Work Text:
They’re walking downtown, their hands clasped together despite the sweltering heat. There is something about the city that emanates an orderly sense of chaos. Perhaps it is the cars rushing past, workers coming from and going to their bedroom suburbs. Someday, Jungwoo and Doyoung will own a home there, in a quiet neighborhood with a yard big enough for rambunctious children and pets.
For now, it is their fifth date. The heat is becoming unbearable and the sun is glinting off of the glass skyscrapers into poor Doyoung’s eyes. Jungwoo has offered his own sunglasses to Doyoung multiple times, but the stubborn man won’t budge. The original plan had been to just walk around the city that they both grew up in, but simply wanted to experience together. The plan now is to find some shade and air conditioning.
Up ahead, Jungwoo spots the modern architecture of the public library. Although the sun reflects harshly off its large glass windows, the inside is sure to be pleasantly cool.
“C’mon Doie, there’s been a change of plans.”
“I told you, I don’t need your sunglasses, the sun is not bothering me, and I’m having a great time.”
“Okay, okay, I know,” Jungwoo laughs. “I just thought we might check out the library, see what’s changed since we were kids. I don't know about you, but I haven't been inside in at least ten years.”
The space between Doyoung’s eyebrows crinkles as he thinks for a moment.
“That’s actually a great idea, I can't believe neither of us thought of it before.”
The blast of air conditioning is a welcome reprieve from the hot summer day. They are still in that sweet, nervous honeymoon stage, so both Doyoung and Jungwoo surreptitiously wipe the sweat from their hands before holding each other tightly again, gently swinging their arms.
The ground floor of the library is busy, filled with exhausted looking college students in groups and mothers balancing a toddler on one hip and overdue books on the other.
Jungwoo leans in and whispers in Doyoung’s ear, “Should we check and see if the other floors are quieter?”
Doyoung nods, and they head towards the staircase. The second floor is the children’s and teen’s section, which is of course where they had spent most of their time here in their youth. There’s a nook tucked in the back, framed by bookshelves.
Doyoung pulls Jungwoo in closer in order to whisper in his ear. “You see that pink chair, behind the classics section? That’s where I would hang out and read when my mom would meet up with her book club.”
“Ah, that chair looks comfy, it’s the same one you used to sit in?”
“Yeah, it’s got to be at least fifteen years old at this point.”
Jungwoo sinks into the plush fabric and leans his head back while closing his eyes.
“This is definitely one of the top ten most relaxing places on the planet. Give me a book,” Jungwoo demands, holding an open palm up expectantly. Doyoung crooks up an eyebrow, giving Jungwoo a quizzical look.
“It’s so I can relish the entire experience,” Jungwoo explains. Doyoung turns to select a book for Jungwoo when he spots a well-loved hardcover. It is Treasure Island, and he’s probably the main reason its cover is practically taped together.
“Here. Pirates. This one is actually my favorite book from when I was a teenager.”
Jungwoo had been preparing to quickly snatch the book, but he now carefully places it in his lap.
“I’ve never read it, if I had a library card I’d check it out right now.”
Doyoung smiles nervously, “I’ve probably got a copy I could lend you.”
“Sure, if you don’t mind me returning it six months later,” Jungwoo laughs.
“I don’t mind at all, keep it as long as you like,” Doyoung answers. Afterwards, there’s an awkward pause. He clears his throat and continues, “Tell me what you used to do at the library, I want to know.”
“Oh, my family mostly came here when I was a kid. I would pick out a couple books and my mom would read them to me. I’d always pick the same one though. I wonder…” Jungwoo’s voice trails off.
In the children’s section, Jungwoo’s delicate fingers rifle through the picture books.
“Here it is! Where the Wild Things Are. Gosh, I loved the pictures in this one so much, I would make my mom spend at least two minutes on each page. Also, look, I left my mark,” Jungwoo explains with a mischievous smile.
“You bit the book?”
“I was four!”
