Crystalline

            Junsu had to wrap his arms around his body as he felt the cold air whip on the streets. He clutched his bag tightly in front of him and started to walk forward. The full force of the wind was behind him so he had no choice but move slowly or else he’d be swept away. He knew that it would rain today, the morning forecast told him so but he didn’t remember to bring his umbrella. He cursed softly but started when he felt a drop of water fall on his forehead. Another drop followed, and then another, and soon the dry pavement were inked with small circles of water from the sky.

            Clutching his bag over his head, Junsu immediately ran blindly toward the nearest shed he could make out in the rain. He knew he had to reach it or else he’d be soaked through. The water made the concrete he was running on a bit slippery but Junsu didn’t take notice. All he knew was that he had to get out of the rain. He was but a few steps away from the said shed when his feet slipped and he suddenly lost his footing. Junsu’s eyes widened in horror as he saw the world tilt around him. He knew he would hit the concrete hard; he waited for the pain to come with eyes closed.

            But as the pounding of his heart grew, the earth seemed to stop moving underneath him. His fall was cut and in those few seconds, Junsu felt two strong arms support him. Someone was behind him, holding him, not letting him fall to the ground. He twisted his head to look at his savior and he saw a man with a pair of kind eyes greet him. He saw a bright smile answer his surprised expression and he couldn’t help but give a shaky smile in return.

            “Are you okay? You have to be careful. It’s slippery here.” Said the man in a deep voice which sent involuntary shivers up Junsu’s spine.

            Junsu’s mind processed what the man said and answered, “Y-Yes, I’m okay. Thanks.”

            “It’s alright; I don’t want my neighbor to fall flat on his face.” He was still smiling.

            “N-Neighbor?”

            “Yup. I work at the building beside yours. I always see you through the window. That’s why you’re familiar. I’m Park Yoochun.”  A smile, and Junsu saw a dimple on his left cheek.

            Junsu didn’t know how to answer that so he just gave his name and just looked on. It was then that he started to notice how small drops of water clung to the man’s skin. The droplets caressed his cheeks softly. The man blinked and Junsu’s gaze lifted to his lashes. Water clung to them like little crystal balls magnifying their fragility. A small unnoticed sigh softly escaped Junsu’s lips as he observed Yoochun. Some seconds ticked by and Junsu heard the man chuckle and cleared his throat.

            “Uhm, excuse me, I think you can let go of me now.” Yoochun’s voice was laced with amusement.

            Junsu’s cheeks pinkened and awkwardly let go of the man’s arms. His gaze searched for the waiting shed and found it behind them, a few steps away. He hurriedly went to the comforting shield and hugged himself, his body starting to shiver more. He got a bit soaked earlier. Junsu saw Yoochun walk under the rain, as if he was not affected by the awful weather and took the place beside him under the shed. The man started to shake off water from his hair and his clothes. The action made Junsu stare again. Hard.

‘Get a hold of yourself Kim Junsu! What do you think you’re doing?’ he struggled to calm down. It was not normal to want someone you just met, was it? So why was he standing there ogling the man and wanting him to kiss the guy? He shivered again but this time from a different reason.

Yoochun must have noticed him shivering so he took off his jacket and went by his side to drape the damp cloth over Junsu’s shoulders. In his surprise, Junsu’s head snapped up suddenly which closed the gap between their bodies and accidentally made his lips lightly brush Yoochun’s. The shock was felt all over Junsu’s body. His face turned fiery red as he struggled to breathe. It was Yoochun who spoke first.

“I think I like how the rain tastes on your lips.” He said before bending his head to once more capture Junsu’s lips. The younger man closed his eyes to savor Yoochun’s kiss again. A smile grazing his lips.

After that, Yoochun and Junsu always met under rain. They ran toward the shed splashing water all around, laughing. People turned to look at the laughing couple running under the rain and could only stare. For Junsu, the rain was perfect. For Yoochun, the rain was a blessing. Both of them prayed for the rain to continue falling down on their heads. Junsu looked up the sky and welcomed the crystalline drops as they fell on his face.

“Uhm, excuse me, I think you can let go of me now.” Yoochun’s voice was laced with amusement.

Junsu was shaken out of his dreams when Yoochun spoke. His body seemed to move on his own and went to the shed to find comfort under it. As he shook off the water from his clothes, he saw Yoochun walk over to the shed and did the same. After a few moments, the rain started to turn into a drizzle. The souls under the shed had different thoughts running in their heads. When Yoochun spoke, Junsu automatically turned to him.

“Hey, I think the rain’s stopped now. Do you want to stay here or—?” the man started.

Junsu found that he couldn’t make his tongue work properly. What had he been thinking? He was having day dreams of this man in front him. And what daydreams! Junsu’s embarrassment must have shown on his face because Yoochun spoke again.

“Uhm, I think I could walk with you to—?”

“No, no. I-It’s okay. I’ll wait for the rain to stop.” Junsu stammered, his eyes downcast. He heard a shuffling of feet and he looked up. Yoochun was starting to walk away.

“Well, if I see you again, maybe we could have beer or something. A boys' night out. How does that sound?” his voice was amiable. Junsu cringed. He was still imagining their kiss.

“Uhm, okay. Sure thing. See you.” He countered nervously.

“Okay, see you around neighbor.” Yoochun waved at him goodbye as he stepped out of the waiting shed.

Junsu waved back, his heart clenching in his chest. He looked up the sky but and saw the gray clouds. It was not raining anymore but he could still see crystalline drops behind his eyes. They flood up his lids and fell to the hard concrete in front of him. Shattering like glass, cold to the touch.