2PM, Taecyeon/Junho: Feeling At Home
Title: Feeling At Home
Group: 2PM
Pairing: Taecyeon/Junho
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 for language and sexual references (R if you read the Bonus Scene, so BEWARE!)
Length: 9,300 words
Summary: One moment with Taecyeon takes Junho down memory lane. (Or: “Why do I even put up with you?” Junho asks, though by now he should know the answer.)
Notes: This is a one-shot that can stand on its own, but it also relates to two other things: one written by Michelle and another written by me. This one is for you, bb girl. ♥ I’d also like to thank blaqcassie for proofreading this. You’re a precious baby crab. ♥
viii. on the dot
Junho’s crouched down in front of the oven, worrying at his lower lip as he stares through the small rectangle of glass. He knows it will take some time for the loaf of bread to grow. He should probably sit down and wait, but last time he did that the food burned. Another time he got distracted by Powder, and there was the first time he tried to make this same recipe, when the bread didn’t grow because he hadn’t made it right before putting it in the oven.
The very last time he baked was a couple of weeks ago, on another Sunday morning like this. He had finally given into Taecyeon’s offer to help. Junho actually likes it when they’re cooking together, but he still thinks he ought to learn to do most things on his own. It’s not just a matter of pride; he doesn’t want Taecyeon to feel like he’s at work again once he’s at home. That’s always been on his mind from the start. The first time he tried to show his gratitude for his roommate with food was a disaster, even if time turned that into a warm memory. They’re more than roommates now and Junho likes to think of that as the first ingredient for the slow-cooking recipe that became their relationship.
He takes a deep breath and glances around the kitchen. The counter is a mess and there’s flour next to his feet, but at least the bread smells good. The house is quiet and that bothers him a little, but he’s smiling as the image of Taecyeon sleeping comes to mind. Powder has taken his place already; she took the chance to enter the bedroom when Junho got up. It’s been a year since they adopted that dog and it still amuses Junho that she took to Taecyeon so much. He decides to put on some music and tells himself not to start dancing to the song that’s on the radio. He might get too excited and his precious bread would be ruined.
He’s singing along to parts of another song when he hears the characteristic sound of Powder’s paws on the floor, reminding him he should cut her nails today. She comes into the kitchen and licks at his hands, so he pats her until she’s sitting down next to him, her mouth open into what looks like a smile. When Junho stops to look at the oven again, she doesn’t bark, but licks at his fingers until he’s laughing quietly.
“Come here,” he picks her up, balancing her on one thigh as he holds her from under the forelegs. “Is your other daddy up? Did he lock you out?”
“You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Junho turns to see Taecyeon at the kitchen’s entrance, wearing just a pair of pajama bottoms. His hair is a fluffy mess that makes Junho long to touch it. He looks like he’s having trouble keeping his eyes open, but he still smiles down at Powder when she goes to him as if she hadn’t been with him until just minutes ago.
“Hey there, you happy little snowball,” he lifts a foot for her to paw at and she tries to bite one of his toes. Junho ignores the urge to tell him not to incite her to do that. It pays when Taecyeon looks at him with a sleepy but fond smile. “Morning, babe. Is that freshly made bread I’m smelling?”
Junho nods at him and turns to the oven. “It’s almost ready.”
Taecyeon hums in appreciation. Junho hears their dog walking around the kitchen and sniffing at things while Taecyeon comes to stand behind him, leaning down to touch his shoulders. Junho tilts his head back to stare at him, his hair falling back on Taecyeon’s legs. “Where’s my morning kiss?”
Junho chuckles. He lets his eyes linger on Taecyeon’s before he answers. “You were sleeping when I gave you one.”
“Not fair,” Taecyeon pushes him down. Junho curses out loud as his bottom hits the floor; he had no time to prevent that.
“Nice way to thank me for making us breakfast,” he deadpans, but he doesn’t try to get up. He might as well just sit there to watch his precious loaf cook, so that’s what he does.
Taecyeon seems diverted by his reaction. He kneels behind him and ruffles at his hair, from the nape to the ear, and Junho sighs before he can conceal it. “Cooking makes you stressed,” he thinks out loud, and Junho can picture the frown on his face without looking back at him.
“I’m not stressed.” Junho isn’t too incisive on that, lest he contradicts his own words. He’s not saying that just to argue with Taecyeon; he’s trying to reassure the other that he’s alright. “I just want to succeed this once.”
Taecyeon smiles behind him, his hands pulling softly on his hair. “You did that last time,” he kisses his neck and nuzzles at it. Junho can’t control his shiver, nor its repeat when Taecyeon’s breath of a chuckle warms up his skin.
“But you were helping me...” Junho trails off. Taecyeon seems determined to distract him, and he can only pretend he’s not enjoying it for so long. He’s already leaning back into him, and it’s hard to keep his eyes open when the touches demand his surrender.
“What’s the problem with that? We’re a couple. I’m glad to help.”
But Taecyeon’s not exactly helping right now, his fingers kneading on Junho’s scalp and making him wonder why he even left the bed that morning. Taecyeon’s mouth leaves a trail down his neck that stops only when he has to pull at the collar of Junho’s shirt to reach more skin. The fact that Taecyeon himself is shirtless should have been enough of a hint for Junho.
“I think it’s time to poke the dough.” Taecyeon smirks against his nape, and Junho hits at the hand on his collarbone for what could only be a terrible joke.
“Why do I even put up with you,” Junho mutters as he gets up to grab a toothpick. Taecyeon’s got on a wide grin as he watches him open the oven to check if the bread is ready. The toothpick comes out with barely any dough on it, which means Taecyeon was right. Junho turns off the oven and finds himself surrounded by Taecyeon’s arms, a tight hug that loosens up quickly but isn’t undone.
“Thank you,” Taecyeon whispers, his face in the cradle where Junho’s neck meets the shoulder.
“You haven’t tasted it yet,” Junho’s voice is flat but his face is already breaking into a smile of contentment.
“I mean, for putting up with me.”
Junho turns around to face him, his head tilted to the side as he stares into Taecyeon’s eyes. He sounded serious, like he’s oft to do sometimes, when Junho least expects it. Junho strokes his arms absently, his attention focused on Taecyeon’s face. Maybe his eyes are gleaming, but he feels them curving at the edges, his lips doing the same. “I like you just like that.”
He knows Taecyeon will recognize the words. They have been repeated as a warm echo of the first time Taecyeon told Junho that, in their days of awakening to what they felt for each other, when they were still learning how to act on it.
i. of pets and doubts
“I’m getting some ice cream. Do you want anything? More beer?” Junho is about to get up from the sofa, but Taecyeon hasn’t answered or looked at him. That keeps him in his place, except he pokes at the other’s thigh with his bare foot. “Taec?” He’s not intent on the TV either; the football game they’ve been watching has just ended its first half and now the narrators are showing the highlights so far.
Taecyeon scratches at the back of his head, still not looking at Junho. That’s weird. “I’ve been thinking...”
“Really? You can do that?” As soon as the words are out, Junho bolts from the sofa and sinks down on the armchair, his butt safely hidden from Taecyeon’s slapping hand. He’s not laughing out loud but his lips are tugging up, eyes sparkling mischievously. At least he’s tested and made sure that Taecyeon is alright; his reaction wouldn’t have been this fast otherwise.
“It seems you’re not thinking,” Taecyeon says as he crowds in, leaning into Junho’s personal space as his hands support him on each armrest. Junho considers sliding down between the other’s legs as an escape route but it’s Taecyeon’s knee that pushes between his own legs, holding him in place. He could try and escape from over the back of the armchair but he’s distracted by Taecyeon’s overall closeness, that knee moving dangerously close to an area that might make Junho lose the game. Because yes, they’ve just started one for themselves; they’ve got enough time before football comes back on.
“What...” He coughs, hating the way his voice just betrayed him. Taecyeon’s growing smile is too charming and his dimples are too distracting and Junho should be making him pay for always teasing him but whenever he tries to get back at Taecyeon, they end up in situations similar to this one. He should hate that too, but... “What were you gonna say?” He asks, hoping his frown will make the other back off.
“We should get a cat.”
Junho blinks slowly, but then he frowns even more as he tries to make sense of what Taecyeon just said. A cat? Taecyeon, suggesting they adopt a cat? What kind of joke is that?
“A really annoying cat, so that I won’t miss you so much when you’re not around.”
Junho tries not to, but he shoves at Taecyeon’s chest and punches at his shoulder when he laughs, because that seems to be what the taller one wants-- to make him give in to his annoyance easily and hit him.
“Ok, ok, a nice cat, a nice--” he takes hold of Junho’s wrists and pushes him back down onto the armchair, their faces closer than before when Taecyeon finishes the sentence, “cat.”
“You don’t like cats.” Junho still remembers the first time they talked about his job, and how Taecyeon had reacted. He said he didn’t like being around animals in general, but his dislike for cats was bigger.
“You don’t believe I might have changed my mind?”
Junho ponders the question. Sometimes, Taecyeon can be as stubborn as he is, though it’s often for different reasons. Neither of them like to be contradicted. But Junho’s temper is quick to rise if he senses that he’s being tested, while Taecyeon dismisses it with a joke in an attempt to save his face. This is not a matter of being wrong, though. Taecyeon doesn’t usually change his mind when it comes to how he feels about something. And if he does, it takes him a long time to admit it. "Why would you?" Junho finally asks, when his thinking alone doesn’t show him the answer.
"Hmmm..." Taecyeon is looking at him while he thinks, his eyes heavy with things that Junho has seen there before. But he's never sure of what that gaze means-- if it means anything. Taecyeon's voice distracts him before he can look deep into it. "You're always on about how cats are nice companions. And I think... They might be scary sometimes, but if you leave them alone or if they get their way then it's okay. They're independent but they still like to play sometimes. They're usually quiet and clean, and I can admit that some of them are cute.”
"Some of them like to sleep a lot," Junho adds, unaware of the smile tugging at his lips as Taecyeon smiles down at him.
"But you'd like an active one, right? What good makes a sleepy cat when I'm not here to bother you?"
"I thought you wanted one to keep you company."
"Works both ways." Taecyeon says that with a shrug and a disarming grin as he lets go of Junho to sit back on the bigger couch. The football game will start again soon. Theirs seems to be finished-- for now.
Maybe Junho should feel relieved that the other isn't crowding on him anymore, but he doesn't. He gets up to go and get the ice cream. He spends a few seconds longer than necessary with the fridge door open, cooling his body and his thoughts. He gets another bottle of beer for Taecyeon anyway, and the other opens it without a word once Junho sits down next to him again. His feet are tucked under his body in Taecyeon’s direction, and for a few minutes he’s distracted by the match and the roasted berry vanilla ice cream that Taecyeon had prepared for them-- for him, he could say, considering Taecyeon hardly ever eats it.
Their silence is companionable, but something hits Junho then. It chills down his spine in a way that’s not exactly unpleasant, but it has nothing to do with the ice cream. Taecyeon said they should get a cat so he wouldn’t miss Junho. And he said we. As in, both of them. Did he mean that? What did he mean by that? As futile as it might be, just wondering about it makes Junho smile despite himself.
