Two days after their visit to the nursing home, Seonghwa's uncle called him in the evening. Seonghwa was lying on the couch with Hongjoong snuggled in the arm while they watched a movie about a witch that they barely paid attention to. They had been busy with each other's lips for the largest portion of the movie, and when the phone rang with the theme song of Zootopia, Hongjoong whined into Seonghwa's mouth with displeasure.

As Seonghwa pressed an apologetic kiss to his lips and pulled back with a wet noise, Hongjoong blinked his eyes open. Pouting, he watched Seonghwa dig for his phone and put it to his ear.

"Hello? Ah, uncle, it's you. Is this about grandma?" Seonghwa leaned his head against Hongjoong's and put on the speaker. These matters interested both of them the same.

The voice over the phone sounded exasperated. Curious, Hongjoong snuggled against Seonghwa and listened without making a noise.

"It is. Seonghwa, did she say anything about this beforehand? Suddenly she wants to move homes, this comes right out of the blue!" Hongjoong could imagine the man gesturing wildly while he explained. He was agitated, though Hongjoong doubted he experienced the same type of abuse as Seonghwa while spending time with that woman once.

"She told me she disliked that facility in particular and wanted to try a different one," Seonghwa replied truthfully. He didn't mention the inconvenience she had become to him, as expected.

His uncle muttered under his breath. Hongjoong picked up something about being picky and business.

"Damn it. I'll try out the one at the other end of the city for her, maybe she likes that one more. I hope it won't be too much of an inconvenience for you to drive there for an hour longer."

When Seonghwa breathed in and out slowly in preparation, Hongjoong gently squeezed his hip. Seonghwa had tensed up in their embrace, and Hongjoong countered with more softness to make up for it.

"Actually, I was going to take this as my opportunity to get out of this deal. I talked to her, and she told me she would prefer someone who isn't gay to drop by from time to time. Making the time was hard already, too."

Hongjoong knew Seonghwa could make the time. Once the man cared, he would give up his whole personal life to supply. But not for that woman. Proud, Hongjoong pressed a little kiss against his neck. Seonghwa rewarded him with a tight smile.

"For real? I can't even be mad at you, her opinions on homosexuals are deep-rooted. God, I will have to talk this through with the nurses. Maybe she is fine with your cousin calling her from time to time. She is absolutely enamoured by the little one."

Relief seeped into Seonghwa's shoulders for being heard finally. For a moment, Hongjoong feared his boyfriend would turn into a puddle and flow away into freedom. His grip tightened, silent glee passing between the two of them.

"As long as you stick close, sure. You wouldn't want your kid to pick up certain beliefs of hers." His protectiveness reached out even beyond his duty to care. Warmed by his compassion, Hongjoong closed his eyes again. He basked in listening to Seonghwa's relaxed voice.

"This will be a hassle. I wanted to ask you to help, but since you are busy protecting an entire city, I won't. You're welcome."

Seonghwa giggled, some tension evaporating into the air with the sound.

"I'm not protecting an entire city by myself, I am not that great," he reminded with a smirk tugging on his lips. His uncle gave a dismissive scoff.

"Then you still have to work on that, you hero. Thanks for taking care of her until now, though. I'll figure something out and leave you out of the planning."

Hongjoong could feel the words in Seonghwa's throat. That he wanted to offer himself up again in case his uncle found no match for grandma. When Hongjoong dug his fingers into Seonghwa's side warningly, the man exhaled with some struggles.

"Right, good luck. I hope she will cooperate well."

"Sure. Good night, Seonghwa."

"Good night."

Seonghwa lowered the phone gradually. Scepticism etched into his features as he regarded the screen even once it had turned black. Hongjoong studied his expressions carefully.

"Don't think about her anymore. Don't ask where she will go, don't offer your help. You need distance to heal, Seonghwa. There is still time to work on forgiveness afterwards. She's a tough one."

