(for lattelotus) While You Slept, I Fell In Love [2/2]
Title: While You Slept, I Fell in Love
part one
Jongin stands in the middle of the marbled hallway of Chanyeol’s luxury apartment, unsure of where to go next. The place is so big that Jongin’s own place could fit inside two or three times over. It’s very modern and clean, sleek lines and hard surfaces, but it all feels too cold, empty. Jongin wouldn’t trade his cluttered and very clearly lived-in space for these lifeless lands.
The master bedroom alone was the only place that looked lived in with clothes strewn about, CD cases in towers all over the place, and a messy music station complete with laptop, keyboard, and audio system. It had made Jongin smile and think of Chanyeol, with his pressed suits and composed appearance. But apparently a wild soul underneath it all. He’d poked around, wanting to know more about this new side of his travel prince. Then under the desk, Jongin had found another unexpected surprise that had then demanded his full attention.
Now, Jongin looks down at his four-legged companion. They’d become quick friends. The pup hadn’t left his side since Jongin found him. “Where’s the bathroom, Monggu?”
The puppy tilts his head and barks.
Jongin points to the left. “This way?”
Monggu barks again.
Jongin points to the right. “This way?”
A growl.
“To the left we go.”
Jongin rubs his sleep-heavy eyes and yawns. He hadn’t mean to fall asleep while playing with the pup, but the snoring Monggu on his chest and the soft rug on Chanyeol’s mega living room floor had lulled him.
A hazy moon hangs outside, very visible from the glass windows that make up most of the apartment’s outer walls. Jongin texted Baekhyun to see when he’s coming to pick him up, but the man only responded with a quick, “Just a bit longer.” However, Jongin is very hungry and Monggu probably is too, so after he takes care of business in the five-star bathroom, he goes in search of the kitchen.
Like every other space in Chanyeol’s apartment, the kitchen is huge and equipped with the latest appliances, none of which Jongin is sure he can work. Some digging around finds him a couple of ramen cups. But before he feeds himself he feeds Monggu, the pup having helpfully pointed him in the right direction of the dog food.
Jongin is ruffling the pup’s curly head when a weight settles on his shoulder. He jerks back, flailing his arms everywhere, trying to get away.
“Ow! Fuck!”
Jongin opens his eyes to see Junmyeon clutching at his nose. “Oh my god! I’m sorry,” he says, grabbing the man’s face and trying to check for damage. “I thought you were a thief or something.”
“A thief on the 30th floor who either got through the security lock, or scaled and entered through the window?” Junmyeon says, voice all nasally.
Jongin continues to hold him and inspects for damage. Junmyeon’s nose is red, but there is no blood coming out. He really is more handsome than Chanyeol, with a rounder face, rosier and poutier lips, and sharper eyes. No cute ears sticking out though. But he has very nice skin and it feels heavenly under Jongin’s fingers as he runs them across the man’s jaw.
He lets go, when he realizes how close they are. “Sorry…again,” Jongin says.
“It’s fine.” Junmyeon sniffles loudly, then grabs a serviette from the kitchen island to blow his nose. “Baek kicked me out of the hospital and told me to get some sleep. He stayed with my brother.”
“Oh…he was supposed to pick me up.” Junmyeon doesn’t react to the statement and Jongin tries not to fidget under his gaze, but it’s really hard. “I guess I should go now.”
Jongin kneels beside Monggu and allows the pup to lick his face. “I’ll see you around, little guy.” Even as he says it, he knows it might be a lie. Chanyeol can wake up at any moment and then Jongin will tell the truth. The truth which could make everyone, even Monggu, hate him.
Monggu yips happily right until Jongin tries to leave. The pup starts to cry and whine then. Junmyeon does his best to quiet him, but it doesn’t work. So, Jongin picks Monggu up and soothes him.
“The last time we spoke, he told me he had big news to share,” Junmyeon says, watching Jongin pet Monggu. “I thought it would be either a dog or a boyfriend. I guess it was both.”
Jongin smiles, bright and wide, because Junmyeon’s face is priceless. It’s a mix of disbelief and weirded out. If only he knew.
Junmyeon rubs his neck, awkward all of a sudden. “Let me drive you home. It’s the least I can do after how I treated you this morning.”
“Oh no, don’t worry about it.” Jongin’s laugh turns uneven. The last thing he needs is more alone time with Chanyeol’s brother. There’s something that unsettles Jongin whenever the man is around, and maybe it’s more than the danger of Junmyeon finding out the truth. Jongin would rather take on Kyungsoo and his grim reaper stare any day.
“Please. I insist.”
And that was that.
After the pup falls asleep under Jongin’s expert hands, they tiptoe out of the apartment and take the elevator. Jongin is grateful for Junmyeon’s car because it’s snowing outside and he would’ve frozen his butt off walking home. They hurry to where the car is parked, only to find there’s a problem.
“Dammit…they blocked it in.” Junmyeon scuffs his foot against the ground and glares at the car parked behind his. Jongin wants to point out that maybe he shouldn’t have parked so close to the front car in the first place, but that’s not really helpful.
“Guess we’re walking,” Junmyeon says.
Apparently, he is freezing his butt off anyways. “It’s fine. I can just walk home….” But Junmyeon is already walking ahead and Jongin jogs to catch up.
It quickly becomes a really uncomfortable walk. The snow continues to fall steadily, settling onto their jackets and hats. The only sounds are their breaths and the crunch of old snow under their boots, because neither of them is talking. The tension brews like a big wall of ice and Jongin doesn’t know what to say to break it. Chanyeol’s brother seems so unapproachable now with a tiny frown on his face, like he’s always worried about something or stressed out. Is it because of Chanyeol’s condition or something else?
Knowing he’s not the best at conversations, Jongin decides to try anyway. “You look cold.” Great opening line.
“Probably because I am cold,” Junmyeon says.
Crap. Bad opening. The conversation goes absolutely nowhere. Why couldn’t he be like Sehun who only had to open his mouth, say one line, and he could charm the pants off anyone. Not that he wanted to charm the pants off of Junmyeon. Or did he? Ugh. Should he try again? Maybe the silence wasn’t so bad….
Jongin’s stomach rumbles so loud it startles them.
Junmyeon turns to him, eyes twinkling. “I think I better feed you before you try to take a bite out of me.”
His cheeks warm up. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“No wonder sweaters look like they’re swallowing you up. You’re so skinny,” Junmyeon says, and all that Jongin can think is that, at some point, Junmyeon had checked him out again. “Come on. I know a great place nearby. My treat.”
They end up in a cozy, corner-side café, eating pancakes for dinner-chocolate chip for Jongin, blueberry for Junmyeon. Coffee warms them up. But the silence and awkwardness are still there though, and Jongin knows it’s up to him.
He tries again. “So…Chanyeol is a lawyer. Kyungsoo told me he’s studying Arts and Theater. What do you do?”
Junmyeon swallows before answering. “I’m the black sheep of our hard working family. I’m a photographer and graphic designer.”
“Oh.” Now Jongin understood part of the Christmas dinner conversation. It was quite unfair that the Parks hadn’t supported Junmyeon. Jongin had taken some art classes in university, especially the photography courses. He’d never been good at it, but he always appreciated all the time and effort artists put into their pieces. Art was not an easy field.
Jongin didn’t think Mama Park or Park Senior were still upset about their eldest being in the arts, but more about the fact that he stayed away. Junmyeon didn’t seem to understand if he was still calling himself the black sheep of the family.
He couldn’t say that, however. Instead, Jongin asked, “But do you like it? Your job?”
“I love it.” And Jongin can hear it in his voice. Junmyeon loves what he does, even if his family is or was not okay with it. “I used to work with Baekhyun at the newspaper, doing the layout and ads, before I went freelance.”
“What sort of work do you do now?”
“Mostly marketing campaigns for big companies,” Junmyeon says. “You might have seen some of the ads at the tube station.”
Jongin grins. “I liked the Sydney one with the fish!”
Junmyeon laughs, truly delighted. He looks years younger. Pleasure bursts in his chest at the knowledge that he did that, he made Junmyeon not frown anymore. “How did you do it? I mean, I know there’s photoshop involved, but the half in the water effect looked original.”
“Good eye,” Junmyeon says. “That one was a little scary to do. We rented a boat and they threw me in the water with a warning to be quick and watch out for sharks. So I’m there, trying to float and align the shot to be half underwater and worrying about something biting my legs from under me.”
“That does sounds scary,” Jongin says.
Junmyeon’s cheeks are flushed. “It was one of the most exciting photoshoots I’ve had.”
It was scary, but it was an adventure. Jongin gets it, and wishes he was brave enough to go on his own adventures.
“What do you do, Jongin?” Junmyeon asks.
“I’m a ticket seller at King’s Cross Station,” he says, and tries not to sound as indifferent as he feels. It’s a job. It pays the bills. He met Chanyeol thanks to it. But it’s not what he wants to be doing for the rest of his life.
“Not your dream job?”
Jongin shakes his head. “It’s not as exciting as swimming in shark infested waters.”
Junmyeon laughs again.
Chatting with him turns out to be really easy. The topics weave and meld into one another, until Jongin can’t even remember where they started. The serious exterior that had intimidated Jongin at first is no more. Junmyeon’s smile is genuine as he talks about his travels. It seems he does a lot of it himself, like Chanyeol. And Jongin drinks in his words like a kid during story time.
