Everything You Do Is Magic | seventeen au

Chapter 12: Reassurance

Seungkwan had a talent of being friendly to people even when he didn't know them. He knew people liked talking to him, because he truly made an effort in becoming fun to be around. He always asked others about their day, showing interest in whatever topic the other person brought up even if they weren't close, because he genuinely liked making friends. Never has it happened that Seungkwan disliked someone without trying to get to know them first.

So it was more than a little baffling how seeing Hansol talking animatedly to a girl from a few of their classes made Seungkwan's mouth twitch from the scowl suddenly threatening to take over his face.

Hansol was not like Seungkwan.

Hansol did not actively seek to make friends, though he didn't drive them away when they tried to approach him either. He was everything Seungkwan was not—cool in a chill kind of way, genuinely uncaring about the opinions of others whether it be about his looks or his personality, and most of all, he had a natural charm which attracted many of their peers without needing to go all out to make himself noticed.

The girl with Hansol was Yoo Jenli, part of the theater club and known for her quiet demeanor. She was the kind of girl Seungkwan had never expected to approach Hansol and randomly start up a conversation. Then again.. maybe it was Hansol who did so?

Seungkwan himself has only ever shared small talk with Jenli. Stunned, Seungkwan continued to watch Hansol arrange textbooks into his locker, his mouth never stopping as he relayed what was most likely a funny incident to Jenli. She laughed, the sound coming out gentle but true.

Hansol's smile reached his eyes.

For a second, Seungkwan considered just waiting for Hansol by the campus gates. It was then that Hansol looked up and spotted Seungkwan standing in the middle of the hallway looking lost. "Seungkwan!" Hansol greeted him, waving him over.

Seungkwan's eyes made contact with Jenli. When her expression didn't shift, he took tentative steps forward. "Hi, Seungkwan-ssi." Jenli gave a slight bow of her head. Her voice was like tinkling bells. "I'm sorry if this is sudden, but I really should get going since my unnie's waiting. I hope to see both of you around!" Then Jenli focused only on Hansol. "It was nice talking to you, Hansol-ah."

Seungkwan watched her dash off, not even bothering to say goodbye back. Hansol closed his locker, face already back to its normal, relaxed state when he asked Seungkwan, "You ready to go?"

They started walking down the same way Jenli went at a much slower pace. Seungkwan, with his eyes glued to the floor, suddenly felt the pressing weight of Hansol not making any move to start chatting about his day. He didn't even think to tell Seungkwan what his whole encounter with Jenli had been about.

That bothered Seungkwan. A lot.

Usually at this point Seungkwan would be rattling off about anything and everything, and Hansol would add on his own thoughts and anecdotes. Hansol, noticing the uncommon silence, bumped their arms together. "You okay?"

Seungkwan blinked. "Uh.. yeah. Thinking."

Hansol was not one to push when it was not his business. That was one of the many great things about him; he took everybody's right to privacy deadly serious. Meanwhile, Seungkwan couldn't say the same for himself, his love of gossip too demanding.