Work Text:
2006.
"marry me."
"huh?" hyukjae turned his head around; they were in the middle of filming the mini-drama, taking a small break. a childish grin grew on his face, as he laughed. "what are you talking about?"
donghae patted the other's cheek with his hand gently, "wouldn't you want a husband like me?"
"what, did you go crazy after the last scene?" hyukjae pushed the younger's hand away, the smile on his face, unwavering.
they had just finished filming the scene in the bathroom, where hyukjae kissed donghae on the cheek.
the dark-haired male chuckled, "and if i did?" he stared at hyukjae with an expectant look in his eyes.
"hm," hyukjae looked at donghae, from head to toe. "i'll tell you, but come closer."
the older male pulled on the other's arm, bringing donghae's ear close to his lips.
donghae swallowed hard; he questioned the fluttery feeling in his stomach.
"go get me a water." a smirk grew on hyukjae's face, "lee donghae, do better." he blew into the younger's ear softly, donghae instantly taking a step back.
"what-" donghae huffed, a laugh following shortly after. "fine." donghae walked off to grab the water that hyukjae had wanted, as jungsoo walked by.
"go easy on him." jungsoo patted hyukjae's shoulder, his voice taking a motherly tone.
hyukjae waved his hand dismissively, "i'm always easy on him, hyung. this is just raising him."
jungsoo gave the other a rueful smile, "raising, you say." before hyukjae could open his mouth to say something, he walked away, an airy laugh escaping his lips.
hyukjae's eyes followed the leader's back, then quickly darted to where donghae should've been.
"yah, lee donghae! how did you even drop that?" he hurried over to the younger, shaking his head at the hopeless male.
2007.
"hyukjae-ah."
"what is it?" the older male responded naturally to his name.
"marry me."
"donghae, i don't know how many more times i have to ask this, but did you hit your head or something?" hyukjae asked while laying on his bed, his phone in his hands.
the aforementioned male sat at the end of hyukjae's bed, his eyes laid on the latter. "i was just saying, you know. after everything, who knows if we'll be thirteen from here on out."
it was april 25, two days since hyukjae was discharged from the hospital, along with donghee, after the car accident on the 19th.
"what are you on about?" hyukjae took his attention away from his phone, eyeing the younger male. "we'll always be thirteen."
"but do you really think that?" he traced the creases of his pants with his fingers out of boredom.
"i know it. now, do you mind?" hyukjae gestured with his hands, signaling for donghae to leave.
a cheeky smile replaced the troubled look on donghae's face, "hey, i just thought you might want some company."
"you're always on my back anyways. whether i like it or not, you're there." hyukjae sat up, punching the younger male's shoulder playfully.
donghae pouted, "i get lonely."
"yeah, i know." hyukjae leaned an arm on donghae's shoulder. "you constantly crave human interaction, don't you?"
"only when it comes to you." donghae gave hyukjae a cheesy wink.
the older rolled his eyes, "i see."
a moment of silence passed before hyukjae shot the other a sideways glance. "so, wanna take a nap with me?"
the twenty-year-old started to simper.
"you already know the answer."
2017.
"what are you up to?" hyukjae closed the door of donghae's apartment, as he slid his shoes off.
donghae looked up from his ipad, "hyuk." he placed the device on the floor next to him, getting up from his chair.
the older male held up a small paper bag, "got you some late night egg bread."
"ah, thanks." donghae walked over to hyukjae, as the latter set down the bag on the counter.
donghae grabbed one of the breads from the bag and placed it in his mouth. he headed back over to his chair, picking up his ipad and sitting back down.
hyukjae reached his hand into the bag for the other egg bread and took a bite. "so, what are you up to?:
"i was just working on some lyrics for a new song." donghae said while chewing on the warm street food.
"genius composer lee donghae's making a comeback for our new album, eh?" hyukjae let out an airy laugh.
"shut up." donghae brushed off the comment naturally, but couldn't deny the pleasant feeling that it carried.
the younger continued to watch the way hyukjae's eyes twinkled, as they chatted.