Junmyeon turns out to be a great listener, too. Jongin easily opens up about his dreams and his unfulfilled plans. Junmyeon asks questions, makes jokes, and it feels amazing that someone wants to know about him.
Time flies and they head on out again. This time there’s no ice wall between them, only warmth, laughter, and a blooming friendship. When they arrive at his apartment building, Jongin doesn’t even remember how they got there. He was so enveloped in their conversation. “Oh, we’re here.”
Junmyeon glances at the big patch of ice covering the main entrance. “Are you sure you can get through?”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Jongin says. There’s always ice buildup there. Over the years, the residents have given up on cleaning it every morning and learned to just navigate through or around it.
Jongin decides to go through it.
“Here, let me help.” Junmyeon steps after him. Newbie mistake.
“Don’t!”
But Junmyeon is already on the ice and slipping. Jongin grabs onto the man’s arms and pulls him close. They cling to each other even as they continue to slip. It’s even worse when Jongin starts to laugh at Junmyeon’s panicked face.
“Stop laughing!” Junmyeon screeches. “You’re going to make us fall.”
Jongin dissolves into a fit of giggles, but manages to slide them safely across the ice. They don’t let go of each other as they continue to laugh and gasp. Junmyeon’s beanie is crooked, so Jongin reaches out and holds him still while he fixes it. Junmyeon’s eyes are steady on him, all laughter now gone. The thought of kissing him comes so fast into Jongin’s mind, that he doesn’t have time to process it and simply leans in with the impulse.
“Would you like to come to a party with me on New Year ’s Eve?” Junmyeon asks.
The question breaks the haze and Jongin pulls back, eyes wide. “What?”
Junmyeon laughs. “It’s not a date. I got an invite from an old friend of the family. And Kyungsoo is coming along, too. But he makes for a lousy wingman. So, would you come with me?”
Jongin blushes, because he had thought Junmyeon was asking him out. And he had been about to kiss Junmyeon. Why does he feel disappointment churning in his stomach? “Oh, I-I’d love to.”
❅❅❅
The party venue turns out to be another classy, penthouse apartment in the center of the city, with a clear view of the colorful London Eye in the distance. Unlike Chanyeol’s place, the owner chose to decorate it like it was a palace with wing back chairs, Victorian sofas and ottomans, gleaming mahogany tables, and floor to ceiling drapes in expensive fabrics.
Though everybody else lounged or strolled comfortably around the place, Jongin was honestly scared to touch, much less sit on anything. That all changed when he met the lucky owner of the place-Jongdae. The small man was literally a ball of energy, and in the five minutes it’d taken for Junmyeon to introduce them, Jongdae had spilled wine on himself, on the floor, and toppled over a vase full of flowers with his flailing arms as he told a story.
Jongdae laughed. “I better go find a broom and mop to clean this up. It was very nice meeting you Jongin.”
“Nice meeting you-” But Jongdae was already off and away chattering with someone else. “Too….Is he always like this?”
“No,” Junmyeon says, hiding a grin behind his hand. “He’s worse around my brother and Baekhyun. I used to call them little terrors when we were kids, but then Chanyeol grew. Now they’re just terrors.”
Jongin chuckles. “I wish I’d had brothers or sisters.”
“You were an only child?”
“I don’t know.”
“How so?”
After their long night of conversation three days ago, Jongin feels comfortable enough to answer. “I was an orphan.” He honestly can’t remember the last time he talked about this. When was the last time he let anyone get this close? “A lovely couple…My adoptive parents brought me to the UK with them when I was just a baby. They took care of me, gave me an education, and let me make my life when I turned old enough.”
Junmyeon nods. “Where are they now?”
“They died.” He feels the numbness at the edges of his heart. “Car accident five years ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” Junmyeon says softly.
Jongin hates it when people tell him that, because he hates the underlying pity that comes with it. But he doesn’t hear that in Junmyeon’s words. There’s only sincerity. “Thank you,” Jongin says, his voice catching a bit.
“Let me get you something to drink. Get this party started and all that, okay? Wait here.” Junmyeon squeezes Jongin’s shoulder and then heads to the kitchen, weaving among the other guests.
The small gesture is oddly comforting. No one has taken care of him since his adoptive parents died. Sure, Sehun is there for him, but it’s not the same. It’s not the same to have Junmyeon, who only just met him a few days ago, take care of him. First, by walking him home and feeding him in the process. Then, by making sure he didn’t celebrate another New Years alone. And now, by making him feel comfortable in an environment where he feels like a complete outsider.
There’s a fluttering in his chest that is getting harder and harder to ignore for what it really is.
“Jongin?”
He glances up and does a double-take. “Sehun? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Sehun takes the seat beside him. “I thought you were at a thing with your fiancé’s family and I see you flirting with a gorgeous little man.”
“I am at the thing.” Jongin points at the kitchen island where the refreshments have been laid out. Junmyeon is preparing the drinks. “That’s Chanyeol’s older brother.”
Sehun makes a duck face. “Interesting. You never told me you liked both brothers.”
“I-I don’t…I mean, I didn’t-That’s not true.”
Sehun raises a hand. “Save it. You know it’s futile to hide anything from me.”
“I’m so screwed.” Jongin sags against the wall. He can’t fall for Junmyeon. He’s supposed to be Chanyeol’s fake fiancé! “I’m so, so screwed.”
Sehun laughs. “This is going to be fun.”
Jongin glares at his best friend. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here because my hot date promised Jongdae to make an appearance,” Sehun says. “Apparently they’re old friends or something.”
“Who’s your date? I thought you were going out with our pizza delivery guy?”
“That was last month.”
Jongin rolls his eyes.
“My date is dark, tall, and dangerous over there,” Sehun says, a grin stretching over his lips. “I think you know him, too.”
Jongin cranes his neck in the direction Sehun pointed, and his stomach swoops, because Kyungsoo, Jongdae, and a familiar tall figure are in that corner. He turns and hisses at Sehun, “You’re dating Tao? As in fashion nazi, hardass boss, Zitao Huang?”
Sehun laughs harder this time. “You’re face is priceless. Hold up. I promised Taozi I’d take a pic when I told you.”
Jongin shoves Sehun’s cellphone away from his face. “I can’t believe you. He’s going to fire both our asses once you dump him.”
“I’m not going to dump him,” Sehun says, no longer smiling.
Jongin chokes on air. “Excuse me?”
Sehun scratches his chin and the non-existent hairs there. “I kind of like him. Really like him. I haven’t felt the urge to run away and try something new. Tao keeps me plenty occupied.”
“Ah! Please, stop right there,” Jongin covers his friends mouth. “I don’t want to hear the details. I’m just…slightly disturbed, but happy for you, okay?”
Sehun licks Jongin’s hand, effectively dislodging it. “Happy for me? What’s that’s supposed to mean?”
“Means our place is only big enough for one sad and lonely soul,” Jongin says. “And I wasn’t going to share with you. So, yay.”
“Oh? But where am I supposed to take Tao when I want to fu-”
“Not home!” Sehun’s laugh is too loud for the setting they’re in, so Jongin grabs his friend by the neck and hugs him tight, cutting off his air, until the other dissolves into softer giggles. “Or at least not when I’m there too.”
Sehun pulls back a bit and stares at Jongin. “You’re a good friend, Jonginie.”
“Just good?”
“The best. The greatest. The-” Sehun’s phone chimes. He checks it and grins.
Jongin quirks a brow.
Sehun leans in, forcing Jongin to back against the wall, and whispers in Jongin’s ear. “That was Tao. Apparently there’s an empty closet in the hallway he wants me to check out.”
“What for?” Jongin asks.
Sehun pats his cheek. “You’re so innocent sometimes.” And with that he walks away. It only takes a couple of seconds to understand and by then he wants to find bleach to erase the mental image of his boss and Sehun in a closet.
“Who was that?” Junmyeon’s voice is like a shock to his system. Jongin immediately forgets all about Sehun and straightens up. “And why was he leaning all over you?”
Jongin takes the offered wine glass from Junmyeon. “What are you talking about?”
“He was leaning his whole body, moving in like this.” Junmyeon demonstrates perfectly, getting into Jongin’s personal space, before retreating.
The small invasion has Jongin’s heart racing unexpectedly and he takes a big pull of his wine. Yeah, he gets it. He’d done some leaning of his own the day Junmyeon walked him home. “So? He’s my friend. We hug and lean into each other a lot.”
Junmyeon is still frowning, and Jongin doesn’t understand what the big deal is. “Leaning it’s a lot different than hugging. Hugging involves arms and hands and sometimes awkwardness. But leaning….” Junmyeon looks up, and Jongin’s breath stutters. “Leaning involves wanting and accepting. Leaning means….”
“Why are you leaning all over Jongin?” Kyungsoo asks.
Junmyeon steps a healthy three feet away. “I was just demonstrating what that other guy was doing,” he says, all calm and composed, but his ears color up.
“Sehun?” Kyungsoo asks.
Jongin’s eyes widen. “You know Sehun?”
“Yeah. Tao’s boy toy,” Kyungsoo says. “Why?”
Boy toy? Tao is a player too? The two were really made for each other.
The urge to facepalm is strong, but not in front of Junmyeon. “Sehun is my best friend and roommate. We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Oh.” Junmyeon colors even more now. “I…didn’t know.”
“Wait. You’re the shy one?” Kyungsoo laughs. “Tao talks about work sometimes and he’s mentioned you, though not by name.”
“Shy one. That’s me.”
