(for everyone) A Map That Leads to You [3/3]
Title: A Map That Leads to You
part two
Jongin is completely out of breath, and his shirt is drenched in sweat, clinging to his chest like a second skin as he throws his coat over the backrest of the chair and slums down on the red arm chair.
“That was pathetic,” he tells Felix Thunder Paws who curiously paws at his hand which dangles off the chair. “I can’t believe I just ran off!” Jongin whines into empty space before flailing his feet in the air.
“More than pathetic- a disgrace to your manhood. Any idea where you lost it so we can go and pick it up again?” Jongdae struts in, wearing a pair of black glasses and carrying a white mug with coffee in his hand while using the other to throw a pair of dirty socks at Jongin.
“Thanks for the encouraging pep talk, mum." Jongin lowers an arm over his face, ignoring Jongdae’s ongoing rant. At least Jongdae’s cat seems to take pity on him as it rubs his furry head under Jongin’s chin gently.
Still, to Jongin today counts at least as a small step into the right direction. It’s not like Rome was built in one day, and there is a fire igniting inside of him. Jongin wants. Come what may, he will summon the courage to talk to Minseok before Sunday.
Or at least before the first snow falls.
~*~
It’s Friday again when Minseok finally has enough time to breathe again, sitting inside his kitchen waiting for his dinner to finish cooking on the stove. It will take at least another ten minutes, so he decides to connect some more dots on his map.
He pulls out his black marker and circles the bistro from where Jongin bought him the sandwich on Monday, then another one around the Starbucks where Jongin works part time at. He circles the place for his dance rehearsal and finally the park where recently, Jongdae had told him, Jongin goes often.
Looking at the fact that Jongin has long cut all ties with his family he crosses out the option of his ex-boyfriend hiding out there.
Minseok almost drops the pen as he realizes that all these places are only about a five to ten minute walk away from the house they used to live in which means that Jongin must still live in that exact same neighborhood!
“Think Minseok, think!” Minseok chants out loud.
Anger is flaring up in his veins as realization slowly starts to kick in and he almost rips the map of his wall. He is frustrated with his lacking ability to see what’s right in front of him while he always tends to look around five corners.
Jongin has never been someone who would stray too far away from his original path, so Minseok grabs his coat, barely remembering to turn off the stove before he rushes outside into the cold evening air.
The inner urge to confirm his suspicions has him running faster, ignoring the protest of his aching muscles as he jogs all the way to the bus station, luckily making it on time.
The bus ride only takes about twenty minutes, but it feels way longer to Minseok who has both hands clenched in fists inside his lap. The blinding lights of the advertising signs hurt his eyes, so he squeezes them shut, mind running wild.
One can almost hear the screws rattling away inside his head.
Minseok almost flies out of his seat when the bus comes to an abrupt halt, and he finds himself running again until his lungs burn and his hair sticks out in all directions. He only stops when he stands across the street from the Starbucks- one of the first places he put down on his ‘finding-jongin-map’.
Minseok holds onto the lamppost for support, trying to catch his breath with his gaze glued to the coffee shop. The lights are already turned off, but there is a shadow inside slowly stepping outside to lock the door.
Jongin looks slimmer than the last time he saw him, yet he's just as beautiful in the dim moonlight that caresses his face.
Minseok’s heart is beating fast inside his chest, and he can hear the blood rushing through his veins. Now that Jongin is right there, only a road away from him, it hits him just how much he has missed the other.
Like someone else is giving him commands, Minseok's legs start moving as Jongin turns around to stroll down the road. Minseok stays on the opposite side, hidden in the shadows for now while he notices just how loose the black pants Jongin is wearing are. His face is outlined by the dim light of the street lights, his face thinner than the last time Minseok saw him, making his chest feel like it’s been stabbed a couple of times.
As he watches Jongin turn around the corner with sagging shoulders and face completely hidden by a red scarf due to the harsh wind, he hesitates for a moment before following him with a safe distance between them.
Minseok doesn’t want Jongin to work up to this late at night, doesn’t want to see him stifle a yawn behind his delicate hands, nor does he want to see him have to carry the weight alone- not when Minseok promised to share with him.
Minseok's hand automatically shoots forward when he sees Jongin trip over the curbside, ready to catch him, but Jongin gets a hold of the iron street lamp and regains his balance.
The ends of Minseok’s mouth twitch as he witnesses how Jongin kicks at the grey pavement and pouts at it as if it was to blame for him not watching his steps. They walk for another three minutes before Minseok slips inside a side alley and peers around the corner making sure that Jongin enters the apartment building safely.
Fury has his nostrils flaring while his nails cut angry crescents into his palm. His suspicious has been proven to be true, and in this very moment, it takes all of Minseok’s self control to not cross over, run upstairs and cause a scene. However, the thought of losing Jongin for real this time due to his temper binds an invisible lead ball to his ankle.
Jongin, despite claiming to be so very independent and free to go wherever his feet take him, is in fact only a young boy who, after being thrown out by his parents for his desire to be a dancer, only relied on Minseok and a few other close friends.
He takes a deep breath. Tomorrow. Another day but not tonight. Minseok leans against the wall, head resting against the cold surface as he watches his own miserable reflection in the puddle in front of his sneakers illuminated by the moon.
“It’s almost funny how I can never seem to catch this dancer on the right beat,” he mumbles, brushing some wet strands of hair out of his forehead to wipe off some beads of sweat glistening in the moonlight.
~*~
Jongin’s limbs ache, protesting against every step up the stairs he has to climb to make it to Jongdae’s apartment. He digs through the pocket of his jeans until he finds his silver key and unlocks the door quietly. The first thing that comes in sight is blond hair and two forms huddled up against each other on the couch- fast asleep.
Jongin, despite being dead tired, almost coos at the sight in front of him. The coffee table is a mix of empty beer bottles, cigarette butts suffocated in the ashtray, and a couple of wild drawings or notes on white paper.
Luhan has been spending a lot of time at their apartment this week and Jongin enjoys the presence of the witty lawyer who has the rare ability to keep Jongdae in line. Said lawyer is passed out with his head on Jongdae’s shoulder, blond hair falling into his pale face while Jongdae’s head is resting on his, equally fast asleep.
Jongin tip toes closer, pressing his index finger over his lips as Felix Thunder Paws' ears perk up from under the table, yellow eyes observing his every move. He quickly snaps a picture with his phone, grinning widely before carefully lowering a thick, red blanket over the two men, well aware that both aren’t in any position to catch a cold.
He straightens up, picks up the purring cat which immediately snuggles closer into his embrace, and turn off the lights. Jongin thinks it’s only fair that he gets the cat to cuddle with tonight since the other two men obviously won’t feel as lonely as him during the night.
Today’s walk home has felt strange or even mystical to him, almost as if someone had wrapped his wings securely around him all the way to the apartment. Jongin had felt protected and for once not feared the shadows creeping up on him from the alleys.
He falls asleep with the image of a warm smile shining upon him and Felix Thunder Paws pressed up against his side, keeping him warm.
