lean on me » showki

juu

Kihyun didn't hesitate in picking up the phone, accepting the call and taking a step outside the staff room. He definitely didn't need Jooheon or Hoseok eavesdropping in on his impending conversation.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked in a hushed tone, just in case Jooheon was hiding behind the door trying to listen in.

"I hate to be that person, but can you do something for me?" Hyunwoo sighed, and Kihyun's brows creased in concern.

"Of course," he replied straight away, surprising himself with his loyalty. "What do you need me to do?"

Hyunwoo sighed again and Kihyun could tell he really didn't want to be asking any favours of Kihyun right now.

"My boss needs me to work overtime today," he started and Kihyun nodded despite Hyunwoo not being able to see him. "Which means that I can't come and pick Minhyuk up later. I've already phoned my parents, but they're going to a wedding later and won't be able to watch over Minhyuk."

Kihyun knew where this was going, and the guilt in Hyunwoo's voice made him feel even more sorry for the older male.

"Kihyun, I wouldn't be phoning you if this really wasn't the last option," he stated, and Kihyun gulped.

"I understand, Hyunwoo, I really do," he reassured. "Would you like me to take Minhyuk back to my place until you've finished work?"

Hyunwoo sighed for a third time, this time sounding more agitated, and Kihyun decided to cut in.

"Hyunwoo, I promise this is ok; why wouldn't it be?" He asked. "You know I love spending time with Minhyuk, and you know I wouldn't mind keeping him for a few more hours."

"I just- I don't want you to feel like I'm using you or something because I promise I'm not. You're just...the closest thing I have to a friend and Minhyuk really likes you and I trust you and-"

"Hyunwoo, it's ok," Kihyun cut him off softly. "Don't stress too much about this. I'll take him back to mine and I'll text you my address when I get there, no biggie."

"Thank you, Kihyun. Seriously. Thank you so much," Hyunwoo replied, voice a lot quieter than before, and Kihyun could picture him sitting at a desk or wherever he worked close to tears.

"My pleasure," Kihyun smiled. "Besides, friends help each other out and I wouldn't be doing my status as your friend justice if I didn't help."

Hearing those words come out of his own mouth, Kihyun felt his heart sink slightly.

"Honestly, I don't know what I would do without you," Hyunwoo sighed, and Kihyun felt like reaching through his phone screen to pat him on the back reassuringly.

"Don't work too hard, ok? Try not to worry about this, I've got it covered," Kihyun reassured once more before hanging up and letting out a deep sigh he didn't know he had been holding in.

"Dude, lunch break is over," Hoseok suddenly spoke up from behind Kihyun, the door closing behind he and Jooheon as they stepped out of the staff room. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah!" Kihyun squeaked. "Everything's good. Thanks."

~*~

"Minhyuk, can I talk to you for a moment, please?" Kihyun poked his head round the curtain.

Jooheon gave him a funny look for interrupting story-time, but he seemed to understand that there was something going on long enough for him to pretend he didn't mind the interruption.

Minhyuk stood up from the floor and Kihyun held his hand out for the boy to take, and he did so quietly and feebly.

Kihyun led him out of the quiet room to the main classroom, where he knelt down to Minhyuk's height.

"Minhyuk, Daddy just called me," he started softly and Minhyuk nodded his understanding. "He told me that he has to work some extra time so he won't be able to pick you up today. So he asked me if I could take you home, is that ok?"

Minhyuk hesitated before nodding, and Kihyun could tell he was upset.

"I'm sorry, love," he apologised, reaching up to stroke Minhyuk's hair. "I know today's been a hard day. Daddy felt really bad for having to call me today, and I know he misses you lots. We can watch cartoons and play games when we get to my house, ok?"

Minhyuk nodded again, and Kihyun let the boy hug him as he sniffled into his shoulder.

Whether or not this whole ordeal was a good idea or not was far beyond Kihyun's reasoning at this point.

He couldn't not go through with it, not after he'd already promised Hyunwoo that it was no problem, but was this really a good idea?

Probably not.

~*~

ok the real plot starts here i guess