don't think too much abt the Bank Account reference in here we stan Chogiwanese in this household-

--------

The hospital smelled the same as he always remembered. The strange smell of plastic gloves and cheap kid's toys filling up the lobby. Jaemin didn't miss the way Jeno seemed to dull as they walked up to the counter. It was as if the bright boy beside him had been made to be grayscale, the tight grip he had on the older's hand seeming to be the only thing keeping them in reality.

"Na Jaemin?" Jaemin looked away from his mentally absent lover and to the woman who had just emerged from elsewhere in the hospital. "Chenle can have visitors now." She said with a gentle smile. She seemed kind enough but it didn't change the somber mood that had latched onto the couple. Jaemin tugged Jeno gently along as he followed after the kind nurse who led them easily through the halls.

After a short walk through the winding hospital, they came to the right room, Jeno's grip tightening as he stared at the door. Jaemin turned to him and looked in his eyes reassuringly.

"It'll be alright Jeno. Don't worry." Jaemin soothed softly, bringing up Jeno's hand and kissing it softly. The older nodded, indicating that he was ready to go in.

Jaemin opened the door and walked in, Jeno trailing behind carefully as they left the nurse out in the hallway. She quickly scurried off to help other patients anyways.

The mood in the hospital room was- unexpected for Jaemin and Jeno. While they had been prepared to hear nothing but monotone beeping and bittersweet words, the two boys in the room had a different plan.

Chenle was sat in his hospital bed, his pillows propping him up and a tray sitting over his thighs. On the tray was a deck of Uno cards, Jisung sitting in a chair he had pulled up to the bed and looking intently at the cards in his hand. Chenle was clearly winning, but that didn't seem to matter to the youngest who triumphantly laughed as he put down a draw 4 card.

"Ha! Draw 4 loser!" Jisung said softly- which was strange considering the harsh words he used. Chenle just rolled his eyes and drew 4 cards. He was about to contemplate his new hand when he noticed Jaemin and Jeno in the room. The boy seemed to brighten.

"Jaemin! Jeno!" He exclaimed, setting down his cards on the bedside table and opening his arms for Jeno to come and give him a hug. The latter smiled, walking over happily and returning the affection. Jaemin watched with a smile before looking to Jisung who was stealing glances at Chenle's Uno hand on the bedside table. Jaemin cleared his throat and Jisung looked over guiltily, the older raising a brow at the maknae who chuckled nervously.

"Uhm- Jaemin! Good to see you.." Jisung said with a small smile. Jaemin's rolled his eyes and pulled a chair out from where it resided by the wall, bringing it over near Jisung's and sitting down.

"So, Uno is your game of choice then huh?" Jaemin remarked simply. Jeno pulled out of the hug with Chenle and made his way back over to Jaemin, calmly sitting in the younger's lap and burying his face into his neck. Jaemin just wrapped his arms around the older's waist as he continued his judging towards the deck of cards in front of Chenle. The injured boy shrugged a bit.

"It's the only game Jisung's dumbass thought to get at target. Out of all the games he got Uno." Chenle remarked.

"Hey, don't hate on Uno like that! It's a banger game- a classic!" Jisung defended.

"You could've just gotten him a deck of normal playing cards," Jaemin suggested. "That way when you aren't around at least he can play some solitaire or something- there's lots you can do with normal playing cards." Chenle nodded.

"Exactly. But alas, all Park Jisung gets me is Uno and some macaroons and strawberry milk he walked in the rain for apparently cuz the idiot left his umbrella here." Chenle rolled his eyes and Jisung sniffled to emphasize the slight cold that had overcome him from the rain.

"Well, sounds like quite the adventure," Jaemin remarked, gently petting Jeno's hair. Jeno sighed softly and shifted a bit as he practically melted in the younger's lap, making Jaemin smile. "So then, how are you holding up Chenle?"

"Mmm fine. The doctor says I've been getting better every day which is always a good thing to hear." Chenle answered, smiling as best he could. Jisung nodded.

"They actually said he's recovering so well they think they might be able to discharge him within a week or two which is way sooner than we expected." Jaemin nodded at Jisung's words.

"That would be great! I hope shit works out.." Chenle grinned as he picked up his Uno hand off the bedside table.

"I'm sure it will. After all, I wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity to spoil Jeno now would I?" Jeno smiled into Jaemin's neck at Chenle's words and giggled, causing the other three boys to smile. "So Jeno, how have you been holding up?" Chenle asked as he put down a blue skip card followed by a reverse followed by a draw 2 and a draw 4.

Jisung was at a loss for words.

Jeno nodded and pulled away from Jaemin's neck, readjusting to face the injured boy.

"Good. We colored earlier and then we went to the park with Renhyuck and Minjun and it was lots of fun." Jeno said, explaining the events of that day excitedly. Chenle nodded back enthusiastically.

"That sounds like an amazing day so far." Jeno nodded happily.

"It's been great- and now I get to see you too! It's amazing. I hope you arent too bored here by the way. It seems kinda boring here.." Chenle chuckled and looked at Jisung with a soft smile.

"Ji does a wonderful job of keeping things light-hearted in here. We watch lots of TV and make fun of bubble guppies, he brings in our Nintendo switch's and we play Genshin Impact, we play Uno, we talk about life- despite what it may seem, Jisung can be pretty entertaining." Chenle said with a nod towards Jisung who smiled back at him. "But I still can't wait to be discharged so I can come to see you and Jaemin more often." Chenle said, looking back at Jeno. The older nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

"Me too! We'll have so much fun together!"

🍰

"So, did you enjoy today?" Jaemin asked softly as they drove home. They had stopped at Wendy's on their way home and got some frosty's and fries, orders of 10 piece chicken nuggets in the back seat waiting for them. Jeno nodded.

"Yea, but I'm not very tired yet... I feel like we could do something else tonight." Jeno said as he sat back in his seat a bit, tapping his fingers on the armrest rhythmically. Jaemin nodded slowly.

"hmm... We could go downtown and walk around the different shops for a bit if you want? We can't buy much cuz I don't have lots of money but we could still go down there if you want." Jeno hummed softly and thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"no, let's go back home. We can just put on a movie or somethin." Jeno decided softly. Jaemin nodded and focused his attention back on the road again. Jeno reached forward and turned on the radio carefully, changing stations for a bit until he stopped on one, the soft melody of EXO's 'Universe' filling the car. Jeno smiled at the song and looked out the window, humming softly to the song.

Jaemin felt a giddy and warm excitement fill his chest as he took in the moment.

This was all he wanted.

He just wanted them to be happy.

He wanted to take Jeno on coffee dates and dress him in soft sweaters, he wanted to spoil him with gifts and cuddles, he wanted to play video games with him, relax, bask in the warmth and safety that their relationship allowed them to feel.

He wanted Jeno.

He wanted Jeno and whatever hardships, glory, distress, or beauty came with it.

He wanted their happily ever after, and for once it looked like they might actually get it.

"I love you." Jaemin suddenly blurted, turning his head to look at Jeno as they came to a halt at a stoplight. Jeno looked over and smiled, his eyes something soft and delicate. His eyes looked dark and full with how his pupils were dilated in the dim light of the night. His hair was soft and fluffy, Jaemin's red hoodie enveloping his slightly smaller frame perfectly, and he had the sweetest, most gentle smile on his face. He took in a breath and let the warmth of his love wash over him, reaching out to caress Jeno's face carefully, rubbing his thumb gently over the mole that doted his right cheekbone. The older leaned softly into the touch, dark doe eyes still gazing intently into Jaemin's own.

"I love you too Jaemin."

← t b c →