Age doesn’t mean maturity. This phrase seems so true to Taekwoon, especially when it is applied on his boyfriend, Lee Jaehwan.

Jaehwan is his childhood friend. He met the younger when he was 4 and the younger was 2. They were neighbors, the reason how they met each other. Taekwoon had been wanting a younger brother or sister to dote on, the moment he met the younger, he swore to himself that he will treat the younger as his own brother.

True to his words, Taekwoon played with the younger, take care of the younger, both of them attended the same school from kindergarten up until the same university despite enrolled into different courses. Their status transformed from best friends to lovers when the elder realized that his feelings towards the younger is no longer the brotherly love, is the love that wanting to protect and spend the rest of his life with younger. He confessed to the younger ten years ago when he was 15 and the younger was 13. He knew that both of them are still young, but he is determined that the younger is the one for him.

The reason Taekwoon thinks that the above phrase does apply on his boyfriend is because Jaehwan is 23 now, which he has reached an age that he should be mature enough to make some important decisions or even acts like an adult like the elder does. However, Jaehwan retains his innocent, naïve, cheerful, bubbly, childish personalities despite growing up. The younger is like a child living in an adult’s body.

Taekwoon doesn’t know that whether it is a good or bad thing, he only knows that he loves the younger either way. The child-like personality of the younger only makes him falls for the younger more and more, wanting to protect him from any harm, makes him happy all the time without any worry. 

Taekwoon is given a half day leave by his boss today, due to his great work in the recent project. He sighs tiredly as he leaves the office. He has been spending most of his time for the past two months just to complete this important project from one of the company’s main clients. He hums along the radio while driving, smiles softly at the thought that he can have finally have a nice rest without worrying about the project.

He makes a sudden U-turn when he spots there is plushies shop across the road. His plan to go home as soon as possible varnished as another idea pop up in his mind. He parks his car in front of the shop and walks in the shop. He glances at all the displayed plushies, looking for one that is cute and fluffy enough as a gift for Jaehwan. The younger has non-stop complaining and whining that the elder is too busy with his works and ignored him. Whenever the younger shows up at the study room to serve the elder’s coffee, he always looks like a kid who his toy has been snatched by someone. In his case, his boyfriend is snatched away by the work.

He has a small smile on his face as he spots a penguin plushie on one of the racks. It reminds him how happy Jaehwan was when both of them watched the movie, Happy Feet at home on one of their free days. He walks over and grabs the penguin plushie then proceeds to make a payment for it.

On his way back home, he imagines his boyfriend’s expression when the younger sees him reach home much earlier than usual. The younger is a painter who works at home and only goes to the art gallery once in a while to sell his paints.

He enters their shared apartment softly, as a surprise for the younger and doesn’t want to scare the younger when he is focus on painting.

“Babe..” he calls softly as he spots the younger is painting at the living room.

“Hyungie!!!!” Jaehwan screams happily and quickly places the brushes on the table nearby and removes his dirty apron away.

He runs towards the elder and hug the elder tightly. “I miss you so so so sooooooooooo much!” he says softly and Taekwoon returns the hug with same tightness.

“I miss you too, my big baby.. it has been a long time isn’t it?” Taekwoon asks softly and pecks the younger’s forehead lovingly.

The elder pulls away from the hug and brings the younger to the couch. Jaehwan sits on his lap and rest his head on the elder’s wide shoulder. Taekwoon quietly pulls out the plushie from the shopping bag and asks Jaehwan to look up from his shoulder.

“This is for me?” Jaehwan asks and earns a nod from the elder. Jaehwan smiles widely and hugs the plushie tightly close to his chest.

“I’m sorry for neglecting you for the past two months, I’m all yours now.” Taekwoon announces with a loving smile. The younger immediately pecks the elder’s lips “really hyung? Really really??” he asks excitedly.

Taekwoon nods and smiles, the cute action of the younger reminds him of their childhood. The younger can be so happy even just a small action by him.

“Don’t grow up, my big baby. Stay cute and innocent and I will protect you forever.” Taekwoon whispers softly while running his hand through Jaehwan’s hair.

“Huh?” Jaehwan asks curiously as he couldn’t catch what the elder said earlier. “Nothing” Taekwoon replies and hugs the younger tightly. 

Another update! Enjoy reading! :)