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A long, deep breath leaves Yuta's lips as he waits for his boyfriend to open the door. He wipes his sweaty palms on his pants and gulps when he hears the door being unlocked. It's been a week since they saw each other so Yuta is eager to kiss and cuddle that man until they are sick of each other. However, something happened yesterday, or something will happen tomorrow that he didn't think would be a problem until right at this moment when he will have to tell his boyfriend about it. He'll try to play it cool and see how it goes. He thinks it's going to be okay. There is nothing to worry about. They trust each other. They are sure about each other's feelings.
"Hey, baby," Jaehyun greets him with a smile, making his dimples pop.
"Hey." Gently, Yuta cradles Jaehyun's face in his hands and kisses his lips, smiling into the kiss as Jaehyun closes the door behind them and pushes Yuta against it. Jaehyun's cool body feels amazing against his warm one, it's satisfying after walking fifteen blocks under the hot sun.
"Hey," Jaehyun whispers after they pull apart. "I missed you."
"Me too." Yuta pecks Jaehyun's lips, squirming and giggling while being squeezed in his boyfriend's arms. He missed being with Jaehyun so much. A week without seeing each other is a lot.
"You are so hot." Jaehyun runs his hands up and down over Yuta's really warm naked arms.
"Can't argue about that," Yuta replies cheekily, letting out a soft moan as Jaehyun attacks his mouth with kisses once again.
~
After making out for a few minutes, they move to the kitchen where dinner was just starting to cook.
"Oh, it smells amazing."
"Taste." Jaehyun takes a small amount of the food in a spoon and feeds Yuta, who hums in appreciation as he chews what Jaehyun fed him, feeling blessed for having a boyfriend who can cook like a pro.
Yuta smiles in embarrassment as Jaehyun wipes away some sauce that had smudged at the corner of his mouth and calls him cute. It's still hard to believe someone finds him cute when he is being messy, but Jaehyun doesn't seem to mind and Yuta is glad because he is a messy eater most of the time.
"It's so good. Kinda spicy though, but I love spicy," Yuta mumbles before opening his mouth for more. Of course, Jaehyun gives him what he wants. "It's surely way better than that time we went to eat this at that restaurant."
"Yeah?"
"Mmm seriously. What did you put in it?"
Jaehyun smirks as he leaves the spoon on a bowl over the countertop and stands in front of Yuta, who is leaning against it, enjoying seeing Jaehyun cook. "It's a secret."
"You are not going to tell your boyfriend about it? That's mean."
Jaehyun's hands find their way to Yuta's hips. "You are with me because of my cooking skills. If I tell you my secrets, you won't need me anymore. It's my advantage to keep you by my side."
Yuta throws his head back as he laughs.
On their third date, Jaehyun cooked for him for the first time. Yuta had never tried anything like that in his entire life. No one had ever put that much effort into a dish for him before. Every little detail of that date made him feel special and cared for, so Yuta said 'If you keep cooking like this I might have to marry you.'
"Don't forget the kisses. You are skilled at that too," Yuta adds, circling his arms around Jaehyun's waist.
"True."
They kiss again.
~
They are still in the kitchen waiting for the food to be ready when Jaehyun notes how squirmy Yuta had become and how his eyes couldn't focus on him for too long while talking.
Jaehyun pokes Yuta's cheek where if you pay enough attention, a tiny dimple will show when he laughs wholeheartedly or smiles big enough. "What is it?"
"Mm?"
Jaehyun places a few kisses on the spot he had poked. "You have this... weird expression on your face like you want to tell me something."
It's amazing how much one person can learn about another in just five months. This is good. Yuta thinks. This is why he knows everything will be fine.
The thing is, Yuta doesn't show his love as Jaehyun does. Yuta cannot word his feeling with the freedom Jaehyun can. Sometimes he is scared Jaehyun thinks he is not into him or that he doesn't feel the same as Jaehyun does, but then there are moments like these when Yuta knows there is no way Jaehyun doesn't know about how he feels for him. If Jaehyun knows when Yuta wants to tell him something. If Jaehyun knows when Yuta is sad or angry or when he wants to be left alone then he surely has to know Yuta wants him as much as Jaehyun wants him even if he doesn't say it. Maybe that's why Yuta likes being with Jaehyun because words are not necessary. Jaehyun doesn't need Yuta saying he loves him every second of every day.
It'll be okay. It'll be okay. It'll be okay.
Will it though?
