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Two boys lay side by side on the queen sized bed, on their backs with a gap between them that can fit a whole other person. The air was thick with awkwardness, results of the small talk they had earlier. Jisung's fingers fiddled with each other, resting on his abdomen while Chenle was scrolling through nothing on his mobile phone.
They weren’t usually like this. Cuddling together until they fell asleep was their most common activity whenever Jisung came to sleep over at Chenle’s house. Today, however, was just different.
Jisung held himself back from scooting closer to the middle as he always did when they landed on the bed and neither did Chenle (well that was because Jisung was acting hella weird).
“Why are you so far away?” Chenle broke the silence which was going on for a full 15 minutes. He put away his phone on the nightstand and turned to his left to look at Jisung.
“I.. um just… Do you want to cuddle?” The other boy turned his head. “We don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable.”
“You’re so dramatic.” Chenle rolled his eyes. “Me saying I don’t like the idea of dating at the moment does not mean we cannot cuddle. Come here, dude. I’m cold.” Nobody would know that was just an excuse. Chenle shuffled closer to the slightly younger boy.
A sigh of relief escaped Jisung’s lips. He really thought he couldn’t cuddle with his best friend anymore. He enjoyed cuddling Chenle because he was so warm. He felt safe whenever Chenle spooned him. He especially loved it if Chenle told him about his day, random stories about Stephen Curry even though he didn’t know anything about basketball, and his family members until the latter started mumbling his words and soon fell asleep. It was cute and made Jisung feel like kissing Chenle all over.
Jisung was so fucking thankful they slept with the lights out so Chenle couldn’t see the tint colored across his cheeks once he was locked in place as the little spoon. Jisung’s back was pressed against Chenle’s back and the latter circled his arms around Jisung’s waist. They were too tired after playing some games that lasted for hours so Chenle didn’t ramble about anything and fell asleep pretty quickly.
☆☆☆☆☆
“Confess.”
The single word made Jisung shriek. He paced around Jaemin's room blabbering about how Chenle didn't have plans on dating and how he loved Chenle too much to lose him over his stupid feelings.
“I don't want to assume but Chenle might just take it as a joke and think that you love him as his best friend. That's better than rejection, don't you think?” The guy Jisung had depended on for advice said as he continued tapping on his keyboard writing god knows what.
Jisung finally stopped going in circles for the nth time that morning and sat on Jaemin's bed while asking, “Is it selfish that I want him to love me back the same way I do?”
“Well, that is a subjective question.” Jaemin stopped typing and turned around in his gaming chair. “It depends on why you want him to love you the same way. Do you want him to love you because you confessed or because he really feels the same way as you with or without your confession and wants to move forward with that feeling.”
Jaemin's answer made Jisung groan. “Why is love so difficult?”
Jaemin got up from his seat and plopped himself beside Jisung, pulling him into a side hug. “I'm sure you'll figure it out somehow. From my view, I assure you he likes you. If he loves you, then voila! Go on a date.”
“Thank you, Jaemin.” Jisung rested his head on Jaemin's shoulder and a thousand thoughts flew around in his head.
Jisung came to the conclusion that he would just try and forget about his crush and love Chenle as his best friend.
☆☆☆☆☆
One week passed since Jisung talked to Jaemin about his love for Chenle and he stuck with his words of wanting to move on. Jisung still got his cuddles when he slept over and they still spent most of their time together.
Unknowingly, Chenle didn’t want to partner up with Jisung for a pair work.
“I want to have a change for once. I want to know how it feels to work with a complete stranger – well not really a stranger since she’s our classmate. I promise I’ll work with you next time.” Was Chenle’s explanation and Jisung didn’t question further. He agreed that they needed a slight change in their lives. He can’t be with Chenle forever right?
On the other hand, Jisung paired up with a guy named Shotaro. He was always smiling for some reason but it did give Jisung comfort.
Although Jisung didn’t really care about Chenle pairing up with someone else, he cared about how his partner was a bit too good with Chenle.
“Have you done the homework Mr. Kim gave last week? I forgot about it.” Jisung asked the next day.
“Yeah, here you go.” He handed the book straight away without his usual “Bold of you to assume I even paid attention in his class.”
“Wait, you did it? Like actually completing it?” Jisung was in utter disbelief if he was being very honest.
Chenle answered, “Jieun let me copy hers last night while we were discussing the assignment.” and took out his phone to scroll through Twitter like the morning paper.
‘“Oh.” So that’s why he couldn’t go to his house yesterday. But he could have dropped by later in the evening after their meeting? Chenle still said no.
Jisung unconsciously glanced at where Jieun sat. He noticed she was staring at someone. Then it clicked. She was staring at Chenle.
“Chenle, can me and Shotaro do our assignment at your place?” Jisung can’t believe someone else likes Chenle. Not in a bad way though. He just thought that Chenle was too attached to him for anyone to actually get to know his true self.
What does Jieun like about Chenle? Does she know Jisung is the little spoon? Does she know Chenle’s level of tolerance for spicy food? His bad side? His nightmares? Who else in this world knows Chenle like the back of their hand other than Jisung?
“Jisung? He~llo Jisung!” Well shit, Jisung spaced out.
“Yeah? Sorry. Had something on my mind.”
