Work Text:
Jeonghan didn’t really have much experience with dating. Yes, he did go out on a couple of dates once in a while and has been in relationships, but they never really lasted. So he was practically a relationship virgin, as Jun said. Now that things are official between him and Cheol, what happens next?
Jeonghan decides that, like any healthy relationship, he’ll talk it out with Cheol.
Picking up his phone, he sent a quick and concise text.
hannie
how do i address you….mister.
boyfie<3
You can call me whatever you’d like, darling.
hannie
DARLING??????????????
boyfie <3
Yes?
hannie
NOSKDJFHL
I meant did you just call me
DARLING???
boyfie <3
Do you not like it?
I thought since we’re dating now we can call each other cute names.
How about babe? Baby? Sweetie? Love?
hannie
brb i’m going to shoot myself into the sun
boyfie <3
So, I take that ‘darling’ is okay?
hannie
…
boyfie <3
Cute.
Jeonghan blushed.
Dating Cheol was going to take a toll on him someday.
As it turned out, being boyfriends with Cheol wasn’t so different from what they were before. They’d go on cute dates, Cheol will try and bring Jeonghan shopping again and Jeonghan will have to physically hold Cheol back from doing so. All in all, a beautiful relationship. By now, most of their dates were at Cheol’s home, because going outside so much drained Jeonghan, and Cheol, being the understanding boyfriend, offered his home as their new favourite date spot. Sleepovers weren’t uncommon anymore, and the two no longer fought over who’d take the bed because it was so much better when they shared. In the morning, Jeonghan would wake up in the arms of his sleeping boyfriend and wonder to himself how he managed to snag a man like Cheol. Sometimes, Cheol would wake up first, and he’d stay in bed with Jeonghan, carefully stroking his hair until the other woke up. Then, Cheol would make breakfast, which would be a simple meal because he never really learnt how to cook. (“I just look up easy recipes and pretend I know what I’m doing, Hannie.”)
Jeonghan continued to work part-time, at a much better place. Although Cheol wasn’t too happy about it, he was adamant about being a little self-reliant. (“Boyfriends don’t financially sponsor their boyfriends, Cheol. You’re not my sugar daddy anymore, remember?” “I can be both!” “No, Cheollie.”) He worked at a cafe near his campus, and since all his loans and debts had been already taken care of he didn’t need to worry about money. He was just working to save up. Cheol still insisted on visiting his workplace at every possible chance, so while Jeonghan worked his shifts, his boyfriend would do some work on his laptop at the table nearest to the counter.
Jeonghan also managed to get through another year of college, although people were beginning to notice the luxury car that dropped him off at campus every day. Eventually, Jeonghan had to take the bus to campus instead, as a small crowd would begin to form every time he went to school.
For Cheol, not much has changed. Thanks to Jeonghan, he was finally able to strike a work-life balance. He looked forward to going home every day and inviting Jeonghan over. Once in a while, he’d try to convince Jeonghan to quit his job and just rely on him instead so that they’d have more time together, but his boyfriend really wanted his own money so Cheol had to respect that. Still, he’d try asking just for fun. Maybe after a bad day at work, Jeonghan would agree to quit and let Cheol settle his bills. Maybe.
Double dates with Jun and Wonwoo also happened frequently, since Jun and Jeonghan were literally inseparable and their boyfriends happened to tag along. Usually, the dates would end with the roommates fooling around and the boyfriends talking about work. Still, it was fun to see each other often. For Jun, he’d also spent quite a number of nights at Wonwoo’s house. He learned how to play some of the games Wonwoo frequently played and the two would play together late into the night. Wonwoo did the killing, while Jun just tried his best.
All was great between the two couples.
*
“Darling?,” Cheol called out.
“Yeah?” Jeonghan replied from the kitchen, poking his head out with a snack in hand.
“Why don’t you just move into this house and live with me? I mean, at this point, you practically live here so why not just move in?”
“I can’t leave Jun behind like that, Cheol,”
“Isn’t he staying with Wonwoo already?”
Jeonghan thought for a moment, trying to recall. “No, he still comes by the apartment for a few nights,”
“I mean, he’s pretty much almost living with Wonwoo too,” Cheol reasoned.
“True… but he still comes home and I don’t want to leave him alone.”
