Euphoria

36: Sunrise in the suburbs

Jungkook's eyes widened. Butterflies in his stomach. An incense of romance inside his head. Maya, unbothered completely, went back to slurping her noodles,
"This noodles are damn nice."
He paused, instantly noticing the mischievous raise on the corner of her lips. His giggles sounded heavenly,
"You are such a tease Angel."
"Maybe I am Hwangjanim."
Jungkook tackled her with his one arm. Which then turned out to be a goofy hug. Jungkook, was out of breath from laughing, he was loving it.
"I love you."
This affirmation of love was something different than the usual. The usual confirmations of love were telling her, assuring her that he does. And this one came out as a grateful thank you to his ownself. Yes he loves her. In this whole world, his heart followed hers.

"Jungkook, I'm pulling my first all nighter with you."
Maya cooed. This new life felt good. No pain, just a buzz. Jungkook felt his lips pull out in a smile as a natural reflex.
"I'm honoured, my lady."
Maya sat their on the hood. Sunrise in the suburbs never looked better. Her warm body in his cold embrace. He kissed the top of her head. Oddly this was becoming his favourite skinship. Holding hands, hugging her, kissing her forehead and the top of her head. She smelt of roses. Sometimes like warm cocoa or even chocolate cakes. Romantic and warm scents mostly. This was how Love may have smelled like if Love was a person.
Maya hummed, inhaling his scent as his cold hands held her. He smelled soft. Something really floral and fruity. Something that calms you. A fragrance that doesn't trigger you. But it for sure does comfort you. Something romantic, something peaceful. As if walking through a garden, barefoot, to pick flowers. As if treasuring the flowers for a lover. This is how comfort smelled. This is how the calm, moonlit night would've smelt like. The smell of an innocent romance. A soft, pastel scent.
"You smell nice."
She purred in his arms. The night sky slowly picking colours. As if both their palettes has mismatched against each other. Red, black, orange, white, pink, purple, caramel. Warm tones - cool tones. She and him.
"Jungkook, what's your favourite flower?"
Maya asked. Her head feeling lighter. Her body losing all the tension. Jungkook held back a laughter. A little goofy flirting-ish pick up line wouldn't hurt, would it? A ghost of the submerged laughter in his voice,
"You."
They both exchanged a glance before they broke into laughter. Hearty laughter. With tears in her eyes and cheeks starting to hurt from all the laughing, Maya somehow slipped out a sentence,
"That was so cheesy! Ugh!"
Laughter mixed with her husky tone. Jungkook was laughing. His squeaky giggles, nose and eyes scrunched up, bunny teeth on display.
Both of them out of breath from laughing. Their giggles had lost the audiblity. They were still shaking. Laughing without making any sound. The giggles made their insides vibrate. As if a rampage of butterflies.
"But seriously, what is your favourite flower?"
Her voice breathy and hitched. He was the same as her. He almost purred,
"I fascinate all kinds of flowers. What's there to not like about a flower? The vibrant red rose can't be hated, as it is the symbolism of love. The dainty petals of a tulip. How can someone not like flowers? But if I had to choose one, it would be either daisies or maybe my birth flower, the tiger flower."
He was soft in her view before. But he just got softer. He had shed the false skin of toxic masculinity. He was just a human. A flawed soul. An imperfect person. Someone who learns and grows everyday. Someone who loves themselves.
Jungkook felt the soft morning breeze murmur through his ears. People don't usually ask boys about their favourite flowers. But he's glad she did. He doesn't know why, but he's just happy.
"What's your favourite one, Angel?"
Maya leaned against his chest, she hummed,
"Depends on who's giving it. Suppose, even if you gave me a wild flower I would treasure it forever as it would be laced with your love. But if suppose Mrs. Choi and Mr. Choi gave me the most exquisite flower in this universe, I would still be discontented. It changes a lot, you know. Right now it's roses. Any kind. Just roses. Anyways, my question now. What is your irrational fear?"
Maya was sinking deep into Jungkook's soul. As if pulling him out of his covers in the most gentle way. There was something about her that went right through his skin and into his bare soul. Was it the sharp gaze? The husky voice? Or was it just overall her?
"Microwaves."
He whispered, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Why did he have such a stupid fear? Damn it JK.
"I'm scared of almost everything. You know loud things that startle me. Things that appear in front of you out of nowhere. Things that are poisonous. It's mostly jumpscares and living things."
Maya felt the instinct to ball up her body. As if she had let all her walls down and now... Now she felt naked. Jungkook cooed,
"You're so cute Sunshine."
Maya didn't hesitate. Her lips found their way to Jungkook's cold and soft cheeks.
"Did I ever tell you how cute you are?"

The sun slowly waking up. The heavy noir blanket off of them. A red palette spread across the vivid scenery. Like cranberry jam on toasted bread. A toddler's breakfast before school. A calm breeze blowing.
Jungkook brought two cans of coffee. Handing one to the love of his life, as he quietly slipped back on the hood of his car. Right beside her. They didn't feel a bit tired. Not even a little bit. How can they even feel tired? When they were in each other's presence all along? Just for a few minutes or so, they went inside the car and took a quick nap. Just to relax their muscles.
Jungkook's chest is the most comfortable bed for Maya. Jungkook's arms are the most comfortable blanket. Maya was the warmest essence of peace Jungkook ever experienced.
They both sipped on their coffees, eyes on the sky. Honestly the sunset had never felt so good. Was it the magic of the suburbs? Or was it the love of their lovers? It was going so good. Way too good.