【playing..】

THE BOYZ (더보이즈) - [THE FIRST]
Walkin' In Time

❚❚►_____________________________ 4:59

Jeongguk stood in his bathroom, chest still heaving up and down, white shirt drenched with sweat and sticking to his torso, just finished with his hour long workout, completely tired out, setting sun drizzling in through the curtained window.

Thighs and arms sore as hell, he had really knocked himself out today. Double the pushups, double the squats, minute longer plank and around thirty more jumping jacks.

But you gotta do what you gotta do to not completely wrack your spine and shoulders from sitting at your desk majority of your day like he did today already (he decided to stream around noon so he might be able to catch up on sleep later) -- and to get your mind of things that happen in your life.

So he wrecked himself another three ways. Smart, that's what he is.

But he had also not slept long today, his mind running at light speed before going to sleep, everything that had happened replaying.

And his twitter mentions getting flooded with clips of himself getting unreasonably reddened ears and cheeks after Vantes talked to him.

He was called whipped for the other streamer by the minute but also their fight back then getting brought back up to the surface, people in his stream chat telling them to just quote on quote 'make up and make out'.

And that all had kept his mind busy as fuck.

It shouldn't, it was all petty shit anyways, nothing that serious that should keep his thoughts running. But he couldn't help it.

Should he reach out to him and try to talk it out? Should he just keep appearing in streams with him until people or even the both of them forget that they had a disagreement in the first place? Or should he just ignore and move on?

It all made big red question marks in his head until his eyes were too heavy to keep themselves open, slowly but surely drifting into unconsciousness but waking up with the exact same mind.

So after he gave a farewell to his viewers today, not loosing a word about the situation that had kept his mind running or adressing any questions regarding it from his chat, he went to work out, to get some sweat out of his pores and maybe his endless thoughts would melt out with it.

He felt a bead of sweat dribble down his temple, taking the hem of his shirt lifting it up to dry it off before deciding to just take it off completely, along with his shorts and underwear, air around him cold as it hit his still hot skin.

Feeling more refreshed than anything with not a wet, smelly piece of fabric sticking to his also drenched skin -- honestly the worst and best feeling simultaneously.

Best that it's more or less a visual reference for his hard work, something to see and think -- damn, you worked hard today but also the worst because nothing can top the feeling of a wet shirt glueing to every inch if your torso in being disgusting and uncomfortable.

His hand went to push back the strands of hair hanging into his eyes, going to open the shower and turning it on, deciding on a colder temperature than usual, not cold by any means -- he was a fucking pussy regarding that, he showers warm and warm only. But because his skin was burning hotter than usual, he decided to tone it down by a few degrees.

He took his phone which he had previously placed beside the sink, opening his spotify to put on some playlist he had been listening to recently, some lo-fi beats before he stepped in, immediately enveloped in the stream of water that made him feel like he was wrapped up in a blanket.

Showering had never been a short time thing for him, nothing that was a quick in the morning thing even when he was in school.

He liked the seclusion of them, how you are alone with yourself, water running over your skin, humming melodies, he liked to take the time to take care of himself -- for most it made them think more but for him it helped him turn off all things in his head.

So he did just that, taking his time, lathering on some of his coconut body wash, removing all the swear sticking to his skin as well as taking his pineapple scented shampoo in his palms before massaging it into his scalp, closing his eyes and sighing because damn, this felt more relaxing than a vacation.

He felt so exhausted before and working out hadn't made it much better, but water running across his skin (and maybe a coffee he had downed just after the work out) had made him feel much more actually present in this world, eyes much more opened.

Turning off the water after making sure all of the soap had washed down the drain, he stepped out of the shower, quickly snatching away the nearest towel, shivers covering his skin.

His half hazardly dried hands took his phone turning off the music and seeing a couple notifications, quickly scrolling through, skimming over, looking if he had missed something important through his time working out and showering.

Nothing really caught his eye on first glance, the usual abundance of twitter, kakao talk, youtube and all other various (and kinda useless) social medias he had installed on his phone (and not turned off notifications for yet) piled up.

But just before he wanted to press the lock button on the side one shot to the top, discord symbol attached to it.

Vantes has sent you a friend request.

His feet almost fucking slipped away from the bathroom tiles.

First thoughts gping through him were honestly a mix of was half confused half -- glad?

Well, he didn't know why exactly Vantes sent him the request.
If it was just out of common courtesy, out of the sake of being nice because they had now played together? Or because he wanted to take a step towards talking it out?

But he halted for a second because -- what even was his life right now?

He was literally in his bathroom, only a towel wrapped around his bottom, panicking over a friend request -- a friend request for fucks sake.

His eyes narrowed, thumb hovering over the two options of accept and deny, bottom lip catching between his teeth.

Jeongguk wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do now but his body worked before his brain, finger already pressing down om the checkmark, accepting the request and damn -- now it was really kicking in.

That nervous pit in his stomach, sinking deeper and deeper and deeper.

