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dongmin doesn’t remember when love stopped being a symbol, and quietly took the shape of donghyun instead.
he remembers donghyun's tiny hands linked with his own, heart too big for his body. his eyes were as shiny as they are now, chest puffed up in full confidence when he asked dongmin to be his friend.
elementary school, when they were both still sharing lunches and choosing seats beside each other. dongmin remembers stealing donghyun's crayons, colouring outside of the lines as donghyun looked at him disapprovingly — his own page neatly filled in.
middle school brought awkward limbs and overwhelming emotions but despite it all, they still found each other — shoulders bumping as they walked home, dragging at their bikes even though pedaling would've been faster—just because they craved each other's warmth, just because they'd take any chance to spend more time together. the ice-cream in their hands would melt away with their giggles.
dongmin remembers his 14th birthday. the warmth of summer heat lingering in the air, the cheap decorations his mom had put up for a small party, the small crowd of friends who eventually left. till it was just him and donghyun, feet dangling on their roof.
donghyun had given him a handmade card, the front of it messy and childish—doodled with a bunch of cats with birthday hats and a fishbowl in the middle. the inside however, was carefully written.
to my favorite person, who taught me love before i even knew the meaning of it.
dongmin remembers those lines as clear as day. his chest had tightened, with a feeling so warm it wrapped around him like a blanket.
donghyun was kicking his legs absentmindedly, humming to a song right beside him. his hair had been longer then, brushing over his eyes when he turned to look at dongmin.
“you like it?” he asked, a small smile playing on his face.
dongmin huffed out a breath, the heaviness sat still in his chest. like?
“yeah, it's…. nice.” he said, for the lack of better words. “thank you, donghyun-ah.”
donghyun had smiled — bright and blooming, like he could see through him, like he knew how much it really meant, something way beyond those words.
and that's when it happened. that strange thought that lodged itself into dongmin's chest like a spark catching fire,
i want to kiss him.
it terrified him. not because it was startling, or wrong. but because it felt so natural. like the feeling had been growing inside him long before he noticed.
he remembers the first time it actually happened.
it was just a few days before donghyun turned 18. the air smelt like wet soil, small droplets of water drummed against the window as background noise.
donghyun was lying on the bed, hair shrieveled out, glasses perched up on his nose. dongmin sat beside him, strumming a few chords, humming along to a song that hasn't been named yet.
“we're 18.”
dongmin's fingers still in its place, before he takes a look in the brunette's direction. he huffs out a laugh.
“well, not yet.” he says.
it's comfortable, dongmin thinks. they aren't really doing anything, just existing in the same space. donghyun has just been staring up at the ceiling, humming along to a few melodies he recognises. dongmin sometimes switches to his favourite songs just to see him glance over and throw a small smile. and it's comfortable, dongmin feels content.
but then donghyun is moving, leaning up on his elbow, staring directly at dongmin. his hair is still a little too long, in that awkward length that pokes at your eyes. his gaze pierces through dongmin and he lets out another uneasy laugh.
“have you kissed anyone, dongmin-ah?”
dongmin blinks. the light taps against the window drowns out and he feels a different ringing in his ear.
“what?” he manages to choke out, his grip on his guitar loosens a little as he flexes his fingers and holds it firmly again.
donghyun shrugs before he's back to the comfort of his pillow—dongmin's pillow. “i'm turning 18, and i haven't.”
dongmin lets out another awkward chuckle. “well, you'd know if i did, you know?”
donghyun is looking at him again, quiet and observing. but he doesn't really say anything. dongmin feels the tension in his shoulders loosen and he tries to bring his attention back to the instrument in his arms.
keyword : tries.
donghyun sits up this time. dongmin tries not to pay him attention, fingers tugging at the strings again—not really playing anything, just something to keep himself busy.
but donghyun's stare is uncomfortable, it pricks at his skin and makes goosebumps rise. he notices the thrumming of his finger at the base of his knee from the corner of his eyes.
he's waiting for dongmin to ask.
dongmin sighs, eyes finally glancing up. his sweaty hands move the guitar to sit beside the bed.
“anything you have to say?” he tries to sound annoyed, but his voice comes out shaky. for some fucking reason.
he can see donghyun's eyes light up as he finally gets the attention he wanted and he feels a scoff in the back of his throat.
but donghyun is too quick.
