“Renjun!” Panting and making a mental note to start working out again, Donghyuck slowed down as he watched Renjun stop and kick the wall next to them. They had somehow found themselves near the art rooms – the place Renjun went to when he wanted to be alone or alone with Donghyuck.

“It makes me mad, Hyuck!” Renjun screamed, turning around and pointing to himself with tears streaming from his eyes. He continued, the volume of his voice not lowering in the slightest. “Am I a freak?! Am I?! Is liking multiple people really that weird?!”

“Junnie, it’s not-”

“Don’t ing lie to me, Hyuck.” Donghyuck swallowed, standing up straight and taking cautious steps towards his best friend. “I wouldn’t be able to stand it if you did.”

“Renjun, I’m being serious right now,” he stated, stopping in front of the crying male and hearing his heart break bit by bit with each tear that fell from Renjun’s eyes. “Some people would think that, Jun, and we can’t do anything about it. But me? I don’t think like that. It’s the way you love and if they make you happy then I’m all for it.” He raised his hands to carefully wipe away the tears, withholding his own all the while. “And don’t tell them but I’m glad it’s Jaemin and Jeno and not some randoms you met on the street,” he paused to give the other a cheeky smile. “I’d probably scare everyone else off because of my overprotectiveness. At least with those two, they already pass the Lee Donghyuck’s Long List Of Why You Have To Protect Huang Renjun And Be Nice Otherwise I’ll Kill You quiz in every single aspect.” Donghyuck considered it a win and smiled triumphantly when Renjun let out a breathy laugh.

“Thanks, Hyuck,” Renjun whispered, sniffles still escaping him, but the tears had ceased. “I just…her words – they really hit me…”

“They hit me too and I only like one idiot,” Donghyuck admitted, sparks of anger rising in him at the thought of the Kim Yerim’s words.

“Can I…can I get cuddles?” Donghyuck sighed at how vulnerable his best friend looked right then and opened his arms, letting the slightly smaller male enter his warm embrace.

“Idiot,” he whispered with as much affection he could muster. “You don’t even have to ask.” Steering them into the art classroom, Donghyuck let them fall into two chairs near the carving tables, pulling Renjun closer and slowly rocking him back and forth.

“I always feel like I have to ask,” Renjun mumbled quietly and Donghyuck pulled away to give a look of curiosity. “For cuddles and stuff…and your comfort kisses…and like just for you to do something so I feel better.”

“Are you kidding me?” the slightly younger male let out, staring at his best friend incredulously who had been with him through so many ordeals. “I’m you best friend! You don’t need to ask!”

“Well…with Soeun-”

“Oh my ing god, Injunnie, are you honestly comparing me to your ex-girlfriend right now?!” Slightly annoyed at being compared to Soeun who had broken Renjun’s heart and never returned, Donghyuck took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing. “Listen, if you had to ask Soeun for comfort, that’s a her problem. But with me? Junnie, with me you can literally lay on top of me and I will cuddle you, okay?” He watched as Renjun’s eyes leave his and glue his gaze to the floor.

“But