He shoots a sideways glance at Taecyeon, who looks back at him and makes a funny face that has him laughing till his eyes turn into crescents. When Taecyeon pokes at his feet with the ice cold bottle of beer and Junho nearly kicks him out of pure reflex-- well, maybe not just reflex--, Junho feels like it’s alright. He doesn’t even try to get back at Taecyeon this time, especially because their team just scored and he finds himself jumping up and down with the other, laughing again, cats and private games temporarily forgotten.
ii. the missing ingredient
The silence that welcomes Junho home almost makes him wish he were still at work.
The thought brings a choked sob that doesn’t make it past his lips because he’s already cried enough for the day and he kept telling himself he should get a grip. He hopes it worked, even though he’s alone now, so now it would be okay to cry. Not when he should have offered one of his students some comfort. The most he could do was give an awkward hug while the kid mourned his pet, and Junho shared his grief. It should have been enough, but enough for Junho was never that. He should have arrived earlier. He should have hired another vet so that the clinic would have a 24/7 emergency service. He should--
His phone buzzes in his pocket and he checks it out of habit. He doesn’t feel like talking right now, except the one texting him is the very person whose absence makes the apartment feel so empty. Taecyeon would have been sleeping if he were home-- Junho had been called past 9pm, gotten to the clinic nearly half an hour later, and left past midnight because he couldn’t let it go. But Taecyeon is on the other side of the world right now, on a business trip that feels more like a vacation in disguise, as the giant goofball himself likes to put it.
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
just had some baked rigatoni w italian sausage. you’d love it
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
made me think of u cuz it sounds like those reggaeton songs you dance to in the kitchen when you think i’m not looking
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
i miss your wiggly butt
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:55am]
kidding pls don’t yell at me
Junho’s chuckling despite himself, and he’s also calling Taecyeon despite-- well. He sniffs, rolls his eyes at the ceiling and walks around the apartment while waiting for the other to pick up. It takes a surprisingly long time for Taecyeon to answer. Junho’s frowning by the time he gets to the kitchen, both because it’s the eighth ring and because he forgot to take the trash out again and Taecyeon will make fun of him if he finds out about that.
“Please, no yelling, please! Have mercy, oh Dear Almighty--”
“Shut up,” Junho says, but there’s a fondness in his voice he knows the other will catch up on. Anything that will give Taecyeon ammunition against him. “How’s the trip going?”
He hears Taecyeon breathing on the other side, and for a time that’s all between them. Junho’s holding his own because Taecyeon knows him too well. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he says, but his voice is charged. The chuckle he lets out to cover that up doesn’t help much. “Rough day at work.” He takes a deep breath. He doesn’t want to say it, but it spills out of him. “I was called back-- a kitten-- I couldn’t save her--”
Taecyeon says something that Junho doesn’t catch because he’s busy telling himself he shouldn’t be doing this, he shouldn’t be ruining Taecyeon’s trip. But he hears Taecyeon calling out his name and he forces himself to press the phone to his ear again. There’s another deep breath and it takes some time, but he eventually hears not only Taecyeon’s voice, but his words too. They’re not as important as what’s behind them, though. Taecyeon sounds worried while trying to be reassuring and he struggles with what to say to comfort him. Junho barely realizes the way his lips tug up once, then twice as Taecyeon goes on.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, interrupting him mid sentence.
“But I didn’t--”
“Just-- just tell me about your trip.” Junho sighs, and forces some cheerfulness into his voice. “How many new recipes have you tried so far?”
He hears the other smile, and that makes him almost do the same. It’s enough for now, and for now enough is okay. As Taecyeon tells him of unique Italian ingredients and recipes, different restaurants and friendly chefs whose communication included a lot of gestures even though they were already loud enough, Junho wanders around the apartment. He’s organizing the trash and repeatedly washing his hands while holding the phone between his right ear and shoulder. He’s gone from the kitchen to the bathroom and his own room. He doesn’t trust himself to remember this gruesome task later, but he stops at Taecyeon’s bedroom door and wonders if it’s okay for him to check whether the trash there’s empty too.
“What’s all that noise? Are you cooking?”
“Um...” Junho chuckles. “Yeah?”
“And I’m your favorite cat. Lee Junho, what are you up to?”
“Why did you ask if I was cooking if you wouldn’t believe it?”
“Because it sounded like you were opening many packages and using a lot of water. Like those offensive noodle things you prepare in three minutes when I’m not home.”
“That’s your fault for spoiling me too much. I was trying to learn some things but you kept saying you’d just do it yourself. In other words, you think I suck.”
“You might be right about that, just not the context.”
Junho’s as quick to decide not to ask as Taecyeon is to keep talking.
“What did you have for dinner?”
Junho has to pause and think about that.
He was about to prepare something to eat when he got the call. His evenings usually included a quick snack once he got home, followed by a long shower and some lounging in front of the TV or the computer. If he had his volunteer class to teach the next day, he would go over his plannings, maybe make a last minute call to an animal shelter to book a visit or ask one of the school teachers to bring their pet. He’d be going to bed by the time Taecyeon came home, or he’d wait for him so they could share a late meal in case the chef hadn’t already eaten at the restaurant.
“I didn’t,” he says. His stomach doesn’t rumble.
Taecyeon doesn’t ask him why, nor does he press him to eat something. Junho is grateful for that. Despite all their banter and talk about food, Taecyeon won’t fuss over him. Not unless it’s called for, anyway. And Junho has always taken good care of himself.
“Rome is great, y’know,” Taecyeon says that in such a conversational tone, Junho almost breaks because the other’s trying hard to accept his decision not to let that happen. “I think I’ll try to come back here another time. When I’m on a real vacation.” He makes a ceremonial pause. “With my best mate.”
“Shut up,” Junho says again. He doesn’t even try to sound menacing this time. “Your trash...”
“I’m what?”
Junho laughs out loud. “No, I mean--” He leans against Taecyeon’s door, his hand already on the doorknob. “I’m collecting the trash. Can I go in your room?”
“Sure-- wait, you haven’t done that yet? I knew you’d rot without me, but not that fast.”
“Shut,” Junho rolls his eyes as he’s opening the door, “up.”
“‘That all you can do? Where’s all the offensive shit you’d say right to my face, Lee Junho? You’re losing your edge.”
“Just wait till you come back home, Mister Not Ok.”
Taecyeon sniggers on the other side. “Come on, you can do better than that.”
Junho is about to tie the nearly empty plastic bag inside the trashcan next to Taecyeon’s desktop. He swears he was just going to tie it up and toss it next to the other three bags in the hall, but something there catches his eyes. Sometimes he really acts just like the cats Taecyeon complains about, too curious for his own good. “Taec...?”
The chef just hums in response, apparently oblivious to the wondering tone in his voice.
“Why am I on your to-do list?”
Taecyeon splutters, which amuses Junho even more than his newly finding. “I’m sorry,” Taecyeon mumbles, his voice rising a notch at the end. The words could be an apology for the undignified sounds he just made or a request for Junho to repeat the question. Junho goes for the latter, if only to divert himself.
“I found this list... I think it’s things you needed to check before your trip: hotels, food places, tours, clothes, phone, ipad, chargers... and there’s my name, but it’s crossed out just like the rest...?” his voice falters a little at the end, because he doesn’t know what that means.
“What are you doing in my room?”
Junho’s a little confused at the question. Taecyeon had just let him come inside, so why that attitude now? “I’m... not...?” he attempts, but his stifled laugh is still noticeable. Damn it.
“The to-do list is.”
“Your trash, remember?”
“I’m not-- Oh. Damn, but you’re sneaky.”
Junho doesn’t hold back a chuckle this time. He rubs a hand over his face and sighs. Somehow, talking to Taecyeon has helped, if momentarily. At least now he feels like he’ll be able to sleep. His eyes fall to the bed, and he shakes his head at what’s just crossed his mind. Maybe he should be calling himself trash, and not accidentally.
He fixes his gaze on the collage of pictures on the wall instead. A present he gave for Taecyeon’s birthday last year. Chansung had helped take and edit some of the pictures, Junho had selected his favorites and he had also asked Wooyoung about frame designs and coloring that would better match Taecyeon’s style. There are pics of trips Taecyeon took alone, some he did with Fei on the rare occasion the restaurant was not running on the presence of one of its two owners, and pictures of Taecyeon with his friends, Junho included.
“Junho? Are you still in my room? If it smells like cats and dogs when I’m back--” Taecyeon seems to realize his mistake for his voice cuts off abruptly, but Junho doesn’t mind.
“I’m... I was looking for something,” he says, still clutching the piece of paper in his left hand, the phone in the other. He’s looking at one of the pictures in the collage. His eyes are on himself next to Taecyeon, his own face twisted but shining with laughter, eyes like crescents disappearing under his fringe while Taecyeon makes a funny face because his hat had just gone flying in the wind, towards the sea. Junho was to blame for that, and at that moment Taecyeon had been torn between tackling him to the ground and going after his precious hat. Chansung had captured them like that, right when Taecyeon still seemed to lean towards the hat.
“Did you find what you wanted?”
Junho nods even though Taecyeon can’t see him. He doesn’t know exactly what he’s nodding at though, if it’s at Taecyeon’s question or at himself. He remembers that day, how Taecyeon had suddenly forgotten all about the hat while Junho struggled between his weight and the sand, laughing for reasons lost to him. Taecyeon’s fingers were tickling him but that was reason for something else, something that had more to do with the body over his own, immobilizing him in more ways than he liked to admit.
“Taec?” The other’s hum is a prompting one this time, so Junho adds, “When are you coming back?”
“Miss me, huh?”
Junho’s smile might be audible but he doesn’t care that much now. “Your to-do list reminded me we’ve run out of those ice cream mochis you made.”
“Uh huh. I’m sure you can find something better in the supermarket.”
“You know that’s not true,” Junho says, and hates the pout he can hear in his voice. He should have gone for his often annoying but usual indifference.
“Are you okay?” Taecyeon asks again, his voice nearly breaking into a chuckle, but the concern shows.
“Yeah,” Junho sounds more assured this time, his voice steady. “I’m just... tired.”
Taecyeon’s answer is another noise, of the kind that could make Junho’s skin prickle. He should hang up soon. His phone bill will give him a heart attack if they keep blabbering like this. “I’ll be back on the weekend. Could you-- I mean,” Taecyeon laughs. Junho can almost see him, brushing his hair back while looking for words. “You’re free on Sunday, right?”
“If I don’t have another emergency... Yeah. Wanna ride from the airport?”
“No-- well, that would be nice, but-- I actually wanted to take you somewhere.”
“Oh?” Junho wouldn’t be sure if he actually uttered that if it wasn’t for Taecyeon’s audible smile at the other end of the line.
“I’ll arrive there on Saturday and I’ll need to sleep, but I still wanted... if you’re available...”
Junho feels the smile shaping his lips, feels good about it. “You’re not telling me what it is, right?”
“Nope. Here’s hoping curiosity won’t kill the cat before I arrive.”
Junho doesn’t conceal the sigh that Taecyeon will hear, and he doesn’t fight the grin that the other won’t see. “Okay. But I can still pick you up on Saturday. I’m off work at noon.”
“And the award of Best Roomie goes to...”
“Shut up.”
“See you soon.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“Bye, babe.”
iii. disclose
The sounds ruin the surprise, but not really. Junho tries to fight off the grin but he’s both amused at Taecyeon’s idea and anticipating what he will see once the blindfold is off. He would take care of the latter himself but Taecyeon told him not to, and this time Junho didn’t feel like complaining about the “order.” His roommate had sounded both nervous and excited that morning, when he let Junho in on part of the plan over breakfast. They would be away for a few hours, but they could get lunch on the way back home. Taecyeon had gotten up early on a Sunday right after coming back from his trip, so Junho appreciated all that even though he didn’t know what was going on.
