Chapter Text
Mingyu is late. Seokmin startles awake on the couch and rubs his eyes as he hears the tell-tale signs of a homecoming. The jingle of keys, the rustling of a jacket. Two shoes being put neatly into their designated home in the sizable closet.
The light from the hallway is shut off, and Seokmin remains where he is. His eyes are shut again as he dozes, comfortably in-between the state of sleep and awareness. It's comforting, hearing the sounds that fill him with anticipation for what's coming next. Someone quietly getting a glass of water. The pause at the living room entrance as Mingyu spots him.
The steps towards the couch are nearly noiseless. Seokmin has to really strain his hearing to pick up on the glide of socks on hardwood. A hand reaching to drag the knuckles lightly over his cheekbone. A finger drawing the line from his ear down to the sharp line of his jaw.
Seokmin smiles, letting the feeling of such tender treatment wash over him. Fingers are immediately there to feel the shape of his lips as they crescent into the happiest phase of the moon.
“ Seokmin-ah? Are you awake?”
“ Mmmm…”
“ You didn't have to wait for me, love. But it makes me happy that you tried.”
Had Seokmin been less sleepy he would have been biting at the thumb that's caressing his lower lip. As it is, he lies there passively as Mingyu pushes his thumb and index fingers upwards, forcing his lips to pucker. His boyfriend smells like soap and salt when he bends down for the final step of their welcome home routine. The kiss is soft, but insistent.
They've been living together for nearly six months. Mingyu's apartment had proved too spacious for a single person, making it easy for Seokmin to fill the available space and claim it for himself.
“ I'll carry you to bed okay princess? “
Seokmin lets out an approving hum, folding his arms against his chest so it's easier to pick him up. He's heavy with muscle and healthy eating. Mingyu picks him up anyways, one arm under his knees, the other sneaking behind his shoulders. Resting against the steady and reliable chest, he can't help but sigh fondly. It gets him a kiss on the forehead.
Their bed is unmade. It's unusual, but Seokmin had initially gotten ready for the night before realizing he'd rather try to wait for Mingyu. He hadn't seen him all day, and it filled him with longing. It makes it convenient when Mingyu doesn't have to manage the logistics of their sheets, simply putting Seokmin down and promising to be back after he brushes his teeth.
Seokmin dozes off for a bit again before he feels the mattress dip with the added weight of its other inhabitant. Mingyu likes to cuddle before sleeping, hungry for comfort. Seokmin always indulges. They're shapes that click into place automatically.
“ How is the surprise coming along?”
“ It's hard work but I think it's going very well. I'm excited to show you.”
“ I'm very excited to see Gyuie. Sweet dreams “
Seokmin quickly falls asleep to large fingers brushing through his soft hair.
Mingyu lies awake a little longer, relishing in the feeling of the weight of Seokmin still tucked into his side. At some point he's going to roll away, overheated from their combined body heat. But for now, they're pressed together.
Seokmin looks like sleeping beauty, like snow white, like every cartoon princess with big eyes and a beautiful voice. Luckily he's somehow still very real, even if Mingyu can't believe it sometimes.
His body is exhausted, but his mind struggles to quiet down. The surprise is coming along, and it makes Mingyu more than nervous. A fair response, when you're gearing up to propose to the love of your life.
He doesn't think Seokmin knows what's going on. Thankfully he doesn't speculate much after Mingyu sat him down and explained he'd be coming home late on Mondays and Thursdays for the next two months, preparing a surprise for him. Seokmin's eyes had sparkled with curiosity, eager to suss out what he could be planning. They'd spent a good hour play fighting over how much you could reveal before a surprise stopped being all that surprising, and Seokmin had pulled him in for a long, heated kiss at the end of the argument.
“ Thank you for telling me dear, this is very exciting.”
A couple of years ago Mingyu might have been more secretive from the outset, eager to keep his partner in the dark so the full impact of the shock could be maintained. But he knows his boyfriend, and the thought of worrying him with his sudden absence on an easy to follow schedule makes Mingyu feel a little sick. So he was upfront, and the anticipation from Seokmin is rewarding and endearing. At times he's nearly buzzing with the desire to prod, but he manages to refrain.
It also helps that the other party involved, Xu Minghao has an impeccable poker face and so much affection for Seokmin it's threatening. There is no way the secret would be in danger of leaking from that particular dam. When Mingyu had approached the dancer, it had been to try to win over his lover's best friend, and also to ask him a favour. Stuttering through his request, he had humbly asked for his help to learn how to properly lead a partner while dancing.
