Work Text:
i.
This is how it all starts.
It's a Thursday, and Jinyoung's in his Psychology 101 class. His professor has yet to arrive, and so he scrolls through Facebook on his laptop — it's only the second meeting, and he hasn't had the chance to make friends in the class.
He's seated smack in the middle of the classroom. It's a large lecture hall, with rows of tan seats extending to the back of the room, several feet higher than the very first row. The digital clock placed right in front of the classroom for everyone to see tells him that there's still a few minutes before class starts, which also explains the background hum of chatter in the air.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spots someone standing by the front row, surrounded by a group of people, break away and head towards him. He glances at the person, trying to see who it could be, and his heart skips a beat when he recognizes Jackson Wang, the guy who'd caught his eye the first day of class, and whom he later learned, was well-known around campus. He looks around, but all the seats near him are vacant, and there's no one Jackson could possibly be heading towards except himself.
With that realization in mind, he glances at his reflection briefly through the laptop screen, giving himself a once over. His hand runs through his hair in a casual, nonchalant manner, as if it’s natural for him to do so, and not because an attractive classmate was headed his way.
Jackson stops in front of his desk, and Jinyoung tries not to balk at how much more good-looking Jackson is up close. On the first day of class, he'd been wearing a long sleeved white polo, rolled up to his forearms, paired with dark denims, and Jinyoung couldn't help but admire just how nicely the white contrasted with his tanned skin as he stood up to introduce himself. Today, he's wearing a similar outfit, except that his top is closer in color to the cream walls of the room, several shades darker.
It suits him just as well.
"Hi!" Jackson smiles at him, showing off a row of straight white teeth, and Jinyoung tries not to cry at how perfectly even his teeth are. Jackson's waving at him, taking a hand off the tupperware he's carrying. "I'm Jackson. You're Jinyoung, right?"
Jinyoung tries to hide his surprise at how Jackson apparently remembers his name.
"Uh, yeah." Jinyoung mumbles, holding his hand out for Jackson to shake, silently wishing his palms aren’t sweaty. "Nice to meet you."
Jackson's handshake is firm, sincere, his hand soft and warm in his own, and, too caught up in his own thoughts, Jinyoung barely realizes that the brief moment of contact has ended.
"I was wondering if you wanted to buy some oatmeal raisin cookies," Jackson explains, holding up the container in his hand. "The music department's trying to raise funds for its recital at the end of the semester, and so I made some cookies to help out."
Jinyoung watches as Jackson glances down at the tupperware in his hands, frowning, a cute little pout on his face, so at odds with the suave way in which he carries himself. "I've been trying to sell some, but people don't want any because they don't want sweets in the morning."
Or, Jinyoung thinks silently, trying to mask the disgust he feels inside, they just hate raisins. Jinyoung’s never liked raisins, has always steered away from the wrinkled abomination of a snack, going as far as to shun any dishes that included them, and he isn’t surprised that people aren’t buying Jackson’s cookies.
But Jinyoung’s never been rude, and he attempts to inject some sympathy in his voice. “It is pretty early,” he lies, coughing lightly. “They do have a point.”
Jackson visibly deflates at Jinyoung's words. "Yeah," he mumbles mournfully, glancing at Jinyoung with wide, sad eyes that make Jinyoung's heart clench. "I guess I really won't be able to sell any for now."
Jackson's just turned away when the words wrench themselves out of Jinyoung's throat. "Uh, I'd like to try them!" he calls out, slightly wincing at how his voice is much louder than what he'd intended.
"Really?" Jackson turns around, eyes bright.
Jinyoung nods, a heavy, laden feeling settling in his stomach at what he's doing. "Yeah, how much is a cookie?"
"Just a dollar!" Jackson bounces on his heels, excitement rubbing off of him in waves.
Jinyoung rummages around his bag for his wallet, handing the payment over to Jackson. Pocketing the money happily, he opens the container, letting Jinyoung choose the cookie.
He goes for the smallest looking one, trying not to squirm at the dark raisins amongst the browned cookies.
To his horror, Jackson leans back on his desk, eyes bright, nodding towards the cookie, actually waiting for Jinyoung to take a bite.
