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The minute Han and Minho escape the warm threshold of the chlorinated pool, cool air wills to crawl up Han's neck. Minho grabs their towels, handing Han's over, a small smile attached to his face as he watches Han begin to slightly shiver. The sun just didn't seem to be warm enough, leaving Han to begin to tremble the last ten seconds of his walk and Minho relished in it.

"It's not that cold, Han."

"Shut up." Han wraps his towel around him as if he was a burrito, sucking the warmth out of the sun-soaked fabric. Minho likes teasing Han, maybe just a bit too much. Han absolutely hates it, on the other hand. He actually despises it.

He only hates it because it makes his stomach do a flip and makes him feel flustered. Minho liked to fluster him, too.

Minho's hand finds the middle of Han's back as he guides them both inside, walking to the door and opening it, only to hear Changbin yelling at the top of his lungs.

"CHANNIE-HYUNG!" Changbin stands from the couch, eyes locked onto the television in fear as his character jumps and misses the next platform, beginning to respawn but never getting the chance to move as the round concludes.

Chan can't help but laugh, leaning into the couch with a controller lolling from his hand helplessly. Changbin turns and looks at his older friend, face in disbelief as the game changes on the screen behind him.

"I told you not to go that way!" Chan defends what seems to be something close to his honor, but Changbin's cry of horror seemed to plead otherwise.

All they were doing was playing Fall Guys. A mindless game where they just had to reach the end of the race to proceed to the next round. Chan was having zero problems completing each course, but Changbin had fallen off maybe twenty times each round (and that was a lot considering the time limit per track).

"No! Back out! Restart! Do it again!" Changbin points at the television with an annoyed grin, holding the controller a bit tighter than he'd like to admit, but Han and Minho could both see the steam coming from his ears.

This was pretty typical of Changbin and Chan, always playfully bickering if one was winning over the other, especially if one was doing way worse than the other. Everyone loved seeing Changbin getting riled up. His voice always got high pitches and his veins started to protrude in his forehead, eyes widening and stance rigid as he tried to complain or beg for another chance.

In this case, this was the sixth game they were on. Chan had nicely reset the game plenty of times, but Changbin died nearly every single round. Chan couldn't help that his friend was surprisingly so bad at a kid's game, but he was not going to make that known to him.

"It's not his fault you suck, Binnie." Hyunjin laughs from the couch adjacent to him, his arm around Felix's small shoulders loosely. Felix's hand drifts to hold onto Hyunjin's, watching Changbin's unamused gaze torture Hyunjin as he tries to hide from what seemed like a deathglare.

"He doesn't suck," Chan attempts to diffuse the incoming fight, but Changbin simply sits down and holds the controller, saying one final word.

"Restart."

Han looks at Minho, unwrapping the towel from his shoulders and resting it on the pile of other towels nearby, walking towards the living room and sitting down on the couch next to Changbin.

Minho follows like a lost puppy, standing behind Han at the back of the couch with his hands struggling to remain still on the couch's back cushion.

"Can I join in?" Han mumbles towards Chan and Changbinm, watching them both look at him with different gazes. Chan was enthused; Changbin looked like he was filled with dread. Hyunjin reaches towards the media cabinet, opening the first door on his left to reveal another controller, just hidden away out of sight. Han smiles at him, half expecting Hyunjin to throw the controller towards him, but instead he hands it to Chan, who hands it right to Han.

Chan fixes the game's settings, loading in a completely different screen as he asks Han to press a button on the controller, which invites him into the lobby. Han softly cheers with his friends as they all lean back into their respective seats, watching the television with amused eyes.

Seungmin was sitting on the floor against the wall to Han's right, eating one of the ice cream bars Jeongin recommended minutes ago in the nearby store. Jeongin sat next to him, his phone out as he scrolled through social media during breaks, but now his eyes rested on the game, watching and waiting for the course to start.

"Don't fall off." Hyunjin mumbles to Changbin. Changbin chooses not to respond as he bites the inside of his cheek.

