Work Text:
PART 1
SAVE THE DUCKS
𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓱𝓪
It was a warm afternoon and the sun was shining brightly, lighting up the public park where three 10 year old boys were playing 'red light - green light'.
"You cheated!" Exclaimed Jaemin, one of them, pointing a finger against his friend Donghyuck.
"I didn't!" Exclaimed the other. "Jeno, tell him that I didn't!"
The third boy shrugged. "I didn't see. I was busy trying not to get caught moving."
Jaemin pouted. "I saw him moving when I turned around but he keeps saying he was already still. But I'm sure of what I saw!"
"He was probably moving, then." Concluded Jeno. Not that he had evidence, but he didn't want Jaemin to nag.
"This is cheating!" Exclaimed Donghyuck, outraged. "You did it again!"
"I did what?!" Asked Jaemin.
"That little pout of yours! You know Jeno will always take your side if you start sulking."
"What??" Asked Jeno. It wasn't true! Or maybe... Nevermind. But after all, who would like to see their best friend sulking?
"I'm done with this game." Sighed Jaemin. "I want to say hi to the ducks!"
The pond at the center of the big public park had three ducks, and Jaemin adored them. They had always been there, or at least as far as the three boys would remember. Today, though, there were only two.
"Where is the third duck?!" Asked Jaemin turning to his friends, eyes wide open.
"Why are you asking me as if I stole it or something?!" Asked Donghyuck.
"Maybe it went for a walk?" Tried Jeno.
"It's a duck!" Replied Donghyuck.
"Then what's your suggestion?" Asked Jeno.
Hyuck shrugged. "It probably became someone's lunch."
Jaemin gasped. "What?! You can't say that! Who would eat a duck?!"
"You should know, my dear", started Donghyuck, "that duck à l'orange is a very fancy dish." He pointed at a building next to the park. "Probably the staff of that restaurant got the duck for an important client. Maybe the client will show up again tomorrow, and they will come here again to get another duck." He shook his head. "Poor, poor ducks. That's their hard life."
"Jeno..." Whispered Jaemin, his eyes getting glassy. His hands were now wrapped around Jeno's arm. "Tell me Hyuck is lying. Please, tell me he is wrong."
Jeno sighed. "I... I don't know, honestly. I heard about duck à l'orange, so... It could be."
"No!" Shouted Jaemin. "I hate everyone!" And he ran away in tears.
"Nana..." Whispered Jeno trying to extend an arm in his direction, but Jaemin was too far already. He felt his heart sink, but he knew Jaemin didn't like being chased when he was feeling bad, and so he turned around to look at Donghyuck, helpless.
"What?" Asked Hyuck. "I didn't know he would cry! I wouldn't have said it otherwise!"
"Do you really think someone would eat them?"
"I'm not happy about it, but it's the only explanation I have for the sudden disappearance of a duck..."
The public park had a small gate that at 10pm closed the park for the night, just to open again the following morning at 7am. However, it was not extremely difficult to climb, being it more aimed at preventing drunk people from damaging the area. And so that night, at midnight, the park wasn't empty. Two people were on their secret mission.
Jeno had never done something like escaping from his room window at night time (luckily enough he lived on the ground floor), let alone entering a public property in secret when it was supposed to be closed. His heart was racing really fast.
After climbing the gate and entering the park, he stood there for some moments trying to calm himself.
"Okay, I can do thi-"
A sudden thud startled him, probably making him lose ten years of life, and he immediately turned in that direction. Did the police find out? Was he about to get arrested? No. Twenty meters away from him there was someone who had clearly fallen on the ground after trying to climb the fence. It was a small frame, so probably a kid like him.
Not wanting trouble, Jeno turned around and considered climbing the gate back to leave, but he stepped on a dead leaf that made a crunchy sound.
"Who is there??" Asked the other person, suddenly standing up. Their voice sounded familiar, though... Could it be...
"Uhm, Nana?" Asked Jeno, unsure.
"Jeno??" Asked the other, approaching him.
"Why are you here??" Asked Jeno, surprised.
Jaemin quickly hid his hands behind his back. "Uhm, nothing special."
Jeno tilted his head to the side, in an inquisitive way. "Is that a butterfly net that you're hiding?"