~*~
Minseok has spend the night by tossing around in his bed, staring at the ceiling and mentally preparing himself for the next day. In the end, he only manages about two hours of sleep and doesn’t even bother to look at his reflection in the mirror when he drags his bare feet under the shower, relaxing under the hot stream of water pattering down on his sore shoulders.
Luckily, it’s Saturday because Minseok has neither strength nor the patience to sit inside his stuffy law office today- especially not now that he has finally gathered enough courage to go see Jongin.
The mere image of Jongin has Minseok speeding up his getting ready progress even though he wastes at least another fifteen minutes in front of his wardrobe before he decides on a pair of ripped jeans, brown boots and a black v-neck. Jongin used to like him best in casual clothing and not a fitted suit.
The sun has fully risen when he grabs his car keys and wallet and throws a glance at the letter from the old lady. He smiles softly at the letter, hoping that she is watching them from above and silently tells her to wish him good luck.
If everything works out just like he has planned, then he can put this apartment up for sale by next week.
Inside his car he inhales sharply, sticking a cigarette between his thin lips and lighting it with his black lighter. Minseok peers up at the apartment building he has just arrived at, a place where he used to frequent every weekend with Jongin. It is Jongdae’s apartment after all, their mutual friend and bartender who has had Minseok pull his hair out more than once.
Minseok isn’t sure why Jongdae didn’t tell him or what kind of game he is currently playing, but he is furious.
It’s around ten in the morning when he finds himself climbing upstairs, fists balled and body tense, ready to pounce at everyone and anything that would come in between him and Jongin. He doesn’t waver, an unknown confidence filling him up from inside as he presses the doorbell once, then twice until he hears someone curse and loud footsteps near from inside.
The door is flung open to reveal a shirtless Jongdae with messy bed hair and only a pair of washed out jeans hanging low on his hips.
“You are smarter than I thought.” He even has the nerve to greet Minseok with a shit-eating smirk, so he lets his rage take over and punches his friend straight in the face. Minseok has his limits, and he doesn’t care for Jongdae’s reasons right now- not if it keeps him from claiming what’s his.
To his surprise it isn’t Jongin who comes tumbling in to separate them, but Luhan with equally mused hair and drowsy eyes.
“Minseok! Calm down- stop it!” Luhan is careful when he lowers a hand on Minseok’s shoulder. Minseok has Jongdae pushed up against the wall, glare piercing through him like a dagger while Jongdae just looks at him, unimpressed.
“Where is he? I swear to god, Jongdae. You better tell me before I lose myself!” Minseok growls threateningly before Luhan manages to step in between them, standing in front of Jongdae who wipes the blood of his busted bottom lip.
“Jongin went to the apartment you used to live in," Luhan's voice is calm, almost soothing. "Look, I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but this isn’t what it looks like. We tried to help but messed up.” Minseok can still feel his own blood boiling under the surface. His chest rises and falls quickly as he narrows his eyes on a small envelope that lies on the hallway dresser. It’s the same one he received and realization dawns on him.
“You didn't tell him but he-"
“Found out this morning, yes,” Jongdae finishes the sentence for him, picking up the letter from the dresser and pressing it into Minseok’s hand, unexpectedly calm considering that Minseok is the reason why his lip is cut open.
“I originally planned to tell him after you two worked things out, but Luhan and I got a little bit tipsy last night and didn’t notice we left the letter and notes out for him to see.” Jongdae’s eyes are almost apologetic as they meet Minseok’s. Minseok feels his body is running on high alert. Jongin is the emotional one out of the two of them, and he loved that old lady even more than Minseok did.
He points from Jongdae to Luhan, not even bothering to ask why these two are together in the first place as he says, “We’ll talk about this later.” His snarl is dangerous. He reaches out to fetch Jongin’s black coat, the one he had seen on him the previous night and takes off to their old apartment which is luckily only a few blocks away.
~*~
Jongdae flinches at the door being thrown shut with a loud bang and brushes his hair back, leaning against the wall for support. He almost jumps when he feels something cold dabbing over his bruised lip but immediately relaxes at the sight of Luhan’s handkerchief. Jongdae lets himself be led to the couch and pushed down while Luhan rummages through his kitchen for the first aid kit.
Jongdae doesn’t move just watches Luhan as he applies some balm on his lip with his slender index fingers.
“I told you you would get hit,” Luhan says as he hands Jongdae an ice pack who accepts it with one of his usual kitten grins.
“Worth it," Jongdae argues. "If I knew that a punch would make you pamper me than I would have gotten into a fist fight earlier.” Luhan flicks Jongdae’s forehead unable to hide the growing smile that curls up over his own lips or the slight blush on his cheeks.
“You are an idiot.”
“Obviously. But let’s hope that those two are able to work things out now.” Jongdae shrugs then drops his head into Luhan’s lap who sigh in defeat and combs through the other’s hair, hoping for the best.
~*~
Even as a child Minseok used to hate treasure hunts that end exactly where they started because it’s so obvious and yet no one takes that choice in consideration because it would be too easy.
Minseok has never run as much as he has these past two weeks. His lungs are screaming at him, and it’s obviously time to stop smoking. He clutches his chest as he finally arrives in front of the white, two story house. The Cherry blossom tree sheds its last leaf as Minseok pushes himself through the door.
There is a place Minseok used to know with big, wide windows that bathe the wooden living room in a beautiful bronze color while an old woman serves a homemade pumpkin pie to two stupid boys in love. The place Minseok used to know is now gone: everything looks empty and sad with the lady gone just as if every little fiber of happiness had died along with her.
Minseok slowly places one foot in front of the other. His body is on autopilot, steering him to the living room. It’s empty: only the wide window front and a pair of withered flowers remain in this ghost like house.
There Jongin stands in the middle of the room- motionless. Dressed only in a white wool pullover and a pair of jeans, body shivering, he looks younger than ever before. Minseok’s heart is racing inside his chest, but he doesn’t hesitate any longer. Enough time has been wasted; he is ready to catch the light at the end of the this long, dark tunnel.
His arms cautiously wrap around Jongin’s torso pulling him against his chest, and he is surprised when Jongin just goes lax in his embrace like he has known all along that Minseok would come to find him here where everything started. He can tell from the way Jongin’s shoulders are quivering and his hands are shaking that he is crying silent tears, and Minseok wordlessly turns Jongin around, removing the sleeve that Jongin has protectively pressed over his eyes to wipe off a tear with his thumb.
Countless unspoken words lie in between them when their eyes finally connect; broken promises and loneliness reflect in their eyes, but more than anything else, deep affection is still burning brightly inside the both of them.
Maybe it’s exactly that moment when both of them realize that they have long forgiven each other, rage and disappointment replaced with longing and loneliness after all the time that has passed.
In the end, the red thread binding two people together is always stronger than the knife that tries to rip it apart.
Minseok cranes his neck, one hand softly stroking through Jongin’s brown hair as the boy lowers his forehead onto Minseok’s shoulder and sobs uncontrollably, allowing emotions to take over and block out anything else.
Inwardly, they both pray that this isn’t just another dream, that Minseok really is the one running a warm hand over Jongin's back, that it really is Jongin clinging tighter onto the Minseok’s black jacket, nails digging into the material as if he wants to tear it apart to prove that this is real.
