“Go away, Jacob.”

 

The said boy didn’t even budge and continued blabbering, making Juyeon and Chanhee uncomfortable. The air got more and more awkward as more and more words came out of Jacob’s mouth.

 

“Hyung mo ako, you disrespekktful child,” said Jacob before he continued bothering them. “Anyway, CHANHEE,” he said, emphasizing the name, “Ang ganda ganda ng pangalan mo bagay sa ‘yo.”

 

Juyeon takes deep breaths. Dios mio. He wanted to apologize to all the gods for laughing at Younghoon when their friend embarrassed Changmin like this. He never thought karma was this real.

 

“Ba’t ‘yan yung pangalan mo?”

Chanhee, on the other hand, didn’t know where to put his focus. To the meat he’s cutting or to Jacob who was incessantly talking? Luckily for him, though, he didn’t have to decide for himself as Juyeon whispered, “Hayaan mo na lang yan. Ganyan talaga siya normally. Tuloy mo lang ginagawa mo, sorry. :c”

 

Juyeon sounded as apologetic as he was. Bakit ba kasi nakakahiya ang kaibigan niya? Hindi pa ba sapat na pinapahiya siya nila Sunwoo at Eric (and the others) sa school with their childish antics at hanggang sa bahay ay kailangan mag-exist ni Jacob?

 

“Grabe ang cute mo rin pala ‘no? Requirement ba yun sa barkada niyo?”

 

Chanhee turned slightly red at the compliment. He tried not to listen to any more of Jacob’s blabbering. He knew it wouldn’t help in their cooking, anyway.

 

“May bf ka na ba? Sana wala pa.”

 

Juyeon wasn’t paying any attention at all. Right now, he was too consumed by Chanhee’s presence next to him. This is all that matters. Chanhee is all that matters.

 

“Wala pa rin kasing bf si Juyeon.”

 

Juyeon went near the stove para hinaan ‘yon (as per Chanhee’s quiet and soft order). Buenas nga naman kasi’t ngayon pa nasira ang rice cooker nila. Mabuti na lang talaga at dumating sila Chanhee (na thankfully ay marunong magsaing the ~traditional~ way). Hindi niya na narinig (or at least he pretended not to hear) na sinabi ni Jacob ang pangalan niya.

 

“Ay! Alam mo na bang boys yung type ni Juyeon?”

The two finished preparing ingredients para sa ulam nila. Juyeon, still adamant on ignoring his hyung, approached the fridge to fetch some water. He also made sure to pour a glass for Chanhee.

 

“Sorry di ko pa pala natatanong kung straight ka.”

 

Chanhee took the glass of water offered to him, and Juyeon inwardly squealed when he felt the tips of Chanhee’s pale fingers touch his slightly darker ones. He bet their contrasting skin would look so good holding on to each other.

 

“Straight ka ba? Sana hindi.”

 

Tbh, rapper ba si Jacob? Chanhee is quite impressed by the older’s lung capacity. Kanina pa kasi siya walang tigil na nagsasalita. Did he even breathe in between? These (quite useless) thoughts entered Chanhee’s mind as he took a gulp of water.

 

“Bagay kasi kayo eh.”

 

Both men choked on their drinks. Chanhee coughed and Juyeon was quick to pat and gently rub the former’s back. Putangina ang lakas tsumansing pakshet to.

 

Chanhee was red all over, in embarrassment and for having choked. Juyeon was the same, although he had to admit that it was partly because of the little puta inside him na kinilig at what Jacob said. He thought, Jacob wasn’t that bad, huh?

 

“I SAID,” Juyeon took a deep breath once he recovered and exhaled, “Go away, Jacob.”

 

As if Jacob would budge even at Juyeon’s pointed stare.

 

Sangyeon appeared on the doorway out of nowhere and screamed, “HOY MAY NASUSUNOG BA? ... Uhh.. hi..?”