Jinyoung inwardly grimaces, silently cursing the universe before he takes a bite, silently hoping that there aren't any raisins. His pleas are answered, thankfully, and he enjoys the chewy texture of the oatmeal, how the cookie's sweet without being overly so. He gives Jackson a thumbs up, and his next words are sincere. "It's pretty good."
Jackson pumps his fist, an endearing sight. "Yes, one cookie down, several more to go!" he exclaims. Then he looks at Jinyoung with another hopeful look in his eyes, and Jinyoung feels his heart sink.
Jinyoung spends the entirety of class chewing on gum, trying to get rid of the taste of raisins in his mouth. On his table, placed gingerly on a sheet of tissue, is another uneaten cookie, and the sight of it makes Jinyoung grimace.
But then Jackson looks back at him from where he's seated several rows ahead, grinning at him, and Jinyoung feels like it’s worth it. He smiles back.
ii.
Jackson strikes up a friendship with him after that. It's not much — just the occasional wave when they run into each other on campus and some small talk before class.
He learns that Jackson isn't just talented in the field of music; he also happens to be pretty good at sports, being a former fencer who's joined competitions abroad. Jackson also loves talking to and being around people, which Jinyoung's already guessed. Jackson explains that was why he signed up for the class in the first place, to get to understand people better. Jackson's also apparently a pretty good cook, having had to pick up the skill after moving to Korea, and that he isn't a fan of spicy food.
It's not much, but it's only the third week of classes, and Jinyoung has a feeling that their pre-class routine will carry on until the end of the semester.
But today, Jackson isn't sitting on his desk, waiting for him to arrive. Jinyoung opens his laptop, skimming over the assigned reading once more while glancing periodically at the clock in front of the classroom.
Jackson still doesn't arrive.
The professor's already started her lecture, and almost half an hour has passed when Jinyoung spots someone making their way to their seat in the front, crouched down, in an attempt to evade attention.
Jinyoung's eyes rove over the familiar figure, that mop of dark hair he's slowly become more acquainted with.
Jackson settles into his seat silently, placing his things on the ground and reaching for his laptop, never once glancing back at Jinyoung the way he's done the past few meetings.
Time seems to drag by, and when the minute hand strikes 11, signalling the near end of the class, Jinyoung finds himself fidgeting in his seat. He tries to focus on the professor's words, tries to concentrate on what's being shown in the presentation, but his thoughts flit back to Jackson.
Everyone stands up, gathering their things all at once and heading straight for the doors, while Jinyoung makes a beeline for Jackson.
"Hey," he stops by where Jackson's seated, stuffing his laptop in his bag. Jackson looks up at him with dark circles under his eyes and smiles, but it ends up looking more like a grimace.
Jinyoung offers him a sympathetic grin. "Bad morning?"
Jackson sighs, shoulders deflating. When he speaks, he sounds tired. "Yeah," he mutters, running a hand through his hair. "I slept past my alarm and there was a huge line at the bus."Another sigh. "And when I'd almost arrived at the bus stop I had to go back to the apartment since I'd forgotten these," he gestures to the tub of familiar-looking cookies which Jinyoung hadn't noticed earlier. "And I have to sell all these by today."
Jinyoung winces, both at the mention of Jackson's bad day and at the cookies. He's about to wish Jackson some luck on selling the cookies, maybe lay a comforting hand on his shoulder, when Jackson stares down at the tupperware and huffs, bottom lip jutting out.
He looks adorable, and the words are out of Jinyoung's mouth before he can stop them.
"How much is the entire container?"
Jackson's eyes light up at that, and oh it's something Jinyoung can get used to. "Really?"
Jinyoung nods, hand going to the back of his neck. "Yeah," his voice trembles slightly. He hopes Jackson doesn't notice.
Jackson must sense Jinyoung's hesitation, because his face takes on a more somber expression. "Are you sure, Jinyoungie?" he asks hesitantly. Jinyoung's heart flutters at the nickname. "This is a lot," Jackson emphasizes the last word, waving the container in front of Jinyoung's face. "This is almost two dozen cookies."
Fuck. Jinyoung runs through his list of friends in his head, people whom he knows and can give the cookies to. He's sure the list of people he knows won't even cover half of the cookies.
