Chapter Fifty-seven (1/2)

It's three days before the Christmas party.  Jeonghan looks around the house, making sure the decorations are put up properly and that the seating arrangements fit the company that will be coming.  His parents aren't coming, but Seungcheol's parents are along with his brother.  Joshua would have invited Jaemin, but the younger already had plans to spend the day with his family as a tradition. Jeonghan set out a seat for Yeosang.  The only non-family member coming by for the party.  He went to the kitchen and counted plates, cups, and flatware.  Being that the holiday is just around the corner, he would rather not make too many last-minute trips to the crazy stores. Mingyu decided to make the Christmas dinner, so Jeonghan made sure to get exactly what the child had on his grocery list the other day.  When it comes to party preparations, the perfection runs through Jeonghan's blood.  His mother is always on point for all of the details of the party.  One thing off can make the party a disaster. "Okay,"  He breathed in and out, "everything is set.."  He traced his fingers across the dining table. He counted the chairs once more and clapped once.  "Flowers."  He snapped his finger and went out the back door to the shed not too far away.  He opened the case of fake flowers and put them in a vase.  He then walked back to the kitchen to put the flowers on the table, just like Mingyu asked. "Yeosang will sit here,"  He muttered, "Woozi can sit next to him."  He giggled. "Okay!"  He cracked his knuckles and went upstairs with a ladder.

He put the ladder next to a wall and went up to reach the corner.  He pressed on a panel and it opened slightly.  He took the camera from the panel and reached into his apron to take out a battery, replacing the one in the camera.  "One down.. thirty left to go.."  He sighed.

***

Christmas Eve was a bit hectic at the cafe, but everything was finished without any trouble.  Christmas Day and the day after are off days.  Meaning Joshua and Jaemin won't see each other for a few days.  Joshua took his apron off after finishing the maintenance rounds in the kitchen and looked at the black haired boy at the difficult machine.He silently walked up to Jaemin. "Hey.." He got the younger's attention.

"Hey.."  Jaemin said back, turning the machine off before untying his apron.

"So.. I won't see you for a little.."  Joshua brought up, watching the other fold his apron before taking his jacket off the rack.  "I'm going to miss you."  He said as he watched the unamused expression.

Silence was brought to them as they walked out of the back of the cafe, Jaemin locking the door.  "Jae?"  Joshua followed Jaemin to the boys car.

"Yeah?"  He looked at Joshua.

"Well.. Never mind.. I guess I'm just too sentimental lately."  He looked down while playing with his fingers.

A breeze passed by them, making Joshua shiver a little.  He forgot to bring his jacket with him.  Jaemin unbuttoned his coat and motioned for Joshua to let him put it on.  Joshua obeyed, moving his arms for the younger to dress him.

"There's nothing wrong with being sentimental."  Jaemin said, buttoning the jacket.  "It's going to be a little while until we see each other again."  He agreed before stroking Joshua's hair.

"You just seem to not share the same feeling.."  Joshua commented.

Jaemin looked into Joshua's eyes.  That's when Joshua had enough time to study the boy's face.  His messy hair shows his forehead.  His eyes are red and a bit puffy and his nose is a hint pink.  His plump lips frowned at Joshua.  "It's not like that, Josh."  He let his hand rest on Joshua's nape.

The little massage seemed to relieve stress on Jaemin, or at least that was what Joshua figured.  He closed his eyes and Jaemin started the hug, still having his hand on Joshua's neck.  "I just hate thinking about bad things."  Jaemin whispered.  "I hate thinking about being away from you."  He said.

"It won't be that long though."  Joshua chuckled.  "It's only three days, and I acted like it was going to be three years."  He said.

Jaemin moved nonchalantly to catch a tear secretly.  "Our community college doesn't provide the law classes I need to take,"  He brought up, "But they have them at the main building in Seoul."  He continued.

Joshua held the boy tighter, not being quiet with his sniffle.  "You're not going yet, right?"  He asked, playing with Jaemin's sweater.

