Work Text:
jungwon sees him from his bedroom window. his apartment overlooks the community area, the playground for the kids, and he’s already in his pajamas but he looks out his bedroom window and sees a figure sitting down there, knees pulled up to his chest on the platform, all alone under the little red roof. jungwon steps barefoot into his sneakers and heads down in the elevator.
jay glances up at him as he walks over, but only truly acknowledges his presence when he’s pulling himself up onto the jungle gym too, sitting down close beside him.
“my mom's drinking,” jay says, simply.
“i'm sorry.”
jay sniffs. “not your fault.”
it happens, sometimes. more frequently these days, from how often jungwon has been finding jay outside. he’s here, escaped for some fresh air, a break. other days he’s out wandering around, holed up in a cafe or a fast food restaurant or anywhere that’s open late and won’t bother him too much if he decides to stay there a few hours.
jungwon makes jay text him, whenever he does something like that, whenever he’s avoiding going home. jay promised he would, because he doesn’t like to make jungwon worry - and he does text, but jungwon suspects he doesn’t text every single time. because he doesn’t like to make jungwon worry.
but he’s here now, right outside their apartment building. it’s almost dark, not quite cold yet, but the temperature is going to drop within the next half hour. jay’s in his pajamas too, both of them only in thin, soft clothing, not at all appropriate for the coming weather, especially if they’re just sitting there. jungwon touches jay’s hand and feels a chill has already started to sink in.
“come to mine,” jungwon says. “stay the night.”
but jay shakes his head. “your dad won’t like it.”
“i don’t care.”
“i do.”
jungwon is holding his hand now, warming it up between his own two palms. he wants to take jay’s other hand too, but he knows jay won’t let him right now.
“my dad won’t know,” jungwon says. “he’s already asleep, and he’ll leave for work early tomorrow. and my mom won’t mind.” he nudges his shoulder against jay’s. “she likes you, you know.”
“i stay over too much,” jay says, jaw tight. he’s looking away, somewhere far like the swings at the edge of the playground, but jungwon knows he’s not really looking at them.
“you don’t stay over enough,” jungwon argues. he squeezes jay’s hand, and feels a little better when jay’s fingers press against his in return.
“i’m not your mom’s kid, she doesn’t have to-” jay pauses, swallows. then he corrects himself, shaking his head again. “she shouldn’t have to. take care of me. put up with me. you shouldn’t either.”
“it’s not ‘putting up with you’,” jungwon frowns. “it’s wanting to spend time with you, because we like you.” he leans a little closer, shuffling in so they’re touching, thigh to shoulder. he feels jay relax against him, just a little, and it feels like his words are working. “i like you. i’m your boyfriend, aren’t i?”
there’s a hint of a smile that jungwon can see on jay’s side profile, a slight upturn in the corner of his lips.
“yes,” jay confirms.
“and you’re my boyfriend, right?”
jay nods. “yes.”
“so you’re not an inconvenience,” jungwon says, firmly. “you’re my boyfriend, you can’t be a burden. not to me or my family.”
he reaches for jay’s other hand now, and jay lets him take it. he works on warming that one up as well, speaking softly. “i like being with you. and i like to know you’re somewhere safe for the night. somewhere warm.” then he feels himself blush, a soft rush of pink to his cheeks as he says, “i like having you in my bed.”
jay drops his head down, bashful, cute. jungwon presses a kiss to his cheek, because he just can’t help himself.
“so come with me?” jungwon asks again. “stay the night? please?”
“okay,” jay relents. he lets jungwon lead him off the jungle gym, dropping down with as much grace as their chilled limbs can manage, then it’s awkward and a little ridiculous but jungwon refuses to let go of jay’s hands as they make their way up to his apartment. it’s a struggle to get the door open, then they’re both stifling giggles trying to push the right button in the elevator, shoulders and hips bumping as they shuffle down the hall to jungwon’s apartment.
jay’s face is flushed a pretty red as he falls backward onto jungwon’s bed. their joined hands pull jungwon right on top of him, and it’s hard to kiss when they’re both smiling, still fighting to control their laughter, trying to keep quiet - but jungwon kisses him anyway, sweet and light, because he needs this and he knows jay needs this too. he kisses jay until they’re both calmed down, until they’re warmed up and loose, relaxed, jay’s eyes taking longer and longer to flicker open again each time they pause for air.
“you can come over any time,” jungwon says, when they’ve called it a night - when they’re under the covers and jungwon is settled in jay’s arms, face pressed into his neck. he feels the vibration against his mouth as jay hums in reply.
“i will,” jays replies. he doesn’t say thank you, because he doesn’t need to. jungwon tilts his head up to kiss under jay’s jaw, just once more, then settles back down, content with the knowledge that jay is here, and he’s happy, and he’s safe. jungwon falls asleep to the steady sound of his heartbeat.