Yuta's heart is about to burst out of his chest. He is five seconds away from making up a terrible excuse and leave Jaehyun's apartment just to avoid having to face the consequences of the stupid situation he got himself into. On a second thought, Yuta considers not saying anything and still do what he has to do tomorrow. It'll be just one time. Jaehyun doesn't need to know.
No. He cares too much about Jaehyun and this relationship. It's the best he ever had and he is not going to ruin it for something meaningless to him.
"You know Taeyong, my best friend?"
"Of course I know him."
Just by name and face in pictures because neither of them know each other's friends as they are keeping their relationship a secret. For now.
"Mhmm he set me up on a blind date," Yuta says carefully. He studies Jaehyun's reaction and by the looks of it, he doesn't take it seriously. Instead, Jaehyun chuckles and shakes his head.
"What did you say to him?"
"I kind of... agreed?"
Jaehyun's funny, relaxed expression turns immediately into a frown. "You agreed? You. Agreed. Why would you agree to go on a date with someone when you already have a boyfriend?"
"I mean, it's stupid. Like it's not a real date for me. It's not a date at all." Yuta shrugs. Maybe if he downplays the situation, Jaehyun will too. "And he just- Taeyong looked at me with those huge eyes of his. He has stars on them I swear-"
"I don't care if he has the whole galaxy in his eyes! Why did you agree?!"
Shit.
Okay, Yuta knows he is in trouble. He is being completely honest, Jaehyun has no idea how hard it is for him to say no to Taeyong. It's impossible.
Was it stupid to think Jaehyun wouldn't care? Probably. Not even probably. It was too damn stupid.
In Yuta's defense, he is a bit naive. He didn't think a "fake" date would make Jaehyun this upset. For Yuta, it would be like hanging out with a friend because he knows there is no chance of being interested in another man. For Yuta, it's Jaehyun.
"Yongie was telling me how he wishes to see me with someone because it's been three years since I broke up with my ex and you know how bad it was and- whatever. I couldn't say no to him. I feel guilty for not telling him I'm already with someone. He thinks he is helping me get back the confidence I lost."
Yuta's explanation doesn't make any sense to Jaehyun. He could have said no. End of story. It makes him paranoid. He didn't have any doubts or fears all these months.
Until now.
Did Yuta get tired of him already?
In Jaehyun's head, Yuta unconsciously said yes to this date "thinking it was nothing", when deep inside he actually wants to explore other options. Better options. Jaehyun truly thinks that.
"I can't believe you." Jaehyun clenches his jaw. "You act like I'm not even part of your life. Like I'm not your boyfriend."
"You are the one who wants to keep the relationship a secret. It's not my fault my friends see me lonely and think I'm miserable even though I'm the happiest I've been in ages. I'd proudly show you off if you'd just let me tell them." Yuta didn't intend to sound accusatory, but he did, and he regrets it as soon as it left his mouth.
It's too late now.
"It's until I talk to my parents," Jaehyun's voice is full of apprehension and he looks down in embarrassment. He's been postponing telling his parents he is gay for years now because he is scared.
His previous relationships didn't like the way Jaehyun wanted to keep them as a secret. They didn't have time to wait nor wanted to be hidden. It was understandable, honestly. So he knew to never get attached to someone because every time they wanted to make it official and show themselves in public and Jaehyun didn't, they all left.
However, when Yuta appeared in his life and told him it was okay, that he could wait and that it didn't matter if they had to act like friends in public, Jaehyun knew he had found someone worth his time. Jaehyun had left his guard down, he let Yuta take his heart and showed him how vulnerable he could be.
But there is so long someone can wait. Jaehyun is scared Yuta got tired of waiting and leaves, too.
"And I'm okay with that. You know it." Yuta reaches out and tilts Jaehyun's head up. He promised himself not to use that against Jaehyun because he knows how much his boyfriend struggles with it. In the past, Yuta had been pressured to come out, so he knows how awful it feels. Every person has his own times and Yuta is okay with it. He understands Jaehyun's fears because he has told him, and he experienced those fears as well.Yuta hates himself a little for making him feel bad and guilty. "I'm sorry I brought that up. I'm here. I'll wait until you are ready, even if it takes years. And I'll still be here after you tell them. Okay? No matter what their reaction will be. I'll have your back."
This is the reason Jaehyun is scared. There is no one else like Yuta. There is no one else willing to put up with his own burdens and help him figure things out, wait patiently until he is finally ready and be beside him each step of the way. He just hopes Yuta means what he says and hasn't given up on him. On them.
The sweet moment is short-lived when Jaehyun remembers why they were arguing in the first place.
"You are still not going though." Jaehyun frowns, pushing Yuta's hand away from his face.
