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[ c - soonhoon ] apple blossoms

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honestly could be titled "heavens cloud" if you squint hard enough except i gave it to verkwan

•••

soonyoung didn't know what the urge was but he kissed him. he kissed that boy who wandered into his parent's apple orchard. he didn't know why. at one moment, he was talking with him and joking. the next thing he knew, he was looking into the other's brown eyes and wanted so badly to drown in whatever emotion he was beaming.

and- by god- what sweetness did he taste!

"jihoon," the boy had said. "my name is lee jihoon."

jihoon tasted so sweet; sweeter than any of the fresh apples soonyoung had spent years picking as a child. sweeter, even, than the other side of the orchard where his father had secretly begun to grow clementines for his mother for her birthday.

soonyoung felt crazy and dazed when they broke apart. even being shrouded by rows and rows of trees and shrubs couldn't hide what shame and the high soonyoung felt.

"this isn't right..." he muttered, slowly walking away from jihoon.

the smaller reached for his hand, "soonyoung."

he turned around, met with the longing and the dazzling eyes of the other. he held a pained expression in his face, knowing this may very well be the last time he'll ever see lee jihoon ever again.

jihoon went over and brushed soonyoung's soft cheek. he raised a hand to hold on to jihoon's wrist like he didn't want to be let go.

"stay with me," jihoon whispered. soonyoung's arms wrapped around jihoon's waist, bringing them closer.

jihoon smelt like the city, bustling and full of life and energy. he smelt like the smoke of vehicles, the buzz of the people, the lights of billboards. soonyoung knew what a fruit farm smelt like; it was him. but jihoon could put words to it. soonyoung was the smell of love, like berries and various juices. he smelt like the wisp of crisp and fresh air, the crunch of a freshly picked fruit, the freedom of the lands.

they were so different, but soonyoung felt like never before. he wanted to keep jihoon for himself; this small, unassuming little boy- he selfishly wanted him. what he would give to spend eternities with him! if only to make him smile and laugh and to kiss him more under one of the many apple trees.

with what little time they had left, soonyoung loved jihoon. with every kiss, he mourned their inevitable parting. jihoon wanted to hold him so close and never let go. when they parted, jihoon wiped the tears off soonyoung's face.

"i'll come back. wait another spring."

jihoon ran away from him, not wanting soonyoung to see his hot tears. back to his family, waiting by the entrance to the orchard. he put a smile on his face, hoping they were blind to his puffy eyes.

"saw you wander off into the trees, jihoon. how was it?"

"we have to come back."

so soonyoung waited. every day that passed felt longer than 24 hours. he waited. and waited.

but jihoon didn't come back the next spring. when the day was nearing, soonyoung stood under the tree they let themselves love each other. in the bark was carved 'SY+JH'. soonyoung waited.

jihoon never came.

another year passed, another spring season. what little hope soonyoung had was already withering out. it felt like it's been a long time since he accepted their fate. jihoon was not coming back.

"soonyoung! there's someone here for you." came the voice of his mother.

after she rushed him to the front of the house, she quickly disappeared back in. soonyoung's jaw hung open. he closed the front door behind him. "...jihoon?"

the boy smiled, tears welling in his eyes. "hi, soonie." soonyoung rushed to hug him, already crying.

"why did you not come? i-i waited for you."

jihoon squeezed him, "i'm so sorry, my love. my parents chose to go somewhere else. believe me, i tried to get them back here. i was thinking about you every day."

soonyoung sighed and snuggled into jihoon's still-small frame, "it was so hard..." jihoon pet soonyoung's hair, "i know. it was hard for me too. but i'm here now."

soonyoung looked in his eyes, "how long will you stay this time?"

oh, jihoon's smile was as beautiful as the day soonyoung met him. jihoon couldn't help but let a giggle out, "as long as you want me to." soonyoung was confused, and looked out behind him, "your parents...?"

"i've finished school. i can do whatever i want," jihoon lightly tapped soonyoung's nose, "and i want to stay with you."

•••

i think i shouldve named this heavens cloud ;-;