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Anh Suho does not get jealous. He never became upset when others lives panned out better than his. Didn't feel any spark of envy when wooyung excelled in his MMA career. Doesn't really care that others can experience a life with both parents present and in love with each other. In Suho's mind, whatever happens, happens and it isn't worth it to dwell.
Anh Suho does not get jealous. So its really fucking strange to feel that burning pit in his stomach as he watches Baku jostle and manhandle Sieun.
They're sitting at the groups favorite restaurant. the one they first went to after Suho was discharged from the hospital. It was neutral territory, decided upon by an exasperated Sieun who couldn't deal with Suho and Baku arguing on which one of their favorite restaurants were better. The boy simply sighed and walked into a restaurant he was eyeing throughout the entire argument, which provided menu items of both Baku and Suho's favorites, effectively ending the argument and charming Suho immensely. Even back then, the small clap on Sieun's back Baku provided ticked Suho off for some reason, but he chalked that up to losing the argument and shrugged it off.
Now, many many months later, Suho can confidentially say he and Baku are good friends. Suho might even call him a great friend if he was feeling generous and Baku was no where to be seen (he took Sieun's advice about complimenting Baku to his face, it does in fact go straight to his head). He gets along nicely with all of Sieun's friends, sliding into the group like he was always a member of it, like the final puzzle piece they were missing. Like Sieun intentionally left space for him when he met them. He cant help but feel nothing but warmth and gratitude for them staying by Sieun's side when couldn't.
Except for now, that is- as he side eyes at Baku's arm folded a bit too snugly into Sieun's side. Sieun has grown a lot too, Suho observes. any prolonged contact used to result in someone getting stabbed. now, Sieun would just glare (in a way that would make him resemble an angry cute kitten) and resign in the name of friendship. its mind boggling to Suho. once upon a time only Suho was able to get up in Sieun's space and come out unharmed. now, three other people have gained that ability, making Suho feel like his superpower is just a regular old magic trick.
He wonders how Sieun would react if he puts his arms around him, drags him away from his friends and into his space. He can feel the heat in his stomach clench into something more feral as he thinks about Sieun sitting in his lap. It would be risky, there's a still a high chance that Suho would be putting his life on the line. But there's also a chance that Sieun, whose is now even more different around Suho's affections would just- take it. That chance scares Suho even more. What would he even do with a relaxed Sieun in his lap besides go absolutely insane over it? Hes not sure he would be able to handle all of that.
Sensing Suho's admittedly strange energy, Sieun glances at Baku's arm and slides out from underneath it somehow not interrupting Baku and Gotak's debate. Suho watches amazed as Sieun slides himself closer to Suho while pretending to be uninterested (he isnt- hes the only one to have heard Sieun's passionate response to this recurring conversation). He carefully and nonchalantly rests his arm next to Suho's. Their knees briefly touch. And that touch alone ignites a flame in Suho. He stares unabashed at Sieun, who is now looking at him with that facial expression that asks are you okay without actually saying anything. Suho gives his response in a wolfish grin that could only be interpreted as: well i'm okay now. Sieun rolls his eyes before returning back to the conversation.
The relief he feels at their contact surprises even him. His mind, once a clouded and jumbled mess a few minutes ago, is now something that he can actually sort through and organize. In hindsight, it seems extremely ridiculous to get into a mood because his best friend wasn't plastered by his side. He thinks back to his earlier thoughts and paused- He wanted to put him in his lap? Just because Baku had his arm around him? He might be even more insane as he previously thought. Anh Suho does not get jealous. Except for, he realizes with startling clarity, when it comes to Sieun.