13. 2/8= love's fate

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Stray Kids had always said that eight was fate. Hyunjin was convinced that within the fated meeting of eight like-minded young men, who formed an inseparable bond, laid the biggest fate of all, his forever mate. He had no doubt in his heart that Seungmin was the love of his life.

They had been together practically every day for about seven years, and he had realized his feelings for him for the last two, but it was clear to him, that he had loved him for far longer.

Hyunjin, an endless romantic, always dreamed of forming a family with the person he loved. Recently, he'd gotten to spend time with a baby for a variety show and he absolutely fell in love with him. Although he knew he wasn't quite ready for one, just holding, feeding, and playing with him was enough to solidify the idea in his head.

Now that he'd found the love of his life, he allowed himself to dream of that family alongside Kim Seungmin. Sure, he was 23 years old, and Stray Kids had no intention of stopping and settling down just yet, but one day... as he read poems before going to bed, his mind began to wander, prompting him to pick up a pencil and in one of his notebooks, begin scribbling...

He mouthed the words as he wrote them on the clean unlined page...

"Mr. and Mr. Kim" he giggled.

"Mr. Kim Hyunjin" he snorted a laugh.

"Hello, I am Mr. Kim Seungmin's husband, Hwang Hyunjin."

He stood up and practiced introducing himself and shaking people's hands in the mirror...

"Hello, I am Mr. Kim Seungmin's husband, Kim Hyunjin."

"Nice to meet you, Kim Hyunjin, this is my husband, Kim Seungmin, and our child, Kim Hyun Min." He belly laughed.

"A pleasure to meet you, Kim Hyunjin, this is my husband, Kim Seungmin, and our child, Kim Seung Jin."

"A pleasure to meet you, Kim Hyunjin, this is my husband, Kim Seungmin, and our child, Kim Seung Hyun."

"What if I want to be Mr. Hwang Seungmin?"

Hyunjin jumped at least a foot back. "갑자기 어 내 마음!** Oh, I almost died because of you!" Suddenly he realized what Seungmin had said, which meant he'd been listening, and Hyunjin's face now could rival fresh strawberries for the most beautiful shade of red.

He held his breath and pressed both lips together in hopes Seungmin had somehow missed his full-blown travel to Deluluville.

"You..." he scrunched his nose "...did not hear any of that, did you?" He winced.

Seungmin spoke seriously. "I like Kim Seung Hyun if it's a boy, and Hyun Minah if it's a girl. 어때?"***

He gave Hyunjin one of his brightest smiles, making his heart melt, and hugged him.

Not letting go, and with a sweet, angelic voice, he asked. "You'd take my family name if we ever got married?"

Hyunjin kissed his cheek, then held his face in his hands to look him straight in the eyes. "Kim Seungmin, my heart has been yours for so long, I can't imagine becoming your husband and keeping my name.

"I want everyone to know I am yours! I want everyone to know you've got me wrapped around your pinky, and I wouldn't want it any other way. In summary, yes. I want to take your name.

Seungmin pressed his lips to Hyunjin's in the sweetest most innocent kiss possible. When their lips separated, there were tears in Seungmin's eyes.

"Thank you. Seeing this candid moment of you thinking about me and our future together... Marry me!"

"Kim Seungmin! What?"

"I'm sorry it's not fancy or in an event, but it's sincere. Be my husband.

"I can't imagine marrying anyone else. I can't imagine a future without you either and we already selected our kids' names."

Hyunjin couldn't believe it. They'd planned to go to dinner and the whole trip through and as they sat at their restaurant's table, he kept asking Seungmin to stop playing.

"Okay. Want proof? Here..." He began writing on a napkin... "Mr. Hwang Hyunjin, will you marry me?"

"Here. Written proof I'm seriously asking. Please be my fiancé!"

Hyunjin could barely process what was happening, and just when he was about to say something, the waiter came back with their food.

"Your order gentlemen." He couldn't help but read what was written on the napkin. "Oh, is this a special occasion? Did he say yes?" He asked Seungmin.

"How did you know I proposed?"

"Because you're smiling from ear to ear with hearts in your eyes, but he is in shock and hasn't said a word since you arrived. Plus I saw you writing on the napkin earlier." He chuckled.

I'll give you two privacy. "If he doesn't say yes, I will." He winked at Seungmin and giggles as he left.

This made Hyunjin glare at the waiter. "I guess you'll need to keep looking because this one is mine!" Now looking at Seungmin, "Of course, I'll marry you!"

The restaurant they were in belonged to a senior of Hyunjin's, and they always had a private room where his friend would serve him and all of Stray Kids. They were free to be themselves there, without fear of paparazzi or fans being around. Whenever they went on dinner dates where they wanted to be romantic, they'd go there.

"About time you two got serious! I'm so happy for you Jinnie!"

"Thank you, seonbae!"

"I'll be right back!"

"So is that an official yes? You'll be my husband?"

"Forever and ever! I'll be Mr. Kim Hyunjin!"

They kissed and hugged each other.

When Hyunjin's senior, Lee Hyun Ki, returned, he had a cake with the words "Congratulations on your engagement" written on it.

"Can I please have one of your phones so I can take a picture? You'll want to remember this forever, yes?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

They were able to make the night a very special one with the help of his friend.

As soon as they consumed their meal, Seungmin said, "Let's get out of here! I want to go somewhere." He googled and found a place near the restaurant.

It was a jewelry store. They found "friendship rings" as they told the clerk in case they were recognized. They were wearing masks and no makeup, plus they were in a safe area, and the employees didn't know anything about K-pop, so they didn't even need to pretend, but they were.

They found two beautifully crafted rings, tried them on, and got them.

Now to tell the kids and Division one.
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** (gabjagi eo nae ma-eum!= suddenly, oh, my heart!= (you startled me)

***eottae? (How is it?)

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