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Rain patted firmly against the concrete, the 4 pairs of cheap school shoes squelching and the sound of their laughter cutting through the intimidating echo of the sharp droplets soaking everything they touched, making the piercing cold rain appear almost welcoming.
Achi watched the four boys, a grin plastered to his face as he occasionally chuckled at their antics. Though his gaze always seemed to follow one particular boy, the boy that had previously sat far to close to Achi then he probably should've, marveling at the smaller boy's Rubik's cube solving skills.
A wide grin settled on Augar's face as he and his brother played hot potatoe with one of Ko Neung's shoes. His drenched shirt clinging to his skin, making him shiver occasionally, as did his hair, clinging to his forehead as more water droplets raced across his skin as a result of the gravity pulling them to the ground. Much like the way Augar unintentionally pulled Achi towards him just by existing, and the smaller boy couldn't ignore the pull anymore. He tried his best to resist it when they first met (more like when Achi first met Augar, back when the basketball player didn't even know Achi existed), but that didn't last long. At first he tried to keep his distance, afraid that this group of gangsters was just as bad as everyone said they were, loud, annoying, utterly insufferable.
That was until Achi properly met Augar, that one summer day in the uniform store. He was sure he'd never forget that day, the way his heart pounded in his chest as the taller boy spoke to him so softly, so normally, not like he was a walking wad of cash (as some people often treated him), but like he was... Achi.
It was that day, and a couple of days after when he'd been rescued by the group and welcomed into their circle that Achi knew that trying to resist the pull was utterly useless. And sometimes it felt like maybe, just maybe, Augar felt it too; judging by the way he was always the first to notice Achi, by the way he'd kept his promise to remember his name the next time he saw him, by the way he'd been so quick to kick out his desk-mate just to have the smaller boy sit right next to him, by the way he'd taken two oranges from Ko song just to give one to Achi.
The shy boy watched from afar, smiling to himself as he watches Augar run back to their table while giggling uncontrolably along with their other friends, all soaking wet and dripping water onto their table as they attempted to catch their breaths.
Augar returned to his spot next to Achi, though the smaller boy instinctually moved away to avoid getting himself wet, something which Augar visibly frowned at, making Achi feel guilty but somewhat confused.
"Assholes, because of you two my shoes are wet inside AND out. If this pair end up breaking I'm making you two pay for new ones." The smaller Ko scolded though a his signature wicked grin still remained on his face, making the rest of the boys giggle.
"All of our shoes are wet inside and out, thanks to you. If anything you should be the one paying for new pairs for all of us." August returned, though his tone was nothing but playful.
"Alright, we should really get inside and try to dry off the best we can before class." The responsible Ko Song rightfully suggested, prompting all the boys to stand up, grab their bags and follow him inside once they'd finally caught their breaths.
They walked under the ledge trying to keep themselves from ruining their uniforms further. Achi and Augar walked side by side (as they often did) with the taller boy closer to the wall while the other fought against the rain that was now pouring down at an angle, making it fly directly onto the smaller boy, prompting him to attempt to use his book bag to (unsuccessfully) protect himself from the chilling rain. He noticed Augar staring at him for several seconds though he didn't pay much attention to it as he focussed on protecting himself, until he felt the taller boy's wet, cold hand grab onto his wrist, making him flinch slightly, and pull him towards the wall as he affectively switched their positions where Achi was now right next to the wall and being shielded by Augar's larger and already drenched body.
Achi looked up at him for a second though he didn't say anything, instead focusing on trying to calm his rapidly accelerating heartbeat.
Once they safely stepped into the school building they were immediately greeted by their homeroom teacher who, upon talking one look at them, just sighed and directed them towards the infirmary, instructing them to use the towels there to dry up the best they could before coming back to class.
The five boys made their way there as instructed and once they arrived the nurse took one long look at them before offering them several towels to use.
Achi stuck by Augar's side (as usual) ho made his way to the bed in the corner of the room, settling his stuff down on the mattress before pulling the curtain, making the smaller boy panic slightly due to the intimacy now provided by the fabric separating them from the rest of their gang.
"What are you doing?" The shy boy asked, panic obvious in his tone, making the taller boy grin involuntarily.
"Changing. I wanna leave my shirt to dry a little before class." Augar responded casually as he already began unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt, not even bothering to turn his back to the other boy who grew visibly flustered (though Augar didn't seem to notice).
"Do you want me to-?" Achi was already taking steps towards the opening through which he was planning to escape, before he was cut off by the taller boy who'd almost completely unbuttoned his shirt by now.
"No, you can stay." Augar responded casually, though the slight shake in his voice and the way he avoided Achi's gaze made the smaller gulp heavily. Especially as the taller boy finally removed his shirt, turning to the side as he quickly rummage through his bag and presumably looking for his basketball jersey, one Achi assumed he was planning to use for practice after school.
The smaller boy couldn't help his gaze that trailed across Augar's bare side, watching the way small water droplets from his hair glided down his skin, emphasising his lean body and firm build, likely caused by all the time he spent practicing. Achi thought he looked so gorgeous in this light, the rain had long stopped, making space for the sun shine through the clouds again. The light from which, coming through the window, painted the taller boy in the most beautiful shades of yellow, making the athlete look ethereal.
Once he'd found it, Augar quickly pulled the tank top over his head before turning to face Achi who promptly raised his gaze to the taller boy's face instead, a soft blush caused by his previous observations vivid on his cheeks, eyes wide as he looked up at the other boy, while his Addams apple bobbed as he gulped. The collection of which made Achi look all the more soft in Augar's eyes as they stared at eachother for a long moment.
