(no) Strings Attached

Just Us, Always

"You said from now on it's us. Nothing else but us, right?" He reminded Hongjoong their recent conversation.

Hongjoong went mum at those words. No, not because he didn't believe them. But, because of whom they were coming from. He stared at him, his determination mirroring in his eyes, his trembling fingers, his parted lips.

Seonghwa; who up until recently didn't dare lift his head in front of him, who didn't dare suggest something because he was scared.

That's when it hit him. This is not Seonghwa just adjusting to a new environment, this is Seonghwa deciding to live a life of his own. And he kindly so, decided to live it by his side.

Lucky, is what he feels. In love, too.

Releasing a shaky breath Hongjoong let out a raspy laugh. "Yes," he nodded. "Yes that's right. Us. Me and you." He replied eventually diving back into a kiss, one a bit more urgent.

One that turned the silence around them into wordless sense of reassurance.

The older pulled away once again, giving a chaste peck on Seonghwa's swollen lips, then to his jaw and lastly on his neck.

Seonghwa's breath hitched yet again, his hand gripping harder on the already wrinkled hoodie. His head uncontrollably lulled to the side, as if giving permission for Hongjoong's intimacy to deepen.

"Is this too much?" Hongjoong asked, his voice cracking with want and desire and everything Seonghwa makes him feel all at once.

He nibbled at the crook of Seonghwa's neck, earning an achievement-like whimper.

"No, because it's you." Seonghwa let out, making Hongjoong's chest tighten with something more than love.

"And I want this because it's you, too" Hongjoong smiled, so soft anyone could miss it. But not Seonghwa, whose attention has been on Hongjoong for months. Even when they were apart, Hongjoong was the one giving him comfort.

Just imagining the moments they spent together, Seonghwa could find the will to go; just a bit further.

Seonghwa let out an unconscious laugh, his fingers getting lost in Hongjoong's hair. "You always said something cheeky like that." He reminisced, smile warm and bright.

"Guess who made me want to;" Hongjoong faked a little gasp, making Seonghwa laugh again, his head thrown to the back.

"I love you." Seonghwa said suddenly, the smile freezing on his lips.

And for the first time, it was Hongjoong whose breath got knocked out of him.

It wasn't something new for them to exchange 'I love you's. But for a moment it felt as if Seonghwa was confessing for the first time.

Maybe it was the way his eyes displayed exposure, raw trust. Maybe it was the fact that he was on his lap, right after they shared precious kisses.

Whatever the reason was; something in Hongjoong's chest bled with fondness.

"I love you too, little fairy." He whispered, his chest thumping.

Then, like an invitation, Seonghwa closed his eyes, tilting his head even more while he pulled Hongjoong closer.

Not needing any words Hongjoong understood him. As always.

He leaned closer again, this time his lips latching on the exposed skin with more motivation. With care and affection.

The older let his teeth graze the reddened flesh softly, just to feel the way Seonghwa's things closed against his. To hear the noises that the younger would be scared to make in the past.