Minseok gently rocks him from side to side before carefully guiding them to the white couch that also has been left behind. He sits down, pulling Jongin along to sit on his lap, remembering how perfectly Jongin fits against him as the boy tucks his head under Minseok’s chin, and wet eyelashes tickle his neck.
Minseok waits for Jongin’s tears to dry. Now that he has him in his arms, they’ve got all the time in the world.
Ten minutes of silence pass before Jongin slowly sits back, head tilting up to meet Minseok’s soothing gaze. He lifts both of his trembling hands and cups Minseok’s face. Fingers outline Minseok’s perfect jaw line, then his cheekbones, and Jongin just wants to touch more, feel more, to know that this is not caught up in some kind of fantasy.
Minseok seems to sense his fear and uncertainty because his hand wraps around Jongin’s, and guides it down to his chest resting, it just above his heart. It beats steadily.
He keeps his own hand above Jongin’s while his free hand brushes over the other’s cheek lovingly.
“I’m here Jongin. Sorry that it took me so long. I’m not as good at reading maps as I thought I am." Jongin laughs at that, and the sparkle in Mineok's eyes tells him Minseok has missed the soft tune of Jongin’s laugh, missed how it reduces him to a puddle of feelings. His breath catches in his throat when Jongin blinks another stream of tears away to speak.
“Has it ever crossed your mind that I might have been the one who caused us all this misery?” Jongin mumbles, his words sink through their skin like needles, and Minseok shakes his head in alarm. This isn’t the time to put the blame on each other- this is the time to move on from the past and the mistakes that they’ve made.
“Stupid," Minseok says. "I was the one who took you for granted and chased you away.” He presses a kiss to the back of Jongin’s hand, and Jongin leans forward to rest their foreheads together.
“We could have talked this out- avoided this painful separation. I returned to this house so many nights, just looking through the windows, yearning. But I had no confidence to go back inside.” The sincere confession has Minseok fighting to keep tears out of his eyes.
“It all doesn’t matter anymore. We can start again. I missed you, and I’m sorry. I’m selfish Jongin, too selfish to let you live a life without me in it.”
Jongin holds their intense eye contact, and Minseok just knows that this is right, this is where he - they - belong. They might have strayed from their original path, but screw mathematical reasons if fate decides that they are perfectly made for each other and rewards them with a second chance.
“There is no color in Kim Minseok’s life without Kim Jongin in it,” he adds, inwardly groaning at his cheesiness but the way Jongin hides a girlish giggle behind both hands if enough for him to not regret it.
“I missed you...too, you know…” Jongin fidgeting with the hem of his shirt is just too adorable, so Minseok does what he has longed to do since he entered the room and softly presses their lips together. Jongin melts into the kiss wrapping his arms around Minseok’s neck just to keep him close just a little longer.
It’s just a chaste kiss but it resembles water after a long, harsh drought providing them with what they needed the most. Each other.
Jongin nuzzles his cheek against Minseok’s as their mouths part, and he sighs contently about his current position. Minseok chuckles lowly, drawing his fingers through Jongin’s brown hair.
“I wish we could see her one last time.” Minseok hums in agreement, embrace tightening around Jongin’s fragile form. “I’d like to thank her for all she has done for us, for leading us back together and leaving us this house full of memories.”
Minseok allows himself to take in his surroundings, how everything looks pale and lifeless except the two of them attached together as if they were meant to return life to this place.
“Let’s fulfill her last wish," Minseok pleads. "Let’s move back in together Jongin. Let’s start again.” To give his words more strength, he digs through the pocket of his jacket and pulls out the ballerina key chain to place it in Jongin’s palm. The boy looks up at him and then down at the wooden piece of art with wide-eyes. His cheeks flush a beautiful red as he guides the keychain to his chest and nods.
“I’d like that.”
It is almost magical that after a year of being apart it only took a few sincere words to have their fingers entwine again like it’s only been yesterday since they last found support in each other’s arms.
And just like this a new chapter of their story begins.
~*~
One week passes in a flash. Minseok puts his apartment up for sale and spends every free minute after work at their new house, renovating it. Today is Friday again, and luckily both Luhan and Jongdae have agreed to help them paint the pale walls with warm and welcoming colors.
Jongin suggests placing their handprints all over their bedroom in all different kinds of colors, and Minseok has never been able to deny him a wish which is why all four of them are currently pressing their paint covered hands all over the wall. Except, Jongdae is more or less painting all over a pissed-off looking Luhan whose face is covered in red and blue stripes.
Jongin gets up on tip toe, running his red paint covered thumb over Minseok’s cheek who crooks an eyebrow at the not-so-very-subtle prank.
“Are picking a fight?” Minseok uses his clean hand to pinch his boyfriend's ass, luring an adorable, high-pitched squeak out of him before he pulls him in for a kiss.
“Should we leave? Like, you are my best friends and all, but I do not need to see you two sucking each others' faces,” Jongdae comments dryly while pressing another yellow handprint next to Luhan’s red one.
Jongin’s face equals the color of a tomato as he quickly flails his arms to cover up his embarrassment while Minseok simply gestures for Luhan to follow him into the kitchen to get another bucket of blue color.
“So, you and Jongdae, huh?” he prompts once they are out of earshot, and Luhan leans against the kitchen counter only answering him with a mysterious grin.
“Guess you got tired of our interns,” Minseok jests, but Luhan is quick to reply this time.
“Interns? Sehun was the best fuck I could have ever asked for- that body." His mind visibly trails of while Minseok spits out the coffee he had just sipped on.
“You fucked my secretary?!” Minseok is torn between gagging and choking Luhan who is licking his lips is sheer glee.
“You want to know where?” he teases, but Minseok raises his hand accompanied by a shake of his head.
“I’d rather not because you might lose your job.”
Minseok takes a mental note to disinfect his whole office with sanitizer on Monday, fighting the images of his lanky secretary and Luhan doing whatever in his office during lunch break.
“Jongdae is a special cookie, I guess I like him.” Luhan picks up the paint pot and nudges his shoulder against Minseok’s who applies a soft punch to his arm in return,
“Both of you are so I guess it's match made in heaven material. Now, let’s get back to work.”
Minseok is smitten when Jongin immediately runs up to him and jumps, legs wrapped around his middle only to fake whine over Jongdae being mean to him. Jongdae pulls out his most innocent expression on Minseok’s death glare and snakes his arm around Luhan’s waist, pulling him flush against his side.
“I would never.” He bats his eyelashes at them, causing Luhan to pinch the bridge of his nose while Jongin is distracted by his boyfriend’s delicious lips brushing over his neck. They end up painting more on each other than the actual walls, but around midnight they at least manage to finish the bed and living room.
Minseok has Jongin wrapped up in a back hug when they stand in the hallway to see off their friends.
“It would be nice if you could help us with moving furniture on Sunday. You two still owe me anyways,” Minseok grunts out, but Jongin is quick to step in with an overly sweet, “We'll make sure to feed you well in return. Promise!”
So Luhan agrees silencing an overdramatic Jongdae with a not so G-rated promise whispered into Jongdae’s ear. And suddenly it's Jongdae who can’t wait to leave the house.