But he's too far gone. "Yeah, sure." Jinyoung shrugs, offering him a smile that he hopes doesn't make him look like he's wincing. "Hopefully your day gets a little better from here on."
Jackson cheers, throwing his arms around him, and Jinyoung thinks that maybe it isn’t so bad, especially if it means being this close to Jackson, enveloped in the clean musk of his cologne, the feel of his skin against - "Thank you so much Jinyoungie, you're the best!" he steps away, an embarrassed look on his face. "Sorry for the hug, I just got excited," he gestures vaguely. "It'll be 20 dollars."
Jinyoung swings his bag around, rummaging for his wallet in the front pocket. He then hands the money over to Jackson, who hands him the entire container.
It's heavy, and as Jinyoung peels off the cover, staring at the two dozen cookies in his face, it feels even heavier in his hands.
"Thanks so much, Jinyoungie. I appreciate it, really," Jackson tells him, eyes wide with sincerity. He then glances over to the clock on the wall behind Jinyoung and looks back at him apologetically. "I have to go. My next class is starting soon and I don't want to be late for it."
Jinyoung nods, and when he speaks, his mouth is dry. "Sure, go ahead."
"You can just return the container the next time we meet," Jackson informs him, already heading up the stairs, towards the doors. "Bye! See you!"
Jinyoung waves back at him, promptly dropping his hand as soon as Jackson's figure disappears from view. He's left standing there in the empty classroom, gazing at the cookies he loathes and has no idea how to dispose of.
He feels like banging his head against the wall. This was such a stupid idea.
iii.
As it turns out, buying the whole tub of oatmeal raisin cookies from Jackson isn't that stupid of an idea.
For one, after he's finished teasing Jinyoung about it Jaebeom takes a bite of the cookies, and his eyes go wide in surprise. He starts rambling on about the flavor, how its texture’s perfectly balanced between crispy and chewy, and just how good it tastes.
Jinyoung had all but shoved the rest of the cookies in his hands, and had thus been spared the horrors of eating raisins.
And second: Jackson was so grateful, he’d insisted on treating Jinyoung to dinner. unwilling to take no for an answer. He brought Jinyoung to one of his favorite restaurants near campus, one whose dumplings and congee he said reminded him of home.
That one dinner became another dinner, then the dinners became a weekly thing. Then they also started spending lunch together, started studying together, and now - well, they were together. As a couple, as boyfriends. They went out on dates and stayed in and made out and spent time together.
Well, supposedly.
Jinyoung glares at his laptop, then at the textbook laid open next to it. His professor had assigned a paper at the very last minute, and had set its deadline to this week - the same week his requirements from other classes were due. He'd been left with no choice but to cancel his weekly move night with Jackson for this stupid, shitty, asshole of a professor and this stupid, shitty paper.
Jinyoung sighs, setting his glasses on the table and rubbing at his eyes. In all honesty, the paper isn't so bad, and it isn’t too hard. It's just - god, he hates last minute work, he hates changes to his schedule on short notice, and most of all, he hates having to cancel on Jackson.
He gets up, heading to the kitchen to make himself a quick cup of coffee before getting back to the task at hand. He's just gotten comfortable in his seat, has just finished typing a sentence, when the doorbell rings.
Jinyoung grumbles as he answers the door, annoyed at having his concentration ruined. He glances at the peephole to check who it is, and finds any earlier trace of irritation leave his body.
He opens the door. "Jinyoungie!"
Jackson's leaning against the door, backpack slung over his shoulder and a box of pizza from Jinyoung's favorite takeout place in his hand.
Jinyoung opens the door wider to let him in. "Hi," he greets, failing to fight the grin slowly spreading across his face. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you movie night was cancelled?"
"You told me," Jackson confirms, pecking him on the cheek. "I decided to visit you for moral support," he can hear the grin in Jackson's voice as Jinyoung snakes his arms around his boyfriend's tiny waist, nuzzling his neck, the pizza box digging into his side. "And I brought you some food to cheer you on."
Jinyoung steps away and closes the door, taking the pizza from Jackson. "Thanks, Sseun-ah," he murmurs, puckering his lips at him before making his way to the dining room. "I really appreciate it."
