Work Text:
Between the two, no one backs down. Not being boyfriends could take away Hyuck and Jaem's enthusiasm to win over anything. Both persist in competitiveness but never at the expense of their relationship.
Maybe that's why people always think they are intimidating. The type to likely dismiss people with blunt remarks, if not by arguing. But they are far-fetched from this impression.
Yes, Jaemin and Haechan can argue well but they don't just do it out of being arrogant. Because if they do so, mayhaps their relationship might have already succumbed by now. but no, they're out here at McDonald's parking, in the wee hours munching their take-outs; which they've argued over the counter before settling with.
It was Haechan's idea to eat at the parking lot because he insisted it was romantic.
“Jem all the tables here are occupied, let’s just take out our food.”
Jaemin has already answered the cashier that they are eating for Dine-in, but Haechan was stubborn.
“Where do we eat it if take out, there are still vacant tables” Jaemin pointed at the spot at the corner wherein one can see the parking area through the glass wall.
“At the parking lot, look it’s more peaceful… and romantic there” Haechan with eyes twinkling blinked at Jaemin, once or twice, and just like that, the latter gave in
Jaemin just can’t resist Haechan when he’s being like this. As for Haechan, he knows Jaemin will always fold in when it comes to him.
Haechan was right, it was quieter outside, despite the passing cars. It was tranquil for him because he was with Jaemin.
This is where the romance he insisted on lies. It is always nice being alone with Jaemin. In the midst of everyone, the two of them, together.
For a while, they indulged in the silence of their togetherness, only letting the rustling of the paper bags that contained their food.
Without saying anything to Jaemin beforehand, Haechan promptly took all the packets of ketchup there from Jaemin’s paper bag. He knew well that Jaemin never consumes any of these for his fries. Haechan is just so versed with Jaemin that he knew the latter does not order fries without a sundae to dip them into.
“ You aren’t mad that I took all the ketchup?” Haechan was baffled, frankly because Jaemin always takes home the packets of ketchup.
“ It’s because it’s you that took it???” Jaemin exclaimed in a matter-of-fact temper.
Indeed, he’d rather bring the packet of ketchup home than return it, as he always insists every time, he paid for it so might as well get it. Besides, it’s not that he doesn’t eat with ketchup, it’s just for him, ketchup and fries don’t go together.
Silly it might seem, Haechan admitted to himself, that drove butterflies in him. Grumpy he might be often, Na Jaemin will always have a vast tolerance for him.
“ Ok, I love you, too.”
Without second thoughts, Haechan uttered his adoration. Jaemin in return got trailed off.
“ Huh? I haven’t said I love you, yet.”
“ Now you just did.”
“ Oh right. I love you, Hyuckie, so much.”
It was the first time they said I love you to each other. It’s not very like them to let out their emotions through words. They were very much keen on keeping their intimacy within the bounds of their mindless bickerings.
A few more of their paralleled heartbeats passed. Absorbed by the mundaneness of being so in love with each other, they kept stealing glances at one another as if they only live in moments.
Tonight was a moment but until the sun rises later on, and even with all the tomorrows to come, Haechan and Jaemin will always mirror two people being deeply enthralled for one another.
The night was gawking and the road was slowly catching up with the silence. Soon enough the people that filled up the fast-food chain would also be gone to go home and rest. After all, those people deserve a hard-earned rest after a taxing work shift.
The rest of the world could leave because eventually, Jaemin and Haechan are already home.
“ It’s too quiet, it’s making me sleepy.” And to resist falling asleep, Haechan went down from the trunk of the car they were seating on to get the Bluetooth speakers he always brings.
Jaemin also got off from sitting and followed Haechan to see what the other was up to.
“ I don’t think we are allowed to blast music at this hour Hyuckie.”
“ You just have bad music taste, Jem. That’s why you don’t like to bring out the speakers.” Haechan, intentionally, stirred off a Jaemin that was just pacific towards him earlier.
“ Is that it, Haechan? “
Jaemin brought out his phone from his pocket along with its earphones.
“ If I lack music taste, why do you always ask me for a Spotify session.”
Jaemin was enjoying this, he smirked at Haechan who was already talking in a pout as he raised his phone as an invitation for Haechan to listen together through shared earphones.
“ Okay then, let’s just listen to your playlist and share earphones. “
And just like how Jaemin folds in for him, he too is more than willing to cave in for Jaemin.
Always halfway for each other.
