This Time Weâll Take It Slow
Word Count : 5,629
Type: One Shot
Characters: Seungcheol x Jeonghan
Genre: Fluff, Angst
Written by: Tita #2
You have 20 seconds.
You have 20 seconds to think what youâre going to say to him.
Seungcheol has given himself countless 20 seconds for the past few weeks to tell Jeonghan that he wants to break up with him. He has prolonged this confrontation for far too long now that heâs already convinced heâs just going to wait for Jeonghan to do it for him eventually. But tonight, as the two of them ate silently facing each other, Seungcheol felt an unusual courage. It could have been brought on by the fact that the other members were away and it was just the two of them by the Han River. Theyâve been here on secret dates many times, and Seungcheol couldnât hide his disappointment that this was going to be their last.
Jeonghan finally looked up from his cup of noodles and noticed his boyfriendâs sullen expression.
âWhatâs wrong?â Jeonghan asked haphazardly.
Seungcheol tried to force a smile, nervously fidgeting his chopsticks and looking away. Jeonghan knew better, though.
He put his cup noodles down and combed his now-short hair with his slender fingers. He heaved an exasperated sigh. He was never a confrontational person himself but heâs always been open to Seungcheol about his feelings. It irked him that for the past 7 months theyâve been secretly seeing each other, Seungcheol couldnât just communicate comfortably with him when all he wants is for this taboo relationship to work. He hated it when Seungcheol makes it obvious that he has a problem.
âBe honest, for once.â Jeonghan blurted.
Theyâve had many petty fights before like any other couple and Jeonghan has won every single one. It didnât bother Seungcheol that his other half was always right - but this time he couldnât help but be hurt by those very words. Seungcheol put down his chopsticks calmly. Itâs about 5 degrees tonight, but there was heat somewhere in this conversation.
âYou know Iâve always been honest about my feelings to you.â Seungcheol spoke. He has always been the more open one - the clingy one. He was a Leo after all - showy, proud, and affectionate. He was always craving for attention and affection, and he hated it. As a maknae of his family, he grew up being tended to and being showered with love but now that heâs with someone like level-headed Jeonghan, heâs had to adjust.
âYou always dodge when I try to confront you. This is why we fight all the time. Just tell me. Donât you trust me?â Jeonghan nagged.
Jeonghan was the more logical and rational one. His persona may seem like heâs a guy with a lot of jokes and tricks up his sleeve but in relationships he is serious and careful. That doesnât mean he was never loving towards Seungcheol, though. Heâs extremely sweet and caring when itâs just the two of them. In fact, it was Jeonghan who initiated the first move to officiate their love physically in their hotel room in Japan last year. But all of this are swept under the rug by Seungcheol who craves public display of affection.
Donât you trust me?
The words resonated in Seungcheolâs head for a few moments. He wanted to mull over the question for awhile, but seeing Jeonghanâs irate face in front of him, he didnât really have much of a choice but to respond.
âDo you really love me?â Seungcheol tossed back a question in a respectful, genuine manner.
Jeonghan threw him a look which was a mix of surprise and insult.
âAre we really doing this right now?â Jeonghan threw back another question.
Neither one seemed to be interested in answering properly.
Seungcheol can already tell that Jeonghanâs irritation is exacerbating by the second. It hurt him whenever Jeonghan shows how irritated he is at him - which was almost all the time. Jeonghan had a slight temper to begin with, which he initially found sexy. But now, after so many hurtful words thrown at each other, itâs done nothing but bog down his pride and ego. He can almost see laser beams shooting out of Jeonghanâs eyes now. He knew he was pissed again because he just wanted a nice, quiet ramen date by the river and he had to bring up the âDo you love meâ question again.
Seungcheol cracked a charming smile at his boyfriend and picked up his chopsticks.
âJeonghan-ah. You know I love you. A lot.â he mumbled as he slurped his ramen noodles quickly. âBut arenât you tired of arguing with me? Arenât you sick of being irritated with me?â he said pointedly at Jeonghanâs own angered face.
Jeonghanâs expression softened slightly. He picked up his cup noodles and resumed eating.
20 seconds. Your 20 seconds is here.
Seungcheol stared at the remaining noodles at the bottom of the styrofoam cup. âSo maybe it would be better if we just went back to being friends.â he continued.
