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The fact that the beeping was coming from the fire alarm instead of his alarm clock registered at the same moment Seokjin realized Namjoon was no longer in bed. In less than a second, he went from comfortable contentedness to full panic mode, flinging himself out of bed so quickly that he almost brought the whole mattress with him when he got his feet tangled in the blanket.
He darted out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, grabbing one of the many fire extinguishers he had insisted on stashing around the apartment the day Namjoon moved in, and found himself confronted with a small pillar of flames rising from a pan and a very sheepish looking boyfriend.
Namjoon continued to give him sad, remorseful eyes as Seokjin sprayed fire extinguisher over the stove, examined the unrecognizable lump of metal and charcoal left behind after the flames were controlled, and then turned to look at the other man, heart still pounding with left over adrenaline.
The tips of Namjoon’s ears were pink, and he fiddled with the hem of his red and white pajama shirt. Seokjin recognized it as part of a matching set that he was pretty sure Hoseok had given them as a joke. “Um… good morning. Merry Christmas?”
Seokjin blinked at him, then flicked a glance at the stove before dropping the fire extinguisher on the counter. “What exactly were you trying to do?”
Namjoon’s shoulders slumped, and he ran his fingers through his hair, sending strands sticking up in all directions. “Well, it's Christmas morning, so, uh… I wanted to do something nice for you.”
Seokjin felt his lips twitch, and he resisted the urge to smooth down Namjoon’s hair, raising an eyebrow and trying to keep a straight face. “Like burn me alive in my sleep?”
Surprise made Namjoon jolt so hard that he almost toppled over, hand catching in his pajama top as he flailed, and Seokjin thought he could hear a seam pop. “What? No! I was trying to—ah, make you breakfast. Because it's Christmas.”
Seokjin couldn’t hold back his smile any longer, but he hid it in Namjoon’s skin as he wrapped his arms around his neck. “Babe, it's really sweet that you want to make me breakfast for Christmas morning, but I really don't want to fill out a fire report for Christmas afternoon, so how about you let me cook, okay?”
Namjoon’s huff was warm against his skin, and he nuzzled closer even as Namjoon’s voice took on a whiny tone.
“But that ruins everything. I was supposed to bring you breakfast in bed.”
Seokjin smiled and dropped a kiss behind Namjoon’s ear that got him a satisfying shiver, even as his boyfriend's shoulders maintained their disheartened slump. “As much as I appreciate the thought, love, I think burning the house down would be a little more disastrous than changing your plans. Just let me cook, and we can have breakfast together before we call the kids over.”
Heaving a sigh, Namjoon rubbed his face against Seokjin’s hair in a way that never failed to remind Seokjin of a cat. “But you don't understand, I need to—oh!”
He jerked upright so quickly that Seokjin was thrown off balance, and he couldn't hold back a little whimper as the loss of Namjoon’s body heat reminded him that he was standing in the kitchen in the middle of December in nothing but boxers and one of Namjoon's oversized T-shirts. Namjoon reached out to rub his hands over Seokjin’s arms without being asked, and beamed at him. Seokjin found himself torn between melting into the touch, and dragging Namjoon back to bed before the promise of that expression could land them in any more trouble.
“You can cook, but then you have to go back to bed so I can bring breakfast to you!”
Seokjin blinked, and a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “So you can bring me a Christmas breakfast in bed that I cooked?”
Jutting his bottom lip out, Namjoon gave him a pleading pout. “It's Christmas.”
Seokjin rolled his eyes. “Fine, I'll let you bring me my own cooking in bed. Dork.”
He grinned just as Namjoon darted in to kiss him, too quickly for him to respond, and he blinked again at Namjoon’s delighted expression.
“Thanks, hyung!” Namjoon’s eyes had almost vanished into his smile, and he grabbed Seokjin’s shoulders to turn him around and push him toward the bedroom. “Go take a shower now, and I'll clean up this mess, then you can cook!”
Seokjin dug his heels in, refusing to move, and glanced over his shoulder at Namjoon. “Hey! Are you trying to tell me I smell bad?”
