Skeptical

-2-

This would have been a normal day if Matthew hadn't been hyper aware of everything that was being done to him right now. It's been a few days since he saw the tweet, and to be honest, he only thought it was between him and Gunwook, in fact - he even forgot about the tweet as a whole until today's events. So there he was, being back hugged by Gyuvin while Jiwoong was playing with his fingers while doing one of their ze-episodes outros - Matthew swears he heard Jiwoong mention the word cute multiple times today while looking at him. Is this how it's always been? Why is he only noticing it now? In fact, it's been like this the whole day.

While shooting for their upcoming fancon, Hanbin has approached him and while talking, he felt how the older wrapped the younger around his waist, Hanbin continued the conversation while Matthew was a little skeptical. This isn't the first time this has happened. Hell, even Matthew has approached Hanbin with his hand on him, but this time was different. But Matthew chose to ignore it because he didn't want to ruin the fun nor think too much about whatever it was bothering him.

Or so he thought.

Hao and Taerae approached him from either side and took his arm as they walked around in the forest-like setting, he didn't think anything of it until he noticed their gazes on him. He couldn't handle the way they looked at him, he felt so weird about it. So the best thing he knew he could do was to flee from them, claiming that he needed to speak with Jiwoong about something. Why is he so bothered today? Before Matthew could continue that thought of train, he saw Jiwoong and couldn't be happier. So when Jiwoong saw the younger, he opened up his arms, and Matthew (without hesitation) plunged himself into his hyung's arms, finally relaxing the body he didn't realize was stiff. Jiwoong never questioned Matthew and was always there to comfort him. That's what Matthew adored about Jiwoong: he was always ready for him - and with that thought, he couldn't help but smile. Jiwoong chuckled to himself as he placed his chin on top of Matthew's crown, lulling him side to side while still hugging him tightly. "Jiwoon-hyung, it feels like I'm going to fall asleep if you keep doing this." Matthew joked, but he wasn't expecting Jiwoong to princess carry him all of a sudden. "Hyung?!" Matthew yelped. Jiwoong simply gazed at the Canadian and placed his head against Matthew's, saying, "You can sleep better now, jagiya." That's when Matthew remembered the tweet, which explains why he felt strange with Tae and Hao, Hanbin and now Jiwoong. He blushed and buried his face in the elder's neck. "Kill meeeee" Matthew whined in english as he realized he was still being carried but had failed to see that they were no longer outside. "Where exactly are you taking me?" The older didn't respond and just went back to where they had set their belongings, eventually letting Matthew go as he went inside to fetch something. Jiwoong returned with his jacket and wrapped it around the shorter. "You're cold" was the only thing he said before giving Matthew a genuine smile, which Matthew looked away from the intense stare and sheepishly mumbled thank you before quickly walking away from Jiwoong, without giving a second glance back. Jiwoong couldn't help but notice the redness that formed around Matthew's ear "cute".

As Matthew was walking fastly - face down, he was experiencing a mental breakdown because why the hell was his heart beating so god damn fast, what was going on with him? That tweet was putting him to the test right now. While still pondering, he ran into a taller man, stumbling backwards as he lost his footing and was about to meet the hard floor only to never meet the cold truth, Gunwook had caught him from behind before he could face the floor. While the other looked at the boy with widened eyes, taking Matthew's face into his large hands. "Oh my God, Hyung, are you okay? I didn't see you!" Gyuvin had stated while anxiously ensuring that the shorter did not hurt himself. Gunwook still had his arms protectively around Matthew. "No, I could see from a distance that it wasn't your fault, Matthew looked like he was being chased so I followed him," Gunwook explained above Matthew's head, doing the same thing Jiwoong had done previously. "Y-yeah, as Gunwook said, it's not your fault Gyuvinnie, and thank you both for looking after me." That's all Matthew said before cursing at himself. You see, none of the boys had let go of him still, Gunwook still wrapping his arms around Matthew's hips and Gyuvin still clutching Matthew's face, squeezing it every now and then. "So, for that... could you guys let me go now?" At this point, Matthew was just sighing, why is he letting a meer tweet twist him like this, if what he had with the other members isn't considered normal between friends, what is? Matthew was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't notice the two younger boys had let go of him a long time ago. They're now awkwardly staring at each other and at the shorter. "He's been like that since that one time we asked him what was wrong," Gunwook whispered to Gyuvin. Gyuvin couldn't help but sigh at the sight, what was bothering his hyung so much? "Yeah, I heard Taerae say to Hanbin that Matthew has been out of it all day." Gunwook had enough; he already told the shorter that he could rely on him, so why couldn't he? Gunwook then picked up the shorter, and Matthew returned to reality. "So you finally woke up from your daze mashu syak?" Gunwook teasingly said as they walked back to the set, Gyuvin walking behind them, laughing at Matthew's expression. Matthew became embarrassed when he realized the rest of the members were present to witness everything. Someone three years younger than him was carrying him over their shoulder. Matthew just wanted to dig a hole and hide inside for the rest of his life.

It was time for their individual shots after their group shoot, so Matthew had met Ricky and Yujin in the dressing room. They weren't the type to initiate physical contact, so Matthew felt safe with them and chose to stay by their sides. Until Ricky started talking about how cute and lovely Matthew is and Yujin just agreed, playing with his arm and hand, and that's when Matthew lost it which brings us to this point. Stuck with Gyuvin on his back and the oldest member of the group holding his hand. At this point, Matthew just wanted to cry, he wanted someone to tell him that there's nothing wrong with being as physical as they were, and he knows that, but he can't seem to accept it, does he want it to be something more? Of course not, the members are like his brothers. Is it bothering him that his fans think this way? Perhaps. So there he was, staring at the camera that was currently capturing everything, and all the Canadian wanted to do was go home and sleep his thoughts away. The other eight members were looking at Matthew, some concerned and some perplexed. "Matthew!" The shorter had finally paid attention, noticing how everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to respond. Apparently Hanbin had been calling his name four times before yelling it the final time."Sorry, what was the question?" Hanbin looked at Matthew, then at the other members, and noticed Gyuvin peering at Gunwook. Hanbin looked to his left, where Gunwook mouthed 'later' to the leader.