Jeonghan stopped chewing. He lifted his head to see if his boyfriend was pulling another lame, wrongly-timed joke on him. He looked severely calm and normal. He put his chopsticks back down again and crossed his arms.
âIs that what youâve been trying to tell me? You wanted to break up?â he asked, his hair now being blown by a cold gust of wind.
Seungcheol nodded. âI think that would be better for the both of us, donât you think? I mean, youâre mostly just cold towards me anyway -â
âWhen was I cold to you?!â
âJeonghan donât yell. You know what Iâm talking about. Iâm always the one chasing after you, clinging to you like a lovesick puppy. I never once felt that youâre proud to be with me.â
âWe canât be out and about Seungcheol you know that! We have to protect each other!â
âI understand that but-â
âNo you donât understand! Look if you want to break up thatâs fine with me. Iâm tired of your insecurities and your fragile masculinity. Iâve always loved you Seungcheol, you know that. Even when youâre so fucking annoying sometimes. Thatâs why I donât want anyone or anything to ruin what we have. But sure, of course, Iâm the bad guy here. Iâm cold and distant and uncaring, right?â
âWould it really kill you to at least bring me to your home or introduce me to your friends?â
âWhy is this such a pressuring obligation?â
âYou know how guilty I feel sometimes? When I just try to hold your hand and you snatch it back or when I just want to sit next to you and you leave and it makes me so fucking guilty like Iâd done something to disappoint or embarrass you.â
âYou know fully well we canât be found out by anyone. I thought we agreed to this right from the start. You had no problems at the beginning why are you suddenly like this?â
âBecause Iâm tired of hiding. Iâm tired of chasing. Iâm tired of waiting for you.â
Jeonghan gritted his teeth from the cold. He could feel his eyes start to sting and moisten. This is the first time someone has broken up with him and it was, of all people, his bestfriend. He shook his head in disbelief. âYouâre tired of me?â he said in an almost whimper, looking away from his first boyfriend.
âI never said that.â Seungcheol said quietly, looking at his now cold noodles.
âFine. This is what you want? Letâs end it for good.â Jeonghan said in a hurried voice. He was fed up with his childish demands anyway. Seungcheol had these teenage romance ideals in a relationship while Jeonghan just wanted to be in a secure and mature one - something that didnât need tending and close supervision.
Jeonghan stood up, ready to leave. It was near freezing and he didnât like the general atmosphere of the evening. All he wanted was a nice date with his boyfriend since they havenât spent time alone together in a week and this was what he got instead. Seungcheol has stood up as well, his nose and cheeks red from the cold. Jeonghan started walking first but stopped in his tracks to face Seungcheol, who was tailing behind him.
âYou know what the problem is with you, Cheol? Youâre so needy. You canât pat yourself on the back or assure yourself like a normal human being. Youâre constantly in need of care and you whine when youâre not pampered or given the slightest attention. Guess what? Youâre a grown man. Youâre not a baby. Youâve used up your maknae card long ago when you moved out of your family home, Cheol. Stop being needy.â
Jeonghan has never had an outburst like this before. He has never been this mad at someone in a long time. Seungcheol started back at him as if Jeonghan had mysteriously turned into someone else - someone he didnât recognize. For some reason, Jeonghan waited for a counter attack from Seungcheol, who was always good with bickering. But he was only met with wide, hurt eyes. Another stinging gust of wind blew past, but it couldnât cool down the tension between them now. After what almost seemed like forever, Seungcheol smiled. It wasnât what Jeonghan was expecting at all. He expected another argument, an insult, hell he expected to be hit but not this.
âYouâre right, Jeonghan.â was all he said through that small smile. âYouâve always been right.â
This aggravated Jeonghan even more. He hated being patronized, especially at a time like this. He turned away and marched forward, never looking back to see if Seungcheol ever went after him.
Jeonghan has been lying awake in his bed for hours now. He came back to the dorm alone, after storming off on Seungcheol. He deserved to hear those words, Jeonghan kept telling himself. He needs to grow up, he added. He doesnât know what was keeping him awake: his flashbacks from their breakup hours ago or the fact that it was 2amand Seungcheol hasnât returned to the dorm yet. He knew better than to call him, but he was worried where he might end up at this hour. And he tells me Iâm uncaring, Jeonghan thought, rolling his eyes.
