Chapter Text
Soonyoung knew that he and Jihoon expressed love differently. Over their seven years together, he’d come to understand their love languages: his own, full of physical touch and gift-giving, and Jihoon’s, rooted in words of affirmation and acts of service. Yet, their differences never created barriers—if anything, they made their relationship stronger. Jihoon had a way with words, even if his actions sometimes seemed contradictory; like now, as they trudged up the steep path to the clearing where Soonyoung had prepared a special anniversary celebration.
Jihoon had spent most of the hike mock-threatening to strangle Soonyoung for dragging him out of his room. He complained about work piling up and suggested they just order takeout instead. Yet, the moment Soonyoung mentioned the clearing—where they’d shared their first date—Jihoon didn’t hesitate. He dropped everything, packed his bag, and followed Soonyoung up the trail.
"You're such a dumbass," Jihoon said now, laughing at one of Soonyoung's silly jokes, his smile bright even in the dim light of the moon.
"But you love me," Soonyoung teased with a grin.
"Yes, asshole. Very much," Jihoon shot back, his voice laced with fondness.
Soonyoung chuckled to himself. Maybe Yeji was right: he was Jihoon’s fool. She even saved his number in her phone as “Jihoon’s fool.” But could anyone blame him? Jihoon was the most beautiful person Soonyoung had ever met, and meeting him had been the most beautiful moment of his life. If his life were a movie, Jihoon would undoubtedly be the best part.
He glanced at Jihoon, who was walking beside him, lost in thought. Soonyoung had planned everything meticulously, and his heart pounded with anticipation. Once they reached the clearing, he’d tell Jihoon everything: how much he loved him, how grateful he was for every moment they’d shared, and how he couldn’t imagine a future without him. He’d practiced the speech countless times—Yeji had even proofread it for him. And then, he’d ask Jihoon the most important question of his life.
“‘Young?” Jihoon’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “We’re here.”
Soonyoung looked up and felt his heart swell. The clearing was perfect. Yeji had outdone herself. In the center stood a small table for two, illuminated by twinkling fairy lights and surrounded by a simple fence with faux flowers. The soft glow of fake candles flickered in the breeze—real ones wouldn’t stand a chance in the wind. A tent was set up in one corner, cozy and inviting. Above them, the sky was clear, and the full moon shone brightly, casting its ethereal light over the scene.
Jihoon stood still, taking it all in, his face glowing with awe. Soonyoung couldn’t help but smile.
“Soonyoung,” Jihoon said softly, his gaze lifting to the sky. “The moon is pretty, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Soonyoung replied, his voice warm and steady. But he wasn’t looking at the moon. His eyes were fixed on Jihoon, the only person who made his life brighter than any celestial body ever could.
This was it. He can do this.
✧*̥˚ flashback *̥˚✧
Ten years ago, Soonyoung was just a lanky junior high school kid—tall, average-looking, and saddled with a mouthful of clunky braces. Most people would describe him as the loud, confident class clown, always ready with a joke or a prank. Beneath his loud exterior, he was surprisingly introverted, his confidence only ever surfacing when he was surrounded by the familiar warmth of his people. Luckily for him, he had plenty of that in high school.
There was Yeji, his best friend since birth, who might as well have been his sister at this point. Then there were Seungkwan and Seokmin, his chaotic partners-in-crime who made every day feel like a comedy show. Together, they gave him the courage to shine in ways he couldn’t do alone.
To the rest of the school, he was Soonyoung, the funny guy—the loud, confident, playful kid who could make anyone laugh. He seemed untouchable, always on, always full of energy. But like anyone, some things could shake him to his core. In Soonyoung’s case, it wasn’t some big, intimidating event. It was a person.
And that person was Lee Jihoon.
It all started back in sixth grade, long before Soonyoung even knew what a crush felt like—or so he thought. Lee Jihoon was already a name whispered with awe in the hallways. He was Yoon Jeonghan’s “baby chick,” a term Soonyoung thought was ridiculous. “He’s talented,” people said. So was Soonyoung, though, so why would he care?
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Their first encounter wasn’t even an introduction. Soonyoung was on cleaning duty with some classmates, tasked with fetching supplies from a storage room near the music wing. The hallway was quiet except for the faint sound of piano notes drifting through the air. Soonyoung paused mid-step, the melody pulling him like a magnet. It wasn’t just music—it was magic.