Now he does. Kind of. He has a suspicion but he doesn’t want to bring it up because this is also Taecyeon’s moment, he should be the one sounding all smug about it even though Junho feels like punching him when he does that. But once he heard dogs barking-- what was probably dozens of dogs-- he knew he couldn’t hold it against him.
“We’re here,” Taecyeon announces. Junho pictures him opening his arms as wide as his grin, and he wants to see that.
“Can I finally take this off?”
“Wait!” He hears Taecyeon walking closer. Junho wasn’t about to do anything but he smiles at how much Taecyeon seems to be enjoying this. He feels the other’s fingers lightly brushing against his hair as he grasps at the ends of the fold, and Junho’s smile grows.
“Come oooonnnn,” Junho whines. He can only wait so much. The humming that Taecyeon answers him with warrants the elbow that Junho tries to shove at his side. He misses but he feels the other’s skin against his own; Taecyeon’s just used that as the chance to link their arms and hold him in place. Junho is ready to protest when Taecyeon unfolds the cloth around his eyes. He catches the signs of an upcoming grin on Taecyeon’s face before his attention is drawn to the sight before him.
A wired fence stands between him and the dogs running and playing on a green field. Some of them are basking in the sunlight while others play with toys, and others still are barking at the strangers who just arrived at the shelter. Junho feels like his face will split in the middle; when it comes to his love for animals, he’s just like one of his own students.
He looks at Taecyeon, and only then he’s reminded of how close they’re standing. He doesn’t dwell on that much though because there are more pressing matters at hand, such as the glint of delight in Taecyeon’s eyes as he takes in Junho’s face.
“I know I said we should get a cat,” Taecyeon’s super serious tone breaks into a brief laugh, yet his eyes remain keen on Junho. “But I remember you talking about dogs, too-- that your kids, as you call them, are always asking about why you don’t have a pet at home, because then you could bring one to class, but most of your kids prefer dogs, and cats wouldn’t like to have that many people ar--”
“You don’t have to give me all those reasons,” Junho says through a laugh of his own, a light but powerful feeling spreading through him. “I know you probably prefer dogs, too. But why do you say we’re getting a dog?”
“Are we getting a dog?” At Junho’s huff, Taecyeon raises his free hand as a quick peace offer. Not that he’ll work to keep it quiet. “Right now, we do look like a couple, don’t you think?”
Junho could wrench himself free and shove him away for that remark, but he decides to play along instead. “In your dreams,” he mumbles, looking back at the dogs. He can’t quite fight the way his ears burn in betrayal but Taecyeon’s speechless for one or two seconds, so that’s worth it.
iv. of words and meanings
Junho’s nearly asleep on the living room couch when the front door opens to let in the two other inhabitants of the apartment. Powder finds him first, her paws light on his chest as she licks his face before jumping back down on the floor to find her water bowl. He barely has time to try and move before Taecyeon comes to sit on his calves. Junho opens an eye to look at him and that’s enough to make Taecyeon get up, though he’s still smiling when Junho sits to make room for them both.
“That was a long walk,” Junho says as their dog comes back and jumps on the couch, moving in circles until she settles down into a white ball of fur. She’s closer to Taecyeon, and that doesn’t surprise Junho-- the initial pang of jealousy he felt on the first few days melted quickly. Powder has been showing him a side of Taecyeon he didn’t know, and he can’t complain about that.
Taecyeon talks to her in a cute voice Junho hadn’t heard him use before. He cleaned after her when she was still getting used to the new territory, and bought everything they’d need to keep her comfortable and entertained while they were out, though Junho was taking her with him to the pet shop whenever possible. They chose Powder because she is a small, quiet Spitz that got along with the other dogs at the shelter, whose workers assured them she liked kids as well. Junho knows that is true for most dogs of her type, but he will still test that theory once he takes her to meet his students. He’s giving her time to adapt first, and for himself to know her better. And to appreciate the little things Taecyeon’s been doing.
“I wanted to make her tired, and it worked,” Taecyeon says, scratching at the back of her pointy ears. Powder’s already breathing deeply, her dark eyes half closed. They’ve been taking turns with her walks according to their schedules. The only thing Taecyeon hasn’t done yet is wake up earlier during week days, but Junho doesn’t mind. There was one night Taecyeon got home later than usual from the restaurant and he still took her for a short stroll around the building’s garage since it was too late to go out.
“I’m tired, too...” Junho rubs at his face and closes his eyes. He should have gone to bed before Taecyeon arrived home that night, but he had been recording short videos of Powder and sending them to Minjun. Their friend has already taken to calling the dog Magic Powder after Junho joked Taecyeon had become a different person because of her.
“Go to sleep, babe.”
Junho looks at Taecyeon, strangely alert after hearing that, but the other’s smiling down at Powder. He frowns; he wants to say something but he needs to organize his thoughts first. He’s too tired for this.
Taecyeon takes Powder to her bed; Junho can hear his voice but not the words he’s cooing at her. He shakes his head and decides to leave it for tomorrow, or another day, because he’s not sure he even wants to start this conversation. Taecyeon is coming back to the couch just as Junho gets up to go for his room.
“Night, babe.”
Junho stops on the way to his bedroom. He knows Taecyeon is talking to him now, his voice has changed-- it comes to linger on Junho’s skin like a forbidden caress. Taecyeon’s voice is extra deep when he says that one word, the word that Junho has never taken seriously because-- why would he? This is just another of Taecyeon’s ways to taunt him, even though it’s become so old it’s more like a natural way for him to call Junho now. Too natural, and that’s where the problem lies-- when Junho’s sleepiness vanishes-- because it shouldn’t be like that. Yet it also feels like it shouldn’t be any different.
Junho’s shaking his head again, both at Taecyeon’s easily messing with his head and at his reaction to it. But his feet are already taking him back to the living room, and Taecyeon doesn’t seem surprised by his return, his heavy footsteps and the way he jumps on the sofa, right next to the taller one. Taecyeon’s trying to look innocent, as if that would cover up what he just said, but the glint in his eyes is hard to conceal and the shadow of his grin is still there. It’s infuriating that his smile pulls at Junho even when it’s not visible. What really gets at him, however, is that Taecyeon looks handsome when he’s like this, up close, his eyes looking at Junho and giving away the expectation for what the latter might do.
“You’ll keep calling me that no matter what I do, right?” He’s aware he’s leaning into Taecyeon’s personal space. The foot or so that is usually between them whenever they share the couch is behind Junho, who doesn’t see that because he’s looking into Taecyeon’s eyes. He’s also waiting, but he doesn’t know exactly what for. An answer? Does he even know what that could be?
Taecyeon’s ghost of a grin falters. Junho’s not sure if he sounded accusing-- his words make it seem like he wants Taecyeon to stop calling him that. Maybe he’s just checking that his words are true-- he can do anything and Taecyeon won’t let it-- him-- go. Maybe Taecyeon doesn’t know how to respond to something that not even Junho can express well, as tired and slightly disoriented as he feels right now.
“Babe,” Taecyeon says, as if testing the word, as if he hasn’t said it a dozen times and then some. The syllable pours out of his lips as if it could melt Junho, and it’s so-- so weird, to think about it like that, to feel it like that. Again his skin reacts in ways he can’t control and he shudders, because for all he’s heard before this time it still feels different. How? How come?
The distance between the armrest at the other side of the sofa and the two of them increases as the distance between them diminishes. Junho’s aware of that. He’s aware of what he’s doing, but at the same time-- he’s not sure he’ll have the guts to carry this out. Taecyeon seems too calm. He should be fleeing. Surely he won’t let Junho make a fool of himself, right? Not like this? Not this far-- this close--
He hears his own breathing as he grips at the cushioned sofa, near Taecyeon’s right shoulder. Taecyeon is not leaning back, he’s not moving out of the way, but he’s not-- he’s not moving, either. He’s just looking at Junho, that one word echoing between them, pulling at them like some gravitational force. Junho nearly laughs because he might soon fall over Taecyeon if he doesn’t watch it and the flicker of amusement shows on his face-- Taecyeon grins awkwardly at him-- Junho’s losing track of his thoughts, the words are jabbed and jumbled. Some of them escape him--
“I’m going to kiss you,” he hears himself say, exactly like the thought he’s been dreading, the action he hasn’t taken because he just ruined it.
Taecyeon’s grin widens impossibly, his dimples as inviting as the light in his eyes. He might be making fun of Junho. But then again, he might not. He doesn’t laugh, he just nods. He nods like he knows it. He keeps his ground even when Junho’s breath of a chuckle-- a nervous one-- hits his face. And he keeps looking-- at Junho’s parted lips, at his reluctant yet slowly turning hopeful gaze-- until he’s not looking anymore.
Junho doesn’t close his eyes at first. His lips press against Taecyeon’s, his eyelids droop and almost close but he’s still looking a second later, when Taecyeon still hasn’t given any signs that he wants to run away or that he’s just testing to see how far he’ll go.
Junho’s so stupid.
He quenches the will to laugh at himself by closing what little distance there still is between him and Taecyeon. It’s a real kiss now, and he nearly chuckles because he shouldn’t be thinking, he should just-- Taecyeon is moving, and it’s closer; he finds there are still so many distances to be crossed and oh. Taecyeon’s tongue is hot on his upper lip, his hands are firm on Junho’s arms and around his back as he presses their bodies together.
“Babe,” Taecyeon pours the word into his mouth, and it feels good. It pleases Junho, it makes him sigh and loosen up. It’s different from the other times Taecyeon’s called him that, but it also feels familiar-- it lingers at the corner of his mouth just the right way, it uncoils and spreads within him, several knots of restraint slowly coming undone. Taecyeon’s voice is loaded, heavy, deeper-- there’s a new meaning to that now. And Junho thinks he finally knows what it means.
His body is discovering it. He tastes it through Taecyeon’s mouth, traces its echoes around his tongue. He savors it slowly, cherishes every second of it. Holds on to it with his hands, and finds he won’t let go of it either. He doesn’t want Taecyeon to stop calling him that.
“Night, Yeonie,” Junho whispers against Taecyeon’s lips. He lets his smile show just before he gets up to go to his room, this time without turning back. It will be good for Taecyeon to be the one wondering about his actions, for once.
v. test it; taste it
The scratching at the bathroom door stops before there’s a series of knocks to replace it. Junho doesn’t turn off the hairdryer and opens it while hot air blows at his curly brown hair. He didn’t feel like straightening it out today.
He doesn’t know what he was expecting but it was certainly not a pouty, sleepy Taecyeon cradling Powder up in his arms, her head against his cheek as they both faced Junho. The dog’s not really looking at him, but Taecyeon is.
“Why won’t you open the door?” Taecyeon asks in a childish, high-pitched voice that is supposed to sound like Powder. Junho snorts.
“Because she hates the noise of the hairdryer,” Junho says, turning it off and hanging it back in place, next to the mirror. Powder barks once, wagging her tail happily, so Junho takes her from Taecyeon and holds her close to his own face. “Last time I let you inside you peed all over the new rug.” He can’t help softening his voice when he speaks to her like this, and he doesn’t really care. Not when Taecyeon smiles at him, leaning against the door frame to watch them. Junho also can’t help the way his lips tug up once he looks at him. “I’m taking her with me today.”
