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There’s a thin line between friends and lovers. Riwoo knew this for a fact. He loved his friends quietly with his soft words of affirmation. He knew he loved Jaehyun, and there was no doubt about it. His heart was left unguarded by how Jaehyun seemed to shake him so effortlessly. This emotion was bold, and striking, and yet he never allowed himself the satisfaction of relishing in Jaehyun’s honeyed glow. There was no way he loved Jaehyun more than a friend. At least, that’s what he told himself.
The night seemed perfect for a walk whenever Riwoo couldn’t clear his mind. His hands shoved into his pockets as the cold air threatened to seep in. He thought that he’d be alone, but there Jaehyun stood. His coat was still unzipped from rushing out of their dorm to join Riwoo, and a smile so sweet that it could make medicine sick.
“Where are we headed?” Jaehyun asked, stomping his foot into his shoes properly.
Riwoo couldn’t even speak. He let out a soft chuckle, leading the way into the streets. Riwoo loved the night the most. The lights shone brighter, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. A comfortable silence carried them to a small ramen shop just a few blocks from their dorm. It was a place Jaehyun found, known for its miso soup. Riwoo knew that he shouldn’t. He knew that he shouldn’t, but the way his stomach was snapping at him, he looked inside the shop.
“Hyung, let’s just go in!” Jaehyun tugged Riwoo towards the door.
“But what about-” Riwoo tried to protest, but he was too weak to resist Jaehyun.
Inside the ramen shop, it was like coming home after a month-long journey. The shop was calm at night, and a few patrons sprinkled in who enjoyed bowls of golden goodness. Riwoo couldn’t lie. The scent alone was enough to cause him to drool. Jaehyun found a booth for the two of them.
“I’ve been thinking about this all day.” Jaehyun started, practically bouncing in his seat.
Riwoo reached for a menu. He looked at all the options. He couldn’t make up his mind. He wasn’t sure what he wanted because everything sounded good. His stomach growled loud enough that Jaehyun glanced at him.
Riwoo could feel his cheeks flushing with Jaehyun’s soft gaze. Even without words from him, he felt understood.
These days, Riwoo felt the need to keep himself in shape, stopping himself from overindulging in his favorite meals. It was becoming apparent to everyone around him. Especially Jaehyun.
“Sorry..” Riwoo murmured, shrinking in his seat.
Jaehyun tilted his head in confusion. His hand reached from across the table to rest atop Riwoo’s own. His eyes were full of a sweetness that Riwoo didn’t feel worthy of seeing.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Jaehyun flashed a soft smile.
This was always how Jaehyun was with people. He habitually made people feel seen, and Riwoo was no exception. Riwoo could feel Jaehyun’s sincerity seeping into his bones. Jaehyun was making Riwoo soft; no matter what he told himself, Riwoo enjoyed it.
An older woman walked to their table, pen, and notepad in hand. “Ready to order?”
Riwoo settled on getting their miso soup. It was a restaurant recommendation. He couldn’t go wrong with it. Once his bowl was sat in front of him, his nostrils were hit with an aromatic scent that filled his senses. The golden broth called to him. He grabbed his spoon and chopsticks with anticipation.
Riwoo ate as much as he could. He made sure to drink his soup and put his utensils inside his bowl. Jaehyun was still eating, tilting his bowl to meet his plush lips.
For a moment, Riwoo couldn’t breathe. He watched as a bead of miso dripped down Jaehyun’s throat. He could feel his ears burning. Riwoo couldn’t just sit there, reaching for a napkin as Jaehyun finished the soup with a one-sided grin. Riwoo made sure to push his bowl aside and leaned over the table. He drags his hand and wipes the residue of the trail.
“So messy..” He quipped with a soft chuckle until he was done. He leaned away to catch Jaehyun’s eyes shimmering with something Riwoo couldn’t grasp.
Riwoo had no clue what he was in for.
The seasons came and went, but Jaehyun remained. Riwoo was getting lost in Jaehyun. His feelings had blossomed into something he hadn’t been able to describe. The more he spent time with Jaehyun, the closer they became, and he couldn’t control himself anymore. Riwoo was changing just like the seasons. Jaehyun was opening him up like a lotus in water. He could feel his petals spreading toward Jaehyun’s light.
Riwoo stirred out of his bed, restless with his racing thoughts. He sat upright. Jaehyun was the only thing in his mind, driving him insane. This was the closest person to him besides Leehan, but it was different. Jaehyun and Leehan couldn’t be compared in the slightest. Riwoo couldn’t keep labeling how he felt about his friend Jaehyun as something friendly.
Jaehyun was straightforward and easy to read, which was part of why Riwoo found himself getting drawn to him. It was so easy to let him fall into his warmth like a blanket. His doughy, soft gaze and sugary sweet smile melted Riwoo to his core. Like a doughnut, he felt whole whenever Jaehyun was around. And without him, he was missing his centerpiece.
Riwoo rose from his bed, rubbing the crust from his eyes as he padded his way to the kitchen. He did not know he’d see a half-awake Jaehyun by the sink. His green teddy bear pajama shirt hanging off his collarbone.
“Hyung!” He chirped as he turned to face Riwoo, pulling his gloves off. He grabbed a paper towel to dry the remnants of water from his hands.
Riwoo made his way to grab a bottle of water. Whenever he was close to Jaehyun, it was like his body was drained of all its moisture. He couldn’t even keep eye contact for long. It was almost as if Jaehyun was slowly becoming his kryptonite.
He twisted the cap off, letting his lips meet the bottle. The water was just enough for him to feel the moisture return. Jaehyun wrapped his arms around Riwoo, burying his head into the nape of his neck. Riwoo could feel the coolness of Jaehyun’s fingers on his abdomen.
“Jaehyun..” Riwoo felt his voice get caught in his throat.
“You smell good.” Jaehyun purred.
Riwoo melted down to his core like ice, feeling his heart beating like a drum. Jaehyun was gentle. His nose brushing against Riwoo’s neck gave him goosebumps. Riwoo had no choice but to surrender. There was a comfortable silence between them. Jaehyun took a deep breath, taking in his scent.
“You’re making this hard..” Riwoo let out a soft utterance under his breath.
Jaehyun scoffed against Riwoo’s skin, “It wouldn’t have to be if you just gave in.”
Riwoo turned his head to get a better look at Jaehyun. Jaehyun was as beautiful as the sun, bright and golden. He basked in his glow. He turned around. Riwoo had found his answer in several forms, but love was the only thing that seemed to make the most sense. Riwoo carefully took Jaehyun’s face in his hands.
The tension between them was palpable, drawing Riwoo to close their distance. His lips brushed against Jaehyun’s in a sweet, gentle kiss. Jaehyun pushed into it further, leading Riwoo to the island's edge. Riwoo relished in the warmth of Jaehyun’s tongue as he ventured in. Jaehyun’s hands rested on his hips.
The only reason Riwoo pulled away from the kiss was the need for air in his lungs. His lips stained pink as he panted softly. Jaehyun remained quiet, cupping Riwoo’s cheek.
“Guess I can’t run anymore..” Riwoo jokes between breaths.
Jaehyun gave him a cheeky smile as he caressed his soft skin. “Nope, because I’ll chase you. Always.”
It wasn’t long until they became even more inseparable. Riwoo felt his world filled with more Jaehyun, and he couldn’t complain. Jaehyun was the sweetest treat he had indulged in the most, which he longed for the most.