𝔩𝔦𝔪𝔦𝔱𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 (𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔫𝔰𝔲𝔫𝔤) ✓

九 (ending)

"and you're the only one who's allowed to take my heart"

jisung burst into the bathroom, practically sprinting into a stall with chenle chasing close behind him. he sat on the seat and breathed shakily, trying to keep ahold of the feelings of panic threatening to overwhelm him. tears prickled in his eyes, threatening to spill over. blinking rapidly, he leans his head back and it clunks against the wall. his vision begins to blur, and jisung gasps for air, trying to stop thinking about how the walls seem to be closing in on him. he was not going to have a panic attack, not in a school bathroom with his best friend and crush standing outside.

"sungie? are you okay? what happened?"

chenle's concerned voice rings from outside the stall.

jisung takes a shaky breath, trying to keep his voice stable as he replies.

"it's okay lele, i'm just a little stressed, that's all."

nothing could be further from the truth, but he wasn't about to tell chenle that he hadn't slept properly in 3 days, was currently on the edge of a mental breakdown and wanted to ask chenle out more than getting his diploma. that would be stupid. why would chenle even want to know how he feels? nobody cares about him, he's just a worthless piece of garbage who would never succeed or achieve anything or-

"sungie? are you crying? oh my god please open the door!"

chenle's panicked voice and banging from the other side of the door breaks jisung's train of thought, and he realizes choked sobs are coming out of his mouth while hot tears stream down his face. so much for not having a mental breakdown.

sighing in defeat, jisung unlocks the door, which is immediately swung open by chenle. his brows are furrowed with worry, bottom lip caught between his teeth. he rushes in and envelops jisung in a hug, clinging tightly as if to bring him back down to earth.

but all jisung can think about is how comforting chenle's arms are around him, the scent of his cologne and how his breath against his ear sends shivers up his spine. his realization of how bad his crush on chenle has gotten just makes him sob harder, clinging onto chenle's sweater as if it's the only thing that can prevent him from shattering completely.

and maybe it is.

the two friends just stand there for a while, chenle supporting jisung and the latter clinging onto him for dear life.

once jisung's sobs have quieted to sniffles, then eventually to only slightly shaky breaths, chenle pulls away and hold jisung's face in his hands. he's startled at just how dark his under-eye circles have gotten, his blood-shot eyes, his rattled expression.

then he reaches down for jisung's arm, looking up at him for permission.

jisung nods hesitantly, gulping as chenle rolls up his sleeve.

his pale skin is littered with freshly cut lines, barely scabbed over. the red marks lay next to healing scars, symbols of past and present melding together.

"oh sungie," he sighs, heart panging at the sight of the wounds. he hadn't seen him so hopeless in years. "you know i love you, right? i'll always be here for you. know you can tell me anything, okay?"

jisung looks at chenle, nodding hesitantly as he tries to collect his thoughts. oh god, was he really gonna say it? was he willing to risk everything he had been trying to protect? was it worth it?

but there's no use in hiding anymore, not like he could anyway. every time he sees chenle he just wants to grab a fistful of his shirt and kiss him, to feel their lips move against each other. it's taking more and more self-control to stop himself, and jisung knows that if he keeps pretending he wouldn't be able to keep up the facade. this is the only way.

"actually, there is something i've been wanting to tell you."

jisung finally blurts out, chenle nodding encouragingly. he hesitates for a split second, then decides to just go for it. rip off the bandaid, and say it before he can regret anything.

"i like you. as more than a friend. oh god, i can't believe that i'm actually saying this, but i want you to be my boyfriend, chenle. i want to be able to call you mine, to kiss you, to tell you everything. i can't do that if i don't tell you this, and i understand if you don't feel the same way bu-"

jisung's words are cut off by chenle's lips against his, a pillowy kiss that has both boys sinking into the feeling. jisung's arms snake around chenle's waist and chenle's wrap around jisung's neck, deepening the kiss. when they finally break apart, both slightly out of breath, chenle whispers his answer back to him.

"you don't know how long i've been waiting for you to say that. i would love to be your boyfriend, jisung."

looking into chenle's eyes melts all of jisung's stress away, his breath evening and mind calming. he reaches out a hand, caressing chenle's cheek and letting a smile break across his face for the first time in weeks. leaning in for another soft kiss, their lips meet like soft petals against one another. they finally found their way into each other's embrace, after countless obstacles and mistrials. no matter what speed bumps the universe threw their way, they stuck through it together. this is truly a love that is limitless, and nothing is going to take that away.

a/n
anddddd that's a wrap! thanks for reading and supporting limitless, see you soon in another book!