[EN] HIM (HyunChan)

III.

Originally, Christopher wanted to give Hyunjin a ride on his motorcycle, but after concluding that they might be drinking later, he quickly dismissed the idea. He didn't want to risk their lives or his papers, so they set off on foot. The diner they were to meet at wasn't too far away anyway.

"How long have you been dancing anyway?" asked Christopher of his friend while they were on the road.

Hyunjin thought for a moment. "It will be fifteen years. I started when I was five. I always had an excess of energy, so I needed to get it out of me somehow," he smiled.

"I see," laughed the elder. "As long as you're enjoying it."

The taller one nodded. "Honestly, I can't imagine ever doing anything else. The six months I haven't done it have been the worst of my life."

"What happened?"

Hyunjin sighed and shook his head, then scratched his neck. "I don't want to talk about it, if that's okay."

"It's okay, I understand," Christopher assured him, squeezing his shoulder.

"Thanks," the younger man smiled gratefully.

It wasn't long before they reached the diner. Minho was already waving at them from a table for four, smiling broadly.

"Were you stuck, you sloths?" He laughed as Christopher and Hyunjin sat down.

"It's not my fault I live a mile further away than you two, Minho," the eldest chimed in, giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder.

"I know, just kidding," the second oldest grinned and took a sip of his drink.

"How was the tutoring anyway?" Seungmin asked as he finished his breadstick.

"Great, Chris has golden patience," Hyunjin praised his new friend, then smiled broadly. "His mum even brought us rice cakes."

"Sounds good, I'll have to join you next time," Seungmin chimed in.

"We'll see," Christopher laughed.

When the waitress came to their table, he ordered a juice and Hyunjin ordered a mint tea.

"Do you fancy a pizza?" The boy with braces said as he fixed his eyes on the menu.

"I agree, I'm quite hungry," Minho nodded.

"One or two?" Christopher asked, also looking at the menu.

Seungmin turned his gaze to the silent Hyunjin before speaking again. "We'll have one first, and if we're still hungry, we can have a second."

"Okay," Hyunjin nodded.

***

From their table came bursts of laughter accompanied by wild gesticulation. More than once, they had to wipe away tears from laughter, and Hyunjin nearly managed to fall out of his chair laughing. The thought flashed through Christopher's mind again that he was cute in his own way.

"Chris?" came an all too familiar girl's voice behind the eldest's back. Seungmin's expression made him even more certain of who it was.

He sighed heavily and turned around. "Dino. What do you want?"

"Could we talk?" the girl tried to look sad.

"Now?"

"Please," she sighed, twirling a lock of brown hair onto her index finger.

"Fine. I'll be right back," he looked at his friends before walking out the front of the building. If he was a smoker, he would definitely smoke. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Would you like to try again?" Dino looked up at him, then batted her long eyelashes a few times. With the same look, she convinced him several times that what he'd heard and read wasn't true, that they were just stories. He had forgiven her so many times, and they were all lies.

"What about the guy you've been with for... how long? Nine months?" He asked bitterly.

"I'm not with that one anymore. I've been with someone else in the meantime, but it just didn't work out. It wasn't as good with any of them like it was with you," she bit her lower lip and took a step towards him.

Christopher took that step back. "Maybe you're looking the wrong way."

"Chris... Please, just once, one last time," she tried again, in an even softer voice.

"How many guys have you tried this on?"

"Excuse me?" She paused.

"Now you've told me you've had at least two lovers in such a short time. How many before that? And how many relationships have you had at the same time?" Christopher's blood began to boil.

"Chris, don't do this to me," she lowered her head.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down and not burst out completely. "Look, it's over between the two of us. I don't know if I'll ever be able to take you as a friend, but as far as our relationship goes, we're done."

Dino pressed her lips together in a tight line. "Fine, whatever." With that, she stomped back inside.

Christopher again regretted not being a smoker.

He was about to go back inside when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He couldn't hide his surprise as he looked at the newcomer.

"Hyunjin..."

"Are you okay?" Hyunjin asked gently while his hand was still carefully placed on his shoulder.

Christopher nodded and took a shuddering breath. "Yeah, I'll be fine, I just needed to get some more air."

The taller one spread his arms slightly. "Come here," he whispered.

The elder did not resist. He wrapped his arms around the other's waist and buried his face in his shoulder. He let his slender fingers stroke through his hair as he breathed in the cloying jasmine scent that floated around Hyunjin like a white cloud.

"Thanks," he muttered, still remaining in an unchanged position. It felt good.

"You're welcome," the younger one smiled, gently pulling him even closer to him.

"I didn't even realise I needed a hug right now," Christopher smiled and closed his eyes.

Hyunjin didn't say anything in response, he just smiled a little more and gently pressed his cheek against his hair, then closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

"We should go in," he whispered after a few minutes, but showed no sign of wanting to break the embrace.

"Are you cold?" Christopher asked just as quietly, and this time he was the one looking at him worriedly.

Hyunjin shook his head. "Not at all, I just... I don't want them to wait for us."

The elder nodded understandingly.

When they sat back down at the table, there was a small glass of clear liquid in front of each of them.

"Really, friends?" Hyunjin laughed.

"Here's to new beginnings," Seungmin said with a broad smile, raising his glass.

They all joined him in laughter.

As they finished their drinks, Christopher noticed that Hyunjin covered his mouth with his hand for a second, as if his stomach had turned, but that was all he showed. After that second, he straightened up again and smiled as if nothing had happened. He will be watching him for the rest of the evening.

***

Christopher was not able to fall asleep at all, although he had already found several comfortable positions to lie down. He exhaled heavily, rolled onto his back and folded his arms under his head. His thoughts kept returning to the hug from Hyunjin. It may not have been a groundbreaking gesture, but he enjoyed it very much... He didn't even feel this good with his ex...

He rubbed his face with his hands. I'm sure these feelings will pass sooner or later... right?