Work Text:
10:37
Jisung kissed Minho’s hair, the elder boy too focused on whatever he was watching to focus on Jisung. He looked way too adorable, wrapped up in a warm blanket, his eyebrows knit together.
“I have to go now, have a good night baby,” Jisung said, collecting his stuff. At the words, Minho finally looked at him with a pout.
“Hey, wait! I need my kiss first.”
Jisung giggled, but rapidly obliged. His boyfriend’s lips were addicting and he knew he could easily be late because of them. That had happened way too many times already, and Jisung wasn’t sure of how much more Seungmin could endure without scolding him for doing so again.
They separated, Minho’s eyes slightly dazed. Jisung wished he could stay there tonight, and cuddle with him till they both fell asleep in each other’s arms, but he had to go to work; the consequence of sharing an apartment with his boyfriend at the age of 22, and having non-supportive parents.
It didn’t bother Jisung, except in those little moments, but he loved this work. After all that’s how they met each other.
Jisung was a radio host. He had now been for almost four years. The idea had bloomed on a warm summer night, when he was hanging out with his high school friends. They were maybe a little too drunk to talk about future plans and jobs, but they thought it would be a great idea to create a radio station of their own where they would be able to talk about whatever they wanted, and play the newest music that was released.
However, the idea didn’t evaporate as soon as the alcohol left their systems. Thanks to Changbin’s parents and contacts, they were able to create Levanter FM. Changbin and Chan were in charge of the daytime programming and activities of the station, while Jisung and Seungmin would take over at night. Starting at eleven p.m, the radio station would start its Insomnia FM section, a program where listeners were able to call and share stories on air.
Over the years, their station had earned an audience, and they were able to make money out of it. And so, it became Jisung’s first real job. He loved doing it; he loved sharing music that made him vibrate, the thrill of being on air and being able to talk with people about whatever topic that was on. The cherry on top was that he was able to do what he liked the most with his friends.
In fact, what he liked the most about this probably was the social aspect. As someone who grew up with anxiety and a fear of speaking in front of an audience, the station helped him get more confident and at ease for that matter. He had met so many wonderful personalities thanks to this job, and his views on things had broadened after hearing strangers’ stories.
He loved his job, couldn’t see himself doing something else for a living.
Loved it even more when he started gaining more followers on his socials. It wasn’t in a narcissistic way, but he liked receiving the attention, liked knowing that the people who firstly knew him for his personality and voice decided to follow him to get updated about what he would do.
Absolutely adored it when pretty girls and boys were trying to flirt with him in his dms. He was basking in all the kind words the listeners were sending him, whether it was via private messages or letters to the radio station building. However, three years ago, he started receiving letters that were... different.
The writer wasn’t particularly nice, but his story had touched Jisung back then. He didn’t really know why, as a lot of their listeners were probably in the same situation as him. The writer couldn’t sleep, due to the frequent nightmares he had. He had told Jisung that hearing his voice and fun stories were a great way to help him sleep peacefully after waking up sweating and anxious from his sleeping thoughts.
(Jisung had laughed reading that when he received it, and he made sure to tease Minho on it at their first date. They had met after one of Jisung’s shift, meaning it was four in the morning, but that didn’t make Minho look any less beautiful.
“ How come you’d want to date someone who makes you sleep? Like literally, ” he had joked, to which Minho simply responded with the following words, his eyes focusing on the city which was slowly waking up.
“It’s not about sleeping. It’s about being at peace,” he breathed, as if it was evident.
And maybe it was.
Jisung had stared silently at his profile, the straight slope of his nose, and his full lips, not daring to say anything more. To that, Minho had turned around, a smile spreading on his lips, eyes full of something Jisung couldn’t name yet at the time.)
Jisung wasn’t the type to answer to the people who wrote him letters directly. He would address them during the program, saying just enough for the person to recognise themselves, yet not too much either to respect their privacy. But it was different with Minho. He had responded to his letters, and that’s how they had started talking.
Minho was a bit freaked out at first, admitting he had sent the letter on a whim during one of his sleepless nights. He hadn’t expected an answer, and yet, he had gotten one. More than the mention of his name during the program the following night, but the promise of safety for as long as Jisung was in his life.
