Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A part of Han Joonhwi misses the times in 1L where Kang Sol (A), the only Kang Sol in his opinion, Kang Sol B was Sol B but Sol A was always Sol to him, would get drunk at two in the morning. As terrible as it was for her, that was one of the only times that she would need him. That she wouldn’t care necessarily about his opinion, or anyone’s really. An unfiltered Sol, who says what she wants to say rather than worrying about if it will hurt someone she loves. 

And Joonhwi misses it. 

Misses Kang Sol, dead drunk, waving a green bottle of soju in the air. Misses how she would slap his shoulder, uncaring of how close she was to him and lean into him. Misses how he could take little sips from one bottle as she worked her way through a couple. 

But some parts of it he does not miss at all. 

He doesn’t miss her self-deprecating words. Joonhwi doesn’t miss how she would never listen to his disagreements when she said them, so instead he would just listen and be the person she could say that to. Doesn’t miss how that made him feel, those moments, knowing he was hurting the person he loved the most just by existing. 

By being one of those people that she’s compared to constantly. No matter that she’s a far better person than him in almost any other way that truly matters. Joonhwi makes no designations on who he is. He’s reckless, somewhat hard headed and a little bit of a lawsciopath no matter how much Sol hates anyone calling him that. He’s well aware of his faults, from his idolization to hatred of his uncle and his lack of trust for authority figures that manifests in outright derision. 

Sol has her faults as well, she’s by no means perfect. Even with how much he adores her, Joonhwi’s well aware of that. But in so many ways she’s better than him. He’s grateful for her in more than one way. She saved him, didn’t let him throw away his life out of frustration, anger, and hate. 

Because in comparison, Joonhwi is so greedy for her in exchange. That she sees him helping her with her legal work, both assigned and at the clinic is a fair exchange, he will never understand. What he does to help her is nothing with what Sol does for him in exchange. 

She’s his closest friend. His crush, if Joonhwi is to use such a trivial word to describe the depth of what he feels for her. 

But she doesn’t get drunk with him anymore. And Joonhwi misses it so much. Sol is doing well, well enough that she doesn’t need to get drunk after tests and midterms and finals in order to console herself about her grades. 

He makes do with what he has. With the shared moments with her in the legal clinic, sitting next to her in their study groups, it’s enough, Joonhwi convinces himself. 

“Hyung,” Jiho groans and Joonhwi blinks, “stop sighing already. I’m trying to focus here.” He nods an apology, but doesn’t say anything to Jiho. “Go see Sol noona,” Jiho grumbles under his breath a moment later. 

Joonhwi doesn’t even bother to respond to that. He just closes his constitutional law textbook instead, stands up from his desk and grabs his bag. 

And does his absolute best to ignore how Jiho laughs at him. God, he almost misses when his roommate thought he killed his uncle. At least then he wasn’t bringing up Sol every two seconds whenever he wanted to win a verbal battle with Joonhwi. 

Now, all of the study group knows his weakness, but at least they have the decency to not mention it when Sol is around. 

Joonhwi locks the dorm room door behind him and makes his way down the stairs and to the main part of campus. 

They don’t have a study session planned for today, but he makes his way to the copy room anyways, pausing to exchange greetings with a few of his classmates in Corporations and Evidence. 

Joonhwi sighs, pulling the door open in the copy room to see Sol there. Takes a moment to look at her. He wants nothing more than to go up to her and just kiss her. But he won’t. He’s promised himself to save a confession until after they graduate. 

In one of her drunken rants to him, Sol had told him that she had sworn off dating. She struggled enough that she couldn’t imagine wanting to date in law school. No matter that she had swayed into his side and mumbled, “but I could see that happening with y-” before cutting herself off. No matter that Joonhwi had tortured himself imagining that the words out of her mouth were with you.

Joonhwi brushes a hand over Sol’s shoulder, before removing the sticky note she’s placed on her forehead and sitting down next to her. “Joonhwi-ah,” she turns in her chair to face him and he can feel his heart skip a beat as she smiles at him. “You’re here.”

He nods, “Jiho kicked me out of the room, so I thought I'd study here instead.” He only says it because he wants to hear her laugh. And laugh she does. 

“Then sit down,” she smiles at him, and Joonhwi does, angling his body towards her. Slightly pleased how she does the same, as the tension in her spine unwinds, just a bit. It’s a recent thing, but she’s becoming more and more confident. And Joonhwi loves it, loves how much more relaxed she is, how much better it is for her that that’s the case. Then she pushes a pile of messily sticky-noted papers into his grip. It’s the most recent legal clinic case. “It’s a good thing, because I need you, well,” she nods at the file, “your help at least, if you have some time to spare.”

I need you. Joonhwi lies to himself just a little when he hears those words. Sometimes imagines that Sol says them for more than just his help. That perhaps, she means that she needs him in her life as much as he needs her in his. He’s so grateful for her, for everything she’s given him.

When, and not if, he confesses to her, Joonhwi imagines how he’ll start his confession. Maybe with just that: I need you in my life, Sol. I love you.

