Chapter 20: This is such a sweet story 💙💙

Chapter 20: Aww, as confident as the previous night made him, Hyuk still had a bit of uncertainty and insecurity left, enough to take Donghae's rejection of a morning kiss as a complete rejection. Good thing Donghae explained quickly and went to brush his teeth so they could continue on to have a nice and affectionate morning.

Donghae finally got to kiss his personal chef and embrace him from behind while he was cooking. And he definitely didn't forget to continue their kissing after breakfast! Haha, the man works fast to make up for any lost time. 💕

He gave the most honest, open, and detailed confession too. About how deep his feelings have gotten, how bad the jealousy he's felt, what he wants with Hyukjae, to be with Hyukjae. Overwhelmingly, wow.

Hyuk didn't miss a beat returning his detailed confession with his own, either. They're both so possessive of each other, ahh. Silly guys really could have been together since nearly when they met.

Of course others had to interrupt them during their next steamy makeout session. Wouldn't blame them if they both (but especially Hyuk) want to keep their good news about finally getting together to themselves, before their friends and family disturb their peaceful lovey dovey domestic bliss bubble even more. Sure, they'll be happy for them, but they might want to enjoy a bit more alone time, ya know?

They really laid everything out on the table, even things they might be embarrassed to share. But guess it makes up for all the time repressing their feelings and not saying important things. Good thing they both see each other's value so clearly and love the qualities that other (foolish) people seem to want to discard them for. They really seem a perfect match. Especially here for how much Donghae is determined to hype Hyuk up from now on.

Hahaha Hyukkie actually telling Junsu he's demoted from best friend, savage! But yeah anyone can tell there's no one closer than Donghae in his life now. And Donghae declaring to everyone that Hyukjae is his now and they must stop trying to set him up with (other) random losers, priceless. Almost as priceless as Sora orchestrating this reconnaissance plot behind the scenes after all.

Lol, it's like the rest of the world and all witnesses disappear when they're lovey-dovey together. So much for keeping their relationship a secret to anyone for any longer. 😂

Cute ending! 💞

Chapter 19: This dramatic "not-couple" having a moment, holding hands and embracing in the hospital lobby. 😂 Can only imagine poor forgotten Yunho's exasperated face, these two are so ridiculous. He's a really good hyung lol.

Donghae just needs to be "selfish" for both of their sakes, and share what's on his mind.

"I'll be waiting for you in bed," indeed. 😏 Haha, you could mean it the way it sounds, if you two would just COMMUNICATE. At least Donghae is back to his good-natured, rambling self. All is right in the world, until probably the next time Hyukkie is volun-told to go on another awful date and his jealousy flares up again. Wish they would both just spare each other the torment and confess already lol. Then you can enjoy all your couple behavior, like comforting cuddles to sleep, in an official capacity. Other nice things too.

What a fated coincidence, both being out with their friends at the same place. (And hello, Yunjae! Another OG OTP.) So much for Hyuk protecting Donghae from his own meddling friends, though they were bound to meet eventually. Haha, Hyukkie calling him out in front of everyone (and basically exposing them both too) that Donghae practically lives with him. Oddly, no one seemed to delve into that though.

At least Donghae's friends shared some helpful information, letting Hyukjae see that he receives special treatment from his neighbour-roomie. So maybe he won't be so sure his feelings are one-sided. Yunho dropping the biggest truth-bomb too. 👏

Too bad the night took a turn when Hyuk's friends do what they do best, and Donghae drowned his obvious angst about it in alcohol. But at least Hyukkie was already there to take him home. The drunken semi-confession-rant. The drunken kiss. The drunken throwing up. Poor Hyukjae must be so confused. But it's kinda progress that might not have happened if Donghae never had his inhibitions lowered with "truth serum" like that lol.

Chapter 18: Tsk, it's just another wrong move to ask a kid to hide something from her parents. Donghae ought to just deal with the consequences of his reckless choices. He really treats the little girl like his co-conspirator...that will probably backfire at some point, because children are not exactly vaults of information lol.

It would almost be fated, Hyukkie meeting Donghae's mother before, if he and Donghae didn't live in the same building. That makes it less shocking. 😂 He's sweet but ridiculous too, thinking he ought to dress up to impress people who came into his apartment without any warning. Sheesh.

Donghae apologizing that they invited themselves in - he basically invited them in rather than taking Haru back to his place! Also, doesn't he see that "inviting yourself in" to Hyukjae's place must run in the family? Lmao. Thankfully, Hyuk is just so laid back and welcoming. The little exchange he had with Donghwa when they were leaving about looking after Donghae was funny, though.

