Dancing King

Chapter 21

It is freaking 40 degrees again. Unbelievable. Is it ever going to feel like spring or is it suddenly gonna be a hundred degrees every day for three months straight? It's also raining so there's that (pray for me guys I gotta clean my car out before my friend and I leave).

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Junmyeon's POV

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Nothing felt better than waking up slowly on a weekday, roused only by the watery light streaming through my blinds rather than a blaring alarm. I stretched, wrapping my fingers around something soft and bringing it close to me, burying my face in the bear's beanie. It still vaguely smelled of Yixing's cologne, and if I breathed deeply I could get the faint scent yet. I pressed the paw, letting his sweet and simply words wrap around me. I didn't think he even knew what this all meant to me. No one had ever gone out of their way to make me something like this.

I rose, tucking Xing (shhhh don't tell the real Yixing) under the covers, his place of honor. I made my way to the bathroom to begin my morning routine, dressed still in flannel pajama pants and Yixing's sweater. I'd taken to wearing it to bed for no other reason than wanting to do it. I would be questioned at school if I ever showed up in it over my uniform, so this seemed to be the safest bet.

"Morning." I waved at mom on my way by the kitchen. If she ever wondered where this sweater came from, she never questioned it. I let the sleeves hang over my hands, taking great pleasure in playing with them from time to time. "I don't have to work today," she said, joining me in the living room after a beat. I glanced up to her. "Want to borrow the car again today?" she asked nonchalantly. I'm sure my whole face lit up as she chuckled and reached out to ruffle my already messy hair.

"Is there a catch?" I asked, remembering the last time I had the car. She laughed again, shaking her head.

"Nope," she replied. "No catch. It's your break from school. You're last one before university." She sighed, sounding wistful, and I didn't have the heart to tell her I still wasn't sure if I was even seeking a secondary education. My whole future hinged on that tiny fact. You weren't worthy if you didn't have a degree under your belt. "Besides, if I remember correctly, you promised your new friend a ride sometime."

"Oh yeah," I mused. "I did promise Yixing a ride at some point. Today is a good a day as any." I turned my attention back to the drama playing on TV, slouching back against the couch. "Later though. It's still too early for this." I laughed at my own joke since it was nearing noon. Mom also laughed lowly, heading back towards the kitchen. I closed my eyes, listening to her bustling about. Christmas was a few days off yet, and this was the first day in quite awhile she'd been home. I wanted to enjoy little moments like this before they were gone for good.

"Any girlfriend yet?" mom asked, poking her head back in. "You were telling me about this girl you liked," she continued. "Anything become of that?" I stayed quiet while I mulled over exactly what to say to her. I knew she wouldn't like the outcome. "Junnie," she said softly. I opened my eyes, sitting up when I saw her next to me. "You can tell me anything, you know," she prompted. I sucked in a breath. Worth a shot, right?

"There's not going to be a girlfriend," I answered honestly. "There never will be. I'm... I'm gay." For so long neither of us said anything. She frowned, though I couldn't tell if it was thoughtful or genuine hurt, and the mystery of it all drove my inner demons nuts.

"Is that all?" she asked, sounding wary and guarded. I miserably nodded, burying my face in my hands. A short bark of laughter, however, had me looking up again, confusion creasing every line on my face. "God I thought you were going to say you got somebody pregnant. That's great! So when can I meet your boyfriend?" This whole thing was going faster than what my brain could follow. I sat there, stunned to silence.