But for now, all he can do is nod and look at the case file in front of him. Sol doesn’t need the pressure of his confession on her shoulders right now. She needs a friend, a confidant. And Joonhwi is more than willing to do that for her. 

No matter how much he wants to be more.

Chapter Text

If they were thinking rationally, Sol and Joonhwi would have never decided to make out in the copy room hours before their graduation. She’ll blame Joonhwi really. Sol’s not the rational one in their relationship, she’s the impulsive one. He’s supposed to be the logical one between the two of them. 

Supposed to be at least. But in reality that’s almost never the case. Joonhwi would shout his love for her to the entire universe, unprompted even though they both agreed to keep their relationship secret, just between the two of them, until graduation. 

They normally have very clear boundaries put in place. No romantic skinship in the Hankuk Law School Building at all. 

Outside of the building, they’re free to do whatever. But they both agreed that there was to be no romantic touching or kissing at Hankuk. 

And they’re breaking that rule, that law, Sol giggles into the kiss Joonhwi’s giving her, right now. 

He breaks it to give her a small, soft smile. Sol adores that look on his face. Especially when he directs it at her. Joonhwi isn’t the best at saying loving things to her, but words are rather cheep anyways. Instead, Joonhwi shows how much he loves her. 

Sol takes all of that and directs it back at him. 

“I was just thinking that we’re breaking our only rule right now,” she confesses, feeling his breath against her lips from how close they are standing together. 

Joonhwi moves closer though, pressing his lips to her neck instead. A ghost of a touch that sends tingles down her spine, momentarily taking away any thought Sol has of protesting. She doesn’t really have to care. They’re so close to graduation regardless. 

Joonhwi’s tongue licks at her collarbone before he pulls back to place a gentle, closed tongue kiss there. “Who is going to prosecute us, Sol-ah,” he looks up at her. “Unless you want to prosecute me? We’re telling them all in like a few hours anyways.” He gives her that little smirk of his, the one that she loves and hates in equal amounts. 

He’s so smug. Sometimes Sol hates how attractive he is like that. But a larger part of her loves it. 

His confidence is something she admires. Something she loves. Even as he’s pinning her to a wall in the copy room and kissing her neck. 

Sol kisses at the top of his head, pulling him closer as he moves back up her neck to place a kiss on her lips instead. 

She just relaxes into it. Closes her eyes and sinks into the way Joonhwi’s lips feel against her own. It’s rather invigorating; surprisingly, there’s something rather hot about the not-at-all-but-kind-of illicitness of the kiss. 

And then the door bangs open. 

It’s a shock, so much of one that she almost flinches away from Joonhwi’s kiss and knocks her head into the wall. Joonhwi goes from kissing her to instead bracketing her with his body as he breaks their kiss instead. 

“Sol noona,” Bokgi’s voice, because of course it’s Bokgi, calls out, “why are you behind Joonhwi hyung?”

For a moment, Sol thinks they haven’t been caught. Except she opens her eyes and peaks over Joonhwi’s shoulder to see Bokgi, Yeseul, Sol B, Yebeom, and Jiho all looking at them. With varying levels of shock, annoyance, and pleased grins across their faces. 

“Would you believe me if I said I was helping her find a document?” Joonhwi asks, and there’s a hint of ice in his voice, a suggestion that sounds more like a threat. 

But Sol sighs and gently wraps her arms around his waist, “calm down, jagi. We were already going to tell them in a few hours. It’s not a big deal.”

She moves to instead stand by his side, and nods at the rest of the study group. “We’re dating. Joonhwi and I.”

She grabs a hold of his hand and he squeezes back.

“Since when?” Sol B’s cool voice breaks the silence. “Not 1L, right?”

“2L,” Sol admits. 

And all of the sudden there’s a flurry of voices. 

“I won then,” Yeseul cries out.

She’s followed rather quickly by Bokgi’s, “no I did noona.”

At the “aish,” from Yebeom though, Sol raises an eyebrow and Joonhwi clears his throat. 

“Won what?” Joonhwi asks, drawing her closer into his arms. Sol relaxes into his grip on her hand and around her shoulders, ignoring the rather pleased look that Yeseul sends her way. 

“A bet,” Bokgi announces. “Sol B said you’d get together after Hankuk, Jiho in 3L, Yebeom that you got together at the end of 1L. Yeseul noona and I said 2L.”

“So which semester then?” Yeseul raises her eyebrow back at Sol in a challenge. “I’ll split the money with you, noona.”

Sol opens her mouth but it’s Joonhwi who answers, “halfway through the second semester of 2L,” as if it’s nothing. 

Sol turns to him and glares, “isn’t it none of their business?” 

Joonhwi presses a kiss to her forehead, and Sol does her best to ignore the shrieks and gasps of surprise even as she stops bristling. “They were going to find out eventually, jagi.”

Sol gives him a quick peck on the lips, turning back to face the rest of them. 

“Can we talk about us later? There’s a graduation ceremony to get to,” she only half pleas it, and is rewarded by the rest of them turning around, as if preparing to leave.

