The next morning at brunch, the four boys are staring at us. More precisely, gaping at Sehun and I as if anticipating us to walk on our heads, or something. Brunch has never felt this uncomfortable and I'm sure Sehun feels the same way.

"Stop staring," he mutters, munching on a chip. "You guys are acting weird."

I agree as I nod, taking a fry from his plate. Chanyeol frowns and throws his arms up in surrender.

"Okay, what the is going on?" he suddenly exclaims.

Sehun and I look up at him, raising our eyebrows. "What?" we say together.

"This!" Chanyeol gestures between the both of us with his hand.

"He wants to know what happened last night," Junmyeon translates for us, sighing tiredly.

His hangover must be pretty bad because he is wearing a pair of sunglasses and a cap, just to hide his eye bags and his messy hair. Actually, all of us look pretty bad. Maybe except Sehun. He always looks good.

"We were drunk, that's what happened last night," Sehun tells Chanyeol, just to spite him.

"No, you— UGH!!!"

I laugh when the giant explodes in frustration, looking like he is about to either stab himself or, better, us with a butter knife.

"Stop being so annoying," I nudge Sehun with my elbow.

"Me, annoying?" he narrows his eyes at me. I nod and he catches me in a headlock, shocking the boys a little when I yelp. "How annoying am I?" Sehun mutters, drilling his chin into my head playfully.

"Very," I giggle as I grab onto his arm, trying to get him to loosen his grip.

"Sehun, let her go," Kyungsoo is slightly worried about him choking me despite how hard I am laughing.

Sehun chuckles and shakes his head, "I'm never letting her go."

Then he kisses the top of my head and loosens his grip. I am still recovering from my giggle as I nudge his thigh, "You're mean," I say with a fake pout. "I don't wanna be your friend anymore."

"Fine then, you're my girlfriend anyway," Sehun says breezily, like it is normal for him to say that.

I subtly glance at the boys and see that they're staring with wide eyes and slack jaws. I almost want to laugh because I know Sehun is doing this just to tease them, since they're such busybodies anyway. Not knowing anything will actually, most possibly, kill them. Sehun and I go back to eating, pretending that everything is normal and totally not sudden.

"Okay," Chanyeol snaps.

Sehun and I stop eating to focus our attention on him. I glance at Sehun to see that he has a straight face. He glances back at me and purses his lips from breaking his facade because I am already grinning, always unable to keep a straight face when lying.

"So you've confessed," Chanyeol points at me. Then he moves his finger to Sehun, "And you accepted the confession...?"

"Actually," I clear my throat, suddenly embarrassed we are caught in the middle of this. "We both confessed and..." I glance at Sehun, who is staring at me with a soft smile on his face.

He catches the cue to continue the sentence for me and so he snaps out of his daydream and faces the four boys who have put down their cutlery to listen to us.

"She's my wife and my future girlfriend," he announces, which only makes me chortle with laughter. He grins.

"Okay, I have a question," Baekhyun raises his hand. When Sehun and I have stopped laughing, he asks seriously, "How hungover are you?"

 

 

Sehun and I were sitting on the bed, facing each other. I was leaning back against the headboard with my legs laying across Sehun's thighs.

"I'm tired, Sehun," I whined, feeling extremely intoxicated and drunk.

"But we need to talk about us," he murmured, caressing my legs.

"Can't we talk tomorrow," I yawned, wriggling my body lower so that I was laying down with my pressing against Sehun's kneecap.

"Baby," he tapped the side of my thigh, trying to keep me awake. When I hummed and said nothing, he sighed. "Let me ask you one question then."

I was already nodding off, so Sehun climbed over me and lifted my head off my pillow carefully. I struggled to open my eyes.

"Are you listening?" he murmured softly, looking down at me. I nodded groggily and he asked, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

My eyebrows knitted. Was he really asking me that? I was a little more awake and a lot more confused when I went, "Huh?"

"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend," Sehun whispered, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

"Can you ask me again tomorrow morning," I muttered, rubbing my forehead. "I think the alcohol is making me hear things."

He wanted to shake me and say no, you are not hearing things! but instead, he only sighed and nodded, setting my head back down on the pillow nicely. He laid next to me as well, pulling me close to his body. My mind was hazy then, but I could make out his lips in my hair, his hand under my shirt so his palm was splayed out on my stomach.

