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It starts in a restaurant.
One that Minghao has never been to or even heard of before today. In fact, Minghao isn’t too sure how he got dragged into this but somehow he still finds himself sitting across from Junhui.
Junhui who is smiling and illuminated in soft candle light. He’s practically bouncing in his seat as he looks at the menu, clearly excited at the choices he’s presented with. It’s endearing to a sickening degree and Minghao busies himself with the wine options when he realizes he’s been staring.
“Do you know what you want to get?”
Minghao basically whispers his question, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere of the restaurant or draw attention to their table. There’s nearly no conversation from the surrounding tables, he doesn’t want to be the only person who breaks that unspoken rule-
“Nope!” Junhui answers happily- he’s not shouting but he clearly doesn’t have the same anxieties about fitting in that Minghao does. He puts the menu down and begins to point at the things that have caught his attention, “I don’t even know how to say some of these things, but they sound so good! I don’t know how I’m gonna choose.”
Minghao tries to read some of the things Junhui points at, but it’s hard when it’s upside down and in a language that he isn’t super confident in. He considers saying that he’ll just get the spaghetti, but he knows that Junhui won’t like that and he’s starting to realize that this place probably doesn’t even have spaghetti.
Which is terrible for him because that just leaves him overwhelmed with choices.
“You order the food and I’ll order the wine and dessert, okay?”
Junhui’s eyebrow furrows seriously as he nods in agreement, “Good plan, good plan. I would do something dumb if I had to order the wine. Like asking for a white to pair with fish.”
Minghao covers his mouth to cover his growing smile, “White goes with fish.”
Junhui looks up at him and blinks with pure and genuine surprise, “Really?”
Minghao nods, “Yeah, whites for fish and lighter meats. Reds for basically everything else. But that's simplifying it a lot, don't order like that,” He adds the last part as a quick precaution. He knows that Junhui can sometimes take what he says as absolute fact.
“I won’t, I promise Hao.”
Minghao cannot stand how he knows Junhui is smiling or how his heart just flutters at the thought.
“Who told you about this place?”
Minghao could put good money on it being Joshua.
“Hansol. Said he tries to come here anytime he’s in the area.”
Minghao is suddenly glad he never took up gambling.
“Nice of him to let us know about this place-”
“Oh my god, Hao look- sorry for interrupting you- they have tiramisu!”
The name is familiar, but Minghao doesn’t have a memory of eating it before.
“We should order that, I don’t think I’ve ever had that.”
“It’s really good. It’s a coffee cake, kind of. I think you would love it.”
Minghao can’t deny the fact that it does sound like something he would like, “I can’t wait to try it.”
Junhui reaches across the table and takes Minghao’s hand into his. His menu is off to the side, keying Minghao into the fact that he’s finally decided what they’ll have for dinner. Minghao sighs with a smile and gives Junhui’s hand a squeeze.
“Thank you for coming out with me tonight.”
“Thank you for asking me, I’m really glad we got to do this. It’s been a long time since we went out, it’s really nice to have a simple night,” Junhui blushes, glancing to the side of Minghao before meeting his eye again with a glint of something that Minghao would call mischievous, “Wen Junhui, what are you about to ask me?”
“You can’t get mad, but we gotta talk.”
That's not reassuring at all. In fact, Minghao’s heart rate spikes with anxiety.
Junhui is able to lessen it ever so slightly when he keeps holding Minghao’s hand.
“If you hate the idea, we don’t have to do it. I’m asking you so it’s not a surprise, okay?” Minghao nods, and Junhui takes a deep breath, “So, Hansol told me that if someone gets like, engaged here, they tend to pay for your meal.”
The relief that fills Minghao makes him lightheaded. He brings his and Junhui’s clasped hands up and kisses each of Junhui’s knuckles.
“Never, never, never ever start a sentence with ‘we need to talk’ or anything like ever again, I thought you were going to break up with me,” Junhui looks at Minghao slightly horrified and Minghao turns away, “It doesn’t make sense, I know you wouldn’t do that. At least, not like that.”
“Has someone broken up with you after saying ‘we need to talk’?” Minghao glances at Junhui, “Sorry, that's not really- I don’t know why I’m so focused on that part.”
It lightens the mood, and Minghao can breathe easier.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s like a really common thing to say before things end.”
