RED | nyukyu ✓

sixteen

𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 : 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰
❝ a rainbow that connects
you and my heart. ❞
— ⁿᶜᵗ ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐ —

ᵕ̈♡˳೫˚∗

"thanks for the medicine but can i just ask why is he here?"

the walk to chanhee's dorm room was painfully awkward, with both boys practically having had declared a sort of war against one another but when they entered the room, seeing chanhee bundled up in bed with his eyes closed made both boys forget about their little competition, both launching into action and sitting by chanhee's side.

younghoon had been the one to wake chanhee up and chanhee, being slightly dazed, only noticed the presence of changmin right after younghoon had helped him sit up.

changmin, upon hearing his question, couldn't quite tell whether or not he was pleased to see him but, putting on his best smile, he shifted closer to chanhee, accidentally nudging younghoon slightly. "i bumped into younghoon earlier and he told me you were sick so i wanted to check in on you too!"

"the two of you are so sociable," chanhee remarked, taking a pill out and, along with water, swallowing it down. "if i didn't know any better, you two could pass off as friends."

friends?

changmin wanted to interject that in fact, they were both just there for chanhee's sake but before he could, younghoon messed with chanhee's hair and agreed with his statement, causing the sick boy to frown because his hair was already a mess beforehand.

changmin felt out of place.

he felt as though he were watching an interaction that he shouldn't even be there for with how younghoon looked at chanhee like he was his entire world and how chanhee seemed so at peace just through younghoon's presence. changmin knew that he had said he wouldn't back out of pursuing chanhee but when his competition was kim younghoon, he couldn't help but feel as though he had made the wrong move in admitting how he truly felt about chanhee.

"why do you look so sad ji changmin?" changmin looked up, his eyes meeting chanhee's and he could've sworn that even if it was for a fraction of a second, the boy seemed concerned about him. "you look like someone stole your choreography or something."

"s-stole my choreography?" chanhee shrugged, his head leaning against his bed frame.

"i don't know what makes you dancers sad so i figured stealing a choreography would be-" chanhee started coughing, both younghoon and changmin immediately standing up and approaching him only for chanhee to raise his hand in an attempt to tell them to stay away. "what time is it?" he asked, covering his mouth with one hand and still using the other to keep them at a distance.

younghoon checked his phone and showed the time to chanhee. "i can't believe i stayed in bed for nearly the entire day."

"it's only 1pm though," changmin said, checking his own phone. "and, you're sick so why would you do anything else?"

"exactly what he said," younghoon agreed. just then, the phone in his hand started ringing, the three boys jumping back slightly at the sudden sound. "shit i forgot i had a rehearsal today but i can skip it-"

"don't do that," chanhee muttered. "i don't want you to miss rehearsals because of me and besides, ji changmin is here. he can take care of me on your behalf so there really isn't much to worry about."

changmin watched as the actor tried his best to maintain his neutral expression (but changmin caught his subtle side glance at him anyways). he knew that younghoon leaving would give him a better chance to bond with chanhee and he also knew that all's fair in love and war but, seeing younghoon's clear hesitancy with him having to choose between something and someone he loved, changmin couldn't help but feel a tinge of empathy for the boy.

and in that sense, maybe he and younghoon had more in common than he first thought.

but eventually, chanhee persuaded him to leave, leaving changmin and the sick chanhee alone in the dorm.

changmin had been alone with chanhee plenty of times before and, although every moment made his heart race, the fact that he was in chanhee's room made it feel as though his heart was running in the olympic marathon. and since chanhee was normally so guarded and on his toes, seeing him in such a state was something new to changmin, making him even more shy in front of the boy.

"you can leave if you want to," chanhee said, breaking the silence between them as he slowly pulled the blanket over him once more.

"b-but you told younghoon that i'd be taking care of you-"

"only because i don't like people wasting their time on trivial things regarding me and that applies to you as well so feel free to leave — i'm feeling better anyways." changmin shook his head, pouting and shifting closer to chanhee. "why aren't you leaving? you're going to be bored out of your mind-"

"i don't mind at all! taking care of you isn't boring to me and, this is selfish, but i-i'd rather be here and know how you're doing than just leave and be unsure of whether or not you're recovering. so, i'm sorry but i'll stay right here if you need me," changmin said, so full of determination that even chanhee could feel it.

"you're something else aren't you?" chanhee asked, not meeting his eyes and instead staring at the ceiling. "i forgot to mention it but thank you for liking me. i'm really not that easy to like so it slipped my mind to thank you since i never once thought someone would develop feelings for me."

if only you knew. changmin thought, thinking about how both he and younghoon would willingly do anything for chanhee.

"you aren't that difficult to like," changmin said, siting cross-legged on the floor. "chanhee?" changmin knelt, leaning forward and seeing that chanhee had fallen asleep.

changmin sighed, a soft smile forming on his face. "i could never be bored when i'm with you," changmin whispered, gently moving chanhee's hair out of his face. "and i-i really hope that you won't mind if i continue to pursue you," he added, the boy shifting in his sleep to now be facing changmin, their two faces suddenly so close that changmin nearly stumbled backwards but he managed to regain his balance.

and, in that peaceful silence, changmin placed his head on the bed, closing his eyes and slowly falling asleep as well, their hands unconsciously intertwined with one another.

ᵕ̈♡˳೫˚∗

[a/n: i hope this chapter was okay! i didnt know how to properly end this chap so the ending is kinda awkward but i hope its still enjoyable!]