[A/N] this was supposed to be a oneshot fic but idk how inspiration hits me so hard last night so I decided to write another chapter for this... I wrote this in one-go, sorry if it's lacking in any way. Let me know what you think about this, okay? ^^

A night that marks January 1^st on calendars is no different than yesterday; the weather is still cold in between 0°C and -2°C. But it still gives a new and fresh feeling to everyone and by everyone; Jihoon and Seungcheol are also included. It's like having a blank book with 365 pages and given a chance to color every single page however they like. And the first page of their 2017 book is being filled with laughter and good moments they spend with their favorite people. Soonyoung and Wonwoo. Mingyu and Minghao. Hansol and Seungkwan.

It's indeed a memorable experience, spending time with the ones they love. But then, there is Seungcheol. He can't help but feel very nervous as the young night grows older. He doesn't want the day to end just yet since he has a very important plan at the back of his mind. Yes, a very, very important thing to do and that is to propose Lee Jihoon. New Year marks a new beginning, right? So Seungcheol wants to start his 2017 being engaged to the one he wants to grow old together with, Lee Jihoon.

24/7 with Lee Jihoon.

365 with Lee Jihoon.

Always and forever with Lee Jihoon.

But, who is he kidding? Seungcheol still doesn't have a plan on how to propose the other guy. No, actually he might have. He has been web-browsing on simple proposing ideas whenever he gets the chance to during their get-together and at first, he thought he would've head home with a plenty of back-up plans but he was wrong. Not a single website actually helps him in this matter. He scrolls through random websites with these 3 keywords – simple, proposal, ideas – highlighted to it, but no.

At home proposal ideas. Nope.

5 best simple indoor proposal. Nope.

20 creative and simple ways to propose. Nope.

Even when he makes sure to type in the word 'simple' every time he googled for different ideas, everything that came out was just too grand, or too ridiculous and Jihoon doesn't like grand and ridiculous things. He likes it simple and sensible. The more reason why Seungcheol is nervous because his brain can't come up with a simple proposing idea of his own.

A sigh slips through his lips unknowingly and it attracts Jihoon's attention.

"Cheol-ie, you're okay? You're not yourself today." Jihoon stops on his track to give Seungcheol his full attention. Seungcheol's lips are trembling, not from the cold but from being nervous so he bites his lower lip to make it less obvious.

His pair of black orbs starts to observe every inch of Jihoon who's standing in front of him. Jihoon doesn't wear any beanie today, probably because there's no snow but he still keeps a maroon scarf wraps around his neck because of the weather. The white winter coat covering the plaid of blue shades shirt underneath is just too big for Jihoon's body frame but he insists in wearing it because Jihoon likes oversized piece of clothing (since it's mostly Seungcheol's).

A couple of white puffs form in front of Seungcheol as Jihoon breathes the coldness out of his shaking body. Contrary to Jihoon, Seungcheol prefers summer over winter and for every reason he has to admit that winter is way better than summer, he still stick to summer. But for the first time, or maybe quite a few times he finally gives in. Winter is better if Jihoon is with him. Actually, every season is better if Jihoon is with him. He wouldn't want to miss a single season without Jihoon by his side. And that adds another point on why he should propose Jihoon as soon as he can.

Seungcheol shivers, this time because of the weather when suddenly a winter wind gusts through them. He quickly wraps one side of his thick coat around Jihoon before they walk towards a bakery by the sidewalk for a shelter. Jihoon somehow ends up being cocooned in between Seungcheol's thick coat and his warm embrace when they reach in front of a big display window of the bakery. Habitually, Jihoon snuggles deeper into the warmth and Seungcheol laughs heartily when Jihoon tickles his waist.

"Baby, stop that. People are looking." and Seungcheol is right. The bystanders are looking at them, not giving them any judgmental or disapproving look but rather a confusing one. The arm around Jihoon's body withdraws when Jihoon pushes it away with a little amount of force. Jihoon looks up and quickly locks that pair of black orbs with his.

