Nɪ-Kɪ Oɴᴇsʜᴏᴛs

-49-Wᴏɴᴋɪ(💗)

"Really, Ni-ki, can you at least try to focus for once?" Jungwon flipped the page in their shared textbook, his pen tapping impatiently against the table.
"Focus? Who needs focus when you can just… you know, go with the flow?" Ni-ki leaned back in his chair, sketching a caricature of their professor in the margins of his notebook.
Jungwon sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "This is a literature class, not an art class. We need to work on our project, not doodle."
"It's called creative expression," Ni-ki shot back, turning the page to reveal more sketches. "Besides, you could lighten up a bit. It’s not like the world is going to end if we don’t nail this presentation."
"The world might not end, but my GPA could," Jungwon muttered, exasperated. "You do realize this is a semester-long project, right? Not a spontaneous art exhibit."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Ni-ki said, his gaze drifting back to his sketches. "But look at this! Doesn't he look like he just stepped out of a soap opera?"
"Artistic talent aside, you’re avoiding the real issue," Jungwon replied, his voice strained. "We need to discuss the content of our presentation."
Niki shrugged. "We can discuss it while I draw. Multitasking, you know?"
Jungwon rubbed his temples. "You know, I’m really trying to make this work, but you’re making it difficult."
"Maybe you should relax a bit," Ni-ki suggested, finally putting his pencil down. "You ever think that maybe you're too uptight?"
"Uptight? I’m just responsible!" Jungwon shot back, his tone sharp.
"Responsible or rigid? There’s a difference," Ni-ki said, raising an eyebrow.
“Rigid?” Jungwon echoed, incredulous. “You think I’m rigid?”
“Totally. You’ve got this whole ‘perfect student’ vibe going on,” Ni-ki said, grinning. “Like, I half expect you to wear a tie to class.”
“Better than showing up in pajamas,” Jungwon retorted, crossing his arms. “And by the way, I’ve seen you in those sweatpants. Not a good look.”
“Hey, comfort over fashion, man,” Ni-ki protested, feigning offense.
“Right, because looking like you just rolled out of bed is the goal,” Jungwon smirked, but beneath his playful tone, there was an underlying tension.
“Admit it. You like my carefree style,” Ni-ki said, leaning closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Carefree or careless?” Jungwon countered, unable to hide his smile.
“Touché.” Ni-ki shrugged, before flipping the page again. “So, how about we brainstorm some ideas for our project?”
Jungwon leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. “Okay, but let’s start with the basics. What classic love story are we even doing?”
“Ugh, do we have to pick just one?” Ni-ki sighed. “Can’t we just mash them all together?”
“Not exactly how it works,” Jungwon replied, his voice steady. “Let’s pick something with depth. Something that resonates.”
“Like ‘Pride and Prejudice’? Everyone loves a good enemies-to-lovers story,” Ni-ki suggested, his fingers twitching to sketch again.
“Too cliché,” Jungwon shot back. “What about ‘Wuthering Heights’? It’s dark, intense, and… oh, wait. You’d probably just draw Heathcliff’s brooding face instead of analyzing the themes.”
“Hey! Brooding faces are important!” Ni-ki exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.
“Right. Because that’ll get us an A,” Jungwon said dryly, but he couldn’t help but smile. “How about we meet halfway? We can do a mash-up of a few stories, focusing on the different types of love.”
Niki nodded, finally interested. “Okay, I can work with that. And I’ll try to keep my doodling to a minimum… maybe.”
“Just a suggestion,” Jungwon teased, feeling the tension ease between them. “Now, how about we head to the library for some actual research?”
“Lead the way, Mr. Perfect,” Ni-ki quipped, grabbing his bag.
As they walked to the library, the autumn leaves crunched under their feet, the air crisp and filled with the scent of rain. Jungwon couldn’t help but glance at Ni-ki, who was sketching the trees in his notebook as they strolled.
“I can’t believe you’re actually drawing trees,” Jungwon remarked.
