Chapter Text
Hongjoong had started to notice it about a month ago.
Seonghwa had always been a little sentimental, even if he didn’t always want to admit it. He liked to watch romance movies and listen to love songs on repeat, which was normal for him. But lately, it felt… different.
The first time Hongjoong realized something was off was when they were curled up on the couch after a long, exhausting schedule. Hongjoong usually lets Seonghwa pick what to watch since he knows he’d probably fall asleep halfway through anyway. It wasn’t that he didn’t care; it was just that his body gave out before the movie ever did. He’d drift off against Seonghwa’s shoulder, comforted by the steady rhythm of his breathing.
That night was no different, except that when he woke up near the end of the film, there was a wedding scene playing. The couple was exchanging vows, with the girl crying and everything; it was the kind of scene that made all the girls sigh. Hongjoong, still groggy, was never much for romance movies.
But then he felt Seonghwa shift, so he turned his head and noticed that Seonghwa’s eyes were glassy, shimmering like he was about to cry. As soon as he noticed Hongjoong was awake, he smiled, as if nothing had happened.
“You’re up,” he murmured and pressed a kiss to Hongjoong’s forehead. Hongjoong studied his face for a moment, but Seonghwa’s attention was back to the movie.
The second incident occurred a few days later, when they were walking through a busy commercial district after a shoot, slipping away from the rest of the members for a brief moment. Hongjoong had wanted to check out a new clothing store that had just opened, and Seonghwa tagged along.
They chatted with the managers as they walked, wearing their masks and caps to blend into the crowd. But when they reached a boutique on the corner, Hongjoong felt the subtle tug as Seonghwa slowed beside him.
It was a bridal shop; the window was lined with beautiful and elegant gowns. Seonghwa’s gaze stayed there for a few seconds until Hongjoong squeezed his hand gently, reminding him to keep moving.
“You’ll make people wonder if you keep staring,” he murmured, looking around.
Seonghwa was slightly startled, then looked at Hongjoong before he let out a soft laugh.
“Sorry,” he whispered, though the tone in his voice said he wasn’t all that sorry. He glanced again at the window before turning back to Hongjoong. “They’re just beautiful.”
Hongjoong looked at him for a moment and only managed a quiet hum in response, tugging Seonghwa forward, who followed him easily. But the look in his eyes, his quiet longing, haunted Hongjoong for days.
And finally, what really gave it away, the moment Hongjoong couldn’t ignore the signs anymore, was when he gifted the members the team rings.
He had worked for weeks designing them, wanting to give the members something to show his appreciation. When he handed them out, he was proud, nervous, and excited to see their reactions. The others reacted just as he hoped, with surprise, laughing, and thanking Hongjoong. They slid the bands onto their fingers immediately, showing them off to one another.
But Seonghwa’s reaction was a bit different.
He held the ring in his hand a little longer, his expression unreadable at first. There was surprise, yes, and affection too, but beneath it was something deeper. Something too vulnerable, as though the simple silver band carried a meaning heavier than anyone else realized. He turned it over carefully, slipped it onto his finger, and then couldn’t seem to stop staring at it.
Later, they were alone, sprawled across Seonghwa’s bed. Hongjoong lay on his back, scrolling through his phone, while Seonghwa rested beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, Hongjoong noticed Seonghwa raising his hand, holding it toward the light, still admiring the ring.
“Do you like it that much?” Hongjoong asked, trying to keep his voice casual, though there was a trace of nervousness beneath it.
“Yeah,” Seonghwa nodded, with his eyes still fixed on the silver band. Then, after a pause, he lowered his hand and glanced at Hongjoong. “Can I ask you something?”
Hongjoong locked his phone and turned his head. “What?”
“Ignore me if it’s weird, but… what do you think about marriage?” Seonghwa’s tone was hesitant.
Hongjoong was caught off guard. “Marriage? Why?” he asked.
Seonghwa looked at him for a moment, then let out a soft laugh, shaking his head.
“It’s nothing. One of my friends got married recently, and it made me think about it for a second. Don’t mind me,” he waved it off and smiled at Hongjoong to reassure him.
Hongjoong blinked in confusion, then opened his mouth, but all that came out was a quiet, “Oh.”
Seonghwa chuckled under his breath, leaning closer and kissing Hongjoong gently.