Kyungsoo laughs again. “I can’t believe Chanyeol never told us about you. Did he ask Tao for your number? Is that how you met?”
Taken off-guard by the question, Jongin tries to answer without messing up. “N-No. We just…Well he came one day…a-and….”
“Soo, baby! Come over here!” Jongdae’s call comes over from the other side of the room. Kyungsoo excuses himself.
Jongin breathes out hard. He’d honestly forgotten all about Chanyeol, his travel prince who is still lying in a hospital bed unconscious. Meanwhile Jongin is at a party getting lost in Junmyeon’s words and stares. Right then, Junmyeon’s warm eyes are on him again, making his skin prickle and heat up.
He tugs at the collar of his red turtleneck. “W-What are you looking at?” Jongin asks.
Junmyeon tilts his head. “You’re shy. You work in public transportation. You live with a roommate. You…are not Chanyeol’s type. At all.”
Jongin bristles a bit. It’s not the first time his life choices have been put down at all, but after all their conversations Jongin didn’t expect it from Junmyeon. “No? Then whose type am I?”
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” Junmyeon says, and tries to grab Jongin’s hand, but he pulls it away.
“Then how did you mean it?” Jongin glares now. Of all the qualities he’d seen in Junmyeon, jerk was definitely a new one. Had he misjudged the man?
“What I meant is that you’re not comfortable in this setting.” Junmyeon spread his hands, showcasing the luxurious and decadent room. “And a big part of Chanyeol’s life is all about this-classy parties, meetings with the wealthy, expensive everything. As a high-profile lawyer, this is his life. And you seem to wilt under all of this.”
Junmyeon’s voice isn’t condescending, but full of warmth and worry. It’s the only reason why Jongin hasn’t told him to fuck off. But why should Junmyeon care if Chanyeol and him aren’t a good fit? Unless…. “Any other reason of why I shouldn’t be with your brother?”
There’s a struggle in Junmyeon’s eyes, and the man opens and closes his mouth a couple of times, before finally settling on his practiced smile. “No. None at all.”
The disappointment is very real this time.
❅❅❅
It’s a quiet Saturday morning and they’re sitting at their cozy café, the one they’d visited almost a week and a half ago. Jongin has been dodging Junmyeon since the New Year party-leaving as soon as the man arrived to visit Chanyeol, letting his calls go to voicemail, etc. He struggles to control the rush of feeling bursting inside of him from having Junmyeon so close. This is exactly why he had to stay away.
“I’m glad we could meet today,” Junmyeon says, once their coffees arrive. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I’ve been busy,” Jongin says, and takes a sip even though it’s way too hot to drink yet. If he burns his tongue, he’ll resist the urge to talk too much.
“Selling tickets?”
The question rubs him the wrong way, and Jongin starts to get up.
Junmyeon takes a hold of his hand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just…I want to know why you’re mad at me.”
Jongin reluctantly sits back down. “I’m not mad.”
Junmyeon doesn’t believe him. He can see it in the way the other’s lips turn down a bit. “If this is because of what I said about you not being Chanyeol’s type-”
“It’s not about that.” Jongin takes another sip. Damn, that one scalded his insides.
“Then what is it?” Junmyeon asks, and he leans forward, brown eyes searching Jongin’s face for the answer.
It’s you, Jongin wants to say. After the party, there had been no denying the feelings growing inside of him. How his heart raced under Junmyeon’s looks. How his breath stalled whenever the other complimented him. How his daydreams at the booth now starred Junmyeon instead of Chanyeol.
Jongin didn’t want to lie anymore. “I’m afraid you will hate me.”
Junmyeon frowns. “I don’t think that could ever happen, but we won’t know until you tell me.”
His throat is burning up, and it’s not the coffee this time. It’s the knot of tears threatening to come out, because why did he have to fall in love so fast. “You don’t forgive easily, Junmyeon,” Jongin says. “You still haven’t forgiven your parents and that was years ago. How long will you stay mad at me for this?”
Junmyeon eyes widen, clearly taken aback by Jongin’s mention of his family issues. He sets his coffee aside and holds Jongin’s hand. “I’m not mad at them, I’m just…I don’t know how to face them and say sorry. But I am facing you here, and I won’t get mad. I promise you. I’ll-” His cellphone goes off with a boring preset ring. Junmyeon answers with a quick hello and then he’s off his seat. “Yes! We’ll be right there!”
“What is it?” Jongin asks, standing up too. He rubs his eyes quickly where the tears had inevitably gathered.
“It’s Chanyeol! He’s awake!” Junmyeon’s smile is blinding.
Jongin’s heart goes into overdrive as he drops some bills on the table and follows Junmyeon outside. They catch a cab to the hospital and race to Chanyeol’s room. The whole family is there already crowding around the bed along with Doctor Minseok and nurse Yixing.
Chanyeol looks a little worn out, but he’s awake and alert. He smiles as his mother coos at him and his father hovers nearby holding his hand. Kyungsoo is quiet, but he’s sitting at the foot of the bed, one hand on Chanyeol’s leg. Junmyeon goes to them, but Jongin stays by the door, not wanting to unleash his mess just yet.
“How are you feeling, Chanyeol?” Minseok asks. “Any pain? Nausea? Dizziness?”
“I feel great,” Chanyeol says.
“That’s good. That’s very good.” The doctor checks his pulse, his breathing, and asks him a few more questions, but everything comes out okay. “We’d like to keep you another couple of days for observation, and after that you’ll be free to go.”
Someone crashes into Jongin and he stumbles to the side. Baekhyun breathes hard as he stares at Chanyeol who is now grinning like a maniac. He’s all a mess, his coat put on backwards, his shirt buttoned wrong and his shoes…are fluffy dog-shaped slippers.
“You’re awake,” Baekhyun pants.
“You’re here,” Chanyeol says.
“Stating the obvious,” Kyungsoo says with his usual snark. “Brilliant.”
Baekhyun’s laugh is full of relief. “Where else would I be?”
Chanyeol’s grin goes impossibly wider, edging into creepy. But Baekhyun drinks it in and practically glows. It’s the same reaction Jongin has been having when Junmyeon smiles at him or laughs with him. And Jongin suddenly gets it.
Chanyeol tones down the smile and tilts his head. “Who is that?”
Mama Park, Park Senior, Kyungsoo, Junmyeon, Minseok, Yixing, and finally Baekhyun all turn to look at Jongin. The wish for a hole to open up and swallow him whole is strong, but sadly it doesn’t happen and he has to stand there and sweat, and die inside.
“That’s Jongin, darling,” Mama Park says.
Chanyeol tilts his head. “And who is Jongin?”
“You don’t remember your fiancé?” Mama Park grips her son’s hand like she’s scared he’ll slip away into deep slumber once again.
“I’m engaged? To who?” Chanyeol looks well and truly confused. And Jongin knows he should explain and apologize now, but his throat has closed up, and he can’t even remember the words he had prepared.
“To Jongin.”
Worried looks are exchanged, and they all land on Doctor Minseok. “He was unconscious for more than a week. It’s not uncommon that some of his memories might be a bit hazy.”
“Again, who’s Jongin?” Chanyeol asks, looking at Baekhyun, who refuses to answer.
Kyungsoo pushes Jongin to the hospital bed until he’s standing in front of Chanyeol. “He’s the one who saved you, your fiancé.”
Oh god. He needs to speak. Now.
Chanyeol turns really serious now. His eyes keep going to Baekhyun, who keeps his gaze averted. “He’s not my fiancé,” Chanyeol says.
“You just don’t remember, sweetie,” Mama Park says.
“No, mom.” Chanyeol’s voice is hard now. “He’s not my fiancé because the person whom I proposed to never answered me.”
“Chanyeol, what are you talking about?” Junmyeon asks his brother, but his eyes are on Jongin.
“Dad, could you find the coat I came in with the day they brought me to the hospital?” Chanyeol asks, and waits until his father hands him the item. He digs around in the pockets, and brings out a small black box. Inside there’s a simple silver band, with a gold line insert running through the middle.
“I don’t understand,” Mama Park says, stepping back from the bed. Park Senior goes to her.
“Baekhyun,” Chanyeol says, and there’s something in his voice that makes Jongin’s heart lurch. There’s so much…love.
Baek’s face has drained of color. He looks like he’s ready to bolt.
“Baek. We’ve known each other for ten years. You’ve been with me during bad times, good times, weird times, and all the times that made a difference in my life. You’ve been there.” Chanyeol smiles. “I gave you space when you needed it, when you begged me for it. But life is too short and I refuse to spend any more time without you by my side. Baek…I want to ask you, again, would you like to share many more days with me as my husband?”
No words are said, but the sounds are still too loud in the room. Not even the beeps of the machines drown out the sound of Baekhyun’s heavy breaths, Chanyeol’s nervous swallows, Mama Park’s gasp, and Junmyeon’s soft cursing.
Baekhyun fumbles for words. “I’m not-”
“Don’t even think about giving me that excuse again,” Chanyeol says, softly shaking his head. “You are worthy to be by my side, as you’ve always been. Who cares if I make double your salary? Who cares if my face appears in the papers once a week? Who cares what the people will say?” Chanyeol sits up straighter in bed and extends a hand towards Baekhyun. “The only thing that matters to me is you. So, please…say yes.”
Baekhyun’s face is red now, his cheeks completely wet with tears. He sniffles loudly and a sob escapes his tight lips. He steps forward and grabs Chanyeol’s hand.
They’re about to kiss when Kyungsoo yells. “Hold it!”
