Work Text:
It was late at night, the only light that colour the room is a flick from an aromatic candle. Jingyi doesn’t know which one is heavier, his breath or a head on his shoulder. Or maybe the feeling in his heart? Perhaps the answer is all of them.
He squint at the soft creature beside him. Honey fragrance soaring to his nose. The familiar scent that always made him want to take a closer step so it can invade his smelling.
How did he end up with this situation? If he has to say, it’s simple. It’s a normal situation for them. It’s normal for Jingyi and A-Ling to end up sleeping next to each other like this. Well, the position is not comfortable at all. Who the hell thinks sleeping in a sitting position is comfortable? Yeah, maybe just him thinks so.
Today Zizhen called an urgent meeting. He’s being hyperbolic of course. They’ve been friends for nearly six years now. But since the university is over and everyone start having different businesses, it’s hard for them to meet and chit chatting. Except Shizui who lives in an apartment near Zizhen while Jin Ling and Jingyi work in the same place. It’s only Shizui and Zizhen or Jin Ling and Jingyi.
Missed his friends so much, Zizhen calls with a shaky voice saying he sprained his ankle in a crash. Oh man, the second Jingyi open his apartment door, he gives him a little slap. The sprained ankle is fake and of course the crash too.
But he knows Zizhen too well, that friend of his will do anything to reunite the four of them. So, the days went like usual. Like when they were still living together in dorm. Sizhui cooks getting better and unfortunately spicier, it must be from his dad’s recipe. They eat, talk, watch random movies, take a nap, go to a dessert cafe nearby, and when the sky turns dark Jin Ling says while playing Roblox with Zizhen, “Why don’t we watch a horror movie. Let’s see who’s the bravest.”
Everybody knows that it’ll be him, the bravest person with his eyes close from the beginning till ending of the movie. Sizhui chuckle and agreeing to the suggestion. It’ll be fun to watch Jin Ling screaming and fighting with Jingyi for the sofa cushion.
And Sizhui is right. It is so much fun. Zizhen staying on the floor, peacefully eating his popcorn. Once in a while he’ll slap Jin Ling feet on his shoulder, telling him to calm down. Jingyi curling beside Sizhui with a capybara plushie on his face. Jin Ling not letting go of Sizhui’s body even for a second.
“Huff, i hate the ending. They should’ve been together if it’s not for the stupid kid zombie,” Zizhen push Jingyi to make a space for him on the sofa.
“Where we gonna sleep tonight Zizi? I wanna sleep with Sizhui,” Jin Ling sneakily taking the capybara from Jingyi.
“Heyy Sizhui is mine,” Jingyi try to reach the capybara stolen, but Zizhen and Sizhui are between them making it hard for him. How can Jin Ling get the capybara without him noticing at the first place.
“What the fuck man, he’s mine,”
“A-Ling, we all gonna sleep together here. Zizhen room only got a single bed,” a hand patting Jin Ling’s head, it’s always nice having Sizhui touch. He’s like the mom that loves her son, and yeah the three of them are the chaotic sons.
“Well, I’m gonna be the one beside Sizhui,” Jingyi claims.
“You’ll take the left side,”
“Why? Because you’re always right, huh?” A big huff from Sizhui catches their attention.
“If the two of you are just gonna bicker for the rest of the night, Imma sleep alone in Zizhen’s bed,” of course the statement make them stop their midnight fight and start hugging Sizhui tightly.
“Sizhui help me make the bed,” Zizhen tug Sizhui’s hand, helping him out of the twin chaos.
They fell into silent the second Sizhui and Zizhen were out of sight. A melody from Jingyi’s phone — yes, Jin Ling remembers Jingyi’s ringtone — make him stand and go to the balcony. Leaving Jin Ling alone with the capybara plushie.
All four of them have been together for almost six years. Since now it’s only him and Jingyi, there are many changes and Sizhui doesn’t know. Not because Jin Ling didn’t trust him, but he’s afraid. Afraid it’ll change their friendship. Afraid he won’t experience the fun of this life ever again. Okay, it’s too dramatic. But aside from that, Jin Ling really afraid of losing them. They’re the only friends he has.
“Daydreaming, huh?” a flick on his forehead bring him back to reality. Jingyi positioned himself beside Jin Ling, opening his laptop.
“Work? This late?”
“You intern won’t know how hard this job actually,” instead of verbal response, Jingyi feels the warm approach his side. He looks up just to found a curious look from Jin Ling. His eyes say Just do your work, I won’t disturb.
A huff and Jingyi start doing his work. Sometimes he wants to block his manager every weekend, but he still needs money to live on. Too focus with the screen, Jingyi just noticed heavy things on his shoulder because of the cramps on his hand.
A-Ling fell asleep.
Nothings new about it actually. The younger always the easiest to fall asleep. When they took the bus back from work, when they watch the movies, when waiting for Jingyi to finish his thing. And he will always sleep near Jingyi, as if Jingyi some kind of bolster or plushies.
He hopes Zizhen and Sizhui will not come back soon. Zizhen messaged him that they need to buy milk for Sizhui and in case Jin Ling wants some.
Jin Ling, the name that suddenly came into his life and slowly sneaking into special place in his heart. The name that start being one of his habit to complete his daily life. The existence he’ll seek when not on his watch.
It isn’t rushed, it just happened slowly but surely.
Neither of them asked for it, it just came.
Jingyi let out a sigh. If only he’s brave enough. Even if the possibility is low, at the very least he won’t have to endure this secret admiration thing.
“I love you, idiot,” his eyes widened at the sound. Luckily the boy beside him is asleep. Or so he thinks.
“Huh?” Jin Ling now looking up into Jingyi’s face with frowned brow.
“Can you say that again?”
“Say what?” Jingyi tries to play dumb. Hoping Jin Ling didn’t really heard him.
“Yeah, then I think I should say it to you,” without leaving Jingyi’s shoulder, Jin Ling locked his eyes with Jingyi’s. Searching for something behind that unsettled gaze. With a smirk showing, Jin Ling repeated Jingyi’s words, “I love you too, idiot.”
“Huh?!” It’s not from Jingyi.
Zizhen standing in the door frame with Sizhui whose jaw dropping to the floor. A bag lays miserably between their feet.
Jin Ling sitting up straight, making a distant between them. A faint blush in his cheek noticeable even with a low lighting.
“Do you guys need space? Let’s go Sizhui,” Zizhen didn’t wait for their answer. He collects the bag and taking Sizhui with him.
Jin Ling clears his throat, gaining attention from the other person in the room.
“So? What should we do?” He asks.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should dating?” Jingyi answers jokingly with serious tone.
“I think so. Well, hello boyfriend,” Jin Ling now facing Jingyi. His laptop already closed and placed safely in the table.
Without waiting any longer he lean forward and taking the latter into a warm embrace. An embrace that soon will be his favourite place to go.
It’s strange how the world works. But Jingyi likes it and will not complain about it.