The answer had been yes but as you were on the plane to Jeju Island with Haknyeon by your side, your leg wouldn’t stop shaking and the butterflies in your stomach swirled at a faster pace than you expected. 

“It’s odd right?” You asked Kevin over the phone, three days ago, as you were regretting your life decisions. “It’s odd to invite your friend slash something more yet not your girlfriend to your farm in Jeju to meet your mom?”

Kevin had chuckled on the other end, biting into a carrot as Changmin screamed at Sunwoo in the background about misplacing his shoes. “It’s a bit odd considering not many of us have seen where he was brought up but I’m like 99% sure he’s in love with you so what did you expect?”

The words lingered in your head as you got off the plane and as you drove in the taxi to Haknyeon’s farm and even when you prepared to meet his mom. 

If you were strictly his friend or girlfriend, it would’ve made sense for you to visit his hometown, however, you were in a weird limbo of somewhere in between and had been like that for at least a month. It was the same routine that began one day when Haknyeon slept over at your apartment, something he did when he didn’t have a schedule early the next morning. He had called your name out to ask if you were sleeping but it was nearly impossible when your heart was beating erratically at the proximity of Haknyeon which was how his heart was as well whenever he was near you.

“Y/N,” He asked one more time when you didn’t respond the first time. This time you hummed back, wondering what he wanted at nearly three in the morning. Most nights you had your emotional talks earlier, reserving anything later than midnight for sleep, or pretending to be asleep in your case. When you felt a hand on your shoulder, you turned around only to be met with Haknyeon’s lips colliding into yours.

You never strayed any further, kissing each other only in the depths of the night when it felt like no one was awake but the two of you. You waited for Haknyeon to say anything to indicate that he wanted to be something more, but he never did, so you never did either, because then that would be weird. Right?

Kevin’s words struck you the wrong way because if Haknyeon loved you, as in if Haknyeon felt the same way you did, he had a bad way of showing it. The only indication he had made of wanting you as more than a friend would be the secret kisses you shared in the dark with him. 

“I’ve heard so much about you!” Haknyeon’s mother said, excitedly taking the flowers out of your hand that you had bought for her. No matter how confused and irritated Haknyeon’s mixed emotions made you, that didn’t mean you would show up empty-handed to his mother’s house. 

She’s heard so much about me? You questioned, however, you didn’t have much time to ponder upon it because she soon dragged you into the kitchen to show you what she prepared for dinner.

She talked nonstop that night. It was fun hearing childhood stories of what Haknyeon was like as a kid and although he blushed furiously everytime she spoke of his odd habits as a child, Haknyeon seemed to be having fun. 

Haknyeon’s mother had a child-like excitement in her words when she told a story and she dotingly repeatedly offered you food even after you assured her you were full, eating almost as much as Haknyeon did, but you knew the gesture meant she was caring for you.

That’s when you decided that Haknyeon was a lot like his mother.

“Haknyeon, take her suitcase like a good boy!” Haknyeon’s mother had scolded, watching Haknyeon drag his suitcase to his room. 

“I will when I set these down,” He had affirmed, not arguing with her, however, you knew he would have fought with you if you had tried to take it anyway. 

“Tomorrow, I’ll show you the pigs,” Haknyeon smiled, falling onto the mattress. You were sharing a room with him, but there were two rooms in the bed. Haknyeon had spoken with his mother about the sleeping arrangements without you but you were fine with them considering you guys had done more than share a room. 

“I look forward to it,” You said with toothpaste in your mouth. The bathroom connected to the room was nice because as you got ready for the night, you could also observe Haknyeon when he wasn’t looking, a secret he didn’t need to know about. 

Haknyeon was silent as you spit the toothpaste out and he was also silent when you washed your face and he continued to be silent as you moved the comforter out of the way to get into bed.

“Penny for your thoughts?” You asked, curious. Haknyeon simply shaked his head, a light smile on his face.

“Nickel for yours?” 

Though you turned the lights off before you got into bed, you regretted the decision knowing there was courage in the darkness. 

I’m like 99% sure he’s in love with you.

“Hak,” You called out after a few moments of silence. “What are we?”

“What are we?” Haknyeon had repeated in a whisper. You knew he understood the question so you remained silent, waiting for his response. It was now or never. 

“Well,” Haknyeon clears his throat. “To me, we’re not friends, right?”

