Chapter Text
2 years later…
Jongdae woke up around 9am because of the smell of breakfast tickling his nose. He washed his face and brushed his teeth before he went out to eat breakfast.
"Hmm, that smells delicious~" Jongdae said following the yummy smell coming from the kitchen.
"How are you going to live without me?" Kyungsoo said, rolling his eyes as he gave Jongdae a plate of the breakfast he made for his friend.
"Oh come on, you just want to hear the words 'I couldn't live without you Soo' "
"Well, it's true, I cook your food every single day. I'm cooking for you more than I'm cooking for my own husband."
"By the way, how's the adoption process going?" asked Jongdae.
"It's still an ongoing process, we're still working on the legalization of the twins' custody." Kyungsoo asked.
"I'm excited to meet them~ I'm sure Chanyeol's really happy about it."
"Yes, he's really hands on in the processing of all the documents."
"I'm really happy for the both of you Soo. I hope I can find my happiness too."
"And you're not gonna think of him again, come on Dae, it has been two years already. He didn't even show up at our wedding. He's Chanyeol's best friend for heaven's sake. Are you serious about the waiting thing? Considering the length of time, I'm already thinking that he's just bluffing you. You're waiting for nothing." said Kyungsoo.
"Ouch, how did you become my best friend again? You always use the harshest words invented when it comes to him."
"I'm just concerned about you, he's a no show for two straight years already, and you're not getting any younger. You're almost thirty and you're still single. I bet you're a virgin again. You're too loyal."
"I hate you, and excuse me, I'm not waiting for him anymore, I'm just waiting for the right person, who will love me as much as I'm going to love them."
"Whatever, anyway, are you sure you're ready to go back there again?" Kyungsoo asked, sincerely worried about his friend.
Jongdae is about to head back to Hawaii for a business conference to be held on Maui Island. Jongdae's already working for a famous winery in Seoul and he was assigned to attend the conference in Maui. He was just working there for a year and a half but he's already promoted as an Executive Officer for International Affairs in his company, and he gets to visit different countries every time, and as Kyungsoo said, he'll be coming back to Hawaii for a conference and also to take advantage and perform some taste testing, to check if he would be able to close a deal with one of the suppliers.
"Yes. Why wouldn't I? I already moved on Soo and I don't care if you'll believe me or not because I know, I'm over him."
"You lips could lie but your eyes can't Dae."
Jongdae sighed, Kyungsoo's his best friend for a reason.
"Fine. I'm not yet completely over him okay? But I'm getting there. Just trust me on this Soo, I can take care of myself."
"I hope so. Look, I'm not trying to be the antagonist here okay? As I was always saying, I'm just looking out for you."
"I know and you don't have to worry about me. I'm okay and I'll be okay going back there." Jongdae said, assuring Kyungsoo that he'll be fine.
--
"Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii~" a local greeted him and put a lei around his neck. He smiled at him and it just feels so nice to be back after two years.
He has a connecting inter-island flight after an hour. That plane will take him to Maui Island. Thinking about the place, he had so many good memories there, but little did he know that, that place will also be the witness of the most painful event of his life. If you ask the 28-year old Jongdae to come back and visit that place, he will say no, without any doubt, because he once hated that place. He even hated the sunset back then. That event and that place will only remind him of the misery that the 27-year old Jongdae has gone through. Now, the 29-year old Jongdae is so far the best version of himself since the ultimate break up. He got promoted, he has more savings, loving friends and good colleagues at work. He'll be staying here for 5 days, the business conference will be held for two days, then he'll be meeting up with some of the grape farm owners and their investors for another two days to try and make some negotiations to supply Hawaiian wine to Seoul. He saved the last day to rest and re-visit some of the good places on the island.
--
"So, these are the grapes used to make your famous wines? Hmm.. I love the aroma and it tastes great." Jongdae said to Mr. Kahale. He's the grape farm and winery owner. The days passed really fast. He's now on his third day of his business trip and he's now trying to negotiate with one of the most famous wine and rum suppliers on the island. He met him at the business conference yesterday and the man invited him to visit their farm.
"Yes, we use our own grapes to produce wine to bring an authentic and unique taste."
They talked some more about the liquors they serve, so far this place offers the best-tasting wine Jongdae has visited.
They went in the office to talk about business when Mr. Kahale's intercom rang. He put it on a loudspeaker so Jongdae heard it.
"Sir, the person you've been waiting for is here should I let him in?"
"No, actually we're about to go anyway. We'll meet him outside. I'll introduce him to Mr. Kim." Mr. Kahale said before he dropped the call.
Jongdae was led by Mr. Kahale outside.
"Perfect timing because I want you to meet someone Mr. Kim. He's from Seoul too. He's one of our investors here. He started investing in my farm just a year ago. He has quite a romantic story. According to him Maui is very memorable for him so he wanted to have every reason to come back here, so he invested and risked his money on me. I think he's my lucky charm because my business expanded when he started investing. He said he was waiting for a loved one to come home to him. Quite a smooth talker, he always said he left his heart here, on this very island and he's coming back here every year to try his luck that maybe someday they'll meet again."
