Homeless ➹ 2jae [✓]

- 23 -

The younger looked into the red and crying eyes of the older, trying to find an answer to his question that Jaebum didn't want to say. His lips parted only slightly as he looked away to Jaebum's, still thinking deeply about the implied trauma in his shaking voice. Youngjae watched as he licked the tears off of his lips, then realizing.

"Oh..." A sad smile appeared on the older's cheeks; tears rolling one by one, down and into his lap. Youngjae was speechless and indecisive about whether to say he was sorry or to somehow let Jaebum know that he was there. The only thing he knew to do was to hold Jaebum close to him and stay silent.

"It's okay... That was a long time ago." The silence was unbearable for the both of them, somehow a sick feeling in their stomachs. All they heard was the traffic of the city outside and each other's shallow breaths. It was strange, though, because it felt like an hour to them of the deafening quiet when it was really only a minute or so. "Besides," Jaebum whispered, "this shouldn't be about me. I just..."

"Just what?"

Jaebum took a deep breath before speaking again. "I guess I just wanted to tell you that." He met Youngjae's eyes with his own, staring with a sweet gaze. It made the latter feel safe, almost, and warm in the cold apartment. "Come on, let's go to sleep." He pat the younger's shoulder before standing up to turn off the lights. When he returned, Youngjae was on his side, watching Jaebum's feet walk back and get under the thin blanket they were to share.

Though he could hardly see Jaebum, his gaze followed the older from his nose to his lips, and he still found him fascinating. In the dark, there wasn't much light coming through, but just enough for Jaebum to see Youngjae's bright eyes.

"You okay?" Jaebum's hand reached up to the side of Youngjae's head, and he ran his fingers through the side of his hair. He could barely make out the younger's expression, but saw some shadow of a smile creeping up on his face.

"Yeah," Youngjae answered, but he still didn't close his eyes. He watched as Jaebum moved his whole
body closer to him, allowing for their visions of each other to be clearer. Tired, Youngjae whispered, "Thanks," and rested his head in Jaebum's chest.

They lay in that position for the rest of the night, Jaebum waiting for Youngjae to fall asleep first. He held the younger tightly, their heads close together, and just barely pressed his lips against his forehead before pulling away. He was afraid Youngjae would notice and feel weird, so he decided against that simple gesture of affection for resting his own head against Youngjae's, breathing in the dirty and unwashed scent of his hair. He didn't mind, though.

He loved Youngjae.

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a/n: sorry for the super slow updates !! i'm so busy as school is ending and i have a lot of final projects and whatnot, but i really want to get some updates out so i'll do my best!! thank you so much for sticking with me 💖