It’s happening again. Jinki has suddenly shut down and grown silent in order to avoid another argument with his partner. The only sounds are the clanking of the knife and fork as Jinki continues to eat the meal Taemin has prepared. Taemin, on the other hand has stopped eating. His heart is racing once again as he wonders what exactly did he do to infuriate Jinki. He contemplates on the matter and sets both his knife and fork aside. It’s the second time they have almost have an argument within the span of three days.

“Jinki” Taemin begins his voice strained and uncertain. “Jinki, you have to understand that it’s been hard on me too.” He blinks feverishly. “It is never comforting to know that you’ve lost your job and it doesn’t make it right for a particular person, such as my husband, to throw the harsh reality in my face every day.”

Jinki looks up from his plate as he chews the remaining pieces of food in his mouth.

Taemin sees the remorseful expression on his face and forgives him instantly even before Jinki has uttered his apology.

He sighs.

“Taemin, I’m sorry. I really am. It’s just that...it’s just that a lot has been going on between us and there’s is a lot going on at work as well.”

Taemin nods as Jinki speaks. “The editor has been giving me a hard time with the new storyline we’ve devised and it’s very upsetting and I apologize for unleashing my pent up frustration from work onto you.”

“It’s fine.” Taemin’s lips curve upwards in a smile. “I understand but I want you to know that you can talk to me if something’s bothering you.” He stretches his arm across the length of the four- seater table and let his fingers graze Jinki’s clenched fist. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Taemin grins widely because he thinks they have communicated the most with each other for the first time since the week has started. He likes that Jinki is home with him and that they are able to spend time with each other again.

A shrill sound reverberates in the room. It’s Jinki’s phone, ringing and disrupting a fairly intimate moment between his partner and himself.

Taemin’s eyes widen in surprise at first, at the sound of the ring shattering such a meaningful silence, then they minimize to normal size as he chants ‘Please don’t answer  it’ in his mind.

The chair scrapes against the tiled floor as Jinki rises from his seat.

“Hello?” He answers and Taemin’s hope of spending some quality time together has been annihilated.

“Of course! I’m positive I left it on your desk...Are you sure?” He then pads over to the other side of the room and retrieves a stack of files from his briefcase.

“I found them”. He speaks sheepishly over the phone as Taemin listens on. “Yeah, I’ll bring them back...yes in about 15 minutes.” A few more words are exchanged before the call ends. Taemin rises and collects the plates from the table.

“Going back to work?”

“Yeah I accidentally brought back home some documents.”

A sigh is heard which garners Jinki’s attention. He pads back over and embraces Taemin, who appears very forlorn.

“I’m sorry.”

“I had planned for us to watch a movie or maybe go to the park but now we can’t because even though your work hours for the day are up, you still have to work.” Frustration is evident in his voice.

“I’m sorry but I’ll make it up to you. Jinki pulls away and peers into his partner’s brown eyes before pulling him in for a quick kiss. Taemin, dissatisfied grabs Jinki by his tie and pulls him in for a longer, more passionate kiss with underlying meanings for what to expect later that night.

“Be home by 8 pm!” Taemin calls out when Jinki has reached the door.

“Yeah?” He replies but stops to ask out of curiosity “And if I ‘m not back by then?”

“You’ll have to climb through the window.” Taemin laughs and turns with dishes in hand. “We don’t own a ladder by the way.” He says over his shoulder and continues into the kitchen and Jinki is out the door.