wine drunk | Heeseung x Jay

five // cinq

• almost // presque •
_________

the air is warm and there's a gentle breeze as Heeseung and Jay reach the Eiffel Tower.

the lawn stretches out beneath the structure and Jay's mouth falls open as they walk across it.

"i didn't think it'd be this big. i knew it was tall and stuff but, man, it's enormous."

Jay cranes his neck to take in the entire monument as they go under the base.

"how many times have you visited this?" Jay likes how the iron gleams in the night, yellow-brown paint and metal meshing perfectly against the night sky.

"ah, too many times. when my fiancé first came to Paris, he would want to come every so often. i'm sure in America, wherever you live, you've seen all the famous sights more than once despite being a local, oui?"

Jay snorts but nonetheless nods. "i think i've seen the statue of liberty more times than i care to admit."

Jay stares all the way up the tower for some time. he looks down and rubs his neck to which Heeseung sees. he frowns and Jay pokes his arm.

"what is it?"

"i would take you up to the top floor but i think it would take too much time."

the two brush elbows and look at each other like someone has told a joke and they're the only ones who think it's funny.

"i don't mind. i'm happy here."

there is a jazz band playing between two corners of the base: a lively group of musicians with clarinets, drums, violins, and a high-spirited saxophone section— their performance in full swing.

"let's go look from the lawn. the tower is nicer if you're not directly under it; it'll give you a better view."

the two walk onto the green expanse and take in the entire thing.

"no matter how many times i visit, it always takes my breath away every time. it's so stunning."

Jay's eyes flit toward Heeseung. "it is."

everything is so etheral: the monument, the Parisian city and its night sky, and last but not least— the male beside him.

Jay wants to dissolve into a particle of air just so he can float around the city – appreciate it and truly comprehend what it is about Paris that makes people so weak at the knees. he wants to take a snapshot of this moment just so he can always look back on it later and remember what it felt like: alive.

because for all of his almost 24 years of living, it is in this moment that he feels the most alive.

without thinking about what he's doing— or caring about how ridiculous he may look— Jay makes two L's with his thumb and index finger and connects them to form a rectangle. he pulls his hands to his eye and squints as if taking a picture.

he makes a silly clicking noise with his teeth and Heeseung's face breaks into a huge grin as he watches.

Jay takes several 'pictures' of the Eiffel Tower before turning his 'camera' to Heeseung who shyly beams and lets him pretend.

"what are you doing?" Heeseung mumbles, cheeks tinted as Jay continues to capture him in his imaginary lense.

"capturing art," Jay replies smoothly, purposefully ignoring the way Heeseung's face reddens as he turns back to the tower.

"i'm sorry you can't take an actual picture of the tower."

Jay waves away the comment. "i don't mind. don't really feel like breaking the law today." Heeseung bites his lip to hide a laugh.