Tastebuds (And Photos of You)

- five

Seokmin realized two things on that Monday:

1. Speaking satoori in a city with a over a dozen dialects, and professing his love to his teacher, were two very different things.

2. He was fucked.

He and Soonyoung had decided that after class would be the most convenient time to get started on their first photo shoot. Seokmin was on the verge of hyperventilating for the entire hour Soonyoung was teaching.

Much to Seokmin's distaste, the class ended right on time, and the students dispersed quickly. "Ready to go?" Soonyoung questioned. Seokmin was still gathering his things, while distractedly gazing at how carefully Soonyoung handled his camera. If Soonyoung handled children as delicately as he handled that camera, then Seokmin could understand why children were his favorite to photograph.

"Yeah," Seokmin eventually answered, slinging his bag onto his shoulder. "Where are we going?" he asked. They hadn't discussed where this outing would take place. "I was assigned three expressions," Soonyoung began, holding up three fingers and counting. "Happiness, frustration, and serenity. There's a little restaurant down the street called Green Tree that I think would evoke some happiness from you." Soonyoung smiled when he spoke the last bit, and Seokmin followed the path of his cheeks upwards. He wanted to reach out and trace the crinkles at the sides of his eyes.

With this thought, came a burst of fiery spice behind Seokmin's lips that warned him, "Look, but don't touch." Seokmin forced a smile to hide the frustration he felt. Soonyoung was looking at him differently. Like he saw what Seokmin was thinking, and that it was about him.

"Stand still," Soonyoung whispered. He reached for his camera, and adjusted the lense twice before bringing it to his eye. He tilted Seokmin's chin up with two fingers, and pointed the camera towards him.

Click.

"Perfect," Soonyoung grinned. Seokmin didn't really know what to do. "What was that?" he asked. "Frustration," Soonyoung answered. "By the way," Soonyoung laid his hand at the juncture between Seokmin's neck and shoulder, and made small circles on the skin with his thumb.

"I don't know what you were thinking of, but you don't have to think of it when you're with me. Relax."

So, Seokmin did.

~

The last thing that Seokmin expected to happen when he was with Soonyoung is that he would be so calm. Seokmin was generally a cautious person when making new friends, which caused him to come off as very shy. Soonyoung, on the other hand, appeared to be loud and outgoing.

But here's the thing: Soonyoung was the opposite.

Soonyoung was soft, and waved at babies in strollers, and held doors open for everyone passing through. Soonyoung was bright, and Seokmin swore that he could see the excitement bubbling up inside of him like a tea kettle when he saw a dog pass them. Soonyoung was gentle, and spoke softly even when they were outdoors, as if he was afraid to scare away the breeze.

Soonyoung was a light rain tapping against the window on a drowsy Sunday morning, and Seokmin wanted to fall into his embrace and stay there until the rain stopped.

~

The restaurant they arrived at seemed like a place Soonyoung would enjoy spending time. It was softly lit by the light streaming through the tall windows, and the hanging lanterns against the walls. The dark cedar benches and chairs were covered with evergreen cushions, and small potted succulents sat at the center of every table. Music bounced quietly off the carpeted floor, and Seokmin felt at peace. Soonyoung chose a seat beside the window, and muttered, "I've been told before that if you sit at a table on the first date, you're cursing yourself to a lifetime of hatred from the other person." He chuckled after he said it, but Seokmin could only blush.