Han's shoulders tense the moment the game starts, leading his purple character through hoops and jumping over moving pieces, giggling as he moves further into the course. Chan wasn't too far behind him, Changbin still unfortunately stuck at the beginning, struggling to get past the first few jumps.

"Han?! You're actually good at this?" Chan struggles to keep up with Han, the unknown seasoned gamer, jumping over a moving bar and nearly missing the next platform. Han almost squeals in excitement as he hears Chan's breath hitch, staying concentrated enough not to fall off.

Minho watches from behind Han still, a smile loosely wrapped on his lips as his hands drift lower down the couch until he suddenly feels skin at the edge of his finger tips. The touch was so minimal Han barely noticed it, but Minho could feel the electricity at the point of his fingers.

Minho knew where he was. He was completely coherent and alive, present in the moment as he struggles to keep his hands from dancing towards Han's bare shoulders. All he wanted was to touch him; feel him. He didn't care who was in the room, and part of him just wanted to be with Han.

His eyes drift towards Felix and Hyunjin, heart sinking at the sight of two friends lovingly cuddled on the couch, Felix's fingers intertwined with Hyunjin's naturally and no one said a thing. Maybe, just maybe Minho can get away with plopping down onto the couch and settling next to him. Maybe if I just-

"Eat my dust!" Han smiles even bigger, jumping onto the final platform, running closer and closer to the finish line. Minho wakes from his thoughts and cheers with Han, hand drifting unknowingly onto Han's right shoulder. Han's breath stutters, but he remains as normal as possible, setting his controller down the moment his player disappears after crossing the checkered finish. Han looks over at Chan, then back to the split screen, watching Chan finally reach the last platform with a breath of relief.

Han's eyes snake to the bottom of the television, watching Changbin finally make an ounce of progress, but falls almost immediately after.

"Now what the fuck?" Changbin points to the screen. "This game is against me."

"Binnie-" Felix studies the television as Changbin starts to move his character again. "You're diving instead of just jumping normally."

"I'm what?"

"You're making the character dive with every jump you do. You don't have to add the dive in everytime." Felix's statement resonates something within Changbin, enough for him to stop and process Felix's suggestion for a second before trying a normal, un-diving jump to a different platform. It worked.

"My whole life is a lie!" Changbin stands from the couch excitedly, moving through the course, but is suddenly cut off by the timer and is disqualified. The group breaks out in laughter, Hyunjin hiding his face in Felix's shoulder as he openly laughs out loud. Chan struggles to keep his laugh silent, seeing as Changbin was nearly staring into his soul at this point.

"You're an idiot," Seungmin laughs, holding his stomach as the laughter seems hard to stop.

Minho's head falls and rests on Han's bare shoulder, hand being pushed further down to dangle in front of Han's naked chest while the other arm loops in front of Han's neck, grabbing a hold of his own dangling wrist.

Han's eyes were wide. He had stopped laughing, almost stopped breathing when Minho touched him in front of everyone so openly. His face was warm, nearly beat red like a fire truck as Minho laughed into him, jostling Han's body ever so slightly.

Felix's eyes open briefly to scan the room, all of their friends laughing evenly at Changbin who sat in almost complete silence as a smile begins to rise on his previously frowning lips. He was purely settled in disbelief. But as Felix looks past Changbin, he spots Minho draped across Han and Han wasn't moving away.

Felix nudges Hyunjin lightly, whispering in his ear as Hyunjin, who was still laughing, looks upwards and over to Han, his laugh stopping the minute his eyes see what Felix's did.

"This is bullshit." Changbin laughs with his friends now, setting the controller down and offering it up to anyone else, but is waved away as his friends calm themselves down from a fit of laughter.

Han lets himself linger in the warmth from Minho's arms, suddenly feeling Minho's head drop down further in secret, lips pressing down on his left shoulder.

