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Another day of insulation and another pile of work he had just completed. Jihoon went through the early hours just like how he did for the past few months, locking himself in his small working office from around eleven in the afternoon, to the late evening, only coming out to eat lunch that his fiancé would usually cook and take short bathroom breaks. His mind was always set to finishing all his tasks at once, leaving his night free.
And that night, he was surprised to be greeted by a loud slam of a door, to be precise his bedroom door that he shared with the older. Hyunsuk doesn't bang doors randomly, especially not with his little cousin around the house.
Unless something was wrong.
He paced quickly across the hallway to the other side of their apartment, to find his baby cousin, looking quite worried while his knees slightly rattled.
“Woo, what happened?”
“I don't know!” Jeongwoo spluttered, “Hyunsuk hyung was just looking at the kitchen calendar and then suddenly stomped into the room. Did I do something wrong?”
Right. Of course, Jihoon wouldn't forget. The third of June was running right around the corner, which means their sixth anniversary was coming up. Hyunsuk was very excited, because the older one planned everything he wanted to do for the special date. He had planned to visit the places that meant a lot to the both of them, like biking together at the same trail they had for their first date, have a picnic where Jihoon had whole heartedly poured his heart out and got them together as boyfriends, and even visit their high school where they slowed dance for the first time on their special night.
Hyunsuk was thrilled, so thrilled, until the news of quarantine broke out. Now they couldn't do anything they were going to do. Jihoon knew his fiancé was overly upset about it.
He pressed his ear on the cold surface, listening to the continuous blows of the wall and quiet cries. Lightly knocking on the door, Jihoon tenderly called out for the hazel haired.
“Sukkie hyung, love? Open the door, please.”
“Go away!” Hyusuk screamed, followed by a harsh sob.
Jihoon heavily sighed, “Love, let's talk it—”
“I said go away! I don't want to see your face!”
“Sukkie, you can't—”
“Fuck off Jihoon before I break your nose!”
Loosening his shoulders, the older male stepped back from the door and wheeled himself to the living room, joining his younger cousin. Jeongwoo stared at Jihoon, as he threw his body at the long, white, cotton linen couch, throwing his head back in despair.
Truthfully speaking, when Jeongwoo was introduced to Hyunsuk, he didn't believe he was the fiancé his cousin had been telling him about. Hyunsuk was pretty similar to Jihoon, like the taste of music, being particularly strict on being on time tidiness, though more flimsiness at the first glance. From Jeno's stories, his fiancé was a bright, clingy and creative man.
Yet certainly, Hyunsuk was all those things. Jeongwoo would say he had quite the personality. Because of his bolting energy, he would have the weirdest ideas from time to time and do the most stupid things, but then again, he would get tired and pocket his introvert-self inside his room, charging his energy and not let anyone else in.
He wouldn't be able to put up with someone like his Hyunsuk hyung. Jihoon was probably the only one who could.
Raising a brow at Jihoon, Jeongwoo looked over, “So?”
“Just leave him. Probably he'll come out the next morning.”
“He's really upset. Why don't you...you know...make up for it?” Jeongwoo suggests, crossing his legs on the couch, with a bag of crisps on his lap.
“I know, I really should.” Jihoon breathed out, “But what can I do Woo? We can't go outside, I don't think I can make him a last minute present, I can't cook…”
Jihoon was now pulling his hair out in frustration, and Jeongwoo couldn't help but giggle, “Really? You think Hyunsuk ihyung will worry about what you can't do?”
“Well, I really did want to cook something up for him, but I don't want to end up poisoning him!”
Jeongwoo popped a chip in his mouth and munched, “Hyunsuk hyung would rather see you putting in some effort into something, rather than nothing.” He gulped down his food and smiled, “Right?”
Of course. His Hyunsuk would always look at the positive things in him. In everything. There's never a time where Hyunsuk hated anything he did, unless it was wrong, and would talk him out of it. How could he not be special to him?
