During the entire ride to Manila, they were smiling dopily at each other, sneaking kisses every time they’re at a stop on a red light, and holding hands as much as safely allowable. Thankfully, Donghae's car has a very dark tint. 

They had dinner at a rooftop restaurant that Donghae has reserved, knowing that Hyukjae likes al fresco dining. They weren’t the only ones there, but the tables are quite far from each other, allowing privacy among their clients. They couldn’t hold hands or look at each other with obvious affection, but they settled with hushed affirmations of how happy they are to eat dinner together in a beautiful place like this.

Hyukjae knows this is how their relationship would be, and that they have to learn to shift their dynamic in accordance to when they’re in private and when they’re in public. It’s nothing new for him, but somehow with Donghae, everything feels more intense. 

This love is consuming him but he gladly accepts it with open arms.

After dinner, they went to Donghae’s apartment. This is much smaller than the one in Korea and with just one bedroom, but somehow still the same in the sense that it also has a minimalist style with not much furniture. 

Donghae gave Hyukjae slippers that he took from the resort, then they sat down tiredly on the couch. 

“You want to wash up first?” Donghae asked.

“I haven’t unpacked my stuff yet,” Hyukjae answered.

Donghae groaned. “Ugh, okay, I’ll go first then.”

Donghae walked to the bathroom and Hyukjae lazily stood up to open his suitcase. 

“Can I leave my suitcase open here?” Hyukjae called out to Donghae.

Donghae shouted a muffled “yes”.

A few minutes later, Donghae stepped out of the bathroom all fresh and with just a towel wrapped on his waist.

Hyukjae grinned. “Hmm, baby, you’re such a tease.”

Donghae chuckled. “I’m not. I’m just being comfortable. This is how I usually am.”

Hyukjae walked up to Donghae and seductively used his index finger to trace a drop of water from Donghae's neck to his chest and down to his abdomen. “I like this. You, being comfortable with me,” he said huskily.

Donghae’s eyelids drooped and he leaned in to kiss Hyukjae, but Hyukjae suddenly stepped backwards and grabbed his toiletries instead, smirking as he did so.

Donghae looked so affronted and Hyukjae couldn't help but laugh as he walked towards the bathroom. 

“Ya, Lee Hyukjae, you–!”

Hyukjae sent him a flying kiss and a wink teasingly then closed the door behind him, locking it loudly with a laugh.

When Hyukjae finished, he found their stuff already organized and the living room void of Donghae. He walked towards the bedroom and was surprised at what he saw. Donghae was standing in front of a book shelf, adding the newest SKYE album to a row of the shelf that looked to be a collection of albums.

Hyukjae walked towards Donghae and back hugged him. “Isn’t it weird when you bring people here, for them to see this collection of albums of a KPop boy group in the midst of your books?”

“My friends know that I’m a fan.” And then Donghae smirked. “If you’re asking about other people, I haven’t brought anyone else in this bedroom before.”

Hyukjae was surprised at that, knowing Donghae had several lovers before. “Really? Why?”

Donghae shrugged. “It just turned out that way. I’m always the one who goes to their places.”

“Do you prefer it that way?” Hyukjae asked.

“It’s okay either way. But I didn’t mind going to their places. I’m always the one who’s busy anyway.”

Hyukjae grits his teeth in annoyance, remembering that Donghae hasn’t had a lover yet that has catered to all his needs, quirks and sensitivities. And Hyukjae swears to himself that he will change that. He aims to give Donghae what he deserves. No matter how much time together they have, he will make sure to give Donghae the love that he needs. And with that thought, he gently spins Donghae to face him and kisses him, making him feel how loved he is.

“When we go back to Seoul, we can spend time together at the dorm or at your apartment. Wherever you like, okay? You can go to me and I can go to you.”

Donghae smiled gratefully, knowing what Hyukjae really means. “I love you so much. You know that, right?”

Hyukjae smiled back. “I know now.”

***

In the morning, Hyukjae surprisingly woke up earlier than Donghae. This time they woke up with clothes on and Hyukjae also likes it like this. They fell asleep last night just cuddling and talking about random stuff.

After a while, Donghae opened his eyes and smiled brightly at him. “Good morning, Hyukjae.”

Hyukjae pecked Donghae’s nose and then his lips. “Good morning, Donghae.”

They spent a few minutes just cuddling in silence, relishing in the feeling of waking up wrapped in each other’s embrace.

“I wish I could wake up next to