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Geonwoo and Anxin have known each other for almost a year now. And in that same year, Geonwoo has been desperately trying to win him over. Compliments, blatant flirting (composed of ‘you’re prettier than all the stars’), small gifts like flowers or caps (one of Anxin’s favourite accessories), dates that Anxin insists on calling outings, gentle touches… and yet, Anxin remains oblivious.
Their friends sigh every time they see the two interact, usually trying to busy themselves to escape the cringefest unfolding in front of them. And the worst part? Anxin always blushes. The Chinese boy is not indifferent towards Geonwoo. Yet, he assures his friends that the taller boy doesn’t see him that way. At first, they tried, really tried, to convince Anxin that Geonwoo is hopelessly in love with him. But after rejecting their words and brushing it off with ‘Geonwoo does it with everyone’, they gave up.
This was between the two now. No interference from them anymore. Though they still pat Geonwoo’s shoulder in sympathy.
If everyone once envied Geonwoo for being the perfect student with good grades, good looks and a good reputation, they for sure don’t anymore. What’s the point of having everything if you can’t even win the person you love? Everyone pities him now, even other students nod toward him in compassion.
At first, Geonwoo thought Anxin was cute, being all shy and oblivious to all his flirting. But when he started dodging everything, it became exhausting. Especially, because Geonwoo has been very clear about his feelings. ‘I really like you, Anxin,’ he once confessed. The setting couldn’t have been more romantic. They were alone, sitting on the grass while watching the sunset. So why did Anxin reply ‘Me too, you’re the best hyung! I’m very grateful for everything you have done for me.’?
That night, once surrounded by his four walls, Geonwoo inwardly screamed and cried out of frustration.
––
Geonwoo is sitting with Jiahao at a picnic table when he asks him for advice. He’s the last of his friends who is kind and patient enough to still listen to love problems.
“Hyung…” Geonwoo mutters, looking dejected. “What should I do to make Anxin finally take me seriously?”
Jiahao hums, pretending to think. “Maybe you should just kiss him?”
“It might sound insane, but that won’t work!” he groans. “Anxin would probably just laugh it off and say I was drunk.”
“Then do it during the day,” Jiahao teases.
“That boy would still find an excuse…” Geonwoo drags his hands through his hair in frustration. “I once thought he liked me, but I’m not even sure about that anymore.” He lets his upper body collapse against the table, completely drained by the situation.
“I don’t know what to say anymore,” Jiahao sighs, making them fall into a heavy silence.
——
“Geonwoo hyung, what’s going on?” Anxin asks anxiously as he watches one of their supposed group members join another team.
“He said we broke some sort of agreement, something about trust. But it doesn’t make any sense, we haven’t even started the project.” Both of them stare blankly into the distance, lost in their thoughts, because they realised the problem. They need four members, and now only three are left. Then, their last teammate approaches.
“Hey,” Minah says, but she doesn't look really happy. They gulp, because they know what awaits them. “I told you I would only join your group if Doyoung was part of it,” she says flatly. “Sorry I guess, but I’m leaving.” And she goes away.
Panicking, Anxin grabs Geonwoo’s sleeve. “Hyung! Do- do something! We only have until tonight to confirm our team. Go after her and you know, do what you do with everyone! Call her pretty and flirt a little. Maybe she will come back,” Anxin orders him with pleading eyes.
And Geonwoo can’t take it anymore. His gaze is impassive, his face betraying no emotion. Because it actually hurts him when Anxin says he flirts with everyone, when in fact, he only flirts with him.
“There’s no need for that, we will find another solution.” His voice is flat.
Geonwoo walks off and starts asking around for new members, leaving Anxin behind.
Across the room, Anxin watches him. He’s still worried, but now for an entirely different reason. This is the first time Geonwoo has been cold to him. And it hurts far more than he expected.
——
Later that night, the two boys are sitting on Anxin’s bed, watching a film projected onto the wall. The movie is boring, yet none of them chatted in between. Something that isn’t common. Geonwoo is the one who finally breaks the ice.
“We were lucky today. I quickly found two partners. Though honestly, we might end up doing all the work ourselves,” he jokes quietly.
Anxin hums.
“Are you sad? Did something happen?” Geonwoo asks, suddenly concerned by his behaviour. “Do you… miss your family?”
“Well, yes. I miss them every day. It’s been more than a year since I last saw them,” Anxin opens up, looking everywhere but at Geonwoo. Because what he says may be true, but that’s not why he’s feeling down right now. “But I love it here, in Korea, I mean. I needed this, to get away from them and become independent on my own.” Hesitantly, Anxin adds, “And I have you.”
The air in the room suddenly shifts. Geonwoo leans closer, forcing Anxin to finally look at him.
“Aah you must think I’m pathetic for missing my family when I’m all grown,” he laughs, embarrassed.
“That is not true,” Geonwoo reassures him. “You’re the most beautiful person I know with the purest heart, Anxin.”
Silence falls again between the two, the only sound in the room is the movie in the background. Geonwoo takes the opportunity to move closer. His eyes slowly fall shut as he feels their breath mingle. Mere centimetres separate them, so close to seal their lips-
And suddenly, Anxin pushes him away with the strength of a beast. The taller boy falls on the other side of the bed, stunned, while Anxin stands frozen, face crimson and hands over his cheeks.
This is the first time Anxin has rejected him so violently. While Geonwoo straightens himself up, he runs a frustrated hand down his face.
“Anxin,” he attempts, but the boy is too flustered to hear. “Anxin!” Geonwoo catches him by the wrist and gently pulls him back onto the bed. They are now sitting face to face. “Listen to me attentively, okay?” Anxin nods. “I love you Zhou Anxin. Only you. I’m hopelessly in love with you. I want you for myself. I want to kiss you, hold you, hug you and fuck you. Do you understand that?”
If Anxin was a blushing mess earlier, he might be a volcano in eruption right now. Every word Geonwoo has pronounced slowly sinks in.
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh,” he replies with a faint smile on his face. “Now, do you also love me?”
“Yes… I love you Geonwoo,” Anxin finally admits. His eyes widen and then he softly exhales with a smile of relief.
“Great news,” he whispers and leans in for a kiss. This time Anxin doesn’t move away. Their lips finally meet, at first trembling, filled with everything they had both held back. His hand cups his cheek to deepen the kiss. Geonwoo smiles into it. It’s slow and tender. When they pull apart, forehead touching and their breaths falling into a comfortable rhythm, Geonwoo murmurs: “Finally… You don’t know how much I have suffered, Anxinie.”
“I’m sorry hyung, I really thought you were just being kind…” Anxin admits, cheeks flushed.
“It’s okay, it doesn’t matter anymore, because you’re all mine now,” he says with a smirk before tenderly kissing him. Then, he presses soft kisses on his cheeks, forehead, and the corner of his mouth, making Anxin giggle.
“Hyung, stop! I have saliva all over my face now!” Anxin complains and tries to break free from him, but Geonwoo is stronger and holds him tighter.
Anxin finally catches Geonwoo’s face in both hands, preventing him from moving further. His eyes are glowing with love. “I love you.”
“Me too, Anxin. I love you too.” And those words are heavy with meaning, because Geonwoo has finally broken free from his misery.
Loving Anxin was worth every heartbreak.
——
When they announce their relationship to their friends, Anxin gets confused as they burst into cheers, dancing and shouting ‘Finally!’. Geonwoo reassures him and says not to mind them.
Anxin nods.
Geonwoo’s hand is warm in his. He blushes, still not used to it. But he should, because Anxin is not letting go. Not anymore.