"Oh my God, it's not like I'm gonna have sex with him or anything like that." Yuta huffs and keeps talking, not realizing he is making everything worse as Jaehyun goes crazy at the thought of Yuta with someone else. "We'll have dinner and then probably go for coffee or something, walk around and talk-"
"I know what a date is, Yuta." Jaehyun crosses his arms over his chest, hiding the fact he is clenching his fists so hard his fingers had turned white. "We go on dates pretty often, remember? Because you and I are boyfriends."
"It's not a big deal. I'll see it as if I'm hanging out with a friend."
"I don't want you going on a date with someone else. Call it off." There is so much frustration and fear and jealousy in Jaehyun's voice, but Yuta can't seem to pick on it.
Yuta can't seem to understand the reason Jaehyun is "overreacting".
"You don't trust me?" Yuta frowns. He is not upset. It saddens him to think Jaehyun could think he is that kind of person. "Do you think I'd cheat on you?"
Jaehyun chuckles bitterly. "Don't try to turn this on me. You are the one who wants to go on a date with some random guy."
"Aren't you listening?"
You are the one who's not listening. Or seeing how much it's affecting me. Jaehyun wants to say. Instead, he bites his tongue, believing that if he says too much, he'll scare Yuta away.
"It is not a date for me. And it's tomorrow. I can't say I'm not going. Taeyong will suspect."
"I don't care, tell him your cat died or something."
Yuta doesn't have a cat.
"Babe-"
"He won't think of you as a friend!" It pains him. The possibility of losing Yuta hurts like hell. Jaehyun puts himself in the shoes of Yuta's date and he knows that... "When he sees you, he'll think he won the lottery. The moment you smile at him, he'll fall in love with you. And when he hears you talk and get to know how sweet and cute you are... he won't ever want to let go of you."
Jaehyun knows that because that's the way he felt when he met Yuta for the first time. That's the way he still feels.
And it finally hits Yuta.
Jaehyun is insecure. Jaehyun doesn't think Yuta is one hundred percent committed to their relationship.
This is when Yuta begins to understand that maybe they don't have this mutual understanding after all.
"Why are you even worried about it?" Yuta asks. This time his tone is soft, worrisome almost because his intention was not to make Jaehyun insecure about them. Yuta doesn't even plan on going to that date anymore. It's whatever. He never wanted it in the first place. He just wants Jaehyun to voice out his insecurities and then hopefully assure his boyfriend he is the one. That there is nothing to worry about.
"Why am I-?" Jaehyun is losing it. Why Yuta can't see how ridiculous this is and how much it hurts knowing your boyfriend is going on a date with another person even if it's fake (on Yuta's part because the other person will think it's real). All the while thinking of what if that man is more handsome? What if Yuta finds that man more suitable for him? Maybe Yuta is not that much interested in him anymore and that's the reason he thinks going on a date with someone else is not a big deal as he says. "I don't want some guy to think he has a chance with you. You are my boyfriend, Yuta. I don't want to share you. You say it's nothing, but for me it's- it makes me feel insecure. It makes me feel like what I give you is not enough. It makes me think you don't care about us, like all these months I spent opening up to you were for nothing. So you tell me, why shouldn't I be worried? Why should I be okay with you going on a date with someone else like it's nothing? Why shouldn't I be worried you'd leave me for that guy?!"
"Because I love you!" That's the simple answer. That's the reason Yuta thought everything was going to be fine. Because they love and trust each other. Yuta is so sure of what they have that he knows there is no room for someone else.
Now that Yuta said the words, those three scary words, it kinda feels like his body got lighter.
For a moment too long, the room gets silent. Jaehyun's lips form a little pout and his eyes suddenly become crystal clear.
"Wh-What?" Yuta's voice comes out broken. Why does Jaehyun look like that? Did he say something wrong?
Taking a step closer, Yuta places a hand on the side of Jaehyun's neck, letting his thumb glide gently over his jawline. "Jaehyunie?"
"You love me?" Jaehyun whispers. "Do you mean it?"
"Yeah? Why are you so surprised?"
The question and Jaehyun's expression make Yuta rethink their entire relationship. Maybe they did have to talk. Words are needed sometimes, and this episode shows Yuta just that.
"What do you think? It's the first time you say it." Jaehyun wraps his arms around Yuta's waist, bringing him closer to his body. He bites the inside of his cheek to suppress a smile and focus on not crying because of how happy he is feeling at the moment. That blind date was pushed at the back of his mind as soon as those words came out of Yuta's pretty mouth.
