Blue {DoTae} | complete

Three: There's someone who understands

"No! Don't spoil it!" Johnny interrupts Yuta mid-sentence and closes his eyes, as though that would stop Yuta's opinion about the end of some drama from reaching his ears. Yuta pouts.

"But it's really good." He tries to defend himself. Johnny glares down at him and threatens to whack his head with the umbrella. Doyoung flinches.

"Well, I haven't finished all the episodes yet." Johnny responds. A few others tut.

"Where are you up to?" Taeil asks, zipping up his bright yellow coat and huddling closer to Johnny's side because some of the rain is invading the space underneath the umbrella, the height difference between the two not helping matters.

"I'm up to the bit where the love interest finds the lead's diary." Johnny says. Several 'ooh's circulate around the group. Doyoung bites down on his bottom lip and zones out while watching a slug drag itself across the damp concrete. He can relate. It feels like it takes that much effort just to make it through the day.

"You're so behind!" Yuta rolls his eyes and lightly punches Johnny's shoulder. "That's only, like, the fifth episode!"

"Yeah, I know." The elder exclaims. "I've been doing lots more studying recently, unlike some." He makes a point of staring at Yuta, who scoffs and decides to change the subject to some other drama that Johnny has actually finished.

Not that it makes any difference for Doyoung. He doesn't have the slightest clue what his friends are talking about, but he does know that it's raining and the wind is scratching at his cheeks in a way that numbs him right through to the core. His hood can only do so much against the pelting droplets. The group are stood around in a circle, except Doyoung's outside of it, with just his shoulder between Sicheng and Taeil, not close enough to seek the protection of someone's umbrella, nor to take a share of their warmth. He wouldn't be able to contribute to the conversation, anyway. It's not as though he's seen the dramas they're discussing.

Doyoung doesn't have time. His watching list is endless, with him adding to it each time he goes onto YouTube but without actually clicking on any of the videos. Taeyong's Jeju vlogs are still outstanding. It's too much, on top of all his work, so even though he feels he's earned the time it would take to binge them, he avoids it all. He's itching to power through it whenever he goes onto YouTube or Vlive, and yet one single thought has the power to cancel all those plans and send him plummeting into the murky world where his mind reigns.

What if you just didn't watch them? Wouldn't that be easier? There's this conversation about your favourite lyrics from Taeyong's songs that you haven't practiced. Shouldn't you be doing that instead? That would be a much better use of your time.

But what if you stabbed yourself in the eye with the pen on the desk? It's right in front of you. Go on.

Or why not throw that stone at Mark and Donghyuck? They're kissing again, and you're lonely, so go on.

Doyoung blinks. He grinds his teeth. A bad habit, he knows, but all his habits are bad and out of control so he continues anyway, eyes boring into Mark's back as he smoothly wraps his arms around Donghyuck's waist to pull him closer, oblivious to the crowds of other students milling around, and the younger nearly drops the umbrella at the action.

"Are you jealous or something?" Sicheng whispers, and the sensation of the breath against his ear snaps him out of his daze and tugs his brain back to the present reality. Sicheng has one eyebrow raised, awaiting an answer.

"No." Doyoung mumbles. Luckily, Sicheng's nice and never teases, only shuffles to make space for Doyoung to join the circle instead.

"You're getting wet. Share my umbrella." Sicheng notices how the droplets of rain collide with Doyoung's hood and slide off, soaking his rucksack and his shoes. A flicker of warmth and gratitude ignites in Doyoung's chest when Sicheng offers a smile, then he pulls his hood down once he's covered by the umbrella.