Two weeks flew by and Hyunjin felt weirder each passing day. He could swear his chest got wider and his back began getting more and more sore, aching occasionally in the same two spots though the boy was quick to silence that with painkillers. It did scare him a bit, the thought of being addicted to pills lingering on his mind and bringing more and more anxiety to crash on his body until he finally decided that he needed some real help.
He got on call with the doctor, Jaebeom, and when he explained his worries the older was quick to soothe his troubled mind but also appointed a meeting together.
So now Hyunjin was anxiously bouncing his leg up and down as he sat and waited for his doctor's arrival. Five minutes before the arranged time a knock resonated in the house. The boy shot up and quickly answered the door, letting the older man inside. He walked deeper, curiously looking around with a soft smile until it widened when his eyes landed on the younger boy who was nervously standing in front of him.
"I think we can sit down to talk Hyunjin" Jaebeom chuckled and watched as the other nodded and awkwardly gestured for the couch.
"Do you want anything to drink, sir?" Hyunjin gulped.
"Oh gosh Hyunjin don't call me sir, it makes me look so old" Jeabeom laughed and sent a warm smile towards the younger "If you don't want to call me by my name just say 'doc'" he said and saw a glint of relief in the dark eyes of the other boy "Also water would be great"
"On it doc" Hyunjin ran to the kitchen, causing the older man to laugh.
As he was walking back to the living room Jeabeom started again "You've got yourself quite a nice place!"
"Yeah" Hyunjin smiled "It's been really nice staying here but all the... You know... Nervousness and pain have been making it less appealing, let's say" he breathed out, avoiding eye contact.
Jeabeom hummed "So what's causing you discomfort?"
Hyunjin briefly explained all the things that caught his attention and made him feel weird. The doctor listened in silence, only speaking up once the boy had finished.
"To assure you once again - all the things you're experiencing are not out of the ordinary. Could I take a look at your back?" Hyunjin nodded.
The doctor traced his fingers over the visible bumps on the younger boy's back, humming contently "They look fine" he smiled again "Now, Hyunjin. Your body will go through some minor changes that you need to keep track of. You're not making up your chest widening - that's a natural thing that happens. One, for the wings to have more space on your back but also for things called 'air sacs'. Birds have those and they help with the double breathing that you'll start experiencing probably near the end of those three months. Those sacs won't be as big as birds have them in comparison to their size but still - that's a thing you can look for. Next, if you haven't already, you will at some point notice your metabolism speeding up and just know - that's another normal thing, so eat healthy with thought and you'll be fine. Now onto the more complicated stuff-'
"Now we're getting to the complicated stuff?" Hyunhin whined "I feel like you've just given me a biology lesson doc"
"But isn't that why I'm here?" Jeabeom chuckled and sent the younger a playful stare at which he sighed.
"Yeah, right. Go on"
"The wings. See, since you aren't just born with them and as you can clearly feel and see they are forming under your skin, they will have to come out somehow eventually" Hyunjin gulped but relaxed at the doctor's soft and reassuring expression "What's going to happen is that the wings will grow as much as they can under your skin until they are too big. I mean, compared to their final size they will still be small but you know, they will just outgrow their space they're incubating in now. When that happens, they will start tearing through your skin hOWEVER-" Jeabeom pressed to continue even though he saw the younger boy on the verge of tears "Until then you will already be given morphine and when we estimate the time of hatching, you will be in a hospital. So when all of that does happen, you will have all the help and treatment you need, ready to go. The whole process is actually quite quick thanks to all the technology and medication" the man smiled reassuringly at the boy who looked like a hurricane was at its finest whirling in his head but eventually the storm gave up and a rush of relief washed over his face.
"It's all so complicated" he sighed "But thanks for telling me all that doc"
"That's my job" Jeabeom chuckled "Also, for now I can take a guess that your wings will try hatching in about... three weeks, so I would suggest you call me in two, okay? Or when the pain gets too much to handle"
"So can't you like... Give me anything for the pain?" Hyunjin asked, somewhat sad.
"For now - not really. Don't overdose on painkillers but I can imagine it's hard just dealing with the pain when it is constant. I can maybe prescribe you some very light sleeping pills if you're having trouble with that?" when he saw Hyunjin nod he continued "I'm gonna send the prescription to your mother's email which she listed on your hospital card once I'm back. Remember, I've seen some people go through all of that before you Hyunjin and they all made it out fine and happy, so I can say for sure that you will too" he smiled at the younger and made his way out of the house after saying his goodbyes.
