After that night, everything shifted.
Hyunjin and YoungBok— moved back in together, back into their shared apartment, the one filled with memories only they understood.
It felt right. It felt natural.
Sherri, however, held her ground.
"I'll move in after the wedding," she had said firmly, her hand resting lightly against Hyunjin's chest.
"I want it to feel official. Sacred."
Hyunjin had kissed her forehead, understanding shining in his eyes.
"As you wish," he whispered, fingers lingering on her skin a little longer than necessary. "I'll wait for you."
So for now, she stayed in her own apartment, the nights both too quiet and too loud.
But her heart was calmer, knowing they were building something real — together.
That night, after walking Sherri home and watching her disappear safely into her building, Hyunjin returned to the apartment he shared with YoungBok.
It was late.
The city outside buzzed softly, a lullaby of distant horns and whispering winds.
Inside, the apartment was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the kitchen lamp.
YoungBok sat on the couch, legs tucked under him, scrolling mindlessly through his phone.
When Hyunjin entered, YoungBok looked up — and for a moment, the world stood still between them.
They didn't need words. They never did.
Hyunjin crossed the room in two strides, pulling YoungBok up from the couch, wrapping his arms tightly around him.
Their bodies fit together perfectly, like two halves of a song finally finding the same rhythm.
"I love you," Hyunjin breathed into YoungBok's ear, his voice rough and raw.
YoungBok clutched at Hyunjin's shirt, burying his face into his neck.
"I know," he whispered back. "I love you too."
And just like that, the dam broke.
That night was different.
It wasn't just about the passion, although there was plenty of that — whispered moans, soft gasps, heated kisses that spoke louder than any words could.
It was about healing.
About promises.
About everything they had fought through to reach this moment.
Hyunjin kissed YoungBok like he was breathing life into him.
YoungBok held Hyunjin like he was anchoring him to this earth.
Slowly, tenderly, they found each other again — not just physically, but emotionally.
They shed the pain of the past months, one kiss at a time.
They whispered dreams against each other's skin, silent prayers to a universe that had almost torn them apart.
Underneath the thin sheets, in the faint moonlight streaming through the window, they wove themselves back together, stitch by fragile stitch.
And when it was over — when their bodies lay tangled and exhausted, their hearts pounding in sync — Hyunjin turned to YoungBok and whispered:
"I'll never leave you."
YoungBok smiled, his eyes glassy with unshed tears, and pulled Hyunjin closer.
"Even if you try," YoungBok said with a playful smirk, "I'll just chase you down."
Hyunjin chuckled softly, pressing a lazy kiss to YoungBok's temple.
"This is our forever," he murmured.
YoungBok nodded sleepily, fingers trailing lazy circles across Hyunjin's chest.
"Forever," he agreed.
The next morning, Hyunjin woke to find YoungBok's arms still wrapped tightly around him, as if afraid he might vanish.
He smiled to himself, a warm, content feeling blooming in his chest.
Their real journey was just beginning.
Soon, Sherri would move in.
Soon, they would be a family.
Messy, complicated, beautiful — but a family nonetheless.
And Hyunjin knew, deep in his soul, that somehow, against all odds, they would make it work.
Because love like this — rare, wild, stubborn — wasn't something you let slip away.
Not ever.