"You never said it either."
"I didn't think you were ready to hear it yet."
"But I... I know you love me, Jay."
"You do?"
Yuta shrugs. "It's the way you look at me. The way you take care of me. The way you touch me and kiss me. Your way of kissing me has changed over the past months and I hope mine changed, too. Your kisses are tender, needy sometimes, but not like in a sexual way, it's more like you miss me and want to be with me so bad and the kisses are not enough. Or when you hug me, I can feel you love me even with your hugs-" he stops for a moment and smiles. "It's like you don't want to let go and I love that, Jaehyun. I swear I could spend the rest of my days being held like that because there is nowhere else I'd like to be. There is no one else I'd rather be with."
Jaehyun leans forward and hides his face on Yuta's neck, smiling so wide he knows Yuta can feel it. His heart is about to burst in happiness at Yuta's confession. He was waiting for this moment to happen, but he didn't think it would be like this and that he would feel on cloud nine.
"I thought you knew I love you like I know you love me."
"How would I know?" Jaehyun says before pulling away to look at Yuta. "You don't say it with words and your physical affection is limited. If I don't reach out for you, you don't reach out for me. And that's fine, maybe you still haven't completely warmed up to me. I get that. It's been only five months. I know you care about me, and you do have these moments that let me know you want to be with me, but I thought it would take more time for you to actually get to love me or even accept my feelings. I didn't say anything because I was scared my feelings for you would be too much to handle. I didn't want to scare you."
What Jaehyun says leaves an imprint in Yuta's brain. Again, he thought they had this thing where they knew without saying it. But now things change and Yuta learns that Jaehyun wants more affection even if he is not directly saying it and that Jaehyun is not a mind reader when it comes to deep stuff. Especially not with Yuta's feelings towards him.
"Baby... I love you. I really do."
"I love you, too."
"I know," Yuta whispers, smiling softly before leaning in to kiss Jaehyun.
The only sound surrounding them comes from the food cooking in the pan and casserole, but Yuta can also hear and feel Jaehyun's heart beating hard against his own chest.
Yuta pulls away slowly. "Now that you know how I truly feel. Can I go on that date?" He asks teasingly.
Jaehyun raises an eyebrow defiantly and launches himself at Yuta, he latches his lips onto Yuta's neck and sucks, bites, purposefully being a little too rough. At first, Yuta giggles at the sudden force that attacked him, but a second later, with Jaehyun's tongue lapping at his sensitive skin and his lips sucking so pleasuring, his giggling turns into soft whines and tiny moans. One of Yuta's hands plants onto Jaehyun's shoulder while he threads his fingers through his hair with the other, pulling him incredibly close.
Unfortunately for Yuta, Jaehyun pulls away, leaving him all hot and bothered. Yuta wants more. Especially after this whole situation, he wants to show Jaehyun he is a hundred percent into him. Yuta is desperate to be one with Jaehyun, clear any doubts that could still hang in the air. Yuta wants to show him he gives himself completely to Jaehyun. Not only his body but also his heart, that already belongs to Jaehyun.
"You can go." Jaehyun smiles, eyes shining bright as he observes the perfect red and purple love bite he left on Yuta's neck. He had sunk his teeth enough to leave them perfectly marked. "I'll check the food now. It should be almost ready. Babe, could you set the table, please?"
"Y-yeah. Give me a minute. Ouch!" Yuta's hand flies to his neck and flinches as he feels his neck throbbing. "What the-"
Jaehyun starts laughing mischievously as Yuta walks out of the kitchen, probably towards the closest mirror to take a look at Jaehyun's work of art.
"Jaehyun!"
"Yes?" Jaehyun smirks as he hears Yuta's steps getting closer.
"What the hell did you do?"
"Mm, what?" Jaehyun asks, turning around with an innocent smile painted on his lips. Yuta looks so hot while pretending to be upset, and Jaehyun is so ready to eat him whole. "Oh, that! Well, you asked if you could go on that date. I guess... go. You won't be able to cover that up with makeup though, and if you show up with a turtle neck right in the middle of summer he'll think you are crazy, but go ahead, if you want."
"Can't believe how fucking possessive you are- ow!" Yuta grimaces as his fingers touch the love bite one more time.
In response, Jaehyun lifts his hands. "Just looking out for what's mine."
"Can you imagine I show up at a date with this on my neck?" Yuta cackles at the thought, already forgetting he was pretending to be mad at his boyfriend just to get him into bed. Jaehyun laughs too, imagining the situation and how funny it would be.
