high flying love ¦ lee jeno

ch ; 19

·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆ 19 ·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆
You Can Feel it with the Lights out

The humid Kyoto air clung to Jeno like a second skin as he navigated the bustling streets alongside Renjun and Jaemin. Sunlight glinted off the polished lacquer of souvenir shops, each window overflowing with treasures waiting to be discovered.

Their latest layover in Kyoto was a welcome respite for Jeno. He reveled in the bustling energy, a stark contrast to the sterile silence of a cockpit. Jaemin, however, was on a mission. His firstborn, a precious baby girl, had arrived six months ago, and Jaemin was determined to bring back a mountain of souvenirs.

Jaemin, with the boundless enthusiasm of a six-year-old at a candy store, bounced from shop to shop, his eyes wide with excitement. His firstborn, a bouncing bundle of joy just six months old, was the driving force behind his souvenir-hunting frenzy.

Renjun, could be patient but also impatient at the same time, he played the role of curator, guiding Jaemin's eager hands away from outlandish samurai masks and towards more practical items – a delicate silk scarf for his fiance, a miniature wooden car for the baby. Jeno, resigned to his fate, followed behind with a growing collection of shopping bags slung across his shoulders.

"This one! This one!" Jaemin shrieked, pointing to a display of intricately painted fans. "Naeun will love this for the nursery!"

Renjun chuckled, gently steering him towards a rack of hand-stitched tea towels. "Beautiful, but maybe a little overwhelming for the baby's room? These towels, on the other hand, are super practical, and they have such cute patterns!"

Jaemin's brow furrowed in concentration, his indecisiveness charmingly evident. "But Naeun loves flowers... maybe the fans would remind her of spring?"

Jeno chimed in, offering a neutral opinion. "The fans are pretty, but delicate. Maybe the towels are a safer bet for little grabby hands."

Jaemin, overwhelmed by the sheer number of options, sank onto a nearby bench with a groan. "This is harder than I thought! How do you choose just one thing from all this amazing stuff?"

Renjun patted his shoulder sympathetically. "It's the thought that counts, Jaemin. Don't stress too much. Naeun will love anything you pick for her."

Taking a deep breath, Jaemin straightened up, a determined glint in his eyes. "Okay, okay. Towels it is! But I'm also getting one of those adorable miniature kimonos for the baby. Final decision!"

As they continued their walk, Jeno couldn't help but smile at Jaemin's infectious enthusiasm. Fatherhood had definitely softened the edges of his once mischievous friend. A pang of longing, unexpected and sharp, pierced his heart.

He, Jeno, had always dreamed of a family, of building a life filled with laughter and love. But his career, his lifelong ambition to soar through the clouds, seemed to leave little room for such dreams.

He thought back to his last phone call with his own family, the usual polite inquiries about his work schedule and a distant promise from his mother to set him up with a "nice girl" from their church. It felt hollow, a one-sided conversation devoid of genuine connection.

A pang of something akin to longing tugged at his heart. He thought of Yura, her gentle smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her cafe. Their friendship, nurtured over these last few weeks, had become a cherished part of his layovers.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone, his fingers hovering over Yura's contact information. He hesitated, a familiar fear creeping in. What if she didn't feel the same? What if their connection was just a result of their shared time during his layovers?

With a sigh, he pocketed his phone, unresolved emotions swirling within him. As they settled into the warmth of the ramen shop, the savory aroma filling the air.

-

Continued.