“ I know Seokmin-ah loves to dance, and I'd like to be able to take him out and not make a fool of us. “
For the first time since their disaster of a first impression, something in Minghao softened towards him. Mingyu had worked overtime not to comment on the slight thaw just in case it meant it would freeze over again. At least they had a big love in common that might make the arctic tundra between them bloom into an actual friendship.
“ You're right. Seokmin is a sentimental type, at least you two match well on that front. I'll teach you how to lead. But I'm going to make sure you're actually good at it, so it won't be easy.”
He hadn't entirely worked up the nerve to let Minghao in on the plans of his proposal just yet, terrified it might backfire. Seokmin's best friend loved him fiercely and protectively.
Mingyu sometimes feels like he's not even on the podium in the contest of who loves his literal boyfriend the most. It's a terrifying experience.
+
The first person he had told about his plans had been Hansol. It hadn't been on purpose.
See, he had intended to ask Seungkwan for his advice. Soonyoung, Wonwoo and Seungcheol were incredibly supportive of his and Seokmin's relationship of course, but none of them had any experience with proposing to someone. And none of them were similar enough in temperament to possibly help him with planning an engagement that would be at the level of romance that Mingyu was envisioning.
And sure, Seungkwan had all but written out the blueprint on his own proposal and given Hansol the instructions on what he’d like, but it had been a perfect and well executed arrangement that made them both happy. In the aftermath, when Seungkwan's victory lap made its rounds by visiting and gloating to his entire friend circle, Mingyu had tried to casually feel out the terrain on marriage. Seokmin had been washing rice, Mingyu was chopping leek
“ Have you ever considered getting married, Seokmin?”
“ To you? Of course.”
Mingyu had been so blindsided he almost dropped the knife. Seokmin didn’t share in the shock, content to continue humming his little made-up tunes as they prepared dinner together in mismatched aprons. As if he hadn’t just crowbarred open Mingyu’s chest to grab and squeeze his heart by its roots.
Marriage wasn’t the end all or final destination of a relationship of course, but it was… It was a commitment. A promise. And having a wedding would be nice. A honeymoon ever nicer, even if it felt like nearly every day of their shared life was a sturdy house built with rose-tinted glass in their windows.
So Mingyu decided he wanted to propose, staring at the majesty of Seokmin’s gorgeous profile. King on stage or princess at home, he had an air of royalty. No one alive was more worthy of reverence, meaning their engagement needed to be something special.
Nothing grand, but something unique. Intimate. A memory to treasure in its entirety. He had barely been able to focus on dinner, imagining the joy of Seokmin’s reactions. The urge to start planning, mind running a million miles a minute thinking of the perfect way of going about it. Mingyu was entirely lost in his thoughts when a pointed jaw had hooked over his shoulder, asking amusedly why he was mincing their garnish.
Flustered, and a little paranoid about somehow ruining his own plans before they came to fruition, he sulked dramatically to pivot. Whining that Seokmin shouldn’t be so cruel. It got him no sympathy, but the mistake got derailed into an argument on why one shouldn't finely chop garnish. Bickering for no other reason than to laugh and play, trading the role of devil's advocate between them.
Mingyu manages to keep his cards close to his chest, shuffling off to get advice from the only other person he knew who had managed what he wanted to attempt.
However, Seungkwan was running late and Mingyu was early. Hansol was home, letting him in with what Mingyu had come to learn was his way of greeting people warmly. In hindsight he feels silly for being so intimidated by someone who simply has a serious face and a general presence of calm. There are few guys out there as entirely cool as Hansol.
“ Hey hyung, good to see you. Is Seokmin doing alright with the preparations for the new play?”
It makes Mingyu’s chest balloon with pride.
“ Yes, he’s doing great! His fellow actors are incredibly fond of him, and one of the younger crew members has a bit of a hero worship, puppy love thing going on for him. “
“ I’m guessing he has no idea how to handle it.”
“ Oh, not at all. He didn’t even notice until his co-lead pointed it out.”
They share a laugh, both men familiar with how lovable Seokmin is. It's impossible to be jealous or worried, watching the actor worry about leading her on accidentally, or hurting her feelings. Mingyu is just glad he's experiencing the impact he has, even through a coworker having a harmless crush. He hopes it makes him appreciate himself more, that he takes to heart that he's always been someone that had gotten admired. He just never noticed.
