Soobin had always been quiet. He kept his head down, focused on his studies, and avoided unnecessary social interactions. University life was overwhelming enough without getting tangled up with loud, overconfident upperclassmen.

Unfortunately for him, Yeonjun existed.

Yeonjun—the effortlessly charming, ridiculously attractive senior who had made it his personal mission to fluster Soobin at every given opportunity.

“Morning, freshman,” Yeonjun greeted one day, leaning casually against Soobin’s locker, arms crossed, lips curled into his signature smirk. “Miss me?”

Soobin scowled, shoving past him. “No.”

Yeonjun gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Ouch. You wound me, Soobin-ah.”

Soobin rolled his eyes. This had become routine ever since the first week of school. Yeonjun teased, Soobin got flustered, and Yeonjun loved it.

At first, Soobin assumed it was just how Yeonjun treated everyone. But as time passed, he noticed Yeonjun didn’t act like this around others. The playful touches, the lingering stares, the way Yeonjun always found an excuse to sit next to him in lectures—it was all reserved just for him.

And it was driving Soobin insane.

Because, despite his best efforts, Soobin liked the attention. He liked the way Yeonjun’s presence made his stomach twist in knots, the way he felt warm whenever Yeonjun flashed that annoyingly perfect grin at him.

But it was just teasing, right? That’s all it was.

Until the night Yeonjun really caught him off guard.

They were at a university event, a casual get-together at the dorm lounge. Soobin was sitting in the corner, scrolling through his phone, when Yeonjun suddenly appeared and plopped down beside him, grinning.

“You always sit alone,” Yeonjun mused, sipping his drink. “It’s kind of cute.”

Soobin scoffed. “You think everything is cute.”

Yeonjun tilted his head, as if considering. “Not everything. Just you.”

Soobin nearly choked on air.

Yeonjun laughed, leaning in closer. “See? That reaction right there? That’s why I love teasing you.”

Soobin swallowed, trying to ignore the way his heart was racing. “You—You’re so annoying.”

Yeonjun smirked. “And yet, you never tell me to leave.”

That was the moment Soobin realized something dangerous.

Yeonjun’s teasing wasn’t just a joke anymore.

And neither were Soobin’s feelings.

Soobin tried to avoid Yeonjun after that night.

Not because he was angry—but because he was confused.

He wasn’t used to feelings like this. He wasn’t used to someone like Yeonjun making his heart race, making him want things he was too scared to admit.

But Yeonjun wasn’t the type to be ignored.

“Skipping out on me, Soobin-ah?” Yeonjun drawled one afternoon, catching Soobin on his way out of the lecture hall. “That hurts, you know.”

Soobin sighed. “I just… needed space.”

Yeonjun frowned, and for the first time, there was no teasing in his expression. “Did I do something wrong?”

Soobin hesitated before blurting, “Why do you always tease me?”

Yeonjun blinked, clearly not expecting the question. “Because you’re cute when you’re flustered?”

Soobin looked away. “See? That. You never stop.”

Yeonjun was quiet for a moment before sighing. “Okay. Fine. No more teasing. Just answer me this—do you really want me to stop?”

Soobin opened his mouth to say yes, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Because no, he didn’t want Yeonjun to stop. He wanted Yeonjun to keep looking at him like he was special. He wanted to feel Yeonjun’s warmth beside him. He wanted—

Soobin’s breath hitched when Yeonjun stepped closer.

“You think I’m just messing around, don’t you?” Yeonjun murmured.

Soobin clenched his fists. “Aren’t you?”

Yeonjun sighed, shaking his head. Then, with a gentleness that was so unlike his usual playful self, he cupped Soobin’s face. “I wouldn’t have spent all this time chasing after you if I didn’t mean it.”

Soobin’s heart nearly stopped.

Yeonjun’s fingertips pressed gently into his cheeks, his voice softer now. “I like you, Soobin. And yeah, maybe I started teasing you because I liked seeing you get flustered. But somewhere along the way… I realized I didn’t just want your attention. I wanted you.”

Soobin’s eyes widened. “You—”

“Me,” Yeonjun confirmed, smiling. “So tell me… Do you want me to stop?”

Soobin didn’t answer. Instead, he did something he never thought he’d have the courage to do.

He closed the distance between them and kissed him.

Yeonjun’s breath caught in surprise, but it only took a second for him to reciprocate, his arms wrapping securely around Soobin’s waist.

When they finally pulled apart, Yeonjun chuckled. “Damn. I should’ve confessed sooner.”

Soobin, face burning, muttered, “Shut up.”

Yeonjun just grinned, tugging him in for another kiss.

Because this? This was no longer just teasing.

This was real.