"Wow sir, I didn't know that for a very tough looking man like you, you have such a romantic side."
"Well, Maui Island is one of the most romantic islands here in Hawaii, it was called that for a reason." Mr. Kahale said, shrugging his shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll like him, he's kind, charming and a very attractive one. He always tells me stories about his personal life so I tend to get close to him too. He's almost like a son to me." Mr. Kahale said proudly. Now, Jongdae didn't know if he came here to talk about business or be set up with someone by this old man.
They went out and Jongdae's eyes widened when he saw the person waiting for them outside. Said person, mirrored his reaction. It's been two years since he saw him. If what Mr. Kahale said about this guy were true, is it possible that he's the one that this smooth talker investor was talking about?
"Mr. Kim, I want you to meet Mr. Byun Baekhyun. My youngest investor here. Mr. Byun, this is Mr. Kim, representative from Seoul Rums and Wines, prospective client.'' Mr Kahale introduced them.
They were just looking at each other, quite surprised about this coincidence. Jongdae got out of his trance when Mr. Kahale cleared his throat.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Byun." Jongdae tried to conceal the shivering of his voice with his business tone.
"Likewise…" Baekhyun said, his eyes looked like he was about to cry but still, offered a small smile at him.
"He's the one I'm talking about Mr. Kim, he's..." Mr. Kahale continued introducing them, little did he know that Jongdae knows this guy inside and out and that he's the one that he's been waiting for about two years already. The old man continued talking but he didn't seem to hear any of it, his focus was on the man in front of him.
He always thought to himself that he'll continue waiting for Baekhyun to come back home to him and when that happens, he's gonna welcome him with open arms, but right now, seeing him in person, feels really different. All the pain that he's been hiding came back, the memories of their last sunset, their last kiss and the memories of Baekhyun letting go of him. He wanted to run away. Anywhere, as long as he won't get to see this person. He already felt like crying so he cut whatever Mr. Kahale's been saying.
"Actually, Mr. Kahale, I have to go. I forgot, I have to meet someone. Here's my calling card, please don't hesitate to give me a call because my company is really interested and we're looking forward to doing business with you. Thank you sir." Jongdae said in a rushed tone and walked away from them.
--
Baekhyun's heart is swelling upon seeing Jongdae once again. His person's right here in front of him. Every year, he comes back to Hawaii to try his chance of seeing Jongdae there again. Funny, because they literally live in the same country so what are the chances that he'll see Jongdae in Hawaii again? You could say that he tried to gamble on the tiniest bit of chance that this is where they'll meet again. He just felt that this is the place where he left his heart. He’s right. Now that he saw Jongdae again, he’s never gonna let him go again. He’s ready to fulfill his promise to him now.
Jongdae still has this effect on him. He still makes Baekhyun's heart skip a beat. He never stopped loving Jongdae even after two years. Like he said when they last met, he walked away to forgive himself and when he finally did it, he started to search for Jongdae again.
He received an invitation from Chanyeol and Kyungsoo that they were getting married and Chanyeol wants him to be his best man but that means, Jongdae's gonna be Kyungsoo's best man, and again he got coward and didn't attend his own best friend's wedding just to escape on seeing Jongdae again, but he regret it now. He wants to man up and give himself another chance to be happy again and the only way he could have that is to find his only happiness and that is Jongdae. He spent the entire two years hiding in the dark and now that the hiding’s over, he will do his best to win him again.
When Jongdae left all of a sudden, Baekhyun panicked, he couldn't let this happen again. He turned to Mr. Kahale and whispered to him.
“That man, he’s the person I’m looking for. He’s the one holding my heart. Thanks Mr. Kahale, I’ll see you soon. Don’t worry I’ll continue my investment here, and I promise you’ll be the supplier of the wines at our wedding. Bye.” Baekhyun then left to follow his heart.
--
Baekhyun found Jongdae on the beach. He was just sitting there on the sand, his head on top of his knees and he’s hugging his legs. His clothing is quite inappropriate for the setting because he’s still wearing his business suit. He approached him and he realized, Jongdae’s crying.
“I hate you Byun Baekhyun. I hate you so much.” Jongdae whispered repeatedly to himself.
“Ouch.” Baekhyun reacted and Jongdae went stiff after hearing him.
“W-Why are you here?” Jongdae asked, his eyes swollen from crying.
“Finding you.”
“Why? Why now? 2 years Baekhyun, I waited for two fucking years, I thought, when I see you again, I’ll welcome you with open arms, but why am I feeling like this? Why am I hurting? And really? Finding me? Who am I? Nemo? Where are you trying to find me? In deep waters? Byun, I live in fucking Seoul! We live in the same country and now, you’re saying you’re searching for me?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been a coward. I’m afraid to face you. I got the invitation from Chanyeol and Kyungsoo’s wedding through my mom and when I saw that you’re the other best man, I got scared. I got scared because I might end up stealing the limelight from our friends and marry you right there and then. Yes, I’ve been away, hiding for two years but I never stopped thinking about you and I never stopped loving you. Sometimes I wake up in the morning thinking maybe I should just move on from you, get myself drunk, I’ve got no one to talk to. I can’t even talk to my fucking best friend who might be mad at me right now because I never showed up on his wedding. I’m so sad but I know I deserve it.”
