Only You | cheolhao

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"Hyung, my friends are coming over. Will that be okay with you? Or you prefer us meeting somewhere else?"

"Oh... uhm..."

Seungcheol is the older brother of the century- a fact that almost everyone is aware. He may look rather intimidating with his built physique but if you'll get to know him, he is one of the softest and warmest human being to ever exist. Mingyu, his younger brother, can vouch him for that. Mingyu is extremely grateful and quite envied by people for being blessed by having Seungcheol as his older brother. Not only is he considerate and shows genuine affability towards his friends, he is also like the eldest member of their friend group. Ever since this friend group was formed, he acted like their non-biological hyung (or father). Treating them with free meals when the budget is not so tight and he feels like it, cooking for them at times when they come over to his and Mingyu's shared condo to hang out, and being there for them every time they approach him when they're in dire need of advice about their worries in life in general and of course, love lives. Which kind of baffles him if he's being honest. He doesn't actually know why they are running to him to ask advice on how they should handle their hearts and selves towards the people who's piqued their interest, when in fact, he only dated once in his entire life. Meaning, he doesn't have the adequate amount of experience. But maybe, it is the empathy and kind words that attracts them back to him. And he is equally touched and thankful that they trust him enough to voice and entrust their worries to him.

But lately, he started acting odd every time Mingyu's friends visit their place. By odd, he freezes randomly, and he spaces out most of the time and he is so dang awkward. Which is really alarming, because why? But actually, if they will be just a little bit more attentive and observant, they can sure tell the reason behind Seungcheol's sudden behavioral change. Maybe Seungkwan, Hansol and Chan already caught up on it, somehow. Because Seungcheol is a very obvious and predictable guy. Fortunately (unfortunately), the sole reason of this fiasco remains oblivious. Meanwhile, Mingyu, being as evenly considerate like his brother, takes his time asking Seungcheol if he's fine with his friends dropping by. He doesn't wish to have his brother looking like his soul suddenly deciding to take a leave out of his body, and come back after some hours.

"Hyung, you're zoning out again. Seriously, we can just go to Minghao's instead." At the mention of the name of the new addition to their friend group, Seungcheol seems to be awaken from his trance.

"No!" He clears his throat. "No... uhm, I think it is okay, yeah? Hang out here, yes. Like what you guys always do. We don't want you guys making Minghao's house looking like a disaster came there...." The older inwardly winces at the way he said his younger brother's cute Chinese friend. And the way he stutters. And the way he lamely reasons.

If it's still not clear enough, yes, Choi Seungcheol is crushing on his younger brother's friend, Xu Minghao.

He didn't know how or when he started to catch feelings for the younger. It just happens that one day, he became hypersensitive about the boy's presence and he can't help himself but to become rigid anytime and anywhere the younger's endearing giggles will reach his ears. Plus how he becomes self-conscious about his appearance whenever the Chinese male is just around the area. It is not like he's not handsome, anyone can tell that he is actually awfully good-looking. But he wants to look more appealing for the younger. Also add the fact that he's positive that the younger is a fashionista and moonlighting as a model.

"You sure? I mean you don't have to force yours---" Mingyu's words were cut as the doorbell rings and the sound of it reverberated throughout the space. "I think that's them. No turning back now. Thanks, hyung!"

As Mingyu goes for the door, Seungcheol hastily pulls out his phone from his back-pocket and uses it as a mirror to check if he's presentable enough. For science, obviously. Then the raven-haired boy tries to composed himself and bolts to the fridge and opens it with faux coolness and acts like he's rummaging for ingredients to cook something and not just for trying to look, well, cool for a certain Chinese male.

"Oh, by the way, Hao said he's going to be late for like a little. He said something about going to restock groceries with that Junhui-ge," someone says, sounding mildly annoyed. Seungcheol can feel you. He really does. That Junhui guy seems to be eating all Hao's time lately and hogging every bit of the younger's attention. 'You're childhood best friends that bravely left your homeland and families behind to pursue your passion here in Korea and you guys live together and are like brothers with different mothers and no they are not dating nor they have romantic feelings towards each other but you guys are both single and there is a chance that you might end up together' and no Seungcheol didn't took his free hours to coax all these little information out of people who are somehow related to the two beautiful Chinese men. No he's not jealous, no, never, why would he be? Nah, not a chance.

(Seungcheol is wailing inside, without a doubt.)

He'll act cool later when his frustration dies down and when the Chinese male arrives.

---

Seungcheol was awaken by the several knocks from outside. He can't remember why he had fallen asleep and is now being summoned rudely. He rubs the sleep off his eyes and walk straight to the door without even bothering to fix himself. Whoever's at the other side of the door should be thankful that they'd be blessed by his just-woke-up-look.

He unlocks the door and as soon as he gets to see a glimpse of his sleep-interruptor, he closes it immediately, harshly and feeling extremely awake. Caffeine never made him feel this alive before.

"Hyung? What happened? Are you okay?" Minghao's muffled voice and frantic knockings can be heard outside and Seungcheol wills to take back his wish when he was in kindergarten about the power (Superman-like strength) he wants to acquire to teleportation right then and there. He looks and smells stupid, for the love of all!

I am not a teenager anymore to embarrass myself in front of my crush!

"Hyung? Seungcheollie-hyung?"

Seungcheollie, why?

Faint footsteps that are gradually getting louder resonates along the knockings at the door. Hushed but laced with confusion and worry voices can be heard as well.

I can't embarrass myself any further. Deep breaths, Cheol. You can do this!

He opens the door, face breaking into a huge, sheepish but not any less attractive smile. "Sorry, forgot to put on a shirt." Brilliant idea. Good job, Choi.

Mingyu and Seokmin's brows furrows, Hansol and Chan stifles their laughter, Seungkwan looks like he's contemplating between crying and laughing, and Minghao averts his gaze but the redness of the tip of his pointed ears is palpable. Seungcheol smiles, cute.

I wonder why.

"You're shirtless, though?"

"And pantless, if I may add."