Archive of Our Own

Like most mornings in the valley sheltered between mountains, the earth is quiet–unless you're listening for it.

In reality, Sangyeon is always listening. He's tended to this land for as long as he's been breathing. He knows that the earth beats with a steady pulse, and that the soil underneath his fingertips is dancing with life, flora and fauna otherwise unseen to the naked eye.

This is also how Sangyeon knows without looking up from the ground. It's in the small tremors within the soil, and the way that his saplings perk up, listening as conversations grow louder throughout the town. They tell him that a certain someone has come back from the city.

There's a gentle skip in his chest, and for a moment, he wonders if it's only his wishful thinking. It hasn’t been so long since he left, right? Would he really be back so soon?

Then, in the distance, Sangyeon sees something emerging from the edge of the fields. He has to squint through the harsh midday sun, but he makes out a figure. And then he hears a voice, screaming at the top of their lungs–

“Hyung!"

And Sangyeon knows immediately, because that loud chest voice echoing through the mountains couldn't belong to anyone else.

As if on cue, Jaehyun comes out of seemingly nowhere, squatting right next to him in the dirt.

“Hey, hyung,” he says into his ear, swinging an arm around his shoulder. "Did you miss me?"

There's a shit-eating grin on his face that feels all too familiar, like Sangyeon sees him every day. Maybe because it's reserved for pestering Sangyeon and Sangyeon only. He didn't realize how much he had missed it.

"No," Sangyeon deadpans. And he tries, but he can't hide his laugh as he lightly pushes Jaehyun off him. "What are you doing here?"

“I wanted to see you. Obviously.”

“Ah, that's not why–”

"It’s almost the first day of spring,” Jaehyun cuts him off, a small smile across his lips. “I thought I'd come help you.”

He says this like it's the simplest thing in the world, and maybe it is. Spring is the best time to set new roots down, when the mountain frost begins to melt into freshwater, and the flora start to come alive in search of the sun.

Sangyeon has lived through enough seasons to know that with spring comes two handfuls of labor, but it's nothing he hasn't been able to take on himself. Still, an extra set of hands wouldn't hurt…

"Hey, didn’t I tell you to stop leaning over like that?” Jaehyun suddenly chides him. “You’re gonna break your back.”

Sangyeon blinks, suddenly aware of his position, hunched over his soil. And he knows that Jaehyun is right. That doesn't stop him from straightening up, then bending himself over in half, just because he can.

“As your hyung,” he says, “I can do whatever I want."

“You’re so annoying,” Jaehyun says loudly, before softening his tone, and his fingertips on his back. "Seriously, hyung. Don't hurt yourself. Let me help."

Sangyeon tilts his head curiously to the side, and watches as Jaehyun pulls out a familiar, worn pair of gloves from his pocket. He recognizes it immediately as the pair that had been tucked away in their storage shed–always kept in the same place, just in case someone would come back for them.

And just like that, Jaehyun takes to the fields alongside him, as if he had never left. It's easier to work in tandem, and let their hands do all of the talking.

With Jaehyun by his side, the day passes by so unexpectedly fast, that Sangyeon almost wishes it would slow itself down. His body becomes so fixated on keeping up with the work, that his brain can barely catch up with Jaehyun when he starts yapping about the food in the city or his roommates or a stupid job or whatever–

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Yes,” Sangyeon says, in a way that shows he was clearly not listening. It's enough of an answer for Jaehyun, who only shakes his head and laughs.

It's only once they finally take their rest, with their legs dangling off the rooftop edge, that Sangyeon feels his thoughts become grounded again. The image is familiar, but then he is struck with the realization that the moment is something else entirely, now that Jaehyun is here, by his side.

“I didn’t think you would come back so soon,” Sangyeon muses out loud.

There’s a pause, before Jaehyun turns to him and offers a crooked smile. “What, you didn't believe me when I said I would miss Darong?”

“No, I believe you! But did she miss you?”

“No,” Jaehyun says, and bursts into laughter with him. Then his voice mellows out. “You would think that distance makes the heart grow fonder, or however it goes. But it’s only made her little brain forget about me.”

Sangyeon thinks that can't be true. In many ways, Darong takes after her owner. She's stubborn to a fault, but if she likes someone, she'll always make it obvious that she holds a soft spot.

He's seen when Darong finally tires herself out, giving in enough to fall asleep in Jaehyun's lap, and Jaehyun looks at her like she's the most precious gift to his universe. A sincere love like that isn’t so easy to forget.

“I think she has a very big brain, actually. Bigger than yours, apparently,” Sangyeon teases, and is returned with an exaggerated eye roll. He continues on, unphased. “Every time I come to your house, she gets so excited. You know how her ears fold backwards when she whines? Like-” He poorly mimics the wailing, which makes Jaehyun scrunch up in giggles. “And then she sees that it’s not you and stops caring.”

Jaehyun shakes his head in doubt, but a smile pulls at the corner of his lips. It's easy to see how much his heart delights in the thought of Darong choosing him, above anyone else.

“Little brain, indeed. Why else would she care so much about me?”

“True.”

He doesn't look, but he's sure he's earned himself yet another eye roll, if Jaehyun's soft breath of laughter is anything to go by.

Sangyeon focuses instead on the way Jaehyun's fingers play with the worn hem of his pants. It's the same pair he's always worn while working on the farm–same pair that his mother has always sewn back together, from all the rips and tears Jaehyun puts through it.

“I know why you came back,” Sangyeon says after a while. “You missed your mother too much.”

Jaehyun pauses for a moment, before he turns to meet Sangyeon's eyes and admits– “That obvious, huh?”

Though his voice is light, Sangyeon knows that there is heart behind the words. He’s grown up with Jaehyun’s mother, too. Because she has always spoiled her kids with love, it has only made Jaehyun strive to return it tenfold.

“I told you that I’d take care of her,” Sangyeon says, knocking their shoulders together. “You didn’t trust me?”

"No," he says again, and Sangyeon snickers. Then Jaehyun’s smile softens around the edges. "I do trust you. That's why I had to come back. I didn't want her to start liking you more than me."

“Yeah, right. You know this is your mother we're talking about.”

Jaehyun laughs, loud and bright, a growing flush on his cheeks. And Sangyeon is reminded of something that he’s always known–Jaehyun is beautiful. Sangyeon couldn't say if it's from the luxury city skincare, or the golden evening lighting, but Jaehyun's smile glows soft against the sun.

Then, suddenly, as if Jaehyun couldn’t hold back the thought any longer– “I missed you, you know.” His voice comes soft from where he's tucked himself into Sangyeon's side, gaze slowly turning upward. “I missed this.”

With just a few words, Sangyeon is wholly reminded of this particular fondness in his chest. It's one that’s always pulled gently at his heartstrings, a warmth that he's learned is only familiar in small moments like this.

“Me too,” he says out loud, a catch in his breath as Jaehyun’s eyes stay focused on him.

He forces himself to look away, suddenly all too aware that he's been staring. Luckily there’s plenty to take in with the scenery before them. Together, they watch as the sun fades back into the mountains, casting a soft orange glow across the wisps of clouds in the sky.

Of course, Jaehyun can only stay still for so long. If it's not his blabbering mouth, or his eyes capable of holding so much expression–then it's his stomach, growling loud and proud.

“You sure you missed me?” Sangyeon asks, laughing as Jaehyun buries himself further into his shoulder. “Or did you just miss your hyung buying you food?”

"...Hyung is paying?”

Sangyeon pretends to groan, but he can't keep the smile out of his voice–not when Jaehyun’s eyes peer up at him.

"Of course hyung is paying.”

Dinner is a quieter feat, and the walk back even more so. They had already spent the whole of the day together, after all–conversation was bound to dry up. Still, Jaehyun sticks to his side like glue, and he’s always been someone impossible to deny.

So their feet take the longer way home, and detour along the creek that quietly runs through the town. It's the same creek that he and Jaehyun would play in as kids, splashing at each other until their clothes were soaked through, and Jaehyun's mother would always sigh in disappointment.

Just as Sangyeon remembers it, they find one of the few bridges that connects the two sides of the riverbank, in between the path up to the farmland and the town square. They sit close together, shoulders brushing against each other every time they speak. The touch is familiar, comforting with a sense of nostalgia.

And Jaehyun had never brought it up, and Sangyeon hadn’t meant to, either. But the thought lingers permanently in the back of his mind–will you be going back soon? So when Sangyeon gets too drunk in the comfort of the evening air, and the question slips out of his mouth, it’s too late to take it back.

Jaehyun doesn’t seem to be surprised by the question. “Mm. I don’t know if I will.”

Sangyeon tilts his head, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”

“Yeah,” Jaehyun says simply. Then, like it’s an afterthought– “I don’t know if I’m meant for the city, anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

Jaehyun shrugs half-heartedly in response, and Sangyeon wonders if that's the end of the conversation. Over the years, Sangyeon has learned that Jaehyun is honest, but always stubborn. If he doesn't want to talk about something, he won't budge.

Unfortunately for him, Sangyeon has always been just as stubborn. Without hesitation, he reaches over, and starts to intertwine Jaehyun’s fingers with his own. It’s easy, because Jaehyun puts up no resistance-just lets Sangyeon caress his hand, and carefully draw words out of him.

Eventually, Jaehyun gives in. “What are you doing?”

“I’m not letting go until you answer me.”

“Hyung…”

When Jaehyun looks at him with drawn sad eyes, Sangyeon only looks back at him expectedly, squeezing his hand tighter. Two can play at this game.

“Why would you say that you’re not meant for the city?” Sangyeon asks, pushing further. “You look just like every city boy I’ve seen in the dramas.”

“... Are you insulting me?”

