It was a sad day for the boys. Nichkhun was going back to Thailand for a month. His granduncle passed away three nights back, so his family wanted him home for the funeral. Wooyoung and the rest of the members followed him to the airport that day, with sombre faces. "Say hi to your mum and dad for us." Minjun said, hugging the Thai. "I'm sorry to hear about your granduncle."

"Thanks, hyung." Nichkhun said.

He gave everyone a hug after that and condolences were passed quietly. When it was finally Wooyoung's turn, the Thai embraced him tightly and asked if he was alright. The boy had been limping lately, and this was very worrying to Nichkhun. But Wooyoung simply shook his head and said that everything was fine. 

"Be safe." Wooyoung said numbly. His expression was blank, but the guys, except Nichkhun, noticed that there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Wooyoung was already missing Nichkhun and the Thai hadn't even left yet.

"Be careful, Khunnie. And don't forget our souvenirs." Taecyeon chipped in. He received a bashful from Minjun.

"Aish, his granduncle passed away and you're asking for souvenirs."

Nichkhun chuckled at this. "No worries. If I see anything suitable, I'll get it. See you guys in a month then. And Wooyoung?"

"Hm?"

"Take care."

Wooyoung felt butterflies in his stomach when Nichkhun said that to him. He could feel his face burning, and thankfully, the Thai didn't notice his ears. It was turning velvet red. Junho noticed it and he couldn't help but smirk at his hyung. But he didn't say anything to embarrass Wooyoung further.

One final wave of hands and then Nichkhun was on his way to the boarding gate. As Wooyoung watched him leave, the butterflies in the stomach gradually disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming sadness in his heart. "I'm going to miss him for a while." He did not realize that he had said it out loud. The guys turned to him, wide-eyed and grinning.

"Ohhhh....Udong misses his baby already?" Minjun . 

"Yah, hyung!" Wooyoung pouted, clearly embarrassed. "I'm getting myself a bar of chocolate and some coffee." He turned around and stalked off.

"What coffee?" Junho asked when he managed to catch up. It was out of curiousity. No one knew what type of coffee Wooyoung preferred. It was always different. Most people would stick to one type and remain at it for a long time.

"I'm craving for instant today." As he said it, Junho could have sworn he saw a momentary flash of sadness in Wooyoung's eyes. A week back, they had frappuccino, but the only emotion Junho had registered from his hyung back then was a determined one, sort of happy but in an ambitious way.

Today was instant coffee, and the aura around Wooyoung was definitely depressing. Maybe it's just my imagination, Junho thought. I think I'm not getting enough sleep these days. As they returned to their dorm that day, Junho couldn't help but wonder what kind of coffee Wooyoung would drink if his hyung is in love. What about extreme happiness? And most importantly, does Nichkhun know? He almost felt sorry for Wooyoung a moment there, but knowing Nickhun, the truth will be out sooner or later. This would be fun. He knew he had to tell the other guys.

But first, he had his own troubles to think about, as his attention diverted back to Chansung.

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Wooyoung didn't want his emotions to get the best of him, so right after dinner, he rushed sraight back home while the others went off to a karaoke joint to have a little fun. Once home, he took a quick shower and went over to the living room to do some stretching. Their dance choreograper had told him that a perfect split would take a month or two of constant leg stretching. He needed to do it at least twice a day, everyday if he wanted it fast. 

"Two months of pain!" Wooyoung whined to himself, and it echoed throughout the whole living room. "At least I'm actually doing something for myself, and not moping around being helpless."

His phone suddenly rang and he cursed out loud when his legs stretched a little too much. "OUCH!"

He fell on his behind, rubbing his thighs gently. And then stretched his hands forward to reach for his bag. "Keep ringing, keep ringing..." He chanted out absentmindedly. "Don't stop. Yes! Got it. Hello?"

"Ah, Youngie ah...it's me, Khun."

"Hyung?"

Ba bump. Ba bump. Ba bump.

"I know it's been about six hours since I saw you, but I miss you already." The Thai remarked.

BabumpBabumpBabumpBabump.

"Anyway, did you have your dinner yet?" Nichkhun asked, but Wooyoung didn't reply. He was frozen in his spot, his heart thumping madly. What does this mean? Why would he call me and say he misses me?

"Hello? Wooyoung? Can you hear me?"

"Uh, yeah." Wooyoung finally muttered. "Hyung, what's up?"

"Well, just checking on you. How's everything so far?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of Wooyoung's mouth. "I was doing some exercise." It was more like a half-truth than a lie.

"Exercise? At this time?"

Wooyoung itched to tell Nichkhun everything, but he didn't want to spoil the grand plan. "Yeah, had a little too much for dinner." This was a lie. He ate very little, afraid that a bulgy stomach would get in the way of the exercise. "I have to burn some fat."

"I see...well, sorry for bothering then. You can continue what you were doing. Glad to know you're alright." Nichkhun was about to end the call when Wooyoung intercepted.

"Why?" The younger asked, biting his lips.

"Why what?"

"Why would you want to know if I'm okay?"

"That's because...well, you know. It's because you're my friend."

Friend.

Wooyoung swallowed down the bitter taste in his mouth. He didn't want his emotions to get the better of him. It was better than strangers at the very least. He gripped his phone tighter and asked, "Did you call the others too?"

Please say no, please say no....Wooyoung thought inwardly. He had always wondered if the Thai saw him differently. After all, Wooyoung knew for a fact that Nichkhun had always cared a little more for him than the others. There were signs, and everyone could see it.

"Yes."The answer came out instantly, without any trace of hesitation. Nichkhun continued, "I called Taec earlier. He told me you didn't go along with them for karaoke. So I needed to call you personally."

"I see...well, I got tired I guess." Wooyoung lied again. He had just lost all motivation to do any stretching that day. His knees felt weak and his arms were limp. A multitude of emotions was swirling inside him, threatening to burst, and no matter how hard he tried to control it, eventually, it got the better part of him. "I don't feel like talking to you right now. I think I'm going to bed. See you."

"Ah, see----" Before Nichkhun could wish the younger boy goodnight, Wooyoung had already ended the call. He tossed his phone aside and laid down on the cold, hard, marbled floor of the living room, staring up at the ceiling. "I should slap myself for being a . But I can't help falling in love, and I can't help being hurt. I'm sorry, Khun." He muttered out, hoping that some sort of almighty intervention would send his message over.

Sore and tired from the amount of exercise he had done for the last two weeks, he closed his eyes and went to sleep seconds later.

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