“Alright then,”
Jeonghan went back to the kitchen while Cheol took out his phone to text somebody.
seungcheol
Just wondering, are you planning to get Jun to move in with you?
wonwoo
Been asking, but he refuses to leave jeonghan and that apartment alone.
seungcheol
Wow, I just asked Jeonghan about him moving in with me and he said the exact same thing.
wonwoo
So what do we do?
seungcheol
I’ll create a group chat and then we can ask again.
*
<Group chat created>
made in china: OHO what is this???
1004 power: oh em gee junnie HIII
made in china: hiii
1004 power: now why are both our boyfriends here hmm
seungcheol: Can you two stop typing for one second so I can explain everything?
made in china: Okay.
made in china: 1
made in china: time’s up cheollie what’s gg onnnn
wonwoo: Babe, give him a bit more time he’s a slow typer.
.
.
.
1004 power: it’s been two minutes and he’s still typing HELP
made in china: isn’t he literally right next to u just peek
1004 power: bitch i tried he wouldnt let me see
seungcheol: Basically, Wonwoo has been wanting Jun to move in with him since I don’t know how long but Jun didn’t want to because he didn’t want to leave Jeonghan alone. Similarly, I also want Jeonghan to move in with me but he said no because he didn’t want to leave Jun alone. So I propose that both of you just move in with the both of us and nobody is left alone. We’ll still see each other often. What do you two think?
made in china: AWWWWWWWW HANNIE
1004 power: JUNNNNNIE BABY
made in china: WE BOTH THOUGHT OF EACH OTHERRRRR
wonwoo: Please focus, babe. Are you okay with moving in with me now?
made in china: yesss since my other babe is moving too
1004 power: babe…
seungcheol: I’m still here, you know.
1004 power: sorry babe 2
made in china: FUCK YEAH IM BABE 1
made in china: SUCK IT SEUNGCHEOL
*
Over the next month, the roommates packed their things and began moving out. They said goodbye to their shitty but not-so-shitty apartment.
Now, with Jeonghan permanently staying at Cheol’s, Jun and Wonwoo came over more often. Mostly just Jun wanting to see Jeonghan and Wonwoo tagging along. The visits turned into sleepovers and Cheol had to dedicate a whole guest room and a new bed for the couple.
Nintendo nights, thought up by Jeonghan, became a weekly event, and the ex-roommates never fail to find new ways to cheat at Mario Kart. Even then, Wonwoo still managed to win, with the gamer skills that he had.
*
Since living with Seungcheol, Jeonghan had to get used to touchy Cheol. Whenever they were together, Cheol's hand would always be on his shoulder, waist, thigh etc. Back hugs, kisses, and hand-holding happened a lot more now that the two lived together. Not that he was complaining though, he quite liked it. Living with Cheol was a great decision.
*
“Babe~” Jeonghan called out after coming home from class one day. “I’m home,”
“Missed you,” Cheol replied, enveloping him in a hug.
“I brought home our first pet!”
Cheol’s eyes bulged out of their sockets. “You…you what?”
“A pet, Cheol!”
Cheol looked his boyfriend up and down. “Well, where is it?” Before Jeonghan could bring out their new pet, he added. “I don’t think we can take care of it, Hannie. I’m at the office most of the time, and you have college and your job,”
Jeonghan beamed, looking really proud of himself. “Don’t worry, this guy is low maintenance,” He set his bag down and dug through it, which made Cheol really concerned, before pulling out a smooth rock. It had a straw hat on it.
Cheol burst into laughter, with Jeonghan joining in soon after. It seemed like there was a new addition to the family.
“It’s really cute, Hannie. Let’s go make him his own little corner in the living room, how about it?” Cheol suggested, wiping tears from his eyes.
Jeonghan grinned. “I was just about to say that. Let’s go!”
For the next 30 minutes, the couple spent time setting up a mini home for their new pet with the mini furniture Jeonghan had bought beforehand. They took their duty as parents very seriously, debating on the best layout and style of the rock’s home. The rock lived more luxuriously than any of them and the couple loved it.