“Of course not! I’m saying you’re handsome!”

He laughs as Jaehyun gives him a doubtful look. It’s a familiar expression, eyes wary but cheeks dusted with pink–Sangyeon finds he is always often on the receiving end, when it comes to Jaehyun.

“What I mean is…” Sangyeon softens his voice to a whisper. “You could fit in anywhere you go. You've always been adaptable, you know? So I don't think it's fair to say that you aren't meant for the city. Maybe it's more the city isn't meant for you. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

There’s a long pause. Sangyeon thinks that when they were younger, Jaehyun would be more desperate to fill the silence, get themselves out of their own heads. These days, they’ve both become more comfortable with the quiet–filled instead with the steady noise of flowing water, and insects starting to emerge from their hiding.

“I thought that I was making the right decision this time,” Jaehyun says quietly, voice heavy with regret. Sangyeon wishes desperately that he could wash it away, but all he knows is to squeeze Jaehyun’s hand tighter. “I don’t know where it is that I'm supposed to be, anymore.”

“That’s okay. Maybe it isn’t a specific place you’re looking for. Maybe you just need to be with the right people.”

There’s a flicker of something light in Jaehyun’s gaze–a longing that Sangyeon hasn't ever quite been able to place–before he turns away, shaking his head.

“What are you saying,” he says, with little bite. “That I need to be with you all the time?”

“That's not what I said at all! But if that's what you want…”

Jaehyun laughs, and Sangyeon is again struck with the feeling that he doesn't want to let go of this–wants to bottle the sound of Jaehyun’s happiness, to keep and indulge in for himself. His next words slip out easily, and Sangyeon couldn’t hide his fondness if he tried.

“It doesn’t matter where you choose,” he says. “I’ll still be here, wherever you go.”

Jaehyun peers back up at him, eyelashes long and fluttering. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Guess I’ll just have to keep coming back then.”

“Guess so.”

The night air falls over them again, like a warm blanket. They’ve long extended their stay by now, but the insects seem to have grown comfortable with their presence, humming to fill all the spaces in between.

“You can let go of my hand now,” Jaehyun mumbles, after a long while. “I answered your question, didn't I?”

Without conscience, Sangyeon realizes his fingers run gently over Jaehyun's, still intertwined. The touch is warm, spreads from the tip throughout the span of his body, and it is all for him. He thinks he's allowed to keep this moment, just a little longer. He answers by squeezing Jaehyun’s hand.

“Yeah, I know.”

Because for all the years that Sangyeon has known him, Jaehyun has always been free floating, never tied down to a place.

Whereas the only life Sangyeon knows has been on the farm, Jaehyun has traveled all over–to the city where his mother encouraged him to try something new, to a quick escapade to the coast to follow someone he thought he loved, to another town across the mountains only to dream of elsewhere the next day.

In the end, Jaehyun always returns home. And always, he takes his place back in Sangyeon's life–back into the mold he’s already carved out for himself, like he had never left.

Just like that, there's another working body beside him and Haknyeon in the morning fields. Another mouth besides Sunwoo and Eric for him to feed at lunch, and another uncle for Sangyeon's nephews to play with in the afternoons. And still in the evening, Jaehyun clings to his side, accompanying him on his dinner dates with Younghoon and Chanhee.

Jaehyun’s presence is always familiar, always easy to become used to. He wonders how long he’ll have this for, this time.

(Sometimes, Sangyeon wonders what it would take for Jaehyun to stay. For Jaehyun towant to stay. Sometimes, locked deep within the back of his thoughts, Sangyeon wishes he could be someone that gives him a reason to.)

The practice of tea magic has existed for as long as humans have been drinking tea. But over recent years, more and more young people have taken up the practice, seeking the natural healing properties of the magic for the worn soul.

Nowadays, it's common for cities and towns to host traveling tea monks and their wagons. They set up third spaces for others to come to, enjoy a cup of tea, and exhale whatever floats their mind that day.

Though Sangyeon doesn’t find himself a guest to many tea monks, he is familiar with the ones who stop by their town.

Minghao was the first tea monk he had ever met–an experience which is surely not unique to Sangyeon. In fact, Minghao may have been the catalyst in the modern rise of tea magic. After all, it takes only a talented spark to ignite a flame–or in his case, just one cup of tea.

Not long after Minghao comes Changmin, and it's transparent that he shares the same kind of light in his eyes. Sangyeon still remembers the distinct feeling he had carried days after drinking Changmin's tea–all of his senses on overdrive, suddenly more in tune with the natural world around him.

Where one wagon goes, another soon follows. Their most recent arrival comes with two budding tea monks, Kevin and Jacob.

Though Sangyeon hasn't yet tried their tea at MOON&BAE, he knows enough about Jacob. He knows that he's been a tea monk for just shy of a year alongside his friend, Kevin. He knows that Jacob is a little more reserved than most, but always knows how to make you feel warm and welcome into his space, as fondly told by all his neighbors.

Mostly, he knows that Jaehyun has been madly in love with Jacob ever since they first met–not that he had ever tried to hide it.

“Guys, I think I'm in love.”

Jaehyun drops it casually, but everyone at the table freezes. Sangyeon nearly chokes on water. Younghoon’s mouth forms a perfect ‘o’ shape as he stops mid-bite. And next to him, Chanhee gives a look of utter disgust, like Jaehyun's love life is the last thing that he wants to talk about over their food.

“Ew,” Chanhee says. Then he immediately gives in, because of course his ears are perked up. He can't feign disinterest for too long. “With who?”

“Guess,” Jaehyun says, to which Chanhee gasps.

“You’re gonna make me work for it?”

“It’s no fun if I just tell you!”

“You're so annoying. I don't care anymore–”

“Is it Sangyeon?” asks Younghoon, clearly ignoring all social cues.

The room pauses. Sangyeon blinks, pointing a questioning finger at himself. Younghoon keeps cutting meat for Chanhee, waiting for a response. Then, Jaehyun starts speaking in rapid fire, mouth hot as his cheeks.

“What? No. Of course not,” he blabbers, avoiding Sangyeon’s eyes. “Why would you even think that? Me and someone like hyung? No.”

“I am a little bit offended,” Sangyeon says, raising his chopsticks like a threat.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with hyung?” Younghoon presses Jaehyun back, then turns directly to Sangyeon. “Hyung, you're a catch. You know, Chanhee had a huge crush on you–”

Chanhee lets out a loud wail, waving his hands frantically in front of him. “What are you saying! We have lost the plot!” His face, already lightened with a rosy blush, turns even more red as he meets Sangyeon's curious gaze. “It was a long time ago, hyung, I swear–”

Flustered is cute on Chanhee–it's why he's often everybody's favorite person to tease. Younghoon smiles down fondly, obviously proud to be the person to draw it out of him.

Sangyeon decides to indulge in this moment, too. He reaches out across the table to ground him, gently grabbing his wrist.

“You liked me?” Sangyeon asks, delighting in how Chanhee turns red. It’s flattering to know the effect he can have on someone like Chanhee. “I didn't know. You should have told me.”

“What are you talking about, hyung?” Chanhee huffs, crossing his arms. “I was so obvious…”

“No, I swear! I really didn't know! If I knew, I would have taken you out.”

“Oh.”

There’s a long pause at the table, where Sangyeon realizes he’s been smiling a little too long at Chanhee–luckily Younghoon never minds, always happy for his partner to receive deserved attention–before Jaehyun cuts in. “Aish, you’re both so hopeless.”

At the sound of his voice, Chanhee sours. He directs a very pointed glare at Jaehyun. If looks could strangle, Jaehyun might be in trouble. “Aren’t we supposed to be talking about you right now?”

“You interrupted me first!” Jaehyun yells, then deflates into himself, suddenly shy. “I don't want to tell you guys anymore.”

“Noooooooo,” Sangyeon wails, moving his shoulders from the side. “Tell meeeeee.”

Jaehyun lets himself be shaken back and forth, before giving in. “Okay, fine, fine! Let go of me! It’s, uh…” he drops his voice to the quietest whisper. “Jacob…”

“Jacob?” says Younghoon, stupidly loud and in shock. And despite Jaehyun frantically making eyes at him to shut the fuck up, his voice echoes through the restaurant when he says– “You're in love with a tea monk?”

And so it becomes common knowledge to literally everyone in town that Jaehyun is, in fact, in puppy love with Jacob.

Sangyeon has learned not to question how information spreads in this town, though he does have his suspicions. They lie in the form of someone with puppy big ears, and an even bigger mouth, and who is named Eric.

That’s why the very next morning, Haknyeon is already in Jaehyun’s ear, pestering them both as they all work on trimming the dead branches of their citrus trees.

“Dude. Falling in love with a tea monk is, like, the equivalent of thinking the bartender is flirting with you,” he says, then immediately gets pushed over by Jaehyun. It’s a love language that Jaehyun seems to reserve only for his dongsaengs.

“It’s not! It’s different! I like him for more than just his tea!” Jaehyun yelps, and pointedly closes his mouth. Then, he folds into himself and mopes into his hands. “Not that it even matters. It’s not like he likes me back, anyway.”

He sounds so unfortunately pathetic then that Haknyeon immediately clams up, looking desperately to Sangyeon for help.

“Hey, you don’t know that,” Sangyeon says placatingly, pulling Jaehyun in by the shoulders. Jaehyun falls easily into the embrace. “Why don’t we all go and visit the wagon together? Maybe Haknyeon and I can help set you guys up, and I can treat you both to some tea.”

It takes a bit more convincing–you’re all going to embarrass me–but reluctantly, Jaehyun agrees. He’s never been one to turn down an offer for free food.

