningful voice. "Do you need to answer, gege?"

Hanbin’s voice had something in it that Hao couldn’t ignore, but at the same time, the feeling of having Hanbin so close made his heart race, and the desire to stay in that moment was overwhelming. Hao closed his eyes for a second, battling the temptation to give in to the desire to lose himself in another kiss, but the persistent ringing of the phone pulled him back to reality. He knew he couldn’t ignore the call, even though every fiber of his being wished otherwise.

"It’ll be quick," Hao explained, trying to calm his own frustration while removing his hand from Hanbin’s thigh, cursed be the gym shorts. Hanbin immediately felt the absence of that touch and, as if trying to make up for it, leaned in to hug Hao, resting his head on his neck and inhaling his scent softly.

Hao pulled out his phone from his pocket, already knowing he wouldn’t be able to read the name on the screen without his glasses, but answered anyway. "Hello?" he said, trying to sound normal, although the warmth of Hanbin's embrace distracted him.

On the other end, his mother’s familiar voice sounded clear and calm. "Hao, darling, I’ll be later than I thought at work. Can you make dinner tonight? It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, something simple will be fine."

"M-mom?" Hao almost stuttered, the surprise taking over as if he had been caught in the act, though he knew his mother wouldn’t see a problem with his love life. Still, the situation left him flustered. "Yes, of course, I can make it," he replied, trying to compose himself, which was difficult with Hanbin’s nose gently brushing against his neck, sending shivers down his spine.

"Thank you, dear. See you later. Kisses," his mother said, ending the call with her usual calmness.

Hao looked at the phone in his hand for a moment before dropping it on the couch beside him, turning his attention to Hanbin, who was still burying his face in his neck. A small smile curved his lips. Even with the interruption, the warmth of Hanbin against him was comforting in a way Hao hadn’t known he needed.

"It was my mom," Hao said, his voice a bit more husky than usual. "She asked me to make dinner today."

Hanbin murmured something unintelligible against his neck, making Hao laugh softly. "You know that means I have to get up, right?" he teased, sliding a hand down Hanbin's arm but not really trying to push him away.

"I don't want to," Hanbin finally replied, his voice muffled and filled with stubbornness. The response caught Hao off guard; he hadn’t expected to hear something like that from Hanbin. Of course, he hadn't expected to kiss him today either, but here they were. Hanbin continued, his voice a little firmer now, though still laced with a sweetness that was almost intoxicating. "There's still time, right? We can stay like this a little longer."

Hanbin's thoughts were clouded, as if his mind had been flooded by a wave of warmth. He couldn’t think of anything else except how good it felt to be there, to feel Hao, and he didn’t want it to end.

Hao's heart melted at Hanbin's vulnerability. It was impossible to resist when he seemed so genuine, so completely invested. "We can," Hao admitted, his fingers absentmindedly playing with Hanbin's hair. The silence stretched between them, comfortable, as if the world around them had stopped. Hao savored every second of the moment, but something that had been on his mind for a while finally surfaced. "Bin-ah..." he called, his voice soft and hesitant.

Hanbin felt a shiver run down his spine. He slowly lifted his head, just enough for his face to be visible to Hao. But without his glasses, he could only make out the blurred outline of Hao. Hao, in turn, noticed that Hanbin wasn’t seeing properly either, probably even less than he was.

"Let’s find our glasses so we can talk properly," Hao suggested, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Hanbin hesitated for a moment, reluctant to move away, but eventually nodded. "Okay, gege..." he murmured, his voice full of a mix of shyness and affection. Slowly, he slid off Hao's lap, the heat of the moment still pulsating on his skin as he moved.

Hao took the opportunity to stand up, his eyes quickly scanning the room for the glasses. "I wonder where they fell?" he muttered to himself, crouching down to feel the floor.

Hanbin, still sitting, watched Hao, a small smile appearing on his lips. He kissed Hao. Oh my God, he really kissed Hao! The thought spun in his mind, leaving him dizzy. It was so good, better than he ever imagined, and he could hardly believe it had happened. He fought the urge to pinch himself—because, if it was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

The warmth of Hao’s body still seemed to linger on him, as if it had left a mark, and Hanbin wanted more. He wanted to kiss Hao again. But did Hao want it too? Did that kiss mean something to him, or had it just been a fleeting moment? The fear of what Hao might say made him hesitate. If Hao said it meant nothing... Hanbin didn’t know how he would be able to look at him again.

"They're here!" Hao announced, emerging from under the table with two pairs of glasses in hand. By some miracle, both glasses had fallen together, saving time and avoiding more embarrassment.

Hao sat back down and, after putting on his own glasses, leaned forward to place Hanbin's glasses on. His fingers gently brushed Hanbin’s face as he adjusted the glasses, causing both of them to blush. For a moment, they just stared at each other, trapped in a bubble where the world around them seemed to not exist.

Now that Hao could see clearly, he took in Hanbin’s appearance: his hair completely messy, lips swollen, face flushed, and eyes sparkling more than ever. He looked beautiful, and Hao had to fight the impulse to lean in and kiss him again. I did that, Hao thought, almost in disbelief.

