The Breath Before The Kiss

Writer U
"The Breath Before the Kiss"
SHIP: Kwon Soonyoung x Lee Jihoon ( Soonhoon )

Lee Jihoon couldn't define love.

He was that awkward, distant boy who wore a black tie around his neck. He only wore the tie because he made a stupid bet with his best friend, Choi Seungcheol. that if he couldn't stuff ten gummy worms in his mouth; he would have to wear a black tie for a month. And eventually, Jihoon got so accustomed to the stupid tie, that he wore it after the duration ended.

"Are you ever going to take that tie off?"

"No."

Even though people asked him the same question day after day, Jihoon would just shrug everyone off and act as if the tie was completely normal. Well, there was one male who really enjoyed pushing Jihoon's buttons. He smiled way too much and he had higher marks than Jihoon in a few classes. Those two were always at a battle of wits and intellect. And if life weren't cruel enough, they had most of their classes together. And there was always fierce competition in the air during Music Composition or Dance classes. Not even the scream of Lee Seokmin could disturb their competitive rivalry.

Jihoon's rivals name was Kwon Soonyoung. And Kwon Soonyoung was the exact opposite of Lee Jihoon. Kwon Soonyoung was extroverted; loud. Soonyoung was the most popular person at their school and he was friends with nearly everyone. He was a charmer, a person who lit the room up with his charisma and smile. He danced, danced and danced some more. He loved singing, but dancing was his major. From cutesy dancing to sexy hip thrusts, Soonyoung was truly a man of two sides. Boys and girls often chased after him, seeing that he was sweet and passionate. But, he always rejected them.

Jihoon was the quiet composer. He was silent, never really spoke much. Raising his hand in class was a rare occasion. Talking was a rare occasion. He was an introvert, he kept to himself - prefering to only speak when spoken to. His grades were stellar and normally most people could hear him playing on the grand piano in Music Room #3. He was multi talented. The younger could sing, dance, compose and even rap.

Soonyoung currently sat in the auditorium, playing - or more like attempting to play - the violin. His fingers awkwardly moved along the strings and his bow wasn't actually in the greatest of holds. Jihoon sat next to him, silently watching. The younger man blinks; the violin made a terrible caccophony of sound. He'd rather listen to a screaming goat than Soonyoung's horrible violin ( or is it a viola? ).

"Yah, yah, stop." Jihoon smacks the violin/viola out of Soonyoung's hands. He huffs. "You sound worse than the night Seungkwan tore his vocal chords."

"I heard that!" A very angry Boo Seungkwan pokes his head in from backstage.

"Don't even deny it." Soonyoung says to the younger man. He smiles sheepishly and turns to Jihoon to pat his head. "I'm not that bad, Jihoonie." He frowns.

Jihoon almost forgot to mention that Soonyoung was his rival and his crush.

"Yes you are. You reek of horrible violin playing." Jihoon mutters; flicking the older males forehead. "It sounds just as bad as my-"

"Okay okay, I get it. I shouldn't try and play the violin. What else do you want to attack me on?" Soonyoung fake pouts.

Jihoon almost yells at him for making him fall in love with him. He goes to play the piano, singing a familiar song he knew. His lips curl into the smallest smile when he plays a few familiar chords. And out of the corner of his eyes; Soonyoung stood, just watching. He had time to enact his plan.

"Are you going to play a song for me?" Soonyoung asks.

"It's not just a song, it's a song I know you'll love."



"Hey Jihoon."

"What?"

"If you want to confess to Soonyoung, just sing his favorite song."

"What's his favorite song, you stupid horse? "

"I'll teach it to you."



Jihoon sings in his melodic voice; the voice that Soonyoung had grown to love. They were rivals. They were friends. They were teenage boys who had no idea how to say three simple words. Jihoon taps the keys happily. He looks at Soonyoung to see literal beams of light in his eyes.



  Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted, just trusted?
Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, "I just don't care."?

  It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning and the breath before the phrase
"Have you ever felt this way?"



  Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?



Jihoon recalled all the times he stared at the phone, waiting for Soonyoung to call about some dumb science project. Or just to brag about how better he was at dancing. He just wanted to hear his voice. That's how head over heels he was for Soonyoung. He loved him so much; and the song made him realize that.

He doesn't notice Soonyoung moving to sit next to him. And the taller man has a bright smile on his face.



  It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss, and the fear before the phrase
"Have you ever felt this way?"



  There you are,
Sitting in the garden,
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar



Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight?
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight...


Jihoon stops playing the song and he turns to Soonyoung for his reaction. The older male wraps his arms around his waist; the infamous 10:10 smile on his face. But, this smile was different. It was special, reserved just for the one he had fallen for. And that person was Lee Jihoon.

They lock eyes. Brown hues on brown hues. Soonyoung gently leans in to his lips; and Jihoon takes a deep breath. Their lips are just centimeters away from the others when Soonyoung suddenly stops and asks:

"have you ever felt this way?"

Jihoon shakes his head. "No, never." He smiles at the ravenettes cheesiness.

And their lips meet in the most gentlest of kisses. Soonyoung holds him in his arms; and Jihoon notes that he smells like cotton candy. Soonyoungs arms feel like home, his life and his love. Soonyoung thinks that Jihoon smells like strawberry shampoo; and that his lips taste like chocolate.

Lee Jihoon couldn't define love.

So, Kwon Soonyoung decided to define it for him.



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Note from the author:

I'M SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO GET THIS IN! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WRITE BECAUSE OF SCHOOL AND OTHER THINGS,