"Such a good first impression. I say he would want to marry you right away. Come here." Jaehyun opens his arms and sighs contently when Yuta wraps his arms around him and snuggles up against his chest.
They stay silent for a minute, enjoying the fact they are finally on the same page and they know it.
"What you give me is enough. More than enough. I'm not going anywhere."
Instead of replying verbally, Jaehyun squeezes Yuta in his arms and drops a kiss on top of his head. He knows what Yuta means when he says he is not going anywhere. Yuta is not going to that date and not out of his life. And even if Yuta were to go to that date, it would mean nothing. Jaehyun knows that now.
~
The next day Yuta lies on top of Jaehyun on the sofa with his head resting on his chest. They are supposedly watching a movie but Yuta can't focus on that when Jaehyun has one hand under his shirt, softly roaming his fingers all over his back and the other occasionally running through his hair. It's heaven. After being folded in a hundred different ways and being filled over and over last night, Yuta feels boneless, in a good kind of way. All he wants right now is being baby-ed. Lucky him, Jaehyun is more than happy to do that.
Yuta's phone suddenly starts to ring with an incoming call, disrupting their peace.
"Who is it, babe?"
"Taeyong," Jaehyun grabs the phone from the coffee table and hands it to Yuta, who lets out an annoyed groan as he presses the phone to his ear, not even moving an inch from his position on top of Jaehyun.
"Taeyongie."
"What do you mean you are not going?!"
Yuta rolls his eyes. Earlier, he sent a text to Taeyong to tell him he was not going to that blind date. Despite Jaehyun saying it was okay, Yuta finally, really understood why it was a stupid idea to say yes. He even woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat after having a bad dream of Jaehyun holding hands with someone else. Yuta then realized it wasn't fair for Jaehyun. It was stupid of him not to think how it could affect him and their relationship.
"I mean that I'm not going."
"Why? Yuta! It's in two hours? I'm going to look so bad oh my God!"
Yuta, tired of Taeyong yelling in his ear, puts the phone on speaker. "Well, you still haven't told him my name, right? Tell Doyoung to go."
"Doyoung?! He just got his heart broken." Taeyong whines, frustrated, but he recomposes quickly, thinking that maybe... "But hey, do you think he'll want to go on a blind date? I don't know the guy that much, but he looks like an awesome person and he is quite funny and super tall and kind."
"Why not? What's that saying of the nails...?" Yuta trails off, trying to remember the phrase. He gives up after a second. "Whatever. Or you go." Yuta turns his head and looks at Jaehyun, who smiles all sweetly at him, and he wonders why on earth would he want to go out with someone else (even if it's fake) when he has the most handsome, sweet, and funny guy all to himself.
"No. Youngho is not my type. Ugh Yukkuri, what am I going to do now?"
"Youngho?"
"Who was that?"
Yuta gasps and looks at Jaehyun with wide eyes.
"Are you with someone?"
"No, I'm-"
It's time, Jaehyun thinks. He can't risk another thing like this happening. Yuta is not available and people need to know. "Yes. Hi, Taeyong. My name is Jaehyun. I'm Yuta's boyfriend."
"Yuta?!"
Yuta smiles proudly. "Well, you heard him. I can't go to that date because I'm already dating Jaehyunie."
"Since when?"
"Five months ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Taeyong laughs. "And you were going to go on a date with another guy? What the hell?! You should have told me."
"I know. It's just, complicated. We'll discuss it later okay?"
"Okay, yes. I'm sorry Jaehyun for trying to set up your boyfriend with another man."
"It's fine. But hey, did you say Youngho? I know a Youngho who is funny, super tall, and kind. My best friend."
Yuta narrows his eyes in confusion because he has never heard Jaehyun say that name.
"He started working at my parent's gym. He goes by Johnny though because-"
Jaehyun laughs, and Yuta can't help but connect the dots which leads him to be surprised yet once again because of course, he knows Johnny, Jaehyun's best friend.
"Your Johnny?" Yuta asks.
"His Korean name is Youngho. I mean, it can't be someone else with the exact same names, who oh casually started working at a gym, right?" Jaehyun can't stop giggling. His boyfriend was about to go on a date with his best friend.
"Wait, guys? Johnny doesn't know you are dating either?"
"No, Yong. No one but you know about it," Yuta explains.
"Then we can tell him the date is canceled because of this and he'll laugh about it, right? Can we please tell him about you? I don't want him to hate me."
"It's not up to me. What do you say, Jay?"
"Or... we could give Johnny his date." Jaehyun's mischievous expression makes Yuta's stomach flip in excitement.
