Boom! 

Crash!

Thunk!

Cringing at the harsh sounds of something falling or possibly breaking within the next room, it doesn’t escape Sungyeol’s notice when hissing and g-rated curses are quick to follow. The Oh Fudge! and Geez, why me? sound so cute to his ears, Sungyeol wonders how his best friend can be so cute, especially since Sungyeol was the type to swear like a sailor. (His mother’s words, he swears!) But when one is eleven, swear words like and are exciting, because as much as Sungyeol is a child, he wants to be an adult. 

Hearing an “I’m alright, Sungyeol! Don’t worry, I was just a little dizzy, but I think I’m better now!” follow the sounds as if they were rehearsed a thousand times before (they kind of were), Sungyeol can’t stop himself from pinching the bridge of his nose in response. The action reminiscent of his mother whenever she’d find something his father had done to be a little stupid. His father consistently doing things that would cause his mother to say “Can’t go one day, can you?” before rolling her eyes, that it was hard not to pick the gesture up. Never mind, begin to use it whenever his best friend was concerned. At least, not in front of him, because as much as Myungsoo was a good sport about things, the gesture could be seen as mean and Sungyeol could never be mean to the other boy. (Sunggyu and Hoya were fair game though.) 

As much as Myungsoo had seemed to trip, fall, and occasionally hurt himself, almost on a daily basis at that, the boy was quite clumsy for reasons that Sungyeol wasn’t really knowledgeable about, but had done his best to understand. He may not know the name of whatever it was that Myungsoo had, but he knew that it would occasionally affect Myungsoo's balance. Or cause the younger boy to experience spells where he'd become dizzy and lightheaded and sometimes, even nauseous if the spell was particularly bad. 

It had seemed quite scary to learn at first, but after months of looking after his friend, it was just another part of him. A part that would occasionally cause Sungyeol to worry, but only for the fact that Myungsoo had this awful habit of hurting himself more often than not. Luckily, though, the injuries were usually minor and something that he and Myungsoo could laugh about. Even if the two had never really done that.

Myungsoo was barely ever seen without a character badge of honor or different colored bandages that reminded Sungyeol of a rainbow. It wasn’t often that Myungsoo’s legs, arms, or hands, were clear of the things as those areas of the body were where most of the injuries would occur. Iron Man and Voltron bandages were Myungsoo’s favorite, but every once in a while, one would be able to see a Hello Kitty bandage or two stuck to Myungsoo's head whenever the younger boy had happened to take a particularly nasty fall.  

The band-aids would usually look a bit stupid since they were this bright, ugly pink that Sungyeol hated, despite pink being his favorite color, Sungyeol found that he hated those bandages the most. Only for the fact that Myungsoo had hit his head and while having been lucky that the injury was just a scrape or a shallow cut, Sungyeol couldn't help but wonder about the day when that wouldn’t be the case.

It also didn't help that the cuts and bruises, especially the ones that would appear on Myungsoo's head, would occasionally send both of their parents into fits. The grown-ups always in fear of Myungsoo somehow getting a concussion or something worse, it was a kind of a miracle that nothing too terrible had happened just yet. Because as much as Myungsoo was unlucky when it came to banging himself up, he'd been able to save himself from obtaining some pretty serious injuries. A fact that Sungyeol was quite thankful for, even if he had been prepared to deal with something of the like, because as much as Myungsoo had been lucky, there was always a chance where he wouldn't always be. While Sungyeol would probably run to one of their parents if something like that would occur, Sungyeol had still taken it upon himself to learn some first aid in hopes of alleviating some of his worries.

Myungsoo was his best friend and Sungyeol, despite being a kid, had decided to be Myungsoo’s protector. Because once Sungyeol had learned about his friend’s balance disorder, Sungyeol wanted to make sure he was able to help. Especially since Myungsoo was accident prone, and while he didn’t do anything as remotely dangerous as Hoya and Woohyun, the two constantly giving each other dumb dares that would usually bring bruises, Sungyeol still wanted to be useful.  