"Not yet.. I have so much more money to make before I can go."  He whispered.  "I have to work harder.."  He said, breathing in the soft chocolate smell left on Joshua from the cafe.

The night's cold air had them hug tighter and get closer.  Their chests connected and their hearts beat together.  "I don't want you to leave, I want you right here."  Joshua admitted.  "I'm selfish, Jaemin.  So, so selfish."  He let his tears trail down his cheeks.

Jaemin pulled back to cup the older male's cheeks, trying to warm them with his hands while his lips went on Joshua's lips.  Their tears mixed in the kiss.  "I won't leave until I can afford it all,"  He promised between kisses, "I don't want any debt when I come back."  He said.

Joshua hummed, putting their tongues together in a slow dance.  "So when I come back,"  Jaemin tilted his head, "I can take care of us."  He finished.

"Us?"  Joshua said happily.

Jaemin nodded.  "Us."  He linked their hands.  "Us and our little ones."  He promised.

Joshua widened his eyes.  "Y-you want children?"  He asked in shock.

"As long as we can take care of them.  I know you'll be studying soon too.  I don't want the children to feel slighted."  Jaemin answered.  "But one day, I want to have a family with you."  He kissed Joshua's frozen hand.

Joshua blushed and nodded.  "I'll give you children," He said in an almost-monotone voice, "I mean.."

Jaemin smiled and kissed Joshua's lips briefly.  "I'm sorry for seeming distant earlier,"  He apologized, "I just didn't want to cry in front of you."  He chuckled, thumbing away Joshua's tears.

Joshua mirrored him and nodded.  "We'll see each other again.  And when we do, I want you to hold me like this."  He requested.  "Please?"

Jaemin nodded and kissed the other's cheek.  "Let me drive you home?"  He requested as the night was starting to get dark.Joshua nodded and sat down inside.  The drive was silent, but their hands were together while driving carefully on the road.  Parking, Joshua takes the coat off and hands it to Jaemin.  "Thank you."  They kissed once more before Joshua went into the house. Jaemin sighed and watched the house for a few more seconds before leaving the property.

***

The next afternoon came by and so did Seungcheol's family.  He hugged his parents before his brother.  As they visited, Woozi was pacing back and forth waiting for Yeosang to show up.  He wasn't late or uninvited.  However, it's nervousness he feels.  Sure the other kids know Yeosang.

He doesn't really care if the others don't really like Yeosang.  He just cares that he won't be banned from dating Yeosang.  He bit his lip as it was nearing time for the boy to get there.  He walked down the stairs and bowed to his grandparents silently before walking to the front room where Jeonghan was fixing a decoration.

He looked out the front window and gasped, seeing the red car pulling up.  Jeonghan looked the shorter's way.  "Something wrong?"  He asked. "N-no, Yeosang's here."  He informed. Jeonghan straightened his shirt and smiled.  "Good that he's on time, right?"  He commented, getting ready to open the door. "He knows I was looking out for him, go ahead and open it."  Woozi said, watching Jeonghan hesitate.   Jeonghan obeyed and opened the door right once the boy was walking up to it.  He looked at the shorter male who has red hair and blue contacts.  His clothes are on the darker end, but not in the emo or goth sense.  His thin lips matched his red hair. "Good afternoon,"  Yeosang bowed as he was allowed into the house, "I'm Kang Yeosang."  He introduced himself.

Jeonghan smiled and looked at Woozi.  "Woozi, take his coat."  He instructed.

Woozi was too nervous to be disobedient.  He took Yeosang's coat and went to the closet with it.  Meanwhile, Jeonghan looked back at the new male.  "I'm Yoon Jeonghan."  He said before seeing the other having a gift bag.

Yeosang followed the parent's eyes.  "My mom said it's customary to bring food to a dinner, but I can't cook."  He said.  "So I brought a gift in the spirit of Christmas."  He raised the bag.

"Oh?  Thank you."  Jeonghan moved the tissue aside."I didn't know what you or Mr. Choi like, so I made a tablecloth."  He said nervously.