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There are so many words in this world as a tools to communicate our feeling or thought, but sometimes you just can't find the right words to express it, and that's what Lee Minhyeong thought about Lee Sanghyeok's existence. He's someone who's skillful at choosing the right words to convey his thought, even making it as a way for him to survive in this world, yet when he stares at Lee Sanghyeok, he become speechless, unable to clearly arrange the right words.
A word is not enough to define Lee Sanghyeok. From his head to toe, he seems like someone who's fortunate, being one of the chosen, carefully crafted by God with so much care and attention. Everyone can see it from his smooth silky black hair and pale white skin with delicate features. His slanted, foxy eyes carrying a hint of playfullness seems to pull people like a magnet, attracting people just with his glint of amusement. His lips, with the tips that seems to raised just enough to catch people attention everytime he talks, appear to tug into people's hearts and mind. Whenever he speak, his voice that sound light and feathery, had the power to make people pause and listen, often ending up agreeing with whatever he said. Lee Minhyeong suspected that he might secretly possess a siren-like ability, luring people like sailors to the depth of sea, since every people that have connection with Lee Sanghyeok appear to be smitten for him, and held him in high regards.
With his appearance alone, Lee Sanghyeok could probably take over the world and start world domination. But because of his humble nature, he chose to use other strengths instead. God hadn’t just blessed him with beauty, but with immense talent too. His dainty, delicate fingers glided skillfully across the monochrome piano keys, producing harmonies that enraptured anyone who listened. Basked under stage light, at the center of stage, he bowed after roar and applause from people, an act of courtesy presented for the audience. Lee Minhyeong was among them, and when their eyes met and he gave him that gorgeous smile, he know he was done for.
"What are you dreaming about?" The soft whisper on his ear waking him up from his reverie. Groaning a little while the other person giggling on top of him, Lee Minhyeong opened one of his eyes. There is Lee Sanghyeok, wearing nothing but a loose dress shirt that barely covering his whole body, sitting proudly on his stomach, seemingly uncaring whether he's disturbing him or not. His head titled slightly, showing his curiosity. "I'm dreaming about you", he answered truthfully, his hand sneaking to slide under Sanghyeok’s shirt, playfully pinching his soft waist. Had he already described Sanghyeok’s body? Not only was he blessed with stunning looks, but he also had an alluring physique. His small waist accentuated his figure, making him irresistible in Minhyeong’s eyes. Distracted by the exposed curve of Sanghyeok’s shoulder peeking from the messy shirt, Minhyeong tried to sit up while keeping him close. He pressed butterfly kisses along his collarbone, rewarded with another one of Sanghyeok’s lovely giggles.
"Why are you dreaming about me?" Sanghyeok asked after his laughter subsided.
"I don't know... maybe because I still can't believe you're mine. What did I ever do in a past life to deserve you?" Minhyeong said smoothly.
Sanghyeok scrunched his nose and lightly punched his chest.
"You're so cheesy," he commented, making Minhyeong laugh out loud at his adorable reaction.
"Guess I’ll have to repay my cosmic good luck by doing good deeds for the community," he added with a grin.
Lee Sanghyeok smiled at his words and playfully replied, "Don’t forget to treat Choi Wooje."
Lee Minhyeong scoffed at the mention of that name. Choi Wooje. Of course, he was thankful to that brat because he was the bridge that brought him and Sanghyeok together. But every time they met, Wooje always annoyingly reminded him about how he’d essentially played part to become their Cupid, demanding repayment in the form of meals that always drained Minhyeong’s wallet. Still, he loved him. He was grateful for Wooje’s help, and he was his adorable baby cousin, after all. So, he can justify it as a reason to spoil him a little bit.
Amused by Lee Minhyeong pouty expressions, Sanghyeok let out a laugh and placed his head on the crook of his neck. He is adorable when he get whiny like this. He had met Lee Minhyeong when he was in the early stages of his career. At that time, he still trying to earn a living by giving piano lessons, and Wooje was one of his students. Wooje's parents were passionate and indulgent, allowing him to try out a variety of hobbies, and piano was one of them. One day, Choi Wooje showed up with someone else beside him. He introduced the man as Lee Minhyeong, an aspiring writer for a local magazine. Since Lee Minhyeong had been tasked with writing a feature for the arts column, he asked Choi Wooje to introduce him to his teacher.