They do, and Sol can hear the hum of their voices, but not the actual words as they exit. 

Sighing, she turns around to bury her head in Joonhwi’s neck. His arms wrap around her and Sol breathes, taking a moment to just relax into his arms. “Why were they so excited about us?” she asks, and he laughs. 

“I’m not saying I told you so, jagi. But I told you so.”

Sol lightly thumps her fist against his chest, but he’s right. He did tell her so, as soon as they agreed to keep their relationship on the down low. That when their friends found out, that would be their response. 

Sol didn’t entirely think they’d care really. 

But a part of her is glad that they accept it. 

And when they walk out of the copy room together, hand in hand, Sol has to admit to herself. That she prefers facing the world with Joonhwi by her side. She can manage doing it without him, but it’s always better fighting for justice and fair application of the law with him.

Chapter Text

After months of the two of them, Sol A and Joonhwi, dancing around each other, with Joonhwi making puppy dog eyes at her when her friend doesn’t notice, and her friend visibly still stuck on how Sol B likes Joonhwi, Yeseul has had enough.

More than enough. She likes the romance genre as much as the next person, but being stuck in a drama with two oblivious leads isn’t as fun as it seems. It’s more antagonizing actually. 

Normally, she doesn’t like interference in matters of love. Especially with her recent realization that the issues she had weren’t her fault, but rather her ex’s, she doesn’t even know if she really understands love anymore.

For her at least. But Sol and Joonhwi just may be the two most oblivious people to one another’s love she’s ever met. They act like a married couple sometimes, especially around her even though she’s only two years younger than her. Sometimes she thinks the rest of the study group, except Seungjae of course, sees them as such. Especially with Sol’s nagging and Joonhwi’s almost fatherly protectiveness over everyone, Yeseul especially. What’s even more infuriating, is that Sol A thinks Sol B still likes Joonhwi. Meanwhile, Yeseul can tell that that crush (the one Sol B had) has died a miserable death. Not that her friend would believe her if she said that.

No, Sol A will just keep quietly pining away, or potentially reject him for her roommate’s interest. Because her friend is just that sacrificial.

And Joonhwi, if he says anything, will accept whatever she says at face value. Because he trusts Sol at her word. 

And Yeseul will not have that occur. If she can’t have the romance of her dreams, and doesn't even really want it anymore, she’ll make it happen for someone else. And who better than her close friend Sol A?

Of course, she needs to be careful about this. Yeseul doesn’t want to make the situation worse after all. But with the aid of Bokgi and Jiho, Bokgi who wants to help and has reassured her about Joonhwi’s feelings for Sol A, and then Jiho who reconfirmed and promised them an alibi, if anything just to pull one over his roommate, the three of them have a plan.

A bit of a cliché plan, but a plan. And according to the American romance movies Yeseul has watched, the best way to get two people together who like each other but won’t confess, is for them to be alone together, preferably locked in. With no other people to talk to, or place to go to avoid talking to one another.

Which is why she’s currently nudging Sol A in the direction of the copy room. “Come on,” she gives her a smile, like everything’s fine. Sol A follows along, clearly deep in thought. Which is great, because that means she’s not paying attention, and Yeseul can just shove her in there. Gollum’s given them the key, so once the two of them are in there, they can just lock the door. And leave Joonhwi and Sol to figure each other out. 

Yeseul does her best to sound as calm as possible.

Then in one movement, she swings her friend forward, shoving her inside, with the two jumping out to help her close the door. “Sorry, unni,” she calls out, “had to do this.”

Fumbling with the key, she manages to lock the door, turning to Bokgi and Jiho, who give her a high-five and a nod between the two of them.

“Joonhwi oppa’s in there?”

Jiho nods. “I asked him for a case that he left in there five minutes ago. There’s no way he left.”

It takes a few minutes, but someone bangs on the door and Yeseul knows what that sounds like. It’s the same knock Sol A does at her door.

“Yeseul-ah?” Sol A’s voice rings through the door. “What’s this?”

Yeseul puts a finger over her lips. “Say nothing,” she hisses. “I’ll open the door in an hour, and I’ve let everyone know not to take their calls. That way, it’s just the two of them.”

“Noona, you really think this will work?” Bokgi cocks her head at her, puppy eyes wide, “I don’t want Joonhwi hyung coming after me.”

“It’ll be fine,” Yeseul says, though the confidence is mostly fake. She tosses her hair over her shoulder. This needed to happen eventually. “Now come on.” They sneak out, just as the banging on the copy room door stops.

“This is it, isn’t it?” he holds up the pile of papers at her, then cocks his head to one side, “what are you doing in here Sol-ah? I thought you were Jiho.”

“They locked us inside,” she crosses her arms in front of her. At least she’s left some of her textbooks here, and they don’t have any exams next week. Though, considering it was Yeseul, she likely considered that. 

Her friend isn’t that rude, even if she is locking her and Joonhwi in together for some ridiculous reason.”

