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Society has always been the same for the past couple hundred years. There’s always been that one question every couple hears once they’ve been together for long enough: When will you get married?
But that question had only ever applied to straight couples, especially here in South Korea. Everytime someone brought up the topic when he was younger, Hyeongjun would shrug it off and change the subject. The idea of marriage had barely ever fazed him, which he didn’t mind at all, because having a career meant sacrifices like this one. Being with Jiseok has also affected how many times they get asked about their relationship. It didn't matter how other people saw them because they both knew how much they meant to each other. All of their comments went through his ear and out the other, regardless of their interest in their relationship.
He turns his head to Jiseok, who is sitting beside him in the back of the van as they are coming back from their schedule for the day. He has his headphones connected to his phone and is bobbing his head to the rhythm of the song, hands mimicking the strumming of his guitar when he notices Hyeongjun staring at him and smiles. Hyeongjun smiles back.
Hyeongjun had found his person, the love of his life. There was no seed of doubt in his mind when he thought about Jiseok, because Jiseok made him happy. Not just being a couple, but meeting him was one of the main reasons on how he is the person he is today. Hyeongjun loves Jiseok. Jiseok loves Hyeongjun.
But what if it changed? What if they changed?
Would our love shift if we had official rings to prove it?
It all started earlier that day when Hyeongjun had been waiting to be called for his makeup to be done. He was fidgeting on the hallway bench with his matching promise ring that Jiseok had given him two years ago. When they have schedules, or go out in general, Hyeongjun always brings his ring in the original case, finding comfort in always having it with him, a reminder of Jiseok. He was moving it up and down his ring finger when Chaeryeong passed by him in the hallway, “You two are engaged?”
Hyeongjun looked up in surprise, clearly caught off guard with the question. He cleared his throat and stuttered, “Uh, no…I-It’s just a promise ring,”
“Oh,” she said and gave him a slight smile. “You two would be the greatest husbands to come out of the industry,” And she walked away as if she hadn’t just left Hyeongjun speechless.
The worst part, he thinks, is that he had never thought about marrying Jiseok until then. Granted, gay marriage wasn’t legal in the country, but they could be married spiritually, or with paper rings. Hyeongjun remembers the exact thought in his head when Chaeryeong said that–
Should we?
He remembers that one time they were on live together when they were messing with the silly filters and Jiseok had suddenly said “We’re married!” At the time, his comment had flown over his head and he just wanted to indulge in his boyfriend’s antics.
Hyeongjun doesn’t know why the thought of marrying Jiseok bothers him so much. They are good together. They love each other. They could take on the most difficult challenges just so they could look at each other again. Hyeongjun goes to sleep every night thinking about Jiseok, and the first thing he does when he wakes up is send a text to Jiseok. Every time Hyeongjun walks into a room, he immediately looks for Jiseok. Jiseok is the reason why he smiles so often. Jiseok had taught him how it feels to be loved by someone else.
“Jun?” Hyeongjun blinks himself out of his thoughts when a reasonably worried Jiseok glances at him, “You went quiet all of a sudden.”
“I was talking?”
“Yeah, something about how you’ve been thinking of us with that cheesy grin.”
Hyeongjun suddenly feels self-conscious and for some odd reason he tries to wipe the smile off his own face. When they realized that was ridiculous, they both burst out into a fit of laughter.
A fond smile lights up Hyeongjun’s face when he sees Jiseok’s eyes scrunch from how hard he’s laughing, one of his favorite habits about him, one thought rises above everything else, I love him.
“For the record, I was just messing with you about that last part.” Hyeongjun playfully swats at him in response to his words, “But seriously, you did look like something was on your mind.”
“Later.” Hyeongjun takes his hand not holding the phone and guides it to his lap, fingers gliding over his in what Hyeongjun hopes is a soothing gesture.
“M’kay,” Jiseok mumbles sleepily. He leans his head onto his shoulder, “Can you be my pillow?”
Hyeongjun laughs quietly, “You’re already resting your head on me.”
