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“C’mon Jen, hurry up! “ Jisung turns back to scream at the older boy, who is walking painfully slow today, much to Jisung’s disliking. “Someone might have gotten our place already!”
“No one ever goes there Ji, you know that.” Jeno calmly states, keeping his own pace, even after receiving another fierce gaze from Jisung.
“What if someone did today?” Jisung insists and stomps his feet on the grass. “Why did you have to forget the picnic basket? It took us twice as long to get here because of that.” He sighs heavily and passes his hand through his hair.
Jeno can’t help but laugh at Jisung’s little tantrum. “I had to go fetch it. It's not like you would have enjoyed this as much if there wasn’t food.”
“But I’ve been reminding you every day about today! You bring the food, I bring the blanket and pillows. Shouldn’t be too hard to remember.” Jisung mumbles.
At this, Jeno quickens his pace until he is right behind Jisung. He leans forward, his lips hovering above Jisung’s ear.
“Maybe I got too distracted by the thought of seeing you.”
A smile creeps its way onto his face as Jisung flushes red, and Jeno takes the chance to slip his hand into Jisung’s, pulling him towards their special place.
Just as Jeno thought - and much to Jisung’s relief - the patch of grass near the lake, besides the baby willow tree is vacant and they take no time to claim it. Jisung extends the old but still very comfortable blanket onto the floor and throws the pillows on top of it, while Jeno carefully leans the picnic basket against the tree trunk, under the shadow casted by the fallen branches of the tree.
He watches as Jisung picks a thin branch from the floor and makes his way to the lake. He then crouches and cuts through the stillness of the water with the twig, forming circular shapes.
Jeno thinks Jisung doesn't even realize, but he does this every time they come here. Similarly, Jeno starts doing his usual task, which is searching small pebbles for their tournament later, to see who can throw them further into the lake.
When he returns with a fair amount of them in his hands, Jisung is already lying on top of the blanket, taking photos of the sky. Once he hears steps, his head snaps up. “Jen, look at how beautiful the sky is!”
Jeno places the pebbles besides the picnic basket and joins Jisung, who keeps snapping pictures with his phone.
Of course it is a beautiful day. How could it not be when Jisung has been checking the weather regularly in hopes of finding a sunny, yet cloudy day - perfect for cloud gazing?
He feels Jisung shift beside him and adjust a pillow below his head. He copies him and a comfortable silence settles between them as they both have their eyes glued to the sky.
Just like foreseen, the blue immensity above them is full of fluffy, white clouds whose shapes are going to entertain Jeno and Jisung for the next hour.
As always, Jisung is the first to start. “Woah. Jen, look at that one!” He points to a place somewhere to his right, where a bunch of clouds are huddled together. “It looks like a badger.”
Jeno searches for a cloud with a shape close to a badger, near the direction Jisung pointed to. Finally, he finds it. “A badger? I would say it looks more like a baby bear.”
“It has very small ears though. And its tail is quite long for a bear.”
“I see that, but isn’t a badger supposed to be lengthy? That one is pudgy.” Jeno says and due to his peripheral view he sees Jisung raise both of his hands, which indicates an explanation is on its way.
“It isn’t pudgy. If you look carefully, you’ll see it is arching its back as if it is scared of something or it is trying to scare it away. You know, just how cats do.” Jisung argues and Jeno has to admit, it is a good enough explanation.
“Alright, you’ve convinced me.” Jeno lets his eyes wander around the sky for a while and stops at one small cloud passing them. “That one reminds me of a swordfish.”
Jisung follows his gaze and nods in agreement. “It really does, though it can also be a bird.”
Jeno frowns at that. “How? It has a tail.”
“Well, there actually exist fishes that fly, so it can be one of those.” Jisung shrugs and Jeno decides to move on to another cloud.
“What do you think about the cloud on top of that one? What do you see?”
Jisung lets out a chuckle. “I see a large fish with big frightening eyes and a huge mouth that is opened ajar, ready to suck the life out of that poor swordfish.”
Jeno laughs and Jisung shuffles next to him, rotating his body until it is lying horizontally, his head resting on top of Jeno’s stomach. “However, if you see it from this perspective, it looks like a deformed dragon, spitting fire."
When Jeno tries to move to see it as well, Jisung grabs his wrist. “Don’t move. I’m comfortable like this.”
Jeno pouts but stops moving. “Well that’s unfair, I want to see it too. Not to mention you brought a pillow for each one of us, there is no need to use me as one.”