Namjoon’s eyes widened comically, arms going slack, and Seokjin took the opportunity to spin around and pull him into a real kiss, fingers tangling in dyed strands of hair. A small noise of surprise escaped Namjoon, but then he was responding enthusiastically, sliding his hands down to grip Seokjin’s hips and pull them together. Seokjin sighed into the kiss, breaking it off only suck Namjoon’s lip into his mouth, eliciting a soft groan from his boyfriend as his fingers tightened on his hips.
Seokjin pulled away and ran his fingers down Namjoon’s neck, giving him a smirk. “How about we skip breakfast and both go back to bed?”
Namjoon smirked back, but untangled himself from Seokjin’s embrace, stepping away and leaving Seokjin pouting in the sudden cold for the second time that morning. “Nope. We’re both gonna clean up, you’re gonna cook, and I'm going to bring you breakfast in bed.”
It was Seokjin’s turn to sulk as Namjoon followed up his words by grabbing a sponge from the sink. “This had better be the best breakfast in bed ever, because so far I can think of a lot of better ways to be spending my Christmas morning with you.”
Namjoon laughed, but it sounded a bit strained. He glanced over at Seokjin, and his expression was oddly hopeful in a way that made Seokjin’s heart jump. “It will be.”
Seokjin took that promise with him through his shower, and when he reemerged, hair still warm from the blow dryer and dressed in the ridiculously festive pajamas that matched Namjoon’s, he found that the other man had somehow gotten rid of the entire mess already, though he could spot the handle of the pan sticking out of the trash can.
He crept up behind Namjoon as he futilely tried to save the ruined sponge at the sink and wrapped his arms around his waist, laying a kiss against the side of his neck.
Namjoon shut off water and spun around in Seokjin’s arms, looking excited. “Are you ready?”
Seokjin couldn't help smiling back, happiness filling him so completely as he remembered for the countless time why he loved the man in front of him that, for a moment, he almost forgot how to breathe. He dropped his head to Namjoon’s neck to hide his embarrassing grin and sudden flush. It had been five years and Namjoon could still reduce him to the love struck idiot he'd been in college. “What am I supposed to be cooking?”
He mumbled the question into Namjoon’s neck, and the younger man flinched, huffing a laugh as Seokjin’s breath tickled his skin. “Red bean pancakes!”
Seokjin pulled back to stare at him. “You were trying to make red bean pancakes?”
Ears turning pink again, Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck, giving Seokjin a crooked smile. “They're your favorite.”
Seokjin was overwhelmed again by a rush of emotions and affection for the other man. He ducked in to plant another kiss on Namjoon’s mouth, lingering against his lips for a moment to whisper, “Thank you.”
Namjoon’s ears were bright red when he pulled back. “I ruined them, though.”
“How does that phrase go? It's the thought that counts?” Seokjin bopped him on the nose with his index finger, making them both grin. “Thank you for the thought. Now get out of the way so I can cook.”
Namjoon only moved out of the way as much as absolutely necessary, following Seokjin around the kitchen as he gathered ingredients, and wrapping his arms around Seokjin’s waist to rest his chin on his shoulder and watch him work whenever Seokjin was stationary. If nothing else, though, the last five years had at least gotten him used to this, though Namjoon’s whispered comments of how sexy he was when he cooked never failed to be a slight distraction.
When he finally had a plate full of red bean pancakes, he turned off the stove and spun around to relieve some of the pent up frustration Namjoon’s words had been provoking, only to find his shoulders grabbed as Namjoon pushed him toward the bedroom again.
“Okay! Now go back to bed, and I'll bring you breakfast!”
Seokjin huffed out something that he hoped sounded like less of a whine to the other man than it did to his own ears. “Really, Joonie? I'm already up! We could just eat together here!”
Namjoon stepped around to face him, that pleading expression back on his face, and Seokjin let his shoulders slump, already knowing he'd lost. “Please, hyung? Let me do this?”