Eventually, he heard the faint sound of the front door opening. He sighed in relief. Mingyu and Jihoon were both already softly snoring in the room with him. These days, Seungcheol slept on the sofa in the living room with the manager since they played a lot of video games together. Jeonghan is weirded out why heâs anxious if Seungcheol will sleep in the room tonight. He heard his footsteps outside. He can recognize those footsteps anywhere. Slightly hastened, dragging the heel of each foot noisily. Jeonghan could now comfortably close his eyes and sleep in peace knowing that heâs safe back home.
The next morning, everyone was individually shuffling off to the Pledis building. Some had studio work to do, others had business to attend to in the office. For the rest of the members, it was just any other day. But for Jeonghan and Seungcheol, it was the first day of being just friends again. Though neither were particularly awkward with each other, neither were pleased about the new situation either. Some members were already rushing out the door while others took their time getting ready - like Jeonghan, who was always the slowpoke, Minghao who was looking for accessories to go with his outfit, Seokmin who was looking for snacks to bring, Seungkwan who was waiting for Seokmin, and Seungcheol who was nursing a hangover.
âHyung, how much did you drink last night you look ugly.â Seungkwan frowned at Seungcheol, who looked like a dishevelled homeless man gulping huge amounts of water.
âYou shouldâve drank with me then I wouldnât have consumed so much.â Seungcheol joked, wiping the dripping water from his mouth.
âEy, you know I donât like beer. Why didnât you invite Jeonghan hyung?â Seungkwan asked.
Jeonghan, who was quietly eating behind them, perked up his ears.
âJeonghan didnât feel like being with me.â Seungcheol answered nonchalantly, as if it was a typical reply.
âAs expected, the lazy bastard.â Seungkwan muttered under his breath.
âAll of you finish quickly and go. Iâm just going to shower. Iâll catch up with you later.â Seungcheol said as an afterthought, dragging his feet to the bathroom. Everyone did as they were told, except Jeonghan who chewed on his bread rather slowly this morning. He didnât have an appetite. Minghao, Seokmin and Seungkwan were on their way out to the front door bringing parcels of food.
âHyung, are you coming with us?â Minghao asked Jeonghan as he put on his shoes.
Jeonghan took another bite off his bread. âIâll go after I finish this stale bread.â he replied lazily.
Back when they were at the beginning of their relationship, this was exactly what he would do in the morning so he and Seungcheol could have the dorm to themselves and have sex in the shower. With 13 members and 3 bathrooms, it was okay to shower together. They used to lock the front door after everyone has gone, run to the bathroom and get hot and heavy. Recently they havenât been physically together - Jeonghanâs libido easily gets affected by stress and problems whereas Seungcheolâs was always on. Itâs something Jeonghan has no control over but feels guilty about. Not that it matters anymore, now. Jeonghan had stayed behind because really had to force himself to eat after he was asked to bulk up by the management. He stared blankly ahead as the sound of Seungcheol taking a bath gave him unwanted flashbacks to their shower sessions. Never in his life did he imagine he would enjoy having sex with another man so much. Heâs always thought he was only attracted to women all his life but when he fell in love with Seungcheol he realized thereâs so much more to love than attraction.
âWhen did you start liking men?â he asked Seungcheol once, as they were snugly wrapped together in a blanket on Jeonghanâs bunk, bodies intertwined underneath. This was at the beginning of their relationship and everything felt new, foreign, and exciting.
âI donât really like men in general, I justâŚhappen to like you. Just you as a person. No other men.â Seungcheol whispered, his fingers delicately playing and twirling strands of Jeonghanâs hair.
âWhen did that happen exactly?â Jeonghan whispered back, the tip of his nose lightly touching the tip of Seungcheolâs.
âI donât know, it just kind of grew over the years.â
âMe too.â
âDid it feel weird at first? To like me?â It was Seungcheolâs turn to ask.
