[EN] All of Barcode (and Jeff's) first times in Korea

Chapter 15

Barcode's suitcases have been packed for some time. Discouraged, he allowed himself to lie down a little longer and enjoy the anguish of the last few hours in that hotel room. From the position he's lying in, all he can do is hear the sound of another suitcase being zipped shut. It doesn't take long before he feels the bed sinking behind him and Jeff's arms around him.

"I'm finished." Jeff says, resting his chin on Barcode's shoulder. "We still have some time."

"How much?" His voice comes out as a grunt.

"Some."

Barcode lets out a weak laugh when he knows what Jeff is doing by responding like that. Jeff has been trying to lighten the awkward mood since they woke up not many hours before, but Barcode can't exactly feel uplifted, and now he's also a little guilty to see the older man try anyway.

As he slowly rolls onto his back and lazily stretches his arms out, Barcode smiles as Jeff quickly fits between them and moves his mouth closer to his. Barcode holds Jeff's face close, nuzzling him before starting a kiss.

They all taste like goodbye now.

They didn't bring up the subject of him crying last night and deep down Barcode thinks it's good. On second thought, he couldn't explain what happened, he just couldn't hold back. And as always, Jeff was kind and considerate enough not to pursue the matter or ask his reasons.

"No." Barcode complains quietly and pulls Jeff back when he tries to move away.

"I need to breathe." Jeff laughs against his lips.

"Come here, I'll give you mouth-to-mouth." Barcode grumbles, which causes the other to burst into louder laughter.

The sound fills Barcode's ears and chest in such a way that it's impossible not to do the same. He watches the way Jeff's body shakes slightly in laughter, the squint of his eyes and the small wrinkle that forms on the sides when he does.

Jeff is something else. Barcode isn't surprised by all the things people say about him, he's just really proud. And most of them only know what Jeff allows them to, which makes Barcode remind himself more and more often to be grateful for the opportunity to be as close to someone like Jeff as he is.

"Thank you, Phi." Barcode says softly, drawing his attention again.

"Thank you?" Still smiling, Jeff narrows his eyes.

Barcode sits on the bed and Jeff follows, never taking their eyes off each other. The feeling that they will never see each other again is strange. Even if it's far from the truth, he's never felt that way before and he imagines that's exactly how people feel when they have to say goodbye to someone forever.

"Yeah. For everything." Barcode shrugs, smiling more when, despite everything, tranquility slowly settles in his chest. "Not for all the other things I'm always grateful for, but for these days here." He pouts thoughtfully as he searches for the right words to try to explain. "I think I've learned a lot about myself. I wouldn't change a thing, not one decision, not one day, not even one second..."

Jeff presses his lips together in a smile that would otherwise look coy, then elicits a laugh from Barcode as he tilts his head to the side, mimicking his typical characteristic.

"I'm glad, Code." The older man's soft voice makes the lump in Barcode's throat return, even if now he's not sure if it has disappeared at any point in the last few hours. "I just want you to know that I loved every second of it. "Jeff says even more quietly and very slowly, emphasizing each word as if he wants Barcode to comprehend everything he's trying to convey.

Barcode nods to confirm that he understands exactly what Jeff means. Jeff reaches out a hand and takes his in a firm grip, and they lie down again, very close. From the distance and position they are in, Barcode can see himself in the reflection of his eyes. The urge to cry returns, and although this time he holds back, it's not enough for Jeff not to notice. The older man then caresses his face, passing his thumb just below one of his eyes as if reaching for a tear that hasn't yet fallen.