ACT 7

The convenience store was quiet. Yeosang grabbed all the potato chip bags he could and placed them on the counter lazily, lost in thoughts. Why was Jongho being so erratic about this whole relationship thing? It's not like he'd go around telling people, either way. He could practically still hear him beg on his knees to not let others know.

The little bell above the door rang and another customer entered the store. It was Changbin, the guy who lived in the room opposite his. They often greeted each other in the hallway, but Yeosang didn't know much about him.

He paid for the snacks and walked out of the store, struggling to carry the load. It was his turn to buy supplies for the dorm and, coincidentally, they had run out of everything. Just as he was ready to step foot on the road, he felt a raindrop on his face. Soon, the single drop turned into a full-fledged storm.

"Oh, crap" he muttered.

He sought shelter under the huge tent outside the convenience store and stayed there, waiting for the rain to stop so he could go back. The door opened again and he saw Changbin carrying a dozen of energy drinks in one hand. "Wow" he thought.

"Is it raining?" Changbin asked, looking at the dark clouds that surrounded them.

"Unfortunately. I guess we'll have to wait."

"Yeah, seems so."

Yeosang sat on a bench and put his bags down.

"Here" he said. "It must be exhausting to carry all that."

"Oh, not really. But thanks"

Changbin joined him on the bench and stretched his hand towards him.

"Changbin"

"Yeosang"

"We haven't properly introduced ourselves, right?"

"Mhm"

"Perfect opportunity, then"

They started talking to kill some time. Changbin was a very interesting person and kept the conversation flowing by asking Yeosang about his experience so far as an idol and sharing his own, which, according to Yeosang, was nothing but impressive. By the time the rain stopped, they had already learned any tiny detail there was to know about one another.

They decided to go back to the dormitory together.

"You know..." Yeosang said, carefully avoiding the water puddles. "Don't you agree that dorm relationships are a stretch?"

"Of course. Most ridiculous thing in the world."

"Glad to see we're on the same page. Personally speaking, I would simply control myself. What's so hard about it?"

"Exactly. Just focus on your job and refrain from dating."

"Aha"

Finally, Yeosang had enough proof he wasn't the only person who detested such things.

When they reached the building, Changbin signaled for Yeosang to go in first and followed behind him. Yeosang stood in front of the elevator, moving his weight from one leg to the other while waiting for Changbin to close the door.

"Are you going up?" he asked.

"No, I'm going down to the practice rooms."

"Oh, alright"

"It was nice meeting you, by the way. See you again?"

"Sure. Bye" Yeosang waved and pressed the elevator button.

Shortly, Changbin dissapeared from his view. He felt something hammering in his chest and he traced his heartbeat with his fingers.

"Now, what is this?"

***

Whenever it was time to go to the convenience store, Yeosang offered to take someone else's place. He didn't know why he did that, he didn't know what he expected, but surprisingly, Changbin was there every single time. Almost as if there was a silent agreement to meet up at the snack isle, chat for a bit and then head back.

Yeosang often laid awake at night, staring at the ceiling and trying to analyse his own actions. He felt uncomfortable, like he wasn't himself. What was the reason behind his irrational behavior? He couldn't possibly be going there just to see Changbin, it was ridiculous. Absolute madness. And he was not mad, he knew that much. So why?

His intuition was telling him what he needed to know, but he didn't want to listen. He kept burrying the feelings growing inside him and prayed he could make them dissapear, or at least forget about them. Which, of course, was impossible.

snack supply day, a huge rainstorm has broken out

"What do I do now?" Yeosang thought to himself. "Shoot, I gotta be there in five."

He was desperate and he didn't like it, not in the least. All this fuss about buying some goddamn snacks. Deep down, however, he was finally starting to realise the cause of his agony.

He heard the sound of a door closing and footsteps speeding down the hallway. Could it be...? He ran to the window full of anticipation, his whole body trembling. Not even a minute later, he spotted Changbin running towards the store, seemingly not giving a damn about the rain. He smiled a little.

"That's my signal, I guess."

He left the warmth of the building behind and took on the streets, almost slipping a few times along the way but he ignored it and ran faster. When he arrived, he saw him sitting on the bench, catching his breath and drying up his clothes that were damp.

Yeosang struggled for air, but walked the few steps left up to Changbin and stood in front of him. He got up from the bench, smiling.

"You made it" he said.

Yeosang didn't say anything. He came closer and placed his hands on Changbin's wet hair, locking eyes with him.

They both knew damn well what their mouths couldn't utter. Yeosang was sure now, and Changbin was in terms with it, too. All that preaching for nothing, but they didn't care anymore. Changbin closed the gap between them. It was a sweet kiss, not overly aggressive, but passionate enough to send Yeosang into a frenzy. Their lips separated after what felt like a century (a heavenly one) and they laughed, Changbin resting his hands on Yeosang's hips.

"I guess we lack self-control, huh?"