Jeonghan nodded with a little bit of aegyo. âWhenever you talked near my face, I always had to repress the urge to kiss you. And I would weird myself out by looking at your ass.â
âSo itâs purely sexual?â
Jeonghan frowned, his eyebrows meeting. âOf course not. I guess I started having feelings for you right after we debuted. I used to be so anxious, worried and unconfident with myself. Remember? You helped me overcome those.â
âI did?â
Jeonghan nodded again and pursed his lips. âYou didnât even realize it, did you?â
Seungcheol shook his head. Jeonghan smiled and kissed him, sliding his hand over the back of his head. It was a loving, warm, and wholesome kiss that Jeonghan liked to give when Seungcheol was being cute.
Jeonghan snapped out of his reminiscing trance when Seungcheol called his attention.
âJeonghan I told you guys to go quickly.â Seungcheol asked sharply, drying his hair with a towel. This Seungcheol was a stark contrast to the Sungcheol in Jeonghanâs morning flashbacks.
âIâm just finishing this stale ass bread then Iâm gone.â he replied as he stuffed the remaining bread into his mouth. He got up and put on his baseball cap.
Seungcheol sat on the floor to put on his shoes as Jeonghan stood by.
âGo ahead without me. Iâll catch up.â Seungcheol ordered as he tied his shoelaces without glancing at him once.
Seungcheol always wanted to walk to work with someone every morning - which was usually Jeonghan or Jihoon. He would sometimes even make them wait for him to finish up just so they could walk to the office together. Though the walk is short, they had a morning routine where they would discuss the plans for the entire day and talk about the dirty stuff that went on among Pledis employees while they buy iced coffee to go. This routine was sacred to Jeonghan, who values traditions and dislikes sudden changes.
âIf youâre mad about what I said last-â Jeonghan started but was almost immediately cut off.
âIâm not mad, Jeonghan. And Iâd appreciate it if we donât talk about that anymore. Itâs done.â Seungcheol casually stated as he stood up to put on his coat.
âAfter you.â he added, letting Jeonghan go out the door first.
They walked several feet from each other, which wasnât something they did even when they were still friends. Seungcheol had put on earphones, nodding his head and muttering lyrics while Jeonghan tried not to feel awkward walking to work with his ex who just broke up with him the previous night. As they approached the office building, Jeonghan went ahead to the cafe where they bought coffee every morning.
âDo you want latte or Americano?â he called out to Seungcheol, though Jeonghan knew Seungcheol would pick Americano as he always told him to get one for him on a daily basis.
âNo thanks, Iâm good.â he replied curtly and went ahead to the office entrance without him.
Jeonghan could only shake his head.
It started with small things. Like for instance, when Seungcheol would take a nap he would tell Mingyu to wake him up when before, he would always ask Jeonghan. Or when they ate out, he refused to sit on the vacant seat beside Jeonghan and went to the far side of the table instead. Or when their CEO wanted to take a pic of all 13 members with their arms around each other, Seungcheol didnât put his around Jeonghan. Jeonghan noticed all these but was nonchalant about it. Itâs not like it was such a noticeable and drastic change, anyway. He understood that the was dealing with their break-up differently and that in time, he and Seungcheol will eventually go back to how they were before.
But that wasnât the case. Seungcheol was gradually, slowly, and tactically withdrawing himself away from Jeonghan as much as possible. He avoided being alone with him for more than 5 minutes. He didnât ask him any more favors, aside from things that are work-related. He now completely ditched that morning routine that Jeonghan held so importantly. Though he would walk with him sometimes, Seungcheol would be meters away from him and not say a single word. During practice, Seungcheol would call out the mistakes of every member except Jeonghanâs. This wasnât some kind of cold shoulder treatment either - he still talked to Jeonghan like he normally would. The difference is that it seemed to Jeonghan that they went from bestfriends to mere co-workers. Their late-night conversations about their future and goals have now been reduced to afternoon shallow banters. Most and worst of all, he would not touch Jeonghan with a 10-foot pole. They havenât had any slight contact with each otherâs skin in weeks, which was a feat since Seungcheol likes skinship so much with all the members. No more hugs. No more innocent clutching of hands. No more touching of hair. Not even a single high-five.
In the mornings, Seungcheol used to ask Jeonghan to wake him up and ask him to help him look for his clothes. Now, Seungcheol stays in the living room and sleeps in. This was actually a good thing for Jeonghan, as he hated when Seungcheol treated him like he was his mother. But what bugged Jeonghan the most lately was the fact that Seungcheol was still as playful with the members but not with him anymore.
