Mastermind
Summary - The night he walked in, you knew Seungcheol is trouble. Famous for his fights, athletics, and looks. You shouldn’t be pining over him, desperately seeking his attention, not when he struggles with his own anger, life and himself. You should steer yourself away, but oh god, just a flick of his hand is enough to raise the white flag.
Tags: Seungcheol x f.reader, brother's friend, fluff, angst, romance, ex basketball player! Seungcheol, anger issues, pining, university au
The Night
You curl your leg underneath your thighs, snuggling deeper into the end of the couch. The music blasting from the home speakers distracts you from the book you are reading on your phone. Hiphop music, the beats make you bounce along with it even without realizing.
The flat is crowded with your brother’s friends, a party for their victory in a practice match against the rival team. Celebrating for a practice match is ridiculous, and had you throwing your brother out of your room when he informed you.
“A win is a win,” Mingyu, your brother, scoffed, looming over your bedroom door, “and against SNU,” he grins, his eyes gleaming darkly, “then fuck yeah.”
Now you are stuck in babysitting his group of friends, and the stinky players from doing something that may have you pay fines to the leasing office. Boys loom over the beer container, opening one after another, emptying it in an hour since the party started. Girls with shortest dresses you have ever seen, twirls their hair, laughing with their hands covering their mouth at something your brother’s teammates say.
Your eyes dart to the main door searching for a sign of your brother. If someone under haze decides to act out you don’t have it in you to stop a bulky huge basketball player, not when they can easily squish your head with a single headlock. You don’t think threatening will help you either.
It’s friday night, you have to be under your comfy, fresh sheets reading your fantasy series. Not sitting in a corner hoping no one joins you, and worst of it all, start a conversation.
Universe smiles upon you as soon as you think of being invisible as Hansol, your neighbor and your classmate, takes up the seat next to you. Beer in his hand, a flipped baseball cap on his head, sporting a faded rock oversize shirt.
“Cool party,” he tips his drink in your direction.
You smile in reply, your eyes darting to the door again. Where the fuck is he? You suck in a deep breath preparing yourself for the conversation he is gonna have with you.
“Tarot reading, I heard.” He screams over the blaring music, eyeing you taking a sip of his drink.
“Yeah, Hyejin wanted to try it,” you check your phone for messages from your brother, none, “she is taking classes from her reader too. You should come by,” you invite politely.
“Hyejin is predicting?” He sucks a breath through his teeth, unsure, “isn’t she a craz–” he falters noticing your glare, “cool person. Too cool to read others’ futures? Imagine her predicting he is gonna win gold,” he points his bottle in the direction of Soonyoung who is busy imitating the growl of a tiger to a girl who is equally invested in it, “he won’t even attend the practise sessions anymore. Or worse,” he looks you in the eye, “telling him he was a tiger in past life.”
You chuckle, clearly imagining it unfolding in front of you. Hyejin, your best friend, and as Hansol claims a crazy girl, can tick off someone just so she gets entertained. But you never say no to her, and when she threw the idea of a tarot reading stall for the university festival you started calculating the odds, and drew up a plan to bring it into reality.
“You never know,” you reply to Hansol. “You have to come–”
The main door opens, relief floods all over you seeing Mingyu walk in with a new case of beers, followed by two others also carrying snacks.
Hansol sucks in a breath, “oh.” His eyes train on the people following your brother.
The flat slowly comes to silence, only the music fills up the space. People looming over the empty beer container freeze in their space watching over the newcomers, the girls leave their partner with whom they were busy flirting to the three men.
Mingyu laughs, shaking his head, replacing the empty container with a new one, throwing in the ice too. A boy, with hair till his neck, drops the snacks on the table.
Your breath catches in your throat. Your heart picks up its pace following the rhythm of the song playing. The other one, bulky frame, his cream-colored fitted top brings out the broad shoulders, firm chest, and his arms alone can make a rock crack. He drops the heavy container, twisting his wrists, quirks an eyebrow at the dumbstruck crowd.
“He’s here?” Hansol looks at you in expectation of an answer.
“I don’t even know them. Mingyu said something about picking up two important people.” You answer distractedly, that man is nodding to something your brother is whispering in his ear. “Who are they?”
Hansol agrees, “they are important, but also,” he leans over whispering in your ear, “famous.”
“Famous?” You never saw them nor Mingyu mentioned them in any conversation. If they are relatively well-known as Hansol says, you would have at least known them fleetingly. “For what? Basketball players?”
Soonyoung, Seokmin, and Jisoo scream on top of their lungs, discarding their drinks and girls, rushing to the two. They should be basketball players. Mingyu is famous around the campus too, the number of girls hanging on him is a testament to it whenever he strolls to your building to meet you.
You tilt your head lost in thoughts, the puzzle pieces aren’t fitting in. How come you never saw them on campus? You did go to a few of their matches to give moral support to your brother.
