#ksn

“Make sure to say nothing but great things.” He leans closer attempting to catch a glimpse of Kyungsoo’s notes. 

“O-of course!” He shies away a few inches because having Jongin so close is not good for his heart. 

“Don’t you have any questions for me? Since this article is about me after all.” Jongin winks, playful and teasing. It’s the type of wink that makes Kyungsoo’s heart jump and his mind drown but he remains afloat, hanging onto this precious friendship with everything he has.

“N-no questions...I k-know everything a-about you, J-jongin.” He shakes his head. 

“Oh yeah?’ Jongin’s eyebrows arch, a mischievous glint in his gaze as his lips form a smirk. “I doubt that.”

Kyungsoo knows him. No one knows Jongin as much as he does. So he takes the hockey player up on his challenge. “T-then a-ask me a-anything.” He straightens his back, confidence spiraling throughout his limbs in an attempt to look unperturbed by Jongin's claim. 

“My favorite colors?” Jongin smiles. 

“Red and b-black.” 

“That was an easy one...What about other sports I have played?” 

He places his notepad on his lap and begins counting on his fingers. “B-basketball...s-soccer...f-football...a-a-a-and hockey.” There’s a pause while he glances at Jongin, then a light bulb flashes. “A-and t-track!”

“Almost got you there.” Jongin chuckles. “You have good memory. I did track back in middle school. It’s been too long.” He sighs. “Do you know why I haven’t dated anyone since high school?”

Oh no. How could he ever know that. It has always seemed odd that Jongin, who was sought after by numerous people never dated. Many people questioned Jongin in the past, but their questions were left unanswered and Jongin would move the conversation to another topic. 

Kyungsoo doesn’t know. He takes pride in knowing everything about his friend, but this is something he’s wondered himself but lacked the courage to ask. Words have always failed him, but even moreso when it comes to this man who he’s loved with all of his heart. It’s difficult to express himself in fear that everything could blow up in flames. So he lies to himself over and over, trying desperately to rid these feelings but they fail to go away. His heart betrays him time and time again, what could he do?

“I...d-dont k-know.” He lowers his head, tightness swelling in his chest. 

Jongin’s eyes soften and his warm palm lands gently onto Kyungsoo’s thigh. “Should I tell you why?” Kyungsoo’s head sinks lower as he weakly nods. Jongin squeezes his thigh lightly. “It’s because there’s already someone that I love. Would you guess who that could be?”

Kyungsoo’s eyes widen as his head snaps up to find chestnut eyes staring into his. His throat runs dry with eyes on the brim of tears but he holds firm before his unrequited love and prays he doesn’t notice. 

“I...I—”

“Well, this person…” Jongin continues but Kyungsoo doesn’t want to know, he doesn’t want to hear who Jongin loves. He squints his eyes in an attempt to make everything a dream, a hallucination that’s different from reality. But it’s all for naught as his mind ushers him back to the present when damp but comforting fingers brush along his chin. Jongin lifts Kyungsoo’s head, causing their eyes to meet and he wouldn’t dare look away. “He’s clumsy, smart, caring and very very attentive.” Jongin chuckles and Kyungsoo feels the familiar tug of tears gathering in his ducts. “He followed me to college, lets me copy his homework and even when I’m being a brat, he’s always there for me, listening to all my troubles.” The tears are falling now, every one of them rolling down plush rosey cheeks as he comes to notice just who this person is. “He’s someone I can’t imagine living without. And most of all, he has the most adorable stutter I have ever heard.”

Kyungsoo chokes up. His eyes possibly swollen but none of that bothers him because having his love returned meant more than anything.

“I wanted to confess after we won. I promised myself I would.” Jongin’s hand reaches up to wipe the tears from Kyungsoo’s face, brushing them as they come, ever flowing and light.  “So what do you say? Would you be the boyfriend of this coward who couldn’t confess for years now?” Jongin dips his head a smidge to allow Kyungsoo to look into his gaze. But the journalist can’t seem to open his eyes in fear that this couldn’t be true.

“Kyungsoo?” Jongin’s worrisome tone prompts him to nod furiously, and then that searing smile which could compete with a thousand suns shines at him. He nods, and nods, and nods a bit more until Jongin is laughing loud and hearty, his eyes brimming as well.