"Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

For the second time that day, Yeosang was at a loss for words and stared at Jongho in disbelief...

••••

"Yes. Yes. Yes. Absolutely yes," Yeosang gushed and his eyes filled with tears of joy. Jongho's expression reflected all the happiness he was feeling. He reached for his hands and squeezed them tightly. "Really?" Yeosang nodded excitedly. Even though it all felt like a dream, he didn't have to think about an answer for long. Ever since they had first met, Jongho had had a special place in his heart, even if he hadn't realized it right away.

Jongho pulled Yeosang into his arms with a gentle movement. Yeosang closed his eyes as he rested his chin on Jongho's shoulder, the first tears running down his cheek. Yeosang was sure that it was one of the happiest moments in his life.

~

Yeosang's finger stroked Jongho's cheek. They had been lying in Yeosang's bed unchanged for half an eternity. Neither of them said a word and just enjoyed each other's presence.

Yeosang had scanned every centimeter of Jongho's face. He couldn't believe that he was really his now. Jongho turned his head in his direction. They looked at each other and everything inside Yeosang dissolved. Then Jongho leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead. It was nothing special but Yeosang could feel all his love and smiled while his cheeks turned red. Jongho started to grin when he realized it. Ashamed, Yeosang looked elsewhere. He didn't understand why he was the only one who seemed so nervous and embarrassed. Jongho was always in his composure and calm as if he could control himself at all times.

Yeosang suddenly felt like he had to say something. "Tell me something about yourself," he finally said. He had no idea why, but he had the feeling that he still didn't really know Jongho. And vice versa. "What do you want to know?" Jongho asked. Yeosang thought and felt Jongho's arm move around him and Jongho started to play with the hem of his shirt. That made it harder for him to think about something.

"What are you most afraid of?" he asked, having no idea how his brain had come to the conclusion that this was a good question. But Jongho seemed to take his question like any other. "Of being alone." Yeosang looked up at him and got goosebumps when Jongho's finger lightly touched his neck. "You mean people leaving you?" Jongho nodded. "Or them dying or losing them somehow."

Yeosang nodded and was sure that everyone was afraid of that. Still, Jongho's statement somehow made him feel more familiar to him. "What about you?" Jongho wanted to know and Yeosang didn't have to think twice. "That I won't be able to accomplish what I set for myself." Jongho looked at him sympathetically. "And what would that be?" Yeosang's gaze wandered around the room. "I want to inspire people with my art. I want to have true friends and someone by my side who I love."

Yeosang smiled slightly and looked back in Jongho's direction. "What?" he asked irritably as Jongho giggled. "Then you've already accomplished everything." Yeosang began to think about his words and realized that he was somehow right. "Someday I want to have my own art exhibition," he mumbled, lost in thought. Jongho's finger moved to his cheek, then he stroked it lightly. "Let me know when it's done and I'll come over and buy every artwork you made."

Yeosang began to laugh. With every passing second, he fell more in love with the person in front of him. "And when you release an album, I'll be your number one listener." Jongho grinned, turned towards him and before Yeosang knew it, Jongho's lips were on his. A burning feeling ran through his heart and he smiled into the kiss. He never thought he would be so happy with someone.

~

Wooyoung lay on his bed and scrolled through his phone. He felt like a zombie. He hadn't gone out once since yesterday. The furthest he had gone today was to the toilet and back. Wooyoung didn't know why but since the little fight with San, he felt unmotivated and drained. Maybe because he had gotten his hopes up that he had finally found someone. Maybe because he felt bad that he had been so mean to San. Or simply because it had been raining for two hours already.

Wooyoung sighed and closed Instagram as his screen time was probably eight hours today. He buried his face in his pillow. He wasn't the type to let someone else drag him down or even be heartbroken. But San brought out every side of him that he didn't know.

His phone vibrated and it didn't take him a second to get it back in his hand. He saw a message from Mingi that he was at his door and at the same moment, there was a knock. With an annoyed groan, he pushed himself out of his mattress and staggered to the door. He opened the door.

Mingi looked at him skeptically. "Are you sick?" Wooyoung shook his head tiredly and opened his door enough for Mingi to enter. "Have you aired the room? It smells like my grandma's basement," Mingi complained immediately and Wooyoung closed the door.

"What do you want?" he asked, skillfully ignoring Mingi's comment. "You weren't at university today and I need to talk to someone." Wooyoung nodded and flopped back onto his bed. Mingi went to sit next to him and tripped over an old plate that was in front of the bed. "Dude, can you at least clean up when I get here." Wooyoung rolled his eyes sarcastically, as Mingi hadn't even announced his arrival.

Mingi put his helmet on the table next to the bed and took off his jacket. Wooyoung, who was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts and an old T-shirt, wondered whether he should get dressed, but Mingi didn't seem to be interested in his clothes. So Wooyoung sat up straight and lightly pecked his arm.

"So Mangiaaa what happened?" Mingi glared at him for the nickname, but then his features softened again. "I talked to Yunho today." Wooyoung felt that he was wide awake for the first time that day. "So what?" he wanted to know. "He told me that Hongjoong has liked me since the summer and then asked me for a chance." Wooyoung stared at his best friend, dumbfounded. "Seriously?" Mingi nodded. "I think I've ended up in the wrong movie and everyone is trying to make fun of me," Mingi sighed and slapped his forehead. Everything sounded so ridiculous.

Wooyoung shook his head in bewilderment. "I can't even get one that I like and you get two. That's really unfair." Mingi turned to Wooyoung. "What's with San?" Wooyoung just waved his hand as if it was something trivial. "It's not going to work anyway. I can feel it," he added.