“They’re having twins.” Jongdae said.
“What?”
“I said they’re having twins.”
“Wait, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo were having twins? How, did they hire a surrogate?”
“Adopt.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad that they have finally settled down.” Baekhyun slightly smiled at the thought. He’s glad Chanyeol’s having a great life with his chosen partner.”
Both of them went silent for a few minutes until Jongdae started talking.
“Why didn’t you just move on from me? When you left me here that night, you’re finally free, why didn’t you just find someone else?”
“I don’t know, I really felt like I needed to fulfill my promise, I felt that I left a piece of my heart here and I needed to come back here and get it back.” Baekhyun explained.
“What if I’m already taken?”
“Then I guess that’s my cue to move on.”
“You’re not even gonna fight for me?”
“No, if you could tell me that you’re already happy without me. If someone deserves you better than me.”
Jongdae sighed.
“You’re my happiness Baek. You always are.”
Baekhyun looked at him, waiting for his next words.
“We can never be a perfect couple, nobody’s perfect. There will always be ups and downs in a relationship but we have to face it together. Love is painful and I proved that loving you is the most painful Byun Baekhyun but you know what? Loving you is also the best thing that could ever happen to me. Imagining things without you like, waking up not seeing you beside me, sleeping and sharing my day with somebody else, not hearing your sleep talking every night and most of all going back home without you in it, is just too difficult. I’d rather go back into an empty house, than have somebody else waiting for me. I’d rather fight with you everyday if that means I get to be with you all the time. I’d rather be in pain all the time if you’re the reason why I’m hurting. I’d rather cry everyday, if it’s you who made me cry. I’d rather be with you than with somebody else, because even if I’m in pain, even if I am crying, even if we were fighting, at the end of the day it’s still you who makes me the happiest. You are worth it Baek. You are worth the pain. We can conquer it all if it’s you and me.”
“Still, I’m s--”
“Shut the fuck up and just kiss me!” Jongdae exclaimed.
Baekhyun chuckled but still closed the gap between them, tasting the saltiness of their tears. Jongdae gasped, it’s been so long but it’s all worth it because finally, they’re home.
--
Jongdae sighed as he laid down on their shared bed. He just got home from work, and it was really stressful. He has to attend another business meeting in Germany next week. He can’t even stay in Seoul for an entire month, he always moves to different countries just to attend a meeting with suppliers and clients and he’s tired and jetlagged. He just came from the US last week and now he’s travelling again to the other side of the world.
He felt an arm snaking around his torso and suddenly he felt comfortable. He shifted to the other side and looked at the face of his lover.
“Long day at work?” Baekhyun whispered, peppering kisses around Jongdae’s face.
“As usual.”
“I know something that could make you happy.” Baekhyun excitedly said.
“What?”
“Look for my favorite jacket inside the closet.”
Jongdae rolled his eyes.
“You, being a lazy ass there and asking me to get your ugly jacket inside our closet is something that could make me happy? Really Baek?”
“It’s not ugly! You’re uglier than my jacket! Come on, just go and get it~ please?” Baekhyun said, using his puppy eyes that no one can ever resist.
“Ok. Fine.” said Jongdae, getting up from the bed. He searched for the ugly-ass jacket, when he got it, something fell from it’s pocket and he heard Baekhyun hissed behind him. He was shocked when Baekhyun suddenly jumped from the bed and got whatever fell from the jacket’s pocket.
“What? What is it?” Jongdae asked, still shocked from Baekhyun’s sudden movement.
But Baekhyun didn’t answer him, instead he got down on one knee and smiled at Jongdae.
“Oh God, this isn’t what I had in my mind earlier, but anyway, happy anniversary my love, we’ve been through the tough times together and we shed a lot of tears, but I can confidently say that we grew up and matured together, I fall in love with you every single day and I want to fall for you over and over again for the rest of my life. So, if you’ll let me, will you marry me again?” Baekhyun asked, tears rolling down from the overwhelming happiness and love he has for Jongdae.
Jongdae just looked at him but he’s also tearing up, from all the mixed emotions he’s feeling right now.
“Come on, Dae please answer now, I think I sprained my foot from jumping down earlier!” Baekhyun complained, which made Jongdae laugh.
Jongdae’s laugh is the most pleasant thing he ever heard in his life. He always wants to make him laugh like that. The younger kneeled down in front of him and cupped his face.
“Yes, Baekhyun, let’s get married again. I love you so much.” said Jongdae and closed the gap between them as he gave a peck on Baekhyun’s lips.
Baekhyun got up, feeling the pain in his foot. Jongdae helped him sit down on their bed, and the elder put the engagement ring in the younger’s finger. They shared another kiss, this time it’s longer and full of emotions that only the two of them can satisfy.
“Never let me go again Baek. Stay with me even if it’s hard.” said Jongdae against Baekhyun’s lips.
Baekhyun nodded, looking forward to a better future with the love of his life, he promised to himself that this time, they will make it right.