“kiss me, dongmin.”
it feels like the world tilts on its axis. the air seemed to solidify, trapping all movements within its grasp.
donghyun is still calm, like he just asked him about the weather, and not for his best friend of 13 years to kiss him. his eyes glint how it usually does when he wants something, his finger still taps against his knee.
dongmin clenches his eyes shut, a sigh leaves past his lips as he tips his head back. his heart thuds loudly in his chest. he thinks about his 14th birthday, and everyday since. when he wanted nothing more than getting his mouth on his. but then the rational part of his head catches up and his heart nearly jumps out of his throat.
“donghyun-ah.” he says, finally meeting eyes with the other in the room again. he's still seated the same way, legs folded comfortably under him, eyes hopeful and dongmin thinks he imagines the little flush at the tips of his ears. “what are you talking about?”
donghyun shrugs again, crawling closer and dongmin feels his pulse race as the familiar scent of his perfume clouds his space.
“i want to do it before i turn 18.” he states. “and if it had to be anyone, i'd want it to be you.”
dongmin swallows at the words.
“donghyun— what are you—”
“it doesn't have to mean anything— just a one-time thing.” donghyun says, a little too quickly. something ugly tugs at dongmin’s heart.
right.
dongmin purses his lips. it doesn't have to mean anything. it's not like he has been thinking about this the past 4 years. it's not like it feels like his heart is about to burst into tiny pieces, it surely doesn't feel like the room has suddenly gotten too warm. though it's still chilly with rain pouring outside.
against all odds and how many ways this could absolutely ruin his life, dongmin looks at the other. his big shiny eyes, his tongue that prods at his lips in anticipation, his hand clenched softly.
dongmin's mouth speaks before his head can catch up. “fine.”
something like pure shock washes over donghyun's face, like he really didn't expect dongmin to agree. well, he'd be right because dongmin didn't think he'd be agreeing either.
but here they are.
he doesn’t know what really happens next, barely can remember with the fog in his brain. but one second donghyun's knees bump against his, the next he's tugging at the crinkled corner of his band t-shirt, lips hovering too close to his own.
dongmin doesn’t recall who closes the distance, or who pulls the other in further, or how they end up on the bed tangled. he remembers the warmth of bodies pressed, the unexperienced and shaky kisses, teeth clinking and tongue clumsily shoved between mouths.
he remembers how despite it all, it felt too good. how his heart clenched too tightly. donghyun was pressed under him, one hand at his waist and the other curled at his hair—not really pushing or pulling, just grounding. he doesn’t remember who pulls off first, but he remembers the numb and swollen mouths, flushed cheeks, and a kind of heat none of them could get over.
dongmin also doesn't remember when the ‘one-time-thing’ turned into a routine.
it would always start the same. donghyun in dongmin’s bedroom, or vice versa. they'd spend a few hours talking and teasing each other, then fall into a comfortable silence. donghyun would stare at him too long, with the same kind of intent every time. dongmin would get the hint and move closer, and they'd kiss until time slowed down, until they're both left breathless.
by the time, they've both enrolled into university— the same one. moving in together was inevitable. they always talked about it—ever since their future loomed over them like shadows of ghosts. dongmin remembers feeling terrified, of the sudden change in pace and environment. but donghyun had held his hand through it all.
between all the cramped up assignments and countless projects, dongmin would feel all the weight drain from his shoulders when he would step into what he could call their home.
it felt easy. the early breakfasts, two cups of tea brewing in one pot, two coats hanging near the doorstep right above two pairs of worn out shoes, the refrigerator filled with groceries they bought together.
it was usual for dongmin to come later, taking extra time at the library to work on his assignments. when he'd come back, donghyun would already be in his pajamas, looking soft and blurred around the edges.
they both would sit on the floor, because it just felt better. munching on take-outs they randomly craved, with some documentary playing on the tv as background noise.
and when they were both too tired, too drained from the endless deadlines, they'd fall into bed together, kissing away all the stress. donghyun would run his hands through his hair, lulling him to sleep. while dongmin would trace circles on his waist.
it was only when people started joining their small circle of friends (as in from just dongmin, donghyun) that dongmin realized how far gone they both were.
jaehyun had pointed it out at first, during lunch on a random afternoon when winter was transitioning into spring. when flowers started to bloom and the snow was melting.
dongmin was on his way back from the vending machine, sipping on a juicebox he had just gotten, clinging onto the jacket donghyun had given him earlier— because despite it getting moderately warmer, dongmin always ran cold.