“What? Nature's got character,” Ni-ki replied, his pencil moving with ease. “Besides, it’s not just trees. It’s the mood, right? The melancholy of fall.”
Jungwon paused, watching him work. “You really have a talent for capturing emotion,” he said, surprised by his own sincerity. “It’s… impressive.”
Niki looked up, his expression softening. “Thanks. I guess I just see things differently.”
“Like how I see deadlines?” Jungwon replied, crossing his arms with a smirk.
“Exactly!” Ni-ki laughed, shaking his head. “But I think you’re starting to see things my way too.”
“Not too far,” Jungwon warned playfully. “I still have a reputation to uphold.”
They arrived at the library, the familiar smell of old books wrapping around them. Finding a secluded table, they spread out their materials.
“So, what’s our angle?” Jungwon asked, flipping through pages.
“Let’s explore the complexities of love—like, why do people fall for the wrong ones?” Ni-ki suggested, his pencil tapping the table.
“Interesting. How about we relate it to our own experiences?” Jungwon said thoughtfully. “We can include poetry, too.”
“Poetry? You mean that thing you scribble in your notebook?” Ni-ki teased, but he leaned in with curiosity.
“Hey, those are private!” Jungwon exclaimed, his cheeks warming.
“Come on, share a line!” Ni-ki urged, a playful challenge in his eyes.
“Fine, but only if you promise not to laugh,” Jungwon said, biting his lip.
“Deal,” Ni-ki said, leaning back, arms crossed, waiting.
“Okay… here goes. ‘In the hush of twilight, two souls collide, lost in echoes of unsaid words.’” Jungwon recited, his voice steady but soft.
“Wow, that’s… actually good,” Ni-ki said, surprised. “You’ve got some depth, Jungwon.”
“Thanks,” Jungwon mumbled, feeling a rush of pride. “Now let’s hear yours.”
“Mine? Oh, it’s nothing compared to that,” Ni-ki said, a playful glint in his eyes. “But here goes: ‘In every stroke of midnight, I find colors of you, a canvas painted with dreams, both faded and new.’”
Jungwon blinked, taken aback. “That’s… beautiful. How do you do that?”
“Just a gift, I guess,” Ni-ki shrugged, a hint of shyness creeping in.
“Maybe you should collaborate more often,” Jungwon suggested, his voice thoughtful. “You have a knack for storytelling.”
“Maybe I should, or maybe I just need the right partner,” Ni-ki replied, a teasing smile on his lips.
“Partner? Is that what we are?” Jungwon asked, tilting his head to study Ni-ki's expression.
Niki shrugged, his tone light. “For the project, yes. But who knows? Maybe we could be more.”
“More?” Jungwon echoed, his heart racing. “Like friends?”
“Sure, friends. Or maybe a little more than that,” Ni-ki said, his gaze lingering.
The air between them shifted, an electric tension sparking in the quiet library. Jungwon swallowed hard, feeling suddenly exposed.
“Do you really think we could be more?” Jungwon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Why not?” Ni-ki leaned closer, his playful demeanor slipping away, revealing something deeper. “You’re not as uptight as you pretend to be.”
“Neither are you as careless as you act,” Jungwon shot back, feeling emboldened.
“Touché again,” Ni-ki said, their eyes locking for a moment. “So what do we do with this… connection?”
“I guess we just keep working and see what happens,” Jungwon said, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Okay, but no more of this ‘perfect student’ routine,” Ni-ki replied, nudging Jungwon playfully. “You’ve got to let loose a little.”
“Deal,” Jungwon said, his heart racing. “But only if you promise not to turn our project into an art exhibit.”
“Fine, but it might be hard to contain this creativity,” Ni-ki winked, returning to their work as laughter filled the air.
As the weeks passed, their late-night study sessions turned into strolls through campus, filled with laughter and easy conversation. Jungwon found himself looking forward to each meeting, his heart lightening under Ni-ki's playful spirit.
One rainy afternoon, they were back at the library, surrounded by books and the sound of raindrops tapping against the windows.
