A playful sun ray was teasing Jiwook's eyes and hair, sharing its afternoon honey warmth with him. His long eyelashes caught a golden shade and fluttered slightly like a pair of butterfly wings bathing in the sunlight.
Jiwook felt unusually at peace and comfortable, no pain was stinging him like before, no torments, no nightmares, instead of it just a hollow feeling in his stomach, which actually felt rather welcome. For a moment Jiwook thought that even this peaceful feeling was a dream, a mirage, that he himself created and though he was already awake, he was afraid to open his eyes. Even with his eyes closed, his senses were sharp enough to notice the slightest movement in his surroundings. And there was something... or someone. He felt someone looking at him, though they weren't making a single sound, but every now and then, soft breathes were betraying their presence.
After a while Jiwook felt the stare burning his skin, and for unknown reason it made him flustered, his cheeks already getting redder. He felt someone coming closer and without noticing it, he held his breath, his heart beating loudly in his ears. Now he new it for sure, that was no dream.
"What do they want?...", asked himself Jiwook and stayed frozen in place, too nervous to move.
Suddenly he could feel other person's warm breath tickling his left cheek and ear.
- Why pretend to be asleep? Or you wish to get a morning kiss?
The unexpected husky warm voice, which Jiwook recognized right away, poured in his ear, a little too close, making him jerk his eyes awake.
He met a pair of mischievous smiling eyes looking back at him, a naughty wide grin plastered on his face.
Lee Joohoon.
The elder looked genuinely content and amused by Jiwook's silly play and his reaction. The younger's face still gleamed bright red as Joohoon's words sunk slowly into his mind.
- N-no! No need!
He meant to give a straight firm refusal, but his voice sounded too weak breaking right at the start. He felt his mouth too dry, like he ate sand or something.
Joohoon chuckled a little his hand reaching for the glass of water.
- Take this.
Jiwook widened his eyes at the gesture, too shocked and confused at this point. However he really needed that water and after a second of hesitation he reached for the glass. Better say tried to. He had no strength in his limbs, barely could move his hand and struggled visibly to stand. He got dizzy just from trying.
Joohoon came closer, helping him stand and supported his back. Now the younger practically leaned on his arm and shoulder. Joohoon even helped him hold the glass. Jiwook's eyes popped wider in shock, wondering what was this all about.
Something was fishy.
It would be suspicious coming from anyone, but from Joohoon that was straight threatening. He began unconsciously to tremble, afraid to ask why the elder behaved like that. This unknown side of Joohoon gave him chills (not like the usual Joohoon felt less dangerous), though he still knew what was to be expected. But now... it made him panic.
- Shhh
Joohoon pated Jiwook's head, pulling him even closer to his chest almost in an embrace, his other arm wrapped around the younger, as if to hold him in case Jiwook would want to fly away.
"Something definitely happened. I'm screwed", thought Jiwook, watching himself being held and unable to escape that honeyed trap he was pulled into. After what happened the night before he just knew it. If it's Lee Joohoon, it couldn't end well. What have he been through at that time... Suddenly his ears flashed bright red, betraying his mixed feelings about that night. Beyond his fright, hate, despise, anger, distress and above all – shame, something unexpected existed as well.
Desire.
It was shocking for Jiwook to realize that he indeed didn't wish to run away. Even if it'll hurt, he wanted to stay. He couldn't otherwise.
"Anyway there's no place for me to return to.."
Satisfied with his found reason and completely ignorant of his behavior and messy feelings, Jiwook decided to try something safer for the time being (though he wasn't sure that was even possible with Joohoon). He focused his attention on his surroundings noticing finally that it's completely unfamiliar.
The room was painted in sunlight and vivid pink and green, that actually was from the old fashioned floral wallpaper and the funny carpet. The room gave off a modest but warm and comfortable feeling, being set with a few old and simple furniture, stocked with too many frames and photos, which were scattered on the wall as well. Jiwook found himself in a cozy futon dyed in blinding bright purple, yellow, green and pink all together.
- W-what is this place? Don't tell me that's your room!
Even if it was, Jiwook wasn't about to compliment it. Not a chance. At least not with that futon, his eyes just hurt from looking at that tasteless mix of colors.
A soft low giggle tickled Jiwook's back. It could be no one other than Joohoon, but it still surprised the younger. Since when Joohoon's laughing felt so warm and beautiful and lovely and ... "Yeah, everything what literally isn't Joohoon".
Jiwook tried to gather his thoughts, God he was a mess.
- Why, you don't like it?, asked back Joohoon instead of answering, challenging the younger to go ahead and voice his honest thoughts.
Jiwook now knew better when to hold his tongue or when to talk back to Joohoon and to lie, was even worse. Somehow the elder always knew then he was lying.
Therefore he gulped back his grumpy words and gave an unbelieving-look instead.
- Ok, ok, said Joohoon, his smile still there. – I was told to bring you out of the basement and because someone here didn't want to go home, nor to the hospital, I had to find another place.
- And this is-
- Welcome to my grandma's home!
- What?!, Jiwook's eyes nearly popped out at the unexpected answer. Then he suddenly started to turn his head from side to side as if expecting a lion to appear from somewhere at any moment.
"Joohoon's grandmother??!!"
- Wow, are you nervous?
- Yes! Nooo! I mean...What should I do?
Jiwook was far from just nervous. He wasn't prepared to face Joohoon's family, he barely could face Joohoon alone. The younger fussed his eyes around, then checking himself and the state he was in.
