The one (Neo fanfic)

Chapter 10

The weather had taken a turn for the worst by the time they reach the town, The bitter cold turning Taekwoons' nose a bright shade of red

He feels a rush of guilt upon noticing this. Should he give him his scarf back?, he did say he wouldn't need it but on the other hand he probably didn't expect the temperature to drop this quickly. But what if he thinks I'm trying to baby him? maybe he's just too nice to ask for it back?

He gives him a pensive look as they walk side by side through the throng of people dashing to finish their Christmas shopping

note to self: buy a damn scarf

"Hakyeon you're giving me quite the look there. Something on your mind that requires such concentration that you have to stare at me for five minutes straight? Taekwoons comes to a stop right in front of him and it's takes him two seconds to realise he had just stopped him from walking face first into a lamppost

He takes a step back and looks around at the bustling town "Damn, five minutes. that's a record, glad I didn't walk into anyone" he turns back to Taekwoon once again, ready to wave it off as nothing but, when his eyes meet his there's worry in them, enough to make him stumble.

Taekwoons hand goes out to steady him but he pulls back just before they touch and stares at him through squinted eyes. Taekwoon just stares back, eyes never leaving his, seeming to judge the weight of his soul right before him, unbounded and unrestricted. He doesn't like That, doesn't like that he's capable of seeing what he keeps hidden behind those walls that he put his blood, sweat and tears into fortifying

"you're too nice" but I can't let you in.

And then he's walking again leaving a puzzled Taekwoon to catch up "Okay first on the agenda. food, because I haven't ate in a year"

"that's what you get for not making lunch and playing 20 questions all afternoon" Taekwoon snorts behind his zipped up jacket. though that itself being nothing the hide the chattering of his teeth, he's obviously a lot colder than he's letting on and this seems to be the last straw, there's only so much guilt someone can take. He removes the scarf and pulls Taekwoon to a halt, accidentally running into someone in his haste

"ah sorry my fault"

the man looks like he's about to start shouting but within a second he's stumbling over his apologies backing away ever so slowly and all he can do is blink owlishly at him

"what do you suppose that was about then?" he strides up to Taekwoon watching the man make a hastey retreat until he's lost in the crowd, when Taekwoon turns to him his expression is nutrual but there's a gleam in his eye that he can't put his finger on "who knows for sure" he walks ahead, a ghost of a smile lingering before he checks himself and turns back

"here" he thrust the scarf into Taekwoons hands waving off the look he gives him "yes you said you were fine and I appreciate the sentiment but I don't feel too good with the idea of you freezing to death while I have your scarf. I'll get my own"

"but-" he fixes him with a pointed look and he's unsure if it's the look in his eyes or the unwillingness to fight him on the situation but, Taekwoon wraps the scarf around his neck and falls into place with Hakyeon. looking a lot less like an icicle now with an added layer of warmth

He smiles to himself when he hears Taekwoon let out a content sigh

yep. too nice

elsewhere

"COME ON"

"You CAN DO IT!"

"JUST A LITTLE FURTHER"