Chapter Text
Seonghwa stands in front of the mirror in their barely furnished apartment, tugging at the collar of his graduation gown. The place is still bare-bones. Just a bed, a closet, and a dresser with a mirror. He smoothes the fabric and adjusts the cap on his head, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that this is it. The end of one chapter, the start of whatever comes next. And man, if that isn’t both exciting and slightly terrifying.
Behind him, Hongjoong is tearing through his bag like he’s got a hundred missing tassels in there somewhere. Seonghwa stifles a laugh, watching his partner with fond amusement. Hongjoong’s been his partner-in-crime through every single moment of this wild ride, and now here they are, standing on the edge of whatever comes next.
“You sure you don’t need help with that?” Seonghwa teases, turning to look at him. There’s a little catch in his throat because he’s been looking forward to this day, but now that it’s here, he can’t help feeling a pang of nostalgia. He’s been holding onto this moment all week, knowing that it would come, but dreading the feeling of leaving their college days behind.
Hongjoong looks up from his bag, finally, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. “Nah, I got it,” he says, and then his eyes light up as he finally spots the tassel. He tugs it out triumphantly and smirks, “And look at you, Mr. Vogue himself, all polished and ready. Who’s your stylist? Can I have their number? You look like you just stepped off a runway.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t like him, he’s a workaholic,” Seonghwa jokes, adjusting his cap as he meets Hongjoong’s gaze in the mirror. “How are you feeling?”
Hongjoong fiddles with the tassel, fixing it onto his cap. “Weird, honestly. Excited, sure, but like... I’m forgetting something. You know when you’re about to leave for a trip, and you just know you left your phone charger or something?”
Seonghwa cocks an eyebrow, turning fully to face him. “You feel something is wrong?”
Hongjoong shrugs, looking a little lost as he smoothes out a wrinkle on his gown. “I dunno. You know how I’ve got my routines?” Seonghwa hums. He remembers the daily rituals Hongjoong developed over the years. He always has to do certain things in order or he will spend the rest of the day mopping about how his day started off wrong. “Well, I feel like I’m forgetting something.”
“So, should I brace myself for you to fall on your face before you get up on that stage since you’re missing a piece of your sacred routine?”
Hongjoong raises a hand in mock protest, though there’s a playful gleam in his eye. “Hey, don’t act like you’re above this! I’ve seen your own routines, Mr. ‘Eight-Step Morning Skincare.’ Don’t try to act like you’re too cool to understand.”
Seonghwa laughs, reaching over to grab his arm. “Alright, you got me. But I think I know what you’re missing.”
“Oh?” Hongjoong gives him a skeptical look. “And what’s that?”
“A good luck kiss,” Seonghwa says smoothly, raising an eyebrow with a little smirk.
Hongjoong’s cheeks flush, and he lets out a short laugh, though there’s something genuine in his smile. “I don’t know if I can handle you acting all suave like this.” He reaches up to plant a quick kiss on Seonghwa’s lips. “Alright, we should get going, or else our friends might think we’re... up to something.”
Seonghwa tilts his head with a small grin dancing on his face. “Up to something, huh? And what exactly might that be?”
Hongjoong grins back, and the grin turns sly. He steps in a little closer, voice dropping a notch. “Oh, you know…”
“Do I?”
Hongjoong leans in slightly, his lips hovering just above Seonghwa’s, his breath warm against his skin. “Definitely,” he whispers like a dare.
Hongjoong’s hand resting lightly on Seonghwa’s chest, stirring up this unbearable tension that’s been simmering under the surface all day today.
Without thinking, Seonghwa slides a hand to the back of Hongjoong’s neck, pulling him in gently. His lips press softly against Hongjoong’s forehead, lingering as if this moment might break if he moves too quickly.
“God, you’re…” Seonghwa’s voice comes out low. He doesn’t even finish the thought, just watches as Hongjoong’s eyes flutter shut, feeling the soft rise and fall of his breath. It’s like they’re in their own little universe, time slowing down just for them.
And then Seonghwa’s phone lights up with a buzz, snapping him back. He pulls it out with a small groan, typing something fast.
"That won't do."
Hongjoong raises an eyebrow, laughing a little, “What?”
“I’m texting the group to say we’ll be late,” Seonghwa replies, tossing the phone onto the bed with a grin.
With a quick move, Seonghwa turns Hongjoong around, guiding him to face the mirror above their dresser. They stand there, close enough that Seonghwa can feel Hongjoong’s breath as they look at their reflections, his hands settling on Hongjoong’s waist and pulling him back to meet his chest. The room is quiet, filled only with their soft breathing, and Seonghwa can’t help but think about how right they look together—Hongjoong leaning back into him, the morning light casting warm shadows across their faces.
Seonghwa’s lips hover near Hongjoong’s ear, his voice barely above a whisper. “Think they’re gonna be mad?” He presses his hips against Hongjoong’s ass.
Hongjoong tilts his head back. “They’re used to it.”
It’s then that Seonghwa pushes Hongjoong to bend over the dresser, making the other gasp at the sudden movement but doing nothing to stop it. Hongjoong drops his hands on top of the dresser as if to steady himself.
