"ACK!" Jeonghan broke eye contact, clutching his arm.

No, this can't be happening right now.

"I'm sorry, I have to go! I'm sorry!!" Jeonghan stammered, turning abruptly and dashing down the corridor.

Seungcheol's eyes widened in alarm as he noticed blood droplets trailing behind. "Jeonghan!" he shouted, rushing after him. The chase ended in the washroom, but Jeonghan was nowhere in sight.

"Everyone, Mr. Boo is collecting papers, and Mrs. Hong is calling for extra English lessons!" a student announced as they exited the restroom.

Once the others cleared out, Seungcheol's voice echoed in the silence. "Jeonghan, it's just me now."

There was no response.

Seungcheol sighed, determination flickering in his eyes. "If you won't let me in, fine. I'll stay right here."

Grabbing an inverted bucket, Seungcheol sat down outside one of the stalls. "No one's coming back. It's fine if we skip the lessons. I'm staying, Han."

Still, there was no response.

"At least let me bandage it, Jeonghan, or if not me, Mom will do it for you."

Jeonghan's silence persisted, and Seungcheol's shoulders sagged. "Alright, if you're going to be this stubborn, then I'll just sit here with you," he muttered.

Minutes passed in uneasy quiet before the door creaked open, and Seungcheol flinched, startled. "Oh? Seungcheol, what are you doing here?" Joshua's curious voice broke the tension.

"Nothing. Just needed some time to myself," Seungcheol replied quickly. "Actually, could you do me a favor?"

Joshua smiled warmly. "Of course. After what you did for Jeonghan, I owe you."

"Could you grab an 'Out of Service' sign and stick it on this bathroom door? I really need a moment here, and I can't go to the roof. Students are always smoking there."

Joshua chuckled at Seungcheol's pout, which could melt anyone. "Alright, no problem. I'll grab the sign." He left after washing his hands.

A faint voice finally emerged from the stall. "Why? Why are you doing this, Seungcheol?"

"Because I care about you, Han," Seungcheol answered softly.

The stall door creaked open, and Jeonghan stepped out. His face was a mess—puffy from crying, his normally tidy hair disheveled, and his usually sparkling eyes dull and rimmed with redness. His lips were cracked, and his shirt sleeve was stained deeply with blood.

Seungcheol's heart sank. "Jeonghan!" He rushed forward, wrapping an arm around Jeonghan to support him. Guiding him to sit on the bucket, Seungcheol said, "Wait here. I'll get the first-aid kit."

A few minutes later, he returned.

"How did you—?" Jeonghan began.

"Mom wasn't in the clinic. Now, can I?" Seungcheol asked, holding up the supplies.

Jeonghan nodded hesitantly.

Seungcheol gently dabbed at Jeonghan's lips with a cotton swab, cleaning the blood. "I know you didn't mean for this, Han," he murmured.

Jeonghan's eyes widened. "It forms, doesn't it?"

Seungcheol nodded, carefully applying antiseptic. "I noticed the blood-forming on your shirt. How long has it been like this?"

"Two weeks," Jeonghan admitted softly.

"Can you take off your shirt? The sleeves are in the way."

Jeonghan hesitated but nodded, fumbling with the buttons before Seungcheol stepped in to help.

"Don't worry, just your arm," Seungcheol reassured him as Jeonghan sat in his vest.

Examining the deep cut, Seungcheol frowned. "This is bad."

"I can't show it to Mrs. Choi or Josh. They'll think I'm trying to—" Jeonghan trailed off awkwardly.

"Suicide?" Seungcheol completed the thought.

Jeonghan chuckled faintly. "Yeah. Josh acts like my mom sometimes, and I'm older than him by two months!"

Seungcheol smiled, watching as Jeonghan's mood brightened momentarily while talking about his friends. He wished he could be part of that light.

Jeonghan glanced at Seungcheol, noticing his concentration. "You're cute when you're focused, you know?"

Seungcheol flushed red. "Aye, stop that!"

"The Choi Seungcheol is blushing," Jeonghan teased.

"ACK! Hold still!" Seungcheol exclaimed, flustered as Jeonghan flinched from the sudden sting of antiseptic.

"Sorry! I panicked."

"You're such a worrywart," Jeonghan said, rolling his eyes.

Seungcheol handed Jeonghan a pain relief tablet from his pocket. "Take this. It'll help with the pain."

"Why do you have this?"

"My birthmark sometimes causes pain. Grandma keeps me stocked up," Seungcheol explained.

Jeonghan nodded and popped the tablet into his mouth as Seungcheol finished bandaging him.

"Here, wear this," Seungcheol said, handing him a slightly oversized denim hoodie from his locker.

Jeonghan chuckled. "You don't have to explain everything, Cheol."

"Cheol?"

"You call me Han, so I'll call you Cheol."

"Cheol," Seungcheol repeated softly, smiling.

Jeonghan stood, his usual grin creeping back. "And about helping you? I think I'll let you know me, Choi Seungcheol."

Seungcheol's face lit up with pure happiness.

"Friends?" Jeonghan asked.

"Friends," Seungcheol affirmed, his grin mirroring Jeonghan's.