Winter Break Plans ~ Hajun Yeon
Summary: Hajun hates his parents, but he's grateful for their money. But ever since meeting you, he finds the money more of a curse than a blessing. He doesn't want you to know how rich he is, and he'll do everything he can to make sure you don't find out.
Pairing: Hajun Yeon X G/N!Reader
Genre: Fluffyish Drabble
Word Count: 3251
Warning: Swearing, slightly OOC
Masterlist
Hajun has tried really hard to keep his past hidden from you. Like really tried. Besides being rather ashamed of who he was and his family situation, it was also a hard thing to bring up to someone. And you were special. If he told you, well, he was just terrified of your reaction.
See, the thing is, Hajun's family is insanely wealthy. He’s never wanted for anything. He’s had all the latest tech and been to the most exclusive private schools. And then Dongha came along, and he was all but disowned, though he managed to keep some of his assets. As much as he appreciated his privileged upbringing, he could never forgive his parents for what they did to him.
Following his disownment, Hajun decided to do anything and everything for himself. He left South Korea and enrolled in school in Japan. He met Allen and Anne, and together the three formed BAE. He became a model and grew an empire of his own. He was making his own life and his own way in the world. He had a plan and nothing was going to stop him from becoming something even bigger and more imposing than what his parents had made.
Everything was going according to plan, that is, until he met you.
It was the first day of school and he was aimlessly walking around, just to familiarize himself with the campus, when you bumped into him. He felt a little bad for making you spill all of your books, but you didn’t seem to mind. If anything, you enchanted him right there with that chipper smile and overenthusiastic handshake. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say this was love at first sight. But he knew better than to jump the gun.
Since that day, he has seen you everywhere on campus. From the library to shopping around town, it seemed you filled his life as well as his waking thoughts. And he didn’t seem to mind it at all. The more he saw you, the more he learned about you. You were an anthropology major, with a minor in sociology. You were always telling him about the cool things you learned in class, things that he himself found fascinating, but would never tell you that to your face.
What he liked most about you was that you were a breath of fresh air. He didn’t realize until after he befriended you how stifling his life had been. You were different from the kind of people he met when he was in South Korea, and you were different from Allen and Anne. You brought about a different perspective of life. You didn’t follow the rules of his parents or himself or even the world. You moved at your own pace and did your own thing. You challenged him in a fun and engaging way, asking impossible questions and saying ridiculous things. And he found himself wanting to hear everything you had to say.
Which is why he could not tell you he was born wealthy.
“Hello? Earth to Hajun!” You waved a hand in front of his face, causing him to shake his head and drop his textbook. You laughed. “You dozed off there for a minute.”
“Sorry. I was just trying to familiarize myself with Keynesian economics.” He explained as he shut his economic theory book.
You made a face. “Sounds absolutely boring.”
He shook his head. “You think everything I study is boring, but it's not. See this guy Keynes tried to explain the Great Depression back in the thirties and that it was the increased, unfulfilled demand led to high unemployment. It was revolutionary back in his time, you know.”
“Still, it’s boring to me. You know math and I don’t compute.” You laughed at your own joke, making him crack a smile.
“Sorry we can’t all have interesting majors like anthropology.”
You nodded, a serious look now adorning your face. “It is a real shame. Because in my religion, witchcraft, and magic class, we’re learning about vodou.”
He sighed. “Okay, you got me there, that does sound interesting.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Perhaps I should pick up a third major and join you in some of your anthropology classes.” He chuckled, keeping up his cool demeanor. He hoped he made that smooth. It seemed these days he was determined to flatter and impress you, even if you were oblivious to his attempts at flirting. Then again, he was making a real effort to be subtle.
You shook your head. “Absolutely not, mister. I’ve seen how those classes have almost killed you. My anthro classes would just make it worse. No, I’d rather just regale you with my tails, like an elder in an ancient civilization.”
“Okay, my elder.” He bowed his head at you and both of you shared a laugh.
“You’re so weird.” You shook your head. “But I have an off-topic question for you.”
“Yes?” He picked up his textbook again, intent on getting back to work.
“What are you doing for winter break?”
Well, that wasn’t the question he thought you were going to ask and it wasn’t one he was keen on answering. The reason was because he was planning to winter at a chalet in Switzerland and then spend a week in Singapore before going back to school. If he told you that, you would know his terrible secret and perhaps you wouldn’t speak to him anymore. And that thought alone hurt him more than he anticipated.
“Uh, I don’t have any plans.”
You perked up at his words, which he didn’t think was possible. “Well, if that’s the case, my parents were wondering if you wanted to spend the winter holidays at our house. It’ll be super lowkey and you are always free to go home if you need to. But I’ve been talking a lot about you and they want to meet you.”
“We’ve only known each other for like three months.”
“But when have we been apart in those three months?”