Curiosity got the better of him. He tiptoed to the music room door and peeked through the small window. There, seated at the piano, was someone with long hair tied in a bun, their fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. Soonyoung’s breath caught in his throat. He didn’t know if it was the music or the person playing it—or both—but in that moment, he was certain he’d stumbled upon something, or someone, extraordinary.
“So, you’ve met our Jihoonie,” a familiar voice said behind him, startling him so badly he nearly hit his head on the doorframe.
Turning around, he saw Jeonghan grinning, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
“J-Jihoonie?” Soonyoung stammered, his face heating up. “The Lee Jihoon?”
Jeonghan chuckled. “The one and only. Great at piano, isn’t he?”
Soonyoung didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was too busy replaying the image of Jihoon at the piano, his focused expression and the way the sunlight streaming through the window seemed to frame him like a scene from a movie.
From that day on, Soonyoung couldn’t get Jihoon out of his head. Every time he had cleaning duty near the music room, he found himself slowing his steps, hoping to hear that melody again. When Jihoon wasn’t playing, he felt a strange pang of disappointment. When Jihoon was playing, Soonyoung couldn’t help but linger by the door, watching through the window. He didn’t dare go in, though. Jeonghan was always around, and Soonyoung was terrified his big, fat, undeniable crush would be written all over his face.
Instead, he stayed at a distance. He watched Jihoon perform at school recitals, clapping a little too enthusiastically, but never approaching. He told himself it was just a silly crush, nothing serious.
But deep down, he knew better. Because every time Jihoon’s fingers touched the keys, every time his lips quirked into a faint smile, Soonyoung felt something in his chest that told him this wasn’t just a fleeting feeling. Jihoon wasn’t just another talented kid. He was special.
…
For years, Soonyoung had been running his own little mission—a one-man operation to grab Jihoon’s attention without being too obvious about it. Winning dance competitions? That was just practice, really. Playing soccer like his life depended on it whenever Jihoon was in the stands? Totally coincidental. Acing tests just enough to land second place, right below Jihoon? Well, he couldn’t outshine the star, could he? And then there were his daily antics with Seokmin and Seungkwan—over-the-top and ridiculous—because if it made Jihoon glance his way even for a second, it was worth it.
But despite all his efforts, they’d never really talked. Not properly, anyway. So, when Soonyoung heard about the school retreat, he saw an opportunity. A quick nudge to Seungkwan, a little convincing here and there, and voilà—tent assignments that conveniently put him with Jihoon. When his name was read out alongside Jihoon’s, he had to stop himself from grinning like an idiot.
On the night of the retreat, they were tasked with gathering wood for the campfire. Soonyoung volunteered immediately, turning to Jihoon with a casual, “Wanna come with me?” He kept his tone light, even as his heart hammered in his chest. Jihoon hesitated for a moment, cheeks tinted pink, before nodding shyly.
The walk to the woods was quiet, except for the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and Soonyoung’s chatter filling the air. He talked about anything and everything—campfire games, embarrassing stories from past retreats, and even the latest drama Seokmin was caught up in. Jihoon listened, nodding and offering the occasional small smile. Soonyoung didn’t mind the silence; he liked the way Jihoon’s eyes sparkled when he was amused, even if he was too shy to laugh out loud.
As they wandered deeper into the woods, Soonyoung noticed Jihoon had fallen into a daze, staring off into the trees. “Earth to Jihoon!” he teased, waving a hand in front of Jihoon’s face.
Jihoon blinked, startled, just as Soonyoung leaned in, noticing something he hadn’t before. “Oh, you have a mole on your eye? That’s so cute,” Soonyoung said, grinning.
Jihoon’s reaction was instant—his cheeks flared bright red, and he stumbled over his words. “Y-Yes,” he mumbled, raising a hand to cover his face.
Soonyoung chuckled, finding the reaction far too adorable for his own good. “Don’t hide! It’s cool,” he said, nudging Jihoon playfully before stepping back to let him recover.
Later, when they were back at the campsite and tucked into their shared tent, Soonyoung decided to keep the momentum going. He sat cross-legged on his sleeping bag, tilting his head at Jihoon. “Jihoon, do you watch anime?”
Jihoon blinked. “Uh, yeah. Why?”
“The one I’m watching is almost finished,” Soonyoung explained, “and I need something new. Got any recommendations?”
That did it. Jihoon’s eyes lit up, and he launched into an enthusiastic explanation of his favorite series. Soonyoung listened intently, grinning as Jihoon gestured animatedly, his voice growing more confident with every word. Somewhere in the middle of his excited rambling, Jihoon mentioned Inuyasha, and Soonyoung made a mental note to look it up later—if only to have an excuse to talk to Jihoon again.