“Thanks.” Jiseok says. “You’re the best pillow ever,” are his last words before he falls asleep.
December 2021.
There’s a knock on Hyeongjun’s door as he’s practicing Happy Death Day for what seems like the hundredth time already. Even though they have already debuted, they still have plenty of schedules to attend for the next month and he doesn’t want to even risk the idea of messing up their only song. He doesn’t like being interrupted while he’s trying to perfect his parts, but at least the person behind the door has the decency to knock. “Come in.”
It’s Jiseok, with a shy smile on his face. “Hi, Hyeong– I mean, Junhan.” It was still pretty tricky for them to get used to using stage names, and the two of them have struggled the most with being consistent. When he sees Hyeongjun waiting for him to talk, he continues. “Our video of us at the guitar shop got posted today.”
“Oh,” Hyeongjun says. He had almost forgotten about them filming that video entirely. It was such a personal experience for the two of them that Hyeongjun remembers them gushing over the guitars and the conversation they had, but nothing of the camera crew telling them what to do. Now, the entire world knows what they were doing that day. “Do people like it?”
“Yeah, actually.” Jiseok clears his throat, “They love it. It’s going a little viral, actually.”
“It is?” Hyeongjun asks. “Wow.”
Jiseok hesitates to say what he says next. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, “There’s a certain clip from the video that’s making attention. Good attention. It’s uh– from the editors themselves.” He opens the video, skips to 16:45 and shows his screen to Hyeongjun, who has to squint at the screen since he’s not wearing his contacts.
‘Junhan’s wall was stacked thick, and Gaon kept on knocking. The thick wall was gradually taken down. Just like the day Gaon first opened up, Junhan’s wall also disappeared.’
In the background, there are clips of the two of them playing to demonstrate examples, then there’s a clip of him and Jooyeon. Hyeongjun doesn’t realize he’s smiling until Jiseok points it out, “Do you like it too?” The answer is obviously yes, but he asks anyway.
Hyeongjun nods. “Yeah, I like it. I like it a lot.” He tries to say casually, but he feels his ears begin to turn red. Suddenly, he’s grateful that his hair is long enough to be able to cover them up.
Jiseok smiles at him one more final time, “I’m happy then.” It’s silent between the two of them while they look at each other. Comforting silence. “I’ll get going then, just wanted to tell you.” He turns around to head towards the door when–
“Wait,” Hyeongjun calls out to him. “What did you think of the video?”
Jiseok turns around to face him one final time, “I love it. I’m going to download the whole thing and watch it everyday.” And as soon as Jiseok leaves the room and closes the door behind him, Hyeongjun is quick to pull out his laptop and watch the entire video on his own. He would never admit it to anyone, but he teared up a little when the video cut to Jiseok saying ‘I love you’ to him.
June 2022.
Whoever is in charge of creating the episodes for Rock The World must have had a chuckle while planning the haunted house video. In fact, those same people who were responsible for partnering Jiseok and Hyeongjun together for the haunted house were really out to get them, especially Hyeongjun.
Although as it turns out, Jiseok is a huge crybaby when it comes to predictable jumpscares as they walk around in the dark. Hyeongjun on the other hand was not only having fun, but also laughing at how Jiseok was acting. He was fully latched onto Hyeongjun’s side, clutching onto his shoulder for dear life as he yelled at every little movement that came from the corners.
“Why are you doing this to me?!” Jiseok half-sobs as he almost falls to the ground. Hyeongjun laughs in amusement, cute.
Cute?
“Do you want to hold my hand?” Hyeongjun whispers to him. Jiseok nods eagerly and immediately does so. The rest of the trip, they are hand-in-hand until they make it to the compatibility test towards the end where they score 60%. Whatever. It’s just a percent, anyway.
However, that number and how Jiseok was acting earlier is beginning to mess with Hyeongjun’s head. He doesn’t like to think too much of it, even during filming and once they wrap up for the day Hyeongjun’s head is in another place. He zones out as Gunil is talking to him, and mutters a quick apology about how he really needs sleep.
When they return back to the dorm, Hyeongjun can’t fall asleep, because the only thing on his mind is Jiseok.
