The Soles of Our Shoes Are All Worn Down
Jaejoong parks his car in front of the railings; engine purring quietly until he turns it off and clips his keys onto his belt loop. The cool breeze slides down the collar of his thin jacket and slips through the cuffs his sleeves, reminding him that autumn will soon arrive. He waits on the bench, shifting slightly back and forth to draw warmth; fingers curling into tight fists in his pockets while his feet tap dance on the concrete surface. The street lamp illuminates above him like a spot light as if this is his peak. His time to shine is at 3am on the deserted streets of Seoul.
“The moon is hiding tonight.” Junsu looks up as he sits down next to him; eyes twinkling from reflections of invisible stars.
“Your parents’ new neighborhood is quiet.” His eyes wander. The widows and doors of all the houses seem to blend in as one. “Which house is it anyway?”
Junsu tilts his head slightly. “Around the corner. Third house on the left.”
“Wasn’t a far walk,” Jaejoong observes.
“Not at all.”
“How long are you staying? The whole two months?” Maybe longer…
He thinks hard and trembles despite his thicker jacket. Jaejoong notices and moves closer. The crisp air suddenly becomes a lot colder.
“I don’t know.” Junsu silently appreciates the other man’s shoulder against his own. He rubs his hands together and blows on it; hot breath quickly losing heat as it hits his palms. “I’m just-“
“We didn’t fuck up.” Jaejoong knows he’s trying to reassure himself as much as he is attempting to convince Junsu. “We had no other choice, Junsu.” And he hates to see the crinkles of mirth around Junsu’s eyes become seams of weariness.
“I know.” He longs for it. And he knows the others yearn for it as well. The music, the stage, the complete five-part harmony; they all live and share the same dream.
“I miss you,” Jaejoong whispers against his cheeks before brushing a chaste kiss on the side of his mouth.
The wind picks up in tandem with Junsu’s heart beat, his arms wrapping around Jaejoong with practiced ease. “I wrote a new song.”
The street lamp flickers in warning of storm.
“Yeah? Maybe you can tell me about it later.”
“I’ll tell you about it--” The slow rain drops pick up speed and intensity. Junsu stands up, eyes towards the direction of Jaejoong’s car. “-when we get home.”