Chapter 1: Intimidation

Words: 5, 850

The university of Seoul was one of the most remarkable and desired universities of the country. The number of majors was vast and diverse, from medicine to arts, economics and languages, the classrooms were always full despite the heavy tuition fees and severe requirements, whatever you were majoring in. To be part of this university, you had to have a brain and money, although sometimes, having one was enough. You could apply for a scholarship if you were smart enough; you could be dumb as and still get in because your parents are rich. Wherever you go, even with a reputation like Seoul's university, there will always be someone entering in the university with exterior help. Another thing this university was famous for was the fact that many companies selected their new employees from the school, recruiting the best students and assuring their lives. But this was just a bonus; a pretty important and magnetic bonus.

Do Kyungsoo was one of the students attending this university and he was currently studying economy and management, something that he had taken a liking to by watching his uncle. He was accepted in a fair way; his grades were great and he did well on his exams and on the question of money, his parents have been saving since he was in middle school and the part-time jobs covered part of it as well.

Another school year started, Kyungsoo’s 3rd, and with it the routine would come back. Attend classes, study, maybe some parties at night, and then more studying. The life of a university student was harsh but not that bad.

With his black backpack hanging on his shoulders, Kyungsoo ran a hand through his black, smooth straight hair as he walked towards the building’s gate. He was dressed in all black that day, pullover, pants, boxers and socks; only his sneakers were of a clear white, attacking lots of attention along with his pale and soft skin.

He said ‘hi’ to several of his classmates on the way, most of them he hadn’t seen since the last year, but he only stopped to have a conversation with Junmyeon, who came running at him like a kid as soon as he saw him.

"Kyungsoo!" Junmyeon exclaimed, wrapping his arms around his friend's shoulders, squeezing most of Kyungsoo’s air from his lungs, "I haven't seen you for ages."

"It's nice to see you too, Myeon." Kyungsoo warmly replied, patting the other's back. "But we saw each other last week."

"Still. It's been a while since I saw you at school." Junmyeon pulled away, holding Kyungsoo's small shoulders with his hands while displaying a characteristic smile.

"That's true." Kyungsoo smiled back.

"How have you been? Why are you all dressed in black when it's so sunny outside? Aren't you hot?"

"Not really. I'm not going to walk around in the sun today anyway."

"That's right, I almost forgot that you get roasted like a potato and rosy like a ham easily in the sun."

"Thank you for the eatable comparison." The black haired man rolled his eyes.

"You're always welcome my friend."

"Tsch." Kyungsoo shook his head as if Junmyeon was the most annoying person in the world but he allowed the other to rest his arm around his shoulders as they walked towards their class. They have been friends since kindergarten and got along impossibly well despite their different personalities. Kyungsoo wasn't the type that smiled at anyone while Junmyeon laughed even at a rock (it happened once, seriously).

Classes were light, with the introduction of the new students and the announcement of that year's plan. Lunch came rather quickly much to the students’ relief, their stomachs growling since the beginning of their last class.

Junmyeon and Kyungsoo waited for Jongdae, another of Kyungsoo's usual companies despite their one year difference, at the gate, chatting about their vacations and how heavy their math classes would be this year. Junmyeon was already crying because of it and Kyungsoo just patted his shoulders in a supportive way. Math wasn't that bad.

"Hey! Kyungsoo! Junmyeon!" A man's voice shouted and the two men called immediately looked towards the direction of the voice. It was Jongdae who called them, waving at them with his lean but strong arm, the usual red cap covering his head, a white t-shirt and jeans covering the rest. He was smiling his playful smile and Kyungsoo softly smiled back, waving at him. "It has been a long time, guys!" Jongdae exclaimed pulling the other two to a tight hug, patting their backs. Unlike Junmyeon, Kyungsoo really hadn't seen the other since he took his father's car and decided to travel around the country all by himself, visiting different cities and sleeping wherever and with whoever he wanted to.

"How did it go?" Junmyeon asked, referring to his trip.

"It was alright." Jongdae nodded, wrapping an arm around Junmyeon. "I have plenty of stuff to tell you."

"Did you get anyone pregnant?" Kyungsoo asked, that question being frequent coming from Jongdae whenever Kyungsoo slept with anyone before.

