Trigger Warning: medical condition
The air smelled like a mix of cotton candy and buttery popcorn as Hyunjin and I wandered through the food stalls. There was just so much choice, and everything looked delicious.
We were at this amusement park not far from our town. Jeongin had gotten approval from the hospital to stay one more day, so the boys wanted to make the most of it, and make sure he had the best time.
We had lunch at his favorite chain restaurant, before heading here, and now, Hyunjin and I were walking though the snacks stalls while the boys were waiting in line for this big, scary roller coster that I was in no way going on.
Hyunjin volunteered to stay with me, although I wasn't sure if it was for me to not be alone, or because the boy was also way too scared to climb on that attraction.
Probably both.
My eyes wandered through the stalls before landing on a churro vendor, and I practically dragged Hyunjin in that direction. We decided to share some, but the moment I took the first bite, Hyunjin stared at me weirdly.
Or more like stared at my lips.
And before I even had time to overthink this, he suddenly reached out with his hand, and I froze.
- What-
- You had sugar on your lips, he said simply, using his thumb to swipe it away.
My brain short-circuited.
Did he just-
He didn't even seem to notice my reaction, too busy munching on his own churro like he hadn't just casually done that.
You know, the k-drama move.
I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the sudden warmth creeping up my cheeks.
- Uh. Thanks.
He laughed, unfazed. Like he knew exactly what he had just done.
We walked a little further before he suddenly stopped in front of one of those game booths. You know, the ones where you toss rings to win some giant plushies.
And as if the boy thought he was Chan Eun Woo starring in his newest drama or something, he stopped right in front of it.
I raised a brow.
- Oh no.
He shot me a look.
- Oh yes. I'm gonna win you one of those.
I followed his gaze to where a large, fluffy puppy plushie sat on the top shelf.
- That one, he declared, pointing at it. It kinda looks like you.
- Excuse me? Are you saying I look like a dog?
He only smirked, and handed money over to the booth worker, receiving his rings in exchange.
I focused on watching him play, and to my surprise, he was actually good.
He nailed the first ring easily, landing it around one of the glass bottles.
- Not bad, I admitted.
He smirked.
- I got skills.
A second ring aaand another perfect shot.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't deny I wasn't impressed.
With his last ring, he aimed carefully, his tongue slightly peeking out in full concentration.
And then...
Clink.
It landed perfectly around the final bottle.
The booth worker let out a small whistle.
- Damn, kid. Good aim.
I crossed my arms.
Alright, alright. I admit, I'm kinda impressed.
The worker handed him the plushie, and Hyunjin turned, holding it out to me.
- Here. For you.
I hesitated for a second before taking it. The plushie was soft, ridiculously cute, and way too big to carry around casually.
But I found myself hugging it anyway.
- Thanks, I mumbled.
Hyunjin grinned.
- I expect proper gratitude later.
I scoffed.
- You're not getting a thank you hug.
- Who said anything about a hug? he said, smirking, and I turned bright red.
We continued walking. Him still grinning. Me still clutching onto the plushie.
It was stupid, really. But I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
We walked a few more stands, and eventually reached a bench, on which we both sat.
Hyunjin stretched his legs before turning towards me, a serious expression on his face.
- So... Are we gonna talk about it?
I blinked, pretending I didn't know exactly what he was talking about.
- Talk about what?
- You know what.
I tightened my grip on the plushie.
- Hyunjin I-
- I just don't get it. One second, we're... He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. And then the next, it's like it never happened.
I swallowed. My heart was beating way too fast right now for my liking.
- I don't know what you want me to say.
- I don't know either, he admitted, turning fully to face me now. His gaze locked onto mine, searching for something. Do you regret it?
- No.
- Then what are we doing?
I opened my mouth, then closed it. Because truthfully? I had no idea.
What were we, indeed?
Hyunjin sighed, leaning forward now, resting his elbows on his knees.
- I like you, Y/n. I think we both know that by now.
Hyunjin liked me.
I did know that, but I guess hearing it out loud just made things more real.
There was a moment of silence, and then...
- Do you like me?
I looked up, my lips parting slightly.
- Hyunjin...
- Just answer me.
I exhaled sharply.
- Of course I do.
Something flickered in his eyes. Relief.
- Then why are we pretending it never happened?
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didn't have a good answer to that.
Why were we pretending? I had been asking myself the same question ever since we had shared that kiss. So yes indeed.
What the hell were we doing, really.
- Y/n, he then asked suddenly. Have you ever dated anyone?
My cheeks turned red.
- That's outta pocket-
He let out a soft chuckle, tilting his head slightly.
- It's a simple question. So, yes or no?
I groaned, covering my face with my hands for a second before mumbling,
- No, I haven't.
When I peeked at him through my fingers, I expected him to tease me, but he didn't. He just nodded slowly, as if something had just clicked in his mind.
- You haven't either, I said, narrowing my eyes.
- What?
I crossed my arms.
- You act like a player, but you've never actually been in an actual relationship, have you?
Hyunjin scoffed, leaning back against the wall.
- I've... had things.
I raised an eyebrow, and he sighed.
- I went along with whatever people expected from me. Flirting, messing around, but I never really cared. Never actually liked someone enough to want anything serious.
That made me pause.
- Then why me?
- Because you're the first person who makes me want to care.
Silence.
We stayed like that for a while, staring at each other, the weight of his confession lingering upon us, and eventually, his gaze flickered to my lips for just a second, before meeting my eyes again.
He was giving me the chance to pull away.
But I didn't move.
His hand reached up, hesitating just before touching my cheek, as if waiting for permission.
And then slowly, he leaned in.
And as if hypnotized, so did I.
I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, but as we were just inches apart, a group or people passed right past us. They seemed agitated.
And that is when we heard their voices.
Urgent and worried.
- ... know what happened, he just collapsed like that.
- The medics are on their way, someone called an ambulance...
What the hell?
We pulled back, confused by what they had just said, and it clicked in my brain.
I exchanged an horrified look with Hyunjin, and without a word, we rushed back to the attraction where we had left the boys, to be met with a huge crowd.
My stomach immediately dropped, and I saw Hyunjin's eyes widening in terror. He pushed past the mass of people, and my breath caught in my throat when the sight in front of me confirmed all my worries.
Jeongin.
He was lying on the ground, his face unnaturally pale, his chest rising and falling unevenly. Felix was crouched next to him, panic written all over his face, while Chan was on the phone, presumably with emergency services.
- Jeongin! Hyujin gasped, immediately dropping on his knees besides him.
I knelt on the other side, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.
- What happened? I demanded, looking at the others for answers.
Han was crying in Minho's arms, who looked completely frozen in fear, while Changbin kept pacing around, nervously running a hand through his hair.
- We don't know, Seungmin said with a shaky voice. One second, he was laughing with us, and the next... he just collapsed.
Felix let out a shaky breath, gripping Jeongin's hand tightly.
- He said he was fine all day... he didn't say anything...
A lump formed in my throat.
Of course, he had said he was fine. Because from what Hyunjin had told me, Jeongin never wanted to be a burden.
The distant wail of sirens pierced through the air, signaling us that the ambulance was here, and the crowd slowly started to make way for them.
But all I could think about was the way Jeongin's hand felt ice cold against mine.