The university grounds pulsed with music and laughter, the night air thick with the scent of alcohol and the heat of bodies pressed together. The welcome party was in full swing, and despite his initial reluctance, Jay found himself here, drink in hand, standing at the edge of the chaos.
He wasn't the type for these kinds of events. He preferred the quiet hum of a coffee shop, the comfort of a book, or the soft glow of his laptop screen. But Steve and Chi-chi had insisted, dragging him along with the promise that he--would have fun for once.
Now, as he stood there, feeling the bass thrum in his chest, Jay was regretting every decision that led him to this moment.
But then, there was Han.
Han River.
And suddenly, it wasn't so bad.
Han was the kind of person who commanded attention effortlessly. Dressed in a black crop top that showcased his defined abs and a long, plunging V-neck that accentuated the sharp lines of his jaw and collarbone, he looked both ethereal and dangerous. His skin, glass-like under the dim party lights, glowed as he moved, each step carrying the weight of someone who knew exactly how much power they held.
Jay tried not to look. He really did. But his eyes betrayed him, flicking back to Han every few minutes, as if pulled by some invisible force.
And Han knew.
From across the crowd, Han caught his gaze, a slow smirk curling at the edges of his lips before he turned his attention back to his friends - Seo and Kyung, both equally charismatic and bold, their energy matching Han's in a way that made Jay feel completely out of place.
Steve, standing beside Jay, let out a low whistle. "Damn. Everyone's showing skin tonight. Even Chi-chi's got the confidence to wear that sheer cardigan."
Jay glanced at Chi-chi, who, despite his usual aloof demeanor, had opted for a see-through black cardigan, the fabric teasing just enough to show off his smooth, lean frame.
And then there was Steve's high school friend, Shu - a stunning woman with a body that turned heads, dressed in something that left little to the imagination.
She clung to Steve in a way that made it seem like they were together, but every time someone mentioned it, Shu gagged dramatically.
"Platonic," she always clarified with an exaggerated eye roll. "Steve's like a dumb puppy. Cute but not my type."
The seniors who organized the party had promised the university administration that things would stay under control - no fights, no accidents, no unexpected pregnancies. But looking around, Jay wasn't so sure. The seniors seemed wilder than anyone else, throwing back shots like water and encouraging increasingly reckless party games.
And then came the drinking game.
Jay wasn't sure how it started, but suddenly, there was a rule - if you lost, you had to kiss someone. The air grew thick with anticipation, students cheering as each person took their turn.
Han, of course, lost almost immediately.
But instead of hesitating, he turned to Seo with a grin, tugging the man close. Their lips met, and the kiss deepened almost instantly - hot, unashamed, and full of tongue. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Han wasn't done. He turned next to Kyung, capturing his lips in another heated kiss, his hands ghosting over the man's jaw, tilting his face just right.
Jay swallowed hard, gripping his drink tighter. He tried to ignore the way his stomach twisted at the sight, the way heat coiled low in his belly. This was normal, he told himself. Han was just playing the game.
It didn't mean anything.
Steve, noticing his expression, nudged him. "You okay, nerd?"
"I'm fine," Jay muttered, downing the rest of his cocktail in one go.
Han was a free spirit. He flirted with everyone, kissed whoever he wanted, touched whoever he pleased.
Jay was just... no one to him.
The party was livelier than earlier. Jay's mind was a mess, his body warm from the alcohol and something else he didn't want to name.
He needed to get out of here.
--
Excusing himself, Jay made his way toward the restroom, weaving through the crowd as he tried to collect his thoughts.
But then he saw them.
Han.
Shu.
In the dimly lit alley leading to the restrooms, Han was pressed against the wall, his arm braced against it as Shu leaned into him.
Her hands gripped his hips, fingers teasing dangerously close to something intimate. And Han… Han looked wrecked. His head tilted back, lips parted, something straining against his pants as Shu kissed him.
Jay's breath caught in his throat.
It was like a scene out of a movie - two beautiful people lost in the heat of the moment, their bodies molded together perfectly. Shu's silhouette curved against Han's statuesque frame, the way her fingers danced along his waistband, teasing.
Pain bloomed in Jay's chest, sharp and sudden.
He had no right to feel this way. He wasn't anything to Han.
He should just keep walking.
But before he could, Shu's voice rang out.
"Jay!"
Jay froze. He hadn't meant to be noticed.
Shu pulled away from Han, her lips glossy, her expression playful. "Good thing you're here! Now I can escape." She winked.
Han wiped his mouth, watching Jay with an unreadable expression.
Jay couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"Don't tell Stevie, okay?" Shu left, disappearing back into the party.
Jay swallowed the lump in his throat and hurried into the restroom, heading straight for the urinal, determined to pretend none of this happened.
But then - footsteps.
His peripheral vision caught Han walking in, moving toward the urinals beside him.
Jay tensed.
The sound of Han unzipping filled the silence.
Jay tried to focus, tried to ignore the presence beside him, but when he glanced down, he realized -
He was looking.
At him.
At his -
Jay's breath hitched, his body locking up. Heat flooded his face, and he quickly moved to another urinal, putting distance between them.
"Should be proud of that." Han chuckled, teasing.
Jay didn't answer. He finished quickly, heading to the sink to wash his hands.
Before he could leave, Han blocked his path.
Jay's back hit the wall.
Han pressed close, his scent - something warm, musky, and intoxicating - flooding Jay's senses.
Jay shut his eyes, his body betraying him as tingles of electricity danced along his skin.
Han's fingers brushed his cheek, featherlight.
"You disturbed me earlier," Han whispered, his voice a low murmur against Jay's ear. "Now you have to finish what I started."
Jay's heart pounded.
He should push Han away.
He should walk out.
But his body didn't listen.
Instead, he gave the smallest nod.
Han smirked. He leaned in, licking a slow, deliberate path from Jay's ear down to his jaw, his breath hot against his skin. Jay shivered, his knees weak, his fingers digging into the wall behind him.
Then - soft lips.
Han kissed him, teasing at first, his mouth barely brushing against Jay's. Then deeper, his tongue sweeping in, claiming, demanding.
Jay melted.
Until -
"Jay!"
Steve's voice shattered the moment.
"Shu told me you're here."
Jay reacted instantly, shoving Han away with unexpected force. Han stumbled, landing on his ass with a low groan.
Jay's breath came in ragged gasps. "Sorry," he whispered before bolting.
Han, still on the floor, watched him go. Then he leaned back, closed his eyes, and smiled.
A real smile...
Like he'd just won something.