"It's still too soon to know." The three laughed, glad to be reunited again but a soft clear of a throat interrupted their moment, getting their attention.

There was someone standing just a step behind Jongdae, waiting. Junmyeon and Kyungsoo didn't even notice him till then.

"Oh, that's right! Sorry, I almost forgot." Jongdae was quick stepping back and changing his arm from Junmyeon’s to the stranger man’s shoulders. “Guys, this is Jongin. He is in my class but just transferred to this school. Be nice.”

Jongin was taller than any of the other three; his hair and eyes were of dark brown and his skin was… Kyungsoo considered calling it dark but that wouldn’t be correct. Jongin wasn’t dark; he was just darker than the others, Kyungsoo concluded. Actually, the black haired man suddenly felt incredibly pale. Jongin was wearing a dark blue T-shirt with a v-neck cut and grey jeans, both tight enough to highlight the younger’s body. Kyungsoo couldn’t deny that he was handsome.

“Jongin, this is Junmyeon and this is Kyungsoo.” Jongdae introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” Jongin politely said, bowing his head a little before he let his eyes fall on Jongdae’s friends.

Junmyeon was smiling at Jongin, waving his hand for a moment before saying "Nice to meet you too." He immediately had a good impression on Jongin who, on the other side, thought Junmyeon seemed to be a very friendly and cheerful guy, like Jongdae, and so he smiled back. Despite being new, Jongdae sat down next to Jongin without any hesitation and introduced himself with a wide grin in their first class together. When Jongin asked him why he sat down next to him, Jongdae just shrugged and brushed off the subject by sincerely saying that Jongin looked cool.

Now Kyungsoo was a different story and Jongin's smile balanced hesitantly before dropping down. The black haired man wasn't smiling or saying anything to Jongin; he just bowed his head a little, his thick lips forming a straight line and his eyes abnormally big even if he was showing no emotion or whatsoever for the time being. Plus, Kyungsoo was all dressed in black. Black, black, black, and Jongin couldn't help but considering the whole a little creepy. Subconsciously, Jongin moved back and looked away from the other man's piercing eyes, feeling uncomfortable with the stare.

"Kyungsoo, stop making that face, please." Jongdae flicked his fingers in front of Kyungsoo's eyes. "You should smile."

"I don't smile at people I don't know." Kyungsoo replied, eyes still focused on the younger's expression.

"Well, I'm trying to  introduce him to you so that you two can actually know each other."

"Whatever."

Junmyeon just laughed at Kyungsoo's reply, moving closer to Jongin and patting his shoulder.

"Don't mind our cranky Kyungie. He's a nice guy under all that." He patted the younger's back. "Welcome to Seoul University!"

"Thank you."

The four students headed to a place nearby where lunches were served with a very economic but savory price. On the way, step by step as Kyungsoo accompanied the others, he kept his eyes on Jongin, enjoying the younger's reactions whenever their eyes met. Most of the time Jongin was walking in front of Kyungsoo and once in a while, for some unknown reason (or maybe he simply didn't like the sensation of eyed digging holes on the back of his head) he would look back just to look to the front again when he realized Kyungsoo was staring back at him. He moved his face was so quickly that Kyungsoo couldn't help the twitch that took over his lips.

The place where they would eat was a little crowded but they were able to get a table for them. Somehow, Kyungsoo ended up sitting next to Junmyeon and Jongin and the lunch was pretty interesting. As they talked mostly about their vacations and what they did and didn't do, they devoured hamburgers and fries and even though while eating, Kyungsoo liked peacefulness, he couldn't help but notice that Jongin looked at him constantly, like a mouse wondering if he would be attracted by the owl on the next tree. Kyungsoo thought that kind of reaction coming from a grown man like Jongin was rather childishly but, in some way, it was cute. He had never thought of himself as someone who would be able to intimidate someone. And so he ended up having some fun with it.

He stared at Jongin with wide eyes whenever the younger spoke, keeping a straight face, and whenever Kyungsoo said something he would look at the younger again and ask “What about you, Jongin? What do you think? Don’t you agree with me?” as he dug holes on the younger’s face. Jongin squirmed as he replied but he was making an effort to control that behavior and ended up doing well. However, once, Jongin just excused himself and went to the bathroom. Maybe he needed to go or maybe he had just to decided that he was a little sick of the older's stare.