“hey, this is good.” he said, casually, taking his regular seat right beside donghyun. the latter looked at him and smiled in acknowledgement. dongmin tilted the juicebox towards him, try it.
donghyun took it from his hands, sipping on it leisurely, going back to his conversation with sanghyuk. jaehyun narrowed his eyes at the two of them.
“so when did you both start dating?”
the juicebox was back to dongmin, and he immediately choked on it. leaning over his own hand, coughing violently.
donghyun held him, lightly patting on the small of his back to help him through it.
by the time he stopped coughing, jaehyun was already giving him that amused look. it hadn't been that long since they've met, maybe a little longer than 2 months. but he could tell how jaehyun could already look right through him like he was an open book.
“so….?”
dongmin swallows. “hyung, we aren’t.”
jaehyun tilts his head, looking between him and then at donghyun. who's too silent beside him, and dongmin felt his heart thumping against his chest.
“why not? you guys do everything couples do.” jaehyun presses, gesturing between them — the shared meal, the way their knees are touching, the juicebox they just passed back and forth without a thought, donghyun's jacket wrapped around dongmin.
dongmin opens his mouth, ready to deny it once again. but the words don't come.
it's not like that, right?
he thinks about the shared glances, the gentle touches, the stolen kisses. he thinks about how none of those are exactly friendly.
“it's not— it's not like that.” he manages to say, looking back at the food in front of him. he prays to god for jaehyun to drop it, especially when he can feel the slight brush of donghyun's shoulder against his, who's still eerily quiet through it all— chewing at his lunch.
but jaehyun is jaehyun. and he's persistent.
“why not?” he says again, leaning forward to steal a piece of fry from his plate casually. like he isn't currently making dongmin's life hell.
on the other side, sanghyuk hums along to jaehyun's words. “honestly, i thought you guys were celebrating your anniversary last week.”
the conversation then moves on when sanghyuk senses the change of air, something heavy and charged— being kind enough to make some dad joke that had jaehyun toppling over.
but dongmin is still stuck on the same words. he carries it to the remainder of his classes, back to the library where he barely gets any work done and then to the comfort of his—their home.
dongmin's steps are hesitant near the doorway before he walks in. the first thing he notices is donghyun's absence, on the couch where he usually sat. where he would come back to him in his silk pajamas, maybe clipping his nails with a nature document playing on the tv. his knees pulled up into a comfortable position, when he'd look up at the click of door and smile at dongmin as a welcome home.
the door to his room is closed, dongmin feels restless as he walks past it to his own. when he falls into bed, the softness of the bed doesn't soothe him. the tension in his shoulders feels unbearable, his head rings with thoughts.
the air is crisp tonight too, from the lingering winter. usually dongmin liked it, the comforting coldness and smell of something wet in the air. yet sleep didn't come to him.
after a few minutes, possibly hours (dongmin doesn’t know) of twisting and turning and grumbling, his eyelids start to feel heavy. his limbs sluggish under the layer of sheet and his head nearly drifts into some unfamiliar place.
however, the feeling doesn’t last long. the click of the door opening immediately takes away every bit of sleepiness from dongmin's body, and he jolts up.
donghyun stands at the foot of his bed, hand rubbing at the inside of his wrist. the dim light illuminates his face just enough for dongmin to catch his expression, he looks awake and a little on the edge.
“donghyun?” he mumbles, voice a little groggy.
“can you kiss me, dongmin-ah?” he says right away, in response. the words feel a little practiced—like he's been repeating it all the way here.
dongmin blinks. it takes too long for his brain to catch up and donghyun is already sitting in front of him. his sleep shirt is unbuttoned at the top, showing just a hint of his collarbone.
“i dont think—”
“please.”
dongmin stifles, eyes searching the other's for anything. but donghyun's face remains unreadable. dongmin gulps down the lump in his throat.