He felt himself flashing back to when he confessed to his first middle school crush via some old messaging app and almost threw his phone out of his window because he was too nervous to look at his phone, waiting for a reply (He waited twenty minutes to get a 'ur cool ig lets date', they dated for two weeks before breaking up over a chocolate muffin, Jeongguk's first heartbreak.).

But he didn't even have to wait remotely close to what he would have related to the excruciating twenty minutes he had waited for his crush to reply when he was fourteen.

Because not long after, Vantes' profile picture, illustrated version of a man with a white mask, devil horns and an earring spelling out the word lover dangling from his ear, popped up on the side bar which was already cluttered with hundreds of unread messages and server notifications -- he's just crap at keeping up with replying.

And again he somehow felt like he was that exact fourteen year old self again, nervous and contemplating if he should click on it or not.

But after pacing around the small steamed filled bathroom, deciding to put on new sweatpants he had brought in the room with him and talking himself up to just go for it, he decided to just fucking do it -- click on it.

So a mostly empty chat popped up, only one short message reading across his phone screen.

Vantes
can u talk on vc?

Vantes
just us? about our drama

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Well, can he talk? Does he want to? Well, he guessed he does?

But was he already embarrassed for himself because he knew that he was probably not get five words out without absolutely pissing his pants? Of course.

Talking about it seemed like the right thing to do though since they are so suddenly connected now, get things that happened previously out of the way.

Okay, now act cool like it doesn't bother him and he didn't need to contemplate every action the last ten minutes, like he's a real adult who has his shit together and who isn't panicking, he's fine, he's totally fine. Yeah, fine, really fine.

Totally fine as his thumbs moved over the keyboard typing out quick responses, stomach uncomfortably fluttering in nervousness.

goldenjk
Hi yeah we can

goldenjk
give me 5

He read over it again after sending, mission seem calm and collected -- pretty good, looks believable.

His heart started beating like it was going to explode though when another message popped up just seconds later.

Vantes
sure im waiting for you see u in 5

And that let to him speeding through his apartment, grabbing the nearest shirt he could find, a white tee with black lettering on the front, pulling it on messily, drenched hair wetting a small patch on his nape, flying to his set up into his chair -- and why exactly did he do that right now?

Now he was way too early and must seem way too eager -- ugh why was he behaving like he was back in his teens? But somehow Vantes saying he was waiting made him feel like he had to be quick, not wanting to let him sit around.

He shook his head deciding not to think too much about it, hands placed on the keyboard and mouse, opening discord and quickly typing the other streamer that he's ready.

And not five seconds later, screen flashing the words 'Vantes is calling'.

He's gonna jump out the nearest window.

But well here he goes, pressing on the accept button, he's gonna die. This is it, he'll die not ever having had a ferret.

"Woah, you were quick. Eager to hear me, aren't you?" A deep chuckle vibrated through his headphones just as the call connected.

Yup, dead. So dead.

"i- No i'm not! I'm only here to hear what you have to say nothing more, nothing less." He huffed, protesting, eyes rolling and why did his cheeks feel so warm again all of the sudden?

"Okay all good." The other's tone shifted to be more serious. "So can i start?"

Gulp.

Suddenly the pit in his stomach reached much deeper. Talking about anything involving fights or disagreements had always been a thing of difficulty to him, especially about that time when he had felt so burnt out and not understood.

"Sure. Go ahead." Jeongguk breathed out -- and just hearing himself dull through his headphones, he sounded like he was going to throw up. Great.

"Well, first up i wanna apologize to you. That tweet -- it was stupid. I obviously hurt you by saying what i said eventhough i didn't even necessarily mean you with it. Yeah, i said i think something with golden boy?" Vantes started to explain, Gguk being attentive to his every word.

Only thing confusing to him at that point being that he had been so sure that golden boy was a reference to himself as obviously his persona is goldengaming and hence he had been gaining the name of golden boy.

But he was going to let him finish his line of thought before he asked any questions.

"I was just, i don't know. A lot of people had been asking me to reveal my face, throwing out that i'm not confident enough because i'm ugly or something, comparing myself to you a lot and i was mad as fuck because i explained so many damn times why i won't and let it out, out on you. I didn't mean harm to you when i chose to say that. Nevertheless i'm sorry that i hurt you, i heard you felt shit at the time too. And i'm genuinely sorry." A comfortable silence fell over them for a second as Jeongguk evaluated his words, taking them in and slowly he felt the genuineness that bloomed from the other's words in his chest.

He could tell that it had been a touchy topic for Vantes as well that he felt a regret over just like Gguk did himself.

And having your right to privacy constantly invalidated must be redicilously hard, it should just be something that's just not asked about, it's about the person and not about what they look like, presenting into a camera after all.