“Oh,” Junhui pauses before tilting his head, “Well, we’re not breaking up. So do you want to fake an engagement?”
Minghao barely has to think about it before he’s nodding, “Yeah.”
Junhui straightens with a jolt, “Wait, really?”
“I mean, why not? This place costs nearly as much as what we pay for rent.”
“So why not avoid the bill, huh?” Junhui asks with a smile.
“If we don’t go into debt over this dinner, I say we have to do it,” Junhui beams and pushes himself backward, making Minghao frown in confusion, “You’re doing it now?”
Junhui is fully standing now, looking down at Minghao as he shakes his head, “No, I’ll do it during dessert. I’m going to go find someone to tell, make it more realistic. Maybe they can help with the setup, just to really sell it?”
“Like in Spider-man.”
Minghao isn't sure how to feel about how that's the piece of media he draws a connection to right now.
“Exactly like in Spider-man,” Junhui begins to walk away, before pivoting and leaning over Minghao’s shoulder so he can look at the menu. He points to a few options, drawing Minghao’s attention to them, “If the waiter asks for our order before I’m back, this is what we’re starting with.”
Minghao looks at the dish, mouthing it out to get a feel for how it might sound to say.
Junhui kisses his cheek, “You got this, I’ll be right back.”
Minghao smiles as he watches Junhui walk away from their table and towards the front of the restaurant. He doubts that the restaurant will actually go along with this, especially so short notice, but it might get them a free drink or an appetizer. There’s no harm in trying it out.
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Junhui returns to the table just as a waiter does. He’s smiling but Minghao can’t tell if it’s because they’re going to be able to get away with their little scam or just out of politeness. They place their order and Minghao still doesn’t know if Junhui was able to convince the place because when he asks Junhui just shrugs.
He doesn’t like the uncertainty. However, he figures it might just be Junhui’s way of saying no because he doesn’t like disappointment and it’s easier to stomach a maybe, who knows.
The appetizers are out shortly afterwards and Minghao is impressed that just bread and oil can taste so good.
They order their main dishes- Minghao asks about the ‘wine of the week’ before he realizes he would rather just get something he knows he’ll like- and then fill the air with quiet conversation. Junhui talks about how there’s a cat that has started to hang outside the café he works at that meows at him whenever he locks the doors up. Minghao complains about a new hire at his workplace, and then feels bad about complaining because it’s not their fault they got thrown in without any training.
Time passes quickly and before long their food is out.
It looks and smells delicious and Minghao can’t wait to try it, but stops short when he sees the bottle of wine that's been brought out. He bites his tongue from saying no, that’s completely wrong because he doesn’t want to be difficult but it’s also not what he ordered.
The waiter goes to open it and he quickly blurts out.
“I’ve never seen a Barolo so light before.”
The waiter pauses, glances at the bottle as their face turns slightly pink and they shake their head with a weak laugh.
“I’m so sorry, you’re completely right. This is for another table, I completely missed that. I’m so sorry.”
Minghao smiles back apologetically and waves them off, “It’s completely fine, you guys have been so busy tonight, things were bound to get switched up with the rush.”
The waiter does seem to relax a bit when Minghao doesn't start yelling at them. “Tonight has been one of our busiest of the year, so thank you so much for your understanding. I’ll be right back with the correct wine.”
“Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure, one moment.”
Minghao smiles one last time before groaning and covering his face. He feels bad, more than he probably should, but he knows how much restaurant work can suck and always hates the “difficult” customers that demand things to be just their way. He drags his hands down his face as he turns to Junhui, ready to ask if he should have just let it go, but completely freezes when he looks at him.
Junhui is kneeling right in front of him, beaming so brightly he could power a city, holding a small box with a ring in its center. Minghao’s eyes flicker between the ring- small and delicate and where did he get it?- to Junhui.
Minghao’s chest constricts and he breathless laughs, “You fox, you planned the wine, didn’t you?”
“I had to embarrass you a little, Hao.”
“God you suck.”
Junhui’s smile grows brighter which shouldn’t be possible.
“Sometimes, but Minghao,” He straightens his back and takes a deep breath, “We have been together for so long, and I think of you as someone who is far more important than just ‘my partner’ or ‘my boyfriend’. You are my person and someone I will search for in my next life.”
Minghao takes a shaking breath, and- oh god he’s crying.