And seemingly, three years of dating later, Jisung intended to keep doing so for the longest time he could.
10:59
Jisung had now arrived at work, on time , thanks to his little sense of self-control and was getting ready to be on the air. Seungmin was sitting in front of him, a table full of computers, mics and mixing decks between them. He drank some water out of the bottle he had in his hands before proposing it to Jisung, who gladly took some.
It would be a lie to say that this work had erased the nervousness he’d feel before getting on air, but it had definitely helped for other aspects of his life.
As the clock struck eleven p.m, the opening of the show could be heard through the booth, and Jisung’s hands found their way on the mic in front of him.
A normal night unfolds like the following; they’d present themselves for new listeners and would start by thanking those who sent them letters or gifts. Then, they’d go to the section Discovery of the Week , followed by the call of a first listener.
Depending on the topic, they could stay between fifteen to forty five minutes with them, sometimes inviting the listeners to react on social media under the #InsomniaFM, creating a bigger discussion. It was easy for them to lead the conversation and make the third speaker at ease and part of the discussion.
After all, their station had gained popularity among teenagers and young adults, as the tackled topics were relatable and things that could be discussed between friends.
After the first call, music would start playing again, this time being song recommendations sent by listeners. Jisung loved that part way too much for his own good; being surrounded by sounds that were created from all around the world just boosted his creativity. There was even a section made for small artists who were trying to succeed in that domain and get more recognition for their music, and the team of Levanter FM was more than glad to help them achieve that.
Then, a few other calls would be passed, the last one being around three a.m., if they were on time - which, let’s be honest, was unusual, as they’d often get lost in conversations with previous callers.
As soon as Jisung put his headset on, he was taken to another world, one that he had grown to like so dearly. His phone was on display right before him, but it was put on do not disturb mode, therefore, the screen wouldn’t light up as soon as he’d receive a message. He was ready.
00:55
A commercial break was just getting blasted, the time for the two of them to take a small break.
Jisung finally touched his phone, the screen lighting up, showing a message Minho had sent him an hour ago, simply informing him that he was going to bed and wishing him good luck for work. A smile spread on his lips as he responded with a cat meme sending kisses.
He took a look at twitter before pushing his phone aside as the ‘On Air’ sign was lightening up again, and the jingle was played.
Jisung wished he could do that job for a long time, and only make a living from it.
Unfortunately, life wasn’t as easy.
When Jisung lost his football competition at age 8, Jisung’s parents had been proud of him still. When he had come out at age 16, his parents had been understanding. When he had explained to them that he was serious about being a radio host, and that he had thought of doing that for a while now when he was 18, his parents were supportive.
Life wasn’t always easy, but it sure was easier when parents were listening to their kids, or at least trying. Jisung had always been grateful for his parents, but he didn’t understand how much till he met Minho.
To say the least, his parents were quite the opposite. They had never really supported Minho’s dreams or ambitions, even less his sexuality, which resulted in him getting kicked out and having to find new ways to provide for himself.
Minho didn’t really like to talk about the hardships he had been through, but Jisung quickly understood where all those nightmares came from. When they had first met, Jisung knew nothing of what Minho had gone through, and he thought he was rather a childish and joyful person. It was only by staying with Minho through his panic attacks that he understood it was a facade he had grown to build. It always shattered Jisung’s heart when he thought of what his boyfriend had gone through.
(For a long time, he had wished he could have changed the things that had happened to him till Minho opened his eyes, yet again.
“You shouldn’t wish on the past. Look ahead. Things will get brighter,” Minho had told him once, and it had stuck with him ever since.)
Jisung had held the words close to his heart, getting another job so that he could offer a better life for them in the future. So that things could be brighter.
And they were. A year and a half later, after getting a job after another, while still working at the radio station at night, he was able to save enough money to get an apartment with Minho. Minho was also juggling between his two works, but they knew that it was necessary for them to be safe.
Jisung promised it in the smiles he had flashed to Minho, in the loving stares while he was looking the other way or in the way he would hug him tight when Minho started getting agitated in his sleep.
Things would get brighter, so bright Minho might go blind from it.
3:34
The night was going fairly well, or so he thought.