Jisung gives him a shrug. “It is funnier like this. By looking at the sky at different angles each of us will see shapes the other won’t, which will make it more interesting.”
Jeno pretends to be annoyed but the reality is that having Jisung this close to him is the best feeling in the world.
“Woah, it’s a cat!” He suddenly exclaims, raising the hand Jisung is still holding. With the unexpected movement, Jisung loses his grip on his wrist, but Jeno is quick to interlace their fingers together.
Jisung gets flustered for a second but recovers immediately, pointing their jointed hands to a giant cloud flying in their direction. “Look at that! It’s moving so fast!”
Jisung’s favourite clouds have always been the ones that would blow past them rapidly, shifting into thousands of different forms in the span of seconds.
“That is an unicorn with a spiral horn. Wait. It’s changing...It is- what is that? Wait. It is an eagle! You see it? The beak?”
“Not rea-”
“Hold on! It is transitioning… uh? I’m just seeing a white mass right now. “
“That makes two of us.”
“Shh, I think I see it! It turned into a piranha!” Jisung shakes their hands in excitement. “That part is its sharp teeth, can you spot it?”
But Jeno isn’t looking at the sky anymore.
Instead, he is silently admiring how Jisung gets truly invested and immersed in something so ordinary as cloud gazing.
The way his eyes twinkle with fascination as he concentrates hard in associating the white pieces of fluff in the air with animals, magical creatures, objects or even people. The frown that appears in his face as a cloud is altering and he has to erase his previous ideas and create space for new ones. The way he sometimes stays with his arms in the air for a long time, forgetting them because he’s thinking too hard, only to let them slump weirdly beside his body when they start to feel heavy. His committed tone whenever he shares the story behind the things he sees, emphasizing what links a cloud with a certain idea he’s had. And certainly the best part - his smile. How he smiles brightly every time he makes good connections and Jeno agrees with them.
Jeno only realizes he has zoned out when Jisung says something that draws him back in the moment.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You heard that right. That’s clearly a shark eating a mutant rabbit.”
Jeno looks at him, baffled and lets out a boisterous laugh. He sits up swiftly and engulfs Jisung in a tight hug, catching the other boy by surprise.
“Jeno you’re squeezing the life out of me.” Jisung giggles and looks up when Jeno relaxes his embrace. “What was that for?”
Jeno brushes a strand of hair out of Jisung’s eyes and can’t help but smile fondly at him. “You never fail to amaze me with that mind of yours.”
This would be the perfect cue for Jisung to throw a joke like how can you still be surprised if I’m always showing you just how incredible and big my brain is?, but he doesn’t.
He remains motionless, his gaze fixed on Jeno. His face has gone serious and his eyes are moving all along Jeno’s face almost as if he is trying to take in every single detail. Unknowingly, Jeno is doing the same thing, analysing the other’s facial features attentively. Much so, that he doesn’t fail to notice how Jisung’s cheeks pinken when his eyes stare a second too long at Jeno’s lips.
“I have something to tell you.”
“I want to ask you something.”
They both pause, processing what the other said, before chuckling at their amazing timing.
“You first.” They both say at the same time, followed by another chuckle.
“It doesn’t matter what I was gonna say.” Jisung says, his eyes redirecting to the sky.
“I’m sure that’s not true.” Jeno watches Jisung fiddling with their still joined hands.
“Well, it is. “ He glances Jeno’s way before diverting his gaze again. “What do you want to ask me?”
“After your refusal, I suddenly don’t feel like asking anymore.”
“Don’t be like that, just tell me!” Jisung whines, stamping his feet like a child.
Suddenly an idea pops in Jeno’s head. “What about if the penalty for the loser of the pebble tournament is telling the other what he was going to say?”
Jisung sits up and gives Jeno a displeased look. “You always win the tournament. I might as well surrender already.”
“Me winning all the tournaments before, doesn’t necessarily mean I will win it again today.”
“Except it actually does.”
Now is Jeno’s turn to speak in a whiny tone. “C’mon Ji, it’s going to be fun. You don’t know what I was about to ask you. Maybe I do want to lose this time.”
Jisung stares at him suspiciously but eventually gives in. “Alright.”
Jeno has to admit, there is a part of him that wants to do poorly at the game, but the other part of him - the competitive and curious one - is ready to give it his all and discover what Jisung has to tell him.
Neither of them have a good start, but while Jeno progresses after his second try, it is not until the fourth one that Jisung starts getting better results. Even though ‘better’ is a bit behind Jeno’s outcomes. With his last throw, he manages to get ahead of Jeno, however, his celebration is cut short when the latter throws his last pebble and claims first place.
