#17

@⊹ felix lee. "mhm," jisung hummed in response, hoping it could convey even a fraction of his sincerity when he had first agreed to felix's suggestion. sure, there was the usual nerves that came with trying something new and stepping out of his comfort zone, but jisung would be facing them with felix, so he had no doubt about his decision.

jisung had been listening to felix attentively when felix's words were suddenly cut off by a yawn, and jisung couldn't help but let out a small laugh. it seemed like the coffee felix had sneaked in during the day hadn't been able to beat his body's need for rest. jisung's hand patted felix's head, a slow tempo that he hoped would lull the tired felix to sleep. "i'll be here tomorrow, the day after, and every day after that, so we have lots of time to plan, lix," he said, softly and slowly, following the rhythm of his hand. "for now, you should sleep."

@⊹ han jisung. jisung had quickly alleviated his worries, that maybe he wouldn't want to hang out with felix outside of what they usually considered hanging out. what was he so nervous for? friends took trips together all the time and although all of his had been alone thus far (granted, they were also for work), he knew jisung was for sure somebody he would love to travel the world with. his friend was different; there was nothing he ever had to worry about.

"really?" felix finally spoke up, eyes already filling with stars as he leaned into jisung's warmth. "then i'll take that as my permission to travel the universe with you." his other half; jisung was surely that and more to him. he tried fighting the sleepiness filling his system by speaking again. "when i get back, we can start planning. any city you wanna see, any country, name it and we'll go—" felix was interrupted by a yawn, tilting his face away from jisung's to do so properly.

@⊹ felix lee. the blush on felix's cheeks went unnoticed by jisung, the elder too busy showering felix with affection. however, what he did notice was the warmth in his heart when felix returned his physical affection, which wasn't surprising given that it was felix, but was always welcome.

jisung immediately laughed, as if felix had some access to some button in his system. "aw, you're so sweet," jisung cooed. "just focus on buying stuff for yourself. i'll cop what i can from you, anyway." felix's suggestion had jisung pause for a while. jisung barely had friends growing up, and getaways with friends were something he had only seen in shows or read in books. now, in his arms was a friend he could do it with. "yeah, i'd like that," jisung said softly, gently petting felix's head. jisung couldn't believe how lucky he was. "as long as it's with you."

@⊹ han jisung. his face had turned a bright red, whether it be because of how hard he was laughing at his best friend, or because he was enjoying how close they currently were. okay, maybe even it was because of the words the boy had used, but felix merely mimicked the elder's actions, rubbing his face against jisung's.

"i will take lots of pictures and bring back lots of souvenirs! though, i might have to bring an empty suitcase to fit everything i want to bring back for you," the thought alone made him chuckle at himself. he had a way with overbuying things for people that he cared about, let alone for hanji. he blinked a bit, nearly forgetting what he was even going to ask jisung until it came back to him. "next time let's go somewhere. together. not for work, just you and me, yeah?"

@⊹ felix lee. "that's right," jisung said, laughter still uncontrollable. affection overflowing, he nuzzled his forehead into felix's head. he made an exaggerated slurping sound, but was careful not to actually spit on the poor boy in his arms. "this is all mine, mine, mine."

jisung was happy to be pressed into felix like this, for he knew he would be missing this warmth once the younger was overseas. "all our favourite spots," he agreed. he had to remind himself it was only two weeks at most, a short time compared to the month they would have together. "i hope you get to explore germany more this time! eat lots of good food, take lots of pics and remember to send them all to me," he said with a happy sigh. a few moments after they had settled down a little, felix's word and poke had jisung angling his head to look at him. "hm? what is it, lix?"

@⊹ han jisung. felix's hand briefly flew to hold his stomach, tears building up in the corners of his eyes as he lost his composure, their loud laughter bouncing off the four walls of his bedroom. "ew, that's probably why you drool on me too!"

he rolled his eyes but nonetheless accepted the affection, as he always did. he was a er for it every time. "mhm, we'll work our way through all our favorite spots in town, hand in hand!" felix threw his leg to rest over the other's, subsequently pulling him just a little bit closer than he was before, as if they weren't already close enough. it was as if the thought of not seeing him for a while suddenly made him clingier. "germany is fun! no doubt a beautiful place. i was there once before, but only for a couple of days and even then i wasn't allowed to leave my hotel room." he fell silent for a few beats, much smaller hands now gently poking at the shirt of his best friend. "ji?" he started, tugging on his bottom lip with his teeth.