Everyone freezes.
“If you were planning on proposing to Baek,” he says, “then where the heck does that leave Jongin?”
It’s time. Jongin steps back until he has everyone in front and does a perfect ninety-degree bow. It’s his last turn on the stage. Time for the big reveal. “I am sorry for deceiving you.”
Silence.
“Who the hell are you?” Mama park snaps, followed by Park Senior. “How dare you worm yourself into our family?”
“This is my fault,” Baekhyun says loud above the others.
Jongin shakes his head and stands straight once again. “No. This is…I did this. After I saved your son, they wouldn’t allow me in to see him unless I was family. So, I said I was his fiancé.”
Kyungsoo shakes his head. “This is like a failed romance drama.”
Junmyeon is shaking his head and glaring at the floor.
“Wait.” Chanyeol peers at him, eyes narrowed. “I know you. You’re the ticket guy. At the train station. I see him every Tuesday when I travel out of the country.”
“So you knew my son from before saving him?” Mama Park asks.
Jongin nods.
“Are you a stalker?” Kyungsoo asks.
Baekhyun smacks him. “No, he’s not. Jongin is a good kid. Before the Christmas dinner, I talked to him. He was lonely, had no family…I saw myself.” Chanyeol runs a soothing hand down Baekhyun’s back.
“He was me all those years ago before you took me in. I just wanted to do the same for him. So please, don’t take it out on him.”
“I’m sorry,” Jongin says again, knowing it won’t make things better, but still trying.
Eventually, Mama Park sighs. “I think we all need a moment.” She glances at Jongin. “As a family.”
“I understand,” Jongin says. Everyone but Baekhyun is avoiding his gaze. He’s not part of their family. “I’ll…see you around.”
Every step away from that room echoes loud in his ears. Jongin doesn’t even dare to look up, to look back. He reaches the elevators, presses the button, and gets in when it dings open.
A loud bump. Jongin jumps when a hand stops the doors from closing completely.
Junmyeon is there, eyes alight with something very much like betrayal and hurt. But Jongin doesn’t want to read too much into it because it’ll hurt more. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Junmyeon asks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jongin hides his hands in the pockets of his coat. They’re suddenly trembling. “Because I didn’t know how to tell you,” he whispers.
Junmyeon stands there, biting his lower lip and shaking his head. “You should’ve told me. You should’ve….”
He steps back.
The doors close.
❅❅❅
Jongin’s Christmas tree is beginning to wilt and turn brown, but the nice pine smell has kept him from throwing it out just yet. It usually permeates the whole apartment, but right now it’s being overwhelmed by the scent of freshly baked cookies.
“Do you have any icing?” Chanyeol yells from the kitchen. They hear him loud and clear even with the speakers blasting songs from Baekhyun's iphone.
“Fridge, bottom right drawer,” Jongin yells back.
Baekhyun laughs. “I can’t believe you’re letting him bake cookies in your kitchen.”
Jongin takes a sip of his beer. “Should I be worried?”
“He won’t burn it down, if that’s what you’re asking,” Baekhyun says.
Chanyeol peeks his head into the bedroom. “I heard that!”
Baekhyun cackles. “I was also going to say, that you make the most delicious cookies ever.”
“Better.” Chanyeol gives them a sharp nod and disappears back into the kitchen.
“You guys didn’t have to come over,” Jongin says.
“And leave you alone on your birthday? Never!” Baekhyun puts his empty beer bottle on top of Jongin’s dresser.
After the whole disastrous reveal, Baekhyun hadn’t left Jongin time alone to mope in the misery of his life. He and Chanyeol constantly checked up on him, making him feel less horrible about what he’d done. When the newly engaged couple learned from Sehun that it was Jongin’s birthday and he planned on spending it alone, they’d barged into his apartment and taken over.
Jongin pushes Baekhyun playfully, and tries to hide the emotions building in his chest. “You’re too much.”
“What do you mean?”
“What happened before…You put my happiness before your own,” Jongin says. “The happiness of a complete stranger before your own. And you keep taking care of me. Why?”
“Does there have to be a reason?” Baek says.
Jongin hugs Baek. “No. I’m just…not used to it.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out.” Baek pets Jongin’s head.
“Me too,” Jongin says.
“No word from Junmyeon?” Baek asks.
“No….”
“He’s an idiot,” Baekhyun says.
Jongin chuckles.
“I’m serious. A complete and utter moron for leaving you-”
Chanyeol’s yelp is loud. “Guys! I think I need some help here!”
Baekhyun lowers the volume of the radio. “Come on. Let’s see what he’s done.”
Jongin laughs. He leaves his bottle on the side table and follows Baekhyun to the kitchen, praying that whatever disaster Chanyeol has created is minor.
“Happy birthday!”
The loud chorus makes Jongin jump.
There in the kitchen are all his friends. Sehun with his arm around the waist of his now official boyfriend Tao. Kyungsoo standing beside a smiling Jongdae and oddly enough smiling himself. Mama Park sitting on one of the island stools with Park Senior behind her, hands on her shoulders. They both nod at him. And Chanyeol holding a cake, lighted candles and all.
“I thought,” Jongin is at a loss for words. “I thought you were baking cookies.”
“I did. Then I made this.”
“Cake is more appropriate in this case,” Baekhyun says, pulling him closer. “Make a wish.”
There’s not enough air in the room and his eyes start to sting. Jongin places a hand over his mouth and closes his eyes. Baekhyun’s hand on his back is soothing, but it’s not making the tear situation any better. “I don’t have a wish. I have all I want right here,” Jongin whispers.
There are a few chuckles from those gathered.
“All?” Baekhyun asks.
Jongin breaths deep and closes his eyes again. This time he does make a wish.
❅❅❅
It’s March. The snow completely melted a couple of weeks ago, but it’s still cold enough for coats and scarves. Jongin wraps his poodle patterned scarf-a gift from Baekhyun and Chanyeol-around his neck as he rolls his seat over to Sehun.
“Don’t talk to me,” his best friend says. “I hate you.”
“Drama queen,” Jongin says.
Sehun stops typing on the computer and faces him. “You’re leaving me here to rot! How will I survive the dull hours now?”
“I’m sure Tao will keep you busy.”
Sehun makes to kick him. “He doesn’t like it when I bother him at work. And it’s not the same.”
Jongin sighs. “I’ll only be gone for a month, Sehun. I think you can survive that long.” With a little-okay, maybe a lot-of pushing from his friends, Jongin signed up for a Eurotrip-slash-photography class. He is going to travel all over Europe taking pictures of famous landmarks and other cultural sites. By the end of the trip, he’ll get a certificate and the photos will be exhibited to the general public. It’s exciting and terrifying. It’s an adventure and Jongin could hardly contain his excitement these last few days.
“Whatever.” Sehun faces the front again and helps a customer. Once he’s done, he looks at Jongin again. “You better keep me updated. I didn’t spend an entire week teaching you how to use Instagram for nothing, okay? I want pics every day.”
“Yes, mom,” Jongin says and rolls away to his booth when Sehun tries to punch him.
The other follows him but suddenly stops. “I think you have a customer.”
A blue envelope lands on top of Jongin’s keyboard. He jerks back in surprise and then glances up. Breath stalls in his lungs, because standing across his counter is none other than Junmyeon.
Junmyeon whom he hasn’t seen since the elevator doors closed between them all the way back in January. He looks good, too good. With a black coat, collar turned up, and his soft hair falling into his eyes. “Open it,” he says.
Jongin takes the envelope with faintly shaking hands. Inside there are two train tickets to Paris. One-way. “What is this?”
“That’s the first stop in our Photography Eurotrip,” Junmyeon says.
“You signed up too?” he asks, not knowing what else to coherently ask.
Junmyeon grins. “I’m teaching it.”
Jongin looks at Sehun, mouth open, because oh my freaking god, what is happening. He shakes his head, trying to get his senses back, and turns again to Junmyeon.
“I thought we could get to know each other,” Junmyeon says, “and travel at the same time. I remember you said you wanted to travel.”
“You want to get to know me…on a train ride?” Jongin doesn’t even know what he’s saying anymore, because his world is still tilted.
“Yeah.”
And the answer is so sure that Jongin trembles. “What happens if you don’t like me?”
“I already like you,” Junmyeon says. “The question is, do you still like me and want to go with me?”
Jongin’s words dry up, but his mind clears. It’s been almost two months with no word from Junmyeon. Not even after endless calls and texts. Not even after Chanyeol and his parents forgave him. Junmyeon was gone and Jongin had accepted that fact. He had closed that door. He’d continued to walk alone.
But here was Junmyeon, reaching out a hand, asking to walk again with him.
“I screwed up. I said I wouldn’t get mad and I did,” Junmyeon says. “I shouldn’t have pushed you out of my life like that. I should’ve…understood, and when I finally did, so much time had passed. I didn’t know how to come back to you. I was scared…no…I am scared that I lost my chance.”
Jongin bites his lip to keep it from trembling.
“Jongin,” Junmyeon says, and it’s the softest that anyone has ever said his name. It’s the same way Chanyeol said Baekhyun’s name when he proposed. Full of the same love. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize I was infinitely more grateful than angry that you crashed into our lives. Into my life.”
Jongin breaks down. He covers his face in his hands and cries. Then there are arms around him, holding him steady and safe. And it’s Junmyeon, who Sehun must have let inside the booth. He whispers in Jongin’s ear. “Come away with me?”
