Jiseok Short Story Collection

The start of a sweet morning

Bright morning sunlight poured into the quiet kitchen, illuminating the tiny dust motes dancing in the air. The dorm was completely peaceful. The hyungs had already gone out hours earlier for their radio schedule, leaving the apartment with nothing but the two of us.

Jiseok seemed to have firmly decided to spend this rare day off well by cooking, but once he actually got to work, his efforts were a little chaotic and clumsy.

Our adorable maknae was standing in front of the gas stove in an oversized gray hoodie, and thanks to that, his broad shoulders looked unbelievably soft and cozy. A streak of white flour was on his left cheekbone, and there was a light dusting of flour across the front of the hoodie pocket too. With his hearing aid on, Jiseok was adjusting the volume to match the kitchen’s quiet, warm atmosphere. He didn’t want to miss the gentle sizzling of butter on the pan.

Usually, Jiseok was the type to show things through actions rather than words, but when we were alone and he could fully relax, his own playful, sly side came out without filter. With a seriously focused face, Jiseok carefully lifted the spatula, trying to flip the slightly misshapen pancake.

"Don’t laugh, it’s a strategic shape." Jiseok complained teasingly. As he turned his head to look at me, his face instantly broke into that bright, dazzling smile of his that somehow made the whole room feel ten times warmer. Jiseok puckered his lips slightly and pointed at the frying pan. "I was originally trying to make a star. The batter just spread way more than I expected."

"Looks more like a cloud that gave up." Leaning against the counter opposite him, I tossed out a little tease with a soft laugh.

Caught off guard by the sudden prank, Jiseok looked completely taken aback. His serious chef-like demeanor vanished in an instant. A low, happy laugh rumbled in his chest as he set down the spatula and closed the distance between us in a single confident step.

Jiseok strode straight into my space and completely blocked out the rest of the kitchen. His large, warm hands reached out, wrapping gently but firmly around my waist and pulling me right up against the edge of the counter. Then he tilted his head down to meet my eyes.

With Jiseok coming impossibly close until there was nowhere left to retreat, his warm chest pressed against mine and erased the distance between us completely. Looking at the way Jiseok’s eyes curved so prettily, full of steady, unwavering affection meant only for me, my composure completely crumbled.

"A cloud that gave up?" Jiseok whispered. In the gaze he held at a distance that was just barely about to brush my cheek, mischievous sweet sparks flickered. Jiseok let out a low, breathy laugh, his shoulders bouncing lightly with uncontrollable amusement. "That’s a pretty bold thing to say for someone who hasn’t even tasted my cooking yet."

Jiseok loosened his right hand from around my waist and gently took my left hand, guiding it to rest lightly over his chest. "I’m going to do my very best today, so take back the part about it being like a cloud." Jiseok murmured softly in a quiet, comfortable tone. His voice sank into a low, deep timbre that seemed ready to melt my heart without mercy, pouring warmth straight into my chest. Jiseok leaned just a little closer and left a soft, lingering kiss on my lips. His breath against my skin was pleasantly warm. Then, after pulling away, Jiseok flashed that brilliantly dazzling smile again. "Now just wait quietly. This batch is going to be perfect, no matter what."

Jiseok gave my waist one affectionate squeeze before letting go and walking back to the stove. He was radiating nothing but happy younger-brother energy, looking completely thrilled. Snug in the warmth of the sunlit kitchen, I watched the back of him humming to himself as he started on the next round, and it already felt like the winner of this pancake war had been decided.