“Thank you for the ring,” he whispered against his lips.
And in that moment, Hongjoong understood.
The signs now were undeniable.
The realization should have made him feel a little excited, but instead, it left him anxious.
They had been together, officially, for four years now. He remembered clearly the night Seonghwa had confessed that he’d been drawn to Hongjoong from the very first moment they met. Hongjoong had been surprised. Back then, he thought Seonghwa seemed a little cold, distant even. Still, he couldn’t deny how strikingly handsome he was; it was the kind of beauty that caught your eye, whether you wanted it to or not.
Eventually, things between them began to shift. Being roommates made it hard not to grow attached, especially with the intimacy of sharing a space together. But between the endless pressure Hongjoong carried as leader, the constant demand for perfection, to stand out, the packed schedules, events, and practices, there was barely any time to process what they were feeling.
It got to a point where, one night after too much drinking, one thing led to another. What started as a kiss escalated quickly, until they crossed a line neither of them had talked about before. By morning, no one mentioned it. They went about their day pretending nothing had happened, though Hongjoong avoided Seonghwa as much as he could.
It wasn’t until Seonghwa, being the brave one, cornered Hongjoong one evening and asked outright what was happening between them. He had his reasons even before hooking up, obviously. Both of them enjoyed a little fanservice now and then, especially since it seemed to make their fans happy. But even for Hongjoong, who had always been careful about drawing lines, it had started to blur. Especially when mixed with feelings he had been burying for years.
So they decided to give it a name, to call it a ‘relationship’ and see where it would go. And honestly, not much changed. They were still the same, just added a few more kisses, touches, and, on the nights they weren’t too tired, sex. Even the other members asked what the hell they had been before, since they already looked like a couple.
Their story was messy; it always had been, and the thought of marriage only tangled things further. Not because Hongjoong didn’t want it; if he was being honest, the idea had lived quietly in him for years. He dreamed of the permanence and the vow that said Seonghwa was his in ways the world couldn’t question. But realistically? Marriage was impossible for them.
All the members valued their fans deeply, and while there was no strict dating ban, they all understood what a dating scandal could do. Add to that the fact that they weren’t just any couple: they were both men, both idols, both members of the same group, and the risk multiplied. Hongjoong didn’t fear the fans’ reactions so much as the industry’s: the backlash from the media, the judgment from the public, the way it could endanger everything they’d worked for. Hongjoong didn’t care much for their opinions, but if any of it hurt the members, and especially Seonghwa, then it wasn’t a risk he could take.
And then there was the simple truth: in South Korea, marriage between two men wasn’t even legal.
What unsettled him most wasn’t just the impossibility, but the fear it bred inside him. The part of him that whispered in the night, when he couldn’t stop overthinking: What if Seonghwa gets tired? What if he wanted more than what Hongjoong could give? What if he left in search of someone who could offer him the wedding, the family, the future he seemed to dream about?
The idea of Seonghwa marrying a woman and starting a conventional life gnawed at him more than he cared to admit. Rationally, he knew better. Seonghwa had always dated men; he’d even introduced Hongjoong, reluctantly, to a few exes long ago, and each meeting was enough to twist Hongjoong’s stomach with jealousy he hadn’t understood at the time.
Still, he was a bit insecure. In the rare moments when Hongjoong voiced his fears before, Seonghwa had reassured him. Seonghwa always knew how to steady him and quiet his thoughts. Hongjoong trusted him, he always had, and yet…
With a heavy sigh, Hongjoong dropped his forehead onto the desk in his studio. His notebook lay open in front of him, and his computer was playing a demo he was trying to work on, but his thoughts kept circling, refusing to give him peace.
Marriage…
Just as Hongjoong was lost in thought, the door slid open.
“Hyung, have you seen Mingi?” Yunho said as he stepped inside, but when Hongjoong looked up, he froze mid-step and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hongjoong said, trying not to worry Yunho, but he didn’t look convinced.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because earlier, when I saw Seonghwa hyung, he seemed kind of… off. I don’t know.”
Hongjoong’s brow furrowed, and he sat up a little straighter, tucking his hands into his lap. “Distant? What do you mean? Is he… not okay?”
Yunho exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I just… did you two fight or something?”
