Posting stories isn't as enjoyable as it used to be, I think I'm just too old for this; so I'll try to finish posting this as quickly as possible and go back to just writing for myself.
That said, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Bel, xx
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The festival goes on for hours; one artist after the other makes the crowd scream and dance. Jinyoung only drinks one can of beer, and thankfully, he doesn't get wasted like before; just a bit tipsy, which helps him to let go of his suspicions while they have fun. Jackson and Jaebeom get quite drunk, dancing when one of those super popular girl groups comes on stage as if they were their backup dancers. Mark and Jinyoung laugh the whole time, recording them to immortalise forever.
By the time the festival is over, they go for samgyeopsal to finish sobering up a bit before going back home. It's way past midnight by the time the two couples part ways, with Jackson still a bit drunk.
"You have to promise we'll go on another double date, Jinyoungah!" Jackson begs, hugging Jinyoung as if they were best friends already.
The younger man laughs as Jaebeom tries to pry him away from Jackson's vice grip.
"I promise, I promise!" Jinyoung gives in, patting Jackson on his back comfortingly.
"Yay! You promised," the other man cheers, and it's Mark who ultimately manages to pull them apart to drag Jackson inside a cab to go home. Jackson waves excitedly from the window of the cab, half of his body sticking out of it as the car drives away.
"I'll walk you home; it's not that far, and walking will help me to finish sober up," Jaebeom offers when it's the two of them again.
"Sure, let's go," Jinyoung agrees easily, letting Jaebeom hold his hand as they start walking.
They navigate the crowded streets of Hongdae, buying ice cream on their way as they head to Hapjeong and slowly the streets getting less crowded. Eventually, they arrive at Mangwon Market, and by that point Jaebeom looks fine again, the blush on his cheeks finally receding and he just keeps a happy smile. Jinyoung too has sobered up, and with that, he allows the topic he pushed to the back of his mind to resurface.
For that reason, Jinyoung takes a detour, leading Jaebeom to an empty playground where they can sit and he can finally face his boyfriend, demanding to understand what happened before the first artist came onstage. It's an old playground where almost no kid visits as it only has a set of swings and a slide, hidden behind many bushes and large trees. It's in an area where mostly senior citizens live, but Jinyoung likes going there when he's avoiding home, a place where no one will find him and he can be left alone. One of his many hideouts in the city.
"Not ready to go home yet?" Jaebeom asks as he sits on one of the swings.
Jinyoung takes the one to his left, gently rocking himself as he organises his thoughts.
"You could say that," the younger man replies. "I never like going home, to be honest."
"Then we can stay here as long as you want," Jaebeom offers easily with a smile, not minding how late it already is.
Jinyoung clenches the chains, his stomach turning with how accommodating Jaebeom always is. No matter what, he is always catering to Jinyoung's every whim and tonight, the young man is once again letting his mind find that peculiar.
"But it's not only that," Jinyoung adds, stopping swinging and turning his head to face the other man. "I wanted to ask you something."
Jaebeom only nods, his expression unguarded and smiling, just waiting for Jinyoung to continue. He feels the knot in his stomach tightening and the dread closing his throat, making it hard to bring up the subject again.
YOU ARE READING
Healing
Fanfiction{SEQUEL TO ACROPHILIA} After waking up from the coma, Jinyoung cannot seem to get rid of this other man who seems set on turning his life upside down, making him want to... live.