@⊹ felix lee. "water bed?" jisung let out a scandalised gasp, even louder than the one felix had let out, but it wasn't long before he was laughing till his stomach hurt. "you know how dogs pee to mark their territory?" he said, when he could finally get words out amidst his laughter. "that's me, but with drool, and your bed!"

jisung rolled over to his side to give felix a squeeze before letting go. "that's coming from the tiny baby!" he teased. "i'll have you know, that carrier's gonna have a difficult time with these shoulders of mine!" he boasted, puffing out his chest. he then deflated, realising he was supposed to /want/ to fit into the carrier. "one to two weeks?" jisung said slowly, confirming what he had heard. ", we gotta hang out tons before then to make up for lost time. name it and we can do it!" he said, words coming out faster now with the newfound urgency. "but germany sounds so cool!" jisung changed the topic again. "i'm sure it'll be fun."

@⊹ han jisung. "drool?" felix questioned, feigning exasperation. "i don't drool! that's all you. last time you were here, i thought i had a water bed!" there was never a dull moment with jisung. it was easily shown just from how hard felix tried holding in his laughter at such a suggestion. how did he even come up with the stuff that he did?

even at the sight of jisung's wide grin, whatever feeling of sadness was beginning to bubble in his system was easily beginning to dispel, trying to remain content on how much time they could spend before he was gone. "you know what, we're definitely gonna have to try that next time. i'll see if i can fit you into my carry on, you know, because you're small enough." felix shrugged nonchalantly. if only he was really able to. phone calls, texting and face-timing just wasn't the same. "i have a good month and a half before i leave! they're sending me back to germany for a week or two, but until then, you're stuck with me, ji." his hand raised to give the elder's side a gentle pat, eventually staying there to rest on his waist.

@⊹ felix lee. at felix's command, jisung immediately scooted over on the bed, but he hadn't moved very far before felix was also on the bed. "you're the big baby, i'm almost falling out of the bed now," jisung teased, before reclaiming the few inches he had given felix so that he was closer to the other.

"well, if you say so! technology is always improving!" jisung chuckled, warming up to the idea quickly enough. "still, don't drool too much, or your saliva's gonna conduct all that electricity," he joked as soon as his overly-imaginative brain came up with the scene. felix's mention of the 'better half' had some effect in pacifying jisung, but the mention of felix going overseas cancelled that out. turning his head to see felix's smile that didn't reach his eyes, jisung offered a wide grin in return. "i mean, if you're gonna pack this heavy blanket, you might as well put me in your luggage instead," jisung joked, but part of him wished it was possible. "are you going overseas anytime soon?"

@⊹ han jisung. "aw," felix cooed at the pout displayed on jisung's face, putting the remote back down where he got it. "alright big baby, move over." he leaned down, gently pushing the other over so that he could make room for himself. it didn't matter how much space there was anyways, because felix was already laying his head on the other's folded arm.

his sleeve went to cover his mouth, laughing at both reactions when it came to his new electric blanket. "shock me while i'm sleeping? don't worry, ji. this one is designed safely and i haven't even used it that much." his stomach tickled the more he tried to hold in his laughter, the elder's mannerisms being seen as nothing less than endearing. "i could never replace my 'better half'! but i will need something to keep me warm when i'm out the country," felix this time offered a sad smile, the thought of being away from jisung again enough to make his heart feel heavy, even if he was right beside him currently.

@⊹ felix lee. jisung laughed, his arm movements on the bed stilling. "the test's not over, the final evaluation will be made once i've woken up in this sheets," he said, though it didn't really matter, the small joy of the new comforter was enough to make him happy. as felix approached him, jisung smiled brightly, but it quickly turned into a pout when the hair ruffling indicated that felix wouldn't be lying down so soon. he watched felix from the comfort of the bed as he listened.

"electric blankets?" jisung repeated. "i've actually never used one before. what if it shocks you while you're sleeping?" he said, the idea of an electric blanket rather interesting. as the foreign concept began to settle in jisung's head, his brain moved on to felix's other sentence. "and what? i'm being replaced by a blanket?" he said, visibly offended. "eventually, you'll stop inviting me for sleepovers once my services aren't necessary," jisung whined. "who says i can't always be here!"

