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It started with a high school trip to Tokyo, Japan. It was their last year in high school so everyone had been super excited to go and make memories together but Wooyoung and Yeosang had other plans. Maybe it was the atmosphere or maybe it was just how beautiful the city looked at night from Tokyo Tower that did the trick.
Yes, they had snuck out of the hotel without telling their teachers and had decided to go visit Tokyo Tower. Yes, they had been caught. Yes, their teachers and parents had given them hell for it. But no, neither of them regretted it. It had been a beautiful night and neither of them would ever forget it.
They had both just been standing side by side as they watched the view together. They didn’t know what the future held as they rushed around applying to different universities and studying for their exams. Wooyoung had known all along that he was going to culinary school but Yeosang had been indecisive and lost, with no idea of what he would like to do for the rest of his life. He had complained several times about how unfair it was that Wooyoung had his whole life figured out and despite the smile, the younger had known that Yeosang felt insecure and felt like he was being left behind.
So, it had indeed been Wooyoung’s idea but this was the only way he could think of cheering his best friend up.
He had watched Yeosang as the older watched the lights of the bright city which lit up the night sky. They could barely see any stars but Yeosang had happily pointed out that the millions of lights from the buildings looked like stars in their own right and Wooyoung couldn’t help but fall deeper for his best friend.
Yes, he was so hopelessly in love with his clueless best friend. So much time had been spent pining over Yeosang, to the point where everyone other than Yeosang knew how he felt. Sometimes Wooyoung thought that Yeosang knew but he was being kind and acting like he couldn’t see the way Wooyoung looked at him.
But Wooyoung knows that his best friend is a hopeless, naive, and kind man who would never be so cruel as to ignore Wooyoung’s feelings. Knowing Yeosang, Wooyoung is sure that the older would try and love him the way he desires.
"You know, no matter what happens I will always be on your side," Wooyoung says instead.
Yeosang looks at him with a smile. It doesn’t reach his eyes though and Wooyoung can't help but cup his face. He draws small, comforting circles on the older’s cheek with his thumb.
"I promise, Sangie. No matter what, I am with you," Wooyoung says as he brings his other hand to Yeosang’s cheek.
Wooyoung smiles at him and Yeosang feels his heart skip a beat. It was unfair how pretty his best friend was. He always complained about Yeosang never getting any acne and his hair always being perfect. His birthmark only added to his beauty, no matter how much Yeosang hated it, he took every chance to love his birthmark. He would always kiss it and call it pretty, much to Yeosang’s frustration, but after years of this behavior from Wooyoung, he had learned to accept it.
“Thank you, Wooyoung,” Yeosang says with a smile he saved especially for his best friend.
Wooyoung smiles back at him but there is something in his eyes. There are unspoken words between them.
Yeosang has known for a while now that how he feels towards Wooyoung went beyond friendship. Yeosang chews on his bottom lip as he watches Wooyoung. He isn’t sure if his feelings are returned but he knows that Wooyoung looks at him differently than their other friends.
“Woo– ”
Yeosang is cut off by Wooyoung who steps closer to him. He is looking at Yeosang with that strange look in his eyes that he has told himself not to read too deep into, in fear of his heart getting broken. Nothing would be worse than revealing his feelings just to have all his hopes shattered with a simple no. They were just friends, best friends at most, and nothing else.
But Wooyoung was always full of surprises.
“Sangie…” Wooyoung says, his one hand still gently holding Yeosang’s cheek as his thumb caresses the soft skin on his face. “I like like you…I always have.”
These four simple words would change both their lives forever. It's said with so much gentleness and love that Yeosang thinks he is dreaming. Only his dreams would produce such affection conveyed in words. But then Wooyoung is resting his forehead on his, his eyes searching Yeosang’s.
Wooyoung knows, he fears.
He wonders how long he has known for or if he was only just seeing the truth for the first time, himself.
Yeosang truly was never good at hiding things from Wooyoung. He had never been able to surprise Wooyoung with anything. Months of planning surprise birthday celebrations or hiding secret presents and Wooyoung would always weasel it out of him.
“I like like you too, Wooyoung. Of course, I like you.”
Wooyoung was always pretty.
Yeosang had no doubts about that.
But standing there watching Wooyoung so fondly, he was stunning. And to know that Wooyoung's fondness was directed towards him? There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe how Yeosang feels.
They don't have to say anything else. They just let their magnetic forces collide finally. Yeosang would never be able to tell you who leaned in first but he will tell you that their first kiss was everything that is described in romantic movies and books. And more, so much more. The feeling of belonging and the feeling of completeness can never be described.
