𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒔 - 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓰

𝓒𝓱; 30 "𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓮" 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓷 𝓾𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹

That same evening, Minho had to reject a few girls who were shamelessly trying to sit down on his lap, waving away another girl while still watching Jisung intently while he stood behind the bar. A stranger slanted over the floor, maneuvering his way through the people. Minho's jaw tightened upon seeing a customer walk over and sit down. Their lips moved, seemingly having a conversation, while the stranger scanned Jisung up and down. Minho didn't like the vibe from him at all, his muscles already clenched. Who does he think he is? What set him off was how he now slid his hand on top of Jisung's, caressing it. Jisung's face turned pale as he stared down at his wrist. Minho tightened his grip on the leather of the couch, constantly repeating something to himself in his head. "Don't cause trouble, don't cause trouble." He dug his nails further into his skin when the man continued his way up to Jisung's arm. That's it. 

"Take your hands off him," he demanded, pulling the stranger's arm away. It seemed to have caught his attention cause the man eyed him with a judging glare. "I was just ordering a drink. Calm down, friend." the man argued back. "Then don't touch him if you're only ordering a drink." The stranger stayed quiet until Minho sat down on the stool beside him. "What are you still looking at me like that for?" the stranger asked. "Go ahead. Order your drink." Minho nodded in Jisung's direction, his tone warning. 

His presence seemed to intimidate him as the man gulped and turned himself to Jisung, avoiding his gaze at all costs. "Just a Tequila is fine," he spoke. When Jisung re-caught his breath, a mild shiver still running through his chest, he put on his customer's smile and nodded. "Right away, sir."  

By the time they were allowed to leave it was already dark outside. It was very quiet between the two of them, there was this lingering tension between them, which made Jisung even more nervous. 

"Are you mad at me?" 

Minho didn't answer him, instead, he avoided looking at him at all. "Don't start that with me, Lee Minho, talk to me." Jisung's voice sounded stern. "Do you like putting yourself in danger that much?" Minho glowered at him but this time Jisung didn't flinch, he stood his ground firmly.  "What? You think I like doing this?" he backfired, earning a scoff from the other. "Well, it sure seems like you enjoy being a deer in headlights." Jisung came to a halt and frowned. 

"It's not like I have a choice, Lee Minho! Why is that so hard for you to understand?" A groan escaped Minho's mouth. "For god's sake, Han Jisung! Can't you see I'm worried about you?" Jisung clenched his teeth on his lip until it hurt and looked down. "What would you do when something like that happens again? Think about the consequences it could have. Just because I was there today, what if I wasn't? I can't always be there for you." 

"You worry me, Han Jisung," his voice lowered. 

"Thank you." Jisung had to muster up the courage to speak out those words. He didn't like thanking people, it meant he had bothered them when in his eyes he could have handled it himself. 

The next morning Jisung sat down behind his desk. He let the music enter his ears through his headphones. The male was so into it, feeling every beat and humming along with the melody that he almost didn't hear his mother call him. Jisu was standing in the opening of her son's door and let out a loud cough to earn his attention, raising her voice. "Jisung!" Jisung flinched but quickly put down his headphones, an awkward smile covering his face as he let out a chuckle. "Was there anything you needed, mother?" She shook her head and crossed her arms. "Well, I was asking if you could buy some groceries," she said. "I do not accept any protest." His mother pointed at him, seeing how Jisung wanted to open his mouth to say something. Jisung let out a quiet groan. "Fine," he complained and got up, taking the money his mother had in her hands. "The list is in the kitchen!" she yelled after him. 

Jisung put in his earphones as he entered the shop, taking a look at the grocery list his mom ordered him to take. While he was silently talking to himself, muttering some of the products that were written on the list, a voice behind him called. "Jisung?" The male turned around to meet the smaller Australian. "Oh, hi, Chan," Jisung greeted him. "Didn't think I'd catch you here," Chan admitted with a smile. "Wanna grab some coffee after this?" the Australian offered and before Jisung could refuse Chan spoke again. "My treat," he insisted. Jisung didn't think he could refuse him after this and agreed. "Sure, I just have to finish shopping for groceries first." He held up the bag and Chan nodded. "I'll help." 

Chan and Jisung leaned back against the bench, taking a sip of their warm coffee while letting the cool breeze blow against their faces. Though Jisung must admit this was kind of unexpected since, well, Jisung already knew about Chan's feelings. He had so guessed it from the start. 

"Thank you."

Jisung frowned in confusion. "What are you thanking me for?" he asked. "For putting up with Minho," Chan added. "Y'know he really has changed a lot ever since he met you." The Australian looked up at the sky and smiled. "In a good way, of course." He turned his head to the boy next to him. "So that's why I thank you."

"Then, I should apologize to you." After that sentence, it was Chan's turn to get confused, a crease appearing on his forehead because of his frown. "What should you apologize to me for?" 

"You were the one that liked him after all. And I mean in more than a friendly way," Jisung emphasized the last part. 

A sigh escaped the older's mouth while he shook his head. "You shouldn't apologize, Jisung. It was me who couldn't control his feelings. It was me being selfish. At first, I wanted him all for myself, but then I started noticing things, Jisung. He was changing. And it was because of you." 

"I couldn't bring myself to stand between the both of you after that." Chan turned his head, seeing how speechless Jisung had gotten. "Because I see how happy you make him, Jisung, and that is something I couldn't give to him."

He took a deep breath. 

"I don't see you as an enemy at all, rather, I am grateful to you." It stayed quiet for a while.

Chan flinched by the arms wrapping around him. Was he hugging him? "You should think about yourself more, Chan," Jisung spoke softly after the long silence, patting the older's back. "I could say the same to you," Chan slightly chuckled. "Fine, you caught me there," Jisung admitted when they parted. 

"Friends?" Jisung held out his hand. The older looked up at him, gaze switching between his hand and Jisung's eyes as if unable to believe it but that thought was soon replaced by a big smile. "Friends!" Chan confirmed, shaking Jisung's hand. 

After a while of sharing bright smiles and happiness, Chan asked him one more thing. "Then, if you don't mind, can I hand him over to you?" He was now ready to let go of these unnecessary feelings once and for all. "I will do my best to take care of him," Jisung answered firmly. That was enough to convince him as he thanked him one more time. It was the right time. "Thanks." 

On his way back, Chan could finally see what Minho found so special in him. A small smile was plastered on his face. Jisung was so mature for his age. He was different. Different from the pretending crowd the three of them were used to. "Minho should cherish him," he spoke out loud "This one's a keeper."