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Han remembers the first time JL said I love you.
𓎩𓎩𓎩
After a tiring, yet successful, pre-recording for Inkigayo, Han and JL decided to stay in the waiting room while the rest of the members went to the mini store.
Han walks over to JL who is already sitting down, smiling at something on his screen. “Ah~ I’m tired,” Han says as he comfortably lowers his head on JL’s lap.
The phone momentarily blocks Han’s view of his boyfriend’s face. Before Han can even react, JL is already snapping selfies of them both. He poses in time before the next click.
JL looks at Han with a raised eyebrow. Han, already attuned to everything-JL, nods in agreement.
It doesn’t take a minute for JL to post the photos on Weverse. Now seemingly satisfied, he places his phone away and finally looks at his lover.
“Well hi there handsome,” JL muses. Han grins in reply, “Hello to you too, beautiful.”
The smile that takes place on JL’s lips betrays the roll of his eyes. “You sure I don’t look horrible from that angle?” He teasingly asks as he gently combs a hand through Han's hair.
Han grips JL’s busy fingers. “You’re always gorgeous from any angle, baby.” He brings the hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on it as he meets JL’s eyes with certainty.
JL hides his reddening face with his hands, whining at the remark. Han softly chuckles in response.
He guides JL’s hands away from his face, interlocking them while he mutters something about how cute JL is. He lets their linked hands sit in between them.
Han expects the huff—that sounds more fond than exasperated—and the light peck that follows.
What he doesn’t expect is what JL says next: “I love you, Hani.”
JL searches Han’s eyes, gaze full of warmth and adoration. He leans in until their noses are brushing. “You don’t have to say it back yet,” he whispers.
His lips finds Han’s again, this time dancing to the tune of a promise.
JL giggles at Han’s flustered state when he pulls away. He places another peck on Han’s nose. “It’s only been two months, after all. Don’t feel pressured…love.”
Oh. Han thinks, I like that. A lot.
JL grins as he squeezes their still interlocked hands. “I’ll earn my four-letter word, too.”
Han feels his whole being go warm. He lets out a breath before sitting up to place JL onto his lap. JL wraps his arms around Han’s neck in turn.
Han brushes a stray strand behind JL’s ears. “You definitely will, baby.” A peck. He takes in the ethereal view of his beloved, gripping the younger’s waist a little tighter.
Han kisses JL senseless, You already have.
𓎩𓎩𓎩
When Han comes back to reality, he finds a stupid smile staring back at him in the mirror. He lets out a soft laugh, ruffling his damp hair with a towel. “What have you done to me, Jayelie?”
Han exits the bathroom to find JL doodling on the sofa. JL instinctively looks up from his iPad the moment he hears his lover getting closer. His face lights up when Han leans down to kiss his forehead as a greeting.
JL tugs the collar of Han’s shirt down to steal another kiss, this time on the lips. “You smell good, mahal.”
Mahal. Han’s heart soars.
Han exhales, gently cupping JL’s face as their mouths meet again in a lingering kiss. “It’s your favorite scent on me, baby.”
JL lets out a tiny squeak before hiding his face, nuzzling into Han’s torso. “You better get to cooking,” JL mumbles. “Or we’re going to end up making out on this couch.”
Han laughs, maneuvering JL’s chin upwards to meet his eyes. He raises an eyebrow with a teasing smirk, “I wouldn’t be opposed to that, either.”
JL squints his eyes and glares as hard as he can. He pinches his lover’s waist.
Han grins as he pats JL’s head. “Okay, okay. I’ll cook the ramen. But you have to let go of me first, baby.”
He steals a kiss from the pout that forms on JL’s lips before moving away.
Han grabs the ramen packets they bought during his and JL’s little grocery date earlier. A new brand that JL wanted to try.
After their fansign event in Japan, JL had tugged him to the nearest convenience store. It didn’t take long for their basket (that Han was holding) to fill up. They eventually returned back to the hotel with three full bags of groceries (that JL wasn’t allowed to carry).
Han’s hands move automatically: tearing open the plastic, setting aside two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks, pouring water into the pot.
While he waits for the water to boil, his mind drifts. To JL. Always about JL.
JL, who indulges Han’s silly ideas.
JL, who always joins Han’s voice when he sings.
JL, who never runs out of ways to show his love for Han.
JL, who has become utterly, wholly, his.
The water bubbles.
Han exhales, watching the steam rise.
And then, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world—
I’m in love with JL.
He doesn’t say it aloud. Didn’t need to, like he’s known all along. He simply feels.
The water boils.
Han returns to their bedroom, placing down two ramen-filled bowls. JL’s face lights up, hand immediately pausing from doodling.
“This looks delicious, Hani,” JL says as he inhales the scent of Japanese convenience store ramen. Han hums, taking a seat beside him. Han wraps his arm around JL’s waist as he looks over to the iPad.
“What are you doing, baby?”
The screen displays a three-picture collage of the couple during their grocery escapade–a selca of them in an aisle on the top, JL cutely showing off the groceries in the middle, and Han’s (veiny) arms holding two grocery bags at the bottom.
JL draws a cat ear on Han’s head, “Drawing on our pictures.” He lifts the iPad, holding it besides Han’s face, and nods proudly. “I’ll post it in a bit.” He sets the iPad down again, “Wanted to show off how much princess treatment I’m getting from the best boyfriend in the world.”
Han snorts, holding JL a little tighter. “You really like that title, huh?”
JL hums, not looking away from his creation. “Wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Then he pauses, only for a moment, before glancing up with a mischievous grin. “Though you being my husband could be the only exception.”
Han stills.
JL giggles, tapping Han’s nose with the end of his stylus, “Relax, Hani. I know we still have a long way to go.”
He sets the iPad away and leans fully into Han’s chest. Han’s arms welcome him even more.
“Still…” JL’s voice softens into something that flutters Han’s heart.
“I already see my future with you.”
Han exhales, eyes closing as he leans into JL’s hair, breathing him in, letting the scent of his lover steady his rapidly beating heart. His arms tighten around JL’s waist, slow and sure. He rests his forehead against the curve of JL’s neck, lips brushing the skin just above the collarbone.
“Jayelie…”
A sigh.
A realization.
A surrender.
“Mahal na yata kita.”
I think I’m in love with you.
A beat.
Then, with a small, breathless laugh—
“Scratch that. I’m completely in love with you.”
JL freezes. Han takes this moment to move closer, gently caressing JL’s cheek until their faces are a breath apart. Their eyes meet, warm and home, holding each other in the feelings they’ve finally conveyed.
“Say it again,” JL whispers, voice trembling, hands gripping Han’s shirt.
Han smiles softly, brushing a stray stand of hair from JL’s forehead. He meets JL’s heartfelt gaze with certainty, leaning closer.
“Mahal na mahal kita.”
JL beams, eyes bright, before capturing Han’s lips in a kiss. JL kisses Han, slow and soft, letting the words hang between them, before Han gently guides him fully beneath him.
Their lips meet again in slow, intimate kisses, breaths mingling as hearts hammer in sync.
Ramen be damned when Han has JL under him.