"That isn't all!" Jackson calls out from where he's just finished taking off his shoes, following Jinyoung to the dining table. "Look what else I brought!"
Jinyoung turns around and is greeted by the sight of Jackson pulling out a familiar container from his bag. The tupperware's contents, as seen through the frosted plastic, also seem familiar, and his hunch is confirmed as Jackson pries the lid off showing Jinyoung the oatmeal raisin cookies he'd brought, "I made you some cookies, too."
Jinyoung inwardly groans but schools, what he hopes, is an appreciative expression on his face. Since he and Jackson had gotten together three months ago, and since the last oatmeal raisin cookie incident where he'd stupidly (but also not stupidly) bought the entire tub of sweets, he hasn't had to face the dreaded desserts, hasn’t had to lie about liking them.
He plasters a grateful smile on his face, injecting every ounce of sincerity into his next words. "Oh, Sseunie," he murmurs, "Thank you. You didn't have to," he says as he gently takes the container from Jackson's hands.
"It's okay, I wanted to," Jackson reassures him, face sympathetic. He gestures vaguely at the table, where the pizza sits unopened. "Do you want to eat now, or would you rather work on your paper first?"
Jinyoung answers immediately. "I'll work on my paper first, get it out of the way before we eat." He looks down at the cookies in his hands, and gets an idea. "You can head over to my room," he says, setting the container on the table and making his way to the kitchen. "I'll just set the table."
Jackson rushes to his side. "I'll help you."
"It's fine," Jinyoung stops him in his tracks, hands on his shoulders. Jackson looks unconvinced. "Really, it's fine, Sseun-ah." He watches as Jackson's resolve melts at the nickname and inwardly sighs in relief. "It'll take me no time at all."
Jackson raises an eyebrow in disbelief, but chooses not to argue, instead backing out of the room slowly, hitching his bag higher on his shoulder. At Jinyoung’s nodding, urging him to continue, his expression changes, and he throws Jinyoung a flying kiss. "See you!"
Jinyoung laughs, returning the kiss before setting the plates and forks on the table. He checks the hallway to make sure Jackson's really gone before grabbing the cookies and placing them in the fridge, pushing it to the very back, behind all the other items.
Out of sight, and hopefully out of mind for the rest of the night.
iv.
Jinyoung's buzzing with excitement as he climbs the stairs to his apartment.
It's been a year since he and Jackson had officially gotten together, and he'd spent the past month planning for today. He'd booked them reservations at all of Jackson's favorite restaurants - a food trip of sorts - and he'd packed some blankets and snacks in his car for some stargazing to end the night with.
He punches the code on the keypad, checking his watch as he does so - he has half an hour to get ready before he picks Jackson up for their date.
The keypad lights up and he swings the door open. He’s promptly greeted with glimpses of pink, white, and red, and an excited squeal.
"Surprise, Jinyoungie! Happy anniversary!" Jackson wraps his arms around him, nuzzling into his neck.
His hand immediately comes up to cradle the back of Jackson's head. "Sseun-ah, what's this?" he asks, disbelief laced in his words.
The apartment ceiling is strewn with balloons in varying shades of pink, and hanging from nylon strings are polaroids of them together, taken over the past year. The wall behind the couch is decorated in red and silver streamers, with balloons spelling out HAPPY FIRST ANNIV attached onto them. His eyes flit over to the small dining table, so full of items that the wooden table underneath is barely visible.
Jackson follows his gaze and tugs him to the table, answering his question. "I wanted to surprise you for our anniversary," he explains, clasping Jinyoung's hand in his. "I wanted to go all out for our first year together, but I didn't want to embarrass you in public so-" Jinyoung watches as Jackson uses his other hand to gesture around the room. "-here we are!"
Jinyoung tugs him to a stop, pulls him closer, and kisses him gently. He presses another kiss to his temple, resting his head against it. "Thank you, Sseun-ah," he murmurs, feeling Jackson melt in his arms. "I love this so much."
Jackson pulls away, grinning. "You haven't seen the best of it yet."
He all but drags Jinyoung to the table. He then pulls out a chair and plops Jinyoung down on it before making his way to the other side of the dining table, so that they're opposite each other. "Okay, so let me explain all these to you."