But then Jihoon suddenly stopped, cheeks flushing. “Sorry, I’m such a nerd. I’ll stop now. But you should really watch Inuyasha,” he said, glancing down at his blanket.
“No, no, go on,” Soonyoung said quickly, shaking his head. “I actually like hearing about it. I’m the type who listens to spoilers before watching—it helps me decide if I’m interested.”
Jihoon blinked, surprised, before a small smile crept onto his face. “Really?”
“Really,” Soonyoung confirmed with a grin.
“Well… if you’re interested, I could lend you the CDs,” Jihoon offered, his voice quieter now. “We could talk about it once you’ve watched.”
“Deal,” Soonyoung said without hesitation, his smile widening.
As they settled down for the night, Soonyoung felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the campfire outside. Jihoon wasn’t as unreachable as he’d thought. If anything, he was even more wonderful up close. And for the first time in years, Soonyoung felt like his mission might just be a success.
And it was, indeed, a success.
After the activities, Soonyoung lay on his sleeping bag, staring up at the tent ceiling. The faint glow of moonlight seeped through the fabric, illuminating Jihoon’s silhouette across from him. Jihoon looked like he was trying to calm himself—fidgeting with the hem of his blanket, avoiding Soonyoung’s gaze. Cute, as always.
Soonyoung wasn’t sure where the courage came from—maybe it was the peaceful hum of the retreat or the way Jihoon’s presence made him feel safe—but before he knew it, he was speaking. “Ji,” he said softly, his voice almost hesitant.
Jihoon froze, turning his wide eyes toward him.
“I need to tell you something,” Soonyoung continued, his heart thumping so loudly he was sure Jihoon could hear it.
Jihoon tilted his head slightly, his lips parting as if to say something, but he stayed silent.
Soonyoung sat up, rubbing the back of his neck as he forced himself to meet Jihoon’s gaze. “I like you,” he admitted, his cheeks heating up. “A lot. For a long time now… since elementary school, actually. Back then, I was too shy to even talk to you, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance. But now that I’ve gotten to know you, even a little… I really want to know more about you. So—yeah. I like you, Lee Jihoon. Like, romantically.”
The silence that followed was unbearable. Jihoon’s face was unreadable, his lips slightly parted, and Soonyoung couldn’t tell if he was processing or just completely frozen.
“You don’t have to say anything now,” Soonyoung added quickly, waving his hands a little too enthusiastically. “I just… wanted you to know. And maybe… we could go on a date or something? After the retreat? If you’re interested?”
For a moment, Jihoon just blinked at him, his face going through several shades of red. Then, slowly, he nodded. It was hesitant at first, then firmer, his lips pressing together into a tiny, nervous smile.
“Really?” Soonyoung asked, his heart leaping.
“Y-Yeah,” Jihoon stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “After class. I-I mean, if I’m not busy.”
Soonyoung laughed at that, the sound spilling out warm and bright, chasing away the nerves. “Okay. Deal.”
Jihoon stared at him for a moment, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and awe. Then he blurted, “Can you… pinch me?”
“What?” Soonyoung blinked, caught off guard.
“Just pinch me.”
Soonyoung grinned, reaching over to gently pinch Jihoon’s cheek. “There. Real enough for you?”
Jihoon’s cheeks flared even redder as he swatted Soonyoung’s hand away, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah… real enough.”
And as they settled back into their sleeping bags, Soonyoung felt like he was floating. Jihoon liked him—or, at the very least, didn’t hate the idea of liking him back. For the first time, the future felt wide open.
After confessing to Jihoon, Soonyoung thought things would fall perfectly into place—a romance, cute dates, and maybe even holding hands under the stars. But reality? Not so much. Instead of going on dates, they ended up on FaceTime every night. Sure, Jihoon answered his calls without fail, but he always seemed to keep their connection just out of reach—close enough to tease Soonyoung’s heart, yet distant enough to make him second-guess everything.
One night, after another failed attempt to get Jihoon to agree to a date, Soonyoung found himself pacing around Yeji’s room, ranting.
“I don’t get it, Yeji!” he groaned, throwing his hands in the air. “We’re always having late night FaceTime session, he smiles at me in the hallway—but he won’t go on a date! Am I doing something wrong?”
Yeji looked up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. “It’s because people think we’re dating.”
Soonyoung froze mid-pace. “What? But we’re not!”
“In the eyes of the school, we are,” Yeji said matter-of-factly. “You’ve been glued to my side since birth. It’s not a hard leap for people to make.”
