Sungyeol proceed with the rest of his day in a rather catatonic and defeated state and it wasn't before Woohyun and Sunggyu giving him some weird looks, and asking if he was sick or something, that he decided to just not think about that for the mean time and freak out (and rant to Sungjong or Dongwoo or Hoya if he was forgiven by then) when he had proper time for it.

“Come on, grab your stuff to go.” Sungyeol instructed and the boys were about to run towards their locket when Sungyeol placed a hand on Woohyun shoulder to keep him in place. “Not you, your dad told me not to pick you up today.”

“Why?” Woohyun asked almost betrayed.

“He said something about a surprise.” Sungyeol elaborated and Woohyun furrowed his brows in confusion, surprise? Which surprise? His older neighbor shrugged. “I guess you will have to wait to find out.”

“But if daddy doesn't drive hyung's car he takes the longest time to come pick me up, I don't like being the last one to leave.” The boy tried hugging Sungyeol long legs and throwing his best puppy eyes that screamed 'please take me too' and his neighbor wondered how the hell Dongwoo dealt with this from twenty kids every day.

“Woohyun, let go.” Sungyeol pleaded as Sunggyu approached with his brows furrowed. “I promise I will cook a delicious meal so you can eat when you arrive home ok? Meanwhile, you'll have to wait for your dad here.”

The boy pouted but nodded.

“Isn't Woohyunnie coming with us?” Sunggyu asked when he came back and Sungyeol shook his head.

“His dad has plans for them, we have to go ahead by ourselves.”

“But....” Sunggyu was about to come up with an argument to bring Woohyun with them but Sungyeol started dragging him away.

“See you again in a moment Woohyun.” Sungyeol said and Sunggyu confusedly waved off to him.

Woohyun pouted again and went for his locket, inside his red backpack there was a little notebook with his dad numbers written and he would ask Dongwoo hyung to call his father to come quickly. As soon as he got that little notebook and turned around to go for his teacher, he saw the pink haired man talking to someone different, and when the teacher finally moved away Woohyun finally recognized who was the one there.

“GRANDPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” He cheered excitedly and ran to hug his grandpa that promptly tried to scoop him up.

“Aigoo, aigoo, my baby is growing so fast, this old man can barely lift him anymore.” Myungsoo dad half- complained before putting his grandson into the ground again.

“Grandpa, I missed you so much.” Woohyun hugged him, genuinely happy, then pulled away to look at his grandpa. “What are you doing here? Where is grandma?”

“Surprise! Your grandma is traveling for work.” He announced and Woohyun pouted. “I missed you so much that I came to spend this entire week with you.” He said with a fond smile. “Now grab your things, we should go home.”

Woohyun quickly ran back to his locker to grab his red backpack and threw his notebook inside of it again before running to grab his grandpa's hand.

“So, what do you want to eat?” Grandpa Kim asked. “I think we better drop by the market first, I'm not sure your father fills up his pantry properly.”

“Grandpa, you don't need to cook because Sungyeol hyung promised he would cook for me.” Woohyun dutifully informed as he and his grandpa passed Dongwoo and waved goodbye at him. “Sungyeol hyung cooks the most delicious meal ever and daddy is a huge fan of his Kimchi Jiggae, he even says Sungyeol hyung Udon comes second.”

“He cooks? Wait, isn't this Sungyeol…” His grandpa asked wondered where he heard that name before, his memory wasn't the best these days.

“Sungyeol hyung is Sunggyu hyung, my best friend, hyung and they are our neighbors. I didn't like Sungyeol hyung at first, he was mean, but he became daddy friend and he is nice now. They also have another brother, Sungjong hyung, that is very close to Moonsoo uncle. Sungyeol hyung lets Sunggyu hyung come over and we play a lot together. He once taught me how to bake cupcakes too and how to solve Sunggyu puzzle with him.....”

Woohyun started to rant/explain about his neighbors while his grandfather tried to absorb all the information on the neighbor that seemed to have the wrong start with his oldest son, but apparently, they were best friends now and a great help for each other. He couldn't help but get curious to meet this guy.

_______________________________________________

Sungyeol bumped with Myungsoo in the elevator of their building. Aside Myungsoo usual big black backpacks, he was also holding some heavy grocery bags, and he kind of thanked the gods he met Sungyeol and he wouldn't have to contort himself to press his floor button on the elevator or open his door.

“Do you want some help?” Sungyeol asked.

“No, it's ok, it's not that heavy, I just need you to press the button.” Myungsoo declined.

“I press it, I press it!” Sunggyu quickly assumed that mission and hit the button when they entered the lift.

“Why so many bags?” Sungyeol wondered.

