chenle's heart hammered behind his ribs. he straightened into a proper sitting position and moved away slightly, afraid she might hear his heart from her awkward spot in the doorway.

swallowing, chenle cleared his throat and motioned with his fingers for her to come in. "yeah, um... what's up, soyi?"

soyi immediately flushed at the sound of her name, and he could tell by the way she turned her face around the room that she was trying to hide it from him. cute, he thought silently, a grin tugging mindlessly at his lips.

in her aimless scanning, soyi must have spotted the gaming chair at jeno's desk, because she practically jumped into it and spun until she was once again facing the idol on the bed. she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin against them, her finger toying with jeno's computer mouse.

"soyi?" chenle asked to get the girl's attention. she snapped her gaze back to meet his, and chenle sucked in a sudden breath.

"sorry," she forced a chuckle out with the word. "mark got me all hyped up and confident, but it's like walking through that door stripped it all away."

chenle slowly nodded his head, not quite sure what she was talking about. "um, okay, sure. you wanted to talk?" he asked, trying to get back on topic.

again, a soft pink flush crept into soyi's cheeks. chenle was nearly overcome with the urge to pull her into his arms and hug her, and the sudden feeling confused him.

i wonder if her hair still smells like strawberries and roses—dammit, chenle, focus!

soyi let out a shaky breath and finally lifted her chin from her knees. her eyes had a bit of shine in them as she looked at him, and chenle's heart ached. he regretted not reaching out to her sooner, even before she opened her mouth.

"i don't like how things are between us right now. i don't know why it got so weird, but i really hate it. and... i miss you." she paused for what felt like hours. "i miss my best friend."

chenle internally winced, but he refused to show her that. at least she was speaking to him again, at least they didn't have to avoid each other anymore. at least she was here with him now.

releasing his cheek from between his teeth, chenle rose from the bed and opened his arms. he didn't have to say anything for soyi to get it, and she jumped out of the chair and into his arms without a second thought.

chenle ran a hand through her hair as she rested her face against his chest. "i missed you, too."

he heard her sniffle and tremble against him but chose to say nothing and hug instead her tighter. strawberries and roses, chenle silently mused as he let his cheek fall against her head, his eyes fluttering shut as he let the world wash away.

soyi
can you call cause i'm about to die

miles
YES

miles
does it have something to do about
why you were all quiet and smiley
at the dorm and during the ride home?

soyi
heeheheheeheh

Incoming call from m.chennie
answer | decline

"tell me everything!" miles screamed into the phone, his camera on and black hair wild, as if he'd just gotten out of the shower and chose to listen to soyi's drama instead of dry his hair.

soyi's stretched smile took up most of her screen. "well... i may have talked to chenle—"

"oh my fucking god, yes!" he cheered, and soyi laughed at his reaction. it reminded her of when she and chenle bet money on whether haechan or jiae would text each other first, before they started dating.

"okay, shut up," she managed through giggles. "do you wanna know what happened or not?"

miles's screen went blurry as he waved his phone around, most likely dancing alone in his room. "i need to know or i will die, han soyi."

and so, throwing herself onto her bed like a silly teenager in love, soyi told miles all about what transpired between her and the idol.

"and after the hug?" he asked eagerly, a penguin plushie clutched against his bare chest as he listened closely to her story.

"after the hug," she began, touching one cheek as it warmed beneath her fingertips. "we rejoined the others. so, not super exciting, but he didn't leave my side the rest of the night! we even agreed to hangout after one of his stages tomorrow and eat delivery food. just like old times."

miles's brows furrowed, but only for a brief moment. "and that's what you want, right? things to be just like old times? nothing more?"

soyi's lips curved down slightly before shifting back into a thin smile. "yeah. for now, old times are good. just talking to him again is enough for me."

it wasn't entirely truthful, and she could tell by the way miles was looking at her that he knew that, too. however, it was enough for her. for now.

jisung
saw you hanging out with
soyi the other night 😵‍💫😵

chenle
it's not what you think

jisung
I WONT HESITATE

jisung
IF CONFIDENT OUTSPOKEN
CHENLE DOESNT COME BACK
I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE
ACTION

chenle
what does that even mean

jisung
why haven't you confessed your
undying love to soyi yet 😇

chenle
we talked!!!!

jisung
i got that!!!
are you dating again!!!!!!

chenle
apparently we were never dating!!!!

jisung
that's so sad!!!!

jisung
so you can date now!!!

chenle
we are friends and that's good

chenle
slow steps

chenle
i don't wanna freak her out

jisung
but you're such an outgoing lovable
sometimes really annoying guy 🙁

chenle
yeah but you weren't THERE
so you don't KNOW

chenle
we will be friends for now 👍
we have a chicken date after the
next kbs stage🤞

chenle
and we hugged ✌️🫰

jisung
YIU HUGGD

jisung
oh it's serious 😰😰

chenle
we can only hope 🤩

jisung
😯

jisung
😦

jisung
😃

jisung
HES BACK HES BACK HOORAYY

•
okay autocorrected to playv for some reason and now i miss khl 😭😭

btw here's their height comparison for reference (chenle's height may not be 100% accurate, every website said smth different loll)