Kyungsoo awoke to the pitter-patter of the rain as it landed drop by drop on the roof. Groggily he lied still in the bed keeping his eyes closed. He lied still until a cold chill ran down his spine and he rolled over into the pit of the blankets until his body hit the pillow next to him. It was warm and Kyungsoo shoved his body right up next to it. He tucked his arms in next to his chest and snuggled up as close as he could. It smelled like fresh shampoo and Kyungsoo couldn’t help but nuzzle in closer.

Kyungsoo smiled as nostalgia sank in. He remembered when he’d done this with Suho. The night before, Kyungsoo’s dad kept calling him drunk and yelling over him being a queer and how he was going to hell and Kyungsoo couldn’t stop crying. Suho was there to see the whole thing and he never left Kyungsoo’s side. He even forced him to sleep with him that night. The next morning, Kyungsoo awoke to Suho’s obnoxious snores and tight hold on him. He laughed at the memory. He’d never felt so at home before that morning.

Kyungsoo wondered what it was that made him feel this way again. For the slightest second in his tired mind, he thought maybe, just maybe, maybe it was Suho.

Kyungsoo fluttered his eyes open and leaned back to look at the figure lying next to him. His breath began to shake and his heart began to pound against this ears. He watched his chest rise and fall with every breath and he shook his head slightly. There’s no way. It can’t be Junmyeon. Kyungsoo wanted to jump up and look at the face of the person lying next to him, but he feared he would wake them, so he slowly leaned his head back just until he could see his face.

Kyungsoo thought he’d be disappointed if he saw any other face besides Suho’s but he wasn’t. He was actually glad to see Jongin’s sleeping body lying next to him. Kyungsoo smiled just slightly and tangled his legs in with Jongin’s. He tucked his head into Jongin’s bare chest and closed his eyes focusing again on the rain’s pitter-patter on the roof.

“Good morning,” Jongin smiles upon seeing Kyungsoo wandering about into the kitchen. He bit his bottom lip unconsciously as he looked up from the pan to see him stumbling over to him rubbing his eyes in his baggy t-shirt and pale blue boxers.

Kyungsoo waddled over to the boy and rested his head against his arm. “When did you get up?”

Jongin focused back on the pan in front of him. “Around an hour ago. Same time you did earlier, except I didn’t go back to sleep.”

Kyungsoo raised his head to make eye contact. “You were awake?”

Jongin just laughed making Kyungsoo unable to hide his shy smile.

“It smells good in here,” he muttered wrapping his arms around Jongin’s.

“That’s because I’m making breakfast,” Jongin laughed unraveling his arm from Kyungsoo’s and instead wrapping his arms around the latter’s waist. “How’d you sleep?”

Kyungsoo nodded spinning around to face the taller boy. “How come you’re so much taller than me? I’m older. I should be taller.” He paused. “And more handsome. You should be the cute one,” Kyungsoo pouted plunging out his lower lip.

Jongin just chuckled and kissed him gently on the forehead. “What’s up with you today?”

Kyungsoo crinkled his chin and furrowed his eyebrows letting out a soft hum.

“I mean you’re freaking adorable,” Jongin exclaimed causing Kyungsoo to crinkle his nose. “But something happened didn’t it?” Jongin asked a little more seriously.

Kyungsoo frowned slightly and nodded looking at his toes.

Jongin bent down and used his finger to raise his chin. “What is it?”

Kyungsoo pressed his lips together making them a thin line and then he looked up making eye contact with Jongin and smiled brightly.

“I’m doing a book signing in a week,” Kyungsoo said smiling ear to ear.

Jongin could tell Kyungsoo was keeping something from him. He wanted to ask what else happened, what was he worried about, but instead he just said, “That’s great!” And left it alone knowing Kyungsoo would tell him when he was ready.

Kyungsoo smiled and stood up on his tippy toes to kiss the tall boy. Jongin let out an airy laugh and bent down to plant a kiss on his lips. Kyungsoo reached up his arms and wrapped them around Jongin’s neck gently pulling him closer. Jongin felt a tight pinch in his shoulders from the unusual posture and instead bent down wrapping his arms around Kyungsoo’s lower thighs and picked him up. Kyungsoo giggled slightly and wrapped his legs around Jongin’s waist. Kyungsoo ran his fingers along in Jongin’s hair occasionally tugging on the strands. Realizing he’d been holding his breath Kyungsoo slowly and carefully exhaled through his nose and when he breathed in the stench of burning bacon filled his nose. He pulled his hands back to Jongin’s shoulders and pushed him back.

“Something’s burning,” Kyungsoo said almost panicked already unwrapping his legs from Jongin’s body.

“,” Jongin said helping ease Kyungsoo off of him quickly and rushing to turn off the stove.

Kyungsoo watched Jongin rush to save the already ruined bacon and couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t know what was funny about it. Maybe it was the way he tried to save the already destroyed bacon, or maybe it was the face he made when he tasted it, Kyungsoo didn’t know, but it made him laugh nevertheless.

“Well,” Jongin hummed throwing the rest of the burnt bacon in the trash. “I guess we’ll just have to go out.”

Kyungsoo shook his head and opened the fridge. “Or we could eat cereal and stay inside all day.”

He pulled out the half gallon of milk and Jongin opened the cabinet to get the cereal box.

Kyungsoo sat the milk on the counter. “Where are the bowls?”

Jongin smiled and reached around the latter to open the cabinet and retrieved two bowls.

Jongin poured the milk in both bowls after Kyungsoo poured the cereal and the two carried them into the living room.

They sat in the same place they had the night before except this time, Jongin was the one leaning on the couch.

“There’s going to be a big crowd,” Jongin said munching on his cheerios.

“Where?”

“At your signing.”

“Oh, yeah,” Kyungsoo smiled slightly taking a small bite.

“You’re worried,” Jongin stated more than asked.

Kyungsoo set the bowl down on the coffee table and nodded. “I think he’s gonna be there,” he frowned starting down at his spoon

Jongin nodded slowly setting his bowl down too. “He can’t hurt you. He can’t get near you,” he reassured.

“That’s not what I’m worried about. Bruises heal,” Kyungsoo said his face dull with memories.

Jongin nodded. “You’re worried about what he’ll say, aren't you?”

Kyungsoo looked up to meet Jongin’s sorrowful eyes and nodded.

Jongin leaned over and took Kyungsoo’s hand. “Hey, if you think me being there will make him worse, then I wont go.”

Kyungsoo shook his head. “I want you there. I want you to go.” He looked up to met Jongin’s worried eyes. “He’ll make a scene maybe, but at least then I’ll have you to comfort me when he does.”

Jongin nodded despite knowing the outcome. He wanted to tell Kyungsoo the dream he had, but he couldn’t find the words. Kyungsoo needed to talk to his dad. He needed to hear what he had to say, even if it hurt him.