Expectations [양정원/이희승]

《chapter 8》

"But it smells so good."

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Jungwon stood frozen for a second.
The blanket was the same one he had used when he cuddled up with Niki the night before.
That same night that he had forgotten to use his spray and woke up in a frenzy.

Niki's whining suddenly seemed neither funny nor cute.
Only panic rose within Jungwon as he stared at his youngest.

"What are you talking about, Niki-yah?"
Jay asked, side-eyeing him, but still smiling at the maknae-burrito.

"Don't look at me like that, hyung. It really does!"

Jungwon was slightly tempted to swoosh his arm over the table and throw all of the breakfast set up onto the floor to create a distraction as Jay marched around the table, over to Niki and grabbed the very edge of the blanket to hold it up to his own nose.

Jay's eyes widened, and Jungwon thought his distraction plan sounded more and more enticing.

"What the.." Another inhale later, Jay stared at the fabric incredulously, thick brows furrowed in concentration.

He proceeded to prod and tug Niki's hand out and now smelled the surface of the skin on Nikis wrist.

If possible, he looked even more confused.
"What is that smell? It's not you, Niki?"

Think Jungwon. Think!

But his mind didn't obey as Jungwon's mouth threatened to open and close wordlessly.

"I'm- not entirely sure." Niki answered, looking a little uncomfortable at the question.
"But it smells great, doesn't it!" He rushed out after, sprakling eyes meeting Jungwon's stare from across the room.

"It smells like Caramel candy."
Jungwon sunk a little in his chair.

"Is that the blanket from the pack room?" Jay asked, taking a step back.
Niki nodded, happy to have the fluffy mountain to himself again.

The confirmation was all Jay needed to turn around and walk towards Jungwon.

Instead of repeating the exact process, Jay leaned right into Jungwon's neck.

Jungwon jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion and almost pushed Jay away before Jay's familiar smell reminded him that he was safe.

Luckily, he only smelled the clean smell the scent neutraliser had left.
Still, the caramell tones clung onto his clothes, and Jay took notice as he stared at them.
Jungwon tried his best not to shrink under his stare. He looked at his feet.

"I- I had some candy last night before I went to bed. I didn't say it because we're not supposed to eat unhealthy food...it must have gotten on the blanket.
I guess Niki really likes the smell of Candy"
Jungwon shrugged.

It was the best he could come up with, and though it wasn't bulletproof, it did explain why the smell was not on Jungwon directly.

Jungwon could feel Niki's eyes on him, almost accusingly screaming about how he definitely hadn't had any candy in bed last night. But he avoided his gaze, and Niki didn't call him out on his little lie.