Minseok and Jongin watch how the bickering couple stroll down the alley: Jongdae has his hand shoved into Luhan’s jeans pocket while Luhan has his hand inside Jongdae’s coat pocket to keep it warm.
“They look cute together,” Jongin states the obvious only to have Minseok place a soft kiss to his nape.
“We are cuter.”
~*~
Another two weeks pass by in a flash and it’s almost time for Christmas, meaning all of their neighbors have hung up Christmas decorations and lights in the their front yards, and Jongin has pestered Minseok for at least five days until the latter had finally given in and bought some kind of reindeer decoration figure for their own yard.
Minseok has long forgiven Jongdae for his clumsy attempt to bring them back together and appreciates the help from him and Luhan over the past month.
Jongin and Minseok politely reject the squawking microwave Luhan offers them as present during their housewarming party, only to have a fuming Jongdae strut into their living room an hour later, loudly whining to them about how Luhan has put his beloved microwave up on eBay, and a certain user named ‘Baektastic’ has already outbid the rest.
Minseok simply snorts at Jongdae’s hard loss, while Jongin tries to cheer their friend up with some hot chocolate and a yellow rubber duck from their bathtub which neither of them use anyways. Jongdae is immediately smitten by its little red bow and happily takes it home with him.
“Why are we friends with him again?” Minseok shakes his head, watching the door close behind Jongdae who leaves with the rest of their few friends and new neighbors. He mentally prepares himself for Luhan’s text messages that will probably come in like lightening later on.
Jongin sniggers, grabbing two mugs with hot chocolate, since Jongdae hadn't touched his, and carries them outside to their little balcony on the second floor. The two of them have always enjoyed the cold winter nights and tonight was no different.
Minseok joins his boyfriend, a thick, woolen blanket under his arm and two pillow in his hands which he places on the small, white bank. Jongin carefully sets their mugs down on the wooden table before waiting for Minseok to sit down first. His boyfriend tilts his head in confusion, but as he lowers himself on the bench, he realizes that Jongin didn’t plan to sit on the table in the first place but in his lap.
Minseok laughs, tightly wrapping the wool blanket around them to keep their bodies warm and secure from the icy wind.
He mouths along Jongin’s neck, pulling a surprised squeal from his boyfriend who laces their hands together under the blanket, squeezing them tightly.
“When is your next show?” Minseok asks inhaling his boyfriend’s familiar scent and savoring every shudder he receives for letting his hot breath ghost over Jongin’s exposed skin.
“Next Wednesday night. Why?”
“Well, then I’m taking that day off and marching in with a bouquet of flowers. That Taemin guy spoke way to fondly about you, so I had better show my face.” Minseok gently bites his boyfriend’s nape who playfully hits his knee in return and Minseok just has to rest his chin on Jongin’s shoulder to catch the red flush on his face. He’ll never get tired of it.
“B-but you have that important case to work on, and I don’t - “
“I can order Luhan to take over for one night. Perks of being a department head.” He winks cheekily as Jongin’s happy smile burns into his mind.
Jongin’s body suddenly tenses and Minseok follows his enchanted gaze, noticing the white flakes that silently come falling from the dark sky above them.
“The first snow!” Jongin flails his arm like a little, excited child and points at the sky so enthusiastically that Minseok places both of his hands on his boyfriend’s hips to keep him from falling off of his lap.
“Your fascination for snow still amazes me,” Minseok vocalizes his thoughts as he reaches out with one arm to catch one of the cold snowflakes inside his palm, mesmerized by how some of the flakes get caught in Jongin’s now black hair and make him look like a real angel.
Instead of answering Jongin leans in to bring their lips together, licking inside and devouring his boyfriend’s sweet taste while his hand rests against Minseok's cold cheek.
“Because it reminds me of you,” he whispers against Minseok’s lips before diving in for another one, allowing Minseok to tug on his bottom lip. Jongin is quick to shift and straddle his boyfriend’s lap instead to gain more access to the lips he can't seem to get enough of. Minseok loves the soft gasps Jongin releases whenever his hands grip his ass tightly through his jeans, drawing their now heated body even closer together.
“Wouldn’t it be romantic to, you know, because of the first snow and all...” Normally, Jongin is already sweet, but shy, embarrassed Jongin is an all kill, especially if he’s asking for Minseok to make love to him in such innocent manner.
It has Minseok laughing out loud as he gestures for Jongin to wrap his legs tightly around him as he lifts him up and carries him inside their house, kicking the balcony door shut with one foot while trying to not lose his balance with Jongin sucking and nibbling on his neck, determined to leave visible marks.
They barely make it into their bedroom without knocking over various objects on their way, and they are a giggling mess when they fall into the sheets with Minseok supporting himself on his elbows to not crush Jongin underneath him.
He takes a moment to appreciate his boyfriend’s beauty, bathed in the faint light of the moon, before he slowly starts to unbutton his shirt, kissing down his exposed chest to draw a throaty moan from Jongin who arches up for more, more of Minseok, more attention that only belongs to him.
As a dancer he loves to be showered with attention, but the type of attention he receives from Minseok is irreplaceable. It leaves his body tingling all over, toes curling, and fills him with the highest level of satisfaction an artist can dream of. Minseok makes him feel like he isn’t an artist but an actual piece of art himself.
Jongin’s mouth flies open as a soft gasp slip from his lips with Minseok’s slick tongue worshiping every part of his body- dipping it inside his belly button before sinking lower, Jongin throwing his head back in a silent cry and burying his hands in Minseok’s hair as the head of his cock is sliding between hot lips.
Minseok is always gentle with him unless Jongin asks him to go rough on him, but tonight he takes his sweet time in preparing Jongin. He showers him with gentle kisses and tongues at Jongin’s sensitive nipples to draw more lovely sounds from him, filling their bedroom with the sweetest symphony he has ever listened to.
With Jongin everything is like a dance, even making love to him feels like their bodies are dancing together in one, steady rhythm. A thin layer of sweat covers their skin as their hips rock together. Minseok revels in Jongin’s face that reflects nothing but pure pleasure. He can’t help but lean in to kiss his boyfriend’s forehead, tracing his plump lips with his thumb only to follow the motion with his tongue.
Their hands are entwined, and this time, they don’t intend to let go of each other ever again.
“I love you.” The three words that used to be so hard for Minseok to mouth out loud are rolling off of his tongue like a mantra as Jongin sinks down in his lap, circling his hips, both of them groaning in bliss.
Jongin gifts him with a sweet smile, closing the distance and sealing their lips together in a silent promise to never leave his side again. They reach their high together, limbs entangled as if they are one body instead of two. Minseok caresses Jongin’s bare back, whispering sweet nothings into his boyfriend’s ear as he cuddles up against his chest.
His happiness comes in the form of Jongin, so does his color, and Minseok will be holding onto it with all of his might. As they fall asleep that night, they fall asleep with same dream of forever in each others' warm embrace.