“ Well, you're welcome to hang out until Seungkwan comes back. Raid our fridge if you want to.”
“ Wait, do you actually have anything in your fridge?”
Hansol's grin is answer enough. He has a drink in his hand, some new brand of energy drink. Unlike Seungkwan he doesn't walk around spinning on his ring and making a huge show of his engagement, it's just there. A part of his solid whole.
“ Where did you and Seungkwan get the engagement rings by the way? They're very pretty.”
He's met with an attentive, searching stare.
“ Does Seokmin-hyung know you're thinking of proposing?”
Mingyu's ears are on fire, and he folds in on himself.
“ No, I, umh I asked if he ever wanted to get married and he was receptive to the thought. I want to surprise him.”
“ That makes sense. You like planning big romantic gestures.”
Hansol takes a sip of what he's drinking, still forming some thoughts and opinions. There is music playing in another room at a low volume, which makes Mingyu think about how the radio at home never goes unaccompanied these days. A live performer is always singing along with the music. Mingyu speaks before Hansol breaks out of his analysis.
“ I was thinking of asking Seungkwan for some help, I want to make sure it's something that Seokmin would love.”
“ He'd love anything you did hyung, it's okay that you're doing this a little for yourself as well. “
And, well. Yeah. That's true, and it makes Mingyu smile to be so known. It's not like he can avoid taking some control when he's the one planning. And he does think he still has better taste than Seokmin despite how he's matured and developed into his personal style.
Seungkwan comes home, yelling at them for loitering in his hallways when he spent so much time making the living room comfortable.
“ Ah, sorry we just got kind of caught up in Mingyu needing help on how to propose.”
“ You're going to propose?!”
His eyes are wet with tears already, and Mingyu grins fondly at the ever emotional Seungkwan. He's so charming. Endearingly open with how he feels, and when Mingyu nods affirmatively he's tackled into a hug.
“ Of course I’ll be your best man Mingyu! “
It makes Mingyu splutter, staring down at Seungkwan who glares up at him, challenging him to disagree. Hanson is cackling like a hyena.
“ Don't you dare tell me you were planning on asking someone else, Kim Mingyu. I'm the literal reason this is happening.”
“ You asked Jeonghan to be your best man! And he's pushing more than half the work on me anyways!”
Ever since he had buried the hatchet with the manager they had fallen into a friendship where Mingyu almost feels more like his on-call janitor than his friend. Eager to please and feeling like he was still on thin ice, he hasn't refused any absurd requests yet. He probably should start soon.
“ And? Hansol had already called dibs on Seokmin. “
Seungkwan casts a dirty look towards his fiance who looks pleased as punch, still sipping from his bottle. And he should be, Seokmin had been over the moon at the request and takes it incredibly seriously. Had wept openly about what an honor it was.
“ Gee, thank you Seungkwan. I'm lucky to have such supportive, kind friends.”
“ Don't you dare. This is amazing, Seokminnie's gonna be elated to settle down with you.“
It makes Mingyu straighten up.
“ I've never been happier. I guess… I guess I want to show him how much somehow, through proposing.”
Seungkwan wipes his eyes, nodding in understanding. Hansol hummed in agreement, rubbing his chin in thought.
“ Well. Seokmin-hyung’s other big loves, aside from you Mingyu, are singing, acting and dancing. “
Oh Mingyu knows he's grinning like a lunatic but he has never felt so ecstatic in his life. He's one of Seokmin's big loves. He could probably stay sustained on that amazing, floaty feeling for days. But Seungkwan snaps his fingers together.
“ Exactly! You have the easiest man to work with in the world, there are literally so many different ways to show him you love and appreciate him.”
“ You're right. I’ll … I'll think of something special. Something new that we can share.”
And he has an idea in mind that's going to require the help of someone who hopefully will be willing to help. He leaves with the business card of the jewelry store that Seungkwan had chosen, calling up Xu Minghao immediately.
+
He's sitting opposite a Jeonghan who lazily looks through his Google searches attempting to find a flower shop. There are no attempts at narrowing the store to something that fits Seungkwan’s preferences, or anything near the venue they're gunning for. The laptop is angled towards Mingyu on purpose, baiting him to do it for the man who is supposed to be the “ Best” man.