“It seems to me that my apartment lacks some food." Myungsoo said sheepishly. “I can't always depend on you, I have to cook today, my dad is coming. He'll complain I'm not feeding Woohyun properly and that I shouldn't bother you too much.”

“Nonsense.” Sungyeol said with his cheeks slightly flushed. “We agreed on this and we are saving each other time, it's always a win-win situation.”

“It is, It is.” Myungsoo agreed. “So, was Woohyun upset he didn't come back home with you?”

“He pouted, but I was fast and told him you had a surprise for him before he threw me his puppy eyes.” Sungyeol said chuckling as he remembered.

“Well, he will be so happy when dad picks him up at school.” Myungsoo chuckled himself as he imagined his son expression. “They have this special connection.”

“I see.” Sungyeol gave a small smile, he didn't know what else to do with this kind of conversation but the lift door opened and started to walk in silence until they arrived at their door. Sungyeol promptly opened his door for Sunggyu to enter and Myungsoo threw his bags up a bit in the air so he could hold them better than he spoke to his neighbor again.

“Hyung, help me open the door, the key in the left pocket...” He said and Sungyeol gaze immediately ran over Myungsoo's body, going underneath the grocery bags to inspect the left pocket of his neighbor jeans. Sungyeol gulped hard, Myungsoo didn't expect that he would place his hand there and search for a key right? He was about to get nervous when he heard the rest of his neighbor sentence. “...of my bag.”

“Oh, yeah, right, bag.” Sungyeol mumbled nervously as he went behind Myungsoo to open the said pocket and search for his key there.

Myungsoo smirked in amusement. “What? Were you expecting some other place hyung? Why would I carry a backpack this big if I had to keep my pockets full?” He asked and Sungyeol playfully pushed him and then went to open the door.

“No, I wasn't.” He retorted as he opened the door then placed the key on the keyhole inside, all this while making sure to not look at Myungsoo because he was flushing, but when he was able to look at Myungsoo again the younger was already thanking him.

“Thank you for the help hyung, now I have to go cook for dad and Woohyun because they are probably already coming, and...”

“Myungsoo, you're not a bad cook, but you know I'm way better at this than you. Just tell me what you want to cook and I'll do it for you.” Myungsoo just raised a brow at him as if he wasn't sure what Sungyeol was going to achieve with this. “Come on, I already promised Woohyun I'd cook for him.” Myungsoo still hesitated but considering that Sungyeol said he made a promise, Woohyun would be upset if he didn't get to eat Sungyeol delicious meal.

“OK.” Myungsoo grunted and passed one of the grocery bags for him. “But I'll help you out so I can pay you back some how.” Myungsoo said in a definitive manner as he reached behind his door to get the key and closed his door again. “I am always owing you something.” He groaned lowly but Sungyeol heard him just fine.

“Hey, but you told me you were gonna ask your father to keep an eye on Sunggyu this week so the only thing you really owe me is telling me your request.” He said as he motioned to Myungsoo follow him inside his apartment. “Have you thought about it?”

“Of course not.” Myungsoo said as he closed Sungyeol door and proceeded to the kitchen to leave the grocery bags there. “Who can think about anything when exams are happening?” Myungsoo threw a plausible lie and Sungyeol had to agree that this made sense, usually people got crazy during exams week, not him, but they did.

“Then think about after the exams ok? Now, let's leave our stuff somewhere and get ready to cook.” Sungyeol said as he moved back to the living room and Myungsoo was already pulling his backpack tot he front of his body to take his phone from inside.

“I just need to tell my dad that he should come here.” He said as he typed away.

_______________________________________________________

Woohyun arrived at Sungyeol apartment like a hurricane, calling his dad and his hyung and even Sungyeol to come to see his grandpa (as if the others hadn't already known that he would be coming) and grandpa Kim was horrified when he saw Woohyun just push the door open and enter the apartment as if he owned the place.

“It's fine dad. Woohyun and Sunggyu goes back and forth frequently, at this point we just leave the door open to make their life easier.” He had said as he motioned his dad to get in and his dad frowned, but if Myungsoo was ok with that, who was he to meddle with Woohyun education? Grandparents were all about spoiling, not educating, and Myungsoo up till now had proven to give a good one to his son.

At this point Woohyun appeared dragging Sunggyu out of his room to introduce to his granddad. “Grandpa this is Sunggyu hyung, he is my best friend! He made a surprise on my birthday!”

“Oh, hello. I heard a lot about you.” The old Kim tried to get close to talk to Sunggyu but Sunggyu hid behind his friend that giggled.

“Come on hyung, grandpa is the best grandpa in the world! Say hello back.” Woohyun tried to engage him but Sunggyu shut up his mouth completely and just kept staring at the older man which made the old guy feel awkward, he looked at his son asking for a tip on how to act when they heard another voice.

