Stendhal's Syndrome - JongSang ✔︎

Chapter 9

Jongho and San happily chatted away, oblivious to Yeosang who was getting weaker beside them. Jongho had felt Yeosang's stare on him and when he had glanced at the male, he noticed he appeared to be zoned out and just shrugged it off, thinking he was fine. 

Apparently, he was not fine and suddenly a loud bang was heard beside them. Jongho instantly snapped his head to look at Yeosang and was shocked to see the male passed out. Without wasting time, he pushed San away, sliding into the seat and gently pulling the older male onto his lap. 

"Go pay for the ice cream and then we can go," Jongho instructed, "and please bring Yeosang’s ice cream. He might throw a fit if he finds out we left his perfectly good food here."

Jongho carried the male with ease, thanking himself for working out so he could have the strength to do such things. He felt numerous stares and all he could do was awkwardly nod his head at them as he made his way to the vehicle and struggle to open the door but luckily a kind passerby quickly aided in opening it.

San emerged from within the store a moment after, holding the ice cream. Jongho took the wheel and they headed home with slight difficulty with directions where Jongho then carried Yeosang into the house, passing Mrs Kang who seemed a bit concerned.

"Don't worry. I think he overdid himself with staring," Jongho chuckled, carrying the unconscious body to the bed. 

Jongho didn't leave, instead, he settled down beside the male and gently stroked his white hair.

San took a seat on a bean bag on the floor, making himself comfortable in the chilly room. Might as well make himself at home since he assumed they weren’t going anywhere.

"Why'd he faint?" San asked, curious about the male.

"Long story, I'm not sure if he'd want me to tell you. He took a long time to tell me."

San nodded in understanding, examining the way his cousin ever so gently stroked the older male’s hair. He smiled at them and found them absolutely adorable together.

"You like him, don't you?" San asked, knowing the answer but wanting to confirm it.

Jongho seemed shocked by the question and hesitantly nodded his head.

"I do but I don't think he likes me back. Don't you see how perfect he is? I don't think he'd go for someone like me, y'know?"

"Don't be an idiot. He was eye fucking you so hard I thought he was undressing you in his mind. He definitely likes you and if he doesn't, then I don't know what that staring was all about."

"He does that. It's normal for him to do that. It doesn't mean he likes me," Jongho argued, not willing to gain a flare of hope only for it to be later shot down harshly.

"Yet he didn’t glance at me once. So it isn't normal for him to stare at people," San retorted, feeling proud that he was proving his cousin wrong.

"Well shut up. He doesn't pass out for very long so I expect him to wake up pretty soon and I don't want him to hear us discussing my not so little crush on him."

San laughed and nodded. The two discussed random topics ranging from the process of how organisms decompose to how you can bake the perfect pie. Jongho, of course, using his knowledge of pie baking that he gained from Yeosang to share the process.

Mrs Kang had entered sometime during their stay and simply smiled at them before giving them water and apples.

Jongho had no clue what to do now that they had discussed everything possible and began snapping apples in half, amusing himself at the way they simply came apart.