snow ; changki ◯ ON HOLD

6

"So. I know you didn't call me here to act as your conscience but I must say," Hyungwon dragged out his words, speaking as carefully as possible given what laid in front of him. "you need to apologise to Changkyun."

"No." was Kihyun's response from the bed he'd refused to leave for two days.

"But he-"

"No."

"He-"

"No."

"You piece of-"

The pink haired boy sighed heavily, sitting up and pulling his duvet up to his neck. His frown never left, not even when Hyungwon stared at him with a comical, irritated face.

"What if one day I said fuck it and finally reached my limit and literally choked you out, huh?"

"I'll pay you to do so. How's Wednesday looking for you?" He replied, sharply as always. "I'm not apologising to Changkyun because it's his fault. Let him drown in guilt; if it hadn't been him and his volatile way of life, we would have a solid plan and not have had to wing it. This one is on him."

"In that case you have some guilt too; you like, froze, and he stepped up even though you specifically told him to not say anything beforehand," Hyungwon reasoned, greeted with a glare before he sunk back under the covers. "oh please, just consider it. The poor guy is apparently really down and this feud makes seeing Jooheon not only rare but awkward too."

"So now you're seeing him?" A smirk lit up Kihyun's face as he stuck it back out in the open. "You kids move fast, huh?"

"Not like that - probably because you guys won't act right! - but no, we just, like," his best friend's eyes dropped, face turning a deep shade of crimson. "hang out, but without meaning to. It's nice to have someone to be able to sit with like that with no intention of actually being with them and still having a good time."

"Is that why you're blushing, then?" He supressed a cackle, but failed as soon as the tall brunette stood up with a sigh, conveniently with his back turned to him. "I'm going to tell him."

"Go! What is this, high school!" Hyungwon yelled back, turning around. "Good luck with that, you blaming his best friend and conveniently shoving him out of your way too just didn't sit right with him. He might rip you in half."

"Nothing would make me happier," Kihyun returned to sitting, pushing the duvet off him. "it's still his fault. I haven't even told my parents."

"So don't. Don't tell them until you actually get the results of the election."

"I would, if he didn't mention it during every dinner."
"We'll cross that bridge, but for now, put something on and get ready; we have lectures to attend." Hyungwon ordered, slipping out of the room again.

Despite the grumpy response, it warmed Kihyun's heart that Hyungwon would come check on him. His brief but impactful presence had freshened up the room he hadn't left in two days.

The day of his incident with Changkyun, he came home as fast as he could, and after nursing his panic attacks, he did line after line until he passed out on his bed, properly coming to 37 hours later. He nearly chuckled, pulling a jumper over his head; he managed to stay clean for only a few days, some meaningless words being enough to force him back to the place he was finally hoping to escape.

He mentally thanked himself, glad Hyungwon wasn't around long enough to see the plastic bags in the sink of his en suite, which he immediately tossed, washing his face and leaving the room.

"Oh, Kihyun," Junghee appeared in the corridor, her usual smile replaced by a concerned look. "your father is home."

"Why would he be home right now?"