Ouch. Jeno had seen it. Well, it was not a small object. Jaemin chuckled nervously. "Haha, yeah. I was pretending to be Spongebob chasing imaginary jellyfishes."
Jeno's eyes narrowed. "At midnight. In a park that is supposed to be closed."
"Well, what are you doing in a park that is supposed to be closed?" Asked Jaemin.
Jeno muttered something that Jaemin wasn't able to catch, so he asked: "What?"
"The ducks, I'm saving the ducks. Which is guess it's what you want to do too." Admitted Jeno.
Jaemin's eyes widened. "Really?! Yes! That's why I got the butterfly net! Did you bring some food for them?"
Jeno nodded, pointing to the big holdall he was holding, that Jaemin hadn't even noticed until that moment. "I have some bread crumbs."
Jaemin shook his head. "Such a rookie mistake. Bread is not good for ducks, but luckily I got some seeds."
Jeno pouted. "Oh, I didn't know."
Jaemin smiled cockily. "You would be lost without me."
Jeno noticed that Jaemin was only carrying a medium-sized backpack and, not wanting to let him win, asked: "And how are you planning to carry the ducks?"
The other felt taken aback. "Uhm, carry??"
"Well, yeah. Once you get them out of the pond, how are you gonna convince them to follow you?"
Jaemin frowned. "I thought they would just follow me?"
This time it was Jeno who shook his head, grinning. "Rookie mistake. But luckily, I got this." He opened his holdall and revealed a cat carrier. "It was meant for cats, but I guess it will work for ducks too?"
Jaemin couldn't object, so he kept quiet for a few moments and then asked: "What was your exact plan, though? I'm curious."
Jeno suddenly felt unsure. "Uhm, well. Attract them with some bread, put them in the carrier, hide them in my bedroom for the night and then talk to you tomorrow in the morning to find a new place for them."
"Talk to me?" Asked Jaemin.
"Well, yes. So we could find a solution together."
Jaemin smiled. "How cute..."
Jeno felt his cheeks warming, but maybe it was just a hot night. It couldn't possibly be because of his best friend…. Right? "What was your plan?"
Jaemin shrugged. "Attract them with seeds, gain their trust, make them follow me and run away with them."
"Run away?!"
"Yeah. Catching a train to somewhere. I got all my money with me and a few clean clothes. I can't bring them home, and I can't leave them alone either or they will end up like the other duck. The only option is to leave and start a new life with them."
Jeno felt incredibly sad. "You would have not involved me…"
Jaemin pouted. "Don't take it personally. You know I've always been more independent than you."
It was probably true, but it didn't mean that hearing that didn't hurt Jeno. "You would have left forever without even telling me."
"It's just... I didn't think you would understand. I'm sorry.”
Jeno nodded, sighing. "Okay. So... I can give the carrier to you. I'll help you to catch the ducks and then we will say our last goodbye..."
Jaemin extended an arm towards him. "Wait, no! Run away with me."
Jeno blinked in confusion. "What? But you want to live alone with them, to be independent."
Jaemin blushed a bit, or maybe it was just the lightning that made it look so. Jaemin would never blush because of the friend he had known since forever. "I am still independent, and I'm only asking because it's you. I... I wouldn't mind living with you, to be honest."
"What??"
"You're the only person I'd ever run away with."
Jeno's heart started pounding so loud he could hear it resounding into his ears, but maybe it was just a high blood pressure problem. He was getting old after all, he was about to turn 11!
Jaemin pouted. "S-so? Are you down for it or not?"
"Yes!" Exclaimed Jeno, maybe a little more enthusiastically than intended.
They reached the pond and attracted the ducks with seeds as planned, putting them in the carrier.
"So... Now..." Started Jeno.
"Now we run!" Exclaimed Jaemin.
They left the park and ran holding hands for a solid ten minutes, until they reached the train station.
It was almost 1AM and the night guard widened his eyes seeing so young kids entering the station at such a weird hour.
"Hey, stop! What are you doing here?" Halted the man.
"We didn't do anything bad! We just want to take a train!" Protested Jaemin.
"Are those... Ducks??" Asked the man, looking at the carrier.