Even if it was sometimes scary to be responsible and be that person that Myungsoo could always depend on, but with it being Myungsoo, a person that had this habit of endearing himself to people in such a way that it was basically impossible for people to not care about him, Sungyeol had been doomed from the start. Even now, after years of being Myungsoo’s friend, Sungyeol would still feel the need to take his friend under his arm, give him a noogi, and make him promise to watch himself better, even if the last thing was more for his benefit than Myungsoo’s. 

Myungsoo could make promises to him all day and would do his best to keep them, but when it came to his body constantly thwarting him from doing such a thing, Sungyeol couldn’t blame him. Nor be upset, because he knew Myungsoo constantly felt bad whenever his body decided to do something he didn’t like or want. He couldn’t control it and Sungyeol could never be upset about that, because, in the end, he was lucky he didn’t have to experience that sort of thing first hand. If watching Myungsoo deal with it was borderline scary at times, he was glad his body was healthy and normal. 

Not to say that Myungsoo wasn’t, but Sungyeol was relieved that he didn’t have what Myungsoo had.

Shaking his head to push him out of his thoughts as soon as he had heard his friend hiss and mutter something about hurting his foot again, Sungyeol was quick to grab the first aid kit out of his room before yelling, "Stay where you are, I'm coming with a first aid kit and if you move anywhere, so help me god, you're going to get punished, so stay and don't move until I'm over there."

Hearing a sulky “Yes, Yeollie” in response to his words, he quietly made his way to the other boy so he could bandage his foot Hands reaching out to check the damage, only to find a small cut lining the edge of Myungsoo’s foot, Sungyeol was quick to pull out some wipes to clean the wound and a couple of band-aids to bandage with. 

Giving Myungsoo a pat on the shoulder as soon as he was finished, Sungyeol softly smiled, "Hey, don't worry, I'm not angry at you. I just wanted to make sure didn't hurt yourself worse, alright?"

Seeing the other nod, hair shielding his eyes as he did so, it wasn't long before Sungyeol noticed the other raise his hand to wipe away some tears. Feeling an unpleasant weight drop to the bottom of his stomach, Sungyeol could only move closer to the other boy and brush back the other's bangs with his hand as he softly gives, “Hey, it’s okay, it’s not your fault.” He hopes Myungsoo will understand that it’s not his fault and that Sungyeol doesn’t blame him for anything and that he was just worried. 

Myungsoo eventually looking up to give him a small, watery smile, Myungsoo can only nod, glad that his best friend wasn’t angry. Even if Sungyeol had never really been angry at him before, it’s still an irrational fear he has. Because as much as he loves Sungyeol and wants to keep his promises to keep himself safe, he fears one day Sungyeol will have enough and leave him for someone else. He has to get sick of this at some point, but seeing nothing but concern and friendship in the other’s eyes, Myungsoo forces himself to push those doubts away. 

Sungyeol isn’t going anywhere and he’s definitely not going to drop him because Myungsoo has problems with keeping his balance.

Sighing a little in response at how well he could read the younger boy’s thoughts, but knowing that words alone wouldn’t be able to stop them, Sungyeol is quick to change the subject instead, "You thirsty? We can go get some bubble tea and forget this ever happened? Your foot’s good as new, so…”

Only for Myungsoo to interrupt with shining eyes, eager to take the bait and not think about his troubles, "You, buying hyung?" 

While Sungyeol can only inwardly groan at the question, knowing that Sunggyu must have taught the other boy that (Sunggyu always teaching Myungsoo things that would always cause Sungyeol to sigh, but laugh whenever they would bite the older boy in the ), Sungyeol eventually sees the insecurity for what it is. The rate at which Myungsoo agrees so full-heartedly tugs at his heart strings like no other feeling in the world, and Sungyeol can’t stop himself from giving in with a smile, "Of course. Hyung's treat." 

The smile he receives from Myungsoo is undeniably cute, and despite only being eleven, Sungyeol knows he loves the other boy with all his heart. How could he not?

