Work Text:
jaemin and jeno found themselves in a small alley. jaemin is talking about what happened when they are eating at the bbq place. jeno can't understand what he is saying because he is focused on jaemin.
"eight birthdays, jen. sa eight na 'yun lagi kang andito. you never missed one for the past 8 years." jaemin stopped walking and faced jeno with a sparkling eyes and a bright smile.
naalala ni jeno lahat, sa loob ng walong taon na palagi niyang sinasamahan si jaemin. jaemin is a constant in jeno's life. sabi nga nila they are complementary even sa mga kasal laging sila ang plus one ng isa't isa. since grade school they are the field trip buddies.
jeno always thought of jaemin as his special friend not the romantic type of love but not tonight. kailan pa ba nagbago tingin niya? tama ba ng alak?
"yes i didn't notice... eight years... when did your smile become this beautiful? i don't want to lose it." jeno replied but some part of it jaemin didn't hear. maybe the soju kicking in.
"huh? eight years and what?" jaemin with a confused look waiting for an answer from the man in front of him.
eight years and jeno never felt this like he want to protect that smile. a eureka moment for jeno. kailan pa naging ganto kaganda ang mga ngiti ng best friend niya?
"ah wala i said ang tagal na pala" jeno quickly replied. he hoped jaemin won't pry about what he said because he might do something he will regret.
"lasing na siguro ako ang haba nun narinig ko. i think i am hearing things, jen." jaemin laughed and suddenly silence enveloped them.
"jeno, next year ba andito ka parin?" jaemin asked jeno. hindi niya rin alam bakit may kaba sa dibdib niya. ano naman ba kung humindi ang best friend niya. birthday lang naman niya...
"i am not going anywhere, nana" jeno flashed his eye smile and squeezed jaemin's hand.
jeno silently sorted out his thoughts. baka nga he will keep this little secret for a while. he will savor this moment for the meantime because for once in jeno's life he didn't want this love to end. it's not like he had never been in love but this time as cliche as it sounds it is different. he is in love. mahal niya si jaemin.
you could see it with the lights out, you are in love
true love
you are in love