“Really?” She watches as Joonhwi tries the door, but it’s locked. Of course it is. He steps back and Sol bangs it once, but if Yeseul, or anyone else is there, they don’t open it. 

“I told you we should have told them,” she huffs, “now look. Locked in a copy room together, because they think we need a push or something.”

“But Sol,” Joonhwi moves closer to her, and she just relaxes into his grip. He places a kiss on her temple, “maybe they have a point. You’re not paying all that much attention to me right now.”

She sighs, bringing him in for a quick peck to his cheek. “Study room date?”

“Study room date,” he nods, and she sits in his lap, opening her books as he anchors his head over her shoulder.

And despite the headache that it’s going to cause her, studying with Joonhwi is better than studying alone. 

Two hours have passed and Yeseul, along with Bokgi and Jiho flanking her, opens the door. Only to see Sol A sitting on Joonhwi’s lap. Her hand flies to her mouth in shock. Already?

Joonhwi and Sol A look up, giving all three of them a look.

“You-” Bokgi stutters.

“Have been dating for about a week.” Sol A responds, shooting them a grin. “Thanks for the uninterrupted date, it was quite nice of you three to help us out.”

“But there won’t be a next time,” Joonhwi interrupts, fixing his glare on them from over Sol’s shoulder. 

Yeseul nods, with Bokgi outright stating his ascent by her side. 

“But nice try.” Sol A continues, resting her head on Joonhwi’s shoulder, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. 

And while she may have been wrong about locking them in the room together, she was right. Joonhwi and Sol A together make Yeseul believe in love, and that it exists, again. Because out of everyone she knows, they are by far what being in love looks like. 

Chapter Text

Joonhwi can honestly say that he has been planning this for a while. He’s been dating Sol for a month, approximately thirty-eight days, but they haven’t really gone on a date yet. They’ve hung around one another, mostly so they can study together, but Joonhwi would not really consider those dates. 

Hanging out with Sol is a date sure, but not a date. It’s just, for once, alone with Sol, Joonhwi would like to talk to her about something besides criminal law, or civil law, or constitutional law. Just, about them. He wants to be with her without the law being all they talk about. Of course, being with Sol is always better than not, but for once, Joonhwi wants to spend time with his girlfriend without thinking about the law. 

He’s just a little greedy like that. But not greedy enough to demand it. Because he knows how important Hankuk is to Sol. He would never demand more than she can give as a result when she’s studying.

But right now, right now, Joonhwi has a chance. Because they have nothing due for a week. 

If he can’t get Sol out of Hankuk and on a date, he’s both a terrible tutor and a terrible boyfriend. In fact, Joonhwi shakes his head. He’s resolute. He’s getting Sol away for the night. So she can relax on a date with him. And he knows just where he wants to take her too. 

Joonhwi gently wraps his arms around Sol, even as she huffs at him. “It’s just one night out, jagi, and you’ve done such a good job on all your debates and revisions. A night out, just the two of us, and I’ll study with you for as long as you want tomorrow.”

He presses a kiss to her neck, trying to get her to give in. And Sol does, with a small sigh and a grumble. 

“Where do you want to take me?” she asks him, and Joonhwi smiles. That’s permission. 

He drops his hands from her waist to take her hand in his, palms kissing one another’s. Joonhwi laces his fingers in Sol’s, smiling at how she glances at him in return. 

“There’s a small restaurant about a twenty minute walk away,” he offers, “we can go there if you like?” 

He tries to sound blase about it, as if he won’t be hurt if she refuses. It’s strange how nerve wracking it is, dating Sol. They may be the same age, but when it comes to dating, Joonhwi just gets a little nervous around her. It’s so new. And he doesn’t want to ruin what they already have with his uncertainty. She’s the first person he’s dated seriously after all. 

And she’s already the person he’s most grateful for, the closest person he has to a best friend. Dating Sol, is just extra, the romance and sexual nature of their relationship just an addition to their already deep platonic relationship. 

They walk through Hankuk hand in hand, and Joonhwi smiles as Sol swings their arms together. Once they exit and head out on the street, Joonhwi internally winces at the chill. It’s a cold night, and Sol’s in nothing but her sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. 

He has a coat over his sweatshirt, so once they reach the light Joonhwi gently releases her hand and pulls it off. He holds it out for her, and Sol rolls her eyes at him. 

Joonhwi gives her a small look, “please wear it.”

He drapes it around her shoulders, and Sol puffs her bangs at him in response. But a moment later, she pulls her arms through it, giving him a nod. 

“That wasn’t really necessary,” she shoves his shoulder with hers even as she laces her fingers back with his.

“Let me do things for you,” Joonhwi whispers back, holding onto her hand. “I want to take care of you, Sol-ah.”

She turns her head to the side, but Joonhwi still catches the blush that spreads across Sol’s face. It’s cute. He likes making her blush. And it’s cute how flustered she gets with him. 

They walk down the street together, just like every other couple out at this hour. It’s a glimpse of normal in their restless lives that is their time at Hankuk together. Joonhwi loves it. 