@⊹ han jisung. his better half. those words should not have had him feeling so giddy, heart clenching so much to the point where he was sure it would explode soon. jisung always had a way with words. it was no wonder his writing was loved by so many. "your better half," he repeated in a mumble, though still loud enough for the other to hear. "i think i like that. but only if you're /my/ better half."

felix watched with amused eyes, hand reaching to close the bedroom door behind himself. nothing much had changed since the last time jisung was over aside from his comforter; it was still the same setup, same pc he had placed at his desk, yet with jisung here again, his room finally felt complete. "oh, thank god. i don't know what i'd do if it didn't pass your test!" he laughed to himself and he leaned over, ruffling what hair he could of the elder's due to his current laying position. a few seconds later, he reached for his remote off the bedside dresser, turning off the tv he used as background noise before jisung had showed up. "i also bought one of those electric blankets for extra safety. you can't be here to always keep me warm."

@⊹ felix lee. felix's words should've been harsh according to any dictionary, but they only filled jisung with affection. "well, /i/ like you," jisung said. he hummed in thought at the reason felix gave, curious eyes looking at the younger's face. "i guess we are pretty similar. you get me," he said slowly, wondering if the boy in his arms was really a reflection of himself. "but we're also different, somehow?" jisung decided, because felix was way too bright of a star to be compared to just a guy like jisung. "like... my better half. that's why i like you."

felix's sarcasm couldn't distract jisung from the excitement bubbling underneath, because he was feeling it too. "you are most welcome, my loyal felix," he said, as his hand waved off the compliment, but the wide grin on his face was evident that he was enjoying the praise. jisung followed felix's lead out of the kitchen, walking down the familiar hallway, to what was essentially his second bedroom. "well, i'll be the judge of that!" jisung separates their interlocked hands, not too reluctant since they would have lots of time, to flop onto felix's bed. "mmm... first impression's good already," he sighed contentedly, spreading his arms to do snow angels on the covers.

@⊹ han jisung. felix blinked, taking a second to collect himself before he ended blurting out something he'd regret, or worse, reveal himself to be a stuttering mess in-front of jisung. "nevermind, i hate you," were the only words he could form immediately, leaning closer to the older and knocking his shoulder playfully against his. "i mean, how could i not? i feel like aside from our different callings in life, we're practically the same person. our fonts are barely different." the tip of his tongue peeked from behind his lips after he spoke and he gave a firm nod.

all felix could do was roll his eyes in feign annoyance at jisung's exaggeration, but his smile only grew wider when he had finally "convinced" him to stay the night. "you are so kind, baby. thank you, the oh-so-great han jisung for agreeing to this sleepover of mine." his tone was rather flat for dramatic effect, but he knew that jisung could see right through his act, eyes filled with so much excitement and his own heart thrumming against his chest to match. without a second thought, felix let go of one of jisung's hands, now able properly lead him in the direction of his bedroom. "i just bought this new comforter set, too! it's so warm."

@⊹ felix lee. "oh?" jisung hadn't even known that he had tossed out the bait, but since felix had latched onto it, it was time to reel it in. "what would you say is the reason, then?" he said, eyes sparkling despite the "sometimes". apart from teasing felix, jisung was genuinely curious about how someone as cool as felix would even come to be friends with himself.

jisung did an exaggerated droop of both his shoulders and the corners of his mouth. "that wouldn't be so bad, would it?" however, the corner of his mouth was soon pulled upwards, partly because of felix's pinch, but also because of the sight of felix's coloured cheeks. maybe he would leave it as this for now. "i guess i could, since you've made such a convincing argument," jisung pretended to give in, though there hadn't been much competition from the beginning. "i don't think i wanna find out how you're gonna make me stay," he said with a pretend shudder. jisung then gave felix's hands a light, pleading tug. "now that i've agreed, can i settle into my bed for the night?"

@⊹ han jisung. "i wouldn't say that's the reason, but yes, i do like you," felix's nose scrunched up when he paused, giving a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "sometimes at least." like magic, he found himself chuckling at their back and forth. jisung sure had a way with making him feel better.

"yes, i do mind, because next thing you know, i'll be kissing you as payment for everything!" he accused, pinching the cheek that he just had smacked his lips upon. the pink shade on jisung's face almost went unnoticed, trying to remember if it was already this shade before, or if he was just imagining the blush. his own cheeks were beginning to color themselves red, but if the other asked, he would just chalk it up to the room being too warm. "now, will you stay the night? please?" felix separated his body enough from jisung's to take his hands into his own, thumbs caressing the older's knuckles. "even if you say no, i'm not letting your leave."

