Ironically Married~ Chensung/Chenji

Chapter 8

"Welcome home," Jisung said, mouthful of instant ramen. Chenle sighed. "Bad day today?" No answer- just a feeble smile and sniff at the ramen. "Want some? I can make more."

"That would be much appreciated. But I don't think a bowl of ramen will make me feel any better." Jisung pouted, getting up and heading to the kitchen despite his bowl having only a couple mouthfuls left anyway.

"You know what would make you feel better? A dog," he half-jokingly said.

"I told you you'd like the surprise," Chenle rested his shoulder at the entrance of the kitchen.

"Too bad you weren't there though. We should get a dog, wouldn't that be cool?" No answer. "Chenle?"

"Later, Jisung." And he left it at that until Chenle was seated opposite him, a used-to-be-steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.

"So, about the pet..."

"What about a pet?" Chenle said between slurps. Jisung clicked his tongue and focused back on his screen.

"Another day. You're tired."

"You're gonna keep asking me this for the next month, aren't you?" Chenle ate a mouthful and leaned back, looking at him square in the eye. Jisung's eyes shifted and he gave a tiny nod. "It's too much work. At this point, no. But in the future, maybe."

"How far into the future?" Jisung said with hopeful eyes.

"...the future," Chenle raised both his eyebrows with an exaggerated smile, and immediately reverted back to his resting face. Jisung took a moment to think.

"What was bad about your day? Rant hours time," he poked at Chenle's hand resting on the table.

"The day in general...was shit. I wanna quit."

"Then quit," Jisung said quite matter-of-factly, making Chenle giggle. If he were honest, to Jisung that sound coloured the so far tense atmosphere warm shades of pink.

"It's not that simple. But thanks for the advice bud," he slapped Jisung's arm playfully. They were both silent for a moment.

"You took music in high school right? Kun showed me around his home studio the other day- maybe we can go over again this weekend." Chenle chewed his ramen thoughtfully.

"I mean...I've always liked it. But never considered it as a career path necessarily."

"Think about it. You make good decisions when it comes to these types of things," Jisung said confidently. Chenle sighed.

"I'm not as spontaneous as you, in that way."

"Which isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's good to be more head than heart. What's the worst that could happen?"

"My optimism has rubbed off on you, I see. I'll think," Chenle took one final slurp of ramen, smacking his lips and yawning. Jisung shrugged.

"I can't expect you to think positively about everything. There's a time and place." The kitchen tap drowned out the last part, but Chenle nodded, and nothing more was said.

Strangely enough, despite how tired he was, it was a sleepless night for Chenle. Thoughts trickled in, his mind subconsciously turning each one over before deciding whether or not it was worth contemplating. And so far, they'd all passed. "Am I letting anyone down if I do this?" was one of the first ones. "Parents...they'd trust me, wouldn't they? Maybe. Probably. Hard to say," he sighed, flipping to his other side again. He may have just been imagining it, but Jisung's gentle snores through the wall somewhat comforted him. It fought with his thoughts, one setting him to sleep and the other trying to keep him awake.