“Okay, okay.” Seokjin sighed, but Namjoon beamed and planted an enthusiastic kiss on Seokjin’s cheek.
“Thanks, hyung! I love you!”
Seokjin grumbled under his breath as he retreated to their room, but he couldn't hold back the happy grin those words still inspired once he'd pulled the covers back over his head. Despite how long he'd already been awake, the bed was still soft and he was content, and, in the long minutes waiting for Namjoon, he’d almost drifted off to sleep again with his nose pressed into Namjoon’s pillow, breathing in his scent. He didn't both reacting when the door opened again, comfortable and only half-awake.
“Hyung?”
Namjoon’s voice was soft, like he actually thought Seokjin was really sleeping, and Seokjin stayed quiet, still hovering at the line of sleep and alertness. He heard Namjoon’s feet pad across the floor and a clatter as the breakfast tray was placed on the nightstand. Then the bed dipped, covers lifting slightly as Namjoon slipped under them and scooted over to where Seokjin was curled up.
Fingers found Seokjin’s hair first, brushing it back from his forehead and smoothing down his neck, and Seokjin almost opened his eyes at that when Namjoon slid closer and pressed their lips together, his hand moving down Seokjin’s neck and back to wrap around his hip again and pull them both together. Seokjin made a soft sound, and Namjoon broke the kiss to chuckle against his lips.
“Merry Christmas, hyung.”
Seokjin nuzzled against him, rubbing their noses together and smiling, eyes still closed. “Merry Christmas, love.”
He could feel Namjoon’s smile against his mouth, and reached a hand up to trace his dimple. “I brought you breakfast in bed.”
Seokjin couldn't help a soft laugh. “Oh really?”
Namjoon’s dimple deepened under his fingertips, and Seokjin finally opened his eyes to find Namjoon beaming at him in the dimness under the blanket. “Yep. I had to have this really gorgeous, sexy guy help me cook, though.”
Seokjin hummed as Namjoon’s hand crept from his hip to sneak further back. “Did you, now?”
Namjoon’s eyes were crescents. “I think I'm going to have to give him a special thank you after we eat breakfast.”
Seokjin jumped as Namjoon’s fingers suddenly pinched where they'd been previously rubbing soft circles, and Seokjin flicked his cheek in revenge. “You're an imp.”
Namjoon laughed brightly and threw the blanket down off their heads. “Come on, hyung. It's Christmas! Have some breakfast!”
Grabbing the tray too quickly, Namjoon almost toppled the contents into both their laps before Seokjin took over and placed it safely between them. In addition to the plate of pancakes, there were strawberries and slices of apple and a red cloth napkin folded into something that was probably supposed to be a heart. Seokjin’s own heart felt like it was going to burst, and he smiled helplessly as Namjoon fumbled with the Thermos still on the nightstand and shoved a cup of tea under his nose.
“Here! Drink this first!”
Namjoon’s voice was oddly high, and Seokjin glanced at him over the rim of his cup to find him twisting his hands into the hem of his pajama top again. Seokjin placed the cup on his own nightstand and tilted his head. “Joonie, are you—”
“Ah!” Namjoon’s exclamation made him jump. “If you're done, you should try the food! Here, put this napkin on your lap.”
Seokjin gave him a long look, confused and a bit suspicious of his boyfriend's behavior, but Namjoon avoided his gaze, using his chopsticks to rearrange pieces of fruit. “Okay.” Namjoon’s ears went pink, probably at the wariness in Seokjin’s voice, but Seokjin looked down to grab the napkin and shake it out.
And froze. Under the napkin was a small, open box with two rings.
Over the blood suddenly rushing through his ears, Seokjin could hear Namjoon clear his throat, and the bed shifted as Namjoon sat straighter and reached down to pick up the box.
