Efflorescence (2won)

17. Problems and misunderstandings

Hoseok watched him. He knew it was strange and wrong, but he did it anyway. He just wanted to tell Hyungwon the truth.

He sighed loudly, getting Kihyun's attention.

"What is it?" Kihyun asked.

Hoseok sighed again. "It's nothing." He said.

Kihyun looked at him, clearly not believing him. "Really. You can tell me."

"I just... really... like him." Hoseok whispered.

"Knew that, what else?" Kihyun said.

Hoseok opened his mouth, closed it and opened again. "I... want to tell him."

"And?"

"I tried once, but I messed up... Then I told him that I want to move back home..." Hoseok admitted.

"Ah, now I understand..." Kihyun mumbled.

"Understand what?" Hoseok asked.

"Nothing. Let's go get more drinks." Kihyun smiled. "What do you guys want?" He asked others.

"Beer!" Hyungwon yelled, smiling like crazy.

"Same for us." Jooheon said and hugged Changkyun.

Minhyuk eyed them but smiled. "I'd like a cider, thanks." 

"I'll take some water, thank you." Shownu said.

Kihyun nodded and walked away, toward the counter. Hoseok followed him.

"Well, how are you and Minhyuk?" He suddenly asked, making Kihyun's face turn red.

"W-what? What about us?"

"Don't be like that. I noticed the way you look at each other." Hoseok grinned and hit Kihyun playfully.

"I... we... um, I don't know." Kihyun mumbled.

Hoseok gently laid his hand on Kihyun's shoulder. "You need to find out if you guys have something between you. Since you're helping me with my love life, I'll gladly help you too."

Kihyun couldn't help but smile. "Thanks... I have to admit, I never though we would be such good friends. Think about it, we met on accident. If I had looked ahead of me then, we would never have met."

"I mean... you're kinda right." Hoseok laughed. "But do we really have to think about that?"

"No. I'm just glad we collided that day."

"Me too." Hoseok smiled. "Let's get these drinks to the table."

Kihyun nodded. They took the drinks and carried them to their table. What they didn't notice, was that Hyungwon had been looking at them the whole time. He wondered why they smiled, talked with so long ... touched each other. He admitted it in his mind, he was jealous.

Hoseok sat back in his place, next to Hyungwon. He glanced at the younger and smiled as he saw him look.

"Ready to get fired up?" Hoseok asked, breaking the ice between them.

Hyungwon looked at his drink, raised it to his lips and gulped down few big mouthfuls.

Hoseok was frightened but laughed at the sight. "Seems like you are."

Hyungwon just nodded and put his drink on the table. This was a strange thing for Hoseok. Why was Hyungwon suddenly so remote? Why didn't they talk the same way as before?

Hyungwon suddenly stood up.

"Where are you going?" Hoseok asked.

"Bathroom, I'll be right back." Hyungwon mumbled and rushed away.

Hoseok turned to look at others, clearly confused.

"What was that?" He asked.

Kihyun shrugged. "No idea."

Minhyuk sighed loudly. "You guys... come on." He stood up. "I'll go talk to him. He's clearly upset about something."

"Oh..." Hoseok couldn't say anything else.

He just watched as Minhyuk walked away, leaving them alone. Changkyun and Jooheon weren't even listening to them, way too focused on themselves. Shownu sighed and looked at Hoseok and Kihyun.

"Did you say something to him?" He asked Hoseok.

Hoseok shook his head. "I didn't say anything bad..."

"He was sad earlier too, a day ago, to be clear." Kihyun admitted.

"Why?" Hoseok asked.

That's when Shownu looked at Kihyun. "You mean... after Hoseok left?"

"Well, yeah." Kihyun said. "He wouldn't have wanted you to leave." He said to Hoseok.

"What? He... wanted me to stay?"

"Yeah." Kihyun nodded. "I shouldn't say this... but he was really, really sad."

Suddenly Shownu started laughing. "What a coincidence... Hoseok, You too were sad about it."

"What do you mean?" Kihyun asked.

"Okay, I'm starting to understand." Shownu hummed. "Kihyun, will you come with me for a moment?"

Kihyun nodded, stood up and followed Shownu outside the bar.

"What is it?" Kihyun asked.

Shownu smiled. "Did Hyungwon call you yesterday?"

"He did... how come?"

"Wonho called me yesterday. He was literally crying over Hyungwon."

"What? Hyungwon was crying over Wonho..."

"I get it now... they're both really in love with each other, but too scared to tell." Shownu said. "Wonho was supposed to tell Hyungwon about his feelings, but he got scared and said he wants to go home." He explained.

"Oh... Hyungwon though Wonho hates him. Damn, he even though Wonho might be married." Kihyun laughed.

"We need to do something." Shownu said.

Kihyun nodded. "You're right. We really have to fix this mess..."