The weekend arrived, but for once, Jaekyeom had no plans.
Or rather—he had plans, but they were now useless.
He had imagined waking up late with Yue beside him, spending the day together, making her laugh, cooking something decent and not burning the eggs this time.
Instead, he found himself alone in his apartment, staring at his untouched phone.
She hadn’t texted him yet.
Not that she was obligated to. She had simply said okay when he told her to text him when she got there. She never promised she actually would.
And yet—
Jaekyeom exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
Why was this bothering him so much?
She wasn’t ignoring him. She was just busy. Visiting family, doing whatever people did when they went back home.
Then why did it feel like she was slipping away?
He tried to push the thought aside. He was overthinking. Again.
Shaking himself out of it, he grabbed his jacket and headed out. He needed a distraction. Maybe a drive, maybe a coffee—something to clear his head.
Except—
As soon as he stepped out of his building, he was met with another sign.
A newlywed couple was taking photos on the sidewalk. The bride was laughing, swatting at her husband’s arm as he tried to kiss her mid-photo. The groom only grinned, pulling her closer anyway.
Jaekyeom barely had time to register it before a little boy ran past them, a toddler wobbling after him while a woman—probably their mother—called out for them to slow down.
He swallowed hard.
Seriously? Again?
For the past two days, it was like the universe was mocking him. Everywhere he went, all he saw was the idea of family.
Of marriage.
Of having something permanent.
And the worst part?
Every time the thought crossed his mind, it wasn’t just an abstract idea anymore.
It was her.
It was Yue.
The image hit him so suddenly that it nearly made him stop in his tracks.
Yue in a white dress.
The thought was ridiculous. Impossible.
She wasn’t the type to dream about weddings. She probably never even imagined it.
And yet, for some reason, his brain wouldn’t let it go.
A part of him knew he was jumping ahead—way ahead.
He should be thinking about now. About making sure she was comfortable with them, about making her feel safe, about learning to navigate this new relationship without pressuring her.
But the idea had already rooted itself in his mind.
And it refused to leave.
His phone vibrated.
Jaekyeom almost fumbled pulling it out.
—
Yue: I just got here.
—
A breath he didn’t realize he was holding finally escaped.
It was just a simple message, but it was enough to ground him.
For now.
____
Elliot had just set the table when the doorbell rang.
Hazel, still groggy from sleep, shot him a questioning look. “Were we expecting someone?”
Elliot shook his head, already heading to the door.
When he opened it, Jaekyeom stood on the other side, hands shoved into the pockets of his coat, looking—
Lost.
Like a stray cat that had been locked out in the rain.
“Uh…” Elliot blinked. “Dude?”
Jaekyeom didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he glanced past Elliot, as if checking the atmosphere inside, before stepping in like he had been invited.
“Okay—come in, I guess?” Elliot said, closing the door behind him.
Jaekyeom walked into the dining area, eyes landing on the plates of toast and eggs Hazel had just set down. His lips parted slightly, and for a second, Elliot swore he saw something like longing.
“Are you hungry?” Hazel asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jaekyeom tore his gaze away and exhaled, ruffling his already-messy hair. “No.”
Hazel squinted at him. “You sure? You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”
“I’m fine.” He waved her off, but his tone lacked conviction.
Elliot pulled out a chair. “Sit.”
Jaekyeom did. Hazel and Elliot exchanged a look before sitting down too.
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of clinking silverware. Jaekyeom didn’t touch anything.
Then—
“What’s going on?” Elliot finally asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
Jaekyeom’s fingers tapped against the table. “Nothing.”
Hazel snorted. “Yeah, right. You show up unannounced, looking like you got kicked out of your own house, and you expect us to believe that?”
Jaekyeom didn’t respond. He just shifted slightly, gaze flickering toward the window.
Elliot sighed. “Alright. Spill it.”
Jaekyeom tapped his fingers again. Opened his mouth. Closed it.
Hazel narrowed her eyes. “Jaekyeom.”
A beat.
Then, finally, he exhaled.
“Yue said she loves me.”
Silence.
Then—
“What?!” Hazel nearly knocked over her glass.
Elliot, mid-bite, froze. “Wait. She actually said it?”
Jaekyeom nodded once.
For a second, Hazel and Elliot just stared.
Then—
“Oh my God, finally!” Hazel burst out, clapping her hands together. “I knew it! I freaking knew it! Oh, Jaekyeom, this is huge! You—oh my God—”
Elliot grinned, reaching over to squeeze Jaekyeom’s shoulder. “Man, congrats. That’s incredible.”
Jaekyeom gave them a small, barely-there smile. But Hazel, sharp as ever, caught something off.
She frowned. “Wait. Why do you look like that?”
Jaekyeom blinked. “Like what?”
“Like a kicked puppy.”
Elliot glanced at him again—and yeah, Hazel was right.
Jaekyeom wasn’t glowing like someone who had just received a confession from the love of his life. He looked… disturbed.
Elliot’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Jaekyeom hesitated. “It’s… nothing.”
“Liar.” Hazel pointed a fork at him. “Tell me.”
Jaekyeom sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. For a second, he looked so painfully conflicted that Hazel felt a mix of amusement and genuine curiosity.
Then, in the smallest, most lost voice imaginable—
“…I keep thinking about marriage.”
Silence.
Elliot nearly choked on his coffee.
Hazel, on the other hand—
She burst out laughing.
“Oh my God.” She clutched her stomach, wheezing. “Oh my God. Jaekyeom, are you—are you serious?!”
Jaekyeom groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I know. It’s stupid. It’s way too early. I know that. But—” He exhaled. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Elliot, still trying to process, shook his head. “Dude, Yue literally just confessed. You’re already thinking about marriage?”
“I know.” Jaekyeom groaned again. “I know. But it’s not like I planned it. It just—keeps happening.”
Hazel, still giggling, shook her head in disbelief. “This is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jaekyeom shot her a glare. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“I am.” Hazel grinned. “Because this is so unlike you. I’ve never seen you like this. Ever.”
Jaekyeom grumbled something under his breath.
Elliot, though still amused, gave him a reassuring smile. “Look, man. It’s normal to think about the future, especially when you’re serious about someone. Just… take it slow. Yue’s pace isn’t the same as yours.”
Jaekyeom exhaled. “Yeah. I know.”
Hazel smirked. “But wow. Marriage. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Jaekyeom shot her a glare, but she only laughed harder.
And despite himself—
Jaekyeom felt some of the tension in his chest finally ease.