When the three friends were left alone, Jongdae and Junmyeon's eyes fell on Kyungsoo almost immediately, judging him with raised eyebrows.

"What are you doing to the kid, Kyungsoo?" Jongdae asked, taking a sip from his juice.

"Didn't you notice the way he is acting?" Kyungsoo smiled, imitating what Jongdae was doing. There was no need to deny what he had been doing before. Jongdae and Junmyeon shrugged. "I think I intimidated him a little."

"Who the hell gets intimidated by you?" Junmyeon asked, widening his eyes because he couldn't see how his squishy small friend could ever be intimidating. Sure, he wasn't the most cheerful person in the world but he was an incredible and trustable friend. (Even if Kyungsoo would never stand to hear it, he was also the cutest thing in the world sometimes but it's not like anyone would dare to say that to him. Does that make Kyungsoo intimidating?)

"If you don't believe me, pay attention to him and you'll see."

And that's exactly what they did when Jongin came back. At first they thought Jongin was just shy but that wasn't the case; not when Jongin always bit back when Kyungsoo discretely or pushed the conversation towards him. Jongin seemed defensive, intimidated, like Kyungsoo said, but he was definitely not afraid of the big eyed man.

Jongdae and Junmyeon couldn't help but cover their mouths with their hands or cough awkwardly at the scene in a failed attempt of hiding their laughter.
 

Whatever it was that Jongin felt around the older man, something that even the light tanned man couldn’t explain (but then again it might be all Kyungsoo’s eyes’ fault), it didn’t just disappear on the next day. Kyungsoo never really smiled at him, talking to him with a stoic and expressionless face as if he wasn’t even worth the effort of moving the corner of lips upwards and Jongin didn’t like that; he didn’t like the way the older was all so full of himself, or the way he as if he was a child. He just simply didn’t like Kyungsoo or the way he spoke or the way he stared at him or even the way he breathed. He didn’t like him. (But he was definitely not intimidated or scared of him. Nothing like that. He is taller and stronger than Kyungsoo. No reason to feel that way.)  

Since Jongin didn’t like Kyungsoo, that was reflected on his actions. He was never rude or threw the fact that he didn’t like him at Kyungsoo’s face but he always tried to ignore him and avoid him as much as possible. That wasn’t an easy task to do since he was getting closer to Jongdae and his new friend always dragged him to spend some time with his older friends, Kyungsoo and Junmyeon.

His behavior didn’t go unnoticed by the other three of course and, to Junmyeon and Jongdae, it was becoming harder and harder to ignore what many times happened in front of them. Kyungsoo stared creepily at Jongin on purpose; Jongin focusing on the most random thing he saw just to ignore the older man. Kyungsoo making stupid questions about stupid things; Jongin answering stupidly like it deserved. Kyungsoo always with the straightest expression possible; Jongin constantly squirming, avoiding eye contact and looking like the most annoyed person in the world.

One of these moments that was saved on Jongdae and Junmyeon's minds, happened at lunch. The four had decided to eat at the school's canteen because the menu pleased them for once in their lives. Kyungsoo and Junmyeon arrived first and sat down at an empty table, trays in front of them, full with food. Jongdae and Jongin came not that much time later but the latter, noticing Kyungsoo as soon as they stepped inside the canteen, stopped at the door.

"Jongdae, do we really have to eat in here today?" Jongin started looking directly at his friend.

"That's what we planned." Jongdae raised one eyebrow. "Why?"

"I don't really feel like eating this stuff."

"But you said you were dying for it this morning." The eyebrow he had raised before came down again and joined the other in a frown, glancing towards Kyungsoo's table like Jongin was doing. "Is this about Kyungsoo?"

"Why would it be about him?" Jongin answered a little too fast.

"I've noticed the way you act around him. You always look like you have something stuck in your and that any other place would be better then when he's next to you." Jongin bitterly chuckled once. "So yeah, this is probably about him."

Jongin sighed, running a hand through his already messed up hair.