Mingyu isn't bitter, not really. He still thinks he should get to be co-best man at this point, but Mingyu knows how much Jeonghan means to his friend.
He does feel clammy at the thought of having to explain to Seungcheol why he won't be asked to be his best man, and he can't imagine how Seokmin will handle the guilt of not asking Hansol to return the favor. Mingyu might be getting a little ahead of himself, but he's not worried Seokmin is going to turn him down. This morning the man in question had sent him off with a steamer, knowing there was a chance he'd be unsatisfied with the fabric handling at the photoshoot. His boyfriend's attentive care saved the crew precious time on locating an iron when a shirt got worn and discarded before they changed their mind. Seokmin cared so deeply for Mingyu it felt like swimming in a bottomless onsen. Wast and warm.
So he gets carried away thinking about everything he has to look forward to, and the stress he can't wait to delegate back to Seungkwan.
At least he'll be familiar with what he doesn't like, in terms of flower arrangements. He peaks over at Jeonghan who has foregone the pretence of his pitiful google searching to assess Mingyu instead.
“ You're nearly taking notes. I can see you hesitate on arrangements that aren't in the Boo Seungkwan approved catalogue. Are you planning something that requires a lot of professionally crafted flower bouquets Kim Mingyu?”
He could have lied and said he's looking at something for work. There are several reasons photoshoots and fashion shows require bouquets. Instead he flinches, an obvious sign that he's caught. He decides to own up to bring caught.
“ I'm planning on proposing to Seokmin-ah.”
He says it seriously, tone even and hopefully conveying his sincerity. Much to his surprise, Jeonghan chuckles.
“ Yah, I see he's preemptively made an honest man out of you.”
The cut doesn't hurt anymore. Well. It stings, but it's not like it's beyond the casual acidity Jeonghan simply has to him. Mingyu wipes his hands on his thighs, clearing his throat.
“ I hope I'll continue to have the honor that is making him happy."
“ You will. Or he'll end up a widower.”
It's said with humor, but Mingyu just nods. He'd rather die than lose Seokmin again. It feels too dramatic and hyperbolic to say out loud, so he busies himself with writing down a third option for Seungkwan to look through later. Jeonghan manages to surprise him though, as he continues talking.
“ But you two are good for each other, I’ll admit it. I thought you'd be a little too similar, both sensitive and stubborn. But I'm pleasantly surprised. You take good care of each other.”
Now that makes Mingyu gape, staring as he's met with a slow blink. He hasn't heard Jeonghan be sincere with his feelings before. It’s humbling.
“ Oh. Thank you hyung.
“ Yeah yeah. Don't let it get to your head or anything. We still have to… is napkins seriously its own point on this list? Oh well. Get to it Mingyu.”
+
Minghao was making good on the promise to put him through the wringer. He's especially merciless when it comes to making him do stretches to loosen up the stiffness that comes with his muscle mass.
Fortunately his efforts go neither unnoticed or unappreciated. Minghao is standoffish, but he isn't interested in holding grudges when it could be detrimental to his friendships. He's mature and introspective to a fault. Mngyu sincerely admires how his calm, steady rationality has had such an impact on Seokmin.
They don't have much time to talk in the first sessions, Mingyu focusing on everything he's being told while Minghao instructs him on how to move. On their fourth lesson he follows along well enough for Minghao to get more chatty. He also gets ambitious.
“ I'm only slightly taller than Seokmin, and I'm a lot slighter. He has some mass on him, but I can't imagine it would be difficult for you to learn how to dip him.”
It makes Mingyu's ears burn red. He'd really like that.
“ When did you teach him all this?”
“ You think you're the first person who noticed he craves a tender touch? He's a sweet one, he loves intimacy. Two people dancing is just closeness in motion.”
Minghao's tone is so fond. Not for the first time Mingyu wonders how two beautiful men with such open adoration for each other didn't fall in love, even if he's personally grateful. It's a weird feeling to wrestle with, as he spins Minghao slowly. A slight push away, a slight draw towards. Like the ocean waves on the beach.
“ You answered the why, not the when.”
A sigh is the response. And for a few beats Mingyu thinks that's the end. He's wrong.