“The problem is not you sir, he is just like that.” Sungyeol said as he entered the living room and proceeded to place the pot on the table without bothering to look at the old Kim, but when he did he almost gasped, in front of him was a 30-year-older-version of his neighbor and, damn, Myungsoo would still be hot in his fifties.

“Hyung, this is my dad, Kim Bumsoo. Dad, this is Sungyeol hyung, my neighbor and a great friend that has been a huge help these past months.” Myungsoo said with a huge smile on his face.

“Hello, Woohyun told me a lot about you too.” He offered a hand for a handshake.

Sungyeol suddenly tensed and looked over Woohyun that was currently trying to make Sunggyu talk, he then looked to Myungsoo then back at his dad, forced a smile and shook the older Kim hand. “I hope he didn't tell you all the bad things.”

“Well, he said some, Woohyun can't keep quiet sometimes.” The old Kim shook Sungyeol hand with just the right amount of force to leave a message but not hurt him and Myungsoo observed that handshake worried internally, somehow he wanted his dad to like Sungyeol. “I'm glad you changed, he now likes you.” The Kim patriarch let out a more genuine smile now and Sungyeol was wondering if he understood things completely, why people were so hard to comprehend?

He felt utterly awkward under the Kim patriarch gaze so he tried to change subject ASAP. “I think it's better to have dinner now, or else the food is gonna get cold.” He pointed to his coffee table that could fit the five of them and when they finally sat up comfortably he and Myungsoo started to take turns to fill the boys bowls while Woohyun sent a prayer for his mother.

The dinner was a bit awkward. Sungyeol was feeling like a deer caught in headlights because he was watched intensely, because Myungsoo's dad had the same pair of intense eyes that he son had, by Myungsoo's father, that, in his turn, was being watched closely by Sunggyu curious eyes.

“Dad.” Myungsoo warned, feeling that his dad staring was making everybody uncomfortable. Thankfully his dad got the hint soon and apologized.

“Sorry, it's just... now that I'm paying close attention, he looks like someone I know, I just don't remember who.”

Myungsoo frowned and looked at Sungyeol face, up and down. “But he doesn't look like any of your close friends.”

“I know.” Bumsoo said a little frustrated. “Maybe it's someone I don't hang out with for a long time already.” He took a deep intake of air only to sigh. “Forget it, I don't think I'll remember it now.”

After that Myungsoo decided to take his father focus out of Sungyeol and try to catch up a bit with him, asking about his mother and if his old man scheduled an appointment to the doctor to check up his back and as Sungyeol ate quietly and Woohyun ate fast but here and then trying to steer up some conversation with Sunggyu his said boy couldn't take his eyes out of Woohyun grandpa. When Sungyeol noticed that he poked Sunggyu to get his attention.

“What is it?” He asked with a tone half curious half concerned and Sunggyu hesitated a bit before making a question.

“Hyung, what it's like to have a grandpa?” He asked innocently and quite embarrassed and Sungyeol blinked a bit taken a back, how could he even answer that question, it wasn't as if he remembered his own grandparents.

Before Sungyeol could even think about an answer Woohyun butted in their conversation. “It's awesome. And Grandpa made Daddy awesome so he is awesome too.”

Both Kim's chuckled fondly and Woohyun received a pat from the Kim patriarch that left him pleased but Sunggyu felt a bit of jealousy, why he hadn't grandparents? And why his parents had to....?

“He doesn't have grandparents?” Myungsoo dad asked.

“Dad, let's not talk about this, it's a sensitive topic for them.” Myungsoo warned as he remembered the way he and Sungyeol had an issue because of that in the beginning and hoping that his dad dropped the subject.

“It's fine. No, he hasn't. His parents had him kind of old and his whole family right now is only me and our other brother, but we are just half connected.” Sungyeol explained.

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.” Although Sungyeol said it was fine his tone was a tiny bit sad so Myungsoo dad decided to change subjects. “If you want it, I'll let you call me grandpa as well.”

Woohyun gasped marveled. “Can he?” He then turned to Sunggyu. “Hyung, we'd be cousins!”

“Really?” Sunggyu asked shyly as he looked from Woohyun to his grandpa to Myungsoo and finally to Sungyeol, asking for permission with his small eyes.

“Sir, you don't need to do this, you don't need to...” Sungyeol was about to decline the offer and Sunggyu was about to pout when Myungsoo's dad interrupted him.

“Of course he can! I love kids and I will love taking care of Sunggyu as my grandson. And he is so cute too, aigoo.” He pinched the small eyed kid and ruffled his hair and Sunggyu opened a smile so bright that Sungyeol though he would go blind.

