B A R C O D E

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Hyungwon arrived at home about twenty-five minutes later. Of course it would've taken a lot less time if he hadn't had a ten-minute conversation with Wonho's mother, but he couldn't be rude. He arrived home and took a shower, grabbed a snack, and went into his room to bed. "What the hell is happening."
    Meanwhile, Wonho was wondering the same thing. Why did he act out like that? Why did he want him to stay so badly? Why was he worried that he scared the boy? That he doesn't want to be his friend anymore?
    "Bomi and Yeoreum, why am I so dumb?" he looked at the two cats sitting next to him and smiled. "You guys never do anything wrong, why can't I be like you," he reached over to pet the two fluffs. He got up out of his bed and headed into the kitchen to see his mother making dinner. The smell of warm broth and pork-filled his lungs.
    "Annyeong aduel, I'm making your favorite food since it's your birthday tomorrow!" she smiled brightly at her son and waved for him to come over. "You should've invited your friends to stay for dinner. I really like that Hyungwon boy, he's kind, a good soul."
    "Eomma, you just met him and you only talked for like two seconds."
    "Aniyo! He came out to leave and we talked for like ten minutes!"
    "Wait, what? You talked to him? Was he mad? Did he seem upset? Was-" he was cut off.
    "Wonho shut up, he wasn't mad. Seemed a little flustered though." she laughed and then looked her son in the eyes, "you do know he likes you, correct?"
    "Mom we just met today. He's just a friendly person," Wonho snapped.
    "That's not what I gathered. I see the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you. I know it's against the rules, but maybe you could break the system for good."
    "Mum you know what happened if they find out that the system glitched."
    "Yes I do know. But, I know it is possible to break the system. It's becoming so much more common, and they would have to kill at least one out of every ten people. That'd be ridiculous. Luckily, we live in America, where homosexuality isn't nearly as discriminated against like it is in other countries."
    "Mom, don't call it 'homosexuality' please," he buried his hands in his face.
          "Sorry bub," she giggled. "Ramen is done." She handed him a bowl filled with delicious noodles, pork, broth, and vegetables. She handed him chopsticks and a spoon and sat down across from him.
           "Gomawoyo," he smiled brightly and began to eat. He hummed as he ate the delicious food.
           "So, about Hyungwon, I hope you keep that boy around. Even if it's just as a friend. He seems intelligent, as well as caring and thoughtful."
            "I know Eomma, but I feel I might have scared him earlier."
            "Eotteohge?"
            "Well he used to train as an idol, he was dancing and singing and Changkyun brought it up. I guess he got mad about it and was going to leave but I grabbed his wrist and said no," his last few words were quiet mumbles. "I just didn't want him to leave."
           "Hunny, he wasn't just a trainee. He debuted in a group called Monsta X when he was about fifteen. They were doing really well when their company decided to shut their group down because they hadn't had any wins yet. He's what, 17 now? They disbanded last year, it might just be sensitive to him."
          "You're kidding," Wonho scoffed.
          "I'm serious, look it up," She pointed at his phone. He quickly picked it up and looked up 'Monsta X'. Pictures, songs, videos, and award shows popped up. So much information about the boy was on his phone.
    "That must be why he got so upset," he looked up at his mother.
    "Wonnie, I know you don't know much about your culture or kpop, but that boy worked so hard for what he got and it was cut off because of something he couldn't control. I understand why he was upset. I knew who that was the minute he walked in. I just didn't want to embarrass him. You should apologize," she pointed towards his phone.
    "Crap I didn't get his phone number," he growled and put his head in his hands.
    "Ask Changkyun," his mother said.
    "Oh yeah," he laughed. He picked up his phone and texted the younger. He placed his phone down on the table and continued eating his ramen. He quickly finished, said a quick thank you after washing his dish, and headed upstairs. He picked up his cat and brought him onto the bed with him. He turned on his tv and pulled out his phone. He laid there for a few hours until receiving a text from Changkyun.
⟦Kyun⟧
Uh yeah hold on
*1 contact shared*
read
    He sighed in relief that he was able to contact him. He clicked the contact and saved it to his phone and then text him. "God I hope he responds to me," he picked up his cat and looked at him. "He will, right Bomi?" He plugged in his phone and rolled to his side. He pulled the blanket on him and put on a movie.