MOON&BAE’s wagon is unsuspecting from the outside–a wooden hut with wheels seemingly larger than everything it carries. It is designed to serve the long winded journeys of tea monks, travelling from countryside to coast, and fulfills its purpose as such.

But inside, MOON&BAE transforms into an entirely newfound space. Maybe it's because Jacob and Kevin are from a faraway land that Sangyeon has only ever heard stories of, and they take parts of it wherever they go.

As soon as his two feet are rooted inside, an earthy aroma fills the air. Even the wooden planks beneath his feet feel lighter, like soil freshly brought to life from rain. The walls are lined with peculiar plants, intricately curated stems draped from the high walls.

“Wow,” Haknyeon speaks for him. “It's beautiful here.”

“It's because the people who made it are beautiful,” Jaehyun says, very seriously.

Then, as if made of magic, Jacob appears right before their eyes.

“Jaehyun-ah!” And like it's straight out of a certain someone's dreams, Jacob clasps Jaehyun's hands in his own. “Hi!”

"Hi,” Jaehyun echoes sweetly, turning to putty.

Sangyeon shares a split second look with Haknyeon, who pretends to gag. If Jaehyun and Jacob weren't already lost in their bubble, maybe they would have noticed.

“I'm so happy you came back so soon,” Jacob continues, blissfully unaware. “I’ve been working on something new for you! And now Sangyeon-ssi and Haknyeon-ssi can try too! Please, take a seat.”

With that, Jacob whisks them away, leading them to a booth tucked into a little nook. They pass by only a handful of other guests, empty cups of tea between them, lost in the world of their conversations.

“What can I brew for you guys today?” Jacob asks as they settle in.

Haknyeon hums in interest. “You know, I've heard a lot about your yujacha–”

“Whatever you said you were working on,” Jaehyun cuts him off. His eagerness is so unlike him, that Sangyeon has to hold back a snort.

Jacob, the angel he is, somehow seems to be used to this. “Yujacha and a surprise special brew!” He turns to Sangyeon then. “And for you?”

Sangyeon sneaks a side glance at Jaehyun. He figures he might have a little bit of fun, get back at him for teasing Haknyeon.

“Could I also try the surprise special brew?” he says, blinking innocently.

“Of course! Coming right up!”

With that, Jacob flutters eagerly across the tea room, and disappears behind the counter.

Sangyeon ignores the look that Jaehyun throws at him. Instead, he muses out loud, a smirk creeping up his lips. “So how often have you been coming here exactly?”

Jaehyun, to his credit, gives a sheepish smile. “A lot.”

"Ah. Of course. He is awfully nice to you.”

"He's a tea monk," Jaehyun says, waving it off. "It's his job to be nice to people."

Haknyeon lets out an unflattering snort. "I didn't know being nice to people meant making special brews just for you–" He waggles his finger in front of Jaehyun's nose, which is quickly turning red. Jaehyun snarls and pretends to bite him back.

The two of them go at it, and Sangyeon easily tunes out their conversation going in circles. Still, he can't help but think how achingly obvious it is that Jaehyun holds this crush…

When the man in question returns, the scowl on Jaehyun's face naturally blooms into a smile. Jacob sets a wooden tray onto their table with three ceramic tea cups–each one painted in different patterns with soft greens and blues. He places the cup with tiny leaves decorating the rim in front of Sangyeon, and a sweet scent immediately fills the air.

“This is a tea made from my hometown, up in the mountains,” Jacob says, bashful. “It flowers in the springtime. I picked and aged the maple camellia leaves in the sun last season.”

A chorus of “wow’s” rings across the table, made especially loud by Jaehyun. “That's amazing,” he says.

A shy, satisfied smile forms on Jacob's lips as he sets down the yujacha for Haknyeon. The smell of candied citrus is sweet, strong enough that it wafts over to Sangyeon’s side. Then Jacob places the final plate in the center of the table, colorful rice cakes sprinkled with sesame seeds.

“And for my special guests today–tteok, made by Kevin and Juyeon this morning. A treat from all of us. I hope you enjoy.”

With that, Jacob takes a polite bow before skittering away, leaving the three of them calling out their thanks. Jaehyun's smile yearns after him, while Haknyeon jumps happily into the tteok.

Sangyeon lifts his own cup to his mouth. The scent is even stronger up close, steam wafting upwards, and matches the flavor of the tea. Subtle notes of something delicate and floral, and leaves a light sweetness on his tongue.

And through the intricate balance of flavors, there's one note that particularly shines through. It sings and tells him that this tea was made for a reason–that it extends itself and serves as an invitation from the brewer, just waiting to be accepted.

"So why don't you just ask him out?" Sangyeon asks out loud, because it seems so simple. Jaehyun looks at him like he's grown a third head, nearly choking on his own tea.

“What?! Why would I do that?” When no one gives him a reaction, Jaehyun only rambles more. “He’s a tea monk. A nomad by nature. Why would he want to settle with someone?”

“That’s awfully presumptive of you,” Haknyeon says, while Sangyeon laughs.

"Yeah, have you tried asking?”

Jaehyun opens his mouth, then closes it. He stays focused on his tea, as if it could speak out the answer for him.

“That’s lame,” Haknyeon says. As if he’s done any better with his long-term crush on Sunwoo, but Sangyeon digresses. “Seriously, I agree with hyung. Do you even know how long he'll be here?”

“Well, no…”

Sangyeon makes a split second decision. It must be driven by whatever magic that Jacob had infused into this tea, because he doesn't know if he would have even considered something like this before. He clears his throat, calling both of their attention.

“If you don't ask Jacob out today, then I will.”

“Ooooooooo,” says Haknyeon, eyes practically bulging out of their sockets, at the same time that Jaehyun starts yelping.

“What?! Are you serious?”

Sangyeon shrugs, trying not to break character–though he knows his smile is threatening to reveal itself. “He just showed us a taste of his hometown. Isn't that so bold and sexy of him?”

“Soooooo true,” Haknyeon says again, near wiggling in excitement in his seat. “Wouldn’t Sangyeon and Jacob be good together?”

Sangyeon isn’t sure that Haknyeon actually means this, or if he’s only egging him on. Still, he can’t back down now that Haknyeon is adding fuel to the fire, and Jaehyun's grip on his cup of tea grows tighter.

“And if I don't ask him out now, then who knows when I'll get the chance again? They could decide to pack up the wagon tomorrow–”

“Fine!” Jaehyun says, abruptly standing up and nearly scaring both of them. “Fine. You're right. I'll do it.”

Sangyeon blinks rapidly, watching in shock as Jaehyun downs the rest of the tea. There really must be something else in the brew, because Sangyeon doesn't think he's ever seen Jaehyun this determined.

“Tell him the tea is really good for me!” Haknyeon calls out, embarrassingly loud enough that everyone in the room must also hear it, including Jacob. Still, Jaehyun shoots him an aggressive thumbs up.

Neither Sangyeon or Haknyeon bother to hide that their eyes are fixated on the scene, watching as Jaehyun approaches Jacob. His stance, leaning against the countertop, is so awkward that it makes Sangyeon laugh–but it's endearingly, undeniably Jaehyun.

And even from across the room, Sangyeon can see how Jacob's eyes widen in pleasant surprise, a bright red blooming across his cheeks. He realizes Jaehyun must have truly been caught up in his own head, for only a fool wouldn't realize how much Jacob likes him, too.

And then Jaehyun smiles, eyes crinkling into half moons, as Jacob pulls him into the back of the wagon. They disappear from view, but it's more than enough to confirm Sangyeon's sneaking suspicions.

“Were you really thinking of asking him out?” Haknyeon asks, through a mouthful of the tteok that Jaehyun had abandoned.

“Nah. I knew he would cave.”

“Hm. Yeah,” Haknyeon agrees, then bursts into laughter. “Hyung, you’re so evil!”

“Am I? My bad.”

Haknyeon grins. “Jacob is cute, though.”

“Yeah.” Sangyeon nods along, a newfound warmth settling in his chest. He chalks it up to the tea, taking another sip. “They both are.”

As part of Jacob and Kevin's commitment to supporting grassroots businesses, MOON&BAE sources their ingredients from each of the local regions they visit. Though their tea leaves remain the same, rooted to their hometown, they’ve found ways to incorporate different flavors into their original recipe.

Naturally, this means their menu begins to include Sangyeon’s harvest–and Sangyeon had been more than delighted to share. He had poured long days in the tea room with Jacob and Kevin, watching in fascination as they took his simple ingredients, and extracted each of their notes into one seamless brew. And Jaehyun, the honorary taste tester, was determined to make sure that the flavor profile matched the root of his hometown.

Mm, yeah, no, Jaehyun would say definitively. He had always been blunt with his words. Or this, but roasted a little bit longer. Eventually, his criticisms start to become less. From guys, what are you even putting in my mouth right now, to the satisfied smile that spread across his face upon the perfect sip.

Since deciding on their recipe, Sangyeon has made routine morning deliveries to the tea wagon. Typically he meets up with Kevin, because per their own words– “Jacob is absolutely useless in the morning.”

So it comes as a surprise when it is, in fact, Jacob who appears at the door today–wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his patterned fruit pajamas, like it's the first time he's seen the sun today.

“Good morning, Sangyeon-ssi,” he says quietly.

Sangyeon can't help but smile, the kind that you always wear when you see a baby bunny. “Good morning. Just woke up?”

“Oh…” He lets out a yawn, and immediately turns it into a sheepish grin. “Sorry, could you tell?”

Apparently Kevin had spent the night with one of the townspeople–Sangyeon raises a curious eyebrow, to which Jacob only smiles. So today, Jacob welcomes him inside the wagon, where all the plants have just begun to wake up as well. In the early morning, the scent of tea is less fragrant, but comforting all the same.