“Isn't grandpa the best?” Woohyun giggled and his friend nodded quickly and both Myungsoo and Sungyeol couldn't help but look at them fondly until Myungsoo dad brought talked to the other two adults.

“You're taking care of your brother but you also study right? You're in a similar situation as Soo.” He used a nickname that made his son blush and slightly slaps his arm and Sungyeol becomes amusing.

“That's right, we haven't been in this situation for long and last year our other brother helped me and we took turns to take care of him, but this year when the exams week comes I go crazy, because I can't simply pull all nighters and overlook food, he needs to be fed and supervised. Myungsoo helps me keeping an eye on Sunggyu so I can work and study sometimes but since he has also to do the same thing ...” Sungyeol said with a hint of worry.

“Tell me no more, I will spend the week here, and I can keep an eye on Sunggyu for you.” Myungsoo dad said with confidence.

“I'd be really thankful for that, but, sir, will you be able to make sure they study? They also have exams this week.” Sungyeol asked and looked at Myungsoo a bit worriedly, almost asking if the old man could be trusted with that.

Again Myungsoo felt the urge to touch his neighbor to calm him down but decided against it, although that didn't mean that he couldn't do that verbally. “If you think they will trick him into only having fun you're completely mistaken because my dad has always ensured that we would study. Even when Woohyun was just born he used to take care of him so I could focus on my exams.”

“What? Study? No!” Woohyun complained as soon as he paid attention to the adult's conversation. “Grandpa I thought we'd have fun!”

“What? Our Namu doesn't want to study? Do you want your mom to think you're being lazy? Of course, we will have fun, after all, your exams, so you just have to finish them quickly.” The older Kim said patting his grand son hair.

“No, but we are always studying, Sungyeol hyung only lets us play after an hour of studying time and daddy picked up this habit.” Woohyun explained and complained. “I want to play too.” He finished with a pout, but the three adults were holding laughs, they were amused by the way Woohyun said 'daddy picked up this habit'.

“It's fine Woohyunnie, I'll help you.” Sunggyu assured patting his friend on the back. “Should we start soon to finish soon?” He asked and the younger nodded though he was still upset.

“That's the spirit!” Myungsoo dad cheered. “We just need to have you taking a bath before studying right? So we should get going.” He suggested when he saw that Woohyun had already finished his dish and the boy nodded in agreement. “Thank you for the food Sungyeol-shi, it was very delicious, almost professional, I think my wife would have given you a high mark.” He said which left Sungyeol a bit puzzled.

“My mom is a food critic.” Myungsoo dutifully informed.

“Thank you, sir.” It was all that Sungyeol could say after that... praise?

“Myungsoo, your apartment keys.” His father asked and Myungsoo went for his bag to get the key then gave it to his dad. “Help your friend with the dished.” He ordered and Myungsoo nodded before the old man went to the door.

“Thanks for the food hyung, it was delicious.” He then got up and directed his words to Sunggyu. “See you in a bit hyung.” He waved, got his backpack and followed his grandpa.

Myungsoo dad and Woohyun left Sungyeol apartment and Myungsoo himself started to pile bowls to bring it to the kitchen when the taller peaked at his brother bowl. “Sunggyu, since you already finished with your food, go prepare your books and notebooks while Woohyun takes a bath.”

Sunggyu quickly nodded holding a smile and ran to his bedroom to prepare while Myungsoo's piled the boy bowl over the others and Sungyeol also got up and then both of them went to the kitchen.

“You can leave it here, I'll wash the dishes.” He said.

“No, I should help you.” Myungsoo insisted.

Sungyeol sighed internally - he just wanted Myungsoo to leave so he could do some reading in peace without his thoughts betraying him and wandering to his neighbor and his heart stopping beating in this unregulated way if Myungsoo decided to walk 2 cm closer to him in his crowded kitchen – and decided that going through with the dishes together would save both of them time and Myungsoo would go back to his apartment sooner.

With two people helping the dishes were done quite quickly and when they were about to finish it Sunggyu entered the kitchen with his blue backpack on. “Hyung, do you think Woohyunnie finished his bath already?”

“I don't know, but we can check it out.” Myungsoo suggested. “Can I take him?” He asked Sungyeol.

“Sure, but, Sunggyu, behave ok? Obey Myungsoo's father.” Sungyeol ordered and Sunggyu nodded excitedly and ran for the door.

“Thank you for having us over. Again.” Myungsoo said a bit guilty that he was imposing so much and walking to the living room with Sungyeol in his toll.

“It's ok, just makes sure he studies.” Sungyeol smiled and his neighbor gave a quick nod before he grabbed his heavy and black backpack and went straight to his apartment, making Sungyeol sigh in relief. He liked Myungsoo as a friend, and he also discovered he liked him more than that so he wasn't sure what the would do to cast these romantic feelings away without Myungsoo noticing and keep his neighbor around him in a friendly way.