It just feels right and Yeosaang couldn’t think of anywhere else he would rather be. He belonged with Wooyoung.
They never put a label on it. They both know it isn’t necessary, they are just as they were.
They spend the rest of the Japan trip exploring the country together (under their teachers’ sharp supervision of course after their night rendezvous). They spend the rest of the trip making new memories, sharing stolen kisses, holding hands, and cuddling every chance they get in the hotel.
They put a love lock with their initials on at the Umeda Sky Building and they get matching Omamori charms from a Shinto Shrine after picking their fortune slips. Woyoung gets a “great blessing” while Yeosang gets a “small blessing.” Wooyoung tries to cheer him up a little saying a blessing is a blessing and Yeosang has to agree before they tie their fortunes onto the great big tree of the shrine.
Wooyoung drags Yeosang around to the different restaurants he has wanted to try. They get the infamous Ichiran ramen, they try Coco Curry, the Aburasoba, and the Omurice. They also make sure to stop by a convenience store to try different Onigiris and bentos there.
The entire time Yeosang falls harder for Wooyoung.
The night before they are about to fly back home, they finally talk about everything.
“This isn’t going to end once we get back home is it?” Wooyoung had asked Yeossang and all of a sudden he realises that his confident best friend had hidden some deeper insecurities and Yeosang couldn’t have that.
“Of course not, Wooyoung,” Yeosang had said, instantly throwing himself into Wooyoung and hugging him tightly. “I’ll have you for as long as you want,” Yeosang adds as he cups Wooyoung’s face and showers him in kisses until the younger smiles so bright that his eyes turn into little crescent moons and his dimples show up.
The most beautiful smile ever.
Yeosang spends the rest of the night showing Wooyoung just how much this was real and how much his love for the younger was real.
________
They come back to Japan after they graduate from uni, just before Wooyoung is about to start his first “real” job at a restaurant. He may be washing pots for the first few months, maybe even years but he was ready. He knew he had to start somewhere and Yeosang, the ever supportive Yeosang had surprised him with two flight tickets to Japan.
“How did you manage to get tickets?” Wooyoung had asked him and Yeosang just smiled.
“I've been tutoring people on the side for some extra money along with my part time job,” Yeosang had said with a shrug.
It was their first ever trip alone and Japan was the perfect place to start. This was where they first confessed and shared their first kiss and even the first time they were intimate together. It held so many of their firsts and now it held another one.
They travel out of Tokyo this time round and stay at a little Inn at Hakone. They enjoyed the hot spring with a nice view of Mount Fuji and took a stroll through the town, visiting the different museums they visited the Hakone shrine and walked up to the torii gates in Lake Ashinoko. The view is beautiful and Yeosang can’t help but be mesmerised. He looks at Wooyoung who is busy taking photos and he has to stop Wooyoung so the younger can focus on taking in the view for himself.
Wooyoung presses himself against Yeosang and despite Yeosang's complaining, he still wraps his arms around Wooyoung as they stand there together just enjoying the moment.
“Thank you, Yeosang,” Wooyoung says. “This trip has been wonderful.”
Yeosang smiles at him.
“I think we both deserved a little break,” Yeosang says. “And I wanted to show you that I am so proud of you and that your hard work is worth celebrating,” he adds a little shyly. He was never good with words and Wooyoung always said it was okay but he couldn’t help but worry that he was making Wooyoung feel unloved.
“I really appreciate it, Sangie,” Wooyoung says. “And I know you’re proud of me, you have always been so supportive.”
“I’m glad, Woo.”
Yeosang really wasn't one to openly show his affection. He wasn’t good at voicing it and he certainly wasn’t any better at being physically affectionate. However, for Wooyoung who was so full of love and so open with his love, Yeosang will try and try he does as he gently wraps his arms around Wooyoung as he stands behind the younger.
Wooyoung let out a gasp in surprise before he let out his signature carefree laugh. He places his hands on top of Yeosang’s and they quietly sway together as they watch the sunset over the lake. Normally Yeosang would be self-conscious but just for today he ignores the other people around them.
No one is looking at us. Everyone is self-absorbed.
Yeosang even spares Wooyoung a kiss on his cheek.
“Okay, who are you and what have you done to my Yeosang?” Wooyoung asks in a teasing tone and Yeosang just laughs.
“I want to show you that you’re loved…I love you,” Yeosang says. He doesn’t hesitate to say it. He means it with all his heart.
