Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Their weekends slowly began to change after that fateful night. The endless blind dates were officially gone for good. There were no more lists, no more master spreadsheets full of names, and no more intense interviews over dinner where Dohoon would ask Junghwan exactly why another potential match had failed.

Instead, their weekends became strictly reserved for their own hangouts. Dohoon still found himself over at Junghwan’s apartment occasionally, too, but most of the time, Junghwan was the one invading Dohoon's apartment, doing totally random things that didn't really make a whole lot of sense if Dohoon thought about it too hard.

Sometimes they cooked meals together, sometimes they played video games for hours, and sometimes they watched movies that neither of them paid any actual attention to. And sometimes, they just sat there in the quiet room, talking about absolutely nothing at all.

It felt sooo easy.

And that easy feeling scared Dohoon more than anything else in the world. Because with every single passing weekend, that invisible line he had carefully drawn between them began to blur even more. Even now, and especially now. Because the fact remained that Junghwan was still deeply in love with someone else, and Dohoon had to keep constantly reminding his own heart of that painful truth.

…and it’s for Dohoon’s own survival, too. Even without thinking about his past, since he and Junghwan had improved their relationship to something more of a close friend, and Dohoon’s guaranteed that he won’t die in Junghwan’s arms, Dohoon had zero chance anyway. 

That was why every single chance he got, he would ask about it. He pushed for answers, and he reminded the older of the other person. Because if Junghwan finally confessed to his mystery person soon, then maybe Dohoon could stop his own feelings before things got way worse, before his stupid heart got too attached all over again, and before he completely forgot where he actually stood in Junghwan's life.

That particular afternoon, Dohoon was back at Junghwan’s apartment. The place looked a whole lot cleaner now, mostly because Dohoon kept nagging him about the mess every single time he visited.

The television screen glowed brightly in front of them as they played a game. Dohoon narrowed his eyes in pure concentration as his character ran across the screen. Junghwan sat right beside him on the couch, completely focused on the match. His tongue poked the inside of his cheek as he concentrated hard on the buttons, and Dohoon absolutely hated how cute that looked when he took a quick peek earlier. He hated it even more because he was actually noticing those tiny details.

“Do you even have any plans on confessing to them?”

The question just slipped right out of his mouth while his thumbs kept smashing the controller buttons. Junghwan didn't even look over at him.

“Of course I do.”

His answer came out so easily, his eyes still glued entirely to the game screen. Dohoon furrowed his eyebrows. The response was just way too simple and way too calm, as if Junghwan wasn't carrying around an important secret in his heart.

“Do you actually have anything specific in mind? Like... how you’d even confess to them?”

Junghwan just gave a casual shrug. On the screen, his character landed a devastating final hit, and Dohoon’s character collapsed into a heap.

Game over.

Junghwan grinned triumphantly. “Can you suggest something for me? Aren’t you supposed to be here to help me out with my love life, Dohoon?”

Dohoon stared blankly at the big defeat screen, his mouth twisting into a pout. He lost all over again. He clicked his tongue loudly and threw himself back against the couch cushions.

“Unbelievable.”

Junghwan laughed softly at his dramatic reaction. Dohoon tossed the controller down beside him and crossed his arms over his chest. Losing the game at least helped him cover up the strange, twisting feeling in his stomach after Junghwan asked that question.

Suggest something. Advise him. Help him plan a perfect confession… to someone else.

Wow, how funny. Truly hilarious.

Junghwan should’ve just shot him in the chest; that would’ve been easier to accept. No. He’s just joking.

Junghwan placed his own controller down on the table and turned his body toward him, waiting patiently for an answer. Dohoon stared up at the ceiling, his brain racing as he thought it over. He remembered all the things Junghwan had said before about that mystery person. It was so strange. The more he thought about the description, the more familiar it sounded to his own ears. But he quickly pushed that silly thought away. It didn't matter anyway. This was all for Junghwan's future, and Dohoon genuinely wanted Junghwan to be happy.

After a minute of silence, Dohoon finally spoke up. “First of all, hyung.”

Junghwan raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Let’s not do anything flashy.”

Junghwan blinked, surprised. “What do you mean?”

Dohoon turned his head to look at him. “No giant surprise events, no dramatic rooftop confessions, no random crowds of people cheering in the background, and definitely no fireworks. None of it.”

Junghwan just stared at him. Dohoon scrunched up his nose in distaste. “It’s just way too cheesy.”

Junghwan let out a laugh. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

Dohoon nodded his head firmly. Good, at least they had that part clear.

Silence settled over the living room for a bit while the game’s idle music played in the background. Then, Dohoon spoke again, his voice dropping to a softer tone.

“I think you should make sure that person knows you’re being serious, hyung.”

Junghwan tilted his head to the side. “Meaning?”

Dohoon pointed an accusing finger right at him. “Meaning don’t make the confession sound like a total joke.”

Junghwan frowned a little bit. “I don't even joke around that much.”

Dohoon looked at him flatly. “You joke around way too much.”

“I do not?!”

“You do.”

Junghwan crossed his arms over his chest, pouting. “No.”

Dohoon leaned a little bit closer to him on the couch. “Hyung, you literally turned your supposed love confession into a one-year corporate blind date experiment.”

Junghwan opened his mouth to argue, then closed it right back up. Because honestly, there was absolutely nothing he could say to defend himself against that logic. Dohoon smiled a little bit, feeling satisfied with his victory.

Then, his smile softened into something a bit bittersweet. Because underneath all the playful teasing, he understood something about this mystery person. Whoever they were, they were probably someone who doubted themselves a lot, based on how Junghwan had described them before. They were probably someone who would struggle to believe something good if it was handed directly to them, and someone who would automatically think they just misunderstood the situation.

Dohoon knew that exact heartbreaking feeling way too well. He swallowed hard down his throat.

“You said before that the person doesn’t think very highly of themselves,” Dohoon murmured, looking away.

Junghwan’s playful expression changed instantly, turning much more serious now. Dohoon kept his gaze fixed on his own lap.

“Then don’t just tell them that you like them out of nowhere.”

Junghwan frowned. “Why not?”

Dohoon let out a breathy laugh. “Because they’ll probably just think you got the wrong person, hyung.”

Junghwan stared at the side of his face. Dohoon smiled bitterly to himself. That was exactly what he would think. If someone confessed to him right this second, Dohoon would probably spend weeks trying to figure out if that person’s serious or they’re just fucking with his brain. He would automatically assume there was some sort of mistake, a big misunderstanding, or a cruel joke. He would think of anything except the possibility of it being about him.