Jongin doesn’t need to think of his answer.
“Yes.”
part one
Jongin stands in the middle of the marbled hallway of Chanyeol’s luxury apartment, unsure of where to go next. The place is so big that Jongin’s own place could fit inside two or three times over. It’s very modern and clean, sleek lines and hard surfaces, but it all feels too cold, empty. Jongin wouldn’t trade his cluttered and very clearly lived-in space for these lifeless lands.
The master bedroom alone was the only place that looked lived in with clothes strewn about, CD cases in towers all over the place, and a messy music station complete with laptop, keyboard, and audio system. It had made Jongin smile and think of Chanyeol, with his pressed suits and composed appearance. But apparently a wild soul underneath it all. He’d poked around, wanting to know more about this new side of his travel prince. Then under the desk, Jongin had found another unexpected surprise that had then demanded his full attention.
Now, Jongin looks down at his four-legged companion. They’d become quick friends. The pup hadn’t left his side since Jongin found him. “Where’s the bathroom, Monggu?”
The puppy tilts his head and barks.
Jongin points to the left. “This way?”
Monggu barks again.
Jongin points to the right. “This way?”
A growl.
“To the left we go.”
Jongin rubs his sleep-heavy eyes and yawns. He hadn’t mean to fall asleep while playing with the pup, but the snoring Monggu on his chest and the soft rug on Chanyeol’s mega living room floor had lulled him.
A hazy moon hangs outside, very visible from the glass windows that make up most of the apartment’s outer walls. Jongin texted Baekhyun to see when he’s coming to pick him up, but the man only responded with a quick, “Just a bit longer.” However, Jongin is very hungry and Monggu probably is too, so after he takes care of business in the five-star bathroom, he goes in search of the kitchen.
Like every other space in Chanyeol’s apartment, the kitchen is huge and equipped with the latest appliances, none of which Jongin is sure he can work. Some digging around finds him a couple of ramen cups. But before he feeds himself he feeds Monggu, the pup having helpfully pointed him in the right direction of the dog food.
Jongin is ruffling the pup’s curly head when a weight settles on his shoulder. He jerks back, flailing his arms everywhere, trying to get away.
“Ow! Fuck!”
Jongin opens his eyes to see Junmyeon clutching at his nose. “Oh my god! I’m sorry,” he says, grabbing the man’s face and trying to check for damage. “I thought you were a thief or something.”
“A thief on the 30th floor who either got through the security lock, or scaled and entered through the window?” Junmyeon says, voice all nasally.
Jongin continues to hold him and inspects for damage. Junmyeon’s nose is red, but there is no blood coming out. He really is more handsome than Chanyeol, with a rounder face, rosier and poutier lips, and sharper eyes. No cute ears sticking out though. But he has very nice skin and it feels heavenly under Jongin’s fingers as he runs them across the man’s jaw.
He lets go, when he realizes how close they are. “Sorry…again,” Jongin says.
“It’s fine.” Junmyeon sniffles loudly, then grabs a serviette from the kitchen island to blow his nose. “Baek kicked me out of the hospital and told me to get some sleep. He stayed with my brother.”
“Oh…he was supposed to pick me up.” Junmyeon doesn’t react to the statement and Jongin tries not to fidget under his gaze, but it’s really hard. “I guess I should go now.”
Jongin kneels beside Monggu and allows the pup to lick his face. “I’ll see you around, little guy.” Even as he says it, he knows it might be a lie. Chanyeol can wake up at any moment and then Jongin will tell the truth. The truth which could make everyone, even Monggu, hate him.
Monggu yips happily right until Jongin tries to leave. The pup starts to cry and whine then. Junmyeon does his best to quiet him, but it doesn’t work. So, Jongin picks Monggu up and soothes him.
“The last time we spoke, he told me he had big news to share,” Junmyeon says, watching Jongin pet Monggu. “I thought it would be either a dog or a boyfriend. I guess it was both.”
Jongin smiles, bright and wide, because Junmyeon’s face is priceless. It’s a mix of disbelief and weirded out. If only he knew.
Junmyeon rubs his neck, awkward all of a sudden. “Let me drive you home. It’s the least I can do after how I treated you this morning.”
“Oh no, don’t worry about it.” Jongin’s laugh turns uneven. The last thing he needs is more alone time with Chanyeol’s brother. There’s something that unsettles Jongin whenever the man is around, and maybe it’s more than the danger of Junmyeon finding out the truth. Jongin would rather take on Kyungsoo and his grim reaper stare any day.
“Please. I insist.”
And that was that.
After the pup falls asleep under Jongin’s expert hands, they tiptoe out of the apartment and take the elevator. Jongin is grateful for Junmyeon’s car because it’s snowing outside and he would’ve frozen his butt off walking home. They hurry to where the car is parked, only to find there’s a problem.
“Dammit…they blocked it in.” Junmyeon scuffs his foot against the ground and glares at the car parked behind his. Jongin wants to point out that maybe he shouldn’t have parked so close to the front car in the first place, but that’s not really helpful.
“Guess we’re walking,” Junmyeon says.
Apparently, he is freezing his butt off anyways. “It’s fine. I can just walk home….” But Junmyeon is already walking ahead and Jongin jogs to catch up.
It quickly becomes a really uncomfortable walk. The snow continues to fall steadily, settling onto their jackets and hats. The only sounds are their breaths and the crunch of old snow under their boots, because neither of them is talking. The tension brews like a big wall of ice and Jongin doesn’t know what to say to break it. Chanyeol’s brother seems so unapproachable now with a tiny frown on his face, like he’s always worried about something or stressed out. Is it because of Chanyeol’s condition or something else?
Knowing he’s not the best at conversations, Jongin decides to try anyway. “You look cold.” Great opening line.
“Probably because I am cold,” Junmyeon says.
Crap. Bad opening. The conversation goes absolutely nowhere. Why couldn’t he be like Sehun who only had to open his mouth, say one line, and he could charm the pants off anyone. Not that he wanted to charm the pants off of Junmyeon. Or did he? Ugh. Should he try again? Maybe the silence wasn’t so bad….
Jongin’s stomach rumbles so loud it startles them.
Junmyeon turns to him, eyes twinkling. “I think I better feed you before you try to take a bite out of me.”
His cheeks warm up. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“No wonder sweaters look like they’re swallowing you up. You’re so skinny,” Junmyeon says, and all that Jongin can think is that, at some point, Junmyeon had checked him out again. “Come on. I know a great place nearby. My treat.”
They end up in a cozy, corner-side café, eating pancakes for dinner-chocolate chip for Jongin, blueberry for Junmyeon. Coffee warms them up. But the silence and awkwardness are still there though, and Jongin knows it’s up to him.
He tries again. “So…Chanyeol is a lawyer. Kyungsoo told me he’s studying Arts and Theater. What do you do?”
Junmyeon swallows before answering. “I’m the black sheep of our hard working family. I’m a photographer and graphic designer.”
“Oh.” Now Jongin understood part of the Christmas dinner conversation. It was quite unfair that the Parks hadn’t supported Junmyeon. Jongin had taken some art classes in university, especially the photography courses. He’d never been good at it, but he always appreciated all the time and effort artists put into their pieces. Art was not an easy field.
Jongin didn’t think Mama Park or Park Senior were still upset about their eldest being in the arts, but more about the fact that he stayed away. Junmyeon didn’t seem to understand if he was still calling himself the black sheep of the family.
He couldn’t say that, however. Instead, Jongin asked, “But do you like it? Your job?”
“I love it.” And Jongin can hear it in his voice. Junmyeon loves what he does, even if his family is or was not okay with it. “I used to work with Baekhyun at the newspaper, doing the layout and ads, before I went freelance.”
“What sort of work do you do now?”
“Mostly marketing campaigns for big companies,” Junmyeon says. “You might have seen some of the ads at the tube station.”
Jongin grins. “I liked the Sydney one with the fish!”
Junmyeon laughs, truly delighted. He looks years younger. Pleasure bursts in his chest at the knowledge that he did that, he made Junmyeon not frown anymore. “How did you do it? I mean, I know there’s photoshop involved, but the half in the water effect looked original.”
“Good eye,” Junmyeon says. “That one was a little scary to do. We rented a boat and they threw me in the water with a warning to be quick and watch out for sharks. So I’m there, trying to float and align the shot to be half underwater and worrying about something biting my legs from under me.”
“That does sounds scary,” Jongin says.
Junmyeon’s cheeks are flushed. “It was one of the most exciting photoshoots I’ve had.”
It was scary, but it was an adventure. Jongin gets it, and wishes he was brave enough to go on his own adventures.
“What do you do, Jongin?” Junmyeon asks.
“I’m a ticket seller at King’s Cross Station,” he says, and tries not to sound as indifferent as he feels. It’s a job. It pays the bills. He met Chanyeol thanks to it. But it’s not what he wants to be doing for the rest of his life.
“Not your dream job?”
Jongin shakes his head. “It’s not as exciting as swimming in shark infested waters.”
Junmyeon laughs again.
Chatting with him turns out to be really easy. The topics weave and meld into one another, until Jongin can’t even remember where they started. The serious exterior that had intimidated Jongin at first is no more. Junmyeon’s smile is genuine as he talks about his travels. It seems he does a lot of it himself, like Chanyeol. And Jongin drinks in his words like a kid during story time.
Junmyeon turns out to be a great listener, too. Jongin easily opens up about his dreams and his unfulfilled plans. Junmyeon asks questions, makes jokes, and it feels amazing that someone wants to know about him.
