Chemistry Beyond the lab
Warnings- slightly nswf mentions of characters having sex kissing flirting making out
Genere - study partners to lovers non idol au
A/n - hi guys sorry for not posting i have a lot going on with my disorders and health but i try posting more!!! Hope you like it anyone can request story positive feedback appreciate ENJOY!!
YN never expected Chemistry to be this difficult—or this distracting. It wasn’t the complex equations or endless experiments that threw her off; it was her lab partner, Lee Haechan.
From the moment Professor Suh paired them for the semester-long project, YN knew she was in trouble. Haechan was effortlessly charming, always flashing a teasing smirk, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. Meanwhile, YN was quiet, focused, and more comfortable with her nose buried in her notebook than engaging in playful banter.
“Looks like we’ll be spending a lot of time together, partner,” Haechan had said on the first day, leaning in just a little too close. “Try not to fall in love with me, okay?
”YN had rolled her eyes, but the way her cheeks burned betrayed her.
Their assignment was to create an experiment that demonstrated chemical equilibrium in action, which meant long hours in the lab together. For the first few weeks, YN tried to keep things strictly professional. She meticulously took notes while Haechan mixed solutions with practiced ease. But he had a way of breaking through her walls.
“YN, you’re too serious,” he teased one evening as they worked late in the lab. “Chemistry should be fun. Passionate. Like love.”
She choked on her breath. “It’s a science, not a romance novel.”
“Why not both?” He winked, and she quickly turned back to her notes, pretending to be unaffected.
One evening, they met at YN’s dorm to finalize their project presentation. The tiny desk lamp cast a warm glow as she spread out her notes, and Haechan sprawled on her bed, flipping through their research.
“This is good,” he said, pointing to a paragraph she had written. “You’re brilliant, YN.”
She looked up, surprised. “You actually read my notes?”
“Of course,” he said. “I’m your partner, aren’t I?”
Something in his voice made her stomach flutter. He wasn’t teasing this time.
They worked in quiet harmony, the sound of her pen scratching against paper mixing with his occasional humming. But as the night wore on, Haechan's presence became harder to ignore.
She was hyper-aware of how close he was, the warmth radiating from his body. When he reached across her to grab a book, his fingers brushed against hers. She froze.
“Relax,” he murmured, his lips curving into a knowing smile. “You act like I’m dangerous.”
“Aren’t you?” she shot back, trying to regain control of the situation.
He chuckled. “Only if you want me to be.”
The night before their presentation, they stayed late in the lab, perfecting their experiment. YN was measuring a reagent when she felt Haechan watching her.
“What?” she asked, trying to ignore the way her heart pounded.
“You’re cute when you concentrate,” he said casually.
She nearly dropped the flask. “Haechan.”
“What? It’s true.” He stepped closer, the playful edge in his voice softening. “I like seeing you like this. Passionate. Determined.”
Her breath hitched. He was so close now, the scent of his cologne wrapping around her like a trap.
“This—this isn’t part of the project,” she stammered.
“Maybe not.” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But don’t tell me you don’t feel it too.”
Her pulse roared in her ears. Maybe it was the late hour, the exhaustion, or the way he was looking at her, but she gave in.
It was hesitant at first, almost as if testing the waters. But when she didn’t pull away, he deepened it, his lips moving against hers with a mix of confidence and tenderness. She melted into him, hands gripping the front of his lab coat.
When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
“That was a pretty good reaction,” he murmured. “Should we test it again?”
She laughed, breathless. “You’re impossible.”
After that night, something shifted between them. The flirting wasn’t just teasing anymore—it was charged with something deeper. Their stolen glances in class lasted a little longer. His touches lingered.
One evening, after another long study session in her dorm, things escalated.
Haechan had been reading over her shoulder, chin nearly resting on her shoulder. She was acutely aware of every breath he took.
“This is torture,” he finally groaned.
She turned to him. “What is?”
“Being this close to you and not being able to do this.”
Before she could ask what he meant, he tilted her chin up and kissed her again. But this time, there was no hesitation. It was deeper, needier. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her onto his lap.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as he trailed kisses down her jaw, whispering her name like a prayer.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he murmured, his voice rough.
But she didn’t. She wanted this—him.
The rest of the night was a blur of heat and whispered names, of tangled sheets and soft moans. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced—intense, electrifying, perfect.
The next morning, she woke up to the feeling of fingers tracing lazy circles on her bare shoulder.
“Morning, beautiful,” Haechan murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
She buried her face in the pillow. “This is a bad idea.”
He chuckled. “Too late for that.”
She sighed, rolling over to face him. “What does this mean for us?”
He propped himself up on one elbow, studying her. “It means I really, really like you.”
Her heart skipped. “You do?”
“Of course.” He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “I didn’t flirt with you all semester just for fun. Well—partly for fun. But mostly because I wanted you to notice me.”
“Good.” He grinned. “Now, let’s ace this project and make it official after.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
And maybe, just maybe, their chemistry wasn’t just confined to the lab.
The end!!!!!