Hongjoong shook his head, letting out a quiet sigh.
“No, it’s not that,” Hongjoong replied. “It’s just… there’s something that’s been stressing me out lately, and…” He trailed off, unsure.
Yunho waited, but when Hongjoong didn’t continue, he asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Hongjoong hesitated. Usually, the only person he confided in was Seonghwa. He could tell him everything, and Seonghwa would always reassure him and calm him down. But this time, Seonghwa couldn’t help since he was a big part of the stress itself.
He swallowed, staring down at his hands. Yunho took a small step closer, and that gentle movement was all it took for Hongjoong to finally make a decision.
“…I guess I should tell you,” he said softly. “It’s been weighing on me for a while, and I need your perspective.”
He began to speak, carefully at first, and then with more honesty as he continued. He told Yunho everything, and he listened quietly, nodding constantly, letting Hongjoong speak uninterrupted. When he finally finished, Yunho leaned back slightly.
“…That’s it?” he said.
“What do you mean, ‘that’s it’?” Hongjoong replied, and it came out a bit defensive.
Yunho chuckled, shaking his head softly. “Sorry, hyung. But honestly… seeing you two like I did, genuinely, I thought you’d had a big fight. I was starting to get worried.”
Hongjoong let out a tired laugh, shaking his head. “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just me overthinking, I guess.”
Yunho exhaled, leaning against the doorframe, his tone more serious now. “Look… this is something you need to talk to Seonghwa hyung about. I mean, not necessarily right this minute, but… this is something important,” he looked directly at Hongjoong. “You don’t seem to hate the idea of marriage, but you need to decide if it’s something you really want, and see if Seonghwa hyung is serious about it.”
Hongjoong nodded slowly, and seriously considered it when Yunho left. He glanced at the calendar on the wall, seeing the upcoming dates for tour preparations and schedules. A sigh escaped him. He wasn’t ready to deal with this fully just yet. The thought would have to wait.
Honestly, after the North America leg of the tour, the stress of the final months of the year, and the pressure of starting a new one, it was easy to forget about everything else. When Hongjoong and Seonghwa had time, they simply collapsed into bed together, slept, and then got up to continue with their routines. That was normal when they were busy; nothing unusual, nothing to worry about.
Until the Europe tour.
In Italy, after their concert, Hongjoong saw his chance. They had a little more time before they had to leave for Fashion Week in France, and he decided to use it. He planned a small surprise trip so they could spend some time together. They said goodbye to the other members, who were heading off to the next stop in Switzerland, while Hongjoong and Seonghwa stayed behind.
Their managers didn’t mind and even suggested they film some of their time in Milan for a vlog before giving them the night off. Hongjoong didn’t care much about the cameras; he actually liked recording content, and besides, he really enjoyed being around the managers too. Seonghwa did as well.
They spent the morning wandering, having breakfast, and buying train tickets. The hours slipped away between filming, talking, and improvising their way through the day. By the time the sun began to set, the managers told them they had the night free, as long as they were back early to catch their ride to France in the morning.
They agreed easily, choosing to stroll through Milan’s streets before heading back. At Hongjoong’s suggestion, they went to a restaurant they’d been to once before, tucked into a corner table, and ordered some light dinner with a bottle of wine to share.
“It still feels surreal,” Seonghwa said after the waitress brought the wine, rolling the stem of his glass between his fingers. “Everything we did last year. Sometimes I wonder if it really happened at all.”
Hongjoong watched him with a small smile. “Yeah, I can’t believe it either,” he said, looking at the window, watching the city. “I hope this year will be kinder to us.”
Seonghwa smiled softly and raised his glass. “To us. To our members.”
They clinked glasses lightly.
After a moment, Hongjoong let his chin rest on his hand, watching the way Seonghwa’s expression turned thoughtful under the soft lights. The words slipped out before he could think.
“I’m really happy I get to start another year with our members… and with you.”
Seonghwa stilled the glass halfway to his lips, and then set it down carefully. He studied Hongjoong across the table and smiled. “You’re sentimental tonight.”
“It’s the wine,” Hongjoong replied, swirling his own glass, but he couldn’t hold his smile.
Seonghwa laughed. “I don’t think that’s the only reason.”
