Seungcheol's POV
"Cheol oppa...?" I heard you whisper through the phone. Did something bad happen? Again?
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"C-can I come over? I promise I won't stay long. I just need to get out of here."
I smiled sadly, though I know you can't see it. "It's okay, I don't mind you staying here. In fact, you can sleep over for the night. I don't mind."
"Are you sure oppa? Am I not being intrusive...?"
I chuckled lightly. We've been friends since childhood yet you still seem to be very shy around me, not that I mind. I actually find it cute. I find everything about you cute.
"I'm sure of it. And come on, you? Intrusive? You can never be intrusive when it comes to me."
"If you say so, Cheol oppa. I'm gonna pack some clothes now. I'll see you later?"
"Yeah, see you later." And we both hung up.
It's not the first time you came to my place, and it's definitely not the first time you came to seek comfort. A few more minutes, I heard knocks. I can only laugh in my mind. Silly you, you forgot that you have a spare key to my apartment. Right after opening the door I immediately engulfed you in a hug, knowing full well that that is what you need the most. Almost immediately you hugged back, tightening your arms around my waist and burying your face deep in my chest. Affectionately gestures such as this is common for us despite not being a couple. But I hate it that we're not.
I maneuvered ourselves towards the couch, positioning you beside me while still keeping an arm around your shoulder, you opting to nuzzle your face on the crook of your neck while I trace my fingers on your hair.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
With a sniff, you replied with a whisper, "They're fighting again... my parents. I didn't k-know that a day where they both visit my apartment at the same time would come. They've been divorced for years you'd think that they'd cool off, yet when they were fighting earlier it's like the hate for each other just grows..." By the time you finished your story you were sobbing uncontrollably. It pains me to see you like this.
I pressed my lips on the crown of your head, softly running my hand up and down your back, "Shh..."
You calmed down after a few more sobs, turning your head to face me. Why is it that even though your face is drenched in tears, you're still the most beautiful person my eyes had laid upon? You still look the most beautiful when you're happy though.
"Cheol oppa, thank you for comforting me... I don't know what to do in that situation and you're the only person I trust so I called you the moment their fighting grew..."
I smiled and patted your cheeks. You're really too cute and pure for this world.
"You don't have to thank me, you know. You're my best friend, and I don't want you to feel sad because of any reason." When I mentioned the word 'best friend', the light in your eyes dimmed a little. Does that mean...?
"Yeah... best friend..." You whispered inaudibly, eyes casting downwards.
Am I dreaming? Am I overanalyzing things? Or maybe your actions...
Do you like me too?
"Do you want a drink? I can prepare hot chocolate for both of us."
Your eyes lightened again and you gave me your biggest grin. I smiled inwardly. That's my girl.
"Yes please!"
After we finished our drinks your once sagging composure turned lively again, and now you're being able to smile and laugh. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice you tapping my shoulder.
"Oppa? Are you alright?"
"H-huh? Oh! Oh, uh, yeah. Just spaced out for a bit. Were you saying something?"
You giggled. "I was thanking you for the hot chocolate and well, everything." You smiled shyly at me. I ruffled your hair. "Like I said before, no need to thank me. You can always lean on me when you're feeling down."
You pouted. Cute. "But still, is there something I can do as a form of thank you?"
I practically signed a death wish with my next words, but better late than never.
"You can go on a date with me. Just one date."
The look on your face, you gaping like a fish, would be very laughable if I wasn't so nervous.
"M-me? You want me to go on a date with you?"
"Just one date. That's all I'm asking for.."
"I don't want to go on one date with you..." you whispered so low I had a hard time hearing it. But when I fully understand what you said, my heart clenched.
"You, you don't want to?" I sighed, "I guess that you really only see me as your best friend. Sorry for asking, you can forget I asked you on a date."
You both startled us with a loud "No!" Now it's my turn to gape at you. "What? What do you mean no?"
You inhaled deeply. "What I mean is, no, I don't want to go on one date with you, because I don't want to limit our date to only one. I want to have more than one dates in the future...."
I blinked stupidly "Does that mean that you...?"
You nodded, trying your best to suppress your laughter from my idiotic expression. "I have been for a while now, actually. I really really like you, Seungcheol oppa."
I laughed in glee, pulling you for a tight hug. "You don't know how long I waited for you to say that."