I'm Not Cold; Just Scared

^ω^ Chapter twelve ^ω^

That's when Jinyoung realized something. Just like him, Daehwi was scared. Scared of something Jinyoung didn't know, but he knew one thing. Daehwi had helped him a lot when he was scared, now it was his turn.

"I- I'm okay...I'm okay."

"No you're not okay, baby" Jinyoung whispered softly for no one to hear. He heard the gush of water coming from a tap and taking a deep breath, opened the door. He saw Daehwi's swollen face as he bent over, washing it. Daehwi was so caught up in his emotions that he didn't notice the older who was staring at him silently

"Guys shouldn't cry, right? I shouldn't cry. I'm okay" 

Jinyoung clenched his fists at this. The stereotypes were in the way again. Guys should not cry, they should be masculine and strong. Aren't men human as well? Shouldn't they deserve to let their tears out?

Daehwi used some eye drops and after that, he didn't look like he had shed a single tear.

"I'm Fine." he said, smiling brightly.

This broke Jinyoung's heart. This was the Daehwi who smiled brightly in front of everyone. Nobody had seen the Daehwi who was crying and screaming just a few minutes ago. This was painful and bad for Daehwi.

At that moment, Jinyoung  made his decision. He was going to help Daehwi no matter what.

"No you're not fine, Lee Daehwi." he spoke.

Daehwi whipped around, his eyes widening when he saw the older.

"J-Jinyou-"

"Stop pretending Daehwi... why do you do this? Why do you keep pretending that you're fine when you were having a mental breakdown just five minutes ago?" Jinyoung asked coming closer towards Daehwi.

The smaller boy had frozen and was unable to say a word when he realized that Jinyoung had heard...everything. 

Suddenly Jinyoung came even closer to Daehwi and gripping the younger's shoulder, pinned him to the wall, using his other hand to grab Daehwi's wrist, pinning it to the wall as well.

Daehwi let out a whimper as he felt how close Jinyoung was and he could actually feel the older's breath. 

Jinyoung looked deep into the younger's eyes as Daehwi's pupils wavered, wondering what was going to happen next.

Would Jinyoung be angry that Daehwi hadn't told him and had told the others?

Would Jinyoung not want to be his friend anymore?

Fear crept up Daehwi's spine. Their close proximity was making Daehwi nervous. And the fact that he was being pinned to the wall didn't help either.

Jinyoung moved in closer to Daehwi's ear and whispered something.

"I don't think you should be hiding your emotions and anxiety, let it all out, it's healthier for you."

Daehwi just stared back, trembling, unable to say anything. Jinyoung spoke again. "That's what you told me, Daehwi. You helped me. I thought you were a happy guy but underneath all this, you're crying alone. You're forcing a happy emotion on yourself. Why?"

His voice cracked as he spoke. He took a breath. "You helped me a lot when I needed someone. But you're human too, you can't do this alone. I want to be there with you. I want to help you, Daehwi." Jinyoung said.

Tears brimmed in the corner of Daehwi's eyes when he heard Jinyoung. Nobody had realized that Daehwi was still traumatized and then here was Jinyoung, who didn't even know the reason and was still caring for him.