Sangyeon takes himself to the pantry area, and begins to sort out his inventory list. Ginger and lemongrass stalks, butterfly sage, sweet pea nectar…

"You haven't stopped by the wagon for a while, Sangyeon-ssi."

"Hm?"

Sangyeon falters in place, looking up just in time to see Jacob drawing closer. He leans over across the counter, where Sangyeon has laid out his supply.

"You should come by more often," he says. "Try the tea made from your own hands, you know?"

And it's true–Sangyeon can't quite remember the last time he stepped into MOON&BAE, for reasons other than fulfilling his trade. It's not as if he were avoiding them on purpose, but it hasn't quite crossed his mind to spend time here, either.

Sangyeon settles on this. "It's because I don't have any problems, Jacob-ssi."

He means it to be teasing, accompanied with a less than angelic smile. But Jacob tilts his head to the side, like he isn't satisfied with humor as an answer.

"I find that hard to believe, with how much you carry on your shoulders.” Jacob says this with so much sincerity, that Sangyeon finds himself suddenly flustered. “I know how diligently you’ve been working on the farm since you were born. There’s a reason your plants have stayed healthy after all this time."

"No, no.” Sangyeon shakes his head humbly. In truth, he has never considered that his hands were different from any other. “The plants do all of that on their own.”

Jacob gives him an unimpressed look, and Sangyeon bursts into laughter because the expression reminds him so much of Jaehyun.

“See, even you’re laughing,” Jacob whines. “Not everyone can do what you can.”

“But everybody is capable of learning.” Sangyeon leans slightly forward, teasing. “Every season of crops is different. You just need to figure out what works best for each one.”

“...I don't even know how to take care of myself.”

“You know that’s different!”

Sangyeon is met with dubious eyes. Still, Jacob continues shuffling around behind the counter, rattling on.

“And I know how much the town appreciates you for hand delivering your produce, especially to the ahjussi, and for taking care of your nephews, and all the other kids…“

“I didn't know that you knew so much about me.”

Jacob appears to be caught off guard then, pausing his hands behind the counter before offering a shy smile. “Jaehyun talks about you a lot.”

“Oh,” Sangyeon says, and feels a swirling warmth in his stomach. He lets out a chuckle. “I think he may have been exaggerating a bit.”

“Sure,” Jacob says lightly. “Doesn't change the fact that you do a lot around here.”

Though Sangyeon’s instinct is to refute, already opening his mouth in protest–he catches himself upon Jacob's teasing glance. He shakes his head and settles for this. “It doesn't feel like I'm carrying a lot. It makes me happy if people feel like they can trust me with their burdens.”

“I get that. It feels good to be relied on. To be needed by the people you love.”

Sangyeon smiles, because if anyone else were to understand, of course it would be Jacob. Such is the practice of a tea monk, after all. Your presence naturally becomes a safe place, to everyone you let in.

"But, you know, you don’t need to have any problems to come visit,” Jacob quips. “You can always just enjoy a cup of tea with me."

"And get in the way of Jaehyun's quality Jacob time?"

A pretty pink blush spreads across Jacob's face, and he hides it with the sleeve of his cardigan. "He gets enough of that, don't worry."

"He could never have too much of you,” Sangyeon says, shaking his head. “But it's very kind of you, Jacob-ssi. I'll have to take you up on your offer sometime.”

Jacob brightens up, like a flower in the sun. “Like maybe right now?”

This is when it finally catches up to him. Behind the counter, Jacob had been preparing this cup of tea for him in secret.

With gentle strokes above the pot, Jacob draws out the fragrance of the leaves he had carefully picked apart, and the water swirls beneath him. Sangyeon watches with wonder as the color gradually turns a darker, deep shade of red amber.

“For you,” Jacob says, sliding the cup of tea across the counter.

Sangyeon is well aware that it takes a great deal of concentration to brew tea with just your fingertips. But tea monks know that it is more than just the process of brewing–it takes acknowledging the root of each ingredient, how it’s been nourished by the soil and the sun, to fully understand how to extract its flavor.

Jacob had explained to them that the taste of tea leaves changes depending on where it's grown. At higher altitudes, where him and Kevin are from, the leaves produce a more airy flavor. But down in the valley, the ingredients are closer to the earth, and take essence directly from the soil.

He tastes this difference now, and is flooded with a kindling of warmth. The tea is rich, spiced and nutty, like the leaves have been roasted over many sunrises. He never knew it was possible to taste the flavor of his home–of the earth, and all of its intricacies, so simply like this.

“Is it okay?” Jacob asks, almost hesitant. Sharing a cup of tea is sharing your craft, after all.

Sangyeon wants to relieve Jacob of all his worries, the same way he does for so many of his guests. So he reaches out, gently wraps his fingers around Jacob's wrist.

“It's perfect,” he says, and returns the warmth of his smile.

MOON&BAE takes a small detour to the coastline to restock on their supply of tea leaves–a fact which Sangyeon quickly learns from Jaehyun, who immediately attaches to his side and whines about how much he misses Jacob.

After the third time that Jaehyun wonders out loud how Jacob is doing this morning, Sangyeon says, "Can't you just call him and ask?”

Jaehyun seems to consider this, before adamantly shaking his head.

“No, I can’t be too clingy,” he says decidedly. “He’ll get sick of me.”

A few minutes later, Jaehyun starts wailing again. He shows Sangyeon a picture from Jacob–a cute selfie of him, Kevin, and Changmin. The tea monks must have crossed paths at some point along the coast.

“He’s out with another man!” Jaehyun cries, and Sangyeon sighs.

When MOON&BAE does eventually come back around again, Sangyeon hears it first from Jaehyun. But it’s also impossible not to know, from all the excited whispers throughout the town, because Jacob and Kevin come back with a new friend.

“Everybody be nice,” Kevin says very politely, before their eyes darken. “Or else.”

Following his cue, a robot slowly emerges from his hiding behind Kevin and Jacob.

Sangyeon hasn't seen a robot in a long time. Not since their kind had all gone up and left, deciding to take back control of their lives separately from humans, and returned back to the wilderness that created them.

"Hello, I am Juyeon, the Wild Tiger Root Robot," he says, bowing his limbs until they're perfectly bent into ninety degrees. "Thank you for accommodating my visit today."

"No, thank you for your presence!"

Eric is unashamed, front and center in the audience of townspeople, as he usually is whenever anything happens in their small village. From the sparkling look in his eye, Sangyeon thinks this might be the single most exciting thing that's ever happened to Eric. It's not every day that a budding inventor gets to meet a real, living robot.

Though Juyeon appears shy under the attention, Eric’s enthusiasm seems to light something within him. His smile grows more confident.

"Thank you. Today I am here to fulfill my mission as a robot, and ensure that all of your human needs have been properly fulfilled."

"I have needs–umph." Eric's voice is muffled by the force of Sunwoo's hand.

“I am also here to update our knowledge bank on what makes humans happy,” Juyeon says, before softening his voice. “So please, let me know what I can do for each of you. I am pleased to be of your assistance.”

Juyeon explains his capabilities as a robot–super strength, retained knowledge of every book he's ever read, ability to extend his body to any capacity, and in between all of that–the patience of a saint. With credentials as such, it’s no surprise that the audience is eager to take up his offer.

But Sangyeon thinks the other reason why the townspeople are drawn to Juyeon, may simply be that he is a very nice neighborhood robot.

Contrary to his name, Juyeon is kind and docile. It is clear that he speaks from the heart, and that he finds joy in his acts of service, eager to please.

So over the next few days, Juyeon finds himself plenty busy. He completes little tasks that no one else wants to do without complaint, like clearing the rooftops of dead leaves and foliage, or turning the compost piles in the community gardens.

He helps with things that people otherwise haven't had time to get to, like fixing the frayed edges of Chanhee’s hand-me-down shirt, or the seemingly broken soundboard that Sunwoo had picked up from a thrift shop in the city.

Juyeon helps the kids, including Sangyeon's nephews, with their schoolwork. No, I am not going to just give you the answer, he says, still patient. But this is how we’re gonna get there.

Another afternoon, Sangyeon leans back on the park bench, watching as Juyeon plays with his nephews. The youngest one has been spinning in circles for so long, Sangyeon is surprised he hasn't fallen over, but Juyeon seems happy to indulge him.

"How did you guys find him, anyway?" Sangyeon wonders out loud.

"We almost ran over him," Jacob says unblinking, and Sangyeon drops his mouth open. Jaehyun, from where he’s wrapped himself around Jacob like a bear, starts cackling. "Hey, it's not my fault he thought the middle of the road was a good place to nap!"

“... Remind me to never get in your wagon.”

And so Juyeon continues making his rounds around the town, with Eric dutifully in tow. As such, the two of them end up with their feet in front of Sangyeon.

"What can I do for you?!"

It comes out as more of a statement rather than a question. Sangyeon thinks that if Juyeon had ears, they'd be wriggling with excitement, waiting to hear his answer. Unfortunately, all Sangyeon has to offer is a sheepish smile.

“I don’t know that I need anything, Juyeon-ssi. I’m sorry.”

“You're no fun, hyung,” Eric whines. “Can't you just make up something for him?”

Sangyeon blinks, suddenly at a loss for words. It takes him back to his conversation with Jacob, where he still hasn’t quite figured out what he is allowed to ask for.

Then, someone claps him aggressively on the back.

"I know what he needs,” Jaehyun says confidently. "He's an old man. He needs a vacation."

"No, I need you to stop hitting my back," Sangyeon says, recoiling into himself.

“Well, maybe your back wouldn't be so sensitive if it actually took some time to rest!”