---
The city is a mix of modern and traditional architecture, sharp angles alongside weathered walls. The two of them had found a couple chairs near a window and had settled there, as neither of them had wanted to face the sun’s scorching rays again. Doyoung glances up from his insta feed to gaze out the window, taking in the view. His last post was two weeks ago, a cute candid jungwoo snapped of him running into the waves of the beach. Doyoung had begged him for the photo, claiming he only wanted to send it to his mom. Technically, he did just that. His mom does follow him on Instagram.
“Hey Jungwoo, I haven't posted anything to my insta in a while. You wouldn’t mind snapping a few quick pics for me?”
Jungwoo smiles, but hesitates. “Are you sure? I'm not that great of a photographer, I don't know any of those fancy rules about angles and stuff…”
“I...you’re kidding right? What about our perfect couple selfies? I mean, I always make you take them because your gorgeous arms are longer than mine. And what about the pictures of animals you always send me? Those are cute too. I think you’re an amazing photographer, Jungwoo. So will you please do a quick photoshoot with me on that cool bridge?”
Jungwoo of course agrees, so now they find themselves back out in the hot summer afternoon. The sun has crept closer to the horizon, creating the perfect golden-hour conditions.
There's something special about looking at someone you care about through the lens of a camera. Jungwoo centers Doyoung in the picture, snapping a couple photos. He rotates the cell phone, staring in absolute concentration at a list of different camera features.
"Is this right? This is how the pros do it, I think?" Jungwoo looks around the screen at Doyoung. He's desperately trying to stifle his giggles.
"Oh my god you're laughing at me! You practically begged me to do this for you, and you're laughing!"
It is the photos of his head tipped back, authentic laughter spilling from his mouth that Doyoung posts to Instagram.
---
Golden hour has passed, and the sun is below the horizon. Storefronts have begun to turn on their neon lights and signs, which lit the couple’s faces in blues, greens, and reds. They are walking hand in hand again, taking in the city at twilight. If Jungwoo keeps sneaking glances at how the neon lights fall on Doyoung’s cheekbones, then that’s his business. They both come to a stop across the street from a flashing sign that declares, “KARAOKE”.
“No way, you like karaoke too?” Jungwoo exclaims. “My friends never want to go with me and it’s no fun to go by myself.”
Doyoung frowns, “My friends are the same way, except they always tease me about how much I sing.”
Jungwoo leans in to pinch Doyoung’s scowling face but the other evades him.
“Well, now we can go together. And if your friends say you sing a lot, I want to know why you never sing around me,” Jungwoo says.
Doyoung is now smiling nervously and replies, “Okay, that’s great. Karaoke is the perfect way to end the day.”
They rent one of those private rooms, where they can have control over both the music and lights. Jungwoo selects a catchy pop song about love, and the rest of the night follows this formula. They belt out ballads from Adele and croon along to Bruno Mars. Doyoung has got a set of lungs on him, and sometimes Jungwoo doesn’t sing and simply admires him. When Jungwoo gets really into the music, his eyes close, and Doyoung uses this opportunity to do the same.
Jungwoo has run out of song requests, but Doyoung seems determined to work his way through Ariana Grande’s discography. The last lyrics of “Into You” fade away, and neither of them move to select a new one. They are both smiling ridiculously at each other.
Jungwoo breaks eye contact and speaks softly. “Today was great, I want everyday to make me feel this way.”
Doyoung doesn’t stop smiling as he says, “I hope it's a good feeling.”
“Yeah, I guess, content? Like everything in the universe is right.”
Doyoung nods in agreement. "I think, at least for me, it doesn't matter if everything was planned down to the minute or if it is spontaneous like today. It's always going to be enjoyable with you."
He swallows the lump in his throat and goes for it.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Me first, will you be my boyfriend, Doyoung? Let’s make it official.”
“Just had to steal my thunder. And yes, of course Jungwoo, I’ll be your boyfriend if you’ll be mine.”