𝘫𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘨 - 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘴

two

"Jisung?" The boy heard his name and snapped his head up. "Huh? What?" The look on his face had the words 'clueless' and 'confused' practically plastered all over. His attention turned to the older boy who stood in the same room as him. "Honey, Jaemin wanted to invite us to dinner." The voice that belonged to Mark's dad said. Jaemin-hyung is here...? Jisung thought.

"Jisung-ah?" Jaemin's voice was barely a whisper. Jaemin's heart clenched at the sight of the boy that disappeared so long ago. Jisung scuffled his feet and didn't make eye contact with Jaemin. He felt guilty.

Seven years ago, Jisung 'disappeared.' He moved to the states, but he didn't tell his friends about it. So, one day when Jisung didn't come to class or show up at the park, Jaemin and his friends got worried. Jisung's house was empty. The phone lines didn't reach, and Jaemin was unable to get ahold of his best friend.

The following months, Jaemin was upset and cranky. He felt cold and lonely without his junior by his side. Jisung would follow him around and tell Jaemin how cool he was, and Jaemin would always give Jisung love in return. Then all of it stopped. To Jaemin, there was no one in the world quite like Jisung. When Mark left for college, it seemed like everyone was growing up and apart.

"Why are you here?" The words unconsciously stumbled out of Jaemin's mouth. Jisung hid his hands. Jaemin looked angry. His eyes grew dark, and his lips curled into a frown. Jaemin's bangs didn't help either. But Jisung couldn't help but stare at Jaemin's little scarf. It was the same one he'd given him years ago. Jisung opened his mouth to speak when Jaemin started slowly walking towards him.

"J-Jaemin, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just didn't want to hurt you guys..." Jisung's hands flailed in attempt to stop Jaemin from coming any closer to him. He closed his eyes, assuming he'd get punched or slapped, but he felt Jaemin's familiar embrace surround him. Jaemin closed his eyes tightly as he hugged Jisung.

"I missed you so much." Jaemin said in a low voice. Mark's parents smiled fondly at the two of them. Jisung was hesitant but eventually rested his arms on Jaemin's back. Jisung let go, still ashamed of himself. "So what exactly are you doing at Mark's house? He's not even here." Jaemin asks. Mark's dad butts in. "He wanted to visit Mark and apologize, but he's not here, so were playing cards instead."

Jisung nodded sheepishly. "So you came to invite them for dinner?" It was now Jisung's turn to ask a question. "Well, yes. You're welcome to join us if you want." Jaemin offers. Jisung looks hopeful, but then shakes his head. "Sorry, I have to get to another stop after this one. I'm visiting all of our friends." He cursed at himself for declining Jaemin's offer. 

Jaemin frowned, but then shrugged it off. "It's ok, it was just a bunch of relatives anyway. Johnny is there." He smiled at Jisung. "Besides, I wouldn't want to catch up with you with a bunch of my family surrounding us." Mr. and Mrs. Lee sat down on the table. "We'll be there in a few minutes, Jaemin. We just have to finish this game with Jisung."

"Oh okay! See you, Jisung. I'm glad you're back." Jaemin said before walking out. Jisung collapsed internally and wheezed when he couldn't hear Jaemin's footsteps anymore. Mrs. Lee laughed. "You still have a crush on that boy? It's been seven years." Mr. Lee joined her on the other side of the table. Jisung frowned and looked at his set of cards. He was fully stacked with hearts, there was no way he would win.

Mrs. Lee put down her cards one by one. She had four aces. "I win! That was a fun match for a young one like you." Mrs. Lee laughed softly. Jisung's ears and cheeks turned a shade of red. "Mrs. Lee, did Mark-hyung ever talk about Donghyuck? I know they're boyfriends, but he never really shows a lot of affection towards him." Jisung wanted to hide the fact that he was lowkey asking for love advice.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee exchanged glances. "He doesn't show Hyuck affection? That's a bit strange. When he's with us, all he can talk about is Donghyuck." Jisung was surprised. Maybe his hyung was just a tsundere. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Lee. I think I should get going now. Have fun at the dinner." Jisung smiled and cleaned up the cards before getting up and going to the entrance. 

Before he left, Mrs. Lee called. "Hey, school starts in a few days. This is your chance to get back with Jaemin!" He returned home after visiting everyone else. He had received several screams from Chenle, a light punch from Renjun, a speech from Jeno, and weird complaining noises from Hyuck. But each of them was very happy to see him back, and each and every one of them had to tease him about Jaemin. 

Jisung was blushing heavily by the time he got back home. His mother thought he was sick. Well, he was sick; lovesick. His stomach turned every time he thought of Jaemin again. That night, Jisung could hardly sleep. Mrs. Lee's words rang in his ears over and over again. Would he be able to get back with the gang? Let alone Jaemin.