Tattoo ⚣ Jaeyong

[ chapter 3 ]

jung jaehyun

"do you go out to clubs often?" jaehyun asked, wanting to make small talk with the stranger beside him. why he even asked the other if he wanted to come along was a mystery even in his eyes. perhaps it was the way taeyong looked that intrigued him so. his tight, black jeans and overshized, black coat seemed to fit his slim body perfectly and compliment his already god-like face.

"sometimes. when i'm bored." taeyong answered. "do you?"

"just sometimes." he bluntly replied. he hated small talk but it was better than complete and awkward silence.

"where are we going to?"

jaehyun didn't know where he was walking, just wherever his feet took him. and he felt like the male beside him needed time away from whatever was killing him.

"dunno."

"are you going to kill me? if you are, then please cover up my chest when you do."

the taller male chuckled and shook his head. "i'm just going where my heart desires."

there was silence as the two continued on walking. none of them knew where they were going, neither did they care. it was nice, though - to have company once in a while.

"it's pretty dark." jaehyun said a few minutes after, "when do you usually get home?"

"whenever. i live alone."

"that's pretty dangerous for a man like you, don't you think?"

he didn't mean to be rude but he was. the other seemed to ignore his remark and continued to walk.

"do you believe in true love?"

"i believe that if they're happy and they're fools, then their love can be true."

"i'm talking about you." taeyong turned to look at jaehyun. "it doesn't seem like you have any tattoos."

jaehyun turned to look back at taeyong and the two abruptly stopped. "i'm wearing a suit."

"but do you have any?"

"it's a bit rude to pry on another's love life, especially a stranger at that."

"you were being rude to me first. and we know each other's names now, so we're acquaintances."

"i don't even know your age."

"i'm twenty-four."

"oh." jaehyun whispered. he had thought the other was at least a year younger than him, or perhaps the same age but he was two years older than him.

"i'm assuming i'm your hyung?"

the younger let out a flustered cough and nodded.

"you look quite mature for your age. even i was fooled and thought you were older."

jaehyun looked away and continued to walk, the older following suit.

"are you in college?" taeyong piped up. "or are you working?"

"i'm in college, hyung. i'm studying business and management."

"so that explains the suit." taeyong chuckles to himself. "it looks quite good on you, y'know."

"thank you, hyung."

"you've become more formal after we found out i'm older than you." taeyong abrubtly stops again. "you don't really need to be."

"right." jaehyun stops as well, but his eyes were focused on the pavement in front of him. "do you mind me asking what happened between you and your friend?"

taeyong gives a hum and walks closer to jaehyun, stopping next to him. "you want to continue walking and i'll tell you, or should we stop somewhere?"

jaehyun doesn't reply and proceeds to walk.

"well, to put it simply, we were lovers." taeyong moves his legs a little faster to keep up with jaehyun.

"and we had a fall out. that's pretty much it."

jaehyun nods, not really believing the very short story, but he knows he shouldn't try to pry anymore.

"i wanted to make up with him today. i knew he would be out drinking. i just - i don't know - thought he would've at least tried to listen to me."

"do you still love him?"

"if i said yes, it'll be a pity wouldn't it?"

"well, do you?"

"a part of me, yes. but i want to make up with him rather than get back with him."

"was he good to you?"

"yes." taeyong said, a little too quickly. "always. well, i mean up until now."

jaehyun walks down a few steps and takes off his shoes, plopping them onto the sand. confused but excited, taeyong does the same.

they had arrived at a beach. it was dark and who knows what could've been lurking in the waters, but it was soothing and peaceful never-the-less.

"have you ever been to the beach at night?" jaehyun asks, finally turning to look at taeyong.

his eyes were as big as the moon but darker than the sea beneath them. the only light showing on his face was the light from the stars in the sky, and one small lamp post behind them. even in this dark place, it seemed like taeyong was the light and jaehyun was that small hope that taeyong seemed to be grasping on.

"no but it feels exciting." taeyong smiled. perhaps it was the most genuine smile throughout the night they were together. "oh, i can't stay for long. i have to go somewhere early tomorrow."

"do you need me to walk you home?"

"no need." taeyong said, still smiling. "i think my neighbours may be whispering about me, so i have to keep a low profile for now."

jaehyun continued to stare at taeyong, and taeyong continued to stare at the sea. they were like this for a few minutes or so before the older bid adieu and walked off.

jaehyun looked at the empty space beside him and then sighed to himself.

another lonely day for another lonely boy.