Hongjoong chuckled softly, a little embarrassed, and turned his gaze toward the window. But Seonghwa leaned forward with his eyes fixed on him, and gently tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said, his hand brushing against Hongjoong’s cheek. “I like it when you’re like this.”
The wine made everything worse. Hongjoong dropped his gaze to the rim of his glass, trying to hide how quickly his heart was racing, though his ears burned red. Even after all this time Seonghwa still made him nervous.
“You’re the one being sentimental,” he muttered, his tone shy.
Seonghwa laughed softly, fondly, and Hongjoong found himself staring at him with admiration. He wanted to kiss him so badly, but they were still in public. So instead, he slipped his hand into Seonghwa’s under the table and changed the subject.
The meal stretched late into the evening, and when they finally left the restaurant, the air outside was cool, and the streets glowed with warm light that made everything feel a little more intimate. They walked side by side, close enough that their hands brushed with every step.
And then, by sheer coincidence, they passed by a jewelry store.
The window was lined with elegant displays of rings and necklaces. Seonghwa slowed when something caught his eye. A pair of rings. They weren’t exactly like the ones Hongjoong had designed for the group, but there was something about them that reminded him. He leaned closer to the glass, raised the hand where he had his ring, and smiled.
“It’s almost like we’re married, you know?” Seonghwa said while comparing them.
Hongjoong froze. It had been a while since Seonghwa had mentioned marriage, and now all those thoughts came rushing back. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was just the moment, but before he could think, the words tumbled out.
“Would you marry me?”
Seonghwa’s head whipped around in surprise, his eyes wide. “W-what?”
“I mean, sorry.” Hongjoong’s face flushed instantly, and he stumbled over his words. “That came out weird. It’s just… a few months ago, you seemed so interested in marriage.”
Seonghwa’s gaze softened as he turned back to the display. For a moment, he was quiet.
“I dreamed about it for a while,” he said softly, almost sad. “I’ve always liked the idea of marriage. I know it’s impossible for us, but still… I let myself imagine it, just for a moment.”
That tugged at something in Hongjoong’s chest. He wanted to give Seonghwa everything he wanted, and it hurt knowing this felt so far out of reach.
“In different circumstances, would you?” he asked, his voice smaller than before. Then, a little more insecurely: “With me?”
Seonghwa turned to look at him again, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Why are you putting so much emphasis on the ‘with me’?”
Hongjoong shrugged nervously, letting out a small laugh as he rubbed at his neck. “I don’t know. Just wondering.”
Seonghwa studied him for a long moment, then smiled and reached for his hand.
“Hongjoong, you are the only one,” he said quietly. “You’ll always be the only one. If I could choose, I’d spend this life and every other with you.” His thumb brushed over Hongjoong’s knuckles, then searched for his eyes and smiled.
“Of course I would marry you,” He finished, looking directly at Hongjoong.
Hongjoong felt the words settle deep in his chest, so raw and so full of certainty that they left him momentarily breathless. He felt his face burn, so he looked away, searching for anything to distract himself.
And when Hongjoong finally looked back, his eyes caught again on the jewelry store. His heart hammered in his chest, and he didn’t know where the courage came from, maybe from the wine, but the words tumbled out anyway.
“What would you think if, right now, I told you we should go in and buy rings?”
Seonghwa was startled. “What?”
“We should buy rings,” Hongjoong repeated, his voice steadier this time. “For you and me. If we can’t have anything more, at least… at least we’d have something that symbolizes our love… or whatever.”
Seonghwa glanced back at the display, then at Hongjoong again with wide eyes. The sight of Hongjoong’s face all red made him burst into laughter until Hongjoong nudged him in protest. Seonghwa’s eyes were still shining when he reached for Hongjoong’s arm, his touch gentle.
“Let’s go, then,” he murmured, tugging him toward the door, and Hongjoong’s heart nearly burst from the simple, devastating sweetness of it.
The bell above the door chimed softly as they stepped inside the jewelry store. The light was warm, golden, reflecting off glass cases lined with rings that sparkled. It seemed luxurious. Hongjoong swallowed, suddenly feeling really nervous but determined, so he walked up to the counter.
“Good evening,” he said. “Could you show us some engagement rings?” he asked carefully, in his best English.