×××
Not long after the doctor left Hyunjin called his mom and explained everything to which she said she was proud and made sure to drop by with the medicine later that day.
The boy was then left alone to lay around the house since he didn't feel like doing much. At some point he turned on the ps4 Felix had lent him, looking to maybe play some 'The Witcher 3' as he wanted to pass some time. He got drawn into the game, letting his guard down and feeling relaxed so when a bang on the door resonated in the house, he almost flipped the table which stood in front of the sofa. Hyunjin gulped and walked to the door. Apart from being a slightly paranoid person, anyone could get a bit scared being all alone in the middle of a forest so he approached the situation with extra care.
"Hyunjin! Open the damn door or I'm whooping your ass!" the younger let out a breath of relief when he recognised the voice of his older friend so he dashed to the door and swung it open.
Changbin rolled into the house, letting two bags of things rest on the floor and sighed dramatically "To keep an older man waiting outside with heavy bags like that is a crime my dear" he wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead.
"Don't stress too much granny or your veins will pop" Hyunjin rolled his eyes, earning a light punch to the side "Child abuse!" he yelled while running deeper inside the cabin.
"Alright come back here you drama llama I have some stuff!" Changbin yelled and dragged his two bags to the living room where he let them rest on the couch. The younger obliged and soon they were unpacking, Hyunjin widening his eyes at the gifts.
"Why- Where did you get all of that?!" he asked curiously as he unwinded a huge 'Queen' poster in awe "This is all such cool stuff!"
"Well the boys and I decided that this whole place" he gestured vaguely at the house "Is a bit plain so each of us dumped some stuff in the bags and I was chosen to drop them off here" he huffed and suddenly shot back to fetch his backpack from the entrance hall "I also bought some food. I thought that maybe we could uh... Cook something together?" the older's overjoyed stance suddenly dropped as he fidgeted with his hands nervously, avoiding eye contact which was unheard of when it came to Changbin.
Hyunjin frowned but quickly smiled in reassurance "Oh sure. That'd be great!" he said sweetly but when the older seemed to not be able to let go of the awkwardness that trapped his body Hyunjin was quick to drop the heavy atmosphere "Can you help me hang these posters up?" he asked while holding up the paper with 'Pulp Fiction' picture on it.
Changbin blinked twice and smiled while nodding and rushing to his friend.
They began setting all the gifts, hanging up posters, putting down plants and throwing plushies onto the beds (Hyunjin knew in an instant that either Minho or Jising or even both were responsible for bringing a gigantic, stuffed eggplant into his bedroom).
After being done, the boys moved to the kitchen where they began preparing all the things they'd need for a carbonara since that is what they opted to do.
The more time they spent making the food the more confused Hyunjin got with why on earth Changbin wanted to cook together - an activity the older proved to be absolutely disastrous at. He not only didn't know basic facts about cooking overall but managed to somehow mess up each task his friend asked him to do - more or less but still did.
The younger boy watched in amusement with a cocked brow as the older battled the egg to separate its yolk from the egg whites while not crumbling too much of the shell to fall inside. As the shorter finally sighed in relief he darted his eyes to his friend and sent him a sheepish smile.
×××
few days prior
"What'd you mean you have a crush on the angel weirdo?" Seungmin let his confusion and disgust be very obvious in his tone as he voiced his opinions on his brother's situation.
"I don't know! I just can't keep him out of my mind lately man! And when I meet him my brain just... shuts down" Changbin fell onto an armchair and sighed deeply.
He has been observing his confused emotions for a while now. At first it was subtle - a brush of skin that sent a small, warm tingle down his spine or a sudden thought about the younger boy in a situation that didn't require it at all. As the time passed he found his mind being occupied by his regular thoughts but also an unhealthy amount of those about the raven head. Hyunjin seemed to have found a new home within his brain and didn't look like he would be leaving any time soon which both frustrated Changbin and flattered him. He knew something was up when the two began spending more time together with the older butting into his friend's day wayyy more than necessary but also because Hyunjin never shut him out. The younger's warm and welcoming demeanor seemed to have lured him into a world of complete chaos, unexplained emotion and tons of unsought warmth which made him want to run or melt fully into it.