"No! I mean... Yes, but... They are our domestic ducks!" Tried to lie Jeno, alarmed.
In the end, the guardian called Jaemin's parents. Damn, he had his mom's phone number written on his backpack tag.
In less than half an hour, both Jeno and Jaemin's parents were at the station, both shocked to find out their kids were not in their bed sleeping.
"Please, do not send us to jail!" Exclaimed Jeno, after they had to confess everything.
"You can't, because we are too young. I'll get a lawyer, anyway." Said Jaemin, trying to look calm, even though he was as nervous as Jeno.
Their mothers exchanged a glare and both laughed.
"You're not going to jail... For this time." Said the guardian. "But you will have to bring the ducks back to the public park and never try to do something like that again."
"We just wanted to save them! We had good intentions!" Exclaimed Jeno.
Jaemin's mother chuckled. "No restaurant would ever steal a duck from a public park to cook it, I can totally assure you. Where did you get such a silly idea from?"
Jeno and Jaemin looked at each other. "Hyuck..."
After bringing the ducks back and before saying bye to each other, Jaemin told Jeno: "This was embarrassing. We will never talk about this night, it never existed."
Jeno nodded. "I agree. I feel stupid."
And so, the following day, they met again at the park with Hyuck.
"The ducks are still here. No one ate them." Said Donghyuck.
"Let's not talk about ducks, let's just feed them and leave. I'm done discussing their future life. Moreover, who would ever eat ducks from a public park, it's such a stupid thing to think." Replied Jaemin, pretending to yawn.
They kept pretending that that night didn't exist, but they could never forget how they almost ran away together and how incredibly thrilled they were by the idea of starting anew just the two of them. Because even when Jeno was feeling down, he would never fail to smile whenever he remembered that he was the only person Jaemin would ever run away with.
PART 2
I LIKE YOU
𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓷𝓸𝔀
It was past ten o'clock last night when the older called him asking for a company in buying a gift for Hyuck’s upcoming birthday which he gladly took. They were together five minutes ‘til he just found himself getting engrossed with the things he liked, separating him from Mark.
Seeing Mark walking toward him, he smiled with his eyes. “Where have you been?”
“You literally disappeared,” Mark answered with a chuckle.
Seeing the bags in his hand, Mark asked. “Are those for Hyuck? You bought so many, man.”
“Oh- I forgot to buy Hyuck’s,” Jeno mutters, realizing he forgot he was buying something for him too.
“Wait what? Are those yours?” Rummaging the bags, Mark raises one. “Why would you buy duck food? You don’t have ducks?”
“Jaemin keeps wanting to feed the ducks in the public park.”
“And this?” The older continued to ask while they were walking in the aisles as Jeno searches for a present for his best friend. “Duck pajamas- I highly doubt this is yours.”
Jeno laughs while nodding. It wasn’t his. Jaemin told him he was dying to buy new pajamas because he got bored with his old ones. He found it weird how can one get bored with pajamas, but well, he’s Na Jaemin.
“None of these are yours?”
Grabbing the shades for Hyuck, he turns his head to see what Mark was talking about. “They’re mine. I paid for them.”
Rolling his eyes, Mark shook his head unbelievably. “They’re obviously for Jaemin, Sir.”
Jeno didn't mind and continued scanning the sunnies on hand.
“You’re really something. I can’t judge though. You’ve been friends since like forever.” The older nods to himself. “Does he know you like him?”
“No-“Quickly pausing, the younger closes his eyes realizing what he had just done. “I don’t like him- I mean I like him but not in a romantic…”
Feeling the silence between them, he turned his eyes to the older whose face is plastered with a cheeky grin.
He stared for about ten seconds and later sighed. “How’d you know?”
“There’s just no way I won’t know,” Mark answered after a heartily laugh he let out finding Jeno’s shock amusing.
Seeing the little pout that’s peeking from the younger’s mouth, Mark chuckles again. “Fine. Hyuck told me. Though he just confirmed because I already knew since day one.”
“Hyuck knows?” With eyes slightly widened due to surprise, Jeno exclaimed.
“I can't believe you didn't care about the fact that I knew since you were an embryo. But of course, he does! You’re not so secretive about it.” Mark states. “You legit bought a bunch of things for Jaemin and forgot to buy Hyuck’s. It’s still May, bro. Jaemin’s birthday is in August.”