Partners in crime. Yuta loves it.
"I'm all ears..."
~
Three months later
Jaehyun is the last one to arrive at the restaurant. A huge smile paints his lips when he spots their table and makes his way towards it.
"Hello, sorry I'm late. Got stuck in traffic," Jaehyun apologizes, bowing on courtesy as the four men stand up to greet him.
"No problem dude, we got here like ten minutes ago." Johnny smiles nervously. He doesn't care about Jaehyun being late. This is the first time he'll be introducing his boyfriend and his friends to his best friend, and he just hopes they all like each other because he really, really likes Doyoung.
"So... this is Doyoung."
Doyoung smiles widely and greets Jaehyun, "hi, it's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too."
"This is Taeyong." Johnny places a hand on Taeyong's shoulder.
Taeyong shakes Jaehyun's hand and grins. "It's so nice to finally meet you."
"Same here."
"And Yuta over there." Johnny let's out a sigh, blindly taking Doyoung's hand in his, squeezing it for some sort of comfort for his boyfriend and himself.
"Hi." Jaehyun smiles.
"Hello."
What follows next though, makes Johnny want to kill his best friend in a second.
Jaehyun has the audacity to walk to where Yuta stands and kisses him right there and then. Just like that! Ruining the very first impression.
Johnny and Doyoung gasp at the same time.
"Jaehyun what the hell!" Johnny yells-whispers. He stumbles over his feet as he desperately walks behind Jaehyun, and pulls him back. "Dude! Why are you doing this?!"
"John-" Jaehyun turns around, placing his hands over Johnny's forearms to steady himself.
"Are you crazy?" Johnny looks so desperate and sad. "How are you going to kiss him like that? Do you know how much Doyoung means to me? You can't ruin this for me!"
"Yuta is my boyfriend. We've been dating for over eight months," Jaehyun says as calmly as he can, smiling softly at his best friend's perplexed expression.
Johnny looks at Yuta and sees him smiling ear to ear. Yuta shrugs. His eyes then fix on Taeyong, who clearly knows about it and is enjoying all this mess a whole lot. And lastly, Doyoung, who is as confused and shocked as he is.
"You two... eight months?" Taking a step back, Johnny focuses on Jaehyun and Yuta. "Why am I hearing about this now?! Oh my God! Oh my God." Johnny giggles. "You look so good together!"
"Okay. Baby, come here. You are being too loud right now." Doyoung laughs in embarrassment and looks around, bowing in a sign of apology at the random people and some waiters that are giving them the stinky eye.
"This is funnier than I thought it would be," Taeyong comments as the five of them, now calmer, sit down.
"Why do you know about them?" Doyoung asks Taeyong, who looks at him smugly. He doesn't wait for a reply and turns his head to look at Yuta. "Why didn't you tell me? Aren't we friends? We know everything about each other!"
"Jaehyun didn't want anyone to know-"
"Why?" Doyoung shifts his gaze to Jaehyun. "Were you embarrassed? Look, my friend deserves the best of the best so if you are ashamed of being seen with him, then fuc-"
"Doyoung!" Johnny quickly places a hand over Doyoung's mouth, giggling.
"Did you two drink something before coming here? Why are you so... defensive?" Yuta shakes his head, chuckling.
"No one except Johnny knows I'm gay, so yeah. I was- I was really struggling with it."
"Oh I'm sorry," Doyoung apologizes, looking down to hide the blush spreading on his cheeks.
"It's fine. Don't worry."
"And why does Taeyong know?" Johnny squints his eyes at Jaehyun. The betrayal he is feeling right now is almost palpable. How could he hide Yuta from him for eight months? Unbelievable.
"Originally," Taeyong starts, gaining the attention of the other four. "I set you up on a date with Yuta."
"What?"
"It's difficult for me to say no to Taeyong. I agreed because it wasn't the first time he tried to set me up on dates, hoping I would get past the trauma of breaking up with my ex left me. I couldn't say no this time. And I told Jaehyun about it thinking he wouldn't care because I thought he was as sure about our relationship as I was. I also thought he knew I loved him even though I had never said it and that's why it wouldn't matter. In my head, Jaehyun would see it as me hanging out with a friend just like I would have seen it," Yuta explains the short version.
"Instead, all my insecurities came afloat. And we had this huge argument," Jaehyun adds. "He ended up saying that he loved me for the first time and that's when he knew I wasn't actually aware of how much he loved me."
"Right. Then I finally understood how stupid it was to agree and told Taeyong I wouldn't go."