BUT, this was something to think about later, after exams, when he was less pissed at Hoya and could ask for some advice. For now, he was safe because he was going be here and Myungsoo would be there, and they would barely see each other these days. Comforted by this thought he happily skipped to the bathroom to take his bath, dressed himself up in comfortable shorts and a t-shirt that was so big that actually showed one of his shoulders almost completely, then jumped on his bed to read his books.

Sungyeol was quite fast at reading, though that didn't mean he didn't pay attention, and that was one skill that was highly appreciated when he had to go over other people books to correct their spelling mistakes for work. He didn't know how much time he spent reading, but he already read quite a lot so he hoped he would finish reading everything he had to read in two hours (maybe two hours and a half at most?), but at some point, he heard a knock on the door.

Sungyeol wasn't expecting what he saw, but he was quite surprised to see Myungsoo's father, Myungsoo himself and the two kids all looking upset at him. “Huh?” He asked in confusion as Sunggyu pushed him slightly away to enter their apartment. “What happened?”

“We ran into a situation.” Myungsoo's dad explained with an apologetic tone and Sungyeol brows rose up in even more confusion. “It seems that they can't stay in one place together.”

“We can stay in one place if the kids study without making noise.” Myungsoo said bitterly holding a laptop against his chest and if Sungyeol brows could raise even more they would fly from his face.

“How the …, hum, they were studying making noise?” The taller of them asked.

“We were having a quiz, the one that had more right answers before sleep time would be the winner and would be able to drink hot chocolate, but daddy asked us to stop.” Woohyun complained outrageously.

“I couldn't concentrate.” Myungsoo reasoned. “You don't need to keep shouting numbers, you could do a quiz on a paper.”

“That would take too much time.” Myungsoo dad rebuked. “Kids get easily bored if they have to sit still too much time. You shouldn't even be complaining when I helped you and Jihyun study like this countless of times.” His dad pointed and Myungsoo face went completely dark and he glared at his dad. Hard.

“I want to study like mommy did!” Woohyun ended up saying. “Grandpa ground him for disrupting us!” He demanded. And that would be totally hilarious if Sungyeol didn't think Woohyun was being disrespectful to Myungsoo, that, young or not, was his father.

“One more word and I will ground you!” Myungsoo hissed and that was enough for Woohyun to get scared and hide behind his grandpa. Sungyeol always saw Myungsoo being very loving, smiling away with those dimples towards Woohyun and often communicating with him with his eyes only, and that made him forget that Myungsoo could effectively exert his authority without problems.

“I'm ready!” Sunggyu said cheerfully passing Sungyeol with another big bag and he was about to go over the other apartment when Sungyeol pulled his collar from behind to keep him in place, he was barely understanding the situation in the other apartment, but at this point, he couldn't add Sunggyu with a bag to that equation.

“Ready for what?” Sungyeol asked.

“To sleep over at Woohyunnie's.” Sunggyu said like it was obvious.

“And you didn't think about asking me?” Sungyeol scolded with a bit sarcastic. “I thought you had understood that I need to know your whereabouts all the time.”

“But hyung knows where I am.” Sunggyu deadpanned but when he saw that Sungyeol stare was hard he tried another technique. “Please hyung, can I sleep over at Woohyunnie's this week?”

“The entire week?” Sungyeol frowned and looked at the older Kims in front of him for an explanation.

“Ahem.” The Kim patriarch gently pushed Myungsoo one step ahead. “Can you take this one for the week? If you give him a roof this week I swear he can take care of himself.”

“Dad~!” Myungsoo complained embarrassed.

“I just think the kids won't let him study properly, he won't let the kids use this more fun method because it's too noisy. So it's in the best interest for everyone if we set adults and kids apart, of course, with me taking care of them.” He concluded. “Besides, since you go to the same college, you can have a couple of more minutes sleeping if you leave the kids transportation with me as well.”

Sungyeol looked at Myungsoo as he hesitated, he wanted to groan and scream internally, of course, the universe would throw Myungsoo back at him so he couldn't concentrate. How the hell would he keep his mind from wondering if Myungsoo spent the time out of college with him? Sungyeol wanted to drop dead and reincarnate with a brand new life. Away from Myungsoo, preferably.

“Hyung, I'm sorry...” Myungsoo said guiltily as he clutched his computer against his chest flexing his arms inadvertently. “I swear I won't disturb you, you won't even notice me.”

Sungyeol sighed heavily but opened his door wide and stepped back for Myungsoo to enter, wondering why he gave in and became friends with this dork that he tried hard but ended up stealing his heart. Now that he knew why he had a feeling he knew why it was becoming harder and harder to tell Myungsoo no.