"You're right. I don't like him. That's why I don't wanna eat with him."

"Wow. Who the hell doesn't like Kyungsoo?"

"I don't."

"But why?"

"I don't know exactly why but I know that I don't like him and that's enough." Jongdae rolled his eyes.

"That's not a reason to run away. You'll have to get along with lots of people you don't like or even hate throughout your life so get used to it. We're eating here."

"You're not my mom."

"Thank whoever you believe in for that."

Jongdae pushed Jongin to the queue and the two requested the dishes they wanted to eat, thanking and smiling in the process. Jongin wouldn't stop looking back though as if magically he hoped Kyungsoo wasn't there when he looked around again. Jongdae could only push his friend forward and try not to laugh.

With their filled trays, they headed to the table, slowly because Jongin was dragging his feet against the floor, wanting to postpone the fact that he would be eating with Kyungsoo again.

"My stomach is hurting a little." Jongin complained. "If you don't mind I'm just going to-"

"Don't even think about. You're not running away."

"Running away from where?" Junmyeon asked because they were already close enough to be heard. Jongdae quickly ran the last steps towards the table and sat down next to Junmyeon, taking the place he knew the other wanted. Jongin cursed his life all over again, muttering incomprehensible insults as he walked to the remaining chair, next to Kyungsoo.

"Hey, Jongin. How did classes go? " Kyungsoo asked even before the younger could put his tray down. The big eyed man meant no harm with this question for real this time and Jongin kind of knew that but he still got annoyed by just hearing his voice. Breathe in. Breathe out. These feelings towards Kyungsoo were irrational. He had to get a hold of himself.

Later that night, Jongdae shared Jongin's small confession with Junmyeon and Kyungsoo and the first two couldn't stop laughing like mad people while Kyungsoo just wondered why Jongin disliked him with a smirk on his face. It was kind of cute.

This situation between Jongin and Kyungsoo went on for a whole month even if at the end of it things were a little better than in the beginning. Kyungsoo had grown a little tired of always teasing the younger and so he started treating him more normally but without changing the expression with which he always greeted the younger. He kind of liked  Jongin and his way but he refused to let go of his tough guy acting around the younger.

"Don't you think that if you tried to talk about it with Jongin things would get better between you too?" Junmyeon and Jongdae used to suggest whenever Jongin wasn’t around

“What for?” Kyungsoo always answered with a shrug. He didn’t really mind the fact that Jongin didn’t like him and if that ever changed; he wanted the younger to find out by himself that he wasn’t like what Jongin probably imagined just so that he could make him feel dumb.

With this answer, Kyungsoo’s friends could only shrug back. Things weren’t as funny as before because routine eventually becomes boring and they couldn’t but think that Kyungsoo and Jongin would be much happier if they actually got along with each other.

But for now, it seemed like that was far from happening.

The days were getting colder as they approached the end of October and the rain was getting more persistent and so all the heavy and warm jackets were taken off of their cages.

Kyungsoo was no exception and with his red, puffy and water proof jacket, with light fur around the hood, he entered the school’s building, his breath clouding the air around him as he walked in, again. The sunny days from before were completely gone.

He had just left that same building a few minutes ago but Junmyeon, after spotting him from the library’s window, quickly called him over before Kyungsoo could go home. He could have just said no to his friend but he didn’t even remember doing that. Kyungsoo was too slow and too honest sometimes and he hated himself for that.

The library was on the 2nd floor and Kyungsoo didn’t take that much time to get there, his jacket suddenly being too hot. He took it off and put it over his forearm as he walked towards where he thought Junmyeon was before. Kyungsoo was all dressed in black again, the only color being the white skull with a creepy smile on the front of his hoodie.

Kyungsoo looked at the window of the division where Junmyeon had been before but he was no longer there.

"Kyungsoo, over here." A voice called from behind his back, loud enough for Kyungsoo to hear from a certain distance but quiet in the right proportion so that no one would call his attention. Kyungsoo turned around and he was a little surprised to find Junmyeon standing up next to a desk where Jongin was sitting, a few books opened in front of him. The younger had the same reaction but while Kyungsoo was able to control his lips and walk closer slowly, Jongin immediately leaned back against his chair, defensively, arms crossed against his chest.