"I called Yuta and said your name, so Jaehyun repeated the name and I heard him. I asked if he was with someone. Yuta said no but Jaehyun said yes and finally admitted their relationship. Then we confirmed Johnny was our mutual friend."
Johnny turns his head to look at Doyoung, trying to digest all this information.
"Where do I make my entrance here?" Doyoung is still so very confused. They are talking so fast that he barely caught on what they were saying.
"To make it simple, we didn't want to leave Johnny without a date so the three of us talked and thought you could get along well." Yuta shrugs. He looks up and spots the waiter, who was looking at them (probably to make sure they were behaving) and waves his hand.
"It went better than expected, right?" Jaehyun finishes.
"Gentlemen, are you ready to order?"
~
"You look the happiest I have ever seen you." Johnny elbows Jaehyun's arm while they walk side by side. The other three walking ahead of them, laughing.
"I am." Jaehyun smiles. "I feel like I found my life partner. My person, you know?"
"I must ask because if you are out like this in public it means..." Johnny knows all the struggles Jaehyun had to go through. He knows his parents not knowing was the reason he was never comfortable in his own skin, comfortable enough to date and show himself in public. Jaehyun would have never kissed someone in front of people or let anyone know about it because he didn't want to risk his parents finding out like that.
Johnny is the only one Jaehyun trusts enough to tell him about his relationships. That was until the younger decided to stop telling him about it because they never lasted. No matter how much Johnny said that even if it was a one-night stand he still wanted to know, Jaehyun thought it was better not to say anything and that way it wasn't real. If Jaehyun said it out loud, it hurt even more.
"Yeah. I told them three days ago. I even mentioned Yuta because neither of them were speaking and I was incredibly nervous, so thinking about him made it easier, I guess."
"Whipped." Johnny coughs mockingly. "So what did they say?"
"Mom hugged me and said it was okay and that she still loved me. That she somehow knew."
"I told you! I knew she knew!" Countless times, Johnny told him his mom looked like she knew something just by the way she was always reassuring Jaehyun she will always love him, no matter what. "What about your dad?"
"He... he didn't say anything. He stormed out of the house and haven't heard anything from him since then."
"Fuck."
"It's okay. To be honest, I have a good feeling. I'm feeling great."
Johnny halts his steps. Jaehyun is all grown up.
"What?" Jaehyun laughs, tugging Johnny by the arm so they continue walking.
"The Jaehyun I know would be sobbing because his daddy didn't accept him."
"First of all, it's not that he didn't accept me. He wasn't looking at me with disgust. It hurts, yes. He didn't say a thing and it's driving me crazy because I don't know how he feels. But it's fine. It's better than I ever imagined. Second, I am not that Jaehyun anymore. It might be dumb, but being with Yuta made me confident."
"God, you really love him, don't you?"
"I do."
"Disgusting."
Jaehyun snorts. "You know what's disgusting? The fact that you were about to go on a super fake date with my boyfriend."
Johnny burst out laughing, slapping his friend's arm. "He would have left you the next day."
"He wouldn't have. Shut up."
"Dude, I'm taller and funnier."
"My six-pack is better."
"I'm not a jealous boyfriend."
"I have dimples!"
"Okay. You win."
Jaehyun smiles in satisfaction. Of course, he wins. He has Yuta.
"What are they even doing?" Jaehyun shakes his head in amusement.
Yuta is coming in their direction with Taeyong hanging on his back and Doyoung running after them.
"Get back here!" Doyoung yells.
"What are you three doing?" Johnny asks, giggling. He opens his arms as soon as Doyoung walks to him out of breath, trying to speak in between laughter.
Taeyong begins to tell what happened when Jaehyun feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He takes it out and feels his heart race as he sees his father just sent him a message.
No one notes how quiet Jaehyun got, too occupied laughing at what Taeyong and Yuta did to Doyoung. However, it doesn't take too long for Yuta to realize the laugh he loves to hear the most is nowhere to be found.
"Jaehyun?" Yuta frowns at Jaehyun, who is looking down at his phone, completely frozen in his spot.
"Are you okay?" Johnny places a hand on Jaehyun's shoulder. Nothing. Jaehyun is still in his world, making everyone worried.
"What's wrong, love?" Yuta takes the phone out of Jaehyun's strong grip and smiles as he reads through the words Jaehyun had always wished for.
Yuta passes the phone to Johnny and wraps his arms around Jaehyun, who immediately hides his face against his shoulder.