The young woman behind the counter smiled and nodded, laying out a selection on a velvet tray. Seonghwa got close, watching them attentively as Hongjoong asked question after question, about sizes, about designs, about durability, and some recommendations.
They tried on a few, but some were too plain, others too heavy. Honestly, the men's options weren't that great. But then Hongjoong spotted it: a band of white gold, sleek and elegant, with a small star set in the center of a single diamond. He didn't know how to describe it, but it was just too Seonghwa. The card read: 18ct White Gold Single Star Diamond Set Wedding Ring. 6mm Wide. Something about it caught his breath.
“Do you like this one?” Hongjoong asked Seonghwa in Korean.
He turned the ring between his fingers, and analyzed it for a moment, then smiled at Hongjoong.
“It’s beautiful,” he whispered.
Hongjoong made a mental note that later, when he had time, he’d design something more unique, something only Seonghwa could have. But for now, this felt perfect.
When the rings were chosen and fitted, Hongjoong hesitated before asking, “Um… could we engrave them inside now?” He glanced apologetically at the clerk. “We have to leave tomorrow morning.”
The woman glanced at the clock, biting her lip. “Normally, it takes longer. But…” She looked at the two of them, and gave them a soft smile. “We can make an exception. What do you want to engrave?”
Hongjoong’s heart leapt. “Just our initials.”
She nodded and gave them a paper to write them. They watched as the rings disappeared briefly, only to return with the faintest etching inside: KJH & PSH. Seonghwa held the small box carefully, like it was fragile.
After thanking the clerk profusely, they left the shop and wandered through the streets of Milan, feeling a bit awkward, the night air cool against their cheeks. Hongjoong was admiring the view, when he noticed the cathedral in the distance, and he had an idea.
“Come,” Hongjoong said suddenly, tugging Seonghwa’s arm, and together they walked toward it.
They found a quieter spot around the back, where only a few passersby drifted through. They were lucky it was a Tuesday since there were less tourists.
After settling in silence, they opened the small box. Seonghwa was the first to move, he grabbed the ring with his initials and slid the ring onto Hongjoong’s finger. Then Hongjoong did the same with the other ring, his throat tightening as the cool metal met Seonghwa’s skin.
For a moment, they just stood there, looking down at their hands, then back at each other. Hongjoong saw Seonghwa’s eyes glistening, and it broke him in the gentlest way.
“I’ll design you something better later,” Hongjoong said to ease the tension a bit.
Seonghwa shook his head, and Hongjoong noticed some tears on the corner of his eye. “I love this one.”
Something inside Hongjoong ached with the need to close the space between them. He glanced around. When he confirmed they were alone, he reached up, cupped Seonghwa’s cheek, and guided him down just enough to press his lips to his.
Seonghwa laughed softly against his mouth when their glasses got in their way, so they took them off and kissed again. But when they pulled apart, some tears spilled down Seonghwa's cheeks.
“No, no, don’t cry,” Hongjoong whispered, feeling panic and affection colliding as he brushed Seonghwa’s face with his trembling fingers.
“I can’t help it,” he said, shaking his head. “I just… I’m so thankful, Hongjoong. For you. For the way you always take care of me, even when you don’t realize you’re doing it. For the way you see me. You have no idea how grateful I am to have you in my life.”
Hongjoong’s eyes burned instantly, and he felt his throat closing. “Stop, now you’re making me cry.”
Seonghwa laughed again, and pulled Hongjoong into a tight embrace, and stayed like that. Two men pressed close under the shadow of the cathedral, both wiping at their faces and laughing, Hongjoong thought about how ridiculous they must look to anyone passing by, but didn't care.
When they finally stopped crying, they walked back toward the hotel. Their hands brushed until Seonghwa laced their fingers together, and admired their rings.
The moment they stepped into the apartment, Seonghwa closed the door behind them and captured Hongjoong’s lips in a kiss. They spent the whole day with stolen glances, light touches, and the urge to kiss that had now built up too much to hold back any longer.
Hongjoong’s hands found Seonghwa’s waist, pulling him closer as they kissed, soft at first, then with more urgency, trying to make up for all the moments they had restrained themselves. Gently, he guided Seonghwa toward the bed, slipping off their jackets as they walked.
