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"Minhyung-ah, the cherry blossom festival is tomorrow, you wanna go together?" Minseok asked as he takes a bite of the chocolate chip ice cream in front of him.
Minhyung paused, his hand stopping from writing the notes for their mid term exam.
Right. The cherry blossom festival. Minhyung almost forgot about that. He unconsciously grips his pen tighter and looks at Minseok who's innocently eating his ice cream. Minhyung stares at the melting ice cream on the spoon and his thoughts wandered.
It's not like he hates the annual festival, but every year, his number one plan would fail.
The plan? To declare his love to Minseok.
Minhyung hasn't found the perfect time to confess ever since he realizes his crush for Minseok. Minseok is so, so sweet but the boy is completely clueless of Minhyung's admiration.
Minhyung doesn't remember what made Minseok so loveable that he's down bad for Minseok.
Minseok is crying? Minhyung's by his side immediately.
Minseok is laughing about something that's not even funny? Minhyung laughs together with him.
Minseok acting cute? Minhyung is on his knees immediately.
Minhyung is capital Whipped for Minseok and he can't find the words to confess. Minhyung's only hope is during the cherry blossom festival where people have picnics and admire the cherry blossom trees.
Minhyung isn't a fan of romantics, but Minseok is. Confessing under a cherry blossom tree sounds dreamy doesn't it? Whenever Minhyung would gather up his 4 years of love to confess, Minseok would get distracted by something else.
Well, for example, in last year's festival..
"Minhyung! They added a new viewing spot there!" Minseok said excitedly and dragged Minhyung to the empty bench. Minhyung stares at their intertwined hand and he couldn't hide the grin on his face. Minseok looks pretty today, way too pretty. His hair is blowing slightly from the rustling wind.
The bench was indeed a beautiful place to admire the cherry blossom trees. It's in a secluded area, with only a few people walking by. Minseok sat down and pulled out his phone to take a picture. Minhyung sat next to Minseok and absorbs himself in the fresh air and wind. The weather was beautiful.
Minseok turns off his phone and keeps it in his pocket. Minseok's hands are on the bench and Minhyung's subtle look at them goes unnoticed by Minseok's oblivious self. Minhyung pondered for a few seconds to put his hand on top of Minseok's.
Minhyung's hand lingers around the top of Minseok's hand. Minhyung's fingers almost brushing his hand but Minhyung eventually pulls back, thinking he's moving too fast. Minhyung's heart was pounding heavily inside his chest. Minhyung let's out a shaky sigh.
Minhyung glances at the boy who's slightly smiling. The wind blowing softly against his hair, his bangs pushed to the sides.
This is it, it's time. Minhyung inhales in a deep breath. "Minseok.." Minhyung calls out, his voice sounds shaky. Minseok turns his head and their eyes made contact. Minseok's eyes are as big as the boba Minseok likes to drink. Minhyung almost forgot what he wanted to say and tears his eyes away from Minseok's gaze.
"Ah.. I want to tell you something.." Minhyung said and Minseok nodded, his face full of curiosity. Minhyung stayed quiet for a few seconds. Minseok was anticipating for Minhyung to starts speaking.
Suddenly, Minseok's attention was on something else. "Hyeokgyu hyung??" Minseok said and Minhyung was shocked at the sudden call, he looked behind him and Minseok was right. Hyeokgyu is walking on the path with his camera, looking around. Hyeokgyu seemed to notice them as well and his lips curled up into a smile at the sight of Minseok. Minseok grins back and waved at Hyeokgyu.
Hyeokgyu walked to their bench and Minseok happily spoke with him. Minhyung turned his body away from watching the two boys talk. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
He tightens his fist and takes a deep breath as he hears the two boys talk about Hyeokgyu coming here to take pictures for the school magazine and some other school stuff.
Minhyung stayed quiet, he usually does when Minseok is with his favourite sunbae. Minhyung knew he shouldn't be jealous when he and Minseok are just friends but he can't help it when Hyeokgyu just crushes his only hope to confess and the confidence.