Hongjoong reached out to pull the phone from Seonghwa's hands and placed it down on the table. He hit play on the movie again, so it could drone on in the background as he gave Seonghwa a bone-crushing hug.

"You did well, so well. You broke the evil spell."

Still not caught up, Seonghwa just hugged him back. Hongjoong gave him all the time in the world to establish the thought that he never had to go back and that he had declared his right to avoid the woman.

Seonghwa ran his fingers through Hongjoong's hair to ground himself. The pleasant little tugs on his roots had Hongjoong smile.

"I can't believe this... It was your help, Hongjoong. Your help that brought me here."

Timid Hongjoong buried his face in the man's neck. Seonghwa nuzzled back affectionately.

"I just wanted happiness for you. I'm glad I could help you achieve it."

After a moment of searching, Seonghwa caught his gaze. They exchanged the raw gratitude and pride between them before Seonghwa dipped down to leave a heartfelt kiss on Hongjoong's lips.

"I love you. Thank you so much." Seonghwa's little kisses travelled over Hongjoong's face. Like the touch of a feather, they brushed his lids, his nose, his cheeks and his lips. Hongjoong had to giggle at his overflowing affection.

After the disbelief came joy. When Seonghwa suddenly sat up straight like an arrow, Hongjoong made a confused noise. His side got cold rapidly when Seonghwa parted from him.

"We have to celebrate this!" Excited, Seonghwa looked at Hongjoong. The man in question sat up with a huff and ruffled his hair back into an acceptable state.

"How do you want to celebrate? Alcohol?"

Seonghwa mildly shook his head. His amused smile crooked his lips in that so very him way that Hongjoong adored so much.

"I have work tomorrow, so that isn't an option. We could buy juice and drink it out of wine glasses though to pretend we are classy adults." Seonghwa's fingers dug out the blanket tucked around their legs to throw it off. With fervour, he pulled Hongjoong up with him.

"If you're feeling spicy, we could also make some food and put exactly one leaf of parsley on top. Endless luxury," Hongjoong added. They were perfect partners in crime.

Under giggles, the two of them meandered into the kitchen to check the fridge. Seonghwa always had only a few things in there since he didn't want any food to go bad on days he couldn't get himself to eat. With Hongjoong nearby who served as a gentle pressure tool, he had bought some fresh food.

"Alright, shall we just make some pasta? I can drop out and buy the goods while you prepare the food," Seonghwa suggested with a mysterious undertone at the word 'goods'. Hongjoong pulled out a pot from the cupboard to fill it with water.

"Sounds like a good idea. You can also buy some shell-shaped pasta or so for the extra flair."

Astonished by his sense, Seonghwa reacted with finger guns. Then he slipped into his shoes and made his way out.

Alone in the kitchen, Hongjoong put on some music that he had heard in Seonghwa's dreams before. After so many beautiful piano pieces in the background all the time, Hongjoong had developed a sense for dark academia playlists. He let one of them bless his ears with its sweet harmonies as he guarded the water.

It took Seonghwa only ten minutes to return, and he came back just in time as Hongjoong got ready to throw in the noodles. While Seonghwa filled the red juice into their glasses and set out the dishes, Hongjoong finished up with the meal. Once Seonghwa had handed him the parsley in a solemn gesture, he dropped one stalk each on their plates.

"Oh, I know just the finishing touch!" Cheerful like a kid, Seonghwa hurried to his drawer and searched through its contents. With a triumphant noise, he pulled out a candle and carried it over to the coffee table as well.

"It smells of candied almonds. One of my favourite winter smells," he explained quietly as he lit it. Dancing between their two glasses, the flame reflected on the polished surface.

Hongjoong looked down on their work, proud of how pretty it had become despite its simplicity. Before he ate, Seonghwa had to take a few pictures first to post later.

"Now this is luxury," Hongjoong sighed as he sipped on his cherry and apple juice. Seonghwa agreed with shining eyes that held all the affection and joy for Hongjoong.

