-Roseate- (A JiKyu Fanfiction)

Obsession

Jihoon watched intently as the last drop of espresso was about to fall from the edge of the handle to the cup. The drop was moderate in size, growing every second as per gravity. It was a deep brownish black, glistening from the café lights shining upon it. There were incoherent whispers surrounding him, people talking, gossiping, laughing. The small droplet kept him distracted. It had grown bigger, anytime, it would fall down with a faint drip. From across the counter, Jihoon focused to hear the sound it must make among all the irritating chattering.

Drip.

It fell on the drip tray instead of the cup. With disappointment, Jihoon watched as the barista proceeded to make a cappuccino, removing the cup which was directly under the machine. His displeased face was hard not to notice, hence the barista looked his way.

He had the most brilliant smile on his face, his cheeks glowing under the lights. His purplish black lips were as pretty as Iris petals. Jihoon couldn’t help smiling back. He stood up from his chair and walked to the counter.

“Hey.” He addressed.

“Hey there.” Replied the barista. His voice was a velvety smooth mixture of honey and caramel. He was always cheerful. Helpful. Kind. “How long have you been waiting? Didn’t see you there.”

“I don’t know.” Jihoon replied. His voice was mellow, almost like a kid whispering. He demanded a sort of affection with the way he spoke. Innocent and benevolent.

With a chuckle, the barista replied, “Well, wait for me a bit, okay? I’ll finish it and come talk to you.” He was busy steaming the milk. Jihoon nodded slightly. He didn’t go back to his seat, rather, watched his barista friend doing his job.

Kim Junkyu, the skilled barista who was doing his job right got called seconds later, by two female customers. Jihoon watched him wipe his hands in a small towel. He looked presentable.

From his position, Jihoon saw his side profile. He was smiling at the two women, his cheeks slightly lifted. They were round and shiny. Jihoon tilted his head. Junkyu’s lips moved in sync with the kind words he was delivering. One of the women handed him a gift, neatly wrapped in baby pink with a red ribbon on. The other gave him a red rose. He watched Junkyu bow at them politely. He had taken both the gifts in his hand. With few more shy smiles and polite bows, Junkyu finally bid them bye.

He returned to Jihoon. The latter looked a bit upset. Junkyu comforted him with a smile. “Heyyy, I’m sorry, I was called.”

“You received the gifts.” Jihoon stated. It was but a mere statement. But the childlike whisper from his lips made it sound like a complaint of affection. Junkyu melted at that. Felt a little guilty too. “I have to be kind to my customers, Ji. They’d be upset otherwise.” He tried to clarify.  He looked at the two gifts in his hand until an idea popped up.

“You know what? Why don’t you keep this one?” He showed the red rose to Jihoon, holding its thornless stalk with his index and thumb. Jihoon watched it in astonishment. However, he took it.

"Can I put it in your ear? You’ll look-" Junkyu stopped because he was called again. Another pair of customers were looking for him. A couple this time. Maybe to ask for recommendation. Bowing in apology to cut their conversation off this abruptly, Junkyu went to talk to them.

Jihoon stood there with the pretty rose in his hand. It had definitely been picked at its best time, in its full bloom. The smell coming out of it was strong, pleasant. But the colour! A crimson that can only be matched with the flowing blood in our veins. Fresh and raw. Jihoon put the stalk in between his index and thumb as well. He lifted his hand up until the flower aligned with Junkyu’s cheek.

It didn’t fit perfectly, because Junkyu was looking at his front, displaying his side profile to the rose. Had he only looked at Jihoon, his round cheek would have been entirely covered by the crimson petals.

Junkyu turned. He was disturbed because he felt some movement from the corner of his eyes. To check, he looked at his friend, who was seen looking at the flower with utmost attention. Junkyu loved the sight. Hence smiled.

And Jihoon saw, the flower in his hand directly in place of Junkyu’s right cheek. It fit so well, as if the flower were carved on his delicate skin. The crimson made it more real. Like blood dripping down the etched marks. Jihoon found the sight so so ecstatic.

And so, he smiled back. Junkyu faced away again, but the sight was imprinted in Jihoon’s memory already.

A red rose etched beautifully on Junkyu’s shining cheek.

-

“Oh Gosh! You scared me!” Junkyu shouted at the silhouette sitting under a dysfunctional streetlight. From the way the figure couched down to his knees, he understood who it had been. It was Jihoon, for he was always seen biting the skin around his nails the same way as he was doing then.

Junkyu went to him, leaned down to see his face clearly. He was investing all his attention to the half peeled skin right left to his nail on the ring finger. With his teeth, he was pulling it hard. It came out, but with a price. Jihoon’s finger was bleeding.

“Why would you do this!” Junkyu pulled Jihoon up with his hand, dragged him under a working streetlight. He lifted Jihoon’s hand up and gasped in surprise.

Three of Jihoon’s nails were painted black, scratched at places. The rest two were painted with blood red tips. It wasn’t what surprised Junkyu, rather the horrible condition of the skin on his fingers took him off guard. Bitten, scratched- the skin was red, bruised and even bleeding freshly. With horrified eyes, Junkyu looked at Jihoon. He looked unbothered. As if it didn’t hurt him at all.

“Jihoon! Stop biting your nails! See what you did?”

Jihoon shrugged. He wasn’t remorseful. Junkyu’s words died in his lips. Jihoon was mysterious, secretive and hard to understand. He had to be careful.

“I’m sorry. Okay? I didn’t know Ruto would be here today.” He said. He had planned to go out with Jihoon, but an old friend of him came and ruined that. Jihoon must have been upset because of that, to wait for him like that.

“Are you mad at me?” He continued.

“I don’t know.” Jihoon mumbled. He brought his fingers close to his teeth again.

“Jihoonie stop!” Junkyu grabbed his hand harshly. He was getting impatient. Jihoon’s icy cold gaze falling directly at him put him under pressure.

“Let’s go eat out tomorrow, hm? My treat.” Junkyu spoke, trying to stay as calm as possible. Jihoon didn’t respond. His eyes were glued to the ground. Junkyu took his bruised hand. “Walk me home tonight, okay?”

Jihoon faintly smiled. He liked both the proposals. His smile reached to Junkyu, who smiled like the brightest star on the sky. Jihoon was, once again, mesmerized by the way his cheeks shined.

And his hand reached to touch the glowing round, chubby cheeks of Junkyu. “Your smile is beautiful.” He whispered.

To hide the abrupt rise in his heartbeat, Junkyu pretended not to hear that. Instead, he walked ahead, talking about his day which Jihoon took in attentively.

-

It may feel a bit rushed cz it's a small story after all. Hope u find it interesting :')))