Juyeon’s eyes brighten. “I could give you a therapeutic massage!”

“Oh no, no,” Jaehyun answers for him. “He needs to address the root cause, which is that he’s out in the fields all day when he doesn’t have to be–”

“A massage wouldn’t be so bad, actually,” Sangyeon cuts him off, smirking, much to Jaehyun's annoyance.

“Aish, you're not listening to me!”

Juyeon squints intently between the two of them, like he's trying to decipher something. “You must really care for him,” is what he settles on. Jaehyun stops talking, mouth agape. “So I will do some research on massage therapy. Then I'll teach the techniques to you, and you can do it for Sangyeon-ssi.”

Sangyeon gives Jaehyun a winning smile. “You have to, since it’ll make him happy.”

It's only now that he's stopped yapping, that Sangyeon notices how Jaehyun's cheeks have turned bright red. He turns away, huffing. He admits defeat.

As is the journey of a traveling tea monk, the time comes for MOON&BAE to head to a new destination.

“It’ll be a longer journey, this time,” Kevin had said, a bittersweet smile on their face as Sangyeon stocked the pantry with the last of his deliveries for the day. “We want to make the trip back home, for Juyeon.”

He doesn’t elaborate further, because he doesn’t have to. Juyeon is here to complete his mission, and Kevin and Jacob have already committed themselves to whatever he needs. And for the two of them, there’s a certain happiness that can only be found within their hometown.

Sangyeon smiles in understanding. It is happiness rooted in the same reason why he’s grown so attached to this town, after all.

News of their upcoming departure spreads fast. Everyone in town makes sure to get in their goodbyes for the tea monks and their beloved robot, offering food and supplies and trinkets for their journey.

And Jaehyun doesn't tell him out front, and neither does Sangyeon ask. Still, he already knows. Because for all of his life, Jaehyun has never stayed too long in one place. Against everything, Jacob gives him a heart to anchor to.

Sangyeon figures if it's going to be their last meal here for the foreseeable future, he'll have to make it worthwhile.

He spends the morning picking fresh vegetables with Haknyeon, then checking on his fermenting jars of kimchi and pickled radishes in the window. After that, he goes out to the market in the afternoon for fresh catch. Back at home, he immediately gets to work on stewing the vegetables from his harvest and marinating his meat.

And Sangyeon doesn’t even know how or when he got in, but Jaehyun soon appears at his side in the kitchen.

“Do you need any help?” he asks dutifully. Sangyeon throws him a doubtful look.

“And what are you going to do here?”

“Point taken.”

Still, Jaehyun takes it upon himself to tidy up, sweeping the floor and setting up the tablecloth. He knows where everything is in his kitchen, so Sangyeon lets him occupy himself. And once he’s finished, Jaehyun decides that his role is to be the chef’s personal entertainment for the day. Sangyeon can’t say that he minds this either, because in between the hooting and hollering, Jaehyun has always had the prettiest voice.

As the evening rolls around, Jacob, Kevin, and Juyeon arrive after fulfilling their duties in the tea house.

Jacob immediately gets swept away by Jaehyun, under the pretense of showing him around Sangyeon’s farmland. Sangyeon is sure that they’re kissing in between his fields, but decides that there’s worse places they could be.

Kevin and Juyeon stroll into the kitchen, where he’s got a large pot of soup simmering, and roasted vegetables and meat finishing up in the oven.

“It smells amazing in here,” Kevin sing-songs as they start dancing around the kitchen, in perfect time with Sangyeon’s music.

“Wanna try?” Sangyeon offers, and Kevin’s eyes widen in delight. “Careful, it’s hot.”

Kevin is already eager to take the spoonful. This simple reaction is enough for Sangyeon's heart to warm, reminding him of why he enjoys cooking so much. It’s made even better when Kevin furrows their eyebrows and licks their lips, as if offended by how good it is.

“Oh my god, this is crazy? What did you put in this?”

“Biodiversity,” Sangyeon says. Then, with a wink– “And maybe a bit of magic.”

“Oh!” Kevin returns his enthusiasm. “How spicy!”

Sangyeon smiles, then offers another spoon to Juyeon, who shakes his head.

“I’m so sorry, Sangyeon-ssi. I’d love to, but I don't eat,” Juyeon says, in the saddest tone he's ever heard.

“Ah, that’s okay,” Sangyeon reassures immediately, reaching out to pet him. “I’m really happy that you came here anyway.”

Juyeon smiles underneath his hand. Sangyeon smiles back, and realizes with a slight pang to his heart that he's going to miss him very much.

More guests start trickling into Sangyeon’s house. Chanhee and Younghoon bring dessert tarts from the bakery. Haknyeon brings freshly picked tangerines. Eric and Sunwoo bring themselves. It's a familiar gathering of his favorite people, and perfect in every way.

Sangyeon stations himself at the grill, wanting to make sure that everyone gets to eat while it's still warm. Jaehyun and Jacob personally take to his side, plating and serving as Sangyeon finishes cooking.

When they finally settle themselves down at the table, Jaehyun piles extra meat onto Sangyeon's plate. “It’s good,” he says, as an explanation.

“I know.” Sangyeon smiles, taking another bite. “I made it.”

As the evening goes on, Sangyeon starts to feel lighter, a little more sappy. He blames it on the homemade rice wine that Kevin had brought–recipe courtesy of Changmin, they say. It makes him a little love drunk, a little in love with life and the people around him.

Sangyeon thinks it must have the same effect on all of them. He watches as Jaehyun laughs obnoxiously loud at something ridiculous Sunwoo says, bending his body in half and draping himself over Jacob. And he doesn't realize how long he's been staring, until he's locking eyes directly with Younghoon next to them, who tilts his head curiously.

Everything is too warm, all of a sudden. Sangyeon excuses himself, and escapes out into the air.

From his window, he grips onto the ivy trellises cascading down the roof, and pulls himself up to the top. The sun is quickly disappearing, painting a pretty skyview of the town in soft oranges and pinks.

Of course, it's Jaehyun who finds him first. Somehow, he’s always the person who knows where to look. He’s strangely quiet as he approaches Sangyeon.

“How did you know I was out here?”

“It’s sunset,” Jaehyun says easily.

He sits next to him, close enough that their feet knock together. At the familiar touch, Sangyeon is hit with a wave of nostalgia–the last time they had been together on the rooftop, shoulder to shoulder against the sky, Jaehyun had told him that he would be coming home.

It fills him with a sudden melancholy, regret that they couldn't spend more sunsets together like this, and the question slips out of his mouth.

“You'll be leaving with them, right?”

To his surprise, Jaehyun doesn't immediately answer with giddiness. Instead, he looks at him for a long time, an unreadable expression across his features, before turning his gaze away.

“Why? Are you so eager to get rid of me?”

“Of course that's not it!”

Jaehyun lets out a breath of laughter, before slumping against Sangyeon's shoulders. “You could always come with us, you know,” he mumbles. “That would be so nice.”

There's a pause, because Sangyeon isn't sure how much of Jaehyun's words are rooted in truth, or only spurred by the moment. All he knows is to keep steady, ignore the heat within his chest, so Jaehyun can collapse fully into his body.

“Why would I? You’re going with your boyfriend."

“But he likes you too.”

Jaehyun's tone shifts, like this is nothing more than a simple truth. Like this is reason enough for Sangyeon to come with them.

“But he likes you the most,” he says, trying to ground himself in what he knows.

It's quiet again, before Jaehyun lets out a sigh, the warm breath tickling his neck. “Ah, you don't get it," he says, and leaves it at that.

The conversation fades into the air, but the words don't quite leave him, even as they come down from the rooftop. Sangyeon is all too aware of Jaehyun’s gaze, lingering throughout the night.

And he comes to a realization–that every time he's caught staring, it's because Jaehyun is always looking for him first. Watching, waiting, leaving and coming back.

The morning after, Sangyeon rises with the sun. There's something a bit heavy that weighs in his stomach, a strange ache in his heart, that he can't quite place. He attributes it to the wine, even though he knows that he hadn't had much.

Still, plants are a delicate thing, and so his body moves like clockwork to make sure their needs have been met for the day. To keep himself alert, he belts out lines from his favorite songs at the top of his lungs, for nobody except himself, his plants, and the wind.

He's halfway through distributing mixed compost to the vegetables–and halfway through a dramatic bridge–when he notices there is another member in his audience. A lone figure, hovering still over the edge of his fields, like he’s been frozen in stone.

Sangyeon stops in place, and calls out to him. “Jacob-ssi?”

With that, Jacob becomes reanimated, moving eagerly along the dirt trails to reach Sangyeon.

“Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt! Your voice is amazing, hyung.”

“Oh,” Sangyeon says, feeling his face grow warmer. “Thank you.”

“I mean it!” Jacob exclaims as he draws closer, before almost tripping over himself in the dirt. Sangyeon instinctively reaches over, catching onto his arm. “Ah–sorry, I’m trying really, really hard not to step on anything alive.”

“Probably too late for that.” Sangyeon laughs as Jacob lets out a pained wail. “What are you doing here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be leaving soon?”

Jacob nods. "We are. But that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”

"Oh. Still nervous about being alone with Jaehyun?"

"What?! No, no, I–"

Sangyeon laughs, watching in delight as Jacob frantically waves his hands, and red colors his cheeks. Not for the first time, Sangyeon thinks Jacob is pretty when he blushes–no wonder Jaehyun is always trying to make him flustered.

It only pushes him to tease further, a smirk pulling on his lips. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

“Aish, you and Jaehyun are both so mean…” Jacob whines, but the fondness in his voice is clear.