“What do you say we do this weekly?” he asks, keeping his voice light as they finally reach the restaurant. 

Sol gives him a small look, before giving him a nod, “the things you make me do,” she mutters under her breath. But it’s not angry, no there’s a bit of fondness in her tone. And that makes Joonhwi smile as he leans over to press a kiss on her cheek. 

“Because I want to take care of you, jagi?”

“Because you do,” she smiles at him, in the coat, his coat, that she's wearing. And as Joonhwi pulls open the door to the restaurant, he knows what the fluttering, warm feeling is in his chest. 

It’s love, specifically, how much he loves her. 

Because he does. And he’s incredibly grateful for her loving him in return.

Chapter Text

Sol sighs, even as Joonhwi wraps his arms closer around her, just almost touching her now, placing a finger over his lips. 

“This was not part of the plan,” she hisses at him, even as they press far too close to one another. She’s not even quite sure how they ended up in this closet together. Something about tailing one of Assemblyman Ko’s people to see if they were connected to Lee Manho had led to this. 

To Joonhwi and her, hiding in a closet together. 

Sol can’t help but blush as Joonhwi’s body almost presses against hers, his hands a breath away from her hips. They’re almost touching. Almost, but not quite. Joonhwi’s managed to keep a bit of distance between the two of them. Which Sol finds rather impressive actually. He’s managing to keep space between them regardless of how close they are standing together in the closet. 

She breathes out slowly, biting her tongue to prevent squeaking out loud as he moves closer, hearing the faint footsteps of the person they were following. He had doubled back, which was the reason why the two of them had to hide in this closet. 

Sol breathes in again as he passes by, hiding her face in Joonhwi’s sweatshirt, “sorry,” she breathes out, even as she hears the steps getting closer to them. Her chest pounds and her palms sweat as she presses against Joonhwi, his hands automatically tightening around her. 

Sol tries her best to relax into his grip. Ignore the pounding in her chest as those footsteps move ever so closer, trying to avoid thinking about the likelihood that they will get caught. 

That they’ll get caught and-

Sol’s not quite sure what will happen after that. Doesn’t even want to imagine what will happen after being caught by the man they were tailing. Pressing her lips together, Sol bites her lips. They’ve probably turned white at this point, thankfully with the way her face is buried into Joonhwi’s sweatshirt he likely has no idea. That’s good. The last thing that needs to happen is Joonhwi reassuring her and causing them to be discovered. 

Sol bites her lip harder. Feels it break, the faint metallic taste of blood filling her mouth. 

The two of them wait, Sol’s heart beating in her faster in her chest as she can hear the man’s footsteps come closer, and closer, and closer.  

And he passes right in front of them. Her heart leaps in her chest as he passes, then blinks up at Joonhwi as he looks at her. 

He’s long gone now, but Joonhwi and her are still trapped in this pantomime together. Staring at one another, Sol stands trapped in his gaze. He holds her in his arms, and like this, Sol can feel herself relax, heart no longer jackrabbiting in her chest.  

“Sol-ah,” Joonhwi whispers, “is this okay?”

She nods as his arms wrap her in a hug. Sol feels the warmth of it. How it soothes her, the both of them really. And breathes with him. 

“Next time let’s just bug him,” she mutters under her breath, “I’m not doing this again.”

“You have to admit it was a little fun, right?” Joonhwi winks at her and Sol shakes her head, even as she can hear the teasing in his voice. 

“What,” she squawks quietly, “I didn’t sign up to be a private investigator, Han Joonhwi.”  

He chuckles at that, like it wasn’t the scariest thing that Sol’s ever done since coming unprepared to Professor Yang’s class that first day. 

He presses a finger to her chin, looking worried. “Did you bite yourself on the lip, Sol?” 

She just punches Joonhwi’s shoulder lightly, “it’s fine,” Sol mutters. 

He presses his finger to her mouth, brushing away the faint traces of blood that linger on her lips. Sol holds onto him as he does so, blushing slightly at the intimacy of the moment. 

“Is this okay?” he asks. Sol doesn’t say anything. Instead, she just gently pulls him closer by her grip on his chest. And Sol presses a soft kiss to his lips. 

“Is this okay?” she asks in return. 

And Joonhwi doesn’t say anything either. He leans into it, returning her brush against his lips with his own. 

Sol smiles into it. She can’t help herself. Especially as Joonhwi firmly grips her waist, his touch sending sparks shooting down her spine. 

So she presses even closer to him, kissing him back with an equal amount of passion and love. Presses her lips to his, parting her mouth for his tongue to flick inside hers, deepening the kiss. 

And when they eventually tumble out of the closet, ten minutes later, Sol straightens her flyaway bangs as Joonhwi does the same to his hair next to her. He holds out his hand, and Sol takes it, grasping his warm palm and intertwining their fingers together. 

“Coffee?” he raises an eyebrow at her and Sol smiles. 

“It’s a date,” she squeezes his hand. 

