Dear. My Darling | Gongfourz / Taehan

Chapter 1

The group is gathered around a table at the cafeteria, engaged in casual conversation. The atmosphere is light and friendly. As the conversation flows, it gradually shifts towards Leehan and Taesan.

"So, Leehan, how did you and Taesan even meet? You guys have been inseparable since forever." Jaehyun asked, leaning forward on the table.

Leehan smiled at him. "We've known each other since we were kids. Basically grew up together."

"Yeah, but like, what's the deal with you two? You're always together. It's like you're conjoined twins." Riwoo joins in, eager to know about his friends.

Leehan laughs nervously, while Taesan looks away, seemingly unaffected.

"We're just really close friends. That's all."

Sungho rolled his eyes, unconvinced. "Come on, Leehan. We're not buying it. Taesan is always doing stuff for you. Like, who picks up their friend's laundry? Or cooks them dinner every other day?"

The friends exchange knowing glances. Leehan feels a blush creeping up his neck. Taesan simply sips his coffee, his expression unreadable.

"I enjoy taking care of my friends." Taesan replied nonchalantly, not looking at his friends.

Leehan gives Taesan a grateful look, but his friends remain unconvinced. The teasing continues, building a playful atmosphere.

He keeps on glancing towards Taesan, in an attempt to read his friend and avoid displeasing him or saying something that would make Taesan annoyed.

Leehan held on to the cafeteria's chair under the table for support as his heart beat fastened, thinking of replies that could answer his friends but also fit Taesan's approval.

"I won't be surprised when Taesan hyung someday dates you, hyung." Woonhak suddenly said, making them turn their heads in his direction.

"I mean, he has spoiled you since we met each other and no one gets to go near you because some... or even most of them are afraid of Taesan hyung's gaze." He added.

Jaehyun, who was sipping coffee, halted and nodded at Woonhak's words. "Yeah, yeah. That's how I met them! At first I thought they're a couple! Really!"

"Who wouldn't though?" Sungho raised an eyebrow, plopping a hand on the table and resting his chin on it. "Do you remember the basketball match between our university and Nightgales?"

"Was I there with you guys?" Riwoo inquired, his eyebrows furrowed and eyes shifting gazes as he tried to remember the event.

Jaehyun looked at him in disbelief and sighed before hugging Woonhak, hiding his face and seeking comfort as he sulked over Riwoo's words.

Riwoo on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at him, confused of what's happening.

Sungho chuckled. "You're beside him. You're the one who even insisted that we all go even if we had tons of deadlines."

From confused to widening his mouth in realization, Riwoo looked at his friends. "You meant, THAT night?"

They all nodded at him as Taesan wore a blank face but looked up at them but Leehan remained staring at the table, only giving subtle glances at them. He can remember that clearly, how can he forget when that's one of the things that kept him at night even if they probably does that for years already.

(Flashback)

The sweat-slicked court glistened under the harsh stadium lights, a mirror reflecting the intensity of the championship game. Rivergreen, their university, was locked in a fierce battle with their arch-rivals, Nightgale.