“Guilty,” Sangyeon says with pride, offering his arm. Jacob obliges, even though he's still shaking his head. “Come on, let me be nice to you now. Let's get out of the sun.”

Sangyeon guides Jacob up the orchard, and they take shelter underneath the foliage of the citrus trees, the ground rich and soft beneath their fingertips.

Jacob takes a breath before he starts again. "The reason we're going is because we want to help Juyeon, right?” Sangyeon nods along. “Juyeon wants to understand what people need. What makes people happy.”

There's a pause, like a part of Jacob is running through all the different ways he could say this out loud. Eventually, he settles on this.

“And… I think that’s what you are to Jaehyun. His steady happiness.”

The words echo back and forth within his brain. Sangyeon repeats it back, stupidly.

“Steady happiness?”

“Yes. You know,” Jacob says lightly, even though Sangyeon doesn't know. “Someone you’ve had for all of your life. Someone who has become a constant, and that makes you happy no matter what.”

And Sangyeon still feels at a loss for words, because he's not quite sure that he's ever thought of himself and happiness in the same breath–at least, not when it came to Jaehyun.

“That's very kind of you to say,” Sangyeon lets out, and Jacob adamantly shakes his head.

“It's not being kind. It's just telling the truth.”

And Sangyeon immediately wants to argue. This is Jacob, after all, who's already drawn a certain happiness out of Jaehyun that words can’t describe. But because it is Jacob who tells him–Jacob who made an effort to ask him, for the sake of his partner–Sangyeon reconsiders.

“So I wanted to ask you myself," Jacob continues. "If you would be interested in coming along, to my hometown.”

Sangyeon blinks, before the image plays itself so vividly within his thoughts. Traveling in the MOON&BAE wagon through the expanse of the forests and the coastlines, to the mountains that he gazes at every sunset. Together, with the four of them. With Jaehyun.

“I don’t mean to pressure you at all,” says Jacob, after a beat of silence. “I just wanted you to know that it would make Jaehyun really, really happy.” Then, a little more soft and shy– “And it would make me happy too.”

And with Jacob's words, he feels something small bloom within his chest. A seed that's been resting dormant underneath the soil, suddenly seeking out light within tangible reach.

Surfacing in his heart, Sangyeon already knows his answer. The feelings that he’s kept locked up for so long, unraveling out of his control. He doesn't know how he had denied them, as Jacob looks at him with stars of hope in his eyes.

But he stalls, pretending to think more about it. “I’ve never left home for so long,” he realizes out loud. “What if I come back and my nephews are all grown up and don't like me anymore?”

It feels so silly to admit, but it’s worth it hearing Jacob's laughter. Even without the tea, something about his presence seems to draw all of Sangyeon’s thoughts out loud.

Jacob hums in understanding. “I have a nephew too, back at home,” he says softly, traces of fond memories in his voice. “He’s still a baby, really. So I'm always afraid that I'm missing out on too much of his life, that he's going to forget about me…”

Sangyeon shakes his head at that–it isn't so easy to forget the warmth of a certain person, he thinks–but Jacob only continues.

“But at the same time, I want to be someone that he can look up to, you know? Like… a cooluncle,” he says, in a way that is entirely uncool. Their gazes stall, before they both burst out in laughter. “Okay, the point is–I think I'd be really boring, if I didn't have any of this. If I hadn't met Kevin, Juyeon… or Jaehyun.”

Softness colors his voice at the mention of his partner. It's a love so tangible, that Sangyeon knows all too well, feels its traces within his heart.

“You’re not boring at all,” he says first, because it's important that Jacob knows this. “That's why everyone chooses to be with you… that's why I’d love to go with you, too.”

“That’s okay, I understand–wait, seriously?”

“... If that's okay with you.”

There's a pause, Jacob's eyes twinkling. Suddenly, Sangyeon feels his body being crushed into arms. His grip is strong, voice nearly squealing into his ear.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Then, as if realizing how tightly he’s holding onto Sangyeon, he backs away with a bashful smile. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, I'm crushing you…”

“It's okay,” Sangyeon says. Then, because he has no filter anymore– “It was cute.” He's rewarded with the brightest smile he's ever seen.

Haknyeon is a sower of sunshine–or, that's what Sangyeon believes, anyway. There must be a reason why everything he touches turns to light, why every sapling grows and unravels itself towards the sky, just to feel a bit of his warmth for itself.

"What are you using big words for? I'm just a farmer, like you," Haknyeon says, and Sangyeon adamantly shakes his head.

"My sunshine."

Though Haknyeon is only a few years younger, Sangyeon has always felt overcome with a desire to look out for him. Maybe that’s why Haknyeon is so insistent now, that it’s okay to leave the farm in his hands, for as long as Sangyeon needs.

It had been a more simple conversation than Sangyeon had foreseen. He had barely even asked the question–”I’m thinking about maybe taking a vacation”–before Haknyeon immediately agreed.

“Finally,” he had said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “I've been waiting for some peace around here!” And behind his feigned annoyance, Sangyeon hears let me take care of you, hyung.

Still, Sangyeon worries.

"Are you sure that you'll be okay by yourself? I can ask anyone to come help. You know, it would do Sunwoo and Eric some good to do work on the farm–"

"Hyung, you're so old," Haknyeon whines, effectively cutting him off. He moves into his space, reaching for a strand of Sangyeon's hair and pinching it off between his fingers. "See this? Grey hair. It's what you get when you're old, and you worry all the time about nothing."

Sangyeon yelps. "Well, maybe if I didn’t have to deal with you kids…"

Haknyeon returns his exaggerated grimace, looking a bit too much like a disgruntled pomeranian. It makes Sangyeon give in, breaking into a smile. He lets Haknyeon continue combing through his hair, just because.

There's a quiet pause, where the evening air becomes overtaken by the cicadas. It's a familiar sound to him, with Haknyeon by his side and the soil beneath their feet.

"I'm older too now, you know.” Haknyeon’s voice comes as carefully soft as his fingers. “I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know you're not," says Sangyeon, because it's true. In all the years that he's known him, Haknyeon has always been more than capable of anything he wanted. "I know that you'll be fine on your own…" he trails off quietly, somberly sticking out his bottom lip. "But I don't want you to be. You should always need me."

Then Haknyeon's laughing, loud and bright and carefree as the summer sun he's always known. And Sangyeon draws closer, tries to keep some of that unfiltered happiness to himself a little longer.

“I’ll be fine on my own, hyung. That's just how you raised me.” Haknyeon leans in, head falling onto Sangyeon’s shoulder. “But I'll always need you. So I'll be here waiting, until you’re ready to come back.”

A long beat passes. Sangyeon means to respond, but his lips start to wobble. When Haknyeon notices, he wastes absolutely no time, nearly cackling. “Hyung, are you crying? That’s so embarrassing–”

“You have to take care of my nephews, too!”

“Okay, okay.” Haknyeon reverses their positions, cradling Sangyeon's head against his chest. “Anything for you, baby.”

If you asked Sangyeon a week ago, he never could have imagined that he would be accompanying his best friend, his boyfriend, his boyfriend’s best friend, and their robot on a journey through the forest.

But maybe some things in life are meant to happen, and aren't owed an explanation.

“I'm honestly so glad you came with us,” Kevin says to Sangyeon, before directing a heated sideways glance to the others. “It was about time we had someone who knows how to cook around here.”

Jacob doesn’t seem to be offended at all, clearly used to this kind of slander. He sticks out his tongue. “Your fault for choosing to stay with me,” he says happily.

In response, Kevin sticks out their tongue back. Juyeon blinks between the two of them, and his tongue comes to poke out, too.

And when Jaehyun smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners, it reminds Sangyeon of how Jaehyun had looked at him, the first night he came back from the city. It’s a gaze that says, I’m so glad you’re here.

Since the wagon moves on its own, fueled by solar power and the occasional direction from Jacob, it leaves the rest of them with plenty of free time to enjoy the ride.

Today’s afternoon sun in particular has been kind to them. Sangyeon lounges on the deck of the wagon, watching the forest pass them by.

Besides him, Juyeon is nose deep into his book. Kevin was, too, before they decided to retreat back into the tea room with a sudden strike of inspiration. And Jacob and Jaehyun have been in their room all day, doing whatever it is they do–which could be gaming, napping, or a lot of kissing. Sangyeon tries not to think about it too much.

Meanwhile, Sangyeon stays content taking in the view. It isn't different from the evenings he spends alone on his balcony, watching the sunset through the mountains, congratulating him on another day well done…

Gods, maybe he is getting old.

Sangyeon leans back on his hanging chair, and decides that it’s okay. If he were younger, he doesn’t think he would be experiencing this moment in the same way. The forest is meant to be marvelled at, anyway.

“Wait,” Sangyeon says suddenly, perking up.

Juyeon gives him a curious glance from behind his book. Sangyeon can feel how his gaze follows him, off the wagon and onto the dirt road.

Thanks to Juyeon's knowledge and eagerness to share, Sangyeon has begun to recognize many of the species in the forest. Still, there is no part of the forest that is ever the same. That's why when Sangyeon first sees the trail of white daisies, a delicate swirling line along the forest floor–he knows that it is meant to be followed, so that’s what he does.

The trail takes them to a clearing within the forest, and Sangyeon and Juyeon find themselves standing against a barrier of lush green. At first, Sangyeon thinks that it has led them to a dead end, the brush so thick that it must be impossible to wack through. But forests have long adapted and learned to play tricks on humans, in order to protect themselves from those who took advantage of it…

Sangyeon pulls apart the woody branches with ease, almost as if they had been waiting for someone to come and find them. And just as he had thought, the forest reveals a spring otherwise hidden from sight.

Not long after, Juyeon comes up behind him, standing by his side. They’re both quiet for a moment, before Juyeon lets out a breath.

