𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 22 | chensung

53

"Do you love me even when I look like a prune?" Chenle asked with a shy voice, batting his eyelashes.

Jisung, in the middle of waving off Jeno and Jaemin back to the Lee residence, wrapped an arm around Chenle's waist and pulled him against his side. "Did I ever tell you how cute you are when you fish for compliments?"

"Ooo, I haven't heard that one yet."

"Well it would be a lie."

The older boy pulled an annoyed face and tutted. Donghyuck and Mark had disappeared after the former received a call from the café about an interview. Chenle's was tomorrow but he wasn't too worried about it. "You're cute when you insult me."

"Anytime, my dear."

They walked back to Chenle's apartment slowly, passing by the Main Street. It was always a lovely buzz on the busy stretch. "Ji, you want to be a policeman, right?"

"Yes."

"So would you be getting a degree first and then enrolling? Or what?"

Jisung nodded thoughtfully. "I really love maths and science, so I was thinking it would be a good idea to study, maybe, forensic science? Then I'd enrol and if the police force accepts me, I'd hopefully branch into forensics. But that plan is too long term to be a smooth ride so I'm prepared for obstacles."

Chenle slipped his hand into the other's, loving how familiar it felt. "You'd be sexy in a lab coat. And the police uniform."

Jisung ruffled his hair with an endeared smile. "What about you?"

"Me? Oh, I don't really know. I never pictured a future for myself beyond high school. I guess I should get my thinking cap on, shop around for ideas, because the exams will come and go and I don't want to be left behind."

"There are lots of alternatives. Don't panic yet, we still have a couple of weeks."

Chenle nodded. There wasn't really any particular school subject that he connected with or felt an affinity for. He scratched his head and sighed quietly. "I suppose I just don't want to work a boring job... If everyday is different, if the work varies, then maybe I'd like to do something like that."

Jisung shrugged but nudged him encouragingly. "You have a great personality for dealing with people. I think you'd enjoy yourself in a job that requires individuality."

The omega chuckled and came to stop at the bottom of the stairs leading up to his home. He glanced up at the door and then squeezed Jisung's hand. "Would you like to come in for a while?"

"Sure."

They went on in and it was just as Chenle left it before going on the school trip. He dropped down his bags and rolled out his shoulders, wandering into the kitchen with a short yawn. "Do you want a drink or anything?" When the alpha declined, he murmured a quiet 'your loss' and started to make some coffee for himself. "Let's watch a movie. Anything but those awkward documentaries that are always on at your house."

Jisung couldn't help but agree. He put his own bag down, full of wet swimming gear, and took a seat on the couch. He watched the omega go about making the coffee, his smaller frame dressed in a large hoodie that only seemed to flatter his figure more somehow. He could stare at Chenle for ages.

"I'm thinking Shrek."

The alpha nodded absentmindedly and flitted his gaze to the tv, where a small stack of DVDs was standing. "I'll put it in the DVD player then, unless you can stream it?"

"Nope, has to be the DVD. Thanks, it should be in that pile." He plodded over and leapt onto the couch beside where Jisung sat to wait for his coffee to be ready. He pulled his hoodie up over his nose and snuggled back. "Ugh, Farquaad for president though."

Jisung joined him after switching on the television and gave him a questioning stare. "I'm on Team Shrek, so..."

"Ah, now I see why you'd want to date this," Chenle gestured to himself. "Shrek and I bear an uncanny resemblance."

"It's all in the ears."

•・•・•

The coffee pot was empty and Jisung had in fact helped himself to some even after declining earlier. Now he was wide awake but Chenle was lying with his head on his lap, eyes closed and breathing softly. They had spent the entire movie making inside jokes with each other and giving the characters strange scenarios, now Jisung would never see 'Shrek' the same way.

He lowered his hand to Chenle's head and gently stroked his hair back off his face. The credits had begun to play and Jisung had to admit that it had been a long time since he'd laughed so hard at a children's movie. His fingers hovered over the omega's forehead and he retracted, trying to decide whether to move or not. Chenle looked so peaceful. But he knew he had to head home soon.

He gently lifted the boy's head and stood up, lowering him back onto the couch. He crouched down and ran his hand over his hair again, then leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

"You missed," Chenle whispered tiredly and opened one eye.

Jisung laughed quietly and caught the boy's lips in his own, but when he tried to back away and stand up, he was pulled onto the sofa and Chenle cuddled into his side. "Hey, I have to go home."

"Please stay a little longer. I get lonely here."

Jisung closed his mouth and exhaled silently, letting out a soft breath. He suppressed a smile and hugged the older boy into his side. "You really are something. I love you so much, you little spitfire."

"Loving you~ is all I wanna do~" Chenle sang and sat up a little, slightly less tired than he had been before the film ended. He looked at Jisung up and down, hair tufting out at little angles, and scooched closer. His arms looped around his neck and he smiled softly. "Donghyuck said that you and I are written in the stars. I'd like to believe that's true, because it really does feel like I found my other half."

Jisung pulled him closer, his lips brushing Chenle's, arms wrapped securely around his waist and booped their noses together. He kissed him gently and broke away. Then he leaned in again and connected their lips more seriously. Chenle tilted his head to the side and began to fall backwards, slowly pulling Jisung with him, until he lay on his back with the alpha hovering over him.

They separated and he panted for air. "You're a damn good kisser," Chenle breathed and laughed, then tugged him down for another one, their hands interlacing. The couch was a bit too cramped for them like this but neither noticed nor cared.

This is what it means to love and be loved, Chenle thought. He truly understood it now.