“c'mere.” he gestures vaguely and donghyun's shoulders seem to melt in relief.
it was dongmin who pulled him towards his lips, his hand on his jaw, the other gripping the sheets as if it could calm the storm in his head.
the past ones had usually been a series of lazy and dizzying kisses. there's something heated hidden beneath this one, something close to want and need.
dongmin thinks about jaehyun's words. you guys do everything couples do.
donghyun is pressing closer to him, desperation linked to his movements. his hand is on his hips, dragging his own sleep shirt up—the ones they bought together to match, to rest at his bare waist. his other hand on the nape of his neck, dragging him forward as if he couldn't stand the space.
dongmin thinks about the past year they've spent doing this.
the nights that always ended the same— mouths brushing in soft, familiar kisses before they fell asleep tangled together. the mornings where they woke up, still too close to be just friends. the way donghyun seemed to linger close, even after sleep drifted away. dongmin who pretended to stay asleep when the other pressed his lips against his head— a touch too gentle, too careful to be accidental. he remembers how it never startled him, how his body just leaned into it every time.
and now, in the stillness of the moment, the truth settles in him without fanfare.
every version of his life has always had donghyun in it. donghyun who had been beside him all this time, not hovering nearby like a friend, not orbiting close like a habit, but occupying a space in him he never bothered to name.
donghyun who had been his first everything.
donghyun who is also his first love, or maybe something much greater than what a four lettered word could describe.
the realization doesn’t strike like lightning, it doesn't feel terrifying or earth-shattering, there's no dramatic swell of music or sudden racing heartbeat.
it feels like recognizing something that has been waiting inside him, stitched into every moment they've shared. almost like breathing, something that has always been there, woven into him, deep and quiet and inevitable.
donghyun's kissing the corner of his mouth now, moving downwards to nip at his jaw. the hand on the back of his neck moves lower to caress his cheeks. he hears a content sigh on the base of his throat.
“you're thinking too much.” he mumbles into the thin skin. his voice sounds heavier, maybe because of the sleeplessness, maybe because of something else entirely.
dongmin closes his eyes, his head tipping back before he lets out a sigh.
“donghyun.” he called out, his mouth felt dry. donghyun is still kissing down to his throat, wet kisses stinging against the cold air.
dongmin feels the way tension is back to his shoulders, but his mouth keeps moving, a hum as a response.
“donghyun-ah.” he's pushing at his shoulders now, firm but gentle. he feels the other shiver under his hold as he's pulled away. dongmin finally takes a look at the other.
“why?” he sees the slight pout forming on his plump lips, a little swollen and pink from kisses.
“we're— what are we doing?” dongmin rasps, the words come out a little rough, a little choked out.
donghyun stares at him for a second, before averting his eyes.
“i don't know.” he murmurs, his arms folded lazily, as if to make him appear smaller.
dongmin studies him quietly.
the dim room, the rain pouring softly outside, the way donghyun's shoulders are curled inwards like he's waiting for something— it all suddenly settles into dongmin like a kind of calm he wasn't expecting.
all the fear from earlier this day, all the confusion started to feel stupid to him now.
he knew. he has always known.
after all, among everything in his life, dongmin was always sure about his donghyun.
“donghyun-ah.” he says this time, tugging at the other's pants as a plea for him to move closer. donghyun— a little clumsy, but still does.
donghyun is staring up at him now, eyes wide with curiosity and something that urged him to continue. dongmin did.
“remember the card you gave me for my birthday? the fourteenth.” dongmin smiles as he recalls the memory, nostalgia tugging at his heart.
donghyun furrows his eyebrows in confusion, dongmin can see the way he's trying to think and it makes him huff out a small laugh.
he takes his hands in his. “to my favorite person, who taught me love before i knew the meaning of it.” he recites it, perfectly from memory. he hears donghyun’s breath hitch and the slight tremble of his hand in his.
“donghyun,” he says again, just to get the other's attention back on him. it works.
“i love you.”
no hesitation, no build-up, no toeing around.
donghyun's lips part, it feels less like a shock at the words but rather the suddenness of it.
dongmin continues. “i've loved you so long i don't remember a ‘before’ it. i've loved you so long, it feels as simple as breathing. so long that it's stitched into my existence.”
his hand reaches out instinctively, cupping donghyun's jaw, thumb brushing the warmth of his cheek. donghyun's eyes are glistening, not really sad, or overwhelmed. just full, in that way he only ever looks at dongmin.
“you already know, don't you?” dongmin murmurs. “you've always known i loved you.”
donghyun lets out a breathy laugh, leaning into his touch. “yeah,” he whispers. “you never were good at hiding things from me.”
dongmin is smiling back at him. he thinks his jaw hurts a bit from how hard he is doing it, but he doesn't care.