“ After his first run with Xcalibur. He was so alone at that point, at the wrap up party he treated it like it was a funeral. Like he would never see anyone afterwards again. We ended up slow dancing on my insistence and I offered to properly teach him when I realized I wanted to. You know how he looks, the sparkly big eyes full of tears? He asked me ‘really?’ in a hushed little voice. As if he didn't even know he had a stage presence that enraptured every single onlooker in his audience. “
Minghao takes a step back, leaving some space between them. The playlist has moved on to the next song. The conversation continues.
“ He's so sweet. And silly. He makes me laugh, more than I think I realize. I've never met anyone I admire more. So I hated you for what you did to him, and I appreciate you for what you're doing now. I forgive you.“
Minghao reaches out a hand. Truce.
Mingyu's hand shakes. Then they shake. It feels almost too good to be true.
“ That easy?”
“ Well. I'm getting some good revenge on your stiff joints right now aren't I. Not to mention Seungkwan and Jeonghan ratted out your marriage plans immediately and I'd prefer to be friends with my best friend's husband. Makes everything run smoother.”
Mingyu is shocked, beyond embarrassed even if he should have known this was bound to happen. He still winces, feeling guilty.
“ I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it's. It's honestly why I'm doing this. I'd like to dance with him properly for the first time, and ask him to marry me.”
“ That's crazy. He's going to cry every time he tells people about his engagement. “
But Minghao says it with a smile. Things shift between them. There is spring even in the Arctic.
+
He comes home, grimy from work and sweaty from dancing. Seokmin is at the stove, indulging in a late meal. Mingyu's tired brain had nearly short circuited as he entered the kitchen. Somehow he hadn't seen the sleep shorts and the tank top and he had for a second or two thought Seokmin was cooking nude in an apron.
The gawking gets interrupted by a whine.
“ Mingyu-ah! You didn't respond when I said welcome home.”
He's cute, even when he's being whiny. Bratty. Demanding. Mingyu wants him.
Even after realizing that he's gotten himself fired up over a misunderstanding, the sight is too alluring. He steps forward, pressing into Seokmin’s back, kissing his neck. Mingyu's hands roam over the defined shoulders with a firm touch. There is a click to turn down the stove, and a sigh in-between exasperation and defeat.
“ Kiss me properly, Kim Mingyu.”
He nods, nose bumping into the round ear in front of him. No moves are made to do as he's told. One arm copping a feel of his Chest under the apron. The other sneaks up the shorts to grab at the fullness of Seokmin's ass.
He bites the shell of the ear, which gets him a wonderful gasp. Mingyu wets his lips before he whispers.
“ When I saw you I couldn't see your clothes at first. I thought you were just in the apron.”
Seokmin's laugh transforms into a groan as Mingyu's hands grip the cheek harder. He has a fantastic ass, round and meaty. Perfect for pawing, biting, hitting. The tightly pulled canvas of Seokmin's skin is wiped clean every week for Mingyu to decorate again.
“ Oh? Do you have one of those housewife kinks? Do you want me to ask if my hardworking husband would rather have dinner or me?”
And doesn't that make Mingyu's stomach do a little tailspin. The tune is teasing, poking fun at Mingyu. His heart flutters at the term anyways, hopeful and optimistic and full of anticipation. It's not the only thing that leaves him wound up. It's been a couple of weeks since he and Seokmin had the time to fall into bed.
“ I'd rather have the delicious meal first.”
The way he breathes it out, grinding his hips forward, leaves little room for misinterpretation.
“ Hmmm, I'll need to set the table first.”
“ Let me help you. Please."
Seokmin meets his groping and grinding with the opposite energy, fingers trailing over Mingyu’s forearm. The nails scratch over the exposed skin with a light, barely there energy. He's so cute.its a stark contrast to the kneading of his ass and the thumbing of his nipple.
“ You need to have dinner first Mingyu-ah, it's late. I’ll wash up and get everything ready for you, yeah? It'll hurt my feelings if you don't eat my cooking.”
Mingyu grumbles, but does as he's told. By the time he's made it into the shower, he stands under the warm water lazily fisting his cock as he hears Seokmin prepare himself in the bedroom. Even when he fingers himself with no audience, he's so noisy. The soreness of his body is melting away, running clean off his skin with the water.
He's not in the mood to be patient, so he dries off his hair quickly with a towel and makes his way to the bedroom with hurried steps.
Seokmin is on his back, knees pointed outwards, his legs shaping a dramatic v. His shapely calves and generous thighs are visible but he can't see the source of the squelching noises of his hole getting worked open because something is obstructing his line of sight. The scene knocks his breath straight out of his chest.
