19.

    Jongin understood addiction now. He never did before and never thought he ever would. How could a man do something so self-destructive, knowing that they are hurting not only themselves, but also the people they love?    It seemed that it would be incredibly easy for them to put an end to their addiction, to just stop, just aim for and realise it. But his arrogance and naiveness kept him from seeing the truth of the matter. Now that he experienced it on his own, however, he could see it and understand the hidden problem. There's only heartache at the end waiting for him patiently. There’s no happy ending waiting for people like him to embrace.    One way or another, Kyungsoo'll be gone, since he will soon leave for Seoul again. Their departure is inevitable. A long-distance relationship is something he could not bear.    Would it not be wiser to end it now, before it gets to that breaking point? Is it not better to accept that this happiness he has,  is destined to self-destruct on him?   Kyungsoo had a charm about him sometimes; a warmth that was irresistible like sunshine, and Jongin was the plant that craved for its protecting, warming embrace. He was so small compared to the power the other had on him.    The world around the Quarterback blurred as he watched Kyungsoo walking through the crowd of supporters, as if his eyes only wanted to focus on one particular person. Kyungsoo flashed him a breathtaking smile once their gazes met - his famous smile that made you feel happy about being alive, happy about witnessing it, happy about knowing him.    Kai wanted to touch him and run his fingers through his sticky hair. Rubbing his hands together, he forced them into submission. Observing Kyungsoo's movements, a sigh escaped his lips. Every movement seemed as though Kyungsoo has planned it out ahead of time.    "Where are we going to?", Kyungsoo asked. He was examining the streets they were walking through, trying to guess to which place they were heading to.    "Whenever my team won, we would go to a diner to celebrate our victory, and I thought this would be a great idea now, too. So, are you going to invite me to eat something?" Kai explained.    "We should definitely keep the tradition! And no, I don't want to invite you?"   "Lucky you, I'm going to pay," Kyungsoo couldn't help but to crack a smile by Jongin's odd sense of humour. The latter wanted his smile to stay, he didn't want it to go.    There was something about the way the Busan boy smiled; the way butterflies seemed to escape from the pit of his stomach, the warmth that radiated from his chest through his whole body and the way the sun had somehow toppled down from the sky and made a home right there in his heart.                                       *"*     The restaurant was full. Kai looked around to see that almost every table was already taken. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties were nearly collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lit up cigars, teens gossiping in groups about the latest bands close by. The noise level was high.   The smoke, coming from the cigar of one businessman, twisted in its artistic way, forming curls in the gloom, illuminated only by the age-speckled bar lights. Along the wall was every hue of amber liquid in their inverted bottles. The smoke level was high, too.    "We could sit there!" The older male suggested, pointing with his index finger towards a free table near the window.     "Sure," Jongin replied and made his way to the table to sit down. He'd started to grow fond of Kyungsoo's calming presence - of the latter's breathtaking smiles and his owl eyes. He was special, not only based on his genetic features; no, he was special for Jongin and he was afraid of experiencing a heartbreak because of it.    The waiter soon came with a menu for them to order their drinks and food from. From Kai's seat, he had a view of the entrance. With nothing else to do he perused the menu, regardless of what was there he'd be ordering a soup.    He started to analyse his surroundings. The restaurants interior consisted of large mullioned windows, long embroidered curtains, dark walnut tables, flowers on each table, delicate live piano music, flagstone tile floor, and a lounge area with embroidered couches. It was an excellent place to have a date, not too expensive, not too cheap.    "Jongin?", the other male spoke up, his voice holding a touch of tenderness, which communicated something like sweetness of tone, even to his voice. Once Jongin looked at the other, he continued.    "You are good at dancing, aren't you?"   "Yes, I am," he answered, astonished by the question. Could Kyungsoo be interested in him, or why would he be asking him that? He raised his eyebrows and grinned like a school boy at his enrolment. "Why are you asking me about dancing?"   "It may sound pretty embarrassing and it actually is, but in a few days will be our school prom and I never visited a dance class, so I'm struggling with the cadence of standard dance commonly used on those events. A-And I was wondering .. whether we could meet up .. and you know, practice...it"    Kyungsoo was nervous. His eyes w