Lee Sanghyeok still remembered the sensation of warmth transferred through their handshake. Their hands seemed to mold perfectly together, leaving a lasting impression on his mind. Lee Minhyeong requested an interview about him and his work, and Lee Sanghyeok agreed. They conducted a brief interview, and in just that short time, Lee Sanghyeok could sense he could trust him wholeheartedly, something that surprised him, as he rarely opened up to strangers. Yet, Lee Minhyeong’s warmth seemed to melt his wariness.
With his debut show just around the corner, he invited Lee Minhyeong out of politeness. Smiling as they said their goodbyes, Lee Minhyeong promised to attend the show.
As he was busily getting his makeup done, a knock echoed through the backstage room. A staff member entered, carrying a pot of basil flowers, which they placed carefully on the small table in the room. Curiously, Lee Sanghyeok walked over to inspect the gift. He checked the sender’s name, wondering who had sent it, since he had never received a pot of basil flowers before.
He let out a soft laugh when he saw that it was from Lee Minhyeong, with a small note attached. The note read: In Italy, basil represents good wishes, I hope you have good luck on your debut show, with a small drawing of four leaf clover in the corner. Seeing the words full of encouragement made his heart swell with an unexpected warmth, leaving him feeling both touched and grateful.
Taking a deep breath, he took a step on the stage, touched the piano and began to start his performance. A sense of relieve washes over him as he hears the roar of applause about his performance as he bowed in front of the audiences. When he raised his head, he accidentaly had an eye contact with Lee Minhyeong, who smiling proudly and clapping his hand excitedly. In his eyes, Lee Minhyeong eyes always looks clear and show his honest feeling, that's why when he saw his eyes full of warmth, pride and affection, he tried so hard to calm his erratic heartbeat.
After he wrapping up everything, he spotted Lee Minhyeong leaning casually against the hallway wall. The moment their eyes met, Lee Minhyeong eagerly approached him, holding a bouquet of pink tulips. "Congratulations, Sanghyeok hyung! You did so well," he said, handing him the flowers.
"Flowers again? I didn’t know you were the romantic type, Lee Minhyeong," he teased, watching as a blush slowly crept across his face. Lee Minhyeong scratched the back of his neck, clearly flustered, which only made him look even more endearing.
"Anyway, my article about you is coming out soon. Please check it out, hyung," Lee Minhyeong added, quickly shifting the topic.
"Alright then," he smiled, taking the flowers. "But how am I supposed to check it out? I don’t think you’ve given me a link or anything."
Lee Minhyeong paused, then smiled sheepishly. "Ah, right! I was going to send it to you. Can I have your number? That way I can send you the link directly."
Lee Sanghyeok raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Smooth. You’re using the article as an excuse to ask for my number."
Lee Minhyeong blushed even deeper, looking away for a moment before shrugging, still grinning. "Maybe just a little."
Sanghyeok laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, fine. Here," he said, pulling out his phone and handing it over. "Don’t make me wait too long for that link."
Lee Minhyeong quickly entered his number, handing the phone back with a bright smile. "I won’t, hyung. I promise."
It seems that Lee Minhyeong is a man of his word. When he arrived home, he felt his phone vibrate, checking his phone, he could see a new message notification. It was from Lee Minhyeong, who had sent him a link to an article accompanied by a cute bowing dog sticker. He quickly replied with a thumbs-up emoji.
Previously, he told Lee Minhyeong that he trusted his writing enough so he doesn't need to send him drafts for approval beforehand, therefore this was the first time he reads the article. As he read, he could clearly see Lee Minhyeong's writing style, which reflected his personality. The writing was mostly objective, with invinsible guide that intrigued readers and kept them engaged. He managed to make the words flow smoothly while offering interesting insights and perspectives that are often overlooked by others.
A few days later, a wave of overwhelmingly positive reviews about Lee Sanghyeok’s performance began circulating online. Many praised his ability to move their hearts through his music, calling him a potential prodigy and a rising star in becoming maestro. Additionally, the article published about him led even more people to praise his artistic vision and musicality.
Seeing all the positive reviews about his performance made Lee Sanghyeok feel genuinely grateful, all his hard work was finally paying off. Thanks to Lee Minhyeong’s article, even more people were starting to notice and appreciate his music. He wanted to invite Minhyeong to celebrate together, but wasn’t sure how to bring it up. As he was thinking about how to invite him, his gaze fell on the pot of basil on the kitchen counter. Suddenly, an idea struck on his mind. He could invite him over for dinner and cook his specialty dish, spaghetti that he's confident on cooking it. Then, he quickly opened the messaging app on his phone.
