Chapter Text
Doyoung groans as he turns over in his bed, his hips and thighs aching from the effect of the race they had yesterday.
It was the final relay race of the year and thus they had gone all out, exhausting themselves to the core, resulting in severe body aches.
Doyoung muffles his ears with his pillows, trying to block out the noises from the living room. He had three dorm mates and unfortunately, two of them made his life much more difficult than it needed to be for a 17-year-old. He attempts to ignore the angry argument two of his flatmates were currently having in the living room by curling into himself and pulling his thick comforter over his head.
Unfortunately, luck was just not on his side today as the door to his room opened, revealing Johnny's worried face.
"I have to get to class. Haechan would be back late so don't wait up for him. I think Taeyong's medication has run out. I'll make sure they're filled up by tomorrow and also he’s staying back because he said and I quote ‘Doyoung needs his dose of Taeyong’." Johnny says, knowing very well how annoying Taeyong can be, especially towards Doyoung. "I hate you both," Doyoung replies, defeated, refusing to get up or open his eyes.
"I'll be back before you know it," Johnny adds, before leaving the black-haired boy alone. Doyoung doesn't bother to acknowledge him.
A few seconds later, Doyoung's door is thrown open and a boy enters with his strawberry pink hair bouncing as he jumps onto the younger boy's bed. Taeyong whines softly, trying to pull Doyoung's arms away from each other so that he can wrap them around himself.
"Doyoung, come on!" Taeyong whines uneasily, making Doyoung groan and wrestle weakly with the other. Eventually, Doyoung gives in and spoons the older, landing a hit on his arms for blowing out his ears.
"Are you tired?" Taeyong asks, voice slightly above a whisper. Doyoung doesn't answer, instead, he pulls the older closer by his torso, nuzzling his face into Taeyong's soft sweater breathing in the scent of cool breeze and summer.
Taeyong smiles to himself as he hears Doyoung mumble incoherent words, finding the younger amusing.
Taeyong finally felt relief from his horrible mind.
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It's almost afternoon when Doyoung wakes up again, feelings slightly better than he did that morning. He manages to clean himself up pretty well with the help of a much-needed shower. He applies a pain relief spray on his thighs and makes sure Taeyong is fast asleep before sneaking into the kitchen and making himself some sandwiches.
By the time he settles himself before the television and gets cozy, Haechan arrives sporting an annoyed expression. The younger doesn't say anything to him (which he found strange since the younger always seemed to have something to say), and storms to his bedroom before slamming his door close.
'Is he alright? Johnny said he'd be home late.'. Doyoung wonders. It's been a while since he'd talked to the little boy. They had different timings for school since it was close to the end of the year and the Junior only had repetitive revision exams or special classes ( where they get to act questions and doubts ) meanwhile Haechan had full one-hour periods and English academy on evenings.
Doyoung contemplates leaving the comfort of the couch to go and soothe the younger. His legs were still kind of sore and he just wanted to stay as still as a rock for the rest of the day.
In the end, he forces himself to knock on Haechan's door because that's how he was wired. He was the prided mom of the group after all.
"Nothing, go away." He hears Haechan mutter softly from the other side of the door.
"Haechan, what happened?" Doyoung persists, sighing softly. The older knew that Haechan would give in if he'd just press a little more. The younger was never one to bundle all his frustrations. He was an open book, not scared of showing his true self to the world. A little push and he'd come clean about everything.
"I told you, it’s nothing. I'm just being moody like always. Go bother Taeyong or something." Haechan grumbles with distaste, the name leaving a bitter taste in his tongue.
Now, Haechan had always been the youngest among his friend group. He was the baby of their little found family but since the time Taeyong had appeared into their lives, the spotlight had been taken from him and happily gifted to the older. It angered the younger that his hyungs always looked out for Taeyong before him. He would never admit it, but he wanted Johnny and Doyoung to spend more time with him before they graduated and left him behind.
He wanted to understand why his hyungs pampered Taeyong like they did. It never made sense to him.
"Haechan, come on. Don't be like that." Doyoung frowns; he didn't know Haechan and Taeyong were at odds with each other. They seemed fine the other day.
The door opens, revealing a smiling Haechan. His cheeks were tear-stained and his eyes were rimmed red as if he'd been crying for a while. Yet a smile was plastered on his lips.
"I didn't say anything wrong, did I? I told you to go to him since he’s your favourite, isn’t he?" Haechan smiles even more brightly, looking at Doyoung in anger.
"Haechan, what’s wrong? What happened?" Doyoung repeats, looking at Haechan worriedly. The younger never behaved like this. He was always happy, jumping around and teasing his hyungs. He never complained about anything as long as it was fair. He did his work and always stayed away from serious trouble. He also got along with Taeyong. He'd never fought with the older at all. Ever. So Doyoung failed to understand where this newfound hatred for Taeyong was stemming from.
“Can you be honest with me?" Haechan asks, his eyes a little glossy and heart a little broken. He takes a deep breath to calm himself.
"Why is Taeyong here?"
"He's assigned to this dorm."
"I know that! Why is he assigned to this room?"
"......"
"It's always two upper class students and two lower. Mark was supposed to be here."
"......"
"Okay, fine. You don't have to tell me. It's not my business anyway."
"Haechan-"
"No, Doyoung. Don't tell me anything. I don't need to know. I'll just be in my room."
And just like that Haechan shut the door to Doyoung's face.
In all honesty, Haechan was just tired. He never got to play around with his older brothers anymore. They barely even talked to him these days. He understood that it was him who had to attend classes longer and his hyungs were probably tired of studying and busy preparing for the year end festival and final exams but even then he'd try to sneak into their rooms and ask them to watch a movie with him or just tell him a story but they'd just tell him to go to sleep. As days passed, he found himself feeling anxious. He didn't exactly understand where these emotions were coming from but they were overwhelming and painful and he'd just burst out crying out of nowhere. He was scared and alone and all he wanted was his brothers to notice him a little more.