-
“Seungmin,” Hyeongjun calls out as he jogs out of his room, “Can I talk to you for a second?” He asks as he catches the latter at the door putting on his shoes.
Raising an eyebrow, Seungmin agrees and Hyeongjun leads him outside of the dorm. Hyeongjun warily shuts the door, so now they’re by themselves in the hallway of their building floor, “What is this about?” There are three possible explanations for this: he either wants advice, an opinion, or both.
“Um.” Hyeongjun scratches his head, unsure of how to ask his question but decides that if he doesn’t do it now, he’ll lose all his confidence. “How did you and Jungsu get together?”
If Seungmin was drinking something at the moment, he would’ve most likely spit it out on Hyeongjun’s face out of pure surprise. “What?”
“I know it’s random, sorry.” Hyeongjun says sheepishly. “But I was just curious because you guys have never really explained the whole story, or at least not to me. Was it easy, or did you guys struggle? Oh wait, but how–”
Seungmin cuts him off and holds his palm out, “Okay okay, wait. One question at a time.” He chuckles, “Repeat your first question.”
“How did you and Jungsu get together?”
Seungmin ponders for a moment, “Oh. I just kissed him after dance practice one day. This was back when we were trainees.” He says casually. “I pulled back, and he gave me such an odd stare. Then he kissed me back.”
“I see.” Hyeongjun wishes there was a little more to it than that. “And that was it?”
“Yeah, kind of?” Seungmin tries to think of anything else, “I mean, the next day I asked him out on a date to a coffee shop…then we kissed again. We just declare our anniversary on the day we first kissed, it’s more simple that way. But why are you so curious?”
“Like I said, I was just curious,” Hyeongjun shrugs, “That’s all.”
“Yeah, but why are you curious in the first place?”
Damn Seungmin and his thousand different questions. Hyeongjun shakes his head to try, “No particular reason. Now get going, you’re going to be late to your vocal practice.”
Trying to end the conversation is something Seungmin has seen time and time again so he continues, “I’m sure my teacher can wait an extra five minutes.” He tugs on Hyeongjun’s sleeve. “Come on, is this about Jiseok?”
Seungmin wasn’t even being entirely serious with his question, so the last thing he expected was Hyeongjun’s ears instantly turning red out of embarrassment. He slaps Seungmin’s hand off of his clothes, “What! No. No, come on. I just wanted to ask you a question! That’s not fair.”
He wanted indirect advice, of course he did. “Ha! Now you’re rambling, so it is about Jiseok.” Seungmin puts his hands in his pockets and circles Hyeongjun, “You have a crush on our little Jiseokie, don’t you?”
Hyeongjun fake gags and takes a step away from him, “Ew. Don’t call him Jiseokie ever again.”
“So you’re not denying it?” Seungmin grins and sticks a finger in his face teasingly, “Ooh, I knew it! I knew it from the moment Jungsu told me he caught you watching his fancam on loop.”
“I don’t–he told you what?!”
“Ah, it’s true then.” According to his boyfriend, when Jungsu had walked into the living room one morning he saw Hyeongjun sitting down with his headphones on. Nosey, he peaked over his shoulder to see the most popular Jiseok Happy Death Day fancam. Even when he walked away and made breakfast for himself, Hyeongjun was watching that same video again and again. Jungsu isn’t the type of person to lie over something like that, especially when it comes to someone else, especially Hyeongjun, so Seungmun obviously believes it. And based on Hyeongjun’s reaction, that’s the truth. “You can’t lie to save your life, Han Hyeongjun.”
“I. Don’t. Have. A. Crush. On. Jiseok.” Hyeongjun retorts.
“Fine. Suit yourself then.” Seungmin heads down the hallway outside their dorm as he throws a peace sign behind him towards Hyeongjun, and the younger groans in annoyance.
“How am I supposed to just kiss him?” Hyeongjun mutters to himself as he reenters the dorm, then receives a message on his phone.
