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His fingers shook as he tried to loosen the tie around his neck, his throat constricting like his lungs were just too full and his mouth wouldn’t let him get a release. He swallowed hard. And then he swallowed softly around a mouthful of champagne, hoping to calm his nerves, to put a stop to the stutter of his racecar heart. It didn’t help, it never did. But it didn’t hurt to try, right?
Lithe fingers that didn’t belong to his hands drifted across his skin. Fingers that always knew how to bring his high-flyer mind from the sticking grip of the clouds and gently tug him to hard ground, a rock that held the end of his kite so he didn’t fly away. They moved into the silky fabric of his tie, adjusting it so he could breathe again like they knew he was going to suffocate on the crawling of his nerves. He shot a grateful look towards their owner, a look that he hoped conveyed more words than he had time for. Placed the champagne glass on a passing tray. Felt the brush of a hand on a hand. Took the first stumbling step away from his comfort, felt the warmth leave his side piece by piece until his body was just a block of ice sliding towards the spotlight awaiting him.
The eyes were blinding. His fingers itched to tug his tie again, but he didn’t want to ruin the perfection at his neck. Instead, he smiled loftily, staring into the face of undivided attention, solely focused on throwing his nerves under the screeching wheels of an oncoming bus. He cleared his throat, his lips pressing against the cold steel of the microphone, shocking his ice so it cracked open, allowed his voice freedom from the clutches of his tongue.
“You all know why we’re here tonight. We’re celebrating something that is super special to all of us, something incomparable. And you all have your reasons for joining us today, as the birth of a friend is an event we can’t pass by. But I have my own reasons, my ulterior motives for being here.”
His eyes tore themselves from the blurring crowd and found the only figure that ever stood out to him, their own eyes wide and curious. His eyes dragged down to the red jacket sitting comfortably on their shoulders, his own gift settling into his form like it was made to be there.
“As you should all know, Hoseok and I have been dating for a long time. A longer time than we ever thought we would, given our rocky beginnings. But those of you who know us, you’ve seen us withstand so much. And a lot of you might not know, but sometimes, I don’t know where home is. Before meeting Hoseok, it was a lot less sometimes and a lot more all the time. I was lost, wandering through the world without a guide, and Hoseok took my hand and helped my find my home - because he is my home. And I don’t want to lose that. I want to make him my permanent home. So Hoseok, will you help me do that? Will you take my hand and keep me with you for all time?”
The ring sparkled in the box, the lights making it glisten like the tears streaking down Hoseok’s cheeks. Hoseok sprung forward from the crowd, enveloping him with the warmth of his arms, the loud call of his yes making the remaining ice melt. Hoseok pulled back, his fingers under his chin, forcing eyes to eyes.
“Taehyungie? I love you. So much. You’re my home as much as I’m yours, forever.” And their kiss swelled with the cheers of the crowd, he could taste home and warmth on his tongue and his throat didn’t feel stuck anymore. He could breathe.