 

Jacob was the one to answer. “CHANHEE!”

 

. Yung sinaing! At the spur of events, wala man lang nakaamoy ni isa sa kanilang tatlo na may nasusunog na pala. Chanhee was quick to turn off the stove.

 

“Hi Chanhee!” Sangyeon said enthusiastically. And in a less enthusiastic voice, “Hoy Jacob tara na, wag mo na sila guluhin kung ayaw mo kumain ng tutong,” and thankfully pulled Jacob away from the kitchen.

 

Juyeon and Chanhee simultaneously sighed in relief. FINALLY, they have the whole kitchen for themselves.

 

--

Sunwoo stretched awake, eyes fluttering open and whole body in a state of dissonance. It was a good nap. His whole body felt at ease. No stiff neck or back aches, or anything really. He felt light. And it suddenly dawned on him, his eyes forcefully opened and his body jerked. In a second, he was sitting on his mattress. On his mattress. Didn’t he fall asleep on his study table?

 

Eyes wide open but still disoriented, nonetheless, he walks out of his room and into their living room.

 

Yawning and voice low and strained, he asked, “May pumasok ba sa kwarto?” Sunwoo wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, because if he was, he would’ve seen Haknyeon and ran back to his room, considering his state.

“Si Ha-“

“Si Younghoon!” Haknyeon nearly screamed, widening his eyes at Eric. The latter, confused and taken aback had no time to comprehend the situation and make fun of his hyung.

 

Tripping over his own tongue, Eric said, “Si hano—Si Younghoon hyung!”

 

The newly-mentioned boy muttered a surprised, “Anong—“ before seeing Changmin eyeing him. He quickly stuttered, “A-ah ano, oo, pumasok ako habang natutulog ka.” Younghoon winked (disgustingly) at Changmin and the latter rolled his eyes.

 

Why the would Younghoon carry Sunwoo is a question Sunwoo himself couldn’t understand. Younghoon would probably draw a d*ck on his face if he saw him asleep. But, Sunwoo may have underestimated their bond, he guessed.

 

Sunwoo rubbed his eyes to stabilize his still-hazy vision and looked around the room. He also thought he heard a familiar voice earlier that wasn’t from his own circle of friends.

 

He first saw Sangyeon approaching them, with Jacob in tow. Next thing he saw was the television and Younghoon sitting on a single couch nearest to it. He continued looking around to see Eric and Hyunjoon sprawled out on the sofa, Eric hugging the latter, were they a thing? Sunwoo hadn’t noticed that before. Next to it was the closest to him: another single couch where Changmin was squeezed next to Haknyeon.

 

Wait.

 

Haknyeon?

 

 JOO HAKNYEON?

 

LOVE OF SUNWOO’S LIFE, JOO HAKNYEON?

 

.

 

Sunwoo’s eyes widened and he quickly ran to their bedroom. When he got there, he quickly made his way into the bathroom, (looking at his reflection, he smacked himself for having presented himself to Haknyeon looking like an absolute mess with hair sticking out everywhere) brushed his teeth, gargled, and even took a bath. He even blew his hair dry to ~style~ it.

 

While all of that is happening, in the living room was a bigger mess than Sunwoo’s bed hair.

 

“Cute,” Haknyeon meant to whisper but ended up blurting out, garnering everyone’s attention. When he saw everyone’s gaze fixed on him, he looked at Changmin questioningly.

 

Changmin just said, “U exposed urself bih,” and Haknyeon sunk lower in their shared seat.

 

Jacob, of course, was the first to recover, squealing, “OH MY GOD???? Ay sorry Lord. Pero??? OMG????? CUTE??? SUNWOO????? NACUCUTE-AN KA KAY SUNWOO??????? AND OMG PART 2 KASI ANG CUTE MO RIN??????? KAIBIGAN KA NILA CHANGMIN ‘NO???? LAHAT KAYO CUTE!!!!”