Halfway there, Hongjoong nearly tripped over the pair of shoes he had left on the floor that morning. They stumbled together and laughed into the kiss, then Hongjoong steadied them both, his hands firm on Seonghwa’s hips, and rested his forehead against the taller man’s as they stopped laughing.
After a moment, Hongjoong guided Seonghwa the final few steps to the bed, letting him sink back into the soft duvet. He followed him down, bracing himself on his arms above him, and simply looked.
The moonlight from the window spilled over Seonghwa, carving his elegant form from the shadows. His silver hair making his honey skin stand out. Hongjoong’s heart swelled as he felt a wave of overwhelming affection that stole his breath. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Seonghwa’s cheek, then to the corner of his mouth, feeling Seonghwa’s smile.
He began his descent. His hands found the hem of Seonghwa’s shirt, and as he pushed it up, Seonghwa arched his back to help, the fabric slipping away to reveal the smooth plane of his chest. Hongjoong’s lips followed the path his hands had made. He pressed a kiss to the center of his chest, then his tongue darted out to taste his skin before he moved to a nipple, circling it slowly, while his fingers gave attention to the other, earning a soft moan from Seonghwa.
He continued his worship, mapping the defined muscles of Seonghwa’s stomach with his lips and the tip of his nose, inhaling his clean, familiar scent. God, he drives me crazy, Hongjoong thought. He was obsessed with Seonghwa's abs.
Then a hand gently cupped his jaw, stopping him. Seonghwa drew him back up, and captured his lips in a deep kiss.
“Take your shirt off,” Seonghwa said when they parted, tugging at his shirt.
Hongjoong complied, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. But before he could reclaim Seonghwa’s lips, he rolled them over, reversing their positions. Hongjoong looked up and he saw Seonghwa smirking as he settled his weight over Hongjoong’s hips.
His hands went to Hongjoong’s pants, making quick work of the button and zipper. He tugged them down, just enough to free him. Hongjoong was already half-hard, feeling the anticipation coiling in his stomach. Seonghwa bent his head, and Hongjoong gasped as he felt the hot, wet press of Seonghwa’s tongue through the thin cotton of his boxers, tracing his length.
“Seonghwa,” he breathed, his hips giving an involuntary jerk.
Seonghwa just smiled, and began to palm him slowly over the fabric, teasing him. He scattered kisses along Hongjoong’s inner thighs, making him shudder. It was maddening.
“Stop teasing me,” Hongjoong pleaded, his voice strained as he threw an arm over his eyes, overwhelmed by the sensation and the intensity of Seonghwa’s focus.
He felt the bed dip as Seonghwa moved over him, and wrapped his fingers gently around his wrist, pulling his hand away from his face.
Seonghwa leaned close, and murmured to Hongjoong's ear, “Don’t hide, baby.”
The pet name sent an immediate, electric jolt through Hongjoong. Ever since Seonghwa had developed an obsession with the song ‘Angel Baby,’ he had started to call Hongjoong like that in private, and it never failed to make his heart clench.
Seonghwa kept hold of Hongjoong’s hand, his thumb stroking over the silver ring on his finger. He brought Hongjoong’s knuckles to his lips and pressed a soft kiss there, his eyes locked with Hongjoong’s. The gesture was so unexpectedly tender that Hongjoong held his breath.
Then, Seonghwa guided Hongjoong’s index and middle fingers to his own mouth. He didn't stop the eye contact as he first licked them slowly, then took them into the warm, wet heat of his mouth, sucking gently.
“Fuck,” Hongjoong choked out, his mind short-circuiting. He really knew how to undo Hongjoong completely.
Seonghwa continued, his tongue swirling until Hongjoong was squirming, his cock fully hard now. He could take no more.
“Baby,” Hongjoong managed to use the same nickname, but his voice was rough. “Bring the lube. It’s in my bag, front pocket.”
Seonghwa gave his fingers one last, slow suck before releasing them with a soft pop, and there was a satisfied smile on his lips. He leaned in, kissed Hongjoong, and whispered, “Okay.”
Without another word, he slipped off the bed to retrieve it, the moonlight tracing the elegant lines of his back as he moved, leaving Hongjoong breathless.
He pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed, and when Seonghwa returned with the small bottle in his hand, Hongjoong reached for him. His hands found Seonghwa's waist, pulling him close, and he gently rested his head against Seonghwa's stomach, to avoid his gaze when he couldn't stop his words.