Jeno frowns at Mark’s teasing.
He didn’t know he wasn’t being subtle. He didn’t even know Donghyuck knew.
"How’d you know Jaemin doesn’t know?” Mark asked once he got his receipt after paying.
He gives out a little smile of amusement as his head wandered to this one convo between him and Jaemin.
Still gladden with the thought, Jeno answered. “He thinks I like you.”
“You’re kidding.” Horrified, Mark says.
“Seriously!”
“I like Hyuck, and I’ve done nothing but be obvious!”
His smile widened seeing how the older reacted.
“I should probably tell him about us. He’d be relieved for sure.” Mark says.
Confused with what Mark’s last sentence was, Jeno commented. “Why would he be relieved?”
Halfway through the exit of the mall, Mark halts and looked at him in disbelief.
“What?” Jeno asks, even more, confused this time with how Mark looked at him and why he stopped walking.
“Hoping the multiverse is real so there’s one universe where both you and Jaemin aren’t dense aye ef.”
With that, Mark smacks his tongue and walks away muttering a few things Jeno didn’t get leaving him still bewildered.
“Na Jaemin! How dare you turn my sister into a duck addict?”
Hearing his best friend’s voice, Jaemin rolls his eyes. “Dramatic.”
Hyuck places himself finding his comfortable spot and throwing a chip straight to his mouth. “What if he steals the ducks at the park too?”
Being used to the teases he gets from him, Jaemin just threw a glare at the older.
“Seriously, if today wasn’t the day you got evicted from your mom’s womb, I would’ve kicked you out of here too.”
“This is my house?” The older asks, perplexed.
“And?” Jaemin sticks out his tongue and dips his hand on the bag of chips Hyuck was carrying.
The older just pretended to sulk.
Not noticing how time went by, Jaemin raised his head realizing he found himself laying on his best friend. He must’ve fallen into a nap.
His eyes roamed around the living room of Donghyuck’s house searching for a familiar face.
“They’re still not here?”
Fixing his disheveled hair, Hyuck answers. “Nope. But they’re on their way. Markie texted.”
Jaemin raised his brows as an alternative for a nod.
Feeling the sleepiness wear off of him, his thoughts led him elsewhere as he realized something.
Jeno was with Mark.
Nothing is wrong with it actually. Mark has been with them for about a couple of years now. He's a lovely person. Exceptionally talented too. There is no way anyone would dislike him. He’s likeable.
Jaemin likes Mark. Platonically. He's like an older brother. He takes good care of them. He likes him but not in a romantic way. Not how he thinks Jeno liked him.
If it were possible to hear a creak from the inside of one’s body, Jaemin would have claimed he heard something from his.
Jaemin had always been straightforward. He speaks his mind, of course, only if he knows it wouldn’t cause huge damage to the receiver of his thoughts. The point of this was that if Jeno asked him if he liked him, he wouldn’t hesitate.
Yes, Jeno. I do like you.
Pinching himself to bring himself back to reality, he flinched when he saw Hyuck staring at him weirdly.
Face bit red due to embarrassment, he blinked for the nth time. “W-What?”
“You’re troubled with something.” Eyes shrinking in suspicion, the older said.
“No, I’m n-not.” Looking away, Jaemin denies it.
“We’ve been friends for almost two decades now, Jaemin. You still try to lie to me? Hah!”
Pursing his lips, the younger looks at his friend whose arms are now crossed and legs bouncing, waiting for him to spill the beans.
“I’m not saying anything," He utters. "but I do have a question.”
Raising his brows, Donghyuck answered. “You do know I’ll still know what it’s all about once you ask me the question, right?”
“God, shut up. I know.” For the nth time today, the younger boy rolled his eyes because of the birthday celebrant.
Donghyuck smiles proudly before snuggling closer waiting for him to speak.
To say he was a bit hesitant was an understatement. He didn’t want to speak AT ALL.
It’s not that he didn’t want t to tell Hyuck. He just didn’t want to sound petty or dumb. Whichever angle you look, he’ll end up looking like a paltry jealous friend. He didn’t wanna be labeled as a pick me best friend like the ones he knew who were out ruining their friends’ relationships just for attention.
