Beginning Anew
Chapter 4: Life Slowly Starts Over
"Hey...Kazama."
Jin looked up from his lunch, "What?"
Hwoarang leaned forward, a cocky smirk on his lips. "Have you ever kissed someone...open-mouthed?"
The Japanese almost choked on his food and Hwoarang laughed. After he swallowed, Jin glared at his friend.
"What kind of question is that to ask in a public restaurant?"
"Relax, Kazama. This is Australia...not Japan. Besides, it's not like anyone heard me."
"I heard you." Jin retorted.
"You were supposed to. That's the point of asking a question. So...have you?"
"...No."
The Korean's smirk widened, "Want to try it? Later, of course, not here."
"I..." Jin turned red.
"C'mon...don't be shy. I don't bite. I nibble...but I don't bite."
If possible, Jin turned even redder and he cleared his throat. "I-i guess...sure...maybe...fine."
"Cool." Hwoarang grinned, finishing the last of his Veggie Wrap.
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They were walking home when Hwoarang suddenly pulled Jin into some sort of booth.
"What the..."
"Pictures." Hwoarang smirked, holding up a quarter. "Sit your ass down on that stool, Kazama."
Jin glared at the Korean but sat down anyway. Hwoarang popped the quarter into the machine and quickly stood behind Jin, giving him bunny ears. The camera flashed. Jin scowled up at Hwoarang. The redhead just grinned and leaned down to kiss Jin. The camera flashed again.
"Only one more pic, Kazama." Hwoarang said.
Jin reached up and gave Hwoarang's right nipple a hard pinch. The redhead howled in pain...the camera flashed. Jin jetted out of the photo booth laughing, Hwoarang on his heels.
"Jin you asshole! I'll get you for that!!"
Hwoarang chased Jin halfway down the parkway before remembering his pictures and jogged back to the photo booth. He grabbed the ticket of pictures and chased after Jin again. He spotted his friend waiting for him at the corner and scowled.
"Let's see the pictures." Jin said.
Hwoarang thrust the card at Jin. The first picture of Jin smiling...Hwoarang trying not to laugh behind him-giving him bunny ears. The second of Jin veiled by Hwoarang's long saffron hair. The third of Jin grinning evilly and Hwoarang yowling.
"You killed my nipple." The redhead growled.
"Aww...I'm sorry."
Jin reached out to put his hand on Hwoarang's chest but the Korean slapped it away.
"I'm not letting you anywhere near my nipples ever." Hworang said and started for the apartment.
Jin pouted at Hwoarang's back and followed his friend down the street to their apartment. He tiptoed up behind Hwoarang. Jin tried to wrap his arms around him but got elbowed in the stomach instead. He coughed and stumbled backwards a bit.
"I don't think so, Kazama." Hwoarang grinned, plucking the pictures from Jin's hand and going inside.
Jin's shoulders slouched and he went inside as well. Hwoarang set the pictures on his night stand before making his way back downstairs to the living room. Jin was sitting on the couch, arms crossed.
"I just had a thought..." Hwoarang mused, sitting beside Jin. "Where are you going to sleep?"
Jin looked at Hwoarang, puzzled. "What?"
"Well...since my mattress isn't going be here until tomorrow I'm sleeping on the couch. Your bed doesn't come until tomorrow as well...so...where are you going to sleep?"
Jin frowned thoughtfully, "With you?"
"After what you did to my poor defenseless nipple? I don't think so."
"Hwo-a-rang." The Japanese whined pitifully.
"Oh hell. Fine, you whiner. You can have the couch. Carpeted floor is fine with me."
Hwoarang slid off the couch onto the floor and stretched. "I wonder what there is to do in this city. I've got so many bars to check out...night clubs to visit. I wonder if Brisbane has a fighting circle like Korea's...probably not."
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Hwoarang stumbled in the front door at two a.m. He wasn't drunk, but definitely buzzed. He locked the front door. Jin had left the front hall light on for him. Hwoarang moaned quietly, the light hurting his eyes. He shut the light off, waited for his eyes to adjust, and made his way to the living room. Jin was lying on the couch, bundled in a blanket. There was a blanket and pillow waiting on the floor for Hwoarang. He grabbed the blanket and slowly ascended the stairs to his bedroom. The redhead curled up on the carpeted floor, pulling the blanket up-covering himself completely. Hwoarang was just about asleep when he heard his door open. He knew who it was so he didn't bother moving. Sure enough, Jin cuddled up behind him-one arm going around his waist. Hwoarang grunted a little, elbowing Jin gently in the ribs. Jin sighed and sat up to leave.
"Hold on there..." Hwoarang whispered. "If you're gonna sleep in my room then you're my bitch. Lay down on your side..."
Jin smirked and did as he was told. The Korean snuggled up, spooning himself against Jin's back. Jin pulled the blanket over them as Hwoarang slid one arm around his hips.
"Hwoarang?"
"Mmm?"
"You never did kiss me..."
Hwoarang chuckled sleepily and half-sat up, turning Jin onto his back. He leaned down, gently running his tongue over Jin's bottom lip.
"Open for me, Kazama. I won't hurt you..."
Jin turned red, parting his lips awkwardly. Hwoarang leaned down to kiss Jin again, slipping his tongue past the youth's lips. The redhead almost laughed when he felt Jin's tongue timidly press against his then shy away. He pulled back and kissed Jin's forehead.
"We'll work on tongue movements tomorrow. I'm dead-tired." The Korean fighter teased.
Jin rolled his eyes before rolling back onto his side. Hwoarang burrowed against Jin again, falling asleep almost instantly. Jin fell asleep soon after, a soft smile on his face.
Part Five |
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