Red roses that grow inside our black lungs || Jaepil

Chapter 4; Stage 4 (the end)

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Stage 4.
Irises

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It almost felt nostalgic, Jae would have said, if only he had the courage to break the beautiful silence that was hanging in between the two males. Jae decided to keep his mouth shut, instead, he tried to follow the saying actions speak, louder than words and he carefully wrapped his arm around the younger male who was starting to doze off while watching the sunset from their balcony. Something about it, made Jae feeling warm and fuzzy inside, the weather that was finally warm enough that they could wear t-shirts and shorts without jackets. The rain that would keep them company during the nights. But especially the flowers that were growing all around them. The flowers made him feel these things, he knew it.

It wasn't something that went over in just a heartbeat. No. Jae had to take care of Wonpil, assisting him to the toilet and spoon-feeding him soup and other soft foods that didn't disturb Wonpil's healing throat and lungs. But every member would be lying when they say that they didn't see the colour growing on the younger's face, or when they tell you that they didn't feel a little bit of hope whenever Wonpil's eyes would sparkle and how his eyes would sparkle particularly when he saw Jae. There was only one feeling for them; hope. It was the only thing that made them keep moving and that kept them from not giving up on Wonpil nor Jae.
But even with the hope, and even with Jae trying his absolute hardest to not fail Wonpil. Not now. Sungjin's eyes kept on swinging Wonpil over. And the flower petals were an irregular mess and Wonpil had days that were worse than others. On those days, he didn't want to see Jae anymore, too scared that he would hurt the older if he saw that Wonpil wasn't over Sungjin. Not yet, at least.

The first flowerless day was a blessing. The sun was shining outside, Jae was wearing a choker, black ripped jeans, and a loose button-up. It was a simple outfit, but it made Wonpil's heart skip a couple of beats when he saw him walking in that specific outfit out of the bathroom. Jae chuckled a little when he caught Wonpil staring, making the latter flustered and sputtering out excuses as his whole face turned red.

"Don't worry Wonpil-ah, I'm not mad, obviously. Do you like the choker? Dowoon said it would look good on me but I am not so confident in his stylistic choices... What do you think? You like fashion, right?" Wonpil nodded, still too embarrassed to answer.

"Well? Tell me what you think?"

"I think it looks great on you," Wonpil hissed. A part of him didn't want to give Jae any satisfaction. Jae knew exactly that he was the reason the flower petals were becoming less and less, but Wonpil didn't want to let Jae know that, especially not when he was grinning like this; like he was the God of all and everything.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you."

"It looks good on you, hyung," Wonpil admitted. Jae smiled softly and ruffled Wonpil's hair.

"You look good too."

After that, everything became better. And especially after the second flowerless day, Wonpils disease started to become less. It was only occasionally that Wonpil coughed up flower petals and when Wonpil believed that his illness was over, he confessed to Jae.

"I need to tell you something." Jae looked up from his phone. The two males were alone in the dorm, Wonpil having told the rest of the members of his plan. "And it's very important to me and I already know the answer because you told me when you were drunk but... But Jaehyung, I am in love with you."

The rest is history.

"Hyung," Wonpil whispered, leaning against the shoulder of his boyfriend. It was starting to get cold outside, now the sun was down. "I'm tired... Tired and cold." Jae laughed and pushed Wonpil off of his shoulder, also unwrapping the arm that was first around Wonpil.

"You sound like an old man."

"You're an old man." Jae rolled his eyes and let Wonpil lay down on his lap. Wonpil smiled as he looked up, looking into Jae's eyes. "But I love you. I really do. You're amazing." Jae intertwined their hands.

"I love you too, baby." They stayed there for a while until Wonpil fell asleep and Jae carried him to the bedroom. Inside, Sungjin and Younghyun were sleeping on the couch, a mess of tangled limbs and whatever and not. Jae rolled his eyes at the sights since they were the ones scolding him and Wonpil for falling asleep on the couch yesterday. But instead of regaining his pride, Jae decided to be the good eldest and pulled a blanket over the two. From the other room, you could hear Dowoon talking over Skype to Junhyeok. He was giggling like a child. Jae left him alone and walked to the bedroom again, where he joined Wonpil and fell asleep not that much time afterwards.