Bada x Howl: Standing Next to You

XVIII. Doubt (Bada & Howl POV)

Cheers erupt as Young-J drinks the last of the somaek, hiccuping and wiping his mouth. Alex throws his arm around Young-J's shoulders, beaming. "Enjoy the last weeks of your single life. Who knows? Soon you might have little ones running around."

Young-J shakes his head vigorously. "Too soon, don't put ideas in her head."

"They're already in her head, trust me."

"Man, everyone is getting engaged or married," Hulk sulks.

Sone slaps him on the back. "Aw, is little brother jealous?"

"For someone who wants to get married early, maybe start by trying to stick to one girl," J-Ho teases. Hulk throws his hands up in protest.

Yejun exhales a string of smoke. "I don't get why you're all so rushed to get hitched. Soon, it'll just be Howl and me in the crew and the rest of you married off."

"More like just you. Howl's time might come soon right?" J-Ho jokes, glancing towards the couple on the other side of the couch.

Bada smiles shyly as Howl laughs, shaking his head. "We barely like to plan our vacations in advance. That's way too far in the future; it's not even remotely on our minds. Can we please change the subject?"

When everyone laughs, Bada does too though mainly to be polite.

*******

"I'm beat," he mutters, yawning and stretching his limbs out on the couch.

Bada bring over two glasses of water, settling on the couch next to him. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" Howl looks up from his phone.

"That comment you made about marriage - what did you mean?"

"What comment?"

"How it's something that's so far in the future. And it's not at all on your mind."

He places his phone face down next to him. "I mean, yeah, I think it is far off. Why?"

"Is it that unthinkable?"

He looks quizzical. "I'm only 22, so I do think it's something quite a few years out."

"Oh...." she says softly, looking down.

"What's wrong?"

She starts to pick at her fingernails. "I guess we've only talked about it a little. I've always hoped to get married before I'm 30, so I can have a few years of just marriage before kids."

"Yeah, you've said that."

"So, then how does this work?" she asks.

His eyes furrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what is this then? I'm 26 now so if I want to get married in a couple years, you know...Like, what is this relationship for you? Is it something you're hoping would turn long-term or what?"

"I think it's too early to say that for sure, don't you think?"

Bada's eyes widen. "It's been eight months, that's not nothing."

"I didn't say it was nothing. I'm saying we're still getting to know each other, and I think marriage is something that comes up after a few years together."

"No, I agree. I'm not saying we're ready for marriage, obviously. I'm asking what this relationship is for you - if you're thinking of it as long-term or not." She unzips her jacket, suddenly feeling warm.

"I don't understand the question. Of course, I hope things go well, and to me, they have been. But it's too early to guarantee anything long-term."

"I'm not asking for a guarantee" she says, starting to get annoyed.