Tonight’s topics had been interesting, whether it was the fourteen years old calling to talk about her experience with bullying in middle school, or the boy that was only a year older than Jisung, who talked about how afraid he was of retraining and changing jobs due to the pressure he had put on himself.
Now was the time for the last call of the night.
He didn’t even have the time to register the dialing sounds that a voice was already speaking in his headset while he took a sip of water again.
“Jisungie?” he heard a sleepy voice say, and his eyes widened once he recognised the voice and got a grip of what was happening.
He couldn’t even bat an eye or say a word that the voice was talking again. “I miss you.”
His cheeks turned crimson, and Seungmin was straight up laughing at him once he understood who was calling them.
Jisung could have been a bit embarrassed of Minho calling him at work, but honestly, those who followed the show and/or Jisung’s instagram thoroughly knew that they were dating. After all, Minho used to call a lot more before they started dating, just so that he could get Jisung’s attention.
When Minho had admitted that to Jisung, he had laughed. As soon as Minho entered his world, he became the brightest star in it, blinding and warm. It was nearly impossible for Minho to not have Jisung’s attention, considering how much the younger man loved him. It was sickening for their surroundings.
“Minho,” he breathed. “Are you not sleeping?”
“Just woke up.”
That’s when the realisation dawned upon him. Minho was awake. He felt his heart beat faster, the stress showing up in him biting his bottom lip anxiously.
“I’m okay,” Minho seemed to guess what he had in mind. The words were meant to soothe him, and yet, they did the opposite.
Sure, listeners knew he was his boyfriend, and sure, it was nearly the end of the program, but they didn’t have to know about all his life, especially not about Minho’s. He looked at his phone rapidly, seeing that Minho had indeed sent him a few messages before calling the station.
baby 🐱 (sent at 2:59 a.m.):
I just woke up
I had a nightmare
(sent at 3:16 a.m.):
I know you won’t see those messages till the show stops
But yeah
It kinda sucked
Im trying to calm down by listening to your voice right now
(sent at 3:22 a.m.)
I really wish you were here right now
Im so scared
Im sorry to be bothering you
(sent at 3:30 a.m.):
Would you be mad if i called?
I really need to hear you talk to me rn
Jisung felt pretty bad, to not say worse.
“I’m coming home soon, baby, okay?” he said without giving it a second thought, looking at Seungmin; his coworker and friend mouthing at him ‘Nightmare?’, and Jisung nodded while chewing his lip harder.
Seungmin made him understand that it was okay for him to leave right now and that he could handle the last fifteen minutes alone, Jisung thanking him silently.
Their friends circle knew how bad Minho’s nightmares could get, and they’ve all learned that Jisung seemed to be the only solution to that.
Minho spoke again, voice slow through the speaker, “Yeah, you’re right. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Jisung responded while tidying his place and taking his stuff back into his backpack. Minho hung up, and Seungmin almost pushed Jisung out of the booth while he kept apologising. He had just closed the door, and yet he could hear Seungmin speak through it still.
“I think it’s the right time for me to play the songs I prepared for you guys,” he played it off, and Jisung made a mental note to thank him and treat him later.
As soon as he was out of the building, he walked back to his car and his phone flashed again, the light hurting his eyes.
baby 🐱 (sent at 3.42 a.m.):
I’m sorry for that
That was selfish of me
Pls don’t stop the show because of me
I’m okay
Or at least, i’ll be, i just need to sleep
Jisung simply answered with an ‘ I ’ ll be home soon, baby, i love you,’ before he started the car and drove back to their apartment.
4:04
Jisung was finally done with climbing the freaking stairs of their building, and he silently walked to their door. It was already open, a sign that Minho was indeed waiting for him.
He closed it and removed his shoes, not really wasting the time to put them back in the right place. Minho would probably scold him for that later, but right now, he couldn’t care less.
He wandered in the dark of their apartment, not daring to call his name, in case Minho had gone back to sleep in the meantime. For as much as he’d like to be there for him, he’d rather him to have a good night of sleep.
He entered the room and saw Minho wrapped in their blanket, and Jisung’s heart swelled at the view. He was sleeping on his side of the bed. He cooed internally, and he started getting undressed while he was going to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, while he was brushing his teeth, he felt arms sneaking around his waist. He almost jumped at the surprising touch, but he could recognise the feeling between thousands. He looked up in the mirror, but Minho’s figure was hidden by his own. He could feel a thin fabric on his back as Minho pressed his body against his.