âJisoo-ah, you want to go out for a drink with me and Bumzu?â Seungcheol asked JIsoo one time.
âYou know I hate the taste of alcohol.â JIsoo said, weirded out that he was even invited.
The usual drinking buddies were Seungcheol and Jeonghan. Everyone knew this. They were the only ones who could properly hold their alcohol like champs. Predictably, heâs never asked Jeonghan to go out for drinks again.
One time, Seungcheol came home late, face flushed and clearly under the influence. Jeonghan had stayed up late by chance and chanced upon him in the kitchen. Seungcheol was chugging down an entire pitcher of water by the fridge. Jeonghan was supposed to get a glass of water but that was out the window now. He crossed his arms at the intoxicated Seungcheol.
âHad fun?â He asked his ex.
Seungcheol took his time downing water before finally looking at Jeonghan. Jeonghan could see Seungcheolâs stubble subtly growing on his chin, water dripping carelessly off it.
âYep.â was all Seungcheol said, before proceeding to the living room.
Jeonghan silently watched him take his shirt off in the dark, tossing it on the living room floor. He shook his head at Seungcheolâs untidy habit that never seemed to change. Even from the kitchen, he could see Seungcheolâs mole at the back of his neck. It was his favorite part of Seungcheolâs anatomy. He used to sneak up on him and kiss it. Seungcheol was extremely ticklish in the neck area and he would always recoil and double over whenever Jeonghan did it. Whenever they would spoon in bed, he always wanted Seungcheol to be the little spoon just so he could put his lips on that mole and nuzzle on it.
Seungcheol could feel Jeonghanâs gaze even in the dark. He wished for him to just go back to his room before heâd do something stupid. He was drunk, lonely, and vulnerable and Jeonghan just standing there staring at him made him want to do things heâd regret in the morning. Seungcheol plopped down on the couch, closing his eyes, shutting out the world.
Jeonghan walked past him, but stopped midway. âIt could get cold later. Donât you want to sleep in the room?â It was an innocent and genuine concern.
Seungcheol opened his eyes and turned to Jeonghanâs silhouette in the dark.
âIâm good. Goodnight.â he mumbled, before closing his eyes again.
Jeonghan took a while before responding. Up until that moment, Jeonghan has always been the one initiating the goodnight. Seungcheol was the chatty one, always wanting the conversation to go on until sunrise, while Jeonghanâs energy easily waned out. He would always be the one to end the conversation first and go to sleep. Even in their Kakaotalk chats, it was always Jeonghan who said goodnight first.
Where should we go tomorrow after practice? Iâve been craving bingsu.
Seungcheol-ah Iâm tired. Letâs sleep. Goodnight.
âGoodnight.â Jeonghan said back in a low voice, even though Seungcheol was already snoring in the sofa.
Though Jeonghan wanted to find this sudden change childish and petty, he knew Seungcheol wasnât doing anything wrong. He never ostracized Jeonghan, or made him feel out of place, or ignored him. He still acknowledged him, still treated him with respect, and still acted like a friend despite the aloofness. Technically, Seungcheol wasnât being immature at all. As much as Jeonghan wanted to admit it, Seungcheol just wanted to drift apart. Though heâs been holding it in and denying it, Jeonghan found himself feeling hurt and rejected. Thoughts like maybe Seungcheol really didnât care about him anymore or hated him now popped up from time to time in his head. But the thing thatâs hurting Jeonghan the most is that heâs losing the best friend heâs ever had. He hasnât felt this lonely since when he first came to Pledis. And back then he had Seungcheol and JIsoo. He decided to talk to Seungcheol once and for all because he couldnât bear the thought of having to continue living like this in the next few years.
âSeungcheol.â he approached Seungcheol, who was busy playing a video game shirtless in the living room.
It was past midnight and the rest of the members are tucked away in their beds.
âWhat?â Seungcheol said absentmindedly.
âLetâs go out. I want to talk to you.â
Seungcheol tensely shifted his position on the sofa, not taking his eyes off the game. âAbout what?â
âSomething important.â
âJeonghan if you donât-â
Before Seungcheol could finish his retort, Jeonghan grabbed him by the hand - their first physical contact in over a month.