“I said yeah sure you can. You and Shotaro can come over. Are you alright, though?” Jisung said he was okay and they couldn’t continue the conversion as their teacher walked in for class.
☆☆☆☆☆
Jisung can’t take it anymore.
It’s always Jieun, Jieun and Jieun these days. That’s all Chenle talked about for 2 weeks. Jisung tried his best to gain his attention by asking for more cuddles, more time together, and even asked Chenle to cook for him.
“You’re being more clingy. I like it.” Chenle said.
Oh? Chenle liked him being clingy? He thought he won a silent unofficial competition that he made up with Jieun because he was the one that received these special treatments.
But, his victory was cut short one morning when Chenle handed him a lunch box – that by the way looked amazing – and another one to Jieun.
“You cooked extra?” Jisung couldn’t help but ask.
“Nope, Jieun asked me if I could let her taste my cooking. I hope it’s way better than her expectation, though.” Okay, Jisung hasn't won. He thinks he needs to prove who’s the winner. This little thing going on between Chenle and Jieun that Jisung didn’t even bother to ask if it was real or not was going to end.
“Hey, Le? Do you want to break some rules?”
“Hell yeah.”
Jisung held the widest grin.
☆☆☆☆☆
“You’re going to what? Jisung, that might be the worst idea you have thought of throughout our whole friendship. You think I’m going to let you drink?” Jaemin had his motherly mode switched on as soon as Jisung explained how he would like to confess to Chenle. It involved alcohol and he used the ‘people tell the truth when drunk’ excuse.
“Actually yeah because it’s just a little bit of alcohol and you’ll be there to bring me home if things go south.” The younger male grinned, flashing his gummy smile.
“I can’t believe I’m about to let a baby drink alcohol again.” Jaemin heavily sighed. “Chenle, I swear if you don’t believe Jisung I’m going to throw out your nintendo switch.”
So Jisung sent Chenle the location of where they would do some drinking. He knew drunk confessions are the worst types and aren’t usually taken seriously but he needed a tiny boost.
He hoped that his ministries of becoming more needy gave a hint of his (huge) crush on Chenle.
“Are you really going to drink all of that? You’re a lightweight!” Chenle exclaimed when Jisung lost another rock , papers, scissors game with Jeno, Jaemin’s boyfriend.
“I can take it~” Jisung mumbled, obviously already drunk. “Does Chenle want to drink for me? You’d do it for me right?”
“Alright, that’s enough for you. I’ll take you back to my place. Come on.” Jaemin agreed with Chenle and helped Jisung up from his seat.
“Noo~~ I had something to tell you. Chenle~” Jisung had that drunk smile plastered across his face. “I…. like…” He was stopped with a hand over his mouth.
“I’m not listening to you if you’re drunk, Jisung. I know it’s about rainbows and ponies.” The two boys who tried carrying Jisung suddenly stopped because Jisung stood up straight.
“No! You have to listen to me!” I don’t like.. way Jieun looks.. you… Why can’t you let me or Jaemin be the only people to know how… great of.. A cook you are?” He started mumbling all the way until they reached to the side of the road. Jisung was too drunk to see the grin Chenle had.
A taxi luckily passed by and Jaemin signaled it to stop.
When they reached Chenle’s house, it was surprisingly easier to bring Jisung into his room.
Chenle couldn’t let Jisung sleep in his current clothes, those jeans were going to be extremely comfortable when he woke up.
“Come on, let’s get you changed.” Chenle sat Jisung down at the edge of his bed but Jisung curled his fingers around Chenle’s wrists.
“Jisung? I’m going to change your clothes.”
Jisung didn’t reply and in a split second Chenle was the one on the bed.
Jisung had pinned Chenle on the bed with one hand and Chenle drooled at the sight of Jisung like this.
“Chenle. Jisung likes you. So much. Jisung knows he’s drunk but he can only say things like this. Sorry.” Then he blacked out on top of Chenle. His head rested next to Chenle’s face first. The latter just chuckled.
“I know, baby.” Chenle whispered to Jisung’s ear. With little of his strength left, he managed to maneuver Jisung off of him and successfully changed him into some PJs.
☆☆☆☆☆
A pounding headache awoke Jisung from his sleep. He looked around and dragged his hands over his body. Huh? He was in comfy clothes, Chenle’s clothes.
Oh.
Did he do it? Did he confess?
He looked to his right expecting to see a fluffy person next to him but the space was empty and cold. He started to panic.
“Hey, baobei, you’re awake. I made you something for your hangover.” Chenle walked in with an apron around his waist.
“B- Baobei? Isn’t that-”
Chenle gently put the soup on the bedside table and sat on the bed, body tilted to face Jisung. He brought up his hand to caress Jisung’s cheek. “I like you, too. I can’t believe you confessed with the help of alcohol. I’m disappointed but I will give you points because you were cute and reacted the way I hoped.”
“You knew?! Why didn’t you say anything?” Jisung pouted.
“Because I liked the way you clung to me. Anyways we’re boyfriends now and don’t worry about Jieun because I asked her to help me.”
Jisung playfully rolled his eyes but his lips still curled into a smile. “Says the person who was disappointed in me who confessed with some help.”
“Shut up and let’s kiss.” So they did, a shy one at first but became soft and loving the second time.