He groaned, collapsing onto her bed. “That’s so unfair!”
“Which is why,” Yeji began, sitting up, “you need to clear things up. Grand gestures are your thing, right?”
The next afternoon, Soonyoung dragged Yeji to a jewelry store, his mind buzzing with ideas.
“A ring, Yeji,” he said with wide, determined eyes. “I’ll give him a ring.”
Yeji stopped in her tracks. “A ring? Soonyoung, that’s a bit... much. You’re not proposing.”
“It’s not just a ring,” Soonyoung said, holding up a simple silver band he’d picked out. “It’s a promise. To show Jihoon that he’s the only one I care about.”
Yeji sighed, pulling him aside. “Look, I get what you’re trying to do, but don’t you think this might freak him out? Go slow. You just confessed, for crying out loud. Baby steps!”
After some convincing (and a lot of dramatic sighs on Soonyoung’s part), he agreed to shelve the ring idea. For now. Instead, he turned to gifts. He bought Jihoon little trinkets he thought he’d like—anime keychains, cute plushies, even a rare piano sheet music book. But every time he tried to hand one over, he chickened out.
So, he tried baking. Brownies, to be exact. And surprisingly, Jihoon loved them—except Soonyoung had to pretend Yeji made them.
“It worked, though!” Soonyoung told Yeji triumphantly.
“You’re welcome,” she said with a smirk.
But even that didn’t secure him a date. It wasn’t until Jihoon casually mentioned he had no plans for the semestral break that Soonyoung saw his golden opportunity.
“Jihoon,” he said as casually as he could muster over FaceTime, “it’s my birthday in the middle of sem break. You should come.”
To his shock—and pure joy—Jihoon actually said yes.
The next day, Soonyoung and Yeji were busy cutting and decorating a handmade invitation for Jihoon. It was over-the-top and absolutely Soonyoung’s style.
“I’m hurt that I’m not invited to this exclusive celebration,” Yeji teased, pretending to pout as she glued on a rhinestone.
“Don’t worry,” Soonyoung replied with a laugh, “you’ll be the maid of honor at our wedding anyway.”
“I better be,” Yeji said, nudging him.
As Soonyoung added the finishing touches to the invitation, he felt his excitement bubbling over. This was it. Jihoon had said yes, and Soonyoung was determined to make this birthday celebration the start of something unforgettable.
The plan was perfect in Soonyoung’s head. He would drop the invitation in Jihoon’s locker, and when Jihoon found it, he’d read it in his quiet, serious way, maybe even smile a little. It was simple, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of romantic move that felt right for someone as special as Jihoon.
“We should just drop the invitation in his locker,” Soonyoung explained to Yeji, bouncing on his heels. “It’ll be so dramatic! Like a secret admirer thing!”
Yeji crossed her arms. “Soonyoung, if you don’t at least put it in an envelope, it’ll fall out, and everyone will see it.”
“Jihoon’s the only one I call ‘Ji,’ though,” Soonyoung replied confidently as if that single fact made his plan foolproof.
“Right,” Yeji sighed. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The next morning, Soonyoung executed his grand plan with all the stealth of a cartoon character. He slid the folded invitation into Jihoon’s locker and stepped back, hands on his hips, grinning like he’d just saved the world.
Then came the moment of truth.
Jihoon approached his locker, his usual calm and composed self. Soonyoung watched from a safe distance, his heart pounding in anticipation. But when Jihoon opened the locker, the note fell out, fluttering to the ground like a piece of confetti announcing Soonyoung’s doom.
The hallway froze. A few students looked over, whispering to each other.
“Is that for Yeji?” someone asked, the murmurs quickly spreading.
Yeji groaned beside Soonyoung, covering her face. “I told you this would happen,” she hissed.
But Soonyoung wasn’t listening. His eyes were glued to Jihoon, who had glanced at the note on the floor. For a fleeting moment, Soonyoung thought he’d pick it up. But Jihoon turned away, walking toward their classroom without sparing it another look.
Soonyoung’s heart sank. His grand romantic gesture lay forgotten on the floor, now the subject of everyone’s curiosity except Jihoon’s.
“So, uh... what now?” he mumbled, his excitement deflating like a popped balloon.
Yeji shook her head, exasperated. “I don’t know. Maybe pray that Jihoon noticed it was for him?”
Soonyoung slumped against the lockers, staring at the abandoned invitation. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. But if there was one thing Soonyoung Kwon didn’t do, it was to give up.