Seungmin:
dude.
just kiss him
or if not just ask him out on a date if youre too shy and dont wanna kiss him
well
ik you do but
okay whatever
just ask jungsu for more details about the coffee date if you really want advice
December, 2022.
“Hyeongjun, I like you.”
Hyeongjun peaks up from staring at the Christmas lights below the railing they’re leaning against, then looks around. It’s just him and Jiseok out here. The other members are probably back at the dorm watching some cheesy film that Gunil had convinced all of them to watch. Hyeongjun had finally gathered the guts to ask Jiseok for them to ‘hang out’ and had rehearsed in the mirror on how to tell Jiseok about his feelings, but the latter had seemingly beaten him to it.
Startled, he points to himself. “Me?”
“Yes you, Hyeongjun.” Jiseok says exasperated. He chuckles, and his breath is visible from how cold it is. “Who else would I be talking to? Is there another Han Hyeongjun around us that I happen to have a crush on?”
Hyeongjun is flabbergasted. “I…what?”
“Do you want me to say it again?” Jiseok takes a step towards him, and even with his heavy layers of clothing to the point where he looks like a penguin he still intimates Hyeongjun, “I like you.” Seungmin’s words keep repeating like a record inside of Hyeongjun’s head, ‘just kiss him’.
And so he does.
Jiseok’s lips are warm and soft, almost exactly how he imagined, and he feels Jiseok sigh against his mouth and tugs him closer. He knows she should be wary of anyone seeing them right now, but his full attention is on Jiseok.
When Jiseok pulls back, he asks, “Can I be your boyfriend?” Hyeongjun just pulls him in for another kiss, less shy this time.
-
“Your hair's growing nicely again.” Jiseok says as he runs his fingers through Hyeongjun’s scalp. “I just wish the stylists weren’t so dismissive of your curls, they make you so good.” Hyeongjun has had to get his hair cut so many times due to how often his natural hair would just get straightened in the worst way possible, and Jiseok has heard him complain numerous times about it. In fact, one time Hyeongjun was brushing his hair and a large chunk of hair fell out.
“They’ve gotten slightly better at it.” Hyeongjun admits as he looks at his hair in the mirror. The tips are now a little sticky from the hair gel that Jiseok put on for him. He turns around to face his boyfriend, “But hey. At least I have my personal hair stylist that takes care of me both in and out of the shower.”
Jiseok grins as he sets the towel to dry, “Glad you are a very satisfied customer. Do you know what your source of payment will be tonight?”
Hyeongjun leans a little and kisses Jiseok on the forehead. “I do.”
-
Hyeongjun is lying down on his bed mindlessly scrolling on social media when Jiseok walks into his room. He flinches in surprise as he didn’t know Jiseok was at his dorm in the first place. “Sorry. I need to get my wallet. I forgot it here last night.”
“It’s fine,” Hyeongjun says, then he notices the way his hair is slightly combed and his decently nice outfit, “Hey, where are you going?”
“The company asked for Jungsu and I to film promotional content again.” Jiseok responds as he double checks to make sure all his information is in his wallet. When he looks up as he tells him this, Jiseok expects a small nod in understanding, not the uneasy look on his face. His phone has since been discarded on the bed and now he’s walking past Jiseok to tidy up a corner of his room with little clothes.
Confused, Jiseok tilts his head like a confused puppy, “Hey, are you okay?”
Hyeongjun keeps his back turned to him, “I’m fine.” He says with little emotion in his voice.
Jiseok carefully walks over to Hyeongjun and rests his chin on top of his shoulder, “Tell me. I know you’re upset.”
“It’s nothing, Jiseok.”
Jiseok pulls away. “Oh, you said my actual name. Okay, what’s wrong, seriously? Did I do something?”
“Jiseok,” Hyeongjun deadpans as he turns around and rests his hands on his desk, “It’s nothing. Go, you’re keeping Jungsu waiting. You’re gonna be late.”
Then a lightbulb goes off in Jiseok’s head, “Oh.”
Hyeongjun raises an eyebrow, “Oh what?”
Jiseok giggles to himself, “Oh, I see.”
