‣ staff room

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Hinata tilted her head, watching him settle into the couch like he owned the world— or at least his little corner of it. Her lips twitched into a mischievous smile, and she crossed her arms, leaning against his desk as if she had all the time in the world.

"Nap here? With you snoring loud enough to shake the walls? No thanks," she teased, rolling her eyes dramatically. Her tone was light, but there was a flicker of something softer in her gaze as she looked at him sprawled out, unguarded.

She tapped her fingers lightly against the desk, considering his words. "Stick by you the whole day? You'd like that, wouldn't you, Sir?" Her voice dropped into a mockingly sweet tone, though the glint in her eyes gave away her playfulness.

With a quiet sigh, she finally pushed herself off the desk and took a step closer, her shadow falling over him. She nudged his leg lightly with her foot— not enough to hurt, just enough to get his attention. "Don't get too comfortable. I might just come back and haunt you later, Sir."

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk's lips curled into a small smile, his gaze steady as he regarded her. "Is that a compliment, Ms. Hinata?" he replied, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. Whether her words were genuine or just another attempt to rattle him, he couldn’t tell, but he found her admission oddly endearing either way.

Her subtle reaction when he grabbed her leg didn’t escape his notice. It was an unusual crack in her otherwise bold and unyielding demeanor, and it intrigued him. He’d expected her to double down, to push the limits further just for the sake of it. Yet here she was, obedient, if only for a moment. That was new.

"Like I said, you can stay, perhaps nap too or leave. My office door is open to whatever you choose to do." he added, leaning back on the couch. He stretched out comfortably, draping an arm over the armrest and propping his head up with his hand, his legs now fully stretched out along the couch.

He quirked a brow as he glanced at her again. "Here I was thinking you’d stick by me for the whole day." he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. It was a playful jab, but carried a subtle acknowledgment of her presence and the dynamic they shared. Closing his eyes, he let the tension of the day slip away, though he remained attuned to her movements. "Be sure to close the door when you decide to leave, hm?" he murmured, his voice softer now, as though he was already halfway to sleep.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ sehun couldn’t help but smirk at kang’s remark about unasked-for skill sets, the playful glint in his eyes making his amusement clear. ' well, as long as you’re living with it gracefully,' he teased, leaning back in his chair with an easy, relaxed posture. ' not everyone can claim mastery over such a… specific talent. '

the mention of the jacket drew his gaze, and sehun found himself studying it briefly, noting how kang’s expression softened as he spoke about it. ' it must’ve been with you through a lot,' sehun said quietly, his tone slightly more serious now. ' it’s funny, isn’t it? how certain things carry memories, even when they’re just… things.' he gestured loosely toward the jacket, a small smile playing on his lips as he added, ' guess that makes them more than just things, though. '

when kang shifted to tea, sehun’s smile widened, his interest piqued by the other’s enthusiasm. ' tea making as a skill, huh? ' he asked with a raised brow, his tone both teasing and genuinely curious. ' guess I’ll have to take your word for it unless you’re planning to offer me a demonstration.' he chuckled lightly, but there was a spark of interest in his eyes. he could tell that tea was more than just a beverage to kang - it was an experience, maybe even a ritual, and sehun found himself unexpectedly intrigued.

as kang laughed about the projector incident, sehun chuckled along, shaking his head. ' well, whether it was sabotage or fate, at least the projector gave us a good story out of it,' he quipped, his grin widening. ' though I’ll admit, imagining you intimidating technology is a bit of a stretch. maybe you’re just cursed when it comes to gadgets?'

when the conversation turned to holiday plans again, sehun leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table as he listened. the mention of the ski trip brought a spark of interest to his face. ' a ski trip, huh? that sounds like a great way to spend the holidays, ' he said sincerely. ' though I know what you mean about plans falling apart. they always seem to have a mind of their own, don’t they?' he tilted his head, a thoughtful look crossing his features as he considered kang’s backup plan.

' learning more about your friend, hope,' sehun repeated, his voice light but with a teasing edge. ' that sounds like the kind of plan you can’t go wrong with. who knows? maybe hope will surprise you.' he took a sip from his cup, his gaze flicking to jang with a small smile that was both playful and earnest. ' and if not, you’ve always got tea-making skills to fall back on. that’s a solid plan b in my book. '

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ "Because you're interesting, Sir," Hinata admitted, her voice soft but confident, her head tilting slightly to the side as she studied him. There was a certain glint in her eyes, playful yet sincere, as if she was daring him to react to her bold statement.

Her teasing demeanor faltered for a brief moment when his hand suddenly caught her leg, halting her playful nudges. The unexpected contact made her jolt slightly, her body stiffening as her eyes darted to his hand and then to his face. The subtle shift in his tone wasn't lost on her— it wasn't harsh, but it carried a quiet authority that demanded obedience. Hinata swallowed lightly, nodding almost instinctively, a small gesture of compliance that seemed out of character for her usual rebellious antics.

As his grip loosened and he leaned back, Hinata let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her gaze followed him intently as he rose from his chair and made his way to the couch, plopping down with a huff that seemed to declare he was done dealing with her for now. She watched him settle in, his relaxed posture almost comical against the backdrop of their earlier exchange.

"No way I'm sticking around while you're snoring away," she said with a faint smirk, her voice light as she hopped off his desk. She dusted off her shorts with a quick pat, more out of habit than necessity, her movements fluid and unhurried. "Maybe some other time~"

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk raised an eyebrow at her playful antics, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She certainly had a knack for getting under his skin, and it seemed she was enjoying every minute of it. He let the first push of his chair go without a word, allowing the movement to pass without any reaction. It wasn’t the first time she’d tried to annoy him, and he knew well enough that letting her have her fun kept her occupied.

