Algorithm (Failed)

Chapter 2: Intel

"What happened?" Noting on his downcast expression.

"Rain. How about you?" Minho said before closing the bathroom door behind him.   That was not the answer Jisung was looking for. He wrung his hands together, thinking if he did something as he sat on the bed.

Saturated clothes torn off and discarded.  Finally rid of the cold materials, a sigh escaped his lips. He ruffled his hair dry, his body next and then slipped into the clothes. The set, were a simple navy color, both the pants and long sleeve shirt. Thicker than the ones he wore at home, gladly accepting the warmth. His thumb and index fingers nimbly rubbed at the collar of the shirt. His eyes met his reflection somehow. The same one that was always there but he still didn't recognize. It was like looking at an artificial version of yourself, one that tricked you for a second thinking it was real but then you saw it. The defection, it should've been obvious at first, yet the eye was trained to move past it. Though after looking for so long he could see it easily now.

He knew his thoughts would only transcend further if he stood there for another second so be pivoted away from the glass to tuck his clothes into one of the plastic bags he found and left the bathroom. Jisung still sat on the side of the bed nearest to the bathroom, looking down at his lap and worried his lip between his teeth. Minho didn't resist his urge to roll his eyes at the younger as he took the spot next to him. "You didn't do anything wrong," He spoke Jisung's thoughts and grabbed his hand, fingers tangling together. "I just had a fight with someone."

"About what?"

You.

"It was nothing," He says instead.

"Why are you being mysterious? You already told me enough why can't you tell me more?" The younger asks, eyes fixed downward. "Because I'm protecting you," He had involved too many people and he was now beginning to regret it.

"You may be older but that doesn't mean you have the responsibility of protecting me," Jisung didn't realize what he said until he said it. A bitter smile grazing the others lips. He tried to apologize but the blonde refuted him just like Changbin did earlier.

"It's okay," Because it was okay. The sting from a time of uncertainty and shame, scared that there was something wrong with them and hopeful of their feelings getting reciprocated, hopeful not only they felt these things. It was even scarier when their feelings were reciprocated despite how many red flags there were (and still are). That sting was still there, because he acted on his impulses despite Jisung being young and dragged him into this mess.

"You are such a bad liar." The younger sighed while hanging his head, reddish brown fringe arcing lower over his forehead.

"That wasn't a lie."

"No I'm su-

Minho quickly leaned forward cutting him off. Adorably so, his already round eyes had somehow become even rounded. The elder leaned in a little more, prompting the other to do the same, heads curving so their lips could meet. Every time one of them pressed forward or moved just a tad bit faster it was as if they were releasing all their emotions. The ones that they hid from everyone else, the ones that drove them crazy. Any reluctance and nervousness from the beginning had ebbed away. The kisses they shared brought swoops in their stomachs and fires under their skin.

"I missed you," the confession was spoken as an airy whisper but Jisung still heard it, he nodded quickly, eyes still closed even though they retreated from the kiss. Time they spent away was sporadic, it could be a week or less, or it could be like this time a little more then two weeks. It was disorienting, repressing your emotions for so long then suddenly all of them coming at you head on. A tremor went through them, and the younger wasn't sure if it was from the buzz or the draft that entered the room. When his fingers his fingers curl around Minho's thin wrist that's when he noticed how icy his skin was.

"Your skin feels like ice. Get in bed," Jisung leaned back, patting the bed. He knew he was right and it was good idea to avoid getting sick so he thought he could at least agree to one of the boy's wishes. A blanket that was once stored in the closet, laid atop of his comforter now, with the both of them under the layers. Legs locked around another pair like a vice, they as huddled close for warmth.

He liked these silent moments they shared, it was different from the deafening silence that constantly surrounded them. Breathing evenly with their eyes closed, joining each other's presence. They could spew all their thoughts out and talk about anything, playful batter and remarks. Tonight was different, the day's events tiring him.

"Chan has the intel. The rain had no mercy while I was on my little adventure though," He joked then nodded yes just when Jisung was about to open his mouth to ask.

When his eyes fluttered open again, another pair of brown orbs were staring right back. Both gazes intermingled with solace and adoration, a hint of eagerness in the youngers, probably due to the news.
That look almost made him want to spew out all the things that troubled his mind, but he bit that urge back.

"Even yours. I couldn't leave you out like that," He joked again, reaching out to pinch his full pudgy cheeks but his hand was swatted away. Jisung nodded, rosy lips quirking up at the corners, his olive skin now glowing. The bedsheets rustled as the other outstretched his hand to card his fingers through the blonde strands.

"That's reassuring," The words were  simple but they held so much sentiment. Hope too, hope that he would be free╌ it made Minho's heart squeeze. With what, he didn't know. All he knew was this boy reminded him so much of his brother. How they both did or said anything despite their nervousness and hesitation. The two always afraid but pushed it aside. Minho could only hope to become that brave. Minho hummed, his hand splayed over the other's jaw, thumb skidding across the flesh of the youngers cheek.

No words were spoken as their eyelids fell closed, eyelashes fanned across their cheeks as the rain started up again outside the window. As time spanned out they lulled to sleep. Breathing evenly, muscles relaxing, the world faded away. During night and into the morning, their arms and legs twisted even more around each other.

X

Changbin replayed the days events in his head. How he lied to his parents, telling them that Minho went to sleep early when in reality he slipped away again to wherever he went. The fight, the painfully obvious lie he told while looking him right in the eye. To him, his brother was acting ridiculous. He knew there was a reason. It was just one he couldn't decipher on his own.

The only good thing was that the job was done, everything after coming into play. Domino after domino toppling over. He held that image in his mind's eye as he looked out window then he turned over for the second time that night.

His train of thought eventually stopped on his friend and the intel. What was Chan going to do? When was he going to start? A last thought struck him, one that could be true and irked him the tiniest bit. Did Chan know more than him?