@⊹ felix lee. "i'm well aware," jisung answered with a relaxed smile, taking the hit in stride. "but i also know that's why you like me so much," he continued, egging felix on in hopes of drawing another laugh.

a little whine automatically escaped jisung's lips when felix puts up a resistance, but all in a good fun of course. after a few moments of having his cheek turned and waiting for felix, jisung was about to laugh it off, worried that he had crossed the line. but then he felt felix's lips and jisung immediately melted. he was well aware it wasn't just a quick peck, dragged out for dramatics, but when the feeling on his cheek left, it still felt all too short. despite the pink tint on his face, jisung put on a smug smile. "see, payment done so easily," he teased after seeing felix's pretend agony. "mind if i keep this payment method for future transactions?" he asked cheekily, flirting with the idea.

@⊹ han jisung. felix his teeth, the sound hinting at his "annoyance" with jisung's response, only to add emphasis with a gentle hit to his shoulder afterwards. "you are a pain in the , you know that?" he asked, but couldn't even finish his sentence without laughing again.

his brain practically stopped, the last thing he ever expected being that jisung would agree to his proposal. of course he would. why /wouldn't/ he? "this is bull," he mimicked the other's whine, nose scrunching up to feign displeasure. the apples of his cheeks said otherwise. "who knew apple juice delivery guys were this mean?" felix contemplated the kiss for a bit longer than he'd like to admit, face reddening the longer he stood and waited for his brain to get ahold of itself. finally breaking his trance, felix took jisung's face in his much smaller hands, leaning forward to press a long and dramatic kiss to the other's cheek. he pulled back with a loud 'muah,' slapping a hand over his chest dramatically to show just how 'hard' it was.

@⊹ felix lee. it felt as if jisung was basking in sunshine, hearing felix actually brighten up after a little encouraging. "i wouldn't know what you'd do either," he teased, as he swayed along with felix. but he felt the same; they hadn't been friends for too long, yet jisung was now used to life with felix in it.

"maybe," jisung said as nonchalantly as he could. "it obviously wasn't enough. i just think it'll hit different with your voice," he said as he tickled felix's throat. felix's suggestion then had him immediately turning his head and offering his cheek. "i mean, not only did i free up my schedule for you, i also got you your apple juice, /and/ am offering myself as a human bolster," he whined a little with a pout. giving his cheek two taps with his finger for good measure, he said, "so that sounds about right, baby."

@⊹ han jisung. "you're completely right. i can't let that stop me. if i sulked over every loss i've ever had, i wouldn't be here." it was as if jisung's words had pushed away a dark cloud looming over his head, eyes twinkling in just the slightest with newfound determination and admiration for the boy in front of him. "i don't know what i'd do without you. thank you, ji." his arms tightened it's grip in the slightest around jisung's frame, swaying them for a bit before he stopped again, now staring at the older in disbelief.

"you know, i'm starting to get a suspicion that you just really love hearing me beg," he teased, eyes squinting as he internally debated on if he actually /would/ or not. "was my begging over text not enough?" he began to whine, this time not being able to hold in his laughter at how 'cruel' his best friend was, when really this happened all the time. han jisung was cruel, indeed. "and compensation? what, you want a kiss?"

@⊹ felix lee. felix's smile served as the confirmation that jisung made the right choice spend the nighting with the boy rather than drinking with the team. the extra hug then served as jisung's little reward, a smile immediately appearing on his face. "don't worry, it's completely normal that the last race is still on your mind," he said, as he gave the younger's shoulder a squeeze. "but you can't let it get to you, bud! you gotta use it as motivation to work harder."

hands on hips, jisung pretended to consider felix's offer, resisting the puppy eyes for now. "depends on whether the baby /really/ wants my attention," he teased, as if he hadn't brought his toothbrush with him, half expecting this, as if he hadn't been waiting for felix to ask. "i did tell you that you'd have to work harder from now on." with a child-like smile, he said, "maybe i could get a little compensation?"

@⊹ han jisung. felix scrunched up his nose, feigning irritation at the action, but it only took a second or two for a genuine smile to spread across his tiers. swatting at the others hands gently, he now couldn't help his eyes from shaping themselves into crescents. "you're right! my hanji is here, so my day is immediately better!" his arms flung themselves around jisung again, having always been rather affectionate with his close friends and the boy was no different. "i'm not sure. maybe i've been overthinking all my upcoming races since the last one; that i'm worried it'll be the same result, you know?" felix gently hit his friend's side, shaking his head at his teasing, before he pulled back in the slightest. "are you staying the night?" immediately his eyes were on puppy mode, hoping to convince the older to have an impromptu sleepover.

