changmin walks to the library since he's going to break the news to chanhee that he would be working there to help him.
changmin is extremely excited that his hands are shaking along with his body and he couldn't keep still. not with those feelings rushing through him all at once.
before he enters, he runs his shaky fingers through his brown hair.
i can do this, he thinks.
"changmin?" chanhee blurts when he hears the doors open.
"hi chanhee," he smiles with his hands behind his back.
"what are you doing here?" chanhee asks as he's taking away books they're going to donate to another library since they got a few boxes of new ones to put up.
"well, i had a small surprise for you."
"really? i love surprises!"
chanhee jumps from off the stool that's in front of the shelf.
changmin puts his hands in front of him and shows chanhee his library lanyard.
"you're working here too? that's amazing," chanhee says.
changmin smiles, "i couldn't stand seeing you do this all by yourself."
chanhee blushes and turns around to get back on the stool.
"t-thank you changmin."
"no problem."
after a few hours, both boys are done with the first floor of the library. they decide that they'll do the rest tomorrow since they had until friday to collect the rest of the books.
"do you want to um...y-you want to..want to get a drink together?" chanhee asks with his eyes closed and hands clenched together.
chanhee hates that he stutters with changmin, he always thinks of it as weak and stupid.
but changmin sees it in a different way. changmin thinks his stutters are unique and music to his ears.
"of course i would. who'd want to pass up on something like this?" changmin exaggerates.
chanhee hits his shoulder as he laughs softly behind his hand.
both boys walk out of school through the library's exit and go towards the nearby café together.
chanhee starts to get somewhat comfortable with changmin and he notices.
changmin smiles and grabs chanhee's hand since he's feeling confident.
chanhee's widened gaze and red flushed cheeks meets changmin's eyes.
"i can let go if you want," changmin suggests but chanhee shakes his head.
chanhee looks away shyly from changmin as he smiles to himself.
changmin's a really sweet and considerate person chanhee thinks. he likes this most about him.
they both eventually reach the café where they first met a few weeks prior and changmin opens the door for the older.
chanhee giggles, "you don't have to do that."
"but i want to."
after both boys order, they sit in a booth across from each other.
"here are your drinks, enjoy."
"y-younghoon?"
"oh, hi chanhee."
"i..i didn't know you w-worked today."
"i told you earlier silly," younghoon says and ruffles chanhee's hair softly which makes him pout in embarrassment.
"you don't have to baby me in front of my new friend," chanhee says, whispering the last part and younghoon looks over to see changmin.
changmin waves before sipping his drink as he starts to feel jealousy seep through his veins.
"you don't mind if i let my hyung sit with us, right?"
"nope, not at all."
changmin has his fists tightened as he stares out the window.
all he wants is to spend time alone with the blonde haired, not him and younghoon.
while all boys were sitting there talking, chanhee notices how changmin's smile goes away. chanhee frowns.
"changmin? are you okay?"
changmin blinks, "huh?"
chanhee giggles at the brunette's confused face.
"i asked if you were okay. you're not smiling anymore," chanhee whispers with a pout.
his hand so close to being on top of changmin for comfort.
"s-sorry," changmin curses under his breath. why did i have to stutter? he questions.
"you don't have to be sorry. if you're feeling uncomfortable, i'm sure younghoon would understand and leave us alone."
"no! i couldn't possibly do that. i have to go home and study anyways," he lies.
"can we see each other tomorrow then?"
he nods and gets up, paying for his and chanhee's stuff.
the blonde's heart pings in defeat. he wanted changmin to stay, to talk with him, to hangout with him.
yet it was ruined. sadness resonates in the boys head and heart. why couldn't i say no? he questions internally.
"what was that about?"
chanhee's eyes widen. he almost forgot younghoon is even here.
"o-oh..um..nothing! he just needed to go home that's all."
younghoon nods, "i should be heading back to my shift, i'll see you in the morning."
chanhee nods and leaves the café.
on the way to the bus stop he couldn't help but think about changmin's visible sadness.
his pouts, the way he absentmindedly nodded along and swirled his straw in his empty drink.
he wanted to say more, to make a difference, to not be so flustered the the point he couldn't get himself to say what he wanted.
chanhee feels guilty; upset he didn't notice before, or even make sure it was really okay.