“I’m sure your students will love her.” He’s smiling, but adds as an afterthought, “Please don’t let any of them steal her from us.”
Junho laughs out loud. “Go back to bed, Yeonie,” he says, and it comes out so naturally-- he bites at his lower lip as he puts Powder down on the floor, scratching at her back before letting her go. She pads off to find one of her toys and Junho sees her walking to the living room with a rawhide bone in her mouth. It’s almost too big for her but it keeps her busy.
“Hey, Goldilocks,” Junho rolls his eyes at the new nickname but looks up at Taecyeon. The other’s reaching a hand out to him, looking a little more awake now. Junho’s eyes go from his hand to his face a couple of times before he accepts it and lets the other help him up, even though he doesn’t really need it. Once he’s standing though, Taecyeon doesn’t let him go. Junho finds himself staring at a pair of keen eyes, their owner searching through his gaze. “Are you keeping the curls?”
Junho blinks in confusion, but when Taecyeon lets go of his hand to try and touch his hair, he swats at it out of habit. It always takes him a long time to fix his hair and he’s still not done; he’s not about to let Taecyeon ruin his work. “Yes. That’s why you should keep to yourself. It’s damn hard to tame these guys.”
He’s explaining more than he should but Taecyeon just smirks at him. “I could say the same about you.”
Junho narrows his eyes at him. “I’m not to be tamed.”
Taecyeon takes a step closer, and that’s all he needs to be inches away from Junho’s face. “Good. Cause I like you just like that.”
Junho opens his mouth to retort, but Taecyeon is determined to show just how much he likes him. And Junho can’t argue against the soft touch around his jawline, the fingers that fit around his throat as Taecyeon kisses him. There’s nothing to complain about the arm pulling him closer or the hand that spreads at the dip of his back. Junho doesn’t try nor does he want to resist it when Taecyeon presses him against the sink. He encourages him; he licks at Taecyeon’s mouth and enjoys the sound that vibrates against his lips as he parts them to welcome him. The only thing he doesn’t like is when Taecyeon thinks that gives him the right to mess up his hair.
“Don’t,” Junho warns the other, a soft chuckle escaping him even though he’s serious about this.
Taecyeon’s smiling through the kiss and he takes hold of Junho’s hands too easily so that he won’t be able to hit him again. “Okay, I’ll stop,” he says, and he probably means the attempts to ruffle Junho’s hair, for he doesn’t step away, doesn’t let Junho breathe and think properly before he gives him a peck on the lips. “I know you gotta go to work. I’ll have my chance later.”
vi. lower the heat
“Do you have to keep the wine glasses all the way up there?” Junho looks at the chair he could use, but he won’t do it. Not when Taecyeon’s looking at him with that Cheshire Cat grin that shouldn’t look so good on his face.
“Huh... I guess I never realized how high that shelf is?” His shrug and repentant yet still mocking voice have Junho flaring his nostrils. Implied height jokes shouldn’t work on him, he’s not even that short. It’s just that he decided to have an annoying giant as a roommate/boyfriend. It’s still not clear where they stand, but Junho knows that he can smack Taecyeon in retaliation and the other won’t be too angry at him. Junho’s usually the one who’s bristling because of Taecyeon anyway.
“Okay, so you get those. Please leave them on the counter while I set the table.” Junho goes to the drawer where they keep the fancy towels that Fei gave them as a present from her latest trip. She hadn’t gone abroad because of the restaurant this time, but to celebrate her engagement along with her boyfriend-turned-fiancé.
“Junho, babe,” Taecyeon is chuckling as he approaches him, so Junho breathes in deeply and waits. “I really don’t do that on purpose. You barely drink, and I don’t think we’ve used those before. They’re for special occasions.”
Junho exhales slowly, so he doesn’t flinch when Taecyeon puts an arm around his middle. “I know.” He’s a little embarrassed, but he can’t help the strain that’s settled over his shoulders. It’s the first time their friends are coming over since-- since this thing started, whatever it is, and Junho’s not sure how to act. What to do. What to say. He doesn’t even know why he’s thinking about this.
“I should tell you something, though.”
Junho looks sideways at Taecyeon. He knows that tone of voice. Taecyeon is about to say something that’s supposedly harmless but leads to some kind of trap. That incriminating smirk is there to warn him. But Junho’s still stupid sometimes and he ends up asking, knowing he’ll regret it, “What?”
“Can you get that silver tray for me?” Taecyeon nods at the pile of trays that’s on the shelf right under the glasses. Junho can reach it, but he’ll have to stand on his toes for that. He raises one eyebrow at Taecyeon, whose blank look won’t fool him. “Please, babe?”
Junho still does it, though. He’s just like a curious cat who has to discover exactly what the other’s intentions are even if he knows it can’t be anything good. He walks back to the open cupboard, and he’s just reached an arm up when Taecyeon presses their bodies together. Junho’s still trying to understand just what this is about when he feels Taecyeon’s hands on his hips, warm breath at the side of his neck.
“When you do that... your shirt rolls up...” Taecyeon’s fingers sneak under the fabric of the sordid, betraying shirt that put Junho in this situation. “It’s a nice view.”
Junho’s biting back a laugh that would be of bewilderment and denial. The nerve. “Asshole,” he nearly spits the word out.
Taecyeon’s the one who laughs softly, close to his ear. “My point exactly.”
Junho grabs and shoves at the hands on his hips, teeth bared when he turns his head to look at him. “We don’t have time for this.”
“We actually do. It’s just past six and they won’t arrive for the next two hours--”
Junho grabs at his chin and gives him a quick, closed-mouth kiss to shut him up. “You have to cook and I’ll take a shower-- don’t even think about it--”
“But you don’t know--”
“I do.”
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes, I do.”
Taecyeon’s smiling like he’s about to win the big prize. “So, tell me.”
Junho hates how quickly his skin warms up at that. He swallows. But he lifts his chin up, licks at his lips, and the way Taecyeon’s eyes follow the move gives him confidence. “I’ll do better than that.” He pauses, letting his words sink. “I’ll show you...” Junho leans in, his gaze steady, appreciative of what he sees in Taecyeon’s eyes, written on his face. “I’ll show you if you keep your hands off me for the rest of the night. After that... Maybe I’ll let you get close again.”
“Is that a promise?” Taecyeon looks like he really wants to close the distance between them. They’re still close from when Taecyeon came behind him before, and after turning around Junho has moved his face so that Taecyeon wouldn’t have to use his hands to touch him. He could just move in to kiss him. But he seems to have accepted Junho’s demand, no matter how much he would like to refuse it. Taecyeon knows Junho can make up for the wait.
“I said, maybe...” Junho teases, pushing gently at Taecyeon’s chest so that he’ll be able to walk past him. “I’ll keep my word if you keep yours.”
Taecyeon smiles at him, watches as Junho walks slowly backwards so that they’re still staring at each other. “Sounds like a promise to me.”
Junho doesn’t deny it. The promise is for both of them.
[Bonus Scene]vii. warm up
Junho tries to pull the covers around him, but he doesn’t find any. He feels around the bed but all his hands meet are the sheets under his body and Taecyeon’s flesh to his right.
“Yeonie,” he mumbles, closing his eyes tighter instead of trying to look around and make sense of why it’s so cold in the middle of summer. “Yeonie,” his voice is deeper and the syllables more pronounced this time, enough that he hears a sleepy sigh right next to him.
Taecyeon just rolls around, closer to Junho, his breath tingling at the other’s neck. He hums in acknowledgement to Junho’s calling, but when the latter finally peeks at him, Taecyeon’s got his eyes closed and doesn’t look like he’s about to open them of his own will.
Junho feels a blast of cold air coming from above them, from the opposite side of the bedroom wall, and then he realizes why he’s so cold. “Taecyeonie,” he shakes the other’s shoulder, but Taecyeon just ignores him, as if Junho couldn’t notice the hints of a smile on his face even when he tried to bury it on the mattress. “We forgot to set a time for the air conditioner to turn off again. I’m freezing.”
“C’mere,” Taecyeon lays an arm around his middle and pulls him closer. Even though Junho’s making a face at him, he lets him nuzzle his neck. And, well, he kind of enjoys the warmth that brings. Being naked while sharing a bed has its advantages.
“Turn it off,” he demands, already expecting Taecyeon’s disgruntled sigh against his skin. Now it’s Junho’s turn to try and hide his smile.
“Why do I always have to do that.” Taecyeon isn’t really asking or even complaining, and by now he should be resigned to it. At least that’s what Junho thinks. Taecyeon eventually gets up to turn the air conditioning off and then pulls the sheet at the foot of the bed over them once he lies back next to Junho. “Babe,” he calls softly. He’s pulling Junho close again, only now they’re chest to back. Junho moves back against him until they’re entwined in ways the heat before they fell asleep wouldn’t let them.
“Thanks for being so whipped,” Junho whispers, but the provocative tone is audible.
Taecyeon’s smile is also hard to miss since he was just leaning into his nape-- to nibble around the spots he’s claimed to adore-- but he pinches at the small of Junho’s back in warning. Junho nearly kicks at his legs but Taecyeon only holds him tighter. Junho’s breathing changes and he feels the same effect on Taecyeon’s breath against the back of his neck. “Whipped,” he grits the word out, his hand going lower. There’s a slap.
Junho mumbles something that he knows the other can’t catch, he’s kept his voice low and one hand on his mouth on purpose. He’s trying not to laugh.
“I’m sorry...?” Taecyeon isn’t apologizing. He wants to hear what he just said.
Junho buries his head on the pillow. He’s hiding a smile now. He coughs and mumbles, both embarrassed and thrilled. “You have to do it harder.”
Taecyeon seems to have stilled behind him. Junho waits, feels the other’s eyes on him, holds his breath.
He gasps, because the second slap stings. It’s not a bad sensation. The sound seems to echo within Junho, the burning of his skin stirring a pleasant kind of heat.
“Junho?” Taecyeon asks, leaning over him, seemingly worried.
“That...” Junho bites at the corner of his mouth. What he’s about to say is a choice that he’s making, a risk that he’s taking. He’s getting hard, and maybe that’s what makes it easier for him to admit that he liked it. He can’t exactly deny it now. “That was good.”
“You mean that-was-a-good-slap-but-please-never-do-it-again, or...?” The words rush out of Taecyeon except for the last one, what’s unsaid hanging in the air.
Junho shakes his head. He’s smiling but he doesn’t want to have to say it. He looks back at Taecyeon and hopes that will be enough. His hips move closer to Taecyeon, almost of their own accord. There’ll be a mark on his right buttock, but he likes the idea a little too much.
Taecyeon bites at his own mouth. His hands slide up Junho’s back, then down again, watching his eyes droop, the way he breathes in before looking at Taecyeon once again. Junho feels the anticipation running through him like the small shivers caused by Taecyeon’s teasing touch.
Taecyeon slaps him again. The sound is accompanied by something out of Junho’s mouth this time, a moan that makes Taecyeon pause to look at him. Junho meets his eyes, and it seems Taecyeon’s making sure he gets every change on his face, and Junho--
“You like that,” Taecyeon whispers, amazed.
Junho laughs breathlessly. “Yeah.”