Despite the hesitance, he still proceeded to ask thinking there’s no harm meant. Besides, he’d like to know so he’ll be able to help them… with anything.
“Do you think Mark like Jeno?”
There was silence.
Jaemin started to get scared causing him to start rambling. “I mean, they’re always together. They’re also clubmates. Mark’s the class president while Jeno is the vice which made them spend half the day in school together, right?”
Silence again.
“Hyuck? Are you listening?” he asks as it’s been five minutes and there was still no response from him.
“Hmm.” The brunette boy continues to stare at him after a long pause. “I was just waiting for the time you say ‘It’s a prank!’ or ‘just kidding I wasn’t serious'. Is it not coming?”
“Huh?”
“Jaemin what the he-“
“Hi, guys! We let ourselves in because Hyuckie’s mom said so.”
Both heads turned into the entrance of the living room when they heard a familiar voice.
It was Mark who spoke. Despite that, his eyes settled on the person behind him.
Walking towards him was Jeno, who proceeded to rub his hair. “I got you a few things, little duck.”
He gives back the smile he was given.
As Jeno offered his present to Hyuck, Jaemin’s system stopped working when Donghyuck blurted out a question that caught him off guard.
“Jeno do you like Mark?”
The youngest pierced a glare on Donghyuck.
Jeno on the other hand was confused why he would say that. “Huh? No?”
Jaemin remained stoned. He heard the same answer when he asked Jeno once. He doesn’t know if he should be convinced or not.
“So, you don’t like anyone right now?” A follow-up question from Mark, who was grinning widely.
Both Jeno and Jaemin’s beating organs were so close to breaking out of their rib cages. There’s just no way it ain’t destroying anything inside by the way it beats.
However, Jeno's answer made a difference.
“I do. I like someone right now.”
Jaemin felt like all his senses stopped working.
He wanted to ask who, but he couldn’t. He shouldn’t. He never wants to overstep any boundaries.
Is this it? Will I get my first official heartbreak today?
Before any reaction from him was shown, he quickly stood up.
“I’ll go get Jiah.”
He marched out of the room and made his way towards the backyard where Hyuck’s little sister was playing to prepare her for the early dinner.
It wasn’t his responsibility to give Jiah a change of clothes nor to get her ready for the night. He didn’t even know how the rest reacted to his sudden excuse. He just had to leave.
“Jiah, baby, let’s get changed? Ready for dinner, darling?” He playfully asked.
To his dismay, the two-year-old shook her head. For a few minutes, he continued to pursue the child but unfortunately, he failed. Later, Hyuck’s mom came and picked her up which left Jaemin thinking once again.
Well, not until Jeno sat beside him.
“I see, Jiah got dragged away from you.” The older uttered with a giggle.
Jaemin frowns. “She needed to get changed. I don’t have the heart to pull her out of her little playhouse.”
A moment of silence. Jaemin hated how the air he tries to get away from is seeping in again.
After a few seconds of thinking, an idea immediately flashed in his head.
“So, you like someone huh?” Pretending to tease him, the younger said with a playful smile.
“Hmm, yeah. Want me to describe them for you?”
What the older just said made him flinch a little. Wow. Way to break one’s heart, Jeno.
Leaving him with no choice, Jaemin excitedly nodded, at least for pretend. Despite the pain from his unreciprocated feelings, he still wishes to know who the lucky one was. Even if it wasn't him.
“I loved the way he smiles. It’s different. Especially when he talks about the things he loves. Whenever I see him smiling, he lights up. I know you’re gonna find this cheesy, but he really does.”
Jeno smiles as he spoke. Talking about him made his heart full.
“He’s extremely kind too. He’s good with kids.” Catching Jaemin’s eyes, Jeno continued. “My mom loves him. Probably because he’s too good to be hated. He cooks, you know.”
Looking at the person he admired, Jaemin sees it. Jeno likes him. He really likes him.
“Does he treat you well?” Eyes glistening, Jaemin asked.
Nodding, Jeno smiled. “Very much.”
Although it hurts, the younger stared back gleaming. “Will I love him?”
Laughing with his statement, Jeno nodded. “Yes, you will. Definitely.”