"god, just marry me already," donghae mumbled.
hyukjae looked over the other's shoulder. "what are you whispering to yourself?"
"ah, nothing — i was just thinking about our other songs. you know like... 'marry u.'"
the taller male quirked an eyebrow; it seemed like an odd statement to him. "suddenly?"
hyukjae headed over to donghae and sat in a nearby chair, "do you even remember that song?"
"i do, i do." that was a patent lie.
"sure, you do." hyukjae peered down at donghae's ipad. "what do you have so far?"
donghae handed him the device, "just up to the first chorus."
will the clear image of you be forgotten?
will that time ever come?
will the happy memories get all erased?
is that love even love?
i'm alone on the streets we used to walk together.
but like a lie, i can't believe anything.
i thought each moment would last forever.
were those thoughts and feelings all selfish?
now we're more used to being in different times.
tears fall in the times we shared together.
endless sighs become this song.
and without knowing, i'm colored by you again.
don't go away like the rain.
again today, i'm drenched.
and in the wet traces, i'm looking for you.
will i be able to erase it?
if only i could do this once more.
just one more chance, so i could see you.
"oh, it's nice?" hyukjae hummed.
donghae looked at the older male, his doe-like eyes shimmering in the dim room. "you really think so?"
"i can sense the touch you've given the lyrics. that's always nice." hyukjae's chuckle was light and laced with a bit of amusement.
"what are you trying to say?" donghae's eyes narrowed, a crease forming in between his brows.
"it's a good thing, i promise." hyukjae waved his hands in disagreement. "you like the rain, don't you?"
hyukjae rested his arm against the back of his chair, "just seemed like something you'd write."
donghae took his ipad back from hyukjae in one swift movement. "calling me predictable," he muttered to himself.
"ah- hey, donghae!" hyukjae called out to him, but he didn't respond.
"lee donghae, you jerk." hyukjae pulled his chair closer, his face tilting to look at the other.
"i'll pretend i didn't hear you if you stay the night." the younger's head turned to face hyukjae, their eyes locking in place.
the edges of hyukjae's mouth quirked up, "you're so needy."
"but you love it." donghae's hands laid themselves on hyukjae's thighs.
hyukjae's gaze fell to the side with a smile.
"sure i do."
2018.
donghae fell back onto his bed, on the right side of the room. the give of the soft cotton tempted him to fall asleep.
"hyuk, i swear — this will be the last time that you shower before me if you don't come out right now." donghae groaned, as he stretched out along the bed.
"i'm out, i'm out." hyukjae quickly walked out of the bathroom, still drying his hair off with a towel.
donghae sat up, and couldn't help but stare at the view.
hyukjae wore a simple black t-shirt and shorts. his hair was still damp, with a towel wrapped around his neck. he had gotten more muscular, compared to his usual, thin appearance.
it'd been years since donghae realized his feelings for hyukjae, but only god knows how fucking hot he looked in donghae's eyes.
"hey, hyukjae-ah."
he turned to look at donghae, his name still hanging in the younger's mouth. "what?"
"marry me."
hyukjae looked unamused. "hurry up and shower."
"humor me, hyuk~" donghae whined. he grabbed hyukjae's arm and shook it around.
"i said, go shower, donghae." hyukjae looked down at the puppy-like male, begging for attention.
"i said, marry me-"
hyukjae didn’t allow him to finish, grabbing a fistful of donghae's hair and swallowing his words with the press of his lips.
donghae stiffened; hyukjae was not patient with his kiss. it was demanding, forceful, sliding his tongue against the younger's lip to draw it between his teeth, savoring the small surprised moan it coaxed from him.
his lips were soft and pillowy, just like donghae had imagined they'd be.
the smell of his shampoo, of the dark, husky notes of hyukjae's natural scent, was dizzying.
donghae let go of hyukjae's arm, causing the latter's grip on his hair to loosen in succession.
hyukjae took a step back, staring down the lovestruck male in front of him. "go," he jerked his head towards the bathroom.
"i love you." donghae blurted out.
"i love you too, now go shower, so i can sleep." hyukjae threw the towel around his neck on a chair, walking around to the side of his bed.
