are you ready to love? // jaywon ff

change

it's been 8 months since the couple got together. everything was going pretty smoothly, at least on the surface. initially, they would spend as much time as they could together, staying up late to talk despite long hours of work and school. but now, it was getting hard to juggle between love life and other matters.

with rent, university fees, and other bills to pay, life was becoming tougher day by day and it was obvious that they were both struggling, especially jay.

maybe it was due to the fact that he liked to hide his feelings, but jay had never once complained about work to jungwon. he felt that pouring out his worries would be a burden for his lifetime, and would rather let these emotions bottle up within him. in addition, he took up more part time jobs so that jungwon wouldn't have to work as hard. he couldn't bear to see the younger overexert himself.

jungwon had his own struggles too. he would always try to initiate dates with jay although he too, was busy, but would be turned down as jay would be busy. his efforts in the relationship were futile but this went unnoticed but he older who was too busy keeping up with his mental health.

"you're back! how was work?" jungwon asked, skipping towards jay.

jay staggered towards jungwon and leaned his head onto jungwon's shoulder.

"are you okay?" jungwon said worriedly as he patted jay's head.

jay stayed silent. jungwon held his shoulders and saw his boyfriend pale and sick. without a word, jungwon brought jay to his bed and took off his coat and socks. after touching jay's heated forehead, he realised that he had a fever and prepared a basin of warm water.

wiping his body with a towel, jungwon's heart winced. he knew that jay was overexerting himself and a gush of guilt swept into him.

it's all my fault that you're sick. i shouldn't have let you overexert yourself. it pains me to see you like this...

jungwon gave jay a light peck on his cheek and stayed by his side the whole night.

jay woke up in discomfort in the middle in the night only to be met with jungwon's sleeping figure. his gaze softened at this sight.

you must be tired... i'm sorry

jay finally recovered.

"my boyfriend! what should we do for our 8th month anniversary?" jungwon said excitedly. their anniversary was 3 days away and they had no plans so far.

"hm... you decide." jay said as he checked his bank account. only $304 left. sighing, jay left and closed his door shut, leaving jungwon alone in the living room. jungwon felt like crying. why was their relationship like this now? he felt lonely despite the other's presence. it seemed like he was the only one making efforts.

the next day, jungwon tried to brighten things up once again.

"jay! let's meet at the nearby train station tomorrow at 7pm! i know you still have to afternoon shift to cover" jungwon suggested.

"okay. i'll be heading to bed now." jay replied and headed back to his room.