While still trying to form the right words to invite him, a new message from Lee Minhyeong pops up.
Lee Minhyeong:
Hyung, I saw your performance trending! As expected from the maestro :3
Seeing the message, Lee Sanghyeok can’t help but laugh. He quickly types back:
Lee Sanghyeok:
Thanks! How about joining me for dinner to celebrate?
Lee Minhyeong:
Sure! When?
Lee Sanghyeok:
Tomorrow.
And with that, Lee Minhyeong sends a sticker of a hand hovering above, signaling "OK."
The next day, after preparing himself and double-checking his recipe over and over, Lee Minhyeong finally arrived. He even brought a bottle of wine as a gift. Cooking spaghetti with someone watching felt nerve-wracking, but he managed to stay composed. Lee Minhyeong offered to help, but he declined, saying the guest should simply sit back and relax. When he served the dishes, his nerves began to rise. But as soon as he saw Lee Minhyeong's twinkling eyes and thumbs-up of approval, he felt a wave of relief. Just like when he writes his articles, Lee Minhyeong’s comments on the food were rich with detailed opinions. Opening the bottle of wine, they clinked their glasses of wine together, a quiet but meaningful gesture of celebration, each wishing the other continued success in their careers.
Lee Sanghyeok didn't realize how pleasant talking with Lee Minhyeong could be. In their first meeting, the conversations were brief and focused on specific topics since it was interview, but now he found it interesting that they could talk so comfortably about so many different things. It seemed like Lee Minhyeong truly understood him. They could talk for hours without getting bored, as Lee Minhyeong always brought up interesting topics. Watching his naturally rosy cheeks grow redder with each passing moment due to the wine, Lee Sanghyeok couldn't help but think that Lee Minhyeong was like an adorable doll, seemingly made to understand him and perfectly match his preferences, from his appearances and personality, tailored only just for him. Since the first time he laid his eyes on him, he felt an invisible string pulling him closer to Lee Minhyeong, wanting to get to know him more and more.
They started making it a regular thing to get together for dinner. Sometimes, Choi Wooje would tag along with Lee Minhyeong. Speaking of Choi Wooje, he decided to stop his piano lessons because he wanted to focus on pursuing a career as a professional gamer. Occasionally, his dining room would be filled with laughter and banter because they both love to annoy each other to death, and he would just smile, watching their shenanigans.
As his popularity grew, he became busier, with a packed schedule that left him little time to meet Lee Minhyeong. To make matters worse, Minhyeong had been transferred to a new department focused on culinary arts, requiring frequent travel to various provinces to cover traditional cuisine. Although they tried to stay in touch through messages on an app, their busy schedules meant they rarely had time to use their phones at the same time, making communication difficult. Despite not being able to attend his shows, Minhyeong always made sure a bucket of pink tulips was delivered to him, lifting his spirits whenever he saw them.
Lee Sanghyeok doesn't like the growing distance between them. His feelings for Lee Minhyeong remain unchanged, but the lack of communication has left him disheartened, not by Lee Minhyeong, but by their situation. He needs him, especially after a long, exhausting day filled with countless encounters. Despite his calm demeanor, Lee Sanghyeok is sensitive to other people's emotions, which can leave him feeling overwhelmed after meeting so many people. He can sense negative feelings like jealousy and hatred, making the experience even more draining. On top of that, being caught in a dating rumor is something he never imagined. However, a blurry photo of him and his sponsor was snapped by hungry gossip driven journalist. He hopes Lee Minhyeong won’t misunderstand, because the thought of Lee Minhyeong turning away from his life is unbearable. But their ambigous relationship makes it's hard to tell whether he feel the same way or not.
Time passes quickly, and before he knows it, it's already time for the final show. A knock on the door interrupts his thoughts, and his agent enters, smiling brightly while clapping his hands as Lee Sanghyeok adjusts his suit for the show. "It's a full house today," he grinned, his voice full of excitement. "I know you’re truly gifted, Lee Sanghyeok," he added as he stepped closer. Used to his agent's praise, Lee Sanghyeok continued focusing on adjusting his sleeves.
"By the way," the agent continued, "After the show, Chairman Park’s daughter, your sponsor, will visit you. You two can have a nice dinner together."
Hearing this, Lee Sanghyeok’s mood turned sour. "Could you please stop arranging meetings with her? Isn’t the gossip enough?" he asked, his voice sharp and different from his usual calm tone.