In the morning, when I woke up, Sehun was already (surprisingly) out of bed. He hadn't left the room, but he was standing in the balcony as he looked out into the sea. I got up with a pounding headache and walked out into the balcony to join my best friend. He turned around when he heard me, a smile gracing his features as he watched me yawn.

"My head hurts," I grumbled, leaning my forearms on the wooden railings of the balcony.

"You drank like a man last night, it's no wonder." He chuckled when I glared at him. After a few beats of silence, Sehun cleared his throat. "So... about my question last night..."

I laid my head on my folded arms. I turned to frown at him. "What question? Was it important?"

"Kind of," he breathed, staring at me. I raised an eyebrow in question and he brought up softly, slowly, "I asked if you would be my girlfriend."

I sputtered and shot up. "And what did I say?!"

"Well," he started, combing his fingers through my hair to undo the knots. My heartbeat sped up like crazy. "You said to talk about it today because the alcohol was making you hear things."

"I still think I'm hearing things," I muttered. My cheeks felt like they're blazing.  

"So...?" Sehun prompted, anxious to hear my answer. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Like a girlfriend girlfriend?" I repeated, still in disbelief that Sehun was asking me this question.

"Like a girlfriend-until-marriage girlfriend," he murmured, eyes staring straight into mine. Holy , he was serious about this.

I let out a deep breath, hoping I didn't seem too dumbfounded when I nodded my head shyly, only to have him tackle me in a huge embrace — our first hug as a couple.

 

 

I'm glad Sehun chose to take his own car when we came to the beach house. Because that means I don't have to be in the same vehicle as five other boys.

"Let's stop by auntie Kim's restaurant," I suggest, glancing at Sehun who is concentrating on the road.

"Are you hungry?" Sehun looks at me.

"I'm craving spicy rice cakes," I give him an embarrassed smile.

"You always crave for spicy rice cakes when we go on road trips," he points out, laughing. "Why?"

"I don't know," I chuckle, putting my feet up on the board of his car. "Maybe it's tradition."

"We should make it a tradition, huh?"

I nod eagerly to his question and he grins. I know Sehun has agreed to my request because he is driving the way to my favourite restaurant. It's weird; I had thought being in a relationship with my best friend would feel awkward. But that is not how our relationship feels. If anything, it still feels like we're nothing more than best friends. But when Sehun takes it upon himself to put down my legs from the dashboard so he could see the side mirror, his gentle hand reminds me that I'm no longer just his best friend, but also the girl he picked, the one he wants. 

But with the basis of our relationship being our strong, indestructable friendship, our treatment towards each other never really changed.

"We're here," Sehun murmurs after an hour long drive with me asleep the entire time. He unbuckles my seatbelt and when I open my eyes, he is right in front of my face. He smiles softly and pecks my lips before moving away. "Come on, let's go. I'm hungry." 

I leave the car with him, stretching and groaning once I'm outdoors. Sehun comes over and grabs my hand in his, dragging me to the restaurant even though I was clearly not ready to move yet. I stumble behind him, finally catching up to his long legs once I have hold onto his forearm with my free hand. 

"Took you long enough," Sehun mutters, regarding my lagging behind. 

"Excuse me?" I scoff, hitting his arm. "You're the one walking like this is a zombie apocalypse."

"If this was a zombie apocalypse, sweetheart," he looks down at me, finally slowing down in his steps. "We would be running for our lives, okay?"

I roll my eyes, "I hope they eat you first." 

"Then who's insane enough to drive you to your favourite roadside food stall on the other side of town at two in the morning?" he raises his eyebrows at me as he pushes on the glass door of the restaurant, letting me in first. 

"If there was a zombie apocalypse, darling," I smile at him, a bit too sweetly. "The uncle running that food stall wouldn't even think about making business."

Sehun crinkles his nose, nudging me away lightly by the elbow. I laugh as we take a seat at a table, the both of us facing each other. Auntie Kim exclaims when she sees us, claiming she would attend to us the moment she attends to the other table. In the mean time, Sehun and I look through the menu.

"Spicy rice cakes and tofu stew?" I look up at Sehun for approval. 

He nods, "And?" 

"Just those two," I say, closing the menu book. 

He looks at me weirdly. "That's all? Are you sick? Why are you eating so little?"