“Kim Seokjin. I've known you for almost six years, and I have loved you for every minute of it with a love that has only grown stronger over time.” Seokjin pried his eyes from the rings to Namjoon’s face to find him looking determined, despite the way his cheeks were a little too pale. “I know we can't get married legally, but…” he trailed off, and Seokjin was distracted from his eyes by the bob of his throat as he swallowed hard. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want to show the rest of the world that I have you and you have me. So…” Namjoon used his free hand to push the tray out of the way and moved closer until they were knee-to-knee, and Seokjin couldn't have pulled his gaze from Namjoon’s eyes if he wanted to. “Kim Seokjin, will you marry me?”
Seokjin stared at him, speechless, as Namjoon held up the box of rings. It wasn't until Namjoon started chewing on his bottom lip, his determined expression faltering into something uncertain, that Seokjin realized he still hadn't replied.
“Hey.” Namjoon’s eyes widened at Seokjin’s abrasive tone. “Who gave you the right to ask me that?” Namjoon’s cheeks went even paler and he started to shrink back, but Seokjin grabbed the hand holding the rings, and leaned forward to press their foreheads together. “I'm still the older one, you punk. Who gave you the right to propose first?”
The laugh Namjoon gave was weak and relieved. “Did you want to do it first then, hyung?”
“Yes. No.” Seokjin pulled back just enough that he could see Namjoon’s eyes. “I just want to marry you in whatever form it takes.” Namjoon’s eyes were overly bright, and even the way he was biting his lip couldn’t hide his smile. Seokjin reached up to trace his cheek. “Hey, are you going to cry?”
Namjoon’s laugh was wet, but he shook his head. “No, I'm too happy to cry. Can I—can I put your ring on you?”
Seokjin wondered if it was healthy for a heart to feel as full as his did as he held out his hand, and Namjoon slid a ring onto his finger.
He grabbed Namjoon’s hand before he could pull out the second one, though. “Wait! Seeing as I made the breakfast, this is my proposal, too.”
Namjoon grinned at him. “Oh really?”
Seokjin batted his fingers away from the ring and picked it up. “Yes. So my turn.” He shifted so he was looking directly at Namjoon again, his brain spinning with words and emotions and feeling, overwhelmed by everything he wanted to do and say, with an undercurrent of joy that was threatening to sweep him away. “Kim Namjoon, you broke down my defenses the same way you’ve broken my windows, my dishware, and my technology.” Namjoon’s smile was sheepish, but he leaned into his touch as Seokjin cupped his cheek. “You stole my heart and, for the last five years, I couldn't have imagined giving it to anyone else. From today onwards I'll promise it to only you for as long as you'll have it.”
Namjoon’s eyes definitely looked teary, but he smirked at Seokjin. “Has anyone ever told you how cheesy you are, hyung?”
Seokjin huffed. “Says the man who planned all of this. Now give me your hand so I can show everyone you're mine.”
Namjoon’s smile burst out fully as Seokjin slid his ring on, and Seokjin ignored the few tears that escaped down his cheeks like the good boyfriend—no, fiancé—that he was, and twined their hands together so their rings glinted side by side.
“Kim Namjoon.” His voice was quiet, and Namjoon leaned closer. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”
Namjoon’s grin was blinding. “I don't know, hyung. I think you might have mentioned it once or twice, but, you know, actions speak louder than words.”
Seokjin chased the smirk off his face with a kiss that ended with him straddling Namjoon’s lap, both of them beaming at each other breathlessly. Without moving, he twisted to grab the tray from where it was perched precariously at the side of the bed, and moved it to the nightstand. Turning back to Namjoon, he tangled his fingers through his hair and smiled down at him. “Personally, I think breakfast can wait a bit longer. And I think I was promised something about a thank you?”
Namjoon laughed, and lunged up to kiss Seokjin again, using the momentum to topple them both over until he was leaning over where Seokjin was sprawled on the bed. He broke the kiss to beam down at him. “Merry Christmas, future husband.”
Seokjin could feel his cheeks heat, and he resigned himself to being as flustered as a teenager for the rest of his life. “Merry Christmas, you giant dork.”
Namjoon’s laughter was the most delicious sound in the world, and Seokjin swallowed it down, feeling it fill in his chest and lighting up his skin where Namjoon’s fingers traced their way along his sides. Merry Christmas, indeed.