small words || jeongcheol

29: shopping.

"Okay, Minghao," Jeonghan said the next morning, crossing his arms. "Spill."

"Spill what?" Minghao spluttered.

"How long have you liked him?"

"Who?" Minghao asked, unconvincingly.

"I know you like Junhui," Jeonghan hissed.

"Ooh, gossip," Seungkwan said gleefully, popping up behind Jeonghan. "Do tell."

"Fine," Minghao grumbled. "But you can't tell anyone."

"Oh, we're great at keeping secrets," Seungkwan said with confidence, "Like, I haven't told anyone that Jeonghan likes Seung-"

"Shut up!" Jeonghan uttered, clamping a hand over Seungkwan's mouth. "Anyway, tell me or I'll tell Junhui you like him."

"Are you blackmailing me?" Minghao questioned, holding both hands up. "Fine, I like him. And no, I don't know when it started - it just crept up on me. He's a nice guy, if you get to know him. Both him and June, actually." He crossed his arms defensively. "I don't know why I just told you all that, but I'm going now. And don't you dare tell him or I'll take away your TV privileges."

"Ooh, scary," Seungkwan teased. "Wait, do you like both Junhui and June?"

"Junhui," Minghao said shortly, before stalking out of the room.

Seungkwan giggled. "That's adorable. They should totally date," he said.

"Not whilst Junhui still lives here," said Jeonghan. "It's, like, illegal."

"Pfft, as if," said Seungkwan. "You and Seungcheol could-"

"Seriously, shut up!"

"You guys should talk more quietly," Wonwoo advised, poking his head into the room. "I could hear you from the bathroom."

Jeonghan glared at Seungkwan. "Don't even mention it, please!"

Seungkwan laughed. "Okay, hyung, I was just messing with you."

"Alright, just stop," Jeonghan said, shaking his head.

"Everyone downstairs, please!" Seungcheol yelled up the stairs.

Jeonghan's heart skipped a beat. There was no way Seungcheol could find out yet. He was scared Seungcheol would be weirded out, and never look at him the same way again. Jeonghan still needed Seungcheol's love and care, and he didn't want to risk throwing that away.

*

"So, Jeonghan," Seungcheol said after everyone else had left the dining room having finished breakfast.

"Mm-hmm?" Jeonghan replied. He sipped his glass of water, having decided with Seungcheol that he would try and be healthy in drinking enough water each day. Once he'd convinced himself it wouldn't greatly affect his weight or appearance in a bad way, Jeonghan could incorporate it into his eating and drinking habits without much of a problem.

"What are you doing today?" Seungcheol asked.

"Oh, probably just sitting around and contemplating the pain of my existence," he drawled.

"No plans, then," Seungcheol commented, making Jeonghan's lips curl upwards in a small smile.

"Not really. Why?"

"Let's go out somewhere," said Seungcheol.

Jeonghan choked a little on his water. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It's Saturday. I know you never want to go out but I thought I might be able to sway you," he explained.

"By offering to take me," Jeonghan said, frowning a little. "Where, though?"