You feel your heart drop to your chest when the words escape his lips. 

“You know me better than I know myself. When I’m with you, I feel secure and protected. When I get sad, you’re the first voice I want to hear. When you’re near me, I feel complete but when you leave, I feel my heart begin to break,” Haknyeon was speaking barely over a whisper and his breath was shaky making you feel that maybe, just maybe this was going where you wanted it to.

You were shocked at his words and you racked your brain for a response, not understanding if this was Haknyeon’s way of saying he felt the same way you did. When you heard him get up, you realized that he wasn’t done yet. 

He took his usual spot on the bed, the left side, and immediately reached for you. Though it was dark, the tiny bit of moonlight seeping through the window made it possible for Haknyeon to see the outline of your face. As his hand cupped your face, you closed your eyes, finding warmth in the familiarity that was Haknyeon. 

“I think we’re more than just friends. Soulmates, maybe?” He mumbled, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead before pulling you closer so your head was on his chest. 

You don’t know how you didn’t notice it any other time, but his words were quickly proven true when you felt his heart beating at the same speed as yours. 

“I love you, Haknyeon. More than a friend. More like a soulmate,” You whispered. Although you knew you wouldn’t be able to see his reaction, your eyes were shut tight in fear.

You feel him press another kiss to your face, except this one on the side of your head. “Oh Y/N, I’ve loved you for years. My heart was always yours. In my last life, this life, and the next.”

a/n

“Hi, baby! How was your day?” You ask, turning around from the water that was boiling to face your boyfriend. A bright smile overtook your face when you saw him, his freshly wet hair covering his face, light traces of blue water running along the sides of his face.

“It was good. Dance and vocal practice as usual. But, do you like my hair?” His eager demeanor shifted from the subject as he shakes his head from side to side, resulting in water droplets lightly hitting your face. His enthusiasm was evident when he laughed at you pushing him away to defend from the water attack.

“Haknyeon!” You laugh, closing your eyes to make sure none of it ended up in unwanted areas.

After he calmed down, you took the hand that was still on his chest and grabbed his shirt in your hands, pulling him closer.

Peering up at him, you softly place a kiss on his lips before whispering, “I think you look very handsome with blue hair.”

You turn back to your task of placing the noodles in the boiling water, but it wasn’t long before Haknyeon put his hands around your waist and rested his head on your shoulder.

He places a delicate kiss on your neck before snuggling his face into your neck and lightly swaying you. He hums against you before saying, “Handsome?”

Knowing exactly what he wanted, you playfully roll your eyes and use his words against him. “Oh yeah, very handsome. And cute.”

Haknyeon immediately pulls away from you, a scoff letting itself out of his mouth.

“Cute? I’m not cute!” He argues, placing his hands back on your hips to turn you around. “If anyone is cute, it’s you.”

“Oh yeah?” You play along, admiring the twinkling in his eyes. It was days like these that you cherished most with Haknyeon, not getting much time to just talk.

“Yeah, cute. Like an angel.” As if his word was final, he leans in and kisses you, one hand grabbing yours so he could intertwine them together.

“An angel?” You finally say once you pull apart. Because he didn’t want to be any further from you, he places his forehead against yours, and this time you didn’t complain about the wet, blue hair coming in contact with your skin.

“You always protect me, and you take care of me, and you love me, so I think you’re a pretty good angel.” Haknyeon smiles before pulling away and placing a kiss on your nose. Feeling your face begin to heat up, you turn to pretend like the noodles in front of you needed tending to even though they were ready to be served.

“Yeah,” He continues, snuggling into your neck once again. “Isn’t that cool? I have my very own angel.” He says as if he was bragging about you.

You hum in agreeance, a wide smile breaking onto your face. “Yeah, well, I have my very own, very cute blueberry, so I think I win.”

He quickly chugged it, not realizing just how thirsty he was until that moment. 

"It was fine, Juyeon led it today so he let us out a bit earlier." 

There seemed to be a different feel in the air today, different in a way that made Haknyeon nervous. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been at your apartment late at night before, but something seemed to have shifted between the usual dynamic.

It was no secret to anyone but you that Haknyeon was in love with you. Hyunjae noticed it the first time he was in a room with the two of you together and Sunwoo blatantly called him out on it during their nightly talk. 

