aversion | bbangnyu

26

There was a nervousness that ensued shortly after the two parted. Chanhee had never felt even remotely uncomfortable around Younghoon in the passing months; however, the thought of them being something more than friends scared him.

It wasn't that his feelings weren't true, he really did like Younghoon, yet a part of him was hesitant. He hadn't been in many relationships or even had much romantic experience and that ignorance made him nervous.

He wasn't quite sure what the next step was but he didn't want to make Younghoon feel as if figuring that out was his responsibility.

After confessing their feelings, a hesitancy washed over the two. Younghoon didn't want to rush things, and Chanhee just didn't know what he was supposed to do.

The two talked for a bit, both of them conveniently avoiding the topic they so desperately needed to discuss before Younghoon decided to excuse himself. He claimed it was because they had school in the morning but truthfully, both of them just needed some time alone to think.

That time, however, didn't seem to be as beneficial as Chanhee imagined it to be. Their conversation felt unfinished and he was left to think about everything that could happen. Although Younghoon was always calling him on sleepless nights, tonight he was the one who just couldn't fall asleep.

Although he was barraged with inescapable worries about him and Younghoon, at the end of the day the elder was still one of his closest friends. Even if Younghoon was the center of his distress, Chanhee would always find comfort in him.

So of course, Chanhee found himself listening to the phone ring once again. He always seemed to find a way back to Younghoon.

"Hey," Younghoon spoke, only making Chanhee wait a few rings before answering.

"I can't fall asleep," Chanhee stated before putting the phone on speaker and setting it down next to him on the bed.

"Is that my fault?"

"A little bit."

A quiet laugh came from the other line before Younghoon said, "I'll think about that the next time we talk about our feelings on a school night."

"This isn't going to make things between us weird, right?" Chanhee asked softly, letting his curiosity get to him.

"Of course not," the elder started, "we were friends before anything else. That's not going to change—I won't let it." 

Chanhee felt himself nodding as if Younghoon could see him through the phone. "Okay..." he whispered, finding reassurance in the boy's words. A few moments of silence passed before Chanhee asked, "Me and Yeri are going to the mall  tomorrow, do you want to come?"

"You should un-invite Yeri and then we can call it a date."

Stifling a laugh, Chanhee muttered, "You're not slick, Younghoon, that wasn't good."

Although he was alone in his room, Younghoon still rolled his eyes. "I'm not good at flirting, okay?" He grumbled.

"At least you're cute..."

A smile slowly spread across his face as he registered the younger's words. "You think I'm cute?" He asked quietly as he fanned his face, feeling as if his cheeks were on fire.

"Duh."

✨✨✨

"Why are you so smiley? It's first hour," Yeri deadpanned as she looked over at he unreasonably happy best friend.

The smile on Chanhee's face quickly dropped upon hearing the girl's words. "It's nothing..." he muttered, "I was just thinking."

"Thinking about what?" She asked flatly.

"You're so nosy..." he whispered before glancing at the clock and seeing their class was only a minute away from ending, "and I wouldn't have time to explain anyway. Not giving the girl any time to respond, Chanhee quickly packed up his things and headed out of the classroom.

Chanhee took a deep breath, trying to cleanse himself of any lingering thoughts as he stepped into the hallway. Usually, he told Yeri everything, however, he didn't want to overstep. He wasn't quite sure what Younghoon would be comfortable sharing and he didn't really know if there was anything to share. But at the end of the day, the thing he dreaded the most was giving Yeri the satisfaction of being right.

Lost in his own thoughts, Chanhee failed to see the boy stopped at his locker and ran into the unsuspecting figure. He quickly looked up and opened his mouth to apologize, but stopped when he saw Younghoon standing in front of him with wide eyes.

"Y'know most people actually watch where their going, right?" He asked as he pulled a textbook out of his locker.

Chanhee scoffed at the elder's words, "I was."

Glancing over at the metal door Chanhee slammed his head against only moments earlier, Younghoon shrugged, "it really doesn't seem like we're."

"Okay fine, I wasn't."

A satisfied smile formed on Younghoon's lips as he examined the younger's face. "I think the locker won..." he said softly when he saw the red blob forming on the boy's forehead, "Are you okay?"

"Is it bad?"

"Um...it's definitely noticeable...?" He said hesitantly, not wanting to discourage Chanhee from continuing on with his day.

A drawn out sigh fell from Chanhee's lips as he looked at his reflection in his phone. "I'm so tired of this day already..." the boy whispered

Seeing that the hallways were nearly empty, Younghoon assumed it was almost time for class to start, yet he would rather be late than leave Chanhee upset. "Let's go to the bathroom, I have an idea."

✨✨✨

"I'm going to break the sink if I sit on it."

"You are not."

"Do you know how embarrassing it would be if it just fell off."

Younghoon let out a frustrated sigh before pointing to the sink, "it's built into the wall and you're tiny—it's not going to break. Just sit down."

"Fine..." Chanhee grumbled as he hoisted himself up to sit on the corner of the porcelain fixture. After a few seconds of just sitting there, Younghoon walked back in front of him with a wet paper towel.

"I think it'll make the swelling go down, it's just like icing an injury," he rambled before pressing the cold paper towel against the boy's forehead. 

Chanhee put his own hand against his forehead, pushing Younghoon's away. "You don't have to do that for me."

The elder rolled his eyes before swatting Chanhee's hands away from his head. "I want to," he stated gently as he pulled the soggy piece of paper away to look at the boy's forehead, "You look better already."

"What if somebody comes in and sees us together?"

"What about it?"

Chanhee shrugged, "I think we both know I don't have the best reputation around here."

A small smile formed on Younghoon's lips as he looked down at the younger boy. "What do you want me to say? That I'll push you on the floor and run?"

Chanhee shrugged, "I don't know, Younghoon, I just don't know."

Reaching out to grab Chanhee's arms, Younghoon, gently wrapped them around his neck. "You don't have to worry about anything."

"I'm not...worried."

"I'm just reminding you," he said simply, "you don't have to stress yourself out...not for me." 

———

I can finally write cute stuff for this book I'm so excited 🤞🏻

Thanks for reading