He’d have to come up with a new plan. Something bigger. Something Jihoon couldn’t ignore.
But Jihoon was able to ignore him. For four days!
Soonyoung was losing it. It had been four days—four agonizingly long days—since Jihoon started ignoring him, and he was officially spiraling.
He’d tried everything. FaceTime? No answer. Texts? Left on read. Email? Who even checks their email in high school? Desperation had driven him to patrol the school halls like a lost puppy, hoping to catch Jihoon at his locker, but Jihoon was a master of evasion. Every time their eyes met, Jihoon would immediately look away, his expression unreadable.
Even Jeonghan, the go-to source for all things Jihoon, had been no help. When Soonyoung cornered him during lunch to ask for Jihoon’s address, Jeonghan just smiled that knowing, infuriating smile and said, “That’s between Jihoon and fate.” What did that even mean?
Now, he was sprawled dramatically across Yeji’s couch, whining into a throw pillow. “What if he hates me? What if I’ve ruined everything?”
Yeji, who had been quietly sipping her tea and watching his meltdown, finally had enough. She set her mug down with a loud clink and stood up, brushing imaginary crumbs off her pants.
“Where’s the invitation?” she asked abruptly.
Soonyoung sat up, confused. “What invitation?”
“The one you made for Jihoon. The one we spent hours decorating like it was some kind of royal decree.”
“Oh.” He fished it out of his backpack and handed it to her, looking defeated. “Why? It didn’t work. He didn’t even—”
Yeji cut him off, snatching a marker from her desk. With a single, determined stroke, she crossed out the generic “Ji” on the paper and wrote, in bold letters, LEE JIHOON.
“There,” she said, inspecting her handiwork. “No more misunderstandings. And for the record, you owe me a lifetime supply of bubble tea after this.”
Soonyoung blinked at her, still baffled. “Wait, what are you doing?”
Yeji grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Fixing your mess. And when this works, I better be the maid of honor at your wedding.”
Before Soonyoung could protest, she was already out the door, leaving him sitting on her couch with his mouth open, wondering if he should feel relieved or terrified.
✧*̥˚ end of flashback *̥˚✧
Looking back, Soonyoung couldn’t help but feel grateful for Yeji. She had always been his support, and, apparently, his savior. Without her intervention, would Jihoon have ever agreed to date him? He wasn’t sure. One thing was certain, though: he owed Yeji so much.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Jihoon’s voice brought him back to the present, soft but teasing, paired with the faintest lift of an eyebrow.
“Nothing,” Soonyoung lied quickly, shaking his head as if that would chase away the blush creeping up his neck. “Let’s eat?”
Jihoon let the topic drop and followed him to the table. A breathtaking array of high-end cuisine was meticulously arranged, the tantalizing aroma wafting up and making their mouths water. From perfectly seared steak with a decadent red wine reduction to fluffy truffle mashed potatoes and a rich, layered chocolate mousse for dessert, Yeji had truly outdone herself.
“Yeji prepared all of this,” Soonyoung said with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. “You’ll have to thank her later. She’s, uh... kind of our fairy godmother in all this.”
Jihoon smiled fondly at the mention of her. “I’ll send her a text. Though I think these might have been a little beyond her calling.”
Once seated, the tension melted, and they slipped into easy conversation. It started small—commentary on the meal—but soon, like always, they ended up reminiscing about high school.
“She really was doing God’s work back then,” Jihoon remarked, smirking as he speared a perfectly cooked piece of steak with his fork. “I swear, without her, nothing would’ve happened. You couldn’t even string a sentence together properly.”
“Hey!” Soonyoung retorted, though his face reddened at the truth. “I was in... gay panic!”
Jihoon almost choked on his drink, laughing in that rare way that lit up his entire face. The sound was melodic, light, and devastatingly beautiful. Soonyoung could only stare as the corners of Jihoon’s lips curved into a smile that felt like it could rival the stars.
He’s so pretty, Soonyoung thought, entirely lost in the moment. No—scratch that. Jihoon wasn’t just pretty. He was the prettiest, the most talented, the most precious person in the whole world. Super gorgeous, ridiculously wonderful, and—
Jihoon’s voice broke through his inner turmoil for the third time that night. “I really hate it when you zone out like that.” Jihoon’s laughter faded, his head tilting as he asked, “What now?”
“Nothing,” Soonyoung lied, his heart hammering as he pushed his chair back to stand. He didn’t realize his legs were shaking until he nearly tripped on the chair leg. “Fuck it. I can’t—” Soonyoung began but faltered, his voice cracking. Come on, say it. Just like Yeji told you!