“you aren't either.” dongmin says, eyes crinkling up. “i know you love me too. you always have.” he states, no questions or doubts. just thrown like a fact as obvious as gravity.
donghyun's smile is small and helpless and almost shy. “i love you.” he finally says it back.
and when they kiss this time dongmin thinks about how nothing really changed.
he can still taste the strawberry off of his lips, from his lip balm. donghyun is still giggling in between, in that soft, content way. he's still a little more desperate, in the way he pushes at his shoulders and hovers over him. dongmin’s heart beats loudly in his chest, as it always did. his hands roam along the line of his waist, little huffs he can't help but let out as he chases the other's lips.
everything is still so painfully and truthfully them.
when they finally stop kissing, donghyun has moved to rest at his side, under his arms where he can lean closer to his chest. his eyes are droopy with sleep, hands splayed onto dongmin's waist where he draws mindless shapes.
dongmin feels sleep reach his eyes at the familiar feeling, but then he hears donghyun's soft voice cut through the silent room.
“so, what now?” he mumbles, the words drawn out like he's refusing sleep. dongmin can hear the little pout on his voice and a small laugh bubbles in his chest.
“what now?” he repeats, feigning naivety. he's still smiling as he says it, waiting for his predicted reaction.
his smile widens when he hears the other grumble, head burying deeper into dongmin's chest, something close to a whine leaves past his lips.
dongmin feels himself melt, fondness clinging to him like second skin. he secretly cherished all these moments. they've never been the touchy or cuddly kind, but when the day narrowed down to the walls of their house, when everything felt softer around the edges, they let themselves go like this.
dongmin curls his arms around the other, hand gently running through the softness of his hair.
“do you wanna be my boyfriend, donghyun-ah?” he says, voice heavy as exhaustion slips further into him. he feels donghyun still for a moment, and then finally looking up.
his eyes are big and shiny, as it has been since the day they first locked gazes. he's still pouting, cheeks visibly dusted pink even under the dim light.
“no.”
dongmin laughs. “why?”
“you have to earn it.” he says, a sudden serious tone where his eyebrows furrow a little.
dongmin thinks it's cute. “yeah? how so?”
donghyun pretends to ponder for a bit. “date?”
dongmin lets his eyes close this time, softly pulling him back to his chest. donghyun complies immediately, not really out of will, but because he's just too tired to fight it. and well, dongmin feels warm. and comfortable.
“a date it is.”
dongmin remembers the first date. it came quicker than donghyun expected. the very next day, because dongmin apparently never learnt to be patient.
it was later into the evening when dongmin hears the front door open, little trinkets donghyun usually hung on the belt loops of his jeans clinking against each other as he walked in.
he remembers donghyun's soft steps, the little shuffle of shoes being taken off, coat being hung, the thud of his bag being set down onto the couch. he remembers donghyun walking in and pausing midstep to see dongmin at the kitchen counter, his lips parting in pure surprise and then curling into a smile when he sniffs the smell of ramyeon in the air.
“home early?” he leans against the counter, on the opposite side of dongmin who had already been smiling warmly at him, hand still whisking away at the egg yolk.
“mhm,” dongmin takes in the sight of the other. his hair pushed back like he ran his hand through it, thick rimmed glasses sitting pretty on his nose, his skin a little pale from the cold. “i promised you a date, remember?”
donghyun laughs—nothing mean, eyes darting behind him towards the stove and then back to his face. “ramyeon at home is the date?”
dongmin felt his face flush. he didn’t really think much about it, except the fact he couldn't wait. the day had already been too fast for him, waking up late for his first class because of sleeping late. practically running off on an empty stomach, messing up an assignment and having to chase professors down, sending an email to the wrong person. despite all of it, he looked forward to getting home and having a proper home cooked meal with the other.
donghyun's eyes soften, probably reading through the way a small pout formed on dongmin's lips, his eyebrows a little furrowed. he leans forward against the counter, kissing the top of dongmin's ducked down head.
“i'll get the bowls.” he murmurs, rubbing at his scalp after pulling away, the tension from his shoulders melt down at the action.
when they finally sat down to eat, dongmin quietly pushed the bowl of ramen towards the other. “i promise i'll take you to a better planned date.” he says, small.
donghyun smiles, shifting closer to the other on the floor. he leans in, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek, his hand kneading the nape of his neck.
“this is perfect, dongminnie.” he says. “ramen's always been our thing, hasn't it?”
“are you sure?” dongmin pouts.
“of course.” donghyun replies, hands reaching for his bowl.
dongmin's pout only deepens. “i'm sure you expected something big.”
donghyun's hands still for a moment before he lets out a soft chuckle. “from you?” he says, tone laced with mischief.
his laughter deepens when he hears the other groan, shoving at his shoulder, nothing too hard.