"I love you," Hongjoong whispered into the quiet room.
Seonghwa stilled for a moment, surprised. Hongjoong rarely said it aloud. Seonghwa smiled softly as he straightened up, his hand coming up to brush gently Hongjoong's disheveled hair.
"I love you too," Seonghwa murmured making Hongjoong smile in relief before he pulled away. He shifted, pushing his pants the rest of the way down his legs and kicking them off, then settled back against the mattress, guiding Seonghwa to straddle his thighs.
Seonghwa leaned in, capturing Hongjoong's mouth in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened. It was a slow, exploring kiss, his tongue tracing Hongjoong's lips before slipping inside, the rhythm lazy and intoxicating. As they kissed, Hongjoong felt some pressure against his thigh. It was a subtle, rocking friction, and that’s when he realized that Seonghwa was rubbing himself against his leg.
Hongjoong broke the kiss with a soft, startled sound, his eyes flying open to look at Seonghwa in surprise.
"Why did you stop?" Seonghwa asked, his voice filled with need.
"Keep going," Hongjoong ordered in a rough voice. "Do that again."
Seonghwa looked confused for a second before his eyes drifted down to where their bodies were connected, and a faint blush colored his cheeks.
"Oh, that," he said, a little flustered, and resumed the movement, this time slower, more conscious. The deliberate, sensual roll of his hips made Hongjoong's breath catch. While he was looking, he realized that it must feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Wait," he said, grabbing the lube from where Seonghwa had dropped it beside them. He poured a generous amount into his palm, warming it for a moment before his slick hand circled Seonghwa's length, making Seonghwa hiss at the contact.
"Hongjoong—" he said as he grabbed Hongjoong’s shoulders to support himself, while biting his lips.
"Just keep going," Hongjoong replied, his gaze dark and intense. He loved watching Seonghwa like this.
Seonghwa, as always, didn't question him. He simply obeyed, his movements becoming smoother, more fluid as he rocked into Hongjoong's tigh. When his eyes met Hongjoong's stare, he laughed softly, feeling a bit self-conscious.
"It's a little embarrassing," he admitted, his cheeks flushed.
"No," Hongjoong replied while brushing some of the hair off his face. "It's so fucking hot, baby."
Embarassed, Seonghwa leaned down to kiss him again, a messy, open-mouthed kiss as he continued to move. Hongjoong's free hand, the one without the ring, found the bottle again. He coated his fingers, and while Seonghwa was lost in the rhythm of their kiss and his own pleasure, Hongjoong's slick fingers found their way down, circling Seonghwa's rim, and applied some pressure.
Seonghwa gasped into his mouth, a sharp, loud moan escaping before he could stop it. He immediately clapped a hand over his own lips after he realized they were still at the hotel. The walls looked thin.
Hongjoong only smirked, "Don't stop," he commanded softly.
The new contact made Seonghwa shudder, his movements becoming more erratic. When he rocked back, the tip of Hongjoong's finger slipped inside, making them both gasp. Hongjoong didn't hesitate; he worked the finger in deeper, then added a second, scissoring and stretching him open. Seonghwa bit down on his own lip, hard, trying to stifle the sounds threatening to spill out, but the ragged pace of his breathing told Hongjoong everything he needed to know.
So, Hongjoong searched inside him until he brushed over that specific bundle of nerves. Seonghwa cried out, and buried his face in the crook of Hongjoong's neck, his teeth sinking into the skin of his shoulder to muffle another loud moan.
Hongjoong continued the relentless, gentle pressure, crooking his fingers just so. Then he added a third, stretching him more and that was all it took. Seonghwa came apart against him with a broken sob, spilling over Hongjoong's stomach and his own. Hongjoong held him through it, his fingers moving slowly inside him until the last of the aftershocks had passed, leaving Seonghwa boneless and trembling against him.
Hongjoong carefully withdrew his fingers, drawing a whimper from Seonghwa. He then gently maneuvered the man, laying him back against the pillows. Hongjoong covered his body with his own, capturing his mouth in a series of deep kisses, swallowing his shaky breaths until he felt Seonghwa's heart begin to steady under his palm. Seonghwa broke the kiss, pressing a soft peck to Hongjoong's cheek.
