-If Only- Jaeyong

Chapter 22: I'm in Love

Fire flies glimmered around them as crickets chirped in harmony. Taeyong took another step as he soaked in the view infront of him. It was a perfectly trimmed hedge maze with rose bushes peeking around every corner and if Taeyong looked hard enough, he could see a single giant weeping willow tree in the center of the beautiful garden.

"Come on let's go" Jaehyun chuckled as he grabbed Taeyong's hand and headed into the emerald maze. 

Green, green and green.

 All Taeyong could see was green as he held Jaehyun's hand and followed his lead.  Everything seemed so shimmery and dreamlike. The hedges engulfed them as Taeyong couldn't see anyone and anything apart from Jaehyun. 

"Jaehyun..." Taeyong tried to call out but stopped when he felt the warmth from Jaehyun's hand slowly spreading through him. At first it was warm but then Taeyong started feeling waves of heat travelling through his body. 

"We're nearly there Taeyong" Jaehyun's voice echoed in Taeyong's mind as he nodded. Jaehyun started running as he held Taeyong's hand, not letting go. Taeyong started following from behind too as streaks of fireflies flew past them. He could feel his heartbeat rise as adrenaline rushed through him. The strong aroma of the roses enhanced the scenery and Taeyong only focused on Jaehyun. 

Time passed by swiftly and before he knew it, the weeping willow tree grew bigger and bigger 

"It's just around the corner, come on" Jaehyun let go of Taeyong's hand as he sprinted off, leaving a dazed Taeyong behind. Taeyong slowly made his way through the emerald maze and took a deep breath as he could finally see the willow tree with no obscurity. 

Taeyong looked around for Jaehyun but no matter where he looked, he couldn't find him. It was as if Jaehyun had disappeared along with the fireflies. 

"Jaehyun?" Taeyong softly called out as he made his way to the weeping willow. "Jaehyun where are you?"

"Jaehyun?" Taeyong sat down beneath the willow tree.

Jae-"

Before he could finish calling the name, Jaehyun tackled him to the ground as Taeyong burst into a giggling fit. 

"Where did you go?" Taeyong pouted. 

"I was waiting for you" Jaehyun smiled"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful Jaehyun"

"I know. Just like you Taeyong..." 

Taeyong blushed at the compliment and shyly glanced away.

Jaehyun looked at Taeyong in the eyes as he felt the time stop around him. Everything became quite and all his senses focused on Taeyong. Only Taeyong. The sparkles in his eyes enchanted Jaehyun as he was enamored by Taeyong's charms. 

"Taeyong..." Jaehyun whispered his name like an incantation.

He slowly leaned in and Taeyong's eyes fluttered as Jaehyun closed the gap and softly placed his lips on Taeyong's. 

Flames.

Burst of flames travelled through Jaehyun as he held Taeyong's waist and deepened the kiss. This time, Jaehyun didn't even close his eyes as he gazed at Taeyong's sparkling orbs. After a few seconds of heaven, Jaehyun pulled away and let out a soft breath. 

"Taeyong....

 ....I love you" 

Jaehyun only whispered the words but Taeyong felt like it was a roar. A roar of emotions all suppressed into a soft earnest whisper. 

All along the journey with Jaehyun, he had never heard Jaehyun say 'I love you' to him. 

This was his first time hearing it.

Taeyong felt blazing flames burning in him as tears slowly welled up.

This was real. 

"Jaehyun..... I love you too"