Usually when Jooheon called Kihyun, is was to beg him to come over while Jooheon moped around for hours. It was like a sick game, and Kihyun would have to cheer him up and distract him until he forgot about whatever it was that had caused him to call. Kihyun didn't exactly think it was much fun at all. 

However, today, when Jooheon had called repeatedly (Kihyun ignored him once and hung up on him twice), and Kihyun had finally answered, he was met with the opportunity to actually go out with Jooheon for once. Funny, he didn't even think Jooheon knew what 'going out' meant, seeing as he rarely seemed to leave the apartment, not counting the convenience store down the street. Still, he was intrigued, and he gave Jooheon his address. 

When he heard two brisk honks outside, he assumed it was Jooheon, and he went outside, laughing when he saw Jooheon in an Impala that looked like it had been painted over one too many times. Jooheon really tried hard in everything. Sighing to himself, he prepared himself for a long day as he sat in the passenger seat. 

"Where are we going?" 

Jooheon didn't answer, and Kihyun briefly considered jumping out of the car to avoid being murdered, before he decided that he didn't really mind if he died or not. In that light, it was almost disappointing when Jooheon pulled into the parking lot of an indoor sports rink. 

Jooheon led him past all the entertaining areas with actual human interaction, and Kihyun found himself in the middle of a batting cage in the back of the building. 

"Well, what do you say, are you ready to catch my balls?" 

Kihyun rolled his eyes, "you're so dumb." 

"What, I am the giving type, didn't you know?" 

Jooheon smiled, and Kihyun couldn't help but feel that today would be worth it. Besides, Jooheon seemed to already be in a good mood, so maybe for once he had wanted to hang out with Kihyun without some deep, dark reason involving Minhyuk. 

They played for some time, until Kihyun's arm hurt, and then Jooheon took his place, grabbing a bat. And after failing to throw in a straight, steady line, Kihyun decided that maybe he'd be better off leaving the pitching to the machine, instead grabbing a catcher's mitt. And they played, and played, and Kihyun thought for sure a few days had passed, since there were no windows in sight. Finally, in the hopes of taking a break without letting Jooheon know that he was tired of playing, he called out, "hey, can I try batting again?" 

Jooheon smirked, "wow, I always pegged you for more of a catcher. You know, the one getting pegged. Right? Or am I wrong, do you like to switch it up? That's cool, I've never met a-" 

Kihyun interrupted him, "how do you do that?"

"What? It's pretty simple, you grab a bat, swing when you see the ball in your face, and hope that it doesn't hit the jewels."  

Kihyun groaned. "No, I'm talking about how you can manage to joke so much about sex, when it's the very thing that's killing you inside." 

"What are you talking about?" Jooheon dropped the bat, taking a few steps to meet Kihyun. 

"Why are you with him?" Kihyun really should shut up, but he was tired of always skirting around the subject just because Jooheon was sensitive and deluded.

"Kihyun," 

"No, answer me. Why are you with him? He's an asshole, and you know it! So why do you stay?" 

"Because, I-" 

"What?" Kihyun stepped forward, staring into Jooheon's face.

"You know what, it's none of your business." 

"You make it my business by crying to me every time he does something." Kihyun turned aggressive, "so I want you to tell me why you're still with him? Go on, try and find a good reason. Tell me? Huh? Just tell me-" 

"JUST FUCKING DROP IT ALREADY." 

Kihyun stepped back slightly, "I'm just trying to help you..." 

A loud clattering sound resonated through the batting cage, and then Jooheon stomped out, clutching a hand to his chest. The pitching machine continued to let out dull pounding sounds, as the metal seemed to vibrate. 

When Kihyun returned to Jooheon's car, he saw the boy sitting in the passenger seat with a frown. 

He sighed, getting into the driver's seat and starting the car. 

"Come on, let's take you to a doctor." 

"I don't-"

"Just shut up and don't move your hand." 

And silence fell.