Won't You Help Me Out

04. Friends

The smell of Bean Sprout Soup concealed by the strong smell of pancakes and bacon welcomed Changkyun, who walked into the kitchen in search of water to take some pills with. "Here, eat this before the rest comes to take breakfast."

The maknae really appreciated the care and discretion Kihyun was showing over his mistake.

"Thank you, hyung."

"Do you want to talk about it?" the elder sat with him under the other's curious look. "About Hyunwoo hyung..?"

Changkyun choked on his food, Kihyun worrying and taking that as a 'no'.

"Are you okay?"

After evening his breathing back Changkyun nodded, "I don't know what I said yesterday.." hopefully nothing embarrassing, "it's just, Hyunwoo hyung and I had been having awkward moments and, I don't know, I thought it would change over time. Don't worry about it, hyung."

Why was he even telling this to Kihyun.

"Yesterday you said something, and it really left me thinking.. Did we make you think we want you out of the group? Or that we don't care about you?"

"Hyung, I- why are you asking me this now?" The youngest eyes filled with tears, he really didn't feel ready to open up to any of them about his feelings regarding them.

Kihyun had always been the one to show more interest in Changkyun, that was a fact. But even then, it was Hyunwoo the one Changkyun thought he could trust in the most.

"I want to apologize, if I've ever made you feel unloved, or if I've said something out of place, I- we do care about you Kyunnie... I think you should be more open on what concerns you, if not with me, and if things are not good with Hyunwoo hyung, then with Minhyuk, or Jooheony. Just, please don't keep it to yourself and suffer in silence or something like that, okay?"

Changkyun was holding his breath, and with the fear that trying to answer would reveal the confusion and conflict going on in his head, he only looked down.

"Aigoo, look at how corny and cringe you're forcing me to sound" Kihyun stretched his arms and make that characteristic gesture of his of shaking his head out of embarrassment. He decided to clean up after Changkyun's breakfast, not expecting an answer from the youngest.

Changkyun was —momentarily—saved by Hyunwoo who entered the kitchen in that precise moment.

"Breakfast is ready, hyung; I'll go get ready.." behind Changkyun, Kihyun was making gestures to the leader as if telling him to talk to the maknae before the rest came to join them.

Changkyun almost runs after the mom of the group, not wanting to be left alone with Hyunwoo. But the eldest spoke so softly he didn't have the heart to leave. After all, his attribute was being a good maknae, right?

"How are you this morning?"

"I'm fine."

Hyunwoo raised his eyebrows at him, reminding him to talk more. After all, it was Hyunwoo and not him the one with few words in the group. They both needed to make an effort in order to have a meaningful and real conversation. This time, without cameras preventing the meaningfulness of it.

"I'm sorry I came home late yesterday.."

"You know we have a schedule to follow."

Changkyun shouldn't be getting scold when Hyunwoo didn't even stop the maknae from going outside by himself not notifying where to, he was the one who gave a shitty answer regarding Changkyun and eventually, even if unconsciously, provoked him to get drunk.