“How do you know that?” With one brow raised, the younger teasingly asked.
“You’ll love him because he loves birds. Parrots, especially.” With a sigh, Jeno raised his gaze once again.
He meets Jaemin’s eyes. The pair of orbs under those rich lashes he’s always loved. The hazel hue that never failed to win him over and over again.
“He loved plays. He can talk about it for hours and not get tired. Yellow is his favorite. He despises milk and strawberries too."
As Jeno continues to talk, something is slowly dawning on the younger. He gasped a good amount of air by the next sentence.
And also… he loves ducks, Min.”
Listening to what the older had to say, slowly, Jaemin’s eyes softened.
Is this who I think it is? It couldn’t be.
As Jeno plays with the younger’s fingers, he thinks for a second. Maybe this is good. This is his chance. And he’s taking it.
“You’ll definitely love him because, one night, about a decade ago, we stole ducks together thinking we were saving them.” A squeeze on the other’s hand. “And he said he would want to run away with no one else but me. I loved it. I loved it because I would want to run away with no one, but him too.”
Like beads of pearls, a few tears had escaped from Jaemin’s eyes. What caused it? Joy? Relief? Shock? He doesn’t know. It just happened.
“I know we’re just eighteen. Young and naïve for whatever is waiting for us, but…” Inhaling the air that’s been preventing him to breathe, he finishes his sentence. “I like you. I like you so much."
"And I like you enough to remember every detail of you. I like you so much that I'm having trouble figuring out if what I'm feeling is just a crush. But Min? I don't think crushes last for no less than a decade, right?"
Jeno smiles weakly. He sees different emotions in the eyes he's always loved. There's no way he could figure out how the world inside it works.
'It's okay.' he mouthed. He wanted him to know that whatever he receives after this, everything's gonna be fine. He's gonna make sure of that.
"I'm not really expecting anything so you don't have to worry... But I hope your offer still stands."
"I hope you like me enough for me to be the only one who you’ll want to run away with, Jaemin Na.”
Faster than the speed of light, Jaemin dived in for a hug, without hesitation.
This was beyond his expectations. He expected shredded paper hearts. He prepared himself for a night of broken tears. This wasn’t it. This was the total opposite.
He turned to the person he loved even before he knew what the word means. “Yes, Jeno. I do like you.”
And just like how he imagined, he finally said it.
“Jeno Lee, I like you so much more than enough. You're the only person I would want to run away with.”
Hands traveling on the space of Jaemin's back, Jeno melts in the hug. He let himself go.
Unclasped bodies now parallel to each other, Jaemin leaves his arms around the older's neck while Jeno's hand lies on his waist.
Under the beautiful shade of twilight, their hearts played the same piece. Eyes on each other, they end the moment with a kiss.
PART 3
MY SUNFLOWER
𝓫𝔂 𝓣𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓪
The warm feeling of sunlight on Jaemin's face made him wake up. He turned around to look at his boyfriend's face but there was only a blank space left on the bed. Jaemin stands up to look for his boyfriend and is suprised by a note on the kitchen counter. He picks it up and sees a big “1” drawn on the piece of paper. He noticed something written on it after turning it.
“Inside the dishwasher”
He follows the instruction a little confused and opens the dishwasher just to be greeted by another note with the number “2” on it.
“Look under the table”
Still wondering where the older is going with this he looks underneath the kitchen table and finds another note. Following every note's instructions he ends with eight notes total. The last one saying: “Under the tree next to the pond and bring the notes.”
At this point Jaemin stopped wondering what's going on and just followed the notes order. He changed out of his favorite duck pajamas, brushed his teeth, grabbed his keys and made his way to the park. Although there were quite a few trees, Jaemin knew exactly which one Jeno was referring to. A quiet part of the park where not a lot of people walk past. The perfect spot to feed the ducks.