They enjoyed their feast to the fullest. Hongjoong's music still played in the background and sweetened their conversation. Compared to the usual shadow that seemed to loom over Seonghwa, a lot of his stress had lifted, if only for this moment. Joy reflected in his eyes as he laughed over every stupid joke Hongjoong made.

The candle spread its delicious aroma through the air until the overwhelming urge to bite the candle nearly had Hongjoong act on instinct. With a snicker, Seonghwa offered him some chocolates instead for them to share as dessert.

Satisfied with their fancy meal and the romance in the air, they finished with both their stomachs and hearts pleased.

"You are a master chef," Seonghwa flirted as soon as they finished eating. He did the lame little thing where he pretended to stretch only for his arm to come to lie on the backrest of the couch behind Hongjoong. Thrilled, Hongjoong reached up to pull the man's arm directly around his shoulder.

"You charmer. I hope your compliments are of innocent nature, or else my pasta making skills will be deeply hurt."

Seonghwa pulled them closer together until they sat thigh pressed against thigh. Without flinching back, they looked at each other with heavy gazes. Neither backed down.

"What if that compliment was meant to bewitch you into my arms? Would that work?"

Their noses brushed gently. Hongjoong put one hand down to stabilise himself and found Seonghwa's thigh. He gave a reassuring squeeze over the soft fabric of the man's blue sweatpants.

"In that case, you'll have to try harder."

"You also look gorgeous on my couch, in my flat. I enjoy seeing you here," Seonghwa whispered. He leaned his head against Hongjoong's to smell his hair and press little kisses over the shell of his ear.

Hongjoong sunk into him like butter. Putty at the praise, he allowed Seonghwa to pick up Hongjoong's legs and put them over his lap to feel him even closer. Hongjoong's fingers tightened in the fabric of Seonghwa's pants as he listened to his velvety voice murmur sweet nothings into his ear.

"Although I have to disagree with that horrendous outfit. It would look way better on my floor."

Hongjoong had to snort at the cringe line. Seonghwa caught him when they curled into each other. His high-pitched giggles were music to Hongjoong's swooning heart.

"In that case, I don't mind you taking it off me." Hongjoong returned to their game once he had gathered his wits again. His head tipped back when Seonghwa's warm kisses travelled down over his neck. His fingers slipped under Hongjoong's shirt, caressing his stomach and hips. Their nimble touch paired with the hot trail the officer left on his sensitive skin had Hongjoong shudder and lean into the touch.

With all the patience in the world, Seonghwa took his time feeling up Hongjoong's skin. Whenever Hongjoong trembled sensitively, he memorised those spots. Little details that were new to them, even after their feverish dream hookup.

Seonghwa helped Hongjoong out of his pullover and paid attention not to throw it anywhere near the candle. When his arms reached out to pull them close together, Hongjoong savoured the feeling of his embrace on his quickly cooling body.

"Is it too cold?" Seonghwa's lips kissed over Hongjoong's collarbone with reverent devotion. When his roaming finger caught onto a hardened nipple, Hongjoong held in a gasp. He licked over his lips to remind himself how language worked as he responded.

"A bit."

"In that case," Seonghwa resurfaced to press a soft kiss on Hongjoong's mouth. It was tamer than the previous ones, less purposefully heated. The tension turned back into romantic yearning.

"Let me move things to the bedroom."

With that, he scooped Hongjoong up into his arms as if he were nothing. Before he rose, he blew out the candle. Then he carried a squealing boyfriend over to his room. Hongjoong clung to him like a baffled koala baby. He didn't fear Seonghwa would actually drop him, and he didn't. Slow and thoughtful, Seonghwa set Hongjoong down on the bed, only to crawl right over him and cover him with lingering touches and kisses.

All thoughts about the grandma were forgotten as Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa down with him to welcome him into his embrace.