But maybe that's why. To Jihoon, Hyunsuk is so special, that he deserves to get the best of the best. Yet, Jihoon can't give him that.
“C'mon hyung, I'll help you out.”
“Hey, what's gotten into you? Are you really Woo?”
The youngest pouts and rolls his eyes.
Jihoon laughed, “Thanks Woo. You're quite thoughtful, your future girlfriend would be lucky.”
Jeongwoo only shuttered his shoulders and glanced back at the television.
The sun had barely risen up from its slumber, hardly peeking up from the east, and yet two presence had already made their way to the kitchen in the early morning. Their eyes weren't quite open yet, as Jihoon made his way to the sink and splashed a handful of water on his face and even spitted some on his younger cousin's cheeks, making him flinch in surprise.
Jihoon didn't know what made his chest feel heavy. Was it the fact that he slept on the couch for the night, which was pretty uncomfortable, or was it that he had a chance to catch their kitchen on fire? He didn't know.
But hey, making banana pancakes and a sunny side up can't be that hard. Right?
He started off by collecting the ingredients for the breakfast food. Jihoon was having a hard time finding where Hyunsuk had put the measuring cups in their cupboards and had instructed Jeongwoo to get a few others.
“Hyung, is butter the same as margarine?”
“I don't know. Probably.”
Snatching a big, pink bowl, Jihoon started to measure out the flour that was needed.
“Woo, can you cook the eggs? Also, cook extra for you to eat.”
“Hyung, do they really have to be heart shaped?”
Jeno just gave him a sharp glare, before going back to making the pancake batter.
The small cousin sighed and turned himself to face the stove. It took him a good minute to figure out what he had to do, and reached for the pan and placed it over the cooktop, and then poured a decent amount of oil, letting it heat up for a while. He then placed the heart shaped mold and cracked the egg.
Jeongwoo couldn't help it but snickered, while thinking this was easier than he thought. But right after that, he wanted to pull back his words.
“Hyung! The eggs are spitting at me!”
Right. Jihoon totally forgot about the eggs. He grabbed the closest dry cloth and tied the mixer to the handle of the cupboard above, letting the kitchen appliance beat the batter independently. He then hurried over to Jeongwoo, praying the eggs didn't burn.
It took around half an hour more for the two cousins to finish cooking the batter on the pan and plating the sleeping fiancé's breakfast as pretty as they could. Dropping a few more blueberries and then pouring a light amount of maple syrup, Jihoon then placed the plate on the wooden tray, with a cup of warm coffee ready to go.
With a gleaming grin, Jihoon left his younger cousin in the kitchen and left him for the master bedroom at the back.
The two were quite picky when they moved in, especially the older male. Hyunsuk wanted everything to be perfect, he wanted every single piece of furniture, all their curtains and all their covers to be them. Hyunsuk extremely cared about their shared bedroom, he told Jihoon that it would affect their quality time together as well as their sleep.
Jihoon didn't really understand, but let Hyunsuk do what he needed to do. And to say he was glad he let the other do what he wanted.
As soon as he reached the door, he turned the knob, knowing that his lover would never lock himself in the bedroom at night alone, after he developed a trauma of getting locked up in the garage for three hours. He pushed it open with his elbow and shuffled his bare feet on the white fur rug, tickling up his heels to feel more uptight. Gently setting the tray on the nightstand, he peered over at the sleeping figure under the grey covers, looking like an angel buried under a cloud of heaven.
Jihoon then walked over to the other side of the bed, sliding the light ash curtains, letting the warm rays of the sun shine into the room. Yet, his lover didn't move a single muscle, not even a small flinch.
Silently chuckling, Jihoon peered over at the sleeping male. Agile, fairly tanned skin, hazel nut locks cluttered on the soft white pillow with cherry lips slightly agape as his body rose and sank with his snores. He brought up his palm under the covers and to his shoulders and gently rubbed with his touch.