He was confused and lost, though some deeper part of him knew the exact moment he fell for Hwang Hyunjin and knew he hasn't stopped falling since.
"I mean, that's understandable. Hyunjin is a good looking guy" Seungmin shrugged "I just have a hard time imagining him as your ideal type" he raised his eyebrows but his eyes remained emotionless like in most scenarios.
"I guess I wouldn't think that either at first but then the more I dwell on it, the more he is literally the bestest version of any type I ever had so-" Changbin stopped to groan and cover his face with his hands "This is gonna be so bad"
"Why" Seugmin more said than asked. The older glared at him.
"What do you mean 'Why'? The guy literally shows no interest in me whatsoever!"
"I don't blame him-"
"You're not helping!"
"Who said I would help?" Seungmin said and was almost ready to run at the deadly expression his brother sent him "Look, if you're worried about him being all stubborn and saying he's straight - I just don't buy it. I think he forgets that bisexuals exist hence why he isn't aware that he is one" the taller walked over to a small drawer from which he fished out a lollipop "But I guess you should take his words first which in your case means - you finally fell for someone and the person doesn't feel the same way. Do with that what you may''
Changbin sighed.
This won't be easy.
×××
His hands shook slightly as he poured the mixture of cream and egg yolk into the pot with pasta. In his mind this really sounded more romantic but now, when he's been close to messing the entirety of Hyunjin's kitchen up at least three times, he's got no doubt that it was a mistake.
The younger didn't seem to mind though. He wasn't angry or annoyed and rather laughed and made fun of his friend for being so awkward and incompetent. Which honestly Changbin would take everyday over having to admit that the activity was supposed to make the taller more interested in him.
Changbin didn't know why he was so desperate but in his mind he made it his goal to get this boy's heart by the time them bad boy wings come out of him fully. He also decided that if by then Hyunjin will still be as straight as a line, he will move on.
So for now he will be the boldest bitch he could afford to be.
Hyunjin groaned and bent over a bit, sending the shorter into an instant state of worry.
"What's wrong?" he asked carefully while putting his hand on his friend's lower back which seemed to have grown to begin way of comforting the guy.
"Nothing... Just- my back started hurting. that's all'' Hyunjin hissed out and bent more onto the counter while gripping its edges.
"You say 'nothing' but then go Quasimodo style" Changbin huffed. He slowly and carefully lead the taller onto the couch which he quickly spread for him to lay down on. He then went to the kitchen and grabbed two bowls, filled them with food and hurried back to the bed where his friend had a pain filled grimace on his face. It hurt Changbin's heart to see the boy so uncomfortable like that so an idea popped in his head.
He quickly stripped down to his boxers and to say Hyunjin's shocked and embarrassed face was priceless would be an understatement - he'll have that image engraved in his mind forever.
He then leaned to the front and what should be hands preventing him from the fall, transformed into a set of powerful paws which slightly scratched the wooden floor.
Hyunjin gulped as he saw the massive animal moving his way and shoving itself onto the sofa, making it creek and bend under its weight.
'move a bit' He heard in his head as the wolf gestured with its head so that the taller slightly pushed himself to the side. Changbin lay behind him and invited him to lean into his body.
Hyunjin, uncertain at first, moved back and put his back against the animal's body. Immediately he melted into the soft fur and warmness that suddenly surrounded him and his back pain was long gone as he got more comfortable against the living cushion. He snuggled against the wolf's side and smiled while reaching for a blanket to drape over himself and part of Changbin's back legs. The wolf's throat let out a content rumble as Hyunjin ran his hand through his fur.
"I never told you this but I really think your wolf is so cool though until now I had no idea you're this soft" Hyunjin giggled and snuggled into the animal's fur again "You're a walking pillow"
'I'm a dangerous mammal and you should be afraid' Changbin said in a mocking tone, making the taller chuckle again.
"Sure and all this fluff you have going on is just a fun addition" Hyunjin rolled his eyes but let them close short after.
He felt himself dozing off, the warmth and coziness surrounding his body completely blocking out any worries or daiscomfort he might've felt earlier.
×××
first time I ever put my biology knowledge to use with that doctor bit lol