blue birthday - yang jungwon.

IX. PRESENT DAY, 2027.

"Happy birthday, love." Jungwon places your birthday cake on the table, and you smile.

Jungwon had taken you to Jeju Island for your birthday this year, as promised.

You think about how just a year ago, Jungwon wasn't celebrating with you. You suppose that your birthday wish from last year came true - you wished for Jungwon to be back, and here he is, sitting right next to you waiting for you to blow out your birthday candles.

You're forever grateful to the film shop owner for sending you the package of photos - you remember how a few months ago, you two had headed to the shop to develop some of Jungwon's new film photos that he had taken and the shop owner had given you a knowing smile.

"Blow out your candles, c'mon!"

You close your eyes with a small smile, blowing out your candles as you make a wish, and your wish is no longer the same this year. This year, you wish for you and Jungwon to be happy together.

You open your eyes, and you see Jungwon smiling brightly at you. You mirror his expression, resting your head on his shoulder. He plants a kiss on your forehead, and you let out a small giggle. "You know, this is the best birthday I've had in a while." you say.

"Hey, what about last year's? We went to that one amusement park that you've always wanted to go to. Oh, wait - I forgot... time travel thing. You don't remember."

"Last year's was... interesting, I suppose - I did get those photos from the film shop owner, and I did bring you back to life." you chuckle. "Yes, you did. I remember how you came rushing into my apartment six years ago when I was preparing my surprise party for you." Jungwon hums.

"I got there in under ten minutes, and I was running."

"I think you were sprinting," Jungwon quips, and you laugh. "I was trying to stop your impending death, Jungwon."

"And I am grateful that you stopped it from happening."

"Oh, and speaking of surprises, I have one for you." Jungwon suddenly says, pulling a small box out of his pocket.

You gasp, your eyes widening. "You're not proposing, right?"

"Not today. I will sometime in the future, though."

Jungwon's response makes the tip of your ears feel hot, and your heart's beating a million miles per minute. The corners of your lips quirk up in a small, giddy smile. "But, it is a ring," Jungwon says, opening the box. "A promise ring."

"If you want the ring... I'll just... put it on your finger, or something - but if you don't I can just... keep it." he stammers nervously, and you shake your head. "No, no - I love it. It's really pretty, Jungwon." you say, and he grins from ear to ear, slipping the ring onto your finger.

"Youngeun helped me pick them - plus, we're matching, look!" he says, showing you the matching ring on his finger. You smile at the sight of the band on his finger, and you take a look at the matching one on yours. "It's very pretty - you two chose well."

"I'm glad you like them, love."

It's been a year since you brought Jungwon back, and you've never been happier. The accident in the original timeline appears in your dreams occasionally, but when you wake up in the middle of the night, Jungwon's always there, right next to you.

Jungwon cuts out a slice of cake for you, and you murmur a small thank you to him. "Hey, did you know that every year on my birthday since the accident, I wished for you to come back?" you pipe up, and Jungwon nods, his mouth stuffed with cake.

"Mhm," he says, his voice muffled. "I figured that you would."

"What'd you wish for this year?"

"I can't tell you, or else it won't come true, right?" you joke, and Jungwon smiles. "Yes - you're right." Jungwon responds. "Well, no matter what it is, I hope it comes true."

He leans in to press another kiss to your lips. "You had... uh... frosting there."

"You really don't need to use that as an excuse to kiss me, Jungwon."

Jungwon's face flushes bright red. "That was not an excuse!" he huffs, and the sound of your laughter rings in the air. "Sure, Jungwon." you say, and this time, you're the one leaning in to plant a kiss to his lips. You pull away with a soft smile on your lips, Jungwon gazing adoringly at you.

You take a look at the promise ring on your finger. The candle on the counter flickers, and for a split second, it seems as if the ring changes. There's a diamond in the centre of the band, and it looks too similar to an engagement ring.

You blink quickly a couple of times, and suddenly you're looking at the promise ring again. A smile creeps up onto your features, and you take a quick glance at the candle, and it flickers once again, as if it's sending you a message.

This year, you're almost a hundred percent sure that your birthday wish will come true.