"Cheol-ie, answer me." Jihoon pouts and Seungcheol has to control every desire inside of him from diving in to catch that cute lips of Jihoon.

"I'm okay. Just a little bit cold." He lifts both of his hands closer to his mouth and blows his pale fingers and knuckles hiding under the sleeve paws. Another pair of hands swiftly grabs his, intertwining every finger of theirs together. Seungcheol's mind turns blank as he can't find any excuse to give to the smaller guy in front of him.

"Cheol-ie, be honest with me. What's up? I know something must be up when your legs can't stop shaking when we were having dinner, when you constantly check your phone and make such frustrated expression and you keep spacing out. What's wrong?"

Seungcheol doesn't have to search in Jihoon's eyes because he certainly can hear the caring tone in Jihoon's voice.

"I'm scared…"

"Of what?"

"Of losing you."

A glare, fuming with anger is what Seungcheol gets from Jihoon; definitely not the kind of reaction he expected. Jihoon let go of their tangled fingers a little bit too harsh but he is so mad to even care.

"Seungcheol – " Jihoon starts to talk and Seungcheol know something is wrong when Jihoon calls him by his name " – are you serious?! We have talked about this before, right?"

Seungcheol gulps slowly as he waits for Jihoon to finish his sentence.

"Let's not think about losing or separating or anything. Let's not be insecure. We have each other, that's it." Jihoon's eyes get a little watery at the corner but he holds it in. Seungcheol looks at him one more time before he argues back.

"You tell me. What's with the look you gave me yesterday before you pulled me for a kiss? Aren't you being insecure at that time?" Seungcheol hits exactly at the spot, exactly where Jihoon doesn't want him too and Jihoon can't hold the tears any longer because it's true. He doesn't have the right to tell Seungcheol that because he also feels the same way.

How can they not? They have been dating for 6 years and of course, they both expect something serious to happen between them than just merely dating. They can date for hundred, thousand years but they're not going anywhere from there. It's either breaking up or taking the next step, and breaking up is far beyond their choice. Someone has to initiate the conversation of engaging or marrying or anything reassuring because they both need it.

Need to know where they're heading. It’s either a complete severance or a forever continuance, nothing in between.

And thankfully, Seungcheol already planned that out. So when Jihoon is breaking down in front of him, in the public which is even more worrying, Seungcheol stops the tears from falling by pressing their cold lips together. They don't even care the eyes that are watching their every action because all they can care about at the moment is themselves.

Seungcheol hands are cupping Jihoon's cheeks while Jihoon is clutching onto Seungcheol's grey coat to bring him closer. Their lips don't make any movement, appreciating the soft touch against one another until Seungcheol tilts his head aside to find that perfect angle and pours more emotions to the kiss. Jihoon doesn't stop crying so Seungcheol breaks the kiss but still keep the close distance between them.

"Baby, look at me. Look at me – " Jihoon follows as instructed. " – I'm sorry. I really am. Please, don't cry. Hoon-ie, we both know we love each other so much. We can't go through a day without having each other by our sides. We're inseparable, okay?"

Jihoon eventually stops crying after hearing Seungcheol's reassuring words and he smiles. He gives his best to smile at Seungcheol because Seungcheol deserves everything. If Jihoon can make Seungcheol happier with his smile, then all he needs to do is display constant joyful and genuine smile at Seungcheol.

And the happiness convey directly to Seungcheol when his eyes twinkled and a smile forms on his face a second after that.

"I love you." Jihoon managed to say even when his voice cracks a little.

"I love you the most." Seungcheol replies and they both laugh.

"I can't believe we’re so childish." Jihoon pushes Seungcheol away gently to wipe the traces of tears away as he regains himself back. Seungcheol pulls Jihoon close to him and secures him by placing his arm around Jihoon's shoulder.

"Let's go home."