After a good 2 minutes of catching up, Hyeokgyu finally left and Minseok turns back to Minhyung and the grin never left his face. "Sorry about that Minhyungie, what did you want to say by the way?" Minseok said and Minhyung lookef at Minseok.
Minhyung's tired, but for Minseok he's patient. He covers his sad expression with a smile on his face. Minhyung shakes his head. "Nothing, just want to ask if you're up for sleepover at my house tonight. My parents miss you." Minhyung asked and Minseok grinned and his chubby cheeks moved upwards. "Oh! Of course! I missed them too. Let's go then?" Minseok smiles and Minhyung nods with a soft smile on his face. Minseok stands up and held Minhyung's hands and drags Minhyung to stand.
Minhyung watches Minseok as both of them walks towards the exit. Minhyung is fine with this.
He's fine with being just friends.
He doesn't know how long he can take this.
but Minhyung can wait, he'll wait for Minseok to like him back.
"So, what do you say, Minhyung?" Minseok asked, snapping Minhyung from his thoughts. Minhyung doesn't know what to say, he's a coward.
He's afraid of that place, all of his feelings are left there, he's afraid the same thing will happen like last year.
"I'm sorry, Minseok.. I'm actually busy tomorrow." Minhyung said and Minseok's happy mood visibly fades away. "Oh.. it's okay. I can always go alone.." Minseok smiles but Minhyung knows him better than anyone else and he knows his smile was forced. Minhyung didn't think about it too much but hum and continue writing down his notes.
Minhyung can't help but feel a little tug on his heart as he sees Minseok finishing his ice cream slowly. Minseok can never hide his feelings well and Minhyung feels a little bad.
But Minhyung did this for their own good.
So Minhyung doesn't have to be a stupid guy waiting to confess
So Minseok doesn't have to know about the feelings he's harbouring.
He's happy with keeping his feelings to himself.
"Minhyung? Why are you here? You're not going to the festival this year?" Minhyung heard a familiar voice say. Minhyung looks up from the book he's reading and he sees Hyunjoon, a close friend of him. "Oh, Hyunjoon. What are you doing in a library? You never come here." Minhyung asked, changing the topic. "Haha. Very funny. Now tell me why you're studying when you should be with Minseok right now." Hyunjoon said seriously.
Minhyung furrowed his eyebrows. "Why should I be there?" Minhyung asked curiously. Hyunjoon shakes his head at the response. "To confess? You've been trying to do it for so many years already?" Hyunjoon said, pulling the chair in front of Minhyung so he can take a seat.
Minhyung sighs. "Yeah, no. I'm not doing that this year." Minhyung replied and Hyunjoon almost screamed until Minhyung leaned in to close his mouth before a loud screech was heard. Minhyung looked at the librarian glaring at them, silently apologizing her.
"What the fuck, dude. Control your voice." Minhyung hissed at the latter. Hyunjoon sheepishly smiled. "Sorry, but what do you mean by that? Don't tell me you're giving up already?" Hyunjoon asked. "No, I'm not. I just... don't want to be there right now." Minhyung answered, he doesn't know how to phrase it but he can't handle being in that place anymore. He's afraid of the outcome.
He's tired of looking at Minseok's innocent face.
He can't handle it, seeing Minseok happily living his life while his best friend is suffering because of the unrequited love.
"You can trust me, dude. You can tell me anything." Hyunjoon reassured him.
"I'm just.. afraid of getting rejected. What if he doesn't like me back and that would make our years of friendship rocky. I don't want that." Minhyung finally lets go of how he felt throughout the years. Hyunjoon looked at him with a blank face.
"Oh my God, just how dumb can you be dude?" Hyunjoon sighed and massages his temple, seemingly in distress. Minhyung looked at his friend weirdly. "What the fuck are you talking about?" Minhyung said, offended.
"Dude, Minseok likes you back." Hyunjoon said and Minhyung almost fell off his chair. The sentence repeating in his head.
Minseok likes you back.
Minseok likes you back.