“You’re home,” the words were whispered.
Jisung turned around, toothpaste smeared on his lips, just to be met with a sleepy Minho. His hair was disheveled, and some strands were wet, which was something frequent when Minho had nightmares. Jisung immediately brought his hand to the back of Minho’s head, only now taking a good look at him.
He was wearing his shirt. He quickly turned back again just to wash his mouth, but once he was done, Jisung hugged Minho suddenly.
“Oh wow, you really missed me,” Minho teased, holding him tighter despite his words. Jisung laughed softly, one of his hands moving away from his nape to fall on his hips.
“Of course I did; I always do when you’re not with me,” he replied in his ear, dropping small kisses between the words.
“You’re so cheesy, shut up,” Minho said, a smile spreading on his lips while he tried to get away from Jisung’s embrace. To no avail, obviously. Now that he was here, Jisung clearly had no intention to let him go.
They stayed in that position for a few seconds more, Jisung dropping kisses on Minho’s face till he finally succeeded to push him away.
“Okay, okay! That’s enough! Let’s go to bed now, it’s late!” Minho said, fingers holding Jisung’s by their tips, pulling him into the next room.
Minho was leading the way, and even if the lights were off, Jisung knew how lovely he was, nose scrunched as he tried to feel the walls with one hand, the other one still holding Jisung’s.
He had not really noticed with the adrenaline of getting Minho’s texts, but Jisung was exhausted. So when his back finally hit the bed, he felt his eyes close almost instantly. He got comfortable, and so did Minho. He felt his arm fall on his tummy as he laced their legs together.
His own arm was still on Minho’s back, fingers doing circles on his shirt. He smiled, scoffing softly at Minho in the dark.
“What are you laughing at?” Minho murmured, yawning as he lifted his head off his chest.
“Nothing... I just think it’s cute that you’re wearing my shirt.”
Jisung couldn’t see Minho’s expression, but he knew him well enough to know that his remark would probably have made him blush, while saying something the exact opposite. Jisung thought it was lovely, the way Minho was still trying to hide when he was flustered. Minho was lovely, if he was being completely honest.
“Shut up, it was the first thing I found waking up.”
Jisung knew it was a lie, perfectly sure he had put that shirt in their wardrobe with another pile of clean clothes yesterday. He smiled at the thought of Minho waking up, feeling the need to surround himself with Jisung’s stuff, since he couldn’t have him by his side at the moment.
“Sure, baby,” he had simply replied. They both knew neither of them believed what Minho had said, but it was left unsaid.
Jisung kissed him one more time as he put his head back where it was. Jisung closed his eyes, and he let himself drift away with the safe sound of his boyfriend breathing. He was all he needed to feel at peace, too.
- 3 (paradis; a few months into dating.)
03:12
“Don’t leave just like that,” Minho whispered, not even five minutes after Jisung had turned off the light and closed his eyes.
“What?” he asked, turning his back to meet Minho again, although he couldn’t see him.
“You always fall asleep so fast... it feels like you’re abandoning me.”
Jisung found his hand in the dark, his fingers caressing the top of it gently, as if to encourage Minho to speak.
They had been dating for five months now, and tonight was the sixth night they had been sharing a bed. Due to Jisung’s work and Minho’s studies, it was hard for them to spend nights together.
“You always look so peaceful... It always feels like you’ve gone off to this magical world and left me alone on earth. You know?”
Jisung didn’t get where this was going. “Not really?” he said, unsure and afraid of hurting his boyfriend’s feelings.
Minho fell silent. Jisung might not understand, but he could try.
“You know what we should do?”
He felt Minho’s head move, and he was sure he was looking at him, although he could only guess.
“I’ll watch you fall asleep and go off to that magical world you’re talking about.”
Minho smiled, it could be heard in his voice. “Then you’ll join me up there?”
“Sure. I’ll take the next cloud.”
Minho laughed at that and closed his eyes.
Jisung waited for him to sleep, not in a hurry to do the same. His magical world was here, in his arms, after all.