Thinner

78

Beginnings.
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"How many times?" He asked as he grabbed the ball from the older. His eyes looked at the orange hoop in front of him.

"Ten tries and a minimum of 5 points per goal".

Jeongin nodded, smiling to himself as he threw the ball, happy to see it go through the hoop, earning a point.

It has been years since he has been to an arcade like this. He remembered the one friend he had in school, who took him out for his birthday to play. He was about the age of seven, his friend or actually previous neighbor, were just a year older than him. Unfortunately, the boy passed due to leukemia the following 2 years after. His name was Felix. A social boy from a foreign country. He doesn't remember where. He just remembered how social the boy was and how his life was unexpectedly cut short due to falling ill.

The thought of the boy should have brought him sadness, but he wasn't sad about the unexpected memory. He wasn't really happy either. It was just a feeling of comfort. That boy Felix was one memory from his childhood that wasn't necessarily bad or traumatic. Although the passing was heartbreaking, he could only smile at the sudden memory.

"3 points, damn you're good at this" the latter chuckled, his eyes smiling with his lips. "My turn" he stated, catching the ball thrown to him by the younger who just laughed in anticipation.

Jeongin watched as the older rolled up his sleeves to prepare for the small arcade game upon them. He could see the competitive glint in the man's eyes when he threw the first ball, managing to score a point.

"Please don't outdo me, Chan," he fake pouted, receiving a mocking expression from the older.

"Are you still a sore loser?" Chan smirked, throwing the second ball and scoring yet another point for himself.

"I am not and have never been a sore loser!".

"Oh really?".

"Yes, really! And I bet I could beat you in these games with one snap of a finger" he crossed his arms. Remaining still in his place while all Chan did was shaking his head.

"What are you betting on?".

The question paused the thriving world around him as he looked up at the older, who had a competitive smirk displayed on his face. He glared to max out the attitude.

"What are you betting on?" Jeongin asked, empathizing upon Chan's previous words, challenging the older to come up with something before his own little brain.

He knew what he wanted. He knew what he urged to have again. But rationally thinking, this was only their first time genuinely hanging together without directly thinking about making things up or talking about their relationship and his mental health or their sicknesses. Putting it into thought that he couldn't declare what he wanted out of winning without regretting it later or rushing to fast, meant that he needed more time to figure out what he could take advantage of in winning against Chan.

But the silence from the older only indicated the same problem.

They wanted the same thing, or at least similar intake. And that wasn't good. None of it was going to turn out good if they didn't quit the challenge.

And by quitting the challenge, they would have to figure out a way to make things less awkward.

So, to sum it all up.

This would all be a mistake, and he has genuinely fucked up for good.

"If I win, you have to carry me back to your apartment" Chan finally stated, turning his focus back on the game by throwing the ball into the hoop, scoring a point like he did all the other times.

Chan's statement left him somewhat disoriented. He knew what he had hoped for. He knew what he really wanted. But like Chan, it was only wrong to indicate that. He couldn't do it.

"If I win, you will carry all the stuff home" he finally worded, finalizing his verdict before grabbing the ball from the older to finish his rounds of shots.

And yet, he felt disappointed again. But this time in himself. He knew it was for the better. I was always for the better. Even if he wanted to lunge at the older and pull him close, he knew deep down that it was rational to do that.

He threw the ball, earning yet another point. He smiled, feeling competitive again. He glanced at the older with a playful look before throwing his last ball, and with no surprise, it hit through easily.

"Okay, okay. I see, so this is where we are going, hm?" Chan commented as he took the ball from the younger with a smirk still plastered proudly on his face. "Let the games begin".

And by then. Chan scored two shots with as much ease as the younger who just shook his head with an iconic smile. Grabbing the ticket that came running out of the machine.

Grabbing it proudly, he went on and folded them all together, eyes meeting with the clock for a quick second. He was happy to see they still had plenty of time left.

"What do you wanna play next?".

"Air hockey, let's see if you really are that good at aiming, even with a goalkeeper" Jeongin giggled as he jogged over to the table, pushing in the coin.

"Alright, but don't run home crying".

Jeongin just stuck out his tongue as he pushed the puck gently over the table, indicating the first strike down. Ready to take in on the heavy action that was about to settle on his shoulders.

He glared at the puck, focusing on the position as he awaited Chan's strike.

"Ready to carry me all the way back?" Chan smirked as he pushed the luck against the table, catching the younger off-guard who just managed to grasp the puck.

"Me winning today will bring you nightmares tonight, mark my words".
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Updates have been slowed this past week, but I'm glad I managed to write this chapter even through unwanted stress and anxiety.

But as always, you guys are my number one priority♡♡♡