“You have to tell them exactly why you love them,” Dohoon whispered.

Junghwan stayed quiet, listening intently. Dohoon just kept talking.

“People believe in the details, hyung.” He looked down at his own hands resting on his lap. “Tell them about the specific moments you remember. The little things. Tell them the exact reasons you fell for them in the first place.”

Dohoon’s fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of his shirt.

“Tell them the tiny things they do that make you happy,” he smiled softly, a little tear pricking his eye. “And tell them the things they do that annoy you, too.”

Junghwan let out a soft chuckle. “Why would I mention the annoying parts during a confession?”

Dohoon turned his head to look him right in the eyes. “Because if you still love them even after listing all the annoying things they do...” He gave a gentle, fragile smile. “Then they’ll actually believe you're being real.”

At least a little bit. Because just saying the words 'I like you' or ‘I love you’ was way too easy. Anyone could do it. But remembering the tiny details? Remembering years and years of specific moments? That actually meant something real. That was a whole lot harder to fake, and Dohoon truly believed that.

Junghwan’s soft gaze stayed glued to his face. Dohoon took a deep, steady breath to calm his racing heart.

“And make sure they know that you’re really choosing them.”

Junghwan’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “What does that even mean?”

Dohoon froze in place. His eyes quickly shifted away from Junghwan, landing back on the television screen where the colorful idle graphics kept flashing in a repetitive loop. He gave a casual shrug.

“I don’t know, honestly.”

That was a total lie. He knew exactly what it meant; he knew it all too well, but he just couldn't bring himself to say it out loud to the older. So Dohoon just shrugged again.

“I just think... It’s really nice when someone knows they weren’t chosen just because they were convenient at the time.”

The entire living room grew still at his words. Junghwan stopped moving altogether. Dohoon looked down at his own feet, his heart aching. Because that was exactly who Dohoon was to Junghwan, in both of his lives. He was just an arrangement, a safe option, and a convenient choice. He was easy to deal with and always available, but he was never the person Junghwan would ever choose first out of a crowd. He was never someone Junghwan ever wanted for himself.

But at least, in this life, they’re on good terms.

His chest hurt so bad it started getting harder to breathe, but he forced himself to keep a smile glued to his face anyway. Because if his own personal pain could help Junghwan get his perfect happy ending with the person he loved, then it was all worth it.

It was something he denied Junghwan from his past life anyway.

He lifted his eyes once more, meeting Junghwan’s gaze. “Tell them that even if there were a million other choices in the world, you’d still choose them every single time.”

Junghwan just stared at him. He stared and stared, his eyes never leaving Dohoon’s face for a fraction of a second. The look made Dohoon feel incredibly nervous.

Did he say something weird or embarrassing?

He let out an awkward laugh to break the tension. “That part is super important, you know.”

Junghwan still said nothing back. Dohoon ended up breaking eye contact first, his ears warming up. Why on earth was Junghwan looking at him like that? He cleared his throat loudly and reached over to grab his controller again, desperately trying to lighten up the mood in the room.

“Oh!” He forced a bright laugh. “One more thing, hyung.”

Junghwan finally blinked out of his trance. “What is it?”

“After you confess your feelings, do not pressure them for an answer right away,” Dohoon stared down at the controller in his hands, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Give them some time to process it. Especially if they’ve spent a really long time believing that nobody could ever love them.”

The honest words slipped right out of his mouth before he could even stop them, landing way too close to home. He swallowed hard, his throat tight, as that awful pressure returned to his chest. He hoped Junghwan wouldn't notice the tremble in his voice, and he prayed Junghwan would never understand just how much of his own feelings were hidden inside every single piece of advice he gave because that would be so painfully embarrassing.

Dohoon let out a shaky breath, then quickly plastered a huge grin on his face. He turned back to face Junghwan, determined to ruin the sudden awkward atmosphere.

“And whatever you do, don’t forget about the food!”

Junghwan blinked, confused by the sudden change. “What?”

Dohoon laughed loudly. “Buy them food, obviously!”

Junghwan looked completely lost. Dohoon nodded his head like it was the most obvious fact in the universe. “No one makes good life decisions when they’re hungry, hyung. It's a scientific fact.”

Junghwan just stared at him blankly. “That’s your official advice?”

Dohoon’s grin grew even wider. “Yes, of course!”

Junghwan finally let out a soft snort. Dohoon pointed a finger at him. “I’m really serious!”

“That sounds ridiculous, Dohoon.”

“It’s the truth!”

Junghwan burst out laughing at his antics, and Dohoon joined right in with him. The suffocating air in the living room finally eased up a little bit.

Then, Dohoon added one final tip. “Actually... feed them a delicious meal first. And then confess to them right after. Bonus points if it’s their favorite.”

Junghwan shook his head, a smile gracing his lips. “You really think food solves every single problem in life, don't you?”

Dohoon leaned back comfortably into the couch cushions and turned his gaze back to the television screen. “Not every single problem, hyung.” He smiled softly to himself. “But definitely most things.”

Junghwan laughed quietly, and then the sound slowly faded away into the quiet room. His eyes lingered on the side of Dohoon's face, staying there much longer than usual.

Dohoon could feel it. He felt the intense weight of that stare, and he could feel his own heartbeat starting to rise in his chest all over again. It was beating way too fast and way too loud against his ribs. He kept his eyes glued strictly to the screen, pretending with everything he had that he didn't notice the look.

He pretended he was completely fine, and he pretended his chest wasn't tightening up with a familiar ache. Because this was fine, this was still totally fine. Junghwan would eventually confess to his mystery person, Junghwan would be incredibly happy, and Dohoon would find a way to survive the heartbreak.

He had to survive it. He just had to.

Hours slipped by without Dohoon even noticing. The game on the television kept flashing bright colors and playing loud sound effects, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. His fingers kept pressing the buttons out of pure habit, moving his character around the screen without much thought while his head replayed their earlier conversation over and over again.

Junghwan was going to confess to someone. It was going to happen soon, maybe tomorrow or maybe next week, maybe even later, and Dohoon had just spent the last hour giving him advice like some sort of relationship expert. In truth, half of those words had come from the ugliest, most bitter parts of his own heart, and the realization was completely humiliating. Every single thing he said earlier felt way too personal now, making him press his lips together and stare blankly at the screen. He seriously wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

Beside him on the couch, Junghwan was strangely quiet too. At some point, he had stopped playing altogether and abandoned his controller on the cushions. Dohoon only noticed the silence when his own character got knocked out for the nth time in a row.

A long sigh left Junghwan before he stretched his arms over his head. "Let's eat," he murmured, breaking the heavy quiet in the room.