I laugh, blushing a little. "You said I eat too much, didn't you? I'll be more like a lady and eat lesser." 

He sighs, "Baby, I said I—"

"Did something happen in the time you guys didn't visit auntie?" Auntie Kim interrupts Sehun when she comes over, beaming widely. She wiggles her eyebrows at the both of us. "I saw you two holding hands when you came in."

I purse my lips, cheeks already turning pink. Sehun chuckles at my embarrassment. "You're very perceptive, auntie Kim." 

"I'm almost half a century old, of course I'm perceptive," she grins at him. Then she pulls out her memo pad. "Now tell me what my favourite couple wants."

"Can we have spicy rice cakes, tofu stew..." Sehun stares at me as if evaluating something. He finally adds, "And also half fried chicken." 

"That's all?" Auntie Kim smiles, keeping the menu books.

Sehun nods and she confirms our order before leaving. When she is gone and we are alone again, I ask him about the fried chicken he ordered. He leans his forearms on the table. 

"I said you eat more than the girls I've dated," he murmurs, staring into my eyes. "I didn't say I didn't like it. Actually, I said I preferred eating with you. You don't make me feel like a pig just because I eat more than just a salad." His legs start to wind around mine under the table as he says, "And you're still my lady no matter how much you eat. Okay?" 

I stare at him like I have never seen him before. When did Sehun become this affectionate? How have I never seen this side of him before? Or maybe I did, but I just didn't think it was anymore than him looking out for me as a best friend. Was I so afraid of rejection that I just couldn't see Sehun's romantic feelings for me?

I nod and mumble, "Okay."

He hums and clasps his fingers, surveying the place. I watch him, how his eyes roam about the restaurant, taking in the visuals of the interior and the people aorund us. His eyes finally stops on me, his dark eyes inducing butterflies in my stomach. 

"What?" 

I smile as I tilt my head. "When did you become a man?" 

He laughs, pushing my forehead gently. "What are you talking about?" 

I shrug, giggling slightly. "You're just... I don't know. You changed over the three years I've known you."

"Of course I had to change," he chuckles softly. "I had to learn how to be a man to protect my girl, didn't I?"

 

The next Sunday, our families gather together again for a barbeque. It was impossible for Sehun and I not to get this close when our parents were such good friends. We meet each other almost every other week. I see the Oh's more than I see my own relatives, really. 

But things have suddenly changed. I will be meeting Sehun's parents as my boyfriend's parents this time and though they're literally the same people I've met the past three years, it's just different. Neither of us told our parents about our relationship yet, only because we don't know how to. But I thought maybe today might be a good start. I felt the need to dress up and so I got dressed in a summer dress with my hair braided nicely to the side. 

Fortunately, Sehun thought the same. When his family finally came by, he was wearing a white shirt and a pair of denim bermudas, which isn't as informal as his usual summer wear. His parents easily make their way to the garden where they already know our BBQ will be held at. Surprisingly, Sehun's brother joins us as well, which marks the first time in a long time. Everyone is in the back now, leaving Sehun and I the only ones in the house.

"Hey," Sehun smiles at me, eyes travelling down my body. "Why are you so dressed up?"

"Why are you so dressed up," I return, poking my finger into his chest. 

"Because this is practically our first meet-the-parents session," he whispers nervously, taking my hand away from his chest so he can thread his fingers through mine.

He brings me to the kitchen to get some drinks while we look out the window and into the yard. Our parents are around the BBQ pit, catching up with each other. His brother is there too, helping with the grilling and also giving some input in the conversation between the adults.

"How are we gonna tell them?" Sehun mutters in contemplation, making himself a glass of kiwi soda.

"Hey mom and dad," I try to imitate him by lowering my voice, which only makes me sound like Hagrid from Harry Potter and nothing like Sehun. "I'm dating your best friends' daughter." 

Sehun laughs, slapping my bum lightly. "If I sound like that then you sound like this," he starts to squeak at the last word, sounding totally like Minnie Mouse and nothing like me. 

"I knew there was a girl in you," I cross my arms and laugh at him. "You sound like a girl no one would date." He narrows his eyes on me. "Oh, except Mickey Mouse." 

Sehun puts down his drink and catches me by the waist, not even giving me the chance to flee one step. He lowers his head so that his lips are by my ear when he murmurs, "Actually, love, I sound like a girl you would date." 

