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I’ll be there in a minute.
Xu Minghao smiled.
He exhaled the stale air in the main building office and gulped his coffee. It was a cheap, greasy instant one. The kinds that he wouldn't buy even if they come with a 1+2 promotion. But right then, he felt like he was drinking the most expensive coffee in the world—as if he were drinking coffee extracted from beans delivered straight out of Jamaican land.
The 40-year-old man in front of him kept babbling things that Minghao didn't really care about. Like his job, mostly, or his properties, or even about South Korea’s current real estate market. Minghao only politely nodded and hummed an answer sometimes, a smile never leaving his face for once. Because God knows not even such a chatterbox can ruin his very good mood right now.
“But I truly feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before,” the ahjussi suddenly said, “judging by your looks and… well, your choice of estate, you are one of those K-pop idols, aren't you?”
“Just a nobody,” he said politely, “maybe you’re thinking of someone else.”
“Huh.”
The ahjussi moved on rather quickly and continued yapping things when a new message suddenly popped up in his phone.
Manager Cheng Lian, it said. I could've taken care of it for you two, you know. At least, you should’ve brought the realtor to the HYBE building. What is with the fuss of going there by yourself? If any of this is leaking, your safety would be compromised.
Minghao smiled before replying, It's okay. I promise we will be careful.
“So… this co-renter friend of yours,” the ahjussi said, “is it your long-time friend? You two are on good terms, right? I mean… Indeed, it's a trend in your generation to do joint ownership of a property with a friend nowadays. Like, the job market is hell, right? So it's a good idea to save up money in the current environment, alright...”
“Yeah,” Minghao answered, “yeah, I suppose so.”
“It is just… it is actually a headache for realtors like us when shits happens to these kids, you know. When they start making a fuss over which one of them has the right to keep living in it. Most of the time, it ended up with them deciding to resell the property. I mean, that's my job to resell and rebuy, but co-owning a property is not child’s play; they should have thought about the consequences before signing the contract and making it a hassle for everyone. What were these kids thinking? It feels like your generation really didn't take anything seriously.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“So I hope this will not happen to the two of you?”
Minghao smiled, “Not at all.”
“Well, you better keep your word,” he sighed, “you see, I would have preferred to sell these properties to a married couple. At least I see a real distant future in them. Divorces are pretty common, yes, but property separation for them had a basis in our law. So it rarely troubles us. Meanwhile, these kinds of things… There is no legal basis for this joint-ownership trend. In the end, it mostly ends up as a total headache for us. Alas, there are not that many newlyweds nowadays, right? You and your friend are unmarried too, aren't you, Kid?”
Minghao only smiled.
“So I just hope that you and your friend are on good terms—”
“How do you know that we are not married, though Ahjussi?”
The ahjussi went silent. His eyes went wide. And his mouth agape. He looks like he got 100 times paler than he was before. Looking at it, Minghao almost laughed at his reaction. Not like he was trying to be an asshole here. Somehow, he just found that anything today is pretty amusing.
“Just kidding.”
“Holy f— woah, there!” He awkwardly laughed, “I thought I missed the news about… about something like that being legal now in Korea, you know! Kid, don't talk nonsense!”
Minghao smiled.
“So where is your—”
Before the ahjussi could continue, the door opened.
Kwon Soonyoung always has the knack to make the whole atmosphere turn into something completely different when he enters a room. As he opened the door, adorned fully in his military uniform, his aura really is just too undeniable. Even the ahjussi looked pretty shocked after seeing him. It took him a full minute to adjust himself after his hilarious initial surprise.
Soonyoung ignored anything else in the room to find Minghao’s eyes before. Minghao smiled back.
“Oh, welcome! Finally, you're here!”
“Sorry, ahjussi. It’s just… the traffic is…”
“Oh, it’s okay! It's okay! You're currently serving, aren't you? Are you an active duty soldier? Where were you stationed?”
“Oh, I got Yeoncheon…”
“Oh, really! I have a friend who was stationed there, too! He said it can be very brutal in winter. So I hope you prepare yourself a lot. When will your service be over?”
“Oh, it is still fifteen months away…”
“Aiya, you just started? That's still so long… but you will be fine, of course. You will be. Now, now, sit there, yes there, okay, here is the contract…”
Soonyoung sat beside Minghao. As they exchanged looks, they smiled at each other once again. Under the table, Soonyoung grabbed Minghao's hand, squished it, then mouthed something. Sorry for being late.
Minghao squished it back. It's okay, you’re here now anyway.
“Well, so let me get you two through the contract… As I was saying before, there is not a strong legal basis for joint ownership between friends, unlike for married couples, so…”
It took them about half an hour to fully discuss the whole set of terms and conditions. Soonyoung did most of the negotiations, of course, as he is the one who understands Korean property law better. When they finally finished agreeing on everything, both Minghao and Soonyoung and the realtor fished out their ingam from their pockets.
The ahjussi were still yapping about things when he stamped his ingam on the paper. When he pushed it on their face, Soonyoung and Minghao took their time to stare at the paper for a little while.
So this is happening, huh.
