strawberry shortcake

43. friendship

a little shorter, but hope you'll like it <3
✩★✩★✩

"Took you long enough." Hyunjin huffed, putting off his cigarette on the near trash bin. Minho scrunched up his nose in disgust and snatched the package of cigarettes out his hand, throwing it out as well. "Hey! That was mine!" Hyunjin pouted, smacking Minho's forearm to show his frustration, but regretted his decision the second the older's eyes burned into his with a frown. Minho sure knew how to be scary.

"Don't smoke, it's disgusting."

"You know Jisung smokes as well, right?" Hyunjin huffed, sulking at his lost addiction as he followed after the older to the heart of the campus.

They passed a few groups of people, immediately getting the attention without noticing as the both of them were pretty much engulfed in their own little world, arguing about cigarettes.

"He doesn't anymore." Minho shrugged, Hyunjin huffing once again just like a child would. "I still don't really see the point of why you hate it so much." Eyes switching to one of the groups he just started noticing the stares they got and though he was kind of used to them, he felt a little exposed without his usual weapons. Of course he still carried knives, but his katana and guns were missing. Aside from feeling flattered from the positive attention both of them secretly wished for it to be someone else's.

"Just because.. It smells and it's bad for you body... and it.. tastes horrible." And it also burns as hell. He was aware enough to not let it slip out his mouth. Only person that knew was Yongbok and they wouldn't see each other for a long time... according to Jisung. And Jisung had always had the final word. 

"How would you know? Have you ever smoked?" Hyunjin tugged on his sleeve to slow him down and get some answers. He liked talking with Minho, liked to think of them as friends, so it made him a little sad, seeing the older was still very much reserved. It was understandable he needed more time though. They didn't know each other that well after all. But in order to do that, they had to start somewhere. And maybe this overdramatic hatred of Hyunjin's addiction could be a great starting point.

"No, my ex did." Minho's voice dropped at the mention of him and he stopped in his tracks rubbing his forehead in frustration with an unsettled groan.

The younger stopped as well, watching his friend with worried expression. "You good?" He placed a hand on his shoulder, slightly leaning down to be able to see into his face better. Once he did, he was not happy with what he saw. Minho's eyes were slightly glossed over, beginning to appear red and he looked so different from the one he knew.

"Can we not talk about him any further?" Minho looked up at him with pleading eyes. The look took Hyunjin by surprise. He hasn't seen him looking so hurt even during all the things he's been through with Jisung.

"No, you're not keeping this to yourself, I wanna know what's bothering you, come on." Hyunjin gently grabbed his forearm and dragged him to the nearest toilets and into one of the booths. He locked after them, not even letting the older argue as he sat him down on the closed toilet seat and sat in front of him so their talk would be more relaxed.

He folded his hands in his lap, looking up at Minho gently for a few seconds before he finally spoke up, voice as soft as he could muster. "What did he do to you?"

At that, Minho shook his head, the brown crown of hair appearing much fluffier than normal and it was pretty evident he started using Jisung's shampoo. Hyunjin smiled a little to himself at the thought. He was happy for his friend, for finally finding someone to hold a loving, healthy relationship with. Though the healthy part had it's things, a lot of them actually, it were things they could work on and make them better in the future.