Hansol continues, releasing you from running different simulations of possibilities, “yes, ex basketball players and,” he tunes up his voice so that you can hear him over the boisterous boys, “one of them graduated. While the other one,” he points his thumb over at the guy surrounded by people, the buff one. “Isn’t playing anymore—” on a second thought he adds “—more like can’t.”
The boys litter around him, laughing, chattering in loud voices about the play in the practise match. Seokmin explains his shot by throwing an imaginary ball, his wrists moving in a smooth friction. He pats Seokmin by the shoulder, his lips in a tiny smile, almost proud. Soonyoung rush in imitating the opposition’s expressions when they lost to them.
Mingyu cuts in, raising a freshly opened beer, “cheers to Seungcheol and Jeonghan.”
“Aye.” Everyone raises their drinks in union, few hollering like a wolf during a full moon. “JEONGHAN!JEONGHAN!” Soongyoung and Dokyeom lift, the one with long hair, bouncing him on their shoulders.
“Ceiling. Ceiling.” Jeonghan taps the boys’ arms to let him down. Hansol boos with a thumb down, others jump in the trend for Jeonghan spoiling the fun.
You chuckle at the ruckus unfolding in front of you, momentarily forgetting the sloshing of drinks on the floor from their cheerful movements, the cleaning you have to do tomorrow? Well, it's for tomorrow you to figure it out.
Mingyu jumps in voluming up the music, bouncing on his feet in rhythm to the beat. Hansol sets his beer on the floor by the couch rushing in to dance to the song. You shake your head at the hoard of sweaty guys throwing their all in their steps. You record this moment, your brother carelessly enjoying the moment after spending countless days and nights in the practice sessions. He is gonna regret it tomorrow when he sees his uncoordinated moves. A laugh tumbles out your lips imagining his horrified expression.
The couch dips next to you, dragging your attention from your phone screen to the person occupying Hansol’s place. Seungcheol leans back, spreading his legs, resting his hand on the arm rest watching the others dance. His hair is longer for a boy’s standard, few of his hair strands poking his eyes, his skin reflects the snow. He slowly rests his other hand on the back of the couch, his fingertips accidentally brushing your shoulder.
His eyes find yours, “Oh.” He takes off his hand, dipping his head slightly in apology.
Your heart picks up its pace, lips parting slightly at the man sitting before you. He is just perfect. From his thick eyebrows to the huge black eyes staring back at you, his cute nose that wrinkles under your attention, and his chapped lips.
“It’s okay.” You remember your words, pausing your surveillance of him.
He nods, turning back to watch the dancing. You stop recording, chewing on your lower lip lost in thoughts. Fuck. He is beautiful. Your hands quiver slightly, your mind racing about him. One more look at him, just one more look, you crumple your sweatpants under your hold, you subtly turn to the kitchen, from the corner of your eyes you see him bobbing to the music.
He is this good, he definitely has a girl back home waiting for him. Desperation claws you, dragging you to the pits of hell and missed opportunities. You need to know more about him, whether he is going to your university or if he graduated, if he has a girl or not. Hansol’s words resurface in your head, ‘he can’t play anymore.’ Why?
“Scoot.” Jeonghan nudges Seungcheol to the center of the couch. Seungcheol steals a glance at you briefly before scooting next to you, his thigh brushing yours, he mumbles sorry again and maintains a distance of thread. He is a hot furnace, your left side is warm from his body, and you catch a hint of wood scent among the stinky smell.
Jeonghan smiles at you in greeting. You greet him back, curling further into the corner of the couch, your sensations heightened at the proximity of him. You scroll through your social media on mute, drowning in post after post. Seungcheol and Jeonghan fall into their own chat, talking about the practice game, mention of someone in the opposite team being present today and Jeonghan saying the kids miss him.
Seungcheol raises his hand, motioning him to stop. “We agreed on something.” The sharpness of his words runs a shiver down your spine.
Jeonghan sighs, “you have to get over–”
Seungcheol shifts to the side, facing his friend. “Jeonghan,” he hisses, his ears turn red, “one more word and I am leaving.”
“Until when will you run away from everything?” Jeonghan snaps back, tired of Seungcheol’s antics. “One and half years, Cheol. Do you think you can get back that time? Moping around, fucking every opportunity is not how you should be living.”
You fidget in your seat unsure whether you can sit here while two friends bicker. You lock your phone, making a move to run away from the awkward situation. You freeze midway standing up, your jaw dropping down to the floor.
Seungcheol grabs Jeonghan’s collar, “you are going to tell me how to live? You?” He leans closer to his friend, “get yours together before you wander off to advise someone else.”
Jeonghan pries his hands off his collar, “this is what I am talking about.” Calmness in his voice never wavers, his gaze steady on his friend who looks a second away from losing his shit. Seungcheol’s face is red, a nerve on his forehead pops out. An alarm goes off in your head as Seungcheol fists his hand, raising it to hit his friend.