"Hmm... but it's still boosting your popularity, so it’s not without its use. Besides, it seems like she likes you too, so why not take the chance? Maybe your sponsorship will grow," his agent explained with a sly smile. Lee Sanghyeok disliked the opportunistic tone, but said nothing.
"I don’t like her," he replied coldly. "I only met her because you asked me to."
"Aww, that’s too bad," the agent murmured, his smile still present. "But don’t forget, big opportunities don’t come easily." He leaned in, whispering as he tucked a rose into Lee Sanghyeok’s suit pocket and smoothed it down. "Good luck," he added, tapping Lee Sanghyeok’s shoulder before leaving the backstage room.
Letting out a sigh, Lee Sanghyeok’s gaze landed on the rose. It reminded him of the pink tulips he had received from Lee Minhyeong, along with the encouraging message. Oddly, he hadn’t seen the flowers; they were always in his sight before the show started. When he asked the staff about them, they told him the flowers might still be on their way due to heavy traffic. He felt a strange unease, but tried to push it aside, focusing instead on the performance ahead. The packed audience was waiting, and he couldn’t afford to let anything throw him off.
Fortunately, his performance went well, and he felt relieved, thinking the bad feelings were all just in his head. But the moment he opened the backstage door and saw someone he didn’t want to see, he realized his instincts were rarely wrong.
There she was, Park Sooyeong, holding a large bouquet of roses, shyly smiling at him. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she congratulated him, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue that made her look even more beautiful. He was sure most people would agree with that opinion, but unfortunately, his heart already belonged to someone else, someone who reminded him of a cute bear.
He hesitated for a moment before taking the flowers, offering a quick thank-you and setting the bouquet on a small table. Still smiling, Sooyeong clasped her hands behind her back and began chatting excitedly.
“Your performance was amazing, oppa. Honestly… your music’s been helping me sleep better.”
He smiled politely. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”
She beamed at the praise landing. “Oh! By the way, we’re still on for dinner, right? What do you feel like eating?” she asked, lightly taking his arm and swaying it playfully.
His smile faded just a little. “Actually… I’m really sorry, but I have another schedule tonight. I won’t be able to make it.”
At that, her expression shifted immediately. “Lies,” she said. “I heard from your agent that you don’t have anything scheduled. Oppa, why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m sorry,” he said calmly, trying to explain. “I’m just don't want to worsening the rumor between us. I don't want your image to be tainted because of me”
But his words only seemed to make her angrier.
“Oppa, you know I like you—like, really like you! I'm fine with the rumor that says we're together. Is it because that I like you, you are bothered by me ?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Lee Sanghyeok hesitated, not wanting to hurt her further. But the air between them was heavy with misunderstanding, and silence would only make it worse.
Taking a breath, he lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "There’s already someone in my heart. I just hope... we can still work together professionally."
He gave a quick, respectful bow and turned to leave. But just as he stepped out of the room, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Just... give me a chance. I really like you."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and for a moment, time seemed to pause, until some movement caught Sanghyeok’s attention.
At the end of the hallway stood Lee Minhyeong, holding a bouquet of red tulips. He had frozen mid-step, watching the scene unfold, bouquet wilting slightly in his tightening grip.
Awkwardly, Minhyeong stepped forward, forcing a smile as he extended the flowers.
“Sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he muttered, glancing between them.
Without waiting for a response, he turned to leave.
Sanghyeok’s chest tightened. No. Minhyeong was the only person he doesn't want to get misunderstood by. He hurriedly called out his name.
“Minhyeong! Wait! please, it’s not what it looks like!”
But Minhyeong was already walking away, and Sanghyeok felt the weight of the worst scenario happened quickly in front of him.
Bowing slightly, offering an apologetic gesture once more before leaving her, he tried to catch up to Lee Minhyeong, even ignoring his agent’s confused shouts about the situation. Catching his breath at the side of the road, Lee Sanghyeok felt like his thought and tension were in chaos. Great. Now, because he had left his phone behind, he had no way of contacting Lee Minhyeong to ask about his whereabouts. It seemed pointless to search for him without knowing where he had gone, but trusting his gut feeling that Lee Minhyeong wasn’t far away, he decided to keep walking.
As he glanced at the crumpled bouquet of red tulips in his hand, he suddenly remembered the strange message from Lee Minhyeong the day before. He had mentioned there might be a surprise for him since it was the final show. But why red tulips? He had never sent him red tulips before, only pink ones. Unless… his eyes widened in realization. Quickly, he picked up his pace, hoping to find him as soon as possible.
