Countdown (JJ Project)

After Countdown (Epilogue)

“Okay, I’ll do this because I really do pity her, and I want this to be clear so I can leave it all behind me, even though it annoys me. Listen, have you kissed her?”

Jinyoung remembered when he stole a kiss from Jaebum back in the library, and he nodded again. He seemed to have lost his voice to guilt and embarrassment.

“How does it feel?”

The memories of those feelings came back to him again. The fast beatings of his heart as if it was about to break away. The butterflies that filled his stomach with honey. He kept silent, getting overwhelmed by the reminiscence of those feelings, but she didn’t seem to mind. Maybe she could already read it on his face, as he was never one that could control his expression.

“And what about when I kiss you?”

The memories shifted. He remembered feeling taken aback, but nothing more. It was completely different from when he kissed Jaebum. Guess she could see it again on his face since she said, “See? Isn’t it already clear that you like her?”

Now that someone else had stated it for him, he felt more certain. Actually it was all already in his mind, but hesitations held him back. But the moment Jiwoo said it, every hesitations vanished to the air, like they were never even exist before. And he felt like a fool for even having them in the first place. And now he couldn’t even wait for the dinner. He wanted to tell him as soon as possible. He finally looked up with a smile.

“Thanks, Jiwoo. And I’m sorry.”

Jiwoo smiled back at him. “See you then.”

And she left.

Jaebum stirred, bringing Jinyoung back to the present. Jaebum leaned forward and their lips meet briefly before he murmured a good morning with a lazy smile. He pulled Jinyoung closer, settling his chin above his head. They were so close Jinyoung could hear the steady beat the other’s heart made. The heart that was now his.

His attention shifted to the necklace that rested on Jaebum’s neck since last night. It was a plain silver chain without any pendant, beaming with the reflection of the sunshine that seeped through the window. That was also his, precisely his birthday gift for him. He actually bought it before Jaebum confessed. He didn’t know why he bought the necklace back then. It wasn’t common for a boy to buy a necklace for another boy no matter how close they were, even though he thought it would look nice on Jaebum. Maybe even back then he wanted to tie Jaebum to him, without him realizing it.

He kissed the crook of Jaebum’s neck, feeling the contrast between the cold, hard, rough silver and the warm, soft, smooth skin with his lips. He heard the other humming low as he did, and he moved to kiss his throat, feeling the vibration through the layers of skin. The vibration got stronger as Jaebum chuckled before pulling away to plant his lips on his forehead.

“Stop it, will you? I’m trying hard not to attack a sick person here, you know.”

Jinyoung laughed, and snuggled closer to the other boy. He felt content, so happy his heart was about to burst. It seemed like the desperation he experienced the other night was only an illusion. The harsh tone, the cold eyes, the indifferent face, everything was just a nightmare. A nightmare he was grateful of having. Of course it was thanks to Jiwoo he finally certain he was in love with Jaebum, but the fear and anxiety he went through was what made him realize the depth of his feelings, how important the other was for him.  He was so scared of losing his love right after he found it. He already felt that much only one day after realizing his love, he couldn't imagine how much suffering Jaebum went through.

“You’ve wait for too long, right?”

Jaebum didn’t answer, he only held Jinyoung tighter. Jinyoung hugged him too in response.

“I’m so sorry. I was lost for such a long time.”

He leaned back to meet Jaebum’s gaze. He could see the memories of every pain the other felt flashed back, reflected in his eyes. He cupped Jaebum’s cheek with a hand, stroking it gently with his thumb.

“Don’t worry now, I won’t ever leave again.”

Jinyoung kissed Jaebum again, a long, deep one, as if he wanted to suck away all the pain he had caused from the other boy.

“I love you.”

And now he would never ever let Jaebum go.

__________________________________________________

P. S.:
So this is the end of this fic. And I want to announce that there's a sequel to this *trararang* it's Markson though, however Jaebum and Jinyoung would also make appearance there. Thanks for reading, love you all :))