Dogs

15.

JB

I gazed out at the passing scenery, trying to distract myself as Youngjae snuggled closer to me. I heard his breaths even out, his hands wrapped around the front of my shirt. I smiled to myself at him being so clingy, loving how he fit so snugly in my arms.

I pressed a soft kiss to his head, breathing him in, my eyes closing in bliss. I held him tight to me as the van went over some bumps, not wanting him to wake, not wanting him to leave my arms even for a second. The journey back felt too short as our manager parked, discreetly giving us some space as he handed me the keys.

I held him for a few more moments before unbuckling us, tilting him so that his head lolled onto my bicep. I watched his peaceful resting face, my heart thudding hard against my chest just from watching him.

"You mean the world to me" I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

"Jae" I called, smiling to myself at the quiet one-sided conversations I always had with him while he was asleep.

My heart sped up as his eyes opened to meet mine, enjoying how he only responded to Jae after all this time. His brown eyes looked lighter under the yellow light, his sleepy eyes half open and staring back into mine.

"Mmm" he half grumbled, wrapping his arms around me as he lifted his head to bury his face into my neck.

"We're back at the dorm Jae" I whispered, rubbing my hand along his spine as I felt him sag into my arms, knowing that he was drifting back to sleep. He grumbled softly while clinging tighter to me, I let him drift back to sleep, his even breaths fanning against my neck.

The van became too stuffy after awhile and I had no choice but to tug him closer to me, lifting him up and out of the van.
A/N: 답답해 <- stuffy/feels clogged/stuck. Idk why but one of my favourite words. Stuffy. HA.

I locked the van behind me while carrying him bridal style, shifting him carefully the entire way. I made my way slowly to the lifts, taking extra care not to jostle him while holding him tight to my chest.

He stirred as I entered the elevator, his eyes widening as he lifted his head from my shoulder, finally realising where we were.

"You can put me down now" he whispered, his adorable cheeks flushing. He looked so confused in that moment, unsure if he should hold me tighter to hide his face or get me to put him down.

"I like having you here in my arms though" I smirked, holding him tighter.

He snapped out of it and struggled in my arms, trying to untangle his legs as he blushed further. Ah... my heart.

I relented and placed him down slowly, laughing as he flung his arms and body back at me after catching the reflection of his red face on the doors.

I ran my hand up and down his back, feeling him rub his nose against my neck with a small sigh. The ping from the elevator caused him to jump away and I clenched my hands to my side, controlling myself from tugging him back to me.

He quickly exited the elevator and shot me a small smile as he glanced back at me, my heart hammering hard, my mood improving just like that. I sped up to overtake him, unlocking the main door and opening it for him.

"Ah. I managed to shower and leave the toilet alone that day" he announced, his face shining with glee as he moved to enter the dorm.

"Yeah?" I asked, my heart sinking at the thought of him not needing me anymore.

I tried to remain calm, relaxing my shoulders and stance as I walked stiffly to our room door. I always feel like I'm a plant when it comes to him, that my mood and growth depends on if I get enough sunshine.