Hahaha, yeah I bet Haru talking nonstop about Hyukjae oppa does remind them of Donghae. 🤭 The way Hyuk still remembers the first food he cooked for him too, they're both seriously so far gone for each other. Sigh.

Junsu has appeared for the first time! Idk...seems like someone else is Hyukjae's best friend these days. It's pretty comical that he consulted his shamen grandmother for Hyuk's soulmate though. (Though she probably has that gender detail right.) Everyone really is obsessed with his love life/lack of one, I still don't get it. It would be a different matter if he asked for them to set him up all the time...

Can understand why he's scared to let any of his group of meddling "friends" meet Donghae. Hyuk doesn't want their "help" to ruin his friendship with him. Ironically, constantly agreeing to their attempts to "help" his love life and going on these blind dates seem to be what is upsetting Donghae more and more. Only he's too dense to see it. Though Donghae needs to communicate, too.

Of course, his latest date seemed too "normal" to be true. Warning bells ringing the second he asked Hyuk back to his place! How scary and unhinged, no matter how nice he seems, the disconnect from reality and all the dangerous weapons can't really be ignored. Another narrow escape, thanks to Yunho's call. 👍

Chapter 17: Haru is cute, and it's nice to see Donghae in uncle-mode. Hyuk is as happily accommodating as ever, he really just goes with almost everything. While it's not always a good thing, (like agreeing to all those blind dates,) his open willingness to many situations can be seen as a virtue.

It's the first time Donghae has gotten audibly upset, that we've seen. Being called in to work. Though Hyukjae is so right, it's wrong - especially for Haru's sake - to just leave her with him so abruptly. That's so much responsibility that Hyukkie didn't agree to, also. It's pretty bad that he forced it on him, but I guess Donghae is just used to getting his way with Hyuk being so damn (whipped for him) accommodating. 😔

Haru really does know some things, huh? Haha, Hyukkie oppa is taken lady! The way he didn't question what the kid meant by that...

While Hyukjae did really handle the unexpected situation with grace and deserves the appreciation and thanks, hopefully Donghae won't do anything like this again. There's still a lot of communication that needs to be worked on between them, no matter how sweet they are.

Chapter 16: It's new and scary for Hyukkie to have feelings, so it must be overwhelming. Especially with a misunderstanding. As bright and talkative (nearly to a fault) as Donghae might be, it looks like he has trouble with communication too sometimes.

Guess he's the type that avoids people when he's upset, rather than talking about it. Though, if he thinks he needs to hide why he's upset about, it's confusing for poor Hyukjae, but somewhat understandable. Since Hyuk is hiding the same thing. Just a shame that he thinks Donghae might be upset to know about Hyuk's feelings. 😭

Poor Hyukkie falling asleep without his usual precious bedmate. Donghae was obviously just as restless and troubled as him, sneaking into his bed lol. These dummies, they need to clear things up and not waste time apart or worried over assumptions.

They had a deep conversation and Donghae opened up about losing his father. Even with a misunderstanding between them, they're still so close and comforting to each other. They should still talk about why Donghae got weird (for him) and ran away from Hyukkie in the elevator, though.

Instead, they just carried on for another week like nothing, until he got weird again.

Proud of Hyukjae for leaving that date after only a few red flags, rather than suffering through it to the awful end like he usually would. Progress? He's getting a backbone and more self-respect, it's great to see.

Yes, Hyukjae, friends don't usually watch movies while entwining their fingers, or sleep while holding each other, among countless other things you two do. Hopefully they'll have a clarifying talk about many things soon.

Chapter 15: Donghae really has made himself at home at Hyukjae's place, even greeting him after work with "I'm home" lol. And Hyuk reinforces that by shopping for him when he gets groceries (even underwear!!!), and automatically including him in every meal he prepares.

Oh, is Donghae finally showing interest in Hyukjae's dating life? Maybe even a bit of jealousy? Meanwhile, Hyukkie's family is treating Donghae like he's his boyfriend already. The childhood stories and photo album. 😂

Sora trying to force them to kiss but just smacking their heads together, smh, if this is part of her plan to "see if Donghae has feelings for him" it really . But Donghae had definitely won the parents over already.

Hyuk's talk with his father was so sad. He really can't bring himself to hope and risk the pain of rejection, but moreso of losing his precious friendship with Donghae. He lacks so much confidence in himself, and who could blame him after all the mistreatment from others.