Group: 2PM
Pairing: Taecyeon/Junho
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 for language and sexual references (R if you read the Bonus Scene, so BEWARE!)
Length: 9,300 words
Summary: One moment with Taecyeon takes Junho down memory lane. (Or: “Why do I even put up with you?” Junho asks, though by now he should know the answer.)
Notes: This is a one-shot that can stand on its own, but it also relates to two other things: one written by Michelle and another written by me. This one is for you, bb girl. ♥ I’d also like to thank blaqcassie for proofreading this. You’re a precious baby crab. ♥
viii. on the dot
Junho’s crouched down in front of the oven, worrying at his lower lip as he stares through the small rectangle of glass. He knows it will take some time for the loaf of bread to grow. He should probably sit down and wait, but last time he did that the food burned. Another time he got distracted by Powder, and there was the first time he tried to make this same recipe, when the bread didn’t grow because he hadn’t made it right before putting it in the oven.
The very last time he baked was a couple of weeks ago, on another Sunday morning like this. He had finally given into Taecyeon’s offer to help. Junho actually likes it when they’re cooking together, but he still thinks he ought to learn to do most things on his own. It’s not just a matter of pride; he doesn’t want Taecyeon to feel like he’s at work again once he’s at home. That’s always been on his mind from the start. The first time he tried to show his gratitude for his roommate with food was a disaster, even if time turned that into a warm memory. They’re more than roommates now and Junho likes to think of that as the first ingredient for the slow-cooking recipe that became their relationship.
He takes a deep breath and glances around the kitchen. The counter is a mess and there’s flour next to his feet, but at least the bread smells good. The house is quiet and that bothers him a little, but he’s smiling as the image of Taecyeon sleeping comes to mind. Powder has taken his place already; she took the chance to enter the bedroom when Junho got up. It’s been a year since they adopted that dog and it still amuses Junho that she took to Taecyeon so much. He decides to put on some music and tells himself not to start dancing to the song that’s on the radio. He might get too excited and his precious bread would be ruined.
He’s singing along to parts of another song when he hears the characteristic sound of Powder’s paws on the floor, reminding him he should cut her nails today. She comes into the kitchen and licks at his hands, so he pats her until she’s sitting down next to him, her mouth open into what looks like a smile. When Junho stops to look at the oven again, she doesn’t bark, but licks at his fingers until he’s laughing quietly.
“Come here,” he picks her up, balancing her on one thigh as he holds her from under the forelegs. “Is your other daddy up? Did he lock you out?”
“You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Junho turns to see Taecyeon at the kitchen’s entrance, wearing just a pair of pajama bottoms. His hair is a fluffy mess that makes Junho long to touch it. He looks like he’s having trouble keeping his eyes open, but he still smiles down at Powder when she goes to him as if she hadn’t been with him until just minutes ago.
“Hey there, you happy little snowball,” he lifts a foot for her to paw at and she tries to bite one of his toes. Junho ignores the urge to tell him not to incite her to do that. It pays when Taecyeon looks at him with a sleepy but fond smile. “Morning, babe. Is that freshly made bread I’m smelling?”
Junho nods at him and turns to the oven. “It’s almost ready.”
Taecyeon hums in appreciation. Junho hears their dog walking around the kitchen and sniffing at things while Taecyeon comes to stand behind him, leaning down to touch his shoulders. Junho tilts his head back to stare at him, his hair falling back on Taecyeon’s legs. “Where’s my morning kiss?”
Junho chuckles. He lets his eyes linger on Taecyeon’s before he answers. “You were sleeping when I gave you one.”
“Not fair,” Taecyeon pushes him down. Junho curses out loud as his bottom hits the floor; he had no time to prevent that.
“Nice way to thank me for making us breakfast,” he deadpans, but he doesn’t try to get up. He might as well just sit there to watch his precious loaf cook, so that’s what he does.
Taecyeon seems diverted by his reaction. He kneels behind him and ruffles at his hair, from the nape to the ear, and Junho sighs before he can conceal it. “Cooking makes you stressed,” he thinks out loud, and Junho can picture the frown on his face without looking back at him.
“I’m not stressed.” Junho isn’t too incisive on that, lest he contradicts his own words. He’s not saying that just to argue with Taecyeon; he’s trying to reassure the other that he’s alright. “I just want to succeed this once.”
Taecyeon smiles behind him, his hands pulling softly on his hair. “You did that last time,” he kisses his neck and nuzzles at it. Junho can’t control his shiver, nor its repeat when Taecyeon’s breath of a chuckle warms up his skin.
“But you were helping me...” Junho trails off. Taecyeon seems determined to distract him, and he can only pretend he’s not enjoying it for so long. He’s already leaning back into him, and it’s hard to keep his eyes open when the touches demand his surrender.
“What’s the problem with that? We’re a couple. I’m glad to help.”
But Taecyeon’s not exactly helping right now, his fingers kneading on Junho’s scalp and making him wonder why he even left the bed that morning. Taecyeon’s mouth leaves a trail down his neck that stops only when he has to pull at the collar of Junho’s shirt to reach more skin. The fact that Taecyeon himself is shirtless should have been enough of a hint for Junho.
“I think it’s time to poke the dough.” Taecyeon smirks against his nape, and Junho hits at the hand on his collarbone for what could only be a terrible joke.
“Why do I even put up with you,” Junho mutters as he gets up to grab a toothpick. Taecyeon’s got on a wide grin as he watches him open the oven to check if the bread is ready. The toothpick comes out with barely any dough on it, which means Taecyeon was right. Junho turns off the oven and finds himself surrounded by Taecyeon’s arms, a tight hug that loosens up quickly but isn’t undone.
“Thank you,” Taecyeon whispers, his face in the cradle where Junho’s neck meets the shoulder.
“You haven’t tasted it yet,” Junho’s voice is flat but his face is already breaking into a smile of contentment.
“I mean, for putting up with me.”
Junho turns around to face him, his head tilted to the side as he stares into Taecyeon’s eyes. He sounded serious, like he’s oft to do sometimes, when Junho least expects it. Junho strokes his arms absently, his attention focused on Taecyeon’s face. Maybe his eyes are gleaming, but he feels them curving at the edges, his lips doing the same. “I like you just like that.”
He knows Taecyeon will recognize the words. They have been repeated as a warm echo of the first time Taecyeon told Junho that, in their days of awakening to what they felt for each other, when they were still learning how to act on it.
i. of pets and doubts
“I’m getting some ice cream. Do you want anything? More beer?” Junho is about to get up from the sofa, but Taecyeon hasn’t answered or looked at him. That keeps him in his place, except he pokes at the other’s thigh with his bare foot. “Taec?” He’s not intent on the TV either; the football game they’ve been watching has just ended its first half and now the narrators are showing the highlights so far.
Taecyeon scratches at the back of his head, still not looking at Junho. That’s weird. “I’ve been thinking...”
“Really? You can do that?” As soon as the words are out, Junho bolts from the sofa and sinks down on the armchair, his butt safely hidden from Taecyeon’s slapping hand. He’s not laughing out loud but his lips are tugging up, eyes sparkling mischievously. At least he’s tested and made sure that Taecyeon is alright; his reaction wouldn’t have been this fast otherwise.
“It seems you’re not thinking,” Taecyeon says as he crowds in, leaning into Junho’s personal space as his hands support him on each armrest. Junho considers sliding down between the other’s legs as an escape route but it’s Taecyeon’s knee that pushes between his own legs, holding him in place. He could try and escape from over the back of the armchair but he’s distracted by Taecyeon’s overall closeness, that knee moving dangerously close to an area that might make Junho lose the game. Because yes, they’ve just started one for themselves; they’ve got enough time before football comes back on.
“What...” He coughs, hating the way his voice just betrayed him. Taecyeon’s growing smile is too charming and his dimples are too distracting and Junho should be making him pay for always teasing him but whenever he tries to get back at Taecyeon, they end up in situations similar to this one. He should hate that too, but... “What were you gonna say?” He asks, hoping his frown will make the other back off.
“We should get a cat.”
Junho blinks slowly, but then he frowns even more as he tries to make sense of what Taecyeon just said. A cat? Taecyeon, suggesting they adopt a cat? What kind of joke is that?
“A really annoying cat, so that I won’t miss you so much when you’re not around.”
Junho tries not to, but he shoves at Taecyeon’s chest and punches at his shoulder when he laughs, because that seems to be what the taller one wants-- to make him give in to his annoyance easily and hit him.
“Ok, ok, a nice cat, a nice--” he takes hold of Junho’s wrists and pushes him back down onto the armchair, their faces closer than before when Taecyeon finishes the sentence, “cat.”
“You don’t like cats.” Junho still remembers the first time they talked about his job, and how Taecyeon had reacted. He said he didn’t like being around animals in general, but his dislike for cats was bigger.
“You don’t believe I might have changed my mind?”
Junho ponders the question. Sometimes, Taecyeon can be as stubborn as he is, though it’s often for different reasons. Neither of them like to be contradicted. But Junho’s temper is quick to rise if he senses that he’s being tested, while Taecyeon dismisses it with a joke in an attempt to save his face. This is not a matter of being wrong, though. Taecyeon doesn’t usually change his mind when it comes to how he feels about something. And if he does, it takes him a long time to admit it. "Why would you?" Junho finally asks, when his thinking alone doesn’t show him the answer.
"Hmmm..." Taecyeon is looking at him while he thinks, his eyes heavy with things that Junho has seen there before. But he's never sure of what that gaze means-- if it means anything. Taecyeon's voice distracts him before he can look deep into it. "You're always on about how cats are nice companions. And I think... They might be scary sometimes, but if you leave them alone or if they get their way then it's okay. They're independent but they still like to play sometimes. They're usually quiet and clean, and I can admit that some of them are cute.”
"Some of them like to sleep a lot," Junho adds, unaware of the smile tugging at his lips as Taecyeon smiles down at him.
"But you'd like an active one, right? What good makes a sleepy cat when I'm not here to bother you?"
"I thought you wanted one to keep you company."
"Works both ways." Taecyeon says that with a shrug and a disarming grin as he lets go of Junho to sit back on the bigger couch. The football game will start again soon. Theirs seems to be finished-- for now.
Maybe Junho should feel relieved that the other isn't crowding on him anymore, but he doesn't. He gets up to go and get the ice cream. He spends a few seconds longer than necessary with the fridge door open, cooling his body and his thoughts. He gets another bottle of beer for Taecyeon anyway, and the other opens it without a word once Junho sits down next to him again. His feet are tucked under his body in Taecyeon’s direction, and for a few minutes he’s distracted by the match and the roasted berry vanilla ice cream that Taecyeon had prepared for them-- for him, he could say, considering Taecyeon hardly ever eats it.
Their silence is companionable, but something hits Junho then. It chills down his spine in a way that’s not exactly unpleasant, but it has nothing to do with the ice cream. Taecyeon said they should get a cat so he wouldn’t miss Junho. And he said we. As in, both of them. Did he mean that? What did he mean by that? As futile as it might be, just wondering about it makes Junho smile despite himself.
He shoots a sideways glance at Taecyeon, who looks back at him and makes a funny face that has him laughing till his eyes turn into crescents. When Taecyeon pokes at his feet with the ice cold bottle of beer and Junho nearly kicks him out of pure reflex-- well, maybe not just reflex--, Junho feels like it’s alright. He doesn’t even try to get back at Taecyeon this time, especially because their team just scored and he finds himself jumping up and down with the other, laughing again, cats and private games temporarily forgotten.
ii. the missing ingredient
The silence that welcomes Junho home almost makes him wish he were still at work.
