In an apartment, somewhere in Seoul, a kettle's whistling noise fills a silent kitchen. It was a kitchen filled with all shorts of kitchen appliances, from coffee makers, microwaves, ovens, toaster, oven toasters, stand mixer, blender, etc. All of it were in various pastel colors giving the area a bright homey feel to it in contrast with the black marble top of the counters. There were cook books in one shelf, spices in another, seasoning sauces on the next ones, and then an entire cabinet filled with various brands and kinds of teas, coffees, and hot chocolate powder.

The walls of the kitchen were white with painted vines crawling on it, pink flowers on its stems.

Everytime Chanyeol came to the kitchen to prepare food or even get a bottle of water, he'd smile when seeing the mishapen flowers painted on by Dokja. It never failed to bring him happiness, the sheer memory of that day was enough to make all of his tiredness go away. Kim Dokja was everything he wanted and more, to Chanyeol he was his home, his shelter, his rest, his safe harbor, his reason, his muse.

Chanyeol was roused out of his reminscing when thin arms wrapped around his waist, Dokja's head resting on the back of his shoulder.

"Good Morning, Yeol-ie" Dokja mumbled with a raspy voice.

Chanyeol hummed turning around to hug his hyung and placed a kiss on top Dokja's head, and then a kiss to his forehead, then to his nose, and finally a deep kiss to his lips that had them both panting for breath. He smiled at the flushed cheeks and sleepy doe eyes looking at him, with a flustered but adoring look.

"Good Morning, Dokja-ya~" He greeted in a sing song voice before kissing Dokja once more, sweeter and chaste, and hugging him tightly. 

Today was a rare day where he had nothing to do, when he could simply be with his Dokja and do things with him.

Chanyeol stayed like that for a moment, simply basking in the presence of his boyfriend, the whistling kettle forgotten until Dokja had reached behind Chanyeol to turn off the stove himself.

"What should we cook for breakfast?" Chanyeol asked even when he already knew that they would end up cooking omurice together.

"Omurice~" Dokja replied, snuggling at his boyfriend's chest and then acting cutely, "Then for lunch...how about we go on a date?"

Chanyeol couldn't help but kiss his boyfriend again, 5 years of secretly dating still hadn't made him immune to the cuteness of his boyfriend. For someone who preferred to read and had a general aversion to society, Dokja would always seek him out, like a cat that hanged around its owner. Everytime Dokja would take initiative to be loving, he would always feel butterflies in his stomach, he couldn't help but feel proud and smug that the most closed off person he knew chose him. And he always said as much as to Dokja who in turn would get this shy but pleased smile in his face, covering it up with false bravado like a cat that got its tail stepped on.

He wanted to spend the rest of his life with this cute and adorable salary man, who needed to hear constant reassurance that he was wanted and Chanyeol was all too willing to give.

They moved flawlessly in the cramped kitchen, anticipating each other's action that made their work flow like an undisturbed stream. As if they were an extension of each other, one soul in two bodies. They ate in front of the TV, sitting side by side on the sofa as they watched the morning drama. They ate silently, simply basking in the presence of each other, existing in the rare peacefulness of their day where Dokja didn't need to rush to work and Chanyeol didn't have a recording to rush to.

They leave the dishes in the dishwasher and play games, well, Chanyeol plays his game while Dokja accompanies him in the room. Sitting on his boyfriend's lap as he reads the latest update of his favorite novel. Chanyeol kisses him everytime he wins, and Dokja would absentmindedly kiss him when he loses. Sometimes, Dokja ends up being treated like a life-sized plushy when Chanyeol would squeeze him and then move the gaming chair side to side. Dokja would half-heartedly complain from being disrupted while reading but would never make a move to stop his boyfriend, beyond trying to find a comfortable position to read after being dislodged by Chanyeol.

Once Chanyeol had his fill of playing, he'd carry Dokja to the bathroom. The two of them would take a shower together, washing each other's hair and back while he listened to Dokja's rambling about the latest update of his favorite novel. Chanyeol loved listening to Dokja's ramblings even when he didn't understand why he still kept on reading a novel that had low reviews. It was simply how they loved each other, doing things together even when they didn't understand the appeal.

The happiness they saw in the other's eyes when doing what they loved was enough reason to do it.

Chanyeol knew that their relationship was far from perfect, they each had their own flaws but at the end of the day Chanyeol knew that there was no one else he'd rather spend the rest of his life with. For him, Dokja was his future, his home, his forever. The one person who had stayed with him from before his debut until now. Who had seen him at his worst and loved him still, not only as Chanyeol of EXO but also as Park Chanyeol, the human.

Kim Dokja who had been their first male fan, his first male fan, who loved webnovels and stayed up late just to read, who supported him and his group with every decision they made, a tired and over worked salary man who never failed to make him feel loved. He loved this man who didn't mind being kept as a secret, who sacrificed a lot just to be with him.

They couldn't go out on a date openly or wear anything that came in pairs. In public, they couldn't stick close, maitaining a respectable distance from each other as if they were simple friends. The brush of their fingers when he came close, intentionally seeking out the familiar hand, was equally exhilirating as it was frightening.

He didn't want Dokja to face the danger that came with dating an idol. He wanted Dokja to live without worrying about crazy fans and experience the cruelty of the world once more. So they make do, with secret touches and lingering glances that can be passed off as platonic. 

'One day, I'll be able to walk with your hand in mine' He thought as he looked at the bright smiling face of his boyfriend.

In a moment of bravery he takes Dokja's hand, holds it tight and closed the distance between them.

Tomorrow would no doubt bring forth a storm to them but in this moment, amidst the crowded streets of Seoul, Chanyeol thought that it was worth it.