Time flies and they head on out again. This time there’s no ice wall between them, only warmth, laughter, and a blooming friendship. When they arrive at his apartment building, Jongin doesn’t even remember how they got there. He was so enveloped in their conversation. “Oh, we’re here.”
Junmyeon glances at the big patch of ice covering the main entrance. “Are you sure you can get through?”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Jongin says. There’s always ice buildup there. Over the years, the residents have given up on cleaning it every morning and learned to just navigate through or around it.
Jongin decides to go through it.
“Here, let me help.” Junmyeon steps after him. Newbie mistake.
“Don’t!”
But Junmyeon is already on the ice and slipping. Jongin grabs onto the man’s arms and pulls him close. They cling to each other even as they continue to slip. It’s even worse when Jongin starts to laugh at Junmyeon’s panicked face.
“Stop laughing!” Junmyeon screeches. “You’re going to make us fall.”
Jongin dissolves into a fit of giggles, but manages to slide them safely across the ice. They don’t let go of each other as they continue to laugh and gasp. Junmyeon’s beanie is crooked, so Jongin reaches out and holds him still while he fixes it. Junmyeon’s eyes are steady on him, all laughter now gone. The thought of kissing him comes so fast into Jongin’s mind, that he doesn’t have time to process it and simply leans in with the impulse.
“Would you like to come to a party with me on New Year ’s Eve?” Junmyeon asks.
The question breaks the haze and Jongin pulls back, eyes wide. “What?”
Junmyeon laughs. “It’s not a date. I got an invite from an old friend of the family. And Kyungsoo is coming along, too. But he makes for a lousy wingman. So, would you come with me?”
Jongin blushes, because he had thought Junmyeon was asking him out. And he had been about to kiss Junmyeon. Why does he feel disappointment churning in his stomach? “Oh, I-I’d love to.”
❅❅❅
The party venue turns out to be another classy, penthouse apartment in the center of the city, with a clear view of the colorful London Eye in the distance. Unlike Chanyeol’s place, the owner chose to decorate it like it was a palace with wing back chairs, Victorian sofas and ottomans, gleaming mahogany tables, and floor to ceiling drapes in expensive fabrics.
Though everybody else lounged or strolled comfortably around the place, Jongin was honestly scared to touch, much less sit on anything. That all changed when he met the lucky owner of the place-Jongdae. The small man was literally a ball of energy, and in the five minutes it’d taken for Junmyeon to introduce them, Jongdae had spilled wine on himself, on the floor, and toppled over a vase full of flowers with his flailing arms as he told a story.
Jongdae laughed. “I better go find a broom and mop to clean this up. It was very nice meeting you Jongin.”
“Nice meeting you-” But Jongdae was already off and away chattering with someone else. “Too….Is he always like this?”
“No,” Junmyeon says, hiding a grin behind his hand. “He’s worse around my brother and Baekhyun. I used to call them little terrors when we were kids, but then Chanyeol grew. Now they’re just terrors.”
Jongin chuckles. “I wish I’d had brothers or sisters.”
“You were an only child?”
“I don’t know.”
“How so?”
After their long night of conversation three days ago, Jongin feels comfortable enough to answer. “I was an orphan.” He honestly can’t remember the last time he talked about this. When was the last time he let anyone get this close? “A lovely couple…My adoptive parents brought me to the UK with them when I was just a baby. They took care of me, gave me an education, and let me make my life when I turned old enough.”
Junmyeon nods. “Where are they now?”
“They died.” He feels the numbness at the edges of his heart. “Car accident five years ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” Junmyeon says softly.
Jongin hates it when people tell him that, because he hates the underlying pity that comes with it. But he doesn’t hear that in Junmyeon’s words. There’s only sincerity. “Thank you,” Jongin says, his voice catching a bit.
“Let me get you something to drink. Get this party started and all that, okay? Wait here.” Junmyeon squeezes Jongin’s shoulder and then heads to the kitchen, weaving among the other guests.
The small gesture is oddly comforting. No one has taken care of him since his adoptive parents died. Sure, Sehun is there for him, but it’s not the same. It’s not the same to have Junmyeon, who only just met him a few days ago, take care of him. First, by walking him home and feeding him in the process. Then, by making sure he didn’t celebrate another New Years alone. And now, by making him feel comfortable in an environment where he feels like a complete outsider.
There’s a fluttering in his chest that is getting harder and harder to ignore for what it really is.
“Jongin?”
He glances up and does a double-take. “Sehun? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Sehun takes the seat beside him. “I thought you were at a thing with your fiancé’s family and I see you flirting with a gorgeous little man.”
“I am at the thing.” Jongin points at the kitchen island where the refreshments have been laid out. Junmyeon is preparing the drinks. “That’s Chanyeol’s older brother.”
Sehun makes a duck face. “Interesting. You never told me you liked both brothers.”
“I-I don’t…I mean, I didn’t-That’s not true.”
Sehun raises a hand. “Save it. You know it’s futile to hide anything from me.”
“I’m so screwed.” Jongin sags against the wall. He can’t fall for Junmyeon. He’s supposed to be Chanyeol’s fake fiancé! “I’m so, so screwed.”
Sehun laughs. “This is going to be fun.”
Jongin glares at his best friend. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here because my hot date promised Jongdae to make an appearance,” Sehun says. “Apparently they’re old friends or something.”
“Who’s your date? I thought you were going out with our pizza delivery guy?”
“That was last month.”
Jongin rolls his eyes.
“My date is dark, tall, and dangerous over there,” Sehun says, a grin stretching over his lips. “I think you know him, too.”
Jongin cranes his neck in the direction Sehun pointed, and his stomach swoops, because Kyungsoo, Jongdae, and a familiar tall figure are in that corner. He turns and hisses at Sehun, “You’re dating Tao? As in fashion nazi, hardass boss, Zitao Huang?”
Sehun laughs harder this time. “You’re face is priceless. Hold up. I promised Taozi I’d take a pic when I told you.”
Jongin shoves Sehun’s cellphone away from his face. “I can’t believe you. He’s going to fire both our asses once you dump him.”
“I’m not going to dump him,” Sehun says, no longer smiling.
Jongin chokes on air. “Excuse me?”
Sehun scratches his chin and the non-existent hairs there. “I kind of like him. Really like him. I haven’t felt the urge to run away and try something new. Tao keeps me plenty occupied.”
“Ah! Please, stop right there,” Jongin covers his friends mouth. “I don’t want to hear the details. I’m just…slightly disturbed, but happy for you, okay?”
Sehun licks Jongin’s hand, effectively dislodging it. “Happy for me? What’s that’s supposed to mean?”
“Means our place is only big enough for one sad and lonely soul,” Jongin says. “And I wasn’t going to share with you. So, yay.”
“Oh? But where am I supposed to take Tao when I want to fu-”
“Not home!” Sehun’s laugh is too loud for the setting they’re in, so Jongin grabs his friend by the neck and hugs him tight, cutting off his air, until the other dissolves into softer giggles. “Or at least not when I’m there too.”
Sehun pulls back a bit and stares at Jongin. “You’re a good friend, Jonginie.”
“Just good?”
“The best. The greatest. The-” Sehun’s phone chimes. He checks it and grins.
Jongin quirks a brow.
Sehun leans in, forcing Jongin to back against the wall, and whispers in Jongin’s ear. “That was Tao. Apparently there’s an empty closet in the hallway he wants me to check out.”
“What for?” Jongin asks.
Sehun pats his cheek. “You’re so innocent sometimes.” And with that he walks away. It only takes a couple of seconds to understand and by then he wants to find bleach to erase the mental image of his boss and Sehun in a closet.
“Who was that?” Junmyeon’s voice is like a shock to his system. Jongin immediately forgets all about Sehun and straightens up. “And why was he leaning all over you?”
Jongin takes the offered wine glass from Junmyeon. “What are you talking about?”
“He was leaning his whole body, moving in like this.” Junmyeon demonstrates perfectly, getting into Jongin’s personal space, before retreating.
The small invasion has Jongin’s heart racing unexpectedly and he takes a big pull of his wine. Yeah, he gets it. He’d done some leaning of his own the day Junmyeon walked him home. “So? He’s my friend. We hug and lean into each other a lot.”
Junmyeon is still frowning, and Jongin doesn’t understand what the big deal is. “Leaning it’s a lot different than hugging. Hugging involves arms and hands and sometimes awkwardness. But leaning….” Junmyeon looks up, and Jongin’s breath stutters. “Leaning involves wanting and accepting. Leaning means….”
“Why are you leaning all over Jongin?” Kyungsoo asks.
Junmyeon steps a healthy three feet away. “I was just demonstrating what that other guy was doing,” he says, all calm and composed, but his ears color up.
“Sehun?” Kyungsoo asks.
Jongin’s eyes widen. “You know Sehun?”
“Yeah. Tao’s boy toy,” Kyungsoo says. “Why?”
Boy toy? Tao is a player too? The two were really made for each other.
The urge to facepalm is strong, but not in front of Junmyeon. “Sehun is my best friend and roommate. We’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Oh.” Junmyeon colors even more now. “I…didn’t know.”
“Wait. You’re the shy one?” Kyungsoo laughs. “Tao talks about work sometimes and he’s mentioned you, though not by name.”
“Shy one. That’s me.”
Kyungsoo laughs again. “I can’t believe Chanyeol never told us about you. Did he ask Tao for your number? Is that how you met?”