“Jeno!” Jaemin arrived at the spot and ran to his boyfriend to hug him. “There you are. Did you sleep well?” Jeno left a kiss on his forehead. “I did but I missed something next to me when I woke up.” A small pout formed on Jaemins face. “Yeah I'm sorry about that, but I had to prepare something. Here I got you something.” Only now Jaemin notices the bouquet of flowers Jeno is holding. “Red roses and sunflowers, my favorites!” A small chuckle left Jenos mouth “I know that's why I bought them. Did you bring the notes I left? You must have read them, if you are here.” Jaemin grabbed inside his pocket to take the notes out. “I did. I found eight in total” “Great you found them all. Now place them down in the order you found them. I put the numbers on it in case you forgot the order.” Jaemin laid them down one after another:
“Inside the dishwasher”
“Look under the table”
“On top of the Microwave”
“View behind the fridge”
“Everything will make sense at the end. open the fridge”
“You almost made it. behind you on the lamp.”
“Over there next to the window.”
“Under the tree next to the pond and bring the notes.”
A smile formed on Jenos face once Jaemin finished. “and now read the first letter of every note.” The younger raised an eyebrow “The first letters? So, Ilo ve you? No that doesn't sound right… I- I love you!” Jenos smile is met by an even bigger smile from Jaemin. “That's right. I love you Jaemin and I brought you to this place, 12 years later, on the same day we tried to “rescue” the ducks to tell you something.” He grabs Jaemins free hand and suddenly a guitar starts playing with someone harmonizing to the melody. The boy with the flowers in hand turned around to see five people in duck suits. One holding a guitar, one holding a camera and three singing. “Are those.. ducks?” “Yeah, my personal domestic ducks.” they both let out a little laugh. “Back to what I wanted to tell you. Jaemin.” The duck choir continued their singing.
“I not only bought you those flowers because they are your favorite, but also because they represent my feelings for you the best. The roses I got you are thornless red roses representing love at first sight. I knew you were someone special to me from the moment we met and just like the sunflowers face the sun throughout the whole day I can't keep my eyes off you. Just like the sunflower you spread positivity and strength. Renjun told me that in Chinese culture the sunflower represents lasting happiness and that's what you are to me. My everlasting happiness.”
Jeno kneeled down on one knee.
“and that's why i want to ask you Na Jaemin, do you want to stay by my side and be my happiness for the rest of our life?” He opened a box with a beautiful ring inside. Tears started running down Jaemins face. “YES! Like I told you before, you are the only person I would ever run away with!” Jeno places the Ring on his boyfriends- no his fiance's finger and they share a kiss filled with love. The duck boys in the background cheering.
PART 4
LITTLE NAUGHTY DUCKIES
𝓑𝔂 𝓘𝓱𝓪𝓷
Buzzing. Jeno woke up from the vibration of his iWatch and his eyes immediately went to check on his husband, who thankfully was still fast asleep. He lightly chuckled upon seeing Jaemin’s sleeping form - on his back, one arm sprawled above his head, the other resting underneath his shirt (surely from scratching his stomach at some point), and legs spread apart. Poor baby, so tired from their last night’s ministrations.
Jeno actually didn’t mean to go hard on him considering their appointment for today, but Jaemin’s moaning and the constant and effective dirty talk that came close to a mantra, by the way of him being able to conjure something in Jeno that neither of them can’t complain about.
Before something else might have conjured down there, Jeno gently kisses Jaemin on the forehead and carefully gets up. He yawned and stretched and went directly to the kitchen.
Today was the day, and he wanted it to be perfect from the start.
The first thing he did was take out the ingredients for the french toast. He beat the eggs, added in the milk and vanilla, and sprinkled some cinnamon and salt. He whisked them all together and dipped the sourdough. He let the bread absorb the liquid and went on for the next.
He started making the diabolical excuse of a liquid that is Jaemin’s iced coffee with six shots of espresso. He’s glad, really, that Jaemin has reduced half of his old fix. How Jaemin could endure the bitterness and the insanity of it all, has Jeno confused as heck until now. He shuddered as he remembered the one time he drank a bit of that abomination. Never again.
As he was waiting for the last of the espresso shots to brew. He then went on to fry the soggy bread with butter. The aroma quickly fills the air. He then let it sit there to brown for a while as he began to slice up some fruits. Arms slowly wrapped around his waist and a chin rested on his shoulder and he hummed with the familiarity of it all.
“How are you feeling, nana?” He asked while cutting up some strawberries. He could feel his husband’s grimace upon seeing the strawberries.