The both of them now sat on the pavement beside where the car was parked. They managed to finish their food but left the paper bags on the trunk, still.
As soon as Haechan put in the right side of the earphones on his, the song started playing.
If there's nothing left
If there's nothing left, I have you
Of course, it had to be a song by NIKI. This was certainly Jaemin because to him, second to Haechan is NIKI.
Haechan stared at Jaemin thoughtlessly savoring the song. Eyes aimlessly staring distantly towards where the Drive Thru sign stood.
“ You really like her songs? Our blend playlist is literally just her songs.”
“ Is it too obvious? ”
Jaemin gloated at Haechan.
The other was already close to sulking, he turned his head away from Jaemin and frowned. He looked away too far that he tugged the other side of the earphones off Jaemin’s ear.
Jaemin knew exactly what was happening. Haechan was acting jealous. Too cute, he thought to himself.
“You like her too much it irritates me.” Haechan tsked.
They stayed like that for seconds, Jaemin leaning on Haechan’s shoulder. Haechan is still, looking away from him but can’t even get Jaemin off his side. He’s well aware that he was being trivial over this but he just can’t help it because provoking Jaemin like this meant they get to be adorbs.
“ I like her, and I love you too much.”
And just like how sirens lured sailors with the sweetness of their song, Jaemin’s assurance also brought Haechan into destruction; except that it is a good one.
Haechan right away turned his head back to Jaemin and kissed his cheeks, and helplessly he felt his lips lift into a smile.
Where passion meets insane
Where pleasure kisses pain
That's where you'll find me
“ There, I said the L word already without you openly baiting me.”
Until hell freezes, Jaemin will annoyingly and endearingly pour out his love on Haechan. Words are nothing because even before he had the courage to speak his emotion out, he has already been loving Haechan; the instant he pictured bliss in the other’s presence.
“ I know. I have always felt it even if you resist yourself from saying out.”
There was not even a crevice for Haechan to find himself undeniably fond of Jaemin. He saw himself on Jaemin; intimidating and cold-hearted. At most times, their gleeful character gets subtracted from this impression.
In too deep, they are into the sweet chaos of being in love: only in the eye of intimacy do they get to see what the other is like when they are aloof from the rest of the world.
Without notice, the next song had already played.
I don't find anything I don't like about you
Haechan danced to the song. Jaemin beamed at him, he really won’t find anything unlikeable about this man. He is a captive of Haechan’s charm.
The other still recklessly moved into the rhythm of the song, Jaemin could only get himself engulfed in this. Unknowingly, his eyes pooled with a twinkle, and his smile brimming with delight.
Dreamy, he is so dreamy when it comes to Haechan.
“ Do you want me to skip to the next song? You seem like you’re not enjoying it ”
Haechan stopped his dancing and caught sight of Jaemin not wearing his side of the earphones.
Shit, Jaemin thought. He was so smitten with Haechan that he barely sensed the earphones getting pulled off his ear again with Haechan’s dancing.
Jaemin wore it back to his ear again and the song was almost to its end.
Oh no, I think I'm in love with you
I think I'm in love with you
Even if he doesn’t listen much to bands unlike Haechan, he willingly put up with it. He listens to it still, even if he can’t catch the vibe. As long as Haechan lives into it, he’ll fancy it.
The next song approached, snapping Jaemin out of his trance. The soft acoustic tune made his heart skip a bit, the same way Haechan’s insides grew butterflies.
Haechan and Jaemin gaped at each other with faces that can’t hide their glow.
Rainbow notes up on the wall
Dancing children under rainfalls
“ Interesting, is this our mutual music interest, finally?
Jaemin made his remark and they both giggled.
“ I don’t think it's about Moira, I think it was because of what the song expresses ”
Haechan unriddled for Jaemin and sang along with it.
“ I'll hold your hand and wipe your tears
We'll laugh until we run out of years “
The song carried on.
There's a ray of sun that's bound to light our way
And although the roads are rough
I'll get through it just because
No words were spoken. They let themselves get lost in the swirl of the song. It meant something for them.
Jaemin held Haechan’s hand and laced it together.
I'll have my you
You'll have your me
They remained like that until daybreak was about to fight for dominance against the darkness of the night.
Indeed, Haechan was right, it was romantic. Jaemin was defenseless from this. Too defenseless that he let the expression of love slip out of his lips.
Enthusiastically, behind the sleeves of taunting each other, they will always give in to gratify love.