This year neither of them will be alone during Christmas, and Minseok is determined to keep it that way for all the Christmases that are yet to come. He might be lawyer, a boyfriend, and a friend, but he is by far not worthy of the title of a map reader.
part two
Jongin is completely out of breath, and his shirt is drenched in sweat, clinging to his chest like a second skin as he throws his coat over the backrest of the chair and slums down on the red arm chair.
“That was pathetic,” he tells Felix Thunder Paws who curiously paws at his hand which dangles off the chair. “I can’t believe I just ran off!” Jongin whines into empty space before flailing his feet in the air.
“More than pathetic- a disgrace to your manhood. Any idea where you lost it so we can go and pick it up again?” Jongdae struts in, wearing a pair of black glasses and carrying a white mug with coffee in his hand while using the other to throw a pair of dirty socks at Jongin.
“Thanks for the encouraging pep talk, mum." Jongin lowers an arm over his face, ignoring Jongdae’s ongoing rant. At least Jongdae’s cat seems to take pity on him as it rubs his furry head under Jongin’s chin gently.
Still, to Jongin today counts at least as a small step into the right direction. It’s not like Rome was built in one day, and there is a fire igniting inside of him. Jongin wants. Come what may, he will summon the courage to talk to Minseok before Sunday.
Or at least before the first snow falls.
~*~
It’s Friday again when Minseok finally has enough time to breathe again, sitting inside his kitchen waiting for his dinner to finish cooking on the stove. It will take at least another ten minutes, so he decides to connect some more dots on his map.
He pulls out his black marker and circles the bistro from where Jongin bought him the sandwich on Monday, then another one around the Starbucks where Jongin works part time at. He circles the place for his dance rehearsal and finally the park where recently, Jongdae had told him, Jongin goes often.
Looking at the fact that Jongin has long cut all ties with his family he crosses out the option of his ex-boyfriend hiding out there.
Minseok almost drops the pen as he realizes that all these places are only about a five to ten minute walk away from the house they used to live in which means that Jongin must still live in that exact same neighborhood!
“Think Minseok, think!” Minseok chants out loud.
Anger is flaring up in his veins as realization slowly starts to kick in and he almost rips the map of his wall. He is frustrated with his lacking ability to see what’s right in front of him while he always tends to look around five corners.
Jongin has never been someone who would stray too far away from his original path, so Minseok grabs his coat, barely remembering to turn off the stove before he rushes outside into the cold evening air.
The inner urge to confirm his suspicions has him running faster, ignoring the protest of his aching muscles as he jogs all the way to the bus station, luckily making it on time.
The bus ride only takes about twenty minutes, but it feels way longer to Minseok who has both hands clenched in fists inside his lap. The blinding lights of the advertising signs hurt his eyes, so he squeezes them shut, mind running wild.
One can almost hear the screws rattling away inside his head.
Minseok almost flies out of his seat when the bus comes to an abrupt halt, and he finds himself running again until his lungs burn and his hair sticks out in all directions. He only stops when he stands across the street from the Starbucks- one of the first places he put down on his ‘finding-jongin-map’.
Minseok holds onto the lamppost for support, trying to catch his breath with his gaze glued to the coffee shop. The lights are already turned off, but there is a shadow inside slowly stepping outside to lock the door.
Jongin looks slimmer than the last time he saw him, yet he's just as beautiful in the dim moonlight that caresses his face.
Minseok’s heart is beating fast inside his chest, and he can hear the blood rushing through his veins. Now that Jongin is right there, only a road away from him, it hits him just how much he has missed the other.
Like someone else is giving him commands, Minseok's legs start moving as Jongin turns around to stroll down the road. Minseok stays on the opposite side, hidden in the shadows for now while he notices just how loose the black pants Jongin is wearing are. His face is outlined by the dim light of the street lights, his face thinner than the last time Minseok saw him, making his chest feel like it’s been stabbed a couple of times.
As he watches Jongin turn around the corner with sagging shoulders and face completely hidden by a red scarf due to the harsh wind, he hesitates for a moment before following him with a safe distance between them.
Minseok doesn’t want Jongin to work up to this late at night, doesn’t want to see him stifle a yawn behind his delicate hands, nor does he want to see him have to carry the weight alone- not when Minseok promised to share with him.
Minseok's hand automatically shoots forward when he sees Jongin trip over the curbside, ready to catch him, but Jongin gets a hold of the iron street lamp and regains his balance.
The ends of Minseok’s mouth twitch as he witnesses how Jongin kicks at the grey pavement and pouts at it as if it was to blame for him not watching his steps. They walk for another three minutes before Minseok slips inside a side alley and peers around the corner making sure that Jongin enters the apartment building safely.
Fury has his nostrils flaring while his nails cut angry crescents into his palm. His suspicious has been proven to be true, and in this very moment, it takes all of Minseok’s self control to not cross over, run upstairs and cause a scene. However, the thought of losing Jongin for real this time due to his temper binds an invisible lead ball to his ankle.
Jongin, despite claiming to be so very independent and free to go wherever his feet take him, is in fact only a young boy who, after being thrown out by his parents for his desire to be a dancer, only relied on Minseok and a few other close friends.
He takes a deep breath. Tomorrow. Another day but not tonight. Minseok leans against the wall, head resting against the cold surface as he watches his own miserable reflection in the puddle in front of his sneakers illuminated by the moon.
“It’s almost funny how I can never seem to catch this dancer on the right beat,” he mumbles, brushing some wet strands of hair out of his forehead to wipe off some beads of sweat glistening in the moonlight.
~*~
Jongin’s limbs ache, protesting against every step up the stairs he has to climb to make it to Jongdae’s apartment. He digs through the pocket of his jeans until he finds his silver key and unlocks the door quietly. The first thing that comes in sight is blond hair and two forms huddled up against each other on the couch- fast asleep.
Jongin, despite being dead tired, almost coos at the sight in front of him. The coffee table is a mix of empty beer bottles, cigarette butts suffocated in the ashtray, and a couple of wild drawings or notes on white paper.
Luhan has been spending a lot of time at their apartment this week and Jongin enjoys the presence of the witty lawyer who has the rare ability to keep Jongdae in line. Said lawyer is passed out with his head on Jongdae’s shoulder, blond hair falling into his pale face while Jongdae’s head is resting on his, equally fast asleep.
Jongin tip toes closer, pressing his index finger over his lips as Felix Thunder Paws' ears perk up from under the table, yellow eyes observing his every move. He quickly snaps a picture with his phone, grinning widely before carefully lowering a thick, red blanket over the two men, well aware that both aren’t in any position to catch a cold.
He straightens up, picks up the purring cat which immediately snuggles closer into his embrace, and turn off the lights. Jongin thinks it’s only fair that he gets the cat to cuddle with tonight since the other two men obviously won’t feel as lonely as him during the night.
Today’s walk home has felt strange or even mystical to him, almost as if someone had wrapped his wings securely around him all the way to the apartment. Jongin had felt protected and for once not feared the shadows creeping up on him from the alleys.
He falls asleep with the image of a warm smile shining upon him and Felix Thunder Paws pressed up against his side, keeping him warm.
~*~
Minseok has spend the night by tossing around in his bed, staring at the ceiling and mentally preparing himself for the next day. In the end, he only manages about two hours of sleep and doesn’t even bother to look at his reflection in the mirror when he drags his bare feet under the shower, relaxing under the hot stream of water pattering down on his sore shoulders.