"I reckoned you have more people to bother, but it doesn’t seem like it, hm?" His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the playful edge to her teasing was met with a more serious gaze. "Funny enough, keeping an eye on you and having you here reassures me more than having you run around on your own." His words hung in the air, but they were not a complaint. Soohyuk had his own reasons for wanting her close, even if she was an endless source of amusement. She was unpredictable, and he couldn’t help but feel some sense of control when she was right there, within his reach.

When she pushed the chair again, this time with more force, Soohyuk’s patience snapped. The movement made his head spin slightly, and his hand instinctively shot out, grabbing her leg with firm but gentle restraint to stop the chair from rocking any further. His voice was firm as he looked up at her, not with anger but with quiet authority. "Would you be so kind as to not do that?" He said, his tone not a request but a mild command, his hand still holding her leg for a moment before it loosened. He shook his head slightly, trying to shake off the dizziness before offering her a soft smile. His demeanor shifted then, his earlier irritation melting away as he adopted a more relaxed stance.

"Well, you can linger here if you want. I might need my afternoon nap though." With that, Soohyuk stood up, tossing the empty lollipop stick into the trash can by his desk. He stretched briefly before moving over to the couch, sinking into it with comfort.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Hinata stretched her legs lazily, the tip of her shoe grazing the polished edge of Soohyuk's chair. With a calculated push, she sent it swiveling slightly from side to side, the motion slow and rhythmic. Perched comfortably on the edge of his desk, her legs dangled freely, her presence taking up more space than her small frame seemed capable of.

Flipping her phone open, she glanced at the time, her brows lifting in feigned surprise. With a soft, exaggerated sigh, she tilted her head, her lips curling into a playful pout as her gaze shifted back to him. "You're already trying to shoo your favorite brat student away? How mean," she teased, her voice carrying that familiar mix of mock hurt and teasing bravado. Her doe eyes glinted with mischief as she leaned forward slightly, her phone now resting forgotten beside her on the desk.

She stretched her arms overhead, shrugging lightly as though she was entirely unbothered by his growing exasperation. "A little bit longer until class is over, I guess," she added, her tone casual, almost lazy. Her fingers toyed idly with the edge of a nearby paper stack, the faint crinkle of the pages filling the silence. "Unless, of course, you're so desperate to kick me out. Then, well..." She trailed off, a sly grin tugging at the corner of . "I'll just find somewhere else to be. But honestly, wouldn't you miss me?" She pushed at his chair again with her foot, this time with a little more force, watching with undisguised amusement as it rocked slightly on its axis.

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk chuckled softly, shaking his head at her playful teasing. "Well, any company is still company." he said, his tone light as he watched her work. "By all means, do come back. Just give the door a good nudge, but make sure to knock before coming in." he added, flashing her a knowing smile.

He returned to his magazine, flipping through the pages casually. To an outsider, it looked like a regular National Geographic with its iconic yellow border, glossy pages showcasing wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. But anyone who truly knew him or dared to pry would suspect otherwise. Nestled between the regular articles was a carefully modified section, tailored to his more niche interests. This hidden part contained provocative, humorously scandalous editorials and outlandish satire, which is far from the publication's usual tone. Soohyuk chuckled softly under his breath at the absurdity of the content, but his attention shifted back to her words as she spoke. "Well, I might miss you. Who knows? We'll never know until that day comes, hm?" he said, giving her a soft smile. He figured she'd get bored eventually and leave him be. The future was uncertain, but he preferred to enjoy the present and that was bantering with his favorite brat student.

As she closed her sketchpad, Soohyuk followed suit, letting his own reading material rest on the desk. "It's never certain with you, is it?" he remarked with a teasing grin. "I'll be honored when that day comes." He placed the magazine back in the drawer and leaned back on his chair, eyeing her with a raised brow. "Now, are you done turning my office into your personal art room?" he asked, casually playing with the lollipop stick now that the candy had been finished.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Hinata smirked as her pencil danced over the paper, shading the intricate details of the eye. "Sounds like you're not complaining at all," she remarked, her tone teasing as she paused to blow an invisible strand of hair away from her face. The lollipop between her lips shifted slightly as she spoke, the candy stick bobbing with her words. "Should I bother you more tomorrow? I'm getting pretty good at it."

Her focus returned to the sketch, darkening the edges of the pupil to make it sharper, more vivid. The eye on the paper seemed almost alive now, staring back at her with an intensity that matched her own. She tilted her head, examining her work, before letting out a satisfied hum. "Fine you can called me brat then. Whatever keeps you happy, Mister Wen," she added, her voice dripping with playful defiance. "But fair warning— I might go extra brat on you. Wouldn't want you to think I'm getting soft."

Her hand moved deftly across the paper again, refining the subtle highlights in the iris, the faint gleam giving the eye an almost glassy appearance. She smirked to herself, a quiet moment of pride flickering across her face before she spoke again.

"Glad to know it not bad, oh great art critic," she murmured, her tone light but tinged with sarcasm. Her pencil paused briefly as she leaned back, placing one hand on the desk for balance. The lollipop shifted to the corner of as she cast a sly glance toward the drawing. "But let's not pretend you wouldn't miss me if I actually focused on 'real work'," she quipped, her voice playful but confident. "Annoying you is way more fulfilling than anything I could pull out of your precious to-do list."

She tilted the sketchpad slightly, her gaze flicking to the eye on the page. "You say 'keep at it' like I need your encouragement," she mused, spinning the pencil between her fingers idly.