Minghao smiled slightly. Who would have thought this would really happen one day?
Not something very grand. Just a little, mundane thing. But something that was beyond words anyway. Something… real.
They exchanged another look before getting their ingam ready.
“Well, now sign there—”
Soonyoung and Minghao stamped their ingam at the same time.
Soonyoung on the left, Minghao on the right.
Owner #1. Owner #2.
Minghao had this very big urge to laugh. Nothing prompted it, really. As in, nothing is funny. But he just wanted to laugh. It's probably the overwhelming, unquestionable spinning, incomprehensible shock in his gut that makes him feel like flying right now. Or maybe just the way the atmosphere feels. Or maybe because the ahjussi is pretty amusing. Or because Soonyoung is just far too good-looking right now. Whatever. The point is, he just really wanted to laugh. He didn't even know why.
When they lifted off their ingam, a scarlet, bloody red mark was left on that piece of paper.
權順榮, in Owner #1, and
徐明浩, in Owner #2.
Well. That sealed it.
Minghao then randomly thought: Now the bride and the groom may kiss.
Suddenly, both he and Soonyoung laughed. They just… laughed. It was almost like they were thinking of the same thing and they found it legitimately hilarious. Like, what the hell are they even doing? This whole thing is completely hilarious.
The ahjussi looks very weirded out by that random laugh. He didn't comment, though, which is funny, but it's very obvious that he started to think that they're probably a bit insane.
“Well… okay…” the ahjussi hesitatingly said, “uhhh, congratulations…?” He laughed, “Again, I’ll appreciate it if you can stay as long as you can. Friendship is very fragile. Unlike marriage. But you can always work any problem out if you're willing. Just… Please don't give me a headache.”
“Sure, sure. No need to worry about it,” Soonyoung answered, “but hey, ahjussi. How do you know we aren't married?”
***
The ahjussi left right after he walked them to their building. He didn't say anything anymore. He didn't even ask for a “clarification”. He just… left. Which made Minghao want to laugh again for no reason. Maybe he is insane after all.
He and Soonyoung both took their time and a deep breath as they stared at the building in front of them.
They have only been scouting the location twice in the past three months. Most of the detailed inspections were done by their managers, especially things regarding safety. Apparently, a lot of celebrities also lived in that apartment complex. So everything is already settled out.
But they already felt so strangely familiar towards everything. The little plants in the round-shaped garden before the door. The stark contrast of brown and white in the color of the wall. And when they look up at the building, they just somehow know which one of the windows leads to their home.
Their… home.
It's their home now.
“Coming in?”
All the time they took to ride the elevator, to explore the alley and stare at their front door, to input the passcode and open the door, nothing could beat the pang that they felt when they saw the empty lot in front of them. It was not that big. For two people, it's perhaps bigger than what ordinary people would take, but it's not so big that it's jarring. It's just enough. Truly just enough.
There are at least five rooms. They already know which one would be the main room, the guest room, the closet, the recreation room, and the music room. But aside from the furniture that comes with the apartment, most of it is still an empty room.
Because, well, one thing at a time. It's not like they are in a rush.
Their previous contract for their respective houses still lasts until March anyway. They have THREE whole months to move their things slowly. And besides, with Soonyoung still serving, it's not like it's mandatory for them to move in together right now. The house is there, anyway. It's not going anywhere. One thing at a time. They can always take their time.
Well, it's not like a house is something that they live in a lot anyway. They move around so many times. They spend most of their weekends in the company buildings. And most weekdays abroad in hotels. They probably only use it for 5 hours at night when they're in Korea. Or 3 hours daytime on rare weekends. A house is, in fact, almost something symbolic for a busy idol like them.
But still, it's theirs. It's all solely, exclusively, privately, theirs. It's the thing that is just theirs. Privately owned by them both.
It's the only thing that they are legally able to register on paper as a pair of persons.
And it's a home.
It's all solely, exclusively, privately theirs. Not his-owned. Not one-of-them-owned. It's they-both-owned.
Minghao hugged Soonyoung from behind as they took in the view through the full-body window. They can see the Han gang and its surroundings from where they're standing. They can see the trail they usually ride their bike through on their weekend rides. They can even see the road they usually walk Latte on through the swaying trees. They can pinpoint the kimbap stall they usually buy when they take a rest. Hilariously, it's almost like they're seeing through a telescope filled only with their memorials.
Minghao kissed Soonyoung's nape as Soonyoung stroked his back hand. The sun that slowly sets directly hits their face with its light. And Minghao really wanted to laugh again. For a lot of reasons this time.
It's just funny how time feels so frozen when they weren't doing anything together, isn't it?
They spend the rest of their time pointing at random corners of the house, imagining what this will be the place to put on and so on…
Eventually, the sky went dark. They were both lying on the floor, head to head, hand to hand, while they watched the sun slowly sinking beyond the horizon.
After the sun fully set, Soonyoung slowly sat up. He sighed as he stared at his watch, his face instantly gloomy within seconds.