Luckily, it’s Saturday because Minseok has neither strength nor the patience to sit inside his stuffy law office today- especially not now that he has finally gathered enough courage to go see Jongin.
The mere image of Jongin has Minseok speeding up his getting ready progress even though he wastes at least another fifteen minutes in front of his wardrobe before he decides on a pair of ripped jeans, brown boots and a black v-neck. Jongin used to like him best in casual clothing and not a fitted suit.
The sun has fully risen when he grabs his car keys and wallet and throws a glance at the letter from the old lady. He smiles softly at the letter, hoping that she is watching them from above and silently tells her to wish him good luck.
If everything works out just like he has planned, then he can put this apartment up for sale by next week.
Inside his car he inhales sharply, sticking a cigarette between his thin lips and lighting it with his black lighter. Minseok peers up at the apartment building he has just arrived at, a place where he used to frequent every weekend with Jongin. It is Jongdae’s apartment after all, their mutual friend and bartender who has had Minseok pull his hair out more than once.
Minseok isn’t sure why Jongdae didn’t tell him or what kind of game he is currently playing, but he is furious.
It’s around ten in the morning when he finds himself climbing upstairs, fists balled and body tense, ready to pounce at everyone and anything that would come in between him and Jongin. He doesn’t waver, an unknown confidence filling him up from inside as he presses the doorbell once, then twice until he hears someone curse and loud footsteps near from inside.
The door is flung open to reveal a shirtless Jongdae with messy bed hair and only a pair of washed out jeans hanging low on his hips.
“You are smarter than I thought.” He even has the nerve to greet Minseok with a shit-eating smirk, so he lets his rage take over and punches his friend straight in the face. Minseok has his limits, and he doesn’t care for Jongdae’s reasons right now- not if it keeps him from claiming what’s his.
To his surprise it isn’t Jongin who comes tumbling in to separate them, but Luhan with equally mused hair and drowsy eyes.
“Minseok! Calm down- stop it!” Luhan is careful when he lowers a hand on Minseok’s shoulder. Minseok has Jongdae pushed up against the wall, glare piercing through him like a dagger while Jongdae just looks at him, unimpressed.
“Where is he? I swear to god, Jongdae. You better tell me before I lose myself!” Minseok growls threateningly before Luhan manages to step in between them, standing in front of Jongdae who wipes the blood of his busted bottom lip.
“Jongin went to the apartment you used to live in," Luhan's voice is calm, almost soothing. "Look, I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but this isn’t what it looks like. We tried to help but messed up.” Minseok can still feel his own blood boiling under the surface. His chest rises and falls quickly as he narrows his eyes on a small envelope that lies on the hallway dresser. It’s the same one he received and realization dawns on him.
“You didn't tell him but he-"
“Found out this morning, yes,” Jongdae finishes the sentence for him, picking up the letter from the dresser and pressing it into Minseok’s hand, unexpectedly calm considering that Minseok is the reason why his lip is cut open.
“I originally planned to tell him after you two worked things out, but Luhan and I got a little bit tipsy last night and didn’t notice we left the letter and notes out for him to see.” Jongdae’s eyes are almost apologetic as they meet Minseok’s. Minseok feels his body is running on high alert. Jongin is the emotional one out of the two of them, and he loved that old lady even more than Minseok did.
He points from Jongdae to Luhan, not even bothering to ask why these two are together in the first place as he says, “We’ll talk about this later.” His snarl is dangerous. He reaches out to fetch Jongin’s black coat, the one he had seen on him the previous night and takes off to their old apartment which is luckily only a few blocks away.
~*~
Jongdae flinches at the door being thrown shut with a loud bang and brushes his hair back, leaning against the wall for support. He almost jumps when he feels something cold dabbing over his bruised lip but immediately relaxes at the sight of Luhan’s handkerchief. Jongdae lets himself be led to the couch and pushed down while Luhan rummages through his kitchen for the first aid kit.
Jongdae doesn’t move just watches Luhan as he applies some balm on his lip with his slender index fingers.
“I told you you would get hit,” Luhan says as he hands Jongdae an ice pack who accepts it with one of his usual kitten grins.
“Worth it," Jongdae argues. "If I knew that a punch would make you pamper me than I would have gotten into a fist fight earlier.” Luhan flicks Jongdae’s forehead unable to hide the growing smile that curls up over his own lips or the slight blush on his cheeks.
“You are an idiot.”
“Obviously. But let’s hope that those two are able to work things out now.” Jongdae shrugs then drops his head into Luhan’s lap who sigh in defeat and combs through the other’s hair, hoping for the best.
~*~
Even as a child Minseok used to hate treasure hunts that end exactly where they started because it’s so obvious and yet no one takes that choice in consideration because it would be too easy.
Minseok has never run as much as he has these past two weeks. His lungs are screaming at him, and it’s obviously time to stop smoking. He clutches his chest as he finally arrives in front of the white, two story house. The Cherry blossom tree sheds its last leaf as Minseok pushes himself through the door.
There is a place Minseok used to know with big, wide windows that bathe the wooden living room in a beautiful bronze color while an old woman serves a homemade pumpkin pie to two stupid boys in love. The place Minseok used to know is now gone: everything looks empty and sad with the lady gone just as if every little fiber of happiness had died along with her.
Minseok slowly places one foot in front of the other. His body is on autopilot, steering him to the living room. It’s empty: only the wide window front and a pair of withered flowers remain in this ghost like house.
There Jongin stands in the middle of the room- motionless. Dressed only in a white wool pullover and a pair of jeans, body shivering, he looks younger than ever before. Minseok’s heart is racing inside his chest, but he doesn’t hesitate any longer. Enough time has been wasted; he is ready to catch the light at the end of the this long, dark tunnel.
His arms cautiously wrap around Jongin’s torso pulling him against his chest, and he is surprised when Jongin just goes lax in his embrace like he has known all along that Minseok would come to find him here where everything started. He can tell from the way Jongin’s shoulders are quivering and his hands are shaking that he is crying silent tears, and Minseok wordlessly turns Jongin around, removing the sleeve that Jongin has protectively pressed over his eyes to wipe off a tear with his thumb.
Countless unspoken words lie in between them when their eyes finally connect; broken promises and loneliness reflect in their eyes, but more than anything else, deep affection is still burning brightly inside the both of them.
Maybe it’s exactly that moment when both of them realize that they have long forgiven each other, rage and disappointment replaced with longing and loneliness after all the time that has passed.
In the end, the red thread binding two people together is always stronger than the knife that tries to rip it apart.
Minseok cranes his neck, one hand softly stroking through Jongin’s brown hair as the boy lowers his forehead onto Minseok’s shoulder and sobs uncontrollably, allowing emotions to take over and block out anything else.
Inwardly, they both pray that this isn’t just another dream, that Minseok really is the one running a warm hand over Jongin's back, that it really is Jongin clinging tighter onto the Minseok’s black jacket, nails digging into the material as if he wants to tear it apart to prove that this is real.