“What?” Hyeongjun says, urging Jiseok to go on.
“I know why you’re in such a grouchy mood.” Jiseok says as he wraps his arms around Hyeongjun’s waist and begins to move the both of them like they’re dancing. Hyeongjun’s feet shift unevenly.
“I’m not in a grouchy mood,” Hyeongjun lies.
“Mhm,” Jiseok hums. “Sure you aren’t. So you aren’t jealous of Jungsu and I?”
“I’m not.” Hyeongjun says a little too quickly. Jiseok’s face lights up when he catches on to how he answered. Hyeongjun’s ears begin to flush red, and he now suddenly wishes he could bury himself alive.
“I knew it!” Jiseok says cheerfully like a cat that caught the cream as he pinches Hyeongjun’s cheek. “Awww, you’re jealous. So cute. My Hyeongjunnie is so cute when he is jealous.”
Hyeongjun just groans and tries to walk away from his boyfriend's grasp, but Jiseok only holds onto him tighter. “You could’ve just told me.”
“You would’ve made fun of me,”
“I already am,”
Hyeongjun sighs and rubs his forehead with his free hand, “You’re ridiculous.”
Jiseok pulls away with a pout on his face, “Hey, what do you mean?! I think my feelings are completely justified after all this time.”
“What do you mean after all this time?” Hyeongun asks. What was Jiseok even talking about? Had something been bothering him for a while, and he was only bringing it up to him today?
“He means how you and Seungmin are for the fans.” Jungsu’s voice makes Hyeongjun flinch and results in him stubbing his toe on his desk. His arms are crossed with an amused look on his face, and Jiseok walks over to him and they high-five. “You guys have been so popular since debut, and now that we’re getting the spotlight you get to be the jealous one.”
Oh. That makes sense. Hyeongjun winces and hops on one foot to the two of them, “So is this how it feels like?”
“Yes,” Jungsu and Jiseok say simultaneously.
“I think the company just has something against the four of us.” Jungsu says as he walks out of the room, “I’ll go warm up the car.”
Jiseok and Hyeongjun just stare at each other, but eventually the former voices his concern for his boyfriend's toe. “Is it that bad?”
“Yeah, but I’ll be fine,” Hyeongjun waves his hand dismissively.
“You’re talking about more than just your toe, aren’t you?” Jiseok raises an eyebrow.
Realizing what he meant, “Shut up,” He says playfully.
“Don’t worry, I’ll always be yours,” Jiseok hugs him one final time and presses a kiss to his cheek. “Love you!” He calls out as he jogs out the door.
Hyeongjun just smiles fondly, “I love you too,” He mumbles.
-
Hyeongjun has always managed to have a very bad relationship with injuries. In the past few years, he has hurt himself multiple times, all ranging from him being stupid or accidents that were out of his control. He’s never broken a bone, but he has ended up in a boot or a splinter.
This time, the next victim was his ankle. He had ended up tripping up over one of the many cords he had plugged in during practice and sprained it. His doctor had recommended him to limit his movement as much as possible to let it fully heal for the next week or so. And just his luck, this managed to happen right as the members finally got their break.
His parents are out of the country, his friends are too busy at their jobs, and the other members are planning their own stuff, meaning that he would be by himself in the dorm. However, he was very wrong about that.
First, Jiseok ended up visiting Hyeongjun very early in the morning with his breakfast favorites and served him his meal in bed so Hyeongjun didn’t have to walk around. Jiseok had first sat down on the floor to give Hyeongjun as much space as possible on the bed, but then the latter had urged him to give him company. So they ate their meal in comfortable silence shoulder-to-shoulder without any interruptions, which is nice for a change. Being idols means to also have your phone with notifications always on at the maximum volume about any possible schedule changes and news updates. For the first time in a while, they actually enjoyed their meal.
By the time they had finished eating, Jiseok had collected their trash and left the room to throw it away. Hyeongjun had the urge to use the bathroom, so when his boyfriend had returned he was already starting to get off the bed.