“Thank you hyung.” Myungsoo smiled in relief and also thankfulness, he was about to enter the elder apartment when he turned around and looked at Woohyun with a hard stare and pointed at him. “In bed at 9.” He then looked at his dad. “And if they keep talking and refuse to sleep, separate them.” He instructed his dad that nodded much for Woohyun horror, but the kid didn't have the guts to complain when Myungsoo threw a last glare at him and entered Sungyeol apartment.

“And you...” Sungyeol decided to leave a threat for Sunggyu as well. “If I hear any complaint of Mr. Kim this week you'll be grounded all your school break, you wouldn't want to stop playing with Woohyun right?” He asked and the small eyed boy shook his head vehemently to say he understood the message perfectly. “Then we have a deal. Fighting for you too and thank you, Mr. Kim.”

“Oh, don't mention, if you want to check on Sunggyu you can drop by anytime.” Myungsoo dad smiled and then looked at the kids. “4 times 4?”

“Sixteen!” The boys almost yelled together and Myungsoo winked at Sungyeol then gently coaxed the boys inside which make Sungyeol close his own door and turn around to look at his neighbor that was planted in the middle of the afternoon, in those black jogger pants that were tight fitting and hugged his legs and and made Myungsoo crotch kind of evident, not to mention that v-neck black shirt that accentuated his pecs and arms, damn!

“I'm really sorry hyung.” Myungsoo tried to apologize again but Sungyeol lifted a hand to interrupt him.

“I'm gonna go study in my room, you can settle anywhere and use Sunggyu bed later, but don't make too much noise, I have a lot to read.” He said refusing to meet Myungsoo in the eyes because he thought it would be hard to pretend he wasn't enticed by that outfit.

“Thank you!” Myungsoo replied genuinely and ran for the dinner table to set his computer(and wasn't Myungsoo just perfect in this kind of pants too?), he had lost too much time, as Sungyeol walked directly to his room and closed his door only to let his body drop ungracefully on the bed and throwing a kick in the air.

Now that distraction was there how Sungyeol was supposed to even remember how to read? Damn, he crushed on people before, he even dated a couple of boys before but he had never felt so... bothered by someone, and this quick too, Myungsoo probably had something special in him and, as Chanyeol and Dara had said before, he knew it, he knew it and made use of it to get what he wanted, and now Sungyeol was completely reduced to one of those people in college that probably worshiped Myungsoo too much but he would never look their way.

Sungyeol felt like screaming, instead he reached for his book and tried to concentrate on reading, now with a distracted mid the time he would need to finish studying would probably be double.

It was like a quarter to midnight when Sungyeol got too frustrated. He was trying really hard but couldn't concentrate enough to read things in one go, instead he was reading the same paragraph two or three times before reading the next, so he decided to get up for a cup of coffee to clear his thoughts a bit (and maybe spy on the quiet neighbor in his dining room).

As he passed the living room he glanced at his neighbor and saw that Myungsoo had headphones, that he didn't know where it came from and was clicking away things in his laptop, seeming utterly concentrated with whatever he was doing. Unknowingly from him as soon as his eyes were set on the way he was making for the kitchen Myungsoo lifted his eyes from his screen and followed him as he bit his lip, he wanted to bang his head on the keyboard because....

“! Those shorts.” Myungsoo-half mumbled half groaned to himself. He was used to hanging out with tall people; everyone in his team was tall, even the players that sat on the bench, and he was used to those people having long legs, but most of them had muscular legs like his own from jumping and running around, but not Sungyeol. Sungyeol had long white legs that weren't muscular but weren't as soft and curvy like a girl, just the right size, that he was seeing for the first time now and somehow he was liking it very much.

As Myungsoo daydreamed about Sungyeol legs, the taller appeared again and leaned on the wall next to the door of the kitchen to drink a cup of coffee and observe his neighbor. “Myungsoo are you ok?” He asked in concern as he noticed his neighbor seemed like he was out of himself.

Myungsoo blinked hard and cleared his throat. “Yes. I'm fine just... trying to imagine the next step on my project.” He lied.

“Are you sure? Do you want a cup of coffee to wake you up?”

“No, it's ok, I'm close to finishing this if I drink coffee now I won't sleep.” Myungsoo forced a smile.

“Ok then, but if you want it to feel free to go and get it, you know where everything is.” Sungyeol said and Myungsoo nodded. “So... what kind of project are you doing?” He caught himself asking.

“I'm doing something you like. Do you want to see it?” Myungsoo asked and the taller tilted his head to the side, not understanding. “Come here.” Myungsoo demanded and tapped some keys on the keyboard before Sungyeol reached him. “This is a layout for a book.” He said as he tapped a key and slowly the pages were turned so Sungyeol could see.