Dohoon blinked, turning his head to look at him in confusion. "Eat? Didn't we already eat?"

Junghwan gave him a flat look. "That was this afternoon."

Dohoon quickly grabbed his phone from the coffee table to check the time, and his eyes widened when the screen lit up. It was already 8:47 PM.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath.

Junghwan let out a soft laugh at his reaction, which made Dohoon narrow his eyes and stand up from the couch in a huff.

"This is totally your fault."

"My fault?" Junghwan asked, looking amused.

"You kept beating me in the game, and that stressed me out so much I lost track of time."

Junghwan put on a mock-offended expression. "Honestly, that sounds like a skill issue to me."

Dohoon clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes. Before he could throw another complaint, Junghwan suddenly grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the front door. The touch was quick and completely casual, but it still made Dohoon freeze for half a second. His pulse jumped uncomfortably in his chest, though Junghwan let go just as fast, acting as if the contact meant absolutely nothing. And maybe it really didn't mean anything to him. Dohoon swallowed his swirling thoughts and just followed after him into the cool evening air.

They ended up at a small restaurant a few blocks away from the apartment. It was nothing expensive, just a warm, cozy little place that served grilled meat, rice, soup, and various side dishes. It was exactly the kind of place Dohoon liked best. Junghwan didn't even hesitate, ordering their food before Dohoon could even open the menu.

When the steaming plates were placed on the table, Dohoon stared down at them in surprise. "Oh. This is my exact order."

Junghwan didn't look up as he poured water into Dohoon's glass. "Yeah, I know."

"You actually remembered?" Dohoon asked, his voice softening.

Junghwan looked up, appearing genuinely confused by the question. "Of course I did. How can I not?"

Dohoon went quiet, that familiar ache returning to his chest. The past version of Junghwan, his Junghwan from another timeline, never remembered tiny details like this. That past Junghwan had barely seemed to notice him at all. Dohoon lowered his head, suddenly finding it hard to look at him, and began poking at his rice with his chopsticks.

Across the table, Junghwan looked completely relaxed, leaning back without a care in the world. Dohoon swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Are you not nervous at all?"

Junghwan blinked, looking up at him. "For what?"

Dohoon frowned at his dense attitude. "For your confession, obviously."

Junghwan leaned back further in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "A little bit, I guess."

Dohoon pointed his chopsticks at him threateningly. "Well, don't mess it up."

Junghwan laughed, the sound warm and clear. "I'll try my best."

"No flashy things," Dohoon instructed, trying to sound like a supportive best friend instead of someone who was secretly hurting.

Junghwan nodded obediently. "No flashy things."

"And absolutely no jokes."

"Okay, okay," Junghwan agreed, nodding along.

"Make sure to feed them first, too."

That last rule made Junghwan laugh even harder, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Got it. Feed them first."

Dohoon huffed and stuffed a large piece of meat into his mouth to keep himself from saying anything else. He figured that at least all this emotional pain would be useful for something if it helped Junghwan succeed.

Dinner passed comfortably after that brief, heavy moment. They fell back into their usual rhythm, loudly arguing over the shrimp on the table. Junghwan shamelessly stole two pieces right off Dohoon’s plate, prompting Dohoon to call him a literal criminal. Junghwan just shrugged and claimed it was a friendship tax, to which Dohoon argued that a friendship tax was just a fancy word for robbery. Junghwan simply smirked and told him that life was unfair.

It was the same old nonsense and the exact same old them, and Dohoon hated how much he loved it. He hated how much he felt nothing but pity for his past self, who had never been able to experience this playful, attentive side of Junghwan.

When they finally finished eating, and Junghwan insisted on paying, Dohoon felt a wave of sadness at the thought of the day ending. He didn’t really know when Junghwan planned to confess, since it could easily happen tomorrow. This could very well be their last day of hanging out like this, especially considering how certain Junghwan was that the other person liked him back. Because of that, when Junghwan decided to take the long walking route back to Dohoon’s place, Dohoon didn’t argue. He just quietly followed along, not even bothering to question the detour. It was a pretty chilly night anyway, and he wanted to stretch out the time together for as long as possible.

The city streets were a whole lot quieter now. The cool night air brushed against Dohoon's cheeks under the warm glow of the streetlights, making the usually busy neighborhood feel so much softer and calmer. Dohoon shoved both of his hands deep into his hoodie pockets, watching his own shoes as Junghwan matched his slow walking pace right beside him.

At first, it was a peaceful, comfortable silence. But then, Junghwan broke the quiet, which was definitely weird since Junghwan was never usually this chatty during walks. Or with Dohoon, it’s usually Dohoon starting the engagement.

"So," Junghwan started, clearing his throat.

Dohoon glanced over at him sideways. "So?"

Junghwan kept his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "I randomly remembered something just now."

Dohoon raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"

A fond smile spread across Junghwan's face. "That one time I went over to your apartment after a date, and you completely forgot that I was coming over."

Dohoon blinked, his mind racing to recall the memory.

Junghwan continued, his voice full of amusement. "You had fallen asleep on the couch."

Oh hell nah.

Dohoon instantly knew where this story was going, and he internally groaned.

"And when you finally woke up, you screamed so loud I honestly thought the windows were going to shatter right then and there," Junghwan teased, looking over at him.

Dohoon just stared at him, his cheeks warming up. Junghwan started laughing softly at the memory.

"You almost called the police because you legitimately thought I was a burglar who broke into your place. You even kicked me!"

Dohoon felt a rush of heat crawl all the way up his neck. "That was a perfectly normal reaction to finding a giant in your living room!"

Junghwan was fully laughing now, clearly enjoying himself. "You didn't even realize it was me for a solid two minutes!"

"I was completely exhausted from working the whole week!" Dohoon defended himself, his voice pitching up slightly.

Junghwan grinned, his eyes softening as he looked at Dohoon's flushed face.

"Your hair was sticking up everywhere, too. It was really cute."

"Can you please shut up?" Dohoon grumbled, but he felt his heart skip a violent beat at the unexpected compliment.

He quickly reached up and pulled the thick hood of his hoodie over his head, desperately trying to hide the deep redness that he knew was spreading across his ears and cheeks. He just hoped his pink hoodie would help him conceal everything.

"Why are you even bringing that up out of nowhere anyway?"

Junghwan just gave a casual, easy shrug, looking back toward the street. "I don't know. It just randomly crossed my mind."

Dohoon scoffed and shook his head, looking away to hide his growing confusion. It was official, Junghwan was acting very, very weird tonight.