Mingyu barges in, shielding Jeonghan from Seungcheol’s wrath. “Guys. Guys.” He laughs nervously, sobering up. “Chill.”
Seungcheol gapes at Mingyu, blinking, his lips part in shock, and he looks at Jeonghan, his eyes shaking realizing what he was about to do. He lets go of Jeonghan’s collar, reeling back. “Excuse me,” he stands up with a wince, walking off into the kitchen.
Whispers burst outs as soon as he is out of sight.
“I knew it. I was expecting this to happen.”
“Seungcheol changing? Being a better man? Who are you kidding?”
Jeonghan glares at the gossipers, disappearing behind his friend into the kitchen. Mingyu rubs his temples, shutting his eyes in pain. You stand rooted in your place still processing what just happened. He was about to hit his own friend. You can never even imagine hurting your best friend Hyejin, or anyone else for that matter. Is this why he was thrown out of his team?
“Here he goes again,” Hansol appears by your side again, his hair dishevelled, and panting from dancing.
“Anger issues. His uncontrollable anger tendencies made him despicable, and most hated among his teammates before,” he pauses, a downturn smile on his face, “his injury.”
He nods and leaves when someone drags him back. You wanted to inquire more about this, there are so many questions raising inside you.
Mingyu smiles at you in apology. “Sorry, I put you through this tonight.” He loops his hand over your shoulder. “Were you scared?”
“A little.” You whisper in his ear in a scandalous tone, “he was about to hit him.”
Mingyu chuckles ruffling your hair. “They are good. It happens every time.” He adds seeing your unsure expression, “trust me.”
Seungcheol and Jeonghan walk out just in time. Jeonghan has his arm around Seungcheol who is still pissed but calmed down.
Mingyu drags you to them, “meet my sister.” He introduces you to them with a proud smile, “you guys scared her. She is just a baby.” Mingyu pats your head lovingly, bringing you closer to him.
Sober Mingyu is affectionate enough, but drunk Mingyu’s affection goes over the top. You struggle to get out of his iron grip, he doesn’t realise still that he is practically choking you.
“Let her breathe,” Jeonghan helps prying Mingyu off of you, “I’m sorry about earlier.” Jeonghan scratches his eyebrow with an awkward smile, “you don’t have to worry, we are all good.” He looks over his shoulder to the man who is watching us, “right, Seungcheol?”
Seungcheol diverts his attention from you to his friend with a frown line between his eyebrows. Under Jeonghan’s stern gaze he falters, nodding begrudgingly.
Your dead heart picks up its beat at the slight pout on his lips. He sulks at his friend, shoving his hand off when he reaches him to coo at the sight. Jeonghan lets out a hearty laugh.
Seungcheol rolls his eyes, stepping in front of you. “I’m Seungcheol.” He extends his hand, you tentatively accept it in a meek grip. He tilts his head a little, studying your red cheeks. “I thought you reminded me of someone but didn’t realise you are Mingyu’s little sister.”
He towers over you a little, making you look up to see in his eyes. His scent wraps around you bringing in a pleasant mood (also birthing a feral side in you).
Your sweet brother with his sweet timing appears by your side again. A drink in his hand of course. He grins at you, but it falters as he notices Seungcheol’s hand in yours. He wraps himself around you again protectively, taunting Seungcheol, “hey.”
Seungcheol raises his eyebrow, fascination in his eyes.
“My sister is out of bounds. Don’t even think of dating her.” Mingyu hovers over Seungcheol, “she is too precious for peasants like you.”
This is a perfect time to dig a grave and bury yourself.
“Enough drinks for you,” you pluck out his drink from his hand, “let’s put you to sleep.” You hold his hand in a feeble attempt to drag him, even his hair doesn’t move let alone him.
Seungcheol chuckles, nodding to Mingyu. “Understood.” His gaze flees to you for a second, “your sister is precious.” He holds Mingyu on the other side, “show me your bedroom, Mingyu.”
Jeonghan offers to let him take Mingyu to his room too, freeing you. You lead the way to his room, opening it to find two strangers making out on his bed. Ugh. They scramble off in embarrassment.
“A moment,” you quickly pull off the sheets from the bed, and put on new sheets haphazardly. Seungcheol and Jeonghan throw Mingyu on his bed roughly, earning a hey from you.
They grin sheepishly. “We will get going now, precious.” Jeonghan waves, laughing at your rapidly becoming red face. Seungcheol joins him, waving at you. He smiles, his eyes forming crescents like a soft boy stark contrast to what you saw earlier.
“Bye.” You tuck your hair behind your ears.
The door closes behind them, you fall onto the foot of the bed, clutching your racing heart.
He was suspended, had fights with his own teammates and his best friend. He might be a walking red flag, you should be scared and running away in the opposite direction.
Mingyu hates it whenever someone approaches you with other intentions, he is protective and he already gave a warning.
Yet, you groan into the palms of your hands. He is attractive, handsome and sexy. You want him. Despite thousands of warnings going off in your mind, you want him in your life.
