damp hair framed his face, partially obscuring his vision. the only source of light came from the street lamps outside. its luminescence, faded by the heavy rainfall, peered through the kitchen window. jeonghan had only managed to grab a clean glass, when the item was taken from him in an instant. he neither stumbled nor flinches, a usual dynamic taking place, although a little surprising given their current situation. but who was he to wonder when, by tomorrow, jeonghan would act like tonight never happened?
just as he was about to grab another glass, the faint sobs caused him to freeze mid-turn. instead, he faced mingyu completely, looked up at the other male - a kicked puppy. jeonghan wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry, although one was gradually winning over the other. carefully, he pried the glass away from the other’s hold, placing it on the counter.
before he could reach out - apologize? - he was pressed against the other’s chest, and while the gesture was sudden, painful in the way mingyu’s stronger frame was holding onto him, instinct told him to relax. shoulder slumped, and jeonghan let his weight fall against his best friend, arms finding their way around mingyu’s waist. a heavy sigh - exhausted, defeated.
jeonghan pulled back just enough to look up at the other’s face, reaching up to cup his cheek. thumbs gently brush tear-stained cheeks, a weak smile forming on his lips. he released a breathless chuckle, shaking his head lightly. he squished the other’s face between his palms, scrunching his nose as he held the other’s gaze. “what the fuck are you talking about?” he began - teased, to ease the tension. “there’s no fucking way i’m letting you go.”
finally, hands move up, and fingers ruffle the other’s hair in a familiar manner - affectionate, and intimate in a way that’s simply between the two of them. “you’re my puppy.” his voice shook, but jeonghan tried not to be too obvious. he breathed out, “just mine, okay? no one else’s.”
( just let me figure this out first. )
no. oh god no. he’s looking. he’s looking.
mingyu’s frantic thoughts caused him to almost punch jeonghan with his shaking fist. he kept inching away but somehow, jeonghan always reached out to pull him back. not just tonight, crying and embarrassed mess he was, but ever since they met as children. the moment was however ruined when jeonghan squished his cheeks and he frowned, sniffling while snot still ran down his nose. “but you said--” he was about to talk back but god. there was something about the way jeonghan ruffled his hair that made him feel weak in the knees that he couldn’t even talk anymore.
“okay, okay.” he nodded, though his voice shook like jeonghan’s. he felt ridiculous being called puppy in his twenties and he was glad jeonghan reserved it for those rare and unconventionally tender moments. it even made his cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red. the my and mine certainly contributed to that as well.
mingyu had always been a big rough with his words and he bit them back, instead hugging jeonghan tighter. had their heights been reversed, he would look like he was clinging onto the other. he stayed like that for a while, still confused but feeling lighter. there was so much he had to say still. but surely jeonghan knew what he meant, right? surely he knew by now?
if not, mingyu had to let him know now.
he only pulled away a little after a few minutes, arms wrapped around the other’s waist, to lean down and kiss his cheek, quick, chaste and shy as if it was the first. it was all he could allow himself to do at this moment. but he made sure to quickly let another follow the first one. “you better remember everything tonight,” he whispered. he hid his face at the crook of jeonghan’s neck, resting his forehead there.