“Oh, so this is how it goes when I deliver the revised content? How interesting.” Sungyeol said marveled as he put a hand on the table and half leaned beside Myungsoo so he could see the screen better.

“Do you like? I'm feeling a bit insecure about it.” Myungsoo asked biting his lips as he tried to ignore the way Sungyeol was leaning beside him.

“Why are you asking me?” Sungyeol asked with a chuckle as he straightened himself but kept beside his neighbor. “I understand nothing about aesthetics.”

Myungsoo-half turned his body and looked up to Sungyeol eyes. “Because now your opinion matters.” He said with an honest tone and sincere eyes only to make Sungyeol nervous.

“You seem very competent Myungsoo, I'm sure you'll do well with your project.” Sungyeol forced a smile. “I have to go finish reading my books or else I won't finish on time for the exam.” He lied and Myungsoo gave him a sad nod before Sungyeol practically ran from the living room.

Myungsoo sighed deeply. “You scared him.” He said to himself while Sungyeol was having a mental breakdown in his room, what the hell Myungsoo meant?

___________________________________________

As morning came Sungyeol prepared an authorization for Myungsoo father to be able to pick up Sunggyu from school as Myungsoo went to his apartment to take his things for a bath, but he was surprised to see Woohyun and Sunggyu sitting with his father on the dining table already beginning to eat.

“You can invite Sungyeol shi if you want it, there is a lot for everybody.” Myungsoo father offered and later they all ended up finishing breakfast together.

After breakfast and brushing their teeth it was time for school/college and fathers, sons and brothers had to separate themselves and Sungyeol thought it was cute to see how Myungsoo emulated with Woohyun the gestures his father did with him. After cheering for each other Sungyeol and Myungsoo got into Sungyeol car to go to college while the kids climbed into Myungsoo's dad car.

What happened between them the night before wasn't much, but it was enough to leave both young adults in silence during all ride till they arrived in Seoul U and separate to go to their respective departments.

After his exam, Sungyeol decided to speed his studies in the lab of his department -because he knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate when he got back home and Myungsoo dressed those black pajamas that hugged his body in right places, but he wasn't expecting that he wouldn't be able to study because Chanyeol and now Dara too came up to him so he could answer their questions for the next exam.

He knew he could expect this from Chanyeol but from Dara? They just started talking to each other the other day. Still Sungyeol decided to coach them a little and when he noticed the time it was already near the time when the kids left school and he wanted to be home soon so he could check Sunggyu before they both proceeded with their studies, but knowing he didn't agree with Myungsoo to come back together he decided to call him despite being in front of his friends.

“Hello, Myungsoo? What time do you finish your stuff today? Do you want a ride?” He asked and hoped the younger said yes despite they being a bit awkward with each other right now. “Oh, already went out?” Sungyeol asked with a sad tone. “So you're still at the bus stop? Great, don't move, I'll go pick you up.” He finished the call with a smile on his face not noticing Chanyeol amusement and Dara pity.

Sungyeollie... why are you doing this to yourself? Dara asked in pity but her boyfriend wasn't much in synch with her.

“Hyung, you have his phone number too? So you actually have a way with people too when you want it?” Chanyeol asked in amusement. “Don't misunderstand me, I still think he is taking advantage of you and all, but I really wanted to understand how this guy popped up in your life because both of you are the type that doesn't mix with each other, he is here four years already and you two never crossed paths. And why are you offering him a ride?”

“I don't owe you two explanations but if I do tell you will you shut it? My head has already too much stuff going on.” Chandara looked at each other and nodded, too thrilled to scoop gossip. “He moved to the apartment in front of mine and we got a bit close, so if we are both going to the same place wouldn't I be a bad person if I didn't offer a ride and made him ride a crowded bus?”

“Ok that explains the ride... but he is definitely taking care of you.” Chanyeol insisted.

“And are you not Chanyeol?” Sungyeol asked calm but his eyes seemed to be scolding Chanyeol already and that made the tall boy shrink in his chair. “I hope you two remember I could have been doing anything but I just spent two and a half hours here teaching you both, so please next time just mind your own business.” With that Sungyeol got up to leave, leaving the couple worried about him behind.

That night after having dinner and checking the kids Sungyeol locked himself in his room to not be distracted by Myungsoo and the young dad stayed in the living room to do the same. Sungyeol didn't have much to study today because he would be graded with a paper that he just needed to finish writing.

When he finished it, he went to bed, completely forgetting there was someone else in his apartment, but when he woke up Myungsoo was nervously clicking things away on his laptop and the bags under his eyes said he pulled an all nighter.