 

Haknyeon just covered his face with his hands adorably. Changmin asked him quietly kung paano nalaman ni Sunwoo na may pumasok sa kwarto nila and he explained everything.

 

“Wow!!!” Jacob was amazed at Haknyeon’s strength and started blabbering AGAIN. Someone pls stop him wala na nga ako maisip na sasabihin nya ayaw nya pa rin tumigil :c

 

Thankfully, Chanhee came out (of the closet charot) from the kitchen and said the food was ready. Juyeon made his way directly to the room where Hyunjae and Kevin are at.

 

Juyeon twisted the doorknob and was about to go in when he heard the two na naglalandian. Syempre, he didn’t want to interrupt (that’s an excuse, gusto nya lang talaga malaman kung paano maglandian yung dalawa since they’ve always been subtle). So, of course, nakasilip sya, but just enough for the couple not to notice him.

 

Kevin was holding Hyunjae’s hand when he said, “Alagaan mo kasi sarili mo, bro :c”

 

“Sorry, bro :c.” Hyunjae clasped one of Kevin’s hands with both of his. “Hindi tuloy kita ma-date ngayon. :c”

 

“okay lang yun, bro. :c uminom ka na ba ng gamot?”

 

“hindi pa nga eh :c kakarating mo lang kasi.”

 

“ha? Hala wala akong dalang gamot.” Kevin slightly panicked.

 

Hyunjae whispered (pero narinig pa rin nung chismoso sa pinto), “ikaw gamot ko bro. penge naman ng yakapsul hihi”

 

PUATNGINA ANO TO

 

Kevin leaned down to hug Hyunjae. And since Juyeon was already satisfied with what he saw, he cleared his throat.

 

Kevin, who was still hugging his boyfriend, turned to look at the doorway and flushed at the sight of Juyeon.

 

Juyeon awkwardly said, “K-Kakain na.”

 

And Kevin, more awkwardly, “A-AH? ANO YUN BRO?? NAHIHIRAPAN KA TUMAYO?? TEKA AALALAYAN KITA!!! Uhh hi Juyeon kanina ka pa? Nagpapatulong lang bumangon si Hyunjae hehe”

 

Kevin, with Juyeon's help, pulled Hyunjae up while still in his embrace. Juyeon thought, kadiri pero cute (a/n: samedt). Gusto na tuloy niya magpahawa kay Hyunjae. Baka sakali ganyanin din siya ni Chanhee 'pag nagkasakit siya.

 

They all gathered on the living room, eating quickly to escape Jacob's invasive, blabbering mouth. Sangyeon tried his best to stall Jacob, while all of them bid their goodbyes to each other since it was getting late.

 

"Sleepover ka sa'min," Eric told Hyunjoon and the latter just nodded absentmindedly while they were exiting the place. (He hear sleep he agree)

 

"See you all tomorrow!!!!" Changmin said cheerfully while waving, and Younghoon waved back just as cheerfully.

 

"Thank you po," Chanhee politely told Sangyeon (and Jacob).

 

"Balik kayo soon," Jacob replied, and Chanhee just smiled awkwardly as if saying, 'No, we won't be back soon."

 

They were all out the door except for one person who just finished tying his shoelaces. Before the said boy left, he waved and said, "Bye, Sunwoo!!!!"

 

Sunwoo's cheeks heated up as he waved back and replied, "Bye, Haknyeon."

 

Haknyeon flashed his signature bright smile before turning back and closing the door. Sunwoo was left starstruck. 'Tangina. Mahal ko na ata 'to,' he thought.

 

"Huy, may naiwan ata dito," Younghoon says while standing outside Hyunjae's room. He opens the door and says, "Kevin, umalis na friends m- What the ."

 

He finds the couple cuddling, with Kevin looking like he's debating between letting go in embarassment or holding on because he doesn't want to leave the other. Before he could decide, Younghoon backs away and closes the door in disgust.

