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“Sunwoo do you have free time after school?”
Sunwoo has had plans to bury himself in blankets and watch his favorite football team’s game live but when it comes to the boy before him he can never say no.
It’s really embarrassing at this point but there's nothing to be done about it.
If Changmin is asking, Sunwoo is free.
“What's up?” he asks, straightening his back so that he doesn't look like a shrimp. Next to him Eric snickers, clearly aware of Sunwoo's lame attempt at looking cooler. “I was just going to head home and be bored but I’m listening.”
“Liar,” Eric whispers next to him. Sunwoo vaguely remembers he’s told the other about the match. Well, here goes more blackmail material for Eric.
The base of Sunwoo's neck starts to heat up.
“Right,” Changmin tilts his head like he can feel that sometimes is off but can't put his finger on it. It’s adorable. “I need your help with something. Come by the dance studio when you're finished with class.”
Sunwoo nods his head weakly. Changmin has dance practice every day after school and Sunwoo often swings by seeing as their classes end at the same time almost every day.
Except for today and Changmin knows it.
“Whipped,” Eric says with a big smile on his face once Changmin is out of earshot.
Sunwoo doesn't even have the energy to deny it.
xxx
“I’m here,” Sunwoo prefers to announce his presence every time he enters the dance practice room. It’s safer this way since he’s not risking any of the dancers getting surprised and possibly injuring themselves.
Sunwoo would know, he made Changmin almost jump out of his skin once.
This time however it seems like he's worrying for nothing since as soon as his eyes get used to the bright lights of the studio he realizes the practice has already ended.
Changmin is the only person left, sitting with his back to the entrance. It looks like he’s his phone out, his head tilting in concentration as he watches something on the screen.
“Hyung?” Sunwoo makes his say over to his best friend slowly, his sneakers squeaking so loudly it’s a wonder Changmin hasn't reacted to it yet.
“Oh,” the older's attention finally switches to Sunwoo and their eyes meet. “I didn't realize it's already this late.”
There's this spark in Changmin's eyes that Sunwoo doesn't recognize.
“Sunwoo?” Changmin asks, a spark of laughter replacing the emotion Sunwoo couldn't name. “You’re zoning out.”
Oh, if only Changmin knew.
Sunwoo clears his throat which earns him a laugh. Changmin moves closer and points to his phone but a part of Sunwoo's brain is still too focused on his best friend to understand what he's looking at.
“What is it?”
Changmin’s eyes drop to the floor and he starts fidgeting with the hem of his t-shirt. Sunwoo hadn't seen him this nervous since the day he auditioned for their school's dance team three years ago. Sunwoo wasn't even in high school yet back then but he still can support the other. Young Changmin wore the same expression he’s wearing now and it’s so out of place it makes Sunwoo nervous too.
“Hyung?”
“It’s my last year,” Changmin finally starts. The words aren't news to Sunwoo, obviously, but they make his heart stop for a moment. It has been like this for their whole lives, ever since little Changmin decided to befriend a kid two years his junior. Now it’s an endless circle of finishing school and surviving the lonely years. Although neither of them is really lonely.
Changmin has Chanhee. Sunwoo has Eric.
Still, it’s Changmin who is his best friend and it's definitely Changmin who his heart aches for.
“I thought I could film some of my routines for my portfolio. For college or… just some dance studios.”
Sunwoo remembers young Changmin telling him he wanted to work at a dance studio one day, teaching kids the art he’s always loved so much.
Now, when Changmin is so close to fulfilling his dream Sunwoo can't help smiling.
“That's a good idea hyung,” Sunwoo looks around them at the bright light room. “If we move the towels and the water bottles to the side the shot should be perfect for filming. The light is great too.”
Sunwoo stops in his tracks and looks back at Changmin.
His best friend is staring at him with a soft smile.
“What is it hyung?”
Changmin shakes his head and laughs.
“Nothing, it’s just…” he pauses for a moment, that spark from before back in his eyes. “Thank you, Sun.”
“Don't mention it,” Sunwoo waves him off and turns to his bag in search of his phone.
The base of his neck is burning.
‘Anything for you hyung,’ is what he doesn't say but with the way he can almost taste the words at the tip of his tongue Sunwoo feels like it’s obvious.
He's too scared to turn and see Changmin's reaction.
He’s not ready for this now.
Not yet.
xxx
“Do you think it's good enough?” Changmin runs his hands through his hair nervously. “Do we need to re-shot?”
Sunwoo shakes his head vigorously. He knows there's no need but more importantly, Changmin doesn't look like he could handle another run of the choreography.
“No need hyung, it looks amazing.”
Sunwoo really means it. As they watch the video in silence he can't tear his eyes away from Changmin's movements. They’re mesmerizing in a way that's dangerous.
Sunwoo wishes more people could see just how talented his best friend is.
“It feels like a crime that I’m the only one seeing it,” he says softly, not wanting to make the other feel uncomfortable. “I mean I know you're going to send it out but still—”
For a moment they stare at each other and in that short time Changmin seems to make up his mind about something.
“I want to put them on YouTube,” he says, voice determined. The way his tone never waves takes Sunwoo aback but it's clearly something Changmin has thought about before. “I wasn't too sure if it was a good idea but… Seeing you enjoy my performance… I want to do it.”
Sunwoo’s heart stutters and the corners of his lips lift up in a smile.
“That's great hyung,” Sunwoo really, really means it. Changmin deserves recognition for his talent. “I'll help you edit it. And any other videos you might want to publish in the future.”
Changmin looks at him like he's seeing him for the first time, that expression back on his face but this time Sunwoo can finally grasp what it is, can name it.
He won't dare to say it out loud just yet.
“You will?” Changmin’s eyes find his and he raises his eyebrows. “Is that a promise?”
Sunwoo lets out a shaky breath and laughs, feeling lighter than he has in ages.
“Yes, it is a promise hyung.”
And Sunwoo keeps it.