I Cannot Breathe (Be My Oxygen)

A Rising Suspicion

Trigger Warnings : arguments, mentions of past anger issues and abuse, flashback of self-harm.

Chan feels... empty.

In a way he can't explain. It's like he's missing something important, something that defines him.

Changbin is clingier now. He asks about him when he's at the beach, or clings to him at home, like he's the one who needs him and not the other way around.

Something's wrong.

"Hey hyung."

Chan looks at Jisung who has taken residence on their couch, he doesn't know the whole problem and doesn't ask. He'll listen if Jisung ever wants to talk about it, "Oh, hey Sungie."

Jisung has magnificently adapted to their home. In a way Chan didn't expect. Usually, if some friend passes by, they'll forget to not push the box of coffee all the way deep in the top cabinet and other mundane things like this. But Jisung never made any of those mistakes.

He's a bit messy though, but makes sure to not put anything on the floor. It's always the couch that suffers the most.

And Jisung's also a sort of... genius.

In a creative way. He's good with his hands at making random stuff because he's good at mechanics. Like, really good.

Recently he's made a tiny robot that twerks- he doesn't question why, he's scared of the answer - and sings when you clap two times.

The song's been stuck in his head for the whole day.

"Did you just wake up ?" He can't help but ask when Jisung looks still half asleep. He doesn't question his tendency to be nocturnal either, but it's two in the afternoon.

Jisung hums, buries his face back against his pillow, "Yeah, I think I'll sleep some more."

Chan raises an eyebrow, "Don't you have class ?" It's Monday today and it surprises him to see Jisung doesn't seem to care. He goes to the kitchen to make some tea for him.

"But those classes are boring," He whines and hugs his blanket more, making Chan roll his eyes. The tea's already ready from half an hour ago, it's perfect for Jisung who's always impatient.

"Jisung," he calls disappointedly with a deadpan expression.

"No, don't look at me like I'm disappointing you," He begs before sighing in defeat when Chan doesn't back down, "alright fine, I'll go tomorrow."

Chan goes back next to him, hands him the tea cup, "Here, it's a bit hot." Jisung sits to take it and blows on it.

"Thanks hyung," he takes a first sip and melts into the couch with how warm it is, "so good."

Chan smiles, "So, ready to tell me the real reason ?" he watches Jisung tenses and his protectiveness comes back like a storm ready to hit lands, "What happened ? Did someone bully you-"

"No ! God no hyung," Jisung stammers, cheeks pink and ears flaming up, "I'm rooming with- with someone."

Chan narrows his eyes, "And ?"

"And he's annoyingly hot !" He blurts out with a frown, "And when people find out I'm rooming with the most popular art kid of the uni, they look at me like I'm a piece of trash," he groans in annoyance, "like I'm a sort of nuisance Hyunjin is forced to have as a burden !"

"So his name is Hyunjin ?"

Jisung glares at Chan, "And he's annoying."

Chan snorts but tries to hide it when he receives another glare, "But isn't he also the one who's been sending you texts to ask where you are ?"