It took some doing, getting this visit together. In a pandemic, no less. But it’s finally happening. Jongin bounces excitedly in his seat as his car creeps closer and closer to the guard house at the edge of the military base. Finally, it’s his turn.

“Name?” the guard asks, all business.

“Kim Jongin.”

The guard gives a look of recognition, eyes widening slightly before reforming into his stoic soldier face. “And what business do you have on base?”

“Just picking up a soldier for a day of leave,” Jongin replies. He scans the outside of a nearby building and sees his boyfriend waiting on a bench. “Corporal Do Kyungsoo. He’s right over there.” Jongin points and waves at Kyungsoo, a giddy grin on his face upon seeing Kyungsoo squint at his car to ascertain if it is indeed him.

The guard scans his list and nods. “He tested negative for COVID earlier this morning and is cleared for a 12 hour leave. Due back by 9pm tonight, understood?”

“Yes, sir. No problem,” Jongin agrees.

“Right. You can pull ahead to pick him up and then please immediately exit on the opposite side. But um, first…” he fumbles with his pen and hastily grabs a sheet of paper from the guard house. “Would you mind signing this? My girlfriend, she’s a huge fan, and it would mean the world to her.”

“Sure. What’s her name?” Jongin willingly makes out the autograph to her and hands it back to the guard, who gives a deep, grateful bow. Jongin sees that Kyungsoo has indeed noticed his car now and is standing, waiting for his pickup. Wishing the guard a good day, he eagerly pulls around and resists the urge to get out and open the passenger side door for Kyungsoo, not wanting to seem odd to onlookers.

Kyungsoo opens the door and slides in. “Hey, you,” he says with a big smile.

Jongin’s windows are tinted, but not enough to obscure them from view of the company of soldiers jogging right past them, so he quickly drives out of the base and waits until they come to a red light to turn and pull Kyungsoo into a soft kiss for a proper ‘hello.’

Once their lips have found each other, it’s hard for them to separate. Kyungsoo returns each press Jongin offers with another one of his own, as he threads his fingers through Jongin’s locks. Eventually, they’re interrupted by the honking of horns behind them. Whoops. Light was green a while ago.

Jongin reluctantly turns his attention back to the road and starts driving again, making sure to interlace his fingers with Kyungsoo’s as their hands settle on the center console.

“Missed you,” he says with a happy sigh.

“Same. I have to be back before evening roll call this time,” Kyungsoo says somberly.

“Yeah, the guard mentioned that. Doesn’t the army understand the importance of overnight leave?” Jongin teases with waggled brows.

“They’re worried about guys hitting the clubs and coming back with COVID,” Kyungsoo grimaces. “By the way, you get tested already or do we need to stop by a clinic?”

Jongin gestures toward the glove compartment. “Clean bill of health in there. Got mine done last night. Hopefully that’ll satisfy the gatekeepers, yes?”

Kyungsoo hums agreeably and kisses the back of Jongin’s hand. “You excited?”

“Absolutely.”

“Have the presents?”

“Yep, the one from us, the one from my mom and sisters, and the one from your mom. She says hi, by the way, and that you owe her your next day off,” Jongin grins, recalling Mrs. Do’s good-natured chiding from yesterday when they had lunch.

The traffic is light, leaving them only a little time to chat before they’ve arrived at their destination. With gifts in hand, they walk up to the cozy home and ring the doorbell.

“Oh! You’re here!” chirps the pleased friend on the video monitor. The door unlocks, and there is Jongdae, beaming his bright smile at them both.

“Congratulations,” Kyungsoo cheers in a hushed voice. “Are they sleeping or awake?”

Jongdae laughs and waves them inside. “Everyone’s awake! Come in, come in. All cleared from base? Still COVID free?” As soon as Kyungsoo nods, Jongdae pulls him into a crushing hug. “So good to see you, man.”

“And what am I, chopped liver?” Jongin pouts, opening up his arms for a hug from his friend.

“Oh don’t be such a baby, Nini,” Dae snickers, giving him a big hug, too. “We just saw each other last week at Baekhyun’s Inkigayo win.”

“Jongdae, that was a month and a half ago.”

“It was?” Dae looks genuinely surprised and Kyungsoo laughs at them.

“Guess time is hard to keep track of with an infant, huh?” Kyungsoo says fondly. “Well, can we meet the little lady?”

“Wow, now who feels discarded,” Jongdae chuckles. “But yes, please, come meet the newest love of my life.” His fatherly pride exudes from every pore of his being as he leads them further into the house.

In the living room sits Jongdae’s wife, holding a pink bundle of blankets and presumably baby. Jongin bows and rushes to her side the moment she invites them to sit. He’s seen pictures in the EXO group chat, of course, but there’s nothing quite like being in the actual presence of a child. Jongin can’t even wait ten seconds before he asks, “can I hold her?”

Jongdae’s wife giggles. “Her own father was too scared to hold her for the first hour, did you know that? He tried to play it off like most men are hesitant but here you are, proving him wrong.” She makes a playful face at her husband, scrunching her nose up.

“Hey, Jongin’s a seasoned uncle. He’s had more practice,” Jongdae defends himself as Jongin eagerly settles the infant into his arms, gently swaying her side to side as he admires her little features.

“Oh, you’re a pretty princess, aren’t you?” Jongin coos to her.

“Takes after her mother then?” Kyungsoo adds, kindly complimenting while also shooting a teasing dig at Jongdae, who elbows him good-naturedly.

The baby girl stretches out a tiny hand and grasps Jongin’s finger that was petting her soft cheek. Her grip, so soft and strong at the same time, sends a flood of joy through Jongin’s chest. “Hello, there, little one. Look how strong you are!” He beams at her as she makes a few adorable gurgles and stares up at his face. “Hi!” Jongin babbles back. He’s smiling so hard, his cheeks actually hurt. He looks at Kyungsoo next to him and asks, “Isn’t she amazing?”

Kyungsoo is watching him, not the baby, a small smile on his lips. He nods nonetheless.

Jongin returns his attention to the warm bundle in his arms, rocking and chatting softly with her as the other adults in the room make their own version of small talk. Eventually, Jongin realizes he has been holding her quite a while.

“Sorry, I’m hogging her. Soo, do you want to hold her?”

Kyungsoo hesitates, mouth open a moment before he actually speaks. “No, I’m okay. She looks so comfortable with you - I don’t want to disturb.”

Jongdae shoves Kyungsoo’s shoulder. “Worried you’ll make her cry? See, I told you that’s normal!” he retorts to his wife, signature whine in his voice before they all chuckle.

“She’s such a good snuggler,” Jongin compliments. “What a good baby you are, yes, you’re a darling,” he coos at her.

The mom finishes a sip of the tea Jongdae served and quickly interjects. “She is now, but you should hear her at 3am.”

“Oh, man,” Jongdae agrees. “You know how Baekhyun sounds on his fourth cup of coffee? Like that but louder.”