 

"Bro, uwi ka na. Late na. Wala ka na tuloy kasabay pauwi."

 

"Bro, ayaw kitang iwan. Ang taas pa ng lagnat mo oh."

 

"I'll be okay," Hyunjae smiles weakly at his boyfriend.

 

"Fine," Kevin sighs. "I'll be back tomorrow. Get well, ha."

 

"Okay. I love you."

 

"I... love you too."

 

(a/n; KINIKILIG AKO PUTANGINA NIY)

 

When Kevin (and Jacob who was dragged into his room by Sangyeon after they showed Kevin out) takes his leave, Sunwoo speaks up.

 

"Younghoon hyung, ba't mo naman naisipang dalin ako sa kama. Sobrang out of character ha."

 

"Uhm... uhhh... kasi.... you.... looked.... uncomfortable.... I WAS BEING A CARING FRIEND WHY WON'T YOU JUST SAY THANK YOU?????"

 

Sunwoo raises an eyebrow, but says a low, "Okay, fine. Thanks," in response.

 

Juyeon comes out of the kitchen, holding a piece of bread (which Younghoon took a huge bite of when Juyeon passes in front of him), and comments, "Ang lakas pala ni Haknyeon, noh? Hirap na hirap nga kong buhatin si Hyunjae kahit tinulungan ako ni Kevin, tas kaya niyang buhatin si Sunwoo mag-isa."

 

Younghoon's eyes widens at Juyeon's statement, and Sunwoo chokes on his saliva.

 

'Putangina.

 

SI HAKNYEON BUMUHAT SAKIN.

 

PUTA.

 

P U T A.'

 

Sunwoo looks like he was having a mental breakdown. Younghoon glares at Juyeon and says, "GOD JUYEON YOU HAD ONE JOB AND THAT JOB IS TO SHUT THE UP."

 

Juyeon pouts and says, "Wala naman kayong sinabing bawal sabihin eh."

 

Younghoon sighs and approaches Sunwoo, "Haknyeon didn't want you to know but SURPRISE!!!! Sabi namin sa'yo crush ka niya eh."

 

"Okay FIRST," Sunwoo sternly says. "Thank you for the info, Juyeon hyung. Second, Younghoon hyung magsorry ka."

 

Juyeon smiles widely, and looks at Younghoon in anticipation like a little boy asking for candy. Younghoon rolls his eyes and says, "Sorry for being an . 'Yan na."

 

Juyeon nods in acknowledgement and Sunwoo continues, "Okay. Lastly, PUTANGJANSHSKAN GAGO."

 

Sunwoo looks like he was having spasms as he shakes his whole body, kicking the air in glee. Tangina, kinilig masyado ang gago.

 

ㅡ

 

It was a little past 1 in the morning, and everyone else in the condo unit was already asleep except for one. Sunwoo was looking up at the ceiling. He wanted to sleep, but he can't. He thought, 'Anong oras na, may pasok ka pa bukas.' but a larger part of his brain was screaming Haknyeon's name. He still couldn't believe that the said boy did what he did.

 

Crush niya ba talaga ako?

 

Hindi. Ba't ka naman magugustuhan nun? Ang perfect niya. Hampaslupa ka lang.

 

Hala? Ang gwapo ko kaya. I'm Kim Sunwoo. Andaming nagkakagusto sa'kin sa school. Baka nga gusto din ako ni Haknyeon.

 

ANG KAPAL NG MUKHA MO.

 

Sunwoo groans as he argued with himself. He sat up, grabbed his phone and did what he never thought he'll do. He texted Haknyeon a short "Thank you." Haknyeon was probably already asleep, but he still deserved even just a small sign of gratitude.

 

Sunwoo didn't expect a reply to come just a minute after.

 

'So, you found out. You're welcome 😊. Anong oras na, wag ka nang magreply. Matulog ka na. Sweet dreams, Sunwoo ❤'