CLANDESTINE.
done secretively, discreetly

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

        Thud.

Thud.

        Chenle shot his head up and widened his eyes further as he heard faint footsteps that were seemingly ascending up the staircase. The boy could hear each step loud and clear, and seconds later they grew louder and louder and Chenle assumed that the person had already arrived at the top.

        It was not long after that he heard the door right across his room being swung open and pushed back, shut.

        Afterwards, the boy hadn't heard more since.

        Chenle rubbed his puffy eyes, brushing on his tear-stained cheeks.

        Jisung probably went to his room now, he thought.

        Chenle knew that the younger had stayed in his parents' bedroom yesterday, so he assumed that he was the one who just came up, considering that the room across his is, in fact, his unoccupied parents' bedroom.

        But wait.

        Where would Miri stay in for the night?

        Oh Miri.

        His blood boils even just mentioning her name.

        Seeing her smiling made it ten times worse.

        Seeing her laughing and being happy made him clench his fists and grit his teeth.

        And Jisung being the cause of her joy?

        Honestly, he might be even more hurt than mad.

        Oh, how he wishes he could be happy with Jisung.

        How he wishes that he would also be the reason the boy would smile everyday.

        But why is he getting mad at Miri? The girl didn't do anything.

        Honestly, Miri had more of a privilege to get mad at Chenle.

        Knowing that Miri stole Jisung's heart first than him.

        Truth be told, he only blamed it all on Miri,

        —because he didn't want to be mad at Jisung.

        He didn't want to believe that he, too, was at fault.

        He didn't want to hate Jisung as much as he had hurt him.

        Love.

        He couldn't hate Jisung because he loves him.

        He ends up doing the stupidest things, all because of his love for Jisung.

        How he wishes Jisung felt the same way for him.

        Chenle heaved a big sigh. Miri is going to sleep with Jisung isn't she?

        Chenle felt his throat run dry all of a sudden, and felt the need to drink a glass of water.

        The boy groaned in frustration as he pulled the covers off of his body and laid a foot down the rather freezing wooden floor, squirming under the uncomfortable feeling of coldness. He sat up, placing another foot down, and managed to get on his two wobbly feet. Once he had grasped enough balanced, he slowly tiptoed his way to the door, where he swung it open slowly, trying to produce the least sound possible as to not disturb the others who were sleeping soundly at the surrounding areas.

        And to not disturb Jisung and Miri who are probably cuddled up beneath the thick covers, giggling, making out.

        As much as he wanted to just barge into the room and just push Miri off of the bed and cuddle with Jisung instead, he has enough braincells to conclude that that's no where near to a good idea to do.

        Stepping out of the room, he glances up on the door across his, fighting back the urge to do some really dumb shit. He shook the thoughts off and managed to compose himself, surreptitiously making his way up onto the flight of stairs.

        He took slow, silent steps, as he wasn't wearing any slippers because why the fuck not. He had been caught off-guard due to numerous thoughts flooding his mind, causing himself to do things that aren't sensible at all, and completely disregarding simple but mandatory activities even leading up to forgetting to wear some slippers to shield his unprotected feet.

        There's no turning back now. His bare feet hitting the wooden floor made little to know sound, and with his stealthy footsteps, someone probably wouldn't even notice him coming around.

        After excruciatingly long moments of moonwalking down the stairs, he finally reached the living room.

        Passing through the room, he saw pillows and random things scattered on the floor, including unopened bags of chips that littered the area, which were probably supposed to be eaten but it seemed like that wasn't the case.

Chenle was just walking around, making his way to the kitchen as the things on the floor were blocking him from walking through easily.

Nothing seemed fishy. Everything seemed relatively normal.

But for some reason,

there were lights in the kitchen?

╚═ °• ♔ •° ═╗

        He swore everyone was asleep right now.

       Or at least, back at their rooms.

        But why does it seem like somebody is still here at the kitchen?

        Chenle was relieved that he left his slippers. Or else he would've made loud footsteps and would've preempted his presence.

        Yet again, the boy hoped that someone isn't really downstairs, and that somebody just forgot to switch off the lights.

        And most importantly,

        he hoped it wasn't Jisung.

        Chenle creeped behind the wall and peeked his head out a teeny, weeny, little bit, just enough for him to see the kitchen partly.

        Is he hallucinating?

        Because why would Jisung still be up at such an ungodly hour?

And above all the other people who could be down here, it had to be Jisung.

        "I suddenly like rainwater," the boy mumbled silently, making sure that Jisung wouldn't hear him thinking aloud. He badly just wants to step out into the rain and just drink the droplets falling from the sky instead of dealing with this tall chicken just to satisfy his thirst.

        Chenle stayed still, watching Jisung in the distance.

        And what had bewildered Chenle the most was how Jisung was acting.

The younger had his head on the table, his thumbs rubbing his temples as he lets out pained grunts and whimpers.

Chenle furrowed his brows in confusion.

        "What's happening?", he muttered to himself, watching the boy cry in pain.

"Agh- fuck,", the younger let out in a breathy voice, eyes shut tightly and his teeth gritting madly in pain.

Chenle watched Jisung as he lifted his head up, unable to see his face properly, but he knew.

He knew something was definitely up.

He watched the boy struggle to stand up, his hands grasping the bar stool and table while his legs seemed wobbly as it looked like he had insufficient strength to carry the whole weight of his body.

Chenle bit his lip unconsciously.

He was worried for the younger, and he was also confused as to why he was acting like this.

"Ugh!", Jisung groaned loudly.

Jisung was definitely not okay, Chenle thought. He looked so weak, so vulnerable. He looked so fragile and it seemed like he was about to shatter any second now.

His body was constantly swaying from left to right, signifying his constant lack of balance, and his legs were shaking as if it couldn't hold the mass that is his upper torso.

His limbs were trembling and Chenle could clearly hear his breathing heavy and shallow.

"Fuc-"

And that's when he saw it.

The terrible sight of Jisung's lifeless body collapsing down the floor.

"Jisung!"

Chenle cried out as he quickly charges at Jisung, his body lunging forward and letting his legs take him to wherever it wishes to go.

And only seeing how fast forces move, only made matters worse.

It was so fast.

Times was too fast.

Chenle's heart dropped.

But he did it.

"Jisung?", Chenle whispers affectionately.

Just right in time.

He wrapped his arms around the younger's waist, and with his other hand, slowly traced circles softly on his back.

In a fraction of a second, Chenle was able to dash forward, catching Jisung from falling down in his arms.

Chenle glanced unto the younger.

Finally, he was able to see Jisung's face again.

To admire him again.

But what's to admire?

Disheveled hair, puffy cheeks, chapped lips?

But nevertheless, Chenle would always see Jisung's breath-taking beauty regardless of the hour.

Chenle smiled unconsciously while tucking a stray hair behind his ear. He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling his brown locks softly, brushing on his forehead.

His forehead felt warmer than usual.

He thought he was just overthinking, but after laying a hand on his forehead, he determined that Jisung indeed had a cold.

Then he remembered.

"Stupid boy." Chenle giggled, cupping the younger's flushed cheeks as he pulled him up and carried him to his room, to take care of him despite feeling tired.

It was Jisung he's taking care of. He'd take care of him no matter what.

        Even if he was exhausted, or even if he's unstable himself.

        He didn't mind as long as it was Jisung.

Because, love.

Love that makes him do the stupidest things.

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

        ❀ | a/n !
— I EDITED CHAPTER ELEVEN TO SAY THAT THE BOYS HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A MONTH SO thats all rlly lmao
— came back from my trip yesterday so heres smthing 🙌🙌
— HYUCKHAN !