Connected to You. | Hyunsung [Editing]

Chapter 23

[ J e o n g i n ]
[ S a t u r d a y , 2 2 n d O c t o b e r ]

The sky above Jeongin was grey, the air around him cold as ice and the table underneath him was wet. It was a horrific day to be outside, but Jeongin still was. He and Minho were laying on top of a picnic table both facing the sky. They were giggling. Jeongin had long forgotten why they were laughing, but it didn't matter. Minho's presence right next to him was all that was important. If Minho laughed, Jeongin would laugh. That was just the way it worked.

They had decided that they wanted to spend some alone time together. That was why Minho had initially called the night before and Hyunjin and Seungmin had no problem with them leaving a bit sooner than planned. So they had taken Minho's car and driven to the first spot had they thought of: The park.

"I wish we could just lay on top of those clouds." Minho pointed towards the grey sky. "The sun shines up there, for sure. And it'd be super soft." Jeongin giggled again. "Besides the fact that that is literally impossible, because clouds aren't solid objects and there is, like, no air AND it'd be A LOT more colder up there, yeah sure. Really nice idea, hyung." Minho let out a dramatic sigh. "Thank you Mister I-Know-Everything-About-Biology-And-Ruin-All-The-Fun. That's exactly what I wanted to hear from you." Jeongin smiled mischievously at him. "I know, that's why you like my so much." "Mhm." Minho poked Jeongin's cheek. "Or maybe it's just because you're so cute." Jeongin acted as if he needed to think for a moment. "Hm, no, I like my version better." "Are you sure?" Minho asked and moved a bit closer. Their noses were now almost touching. Jeongin weakly nodded. His heart would not be able to take this for long. "Then... my tickles will have to convince you!"

Only a few moments later Jeongin was screaming and running away from a laughing Minho. "I'm gonna get you", Minho sang. "NEVER", Jeongin screamed and ran faster.

Another few moments later he was laying on the ground, Minho's wrapped around him as he was desperately trying to escape. "Please don't tickle me hyung." He was already almost crying out of laughter. "I told you I was gonna get you." Minho wrapped his arms even tighter around him. "Stop moving", he demanded.

Usually Jeongin hated physical touch. Especially on a dirty cold ground like this. But, for some reason, right now everything felt different. He didn't want Minho to stop. No, he wanted to stay like this forever.

Jeongin liked Minho for a pretty long time now. He couldn't even remember when it started. Jeongin had always admired Minho's looks. Like, Minho was objectively handsome. This admiration only grew when he saw Minho's talent for dancing. The guy was incredibly good at what he did. It was a great coincidence that his friends became friends with Minho's friends Jeongin thought he probably realised that it was more than just admiration after Minho had first called him. That was also the first time he'd been triggered. From there on he was pretty much convinced Minho was his soulmate. Of course, he never asked Minho nor did he have many triggers to prove it, but this first trigger and his feelings were proof enough for him. The only thing stopping him from talking about his thoughts, were Minho's opinion on soulmates. Jeongin wasn't stupid. He knew Minho hated the fact that he had a soulmate. It hurt a bit to know, but he also didn't want to cross Minho's boundaries. So he kept his thoughts and feelings to himself.

"What are you so quiet all of the sudden?", Minho spoke up from behind him. His head was against Jeongin's neck as he was still hugging Jeongin. "Oh you know, just thinking." Jeongin shrugged lightly. "About what?" Jeongin considered lying for a moment but then decided to stick to the truth. "You." "Me?" Minho's voice sounded a bit too sceptical for Jeongin's liking. "Yeah you." To underline how serious he was, he turned around in Minho's arms to face the older. Minho had an eyebrow raised. "And what were you thinking about me?"

This was the moment of truth. Jeongin needed to be as calm as possible. He could simply lie about it. Did he want that? Yeah kinda, but then at the same time... No, not at all. He wanted to be honest with Minho. He didn't want to be hurt, but he knew Minho would be cool about it, if he didn't like Jeongin back. But who does all of this to a person who they don't like?

"You know, how I always kinda admired you for being so good looking and absolutely talented at dancing." He took a shaky breath. Stay cool Jeongin. "And how I maybe am really glad that we got to talk through our shared friends. And how I maybe realised that my feelings were more than admiration after you first called me." Now Jeongin was really trying to avoid eye contact. Maybe he shouldn't have turned around. "What do you mean by 'more than admiration'?" Jeongin could hear the teasing dripping out of Minho's voice. But he didn't know if it was a good or a bad sign. "You know", Jeongin was now mumbling, "that I like you. Romantic feelings." "I'm sorry, I can't hear you." Minho continued to tease him and it made him a little mad. He looked up, directly meeting Minho's gaze. "I said that I have romantic feelings for you hyung. And you are not being nice about it at the moment. You know what? Maybe it's best if I just leave." He tried to break free from Minho's arms again, but instead of letting him go Minho pulled him even closer. "You didn't even let me respond. Because maybe I have romantic feelings for you too. And maybe I wanna kiss you really badly right now." "Why don't you go ahead?" Jeongin watched as Minho's eyes started to glow. Then Minho closed the gap between them.

The kiss was magical. This just felt right. His lips against Minho's. It was as if they were made for each other. Like soulmates. Even though they didn't have to be. Jeongin would like Minho if they were soulmates and if they weren't. In his stomach some butterflies were absolutely going crazy and it felt like his heart did double flips. It felt good. It felt right.

Jeongin only realised what consequences this kiss would have, when it was already too late. He started feeling dizzy. The world around him started spinning even though he had his eyes closed. Panic spread in his body as he and Minho broke apart.

"Innie? What's up? Are you-"

Jeongin opened his eyes in a room he had never seen before, but for some reason he knew that this was Minho's home. Maybe his own small apartment, maybe his room, Jeongin honestly didn't know. But it didn't matter, because in this moment it felt like it was his home too. He was laying on a bed. Minho was still hugging him, but this time he was crying. All Jeongin could do was to stroke lightly through Minho's hair. They just laid there for a few minutes before the world around Jeongin started spinning again.

When Jeongin opened his eyes again Minho's arms were only loosely touching him. He was still in a somewhat dreamy state. Jeongin slowly sat up. The world around him was still slowly spinning. That would hopefully get better next time. He leaned his head into his hands and slowly breathed in and out. That was what usually helped him.

After some time, Jeongin had lost track, Minho next to him woke up. He, other than Jeongin, immediately sat up. His breathing was fast and tears almost immediately ran down his face. "Hyung? Is it okay if I touch you?" Jeongin wanted to help. Minho quickly shook his head. Jeongin sighed. They sat in silence for another few minutes before Jeongin finally spoke up again. "Look hyung, I know you hate soulmates and I know that this will influence your feelings towards me. As stupid as it sounds, that's okay with me. Just, I don't know, don't oppress your feelings. It wouldn't end up too well for you. I'm guessing you need time?" A small nod from Minho. "I can go if you want." Another small nod. "Okay." Jeongin slowly got up. "Call or text me, if you've made up your mind. Or maybe you just wanna talk. Until you decide, we're friends." He smiled at Minho before slowly walking away.

Internally he gave himself a pat on the shoulder. You're so mature, Jeongin.