“Woah, wait for me.” Jiseok tells him as he rushes to his side. His hands find Hyeongjun’s back and legs, “Where do you wanna go?”
Hyeongjun raises an eyebrow in confusion. “The bathroom?”
And before he knows it, he’s being picked up by Jiseok and is carried across the dorm to do his business. Although Hyeongjun huffs at being babied, he secretly loves it, and he really does adore Jiseok for caring about him so much. Another reason why Hyeongjun loves Jiseok. But deep down, he feels guilt that he isn’t responsible for the fact that he could be doing anything else he’s been wanting to do for months now. “Ji, I’m happy that you’re here with me and all, don’t get me wrong, but I feel bad since you’re spending time taking care instead of enjoying your break.”
Jiseok pauses in the middle of the hallway and looks at him like he’s crazy. “Are you insane? No, I’m not leaving you. Why would I leave my boyfriend by himself on our break day? Plus, I don’t care as long as I’m with you.”
Hyeongjun rolls his eyes fondly, “You’re so cheesy.”
“And you love it.” Jiseok kisses his forehead.
-
“Okay, this can only mean two things. You either have really bad stomach problems again, or it’s about Jiseok.”
“Well, the stomach problems kind of do come from Jiseok?” Hyeongjun admits shyly as Seungmin takes a seat across from him at the dinner table. Seungmin was on the verge of falling asleep when he got Hyeongjun’s message about wanting to talk to him at two in the morning. He walked like a zombie to the kitchen, where Hyeongjun had been fidgeting with his hands nervously.
“Okay,” Seungmin rubs his temple tiredly, “For starters, please don’t tell me you want to break up with him.”
“What?!” Hyeongjun shrieks, then clamps his hand over his mouth when he remembers that Gunil is still sleeping. He takes a brief moment to collect himself before responding. “No, what the fuck?”
“Good, now I’m only half worried. So what’s up?”
Hyeongjun swallows the lump in his throat to prepare himself for what he wants to say next. Although this idea has been making laps around his head for months, it’s only now that he wants to say it out loud. “I want to marry Jiseok.”
Seungmin’s face softens and reaches his hand out to pat Hyeongjun’s shoulder, a comforting move he’s been doing since debut. “Oh, Hyeongjun. You really love him, don’t you?”
Hyeongjun nods slowly as feels his lip begin to tremble. “I want to be with him for the rest of my life. I…I know it’s not legal here, but I’m willing to do anything to make it possible.”
“I don’t know too much about that, sorry.” Seungmin and Jungsu had mutually agreed to just stay as boyfriends. The concept of marriage for them was too complicated, and as long as they were together that is all that mattered. “But I’ll help you the entire way. Do you know what you want to do to propose?”
“That’s another problem I don’t know the answer to,” Hyeongjun runs his fingers through his hair, “What if he doesn’t even say yes? What if I go through his whole process just for him to tell me no?”
“I get why you’re nervous, but you and I both know that it's not possible.” Seungmin reassures him. “Jiseok loves you. Jiseok has loved you before you even knew his name. He would do anything for you. What are your thoughts on the ring?”
“Something simple. Jiseok likes simple things.”
“What about the proposal spot?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe when we’re stargazing near our favorite park?”
“Perfect.” Seungmin clasps his hands together. “See how easy that was?”
“Well—” Hyeongjun begins, but then stops. “Okay, maybe you are a little right. But I don’t know how to find the perfect set of rings.”
“I’ll help you. I know a thing or two about engagement rings.” Gunil says as he walks into the kitchen seemingly out of nowhere, and the two men sitting at the table both flinch in surprise. When he sees their startled faces, “What? Was I not supposed to know?”
-
Han Hyeongjun has debuted in a band under JYPE, traveled the seas, released song after song, played his most popular guitar solos at festival after festival, performed to sold-out concert venues in front of thousands of people, and will continue to have many great achievements to come. And yet, stargazing late at night and standing beside his long-term boyfriend with a box in his coat pocket is making Han Hyeongjun the most nervous he’s ever been.