"OMG, a stray dog looks better than me."
Panic made Jiwook's face even paler and his weak body reacted to his stressed mind right away, trembling uncontrollably.
At the same time Joohoon's signature mischievous smile widened. He tightened his hug, making the younger bend in and curve under him, completely covered and hidden from the outside world. Strangely Jiwook didn't feel alarmed or being in danger. On the contrary it felt almost like he was ... protected.
Strange indeed.
- Why are you that worried? My grandma is nice and very kind.
Joohoon whispered closely to the younger's ear, his warm breath and voice tickling Jiwook to the point, he had almost drop a laugh right there. Nope, he was holding well.
- It's not like I've brought my bride to meet her.
If Jiwook's expression could get any more shocked, it just did. And redder as well.
- WHAT? B-bride?
- Hahaha!
Joohoon burst out laughing. God how much did he love those priceless reactions.
- Tch.
"He caught me again, damn."
Jiwook pouted, he would ask the elder to stop making fun of him, but of course he didn't have the guts for that.
- Sorry sorry, I'll stop, said Joohoon, though of course the younger doubted he would. – Grandma went on vacation with her friends and I sometimes check the place. There's no one at home right now. Just us. You may stay here for a few days.
Jiwook sighed in relief. Though at the second thought, he wasn't feeling that relaxed either. Just the two of them alone, actually didn't sound any better.
But for now it was fine. He was just thankful to have a place to stay. He had no other place to hide, no friends to ask for help, no one he could trust.
"Dammit, I really have no other choice." He wasn't prepared to face his disasters yet. He needed time. Hopefully he'll come up with something, some brilliant idea to save his neck, yeah maybe, but not now. Later. He was tired.
- T-thanks, said Jiwook with a small voice, he had to say it.
He didn't want to admit it, but without Joohoon's help he'd be done for.
Joohoon moved away, with him the whole warmth gone, which startled Jiwook. He thought he did something wrong again and searched for Joohoon's eyes to try and guess what exactly.
- Joohoon...hyung ?
He never once called him like that and it did indeed surprise the elder.
Jiwook felt uneasy of Joohoon's every move, every word or change of glimpse in his eyes.
"Please, just don't be angry."
- Hm, Joohoon dropped a soft chuckle, his expression curious. – Not bad. A quick thinker as always. I'm not leaving. I'm here. Wait, I'll bring something to eat.
Jiwook relaxed visible and gave a small nod, after which the elder left the room.
I'm here...
Jiwook moved his knees up and rested his head on it, the words waltzing through his mind. Unconsciously he turned his lips upwards in a gentle smile, closing his eyes as if to picture the words and the person who said it once again in his mind.
His genuine smile.
His stunning eyes.
His husky voice and its warmth.
His tender touch and hold.
His hot kiss-
...
Wait.
Jiwook knotted his eyebrows together furrowing, his expression changed to bewildered in a second. "What the hell is wrong with me?! Sh*t he's playing with me and here I'm smiling like an idiot. Are the drugs still working on me or what? I'm definitely high.", thought Jiwook while pulling his hair and messing it mercilessly, as if that would help him clear up his mind.
He stopped at the sound of Joohoon entering the room, with a plate of warm and delicious smelling food, which successfully made Jiwook's mouth watering.
- Oh it looks great, said excitedly the younger.
Jiwook didn't waste any second more and proceeded to wolf down the whole plate in front of him.
-Mwooow, nom, it's m-amuazing. It's really gwood, said in awe Jiwook with his mouth full, like he was honestly impressed. – to think that you're a person to cook.
- Maybe, but this was cooked by my aunt.
- Oh, I see, a small embarrassed smile played on Jiwook's face, - I have to thank her for it next time.
In contrast with Jiwook's, Joohoon's smile was wider and mischievous.
- Mh, you seem quite eager to meet my family. Aren't you?
At his words, Jiwook nearly choke on the meal he was about to swallow, his face turning red. Was it cause of chocking or embarrassment, or maybe both, he himself wasn't sure.
Joohoon gave him a glass of water, which Jiwook hurriedly took and after being sure he could breathe normally again, he opened his mouth to complain. Or so thought Joohoon.
- D-don't tease me!, said with a small voice the younger still too flustered as if Joohoon hit straight his sore spot.
Jiwook's plump lips were curved slightly into a cute pout, though his eyes avoided the elder, his ears remained just as red as before. Joohoon didn't know if Jiwook honestly knew, just how much that expression of his was making him all itchy inside.
"Ah seriously... when did he learn this trick on me?! I can't help but find it irresistible."
- ... and I was gonna be easy on you.
Jiwook looked at the elder and let his mouth slightly drop in confusion.
Joohoon took that to his advantage and leaned suddenly to Jiwook's lips, dropping a soft feather-like kiss that lingered there for a bit. It was to long for a quick kiss and too short to satisfy either Joohoon's desire or Jiwook's curiosity. It was so good, that even though he tried, Jiwook couldn't surpass the involuntary moan at the break of the kiss. Even for his ears it sounded as a plea for getting more. His mind stopped working, his breath stopped, his voice died somewhere in his chest that was about to burst.
- Mmmh, it's salty.
Joohoon said and smiled. Just as his kiss, his smile was way too gently to even imagine that Joohoon could make a smile like that.
Along the unhealthy fast and loud heartbeat, that was ringing in Jiwook's ears, a clear thought surfaced.
"Han Jiwook you crazy fool... You really fell for him..."