Chapter Text
It'd been 3 days since Sion realized his feelings for Yushi and 3 days since he had started ignoring him.
He felt bad, of course; he loved Yushi and it hurt him to see Yushi so hurt, but there was just no way Yushi could find out about his feelings. It was for a number of reasons. If Yushi and Sion started dating, it could affect group dynamics and their careers would be ruined if anyone found out. But if Sion was being completely honest, he was scared. If Yushi didn't like him back, he just didn't want to ruin what he and Yushi already had.
They were best friends. Of all the members in the group, they'd known each other the longest and they were the closest. They knew everything about each other and NCT WISH was literally built around the two of them. Why would Sion ruin that?
Well, technically, he was already ruining it by ignoring Yushi. In Sion's mind, ignoring Yushi and forcing himself to get over his crush was better than actually talking to him about it.
Sion's train of thought was interrupted when Sakuya came into his room, "Sion hyung, we're going to buy snacks. You wanna come?"
"Um, sure. Who's going?"
"Just me and Yushi."
Sion's eyes widened at the mention of Yushi, "On second thought, you guys go ahead. I'm kinda tired, and isn't almost time for bed?"
"Hyung, it's literally 7 PM."
"Oh haha, I guess I just lost track of time."
Sakuya narrowed his eyes, "Is it cause of Yushi hyung?"
Sion looked like he was going to explode, "What?"
"You're not coming because of Yushi, right?"
"No! Why would you ever think that?"
"You agreed to come until I mentioned Yushi. Also, you've been avoiding him for the past few days. You really thought we didn't notice? Yushi hyung's been beating himself up over it."
That last sentence hit Sion with an instant wave of guilt and regret and he buried his face in his hands, "Just… go get the snacks."
Sakuya shrugged and left.
ᓚᘏᗢ
Sakuya had left about an hour and a half ago and Sion had been trying to sleep since then. Sleep quickly proved to be impossible, though. His mind was just too full of Yushi. His mannerisms, his cute smile, his cotton candy voice, the way he hated sweat except when it came to Sion; just Yushi.
When had it gotten this bad?
As if things couldn't get any worse, Sion heard a familiar, sweet voice outside his room.
Yushi knocked gently, hearing his voice almost made Sion fold instantly, "Hyung, can I come in?"
Shit, thought Sion. He quickly made up his mind to pretend to be asleep.
He heard the door open with a soft creek.
"Hyung, I'm not stupid. I know you're not asleep."
Sion pretended to be groggy as if being disturbed from a peaceful slumber, "But I was asleep."
"Right."
"What do you want, Yushi?" It came it harsher than Sion had intended. He didn't even call Yushi, "Ushi" like he always did, a nickname that only Sion was allowed to use.
Yushi looked like a puppy that had gotten kicked, "Well, I just wanted to talk, but you're clearly still deadset on avoiding me, so, never mind."
"Wait, Yushi, that's not what I meant."
Yushi just looked at Sion, eyes full of hurt. Sion would never forget that expression for the rest of his life. How could he forget knowing that he caused Yushi so much pain? His Ushi. That sweet, shy boy that Sion had grown to love so, so much.
"God, I'm sorry Ushi," Sion said as his eyes welled up with tears.
It was no use, of course. Ushi had already left.
ᓚᘏᗢ
Sion looked like a zombie the next morning. He almost considered calling in sick, but quickly dismissed the idea. Wish just had practice and a recording today. Compared to the last few days of constant promotions and travel, this was nothing.
He stopped by a cafe on the way to the company with Riku and ordered an Americano with 6 shots.
Riku stared at Sion's drink. Bewildered, he asked, "Why are you drinking poison this early in the morning?"
"Shut up," was the response he got.
When they got to the practice room, Riku made his way over to the other members. And Sion? Well, Sion was off by himself sulking in the corner farthest from Yushi.
"Who shat in his cereal?" Ryo asked.
Sakuya snorted. "That's not it, him and Yushi hyung are going through a… shall we say, lovers' quarrel?"
"A lovers' quarrel is exactly what it is," Jaehee chimed in.
Riku sighed. "So, I'm assuming we have to be careful around Yushi too?"
"Obviously," said Sakuya.
"Are you guys going to practice or what?" Sion asked.
"Right, sorry!" Jaehee quickly said.
Practice was absolutely unbearable. Sion was hoping to get through it with minimal interaction Yushi. Sion was incredibly stupid for thinking that was possible. Their choreographer must secretly love Yusion because they had so many parts together in so many different songs. Sion pretty much refused to touch Yushi, much to the latter's dismay.
"Can you guys at least act like you want to be here?" Sakuya begged.
"I don't know what's going on between the two of you, but you guys seriously need to sort it out. It's becoming ridiculous," Ryo added.
Jaehee, the personification of goodness itself, chided them. "Come on guys, give them a break. You don't know what they're going through."
"I don't know what they're going through, but I do know that the rest of us are tired of it." Riku said.
Yushi scoffed, "You're tired of it? Think of how tired I am. Sion hyung won't even talk to me. I've known him for over ten years and this is the first time he's avoided me like this!"
"Yushi, please don't fight the others because of me," Sion said quietly.
Yushi's eyes immediately softened.
"Let's just finish up practice and I'll stay out of your guys' way, okay?" Sion said.
"Hyung, seriously. What's bothering you so much? Why don't you talk about it with one of use? Why don't you talk about it with Yushi hyung?" Ryo asked.
"I'm the oldest. You guys are supposed to lean on me. Not the other way around."