Finally, she closed her sketchpad with a soft snap and leaned back slightly, one brow arching as she placed the pencil behind her ear. Her expression was as smug as ever, mischief dancing in her eyes as she tap her fingers idly on the closed sketchpad. "Maybe I'll sketch you next."

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ “Guess I’m the only one willing to deal with you in the first place.” Soohyuk shot back smoothly, shrugging as if to punctuate his words. He leaned back a little further in his chair, letting the lollipop rest at the corner of his mouth as his eyes flicked to her sketchpad momentarily before returning to her face. “But hey, I must be doing something right if you keep coming back to bother me.” He gestured vaguely with the stick of his lollipop, his tone shifting to one of mock seriousness. “And admit it, lollipops are universally acknowledged as little bits of joy. It’s not just me.” His lips curled into a playful smile, his cheeky demeanor never far behind.

When she offered her name, Soohyuk inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “Hinata.” he repeated, his voice softer for a moment, as if testing the weight of it. “It’s a beautiful name, I’ll give you that. But I think I’ll stick with calling you Brat, if you don’t mind.” he added with a teasing smirk, one brow raised in challenge. “It suits you.”

Her playful resistance to sharing her sketch earned only a slight quirk of his brow. Unbothered, Soohyuk opened his desk drawer and pulled out a magazine, flipping to a random page of National Geographic. “Suit yourself.” he murmured, turning the page with a casual air, his demeanor as nonchalant as ever. But when Hinata finally relented and tilted the sketchpad toward him, Soohyuk glanced up, his eyes sharpening with genuine interest. He leaned forward slightly, letting the magazine rest on his lap as he took in the intricately detailed eye on the paper. “Not bad.” he said, his tone lacking the usual sarcasm, though a hint of teasing lingered at the edges. “If only you put this much focus into doing actual work instead of annoying me, we’d be golden.”

Satisfied with his jab, he leaned back again, twirling the lollipop stick idly between his fingers. “Keep at it, though.” he added offhandedly, gesturing with a slight nod toward her sketchpad.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Hinata continued sketching, her lollipop tucked into the corner of , the sweet orange flavor lingering more as she worked. "The only person dealing with me right now is you, Mister Wen," she remarked, her tone playful as her eyes stayed focused on the sketchpad. Her pencil paused briefly as she glanced at him, a teasing glint in her gaze.

"Don't flatter yourself too much, Sir," she said, pulling the lollipop out of with a soft pop. Twirling it lazily between her fingers, she smirked. "It's just a candy. Let's not make it bigger than it is."

When he called her Young Miss, she rolled her eyes, her tone turning mockingly stern. "And stop calling me that. It's getting old." She paused, letting the teasing edge in her voice settle. "Hinata. If you must know. Lan Hinata."

When Soohyuk finally leaned back into his office chair, twirling the lollipop between his fingers with that signature air of nonchalance, Hinata finally shifted. She uncrossed her legs and turned her body to face him fully, placing one hand on the edge of the desk for balance. Her posture was relaxed, but her expression carried a spark of mischief.

"None of your business," she muttered, her grin widening at his curiosity. After a moment, she relented just a little, offering, "Random sketches." At his direct question, she leaned back slightly, popping the lollipop back into as if considering how much to reveal. Finally, she tilted the sketchpad toward him slightly, revealing a detailed close up of an eye. The shading was intricate, every detail from the reflections in the iris to the delicate sweep of the lashes carefully rendered.

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk tilted his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he watched her antics. Her playful grin and quick retorts made it hard not to be entertained. Leaning back against the couch, he rested his elbow on the armrest, the lollipop shifting lazily between his teeth. "A compliment, an observation, or maybe just a warning for whoever else might have to deal with you." His gaze followed her as she leaned forward to grab a lollipop, mirroring his habit. "Though I must admit, you seem to have the technique down. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." he teased, gesturing toward her with his lollipop before popping it back in his mouth.

When she pulled out her sketchpad, his brows lifted slightly, intrigued by her sudden shift to art. "Age appropriate?" he echoed with a dry chuckle. "I'll take that as you being jealous of my impeccable ability to find peace amidst chaos." His tone was playful but carried an air of mock superiority, his expression unbothered as always. The sound of her pencil scratching against the paper filled the room, and Soohyuk found himself glancing occasionally at her work. Her focused expression was a stark contrast to her earlier cheekiness, but her words kept the playful energy alive.

"Favorite brat student, Yes." he repeated, his smirk deepening. "Well, someone has to keep things entertaining around here, I suppose. You've certainly proven to be... memorable." His eyes flicked to hers briefly when she looked up, catching her challenging gaze. She was right, she had a way of making it impossible to dislike her, even if she was a handful.

At her final remark, he let out a low laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Careful with that confidence, Young Miss, you might just outshine everyone else here." He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief as he added, "But if you're sticking around for the long term, I expect some creative chaos to keep me entertained. Don't let me down, favorite brat." He then pulled the lollipop from his mouth with a soft pop as he pushed himself up from the couch and strolled over to where she sat with her sketchpad. His curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest.

"What are you sketching?" he asked casually, his tone light but tinged with genuine curiosity. He tilted his head, trying to catch a glimpse of the paper but without waiting for her answer, he made his way to his desk, settling into his office chair. Leaning back lazily, he propped one elbow on the armrest and twirled the lollipop between his fingers, his gaze still fixed on her.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ "Is that a compliment, Mister Soohyuk?" Hinata asked, a silly grin plastered on her lips. It was her first time having such a lively banter with someone— let alone with a guidance counselor. The way he fired back at her, as if they were playing an intense game of verbal tennis, only added to the fun.

