The Ghost Of You

9

The next coming days, Minhyuk find Jooheon a little more lively. Though he's away most time of the day, he would go home less late. He seems to have a bit more appetite and isn't so tired from work all the time. His random blues never went away. He still cries himself to sleep, still dearly missing Minhyuk but it was less frequent than before.

Minhyuk was happy to see the gradual changes, how he seems to be going back to the person he was before yet different in a sense Minhyuk can't pin point. He suspected, Changkyun has something to do with it being as the more he observe, he realized all this slowly happened after the said man had arrived in Jooheon's life.

This was soon proven when Changkyun started to frequently visit their house either for lunch, dinner, a movie marathon or just simply talking and enjoying each other's presence. At first, Minhyuk felt jealous that Changkyun get to spend time with Jooheon the way that he used to do. But seeing glimpses of the smile he missed on Jooheon's face, he let it go. Eventually, he find himself liking how life seem to slowly crawl back inside their home. He was glad to see Jooheon wasn't so alone anymore. Besides, he admits he too enjoy the younger being around.

"I'm not gonna light it" Changkyun says with a playful roll of his eyes, seeing as Jooheon gave him a look after he puts a cigarette between his lips.

After spending so much time together, Jooheon finally admitted to the younger how he hate the smell of cigarettes. He may let it slide but he never encouraged it either. Changkyun refrain from taking one whenever the other is around , but his body being to accustomed to the constant use would sometimes itch for it.

"How many sticks do you finish in a day?" Jooheon was unable to stop himself from asking, he had been both worried and curious. Wondering if Changkyun is really addicted to it.

Changkyun shrugged, taking the unlighted stick out of his lips to talk, both of them ignoring the movie playing on Jooheon's flat screen tv and unknowing that Minhyuk was sitting on the floor, watching and listening to them. " A pack could last me two, sometimes three days, not too bad I supposed"

"How many are in a pack?"

Changkyun thought "twenty"

"So approximately you take 10 cigarettes a day? You call that not too bad?"

"He's trying to catch lung cancer" Minhyuk commented, shaking his head disapprovingly at Changkyun.

"I mean, I know some chain smokers who can finish 2 packs a day" Changkyun says in his defense. But completely self-aware that his smoking habits are not less bad than those people.

Jooheon frown, but didn't say anything back. Just nodding, as if he understood. He didn't, he doesn't understand how one gets addicted to it. Well, it's because of the chemical, yes. But what's so good about smoking? Not only it doesn't smell nice, it can give you sickness and it's not cool. But he guessed, it's really hard to get away once you get accustomed to it. Jooheon remembered Changkyun telling him he started smoking due to the peer pressure his old friends gave him back in high school, and since then he finds himself unable to get rid of it.

"I'm trying to quit actually" Changkyun say, getting back Jooheon's attention.

"Really? That's good!" Jooheon was quick to encourage him. Knowing that it's best that he quits. Minhyuk, cheered too in his place, giving Changkyun a thumbs up following after Jooheon's lead.

Changkyun nodded, " I just don't want to get to the point I can't live without it " he explains, twirling the cigarette stick in his hands. "So far, I haven't taken a whiff in two days, my body still search for it and it's quite a struggle so I usually just hold onto one but not light it up. I tried to quit several times before but it was hard, I get headaches and stuff. I hope this works this time around"

" I'm sure it will! You can do it Kyunie!" Minhyuk fist bumped the air in an attempt to encourage him, acting as if the other two could see and hear him.

" It will, just focus on it " Jooheon kindly encouraged him, happy to hear that Changkyun after all wanted to get rid of the cancer sticks.

" Though, maybe you shouldn't withdraw all at once, that might be what causing the headaches" Jooheon suggested after some time. 

Minhyuk frown, not getting it, so was Changkyun, but waited for Jooheon to explain his thought further.

" Since your body is too accustomed to it, y'know..maybe do it little by little" Jooheon said, having quite a hard time to properly express his thoughts. As much as he wish Changkyun to get rid of the cigarettes, he knows it takes time. "Or maybe you could find some alternatives. How about gum? I heard it helps with the stress" He further think about it. Remembering that Changkyun did mention he needed the cigarettes to help him reduce his stress and anxiety.

"Wahh honey is so smart"

" oh you're a doctor now? "

Changkyun and Minhyuk say at the same time. The latter completely in adoration while the other in false sarcasm, a little playful smile on his lips.

"Hey!" Minhyuk reacted, putting both of his hands on his waist and his eyebrows furrowed like a disapproving mother. " But a going to a doctor is a better option" Minhyuk says after he thinks about it.

"I'm literally trying to help you here" Jooheon says unimpressed which in turn made the younger chuckle.

"How about this, you give me a kiss every week I don't smoke? I think that would work" Changkyun proposed, half joking and half serious.

Jooheon stared at him, mouth parting unable to find a comeback, not expecting Changkyun's words. The other does a lot of play flirting and it always made him quite flustered, which was quite funny as Minhyuk had been the same back then. He should have been used to it. But Minhyuk's way had been fun and charming, while Changkyun is more chic and dreamy. 

" Hold up....what kiss..." Minhyuk looked at them back and forth. He too was caught off guard. "just on the cheek right?"

Then Jooheon laughed "Man, you got me there" he says, lightly punching Changkyun's shoulder. The younger copying his laugh quite halfheartedly, not saying anything back.

Minhyuk squinted his eyes at Changkyun, not buying that it's just a joke. He was definitely hinting, and unlike Jooheon who's denser than concrete. He can smell stuff like this from a mile away.

"Why you, how dare you hit on my honey! huh?" Minhyuk swings his hand at Changkyun at each word, trying to pick a fight at the other for trying to make a move on his husband, not caring that he just keep  going pass through him.

Changkyun felt goosebumps run up his arms and the back of his neck, a cold shiver running down his spine. He uncomfortably rubbed his forearms, looking around.

"It's the middle of the summer yet your place is always so cold. Just how low does your AC can go?" Changkyun can't help but say. Though instead of actual cold, it was more like chills he's been feeling.

"Just average. I don't know either, it gets cold randomly all the time. Must be just the house or something" Jooheon shrugged uncaringly, but can't help thinking that back then when Minhyuk was still around. Their home is bright and warm. This must be his depression crawling around the place. "Good thing though, less bills in summer. But I'll be freezing during the winter" he added with a small chuckle.

"Good. I'll keep you warm then" 

"Oh, shut up"