Junhui’s eyes are wet and reflect the candle’s light in them. Minghao can’t stop thinking about how they look like they’re holding stars within them.
“So, Minghao, will you marry me?”
A sob rips out of Minghao as he nods and pulls Junhui into a tight embrace. He buries his face into the other’s neck and shakes as Junhui holds him tightly back.
“Yes."
Junhui’s body shakes with wet laughter as he pushes Minghao back so he can kiss him. Minghao is still crying and Junhui is quick to rid his face of falling tears. Minghao smiles but it wobbles. Junhui laughs at him and he weakly hits his shoulder for it.
“Don’t laugh at me, the emotions caught up with me.”
“I can tell. Here,” Junhui takes Minghao’s hand into his own and slips the ring- which upon closer look is just a bit of metal wire twisted together- onto Minghao’s finger, “Perfect fit.”
Minghao rolls his eyes but isn't able to draw his attention away from where the metal wraps around his finger for too long. It’s strangely really pretty and might make him start crying again.
Junhui stands up and sits back at his seat. Minghao almost complains about him being so far away but gets reminded that they’re still in public when their waiter returns. This time they are holding the correct wine. They also look close to tears as they express their congratulations for the soon-to-be-wed-couple.
Junhui thanks them and begins to tell the waiter a bit about how they met after getting asked. Minghao stays silent, watching Junhui with a fondness that burns his heart and a ring that feels like a kiss.
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Minghao is fairly certain he’s deeply unhappy.
However, he doesn’t know what he’s unhappy about and that means he has no way of fixing it. All he does know is that it feels like a good and solid chunk of his actual soul is missing. Which is so stupid because everything in his life has been going well- even great.
He got a promotion at work, Junhui hasn’t been coming home completely exhausted and their landlord even fixed the leak that's been running their water bill up into the hundreds. Everything is good but Minghao still feels absolutely miserable.
He’s washing dishes in the kitchen, staring off into space. Junhui is in the living room, searching for places they can order dinner from for the night. Minghao sighs, lets go of the bowl he was holding and grips the sink’s edge as he leans against it.
He should talk to Junhui about it. The fact that he’s been keeping it all to himself is probably making him actually feel worse. Getting Junhui’s opinion almost always helps him and now that they’re married-
Minghao’s eyes shoot open as he gasps.
Everything clicks into place and Minghao can only stare down into the sink with wide eyes at the revelation. His hands are shaking and he can’t believe it took him so long to understand what was making him so upset.
“Hao? You okay? I heard you make a kinda weird noise.”
Minghao turns around to look at Junhui standing in the kitchen’s doorway. Junhui’s face is covered in concern and it seems to grow when Minghao turns towards him. Junhui moves forward and doesn’t stop until he’s able to cradle Minghao’s face in his hands.
“Hey, hey why are you crying? What happened? What’s going-”
“I want to marry you.”
Junhui freezes.
“I want to marry you so badly and I hate what happened at the restaurant because it was all fake. I want to have a wedding and have matching rings even if they’re just twisted metal wire,” Minghao’s pauses and takes a deep breath before continuing, “ I want to share your name. I want to own a cat with you. I am so in love with you, and that's just the root of me now. I love you.”
Junhui is silently crying.
Minghao covers Junhui’s hands with his own.
“I want to find you in my next life too.”
Junhui falls forward and Minghao catches him in his arms. Junhui sobs as he grips the back of Minghao’s shirt. It feels like he’s trying to sink into Minghao, or have Minghao sink into him.
Minghao realizes he would be happy with either outcome.
Junhui squeezes Minghao tightly before picking him up and spinning him around. Minghao lets out a squeak that makes his ears turn red. Junhui, who is still crying, begins to pepper Minghao's face with kisses and doesn't stop until Minghao begins to laugh at the sensation.
"I love you, I love you, I love you!" Junhui's eyes are shinning as he smiles at Minghao who can't stand how pretty he looks and has to press a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth, "I love you and I'm going to marry you!"
Pure adoration fills Minghao. He wants to scream to the world that he's going to marry Wen Junhui. He needs the world to know. But he also knows that he'll be able to tell everyone soon. Right now, he's in the middle of his kitchen with the only person that matters.
But still, his heart takes control of his mind for just a second and he can't stop himself from excitedly whispering, "I'm going to marry you!"
Plus, the smile on Junhui's face makes him glad he did say it out-loud.