“I have to go back now,” he mumbled, “ugh…”
Minghao sat up as well. He took a peek at Soonyoung's watch. Sighing, he watched the clock ticking. His smile also vaporized into disappointment.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Minghao whispered, taking Soonyoung in his hug, “please take days off more often, okay?”
“I’ll try,” Soonyoung laughed, “don’t worry.”
You see, separation is always heavy. Even more so now that they know Soonyoung will be stuck for an incomprehensible time period in a place so controlled that it's jarring. It's never gotten easier for Minghao to let Soonyoung go after his holidays while he is enlisting. Knowing that before all of this, they're together for what is almost a 24/7.
Most of the time, it took Minghao a gigantic amount of pain first before he was even able to look away.
But now, it feels a little lighter.
They were surrounded by an empty, blank wall that would soon be filled with things that they own. Art Minghao bought before. Art Soonyoung bought before. Minghao’s painting, which he gifted him years ago. Giant diamond-laced clock that Soonyoung gifted him as a joke.
There is something different in knowing that they have sealed something that they own. Not as a separate thing that can be used by both. But a singular complete thing that is legally owned by them both. In the shape of a home.
“I’ll be here again before you know it,” Soonyoung whispered, “I promise.”
“I know,” Minghao whispered back.
Next month, maybe two months, or maybe three, later, when Soonyoung is able to take another holiday, Minghao would have already moved at least three-fourths of their things. When he later arrives, Minghao would have already been there with his own clothes. He will sit on the sofa that they both own. Listening to the music from a jukebox that they both own.
I’m home, he would say.
Welcome home, he would answer.
But for now, he had to accept that not everything is a beautiful, jolly thing.
“See you later,” he instead said.
“See you later,” he instead answered.
But one day, it will all be fine yet again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It was almost midnight when they were able to leave their manager's wedding afterparty. Everyone is in a good mood. People rarely have a bad mood on such a sacred, beautiful ceremony anyway.
But as Minghao rode his car, with Soonyoung sitting quietly in the passenger seat, things couldn't be any darker than the night sky.
It was not like they're unhappy that someone else is happy. Not to mention someone so close to them.
It's just…
Isn't it unfair that they both have the same amount of love as them, but never the same chance to show it to the world in the same way?
The whole ride, Minghao stared blankly at the streets beyond. He knows he shouldn't do this. Whose fault is it that they live in such a wretched, unfair society where even a pure love can be labeled as a misbehavior, anyway? But he just can't help but feel like his heart is on fire. Like he was in a rage. Like, he will explode at any second.
As they arrived at the company, Minghao pulled up at the parking lot. Trying his best to smile at Soonyoung as he bid him goodbye.
They both went silent for a minute.
“Hao,” Soonyoung said, “let's both go to my house instead?”
In his bed, Minghao hugged Soonyoung tightly. There is only quiet as they feel each other's presence. Knowing that just like usual, like every time they attended a wedding, the only thing that could fill the space between them is a contemplation that there mayhaps never be a future where they can finally get what they wanted.
Something akin to eternity. Or a bond to be one.
But it's okay. What matters should be the present, right? After all, a hope is a hope. If other countries could eventually build people like them a future, maybe one day, their country will too.
“Minghao.”
Minghao stared. Soon got up, held his head in his hand, his eyes never leaving Minghao.
“Hm?”
Soonyoung didn't answer. Instead, he suddenly took the Seventeen ring out of his pinky. He then took off Minghao’s.
Then, he inserted his ring into Minghao's pinky while inserting Minghao’s into his.
“I’m proposing to you.”
For a minute, Minghao was frozen in shock. The room is filled only with deepening silence that has no room for anything else.
By the next second, Minghao laughed as loudly as he was able to. The gripping despair, the grief, all the worries and injustice that fit in his heart; instantly melted into warmth and amusement. Eventually, Soonyoung laughed, too, and the gloomy, funeral-like atmosphere that filled their void evaporated in an instant.
“What the hell are you doing?” Minghao giggled, staring at their now-exchanged group ring, “Mister, are you broke? Do you have no money? Are you going bankrupt? I have money, I can donate. Give me a customized ring, you twerp!”
“It's temporary! Temporary!” Soonyoung grinned, “Just making sure I’m going to be the early bird.”
They fell silent again. Not in an excruciating way. But in a comfortable, cozy silence. They laughed at random intervals sometimes. Laughing at nothing. Minghao’s finger traced Soonyoung's hair, as Soonyoung's lips found Minghao’s neck and cheeks.
“There is only one thing that matters in a marriage, you see,” Soonyoung said, “us,” he paused, “and our promise.”
Minghao smiled.
“It doesn't have to be on paper, you know.”
Then they both giggled.
Who knows what the hell they were thinking? They can't stop laughing even when they try their best to go to sleep for the whole night. It almost sounds like they both went absolutely insane overnight. So ridiculously stupid.
As they slowly descended into the dreamland, with grins plastered permanently on their faces and heartbeat syncing with each other, Soonyoung’s eyes suddenly went wide.
“Yah, yah, Myungho-yah!”
“...hm?”
Soonyoung suddenly got up.
“Did you know what paper we can legally sign as a pair?”
End