“Love…” He whispered, through the bashful air.
Hyunsuk only tightened his eyelids.
“Love, wake up.”
He lightly crooned and pinched his lips into a pout, “Hoonie, not now.”
The mentioned male sighed and rested his knee and body on the sheets. He then rested his palm on the cheek of his fiancé, rubbing Hyunsuk’s eyelids with his thumb with his feather-like touch and then slowly blew over his face.
“You don't want pancakes?”
Fluttering his long lashes, Hyunsuk’s eyes finally greeted Jihoon, sparkling with a sprinkle of the stars from the universe.
“You brought breakfast in bed?”
It was as if a spit of light struck inside of Hyunsuk’s chest, sitting up on the bed as his fiancé quickly brought over the tray of food. Hyunsuk was after all fully recharged, with a gimpy yet sleepy smile.
As if his smile couldn't grow any wider, Hyunsuk felt his stomach grumble at the sight of pancakes and the heart shaped sunny side up.
Giggling, Hyunsuk looked up at his lover, “You made this?”
“I had assistance from Jeongwoo.”
Hyunsuk took a big sip of the coffee before cutting up a piece of the pancake, swirling it around to get a good amount of the maple syrup on his fork and popped it in his mouth. He then swallowed down the bite, widening his eyes, and Jihoon wasn't sure if it was because of how good or bad they were.
“So, what do you think?” He said while perking up his ears and leaning closer to Hyunsuk.
The other hummed, “You want me to be honest?”
Hyunsuk nodded.
“Like, really really honest?”
And again, Jihoon nodded.
“Quite bland, it needs more of the banana flavour.”
His fiancé couldn't help but frown.
“But, I love it!” Hyunsuk spluttered, pecking the older's cheeks before diving in for another bite of the breakfast. He then also fed Jihoon, while he sat at the edge of the bed, just staring at the gleeful male, making him feel giddy as well.
When Hyunsuk was done, Jihoon helped him put the wooden tray on the nightstand, after wiping the corners of his lips with a clean napkin, as he wiggled out of the covers and set himself on the edge of the bed as well.
Rubbing his knees together, whispered a small thank you at Jihoon. And the fact that he was too bashful to even look up at him made the taller male’s heart ease.
The sound of music started to play in the background, and Hyunsuk looked up to see Jihoon placing his smartphone on the nightstand, and then walked closer to the older. Hyunsuk almost didn't realise the other male close to him, as his ears rang at the very familiar strum of instruments and heavenly tune.
He felt a swirl of bees in his stomach buzzing along with the familiar melody, as a wave of flashback hit his head, sending him to blank out for a minute.
“Hoonie— what are you doing!”
It was just Jihoon’s favourite thing to do, make Jaemin feel beautiful.
The taller one between them had bent his torso, a hand lay out flat, politely asking for permission as he still had his eyes on the other.
Flashing a bright grin, Jaemin muttered, “Can I have this dance?”
Of course, there's no way he’d reject it.
Bodies close, hand intertwined, just everything that meant togetherness and comfort. Jihoon had his other palm weighing on Hyunsuk’s waist, and it felt perfect. It all felt perfect, just like how it's supposed to be.
Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul.
“Don't you remember anything from this song?”
Hyuhnsuk hummed, “You mean that time in high-school prom where you asked me to dance with you when I was clearly having a serious chat with Ms. Yu? Other than that, nope.”
Lightly clicking his tongue at his lover's statement, Jihoon leaned on their laced fingers and placed a soft kiss right under Hyunsuk’s thumb.
The brunet giggled, and it only got louder when Jihoon suddenly clasped on Hyunsuk’s waist and threw him in the air, and before landing back on the carpeted floor, he made sure his legs wrapped around his waist, hugging the smaller one closer. The smell of his fiancé engulfed like a blossoming flower, over powering his nose, bright peaches with a hint of cinnamon.