Sol didn’t realize that she would end up with Joonhwi as her boyfriend after hiding in a closet with him. But she has. 

And no matter how strange of a confession it was. Everything, all those looks and moments, cumulated to this. He loves her. And she loves him. 

It only makes the two of them stronger, she thinks. 

Because having Joonhwi by her side is better than being alone, Sol has realized. She can face the world with him by her side. And she loves him all the more for being that person for her. The world isn't as scary, as long as he's with her. 

"But seriously, next time take Jiho with you," she half-complains at him. "I don't have the mindset for undercover work."

Joonhwi caresses her hand in his grip, "okay, Sol-ah," he grins at her, boyish in his delight, "but I got you out of it, so I think I won in the end."

His words may be cheesy, but Sol can't help but smile at them. Because he's right. No matter that they kissed in a closet as a confession. They still kissed. And Han Joonhwi is her boyfriend. 

She's the real winner in the end. Even if they are still no closer to figuring out what Assemblyman Ko is hiding, specifically a relationship with Lee Manho. A small setback though, considering what they managed to get out of this. 

Chapter Text

“I need you to keep a close eye on Sol,” Joonhwi hears as soon as he picks up his phone. It’s her sister, Dan. Joonhwi frowns, but she just continues, ignoring any chance he has of greeting her, “Ko called me. Since you chose to act against him, he’s arranged for something he calls worse things to happen. I’m flying back to meet with him, keep an eye on her until I arrive.”

Joonhwi hums. “Something?” He looks up, to where Sol and Yeseul are talking in a corner. Keeps his voice down, not wanting Sol to overhear  her twin. And then start asking how he got her twin sister’s number. He doesn’t quite know how he got it, somehow she called him, Joonhwi picked it up, and now he has the odd random call with her whenever Kang Dan designates him as someone worthy of her attention. 

Joonhwi would mind that, but he’s in love with Sol. Even if he hasn’t confessed. So getting her sister to tolerate him is well worth it. 

“Lee Manho may be dead,” Kang Dan states to him, “but he can get-and has gotten-other people to do his work in the past. I’ve recorded his message-”

Swallowing, Joonhwi momentarily feels his heart stop at the very idea of something happening to Sol. He can’t lose her. Not like he lost his uncle, Joonhwi can’t even fathom the very idea of someone murdering her in the name of protecting Assemblyman Ko. Thinks he would shatter at the very notion of that happening.

He inhales sharply. “I won’t let that happen.”

“That’s good. But this time, I need you to do what I say,” he can hear the glare she’s giving him through the phone, “you keep your eyes on her. If anything happens-”

Joonhwi nods at that, well aware of the implied threat in her voice. “I’ll keep an eye on her,” he states, “she won’t be left alone."

"No, this time, you do as I say," she growls, "don't take your eyes of Sol. Unless it's someone you know you can trust with her. Your little study group, but that's all. I'm not losing her."

"Understood," Joonhwi responds, as if Dan is his former drill instructor. Her voice, the implied order in it, reminds Joonhwi of him for a moment. Shaking his head, he sighs, "I swear. You can make my life a living hell if not."

“Good,” Kang Dan huffs through the phone, “I would anyways. I should be in Korea by tomorrow night.” That’s all Kang Dan says before hanging up, but Joonhwi really doesn’t need to hear anything else from Sol’s sister. Their relationship, if it can even be considered one, is purely one of interest for the both of them. Her, wanting to hear about her sister. Him, wanting her to acknowledge him as worthy of her sister, even if he hasn’t officially confessed to her yet. Of course, Dan’s opinion doesn’t matter to Sol at all, likely. But Joonhwi values it, if only because of how Dan is a part of Sol’s life, even if it’s his friend’s choice as to how much of a part. 

And because they can both understand the need to protect Sol. 

When it comes to that, Joonhwi can bite his tongue and go along with what Dan says. No matter how he doesn't really like being ordered around like this. Sol's safety is far more important. 

For Sol.

He shuts his phone off, taking another shaky breath. Turns to see Sol’s smile, radiant and beautiful as she picks up some papers, talking to Yeseul.

He can’t lose her. Can’t lose another person to Ko. Especially her, the woman that he loves so much sometimes that it’s hard to breathe.

And if sticking close to her is what Joonhwi will have to do to protect her, he will. He’ll do anything necessary.

Squaring his shoulders, Joonhwi makes a mental note to talk to Professor Yang. They have to end this. Have to get Assemblyman Ko in jail, so he doesn’t make another threat like this again. And if they have to speed up their timeline to find that final piece of evidence that’s not circumstantial, he’ll do whatever it takes to do so.

Sol can’t get injured. Joonhwi won’t let that happen. He’s already lost one person he loved to Assemblyman Ko, he can’t lose the other person he loves as well.

Taking Assemblyman Ko down has just become even more important than it was already. Luckily, Joonhwi’s good under pressure. He’ll have to do even better to protect Kang Sol, the woman he loves.