Taken off-guard by the question, Jongin tries to answer without messing up. “N-No. We just…Well he came one day…a-and….”
“Soo, baby! Come over here!” Jongdae’s call comes over from the other side of the room. Kyungsoo excuses himself.
Jongin breathes out hard. He’d honestly forgotten all about Chanyeol, his travel prince who is still lying in a hospital bed unconscious. Meanwhile Jongin is at a party getting lost in Junmyeon’s words and stares. Right then, Junmyeon’s warm eyes are on him again, making his skin prickle and heat up.
He tugs at the collar of his red turtleneck. “W-What are you looking at?” Jongin asks.
Junmyeon tilts his head. “You’re shy. You work in public transportation. You live with a roommate. You…are not Chanyeol’s type. At all.”
Jongin bristles a bit. It’s not the first time his life choices have been put down at all, but after all their conversations Jongin didn’t expect it from Junmyeon. “No? Then whose type am I?”
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” Junmyeon says, and tries to grab Jongin’s hand, but he pulls it away.
“Then how did you mean it?” Jongin glares now. Of all the qualities he’d seen in Junmyeon, jerk was definitely a new one. Had he misjudged the man?
“What I meant is that you’re not comfortable in this setting.” Junmyeon spread his hands, showcasing the luxurious and decadent room. “And a big part of Chanyeol’s life is all about this-classy parties, meetings with the wealthy, expensive everything. As a high-profile lawyer, this is his life. And you seem to wilt under all of this.”
Junmyeon’s voice isn’t condescending, but full of warmth and worry. It’s the only reason why Jongin hasn’t told him to fuck off. But why should Junmyeon care if Chanyeol and him aren’t a good fit? Unless…. “Any other reason of why I shouldn’t be with your brother?”
There’s a struggle in Junmyeon’s eyes, and the man opens and closes his mouth a couple of times, before finally settling on his practiced smile. “No. None at all.”
The disappointment is very real this time.
❅❅❅
It’s a quiet Saturday morning and they’re sitting at their cozy café, the one they’d visited almost a week and a half ago. Jongin has been dodging Junmyeon since the New Year party-leaving as soon as the man arrived to visit Chanyeol, letting his calls go to voicemail, etc. He struggles to control the rush of feeling bursting inside of him from having Junmyeon so close. This is exactly why he had to stay away.
“I’m glad we could meet today,” Junmyeon says, once their coffees arrive. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I’ve been busy,” Jongin says, and takes a sip even though it’s way too hot to drink yet. If he burns his tongue, he’ll resist the urge to talk too much.
“Selling tickets?”
The question rubs him the wrong way, and Jongin starts to get up.
Junmyeon takes a hold of his hand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just…I want to know why you’re mad at me.”
Jongin reluctantly sits back down. “I’m not mad.”
Junmyeon doesn’t believe him. He can see it in the way the other’s lips turn down a bit. “If this is because of what I said about you not being Chanyeol’s type-”
“It’s not about that.” Jongin takes another sip. Damn, that one scalded his insides.
“Then what is it?” Junmyeon asks, and he leans forward, brown eyes searching Jongin’s face for the answer.
It’s you, Jongin wants to say. After the party, there had been no denying the feelings growing inside of him. How his heart raced under Junmyeon’s looks. How his breath stalled whenever the other complimented him. How his daydreams at the booth now starred Junmyeon instead of Chanyeol.
Jongin didn’t want to lie anymore. “I’m afraid you will hate me.”
Junmyeon frowns. “I don’t think that could ever happen, but we won’t know until you tell me.”
His throat is burning up, and it’s not the coffee this time. It’s the knot of tears threatening to come out, because why did he have to fall in love so fast. “You don’t forgive easily, Junmyeon,” Jongin says. “You still haven’t forgiven your parents and that was years ago. How long will you stay mad at me for this?”
Junmyeon eyes widen, clearly taken aback by Jongin’s mention of his family issues. He sets his coffee aside and holds Jongin’s hand. “I’m not mad at them, I’m just…I don’t know how to face them and say sorry. But I am facing you here, and I won’t get mad. I promise you. I’ll-” His cellphone goes off with a boring preset ring. Junmyeon answers with a quick hello and then he’s off his seat. “Yes! We’ll be right there!”
“What is it?” Jongin asks, standing up too. He rubs his eyes quickly where the tears had inevitably gathered.
“It’s Chanyeol! He’s awake!” Junmyeon’s smile is blinding.
Jongin’s heart goes into overdrive as he drops some bills on the table and follows Junmyeon outside. They catch a cab to the hospital and race to Chanyeol’s room. The whole family is there already crowding around the bed along with Doctor Minseok and nurse Yixing.
Chanyeol looks a little worn out, but he’s awake and alert. He smiles as his mother coos at him and his father hovers nearby holding his hand. Kyungsoo is quiet, but he’s sitting at the foot of the bed, one hand on Chanyeol’s leg. Junmyeon goes to them, but Jongin stays by the door, not wanting to unleash his mess just yet.
“How are you feeling, Chanyeol?” Minseok asks. “Any pain? Nausea? Dizziness?”
“I feel great,” Chanyeol says.
“That’s good. That’s very good.” The doctor checks his pulse, his breathing, and asks him a few more questions, but everything comes out okay. “We’d like to keep you another couple of days for observation, and after that you’ll be free to go.”
Someone crashes into Jongin and he stumbles to the side. Baekhyun breathes hard as he stares at Chanyeol who is now grinning like a maniac. He’s all a mess, his coat put on backwards, his shirt buttoned wrong and his shoes…are fluffy dog-shaped slippers.
“You’re awake,” Baekhyun pants.
“You’re here,” Chanyeol says.
“Stating the obvious,” Kyungsoo says with his usual snark. “Brilliant.”
Baekhyun’s laugh is full of relief. “Where else would I be?”
Chanyeol’s grin goes impossibly wider, edging into creepy. But Baekhyun drinks it in and practically glows. It’s the same reaction Jongin has been having when Junmyeon smiles at him or laughs with him. And Jongin suddenly gets it.
Chanyeol tones down the smile and tilts his head. “Who is that?”
Mama Park, Park Senior, Kyungsoo, Junmyeon, Minseok, Yixing, and finally Baekhyun all turn to look at Jongin. The wish for a hole to open up and swallow him whole is strong, but sadly it doesn’t happen and he has to stand there and sweat, and die inside.
“That’s Jongin, darling,” Mama Park says.
Chanyeol tilts his head. “And who is Jongin?”
“You don’t remember your fiancé?” Mama Park grips her son’s hand like she’s scared he’ll slip away into deep slumber once again.
“I’m engaged? To who?” Chanyeol looks well and truly confused. And Jongin knows he should explain and apologize now, but his throat has closed up, and he can’t even remember the words he had prepared.
“To Jongin.”
Worried looks are exchanged, and they all land on Doctor Minseok. “He was unconscious for more than a week. It’s not uncommon that some of his memories might be a bit hazy.”
“Again, who’s Jongin?” Chanyeol asks, looking at Baekhyun, who refuses to answer.
Kyungsoo pushes Jongin to the hospital bed until he’s standing in front of Chanyeol. “He’s the one who saved you, your fiancé.”
Oh god. He needs to speak. Now.
Chanyeol turns really serious now. His eyes keep going to Baekhyun, who keeps his gaze averted. “He’s not my fiancé,” Chanyeol says.
“You just don’t remember, sweetie,” Mama Park says.
“No, mom.” Chanyeol’s voice is hard now. “He’s not my fiancé because the person whom I proposed to never answered me.”
“Chanyeol, what are you talking about?” Junmyeon asks his brother, but his eyes are on Jongin.
“Dad, could you find the coat I came in with the day they brought me to the hospital?” Chanyeol asks, and waits until his father hands him the item. He digs around in the pockets, and brings out a small black box. Inside there’s a simple silver band, with a gold line insert running through the middle.
“I don’t understand,” Mama Park says, stepping back from the bed. Park Senior goes to her.
“Baekhyun,” Chanyeol says, and there’s something in his voice that makes Jongin’s heart lurch. There’s so much…love.
Baek’s face has drained of color. He looks like he’s ready to bolt.
“Baek. We’ve known each other for ten years. You’ve been with me during bad times, good times, weird times, and all the times that made a difference in my life. You’ve been there.” Chanyeol smiles. “I gave you space when you needed it, when you begged me for it. But life is too short and I refuse to spend any more time without you by my side. Baek…I want to ask you, again, would you like to share many more days with me as my husband?”
No words are said, but the sounds are still too loud in the room. Not even the beeps of the machines drown out the sound of Baekhyun’s heavy breaths, Chanyeol’s nervous swallows, Mama Park’s gasp, and Junmyeon’s soft cursing.
Baekhyun fumbles for words. “I’m not-”
“Don’t even think about giving me that excuse again,” Chanyeol says, softly shaking his head. “You are worthy to be by my side, as you’ve always been. Who cares if I make double your salary? Who cares if my face appears in the papers once a week? Who cares what the people will say?” Chanyeol sits up straighter in bed and extends a hand towards Baekhyun. “The only thing that matters to me is you. So, please…say yes.”
Baekhyun’s face is red now, his cheeks completely wet with tears. He sniffles loudly and a sob escapes his tight lips. He steps forward and grabs Chanyeol’s hand.
They’re about to kiss when Kyungsoo yells. “Hold it!”
Everyone freezes.