Minseok gently rocks him from side to side before carefully guiding them to the white couch that also has been left behind. He sits down, pulling Jongin along to sit on his lap, remembering how perfectly Jongin fits against him as the boy tucks his head under Minseok’s chin, and wet eyelashes tickle his neck.
Minseok waits for Jongin’s tears to dry. Now that he has him in his arms, they’ve got all the time in the world.
Ten minutes of silence pass before Jongin slowly sits back, head tilting up to meet Minseok’s soothing gaze. He lifts both of his trembling hands and cups Minseok’s face. Fingers outline Minseok’s perfect jaw line, then his cheekbones, and Jongin just wants to touch more, feel more, to know that this is not caught up in some kind of fantasy.
Minseok seems to sense his fear and uncertainty because his hand wraps around Jongin’s, and guides it down to his chest resting, it just above his heart. It beats steadily.
He keeps his own hand above Jongin’s while his free hand brushes over the other’s cheek lovingly.
“I’m here Jongin. Sorry that it took me so long. I’m not as good at reading maps as I thought I am." Jongin laughs at that, and the sparkle in Mineok's eyes tells him Minseok has missed the soft tune of Jongin’s laugh, missed how it reduces him to a puddle of feelings. His breath catches in his throat when Jongin blinks another stream of tears away to speak.
“Has it ever crossed your mind that I might have been the one who caused us all this misery?” Jongin mumbles, his words sink through their skin like needles, and Minseok shakes his head in alarm. This isn’t the time to put the blame on each other- this is the time to move on from the past and the mistakes that they’ve made.
“Stupid," Minseok says. "I was the one who took you for granted and chased you away.” He presses a kiss to the back of Jongin’s hand, and Jongin leans forward to rest their foreheads together.
“We could have talked this out- avoided this painful separation. I returned to this house so many nights, just looking through the windows, yearning. But I had no confidence to go back inside.” The sincere confession has Minseok fighting to keep tears out of his eyes.
“It all doesn’t matter anymore. We can start again. I missed you, and I’m sorry. I’m selfish Jongin, too selfish to let you live a life without me in it.”
Jongin holds their intense eye contact, and Minseok just knows that this is right, this is where he - they - belong. They might have strayed from their original path, but screw mathematical reasons if fate decides that they are perfectly made for each other and rewards them with a second chance.
“There is no color in Kim Minseok’s life without Kim Jongin in it,” he adds, inwardly groaning at his cheesiness but the way Jongin hides a girlish giggle behind both hands if enough for him to not regret it.
“I missed you...too, you know…” Jongin fidgeting with the hem of his shirt is just too adorable, so Minseok does what he has longed to do since he entered the room and softly presses their lips together. Jongin melts into the kiss wrapping his arms around Minseok’s neck just to keep him close just a little longer.
It’s just a chaste kiss but it resembles water after a long, harsh drought providing them with what they needed the most. Each other.
Jongin nuzzles his cheek against Minseok’s as their mouths part, and he sighs contently about his current position. Minseok chuckles lowly, drawing his fingers through Jongin’s brown hair.
“I wish we could see her one last time.” Minseok hums in agreement, embrace tightening around Jongin’s fragile form. “I’d like to thank her for all she has done for us, for leading us back together and leaving us this house full of memories.”
Minseok allows himself to take in his surroundings, how everything looks pale and lifeless except the two of them attached together as if they were meant to return life to this place.
“Let’s fulfill her last wish," Minseok pleads. "Let’s move back in together Jongin. Let’s start again.” To give his words more strength, he digs through the pocket of his jacket and pulls out the ballerina key chain to place it in Jongin’s palm. The boy looks up at him and then down at the wooden piece of art with wide-eyes. His cheeks flush a beautiful red as he guides the keychain to his chest and nods.
“I’d like that.”
It is almost magical that after a year of being apart it only took a few sincere words to have their fingers entwine again like it’s only been yesterday since they last found support in each other’s arms.
And just like this a new chapter of their story begins.
~*~
One week passes in a flash. Minseok puts his apartment up for sale and spends every free minute after work at their new house, renovating it. Today is Friday again, and luckily both Luhan and Jongdae have agreed to help them paint the pale walls with warm and welcoming colors.
Jongin suggests placing their handprints all over their bedroom in all different kinds of colors, and Minseok has never been able to deny him a wish which is why all four of them are currently pressing their paint covered hands all over the wall. Except, Jongdae is more or less painting all over a pissed-off looking Luhan whose face is covered in red and blue stripes.
Jongin gets up on tip toe, running his red paint covered thumb over Minseok’s cheek who crooks an eyebrow at the not-so-very-subtle prank.
“Are picking a fight?” Minseok uses his clean hand to pinch his boyfriend's ass, luring an adorable, high-pitched squeak out of him before he pulls him in for a kiss.
“Should we leave? Like, you are my best friends and all, but I do not need to see you two sucking each others' faces,” Jongdae comments dryly while pressing another yellow handprint next to Luhan’s red one.
Jongin’s face equals the color of a tomato as he quickly flails his arms to cover up his embarrassment while Minseok simply gestures for Luhan to follow him into the kitchen to get another bucket of blue color.
“So, you and Jongdae, huh?” he prompts once they are out of earshot, and Luhan leans against the kitchen counter only answering him with a mysterious grin.
“Guess you got tired of our interns,” Minseok jests, but Luhan is quick to reply this time.
“Interns? Sehun was the best fuck I could have ever asked for- that body." His mind visibly trails of while Minseok spits out the coffee he had just sipped on.
“You fucked my secretary?!” Minseok is torn between gagging and choking Luhan who is licking his lips is sheer glee.
“You want to know where?” he teases, but Minseok raises his hand accompanied by a shake of his head.
“I’d rather not because you might lose your job.”
Minseok takes a mental note to disinfect his whole office with sanitizer on Monday, fighting the images of his lanky secretary and Luhan doing whatever in his office during lunch break.
“Jongdae is a special cookie, I guess I like him.” Luhan picks up the paint pot and nudges his shoulder against Minseok’s who applies a soft punch to his arm in return,
“Both of you are so I guess it's match made in heaven material. Now, let’s get back to work.”
Minseok is smitten when Jongin immediately runs up to him and jumps, legs wrapped around his middle only to fake whine over Jongdae being mean to him. Jongdae pulls out his most innocent expression on Minseok’s death glare and snakes his arm around Luhan’s waist, pulling him flush against his side.
“I would never.” He bats his eyelashes at them, causing Luhan to pinch the bridge of his nose while Jongin is distracted by his boyfriend’s delicious lips brushing over his neck. They end up painting more on each other than the actual walls, but around midnight they at least manage to finish the bed and living room.
Minseok has Jongin wrapped up in a back hug when they stand in the hallway to see off their friends.
“It would be nice if you could help us with moving furniture on Sunday. You two still owe me anyways,” Minseok grunts out, but Jongin is quick to step in with an overly sweet, “We'll make sure to feed you well in return. Promise!”
So Luhan agrees silencing an overdramatic Jongdae with a not so G-rated promise whispered into Jongdae’s ear. And suddenly it's Jongdae who can’t wait to leave the house.