@⊹ felix lee. like a pet, jisung let his owner tickle under his chin with no resistance. it was fine if felix didn't know that was the truth; jisung didn't feel like the need to clarify, anyway, as long as he himself knew. jisung listened to felix share about his day, just like how the other did. seeing the pout, jisung used his two index fingers to push the corners of felix's lips upwards. "aw, baby, don't be sad," he said to cheer up the younger. "i'm here now." he laughed a little as he let felix's face be. "but do you know the reason? or was the vibe just off?" he asked. "we can talk about it over apple juice, if you wanna." jisung hummed in thought for a while before speaking up again. "or we can move this to your bedroom," he said, adding a wiggle of his eyebrows, "and hang out there till you fall asleep, since you apparently got none."

@⊹ han jisung. "apple juice alien," he repeated, the words causing another fit of giggles on his own behalf. for some reason that was unknown, hearing jisung choose the first option should've been expected as he was clearly only joking, yet it still made the apples of his cheeks warm. he blinked a few times, before he caught himself and his smirk widened. "i'd think you're a ing liar, which you clearly are!" he said accusingly, fingers raising to tickle underneath jisung's chin. "ugh. my day was okay, i guess. spent practically all day at the track, which usually i don't mind, but today i was out of it for some reason." felix shrugged his shoulders, a pout forming on his lips that he had no idea was even there.

@⊹ felix lee. jisung laughed as he watched felix keep the apple juice and he teased the other, "okay, my sweet apple juice alien." jisung was a good sport and received the tap on the nose, even leaning forward a little for felix. watching felix's laughter build up and eventually burst like a bubble, jisung found himself laughing along with him. when he caught his breath, he leaned in a little again as he asked, "would you believe me if i said it was the former, hm?" jisung's tone was playful, but it was indeed the truth. like all the other company dinners before, he probably wouldn't have drunk to the point of a red face. but for some reason, he didn't want to give the truth away too easily. "okay then, what about you, lixie? how was your day?"

@⊹ han jisung. "yes, my body is, that's why i'm so sweet," he teased, sticking his tongue out at jisung ad he quickly got to work, sticking the apple juice in the fridge for later. their fridge was definitely far from bare, but to felix, missing apple juice made their fridge seem empty. "ah, really?" his nose scrunched up playfully at the tap, his own hand raising to tap the other's nose back. "was it because you really really really like me? or because you didn't want to get all red in the face and embarrass yourself in front of your team?" felix teased, a smirk creeping it's way onto his lips, trying to stop the laugh that was already beginning to bubble in his chest. his hand pressed against his own mouth, eyes shaping themselves into crescents as he finally couldn't hold back his laughter any longer.

@⊹ felix lee. jisung made it a point to roll his eyes at felix's groan. "is your body made up of 70% apple juice, instead of water?" he questioned as he lightly whacked the younger's hand. "who on earth substitutes water for apple juice?" jisung's hands limply returned to his side once felix had left his embrace, but they once again found purpose when felix brought jisung to the kitchen. jisung gave felix a similar grin. "great, that sounds like my kind of party." jisung set the two cartons of apple juice on the counter before continuing. "well, i had a meeting at the publishing company, and they suggested getting drinks as a company afterwards." giving felix's nose a little 'boop', he said, "but i weaseled my way out of it so i could come today."

@⊹ han jisung. felix groaned dramatically, allowing himself to be dragged along by jisung deeper inside his home. "i told you, we do have water, just no apple juice," he whined, wide eyes blinking at the male in front of him with just as much mock incredulous. giving him one last squeeze, he let go of the other's frame to properly close and lock the door behind them both. "now that you're here, the party can really start... and by party, i mean sit and talk about for hours." his grin spread even wider on his lips, now taking jisung's wrist in his hand to gently guide him into the kitchen. "how was your day, bub? anything new today?"

@⊹ felix lee. jisung immediately sank into felix's warm touch, breaking into a smile. arms still enveloped around the younger, jisung waddled his way into the loft, dragging felix with him. "did my baby miss me?" he coo-ed, pulling away slightly to look at felix but still keeping the other in his embrace. "but also, does your loft really have no water?" he asked, incredulous, as he looked around the familiar place. "do we have to go to the kitchen to boil some water before we can hang out?" he paused his and felix's little waltz, shooting a glance at the door that was still open.

@⊹ han jisung. felix found himself doing practically anything to keep himself busy while waiting for his friend, almost having half a mind to brew another pot of coffee for the hell of it. the feeling of it being rather easy to miss jisung even though they lived so close to each other was mutual. given, it hadn't been long since the last time they had seen each other, but he still did miss him a ton. "oh, hanji!" he smiled to himself at the sound of the very friend he had been waiting for, pulling him in for a hug before he could properly step into the loft. "and my apple juice, thanks! thought i was gonna die of dehydration."