"no, but i love you."
hyukjae clicked his tongue in annoyance while running a hand through his dark locks. "i know, i said i love you too."
donghae's mind was still wrapped up in that kiss. "what does- what does that make us now?" he stammered out.
"what do you mean? we're still us." hyukjae's mouth twitched, "we're d&e; we're inseparable. we're what we've always been, right?"
"i want more than that." donghae gulped, the embarrassment finally setting in.
"sure. if you want to be lovers, that's fine with me." he said nonchalantly while laying down on his bed.
donghae's head whipped towards the older male. "really-"
"go fucking shower." hyukjae snapped at the other, as he scrolled through his phone.
the younger quickly got up and headed to the bathroom, the hairs on his arms, standing on end. "..will do."
when hyukjae finally heard the sound of rushing water, he dropped his phone on the pillow next to him and covered his face with his hands.
"god, lee donghae." heat rose to his face.
"always making me do embarrassing things like this."
2020.
"are you heading home?" hyukjae asked, as he helped the staff clean up.
they had just finished hyukjae's birthday live stream. the camera crew and staff were packing up, so was hyukjae, of course.
donghae pulled down his mask. "yeah, are you?"
"i might as well." hyukjae put on his mask and slipped his jacket on. "but seriously, couple gifts?"
donghae tapped his feet on the tiled floor, with a pleased expression on his face. "we're a couple, aren't we?"
"not everyone needs to know that, we haven't even gone public yet." he sounded sulky, to donghae's surprise.
the younger male took the other's hand in his own, "i get it, i get it." he said, laughing softly to himself.
"if suju's reputation starts declining because of you, one day.." hyukjae started his nagging streak again.
"wanna get married and run away then?"
hyukjae turned his head towards donghae, eyebrows furrowed, compared to the latter's blank expression. "huh."
donghae put on his jacket, his tone, casual. "i said-"
hyukjae covered donghae's mouth with his hand swiftly. "what are you going to do if someone hears you?" he said, in a hushed manner.
the shorter male wanted to say something, but hyukjae brought him out of the studio, and into the empty hallway before he was able to.
"someone's going to misunderstand us if you keep saying things like that, idiot." hyukjae let out an exasperated sigh.
"misunderstand what?" donghae stepped closer to the other, mere inches between their chests.
hyukjae averted his gaze, "that we're more than friends. what else?"
"why?" donghae got closer to hyukjae's face.
"i like the idea of your body against mine when i wake up." he whispered into the older's ear."
hyukjae pushed donghae back, his mind spinning around lewd thoughts. "what are you saying?"
donghae began to chuckle. "nothing. i'll get going."
he pulled his mask back up and turned around, walking away. "see you later, hyuk."
"you..!" hyukjae wanted to call out to him but hesitated.
he stepped back into the studio, mumbling to himself, "what am i going to do with him?"
2021.
the sound of a phone ringing echoed throughout the dimly lit room. hyukjae rubbed his eyes, still groggy, having just been woken up.
he had dozed off earlier, after staying up to watch a random chick flick he had found while surfing the internet.
hyukjae hoped that the ringing would stop if he ignored them for long enough. it was starting to give him a headache.
after a few minutes of continuous on-and-off ringing, he had enough.
with a tired groan, hyukjae reached for his phone on the table. "at this hour?.."
the characters, '이동핵' shone brightly on the screen. "donghae? what could he want.."
hyukjae answered the call, at last. "why are you calling me at three in the morning, idiot?"
there was a moment of silence; something seemed off.
"donghae?" hyukjae's voice got softer, like a mother talking to her child.
"hyukjae-ah." donghae's voice sounded croaky.
"hm?" hyukjae had known his boyfriend long enough to realize how he works. "have you been crying?"
"everything hurts, hyukjae. i hate it."
hurt? what was he doing?
the older male took a deep breath. "are you okay? what happened?"
"i want to see you." he paused, "come over, i miss you."
hyukjae was torn. he was genuinely concerned about the safety of his lover, but also questioned the idiocy of his demands.
"you want me to come over, right now?"