"Why did you ask me to come here?" Kyungsoo said as soon as he was close enough to the other two.

"Oh, you see, Jongin asked me some help because there are a few exercises he doesn't understand." Junmyeon rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost embarrassed. "But I don't remember half of that stuff. So I was wondering if you could give him a hand instead of me."

Jongin seemed to be hearing this for the first time and Kyungsoo almost laughed at the way the younger's eyes widened.

"Hyung, it's okay. I'll think about it again when I get home." Jongin quickly said, sending an uncertain smile towards Junmyeon.

"But Kyungsoo is already here so why not make a good use of him?" Junmyeon turned around and looked at Kyungsoo. "You don't mind giving him some help right?"

"Well," Kyungsoo shrugged. "I guess it's okay it I just take a look at it."

"Great!" Junmyeon patted Kyungsoo's back as the black haired man put his jacket on the back of the chair. "Now if you don't mind I'll take my leave because I, hmm, got a few things planned with a friend. Have fun!" Junmyeon used to be the slowest of his class back in high school but he was faster than anyone else to exit the library and leave the other two alone. Kyungsoo and Jongin mentally cursed him. They could already predict how things would be.

Kyungsoo pulled a chair and sat down next to Jongin, sighing deeply.

"So..." He carefully started. "What's the problem?"

"It's nothing difficult. I can really solve it by myself." Jongin answered, straightening his back.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Can I see it?" Kyungsoo tilted his head slightly to the side. Jongin's eyebrow twitched.

"It's okay, Kyungsoo hyung." Saying Kyungsoo's name felt weird. "I already did it."

"Alright. But If you did it you won't mind if I just check it right?"

"Why do you wanna see it?"

"Why are you afraid of showing it?"

Kyungsoo had a point because Jongin didn't want Kyungsoo to check on the exercise that he already knew that was wrong. He simply didn't want Kyungsoo to look at his stuff. Simple. Kyungsoo would definitely make fun of him. But Jongin probably preferred being made fun of than to he called a coward and that's why Jongin finally decided to push the book towards Kyungsoo and point at one of the exercises.

"That one."

Kyungsoo nodded and he read it once and twice to make sure he got the main idea of the text. It didn't seem too complicated.

"Can you show me what you did?"

"Yeah, why not." Jongin replied with a rather rude and sarcastic tone that Kyungsoo decided to ignore.

The black haired man skimmed through the page of Jongin's notebook and checked the exercise, nodding in agreement for a few seconds before he slid the notebook to its owner. Jongin didn't remove his eye from the older the whole time, awkwardness feeling the air as Kyungsoo studied the issue. When was he going to get insulted and made fun off?

"You actually thought right when you did this." Kyungsoo started, pointing out several steps. "But you should have paid more attention to the text. The numbers you used are not the right ones." Jongin glanced at where Kyungsoo's fingers were pointing at and he cursed when he realized Kyungsoo was right and he understood where his mistake was.

"Ah, I see. I didn't read the text properly so..." Jongin wondered if he should say thank you but he decided to just say that.

"Is there anything else you don't understand?" Kyungsoo asked, thinking that if he was already there he might as well help the younger. He didn't really mind.

"No, that's it." Jongin lied. Even if Kyungsoo wasn't looking at him he would know he was lying. There were question marks every two exercises (some of them looked quite angry) so it was obvious the younger was having some troubles with the subject at the moment.

"Are you sure?" Kyungsoo insisted.

“Yeah.” Jongin nodded, clearing his throat and looking down at his lap, hoping that if he ignored Kyungsoo he would just go away.

‘How childish’, Kyungsoo thought, sighing and running one of his white hands through his black hair. The contrast almost fascinated Jongin.

They were really awkward for a moment. Kyungsoo thought about this whole situation, how it started, why they were still like this with each other, and wondering if it this wasn’t majorly his fault because he incentivized Jongin to not change his mind. To be truth, he was actually getting a little fed up of all this. As for Jongin, he just wondered why Kyungsoo wasn’t going away.

Seems like Kyungsoo would have to do something about it.