Jihoon shot up from his chair, gripping his arm. “What’s going on? You’re being weird.”
Soonyoung exhaled shakily. “I can’t do this, Ji.”
Jihoon’s eyebrows furrowed, his grip tightening on Soonyoung’s sleeve. “What?” His voice wavered. “What do you mean? Can’t do what?”
“This. Us. Being your boyfriend,” Soonyoung mumbled, his chest clenching at the sudden hurt flashing in Jihoon’s eyes.
“What—” Jihoon’s voice cracked. He took a half step back as if Soonyoung’s words had physically hit him. “W-What are you saying?”
“I can’t… Jihoon, just listen.” Soonyoung inhaled deeply, holding back the tears building behind his eyes. This was harder than it sounded when he rehearsed. He forced himself to look Jihoon in the eye, guilt slipping in his chest at how lost Jihoon looked. But this was important.
“You know…” Soonyoung began, trying to find his voice. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”
Jihoon’s expression turned confused, his lips slightly parted, still processing.
“About us. About you,” Soonyoung added. He smiled softly, even as Jihoon stared, stunned into silence.
“I’ve been by your side through so much,” he began. “Through your tsundere mood swings—don’t try to deny it—where you pretend you don’t care, but you sneak little notes into my bag telling me to take care of myself.” Jihoon flushed, averting his gaze, but didn’t interrupt.
“And the mornings!” Soonyoung’s laugh was warm. “When your bedhead makes it look like you’ve fought a whole pillow army and somehow still managed to look... breathtaking. It’s annoying, honestly. Really, really annoying.”
“Annoying?” Jihoon asked weakly, his lips trembling, but there was a flicker of something lighter in his eyes now—curiosity, maybe.
“And don’t even get me started on how you act so effortlessly cool like you don’t feel anything, but I know better, Ji. I know. Because you always reel me back in, every single time.” Soonyoung paused to breathe, his voice thick with emotion.
“And it’s exhausting,” he confessed, his voice soft. “Because somehow, despite it all, you make me fall for you even harder.”
Jihoon’s mouth parted slightly as he blinked rapidly. His eyes glistened, and Soonyoung felt a pang of guilt twist in his gut. No turning back now.
“So, I’ve come to a decision,” Soonyoung declared, steeling himself. He straightened his posture, his voice clear. “I can’t keep doing this.”
Jihoon stiffened, his lower lip trembling.
“I can’t just be your boyfriend anymore.” Soonyoung’s voice cracked on the last word, and Jihoon staggered back. Tears threatened to spill, but he had to say it—he had to let it all out.
“What I really want…” He sank down on one knee, pulling the ring box from his pocket with a shaking hand. His heart felt like it was about to burst, but the moment Jihoon’s widened eyes met his, everything clicked into place. “...is to be more than that.”
Jihoon’s breath hitched audibly, his hands covering his mouth as Soonyoung continued. “I don’t want to be your boyfriend anymore—I—I want to be your husband. Will you marry me?”
The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity. Jihoon’s wide, tear-filled eyes darted from the ring to Soonyoung, his chest heaving as though he couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Then, he choked out, “You... You’re the worst, Kwon Soonyoung. I hate you.”
But the trembling smile that split across Jihoon’s face—wet cheeks and all—made Soonyoung’s heart leap. “And also, yes, you moron. Yes!”
Jihoon yanked Soonyoung up from the floor, throwing his arms around him. Soonyoung stumbled slightly but caught him, holding him tightly. Jihoon’s whispered words—soft, teary, and full of affection—sent Soonyoung’s world spinning.
“You’re still an idiot,” Jihoon mumbled, his face buried in Soonyoung’s chest.
“And you love me for it,” Soonyoung teased back, grinning through his own tears as he squeezed Jihoon tighter.
︵ ‿ ︵ ‿ ୨ ♡ ୧ ‿ ︵ ‿ ︵
It had been six years since Soonyoung and Jihoon said their vows, and thirteen years since they started dating. Yet every morning felt like a dream to Soonyoung, waking up beside the love of his life. He smiled softly, watching Jihoon sleep on the other side of the bed. His husband—his Jihoon—was as stunning as the first day they met, though a little more endearingly disheveled now, his hair mussed and his face relaxed in slumber.
Soonyoung’s eyes trailed to the gold band on Jihoon’s left hand. His heart swelled every time he remembered that Jihoon had decided to take his last name, and a dreamy sigh escaped his lips. Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to Jihoon’s cheek, grinning when the smaller man groaned in protest.