“Wow,” he says, eyes wide with awe. “I've never seen a secret spring before.”

“If you knew, then they wouldn't be so secret, right?”

“Oh! That’s right!” Juyeon turns on his feet in excitement. “This is so cool, I’ve got to tell the others!”

Before Sangyeon can even blink, Juyeon is already scrambling back in the direction they came.

With careful footsteps, as if he could preserve the perfect image before him, Sangyeon moves forward to the spring. The water is a clear, sparkling blue, made warm with the kiss of sunlight through the surrounding trees. Sangyeon doesn’t think twice before he removes his shirt, diving headfirst, and lets his bare body sink beneath.

It’s natural for Sangyeon to lose himself within the spring. Out here, it's quiet save for the occasional croak and hum from the forest creatures. Weightless upon water like this, Sangyeon can pretend that time hasn't passed him at all. He lets his worries escape and float upon the surface, until the steady flow of the water carries them elsewhere.

Briefly, he registers the sound of footsteps nearby. Juyeon must have caught up with the others in tow. But the water feels so serene underneath his skin, and he doesn’t want to let go of this feeling…

When he finally opens his eyes again, his gaze lands upon Jaehyun, who’s already staring at him–and who starts squawking as soon as their eyes meet.

“Jacob has been staring at you for the past ten minutes!” Jaehyun wails.

“No! That's not true, it's him staring–”

Jacob whines, hiding behind Jaehyun, who's cackling so loud that it feels like it echoes through the forest.

And Sangyeon isn't oblivious. He knows that his body must be somewhat attractive, from what feels like several lifetimes working in the fields. Still, he's never been someone who particularly wanted to show it off–under Jaehyun and Jacob's stare, however…

Something ignites within his chest, and fuels him to be something worth looking at. So Sangyeon stretches, folding his arms behind his head, chest on full display.

“You mean you guys don't like what you see?”

Sangyeon doesn't immediately get a reaction, which is disappointing. He thought that was good. Then, he realizes it's because he's effectively stunned both of them into silence.

Suddenly, the attention and absolutely unashamed staring makes Sangyeon shy. To cope, he starts kicking his feet in the water, as hard as he possibly can splash in their direction.

He earns a cute squeal out of Jacob, who uselessly waves his hands in front of his face. “Stop, stop!”

His other victim, apparently out for the revenge kill, decides that splashing back isn't enough. Before Sangyeon can process, he’s met with a face full of water, Jaehyun practically throwing his body in deep next to him.

Then out of nowhere, for apparently no reasons other than to torture Sangyeon, Kevin and Juyeon appear beside them in the spring, splashing water like they’re all kids again. Sangyeon tries to escape, but kicking his feet doesn't get anywhere when he's laughing so hard.

He falls clumsily into the water, and it's almost painful. Still, he doesn't think he would trade this feeling for anything in the world.

Sangyeon finds that he’s gotten used to peaceful mornings–waking up with the early rays of the sun, and to the sound of songbirds taking their first flight of the day. Today, however, he’s woken up to a halting screech, his body nearly sliding off his bed at the sudden jolt from the wagon.

Groggily, he struggles to find balance as he navigates around the wagon floor. He manages to make it out of his room on two feet to find everyone standing around outside, gazing sadly upon their wagon–the front wheels of which are buried deep inside black mud, tilting the entire wagon sideways.

“Guys,” Kevin says. They look regretfully between the four of them. “Someone needs to lift us out.”

Juyeon nods vigorously, as the obvious choice. He's got super robot strength, after all. Sangyeon glances at Jacob and Jaehyun, who are clearly both not awake enough for this.

“I'll help Juyeon,” Sangyeon says decidedly.

“Oh, thank gods.” Kevin audibly sighs in relief. “It was not gonna be me.”

Though Juyeon is able to carry most of the heavy lifting, he needs someone to support from the other side. Sangyeon positions himself at the very edge of the mud pool, stretching his wingspan out as fast as possible to get a better grip.

“On the count of three?” Sangyeon says, and Juyeon nods. One, two, three!

The wagon lifts itself up, and the mud promptly droops onto Sangyeon’s head, and down his shoulders.

Juyeon had explained that black mud is commonly found in shallow waters with poor circulation, or low oxygen content. Because of this, it is also one of the stickiest substances on this land.

Sangyeon learns this the unfortunate way

He's now leaned over the bathtub, scrubbing at his hair to no avail. It's starting to run down his back, to places that become harder and harder to reach…

Kevin hovers by the door, face looking torn between cracking up and feeling genuine sympathy for the situation. “You really gotta scrub hard to get it out. Trust me, I know.”

Jaehyun appears from behind him, and Sangyeon braces himself for relentless teasing from both of them.

Instead, Jaehyun says, “Let me help.”

“No, it’s alright–”

“No, let me.”

Jaehyun’s voice comes suddenly so forceful, that Sangyeon immediately stills his arms.

Kevin's eyes grow to saucers. “Oh, okay, I see,” they say, slowly backing away. Then, before taking off– “We're running low on recycled water, so be conservative!”

In the distance, Sangyeon swears he can hear Kevin cackling to themself. They don’t feel sorry anymore, Sangyeon thinks.

With that, Jaehyun crouches down next to him. He takes the wet washcloth out of his own hands, and says nothing more as he starts to clean his body.

“Finally got you to take a break, and you’re still trying to overwork yourself,” Jaehyun says, gently chastising.

“Sorry,” Sangyeon offers, with a small smile.

“Mm. Not sorry enough.”

Jaehyun starts with catching the mud slowly trailing down his back, before gradually moving upwards, and combing through his hair.

The pressure against his skin is steady, and Sangyeon feels his face grow heated underneath Jaehyun's concentrated fingers. Maybe he did end up taking those massage lessons from Juyeon, after all.

And Sangyeon thinks if it were anybody else, he might die of embarrassment. What do you mean he can't wash some stupid mud off his body by himself?

But he reminds himself that it's only him and Jaehyun. The same Jaehyun who has always taken care of him like it's second nature. There isn't anyone else who he could fall into, so easily like this.

He closes his eyes, and lets his body melt into the touch.

The prettiest nights on Earth are when the moon shines down on her, without holding anything back–which means that, on contrary, their darkest nights are when the moon hides shyly behind the clouds.

Tonight, the moon is far out of reach, and the road is pitch black–too dark even for the natural mechanisms of the wagon to move them forward. In turn, it's the coldest that it's ever been inside the wagon.

So once the sun leaves, Sangyeon wastes no time hiding under the covers. At this big age, he has learned that there is no simpler, greater pleasure than the feeling of going to bed early, and ignoring his growing Jaehyun-shaped problems.

He's lost track of time counting stars, and is halfway to snoozing when a figure comes to the edge of his bed.

“Hyung,” Jacob says, nearly whispering into the air. “Can I sleep with you–um, in your bed?”

Sangyeon blinks rapidly, wondering if this is real. “Of course. But did something happen between you and Jaehyun?”

“No, no! He's just on the phone with his mom right now. You know how long he talks with her. But I've been freezing…”

Jacob is already dressed head to toe in patterned pajamas and a hoodie. But even under the bundle of layers, Sangyeon can see how his body shivers with the bitter cold.

Something about the way Jacob is shy, the tip of his nose turning red, reminds Sangyeon of his nephews. It fills Sangyeon with this urge to comfort, to shield him from the outside world.

“Come here,” he says, lifting up the covers without thinking any more of it.

With that, Jacob slips into his bed. But as easily as he takes the invitation, Sangyeon can tell that he's still hesitant–turned on the other side, pointedly keeping his distance.

But something that anyone would know, if they just spent a couple of moments with Jacob, is that he is fond of physical touch–relies on it to speak his feelings just as much as his words. It’s why he’s always clinging onto the others, hanging off Jaehyun’s arm, combing through Juyeon’s hair, or tucked into Kevin’s shoulders. In this moment, Sangyeon wants nothing more than to be a person of comfort for Jacob, too.

So slowly, Sangyeon draws closer to the body in his bed, chasing warmth. He throws an arm around his waist–hesitant, asking permission–when Jacob falls so easily back against him, and tangles their legs together, as if they’ve done this a hundred times before. Sangyeon thinks, maybe it’s how he cuddles with Jaehyun, and the thought makes him flustered for reasons he can’t explain.

“Is this okay?” Sangyeon asks out loud. For himself or for Jacob's sake, he isn't sure.

He feels more than he hears Jacob's soft breath of laughter. “Of course it is,” he says. “You're so warm, hyung.”

It's easier like this, when he hides his face into the back of a shirt, and he doesn't have to meet Jacob’s gaze in the darkness. But it isn't difficult to imagine the blush pink on his cheeks, and the smile that he wears whenever he's held by his loved ones.

“I'm glad,” he lets out, and before he knows it, drifts so gently into slumber.

When he wakes up, his body has naturally separated from Jacob, but parts of their skin still touch. The morning light filters through the window, and paints Jacob's face in a soft, dreamlike glow. And sleeping still on the other side, wrapped around Jacob’s body, is Jaehyun.

Sangyeon doesn't know when he fell asleep, or how he missed an entire body climbing into their bed. Somehow, the thought doesn't scare him like he thinks it should.

Maybe because it's only Jaehyun, after all. Jaehyun, who has always been the person most familiar to his soul, and his Jacob.

The wagon starts to draw closer to the coastline. It's evident in how the scenery changes from what felt like an endless stretch of trees, to a quieter horizon along the marsh water.

Though the stars remain the same, infinitely bright, fireflies start to take over the night sky, taking their dip into the summer. Their yellow streaks of light are sporadic–blink and you’ll miss everything–but that’s what makes the sight so mesmerizing.

