today ╱ jeongchan

008.

"Ah, nothing really beats mintcho!" Jeongin giggled as he shoves another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. The taste of the melting treat earning a soft hum in delight from the younger; his eyes disappearing into crescents as he gobbles down his favourite treat.

"Seriously? Mint Chocolate? It's like snacking on toothbrush, baby," Chan deadpanned, the teasing glint evident on his face. This prompted Jeongin to cast a glance at the male with a huff, eyes rolling in feign annoyance before lazily shifting to press his back on the elder's warm and broad chest.

They are currently situated on the younger's couch, with Jeongin finding comfort in settling on the elder's lap instead of taking the extra space next to him. Something about being close to Chan brings immense comfort and Jeongin wants nothing but to drown in it. To top it off, Chan's strong arms are wrapped securely around Jeongin's petite waist, thumb ever so gently tracing random patterns over the thin fabric of his shirt. It's like having one's favourite fleece blanket wrapped around their body on a cold winter night.

"You need better taste in ice cream!" Jeongin grumbled, eyes drilling holes on the television where a random romantic-comedy movie is playing just to fill in the background.

"You need better taste in men then," Chan retorted, stifling a chuckle. The statement earned a quiet gasp from the younger, wide eyes meeting Chan's dark orbs in sheer horrification.

"You don't mean that!"

"And if I do?"

Jeongin carefully sets the tub of ice cream and his spoon on the wooden coffee table before shifting a bit to straddle the older. He pursed his lips, hard gaze staring down Chan as he mumbled firmly. "I believe I'll have to make you shut up because we don't tolerate self-deprecating humour in this household." Jeongin paused, fingers lightly jabbing Chan's chest as if to make his point across. The younger's face is almost devoid of emotions, except for his eyes that screams something akin to vexation, as he continued. "Especially not from you, Bang Chan."

Jeongin knew that behind all the sweet smiles façade, playful banter and jokes, there lies something deep that he himself was not sure if he should touch. He does know for a fact that Bang Chan is nearly a stranger to him, except for the pages of memories he has to re-read every single morning. But he didn't mind, because deep down, he can't deny the fact that his heart is already beating for the older.

Before Chan could utter a quick-witted response to drag himself further, Jeongin took it upon himself to press his lips against the plump pair of the older; completely silencing his insecurities and burying it somewhere that should never be revisited. The younger successfully filling the void with so much love and affection. The kiss was slow and deliberate as if the two are treading on dangerous waters; and Chan found himself grinning, for the most part, earning soft giggles from the younger. Oh how much he loves Jeongin.

And when they parted, all the anxiety and self-doubt irking to crawl out of his skin are long gone. Completely eased by a pair of lips, owned by the person who owns his whole heart. Then, Jeongin rests his forehead against the male, lips curling into a sweet smile as he lets his thumb rub over the smooth surface of Chan's cheek. The seething air completely disappearing, replaced by something akin to worry, adoration and above all, love.

Even then, Jeongin didn't miss the chance to plant his lips against the elder's pair for a couple more pecks. He found it addicting, much more than any kind of drugs existing. And maybe, just maybe, Chan is the kind of drug he would never mind getting addicted to. Truthfully, Jeongin is not one to initiate; the mentioned is not the most affectionate person and skinship is something he is not particularly fond of. But with Chan, oh god with Chan, Jeongin will give his everything just to feel an inch of the elder's skin against his.

"I just realized something," Jeongin mumbled. He made no attempt to move even an inch from their current position.

"What is?" Chan questioned, his arms looping protectively around the younger's waist so naturally that anyone would think it belongs there.

"That you are my first friend in my post-amnesia state."

"Really? Just a friend?" Chan probed, lips pressing briefly against the younger to emphasize his point. "Because as far as I can remember, friends don't really kiss each other."

"Shut up and just help me bake cookies for Seungmin Hyung's birthday."

"Wait, don't tell me you kiss your other friends too? Jeongin?" The younger whined, flushing from the question as he let his beet-red face find refuge into the crook of the elder's neck. As much as he wants to ask Chan about their status, he couldn't bring himself to do so. Maybe not now, not yet. Maybe when the time is right.

"So, do you kiss Seungmin and Felix the way you kiss me?"

ㅡ

Soon, the two found each other inside the small kitchen of Jeongin's flat. The younger plopping himself down on countertop once he successfully placed the batch of cookies inside the oven. Chan scooted closer the younger, letting Jeongin pull him with eager hands and situating himself in between his legs. A shy smile adorning the elder's lips as he stares at the male before him with fond and loving eyes.

Contrary to what everyone sees in the movies, baking cookies with Jeongin was not filled with flour and egg fights. Chan would have initiated but Jeongin's warning before the former was allowed to step a foot inside the kitchen made him think twice. Something about not wanting to clean up the mess and not giving him any kiss along the way.

Nevertheless, Chan is ecstatic. It has been a while since he experienced something so mundane. And for some reason, he felt free. Free from all the stress he has to face with his job; the pressure from his peers; the suffocating air inside his dimly-lit studio. Now, he realized: Jeongin is the breath of fresh air he didn't know he desperately needed.

They let the comfortable silence fall in between them, their eyes speaking louder and clearer more than they can let themselves be. After a while, Chan chuckled inwardly when a certain thought managed to cross his mind in the most random time. Funny how things could change overnight.

Chan used to think that having a lover is the last thing that he needs in his life. He thought that having his friends and family, plus good health is enough. But now that he's staring back into Jeongin's hazel and twinkling orbs, he wants nothing more than to wake up in the lanky arms of a particular person.

Chan felt his chest tightened, head dizzy and a burning sensation prickling his skin; unsure if it's from the sudden realization that Jeongin means a lot more than he expected him to be or the underlying predicament bubbling up.

Because at this moment, when Jeongin's fingers glided across his skin accompanied by the soft giggles and gentle kisses on his cheek, Chan is certain that to have Yang Jeongin by his side is enough reason to keep him happy and alive.