Open up your heart and just let it begin

As it turns out, Yunho was teaching an afternoon session that day, and needn't be there so early. The two spent the next half an hour cozied up in bed, before deciding breakfast might be the way to go. Seonghwa got up first, entering the corridor, before stopping short when he realised something, turning back and poking his head into the bedroom while confessing.

"I meant to stock up on groceries, but I kinda forgot... Does granola sound acceptable?"

"Anything's fine, Hwa. Just, um, you wouldn't happen to have hot chocolate, would you?"

"Of course I have that."

"Ooh, good. I need the sugar."

"I'm afraid of what might happen if you consume too much sugar," Seonghwa reprimanded before heading to the kitchen. But, as per Yunho's wishes, he still boiled a kettle of water and made a hot chocolate, brewing a cuppa for himself. Looking in the fridge, whilst nursing his cup of tea, a brainwave swept through on how he could make granola slightly fancier. He happened to have a tub of yogurt, still unopened, and a box of blueberries. At least, any addition would spice up plain granola.

Being the neatness freak that he was, Seonghwa made sure to get every single bit of the metal lid off the yogurt tub. By the time Yunho shuffled out the corridor, he was about ¾ through the cover. "Is that really necessary?"

"Yes, it is. It's unsightly if bits of the metal are still on the box." He responded in a pompous, faux British tone.

Yunho leaned onto the counter, propping his head up with his elbows resting on the marbled surface. "But don't you think it's the flaws and differences that make things beautiful?"

That caught the older's attention.

"What do you mean?" He questioned, temporarily drawn away from his task.

"I mean that, for example, even with your obvious OCD of sorts, it's something that I'm willing to overlook because I love you. You wouldn't be you without those features. Therefore, it's alright to leave those little bits of foil stuck on the container. That's what makes it unique."

"That doesn't make sense, but alright. Don't blame me if you taste metal later." His mind was well and truly taken off his original task now. Mixing the two portions of granola with his additional ingredients, he carried the bowls over to the table, where Yunho was already daintily sipping at his hot chocolate.

"So, what do you work as? I never got to ask that."

"I teach dance at an academy. Started less than a week ago."

"Do you like it?"

His heart soared when he knew he'd hit the mark. Yunho's eyes were abrim with passion.

"I love it there! Dancing's been my hobby since forever, to be able to work using it is a dream come true. Also, it helps take my mind off... things." He grew quiet again, having unintentionally said what he shouldn't have.

Seonghwa reached across the table and took up the other's hand.

"Do you want to tell me what those things are? Maybe you'd feel better if you told someone."

"I... can't, Hwa. I don't like thinking about it. It's better if I just completely forgot about everything that's happened."

"If you forget everything that's happened to you, then you wouldn't be you anymore, Yunho."

The younger looked up from where he had been tracing circles in the granola with his spoon. A small glance, but an attentive one. "What do you mean?"

"I don't really know how to explain but I'll try." He sucked in a breath, and grasped Yunho's free hand in between his two.

"What I'm trying to say is, your past doesn't define who you are, but it does shape who you are. If you forget everything in your past, it wouldn't have the opportunity to make you the person you are now." He paused before continuing. "And it also means I might not be here with you right now, if that all changed. Every moment is a miracle in itself, and I'll do anything to experience all these miracles with you, Yun."

.

.

A few hours later, Yunho left the apartment, having to leave sightly earlier as he had to walk back to his old apartment to retrieve his car. Seonghwa, left in solitude once again, decided to do something more productive.

He cleaned up the house, sweeping the floor with his so-called patented "5 step procedure". With that done, he flopped down on the couch, picking up his phone that he had neglected. A thought came to mind then: maybe he could bring Yunho on a date, after work. Swiping through his contacts, he located Minho and sent him a message.

"Hey, I know this is very sudden, but do you happen to know where Yunho works?"

The reply came in seconds.

"Yes I do. Why?"

Did he need a reason to know where his new boyfriend worked? Then again it was also his mistake for not asking. Seonghwa decided to take the honest route.

"I'm planning to surprise him by going on a date."

"Okay. Just make sure to not come anywhere near the shop. Here you go." Minho had sent him a pic of where the academy was. It looked like the back of a business card.

"Thanks."

Thinking back to the start of the day, Seonghwa decided he would get some groceries before meeting Yunho. The nearest place to get his shopping done was down the block, a rather large corner outlet called Cheol's, aptly named after the owner himself. Passing by the shop front, Seonghwa noticed a "help wanted" sign in the window. It wouldn't hurt for him to enquire about the post, considering he no longer had a job.

Upon his entrance, the owner, Seungcheol, waved from where he stood behind the counter, manning the register. "Hi Seonghwa." The two had gotten to know each other when they had met that first occasion. "Cheol hyung, may I know how I can apply?" He gestured to the notice in the window.

.

.

Half an hour later, Seonghwa had gotten his groceries, and had also successfully acquired a new job, which he would start the next day. At that very moment, he had also reached the apartment, put the groceries away, and was out the house again, headed to the dance academy. There was a bit of an issue with google maps, but eventually, he made his way there, albeit a little tired from having to backtrack occasionally. To say he was right on time would be an understatement. Yunho had just exited the building, chatting with another guy, whom Seonghwa presumed was another teacher.

"Yunho-ya!" He called out whilst walking toward the younger.

Thankfully, he was still out of earshot, for he didn't hear the other whisper to Yunho, "Your new boyfriend?"

"Yep."

"He's fine looking."

Suddenly turning grim, he continued. "Make sure you don't get taken advantage of this time."

"I'll take care, hyung. Don't worry too much, it'll make you grow older faster."

"Aish- I just don't want you to be hurt again. Anyways, I'll take my leave first."

The other guy headed across the road, as Seonghwa made his way over.

"Who's that?"

"Oh, that's Dino. He's a fellow teacher, and a friend. But, why are you here, Hwa?"

"I was thinking, although we're essentially together, we don't know enough about each other yet. So, if you don't mind, we could go on our 'first date'?"

Seonghwa blushed, covering his cheeks with both hands. Shaking his head and suppressing a smile, Yunho lifted the hands away from his lover's face.

"Don't shield your beauty from the world. I want everyone to know how beautiful my Hwa is. And lead the way! Although," He paused, pursing his lips for a second.

"What? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Just maybe I should head home and change first."

"Oh, I didn't think of that..."

Despite being much faster, driving only took about half the time it took for Seonghwa to walk there. He waited at the lobby entrance, while Yunho went up to change, coming back down in under five minutes.

"So, where do you want to go, Yun?"

The younger hesitated, before his face brightened, and he made an alternate suggestion.

"How about you choose today, Hwa? Don't worry, I'll pick the next time. What would your ideal date be?"

"My ideal date..."

And that's how the pair ended up at the Chinese takeout place, settled under a small umbrella table for two, ordering a heap load of dim sum and eating themselves silly. Behind them, the hazy blue sky turned grey, before darkening to a dull navy followed by a pitch black, and still they continued their conversation, asking each other the stupidest questions and laughing their heads off.

They would have stayed there through the night, if it weren't for the normally kind owners shooing them off, stating that it was late, which it was, and they should be home. Besides, they were also closing shop. Bidding the owners goodbye, the two headed off, linking hands as they strolled, admiring the lights of the city at night. When they reached, each one of them took a shower, before getting into bed, snuggling into each other as they drifted off to sleep.