Mingi leaned back, then patted Wooyoung on the shoulder. "The right one will come." Wooyoung nodded. "Sure, whoever believes will be saved." Mingi could tell that even though Wooyoung was joking, the whole thing was getting to him. "Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?" he asked curtly.

Wooyoung blinked at him a few times as if he couldn't believe his words then suddenly grinned widely and wiggled his eyebrows. Mingi slipped away from him a little. "No." he said firmly. "Yes," Wooyoung confirmed. "No, you know I hate it." Wooyoung crossed his arms and made a pouty face. "You want me to feel better or not."

Mingi took a deep breath and struggled with himself. "But...", he wanted to object but Wooyoung's gaze was irresistible and he gave in. "Okay, but only for a short moment," he said, regretting his words in an instant.

Wooyoung didn't hesitate for a moment and jumped on him like a frog. He landed on Mingi's lap and his arms and legs wrapped around Mingi. Mingi knew that Wooyoung loved nothing more than cuddling. He, in turn, was not really the type to cuddle.

"I can't breathe, have you gained weight?" Wooyoung pinched Mingi's arm but didn't let go and closed his eyes. Mingi sighed and knew that he probably wouldn't be able to get rid of him for the next hour. "Thanks Mangia." Wooyoung mumbled and Mingi let it pass because he could see that Wooyoung wasn't feeling well.

~

"Are you going to talk to Lia?" Yeosang asked as he accompanied Jongho to the door. "I'll try," Jongho said, smiling slightly. "But don't feel bad, we didn't do anything wrong especially you." Yeosang knew that Jongho was right, but it still felt like it was all his fault.

"Please be nice to her," he said. "I'll try but I'm not promising anything." Yeosang smiled slightly. He would have loved to spend the whole night here with Jongho and talk to him about everything. But it was already late and, unlike Yeosang, Jongho had to get up early tomorrow and work at the café.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow?" Jongho asked and Yeosang nodded immediately. "And text me when you get home." Jongho grinned and after putting on his coat, he leaned forward to give Yeosang one last kiss. They said goodbye and when Yeosang had closed the door behind him, he closed his eyes happily. He wished that this happiness would last forever.

With soft knees, he went to his desk and took out a canvas. Because he knew exactly what he would paint now.

~

Jongho walked along the stony path to the house. The moon had disappeared behind the clouds. He pulled out his key and unlocked the front door. Bright light shone towards him in the hallway. It was strange that anyone was still awake at this time of night. He took off his shoes and hung up his jacket. Then he stepped into the living room and wanted to go straight to his room, but a voice stopped him.

"Where have you been?" Jongho closed his eyes, as he had been expecting it. Lia was sitting on the couch and looked at him penetratingly. "Out with friends," Jongho said quickly, wanting to go to the stairs, but his sister jumped up. "What was that all about this morning? Have you lost your mind?"

Jongho took a deep breath and looked at her. "Can we talk some other time, I don't want to argue right now." Lia crossed her arms. "But I want to talk. Now." Jongho nodded slightly. He dropped his bag on the stairs, then walked past Lia and sat down on the couch. Lia followed him but stopped in front of him instead of sitting down.

"What I said this morning was the truth." Lia snorted. "Jongho stop with those jokes." Jongho looked up seriously. "It's not a joke. I like Yeosang." Lia rolled her eyes. Although she was usually friendly and calm, today she seemed different. Jongho couldn't blame her. "Yeosang is a boy. And he's far too young for you," she said as if it was something bad. Jongho stroked his hair in frustration. "You're talking nonsense," he said as Yeosang was only three years younger than him.

Lia's voice grew louder. "Are you doing this to spite me, huh? You know exactly how much I've liked him for weeks. And suddenly you like him too? Are you crazy?" Now it was Jongho who got up from the couch, upset. "Lia, I already liked him when you didn't even know him. And when you told me about the boy you like, I didn't know you meant him."

Lia nodded. The anger was literally written all over her face. "But the first time he was here, you could have said something. Instead you interfere now and steal him from me." Her voice got louder towards the end.

"Psssh. Or do you want mom and dad to wake up?" Jongho hissed. "I don't care," Lia nagged at him. "I swear I didn't steal Yeosang from you. I even helped you to spend time together, didn't I? Remember the karaoke night? It was all my idea. I helped you even though I liked him," Jongho tried to defend himself.

"How selfless of you," Lia suddenly exclaimed. "Sorry, I forgot what a great person you are. And no matter what you steal from me, you're always the good guy," she added, her eyes welling up with tears. "What are you talking about?" Jongho shouted, no longer able to pay attention to how loud they were being. "Everything you do is better, you're always the perfect son and I had to share everything with you. And now that I've had something for myself, you're taking it from me too," the first tears left her eyes.

Angrily, Jongho grabbed her shoulders. "Yeosang never belonged to you." he shouted at her, having no idea where this anger was coming from. Actually, he always had himself under control. Only when it came to Yeosang could he not control his emotions.

"What's going on here?" a voice suddenly cut through the silence. Shocked, Jongho looked towards the stairs where his mother was standing. Her normally straight hair was disheveled. Tired, she looked at the two of them. When she saw Jongho's harsh grip, she walked down the stairs as fast as she could. "Let go of her," she said immediately and pulled Lia away from Jongho. It wasn't long before Jongho's father appeared in the living room as well.

Jongho felt like he had landed in a nightmare. And when he thought it couldn't get any worse, Lia started talking. "I didn't do anything. Maybe you should ask your oh-so-perfect son why he's suddenly into guys."

Lia broke free from her mother's grip and ran up the stairs, crying. Jongho's parents stared at him dumbfounded and Jongho couldn't believe that Lia had just said that.

Speechless, he looked at his mother and then at his father and only wanted one thing. Get out of here...

________________

Update on Friday <33

Also please don't hate Lia too much her character will have some growth haha