Jinyoung sits up straighter, clasping his hands together, the perfect picture of attentiveness.
Jackson picks up the large bouquet of flowers, wrapped in brown craft paper. "First off, flowers," he declares, reaching over to delicately place the bouquet in his lap. Jinyoung glances down, and a dozen roses, a deep crimson color, stare back at him. He runs his hand over the flowers, rubbing a petal between his fingers as Jackson continues speaking. "Of course, we can't celebrate our anniversary without flowers," he says matter of factly.
Jinyoung nods solemnly, humoring him. "Of course."
"Next," Jackson's hands move towards two Squirtle plushies, patting them on the head. "I got you two small stuffed toys."
"Squirtle," Jinyoung chimes in, looking on fondly as Jackson cradles one of them in his arms. "Your favorite."
"Yes," Jackson beams at him. "For you to put in your car and keep you company whenever I'm not around."
Jinyoung gets up from his seat to pat the remaining Squirtle's head gently, and he almost coos at how small it is compared to his hand. "I'll take good care of you," he tells it seriously, as it stares back at him with wide, unblinking eyes in response.
"As you should," Jackson sniffs, setting the other stuffed toy down to pick up an envelope on top of a shallow box, the kind he gets from the store nearby when he orders dessert for takeout. "And this," he opens the envelope, bringing out two tickets. "Is a letter, and also two tickets to the latest showing of Wicked next month."
Jinyoung leans forward, eyes almost bulging out of his sockets. "You got us tickets to the play?" At Jackson's confirming nod, he leans back in shock. "Sseunie, I - you shouldn't have, it must've cost so much-"
"Ssh," Jackson presses a finger to his own lips, shaking his head. "I don't want to hear it. I wanted to do this for you."
Jinyoung's about to protest once more when Jackson levels him an unimpressed look. He acquiesce and leans back in his chair. "So, what's in the box?"
Jackson lights up at the question. He takes the box in his hands, carefully slipping the cover off.
Jinyoung knows what it is before he even sees it, the scent of it hitting him full force.
"And of course, I couldn't forget to make you oatmeal raisin cookies," Jackson finishes, waving the box in front of him. "This is how we met, where it all started for us."
Jinyoung's blown away by the other gifts, overwhelmed at the effort Jackson put into all this, and so he finds that having to deal with another box of cookies he hates doesn't bother him as much as it should have. He gets up from where he's seated, setting the bouquet of flowers back on the table, right next to the plushies, and wraps his arms around Jackson from behind. "Sseunie, thank you, really." He nuzzles into Jackson’s neck, placing a tender kiss by his jawline. "I love it so much."
Jackson turns around, pressing their lips together, and Jinyoung would've been content to stay there for longer, but Jackson pulls away, tugging Jinyoung towards the chair he'd sat on earlier. "I have one more surprise," he tells Jinyoung, sitting him down. "Wait here."
Jinyoung remains where he is, fidgeting before pulling out his phone to message Jaebeom, asking if he wants more cookies. Jaebeom's just replied, asking when Jinyoung is ever going to come clean to Jackson, when Jackson reappears from the bedroom, looking the way he did before he left, except now with a ribbon tied around his neck. Jinyoung's jaw drops at the sight, and there’s a sharp inhale as Jackson straddles him, his phone falling to the floor with a thud.
Jinyoung's voice is hoarse when he speaks. "What's this, Sseunie?" he asks, running a hand over Jackson's arms, tracing over the delicately tied ribbon over his neck.
"Me," Jackson replies, wiggling in his lap. "I'm your gift." He rests his hands on Jinyoung's shoulders, beaming at him. "Later, I mean, when we get home from whatever you planned for us."
Jinyoung wraps Jackson's legs around him and, upon making sure he's secure, suddenly stands up, nipping at his throat.
Jackson squeals, arms wrapping around his neck. "Jinyoungie, we can't," he protests as Jinyoung suckles at the column of his throat. "You said we have to leave by five."
Jinyoung latches onto the end of the ribbon, tugging at it with his teeth with some difficulty until Jackson lends him a hand, the red bow unraveling. The ribbon falls gracefully onto the floor, and Jinyoung walks them to his bedroom, kicking the door open. "Maybe you should've thought of that before you sat in my lap wearing this."