“what do you mean from me?” he's glaring now. donghyun just thinks he looks like a cute cat.
“i'm kidding, dongmin-ah.” he ruffles the other's hair, he doesn’t really mean to but the urge was too strong. “you're always doing big things for me. this feels big too, you know?”
dongmin rolls his eyes, picking up his bowl. “sure.”
donghyun's turn to pout. “i'm serious.”
and when dongmin says nothing, donghyun can only tug at his shirt to get his attention. dongmin looked at him, midbite. he looked incredibly cute like this.
“i'm serious.” he repeats again. “i know you went out of your way and came home early, and then cooked all for me after such a long day. it is big, and it means a lot to me.”
dongmin blinks, before he's darting his eyes elsewhere, cheeks dusted pink.
“it's nothing.” he says, mouthful and donghyun feels a familiar fond giggle escape his lips. he's back to his own bowl of food, the warmth of it doesn't exceed the feeling in his chest, but it surely extends it.
the dinner ends with conversations floating in the air, about their day, about plans for this weekend, about some video donghyun watched about ant eaters while he was supposed to revise, about some music equipment that dongmin accidentally left at jaehyun's.
when they're done, donghyun has a glint to his eye as he stares at dongmin. dongmin knows it too well.
“ice-cream?” he asks and sees the way donghyun's entire being lights up, nodding excitedly. dongmin laughs, already striving to the door, putting on his coat. “come with me?”
donghyun follows him without a thought.
the walk to the convenience store is quiet. their shoulders bump against each other, melting snow crunch at their feet. it's not as cold as it was just a week ago, but it's enough for dongmin to shiver when air gushes at him because of some car passing by. he rubs his palms together in an attempt to get them warm.
donghyun notices, he always does. dongmin sees him pull out something from his pocket, and hands it to him.
a hand warmer. “you're still carrying that around?” he takes it from him, rubbing his hands on it, sighing out at the comforting feeling.
“for you.” he says, simple. “i don't get that cold, you know?”
dongmin blows a breath, at the thoughtfulness. his ears are pink, not really from the cold.
“should we be having ice-cream while it's already cold?” donghyun says, once they step into the convenience store. his actions don't match his words, his feet heading towards the freezers.
“that never stopped us before.” dongmin says, eyes darting between the options.
donghyun laughs. “you're right.”
they end up sitting on the curb outside, close enough for knees to touch. donghyun gets strawberry, dongmin gets chocolate. it reminds them of the early days, when they were both kids and so carefree and still so deeply intertwined.
dongmin leans back on his hands. the moon hides beneath clouds but still shines brightly. there's a couple a few feet away from them, warm cups of coffee nestled between their hands, clinging to each other. they look comfortable, dongmin thinks. and cute.
“hey,” donghyun says from beside him, amusement hidden beneath his eyes. something to say he's seen them too.
“hm?” dongmin replies, giving his attention to the cup in his hands, hissing at the coldness engulfing his mouth when he takes another spoonful.
“say it again.”
dongmin turns to him, jaw nudging as a silent question. “say what?”
donghyun's cheeks flush, and he rolls his eyes. “yah, what was the point of today?”
the gears turn in dongmin’s head before it finally clicks in.
he smiles wide. “be my boyfriend?”
donghyun groans, shoving at his shoulder. there's a pout forming on his lips, and despite being confused, dongmin can't help but find him way too cute.
“no, the other thing.” he says, still pouting, poking at his cup of ice-cream.
dongmin blinks for a moment. “i love you?”
donghyun blows a breath, in an attempt to show annoyance. again, dongmin just finds him cute.
“properly.”
dongmin doesn’t even blink.
“i love you, donghyun-ah.” gentle. sure. like it fits perfectly in his mouth.
“again.”
dongmin laughs under his breath, leaning forward to kiss the corner of his mouth— shy, soft, barely there.
“i love you.” he whispers.
donghyun pulls in the other by the collar and kisses him properly, right on the sidewalk. the cups of ice-cream melting away at their hands, city noise fading into background static.
dongmin is surprised for a second before he kisses back, sweet and slow, tasting of chocolate and strawberry and every year they've spent orbiting each other.
when they part, both of their cheeks are tinted red, breaths shaky.
“okay,” donghyun mumbles, almost dazed. “you can be my boyfriend now.”
dongmin laughs— loud and bright and full, before he pulls him in for another kiss that leaves them both dizzy.