She let out a small hum as he pointed to the "prize" she had been waiting for. Leaning forward, she reached for the bowl of candy, fishing out a lollipop as if to mimic him. "Hmm," she murmured, unwrapping the wrapper and popping the lollipop into . The sweet orange flavor lingered on her tongue before she pulled it out. "Let just say I was born with a silver tongue," she said with a playful smile.

Reaching for her sling bag, she placed it on her lap and ped it, pulling out her sketchpad and pencil case. "That sounds… age appropriate for how you spend your time," she added, shooting him a sly smile before shoving the lollipop back in, letting it rest at the side of her cheek.

Taking a pencil from the case, she twirled it between her fingers before focusing on her sketchpad. The sound of pencil scratches filled the space as she resumed her last unfinished sketch. Her doe eyes were locked on the paper, but her voice carried her playful energy.

"Your favorite brat student, as you so graciously put it, is here to stay for the long term," she quipped, her gaze briefly flicking up to meet his. Her look seemed to say: 'You really can't hate me' before returning to her sketch.

"You know you love having me around anyway," she teased, her voice light and cheeky. "I'm probably the rarest gem in this place." She flashed him a quick grin, her tone filled with mischief.

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk leaned back further into the couch, his posture a picture of nonchalant ease. His dark eyes watched her closely, the faintest hint of amusement glinting in them as she tied her blonde hair into a ponytail. She carried herself with a confidence that he couldn’t help but appreciate, though he wasn’t about to let her know that. When she spoke with that biting sarcasm, a smirk tugged at his lips. "I’ve come to realize not to underestimate brats like you, Young Miss." he remarked, his tone deliberately casual yet edged with teasing. He raised a brow, acknowledging her wit with an exaggerated gesture of his lollipop. "You’ve got quite the silver tongue. I’ll give you that much."

Her playful jab about his quiz earned her a soft chuckle. "And have you disturb my little downtime? No thanks." He shook his head, his gaze steady on hers. "I was just wrapping up a peaceful afternoon when you decided to grace my inbox. Figured I might as well make it interesting." His words were laced with playful mischief, a faint shrug accompanying his explanation as if his actions were entirely justified.

When her mock surprise turned into disbelief at his 'charge', Soohyuk let out a laugh, the sound deep and relaxed. "Well, I tried." he said, shrugging with exaggerated resignation. "I had a feeling you wouldn’t go for it. You’re far too stubborn to agree to anything that easily." He waved the lollipop in her direction like it was some sort of token in their playful standoff before slipping it back between his lips with deliberate ease. Still, he wasn’t one to break his word, no matter how trivial the promise. He gestured towards the bowl of sweets on his desk with a tilt of his head. "Your prize, as promised." he offered, his tone light but carrying a hint of sincerity beneath the teasing. "Help yourself. Consider it a reward for your valiant efforts in tracking me down."

Soohyuk let his eyes linger on her for a moment as he savored the sugary taste of the lollipop, the corner of his mouth quirking into a half smile. She was stubborn, sharp, and entirely too entertaining for her own good. He’d never admit it outright, but he enjoyed these little back and forths more than he probably should.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Her brow arched slightly as she studied him, eyes tracing the way he sprawled across the couch with an air of indifference, as if the world was at his feet. A grin tugged at her lips, amused by the way he spoke, like his challenge was somehow a threat. "Uh huh," she said, her voice light but dripping with sarcasm, "You know so well that I'll talk my way out of anything. Thank you for acknowledging my wit."

She laughed softly, the sound almost musical as she gathered her blonde hair into a messy ponytail, the simple action a quiet display of her effortless confidence. As she tied her hair up, her gaze never left him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched him pop the lollipop into his mouth. There was something about the way he did it— slow, deliberate— that made her smile, even if it was just for a moment.

"You know," she continued, her voice a little lighter now, "I would have found you if you just told me where you were, instead of turning it into some damn quiz." She rolled her eyes dramatically, the playful annoyance evident in the gesture. Her arms crossed over her chest, her posture as casual as ever, but with an edge that suggested she wasn't about to back down.

At his offer, her brows lifted in mock surprise, eyes squinting for a moment as if trying to gauge whether he was serious. Then, with a shake of her head, she let out a short laugh. "No way you're gonna charge me for that," she scoffed, her tone light but full of disbelief. She tilted her head to the side, a small smirk playing on her lips. "And what if I don't want to?" she asked, the challenge in her words clear, her gaze locked on him as she awaited his response, daring him to take her seriously.

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk’s gaze lingered on her as she moved past him, his sharp eyes catching the faint flicker of frustration she tried so hard to mask. The corners of his lips twitched in amusement, her futile attempts to maintain composure feeding his playful side. He let her settle in without a word, watching as she perched on the edge of his desk like she owned the space, her confidence both amusing and intriguing.

Satisfied, he made his way to the couch, sinking into its soft cushions with the kind of ease that spoke volumes about his comfort in his own domain. He stretched out lazily, propping his legs on the coffee table and leaning back into the couch with one arm slung over the backrest. “And if you had kicked my door down.” he began, voice calm but laced with mock seriousness, “I’d have no choice but to write you up for suspension.” He turned his head slightly to glance at her, a slow smirk forming as he added, “Though I’m sure you’d find a way to talk yourself out of it, wouldn’t you?”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a lollipop. The familiar crinkle of the wrapper filled the room as he unwrapped it with deliberate slowness, popping it into his mouth with a quiet, satisfied hum. His expression remained nonchalant as he addressed her question, shrugging casually. “I was out in the courtyard.” he said, his tone deliberately light. “Enjoying the peace and quiet. But then some annoying little brat decided she couldn’t go five minutes without knowing where I was.” He cast her a pointed glance, his playful smile growing wider, the lollipop bobbing slightly in his mouth as he spoke.