“Drink this.” Sungyeol said as he offered a cup of strong coffee when he caught Myungsoo almost sleeping sitting in front of his laptop and honestly Myungsoo couldn't be more touched for this.

Later when they were on their way to college, Sungyeol stopped by a convenience store and bought some energetic drink for his neighbor. He knew this particular presentation of a project was important for Myungsoo, it was the subject he was needing the highest grade to pass, and he needed to be in top shape to present it. Still, Myungsoo looked like a bus ran over him and Sungyeol was really worried about Myungsoo performance so for the first time ever he ventured himself into the dangers of the younger department to wait for him.

It was a brand new experience, people looked at Sungyeol knowing he didn't study there but didn't seem to mind him though gossip started as soon as he asked where Myungsoo classroom was. He waited for Myungsoo to come out and was surprised to recognize two people from his team accompanying his neighbor out of his classroom.

“I failed.” Myungsoo said with a sad but convinced tone.

“Are you crazy?” Minho asked. “This was your best project this semester.”

“I don't think the teacher will fail you.” Jungshin added and then turned his head to spot Sungyeol. “Oh, isn't this your new friend?” He pointed to Sungyeol that shifted shyly on his feet.

“Hey...” Sungyeol was about to awkwardly great when Myungsoo approached him.

“Hyung, can you take me home early?” He asked much for the other two confusion.

“Sure.” Sungyeol said and as soon as he said that Myungsoo started moving so he had to hurry to catch up with his friend. “Aren't you going to say goodbye to your friends?” He asked only for Myungsoo to let out an insufferable sigh and shake his head.

“I just want to go home, I have tons of stuff to do for tomorrow, every second count, and if I finish early I will be able to sleep.” He ended up saying and Sungyeol wondered if Myungsoo would be able to do anything when he seemed like a zombie.

Sungyeol took him home and Myungsoo didn't even take a bath he opened his laptop straight away and started doing another project. As for Sungyeol, he wouldn't have anything the next day so he took advantage that they arrived home early to clean his and Sunggyu rooms a bit and to wash his and Sunggyu clothes too, but as he finished doing that he noticed that Myungsoo was sleeping with his face plastered on his keyboard.

“Myungsoo.” He tried to coax with a poke. “Myungsoo, why don't you go to bed?” He asked gently and Myungsoo tried with all his might to wake up, he straightened himself but his eyes refused to open and they really looked like Sunggyu's right now, not to mention there was a small letter L imprinted on his face.

“I need to finish this.” He mumbled.

“No, you're too tired, you won't be able to work right now.” Sungyeol reasoned in a gentle voice. “Why don't you sleep a bit? I'll cook some dinner for us later and I wake you up so you can work later, why do you say?”

Sungyeol was thankful that he didn't need to insist much because Myungsoo nodded and tried to get up, but as soon as he did that he swayed a bit and Sungyeol was quick to avoid him falling. He decided the younger was too tired and sleepy to function right so he decided to guide the younger to Sunggyu bed.

“Why are you pushing yourself so hard now? Weren't you be able to do your projects beforehand?” Sungyeol asked more to himself as he dragged his neighbor to Sunggyu bed, he wasn't expecting Myungsoo to answer but the younger did.

“No. Every week I have to hand a part of the project, and on exams week I'm supposed to hand and present the final version.” He explained. “I'm graded every week.” He said dispiritedly.

“Gosh Myungsoo that must be tough, and with Woohyun needing you... I wonder how you survived college till now.” Sungyeol wondered.

“Dunno.” Myungsoo mumbled as Sungyeol gently laid him on Sunggyu bed, and then Sungyeol threw blankets over Myungsoo and tucked him in. Thank you, hyung.

“It's fine.” Sungyeol said with a gentle smile then got up to leave the room but when he was almost at the door Myungsoo called him and he had to turn around.

“Hyung, I thought about my request.” He informed sleepily.

“You want it now?” Sungyeol furrowed his brows in confusion, he didn't think Myungsoo should use this right now when he was drowsy, he might ask for something silly and regret later, still, he got close to hear it, maybe it was better to listen now and give Myungsoo the option to change it.

“I will tell you after our exams.” He said and Sungyeol nodded and turned around to go again but Myungsoo called him one more time this time very weekly. “Hyung, don't judge me ok?”

“Huh?” Sungyeol asked he was able to hear Myungsoo talking but couldn't understand what he said. He waited a bit but he couldn't get an answer back, Myungsoo had fallen asleep and now Sungyeol would probably be curious until the end of the week, the thing was that he didn't think he would be able to keep pretending nothing was happening with him until then.

Gosh, he needed to forgive Hoya, he was needing some advice.