Hanbin, in turn, wasn’t in much of a different situation. Now that he could see Hao clearly, he noticed his plump lips even more, the messy hair, the blush coloring his face. He’s like this because of me, Hanbin realized, his heart racing again.

Hao was the first to break the silence, his voice low and soft, as if afraid to disturb the moment.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his dark eyes fixed on Hanbin’s, searching for any sign of discomfort or regret.

Hanbin blinked a few times, still lost in thoughts about what had just happened. He opened his mouth to respond, but closed it again, taking a deep breath before finally murmuring:

"I... I’m more than okay." His answer came with a shy smile, and the sparkle in his eyes made Hao feel a wave of relief.

Hao laughed softly, looking away for a moment while scratching the back of his neck, clearly nervous. "Good," he replied, his voice light, but his heart was racing. He knew he had to ask, he needed clarification. This was what he was going to ask before they started looking for their glasses. "About... what happened just now\... You—"

"I wanted to," Hanbin interrupted him before he could finish, as if he already knew exactly what Hao was going to say. "I mean, I wanted to. I want to. It wasn't an accident. If you wanted it too, then... then it's okay, right?" The words came out quickly, stumbling, but full of sincerity. Hanbin's face seemed even redder as he spoke, and he fought the feeling that, if Hao didn’t feel the same, he would never be able to look him in the eye again—maybe it would even be better to change schools, just to avoid the embarrassment.

Hao was surprised for a moment, his eyes wide at Hanbin’s unexpected words. But almost instantly, a genuine and radiant smile curved his lips, and the weight on his chest seemed to dissolve.

"It’s all perfect," he replied firmly, his eyes fixed on Hanbin's, overflowing with emotion. "I like you, Hanbin. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time."

Now it was Hanbin’s turn to widen his eyes, his expression changing quickly to something between surprise and joy. "A long time?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity and excitement as he moved closer to Hao, gently holding his hands.

"Yes," Hao answered with a smile that mixed shyness and mischief. "Good thing you hit me with that ball."

"Gegeeee!" Hanbin groaned in embarrassment, covering his face with his hands as he tried to hide his mortification. Hao, on the other hand, just laughed loudly, finding his reaction incredibly adorable.

"I’m really sorry," Hanbin murmured through his fingers, still hiding.

"Bin-ah," Hao called softly, his voice full of affection. The sound was enough to send shivers down Hanbin’s spine, who slowly lowered his hands. Hao took the opportunity to hold them and pull them away completely, making Hanbin look directly at him. "If to kiss you I had to take five hundred balls to the face, I’d do it."

Before Hanbin could react, Hao gently held his face and gave him a quick peck, the gesture light and full of affection.

Hanbin blinked a few times, his heart racing, before murmuring, still shy, "I’d also take five hundred balls to kiss you." He then leaned in slightly, gathering the courage to give Hao another peck, their lips touching with softness and a radiant happiness that seemed to take over his whole being.

They smiled at each other, their fingers intertwined with Hao’s.

"So..." Hanbin started, his voice hesitant and soft, as if testing the safety of that moment. "What do we do now?"

Hao tilted his head to the side, his eyes fixed on Hanbin's face, as if trying to memorize every detail.

"Now?" he repeated, a mischievous smile starting to appear. "Now we’re going to make dinner, because my mom is going to arrive at some point and she’ll kill me if I don’t have food ready."

Hanbin widened his eyes again, his face turning even redder as he released Hao’s hands and moved away a little. "Ah, of course! Dinner!" He ran a hand through his hair, trying to regain some composure. "Right, you’re right... food. That’s important."

Hao laughed, finding Hanbin’s reaction irresistible. He kissed him again just because he could, then stood up, extending his hand to help Hanbin get up too. "Let’s go."

Hanbin took Hao’s hand, still a little shy, but smiling. "I’m not very good at cooking, just so you know," he admitted as he stood up.

"No problem," Hao replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I’m good enough for both of us. Besides..." He paused, leaning in slightly closer, his voice soft but full of intent. "If you want, we can pick up where we left off later."

Hanbin felt his heart race so fast that he almost lost his balance. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out, only a slight gulp. Hao, amused, chuckled softly and squeezed his hand reassuringly, gently pulling him toward the kitchen.

As they walked, Hanbin could hardly believe what was happening. He remembered something Matthew used to say: nerds have a thing for basketball players. Well, Hanbin now knew that was only half the truth. Nerds are even more into other nerds.

When they reached the kitchen, Hao grabbed an apron and, with a smile, slid it over Hanbin’s head, tying it carefully around his waist. Before stepping back, he leaned in to give him a quick peck, their lips barely touching, but enough to make Hanbin feel his heart melt.

"Ready, Chef Hanbin," Hao said, winking. "Let’s make history in this kitchen."

Hanbin laughed, still dazed but genuinely happy. As they began preparing the food together, exchanging glances, laughter, and little touches, he was sure that, if this wasn’t the start of "happily ever after," it was something very, very close to it.