"I still, i just shouldn't have said it. It was shady towards you and probably very hurtful. I always found you to be a hardworking and cool person with a sweet aura but i failed to show that back then. I would love to be friends or at least friendly after this but don't feel forced to accept my apology, Jeongguk." He continued, his words a bit more quiet, more gentle contrasting his tone of voice ironically, second pause of words falling over them.

Gguk felt his heart thump in his chest, hearing the subtle sound of the other male's breathing through his headphones, silence stretching longer as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"No, no. I think i gotta apologize too." Jeongguk breathed out after some silent contemplation on how to start, the knot of nervousness in his stomach loosening with the feeling of comfort spreading through his soul.

He somehow felt eased, comfortable after hearing Vantes' words about and to him  the intiminating and distant aura around the other streamer had broken down and showed his genuine thoughts and mind.

"I shouldn't have taken it so personal and shouldn't have said what i said to you. Saying that you are hiding yourself behind your voice is weak and nonsense. You have the right to privacy and i have to apologize too for invalidating that." Gguk continued his line of thought, eyes falling down to look into his lap, looking at his hands that pulled on his sweatpants.

"Also i accept your apology and i'd - uhm-- love to be friends, yeah." His lip caught between his teeth, chewing on it as he was curious and slightly nervous about the others response.

Yes, he had been incredibly nice in all of this but his privacy concerns had gotten him slightly heated just a couple minutes ago so mention them kind of scared Jeongguk but it was important to him to mention it, to apologize for invalidating them.

"I know you were just trying to get back at me. It's okay, i know you didn't mean it, i didn't take it personal. And i accept your apologies too. Being friends sound good." A small chuckle laced his deep voiced words and he felt the goosebumps tricle down his spine by the sound of it -- he really should just ditch the headphones.

"Okay, friends. Good." Jeongguk breathed out, also a smile across his lips, sure he was mirroring the one of the other streamer that he could feel coming from his tone.

"So -- we're cool now?" Vantes started, smile appearent in his tone of voice and man -- it made Jeongguk's chest feel warmer.

"Yeah, we are." Gguk felt his lips pull into a smile as well.

Not going to lie it made him feel kind of giddy and excited, all nervousness and intimidation he had felt for the other faded to the back of his mind.

They are friends now, on an even new playing field, no hard feelings or any stupid childish fight left in their connection. And -- it felt good. Good to have things resolved even if he did hate talking about it and he wanted to throw up three seconds beforehand, it was very well needed and the mature thing to do.

The words died between them for what had felt like the longest minute in Jeongguk's life (excluding the texting-crush-incident he had thought about before this) but Vantes was soon to break through that wall of nothingness.

And he couldn't believe his ears for a second when he heard him, all deep and brooding again. "So- you got a thing for my voice, don't you?"

He choked.

"No comment. Good bye." Was all Gguk blurted out with a cough, hand flying to his mouse, ready to click himself out of the call.

"No! I'm just teasing you. That's what friends do, don't they?" The other held him back with yet another sweet chuckle and -- boom, a rush bubbled through Jeongguk's gut.

Oh god, why was the first thing that rushed through his head that he wanted to hear him laugh over and over? Stop, Jeongguk. Bad, Jeongguk.

"You are an asswipe." He whined about the other's tease, insult trying to hide that -- damn, fuck, there was something going through his gut right now and not in the i just ate five cup noodles kind of way (and Jeongguk knows what he's talking about) but in a way he hadn't felt since he has his first real boyfriend.

"And you insult like a second grader." This tease a little quieter, acting like he didn't want Jeongguk to hear but obviously talking right into the microphone.

"God- " He laughed, wanting to add some playful insult back to back but mind too slow, interrupted by the other.

"Not God, you can call me Taehyung." The other commented playfully with a laugh but with the added seriousness of mentioning his name that he was trusting him with it. "It's my name, Vantes is just for the public."

"Oh my god, you are the worst." Jeongguk tried to mask his absolute blushy mess of himself behind another teasing insult because what else was he gonna do?

Little kindergarten you somehow learned to get someone attention by insulting and teasing them -- worked back then so must work now, won't it?

"Woah, a lot for just me telling you my name, i thought we were cool now!" What he has now sorted in his mind as Taehyung got back at him all insulted but still a certain playfulness throughout his tone.

"Yeah, yeah. We are friends now -- Taehyung." Gguk giggled, putting specific emphasis on his name, wanting to make sure the other noticed, hearing another laugh ring though his ears from the other line.

And the clock ticked too fast with their conversation continuing on, teasing as well as some subtle flirts sprinkled in (which Jeongguk will insist were just part of the nagging) with their conversation about the everythings in this universe.

Their talks went on for what seemed like minutes to Jeongguk but turned out to be dragging into the deep hours of the night.

Well it sure looks like life was really not wanting him to hit the bed before three in the morning ever again.

hello! :)
so they made up <3 cuties aren't they?
We are already almost half way through this story since it's just a short one!
But i still try to make every chapter as long as i can :)

Any opinions on this are appreciated!

have a great day!
- yoo