Lasting
Title: Lasting
Pairing: YunJae
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1009
Disclaimer: Don’t own anything.
♥♥♥
“I don’t get why you always drink that.” Yoochun commented after Jaejoong has snapped the menu booklet shut and handed it back to the waiter.
Yoochun remembered the first time Jaejoong had ordered it. He remembered grabbing the cup and pulling it to slide across the table to himself, the brown liquid sloshing in its glass confines. It was a memory that’s hard to forget.
Because it tasted so, so bad.
He regretted being greedy and stealing a gulp of the brew that Jaejoong had ordered. Firstly, it was hot. Second, it was sickly sweet. Third, then it became smelly.
His entire mouth and tongue had been scalded till they were almost numbed. His senses attacked by syrupy sugariness that overwhelmed and brought on a wince. The aftertaste seemed to have been more of a smell tasted - he didn’t know how that was possible, but he swore by it - because it was burnt.
In short, it was horrible.
“Aren’t we soulmates?” Yoochun whined, “I’m supposed to know!” Yoochun watched, a little exasperated, when Jaejoong’s lips quirked, a smile threatening to break forth.
Damn bastard’s enjoying this-
Just then, the waiter came to set the drinks on the table, and Yoochun hastened to screw his face from the I’m-desperate-and-begging-you,-Jaejoong expression to one of Nope,-everything’s-fine-and-Please-Go-Away-Now.
The waiter finally walked away, after wishing them enjoyment. Jaejoong took a sip, then reached out and, using his fingers, pushed the cup a little towards Yoochun. “Have some, then.” Jaejoong said, face entirely serious.
Yoochun scowled a little, “No, thank you,” before a lewd smirk took over, “Indirect kiss, baby?”
Jaejoong let out a laugh before shrugging, and cradling his cup with his fingers, leaned back into his chair.
---
Jaejoong remembered the first time he placed an order for the drink, and every other time after that.
Every mouthful of caramel macchiato is sweet, with a bitter aftertaste after the liquid has ceased teasing his tongue. And after every swallow, the smell of burnt caramel stays in his mouth, lingering, drawn-out.
He hadn’t understood why Yunho liked the beverage so much, never having tried it even though Yunho enjoyed it. His only impressions of the caffeine-laced substance being the melded taste of Yunho and burnt sugar when they stole secretive kisses between sips at the unknown café they frequented often, the owner a personal friend of theirs and more than willing to keep their rendezvous a secret.
Yunho had tried to get him to try it, but Jaejoong always got around it with a pout, telling Yunho ‘I only stand it because I can taste you,’ and stealing another languid kiss. Wet tongues tangling and warm fingers lacing.
---
When the lawsuit started, Jaejoong took to avoiding the café. Every single table had their memories - staring out the window at the table by it, sharing a drink; in the corner booth, where Yunho had playfully squished him against the wall, teasing him about being too fragile and having to eat more; one of the tables in the middle of the cafe where they had been the only ones loitering around amidst the morning espresso crowd. The counter, where Yunho had whined about him being too slow as he bit his lip while trying to decide on a drink. In front of the glass display counter, where they had nudged and poked at each other, jesting, as they fought over each slice of cake to get. It had been too painful to watch the playback of his reminiscence before his eyes when he couldn’t even lay eyes on Yunho, and he wasn’t strong enough to do that.
It wasn’t until B.U.T. came that Jaejoong mustered enough courage to come back. He had stepped into the place, his last visit so distant in the past that the owner had looked more than mildly surprised to see him, despite knowing the reason.
He had sat at the table with the caramel macchiato, pausing for a moment in thought before taking a sip.
I wish you were here to see I’m finally trying it.
---
Jaejoong remembered the first sip he took of his order, his thoughts full of Yunho and loneliness and shattered love.
Every mouthful of caramel macchiato is sweet, with a bitter aftertaste after the liquid has ceased teasing his tongue. And after every swallow, the smell of burnt caramel stays in his mouth, lingering, drawn-out.
Jaejoong bit back a sob, the tears that had been building up with every taste from the mug. Something he never understood because he’d never taken the time to think about it, and Yunho hadn’t explained because it was just like Yunho. And he hadn’t asked because he thought he’d have all the time in the world to think about the answer to earn the loving kiss in reward, and because he thought Yunho would always be by his side to do so.
“Why do you like it?”
“Because it’s like you.” Yunho answered, pressing yet another kiss to his lips.
---
Jaejoong stepped out of the cafe, strolling down the pavement. His eyes were red, he knew, but it wasn’t unwelcome, and they were hidden behind his shades. He felt like there was hope - finally, after such a long time - even if it was as small as a mustard seed, and it brought along little twirls of happiness. And he wondered why he ever doubted.
Caramel macchiato is sweet, and it’s bitter sometimes. But it lasts; it haunts one, and it doesn’t fade even if it’s washed down with water.
It lasts.
Just like their love.
The fragrance of burnt caramel lingering in his mouth reminded him of stolen kisses and Yunho, and he pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the keypad as he made out his message being typed, letter by letter. The vibrating reply came in a few minutes’ time and he dialled the number in the message.
Before three rings were up, a somewhat breathless voice greeted him.
“...hello, Yunho?”
He didn’t think he had smiled so genuinely in a long, long time.
♥♥♥
A/N: After my first taste of Coffee Bean’s caramel macchiato ♥