Work Text:
Where did everything exactly go wrong?
All's well, actually. They vowed to each other again that no matter what happens, they will achieve their dream together. They assured each other that they got each other's back.
But it went downhill when Jeonghan asked Seungcheol–or proposed, rather–to live with him under the same roof.
"Do you even know what that means, Jeonghan Yoon?"
Which the latter answered with a chuckle. "Yes, yes I do. I promised you forever, didn't I? Whether we're together on stage, in front of the cameras, or off stage where it's just the two of us, you got me. I am yours."
Seungcheol wanted to say yes but he had a lot of things in mind. Sure, Jeonghan and him are already together for five years (or more, if they're going to include the "flirting" stage) but living under the same roof is a huge step for them and their relationship.
It means that they're almost practically married. Only the wedding bands and marriage contract are missing.
"Jeonghan… I… I do not know."
And that started the cold war.
Jeonghan tried to convince him that it's nothing but his beau can never hide when something's bothering him. He's been so out of it lately and when he tried to talk to him about it, Jeonghan snapped.
"You never trusted me nor our relationship, right? You never did."
That's why their work almost suffered because of it even if they both tried so hard to be professionals.
"Come on, Seungcheol. What's wrong with living together with Jeonghan? Me and Seokmin have been doing it for years. Nothing's happened. See? We're still together. And may I add, living together was one of the best decisions we've made in our relationship.", Jisoo, his best friend told him when he vented out his troubles.
"Ah… let me guess. It's about your family, right?"
SeungcheoI did not say a word.
"But your brother and your parents already know, right? They already accepted you and Jeonghan, your relationship. You're a grown ass man, why would you still even bother trying to gain their favor especially when they've all decided to let you be happy?"
SeungcheoI still kept his mouth shut.
"Or is this your insecurities talking?"
SeungcheoI looked at Jisoo, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Oh, you…" Jisoo pulled SeungcheoI into a hug. "Come on. You don't have to think twice or thrice about it. I know living with Jeonghan would really make you happy. And I do know you want to be together with him. Don't be the very person who hinders your own joy, Cheollie. Be free, love and enjoy every bit of it. I know Jeonghan would do the same, too."
"But what if… what if something bad happens when we already live together? What if he saw my unpleasant sides? What if he becomes tired of me because–"
"Shush. Don't overthink things. When you and Jeonghan agreed to become a couple, did you also think of breaking up with him? In the near future?"
SeungcheoI shook his head.
"Did you even have any doubts about Jeonghan and his love for you?"
SeungcheoI again shook his head.
"Do you want to be with him? And live with him? Deep down in your heart, without all those worries and insecurities, do you want to be with your lover under the same roof?"
SeungcheoI wiped his tears and nodded.
"See? Come on, this isn't the SeungcheoI I know. Be confident in yourself when it comes to your relationship with Jeonghan, just like how confident you are in our work. I know you would cross oceans and mountains for him, but you cannot do it if you wouldn't take a step. You can. One at a time."
"But what about our work? What if this decision would affect all of us–"
"SeungcheoI.", Jisoo answered sternly. "Our job is temporary. We can quit it anytime and we will not be doing this for our whole life, right? But your relationship with Jeonghan… that is for keeps. That's what you would want to bring until the day you die, right?"
And in that moment, SeungcheoI finally had the courage to take this huge leap in his relationship with Seungcheol.
The concert in Bulacan ended with them not even interacting in their work. Jeonghan kept his distance while SeungcheoI was trying to sneak glances at him, trying to test the waters. He was even worried when he saw and heard his lover's voice soften because of their group achieving another milestone. He wanted to hug him right there and then.
"I already asked the members and told the staff to leave you two. Go to his room now and talk to him.", Jisoo whispered when they got back to the hotel.
SeungcheoI inhaled sharply, hands shaking, and knocked the door three times.
"Who's there?"
SeungcheoI did not answer.
"Just a minute."
SeungcheoI tried to count the days that they wasted due to this silly fight. How many days has it been? One? Two? No, four? He was lost in his thoughts, trying to calm himself down when the hotel room door sprung open.
"H-hi… uhm… can I come in?"
Jeonghan looked at him and sighed.
"Come here."
SeungcheoI was surprised when he was suddenly pulled by his beau into a hug.
"I am so, so sorry for pushing you onto things that you do not want to do, for doubting you and your love… I am so sorry–"
SeungcheoI tightened his hug. "No. No, Hannie. Don't be sorry. It's a "me" problem. My fear got a hold of me. I feared that you might start to dislike me if you saw the real, raw, unfiltered me once we started living together. We're always together at work or whenever we go out on trips, dates, and vacations but living together is a bigger thing, a deeper and more different one that's why I was so scared to take a step with you on this… including our job…It is a big risk, I know. I was so afraid of a lot of things but one thing's for sure… I am afraid to lose you… that I started to have these thoughts. I have nowhere to go but forward with you, Hannie. And I don't want to lose you."
Jeonghan looked at him, caressed his face softly and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Cheollie, I've seen you at your best. I have also seen you at your worst. There's nothing that you could do that would make me dislike you… or even leave you. That will never happen. That's why…"
SeungcheoI was baffled when Jeonghan stopped talking and reached inside the pocket of his pajamas but his confusion soon turned into tears of happiness.
Jeonghan bought promise rings… for both of them.
His lover slipped one on his ring finger and he also did the same to him.
"I am now sealing my promise of forever with this ring. I know we cannot get married yet but I hope that whenever you see this ring, you will be reminded how steadfast my love is for you. Until the end, my SeungcheoI. You have me."
SeungcheoI kissed Jeonghan fervently on the lips, tears streaming down his cheeks. Why did he even think of doubting this man? Why did he even let his insecurities eat him when Jeonghan's love would always be enough?
"I promise the same, too. Us, together, towards bigger things and dreams."
Jeonghan kissed SeungcheoI's hand with the ring and whispered. "I love you. I'm sorry for making you sad for the past few days. Let's make up, hmm?"
SeungcheoI nodded and nuzzled his head on Jeonghan's neck. Oh, how he missed this.
"I love you, too."