Han wants to scream. Han wants to run away from the emotions about to combust from his heart as he thinks too deeply into Minho's sudden affection. Han can't take it. He's so oblivious to Minho's fondness towards him because clearly Minho would rather be caught dead than touch anyone else the way he was touching Han.

Just as he's about to relax his own heart, Minho presses another subtle, soft kiss to his shoulder, hidden beneath his crossed arm, the affection lingering in the shadow of his own body. Han freaks out again, the kiss lingering on his skin; his naked skin.

Han remains still, face burning hotter by the second as Minho leans back up, acting as innocent as ever, looking over to Changbin and muttering something that Han couldn't even listen to as his head stumbles in the clouds.

Han's ears were ringing. All of his thoughts and emotions come stumbling down as he feels a cool wet kiss chill his shoulder, and he can't help but wish Minho would kiss his skin more. Han's hand briefly reaches up to touch Minho's only hand that was still on him, pretending to pet him away but instead tracing a finger over his knuckles, giving a reassuring squeeze on Minho's pinky. He wished he knew what Minho was thinking. The kiss meant something more than just sudden affection, and that thought could cause Han to be restless for days.

On the opposite side of the room, Felix can hardly believe what he's seeing, eyes watching every second of his best friend's secret unfold before his eyes, but Hyunjin taps his wrist when Jeongin begins to talk to them. His eyes are pulled away, but his mind won't stop screaming about his best friend lying to him.

"Minho?" Han whispers to the boy standing directly behind him, feeling Minho bend down and lower his head, his ear close to Han's lips. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay, Ji." Minho reassures, looking over to him briefly. "Why?"

Han leans close, unaware of Felix's eyes staring at them. "I really want to kiss you right now."

Minho slowly rises from his leaned position, acting very calm and collected, but the hand on Han's shoulder gives him a subtle, but tight affirming squeeze.

Han's voice was low, just hidden below the tone of a whisper when his heart spoke to Minho. Minho didn't respond to Han's sudden confession, but something about the hand on Han's shoulder told him everything he needed to know. Han knew Minho wanted to kiss him too.

Only two hours stroll by when four of their friends elect to leave. Chan, Changbin, Jeongin and Seungmin all head home, saying bye to everyone and grabbing their belongings before leaving out of the front door. Minho had convinced Han that it was probably safe for them to leave too, nearly ready to head for the front door before a voice interrupts them.

"Ji?" Felix beckons from the backdoor, half standing outside. "Can I run something past you quickly?"

Han doesn't seem to mind the change in plans for a few short minutes. Felix was his best friend, so it never took a lot of convincing for Han to rush over to Felix for whatever he needed.

Minho stood in the hall with Hyunjin, Han's bag in his hand with their damp towels inside. Hyunjin looks at him, and all Minho can do is stare at Han's back as he walks out of the door and it closes behind him.

"What's up?" Han steps outside, watching Felix nervously toy with the hem of his shirt.

Felix doesn't speak for one, long minute. His eyes seemed timid, unsure, almost afraid of something, but Han wasn't exactly sure what he had to be so fearful of. Was it Hyunjin?

"Lix?" Han presses again, raising his brow as worry builds in his chest, breath hitching with filling anxiety.

"Can you be honest with me?" Felix finally mutters out and Han finally breathes.

"Of course." Han can feel concern building behind his gaze, but he didn't want to come off as overly anxious for something that was likely nothing to worry about.

"You wouldn't keep something from me right? Like you wouldn't lie to me?"

Han swallows. Oh shit. "Yeah, Lix. We're best friends."

"But I know you're lying to me."

"Felix, I'm not lying to you-"

"What's the deal with Minho?" Han's stomach sinks into his ass. A gut punch, a fatal blow as he stands there completely wordless, eyes widening as the seconds tick past.

Han wasn't sure how he knew, nor did he really want to know. He was more concerned about Minho's safety regarding his privacy, afraid that everything he had started with him was about to go up in flames.