“What’s it gonna be today?” he asks Hongjoong as he lifts the smaller man’s gown, and then his leg to rest on top of the dresser.
“Surprise me.” Hongjoong rasps while Seonghwa unzips his own gown and then pushes Hongjoong’s pants and underwear down to rest on his thighs.
“Think you’re still loose?”
“From two days ago?” Hongjoong laughs, his sarcasm giving away what he really wants.
“Pity…” Seonghwa sighs, drawing Hongjoong’s cheeks apart to stare at the pink pucker. “Maybe later.” He strokes his dick to full hardness and aligns it with Hongjoong’s cunt, gathering whatever slickness is there.
“Oh, yeah?” Hongjoong smiles at Seonghwa through the reflection. “What are you planning to do?” His voice falters when Seonghwa pushes in, into the familiar warmth. “Drag me to the janitor’s closet and fuck my ass there?”
“It kind of sounds like you want that.” Seonghwa stares back at him and drags his cock along Hongjoong’s walls slowly, but making each thrust punch a moan out of the other. “I was thinking of a romantic dinner ending with taking you apart…” He grips Hongjoong’s hips tighter, angling his hips to hit where he knows will have Hongjoong seeing stars. “But your little fantasy can be arranged.” Seonghwa picks up the pace, pounding into the younger with a familiar pace. “As long as you don’t back out again.”
“I…fuck!” Hongjoong drops his head at one particularly well-aimed thrust that’s making the dresser shake under his hands. “I wouldn’t do that now,” he says, half-dazed with a fuzzy look in his eyes. “We’re not going back there-shit.” He groans, momentarily forgetting to finish his sentence. A couple of seconds—and poundings—later, he continues, “They’re not gonna expel us if we get caught. We got nothing to lose.”
Seonghwa leans forward so his chest meets Hongjoong’s back to whisper in his ear. “Right, we'd just get sued,” he says, driving his hips faster, making the other mewl and drop to his elbows, giving Seonghwa a perfect view in the mirror.
“Then don’t get caught,” Hongjoong says before he gasps loudly when Seonghwa fucks into him relentlessly. Fast, hard, just the way Hongjoong still likes it.
It might be the excitement and nervousness catching up to Seonghwa but he already feels close, so he tries his best to prolong his orgasm. It proves to be a difficult task when Hongjoong lifts his dark eyes to stare at Seonghwa through the mirror.
“Like what you see?” Hongjoong asks with a small smirk, probably able to feel Seonghwa’s pace faltering.
“Love it.” He reaches to take Hongjoong’s right arm and pulls it back, making the other arch his back with a loud moan. "Love you." Seonghwa doesn’t stop, but he is relieved when Hongjoong comes first, clamping down around him violently, spitting out words that vaguely sound like curses.
“F-fuck don’t stop.” Hongjoong demands and Seonghwa tries to calm his racing heart and throbbing dick from coming too soon. Hongjoong’s tone indicates he’s close to coming again, not that long after the first time. And Seonghwa loves it when he gets like this. So needy for Seonghwa’s cock.
“Where do you want me?” Seonghwa asks even though he can guess. Since it’s their graduation, he figures there’s a chance Hongjoong won’t want the mess.
“Inside.” His boyfriend confirms his suspicions. “God-Seonghwa-Fuck me full,” he blabbers on, slurring his words between the breathless moans, “Fuck me so I can’t walk. For everyone-fuck-for everyone to know…” he drifts off.
A small chuckle escapes Seonghwa’s lips, never stopping his hips from driving into Hongjoong in the unrelenting rhythm. “For everyone to know what?” he teases. “That you’ve been fucked raw?”
Hongjoong clenches so tight around him, the warmth of his walls makes Seonghwa see white. He comes hard into the trembling man under him, fucks him through overstimulation, and then some more for good measure, making his insides white and full. They stay connected, waiting for their breathing to slow. Hongjoong reaches back, running his fingers through Seonghwa’s hair in a comforting gesture.
“Get me my plug,” he says breathlessly.
“On graduation day?” Seonghwa teases with a soft laugh. “Naughty.”
Hongjoong hums, tightening his walls around Seonghwa again, this time intentionally. “Punish me later then.”
~
The ceremony had been a blur, but the good kind. Families and friends gathered to see the teary speeches from professors who always seemed so untouchable until today. Even if Seonghwa's mom was not among the crowed, at least Hongjoong's mom was there and all his friends too. San, Yeosang, Wooyoung, and the ones he met in his second year. When Yunho, Mingi, and Jonho joined their little friend group it was like the puzzle was completed. They’d done it, made it through all the stress, the all-nighters, and the “what now?” talks. Through all the anxiety and stress about the future. It’s finally here.
Seonghwa stands in line with Hongjoong, who’s messing with his cap again, adjusting the tassel for what’s probably the fifth time. Seonghwa can’t help the soft laugh that escapes as he watches. He feels this rush of something—pride, affection, maybe a bit of disbelief—that they’ve made it here, together. It doesn’t matter how much effort and how much pain, endless nights and tears they sacrificed to get here. The only thing that matters is the future they’ll build together.