Leaning his head back against the couch, he let his eyes drift shut, his posture the picture of relaxation. “You know..” he continued, voice tinged with a teasing edge, “I might start charging you for wasting my precious downtime. What do you think? Maybe a coffee for every interruption?” Though his words were lighthearted, his tone carried a quiet challenge, daring her to respond with her usual sharp wit.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ She was on the verge of throwing a full blown tantrum, her frustration bubbling over, when movement caught her eye. Her head snapped toward the corner, her posture straightening instantly as she spotted the male approaching. With practiced composure, she tilted her chin upward, meeting his gaze with a half hearted glare. Her narrowed eyes squinted slightly, as if to convey her irritation, though her resolve wavered the moment he came to a stop in front of her.

"Yeah sure," she mumbled under her breath, her lashes fluttering in feigned indifference. Her attempt at nonchalance faltered when his smirk grew wider, a silent taunt that only deepened the furrow in her brow. He reached out and twisted the door handle with maddening ease, the sound of the latch clicking open echoing in her ears. She stared at the now open door, dumbfounded. It wasn't locked at all.

Her lips parted slightly, as though about to protest, but she clamped them shut just as quickly. The exaggerated bow and sweeping gesture he offered didn't help; his mockery was blatant and the urge to shove him aside was almost too tempting to resist. Instead, with a sharp exhale through her nose, she stepped inside, carefully masking her annoyance with a cool demeanor.

Once inside, she made a beeline for his desk, casually perching herself on the edge with an air of nonchalance. Crossing one leg over the other, she let her gaze wander around the room, a low hum escaping her lips as if she hadn't just been standing outside fuming moments ago. Her fingers idly tapped against the wooden surface, the rhythm steady and calculated.

"If I would known the door was just stuck," she began, turning her head to glance over her shoulder at him, her grin wide and unapologetic, "I probably would have kicked it open instead." There was a mischievous twinkle in her doe like eye as she leaned back slightly, as though daring him to challenge her.

Without waiting for a response, she tilted her head and asked, "So, where were you anyway?" Her tone was casual, but there was an underlying edge of curiosity, her earlier irritation quickly giving way to the familiar banter they always shared.

@☁︎┊lan hinata ᵇ ²²⁰¹²⁵ Soohyuk leaned back against the bench under the giant tree, his eyes lazily scanning the courtyard as he enjoyed the serenity of the moment. The quiet hum of campus life buzzed faintly in the background, but for him, it was the perfect afternoon. The banter-filled text exchange with his “favorite” student had only made it better, drawing occasional chuckles from him. Stretching his arms overhead, he let out a contented sigh, the kind that comes from a moment of pure relaxation. Just as he was about to pocket his phone, another message pinged in. Reading it, he couldn’t suppress a light laugh. Her mix of teasing and impatience was all too familiar, and it amused him to no end.

To: Brat Student
From: Soohyuk
— No need for that. Just stay put.

He hit send, tucked the phone into his pocket, and casually made his way back toward his office. As he turned the corner, he spotted her leaning against the door, her phone in hand, impatience evident in her posture. He raised a hand in a playful wave, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Didn’t make you wait long, as promised, right?" he called out, his tone light he approached.

Stopping in front of her, Soohyuk tilted his head slightly, catching the faint amusement in her eyes. He glanced at the door handle and gave a knowing smirk before reaching out. With a simple twist and push, the door creaked open. "It wasn’t locked, just stuck." he said, his voice carrying a teasing edge as he gestured for her to step inside. "After you, Young Miss." he added with an exaggerated bow, his hand sweeping toward the now open office door. The gesture was clearly meant to poke fun at her earlier threat to "break in." but the playful glint in his eyes showed he was enjoying their little game.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Seeing his reply light up her screen, Hinata rolled her eyes, though the soft smile tugging at her lips gave away her amusement. She carefully closed the book she had borrowed from the library, running her fingers over its worn cover. After placing it back neatly on the shelf where it belonged, she brushed off her skirt and made her way toward the beta office, her footsteps light but quick.

Reaching the door, she raised a brow as she reach to try the handle. It didn't budge. Locked. She sighed, the sound soft but heavy with annoyance, before turning around and leaning her back against the door. The faint scent of wood polish lingered in the air as she flipped open her phone. Her fingers moved swiftly over the keys, her expression shifting to one of playful mischief as she typed out a message.

"↳ to: tall sir
↳ from: hinachan

— I can definitely make it lively for you wys ?
— I'm waiting infront your office. don't make me pull the pin from my hair to break in, sir. "

Pressing send, she snapped the phone shut, the click satisfying in the quiet hallway. Tilting her head back, she stared at the ceiling, her mind wandering as she idly tapped her nails against her phone. "Can't believe I'm willing to wait instead?" she muttered under her breath, though her smile lingered.

For a brief moment, she adjusted the strap of her bag, her posture shifting slightly. Impatience flickered in her chest, but it was tempered by the teasing anticipation that made her glance down at her phone, waiting for the other to reply.

@☁︎┊lan sehun ᵃ Kang let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head at the other's playful remark. “It’s one skill set I didn’t specifically ask for, but I suppose I’ll have to live with it, huh?” he quipped back, his tone lighthearted as he took a measured sip of his tea. The warmth of the drink seemed to mirror the gentle smile that touched his lips.