They end up leaving a little later than planned, but Jinyoung finds that he doesn’t mind it at all.
v.
Jinyoung runs a hand through his hair, his other hand gripping the steering wheel. Outside the window, looming buildings and restaurants of their city have faded into large tracts of land with a single story house or two in between. Beside him, Jackson hums to the song on the radio, a small smile on his face.
What Jackson had once merely mentioned in passing, about how it would be fun to do a roadtrip with him - Jinyoung had turned into concrete plans, a way to celebrate their graduating and entering the real world, as everyone liked to put it.
"Thanks for planning this trip, Jinyoungie."
Jinyoung glances over at Jackson to see him turned slightly on his side, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"Of course." Jinyoung switches his hands, so that the hand in his hair is on the wheel, and the other hand previously on the wheel, closer to Jackson, makes its way to Jackson's nape. He pats him on the head, which Jackson leans into. "There's no way we aren't celebrating the end of university."
Jackson's hand makes its way on top of his, and he clasps their hands together. "Do you want to see the food I brought?" He asks, excitement palpable in his words.
A nod from Jinyoung, and Jackson squeals, letting go of his hand and reaching for the duffel bag of snacks they'd placed in the backseat earlier.
He unzips the duffel bag and starts bringing out the snacks he'd brought. "I couldn't not bring this." Jinyoung glances over to see the large pack of cheese flavored Doritos Jackson's holding.
He smiles. It's one of their go-to snacks, and Jinyoung keeps a constant supply of it in his apartment for their movie nights. "Of course," Jinyoung replies solemnly, turning his attention back to the road in front of him. "We can't forget the Doritos."
Jackson hums. "And I also brought some instant noodles, in case we need a quick meal."
"Did you get a beef flavored one?"
He can hear the grin in Jackson's voice as he answers. "I got two, actually."
Jinyoung nods, satisfied, keeping his eyes on the road.
"I also brought some Oreos, some chocolate," he hears Jackson rummaging through the bag, the crinkling of the packaging barely noticeable. "Oh! I also got you the spicy-flavored Cheetos."
Jinyoung's confused. "Why would you bring that? You can't handle spicy food well."
"But you love it," Jackson counters. "It's your favorite Cheetos flavor."
Jinyoung shrugs at that. "It's alright, I guess."
It's silent, and when Jinyoung glances at the passenger seat, it's to see Jackson looking at him with a knowing expression on his face. "Jinyoungie, you practically inhale these whenever someone brings them at parties."
Jinyoung racks his brain, trying to remember the few parties he'd been to.
"You don't have to swear off spicy food just because I can't handle it, you know?"
Jinyoung chuckles. "It’s not that."
"Whatever," Jackson replies airily. He’s hit the nail on the hand, and Jinyoung knows that Jackson knows it as well. "It's so like you to do that, you know? To put aside your wants for someone else."
Jinyoung merely smiles, choosing not to confirm Jackson's statements. "Is that all you brought?" he asks, changing the subject.
"Last but not the least," Jackson reaches for something at the bottom of the bag. Jinyoung can feel his heart start to sink, knows what's coming out of the bag even before Jackson brings it out.
"I baked some cookies," Jackson exclaims, bringing out a tupperware which, thankfully, is a lot smaller than what Jinyoung's expected. Jinyoung looks over just as Jackson's peeling the cover off, catches a glimpse of the raisins embedded in each cookie, and tries not to retch at the sight of it.
Jinyoung thinks back to when they celebrated their anniversary, to when Jackson had surprised him during his finals week, to when he’d bought the entire tub of cookies, and in all of them, the dread and queasiness that came along with the sight of those dreaded cookies - he really should come clean to Jackson.
But not now, he thinks as Jackson excitedly picks up a cookie and takes a bite from it, cupping his other hand underneath to catch any stray crumbs. "Mmm, it's really good."
Jinyoung feels Jackson place the cookie against his lips, and he tries not to flinch. He shakes his head. "No thanks, Sseun-ah."
He hears Jackson pout, his hands never moving away. "You don't like my cookies?" he asks, sounding hurt.
