Respiration

15

The two pulled up in front of Jinyoung's apartment building with Jackson still in the dark about what was going through Jinyoung's head. He'd asked a billion questions throughout the entire car ride, receiving little to no answers to all of them.

He let out a frustrated sigh when he pulled up to the curb, obviously tired of being given the cold shoulder. "Look Jinyoung, if you're mad at me I understand but-"

"I'm not mad." Jinyoung stated.

Jackson frowned, not understanding why Jinyoung wasn't further communicating with him. "Then why-?"

"Park please." Jinyoung requested while undoing his seatbelt.

"W-What? Jinyoung can you explain what's going through your head right now?" Jackson asked, confusion written all over his face.

"I said park. And get out." Jinyoung repeated, opening the car door to get out.

Jackson tried to make sense of things as he parked the car, getting out and walking around to where Jinyoung was standing. Jinyoung tightly gripped his wrist when Jackson approached, beginning to walk towards the building.

"Come on." He ordered with Jackson right behind him.

Jackson's eyes widened a little as he realized they were heading inside. "Wait... am I coming to your place?"

"Where does it look like you're going?" Jinyoung asked as he dragged Jackson through the lobby towards the staircase.

"Wait b-but why? I mean, not that I don't wanna come over but like, I mean... I wasn't even prepared, I think I smell bad..." Jackson complained as he stumbled up the flights of stairs.

They got up to Jinyoung's floor, walking down the corridor to his apartment. Jinyoung pulled out his keys, fumbling a bit with them to find the right one.

"You're fine. I just... want you to keep me company." Jinyoung mumbled as he fiddled with the key in his door knob.

"Why all of a sudden? You're not telling me anything..." Jackson replied, nearly tripping over his own two feet as Jinyoung got the door open and tugged him inside.

Jinyoung glared at Jackson as he yanked off his shoes. "You didn't tell me anything either. Just missed classes for a day and showed back up with scars. So now we're even."

Jackson stood where Jinyoung had led him by the kitchen counter, watching confusedly when the younger started digging through his drawers. "If you're still upset about that then I'm sorry but I really don't see the connection-"

"Can you just stop? Stop arguing with me." Jinyoung pulled out a first aid kit that he found in the midsts of various items, placing it on the counter before gripping Jackson's bandaged hand and tugging off the dirty gauze wrapped around it. "Just... let me take care of you for once..."

Jackson blinked, finally realizing what Jinyoung was doing. "Is that what this is about? Jinyoung, you don't need to repay me for helping you, I chose to-"

"Shut up. Let me do this. Please." Jinyoung snapped, focusing on unwrapping the bandage around Jackson's palm. He made an unpleasant face at the wound that was still healing, immediately grabbing the rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad.

Jackson closed his mouth, smiling softly as Jinyoung cleaned his busted knuckles and changed his bandage. It didn't really need changing, though it was a bit dirty and Jackson's hand still hadn't healed, so he was grateful nonetheless. He couldn't argue it anyway; Jinyoung wanted to repay the favors Jackson had done him, and if dressing the wounds made him feel better about himself, then Jackson would surely shut up and let him do it.

Jinyoung finished wrapping the bandage around Jackson's wound, his fingers lingering in his hand. Jackson stared at him with an adoring smile, watching as Jinyoung's cheeks flushed pink. "Feel better now?"

Jinyoung shrugged, pulling away from Jackson's gaze to haphazardly pack away the items he used back into the first aid kit. "I... I guess so..."

"Thank you." Jackson replied, his fingers lightly running down Jinyoung's arm into his hand.

Jinyoung shuddered under the touch, looking back at Jackson only to notice the few cuts and bruises interrupting his facial features. "Shit, I forgot your face..."

Jackson gripped Jinyoung's hand tightly as the younger turned back to the first aid kit, pulling Jinyoung back towards himself and taking his mind off of what he was going to do. "No worries. I'll take care of it at home. Really though, thank you."

Jinyoung glanced down at their joined hands, his cheeks plunging into a deeper shade of pink. "It's... it's not as much as you've done for me but..."

"Jinyoung, you don't have to try and repay me for anything. I help you when you need it because I care for you, and I don't want to see your health suffer." Jackson stated, his sincere stare and kind hearted words almost melting Jinyoung where he stood.

Jinyoung didn't know what to do with his heart constantly pumping against his chest, a vomit of words ended up escaping his lips. "I just... I dunno... appreciate it I guess... I wanted to do something for you in return..."

"Well I'm glad I know I can count on you to take care of me." Jackson replied, smiling even wider than he had before.

Jinyoung got lost in staring back, his gaze raking over Jackson's toothy smile, glittery eyes, and those perfect pair of lips. He might've been staring for a bit too long, only realizing that after he felt Jackson's squeeze his hand. He blinked out of his trance, clearing his throat. "U-Um, so... do you want something to eat?"

Jackson hummed, nodding in response. "I'd like that. Wanna order something in?"

"Yeah, sure." Jinyoung replied, chewing on his bottom lip as he tried to suppress the grin working its way onto his face and the deafening pounding of his heart.

----------------------------------------------

(*cute cute cute cute CUTE CUTIES UWU
I mean this story is basically all fluff and little angst I hope you're okay with that sksksks*)