“Am I… We’re still friends here, right?” Hyukjae says. Donghae chuckles. 

"Yes Hyukjae," he says. "We're still friends. Best friends."

He grins cheekily before taking a sip of his smoothie. Hyukjae follows the movement, his eyes drawn to the glint of the silver ring on the ring finger of Donghae's left hand.

"You're married?" he blurts out, before shrinking back. "Sorry, that's none of my business."

Donghae shakes his head. "It's fine," he reassures. "And yes, to answer your question, I am married."

That revelation hits him like a ton of bricks, the sensation spearing through his heart. He's suddenly not very hungry anymore.

"Who is she? I-I mean there's no one else here," he asks before biting on his tongue. He really has to learn to stop talking.

Donghae doesn't look at all bothered. Instead, his eyes crinkle a little, sparkling with amusement. He seems to assess Hyukjae for a second before he leans forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"Hyukjae," he says, and his voice seems softer. "I married you."

Hyukjae drops his spoon. It clatters on the table, but he can't bring himself to care about that right now. His hands are shaking, he realizes, and he closes his fist so it’s not so apparent. His thoughts are a whirlwind--there’s no way, Donghae must be joking. He must have picked up on Hyukjae’s feelings, even though he has no idea how, and is now making fun of it.

It’s not possible.

He can feel his eyes prickle, a familiar heat of tears about to fall, but he doesn’t let himself blink, for them to fall. He swipes at his eyes quickly and looks back up at Donghae, who’s watching him intently.

“Hyukjae… sorry. I forgot how it was back then.” Donghae says, slowly pulls off the wedding ring on his finger and holds it out to Hyukjae. “Read the inscription on the inside.”

Hyukjae hesitates before carefully taking the ring from Donghae’s palm. He spins it around in his fingers a few times; there’s quite a weight to the ring and it’s even more beautiful up close. The inscription is engraved on the inside of the ring in small letters, and Hyukjae has to squint to read it.

You and me, forever. Your love, Lee Hyukjae.