Minseok likes you ba-
That couldn't be true. "What do you mean by that..?" Minhyung asked, his voice timid. He couldn't believe it.
"It's like what you think it is. He likes you back. He has liked you since middle school. I just.. didn't tell you because I thought he was very obvious about it, but I guess it's not for you.." Hyunjoon said and Minhyung can't help but want to melt into the ground.
Minseok likes him back? He liked him way before Minhyung did?
"Minseok talks about you all the time to Wooje, but he asked Wooje to keep it a secret. He also didn't want you to know about his feelings. But you know me and Wooje, we never keep secrets from each other." Hyunjoon said making Minhyung rolls his eyes. Of course he had to mention his boyfriend.
Minhyung is in a dilemma. His Minseok has liked him for this long, this seems unreal. Should he go and find Minseok now?
"Go for it. It's not too late to confess, Minhyung." Hyunjoon is a mind reader somehow, knowing exactly what Minhyung is thinking. "I've been your friends for years, I got you." Hyunjoon said again and Minhyung didn't even wait and stood up abruptly. Minhyung grabbed his phone and didn't even bother packing up other things. Minhyung walked away fast, thinking Hyunjoon can pack his stuff for him.
Once he finally stepped out of the library and opened his phone. He messaged Minseok first.
Minhyung
Are you still at the festival?
Minseok
Yes, why?
read 6:30.p.m
Perfect, that's all he needs to know. Minhyung closed the chat and opened the map app to search for the festival location. Five minutes if he walks, Minhyung thinks if he runs, it'll be 3 minutes.
Minhyung didn't think twice before running to the festival. His eyes missing the new message notification on the screen.
Hyunjoon
If anything goes wrong, just know I'm always here for you
sent
Minhyung almost bumped into a bunch of people while running, sending a small sorry before running off again. The streets looked even more busy today due to the festival. He looks at his phone, he's almost there.
After all that running, Minhyung almost collapses in front of the entrance. He pants and waited for a few seconds to catch his breath. He regretted running without stretching first but he couldn't wait anymore. He didn't think about searching for Minseok anywhere else, the first place he thought of was the bench under the cherry blossom tree.
As Minhyung got closer to his destination, Minseok's small frame finally got into his sight. Minhyung paused for a few seconds. He's facing Minseok's back, the boy currently sitting down, facing the many beautiful cherry blossom trees in front. "Minseok.." Minhyung called out, slowly walking towards Minseok.
Minseok immediately stood up hearing the familiar voice. "M-Minhyung?! What are you doing here? I thought you said you were busy?" Minseok asked, clearly shocked by his presence. Minhyung continued to walk so he could stand beside Minseok.
Now, he's facing his crush, ready to say the things he's been wanting to say after so long.
Minhyung notices there's a few cherry blossom petals on his hair and Minhyung chuckled softly. Minseok was surprised. Minhyung didn't say anything but lean forward to grab the petals to throw it on the ground. Minseok stares in awe as Minhyung comes closer to his face.
Minseok could feel Minhyung breathing heavily on top of him. Their height difference making Minseok feels small under Minhyung's heavy stare. "There's flowers on your hair." Minhyung said after showing Minseok the petals on his palm. "Oh.." Minseok said, feeling a little disappointed when Minhyung pulls away from him.
Minhyung looked at Minseok's red face and smiled fondly. He notices it now, the small looks on Minseok's face. He couldn't notice it back then due to his brain only thought about himself. He never bothered to think about Minseok's actual feelings towards him.
He's obvious about it.
And it took Minhyung 6 years to notice it.
"Well.. you didn't tell me why you came here..?" Minseok asked, his head tilting to the side. Minhyung can't help but look at Minseok's natural pouty lips.
Wait, he can't get distracted now.
"Oh, Minseok.. I need to tell you something." Minhyung said and Minseok nods his head.
This is it, 4 years of keeping his feelings under the light, will finally be revealed here and now.
"Minseok, I like you- no. I love you. I have loved you since 9th grade and I've been hiding it from you for a long time." Minhyung said in one breath as he closes his eyes after that.
