Exactly Like This
Summary: Yeosang has planned the perfect proposal for months. Yet every time the moment arrives, something tells him to wait.
The ring had been in Yeosang’s pocket for nearly six hours. By now, he was convinced it had somehow doubled in weight.
Every time he moved in his chair, he could feel the small velvet box pressing against the inside of his jacket, serving as a constant reminder that tonight was supposed to be the night.
Months.
He had spent months planning this. He had secretly spoken to your parents. Asked the members for advice, ignored San’s suggestion of proposing on stage because absolutely not.
Listened to Hongjoong explain that there was no such thing as a perfect proposal. Listened to Wooyoung insist that there absolutely was.
Changed restaurants three times.
Bought flowers. Changed the flowers. Bought different flowers.
Practised what he wanted to say in front of the bathroom mirror until even he was tired of hearing himself.
Everything was ready it seemed like, except for him.
“You’ve been staring at the menu for five minutes.” Your voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“What?”
“The menu.”
“Oh.”
“You already ordered.”
“I did?”
“You did.” You laughed as he looked down. There was indeed a menu in front of him.
“Oh…”
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You seem nervous.”
“I am not nervous.”
“You’ve knocked your fork onto the floor twice.”
“…”
“And you’ve apologised to the waiter for absolutely nothing.”
“I’m just tired.” Yeosang rubbed the back of his neck.
“You’ve never apologised because someone else walked into you before.”
“…Maybe I’m very tired.”
You smiled, reaching across the table to gently squeeze his hand.
“We don’t have to stay long if you’re exhausted.”
No.
It was supposed to happen here.
The candlelight.
The music.
The flowers.
The dessert.
Everything had been planned perfectly. He glanced around the restaurant. Every table suddenly felt too close.
Too many people. Too much noise.
Someone would notice. Someone would film. Someone would clap.
The thought alone made him want to disappear under the table.
Not here. Not like this.
He quietly closed the ring box inside his pocket.
“Should we head home after dessert?”
“Of course.” You nodded.
—
The evening air was cold, it made your fingers instinctively find his for warmth.
You walked through the quiet streets without much thought, passing cafés that had already closed and little shops.
This…
This was better.
Much better.
No audience.
No pressure.
Just the two of you.
He slowed as you reached the small bridge overlooking the river. You leaned against the railing, looking at the reflections dancing across the water.
“It’s beautiful.”
He smiled.
“It is.”
This was it.
He could do it now. He should do it now.
His hand slipped into his coat pocket. His fingers wrapped around the ring box.
He took a breath. You turned towards him.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You.”
“You’ve been looking at me like that all evening.”
“…Have I?”
“Mhm.”
“Is it obvious?”
“A little.”
You stepped closer and adjusted the slightly crooked collar of his coat. Your fingers brushed his neck.
“You always forget this.”
His thoughts vanished completely.
You looked so focused, so gentle and so wonderfully you.
He couldn’t interrupt you. Not while you were standing this close. Not while you were smiling like that. His hand slowly left his pocket.
“…Thank you.”
You slipped your hand into his.
“Ready to go home?”
“…Yeah.”
—
When the front door closed behind you, both of you sighed in relief.
“Shoes.”
Yeosang pointed, you laughed.
“I know.”
Five minutes later the elegant clothes had disappeared. His carefully ironed shirt had been exchanged for an oversized hoodie. You had stolen one of his old T-shirts that nearly reached your knees, fluffy socks, your hair loosely tied back after removing your makeup.
The expensive dinner felt strangely distant already. You carried two mugs of hot chocolate into the living room.
“I put extra marshmallows in yours.”
“Thank you.”
“You deserve them.”
“Oh?”
“You looked stressed today.”
“I wasn’t stressed.”
“You absolutely were.”
He smiled into the cup. Maybe he hadn’t hidden it as well as he’d hoped. The two of you settled beneath the blanket on the sofa. Neither of you were really watching the TV.
You rested your head against his shoulder with a content little sigh.
“I love days like this.”
“What kind?”
“This.” You gestured vaguely around the room. “No makeup. No fancy clothes. No plans. No expectations. Just us. I know people think romantic moments have to be all dressed up. But honestly…” You snuggled a little closer. “This is my favourite version of us.”
Yeosang stared at you. Your fluffy socks. His oversized shirt. The mug in your hands. Your sleepy expression. The blanket tangled around your legs.
You looked… Home.
Without thinking, he set his mug onto the coffee table. He reached into the pocket of the hoodie he’d hurriedly changed into earlier.
“What are you looking for?”
“I…” His heart began racing. “…Actually…”
You watched as he pulled out the little velvet box.
Your eyes widened, Yeosang blinked.
“Oh.”
He hadn’t meant… This wasn’t… There was no speech.
No flowers.
No perfect lighting.
No carefully rehearsed words.
He looked at the box, then at you.
“I… wasn’t planning to do this right now.”
“You weren’t?”
“I’ve tried twice already.”
“You what?”
“I almost asked at dinner.” Your mouth fell open. “And again during our walk.”
“You did?”
“I couldn’t. It never felt right.”
You stared at him in complete disbelief.
“You’ve had that ring all evening?”
“…Yes.”
“You idiot.”
“I know.”
You laughed so hard you had to wipe tears from your eyes.
“I was wondering why you were acting so strange.”
“I thought I was being subtle.”
“You were terrible.”
“I know. But…”
He moved until he was kneeling on the rug in front of you.
“I think I understand now.”
You looked down at him.
“There wasn’t a perfect place. There wasn’t a perfect time. There was just…” His eyes met yours. “…you. Looking exactly like the woman I want to spend every ordinary evening with.”
Your eyes immediately filled with tears. He opened the box.
The ring caught the glow of the lamp.
“I don’t want the best day of our lives to be because everything was perfect.” His voice became quieter. “I want it to be because it’s with you.”
A tear rolled down your cheek.
“So… this is definitely not the speech I practised.”
You giggled through your tears.
“I had a feeling.”
“…Will you marry me?”
You didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, you slid off the sofa and wrapped both arms tightly around him, nearly knocking him backwards onto the rug. He laughed against your shoulder.
“Yes.” You pulled back just enough to look at him. “Yes.” Another kiss. “Yes. A thousand times yes.”
His own eyes became glassy as he carefully slipped the ring onto your finger. It fit perfectly.
You both stared at it for a long moment.
“You know…”
You intertwined your fingers with his, admiring the ring.
“I’m really glad you didn’t ask at the restaurant.”
Yeosang smiled.
“Me too.”
You leaned your head against his once more.
“This…” You squeezed his hand. “…was perfect after all.”
