SUNSHINE | changlix

twenty

"You seem slightly happier today," Jisung commented as he looked at Seungmin who was smiling at his phone (a smile that, ever since Jeongin got hospitalised, not many have seen on the boy).

Seungmin turned his phone around, showing the conversation to both Jisung and Felix, the latter of which nodding his head as Seungmin scrolled.

Jisung leaned back against his chair. "I'm shocked you didn't visit him sooner but hey, better late than never right?" Jisung asked, Felix immediately taking note of how quickly his eyes had darted to his own phone that sat on his desk as if he was also waiting for some sort of message from someone that mattered to him.

Felix found comfort in simply listening to others go on about their daily lives. He found peace in the fact that people trusted him enough to inform him about nearly everything from how they slept that night to who their newest fling had been — people told him everything.

But, when it came to his friends (or more accurately, the people he didn't view as merely acquaintances), he found himself having to take note of every little thing since, although they told him one thing, their actions had a tendency to betray their beautifully crafted words.

And that was exactly what Felix noticed about Jisung that day but never questioned him until he himself wanted to speak. So, he remained silent, observing the little ticks that both Seungmin and Jisung had.

As Seungmin continued speaking eagerly about the things he would bring for Jeongin, a familiar boy walked in, slumping almost immediately in his seat next to Felix which momentarily shocked him and Jisung while Seungmin talked about the different types of flowers he could get for Jeongin in a hushed voice, unwilling to let Hyunjin so much as hear the younger boy's name. 

Hyunjin wore his normal dark attire paired with his backpack that had been tossed onto the floor beside his desk and Felix noticed the dark circles revolving around his eyes that had grown deeper as compared to the last time he saw him (which was just last week).

But, before he could even further analyse the boy beside him, their teacher had walked in and began their lesson, completely silencing the class as they began taking down notes or daydreaming.

ミ☆

Seungmin stood outside the doors to Jeongins' room, one hand holding daisies while the other held a grocery bag filled with snacks Jeongin loved. Slowly, he slid the doors open, a smile instinctively appearing on his face as he saw his best friend reading a book on the sofa by the window.

"Why're you reading a textbook Innie?" he asked, placing the flowers on his bedside table before walking over to sit down next to him. "Oh! I got you some snacks by the way! I figured that hospital food isn't the most palatable sometimes."

Jeongin smiled as he put down the textbook he had been reading (simply because he had missed out on a lot of lessons and didn't want to be so far behind his peers). He peered into the bag of snacks and his smile grew even wider at the familiar items he always had during lunch in school.

Although it had only been a week into his hospitalization, to him, it had felt like months since he's stepped out of that room other than to go to the washroom so seeing the snacks he ate before his hospital stay meant the world to him in that moment.

"How's everyone been? Sorry I only messaged you last night by the way hyung!" Jeongin chuckled, looking down at the bag of snacks.

"Everyone's been doing alright Innie although, I'm pretty sure Felix is now dating a senior," Seungmin said, opening a bag of chips and placing it between him and Jeongin, the younger of the pair quickly taking some in his hands and munching away, his cheeks puffing up as he did so. "Who would've thought right?"

Jeongin nodded, his attention wavering as a question played on the edge of his tongue, threatening to fall out.

"Hyunjin's been looking like shit by the way. He comes for classes but I highly doubt anything's even getting through to him-"

"Hyung, do you still care about Hyunjin hyung?" Jeongin asked, his gaze locking onto Seungmin. "Do-don't lie to me okay hyung?" 

Jeongin watched as Seungmin avoided eye contact, the older boy swallowing air as his hand instinctively rubbed the back of his neck. Seungmin wanted to tell him that whatever he had felt for Hyunjin had long gone, all that was left was the memories that, till that day, occasionally haunted him. He wanted to tell Jeongin that he couldn't care less about the boy who was finally reaping the consequences of his actions. He wanted to tell him that he was glad Hyunjin was in such a sorry state. 

And yet, for some odd reason he couldn't quite place his finger on, no words left his mouth. 

Jeongin continued staring at him, waiting for some form of an answer that Seungmin couldn't find the words for. Slowly, Jeongin nodded his head, taking the silence itself as an answer, his gaze dropping back onto the bag of chips between them. 

"Innie-"

"It's alright hyung! Your silence is a lot more truthful than a lot of things I've heard from others before!" Jeongin smiled warmly at him, trying his best to emanate the warmth he once gave off. "I-I'm glad you didn't hide anything from me." 

Seungmin opened his mouth to speak but the sliding doors opening cut him off before he could even explain himself (not that he even knew how to in the first place). 

The nurse bowed and started changing Jeongins' bedsheet. "Noona, can I go for a walk?" Jeongin asked. The nurse looked at him momentarily before looking at the clock and nodding. Jeongin immediately stood up and held his hand out for Seungmin, the smile not once leaving his face. "Let's go for a walk together hyung!" 

"Yea sure Innie." 

And just like that, it felt as though their friendship had avoided yet another complication that came in the form of Hwang Hyunjin, Jeongin locking arms with Seungmin as he held onto him for support, something he desperately longed for all his life.

ミ☆

no changlix this chapter bc the past few were filled with them so i thought i had to touch on seungmin and jeongins friendship!
aaaa i hope this still makes sense :(((