The more the night carries on, the louder his heartbeat sounds in his ears. Although it is cold outside since it is December, Hyeongjun is sweating bullets inside his puffer jacket and sweatpants. Jiseok looks completely fine. In fact, he looks happy to be staring at the moonlight tonight. When Hyeongjun looks over to him, it’s almost as if he can see glistening in Jiseok’s eyes, like the stars themselves were located in his iris.
The rings are sitting in his pocket and he can feel the weight of them, which only makes Hyeongjun even more nervous. He had gone to the department store with Gunil and spent two hours trying to pick out what ring he wanted, then spent a few more hours getting them customized to how he wanted. They had left the store with a big dent in Hyeongjun’s bank account and a jittery feeling growing inside of him. So he was actually doing it. Okay. Cool. He’s been loved by Jiseok’s family for years, and Jiseok was adored by his parents, so at least he has approval from others.
But Hyeongjun’s mind keeps spiring with all of the what-ifs, picturing every scenario that could end horribly, and he begins picking at his nails, a bad habit he let die back during debut, out of pure anxiety.
“Don’t do that,” Jiseok says softly as he moves Hyeongjun’s hand away from him. “You just got new nail polish from me today as our anniversary gift.”
Right. Years ago today they had their first kiss and declared themselves official.
“I like this,” Jiseok says as he turns to look back at the stars, and now suddenly their dynamics have shifted. Hyeongjun is the overthinker, and Jiseok is the collected one. “Just you and I together.”
“I’m happy you showed me how soothing this all feels. Feels homey.”
“Yeah,” Jiseok agrees, “I love my home.”
Then Hyeongjun realizes Jiseok is staring right at him, referring to the man beside him. “I could stay like this forever.”
Hyeongjun licks his lips. “You make me happy, Jiseok. Really.” He starts. Oh god, here it goes. “No matter when and where we’re together, I feel the most sure with you.”
“Most sure?” Jiseok teases. Hyeongjun just groans.
“Fuck, you know I’m not good with words.” Hyeongjun starts fidgeting with his hands. “I’m just saying that we were made to be together. I mean, yeah, you’ll probably always forget to pick up your socks and I’ll probably continue to do that silly annoying thing when I eat, but hey, nobody is perfect. You’re like…my other half. When we met we were so awkward together, but I think that’s why we found some sort of comfort in each other.” He takes a glance at his boyfriend, who is extremely focused on what he is saying. “I feel safe when I’m with you, and I hope you feel the same as me.”
“I do,” Jiseok confesses, “I really do. But I’m just curious, why are you being so sentimental today? I know it’s our anniversary, but…”
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Hyeongjun rushes out.
Jiseok isn’t quite able to catch it, “What?”
Hyeongjun sighs, feeling the butterflies in his stomach appear once more, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Jiseok.”
Jiseok tilts his head. “Woah, wait.” He pauses. “Are you…proposing to me right now?”
“Why do you think I’ve been so nervous since we got here?” Hyeongjun begins to dig into his coat pocket, “And why do you think I’m saying all this lovey-dovey stuff? You know I’m not a big romantic. That’s your job. But tonight is different.” He finds the ring box, takes it out, and when he gets on one knee Jiseok gasps.
“Kwak Jiseok, will you marry me?” Hyeongjun asks with a wavering voice.
First, Jiseok’s eyes are tearing up. Then he lets out a sniffle. A sob. Then he’s hugging Hyeongjun as if he’s afraid he’ll let go. He almost sends him to the ground from the way he practically jumps on him, but he doesn’t care. And now he's crying. “Yes, I’ll marry you, I would marry you in a worn-down barn in a foreign country if I have to.” He sobs into Hyeongjun’s shoulder, “I love you. Doing this was the best thing I could’ve ever done.”
Hyeongjun pulls him back slowly to give him a proper kiss on the lips and fuck, now he’s crying too. “Are you sure?”
“I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life, Han Hyeongjun.” Jiseok cups his cheeks. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
To: chaeryeong sunbae
[1 Photo Attached.] he said yes, thanks for changing my life. I owe you one.
Sent at 12:45 A.M