Chapter Text
It has been years since they were first introduced to each other, Chenle being the newest in their team who can only speak Korean greetings. Jisung doesn’t really know what inclined him to stick with Chenle despite the language barrier but what he knows is the other boy is fun to be around. They would play with just gestures and spend time eating Jisung’s favorite Korean snacks. Eventually, Chenle opens up to him and also shares his favorite snacks with Jisung.
The seven of them debuted eventually as NCT Dream. Chenle has started to speak Korean sentences and Jisung is always there to aid him whenever he struggles. Also, he can’t help but to notice just how cute Chenle has been. He doesn’t have to act it, Chenle is the epitome of it. He looks intimidating with a straight face but looks like a sun when he’s smiling and laughing.
The first time Jisung felt all warm and fuzzy in his chest was when Chenle hugged him tightly before looking up at him through green bangs with wide eyes. It was when he accidentally hit him on the shin during a dance routine.
“I’m sorry.” He said in his accented Korean and holy shit did Jisung’s heart skipped a beat.
Flustered, Jisung looks away and pats the other boy on the head. “It’s alright.”
Little did he know that this will be a memory he will love to go back to in the future.
A couple more of years have passed and Chenle changed, now far from the cute boy that he was when he debuted. He has become charismatic and cool. Hell, he even developed muscles here and there. Chenle has also found out that he likes teasing Jisung a lot, not letting the other boy breathe a second without him being teased. He would laugh loudly whenever Jisung pouts or becomes flustered. But Jisung could never hate or be annoyed with Chenle because he enjoys seeing the boy laugh and smile.
Thinking of the time that has passed brings a smile to Jisung’s face. A lot of things have happened and everyone grew so well, matured so well, but they’re still the same loud group that he has grown with. However, his favorite part of it all is meeting Chenle and becoming his best friend. Jisung finds his presence the most comfortable.
They communicate through gestures or just a simple glance, not needing to say any word. The members are usually left confused just as how do they do such thing. Telepathy? Code? Jisung is actually not sure himself.
And, didn’t Chenle got a bit too attractive lately? Jisung sometimes watch the focus cameras for their live stages. He especially likes the ‘Dive into You’ cam where Chenle was wearing a black beret and their GDA stage. His cute little smiles and coolness really gets to people’s heart, no?
Despite Chenle treating his members like they’re the same age, Jisung still finds himself looking after him.
It's an automated response, really. Jisung doesn’t know how it all started but he finds himself pulling Chenle’s hand away from his mouth to bite on his finger nails, he finds himself putting a hand on Chenle’s back so he doesn’t fall behind, and a lot more things. Chenle sometimes throws him weird looks but doesn’t say anything.
Jisung sometimes acts as Chenle’s pillow when he falls asleep at the car. He will always offer his arm for Chenle to use whenever he’s feeling drowsy. The other boy will gratefully take the invitation and lean against him. He’ll never tell it to anyone but he is subscribed to Chenle’s bubble. There he finds out that the other hasn’t been sleeping well. Sometimes, when Chenle is deep in sleep, he would snuggle his face against his chest like a little cat and it’s the cutest thing ever. Jisung will feel his heart jumping in his chest at the sight of it.
But there are times he finds his heart jumping uncomfortably in his chest. Of course, as they grow, a lot of things change. Chenle has been a lot less touchy with him but a lot more with their other members. Jisung will find himself looking at him longingly. But they’re all grown up now, it should be fine, right?
It’s not fine.
Jisung finds his alone time with Chenle fun and when they’re with the others, he finds himself preferring to talk with someone else more besides his best friend. He just doesn’t want to watch Chenle clinging onto Mark and Haechan. Jisung is getting used to it, numbing himself so he doesn’t have to feel lonely when Chenle’s attention is on someone else.
He never really considered it to be anything else. He gets lonely from time to time; it happens a lot. Don’t people miss their best friends too? Jisung is just one of those people.
Until Renjun had a lot to drink. It’s their little New Year’s party in their dorm, finally done with performances though the day after tomorrow will be preparation for their comeback in March.
“Jisungie-yah, you know, you can cling on everyone else but I know you always have your eyes on Chenle.” Renjun slurs when they got to their second bottle of makgeolli that Donghyuck recommended to them.
Jeno chokes on his Coke and Jaemin cleared his throat, looking away.
“You can tell me that you’re crushing on that girl group member but I know the way you take care of our Lele.” Renjun continues, pointing at Jisung. “You’ve been pouting when he’s all over Mark. It’s so cute.”
“Alright! We should call this a night!” Jaemin announces when he notices their maknae fidgeting on his sweater, uncomfortable, and starts to clean up their dining table.
Jeno nods in agreement and escorts Renjun out of the kitchen and into the bedroom. Jisung is left confused in his seat, staring at his half empty glass of Sprite. Is that how it is? I like Chenle? Numerous thoughts start to run in his head all at once, making him dizzy. It must have been the alcohol but Jisung is sure that Renjun’s words will plague him from then on.
It’s when Chenle caught himself making a mistake during one of their live performances.
In the stall at a comfort room of SM, Jisung hears someone knocking against the wall. He felt fear right that instant. Is it the rumored ghost that some of the managers have been talking about? Then he suddenly remembers Chenle who excused himself to pee. He hasn’t come back for a while now. The fear dissipates and instantly turned into worry.
Jisung carefully approaches the stall where the noise is coming from and he calls tentatively, “Chenle?”
The knocking stopped and Jisung hears the door unlock. At the tiny opening, he sees Chenle peeking.
“Was that you?” Jisung asks and pushes the door to open wider.
Chenle nods as he takes a step back. Not everyone knows this but his best friend hates making a mistake during performances, no matter how unnoticeable it is. Chenle will laugh it off later for sure but at the moment, he’s punishing himself for such a matter.
Jisung cups his face with one hand and he likes how Chenle looks so tiny, like a kitten resting his face on his palm. He brushes away the bangs that are covering Chenle’s forehead with his other hand and sees no alarming marks. Thank goodness.
“You’re such a worry wart.” Chenle teases with a small smile. “Slowly becoming like Jaemin hyung.”
“I just hate it when you do that to yourself.” Jisung says, squishing the other boy’s cheeks a little, making his pink lips pout a bit. It’s adorable and he can’t help but stare, can’t help but to think that his lips look like they will taste sweet.
Chenle looks back at him, confused, tilting his head to the side. “Jisungie?” he asks with a lilt in his voice that sounded so fucking cute.
The said boy lets go of his face and takes a step back, looking away. He can feel his face burning hot up to the tip of his ears. “The managers are probably looking for us. Let’s go back.” He says in a hurry and turns away, speed walking back to the practice room where the others are waiting.
Jisung is just curious, nothing more, that’s for sure. He tries to convince himself that it’s anything but what Renjun said the other night.