Seokmin is in nothing but the apron this time for real. His chest is broad enough that one of his dark nipples are on display. Based on the smirk he gives Mingyu when their eyes finally meet, the effect of his display doesn't go unnoticed. He can't even find it in him to be embarrassed, hypnotized by the bulging wet spot on the apron from where the fabric is soaking in Seokmin's precum. Mingyu's mouth waters, and he grips his dick tightly to force himself to take some time to fully appreciate the sight.
“ Be gentle with me Mingyu-ah I have work tomorrow.”
Seokmin croons, sliding one foot upwards towards himself. The spreading of his legs is obscene enough, but the slightly hidden promise of the open hole and hard cock is insanity inducing. Mingyu can't get enough of it, Seokmin feeling sexy. Playful. Flirty. It's devastating. Somehow he also finds a way to be cute about it.
Mingyu crawls forward, mesmerized by the playful spontaneity of a partner that seems to know him better than he knows himself.
“ Do you want me to call you ‘wife’ or is that too much?”
Seokmin's smile grows into something sweet. He loves to be referred to by certain feminine titles, but on his own terms. The dictionary definition of a sweetheart. Someone who isn't afraid to like the soft and sparkly parts of himself, just like he isn't afraid to look sexy and masculine. Mingyu doesn't want to assume anything though, still checks in on what words are okay and which are not.
“ Mmm wife is okay. Now, are you going to eat or not?”
Mingyu grins and flips Seokmin over by the hips. It gets a strangled moan in response to the display of strength, and Mingyu's hands spread apart the round globes. The bite marks he left last time are gone, but he can fix that later. Thumbing at the red pucker that twitches as he runs soft circles around the rim, he breathes in the artificial scent of the strawberry lube.
“ Thank you for the meal.”
It's the last thing either of them say for a while.
+
He takes the trio with him to shop for rings. After a frankly embarrassing night out, where they had all cried and gotten drunk in a preemptive celebration of Mingyu's upcoming promotion to husband. Soonyoung had been the worst by far, clinging onto Wonwoo for emotional support as Mingyu told them his plans for the upcoming proposal.
Even Seungcheol had gotten teary eyed, clapping him on the back with enough force to make him cough. Most of the evening is a blur, realizing he might have gone overboard when he comes home and almost forgets they aren't engaged yet at the mere sight of an amused Seokmin.
“ Let's pour you into bed silly.”
It's the last thing he remembers before waking up with a killer headache and a note on the bedside table that he was out eating at Jun’s with Minghao. Like with all of Seokmin's notes, it's too long and full of hand drawn cute images.
He doesn't have the heart to throw them out, keeping them in his bedside drawer. The same spot the business card Seungkwan had gifted him had lived the past weeks.
The jewelry store is very high end. The four men standing in it look somewhat out of place, with an overly dressed Mingyu sticking out like a sore thumb between the casual attire surrounding him. He's a little offended that his friends didn't dress up for the occasion, but he's happy they're all there for the emotional support if nothing else.
“ So , are engagement and wedding rings like. Two different things? Isn't that a little excessive?”
Soonyoung asks too loudly, making the jeweler raise an eyebrow at him. Luckily Wonwoo is adept at damage control.
“ Not really, they're for different purposes. And Seokmin and Mingyu aren't going to get married for some time with their busy schedules taking up so much of their time.”
Mingyu sends Wonwoo a grateful smile. He's met with the dorky thumbs up that's all but his trademark pose.
“ So, your flare for Seokmin's ring, something that reminds you of him for yours?”
Seungcheol asks with a raised eyebrow. He's right in the money. Mingyu doesn't want to just match, he wants to be reminded of who he is engaged to when he looks at the ring.
“ They should consult you for romcoms just to make sure the main lead is less insane than you. You know, to keep them grounded in reality.”
Wonwoo jokes, and Soonyoung and Seungcheol laugh a bit too hard in response.
Their mood stays light and playful even into the second hour of Mingyu agonizing over the different options though. He's a little paralyzed by the amount of choice he has, if he's being honest. Not to mention that this is important. Maybe one of the most important choices of his life, and he wants it all to be just right.
“ Mingyu, have you seen these ones?”