"Can- can you pass me the towel, please? I should probably dry my hair before I end up soaking this top too." The taller boy stuttered uncharacteristically, snapping Achi out of his thoughts as the smaller boy looked down at the towel next to him and promptly grabbed it, preparing to pass it to Augar who already had his hand stretched out, ready to grab it from the smaller boy, when a thought occured to Achi.
The shy boy looked down at the towel in his hand, then up at Augar. Thinking about how the taller boy had taken care of him all day, by the way he pealed the orange so Achi wouldn't have to risk getting juice in his eye, or the way he'd pulled the smaller boy closer to the wall and sheilded him from the merciless rain.
"Can I do it?" Achi asked without really thinking, watching as the taller boy's head tilted to the side in confusion.
"Can I dry your hair for you?" The smaller boy clarified, causing a wide grin to spread across Augar's face, not like the wicked grin the boy often sported while teasing Ko Neung or his brother, something way softer that he seemingly reserved only for Achi, causing the latter's cheeks to grow even hotter.
"Okay." Augar responded as he sat down on the bed, facing the smaller boy as he sat down in front of him.
Achi hesitated for several seconds as Augar faced down to give the shy boy the space to dry his hair.
As soon as the towel and the boy's hands made contact with Augar's hair, Achi felt like he was gonna die. His heartbeat accelerating dramatically as his cheeks blossomed with a red hue.
Achi gently rubbed the taller boy's hair, trying his best not to tangle the locks as he dried each part as best he could, feeling the towel grow damper and damper as he worked his way through every section.
Neither boy said anything, both focusing on the task at hand; Achi drying his hair (while trying to control his stupidly fast pulse) while Augar tried his best to remain still.
After a couple of minutes Achi finally drew the towel back, placing the wet fabric down next to him on the bed.
"Done." The smaller boy announced, as a proud smile stretched across his cheeks, prompting Augar to finally raise his head and shake his hair back into place. It wasn't fully dry but he was sure it would fine in no time.
"Thank you, Achi." Augar appreciated as a soft smile rose to his face, prompting the smaller boy to smile back just as tenderly, though his face dropped into a frown once he noticed an out of place strand on top of Augar's head.
Without thinking Achi reached up and combed his fingers through his hair, pausing instantly once he looked back at Augar's face to find an unreadable expression, marked by the softest flush blossoming on his cheeks.
It was then that Achi realised how close they had gotten, Augar's face only mere inches away from his own making Achi's own cheeks flush as his pulse quickened, so fast and loud that the boy felt there was no way Augar couldn't hear it in the space between them, as it was growing increasingly warmer. And for just a moment, Achi felt like he could hear Augar's pulse too, matching his own.
"Wait, where is Augar and Achi?" August's voice rang through from the front of the room causing both Augar and Achi to jump back, as the taller quickly stood and moved to open the curtain as he began making his way towards the front of the room where the rest of their gang were drying themselves off, towels in hand.
"What? Miss me already bro?" Augar called out teasingly as he approached his brother, causing Achi to snap back to reality and finally make his way to the front as well.
"Oho, in your dreams. But what were you doing anyway? Why'd you close the curtain?" August replied, genuine curiosity in his voice as the rest of their friends just watched, seemingly also curious.
"Changing. Can I not have some privacy while I change?" The taller boy replied casually, earning an acknowledging nod from the rest of their friends.
"You say you want privacy but you take Achi in with you?... Suspicious." August teased, the grin on his face making it obvious that he was just pulling his brother's leg, though that didn't stop Achi's body from tensing and his face from growing hotter.
"Your mum's suspicious." Augar returned abruptly, causing the rest of their friends to chuckle.
"We have the same mum, genius." The other brother scolded as he promptly smacked the back of Augar's head causing the rest of their friends to outright burst out laughing.
"But seriously, what was he doing? I would say 'enjoying the view' but I know there's no view to enjoy." August pushed further, unable to keep himself from throwing in an extra teasing insult, prompting Augar to lift his hand as if he was gonna hit him but putting it down once his brother flinched and covered his face as he chuckle.
"He was just helping me dry my hair." The taller boy explained briefly, conveniently leaving out any details.
"Mmm, so that's why your hair's already dry." Ko Neung replied as he patted the front of his hair with the towel, completely missing the back that was still dripping wet.
"Ah I see. Then, Achi can you help me dry my hair in the back?" August asked, earning a smile from Achi who was already walking over to lend a hand.
"Sure!" The smaller boy replied probably more enthusiastically then he should've, until he felt a hand wrap around his wrist and pull him back.
"Hey! Get your own friend to dry your hair, I'm reserving this one." Augar replied, mostly to piss off his brother, though Achi could swear there was something possessive in his tone, making the smaller boy blush wildly and let out a little 'oof' as he was yanked back, stumbling until his back hit Augar's chest.
"Wow, now you're reserving him too, you really are being suspicious. And don't say anything about my mum again or I'm telling on you." August warned though everyone still laughed it off in the end.
Once everyone was (mostly) dry, they all made their way to class. Ko Neung and Ko song walked side by side with August trailing close behind all talking and teasing eachother, while Augar and Achi walked behind all of them side by side.
They didn't say anything, though they could both feel the quiet tension and comforting warmth between them. Augar occasionally glanced at Achi, unable to deny the way his heart pounded in his chest as he watched the sunlight bounce off of him making him look like the sun itself, especially when that precious smile dug into his soft cheeks making him shine even brighter, constantly pulling him closer with a gravity Augar could no longer ignore.