Homeless ➹ 2jae [✓]

- 28 -

It was a few days before the two left the stay-in-bed-together-all-day phase and got out of their winter break laziness. They felt too cooped up in the university dorm even while they were spending time together, so they spent more time together outside of the room. They still stayed in the university, though; neither really wanted to go out in the cold much. Nonetheless, Jaebum still wanted to take Youngjae to the park and finally had an excuse after finding it months ago.

Despite the night being the warmest of the week, the park would be empty at night. It was such a secluded area Jaebum knew of and knew would be perfect. He'd only seen it once, but he kept it in the back of his mind for the one possibility that Youngjae would go with him.

"Youngjae, you good?" Jaebum asked, knocking on the door. He was taking so long that Jaebum was only worried about whether he was okay.

"Yeah, just a minute!"

"What are you doing anyway?" Jaebum laughed. When Youngjae didn't answer, he asked again, "Are you dressed?"

"Yes!"

"Yah, come on." Jaebum realized the door was unlocked and peeked inside. "Eh?" All he was was Youngjae running his hands through his hair, making tiny changes in his fringe until he had it right. He smiled at the innocence of it all. Watching such a sweet person perform something so small for the sake of impressing him warmed his heart.

"Sorry... I'll just be—"

"You're really cute, Youngjae," Jaebum told him casually. Youngjae only blushed and continued messing with the front of his hair. "I just want to get there before dark, hm? Your hair looks great."

"Does it?" Jaebum nodded. "Okay..."

"Come on," Jaebum said, holding out his hand. "Let's go!"

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"I didn't know this place was here," Youngjae said, astounded at what was around him. While the plant life wasn't much, considering it was winter, the sunset scattered through the branches and set the perfect tone for their outing.

"I found it a while ago... Figured I'd save it for you." Youngjae kicked around his feet, flustered by Jaebum's words.

After a few minutes, the two sat on the grass under some trees and took some photos before it got dark. Youngjae's heart fluttered the whole time— it was a feeling that never stopped. Every time Jaebum made contact with him, it grew stronger, and he couldn't take it anymore.

"Jaebum, may I kiss you?" he asked out of the blue. In the dark, their eyes met, and Jaebum's hand reached for the back of Youngjae's neck.

With a soft gaze, he answered, "You don't have to ask, baby," before leaning in. But Youngjae stopped him.

"Wait." His hand rested on Jaebum's thigh, each finger still while his thumb moved out of nervousness. He suddenly felt the sensation of the older's touch and his heart sped up again. "Jaebum..."

"Hm?"

"I love y—"

Jaebum couldn't hold back either. Youngjae was interrupted, and his mouth was sealed by the other's lips, roughly meeting at first but growing more tender when he felt Youngjae's grip on his leg loosen. The moment nearly felt unreal to the both of them, with the dark around them and the sound of the fountain so faintly in the background. It was perfect...

Until Youngjae's phone rang in his pocket, startling him and Jaebum enough to separate.

"Ah, sorry," Youngjae laughed nervously, biting his lip. "I thought I turned it off... Oh- It's Jinyoung." Youngjae looked towards Jaebum with a curious look.

"You can answer it," he said, locking his arm with Youngjae's.

"Hey! What's up?" Jaebum observed Youngjae's gentle expressions as he spoke on the phone. "Just... Hanging out with Jaebum." He noticed every movement his lips or eyebrows made, thinking to himself that Youngjae was simply beautiful. "Uh..." Soon, his expression became less chirpy and more confused. "W-why? No, i-it's fine, um... Thanks."

Youngjae hung up and put his phone away with shaky hands, taking deep breaths while his eyes watered.

"Hey, hey, what happened?" Jaebum asked, concerned about why Youngjae suddenly looked so panicked, but he wouldn't speak. He could tell that the younger didn't want to cry, but tears fell hopelessly onto his sleeves.

"No, it's fine... I just- Sorry."

"It's okay..."

Youngjae wiped his tears before saying, "I just want to be with you right now." Jaebum held Youngjae close and kissed his temple as they sat and stared up into the starless sky.

There was something warm in their embrace that Youngjae recognized, and it made him feel better. He wasn't so worried in that moment.

Jaebum really made him feel safe.

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a/n: o shit.
this video fuels me though like 2jae holDING HANDS BYE
still tho.... 👀👀