Cue mother with the "we decided" another date for Hyukjae to go on. Why can't everyone let him make his own decisions??? Though maybe, seeing his reaction to the latest set up, Donghae will be the one to make a move and show that he also has feelings for Hyuk, and end this blind dating nonsense. Fingers crossed.

Chapter 14: As awful as she can be to him, Hyuk's noona actually is protective of him huh. But no one can beat how protective Donghae is of him. And he doesn't hide his affection under layers of meanness or cruelty. His feelings seem a lot clearer now, catching up with Hyukkie's. Their little exchange was very sweet. Is it finally happening...?

But if only they'd got to make that conclusion before his mother did. It seems like she's going to go around bragging to anyone that listens about her doctor son-in-law. 😅 It's kinda funny and kinda cute, but poor Hyukjae must be embarrassed.

Chapter 13: The stark difference between bubbly, silly, energetic, clingy Donghae and sick, tired, sincere, sad, clingy Donghae. Hyukjae's heart. Of course he had to take such good care of him in that state. Patient Donghae is even needier than student-doctor Donghae.

This is not the first time that Hyuk has felt some fluffy feelings for Donghae, but it's the first time we've seen jealousy stir in him. Apparently a first experience for him, too. It's getting more serious. Maybe that means he might make a move soon?

Though he seems to worry what he's feeling is one-sided. Even though Donghae's words, smiles, and body language are all green lights. Can't blame Hyuk for thinking that way, of course, what with his experiences with people. He probably can't let himself hope. Even less with this precious friend and best constant companion, who's also his neighbour. It might be too complicated to chance rejection, so he's doing it to himself subconciously before it has a chance to really happen.

Interesting how, despite being so clingy, we haven't seen Donghae have jealousy spark every time Hyuk mentions the myriad of dates he's been going on. Though, maybe he's better at hiding it, or doesn't feel threatened because they've all been failures. Still. It makes you wonder, if he really does share similar feelings with Hyukkie, or if it's just platonic closeness.

But unintentional couple outfits! 💕 Good that Donghae is feeling better.

Chapter 12: Aw, precious guy, crying over a drama. Though Donghae seems sentimental and emotive in general, Hyukjae could probably sense that there was something that hit home there, too. Even though he didn't try to delve into it.

It's cute that they've both really gotten into the habit of Donghae being in his space, regardless of if Hyuk is there or not. (Irl Hyuk could never, at least without complaining about Donghae inviting himself over, haha.)

I guess Hyukjae doesn't share about his closeness to Donghae with his busybody friends, or else surely by now they would be like "you're basically dating already, go for it!" c'mon. Or are they so certain that /they/ have to be the ones to choose Hyukkie's significant other, that they ignore the obvious. If so, that's toxic. But kinda unsuprising, considering the types of people they keep setting him up with. Birds of a feather, and all that.

Speaking of, Minho trying to offload someone he rejected on him. Really selling the guy with that detail! Also "not the most well trained" - is this a man or a dog? Red flags waving so hard. Still don't get why all these "friends" are so invested in Hyukjae's love life. Maybe they should focus on their own.

At least Donghae has simple demands of him. Food and company. And is intrusive in an endearing way. (Or maybe Hyukkie is just whipped.) But he's a better friend than all the others. Isn't trying to pressure him into all these awful interactions with randos like the others. They're definitely the ones desperate for Hyuk to date, not the guy himself. Too bad he's too much of a people pleaser to firmly say no, even though he pretty much knows how it will go every time.

Meanwhile, the kindergarten teacher and med student definitely seem to draw strength from the exhausting world (and people in it) and recharge in each other's presence. Very sweet. Even if they simply stay friends, what they have is so nice.

The audacity of this latest "date" to decide what Hyukjae would eat and drink. There are actual people like this, which is scary. And it's usually the tip of the iceburg, and later they want to control everything about their partner. Smh. The guy was a real arrogant piece of work about it, too. Not only being controlling of a complete stranger's choices, but looking down on Hyukjae's culinary senses, and mocking that he doesn't drink. Joke's on him, Lee Donghae considers Hyuk to be on the level of gourmet chef, and all other opinions are irrelevant. 😌

I guess since the jerk was paying, Hyukjae stayed so that coming to the dinner wasn't a complete waste of time. But seriously, he should start just walking out of blind dates when they take such awful turns. Or better yet, actually stop agreeing to them at all. Hopefully he can have more self respect. He deserves to spend his time and energy only on people that deserve it.

I know we should be concerned that Donghae is sick, but I'm just laughing at how eager and happy Hyuk was to have that excuse to leave without any more forced smalltalk with that insufferable a-hole. Thanks Donghae! 😭