'' To be Liu Zhiyu was to be patient.
But he had been patient enough. ''
Can't change the weather, might not be forever
But if it's forever, it's even better
-BILLIE EILISH, BIRDS OF A FEATHER
He is okay with being unloved.
They refuse to accept...
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Jeon Wonwoo wasn't one to put much thought into his appearance. Regardless of what clothing he selected or how he styled his hair, he was confident that he'd emerge looking presentable, if not rather nice. It was this usual nonchalance that made his sudden nervousness so uncomfortable. He'd spent the morning hours rummaging through his closet, fretting over what would be most flattering on him. Selecting his best pair of glasses and finally utilizing his untouched cologne, it was incredibly unordinary.
And all because of Liu Zhiyu.
Though Wonwoo had been the one to suggest this weekend outing to the local internet cafe, he was oddly anxious at the prospect. After the debacle on Monday, he wanted everything to be as perfect as possible. If he could make Zhiyu laugh and relieve even the slightest amount of pressure, then he would be satisfied. It was just unfortunate that he wasn't as outgoing as Soonyoung or Chan. Given his introverted nature, he had no way of guaranteeing that he was capable of accomplishing such a feat. Cheering someone up? He was a complete amateur.
But I have to try.
Quiet footsteps emerged from behind Wonwoo, but he only offered his attention when a delicate touch brushed against his shoulder. He turned, absorbing the sight of perfectly tousled hair and a subtle smile adorning strawberry lips, the scent of vanilla lavender dousing the air and bewitching his mind. Breathless, his gaze dropped down, admiring the intricate silver necklace draping over Zhiyu's prominent collarbone, guiding his eyes towards the black jacket decorated with gleaming metal accents. An ivory fitted shirt peeked out from underneath, connecting down to blue denim pants. Looking at the absolutely stunning figure before him, Wonwoo felt rather self-conscious about his own white pullover and inky jeans that paled in comparison.
"Hey Wonwoo! I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long—I happened to get a bit lost on my way here." The adorable sheepishness in Zhiyu's voice immediately melted away all the worries he was having prior, and his heart swelled inside his chest.
"Then I'll pick you up next time." He blurted the statement without thinking, and when he registered the implication of his words, he felt his insides twist. "If you want there to be a next time, that is."
Shame flushed through his body and he nervously held Zhiyu's gaze, unsure of how this situation would progress. How could he say something so forward and presumptuous? This wasn't how he generally behaved. He preferred to be meticulous in his interactions. Never would he wish for anyone to walk away from a conversation with a sour taste in their mouth. So now he was praying that his friend whom he cared for on such a deep level wasn't abhorrently disgusted by his brash actions.
Quiet tension stretched between them for a moment before Zhiyu nodded slowly, a notably playful gleam sparkling in his eyes. "Okay. Next time, you can be my knight in shining armor." There was a teasing lilt to his tone, and it elicited a red hue from Wonwoo's ears. "For now, how about we head inside, hm?"