They’ve set up a humble camp nearby the riverbank. Since the late nights have turned colder, they spend most of their evenings huddled around the fire.

Jacob stays attached to his guitar on these nights. He's been fiddling with the strings since he set up the fire, and paints the night sky with soft, honey vocals. When Jaehyun and Kevin sing along, Sangyeon swears that the fireflies stop to listen.

Kevin’s brain seems to wander as the night goes on. “Why do fireflies glow?” they ask.

Juyeon blinks several times, before raising his pointer finger in the air. “Fireflies glow as a natural process of bioluminescence. The light is produced as an energy byproduct of the chemical reaction between luciferin, the enzyme luciferase, and oxygen. It is meant to attract mates, or even prey.”

“Thank you,” says Kevin. With a kind smile, they ask, “May I please request the Juyeon answer?”

“Oh.” He hums in thought. “I think fireflies glow because they are living. And I think that some living things were always meant to bring light.”

Kevin smiles warmly at him, squeezing his shoulder. “I like that answer, too. Very romantic.”

As the moon settles into the sky, the fireflies start to disappear. A part of Sangyeon soon grows restless, watching their trail and wondering where they're travelling to.

“Is the wagon able to travel on water?”

“Unfortunately, not yet.” Jacob tilts his head to the side curiously. “But do you know how to row?”

Sangyeon blinks, then shrugs. “Maybe?”

Jacob hums, and slips inside the wagon. Just a few seconds later, he emerges carrying a large wooden basket.

“Here ‘ya go,” he says, and tosses it in his direction without warning. Sangyeon only barely reacts in time, lucky the basket is lightweight.

And Sangyeon can't remember the last time that he had rowed a boat basket. But the motion feels natural on his fingers as he sets down the basket on the water, and grips onto the paddle with both hands.

“Take me with you!” Jaehyun says, from the edge of the water.

“These boat baskets are really only meant for one person–or you can join too, okay.”

Sangyeon feels his heart drop as the boat basket sways over on its side, water flushing into the dip. But just as quickly as Jaehyun’s body starts to tip over the boat, the water accommodates to their will, and Sangyeon finds himself back in balance.

"See, the boat is big enough," Jaehyun says, blinking his long lashes. “You know I wouldn't be able to row by myself.”

They both know that this isn't true. They also both know that Jaehyun, more often than not, gets his way.

So Sangyeon sighs, then lets his paddle sway along the flow of the river.

Their path is illuminated by the glow of the fireflies, reflecting trails of stars on the water. He tries not to think too much about how they seem to reflect in Jaehyun's gaze, too–just focuses on rowing, through the water hyacinth and lilies, following the tiny creatures swimming down the river.

Though their destination is unknown to both of them, it quickly becomes clear when they arrive. All rivers have to end somewhere, and this one pours into an open lake dancing with fireflies.

“Wow,” Jaehyun lets out a quiet breath. “It's beautiful out here.”

Sangyeon wants to agree, but he's not sure that they would be talking about the same view. His gaze is focused on one person only, and he couldn't look away if he tried.

Because underneath the light of the fireflies, Jaehyun looks like he's come out of a fairytale, eyes radiant and rivaling the moon.

Sangyeon wonders not for the first time–do I deserve this? And his mind draws back and he remembers, no, it's people like Jacob that deserve this.

“You should take Jacob out here,” says Sangyeon quietly, letting his thoughts freely into the air.

In return, Jaehyun gives him a concentrated, unreadable look. “I don't know how to row,” he says eventually. “So you should be the one to take him here.”

And that's the thing about Jaehyun and Jacob, that they make everything seem simple. From how easily they both fell in love, to how they take care to make it last. Always open, pure, and honest–things that Sangyeon has never been able to afford himself.

But underneath the moon, Sangyeon feels transparent. Like Jaehyun sees through every part of him, and knows his feelings before Sangyeon realizes it himself.

And just like that, Jaehyun leans closer, until the only thing that Sangyeon can see is his gaze, dark and traveling downwards…

Every part of him is suddenly burning, telling him that he needs to push back. Maybe jump in the water, swim all the way back home if he has to. But it’s Jaehyun’s hands who hold him still, Jaehyun’s mouth who draws in closer, and Sangyeon still doesn’t understand.

“What are you doing?” he slips out, against Jaehyun’s lips.

“I want to kiss you.” The words come in a quiet whisper, but take all the breath out of his lungs. “I've always wanted to. And Jacob said he wouldn't let me come back until I did.”

Oh.

Unspoken hesitation hangs heavy in the air, and it draws Jaehyun’s head back.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn't have…”

In truth, Sangyeon has kissed Jaehyun before. They were much younger, more stupid, and spurred on by a party game with rules he could no longer explain. All he remembers is artificial lighting, the sounds of their friends obnoxiously cheering around them. Jaehyun's eyelashes fluttering against his skin, pretty, breathless as Sangyeon pulled away–ending the kiss as quickly as it had started.

They hadn't ever spoken about the kiss again. Sangyeon had always thought it was nothing more than a fleeting moment–the same way he was always only ever in Jaehyun's life for short bursts in time, never a permanent place. But in this moment, Sangyeon realizes that there are some things he's allowed to hold for himself. That if he wants something, he's allowed to chase after it.

So out here, with just the two of them and the water beneath their feet, Sangyeon decides that he wants a do-over.

His fingers reach out, dancing along his jawline, pulling Jaehyun back in. Slowly, he tilts his head up, forcing Jaehyun to meet his eyes.

“Kiss me,” Sangyeon says.

At first, Jaehyun merely presses their lips together. Soft, hesitant, afraid of pushing the boundary too far. Leaving before he falls in too deep.

But when Sangyeon tightens his grip on his waist, opens his mouth just a little bit more–Jaehyun dives headfirst, sliding their mouths together, until Sangyeon is dizzy with the feeling, and his heart threatens to burst out of his chest.

Jaehyun kisses like it's something he wants to drown in, like he's waited lifetimes for this moment. Maybe he has. Sangyeon promises to himself to never make him wait again.

Sangyeon doesn't know how long they stay out in the water. All he knows is that when he comes back, lips thoroughly swollen, Jacob is fast asleep in a nook of the tea room. He stirs awake at the sound of their footsteps.

“You're back,” he says, yawning and stretching out his limbs. “Good morning.”

“You didn't have to wait for us,” Jaehyun says, softer than Sangyeon has ever heard. He presses a kiss to Jacob's forehead, before taking his hand and guiding him up.

“I wanted to,” Jacob says. “I made you tea, but it must be cold now…” The sleepy daze seems to clear in his head, because he suddenly looks purposefully between the two of them, gaze fixated on Sangyeon's mouth. “Wait, did you do it?”

Neither of them say a word, apparently burning with embarrassment. It's enough of an answer for Jacob.

A tiny part of Sangyeon hesitates. “Is this really okay?” he asks out loud.

“Of course it's okay,” Jaehyun says easily. "He's had a giant crush on you since that one day you made us soup."

Sangyeon smiles, a warm flutter in his chest, while Jacob wails.

"Hey! That's not true!"

"It's true. I was so jealous, but cooking is the one thing I can't do, so I had to accept it…”

Jacob flusters, mumbling to himself as he turns on his heel and starts scrambling to his bedroom. Jaehyun takes Sangyeon's hand, and follows Jacob’s lead.

When they fall into bed together, Jacob's cheeks are still blush red, from a combination of the cold and Jaehyun's teasing. He's so cute that Sangyeon has to resist the urge to kiss him–until he realizes he doesn't have to, anymore.

So Sangyeon leans in first, pressing a small kiss to his cheek. Then along his jawline, to the corner of his mouth. Jacob lets out a small breath with every touch, eyes fluttering as he watches every moment.

“Am I dreaming?” Jacob lets out. And Sangyeon hears Jaehyun laughing, too, as he smiles against his lips.

Sangyeon wakes with the early morning light, to Jaehyun and Jacob blissfully asleep next to him. For the hundredth time, Sangyeon thinks that he'll never get tired of this feeling. He thinks about chasing their warmth and drifting off again, but then remembers that he has a plan for today. Carefully, he peels Jacob’s arm off his body, and gets started.

“You look happy,” Juyeon says, finding him in the kitchen. It's a harmless comment, but Sangyeon still finds his cheeks burning red.

“Do I?” he laughs. “I'm on a mission today, Juyeon.” In a softer voice, he lets out, “I want to set up the perfect date for them.”

Juyeon brightens up, ears wiggling. “What are you thinking?”

Sangyeon pictures a grassy meadow–the one that he had stumbled upon while wandering outside the wagon. The sky stretches out infinitely blue, the ground beneath them dotted with little wildflowers. The three of them together, comfortably full from Sangyeon's picnic lunch and Jacob's tea for the day.

Sangyeon and Jaehyun will bicker about something that doesn't matter, and Jacob will happily fall asleep to their voices anyway. When he decides he's ready to come back to the earth, they'll welcome him with a good morning kiss.

Then, once the sun passes through the sky and the night takes over, Sangyeon will take them back out to the river, following the trail of fireflies once more.

Sangyeon will insist that the boat baskets are still only meant for one person–that won't stop either of them from perching themselves into the boat. He's learned that when it comes to Jacob and Jaehyun, he gives them what they want.

Sangyeon will give in, but forbid them from moving even a hair–that means no kissing in my boat! And Jacob will tilt his head to the side, taunting–we’ll see about that.

And at the end of the day, whether they're cozy in the wagon or back home, Sangyeon will know for sure. This is his happiness. This is his love, and what he's chosen to make his life. All of these little moments, little wonders are for him to keep.