**********

Dictionaries can list out all sorts of definition for 'home'; for example:

home¹ /hǝƱm/ noun 1 [C,U] the place where you live or where you feel that you belong. noun 2 [C] a place that provides care for a particular type of person.

home² /hǝƱm/ adv. (only before noun) connected with home.

home³ /hǝƱm/ adv. at, in or to your home or home country. {Idioms} "bring sth home to sb" to make sb understand sth fully.

home⁴ /hǝƱm/ verb {Phrasal Verb} "home in on sb/sth" to move towards sb/sth.

But 'home' to Jihoon and Seungcheol simply means

home⁵ /hǝƱm/ noun 1 having an alone time to themselves. noun 2 comfortable with the presence and company. noun 3 falling in love countless times.

Jihoon couldn't feel happier when they finally arrive at their apartment. The hand around his shoulder retreats as it reaches for the key in one of the jeans' pockets. It doesn't take much of his time to walk inside before taking off his Jodphur boots at the entryway. Seungcheol closes the door behind them but Jihoon doesn't give him time to take off his Chelsea boots when Jihoon pulls the hem of Seungcheol's grey coat closer for a kiss.

Seungcheol almost stumbles by such force and sudden action from Jihoon but he eventually finds his balance and wraps his hands around Jihoon's waist. The kiss is very languid and gentle since they like to go slow because they have the night to themselves. The quiet and dark apartment is filled with only the sound of small kisses and pecks. The cold night heats up as the kisses gradually become more deep and needing.

"Babe – "  Seungcheol says in between the kisses. " – let's head to the bedroom first, okay?"

After some time, Jihoon stops himself and breaks the kiss. Jihoon looks in Seungcheol's pair of black eyes – he loves Seungcheol's eyes – before the corners of his mouth turn up to form a smile. A happy smile. A I'm-glad-I-fall-in-love-with-you kind of smile. Jihoon bites a corner of his lower lip because it hurts so much by how he's smiling so widely like an idiot. His hands push Seungcheol with a force that makes the taller guy slips back a little yet very gentle which doesn't hurt the other.

"Race you there~" Jihoon unknowingly reveals his cute side and already makes his way towards their bedroom, leaving Seungcheol alone at the entryway.

"Hey, not fair!" Seungcheol shouts because Jihoon gets a false start ahead while he is trying to take off his boots.

The still and hush bedroom is filled with the sound of breathing and gasping for air, trying to regain the composure back. The curtains by the windows don't make any rhythmic swishing sounds since there is no wind force coming from the standing fan at the corner. The moonlight makes its way pass through the curtains as it lightens the room in a dimly lit manner. The freezing weather outside doesn't give a chilling effect to their bones when their bodies are freaking hot, covered with sweats and a temporary stain between them and on the bed sheet.

A hand reaches out for a phone at a nightstand and a faint light brightens his view as he checks the time. 10.30PM.

Seungcheol still have time to propose before the clock strikes midnight. Since he is able to put Jihoon to a good sleep after this, he has a plenty of time to come with an idea and starts to carry out his plan. He turns to look at Jihoon on his left who finally calms down from his high. Seungcheol moves closer as he breathes in that distinctive smell of their hot making session, faintly bleach-like.

The smell of Jihoon's natural body scent hit his nostrils as he nuzzles deep in between the neck and the shoulder; rather than finding it unpleasant, Seungcheol loves it the most. Jihoon turns his tired body around to face Seungcheol and leaves another peck on his lips. A finger comes to touch Jihoon's fringe softly and wipes away the beads of sweat on Jihoon's forehead.

"You okay?" Seungcheol says in a soft tone, his finger plays with Jihoon's fringe.

"Okay, just a little tired." and Seungcheol can see how spent Jihoon is; his small eyes become smaller in size as sleepiness take over and his lips are slightly bigger than its actual sizes, obviously kiss-swollen.

"Clean yourself first. I'll take care of the rest." Instead of giving a command, it sounds like a pleading and Jihoon nods. Jihoon moves out of the bed slowly and he almost trip over their pile of clothes on the floor if it's not for a nightstand on his side of the bed. Seungcheol sits up straight as he witness the incident.

