Jaehyun couldn't stop thinking about the bar. Dojoon went there with his friends. This was new information. It wasn't the quiet studying they did together. This was a chance to see a different side of the serious alpha.
He asked around, trying to find out which bar Dojoon liked. It turned out to be a place called "Nightshade," not too far from the university. It was known for being a bit quieter than some of the other student bars.
One Friday night, Jaehyun told Minji he was going out to study at a cafe. But really, he was heading to Nightshade. He felt a little nervous. He didn't usually go to bars alone, and he wasn't sure if Dojoon would be happy to see him there.
When Jaehyun walked in, the bar was dimly lit and had a relaxed feel. There were a few groups of students talking and laughing. He scanned the room, and then he saw him.
Dojoon was sitting at a table in a corner with two other alpha guys. They were talking and drinking. Dojoon looked different here. He seemed a little more relaxed, a small smile on his face as he listened to his friends.
Jaehyun's heart did a little flip. Even in a casual setting, Dojoon looked… good.
He took a deep breath and walked towards their table, trying to look like he had just happened to see them.
"Oh, sunbae! What a surprise," Jaehyun said, his voice a little louder than usual because of the noise.
Dojoon looked up, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw Jaehyun. "Shin Jaehyun-ssi? What are you doing here?"
"I just came to… unwind a bit," Jaehyun said with a casual smile. "I didn't know you guys came here."
One of Dojoon's friends, a guy with bright red hair, grinned. "Hey, you're the omega who's always asking Dojoon about math, right?"
Jaehyun chuckled. "That's me. Jaehyun."
"I'm Taewoo, and this grumpy guy is Junho," the red-haired guy said, pointing to the other friend, who just nodded.
"Hi," Jaehyun said. He looked back at Dojoon. "Mind if I… join you for a bit?"
Dojoon hesitated for a second, then said, "Sure. Have a seat."
Jaehyun pulled up a chair. Taewoo immediately started chatting, asking Jaehyun about his classes and why he was at the bar. Jaehyun answered easily, trying to also include Dojoon in the conversation.
He noticed that when Dojoon was with his friends, he seemed a little less guarded. He even laughed a couple of times. Jaehyun found himself watching Dojoon more than the others. There was a different kind of charm about him when he wasn't focused on studying.
Jaehyun ordered a drink and joined in their talk. He made sure to laugh at their jokes and add his own stories. He wanted Dojoon's friends to like him too.
As the night went on, Jaehyun found opportunities to talk to Dojoon more directly. He asked him about his major, his hobbies and learned that Dojoon liked photography and just tried to make a connection beyond schoolwork.
He also noticed that Dojoon would sometimes look at him, a curious expression in his eyes. It wasn't the same neutral look he usually had.
Later, Taewoo and Junho got up to get another round of drinks. Jaehyun and Dojoon were alone for a moment.
"So," Jaehyun said softly, "I didn't know you were a regular here."
Dojoon took a sip of his drink. "It's a good place to just… relax."
"I agree," Jaehyun said, meeting his gaze. "It's nice to see you outside of the university."
A small smile touched Dojoon's lips. "You too, Shin Jaehyun-ssi."
Jaehyun's heart fluttered a little. This was progress. Seeing Dojoon in this setting, with his friends, had given Jaehyun a new way to connect with him. The serious alpha had a more relaxed side, and Jaehyun was starting to see it.
Now that he knew where Dojoon spent his free time, Jaehyun had a new plan forming in his mind. The next step? Maybe spending more time in this corner of the world.