Chapter Text
Henri's eyes fluttered open, greeted by soft sunlight filtering into the studio apartment. A warm presence rested beside him, soft snores intermingling with the melody of chirping birds outside.
Careful not to move too much, Henri reached for his glasses on the nightstand. Once they were on, he was awarded a better view of the blond nestled against his body.
There was a noticeable difference in June’s expression now compared to how he looked while sleeping back at the center, and Henri had the photos to prove it. His health had improved leaps and bounds - partly due to his care, as well as June’s resilient nature.
It felt like only yesterday that Henri had been tasked as the blond’s doctor at the center - something he had viewed only as an obligation at first. It wasn’t until he started to get to know June more that he truly became captivated by his charm.
That was a year and a half ago.
Henri had finally reached his breaking point with his family, about to leave on his own if it weren’t for June’s near-death experience on Jumin’s island. That scare put many things into perspective for Henri. He learned that he needed June in his life as much (if not more) than June needed his supervision and care.
The next time June asked him to stay by his side, Henri agreed. Together, they escaped toxic living environments, moved to a new country for a fresh start, and entered a new, healthier chapter in their lives together. There were ups and downs, but ultimately, they were able to create a lifestyle that better suited them.
Today marked one year since their friendship became so much more, and Henri wanted to ensure it was perfect.
"Mmm…" A soft hum left June as he shifted slightly beside the other, not quite waking up.
Henri smirked faintly, unable to resist leaning in to kiss the other's forehead. The affectionate action made June’s eyes flutter open, meeting the doctor’s gaze with sleepy sage green hues.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty…" Henri softly teased, moving a hand up to run through the other's messy locks.
"Hnn…the prince is supposed to wake sleeping beauty with a kiss on the lips, you know…" June teased back with a somewhat groggy voice, nagging him a bit since he knew that Henri typically preferred to brush his teeth first thing in the morning.
"In that case…" Henri replied, moving his hand to hold the other's chin before leaning in to give him a true prince’s kiss. The action seemed to surprise June by the way he hesitated for a moment, only to gradually melt into the action with a giddy little grin appearing on his lips.
Once Henri leaned back, he opened his navy blue hues and grazed his thumb against his cheek.
"Happy anniversary, June."
His lover's eyes glistened with joy before he leaned in to rest his forehead against Henri’s.
"Happy first anniversary, hehe."
The adorable giggle June let out was just one of the many reasons Henri had fallen for June - a glimpse at his innocent side that the doctor found refreshing.
"You seem happy about that…are you surprised we made it this far or something?" The dark-haired male questioned with a playful smile on his face.
"Considering how we met? Yes…" June replied before bringing a hand up to brush Henri's bangs aside. "Even I sometimes question dating a two-faced liar…"
Henri wrapped his arms around the other's waist at those words, pulling him close to his chest. "Hey…can we not bring that up on our anniversary of all days…?" He asked, rubbing the other's sides over the silk pajama shirt he wore. "I baked you those cookies out of the kindness of my heart…"
A soft laugh escaped June before the other nuzzled his face into the crook of Henri’s neck. "Which I never ate because I thought you were some creepy stalker…" he murmured, his breath brushing against the other's skin which sent an electrifying tingle through his body.
Henri softly sighed, ruffling a hand through the other's hair. "And yet, here we are…"
"I’d say things turned out for the best."
While Henri couldn't see June’s face, he could hear the smile in his tone, which set his heart aflutter. Truthfully, there was a time he doubted June would ever see him as more than a friend. It felt like an impossible dream. And yet, there he was, holding the first person he felt genuine feelings towards against his chest.
He was more than just lucky. Every morning he woke up beside June was another reminder that leaving his prior life behind had been the best possible decision he could make.
The couple remained silent for a few moments after that - simply enjoying this time next to each other. Henri closed his eyes, focusing on the gentle touch of June grazing his fingers over his chest as he traced wavy lines along his skin. He liked to imagine June was planning his next masterpiece, using his body as a sketchbook - one that only his eyes would see. Each gentle touch from his lover sent a pleasurable sensation through him; a desire for more would surely awaken if he allowed this to continue.
However…
"As much as I’d love to spend the morning in bed with you…I need to get up for work."
June’s eyes widened in disbelief, his lips parting, "But it's our anniversary - can't you call out…?" There was a slight whine to his voice as the blond shifted closer and moved a hand up to run through the other’s raven-colored bangs. "Please, Dr. Henri…?" He begged, using the nickname he wielded whenever he wanted his boyfriend to do something for him.
Henri felt warm from the other's words. However, he also had a plan that he needed to stick to. Deviations were too unpredictable to risk.
"I'm sorry, love. You know how difficult it can be to take time off…" he replied, his hands slipping beneath the other's shirt to rub his sides apologetically before teasingly taking them back as he sat up and moved to the edge of their bed.
June wasn't about to let his lover go that easily, though. He crawled up onto his knees behind Henri, draping his arms over the doctor’s shoulders and whispering in his ear, "You still have to shower, though~ If I join you…"
Before June could excite him any further with that train of thought, Henri shook his head and stood up. "You're too much of a distraction for me, and you know it. Remember the last time?" He pointed out as he reached for his robe from the dresser.
"So you were a little late, no big deal…"
"I was more than a little late," Henri pointed out, eliciting a low whine and powerful pout from his boyfriend, who remained perched on the edge of the bed.
"You told me yourself that you didn't regret it. Plus, today's our anniversary - our first anniversary."
Henri smiled apologetically at his lover while putting his robe on, only to lean in to give him a consoling peck on the cheek.
"I promise I will make this up to you, bijou," Henri replied, using the pet name he had given June not long after they had started dating. It translated to "jewel" in French while also reminding him of an old anime he had watched. June had reminded him of a hamster so much in the early days of their friendship that he had actually saved his contact name as that when they first exchanged numbers. Therefore, the nickname was suitable in more ways than one.
June gazed back at Henri for a moment before grabbing his pillow and hugging it close to his chest. "It's going to take a lot to make this up to me, Mr. Workaholic…" he replied before burying himself beneath the sheets. Henri almost laughed at how much he resembled a hamster then and there.
"I know, love," Henri replied, placing a hand over the bundle of sheets to give him a couple of reassuring pats. "Let's enjoy breakfast together once I finish showering...unless you prefer to sleep in." He teased before walking to the bathroom.
"You already know my answer...!" June called out as Henri closed the bathroom door, leaning back against it with a smile on his face.
While he felt bad for lying to June, he knew there was no other way. He wasn’t above lying for a justifiable cause. And if all were to go well today, the goal would more than justify the means.
“Now let’s hope everything goes smoothly…” Henri murmured to himself, his hand brushing over the small box he had placed in the pocket of his robe the night before.
Today was going to be perfect - he would accept nothing less.