“I’m coming home.”

This time it was Beomgyu's turn to let out a surprised shriek. “For real? Are you really coming? Please don't tell me this is a joke,” his voice was high and held uncertainty and hope. Probably the neighbors had heard him too but who cared.

It was how his hyung was and he loved him just like that.

The endless supply of questions came from him to the point Taehyun had to stop him. “Hyung, you know I am not alone, right? I won’t be able to answer all of your questions. Just wait until I reach home in a few hours- “ he glanced at his watch, “- by dinner time?”

“You’re coming for real?!”

“Yes!”

The elder’s happiness knew no bounds. His smile was bright enough to replace a light bulb. Beomgyu felt like he could jump around and so high he’d reach the moon. The love of his life was returning home after months of waiting. How could he not be?

Another loud squeal on the other line and Taehyun had to end the call before his racing heart would explode from the multitude of emotions it experienced in the span of a moment, which he preferred saving for when he met Beomgyu.

--

With a nervous but excited heart, Taehyun rang the doorbell of his house. After all, being one of the youngest lieutenants in their team had required him longer times of being away from home. It pained him each time he had to bid Beomgyu goodbye- that sole tear that escaped his eyes the moment he’d leave would stab his heart like a dagger.

He’d always keep it in until Taehyun wouldn’t be able to see, yet he saw.
Before he could register the door opening and react, a pair of warm arms wrapped around his shoulders into a tight hug. Not wasting a moment, his arms snaked around the tiny waist of the older boy whose face was hidden on the crook of his neck.

The overwhelming emotions of being home crashed down on him like a cool breeze on a summer day.

It wasn’t until he felt a wet patch forming in his uniform he realized that Beomgyu was crying and the cold wind of the nighttime made him realize the tears that rolled down his own cheeks.

Racing in his chest, his heart threatened to jump out of it at finally being able to meet his lover.

“I missed you.” a muffled sound came from the shaky figure who didn’t seem to wanna let go anytime soon. Taehyun’s hand found a place in the midst of his fluffy locks and gently ruffled them. “Let’s go inside before any of us catch a cold,”

Contrary to his own words, he didn’t move an inch. So they stayed. Stayed in the homes they’d made in each other’s heart, too overwhelmed by the separation. Though, the soldier was waiting for the other male to let go so he could finally see his face.

Finally, they pulled away getting a good look at each other- or trying to; the dimness under the neon lights couldn’t satisfy their longing of wanting to be lost in the other’s eyes. So they walked back inside their house, hands locked with each other.

Beomgyu went in first - it was as if an angel had appeared when the light reflected off of his skin making him glow. The features on his face seemed more prominent, his jawline more defined and his eyes were sharper. 

With each step, his anticipation increased. Those two months of being away- he didn’t realize had gotten to him this much. It seemed like months, everything seemed so different. All the cushions in their rightful places, no wrappers or snacks lying around.
It was oddly clean.

Perhaps the elder noticed the expression on his face. “I stay in the study most of the time. And hey! I do clean up, okay?”
Taehyun let out a little chuckle and looked at Beomgyu who had his arms crossed with a pout.

His lips were still the same - those plump, rosy lips that he so dearly wished to touch with his own.

So he did.

He moved closer, placing a chaste kiss on his lips and pulled away; a small smile etched on his face.

“You look so beautiful,” he said before cupping his cheeks with the expanse of his hands, stared at his deep chocolate eyes, and leaned in to kiss again.

The older seemed to have frozen on his spot but soon melted into the kiss as his hands moved to his back, pulling him closer finally kissing him back.

Lips moved against one another in longing- slow with every ounce of love that they could pour in. Beomgyu wrapped his hands around the younger’s neck, trying to pull him closer than it was possible.

Every emotion in the time they spent apart - they could feel it at that moment.
A fleeting rush of emotions of being home washed over him. This place never felt like home without Taehyun in it.
It was just a soulless area with walls, doors, and windows under a roof.

Even if all the lights of the house would have been switched on, it could never be bright enough like when Taehyun would be there.

Taehyun was all he needed.

It hurt each time they had to separate when his training began. But when Beomgyu made the first move that particular day, he knew what he was getting himself into.

-

“Are you sure you’re gonna crash the base camp with flowers?” A perplexed Soobin asked Beomgyu who was getting ready to pick up his favorite boy from the base camp for the first time.

“Of course, I am sure.” he fixed his hair and looked at the mirror one last time before turning around to meet the taller boy’s eyes. “No one is gonna stop me. I’ve gotten the pass and everything ready. It’s not like I’m breaking into their camp.”

The older of the two let out a sigh, a small smile appeared on his lips. Holding his shoulders, he said, “This is a big decision and if anything happens, we’ll be there for you, hm?”

Returning a genuine smile, he thanked Soobin and left the apartment.

“Just be careful of any officers that might lurk around and hunt you down.”

As the boot camp approached he thought over his decision once again.

Was it really the right time?

But then memories of him and Taehyun played in front of his eyes like a movie and he knew- this was it. He knew the younger boy was the one for him.

No matter how few chances he’d get to see him when he finally joins the army, he knew there was nothing more he wanted than to be with Taehyun- his reason for being.

Kneeling down on the ground the moment Taehyun let go of Beomgyu from the hug, he pulled out a ring from his pocket.

“I find myself staring at you as the stars look at the moon. Like how the first drop of rain falls on the dry ground, you bring me to life each time. You are the color that touched my blank canvas. I can’t imagine growing old with anyone else but you,”

A shade of red painted Taehyun’s cheeks as his eyes sparkled with unshed tears. His heart was shaking in its cage waiting to jump out. His hands trembled as it dawned on him what his boyfriend was trying to say.

“No one can hold on to my heart the way you do. There’s nothing more I need than to be with you for the rest of my life.”

He brought the violet velvet box closer to the younger male who seemed to have lost his voice at the moment.

“Kang Taehyun, will you marry me?”
Beomgyu looked at Taehyun once again, properly this time then looked around to find groups of recruits looking at them.

His heart began to crack under the lack of response from the younger boy who was still shaken by the unexpected proposal.
Heart hammering in his chest, he called his name once again. “Taehyun-ah?”

And there was it. The moment he’d desperately been waiting for.

It felt like a hundred butterflies had been set free around them.

“Yes! Thousand times yes.”

-

There were times when Taehyun would ask him why he married him when he could just be better off with someone who had a regular job and is with him every day.

“I know what I was getting into that day when I proposed to you. I don’t want anyone else but you.” he’d always reply.

This response always managed to set off fireworks in the heart of the younger boy. What had he done in his past life to be able to earn a blessing that was Choi Beomgyu?

Whatever it was he wouldn’t trade anything in this world with the love of his life.