Instead of dropping the subject, Junghwan just kept talking, bringing up more and more random memories out of absolutely nowhere. He brought up the time Dohoon had accidentally spilled burning hot coffee all over his own shirt while trying to look cool and sophisticated in front of his peers. Then he brought up the time Dohoon got way too competitive during a late-night game of Mario Kart, almost crying real tears when he lost the final race on the finish line. To make matters worse, he even brought up the time Dohoon had fallen asleep during a movie night and drooled all over Junghwan’s ridiculously expensive living room couch.

Dohoon seriously wanted to die right then and there.

"Why on earth are you keeping all of these awful memories stored in your stupidass brain anyway?" Dohoon whined, hiding his burning face in his hands.

Junghwan glanced down at him, his gaze soft under the warm glow of the streetlights. "Because they’re funny."

"That is so incredibly rude of you."

"And because they're important to me," Junghwan added quietly, his voice dropping a pitch.

Dohoon’s walking pace slowed down drastically until he was barely moving at all. His breath caught completely in his throat, and that specific word made his entire mind pause.

Important?

He stared blankly at the broad silhouette of Junghwan’s back for a long second, his heart doing a dangerous little flip before he quickly jogged a few steps to catch up.

But Junghwan just kept walking ahead as if he hadn't just dropped a massive bomb on Dohoon's fragile feelings.

"I also realized that you’re actually pretty annoying," he continued casually.

Dohoon gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "Wow, you’re seriously crazy. Do you want to fistfight me right here in the middle of the street?!"

Junghwan just laughed at the empty threat, entirely unbothered. "You nag me way too much, for starters."

"Well, you literally live your life like a messy raccoon!"

"And you clean up my entire apartment like the mess personally offends your soul," Junghwan countered smoothly.

"It does offend me!" Dohoon cut him off loudly, his cheeks flushing a bright pink.

Junghwan shook his head, a fond smile stretching across his lips. "See? You’re unbelievably stubborn, too."

Dohoon frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "You’re ten times worse than I am, hyung."

"You talk way too much."

"Hyung, you literally started this entire conversation!" Dohoon scowled, huffing out a breath of cold air. "I was actually enjoying my quiet night walk until you started picking a fight with me."

Junghwan’s smile turned sweet, the kind of expression that always made Dohoon's stomach do backflips. "You often act like you don’t care about anything, but the truth is you care way too much about everything."

Dohoon blinked, completely stunned into silence. That specific compliment hit his heart differently, sending a strange warmth rushing through his veins. He quickly looked away, his chest tightening uncomfortably as Junghwan’s voice softened into something deeply sincere.

"You always throw yourself into things for the sake of other people, Dohoon. You always make everything your own personal responsibility."

The night air suddenly felt a whole lot heavier between them, making it hard to breathe. Dohoon let out an awkward, nervous laugh to break the sudden tension building up in his chest. "Wow, I really didn’t know this casual walk would turn into my official employee performance evaluation."

"What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for others all the time," Junghwan said, letting out a heavy sigh. "You should really put yourself first for once. Especially your own safety."

Dohoon furrowed his eyebrows and frowned, feeling a defensive wall go up. "If it’s about me saving your parents, I moved before I could even think about it. Just say thank you for saving them and leave it at that."

Junghwan stopped walking altogether, releasing another long sigh before turning around to face him fully. Dohoon stopped in his tracks as well, turning to look directly at him under the dim light.

"I’m really thankful that my parents are safe and sound, Dohoon," Junghwan said, pressing his lips into a thin line for a moment before continuing. "But that doesn’t mean I ever want to see you get hurt."

"I just—"

"Dohoon, as much as I want my family safe, I want you safe as well," Junghwan interrupted, shaking his head as his gaze locked onto Dohoon's eyes. "It’s also just really frustrating to think that I thought we were close already."

"But aren’t we close already, hyung?" Dohoon asked softly, his heart suddenly picking up a frantic pace against his ribs.

"I thought we were… but, do you really think we are, Dohoon?" Junghwan countered, taking a small step forward. "Because if we actually are, I wish you would at least share some of your heavy burdens with me."

"What? What do you even mean by that? I’m totally fine. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me, and I’m happy right now," Dohoon lied, forcing a bright smile onto his lips. Despite the smile, he could feel a loud ringing in his ears as he watched Junghwan look right through his facade.

Junghwan let out a defeated, breathless chuckle before taking yet another step closer, closing the distance between them. Dohoon felt his heart beating so loudly he was worried Junghwan might actually hear it.

"Did you know that one of your traits that I find annoyingly endearing is how terrible you are at hiding your own feelings?" Junghwan murmured.

Dohoon blinked, his mind going entirely blank. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come out of his throat. He truly didn’t know whether to be offended by the callout or secretly thrilled because Junghwan found him endearing.

"I also don’t know how you knew about your car being jammed beforehand, but I know you probably had your own reasons for not telling anyone." Junghwan paused, his voice dropping into a gentle whisper. "Just like how you had your own secret reason for desperately trying to cancel our engagement."

Dohoon felt his breath hitch completely, his entire body freezing up. He watched as Junghwan looked down at him with eyes so intense they seemed to burn right through him, and a small, breathtaking smile started blooming on Junghwan’s lips.

"But you know, as much as I love that stubborn side of yours where you never give up on literally anything," Junghwan whispered softly. Dohoon could only watch in a daze as Junghwan slowly reached out, his hand gently cradling Dohoon’s flushed cheek. "You should probably give up on that marriage cancellation plan of yours, Dohoon."

Dohoon felt his heart racing so fast it actually made his chest hurt. Every single word coming out of Junghwan’s mouth felt heavier than the last, pressing down on him until he could barely breathe. His mind was a total mess, his thoughts crashing into each other so loudly that he could not sort through any of them. Running felt easier. Whenever things got too much or when his emotions got too sharp, Dohoon’s first instinct was always to dodge, to laugh it off, and to pretend it was nothing.

So he did that.

A shaky laugh escaped his lips as he reached up and pushed Junghwan’s hand away from his cheek.

“What are you even talking about, hyung?” Dohoon asked, trying his best to sound normal and keep his voice steady. “Why would I even do that?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Junghwan let his hand fall to his side. Dohoon watched him carefully, his pulse still hammering. Junghwan looked away for a second, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek like he was holding himself back from saying something reckless. Then he smiled, but it looked strange. It was the kind of look that made Dohoon feel like he had just said the dumbest thing in the world.

That smile made Dohoon incredibly nervous.

Junghwan turned back to him, his eyes locked onto Dohoon’s. “You really infuriate me at times.”