At the mention of the jacket, Kang glanced over at it fondly, the memories tied to it evident in his softened expression. “Too much history than I’d care to admit.” he said quietly, his smile deepening. “Funny how some things sneak up on you, becoming more important than you realize.” His voice carried a trace of nostalgia, as if the jacket was a silent witness to milestones he wasn’t quite ready to share.

He straightened slightly, his demeanor brightening at the topic of tea. “I’d love to share.” he said enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up. “If anything, I take pride in my tea making skills. Years of practice should count for something, right?” He chuckled, half to himself, the sound warm and self effacing. Kang had always found solace in the meticulous process of brewing tea, sometimes even indulging in traditional tea ceremonies to coax out the finest flavors from the leaves. It was one of the rare moments in his busy life where everything seemed to pause, letting him find a semblance of peace.

When Sehun joked about Kang’s supposed charm intimidating the projector, Kang couldn’t hold back a laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly with amusement. “Thank you for the compliment.” he replied, setting his cup down with a slight shake of his head. “But I’m afraid I’m just not tech savvy to begin with. Although..” he added thoughtfully, “it’s equally possible the projector was on its last legs before I even touched it. I’ll choose to believe that version of events.it’s kinder on my ego.”

As the other male opened up about his holiday plans, Kang leaned forward slightly, his attention fully on the younger man. The mention of family and competitive board games brought a warm smile to his face. “Sounds like you’ll have a wonderful holiday celebration, Professor.” he said sincerely. “There’s something special about spending time with loved ones, even if it does involve fiercely contested board games.” And when the question was turned back to him, Kang chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Well, fixing projectors would certainly be one way to spend the holidays, but I’d like to think I can do better than that.” He smiled, his tone light but with a tinge of self awareness. “I’m supposed to go on a ski trip, though sometimes plans have a way of falling apart, don’t they?” He paused, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his teacup before adding with a faint, determined smile, “If that happens, I think I’ll spend the time learning more about my new friend, Hope.” Raising his cup, he took a measured sip, his calm demeanor settling once again like freshly fallen snow.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ sehun leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as a soft chuckle escaped him. ' misfortune, huh? well, kang, maybe you’re not clumsy in the traditional sense, but attracting chaos might just be its own special skill set.' his lips curved into a playful smirk, his tone warm and teasing. ' don’t worry, though - I’ll keep the crown for now. you’ve got enough going on without adding my title of ‘most accident-prone professor’ to your list.'

his eyes flicked to the jacket draped neatly over the chair as kang mentioned its sentimental value. ' ah, the jacket’s got history, does it?' sehun said, nodding with mock solemnity. ' I get it. losing something like that feels like losing an old friend. glad it survived the chaos of your day unscathed. the rest of your luck might’ve run out, but at least the jacket pulled through.'

as kang accepted the compliment about his coffee-making skills, sehun raised an eyebrow. ' tea, you say? now you’ve piqued my interest,' he said with genuine curiosity. ' if you’re that good with tea, I might have to put in a special request next time. I’ll admit, I’m more of a coffee person, but there’s something soothing about a well-made cup of tea. guess I’ll have to see if you live up to the hype.' his grin softened into something warmer as he picked up his own cup, swirling the liquid absently.

when kang brought up the broken projector, sehun let out a low laugh. ' technology gods, huh? sounds about right. those things always seem to have minds of their own. I’m betting the poor projector just couldn’t handle your charm - it short-circuited out of sheer intimidation.' he leaned back with an exaggerated shrug, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

at the mention of the holidays, sehun’s expression shifted, his teasing demeanor softening into something more thoughtful. he tilted his head slightly, considering the question before answering. ' well, nothing too extravagant. I was thinking of heading home for a bit. it’s been a while since I’ve had a proper break, and my sister’s been hinting - okay, not so subtly - that she misses me.'

he chuckled softly, the sound tinged with a hint of nostalgia. ' I might even get dragged into one of those ridiculously competitive board game nights.' he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.' what about you?' he asked, turning the question back to kang with genuine interest. ' you’ve had a rough day - hopefully, you’ve got something relaxing or exciting planned to look forward to. unless, of course,' he added with a mischievous glint in his eye, 'you’re planning to spend the holidays fixing broken projectors.'

@☼┊wen taehyung ᵒ It would seem her words had been more effective than she had intended, as the man before her seemed to quite readily lay his cards on the table. Perhaps he truly had never been able to share it all before. Perhaps he still held back for all she knew. What was most certain though was that she was not able to hide the wrinkle of her brows as he continued to speak.

There was no doubt that he must have gone through a lot. She could only start to imagine how that could break someone’s psyche, making it quite easy to mould the person into this ‘play thing’ as he had so eloquently put it. It was horrifying. To think anyone could do something so heinous to another being; another wolf.

Had his hand been on the table she would likely have reached out towards him, hoping to give him any kind of support for what he was telling her. Yet she stayed in her seat, remaining quiet even after everything he had divulged. It was heavy. Even her normally expressionless face carried a quite prominent scowl of disapproval.

“So this man… Is he still in the picture? Is his father?” Hyunjung knew she had to be careful with the questions she aimed at him, not wanting to dig deeper than what he felt comfortable with.

@☁︎┊lan sehun ᵃ Kang let out a soft chuckle at Sehun’s words, his gaze warm and playful. “I may not be clumsy myself, but I sure do seem to attract misfortune in some form or another.” he mused, leaning back slightly in his chair. “I suppose that still counts as being clumsy in the grand scheme of things. But don’t worry, Professor, I’m not gladly taking the crown from you.” His lips curled into a teasing smile, the friendly banter between them easing the tension from his earlier chaotic day.