"please, hyukjae."
"fine." hyukjae sighed, feeling defeated. "i'll be there soon."
"don't die." his last words before ending the call, although a joke, gave him an uneasy feeling.
nonetheless, he got up from his sofa and grabbed his car keys. hyukjae headed out of his apartment, still half asleep, but at least he had his priorities in check.
when he got to the door of donghae's apartment, hyukjae pressed the doorbell and waited patiently.
the door slowly opened, revealing donghae's disheveled appearance. hyukjae looked at the younger questionably, before walking inside.
donghae closed the door behind him, then wrapped his arms tightly around hyukjae's waist. "hyuk," he mewled softly.
hyukjae placed his hands on top of the other's, fingers brushing over donghae's knuckles. "what's with you?"
the shorter male leaned his forehead against hyukjae's shoulder. "i missed you. you never seem to pay attention to me. to us." his words were muffled against hyukjae's sweater, yet the latter felt the weight of guilt hit him just as hard.
"we don't have to do this if you don't want to." donghae choked out.
hyukjae could practically envision the tears pooling in his eyes. "what are you talking about?"
donghae's arms fell back to his side. "it was always me anyways. it was me who wanted this, it's only fitting."
hyukjae turned around and grabbed the collar of donghae's shirt. "don't you dare say that."
the look in the older's eyes changed, as he stared daggers at the other. "that's not true."
donghae gripped onto hyukjae's wrist tightly. "tell me different then." his expression mirrored hyukjae's, fierce and ungiving. they always were similar in that aspect.
"do you know how important you are to me?" hyukjae raised his voice, taking donghae by surprise. "how much i wanted you to know that i loved you, the same way that you loved me?"
"it wasn't just you, hae." he let go of his shirt, his voice wavering. "it never was."
hyukjae cradled donghae's head on his shoulder, planting sweet kisses on his temple.
"i'm sorry."
the younger melted into hyukjae's touch as if it was second nature to him. he clung to him as the waves of hurt in his chest passed over.
"i love you more than i've ever said out loud." hyukjae stroked the back of donghae's head. "...i'm sorry for not expressing it more."
they stayed like that for a while. donghae's silent tears falling against the comfort of hyukjae's arms.
donghae swallowed and blinked back any remaining tears, like he was ashamed of losing control of his pent-up emotions. hyukjae knew different.
he shouldn't be ashamed.
he shouldn't have to keep hurting because of his incompetent boyfriend.
"donghae-ah."
no response.
"let's get married," hyukjae said, a comfortable smile growing on his face.
donghae lifted his head, a lost look amongst his bloodshot eyes. "huh?"
"i'll give you the happy ending that you've always wanted. you always used to express your dislike for the ending of romeo and juliet." hyukjae looked at the younger, expectantly.
"wait, wait.." donghae's eyes got teary again. "are you joking with me?"
"i would never," hyukjae let out a shy chuckle. "not like this."
hyukjae brought a hand up to caress donghae's cheek, as the former's face brightened. "let's get married, donghae. let me do you right this time."
donghae kissed him when words were no longer needed. the press of his lips was nothing but tenderness, pure love, and adoration.
"do you know how long i've wanted to hear that?" donghae asked, his face lighting up like a neon sign.
"i take it that you like that idea?"
donghae hooked an arm around the older's waist, "of course."
the two of them looked into each other's eyes for, what felt like, centuries. it never felt so perfect at that moment.
"you know, it's the new year today." the shorter male kissed hyukjae's cheek.
hyukjae tilted his head a bit, looking away. "i know, i know. we need to go see the sunrise later, right?"
"exactly," donghae took his hands off of hyukjae and walked farther into his home. "so stay over tonight and sleep with me before we go."
a smile enveloped hyukjae's face entirely. "you're so needy."
"you love it."
hyukjae followed the younger male into his bedroom, "i do, somehow, someway."
the two slipped under the covers of donghae's bed. fatigue finally caught up to them.
"thank you for tonight." donghae struggled to keep his eyes open. "i love you."
hyukjae's eyes fluttered closed. "love you too, idiot,"
"always."