Seungcheol is pointing at something in the opposite part of the store. He's been presented option after option based on his vague descriptions of the general feeling he needed the rings to imbue. The jeweler is either the world's most professional or patient person. He gives her an apologetic smile as he goes to examine whatever Seungcheol is referring to.
And there they are.
Two silver bands. One of them is thicker, with a square cut diamond. Elegant but solid. The other is slighter, but patterned. The diamonds are inlaid like small stars framed by the grand arches of an old theater.
“ Hyung, they're perfect.”
He pretends not to hear Soonyoung's relieved sigh.
+
Ideally he would manage to book a live band, and get an entire restaurant to remove all other guests, or a hotel to fill its ballroom with sunflowers and tulips.
Instead he calms down his grand plans into something manageable. A friend of his runs a restaurant with a terrace that gets closed off for any other guests than the two of them. He gets full control of the speaker system and decorates the spot to his preferences. The square table is intimate and still big enough for the dishes they'll be sharing.
There are lights hanging over them in a grid, and the weather is perfect in its warm evening temperature. The ring box is flat against his chest in the breast pocket. For the evening his heart will be right on the outside of his chest, ready to be removed and opened up.
Seokmin shows up in the outfit Mingyu picked out for him. He's so gorgeous in the baby blue suit jacket. The long line of him elevated into something ethereal. His approach is echoed by the click of the pointed dress shoes when he enters their private haven for the evening. He looks around with wide eyes, the lights reflecting in his pupils like stars. Mingyu loves his expressive and excitable nature. He loves his beauty and his kindness and his humor. Mingyu loves Seokmin as a whole.
“ Mingyu-ah. This place is so beautiful!”
They meet in a kiss. It's the quick, soft hello of a couple who have been together a while from Seokmin's side, who begins to pull away to continue taking in the sight of the terrace. He doesn't get far before he's dragged back into a sensual slow kiss. Mingyu is in the buildups of all his romantic daydreaming becoming a reality. His emotion bleeds out of him as he licks into Seokmin's mouth. It's filthy and indulgent and Mingyu only breaks off when Seokmin starts to whimper.
The look on his face, the pupils blown wide and his lips plush and red almost makes him dive right back. But Mingyu isn't going up ruin all of his own planning by getting too carried away this early on. Instead he gives a cheeky grin, earning him an unimpressed stare and a pout.
“ Did you invite me to such a beautiful spot just to make fun of me? “
“ Maybe next time. You look perfect.”
The praise softens the displeased expression into a shy one. Mingyu's hands run along the shoulders, smoothing out the fabric slightly. He feels the sturdy but soft textile draped over firm muscle. The hint of the shoulder padding that makes him even broader. The tailoring accentuating the chest to waist ratio. He gets lost in his admirations.
“ Mingyu-ah… you're staring.”
“ I'm admiring my good choice.”
“ Mmm. The jacket is nice too.”
The cheeky grin is perfect. He's perfect. Confident and sweet and everything Mingyu has ever wanted.
They take their seats at the table, Mingyu holding out the chair for Seokmin as he sits down. He honestly thought he would be more nervous when the time finally came, but his hands are steady. Oh, he's eager. Excited. But he's not scared.
They drink Seokmin's favourite wine. He laughs when they're served a fancy pizza as their appetizer, insisting on feeding Mingyu with his hands.
With the main course they drink Champagne, the bubbles going directly into Mingyu's bloodstream. He's carbonated too, threatening to explode. Seokmin makes his pleased expression, mouth in the cutest circle of delight.
When the food is finished, and Mingyu can feel the creeping onset of his nerves. He powers through as best as he can, trying to act normal.
“ Should we go over to the terrace edge and take some pictures? The sun is about to set.”
Seokmin agrees eagerly, phone out to snap about a million picture or the way the light shifts and morphs getting reflected in the river. He doesn't notice Mingyu giving an okay to the waiters who comes over to quietly remove their table. As they approach Mingyu does his best to be a nuisance, demanding Seokmin keep his attention forward, on him as he poses and models. His boyfriend laughs, but indulges him. Somehow the table gets moved to the side with no cutlery falling to the floor or glasses being broken. Mingyu is beyond relieved.
When they turn back Seokmin stops in confusion, looking around before noticing that the table moved. When he looks back to ask Mingyu what's going on, he's greeted with an outstretched arm. The waiter just inside gives a thumbs up at the signal, and turns up the music.
“ Can I have this dance?”