The thought brings a choked sob that doesn’t make it past his lips because he’s already cried enough for the day and he kept telling himself he should get a grip. He hopes it worked, even though he’s alone now, so now it would be okay to cry. Not when he should have offered one of his students some comfort. The most he could do was give an awkward hug while the kid mourned his pet, and Junho shared his grief. It should have been enough, but enough for Junho was never that. He should have arrived earlier. He should have hired another vet so that the clinic would have a 24/7 emergency service. He should--
His phone buzzes in his pocket and he checks it out of habit. He doesn’t feel like talking right now, except the one texting him is the very person whose absence makes the apartment feel so empty. Taecyeon would have been sleeping if he were home-- Junho had been called past 9pm, gotten to the clinic nearly half an hour later, and left past midnight because he couldn’t let it go. But Taecyeon is on the other side of the world right now, on a business trip that feels more like a vacation in disguise, as the giant goofball himself likes to put it.
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
just had some baked rigatoni w italian sausage. you’d love it
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
made me think of u cuz it sounds like those reggaeton songs you dance to in the kitchen when you think i’m not looking
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:54am]
i miss your wiggly butt
[Cat Hater to Cat Lover @ 0:55am]
kidding pls don’t yell at me
Junho’s chuckling despite himself, and he’s also calling Taecyeon despite-- well. He sniffs, rolls his eyes at the ceiling and walks around the apartment while waiting for the other to pick up. It takes a surprisingly long time for Taecyeon to answer. Junho’s frowning by the time he gets to the kitchen, both because it’s the eighth ring and because he forgot to take the trash out again and Taecyeon will make fun of him if he finds out about that.
“Please, no yelling, please! Have mercy, oh Dear Almighty--”
“Shut up,” Junho says, but there’s a fondness in his voice he knows the other will catch up on. Anything that will give Taecyeon ammunition against him. “How’s the trip going?”
He hears Taecyeon breathing on the other side, and for a time that’s all between them. Junho’s holding his own because Taecyeon knows him too well. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he says, but his voice is charged. The chuckle he lets out to cover that up doesn’t help much. “Rough day at work.” He takes a deep breath. He doesn’t want to say it, but it spills out of him. “I was called back-- a kitten-- I couldn’t save her--”
Taecyeon says something that Junho doesn’t catch because he’s busy telling himself he shouldn’t be doing this, he shouldn’t be ruining Taecyeon’s trip. But he hears Taecyeon calling out his name and he forces himself to press the phone to his ear again. There’s another deep breath and it takes some time, but he eventually hears not only Taecyeon’s voice, but his words too. They’re not as important as what’s behind them, though. Taecyeon sounds worried while trying to be reassuring and he struggles with what to say to comfort him. Junho barely realizes the way his lips tug up once, then twice as Taecyeon goes on.
“Thanks,” he mumbles, interrupting him mid sentence.
“But I didn’t--”
“Just-- just tell me about your trip.” Junho sighs, and forces some cheerfulness into his voice. “How many new recipes have you tried so far?”
He hears the other smile, and that makes him almost do the same. It’s enough for now, and for now enough is okay. As Taecyeon tells him of unique Italian ingredients and recipes, different restaurants and friendly chefs whose communication included a lot of gestures even though they were already loud enough, Junho wanders around the apartment. He’s organizing the trash and repeatedly washing his hands while holding the phone between his right ear and shoulder. He’s gone from the kitchen to the bathroom and his own room. He doesn’t trust himself to remember this gruesome task later, but he stops at Taecyeon’s bedroom door and wonders if it’s okay for him to check whether the trash there’s empty too.
“What’s all that noise? Are you cooking?”
“Um...” Junho chuckles. “Yeah?”
“And I’m your favorite cat. Lee Junho, what are you up to?”
“Why did you ask if I was cooking if you wouldn’t believe it?”
“Because it sounded like you were opening many packages and using a lot of water. Like those offensive noodle things you prepare in three minutes when I’m not home.”
“That’s your fault for spoiling me too much. I was trying to learn some things but you kept saying you’d just do it yourself. In other words, you think I suck.”
“You might be right about that, just not the context.”
Junho’s as quick to decide not to ask as Taecyeon is to keep talking.
“What did you have for dinner?”
Junho has to pause and think about that.
He was about to prepare something to eat when he got the call. His evenings usually included a quick snack once he got home, followed by a long shower and some lounging in front of the TV or the computer. If he had his volunteer class to teach the next day, he would go over his plannings, maybe make a last minute call to an animal shelter to book a visit or ask one of the school teachers to bring their pet. He’d be going to bed by the time Taecyeon came home, or he’d wait for him so they could share a late meal in case the chef hadn’t already eaten at the restaurant.
“I didn’t,” he says. His stomach doesn’t rumble.
Taecyeon doesn’t ask him why, nor does he press him to eat something. Junho is grateful for that. Despite all their banter and talk about food, Taecyeon won’t fuss over him. Not unless it’s called for, anyway. And Junho has always taken good care of himself.
“Rome is great, y’know,” Taecyeon says that in such a conversational tone, Junho almost breaks because the other’s trying hard to accept his decision not to let that happen. “I think I’ll try to come back here another time. When I’m on a real vacation.” He makes a ceremonial pause. “With my best mate.”
“Shut up,” Junho says again. He doesn’t even try to sound menacing this time. “Your trash...”
“I’m what?”
Junho laughs out loud. “No, I mean--” He leans against Taecyeon’s door, his hand already on the doorknob. “I’m collecting the trash. Can I go in your room?”
“Sure-- wait, you haven’t done that yet? I knew you’d rot without me, but not that fast.”
“Shut,” Junho rolls his eyes as he’s opening the door, “up.”
“‘That all you can do? Where’s all the offensive shit you’d say right to my face, Lee Junho? You’re losing your edge.”
“Just wait till you come back home, Mister Not Ok.”
Taecyeon sniggers on the other side. “Come on, you can do better than that.”
Junho is about to tie the nearly empty plastic bag inside the trashcan next to Taecyeon’s desktop. He swears he was just going to tie it up and toss it next to the other three bags in the hall, but something there catches his eyes. Sometimes he really acts just like the cats Taecyeon complains about, too curious for his own good. “Taec...?”
The chef just hums in response, apparently oblivious to the wondering tone in his voice.
“Why am I on your to-do list?”
Taecyeon splutters, which amuses Junho even more than his newly finding. “I’m sorry,” Taecyeon mumbles, his voice rising a notch at the end. The words could be an apology for the undignified sounds he just made or a request for Junho to repeat the question. Junho goes for the latter, if only to divert himself.
“I found this list... I think it’s things you needed to check before your trip: hotels, food places, tours, clothes, phone, ipad, chargers... and there’s my name, but it’s crossed out just like the rest...?” his voice falters a little at the end, because he doesn’t know what that means.
“What are you doing in my room?”
Junho’s a little confused at the question. Taecyeon had just let him come inside, so why that attitude now? “I’m... not...?” he attempts, but his stifled laugh is still noticeable. Damn it.
“The to-do list is.”
“Your trash, remember?”
“I’m not-- Oh. Damn, but you’re sneaky.”
Junho doesn’t hold back a chuckle this time. He rubs a hand over his face and sighs. Somehow, talking to Taecyeon has helped, if momentarily. At least now he feels like he’ll be able to sleep. His eyes fall to the bed, and he shakes his head at what’s just crossed his mind. Maybe he should be calling himself trash, and not accidentally.
He fixes his gaze on the collage of pictures on the wall instead. A present he gave for Taecyeon’s birthday last year. Chansung had helped take and edit some of the pictures, Junho had selected his favorites and he had also asked Wooyoung about frame designs and coloring that would better match Taecyeon’s style. There are pics of trips Taecyeon took alone, some he did with Fei on the rare occasion the restaurant was not running on the presence of one of its two owners, and pictures of Taecyeon with his friends, Junho included.
“Junho? Are you still in my room? If it smells like cats and dogs when I’m back--” Taecyeon seems to realize his mistake for his voice cuts off abruptly, but Junho doesn’t mind.
“I’m... I was looking for something,” he says, still clutching the piece of paper in his left hand, the phone in the other. He’s looking at one of the pictures in the collage. His eyes are on himself next to Taecyeon, his own face twisted but shining with laughter, eyes like crescents disappearing under his fringe while Taecyeon makes a funny face because his hat had just gone flying in the wind, towards the sea. Junho was to blame for that, and at that moment Taecyeon had been torn between tackling him to the ground and going after his precious hat. Chansung had captured them like that, right when Taecyeon still seemed to lean towards the hat.
“Did you find what you wanted?”
Junho nods even though Taecyeon can’t see him. He doesn’t know exactly what he’s nodding at though, if it’s at Taecyeon’s question or at himself. He remembers that day, how Taecyeon had suddenly forgotten all about the hat while Junho struggled between his weight and the sand, laughing for reasons lost to him. Taecyeon’s fingers were tickling him but that was reason for something else, something that had more to do with the body over his own, immobilizing him in more ways than he liked to admit.
“Taec?” The other’s hum is a prompting one this time, so Junho adds, “When are you coming back?”
“Miss me, huh?”
Junho’s smile might be audible but he doesn’t care that much now. “Your to-do list reminded me we’ve run out of those ice cream mochis you made.”
“Uh huh. I’m sure you can find something better in the supermarket.”
“You know that’s not true,” Junho says, and hates the pout he can hear in his voice. He should have gone for his often annoying but usual indifference.
“Are you okay?” Taecyeon asks again, his voice nearly breaking into a chuckle, but the concern shows.
“Yeah,” Junho sounds more assured this time, his voice steady. “I’m just... tired.”
Taecyeon’s answer is another noise, of the kind that could make Junho’s skin prickle. He should hang up soon. His phone bill will give him a heart attack if they keep blabbering like this. “I’ll be back on the weekend. Could you-- I mean,” Taecyeon laughs. Junho can almost see him, brushing his hair back while looking for words. “You’re free on Sunday, right?”
“If I don’t have another emergency... Yeah. Wanna ride from the airport?”
“No-- well, that would be nice, but-- I actually wanted to take you somewhere.”
“Oh?” Junho wouldn’t be sure if he actually uttered that if it wasn’t for Taecyeon’s audible smile at the other end of the line.
“I’ll arrive there on Saturday and I’ll need to sleep, but I still wanted... if you’re available...”
Junho feels the smile shaping his lips, feels good about it. “You’re not telling me what it is, right?”
“Nope. Here’s hoping curiosity won’t kill the cat before I arrive.”
Junho doesn’t conceal the sigh that Taecyeon will hear, and he doesn’t fight the grin that the other won’t see. “Okay. But I can still pick you up on Saturday. I’m off work at noon.”
“And the award of Best Roomie goes to...”
“Shut up.”
“See you soon.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“Bye, babe.”
iii. disclose
The sounds ruin the surprise, but not really. Junho tries to fight off the grin but he’s both amused at Taecyeon’s idea and anticipating what he will see once the blindfold is off. He would take care of the latter himself but Taecyeon told him not to, and this time Junho didn’t feel like complaining about the “order.” His roommate had sounded both nervous and excited that morning, when he let Junho in on part of the plan over breakfast. They would be away for a few hours, but they could get lunch on the way back home. Taecyeon had gotten up early on a Sunday right after coming back from his trip, so Junho appreciated all that even though he didn’t know what was going on.