Yes . "No, no!" Jinyoung protests. "It's not that!" It really isn't - he does love the stuff Jackson makes, loves the cookies, he just doesn't love the raisins that go in the cookies. "It's just, I had breakfast before I picked you up, so I'm still pretty full."
Jackson seems to accept the answer easily, moving away and taking another bite of the cookie. "Oh, okay," he replies, slightly muffled due to his chewing. Jinyoung watches from the corner of his eye as Jackson seals the tupperware, placing it in the bag once more. "That's alright, we can always have some later or within the next few days," Jackson leans back in his seat, happily munching on the half-eaten cookie.
Jinyoung tries not to grimace at the thought of having to eat the cookies, especially with Jackson around the next couple of days. "Yeah."
+1
Jinyoung's on the couch, book in hand, excited. He’s ready for a Friday night spent reading and relaxing in the comfort of his apartment after a busy workweek, ready to welcome the glorious weekend when the doorbell rings.
Strange . Jinyoung thinks as he gets up, making his way to the door. He wasn't expecting anyone.
He looks through the peephole, and is shocked to see Jackson standing there.
"Sseun-ah!" he exclaims as he opens the door, stepping aside to let Jackson in. "What are you doing here? I thought the work outing was until tomorrow?"
Jackson takes off his coat and shoes, setting the mini luggage he'd been lugging around beside his shoes. "Our boss had something to take care of back here, so we all decided to head back tonight instead of tomorrow." He straightens up from where he'd been bent over, removing his shoes. "Do I not get a hug-"
He's barely finished his sentence when Jinyoung tugs him closer, pulling him into a hug. "I missed you," Jinyoung mumbles, resting his chin on Jackson's shoulder.
Jackson's laughter sounds throughout the apartment, and Jinyoung smiles at the sound that he's missed the past week. "Jinyoungie, I was gone for less than a week."
"Still," Jinyoung doesn't let go of Jackson. He feels Jackson's hand make its way to his hair, petting him gently. "Did you not miss me?" he pouts.
"Of course I did," Jackson protests, pulling back to press a chaste kiss to his lips. "Why do you think I went here right away instead of going back to my apartment?"
Jinyoung smiles at that, hand hovering over Jackson’s nape, ready to press their lips together once more when Jackson steps away, squeezing his hand. "As much as I want to continue this, I'm absolutely starving. "
Jinyoung tugs Jackson into the apartment. "I can order some food for us, if you'd like."
Jackson cheers at that, clapping his hands in excitement. "I'd love that," he says as he breaks from Jinyoung's hold, heading towards the kitchen. "But I'll still look for something light to munch on. I'm really hungry."
Jinyoung flops down on the couch, bringing out his phone and dialing Jackson's favorite pizza place. "Go ahead Sseunie, I'll just order the usual."
He's just put the phone down, has just finished ordering Jackson's comfort food - dimsum from his favorite Chinese restaurant, and hamburgers from their go-to diner several streets away - when he realizes that Jackson hasn't come back from the kitchen.
"Sseun-ah?"
There's no answer. He stops by the doorway to the kitchen and is greeted with the sight of Jackson staring at the trash can, peering inside it. "Sseun-ah, what are you-"
Then it hits him. Jackson's staring inside the trash can. The very same trash can where Jinyoung had thrown away the oatmeal raisin cookies Jackson made for him before he left. In it, the trash he’d been planning to take out the next morning.
"Jinyoungie," Jackson speaks, voice subdued, never turning around to face him. "Is there a reason why my cookies are in the trash?"
Jinyoung splutters, tries not to panic. He'd been planning to come clean, had been planning to tell Jackson the truth, but not like this.
Jackson continues talking. "Is it that bad?" he asks, turning around to face him, eyes wide and sad and oh , Jinyoung feels like such an asshole. "Is my baking bad, Jinyoungie?" He bites his lip. "You can tell me truth; I can handle it."
"No, no!" Jinyoung strides over to where Jackson is, clasping his hands in desperation, the feeling of Jackson's hands in his stilling the trembling of his own hands. "It's not that."
Jackson tilts his head in a silent question. Then what is it?