Eventually, they both settled on a name, which was Jeonghan’s suggestion. “Doljjong”
They loved Doljjong like their own child. Every day, Jeonghan would come home and say hello to the rock and sometimes Cheol would spot Jeonghan talking his worries out to the rock, which was unbelievably cute. The couple also gradually expanded Doljjong’s closet, buying different hats and clothes for it. Doljjong’s home had a clear view of the family TV so during movie nights, Doljjong could watch whatever his parents were watching too.
Despite being a rock, Doljjong really tied the family together. That little rock made their family complete. Both Cheol and Jeonghan loved the little rock endlessly. Even Jun claimed himself as the god-father after their first meeting.
*
“Doljjongie~ Cheol~ I’m home!” Jeonghan called out, back from another long day at school.
“I’m in here! “ Cheol called out from the kitchen, already working on dinner.
Jeonghan placed his bag down, gave Doljjong a few pats on the head, and then headed to the kitchen to find his boyfriend.
Cheol was trying out a new recipe for steak when he got tackled for a hug by his boyfriend. Nothing new. “Welcome home, love,” He planted a kiss on Jeonghan’s head.
“Need any help?”
“Yeah, actually, could you set up the table for me? I’m almost done,”
“Yes, chef!”
Cheol chuckled. Evenings like these made his entire day.
After setting down the plates and pouring both of them a glass of wine, Cheol finally took his seat, ready to eat.
“So, what’s the occasion? Steak and wine– what are we celebrating?” Jeonghan asked, cutting into his juicy steak.
“Nothing,” Cheol shrugged. “I just found a recipe and had time to kill. Is it good?”
“Yeah, it’s great,” Jeonghan groaned as he took another bite. “You really outdid yourself with this one,”
Cheol smiled, happy that his cooking could make Jeonghan so delighted. He took a bite. Jeonghan was right, he really did outdo himself this time.
“How was your day?” Jeonghan asked as usual. This was their routine– talking about their days at the dinner table and just making up for lost time during the day.
“Boring. Meetings back to back, paperwork, and boring stuff. Though, Wonwoo did tell me my tie looked good today, so that was nice.” Cheol recalled.
Jeonghan perked up. “Oh! Is it the one I bought for you? The navy one?”
“Yeah. I told him you bought it for me and he said ‘Yeah, I should’ve known.’ Does that mean he thinks my ties are ugly?” Cheol frowned.
Jeonghan thought for a while. “I think your ties are fine, just that the one I gave you was much nicer. But yeah, he probably thinks your ties are ugly.”
Cheol faked a dramatic gasp. “How dare he. His ties aren’t that great either!”
They both erupted into fits of laughter. “What about you? How was your day?” Cheol asked.
“It was okay, classes were boring– as usual but during today’s shift someone came in wearing a banana costume and ordered a banana smoothie.” Jeonghan giggled as he remembered the strange encounter.
“That’s basically cannibalism.” Cheol deadpanned.
“I told him that–” Jeonghan couldn’t stop laughing. “ –But he just said, “Sometimes cannibalism is okay,” before walking off with the smoothie!”
Cheol didn’t know banana cannibalism could make him laugh so hard, but it did. Jeonghan found it to be the funniest thing to mankind, tears streaming from his eyes, gasping for air and clutching his stomach.
Dinner time was always the best part of the day.
*
After dinner, Jeonghan took a shower while Cheol finished up his work.
*
Their nights are usually spent playing Nintendo, watching movies, reading together, or baking. Tonight, it was movie night. Jeonghan put on a rom-com on the TV while Cheol went to grab snacks. They both snuggled next to each other, sharing the popcorn while watching the movie. It was nice, Jeonghan yelling at the female lead to notice the male lead’s advances, and Cheol watching the chaos unfold.
Once the movie was done, it was nearly midnight, and the couple decided to turn in early.
Already in bed, Jeonghan yawned. “Hurry up, Cheol. I’m tired,”
“Coming,” Cheol replied as he finally turned off the lights after washing up.
Jeonghan patted the spot next to him and Cheol got into bed as well. Immediately, Jeonghan draped his arm over Cheol’s waist and mumbled his goodnights.
“Happy anniversary, babe,” Cheol whispered, not knowing if Jeonghan had already fallen asleep.
“I knew I was forgetting something…” Jeonghan said groggily, eyes half closed.
Cheol pressed a kiss on his forehead. “It’s okay, I’ll remember for you,”