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It’s the little things that tipped Cheong San off. When he and Su Hyeok first became friends, the touches weren’t nearly as often or obvious. They were all casual. Friendly. Sometimes it bordered on a bit touchy, sure, but nothing more.
Now, however, it was all playful nudges with equally playful smiles. It was the pat on the shoulder right before Su Hyeok flung his arm over them to pull him close for no reason. It was even the way they sat next to each other in the canteen during lunch, thighs brushing together and elbows bumping.
It wasn’t awful. Quite the contrary, Cheong San liked it. It meant that they were friends— close ones at that. They hung out a lot during their break times and spent time together after school while they cleaned up. Su Hyeok and Cheong San were classmates and close friends.
However, that didn’t explain Su Hyeok’s inability to keep his hands off Cheong San’s waist.
He tamped down hard on the urge to stiffen as a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Cheong San, without even having to look, knew exactly who it was. A sharp chin rested on his shoulder, and he had to turn his face. Unsurprisingly, Su Hyeok was there with a charming smile that dimpled his face, and his dark eyes crinkled softly. Cheong San was stumped. Speechless. Even for just a moment, he could do nothing but stare. Thankfully, he had a knee-jerk reaction to instances like these. It was the same every time.
He turned away sharply with a roll of his eyes, pretending that his face didn’t tingle with an unfamiliar feeling that left him lightheaded. “Get off,” he muttered out loud as he elbowed himself out of his friend’s arms.
“Ow,” Su Hyeok whined, pouting as he let his arms drop. However, as quickly as it had come, his face changed back into its pleasant smile. He leaned close, immediately making Cheong San restless. “What? Don’t you like it?”
Cheong San gave him a hard look, but all that caused was the low, breathy chuckle that made him shudder. “Fuck off,” he said without any malice or venom.
Su Hyeok hummed, absolutely unaffected. “Will you be joining us for lunch?” he asked, hands in his pockets— where they should be.
“Yeah, of course,” he said, crouching slightly to stow away his books under his desk. “Why do you ask?”
The other boy just smiled wider, “Let’s walk to the canteen together?”
Odd request, but sure. Cheong San nodded as he straightened up, nudging his chair to some semblance of order with his leg. It was just barely under the desk, but that’ll do. “Where are the other guys?” he asked as they began to walk out of the classroom.
“They had plans,” Su Hyeok said, uncharacteristically vague. Cheong San’s eyebrows furrowed, unnerved by this. However, he didn’t have much time to think more about it as they attempted to squeeze through a small cluttering of students that crowded the hallways. Su Hyeok’s hand hovered over the small of his back and guided him lightly through the cluster.
Cheong San swallowed thickly. The ghost of Su Hyeok’s fingers, barely touching his back, was sending pins and needles over every inch of his skin. It wasn’t uncomfortable, not really, but it didn’t explain why he felt so weird. God. He subtly tried pulling away, but the number of students just forced him to lean back anyway.
By the time they were free, Su Hyeok’s hand was splayed over his back. Cheong San was trying hard not to think about it. It lingered for a moment before finally dropping to his side.
This. This was exactly what Cheong San was talking about. It wasn’t that it was bad per se, but it sure was confusing. They were clearly gestures of him being friendly— which he is to everybody. Maybe he was just touchy— which he also is to everybody. But that didn’t explain why in five minutes did he have to keep touching his waist like that?! Cheong San wanted to huff, turn around, and just ask him straight up.
But he didn’t. Cheong San just stared at Su Hyeok— his magnetism, his styled hair, his well-pressed blazer— and felt the burn of where his hand used to be. It made him squirm. It made him frustrated. And weirdly, he wanted him to keep doing it.
So he never brought it up. Even right now, while they were waiting for their food in line, Su Hyeok’s hands found themselves on his waist again. It was a light nudge that could easily be construed platonically. They were careful, subconsciously analyzed, to keep it light and easy. It was nice.
“So I was telling Dae Su that after finals, we can go to Cheong San’s Chicken to celebrate! What do you say?”
Cheong San could do nothing but grimace. “Please don’t ever call it that.”
“But that’s the name, isn’t it?” There was a smirk on his face now. Cheeky bastard.
“Yes, but I like to pretend that it isn’t.”
"But it’s such a fitting name. I think your mom definitely has good taste.”
“Oh, shut up.” Cheong San groaned, shoving Su Hyeok with his shoulder as they sat down, side by side. It was a weird arrangement considering it was just them, but neither boy particularly minded. Especially not when they were busy shoving each other in retaliation.
Eventually, Su Hyeok stopped first, holding his hands up in mock surrender, while he laughed. “Okay, okay. I give up!” Between the two, he was more athletic. He could easily win any physical contest between them. Though Cheong San wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth, he just gave a soft, self-satisfied hum. “But we are going to eat chicken at your restaurant, right? Complete with you decor?”
He huffed, “Keep talking, and I won’t let you avail of the friends and family discount!”
“That exists?”
“Not anymore, it doesn’t.”
“Aw! C’mon, Cheong San,” Su Hyeok said, winding an arm around his waist again and pulling him close. This was deliberate. This was an attack. Cheong San immediately felt the nape of his neck burn as their thighs pressed together— not brushed together like usual, no. He could practically see every individual eyelash that framed Su Hyeok’s eyes.
They were pretty eyes.
He will never admit that out loud.
Cheong San sighed, finally acquiescing. “Fine! Fine, yes. We can eat in the chicken restaurant after finals.”
Su Hyeok beamed and then tacked on, just to be a dick, “The what restaurant? What’s the name again?”
“Don’t push it.”
His friend laughed, head thrown back. “You’re really something, y’know?” he said once he calmed down. Cheong San didn’t know what that meant exactly. He gave his friend an odd look and stopped. The way the noon light played on Su Hyeok’s features made it hard to breathe, let alone think.
Unsurprisingly, his friend found this endearing. He leaned close as he said, “Like it?”
Yes.