Minseok and Jongin watch how the bickering couple stroll down the alley: Jongdae has his hand shoved into Luhan’s jeans pocket while Luhan has his hand inside Jongdae’s coat pocket to keep it warm.
“They look cute together,” Jongin states the obvious only to have Minseok place a soft kiss to his nape.
“We are cuter.”
~*~
Another two weeks pass by in a flash and it’s almost time for Christmas, meaning all of their neighbors have hung up Christmas decorations and lights in the their front yards, and Jongin has pestered Minseok for at least five days until the latter had finally given in and bought some kind of reindeer decoration figure for their own yard.
Minseok has long forgiven Jongdae for his clumsy attempt to bring them back together and appreciates the help from him and Luhan over the past month.
Jongin and Minseok politely reject the squawking microwave Luhan offers them as present during their housewarming party, only to have a fuming Jongdae strut into their living room an hour later, loudly whining to them about how Luhan has put his beloved microwave up on eBay, and a certain user named ‘Baektastic’ has already outbid the rest.
Minseok simply snorts at Jongdae’s hard loss, while Jongin tries to cheer their friend up with some hot chocolate and a yellow rubber duck from their bathtub which neither of them use anyways. Jongdae is immediately smitten by its little red bow and happily takes it home with him.
“Why are we friends with him again?” Minseok shakes his head, watching the door close behind Jongdae who leaves with the rest of their few friends and new neighbors. He mentally prepares himself for Luhan’s text messages that will probably come in like lightening later on.
Jongin sniggers, grabbing two mugs with hot chocolate, since Jongdae hadn't touched his, and carries them outside to their little balcony on the second floor. The two of them have always enjoyed the cold winter nights and tonight was no different.
Minseok joins his boyfriend, a thick, woolen blanket under his arm and two pillow in his hands which he places on the small, white bank. Jongin carefully sets their mugs down on the wooden table before waiting for Minseok to sit down first. His boyfriend tilts his head in confusion, but as he lowers himself on the bench, he realizes that Jongin didn’t plan to sit on the table in the first place but in his lap.
Minseok laughs, tightly wrapping the wool blanket around them to keep their bodies warm and secure from the icy wind.
He mouths along Jongin’s neck, pulling a surprised squeal from his boyfriend who laces their hands together under the blanket, squeezing them tightly.
“When is your next show?” Minseok asks inhaling his boyfriend’s familiar scent and savoring every shudder he receives for letting his hot breath ghost over Jongin’s exposed skin.
“Next Wednesday night. Why?”
“Well, then I’m taking that day off and marching in with a bouquet of flowers. That Taemin guy spoke way to fondly about you, so I had better show my face.” Minseok gently bites his boyfriend’s nape who playfully hits his knee in return and Minseok just has to rest his chin on Jongin’s shoulder to catch the red flush on his face. He’ll never get tired of it.
“B-but you have that important case to work on, and I don’t - “
“I can order Luhan to take over for one night. Perks of being a department head.” He winks cheekily as Jongin’s happy smile burns into his mind.
Jongin’s body suddenly tenses and Minseok follows his enchanted gaze, noticing the white flakes that silently come falling from the dark sky above them.
“The first snow!” Jongin flails his arm like a little, excited child and points at the sky so enthusiastically that Minseok places both of his hands on his boyfriend’s hips to keep him from falling off of his lap.
“Your fascination for snow still amazes me,” Minseok vocalizes his thoughts as he reaches out with one arm to catch one of the cold snowflakes inside his palm, mesmerized by how some of the flakes get caught in Jongin’s now black hair and make him look like a real angel.
Instead of answering Jongin leans in to bring their lips together, licking inside and devouring his boyfriend’s sweet taste while his hand rests against Minseok's cold cheek.
“Because it reminds me of you,” he whispers against Minseok’s lips before diving in for another one, allowing Minseok to tug on his bottom lip. Jongin is quick to shift and straddle his boyfriend’s lap instead to gain more access to the lips he can't seem to get enough of. Minseok loves the soft gasps Jongin releases whenever his hands grip his ass tightly through his jeans, drawing their now heated body even closer together.
“Wouldn’t it be romantic to, you know, because of the first snow and all...” Normally, Jongin is already sweet, but shy, embarrassed Jongin is an all kill, especially if he’s asking for Minseok to make love to him in such innocent manner.
It has Minseok laughing out loud as he gestures for Jongin to wrap his legs tightly around him as he lifts him up and carries him inside their house, kicking the balcony door shut with one foot while trying to not lose his balance with Jongin sucking and nibbling on his neck, determined to leave visible marks.
They barely make it into their bedroom without knocking over various objects on their way, and they are a giggling mess when they fall into the sheets with Minseok supporting himself on his elbows to not crush Jongin underneath him.
He takes a moment to appreciate his boyfriend’s beauty, bathed in the faint light of the moon, before he slowly starts to unbutton his shirt, kissing down his exposed chest to draw a throaty moan from Jongin who arches up for more, more of Minseok, more attention that only belongs to him.
As a dancer he loves to be showered with attention, but the type of attention he receives from Minseok is irreplaceable. It leaves his body tingling all over, toes curling, and fills him with the highest level of satisfaction an artist can dream of. Minseok makes him feel like he isn’t an artist but an actual piece of art himself.
Jongin’s mouth flies open as a soft gasp slip from his lips with Minseok’s slick tongue worshiping every part of his body- dipping it inside his belly button before sinking lower, Jongin throwing his head back in a silent cry and burying his hands in Minseok’s hair as the head of his cock is sliding between hot lips.
Minseok is always gentle with him unless Jongin asks him to go rough on him, but tonight he takes his sweet time in preparing Jongin. He showers him with gentle kisses and tongues at Jongin’s sensitive nipples to draw more lovely sounds from him, filling their bedroom with the sweetest symphony he has ever listened to.
With Jongin everything is like a dance, even making love to him feels like their bodies are dancing together in one, steady rhythm. A thin layer of sweat covers their skin as their hips rock together. Minseok revels in Jongin’s face that reflects nothing but pure pleasure. He can’t help but lean in to kiss his boyfriend’s forehead, tracing his plump lips with his thumb only to follow the motion with his tongue.
Their hands are entwined, and this time, they don’t intend to let go of each other ever again.
“I love you.” The three words that used to be so hard for Minseok to mouth out loud are rolling off of his tongue like a mantra as Jongin sinks down in his lap, circling his hips, both of them groaning in bliss.
Jongin gifts him with a sweet smile, closing the distance and sealing their lips together in a silent promise to never leave his side again. They reach their high together, limbs entangled as if they are one body instead of two. Minseok caresses Jongin’s bare back, whispering sweet nothings into his boyfriend’s ear as he cuddles up against his chest.
His happiness comes in the form of Jongin, so does his color, and Minseok will be holding onto it with all of his might. As they fall asleep that night, they fall asleep with same dream of forever in each others' warm embrace.
This year neither of them will be alone during Christmas, and Minseok is determined to keep it that way for all the Christmases that are yet to come. He might be lawyer, a boyfriend, and a friend, but he is by far not worthy of the title of a map reader.