Dohoon’s eyebrows pulled together right away. “What the hell?!” he shot back, frowning deeply.

Junghwan let out a small breath through his nose, almost like a laugh, but there was zero humor in it. “I honestly don’t know if you’re playing dumb or if you’re actually just clueless,” Junghwan said, his voice quiet. “Or maybe... maybe you just don’t feel the same way, and I just can’t take a hint.”

His lips curved up again, but his eyes stayed serious. Dohoon just stared at him, totally confused.

What was he even talking about?

Junghwan took a step closer. “I really don’t know, Dohoon,” he said. “I did everything you taught me to do. Step by step. I even made sure you weren’t hungry first.”

Dohoon blinked, his brain scrambling to catch up. He tried desperately to connect Junghwan’s words to something, anything at all.

And then it clicked. His stomach completely dropped.

Oh.

Oh.

Dohoon’s eyes widened as memory after memory hit him all at once. The advice. The stupid relationship advice from earlier. He remembered the entire talk, when Junghwan had asked him what he should do to confess to that mystery person. Dohoon remembered every single detail. He had told Junghwan to keep it simple, to avoid flashy confessions, to make it personal, and to talk about shared memories. He told him to point out little things, even the annoying things, and to make the other person feel truly seen.

And Junghwan was doing all of it. Right now. To him.

“I’m doing it in the middle of an empty street, so it’s nothing flashy,” Junghwan said softly.

Dohoon’s breath caught in his throat. That was exactly what he had suggested.

Junghwan kept going. “I told you moments with you that I remember. That it’s all important to me. Because there’s you in it.”

Dohoon’s ears burned. His face was heating up so badly that he genuinely felt like he might pass out right there on the pavement.

Junghwan did not stop. “I also told you all of the qualities that I find annoying about you,” he said, and somehow his voice softened even more. “And how, even though those things annoy me, they’re still your charming points. That I find them all endearing.”

Dohoon wanted the ground to split open and swallow him whole. This was insane. This was Junghwan. The same Junghwan who used to glare at him like he was nothing but a huge burden. The Junghwan who had spent years acting completely cold, making Dohoon believe there was absolutely zero chance of this ever happening.

And now he was standing here, pouring his heart out. Dohoon could not even form a proper sentence.

Junghwan’s eyes widened suddenly, like he had just remembered something important. “Oh,” Junghwan muttered.

Dohoon’s stomach twisted into a tighter knot. There was more?

“I forgot to say something. Maybe that’s why you're looking at me like that,” Junghwan chuckled to himself, rubbing the back of his neck before taking a deep breath.

Dohoon just stood there, completely frozen.

“Even with all of those dates you set me up with,” Junghwan said, a soft smile breaking across his face, “I want you to know that they’re absolutely nothing compared to you.”

Dohoon’s heart slammed hard against his ribs.

“The real highlight of those dates,” Junghwan continued, his voice melting, “was going back to you and spending time with you at the end of it all. I really hope you take everything I said seriously.”

Dohoon’s breathing stopped for a second. Everything around him felt miles away. The empty street, the dim streetlights, the cool night air brushing against his skin... none of it felt real anymore. All he could hear was his own heartbeat. It was so loud, so fast, and so incredibly wild.

He had spent so long brushing off Junghwan’s strange actions. The way Junghwan always lingered after every single debriefing session. The way he kept asking Dohoon to eat with him. The way he always looked annoyed whenever a date supposedly went well in Dohoon’s books. Dohoon had constantly told himself it meant nothing because hoping only ended up hurting, and he knew that feeling way too well.

But hearing the truth straight from Junghwan's mouth left his mind a total blank.

“I...” he started, but his voice cracked.

Junghwan cut him off, stepping even closer. “I want to build a family with you, Dohoon.”

That sentence hit him like a speeding truck. Dohoon dropped into a crouch so fast his knees almost gave out beneath him. He buried his face in both of his hands, his entire body flushing red hot. He could not let Junghwan see him right now, because Dohoon could feel it... the stupid smile pulling at his lips that he could not stop.

“What the fuck?” Dohoon mumbled miserably into his palms.

He heard the rustle of clothing and watched through the gaps of his fingers as Junghwan crouched down right in front of him. His shoes stopped right there. He was close. Way too close.

“You told me not to pressure the other person,” Junghwan reminded him, his tone teasing but incredibly gentle. “But, Dohoon... we’ve been engaged almost our whole lives.”

Dohoon squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Junghwan’s voice was just too soft.

“And I know I’ve been an asshole to you for more than half of it,” Junghwan said, his voice dropping into a sincere murmur. “I’m really sorry.”

Dohoon swallowed hard, his hands still covering his face.

“I know you’re having a hard time believing that I love you, consi—”

Dohoon’s head shot up so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. “What the fuck? You love me?!”

The words exploded out of him much louder than he had intended. And the exact second he looked up, he realized Junghwan’s face was right there. Their noses were practically touching. Dohoon lost his balance from the sheer shock of it and fell flat on his ass onto the hard ground.

A sharp ache shot through his backside, making him groan out loud. Great. Perfect. This was totally humiliating. The only good thing was that the street was empty. There were no witnesses to his misery, just Junghwan, who was currently biting his lower lip, fighting for his life not to laugh out loud.

Dohoon glared up at him from the ground, his cheeks burning.

Junghwan’s shoulders shook slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching up. “I mean,” Junghwan said, his voice warm and fond, “how can I not love you?”

He stood up first and held out a hand toward Dohoon. “You’re you, Dohoon.”

Dohoon just stared at the offered hand, his heart doing flips.

“And you alone are more than enough for me to love you.”

That statement made Dohoon’s face explode in heat all over again. His ears felt like they were literally on fire. Still glaring as hard as he could to hide his embarrassment, he grabbed Junghwan’s hand and let himself get pulled up. The very second he was back on his feet, he yanked his hand away. He did it too fast, his fingers still tingling wildly from the brief contact.

“You...” Dohoon stammered, his voice coming out incredibly weak. “That’s impossible.”

Junghwan simply raised an eyebrow at him.

“You hate me!” Dohoon half screamed. It sounded ridiculous even to his own ears, but it was what he had truly believed for years. Even in his past life, Junghwan had never once shown any feelings for him. So how did Junghwan fall for him on this timeline when he barely did anything?

Junghwan let out a soft, quiet laugh. “Your words, Dohoon, not mine.”

Dohoon blinked, stunned.

“I never once said I hated you,” Junghwan paused before continuing in almost a whisper. “Ever.”