Sitting back at his seat, he gives Sol a smile, picking up the papers she’s left at his place, over his laptop. Joonhwi can’t mention this to her, not now. Luckily, she likes him by her side. Good, because he won’t be leaving it. Won’t be leaving her alone with what he knows now, with Assemblyman Ko’s threat of worse things ringing in his ears still.

Protecting her and finding that evidence, despite the mock trial they’re doing as well, is all Joonhwi can care about now. 

Because he’s grateful for, and loves Sol. Protecting her is the very least that Joonhwi can do. Because he's her self-appointed protector. And that's what he should do. 

Chapter Text

Joonhwi tells himself that he’s doing this for himself. Installing the CCTV that is. Despite the anklet proof, he’s just still not sure that Lee Manho, convicted child rapist despite the claim of feeblemindedness, is not somehow behind his uncle’s death. 

But in reality, he knows his other, more secret reason. Kang Sol. Her little sister, Byeol, lives right across the street from him. Kang Sol worries tremendously. About her sister, about Lee Manho. So installing the CCTV has another purpose. She’ll know when he does if something happens, if her sister runs into Lee Manho again. And it also has the purpose of letting Sol focus on her work rather than worrying. Joonhwi doesn’t like seeing her panic. Hates it actually. Though she may operate in a state of panic half of the time, there’s a difference between Sol panicking and Sol panicked. He saw the difference when she got the call about her sister, when she dropped everything and ran. 

He cares about his friend. And if that means ensuring that a CCTV gets installed as a warning to Lee Manho, then he’ll do it. 

And now after speaking to a CCTV company, and making sure that they send the feed to his phone, all Joonhwi needs to do is confirm the location. 

Standing outside Sol’s house, he paces the space between her door and Manho’s. When he had spent a good portion of the night outside, the first day he met Byeol again, he had found most of the dark spots. 

Now, all he needs to do is to check to ensure that the corners are mostly covered, and what exactly the spacing is in real life compared to on camera. So keeping an eye on himself in the feed going to his phone, Joonhwi paces until he can mostly figure out the spatial differences in the camera compared to in person. 

It was something that his instructors when he was in training at the police academy emphasized, figuring out a reference point when doing surveillance. Joonhwi may have left the academy, but the lessons stuck. The angle is good, the only blindspot it has is a point covered by the other camera on the street. 

It will work.

“Smart oppa?” It’s Byeol’s voice, and Joonhwi turns to see Byeol peeking out from beyond the gate to her and Sol’s apartment. He gives her a smile, squatting to look her in the eyes. 

“Byeol?” he keeps his voice level, not wanting to spook her. After all, her sister isn’t here right now. But she came up to him anyway. He’s impressed at how precocious she is. 

“What are you doing, oppa?” she tilts her head at him, blinking, but demanding an answer nonetheless. 

Joonhwi smiles. “Setting up a camera.” He points up, towards it, “see?”

“What’s it for?” 

“Ah, so that scary man,” he tries to keep his voice confident and reassuring, “knows that your oppa and unni are always watching him.”

“Good.” Byeol smiles at him. “Smart oppa, what do you think about my unni?”

“Sol?” she nods at his question and Joonhwi pauses. Thinks for a moment. “She’s strong,” is what he ends up saying. But for some reason, doesn't quite think that those words encapsulate all that Sol is and what he thinks of her. 

Byeol blinks at that, “do you like my unni, oppa?”

Joonhwi blinks at that. He’s thrown for a second, sure he and Sol are close, mostly because she’s committed to helping him prove someone else, not Professor Yang, killed his uncle. And sure, she’s fun to tease, and a fantastic friend as well. But he hasn’t thought about whether he likes her or not. 

It just-hasn’t occurred to him. 

“Well,” Byeol waves at him. “Think about it, okay oppa? Unni can’t stop talking about you, and the only other person she ever talked this much about was her ex-boyfriend.”

“I’ll tell her you said that,” he mock threatens, getting to his feet, groaning slightly. Looks up at the camera. He’s really impressed for once. It’s actually in the perfect place, the company got it right the first time. Exactly where he asked for it to be. “Now, go inside, it’s rather late. What would your sister say?”

“No you won’t,” she heads back to the gate in front of her door and sticks her tongue out at him. “Tell unni to study, and if she doesn’t that I won’t call her unless she passes first year! And she stays up later than me anyways so she can’t say anything.”

Joonhwi laughs, waving goodbye to her as she shuts the door behind her. 

Looks back up at the camera, smiling at it and the knowledge that Sol’s little sister will be safe. It’s a good feeling to have, to know that he’s the reason why. And blushes just a little as well. 

Because, for some reason, Sol can’t stop talking about him to her sister. Both facts making him strangely warm, and turning back around, he walks back to the bus stop, keeping an eye on his phone, reminding himself to tease Sol about the day they met again. 

If only, because he loves having her gaze on him. And teasing her is just the best way to get that. And she must feel something in regards to him then, if she can’t stop talking about him to her sister. 

He just can hope that it’s similar to what he feels for her. But they don’t have time, Joonhwi reminds himself, not right now. They have a case to solve and a professor to defend. There’s always time later, for him to figure out what the rest of it, including his emotions and feelings, mean.