"He accepted m-me." Jaehyun mumbles, circling his arms around Yuta's waist. "He said nothing could ever change how he sees me. He was just scared of other people hurting me."
"I know."
"They still love me."
Yuta turns his face and kisses Jaehyun's cheek. "Are you happy?"
"Beyond happy." Jaehyun pulls away, smiling as big and bright as he can. "Did you read? They want to meet you."
"Y-yeah. That's scary."
"Don't be scared. Mom and dad are going to adore you! What do you think about tomorrow? Should I tell them not to organize anything else? John give me the phone."
"Jaehyun!" Yuta squeaks, grabbing Jaehyun's hands before they can reach his phone. "Babe, slow down. I'm kinda nervous about meeting them."
"They are so cute," Taeyong mutters, earning hums of agreement from the other two.
"Do you not want to meet them?"
Yuta can see the disappointment in Jaehyun's eyes. This is probably the most important day for his boyfriend and Yuta wishes nothing but to be by his side. Of course he would love to be the first (and only) man he introduces to his parents. That is why he is scared. Why if they don't like him?
"When did I ever say that? It's just- I don't know. What if I say my parents are here and you are meeting them tomorrow? How would you feel about it?"
"I'd feel excited. I'd love to meet the most precious people to you. The people that raised the man I love. I know everything would be fine because they'll see how good we are together. They'd see how much I love you, how much you love me. Who wouldn't want their kid to be loved like we love each other?"
Yuta's cheeks feel warm. Jaehyun has a way with words that always leave him gasping for air.
It feels like they can do anything as long as they are together. That's how Yuta feels. They make each other more powerful, more sure of themselves. They complete each other, compensate each other's personalities.
Yuta laces their fingers and squeezes in a reassuring sign.
"Okay. Let's do this."
"Yeah?"
Yuta nods. He gives Jaehyun a lingering kiss and smiles against his lips. "I love you."
"I love you more."
"Aaaaw this is so romantic!" Johnny claps his hands once, a huge smile present on his lips.
"Why are you still here? It's an intimate moment between me and my man!" Yuta complains, glaring at his two best friends who will never forget this.
"You are right." Doyoung nods. "Let's walk ahead guys. We have enough material to tease Yuta for a year, at least."
"You little-" Yuta is about to chase Doyoung when a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind. "Yes! Go away! Cowards!"
"You are so cute," Jaehyun says with a smile, pressing his lips on Yuta's jawline.
Yuta turns around in Jaehyun's arms after making sure their friends were far away and wouldn't listen to them. "They are never gonna stop. They never saw me being in love like this. Every time I say something, they will bring this moment up just to break me."
"Aren't you being a little extreme?"
"They are terrible, you'll see." Yuta giggles, stopping right away when he sees Jaehyun's eyes all teary. "You are still happy about your dad, don't you?"
Jaehyun nods. "Yeah, but you just... Yuta, you-"
Oh no. Does Jaehyun think he doesn't want to meet his parents?
"I mean it when I said I'll go meet your parents."
Jaehyun is about to speak when Yuta leans forward and presses a soft kiss to his lips to shut him up.
"Look, I'm nervous I'm not gonna lie, but I also think you are right. They will see how much you mean to me and how good we take care of each other. We have a happy and healthy relationship, and that's all our parents want for us, right?" Yuta adds. "I want to meet them because I want to be part of your family and I want you to be part of mine. So let's do this confidently."
"It feels like since that day you've been so open with me. You tell me everything that's on your mind and heart and I love that." Jaehyun sniffles, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Of course, so don't worry. I'm actually getting excited about having dinner with your parents. I'm looking forward to asking your mom for your baby pictures."
"Love-"
"I'm gonna post them all over my Instagram, you'll see." Yuta reaches out and pinches Jaehyun's cheek.
"That's nice. But hear me out, if I got emotional it wasn't because of my dad or anything related to that. I know you meant it when you agreed to meet them."
"Oh? I thought you were kind of sad because you thought I didn't want to meet your parents this soon."
Jaehyun cradles Yuta's face in his hands, pressing their foreheads together. "You admitted you are in love with me," he whispers.
Yuta swallows thickly. Yeah, he thought Jaehyun hadn't noticed.
It's fine. It came from his heart. He means it. There is no shame in it.
"I thought you knew already?" Yuta tries to play it cool but he knows Jaehyun can see right through him and that it was a slip but he truly feels that way.
Both of them start laughing. After a moment, Yuta wraps his arms around Jaehyun's neck and kisses him tenderly.
"I'm in love with you, too," Jaehyun says against Yuta's lips, making him smile.
"I know."