Those words made Dohoon freeze completely in his tracks. Because Junghwan was right. He had never actually said it. Dohoon had just assumed it based on the cold looks, the sharp words, and the constant distance between them. He also assumed that he hated him, because in the other timeline, Junghwan was the person who ended his life. Never did Dohoon take into account that this Junghwan may have changed as well, along with the other things and events Dohoon tried changing.

Junghwan shoved both of his hands deep into his hoodie pockets, looking at him with a soft expression. “And I guess those little dates of ours you call debriefing sessions actually worked.”

Dohoon’s mouth dropped wide open. His brain instantly started replaying every single debriefing they had ever had. All the dinners, the late-night walks, the quiet coffee runs, the hours spent talking, and the small laughs they shared. He remembered the way Junghwan always stretched those meetings out way longer than necessary. Dohoon had honestly thought they were just reviews and reports to figure out which dating partner suited Junghwan best.

But standing here right now, staring at Junghwan’s calm, waiting face while his own heart felt ready to burst out of his chest, Dohoon could not stop the thought that settled in his head.

Those were never just debriefings for Junghwan.

And if that was true, then everything Dohoon thought he understood about this timeline was completely wrong. Every single step, every moment, and every look had meant something else entirely. And Junghwan was still standing right there in front of him, waiting for his answer.

Dohoon could still feel the heat burning across his face, and standing in the middle of the empty street while Junghwan looked at him like that only made it a thousand times worse. His heart had not calmed down since the sudden confession. If anything, it just kept beating harder and louder, like it wanted to break right through his ribs.

He could not handle this out here. Not out in the open where anyone could suddenly pass by and see him losing his mind.

Clearing his throat, he looked away and tried his best to steady his shaky breath. “Can we like... not talk about this out here in public?” Dohoon asked, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

Junghwan let out a quiet chuckle. The sound was so warm and soft, and he nodded easily like he understood where Dohoon was coming from. “Sure.”

That was all he said. There was no teasing and no pushing. Somehow, that gentle response made Dohoon even more of a nervous wreck.

The walk back to his apartment felt way longer than usual. Neither of them spoke a word. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, but it was not the awkward kind. It felt full, packed with every single thing Junghwan had just confessed and everything Dohoon still could not fully process.

Dohoon kept his hands shoved deep into his hoodie pockets as they walked side by side, matching each other's pace. His mind just would not stop replaying Junghwan’s words. Every sentence kept repeating on a loop. He hated it, but he loved it at the same time, and the contrast made his chest ache.

A part of him honestly wanted to laugh because the situation was really insane. This was the exact thing he used to want so badly in his first life, to hear Junghwan say those words to him. Back then, he had constantly chased after mere scraps of affection. A little bit of attention, a little bit of warmth, just anything. But the past Junghwan had given him none of it. In the end, that timeline had only left him with a gun pointed right at him.

Dohoon clenched his fists inside his pockets. The memory still made his stomach turn with a bitter taste. That was the whole reason he had worked so hard in this current life. He had changed everything to save everyone and to make sure none of those horrible things happened again.

Yet somehow, while trying so hard to save Junghwan’s future, he ended up standing right beside him like this. He was alive, he was confessed to, and he was wanted. It felt unreal.

By the time they reached his apartment, Dohoon’s head was pounding from thinking way too much. He unlocked the front door with shaky hands. The second they stepped inside and the door clicked shut behind them, the quiet apartment suddenly felt different. It felt smaller and much closer.

Dohoon slipped off his shoes and walked straight into the living room, trying his best to act normal. Junghwan followed him in without a word. They sat across from each other for only a second before Junghwan broke the silence.

“I don’t know if I’m reading things wrong,” Junghwan started, leaning back against the couch with his eyes fixed entirely on him. “But every time I told you that a date was great, or if I said something positive about them, your smile would always disappear.”

Dohoon froze in place.

Junghwan laughed softly under his breath. “It was funny. And really, really cute.”

Dohoon wanted the floor to open up so he could disappear forever.

“But that’s also why I’m pretty sure we feel the same way,” Junghwan added, a confident tilt to his voice.

Dohoon clicked his tongue loudly and crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t like how cocky you sound right now.” His voice came out way more defensive than he had intended, making Junghwan grin. Dohoon immediately looked away.

Now that he knew the mystery person was actually himself, every single conversation they had shared about who Junghwan liked felt incredibly embarrassing. Especially the way Junghwan had described the other person. Dohoon remembered him saying the person was really terrible at hiding their feelings and wore everything right on their face. And Dohoon, stupidly, had even agreed and helped him figure out how to handle it. He seriously wanted to hit himself.

Junghwan laughed again, enjoying the view of Dohoon's red ears. “It’s not my fault you’re so easy to read, Dohoon. I just don’t even know why you kept pushing me toward other people when you were clearly hurting.”

That statement made Dohoon’s chest tighten painfully. What was he even supposed to say to that? That he came from another life? That in that past life, Junghwan had married him and ended up hating him? Although, THAT Junghwan never really said he hated Dohoon, but actions speak louder than words. That Junghwan had never trusted him enough to hear the truth, and that Dohoon had died because of it?

He couldn’t say a single word about that. No one would ever believe him. And even if this Junghwan did believe him, what would it really change?

Still, as Dohoon sat there thinking, a realization washed over him. Because of all that past pain, he really had changed everything. He had saved Junghwan’s family company, kept his parents alive, and made sure Junghwan was never forced into a miserable marriage. Most importantly, Dohoon had survived. The horrible chain of disaster was broken. The things that had made Junghwan dislike him in the first life did not even exist here.

This Junghwan was completely different. Or maybe this was who Junghwan could have always been if life had not destroyed him first. Because there were still times when he got a glimpse of the first Junghwan in this Junghwan.

Dohoon swallowed hard, his voice quiet. “Hyung.”

Junghwan hummed softly in response. “Hm?”

The question slipped out of Dohoon's mouth before he could even stop himself. “Do you own a gun?”

Junghwan blinked in total shock. His eyebrows pulled together in deep confusion. “What?”

Dohoon just stared at him, waiting.

Junghwan shook his head slowly, looking at him like he had grown a second head. “Why would I even need something like that?”

Hearing those words, Dohoon felt the tight, heavy knot in his chest completely loosen up. A small, relieved breath escaped his lips. “I see.”

Junghwan kept looking at him with a puzzled expression, but thankfully, he did not press for more details. It was a totally random and weird question, and Dohoon knew that. But hearing that answer felt like the ultimate proof. This timeline was completely different and safe.

Maybe he could finally let himself want things now. Maybe he could stop running away, be selfish for once, and love Junghwan without any fear. Like how he loved his husband, Junghwan.