"Can you walk?"

"I can. I just don't see this – " and Jihoon kicks the pile of clothes with minimal effort, just to show his irritation.

"Sorry, maybe I went a little rough earlier. Do you want me to carry you there?" Seungcheol is actually worried if Jihoon might trip over other things along his way towards the bathroom due to the darkness but Jihoon insists that he should clean the mess instead. Seungcheol can't take his eyes off Jihoon's silhouette until the smaller guy disappears behind the bathroom's door.

Seungcheol moves out of their bed, quickly heading towards the towel rail and grabs his towel before wrapping it around his waist to cover his unclothed lower part of his body. He switches on the light by the door and it's flickering for the first few seconds before it lights up the whole room.

What lies before him is a complete mess. Their pieces of clothing tangled together in a pile on the floor next to their bed. The blue-sky colored carpet situated somewhere at a corner far from it original position. The nightstand on Jihoon's side of bed toppled over on the floor as Jihoon uses it for support earlier. The bottles of lotions and colognes are on horizontal position on the mirrored makeup table instead of located vertically.

Seungcheol takes care of everything only in a few minutes – repositioned the carpet, the nightstand and the things on the makeup table, pulled the used bed sheet and exchanged it with a new, freshly-washed one, took the pile of clothes and bed sheet to the washing machine.

He walks in the bedroom and quickly heads to the nightstand on his side of the bed to take out the box of their rings before Jihoon comes out from the bathroom. He runs out towards another room which they frequently used for work and producing music and hides it at the most top shelves of a book rack. In order to find an inspiration in any sort of way, Seungcheol roams his eyes around the study room until he spots a box of Scrabble.

He remembers an image in a pinterest website where he can use out the puzzle to spell out his proposing speech so he settles with that idea first. He takes the box down from the 3^rd shelve and blows the dust on top of it when Jihoon calls out for him from their bedroom.

"Cheol-ie?!"

Seungcheol runs fast towards the bedroom and Jihoon is already fully clothed. He wears one of their matching pajamas, the one with polka dots all over and Jihoon gets the soft pink color while Seungcheol gets the soft blue color. It's actually frustrating how Jihoon always ends up being the 'girl' in their relationship. But Seungcheol reinstates his dignity by saying that pink complements his white skin, that it's better for them if Seungcheol protects him and takes the lead most of the time.

It takes quite some time for Jihoon to give in and get used to it.

"Why are you holding that?" Jihoon asks as an obvious confusion expressed on his face. Seungcheol rubs the back of his head, trying to make up an excuse for this.

"I-I was looking for something at the study room and I found this." Jihoon gives him a skeptical look in return; one of his eyebrows rose in skepticism and his mouth turns down just enough to not be amused. Jihoon finds it suspicious but they can talk about this the whole night with Seungcheol giving hundreds of excuses without going anywhere, so he gives up his curiosity.

"Aren't you going to take a shower?" Jihoon says as his voice muffled when he moves to position himself under the fluffy duvet comfortably.

"Yeah, just give me a minute to put this away."

Seungcheol walks out of the bathroom, feeling refresh and great and he looks at Jihoon who is fast asleep. He reaches for his soft blue with polka dots pajamas on the bed, slowly not to wake Jihoon up and wears it quickly before he switches off the light and makes a light jog out of the room.

Firstly, Seungcheol goes to the kitchen to check if there are any suitable ingredients in the refrigerator to make canapés. He spots a few packets of cheese, a plastic of various berries and a mango on the second compartment. He takes it all out and places on top of a kitchen counter as he searches for a packet of plain crackers in the kitchen cabinets. Six crackers placed on a small plate, with a layer of cheese in the middle and edible-sized of berries and mango on top. He takes out a decently huge tray from the kitchen drawer and places the plate of his self-made fruit canapés on it.

