Tired Lines; Soonhoon

21

☽

3:08 pm.

"God, I am the best friend you could've asked for."

Jihoon snorts, "I didn't ask. I was cursed."

Mingyu had been like this for the last hour - since Jihoon had come back from Soonyoung's - lamenting about what an amazing person he was for convincing him to go to that party, and how he should really be thanking him for the deed.

"I'll thank you when I'm dead," he'd said.

"You're ungrateful."

"I don't give a shit."

"It's weird," his roommate says, searching their cupboards for something to snack on. "Soonyoung is so bright - like, that kid is always happy. And you're the biggest grouch I've ever met. I don't get it."

"Opposites attract, maybe? Then again," he adds, "I'm not a grouch. You're just fucking annoying."

"Hm, that might be true."

"Besides, Soonyoung isn't always happy. He's just ... positive. But he's human."

"A human who's whipped for you! Oh my God, Jihoon, I can't believe this worked out so well."

"What do you mean you can't believe - "

Mingyu interrupts him, grinning, "Nothing, it doesn't mean anything. I'm happy for you, Jihoon, I am. Now, will you please eat some breakfast? You're only more irritable when you're hungry."

Jihoon's not irritable - quite the opposite, actually - but for once, he complies.

7:06 pm.

"Leaving so soon? I guess you can't wait to get back to - "

Jihoon doesn't hear the rest of Mingyu's remark, making sure to let the door slam loudly behind him on his way out.

7:15 pm.

He looks at Soonyoung in a new lighting; still gorgeous, still effervescent, but now his to appreciate. Before, it felt stupid and wrong; now it's okay, now he knows it's reciprocated.

The thought tugs at his heart, pulling on strings and making it dance in its cage.

"Hey," Soonyoung says, soft smile folding sweet words and passing them over like notes. Small and theirs, and Jihoon doesn't even have to say his order before Soonyoung gets started on making it. While he waits, the other speaks.

"Don't stay here too late, okay?" he says. "I - I like seeing you, but ... I want you to actually start getting some rest."

"I know," Jihoon sighs. Of course, the only person who can actually get him to sleep is also the one reason he doesn't want to.

"I wish I could take you back to my house every night," Soonyoung comments, rosy patches burning beneath his eyes. "Just, if it helps you sleep better."

Jihoon's honest when he says, "I don't think it's your house."

They're both red, then, and Jihoon feels his nerves light up like matches when Soonyoung hands him his drink and their fingers brush. It's still early, there are other customers to attend to, and Jihoon will pretend to occupy himself with his laptop while he waits for the barista to find his free time. 

I wish I could take you back to my house every night. Just, if it helps you sleep.

Oh, the sentiment. Jihoon's not so sure how deserving he is of someone so kind, but he won't question it. After living the last half of his life suffering from insomnia's occasional visits, this might be the universe's way of repaying him.

Jihoon reminds himself that he doesn't believe in things like fate and karma.

But he takes a look at the boy behind the counter, and he believes in him.