Like expected, Jisung complains about how he was doomed from the start and Jeno had an advantage, making the game unfair.
At that, Jeno suggests going for another round, which is understandably turned down since they are both aware of how the results would come out.
“Anyway, you lost.” Jeno walks closer to where Jisung is standing, with his hands resting on top of his hips. “Now, the penalty w-”
“I am absolutely starving! Let’s see what you made us today.” Jisung interrupts him hastily, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the blanket.
“Just so you know, I ain’t forgetting the penalty, Ji.” Jeno allows himself to be pulled by the younger, his stomach liking the idea of some food.
Jisung ignores him and dives into the picnic basket. He takes out the sandwiches Jeno prepared in the morning and two bottles of orange juice. A big smile grows on his face as he opens a box of homemade chocolate and strawberry cakes, which Jeno knows are his favourite.
The food disappears in an instance, showing how hungry they both really were, though Jisung is now eating his cake rather slowly, almost like he wants it to last forever.
Meanwhile, Jeno is cleaning everything up and when he is done, he lies down on the blanket and closes his eyes, savoring the pleasant breeze that is blowing.
A content sigh makes him open one eye. Jisung is lying on his back, like Jeno. He has finished the cake, but there is a bit of chocolate lingering next to his bottom lip and Jeno braces himself on his elbow to wipe it off with his sleeve. Jisung whispers a barely audible 'thank you' and Jeno lets his head fall once again on the pillow.
“I must say I am dying to know what you’ve got to say.”
Jisung groans and turns his body to the other side. “You are not letting me go, are you?”
“I am not. You agreed to this, Ji.”
Jisung rolls his body back to its original position, his fingers playing with a flower he most probably picked when Jeno wasn’t looking.
“I don’t know exactly how to say this.” He breathes out after some moments of silence. Jeno remains quiet, giving Jisung time to collect his thoughts.
He watches him tear out the flower petals one by one absentendly - his mind far away.
His frown reveals how hard he is thinking, while the decayed flower shows how nervous and conflicted he is. Jeno considers holding his hand to calm him down, but stays still when Jisung looks at him with a determined face.
They exchange a glance and Jeno sees all that determination evaporate as soon as their eyes meet. Jisung shies away and covers his face with his arm.
“Jeno I don’t think I can do this.” He cries out and Jeno is starting to get worried.
“Okay, it’s alright Jisung, if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine.” Jeno gives him a small smile but Jisung runs his hands wildly through his hair, pulling it exasperatedly.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. “ He turns to him, his tone agitated. “I can’t.”
Jeno usually only sees Jisung as stressed out as this whenever the deadline for a group project is closing in or when the exam period starts. So, seeing him like this is making him feel uneasy.
“There is no problem. I won’t pressure you.” Jeno looks back to the sky above them and thinks of a way to make Jisung relax a little. “What if we just keep cloud gazing?”
Jisung shakes his head. “But I lost.”
Jeno disregards his response, his mind set on inspecting the sky for funny shapes.
“What do you think of that one? I'm torn between a rabbit and a hamster. " He casually asks.
When he earns no answer he glimpses at Jisung. The destroyed flower has been tossed somewhere near their feet, and Jisung is looking at the sky too, although his gaze is unfocused and his face is conflicted.
Jeno tries again.
"After a double take, I think I am seeing a woman wearing a dress and curved high heels."
Still nothing.
"Her lips remind me of a duck beak, so it might be Daisy Duck."
A slight head movement. He's got Jisung's attention.
"She only has a leg, so can I say she's a hybrid of a duck and a flamingo? I honestly don't know what I am doing. You are way better at doing these analogies than I am."
This seems to bring Jisung back to the present and he picks on Jeno's observations, creating a story around Daisy Duck and how she came to have only one leg. The enthusiasm in his voice is almost palpable when he goes on about the reason why she has long hair and Jeno feels like patting himself on the back for easing Jisung's mind. Even if only for a bit.
"Donald Duck has been such a pain in the ass lately, that Daisy Duck is losing her hair. So, she decides to buy a wig. Unfortunately she had her nails done and there is not much money left, meaning she has to buy one of the cheapest wigs that have a banana shape at the back." Jeno can't contain a snort. "She is determined to make it look good, so she puts on her best dress and high fashion shoes - that are quite questionable by themselves - and goes out, taking some time to focus on herself, because at the end of the day - men ain't shit."
