My Lifeline - Jaywon Shortstories

Garden Tree

Jungwon had just finished his live with Niki and they were heading home. The maknae kept talking in the car, but Jungwon was only listening with one ear.

He had had a bad feeling when he woke up that morning and he just remembered it.

Nothing bad has happened though.

They arrived and Niki went directly to the kitchen. He had skipped lunch and Jungwon had gently but firmly scolded him. The leader on the other hand was tired and wanted to enjoy a bit of fresh air. He walked into the garden and spotted the tree under which he liked to sit.

Perfect time to nap under the tree.

All of the sudden, his smiled turned inside down. He had smelled something he wasn't expecting.

Who on earth is smoking here?

He silently got around the tree, only to discover that the worst case scenario was true.

Jay was there, a cigarette in his hand. He hadn't noticed Jungwon yet.

Without thinking twice about it, Jungwon smacked down the cigarette of Jay's hand and crushed it under his foot.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jungwon shouted at Jay, who was still frozen from the surprise attack.
"Well" started Jay.
"There is no well" replied Jungwon, not letting Jay speak. "You're stopping. Now."
"And who are you to give me orders?" asked back Jay.
"I'm..." started Jungwon.
"The leader? Yes, wow, bravo" said Jay, angry as well.
"I don't want you to ruin your health" said Jungwon, less angry and more worried.

Jay looked at Jungwon. He didn't know why he had spoken to him like that. He regretted it.

"Look. It's been three years since we debuted, and have you seen all we have accomplished?" said Jay. "Comebacks, albums, tv shows, photoshoots, concerts... it never stops."
"I know, but it's not a good reason to-" began Jungwon.
"Not a good reason?" Asked Jay, laughing. "I'm stressed and frustrated all the time, and this is the only thing that releases the pain."
"Wait" said Jungwon, frowning. "I get you're stressed, but why are you frustrated?"

Jay looked at Jungwon in shock.

"Really?" he asked.
"Please explain it to me" replied Jungwon.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about" said Jay. "After Dilemma we talked about us and decided to just be friends. You know I didn't agree with it, but I respected your choice. It doesn't mean things have changed."

"Do you mean you still... think about me?" asked Jungwon, slowly realizing how big this was.
"What do you think?" asked Jay in a smirk. "So yeah, we live with crazy schedules, no privacy and I can't be with the person I want to. But I can have cigarettes."

"Is this the best solution you found?" asked Jungwon. "Destroying your lungs instead of talking with me?"
"Why do you always want to talk?" asked Jay. "Why don't you ever let yourself go?"
"Because it's wrong" explained Jungwon.
"No, it's because you're too strict" replied Jay.

"Whatever" said Jungwon. "Would you consider stopping cigarettes?"
"I'm an adult, I do what I want" replied Jay. "If I want to wreck my health it's my choice. No one can stop it."
"Stop saying such horrible things. Of course you're an adult, but we all care about you, please consider it. I can help you" said Jungwon, whispering the last sentence.
"Oh yeah? And how are you doing that?" aksed Jay.

"I know I'm too strict" said Jungwon in a sigh. "But what if we compromised?"
"I'm listening" said Jay.
"I'll keep being strict on the cigarette, but we can revisit the just friends rule if you want to" said Jungwon, suddenly blushing.

"Do you mean-" started Jay, before being interrupted by a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I mean, I didn't stop thinking about you either" said Jungwon, smiling at Jay.

Jay looked at Jungwon and admired his smile and his dimples. After a minute, he put his hand in his pocket and took out his pack of cigarettes.

"Could you throw it away for me please?" he asked the leader.
"With pleasure" replied Jungwon, taking it. "How about we revisit the rule now?"

Jay didn't even answer. He just grabbed Jungwon by the waist, pulled him on his own body and kissing him passionately.

What happened next would forever remain a secret guarded by the garden tree.