He glanced at his jacket, which now hung neatly on the back of his chair, and shook his head at the thought of accidentally ruining it. “Destroying my favorite jacket would’ve been a tragedy.” he said with mock seriousness, a hand lightly brushing against the fabric. “This one’s been through a lot with me. Definitely not something I’d want to see shredded.” And when the other complimented his coffee making skills, Kang’s eyes lit up with genuine appreciation. “Why, thank you. I take pride in making a good warm drink, tea, most especially.” His smile softened, and he took a sip from his cup, savoring the soothing warmth. “It’s nice to know I can extend that same comfort to someone else.”

As Sehun leaned forward with playful curiosity about the broken projector, Kang chuckled again, shrugging his shoulders as he crossed one leg over the other. “The projector… ah, yes. Still a mystery, really. Maybe it just decided it had enough of this world, or maybe I accidentally upset the technology gods in some way. Either way, I’m chalking it up to this not being my day.” He gestured lightly to emphasize his point, his tone lighthearted despite the string of misfortunes. “But at least..” he added, his gaze meeting the other's with a hint of gratitude, “this conversation feels like a win. A nice break from the chaos.” He smiled softly.

After a brief pause, Kang tilted his head slightly, his curiosity getting the better of him. “If you don’t mind me asking.” he began gently, his tone careful not to overstep, “do you have any plans for the holidays? Of course, no pressure to share for I wouldn’t want to pry.” He offered a small, encouraging smile, his intention clear. “I just thought it might be nice to hear about something exciting or relaxing you’re looking forward to.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ It was nice to hear even though he already knew it wasn't his fault. He knew it wasn't his fault but sometimes he wore the burdens of the deaths of his people as if he had caused it just because he was the only survivor. It weighed heavy on him all the time. For some reason, a reason he wasn't entirely sure of, he trusted her. He felt safe in this room with her and it felt like she was genuinely caring for him.

"Okay... I trust you.." He spoke softly, fingers gripping the edge of the chair beneath him in a tight squeeze, so tight his knuckles were whitening, "Jungkooks father. He burned my village to the ground. One of his advisors found me and my grandparents and saved us... His father only spared my life because I am pureblood. He spared my life to become... a play thing for Jungkook.."

The things he was speaking out loud were dangerous, but he needed to get it off his chest, "We were best friends though.. growing up.. I really loved him.."

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Sehun settled into the chair, his gaze following kang as he gracefully moved about, setting down the pot and preparing tea and coffee. there was something soothing in the way kang worked, every movement deliberate yet effortless. sehun’s fingers tapped a playful rhythm against the edge of the table, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

' and here I thought I was the clumsy one,' he quipped, his tone light, but the glimmer in his eyes betrayed his amusement. ' looks like I’ve got some competition now.'

he chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair, his arms casually draped over the sides. ' but knowing the fabric is essential.' he stressed the word with mock seriousness, then grinned. ' otherwise, you might burn a hole right through it, and imagine the field day the gossip mill would have with that!' his laughter rang out, his eyes crinkling into crescent shapes that sparkled with mirth.

as kang recounted his day, sehun listened attentively, nodding occasionally while his fingers wrapped around the warm cup of coffee. he lifted it, savoring the aroma before taking a slow sip. the corners of his lips curled upward in satisfaction as he set the cup back down with a quiet hum. ' you really know how to make a good cup of coffee,' he said, a note of genuine appreciation in his voice. ' just the way I like it. guess I’ll have to keep you around.'

he chuckled again, leaning forward slightly, his expression softening. ' my day was pretty uneventful, honestly. I wouldn't mind shaking things up a bit.' his brows raised slightly in curiosity. ' but a broken projector? what happened? did it finally decide it was time to retire, or did someone give it a push over the edge? ' his tone was playful, but there was a genuine interest in his eyes as he leaned on the table, ready to hear more about kang’s misadventures.

@☁︎┊lan sehun ᵃ Kang let out a soft laugh at Sehun’s dramatic sigh, his shoulders relaxing further as he listened. There was something endearing about the younger man's playful demeanor that Kang found himself enjoying. The sharp edges of Sehun’s intimidating exterior softened with his words, revealing glimpses of the person beneath, a contrast Kang appreciated.

“Tea, yes.” Kang replied with a small smile, setting a kettle on the stove. “As for coffee, let’s just say the caffeine gods and I had a falling out during my university years. Too many late nights and too much reliance on it. I prefer the calmness tea offers now.” His tone was light, tinged with a hint of self awareness.

When Sehun offered his advice on stain removal, Kang nodded thoughtfully. “Knowing your fabric, huh? I’ll have to keep that in mind next time.” A chuckle escaped him. “Though, with my luck, there’s always a next time.”

And at the mention of sweets, Kang raised a brow, his lips quirking into an amused smirk. “Caught you red-handed, did I? Well, I suppose I have a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time.” he teased, pouring hot water into the teapot before preparing a cup of coffee for Sehun. Turning back to the table, Kang set down the steaming drinks and took a seat across from him. “Quiet day?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “I wish I could say the same. My day’s been… colorful, to say the least. Between misplaced files, a broken projector, and now this stain debacle, I feel like chaos follows me wherever I go.” He paused, letting out a soft laugh as he cradled his tea. “But moments like these, just sharing a quiet conversation make it all worth it.” Kang’s gaze softened as he looked at Sehun, a glimmer of genuine gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks for even helping me out. Im pretty sure got better things to do than deal with my little predicament.”