Now he does. Kind of. He has a suspicion but he doesn’t want to bring it up because this is also Taecyeon’s moment, he should be the one sounding all smug about it even though Junho feels like punching him when he does that. But once he heard dogs barking-- what was probably dozens of dogs-- he knew he couldn’t hold it against him.
“We’re here,” Taecyeon announces. Junho pictures him opening his arms as wide as his grin, and he wants to see that.
“Can I finally take this off?”
“Wait!” He hears Taecyeon walking closer. Junho wasn’t about to do anything but he smiles at how much Taecyeon seems to be enjoying this. He feels the other’s fingers lightly brushing against his hair as he grasps at the ends of the fold, and Junho’s smile grows.
“Come oooonnnn,” Junho whines. He can only wait so much. The humming that Taecyeon answers him with warrants the elbow that Junho tries to shove at his side. He misses but he feels the other’s skin against his own; Taecyeon’s just used that as the chance to link their arms and hold him in place. Junho is ready to protest when Taecyeon unfolds the cloth around his eyes. He catches the signs of an upcoming grin on Taecyeon’s face before his attention is drawn to the sight before him.
A wired fence stands between him and the dogs running and playing on a green field. Some of them are basking in the sunlight while others play with toys, and others still are barking at the strangers who just arrived at the shelter. Junho feels like his face will split in the middle; when it comes to his love for animals, he’s just like one of his own students.
He looks at Taecyeon, and only then he’s reminded of how close they’re standing. He doesn’t dwell on that much though because there are more pressing matters at hand, such as the glint of delight in Taecyeon’s eyes as he takes in Junho’s face.
“I know I said we should get a cat,” Taecyeon’s super serious tone breaks into a brief laugh, yet his eyes remain keen on Junho. “But I remember you talking about dogs, too-- that your kids, as you call them, are always asking about why you don’t have a pet at home, because then you could bring one to class, but most of your kids prefer dogs, and cats wouldn’t like to have that many people ar--”
“You don’t have to give me all those reasons,” Junho says through a laugh of his own, a light but powerful feeling spreading through him. “I know you probably prefer dogs, too. But why do you say we’re getting a dog?”
“Are we getting a dog?” At Junho’s huff, Taecyeon raises his free hand as a quick peace offer. Not that he’ll work to keep it quiet. “Right now, we do look like a couple, don’t you think?”
Junho could wrench himself free and shove him away for that remark, but he decides to play along instead. “In your dreams,” he mumbles, looking back at the dogs. He can’t quite fight the way his ears burn in betrayal but Taecyeon’s speechless for one or two seconds, so that’s worth it.
iv. of words and meanings
Junho’s nearly asleep on the living room couch when the front door opens to let in the two other inhabitants of the apartment. Powder finds him first, her paws light on his chest as she licks his face before jumping back down on the floor to find her water bowl. He barely has time to try and move before Taecyeon comes to sit on his calves. Junho opens an eye to look at him and that’s enough to make Taecyeon get up, though he’s still smiling when Junho sits to make room for them both.
“That was a long walk,” Junho says as their dog comes back and jumps on the couch, moving in circles until she settles down into a white ball of fur. She’s closer to Taecyeon, and that doesn’t surprise Junho-- the initial pang of jealousy he felt on the first few days melted quickly. Powder has been showing him a side of Taecyeon he didn’t know, and he can’t complain about that.
Taecyeon talks to her in a cute voice Junho hadn’t heard him use before. He cleaned after her when she was still getting used to the new territory, and bought everything they’d need to keep her comfortable and entertained while they were out, though Junho was taking her with him to the pet shop whenever possible. They chose Powder because she is a small, quiet Spitz that got along with the other dogs at the shelter, whose workers assured them she liked kids as well. Junho knows that is true for most dogs of her type, but he will still test that theory once he takes her to meet his students. He’s giving her time to adapt first, and for himself to know her better. And to appreciate the little things Taecyeon’s been doing.
“I wanted to make her tired, and it worked,” Taecyeon says, scratching at the back of her pointy ears. Powder’s already breathing deeply, her dark eyes half closed. They’ve been taking turns with her walks according to their schedules. The only thing Taecyeon hasn’t done yet is wake up earlier during week days, but Junho doesn’t mind. There was one night Taecyeon got home later than usual from the restaurant and he still took her for a short stroll around the building’s garage since it was too late to go out.
“I’m tired, too...” Junho rubs at his face and closes his eyes. He should have gone to bed before Taecyeon arrived home that night, but he had been recording short videos of Powder and sending them to Minjun. Their friend has already taken to calling the dog Magic Powder after Junho joked Taecyeon had become a different person because of her.
“Go to sleep, babe.”
Junho looks at Taecyeon, strangely alert after hearing that, but the other’s smiling down at Powder. He frowns; he wants to say something but he needs to organize his thoughts first. He’s too tired for this.
Taecyeon takes Powder to her bed; Junho can hear his voice but not the words he’s cooing at her. He shakes his head and decides to leave it for tomorrow, or another day, because he’s not sure he even wants to start this conversation. Taecyeon is coming back to the couch just as Junho gets up to go for his room.
“Night, babe.”
Junho stops on the way to his bedroom. He knows Taecyeon is talking to him now, his voice has changed-- it comes to linger on Junho’s skin like a forbidden caress. Taecyeon’s voice is extra deep when he says that one word, the word that Junho has never taken seriously because-- why would he? This is just another of Taecyeon’s ways to taunt him, even though it’s become so old it’s more like a natural way for him to call Junho now. Too natural, and that’s where the problem lies-- when Junho’s sleepiness vanishes-- because it shouldn’t be like that. Yet it also feels like it shouldn’t be any different.
Junho’s shaking his head again, both at Taecyeon’s easily messing with his head and at his reaction to it. But his feet are already taking him back to the living room, and Taecyeon doesn’t seem surprised by his return, his heavy footsteps and the way he jumps on the sofa, right next to the taller one. Taecyeon’s trying to look innocent, as if that would cover up what he just said, but the glint in his eyes is hard to conceal and the shadow of his grin is still there. It’s infuriating that his smile pulls at Junho even when it’s not visible. What really gets at him, however, is that Taecyeon looks handsome when he’s like this, up close, his eyes looking at Junho and giving away the expectation for what the latter might do.
“You’ll keep calling me that no matter what I do, right?” He’s aware he’s leaning into Taecyeon’s personal space. The foot or so that is usually between them whenever they share the couch is behind Junho, who doesn’t see that because he’s looking into Taecyeon’s eyes. He’s also waiting, but he doesn’t know exactly what for. An answer? Does he even know what that could be?
Taecyeon’s ghost of a grin falters. Junho’s not sure if he sounded accusing-- his words make it seem like he wants Taecyeon to stop calling him that. Maybe he’s just checking that his words are true-- he can do anything and Taecyeon won’t let it-- him-- go. Maybe Taecyeon doesn’t know how to respond to something that not even Junho can express well, as tired and slightly disoriented as he feels right now.
“Babe,” Taecyeon says, as if testing the word, as if he hasn’t said it a dozen times and then some. The syllable pours out of his lips as if it could melt Junho, and it’s so-- so weird, to think about it like that, to feel it like that. Again his skin reacts in ways he can’t control and he shudders, because for all he’s heard before this time it still feels different. How? How come?
The distance between the armrest at the other side of the sofa and the two of them increases as the distance between them diminishes. Junho’s aware of that. He’s aware of what he’s doing, but at the same time-- he’s not sure he’ll have the guts to carry this out. Taecyeon seems too calm. He should be fleeing. Surely he won’t let Junho make a fool of himself, right? Not like this? Not this far-- this close--
He hears his own breathing as he grips at the cushioned sofa, near Taecyeon’s right shoulder. Taecyeon is not leaning back, he’s not moving out of the way, but he’s not-- he’s not moving, either. He’s just looking at Junho, that one word echoing between them, pulling at them like some gravitational force. Junho nearly laughs because he might soon fall over Taecyeon if he doesn’t watch it and the flicker of amusement shows on his face-- Taecyeon grins awkwardly at him-- Junho’s losing track of his thoughts, the words are jabbed and jumbled. Some of them escape him--
“I’m going to kiss you,” he hears himself say, exactly like the thought he’s been dreading, the action he hasn’t taken because he just ruined it.
Taecyeon’s grin widens impossibly, his dimples as inviting as the light in his eyes. He might be making fun of Junho. But then again, he might not. He doesn’t laugh, he just nods. He nods like he knows it. He keeps his ground even when Junho’s breath of a chuckle-- a nervous one-- hits his face. And he keeps looking-- at Junho’s parted lips, at his reluctant yet slowly turning hopeful gaze-- until he’s not looking anymore.
Junho doesn’t close his eyes at first. His lips press against Taecyeon’s, his eyelids droop and almost close but he’s still looking a second later, when Taecyeon still hasn’t given any signs that he wants to run away or that he’s just testing to see how far he’ll go.
Junho’s so stupid.
He quenches the will to laugh at himself by closing what little distance there still is between him and Taecyeon. It’s a real kiss now, and he nearly chuckles because he shouldn’t be thinking, he should just-- Taecyeon is moving, and it’s closer; he finds there are still so many distances to be crossed and oh. Taecyeon’s tongue is hot on his upper lip, his hands are firm on Junho’s arms and around his back as he presses their bodies together.
“Babe,” Taecyeon pours the word into his mouth, and it feels good. It pleases Junho, it makes him sigh and loosen up. It’s different from the other times Taecyeon’s called him that, but it also feels familiar-- it lingers at the corner of his mouth just the right way, it uncoils and spreads within him, several knots of restraint slowly coming undone. Taecyeon’s voice is loaded, heavy, deeper-- there’s a new meaning to that now. And Junho thinks he finally knows what it means.
His body is discovering it. He tastes it through Taecyeon’s mouth, traces its echoes around his tongue. He savors it slowly, cherishes every second of it. Holds on to it with his hands, and finds he won’t let go of it either. He doesn’t want Taecyeon to stop calling him that.
“Night, Yeonie,” Junho whispers against Taecyeon’s lips. He lets his smile show just before he gets up to go to his room, this time without turning back. It will be good for Taecyeon to be the one wondering about his actions, for once.
v. test it; taste it
The scratching at the bathroom door stops before there’s a series of knocks to replace it. Junho doesn’t turn off the hairdryer and opens it while hot air blows at his curly brown hair. He didn’t feel like straightening it out today.
He doesn’t know what he was expecting but it was certainly not a pouty, sleepy Taecyeon cradling Powder up in his arms, her head against his cheek as they both faced Junho. The dog’s not really looking at him, but Taecyeon is.
“Why won’t you open the door?” Taecyeon asks in a childish, high-pitched voice that is supposed to sound like Powder. Junho snorts.
“Because she hates the noise of the hairdryer,” Junho says, turning it off and hanging it back in place, next to the mirror. Powder barks once, wagging her tail happily, so Junho takes her from Taecyeon and holds her close to his own face. “Last time I let you inside you peed all over the new rug.” He can’t help softening his voice when he speaks to her like this, and he doesn’t really care. Not when Taecyeon smiles at him, leaning against the door frame to watch them. Junho also can’t help the way his lips tug up once he looks at him. “I’m taking her with me today.”