Hyunsuk didn't want the fun to stop and stood on his feet, sliding his arms around Jeno's neck, taking an enchanted turn around the room. The two turned and turned, until they got dizzy and rested their foreheads on each other.
Quick pants and soft laughter, Jihoon tugged the brunet closer and finally opened his eyes. He loved the way he was greeted, with the sight of the other's hazel beads glimmering, it will never fail to make his heart leap. And they just stay like that for the next few minutes, just like that, listening to their gradually breathing.
It was like seeing a shooting star with his naked eyes to have the chance of meeting Hyunsuk. Yet, faith let them. It was like catching a bolt of lightning to even have Hyunsuk in his arms, and sharing the same doting feeling of having a one in a million chance. Yet again, faith lets them be mutual and attached, and even carry out their beautiful love story.
Snaking his hand on to Hyunsuk’s face and he separated their foreheads, Jihoon gently on his cheek, stroking it with the face of his thumb.
“Years ago, I would've never thought I'd spend every single day with you, with this much happiness.”
Hyunsuk then suddenly looked at Jihoon, the atmosphere in his eyes seemed to dampen. “But, don't you worry sometimes?”
“What is there to worry about?”
The younger felt a tough tug on the hem of his shirt.
“I just feel so happy, that it made me think, no happiness like this can last forever. I'm scared for what's about to come. What if one day, I'll just drown in misery?”
“Of course, there will be hardships in life, love.”
The tug only tightened.
“And I'm so scared. I know, I will face it, but what if I can't get over it?”
Jihoon steals Hyunsuk’s hands from his shirt and clasps them warmly.
“There will be days where our feelings won't always be blossoms and cherries. But I know, as long as we're together, you'll be safe with me.”
Silence.
“What if I break? What if I fall?”
“I'll be there to heal you. I'll catch you.”
Hyunsuk lowered his head, “What if something separates us?”
He knows so well in his heart he won't be able to leave Jihoon. But what if one day, Jihoon just decides to depart?
Wrapping his arms around the other, Jihoon pulls him closer, closer than ever today, resting his chin on Hyunsuk’s shoulder.
“I don't know what the future holds for us, but I promise, anywhere you go, my heart is wherever you are.”
The words slipped out just like that and he sealed it with a gentle kiss on his forehead. Jihoon takes Hyunsuk’s hand and places it on his beating heart. It still let out the same rhythm as six years ago, where his young self confessed to him. Rapid, throbbing, yet amiable.
“It's been years since we've known each other that I totally lost count. But it's been six years since I called you mine. I'm so glad we're together.”
Hyunsuk fluttered his lashes, staring back deeply at the other, “Me too. Jihoon, you know I love you.”
“Of course I know, I love you too. Happy anniversary, love.”
Hyunsuk leans his face closer to his soon-to-be husband, “Happy anniversary, Jihoon.”
With that small distance, Jihoon didn't hesitate to catch Hyunsuk’s lips with his, latching him by the waist and carrying him in his hold. The older male seemed to not mind and actually is desperate for more, grinding their bodies closer until they trip on their feet and land on their bed sheets.
As Jihoon hovered over Hyunsuk, his fiancé gripped on his wrist, “What...what about Jeongwoo?”
"He won't hear a thing. This will be quick okay? Later, we've got a whole night to ourselves."
Those were Jihoon’s last words before he engulfed their two bodies together not minding breezy morning air and the warm rays of sunlight that sneak up on them.
Having nothing to do, Jeongwoo skips to the room his cousin had let him stay in and picks up his buzzing phone. Just by seeing the contact name on his screen, the young lad grinned with giddiness.
"Jeongwoo-ya!" The voice over the phone screeched, "Why didn't you pick up your phone earlier? How dare you leave your own boyfriend hanging!"
The ebony haired boy chuckled, "Sorry baby, my cousin needed a hand."