You got him there. Since bumping into you all those months ago, it seemed you were always around each other, getting closer and closer. Still, it felt very sudden and meeting your parents was a very big step. He wasn’t sure about this…
Shaking your head, you said, “You can say no, you know that right? You’re not going to hurt my feelings whatsoever if you do. I just thought I’d ask.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely! We have time! And if you come only for, like, just New Year’s Eve, then that’s fine! Like I said, I just thought I’d ask. I totally get it if you think this is too much or too fast.”
He nodded. “I’ll give you my answer before we go on break.”
“Can I have an answer before finals? I’m going to be a total shut-in during that week.”
“Fine, but not earlier.”
“Deal.”
You shook his hand harshly before standing up. “Well, I gotta get going. My medical anthropology class starts soon and it’s on the other side of campus. I’ll see you later, Hajun.”
And with that, you sashayed out of the library. He watched you go before sneaking into a private room and locking the door. He then facetimed the only person who could help him in this uncomfortable situation.
“What do you want?” Allen groaned, clearly having just been woken up.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" Hajun asked, frowning at his friend who has never taken anything seriously before in his life. Realizing that would be a rabbit hole he didn't have time to get into, he shook his head. "Nevermind. We have a code red."
Allen sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Code red? She found out your dirty little secret?”
“Not yet but she’s going to!”
“Then it’s not a code red and I’m going back to bed.”
“First of all, it’s one in the afternoon and like I said earlier, you should be in class or studying. Second of all, you said you would help me out if this happened.” He reminded him. “Seriously Allen, I need some advice. And you know I would never ask you for advice because you're so terrible with it.”
"I'll try not to take offense to that." Allen muttered before letting out a groan. “The code red hasn’t happened yet, so I don’t have to help you. But since you’re begging so nicely, I guess I will.”
“Took you long enough.”
Allen just scowled in response. “Just tell me what happened already, instead of being an asshole.”
“She asked me to go home with her for winter break, saying her parents want to meet me.” He explained.
Allen's eyes widened. “Whoa dude, that’s a big step, even for me. And the two of you haven’t known each other that long. Any reason why she sprung the parent card on you?”
“Apparently she talks a lot about me to them.”
“Damn, it is serious. I bet if you asked her out right now, she would take you right then and there.”
“Ignoring the obvious double entendre,” Hajun rolled his eyes, “I’m not going to do that. This is just puppy love and I don’t have time for that. I need to focus on my studies and BAE. I don't have time for some meaningless infatuation.”
Allen shrugged. “Okay, we’ll circle back to that. Anyways, what did you tell her about going home with her?”
“I asked to think about it.”
His friend sucked in his breath through his teeth. “Bad move, dude. You’re going to trigger this girl’s anxiety and she’s going to start doubting how much you like her.”
“She seemed fine with my response.”
“It’s called putting on a brave face.”
Hajun groaned. “I don’t even know why I came to you asking for help. I bet Anne would be better at this than you.”
“Because I’ve dated more girls than you have, and Anne… well maybe you should have asked them. But you asked me and now I'm going to help.”
“Fine." Hajun rolled his eyes. He really should have called Anne first. "Then what answer should I give her, since you think you know everything?”
Allen thought for a moment before asking, “Well, do you have any business or whatever during your winter break in Switzerland?”
“No.” He froze. “Yes. Dammit, I have some photoshoots scheduled for that time. And we have BAE business to work on. I won't have time to focus on much else while I'm out of the country.”
“So why not invite her to go with you?”
Hajun's jaw dropped to the floor. “You better be fucking joking with me right now, Allen. I can’t just take her with me to Switzerland and then to Singapore! That’s how she finds out I’m rich and she’ll see it as me rubbing my money in her face! She’s from a lower middle class family, a scholarship kid who busts her ass to afford to go to school. She’ll totally hate me if I do this to her.”
“Well, she knows you’re from Asia. But she doesn’t know you’re not from Singapore.”
He rolled his eyes. “She’s an anthropology major with a focus on Asian cultures. She knows I’m from fucking South Korea.”
“Hey how was I supposed to know?” Allen held his hands up in surrender. “Look, you’re in between a rock and a hard place here. But the easiest way out is just tell her you have other plans and you’re safe for a little while longer.”
“I told her I didn’t have any plans!”
“That was your own dumbass fault!” He shook his head. “Then tell her you talked to your parents and they want you home. Easy. If she can play the parent card, so can you, even though I know you don't want to.”
As much as he hated to admit it, Allen did have a point. It could work. He nodded as he thought his plan through. It wasn’t completely air-tight, but he would make it work.
“Thanks Allen. I’ll try it.”
“You need to learn to trust me more.” He smirked before lying back down in bed. “Now let me sleep. I’m planning to party all night tonight and need to catch up on my sleep.”
He hung up before Hajun could respond and he shook his head. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it would do for now. With a sigh, he set his stuff down and finished studying Keynesian Economics.
Hajun didn’t see you again until lunch the next day, when you met him at your favorite cafe.
“Hello hello.” You cheerfully greeted him before setting your things down as you sat across from him. “How have your classes been today? Still as boring as ever?”
“To you maybe.” He joked, an easy smile finding its way onto his face. Even after his freak out yesterday, he was glad he could still joke with you like it was nothing. “But everything’s been fine. I actually have been thinking about your offer yesterday.”
