𝘚𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 / 𝘎𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘻

𝑪𝒉 : 𝟓 𝑺𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the university grounds. The day had ended, and students were streaming out of their classrooms, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Leehan's friends, Jaehyun, Woonhak, Riwoo, and Sungho, lingered near him, their concern evident.

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay?" Jaehyun asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Leehan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll be fine. You guys go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."

Woonhak patted him on the back. "Alright, but if you need anything, just call us."

As his friends reluctantly left, Leehan felt a pang of loneliness. The hallways grew quieter, the echoes of footsteps fading into silence. He made his way to the classroom, the cold air biting through his thin shirt. The room was dimly lit, the evening shadows creating an eerie atmosphere.

Taesan entered the classroom, his presence commanding as always. He noticed Leehan sitting at the back, shivering slightly. "Mr. Kim," he called out, his voice breaking the silence. "Come sit here, beside me."

Leehan hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking to the front of the class. He sat down next to Taesan, his movements tentative. Taesan's gaze softened as he looked at the young man beside him. "Pull out your books. We'll study together."

Leehan nodded, pulling out his textbooks and notebooks. As they began to study, Taesan asked questions, and to his surprise, Leehan answered each one correctly. The young man's mind seemed to come alive, the fog of exhaustion lifting momentarily.

But Taesan noticed the way Leehan's hands trembled, his lips slightly parted from the cold. "If you're feeling cold, you should have worn something warmer," Taesan remarked, his tone gentle.

Leehan looked down, not responding. He was struggling to stay upright, his body swaying slightly. Before he knew it, his eyes grew heavy, and he found himself drifting into sleep. Unconsciously, he reached out and grasped Taesan's arm, his head dropping onto Taesan's shoulder.

Taesan stiffened, his heart skipping a beat. He looked down at Leehan, who was now leaning against him, his breathing even and peaceful. It was the first time Taesan had seen him so relaxed. Carefully, Taesan reached for his hoodie, draping it over Leehan's shoulders to keep him warm.

The classroom was silent, the only sound the soft rustle of pages as Taesan continued to study. He glanced at Leehan from the corner of his eye, a strange warmth spreading through him. There was something about Leehan that tugged at his heart, a vulnerability that made him want to protect the young man.

Hours passed, and the clock struck nine. Taesan's body ached from sitting in the same position, but he didn't dare move, not wanting to disturb Leehan's sleep. He leaned his head back against the chair, his eyes growing heavy.

It was almost one in the morning when Leehan stirred. He shifted slightly, his arm wrapping around Taesan's waist. As he woke, he realized he was not alone. His eyes flew open, and he sat up abruptly, his face a mask of shock.

"I'm so sorry, Professor Han," Leehan stammered, bowing repeatedly. "I didn't mean to—"

Taesan raised a hand, silencing him. "It's alright, Mr. Kim. You needed the rest."

Leehan continued to mumble apologies, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. I'm really sorry."

Taesan stood up, placing a hand on Leehan's arm to stop him from bowing further. "It's late. Let me give you a ride home."

Leehan shook his head. "I can manage, Professor. Thank you, but—"

Taesan didn't wait for him to finish. He picked up Leehan's bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Come on. It's too late for you to be out alone."

Reluctantly, Leehan followed Taesan to his car. The drive was silent, the tension between them palpable. When they reached Leehan's neighborhood, he spoke up. "You can drop me here. I'll walk the rest of the way."

Taesan glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "I'll take you to your door."

Leehan nodded, and they continued in silence. When they arrived at his apartment, Leehan quickly grabbed his bag and got out of the car. "Thank you, Professor Han. Goodnight."

Taesan watched him go, a small smile playing on his lips. Once Leehan was out of sight, he drove away, the scent of Leehan lingering in the car, a subtle reminder of the night's events.

Back in his apartment, Leehan couldn't stop thinking about how he had managed to sleep for more than ten hours, and that too in the classroom with his professor. It was baffling. He felt strangely refreshed, his mind clear for the first time in months. He pulled out his books and began to study, covering an entire year's syllabus in just one day.

Meanwhile, Taesan sat in his own home, the image of Leehan's peaceful face etched in his mind. There was something about the young man that intrigued him, a depth that he wanted to explore. As he thought about the day's events, a smile tugged at his lips. Leehan was more than just a student; he was a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

And so, the night of detention became a turning point, a moment of unexpected connection that would shape their futures in ways they couldn't yet imagine. The threads of their lives were intertwined, and the journey ahead promised to be one of discovery, growth, and perhaps, something more.