“Jongin.” Kyungsoo called, a little suddenly, looking directly at the younger. “I know you don’t like me.”

“What?” Jongin raised his head, surprised. Kyungsoo was not supposed to know that.

"Yes, you heard me." Kyungsoo nodded. "You didn't have a good impression of me from the very beginning and I should have tried to change that but instead I had fun making myself look like what I wasn't just to see your reactions. I realize that wasn't the smartest thing to do because now you won't even let me help you." Jongin looked away, both confused and embarrassed. "And for that I'm sorry. I should have been myself." Kyungsoo smiled. " I'm far different of what you think. I'm not rude or bad-humored even if I'm far from being all smiles like Junmyeon and Jongdae are. You know nothing about me just like I know nothing about you."

Jongin didn't know what to think at the moment. He never thought Kyungsoo could speak so honestly and with such a soft expression on his face. Kyungsoo looked almost friendly and Jongin's eyes couldn't help but widen when the older male smiled, something he hadn't seen before. Before, all Kyungsoo showed him were scowls, glares, teasing and annoying smirks. But now he was smiling and Jongin had no idea if that was a good or bad thing. What the hell was Kyungsoo talking about?

"That's why I think we should start all over again or at least try to get along. It's becoming uncomfortable for everyone. Plus I think you're a nice guy," Despite how genuine and childish Kyungsoo thought he was. "and I would like it if you thought the same thing about me." Kyungsoo chuckled lightly. "That's lame I know but it's true."

Jongin stared dumbfounded at the other man. On the same minute, Kyungsoo smiled, chuckled and said Jongin was nice. Not even once he thought he would see something like this; he had never thought Kyungsoo would smile at him. Why

"What do you say, Jongin?"

What was he supposed to say? The younger just nodded, watching Kyungsoo's every move and expression and, damn it, there was Kyungsoo smiling again. This was too sudden for Jongin to be able to understand all at once.

"Good." Kyungsoo reached his hand out towards the younger. "Then I hope we can get along from now on." Jongin held the other's hand hesitantly, shaking his hand and realizing this was actually the first time he touched Kyungsoo's skin. He quickly pulls away, his skin burning. "So, any other doubts?"

"Y-yes." Well, . Why was he stuttering? He could have just lied again but he didn't and Jongin didn't actually know why. Instead he pointed at the next question with his finger. "I didn't really get that one." Jongin admitted. Kyungsoo read the question quickly and nodded, feeling proud of himself for actually remembering what should be done (unlike Junmyeon), and sending a smile to Jongin, again.

What. The. . Jongin was so not used to it that he could only look at Kyungsoo.

"It's simple, actually, but there's a lot of steps so it's easy to make a mistake." Kyungsoo looked around the table. "Do you have a notebook where I could write?"

"Ah, yes, I guess." Jongin looked around the table. "Yes." He grabbed his black notebook and opened it on a new page before putting it in front of Kyungsoo and handing him one of his pencils.

"Thank you. Now let's see..."

Kyungsoo spoke softly and calmly as he explained everything to Jongin, exercise after exercise, using simple words and writing down what he talked about in the most organized way. And when he was done, he was careful to always ask Jongin if he understood.

The younger had a hard time being focused on what Kyungsoo was saying; too surprise and amazed by the situation to even pull his thoughts together. He couldn't stop staring at Kyungsoo even if he wanted too; his eyes were constantly watching Kyungsoo's lips moving as he spoke and noticing for the first time how plump and red they really were; and he had never noticed just how white Kyungsoo really was when compared to his dark clothes, or that the older always wore something black, or how his nose twitched a little whenever he thought... Jongin also saw a totally new side of Kyungsoo's eyes that day: for the first time they looked honest, gentle and warm; they looked beautiful, even if sometimes Kyungsoo's bangs covered them. Not even once did Jongin imagined he would contemplate the older man and actually find him...attractive in any way.

But since Jongin was contemplating Kyungsoo, he did not pay attention to the older man. When asked Jongin would lie and say he understood. He was caught too easily by the expression he had though, but Kyungsoo was never upset by that. He repeated himself again and again, either because Jongin didn't listen or because Jongin didn't understand. He had the patience of a saint and Jongin couldn’t help but think that he would become a great teacher.