He ends up running into Sol, sitting near the statue of Lady Justice as he heads towards his dorm back from her house. 

Joonhwi frowns seeing her there. She looks exhausted, worn out from stress as she looks over a textbook. 

“Do you know what time it is, Sol-ah?” She blinks back up at him, and Joonhwi feels his heart constrict in his chest. 

“Do you know what time it is, Joonhwi? I need to study after all.”

Joonhwi gently grabs her arm, and he helps her to her feet. Sol blinks, bleary-eyed at him.

He shakes his head, “you need rest. I’ll help you revise in the morning.”

She thumps his shoulder, “I’ll hold you to that,” Sol mutters as she does, but aside from that lets him help her up the stairs. 

The only other person she ever talked this much about was her ex-boyfriend, Byeol's words echo through his head. Joonhwi doesn't think Byeol understood all that meant. But he holds that knowledge close to his chest as he escorts her to the female side of the dorms. Watches carefully as she trudges towards the direction of her dorm room, before turning and heading towards his own.  

Because if this is how Joonhwi can demonstrate his love for her and everything she does for him, in acts of service and caring for her, he will. Because that’s what friends should do. 

No matter if he is also in love with her. 

He thinks she feels the same way, judging by how much Sol trusts him with her secrets. And for now, until this mess is figured out, it’s by far enough.

Chapter Text

Joonhwi takes Sol’s hand. Squeezes it in a silent show of support. 

Grades are viewable. Joonhwi’s already checked his. But Sol hasn’t. 

She doesn’t want to. Joonhwi has to admit that he thinks it’s rather adorable, how she thinks if she doesn’t see her grades they won’t exist until she checks them. It would be incredibly adorable if Sol’s anxiety about her grades isn’t as bad as it is. 

It’s gotten better too. Being by her side during 1L was particularly difficult because all Joonhwi wanted to do was reassure her, but he was unable to do so well. He’s learned, from being in a relationship with her, that it’s better to just be by Sol’s side than anything else. That she doesn’t need him to solve her problems, just instead for his support. 

Something that Joonhwi’s all too happy to give to her. 

Which is why he’s sitting by her side, holding her hand, and waiting for Sol to push the button. 

“You did well this semester,” he keeps his voice at a whisper, “you didn’t stutter once in the debate this time.”

“But I did flub up during one of the midterms,” she whispers back. 

Joonhwi sighs, shaking his head as he grips her hand tighter. Her other hand is trembling over the keypad. 

“You did well, half the class flubbed that,” he looks around. There’s no one around them. Joonhwi raises an eyebrow, “why are we whispering? There’s no one here.”

Sol gives him a peeved look, and Joonhwi internally smiles at how she’s broken out of her nervousness because of his comment, “you started it,” she hisses back at him.  

Just as she says that, she turns a little and her finger slips. 

And she clicks the keyboard. 

The page loads. 

Almost immediately, instantaneously really, she turns around and buries her face in his chest. “I don’t want to look,” she groans quietly. 

Joonhwi just blinks. Grips her hand as he looks at her grades. 

“Do you want me to tell you?” he asks, gently caressing her hand in his own. 

She shakes her head, her hair brushing against his skin. Takes a breath, that Joonhwi can feel tickle him. And sighs out, “I’ll look.” 

Her face turns away from his chest but Joonhwi still holds her as best as he can as she looks. As Sol sees her grades. 

And then she turns back around, with a grin on her face that reminds Joonhwi of the sun. She’s radiant, smiling and shaking her bangs out of her face to look at him. 

“I did it,” she grins at him, before pressing her lips onto his in a brief kiss.
“I knew you would,” is all Joonhwi can say in response. Because he did. At least he hoped so. The amount of effort and work she put into the semester shouldn’t have been for nothing. Sol’s worked hard and has clearly improved from 1L. She may never be the by-the-book lawyer that flourishes in law school, but she doesn’t need to be either. 

Sol kisses him again, and Joonhwi cups her head, holding her close to him. The laptop screen, still lit with the proof of Sol’s passing of the first semester of 3L, shines behind them. But neither of them look at it. 

Instead, all Joonhwi can look at is Sol. 

And all she looks at is him. 

“I love you,” he whispers at her when they break the kiss to breathe. His lips sting, her lips are red from his mouth against hers. “You’re so wonderful Sol. I’m so grateful for you.”

“You idiot,” she blushes, smacks his shoulder gently, “I'm the one who is grateful for you. Do you think I would have passed without your help?”

“Yes,” Joonhwi looks at her, unblinking. “You would have.” He knows she doesn’t believe it necessarily. Likely remembering all the little things he’s helped her with in the study group. But Sol will be a brilliant lawyer. Grades don’t really matter when it comes to that, because she’s taken her compassion and sense of justice and refined it with the tools for law. 

Sol will be a brilliant lawyer. 

And Joonhwi is so proud to be by her side, and her boyfriend as well.