"I don't date mice, sorry," I tease, turning my head to take a peek at him.

"Then who do you date?" he raises his eyebrows, gaze fleeting to my lips. 

"I date playboys." 

He frowns at me for a long time before he is reminded of our talk in the beach house. "Yah, you called me a playboy!" he exclaims, biting on my shoulder. 

I giggle and try to push him away. "Actually, Sehun, you called yourself a playboy too. And an idiot." 

"Well, I didn't know we were talking about me, did I?" he mumbles, pinching me now. 

"Sehun, stop!" I laugh, slapping his hands away. "Stop abusing me! I'll call the police!" 

"Tell me you didn't mean it and I'll let you go," he threatens, squinting at me. 

"I didn't mean it." 

"I don't believe you," he crinkles his nose. "But I'll let you off anyway, only because you look pretty today." 

I smile when he kisses me, gently and affectionately. When he pulls away, I ask as I fiddle with the collar of his shirt, "So does that mean you'll get back at me when I look bad?"

"When do you ever look bad?" he questions, looking genuinely perplexed. He grabs his drink and places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me out of the house. "I guess you were right anyway. I was a playboy."

"What about now?" I raise an eyebrow at him as we leave the kitchen and into the garden. 

"Now..." he hums, staring down at me. "I am a man in love," he winks cheesily. 

"You're so disgusting!" I snigger, whacking his arm.

"But it's true!" he exclaims, laughing. 

We join our parents at the pit as we chat and laugh. Sehun and I stand close, constantly exchanging glances or nudging each other just to annoy the other. When everything is grilled and cooked, all of us help to bring the food over to the table where we are going to have our dinner at. We take our seat around the table, finally settling down to have dinner. Sehun and I are once again seated next to each other, just like how we always have since three years ago. And just like what we always do, we fill each other's plates with food from either ends of the table when we know some dishes are impossible for the other to reach. 

As we eat, the adults talk and engage us in occasional conversations. When I think they are in their own world and have forgotten us for a moment, I lean in towards Sehun, who comes closer instinctively. 

"When are we going to tell them?" I whisper, eyes on the mole on his left cheek. 

He tilts his head a little so that my lips are brushing his skin. "After dinner, before we clean up," he promises, reaching over to squeeze my hand under the table. 

"What do you think, children?"

I jump when my mother places her hand on my shoulder in an attempt to get my attention. Sehun clenches my hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of my palm to soothe me. 

"About what, mom?" I gulp, trying to stop my heart from running so fast. 

"We asked if you guys wanted an apartment or a house when you get married," my dad supplies. 

I choke on nothing and if possible, my heart runs even faster than before. But Sehun is no better, he actually coughs and sputters. 

His mother thinks it is essential to add, "As your wedding gift from us." 

I pull my hand away from Sehun's hold and rub his back even though I am still blushing like a chilli pepper. Sehun's brother pats Sehun's shoulder. 

"You shouldn't act so shocked when you guys practically gave us a show in the kitchen," he grins. 

My eyes widen. Sehun and I both turn to the house where the window to the kitchen is visible. We had been standing at that exact spot when we kissed. Shoot. While I am horrified by the fact that everyone has seen us kissing, Sehun recovers from his shock and answers my mother's question.

"I'd say a house but we're gonna have to discuss about it first." 

"Sehun!" I gape at him, wondering how he can request something so big from our parents when I am freaking out over here. I mean, how awkward is it for our parents to see us kiss? Oh my god. 

"We've been waiting for three years," Sehun's father says. I look at them and realise that they have wide grins on their faces that even the rain can't wash away. "I'm glad we didn't give up." 

"Oscar worthy kiss, guys," Sehun's brother finds the need to tell us as if I am not already embarrassed enough. He winks with a thumb up in our direction. 

Sehun actually returns the gesture and I'm starting to think that boys are crazy.

 

 

 

---

Author's note:

I had so much fun writing this chapter you guys, their reactions are so funny lmfao!!! Also, I actually wrote this before I wrote the previous chapter. I hope it doesn't seem to out of the blue??? 

Just a disclaimer: This story is coming to an end soon, probably in the next two or three chapters (one of which will be a prologue chapter). I'll be updating this pretty regularly, just so I can complete this fic and focus on my other ones. 

Till next time
xoxo