Eventually, with all the willpower Jongin had to stop himself from staring at the older, he actually paid attention to Kyungsoo’s words, soaking in everything he said like a sponge. Jongin learned more in the short time they spent at the library than in many of his classes. If he could only stop staring…

What they hell was happening to him?

Kyungsoo glanced at the silver watch on his wrist after a while. He didn’t expect, however, that it was 7 pm already. Time flew.

“I’m sorry, Jongin. I should get going.” Kyungsoo said, looking at the younger.

“Hmm?” Jongin blinked, shaking his head and looking away when Kyungsoo’s eyes met his.  Jongin checked the time on his phone and he let out an 'oh', wondering where the time that went by had gone. "Yeah, right. I should go too." His parents would be waiting for him to have dinner so he started packing his stuff while Kyungsoo stood up.

"Alright, I hope I was helpful today." Kyungsoo smiled down at the younger (why was he smiling so much?) who quickly stood up as well, smiling awkwardly back at him.

"Yes, you were. I was having...some troubles."

"It happens."

They walked out of the library together. Despite the awkwardness of walking side to side in good terms for the first time, the silence that took over them all the way to the gates was comfortable. Jongin stared at the older throughout the whole time but Kyungsoo didn't notice unlike before because the stares from that day weren't judgmental, skeptic or  annoyed; those stares were just staring, analyzing, guessing, wondering, admiring, approving, captured by the new Kyungsoo Jongin was seeing. It was as if Jongin was seeing Kyungsoo for the first time, as if his eyes were covered with fog till that moment. Kyungsoo was small, almost fragile, but strong in the way he walked, confident, calm, peaceful and...beautiful.

What the flying , Kim Jongin? He should be crazy for changing his opinion so fast but when he stared directly at Kyungsoo's eyes as he talked to so softly, apologizing and them smiling at him for the first time...Jongin felt like he had been slapped by an elephant and woke up in wonderland. His world made a 180° flip and he was feeling weird. Really weird. Was Kyungsoo feeling the same? Apparently not. He didn't look back at him once.

They reached the gates all too quickly and they stopped for a moment, side by side, staring at each other.

"We're good now, right?" Kyungsoo asked, just wanting to make sure.

"Yes, of course." Jongin smiled brightly and confidently this time, wondering why the hell they had ever even been in 'bad terms' with each other. Jongin realized that he was probably just...stupid.

"Then if you ever need help again, just tell me. I don't mind." Kyungsoo patted Jongin's shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

The older man turned around on his heels and casually walked away being stopped just two seconds by Jongin's call.

"Kyungsoo hyung."

Kyungsoo turned around and looked at the younger, head tilted to the side.

"Yes?"

"I...never said I didn't like you."

"Of course you didn't, Jongin." Kyungsoo chuckled, finding cute the way Jongin called him again just to say that. "But in case you did let it slip one day, it's okay. Still friends."

Friends. Jongin's mind struggled with the word and he suddenly felt like he had been slapped again, by the same fat and ugly elephant. He needed some rest.

Kyungsoo waved his hand at the younger, bidding each other goodbye before they each went their own ways, Jongin going to the house he still lived in with his parents while Kyungsoo headed to the apartment he shared with Junmyeon since the beginning of the year.

Sometimes Jongdae would crash down at their apartment as well and that was one of the days. He was sitting on the couch when Kyungsoo stepped in and looked up at the older right away.

"How did it go?" Jongdae immediately asked. "I heard you were left alone with Jongin."

"Is he alive?" Junmyeon's voice asked and in a short time he was joining them on the living room. He seemed to be almost disappointed to not see any cuts. "He didn't try to kill you, huh?"

"No, Jongin's a nice kid." Kyungsoo answered with a shrug. "I talked to him about our situation," Jongdae's 'finally' was pretty audible, "and we agreed to try to get along. We're in good terms now."

"Wow." Junmyeon exclaimed, clapping once.

"You and Jongin in good terms?"Jongdae thought about it for a moment before smirking. "That should be fun."

Yes, totally.

A/N: The chapter will be reviewed as soon as possible! I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for reading! <3 the next update will come soon :)