Work Text:
Yoon Jeonghan felt anxious.
Not even when he had started serving in the Korean army had he felt this way.
It had been a long 21 months away from his home, his life and his husband. Yoon fulfilled his military schedule in another province, far from Seoul, making visits completely non-existent, since some emergency always arose during his time off from service.
However, now he was right in front of his home, the place that brought him the most comfort and happiness.
His hair was still short because of the mandatory haircut, but long enough to be messed up by the cool early spring wind.
-It's not like you're going to start your life over from scratch, Jeonghan...- he said to himself, taking a deep breath as he adjusted his backpack on his back and stared at the front door of the house- I feel like an idiot for being scared and for talking to myself about this...
With a long sigh, he took the set of keys out of his pants pocket and fitted the exact key into the lock, but frowned when the door opened without even turning the key.
-Did Cheol forget the house unlocked?- he asked himself, confused, taking the small iron object off the door and peeking a little inside the house.
It was dark and there was no sign of anyone inside.
-That's strange...- he said, entering calmly and observing the things around him. Nothing had changed since the last time he had left.
21 months ago.
-Better let him know.- he closed the door carefully and locked it from the inside- Cheol isn't forgetful enough to leave the door unlocked.
Jeonghan walked a little through the entrance until he reached the living room, leaving his heavy backpack on the white sofa.
The sofa where he spent hours lying on Seungcheol's lap.
-Let's see, Mr. Choi...- he took his cell phone from the back pocket of his pants and looked for his husband's contact. - What happened that made you forget to lock the door? - he asked himself as he walked a little through the house.
His eyes passed over every detail of the room, from a simple and small decoration to a framed photograph of the two of them.
When he heard his cell phone dial the number, he stopped right in front of the kitchen counter and noticed a picture of himself and the older man in the corner, next to the list of things to do for the week.
In the photograph, Jeonghan had even shorter hair, with a white mask covering his face, only leaving his eyes in half moons visible. But he didn't care about the clothes he was wearing that day, in fact, he didn't even remember wearing a blue sweatshirt with jeans, his eyes were focused on Choi. The older man was hugging him around the waist, with a huge smile on his face and his hair dyed blond, in addition to the palm tree print shirt he was wearing.
It was a simple photo, but for Yoon, it wasn't. He remembered the moment of the photo, it had been on the day he would complete his first day of military service, however, he had never seen the result of the photograph.
His mind wandered far enough that he didn't even notice the voice on his cell phone indicating that the call had gone to voicemail.
A small smile appeared on his lips as he ran his fingers over the photo, he so wanted to have received that photo.
-Cheol…- his husband's nickname came out as a whisper.
However, all the happiness went down the drain as soon as he heard a noise coming from upstairs.
That only meant one thing… Someone had entered the house.
-Holy shit…- he cursed, desperately putting his cell phone in his pocket and opened the cutlery drawer, grabbing the first knife he thought of that could help him defend himself- Choi Seungcheol… If I die before I even see you again, I'll come back and kill you…- he said to himself, walking carefully towards the stairs of the house.
As he slowly climbed the steps, he could hear a grumble coming from the bedroom, along with fast footsteps (too fast).
Jeonghan, for sure, didn't know how to use a knife against his defense and, much less, would he have the courage to hurt someone, but he would need to put into practice his teachings on desiccating marine animals that he had learned from his colleagues in the army at that moment.
-Come on, Jeonghan…- he spoke softly, stretching his neck from side to side- It's not like you're going to get choked.
Without wasting time, he kicked the door hard, but his scream was louder as soon as the sound of an explosion along with the confetti was present in that room.
He couldn't see anything but confetti flying all over the room, but he felt his heart lighten as soon as Seungcheol's laughter reached his ears.
-I think I scared you, huh?- the figure with, now, dark hair appeared in his field of vision amidst the confusion of confetti in the air.
-Were you trying to kill me?!- his words came out more like a threat as he tried to control the rhythm of his heartbeat.
-I would never try to kill you, Hannie...- he laughed, picking it up the knife carefully from his husband's hand and throwing it on the bed.
Hearing his nickname from his husband in person was completely different from hearing it from a cell phone call.
And he really missed hearing Choi's voice in person.
-Idiot! I thought someone had robbed the house!- he shouted, but this time in a tearful tone, causing Seungcheol to laugh weakly.
-You didn't even care if your husband was home safe.- he laughed even more as soon as he felt the younger man hit him hard on the shoulder- I missed you so much, Hannie...
He wrapped the younger man in a tight hug, making all the longing go away after long months apart.
Choi heard the other's soft sobs, which made him start to stroke his beloved's short hair.
He missed having him in his arms so much.
With the news that his husband would be serving in another province, Seungcheol had thought about the possibility of renting a house near where Yoon would be working in the coming months. However, his job didn't allow him to travel far away, especially to a place so far away.
The day he had left to start his military service had been the most painful for Choi. Not seeing his husband wandering around the house or even coming to him just to ask for affection was very strange.
It was as if there was no happiness in that house.
However, that wasn't one of the main problems, but rather because they wouldn't be able to see each other for all those months.
So, with no visits due to military emergencies, the contact between the two was by text messages and phone calls, which, most of the time, were hidden from the generals.
He clearly remembered Jeonghan telling him about his first days in the service, the experiences and the colleagues he had made there. But he also remembered the younger boy crying, wanting to go home, that he couldn't bear to go through all that alone anymore.
Now it would be different, because no one would take Yoon from Seungcheol's arms again.
-Did you know that I was counting the days until you came home?- he whispered in the ear of the younger boy who looked up, showing his eyes red from crying- I couldn't wait to have you in my arms again... And guess what? Now you're all mine.- he kissed his forehead and smiled, seeing him lean his head against his body.
Jeonghan was in a mix of emotions, he didn't even know what he was feeling at the moment, but he was sure of one thing, that he didn't want to leave the hug that the older boy was holding him in.
-Hannie... I have a surprise for you.- he separated himself a little from the other and stared at the other with his lips still trembling- I made it with a lot of love, I hope you like it.
The youngest almost grumbled when Choi let go of him completely, heading towards the desk covered in colorful confetti, but he hadn't even noticed a white box up there.
-I swear I tried to make it, but you know how good my cooking skills are...- he joked, carefully picking up the object and slowly walking towards it.
-It's nothing that's going to jump out of the box and release more confetti, right?- he asked, picking up the box and heard the other's laugh.
-No, Hannie... This surprise won't release confetti and it won't jump on you.- he exclaimed, curiously watching Yoon carefully open the box.
As he opened the box, he felt more tears running down his face.
A small chocolate cake decorated with the phrase "I ♡ u" on top made the youngest get emotional again, causing more tears.
-What did you think, Hannie?
-I loved it, Cheol.- he sealed his lips.
Jeonghan never thought he would miss the older man's lips against his so much, especially his hands on his waist, making the kiss deepen into something more.
It had been a long 21 months away from each other. Now, all they needed was to kill the longing for each other with affection, laughter and slices of chocolate cake.