“I’m sure your students will love her.” He’s smiling, but adds as an afterthought, “Please don’t let any of them steal her from us.”
Junho laughs out loud. “Go back to bed, Yeonie,” he says, and it comes out so naturally-- he bites at his lower lip as he puts Powder down on the floor, scratching at her back before letting her go. She pads off to find one of her toys and Junho sees her walking to the living room with a rawhide bone in her mouth. It’s almost too big for her but it keeps her busy.
“Hey, Goldilocks,” Junho rolls his eyes at the new nickname but looks up at Taecyeon. The other’s reaching a hand out to him, looking a little more awake now. Junho’s eyes go from his hand to his face a couple of times before he accepts it and lets the other help him up, even though he doesn’t really need it. Once he’s standing though, Taecyeon doesn’t let him go. Junho finds himself staring at a pair of keen eyes, their owner searching through his gaze. “Are you keeping the curls?”
Junho blinks in confusion, but when Taecyeon lets go of his hand to try and touch his hair, he swats at it out of habit. It always takes him a long time to fix his hair and he’s still not done; he’s not about to let Taecyeon ruin his work. “Yes. That’s why you should keep to yourself. It’s damn hard to tame these guys.”
He’s explaining more than he should but Taecyeon just smirks at him. “I could say the same about you.”
Junho narrows his eyes at him. “I’m not to be tamed.”
Taecyeon takes a step closer, and that’s all he needs to be inches away from Junho’s face. “Good. Cause I like you just like that.”
Junho opens his mouth to retort, but Taecyeon is determined to show just how much he likes him. And Junho can’t argue against the soft touch around his jawline, the fingers that fit around his throat as Taecyeon kisses him. There’s nothing to complain about the arm pulling him closer or the hand that spreads at the dip of his back. Junho doesn’t try nor does he want to resist it when Taecyeon presses him against the sink. He encourages him; he licks at Taecyeon’s mouth and enjoys the sound that vibrates against his lips as he parts them to welcome him. The only thing he doesn’t like is when Taecyeon thinks that gives him the right to mess up his hair.
“Don’t,” Junho warns the other, a soft chuckle escaping him even though he’s serious about this.
Taecyeon’s smiling through the kiss and he takes hold of Junho’s hands too easily so that he won’t be able to hit him again. “Okay, I’ll stop,” he says, and he probably means the attempts to ruffle Junho’s hair, for he doesn’t step away, doesn’t let Junho breathe and think properly before he gives him a peck on the lips. “I know you gotta go to work. I’ll have my chance later.”
vi. lower the heat
“Do you have to keep the wine glasses all the way up there?” Junho looks at the chair he could use, but he won’t do it. Not when Taecyeon’s looking at him with that Cheshire Cat grin that shouldn’t look so good on his face.
“Huh... I guess I never realized how high that shelf is?” His shrug and repentant yet still mocking voice have Junho flaring his nostrils. Implied height jokes shouldn’t work on him, he’s not even that short. It’s just that he decided to have an annoying giant as a roommate/boyfriend. It’s still not clear where they stand, but Junho knows that he can smack Taecyeon in retaliation and the other won’t be too angry at him. Junho’s usually the one who’s bristling because of Taecyeon anyway.
“Okay, so you get those. Please leave them on the counter while I set the table.” Junho goes to the drawer where they keep the fancy towels that Fei gave them as a present from her latest trip. She hadn’t gone abroad because of the restaurant this time, but to celebrate her engagement along with her boyfriend-turned-fiancé.
“Junho, babe,” Taecyeon is chuckling as he approaches him, so Junho breathes in deeply and waits. “I really don’t do that on purpose. You barely drink, and I don’t think we’ve used those before. They’re for special occasions.”
Junho exhales slowly, so he doesn’t flinch when Taecyeon puts an arm around his middle. “I know.” He’s a little embarrassed, but he can’t help the strain that’s settled over his shoulders. It’s the first time their friends are coming over since-- since this thing started, whatever it is, and Junho’s not sure how to act. What to do. What to say. He doesn’t even know why he’s thinking about this.
“I should tell you something, though.”
Junho looks sideways at Taecyeon. He knows that tone of voice. Taecyeon is about to say something that’s supposedly harmless but leads to some kind of trap. That incriminating smirk is there to warn him. But Junho’s still stupid sometimes and he ends up asking, knowing he’ll regret it, “What?”
“Can you get that silver tray for me?” Taecyeon nods at the pile of trays that’s on the shelf right under the glasses. Junho can reach it, but he’ll have to stand on his toes for that. He raises one eyebrow at Taecyeon, whose blank look won’t fool him. “Please, babe?”
Junho still does it, though. He’s just like a curious cat who has to discover exactly what the other’s intentions are even if he knows it can’t be anything good. He walks back to the open cupboard, and he’s just reached an arm up when Taecyeon presses their bodies together. Junho’s still trying to understand just what this is about when he feels Taecyeon’s hands on his hips, warm breath at the side of his neck.
“When you do that... your shirt rolls up...” Taecyeon’s fingers sneak under the fabric of the sordid, betraying shirt that put Junho in this situation. “It’s a nice view.”
Junho’s biting back a laugh that would be of bewilderment and denial. The nerve. “Asshole,” he nearly spits the word out.
Taecyeon’s the one who laughs softly, close to his ear. “My point exactly.”
Junho grabs and shoves at the hands on his hips, teeth bared when he turns his head to look at him. “We don’t have time for this.”
“We actually do. It’s just past six and they won’t arrive for the next two hours--”
Junho grabs at his chin and gives him a quick, closed-mouth kiss to shut him up. “You have to cook and I’ll take a shower-- don’t even think about it--”
“But you don’t know--”
“I do.”
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes, I do.”
Taecyeon’s smiling like he’s about to win the big prize. “So, tell me.”
Junho hates how quickly his skin warms up at that. He swallows. But he lifts his chin up, licks at his lips, and the way Taecyeon’s eyes follow the move gives him confidence. “I’ll do better than that.” He pauses, letting his words sink. “I’ll show you...” Junho leans in, his gaze steady, appreciative of what he sees in Taecyeon’s eyes, written on his face. “I’ll show you if you keep your hands off me for the rest of the night. After that... Maybe I’ll let you get close again.”
“Is that a promise?” Taecyeon looks like he really wants to close the distance between them. They’re still close from when Taecyeon came behind him before, and after turning around Junho has moved his face so that Taecyeon wouldn’t have to use his hands to touch him. He could just move in to kiss him. But he seems to have accepted Junho’s demand, no matter how much he would like to refuse it. Taecyeon knows Junho can make up for the wait.
“I said, maybe...” Junho teases, pushing gently at Taecyeon’s chest so that he’ll be able to walk past him. “I’ll keep my word if you keep yours.”
Taecyeon smiles at him, watches as Junho walks slowly backwards so that they’re still staring at each other. “Sounds like a promise to me.”
Junho doesn’t deny it. The promise is for both of them.
[Bonus Scene]vii. warm up
Junho tries to pull the covers around him, but he doesn’t find any. He feels around the bed but all his hands meet are the sheets under his body and Taecyeon’s flesh to his right.
“Yeonie,” he mumbles, closing his eyes tighter instead of trying to look around and make sense of why it’s so cold in the middle of summer. “Yeonie,” his voice is deeper and the syllables more pronounced this time, enough that he hears a sleepy sigh right next to him.
Taecyeon just rolls around, closer to Junho, his breath tingling at the other’s neck. He hums in acknowledgement to Junho’s calling, but when the latter finally peeks at him, Taecyeon’s got his eyes closed and doesn’t look like he’s about to open them of his own will.
Junho feels a blast of cold air coming from above them, from the opposite side of the bedroom wall, and then he realizes why he’s so cold. “Taecyeonie,” he shakes the other’s shoulder, but Taecyeon just ignores him, as if Junho couldn’t notice the hints of a smile on his face even when he tried to bury it on the mattress. “We forgot to set a time for the air conditioner to turn off again. I’m freezing.”
“C’mere,” Taecyeon lays an arm around his middle and pulls him closer. Even though Junho’s making a face at him, he lets him nuzzle his neck. And, well, he kind of enjoys the warmth that brings. Being naked while sharing a bed has its advantages.
“Turn it off,” he demands, already expecting Taecyeon’s disgruntled sigh against his skin. Now it’s Junho’s turn to try and hide his smile.
“Why do I always have to do that.” Taecyeon isn’t really asking or even complaining, and by now he should be resigned to it. At least that’s what Junho thinks. Taecyeon eventually gets up to turn the air conditioning off and then pulls the sheet at the foot of the bed over them once he lies back next to Junho. “Babe,” he calls softly. He’s pulling Junho close again, only now they’re chest to back. Junho moves back against him until they’re entwined in ways the heat before they fell asleep wouldn’t let them.
“Thanks for being so whipped,” Junho whispers, but the provocative tone is audible.
Taecyeon’s smile is also hard to miss since he was just leaning into his nape-- to nibble around the spots he’s claimed to adore-- but he pinches at the small of Junho’s back in warning. Junho nearly kicks at his legs but Taecyeon only holds him tighter. Junho’s breathing changes and he feels the same effect on Taecyeon’s breath against the back of his neck. “Whipped,” he grits the word out, his hand going lower. There’s a slap.
Junho mumbles something that he knows the other can’t catch, he’s kept his voice low and one hand on his mouth on purpose. He’s trying not to laugh.
“I’m sorry...?” Taecyeon isn’t apologizing. He wants to hear what he just said.
Junho buries his head on the pillow. He’s hiding a smile now. He coughs and mumbles, both embarrassed and thrilled. “You have to do it harder.”
Taecyeon seems to have stilled behind him. Junho waits, feels the other’s eyes on him, holds his breath.
He gasps, because the second slap stings. It’s not a bad sensation. The sound seems to echo within Junho, the burning of his skin stirring a pleasant kind of heat.
“Junho?” Taecyeon asks, leaning over him, seemingly worried.
“That...” Junho bites at the corner of his mouth. What he’s about to say is a choice that he’s making, a risk that he’s taking. He’s getting hard, and maybe that’s what makes it easier for him to admit that he liked it. He can’t exactly deny it now. “That was good.”
“You mean that-was-a-good-slap-but-please-never-do-it-again, or...?” The words rush out of Taecyeon except for the last one, what’s unsaid hanging in the air.
Junho shakes his head. He’s smiling but he doesn’t want to have to say it. He looks back at Taecyeon and hopes that will be enough. His hips move closer to Taecyeon, almost of their own accord. There’ll be a mark on his right buttock, but he likes the idea a little too much.
Taecyeon bites at his own mouth. His hands slide up Junho’s back, then down again, watching his eyes droop, the way he breathes in before looking at Taecyeon once again. Junho feels the anticipation running through him like the small shivers caused by Taecyeon’s teasing touch.
Taecyeon slaps him again. The sound is accompanied by something out of Junho’s mouth this time, a moan that makes Taecyeon pause to look at him. Junho meets his eyes, and it seems Taecyeon’s making sure he gets every change on his face, and Junho--
“You like that,” Taecyeon whispers, amazed.
Junho laughs breathlessly. “Yeah.”