“Oh that? Yeah, don’t sweat it. You don’t have to come, it’s fine.”
“Well, it’s just, my parents want me to come home for winter break and I really don’t want to let them down.” The words felt wrong in his mouth. While he hated talking about his parents in any capacity, he hated how much he's been lying to you. You didn't deserve it. He should just tell you what his real plans were for the break and about his money. But he couldn’t do that to you. You don't deserve that either.
You nodded. “I completely get it. I was thinking about what I said too and I knew I was being too presumptuous. So I apologize for putting you in such an awkward position. But do tell your parents I say hi!”
“Yeah, of course.” His words were stiff. It was awkward thinking about how your parents might know everything about him, yet you hardly know who he is.
Your lips dipped into a small frown. “Is everything okay? You’re not acting like yourself.”
“I’m fine.” He tried to assure you with an easy smile, but this one came out more forced. “You want your usual right? It’s on me.”
You nod. “Sure. Thanks.”
Quickly, he went up to the counter and ordered the food, trying to take some deep breaths. This was fine. You accepted his answer to your question. Now the two of you could go back to being just friends, nothing more. Still he felt completely lousy.
The server had to practically shout in his face to tell him his order was ready. He apologized before taking his order and making his way back to you, awkwardly handing you your food. Which was strange for him. Hajun was never awkward.
“Here.”
“Thank you. And here’s this.” You hand him something that makes his heart drop. It’s his phone and it’s unlocked. “You left it out unlocked. I didn’t want anyone to nab it so I went to hold onto it when you got a text. Some European modeling agency wants to know when you’ll be flying out to this winter chalet in Switzerland.”
“Oh. I-” The words were caught in his throat. His cheeks were bright red and he couldn’t look you in the eyes. He was so embarrassed, an emotion he also was unfamiliar with. “I didn’t-”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going to Switzerland?” He was surprised that you didn’t sound mad. When he glanced up at you, he instead saw a cute pout on your lips. “That’s so much cooler than my offer to come home with me for the holidays! Honestly, I’m a little jealous.”
“Wha-you’re not mad at me?” He asked, his jaw slightly ajar.
You frowned and tilted your head to the side. “Mad? Why would I be mad? I mean, I’m only the tiniest bit annoyed that you didn’t tell me about your plans to go to Switzerland, but it’s not like the end of the world or anything.”
He ducked his head and quietly muttered, “I thought you’d hate me because I hid the fact from you that I came from money.”
“Hajun, no.” He felt your hand on his and he froze. “I could never be mad at you for your socioeconomic status. Besides, I’ve always known you were wealthy.”
“You did?"
“The day we met, I told my roommate about you, and she’s kind of a koreaboo, and made me do all this research on you. I know way too much about you now, to be honest.” You give a small chuckle before continuing, “But I didn’t want to bother you with the fact I know so much about who you and your family are. So I kept it hidden. I was actually curious to see how long you could keep up the charade before it broke. Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, my parents only know your name and that you’re my friend. I didn’t tell them about your family… or their problems.”
“Oh.” He mumbled. “So you know about all that?"
You nod, not putting into words what you know. But he can tell. And while he's still embarrassed, he finds he's relieved that you know as well. Another person he doesn't have to lie to.
"And it really doesn’t bother you?”
You shook your head with a smile. “Nope. Not in the slightest. I mean, some things will never make sense to me, but I really don't mind. Besides, you don't seem like a snobbish, rich bastard. You are driven and passionate and ambitious. It's admirable, really.”
“Thanks.” He felt so awkward now, like he didn’t deserve your understanding. Nevertheless, he was grateful for it. Knowing that you didn’t hate him and still wanted to be his friend made him happy and relieved. This didn’t go as terribly as he anticipated.
“You, um, you should probably answer that modeling agency though.” You say as you begin to eat lunch. “To me, it sounded urgent.”
“Oh, yeah.” He went to text them before he paused. “Hey, um, do you want to come with me to Switzerland for winter break.”
You froze, a french fry hanging from your open mouth. “What?”
“I mean, don’t feel like you’re obligated to come with me!” He quickly replied. “It’s just you sounded a little jealous about my plans. Besides, after Switzerland, I'm going on a solo vacation to Singapore for a week before I go back to school. It could be fun.”
Swallowing your fry, you shake your head a little. “Oh, no, I couldn’t! You have other obligations than entertaining me! And I don’t have the money…”
“Well, I mean, the Switzerland trip is going to be super boring. It's mostly a work thing.” He shrugged. “But Singapore could be fun. I’ve been there loads of times. Consider it a fully paid vacation.”
“I’d feel like an imposition.”
“Perhaps a different deal?” He countered, his business skills kicking in. “Near the December holidays, I come stay with you for a bit, and for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, you stay with me?”
You paused to consider his deal. “Alright. Sounds like a deal. But only if you help me find a way to tell my parents without giving up the fact that you’re super rich.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “I know a guy who can help.”