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It was around sundown, the bright ball in the sky becoming dimmer and dimmer. Slowly making its way past the horizon, a sign for the stars to shyly make their entrance; peeking out after its glow had faded. Though right now it was a battle between day and night. The sun's dying hues painting the sky in shades of bright orange, yellow and red while the moon fought for its right to be seen.
Yoosung slowly brought his knees up to his chin, a heavy feeling weighing on his heart. The leaves of the tree just above his head gently danced their way towards the ground, following in the same pattern as the tears dripping down his cheeks. A golden color from the setting sun tinted his features and blonde locks in its soft hue, blanketing him in its passing warmth. Almost as if the biggest star in the sky was giving up on him as well.
He circled his legs with his arms, hugging them close to his body and staring down at the dirt path in front of him; while the old bench below his form creaked and shifted under his weight. What was he even doing, crying here like this? Was his situation really that bad?
He looked up at a large fluffy cloud, that appeared almost akin to a broken heart, as if it had the answers to all his problems. His teeth clenched together as he gazed upon it, taking a sharp breath into his lungs. Another bout of depression coiling its way through his body, like a strange shiver that would sneak up on you despite the fact it wasn't cold.
“Hah - Rika…” he whispered to himself, sniffling loudly the moment his mind reminded him of the reason he had decided to sit in a park all day, uselessly. He hadn't spoken to anyone since he had woken up early this morning. He didn't bother to brush his hair which was a complete mess on the top of his head, and if it weren't embarrassing to walk around in his boxers, he probably would've left his clothes at home too. He felt like doing nothing, he was...nothing.
He buried his face in his knees, closing his amethyst orbs shut tight. The only things he could see now were the small swirling patterns behind his eyelids and the thoughts of everything wrong with his life. His disappoints, his failures, how truly lost he was. The wind whipped up for a moment, gently playing with his bleached strands. Did anyone even care? He didn't blame them for getting fed up with him. He understood he was frustrating at times.
Yoosung jumped slightly when he felt the wooden planks below his backside shift, announcing the presence of another person. He slowly raised his head, his attention drawing towards mint green orbs which reflected the water of the canal before them, brilliantly. The cool liquid’s ripples, twisting and turning across the whites of his eyes. Snow white hair standing out starkly against the backdrop of earthy tones.
“...” He couldn't tell if they were having a staring contest or not. The other male clearing his throat nervously and adjusting his pink cardigan. He was about to call out Saeran's name questioningly, wondering why he was even here, when the other opened his mouth himself, his voice shy and timid. “...hey…” he whispered in greeting, Yoosung blinking at him in confusion, his tear soaked eyelashes sticking together annoyingly. “You didn't come to class...so I took notes for you, it's good I found you here.”
Oh, he was just being helpful and Yoosung had just created more work for him. Figures, Saeran hadn't really been a huge fan of him since day one of starting his courses at SKY University. It only made sense that he'd get annoyed with him now too. No matter how hard he tried to become friends with the former hacker, it never worked out. He was always so annoying, so that had to be what he felt now, the shorter of the two assumed.
“Thanks…” The blonde whispered, his voice cracking involuntarily, as he cursed himself with how obvious he was making his displeasure known. “I feel lonely...I don't know why…” no you idiot, he didn't come here to hear you vent! “Uh, nevermind, forget it, you don't need to hear that.” Now you're just making it seem like you want attention. He blinked and looked away, turning his gaze anywhere but Saeran's face. “Are you walking home? You didn't have to talk to me, you know? I get that you hate me and stuff. Sorry I made work for you and sorry I've been annoying, trying to become your friend and all…” he trailed off, watching a few stray dandelion seeds fluttering through the air like gravity was merely a myth or legend.
“...” Had he gotten sick of him? Was he going to get up and leave now? It only made sense. “I don't hate you.” What? Yoosung slowly turned to face him, noticing he was staring up at the sky. “I'm not very good with people...or emotions,” he explained, blinking slowly, red eyelashes shimmering under the fading light. “I…” he paused, cutting himself off, almost as if he didn't want to finish his current thought. “Everyone was worried about you, you know?” his emerald orbs ever so slowly turned to take in his lithe frame. “You're upset, right?”
Yoosung stared at him for a moment in awe, as if seeing a fairytale creature for the first time. Saeran was talking to him. Saeran Choi was actually talking to him. This wasn't just a passing comment or brush off of one of his questions, this was an actual conversation. “Y - yeah,” he stuttered, almost becoming shy under the other's gaze. “I just feel so gross - nauseated. I'm tired of myself, I'm tired of this empty feeling when I know my life is fine. I have friends, family and I'm going to the school of my dreams. But - but I can't help feeling something is off. Am I selfish for feeling this...terrible? At least I think I am,” he explained, almost as if the older had given him permission to vent his emotions.
The bench creaked as Saeran reached down below their feet to pluck the stem of a dandelion. He held it out to him, Yoosung staring at it for a moment, utterly lost to the meaning or significance of such an action. Though he accepted the foliage anyway, clutching it between thin digits as Saeran retrieved another for himself.
“It’s a dandelion,” he said, stating the obvious. “They say that if you make a wish on a dandelion that one day it will come true. It's silly, making a wish on a plant, isn't it?” He started, positioning it closer to his face. “Some even consider it a weed, even though it can mean so much.” He puckered his lips and blew at the cluster of seeds gathered at the top of the fragile stem, flinging them into the air. “The seeds will spread and give you more chances for another wish in the future.” He slowly loosened his grip until the useless stem dropped back to the ground from whence it came. “I'm not good with people but, I don't believe you're as bad as I thought you were.” Yoosung's heart skipped a beat and his breathing hitched in his chest. “I know you're sad, but if you make a wish, maybe you can find a chance at something better...to feel better too.”
Yoosung's mouth parted open slightly, as a moment of silence spread between them. It wasn't unwelcomed, nor was it awkward. Yoosung turning back towards the flower in his grasp and with shaking lips, he blew as well, the sun finally leaving his sight, while the stars began twinkling brightly above their heads. “Thanks Saeran, you're not as bad as you think. With people, I mean,” he mumbled, smiling despite himself. His heart almost bursting forth from his chest, when Saeran returned his grin with one of his own.
“Thanks…” The other male turned his head away, watching the lampposts lining the park pathways flicker on as it grew darker. “We should get going, it's getting late,” he said, slowly rising to his feet. Yoosung moved to follow but paused when he offered his hand, violet pools staring at the outstretched appendage before slowly taking it; thankful for this rare moment of togetherness.
“Saeran?” He called, walking by his side as they began their treks home. Their feet scuffing against the dirt road beneath them and kicking up dust.
“Hmm?”
“You're...really great.” Could they become friends from this moment forward?