Not everyday is blissful though. A few days later, they had their first real fight. Well, Hyukjae isn’t even sure if it’s an actual fight. But it’s different from their usual banters or silly arguments or sulking at each other. 

Hyukjae was in the dorm dining area, drinking beer while watching a show on his iPad when he suddenly heard the door open. He looked up and saw a grumpy looking Donghae. 

“Hae? You’re back early!”

Donghae frowned. “You didn’t reply to my message.”

“Oh.” Hyukjae immediately checked on his phone and saw three messages from Donghae asking if he’s at the dorm or at the apartment. “I’m sorry, I thought you’d be home around 10pm like you told me so I wasn’t expecting a message at this time. Forgive me?”

“Is your phone on silent?”

“Uhm, no. But I was watching so maybe I didn’t hear it.”

Donghae stomped and sat next to Hyukjae.

“Are you mad?” Hyukjae asked.

“Yes,” was Donghae’s curt reply.

“Aww, my baby must have had a very bad day to be this irritable,” Hyukjae said as he leaned in to kiss Donghae’s cheek and then his lips.

Donghae pulled away with his eyebrows crossing. “You smell like beer. You know I hate that.”

Hyukjae frowned a little. “I’ll just quickly brush my teeth then,” he said as he threw the beer can to the trash on the way to the bathroom.

He brushed his teeth vigorously and took a deep breath. He honestly felt a tad bit irritated at Donghae’s reaction, but he knows that he needs to understand his boyfriend. Donghae might be having mood swings because he has been continuously working hard the past few days and having little sleep. The other day, Hyukjae reserved midnight cinema tickets for the two of them, but Donghae couldn’t make it because they had to re-record a song. Hyukjae ended up drinking with Ryeowook, Kyuhyun, and Kyuhyun’s friends instead. He passed out and woke up beside Donghae who apparently bathed and clothed him, and carried him to bed. He felt so guilty that his tired boyfriend had to take care of him like that, when Donghae is already so tired. In the morning, Donghae was quiet but was not even the littlest bit angry, instead apologizing for canceling their date. Sometimes Hyukjae thinks he doesn’t deserve Donghae, but he takes it as motivation to be a better boyfriend. 

Hyukjae rinsed his mouth and smiled at the mirror, cheering on himself silently so that he could make Donghae feel better.

Maybe I’ll tell him about my plan for a trip together.

Hyukjae knows how much Donghae loves the sea and so he’s planning for a trip somewhere a bit near. A few hours drive and they could walk by the beach and stay for the night. It would be a great way for Donghae to relax and recharge. Hyukjae has already talked to people and has found a place they could go to where he won’t be spotted. 

Smiling at the thought and excited about Donghae’s reaction, Hyukjae walked back into the kitchen.

“Baby, you can kiss me now~,” Hyukjae said playfully as he sat down beside Donghae.

Donghae just glared at him.

“Hae?” he said as he tucked Donghae’s hair.

Donghae turned his head away, but Hyukjae reached out to him again.

“Stop it!” Donghae slapped his hand away.

Hyukjae’s eyes widened in shock and hurt. 

Calm down, Hyukjae.

Hyukjae observes Donghae’s shaking eyes, obviously regretting his action, but still remaining firm. Hyukjae quickly realizes that something was up. Donghae isn’t acting like himself at all, even in his worst days. It felt like Donghae was purposely picking a fight for the sake of it.

“Baby, tell me what this is really all about,” Hyukjae said softly as he tugged at Donghae’s arm.

“I told you, I’m mad at you.”

“It doesn’t seem like it, Hae. I know you.” 

Donghae looked up with a helpless sigh, his eyes b with tears. “Why won’t you get mad at me?!”

“Huh? Hae, baby. You’re scaring me. Please, tell me what’s wrong? What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

Donghae stood up and gathered his things. In a split second, Hyukjae grabbed him, preventing him from leaving. Donghae struggled but Hyukjae kept his hold and then turned Donghae around to embrace him. A few seconds later, Donghae finally gave in and wrapped his arms on Hyukjae’s back, breaking down in tears.

“Shh, shh, Donghae. What happened, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” Hyukjae asked worriedly as he Donghae’s back. 

Donghae was sobbing as he finally answered. “H-Hyukjae… You’re…so perfect. I- It..It scares me that it’s too good to be true...”

Hyukjae scoffs. “Me? Perfect? Too good to be true? Hae baby, what the hell are you talking about?” He pulled on Donghae to sit down on his lap and continued to soothe Donghae’s sobs. “I don’t accompany you to the gym or your various sports mania. I often message you rather than call you. I don’t join you in your pursuit of healthy meals. I’m not as expressive as you, and I sometimes keep to myself. How can you say I’m perfect?”

“Because you’re perfect for me in the things that matter, Hyuk.” Donghae took a shaky breath. “You’re so kind and understanding. You spoil me and go with all of my whims. You love me. You get me. You make me feel so good. I’ve never been this happy with someone before, Hyuk. I’ve never been this happy in my life, ever.”

Hyukjae’s eyes softened at that and his heart swelled in happiness. He’s also relieved now that he’s understood what Donghae’s been thinking. He’s been wondering about it too. About how perfect it feels like to be with Donghae. How happy Donghae makes him feel. And even if there are many hurdles, so many external factors, and a very unclear future, the two of them still feel so perfect together.

“Do you really mean that? Because Donghae, I’ve never been this happy in my life ever as well.”

Donghae’s eyes lightened up, and a hint of a smile was at the corners of his lips. “Yes, I mean it.”

“Even with all the hindrances hanging on our heads?” Hyukjae asked as he wiped Donghae’s tears away.

“The fact that I am this happy and this relationship feels so perfect despite all those is what scares me even more.”

“I promise you that I am real. That my love for you is real. We are real. This is real.”

“But Hyuk, we’ve never even had a fight. You don’t even get mad at me when I cancel our plans or when you lose sleep because of me. Even when I get rowdy and shout at your face or push and punch you a little too hard, you don’t get angry. You’re so patient and kind to me,” Donghae whined, tears threatening to spill again from his lovely eyes.

Hyukjae chuckled. “Baby, how can I ever get mad at you when you cling on to me adorably and whine and sweet talk me whenever you do something to get on my nerves?”

Donghae pouts at him adorably and Hyukjae chuckles again at another proof of what he’s saying. 

“And you’r