Wooyoung lets out another gasp before he pulls himself away from Yeosang’s embrace. He turns towards Yeosang with wide, owlish eyes.
“Y— you what?” Wooyoung chokes.
“I love you, Wooyoung.”
Yeosang smiles at the way Wooyoung gets flustered. The loud and affectionate Wooyoung whom Yeosang thought he would never get to have, was getting flustered over three simple words from him.
Then he smiles at Yeosang and he thinks he forgets how to breathe.
“I love you too, Yeosang.”
Kissing under the sunset wasn’t in Yeosang’s bingo card but he wouldn’t exchange the moment for anything else. Wooyoung practically throws himself at Yeosang before kissing him. It’s far from perfect. Their noses clash and their teeth clank together but neither of them care.
It was perfect for them.
________
“How are you doing anyway? Did you have a nice time with your coworkers?”
Yeosang smiles at the sound of Wooyoung’s voice and nods despite knowing that Wooyoung won’t see him.
“Yeah…but I miss you,” he admits, he knows that Wooyoung probably has the biggest smile on his face and is probably trying not to burst out at the seams and announce it to the whole world. Yeosang wasn’t the one who was vocal about his feelings, it was always Wooyoung.
“Who are you and what have you done to my Yeosangie?” Wooyoung asks in a teasing tone and The older one lets out a playful huff.
“I am never going to say it again,” Yeosang says and he can hear Wooyoung’s dramatic gasp.
“I take it back! Tell me again how much you miss me!”
Yeosang rolls his eyes but he hasn’t stopped smiling.
“I miss you Wooyoungie…I wish you were here with me.”
“Well, wish no more, open the door.”
“Huh?” Yeosang asks in confusion as he sits up on the bed. He had been ready to sleep after his phone call with Wooyoung.
“Open the door, Sangie,” Wooyoung says again and Yeosang nods. He feels silly since Wooyoung can't see him.
Yeosang cracks open the door and lets out a gasp.
“Hi.”
Wooyoung stands there on the other side with a wide smile on his face that still makes Yeosang’s heart skip a beat.
“W– what are you doing here?” Yeosang asks as he slowly brings the phone away from his ear.
“Surprise?” Wooyoung says with a laugh as he puts down his own phone. Yeosang doesn’t know what to say so instead he hugs Wooyoung tightly. Wooyoung lets out a laugh before wrapping his arms around Yeosang tightly. “I missed you, Sangie.”
“I missed you too, Wooyoung-ah,” Yeosang says as they pull away. Wooyoung is still smiling and Yeosang can’t help but lean in for a quick kiss. It had only been four days and really Yeosang should have been focusing on work while Wooyoung should have been doing overtime at the restaurant, getting ready for the big opening of his own restaurant but they couldn't stop thinking about each other.
“I couldn’t get you out of my mind,” Wooyoung admits and Yeosang smiles.
“I couldn’t either…I am glad you’re here,” Yeosang confesses.
“Good, 'cause it was a long flight and I’m tired!” Wooyoung whines and Yeosang can only roll his eyes. “Make it worth my trip!”
“Getting to see me should be worth it,” Yeosang deadpans.
“Let me see if I can get a flight back home.”
“I was joking! Sorry, come on in. I am so happy to see you, Wooyoung,” Yeosang said as he took Wooyoung’s hand and led him into the small hotel room.
“You’re lucky I love you,” Wooyoung pretends to grumble but he is smiling the entire time as Yeosang fusses over him to make him feel welcome.
Wooyoung stops Yeosang’s fussing by pulling him into his arms and kissing him. They stumble a little at the impact but they both just end up giggling between kisses. Yeosang manages to get ahold of himself and cups Wooyoung’s face and kisses him back. They stumble towards the bed as Wooyoung pushes Yeosang a little, their kiss finally breaking.
Yeosang raises a brow at Wooyoung who only gives him a wink before connecting their lips again.
Once the back of Yeosang’s leg hits the bed, Wooyoung pushes him down on it. Yeosang lets out a little yelp in surprise and Wooyoung laughs at him. Yeosang glares up at him but Wooyoung only lets out another laugh before he places himself on Yeosang’s lap.
“Sorry, baby. Let me make it up to you for laughing,” Wooyoung whispers into Yeosang’s ear, sending a shiver down the older’s spine, and then his lips are on Yeosang’s neck.
________
Yeosang wakes up to the sunlight glaring down on his face. He whines a little and covers his eyes with his arm. It took him a while to realise that he wasn’t in his own bed and that he didn’t have his normal personal heater with him in bed.
“Wooyoung?”