Junghwan’s voice suddenly pulled him straight out of his thoughts. “Did I really read everything wrong?” Dohoon looked up to see Junghwan’s face looking genuinely tense and nervous. “Do we not feel the same way? If not... I’m really sorry for assuming.”

Dohoon frowned right away at the sad tone. “It’s not that.”

Junghwan waited patiently, watching his every move.

Dohoon rubbed his face with his hands, trying to clear his blushing cheeks. “I was just trying to remember how you described the mystery person before.” Then, he looked up at Junghwan and broke into a teasing grin. “You actually said a lot of insults.”

Junghwan’s eyes widened slightly.

“And you made me agree with them,” Dohoon added.

Junghwan let out an awkward, nervous laugh while scratching his eyebrow. “Hey, come on.”

Dohoon stood up from his seat, and Junghwan instinctively followed him. “You said I make dumb decisions,” Dohoon pointed out, taking a step closer.

Junghwan lifted both of his hands in defense. “I also said you know exactly what you’re doing in the end.”

Dohoon took another step, closing the distance. “And you said that I say the most ridiculous things.”

Junghwan smiled nervously, his eyes softening. “But I also said you solve problems better than anyone else and take responsibility seriously.”

Dohoon stopped right in front of him. His heart started racing all over again, but this time, the feeling was light and warm.

Slowly, Junghwan’s hands reached out and rested gently against Dohoon's waist. Dohoon’s breath caught at the sudden touch. Without thinking too much about the consequences, Dohoon lifted his arms and wrapped them securely around Junghwan’s neck. The closeness made his face flush hot, and Dohoon could definitely see the pink on Junghwan’s cheeks, too.

“Hm,” Dohoon murmured softly, resting his forehead right against Junghwan’s. “So you were trying to prove to me that you’d always come back to me?”

Junghwan blinked, a nervous smile taking over his face. “About that...”

Dohoon leaned back slightly to look at him. “What?”

Junghwan looked incredibly guilty. “Just promise me you won’t be mad.”

Dohoon narrowed his eyes playfully. “What did you do this time?”

“Promise me first,” Junghwan insisted.

Dohoon let out a soft sigh.

“I won’t say it unless you promise,” Junghwan added, his hold tightening.

Dohoon pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Fine. I promise.”

Junghwan wrapped his arms completely around Dohoon’s middle, pulling him flush against his chest. “I actually stopped going to those setup dates a while ago.”

Dohoon blinked in disbelief. “What?!”

Junghwan looked away guiltily. “I don’t remember when exactly, but yeah. I stopped.”

Dohoon stared at him, dumbfounded. “What do you mean you stopped?! You literally told me stories about how they went!”

Junghwan laughed quietly. “I just canceled them every time and came straight here instead.”

Dohoon’s jaw dropped.

“The exact moment I realized I looked forward to our debriefings way more than the actual dates, I knew I was completely screwed,” Junghwan admitted, his eyes locking back onto Dohoon's.

Dohoon could not believe his ears. “But I worked so hard for those!” he complained, lightly hitting Junghwan's shoulder. “I worked so hard setting you up with good people!”

Junghwan just smiled warmly. “That’s exactly why I always brought your favorite food over.”

Dohoon paused, his complaints dying down. Although he also wanted to question how Junghwan knew about his favorites and some of his sleeping habits, that’ll be for another day. Dohoon figured they’d have more talks in the future anyway.

“You always said food fixes everything,” Junghwan reminded him, wearing a stupidly handsome smile that made Dohoon want to scream. “You’re not mad, right?”

Dohoon frowned, but since he had already promised, he just nodded reluctantly. “But I never said I’d marry you,” he added, deciding to play along.

Junghwan’s expression changed instantly from smug to pure shock and panic. Dohoon tried to pull away just to watch him squirm a little. It was the perfect payback and a tiny bit of revenge for all the lying, and maybe for a bit of the past life's pain, too. Even if this version of Junghwan had no fault in it, he was still the same person.

“Dohoon,” Junghwan whined, tightening his grip and pulling him right back into his space.

Dohoon let out a small squeak at the sudden movement, his face burning red.

“Dohoon, I swear I’ll come here every single day and propose to you until you finally accept,” Junghwan threatened softly.

Dohoon grinned despite his heart pounding wildly against his ribs. “It’s about time I changed my apartment passcode, then.”

Junghwan gasped dramatically before smiling again. “Then your neighbors will just have to listen to me propose and get rejected outside your door every single day.”

“That’s literally emotional manipulation, hyung,” Dohoon laughed.

Junghwan just shrugged, completely unbothered. “Do you think I can kiss you before we get married, then?”

Dohoon stared at him, lifting an eyebrow. “Whoa! What a way to stir the convo! What even makes you think I’ll marry you at all?”

Junghwan leaned closer once more until their foreheads were touching again, his voice dropping into a low, sweet murmur. “I don’t know. I mean… You did once… But can I?”

“Huh? What do you mean I did once?”

“Wanted me to marry you. So… can I?”

Dohoon blinked, completely captivated, before laughing softly. “I’d like to see you try.”

Junghwan smiled, his eyes dropping to Dohoon's lips. “Don’t mind if I do.”

And then Junghwan leaned in, closing the final bit of space between them. But before their lips could actually meet, Dohoon quickly lifted his hand and pressed his open palm right over Junghwan’s mouth.

Junghwan froze instantly. For one long second, neither of them moved.

Then Dohoon felt it, the soft sensation of Junghwan’s lips pressing into his palm, forming an annoyed pout right against his hand. It was so incredibly childish that Dohoon could not stop the laugh that slipped out of him. His shoulders shook as he giggled, while Junghwan just glared at him with narrowed eyes, looking offended.

Dohoon shook his head, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “No.”

Junghwan mumbled a protest against his skin, his lips moving directly against Dohoon's palm. That only made Dohoon laugh even harder.

“You’re seriously unbelievable,” Dohoon muttered, finally lowering his hand.

Junghwan stared down at him for a second, looking like he was trying to decide whether to argue or not. Then, instead of trying to lean in for a kiss again, Junghwan moved fast. His arms tightened around Dohoon’s waist, pulling him into a hug so sudden and fierce that Dohoon let out a surprised gasp.

“What the hell?!”

Junghwan buried his face against Dohoon’s shoulder, his grip firm and unyielding, almost like he was genuinely terrified that Dohoon might slip right through his fingers if he loosened up even a little bit.

