Red Chrysanthemum - Minsung

Chapter 31

Cold, winter sunlight beamed through the window, the brightness stirring Jeongin from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes groggily, checking his watch. 11:27 it read. He felt fear course through him, but then he remembered that it was Friday and that he had nothing planned, save for a café date with his boyfriend later.

Boyfriends.

They were still best friends, but now there was another title to add to it all : boyfriend. And its connotations were far from being platonic. He wouldn't be using the term like middle aged straight women use "girlfriends" when referring to their friends, it always confused him when he was younger how these women had husbands and girlfriends. But he quickly understood that it was simply a manner of speech.

He stretched longly, one of his hands brushing against a fluffy mop of hair, the owner groaning gently as he too, was stirred from his slumber. Jeongin smiled as he watched Seungmin slowly emerge from his deep sleep, looking up at Jeongin with twinkling, slightly accusatory eyes.

"Good morning baby," The older said with a smile, a hand finding Jeongin's cheek.

"Morning my love," He responded, kissing his forehead gently. "How did you sleep?" Seungmin stretched his whole body out, his cheeks puffing up as he strained.

"Good," He said, his voice strained as he spoke mid-stretch. "Great, even." Jeongin brushed his soft hair out of his face, the gesture made Seungmin blush no matter how many times he did it.

"I can't wait for our date today." He murmured with excitement. "Our first official date." He said. Seungmin nodded happily, breaking into a small smile at Jeongin's adorableness.

"Me neither," The navy haired boy said as he kissed his nose delicately. Jeongin pretended to hate it and scrunched up his nose in mock disgust. Seungmin pouted at his teasing and hit his arm playfully, making the younger giggle.

"Such a tease..." The older whined and Jeongin laughed outright, his sly eyes crinkling in the corners.

"I know," He kissed his lips this time, not caring about morning breath or any other trivial matters. "D'you want some pancakes?" Seungmin immediately perked up, his eyes shining as he sat up in bed.

"Yes please! That sounds amazing," Jeongin chuckled and got out of bed, dragging a happy Seungmin behind him.

They walked out into their kitchen, a little surprised to find Hyunjin at the dining table, munching on some cereal. He looked up as he heard them approaching, smiling as he saw his roommates for the first time in a few days.

"Oh, hi Hyunnie!" Exclaimed Seungmin. He bounded over to him, happy to see him back at the apartment after having spent so much time at Chan's.

"How's it going?" The youngest of them all asked, pulling out the ingredients and kitchenware he needed. Hyunjin swallowed his mouthful before answering.

"It's going great! I'm just letting Chan have some time alone to miss me." Jeongin scoffed and Seungmin rolled his eyes lightheartedly.

"Deux tourtereaux, j'te jure. (A pair of lovebirds, for real)" Seungmin muttered in french, breaking out of their usual habit of speaking English around each other.

"What, you got a problem with it?" Hyunjin retorted in English. Jeongin scoffed through his nose, shaking his head as he mixed the pancake batter. The two older roommates began bickering with each other about silly things, comparing how their boyfriends treat them.

"Jeongin cooks for us!" Seungmin argued. Hyunjin scoffed, dismissing his point with an effortless wave of his hand.

"Chan does that too, but I bet Jeongin doesn't call you darling!" The navy haired boy huffed, crossing his arms melodramatically.