“Sore, but I feel good! Really good!” Jaemin replied. Jeno placed the paring knife at the sink and the sliced-up fruits on a small plate before turning around to face his husband.
“Feel good about last ni–” before Jeno could even finish, Jaemin lightly slaps him on his chest and rolled his eyes.
“Oh my god nono! It’s still breakfast and you're already thinking about that!!! Your mind really!!!” Jeno scoffed at that.
“Well, if you think about it. Our sexy times will be limited from now on, don’t you think? I’m just…” He paused for a moment as if pondering. “... savoring it while it lasts.” He smirked.
“What a nice word you got there, huh?” Jaemin replied with another roll of his eyes. “God! Can you believe it??? I’m so excited and nervous!” Jaemin smiled with that dashing smile of his that Jeno always loved, and he was so happy. They had always wanted this, and now, or rather later, was the time.
“I’m nervous too, nana. We can’t help it. But we’re ready, right? We are ready.”
Jaemin nodded and both of them grinned. “We’re ready!”
🦆🦆🦆🦆
Jeno was awoken this time, not by his iWatch but by two four-year-olds jumping up and down on the vacant space on the bed.
“Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!” Chenle said as he continued jumping. “Daddy said you need to get up! We’re going to eat breakfast!”
Jeno groaned and faked wanting to sleep, earning a giggle from both of the boys.
“Jisung! What if you wrestle daddy to wake him up!” that sentence made Jeno’s eyes widen in shock, surprised by his son’s cunningness.
“Okay!” Jisung replied with so much enthusiasm that Jeno immediately sat up.
“HOLD ON, WAIT! I’M UP! I’M UP!” He shot his arms up to surrender, afraid that Jisung might really do a cannonball to his stomach. Both the boys were giggling as they still continued to jump on the mattress, completely amused by their father.
Jeno stretched his arms and opened them too, Chenle and Jisung automatically lunged at him for a hug and Jeno kissed the top of their heads.
“How are my little naughty duckies? Did you sleep well?”
“Uh-huh!” Chenle answered and Jisung just nodded. Jeno ruffled their hair and stood up.
“All right then, let’s go eat breakfast with daddy now.” He said as he took their hands and held them while going down the kitchen.
He was welcomed by the sight of Jaemin in his matching duckie onesie with the kids preparing his menacing dose of a coffee, looking all so cute and lovely as always.
“What took you guys so long?” Jaemin asked the kids.
“Daddy took so long to wake up!” Chenle replied while sitting down on the chair.
“Yes! But Daddy woke up when he thought I was gonna jump on him!” Jisung said and the twins shared a knowing snicker as if laughing at things they only know about.
Jaemin gasped, “you naughty, naughty boys!”
The boys continued to snicker as they were eating their pancakes. Jeno came up to Jaemin and back hugged him and Jaemin kissed Jeno on the cheek. “Good morning, nono. What a way to wake up, huh?”
Jeno nuzzled his face on his husband’s neck, breathing in Jaemin’s natural scent. “ Ahhh yes, Definitely a convincing way to wake up. Did you teach them that, perhaps, huh?” He teased.
Jaemin scoffed as if offended by the assumption. “I do not, okay! I teach them good things! But you deserve that anyway since you’re such a heavy sleeper!”
“What can I say, I’m tired,” Jeno smirked and gave Jaemin a wink, which made Jaemin roll his eyes.
“Stop saying things like that when the kids are around! Ugh, you’re such a crass.”
“You love me anyway.”
“You bet I do,” Jaemin said as he kissed Jeno again and proceeded to hand him his coffee.
Jeno just grinned and watched as Jaemin sat down together with the kids, a smile plastered on his face with how cute his family was with their matching duckie onesies.
He just stood up by the sink, drinking in the fullness and happiness that his family radiates. And in an instant, he was brought back to the day when they were kids, with him and Jaemin playing with the ducks. The absurdity and innocence of thinking that the ducks might have been someone’s lunch; both of them planning to rescue the ducks at night; and Jaemin asking him to run away with him and the ducks.
It was the beginning of a feeling that he had come to know, a feeling that will never falter.
It was silly, spoken out of naivety and innocence, but those four measly words made little kid Jeno’s heart flutter. It was the little captive’s treasure.