Quickly telling the boy to grab his shoes and be ready by the door in five minutes while he went to go grab his wallet (Pokemon of course), Sungyeol quietly leaves the other to grab some money and replace the items that he had used earlier in his first aid kit. Kit re-supplied with Power Ranger bandages, first aid cream, and some other essentials that he would probably need with how clumsy Myungsoo could be, that by the time he had made sure that he had everything, Myungsoo was already calling for him, obviously waiting by the door, "Hyung! It's been five minutes."

Chuckling to himself at how impatient Myungsoo suddenly seemed, he could only reply, "I'm coming," before he was placing his things in his pocket and walking out the door. Only to be met with Moonsoo poking his head out of his room, giving him a Cheshire cat grin that should never be on a eight-year-old’s face, the boy slyly giving a "Oh, are you two going on a date?" in response.

Feeling his cheeks turn pink at the other’s words, especially since he hadn’t expected for Moonsoo to say such a thing and at eight no less, Sungyeol quickly muttered, "W-we're just getting bubble t-tea, nothing special." 

While Moonsoo decides to laugh in response, face scrunched up adorably, but not as adorable as his brother, eventually replies with a smirk, “Whatever you say hyung, it’s not like Myungsoo doesn’t like you like that. I’ve seen his journal.”

Not wanting to take the other’s bait, especially since it would only cause Moonsoo to continue what he was doing, Sungyeol couldn’t help but excuse himself and high-tail it out of there.

Quickly grabbing Myungsoo’s hand in the process, it isn’t until they’re at the bubble tea place when he realizes that he’s still holding it, fingers clasped against each other. Sungyeol's cheeks turn a bright red while Myungsoo's become just as pink, Sungyeol finds himself letting go. Embarrassment now running through him like a lightning bolt, he tries to ignore the frown that suddenly appears on Myungsoo’s face, it's not long until Sungyeol recovers. Only to ask as he suddenly opens the door to the shop, "Uh, what flavor do you want?" 

While Myungsoo, still staring at his hand with pink across his cheeks and a small frown on his face, answers, "I, uh, chocolate.”

Unable to stop himself from giving the other a smile and pointing for Myungsoo to walk into the store, he nods, “Of course. It’s what you always get.” Sungyeol is quick to tell his friend to grab them some seats while he goes to order the two of them drinks, making sure to get Myungsoo extra boba because Myungsoo likes how chewy and fun that they can be to eat, it isn't until a couple of minutes later does he return, drinks in hand. 

Only for Myungsoo to ask about what flavor he's gotten, already knowing that Sungyeol probably got what he had always got, but wondering if it'd be a little different this time, mouths, “Coffee?”

While Sungyeol swiftly gives him a nod, mischievous smile across his face when he answers, “It’s vanilla coffee… You going to tell my mom?”

Myungsoo quick to shake his head no, can only take a sip of his drink instead, “Was just wondering.”

Giving a small laugh, knowing that Myungsoo would probably ask to try it a couple of minutes later, Sungyeol finds himself unable to care. Especially when Myungsoo does ask two minutes later, only to frown at how bitter the drink is, before he’s mumbling about how chocolate is the better drink, that Sungyeol can’t help but find his heart stutter a little more.

Because as much as he’s only eleven, Sungyeol has this feeling that he and Myungsoo will be together forever. Even if he remains Myungsoo’s protector and knight in shining armor, first aid kit constantly at his side. 

And when a half hour passes, the two walking home with smiles on their faces and the taste of chocolate and coffee in their mouths does Sungyeol’s first aid kit make another appearance. Item more than happy to be used, Myungsoo is unable to stop himself from mourning the fate of the rest of his bubble tea that he had accidentally spilled all over the concrete. That Sungyeol s the rest of his drink into the other’s hand as he patches one of Myungsoo’s knees up, “I know it’s not your favorite, but you can have the rest if you want.”

Taking a tentative sip, making sure to get a piece of boba to chew on, Myungsoo refrains from frowning at the slightly bitter taste, as he softly gives, “Thanks Yeollie-ah.”

While Sungyeol can only reply, “Of course.” 

His brain already filling in the gaps of everything that he wants to say: Myungsoo, I'd do anything for you.

He decides to just smile instead, no point of saying anything just yet because he has all the time in the world. Especially since the world is never going to run out of stupid, pink Hello Kitty band-aids.