"I know something is up with you two." Felix shakes his head dismissively, eyes narrowing as his interrogation proceeds. "Why the hell wouldn't you tell me?"

"Felix, it's not what you think-"

"Oh, so making out in Hyunjin's pool isn't what I think it is?" Fuck.

"How did you-?" Han takes a step back, eyes wary with concern as his anxiety tips over the edge. His hands have a slight shake to them, tears prepared to begin streaming any second if Felix started to argue with him.

Confrontation was not his strong suit. Han knew they wouldn't leave this conversation unscathed, but a fiery twist in his stomach fuels the hiss in his voice as a realization hits him like a speeding truck. "Were you spying on me?"

"N-no."

"Now you're lying to me!" Han watches Felix look away, a tinge of guilt rising in his tone.

"I can't believe you wouldn't tell me about kissing the boy you've been head-over-heels in love with for months." His voice is cracking, clearly upset, but Han doesn't seem to care.

"It's not up to me to determine when he's ready to come out!" Why the hell did I say that?

Regret seeps into Han's brain as the words tumble from his mouth without thought. Surely Felix knew that Minho wasn't exactly open about who or what he was into, especially when it came to a relationship he claimed he never wanted, but Han should've never confirmed the unknown.

"I wish you wouldn't lie to me." Felix folds his arms.

"I don't want to lie to you." Han's honest, so incredibly honest right now, but he has to tread carefully. Everything he longed for was waiting for him in the house, and god, he didn't want to admit his feelings being as strong as they were, but it was all he had. He loved Felix too, he never wanted to hurt him, let alone lie to him.

"Then tell me the truth." Felix's eyes pierce into Han's soul. He knew he had to make a choice. He knew he had to come clean or avoid talking about it all together, which would result in risking his friendship with Felix or risking his relationship with Minho.

"Your birthday party-" Han feels his stomach twist. "After spin the bottle, we headed up to that room you found us in. He was so sweet, so much more considerate than I expected and I can't explain to you what came over me or even him but he kissed me. We chose to keep it a secret because he was uncomfortable sharing it with anyone."

Han watches Felix's hurt expression fall instantly. "It wasn't my place to tell anyone. Sure we've been hanging out after school in the dance room, but, I-"

Han shakes his head. "I can't say anymore. It's just. . . none of your business, Lix. I'm sorry."

"I just worry about you, Ji." Felix sighs and Han feels weight drift off of his shoulders. "Minho is cold and closed off. He never usually has room for anyone else in his life, let alone anyone to love. I just don't want you thinking you can reach that part of him."

"I want to try-" Han watches Felix wince.

"People have. No one has even come remotely close." Felix's voice drops into a near whisper, afraid of hurting Han's feelings as the next statement rolls from his tongue. "Are you sure you're not just obsessed with the idea of possibly having a chance with him?"

"Possibly having a chance?" Han lets out a steady wave of air in disbelief, eyes finding the concrete before looking back up, feeling those hidden tears surge to the surface. "You have no idea what you're fucking talking about."

"Ji, listen to me. You've had your heart broken one too many times by men who are experimenting and exploring their interests, and that leaves you getting attached and ending up alone. I don't want to see you like that again."

"It's not fucking up to you Felix!"

"It's my job to look out for you!"

"I could say the same shit about Hyunjin. I could mention how you've fawned over him for months since you both started taking an art class together or how you wished he'd talk to you more instead of Chan and Jeongin, but I never did. I encouraged you to talk to him and feel him out!" Han is crying at this point, watching Felix begin to cry too. "I wanted you to be happy. Why can't you be happy for me?"

Felix is quiet. His hands find his shirt again, pulling at the stitches and avoiding looking at Han's teary, glossy gaze.

Han was boiling with anger and disappointment, heart breaking from the realization that he would've never expected Felix, of all people, to hurt him like this. They had been friends for years, always clinging to one another and spending hours together after class because they simply loved each other. Now, here they were; feeling farther apart than they've ever felt.