When he finishes he turns to Jeno, who - despite being already familiar with Jisung's storytelling abilities - is looking back at him, astonished.
"What? " He giggles, gently closing Jeno's open mouth before an insect decides to explore it.
"Did you just curse?"
Jisung throws his head back in disbelief. "Out of everything I said, you only caught that?"
"Well, that was unlike you. I wasn't expecting it."
"Yeah, I guess I can be surprising sometimes." Then he falters. "Do you prefer it when I don't swear?"
Jeno's eyes soften at that. His hand reaches out to ruffle Jisung's hair. "Oh, Ji. I like you just as you are. I wouldn't change a single thing about you."
Jisung's cheeks flare red as they keep their gaze on each other. At some point, his eyes seem to find something on Jeno's that gives him a boost of confidence and he curls his hands into fists, resolute.
"I'll tell you." He blurts out and amidst noticing Jeno's confusion, he clarifies. "I'll tell you what I wanted to say." He says firmly and breaks eye contact, instead choosing to stare at the clouds. "But not in a conventional way. I'm too much of a coward for that. I'll tell you through the clouds."
Jeno is both confused and curious. "Won't that be difficult? It won't depend on you, but on whatever shape the cloud takes."
Jisung remains concentrated and they stay in silence for so long, Jeno thinks he didn't hear, until Jisung murmurs something under his breath. "If it is meant to be, then the sky will give me a sign."
Jeno isn't sure what to reply, so he let's the silence settle between them once again.
Jisung's restless search ends when Jeno wakes up from a short nap. The latter tries to fight a smile from taking over his face as he observes the babbling mess Jisung has come to, his cheeks a vibrant crimson as he shakily points towards a specific cloud. One that resembles a heart.
"That cloud right there represents what I feel for you."
Jeno looks between the cloud and the boy beside him. He is pretty sure what Jisung means and his heart starts beating faster at the possibility of his feelings being reciprocated.
"Do you like me Jisung?" The boy nods, avoiding Jeno's eyes. "In a romantic way?" He nods again, the entirety of his face as red as a tomato.
Jeno's lips curve upwards, in the widest smile possible and he rolls over to Jisung, ending up on top of him, their faces only a few inches apart.
Jisung sucks in a breath at their proximity and Jeno has to control himself not to kiss him right then.
"Can you guess what I was going to ask you earlier?" Jeno questions and Jisung shakes his head, seemingly unable to talk.
Jeno leans forward and Jisung holds his breath, perhaps thinking he is going for his lips, but Jeno's mouth continues on until it is right next to his ear. Jeno smirks as he feels Jisung shiver under him.
Finally, he whispers. "I was going to ask you on a date."
And he thanks himself for his incredible self control as Jisung looks up at him, his face lighting up with hope. "Wait. You feel the same way as I do?"
"If not more."
Jisung can't conceal his happiness and breaks into the cutest smile Jeno has ever seen. His attention is only diverted from it, when Jisung leans in and leaves a quick kiss on Jeno's cheek, immediately hiding his face in his hands afterwards.
Jeno tenderly removes them from his face, revealing an impossibly flustered Jisung. "Is that a yes?"
"What?" Jisung barely manages to say.
"The kiss. Is that you accepting going out on a date with me?" Jeno eyes him expectantly and much to his delight, the boy lying beneath him nods eagerly.
Jeno admires his beauty and groans when Jisung hits his arm. "What was that for?"
"As sweet as it is having you look at me like that, you're heavy!" Jisung complains.
Jeno laughs and slides off him, returning to his place. Though this time, Jisung follows suit and rests his head on Jeno's shoulder.
Jeno's heart leaps in his chest as Jisung holds his hand and interlaces their fingers, giving him a toothy grin.
"I can definitely get used to this."
"Me too." His thumb makes circular movements on the back of Jeno's hand. "Me too."
And in between cuddles, fits of laughter, crazy stories, annoying insects and beautiful flowers, Jeno swears this is the happiest he has ever felt.
Before meeting Jisung he would have never guessed he could feel this way about cloud gazing. He wouldn’t know how entertaining it could be and how watching clouds could bring out more laughs than a comedy movie.
But now he knows. All because of Jisung.
He appreciates how Jisung manages to make the simplest things seem so special and precious. And that is why he is sure that - with Jisung by his side - he will find joy in the small, sometimes unnoticed aspects of life.
There will never be a boring day. That’s not something that can be found in Jisung’s dictionary, so Jeno is sure there will be plenty of enjoyable days just like this one.
After all, this is only the beginning of their beautiful journey.