Jinyoung braces himself, gathering every ounce of courage within him. He takes a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling. "Ireallydon'tlikeraisins."
He braves a glance at Jackson, confusion written on his face, "Can you say that again, a bit slower?"
Jinyoung's gaze flits back to the ceiling. "I...don't like raisins."
He's almost afraid to look at Jackson, afraid of the hurt expression on his face, the wounded look in his eyes. But it's silent, Jackson hasn't said a word, and he needs to see how Jackson's reacted to his confession.
Jackson's expression almost hasn't changed from earlier. "But...you've never said anything about it before," he scratches his head, blinking up at him in confusion. "You bought my cookies when I first offered it, and you even bought the whole tub."
Jackson hides his face in his hands, embarrassed at the reminder of the lengths he'd gone to when he'd first met Jackson. "You were so attractive,” he mumbles. “I just couldn’t say no.”
In the silence that follows, Jinyoung panics, and the floodgates open, the words spilling out of him before he can stop it. “And you just, you looked so sad when no one wanted to buy the cookies, and I didn’t have the heart to say no. Then you were having such a rough day and you looked so tired and I bought the entire tub of cookies and you hugged me,” Jinyoung’s gesturing now, movements frantic as he tries to make Jackson understand.
Jackson looks back at him, a myriad of emotions that Jinyoung can’t quite name on his face. Jinyoung trails off at the expression on Jackson’s face, the words slowing down. "And when we'd gotten together I just... I didn't know how to tell you." He turns around, facing away from Jackson, braces a hand on the counter. "You looked so happy whenever you made them for me, and I couldn't bring myself to tell you the truth."
He feels a warm hand on his shoulder, coaxing him to turn around. "Jinyoungie," Jackson murmurs. "Come on, turn around."
Jinyoung stays where he is, unmoving. Arms snake around his waist, and he can feel Jackson rest his chin on his shoulder. "Come on," he whispers. "Please?"
It's nearly impossible to refuse Jackson when he takes on that tone of voice. He faces him slowly, uncertain, and is met with Jackson looking at him amusedly. 'You could've just said so, Jinyoungie," Jackson runs his fingers through his hair, and Jinyoung, despite his embarrassment, finds himself leaning into Jackson's touch. "You could've just told me from the get-go that you didn't like raisins." He chuckles, cupping Jinyoung's face gently. "I still would've talked to you, still would've asked you to get dinner with me."
Jinyoung nuzzles into Jackson's hand on his cheek, pressing a kiss to his palm. "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to disappoint you."
Jackson squeezes his cheeks, puffing them out. "You wouldn't have," he says so fondly that Jinyoung feels like he's about to burst. "You wouldn't have disappointed me." Jackson gently shakes his face from side to side, pinching at his cheeks, an affectionate look in his eyes. "I only kept making them because I thought you liked the cookies.”
Jinyoung's hand hovers over Jackson's, bringing it down to clasp it between his hands. "Are you mad at me?" he asks worriedly.
"Of course not," a gentle squeeze of his hands. "I wish you'd told me earlier, but no, I'm not mad." There's a giggle, then Jackson snorts, trying to contain his laughter. "But Jinyoungie, it's so funny. I kept making you these cookies, turns out you hated them-"
Jinyoung huffs out a laugh, resting his forehead against Jackson's. "And I even ended up buying the entire container from you." He shakes his head, smiling. "God, you just don't know how hard it is to say no to you."
"Really?" Jackson pulls away, tilting his head downwards, a pout on his lips and his wide eyes that seemed to grow with each passing second.
He's met with a pinch to his side, courtesy of Jinyoung. "You know very well what you're doing."
Jackson squeals at that, bursting into laughter.
Jinyoung joins in, huffing as he looks on at Jackson fondly. When Jackson's laughter dies down, he looks up at Jinyoung once more, that same wide-eyed gaze, and blinks. "So if I said I wanted to cuddle with my boyfriend before the food arrives, would he say yes?"
Jinyoung's arms are around him in an instant. He walks them towards the direction of his bedroom, never letting go of Jackson in the process. It's difficult, having to walk with your arms around someone, but they'll manage. "I'm certain he would," he says, pressing a kiss to Jackson's nape. "I'm sure he won't say no."