âYa!â Seungcheol exclaimed, reacting as if he burnt his hand.
âPlease.â Jeonghan looked and sounded dead serious. There was no aegyo in his voice but it was a tone that always persuaded Seungcheol.
Seungcheol eyed him doubtfully for a few seconds before pausing his game and putting on a shirt.
They stood facing opposite each other in an empty hallway downstairs. The flourescent lights were dim but the silence assured them of privacy. Seungcheolâs gaze could mean two things to Jeonghan: one, he was undressing him with his eyes or two, he was mentally stabbing him for dragging him away from his game. Seungcheol tried not to look anxious - he did his best not to show how nervous he was what this talk was going to be about.
Itâs a good thing Jeonghan didnât waste time.
âWhy are you doing this?â Jeonghan started strong.
âHuh?â
âDo you know how much itâs hurting me? By avoiding me like I have some kind of disease? When you broke up with me did you just expect us to be just colleagues and treat each other like we barely know each other?â
âWhat? Wait.â Seungcheol interjected, raising his hand. âSlow down. One question at a time.â
âDo you hate me that much? Just tell me straight up. Donât go distancing yourself away from me-â
âJeonghan, shut up for a second. I donât hate you.â Seungcheol cut him off while walking towards him.
âThen WHY!? Didnât you say weâll be friends again?â
âWe ARE friends!â
âNo weâre not and donât act like nothing has changed between us. Youâre my best friend. You and Jisoo are the only ones I can talk to about my problems and I canât talk to him about this. Please just tell me why.â
Seungcheol let out a heavy breath, trying to gather all the answers to Jeonghanâs sudden hard-hitting questions.
âJeonghan. Werenât you the one that complained that I constantly needed you? Werenât you the one that implied that Iâm too clingy and needed attention and wanted your affection too much? That I whine to you too much? Now youâre mad at me that Iâm trying to change all that? I donât get you at all. Please enlighten me because Iâm so confused right now. What is it that you want me to do?â
Jeonghan started tearing up, his cheeks slowly showing a hint of red. Glistening tears streamed down like falling stars on his celestial face. Seungcheol hated it when Jeonghan cried. The man rarely shed tears. The last time Jeonghan cried in front of him was when he pranked him that he was quitting the group. He never cries over sad movies or touching moments but he was sensitive when it came to his friends.
Seungcheol put both his hands on Jeonghanâs face, wiping his tears away with his thumbs.
âStop crying. Stop.â Seungcheol said, his voice now a little bit softer than before.
Jeonghan tried his best to suppress further tears, but they just kept coming. He missed Seungcheol. He missed his best friend. It felt like years since he was able to stand this close to him, to touch him, to smell him.
âIâve been hurt too, Jeonghan. More than you probably know. And the way I react to pain is the same when I touch a hot surface. I retract. With you, I canât completely detach from, you know. Youâre still my best friend.â Seungcheol went back to leaning against the wall across Jeonghan.
âBest friend. Doesnât feel like it.â Jeonghan uttered under his breath.
âHey. Iâm trying my best to get over you. Itâs difficult maintaining a friendship with someone youâre still in love with.â
Jeonghan wiped his face and regained his composure. He sniffled and put his hands in his sweater pockets, as if the answers to their predicament were in there. He looked at Seungcheol, who was just staring back at him.
âI want us to get back together but itâs going to be a really difficult process.â Jeonghan said after a long exhale.
âIt really will be.â
Jeonghan sighed again and closed his eyes, hoping that an easy answer will magically appear. Seungcheol searched for it as well, staring at the floor.
âDo you still want to be with me?â Seungcheol asked after a long period of silence.
âOf course I do, you dumbass.â
Seungcheol nodded. âWeâll have to work a few things out then.â
âA lot of things.â Jeonghan agreed.
âFor nowâŚâ Seungcheolâs voice trailed off, unsure how he should complete his own thought.
But Jeonghan was courteous enough to finish it for him. âFor now, kiss me.â Jeonghan said, in an almost demanding tone.
Seungcheol turned his head and looked at both his sides, as if cautious.