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ sehun nodded, letting out a dramatic sigh for effect, though his lips quirked into a small smile. he knew he came off as intimidating - a tall, sharp-eyed figure with a commanding presence. but beneath the exterior, he considered himself a soft-hearted goofball. at least, that’s how he liked to see himself.

chuckling softly, his gaze dropped from professor kang to the now spotless jacket. sehun poked at the damp spot experimentally, as if testing whether the stain had truly vanished, before turning his attention to putting away the cleaning supplies.

' tea, huh?' he mused, placing the vinegar bottle neatly back on the shelf. ' what made you give up on coffee? betrayed by the caffeine gods?' his tone was light, and he even let out a soft, mock gasp as he teased. ' the key to fighting stains is knowing your fabric and what it’s made of. if you don’t, you’ll end up turning a tiny spot into a whole disaster. trust me, i’ve been there.' he gave a knowing grin, his playful side shining through.

when professor kang mentioned making coffee, sehun returned the smile with a polite nod. something about kang’s kind and composed demeanor was surprisingly refreshing. he was the sort of person sehun could see himself getting along with, despite their contrasting energies.

' my day?' sehun rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. ' pretty uneventful, honestly. well, until you caught me red-handed with those sweets. you’ve got a knack for catching people at their worst, huh?' he let out a self-deprecating laugh, settling into a chair and relaxing into the moment. ' what about you? besides the stain fiasco - anything worth mentioning? or is your day as quiet as mine?'

he watched kang as the man moved to make the coffee, the soothing clatter of cups and spoons filling the space. for the first time in what felt like ages, sehun found himself genuinely curious about the conversation. something about the calm but intentional way kang carried himself piqued his interest, and he couldn’t help but feel this meeting was the beginning of a promising camaraderie.

@☁︎┊lan joohyun ᵇ There was no doubt that their relationship and physical boundaries were different from most other friends. Someone as logically minded as Hyunjung knew that more than well, and yet she allowed her friend to do as she pleased, knowing it brought her comfort. Even as kids they had been far more physical in their expressions of care than most. It was just how they were.

Hyunjung's hand came up to gently brush the back of Joohyun's head, as casually as she would do anything else. "I take things one step at a time," she hummed. There was no need to think about her answer. Her routines had become part of her life after doing them for so long. "I make lists to make things more manageable. Set of small breaks to mediate between tasks to keep myself calm."

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Joohyun hummed as she sink her fave more into Hyunjung’s chest as she hugged her, there’s nothing wrong with hugging a friend. To the two of them, they had a very unusual hugging yet no one noticed and Joohyun usually gets the most comfort to Hyunjung. Then she looked at Hyunjung, “Hyunjung-ah, how do you deal with all the stress?” She asked the Lan omega.

@☁︎┊lan sehun ᵃ Kang watched the other with a warm smile as he effortlessly handled the stain. There was something comforting about Sehun’s demeanor, and Kang found himself appreciating the other’s calm presence. The man’s humor was disarming, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at Sehun’s self deprecating comment. "That’s the spirit." Kang replied, his tone light and easy. "We all have our moments, but I’m glad we got it cleaned up." He raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued by Sehun’s offer. "I’d be curious to learn some more tips," he admitted, grateful for the chance to improve his own methods.

When Sehun joked about others not noticing his slip-ups, Kang couldn't help but smile. "I suppose that’s a perk of being intimidating." he teased, though there was a softness to his words, a recognition of the underlying complexity in Sehun’s tone.

Sehun’s invitation to have coffee together took Kang by surprise, though in the best way. He hadn’t expected the invitation, but it felt natural. "Coffee sounds nice." Kang replied thoughtfully, running a hand through his hair. "Though, I have to admit, I’m more of a tea person myself. But seeing as you’ve already helped me out with the jacket, I’d be happy to make coffee for both of us." He smiled warmly at the other. "I can prepare a separate drink for myself, of course, and I’d love to take this chance to bond over a quiet conversation. I think I could use a calm afternoon after today’s chaos."

Kang smiled warmly as he motioned for the other to sit down. "Please, make yourself comfortable." he said as he began to prepare both the tea and coffee. His movements were deliberate and calm, a welcome contrast to the hectic events of the day. As the kettle began to boil, he glanced over at Sehun with a thoughtful expression. "So..." Kang began, his tone friendly and conversational, "how has your day been so far? I can only imagine it’s been more peaceful than mine?" he asked with a soft chuckle, knowing the day had already been a bit too eventful for his liking.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ when professor kang didn’t comment on his title or any formalities, instead suggesting they address each other as colleagues, sehun couldn’t help but smile - a genuine, unguarded expression. the man was kind, approachable, and sehun found his presence oddly comforting. perhaps this was someone he could genuinely befriend.

his attention returned to the stain, and a soft chuckle escaped as professor kang leaned in to inspect his concoction of three household ingredients. it wasn’t elegant, but it worked. after a few more scrubs, the stain had disappeared, leaving the fabric as good as new. sehun rinsed it under the faucet and held it up with a triumphant grin.

' at least one of us isn’t a total disaster,' he quipped, tossing in a light-hearted jab at himself. ' icould show you some more tips and tricks if you’re interested,'he added, his voice soft, almost shy.

when kang made a passing comment about being clumsy, sehun rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. ' not me. most people are too scared of me to notice my slip-ups,' he joked, though his tone hinted at a mix of humor and truth.

then his gaze flicked toward the coffee pot on the counter, and he hesitated for only a moment before asking, ' would you like to have coffee with me, professor?' there was warmth in his question, a subtle but genuine attempt to extend their budding camaraderie beyond the mundane task of stain removal.