Maybe he was just hyper-aware of your presence today, but he couldn’t help but think you looked beautiful. Even with slightly pink eyes, that he was certain was from the result of crying and the apparent blush that painted your face, you looked like an angel. 

“That’s not important though, what’s wrong?” He asked, taking a seat next to you on the bed. His hands were shaking more than usual and he gripped onto the sheets to stop you from noticing. Chanhee’s words rang through his head.

Just tell her, you never know. What if she feels the same?

“I had an argument with my dad again,” You sigh, dropping your head down, staring at the ground. “It just felt worse than usual and he kept saying I wouldn’t amount to anything if I continued to try my path of photography. It’s like-” Your voice cracks and you shut your eyes, attempting to keep the tears at bay. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” Haknyeon whispers, shifting his hand so it was now atop yours.

Haknyeon dismissed the churning feeling that erupted in his stomach as soon as his hand touched yours, focusing on your face and searching for a sign that you knew he was there for you. 

“It’s like he doesn’t even give me a chance. I’m obviously doing fine if I can afford living here by myself,” You finish, completing your thought from earlier. You open your eyes and make eye contact with Hak, searching for comfort from within him. 

“He’ll realize it sooner or later Y/N. You are so incredibly talented and I wish he could see that. I see it every day- the dedication and passion you have. Anyone would be blind to not see how amazing you are,” Haknyeon whispers. If he had been any further away, you wouldn’t have been able to hear him. 

A soft smile erupts on your face and you admire the boy sitting in front of you. He always knew what to say to make you feel better. “Thank you, Hak.”

Haknyeon couldn’t help but notice the proximity between you two and although he didn’t want to, he pushed away to create a gap. If he had stayed like that, he knew he would have kissed you, but he knew friends didn’t do that. 

Haknyeon spent the rest of the night laying beside you, his arm underneath your head as mindless television played on the screen. Both of you were thinking of anything but the movie that was playing, and Haknyeon couldn’t help but wonder if your heart was beating just as fast as his. 

“Thank you, again,” You said, glancing up at Haknyeon to look at his face. He tilted his head down to look at you as well, a smile playing along his lips. 

“For what?” He asked, knowing what you were thanking him for but indicating that there was no reason for your gratitude. “It’s what best friends do.”

The smile that was on your lips slowly fell and Haknyeon noticed it, about to question it until you spoke up. 

“Yeah, it’s what best friends do,” You mutter, turning your attention back on the glowing screen in front of you. 

Haknyeon’s heart was beating far too quickly for him to speak and he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe you felt the same way. He wanted to say something, but he felt a lump forming in his throat at the thought of confessing to you. 

After a few moments of silence, you shoot up from your position, moving away from Haknyeon. 

“I like you, Haknyeon,” You confess, staring ahead to prevent yourself from looking at Haknyeon because you knew you would back down if you did. “I like you. More than a friend and it’s ok if you don’t like me back but I just had to say it because I’ve held it in for so long that I think it’s physically hurting me and-”

Haknyeon lifts himself up from his position and interrupts you, and although his beating heart usually prevented him from making a move, this time it fueled it. 

He collides his lips against yours, one hand placed on your cheek so he could properly kiss you. He thought that maybe time had stopped completely because all he could taste was you and all he could feel was you and all he could touch was you. 

The kiss was desperate as you grabbed his shirt in an attempt to keep him as close to you as possible. Haknyeon was sure you were addicting because he couldn’t get enough and his heart fell when he had to pull away for air. 

As if it wasn’t enough, you lean forward to place another kiss on his lips, this one much shorter than the first one. 

The two of you catch your breath and Haknyeon can’t help but ponder about what just happened, wondering if he was dreaming or not. He lightly pinches his thigh and confirms it’s not, a wide smile blooming onto his face. You notice it too and can’t help but smile as well, and for the first time since the two of you became friends, his feelings were completely out there for you to know. 

“I like you too. A lot,” Is all he can say, his head tilting to admire you. He was sure that if someone looked close enough, his eyes would be twinkling. 

“Well then you can thank me for actually doing something about it,” You say, lightly shoving his stomach in annoyance. 

Haknyeon laughed in response, the first true love-filled laugh he had in a while. “Well, it’s not my fault you make my heart race a million miles per second.”

He pulls you back to the same position you guys were in earlier, but this time your head rested on his chest, a certain quick pounding ringing through your ears.