Dohoon stood there a bit stiffly at first, his pulse still racing from everything that had happened. But this close contact felt different from before. It felt softer, warmer,... and safe. Slowly, his entire body relaxed into the hold. His hands moved up to find Junghwan’s back, lightly gripping onto the fabric of his shirt.

Dohoon rested his chin on Junghwan's shoulder, his racing thoughts finally growing quiet for once. He had spent such a long time trying to rewrite Junghwan’s life. He had focused so much on making sure this version of Junghwan would never end up trapped in a miserable marriage with him, the way he had been in the other timeline.

His entire mission had been so simple: find Junghwan someone better, someone kinder, someone he could actually love, and someone who would never become a tragic burden.

And somehow, all of his efforts had circled right back here. Straight back to himself.

Dohoon let out a small breath. Maybe he really did fail at finding Junghwan a better husband. But even if he failed that specific mission, he had still survived. Everyone was alive and well. This timeline's Junghwan was smiling, warm, and standing here holding him like he was the most precious thing in the entire world. In his entire world. That alone changed everything.

That alone made Dohoon think that maybe it’s time to give himself a breather. To let loose and give himself the ending he’s been wanting to have.

Dohoon’s fingers curled tighter against the back of Junghwan’s shirt, holding onto the fabric for just a moment longer before he slowly pulled away enough to see his face clearly. The space between them was so small, close enough for Dohoon to feel the gentle puff of Junghwan’s warm breath against his skin.

Junghwan just looked at him in total silence, his gaze steady and soft. There was something in the older's eyes that made Dohoon’s chest ache with a sweet kind of pain. It was a look full of warmth and affection, something Dohoon could not remember ever receiving from him in his past life. It felt so strange seeing Junghwan look at him like this, like there were no doubts, no walls, and absolutely no distance left between them.

Before Dohoon could even gather his thoughts, Junghwan leaned slightly and pressed a gentle kiss right against his forehead.

The touch was light and careful, but it still sent a sudden wave of heat rushing straight through Dohoon’s entire body.

Dohoon stayed still, his breath catching in his throat as Junghwan lingered there for a quiet second before pulling back. The living room felt even quieter after that. It felt like everything around them had completely faded away until it was only the two of them standing together, wrapped up in this beautiful, fragile moment.

Then Junghwan spoke.

His voice came out low and quiet, the exact kind of soft murmur meant only for Dohoon to hear, like he was sharing a secret that was far too important to say any louder.

And for some reason, the words felt so much heavier than a simple promise. It felt like Junghwan was speaking to more than just the Dohoon standing right in front of him. It felt like those words reached much deeper, finding the broken, hidden parts of him that still carried the heavy weight of another life. It touched the parts of him that still remembered the old pain, the terrifying fear, and a love that had been left completely unanswered for years.

Maybe that was exactly what both versions of Dohoon had wanted all this time. They just wanted to hear a real apology, to finally be chosen, to be loved for who they were, and to be treated gently.

Junghwan rested his forehead against Dohoon’s once more, the small smile on his lips growing even softer and warmer. It felt like he was holding something incredibly fragile between them, keeping it safe and refusing to let it break. His arms tightened around Dohoon’s waist, pulling him in close against his chest.

“I’ll spend this version of us getting it right,” Junghwan said, his voice barely above a whisper. “This time, I’ll meet your heart exactly where it is.”

Dohoon just blinked at him. For a moment, all he could do was stare into those eyes. Slowly, a small smile pulled at the corners of his own lips, matching the one Junghwan wore so easily.

But just as he was about to answer, something sharp suddenly tugged at the back of his mind. A random thought, a specific memory, something that had actually been bothering him for a while now. There were moments where Junghwan had said things that felt completely… off. They were things he shouldn't even know about, or maybe things that hadn't even happened in this current timeline.

Like the coffee incident.

Dohoon remembered it perfectly. In his past life, he had spilled hot coffee all over himself in front of all their peers, which had completely embarrassed Junghwan back then. Because it was such a horrible memory, the moment Dohoon woke up in this new timeline, he made sure to avoid it entirely.

And yet, Junghwan had mentioned it still. He had brought it up so casually, like it was a funny memory they both shared.

At the time, Dohoon had just brushed it off, thinking that maybe his own brain was mixing things up. But standing here right now, wrapped up in Junghwan’s arms, all those little pieces started to feel a lot heavier.

His smile slowly faded as he studied Junghwan’s face. He looked at the way Junghwan was staring at him, the way he spoke, and the way it sometimes felt like the older understood him just a little too well. It was like he knew the hidden parts of Dohoon that no one in this life should know about. Like how Dohoon absolutely hated the sight of vegetables, something he used to whine about relentlessly to his husband in the past, but he couldn't quite remember if he had ever complained about it in this timeline. Junghwan just casually took all the veggies from his food at one dinner.

Dohoon swallowed the dry lump in his throat. “Hyung...” he started out carefully.

Junghwan hummed softly in response, his eyes still locked onto his.

Dohoon hesitated, his heart starting to thud against his ribs for a completely different reason. “By any chance... did you perhaps...”

The words died in his throat. His chest tightened painfully.

No, that was impossible. Right?

There was no way Junghwan could have gone through the regression, too. He couldn't have come back to the past like Dohoon did. Because if he actually did, then what would that even mean? Wouldn't Junghwan hate his guts? Wouldn't he look at him with that same terrifying coldness from before? Wouldn't there still be a metaphorical trace of blood on his hands?

Dohoon forced himself to look at Junghwan’s face again. It was warm, soft, and so clearly full of love. He looked absolutely nothing like the version of Junghwan who had killed him.

So it just couldn't be true. It made zero sense.

Dohoon let out a quiet breath and shook his head, laughing softly at himself. He was definitely just overthinking things again; that had to be it. Maybe his memories from both lifetimes were just getting tangled up in his head. Maybe he was just seeing ghosts where there were none.

“Nothing,” Dohoon said, forcing a bright smile back onto his face. “I was just thinking about something silly.”

Junghwan watched him closely for a second, looking like he wanted to ask more questions, but he chose to let it go.

Dohoon pushed the scary thoughts away and tightened his own hold around Junghwan's neck, melting back into the warm embrace.

Because sometimes, peace is choosing not to look back, even when you still remember everything.

“We’ll make it work this time, right, hyung?”

Junghwan smiled, nodding his head without a single doubt. He leaned down and pressed another kiss against Dohoon’s forehead, slow and gentle enough to make Dohoon's heart stutter in the best way possible.

“Yeah,” Junghwan said, his voice soft and certain. “Yeah, we definitely will.”

“Okay. Then start preparing the proposals you’ll be doing for the rest of the year.”