“’Young,” Jihoon grumbled, trying to bat him away with a lazy hand.
Undeterred, Soonyoung captured Jihoon’s wrist, kissing his lips instead, slipping his tongue past as Jihoon groaned in weak resistance.
“Stop,” Jihoon muttered, though it lacked bite. He finally managed to push Soonyoung’s face away with a hand on his cheek. “You’re gross. You haven’t even brushed your teeth.” His mock disgust only made Soonyoung laugh.
“That’s not what you were screaming into the pillow last night,” Soonyoung shot back, wearing the smuggest grin imaginable.
Jihoon’s eyes widened, cheeks tinting crimson as he grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked Soonyoung across the face. The retaliation escalated into a full-blown tickle fight, Soonyoung laughing gleefully as Jihoon squirmed beneath him, gasping through his giggles.
“Stop! Truce!” Jihoon begged, breathless but smiling, his small frame trapped beneath Soonyoung’s larger one.
“So, you’re surrendering?” Soonyoung teased, feigning smugness as he made obnoxious kissy noises above his husband’s flushed face.
Jihoon narrowed his eyes but gave in. “Fine. Truce. Just get off me—”
But before Jihoon could push him away, Soonyoung leaned down, attacking Jihoon’s sensitive neck with playful kisses. Jihoon’s laughter erupted again, his protests melting into helpless giggles.
“You’re so annoying,” Jihoon muttered when the onslaught finally stopped, his breath ragged as he met Soonyoung’s mischievous grin.
“You love it,” Soonyoung countered, stealing another quick kiss before whispering suggestively, “You know... we still have an hour before we officially start the day. Why don’t we...?” He wiggled his eyebrows exaggeratedly.
Jihoon’s cheeks flushed even more, but his sharp glare didn’t waver. “I’m still sore from last night, you animal—”
Their bedroom door creaked open.
“Daddy? Dada? Are you playing?”
The small, sleepy voice had both men freezing in place. Soonji, their four-year-old daughter, stood in the doorway, rubbing her eyes with chubby fists. Her bedhead mirrored Jihoon’s perfectly, and her curious pout had Soonyoung breaking into the widest grin.
Jihoon used the distraction to shove Soonyoung off, slipping out of bed to pick up their little girl. Soonyoung watched the two of them, his heart threatening to burst as Jihoon whispered something to Soonji, carrying her toward the kitchen.
Their kitchen. Their home.
Soonji sat perched in her seat, happily munching on a carrot stick as Jihoon prepared breakfast. Watching his husband cook while their daughter swung her little legs beneath the table, Soonyoung felt like the luckiest man alive.
Two years into their marriage, they decided to have a child through IVF. It had been a mutual dream to expand their family, and Soonji had been the greatest gift of their lives. Of course, parenting hadn’t come without its challenges—the first month with a newborn had been chaotic, filled with sleepless nights and doubts about their readiness. But somehow, Jihoon always kept them grounded, managing not only their new parental responsibilities but also Soonyoung’s emotional rollercoaster.
Soonyoung couldn’t resist sneaking up behind Jihoon, wrapping his arms around his husband’s waist. “’Young,” Jihoon protested lightly. “I’m cooking.”
Soonyoung reached over to turn off the stove, cupping Jihoon’s face to kiss him sweetly, pouring every ounce of love he felt into it.
“Ewww!”
Their kiss broke as Soonji let out an exaggerated groan, her little face scrunched up in dramatic disgust.
Jihoon raised a brow at her, mirroring her pout. “See that, sweetie? Daddy is a kissy monster.”
“And I’m coming for you, Kwon Soonji!” Soonyoung declared, darting around the counter to scoop his giggling daughter into his arms. He peppered her face with kisses as she squealed with laughter, her delight filling the entire house.
︵ ‿ ︵ ‿ ୨ ♡ ୧ ‿ ︵ ‿ ︵
“We’ve only got six hours ‘til the reunion, you know?” Yeji’s voice rang out before she even stepped into the house.
“Auntie!” Soonji’s little voice followed as the four-year-old practically launched herself from her spot, sprinting to the doorway.
Soonyoung looked up from his position on the floor, sporting a rainbow of smudged makeup and countless colorful hair clips in his mess of hair. He smiled as Soonji wrapped her arms around Yeji’s legs, bouncing with excitement.
Yeji, tall and radiant as always, scooped the little girl up with a bright smile and kissed her cheek. "There’s my sunshine!”