“If you were planning on proposing to Baek,” he says, “then where the heck does that leave Jongin?”
It’s time. Jongin steps back until he has everyone in front and does a perfect ninety-degree bow. It’s his last turn on the stage. Time for the big reveal. “I am sorry for deceiving you.”
Silence.
“Who the hell are you?” Mama park snaps, followed by Park Senior. “How dare you worm yourself into our family?”
“This is my fault,” Baekhyun says loud above the others.
Jongin shakes his head and stands straight once again. “No. This is…I did this. After I saved your son, they wouldn’t allow me in to see him unless I was family. So, I said I was his fiancé.”
Kyungsoo shakes his head. “This is like a failed romance drama.”
Junmyeon is shaking his head and glaring at the floor.
“Wait.” Chanyeol peers at him, eyes narrowed. “I know you. You’re the ticket guy. At the train station. I see him every Tuesday when I travel out of the country.”
“So you knew my son from before saving him?” Mama Park asks.
Jongin nods.
“Are you a stalker?” Kyungsoo asks.
Baekhyun smacks him. “No, he’s not. Jongin is a good kid. Before the Christmas dinner, I talked to him. He was lonely, had no family…I saw myself.” Chanyeol runs a soothing hand down Baekhyun’s back.
“He was me all those years ago before you took me in. I just wanted to do the same for him. So please, don’t take it out on him.”
“I’m sorry,” Jongin says again, knowing it won’t make things better, but still trying.
Eventually, Mama Park sighs. “I think we all need a moment.” She glances at Jongin. “As a family.”
“I understand,” Jongin says. Everyone but Baekhyun is avoiding his gaze. He’s not part of their family. “I’ll…see you around.”
Every step away from that room echoes loud in his ears. Jongin doesn’t even dare to look up, to look back. He reaches the elevators, presses the button, and gets in when it dings open.
A loud bump. Jongin jumps when a hand stops the doors from closing completely.
Junmyeon is there, eyes alight with something very much like betrayal and hurt. But Jongin doesn’t want to read too much into it because it’ll hurt more. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Junmyeon asks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jongin hides his hands in the pockets of his coat. They’re suddenly trembling. “Because I didn’t know how to tell you,” he whispers.
Junmyeon stands there, biting his lower lip and shaking his head. “You should’ve told me. You should’ve….”
He steps back.
The doors close.
❅❅❅
Jongin’s Christmas tree is beginning to wilt and turn brown, but the nice pine smell has kept him from throwing it out just yet. It usually permeates the whole apartment, but right now it’s being overwhelmed by the scent of freshly baked cookies.
“Do you have any icing?” Chanyeol yells from the kitchen. They hear him loud and clear even with the speakers blasting songs from Baekhyun's iphone.
“Fridge, bottom right drawer,” Jongin yells back.
Baekhyun laughs. “I can’t believe you’re letting him bake cookies in your kitchen.”
Jongin takes a sip of his beer. “Should I be worried?”
“He won’t burn it down, if that’s what you’re asking,” Baekhyun says.
Chanyeol peeks his head into the bedroom. “I heard that!”
Baekhyun cackles. “I was also going to say, that you make the most delicious cookies ever.”
“Better.” Chanyeol gives them a sharp nod and disappears back into the kitchen.
“You guys didn’t have to come over,” Jongin says.
“And leave you alone on your birthday? Never!” Baekhyun puts his empty beer bottle on top of Jongin’s dresser.
After the whole disastrous reveal, Baekhyun hadn’t left Jongin time alone to mope in the misery of his life. He and Chanyeol constantly checked up on him, making him feel less horrible about what he’d done. When the newly engaged couple learned from Sehun that it was Jongin’s birthday and he planned on spending it alone, they’d barged into his apartment and taken over.
Jongin pushes Baekhyun playfully, and tries to hide the emotions building in his chest. “You’re too much.”
“What do you mean?”
“What happened before…You put my happiness before your own,” Jongin says. “The happiness of a complete stranger before your own. And you keep taking care of me. Why?”
“Does there have to be a reason?” Baek says.
Jongin hugs Baek. “No. I’m just…not used to it.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out.” Baek pets Jongin’s head.
“Me too,” Jongin says.
“No word from Junmyeon?” Baek asks.
“No….”
“He’s an idiot,” Baekhyun says.
Jongin chuckles.
“I’m serious. A complete and utter moron for leaving you-”
Chanyeol’s yelp is loud. “Guys! I think I need some help here!”
Baekhyun lowers the volume of the radio. “Come on. Let’s see what he’s done.”
Jongin laughs. He leaves his bottle on the side table and follows Baekhyun to the kitchen, praying that whatever disaster Chanyeol has created is minor.
“Happy birthday!”
The loud chorus makes Jongin jump.
There in the kitchen are all his friends. Sehun with his arm around the waist of his now official boyfriend Tao. Kyungsoo standing beside a smiling Jongdae and oddly enough smiling himself. Mama Park sitting on one of the island stools with Park Senior behind her, hands on her shoulders. They both nod at him. And Chanyeol holding a cake, lighted candles and all.
“I thought,” Jongin is at a loss for words. “I thought you were baking cookies.”
“I did. Then I made this.”
“Cake is more appropriate in this case,” Baekhyun says, pulling him closer. “Make a wish.”
There’s not enough air in the room and his eyes start to sting. Jongin places a hand over his mouth and closes his eyes. Baekhyun’s hand on his back is soothing, but it’s not making the tear situation any better. “I don’t have a wish. I have all I want right here,” Jongin whispers.
There are a few chuckles from those gathered.
“All?” Baekhyun asks.
Jongin breaths deep and closes his eyes again. This time he does make a wish.
❅❅❅
It’s March. The snow completely melted a couple of weeks ago, but it’s still cold enough for coats and scarves. Jongin wraps his poodle patterned scarf-a gift from Baekhyun and Chanyeol-around his neck as he rolls his seat over to Sehun.
“Don’t talk to me,” his best friend says. “I hate you.”
“Drama queen,” Jongin says.
Sehun stops typing on the computer and faces him. “You’re leaving me here to rot! How will I survive the dull hours now?”
“I’m sure Tao will keep you busy.”
Sehun makes to kick him. “He doesn’t like it when I bother him at work. And it’s not the same.”
Jongin sighs. “I’ll only be gone for a month, Sehun. I think you can survive that long.” With a little-okay, maybe a lot-of pushing from his friends, Jongin signed up for a Eurotrip-slash-photography class. He is going to travel all over Europe taking pictures of famous landmarks and other cultural sites. By the end of the trip, he’ll get a certificate and the photos will be exhibited to the general public. It’s exciting and terrifying. It’s an adventure and Jongin could hardly contain his excitement these last few days.
“Whatever.” Sehun faces the front again and helps a customer. Once he’s done, he looks at Jongin again. “You better keep me updated. I didn’t spend an entire week teaching you how to use Instagram for nothing, okay? I want pics every day.”
“Yes, mom,” Jongin says and rolls away to his booth when Sehun tries to punch him.
The other follows him but suddenly stops. “I think you have a customer.”
A blue envelope lands on top of Jongin’s keyboard. He jerks back in surprise and then glances up. Breath stalls in his lungs, because standing across his counter is none other than Junmyeon.
Junmyeon whom he hasn’t seen since the elevator doors closed between them all the way back in January. He looks good, too good. With a black coat, collar turned up, and his soft hair falling into his eyes. “Open it,” he says.
Jongin takes the envelope with faintly shaking hands. Inside there are two train tickets to Paris. One-way. “What is this?”
“That’s the first stop in our Photography Eurotrip,” Junmyeon says.
“You signed up too?” he asks, not knowing what else to coherently ask.
Junmyeon grins. “I’m teaching it.”
Jongin looks at Sehun, mouth open, because oh my freaking god, what is happening. He shakes his head, trying to get his senses back, and turns again to Junmyeon.
“I thought we could get to know each other,” Junmyeon says, “and travel at the same time. I remember you said you wanted to travel.”
“You want to get to know me…on a train ride?” Jongin doesn’t even know what he’s saying anymore, because his world is still tilted.
“Yeah.”
And the answer is so sure that Jongin trembles. “What happens if you don’t like me?”
“I already like you,” Junmyeon says. “The question is, do you still like me and want to go with me?”
Jongin’s words dry up, but his mind clears. It’s been almost two months with no word from Junmyeon. Not even after endless calls and texts. Not even after Chanyeol and his parents forgave him. Junmyeon was gone and Jongin had accepted that fact. He had closed that door. He’d continued to walk alone.
But here was Junmyeon, reaching out a hand, asking to walk again with him.
“I screwed up. I said I wouldn’t get mad and I did,” Junmyeon says. “I shouldn’t have pushed you out of my life like that. I should’ve…understood, and when I finally did, so much time had passed. I didn’t know how to come back to you. I was scared…no…I am scared that I lost my chance.”
Jongin bites his lip to keep it from trembling.
“Jongin,” Junmyeon says, and it’s the softest that anyone has ever said his name. It’s the same way Chanyeol said Baekhyun’s name when he proposed. Full of the same love. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize I was infinitely more grateful than angry that you crashed into our lives. Into my life.”
Jongin breaks down. He covers his face in his hands and cries. Then there are arms around him, holding him steady and safe. And it’s Junmyeon, who Sehun must have let inside the booth. He whispers in Jongin’s ear. “Come away with me?”
Jongin doesn’t need to think of his answer.
“Yes.”