“You ready?” Seonghwa murmurs, bumping Hongjoong’s shoulder as they wait for their turn to walk the stage.
Hongjoong glances over with a playful smirk. “Think so,” he says, eyeing Seonghwa with a spark in his gaze. “Are you sure you’re ready? You know, not secretly freaking out behind that cool expression?”
Seonghwa laughs, rolling his eyes a little. “For once, I feel pretty good,” he replies, holding Hongjoong’s gaze just a beat longer. “And I think we deserve a little celebration after this.”
Hongjoong raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “I like the sound of that.”
As the line inches forward, Seonghwa gives Hongjoong’s hand a quick squeeze, his heart pounding just a little faster. He can’t wait to see Hongjoong’s face when he sees the restaurant he picked. But for now, he just watches, savoring the moment.
~
Months after graduation, they’ve found a rhythm. Their rhythm. Seonghwa has started an internship at a local kindergarten, while Hongjoong works at a small yet comfortable café down the street from their apartment while he’s on the waiting list for an assistant job of an up-and-coming designer. Their life isn’t fancy, but it’s real and it’s theirs. Gone are the bare walls and the empty shelves, their apartment has slowly filled with framed photos, stacks of books, and souvenirs from random days that meant something special. It feels like home.
Tonight, Seonghwa’s been planning a surprise—a quiet celebration. He’s set the table for two, with a small candle flickering between their plates and their favorite dishes laid out, simple but made with care. He’s been waiting for just the right moment to take their next step, something to mark this chapter and set them up for the next.
Hongjoong wanders in from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. “Wow,” he says with a grin, looking at the spread. “You really went all out. I thought we were keeping it low-key?”
Seonghwa grins back. “What can I say? I couldn’t help myself. You know me.”
Hongjoong chuckles as he takes a seat, glancing around. “It’s perfect. It smells delicious Hwa, I’m so fucking hungry-”
“Wait,” Seonghwa interrupts.
“What?”
Suddenly he feels a rush of nerves prickling his skin. “N-nothing, go on.”
“Alright,” Hongjoong laughs, side-eyeing him.
As Hongjoong talks about his day, Seonghwa can barely concentrate, barely eat the food in front of him. The closer Hongjoong is to finishing his meal, the more he feels his pulse quicken.
When Hongjoong wipes his mouth, he turns to shoot Seonghwa a look. “Now, spill.”
“What?” Seonghwa asks, taken aback.
“You’ve been acting weird today. Spill. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing is bothering me.”
“Seonghwa…” Hongjoong gives him a look.
Well, this is it.
Hongjoong is looking at him, with his beautiful brown eyes, the eyes he fell in love with. Seonghwa can't wait any longer no matter how nervous he is. He reaches into his pocket. He’s kept these boxes tucked away for months, waiting for the perfect moment. He pulls them out, setting a small box in front of each of them.
Hongjoong looks up, a little wide-eyed. “Hwa…?”
“Go ahead,” Seonghwa says, trying to get his voice to sound steady.
With a careful hand, Hongjoong opens his box, finding a simple silver ring engraved with their initials. He’s silent for a moment, his gaze softening as he looks up at Seonghwa. His eyes are full of questions.
Seonghwa smiles, his voice is a little quieter now, less smooth. “I know we’ve been through a lot to get here. We’ve worried and struggled, and we’re still figuring things out. But I wanted to promise you that I’m in this for the long haul. This is my promise to you. I can’t imagine my future without you in it, and I don’t think there’s any point in even trying to imagine it. Because you’re it for me, Hongjoong.”
Hongjoong’s gaze shifts between the ring and Seonghwa, his expression breaking. “Hwa…I...”
Seonghwa reaches over, taking Hongjoong’s hand and slipping the ring onto his finger. “I want to promise you this,” he says, “Through every high, every low—I’m here. Forever.”
Hongjoong blinks down at his hand, tracing the ring with his thumb, and then looks back at Seonghwa, his eyes bright. “God. you’re-I love you, Park Seonghwa. So much.”
“I love you too, Joong. Kim Hongjoong,” Seonghwa corrects with a soft laugh, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his forehead.
They’ve come a long way.
From late-night talks about dreams and fears to this—quiet moments of contentment, of promises made and kept. From the uncertainty of what the future holds to building a life together, brick by brick, with nothing but each other’s hands to hold. And now, here they are—two souls who fought for their place in the world, now carving out a future side by side.
They’re ready.
The future is still unwritten, but they’ve found the one person they know they want to write it with.
“You really think you can handle me forever?” Hongjoong teases, raising an eyebrow.
Seonghwa smirks, “I was hoping you would say that,” he says, and with one swift move, he scoops Hongjoong out of his chair, carrying him to their bed. And Hongjoong’s surprised yelp turns into laughter, and then into needy pants and screams that resemble Seonghwa’s name.
And with that, the world outside doesn’t seem so scary or unknown anymore. They’re home.