I Like Me Better [JaeYong]

Two

The elevator is still broken, so Jaehyun guides Taeyong towards the hidden stairs. The elevator has been broken for months now, forcing the people living there to climb up the stairs.

"My apartment is only on the third floor, don't worry, Bub." Jaehyun's casually calling Taeyong a pet name makes the older giggle like a schoolgirl. His grip on Jaehyun's hand tightens in happiness and his step gets a little bounce.

Jaehyun didn't catch on to the reason of Taeyong's sudden burst of pure bliss, so he can only wonder why. He shakes off any possible building questions that might be forming in his intoxicated mind. Though, all thoughts clear away as they arrive at the familiar front door.

Jaehyun pulls out his keys, fumbling with them for a few seconds before finding the correct one. He unlocks the door, pushes it forward, and it swings wide open, hitting the closet doors beside it.

Jaehyun gestures to Taeyong to enter first, which he does hesitantly. Jaehyun flips on a nearby light-switch, lighting up the nice, expensive-looking, modern home.

"You can take off your shoes where you're standing and there's a closet to your left where you can hang up your jacket." Jaehyun explains to the tense boy who stands frozen in the doorway. He throws his keys onto the countertop and swiftly shrugs off his designer coat.

Taeyong moves slowly, not wanting to touch anything, as if it would break at a singular touch. He follows behind Jaehyun like a lost puppy, reaching out for his hand. Jaehyun winces at the sudden touch, feeling the awkward tension rise.

"Um..." Jaehyun first speaks up, shyly looking into Taeyong's eyes, "You can sit over there behind the counter, if you'd like to. Do you want anything? I'm making some coffee, if you're interested."

Even though it's nearly 04:00, Taeyong asks for a cup anyways. Jaehyun's back faces Taeyong's small form as he works on making two cups, one for each of them. The older patiently waits, his back slouched and his hands sit in his criss-crossed lap.

While the pot is brewing slowly, Jaehyun turns to face Taeyong, the cold countertop edge digging into his back. He crosses his arms as if he's mad at Taeyong, but only simply asks if the older wants any sugar or creamer.

"I'll just have it plain, so you don't have to go through anymore trouble for me." Taeyong waves his hands, signaling to Jaehyun just incase the younger didn't hear him.

Jaehyun raises an eyebrow, as if indirectly saying are you sure? to the older, but pours him his black coffee anyways. He pours himself a cup, but adds roughly a teaspoon of sugar into it, sweetening it up. He carries both cups to where Taeyong is sitting, but proceeds to stay on his side of the countertop.

Awkward silence washes over them as they silently drink their coffee. Taeyong's fave goes sour as he takes the first sip, though tries to play it off by continuing to drink his coffee.

This doesn't go unnoticed by Jaehyun and he smiles at Taeyong trying to be tough. He asks the older once again if he wants any creamer, which the older quietly declined. Jaehyun still brings out the sweeter bottle, not believing Taeyong's love for the bitter coffee.

They silently drink their coffee, their eyes looking anywhere except each other. Jaehyun focuses on the marble countertop, leaning on his left arm while just holding his cup in his right hand.

Taeyong focuses on the cabinets behind Jaehyun, the clean finish looks like a display in IKEA. He has both his hands on the cup, his legs still criss-crossed on the chair. His pointer fingers tap over and over again, trying to fill in the silence, though Taeyong has had enough.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Taeyong starts, putting his cup down and now he's the one crossing his arms, "But I honestly can't remember your name. My memory is hazy from all the drinking, so I want to restart. Hi, I'm Lee Taeyong, I'm twenty-six, and a dance instructor at Blue Flame Studio, my own studio I opened up last year. Nice to meet you."

Taeyong breaks the awkward silence and lifts up his hand, wanting Jaehyun to shake it. The younger puts his cup down, straightens his posture, and shakes Taeyong's hand, "Jung Jaehyun, twenty-five, Co-Owner of JFEC, it also known as Johnny's Fashion Evaluation Company. Nice to meet you, too."