He did it. He finally did.
"Minhyung.." Minseok hugged Minhyung as Minhyung opens his eyes, shocked at the tiny boy suddenly hugging him.
He knows Minseok likes him back but he feels weird for some reason.
"Minhyung, I love you too." Minseok said, his face still stuffed inside his chest.
Oh.
Minhyung tightens his hands on Minseok's waist. "Really?" Minhyung asked, his voice shaking. "Yes, I have liked you since 7th grade, much longer than you." Minseok replied, pulling away from Minhyung's death grip. Minhyung's hand twitches with the need to pull the boy back. "Well Hyunjoon told me that." Minhyung said and Minseok's jaw dropped.
"Oh my God! Did he tell you!?!" Minseok asked, the tips of his ears turning red. Minhyung nodded and Minseok groans. "Wooje must've told him.." Minseok mumbles under his breath.
"I thought you didn't like me back.." Minhyung said and Minseok gasps. "How could I not!? You're so nice to me and treats me so well. You always abandon your other friends just to stay with me." Minseok said, his hand playing with the hem of his t-shirt.
Minhyung doesn't know what to say. Minseok is just adorable right now.
Minhyung could only pull Minseok closer by his waist making Minseok yelp. "Huh?! Minhyung! What if people sees us!" Minseok whispers but he seems to melt into the touch anyway. "Don't worry, there's not a lot of people walking here anyways." Minhyung assured the small boy.
Minhyung admires Minseok face for a few seconds until his gaze stops at Minseok's pink lips. Minseok seems to notice his heavy stare on his lips and pouts.
"Minhyung.." Minseok whispered. Minhyung thinks Minseok's lips are more pink than the cherry blossom petal.
"Minseok, can I kiss you?" Minhyung asked the boy in his hold. Minseok opened his mouth and wanted to say something but it wouldn't come out but he nodded anyways.
Minhyung leans closer and Minseok got onto his tiptoes and closes his eyes as both boys comes closer. At last, they closes the distance between them and the tension between them breaks.
Minseok's lips are plush, soft as the teddy bear Minhyung got him at the arcade a few years back while Minhyung's lips are chapped, even after Minseok always nagging him to wear chapsticks. Minhyung took the lead while Minseok could only follow his movement, a little shy about the kissing but Minhyung thinks he's adorable like this.
As they kiss under the sunset and cherry blossoms falling under them, Minhyung couldn't help but think of how lucky he is. Minhyung wouldn't ask for anything else other than this.
Before the kiss could get even more intense, Minhyung pulled off. Minseok opens his eyes and he seems to be in a dazed state after the long kiss. The feeling of Minhyung's lips still lingering on him. Minhyung couldn't help but lean down and peck Minseok's lips.
That seemed to make Minseok wake up from his state and he got even more redder. "Minhyung.. I'm so embarrassed!" Minseok said, hiding his face in Minhyung's chest. Minhyung laughed at the cute boy and gently caresses his hair. "Why, baby?" Minhyung asked and that seemed to make Minseok even more shy as the boy hits his chest. Minhyung groans and Minseok pulls away. "Oh! I'm sorry! Did I hit you too hard?" Minseok asked, looking at Minhyung worriedly. "I'm fine." Minhyung chuckled and Minseok huffs at the boy laughing.
"So, does this mean we're together now?" Minhyung asked. "I let you kiss me, isn't that enough for you to know?" Minseok replied and Minhyung laughed. That's his Minseok. Minseok crosses his arms at the boy laughing
"Hmpf! Let's go home! I want to eat chocolate cake!" Minseok said and Minhyung nodded. Minhyung stretches his hand out and Minseok accepted it happily.
"You better tell me how you started liking me when we get to your home!" Minseok said and Minhyung groans. "Really..?" Minhyung said and Minseok nodded happily. "Fine.." Minhyung gives up, but he couldn't hide the fond smile he has while staring at the beautiful boy beside him.
Minhyung's patience has paid off. He's finally together with the boy of his dreams.