"What's the matter?" Hyukjae asked gently, squeezing the younger's hand, encouraging him to go on.

Donghae took a quick cleansing breath and looked straight into the blond's eyes. "I don't want to hide it anymore. I want to show the world how much I love you."

Hyukjae slowly sat up, followed by Donghae. "Baby, we've talked about this," he reminded. And he was right, Donghae brought it up almost every week, saying how he wants to release a statement about their relationship and that it's unfair to the members that they have kept such a big secret from them.

"I just thought... maybe it's time we-"

"Donghae, listen to me. I love you with all of my heart. You know that right?" Donghae kept his mouth shut and only nodded. "I know you want to tell everyone. Believe me, I know. And I do too. There's nothing I'd rather have than to see you happy and the both of us displaying our relationship openly. But sometimes there are just some things that people don't agree with. This is one of those things. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"But they can't-"

"Sweetheart, just listen. There are people out there who don't agree with gay relationships and may never accept them. And trust me when I say they won't keep their feelings to themselves. They've done it before," he told the younger. "Those people are not afraid to speak out about their opinions and I just don't want anything they say to get in your head and hurt your feelings. You are strong, but just because you're a public figure does not mean they won't include you in what they have to say. I've heard what some of these people have said about people like us, and it's not something I want anyone to ever say about you. It can hurt, it really can, and I just don't want somebody else's rude opinion to hurt my baby. Okay?"

Donghae sighed and shrugged. "I guess." He raised his eyes to meet the warm and loving gaze of his boyfriend. "Does that mean we have to hide forever?" he asked fearfully.

Hyukjae shook his head. "Not forever. I don't exactly know how long, but I promise we will tell everyone once the time is right. But for now we just have to be patient and wait for that time to come."