aversion | bbangnyu

28

Chanhee let out a nervous breath when he saw a text from Younghoon that read, just leaving now, I'll be at your house in ten minutes. He turned to look at himself in the mirror and fanned his red cheeks in hopes of cooling himself down.

Although the two had gone places together before, this time was different. Instead of just hanging out, they were going on a date—a real date. There was no good reason for him to be nervous but that didn't stop his heart from beating incessantly against his rib cage.

He took one last deep breath and smiled at himself in the mirror before heading out of his room. "How do I look?" Chanhee asked his parents as he walked into the living room.

Looking away from the tv, the two directed their attention to their son who was about to go on his first real date. Chanhee's mother sent the boy a warm smile before saying, "Absolutely stunning, honey."

Chanhee beamed at the woman's response, scared that his white crewneck and jeans was too boring.

"Wait stay there," the woman spoke as she got up from the couch, "Let me take a picture so I can send it to your grandparents."

"Are you sure you like this boy? It's not too late to back out..." Chanhee's father said as he reluctantly walked up to his son once the woman was done taking pictures of him.

"I'm sure."

"Okay," the man sighed, his shoulder slumping as he did so. "But I guess..." he started quietly, "it's okay if treats you right. Just promise me you'll be safe?"

A smile spread across Chanhee's face before he reached out to hug his dad. "I promise I'll be safe," he answered.

"Make sure to have fun too," Chanhee's mother interjected a few seconds before the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.

Chanhee's eyes widened at the noise before he whispered, "just play it cool guys." It felt as if his feet were glued to the floor as he walked towards the door slower than he'd ever walked before. His hand shook as he reached out for the handle, but nevertheless opened the door.

A smile formed on Younghoon's face as he laid eyes on his date. The two stood there for a few moments just looking at each other before Younghoon thrust the bouquet of flowers he was holding towards the younger. "I didn't know what kind of flowers you like so I just got a little bit of everything—I don't know if that's stupid...I just wanted to get you something," he rambled as he stared at the medley of colorful flowers, half of which he didn't even know the name for.

Taking the bouquet into his own hands, Chanhee couldn't help but smile. "I don't think it's stupid..." he stated quietly as he ogled at how pretty they were, "I love them, thank you."

"Oh hi, Younghoon!" Mrs Choi spoke happily as she entered the room, pretending as if she didn't already know he was in her home.

Younghoon quickly bowed to the woman, "Hi Mrs Choi."

She sent Chanhee a reassuring smile before reaching out to take the flowers from him, "I'll put these in a nice vase and you two can get going," she offered.

Chanhee nodded at the woman's words and finally looked back up at Younghoon. "Ready to go?" He asked softly.

"Yeah," he responded before the two headed out the front door.

The second the front door closed, Mr Choi was at his wife's side, trying to hold back his emotions on the situation. "He just grew up too fast..." he whispered, "he's almost an adult."

"Oh honey..." Mrs Choi spoke gently before opening her arms to her husband, "you'll be okay."

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