DIPHYLLEIA GRAYI(SORAMAFU)

35

        Soraru stared down at his arms, at the bandages peeking out from his sleeves. He pulled them down further, concealing his wrists. Clad in an oversized buttoned up shirt that hangs off his thin frame, a white tee inside it, and black ripped jeans, Soraru sat outside the hospital, waiting for a particular blonde to reach. He had called him earlier in the day, requesting him to come over, and the younger had agreed readily to the idea of picking Soraru up. 

But now it is ten minutes over. He is late, and Soraru begun to feel anxiety gnawing at his thoughts. 

       Soraru sighs into his cupped palms, contemplating whether to make his way home alone, when a soft tap on the shoulder had him jumping slightly away. He turned, meeting the bright eyes of Mafu's. Soraru found himself admiring Mafu's face, the same way one would admire a painting. His eyelashes were long, his eyes glittery with something- amusement?- and his lips were curled upwards. "hey, sorry I'm late," Mafu says, and Soraru shook himself out of it. He smiled at Mafu hesitantly, before taking his outstretched hand, allowing Mafu to pull him up. He shook his head a little. "It's okay," he replies, and Mafu tightened his grip around Soraru's hand. It was pleasant, Soraru supposed, as they made their way to a nearby cafe. The younger had claimed that he knew the best cafe in the area, and Soraru is content with letting Mafu take the lead.

         Soraru watched Mafu carefully as the younger walked them into a small cafe. He pushed the door open, revealing its warm interior. "where did you find this place?" Soraru asks, tearing his gaze away from Mafu to assess the pretty cafe. It was decorated with flowers, and the interior was made almost entirely out of wood. The walls, tables and chairs were designed after the western farmhouse style, Soraru was sure of it. They sat down at one of the tables, and Soraru suddenly wanted to draw Mafu. His finger itched for a pencil, but he suppressed the urge, pressing his hands flat against the surface of the table.

         Mafu smiled, and at that moment, the sun rays hit him, illuminating him in the most beautiful moment. The younger's eyes were averted from Soraru as he looks around the cafe, and Soraru took the chance to capture him in a picture using his phone. He looked at it again, and a small smile touches his lips- it was beautiful, and Soraru was glad he had the thought to immortalise Mafu in that picture. "did you just took a picture of me, Soraru-san?" Mafu asks, his words accompanied by a laugh that instantly got Soraru feeling all warn inside. He blushed, and gave Mafu a timid nod, letting the younger take his hands.

         Mafu eased the phone out of Soraru's grip, checking the phone's screen. It was still displaying Mafu's picture, and Mafu examined it before returning the phone to Soraru. "change it to your lock screen?" he pleaded, and Soraru pinked. He was saved from answering by the arrival of the waiter, who neared them with their orders. Once he left, Mafu leaned forward again, and Soraru felt like burying himself into the ground in order to escape Mafu's burning gaze.

         "I'll think about it," he mutters, and Mafu squeezed his hands. "you're the best," the younger says happily. "why do you want your photo to be my lockscreen, anyway?" Soraru asks, mainly for fun, but Mafu lifted his shoulders in a small shrug, before grinning. It was a blinding sight, and Soraru found himself averting his gaze. "because we should match! My lock screen is a picture of you, you know?" "I don't!" Soraru exclaimed, his ears completely red by now. Mafu blinked, confused, before turning red himself. "oh," he commented, before covering his face shyly. "can we please forget about what I said?" he pleaded, but Soraru shook his head. "let me see your phone," he instructed, and the younger pulled it out of his pocket, handing it to Soraru.

        By tapping twice on the screen, Soraru was greeted by a picture of himself, sitting at the hospital entrance, merely a half an hour ago, with a small pout on his face and reddened cheeks.

Somehow, Soraru thinks he look extremely adorable.

       Smiling, he gave it back to Mafu. "at least I don't look really ugly," he laughs, and Mafu grins. "good. now, for my wallpaper..." he moved to sit next to Soraru, and pulled Soraru towards him, holding his phone up. "smile, Soraru-san!" the older grinned at the camera, enjoying the warmth that radiates from Mafu. The younger snapped the picture, and pulled away. "is that picture oka-" Soraru was cut off by Mafu kissing his cheek, and a small sound of the camera shutter is heard. "there!" Mafu exclaimed, satisfied. He brandished the picture- taken by Soraru's phone- and smiled at the older. "put this as your wallpaper, okay?" he asks, and Soraru nodded dazedly.

       A small jingle of bells alerted Soraru, and the older turned just in time to catch.... Suzumu's eyes. Soraru quickly turned back to the table, but a sudden tap on the table had both him and Mafu turning towards the direction of the sound. Suzumu stood there, a bitter smile twisting his features, and Lon was hovering behind him, looking a little uncertain.

"fancy meeting you here, Soraru."

a/n : I rushed this update lmao
it's jonghyun's bday today and im sad. my friends told me to be happy, for his sake, but the only thing I've been doing is cry
I miss him so much, and I'm trying my best to be happy, but I always find myself back to square one. I would lash out, have sudden change of emotions, and I hate it. I hate myself. I don't know why I'm like this, my parents and friends are giving up on me, and I'm trying so hard to try to be okay again.
to my rose, even if you're not reading this, i  will meet you soon, idk when, but it may be sooner than I've originally thought.

thank you guys, for supporting this book!
-aru