"I saw you and Hyunjin all over each other, like you've so apparently seen Minho and I. My first thought when I saw you guys holding hands was that I was so proud of you. I know how much you liked him, and seeing you finally with him made me so ridiculously happy. But here we are, the same situation flip-flopped and you can't be fucking asked to even be remotely excited for me at the possibility of finding someone good for me."

"He's not good for you, Ji. I just want to be honest with you! I'm sorry-"

"You don't know him. But you're really observant, so listen to me when I say this."

Han walks closer to Felix, an anger unfamiliar to him taking control and overwhelming his anxiety. His stomach hurts. He felt like he was about to vomit. "Stay the fuck out of my relationship and I'll stay the fuck out of yours."

Felix can't bring himself to say anything as Han heads for the back door and swings it open. Han waits for a second and no longer, almost wishing Felix would say something to him. But all Han hears is the subtle wind and their breaths.

Han's feet quickly tread through the house as he grabs onto Minho's hand, unbothered by Hyunjin standing nearby who clearly sees the interaction. Han moves them towards the front door, swinging it open and rushing down the driveway as quickly as he could manage with Minho being pulled behind him.

"Han? What's happening?" Minho asks, still being dragged by his hand down the sidewalk, but he doesn't bother to break free.

"We're going home." Han mutters, tears slipping past the threshold holding them in as they drag down his face, curling under his jaw.

Han can't talk to Minho right now. Han can't spill the truth about what he said to Felix. Another time. A problem for a different day.

Han knew everything would come crumbling down the moment Minho found out what he had said to Felix in an effort to salvage his friendship. Han didn't want Minho to be cold again. Han liked warm Minho, the Minho that kisses him and holds his hand. The same Minho that holds him when his house is too loud.

He can't lose that. Not now; not ever.

"Jisung, please stop and talk to me."

"We can talk at home." Minho's heart breaks when he realizes that Han is crying.

"Hannie-"

"Minho, please. We can talk later, I just want to get home!"

"Jagi." Minho stops dead in his tracks, Han attempting to pull him forward but failing instantly. Minho pulls Han backwards, but Han refuses to turn around. Minho's hands find Han's shoulders as he slowly turns him, eyes watching tears continue to fall as Han looks up at him pitifully, then quickly looks away. "What happened?"

"I-I don't want to talk about it."

"Jagi, please talk to me." Minho still has his hands on Han's shoulder, but his arms raise when he realizes that Han collides into him and engulfs him into a tight hug.

Han's heart is shattered. He's used to this feeling, this let down and this sudden sadness. This is exactly why he didn't want to get so attached to people in the first place, but now he had Minho to deal with. He was so fucking attached to him and he never meant to get to this point. But when Minho calls him pet names and holds him in the dark of night, all Han can do is wonder how he hasn't fallen for him yet.

He didn't mean to spill so many secrets at once, but he wanted to save his friendship anyway he could. To his dismay, his anger overtook him and words left his tongue before he could even think about the message attached to them.

Now all he had was Minho. Felix was gone, Hyunjin probably was too. He wanted to stay attached to Minho until he suffocated himself in the middle of his chest, inhaling his cologne and crying into his shirt. Maybe for once, he could feel happiness instead of faking it.

"I just really want to go lay down." Han admits, shoving his face further into the crook of Minho's neck, tears colliding with Minho's collarbone and dripping down his skin. "Please."

Han's voice is weak, paralyzing Minho to his core. He's seen Han broken down and upset, but this version of Han felt different. Something bad had happened, but Minho couldn't bring himself to pry.

"Okay." Minho kisses the crown of Han's head, hand threaded through Han's hair as he holds him closely, unwilling to let go. But as Han breaks free, his hand searches for Minho's instantly as he interlocks their grasp, softly leading Minho down the sidewalk. Minho follows without question, holding Han's hand a little tighter than usual, almost afraid to let him go.