Next, he makes two mugs of hot chocolate and he doesn't forget a plate of marshmallows as he places everything on the tray. Seungcheol looks at the clock hanged on the wall and it's already 11:25PM. He cleans everything before he puts the half-filled tray at the study room. Now, comes the time for him to add decorations.

Seungcheol takes the box of their rings from the book rack and keeps it in the pocket of his pajamas. He looks for the box of Scrabble and opens it to find single pieces of words scattered all over the box. Fingers start to work in quick pace as he makes sentences out of the Scrabble pieces on the tray. He remembers that they bought a set of small, round-shaped, lavender scented candles before and he feels thankful that they actually did.

He takes out two candles from its box and lights it up after he puts at one edge of the tray.

Preparation is done. Decoration is highly satisfying even though he comes up with it last minute. All that's left is for him to actually say the word.

Standing in front of their bedroom door can be nerve-wracking as he tries to muster the courage before he walks in.

I can do this. I can do this. Seungcheol keeps repeating it inside of his head like a mantra.

Seungcheol keeps revising what to say as his proposal speech but whatever. He says whatever comes in his mind later. The door is being opened and pushed in a very slow motion as he peeks in to see Jihoon's condition. He is still soundly asleep. But when he is having a hard time closing the door with the filled tray on both of his hands, Jihoon speaks up.

"Cheol-ie?" He calls out softer this time but he recognizes Seungcheol's figure despite being in the dimly lit room with the help from the moonlight. There is actually something brightening at the tray that Seungcheol is holding that is enough to spark another curiosity.

"What are you doing? I thought you're supposed to be sleeping with me?" Jihoon sits up as he yawns the sleepiness away and rubs his sleepy eyes.

"I made you something." Seungcheol tries his best to walk steadily, balancing the decoration on the tray and not wanting anything to slip over.

"What is this? Dinner in bed?" Jihoon looks up to him with his sleepy eyes, barely can see anything until Seungcheol is sitting next to him. Seungcheol holds out the tray for Jihoon to see and it takes few seconds for Jihoon to realize it.

Jihoon's eyes shot wide open despite how sleepy he is, to express how shocked and surprised he is at the moment. He looks at the tray and at Seungcheol repeatedly, trying to find an explanation for this. Seungcheol can only smile happily looking at the adorable reaction in front of him. Not the kind of reaction he expected.

Instead of saying anything, Seungcheol puts the tray on the duvet on top of Jihoon's lap before he takes the mugs of hot chocolate out of it and onto the nightstand. It will ruin every beautiful moment if suddenly they get hot chocolate all over the duvet, right? Jihoon is still waiting for an explanation with his mouth slightly open and Seungcheol takes this chance to put a marshmallow into it.

"Am I dreaming?" Jihoon asks as he chews the soft marshmallow while fixing his eyes on Seungcheol.

"The best dream you ever had…" Seungcheol takes one canapé and readies to feed Jihoon when he finishes the marshmallow.

"Is this your way of proposing me? Feeding me with marshmallow and canapé?"

Seungcheol laughs. He doesn't want Jihoon to cry actually and when he notices the tears at the corner of Jihoon's eyes, he can't help but feed the smaller guy. Seungcheol leans in to kiss Jihoon, one hand cupping Jihoon's cheek while the other hand holding the tray between them. The kiss is filled with love and sweet – like literally sweet when Seungcheol gets the taste of mixed berries and mango and cheese and cracker all together. They never experience this kind of kiss before so they might consider this for future reference.

Among the sweet taste of his self-made canapé, he can feel something bites his tongue. Seungcheol pulls away from the pain and this time, he looks at Jihoon for an explanation.

"What was that about?" Seungcheol says as he winces at the pain.

"Say it." Jihoon demands and signals with his eyes at the Scrabble pieces on the tray.

Seungcheol leans in Jihoon again, looking eye-to-eye, smiles form at their faces as they wait for him to propose.