Yeji had become a household name in the modeling world, having refused to follow in her father’s corporate footsteps to chase her dreams. Her determination inspired Soonji, who was already declaring she wanted to be “cool like Auntie Yeji” when she grew up.
Soonji began talking a mile a minute about the dress-up game she and Soonyoung were playing. Yeji’s gaze turned to her best friend, and she nearly doubled over with laughter at the sight. Soonyoung was covered in mismatched makeup: blue on one eyelid, purple on the other, bright pink cheeks, and what she suspected was an attempted cat-eye eyeliner job.
“Wow, looks good. Very artistic,” Yeji said with an overly serious nod, fighting to keep a straight face.
Soonyoung narrowed his eyes at her. “Don’t start.”
Yeji grinned as Soonji eagerly explained her makeup process, complete with mentions of sparkly palettes and “Daddy being a good model.” She listened with full attention, pretending to be impressed and gasping dramatically at all the “complex” techniques.
“I think you’ve found your calling, sunshine,” Yeji said, ruffling Soonji’s hair. “But, you know, tonight’s a very fancy party. Shouldn’t you wear something a little extra special?”
“Fancy?” Soonji tilted her head.
“Mm-hmm. Fancy-fancy. So how about you pick out your prettiest winter dress?” Yeji said, her tone hushed as if telling her some sort of secret information.
“Okay!” Soonji chirped, running off to dig through her wardrobe.
The second they were alone, Yeji turned back to Soonyoung, eyebrow raised. “Where’s Jihoon?”
“On his way home,” Soonyoung replied, brushing a streak of blush off his nose.
“And you?” Yeji folded her arms. “Do you even have your outfit ready for tonight?”
“Of course,” he lied.
“Sure you do.” Yeji rolled her eyes. “Jeonghan and Seungcheol told me they’re wearing matching suits tonight. Are you and Jihoon doing that too, or are you just going to wing it like you always do?”
Soonyoung shrugged. “Haven’t talked about it yet.”
Yeji smirked. “Still can’t decide for yourself, huh?”
“And you still can’t get a date, huh?” he shot back, smug.
Yeji promptly put him in a headlock.
“Okay, okay, sorry!” Soonyoung laughed, flailing dramatically.
Their sibling-like scuffle ended when Soonji reappeared, holding a red dress, a black-and-white puffer jacket, white socks, and matching shoes. “This one, Auntie!”
Yeji immediately released Soonyoung and switched to “good auntie mode,” crouching to admire Soonji’s choice. “Wow, sunshine, that’s a perfect pick. Do you need help putting it on?”
Soonji nodded, and Yeji took her hand to help her get ready, leaving Soonyoung to finally clean himself up.
Later on, the sound of the doorbell and the click of the lock signaled Jihoon’s arrival. Soonyoung, still toweling off his damp hair, had just stepped out of the bathroom when he spotted Jihoon standing in the entryway with Soonji already in his arms, giggling as she showered her Dada with kisses.
“Dada! I dressed up all by myself! Okay, Auntie Yeji helped, but look! Pretty?”
Jihoon chuckled, his tired eyes softening as he admired her outfit. “So pretty. Just like your Daddy.”
Soonyoung appeared behind them, grinning. “Why, thank you,” he quipped, throwing an arm around Jihoon. Soonji wiggled in excitement, prompting Jihoon to shift her onto one hip while leaning into Soonyoung’s embrace.
“You’re late,” Yeji said from her perch on the couch. She wore a stunning red dress that matched Soonji’s, her elegance making it impossible not to notice.
“Traffic,” Jihoon replied, brushing a kiss against Soonyoung’s cheeks.
Yeji crossed her arms, feigning offense. “I’d appreciate it if you guys stopped being such a happy family in the middle of my lonely lesbian era.”
Her words earned an immediate response from Soonji, who frowned up at her, confused. “Why lonely, Auntie? Not enough kissy?”
Yeji pretended to consider it. “You know, you might be onto something, sunshine.”
“Don’t worry, Auntie! I fix!” Soonji declared, stretching her arms toward Yeji. Jihoon handed her over, and Soonji attacked Yeji’s face with kisses, giggling all the while.
Soonyoung wrapped his arms around Jihoon and pulled him close. “Welcome home, jagiya.”
Jihoon tilted his head back for a soft, sweet kiss, and they both turned to watch Yeji and Soonji, who were now rolling on the couch in a heap of giggles and exaggerated squeals.
This was Soonyoung’s life now—his love-filled, wonderful life. Jihoon, Soonji, and Yeji—it was his world, his universe.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.