Mingyu has seen Seokmin experience nearly every emotion in his registry. The startled look twisting into a repression of tears isn't a new one. His huge smile and wet eyes aren't either. When he steps forward to take Mingyu's hand, placing the other on his shoulder? His handsome face is nothing but adoration.
They don't talk, Mingyu leading them around in the slow rhythm the song demands. He spins Seokmin slowly, pulling him closer and thinking of how Minghao described it. Closeness in motion. Yeah, he can see that. Seokmin rests his head on Mingyu's shoulder as they pull each other tighter, swaying to the slow, jazzy melody. The song finishes, and Seokmin pulls back. No doubt thinking they were done. Mingyu doesn't let him go far.
The next song kick-starts a tempo, a happier and lighter beat. Mingyu might only know the very basics at this point, but he starts leading Seokmin in an attempt at twist. After the shock the actor starts laughing, and he doesn't stop smiling for the entire time Mingyu's spins him around. Seokmin moves beautifully, following along with no issue as Mingyu focuses hard on how to telegraph his next intended move. By the third song he's drunk on the feeling. No wonder Seokmin enjoys this so much, it's incredible. It's fun. It's trust and joy and motion.
Mingyu dips him at the end, kissing him sweetly before they relax back into the embrace of a slow dance. They're both panting slightly, blood pumping from the combination of the alcohol and the exercise. They kiss again before Seokmin raises his head to look into his boyfriend's eyes. The hand Mingyu isn't holding coming up to caress his chin.
“ This is the best surprise I've ever experienced.”
“ Will you marry me?”
Seokmin looks stricken, mouth falling open and eyebrows almost all the way to his hairline. It's a comical expression. It makes Mingyu grin. The whispered and vounerable question dims it into something more comforting.
“ Really?”
“ I'd get down on one knee but I'd much rather ask you like this, with you in my arms.”
“ Mingyu. Mingyu of course. Or course I'll marry you. Oh my god.”
He's crying, sobbing uncontrollably into Mingyu's chest. Mingyu holds him, large hand cradeling the back of his head. He can't help but laugh, the bubbling feeling no longer able to be contained by its vessel. Seokmin laughs as well, in-between his hysterical crying. They pull apart after a while, Mingyu cooing and comforting him. He kisses the tears away, and Seokmin looks at him like he stole the stars and put them in his eyes.
“ I have the rings with me, if you'd like yours. I'm thinking of putting mine on, either way, since I'm an engaged man now. “
“ You- oh - you have rings! Show me, show me, show me!”
Seokmin all but shakes him around in violent excitement. They laugh together, loud and and childish. Mingyu fishes the rings out of his breast pocket, opening the flat box. The reveal is meet with silence.
For a panicked second he's sure he's managed to ruin his own proposal by picking the wrong kind of rngs. Seokmin starts sniffing again, smiling wider than Mingyu has ever seen.
“ Can I put your's on for you?”
“ Yes. Yeah, just-”
Seokmin picks up the slighter silver band, eyes alight with love. Mingyu's chest settles and he picks up the wider band. Within a minute they're both carrying their commitments to each other on their ring fingers. Mingyu kisses his fiancee.
Mingyu kisses his fiancee another time.
And again.
And again until Seokmin breaks again, happy tears flowing freely down his face. Their hands are interlaced, a shock of electricity running up through his spine with the clinking of the colliding metal. They sway to the music, loosing track of time.
Their forced return to reality comes in the form of a confused and worried looking waiter bringing dessert. Mingyu can understand her concern, looking down at the still weeping Seokmin.
As he gets over the shock of a new person somehow breaking into their bubble, his radiant smile emerges, holding their interlaced hands up as if they were winners at the Olympics.
“ We just got engaged! We're engaged!”
The waiter breaks into an amused smile, congratulating them warmly as she puts down their desserts. They stand untouched for the next half hour as the newly engaged couple switch between slow dancing and attempting the more high energy kind, ending with Mingyu picking Seokmin up by the waist and spinning him around until they both get so dizzy they have to sit down.
They send pictures to their friends, all of them blurry and high energy. Pictures with the filter of unrestrained joy. The only one ending up properly in focus being of their interlaced hands showing of the rings that match and compliment each other.
+
Their wedding invitations come two years later. Elegant and fashionable designs containing personalized messages. They're hand written, one script neat and eloquent, the other curvy with a ridiculously high word count.