"Will you marry me?" Seungcheol asks with a slight fear as his pupils shaking and roaming around, eager to know Jihoon's answer. And Jihoon nods, he nods before he pulls Seungcheol into another kiss. Even without canapé as an addition to their kiss this time, it's very delightful and satisfying. They don't know how much they have been kissing today, but they don't mind kissing all day long.

Seungcheol breaks the kiss slowly as he remembers the ring in his pocket.

"I almost forgot…" Seungcheol says as he puts the tray aside and fishes the box out of his pocket. Jihoon looks at Seungcheol curiously and a hand quickly covers his widely opened mouth when Seungcheol opens the box to present the matching platinum rings to him.

"I didn't know you already bought this. I thought maybe we could buy it together tomorrow." Jihoon fixes his attention at the rings in fascination; one hand touches the surface of it.

"Of course I would buy it beforehand. Why would I propose without having the rings with me?"

"You're an idiot." Jihoon replies and Seungcheol knows he means it differently when Jihoon pecks him for god knows how many times already.

"An idiot that madly in love with you." Seungcheol takes out the ring with Choi Seungcheol engraving and slides it onto Jihoon's ring finger. Jihoon does the same to Seungcheol with the ring engraved his name.

Jihoon can't control the overwhelming happiness and joy inside of him so he pulls Seungcheol down with him onto the mattress and kisses him deeply.

"But Jihoon – " Seungcheol says in between the kisses. " – the tray…"

Jihoon doesn't care about that. All he can think of is showing his love and appreciation towards Seungcheol that he loves.

"Was it okay?" Seungcheol speaks up as they enjoy the canapés and hot chocolate mixed with marshmallows on their bed. The olfactible lavender scent lingers at the atmosphere. Jihoon looks at Seungcheol with visible foam of white bubbles at his lips after he sips the hot chocolate. A thumb softly brushes against Jihoon's lips, wiping away the foam.

"What was it?" Jihoon takes another canapé with his free hand while the other hand holding the mug. He leans back at the headboard of their bed when he feeds himself.

"The proposal, I mean…" Both of Seungcheol's hands are holding onto the mug tightly with one finger playing around it. "…I know it's not grand and romantic but – "

"What do you mean not romantic? This is so romantic, just my style and you know I like it simple. How did you come up with this?" Jihoon nudges Seungcheol's side and Seungcheol has to balance the mug on his hands.

"Really? So, you like it?"

"I love it…" and Jihoon surely does. Seungcheol smiles before he sips in the hot chocolate too.

"Cheol-ie, can you open the lights for me? I wanna take a picture of us with our rings…" Seungcheol looks at Jihoon as he is excited to do so, putting away their mugs at the nightstand and grabbing his phone.

Seungcheol makes his way quickly to do as he told to and moves closer to Jihoon on their bed. He wraps his left arm around Jihoon's waist and places his head on Jihoon's shoulder. Out of habit, they both pose themselves with a peace sign    an additional of their matching platinum rings to the tradition. Just before Jihoon clicks the button, Seungcheol kisses his neck sweetly and he hopes the camera managed to capture their sweet moment.

**********

The next morning.

Soonyoung runs to his bedroom, loud enough for Wonwoo to hear incoming footsteps along the way as he screams for the other guy's attention.

"Wonwoo! Honey, look what Jihoon just sent to me!"

From: Lee Jihoon; (sent 08:16, Jan 2^nd)

Hey guys, look who's getting married first! [click to see the attached file]

"Oh my god!!"

"We have to tell the others    "

"No Soonyoung-ie, how can he gets proposed first?"

"How should I know? You're the one who's taking so much time to propose me..." Soonyoung pouts.

"Let's go~" Wonwoo walks away from his working desk, filled with papers all over and piles of files and a laptop at one side.

"Where are we going?" Soonyoung asks as he looks at his boyfriend grabbing his coat hanged behind their bedroom door.

"We're going to buy us a pair of engagement rings." and Soonyoung says no more as he follows behind.

this is short, shorter than the previous chapter but whatever... I need to get this out of me. Suffer in major jicheol feels with me, people!!