A Meaningful Sacrifice || All of Us Are Dead

9. Sound Revelations

This chapter is longer than usual because I wanted to do some character development.

...

When Joonyeong wakes up, he realizes that he and Woojin aren't the only ones in bed.

Soowi is curled up next to him, her leg swung over Joonyeong's.

"She's still such a baby," Joonyeong mutters, squinting as the daylight shines through the window. His tone is fond because it means there's still some innocence left in her. She's still young enough to seek him out for comfort.

He wonders how long that will last.

When he tries moving, he finds himself trapped under Woojin's arm, which is draped over his waist. His friend's chin rests on his shoulder. It's dangerously close to his neck.

Joonyeong keeps from groaning as he realizes he's stuck between the two of them. Woojin was always physically affectionate and so was Soowi, so he wonders why he didn't expect this before.

"Damn it," Joonyeong sighs, letting his head flop against the pillow. Closing his eyes, he basks in the unrelenting sunlight. It's peaceful, laying like this. No noise—not even the sound of cars—can interrupt this silence.

His eyes rove over the room until they reach the bathroom door, and memories from last night rush in.

"Not even Eomma's bulgogi."

"Fuck, I'm so sorry."

"You're not a wild animal."

"Ssibal!"

And that close encounter with Woojin...

"Joonyeong-ah."

The way he'd said his name with such fervor, such intensity, was totally unexpected. Joonyeong wasn't able to comprehend it at the time, but now...now, he can.

After all, Woojin never actually said anything that indicated he was against guys who liked other guys. Joonyeong only assumed so because that's how a lot of people here are. He should've known that Woojin wouldn't be like that. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bet that Mijin has a crush on Hari.

I'll have to talk to Eomma. She'll be the best person to ask for advice.

Just then, he hears three sets of footsteps in the hallway, and he tenses.

"Be quiet, you moron! Or else this won't work," Cheongsan's voice hisses.

"Come on, there's already a huge chance that Joonyeong can hear anyways," Daesu replies.

What the fuck are they doing?

The door creaks open.

"Fuck, what if they're awake?" Daesu worries, tiptoeing inside.

He hears someone clapping Daesu's head. Either Cheongsan or Suhyeok.

"You three are dumbasses, you know that?" Joonyeong says, foiling whatever plan they were trying to enact. "Complete and utter dumbasses."

"Oh, look what you've done!" Suhyeok groans, poking his head out from behind the wall. He grins sheepishly at Joonyeong, who has lifted his head up from the pillow. "Morning."

"Good morning, Baresu."

The other two boys follow behind Suhyeok as they walk into the room.

"Yah, what's going on with you three?" questions Suhyeok, briefly tilting his head up as he crosses his arms. At this point, Woojin has shifted his position so that his leg is also swung over Joonyeong's.