It seemed that luck was still on his side when he finally spotted Lee Minhyeong sitting alone at the edge of the fountain, his expression clouded. Lee Sanghyeok walked closer, breaking the silence with a light tone.
"I didn’t know you were such a fast walker. It’s hard to keep up with you."
At the sound of his voice, Minhyeong looked up, startled. His eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly stood, a flurry of questions tumbling out.
"Hyung! What are you doing here? Isn’t there a wrap-up party? Why is the main character out here alone?"
Sanghyeok waved off the barrage of questions, his tone soft but firm. "Forget it. It’s not important." He took another step forward, his gaze softening as he asked, "Why did you leave so suddenly?"
At that question, Minhyeong shifted his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, that... I didn’t want to disturb you... it seemed like you had something important to discuss," he explained, his eyes timidly meeting his. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "So, what was the result?" His voice trembled with nervousness.
Letting out a sigh, Lee Sanghyeok stared at him intently. "Minhyeong, there’s nothing going on between me and her. I already have someone in my heart," he explained. Minhyeong’s eyes widened in surprise, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. His gaze flickered, unwilling to meet Sanghyeok’s, and he quickly shifted his eyes downward, his fingers absently fiddling with the hem of his jacket, a subtle sign of his unease.
The weight of the silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken feelings, and Sanghyeok felt a surge of determination. He wasn’t going to hold back anymore. No more waiting. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and reached for Minhyeong’s hand. "Minhyeong, you gave me this beautiful bouquet of red tulips for the first time," he said, smiling as he looked at the flowers in his other hand. "In the language of flowers, red tulips usually symbolize deep love and passion. Minhyeong... do you love me?" He finally asked the important question, watching as Minhyeong's naturally rosy cheeks turned even redder, like a ripe strawberry. It was so adorable that his heart melted at the sight.
"Yes," Minhyeong answered, his response short but firm, showing his seriousness. "What about you, Sanghyeok hyung?" he asked softly.
Lee Sanghyeok smiled gently at the question. He placed the crumpled bouquet aside, which briefly made Minhyeong’s expression fall into one of sadness. But that sadness quickly shifted away when Lee Sanghyeok pulled out the red rose hanging on his pocket suit, and held it out to him.
"You said you’re well-versed in the language of flowers, right?" Sanghyeok teased, his voice laced with warmth. Minhyeong’s face broke into a delighted joy, his eyes sparkling as he took the rose with trembling fingers.
"Oh my god," Minhyeong gasped, his voice laced with disbelief. "Is this real? Is this really happening?" He stared at the rose, unable to process the moment, but Sanghyeok could see the joy bubbling up in him like a child’s excitement.
Laughing softly at Minhyeong's reaction, Lee Sanghyeok moved closer and hugged the boy taller than him. Sanghyeok held him close, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. He whispered softly in his ear, "Yes, it's real. I love you... Lee Minhyeong."
Minhyeong’s arms slowly wrapped around him, hesitating at first, but then pulling him even closer as if he had been waiting for this moment forever. His head nestled into Sanghyeok’s shoulder, and he held on tighter than ever before, as though afraid to ever let go. The feeling of Minhyeong’s hand gripping his back was like a promise, and Sanghyeok couldn’t help but think that this was everything he had ever wanted, right here in his arms.
Though he never imagined he'd experience a K-drama worthy confession, he was grateful that everything had fallen into place. He was now with the boy he loved and had never felt happier. Gently caressing the boy's back, who was still nuzzling his neck like an affectionate cat, he carefully pulled away to gaze at him, tenderly stroking his soft cheek. He adored the way Lee Minhyeong looked at him, eyes reflecting no one but him. He cherished the praise, attention, and care Minhyeong showered upon him. Despite their busy lives, Minhyeong never failed to be the sweetest person, or perhaps he was just a hopeless romantic. He loved being the center of Minhyeong's universe and hoped to always be the sole focus of his gaze.
Minhyeong's transparency was both endearing and maddening; his honesty sometimes drove him crazy. How could he not feel flustered when Minhyeong looked at him as if he had hung the moon and stars? He was the masterpiece created by God to complete his missing piece for the rest of his life, and he couldn't ask for more.
Planting a soft kiss on Minhyeong's warm cheek, he whispered, "Baby, the feelings you have for me, I have for you too. Thank you for cherishing me." His words made Minhyeong's handsome face turn as red as the roses he had given him. At the sight, he couldn't help but smile. Flustered Minhyeong was, without a doubt, the most adorable version of him.