âThere are CCTV cameras here, you know.â he said.
âI know.â Jeonghan replied impatiently.
Seungcheol carefully walked towards him, hands still in his pockets, mirroring Jeonghanâs posture.
âIf I kiss you now, I wonât be able to stop.â Seungcheol said in a hushed tone, already eyeing Jeonghanâs lips.
Jeonghan looked at him longingly with his deep-set eyes, his lips already parting and quivering. Seungcheolâs face was now only inches away from his and there was a feeling of electricity and urgency in the space between them.
âThen donât.â Jeonghan was whispering now.
Seungcheol buried his face into Jeonghanâs, almost knocking the wind out of the latter. Their teeth clinked against each other violently, both wanting to masticate the other in one amorous liplock. Jeonghan had his back against the wall and tried all his might not to lift himself up on Seungcheol and wrap his legs around his waist. Seungcheolâs hands were locked around Jeonghanâs thick neck while Jeonghanâs were fiercely clutching Seungcheolâs shirt.
It took all of their strength to pull away from each otherâs mouths. Panting and hyperventilating from the adrenalin rush and their titillating kiss, Jeonghan lifted Seungcheolâs hand and kissed his knuckles.
âStay beside me tonight.â Jeonghan said in his low voice, rubbing Seungcheolâs hand.
Seungcheol showed a tiny smile and hugged his bestfriend, wrapping his arms tightly around Jeonghanâs broad shoulders. Jeonghan returned the favor and interlocked his hands around Seungcheolâs waist. He closed his eyes and savored this very moment, imprinting it in his memory so he could go back to this point in time when difficult problems arise in the future.
âLetâs go back.â Jeonghan said after a while, and gave Seungcheolâs forehead a light kiss.
They both tucked themselves in Jeonghanâs bunk, facing each other. The rest of the dorm was sound asleep, a few snores resonated around the house. Jeonghan and Seungcheol stared at each other in the dark for the longest time, trying to etch each otherâs face in each otherâs memory. When they spoke, they spoke in whispers and hushed volumes that only two of them can hear.
âYou have things you want and I have things I want.â Jeonghan breathed.
âLetâs try to meet halfway.â Seungcheol responded.
âCompromise?â
âCompromise.â
âItâs going to be difficult.â
âI know.â
âWhat if it becomes too difficult?â
âI donât know. Will you break up with me again?â
âLetâs help each other out. Letâs try not to give up this time and if weâre going to fight, letâs not fight out of spite anymore and fight for us to become better for each other.â
âAnd letâs both put away our pride from time to time. This is new, unchartered territory for the both of us.
Seungcheol fiddled with Jeonghanâs fingers and kissed them ever so gently.
âIâm sorry it has to be this hard.â Seungcheol said.
âSorry? This is literally what every couple goes through.â Jeonghan suppressed a giggle.
âWeâre special.â Seungcheol murmured in between kissing Jeonghanâs fingertips.
Jeonghan stared and visually traced the outlines of Seungcheolâs face in the dark, a midnight blue shade blanketing over his features.
âYouâre special.â Jeonghan said, sliding his hand down to where Seungcheol has been hard and stiff.
Seungcheol, in return, put his hand on the small of Jeonghanâs back, caressing it and reaching underneath the garter of his boxers, wiggling his fingers in.
Jeonghan let out a quiet, inaudible gasp as he felt Seungcheolâs tender fingers sliding in and out.
Seungcheolâs lower torso quivered as Jeonghan did the same to him, causing the hairs all over his body to stand on end.
âYou know, make-up sex is a thing.â Jeonghan mouthed, his fingers rubbing and probing inside Seungcheol.
âCome to think of it, we never got the chance to at least have break-up sex either.â Seungcheol said as his fingers continued doing what they do best to Jeonghanâs behind.
Jeonghan squirmed as he felt Seungcheol push further in. He arched his back in surprise, almost letting out a loud moan.
âItâs almost 4am. Do you want to shower early?â Seungcheol whispered, thoroughly delighted at his partnerâs response.
Jeonghan smiled and bit his lip. âYeah. The kids wonât wake until 6. Letâs take our time.â
As they promised, upon reconciliation, they took their time and took it slow this time.
End.