“Okay, final touches,” Jungwon said, reviewing their presentation slides. “You think we’re ready?”
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Ni-ki replied, sketching a quick doodle of Jungwon’s serious face.
“Stop!” Jungwon laughed, trying to grab the notebook. “I’m not that serious!”
“Sure you are,” Ni-ki said with a smirk. “But that’s why I like you.”
Jungwon’s heart skipped a beat. “You… like me?”
“Of course! You’re my perfect foil,” Ni-ki teased, but his eyes sparkled with something more.
“Foil?” Jungwon echoed, suddenly shy. “Is that a compliment?”
“Definitely.” Ni-ki leaned back, his expression softening. “You keep me grounded, and I… I like that about you.”
“Even with my perfectionism?” Jungwon asked, biting his lip.
“Especially that,” Ni-ki replied, his voice warm. “It’s kind of adorable.”
“Adorable? I’ll take it,” Jungwon said, blushing. “And you’re not too bad yourself.”
“Thanks,” Ni-ki said, his voice dropping slightly. “But let’s be real. You’re the one who keeps this project from falling apart.”
“Only because you’re here to balance it out,” Jungwon admitted, feeling a wave of warmth. “I know I can be a bit much sometimes.”
“Just a bit,” Ni-ki teased, but his smile faded. “But you know what? You’ve got to let go of that fear of failure.”
Jungwon’s breath caught. “You think I’m afraid of failing?”
“Not just in school,” Ni-ki said gently. “In life, too. You’re so afraid of being overlooked that you never truly let yourself shine.”
“I…” Jungwon hesitated, his heart racing. “I just don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
“I get it,” Ni-ki replied, his voice sincere. “But you’re more than your grades. You’re… you. Just let that person out.”
Jungwon stared at him, feeling the weight of those words sink in. “And what about you? You seem so carefree, but I know there’s more beneath the surface.”
Niki’s gaze faltered for a moment. “Yeah, well… I guess I hide behind the sketches. It’s easier than facing the truth.”
“Truth?” Jungwon asked, intrigued. “What truth?”
“Sometimes I feel like I’m not enough,” Ni-ki admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Like I’m just the class clown, never taken seriously.”
“That’s not true,” Jungwon said, heart racing. “You have so much talent. You’re way more than just a funny guy.”
“Thanks,” Ni-ki replied, a shy smile breaking through. “Just… promise me you won’t let fear hold you back.”
“I promise,” Jungwon said, feeling a weight lift. “And you, too. Stop hiding behind the sketches.”
Niki nodded, their eyes locking again, the connection deepening.
The next day, they stood in front of the class, their presentation ready. As they spoke, their voices intertwined, revealing the layers of classic love stories through their shared perspectives.
When they finished, the room erupted in applause. Jungwon felt exhilarated, his heart racing in sync with Ni-ki’s smile.
“That was amazing!” Ni-ki grinned, nudging Jungwon.
“Thanks! We actually did it,” Jungwon replied, breathless.
As they walked out into the crisp autumn air, Ni-ki stopped suddenly. He turned to Jungwon, his expression earnest.
“Hey, I drew something for you,” Ni-ki said, pulling out a sketch from his bag.
Jungwon’s eyes widened as he took in the drawing: it was of the two of them, sitting side by side under a canopy of falling leaves.
“I… love it,” Jungwon said, touched.
“You’re terrible at deadlines,” Ni-ki teased, but his eyes sparkled. “But I think I can make an exception for you.”
“Thanks, Ni-ki,” Jungwon said, his heart swelling. “I really mean it.”
“Let’s keep this going, okay?” Ni-ki said, his voice hopeful. “The project was just the start.”
“Definitely. More than just partners?” Jungwon asked, his heart pounding.
“Exactly,” Ni-ki replied, stepping a little closer. “You and me.”
Jungwon smiled, feeling the weight of the moment. “I’d like that.”
As they walked through the campus, laughter and playful banter flowing freely, Jungwon realized that sometimes, letting your walls down leads to the most unexpected connections.