"Continue," he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Hongjoong nodded and leaned in for one more kiss before reaching for the lube bottle again. He poured a fresh pool into his own palm, slicking himself with a few strokes. He settled between Seonghwa's parted thighs, the head of his cock against him. He teased for a moment, just a gentle, persistent pressure, watching Seonghwa’s frustrated expression.
"Hongjoong," Seonghwa called, his hips involuntarily arching. "Move."
Hongjoong smiled, then pushed in, slowly, burying himself until he was fully sheathed. He paused, letting them both adjust, his forehead dropping to Seonghwa's as he fought for control. When Seonghwa patted his back, he started to move.
What followed was a rhythm that was both hot and profoundly intimate. It wasn't frantic but deep, a perfect synchronization of their bodies. Hongjoong's hand, the one bearing his ring, was braced on the pillow beside Seonghwa's head. He looked at the glint of metal against the pale sheets, then back at Seonghwa's blissful face. Overwhelmed by a wave of tenderness, he laced their fingers together, pressing their joined hands into the mattress.
Seonghwa's eyes drifted down to their linked hands, and a beautiful and dazed smile spread across his lips just as he moaned softly. The sight and the feel of it were almost too much for Hongjoong. He could feel his own climax coiling tight in his gut.
"I'm close," he warned, and moved a hand to stroke Seonghwa in time with his thrusts, wanting to bring him over the edge too.
As Hongjoong's movements became more urgent, he started to pull out, but Seonghwa's reaction was immediate. His legs, which were wrapped around Hongjoong's waist, locked tightly, holding him in place.
"Inside," he pleaded insistently. "Please, ah, come inside."
The raw desire in Seonghwa's voice shattered the last of Hongjoong's control. With a guttural groan, he spilled deep inside him, his entire body shuddering with the force of his release. He hid his face in the damp skin of Seonghwa's neck, his hips making tiny, involuntary jerks as he rode out the last waves of his pleasure. But his hand never stopped moving on Seonghwa, stroking him faster, and it only took a few more seconds for Seonghwa to come, his body arching off the bed before collapsing back, spent and trembling.
They lay like that for a long while, simply trying to remember how to breathe. The air was filled with the scent of sex and their mingled sweat.
Finally, Hongjoong softened and carefully slipped out, eliciting a soft whine from both of them. He brushed the hair back from Seonghwa's forehead.
"Let's take a shower," he said.
Seonghwa made a noise of complaint, too comfortable and boneless to move, but then he shifted and felt the stickiness of the bed, so he sighed.
"Help me up," he said as he lifted his weak arm towards Hongjoong.
Hongjoong smiled and pulled him up, supporting most of his weight as they made their way to the bathroom and showered.
After the shower, they returned to the bedroom, and settled back onto the bed after getting rid of the duvet. Seonghwa curled around Hongjoong, his chest against his back. The rhythm of their breathing synced, and for a moment, nothing else existed.
Then Seonghwa reached for Hongjoong’s hand, intertwining their fingers again, and admired the silver rings glinting in the soft light. They stayed like that, just looking until Seonghwa spoke.
“What would you think if we had a ceremony?” he suggested, insecure.
Hongjoong turned slightly and looked at him. “A ceremony?”
Seonghwa nodded. “Yeah, just a private ceremony. We only invite our friends and those close to us. We could do it outside Korea to make it safer.”
Hongjoong stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about it. Seonghwa squeezed his hand gently.
“If you aren’t sure, we don’t have to,” he reassured Hongjoong. “I’m not trying to pressure you. I just thought it could be nice. Not that we need a ceremony or rings to show our love, but…” He glanced down at their fingers, and his voice softened. “I think it would be beautiful.”
Hongjoong followed his gaze to the silver bands. The idea wasn’t bad at all, far from it. In fact, he liked it.
“Let’s do it,” he murmured after a few seconds. “We have time to plan it.”
Seonghwa’s face lit up instantly, his eyes shining with a brightness that made Hongjoong’s chest tighten. Overwhelmed, Seonghwa hid his face against Hongjoong’s chest, letting out a quiet, almost inaudible “Thanks.”
I’m the one that’s grateful to have you in my life, Hongjoong thought, as he tightened his arms around him, holding him close and letting the quiet happiness wash over them.