He doesn’t get an answer, to no one’s surprise as Wooyoung was a heavy sleeper. He looks next to him and realises that Wooyoung isn’t in bed at all. He slowly sits up and he looks around the hotel room to find Wooyoung looking out the window with a cup of coffee in his hand. His back is facing Yeosang but he can’t help but admire how pretty Wooyoung looked under the sunlight.
Yeosang smiles to himself as he pulls his knees into his chest and rests his head on his knees. He can’t stop the small smile forming on his lips. He can’t believe he is lucky enough to be in love with his best friend and that they have been together for almost a decade now. He remembers the first time they confessed to each other. They were at Tokyo Tower, weren't they? His smile widens as he remembers how they got in trouble for sneaking out but neither of them regretted it.
They have come a long way since those days.
It hadn’t all been sunshine and rainbows and there were difficult times but they both had too much to lose by giving up on their relationship. They worked through things and communicated with each other. There were nights where they both confessed that maybe their relationship was a mistake but the idea of not being together and just being friends hurt both of them too much.
But for every bad moment, they had ten times more of the good moments. And Yeosang can honestly say that every good moment was worth it
Wooyoung was worth it.
“Morning, Sangie,” Wooyoung turns towards him with a bright smile. Yeosang smiles back.
“Morning, Woo.”
Yeosang drags himself out of bed and wraps his arms around Wooyoung’s waist. His head rests on his shoulder. Wooyoung laughs and Yeosng likes the way his laughter vibrates throughout his body.
“I’m really glad you came to Tokyo,” Yeosang says and Wooyoung’s smile widens.
“Me too.”
They stand there together for a while, still enjoying the view of the city.
Wooyoung finally puts his cup down on the windowsill and places his hands on top of Yeosang’s. He pries Yeosang’s hold off of him. Yeosang whines a little and puts up a small fight but Wooyoung nags him and forces Yeosang to stand still.
“Yeosang-ah,” Wooyoung speaks and Yeosang stiffens. There were very few moments in life when Wooyoung sounded so serious and Yeosang cannot help the way his anxiety took over. Wooyoung smiles and all the anxiety is dispelled. He traces his fingers over Yeosang’s furrowed brows. “Don’t stress, it’s nothing bad I promise,” Wooyoung adds and then kisses Yeosang’s nose. “You’re my best friend and I couldn’t be luckier to have you as my boyfriend.”
Yeosang smiles.
“I’m the lucky one.”
“Let me finish, Sangie,” Wooyoung gives him a little glare but he is smiling and Yeosang nods.
“We've been friends forever and I know you still complain about being bitten but I don’t regret it. I’m glad I bit you.”
Yeosang rolls his eyes but he is smiling too.
“I know I say this often so it might not feel like I mean it, but I mean it when I say that you’re important to me and I love you so much. I don't think I ever stopped since I started, so Kang Yeosang.”
Wooyoung finally lets go of his hands and pulls out a box.
Yeosang gasps and Wooyoung laughs.
Yeosang can feel the tears gathering in his eyes as Wooyoung gets down on his knee.
“I know marriage is out of the question but will you still honour me and be with me forever?” Wooyoung asks as he opens the box to reveal two matching rings. “If things ever change, I know that I would marry you in a heartbeat. I would marry you a hund– ”
Yeosang cuts him off as he gets on the floor himself and throws himself into Wooyoung.
“Yes!”
The tears have started falling down Yeosang’s face by now and he openly lets himself sob in joy.
“Of course, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Wooyoung,” Yeosang says as he cups Wooyoung’s face. “And yes, I would marry you a hundred times if I could,” Yeosang adds and then kisses Wooyoung. Their teeth clash and their noses get squished awkwardly but neither of them care.
Yeosang will later think about how similar this kiss was to their first kiss after they both confessed their love for each other in Hakone over the sunset, but right now, this was perfect and they were both happy.
________
JWYoung posted a new photo.
JWYoung tagged KangHehet in a photo.
KimHJ commented on a photo.
Happy for both of you…don’t forget my souvenirs.
ChoiMountain commented on a photo.
Amazing! Unbelievable!
MARS reacted to a photo.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
YunPuppy responded to a photo with a GIF.
ChoiBear reacted to a photo.
🤢
SongMinki commented on a photo.
My bbys are all grown up! ❤️
Under a photo of two hands with matching rings, six friends left countless messages of happiness and congratulatory messages, except one comment was the vomiting emoji.
But that’s okay, Wooyoung will make sure to make snide comments about Jongho hopelessly pining over his “secret” crush next time they meet.